Tag: audiobook

Book Review: A Prince of Song and Shade (A Tale of Stars and Shadow #2) by Lisa Cassidy

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 536 pages
Author: Lisa Cassidy
Publisher: Tate House
Release Date: April 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The darker the night…

Emboldened by the effect Talyn Dynan had on the humans of Mithranar, the Shadowhawk is working harder than ever to make a difference for those struggling to survive on the streets of Dock City. But when violence spreads to the citadel in a horrific murder, he finds himself torn between protecting the humans and keeping his identity secret from the increasingly determined prince of night and his Falcon hunters.

Meanwhile, Talyn has returned home to the Twin Thrones ready to begin rebuilding her life. Yet there are more secrets shrouding the Dumnorix family’s past than she realised, and when the Callanan ask her to undertake a highly dangerous mission, Talyn is faced with a difficult choice—between duty to her family and country and trusting the shadowy criminal she met in Mithranar.

And after their failed assassination attempt on Prince Cuinn, Vengeance are far from done. Their reach is deeper than either Talyn or the Shadowhawk could ever have imagined, and now they’ve got a new target in their sights.

LOVED.

Another book in this series down and another five star read. THEY ARE SO GOOD.

I loved that the dual POV really was in the forefront. The back and forth chapters between Talyn and the Shadowhawk made for great pacing and an inability to put this book down at all. Both of their stories are so powerful and seeing both sides of everything really helped round out the plot.

The found family dynamics once again warmed my soul. I love this group of friends who have clearly turned more to each other. The loyalty to protect and the bravery each exhibit is the kind of stuff I love in my fantasy books.

I can’t really say much more due to spoilers that you’ll just have to read to know. BUT I am absolutely loving this series. I LOVE these characters, I LOVE the story and can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: THE HINTS ARE KILLING ME
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle scenes, physical and magical altercations, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Thriller
Length: 352 pages
Author: Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect–a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.

Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases–a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea’s surprise, Beth says yes.

They meet regularly at Beth’s mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she’s not looking, and she could swear she’s seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn’t right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house?

A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

GREAT AUDIOBOOK.

I love a cast in an audio read and this hit the mark for me. I flew through it in that regard because I can’t get enough when the narration is on point.

Story wise, the first half was GREAT. I was perfectly spooked (because I like my thrillers on the mild side of scary). Very much intrigued by what was happening and how these two women’s stories were going to collide.

Buuuut, maybe I just have an issue with ghosts in books? I don’t know. When the ghost came out to play I found myself more detached from the novel. Or it could be that the second half was super predictable so it draaaagged a lot. This combination led to my disenchantment by the end.

I liked the extremely subtle romance and the back story behind the main character. This actually wove into the rest of the plot well as to why Shea was making certain decisions.

While a bit of miss for me, it was still a good read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Thriller
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder (with graphic descriptions), child sexual abuse, alcoholism, miscarriage mentioned, gun violence

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ARC Book Review: The Empress of Time (The Keeper of Night #2) by Kylie Lee Baker

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 416 pages
Author: Kylie Lee Baker
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: October 4th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami Ren Scarborough is no longer the girl who was chased out of England—she is the Goddess of Death ruling Japan’s underworld. But her problems have never been greater. Her Shinigami see her as a foreigner on the throne. Her brother, Neven, is gone, lost in the deep darkness. And her fiancé, Hiro, has been killed by her own hand.

Then Ren receives the most troubling news yet—Reapers have been spotted in Japan, and it’s only a matter of time before Ivy, now Britain’s Death Goddess, comes to claim her revenge.

Ren’s last hope is to appeal to the god of storms and seas, who can turn the tides to send Ivy’s ship away from Japan’s shores. But he’ll help Ren only if she finds a sword lost thousands of years ago—an impossible demand.

Together with the moon god Tsukuyomi, who shares an uncanny resemblance to his brother Hiro, Ren ventures across the country in a race against time. As her journey thrusts her into the middle of scheming gods and dangerous Yokai demons, Ren will have to learn who she can truly trust—and the fate of Japan hangs in the balance. 

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for an ALC.

GLAD I WENT WITH THE AUDIOBOOK.

Audiobook review: Fantastic. I have zero complaints about the narration, story telling, or anything in regards to the audiobook. Easily would say to read this book that route.

Why am I happy I did? Because I could speed it up a bit. I adored the first book in this duo, and I’m unfortunately writing another meh review for a second book in a duology.

The plot was a bit meandering as if it was trying to fill space. I didn’t really get the sense of adventure I think was trying to be conveyed. All of the lore with Reapers and Shinigami was still one of my favorite aspects. I love dark fantasy and I this did hit those notes really well.

I also did like the sibling relationship. It’s not always simple to love your brother / sister and I liked the exploration of those dynamics. The good and the bad that can come with family, but how ultimately they were able to work things out. I loved Neven and Ren for these scenes the most.

For once I’ll say I don’t think the romance was necessary. I actually thought this had none and wasn’t upset about it (because it’s not the vibe here) so no harm no foul. BUT then when a little was woven in it felt out of place. I would have been here for a strong friendship over a relationship because Ren needed that kind of connection in her life.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood and gore depiction, loss of loved ones

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ARC Audiobook Review: In the Weeds (Lovelight #2) by B.K. Borison

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 410 pages
Author: B.K. Borison
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Evelyn St. James isn’t the kind of woman you forget.

Beckett Porter certainly hasn’t. One incredible weekend in Maine, and he’s officially a man distracted. He’s not unfamiliar with hot and heavy flings. He knows how it goes. But Evie wove some sort of magic over him during their tumble in the sheets. He can’t stop thinking about her laugh. Her hand pressed flat against his chest. Her smiling mouth at his neck.

Also, her eyes. And her legs.

So when she suddenly appears on his farm as part of a social media contest, he is … confused. He had no idea that the sweet and sexy woman he met at a bar is actually a global phenomenon: social media influencer Evelyn St. James. When she disappears again, Beckett resolves to finally forget her and move on.

But Evelyn St. James has a problem.

Feeling disconnected from her work and increasingly unhappy, she’s trying to find her way back to something real. She returns to the last place she was happy, Lovelight Farms and the tiny town of Inglewild.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two incredible nights with.

Nothing at all.

In The Weeds is a sweet and steamy second-chance romance about finding your happiness. It features a grumpy farmer, a no-nonsense social media influencer, a small town of busybodies, and four very cute kittens. In The Weeds is a standalone romance and is part of the Lovelight series.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audiobook ARC.

I LIKED SOME OF IT.

I didn’t like the original book in this series, Lovelight Farms, but I wanted to give the author another chance. And maybe it’s okay to say now that we don’t totally click. That’s okay too!!

Audio narration wise it was GREAT. I loved the narrators and the way the read the story. I could listen at 3x speed with no issues and I have zero complaints in that regard.

Story wise it got off to a start with a one night stand, which can be a hit/miss for some. It was okay for me as I was prepared for it and knew more story was coming. I liked the initial moments of Beckett and Evelyn reconnecting. I also loved the theme surrounding Evelyn in disconnecting from social media and finding some happy each day.

Beckett was the sweetest and I liked a lot of moments surrounding him too. There was a good emphasis on his background and I enjoyed knowing more of his story.

I did think the pacing was my biggest issue. It started off well then slowed down so much I was wondering if anything was actually going to happen. Playing house was fun and sweet, but there needed to be something else happening too.

All in all, I truly gave this book a chance and I wish I had loved it more, but the audio was an easy listen and I appreciated that aspect.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open door; medium explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: social anxiety

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