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ALC Book Review: The Darkness Within Us (The Shadows Between Us #2) by Tricia Levenseller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Chrysantha Stathos has won.

By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has gathered important secrets, earned her father’s constant care, and become a wealthy duchess—all by age nineteen. Now, she is only one elderly, dying duke away from having all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.

Or so she thought.

Turns out her little sister somehow snatched the true victory away from her: Alessandra is wedding the Shadow King, the most powerful man in the world. Meanwhile, after the death of Chrysantha’s no-good, lecherous husband, a man claiming to be the duke’s estranged grandson turns up to inherit everything that should be hers.

Chrysantha is enraged. There is no way that she’s going to let some man take everything from her. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive and alluring with mysterious powers… No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

THE RAGE.

The overwhelming feminist rage of this book about overwhelmed me. NOW. I totally understood and was behind much of it, I just think it became a bit much at some points where I was hoping to see growth and acknowledgement of the other things around her. And I didn’t love the way the book started off with Chrysantha. Rubbed me the wrong way.

ALSO NOTE: This is NOT YA. THIS IS NA. Definitely written for older audiences. I love NA, so that doesn’t bother me, but I’m pretty sure the marketing has been for YA and I wouldn’t feel comfortable handing this to a young teen.

ANYWHO. The characters did grow on me a lot. This is a TRUE enemies to lovers and really got my attention with the vitriol and sass between Chrysantha and Eryx. The slow burn brought them together and the beast that’s prowling makes a show for itself too. I was intrigued by much of this and I liked the general plot. I also loved that Chrysantha was able to reconnect with her sister. I loved seeing her and the king again too.

There’s some good themes and I did see the character growth eventually. I’m still a big fan of Levenseller’s books.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: closed door, innuendo throughout
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: sexual assault (unwanted touching)

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ARC Book Review: We Shall Be Monsters (We Shall Be Monsters #1) by Tara Sim

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 400 pages
Author: Tara Sim
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Release Date: June 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the horror is not the monsters you face but the ones you create.

After her sister Lasya’s sudden death, Kajal vows to do whatever it takes to bring her back. No cost is too great, even if it means preventing Lasya’s soul from joining the cycle of reincarnation. But as Kajal prepares for the resurrection, her sister’s trapped soul warps into a bhuta—a violent, wraith-like spirit hell-bent on murdering those who wronged it in life. With each kill, the bhuta becomes stronger and fiercer, and Kajal’s chances of resurrecting Lasya with her soul intact grow slimmer.

Blamed for Lasya’s rampage and condemned as a witch, Kajal is locked away with little hope of escape. That is, until two strangers who label themselves rebels arrive and offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom’s fallen crown prince, aiding their coup to overthrow the usurper who sits the throne. Desperate to return to Lasya’s body, Kajal rushes to revive the crown prince . . . only to discover that she’s resurrected another boy entirely.

All her life, Kajal has trusted no one but her sister. But with Lasya dead and rebels ready to turn her over to the usurper’s ruthless soldiers, Kajal is forced to work with the boy she mistakenly revived. Together, they must find the crown prince before the rebels discover her mistake, or the bhuta finally turns its murderous fury on the person truly responsible for Lasya’s death: Kajal.

Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tour and Penguin Teen for the gifted book.

INTRIGUED.

This was a total cover read and I really enjoyed the inside of this book too! I loved that this was based in Indian mythology (not something I know a lot about so I loved the author’s note at the end explaining different aspects). Not to mention there’s an undead dog that is a shining character in his own right.

I love how loyal Kajal was to her sister and their story. While I did feel the pacing was off for more than half of the book I started getting invested towards the end as reveals and further plot lines were revealed. I enjoyed the world building and found the magic system to be intricate and dark. The necromancy and reincarnation created a perfectly spooky atmosphere.

I’m looking forward to further expansion of these characters and how it will all come together in that forever battle of good vs. evil and the balance it takes to maintain the world. And there’s a subtle slow burn romance that I must see more of!!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: loss of loved one, weapons violence

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Book Review: Dust (Heirs of Neverland #1) by Kara Swanson

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Urban Fantasy Retelling
Length: 348 pages
Author: Kara Swanson
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London… and a boy who shouldn’t exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself.

PRETTY GOOD.

I’m new to Peter Pan retelling and this one was alright! I thought the concept was interesting and I liked how it was woven into a urban fantasy style plot. The dual POV with Peter Pan was great because it added another layer to the depth of the story.

The entire book just felt slow though. I kept waiting for *something* to pick up and I’m not sure it ever truly did. Seeing all of the other characters for the original story was cool. I liked how Swanson adapted them and the roles everyone played.

I’m undecided on the romance. I once again was wishing more something more to it. There’s some sweet romances and the expected conflicts. I don’t know yet if I’ll read book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Urban Fantasy Retelling
  • Language: light
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, physical and magical altercations, loss of life

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ARC Book Review: The Night Ends with Fire (The Night Ends with Fire #1) by K.X. Song

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: K.X. Song
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: July 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.

The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.

In the army, Meilin’s relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

Thank you to Ace Pub and Berkley for the gifted copy.

YES, THIS.

Your girl is a big time Mulan fan. Like obsessively used to watch it growing up. But I haven’t read a lot of Mulan retellings?? Or at least not ones that i truly felt like had those markers from the movie and made it their own. I loved that this had some of those scenes but the entire plot was something new. It was a great combination of worlds colliding and I am incredibly impressed with the writing.

If I wanted anything more I would have loved a touch more romance, but I think that’s coming?? And I don’t know where it’s going??! Which is honestly kind of my favorite for fantasy series. Give me that long slow burn and make me beg for them to even touch hands. This is the tension I CRAVE.

I liked the plot and the added spirit realms. The magic system made enough sense where I didn’t feel lost and look forward to its expansion in later installments. I loved the heroine, Meilin. Her strength and perseverance. I love that she’s complicated and has weaknesses. Messy characters feel relatable and like someone you want to to root for, Meilin is one of those characters for me. I can’t wait to read what happens next!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: heated make out with touching
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: attempted sexual assault, loss of life, war themes

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