ARC/ALC Book Review: Defy the Dusk (The Sundering Duet #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 672 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: November 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When darkness means certain death and survival depends on reaching the dawn, the woman whose magic broke the world will carve another path: defy the dusk. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom comes the first book in a gritty post-apocalyptic fantasy duology.

In the Sundered world, there are two options: Ride the dawn, or face what rises in the night.

Twenty years ago, Lirien’s magic fractured the world and unleashed nocturnal creatures that brought civilization to its knees. Amidst the carnage came salvation: The most powerful survivors were invited to board Dawnrider, a high-speed rig that would deliver those aboard into a new era.

The rest of humanity was left to die.

Instead, a king rose from the darkness to lead them.

In the years since, Lirien has dedicated her magic to Dawnrider while secretly plotting to overthrow the tyrant who rules the rig with an iron fist. But just as Lirien is ready to strike against him, she is violently abducted by Vox—the king of the feralists.

The mercurial Vox gives her two choices: Fight the creatures that hunt the night or be fed to them. Lirien agrees to join his ranks, but embarks on a strategy of seduction that will return her to Dawnrider.

Yet as Vox pushes the limits of her magic, Lirien begins to question whether defying the dusk is the true path to salvation. Intoxicated by both Vox and his war against the night, Lirien must decide where her loyalties truly lie—and how far she’s willing to go for redemption.

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook and Del Rey for the gifted eARC.

YUUUUUUP.

I just love getting my hands on a DLJ book. I have been waiting to read this for awhile and it delivered. This world was WIIIIIIILD and gruesome and unforgiving and brutal. I liked the complexity of the situations and the way different people choose to find their way. I loved the train and traveling concept. It was interesting. Add in a handmaid’s tale vibe and the atmosphere was haunting.

The romance was a genuine slow burn. BLESSSSS. The traversing from enemies to reluctant allies to maybe lovers to […] was something I was all over. Vox and Lirien had insane chemistry and I appreciate getting to see a couple with a lot of page time so that I can fall in love with them too.

DLJ does a fantastic job of building out casts with an array of personalities and vileness. I hate the antagonists (complimentary) as much as I love the found family. The plot beats were great and the action kept things rolling just right. I just really enjoyed how much this book made me think. And also cringe. Good heavens the straxi were sending me into orbit. I can’t even look at artwork of them much less picture them in my mind without freaking out.

🎧: The audiobook is STELLAR. DUET Y’ALL. DUET. Do it. You won’t regret it. The narrators were amazing.

Absolutely sat to see what happens in book two!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Dystopian fantasy romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 2ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: creature attacks, blood/gore, loss of life, kidnapping, abuse, forced breeding

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ALC Book Review: Sharpest Court (Thorn Season #2) by Kiera Azar

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Kiera Azar
Publisher: Storytide
Release Date: November 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

With an unputdownable plot, incredible twists, and an extraordinary high fantasy world filled with court intrigue, heart-racing action, a unique magic system, and sizzling chemistry, Sharpest Court is the thrilling sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller, Thorn Season.

Alissa Paine has fled her home, the Kingdom of Daradon – forced to say goodbye to her old old life in order to escape the clutches of both the cruel, tyrannical King Erik to whom she was once betrothed, and the Hunters who persecute Wielders like Alissa.

But she has not left Daradon empty-handed, and Alissa has in her possession an object that Erik greatly desires – a mysterious and ancient spellmade compass which has the potential to reshape the world, if Alissa – or Erik – can unlock its secrets.

Seeking refuge in the Ansoran Empire, Alissa is able to demonstrate her Wielding powers openly for the first time in her life. But Ansora is not a safe haven, and Alissa is quickly forced to navigate the rules and customs of another dangerous ruler. And even with her former ally, Kiel Arcus, by her side, Alissa soon learns that, while she may have been raised in the kingdom of thorns, she is yet to enter the sharpest court….

Perfect for fans of Powerless, Six of Crows, and The Rose Bargain, Sharpest Court is an extraordinary return to the world of Thorn Season.

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

GOOD ENOUGH.

I realized upon starting this that I didn’t quite remember much of book one. And instead of trying to find a summary I just went after it. And what I realized reading the sequel was that the same thing happened. I can read this book and enjoy the story but it doesn’t stick with me. It’s missing those pieces that make stand out story. The writing and bones are good at least.

Where it does get a lot of points is that it’s genuine YA. I’m always after good young adult books that can actually be handed to a teen. So far, two books in, that’s the case here. I like the FMC. She’s relatable and flawed without being frustrating. I liked some moments of the romance but thought there needed to be more of an edge between them. The action and plot pick up much more in the second half speeding towards a good ending without a wild cliffhanger.

I still very much have plans to read book three and see how the antagonist meets his demise. The plot reveals at the end also have me excited for more.

I loved the audiobook narrator! She did a wonderful job and the audiobook was easily the best pick for format when reading this sequel.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate-high

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Book Review: Eclipse of the Crown (Villains & Virtues #3) by A.K. Caggiano

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: A.K. Caggiano
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 13th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Their destinies are irrevocably entangled, but will their bond be the realm’s undoing?

Damien and Amma have landed themselves in the midst of Yvlcon, the preeminent congregation of the vilest and most unscrupulous villains in existence. Once again amongst his peers, Damien’s moral growth is threatened just when he’s learning to be slightly less evil. Consequently, Amma finds her own virtue in peril when faced with so much temptation, namely in the form of a domineering blood mage she can’t—or doesn’t want—to say no to.

But a burgeoning romance is doused in the coldest of baths when the Grand Order of Dread commands Damien to once again face the swirling vortex of entropy that’s been hunting them all over the realm. The coming eclipse points to devastation and destruction, and there seems to be no avoiding annihilation, prophecy being, well, prophecy, after all.

But there’s an entire fortnight before the world is supposed to end, and surely that’s enough time to find some way around it, or to at least confess one’s devotion to the other before it all burns down around them.

GOOD CONCLUSION.

I’ve enjoyed this trilogy! It was fun to be in a fantasy world with so many quirks. It’s humorous and cheeky and just worked well for me. I loved the chemistry between Damien and Amma. The fact we got a genuine slow burn across these three books was something I’ve been missing in 2025 romantasy books. The audiobook is also great and I recommend that format!

I don’t want to go into too much detail since this is the last book so TL;DR it’s a good story. The world was expanded well and the magic system made sense. I loved the backstory on the leads and the found family created along the way.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3ish open door
  • Violence: moderate+

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Book Review: Mestra by Madeline Miller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Mythology Short Story
Length: 65 pages
Author: Madeline Miller
Publisher: Ecco Books
Release Date: September 29th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A brilliant new short story from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Madeline Miller—her first new work of fiction since the publication of Circe—that vibrantly reimagines the powerful and forgotten myth of Mestra.

A cursed father, a gifted daughter

Mestra, daughter of the King of Thessaly, is granted a unique gift by Poseidon: the ability to transform into any being she can imagine.

Her father, on the other hand, is cursed: As punishment for disrespecting the goddess Demeter, he is in possession of an unnatural, insatiable hunger.

Devoted Mestra suggests using her new gift to help her father. But if his hunger is bottomless, how much will he take from her? Soon she must decide: Will she keep helping her father survive, or finally break free?

A jewel-like tale of human fallibility, Mestra confirms Madeline Miller as our high priestess of mythology.

Thank you Ecco Books for the gifted copy.

A SHORT REVIEW.

For a short book. I don’t have a lot to say about this one.

If you’re curious about the lore of Mestra from Greek mythology I think you will like this because it does provide her history. Anything I looked up online after basically had the same story so from a learning stand point it provides that information. But otherwise it is not an expansion or reimaging of Mestra’s tale.

It genuinely clocks in at 65 pages so it would be a quick read if you’re interested.

Overall audience notes;

  • Mythology short story
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: mention/implied sexual assault

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