![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[sticky entry]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/entry/sticky_entry.png){kind=small}
As promised the link to the Discord channel:
https://discord.gg/VcR8VC2X
For the love of books.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kataraARC Sites
Netgalley
BookSirens
Booksprouts
BookishFirst
Edelweiss
Books and Review Sites
Rakuten Kobo
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Goodreads
Bookbub
The Story Graph
LibraryThing
Litsy
Google Play Books
Apple Books
Smashwords
Misc. Review Sites
Live Journal
Dreamwidth
TikTok
Lemon8 (an app on either IOS or Android)
Discord
PillowFort
Tumblr
Twitter and Twitter-Like Sites
Twitter/X
Blue Sky
Spoutible
Hive Social (an app on either IOS or Android)
Mastodon
Note: If you see I am missing a site, please feel free to let me know. I will add it to the list.
Edit: Added new links.
katara
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #1) by Robert Venditti (Adaptor), Rick Riordan, José Villarrubia (Illustrator), Attila Futaki (Illustrator)
Genre:
Comics, Graphic Novel, Mythology, Greek Mythology
Publication Date:
January 1, 2010
Page Numbers:
135
Read/Finished Date:
June 23rd, 2025 - June 24th, 2025
Rating:
3.5/5
Premise:
You've read the book. You've seen the movie. Now submerge yourself in the thrilling, stunning, and action-packed graphic novel.
Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.
Series creator Rick Riordan joins forces with some of the biggest names in the comic book industry to tell the story of a boy who must unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
Review:
This is just a shortened version of the novel. The art is okay but not my thing.
katara
Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse #2) by H.D. Carlton
Genre:
Contemporary, Dark, Dark Romance, Thriller, Smut, Horror
Publication Date:
January 25, 2022
Page Numbers:
702
Read/Finished Date:
June 10th, 2025 - June 14th, 2025
Rating:
DNF @ 70%
Premise:
The conclusion to the Cat and Mouse Duet is here...
The Diamond
Death walks alongside me,
But the reaper is no match for me.
I'm trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren't as they seem.
They won't keep me forever.
I no longer recognize the person I've become,
And I'm fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.
They call me a diamond,
But they've only created an angel of death.
The Hunter
I was born a predator,
With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.
When what's mine is stolen from me in the night,
Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,
I find that I can no longer contain the beast.
Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.
And bring her back to where she belongs.
No one will escape my wrath,
Especially not those who have betrayed me.
Review:
Before I begin this review, let me start by prefacing this by ensuring you read the trigger warning list before this book. It contains heavy themes of kidnapping, sex trafficking, violence, and sexual assault, all of which are portrayed in a very intense and disturbing manner. While these elements are central to the plot of the book, they may disturb the viewer.
The first book was okay, don't get me wrong. It was nothing stellar like many other dark romances, but it had its following. I thought the second book would be another book I just might enjoy in the duet. WRONG. My experience with Hunting Adeline was different. The story delved into extremely dark and sensitive territory, and for me, it crossed lines that made the reading uncomfortable. The portrayal of certain scenes and themes felt problematic and deeply troubling on so many levels. I just could not stomach the book anymore. I just ended up DNFing it.
Will I read anything further from this author? Maybe, I don't know. Phantom looks promising but after this one, I might just be wary of her books for now.
Similar Books:
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers
katara
Dear Reader (Devil's Backbone #1) by Tate James
Genre:
Dark Romance, Dark Academia, Reverse Harem, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary, New Adult, Kindle Unlimited, Dulogoy/Trilogy
Publication Date:
May 20, 2025
Page Numbers:
368
Read/Finished Date:
June 2nd
Rating:
4/5
Premise:
Dear Reader,
You want my advice? Never look a gift horse in the mouth. You don’t want to see the rotten teeth.
In this case, the gift is a scholarship to attend the prestigious Neveah University. The rotten teeth? Well, they came in the form of my brand new stepbrother and his little cohort of entitled, arrogant best friends. Four dangerously handsome and stupidly wealthy men who made up their minds about me long before we met. Men who are used to getting everything they want no matter what the price.
I was a big girl, I could ignore them. Then came the secret society hazing. Kidnappings. Crazy parties. Insane stunts. Mindblowing prizes. Even so, I could handle myself... until the secret and stolen moments with men I had no business falling for. It was enough to give a girl a nightmares.
Because, dear reader, this was only the beginning of my ordeal with the Devil’s Backbone Society. How do I know?
I read about it...
Review:
Wait…wait…WHAT!
You can't drop a cliffhanger like that and expect us to hold on until July! That should be illegal! Our female lead, Ashley, has received a golden opportunity to attend Nevaeh University on a scholarship to further her studies. While she embraces this chance, she also knows her stepbrother and his friends will be at the same school, but can she ignore them? When she’s chosen to become a member of the Devil's Backbone, a diary from a deceased girl falls into her hands, warning her to stay away not only from her stepbrother and his friends but also from the DBS.
This is my first book by Ms. Tate James, and I adored it. I devoured this novel in no time, hardly remembering to come up for air until the last page. I loved the storyline—suspenseful and edge-of-your-seat, keeping me turning pages until the end. The characters are wonderful. My only issue was with Ashley; while she has a "take no nonsense" attitude, she completely loses her senses around the boys. That’s my only complaint about the novel.
I will be picking up book two next month because I have to know how this whole thing is going to play out, especially with the way book one ended.
Similar Books:
Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli
Lure by Heather Long
Forced Proximity by Jaymin Eve &Tate James
katara
Beautiful Venom (Vipers #1) by Rina Kent
Genre:
Dark Academia, Dark Romance, Academia, Dark, Sports, Kindle Unlimited, Enemies to Lovers, Contemporary, Hockey
Publication Date:
May 27, 2025
Page Numbers:
496
Read/Finished Date:
May 30th, 2025 - May 31st, 2025
Rating:
DNF @ 50%
Premise:
In a den of vipers, revenge is the deadliest venom.
They shattered my world; now, I’ll bring down theirs.
The problem? I have virtually no way to trace the puppet master.
My only lead: The Vipers.
An elite college hockey team that rules the ice—and the shadows beyond it.
To infiltrate their secret society, I set my sights on their weakest link.
Kane Davenport.
The charismatic captain and the lone green flag in a nest of serpents.
But too late, I realize I’ve enticed the most venomous snake.
Kane’s friendly façade hides a predator more dangerous than I imagined.
He quickly unveils the monster lurking beneath the surface.
A monster who lured me in only to trap me in a lethal game with no escape.
This book marks the beginning of a new chapter in the #Rinaverse. No other book should be read before this.
Review:
Why are dark academia books a rinse and repeat of previous books? Is there not something out there that is dark academia but with a storyline that will hook you? This was supposed to be my first sports romance and I thought, "Hey, this will be different than the others."
I found out I was wrong. Dead wrong. Our female lead, like many female leads before her, has come to a dark academy that is filled with secrets because why? She is either trying to find a friend or a sibling or she's just plain nosy. I tend to go with the former more than anything. Blah. Blah. Blah. She meets the male lead, who is dark and broody. Beautiful and dangerous. You know, all that and a bag of chips? Those male leads.
Then, suddenly, as the pair get together, by stalking or willingly, the plot disappears altogether. You know it was there and then it is gone. And you ask yourself, "What happened?" As you push into the second half of the novel, the plot conveniently pops itself up.
This was that book.
Similar Books:
Enigma by RuNyx
The Pucking Wrong Rookie by C.R. Jane
Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto
katara
Their Lethal Pet (Monsters Night) by Lexi C. Foss
Genre:
Dark, Dark Romance, Reverse Harem, Why Choose, the Fae, Mythology, Omegaverse, Monsters, Shapeshifters, Shifters, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy, Kindle Unlimited, Book Series, Standalone, Erotica, Smut, Touch her and Die, Alpha Male
Publication Date:
June 22, 2024
Page Numbers:
510
Read/Finished Date:
May 30th, 2025
Rating:
3.5/5
Premise:
Run. Hide. Fight.
It’s Monsters Night, the annual event where the portals to other realms and realities open, and monsters flood the streets to search for their potential mates.
And I’m one of the candidates.
Why?
Because I broke all the rules. I fought back against the elitist system hellbent on enslaving humankind. And f-ck if I’m going to let one of these monsters claim me. Let alone three of them
Orcus.
Reaper.
Flame.
They saved me from a compromising situation. But that doesn’t mean I like them. I don’t care how gorgeous they are or how well-endowed they seem to be—I kneel for no one. And I have no interest in becoming their lethal little pet.
“Try to tame me,” I dare them.
“We have no interest in taming you, sweet pet,” they say. “We want to make you ours.”
“Ours to worship.”
“Ours to love.”
“Ours to keep.”
Author's Their Lethal Pet is a standalone dark paranormal romance featuring three Nightmare Fae and their chosen female mate.
Review:
When her sister sends her a note, Alina is determined to get herself on the train for Monsters Night in order to try to find her, but she didn't expect were three gorgeous male faes: Orcus, Flame, and Reaper to appear before her, claiming she is one of the rare Omegas and their mate. Now, Alina must resist the allure of the men who call themselves her mate in order to find her sister.
The premise of this novel is what drove me to borrow it from Kindle Unlimited. I love monster romances and the whole why choose when it comes to having to pick a monster to stay with. However, the plot disappears for awhile and we get bits and pieces here and there, but the real plot doesn't actually show up until nearly the end of the novel. Unfortunately, once you have already read the first few pages of the novel, you get where this is going.
Alina is determined to find her sister, Seraphina, whom she believed had someone slip a note under her door. This leads to Alina doing everything possible to be part of The Choosing, where people dress up in white gowns and tuxedos to hear their name called to board the train. Alina finds hers called. This is her opportunity to find her sister, but things go sideways for her and she ends up with three gorgeous fae, each who claim she is their Omega.
Her males are protective and do everything possible to make sure she is comfortable. They don't do anything that could cause her to become uncomfortable. All of their needs are waited until she has given the signal. I like that they treat her with respect and wait for her to give the signal for them to take the next step.
The only downside is the plot. It gets lost and it doesn't really show up until the end. The world-building is interesting as well. Portals. Monsters. Mythogical Fae. Creatures of the night. I am hoping to learn more of how these worlds collide and what started it all.
