emmsbookshelf's reviews
736 reviews

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.75

I really enjoyed the These Hollow Vows duopoly and was so excited to read Beneath These Cursed Stars, it is the logical and sequential follow up from the perspective of Jasalyn. But this story is dual perspective, we also see events from the perspective of Felicity, who has taken on Jasalyn’s form and is posing as her. The set up of this story is genuinely delightful and I feel like I scored big at a two for one sale, two fleshed out protagonists who feel a large spectrum of emotions, including inner strength but also crippling fear. Two for one adventure in a world I was already pretty familiar with (so there was less set up in the realm of world building, I was genuinely surprised at how much I remembered, it all came rushing back to me as I read) and two for one slow burn romance.

At first I was a little disappointed with the concept of the return of Mordeus, I was hoping for a villain not yet explored or someone who could have stepped into the power vacuum he would have left. However, it was really well done and integral to the plot and the characterisation, my initial reaction was way off! The characterisation of Jasalyn and Felicity was spot on, I particularly liked how Felicity would remind herself of how exactly Jasalyn would act or what she would say, it gave the story another layer of legitimacy. I did find certain elements in the relationship capacity a little predictable, but other parts of the plot completely smacked me in the face, I had no idea it was coming. The writing was accessible and had a good flow, it was an easier read for a fantasy genre whilst still really descriptive and immersive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, I had a great time and these thoughts are all my own.

Content Warnings

Funny Story by Emily Henry

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past by Lucy Score

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adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It took me a while to finish Blast From The Past as I wasn’t aware that it was the third book in the Riley Thorne series. I will admit, I was confused and adrift when I started and feel that reading the first two books is necessary for understanding and appreciating this book in all it hilarious and entertaining glory. So I back tracked and read the first two books, and I am so glad, as this has been a series I have enjoyed immensely.

The series follows Riley Thorn, a reluctant psychic in a family full of similar ‘gifts’ emerging from a divorce and thrown into the path of Nick Santiago, a private investigator whom she enters into a relationship with. First and foremost, these books are great, full of witty banter and hilarious exchanges. They have the tell-tale Lucy Score touch of a dog that is borderline human and enough personality to carry its own novel. Blast from the Past shook up the traditional formula set forth in the first two novels and I found it refreshing, whilst still having the same wit and banter of the first two books.

As a character, Riley is incredibly relatable in her insecurities, in her job, appearance and relationships. She Is such a well rounded character in that regard and it was nice to se a continued journey of self love and acceptance in this book. I thought that this journey was further propelled by her loss of access to Cotton Candy Land (I don’t want to spoil to much so if you know, you know). Additionally, Nick’s point of view is incredibly entertaining to read from, for someone whose career as a private investigator revolves around him being observant, he is quite dense when it comes to understanding the emotions of those around him. Also, props to him, 10/10 for calling out his mothers bad attitude to Riley.

I can’t wait to continue Riley and Nick (and Burts!) adventures in the psychic PI realm. Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet by Lucy Score

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Nefertiti, Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt: Her Life and Afterlife by Aidan Dodson

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adventurous informative medium-paced

5.0

This book is incredibly informative and detailed. It is evidence based in its approach and masterfully makes suggestions and connections where physical evidence is lacking or confusing.

The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced