Tristan is the first book in The Hawks series by Jennie Lynn Roberts. The Hawks series is an adult fantasy romance series that is full of action and pTristan is the first book in The Hawks series by Jennie Lynn Roberts. The Hawks series is an adult fantasy romance series that is full of action and plenty of swoony romance. I really enjoyed Tristan and I can't wait to continue on with the series. If you are fan of fantasies that have wonderfully feisty characters, a twisty turny plot, and great world building with a steamy romance to boot, then Tristan is the perfect book for you to check out. This is the first book I have read from author Jennie Lynn Roberts, but I know it won't be my last because she sucked me right into the world she created and I fell in love with her characters hardcore. This was an excellent book. I loved Tristan.
In Tristan we meet out main characters, Tristan and Nim. Tristan has just suffered a major upheaval and betrayal all in one. I loved how honorable Tristan is, even if it does mean that he comes off as a little rigid and uptight. Honestly, it made me relate to him even more because he was that way. Nim is like the opposite of Tristan. She is all fiery emotions, not to mention she can really kick butt! This is definitely a case of opposites attract, because Nim and Tristan has scorching hot chemistry right form the beginning. When I read my first scene with both of them in it, I knew that I was going to be a sucker for the romance.
As much as I loved the characters and the romance, the world building really shone in Tristan. I loved the way that Jennie Lynn Roberts gave the reader information. She scattered it throughout the story in such a way that didn't leave us in the dark but also didn't overwhelm us with an info dump. It was perfect in my opinion and it made the world feel rich and come to life. A central part of this world are the guys that make up the Hawks. I loved learning about each of them, and I can't wait to see them in future installments in the series. They each had such distinct personalities that it was a pleasure to get to know them as a group. I always admire a strong sense of friendship and these guys have that in spades. I think my favorite so far (other than Tristan) is Val, who is Nim's brother. Which brings us to the plot of Tristan. The current king accuses Val of Treason, and Nim steps in to clear her brother's name. This thrusts her in Tristan's path because he was the one that had to arrest Val for Treason. I really enjoyed the politics in this book as well. Things are heating up between two of the kingdoms and there are plenty of lies, twists turns and untrustworthy characters to suss out while reading. If you know me, you know I a love a good political system in my fantasy worlds, so this was right up my alley. If you are fan of wonderful world building, a great gang of friends and fantastic romance, I think the Hawks series is going to be an adult fantasy series that you won't want to miss. I loved Tristan and I can't wait to read book 2!
Merged review:
Tristan is the first book in The Hawks series by Jennie Lynn Roberts. The Hawks series is an adult fantasy romance series that is full of action and plenty of swoony romance. I really enjoyed Tristan and I can't wait to continue on with the series. If you are fan of fantasies that have wonderfully feisty characters, a twisty turny plot, and great world building with a steamy romance to boot, then Tristan is the perfect book for you to check out. This is the first book I have read from author Jennie Lynn Roberts, but I know it won't be my last because she sucked me right into the world she created and I fell in love with her characters hardcore. This was an excellent book. I loved Tristan.
In Tristan we meet out main characters, Tristan and Nim. Tristan has just suffered a major upheaval and betrayal all in one. I loved how honorable Tristan is, even if it does mean that he comes off as a little rigid and uptight. Honestly, it made me relate to him even more because he was that way. Nim is like the opposite of Tristan. She is all fiery emotions, not to mention she can really kick butt! This is definitely a case of opposites attract, because Nim and Tristan has scorching hot chemistry right form the beginning. When I read my first scene with both of them in it, I knew that I was going to be a sucker for the romance.
As much as I loved the characters and the romance, the world building really shone in Tristan. I loved the way that Jennie Lynn Roberts gave the reader information. She scattered it throughout the story in such a way that didn't leave us in the dark but also didn't overwhelm us with an info dump. It was perfect in my opinion and it made the world feel rich and come to life. A central part of this world are the guys that make up the Hawks. I loved learning about each of them, and I can't wait to see them in future installments in the series. They each had such distinct personalities that it was a pleasure to get to know them as a group. I always admire a strong sense of friendship and these guys have that in spades. I think my favorite so far (other than Tristan) is Val, who is Nim's brother. Which brings us to the plot of Tristan. The current king accuses Val of Treason, and Nim steps in to clear her brother's name. This thrusts her in Tristan's path because he was the one that had to arrest Val for Treason. I really enjoyed the politics in this book as well. Things are heating up between two of the kingdoms and there are plenty of lies, twists turns and untrustworthy characters to suss out while reading. If you know me, you know I a love a good political system in my fantasy worlds, so this was right up my alley. If you are fan of wonderful world building, a great gang of friends and fantastic romance, I think the Hawks series is going to be an adult fantasy series that you won't want to miss. I loved Tristan and I can't wait to read book 2!...more
Please Note: There a many potential trigger warnings present in Pretty Girls Make Graves. Be sure to review the author's list of them prior to readingPlease Note: There a many potential trigger warnings present in Pretty Girls Make Graves. Be sure to review the author's list of them prior to reading.
Pretty Girls Make Graves is the first book in the Dark Academia series by Steffanie Holmes. I believe the Dark Academia is labeled as New Adult but a large portion of the first book would also work for upper young adult readers from a romance perspective, as long as they were ok with some of the themes and topics discussed. There are a few taboo themes in the book, so def check out the trigger warning list before starting. It does get a little spicier towards the end and I am thinking that the next book is going to earn every bit of that new adult age grouping. (And I can't wait!) This book kept getting better and better as it went. I started out intrigued, and then I started to feel a bit meh about the story, but just after that I was completely pulled back into the story and was hooked from there on out. I ended up loving this book so much and I am completely desperate for book 2!
