Character Development: 3.5/5 Plot: 2/5 Readability: 3/5 Enjoyment: 2.5/5
This book. THIS BOOK. This book could have been so much more.Overall Score: 2.5/5
Character Development: 3.5/5 Plot: 2/5 Readability: 3/5 Enjoyment: 2.5/5
This book. THIS BOOK. This book could have been so much more.
The first 51% of the book is flashbacks which I absolutely detest. We'd had hints of Dante and Amara's history and we had to relive all of it for the majority of the book.
When I thought I'd got through the constant flashbacks BAM! surprise pregnancy trope which a friend and I had agreed could be the only thing to make this book worse.
The plot was severely lacking and this book is the exact reason that I hate the friends-to-lovers trope. If you're looking for the forbidden love trope, keep looking it wasn't that good either.
Also, Dante referring to himself as a "bad guy" had me physically cringing and walking away. This is a 30-year old man leading the biggest mob family in the country and he's talking like a teenager.
Overall, this book was a huge disappointment and I'm so glad to have finished it....more
Character Development: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5 Readability: 4.5/5 Enjoyment: 4/5
What I Liked: ◉ Tristan's character development - it was intereOverall Score: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5 Readability: 4.5/5 Enjoyment: 4/5
What I Liked: ◉ Tristan's character development - it was interesting to watch this man slowly soften and become an emotionally mature adult (kind of... Morana can't work miracles). ◉ Tension - this book still had quite a lot of tension and angst, which I LOVE! You never knew what Tristan was going to do. ◉ The relationship - I honestly kept reading for Tristan and Morana, it definitely wasn't for the plot.
What I Didn't Like: ◉ Plot - or the lack of plot for the most part, I'm so intrigued by the Syndicate yet we're being handed bread crumbs. ◉ The ending was a bit of a convoluted mess - new characters were suddenly brought in, I didn't know who was stabbing who and it was rushed to the point it had no emotional impact....more
Character Development: 2.5/5 Plot: 3/5 Readability: 4/5 Enjoyment: 3/5
My least favourite book of the series so far. Mac's trauma was haOverall Score: 3/5
Character Development: 2.5/5 Plot: 3/5 Readability: 4/5 Enjoyment: 3/5
My least favourite book of the series so far. Mac's trauma was handled appallingly and was completely unnecessary - I'm hoping it'll be addressed appropriately in book 5.
I've definitely hit that point where I'm glad I'm nearly done with this series unfortunately. ...more
Character Development: 2/5 Plot: 3/5 Readability: 4.5/5 Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Slightly disappointed with the plot in this one, felt like thisOverall Score: 4/5
Character Development: 2/5 Plot: 3/5 Readability: 4.5/5 Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Slightly disappointed with the plot in this one, felt like this book lost its momentum and we didn't even get any character development to make up for it.
I'm also starting to get bored of Barrons caginess and lack of honesty around Mac... at first it was enjoyable and now it just feels pointless and a way to keep the reader going. I'm two chapters away from googling the answer.
I'm intrigued enough to continue but this book has lost that addicting quality it first had....more
Character Development: 3/5 Plot: 3/5 Readability: 4/5 Enjoyment: 4/5
What I Liked: ◉ The writing style - super easy to read and enjoy.Overall Score: 3.5/5
Character Development: 3/5 Plot: 3/5 Readability: 4/5 Enjoyment: 4/5
What I Liked: ◉ The writing style - super easy to read and enjoy. I flew through this book so quickly and I love when it feels like you're not reading. ◉ World building - the author really set this book up well, without throwing too much information at the reader at once. ◉ Pacing - there's no time to get bored with book, it flows so quickly and you just end up flying through it.
What I Didn't Like: ◉ FMC - I'm hoping the author has made her annoying as possible in this book, so we get to see some excellent character growth in the sequel. The 'pick-me' energy was strong with this one. ◉ Plot - I think it took a little while to get into the heart of the book, and this almost felt like it was a set-up to the second book. The focus on world-building made it feel like the plot was pushed to the side at times. ◉ Lack of romance - I've been told this is a slow burn but honestly, we barely got a sprinkle. NOTHING.
Okay, I enjoyed this a lot more than book 2 - our FMC was a lot more relatable and I love how badass she was. Verakko being constantly insulted becausOkay, I enjoyed this a lot more than book 2 - our FMC was a lot more relatable and I love how badass she was. Verakko being constantly insulted because Lily didn't need him was hilarious - our little alien just wanted to build her a fire, and attend to all her needs.
For fans of purring mated aliens.... DING DING DING, we have a winner. ...more
Buckle up, this review is going to contain spoilers.
The only thing I liked about this book was the ending and if I could give a book -2 stars I wouldBuckle up, this review is going to contain spoilers.
The only thing I liked about this book was the ending and if I could give a book -2 stars I would. Some things should never be published, and this is one of them.
