A Writer of Many Worlds

Hi, I'm Amanda! She/her. Mid-twenties. I'm a writer, reader, and dreamer. Huge mythology and history nerd. This is my personal blog for any of my own writing, books reviews, movie reviews, basically anything story related! Just a dreamer who wants to be published one day. Feel free to ask me anything! 

[amandaklwrites]

Hey everyone!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have decided to stop doing the monthly TBR posts. It’s a bummer, but ever since my promotion to a managerial position and working full 40 every week, my reading habits have changed. I don’t keep up with my TBR as much anymore, and sometimes I get more excited about something new coming out and want to read that instead. So… yeah. But I’ll definitely still post reviews and try to do more fun stuff! And I might go back to these eventually, when I’m more used to things.

So take care everyone! Happy reading!

And Happy Summer Solstice!

[amandaklwrites]

June 2022 TBR

My goodness, how is June next week already? I was super busy this month, so I have to push out some of my May TBR into this month. And that's why I just got around to reviews and this. It's been a wild time. But I still have some books planned to read! All ones that I'm excited for! So, like I had said, a lot of the ones I hadn't got to in May will be here, including these new ones. There might be a few random ones as well. So here's my list!

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney

2. Rise of the Snake Goddess by Jenny Elder Moke

3. Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez

4. The Sea Knows My Name by Laura Brooke Robson

5. For the Throne by Hannah Whitten

6. Go Hunt Me by Kelly Devos

7. Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

So there you have it! My books for June! I hope you have a good month and get some reading done!

Happy June! Happy reading!

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Extasia by Claire Legrand 

Genre: YA Horror

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: 

This book was… weird. But, like, in a great way? 

It was probably one of the weirdest (in a scary, frightening way) book I’ve read. It horrified me in so many ways, and I don’t think I could describe them unless you had read the book. This is one of those books that’s hard to explain without ruining the twists and turns of it. 

Just know that it’s super weird, super brutal, super honest. The themes in this book were way too spot on for what’s happening in this world. And there’s a wild twist toward the end that I wasn’t expecting, almost like a joining of genres. 

But I really liked this book. It was a wild ride, and I think I’m a little scarred from it. But it was deliciously fun. 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: 

I love Middle Eastern/Persian/Arabian folklore. Probably came from my love of Aladdin as a kid. So I was really excited for this book! I love anything that had to do with jinn. 

And this one was SO MUCH FUN! I loved the characters, the magic, how the jinn were different from what I’ve seen before. The journey and tests to find this magical object was a great touch. And the twists of different stories from Arabian Nights were so well crafted. I loved how the characters came together, interacted with each other, and the different things that happened to me. I didn’t guess anything in this book, it kept surprising me, and I almost didn’t want it to end. 

I loved this book! I can’t wait for more! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: A Mirror Mended (Fractured Fables #2) by Alix E. Harrow 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: 

I really liked this book! 

I love fairytale retellings, always have. And I really enjoyed the first one of this series from last year. But I think I like this one even more! 

The twists on the fairytales were so fun. I loved the new invention with them, and how one of the main characters was the evil queen. So amazing. It was a quick, short book, and my job had received it as an ARC, so I read it over a couple of days on my breaks. 

I enjoyed the hell out of this book! Lots of fun and laughs and creativeness! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Book of Night by Holly Black 

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3/5

Book Review: 

I hate to say it… but this book disappointed me. 

I love Holly Black, I have for years. But this adult story just wasn’t for me. 

Don’t get me wrong, it had interesting plot ideas, I liked some parts with the characters. But for the most part, nothing clicked with me. I didn’t care much about the characters, I found the world/magical system a little odd and confusing at times. I think the last few chapters were really interesting to me, but most of it was kind of meh for me. So that’s a huge bummer. 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas 

Genre: Horror

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: 

MY GOD. THIS BOOK.

This book blew me away! It was so wonderfully done, so enticing and had many, many aspects that I loved. 

The writing was beautiful. The story itself was interesting. I have more recently gotten into horror, and this one scared the shit out of me. I couldn’t even sleep that well, I was so afraid in the dark. But it was done in all the right ways! The characters were so unique and fantastic, the story itself, the pacing, everything was wonderful. I loved the romance, the feeling of how real the story felt, the setting. Gah, just everything. Literally one of those books that I could talk about forever, but I don’t want to here, since it’s still new and getting more and more popular. 

But please do read this book! It’s something that I feel like must be read! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: 

This book was cute and silly. I loved the freshness of fairytales, and how it was different from typical retellings. And the narrator was great for this story; with the humor, the cynicism, the way it unfolded. This story was really, really short, but I found it hilarious and just plain fun! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Misrule (Malice Duology #2) by Heather Walter 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: 

The second and final book. So I’ll keep this review short, since it’s the final story here. 