Similar Books:
Feral Omega by Lenore Rosewood
A Curse of Fate by Jaymin Eve
Beautiful Beast by Devyn Sinclair
katara
Firebird (The Fire That Binds #1) by Juliette Cross
Genre:
Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Dark Romance, Magic
Publication Date:
April 8, 2025 by Bramble
Page Numbers:
400
Read/Finished Date:
May 12th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
An instant New York Times bestseller!
House of the Dragon meets From Blood and Ash in this epic, scorching dark romantasy.
A conqueror captivated…
A witch prophesied to save them all…
An unforgiving world where dragons rule Rome.
Julian Dakkia, Roman general and nephew to the emperor, has played his role as conqueror well. Yet, the moment he laid eyes on Malina, he was enthralled by the Dacian dancer. Years later, the fierce beauty stands before him, a captive on a scarred battlefield, her life in danger. He instinctively shifts into his fierce dragon form to save her, an action that may mean his head on the imperial gate.
The rules of their world dictate that he is the conqueror and she is the captured. But he and his dragon know one thing: their bond has nothing to do with the laws of mighty Rome. She belongs to them. And they belong to her.
Fierce and powerful, twenty-one-year old Malina has survived the loss of her family and she is determined to fight until her dying breath. Still, she can’t believe that the centurion who had once bestowed a secret talisman on her is the Roman general of legendary brutality…and now holds her life in his hands. Nor can she deny how her soul has always seemed to answer his. Slowly she learns that Julian is caught in his mad uncle’s machinations for domination, and helps him plot the downfall of the empire itself.
As they navigate a world where flying deathriders conquer and burn, their love will ignite a firestorm that can only end in heartbreak or death. Or both.
Firebird is a fantasy with some dark themes, including elements of master/slave relationship, attempted sexual assault (not between MCs), and dubious consent (not between MCs). Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.
Review:
The first book in a series (duology?), is set in Ancient Rome, where dragons are the ruling class and humans are considered slaves. I had heard a lot about this book, both negative and positive, and I tried to weigh both perspectives together. I want to read a book that might offer something amazing about ancient places like Rome and its influence across Europe. While we get this, it appears more in the form of dragons taking control of the Senate, the throne, and the world.
Before I begin this review, let me perference this DRAGONS, GODS, and the ANCIENT ROMAN EMPIRE, SIGN ME UP! By now, I am pretty sure you know I love anything and everything historic, including this novel. This gives us an inside look into the oppressive, patrician world belonging to the ancient Romans. Our two main characters meet briefly, where Julian gives Malina an aureus, saying that Lady Fortuna smiles upon her. While Malina doesn't believe in the Roman Gods, she takes the coin anyway and keeps it close to her. When they meet again on the battlefield, Julian learns that Malina is a witch with the ability to manipulate emotions.
Julian and his dragon are smitten with Malina, and his dragon refers to her as "my treasure." I love that we get bits of the dragon talking here and there, but I wish we had more of it. I would love his point of view more than Julian's. LOL
In all seriousness, I loved this book so much that I was able to read it entirely in one day. The story was engaging and kept you invested firmly in the lives that are spread across the pages, and this is not only with the main characters but also with the secondary characters.
But don't listen to both the good and bad, let yourself make the judgment. For me, this book was well worth the pre-order and spending an entire day in bed reading.
Similar Books:
The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson
This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara
Enigma by RuNyx
katara
Immortal (The Celestial Kingdom) by Sue Lynn Tan
Genre:
Mythology, Romance, Fantasy, Romantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Enemies to Lovers, Asian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Magic
Publication Date:
January 7, 2025
Page Numbers:
464
Read/Finished Date:
May 8th, 2025 - May 9th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
A stunning, standalone romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, of a young ruler who fights to protect her kingdom, from bestselling author Sue Lynn Tan and set in the breathtaking world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.
“What the gods did not give us, I would take.”
As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia.
Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.
But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.
Review:
His words struck a cord inside me. "I don't believe in destiny - that it's not been set or determined from our birth. I don't believe it's written in the stars."
His gaze was that of an endless night. "Then write your own."
Our female lead, Liyen, has been sick all of her life. When her grandfather gives her the Divine Pearl Lotus, she finds all of the poison and ailments within her body gone. What is unaware of is that the Queen of the Golden Desert has come for that flower and is incensed when she finds it missing. As Liyen is thrust into a role she didn't want, she finds the people around her are not all they seem.
Zhangwei, the God of War and our formidable male lead, stands as a protector of Liyen. His mere presence commands respect and fear, for he has been meticulously bred and trained for battle, his reputation as a fierce and ruthless warrior precedes him across the Mortal Realm. Warnings of his ferocity are well-founded—dare to lay a hand on Liyen, and Zhangwei will not hesitate to destroy you without mercy.
Okay, okay, hear me out, but this reads like a C-Drama, and if you love those, then this novel (alongside the other novels in this series) is just right up your alley. I say this as a good thing too (because I love them). The drama. The world-building. The mythological retellings. And let's not forget - the romance. It is all there, jam-packed and ready for your eyes to devour.
Similar Books:
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
Cruel Is the Light by Sophie Clark
katara
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Hogwarts Library) by J.K. Rowling
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, British Literature, Harry Potter Universe, Media Tie-In
Publication Date:
January 1, 2008
Page Numbers:
111
Read/Finished Date:
May 7th, 2025 - May 8th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
"The Tales of Beedle the Bard" contains five richly diverse fairy tales, each with its own magical character, that will variously bring delight, laughter and the thrill of mortal peril.
