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
Faerie Misborn is the first book in the Titania Academy series by Samaire Provost. The Faerie Misborn series is a middle grade/young adult fantasy romFaerie Misborn is the first book in the Titania Academy series by Samaire Provost. The Faerie Misborn series is a middle grade/young adult fantasy romance series. I enjoyed Faerie Misborn, and I am certainly interested in continuing on in the series, but this book didn’t blow me out of the water. I am hoping there will be a good amount of character growth and maturity in the next books in the series. This book did feel a bit basic and simplistic in the dialogue and themes at times. But putting that aside, the storyline was entertaining, and I did enjoy myself. The author hooked me enough to keep me invested and interested to continue on in the series. I want to see what happens in the next Titania Academy series.
I love fae stories. They are my favorite magical creature, because I find them so complex and interesting. In Faerie Misborn we meet out main character, Holly. Holly was raised in New York, and is thrust into Titania Academy at the age of 14. So she is a young main character. I think the book is geared at young, young adult crowd, but it does have some crossover appeal to the upper middle grade audience because of Holly’s young starting age. I am hoping that as Holly gets older, the story will progress with her. (Like it did in Harry Potter. As the main characters aged, they became more complex and the storylines become deeper and darker.)
I was a little shocked to see how clueless Holly was about some pretty basic things, but once she was at school she adapted pretty well as the story went on. I hope in the next book, we get to dig a bit deeper into the actual classes that the academy offers. This book offered a pretty cursory glance at them. I know they are hard, but I don’t know much about the subject matter being taught and why they are attending the specific classes that they are. I think there is a big opportunity to expand the world of Titania Academy with a deeper dive into the course load. The plot line of this book plugged along at a pretty consistent pace, which I appreciated. Overall, Faerie Misborn was a fun book with plenty of learning opportunities for Holly. I can’t wait to see where Samaire Provost takes this series.
Merged review:
Faerie Misborn is the first book in the Titania Academy series by Samaire Provost. The Faerie Misborn series is a middle grade/young adult fantasy romance series. I enjoyed Faerie Misborn, and I am certainly interested in continuing on in the series, but this book didn’t blow me out of the water. I am hoping there will be a good amount of character growth and maturity in the next books in the series. This book did feel a bit basic and simplistic in the dialogue and themes at times. But putting that aside, the storyline was entertaining, and I did enjoy myself. The author hooked me enough to keep me invested and interested to continue on in the series. I want to see what happens in the next Titania Academy series.
I love fae stories. They are my favorite magical creature, because I find them so complex and interesting. In Faerie Misborn we meet out main character, Holly. Holly was raised in New York, and is thrust into Titania Academy at the age of 14. So she is a young main character. I think the book is geared at young, young adult crowd, but it does have some crossover appeal to the upper middle grade audience because of Holly’s young starting age. I am hoping that as Holly gets older, the story will progress with her. (Like it did in Harry Potter. As the main characters aged, they became more complex and the storylines become deeper and darker.)
I was a little shocked to see how clueless Holly was about some pretty basic things, but once she was at school she adapted pretty well as the story went on. I hope in the next book, we get to dig a bit deeper into the actual classes that the academy offers. This book offered a pretty cursory glance at them. I know they are hard, but I don’t know much about the subject matter being taught and why they are attending the specific classes that they are. I think there is a big opportunity to expand the world of Titania Academy with a deeper dive into the course load. The plot line of this book plugged along at a pretty consistent pace, which I appreciated. Overall, Faerie Misborn was a fun book with plenty of learning opportunities for Holly. I can’t wait to see where Samaire Provost takes this series....more
Balthazar’s Bane is the sixth book in the Gaslamp Gothic series by author Kat Ross. The gaslamp Gothic series, was previously known as the Dominion MyBalthazar’s Bane is the sixth book in the Gaslamp Gothic series by author Kat Ross. The gaslamp Gothic series, was previously known as the Dominion Mystery series, which includes The Daemoniac, The Thirteenth Gate, and Bad Breed (among others). I loved, loved loved the first three books in the series but then I missed books 4 and 5, and I am completely kicking myself for missing them because I always love Kat Ross’ books! Her writing is always so on point and engaging, which these days is one of the most important aspects I look for when I picking what books I want to read. I love her ability to write an atmospheric story that completely captures my attention.
