Book Review: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn (The Library Trilogy #1) by Mark Lawrence

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Length: 576 pages
Author: Mark Lawrence
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.

A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.

The world has never even noticed them. That’s about to change.

Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

I AM INTRIGUED.

I have never read a Mark Lawrence book (though I’ve always been meaning to do so) and I felt like this was a great introduction and a series I definitely want to continue with. I love books about books and this was very interesting. While a lot of the world building and magic system clicked for, I do feel like I was missing those last few pieces (and maybe that was me listening on audio issue) to fully grasp what was happening. There was SO MUCH time warping situations and I am notoriously baffled by those.

I did love the characters. It’s dual POV between Livira and Evar. I was smitten with these two. There’s a slow and subtle romance between them that crosses time and who doesn’t love a star crossed union? And I really enjoyed them on their own too. I love seeing that growth and exploration of self over a book. I am very curious about how this connection will continue to play out and grow in the future books.

This was a great fantasy series starter and a hidden gem to me that I’m glad I took a chance on. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: What I Did for a Duke (Pennyroyal Green #5) by Julie Anne Long

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 365 pages
Author: Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 22nd, 2011
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For years, he’s been an object of fear, fascination…and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that shadow the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the ton knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he’ll seduce Ian’s innocent sister, Genevieve—the only Eversea as yet untouched by scandal. First he’ll capture her heart…and then he’ll break it.

But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by gentleness…And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke’s dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice…is there anything she won’t do for a duke?

AN ENJOYABLE READ.

It sounds counterintuitive to say that I don’t feel like I have many words to say for this review. But to me, that’s not a bad thing either. I just really liked this book and had a good time picking it up randomly from a friend’s recommendation. It’s not my go-to genre. Yet it worked out and I am thinking of picking up more from this series.

I did read this without reading the others in the series and had no issues (that I noticed).

The banter between Alexander and Genevieve was fiery and I loved the way that Alexander worked for Genevieve’s attention. Not in an over bearing manner. It made me smile and they started to connect over true things they had in common which slowly started to bring the heat. It is a slow burn (with a little innuendo) and I live for slow burns.

Plot wise I’m not always that big of a fan of house party style historicals. Some of that was fine, and other times it felt like simple games as fluffer to add a scene to fill the story.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: 3-4 open; high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a wife (asphyxiation), loss of a baby (recounted)

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ARC Book Review: The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: January 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A rising-star musician has a second chance at love with an old flame she remembers all too well in this swoony romance from the acclaimed authors of The Roughest Draft .

Riley Wynn went from a promising singer-songwriter to a superstar overnight, thanks to her breakup song concept album and its unforgettable lead single. When Riley’s ex-husband claims the hit song is about him, she does something she hasn’t in ten years and calls Max Harcourt, her college boyfriend and the real inspiration for the song of the summer.

Max hasn’t spoken to Riley since their relationship ended. He’s content with managing the retirement home his family owns, but it’s not the life he dreamed of filled with music. When Riley asks him to go public as her songwriting muse, he agrees on one he’ll join her in her band on tour.

As they perform across the country, Max and Riley start to realize that while they hit some wrong notes in the past, their future could hold incredible things. And their rekindled relationship will either last forever or go down in flames.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC.

THERE WAS A LOT OF MUSIC.

And I totally get it, that’s the theme of the whole book. But dare I say, I felt like there were too many musically related things? I felt like every page was dedicated back to some song lyric Riley had written or how the day felt lyrical or about every little thing involving the tour. The whole vibe SCREAMED at you (and maybe that’s your thing??).

There were some solid second chance romance things though. I liked the bit of push and pull and there were tension filled moments too. I could truly feel the bond between them and that we’ll find out way back to each other-ness that I adored. Max was a lovable quiet guy who finally took the big shots he deserved.

Riley was a bit up and down for me. She frustrated me and I also saw her thought process. I think I was hoping for a turnaround about song writing in this book and not just one brief moment towards the end. The grand gesture deserves a star on its own though. I thought it was perfect, well placed and balanced for the story. Loved that so much!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2 open door; low explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of divorce

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Book Review: The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles #30 by Mary E. Pearson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 684 pages
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: August 2nd, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lia has survived Venda—but so has a great evil bent on the destruction of Morrighan. And only Lia can stop it.

With war on the horizon, Lia has no choice but to assume her role as First Daughter, as soldier—as leader. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself at cross-purposes with Rafe and suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down.

In this conclusion to the Remnant Chronicles trilogy, traitors must be rooted out, sacrifices must be made, and impossible odds must be overcome as the future of every kingdom hangs in the balance.

IT’S JUST SO GOOD.

This is a reread review.

Good heavens. Mary E. Pearson is a brilliant author and I love all of her books and I have loved rereading her entire set. THEY ARE ALL AMAZING.

I forgot how absolutely intense this entire book is. I felt like it rarely let up and just kept hammering home the nature of everything daunting the cast was facing.

And the romance??? THE ANGST, THE WILL THEY OR WON’T THEY. I also found myself freaking out trying to remember how it all specifically worked out because Pearson does not hold back on creating the drama and the hope that Lia ends up with her best match.

I liked how the other side romance went too. Such a sweet and tender romance that was built between them (vague because spoilers) and seeing both of these couples again in DoT & VoT is an even bigger highlight.

There’s so much action, politicking, betrayals and twists. It has all the feels, and all you need in a fantastic YA fantasy trilogy.

READ THEM.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle and war themes, loss of loved ones, physical violence, weapons violence, childbirth

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