4 Stars
I told myself after book one that I wouldn’t continue this series.
Brimstone by Callie Hart is still addictive in that “just one more chapter” way. The characters have bite. The tension works. The stakes feel high.
But here’s my issue with this series: it keeps stacking ideas like it’s building a literary Jenga tower. New concepts, new twists, new chaos. Just when the storyline feels like it’s tightening into something sharp and inevitable, everything detonates and we’re off in a new direction.
It starts to feel like several short stories stitched together instead of one focused arc. Every time momentum builds, it resets. Not cool.
That said, I was still invested. Still turning pages. Still here, apparently. Four stars because I enjoyed the ride… I just wish it picked a lane and stayed in it.
This felt very honest.
At times it leaned a little more analytical than emotional for me. I wanted a bit more raw feeling and a little less structure. But overall, I really appreciated how thoughtful it was.
It’s not a light, easy read. It’s more of a sit-with-your-thoughts kind of book.
Solid 4 stars.
This had a mystery I needed answers to. It’s a slow burn, but it kept me interested the whole time. Very much written in that typical Lockhart style.
I haven’t always been a fan of this author, but they’ve grown on me. Or maybe I’ve just started appreciating the writing more. Either way, this one worked for me.
Easy 5 stars.
I haven’t always been a fan of this author, but they’ve grown on me. Or maybe I’ve just started appreciating the writing more. Either way, this one worked for me.
Easy 5 stars.
3 Stars
The world building and the cultivation aspects were interesting. I liked seeing how everything worked and how the progression system was set up.
But the plot and magic system felt slow and heavy at times. It dragged the pacing down, and I don’t think it all came together in a very cohesive way. There were moments where I wanted things to just move already.
That said… I’d probably still pick up the next book. I’m curious enough about the MC and where his journey goes from here. Sometimes that curiosity is enough.
At first I was like, “Oh no. Is this about to be another The Selection situation?” But once I got into it, the only real similarity was the whole bride competition setup.
Everything else? Way darker. Way more enchanting. It had this lush, slightly dangerous vibe running through it that kept me locked in. The world felt rich, the stakes felt real, and I was way more invested than I expected to be.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I’m never thrilled about. But honestly, that just means I’ll be grabbing book two immediately.
So yes. 4 stars. Dramatic, moody, and just addictive enough to trap me into the sequel.
Everything else? Way darker. Way more enchanting. It had this lush, slightly dangerous vibe running through it that kept me locked in. The world felt rich, the stakes felt real, and I was way more invested than I expected to be.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I’m never thrilled about. But honestly, that just means I’ll be grabbing book two immediately.
So yes. 4 stars. Dramatic, moody, and just addictive enough to trap me into the sequel.
5 Stars
This was one of those books where you think you’ve cracked the case… and you absolutely have not. I was so sure I knew who did it. I did not. Humbling.
I loved how this started. The podcast angle was such a fun hook, and honestly, I’m a little offended it’s not real because I would 100% subscribe and spiral with it. The format pulled me in fast, and then the story just kept inching deeper into the darkness.
By the second half, I wasn’t pacing myself. I was devouring it. One sitting. No breaks.
Easy 5 stars from me.