I did like this one. Not as much as the first book, but I did like it. I found the way it changed the story super interesting and how much time had passed. But at the same time, I found the complicated new world and system a little overwhelming and boring at times. It got a little slow for me through some bits, and too, too political, but year, that’s it. 

I really loved the themes, the way the story unfolded. Especially the end. I found that so cool and satisfying. So though I didn’t love it as much as MALICE, I still really enjoyed the ending of this duology. 

[amandaklwrites]

May 2022 TBR

Hey everybody! Happy May! 

So sorry for the long lapses between reviews… I’ve been getting used to full time and a managerial position, so it’s exhausting and a lot to get used to. But I just posted some reviews and now here I will list the books I want to read this new month (May)! So many I am really, really excited for, so it will be great! 

1. The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas 

2. Book of Night by Holly Black

3. Misrule by Heather Walter

4. The Drowning Summer by Christine Lynn Herman 

5. Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

6. Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber

7. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

8. Hide by Kiersten White 

9. Ebonwilde (and probably the first two as rereads) by Crystal Smith

 

So there you have it! There could be more, but I’m pretty much focusing on getting all these done for the month! 

What are you reading? Anything you are super excited for? 

Happy May and happy reading! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: 

This book was so wonderful! I really did love it! 

There were some things I didn’t love—some of the plot slowed, the writing went too back and forth between the immaturity in the way Merida spoke and the beautiful style for me. But that was pretty minimal. Otherwise, I loved the hell out of it. 

It was magical and beautiful. The relationship between Merida and the gods were mystical and warm and enchanting. I loved the journey Merida and her family had to go on, and the changes that happened for all the characters were great. I absolutely love stories focusing between humans and gods, and how those feel. And I loved how this one was written. 

It’s really magnificent. Please read it. 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Malice (Malice Duology #1) by Heather Walter (REREAD)

Genre: Adult Fantasy/Retelling 

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: 

This is just a quick review here, as it was a reread for me, since the second (and last) book comes out in a couple of weeks, so I wanted a refresher before it arrived! 

Somehow, I ended up loving this book even more the second time? Just refer/search up my original review and you’ll see my initial thoughts. And know that I loved it even more this time around. 

Definitely get your hands on this one soon! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (A Lady's Guide #1) by Manda Collins 

Genre: Romance 

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: 

Okay, so I don’t usually read romances. And I know I’ve mentioned on here that I’m super picky about what romance books I do like/love.

And this one I LOVED! 

That probably seems weird and confusing. Trust me, I was too, at first. But the more I got into it, the more I figured out why I loved it. One of my all-time favorite shows is MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE. I love the romance, the humor, the historical aspect, the mysteries, the whole vibe. And this book is JUST LIKE THAT. It reminded me so much of the show that I got some of my fix from that show. 

So, yeah, that explains it all. The mystery was fun. I loved the romance. The quips back and forth from the love interests were great. It got a little cheesy at times, but it was fine throughout. 

I just really loved this book. And I can’t wait for the next one! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Omens Bite (Sisters of Salem #2) by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3/5

Book Review: 

This book was okay. I love the mythology and stories used throughout, but I can’t get through the plot and main characters that much. It’s one of those books that I really want to love, but I can’t get myself to do so. Maybe someday in the future I will appreciate it more, but I couldn’t do so this time around. They’re cheesy and fun at times, but it just kind of bored me through most of it. 

Oh well, onto the next one! 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher 

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Rating: 4.5/5

Book Review: 

This book was dark and magical, and I really liked it! 

I like how it blended all different types of fairytales, taking pieces from all kinds and putting them together into this world. It was funny, it was wild and adventurous, it was dark. The romance was something I wasn’t expecting but ended up loving. And I loved the end! The story itself is a short one, but it felt so right and everything that happened was sweet and amazing. 

I really did love this book. 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: The Iron Sword (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #2) by Julie Kagawa 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Rating: 3.5/5

Book Review: 

I loved this series. A lot. But honestly, I feel like they should’ve stopped with the original series. I do love the world, the characters, and seeing them interact is still fun. But it was like it’s been dragged on, and I felt exhausted by the end of it. I don’t even remember what happened. 

The little funny moments were my favorite, though. They were cute. 

[amandaklwrites]

Book Review: A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott 

Genre: Fiction/Classic

Rating: 3/5

Book Review: 

Now, I haven’t really read Louisa May Alcott. I think I read one of her short stories in college and I have seen adaptations of LITTLE WOMEN that I like. I accidentally came across this book and thought I would check it out. 

And…. I only really liked the first chapter. That chapter was atmospheric and gothic and stormy seas, but after that, it got too weird for me. I’m not a huge fan of stories where a man becomes obsessive and possessive over a woman and literally goes after her to the end. It just isn’t for me. I even had to vent about it to my assistant manager, and he was horrified by this story. 

This story may be perfect for others. But it was too much, too dramatic, and too tragic for me.