Tag: Book Review

Book Review: A Fire Endless (Elements of Cadence #2) by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: December 6th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.

In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane’s harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.

In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits–a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.

With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack’s gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.

WONDERFUL CONCLUSION.

I know, I know. You see that four star there and wonder WHY. I’ll give you why.

One of my biggest frustrations with any book that has a heavy romance plot is the separation of love interests for an extended period of time. I felt that with this being a duology, I didn’t like waiting around until 40% for one couple to be back on the same page. Pacing wise, it caused a, nothing is happening, slow down.

BUT OTHERWISE. I thought this was lyrically beautiful. I’m especially grateful I went ahead and waited for the audiobook because I love the Scottish narration. It adds a whole new layer and really transports me into this story.

I do love both of these couples. That second half had my heart wrapped in a vice. Pulling at every emotion. I loooved the quiet moments they both got and the strength they gave each other to keep rising. I adored this whole cast. Every character held value and the progression for everyone was great to watch.

The ending will leave you turning pages faster than you can read. It felt classic to Ross’s nature (as I’ve read all of her other books) and I love how she does it each time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: weapons and physical violence, poisoning

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ALC Book Review: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Publisher: Entangled
Release Date: May 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

HOLY DRAGON.

This book owns me. I am devastated. I will not recover. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.

Brief audio notes interlude: Love the narrator!! Would have loved a little more Teddy Hamilton (but maybe that’s coming in book two??) Any who, it was a fantastic listen and highly recommend that option!

BACK TO THE BOOK.

I don’t even know where to begin because I have been an incomprehensible mess since finishing. Flailing around about how incredible this book was. I LOVED the FMC, Violet. The way she exhibited strength outside the standard “muscles and weapons” nature was great. I thought she was clever and full of heart and just an all around get main character.

AND THE ROMANCE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A beautiful enemies to lovers slow burn that will have you absolutely BEGGING for more. I loved the build and the chemistry. Watching the sparks fly and ignite. There were some scenes towards the end that put me in an chokehold and this is why FANTASY ROMANCE IS THE BEST.

The plot is intriguing and opened up a whole can of worms that I can’t wait to see explored in the sequel. I enjoyed all of the betrayals, reveals, announcements, politicking and more. It was seamless and deserves all the hype it’s been given because it is WORTH IT.

DON’T MISS OUT.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes, loss of loved ones, loss of life, physical and magical altercations, weapons violence, bullying

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Book Review: Rivals (American Royals #3) by Katherine McGee

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: NA Dystopian Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Katherine McGee
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: May 31st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Beatrice is queen, and for the American royal family, everything is about to change.

Relationships will be tested.
Princess Samantha is in love with Lord Marshall Davis—but the more serious they get, the more complicated things become. Is Sam destined to repeat her string of broken relationships…and this time will the broken heart be her own?

Strangers will become friends.
Beatrice is representing America at the greatest convocation of kings and queens in the world. When she meets a glamorous foreign princess, she gets drawn into the inner circle…but at what cost?

And rivals will become allies.
Nina and Daphne have spent years competing for Prince Jefferson. Now they have something in common: they both want to take down manipulative Lady Gabriella Madison. Can these enemies join forces, or will old rivalries stand in the way?

WHY THO.

I feel like the title basically sums up where all of my thoughts turn back to when I finished this. WHY.

These books are chopped full of drama. To me, it’s actually a part of the fun of reading this. I lean into that style, filled with soap opera dramatics and allllll the feelings from the characters. You have to go in knowing the shock factor is imminent.

I think this series has gone on a bit long though. Lots of things happened in this book, but then sort of unraveled by the end? So it felt like progress was lost?

AND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON DAPHNE. She’s throw a book across the room rage inducing. Book four better bring her down or I quit. I QUIT.

Anyways, I am curious where all of this goes, there’s things I like, things I don’t, yet I’m invested. It’ll be a wild last book, that’s for dang sure.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Dystopian Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: bullying, extortion, blackmailing, car wreck, cheating

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ARC Book Review: A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: May 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

MY NEW FAVORITE.

Y’all. Here me out. Romantic suspense PLUS regency romance. It’s my new favorite thing. I looooved this so much!!!

Jack was heavenly swoony. I tabbed my book many times over at his glances and endearing ways. I loved his personality and there was off the charts chemistry between him and Ginny from the get-go. Fiery banter and passionate kisses and I am in love.

I loved Ginny’s tenacity and take charge nature. It’s not overwhelming, it’s empowering. She grows through putting the past behind, solving crimes, and doing what’s best for her estate. I also appreciate a great friendship and I adored that connection as well.

There’s the perfect balance between romance and suspense. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happens next. Who took the watch? Who’s causing chaos? It’s such a unique dynamic for this genre and Barker’s writing is captivating. I LOVE her writing and will continue to read anything of hers I can get my hands on.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, gun violence, arson, attempted murder, loss of a parent

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