Seher Mohsin

recommended a book 3 days ago

3 days ago

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the chance to read and review this book! I actually really liked A Harvest of Hearts! I think Foss is a very good character and I adored that she wasn't magically made beautiful by the end of it. As someone who has been pouring an unholy amount of money down the beauty industries throat this last year, I really do want more characters who don't magically become sirens, but are loved for who they are and beautiful to those who love them. The anger towards pretty girls was also interesting; I don't think you're allowed to often talk about that in books and I'm very sure some people will criticise the author for doing it; but I think it made Foss a more well rounded and extremely capable character. The plot is also pretty good; the heart magic and the darkness around it were very well done. Some elements like the mist we saw earlier in the book were very well tied in with things that happened later. I do do unfortunately feel like the author made some rookie mistakes that will leave a lot of people disappointed; namely that so many elements were rushed. Some things do need to happen quickly, like when the magic wielders attached Basil and his group, but the end of the book and the way Sylvester releases the spell could have been done better. I also know that she feels really bad, but it was a stupid immature MC mistake to go back for Millie and hang on to Colin like that. Da and how easily he lives is also strange. The book could have been made a duology. Cornelius is my favourite, obviously, and I honestly would have picked a fight if something had happened to him. Well deserved 4 stars.

A Harvest of Hearts

Deluxe Stenciled Edges EditionIn the beloved tradition of Howl’s Moving Castle, a whimsical and unfo...

is reading a book 3 days ago

3 days ago

A Harvest of Hearts

Deluxe Stenciled Edges EditionIn the beloved tradition of Howl’s Moving Castle, a whimsical and unfo...

recommended a book 4 days ago

4 days ago

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this! Clean romance he's a vicar but also the 5th son of a rich duke away from home afraid to face the family that loves him she's got messed up parents but decent friends The speeches on love are a bit strange and I'm not sure if this authors style is for me Very little on the book of love which seems to be a main character in the series.

The Dream of Love (The Book of Love)

recommended a book 8 days ago

8 days ago

Absolutely love love love this collection and the different sides of love!

Love

recommended a book 19 days ago

19 days ago

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review Black Mestiza by Yael Valencia Aldana. The collection is an interesting one but there are some bits where it does drag a bit. I do love the references to other women, my favourite poem was easily the one on Zora Neale Hurston.

Black Mestiza: Poems (University Press of Kentucky New Poetry & Prose Series)

recommended a book 30 days ago

30 days ago

Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the chance to read and review this! Just in time for the publication I might add! Honestly, I didn't want to finish this book; it's truly a gem and I can't list down the number of poems, the number of moments, that have hitched my breath in my throat. My next steps are to get a physical copy of the book so I can read and re-read at leisure and write notes and underline things and just enjoy myself!

The Magpie at Night: The Complete Poems of Li Qingzhao (1084–1151)

recommended a book about 1 month ago

about 1 month ago

When I heard that The Daily Victorian was writing a poetry book I didn't imagine that I'd actually be approved for it. I've had two of her poems saved on insta for God knows how long and they've helped me through so much that I was fully planning on just getting the book in March. I guess I'll be getting the audiobook then. The five star review is a good summary of what I feel for this book; I adore it. I read some of the poems while having a cry. I needed a bit of hope and something to keep going; and I'll keep coming back to them. Victoria Hutchins says all the things I used to believe in when I had hope. It feels like a hug in a book. I will say that you should check out some of her poems on insta before reading the book or even just go for the audiobook directly. Being able to read them in her voice does help a lot. Thank you NetGalley and Convergent books for the chance to read and review this ARC!

Make Believe: Poems for Hoping Again

recommended a book about 1 month ago

about 1 month ago

Thank you NetGalley and Querencia Press for the chance to read and review this ARC! Honestly, I actually really like this collection and I want to read what the poet writes next. I really liked "SHE NEEDS TO KNOW MY SKIN ISN’T WHITENING BUT MY HAIR IS" but I do think the following seems to be very male authory "her tips poking at her t-shirt implying flightat any moment" KARNICKELKÖTTELKARNICKEL starts off quite funny. I will say that the cover (while good) doesn't match the book. A couple of poems like "MY BOOB POPPED OUT IN THE POOL TODAY" could have been left out. Incidentally this book made me look up how a mammography is done. 3.5 stars, generally rounded to 3 where the option is not available.

the body is where it all begins

recommended a book about 1 month ago

about 1 month ago

You really can read this book in one sitting, it's that good! The pacing, the storyline, the characters, everything works! I think this should be on everyone's reading list for 2025!

