This is the 7th Hook-focused book I've read, the 6th origin story (I just like to establish what number I'm on each time I review another one lol). AnThis is the 7th Hook-focused book I've read, the 6th origin story (I just like to establish what number I'm on each time I review another one lol). And unfortunately, it was bland.
James's character wasn't very interesting or complex. His obsession with getting back to Neverland, with *SPOILER* (view spoiler)[wanting to be a kid again, (hide spoiler)] *END SPOILER* could've been interesting, but it wasn't really explored, just something I was repeatedly told.
The story wasn't very exciting. There was a lot of explanation and just James talking to the magical characters who might help him.
I know this is not an adult book. I'm unsure if it's more YA or children's. Depending on the age it's meant for, I obviously understand the story isn't going to delve into certain things. I can't speak for kids (I can't even speak for other adults, everyone has different tastes). Still, if it wasn't going to get into anything too dark or complex, it could've had a little more excitement or something.
I will note, I have not read any other books in this series. Maybe I'd have enjoyed the stuff about the Kingdoms and Odd Sisters and all that more if I'd read the other books.
The audiobook narration by John York was good, I enjoyed it. It sounded natural.
Overall, this was a Hook backstory that had potential to be interesting but lacked the depth that would've made it so for me. Perhaps younger readers would enjoy it more.
*Note: This is part of a series, but the previous books are not necessary in order to understand this one. Each book focuses on a different character. But as I have not read the previous books, I don't know how much other stuff carries over.*
Recommended For: Anyone who likes Hook backstories that don't delve too deep, short books, and perhaps previous books in Serena Valentino's Villains series (though I have not read them, so I don't think they're necessary if you don't want to read them).
Review: I was a bit disappointed by the last two volumes, so I am happy to say I felt this one was back up to the standard I've come to expect f4 Stars
Review: I was a bit disappointed by the last two volumes, so I am happy to say I felt this one was back up to the standard I've come to expect from this comic!
For one thing, there was some humor again!
For another thing, we got to see what was going on with almost all the characters. Most of the story revolved around Alana, Marko, Hazel, Petrichor, and Sir Robot IV, but there was also a bit about The Will and a bit about Squire, Ghus, Upshor, and Doff.
This volume also moved the story forward much better than the last, and it continued the character arcs at least a little bit.
Also, *SPOILER (about a relationship)* (view spoiler)[I totally started shipping IV and Petrichor when they started talking after he saved her, so I was super excited when they kissed! And I don't know, it seems like they would make an oddly good couple. He's always been kind to her, they seem like they kind of understand each other, and they're both passionate but I think just want a peaceful life at this point. I'm kind of wondering though, it can't exactly be that exciting to make out with a TV screen. Can he even feel that? What does he even do during the kiss since he has no lips or tongue or teeth? While we're on that topic, how does he eat? I need some answers about robot kissing and eating, Saga. Please get on that. (hide spoiler)] *END SPOILER*
Another thing I like about the series in general is how the artwork of the characters is diverse and realistic. Everyone isn't "perfect" with the same body type and everything. I mean, Alana's stomach even had some loose skin leftover from her pregnancy. And of course it goes without saying that the artwork is beautiful and clear.
I would also just like to note that IV rocks everything he wears---uniform, pajama pants, a suit... TV head notwithstanding ;-P
If there's one thing that can be said about Saga though, it's that it's a comic that isn't afraid to delve into tough, heavy, and/or controversial topics. I like that about this series. I do think it was maybe a little heavy-handed this time, but, with the way things have been going in the world, I don't think I can really hold that against it.
If there one other thing that can be said about Saga, it's that it is graphic. And this volume was no exception. There was some pretty violent stuff, and a bit of nudity/sex. But again, that's just the usual.
Overall, I thought this was another great volume in the series that finally moved the story forward and was a lot more upbeat and positive than the previous one!
Recommended For: Fans of Vol. 1-7 in Brian K. Vaughan's Saga series. Graphic novel fans and newbies alike who are looking for something fun and different, who like flawed but lovable characters, and who don't mind images of sex, nudity, and violence.
If you looked up "cozy fantasy" in the dictionary, this is what you would find. Or at least it should be. A low-stakes, low-angst story about two someIf you looked up "cozy fantasy" in the dictionary, this is what you would find. Or at least it should be. A low-stakes, low-angst story about two somewhat older men finding or following their passions and opening a bar together in a fantasy world. They make drinks and they pick out furniture and they buy a magical freezer for their ice and they try to figure out a mysterious rodent problem and they just do all these sorta normal things. And they're just kind to each other and supportive of each other, and they make each other blush just by giving genuine compliments. And it really does have just cozy vibes all-around. This story was a warm fire, and I was just basking in its glow.