Additional notes for each story penned by Professor Albus Dumbledore will be enjoyed by Muggles and wizards alike, as the Professor muses on the morals illuminated by the tales, and reveals snippets of information about life at Hogwarts.
A uniquely magical volume, with illustrations by the author, J. K. Rowling, that will be treasured for years to come.
Review:
A nice collection of five short fairy tales meant to be read to little wizards and witches during bedtime.
In our first story, The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, a kind-hearted old man teaches his pure-blood son to love his Muggle neighbors by showing what misery his neighbors are going through. In the second story, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, three witches and a knight go on a journey to the fountain to change their unhappy lives. In our third short story, The Warlock's Hairy Heart, a much darker tale that addresses that one should never close off their heart. For our fourth story, Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump, a charlatan tries to fool a king. And for the last story, The Tale of the Three Brothers, try to humiliate Death.
For a book filled with nothing more than short fairy tales, it is a nice addition to your Harry Potter collection, plus this book also helps one of JK Rowling's charities, which I find wonderful (although I am still not a fan of the things she has said and done since becoming a famous author). I think my favorite fairy tale would be The Tale of the Three Brothers, mainly because we get to see the first (?) invisibility cloak.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
katara
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré
(Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Contemporary, Dark, Harry Potter Universe
Publication Date:
July 16, 2005
Page Numbers:
652
Read/Finished Date:
April 24th, 2025 - April 26th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys' house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster, he was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can't quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys' of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks' time? Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine...
Review:
As the sixth book in the Harry Potter franchise, Half-Blood Prince takes us into Harry's sixth year at the magical school, Hogwarts. The story delves deeper into the history of Lord Voldemort and the origins of his power, as Harry receives private lessons from Professor Dumbledore. The two explore memories that reveal key events from Voldemort's past, including his early years at Hogwarts and the creation of his Horcruxes—magical objects that contain pieces of his soul, which make him nearly immortal.
I remember finishing this book in one single night and I knew I would not be prepared for the next book, as this one pretty much set the tone for what was to come in the final book, but yet we got to see what drove Tom Riddle into becoming what he was now - Lord Voldemort. I liked that we got a bit of history about him. We see brief mentions but nothing solid like we do in this book. This is what I was looking for when it came to wanting to know what drove the villain to become what he was and what obstacles had to be taken down in order to get to where he wanted to be.
Harry's character, on the other hand, is continuing to evolve. His mental preparedness for what he knows his destiny is to be. The Chosen One. The One meant to vanquish Voldemort and ilk to the deepest reaches of magical history. That is a lot to put on a small boy's shoulder, but the ending of this book makes it heartbreaking that the mentor he managed to gain is gone. And worse - the betrayal he realizes he never saw coming - or maybe he did.
If there was to be a second favorite of the novels, I think this one would probably rank up there in my first three favorite books in the series.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
katara
Crimson Shadows (Immortal Descent #1) by Eve Newton
Genre:
Romantasy, Supernatural, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, the Fae, Vampires, Elementals, Shifters, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Magic, Dark Romance, Dark, Academia, djinn, Reverse Harem, Contemporary, Why Choose?, Touch Her and Die
Publication Date:
August 15, 2024
Page Numbers:
448
Read/Finished Date:
April 21st, 2025 - Aril 22nd, 2025
Rating:
3.5/5
Premise:
I always knew I was different, but I never imagined how dark that difference would be.
When my absentee father returns to inform me of my true heritage, the way to figuring out this new reality of being half blood sucker is a secret paranormal University nestled in England's misty forests. It specialises in control and focus for beings like me and those whose default setting is trouble.
When I step through MistHallow University's hidden gates, I'm plunged into a world of ancient power and forbidden desires.
As my dormant powers awaken, so does a hunger I can't control and I fall under the spell of four otherworldly men who give trouble a whole new meaning.
Zephyr: a dark fae who is brutally savage and seductive.
Corvus: a vampire who can’t wait to show me the darkness his world revels in.
Ignatius: a fire elemental burning with a passion that draws me in.
Zaiah: a djinn whose every word feels like a wish granted but what’s the catch?
But when a sinister plot unfolds involving ancient prophecies, hidden artifacts, and shadowy enemies, somehow, I'm at the centre of it all.
At MistHallow, every choice has consequences, and the price might just be my soul. Welcome to my descent into the shadows. There's no turning back now.
*All series in the MistHallow Universe can be read as standalone - there is no reading order.
This is a dark paranormal romance book 1 out of 3 in a brand new reverse harem romance by USA Today Bestselling Author, Eve Newton. Set in England and written in British English, you will come across TWs so please see inside for details.
Review:
I am not even sure where to begin with this review. On one hand, the premise was the hook me, reeling me in and keeping my attention long enough to want to tear my hair out because the female lead was annoying as hell. Don't get me wrong; I understood her plight. She was placed in a world she had no knowledge of. Her mother had kept her away and though her father tried once in the beginning to know her, her mother refused. Well, that changed the moment those spells were removed and she learned that her father was a vampire.
