Review: Firebird by Juliette Cross

Firebird by Juliette Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very glad I decided to reread this first novel in preparation for diving into books 2 and 3. Still loved it and glad I get to revisit again. 

My review from March 2025:

I received this free eARC novel from Edelweiss. This is my honest review. 

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile now and I am so glad Edelweiss approved my request! 

I loved Malina. She has so much confidence and spunk. She knows she capable of taking care of herself because of her gift. But she also knows what she believes in and doesn't stray them. 

Julianus is intriguing. He knows his uncle is evil and has a long winded plan to overcome his rule. He's brutal and cunning. But the moment he lays eyes on Malina, he knows everything takes a back seat to his devotion to her. 

I love that this didn't end on a completely awful ending, yet more will be coming! It's refreshing to not be in agony when ending a book for once. 

I'm so glad I got to read this and can't wait for all of my special edition copies to get delivered!

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Review: Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte

Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a bit bummed I didn't love this more. Book one was great and I was great and i loved the characters and the tension and the friendimies vibes. 

But in this book Sabrina and Tyler are extremely similar to each other, and they are both people pleasers. Which unfortunately I am not a fan of so seeing them struggle to have normal conversations was hard for me. Plus Sabrina is wat too preppy for my personality. Then add in the secret relationship and I was pretty much realizing this book wasn't for me sadly. 

I still think I'm going to love this author, but this book definitely didn't vibe with my tastes. I'm so glad i read it and can tell this will be loved by most.

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Review: Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan

Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm a bit conflicted by this book. I liked it but also... didn't? Not hated it but im indifferent to it? I'm finding it really hard to explain. The story and the world and the characters were all fine but I wasnt consumed by the book. I wanted to see what happened next but was also okay to dnf it. I'm not sure I've ever felt this way about a book before. 

This had the Fourth Wing vibes with the fighting and training and their crew of characters. But doesn't have the deep connections I get with FW. Leina is definitely a fighter and a likeable character but maybe she's not that relatable? I think she's distanced herself from everything after the incident at the wedding and then watching all of her family members for that she blocks herself from feeling emotions or allowing the reader to feel emotions? I mean, she DOES but in a dulled sort of way? 

And Ryot is just a mess. You can tell he's fighting his attraction for Leina right at the beginning and then the reveal at the end about who his family is? That's a giant betrayal to Leina. Their relationship is pretty much doomed.

So yeah... didn't love this book. Didn't hate it. I'm probably not going to continue reading it if I'm already feeling these sorts of ways with book 1. 

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Review: The Casanova Complex by Maren Moore

The Casanova Complex by Maren Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely devoured this book! I love Merritt and Bennet together. They are so feisty and complete opposites, but they just work for each other. I love how Bennett was literally speechless when he met Merritt and that was the whole vibe throughout the whole book. The guy falling first is one of my top tropes and Maren Moore did it so well. 

Merritt is such a tough chick. But she's so gooey inside too. Once you are in her circle of people she cares about, she will go to any lengths to make sure you feel seen and adored. I did think her overprotectiveness with Elliott was a bit much once i met him and discovered his age. He is definitely at an age where he can do things (some, not all of course) on his own and I think it was more of Merritt not wanting to let go of her control. I also felt like her two girl friends just disappeared in the middle of the story and didn't reappear or were mentioned again which was a bit odd to me. 

Bennett was great, though a bit too cocky to be honest. It was just an act for most of it but still got to be a bit much at times. But I loved that he kept up his grades because he wanted to and not just because of hockey. And him liking things clean and neat and hot annoyed that his roommates didn't feel the same? Loved. 

So glad we got Bennett's story and glad I got to read this novel! 

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Review: The Isle of the Lost: The Graphic Novel by Melissa de la Cruz & Robert Venditti

The Isle of the Lost: The Graphic Novel by Robert Venditti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very quick read and really followed along with the novel. Liked seeing all the depictions come to life after reading the details. I did picture Mal to look a bit tougher than she was in the graphic, but overall the image really showed the characters personalities. A good story with great visualization. 

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Review: The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz

The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

11 years later i read this again (forgetting I've already read it to be honest). Still have the initial thoughts in my review below from 2015 though I'm not sure I'll be reading anymore as it's not as engaging as i would have hoped. Plus im pretty sure i have to watch the movie and tv show in a cetain order with the books to get the full story, which is a bit annoying to me. 

My original review from May 2015:

This was a unique twist on Disney characters... I was really excited when I saw it and had to buy it for my library. 

Overall I really enjoyed it. I was literally laughing my butt off when I read the entire novel - it's really quite comical. Also as a Disney lover, the movies are always focusing on the princess or the damsel in distress. This was a nice way to get to know the villains, or the bad guys, of the story. Even though the villains we know are kinda crazy since they don't have their magic and have been banned for 10 years (which is an eternity and a half, if you didn't know). 

I felt bad for the kids of the villains (Mal, daughter of Maleficent; Evie, daughter of Evil Queen; Jay, son of Jafar; Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil). They were not the initial villains of their parents stories, yet they are banned from the beautiful island where the princes and princesses are. Why can't they get their own chance to be good? Sucks to be judged by who their parents are. Especially Mal whose father was human. She's half good!

I also loved that Beast and Belle are the king and queen of the good world. Yay Belle! (Obviously that it my favorite Disney character - library, duh!) And their son, Ben, is going to do great things as King, I can just tell. 

Glad I read this book, even though it was a bit slow going in the middle. I almost gave up, but stuck with it and was very pleased by the ending. Can't wait to read more. Not sure if I will watch the Disney TV movie or not, but I will be on the look out for the sequel!

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Review: When Dealing With Dragons by Dana Swift

When Dealing With Dragons by Dana Swift
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun book. Always love dragons and seeing the main characters, Farren and James, want to save them and keep them protected was great. The dragon and wielding system was explained really well in this book and i feel bad for the dragons when they are deshiwlded. Humans really can be despicable creatures when they become greedy and think they are above everything else. 

The awkwardness between Farren and James is very YA, haha. They had so much miscommunication happen throughout the past few years and then with all the secrets piling up, they were doomed to be archenemies instead of friends. But in reality, they both are the same deep down and just needed a giant intervention to put them on the same path again. 

Loved all the moments with the dragons. They have such big personalities! Glad I decided to read this story! 

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