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Audiobook Review – Tales from the Half-Continent (Monster Blood Tattoo #3.5)

So this was an interesting find! For reference, I did not read the previous books in this series, so I read the two stories here as stand-alones. These books are well-written, with a classical fantasy feel, a nicely macabre vibe, and an impressive amount of world-building tucked into a small story. The audiobook narrator has pleasant voice that I definitely think adds to the stories, and the narrative takes its time unfolding the adventures. With the larger focus on the world and background in a small tale, I didn’t quite connect with the characters as much as I would’ve liked, but I would recommend this for anyone looking for a couple short grim, monster-y reads told in a descriptive, atmospheric writing style. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the review copy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m just a monster girl, living in a monster world.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Orbiting Jupiter

Okay, I’m going to need 5-7 business days to process this book. Seriously, this is going to be one of those stories that haunts me forever. I’m SO glad I was kind of warned (thanks fellow reviewers) before getting into this that it was a “this will destroy you” type of book because otherwise, I probably would’ve been crying 5 minutes before having to coach U8 soccer practice.

It’s such a short read, but there’s just so much here. And it’s so visceral and raw, and yet with the amazing subtlety of Middle Grade. I can’t even right now. Between the lines about the angels and the “Jackie” line at the end.

Dang. I want to cry just thinking about it.

I loved this book. But… dude. You’ve been warned: when it comes to the best and the worst of humanity, this story isn’t pulling punches. Godspeed.

Also, this is my second Gary D. Schmidt book, and I can now safely say he’s friggin’ brilliant.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Like… What the crap did I just read? (in the best way.)

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Half a Soul

This was a cute, light read that I enjoyed, it just didn’t go quite as deep into the romance or fae elements as I was hoping, and I think it’s brought me to the realization that probably most regency era books aren’t really my thing. However, if you’re looking for a light, regency-era fae story with a light, sweet romance and solid audiobook narration, this may be for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Year 36: In which Hayley finds with some certainty that she’s not a fae person. And neither is she a regency person. The self-discovery continues.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – My Friends

I drank this book in. I love A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, and this will fit right up there with my favorites. The writing and characters just feel so real, they carry the story right along. Funny and poignant, there are so many lines here that absolutely just vibrated in my bones. I’m sure I’ll be carrying this story with me for a long, long time, and now I’ll be recommending it to pretty much everyone I know (and everyone I don’t too.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My head exploding because Fredrik Backman is a genius and that’s all there is to it.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Okay for Now

This is another one of those Upper Middle Grade books that makes me remember why I love Midde Grade. The character development. The voice. The feels. The setting. The subtleties. The character growth. The depth of the side characters. And even that ending… dude. This is one I would LOVE to talk about with the Summer Middle Grade book club that I lead. Definitely adding it to our list, and highly recommend for all readers, Middle Grade and above. This was my first Gary D. Schmidt read, but I’m definitely adding the Wednesday Wars to my TBR as well. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. Nothing hits like fabulous Middle Grade.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dude. This Middle Grade don’t hold back. You’ve been warned. (In the best way)

Thanks for reading!

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Graphic Novel Review – Lava

I totally love this author’s graphic novels. They always draw me in and just leave me feeling cozy & thoughtful. Since this one’s on the shorter side, it held the vibe of episode of Star Trek for me. Not going to lie, I was so glad to see the robots rebuilt at the end, and it’s always fun when you can emotionally invested even in a short piece. If you’re interested in a sci-fi in a unique world with a relatable premise, I definitely recommend picking this one up and I’m excited to see what the author comes out with next! Thanks so much to the author for sending me a review copy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yes! More Graphic Novels in the world pleassseee!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy

Okay. This book was totally right up my alley. In some ways this almost felt like a straight-up retelling of “You’ve Got Mail” in a quirky magical setting with undertakers and zombies, but at about the 50% mark it veers firmly into its own territory. Enjoyed the setting, enjoyed the main characters, the lovable side characters, and You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite movies of all time, so I was totally here for the parallels. Solid five stars with a cozy vibe, an interesting world, great narration, and a unique flavor.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fantasy that feels like a romcom?! These are my grabby hands

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping

Loved the writing style, loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (the author’s first book that’s unrelated but has similar vibes), and love the cozy magical world, but the premise and characters didn’t grab me here. I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the characters and though it was well-foreshadowed, I didn’t love the resolution. (no rating)

This was a book club pick too. Is it possible I’m cursed?

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3)

Okay, so there are lot of the same tropes in all three of the Knockemout books. We’re basically talking rich, alpha male in the rough-around-the-edges-with-a-heart-of-gold town. It’s a spicy, foul-mouthed Hallmark movie, but I was intrigued by Lucian and Sloan’s childhood friends gone bad past, and I was not disappointed here. Though I didn’t really like book 2, I think you have to read it to know what’s going on in book 3, and I did enjoy seeing the gang with all of their happily ever afters. Not quite as good as book one, but a solid 4.5/5 for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I’ll take it, but book 1 is still my favorite.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout #2)

Hmmm… I don’t really know how to rate this one. Nash and Lina just didn’t work for me like Naomi & Knox did from book one. It seemed like Nash & Lina’s relationship was based very much on the physical “well if it feels this good, it can’t be wrong” and “the body doesn’t lie” which I just didn’t buy. And honestly… I wasn’t feeling the chemistry, and individually, I didn’t like them as much as Naomi & Knox either.

That said, I still love the town and the side characters and I still want to read book 3, because my interest in the whole Lucian/Sloan situation is piqued, but if book 3 turns out not great, then I’d definitely recommend just reading book 1 as a stand-alone. (no rating)

I’m still kind of salty about this one. I really don’t trust sequels.

Thanks for reading!