I was really touched by the time I finished. This wasn't a perfect world, there were still people struggling, the main character himself had a sort of magic-based disability with chronic pain, but the story was just this lovely ideal of settling down, following a dream, helping people, finding friends and community and love, and people supporting each other.
The audiobook narration by Eric Jason Martin was great. He had a nice voice that suited the cozy vibes and sounded natural.
I don't really feel like I need to say more. If you want what I described above, just read it. It's a lovely book!
This was a nice ending to a great series. Everyone working together. Characters learning and growing. People who did some terrible things trying to maThis was a nice ending to a great series. Everyone working together. Characters learning and growing. People who did some terrible things trying to make up for them. Relationships solidifying. And just a really nice feeling at the end.
I liked the message that it's ok to not forgive people. Even if you have complicated feelings toward them. Even if you can understand why they did what they did. Even if they faced hardships too. Even if they're sorry. Also the message that it's possible to let go and move on without forgiving someone. There were some characters Adam could not and would not forgive, but there were others he did. And his feelings about all these people who'd hurt him and others were complicated. And all of that was ok.
This author did a great job with complicated feelings overall. There were a lot of complex relationships in this book, especially with family. That was the shining feature of this series, in my opinion. They weren't easy, they weren't oversimplified, the people involved weren't perfect. But just as it was nice to see forgiveness not being forced, it was also nice to see the characters working toward repairing the relationships that were still salvageable, with people who were willing to admit their mistakes and do better.
I was disappointed that Adam and Vic were once again apart for most of the book, it seems like they haven't had that much page time together throughout this series, but there were a lot of cute moments just about their feelings for each other. Because they were always thinking about each other, trying to rescue and get back to each other. One specific thing that stands out is how not jealous Vic was. You often see jealousy as a trope in books with romance, but he was secure in Adam's feelings for him, even when Adam's ex was helping. And when Adam and Vic were together, it was touching and sweet.
There was also all the magic and supernatural stuff. This time including journeys through afterlife realms. A little slow pace-wise, but an interesting take on things.
The audiobook narration by Michael David Axtell was good. As I've said before, could maybe use a bit more oomph during action, but still good and natural.
Overall, I'm happy for the characters and their growth and their relationships. I enjoyed the magic and supernatural elements throughout the story. And I liked the way this book wrapped everything up, leaving me with a nice warm feeling!
Recommended For: Fans of Books 1 and 2 in David R. Slayton's Adam Binder series. Anyone who likes magic, a bit of mystery, a bit of action, a bit of m/m romance, and complex relationships with family members who haven't always been the best.
There was a lot in this book, and I just couldn't figure out how it all connected, and it started feeling sort of chaotic and cluttered. The main plotThere was a lot in this book, and I just couldn't figure out how it all connected, and it started feeling sort of chaotic and cluttered. The main plot, I think, was about Ronan and Attalah trying to stop the gentrification of their city. But there were also personal things going on with a bunch of different characters (eviction, family death, drug addiction), Ronan's dad dying, the relationship between Ronan and Dom, ghost whales, a ghost human, and an imaginary person made real.
Also, there were sort of two POVs: Ronan's and everyone else's (I suppose omniscient). The second one showed the reader what was going on with a lot of different characters, sometimes only for a brief scene, sometimes the character was just an unnamed random person. And I found myself mostly wanting to get back to Ronan, because...
Ronan was a great, complex character. I loved how flawed and real he felt. He was a recovering drug addict. He was in love with and sleeping with his best friend, even though his best friend was married (open relationship), and he sort of convinced himself that he and Dom and Attalah could all be best friends and be happy together. He had a lot of darkness and hatred inside him because of how he was treated in Hudson growing up as a gay guy, and because his mother committed suicide and then his dad wasn't there for him. He had complicated, complex, sometimes contradicting feelings about things that he was trying to understand and accept. And he was interesting and still likeable, despite his flaws. I was rooting for him.
I suppose all the characters were complex and flawed (some likeable, some not). I just didn't get to know them all as well as I got to know Ronan since they didn't have as much POV time.
Not important, but I think there was a little callback to The Art of Starving? Just a passing mention of something that happened, so it's kinda neat that both books, though unrelated, are set in the same world.
The audiobook narration by Graham Halstead and David Sadzin was good. Graham Halstead especially did a perfect job of bringing Ronan to life.