Awful characters, a badly written love triangle and a storyline that didn't make sense.
Characters:
- Maverick - our FMC who is completely OBSESSED with Killian. She'd been sneaking around with him for years before he announced his engagement to her older sister, for unknown reasons. Two years later, Maverick ends up marrying Killian's younger brother, and her best friend Kael, despite still being deeply in love with Killian. She does this to try and get Killian to leave his wife and when this doesn't work, still goes through with it. -Kael - our pathetic MMC who is just as obsessed with Maverick and has been since he was 14 years old, and she was 11*cue police sirens*. The younger brother to Killian and is aware that Maverick is in love with his brother but doesn't care because he loves her for the both of them *cue vomit noise*. - Killian - the creepy third point in our love triangle. Killian is weirdly obsessed and possessive of an 11 year old girl from the age of 16. *cue police sirens AGAIN* . Killian marries Maverick's older sister and spends half the book being all sad eyes and "I can't explain why I did what I did, just know its for you". - Jilly - Maverick's older sister who is married to Killian. I believe the author tried to write the most generic bitchy, spoilt, older sister character and in the end, she was my favourite because all of the other characters were worse.
I had so many issues with this book but the big one being the sexualisation of an underage girl by our two MMC's. Parts of this book is from the POV of Kael and this quote really sums up how problematic it is at times:
There are so many depraved thing I want to do to her almost sixteen-year-old killer body (you mean a 15 year old teenage girl) . But I run the words that would end me and my budding legal aspirations on repeat: jailbait, jailbait, jailbait. In the state of Iowa, at nineteen, I could technically be charged with statutory rape if I so much as lay as a fucking inappropriate finger on her before her sixteenth birthday, which is in three weeks.
This chapter then goes into graphic detail about all the sexual things that our 19 year-old MMC wants to do with a 15 year-old girl whilst laying cuddled up in bed with her. *cue police sirens AGAINNNN*. The older brother is just as bad. The obsession these two had with Maverick since she was 11 suggests that both need to be locked up immediately.
The storyline:
Two years after Killian marries Jilly, for reasons unknown, Maverick decides to marry Kael in the hopes that Killian will stop her going through with it and divorce his wife. (Nothing like using your best friend to make his older brother jealous, aye ladies?) He doesn't and she marries Kael. This story progresses over the next year with Maverick emotionally and on one occasion, physically cheating with Killian, and trying to fall in love with her husband.
Every chapter is Maverick pouting over Killian, and then trying to shag her feelings away with her husband. We later discover the Killian married Jilly to protect his father/family from an embezzlement and cheating scandal. Maverick then has to choose between Kael and Killian... although at this point in the story, our girl Maverick needed therapy and to dump both of the perverts to be quite honest.
By the end, Maverick's choice wasn't believable and honestly a little insulting to the readers. The obsession that Killian and Kael both have was just so odd, and it all centered on how pure and beautiful Maverick was, and how she was not like other girls. I feel the need to reiterate that a 16 year old and a 14 year old are weirdly obsessed and possessive over an 11 year old girl and this continues throughout.
Tropes: - Cheating (emotional and physical) - Love Triangle - Betrayal - Marriage of Convenience
I'm going to launch this book into the nearest bin, where it belongs. ...more
A perfect romantasy novella to prepare us for Book 2 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Six Scorching Roses is based within the Crowns of Nyaxia world, aA perfect romantasy novella to prepare us for Book 2 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Six Scorching Roses is based within the Crowns of Nyaxia world, and is such a wonderful addition to it.
How did 187 pages feel like a full-length book?? Carissa has managed to write such a beautiful novella with full and interesting characters. Her writing style is truly wonderful. She manages to keep it simple whilst weaving so much detail into her books.
The story was fairly basic and yet had so much life to it. I would highly recommend reading this before book 2 releases. It's not necessary but definitely give us more insight into the Nyaxia world, and I'm hoping Vale and Lilith pop up again.
Carissa Broadbent is quickly becoming a must-read author for me! ...more
This book is the conclusion to Fallon and Lorcan's story and while it was an enjoyable conclusion, it was not entirely satisfying.
Fallon and Lorcan spThis book is the conclusion to Fallon and Lorcan's story and while it was an enjoyable conclusion, it was not entirely satisfying.
Fallon and Lorcan spend the first third of this book separated, which is something I never enjoy in a book/series. I was also disappointed with the overall storyline in this book. Considering the extensive world-building, the plot felt basic.
It also felt like a lot of the characters had personality transplants and their past history was completely ignored, or never fully explained. I would loved to have had more information around some of the key players in this war, but that was brushed aside for the romance.
I will say this entire series has an issue with pacing, which I've highlighted from the the start. The characters in this book spent way too long separated and I was also expecting a more exciting conclusion to the 'war' that was heavily hinted at through prophecies. These books could have easily been cut down by 100 pages or so.
