Book Review: The Wolf King (Wolf King #1) by Lauren Palphreyman

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 475 pages
Author: Lauren Palphreyman
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 14th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a princess is kidnapped by an alpha , war rages between the humans and the wolves. But soon, forbidden attraction starts to grow. . .

Princess Aurora longs to escape the castle and the marriage that has been arranged for her.

But on the night before her wedding, at a dog fight where captured werewolves are made to fight for sport, she spares the life of a young wolf. It puts her on the radar of the powerful alpha who was going to kill him. And it changes everything.

That night, when the alpha escapes, he kidnaps her and takes her to the rugged lands north of the border — where the once warring werewolf clans are beginning to unite. He thinks that she is the key to winning the war against the humans.

Only, as they spend time around one another, forbidden attraction starts to grow. And as Aurora learns that not all wolves are bad, the alpha discovers that she is in danger from both his enemies, and those he once considered friends.

With monsters on both sides, a bloodthirsty war between humans and wolves raging, and undeniable passion growing between them — will their story end in love? Or tragedy?

And will Aurora ever get home?

Does she even want to?

Y’ALL I’M BEGGING.

Please bring back the slow burn. I miss the torturous pull in the first book (or two) of a series where I am obsessed with the tension and angst between the leads. I loved a lot about this book but was frustrated by the spice forward nature.

THOUGH, I will say, the audiobook is absolutely where you need to be reading this book. It is DUET NARRATION Y’ALL. The best audiobook listening if you ask me. I love it (and he’s Scottish so…..). That made for an enjoyable time reading.

The plot is good, I do like the bones of this story. Hallmark fantasy things that I never tire of seeing and I haven’t read a wolf shifter in a minute so that was good too. I like many of the characters and felt we got a good feel of who everyone is while still wanting more.

Do I read the next book though? I DON’T KNOW. I want to know what happens next but also don’t want to be frustrated by the spice? It’s a toss-up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: moderate/high
  • Content warnings: attempted sexual assault

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Book Review: Invictus (Esperance Trilogy #2) by Heather Frost

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 685 pages
Author: Heather Frost
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She chose to trust him.

He swore to protect her.

But surviving Esperance was only the beginning . . .

Amryn never intended to betray the rebels she swore to help—or fall for the husband she was forced to marry. But when everything at Esperance fell apart, Carver became the one person she could trust. Now, she must rely on him more than ever—especially since the knights who hunt empaths know one was at Esperance. If they find her, they will kill her. Yet the threat Amryn doesn’t see coming may prove deadlier, because even though she turned her back on the rebels, the Rising isn’t done with her.

Carver has already lost too much at Esperance. He won’t lose anyone else—especially Amryn. He’ll fight to protect his wife from every threat, including the mysterious bloodstone that nearly killed her. He knows the dangerous relic must be destroyed, but first he has to get the surviving Chosen to the capital—a mission that soon turns deadly, making it clear there is still someone out there who never planned for the Chosen to leave Esperance alive.

But safety isn’t guaranteed in the emperor’s palace. Here, every action is scrutinized and politics twist every word. Surrounded by hidden enemies, ruthless assassins, and deadly conspiracies, Amryn and Carver must navigate a web of danger that could cost them everything—including their lives.

Invictus is book two in a swoony, closed-door fantasy romance series by Amazon bestselling author Heather Frost. If you love slow-burn romance, surprising twists, and an action-packed story you can’t put down, you’ll love Invictus. Just be sure to read Esperance first!

GIMME BOOK THREE.

This is one of the few gems in the [adult closed door fantasy romance] spaces. I have struggled to find ones I can easily recommend and so far so good through book two.

My one small issue was the length. At 670 pages it’s a beast and I started to feel it after awhile. And I did pick out the plot and reveals pretty early on.

Now, the romance?? GIVE ME MORE KISSES. I absolutely loved the building relationship between Carver and Amryn. It’s creating a genuine bond that feels deep and secure and I’m obsessed with the ways the both take care of each other. I truly like this whole cast and seeing some of the side romances blossom too.

This was left with a brutal cliffhanger so I’m excited to read book three when it drops!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild-moderate
  • Content warnings: kidnapping, attempted murder, murder, weapons/physical violence

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Book Review: The Book That Held Her Heart (The Library Trilogy #3) by Mark Lawrence

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Mark Lawrence
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: April 8th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The secret war that defines the Library has chosen its champions and set them on the board

The fate of an infinite library hangs on one book, a book that holds the power to break the unbreakable. In the face of such forces, fragile things like hearts, family, and the world seem certain to fail.

The people most vital to Livira are scattered across time and space, lost, divided into factions, in mortal peril. Somehow, she must bring them together and resolve the unresolvable argument that fuels the library’s war. The bond between Livira and Evar has stretched and stretched again. Can it hold at the end, when things fall apart? Can it bring them together against impossible odds? This is the last chapter, the final page. The end threatens and no one, not characters, readers, or even the author, will emerge unscathed.

IDK Y’ALL.

I have been enjoying this series and I don’t know if it was a case of right book, wrong time but I could never get into this one. It was like the words went in one ear and out the other immediately. I appreciated that the author started the book with a series recap though. Those are always a huge positive with big and dense fantasies.

I think the amount of characters got to me, plus the fact that my favorites were all separated for so long throughout. I kept waiting for a bit more and that didn’t happen until the closing moments. I’m mostly happy with how things wrapped up and I still think I’d try a future series by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: one fade to black
  • Violence: moderate

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ALC Book Review: Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Tesia Tsai
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: April 14th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

As a corpse-driving priestess, a holy servant paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. But when her beloved father collapses due to his declining health, Siying realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to provide her father with the medical aid he needs, Siying accepts a dangerous job that promises a generous commission, and travels to a hostile state to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.

But the moment Siying places her reanimation talisman on the dead prince’s head, rather than make the corpse obedient to Siying’s commands, the talisman brings the prince back to life. Worse, he won’t stay alive for long―not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.

In return for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to aid the frustratingly handsome prince in finding and purifying evil spirits for their qi. But as they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince’s death―secrets that could endanger both Siying’s father and their entire kingdom.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

GREAT DEBUT.

I had a good time with this one! I feel like it’s hard to find fantasy standalones that work well and this is an exception. I loved the audiobook narrator and it made for an easy listen.

I loved the soft romance between Slying and Ren was just right and I appreciated it was young adult appropriate. It’s more so in the background and just right for the plot. I liked the unlikely allies aspect and how they learned to work together while Ren removed the wool from his eyes about his situation.

It wrapped up well for me and I think it closed the loop on enough storylines to not have any major issues. There wee some tender family moments and heightened action that were balanced well. I will be keeping an eye out for Tsai’s next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: murder, attempted murder, loss of a loved one

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