Reading Ranting

Reading helps me wind down and relax before bed or lets my mind float away to another world on a rainy afternoon or sat on a sunny beach. A good audiobook makes my drive to work fly by and helps me relax in the evening.

I’m a weird reader. I love reading, but I find it hard to concentrate or I just don’t have the time. Even when I’m reading, I can get horribly distracted, so it takes me forever to get into a book. Or I just dissociate while reading because I’m so engrossed. Ask me what I just read, and I’m like… ??? All I know is how the books made me feel. I’m also super weird with rearranging my bookshelves all the time.

Reading is important if you want to write. You get a sense of what makes a good story along with elements you want to focus on. If you love a book, ask yourself why you loved it. Use that element (while not copying the author, of course) to grab your readers’ attention. Do you prefer character or plot driven stories? Do you love plot twists? Would you like to write an MC that’s very often associated with a secondary character and give them the spotlight?

See below for some reading ranting, reviews, and some of my favourite books. Also, see the sidebar (might be below or above on a mobile) for my up-to-date reading habits via Goodreads and Instagram.

November 2022

Book Review – Unbound by Holly Huntress – 5 stars

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. I was super excited to read this and that feeling carried on through the book.  Milah is given a mission by the king to infiltrate a neighbouring kingdom to learn about their weaknesses. But Milah has her … Continue reading “Book Review – Unbound by Holly Huntress – 5 stars”

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by Emilia Dashfire

October 2022

Book Review – Gleam by Reven Kennedy – 4.5 stars

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more.Wow. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. This had me holding my breath every five minutes. As usual, we get to see Auren make more realisations about her life. She sees Midas for what he is and knows … Continue reading “Book Review – Gleam by Reven Kennedy – 4.5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

Book Review – Kingdom of the Feared by Keri Maniscalco – 5 stars

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. What’s more fun than cursed lovers, magical memory loss, and just about every magical being involved one way or another?  The book begins where the last one left off with Emilia learning her sister’s secrets. However, that’s … Continue reading “Book Review – Kingdom of the Feared by Keri Maniscalco – 5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

Book Review – The Awakening, as Told By the Boys by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – 5 stars, obviously

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. We all know the Heirs are jerks to the twins in book 1 of Zodiac Academy, but why? Why did they go so far? We get our answers from Darius and Orion, with sprinklings of Seth, Caleb, … Continue reading “Book Review – The Awakening, as Told By the Boys by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – 5 stars, obviously”

by Emilia Dashfire

Book Review – Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton – 4.5 stars

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. This is very dark, with a dash of mystery, psychological thriller, and some spooky goings on. I enjoyed this book far more that I expected to since it’s not my usual genre, but I read a lot … Continue reading “Book Review – Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton – 4.5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

September 2022

Book Review – The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe – 4 stars

Warning: May contain spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. Firstly, TikTok made me buy it and I’m glad.  Secondly, this has adult content, including graphic sex scenes and violence. Thirdly, this is a fun but way-too-short story.  Winnie has spent her whole life being dragged around by … Continue reading “Book Review – The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe – 4 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

Book Review – Warrior Fae – Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac 5 by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – 5 stars

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. The final installment of Ruthless Boys is one of the best finale’s I’ve ever read. I had my suspicions on a lot of things, especially King’s identity. No spoilers, but I was right. Also, If you’ve read … Continue reading “Book Review – Warrior Fae – Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac 5 by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – 5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

Book Review – Lightlark by Alex Aster – 4 stars

Warning: May contain minor spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. Firstly, I’ll admit I was nervous to read this book since it had such mixed opinions, but I’m really glad I trusted my gut and went for it. Secondly, I’m appalled by people’s behaviour on Goodread’s reviews … Continue reading “Book Review – Lightlark by Alex Aster – 4 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

August 2022

Book Review – The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole – 5 stars

Warning: May contain spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. I don’t know where to start because there were so many amazing things about this book. Let’s just skip to what I liked. What I liked… I love how we get straight into Diana’s situation with the deal … Continue reading “Book Review – The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole – 5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

Book Review – Ruin and Roses by Deanna Ortega – 5 stars

Warning: May contain spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. Firstly, TikTok will never force me to buy a read a book just because it keeps popping up, but when people I follow recommend a book, I’m gonna check it out. I decided to read this based on … Continue reading “Book Review – Ruin and Roses by Deanna Ortega – 5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

July 2022

June 2022

Book Review – Fated Throne – Zodiac Academy Book 6 – By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – 5 stars

Warning: May contain spoilers, but opening comments are spoiler-free. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more. Still hopelessly addicted to this series and the characters. It’s so emotionally charged … Continue reading “Book Review – Fated Throne – Zodiac Academy Book 6 – By Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti – 5 stars”

by Emilia Dashfire

May 2022

April 2022

March 2022

January and February 2022

Book Reviews from 2021

You can’t beat a classic sometimes. This is one of my all-time favourite books. It’s timeless with its complex characters, deep desires, and hints of magic. Dorian just captures the true essence of our darkest selves.

I took a while to get into this, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down and got desperate for the rest of the series.

WINGS!!! I love winged characters. I have a few of them, so reading about angels or demons or other winged people is so much fun.

This was such a weird story in the relationships. I was so curious to find out how they evolved that I couldn’t stop reading.

This is on audiobook in my car and I’m a few chapters in. So far, so good.

Terry’s style is quirky and ironic and so bizarre. I find myself laughing at what the MC states is obvious when us normal folk tilt our heads.

I read this and book 2 a few years ago. Because of life stuff, I never got around top book 3. But it’s on my list. I’ve also read her Titan series. I can’t wait for the Wicked movies.

I’m half way through this right now, and loving it. My only quibble is the voice is a little blunt for my liking, but that’s on me.

I’d been following Jenna for a while and had high expectations when she released this. She didn’t disappoint.

I just love this book for so many fun reasons. The MC goes from a quiet and sheltered life to discovering dark secrets that seduce her into breaking some rules.

This is very relatable story from a writer who lives next to my old town. I had to get her book. I’m glad I did.

I was highly disappointed when they stopped the films after just one. I was looking forward to seeing the series on the big screen. Then they made the TV series. I loved how they adapted the story so it wasn’t the same as the books. It added to the surprises.

There are very few people who aren’t Stephen King fans, so it’s no surprise this is on my favourites list.

My childhood would not be the same without this book, or the movie. I can’t remember what order I experienced them in, but they both left a mark on me.

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