In Pretty Girls Make Graves, we meet our main character Georgina (who goes by George). George started a really popular true crime podcast, and because of it's success, she was awarded a full scholarship to the prestigious religious college of Blackfriars University. So she leaves California and heads to Britain for school. There she finds a group of stuck up members of a not so secret society, known as the Orpheus Society. George soon becomes their prime target for bullying. But when George senses something foul afoot, she can't help but dig around looking for answers (and for the next season of her podcast)
I loved George so much! She is strong, independent and really brave. I was desperate to uncover the secrets of the Orpheus Society , the murders and get to know all of the characters better, because this is the kind of book where you know everyone is carrying around secrets of their own. I loved the second half of this book so much! Like I mentioned earlier, this story kept building and building. I don't want to give away any more of the plot because Pretty Girls Make Graves is best discovered in pieces as you are reading. There is a slow burn tug and pull romance between two different characters (one of whom is a priest!) Sebastian and William. I have very strong thoughts about these two characters, but I won't get into them here bc spoilers, but I have to say I loved Steffanie Holmes writing and ability to make me feel such strong emotions towards the characters. Pretty Girls Make Graves was a fantastic read. I demand book two right this very second!...more
The Witch Collector is the first book in the Witch Walker Trilogy by Charissa Weaks. Holy cow! I loved this book so much! It has been a hot minute sinThe Witch Collector is the first book in the Witch Walker Trilogy by Charissa Weaks. Holy cow! I loved this book so much! It has been a hot minute since I have had a five star read. This year seems like I have had lots of 3 and 4 star reads, but not too many books have completely blown me out of the water. The Witch Collector completely blew me out of the water. It earned every bit of those five stars. I am already desperate for the next book in the trilogy.
In the Witch Collector, we meet our main character Raina, who lives in a small village and who has one goal in mind- to kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. In her world, the King's Witch Collector comes into town each year to select a young witch from the village to move to the castle and help protect the realm and the Frost King. Raina is not worried about being selected herself because she does not possess any witch marks symbolizing her powers, and because she is mute. Witches in this world sing their enchantments, but little does the king know that Raina has been taught sign language and can craft her enchantments in a different way. I loved Raina!
When her town is attacked Raina finds herself paired up with the Witch collector AKA Alexus, himself as the sole survivors of the town attack from a foreign prince. Together they must journey to the Frost King, but Raina is still not giving up on her plan for revenge. What will happen on their journey? I loved the worldbuilding, the magic and the characters that Charissa Weaks created. And the romance was everything I was wanting and more. I fell in love with Raina and Alexus. This is perfect for fans of interesting magic systems and enemies to lovers romances. I absolutely loved everything about The Witch Collector and I cannot wait for the next book! This is one of my favorite reads of 2021!...more
The Love Hypothesis is an adult contemporary romance novel by debut author Ali Hazelwood. I cannot even explain how much I loved this book. (but I shaThe Love Hypothesis is an adult contemporary romance novel by debut author Ali Hazelwood. I cannot even explain how much I loved this book. (but I shall try anyway) It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. The Love Hypothesis is romantic, funny, full of heart and banter, has book boyfriend level characters and made me fall in love right alongside Olive and Adam. I love that the Author of this book is also a women in the STEM field, and I love the amount of science that was woven into the story.
In The Love Hypothesis, we meet our main character Olive, who is a graduate student in the biology PhD program at Stanford. We find her in a convoluted situation, where to get her friend off her back (and make said friend feel ok dating Olive's ex...yes I really said that) Olive throws her lips on the first unsuspecting male she runs into in the biology hallway. Except her lips landed on Dr. Adam Carlsen, who is a notorious jerk and big wig in the department. And so begins their comedy of fake-dating errors. And I loved every single second of it. This book is hilarious and so swoony. I can't wait to see what Ali Hazelwood comes out with next because The Love Hypothesis is one of my favorite reads of 2021!
Once I picked up The Love Hypothesis I could not put it down. I stayed up way too late reading and now I am in one heck of a book hangover. I loved Olive's counterbalance to the grumpiness that was Adam. But Adam is no where near the jerk that his reputation leads one to believe. I loved how he was with Olive. Their relationship was completely adorable. The Love Hypothesis is great for fans of the fake-relationship trope and for fans of all rom-com tropes because Olive has some great hypothesis about romantic comedies that made me giggle. The Love Hypothesis is a fantastic book. I loved it so much, that I can't wait to re-read it!...more
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is the first book in the adult fantasy Crystal Bloom series by Sarah A. Parker. The Crystal Bloom series is a dark reimagininTo Bleed a Crystal Bloom is the first book in the adult fantasy Crystal Bloom series by Sarah A. Parker. The Crystal Bloom series is a dark reimagining of the tale of Rapunzel, and I completely fell head over heels in love with this book! It is amazing and and I totally desperate for more! I was already a big fan of Sarah A. Parker's reverse harem series, Spawn of Darkness which is written under her S.A. Parker penname, so when I saw she had an adult fantasy romance coming out, I was basically chomping at the bit, waiting to be able to read it. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint at all.
In To Bleed a Crystal Bloom we meet our main character, Orlaith, who was the sole survivor of a vicious attack when she was 2. As sole survivor she was taken in by the region's Lord (Rhordyn) and raised by him. Laith sees herself as an outcast and spectacle, and she is a prisoner of her own making. Rhordyn and the other members of his household would love to see Laith venture out past her tower, but she is too scared to. To Bleed a Crystal Bloom does a fantastic job not only setting up a big, complex fantasy world filled with unique players and secrets galore, but the story kept expanding and expanding as we went on. I loved seeing the complicated relationship with Orlaith and Rhordyn, and while I love him I am also intrigued by late addition character Cain. I can't wait to see what is going to happen in the next book. And I have to say, sometimes Rhordyn is quite the A**, and I wouldn't mind seeing him suffer a bit in coming installments.
