One awesome heroine Four -literally- fantastic men A lot of sexual tension Plenty of laugh-out-Rating: 5 stars
Note: I have not read the Vega Twins story.
One awesome heroine Four -literally- fantastic men A lot of sexual tension Plenty of laugh-out-loud moment
Dark Fae was simply amazing and I had just so much fun reading it. I loved everything about it. While the plot rides the cliches, the characters and the world-building were just incredible. It was original, deep and multi-layered, and just damn engrossing.
Elise has one thing in mind: get revenge on her brother's murder. To achieve her goal, she enrolled at the Academia. She has four targets: Dante, Ryder, Leon, and Gabriel, the Kings of the school. Because one of them is a murderer.
Well... they probably all are, as they basically are all massive psychos. And Elise fits right in; she is as mentally unstable as the lot of them and just wants to crucify the one that killed her most precious person.
With its settings, Dark Fae should have been a tale of loss, pain, and anger but the cast made it so much more. Between the mamma's boy all-powerful dragon, the lazy lion, and all four men competing for Elise's attention, the book has plenty of warm moments, of hilarious situations, of panty-melting jealousy, of cock blocking and dick measuring. It's fun, it's tragic, it's dark but most of all, it's just right.
[image] What an emotional ride. I believe part of me got destroyed a bit on the journey.
Fast journey it was. A Token's Worth is less than 200 pages of [image] What an emotional ride. I believe part of me got destroyed a bit on the journey.
Fast journey it was. A Token's Worth is less than 200 pages of brutality, cruelty, and utter darkness, only briefly lightened by the Sun Gods.
Dell just goes through too much. Born in a society where women are considered less than cattle, she has been raised and used as a whore since childhood. Her uterus was taken from her, her body stolen for a token and her mind destroyed by the hands of monsters. Dell is broken, inside and outside.
After one too many gang bang sessions, she has enough. She goes to the cliff to jump but her objective is cut short by the appearance of four High Fae, the Sun Gods: Day, Night, Dawn, and Dusk. She bonded them to her by mistake and they all owe her a wish.
Dell is the real sole character of the book, the Gods only tools for her story to start. She is a mess, she constantly converses with her vagina -to an annoying level-, swears a lot, and rambles like crazy. She is a darker version of Willa Knight where A Token's Worth is a much darker version of The Curse of the Gods. The similarities are many, but it does not take the pleasure out.
And I undeniably loved the book. I may not have entirely appreciated it during my read but in the end, I adored it.
With all of Dell's hardships, the book is pretty vanilla and doesn't really deal with the trauma, the shame, the hatred, and pretty much any negative emotion. It is very surprising to have her talk and function almost like a normal being. But I found this portrayal very fitting: a mix of anger, fake bravado, acceptance, denial, and a complete dissociation from her vagina, and in total opposition with the Gods views. Dell comes from a world where abuse towards women is normal and she never knew anything else while the Sun Gods are revolted.
But let's be clear about it, this book is not about rape culture, romanticized rape, or a way to devalue the trauma.
I cannot wait to see what the second book has in store for me.
> No MM > No FF
Trigger Warning: A massive amount. Rape, gang rape, trauma, abuse, whipping, pain, … and I am probably forgetting some. It might also shock people how rape is portrayed and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that thinks they could be shocked and/or offended....more
I am quite confused about this book. I was totally engrossed in the story while reading it but in the end, I did not really enjoyRating: Undecided yet
I am quite confused about this book. I was totally engrossed in the story while reading it but in the end, I did not really enjoy it.
It took me a couple of chapters to get into it but once Wren reached the Academy, I pretty much read the book in one sitting. It has everything to be entertaining: action, magic, romance, a bit of adventure. The thing is, while I was completely pulled in the story, I did not connect with either the plot or the characters. And I cannot exactly pinpoint why.
Overall, a nice read that does the job for a nice read and pass the time but with a pretty bland after taste. Not my favorite by the author....more
Reading the blurb, this book should have been a complete hit but it ended more of a boring way to pass time.
I have nRating: 2.5 to 3 stars. Undecided.
Reading the blurb, this book should have been a complete hit but it ended more of a boring way to pass time.