Though Balthazar’s Bane is the sixth book in the Gaslamp Gothic series, it can be read as a standalone, so if you really don’t want to, you do not have to reads the first five books. However, I really enjoyed both The Daemoniac , The Thirteenth Gate, and Bad Breed, so if you love a good dark series, I would read them all in order. As I mentioned before, I skipped books 4 and 5, and I was completely fine while reading Balthazar’s Bane. It totally works well as a standalone book. However; you will see plenty of characters from Kat’s previous books and other series, so you may want to take some time and read all of her books in order. I think once you start, you won’t be able to stop!
In Balthazar’s Bane, we get to see more of…you guessed it…Balthazar! I am super excited that he got his own book. We have gotten to see peeks of him in previous novels, but here we really get to know him, which was super interesting because upon first glance he is not what I would describe as a “good guy”. I mean, this story is premised on him trying to track down his talisman and steal it back. The very same talisman that he used to steal other’s life force and keep him alive eternally. Yea, that talisman. But the grey ambiguity of his morality just made him an even more interesting character in my book.
As always, I love the setting in Kat’s book, and I love how effortlessly she blends, mystery, paranormal, and historical all into one really awesome adventure. Balthazar’s Bane takes place in Egypt and Al Miraj, and we get to see a bunch of beloved characters from the previous books like Lucas and Zarifa. I loved Balthazar himself so much! His adventure felt very fast paced and high stakes intense for almost the entire length of the novel. It made for a very exciting read! Whether you read this one as a standalone, or you read the series in order, I think you will love Balthazar’s story, and the mystery woven in. I am really, really hoping to see more of Balthazar in Kat’s future books!
Bottom line: Balthazar’s Bane is perfect for fans of the Jackaby series and of the Netflix tv show Penny Dreadful, and fairy tale reimaginings with a dark feel. I really enjoyed the ride this mystery took me on. Read it in the fall for a great atmospheric mystery.
Merged review:
Balthazar’s Bane is the sixth book in the Gaslamp Gothic series by author Kat Ross. The gaslamp Gothic series, was previously known as the Dominion Mystery series, which includes The Daemoniac, The Thirteenth Gate, and Bad Breed (among others). I loved, loved loved the first three books in the series but then I missed books 4 and 5, and I am completely kicking myself for missing them because I always love Kat Ross’ books! Her writing is always so on point and engaging, which these days is one of the most important aspects I look for when I picking what books I want to read. I love her ability to write an atmospheric story that completely captures my attention.
Though Balthazar’s Bane is the sixth book in the Gaslamp Gothic series, it can be read as a standalone, so if you really don’t want to, you do not have to reads the first five books. However, I really enjoyed both The Daemoniac , The Thirteenth Gate, and Bad Breed, so if you love a good dark series, I would read them all in order. As I mentioned before, I skipped books 4 and 5, and I was completely fine while reading Balthazar’s Bane. It totally works well as a standalone book. However; you will see plenty of characters from Kat’s previous books and other series, so you may want to take some time and read all of her books in order. I think once you start, you won’t be able to stop!
In Balthazar’s Bane, we get to see more of…you guessed it…Balthazar! I am super excited that he got his own book. We have gotten to see peeks of him in previous novels, but here we really get to know him, which was super interesting because upon first glance he is not what I would describe as a “good guy”. I mean, this story is premised on him trying to track down his talisman and steal it back. The very same talisman that he used to steal other’s life force and keep him alive eternally. Yea, that talisman. But the grey ambiguity of his morality just made him an even more interesting character in my book.
As always, I love the setting in Kat’s book, and I love how effortlessly she blends, mystery, paranormal, and historical all into one really awesome adventure. Balthazar’s Bane takes place in Egypt and Al Miraj, and we get to see a bunch of beloved characters from the previous books like Lucas and Zarifa. I loved Balthazar himself so much! His adventure felt very fast paced and high stakes intense for almost the entire length of the novel. It made for a very exciting read! Whether you read this one as a standalone, or you read the series in order, I think you will love Balthazar’s story, and the mystery woven in. I am really, really hoping to see more of Balthazar in Kat’s future books!
