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bethsreading's reviews
71 reviews
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book exists in the small niche of cosy, low stakes queer fantasy that is exactly my sort of thing. T J Klune is one of my favourite ever authors and this book is very reminiscent if his work, so I was destined to love it.
The story follows Viv, a retiring bounty hunter who has decided to hang up her sword and open a coffee shop. It is refreshing to read a book with such a simple and beautiful plot that leaves plenty of breathing room for the characters to settle in and feel like real people. It is really a story of found family and the search for happiness.
As someone who has worked in cafe’s for nearly ten years, it can be hard to sell me on the romantic aspects of it. I know the reality of rude customers, exhausting days on your feet, and annoying drink orders. However, this book successfully put those rose tinted glasses back on my face. The delicious description of baked goods, the quirky regulars, the soulful live music: what more could you want? Legends and Lattes is the perfect cosy cafe, and I wish I could visit!
If you’re looking for someone light, heartfelt, and warming, you need to pick this up. And if you have read this and loved it, please read everything T J Klune writes, I will not stop until everyone has joined the Klune cult.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I will start with some of my favourite things about this book. The best part, in my opinion, is the main character Alex. She is complex, quick witted, and takes no prisoners. The most fun part to read was how Alex refused social norms and protocols to figure things out her own way, which usually meant fuck1ng sh1t up — and I loved it! The story/mystery was fun, with lots of twists and turns. Dark magic secret societies at Yale is such a great idea from Bardugo, mixing up a classic dark academia cocktail of politics, pride, and corruption. I appreciated the ways in which Darlington fit into but also broke the ‘nice rich boy’ trope and his complexity was very welcomed.
Now onto the ways in which this book was not perfect for me. From the get go, the book really just throws you head first into the deep end. It was just a bit too much too soon with info dumping without enough explanation and left the start of the book to be confusing. I also felt like the pacing was off, it really went 100mph and while it was a fun ride, it was also a bit exhausting having Alex in near death experience after near death experience without many breaks in between. I know the book is considered on the longer side already, but Leigh Bardugo is established enough that her editor could’ve given her an extra 50-100 pages of leeway so Alex could have some down time. I really wanted to see more of her with her friends, studying, researching etc. so the dramatic scenes packed a bit more of a punch and the pacing calmed a little. Finally, the book had multiple depictions of SA, and I felt these were very important to include because the reality is that within the setting of a rich college where privileged kids have access to power they really don’t know how to handle properly, of course such magic would be abused in these ways. However, while I do believe Bardugo was careful and respectful of the severity of the topic, it is always my personal opinion that details of SA are never necessary. As the audience we are smart enough to know the weight something like that holds, without needing details to ‘show it’. But once again, that is just my person opinion on broaching such a topic.
Overall, the book really pulled me in and took me on a wild ride. I will definitely be picking up the next book soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
This book was definitely a disappointment. It had an enticing concept, a matriarchal village that must pay the tithe of one girl a year to the ruling patriarchal coloniser of the area. The main character, Evike, is the only girl in her village without magic, and so she is cast away into the arms of the enemy when the tithe must be paid. I thought the story would be comprised of a dark and mysterious journey through the woods between these two enemies, with some obvious enemies to lovers romance in there. I think that if the book had been this, it would have worked a lot better. However, the scale became too grand with kings, politics, and war, and sadly it just felt flat and tropey for me. In fact most of this book was a genuine struggle to get through.
Evike on the surface is an interesting heroine, someone without magic from a community where magic defines and protects them. But she was so irritating and ends up getting a dark magic anyway! Whatsmore, she is supposed to be the best huntress in her village and Gaspar (the love enemy love interest) is supposedly keeping her alive because he is a useless hunter and she will protect him. However, it ended up being him saving her over and over again — also he ends up being a really skilled swordsman which completely conflicted that element of the plot. She doesn’t save him once, except by wrapping his wounds and cooking his dinner, which feels like it is just reinforcing the gender stereotypes it was trying to subvert.
