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sophs_mood_reading's reviews
397 reviews
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Wasn’t enjoying this book enough to continue. It felt like it was the outline for a tv show or a movie (which I think it would be great as). I understand why people love it. It’s like the craft, kingsman and a marvel movie had a little witchy save the world baby but It just wasn’t doing it for me.
If I’m 30% or more in and I have to force myself to keep reading well I stop.
If I’m 30% or more in and I have to force myself to keep reading well I stop.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I wanted to love this book but I just couldn’t get into it. I’m not sure if it was the writing or that the main character I was meant to connect with was a child. I may come back to it.
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-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
Kiva the resident healer has survived 10 years at the kingdoms death prison waiting to be saved by her family on the outside or die, whichever comes first. She’s hated by the other prisoners for being the warden’s tool and informant and treated like scum by the guards (so life’s not great).
When the rebel queen arrives in a state close to death the warden and the prison rebels both demand one thing of her: Keep her alive. 🤦♀️
So now she must do the impossible, all why trying to figure out what strange deadly stomach sickness is spreading throughout the prison as well as not be too distracted by the new handsome and charming inmate.
A little slow in parts and I did predict a major plot point fairly early on, I still really enjoyed this start to the trilogy.
Read if you like:
Found family
Hidden identities
Slow burn romance
Elemental magic
High stakes challenges
When the rebel queen arrives in a state close to death the warden and the prison rebels both demand one thing of her: Keep her alive. 🤦♀️
So now she must do the impossible, all why trying to figure out what strange deadly stomach sickness is spreading throughout the prison as well as not be too distracted by the new handsome and charming inmate.
A little slow in parts and I did predict a major plot point fairly early on, I still really enjoyed this start to the trilogy.
Read if you like:
Found family
Hidden identities
Slow burn romance
Elemental magic
High stakes challenges
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Mercy has spent the last two years hiding from the world in her house, her dachshund Wasabi her only companion . Other then the obvious her biggest problem now is that this sanctuary/prison has burnt to the ground. She’s homeless, alone and agoraphobic.
So after a disastrous stay at her ex-husbands (and his new boyfriends) house, Mercy somehow ends up buying a 40 year old red Daihatsu Hijet and putting pedal to the metal heads north from Adelaide, her destination.. anywhere but here.
What follows is a journey in a dilapidated van, with little to no possessions, Wasabi and the cremated remains of Jenny Cleggit (whom that may be Mercy has no idea).
Mercy spends the novel slowly working her way north from Adelaide to Darwin, confronting the harsh environment, grey nomads, a Scottish tourist with a man-bun, her online nemesis and her out of control anxiety.
Although very slow moving, the book was a really respectable way of highlighting mental illness including its presentations, triggers and coping mechanisms associated with working though the illness. As a fellow anxiety sufferer I easily recognised and empathised with many moments in the book and didn’t feel belittled or shamed.
There are some delightful moments and characters popping up in the book but although Mercy found herself on an epic adventure of self discovery, I found the book somewhat meh. It could be that I am too much a fantasy/historic fiction girl and require a bit more action and adventure (no dragons here peeps).
The book is well written and I very much understand how it would be a huge hit for those who are fans of the contemporary literature genre.
So after a disastrous stay at her ex-husbands (and his new boyfriends) house, Mercy somehow ends up buying a 40 year old red Daihatsu Hijet and putting pedal to the metal heads north from Adelaide, her destination.. anywhere but here.
What follows is a journey in a dilapidated van, with little to no possessions, Wasabi and the cremated remains of Jenny Cleggit (whom that may be Mercy has no idea).
Mercy spends the novel slowly working her way north from Adelaide to Darwin, confronting the harsh environment, grey nomads, a Scottish tourist with a man-bun, her online nemesis and her out of control anxiety.
Although very slow moving, the book was a really respectable way of highlighting mental illness including its presentations, triggers and coping mechanisms associated with working though the illness. As a fellow anxiety sufferer I easily recognised and empathised with many moments in the book and didn’t feel belittled or shamed.
There are some delightful moments and characters popping up in the book but although Mercy found herself on an epic adventure of self discovery, I found the book somewhat meh. It could be that I am too much a fantasy/historic fiction girl and require a bit more action and adventure (no dragons here peeps).
