Heather is a girl after my own heart: she loves coffees, her son, and her job as a barista/manager for a sHeather Does Not Believe In Valentine's Day.
Heather is a girl after my own heart: she loves coffees, her son, and her job as a barista/manager for a smalltown cafe. North Carolina is safe. Although traveling is a dream, it is just a dream. Here, she is home and in control. No man could sway her heart after her true love turned into infidelity.
Cataloochee cafe is the reprieve from her charming husband's betrayal in the town of Harvest Hollow. Heather refuses to fall for any more charming men, any smooth-talking handsome strangers. Trust is difficult for this hard-working single mother.
Rene Dubois is one such handsome men, a charming French man with a wide smile, and eager to help all those in help around him. Heather cannot avoid him hard enough, especially when Rene begins to make his mission to make this single mother learn how attractive she is, how deserving of love she is.
Rene begins with cheek kisses, quick, and unassuming. His flirty bantering begins to become true, his feelings growing, as does his teasing. The compliments come more often, and suddenly going home is not as appealing to the man in love with France.
Rene's bright eyes are starting to effect Heather's heart, the wall she built of stone crumbling down around her. Despite her resistance, butterflies dance in her stomach. Tingles run along her skin where he briefly touches her, caresses her.
I usually do not get so engaged with clean romances. They seldom make my heart race as I read the ink splayed across the pages, but this novel was a genuinely good read. It was obviously cheesy, but it tugged at the part of me that seldomly enjoys Hallmark films for the holidays. ...more
The Codex of Indresal. Ravendoore. War Torn Kingdoms. Fae. Ancient Elves. Magical Worlds.
This book takes the bookworm's dream: taking the reader's faThe Codex of Indresal. Ravendoore. War Torn Kingdoms. Fae. Ancient Elves. Magical Worlds.
This book takes the bookworm's dream: taking the reader's favorite character from their favorite novel, ripping them from their ink and paper world into the real world? He is wounded, dumbfounded. Aliya is a Junior at Georgia University. The favorite character: Crown Prince Enzo al'Deran of Ravendore.
Aliya wants to believe that the Prince came from her fantastical, magical, beautiful fictional world. To prove she isn't losing her mind, Enzo creates a portal to prove that the magic he weilds is real, that he is flesh and blood.
The Prince asks for Aliya's help. Enzo wants to take his reader into the world of Indresal. No pressure, along with learning of the fact that Enzo is being chased by the villain; and the villain is now in the real, tangible world.
Aliya must decide if she is willing to risk her life in order to save Indresal and the Crown Prince. She could either be going crazy, or she must save her favorite beloved fictional world. I needed this fun light-hearted read. There is so much fun whimsy.
There are dark moments, like when Crown Prince contends with terrible nightmares of the war. Blood, war, anger, screams, cries. The banter is witty and sweet. The silliness of Enzo slowly learning of Aliya's world is humorous and adorable.
I do believe this novel could have done much more with the plot, with more developed character arcs. The elements I loved were: the slow burn romance, a romantasy, and elves. Who doesn't love Elves. However, I still am not a fan of dual POVs. Also, I am just not a fan of the timeline constantly shifting back and forth between storylines. Overall, a good read. I would give the next book a chance to see where the adorable, whimsy couple does next in their fictional adventures ...more
The Enemy Asks Her To Be His Wife. Marrying Him For The First Time ... Again.
Milo Arris is the cruel and young ruler of two planets. The enemy makes MThe Enemy Asks Her To Be His Wife. Marrying Him For The First Time ... Again.
Milo Arris is the cruel and young ruler of two planets. The enemy makes Margo his Columess after invaders wipe out all of the main character's memories. People who work in the castle are failing to hide mysterious burns into their skin. During an evening ball a castle maid is violently killed, a murder most foul.
Why did Margo lose her memories, no, why were her memories stolen from her? Why are people hiding burnt lacerations on their skin? Who is murdering innocent people? Who is not to be trusted aboard the Imnicus?
I would label this read to be a romantasy, sci-fi, dark space murder-mystery.
