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mandas_world_of_books's reviews
213 reviews
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
Books 1 & 2 of 2025
EOS - wow, all I can say is wow! I enjoyed this book so much. The battle; the friendship; the way everyone comes together for the common good. Well done @sarahjmaas
TOD - this one burned slower for me. I enjoyed the focus on Chaol, however, I needed it to move faster. But in true SJM fashion, the last 100ish pages it picked up and it all revealed itself.
I am so glad I did these two books as a tandem read. I feel like I got so much more out of it. If you’re contemplating whether you should do it or not, the answer is yes, yes you should. You won’t be disappointed.
EOS ⭐️ Rating: 5
TOD ⭐️ Rating: 4.5
EOS - wow, all I can say is wow! I enjoyed this book so much. The battle; the friendship; the way everyone comes together for the common good. Well done @sarahjmaas
TOD - this one burned slower for me. I enjoyed the focus on Chaol, however, I needed it to move faster. But in true SJM fashion, the last 100ish pages it picked up and it all revealed itself.
I am so glad I did these two books as a tandem read. I feel like I got so much more out of it. If you’re contemplating whether you should do it or not, the answer is yes, yes you should. You won’t be disappointed.
EOS ⭐️ Rating: 5
TOD ⭐️ Rating: 4.5
Ushers by Joe Hill
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What happens when you see the ushers who want to bring you home when your time has come and no one believes you? What happens when you interfere with those ushers? This #amazonshortstory was so good but I also wanted it to be a full length novel! Full disclosure: the real reason I read it, the cover…it was what hooked me from the beginning.
When We Were Friends by Jane Green
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
This was a CUTIE #amazonoriginalshortstory with a twist that I did not see coming. I got this from my #amazonfirstreads one month and finally got around to reading it and I’m so glad I did. It showed how friendships aren’t always what you think and how sometimes friend breakups are the hardest to recover from. Well done!
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Thank you @rebeccayarros for writing another #militaryromancenovel
I’m so thankful you released this one prior to the newest in the Fourth Wing series. Being able switch back and forth between reading and audio for this one was perfect. I loved everything about this one from the dynamic between Allie and Hudson to the interwoven family structures.
I’m so thankful you released this one prior to the newest in the Fourth Wing series. Being able switch back and forth between reading and audio for this one was perfect. I loved everything about this one from the dynamic between Allie and Hudson to the interwoven family structures.
Wine People: A Novel by Michelle Wildgen, Michelle Wildgen
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Truthfully, why didn’t I DNF it?! I picked this book for the title and cover and then the intrigue stopped there. After that I found the characters lackluster and whiny (no pun intended). The story dragged on and on in my opinion and it just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I should have listened to my gut and stopped reading it, instead I tortured myself and forced myself to finish it…2025 goal - don’t force myself to read “bad” books.
Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
3.0
The best part of this book was learning about Jasper and his life. This to me wasn’t a typical Nicholas Sparks love story. Sure it was woven in there, but it wasn’t the main focus. Overall, this isn’t one I would jump to recommend to anyone.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
“Well, you don’t steal a hoodie and not wear it. Otherwise it’s just another senseless crime.” - Alexis Montgomery
This book by Abby Jimenez came available through my Libby App at just the right time. This is the first book by her I’ve done and I’ve already got the other two in this series on hold. It was EVERYTHING I personally needed in this season of my life (and yes that might be reflected in my rating). It made me laugh, cry, and say AMEN on my way to work in the morning. The way in which Abby wrote it had you feeling for both the main characters as well as the minor characters.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Well, you don’t steal a hoodie and not wear it. Otherwise it’s just another senseless crime.” - Alexis Montgomery
This book by Abby Jimenez came available through my Libby App at just the right time. This is the first book by her I’ve done and I’ve already got the other two in this series on hold. It was EVERYTHING I personally needed in this season of my life (and yes that might be reflected in my rating). It made me laugh, cry, and say AMEN on my way to work in the morning. The way in which Abby wrote it had you feeling for both the main characters as well as the minor characters.
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
4.0
“Everyone should have somebody who believes in ’em. Like no matter what they’ve done. Somebody who won’t give up on them.”
And that’s exactly what the main character Quan has. He has people who won’t give up on him. He has people who believe in him and in the end it pays off.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one as much as “Dear Martin” but I was wrong - in the end, it had me shedding some tears.
If you’re looking for a series, or even a stand alone book, to put you in someone else’s shoes, this will do it.
And that’s exactly what the main character Quan has. He has people who won’t give up on him. He has people who believe in him and in the end it pays off.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one as much as “Dear Martin” but I was wrong - in the end, it had me shedding some tears.
If you’re looking for a series, or even a stand alone book, to put you in someone else’s shoes, this will do it.