The romance is filled with sexual tension and yearning. I loved it so much, and the amount of secrets that we still have left to uncover is HUGE! I am completely desperate for the next book. Sarah A. Parker is a master storyteller. She grips you into the book at the very first page. By the time I had finished the prologue, I knew that I wouldn't be able to put this book down and I knew that I was going to fall obsessively in love with the story and the characters, which is exactly what happened. To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is one of the best books I have read all year. The world building and the writing are masterful, the characters are complex and so intriguing and the romance is chef's kiss! There is not a single thing that I didn't love about this book! This is a must read for fan's of adult fantasy and dark fantasy!...more
Song of the Forever Rains is the first book in the dark YA fantasy romance called the Mousai series by E.J. Mellow. I loved E.J. Mellow’s dreamland seSong of the Forever Rains is the first book in the dark YA fantasy romance called the Mousai series by E.J. Mellow. I loved E.J. Mellow’s dreamland series when I read it years and years ago, so when I saw that she had a new series coming out, I was so excited! And I have to say Song of the Forever Rains was SO FANTASTIC! This book pulled me right out of my several weeks long reading slump and made me fall in love. I am absolutely desperate for the second book in this series. You know when you can just tell within a few pages that a book is going to blow you away? That is what happened as soon as I flipped from page 1 to page 2 in Song of the Forever Rains. E.J. Mellow’s writing is so magical and her worldbuilding is so intricately effortless that I couldn’t help but get pulled in by the lure of this story and of the Mousai sisters. If you are a fan of fantasy books, Song of the Forever Rains is a must read. It is one of the best books I have read in 2021!
In Song of the Forever Rains, we meet our three sisters, Niya, Arabessa and Larkyra Bassette. Each of these three sisters has their own magical abilities, but when you combine them together they are the revered and deadly Mousai. When the girls use their gift they are able to capture and ensnare other’s senses, sometimes with deadly consequences. Niya’s gift is over movement, or dance. Arabessa can effortless play any instrument and when she plays so completely takes over the listeners senses, and Larkyra’s voice can compel the listener to feel any emotion or to do as she obeys. She can even kill with her voice.
Lark is our main character for this story. She is the youngest of the three sisters, and when she comes of age (19) she is given a test by her father. Her and her sisters have completed various missions to help those less fortunate throughout the years at the bequest of their father, but this is Lark’s first solo mission. And her mission is a big one. She is to accept a dirty and corrupt Duke’s hand in marriage so she can get close to him and sort out how he is obtaining some illegal substances. The Duke is using the illegal drugs to control and extort his people, and Lark needs to get to the bottom of it so she can put a stop to it. The Duke’s stepson complicates matters for Lark because he is constantly in the way. Not to mention the fact that they have feelings for each other. I am so in love with the romance in Song of the Forever Rains. I feel like E.J. Mellow is the fourth member of the Mousai with a gift over the written word, because her writing ensnared all of my senses. I was so captivated by this entire story.
I was so intrigued by all of the characters in Song of the Forever Rains, as well as the world. I particularly loved the deb of debauchery that was the Thief Kingdom, which is a secret cave land where all kinds of things go down. The world is fascinating, the romance is swoon-worthy and the characters are all amazing. What more could you ask for in a fantasy? Song of the Forever Rains was pretty much a perfect read in my opinion. I love this novel hardcore! ...more
Note: This is the second book in a series that should be read in order. If you are new to this series, you can check out my review of book 1 here
RoyalNote: This is the second book in a series that should be read in order. If you are new to this series, you can check out my review of book 1 here
Royal Spy is the second book in the young adult fantasy series, Fate of Eyrinthia by author Heather Frost. I loved the first book, Royal Decoy so much! It was one of my favorite books of last year, and when I was asked to be a part of this blog tour, I jumped so fast! I did a reread of ook one, because I wanted to enjoy it again before I read book 2 and man oh man was it a good choice. I loved book one just as much the second time around and I loved book 2 just as much, which is no easy feat! This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy series because it has everything I look for in a fantasy novel…great characters, an interesting complex plot, fantastic world building and plenty of awesome political intrigue/court politics and secrets to keep readers guessing and riveted to the story. If you have not yet checked out the Fate of Eyrinthia series, you are missing out because these are some awesome books.
In Royal Spy, now that we know the lay of the land we are in for a whirlwind of a ride. The stakes are high and there are a ton of players in this complex world. I love that we get to see this story through different kingdoms in this world. And in Royal Spy we are introduced to all kinds of new characters. We still have Clare and Bennick (whom I still lovee!) and Grayson and Mia (also love) but in this installment we get to know Grayson’s brothers Liam and Tyrell a lot better which I really appreciated. It added another layer of complexity to the story that I am totally digging, even though I have a feeling it may break my heart at some point. Desfan is also a really interesting character from the kingdom of Mortise. I loved seeing all of my old favorites and I was very intrigued by one of the new characters- The Rose. I won’t say anything else other than he certainly is an interesting addition to the books…(hehe)
Heather Frost can write complex characters like nobody’s business! She is as masterful at creating fully fleshed out multidimensional characters that will make you think and make you feel for them, as she is at creating a vast world with plotlines weaving all over the place. I am supremely impressed with her worldbuilding and writing with this series. Royal Spy has even more twists, turns, secrets and surprises that Royal Decoy did and thoroughly loved my reading experience. I did not want this book to be over, not only because the ending kind of killed me, but also because I want the third book in the series right this very moment. The Fate of Eyrinthia series is a hidden gem that I want to shout from the rooftops that more people should read. If you are a fan of fantasy, this is a series that you need in your life. I love it so much!
This series is an immensely readable story. Once I picked it up, I was done for. I couldn’t put it down for anything. I completely fell in love with Clare and the story. Heather Frost does just as fantastic a job with the world as she does with the characters. I felt the complex pull and tug of the different kingdoms. I felt all of their desperation to avoid attack, all the while the whole world sits poised at the edge of war. If you are a fan of fantasies featuring great characters and romance, an interesting complex plot told in multiple perspectives, fantastic world building and plenty of awesome political intrigue Royal Spy is a book you will love! It releases next week, and I think this is a book that should be on your radar! It is one of my favorite fantasy reads of the year! ...more
Ember of Night is the first book in the young adult paranormal romance series by the same name from author Molly E. Lee. This book took me by surpriseEmber of Night is the first book in the young adult paranormal romance series by the same name from author Molly E. Lee. This book took me by surprise in the best way! I absolutely loved Ember of Night. Not only could I not put it down, but I have been unable to think about anything else since I have finished this book last night. I need book two in my hands like a physical ache! I love the way Molly E. Lee writes romances. She writes the best character connections that slow burn into such an intense sizzle. This romance between Harley and Draven literally burst into flames and left me wanting so much more!
