Was I chomping at the bit waiting for the plot twist I was expecting to happen, to finally happen? Yes. Did I still love the anticipated plot twist? YWas I chomping at the bit waiting for the plot twist I was expecting to happen, to finally happen? Yes. Did I still love the anticipated plot twist? Yes.
Estrella basically lives in a fantastical version of the Handmaid’s Tale. She’s groomed from a young age to be a wife and mother in a strict purity culture, under the guise of protection. Just as her fate seems to be sealed, the veil separating the human realm from the fae realm shatters. She and a man she meets while on the run, Caelum, are now fae-marked, meaning they have a fae mate who has claimed them. Estrella will do anything to escape being trapped with the threat of ownership again.
But death is on her heels.
First of all, Estrella is precious and strong and still looks for the best in people even after years of suffering from those who viewed her as a possession. I love her stubborn ass.
Second of all, Caelum is the shadow daddy I was searching for. His dirty talk is UNMATCHED and he fits so well into the “touch her and you die” trope; it was made for him. Their chemistry is so palpable, I was smirking wayyy too much. The spice was spicy! But I love an MMC with a cocky side (and a dash of sadism) so maybe I’m just biased.
Was the plot kind of just a grand adventure through the woods? Yes. Did the Resistance fall a bit flat for me? Yes. Was the plot a bit predictable? Yes. Do I care? NO. It was so fun and delicious and I want more. Now....more
The burn was really, really slow with this one. If you're reading this romantasy series for the romance, be warned that this is more of a fantasy romaThe burn was really, really slow with this one. If you're reading this romantasy series for the romance, be warned that this is more of a fantasy romance.
The sequel begins at the height of the Elverin's betrayal. Keera is quite displeased to say the least, but the surprise alliance opportunity and the relationships she built with some of the Elverin in A Broken Blade balance out the betrayal. Add a plan to kill the King, some political intrigue, and lingering distrust, and voila! Amidst all this, the King decides to give Keera a deadline to bring him the Shadow’s head or Shades die.
If you're looking for a book series reminiscent of popular Booktok fantasy romance books, this will likely satiate your appetite. It's a reallll slow-burn romance, but it leaves the vague suggestion of more romance in Book 3. Melissa Blair put intention behind crafting a diverse cast of characters throughout the book, with LGBTQIA+, racial, and some disability representation. This book delves deeper into politics, character complexity, Elverin history, and the journey to found family. It felt like Blair got her footing in this book and decided to build a more complex high fantasy world.
The heroes in this book always seem to do the right thing. Plans go awry, but they follow a strict code of morals that barely wavers. Some might enjoy that, but if felt a bit rigid to me. This carries into the romance. Riven was mostly missing in this book, and when he was present, he just acted perfectly. And sure, that sounds great, but very few partners are that understanding, that prepared for every fear and reservation, that... blah. It's hard to have chemistry when the previous hate-to-love dynamic turned an angsty hottie into a placid yes-man. Killian felt more like the MMC and love interest (view spoiler)[honestly, to the point I'm questioning a love triangle (hide spoiler)]. There are a few open-door scenes that are pretty mild.
With a slower pace, I'm glad that the found family plot progressed. I wish it dominated more of the plot, it was so sweet and well done. I do think the bonds between the group are deep and meaningful, which kept the book moving when the plot was deep in politics. The characters are compelling and strong. It makes my lil heart warm and happy.
(P.S. Killian is so cutie patootie-coded and I want him). ...more
This is an ARC review for “Daddy Of The Sea” by Jillian Graves, and is not a rating for the entire anthology.
While this wasn’t my favorite Jillian GraThis is an ARC review for “Daddy Of The Sea” by Jillian Graves, and is not a rating for the entire anthology.
While this wasn’t my favorite Jillian Graves story - perhaps because it was cruelly short - it was still a delicious bite of the Strange Universe.
Carina is a witch who makes candles by the ocean. Kalder is a protector of the ocean as a Celaelai, which puts him at odds with the gorgeous Carina when she dumps her ex’s motorcycle into the ocean. She’s been looking for a Daddy, and thankfully the Daddy of the Sea had a penchant for curvy brats.
This story is really just an erotic short with a blip of romance. I wish we had more of these two because swoon. Because it was a short, we don’t get to connect as much with their lil love story and see fairly surface-level chemistry. The chemistry we do see though sucks you in (pun intended). And the spice?! Whew, Jillian, you outdid yourself. Let’s just say Kalder’s home under the ocean won’t be the only spacious cavern after he’s done with those tentacles…...more
I came into this book knowing it was an ACOTAR knock-off with a why choose spin. That alone should have clued me in that it would fall flat - everythiI came into this book knowing it was an ACOTAR knock-off with a why choose spin. That alone should have clued me in that it would fall flat - everything lacked originality and fullness. The characters had no chemistry, there was no spice - there weren’t even any real relationships, the characters felt bare in their motivations and emotions, the world was a weak outline of the ACOTAR world, and I was honestly confused half the time how I had read so many pages and nothing had happened.
Moreover, why are so many powerful fae obsessed with this odd-looking human who is weak and pliable?
All that being said, I think the rest of the series has some chance at redemption. I’m debating whether to give it a chance or not. I assume the why choose will come to fruition and we will have actual romance - and spice, one can hope. The author had a pretty decent writing style (a light in the dark), so if everything else comes together with perhaps a bit more time to build the plot and world… maybe it will all be okay. Suffice to say, the series will not be a priority on my tbr....more
ARC Review for The Stone and the Star by Jillian Graves.
I cling to every magical word Jillian Graves writes, and this wholesome story is no exception.ARC Review for The Stone and the Star by Jillian Graves.
I cling to every magical word Jillian Graves writes, and this wholesome story is no exception.
Colossus is a gargoyle without a purpose. Until, that is, Astra meets his stony gaze long enough to convince him she knows he's alive and he needs to protect her at all costs.
Somehow, it only took a few sentences and I was rooting for Colossus to get his girl. Astra and her monster-inspired art was just the last straw and I became obsessed with these two. I love me some tall FMCs with even taller book boyfriends... er- bookmonsters. Their sweet and passionate chemistry, how eager to please our loverboy is, just - ah! So delicious. I was just smiling the entire time - sans fangs, that is.
I read and reviewed this ARC to provide an honest review to the author....more
For one of my favorite topics, I just could not get excited by this book. I felt like at any moment I could stop cold turkey and it would be a fleetinFor one of my favorite topics, I just could not get excited by this book. I felt like at any moment I could stop cold turkey and it would be a fleeting "what if..."
Stephen King is a master of world building, which I think holds true in Fairy Tale. The recent lingo of the "hip youngsters" in King's recent books though is not something I jive with. Please, if I ever call "YouTube" the "Tube," come check on me. I might be very sick. I liked the characters, but the pacing, for both the amount of plot and the speed of the plot, made this book easy to leave on the side table.
Lots of check and minuses cancel each other out for this book to really make much of an impression on me. I will continue to yearn for the Fairy Tale whose essence is screaming, "Pet Cemetery but with dragons." ...more
I really hate giving this book just 3 stars because it is so masterfully written, but I can't give a book that took me so painfully long to get througI really hate giving this book just 3 stars because it is so masterfully written, but I can't give a book that took me so painfully long to get through more than a "good" rating.
Rin, a sixteen-year old war orphan, tests into the top military academy where she not only learns to fight, but connect to a ferocious god. The bloody history of twentieth-century China meets fantasy in this series.
The author is clearly an academic. Her writing is jam-packed with details about history and Lore, so much so that I felt like I was in school next to Rin. While this is really impressive, I felt like I couldn't miss a single word or I'd be lost or missing something. That really slowed the pace of this book down, especially in the first third of the book where there wasn't much action. It felt like I was there for the whole three years Rin was... So while I can appreciate the writing, I didn't love the actual reading. ...more
I can't just stop listening to this series now that I'm committed to re-reading it. I wish I could, I do, but here I am.
