Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
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| Pub Date: 8-6-24 Adult - Fantasy |
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins- P. Djèlí Clark: In the ancient city of Tal Abisi, Eveen has a reputation for being a skilled assassin. She's discreet, professional, and always gets the job done. As part of the Dead Cat Tails guild--those who have been resurrected and memories wipes--and sworn to the Matron of Assassins, Eveen lives by three rules: First, the contract must be just; second, only those contracted may be killed; and third, once a job is accepted, it must be carried out. Eveen has never had a problem following these rules, but when her latest mark brings her face-to-face with a past she shouldn't remember, Eveen hesitates. Confused, Eveen must dodge her fellow assassins out for her blood if she hopes to unravel this mystery before it's too late.
I've only read one other book by Clark, so I was eager to dive into his other work. I'm impressed with how much he can pack into a few pages. Everything from the characters to the world-building to the magic was well crafted. Eveen was a strong main character, and I was interested in unraveling the mystery of her mark as much as she was. I figured out some things about how she and Sky were connected, but seeing it all come together was so satisfying. It was jam-packed with action, morally gray characters, and beautiful prose, and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Rating: 4/5
I've only read one other book by Clark, so I was eager to dive into his other work. I'm impressed with how much he can pack into a few pages. Everything from the characters to the world-building to the magic was well crafted. Eveen was a strong main character, and I was interested in unraveling the mystery of her mark as much as she was. I figured out some things about how she and Sky were connected, but seeing it all come together was so satisfying. It was jam-packed with action, morally gray characters, and beautiful prose, and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Rating: 4/5
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| Pub Date: 2-13-24 Adult - Contemporary |
Ready or Not- Cara Bastone: Eve Hatch isn't the biggest fan of change or surprises. She likes everything- her dream-adjacent job, her cozy apartment close to her best friend Willa, and her family she sees once a year. But Eve gets thrown a curveball when she finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand. This unplanned bundle of joy strains Eve's closest relationships, especially with Willa, leaving Willa's older brother, Shep, to step up to the plate. Shep and Eve have always been close, but now he's showing up whenever she needs him, offering foot massages, and feeding her snacks. Is Eve falling for her best friend's brother or is it just the pregnancy hormones? If she wasn't confused enough, there's the baby's father who can't decide if he wants to be in the picture or not. With so many unknowns up in the air, Eve has nine months to figure out this new chapter of her life, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she wants Shep by her side through it all.
I was hesitant to pick this book up because I'm not a fan of a pregnancy trope (is anyone?), but I've heard amazing things about it, so I figured I'd give it a go. Imagine my shock when I loved every minute of it. I devoured this in almost one sitting. I had to force myself to put it down so I could sleep. Shep was everything. He was like the human equivalent of a golden retriever. He was clumsy and a little dorky, but always there for Eve. The way he cared for her made my heart swell. Their whole relationship was so sweet, and it felt natural when it evolved from friends to something more. I don't know much about being pregnant, but I felt like Bastone did a wonderful job portraying all the emotions, hardships, and joys that come with it. It felt like you went on this journey along with Eve. The only reason this wasn't a full five stars was I thought Eve was too quippy at times, so it took me a minute to warm up to her, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
I was hesitant to pick this book up because I'm not a fan of a pregnancy trope (is anyone?), but I've heard amazing things about it, so I figured I'd give it a go. Imagine my shock when I loved every minute of it. I devoured this in almost one sitting. I had to force myself to put it down so I could sleep. Shep was everything. He was like the human equivalent of a golden retriever. He was clumsy and a little dorky, but always there for Eve. The way he cared for her made my heart swell. Their whole relationship was so sweet, and it felt natural when it evolved from friends to something more. I don't know much about being pregnant, but I felt like Bastone did a wonderful job portraying all the emotions, hardships, and joys that come with it. It felt like you went on this journey along with Eve. The only reason this wasn't a full five stars was I thought Eve was too quippy at times, so it took me a minute to warm up to her, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Rating: 4.5/5
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| Pub Date: 11-3-20 YA - Fantasy |
The Ravens- Kass Morgan & Danielle Paige: Vivi Devereaux spent her childhood moving from place to place with her mother, so she's excited to make a fresh start at Westerly College. Vivi's smitten with the place the moment she steps onto the gorgeous Southern campus and vows for once in her life to make friends and try to fit in, so she decides to pledge to a sorority. Kappa Rho Nu is one of the most notorious sororities on campus, and the girls-- known as the Ravens-- run Westerly. But the Ravens have a secret-- they're witches. Scarlett Winter is determined to be the Raven's new president, but a dark secret from her past threatens to dismantle everything. While Scarlet has always known she was a witch, Vivi is brand new to magic, which causes friction between the pair. But when a dark power rises on campus, the girls must put their differences aside to save their fellow sisters before it's too late.
I've had this on my TBR for ages, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. It wasn't perfect, but it was a fun time. I liked the college setting and the premise of this popular sorority being a front for a coven of powerful witches. The magic system reminded me a lot of '90s witchy shows with the rhyming spells, which gave the story a nostalgic vibe I wasn't expecting. The characters were a little bland, and most of the secondary characters blurred together, but you got a strong sense of sisterhood between them, which I liked. Vivi and Scarlet were okay main characters, and I liked seeing the story play out in both their POVs, but I enjoyed Scarlet's a bit more. I thought the writing was engaging and so easy to read. Some of the twists at the end were a little predictable, but I didn't mind that much. I'm on the fence about whether I'll continue the series or not, but it was an enjoyable read.
I've had this on my TBR for ages, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. It wasn't perfect, but it was a fun time. I liked the college setting and the premise of this popular sorority being a front for a coven of powerful witches. The magic system reminded me a lot of '90s witchy shows with the rhyming spells, which gave the story a nostalgic vibe I wasn't expecting. The characters were a little bland, and most of the secondary characters blurred together, but you got a strong sense of sisterhood between them, which I liked. Vivi and Scarlet were okay main characters, and I liked seeing the story play out in both their POVs, but I enjoyed Scarlet's a bit more. I thought the writing was engaging and so easy to read. Some of the twists at the end were a little predictable, but I didn't mind that much. I'm on the fence about whether I'll continue the series or not, but it was an enjoyable read.
Rating: 3/5
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