Book Review: The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time #5) by Robert Jordan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 912 pages
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: October 15th, 1993
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BOOK SUMMARY:

The fifth book in Robert Jordan’s internationally bestselling epic fantasy series, THE WHEEL OF TIME, now reissued with a stunning new cover design.

The bonds and wards that hold the Great Lord of the Dark are slowly failing, but still his fragile prison holds. The Forsaken, immortal servants of the shadow, weave their snares and tighten their grip upon the realms of men, sure in the knowledge that their master will soon break free…

Rand al’ Thor, the Dragon Reborn, knows that he must strike at the Enemy, but his forces are divided by treachery and by ambition. Even the Aes Sedai, ancient guardians of the Light, are riven by civil war. Betrayed by his allies, pursued by his enemies and beset by the madness that comes to the male wielders of the One Power, Rand rides out to meet the foe.

I SURVIVED.

It’s been a hot minute since I went picked up a book in this series. I got side tracked and now I am once again committing to getting through these books.

I enjoyed this for the most part. There’s some good action and the build is definitely continuing. It’s hard to mention a lot without spoilers to just vaguely saying things are progressing.

The “romances” are completely nonsensical. I don’t understand any of them and they are a bit cringey overall. And every one of these women can do better than Rand. I SAID IT.

Looking forward to the next one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Memoir
Length: 288 pages
Author: Britney Spears
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: October 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.

LOVED.

I try to not review a memoir but rather add a few thoughts I had while reading. I loved that this felt like Britney. That the tone and story telling seemed to be authentic to what she wanted and how she wanted to tell her story. It was a tough read at times and I appreciated the enlightening about many different hot topics from her past.

If you’ve been a Britney Spears fan, highly recommend reading this one. I hope she continues to find strength and healing and can finally have some peace in her life.

Overall audience notes:

  • Memoir
  • Language: some strong
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of multiple types of abuse, discussion about her conservatorship, abortion

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Book Review: Hands Down by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 550 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 2nd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Before he was Big Texas, he was Zac the Snack Pack.

Bianca Brannen knows time–mostly–heals all wounds. Including those your once loved ones might have unintentionally given you. (Those just take longer.)

She thinks she’s ready when a call has her walking back into her old friend’s life. Or at least as prepared as possible to see the starting quarterback in the National Football Organization. Before the lights, the fans, and the millions, he’d been a skinny kid with a heart of gold.

Waltzing out of Zac Travis’s life should be easy. Just as easy as he walked out of hers.

BLESS YOUR HEART.

There was a lot to love about this, but one bone I need to pick.

Bianca.

I just struggled with her for way longer than I wanted. I’m always initially cool with who the character is in the beginning because GROWTH. But oh my gosh, I was just so tired of hearing I don’t want to be a burden on repeat that I lost focus. Zac is the SWEETEST. And I wanted more of them being together vs. them constantly apologizing to each other.

The friends to lovers is overall fine, even if not my favorite in this context. There were a LOT of nicknames. I actually didn’t mind all of them but one (kiddo). The ending is really sweet and I loved getting the little epilogue too. I even liked seeing a different side to Trevor too. There’s plenty of good nuggets in here at least. And the TWO cameos are without a doubt the best part.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 1 open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of parental abandonment, cheating recounted, death of a love one recounted

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Book Review: Censorshipped (Getting Shipped! #4) by Savannah Scott

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 402 pages
Author: Savannah Scott
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 4th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I am finally over my crush on Duke. Completely done.

Duke’s always been like a big brother to me … a big brother with abs of steel, a heart of gold, and those dimples that make my heart rate double whenever he smiles.

As far as Duke’s concerned, I’ll always be his best friend Chris’ little sister—the little girl who dunked his Darth Vader action figure in Elmers glue and glitter.

Even if Duke noticed me, it wouldn’t matter. I’m so off limits, I may as well be wearing an outfit made entirely of caution tape. We both know Chris would enlist a special ops tactical team to hunt Duke down if he ever pursued anything beyond friendship with me.

Good thing I’m over Duke. One hundred percent attraction-free, that’s me. Well, mostly … until I accidentally send him one of my usual scrambled texts (thank you, autocorrect) … and he thinks I’m hitting on him.

I’m mortified enough to momentarily consider relocating someplace obscure like Greenland. I can never show my face around town again. I’ll buy a parka and an ice pick and learn to love fish. A lot.

But then Duke answers my text …
Am I dreaming? He’s not mad. He’s not even making fun of me.
In fact, it seems like he might be flirting back

I guess I might not be completely over this crush after all.

Just don’t tell my brother.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

SOME GOOD.

Oh y’all. I have tried, but I just don’t think this writing style is for me. There’s a handful of quirks that kept taking me out of the story.

I did like some of the tropes in this one. The forbidden romance was fun and the mutual pining was really sweet. I liked Duke a bunch. He was a swoony lead who was really trying to put his best foot forward into the future he wanted. The years of this tension worked well into many forced proximity moments.

The small town vibes are there and I love the strong connection between friends and others around them. There’s some humor and lightness. It’s flirty and pleasant and a great slow burn.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mention of a fatal car crash

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