Despite the slow start, I eventually became captivated by the high tension and action in the second half of ‘Dragon Rider’.
Romance
All posts that feature a book from genre romance
June 2024 Monthly Spotlight

Whether you’re in the mood for a light and fun romance or a dark and gripping thriller this summer, the diverse releases this month offer something for every reading mood. Check out the promising picks here for a few that might be worth adding to your summer reading lists:
- Book reviews
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THE LAST BLOODCARVER by Vanessa Le

A simple, casual writing style with good prose and details smoothly brings this story to life. I was particularly impressed by the bloodcarving ability of the main character, which was brilliantly presented and explored. However, the worldbuilding felt somewhat thin and underdeveloped, especially since some concepts, like the constabulary, were mentioned but played no role in the story.
- Book reviews
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THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo

The formal, beautiful writing style smoothly establishes an atmospheric world with historical, religious, and magical aspects. Direct foreshadowing is also neatly used to build intrigue and suspense. Sadly, I was underwhelmed by the world-building and magic system, which could have used more depth. The multiple points of view also added little to the story, and the third-person narrative made me feel distanced from the characters.
May 2024 Monthly Spotlight

Something about the bursts of sunshine between the Spring showers here in the UK has me craving a fun, cosy read! Thankfully, there are several new releases this month that fit the bill. Here are a few that have caught my eye:
- Book reviews
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THE PRISONER’S THRONE by Holly Black

The casual, easy-to-follow writing style contains vivid descriptions that smoothly establish the fascinating world of Elfhame, with its various creatures and landscapes. The narrative is also presented from Oak’s witty point of view, which constantly brought a smile to my face, but I craved Suran’s perspective as well.
- Book reviews
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THE UNBROKEN by C. L. Clark

Though I found the third-person narrative slightly confusing, I loved the vibrant descriptions that brought the desert setting and complex world brimming with culture and brutal politics to life. However, the magic system was underwhelming, as it seemed to be a convenient plot device and was poorly explained.
- Book reviews
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FANGIRL DOWN by Tessa Bailey

The casual writing style is filled with great descriptions, making this an easy and entertaining read. I also loved the dual points of view, as this made the story very satisfying.