Category: Recommendations

Slow-Burn Romance and Visual Storytelling: Fable by Adrienne Young Review

If you’re reading this review right now, I will waste no time and just tell you directly: READ THIS BOOK.

I haven’t read any books from Adrienne Young before this but when I saw the cover, I just couldn’t resist it. I mean, look at how pretty and tempting it is. But while some books are only beautiful on the outside, this book will not make you regret you ever picked it up.

Initially, I had a hard time reading this. It was difficult to imagine some scenes in my head because I wasn’t familiar with the technical terms about ships and navigation. I am a visual reader and when I read, a movie plays in my head. I need to understand the details so that I know what to imagine. If you’re like me and decide to read this, it really helps if you google the terms to see what they look like. But rest assured that you will eventually get the hang of it.

by Marie @ KookBookery

A Heart-stopping Ending: The Rose & the Dagger Review

This broke my heart into a million pieces and put it back together again. It is one of those books that fill your heart after reading it. The one that never leaves your thoughts even after its end.

The Wrath and the Dawn duology is a tale with love at its core — a powerful emotion for a powerful book. Love, which can be a person’s greatest strength or ultimate weakness.

While I said The Wrath and the Dawn was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, The Rose and the Dagger played with my feelings. One of the many reasons why this book tore at my heart is the love triangle. Although I don’t hate this trope, I am not a fan of it. More often than not, the third person is annoying and only exists to torment the couple. Or sometimes, the female MC is so indecisive that she can’t bear to choose one. But when done well, the love triangle trope can be powerful and heartbreaking.

by Marie @ KookBookery

A Captivating Retelling: The Wrath & the Dawn Review

I have no idea what I was doing in 2015 that I haven’t even heard about this series. I only found out about it when a fellow member of an author’s Facebook group asked about this. I was so intrigued by the description that I moved it to the top of my TBR list. Honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

This was definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions for me. I am not saying this to be cliche, I am saying this because it’s true. I’ve experienced a wide range of emotions these past few days — pity, confusion, excitement, frustration, swoon, and sadness among many others.

by Marie @ KookBookery

A Bittersweet End to the Duology: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo Review

That was one hell of an ending and yet, I don’t think it was wrong. Still, I would be lying if I say it didn’t break my heart into pieces.

I think the best thing about this series is how close the characters were to my heart. They’re a crew that I loved fiercely. It’s hard to think of them as only characters. Leigh Bardugo breathed life into them. They have feelings, fears, goals, and weaknesses. I prayed that everything will work out for them. But try as I might, even in this fantasy world, perfect endings don’t exist.

by Marie @ KookBookery

Is It Worth the Hype? Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Review

How do I even begin to write a review for the perfection that is Six of Crows?

If you’re into YA fantasy, you’ve probably heard of the name Kaz Brekker. It’s hard not to. There is so much hype surrounding that name and Six of Crows. But now that I’ve finally read the book, I definitely understand why.

Kaz is unlike any character I’ve ever read. He is greedy, selfish, and cruel when he wants to be. But despite that, he is also clever and strong. Kaz did not have an easy childhood. Certain events made him who he is — a boy bent on revenge. I know this book is not only about Kaz but to me, he was the most fascinating character.

by Marie @ KookBookery

A Mirror to the Soul: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Review

Sometimes, there are books that are just too beautiful to describe. The Prophet is one of them.

I will be honest with you. I didn’t know who Kahlil Gibran was until I came across this quote on Tumblr.

“How beautiful to find a heart that loves you, without asking you for anything, but to be okay.”

I loved it so much that I searched for his other works and stumbled across The Prophet.

by Marie @ KookBookery

More Than a Love Story: What You Wish For by Katherine Center Review

This is a love story and yet, it’s more than just a love story.

Although this is my first Katherine Center book, it’s not the first time I heard about her. I heard a lot of good things about Things You Save in a Fire (which I also plan on reading). So when I got an opportunity to read an ARC of this, I didn’t hesitate to grab it.

Ever read books that make you feel like you’ll really love them even from the start? This is one of those.

by Marie @ KookBookery

Not Your Usual Angel Romance: Angelfall by Susan Ee Review

If I didn’t buy this book from Big Bad Wolf, I probably would have never read it. I would have no idea what a great thing I would be missing.

To be honest, I have a slight prejudice against books about angels. I’ve always assumed it would be all about the forbidden romance between humans and heavenly beings. I tried reading Hush, Hush but I just wasn’t into it. The other popular series also had mixed reviews so I didn’t even bother. I was in my vampire romance phase back then and I wasn’t ready to move on yet. But even when angel books became so popular, I haven’t heard of Angelfall. Six whole years of not knowing an awesome series like this exists.

by Marie @ KookBookery

Review: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

When you’ve had the best, suddenly, everything pales in comparison.

I know I shouldn’t have but I couldn’t stop comparing this to The Unhoneymooners. It was my first Christina Lauren book and I absolutely loved it. It was hilarious and fun in all the right ways. On the other hand, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating was fun… just not as fun.

I admit that I also didn’t give this the full attention it deserved. This past week, I was so busy that I only read this for at most fifteen minutes during lunch break. But when it did have my full attention, I was gripped.

by Marie @ KookBookery

Enemies to Lovers Excellence: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren Review

I haven’t laughed this much while reading a book in such a long time. Like literally laughing out loud and not just in my head. The Unhoneymooners was that funny for me.

What I loved most about this book is how the characters were not really mean towards each other. I love good enemies to lovers romance but when one of them is abusive towards the other, that’s where I draw the line. Ethan and Olive hated each other’s guts which resulted in this awesome and witty banter. It’s what made this book so good for me. I loved both of their characters and they were perfect for each other. I got so invested in their relationship that I breathed a huge sigh of relief when everything went well in the end.

by Marie @ KookBookery