But when she catches her coworker staking a body in the morgue, she realizes it is not safe for her and her father places her at MistHallow, a Hogwarts-like Academy for the Supernatural. No, Harry, you won't be getting an invite to this school because this school seems to be inclusive only to the supernatural like vampires, fae, and other creatures.
And if you think I am kidding when it comes to the school being Hogwarts-like, allow me to offer you two examples:
Exhibit A: The school changes when its needed.
Exhibit B: The portraits move.
Don't get me wrong, I find that a lot of the Dark Academia books have some sort of school that is directly or indirectly similar to Hogwarts.
As for our male leads, I tend to lean toward the favorite trope of them falling first and that does not seem to be a problem because the moment they meet her, they all feel a pull toward her. A need. A desire. A wish. All of it wrapped because the annoying female lead is the only woman on campus who has that ability.
The downside to this novel - the plot. It seemed have gone missing the moment she walked into the school. We have a school. We have students. Yet, not a single class. Yes, yes, I know - it was probably there. If you blinked, it was missed.
I will probably pick up the second novel to see how this story does end up playing out.
Similar Books:
Burning Embers by Katie May
Wicked Heirs by Leia King
Heir Academy Series by K.C. Kean
katara
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré
(Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Contemporary, Dark, Harry Potter Universe
Publication Date:
June 21, 2003
Page Numbers:
912
Read/Finished Date:
April 15th, 2025 - April 17th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
Harry Potter is about to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Unlike most schoolboys, Harry never enjoys his summer holidays, but this summer is even worse than usual. The Dursleys, of course, are making his life a misery, but even his best friends, Ron and Hermione, seem to be neglecting him.
Harry has had enough. He is beginning to think he must do something, anything, to change his situation, when the summer holidays come to an end in a very dramatic fashion. What Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down...
Review:
This is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series and is set shortly after the events of the fourth book. The Wizarding World is in denial about Voldemort's return to power. Instead of addressing the threat he poses to the Wizarding World, the Ministry of Magic appoints Dolores Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
While Umbridge exerts her authority over the school of magic, Harry, along with Hermione and Ron, recognizes the danger Voldemort's return brings and forms a secret group called "Dumbledore's Army" to learn and practice defensive spells.
In Order of the Phoenix, you see a large jump in Harry's character growth. He has taken charge and started a secret group with the hopes of teaching those who are willing to learn to protect themselves from the danger Voldemort and his Death Eaters pose, not only to the Wizarding World but also to the school.
I am not going to lie; this book is thick and I mean it is one of three thick books in the series. The first time I read this book, it took me a full night to get through it. Unfortunately, I don't have that leisure anymore.
This book gets dark and we learn of the prophecy told by Sybill Trelawney. While the prophecy does speak of a child born at the end of July who will defeat Voldemort, it does not specify that child is Harry. Also, we see one of the beloved characters, Sirius, die in this one. His character growth never really happens in this novel and who can blame him? He is immature, but wouldn't you be if you spent your entire life in Azkaban? I wish Rowling had given him a chance to grow, to know his godson more, and to be able to fully return House of Black to what it should have been without the blood purity to it.
But I also see the reason why she had to kill him off. Harry needed the push for his character to move forward and become what Sirius wanted from him - a great wizard.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
katara
Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell
Genre:
Contemporary, Dark, Fantasy, Vampires, Novel/Standalone, Young Adult, Paranormal, Mystery, Thriller
Publication Date:
April 8, 2025
Page Numbers:
400
Read/Finished Date:
April 13th, 2025 - April 15th, 2025
Rating:
DNF @ 45%
Premise:
We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.
Seventeen-year-old Marin James has spent her entire life living in the shadow of the exclusive Huntsworth Academy. And when her cousin’s dead body is found in a creek on school property, Marin knows exactly who’s to blame: Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu, the enigmatic yet dangerously alluring leaders of the school's social elite.
Swapping her ripped jeans for a crisp prep school skirt, Marin infiltrates Huntsworth to seek justice. But her quest is quickly muddied by a confusing attraction to her new life, and to the two dysfunctional and depraved boys who somehow understand her better than anyone ever has.
When Marin uncovers an otherworldly secret the boys are hiding within Huntsworth's ivied gates, the lines between right and wrong, love and hate, and nightmare and reality begin to crumble -- and nothing is as it seems.
Welcome to Huntsworth Academy.
Review:
When her cousin is found dead with drugs on him, Marin makes it her mission to uncover how and why her cousin died and who sent her that text. She trades her jeans and t-shirts for the prestigious uniform of Huntsworth Academy, determined to find out who was behind her cousin's death.
I won't lie; I've had this book on my radar since the beginning of March. I saw the cover and read the premise of the novel. Eagerly, I awaited its arrival. I even had the book ordered and delivered the next day at four a.m. So, why the DNF? I couldn't connect with the female lead at all. There were times I found her absolutely annoying and had to put the book down. The plot felt draggy and predictable.
Will I come back to it? Maybe, in the future. For now, I'm going to toss it onto my DNF pile.
Similar Books:
Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews
Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake
The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
katara
The Never List (Never List #1) by Jade Presley
Genre:
Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Fantasy, Dark, Book Series, Magic, Adult, Reverse Harem, Spicy Romance, Fated Mate
Publication Date:
April 8, 2025 by Entangled: Red Tower Books
Page Numbers:
432
Read/Finished Date:
April 10th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
The four princes of Lumathyst need a mate, and everyone wants a chance...except for her.