Strange Pictures: A Novel

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

Thank you NetGalley and Querencia Press for the chance to read and review We Were Seeds, a poetry anthology on the genocide in Gaza. In a world where everyone seems to be afraid of offending zionists and white tears, it's great to see so many poets writing on Gaza and this book being published. I also respect that all the proceeds will be going to The Sameer Project & mutual aids on Gaza Funds. Everyone really did put their money where their mouth was and massive respect. The poetry, given the subject matter, is sometimes harrowing. so know that going in. Of course, we have the privilege of looking away (or deactivating insta like Selena Gomez) when things get too intense.

We Were Seeds: an anthology benefitting Palestine

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

I know this is terrible, but I legitimately thought we would have some form of smut or romance in here. I'm 99% sure I requested this after hearing about this on BookBub and well, while I didn't the romance or smut, I'm very happy I read this. As someone who has been out of reading sci-fi for a very long time, it was definitely hard for me to visualise a lot of the other beings encountered and keeping track of their details. That being said, I think the world building was very well done in the conversations between the characters and the descriptions. I also love the details that aren't 100% cleared up; such as why do the male minarchs get eaten and is Breakers friend a friend or like a "friend"? It's also interesting to see how Breaker and Dalton interact with the minarchs and their customs; Dalton is such an American, while Breaker does have a genuine interest in making sure he doesn't mess up in his interactions and helps. I also love how things are left untranslated or the AI tools says that it's not 100% accurate; there is so much lost in translation. Neera was a whole back of crazy and I love that, but I also wonder how many times she's been stuck isolated before she got that way? It is a bit sad that this is a standalone, because a series where these guys interact again would have been very interesting. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!

The Fourth Consort: A Novel

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book! My issue with this collection is that it sounds like everyone else and is a bit unmemorable. Yes, there were at least 10 Taylor Swift references, but just please post on Tumblr. If I wasn't reading an ARC, I would have DNFed around 30% at max.

I'll Cry If I Want To: Poems

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review Root Rot. A short horror novella (140 pages), Root Rot feels like a hazy dream. The unconventional naming sequence works far better than actual names when it comes to 9 characters. We know from the start that something is haunting these children. I absolutely loved Nislow's ability to draw you in and also make you doubt where you saw the character last; are they safe and genuinely left behind or are they gone? I was also taken aback by the parents and how they didn't seem to register anything about the children and I'm not sure if this was because the same had happened to them or they were just irresponsible boomer parents. While I understand that this book is a commentary on family and how trauma can be passed down and harm everyone; I do feel like we needed a bit more clarity by the end of it. What is happening to the kids? Why have the families not come in so many years? How were the able to stay away? I'm also really curious about The Liar, because there does seem to be a hint that she may be intersex and thats why the adults find her so confusing. 3.5 stars

Root Rot

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this! This is an excellent book and an important one for that matter. While the poetry included is lovely tis book is important in the sense that it highlights that languages can be brought back from the brink, that for everything lost, something can be regained. I don't think I cared for the formatting though; it made it feel like a coffee table book, something to be used as decor and left unopened.

On the National Language: The Poetry of America’s Endangered Tongues

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book! I’m glad I was able to finish the ARC just in time for its release. Overall: 3.5 stars The Girl Made of Stars tells the haunting story of Hollywood siren Lola Grayson, a star who shined brightly but was consumed by the industry that created her. Dubbed "The Siren," Lola was MGM's biggest name before the rise of Carole Lombard and Jean Harlow. But beneath the glitz and glamour, the novel exposes the dark underbelly of the Golden Age of Hollywood—its rampant exploitation, control over its stars, and the deep scars left behind. Told in a dual timeline, the novel follows present-day novelist Joey Cabot, who, purchase and moves into the secret love nest once shared by Lola and fellow star Robert Taggart. As Joey digs deeper into Lola’s past, aided by the son of one of Lola’s maids, Dr Jackson, who met and loved Lola when he was a child, she uncovers shocking secrets. The novel doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the industry, tackling themes of sexual violence, power dynamics, and complicity in abuse. In doing so, it draws unsettling parallels to real-life stars like Marilyn Monroe, making Lola’s story feel all too believable. Le Veque does a great job evoking Old Hollywood, weaving in well-known figures like Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, and Mayer (the one and only), adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative. However, there are a few elements that feel underdeveloped. Joey’s ethical dilemmas—particularly her past controversy involving a Nazi-sympathizer protagonist—are mentioned but never fully explored. Likewise, her friend Diesal’s disregard for a woman’s privacy in the name of historical preservation becomes a major issue later in the book, but it feels like it could have been better examined. Her unresolved issues with her mother also get brushed aside by the end of it. The novel raises many questions about morality, agency, and justice. Joey’s relentless pursuit of the truth is compelling, but at times, it feels like a therapist might have been a simpler route to closure. Additionally, the reveal of Diana Kuhn’s identity feels fairly predictable, which somewhat lessens the impact of the mystery. Every so often, I feel like some of the language could have been cleaned up just a bit more; like this book would have benefitted from being untouched for a month or two and then re-read and edited. That said, the book excels in its ability to immerse readers in the tragedy of Lola’s life. It’s a gripping, atmospheric read that highlights both the allure and cruelty of classic Hollywood. If you enjoy historical fiction that delves into the dark side of fame, The Girl Made of Stars is well worth picking up.

