#Mia's book reviews

[grumpy-grandma]

review for A Soul of Blood and Ash

Caution* Spoilers ahead

I do not know where to start. The fbaa series is my favorite series! I loved the love story, speed of the love story, the characters and relationships, and how JLA wrote the series. I loved how it didn't just seem like p*rn without a plot. I thought they were way better than ACOTAR.

Now, I did not like this book very much. Or at all. Maybe because I have too high of hopes. I read the Dimitri's pov from Vampire Academy fanfics. They were the best fanfic I have ever read. Amazing retelling of the original series. The fanfic capture every feel, emotion, and character perfectly. I will always reread those fanfics. I wish I could own them. I highly recommend to go read them. @gigi256 wrote them, and she is best author ever. But moving on..

So expected the same, and it was not. Why have two story lines at the same time? The present story line had nothing to give or add to the actual plot. It was Casteel dumping his worry about Poppy and/or him summarizing what we just read. These chapter become more annoying very fast. They were unnecessary breaks in the retelling of story.

I also did not like the 'BTS' scenes. Such as the Casteel walking in on where Kieran is busy with a woman, and staying. It just made me cringe. I did not love it nor think it was hot. I makes me wonder if Kieran, Poppy, and Casteel will be made into a couple. I also did not like how much Casteel repeated how much of bad guy he. The baby vampire scene just seem random. Casteel never talked about at all these past 4 books?! How does this add anything? It just add how Casteel nonstop talks about killing everyone he is around. Now there is more about Shea we don't know?! At this point, just tell us all of it. I feel like that will a plot hole we will never hear from again.

Also why is Castle's brother heart mates with Poppy's sister. This family is TOO connected each other. Poppy's mother used to be Castleel's Mother's ex-husband's lover. Poppy's mother had sex with her past lover's brother, and had two daughters from him. Now Castle's older bother is soul mates with Poppy's older sister. What is Thanksgiving going to look like. This is becoming too much like The Mortal Instruments. What will Poppy and Casteel do when her Uncle/Casteel's Mother's ex-husband is awake and learned his ex-wife had his child killed. His niece killed his lover. Oh! His brother has sex with his soulmate, and had two daughter. I cringe with Malik talks about loving Poppy's sister. Does no one see this being weird??

All of this just feels so rushed! I loved the first three books so much. I cannot tell you how many times I reread the those three books. I loved maybe handful of scenes. Now it seem like storyline has changed or been expanded too fast/too much. I know that her prequel book series explains it, I guess. I do not feel like reading the prequel tbh. I cannot read another long series just to be explain some family history.

I give this book two stars. Nothing was more upsetting when after I finished. My kindle asked if I wanted to preorder another retelling of this story from a different pov! Another fbaa in another pov. Why? Just why.

[sillyballoonmilkshake]

Ava: Who's Niko's biggest enemy?

Killian: It's Landon

Cecily: Probably Landon

Jeremy: Landon

Glyn: Definetly Landon

Annika: Landon

Landon: Me

Mia: Obviously Landon

Bran: Clara

[fictionandfauna]

I am somehow all of these women.

[theentertainmentbooth]

Okay, so during this Alice in Wonderland obsession (mainly revolving around the 2010 film) I decided to not only listen to the audio book of Lewis Carroll's original novel, but also read the Book of the film for the 2010 film.

So here are some of my thoughts for anyone who might want to read it too!

More 'wonder' in Wonderland (or Underland) - A big complaint with the film is that many say the world is dreary and miserable and there aren't enough wonderous elements, or time given to explore the world more. In this book, there are more descriptions and explorations that provide more depth to Underland. Especially when Alice first walks through the door and looks around. But as this isn't like the original story where she is just wandering around from situation to situation, the plot moves quite quickly.

Alice is a more bearable character - one of my drawbacks with the film is that, personally, I don't think Mia Wasikowska is the best Alice. Don't get me wrong, she is a great actress! I've seen her in other films such as Crimson Peak and she is brilliant. But in this film, I feel her performance can be very monotone and weak at times, whether that's down to her just being young, a lack of better direction, or the fact they were basically standing in a green screen the whole time. She definitely got waaaay better in Through the Looking Glass though! But in this book, although much of the dialogue is the same there is more of her internal thoughts and opinions which give her more depth compared to her film version.

The relationship between Hatter and Alice - okay some people like this coupling and some don't but ultimately although they didn't have them pair up in the film, there are versions of the original script where they kiss and their attraction is more obvious. I personally do like the paring (just the fan girl side of me) and one of the prompts for reading this book was that there is a bit more attention given to their friendship/attraction.