So even though I couldn't get into this as much as I wanted to, it's rare for me to find this kind of frank, genuinely flawed character, and I definitely enjoyed that, as well as how unique and different the book was overall.
Recommended For: Anyone who likes sort of dark and ominous stories, flawed characters, complicated feelings, scheming, and stories that uniquely combine lots of unrelated things.
To be honest, I don't know how to rate and review these anymore. Logically, I'm sure this was just as good as other volumes. But pVolume 9 spoilers...
To be honest, I don't know how to rate and review these anymore. Logically, I'm sure this was just as good as other volumes. But personally and emotionally, I miss my favorite character, it's not the same without him, so I have a weird sort of bias now. That being said, this one nearly made me cry too, and I am still going to keep reading. (Also, Alana is doing her best, and it's sweet how she's taken in Squire as her own child, and I loved her reaction to her, ah, new haircut lol. And the pirate ship was really cool. Maybe this is how I'll review these now. Just mentioning random things I liked.)...more
So... this book was mostly Ashwood saying, "I still love you, I'm sorry, I wasn't actually going to betray you," and Bellamy saying, "I can never trusSo... this book was mostly Ashwood saying, "I still love you, I'm sorry, I wasn't actually going to betray you," and Bellamy saying, "I can never trust you again, get away from me," while thinking about how much he secretly still loved and wanted him. For like seven hours (in real time). I'm a little torn, because I'm all for second chance romance with all the pain and angst and secret pining, and I appreciate that the author didn't rush Bellamy's feelings. But at the same time, this felt like it was just rehashing the same feelings over and over, without really anything else happening until over halfway through (since Bellamy was sick and stuck in bed), and it felt like it just went on for so long.
That being said, it was still a good romance, in the sense that I believed the feelings between them. And Ashwood was so sad and sweet with how much he still cared for Bellamy and would do anything to help him and wanted so badly to be able to make up for his betrayal. Though I could also understand why Bellamy was hurt, and pushing Ashwood away wasn't a cruel act; in fact it hurt him too because he also still cared for the other man. So I would say not quite as gentle and tender of a romance as the first book, but still somewhat.
And this one included wolf shifters :-)
You also get to know Bellamy more (obviously), plus you get to see how Galen and Azriel are doing, and you even learn a bit more about Oscar.
The audiobook, narrated by Iggy Toma, was enjoyable. He sounded natural, and though voices weren't super different, there was slight difference, and I was able to keep track of who was talking. And thankfully this one did not have the volume variation issue the first book had.
Overall, an enjoyable and sweet, if a bit slow, romance.
*Even though each book in this series focuses on different characters, it's recommended by the author to read them in order. I think it's possible to read this one without the first, though you may be confused about a few things referenced and who some characters are.*
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Date Read: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For: Fans of Book 1 in Christina Lee's Fated series. Anyone who likes angst and conflicting feelings, second chance romance, wolf shifters, and just a touch of fantasy.
This was such a soft, tender, gentle romance, with equally tender sex scenes. So much longing and passion. It felt so unique, in a way. Galen starts wThis was such a soft, tender, gentle romance, with equally tender sex scenes. So much longing and passion. It felt so unique, in a way. Galen starts working at this apothecary/brothel where Azriel works, and they’re drawn to each other, but one of the rules is that employees aren’t allowed to have sex or romantic relationships with each other. *SPOILER (sorta, it’s about the romance and some cute things)* (view spoiler)[But the client who normally requests Azriel starts requesting both of them, and he tells them what to do with each other (though never anything they aren’t comfortable with, even asks what they want to do, etc.) and watches. So Galen and Azriel have this little loophole that they look forward to each week, and in the meantime sit side-by-side against each other in bed each night just talking while Galen draws in his sketchbook. (hide spoiler)] *END SPOILER* And there’s so much longing and wanting and sweetness and passionate tension. It’s lovely.
And both characters were gentle and sweet, especially Azriel. He just wanted to help people, working in the apothecary shop. Galen had a little more spice to him, more stubborn and willing to speak up, but even he was mostly quiet and kind.
There was some sweet friendship and found family too. Galen had been alone at the start, but the people at the apothecary/brothel were all kind (even the grumpy one wasn’t so bad) and there for him and became like family.
There were some less savory elements to the story though, so do be aware of that. Things like sexual assault/violence against sex workers (on-page and mentioned), homelessness, a sickness that spreads, laws against men loving men, and bad characters with internalized homophobia.