We did get some cute moments between Fallon and Lore which I enjoyed but it was at the detriment to the story.
Overall, whilst I did enjoy this book it doesn't feel like the end of a trilogy to me. I have a lot of questions that should have been answered in this one....more
House of Pounding Hearts was an incredible sequel in the Kingdom of Crows series. I honestly wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did.
FalHouse of Pounding Hearts was an incredible sequel in the Kingdom of Crows series. I honestly wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did.
Fallon was such a petty arsehole in this book and I loved her for it! She spends 70% of this book hating Lore and it's hilarious, since Lore just ignores her behaviour. Plus, I love books where the tension and angst is consistent throughout. I did find myself rolling my eyes at some of Fallon's decisions but she was still an interesting main character to follow. I'm glad her obsession with Dante is done with, as that was the worst part of her character.
Our MMC Lore played a bigger role in this book and honestly... what a great role he plays. Lore has very strong "touch her and you die" vibes which I'm always here for. A lot more of his character is revealed in this book and I loved learning more about the Crows.
This book has similar issues with pacing as book 1 did, but I enjoyed it a lot more because of the developing relationship between Fallon and Lore. I could read a 1,000 pages of Fallon being petty and Lore just accepting it with a smirk.
I'm excited to read book 3 and see where this series continues to go! ...more
If I’m completely honest, this book was slightly disappointing. A slow plot that didn’t pick up speed until 85% made this a struggle to read at times3
If I’m completely honest, this book was slightly disappointing. A slow plot that didn’t pick up speed until 85% made this a struggle to read at times.
It felt like the characters had a significant personality shift, which I was kind of expecting with Gray, but Willow felt like a different character to me. Their relationship felt underdeveloped and I would have loved to have seen more from them both.
The writing was good but I definitely didn’t connect with the characters as strongly this time.
The conclusion to Willow & Gray’s story overall was not what I was expecting. I think if you loved book 1, you may enjoy this still.
I received an advanced copy for free through the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more
What a great start to Olivia Wildenstein's Kingdom of Crow series. House of Beating Wings introduces us to a whole new world and some fantastic characWhat a great start to Olivia Wildenstein's Kingdom of Crow series. House of Beating Wings introduces us to a whole new world and some fantastic characters.
Fallon, our main character, is a magicless halfling who is foretold by an Oracle that she'll become Queen if she locates the five crows. Fallon is also completely in love with the Prince of Luce, Dante Regio, brother to the King of Luce, so she begins to hunt down the five crows with the help of some friends and a very grumpy crow.
Fallon was such a strong main character, although slightly naive at times and her obsession with the Prince was frustrating to read. She was an enjoyable character once she began to realise that the Prince wasn't as genuine as she thought.
Our MMC isn't introduced to us until the 52% mark, which felt like a very long time for me. The pace of this book really let itself down but I'm hoping it was necessary for what's to come in book 2. The world-building was phenomenal but the pace is why this book has dropped to four stars for me.
I will also say that this book could have been a little bit shorter... especially the first half. Around the 45% mark, the book was not progressing very quickly and I did contemplate stopping but I'm so glad I pushed on.
I'm excited to see where this series goes, as this book has perfectly set everything up for future books. ...more
It pains me to rate a JLA book anything less than 5 stars but this book was purely filler and information dumping.
The two main characters spend the mIt pains me to rate a JLA book anything less than 5 stars but this book was purely filler and information dumping.
The two main characters spend the majority of the book separated from each other - something I completely loathe in a book. LOATHE.
Sera is imprisoned by Kolis, which resulted in info dumping that will probably be relevant for book 4 of the Flesh & Fire Series, and the remainder of the From Blood and Ash Series.
This really was a filler book and could have easily had 60% of it cut, and I'm so sad I didn't enjoy it more. The fact it took me nearly two weeks to read a JLA book says it all....more
FINALLY! FINAAAAAAALLY! I think I was going to go crazy if Brexley and Warwick didn't do something about the tension between them. Chapter 8... *f*4.5
FINALLY! FINAAAAAAALLY! I think I was going to go crazy if Brexley and Warwick didn't do something about the tension between them. Chapter 8... *fans self*. The relationship between these two continued to grow and I really enjoyed Warwick opening up. I mean, he's still a massive douchebag but he's got that BDE so...
I really enjoyed this book and the introduction of some new characters BUT... it felt like I was reading book 2 again at times. The author has really perfected the 'Brexley is in trouble, BOOM, Warwick comes to save the day' storyline and I want MORE. I was hoping to get more into the world and the politics. I wanted more to happen with the resistance and yet, I just felt like Brexley and the gang were running around not achieving much.
Opie and Bitzy continue to be my favourite characters, and the fact they regular turn up in the story high kills me. There wasn't enough of our demon girl Kek, and Birdie. I wish the author utilised these friendships to add to the story
I have my fingers crossed that book 4 allows us to delve deeper into the world. ...more
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