This writing is not working for me. A mix of too many descriptive words not adding anything to the conversation, meh chemistry between the leDNF @26%
This writing is not working for me. A mix of too many descriptive words not adding anything to the conversation, meh chemistry between the leads, miscommunication slash hidden identity trope that's way too obvious, lackluster comes to mind.
Also - negative points for a gruesome first couple chapters with on page animal death. A deer in a snare and lots of description on how to end it's suffering was not how I was expecting to start my Sunday morning read of a romance book. I also don't want to be that guy fact checking, but a deer isn't the first animal to come to mind for getting caught in a snare, but I wasn't around in the medieval ages, so what do I know.
CW for homophobia and parents being bigots. ...more
**spoiler alert** Audio reread: The John Solo & Kirt Graves' narration on this series continues to be great.
Loved it, maybe these narrations will cur**spoiler alert** Audio reread: The John Solo & Kirt Graves' narration on this series continues to be great.
Loved it, maybe these narrations will cure my slump? Fingers crossed.
------------------- Prince & his bodyguard/best friend who's a bit of an obliviot in terms of understanding feelings. Yes, every bloodguard thinks that their ward is the most beautiful person on the planet. Totally normal.
This had such a strong start, great relationship development and showcasing of how each lead was so enamored with the other. Unfortunately, the ending felt way too rushed and there were so many things that could have used more information on.
Their bond turning from pain to pain & pleasure - can we get more information on as to why? Could we have more than just a scene or two of them 'testing out' the pleasure elements? The ending felt a bit lower stakes, and I'm happy for them and their HFN but it didn't feel too satisfying compared to the dark and sinister breadcrumbs of their kingdom only for a clean and swift end. There's also a severe lack of animals in this compared to the first three books. The dream falcon didn't really have any character, and the fellcat minor appearance I wanted so much more from!
I'm just a bit unsatisfied with this one, and it pains me to say so! Still a 4-star read, but it could have been a million stars, ya know?...more
The line I draw in the sand is not reading about explicit sex with minors. Age of consent is 18 where I'm at, and is what I'm comfortable witDNF @ 26%
The line I draw in the sand is not reading about explicit sex with minors. Age of consent is 18 where I'm at, and is what I'm comfortable with reading as an adult. This features a 19 year old and 17 year old, but there's so much at the beginning describing how the younger MC looks maybe 16, is so young and tiny and malnourished, and it's a no for me after getting to explicit sex scene #1.
Also, not loving the captor/prisoner dynamics for an enemies to lovers situation, and these two are giving each other hand jobs while the prisoner's leg is still healing from being shattered for running away.
I'm really hoping all the missing plot elements will be answered in the next book, because man oh man is this plot being held up by a string. But I'm I'm really hoping all the missing plot elements will be answered in the next book, because man oh man is this plot being held up by a string. But I'm too far invested now, lol.
I really liked Sei's growth arc from a grail to a person, and Marek was an idiot, but in an overprotective and endearing way. Loved loved loooooved the dragon and fellcat bantering/bickering going on. Electrocution/sex with some lightning was a new and fun one. Good for them.
I'm just closing my eyes to all the ???? things that didn't add up or answers we never got, and going off vibes. This world is enjoyable, I love seeing other cameos from past characters. I'm hoping the next book has everything click together. I'm glad there's more animal chaos going on in this....more
Wait - this was really cute. And very misleading with the cover. This isn't YA or NA, but actually has leads in their late 20s/early 30s, which was a Wait - this was really cute. And very misleading with the cover. This isn't YA or NA, but actually has leads in their late 20s/early 30s, which was a great surprise.
A very fairytale-esque story of a tournament of multiple tasks for the MC to compete in, in the hopes of marrying a noble. It was a lot softer than I was expecting, and quieter tasks of testing your faith in humanity. Also loved the sex worker rep in this!
Intrigued with Derr's worldbuilding - I need to read more in their catalog! ...more
A step up from the first in the series. Actually has a HFN, engaging plotline and actual things happening, and fae shenanigans! 3.5 stars rounded up.
A step up from the first in the series. Actually has a HFN, engaging plotline and actual things happening, and fae shenanigans! The mysterious assassin prince turns into the biggest remorseful mess and his POV is grovel city.
Going in with little expectations, this was fine. Again, I appreciate that this series toes the line between the SFF and Romance genres, while not really being either of them.
I don't think I care enough to wait around for and read the last book in the trilogy, but will happily pretend like everything works out and HEA's for all happened in this one....more
Ok - this isn't a genre romance, ends on a cliffhanger, and it takes at least half the book for the lead & LI to e**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars, maybe?
Ok - this isn't a genre romance, ends on a cliffhanger, and it takes at least half the book for the lead & LI to even talk to each other. The plot is both boring and not really there. (Take off your human skin!)
Knowing that going in, this was decent. Definitely was expecting maybe a bit more from Mayne, having enjoyed her other romances, but once this started moving, it was entertaining.
The first quarter of the book was so slow. Nothing going on, the plot is just 'look at this fae world and all the people inside it' which, being someone who also like SFF without romance, was dry but fine. I can see how this would be a super frustrating book for a romance reader checking it out after loving the Monstrous series. This does go from the leads not speaking to each other to endless blowjobs and fucking, which was a big 180, lol.
I don't know if I liked this because of the actual story, or because it felt like an actual fantasy genre book with a solid romantic subplot, where the romance is also fleshed out and there is steam (something that gets old in the SFF genre is that it'll be closed door or maybe one open door/vaguely sexy scene). Not sure if I'm making sense, but this book fits in between the gap of genres and I appreciated that element a lot.