There was also just a touch of fantasy. The story is set in 1881, but it’s not quite our world. The main character can see auras, there’s mention of potions and witches, some people are fated to be together (though that’s not really explained), and it all seems to be fairly normal and accepted by society, or at least not completely unheard of.
I found it a little strange how sort of formally the characters talked. A lot of fancy, pretty words. It didn’t feel quite natural. It did, however, fit with the vibe of the book, so I just accepted it.
I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Iggy Toma. He sounded natural and was pleasant to listen to. His narration suited the story. I do have a complaint, though it may be more the fault of whoever produced the audiobook, I don’t know. The audiobook was so quiet, which I can solve by using a separate speaker, but so much of the dialogue was whispered or spoken so quietly that I still couldn’t hear some of it even with my speaker almost at full volume, and if I turned it any higher, the rest of the narration would’ve been unbearably loud. I like that the narrator performed with the context in mind (e.g. a soft-spoken character, or two people having a quiet conversation while everyone else sleeps), but the volume levels were just too varied.
Overall, this was a lovely, tender, gentle romance that had harsher or sadder moments but always balanced them with heaps of sweetness, and I enjoyed it!
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Date Read: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For: Anyone who likes gentle, tender romance and sex, longing, quiet characters, and just a touch of fantasy.
I read this after The Promise of Lost Things because I didn't know they were connected, so my thoughts on this book are influenced by that. I think I I read this after The Promise of Lost Things because I didn't know they were connected, so my thoughts on this book are influenced by that. I think I liked this one a bit more, though I'm not sure if it was because I already knew Russ and Ian and the town and was curious to know more about certain things.
This was atmospheric and tense. The story was slow, no real action to speak of, not even a super clear goal or idea of whether we were moving toward anything, but there was this feeling of tension and pressure and things building. There were three POV characters---Dec, Annie, and Russ. I could feel Dec's need to leave the town. I could feel the friendship between Dec and Russ fraying. There was also Russ's forming addiction to his herbal concoctions, and mysterious secrets coming to light, and Tristan's (the maybe-ghost haunting Dec) troubles, and Annie's need to find the Prelude her recently dead mentor wanted to find, and Ian's (Russ's dead sort of ex) brother being a dangerous pain in the ass.
I felt like this book succeeded more at making me feel the emotions I was supposed to feel. Because I did feel for Dec. He was struggling ever since his parents died a couple years ago, he was angry, he hated the shady and overbearing Guild, he was reeling from learning secrets and truths he wasn't expecting, he felt like a failure as a medium, and he felt guilty that he would be leaving people he cared about. He was flawed and believable, and I enjoyed his chapters. I felt for Russ too and got to know him a bit better, though he was still somewhat of an enigma. But still, he was in love with his best friend who would never feel the same way, he was sad but also understanding about his best friend leaving, he wanted so badly to be part of the Guild that he was willing to take risks to achieve it, he too was also shocked by some secrets and truths, he was becoming addicted to his herbal concoctions, he was being haunted by his dead sorta-ex, and he was not good at dealing with difficult emotions. Annie's POV seemed the calmest. She had a decision to make about her pianist and career and her life, and she was grieving and wanted to find the rest of a specific song for her late mentor, but despite the chaos around her, St. Hilaire made her feel sort of at home. I also got to know Ian a bit more, at least through Russ's eyes. He's someone with a lot of confidence and a real presence and ability to get what he wants, though you don't get to know anything about his struggles or motives in this one.
So maybe not a lot of action, but the book didn't need that. There was plenty going on between and within the characters to keep me interested.
The audiobook, narrated by Nick Mills (Dec), Kirby Heyborn (Russ), and Brittany Pressley (Annie) was enjoyable. It threw me off a bit that there's a different narrator for Russ in this one than in Promise, but all three sounded natural and did a great job. The narrator for Dec did especially well at bringing out his sort of frustrated, pent-up vibe. My only issue was that his volume changed too drastically, so I either had to turn it up and feel like I was being shouted at sometimes, or I had to turn it down and couldn't hear what he was saying sometimes.
This review feels like a mess because I don't know how to talk about this on its own, it's too intertwined with The Promise of Lost Things in my mind (which I do think you'll want to read after this one, assuming you like this, since this one does leave some loose threads). But it was atmospheric and tense and mysterious, all taking place in a town full of ghosts and strange happenings, with flawed, struggling teens I felt for.
Recommended For: Anyone who likes mediums and ghosts, atmospheric books, YA, queer rep, slow-paced books more focused on the characters' relationships and inner lives, and lots of tension and mysteriousness.
