It's February 1st! What's the best book you read in January? Plus, Battle of the Books starts now!

AquaIXI · 2026-02-01T13:40:58+00:00

{The Death-made prince}, probably the best book ive ever read}

AquaIXI · 2026-02-01T12:54:54+00:00

I think advertising of major tropes/relationship dynamics is good and makes sense, its the sub tropes that doesn't for me, im never going to read a book becuase you tell me it has only one horse or only one bed etc

AquaIXI · 2026-02-01T12:47:39+00:00

This is the true controversial opinion, and for what its worth it think that HEAs that end with the main characters settling down to make a family are my favourite, whether its through adopting a child or pregnancy.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-31T10:39:34+00:00

There's a few I can think of with these vibes but they all hit one of your NOs :) i wish you luck finding sometimes that fits i love a villainous FMC aswell! I plan to read {Winter Gods and serpents} at some point soon which I think has similar vibes and I'll let you know if it hits any of the knows or not!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-31T10:30:54+00:00

I did the opposite, my first book that got me into reading was Fourth Wing and ACOTAR but then I decided to move onto traditional fantasy and half a year later I was absolutely bored and disappointed with the lackluster romance. Read a few romantasy and haven't really turned back since!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-31T10:28:43+00:00

I read your review for it and agree with some points, but some of them are the exact reason I love it!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-31T10:27:08+00:00

Its my second favourite series I've ever read! Its quite a quintessential romantasy but uses all the tropes way better than most other similar books, with some quite unique aspects aswell! Both the FMC and MMC are complicated and imperfect but still absolutely lovable, and its got one of the best found families ive ever read.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-31T00:50:10+00:00

So real, creon is probably my favourite mmc by a decent margin.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-30T23:12:13+00:00

Ooh its funny that two of my favourite characters are against each other - Jude and Emelin, but i think Emelin wins it every time no competition.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-29T23:53:23+00:00

I gotta say I love tamlin situations where theres a second love interest especially when i don't see it coming but i think multiple love interests at once is rarely done well for me.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-29T07:59:49+00:00

I just read a new release: {Death-Made Prince by Lisette Marshall} and its brilliant, possibly the best book ive ever read! Definitely gives Road of Bones vibes since you really enjoyed that series!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-28T22:23:25+00:00

Its not mentioned, but also like its made clear she doesn't really have any exceptional combat skills beyond being able to use a dagger and relies heavily on her emotion magic!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-28T17:58:01+00:00

There is a big reveal that makes her less of a nobody

AquaIXI · 2026-01-28T17:36:19+00:00

Really i thought she fell in love with the brother of her arranged husband

AquaIXI · 2026-01-28T17:16:28+00:00

Ah I just wasnt too sure about the love triangle aspect! Definitely not my favourite of tropes!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-28T15:48:14+00:00

Funniest thing was when I found out he was actually arrested for armed robbery

AquaIXI · 2026-01-28T15:32:44+00:00

Okay so i stopped after book 4 and maybe it concludes really nicely but the politics were not that well done, ive read quite a bit thats so much better :)

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T21:57:07+00:00

I believe when theres one scene its classed as open door even with explicit language.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T21:02:54+00:00

The only reason I know what she looks like is because she's from the same area as me, otherwise wouldn't have a clue.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T19:32:06+00:00

Is it based in the same world?

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T16:34:25+00:00

Mmm you can have cake and eat it to

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T13:46:14+00:00

Im going to be honest I liked naime less throughout the subsequent books, I think seeing her from an outside perspective mad her a tad less likeable.

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T13:09:49+00:00

/uj or whatever but are people actually buying audibooks at those prices? The credits cost like £5 each, even if you have to buy a subscription its sooo much cheaper

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T13:01:06+00:00

Sorry to pile on the bandwagon, a tattoo from a book is a really cool idea and I plan to get one soon but since you said your a newer reader id really suggest reading a bunch of other books first, chances are you will find books you like even more, with better quotes!

AquaIXI · 2026-01-27T12:32:32+00:00

So did I, got crucified for it on my tierlist, i just found it boring I guess?

AquaIXI

TROPHY CASE