Threatened by invaders, the kingdom of Lumathyst is on the verge of chaos, and no one can stop it. Unless the four immortal god-princes find their fated mate―and safeguard the throne―Lumathyst will fall.
Five women have tried. Five have failed. And tonight in the royal city, the princes need to find their Chosen and hope she can survive the transformation that will make her immortal.
Only Rylee Gray wasn’t supposed to be here. She snuck in for her own dark reasons―and now they claim they've found their perfect match. Her. Of course, they have no idea she’s concealing a secret big enough to damn them all.
The four princes have no choice. They’ll use every delectably wicked skill they have to make Rylee fall for all of them…or watch their kingdom collapse.
Review:
Meet the Legends of Chaos, sons of ruthless kings and goddesses—powerful men searching for a mate to tether themselves to. Enter Rylee, a sassy young woman and bottom feeder who entered the Choosing primarily to discover what happened to her sister. What she doesn't expect is that the men of legendary chaos have chosen her. Now, she must play the game while keeping her secret safe as she learns what it means to become the mate of the Legends of Chaos, but danger lurks in the shadows as Rhylee finds herself drawn to the men who could destroy her.
I think I actually found my book of the year. Seriously, I think I have. Or this book is a major contender for that honor.
This book pulled me in from the moment we meet Rylee to the twisting end. I loved the men. They were attentive, protective, and possessive of Rylee, and I was jealous. The world-building, the secondary characters who didn't feel so secondary, and the caste were rather interesting. I can understand why Rhylee was reluctant to speak so freely of her past. It could have cost her a lot, especially when it comes to the Never List.
I also loved that Rylee had no filter on her mouth. She was sassy, told it like it was, but also showed she loved those guys a lot. She wanted to protect them and their people just as much as they did. She wanted to be on a level with them, but at the same time she knew she had to be careful since they had no idea she was a demi.
( Spoiler )
This book sets the foundation for the rest of the series and I am here for what will come in the next in the series.
Similar Books:
Wicked Games Series by Kaylie Smith
Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli
A Thorn in Every Heart by Kate King
katara
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Hogwarts Library #1) by Newt Scamander (Pseudonym) , J.K. Rowling, Olivia Lomenech Gill (Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Harry Potter Universe, Media Tie-In
Publication Date:
March 1, 2001
Page Numbers:
160
Read/Finished Date:
April 2nd, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
A specially designed Kindle in Motion edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.
This glorious new Kindle in Motion edition of Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (considered a classic throughout the wizarding world) features an extraordinary array of magical creatures, from Acromantula to Yeti via ten different breeds of dragon – all beautifully illustrated in full colour in a beautifully designed digital reading experience by the brilliantly inventive, Greenaway Medal-shortlisted Olivia Lomenech Gill.
The artist’s interpretations of these creatures and their habitats are newly animated to come alive on your device. Cower at the terrifying transformation of a werewolf, and regard the power and grace of a grazing Erumpent. Discover a Niffler snuffling out some valuables, and a fierce Griffin guarding some treasure. Keep an eye on the famously cautious Hippogriff burrowing alongside its fledgling, and marvel at the splendour of a combusting phoenix.
Famed Magizoologist Newt Scamander's years of adventure and exploration have yielded a work of unparalleled importance, admired by scholars, devoured by young witches and wizards, and even made available to Muggles in the early years of this century. With this dazzling Kindle in Motion edition, readers can explore the magical fauna of five continents from the comfort of their own armchairs. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is essential reading at Hogwarts.
This new edition features the fully updated 2017 text - which includes new profiles of six magnificent beasts that inhabit North America and a new foreword by J.K. Rowling, writing as Newt Scamander.
Review:
I have been meaning to read this book, especially after finishing the Harry Potter books a few years ago, but I never quite had the chance to do so. When I saw this book on Kindle Unlimited, I thought since I was reading the Harry Potter books now, this was the perfect time to read this before I dived back into the HP books.
This book takes us on a whimsical look into the creatures from Acromantula to Yeti with colorful illustrations and detailed information on each creature. While some of the creature information is short, it still offers you the best information it possibly can.
This book is a perfect addition for any HP fans looking for further information on the creatures seen within the magical world of Harry Potter.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
katara
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré
(Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Contemporary, Dark, Harry Potter Universe
Publication Date:
July 8, 2000
Page Numbers:
734
Read/Finished Date:
March 30th, 2025 - April 1st, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
It is the summer holidays and soon Harry Potter will be starting his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is counting the days: there are new spells to be learnt, more Quidditch to be played, and Hogwarts castle to continue exploring. But Harry needs to be careful - there are unexpected dangers lurking...
Review:
Harry has returned for his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This year, Hogwarts is set to host the Triwizard Tournament, a magical competition between three schools - Hogwars, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Durmstrang Institute. The tournament has three challenges, each more dangerous than the last.
Despite the rule that no underage wizards are allowed in the tournament, Harry finds that he has been unexpectedly entered and his name has been drawn. Harry has to face the three challenges set up by the tournament, and he will have to stay alive, but a series of events reveals that the threat of Voldemort's return to power could be sooner than Harry wished.
