Mini Reviews (part eight)
Hi everyone!
Here are my next five non-podcast reads of 2022.
If you have been reading my reviews, you will know that I struggled with the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert. However, her Wicked Villains series - a retelling of famous Disney movies, but with the villains as the main characters - has been very sexy and a lot of fun.
I also finished the wonderful Infernal Devices trilogy and started another Y.A. Fantasy series.
A Worthy Opponent (Wicked Villains #3)
Really enjoyed this one, it was a great follow up to 'Learn My Lesson'.
I wish we had had a bit more backstory to Tink and Hook's relationship/interactions when Peter was still in power because I think it would have helped me understand them better, especially at the beginning of the book.
The love element happened a bit too fast for me, but I thought the conflict happening in the background was well done. The smut was, again, excellent. The setup for the next book was subtle and well executed.
Rating: 4/5
Below Zero (The STEMinist Novellas #3)
I think this is my favourite novella from this collection.
I liked both Hannah and Ian, I thought the pacing was good and the science was really interesting. It was less steamy than some of Hazelwood's other works, but I didn't mind. What we got was cute (I honestly didn't mind the references to Mars's topography) and hot.
I had a great time reading this one and it might be the only one I come back to the in the future.
Rating: 4/5
A Curse So Dark and Lonely (A Curse So Dark and Lonely #1)
Yes! This was a great palate cleanser after a few very disappointing adult fantasies.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a dark and gritty retelling of Beauty and the Beast, told via dual POVs of Harper and Rhen. Harper is a teenager from Washington D.C. who is kidnapped by Grey, the Commander of the Royal Guard from Emberfall, a magical realm under a curse. Rhen is the Crown Prince, whose curse will only be broken by true love.
I found this so gripping and engaging, I loved ALL of the characters and the angst and the slow build. The last few chapters were a whirlwind of revelations. I just thought it was really great and cannot wait to see where the story will go next.
Rating: 5/5
Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)
A wonderful, beautifully written conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.
I mentioned in a previous review that I am more interested in the development of Tessa, Will and Jem's love triangle more so than the overarching plot of this series and that continued to be the case in this instalment. There was more action here than in book 2, but it was the characters that really made this book enjoyable for me.
I loved the resolution of the relationships, the epilogue was very emotional to read.
Rating: 4/5
Desperate Measures (Wicked Villains #1)
My least favourite of the Wicked Villains series so far (writing this review after having read books 2-4).
The plot didn't really interest me and the kinks in this book are just not a personal preference, so some of the sex scenes made me a bit uncomfortable. I also felt like there wasn't that much chemistry between Jafar and Jasmine, so I wasn't really rooting for them as a couple. The ending was rushed and underwhelming.
I'm glad I read this after 'Learn My Lesson' because otherwise I might have given up on this series before it even really got going.
Rating: 3/5
Have you read any of these books? Do you agree with my ratings? Let me know in the comments below, via e-mail or DM us on Instagram - we love to hear from you!
Until next time, keep reading!
Lucia