emilywemily6's reviews
335 reviews

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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adventurous hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This is delightful. The writing style was lighthearted and also had some darker moments. The plot is pretty linear but the themes and messaging is clear for kids and adults. There’s a reason this is a classic, and it made me excited to reread the rest of the series.
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The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This book had so much potential but was definitely lacking. I adored Bowen and Tamsyn as individuals and as a couple, their banter was great and I could see the chemistry. I just felt like the romance was insta-lovey and needed to be more fleshed out. We went from coworkers with little crushes to masturbating next to each other in like a day (not even joking). We needed more connection between those two points. Though the steamy scenes were definitely hot. Overall, this book was too fast and lacked details. The magic that caused the time travel and fixed it was really nebulous and not explained. It was unsatisfying, especially considering all the (good) unintended consequences of the magic by the end of the book. The epilogue needs more of a conclusion to the series as a whole too. So I liked everything in this story but needed a ton more details. Another 50 pages or so would have been great. This felt like an outline of the story.
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The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This novella falls into the horror realm and was a refreshing change from the previous books. I tried *really hard* to pay attention and get the secret sauce in this story, but I can honestly say I only know what was happening for the first 75% of the story. It felt like we got some reveals that went over my head. I definitely want to reread this one physically. It was a little eerie earlier on in the story but the horror definitely comes out to play in the later half of the book.
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo

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adventurous reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This novella was more focused on grief and change than the others. Again, I am impressed with how different each story is while still following the same style of storytelling. And yet again I missed the secret sauce.
Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo

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adventurous hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The writing is beautiful and the world is immersive. It’s easy to forget that this is fiction/fantasy. I remember this book the least in my binging, so I probably need to reread it. Lots of new characters that made it hard for me to follow, and I know that’s my whiteness showing. The audiobook wasn’t the best fit for me to digest this book.
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo

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adventurous reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This book leans more fantasy than the last. I love how different each of these stories feel, while still tapping into the storytelling aspect. This book discusses truth being different from different people/perspectives, and the messages we try to send to others. Again, I feel like I am missing something that others got out of this, but I enjoyed it.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

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adventurous inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This was a good novella with some beautiful writing and some deeper meanings hinted at. I liked the progression of the storytelling and the implied lessons we learn. I wish they weren’t so obscure and we could get some beautiful writing to teach us. Overall, I feel like missed something that others got out of it, but I’m glad I read it. This was a reread prior to reading the rest of the series.
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a short and sweet werewolf story that read more like a fantasy coming-of-age story than a horror. We follow the main character’s journey as she transforms, adapts to her new situation, and revisits her past in her hometown while reconciling her newly defined future. I felt kind of indifferent to the characters in general, I didn’t connect with any of them.  The ending wrapped up nicer than I thought, so it was kind of a feel good werewolf story? It was interesting and not nearly as dark as I expected. I want more horror and darkness from a werewolf story, though.
All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox

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emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

The miscommunication!!!! Ugh I was already more than halfway when I realized the miscommunication would not end, so I just kept going. There were so many chances to share simple things that shouldn’t have been kept a secret? Like I am so surprised they fell so hard for each other but didn’t disclose basic info. And then neither of them trusted the other or gave them the benefit of the doubt, so it was frustrating from both sides of the relationship. When they got along, it was sweet, but they had a falling out every chapter it felt like. The spicy scenes were pretty subtle and I liked the writing style in general, but if I have to read one more miscommunication from this author I might throw something.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I really enjoyed this YA. The setting was really cool, both in the historical fiction aspect (lots of research behind this, which was so cool) and the Egypt/archeology aspect. I like Inez as a character, though the first half of this book felt so slow because she kept having the same arguments over and over again with everybody until the expedition finally happened. I liked the twists and turns. While I liked the idea of magical elements, I didn’t like how it played out in this book. A tie that makes boiling water? A sandal that lights up like a candle? The magic didn’t really make sense so it felt disingenuous with the rest of the story. The ending had me gasping and rereading parts of the book in a panic. I am really excited to read the next book!