It's not a book that's reinventing the wheel in the fae shenanigans world, but it was entertaining once the MCs actually started interacting. Assassin prince + kidnapped halfling, there's some cottage core cuteness sprinkled in along with the court politics and fae happenings. Some domestic bread baking and cuddling with a cat and wolf. Some mystery of figuring out intentions. Fae can't lie so you are reading in between the lines of things being said, yada yada yada.
Yes, I'm going to read the next book since apparently there's a HFN and I want to see the redemption arc and whatnot, still not sure if this is a book I'm loving, or just one that has a solid narration and is entertaining enough to go on with.
Be prepared for so many blowjobs though, and the classic using "nuts" for balls/testicles (it broke me in Soul Eater, lol)....more
Very strong start, a bit too long but overall a very action packed queer historical fantasy. There's so much rage and revenge in this, aimed towards mVery strong start, a bit too long but overall a very action packed queer historical fantasy. There's so much rage and revenge in this, aimed towards men and the patriarchy, which is always a fun time. This is surrounded around a bandit group of outlaws against the empire, and everyone is morally grey. Lots of blood, violence, fighting, deceit, and guessing what everyone's intentions are.
I'm forever a fan of Emily Woo Zeller's narration, so while this is almost a 20-hour long audio, it was an enjoyable listen....more
This series continues to be really fun - the romance continues to develop and I love how soft and gooey the MC's are to each other. There's some side This series continues to be really fun - the romance continues to develop and I love how soft and gooey the MC's are to each other. There's some side quests, more fae shenanigans, and adorable pixies. Greg B does a fantastic narration. AND we get to meet the royal family! Loved how protective the sisters and mom are, hilarious how much they pick on S.
There's bantering, more of the playful bickering now that everyone is happy and in love, some frog mentions (love it), and a narwhal!...more
**spoiler alert** Really am enjoying the overarching plotline unfolding and the world building in this series!
Out of the three books read in this ser**spoiler alert** Really am enjoying the overarching plotline unfolding and the world building in this series!
Out of the three books read in this series, this one was my least favorite, but still very entertaining.
I loved: - The fellcats! The animal additions to each book are excellent. They feel like main characters and I love the shenanigans they get into. - Having their first encounter be where they didn't know who the other was, and how they had that moment of connection together. It was really nice getting into Audric's POV for once, and seeing that he's not a perfect prince like his brothers assume he is. - Creative uses for vines, loved that magical addition - I am so invested in the plot, and loved seeing the previous brothers and their partners making slight appearances to help continue the plot. I love how strong and supportive their familial unit is.
I didn't love: - Compared to the slower and gradual buildup and lots of on page moments together both before and after getting together, this felt really rushed at the end. There's a time jump and boom they have their HEA. Would have loved to see more on page time of their romance after they were together? - The audiobook when sped up at all pronounces Corin as Corn, and I couldn't stop loling at Corn (this is a me problem) - I would have loved to see more on page time of Corn getting more experience and understanding of his magic, and also seeing more of his and Audric's magic working together and how it makes life.
Overall, this one felt a bit like the ending was rushed and wrapped up a bit too quick. Still loving the series, but this one might be my least favorite of the series so far....more
Reread - I love Bell so much. This one is tied for favorite with Whisper & Julien in the first book. Soft fantasy vibes.
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I just... love thiReread - I love Bell so much. This one is tied for favorite with Whisper & Julien in the first book. Soft fantasy vibes.
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I just... love this. Love this series, love this family of princes, love this romance. Just, chef's kiss.
Sweetheart Bell, a dragon (!!!) and ferret, double hidden identities, political maneuvering, adorable little moments between Rakos and Bell. Emotional head massage, magic sharing, on the road shenanigans. How dare Lark make me love these two just as much as Julien and Whisper!!...more
This could have been like 200 pages less and still told the same story. This has the trauma dumping, has a lot of dialogue spent between many characteThis could have been like 200 pages less and still told the same story. This has the trauma dumping, has a lot of dialogue spent between many characters, and a meh actual plot line. I think this could have worked with removing some of the many conversations or discussions that felt like filler?
Also, so much trauma for the sake of it. Go in knowing there's an explicit and on page rape in the first chapter or two, and keeps regularly being brought up, along with the lead trying to kill himself. Very heavy very early on in the story, and definitely was rough to start the book off with. ...more
I'm really enjoying this series - the bantering and bickering is chef's kiss perfect for me. The humor is working great, the characters all have chemiI'm really enjoying this series - the bantering and bickering is chef's kiss perfect for me. The humor is working great, the characters all have chemistry and bring something to the story. The quest/plot is entertaining, the romance is developing at an excellent pace. Just really impressed with this after having zero expectations at the beginning!
Greg Boudreaux is also doing such an awesome job narrating. Even the moments of character's eating and talking with their mouth full - little things really making you feel like you're inside the story.
Satchel the pixie was adorable with his little needling! The call backs of Sylvain hating words that don't make sense - cheesy, corny, etc. So much fun.
This was a great start of the series! Intriguing world building, court politics, war dynamics, arranged marriage and the tension with their forced relThis was a great start of the series! Intriguing world building, court politics, war dynamics, arranged marriage and the tension with their forced relationship, and a little love letter to linguistics? Yes please. This is a bit light on the romance and has a slow and gradual build up - I really enjoyed it!
So much politicking! And a great narration. ...more
It pains me to say it - DNF at 60%, probably shelving under "Not Right Now"
This is not working for me right now. Maybe I need to reread book 1 to getIt pains me to say it - DNF at 60%, probably shelving under "Not Right Now"
This is not working for me right now. Maybe I need to reread book 1 to get back into the Starian World or need to try switching formats to reading the ebook. Usually Foxglove is a comfort read and win for me. I'm bummed this one isn't working out.
Do I dislike the MCs? The narrator? (No) The demon? The plot? No clue what's up.
thosemedalingkids
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