I loved everything about Ember of Night- the characters, the romance, the world building and the cliffhanger might actually kill me. Yea, I know I sound melodramatic, but what can I say this book just brings it out in me. Entangled teen writes some of the most addictive fantasy and paranormal romances. They publish books that speak to my swoon loving soul, and Ember of Night is one of my favorites. In Ember of Night, we meet our main character Harley. Harley has faced such disgusting and serious abuses at home from her father that she has been made to feel weak her whole life. But she is anything but weak. I admired the heck out of Harley. Her fierce desire to help her little half sister get a better life than her is so admirable. I loved her little sister Ray, even though I did feel like she is portrayed to be so much older than her seven years of age.
Harley, Ray and her best friend Kai are like their own little family unit along with her boss Nathan. And now let's talk about Draven. He was everything I love in a love interest. He is complex and thought provoking, strong and loyal. I loved watching him get closer and closer to Harley. Their romance honestly sizzled off the page for me. I was so addicted to it. ember of Night is an amazing romance, but it is also so much more. The plot of the story was fascinating. I will give you a short breakdown of the premise without trying to be spoilery. Unbeknownst to Harley, she is a Key that some very powerful demons would like to get a hold of. Because of this, she becomes a target for many, many demons as they try to capture her. Harley is obviously trying to stay alive but she also wants answers on just what role she plays in everything and just what on earth (or hell) is going on around her. I really enjoyed the plot. I thought Molly E. Lee did a fantastic job keeping us guessing, but also not keeping us so much in the dark that we got frustrated. She gave us tidbits of information at just the right moments so we stayed completely riveted and invested in the story. I was able to guess one of the big twists, but there are plenty of other things that took me by surprised. All in all, I absolutely loved this book. It is one of my favorite reads of 2021!
Bottom line: If you are a fan of paranormal romances that feature strong heroines, swoony love interests and a super strong plot that will keep you flipping pages until the end, Ember of Night is a book you will absolutely devour. I loved Ember of Night and I think you will too!...more
*Note: This is the Third book in a series that is best enjoyed if read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book one*Note: This is the Third book in a series that is best enjoyed if read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book one HERE and book two HERE*
The Evolution of Fae and Gods is the third book in the new adult/adult fantasy romance series, called Chronicles of the Stone Veil, by Sawyer Bennett. I absolutely loved the first two books in this series. I am obsessed with this series, and I am super happy to report that each of the books in this series are releasing really closely together, which is fantastic because I absolutely positively NEED book 4 in my hands right now! If you are a fan of adult fantasies featuring fae and demons, then this is a must read series for you. I think it might be my favorite Sawyer Bennett series yet!
The Evolution of Fae and Gods picks up right after A Discovery of Secrets and Fate left off, on that heck of a cliffhanger. View Spoiler »Stopping the prophecy is what this whole installment is about, with plenty of character backstories sprinkled throughout, which made me love Carrick even more. Something I didn’t think was even possible. But romance lovers will rejoice, because Carrick and Finley finally give in to this crazy attraction and connection they feel for one another, and I loved every single second of their romantic interactions. This book was so much more romantic and swoony than the first two, because it seemed like the second that Carrick decided to give it a go with Finley he jumped right into the deep end. It was awesome!
In The Evolution of Fae and Gods, most of the chapters are from still from Finley’s point of view, but every once in a while we will get a Carrick chapter. I love the Carrick chapters most of all, and I still wishing for even more of them in the next book. We seemed to get a couple more in this installment and I drank them up! I am so invested in these characters and them beating the propehcy. We do get some more answers in this book, but we are left with so many missing pieces of the puzzle still. The ending of The Evolution of Fae and Gods killed me! Not only does it end on a cliffhanger like all of the previous installments, but it honestly broke my heart. I need the next book because I need to see how they will work their way out of this situation, and I want more Finley and Carrick. I just love the two of them so much!
Bottom line: Fans of fantasies featuring light and dark fae set in our world will devour the Chronicles of the Stone Veil. I loved this book. It is one of my favorite series of 2021 so far, and I have a feeling this series is only going to get even better with the last few books. It has favorite series written all over it for me. Bring on book four right now!...more
Gleam is the third book in the Plated Prisoner series by the amazing Raven Kennedy. The Plated Prisoner series is a dark adult fantasy King Midas reteGleam is the third book in the Plated Prisoner series by the amazing Raven Kennedy. The Plated Prisoner series is a dark adult fantasy King Midas retelling, and it also happens to be my newest favorite series of all time. In case you were wondering, my previous favorite series was the Heart Hassle series, also by Raven Kennedy. That should tell you all you need to know about her books. So if you want my short review- here it is: Read Raven Kennedy's books. She is amazing, this series is amazing and it has not gotten enough love. If you need more convincing, read on.
Gleam picks up right where Glint left off, on that crazy cliffhanger. We travel back to that room with Auren and Commander Rip and I am just as shook as Auren was in that moment. The cliffhanger at the end of Glint took me totally by surprise and left me unable to think about much else in the months coming up to Gleam's release. In case you need a quick refresher, Auren is King Midas' favored- his gold touched saddle. While on the way to meet King Midas his newly acquired fifth kingdom, Auren and the other Saddles were taken by pirates and then intercepted by the feared army of the fourth kingdom- King Rot's army. While held captive of King Rot's army Auren learned more about freedom and about herself than she ever did while living in the golden luxury of King Midas' court in the sixth kingdom. In Gleam, Auren and the saddles are returned to Midas but Auren is not the same caged woman she was when she left, and Midas does not particularly like her new attitude.
Gleam is all about Auren finding her courage, strength independence. I loved watching Auren bloom and shine all on her own. This series has such fantastic character progression. The writing and storytelling is so strong, and these books are a magic begging for you to discover. The romance also amps up a lot in this book and the steamy scenes are pure perfection. #Auripforver , which is all I am going to say about the romance, but trust me, the romance is so worth the wait of the first two books. It is amazing, couple goals and book boyfriend goals! In addition to the romance heating up, we also learn a lot more about Midas, Auren and Commander Rip. There are so many plot twists that I honestly did not see coming. I like to think I am pretty good at picking out a plot twist, but Raven Kennedy can drop a bomb on you like no body's business. She is the queen of keeping readers on their toes, and all of the twists and turns in this book were crazy. Some were complete perfection, while others utterly gutted me. I am still not ok thinking about some of them.
