kimschouwenaar's reviews
340 reviews

This took me so long to actually get into. Started reading this for my world lit class last May, and kind of forgot about it until I saw it again in my currently reading list.

This book is written from multiple perspectives and in first-person, second-person and third-person narrative. I think the main problem I had when I started reading is the amount of characters; each chapter is from the perspective of a different character, and in the final 25 chapters — which are all very short — they all come together at the powwow.

But those final 25 chapters had me crying. Reading the book, you know what's coming, and yet you remain hopeful that there will be some kind of interference so the ending will change. It's absolutely heartbreaking. There There is not only a story about Native American history, but it's also a tale about surviving in a system that is built against you. Would definitely recommend to everyone, you just need to get through the first couple of chapters and familiarise yourself with all the characters. Hard to digest, but definitely worth your time.

lots of thesis trauma, but this remains one of my favourite books of all time <3

The stakes are higher, the plot has thickened, the danger has surged, Bloodmarked has arrived.

The reader was too stunned to speak.

Holy shit.

Holy SHIT

What a rollercoaster. I sat staring at the final page for a solid ten minutes before moving again, jaw dropped, tears in my eyes, unable to do anything but grip the book in silent agony. Bree didn't have a single moment of peace.

I am still unsure of what I should write here. Bree is everything I look for in a main character: passionate, caring, hilarious, unapologetic, vulnerable, flawed, the list goes on. She captivates you from cover to back like the sword-wielding King she is bound to become, someone so mesmerising you cannot look away. The distinction between Before-Bree and After-Bree that was so prominent in Legendborn slowly dissipates until we are left with Bree , someone I don't ever want to leave behind, and someone I will NEVER get sick of.

And Selwyn. Oh, my dear Selwyn Kane how I laughed, cried and rhapsodised about Bree right with you. Selwyn Kane is the dark-haired, magic-wielding, morally grey anti-hero I am convinced everyone needs. With Nick taken, Sel is even more central to the plot than in Legenborn. He's witty, proud, impulsive, protective and absolutely hilarious. Let's be honest, he does not succeed at hiding his attraction to Bree, but, as we all know, Sel isn't great at being vulnerable. Bree and Sel together means flaming chemistry and the best banter I have read in a while. They're both unwilling to outright admit what they feel for the other, and reading them had me giggling like a kid and kicking my legs in excitement.

There are but a few flaws: some questionable grammar and punctuation (because I am an editor in training now, and, unfortunately, I cannot help but notice these kind of things), and two or three minor, minor plot holes that made me think I missed or skipped pages that just weren't there. The distance and time between several places was unclear, and character's actions weren't always well developed.

However.

I knew about halfway through that this would become one of my all time favourite reads. And I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I rated this anything under 5 stars. Five isn't enough, I need Goodreads and StoryGraph to have more.

The only reason I wouldn't recommend you to read it right now is because the third instalment won't be published until the BEGINNING OF 2025?! Nevertheless, if you do read it right now then we can cry about it together. Hit me up if y'all want to rave about this book with me. I don't think I'll shut up anytime soon.

If you have come this far, I am very much looking for more book friends! You can find me on:
IG: kimschouwenaar
TT: _kimschouwenaar
Goodreads: Kim Schouwenaar

- <3

HOLY SHIT !!!!

I need to gather my thoughts. Review to come.

The Author Agency provided me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What starts as seemingly any other cute romance novel quickly takes a turn for the worst.

Moving from Dallas, Texas to the Pacific Northwest into her late uncle's cabin home, Tatum is looking for independence and a place where her art will be appreciated. After leaving behind an ex-boyfriend with a dangerous temper, she finds freedom in the company of two new men. One is the town golden boy, and the other is the rich mystery man whose family has a reputation.

But nothing stays perfect forever. One man's secrets brings terror and danger into her life in the form of a secret stalker. When things go from bad to worse, Hayden and Anthony have to put their differences aside after a lifetime of not getting along. Then, when she suddenly goes missing, the two men have to work together to find her before it's too late.

When I tell you this was exactly what I signed up for. It's a perfect combination of steamy romance, a heart-pounding thriller and lots and lots and lots of hurt/comfort scenes. Tatum quickly became one of my all-time favourite female characters, Anthony's stoic performance yet soft heart captured mine, and Hayden's sweet persona took me by storm. The way they all care for each other was absolutely heart-warming to read, and the banter between Hayden and Anthony was just chef's kiss. And Zara... ZARA! A gorgeous, murderous woman who I would love to cross paths with at one point in my life.

There were a few inconsistencies and scenes that made me question the characters' judgment, which is the reason I rated this 4.5 stars.

Do not hesitate to get your hands on a copy of this book, but please do not forget to check out the trigger warnings below!

TW (taken directly from the book):
Explicit language, mature sexual content, talk of loss of a parent through illness, stalking, blood and gore depiction, talk of domestic violence, murder, abduction, gassing, graphic depiction of a cat having a seizure, mention of animal death, anxiety, depression.

HELP, WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LIFE NOW?

(review to come!) 

Gods, this was boring…

For such a short story, this was surprisingly captivating, and I easily read this in one sitting. I picked this up mainly because a friend wrote her BA thesis on it, and she highly recommended it to me.

Keegan effortlessly depicts the significance of a loving family, specifically during childhood, through the eyes of an unnamed girl. The simple writing style ensures it’s an fast read, but the emotional impact is found hidden between the lines. Books don’t often make me cry nowadays, but this one made me tear up.