Bottom line: Balthazar’s Bane is perfect for fans of the Jackaby series and of the Netflix tv show Penny Dreadful, and fairy tale reimaginings with a dark feel. I really enjoyed the ride this mystery took me on. Read it in the fall for a great atmospheric mystery....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
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
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
The Place Beyond her Dreams is a young adult magical realism/light fantasy story by Oby Aligwekwe. I really enjoyed this novel. It has a dreamy feel tThe Place Beyond her Dreams is a young adult magical realism/light fantasy story by Oby Aligwekwe. I really enjoyed this novel. It has a dreamy feel to it and the story is a satisfying read that held my attention all the way through. I did go in expecting more of a fantasy world, and though Luenah is not really that, this story quickly swept me up. If you are fan of magical realism with light fantasy elements that is very character driven with a good dose of inner reflections on what is really important in life, I think you will love this beautiful story.
In The Place Beyond her Dreams, we meet our main character Ona who has just lost her grandfather. In the midst of her grief she finds herself transported to the magical world of Luenah, which kind of felt heaven like- a uptopia of sorts with limitless possibilities, and none of the bad things that earth has. Ona travels between earth and this dream world of Luenah, as she learns that she has a bigger purpose on earth. She finds herself not only inserted between some serious conflicts between two neighboring towns, but also in the middle of her very own love triangle. I was only lukewarm about the love interests in the book. I was much more interested in Ona’s journey.
I really enjoyed the introspection that Oby Aligwekwe wove throughout the story. This feels like a beautifully crafted lessons book, where the character goes on an actual journey to learn something important about themselves, the world and their place in it. This was a beautiful story. Oby Aligwekwe’s was the star of the show. I can’t wait to read more books from her because she has this ability to pull the reader into the story so effortlessly. I can’t wait to see what else she writes!...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
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
The Last Fallen Star is the first book in the middle grade fantasy series, called Gifted Clans by Graci Kim. I have not yet read anything by Graci KimThe Last Fallen Star is the first book in the middle grade fantasy series, called Gifted Clans by Graci Kim. I have not yet read anything by Graci Kim, but I have had fantastic luck with the series from the Rick Riordan Presents book imprint, so when I saw this book and saw that it was based on Korean Mythology, I was so interested. I did not know anything about Korean myths so I couldn't wait to read both an entertaining series and learn some Korean folklore and mythology. I really enjoyed The Last Fallen Star and I am so pumped to continue on with the Gifted Clans series.
In The Last Fallen Star we meet our main character, Riley who is very close with her adopted family. Her sister and the rest of her family are part of the Gom clan, which means they are Korean healing witches. Riley doesn't seem to have any magic, which is called a saram. Riley is super excited to see her sister Hattie inducted into the Gom clam. I loved how close Riley and Hattie, and when I saw that Hattie had an idea of how to share her magic with Riley, I was all for it! I love a good sister bond! But of course, this decision sets Riley off an adventure where she encounter magic, tests and obstacles and gods galore!
When Hattie's idea goes wrong, Riley learns she must track down something called the last fallen star to save her sister. The only problem is that Riley has no idea what she is looking for or where to find it. Riley is such a sweet main character, she is so easy to root for, and I also really enjoyed her friend Emmett to teams up with her on her quest. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the witch clan's connection with the godrealm.
The Last Fallen Star has all of the fun, charm and magical adventures that I love in Rick Riordan's stories as well as all of the books in his imprint. If you are a fan of magic, mythology and quest types stories, The Last Fallen Star and the Gifted Clams series is a great story for you to check out. I can't wait to continue on with this series. ...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
Note: This is the fourth book in a series that should be read in order. There may be spoilers for the first three books in this series in 4.5/5 stars
Note: This is the fourth book in a series that should be read in order. There may be spoilers for the first three books in this series in this review.
Aru Shah and the City of Gold is the fourth book in the middle grade fantasy series, called the Pandava series, by Roshani Chokshi. The Aru Shah series is the third book series I have read from the mythology based book imprint- Rick Riordan presents, and I have to say that all of the books published under this imprint have been fantastic. If you are a fan of the Percy Jackson series, then you you will love the Pandava series. Each of the books is full of fantastic characters, wonderful world building and magic and a storyline that will grab a hold of your attention and not let you free from its' grasp. I could not put this book, and this series down! This series features Hindu Mythology, which I loved because I do not know many of the stories from Hindu Mythology, and I was very excited to learn some more.
Just like in the past three books in the series, Aru Shah and the City of Gold picks up where the previous book left off- on a cliffhanger! Our main character Aru Shah, has learned of a prophecy that involves her, and now she is doing her best to figure out which gods she can trust and just how on earth she is going to stop this army of demons. She is also trying to decide if she wants to side with the devas in this imminent war. I love Aru. She is plucky and determined, yet still very age appropriate.