The dialogue can feel out of place or clunky - this is purely because the book is obviously based on the screenplay, and so at times moments of dialogue that fit the context of the film can feel very out of place or sudden in the book. But it's a minor complaint in an overall very short book that is ultimately meant for children/young adults (not a 20-year-old like me lol).

Overall, this book was really fun! If you like Alice in Wonderland, and specifically the film, I would definitely recommend giving it a read. It's a couple hours of fun 😁

[sbbarnes]

Do you love a good friends to lovers story? What about a bi awakening? What about both? Check out my latest blog post for some thoughts on the trope as well as a reclist featuring bi awakenings as well as specifically acespec books in the genre!

[angelfall21]

Dear Supporter,

I hope this message finds you and your family in good health. My name is Eman Zaqout from Gaza. I am reaching you out to seek your urgent help in spreading the word about our fundraiser. I lost both my home and my job due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and we are facing catastrophic living conditions. 💔

I kindly ask you to visit my campaign. Your support, whether through donating or sharing, will help us reach more people who can make a difference. Thank you for your continued support for the Palestinian cause. Your dedication brings us closer to freedom. 🙏🕊

Note: Verified by several people as 90-ghost and aces-and-angels. ☑

GO DONATE THIS

[poppletonink]

FILM REVIEW: My Fault/Culpa Mía

★★★☆☆ - 3 stars

"I'd do it all with you Noah, you know that, but I won't do anything until the fear disappears from your eyes."

Based on the acclaimed Wattpad story by Mercedes Ron, My Fault (otherwise known as Culpa Mía) tells a Romeo and Juliet inspired tale of danger and love brewed together. Noah is a girl who is forced to leave her life behind and move into the mansion of her mother's new husband. It is here that she meets her stepbrother Nick, who she enters a complicated and forbidden romance with.

With all the staples of your conventional trashy Wattpad romance (including gangs, kidnapping and, of course, an enemies to lovers relationship), My Fault's plot was disastrously confusing, with around twenty different subplots that are difficult to keep track of. Additionally, the scripting was undeniably cringeworthy. Nick calls Noah "baby sis" and "freckles", and proclaims that he just "can't control himself" around her (i.e. he will physically lash out at any other man in Noah's vicinity). While these nicknames add a layer of second hand embarrassment to watching the main relationship within the film, when compared to the knowledge that Nick and Noah are step-siblings with a 5 year age gap, it is clear that dialogue is not the main issue in this film.

Despite this, the casting was perfect and the chemistry between leading stars Nicole Wallace and Gabriel Guevara was outstanding, creating a tense and passionate on-screen relationship between Nick and Noah. The cinematography, too, was great, enhancing the viewing experience significantly. This especially applies to shots relating to the racing elements of the film - an enjoyable subplot which provided dramatic action as a break from the main romance plot - and landscaping shots that showed the beauty of the Costa del Sol (where the film was shot).

Cupla Mía is is definitely one to watch if you're looking for an entertaining romantic drama. It's a film that viewers will likely enjoy or will at least find funny in all its telenovella-inspired glory, providing that you don't take it too seriously.

[sillytriumphdragon]

Archer's Voice reviews

*Book: Archer’s Voice*

*Author: Mia Sheridan*

*Genre: Emotional romance, contemporary romance*

*My rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟*

I can give this book 100 stars and will give this book my hearts too ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

My reviews:

As you know, I love reading “Archer’s Voice,"  so today I will just write about this novel. This book has literally taken my heart and my soul. When I say this, I really mean it. It was one of the most beautiful books I ever read. This is so beautifully written that I can’t express my feelings about it. This book is full of emotion. I couldn’t control myself from sobbing. The flood of tears shed from my eyes and my heart. And I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about Archer and Bree all the time. They are both my favorite characters. They have become my favorite couple to exist. And I love the way Bree loved Archer. The way she believed in him and the way she wanted to believe in both of them. I adore the way they both purely love each other. They took my heart by making sacrifices for one another. And Archer! Omg! I love Archer. What I feel for Archer, I can’t express in words. He is literally the perfect man every girl wants. He is the man of my dreams. The book brought me all the feelings of love, tears, happiness, and hope. I kept tissue papers with me while reading, just to wipe my tears. It’s a very emotional story, but it will leave your heart so full by the end. This book is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

 

This book, Archer Hale, and Archer & Bree will forever have my heart. Their story and relationship are incredibly tender, simple, and pure, yet also extremely sensual and quite steamy (I was not expecting that at all!). They made my heart swell to 10x its size, like literally, I could feel it ready to burst many times.

