Book Review: A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Amanda Bouchet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: August 2nd, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER…

“Cat” Catalia Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods—and her homicidal mother—have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm—until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin’s fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.

NOT SUBTLE.

That’s the biggest takeaway I got from this. And I am also realizing, I like things a lot more subtle.

Everything started off really well. I love the setting and environment. The mix of Greek gods and mythology is always fascinating to me and it’s no different here. I would have loved some more world-building because I occasionally got lost in the hierarchies of different realms.

I looooved this audio book narration though. Great changes between characters and I really fell into the sweeping way the narrator told the story.

The romance between Griffin and Cat was in your face from the beginning. I was hoping for a bit more will they/won’t they, but alas that was not the case. Within my personal tastes it was also verrrrry steamy and I found myself skipping sections to get back to the story. And I didn’t love Griffin by the end either. His intensity and what I felt was a lack of willingness to even hear Cat’s side of the story really rubbed me the wrong way. He was insistent about HIS wants and desires and I felt Cat getting neglected.

I don’t plan on picking up the next one. This was a difference in preferences for me so don’t let my review hold you back. It was great writing and the story is woven in there.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: everything from kisses to multiple very open door/descriptive scenes
  • Violence: murder, battles/skirmishes, physical altercations, magical attacks, creature attacks
  • Trigger warnings: abusive parents

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ARC Book Review: It’s Just Business (The Wedding Business #2) by Summer Dowell

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary romance
Length: TBD
Author: Summer Dowell
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: March 25th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I despise him. I despise everything about this business-stealing man who has eyes the color of hot chocolate and a perfectly sun-kissed tan I can’t stop thinking about…Like I said, despise.

Having grown up with a mom who had more boyfriends than a flower has petals, I have zero fairy tale aspirations of true love. It doesn’t exist. But when a dreamy man with the perfect smile and a propensity for volunteering keeps running into me, I start to think maybe I was wrong all along.

That is until I realize he’s the scumbag that stole my flower shop right out from under me.

I know I should be the bigger person. Move on. But somehow, revenge seems the only answer. Pity, revenge seems to be showing me that Austin might actually be a good person instead of the villain I painted him to be.

In the end, it’s all just business though, isn’t it?”

A laugh-out-loud, enemies to lovers romance that is full of all the sarcasm and swoons!

Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own!

CUTE AND LIGHT.

This was a nice, light, fluffy read. I liked the fast pace and am legitimately considering a future career in floral design. I want to work with flowers all day like Haley.

Haley had me laughing often with how much junk food she eats. Wow I wish I could eat like her all the time. She’s a quirky character with a lot of charm. I loved her style and charm. Austin was a good love interest. He seemed to be a good match for Haley. I liked a lot of their banter, but had a hard time with some of their meet-ups. They didn’t seem organic. Some of the places they went seemed to be forcing an idea rather than letting things happen naturally.

This was an enemies to lovers book, but really light on the enemies. There wasn’t a huge amount of animosity over the workplace situation. I was hoping for a bit more angst, yet I guess that this could also be a plus. It’s a light-hearted read which also can hit really well at the right time. I wish some of the sabotaging didn’t continue on so long. Gratefully the ending seemed to satisfy that resolution with how both characters felt about what happened.

I thought this was sweet and definitely a pick-me-up type of read. And what I always love about this author’s books are the epilogues. Totally cheesy and I’m not even sorry about how much I love them.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Of Sun & Sandstorms (A Swift Shadows Novella #2.5) by M.L. Greye

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult fantasy novella
Length: 123 pages
Author: M.L. Greye
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: September 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s not easy becoming king to a country you never wanted to run in the first place.

Trezim Azure Niroz was once the third prince of Heerth. Just a few short weeks ago, his highest aspirations had been training his little band of Golds in sun blades and the Turanga. Now, he’s king with a whole slew of issues. The worst part of it all is that because of some tedious, ancient custom, Trezim can’t make any decisions for his country – at least, not until he finds himself a bride.

“Of Sun & Sandstorms” is a Swift Shadows novella following the golden-eyed King Trezim in Heerth.

I NEED MORE.

Trezim is definitely one of my favorite characters in this series. I jumped at this novella because how could I not read this?! It was short, sweet, and to the point.

I actually really liked the development of his quick relationship with Sefia. The way the pair/bonding system works in this series is well crafted and believable. While things moved speedily I was still swept up in the romantics of it all. The kiss scenes were on point.

I wonder how this will play into the third book for this series. There’s a lot going on in just over 100 pages and I think it’ll tie in well. I love Trezim and his new bride and can’t wait for them to meet back up with Emry and Declan.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical altercations, magic attacks

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Book Review: A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR #4) by Sarah J. Maas

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 768 pages
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: February 16th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.

STUNNING.

It was a test of my willpower, but I have kept this spoiler free!

That’s the best word I could think of, but yet still doesn’t encompass everything I felt reading this book. I felt EVERYTHING. It was a beautiful and hard journey Nesta went through. This book just went on a whole other level. I won’t be able to convey everything I’m sure I’ll try to in this review, so in simplicity: I loved it. I love this series. And will add this to books I reread every year.

I know this book was about Nesta, but it has to be mentioned, CASSIAN. That patient, very patient soul. Oh my goodness, every time the sentiment, keep reaching your hand out, was used I couldn’t handle. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER. And watching both of them grow and accept and love and all the things. I’m already incoherent. Cassian and Nesta solidified themselves as one of my favorite couples everrrrr.

The story was definitely character driven (I don’t mind). I was impressed that a whole new plot was unfurled and actually connected really well to the previous 3 ACOTAR books. I’m excited to see where each book will take us. There’s a lot to explore and so many characters to follow too! I don’t know how SJM is going to give us all of the answers, but I don’t doubt that she’ll be able to.

Can we also discuss the new characters? Nesta’s new friend group. BECAUSE I LOVE THEM. And saw the inklings of where their stories will go and I AM HERE FOR IT. I WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS. They were the perfect pieces that Nesta needed to open up to others & start the mending of her own soul.

I found myself laughing many times and wondering where was my magic, smut reading house? I found myself crying many times because of the pure raw anguish of Nesta’s grief and coping (and that ending really had me). This was everything I hoped for in getting Nesta’s story.

It was interesting to see characters like Rhys for her point of view. There was such a contrast to Feyre’s (obviously). I really loved seeing all of the court in another way and continuing there stories too. I wish I would have seen more from some, but I understand the whole-hearted focus on Nesta.

I didn’t think she’d become such a beloved character. This story changed my mind.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: strong throughout
  • Romance: verrrrrrry open door scenes & lots of ’em
  • Violence: battles, physical altercations, kidnapping, magic use
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of grief and depression; suicide ideation, loss of loved ones; discussion and scenes of past sexual assaults and rape

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