ARC Book Review: To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods #1) by Molly X. Chang

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy
Length: 368 pages
Author: Molly X. Chang
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: April 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this magical epic fantasy, a young woman cursed with the power of death must decide if saving her family is worth betraying her country—the first installation of a gripping new series.

Heroes die, cowards live. Daughter of a conquered world, Ruying hates the invaders who descended from the heavens long before she was born and defeated the magic of her people with technologies unlike anything her world had ever seen.

Blessed by Death, born with the ability to pull the life right out of mortal bodies, Ruying shouldn’t have to fear these foreign invaders, but she does. Especially because she wants to keep herself and her family safe.

When Ruying’s Gift is discovered by an enemy prince, he offers her an impossible deal: If she becomes his private assassin and eliminates his political rivals—whose deaths he swears would be for the good of both their worlds and would protect her people from further brutalization—her family will never starve or suffer harm again. But to accept this bargain, she must use the powers she has always feared, powers that will shave years off her own existence.

Can Ruying trust this prince, whose promises of a better world make her heart ache and whose smiles make her pulse beat faster? Are the evils of this agreement really in the service of a much greater good? Or will she betray her entire nation by protecting those she loves the most?

Thank you to Del Rey for the Goodreads giveaway book!

READY FOR MORE.

I was fortunate enough to win this in a giveaway because I have been eyeing it for awhile now, and it did not disappoint.

My favorite thing about this book was how complex it was. Black, white and alllllll the gray. I loved the emotional journey this took me on. Trying to guess where the true evil was hiding, who was really making the calls, and how the story was all coming together. I liked how much this book gave me but also making me anxious for the next book. This had an awesome build where I found myself more and more invested.

The romance aspects (sub-plot) have my attention to. Honestly, I have ZERO clue where this is going and I am in love with that. I’m someone who prefers a multi-book slow burn and questioning if the first guy is the end game or not (because I have QUESTIONS). Is it weird I love how much I’m still in the dark??

An amazing debut. One I will be recommending to fantasy readers. OH!! And it’s got historical fantasy vibes which if you know, IS MY KRYPTONITE. Seriously, check this book out.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: drug addiction (opium), loss of loved ones, executions, medical experimentation

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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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