I have nothing against the story and I would even be inclined to say that I liked it. It has a bit of a fairy tale feeling and I totally dig that. Unfortunately, the book is brought to life by the most insecure heroine I've seen in a while and continue with an absolute lack of chemistry between the characters. The relationships are forced, came out of the blue, and I swear Sang Sorenson has more backbone than Seora....more
[image] After reading The Darkness We Crave and the following books, I thought I would give the author another try. I liked Together We Fall but I loved[image] After reading The Darkness We Crave and the following books, I thought I would give the author another try. I liked Together We Fall but I loved the hell out of Greed.
Oh, I see your brain working, you RH fanatics. Yes, the cover is purple. Yes, the title is one single noun. Yes, the heroine is a blonde. Yes, the book is hilarious. No, this is not a reheated version of Trickery.
Z is a badass. She is an assassin, a real one, and a damn good one. She might be human in a supernatural world but she is one of the best, if not THE best. She is like the adult version we wish Sarah J Maas' heroine was.
Z kills murderers, rapists, and all the supernatural scumbags that escape justice. She is an assassin herself but doesn't stop feeling guilty about what she does. One day, someone will stop her but in the meantime, she hunts monsters. Unfortunately, her last kill sends her directly into some sort of game to the death, a selection to chose the Kingdom's next executioner, the Damning. A hundred participants, two months to go, and only one survivor.
Greed serves more as an introduction book. We meet the characters, Z, her friends, and her future mates. This is no real spoiler as we have a lot more clues than any of the characters from the very beginning. There is a lot of humor, some action, a little bit of killing, and a lot of boners. Not a very original recipe when you think about it but with a delicious result.
I couldn't tell you exactly why I loved this book. Was it the sometimes ridiculous dialogues? The pace? Or was it the fact that Z is going to be the one wearing the pants in the relationship? Regardless, it just works. And I can't wait for the next book.
[image] But please, do not stop at my review and read others.
Rule number 1: Do not use the supernatural as a way to solve the unconventionality of polya[image] But please, do not stop at my review and read others.
Rule number 1: Do not use the supernatural as a way to solve the unconventionality of polyamorous relationships.
Rule number 2: Do not lure readers with supernatural if your story basically never revolves around anything remotely magical.
Rule number 3: Do not set up too high expectations with something different if it's going to be forgotten three pages later.
Rule number 4: Do no, DO NOT, use stereotypical Barbie Bitches Wannabees as drama bearers and/or a way to make your heroine an obnoxious Mary Sue; it only works in Mean Girls, it's annoying and quite offensive.
~The following review contains very certainly spoilers, although not of real importance in my opinion~
Smoke and Wishes is kinda confusing at first. It sways from mysterious to info dump, needs a new round of edits, and has a hard time finding its own plot.
+ The heroine, Lucie, has been raised as a human and suddenly learns she was adopted and supernatural. Her birth mother left her with a name, a note saying she was in danger, and a necklace. -> Lucie never asks any question or looks for some kind of answer. + She does not know what kind of supernatural she is and is in a special Supe university to learn about her powers. -> She learns she is one of the only Djinn still alive one chapter later, that she has very powerful and rare magic, has someone make a wish and leave it be. Her powers and magical heritage are not mentioned ever again. And the wish is never granted.
After that, the fantasy part is completely put aside to make room for teenage drama, a bunch of misunderstandings, a little bit of sex, some panic attacks, and quite a few plot holes. The result becomes re-heated, uninteresting, and not really entertaining, but with the lingering expectation of some Genie magic and perhaps a little bit of Aladdin's music in the background.
Definitely not a good read, but Smoke and Wishes kind of reminds me a bit of the first book of the Veil Diaries -which became one of my favorite series ever later on-, so it has to count for something.
Bane of Dragons was quite uneven. Sometimes it was great, sometimes not so much.
1. I loved all the drama. Some might find that annoRating : 3.5 stars?
Bane of Dragons was quite uneven. Sometimes it was great, sometimes not so much.