This is the fourth book in the franchise and one of the first thicc books, and it is about to become much darker than the previous three books. While they were lighthearted and fun, this book is dark with more complex themes.
Harry's character is evolving and grappling with the expectations others have placed upon his shoulders and the rising threat of Voldemort and his death eaters. Harry didn't want to be part of the tournament. He is happy to stand off to the side for someone else to take the limelight, but his horror is realized when his name is announced. Someone had crossed the line and added his name. Others think he found a way around it, and they begin to treat him differently. Even Ron becomes jealous.
I love that the Harry Potter universe expands outside of Hogwarts, and we see other schools out there to interact with. New characters like Victor Krum, Fleur Delacour, Cedric Diggory, and Winky. I also love that the book gets darker as we move further into the story. We see bits of Voldemort's influence in the way characters act. All of this is the perfect storm to bring forth his arrival.
It has been nice revisiting the world of Harry Potter and his friends, and I am looking forward to revisiting it in the next novel.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
katara
A History of Magic: A Journey Through the Hogwarts Curriculum (Harry Potter: A Journey Through #1-4) by Pottermore Publishing, Rohan Daniel Eason (Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Historical Nonfiction, Magical Realism, Mystical Creatures, History of Magic, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Harry Potter Universe, Media Tie-In, British Literature, Supernatural, Paranormal
Publication Date:
August 29, 2019
Page Numbers:
413
Read/Finished Date:
March 30th, 2025
Rating:
3/5
Premise:
This non-fiction eBook features content adapted from the audiobook Harry Potter: A History of Magic – inspired by the British Library exhibition of the same name. It is the complete collection of the four eBooks in the series A Journey Through... and will examine the colourful characters and curious incidents of the real history of magic, and how they relate to the Hogwarts curriculum of the Harry Potter stories.
Spells and charms have captured the imagination for hundreds of years. Warding off evil – with talismans and magic circles – is something that has concerned people throughout history; potions have long been made have been brewed by apothecaries to make medicines, drugs and poisons, including the elusive Philosopher's Stone; and plants have been important components of medicines as much as myth-making and magic – from stink lilies to screaming mandrakes. In this way Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Herbology are all important subjects in the wizarding world.
From the use of bones and shells thousands of years ago, to peering into teacups in the parlours of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, for millennia people have strived to see what fate and fortune holds. The study of the night sky has fascinated those trying to read their destinies: from the star atlases of ancient China to the celestial globes of 17th-century Venice. As well as this, famous folkloric creatures – giants, dragons and merpeople – and lesser-known beings such as Acromantula and Hippogriffs, all play a key role in Harry Potter's journey. As you'll see, Divination and Astronomy, as well as Care of Magical Creatures, are as central to the Harry Potter stories as Harry, Hermione and Ron.
The history of magic is as long as time and as wide as the world. In every culture, in every age, in every place and, probably, in every heart, there is magic.
Review:
I am on the fence with this book. While they do provide entertaining information on the history of some things, the books are short. I would have loved if this book had been longer, with a more thorough look into the history of which would have been part of the Harry Potter curriculum. I am pretty sure those books were thicc, and they carried a ton of information from the first wizard and witch to the first spell cast to the first herb used in the cauldron.
These books did not give us anything worth a chance to enjoy.
Similar Books:
The Hogwarts Collection by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter: A History of Magic by British Library, J.K. Rowling, Julian Harrison
katara
Prey for Rabbit (Holiday Horrors) by Aiden Pierce
Genre:
Fantasy, Shifters, Werewolves, Romantasy, Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Enemies to Lovers, Novellas, Holiday, Horror, Rabbit Shifters, Smut, Erotica, Spring Reads, Urban Fantasy, Alpha Male, Possessive Alpha
Publication Date:
September 30, 2024
Page Numbers:
182
Read/Finished Date:
March 28th, 2025
Rating:
1.5/5
Premise:
You're no one's prey, Rabbit
The silver wolf thinks I’m his prey. Little does he know, he’s mine.
The rabbit shifters and the werewolves have had a truce for centuries. Our burrow sets three of our kind loose in the woods on Easter to be hunted, to be slaughtered like the prey we are.
Then, the wolves leave us alone for the rest of the year.
When I’m selected as a sacrifice for this twisted tradition, I refuse to be another victim. All it takes is an abandoned cabin in the woods, an old ax, and the unexpecting wolves thinking I’m an easy target like all the rest.
The silver wolf is the only one who doesn’t underestimate me. It’s just my luck that when I scent him… I go into heat, and his inner beast chooses me for its mate.
Too bad we want each other dead.
Prey for Rabbit is a dark enemies-to-lovers PNR featuring a brutal werewolf and his reluctant bunny-shifter mate. This story contains dark themes and many triggers, including gore, murder, and graphic sexual content. Please check the book’s front matter for the full CW/TW list.
Review:
Ruth is a bunny shifter, and every year, her burrow sends out three sacrifices to placate the wolves until the following year. When she is chosen for this year, Ruth decides to not be a victim like the rest of them. She plans on surviving. Unfortunately, no one told her heat to stay away.
