Arimi Reads

I'm a booknerd returning to the library. You can find me here: Throne wishlist: https://throne.com/aura606 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/176153669?ref=nav_profile_l Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArimiReads

[aura-606]

Tough Tussle

A Tough Tussle by Ambrose Bierce My rating: 3 of 5 stars Another old classic which is difficult to review. If you're a fan of short stories, and want something which might take 20 minutes, if that, to read, this one is right up your alley. There are many websites where you can read this story for free online. The story is about a war soldier. It wasn't my sort of story, however, Ambrose Bierce's tales are starting to grow on me. Her stories aren't as dull as other stories I've read from the time. It's quite dark, although nothing in particular stands out about this story. "The universe was one primeval mystery of darkness, without form and void" View all my reviews

[aura-606]

Love at Second Sight Review

Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens Youtube: Full review coming soon

Goodreads

Amazon wishlist

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to waterstones for stocking this. I didn't know where I was buying it from.

This review contains spoilers for the first half of the book. proceed with caution Oh god where to start with this one. I am absolutely torn, I was unsure at first, nervous to start a new book especially as I absolutely doted F.T Lukens Deeper Waters but Otherworldly was lacking something to me. This book had it and so much more. This book blew Deeper Waters out of the water, which I know is going to sound weird considering so many of the recent reviews weren't too keen on this book but when I tell you I was hooked. It took me some time to understand all of the lore that was being thrown at me because damn this book was just like- here's this and here's that and here's this other thing- absolutely brain overloaded, I was debating writing down what I was learning to try and get a grasp of it all but then all at once it hit me how the world was structured and how things were going to work here. When I tell you I was engrossed- it doesn't happen often. If there was a six star option this would be my six star. Because damn do me and Cam have a lot in common as socially awkward nerds who like to relate to people talking to us about their problems. And just like him- people like to tell me it's not all about you- believe me I don't want it to be about me, I don't know how to communicate without relating something to something I already know in this noggin. A bit of a weird one, but when Cam comes out about his clairvoyance abilities his family aren't approving, and there's a huge argument between them all. His family are racist to all the paranormal beings. Which my similar story is my transgender identity. Freaking- my siblings get it , the rest tell me I'm mentally ill. But hey his family read up on his clairvoyance, they are still rude to him and I hated how they responded to him coming out with a passion . Because what do you mean you're mad at him for something outside of his control. Suddenly this socially awkward (previously known as human) is getting flooded with gifts and attention, and even threats. At least his crush likes him now though, that's a positive? Or does he? He's unsure. I know that feeling too Cam- go get your Romeo. This is by the middle point of the book. I don't want to spoil the ending but if this sounds like your jam, then you need to read this. This book stabbed me, sewed me up and then stabbed me again. It laughed at me then gave me a warm hug. I cried and it handed me tears, other times it told me to deal with that sadness because we haven't got time to process, you better keep reading Arimi. Would I recommend this book? Hell yes. Absolutely. This book packed the magic of Deeper Waters and more. F.T Lukens ate. And now I'm sad because this was just released so we might not be getting another book for a long time, or ever I don't know you can't usually tell or know these things after one book has been released. One more thing. SAM SCHEChTER the illustrator nailed the cover, the spine and the blurb. I would love to see more of their artwork but people keep saying "oh the illustrator is the same for the books" say their name! SAM SCHECHTER it's on the back of every book under the ISBN. I need more. I need more of this sort of book. I'm hungry . I'm starved, I need more like this please. View all my reviews

[aura-606]

Otherworldly

My honest review

Catch me on:

Youtube / Goodreads / Throne

It is so difficult for me to rate this three stars, because there is so much magic in the way that Lukens writes her books that I feel like I'm suffocating with regret in rating it three stars, and I really do not want to leave the world of Knox and Ellery but unfortunately the time has come where I must review and let me just say. The start and the end of the book were brilliant, everything in between felt kind of meh. For some reason, the story lost its magic and I was just really spending the time in between shipping because there was no motivation to finish this one. It didn't feel as good as Deeper waters did. Yet from what I can gleam, the world building was similar in layout to In Deeper Waters which I ate up.