The romance was very enemies-to-lovers and an amnesiac trope. A very heavy read.
Margot, our main character, is definitely morally grey. There are major angsty vibes. Except, with the enemies-top-lovers, they almost instantly go back to enemies *spoilers*. This book is for people who tend to root for Disney's villains rather than the heroines and heros, the knight in shining armour.
Antiheros are a major component of this one. Antiheroes, yuppers, no shortage of them. I felt as though I was watching an origin story of a villainess slowly coming into her own confident, dynamic self. The only bad part of this dark murder space thriller would be to do a bit more world-building.
I loved the creepy/interesting/hot characters, but the setting could be elaborated on immensely. I need to be immersed in a tale, in its people, in its place and home. I want to imagine myself there with the cast of the book. The idea of the Two Planets is very interesting, and would love more background on that bit of the story. Besides that, cannot wait for the next read! ...more
A Seductive Gothic Fantasy. Dracula's Vampires Embarks On Her Own Journey of Self-Discovery.
Lucy Westerna is known as one of the earliest of Vlad DracA Seductive Gothic Fantasy. Dracula's Vampires Embarks On Her Own Journey of Self-Discovery.
Lucy Westerna is known as one of the earliest of Vlad Dracula's victims. What happens when she dares to dream beyond her creator, her captor? What if her blood sings to her to run, to find her own way in the world? This is the story of how Lucy finds herself, and discovers what is to truly love.
Lucy's undead life has been chalk full of escaping the ancient dead known as Bram Stoker's Dracula. The latest opportunity takes place in modern London, when Lucy comes upon a woman in unfortunate circumstances. Iris is desperately to leave her greedy and corrupted family, just as Lucy had pried herself away from Vlad's clutches.
Miss Westerna believes she can never truly fall in love again, and that she is impossible to be loved by others. She is too Other to tempt the likes of the loving, too strange to seduce the ones with blood pumping through beating hearts.
However, Lucy finds herself charmed by Iris, completely taken in and mesmerized. Automatically, the two are magnets drawn together, each being the others' True North. Chemistry and an intense connection grows strong between them, like a fated pair finding one another at last.
Two obstacles keep the two from finally achieving happiness, living without regret or restriction. One, Iris's mother will stop at nothing to get her back home, to keep her daughter locked up in a cage, there to sit pretty and smile for the stage, for social outings.
Secondly, Dracula is on the prowl for the One That Got Away. The old Romanian royal refuses to be left in the past, determined to cage his vampire Bride, slaughtering anyone who were to get in his way. Lucy Westerna cannot be bested by him so easily, though.
Lucy Westerna has led many lives: A murdered teenager whose life ended much too soon. An adventurer who travels the world, lonesome. A hunter who fears nothing and craves the taste of red, bright scarlet pools slipping from pretty necks. Good read! ...more
Fates Carved In Stone. Others Created With Blood. A Dark, Gothic Fantasy.
Calista lives in Dahryst, a place home to witches, that is watched over by thFates Carved In Stone. Others Created With Blood. A Dark, Gothic Fantasy.
Calista lives in Dahryst, a place home to witches, that is watched over by the gods. It is safe for those who live there, but deadly should Calista's secret come to light. For Calista has the ability that only the God of Death should possess. This is against the very laws of nature, and Calista must keep this truth from ever being revealed.
Death's touch could end Calista's life, ending in tragedy before she even had a chance to live. She swears she will never give the elders reason to end her life, except when the Harvest comes. The Harvest is a deadly tournament, a macabre event that Calista must put an end to. Even if it means the elders learning of her dark gift.
Now, her life is not the only one on the line. Calista's friend is now threatened by the power of the Elders. An Ancient prophecy is revealed to the reader when the God of Death returns. Azkiel reveals that his end will come from Calista's own hand. This cannot happen, and the Death God makes a plan that involves forming an alliance with the girl.
The story then reveals Calista grappling with her dark gift, her resistance to such a menacing magic. It is a part of her, and she hates herself for it. There are ancient mysteries that are slowly revealed over the course of the book, more truth arising.
Calista must save her friends and deal with a vengeful god.
This is truly an enemies-to-lovers. We see Calista slowly coming into her own character, accepting her power and herself, slowly, over time. It is a confidence and defiance against a dark fate. Calista becomes brave and learn of rituals and sacrifices.
The hunger game bit where 12 contestants fought to the death was not my favorite. I enjoyed the touch-her-and-you die trope that slowly began developing between the morally grey main characters. Also, I am always a sucker for a reincarnation twist. ...more
"Finding magic, finding a thing of magic, while you were still young enough to truly believe, could open the door, and then if you had some little gif"Finding magic, finding a thing of magic, while you were still young enough to truly believe, could open the door, and then if you had some little gift as well, a powerful magic could awaken to bloom."
Returned to the world of Temeraire. The Scholomance. Spinning Silver. Uprooted.
I adore every series that Naomi Novik has ever penned. The author is so exquisite in her writing, that I am not surprised how popular her novels became. The worlds are unforgiving and grisly, but so magical and dark and biting.
After Hours, story from the Scholoamance trilogy. Araminta. Vici, from Temeraire. Buried Deep. Spinning Silver. Common Places from Sherlock Holmes. Seven. Blessings. Lord Dunsany's Teapot. Seven Years From Home. Dragons and Decorum, a pride and prejudice retelling. Castle Coeurlieu. The Long Way Around.
This novel full of thirteen short stories was endearing, if not a little odd. I loved getting to return to the same realms my favorite books were set in. I adored the retelling of fairytales. The stories were so mystical and fantastical.
The magic systems are all so well written, they were fascinating. The societies intricate and merciless. Yes, the stories were short and fleeting. Still, they give a peek into a believable existence, a peek into an enduring civilization.
The characters were so dynamic, so separate from one another. Some were witty and intelligent, others delicate and noble. There is a resiliency of character, a refusal to give into the demands of the society. They are all character driven short stories, all with their own arcs and adventures.
Not every story was loved. There were some odd ones out, some that I could not connect with no matter how hard I tried. I love Novik's writing and will read anything she publishes. There were just certain worlds I could not get lost in, or a character I could not root for no matter how hard I tried.
Overall, a nice collection, a wonderful anthology! ...more
Historical Romance. A Grueling Mystery. Horror. Suspenseful. An Absolute Thrill.
Millie Turner is our beautiful main character, once a happy woman who Historical Romance. A Grueling Mystery. Horror. Suspenseful. An Absolute Thrill.
Millie Turner is our beautiful main character, once a happy woman who thought well of her powerful husband. I do not like being anxious. Every second of reading this novel had me tense and biting my lip. My heart was racing, and I was just praying that our main character would get out alive, with hopefully her sanity and heart, intact.
There are so many parts of this book having me question everything, just to reveal another secret or truth I hadn't anticipated. This is good, it is no fun if the reader anticipates what's in store. Except, it is a jumble of confusion, and so much eerie suspense.
The patriarchy had me grinding my teeth. Millie's family are terrible people, although I do not agree with how she approached revealing a terrifying secret of her spouse to the parents that had raised her. Millie's father ought to jump off a cliff. And anyone, literally any friend or family could have taken her side, even tried to believe her.
That is what squeezed my heart so. Not the harrowing events that occur that are horrifying, but the fact that the people she loves and cares about sneer at her. The people that are meant to love her without restraint are looking down on her and judging her situation instead of just loving her.
This mystery was set in the gilded age of New York. I was delighted this book had so many elements, forming a delightful cozy thriller. I hated the fact that the reader could not depend on Millie's narrative. The entire story I only got her account of things, which proved to be intentionally misleading later on.
In conclusion, this book was horrifying and gripping and creepy. Absolutely fascinating! I am a girly who finds gothic novels endearing, and this one truly did not miss the mark. My final words: screw misogyny and screw the way women were treated back in the day! The only saving grace of this novel was the delightful childhood friend who came just in the nick of time to potentially steal Millie's heart away. Must read! ...more
Blood of a Fae. A Romance Doomed. A Precarious Mission. A Princess & Impending War.
"A Slumbering Kingdom Awoken By Blood..."
Morgan Pendragon was born Blood of a Fae. A Romance Doomed. A Precarious Mission. A Princess & Impending War.
"A Slumbering Kingdom Awoken By Blood..."
Morgan Pendragon was born to a life of politics and throwing away all that she loves for the sake of the throne. A princess that cannot love for herself, cannot think for herself. A princess who can only think of her bloodline, of the people that live in the shadow of the looming castle on the hill.
The people do not hold her in the same regard. For the princess who only thinks of duty and sacrifice has tainted blood, is a black rose in a garden of red blood ones. The princess is said to be of the Fae, known since she was child. Growing up to be the righthand of her brother, the king. Morgan was only to be reared in order to be gifted to the goddess herself.
One day, the king asks his sister to seek a weapon that shares the magic that flows through her veins. It is a Fae weapon. Instead of begrudging her brother this egregious request, the princess takes the task without looking back, feeling as a bird would to escape from the gold confines of its cage.
This is where we meet a unique gang of characters. This group of misfits is led by the dark warrior that catcher her eye. With her newfound family, the comrades navigate nightmares and dangers untold and unnumbered.
A Fae kingdom is awakened. They awake with a vengeance what once was lost to them. Morgan, our beautiful and fierce and brave leading character, finds more of herself than she bargained for in her quest for the legendary weapon.
This was a wonderful slow-burn romance with sufficient danger and action-packed scenes. The only reason I rate this as low as I do, is because I see no unique part of the story compared to countless other romantasy series. I will continue to read the following books, as it is not untasteful. I do hope there will be more to the story than what I explored in the first installment. ...more
Elven Kingdoms. Fantasy. Romance. Magic. A jaded Elf. A Bewitching Human. Secrets.
Yasmin was never supposed to return to Shaldom, the place of her nigElven Kingdoms. Fantasy. Romance. Magic. A jaded Elf. A Bewitching Human. Secrets.
Yasmin was never supposed to return to Shaldom, the place of her nightmares. A place of pain and torment. A place where our main lead endured horrors beyond imagination. Things that made me grimace while reading, that made me enraged that could pass in a where no one would save her. As a girl, she had to save herself.
Years after escaping death, attempting to bring important medicine to those in her charge, Yasmin is caught stealing by the Elves. As a Human, Yasmin is looked down on. They all assume the worst of her, of coveting children stolen from worried parents. Parents that in actuality, had beat those starving children, who did not care if they lived or died.
Yasmin would give her life for any of those children. Would trade her life for theirs. A choice that is more like an ultimatum is presented to her: take Ravi to the place of her nightmares, of the place that echoed with the sounds of her screams. Ravi needs to be taken to the Dangerous Peaks for his important mission, and if she doesn't, she goes to jail. No chance of seeing those cowering, dying children again.
The plan is to leave Ravi in the mountains. What does she care? He is her jailer, her blackmailer. Her prison guard, invisible shackles around her wrists, with him stealing away the key. Yasmin will simply slip away from him the mountains, the place where she once escaped others before. Easy. An adorable Enemies-to-lovers develops, with a little taste of slow burn romance.
A respect is built on that difficult trek. Ravi begins to understand this strange human girl that guides their way by feeling the stone and rock around her. He begins to notice her pain, of her crippling fear the closer they get to their destination.
He begins to feel for her, and suddenly, Yasmin is not just an assignment anymore. Not just a means to an end. This was a delish mix of elves and humans and grounds and harsh landscapes. Even the Forced Proximity scene delighted and thrilled me. Great read! ...more
Absolutely adore this writing sThe Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell
Lampposts. Murder. Glass Cages. Cast Iron.
"It's an honor to bring light to the dark."
Absolutely adore this writing style, it's so engaging! "A whisper as loud as a swarm of bees", crashing waves, and buoyant ships anchored in the harbor. Very atmospheric.
Black locust, dancing, balls, missing girls, Temperance and Josiah. Wraiths in the fog. Secret admirers. Monsters in the dark.
Voices coming from the fog. Ravenous. Flames being snuffed out. The Gathering.
A shifty character claiming the love of her sister. Suspicion. Intrigue. Tempe playing detective, no one taking her seriously while a dark storm is rolling in with the tide and the eery fog.
Pru. Gideon. Visions of Da at the lamppost. Falling candles. Ghosts of the missing girls pleading for their murderer to receive his commupence.
"A fire in your blood. In your spirit."
Girls turned to wood. Deadly bargains. Black wrist bruises. A failed arson rid the world of a cruel beast. This was truly a horrifying read, and I look forward to the next books that this author pens.
Merged review:
The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell
Lampposts. Murder. Glass Cages. Cast Iron.
"It's an honor to bring light to the dark."
Absolutely adore this writing style, it's so engaging! "A whisper as loud as a swarm of bees", crashing waves, and buoyant ships anchored in the harbor. Very atmospheric.
Black locust, dancing, balls, missing girls, Temperance and Josiah. Wraiths in the fog. Secret admirers. Monsters in the dark.
Voices coming from the fog. Ravenous. Flames being snuffed out. The Gathering.
A shifty character claiming the love of her sister. Suspicion. Intrigue. Tempe playing detective, no one taking her seriously while a dark storm is rolling in with the tide and the eery fog.
Pru. Gideon. Visions of Da at the lamppost. Falling candles. Ghosts of the missing girls pleading for their murderer to receive his commupence.
"A fire in your blood. In your spirit."
Girls turned to wood. Deadly bargains. Black wrist bruises. A failed arson rid the world of a cruel beast. This was truly a horrifying read, and I look forward to the next books that this author pens....more
Dark Obsessions. Taunting Letters. Mutilated Corpses. One Lady Doctor. A Skeptical Partner.
Dr. Julia Lewis stalks the streets of Victorian London, solDark Obsessions. Taunting Letters. Mutilated Corpses. One Lady Doctor. A Skeptical Partner.
Dr. Julia Lewis stalks the streets of Victorian London, solving murder cases as one of Britain's first lady physicians. Already, I was pulled in and completely engrossed in the story. Strong, intelligent, women detectives are one of my most favorite story plot points.
In this particular murder investigation, Dr. Julia Lewis is partnered with Detective Inspector Tennant of Scotland Yard. Neither are excited to work together in this historical mystery. The novel starts out with a clergyman's body that has been mutilated beyond comprehension, and being an ostracized lady dark is making the progression of the case all the harder for the two investigators.
Police begin receiving letters and more clues, leading the investigators on goose chases between London's workhouses and sewers in the underbelly of the city. This story takes place twenty years prior to Jack the Ripper's sadistic line of mutilated women. Though, our lady doctor is not the only one who faces hardships. Our Inspector served in the Crimean War, contending with both physical and psychological wounds due to the time he spent in the devastating backdrop of a bloody and unending war.
I am obsessed with the Victorian era and all its odd little Society rules. I loved that our lead character opened up the world of STEM and science to other women in a world that hated women with a brain. With a degree. The only complaint I have of this book is that it was difficult to get through the book at times. Some sections are dry, others so endearing.
Still, I recommend this dark Victorian novel to all those readers who are obsessed with strong women leads, who loves the main character taking on the world against the face of adversity. The dark parts are also very grisly, and I know how many people out there are just compelled to listen to and watch true crime podcasts/TV shows. ...more
Mystery. A Lost Love. Magic. Coming Home. The Mountain Town of Woodsmoke.
In the town of Woodsmoke, there is a tale. It is said that when a stranger sMystery. A Lost Love. Magic. Coming Home. The Mountain Town of Woodsmoke.
In the town of Woodsmoke, there is a tale. It is said that when a stranger shows at the first sign of snow in the winter months, they will disappear before the coming spring. There will be no clue, no obvious answer as to how they would have left. In their wake, there will be a bleeding, broken heart.
Carrie Morgan is from that snowy Mountain town. She had left the town behind in her rear-view mirror, no intention of ever coming back. Carrie had run away to pain in Europe for nearly a decade, doing what she loved. Except, her friends and loved ones always haunted her in the back of her mind. Never able to completely leave her loved ones behind.
Morgan had left more than friends and family, however. She had chosen to leave behind that ancient power that drew from the mountain and the creeks and the trees. The spells and the curses that ran through her veins and poured out into nature and the town.
Carrie's grandmother has passed away, she inherits dilapidated cottage that needs time, care, and love to renovate it. In this process, our main character meets Matthieu, a stranger that sweeps into the town as the spring turns to fall, as full turns to winter months.
Feelings begin to stir in her heart for this newcomer, despite the old wife's tales.
But then, the old legend becomes true and Matthieu disappears without a trace. Carrie knows he is real, despite the tale and despite the townsfolk warnings.
All in all, I think this was beautiful and tragic and heartbreaking. The history of the town was well written, the romance bittersweet. The generational magic of Carrie Morgan's family is something ancient and magical. This novel had a clever plot line, and the characters felt real. The issues felt like they would be a real struggle through family bonds.
Resurrecting old family ties and reigniting friendships was heartwarming. ...more
They Can't Speak. They Can't Move. They Can't hurt You.
This is what Ezra Friedman tells himself when he communes with ghosts, having spent his childhoThey Can't Speak. They Can't Move. They Can't hurt You.
This is what Ezra Friedman tells himself when he communes with ghosts, having spent his childhood in a funeral home. His grandfather's ghost hovers over him, seething with disapproval and distaste. Ezra cannot wait for the day he can leave his judgement family - both dead and alive - in the past. Running away is the only option.
Except, that's when his dream job is taken out from under him. His mother ruins Passover seder to announce her leaving with the rabbi's wife. Now, his family is disgraced, and the family business is on the brink of financial ruin.
Now, he is asked to help out at the funeral home, where he grew up with the ghosts he must contend with once again. It makes things easier when there is a certain handsome volunteer named Jonathan to greet him everyday.
Jonathan also has to deal with the fact that he sees Jonathan's husband, Ben. Growing up, the ghouls could not voice their pain nor their messages. Ben is the first ghost, first specter, to voice his thoughts.
This was a super emotional read for me. I came for the spooky vibes and stayed for the tears and the laughs and the warm feels. It was bit of a slow burn, but it was so so worth it in the end. It was full of love and friendship, of grief.
Not surprisingly, death was a heavy topic of the book, and not in a bad way. Death is society's ick, everyone gets uncomfortable around the topic, because it is that dismal end everyone will collectively face one day.
This book covered grief and love and death in a way that was not overbearingly depressing. It was sweet and tender-hearted. I liked that Ezra wanted to heal his relationship with his family, that he was putting in the effort and the time. And the romance, oh was so worth it and beautiful and wholesome. ...more
"I see you, Morgan Pendragon. I see you truly for everything you are and everything you will be and I claim you as mine."
Queen of Roses had been a pro"I see you, Morgan Pendragon. I see you truly for everything you are and everything you will be and I claim you as mine."
Queen of Roses had been a promising read, so I was eagerly looking forward to reading the second installment into the series, Court of Claws. Morgan Pendragon finds herself in the court of Siabra, a dangerous court where she finds all the love she had once felt is gone from her heart.
She was sent on a quest to secure the Excalibur for her destructive, chaotic, dark brother.
Except, now, she has been marked as the consort for the Court of Umbral Flames.
The one man she had chanced to give her feelings, her emotions, has died. A monster has taken his place. A lie, a cruel twist of fate. Morgan wants to run. Kairos Draven will never let her go, never stop hunting her. He will do anything to have her at his side.
The Blood Of Fae part 2 was not a let down, but it also certainly was not an amazing sequel. It gave me similar vibes as hunting competition/trials reads, all fighting against one another to win the final prize, or for the chance to simply live.
The female lead, I felt, backtracked a bit in her character development. The romance was not as compelling or sensual. In the first novel, she was focused, smart, and witty. Intelligent. But there were also plenty of good aspects to this novel.
There were enemies-to-lovers vibes in this dark fantasy. A simmering undertone of bodyguard/over-protective male lead type. Some found family, which is an instant love for me. Court politics and world building is fascinating.
There are plot twists with intense betrayals, some suspense, some spicy scenes. There was the usual action and adventure. We get more insight into Morgan's mysterious past....more
A Dark Fantasy. A Brute of A King. A Fae Prince. The Lie of Spinning Gold.
This romance retelling of Rumpelstiltskin fuses with Beauty and the Beast. F A Dark Fantasy. A Brute of A King. A Fae Prince. The Lie of Spinning Gold.
This romance retelling of Rumpelstiltskin fuses with Beauty and the Beast. Folklore retellings, in my experience, are the best ones. There are so many unique ways to spin those original tales, and this one did not disappoint.
The story focuses on Eleanor, a human alchemist who is attempting to create gold by metallurgy. It is a kind of magical science, and she feels as though she is just on the cuff of making a huge breakthrough. She makes her living by selling her wares at the fae market, where she is able to obtain faerie metals that is vital to her gold transfusion.
It is unique how this version of Belle (Beauty and the Beast) gets captured. In fact, she becomes his servant because she owes him for bailing out a friend, this world's version of Gaston. A deeply dumb character, he has poached from the human king himself.
Eleanor is the kind of main lead that I adore, the beauty and the brains. She has such a passion for her craft, and that talent is very needed in this world. Ruskin, our Rumple, belongs to the Seelie Court.
He is a frowned upon ruler due to his half-Unseelie origins. I loved that he was not as scary as the original character was designed to be, a true villain in his own right. This Ruskin cares so deeply for the people that hate him, defending them, and caring for them in a way that is not returned.
The enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, hate/love dynamic so corny and so cute. Reading the banter. having just read the latest book in The Cruel Prince series, I got very similar vibes to this novel. It was definitely one I would recommend to fellow readers. ...more
The Chronicles of Lucitopia. Becoming the Main Character of Your Favorite Book.
This is what happened to Holly, or more accurately now, Princess Pleasa
The Chronicles of Lucitopia. Becoming the Main Character of Your Favorite Book.
This is what happened to Holly, or more accurately now, Princess Pleasant. A spell transports her into the fairytale "The Chronicles of Lucitopia", except she became her favorite character too late in the story. Instead of becoming the hero and stopping the evil sorcerer, she transports into the book world after it becomes a land of the malevolent and the nefarious.
Now, Holly has to fix this mess of a world she has magically transported to.
We then meet a heroic knight, who is righteous, honorable, and noble. The clock is ticking, though! This is the part that brought me memories of Labyrinth by A.C.H Smith, based on the movie directed by the puppet movie featuring David Bowie. So much time does she have before her brother is turned to a goblin! She must get past the riddles, the traps, and reach the castle before she can get her brother back.
In this story, Holly has but fifteen days or she is stuck in this odd world forever, never to return to her life outside of a little novel. I will say, the story dragged on in some parts. I wanted to be enthralled like I had been with The Labyrinth, but it was hard to get through at times.
How does Holly successfully leave this land of ink and pages? She must kiss a human boy.
This was a funny spin on a good storyline, inserting many hilarious scenes. The ending was well worth getting to the end. This story is sweet and fantastical, and so ridiculous at times. There is excitement and whimsy, and the final boss fight is magnificent.
I would add this novel to my list of cozy fantasy books. There are more and more every year. I hope this trend does not stop its momentum. They are of full of cinnamon-roll type characters. Slowing down, falling in love, often in a sweet and charming way; with a dash of mundanity. Such a tame, heartwarming side quest. Readers, enjoy the sweetness of this bookish cozy love story ...more
This novel was an average action-packed romantic fantasy. A most wanted assassin, a killeShadowclad by Maxie Jove
Slow burn romance, enemies-to-lovers.
This novel was an average action-packed romantic fantasy. A most wanted assassin, a killer. A murderer. A soldier comes to call.
Magic is dwindling in the new, very corrupted kingdom. A rising Syndicate sworn to the one true born ruler. The New Kingdom is suffering a tyrannical monarch.
Cera is the ruthless leader of the assassins. Her dearest friend and comrade was slaughtered, triggering her desire for no more lost shadows. Risking her own people is no longer worth their lives. The Reaper, concerned for those under her command.
Zack is newly recruited and handsome and dashing, and constantly on Cera's every nerve. Zack is a soldier undercover, thrust under the wing of the most conniving assassin there is alive--all while planning to betray her trust.
But Cera is the Reaper. The Reaper makes no apologizes, no exceptions. When feelings get muddled and his heart is swayed by the beautiful killer, their allegiances begin to shift.
The plot was certainly interesting. However, there was no unique bit of the world. I have read this story again and again in far lovelier verse. ...more
The Branded Series first book centers around orphaned twins Nara and Osha. Isfalk is full of the Branded and the diseased, with the immune and strong The Branded Series first book centers around orphaned twins Nara and Osha. Isfalk is full of the Branded and the diseased, with the immune and strong Pure. The citadel is full of those with unbranded skin, ripe for men to leer at girls like their own personal feast, to wed and bed.
Nara wants nothing to do with becoming breeding stock. She finds herself in the wilds of the Fornwood, and is forced to flee into those very woods when the Branded come to call. The girls in those prophecies are forced to go on the run.
Wrangler, our main love interest, is a mysterious southern Brand. Nara slowly begins to learn her own abilities, discovering this hidden magic that flows through her veins. Childhood memories tell of this latent power that thrums beneath the surface, begging to be released.
Trust is a fragile thing in a world where women are traded and sold like cattle. Nara does not trust easily, and she want to put her whole heart into the Wrangler. Except, Nara knows that the Brand is hiding something that has something to with her forgotten childhood memories.
This fantasy sci-fi has an intriguing world, charming characters, and sizzling romantic chemistry. The banter is witty and engaging, not at all cheesy. The themes of sexism, prejudice, and classism are found throughout this well-written tale.
This book was so immersive, with magic and witches, prophecies, adventure, infections, disease, and healers. Our Main character, Nara is talented in fighting and hunting. She is inspiring and makes me want to be strong, in the way that she is strong.
The romance between Wrangler and Nara is very slow, but so worth it in the end! The suspense, the intrigue, and the satisfying crashing of lips like waves against the shore. This story and its characters felt very unique, even though the elements of chaos and magic and action-packed scenes can be found in other stories.
The Branded has a wonderful plot and was executed beautifully. The way that this novel presented powerful women and their journeys stuck with me. I am excited to read more from Jo Riccioni. ...more
All heroes have tragic origin stories, and Winnie is definitely not a villain.Hybrid Magic by Ava Richardson
Destia. Air Mages. Murdered Parents. War.
All heroes have tragic origin stories, and Winnie is definitely not a villain. With a natural affinity for air magic, Winnie is put into the hands of her grandmother after her parents are murdered in cold blood.
Her maternal grandmother is a lady of high society and will do anything to keep an iron fist on power and wealth, forever dreading and begrudging her commoner son-in-law. Her grand lifestyle is all that she values, and she makes everyone around her know who to respect.
Winnie is a very inquisitive, and it's her investigative nature that sets her apart from others, for she has found a weakness with her rival's armor, vowing to end his life in order to end the neverending, bloody war.
The king sees this cunning and appreciates her skills, and soon Winnie is joining the country's best scholars on the Fantis expedition, to make sure all remnants of the former mage's magic is gone for good. These remnants are known in this novel as the Rot.
This was a very engaging story and I am very grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The author certainly does a wonderful job of painting an adventure of action, fantasy, and navigating difficult situations. It never let me down, urging me to read faster and faster.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves high fantasy, complex worlds, and action-packed novels. This definitely made me want to dive into the other installments set in this fantastical world. ...more
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