While I loved Burn for Jack, I could not find the love for this one. I don't know why but no matter how much I tried, I could not find myself liking the characters. The premise held promise. A bunny shifter and a werewolf shifter? Now, this was interesting. Unfortunately, the characters and premise just seemed to fall flat for me.
Similar Books:
Haunt by A.J. Merlin
Don't Get Caught: A Masked Men Novella by Jaye Prat
katara
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré
(Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Contemporary, Dark, Harry Potter Universe
Publication Date:
May 1, 2004 by Scholastic Inc.
Page Numbers:
435
Read/Finished Date:
March 26th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school...
Review:
This is the third novel in the Harry Potter series and is considered to be the beginning of the novel's dark themes. Harry Potter is spending his summer once more in the presence of his aunt and uncle and what is worse is Aunt Marge has begun to make snide remarks about his family. That is until one night when Harry has gotten tired of Marge's relentless abuse and unfortunately blows her up (not in the BOOM sort, but much like a balloon without strings). Harry flees into the night believing that the Ministry of Magic will revoke his wizarding privilege and send him right back to his already furious aunt and uncle.
Fortunately, that is not the case and Harry learns that an escapee from Azkaban named Sirius Black is gunning for him. Because of this, the Ministry of Magic has increased security and used Dementors, "wraithlike creatures that drain happiness and hope from people, inducing despair and fear, and can even consume souls with "The Dementor's Kiss."*
Now, Harry and his friends must stay out of reach of the Dementors and Sirius Black all the while navigating his third year of Hogwarts.
Before I dare to begin, have I mentioned how I love how Hermione handled Draco Malfoy? He deserved that hit more than anything and I am glad she dished it to him.
We can see Harry's growth in both character and abilities to be stronger and more determined as he navigates his third year, dodging Dementors and Sirius Black.
And we cannot leave out his two friends - Ron and Hermione. While the former sticks closely to his friend, the latter seems to be more focused on her new classes as well as knowing Sirius Black is after her friend. Her feelings of worry are genuine, and I understand why she fears Sirius could harm Harry, but I think she does tend to go too far when it comes to protecting Harry.
Overall, I think this book was one of my favorites in the series.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
Info taken from Dementors
katara
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré
(Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Contemporary, Harry Potter Universe
Publication Date:
June 2, 1999 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Page Numbers:
352
Read/Finished Date:
March 24th, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
Ever since Harry Potter had come home for the summer, the Dursleys had been so mean and hideous that all Harry wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange impish creature who says that if Harry returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls’ bathroom. But then the real trouble begins – someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects… Harry Potter himself!
Review:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second novel in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Harry has returned to the Dursley's home only to find they have grown even meaner than the last, and what has been worse is a house elf named Dobby, who has made it his mission to cause mischief and prevent Harry from returning to Hogwarts and his friends. But Harry is rescued by the Weasleys, who take him back to the Burrow to remain there for the remainder of the summer.
As Harry enters his second year at Hogwarts, he finds that strange occurrences have begun to happen, including students being found petrified and mysterious messages appearing on the walls, warning Harry that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened. A chamber said to be housing a monster that could only be controlled by the heirs of Salazar Slytherin, one of the school's founding members. With the help of Hermione and Ron, the three of them must find who has opened the chamber and confront the monster within.
Another marvelous entry in the Harry Potter series. The story continues to captivate, not only myself but the ones seeking to enjoy a fun fantasy novel. The world-building has been expanded outside of Hogwarts. We get to see a Womping tree, the Burrow, and meet more of the Weasley family. I also enjoyed that this novel was almost as short as the first and that it kept you glued from the first page.
I am glad to see Harry continue to grow.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
katara
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter) by J.K. Rowling, Jim Kay (Illustrator)
Genre:
Fantasy, Middle School, Witches and Wizards, Adventure, Kindle Unlimited, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction, Book Series, Magic, Wolves, Werewolves, British Literature, Contemporary, Harry Potter Universe
Publication Date:
January 1, 2019 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Page Numbers:
256
Read/Finished Date:
March 22nd, 2025
Rating:
5/5
Premise:
Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.
Review:
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited, and I really like the way the illustrations came to life. From the smoke of the train to the homes of Diagon Alley, it was really fun to see. Also, I loved the illustrations for this book. They were fun and had a much better vision of the characters than the ones I had in mind when I first picked up the books.
Harry Potter is famous, but he has no idea he is. He lives underneath the stairs of his aunt and uncle's home, where he is treated more like an outsider than anything. His aunt and uncle have made it their mission to wipe away any trace of Harry's wizarding parentry. That is, until one night while they were trying to get away from the mountains of mail for Harry, when Hagrid appeared ready to take Harry to Hogwarts. Harry learns his history from the death of his parents at the hands of Voldemort to the scar that graces his forehead. Now, he must navigate the halls of Hogwarts and the one who is targeting him and his friends.
I remember when I first came across the books. I did not understand the hype over the books, but my mom's friend challenged me to read them and see if my opinion changed. I have to admit that this book only took me a few short hours to finish. I had been unable to put it down. The characters were fleshed out, the world-building was fascinating, and the plot seemed quite different, setting apart from other wizarding and witchcraft middle grade books.
The books are a fun read and pull you into Harry's world from the first book and make you want to finish the entire set to the very end.
Similar Books:
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan
