4 Stars
I really liked how this one opened, with the MC looking back near the end of her life. It felt intimate, like she was sitting there telling you everything herself, and that voice carried well through the story.
What didn’t work for me was the abrupt stop. The story just… pauses midstream and saves the rest for a sequel that doesn’t exist yet. It took me out of the experience and made the whole thing feel incomplete.
Strong start, frustrating finish.
4 Stars
I was locked into this one from page one. Roth builds a world that feels alive right away, full of tension and conflict, and I couldn’t wait to see where it all went.
This is a triple POV with a clear main focus, which usually throws me off a bit, but here it worked. Each perspective added something without pulling me out of the story.
There’s a lot going on too. Prophecy, plague, powers. On paper, it sounds like it could be too much, but it all blends together in a way that feels cohesive and intentional.
Roth just keeps leveling up. Easy 5 stars for me.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
4 Stars
I went back and forth on this one, but it lands at 4 stars for me.
The River She Became leans on a familiar plot that I’ve seen done a lot, and I think that’s what held me back from fully loving it. That said, Emily Varga’s writing style is genuinely strong. The world felt vivid without being overwhelming, and it was easy to settle into the setting.
The relationship between Yaseema and Kiyan was one of the highlights. It felt natural, uncomplicated in a good way, and grounded the story when the plot started to feel predictable.
There was one moment where the tension builds like it’s about to deliver something big… and then it just skips past the action entirely. That was a bit of a letdown. I wanted to see that moment, not just hear about it after the fact.
Also, small but important question: how did Yaseema’s glasses survive everything without a single scratch? At this point, I’m convinced they were the real magical element.
Overall, despite a few frustrations, it’s a solid read with strong writing and a well built world. I’d still recommend it.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
4 Stars
I think this one might’ve been claimed by the second book curse. I loved the first, and Mellow’s writing is still doing its thing here, but there’s a heavy lean into political intrigue that slowed things down for me.
That said, the ending pulls its weight. Things finally move, a few “huh” moments land, and I closed the book feeling satisfied… just not as invested as I wanted to be.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
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