The book is well written and I very much understand how it would be a huge hit for those who are fans of the contemporary literature genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Two sisters (Tella, an impulsive younger sister and Scarlett an older protective, conservative sister) flee an abusive father to take part in an annual, mysterious magical game to secure the prize, a wish. Throw in a handsome man who helps one minute and disappears the next, actors whose aim is to help and deceive you (you just don’t know which) and a kidnapping and you have a whole lot of thinking to do.
This novel (although a little slow to get the the action at first) pops the reader into a magical world where anything is possible although non of it is real (or so you are told). Every chapter comes with twists and turns and just when you think you (and the protagonist) have figured it out, suddenly you have it all wrong again.
The last 1/3 of the book really gets action packed and even in the end you have questions and still want to know more.
The descriptive writing was beautiful, I really felt I could picture the beautiful sets of the game. And the way in which the protagonist could see colour with her feelings made for such beautiful imagery and really got the sentiment across.
There were really clever and fun magical elements such as how the fortune teller discovered peoples inner desires and the affects of the drink to see clearly. I also loved that I didn’t guess what was going on at all as this is often a let down when reading fantasy books. I can’t wait to continue the series.
This novel (although a little slow to get the the action at first) pops the reader into a magical world where anything is possible although non of it is real (or so you are told). Every chapter comes with twists and turns and just when you think you (and the protagonist) have figured it out, suddenly you have it all wrong again.
The last 1/3 of the book really gets action packed and even in the end you have questions and still want to know more.
The descriptive writing was beautiful, I really felt I could picture the beautiful sets of the game. And the way in which the protagonist could see colour with her feelings made for such beautiful imagery and really got the sentiment across.
There were really clever and fun magical elements such as how the fortune teller discovered peoples inner desires and the affects of the drink to see clearly. I also loved that I didn’t guess what was going on at all as this is often a let down when reading fantasy books. I can’t wait to continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Clementine has reluctantly moved into her deceased aunt’s apartment in the upper east side NYC. What she didn’t realise is she would be sharing the place with a handsome guy who is frustratingly charming, oh and he’s from seven years in the past.
What follows is Clementine trying to navigate her life in the present outside of the apartment while trying to follow her aunts rules of living in this magical apartment, 1. Take your shoes off at the door. 2. Don’t fall in love.
I was really excited for this book as I adored the authors previous novel however this one just fell short for me.
The themes around death and grieving were extremely reminiscent of her other novel (Dead Romantics) which made this book feel less original.
Additionally the little twists and what were meant to be “ah ha” moments were just way to predictable.
There was also cameo from characters from the first book that felt so forced and really wasn’t necessary.
I did love the relationship between Iwen and Clementine and the concept of the apartment was really enjoyable. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn’t read her first novel, which is a strange thing to say I know.
What follows is Clementine trying to navigate her life in the present outside of the apartment while trying to follow her aunts rules of living in this magical apartment, 1. Take your shoes off at the door. 2. Don’t fall in love.
I was really excited for this book as I adored the authors previous novel however this one just fell short for me.
The themes around death and grieving were extremely reminiscent of her other novel (Dead Romantics) which made this book feel less original.
Additionally the little twists and what were meant to be “ah ha” moments were just way to predictable.
There was also cameo from characters from the first book that felt so forced and really wasn’t necessary.
I did love the relationship between Iwen and Clementine and the concept of the apartment was really enjoyable. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn’t read her first novel, which is a strange thing to say I know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When men want power they will do whatever it takes to get it. This is what the shepherd king did, and now the people of blunder suffer centuries (I think) later.
We meet Elsbeth, cursed with the infection and possessed by a creepy nightmare beast/man, let’s just say life’s complicated.
For years she’s stayed hidden from those hunting the infected but then on one fateful day (courtly ball) she finds herself suddenly face to face with the man who is in charge of ridding the world of the infected (yup not great), and yes he is handsome and broody with some mysteries of his own (well hello captain).
Thus we start a tale of two sworn foes thrown together to help save their world. But of course they both have secrets they are yet to share.
I have to say I love me some ye old- timey fantasy/ magical books. We have kings, castles, curses, heroines and a broody MMC who I am sure is a spitting image of Henry Cavil 🤣.
