Review of Vampires, Hearts and Other Dead Things by Margie Fuston

2.25/5 Stars

I had a few expectations going into this book because I just finished reading The Revenant Games from this author. For the past few years, I have started off my year reading my worst book, and I was really hoping this wouldn't be the case.

I was looking forward to the setting of New Orleans for a vampire novel, and I think it was the best part of the book. There are some tough subjects, such as cancer and loss in the family.

The main character was very unlikeable. She became a little unbearable to the point I almost DNF'd this book. In my opinion, she didn't deserve her love interest. She was using him and just over the top mean to him. I know she was going through it with her dad dying, but she really was just a horrible person.

The little quests in this book were fun, but the plot twist ruined it. The first plot twist was a bit of a shock, but it was a good twist for the book, and it could have been left on that. The second plot twist felt like a waste of time and did not add anything to the plot, nor was it really talked about after it happened.

The ending was fine again, the main character's personality was just yucky, so it was hard to root for her. I know the aim of this book was to tell people to live their lives to the fullest, and maybe help people dealing with grief. Although the main character was not a good example of that.

Review of The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston

4/5 Stars

I was so excited for the book. Vampires, witches, and a Hunger Games-esque game, what more could I ask for?

I did really love the characters, and I was here for the romance. Giggling, kicking my feet.

The world-building was done really well, and I was intrigued because sometimes YA world-building can be the bare minimum. The premise of the games was nice, and I thought everything made sense.

This could have been a 5-star read, but the ending of the book ruined it for me. The characters started making silly decisions around the end, and I wondered why the book was not getting wrapped up. I finished the book to turn to the next page that had an excerpt of the 1st chapter of the second book in the series. That's when all the weird plot points and silly decisions made sense.

This could have been a standalone, in my opinion. I was not aware that this was a series, but I will be reading the second book because I am invested in these characters.

Review of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

5/5 Stars

I loved this book!

The lore/world building was a lot all at first and even finishing the book I would still have to go back a reread the lore to really understand the history of this book.

The writing is poetic, and the imagery is beautifully done.

Iris is not like the other girls. She has her flaws, trauma, and family issues. She has a purpose and end goal that she wants to achieve, and that makes her very driven.

Roman, the male protagonist/rival, is the rich guy who wants to one-up her in their job. Although secretly, he is in love with her. He acts like a school boy picking on his girl classmates pigtails.

The magical typewriting aspect was one of a kind, and I loved the unique magic system. I loved how this was the way of communicating between the two main characters and how they grew to get to know each other.

When the climax hits, the pace picks up extraordinarily. I feel the relationship was a bit rushed, but I understand why it was and am not mad about it. The ending was upsetting, but I see how it leads into the second book.

I stayed up till 3am finishing this book and I was giggling and kicking my feet all the way through.