Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Other Words for Smoke in Books
Jun 11, 2023
Kindle
Other Words for Smoke
By Sarah Maria Griffin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Twins Mae and Rossa’s summer away from home becomes life altering when they discover a house full of witches, experience devastating first love, and face a dark power beyond any imagining.
Sarah Maria Griffin’s haunting and literary sophomore novel explores the balance between love and fear, weakness and power, and the lengths one will go to claim one’s freedom. For fans of Libba Bray’s The Diviners and Maggie Stiefvater’s All the Crooked Saints.
When the women from the house at the end of the lane went missing, none of the townspeople knew what happened. A tragedy, they called it. Only twins Mae and Rossa know the truth about that fateful summer.
Only they know about the owl in the wall, the uncanny cat, the insidious creatures that devour love and fear. Only they know the trials of loving someone who longs for power, for freedom, for magic. Only they know what brought everything tumbling down around them. And they’ll never, ever breathe a word.
This was the strangest book I think I’ve read in a long time. I really enjoyed it. The story was so strange but had you needing to read more. At first I have to admit I did think of not continuing with it but I’m so glad I did. The talking cat completely through me well worth a read.
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Debbiereadsbook (1554 KP) rated How to Chain Your Dragons in Books
Aug 15, 2025
For the most part, I really REALLY enjoyed this book but my review will be short and sweet cos if I leave myself free reign, it might come across as negative and it really was a good book!
I loved Jaz. She is strong willed and determined, but really just wants to be cut a break! These dragons, though, want more from her. She isn't sure she can give it, not to the invaders of Earth.
The dragons themselves are very different, with stron personalities and differing skills and fears. Zyair, Rhodes and Xandros all want one thing: their fated mate. Finding out she is human, kinda throws a spanner in the works but they really do all go in, eventually.
I was expecting a space romp here, and I get a lot more.
BUT
I feel like there is much MUCH that was not said here. It feels like there should've been a book before this one, giving all the information about Earth being invaded and all that jazz, or Jaz! I just felt it needed MORE, you know??
It also felt like the beginning of a series, there are many characters who I want to read about, so I hope we get more, I really do.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13389 KP) rated Storm and Shelter (Ebb & Flow #3) in Books
Oct 10, 2025
Quinn is back in the States, Malachi is in Canada, but both of them are missing the other. When Malachi turns up unexpectedly, Quinn is over the moon. It is a difficult time of year for him, and having his mate there helps with the PTSD flashbacks and memories that threaten to overwhelm him. Through a series of events, not all of which I fully understand the reasoning behind, Quinn drives Malachi back home.
This book is mostly about Quinn's flashbacks and Malachi trying to help him with them. There are a LOT of "I love you's" going on, plus scenes that felt as though they were being repeated. I still can't quite get over the power imbalance between the two, which I was hoping would have evened out a little by now. While I enjoyed the story, I think you would enjoy it more if you had read the Real Werewolves Don't Eat Meat series. I haven't, and I do believe this affected my enjoyment of this story/series.
If you've read the above-named series, then I recommend Ebb & Flow. If you haven't, you might struggle.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 9, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Fatal Reunion in Books
Jan 28, 2025 (Updated Jan 28, 2025)
This is another excellent book in this series. As always, Zoe and Pete share the third person narration, and that gives us insight into the characters and story. It’s great to spend time with the returning characters, and the new ones are just as well drawn. The plot grabs you from the beginning and keeps you engaged until you reach the satisfying solution. These books are not cozies, so pick them up expecting something darker, and you’ll be fine. I’m hoping to get to the next two books in this series soon. If you are looking for fantastic mysteries, you won’t be disappointed you met Zoe.