And thankfully this book was mI can't just stop listening to this series now that I'm committed to re-reading it. I wish I could, I do, but here I am.
And thankfully this book was much better than Avalon's, I'm shocked to say.
While I was probably the biggest hater in the Jericho hate-club during Eden's story, this book redeemed him in my eyes. I liked Olivia, I liked them together. And you know what the cutest part of it was - which wasn't even mentioned?! - Olivia being a chef fits so perfectly with Jericho who always liked to cook for everyone. *Chef's kiss* for real this time.
But you know, outside of the romance, the Terletov storyline just pissed me off. This is a guy who Eden called a "PG-13 Villain." I just simply don't believe the evil depths he's gone too, and frankly, I didn't care. There was barely any mention of the suffering of immortals in this book, especially the shapeshifters, just weird threats about the suffering, and I just forgot to care. I was just focused on when Jericho and Olivia would be back together again. Oops. The "we have to keep making a worse and worse villain" pipeline in long spinoff series just doesn't work for me. ...more
There's just so much to love in this book I had trouble finding enough space in my little dark heart to feel it all.
Reina is a feisty veterinarian witThere's just so much to love in this book I had trouble finding enough space in my little dark heart to feel it all.
Reina is a feisty veterinarian with a Tae Kwon Do black belt hiding under her lab coat. When she becomes disenchanted with the life around her, her best friend and veterinary Casanova, Alek, takes her on a trip to Belgium for a reset. While there, Reina hopes to chase down some family secrets. The family secrets hold a lot more than she could have ever anticipated, and they all seem to be woven in with the surprise behind door number 3 - her long lost romantic fling, Blaise. Their reunion looks a different than when they met years ago, including an adorable child. Oh yeah, and a whole pack of wolf shifters.
I adored the characters in this (mainly) dual-perspective novel. Reina is a feisty yet loving protagonist on a quest for answers. Her feisty nature comes from a place of protectiveness and loyalty which I loved, as it gave her character much more depth than the meta quick-witted main character with a chip on her shoulder. And Blaise, oh Blaise. While he had his whole broody vibe, he really wasn't the Alpha asshole I was expecting. He was protective of his pack and family, just like Reina in many ways. Their sparks as a couple flew all around the pages. Well, digital pages anyways. The chemistry was palpable and had so many different layers to it, it felt so real and otherworldly at the same time. The spice was a nice accent to their story.
Some other things I loved: the writing style was pure poetry and the side characters. Emery, Xavier, Holt. There was just so much love and joy in this book, even with the terrors the family faced. Maybe I just felt so happy because of the author's impeccable prose, but still, these characters just glowed. Let's not mention the lore in this series is already set up to be a beautiful world to get lost in. You know I'm a sucker for myths and family history in one pretty package.
The only thing that kept me back from that fifth star was that I (and I don't fancy myself that special, so I assume other readers would experience the same) knew the twist and secrets way before Reina came to terms with it. It felt a bit too drawn out, and while it provided a really impactful action scene, it almost was duller than it could have been because I had envisioned it happening so many chapters before. It wasn't that the secret was supposed to be a secret from the reader, Davis definitely wanted us to follow her clues, but I wish it surfaced for the characters just a little bit sooner so we could revel in the surprise with Reina instead of just nodding and saying "finally."
I just know I will be checking in every few weeks to see updates on when I can sink my teeth into the next book. What a beast this book has shifted me into.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*...more
An amalgamation of popular tropes in a high fantasy setting.
Keera is a Halfling forced to serve a cruel king, King Aemon, as all female* Halflings areAn amalgamation of popular tropes in a high fantasy setting.
