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stardust_heidi's reviews
462 reviews
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Games with the Orc by Kathryn Moon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Just not in the mood for a smut centric book right now. Might return later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
City of Ruin by Charissa Weaks
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I may change my rating another time, but while I overall loved this book and enjoyed it very much, I was also kind of relieved to finish it. I think my reading mood was very much not in a romantasy mood, and this is very much that. Lots of gratuitous sex scenes and the standard romantasy "no one has ever had a bond like us" vibes. And like, don't get me wrong, sometimes I love the shit out of that, but I found myself wishing for things to hurry up at times. (Like I said, MOOD.) That being said, the plot and romance we were given is all excellent, though I think I'm still traumatized from this bonus scene line "my little honey hole" .
Honestly, I probably wouldn't rely on my review as a quality one lmao -- I had covid in the middle of the 20 day sit took me to read this, and my brain allowed only monster romances to be read during that time. I feel like a lot of the early book details got lost in the brain fog.
I did have one sort of grumble with the plot and still don't understand whythe damage to Raina's side of the bond caused her feelings to Alexus to crash and burn, especially when she maintained the memories and sensation of feelings. I get that it makes a more dramatic bonding scene later when ✨gasp✨ she is able to heal her side of the runic bond during an intimate moment. It just...I don't know. It made me nitpick the point of this happening, and it ultimately pulled me from the book.
I hope Charissa is able to conquer her publishing issues sooner than later, because THAT CLIFFHANGER ENDING HAS ME IN A CHOKEHOLD.
Honestly, I probably wouldn't rely on my review as a quality one lmao -- I had covid in the middle of the 20 day sit took me to read this, and my brain allowed only monster romances to be read during that time. I feel like a lot of the early book details got lost in the brain fog.
I did have one sort of grumble with the plot and still don't understand why
I hope Charissa is able to conquer her publishing issues sooner than later, because THAT CLIFFHANGER ENDING HAS ME IN A CHOKEHOLD.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Super duper fun! I thought the narrators did a great job, and I think it was a great intro to the duet style of audiobook narration. (Somehow my first???) I really enjoyed the good communication and directness and lack of drama between the two main characters (minus one moment, but that kind of made sense lol).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This book is fine. I enjoy Marcus's backstory and Phoebe's life as a baby vampire. I really wish they'd kept Jennifer Ikeda as the narrator for this one, because it honestly throws me. Don't get me wrong, I love Saskia Maarleveld, but after almost 75 hours of narration with JI, it's jarring with a new one. I find myself less engaged with the story as a result. Or maybe it's because I find some of the flip/flop storytelling to be not as strong as the first three books.
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I received an ARC from the author as part of her Traveling ARC event!
Honestly, I adore this book. In Roommate, I loved Reginald, and when I found out he was getting his own book, I was absolutely thrilled!
In My Vampire Plus-One we meet Amelia, an accountant in the middle of tax season, when she collides with Reginald in a delightful “meet-disaster.” He’s chaos incarnate, and she likes order and control. When Amelia finds out that yet another cousin is getting married, which only highlights her single status to her family, she decides to enlist the assistance of Reginald to be her fake date.
What ensues is ridiculous fun and some seriously sexy tension between the two. There’s also a side of nefarious vampire shenanigans to contend with that puts our friend Reggie in some serious danger.
I seriously loved this book. When twists happen, instead of freaking out and assuming the worst, a moment to think is taken and logic ultimately prevails. There’s an emphasis on not comparing their relationship to Cassie/Frederick’s and to making their own story as a couple — which I absolutely love. I think that despite the silly fun of the story, the author managed to resolve potential conflict situations in a brilliant, healthy way. NO THIRD ACT BREAKUPS TO BE FOUND.
Amelia and Reginald’s story is a true delight. I wouldn’t say no to more of these two. 😏
If you want a laugh, hot vampires and accountants, and something frothy but enjoyable, definitely read this book. It’s a great palate cleanser between fantasy heavy reads.
I’ll definitely read anything else this author puts out. (And I’m not just saying that because we’re friends, lmao.)
Honestly, I adore this book. In Roommate, I loved Reginald, and when I found out he was getting his own book, I was absolutely thrilled!
In My Vampire Plus-One we meet Amelia, an accountant in the middle of tax season, when she collides with Reginald in a delightful “meet-disaster.” He’s chaos incarnate, and she likes order and control. When Amelia finds out that yet another cousin is getting married, which only highlights her single status to her family, she decides to enlist the assistance of Reginald to be her fake date.
What ensues is ridiculous fun and some seriously sexy tension between the two. There’s also a side of nefarious vampire shenanigans to contend with that puts our friend Reggie in some serious danger.
I seriously loved this book. When twists happen, instead of freaking out and assuming the worst, a moment to think is taken and logic ultimately prevails. There’s an emphasis on not comparing their relationship to Cassie/Frederick’s and to making their own story as a couple — which I absolutely love. I think that despite the silly fun of the story, the author managed to resolve potential conflict situations in a brilliant, healthy way. NO THIRD ACT BREAKUPS TO BE FOUND.
Amelia and Reginald’s story is a true delight. I wouldn’t say no to more of these two. 😏
If you want a laugh, hot vampires and accountants, and something frothy but enjoyable, definitely read this book. It’s a great palate cleanser between fantasy heavy reads.
I’ll definitely read anything else this author puts out. (And I’m not just saying that because we’re friends, lmao.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Blood
The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism by Jen Gunter
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Love the straight facts delivery of information in this book. Dr. Gunter doesn’t mince words and is savage in her explanation that women have been medically gaslit for eons under the burden of the prevalent patriarchy in medicine.
This should be required reading for everyone in their 30s. I hit 40 last year and decided it was time to start educating myself on what’s to come. I’m glad I have a physical copy of this book to use as a reference.
The chapter on supplements was eye opening. (As were others, of course.)
The information is provided in a clear and concise manner without a lot of fluff to make it confusing.
This should be required reading for everyone in their 30s. I hit 40 last year and decided it was time to start educating myself on what’s to come. I’m glad I have a physical copy of this book to use as a reference.
The chapter on supplements was eye opening. (As were others, of course.)
The information is provided in a clear and concise manner without a lot of fluff to make it confusing.
The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Oh….my GOD. Why did I wait so long to read this?!!?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This duology is spectacular.