For me personally the pacing felt like it was lacking. It felt like there was 200 pages of filler that just was a gag to read. Not the fun kind either. Maybe its my brain just struggling with books at the moment, but I digress, I read through it, and it took me a few weeks? Of reading bits here and there for the story to actually get good. I went in hoping for a detailed fantasy adventure which looking back now I feel like there was, but the plot fell on death ears. The plot dropped off for me because the plot itself got repetitive.

I want to cosplay Knox he is brilliant. Also Ellery.

Can we take a moment to appreciate.SAM SCHECHTER who on the back cover in small print is given credit for their brilliant cover. It's gorgeous.Back to the review again- why. How did this book start so brilliantly and drop off. It became a cosy read and I do love me a good mythical/fantasy/kind of like the greek gods, kind of reminded me of paganism, kinda liked the stakes, there was so much to love but the pacing was off by a mile. Poor Ellery was nearly murdered a few times in this one book.In some ways I would categorise this as cosy reading. Cosy fantasy. It was more about the mundane living of immortal beings and the unfortunate continuous run ins with these shades creatures which the goddess then decides to step in and do her job, but poor knox can't defend himself and so Ellery has to go back and defend him. I just -This felt weird to me. It was difficult to keep up with but then it was too slow. I'm not sure what else to say. I would recommend this book for people who struggle reading and want something that they can pace themselves reading, but this one for me- I couldn't figure out how to pace it. Or how the book should be enjoyed. It felt off. I was expecting better because I love F.T Lukens.

[mostlyghostie]

A slightly redrawn and edited version of the Dream Library stack (version 3 if you’re counting).

Since I first drew this, my first wish has come true with the final Book of Dust novel coming out in a few months! Which would you most want if you could pick one?

Shop

[aura-606]

Humanity

It feeds the machine,

Slowly it goes,

Automated, whilst the organic fades away.

Disabilities increasing, not because of awareness

But the machines feed of us like cattle.

Once the rulers, now we fade back-

Our species are regressing,

The time is amassing

A.I is taking over,

More intelligent than man.

Our humanity has been stripped, laid bare,

the more we call out

the more it feeds.

Short poem, by me.

[aura-606]

I want my hat back

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen My rating: 5 of 5 stars I've been reading lots of books lately, so I decided rather than do a late night dive into lots of short stories, I would borrow a short childs story from my library, and this was a delight to read. It was paced beautifully, the art is gorgeous and I didn't expect the twist at the end. It made me chuckle. I also like how there's slight colour co-ordination, and a hint of dark humour here. I was suprised but I think the adults will get it and maybe the kids won't hopefully. The twist might break some kids heart. All in all, a nice break from what I would usually read, and I will be reading the large book I'm currently working through that was recommended to me. View all my reviews

[aura-606]

Before the coffee Goes Cold

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heads up may contain spoilers I can't believe I got this book and now I've finished it, I can't believe how much this single book broke my heart. I have a bit of a predicament because I accidentally got the second book and read that one first, thinking it to be the first as it was the only book available. For some reason the person who borrowed the entire series didn't borrow book 2 and read all of the other books. So I started this series, and returned to book 2. Usually this ruins a books storyline for me, but this series has a lot of time travel in it, so the only thing that upset me when reading book one, was the fact that two of the characters from this book aren't in book two anymore. There's a magic to Kawaguchi's writing, where his books teach lessons about the human condition. I say human condition because there are many things that only humans do, as utterly stupid beings that I don't understand myself. One of the chapters had me bawling my eyes out. I was all cried out so when it got to the ending of this book I unfortunately couldn't cry, although under usual circumstances, a storyline like that would have me bawling. It was a very emotional read. These books are best enjoyed with coffee so if you do read, I recommend brewing your own drink and drinking it up before the coffee gets cold ;) View all my reviews

[aura-606]

Coming out stories edited by Emma Goswell and Sam Walker

This made me laugh out loud to read, I'm not sure if I should quote it on goodreads. I'm saying this as someone who once went on a bender after my dad told me he was disappointed after I came out to him:

Page 69 (Ironically)

"And my dad was like, 'I don't care who she sleeps with as long as she gets off the drugs."

I just. This made me laugh. That is what you want to hear from your father. A real dad. Doesn't matter who you love, stay away from drugs lmao.

