Ria

Well. That was something. I see why it's got such a low rating, in that the pony should come with a trigger warning, but I don't know if I should spoil it? I'll hide the review I guess. This was a very depressing and deeply sad little book that I was unprepared for. The death of the pony was rather unexpected, then the death of an old man, and at that point, halfway through, I dnf'd. This is just way to bleak for me. It's almost worse than Flowers for Algernon. Have your tissues ready, because while this was beautiful writing, damn this was rough. 2.5 ⭐

I read this through one sitting, as I'd read it about three times before. I first picked it up back as a fourteen year old teenage girl that was very impressionable. This blew my mind then, but the more critical adult version of me found the rape of a child distasteful even if historically accurate, in that this is how things have been for a very long time. I enjoyed the reread but it definitely reads different when you're an adult.

My favorite thing was the writing and descriptive scene. Reading this is the same vein as reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, in that both authors have long, detailed scenes of packing and gathering supplies and I love scenes like those. These are both a survival stories also, of strong, passionate women determined to make it through no matter what. The writing can be a bit slow at times, but the story itself is good and the characters memorable.

4.5 ⭐ rounded up for fond childhood memories of reading a favorite new book and that feeling still lingers with the book even now.

TW for rape of a child and child pregnancy, abandonment issues.

A lot to like, but also predictable and often eye roll worthy. It was poorly executed, however I liked the characters and the humor throughout the book. Not enough explanation about the paranormal aspects, but it eventually worked out in the end. Fun, read it in a single sitting. 3.5 ⭐ rounded up.

Early review, but plan to have a RTC soon.

So I adore time traveling books. Most of them. This one killed me on page 14, where the guy who demanded a wife from the ocean after it killed his other wife who was supposedly unfaithful, has the adacity to say and I quote,

“Not a bad one, you are, either. Not quite beautiful, but plenty pretty enough enough for a dairy farmers bride.”

Seriously. You asked for a wife and you get one, then complain she's not a jaw dropping beauty? The man in this book comes across as very toxic and frustrating and I've never wanted to slap someone so badly before in my life. Read a bit more and am dnf'ing at page 50, in that this is one of the most annoying books I'd read in a while.

Ugh.

1 ⭐.

This was good but felt a bit rushed. I liked the banter between the two main characters. 3.5 ⭐ rounded up.

3.5 ⭐ rounded up. I've definitely got to reread book one before diving back into this world but this worked as a good short story.

Heart wrenching, achingly beautiful. A lasp gasp of a dying species, a woman lost and adrift, searching for those she loves. A sea voyage, a brief spark of danger here and there, and gorgeous prose. 5 ⭐!

This is one of the slowest, most boring gothic fiction books I'd ever read in my life. It drags on and on and thank goodness it's short. 1 ⭐. Worst book so far this year, I think.

Cute art but the storyline is so full of cliches and it's just not for me. 2.5 ⭐

I have mixed feelings about this one.

These books must be treasured and locked in a safe for how good they are. 5 ⭐!

After reading others reviews on this book, I can definitely agree, this book is a mess. Some things were good, like how Lacey handled her brother's death, but the rest of it was nothing but cringe. Both men were annoying af, and Lacey herself soon proved very irritating as a character. The writing was fine, but overall, I don't think I'll continue the series. 2.5 ⭐

The writing was good but essentially, I just don't think that this was for me. I'm not in the mood for war fantasy stories right now.

A beautiful collection of poems, some of which I need to read again and memorize. These were lovely, and I reiterate that I don't read enough poetry. I'm hoping to fix that in the next few months. I tried this on a whim with Wayback Machine and am so glad I did! 5 ⭐!

This had loads of potential but halfway through the book, I just didn't care.

Two and a half stars generously rounded up. An ok romance. TW for abuse and alcoholic abusive fathers.

This was a fun quest with strong characters that actually take time to think and plot things through. So refreshing to read instead of another grab your sword and go slay monsters book. Slow at points but this is a hidden gem. 4 ⭐

A cute little Christmas story for children but the author is fond of run on sentences and commas!

This started off promising then turned into one of those strange books where I honestly have no idea how I feel about it. I disliked the blatant sexism in some of it, and the characters felt forced. I don't know. The writing was fine, but the story overall wasn't what I hoped in it being Alaskan frontier life. It was a strange little book, and I'll leave it at that. 3 ⭐.

RTC 4 ⭐

It started off so strong and then... just kinda fizzled out.

2.5 ⭐ rounded up. RTC

Dnf'd after 50 pages. This started off with a very off putting authors note, that I tried ignoring feeling she had good intentions. Then I tried the story, and I just wasn't connecting at all. The writing was fine, as well as the characters. Maybe it's a me problem, in that lately I'm not finding things I'm really excited about to read. At first this sounded so right up my alley, but the execution wasn't quite there for me. I may come back to this later. 3 ⭐

Yet another book that started out strong but I lost interest about halfway through. I just wasn't drawn to the characters or the story. Dnf'd. 3 ⭐.

I gave it the first ten chapters, but the spacing was weird, and I wasn't invested in a vampire book. I dnf'd. I may try again later. 3 ⭐