#*completed review

[siereads]

Role Model review

Rating: 5/5

So far, this one wins for cutest in the series, which I was not expecting. It's also genuinely the happiest one so far (I still have one more to go, so that could change).

I did not expect Troy's redemption arc to be so amazing that I was willing to forgive all of his previous assholeness. The way this one handled the internalized homophobia and fear was really well done and I also love that Troy got to make his own choices in his coming out, that it was all on his terms and met with so much support.

Harris, on the other hand, I loved immediately. He's so hard not to love with his sweet, sunshine personality. He was a fantastic light in an already bright story and I need more characters like him.

I also really love how much Ilya is in this one because he really is my favorite character in the entire series and I really hope he gets to be open and happily in love with Shane in the next book or I might actually cry.

Well, cry again because Role Model absolutely had me sobbing at the end. At least this time was all happy tears.

Aside from the being true to yourself theme, I also really appreciated the firm stance taken in this book about believing victims and supporting them and the organizations that help them.

[siereads]

What Feeds Below review

Rating: 5/5

**I recieved an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review**

Wow. Just. Wow. It's been a minute since I've read something so deeply horrifying and visceral. I am completely astounded by the depth and care that went into every detail of this book. The plants, the monsters, the characters, all phenomenally done. 

I had to pause more than once with this book because of just how descriptive it was in all aspects. I am pretty sure I'm going to have nightmares and I loved every second of it. I spent the entire book rooting for Petra especially because she has just the sweetest heart and only wants to help the people around her. In spite of everything she has gone through, that spirit, that care, it's a hard glow to keep and it's impossible not to love her because of it.

Jade is such a good contrast to that, the fighter to Petra's healer. Devoted and hard, caring in her own way. The dynamic between her and Petra is truly impressive and a very good example of a brains and brawn combo. I do wish we would have gotten a little more of her story, I would love to know more about her bond with Petra and how she came to be under Ms. Opal's care, but a little mystery definitely makes it that much more engaging.

And then there's Flint, a precarious balance between the two. Someone who knew Petra before tragedy struck and who still wants what's best for her. He shows that friendship can endure, even if it no longer looks the same. Even if you no longer really know the other person, that care doesn't just go away.

The Void itself was so wonderfully crafted and terrifying that I could honestly picture the plants and creatures in such a way that it filled me with dread and unease, like I was going to look over my shoulder and see one of those monstrosities lurking behind me, biding its time. The lore was also very well done. Engaging, just informative enough to show how little is actually known about the place while also showing WHY so little is known.

I am just so completely blown away by What Feeds Below and I cannot recommend it enough.  

[siereads]

Lord of Eternal Night Review

Rating: 4/5 Stars

This book was chosen for me by Walnut as part of our monthly book exchange so I had high hopes for it. And then I read the reviews and expected it to be a lot cheesier than it actually was.

The characters are well written and the growth from Jak especially was wonderfully handled. I do wish we would have gotten a little more on some of the side characters, mostly Victorya and Katherine, but I tend to feel that way about most books I read.

The deeper into the story I got, the more I hated Jak's mother and everything she stood for. Jak's own feelings towards his mother only further made me feel justified in my want to set her on fire myself.

The more I hated her, however, the more my heart broke for Marius. To know that he had been punished simply for his own heart was devastating. I spent most of the book after that wanting to just wrap him in blankets and give him nice things. Marius is baby, fight me.

My only real complaint about the book is the glaring lack of contractions. I know that's a common theme in a lot of fantasy-style books, but, as a person who regularly uses "y'all'd've", I cheered over the word "hasn't" being used.

[siereads]

The Wicked King Review

Rating: 5/5

Oh, I definitely liked this one more than the Cruel Prince. And, by that, I mean this one almost made me throw my phone across the room in a fit of rage at the characters. In a good way, of course.

Being mortal in faerie cannot be easy and neither can burning the candle at both ends, which Jude most certainly learns at long last. But at what cost?

The way the twists sped my pulse as I continued through the book was nothing shy of impressive since none of the other books I've read this past month have had quite that effect. The ending made me yearn to see what happens next and I am only relieved in the knowledge that I decided to read this after the entire trilogy was released so I didn't have to wait for those answers.

Even if you were not overly fond of the Cruel Prince, I do highly recommend the Wicked King as it is much more of a rollercoaster to read and I would happily get lost in its pages at least once more.

[siereads]

The Darkest Part of the Forest Review

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Oh, this story was equal parts exciting and beautifully devastating. I am still trying to bundle my thoughts into a coherent string of sentences, but I fear this might be what a sip of faerie wine could feel like at least during the comedown of such spectacular revelry.

The sense of longing that weaves its way throughout the story keeps pulling you along, deeper and deeper into the heart of the forest and the tragedies that set everything in motion.

That all being said, I will warn that there are mentions of child neglect throughout the book in regards to Hazel and Ben as it could be triggering for some and I would not want anyone to walk into that unprepared.

An achingly gorgeous fae prince sleeping in a crystal casket like Snow White, put there in place of the person he would have done anything to protect. A spell broken not with a kiss but with a sword in a desperate attempt to save a town that sits on the brink of destruction on the whims of a King who, by all rights, was unfit to rule over anything. The bond between siblings unbroken by anything they go through. A sweet ending where the heroes prevail and set the wrongs right. A literal fairytale, with just a few twists and turns to make the story both familiar and refreshingly new at the same time.

What's not to love?

[siereads]

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories Review

Rating: 5/5

I rather enjoyed the additional insight into Cardan as a whole that this companion gave. Although, I will say, learning even a little more about his childhood was unpleasant, it does give a better understanding of him as well as a deeper appreciation for the growth shown by the end of the Queen of Nothing.

It was also nice to see how his methods of dealing with a problematic fae differed so vastly from Jude's in that he opted for cleverness over skill in battle as well as the way he adapted to being around a familial unit that actually wants him around.

This is definitely a nice addition to the story and worth checking out as it is such a short read.

[siereads]

The Woods All Black Review

Rating: 5/5

*I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review*

I don't know what I expected going into this book. The first half met my preconceived notions with each new layer of information and then it all veered off heavily in a way I had not expected. Which is mostly to say monster fucking but, you know what, kind of here for it. If that's not your jam, however, be warned that it does happen just past the 3/4 mark.

With that little warning out of the way…

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really takes the concept of "I'll become the monster you made me out to be" and flips it into a bid for justice and freedom instead of pure villainy. And what a ride it is to that sweet release of finally being completely free. Free to exist as you are and with the person you love.

The story was, at times, uncomfortable but the resilience of Leslie and Stevie throughout was absolutely flawless. The deep-seated exhaustion of contained rage and playing nice countered by the brash, in-your-face refusal to back down was a wonderfully written balancing act and the way it colors the interactions between Leslie and Stevie is enough to draw you in and keep you invested in the blooming trust they find in each other.

The setting was fantastic. Even without much description for most of the characters, it was easy to get a rather clear picture of who they were and how loathsome much of the town was. The descriptions of the woods and creek, on the other hand, were so vivid that it almost felt like being there myself (which has only further increased my unease of strange woods at night, so props and thanks for that).

I would absolutely recommend this book without question or hesitation.