Review: This was another good book in the series, back with the Armitage pack again.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the romance. Because 4 Stars
Review: This was another good book in the series, back with the Armitage pack again.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the romance. Because it seemed like all they did was have sex. Most of their connection was based on that. But I guess, even if they didn’t know everything about each other or do a ton of talking, they knew what kind of person the other was. Loyal, strong, compassionate, that sorta thing. And they had shared trauma. And they did have some conversations, just not a lot, at least not that we saw. I guess what I’m saying is, I felt like we could’ve been shown more non-sex connection, but it was still believable enough.
In case it wasn’t clear, there was a lot of sex. At first I thought that was all the book would be because there was just so much at the start. But then Ian and Matt showed up, and there was some stuff about reuniting with his family, figuring out if Jared was who he said he was, etc. Still a lot of sex though, with a combination of rough knotting and sweet tenderness.
I really liked Jared as a character because, yeah, he did some shitty things, but he regretted them, and he was trying to be better, and he made me feel emotions for him, maybe more so than any other character so far in this series. Especially when he thought about how his life had to matter to himself because it didn’t matter to anyone else.
There was also a sweet family element, since Jared is Ian’s and Matt’s cousin, and Jared and Ian used to be really close. And I just liked being back with the Armitage pack! They’re a fun, cute little group. I liked seeing the old characters and their relationships as they progress, even if only from the outside.
Not a lot of action in this one, no big battles or anything, mostly romance and family stuff.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Chris Chambers, and I think I say something similar every time, but… The way he does dialogue is great. He can really perform and bring out the emotion. I love it! But then he mostly does the non-dialogue narration part in this less natural, overdramatic sort of way that I just don’t love. It’s fine, but I’d prefer if he read the whole thing in the same natural, emotive way he does the dialogue. Still, I do enjoy the audiobooks.
Overall, another sweet and sexy shifter romance!
*Even though each book in this series focuses on different characters, I recommend reading Books 1 and 2 first, or you might be lost in regards to some plot elements and character/relationship backgrounds.*
Recommended For: Fans of Books 1-3 in Eliot Grayson's Mismatched Mates series. Anyone who likes series with different main characters in each book, m/m paranormal romance with a bit of drama and angsty emotion, some sexy times, some action, magic, and shifters.
Review: I don’t want to just repeat all the things I said in my first review. I still liked Wyatt and thought he had a fun teen voice. I still l4 Stars
Review: I don’t want to just repeat all the things I said in my first review. I still liked Wyatt and thought he had a fun teen voice. I still liked all the other characters I liked before, and this time I liked and felt for even more characters, since I got to know them better over the course of the books. I still liked the trans rep. I’d rather focus on the things that were great, or different, about this book specifically.
This book got a lot darker than the first. The characters were dealing with the fallout from previous events and also dealing with a lot of trauma. It’s nice to see that in a book, characters being understandably affected by the things they’ve gone through. But they also had a lot to still go through. Some of it was really messed up. Some of it was sad. One thing felt just particularly tragic to me. But it wasn’t all bad, and there was always hope.
The magic and backstory of the fae and witches was also explained more and expanded upon in this one, and that was really interesting! Things about it that the author clearly planned and understood the whole time, even if the characters didn’t.
These books are very political and discuss a lot of current issues in society. They also discuss queerness a lot. It’s heavy-handed, but with the way the world is, it can be good to have books that just clearly discuss things. And the author found the words to explain certain ideas so concisely and perfectly. I also personally really enjoyed the discussion about gender and asexuality. It can be helpful and sometimes validating to learn about other people’s, or characters’, experiences.
It was also just a good story. It kept my attention. I cared and wanted to know what would happen. The ending was a bit… not sudden. There was a complete story, and you know the current state of each character. But it ends very soon after the climax and leaves the future somewhat implied but very nebulous. (As far as I know, this was the end.) I’m ok with it, but I wouldn’t say no to a little epilogue that takes place even just a few weeks or months into the future.
The audiobook narration by Dani Martineck was great again! They sounded natural, perfectly captured Wyatt’s personality, and did a wide variety of voices and accents that usually made it easy to keep track of who was speaking.
Overall, this was a duology I really enjoyed!
Trigger/content warnings can be found at the beginning of the book.
Recommended For: Fans of Book 1 in H.E. Edgmon's The Witch King series. Anyone who likes YA, fae, relatable teen main characters, distinct voice, trans rep, and good guy princes you dislike at first but grow to love.
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