Keera is a Halfling forced to serve a cruel king, King Aemon, as all female* Halflings are. As the King’s Blade, which basically just translates to a skilled General, Keera runs the Arsenal and all of the King’s Shades, or the Halfling soldiers. She functions as an assassin for the King as well. Keera hides her grief over her role and her hatred for the King by drinking, biding her time until she can seek revenge. Keera is sent to kill the elusive Shadow, a mysterious rebel who is undermining the King at every turn and likely working with the Elves. Who knew that the Shadow would be sooo swoon-worthy *gasp!*
This was a fun read! While the content and writing style aren't unique, I think there is a lot of appetite for the tropes and magic system right now. The Elves' relationship with the Mortals, the forced proximity of "enemies," and the morally gray characters are familiar, yet the added depth of addiction and the main characters actually fighting on the same side were enticing enough to keep me reading.
The romance is fairly PG and sweet once they overcome the distrust of each other. There IS the only one bed trope soooo.
If you're looking for something new and refreshing, I'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for. If you're looking for more of your faves, give this a try!
*The book uses this terminology to describe the Elves and Halflings....more
Oh, the fake dating trope is just unmatched. Or fake engaged, rather. Especially when it goes from fighting feels to friends to lovers to enemies to fOh, the fake dating trope is just unmatched. Or fake engaged, rather. Especially when it goes from fighting feels to friends to lovers to enemies to fake engaged. Well and truly *chef's kiss.*
Eden, always the brat, finally did something I wanted her to do. Unfortunately, Jericho had to ultimately save her from herself, but you know what? That's fine, he redeemed himself a bit and grew a pair. Welcome back, Kiran, we missed you. You know what I hate almost as much as the miscommunication trope? Love triangles. Especially this one because it was so painfully forced. The forced engagement was ironically the least forced part of the whole novel.
This was just such a delightful ending to a series I loved when I was younger, and still love. The magic and chemistry between these two just makes my heart happy, and I wanted the epilogue to just be a littleee bit longer. Happy and contented sighs all around though. ...more
I want to hate this book but I didn't. Not when I first read the series, and not on the reread years later.
Everything is wrong. Eden is with Jericho, I want to hate this book but I didn't. Not when I first read the series, and not on the reread years later.
Everything is wrong. Eden is with Jericho, blehhh, who seems like the perfect man but is fully content with pushing Eden to be with her second choice. Jumping into a relationship after she just had her heartbroken in so many ways and when every waking moment of her life is tormented by Immortals she didn't even know about a year ago just screams gross to me. Sure, Kiran threw up some red flags, but he did everything out of love for Eden, to give her the life he thought she deserved, and clearly was manipulated by the King. Jericho is just selfishly going after what he wants after a few months of rejection, without thinking what's best for Eden. He's just convinced that is him.
Eden's anger in this novel is the first step in healing, and I love her new badass ways, but she was just so insufferable. "I have nothing to lose and my whole life is now devoted to the cause because I got my heart broken" and all that. This book is Eden's origin story put into action. Unfortunately, everyone knows Eden can't get Kiran out of her system. And I just wanted time to fly until she realized that again instead of putting on this facade with Jericho. Sorry, buddy, buhbye. ...more
Ah yes, this book is when things start getting really good. I remember now.
Kiran, well... he really meant well. Just... Eden and Kiran are so young aAh yes, this book is when things start getting really good. I remember now.
Kiran, well... he really meant well. Just... Eden and Kiran are so young and naive. It's easy to see rereading this as an older reader now. Eden makes stupid decisions per usual, all wrapped up in this imaginary world where everything can be fixed with love. Kiran does something similar, but thinks that everything needs to be fixed, by whatever means necessary, so that he can have love. The ending in this book, while it was so intense and pretty sad, was needed for them to grow into the leaders they eventually will be.
**spoiler alert** I reread this series for the nostalgia, because I adored these books when I was younger. I remember getting this novel free on Kindl**spoiler alert** I reread this series for the nostalgia, because I adored these books when I was younger. I remember getting this novel free on Kindle as an incentive to read the rest of the series. So of course when I saw it was free on Audible, in fact the whole series was, I knew I had to listen to it.
And wow, I still love it, but Eden was so annoying in this book. For such an important person in the history of Immortals, she really is dense. How it took her so long to acknowledge her magic, and then to remember to use her magic, was really just so frustrating. The way every single person kept her in the dark was even more infuriating. Clearly this girl is not catching on to your underlying agenda, so just give her the whole story and be done with it. Adults lying and hiding things is such a pet peeve of mine, in YA novels especially, and it couldn't be avoided in this one.
