Tag: angela montoya

ARC/ALC Book Review: Carnival Fantastico by Angela Montoya

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Angela Montoya
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Release Date: February 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya, is a dual-POV YA romantasy pitched as Hotel Magnifique meets These Violent Delights, in which Esmeralda Montero, a thief pretending to be a fortune-teller, competes for the starring role at a magical traveling circus in the hopes of gaining the wealth and respect she’s always longed for. But when the irritatingly handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that carnival is more sinister than it appears, Esmeralda must decide whether fame and fortune are worth their deadly price.

Thank you PRH Audio for the audiobook and Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

TRULY FANTASTIC.

I think this is my new favorite from AM. I had such a great time reading this book and didn’t want to put it down. It gave me the vibes from Caraval and The Night Circus (both of which I loved so this is high praise). The audiobook narrators were wonderful too.

I really loved the angsty push and pull between Esmeralda and Ignacio. The fiery arguments and banter, the tender touches and longing glances, GOSH DANG. I wanted to shout to just kiss already so the slow burn was doing its job. I liked the mystery between their split because the reveals caught me a bit by surprise. It was nice to know somewhat of what was coming and to be enchanted by the rest. There’s a dark atmospheric layer over the whole carnival that sets you on edge.

Turns out this has a historical element too, being set in the 1920’s. It still felt like a fantasy book amongst the crowds of the big top though and that’s usually the way I prefer historical fantasies to feel. Absolutely charmed by this one y’all.

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Historical Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses; one mention of sleeping together in the past
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: near death experiences, loss of life, parental abandonment, imprisonment, loss of loved ones

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Book Review: A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Angela Montoya
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Release Date: December 17th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fledgling vampire and a headstrong vampire huntress must work together–against their better judgment—to rid the world of monsters in this irresistible romantic fantasy.

Carolina Fuentes has always wanted to join her family in hunting down the bloodthirsty monsters that plague her pueblo. But these days, her father wants her out of town with a husband of his choosing. That’s not happening. Carolina plans to show everyone that she’d make a better vampire slayer than wife. But when she runs into a sediento that is not only handsome but kind, she questions everything.

Lalo Villalobos doesn’t act on impulses. As the eldest of two, his duties were to carry on the family business, marry, and have children. But then he is turned into a sediento and must flee the city, taking lives as he goes north, where he believes the first vampire was made. Surely, the pueblo there will have the answers to reverse this curse or end sedientos altogether. Another unexpected turn? Lalo runs right into a beautiful young woman who’d gladly stake him.

Fortunately, mostly for him, they share a common enemy. They can stop these evil beasts. Together. And if along the way, Lalo and Fernanda discover what it is to truly live and love, then they’ll have won anyway.

Thank you to PRH Audio for the audiobook and Get Underlined for my gifted copy.

LOVED THE LORE.

This was a good sophomore book to follow up Sinner’s Isle. It made me an official fan of Angela Montoya and I will continue to look forward to her new releases because I love the concepts she comes up with for each book. I loved the deep lore and historical fantasy vibes that A Cruel Thirst had. All the vampire content y’all. The time period was perfect and set a haunting atmosphere listening for what was going to go bump in the night.

The romance was a little too rushed for me though. I was hoping for a bit more development and connection between them. The banter was good and they really were sweet on each other at least.

I liked how the story wrapped up and think this is absolutely a solid standalone. I love finding fast paced stories like these. There’s complicated family dynamics, strong sibling relationships and plenty of action. The audiobook was great too and I loved the narrators!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low – mild
  • Romance: one closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, murder

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Book Review: Sinner’s Isle by Angela Montoya

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Angela Montoya
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Release Date: October 31st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A spellbinding romantic fantasy about a powerful witch who will do anything to escape the remote island she’s being held captive on, including blackmail a notorious, charming pirate who washes up on shore, from debut author Angela Montoya.

Rosalinda is trapped on Sinner’s Isle, an island filled with young women like her—Majestics, beautiful witches loathed by society for their dangerous magic yet revered by powerful men who want to use them. 

For years, she has been kept under the watchful, calculating eye of Doña Lucia. Now eighteen, Rosa will be the prized commodity at this year’s Offering, a fiesta for the wealthy to engage in drink, damsels, and debauchery. That is why she must flee—before someone forces the vicious phantoms within her to destroy everything she touches. 

Handsome, swashbuckling Mariano has long sailed the high seas as the Prince of Pirates. Then the king’s fleet attacks his father’s infamous ship, leaving him marooned on Sinner’s Isle with only an enchanted chain meant to lead him to his heart’s desire. Instead, he falls into the hands of a brazen (although) bewitching headache—Rosa.

Together they must outwit each other and their enemies before the Offering ends and it’s too late to escape the perils of Sinner’s Isle.

Thank you GetUnderlined #GetUnderlinedPartner and PRHAudio for the #gifted copy and audiobook.

GREAT DEBUT.

I have been eying this book since I saw the gorgeous cover and the inside did not disappoint. This really grew on me and if you lean into a bit of insta-love then I think it would be enjoyable for others too.

The banter was my favorite. It made me laugh and I liked the snark between Rosalinda and Mariano. There fated meeting to then helping each other escape the island brought a daring adventure. I love pirate books and this was no exception. It’s a fast paced journey that brought on some good twists, betrayals and even a shock moment that I LOVED. I was even really attached to a lot of the side characters too.

I like that this rounded out this specific story and left room for potential future books in the same world (of which I would absolutely read). I loved the pirate and witch romance, the strength of friendships, and the commitment to bettering the path that was never your choice. This felt fresh in the genre and I look forward to future books by this author!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, near death experiences, weapons and magical violence, loss of life

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