These books are such a special treat to discover and savor, which is what I did with Gleam. I savored it. It is a big boy at over 600 pages and when I came across powerful passages or sexy passages or jaw dropping passages, I read them a few times before moving on, because this book and this series honestly made me fall so deeply in love. I don't want these books to be over. I just want to keep enjoying them over and over again, which is really saying something. Raven Kennedy is such a wonderful writer. She deserves more attention because her books are incredibly captivating. I have read almost all of her books (savannah heirs, I'm coming for you next) and I love all of her series, whether they are funny, dark, sexy, standalones or series, they are all so fantastic. She writes characters that worm their way into your heart and your head and before you know it, they are all you can think about. Her books are like falling in love for the first time- they are heady and exciting and completely all consuming. If you are looking for your next favorite read with your newest best friends, complex characters that you need to root for and of course amazingly hot book boyfriends, look no further than Raven Kennedy books.
The Plated Prisoner series is a perfect place to start. The first three books are out now and they are completely perfect. I love this series so much. It is my favorite series of all time, and I am willing to bet that if you pick it up it will become a favorite of yours as well. Gleam is my favorite book in the series, but it is hard to pick a favorite because they are all so so good! ...more
*Note: This is the second book in a series that is best enjoyed if read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book on*Note: This is the second book in a series that is best enjoyed if read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book one HERE*
A Discovery of Secrets and Fate is the second book in the new adult/adult fantasy romance series, called Chronicles of the Stone Veil, by Sawyer Bennett. I absolutely loved book one- The Revelation of Light and Dark. It gripped me like a book has not done in a long time. While I didn't think it was possible, I loved book two even more than book 1! I am now obsessed with this series, and I am super happy to report that each of the books in this series are releasing really closely together, which is fantastic because I absolutely positively NEED book 3 in my hands right now! If you are a fan of adult fantasies featuring fae and demons, then this is a must read series for you. I think it might be my favorite Sawyer Bennett series yet!
A Discovery of Secrets and Fate picks up right after The Revelation of Light and Dark left off, on that heck of a cliffhanger. [spoiler]Finley just watched her twin sister Fallon turn into a super evil super bad dark fae right before her eyes.[/spoiler] Finley, Carrick and the gang all have to take this new information in and decide what their next steps will be. It is here that Finley finally finds out about the prophecy that Carrick learned in the first book. And we get to go on an adventure into Faere to try and devine more information about the prophecy. I loved this because it felt like the adventure was really starting. We have gotten a good foundation on the world, and the characters and now it is time to really build on that knowledge and watch everyone spur to action. I loved the plot of this book so much. Sawyer Bennett does a fantastic job weaving an emotional and high stakes story.
And can we just talk about the romantic/sexual tension between Finley and Carrick. Oh man, I loved it so much! Not a ton happens in terms of actual romance, but the slow burn is building and burning even hotter and I loved every second of it. Most of the chapters are from Finley's point of view, but every once in a while we will get a Carrick chapter. I would love to see even more chapters from his point of view in the next book because they are always so delicious and packed full of great insight moments into his head. I cannot wait to see this romance ramp up in the next book.
A Discovery of Secrets and Fate also leaves us off on one heck of a cliff hanger, just like the first book! I love learning more information about Finley and the prophecy and I can't wait for the next book. This series is so addictive, and I am totally hoping for more hot glances and romance in the next book. I love Finley and Garrick, and I am personally hoping that Pyke makes another appearance because I want to see some Jealously eek out of Garrick!
Bottom line: Fans of fantasies featuring light and dark fae set in our world will devour the Chronicles of the Stone Veil. I loved this book. It is one of my favorite books of 2021 so far, and I have a feeling this series is only going to get even better. It has favorite series written all over it for me. Bring on book three right now! I loved A Discovery of Secrets and Fate so much!...more
Please Note: This is the second book in a series that needs to be read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book onePlease Note: This is the second book in a series that needs to be read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book one, Fireborne HERE
Flamefall is the second book in the young adult fantasy series, called The Aurelian Cycle by author Rosaria Munda. I have fallen in love with this series so hard! I am completely enraptured by this world, their political problems and the plot. It is all pure magic. To say I am impressed by Rosaria Munda's writing and storytelling ability and world building is the understatement of the century. If you are a fan of politically driven fantasy worlds, then the Aurelian Cycle is a must read series. It is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time, and I don't feel like it gets nearly the attention and acclaim it deserves. I want more people to read this series so they can become obsessed with it like I am. Flamefall is one of the best books I have read in 2021. I think I might have loved it even more than the first book, which is no easy feat!
In Flamefall, we join our main characters just days after the crazy events of Fireborne. Where Lee has just done something super hard, and now this post-revolution fantasy world is edging closer and closer to full blown war. In case you need a quick reminder of the world setup in the Aurelian Cycle- this political landscape is a world overthrown by a revolution, where the old regime has been over thrown and a new merit-based regime has taken its' place. The old regime was referred to as a triarchy, where three royal families ruled together and passed down leadership through their bloodlines. The royal families, or dragonlords, were the riders of dragons, which served as the kingdom's aerial defense. Under the new regime, royal titles are thrown out and a merit based class system has taken it's place. Here anyone, no matter their birth right, can test into a higher class and a better lifestyle. Children all go to school and all take a merit test early on which will determine their job sector and their lifestyle.
But now that the world is at war again, the new regime is facing it's first famine, and the inner struggles bring a whole new wave of political unrest and problems. I said it before in my first review, and I will say it again here with Flamefall- Rosaria Munda is a master at weaving a devastatingly complex political landscape. I am in awe over how nuanced and multifaceted all of the issues are. Nothing is black and white- not even the good guys vs. the bad guys. Everything in this series lives in the much more interesting shades of grey. Watching the characters delve into the nuances of the old regime vs. the new regime was so fascinating. Not to mention the conflicts that each of the characters face. All of the characters face hard decisions, and their relationships with one another are also so complex. I find everything about this book fascinating and compelling. Rosaria Munda has created a world that has taken up permanent residence in my head. I can't stop thinking about Callipolis and New Pythos.