[aura-606]

The Yellow Wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars This haunting short story provides an incredibly powerful and raw look at mental illness, specifically depression, and the harmful effects of being misunderstood by those around you. Written in 1892, it tells the story of a woman suffering from postpartum depression, whose condition is dismissed by her husband and doctor as mere “nervousness,” forcing her into isolation. As the story unfolds, her mental state deteriorates as she is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper, leading to a sense of alienation that anyone who has struggled with mental health can relate to. Gilman’s exploration of being trapped in a space—both physically and mentally—mirrors the experience of many people with mental health challenges, where the stigma, misdiagnosis, and lack of understanding can exacerbate isolation. The story also brings into focus the need for self-expression, autonomy, and being heard, all crucial elements of advocating for disability rights and understanding. The Yellow Wallpaper challenges readers to think deeply about how society has treated mental health and the importance of listening to and supporting those who face these struggles View all my reviews

[aura-606]

A Venom Dark and Sweet ran off with my heart.

A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is incredible . A Venom Dark and Sweet delivers a darker, more expansive finale to A Magic Steeped in Poison. The stakes scale from personal (saving Shu) to epic (stopping an ancient evil God), and the tone shifts from court intrigue to mythic conflict. The prose remains evocative—even in the bleakest moments, the detailed descriptions of food, ritual, and tea magic keep the world rooted in sensory richness. And damn. When I said I wanted more, this is exactly I wanted. I can't wait to find more books like this. If anyone has any recommendations I am all ears. I found the development of Ning and her sister bittersweet and enticing. The side characters all had deep meaning and contributed to the world building of the book beautifully, just as well as they did in the first book. In Venom, mass poisonings become the tool of an ancient evil—the Banished Prince—and serve as a symbol of corruption, fear, and control over the kingdom. The “venom” isn’t just literal toxins, but a metaphor woven into tea‑magic, divine mythos, trauma, and betrayal. The golden serpent deity haunting Ning’s nightmares crystallizes that poison is both physical and spiritual. Meanwhile in Book One, tea ceremony magic is intimate and ritualistic. In Book Two, it scales up—the magic becomes weaponized and divine, capable of confronting gods and ancient curses. Ning’s growing mastery transforms tea from comfort to destiny-shaping power. Final thoughts?? A Venom Dark and Sweet is a compelling, layered conclusion to Judy I. Lin’s duology. It pushes the series from intimate intrigue into mythic confrontation, giving its characters and magical motifs deeper resonance. You’ll leave with a rich sense of transformation: Ning and Kang have grown into leaders, and the poison that once harmed becomes the catalyst for healing and resistance. I absolutely devoured the second book. Unlike the first book which I listened to across a few days, this one I've been listening to all day. I like how the voice actors for this book have a brilliant ability to put on many voices to give the different characters their own life. I found it hard at times whilst listening to believe that the voice actors were the same person. View all my reviews

[aura-606]

Candy Kittens

These have quickly become my new favourite snack. I'm going to have to be careful.

I'm suprised how they have appeared in almost every shop in my local area thoug. Asda, TKMAXX, sainsbury's. I need to vary my snacks when reading or listening to books though. Any suggestions other than candy kittens?

I also need to figure out how to use my phone so I can post pictures and such myself.

[tomfoolerytotality]

Superman isn't woke. You're just so evil that you see a man doing acts of kindness and you think it's a targeted political agenda

[aura-606]

The Last Witch

The Last Witch: Fear & Fire by Conor McCreery My rating: 3 of 5 stars There was a lot to unpack in this book. I glanced through the collection, and noticed this was a collection of five books compiled into one. It felt like too much happened too quickly in the pages. Maybe that is because when it comes to comic books/manga/graphic novels, I am a quick reader. There were many plot developments in short times, and I felt the world building had a brilliant base, but the book read like it was just that. World building. The book itself wasn't bad. However, there could've been moments of peace. Aside from in the beginning when we are introduced to the heroine- the pacing of the comic feels off. There should've been more moments of peace and rest throughout the overall arc of the book. When there was a moment of rest it was like oop here is a new character. which became the focus. It was like the characters themselves don't get a moment to rest. Which made the book feel unrealistic. That being said I'm aware this is a book aimed at kids. Which furthermore made it all the more concerning that it didn't feel very well paced.

View all my reviews