Author: GoodeyReads

ARC Book Review: Champion of Sorrows (Thief of Sorrows #2) by Kristen M. Long

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 530 pages
Author: Kristen M. Long
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After narrowly escaping their brief touch with death at Briarhole, Isolde Cotheran, the Hood of Arnoria, and her cadre, set their sights on retrieving what was stolen. With those she loves bound in chains destined for the mines of Elenarta, Isolde is left with only one path forward. Retribution.

When a royal summons is sent to Thornwood, demanding their attendance at the Tournament of the Guard, Isolde has her way in. An open door into the wolves den, into Elenarta. Once deemed the crowning jewel of Arnoria, the capital is now ruled with a fist of steel and ice. Erebus Tenebriath, the murderous king who sits on a stolen throne, gives Isolde an ultimatum she can’t escape. One that leaves them all not only at the mercy of Erebus, but also his Right Hand, Gage.

Dwelling in the ornate halls of a palace beneath the Oronilma Mountains, Isolde, Malaki, Blyana, and Cillian will face trials, heartbreaks, and nightmares they never dreamed possible. One decision, made out of love, will lead them all down a path of no return. A path lined with secrets, power, and betrayal. Alliances will be tested, ghosts will return from the ashy grave, and sides will be chosen. And as the veil of the past is lifted, Isolde will be faced with a fate she can no longer run from. A truth she must face head on…or burn in its light.

Thank you to the author for an ARC.

STARTED WELL.

I’ve been excited to see where this story continues and I thought it started off really well. I was intrigued by the premise for this sequel. I also adore books with multi-POV and I loved that aspect here too.

One of the things I struggled with were the antagonists. I still don’t feel like I have a reason for them being evil. It’s just, they are. And I want a little more background to truly feel angry about what they’re doing.

The competition in here had some high moments, but I’m also wondering why it was a part of the plot? I think this ties back in to my antagonist issues though.

My interest has been peaked about the direction of the romance (which, FYI, this is much more fantasy than romance. Romance takes a small sub-plot here.). I think seeing more development here will help the connection with characters.

A solid good cliff hanger type ending that does make me want to know what happens next. I do love the found family aspects of this group and how much they love and look after each other.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 3 very brief, low explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, assault, near death experiences, torture, loss of life

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (The Unselected Journals #1) by Beth Brower

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 121 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

I AM INTRIGUED.

At the behest of many friends I finally picked this one up! It’s biggest hurdle is the unique writing style, but once I got the hang of it, I adored this y’all.

Emma is FUNNY. I laughed out loud multiple times and the succinct way she expresses herself is perfectly written. This is a very fast paced book (120ish pages) and offers up a lot of good beginning things to further the story as the journals go along.

I really look forward to seeing more romance, how Emma is able to take control of her situation and more. Regency fans, don’t skip this one if you’re looking for something to mix it up with.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency/Historical
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: none
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: The Game of Hearts (The Otherworlds #2) by Courtney Millecam

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 372 pages
Author: Courtney Millecam
Publisher: Laurel Ink Press
Release Date: February 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Win the game, change your fate. Lose the game, lose your life.

When Alice Liddell runs away on the night of her engagement party and stumbles into a shadowy pub on a forgotten street, she thinks her life is ruined. Her parents are furious, her reputation is destroyed, and her fall from society will be printed in all of London’s gossip columns. Then a mysterious stranger gives her an unexpected solution to all of her problems: A yearly game inviting mortals into the land of Faerie to play the queen’s infamous Game of Hearts. To win is to gain a wish of your heart but to lose means sacrificing your freedom.

Alice quickly realizes the game is far more intricate and deadly than she was led to believe and teams up with the rebellious and irreverent cat-shifter Ches. Together they must outwit the other players by solving the obscure riddles given as clues and get out of the queen’s enchanted hedge maze unscathed. It also means staying far away from Maddox, the queen’s champion player and Alice’s fiercest competition. He’s determined to win at all costs, but Alice suspects his motives may not be his own.

The deeper Alice goes inside the world of cunning fae, bloodthirsty beasts, and vengeful queens, the more she fears that winning means betraying those closest to her. And in this Game of Hearts, Alice needs to guard hers.

This 1920’s Alice in Wonderland reimagining is the second book in the Otherworlds Trilogy and is perfect for fans of fairytale retellings with dark twists, atmospheric settings, and slow burn romance that’s swoony, not spicy.

Thank you Courtney Millecam and Book of Matches Media for the gifted copy & eARC.

WHERE IS BOOK THREE.

This was incredible! There is absolutely no second book syndrome here. I thought everything was taken to the next level. The writing, the characters, the story, all of it.

I adored seeing all of the subtle allusions to Alice in Wonderland. It was so cleverly accomplished and had all of the elements I love in a retelling while still being a completely different story. I loved Alice and seeing her character growth throughout the book. She found her voice and deep dived into how strong she can be in the face of multiple trials.

And the side characters!! I’m especially partial to Ches. I loved his friendship with Alice. I feel like often with competition style plots the story can get bogged down in all of the different games, and this was not the case here. I loved how the sub-plots and the larger story kept moving forward. I loved the nods to where this series is going next.

Seriously an incredible read. I love so many things about this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: In Spotlight and Shadow (Doors to the Past #11) by Rachel Scott McDaniel

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Christian Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Release Date: February 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Elise Malvern has a habit of letting people down. Her former boyfriend who hoped she’d be his bride. Her grandfather who hoped she’d take over the family’s auction company. But mostly she’s disappointed herself. What’s the point of pursuing her passion as a violinist, if she is too scared to audition for a seat in the Pittsburgh Symphony? Her internship at the elegant Heinz Hall places her in the wings of the stage, but never on it. By accident, she discovers an old stage prop. Her instincts tell her there’s more to the paste necklace than meets the eye. Whether a good idea or not, she accepts help from a childhood friend, who happens to be country music megastar—Peirson Brooks. Peirson and Elise share a history; one she doesn’t care to repeat. The more involved they become in the mystery, the more things get tangled, including her heart.
 
A century earlier…
Sophie Walters longs for center stage, her name on the marquee, and all that jazz, but climbing her way into an acting career is more difficult than she imagined. Having spoiled all her chances in Hollywood, she returns to Pittsburgh, accepting an insignificant role in a popular production. She watches her dreams pass by from behind the curtain at the illustrious Loew’s Penn Theatre. She finally gets the coveted spotlight, but not for her talent. No, her surge to fame is all one terrible mistake. Somehow, she’s suspected to be a notorious jewel thief known around Pittsburgh as The Mirage. The man she pleads for help is none other than the man she jilted at the altar five years before, Sterling Monroe.

SWEET ROMANCES.

I really enjoyed this one! This was my second McDaniel book and I would easily continue picking them up. I love the themes and the characters are well written. Filled with strengths and weaknesses to work through.

The mystery element here was a lot of fun. I would not have guessed the final reveal and actually thought it was in of itself an interesting twist. There’s some intense what’s going to happen next moments that had me listening to this in one day (side note: loved the audiobook).

I thought both romances were super sweet. They were both second chance romances (with different reasonings) and I thought all of the moments were tender. Elise and Sophie both had plenty to learn about themselves and finding forgiveness within their actions and things out of their control.

Just one of those really solid books. Easily recommend if you’re okay with Christian themes (I’d say a moderate faith vein throughout) and looking for past/present timelines!

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and weapons violence, theft, grief

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph