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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ARC/ALC Book Review: I Could Give You the Moon by Ann Liang

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Magical Realism Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Ann Liang
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: April 14th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Everyone loves Chanel Cao—except Ares Yin.

While Chanel has spent her entire life curating a picture-perfect social media personality—from her body to her hair to her camera-ready smile—Ares has spent his trying to hide in the shadows. But Ares’s brother is missing, and Chanel’s parents have secretly separated, and their only hope is each other.

Ares is willing to do whatever it takes to find his brother, and Chanel will do anything to keep her parents’ secret. When the two meet and share a vision of the future—where Ares’s brother appears, as Chanel’s house burns to the ground—they are determined to use each other. Ares believes Chanel is the key to finding his brother, but Chanel is convinced if she gets Ares to fall in love with her, she’ll save her family house—and her parents’ crumbling marriage.

But Ares isn’t interested in the fake personality that Chanel has used her entire life to get affection and adoration. If she’s going to save her reputation, she’s going to have to let Ares get to know the real her—and risk real feelings.

Thank you to the publisher for an ALC and Storygram Tours for the gifted copy.

WHAT A RIDE.

I have read and loved many of Ann Liang’s books so I jumped in head first when this came across my email and it did not disappoint.

Note: I do need to go back and read If You Could See the Sun because that is one of the few I haven’t read. I had no issues with reading Moon though!!

Any who, this was a JOURNEY. It read like a coming of age novel, add in a romance, character arcs and romantic suspense?! I was glued to my headphones. I loved the push and pull between Chanel and Ares. It’s a short book that brings a well executed slow burn.

The little touch of magical realism worked perfectly. It didn’t overwhelm the plot but rather influenced it enough to keep things moving. It brought the intensity up and kept me wondering how things were going to settle.

I loved the growth for both Chanel and Ares AND the fact that it was dual POV (not dual narrators though FYI). There’s a lot of good conversations in here and while tough I do think it stayed in the young adult category well.

it was just a really dang good book y’all.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Magical realism romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild-moderate
  • Content warnings: kidnapping of a child, arson, street fighting

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