Each of the characters has really come into their own in this fourth installment and the overall plot of the story has gotten better and better. This series is one that continues to build upon itself beautifully. I love seeing this world expand and seeing each of the characters really fall into their own groove as they decide what part they are going to play and just who can they really trust. Especially Aru. I think she really shone in Aru Shah and the City of Gold. I loved her in each of the books, but her character growth is impressive in this installment. I am loving how Roshani Chokshi is weaving not only all of the characters of the subtleties of the world and intricates of the plotline together. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite middle grade fantasy series. If you are a fan of fantasy and mythology, the Pandava series is a must read, regardless of your age. This series is perfect for readers young and old alike! I can't wait to see what the next book is going to bring us, because Aru Shah and the City of Gold leaves the readers hanging on yet another treacherous cliff. Darn you Mrs. Chokshi!
Book of Love is the second book in the Sweetness and Light series by author Erin Satie. I haven't read the first book yet, but they seem to be about dBook of Love is the second book in the Sweetness and Light series by author Erin Satie. I haven't read the first book yet, but they seem to be about different characters which leads me think that they are both standalone stories maybe set in the same world. Book of Love is a delightful historical romance. It is my time reading a book by this author and I really liked her storytelling abilities, so I look forward to trying more from her.
In the Book Of Love we meet our main characters Cordelia and the Duke of Stroud. Cordelia is a strong independent feminist woman. She runs her own bookbinding business and is also actively involved in political activism. I appreciated Cordelia's strength of character and I loved that very personality trait is what infatuated the Duke so much. The Duke of Stroud is a huge prankster and that personality trait is one of the things that has made it so hard for him to maintain relationships in the past, but when he becomes smitten with Cordelia he is relentless. I loved seeing his pranks almost as much as I loved seeing all of his antics as he tried to pursue Cordelia.
Book of Love is an adorable historical romance that also takes the time to touch on some more serious concepts. The romance is very lighthearted but that does not mean that the politics are all fluff as well. Cordelia is very involved in the divorce bill, and learning about the rights of post regency era women was fascinating. I really appreciated and enjoyed that aspect of the story, but I would be lying if I said that the romance wasn't my favorite. It was! I really enjoyed how the Duke and Cordelia complemented each other and I love a good wooing story. I really liked Erin Satie's writing style. I will say that sometimes I felt like I was on detail overload. The amount of details did bog down the pacing and flow of the story at times, in my opinion. (though I would not be surprised if I was the minority opinion on that font.)
Bottom line: If you are a fan of historical romances with a good dose of feminism and politics woven in, then you will really enjoy Book of Love!...more
Unwritten is the first book in the young adult fantasy series, called The Zweeshen Chronicles, by author Alicia J. Novo. I really enjoyed this young aUnwritten is the first book in the young adult fantasy series, called The Zweeshen Chronicles, by author Alicia J. Novo. I really enjoyed this young adult fantasy. I found the world building to be great, the premise to be interesting and unique and the characters came to life before my eyes. I can't wait to continue on with this series and to read more from Ms. Novo. I was captivated by Unwritten. I am super impressed that this is Alicia J. Novo's debut novel!
In Unwritten, we meet our main character Beatrix. Beatrix has had to deal with a fair mount of bullying because she is different. When in reality her differences make her so special. Beatrix can hear books. They whisper to her, which I think is something all bookworm s dream of. We all want our books to come alive and to actually transport us inside their story. Unwritten had a little bit of a Neverending Story vibe to me, because that is exactly what happened. Beatrix gets sucked into the pages of a book and ends up in the land of Zweeshen, which is the the land of books. Where all of the stories and character from them reside. What an amazing concept! I love the idea of a land of books.
Here Beatrix does not know who she can trust. I loved the air of suspicion that Alicia Novo created in Unwritten. I honestly did not know who I could trust. I had people that I very much wanted to trust (no I will not tell you who!) but even then I didn't know if I could trust my own instincts, which is the mark of great writing. Beatrix discovers that there is an evil monster threatening the life of everyone and every book in Zweeshen, and that she must try to stop him. There is also a nice touch of mystery woven in through the letter Beatrix found from her mom. Overall, this is a fantastically magical quest type story with a touch of romance. I really liked Unwritten and I can't wait to see where this series is going to go from here. This is a great book for fantasy lovers and bookworms to pick up on release day. (May 8, 2021)...more
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