I did like the books commentary on religious hypocrisy, but it kept hammering it home every page as if it thought the reader was too stupid to recognise it. A lot of the book was obvious and the rest convoluted. I did not genuinely care about a single character and if I hadn’t have DNF’d Belladonna just before it, I wouldn’t have dragged myself through it. I have heard good things have Reid’s other book, Juniper and Thorn, which I would be willing to try in the hopes it is better than this
Evike on the surface is an interesting heroine, someone without magic from a community where magic defines and protects them. But she was so irritating
I did like the books commentary on religious hypocrisy, but it kept hammering it home every page as if it thought the reader was too stupid to recognise it. A lot of the book was obvious and the rest convoluted. I did not genuinely care about a single character and if I hadn’t have DNF’d Belladonna just before it, I wouldn’t have dragged myself through it. I have heard good things have Reid’s other book, Juniper and Thorn, which I would be willing to try in the hopes it is better than this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-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
3.5
While this prequel was not as good as the trilogy in my opinion, it was definitely enjoyable and still offered new and insightful perspectives to a fascinating dystopian world.
One of the best elements, for me, were the references to the previous trilogy. This is not just because they are a beloved series for me, but because Collins calls back to moments, symbols, and songs, in order to deepen their meaning. It would have been very easy for her to throw in reference after reference, just for the sake of it (and for fan service), but it felt so much better having the reference be an uncovering of a history, which in turn deepens and enriches the story we all know so well.
My main disappointment is that I feel like Coriolanus Snow was a bit too caring. We all know he turns into an evil man who condones and does atrocious things, and while I think it’s interesting to place him in more of a grey area and have him be more complex than just evil, I wanted more in the way of understanding what brought him to become such a true villain. Yes, he is arrogant, self-absorbed, racist/classist, and clearly indoctrinated by war propaganda and it’s aftermath, but I wanted to really understand what pushed him to be a sociopath. He cares about other people more than I expected, though granted in the way a narcissist would for most of the people around him, but he has more empathy and morality than I think he would have, considering who he becomes. I can see how under the future tutelage of Dr. Gaul he could be grow into a monster, but he hated her and thought her evil for most of the book, so it’s hard to understand him becoming so much like her.
Some other gripes were that the pacing felt a bit disjointed and some important events/plot points were a bit convoluted or rushed. I also thought that a key part of the ending (his ending with Lucy Grey) was slightly confusing and I wanted more from it.
Overall I enjoyed it and think it will make a great film!
One of the best elements, for me, were the references to the previous trilogy. This is not just because they are a beloved series for me, but because Collins calls back to moments, symbols, and songs, in order to deepen their meaning. It would have been very easy for her to throw in reference after reference, just for the sake of it (and for fan service), but it felt so much better having the reference be an uncovering of a history, which in turn deepens and enriches the story we all know so well.
My main disappointment is that I feel like Coriolanus Snow was a bit too caring. We all know he turns into an evil man who condones and does atrocious things, and while I think it’s interesting to place him in more of a grey area and have him be more complex than just evil, I wanted more in the way of understanding what brought him to become such a true villain. Yes, he is arrogant, self-absorbed, racist/classist, and clearly indoctrinated by war propaganda and it’s aftermath, but I wanted to really understand what pushed him to be a sociopath. He cares about other people more than I expected, though granted in the way a narcissist would for most of the people around him, but he has more empathy and morality than I think he would have, considering who he becomes. I can see how under the future tutelage of Dr. Gaul he could be grow into a monster, but he hated her and thought her evil for most of the book, so it’s hard to understand him becoming so much like her.
Some other gripes were that the pacing felt a bit disjointed and some important events/plot points were a bit convoluted or rushed. I also thought that a key part of the ending
Overall I enjoyed it and think it will make a great film!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Suicide attempt
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
DNF at 25% 1⭐️
God this was bad. I was so excited to pick this up and I had heard good things and it was in the kindle 99p sale. But the writing felt like a 2012 whattpad fanfic and Signa was the most annoying main character. Girlie, please put the thesaurus away and stop saying ‘dark tresses’, ‘dark waves’ etc - just say hair dear god. The plot was stupid and the rules of the magic/ghost system were not properly explained, it felt like the author just made up a rule for whatever was convenient to the plot at that moment. She is angry at Death for doing his job and keeps talking about him as if he is the Devil which made no sense. For example she says that Death probably ‘invented deciet’ - why? if anything Death is honest and works for nature, why would he be such a bad guy. The only reason she gives is that she thinks he is obsessed with her and wants to make her life specifically difficult. I think he should have more going on than worrying about the day to day life of some bratty girl. But no, to make things even stupider, it turns out he does care about her and is going to be the love interest? Nope. It was just bad and not even in a fun way. I tried to get to 40% to give it a really fair shot but I actually couldn’t make it a page further.