1. I loved all the drama. Some might find that annoying but I thought it was well done and with lots of feels. 2. Sera was an interesting character but sometimes could get really whiny and weak. But she had great moments. 3. It was hard to follow the characters because they tended to change their mind rather abruptly, sometimes making menthink scenes were missing. 4. Secondary characters were either odious or completely useless, sometimes both at the same time. 5. It was not exactly instalove but the feelings did come quickly. However they were really cute together once they stopped pushing each other away. 6. I'm not very curious about how the romance will evolve but I really want to see Sera grow up into a leader and learn more of her curse.
Thank you Clara Hartley for providing me this arc....more
Favored first came out with C.L. Stone's newsletter "As I write" but I didn't read it before the book was released. And I'm glad, becRating : 3.5 stars
Favored first came out with C.L. Stone's newsletter "As I write" but I didn't read it before the book was released. And I'm glad, because I probably wouldn't have been able to handle the wait.
I read every Ghost Bird and Scarab Beetle books, sometimes twice or thrice. I am completely and utterly obsessed by the Academy universe and all of its blushing white characters, I love them as much as I hate them and I've been fighting cavities since I've started reading them.
Favored was the complete opposite of her usual books. And it was very enjoyable.
Mizuki, the lead character, goes to the capital to compete against thousands of people for a position she knows nothing about. Along the way she makes allies, some enemies, gains confidence, elegance and random skills only the aristocrats have. Nothing happens yet a lot, all being very superficial. But strangely enough, the result was very entertaining.
1. Mizuki was perfect but not Mary Sue annoying. She wasn't a doormat like Sang or and idiot like Kayli. Everything revolved around her but for good reasons and she was not shadowed by too many guys. She was a real main character, not just some cute stuff you don't really know what to do with.
2. The asiatic setting was certainely exotic and agreable. It was unfortunately lacking on the food departement and god knows I love japanese cuisine.
3. The fantasy elements were very sparse, mostly condensed at the end. But it was enough to keep me entertained and this first book ended beautifuly.
4. But I am very perplexed about the all "too much water" and her parents lost at sea. Those two points seemed important in the begining but were completely forgotten after a few chapters.
Overall, Favored was a very nice read and I really want to read more of this universe. Will I read it as the "As I write" goes? Probably not. But I will wait for the next book and hope it won't take too long....more
1. The characters were all developped and were all likeable. The guys were great and for once I don't think I had a favorite and Lera Rating : 4 stars
1. The characters were all developped and were all likeable. The guys were great and for once I don't think I had a favorite and Lera was a good heroine, a bit weak but with quite a mental strength. She was definitely a perfect fit to her guys, vulnerable yet not afraid.
2. While I found the wold building a bit lacking, I was pulled in the story from the first chapter. It was nicely written and with the right amount of romance and action.
3. Yes, there is instalove/instalust or whatever but it didn't really bother me. It just felt right and I really wonder how the author managed that.
4. I very much want to read the next book and I'm hoping that Lera is gonna develop some kind of fudging powerful magic. That would be awesome.
5. Shade in his wolf form was adorable.
Thank you Alex Lidell for providing me this ARC....more
1. The story is set in a patriarchal mysogynistic society. When they are of age, womeRating : 4 stars
It was both fantastic and incredibly frustrating.
1. The story is set in a patriarchal mysogynistic society. When they are of age, women are sold to the highest bidder and honored about it. 2. The book is rather short and I regret not waiting for the next one to be out before starting it. 3. Because of some "untold things" that created tragedy that should have been avoided, the characters are not likeable.
But the writing is lovely, the universe has some crazy potential, I just got pulled in the story and it was just really good, period. Bluebeard meets Pan's Labyrinth. Like I'm not super eager to read more.
TW: a short scene with depiction of cruelty and torture quite nauseating...more
Snow and the Shadows was a beautiful, original and great retelling of the tale of Snow White. The world building was cRating : between 3.5 and 4 stars
Snow and the Shadows was a beautiful, original and great retelling of the tale of Snow White. The world building was complex, the heroine likeable and the relationships beautiful. Many things happened in a few hundred pages -too many even- and the story would have probably been better told with a second book. But if i might have been quite lost from times to times, it was also greatly enjoyable.