The Girl Made of Stars: A Novel

recommended a book about 2 months ago

about 2 months ago

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review A Silent Accord by Kathy L Wheeler! I'm a big fan of regency romance and this is the second book I've read by Wheeler; the first being Gaming Hell Christmas. Unfortunately, this one is 3 stars at most for me. The book is horrifically disjointed. You go from one page to another and you're not sure what's happening with all these barely fleshed out characters. Then there is the weird way in which the murders start taking place, and for a moment the book kinda feels like the 11 year old girl is doing this. A lot of the characters don't really seem to be growing at all. Docia is probably the only one with a memorable personality and she's 11.

A Silent Accord: A Victorian Gothic Romance (The Clandestine Sapphire Society Book 1)

recommended a book 9 months ago

9 months ago

I wish I could have liked this more. While I sympathize with the author, the poetry was not very good initially and then got cheesy. There is probably an audience for this; I am just not part of that, it seems. Thank you, NetGalley and Harbor Lane Books, LLC., for the chance to read and review this!

Between These Bones: A Collection of Poetry

published a review9 months ago

9 months ago

People should start publishing on Wattpad again and get hard feedback so they become better writers.

Dragon Den

is reading a book 9 months ago

9 months ago

Dragon Den

published a review10 months ago

10 months ago

This will wreck a reading slump and make you forget to check Instagram for long period of time. If you're into fantasy.

Song of the Six Realms

Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison, weaves a dreamy goth...

recommended a book 10 months ago

10 months ago

Thank you, NetGalley and Sundial House, for the chance to read and review this book. On the one hand, The Book of Conjurations is certainly interesting. It's not often that you can see metals used in poetry like this. However, I wonder if the translation is missing something? After a while, the poetry starts to blur together, even when certain pieces are very good.

The Book of Conjurations: El libro de los conjuros

is reading a book 10 months ago

10 months ago

Thank you NetGalley and Querencia Press for the chance to read and review this book. When they say the text in this book "may not be well-suited to people with visual impairments" they really really mean that. As interesting as some of the images were they literally did make my eyes hurt. That being said, this is a conceptually interesting exploration of art and poetry blended together. However, while the art was fantastic, there wasn't a significant amount of poetry, more often than not the same 3 lines were repeated over and over again, sometimes on the same image in different ways.

DreamRot {FORSAKEN}

recommended a book 11 months ago

11 months ago

"My body moves like a tree on a breezeless summer day." Oaths is not the first book I've read by F.S. Yousaf; the other was Sincerely which I ended up not being able to get through. I think this work shows massive improvement by the author and I'm interested to see how the next one will turn out. Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.

Oaths: Poems

recommended a book 11 months ago

11 months ago

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the chance to read and review Metamorphose by Kayla Stone. Metamorphose has an interesting concept. a butterfly moves through a place believing it's horrifically ugly and unworthy of attention or love, Its belief in it's own unworthiness leads it to join the flames to be beautiful for some time, but afterwards realises that the brief moment of beauty cost far more than it was worth when it loses its wings and the ability to follow the sun. This is meant to be a commentary on beauty and how women are taught to chase it at the cost of their own sanity and selves even when they are, objectively speaking, beautiful. After all, who amongst us can look at a butterfly and think it's ugly; and yet this one was willing to set itself on fire. The butterfly's own internal voice seems incredibly masculine in its obsession with beauty, think Du Bois double consciousness, but with women looking at their bodies through the male gaze. That being said, this is not going to be my favourite read. While the concept is an interesting one the language was a bit strange and I was a bit bored. I personally feel anyone using the word ochre has issues. 2.5 stars.

Metamorphose

published a review11 months ago

11 months ago

Solid read that could have been fleshed out a bit more especially at the end.

The Fireborne Blade

About me

I'm a big fan of bookstagram but also run a book blog, & love cross posting my reviews to other sites like BookBub, Literal, Amazon & Goodreads! I'm in the top 5% of reviewers on BookSirens, based on review volume, & top 10% for in terms of books from small presses & reading diversity.

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Seher Mohsin

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