God this was bad. I was so excited to pick this up and I had heard good things and it was in the kindle 99p sale. But the writing felt like a 2012 whattpad fanfic and Signa was the most annoying main character. Girlie, please put the thesaurus away and stop saying ‘dark tresses’, ‘dark waves’ etc - just say hair dear god. The plot was stupid and the rules of the magic/ghost system were not properly explained, it felt like the author just made up a rule for whatever was convenient to the plot at that moment. She is angry at Death for doing his job and keeps talking about him as if he is the Devil which made no sense. For example she says that Death probably ‘invented deciet’ - why? if anything Death is honest and works for nature, why would he be such a bad guy. The only reason she gives is that she thinks he is obsessed with her and wants to make her life specifically difficult. I think he should have more going on than worrying about the day to day life of some bratty girl. But no, to make things even stupider, it turns out he does care about her and is going to be the love interest? Nope. It was just bad and not even in a fun way. I tried to get to 40% to give it a really fair shot but I actually couldn’t make it a page further.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Suicide attempt, and Murder
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I did not know the Achilles myth very well at all (partially on purpose, knowing I would read this book one day), and I’m glad I didn’t. The foreshadowing meant I was able to guess what would happen but it was still nice to not know for certain what route the plot would take.
My favourite part was the character building. Miller does a fantastic job of setting out the lives of these boys, giving enough detail so you know who they are and what drives them, while still jumping forward towards their destined futures. Their love felt raw and real in a very beautiful and, naturally, tragic way.
Miller’s writing style mirrored that of classic stories, feeling as if you are looking at a very in depth tapestry as it hops from moment to moment. This was one of the things I loved, but also the only thing that also wasn’t perfect for me. I felt it worked in so many ways, but in a couple of instances, it felt too staccato, with not enough detail. A couple of key scenes I had to reread to understand what was actually happening and why. However, this was my only gripe with the book and beside that it was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I must first start off with one of my favourite aspects of the book that I feel does not get the recognition it deserves: the bisexual/pansexual representation! It was so beautiful and important to finally read about characters who loved any gender and it was portrayed as normal and natural. There was no stereotypes, or biphobia, no suggesting that they were just experimenting, no fetishisation; they were just attracted to whoever they were attracted to. Finally seeing such a positive depiction, made me realise how little good representation there is in other media and it really meant so much to see an aspect of myself portrayed in such a beautiful, normal way. It makes me sad that this book is not labelled as LGBT+/queer when both main characters are queer, just another example of how bisexuality/pansexuality is not always seen as an equal member of the LGBT+ community. So if you’re looking for good bisexual rep, please pick up this book!
The concept of this book, as with all of Schwab’s books, was so enticing and it continued to grip me throughout. Addie is such a genuinely interesting character, who wants to experience all she can of the world. Despite going through some truly painful things, she finds a way to hold onto the beauty of her experiences and let her perseverance and desire for life be what defines her. It is hard to put into words the spark that this story had flowing through it, but I was transfixed and really cared for Addie and her journey.
It was a pleasure to see a positive portrayal of sexual exploration, as well as a more realistic example of love; one that isn’t perfect, but two people who can offer each other something beautiful in their companionship.
I’ve tried a few books by Schwab before, but while I thought she always had fantastic concepts, for me they tended to lack a certain spark or heart to push them past a 3.5 star point. Addie Larue, however, broke that pattern for me! This is a story I really connected with and will absolutely reread.
The concept of this book, as with all of Schwab’s books, was so enticing and it continued to grip me throughout. Addie is such a genuinely interesting character, who wants to experience all she can of the world. Despite going through some truly painful things, she finds a way to hold onto the beauty of her experiences and let her perseverance and desire for life be what defines her. It is hard to put into words the spark that this story had flowing through it, but I was transfixed and really cared for Addie and her journey.
It was a pleasure to see a positive portrayal of sexual exploration, as well as a more realistic example of love; one that isn’t perfect, but two people who can offer each other something beautiful in their companionship.
I’ve tried a few books by Schwab before, but while I thought she always had fantastic concepts, for me they tended to lack a certain spark or heart to push them past a 3.5 star point. Addie Larue, however, broke that pattern for me! This is a story I really connected with and will absolutely reread.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Violence and War