In Flamefall we get to see a glimpse in the other side of the war. We journey to New Pythos, where we meet a new character, Griff. Flamefall is told in multiple points of view, including Annie, Lee and now Griff as they each navigate the harsh realities of war and making very complicated decisions that come with being pivotal players in said war. I really enjoyed Griff. He is a lowborn dragon rider for New Pythos, but they treat lowborns very differently than Callipolis does. New Pythos felt very much like a traditional throw back to the old regime and it was a political structure that I commonly see in fantasy worlds. I still really love Lee as a character. I liked Annie as well, but there were certainly times I was disappointed in her. She has her own set of internal struggles and difficulties paid out before her, but sometimes I just wish she made different choices. Overall, I was really happy with her progress as a character but Lee carved out a special place in my heart in a way that Annie has not managed to do yet. That being said, I am so invested in all of their stories that I am desperate to get my hands on book 3. Flamefall totally destroyed me, and I need to know what is going to happen next. This book was super emotional for me because I was so invested in the story. Rosaria Munda has created a series that will always hold a very special place in my heart. I love these books so much.
The Aurelian Cycle is a brilliant series. Rosaria Munda has created a fascinatingly complex world with really layered and nuanced politics. This novel was so thought provoking and such a compelling read that the more I read of it, the less I was able to put it down. She transported me directly into the minds of these characters. I felt every struggle right alongside them, and I loved every second of this journey. If you have not yet read this series, you need to! It is a masterpiece of young adult fantasy. One of the fantasy series I have ever read!...more
Enjoy the View is the third book in the adult contemporary romance series called Moose Springs, Alaska by Sarah Morgenthaler. Though this is the thirdEnjoy the View is the third book in the adult contemporary romance series called Moose Springs, Alaska by Sarah Morgenthaler. Though this is the third book in the series, each of the books act as standalones, set in the same world. They each follow a different main couple, but there is character crossover throughout the series. Enjoy the View is the first book I picked up in the Moose Springs, Alaska series but I was so charmed by the town, the writing and characters that I immediately want to go back and read the first and the second books in the series.
In Enjoy The View we meet our main characters, River and Easton. River and her crew are filming a travel promo on the town of Moose Springs for the Alaska tourism board, and they are met with quite some resistance because no one in the town of Moose Springs wants tourists to come…can you say awkward. After a series of failed filming attempts and a series of run ins with town grump Easton, River and her Team decide to film climbing up a dangerous mountain to get some good wildlife and scenery shots. And it turns out their guide is none other than our leading man himself- Easton!
I thought River and Easton were pure magic together. I loved watching them butt heads and push each other out of their comfort zones. It was awesome to read because their chemistry sizzled and leap off the page. I couldn’t get enough of the two of them. Sarah Morgenthaler did such a fantastic job creating so many heat filled moments between the two of them. I can’t wait to read more from her because if her other couples have half the chemistry that River and Easton have, they are going to be great! If you are a fan of funny contemporary romances with hate to love, witty banter and plenty of heat and heart, Enjoy the View is a great book for you to check out. I loved this story and I can’t wait for more from this author....more
A Crown of Echoes is the first book in the New Adult fantasy romance series by the same name from author Brindi Quinn. I really enjoyed this book, andA Crown of Echoes is the first book in the New Adult fantasy romance series by the same name from author Brindi Quinn. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to continue on with this series. January has been an odd reading month for me. I have either LOVED books or really didn't like them at all, so I was a little nervous when I first picked up A Crown of Echoes because I had such high hopes for this book. I loved everything a bout it's first impression- it has a beautiful cover, the summary sounds like a fantasy book that is right up my alley. And I am now happy to report that A Crown of Echoes falls into the love it category! This book was great, and I am super excited to continue on with the series!
In A Crown of Echoes we meet our main character, Queen Merrin who goes out in search of her friend, and Queen of a neighboring kingdom- Queen Beau. First of all, I loved seeing Queens that are friends with each other. What a nice change of pace. Merrin is the type of main character that I love! She is loyal and strong and delightful to read about. I loved seeing a free spirit as a queen. Merrin felt like a fresh and unique main character, and I can't wait to see what is in store for her in the next book!
I also really enjoyed the romance in A Crown of Echoes between Merrin and Windley. The romance was just as vibrant and exciting as all of the characters present in the story, which is really saying something because Merrin is a life force all on her own! I'm very excited to learn more about the world, folklore and magic associated with the lands in the next books. It is super interesting and I feel like Brindi Quinn has so much more in store for us in the coming novels. If you are looking for a fast paced fantasy romance with vibrant characters, look no further than the Crown of Echoes series! I really enjoyed this book and need to read the sequel ASAP. ...more
The Revelation of Light and Dark is the first book in the new adult/adult fantasy romance series, called Chronicles of the Stone Veil, by Sawyer BenneThe Revelation of Light and Dark is the first book in the new adult/adult fantasy romance series, called Chronicles of the Stone Veil, by Sawyer Bennett. I have read several contemporary books by author Sawyer Bennett in the past and I have loved all of them, so when I saw that she has a fantasy book featuring fae coming out, I couldn't jump on the opportunity to read it quick enough. And man, oh man am I glad that I did, because The Revelation of Light and Dark gripped me like a book has not done in a long time. I loved this story and these characters so much and I may actually die unless I can get my hands on book 2 right now! (luckily, if you loved this book as much as I did, we don't have very long to wait....book 2 is set to release on March 2!)
In The Revelation of Light and Dark we meet our main character, 27 year old Finley. Finley is a twin, and for her whole life she has dealt with what she calls, mental issues. When she meets the rich and mysterious Carrick, he not only seems to hate her upon first glance, but he also tells her that she is not crazy and what she sees are not hallucinations, but are actually an ability to see past the "veil" and see past glamour's that Fae and Daemons can put up to appear as humans.
Much of The Revelation of Light and Dark is Finley and Garrick trying to figure out what Finley, as a human, can see beyond the veil. Even though this book is very foundational to the rest of the series, and not a ton of action occurs, I was fascinated with learning as much about these worlds, light fae, dark fae and daemons as I could alongside of Finley. I loved the glimpses of the super slow burn enemies to lovers romance that is going on between Garrick and Finley. In fact, there is very little actual romance in this book, but there is plenty of hot glances and simmers jumping off the page between our main characters. I cannot wait to see this romance ramp up in the next book.
The Revelation of Light and Dark also leaves us off on one heck of a cliff hanger! We are starting to see little pieces of a mysterious prophecy come to fruition and I am on the edge of my seat to see what is going to happen next. I think book two is going to be packed with action, romance (hopefully) more answers and lots more Garrick (yay!) I love Finley and Garrick, and I am personally hoping that Michael makes another appearance because I want to see some Jealously eek out of Garrick!
Bottom line: Fans of fantasies featuring light and dark fae set in our world will devour the Chronicles of the Stone Veil. I loved this book. It is one of my favorite books of 2021 so far, and I have a feeling this series is only going to get even better. It has favorite series written all over it for me. Bring on book two right now! I loved The Revelation of Light and Dark so much!...more
Glint is the second book in the adult fantasy romance series, called The Plated Prisoner Series, by the amazing Raven Kennedy. Raven Kennedy is quicklGlint is the second book in the adult fantasy romance series, called The Plated Prisoner Series, by the amazing Raven Kennedy. Raven Kennedy is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite authors. She writes the most addictive books with the best characters, and I loved Glint even more than I loved Gild. This series is a dark reimaging of the story of King Midas and I am completely obsessed with it. I just finished a re-read of the series to prep me for the upcoming release of book 3- Gleam, and I loved the series even more the second time around. I think this series is a hidden gem and I want EVERYONE to read it!
As a quick refresher-we have Auren, who is the favored gold touched pet of King Midas. Midas keeps Auren in a fancy gold plated cage for everyone to see as a symbol of his power, and in the first book she was captured on her way to meet Midas in a neighboring kingdom that he was taking over. Glint picks up with Auren as a prisoner of King Rot's army. The army is led by the fearsome Commander Rip. I love Auren and I really, really love Rip.
Once I started reading Glint, I was completely sucked into this world. I could not put this book down. Both times I read it, I stayed up late into the night because I was obsessed with these characters and this story. You can certainly see hints into what is going to be a fantastic romance. I am completely in love with Auren and Rip (#Aurip forever!) Not only does the connection between Auren and Rip heat up in this book, but we also learn a lot more about the world and the lost seventh kingdom. Though I guessed one of the big twists from the first book, Raven Kennedy completely took me by surprise with the twist in Glint. Talk about a jaw dropping moment! The ending left me desperate for the third book!
I have not been able to think about anything else except book 3 for almost 2 months now. I dream about this series and find myself daydreaming about it at all hours of the day. My obsession is real, and I think yours will be to if you check out this series. Now is the perfect time to start because the third book releases at the end of May! If you are a fan of dark fantasies featuring interesting magic with magnetic characters and fantastic writing, the Plated Prisoners is a must read series. It is quickly become one of my favorite series of all time, and Raven Kennedy is a must read auto buy author in my opinion. If you have not yet checked out her books you are really missing out on something amazing!...more
Gild is the first book in the adult fantasy romance series, called The Plated Prisoner Series, by the amazing Raven Kennedy. Raven Kennedy is quickly Gild is the first book in the adult fantasy romance series, called The Plated Prisoner Series, by the amazing Raven Kennedy. Raven Kennedy is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite authors. She writes the most addictive books with the best characters! Gild is a bit different and quite a bit darker than the other books I have read from Raven Kennedy. It is a dark reimaging of the story of King Midas and I was completely obsessed with it. Book two, Glint releases today and I stayed up way too late binge reading both books this weekend. If you are a fan of dark adult fantasies, then the Plated Prisoner series is a must read for you to check out!
In Gild we meet our main character Auren, who is the favored gold touched pet of King Midas. Midas keeps Auren in a fancy gold plated cage for everyone to see as a symbol of his power. I found Auren's cage and relationship with Midas to be fascinating. Her cage spans the entire top floor the castle, with cages built into every room and barred walkways connecting all the room so she can roam kind of freely around the castle. It's interesting because at the start of the book Auren very much wants to be in her cage to keep her safe. From what, we don't know. But we do know that she has had a very rough life as an orphan living on the streets until Midas rescued her. She has known him since before he was king, which explains a lot of their connection. She feels very indebted to Midas for saving her life. She accompanied him to the castle as he married the Queen and became the king with the golden touch.
I loved Auren. She is fascinating. I figured out one of her secrets early on, but Raven Kennedy still managed to surprise me several times throughout the book. Book one does a great job setting up the world. In the Plated Prisoner series, the land is split up onto six kingdoms, and when Midas takes over a neighboring kingdom he sends for his favored and his other royal "saddles" (think fancy concubine) to join him in the neighboring land. Along the way, the caravan gets stolen away and the story gets even more interesting. I don't want to reveal too much, but I loved every bit of this story. Even though this is going to be a fantasy romance, there is almost no real romance in book one, but don't let that be off putting to you. After reading book 2, I am even more in love with this series and I already know I am going to love the romance. If you are a fan of dark fantasies featuring interesting magic with magnetic characters and fantastic writing, the Plated Prisoners is a must read series. Raven Kennedy has announced that it will be at least 4 books long, and I am already in DESPERATE need of book 3!...more
Bright Wicked is the first book in the new adult fantasy romance Bright Wicked series by Everly Frost. This is my first book that I have had the pleasBright Wicked is the first book in the new adult fantasy romance Bright Wicked series by Everly Frost. This is my first book that I have had the pleasure of reading from Everly Frost, but it will not be my last. I fell in love with her characters, her world building and her writing style so much, I now want to binge read all of her series. I am so excited to have found Bright Wicked and Everly Frost because not only did I find a new series that I am in love with, but I think I might have found a new favorite author! If you are a fan of fantasy romances that feature Fae, Bright Wicked is a book that you will love! I know I did!
In Bright Wicked, we meet out main character Aura, who is the Queen’s champion- the highest ranked fighter in the land! She is higher than the heads of the Queen’s day guard and night guard. The world in Bright Wicked is such a cool set up. I have read a lot of fae stories (they are my favorite) so I have seen a lot of fantasy worlds with the different courts, but I haven’t seen any quite like Bright Wicked. Here the fae either have day powers of the seasons, or nighttime based powers, but they all live under one court, which was a unique concept. All fae live in the Bright. Their enemies are divided by the deadly glitter fields, and they are called the Fell. Our story starts with Aura patrolling the woods on the fae/fell border when she runs into a fell warrior, who turns out to be the Fell King’s champion, and the law of champions is invoked. I was so fascinated by the law of champions the more I learned about it. Everly Frost does such a fantastic job with her descriptions, the land of Bright came to life before my eyes. The law of champions gives Aura and Nathaniel 3 days to defeat one another on behalf of their sovereign ruler.
I am so intrigued by the mysterious Nathaniel. I cannot wait to get to know him and discover more of his secrets in the next book. Bright Wicked takes place over the course of Day 1 of the Champion curse. Book 2 over day 2 and book 3 over the final day. I love this set up but only because it is so well done. Nothing about Bright Wicked felt rushed at all. Honestly I am so surprised that Everly Frost managed to cram in as much action and detail as she in the span of this book and in the span of one day without sacrificing any of the details of the events, world or characters. This book was fantastically done. I am so in love with Aura, Nathaniel and their Thunderbird companions. I hope we get to see more of Treble and the other thunderbirds in the next book!
The plot of Bright Wicked was so intriguing to me. I loved unwinding everything right along side of Aura. Aura is such a powerful and special fae. I love the brightness of her heart and of her powers. She is one of the most rare type of fae- she wields starlight, and it can be super powerful and deadly. I can’t wait to learn more about her and her glow in the next installment. Heck I am just super anxious to continue on reading this series. I am in love with the book, the world and the characters! This is one of my favorite fantasy romances of 2020, and I think it is a great series to check out if you are a fan of fantasy romances that feature Fae. It is an excellent story!...more
Enemy Zone is the first book in the contemporary romance Trident Rescue series by author Alex Lidell. I have read several of Alex's paranormal and fanEnemy Zone is the first book in the contemporary romance Trident Rescue series by author Alex Lidell. I have read several of Alex's paranormal and fantasy series, but this is the first time I am reading a contemporary series by her, and I have to say Enemy Zone was just as magically as her fantasy series! I completely loved this book! It is my favorite contemporary romance read of the year! (even though it doesn't release until 2021) I loved everything about this book- I loved the characters, I loved their chemistry and romance and I loved the Trident Rescue guys. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I am super bummed that I will probably have to wait a good long while because Enemy Zone does not even release until January 2021.
In Enemy Zone we meet our main characters, Cullen and Skylar. The book is told in dual narrative between the two of them and I loved this narration style because it was so much fun to dive into each of their heads. Cullen and his 3 friends have all served in the military and came back home after service to start up various businesses in the town of Denton Valley. I think at least one of them comes from family money of some kind to start bank rolling these businesses but they are all loaded and they basically own a large portion of the town. Trident Rescue is a private EMT team, headed up by the four guys in their spare time. In Enemy Rescue we see Cullen on the scene of a car accident when a new reporter from the town gossip publication comes up to ask questions. Skylar and Cullen are basically hate at first sight. I loved watching the two of them go toe to toe over everything and anything. They are one feisty pair!
When Skylar finds herself as the new dispatch at Trident Rescue to earn some extra money while she is chasing her dream of becoming a journalist, things in this book really picked up. Skylar's past is a large part of the plot of this book, and I don't want to spoil anything but this is first and foremost a romance novel and the romance was perfect! It was quick witted, full of banter and super sexy! I loved every second of this book, and I am already itching to get my hands on book two in the Trident Rescue series!...more
*Note: this review may contain spoilers. This is the second book in a series that should be read in order. If you are new to this series, you can 4.5/5
*Note: this review may contain spoilers. This is the second book in a series that should be read in order. If you are new to this series, you can check out my review of book one- The Darkest Star HERE*
The Burning Shadow is the second book in the young adult Origin series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The Origin series is a young adult paranormal/sci fi romance featuring aliens. It is a spin off of her Lux series, but you do not need to read that series first if you don't want to. I have not read the Lux series yet, but because I am loving the Origin series so much, I can't wait to pick up all the books in the Luc series and binge read them! I am not the biggest fan of aliens, but Luc, Emery Zoe and the whole gang are really making me rethink my position on aliens. I loved The Burning Shadow. It has even more twists and turns than the first book and it is by far my favorite Alien series that I have ever read.
The Burning Shadow takes place right after the events of the first book, and Evie is reeling from the bombshell that was dropped on her- that she used to be someone else entirely. Even though I saw this coming while I was reading the first book in the series, I never could have predicted everything that would mean for Evie as so many things come to light in this installment. I was so excited while reading this book because there was so much going on. We have Evie's ex friend April who is protesting the Luxen. We have the mystery surrounding what was done to Evie. We have the mysterious message that was delivered by crazy Micah, and we have growing tensions all over the world. Not to mention the mysterious illness that is spreading around, killing people. When I first picked up this book and I saw a flu like sickness killing people, ,I thought "Oh no! this is going to hit wayy too close to home." But this is no normal sickness because those that do not die, do change. This book felt creepier than the first book and I loved every single second of it! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading.
And the romance aspect was great. Evie and Luc still crackle off the page! I just love the two of them, and I have such a soft spot for Luc. I love how protective he is of Evie and I loved that their romance amped up in The Burning Shadow. If you liked The Darkest Star, then you will love The Burning Shadow even more. I know I did! I cannot wait to read the next book and continue on with this series. This ending has left me super happy to have the next book ready to go because it is intense. The origin series is perfect for fans of paranormal romance and science fiction alike. I love the Origin series so much!
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