Book Review: Seven Faceless Saints (Seven Faceless Saints #1) by M.K. Lobb

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Mystery
Length: 400 pages
Author: M.K. Lobb
Publisher: Little Brown
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.

After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit… and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.

Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?

I LIKED IT.

This book doesn’t seem to have rave reviews, but y’all, I really enjoyed it!! I don’t know if the audiobook helped it’s case, though I do highly recommend that route. This kind of reminded me of Blood & Moonlight with more romance.

And that was my favorite sub plot. I liked the second chance romance between Roz and Damian. There was plenty of tension and push/pull with even a few flashbacks to get a feel for their connection when they were kinds until now. I was very invested in this plot and hope it continues to develop well in the next book. It’s a mix of forbidden & childhood friends too. ALL GOOD THINGS.

I loved the murder mystery too. It was intriguing and kept me guessing. I don’t feel like it was super obvious who was doing what and I liked the complexity of the religious, political and societal aspects throughout the book. Maybe more things could be fully developed, but it’s a good read and one I’d easily recommend.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Mystery + Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: vague & brief open (leans towards NA over YA)
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, near death experience, kidnapping, battle themes, loss of loved ones

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ARC Book Review: On Thin Ice by Anna Augustine

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 270 pages
Author: Anna Augustine
Publisher: Quill and Flame
Release Date: April 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He is her biggest mistake. She is his biggest regret. Can they ever find their way back to each other?

Molly Pruitt wants nothing to do with the man who broke her heart. As the newest teacher at Cloverfield High School, she’s determined to start the new chapter of her life free from the tangled strings of her past. There’s no need to think about Tanner Bradshaw anymore.

Until he shows back up in Cloverfield.

Out of the NHL because of a career ending injury, Tanner’s life is in shambles. Now the new coach of the high school hockey team, he’s struggling to gain the boys respect and sorting through his tumultuous feelings for the girl he left behind five years ago. Regret doesn’t begin to cover it, but Tanner isn’t sure if Molly will ever give him a second chance.

Sparks fly when Tanner finds his office placed in the back of Molly’s classroom. Is it fate, or just dumb luck that keeps forcing them together? And when Molly helps win some of the team over to Tanner, he can’t help but wonder if maybe they’re still meant to be.

Now if he can only get Molly to think the same…

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

OOMPH.

This one didn’t work for me y’all. I had major issues with the writing style and plot choice. The characters felt like teenagers rather than adults with the way they spoke to each other. And how some of the side characters interacted with them too. All of the conflict came from high school students, once again, making this feel like a young adult book when it was supposed to be adult.

The bones of this story were there, but I had too many things taking me out of the story to ever feel invested.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Heart of a Valkyrie (The Vinland to Valhalla Saga #1) by Melanie Karsak

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 290 pages
Author: Melanie Karsak
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Born hearing the call of Valkyries.
Dreaming of distant shores.
Torn between the past and the future.
Destined to become a legend.

Iceland, 976—Freydis Eiriksdottir, born to a völva mother and berserker father, lives a quiet life on her remote farmstead in Iceland. Busy dreaming of the sea and haunted by the loss of her mother, she has no idea what the Norns have in store for her. When her father, Eirik the Red, marries the daughter of a powerful chieftain, the course of Freydis’s life changes forever.

Deciding that Freydis would be better off with the gothar, Eirik sends his only daughter to serve the Norse gods. Freydis learns the ancient ways and discovers that her world is endangered—a rising new religion threatens to reshape everything.

Amidst the uncertainty, a distant land beckons Freydis. However, as Freydis forms a close bond with Brien, an Irish thrall, she confronts the harsh realities of their world.

Readers will relish this sweeping Viking saga that chronicles the life of Freydis Eiriksdottir. Dive into The Vinland to Valhalla Saga, a thrilling Viking historical fantasy series by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak.

Thank you to BOMM Tours and the author for an ebook.

GRR.

I had pretty high hopes for this one. If you say Vikings, I AM THERE. And I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover too.

But, lo and behold, this was not everything I hoped for. Quite the opposite actually.

For half the book Freydis is young, 10-12ish approximately, and good heavens are things slooooowwwwww. I also got really tired of her repeating 20 names in a row every time something kind of significant was happening. It felt like trying to hit a word count number more than anything.

And the romance?? She meets a boy her age during this way too long beginning and then it SKIPS SIX YEARS and they’re in love??? I MISSED EVERYTHING. No way am I invested in a romance where I missed the entire relationship.

Bogged down by scenes that don’t matter, and infinitesimal plot movement, I will not be continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: one open almost scene
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, murder, ritual sacrifice of domesticated animals

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Book Review: This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Ann Liang
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a massive secret to keep.

Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?

Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend — he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.

But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

IT’S GOTTA GOOD VIBE.

Picked this up on a whim after I saw a review say, if you liked XOXO (of which, I loved that book) read this one! And I do agree, these two are nicely similar and have the same premise and vibes.

I thought the fake dating here was really cute. The hopeless romantic Eliza is that causes a spiral of consequences to lead her to Caz was charming and sweet. I loved all of the little moments between them the connection you could see brewing from the get-go. The romance side of this is very much on point. The third act is where it lost me for a bit. Eliza caused me some serious shaking of my head and wondering why in the world it had to be this way. Gratefully, it finished all fine and lovely and we can just move on.

This had a lot of great themes too. Eliza having to move so much and struggling to connect (and reconnect) with friends that are now far away. I loved seeing the ups and downs on this sub-plot because it felt very true to more than a young adult aged character. Easily relatable.

The plot backed up the fake dating concept well. I liked the addition of all of the writing, and acting related things. Taking care of someone when they’re sick (!!) and learning the ropes of a new school. It fits perfectly into the YA category and was a good read for the day.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses

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