Tag: Book blog

Book Review: The Jasad Crown (The Scorched Throne #2) by Sara Hashem

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 688 pages
Author: Sara Hashem
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: July 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the thrilling conclusion to the Egyptian-inspired Scorched Throne duology, a fugitive queen may be the key to restoring her lost kingdom of Jasad, but it could cost her everything and everyone she loves.

Held deep in a mountain refuge, Sylvia has been captured by the Urabi, who believe she can return their homeland to its former power. But after years of denying her legacy and a forbidden alliance with Jasad’s greatest enemy, Sylvia must win the group’s trust while struggling to keep control of both her magic and her mind.

In the rival kingdom, Arin is caught between his father’s desire to put down the brewing rebellion and the sacred edicts he’s sworn to uphold. Arin must find Sylvia before his father’s army, but his search will call into question the very core of Arin’s beliefs about his family and the destruction of Jasad.

War is inevitable and Sylvia cannot abandon her people again. The Urabi plan to raise the Jasadi fortress, and it will either kill Sylvia or destroy the humanity she’s fought so hard to protect. For the first time in her life Sylvia doesn’t just want to survive. She wants to win.
The fugitive queen is ready to come home.

AHHHHHH.

No seriously, I almost gave this ONE STAR. And as you can see, THIS GOT FIVE STARS. That’s how much emotional turmoil I was in and I was ready to throw my headphones across the room. Which while that may all seem chaotic truly just shows how good of writing and story telling was present that kept me in such a chokehold waiting to see where everything would land.

I love these characters. It’s definitely a fantasy PLUS romance. And all of the fantasy elements are amazing. The politicking and betrayals and twists and turns and everything in between. I loved the world building and magic systems. THEN you add in this wonderful star crossed, actual enemies to lovers romance? STOP IT NOW. The banter and heat is incredible. If you’re someone who doesn’t like spice forward stories (hi, it’s me) this is the one you should pick up!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 232 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: December 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A WORLD-WEARY RAKE

After years of unbridled debauchery, Tristan Sinclair, Viscount St. Ashton has hit proverbial rock bottom. Seeking to escape his melancholy, he takes refuge at one of Victorian society’s most notorious house parties. As the Christmas season approaches, he prepares to settle in for a month of heavy drinking…until an unexpected encounter changes his plans—and threatens his heart.

A PRIM VICAR’S DAUGHTER

Valentine March is not the drab little spinster she appears to be. When her new job as a lady’s companion lands her smack in the middle of Yorkshire with England’s most infamous rake, she resolves to keep her head down and her eyes fixed firmly on her future—a future which most definitely does not include a sinfully handsome viscount.

A MATCH MADE IN SCANDAL

A friendship is impossible. An affair out of the question. But when one reckless act binds them together, will two star-crossed souls discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye? Or will revelations from the past end their fragile romance before it begins?

ANOTHER GREAT MIMI BOOK.

This was a very good use of instant love that honestly worked well for me. I think the beauty of Mimi Matthews writing is convincing me of any trope and just rolling with the journey these characters take.

For a very short book I didn’t love how the third act went down because it took away from the relationship. I loved Valentine and Tristan together and would have read pages and pages of Tristan falling HARD for his woman.

I’m almost finished with Mimi Matthew’s backlist books and they are just as charming as her current books. You really can’t go wrong with these historical romances.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy #1) by I.V. Marie

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Dark Academia Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: I.V. Marie
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Six students at Blackwood Academy, an enigmatic boarding school located at the edge of the afterlife, must compete for the once-in-eternity chance to change their fate—or risk remaining stuck in purgatory forever. An unputdownable debut full of hairpin twists, shock betrayals and world-defying love, for fans of The Atlas Six.

Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located at the fringes of the afterlife, where students are fated to spend the rest of eternity shepherding lost souls. Once a pupil enters the school’s arched gates, there is no way out…except for the Decennial, a once-in-a-decade celebration that rewards nominees who pass its trials with a choice: formally graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or venture into the unknown and cross over to the mysterious Other Side.

Wren Loughty is certain that this Decennial, she has what it takes to earn the nomination—unless, that is, her academic archrival Augustine Hughes steals her spot.

Irene Manette Bamford has never cared about playing by the rules. She’s willing to break whatever (and whoever) stands between her and getting the hell out of Blackwood, including her best and only friend, Masika Sallow.

Olivier Dupont gave up on securing the nomination ages ago. But after he meets Blackwood’s newest student, Emilio Córdova, he’ll do anything to keep Emilio from leaving him and crossing over to the Other Side—even if it means claiming the victory for himself.

All of them are determined to be Blackwood’s chosen candidate–and all of them would do anything to win. But none of them are prepared for what’s to come. Because this Decennial will be different. This time, the Decennial isn’t a celebration…it’s a competition. And there can only be one victor.

Six nominees. Four trials. Untold danger. Wren, August, Irene, Masika, Olivier and Emilio are about to learn: there are some fates worse than death.

Thank you Delacorte Press for the gifted copy.

I’LL READ BOOK TWO.

This had every typical kind of vibe you’d find in a multiple POV, young adult, dark academia read. Which added many points in its favor because I do enjoy those things, but also took away for the lack of originality too.

And what bugged me the most was that if there had been 50ish more pages it could have been a standalone. Honestly I’m not sure how it continues for book two, but I do want to read it. There were multiple romances that I did like but needed more of a slow burn. I kept feeling like I was missing a prologue novella to get more of a background on everyone.

The magic system is interesting and I loved the immortality concept. There’s not a whole lot of school happening but the gothic atmosphere was definitely present. I kept wanting to pick this back up to see where it goes which is always my sign that it’s a solid read.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Dark Academia + Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Retelling
Length: 352 pages
Author: Kalynn Bayron
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Release Date: June 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling author and TikTok sensation Kalynn Bayron returns to fairytales with a lush, thrilling and original YA Snow White retelling that brings a new and exciting voice to this familiar tale. Perfect for fans of Cinderella Is Dead.

Only the truly desperate – and foolish – seek out the Knight, an ancient monster who twists wishes into curses. Eve knows this first-hand: one of her mothers was cursed by the Knight and trapped in the body of a songbird. With the unique abilities to communicate with animals and conjure weapons from nature, Eve has trained all her life to defeat him.

With more and more villagers harmed by the Knight’s corrupt deals, Eve believes she’s finally ready to face him. But when Queen Regina begins acting strangely – talking to seemingly no one, isolating herself, and lashing out at the slightest provocation – Eve must question if her powers are enough to save her family and her kingdom.

I’M NOT QUITE SURE.

I don’t really know how to format this review. I never found myself upset with reading but now that I’m trying to write this out, I don’t think I really felt anything. When the Snow White aspects started coming into play in the second half, I liked those! I thought there were great allusions with a uniquely crafted version that left me wondering how things would finally come together without feeling like the original. There were a few good twists and changes that worked well for me.

The romance needed better pacing. This is a shorter fantasy and I think the development should have started sooner. The love confessions felt out of left field and while I DID think there was chemistry, I never got those swoony romantic feelings for them.

It is a standalone and from what I recall there weren’t any glaring plot holes. The story wraps up well, the antagonist has a satisfying end and you get that happy ever after.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Retelling
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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