Anónimo

Practically Perfect

Revisado: 05-16-24

I’ve been told this is the last in the SPC series. If this is truly the case, it was a perfect ending.

This is by far my favorite of the series. Well paced and sexy af. Eden has always been a character I wanted to learn more about and boy did this book deliver.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Suspenseful and Brilliant

Revisado: 09-19-23

What I love about Mark Oshiro’s work, is how easily the reader can connect with and feel the emotions emanating from the characters and by extension, their author. Into the Light is no exception. This is a beautifully written, dark and thought propelling story that makes you ride waves of anger, sadness, fear, paranoia and heart break. But all of this is worth the ride so you can truly appreciate the hope, courage, warmth, true acceptance and true love that can come from finding a chosen family, like the Varela’s, and chosen life as Manny does.

Because this is the audio book, I was not able to reference the trigger warnings that is noted as being at the back of the book and had to do a search online. I would recommend this for anyone who would benefit from these warnings prior to listening to this book.

With that being said, this story can’t help but make you stop and digest what is easily hidden from sight in our daily lives. I believe this was described as a coming-of-age novel but what Manny goes through is literally a forced-to-age journey. While he himself does not see it, his courage and determination to fight for himself and what he believes leaves me awestruck. I would never wish his journey and experiences on anyone but he is a true hero in his own story with so much heart, something he probably does not truly realize he has until the end of the story.

I absolutely recommend this novel.

Alejandro Ruiz was an amazing narrator that I would gladly listen to again and again.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Better than the 1st

Revisado: 07-08-23

I enjoyed Deal with the Elf King but I liked this story a bit better. Despite the predictability of the story and many of its characters, I enjoyed listening to the adventure unfold, the world building and likability of the characters. I also enjoyed Elizabeth’s narration much better in this book. If you enjoyed Deal with the Elf King, you will likely enjoy A Dance with the Fae Prince. If you have not read Elf King, it is a good enough stand alone that you could still enjoy.

The 4 instead of 5 stars is because, like Luella in the Elf King, Katria’s repetitive “reasons” for why she won’t love (in what feels like every chapter) is tiresome and makes me feel like Kova doesn’t trust we will remember the pains our heroine has suffered. As mentioned, and as I’ve seen in other reviews, it was easy to predict what will ultimately happen and so the story felt like it took a little too long to reach its conclusion than was necessary.

All in all, I would still recommend. Kova creates a beautiful world, with likable characters I enjoyed learning about and look forward to reading on.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A nice Hades & Persephone storytelling

Revisado: 07-05-23

This is my first time reading Elise Kova’s work and I enjoyed this fantasy version of Hades & Persephone. I was a little annoyed with Luella constantly telling and retelling everyone why she had to go back to her village in almost every chapter, but all in all, I really did enjoy this book and couldn’t put it down. I would very much like more books about this storyline with Luella and Eldas if there are not already more out there.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sweet Story, FANTASTIC Naration

Revisado: 04-12-23

First and foremost, Phillipa Soo, did a fantastic job narrating this story. I am admittedly pretty hard on the performances of any books I listen to and, though I am a fan of Phillipa, I was worried that I would not enjoy. I was incredibly impressed with her performance from start to finish. I knew who each character was speaking even when I wasn’t completely paying attention. It was almost as if she memorized this story and read it practically flawlessly. I will definitely give any book she is narrating a chance just because of her.

The story was a fun, though predictable, and I enjoyed the characters. I love how topics like mental health (and the importance of it being okay to get help), the inner struggles of those who are of mixed ethnicities, and the fears/struggles with over-dominating men AND women in power in professional environments aren’t shied away from.

Gracie’s inner struggles and self doubt do become so repetitive, it feels like the story is going in circles at times after good movement forward. But that is a pretty decent representation of life for those who struggle with self-worth and doubt. It isn’t until her found support system is almost lost, that she realizes how much movement was truly happening for her in a positive way.

The family story and the love story are sweet and the book wraps up nicely. Not 100% the fairly tale story of riding off into the sunset, but enough to imagine a happily ever after for everyone.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Enjoyable

Revisado: 03-15-23

I love everything about the Black Jewel series, from characters, the world and the stories. Of all the books, this was enjoyable but nothing more. I enjoyed the story of Saetien (thank the darkness because I had a incredibly hard time with her in the Queen’s Weapons), the new characters we meet (especially Brenda) and reading about this new generation of covens finding their way. I’m in a different place than I was when I read the trilogy, so I have appreciation and empathy for what Daemon, Lucivar and Surreal are going through as a parent myself. It’s nice growing old with them and having Witch and Karla still a part of our lives.