I'm still impressed she avoided immediately falling madly in love with Kiran, because any other teenager would be a goner. I just love rereading their story from the beginning, even if where they start in this novel hurt me just a bit...
*One thing I will say is that some of the language used in this book is not considered appropriate or politically correct, so proceed with caution. At the time this was written, the g slur was more commonly used in oral and written communication. This slur has and never will be okay to use, but it still remains in the version of the book I listened to. It is not for me to determine how the author meant to depict the Romani people, or how it would be received by the Romani people....more
Elise (Oriah) suffers from low self-esteem stemming from the loss of her parents - which left her with a bA sweet elfish take on Hades and Persephone.
Elise (Oriah) suffers from low self-esteem stemming from the loss of her parents - which left her with a bad stutter - and a less conventionally attractive body. Frequent bullying when she was younger slowly turned into rejection and mocking as she grew older. The only facets of her life that bring her joy are singing and her fairy tale-obsessed Grandma. During a break from waitressing at the diner that her aunt owns, Elise runs into an otherworldly store-owner named Lucien, who is even more magical than he first appears. She finds herself plunged into a new world, fit with pointy ears, a dying land, and a very "horn-y" King.
This novella did a lot of heart-wrenching in a very little time. Elise's mental health and speech impediment were portrayed very intensely, so much so that I felt her discomfort through the pages. But the thing I loved? There was healing! So many authors use trauma or mental health as a plot-driver, but this book utilized a growing, healthy relationship (once you get past the, uh, kidnapping) to portray the healing of self worth and Elise's concept of love. It wasn't just a plot driver, but part of her beautiful character. I loved seeing her transformation, I just wish it was a bit more spread out and that the story was a bit longer.
There was so much untapped potential in this story. I know it was meant to be short and sweet, but it read like a high fantasy that needed fleshing out. To be honest, I was shocked when I looked down at my Kindle and saw the book was 90% of the way done. I wanted to hear about the love of music (and elves) in Elise's family, Lucien's two personas, the history of the flora and fauna health, Dawna and Grandma, the magic system, etc. I could easily have devoured 200 to 300 more pages of this story and still not felt appeased. As an ARC book, I did find some grammatical errors, but not too many that it took away from the story.
Overall a fun quick read, but so many hidden depths that I really wish were explored.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*...more
The conclusion to one of my childhood favorites has my heart swelling with nostalgia. I just love this series so much, and I'm so glad I reminded myseThe conclusion to one of my childhood favorites has my heart swelling with nostalgia. I just love this series so much, and I'm so glad I reminded myself of one of the series that made me obsessed with fantasy worlds.
Once again, Loki just reminds me how I developed my taste for book boyfriends. It's a curse to be attracted to the sarcastic bad boy who has a soft spot for his one love. There's so much depth to his character, and I loved listening to them fall in love (again, for like the fifth time...).
Wendy grew up so much in this book and became a much more familiar and relatable heroine for me. She was strong and compassionate, and honestly deserved the happily ever after.
Shhh I'm not crying, that's just the rain outside....more
Staying on the nostalgia train rereading this series through audiobooks, choo choo!
I forgot how much better the second book was from the first to be Staying on the nostalgia train rereading this series through audiobooks, choo choo!
I forgot how much better the second book was from the first to be honest. Most importantly... Loki! I genuinely thing Loki's character formed my entire type when I was an impressionable teen because I literally live for the sarcastic and roguish characters. Nowww it all makes sense.
One thing I noticed in the audiobook that was definitely not in the eBooks I read when I was younger, was Tove's sexuality! I absolutely adored that addition to the story, and I think it brings so much more life and understanding to his character.
Just everything about this book brought that little heartache that comes with reading something that was meaningful to you when you were younger. I still love it just as much. ...more
This series was one of my favorite as a teenager, so I decided to listen to it as an Audiobook for the nostalgia. And it sure delivered.