There was a great unique magic system and it was a fun way to see the price paid for using magic and how it is wielded.
Pet peeve of course is a cliffhanger where there is no resolution to the story and you need to read the next book. But I will happily do this as it was great.
We meet Elsbeth, cursed with the infection and possessed by a creepy nightmare beast/man, let’s just say life’s complicated.
For years she’s stayed hidden from those hunting the infected but then on one fateful day (courtly ball) she finds herself suddenly face to face with the man who is in charge of ridding the world of the infected (yup not great), and yes he is handsome and broody with some mysteries of his own (well hello captain).
Thus we start a tale of two sworn foes thrown together to help save their world. But of course they both have secrets they are yet to share.
I have to say I love me some ye old- timey fantasy/ magical books. We have kings, castles, curses, heroines and a broody MMC who I am sure is a spitting image of Henry Cavil 🤣.
There was a great unique magic system and it was a fun way to see the price paid for using magic and how it is wielded.
Pet peeve of course is a cliffhanger where there is no resolution to the story and you need to read the next book. But I will happily do this as it was great.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When your frenemy, literally rival dies unexpectedly and suddenly in front of you what else would you do but steal her final unseen work and publish it as your own? Well that’s the logical step June takes.
So after she has published her dead friends book as her own and she’s the new literary queen, well shit gets real as people start to suspect the truth, that June stole this work from her dead friend and published it as her own!
What follows is a readers delight where you love to hate the protagonist and can’t decide if you want June to get away with her deceit or for her to suffer the consequences.
You get wrapped up in this novel and can’t stop but get wrapped up with the first person anxiety driven ramblings of June.
So after she has published her dead friends book as her own and she’s the new literary queen, well shit gets real as people start to suspect the truth, that June stole this work from her dead friend and published it as her own!
What follows is a readers delight where you love to hate the protagonist and can’t decide if you want June to get away with her deceit or for her to suffer the consequences.
You get wrapped up in this novel and can’t stop but get wrapped up with the first person anxiety driven ramblings of June.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death and Rape
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Pachinko follows the twists and turns of a Korean family from the Japanese occupation of Korea, through World War II and beyond. Through each era we focus on different members of the family, their experience of their home in Japan, the families relationships and living in a world where you were ostracised by those around you.
This was a hard slog emotionally, where I felt every time something was going well, everyone would be knocked down again (very much like a pachinko ball being knocked around the rungs and pegs of a pachinko machine.) The most interesting part was the relationships between the family members. You hated characters, loved others and often sat there thinking “Why!?!?!”
This was a hard slog emotionally, where I felt every time something was going well, everyone would be knocked down again (very much like a pachinko ball being knocked around the rungs and pegs of a pachinko machine.) The most interesting part was the relationships between the family members. You hated characters, loved others and often sat there thinking “Why!?!?!”
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Well didn’t shit get turned around unexpectedly at the end of book one, this is where we open this book. We have Riahn a very much weakly supported king and Oraya who has now got to work out how to claim the throne back for her own people. Plus add in some nobles of the house of night who support neither heir and well we’ve got some tension that needs working out.
This was a good completion of the duology. Of course we had the typical I hate you/I love you struggle that comes with all enemies to lovers to betrayed lovers story lines. However this book also gifted us with an interesting plot line outside of this lovers tiff which made for a more believable story arch.
I did find some of the start a bit slower then the first book (but I always get sick of the “I want him to die” when you are practicing yelling at the book “oh really, do you!”) But the balance worked out mid way.
I did find the ending a bit meh. I get it’s the end of a duology (and a bit of a opening for the next book set in the same world) but it kind of felt a bit too cliche.
This was a good completion of the duology. Of course we had the typical I hate you/I love you struggle that comes with all enemies to lovers to betrayed lovers story lines. However this book also gifted us with an interesting plot line outside of this lovers tiff which made for a more believable story arch.
I did find some of the start a bit slower then the first book (but I always get sick of the “I want him to die” when you are practicing yelling at the book “oh really, do you!”) But the balance worked out mid way.
I did find the ending a bit meh. I get it’s the end of a duology (and a bit of a opening for the next book set in the same world) but it kind of felt a bit too cliche.