I used to not enjoy much Bailey's books but her last two series are seriously good. I am so glad I didn't put her work aside and gave Rating : 4 stars
I used to not enjoy much Bailey's books but her last two series are seriously good. I am so glad I didn't put her work aside and gave it a try.
Runes of Truth was a really nice read. Sure, it was predictable and stuff like that but it was very enjoyable and I really liked the heroine.
PROS: - Evie is an awesome character, she has dark blue hair and that's hot and she is stronger than the guys. And I like that A LOT ; - I like the writing, it's fluid and perfect to read the book in one sitting ; - The story is very entertaining ; - I liked it, period. It's a good book, read it.
CONS: - A bit predictable but while some people might find it bothersome, i did not ; - A very very very abrupt ending that made me say out loud 'what the...?' and check a few times it was really the last page. Not a real cliffhanger, though ; - I want more. But that's not really a bad point, right?...more
The thing with Yumoyori Wilson is that while her stories might be different everytime, her books are always very similar; it's bright, colorRating : ?
The thing with Yumoyori Wilson is that while her stories might be different everytime, her books are always very similar; it's bright, colorful, fun and kind of like reading an anime. And I would say it can be both a strength and a weakness, because if you loved one of her book, you will love the others. But if you're not a hundred percent into it, something will always be missing.
And she strikes again in the first book of the Crimsom Storm Chronicles with her recipe:
1. Pink, pink, pink; 2. A good handful of instalove; 3. A very MC orientated book; 4. Fantastic fantasy that gives a warm and fuzzy feeling; 5. Some more pink; 6. A special snowflake; 7. A bit of pink; 8. And a slice of life kind of vibe.
Yumoyori's books are the dose of happy sunshine everybody needs from time to time and probably perfect for the readers looking for that. Unfortunately, even if I do love pink and feeling all warm and fuzzy, that was not what I wanted this time. But while I might not have loved the book, it is absolutely not bad and I enjoyed it. And being the fourth novel I read from Yumoyori, I can say she definitely did improve as a writer. That is why I won't rate it because it would probably be very unfair. Taming the Storm does a good job for a few hours of entertainment and lightness, but it's not the cup of tea I needed today....more
Writing this 'review' without chilling out beforehand is probably a mistake but let's be clear: this book was a huge fucking disappoinRating : 2 stars
Writing this 'review' without chilling out beforehand is probably a mistake but let's be clear: this book was a huge fucking disappointment. Eiffel Tower huge.
1. I have a problem with the writing. I'm no writer, i can't criticize so i'll just say: i don't like it. It didn't bother me as much in Love Potion but was a pain in the ass in Blood Magic.
2. I don't like Ariel. Ariel has never been my favorite character; she's too submissive for my taste. Now that's she learning to grow some balls it always seems to be at the most inappropriate time and she simply sounds like a lunatic spoiled child. Also, she's starting to get on my nerves with her rambling bullshit about her guys; she doesn't want them as lovers but they need to want her or she gets all moody. Annoying.
3. The huge strength of this series was the originality of its characters. For a reverse harem, the guys were definitely on the crazy side and switching between creepy stalkers and annoying dicks. With this book, they are now just a bunch of jerks with lots of issues. If I were Ariel, I would call the cops on them.
4. Dash is my favorite and was pretty much inexistant in this book. But that's okay, we have a reason; he was heavily medicated. He was either sleeping or making Ariel's bed or doing her laundry while she was asleep -which she would complain about because she's independant and strong and Dash is not her housekeeper but would not do either because she's a brat.
5. Binx also disappeared. I guess the trip to Quinton's house traumatized him because we didn't see him once after he left his box. NOT. ONCE.
6. The book was pretty much a huge pile of ramblings. Ariel talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and nothing happens. The story didn't advance until the last 5% of the book and I'm not sure I'm grasping what is the plot about. FIVE LAST PERCENT. I guess I should be grateful that the book does not end on a cliffhanger -it simply stops with a very weird and mysterious open ending.
7. BUT it's not only bad stuff. The situations can sometimes be fucking hilarious and I did laugh out loud a few times. The characters definitely help; they're all major weirdos.
The series is not on KU and I want to say I'm done with it, but then again, nothing is set in stone. I guess we'll see.
Marguerite (M)
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