The Attic Library

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade My rating: 3 of 5 stars 2.5 / 5.0 I had hoped this would be better, but there is just too much nonsensical coincidence to make the plot the focus. It all hinges on a huge underlying conspiracy that isn’t too hard to piece together because who would live inside the zoo, let alone in the lion’s pen, knowing even the least amount of information about the danger that EVERYONE seems to know? Plus, the internet and beauty industry is alive and in full force, complete with ring lights and trending viral hits, so people in this world are just idiots…? I could follow it, but it wasn’t a pleasant reading experience. Overall, the characters aren’t very well done either and the way everything wraps with a nod to the next book was disappointing. Not my flavor of entertainment, so I won’t be reading on in the series. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing My rating: 4 of 5 stars 4.0 / 5.0 This is twisty, fun, and has a full circle plot. I really like the main character’s dry humor and sardonic logic. She is not an out of control, spiraling lunatic or an evil genius plotting things way in advance. It’s a subtle, female rage that really connects with so much of the injustice women face in society. I ended up rooting for her pretty quickly into the book, around the 30% point, and the rest of the story was interesting and funny and satisfying. Overall, I’d recommend this and I’d read from this author again. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Easy Crochet Dishcloths: Learn to Crochet Stitch by Stitch with Modern Stashbuster Projects by Camilla Schmidt Rasmussen My rating: 5 of 5 stars 5 / 5 Let me preface, I am a knitter more than a crochet artist. I do not know the coding and haven’t done crochet enough to be familiar with how the charts are read. That being established, this does an excellent job of explaining both in writing and diagrams how to crochet. It goes through each of the stitches, what they look like on the chart, and how they are coded in written instructions. There are excellent photos showing the stitches and how each motif appears when completed. I very much enjoyed reading through this and testing out some of the stitches for dishtowels I am making. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Echoes of the Tide by Emma Hamm My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.8 / 5.0 This is what happens when a fuc-boi meets a curvy nerd and suddenly he discovers his behavior hasn’t been about having fun, but about waiting for her. I don’t like the premise of these characters. There is too much “wallflower meets over-interested predator”, but the development and maturation through the story saves them. She becomes more confident and he learns to be less of a douche. Fortis has so much a part in this, it’s almost as though the next book was drafted before this one. Also, “writhe” is the word of the day… Overall, still amazing and I am cruising into the next book. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Song of the Abyss by Emma Hamm My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.8 / 5.0 The story continues with new players and old. The whole ensemble here really progresses the overall plot of the series more than just the story of Anya and Daios. Knowing already the next few books, I am catching things on my reread of this that are directly pointing towards the upcoming events. Overall, still good. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t with Her Mind by Jackson Ford My rating: 4 of 5 stars I got about 1/4 of the way into this and just lost interest. It is written well and the plot is fun and the characters are not obnoxious, it's just not in my sphere of interest currently. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Whispers of the Deep by Emma Hamm My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.7 / 5.0 UPDATE: My first reading of this was so quick, I immediately went back to reread it. This world and characters have become an all-time favorite. I love the imagination and lore of the world, the way the characters (even as different species) have presence in the world, and how the interactions of the two cultures clash in a plausible way. This book and the others in this series are fantastic. This was a one day read and absolutely exquisite in its angst, slow burn, spice, and plot. Definitely worth it. Until Next Time MC View all my reviews

The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World, Vol. 1 by Kyouka Izumi My rating: 4 of 5 stars cute and cozy 4.5 / 5.0 this jumps right into the thick of it. I like the FMC, she’s in her 30s (shocking) and the MMC is the quiet, brooding type. There is a defined plot and the stakes aren’t too high. I’m glad I got all of these because they are fun. Until Next Time MC The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World, Vol. 2 by Kyouka Izumi My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World, Vol. 3 by Kyouka Izumi My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World, Vol. 4 by Kyouka Izumi My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.8 / 5.0 I like this series. It is low stakes cosy fantasy romance at its best. I cannot remember how I found it but I am so glad I did and that the story is so soothing. Until Next Time, MC The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World Vol. 5 by Kyouka Izumi My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.8 / 5.0 A satis...

Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.5 / 5.0 I remember the first time I time I read this and how excited I was to find such a good story. As a fan of Ranma 1/2 and Fushigi Yuugi, I fell into this immediately. The magic, historical inspiration, and characters are so well done, it is easy to comfortably follow the plot. All the themes are tragic and heartbreaking, but Ahdieh tells a masterful story. I am glad I returned to reread this and to continue with the complete series. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.8 /5.0 I need time to better compose my thoughts but overall this is excellent. The story stands on its own and doesn't need either knowledge of the fanfic or the fandom it was written for to prop it up. The characters are great and that cliffhanger is fantastic. I will be continuing the series. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Nightshade by Autumn Woods This book... I should have known from the blurb that it wasn't going to be for me. The first chapter alone is confusing and messy in the writing, setting, and broad introductions to the FMC. Nothing really made sense and the way the MMC was introduced is cliché. Their banter and immediate chemistry isn't built in any way, it's just there the moment they first meet. Like I said, I gathered as much from the blurb. So, no ranking and no review so to speak. View all my reviews

Beautiful Things by Emily Rath My rating: 4 of 5 stars 3.5 / 5.0 Beautiful Things has been around for a little bit now. The whole series is complete, which is wonderful for binge readers, and the new paperback editions are so pretty, which is wonderful for bookshelf décor. I don’t like the back and forth of the characters in this but it’s is in keeping with regency societal expectations. The outlandish behavior of the Duke, while his brother is the real brains in the family, is an interesting dynamic. I wanted the angst to be more acute and the tension to stretch longer through the novel. The dialogue and tone of the book is good and consistent throughout. I am interested to see where it goes and will probably buy the next book in its new edition if I can get a signed copy at my local shop. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews

Cruel Black Hearts by Candace Wondrak My rating: 2 of 5 stars 2.5 / 5.0 Cruel Black Hearts isn’t as good as some of Wondrak’s other offerings. The characters feel disconnected and out of place, the setting is hollow, and the overall writing is highly repetitive. I kept waiting for the growth to happen and the only thing I got was more mundane self-depreciation and a load of unresolved plot holes. Even the ending didn’t make sense even though it was OBVIOUS what was being portrayed. Overall, this wasn’t good enough to continue. Until Next Time, MC View all my reviews