I still love This series was one of my favorite as a teenager, so I decided to listen to it as an Audiobook for the nostalgia. And it sure delivered.
I still love Amanda Hocking's world creation, and her ability to wrap mythological creatures into a real life scenario is just so much fun to read. Sure, Wendy was the most unbearable person in the world in this book. But she has her charms, her petulance grows on you as she slowly grows up. One thing I noticed now being a more mature reader is how stupid Finn is. Bleh, get out of the way so Wendy can get to Loki in the next two books. Buh-bye now. ...more
The first third of the book felt like crawling through really pretty barbed wire. And then the magic hit me like a pretty white bird dropped a millstoThe first third of the book felt like crawling through really pretty barbed wire. And then the magic hit me like a pretty white bird dropped a millstone on my head.
In this creative retelling of The Juniper Tree, a Grimm Fairytale, plain-faced Marlinchen and her two beautiful sisters work under her father, the Great Wizard Zmiy. The loose setting of a Ukrainian city showcases a changing world, and is no longer one for wizards with witch-daughters. As Zmiy struggles with his monstrous curse, a monster roams the streets, butchering men, seemingly without a thread of connection. Meanwhile, Marlinchen finds herself in a body of a woman and grows bolder, escaping her father’s strict house rules to go explore her city with a handsome principle dancer.
The writing is detailed and flowery, reminiscent of an Old German fairytale in and of itself. It’s beautiful but may be slow, and filled with foreign and fantastical words. Perhaps this is what made the first part of the book quite boring to me, but in hindsight, I realize it’s brilliance. The last third of the book picks up speed like a steam locomotive and I found myself thankful for the imagery. This author weaves such a splendid, dark story that felt convincingly real.
While Marlinchen and Sevastyan’s romance lays as a subplot for most of the book, I loved their story. Their shared grief reflects a lot of the themes of the original Grimm story and gives them their deserved happy ending. Other than those two, I couldn’t find love for any of the characters. Undine and even Rose were grating, and Zmiy was an awful man through and through (despite Marlinchen’s hopes for his love prevailing). For a novel with hateful characters, I ended up mourning it by the turn of the 299th page.
Just- how insanely smart is this line: “I had made him a monster that ordinary men knew how to fear”? Bravo to Ava Reid....more
Travel blogger Lana is back at her family's cabin trying to find answers about her mom's disappearance when she was youI absolutely adored this book.
Travel blogger Lana is back at her family's cabin trying to find answers about her mom's disappearance when she was younger. While there, she meets a gorgeous man named Oz who offers to help in the search, and reveals much bigger secrets than she could have ever imagined. Lana finds herself in a world of magic and its creatures, as well as a whole horde of attractive people and their secrets.
The book does eventually turn into a why-choose/RH, so make sure you are comfortable with that before reading. If you are... I just know for a fact you're going to love Gideon. I definitely like Oz, but Gideon has the banter of an antihero with the loyalty and heart of the perfect hero. I desperately need more of him in the second book.
I really enjoyed the writing style and flow. I did appreciate the disclaimer that witches and vampires feel and love deeper and faster than normal humans, because I would have felt it became too heavy too quickly otherwise, making it harder to connect with the love story. The world was nicely built, with a visual form of magic that I found comforting in its realism. The use of real crystal and plant properties was a perfect inclusion and shows a lot of research by the author. I hope this continues with the journey into Bedlam.
The only thing keeping me from giving it five stars is that sometimes it felt like the plot was lost (it always got back on track) and some of the dialogue felt inconsistent for a specific character. With the title of Bedlam Moon and the early mention of it, I assumed there would be more description of Bedlam or actual time in Bedlam. For the vampires, I felt like some of the language was too formal in some scenes. While I get they are really old and have different speech patterns, Gideon talked a lot more casually than Oz, which felt inconsistent if time is the reasoning.
FYI, there is a cliffhanger, but it isn't too bad. There is enough suspense around the ending, but it felt like a good place to stop before the second book. Overall, a really fun and addicting read.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*...more
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