The story was a bit predictable in places which is why I only gave it 4 stars, but as I said, it is still quite enjoyable.

This is the first book of Anne Bishop that I have listened to. It was a jolt for me hearing the unfamiliar voices of characters I love. Not completely for the male characters, but very much so for the female characters. But I always struggle when male narrators read their female characters. Even the most fragile witches/queens have a backbone and power does not mean loud anger to get a point across, especially for Witch. Still, overall Gary Littman’s narration was good. If you’re a fan, I think you’d like it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Interesting Story

Revisado: 03-02-23

I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia and everything she produces. Of all her books I’ve read, this is okay and compared to most others.

The story was interesting which is why I stuck with it but it took me a long time to get through it. I just wasn’t as drawn in as I usually am. This was mostly because of the character, Maite. For more than half the book, I could not find a bone in my body to sympathize or empathize with her. That was disappointing since she was supposed to be the female Lead in all this and it made the story drag on. I was more invested in Elvis and what was happening with him. I wanted more for him and was rooting for him in the end because he grew and evolved, even if he was unsure if this growing would be for better or worse. Maite didn’t seem to evolve and neither did her attitude even after all that she had gone through. That was disappointing. Maybe I’ll revisit this in the future and find things I missed that would have elevated the story my first go around.

Again, the story was interesting and I love that it was Noir created based off events that actually happened in Mexico. Gisela Chipe is a great narrator and always makes it easy to distinguish which character is who.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Loved this Reimagining of Doctor Moreau

Revisado: 02-07-23

I recently discovered Silvia Moreno-Garcia and have loved every single one of her novels. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau has skyrocketed to be my favorite of all the novels I’ve read thus far. The setting, the story, the characters *chefs kiss*. While I’ve never read H.G. Wells’ Island of Doctor Moreau, I am familiar with the story and films. This was a wonderful and fantastical reimagining of the story.

I am also very impressed with Gisela Chile’s performance. Very rarely do I listen to a book and can tell one character from another, and this is not just from lack of focus. I have always wished that audio books could have more of a Cast to help distinguish characters and their unique personalities. This was not one of those instances. I always knew each distinct character from the other and not just based off their distinct dialects but their tones and personalities. Her pacing was spot on and I felt as though she knew this story like the back of her hand. I would happily listen to this book again or any she narrates.

If you’re a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia definitely read this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A fun story

Revisado: 02-07-23

I enjoyed listening to this book. It was a fun story and I liked the characters. My only issue is my continued complaint with having multiple narrator’s to read for the female and male characters. I will first say I think both the narrators did a great job with their pace and performances. However, if you are going to have a female AND male narrator to voice the character who identify as female and male, have them read in all the chapters as those characters and do not switch off for the designated POV chapter. While I enjoyed the performances, each narrator gave the characters different personalities and tones that was, for me, a bit jarring at times, especially for the main character Riley. It was like there were double of each character with multiple personalities. This is probably a me pet peeve with audio books, so take this rant with a grain of salt. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a fun and clever story. A neat take on an adult witch learning about herself, growing into her gifts, finding a coven and taking on a family tradition. I will look out for book 2 when it comes out.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Rollercoaster of a Story

Revisado: 10-14-22

I am much older than the main characters of this story, so I had a hard time thinking “just tell him/her!” all the time. But that’s the point, right? Our individual experiences aren’t always easy to communicate to someone who has not gone through the same life events. It’s not easy to look at someone and immediately see the pain they hide behind a smiling mask. We aren’t mind readers, so it’s hard to know what others are thinking. All this and during a time when we are transitioning into adulthood, woof. Reflecting on this story, I appreciate that rollercoaster. It was great insight on what it is to learn and grow through mistakes and emotions. Adding in a character who is transgender was a beautiful part of the story and made it even more complex to work through, but for all the good reasons. I could not possibly begin to know what the Transgender community has to go through, no matter the time in which they choose to transition. But this gave great insight to both sides of the transitioning and those who love them but may even have their own struggles. I love the good, the bad and the ugly of this story because it rings truth. It was great to hear ALL the characters grow and mature and find their way to love and support each other.

The narrator was great, made identifying the characters easy and read at a good pace.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña