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
Our Violent Ends is the second book in the These Violent Delights duet by author Chloe Gong. This duology is set in historical 1920s Shanghai, China aOur Violent Ends is the second book in the These Violent Delights duet by author Chloe Gong. This duology is set in historical 1920s Shanghai, China and is a fresh reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, with gang wars, action and romance galore. I loved both of the books in the These Violent Delights duology. I thought the atmospheric writing and description that Chloe Gong woven into this tale was simply magical. (Violent...but magical). I couldn't put this books down. I binge read them in about a day and half! I have seen a few readers term these books as slow, but I honestly disagree. I thought the rich detail throughout the story really enhanced my reading experience. I was transported to the glitz, the glamor and bloody world of Shanghai, and I fell in love with these characters, their story and their romance. I had high moments and plenty of sad low moments while reading, and I loved every second of them! If you are looking for a fresh take on Romeo and Juliet, look no further then These Violent Delights and Our Violent End! I loved them and I can't wait to see what author Chloe Gong brings us next!
Our Violent Ends picks up after that heck of a crazy ending from These Violent Delights. After reading the ending of book one, I was so happy that I had an ARC of book two to pick up so I didn't have to wait . (binge reading for the win!) In Our Violent Ends, Juliette and Roma have to band together to face a bigger enemy in Shanghai. There are major Communist vs. Nationalist undercurrents in both of these books with paired really well with the time period they took place in. I rather enjoyed that aspect of the story because I am big history nerd, and tensions were appropriately high.
Knowing the story of Romeo and Juliette, I had an idea of where this book was going to take us, but I was not able to predict how emotional the journey was going to be. I love Chloe Gong's writing, she knows how to tell an impactful, engaging and emotional story! Our Violent Ends is a fantastic ending to a fantastic duology. I am not going to lie, these books had me stressed out while I was reading them...in the best way. I loved the writing, the world, the characters. Chloe Gong hit it out of the park with Our Violent Ends! I loved this book! ...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
Briarheart is a middle grade/young adult crossover fantasy by Mercedes Lackey. I think Briarheart would appeal both to upper middle grade readers and Briarheart is a middle grade/young adult crossover fantasy by Mercedes Lackey. I think Briarheart would appeal both to upper middle grade readers and younger YA readers. The main character Miri is 15 years old, but she felt like a young 15. I enjoyed the world that Mercedes Lackey created and I liked the characters, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss some romance in the story. Briarheart is a sleeping beauty retelling, and I loved seeing a retelling gears towards a younger audience. I would very much enjoy to see another book set in this world.
In Briarheart, we meet our main character Miriam, or Miri. Miri's father was best friends with the King of their small kingdom, and after his death The king married Miri's mother and moved them both into his home. My favorite element of Briarheart was all of the positive relationships. I loved the King and how wonderful he was to Miri and her mother. I loved how Miri loved and wanted to protect her younger sister Aurora. And I loved Miri's friends. It was so refreshing to see healthy, happy relationships and not have people be cruel just for a plot point. I loved that aspect of the story so much!
Our story really kicks off when baby Aurora was being Christened, and a dark fae showed up to curse her. Miri somehow was ale to stop the dark fae by showing a big secret magical ability that she had no idea she possessed. This sets off a chain of events for Miri to learn more about her abilities so she can be Aurora's protector. I loved this twist on the classic sleeping beauty tale, and I loved the depiction of the light fae and dark fae. I do wish that we got to learn a bit more about the fae. This is something I am hoping will be explored if there are future books set in this world.
Overall, Briarheart was a quick read, I think younger readers will enjoy. Briarheart is perfect for upper middle grade readers and younger YA readers who are looking for a fun fantasy/fairytale retelling and who love to see positive friends and family relationships depicted. I enjoyed Briarheart. ...more
Love, Comment, Subscribe is the first book in the sexy rom com series, Ponto Beach Reunion, by Cathy Yardley. I love Cathy’s books! They are always a Love, Comment, Subscribe is the first book in the sexy rom com series, Ponto Beach Reunion, by Cathy Yardley. I love Cathy’s books! They are always a good time- fun, sweet and romantic. And I love that this book featuring influencers. I am always fascinated by social media portrayals in books and youtubers, beauty gurus, etc showing up in my fiction. I get a real kick out of it. I love the idea of checking in on a high school class several years later, so I know I am going to love this series.
In Love, Comment, Subscribe we meet our main characters Lily and Tobin, who were both part of the Nerd Herd in high school (same here). Now they are both youtube influencers- Tobin in gaming and Lily in the beauty sphere. I really enjoyed seeing a behind the scenes if you will of the influencer arena, because I found it totally relatable- all of the work that goes on behind the scenes, the planning, the brainstorming, the insecurity that your content might be a total flop, the burnout and discouragement when you don’t feel seen, and the very real tolls it can take mentally and physically on you. I think Cathy Yardley did a fantastic job addressing all of that, and she does it with a wonderful rom com woven throughout. Love, Comment, Subscribe was a delight to read!
Tobin and Lily have excellent chemistry and I was rooting for them hardcore! If you are a fan of romantic comedies and you love influencer “drama”, then look no further than Love, Comment, Subscribe. I loved this book!...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
Tempest is the first book in the Veil Chronicles by author C.J. Campbell. The Veil Chronicles is a young adult fantasy romance series, and I really enTempest is the first book in the Veil Chronicles by author C.J. Campbell. The Veil Chronicles is a young adult fantasy romance series, and I really enjoyed the first book. There is a lot going on and packed into this 300 page book, and it was a wild ride! There are some really cool characters and creatures present in the world that C.J. created and I can't wait to see what is in store for our main character, Lexi in the next book. I think this book is good for even younger readers of YA, because the main character starts out feeling very young. I think she matures as the book goes on, but that is something I wanted to point out.
In Tempest, we meet Lexi, who has basically been on the run with her parents for her whole life. Lexi was born with a genetic gift that made her basically impervious to physical wounds but her gift is also accompanied with physical disfigurements that she hates. Lexi is tired of hiding, and in an attempt to live a more "normal" life she enrolls in classes at her local college, where she meet Connor who has plenty of secrets of his own. From there things get even stranger, in the magical sense. Lexi, Connor and his brother Killian discover a new magical world, full of secret identities, magical creatures and danger galore. I really enjoyed the world that C.J. Campbell created. I was initially confused a bit, but after the first several chapters, I gained my bearings with the world and characters and then everything flowed smoothly from there.
Overall, this was a fun and interesting read. Lexi and Connor both have impressive character arcs and growth. I loved the self acceptance that I was starting to see from them. Lexi is a really easy character to root for. I also loved the celestial creatures concept and the celestial powers were cool. I can't wait to see more about on that front in the next book. I can't wait for book 2 so I can see what is going to happen next!...more
The Witch Haven is a young adult historical paranormal by debut author Sasha Peyton Smith. As soon as I saw this book was described as The Last MagiciThe Witch Haven is a young adult historical paranormal by debut author Sasha Peyton Smith. As soon as I saw this book was described as The Last Magician meets The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy I was all in! And it did not disappoint. I believe there will be follow up novels following these characters, though I don't know that for certain, but the ending of The Witch Haven gave me good reason to believe that we have not seen the last of Frances and her gang of friends (and love interests), which makes me very very happy.
I really enjoyed everything about this book. I loved the characters. There are both good and bad, and all the shades of morally grey in between. I also loved that some of the characters totally surprised me! I loved the historical setting (the book is set in New York City in the early 1900s) and the boarding school setting, and I am really hoping that we get more books in this world with these characters. Overall, I felt like the pacing in this book was good. There were a few moments and scenes that felt like they dragged a bit, but whenever overall there was so much happening and so many twists and turns that The Witch Haven had no problem holding my attention throughout the story. I will note that there is a love triangle present in the book, so beware if that is not your cup of tea, but I really dug it!
In the Witch Haven Frances is whisked away to a secret boarding school for witches after she discovers she has powers, and the plot escalates from there. I enjoyed the themes that were woven throughout the story. Sasha Peyton Smith explores the ideas of morality in this have vs. have not world, as well as the bonds of friendship. I loved the whole gang of characters and the plot kept me guessing up until the end. This is a great witchy read that will appeal to both character driven readers and plot driven readers!...more
The Raven Thief is a young adult fantasy by Ashley Olivier, & is the first book in The Royal Thieves Trilogy. The premise of The Raven Thief gripped mThe Raven Thief is a young adult fantasy by Ashley Olivier, & is the first book in The Royal Thieves Trilogy. The premise of The Raven Thief gripped me right away. We have our main character Enya who is trying to take down a corrupt king and Crimson Witch, and while on her quest she runs into three princes who the world thought died years ago. They decide to all team up to track down magical artifacts needed to take down the Crimson Witch. I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the world set up. It is on the shorter side and the pacing is very fast all throughout, so the plot keeps progressing.
I look forward to getting to know the characters better in the next installment because I feel like there was a lot of story setup and plot setup (as is expected) so I didn't really get to know some of the characters on a deeper level. I would be really interesting to learn more about the Rebels and how they came to be and some of their backgrounds. I think there will be more time for that in books 2 and 3 and I am looking forward to it. Enya was a bit of mystery to me in terms of motivators. I liked her well enough, but I am waiting to see how she develops in the next book before I decide if I love her or not. I did admire everything she has been through and how she handles herself throughout the story. She is a tough cookie. The Princes were interesting, though at this time I do like some more than others, but more on that after I read book 2. I think my favorite part of the book was the friendship between Enya and Carson! Those two are completely adorable and I loved seeing such a strong friendship.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and I thought it set up the world really nicely. It is a fast paced adventure and it held my attention the whole time. I had some slight issues with the pacing of the story, because a lot happened in a relatively short amount of time. I do hope the next book in the trilogy is longer so I can relish in some of the character and plot details a little more, but overall this was a super fun read and I can't wait to continue on and see what happens next. Book one ends on a cliffhanger, so bring on book two right now please! ...more
Vespertine is a young adult supernatural standalone (maybe?) by Margaret Rogerson. I have loved Margaret's other books, so I was super excited to diveVespertine is a young adult supernatural standalone (maybe?) by Margaret Rogerson. I have loved Margaret's other books, so I was super excited to dive into Vespertine. And I am happy to say that Vespertine did not disappoint! I loved this book. I was a little hesitant for the first 30 pages or so, but just as I was about the put the book down temporarily, I became completely absorbed and the next thing I knew, hours had passed and I was done with the story. Vespertine did not have any romance in it, but honestly, it didn't need any. (I know, this is still Michelle writing this review, but it was such a fantastic story even without a romance.) Vespertine works well as a standalone, but I for one am hoping for more installments in this world and with these characters. I think Artemisia and the Revenant have more adventures in store for them.
In Vespertine, we meet out main character Artemisia who is training to be a nun because she is blessed with the sight, which leaves her vulnerable to being possessed by spirits. In this world, spirits are classified into different orders, mostly determined by the method or cause of their death. The higher the order number (1-5) the more powerful the spirit. A revenant is a order five spirit. Spirits in this world can be tied to a relic of some kind and then can be wielded by holy person if they are strong enough. Artemisia is very strong because she survived a possession when she was younger, and because of that, she is very skilled at resisting strong relics. Artemisia is a very closed off but interesting character. I enjoyed getting into her head and learning more about her and her past as the story unfolds. When Artemisia finds herself sharing her body with a Revenant, a new adventure for her begins. One where she needs to decide good from evil, uncover secrets and try to solve the mystery of who is reeking the havoc in the surrounding towns.
I absolutely loved the plot of Vespertine. This book kept me guessing until the end and made me so attached to all of the characters. I loved the exploration of religion, faith, and good and evil. The ending leaves me hopeful that there will be another book (or three) in this world. Vespertine is a book that you do not want to miss!...more
The Spindle Splintered is a re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty by Alix E. Harrow. This is a super quick, and fun read. In this version, we meet our main The Spindle Splintered is a re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty by Alix E. Harrow. This is a super quick, and fun read. In this version, we meet our main character Zinnia, who has a rare genetic disorder and who is obsessed with the story of Sleeping Beauty. To cheer her up, her friends throw her a sleeping beauty themed sleepover for her birthday. When Zinnia pricks her finger on the spinning wheel, she doesn't fall asleep. Instead she is transported to another dimension, where she finds a real life sleeping beauty princess.
Zinnia embarks on a quest to help this sleeping beauty from succumbing to the curse. If you are fan of books featuring strong female characters, and you love the idea of multiple dimensions and worlds being explored you will love this tale of Sleeping Beauty. I loved seeing all the different sleeping beauty princesses from different worlds all come together. It was a ton of fun. I loved Alix's writing, and it makes me really interested in checking out her other books. I do wish the book was a little longer, because the story did feel a little rushed, but if you are a fan of fast paced quick reads, I think you will really enjoy this multi-dimension sleeping beauty tale. This felt like a special coming of age tale with wonderful themes of girl power and female bonds. ...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
A Dragonbird in the Fern is a young adult fantasy by Laura Rueckert. I really enjoyed A Dragonbird in the Fern. I thought it was an easy and fun read.A Dragonbird in the Fern is a young adult fantasy by Laura Rueckert. I really enjoyed A Dragonbird in the Fern. I thought it was an easy and fun read. Though this book is a standalone, I’m not sure if there will be more books in this world. I am personally hoping to see another story or two set in this fantasy world that Laura Rueckert has created. I found this book to be a quick read, which is great for someone looking to dive into a standalone fantasy. I also loved the dyslexia rep found in this book.
In A Dragonbird in the Fern, we meet our main character Princes Jiara, who is set on avenging the death of her sister and finding her murderer. Her sister was to be married to the young king Raffar. When Jiara discovers a tattoo which links the murder to King Raffar’s land, she decides to take her sisters place and marry the King so she can continue on with her investigation. Jiara faces plenty of obstacles. She is a stranger in a strange land where she does not speak the language and has to deal with dyslexia to boot. I enjoyed watching Jiara and Raffar try to figure things out between the two of them. The language and dyslexia elements made their interactions even more interesting. I think even more interesting than the ghost plot (more on that in a second) I loved learning about the differing customs and traditions of the two kingdoms and seeing how Jiara and Raffar dealt with learning about those differences. I thought Laura Rueckert did an excellent job on giving us great cultural details throughout the book.
But this is no simple love story. Oh, no, there is a war brewing between kingdoms and ghosts afoot! Jiara’s sister, Scilla became an Earthwalker when she was murdered, which is a type of ghost or spirit, and she is haunting the land unable to rest until her killer is found. There is a lot packed into this book that I didn’t think there was ever a dull moment. The pace is fast, and at times I felt like some of the details were glossed over, and I found myself wishing for a little more detail in the characters and some of the events, but overall I had a great time reading A Dragonbird in the Fern....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
Faking Reality is a young adult contemporary by Sara Fujimura. I really enjoyed Sara’s last book, Every Reason we Shouldn’t, so when I saw she had a nFaking Reality is a young adult contemporary by Sara Fujimura. I really enjoyed Sara’s last book, Every Reason we Shouldn’t, so when I saw she had a new book coming out and that it was about a reality tv show family, I was soooo in! Faking Reality is a a super cute and fun read. I loved this book! Our main character Dakota is no stranger to the small spotlight. Her parents have had a home refurbishment show for longer than she has been alive. In fact, her birth and childhood became a major story plot of the show, so everyone feels like they know her, whether or not they have met in real life. I find that aspect of reality tv fascinating, and I was so interested to see it explored in Faking Reality.
The main focus of Faking Reality is Dakota’s (or Koty) relationship with her best friend, Leo and Koty’s 16th birthday. Because the TV has decided that they want to go all out and throw a major birthday bash, a la “My Super Sweet 16”- Style! Though this book was a ton of fun, there are some pretty heavy topics discussed. I loved delving into Japanese culture through food, history and traditions, but some of Japanese culture is tough to read about because some pretty horrible things happened, like with the Japanese Internment Camps in WWII. So be aware that some pretty heavy topics are brought up, but I so appreciated the way that Sara Fujimura incorporated them into the story.
The romance is also adorable and I loved getting to know all the characters. I think this book is a super fun read for fans of reality tv, because I love seeing some behind the scenes, prodding and nudging from producers, I love to see the juxtaposition of how people are portrayed on a show vs. how they are in real life. I loved seeing that play out in the story. That being said, I do wish we got to see a little more of the actual renovation aspect of the show (but that just might be the reality TV junkie in me. I just can’t pass up a reality tv show!) However, I did really appreciate watching Koty try to date and see her come out of her shell a little bit. If you are a fan of interesting characters, modern coming of age stories, and plenty of Japanese culture and food (yumm!), then Faking Reality is a great book for you to check out!...more
Curse of the Specter Queen is a young adult Samantha Knox series by Jenny Elder Moke. Curse of the Specter Queen is a young adult historical mystery aCurse of the Specter Queen is a young adult Samantha Knox series by Jenny Elder Moke. Curse of the Specter Queen is a young adult historical mystery adventure series set in the 1920s. I loved our main character Samantha, and this book was a ton of fun. I can't wait to join Sam and Joana on more adventures!
This story joins Sam as she journeys to Dublin to track down a mysterious diary that was given (and then stolen) to her. The diary outlines how to call forth the Celtic Specter Queen, also known as the Morrigan. The Specter Queen has a curse surrounding her, so Sam joins her friend Joana and Joana's brother Bennett and classmate Philip as they journey to Dublin to track down their professor who is researching the Specter Queen and the Hellfire Club, that is rumored to be cursed. I loved the 1920s setting so much! We get to journey on the Olympic, the Titanic's sister ship and we run into so many people. Who can Sam trust? Curse of the Specter Queen is so fast paced and action packed that there are no slow moments. I loved the pacing of this fun filled and at times creepy adventure.
My favorite characters were super smart sleuth Sam and her feisty as heck friend Joana. I love Jo! I liked Bennett well enough but he was not my favorite. He started out super nerdy cute (my favorite!) but soon he felt a little overbearing, and kind of annoying. I am interested to see how I feel about him in the next book now that him and Sam are in a better place.
Full of mystery, adventure and curses galore, this book was action packed and such a fun ride! I love that this is pitched as a gender swapped YA Indiana Jones. It did feel like that, and Sam is a fantastic treasure hunter code cracker. I love that she is such a historian and voracious reader. I bet she has so many fun adventures in store for her in the future, and I can't wait to read them!...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
Gutter Girl is a young adult contemporary romance by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount. It is the first book in the Twin river high series and I loved iGutter Girl is a young adult contemporary romance by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount. It is the first book in the Twin river high series and I loved it! I have read these authors together and individually and I am big fans of both of them. They are charming romances that are a ton of fun. I loved the idea behind Gutter Girl, and I think this book will be perfect for fans of YA contemporaries and fans of wattpad and fictionpress. (I used to love reading stories on fictionpress and fanfiction.net! Anyone else?)
In Gutter Girl we meet out main character, Jace who is your typically popular football player. Except, he has a secret. A secret that I freakin' loved...he writes romance books on an online website called scribbles, which is kind of like wattpad. I love Jace so much because how can you not love a romance/fantasy writing football player?? He is so adorable. When another football player finds Jace's writing notebook, another student named McKenna steps up and claims it's hers. And so starts our blackmail. I really enjoyed the back and forth between McKenna and Jace. I found them to be such realistic teenagers. Both of them are so concerned with how others perceive them, and it showed even in their interactions with each other. But I loved every awkward moment of them.
I loved the plot and the characters in Gutter Girl. I want to applaud Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount for not only writing hilarious dialogue with super realistic characters, but for also giving the male lead an interesting passion. I loved seeing a teenage male romantic fantasy writer. Gutter Girl is an original premise with wonderful character development, a cute romance and fantastic writing. This book was a complete hit for me. I can't wait to see even more from this great author duo!...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
Loading...