 

It’s definitely among my top favorite books. I can read this book again and again. I will always remember Archer and Bree and their love. I love Mia Sheridan for writing such a beautiful book. I loved this book. If you want to feel deep emotions, or, basically, if you want to feel all the emotions, then this book is for you. I just love it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Favourite dialogues:

I have number of favorite dialogues from this book but write now just sharing these:

*“ I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I wish you could read my mind so that you would know how much I want you, no one else. There could be three hundred men after me right now, and it wouldn't matter. Because none of them are you, Archer Hale. None of them are the man I love.”*

*“ What I know, is that you walked through my gate that day and I lost my heart. But not because it could have been any girl-because it was you. I Lost my heart to you. And, Bree, in case you're wondering, I don't ever want it back.”*

[coffeecatsandcoldnights]

This book wrecked me in the best way possible. I love how tender, mature and fulfilling their romance is. To be loved by Archer and to love like Bree is the goals.

Archer's Voice, by Mia Sheridan

[bookstattoosandtea]

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Kiss A Villain by Mia Darling

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Kiss A Villain By Mia Darling No Mercy, Book 1 Once upon a time, I saved a boy from certain death. Fell for him so hard that I’d follow him straight to the gates of Hell, and say thank you for it. But the problem with being hopelessly in love with Kirill Volkov is that he won’t ever love me back. On paper, we shouldn’t even be friends. He’s the grump to my…

[bunnys-bookshelf]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommend: Yes! This was such a beautiful story

Review:

⚠️Spoilers⚠️

This month is proving to be such a great reading month with all these 5 star books❤️ I jumped into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it and I’m so glad I did. This emotional roller coaster sucked me in from the second I started it. I fell in love with Archer as quickly as Bree did and both of their back stories had me sobbing. I was listening to the audio book while doing dishes when Archer got shot for the second time and literally had to sit down and take a cry break for about two chapters. This book was beautiful beyond words. It may be one of my favorite books of all time.

[sillyballoonmilkshake]

Nikolai: I wanna bury myself in Bran so bad right now.

Landon, appaled: I bed your finest pardon?

Levi, choking on water: YOU WHAT NOW?

Nikolai:

Nikolai: Did I say that out loud?

Bran, shaking his head: I'm not even surprised at this point

[fictionandfauna]

Before she became an axe-wielding, homicidal maniac, Pearl was a romantic with big dreams for the future and what her life was set to become. Until that was all cruelly ripped out from underneath her of course.

[whilereadingandwalking]

Mia Couto is one of the most iconic East African authors, and Sea Loves Me, with translation from the Portuguese by David Brookshaw with Eric MB Becker, brings together dozens of his short stories, including ones not previously translated into English. The secret police make big mistakes, ruining lives; men and women struggle with relationships, sex, and revenge; people grapple with ironic turns of fate (sometimes light-hearted, sometimes brutal). Many of the stories are folkloric or told in the format of old stories passed around at parties or around campfires—love stories, fairytales, moral tales, rumor-mill driven comedies—while others are cutting social commentaries wrapped in irony, dry humor, and that small spark of bleak, black humor. For more books in translation from Eastern Africa, see my list over at Book Riot! Content warnings for ableism, fatphobia, and violence, as well as domestic abuse, sexual assault, animal death, racism, and suicide

[scorbleeo]

Book Chat: God of Ruin

Legacy of Gods (Book 4) by Rina Kent

Source: Google Images

I’m out for revenge. After careful planning, I gave the man who messed with my family a taste of his own medicine. I thought it’d end there. It didn’t. Landon King is a genius artist, a posh rich boy, and my worst nightmare. He’s decided that I’m the new addition to his chess game. Too bad for him, I’m no pawn. If he hits, I hit back, twice as hard and with the same hostility. He says he’ll ruin me. Little does he know that ruination goes both ways.

Source: Goodreads (2023)

I'm Embarrassed

I really did not do God of Ruin justice. My only goal to reading this book was finishing it so I could get into the next book immediately. That being said, I entered the Rina Kent universe only for Brandon and Nikolai, so by default, only for God of Fury. Knowing that is the next book in the reading order, I was breezing through God of Ruin like it was unimportant. When I say I sped-read through this book, I truly meant it, I probably missed a ton of sentences and with that, some minute details.

Now, going on to the review, this is the first book in the Legacy of Gods series where I felt the first half was bad and it got better afterwards. Let me put it this way, I was bored through the first half which made speeding through it a lot easier than usual. Unlike many, I never hated Landon before God of Ruin but because of that, he was nothing fascinating here. He even annoyed me several times initially.

Thus, when his eventual and gradual character arc redemption arrived, I wasn't wow-ed by it. Just felt like it was something Kent had to write because all her characters must not be horrible at the end of the day, right? I know I sound bitter here but that's because God of Ruin really was very average.

The character arc redemption was one thing. But the trauma plot? So weak. Mia's entire character ever since she was 8 was due to the trauma she suffered but the resolution was not even half-assed, it was less than that. Why give Mia such a character, have plenty of pages to foreshadow and yet the final countdown was so pathetic? Personally, I think the biggest problem with the trauma plot was that Kent did not know when or how to foreshadow it through the book. This would have been such a kickass final countdown scene yet ultimately, it fell flat, so very flat.

One last thing, I am aware Kent might be having fatigue from writing stories in this universe now, which I completely get. Because not only do we have the same kind of characters in the same series (Killian, Creighton, Landon and since she's been hinting at it, Eli), her writing for God of Ruin was sloppy. I will just use one example: In Chapter 33, due to Mia's friendship with Jeremy, Landon said he will bump Jeremy up to the top of his shit list. You know who else who happened to be very different from Landon said a similar sentence? Nikolai, to Mia, about Brandon, earlier in this book.

I do want to justify Kent's sloppy writing to her fatigue for this world, and I will. Unfortunately, Kent's lines around all her characters are becoming muddled. Not only are so many of her characters similar, she's using very specific sayings for characters that should not have had those same kinds of sayings. This is not the first time I caught it but this series had multiple of this instances, I have had enough and need to point it out.

Despite this entire post being filled with complains, I like God of Ruin. I just think Kent should not have written them all one after another. Someone, or many, should have told her to take a break, write something else in between and clear her mind of this world for a while. Because back in her first series, all the guys and the ladies had such distinctive personalities yet in this series...

Rating: ★★★☆☆

More on the Legacy of Gods series here: God of Malice (#1) | God of Pain (#2) | God of Wrath (#3)

[maddiesbookshelves]

Christmas reads ❄️🎄

A Daddy for Kinkmas, by Reese Morrison & A Kiss for Santa, by Mia Monroe

What does a T4T romance book about kinky gays have in common with a novella about a young man falling for Santa Claus? Nothing except for the fact that I laughed real hard when I discovered each of them

Two very different vibes and stories, but it was fun to try and read Christmas books. I actually hate Christmas movies, so I was scared I would just be subjecting myself to something I hate but in book format. It turned out to be the case for A Kiss for Santa, but not for A Daddy for Kinkmas!

A Kiss for Santa would probably be good if you like cheesy (Christmas) romances where you don't see the characters have meaningful intereactions much (if at all) yet get married after 3 days together. The length of the book (well, novella really), probably didn't help. Meanwhile, A Daddy for Kinkmas got me hooked in a few pages because the characters had so much personality and individuality. I couldn't help but get attached. Morrison made an effort to show their characters bonding, even before the week they spend together. I also honestly really liked the writing! It was a great surprise and I might check some of Morrison's other works

Note: both books contain sex scenes, you've been warned

French version under the cut

Qu'ont en commun une romance T4T sur deux gay qui font du bondage et un romant court sur un jeune homme qui tombe amoureux du Père Noël? Rien, si ce n'est que les deux m'ont fait beaucoup rire quand je suis tombée dessus

Deux vibes et deux histoires très différentes, mais c'était fun d'essayer de lire des livres de Noël. En vrai, je déteste les films de Noël, donc j'avais peur de m'infliger la même chose mais sous forme de livre. Ça s'est avéré être le cas pour A Kiss for Santa, mais pas pour A Daddy for Kinkmas!

A Kiss for Santa plaira probablement aux fans de romances (de Noël) cucul où on voit pas beaucoup (voire pas du tout) les personnages avoir d'échanges significatifs mais qui se marient quand même au bout de 3 jours ensemble. La longueur du livre (roman court) n'a probablement pas aidé. En attendant, A Daddy for Kinkmas m'a happée en quelques pages parce que les personnages avaient tellement de personnalité et d'individualité. J'ai pas pu m'empêcher de m'attacher. Morrison a fait en sorte de montrer le rapprochement de ses personnages même avant la semaine qu'ils passent ensemble. J'ai aussi beaucoup aimé le style d'écriture ! C'était une très bonne surprise et je checkerai peut-être d'autres livres par Morrison

Note : il y a des scènes de sexe dans les deux livres, vous êtes prévenu.es