Tag Archive for: 4.5 Stars

,

The Poet Empress

The Poet EmpressTitle: The Poet Empress
Author: Shen Tao
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 400
Length: 15h 43m
Narrator: Katharine Chin, Eric Yang
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m really glad I decided to read THE POET EMPRESS. It’s a lot darker than I normally read and it’s my first anti-romance, but I ended up loving the story and all that was at stake. I especially loved the Chinese historical and poetic influences. The political intrigue and the themes of nature vs. nurture, redemption, and revenge gave me a lot of think about as I read. I’m glad the book ended the way it did. I think it was right for the story and the characters.

, ,

How To Write A Love Story

How To Write A Love StoryTitle: How to Write a Love Story
Author: Catherine Walsh
Genre: Romance
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 336
Length: 9h 10m
Narrator: Jonathan Aarons, Róisín Rankin
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed HOW TO WRITE A LOVE STORY. It was a fun premise. I loved the way Walsh wrote grief, its many forms, how it affects our lives, and people don’t grieve the same way. I loved the characters, especially Sam and Ciara. I love watching them get to know each other and learn to care for each other. I loved the setting in Ireland and getting to experience a little of Irish culture.

,

Roots Of Darkness

Roots Of DarknessTitle: Roots of Darkness
Author: Demi Winters
Series: Ashen #2.5
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 185
Length: 5h 43m
Narrator: Islay Jacobs
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Road of Bones, Kingdom of Claw, Dawn of the North
My Thoughts

I really enjoyed ROOTS OF DARKNESS. I’m glad we got to see what happened to the rest of the Blood Axe Crew after Rey left to save Silla from Jonas. I enjoyed being in Hekla’s head, witnessing her badassery and even her doubt. I liked her connection with Eyvind and look forward, hopefully, to seeing them resolve their conflict in future Ashen series books or another novella. I hope we find out what’s causing the mist since the novella just kind of left us there hanging after the immediate threat was neutralized.

The Hating Game

The Hating GameTitle: The Hating Game
Author: Sally Thorne
Genre: Romance
Spice: 2 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 384
Length: 12h 18m
Narrator: Katie Schorr
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I actually really enjoyed THE HATING GAME. I thought it was a fun, heart-felt, spicy enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved Lucy and Josh, their chemistry, banter, and sexual tension. I thought the games they played in the office were fun and it reminded me of other enemies-to-lovers books I’ve loved in the past. I’m glad I read 99 PERCENT MINE first because I knew there was an epilogue to this story. I’m glad I read it. It was so sweet.

, ,

A Song To Drown Rivers

A Song To Drown RiversTitle: A Song to Drown Rivers
Author: Ann Liang
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
Format: Audio
Pages: 324
Length: 10h 22m
Narrator: Natalie Naudus
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

A SONG TO DROWN RIVERS is a story that’ll stay will me for a long time. It’s a beautifully tragic story about love, loss, betrayal, politics, and war. I’ve loved Asian folktales since I was a child and this one did not disappoint. Xishi, Fanli, Zhengdan, and Fanli’s friend (I don’t know how to spell his name since I listened to the audiobook and I can’t find it on Google). The ending felt a bit rushed and the end end reminded me of the movie Eternity. It made me wonder if it was really hopeful or actually more tragic. So much to think about.