Book Review: Cursed (Gilded #2) by Marissa Meyer

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 496 pages
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: November 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In Cursed, Marissa Meyer brings the fairytale-inspired Gilded duology to a conclusion..

Be still now, and I will tell you a tale.

Adalheid Castle is in chaos.

Following a shocking turn of events, Serilda finds herself ensnared in a deadly game of make-believe with the Erlking, who is determined to propel her deeper into the castle’s lies. Meanwhile, Serilda is determined to work with Gild to help him solve the mystery of his forgotten name and past.

But soon it becomes clear that the Erlking doesn’t only want to use Serilda to bring back his one true love. He also seeks vengeance against the seven gods who have long trapped the Dark Ones behind the veil. If the Erlking succeeds, it could change the mortal realm forever.

Can Serilda find a way to use her storytelling gifts for good—once and for all? And can Serilda and Gild break the spells that tether their spirits to the castle before the Endless Moon finds them truly cursed?

HMM.

Well. You see, I wanted to love this, buuut I can only put it in the like category and that’s the first time I’ve done that for a Marissa Meyer book.

I already wasn’t sure after the [big redacted spoiler] from the ending of the last book. And I don’t think it played super well here. There was an interesting magic workaround that gave the characters some movement but ultimately the miscommunication it led to, led me to struggle with it all.

Where was Gild? Frankly, not sure. He was missing for SO MUCH of this book and he was the whole love interest in the first!! It was one of those cases where the romance dropped off the map rather than holding steady when it was the original purpose of the retelling. The time spent with the Erlking did not do it for me.

There were some good action sequences and I remember liking different parts here and there. I wish Serilda had accomplished a bit more rather than letting things continually happen to her or just hanging out when battles were fought. I hoped for more in this conclusion but oh well.

I do love Marissa Meyer’s writing style and will still pick up whatever she writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of life, possession, physical and magical altercations, childbirth

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Book Review: Easy as Pie (Sweater Weather #5) by Carina Taylor

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 243 pages
Author: Carina Taylor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 28th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My best friend is back in town—and I refuse to let my pesky attraction to him ruin our friendship.


Tripp Sharpe and I have been best friends since middle school. And when he moved away to go to medical school and become a doctor? We’ve kept up by texting, phone calls, and every funny reel we come across. I have one simple rule for protect our friendship at all costs—even from myself. But when Tripp moves back to town, I can’t ignore the attraction I feel. If it were anyone else, I’d just avoid him. But it’s hard to avoid a guy who thinks we’re still the same ol’ besties we’ve always been. Or are we? It turns out some things have changed for him too. Maybe I’m imagining the long stares, the lingering touches, or the flimsy excuses to spend time together, despite his ridiculous schedule. And when Tripp asks me to show him how I like to kiss? It seems like I’m not the only one blasting through our friendship rules…

FLIPPIN’ CUTE.

That’s the vibe of this whole book. It put a smile on my face and I adored Tripp and Hazel. There’s all of that easy banter that comes with having a best friend plus the slow realization that those best friend vibes have turned into something deeper.

The flirting was top notch and I loooved all of the micro tropes. Taking care of someone when they’re sick is always a romantic highlight. And the jealousy? I’m not sorry that those scenes turn me into a PUDDLE. THE TENSION. I loved the doctor and mechanic careers and how those played into the story. I loved the side characters and the absolute it’s always been you moments.

It’s a short, read in a day kind of book. It’s light and loving and easily one I would recommend for the fall.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of a parent due to cancer, neglectful parents

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Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

ASSISTANT WANTED:Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

WHAT A DELIGHT.

I have been seeing some serious hype for this and I’m happy it didn’t disappoint! I was smitten from the get-go with Evie and the Villain and I love how quirky and different this was in the fantasy romance genre. I liked that it was still villainy but it felt a little lighter. Not weighed down with world building, but more of the focus on the office romance and the spy in the midst.

The mutual pining between Evie and the Villain was next level. I ADORED them. I love how protective the Villain became and how Evie had perfect little quips about not falling for the bad guy and how that utterly failed.

I enjoyed the plot. There’s betrayals and good turns, I love a ball scene, round it out with an evil king and I am excited to see where book two leads.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder, murder, loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars #1) by Thea Guanzon

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Thea Guanzon
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: October 3rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The heart is a battlefield.

All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.

Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion–one that could save their world…or destroy it.

An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn worlds, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.

Thank you Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.

WELL I LOVED IT.

I can tell y’all right now, not everyone will love this. I get that, but I was here for it all and I am obsoletely committed to getting my hands on the second book as soon as I can. I adored the banter between Talasyn and Alaric. It made me smile and swoon. I loved the way Alaric’s character was crafted too. He was this dark shadow daddy type who has no concept of wooing a woman and the thought process made my day.

This is heavily romance focused and yet, I thought the world building and magic system was crafted well! I followed what was happening and understood that different politicking dynamics between the nations. I have no major Reylo knowledge, but I did see a few nods and I loved those too.

It is a fast paced and entertainment wise, was everything I needed. I loved reading this (the audiobook is GREAT and the ending gave me all the things I love. BOOK TWO WHERE ARE YOU.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, war themes

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