Tag: Book Review

ARC Book Review: Gilded Serpent (Dark Shores #3) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆  
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 576 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: April 27th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

THEIR BATTLES ENDED IN VICTORY

Lydia returns to Mudaire to enter training at the healing temple. But instead of fighting to save lives, she’s convinced she is doing more harm than good. She delves into the history of the gods only to discover a truth that will change her life forever.

His birthright as commander of the Royal Army is finally in his grasp, but Killian feels anything but victorious. Burdened by his past, he embraces the darker side of his mark—and in doing so, risks starting a war.

BUT THE WAR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN

Having defeated the tyrant Urcon, Marcus struggles to form a lasting alliance with the Arinoquians. But he is plagued by the knowledge that there is a traitor among his friends, and it could cost him everything that he’s fought for.

Torn between her growing allegiance to the Thirty-Seventh legion and her need to liberate her people, Teriana finds herself mired in a web of secrets. She embarks upon a path that will either save everyone she loves—or put them all in their graves.

Thank you to Tor Teen and Netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

I seriously love this series. If I could convey this book in one word it would be: STRESSFUL.

I would have to put the book down and chill out my racing heart because everything in this book will set you on edge. IN THE BEST WAY. The daring adventure that both Teriana/Marcus and Killian/Lydia go on are absolutely captivating. I had to know what happened next. I NEEDED to know what happened next. This is easily becoming one of my favorite YA Fantasy series.

The ANGST on both sides had me reeling. Yesssss, you get those soft and sweet moments, but wow did the general will they/won’t they leave me excited for future books. I love both of these ships and am incredibly impressed at how well each character is built. There was more background stories added to everyone as well which helped me attach myself to them too.

Talk about JAW DROPPING MOMENTS. Things I did not see coming in any capacity that change the entire landscape of the story. MY FAVORITE. Ah, I love being surprised in this way. It only amped up the setting and the harrowing situations everyone kept finding themselves in. [Seriously, can my loves catch a break?]

I really recommend this series 100 times over if you love fantasy. These are a slower build, but have so much action it doesn’t feel that way. I love the Roman-esque inspired nature of the world and the magic system is fascinating. I can’t say enough good things about the Dark Shores series. I’m a forever fan of Danielle L. Jensen’s writing.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: Kisses to little detailed brief scenes (mostly closed door)
  • Violence: physical altercations, battles, weaponry, animal attacks, corruption

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Book Review: The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Retelling + Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: November 5th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom’s borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution–send in Guinevere to be Arthur’s wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king’s idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere’s real name–and her true identity–is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old–including Arthur’s own family–demand things continue as they have been, and the new–those drawn by the dream of Camelot–fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur’s knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

STOP TYING KNOTS.

I didn’t love this.

I didn’t hate it either.

But in reading I compared it often to The Lost Queen Trilogy. And that by far has more of my attention. This more fantasy based retelling didn’t do it for me by the end.

Curious tagline ey? Well, our lovely main character Guinevere would not stop tying knots for everything. Goodness. It was apart of her magic system but it because incredibly tedious. I was hoping for a bigger display of power or just something else. Instead, she kept tying knots, and I kept wanting to unravel them myself.

I don’t know if this was supposed to be a romance. It had some times to one with two characters, but…there was no chemistry? With either of them. I didn’t feel swayed one way or another and when secrets and lies starting coming to the surface I still wasn’t feeling any sort of way.

I love the initial ideas here. Camelot is such an interesting concept for a story. That’s what really drew me in. The tale of Merlin, King Arthur, Lancelot, etc. I am immediately drawn to reading stories of this type. This writing is a little more prose based. Not as much dialogue (which I know everyone has different opinions on how much of which they enjoy).

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy / Retelling
  • Language: some light
  • Romance: Kisses
  • Violence: Swords, arrows, animal attacks, magical and physical altercations

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Book Review: Rocking Out (Wayfair Witches #7) by A.A. Albright

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 263 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 26th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Call of the Wild are the most famous werewolf rockers in the supernatural world – but that might be about to change, seeing as their fans are turning up dead.

When the bodies of two young superfans are discovered, all evidence points to the Call of the Wild. Wanda hopes that the rockers aren’t the real killers – especially since her best friend has a thing for their singer.

Wanda and the gang must delve deep into the world of werewolf rock and roll. But the case proves far more complicated than it seems – particularly since the victims’ familiars have been murdered, too …

A FAV.

This will definitely be one of my favorites for the entire series. I loved the mystery and it really kept me on edge. I was so distracted by other points of the story the real murderers snuck in beautifully.

Wanda is just, an absolute gem. I love her. Great humor, ability to be brave when needed and vulnerable when the world calls for that too. I love her friendship with Max, Finn and Melissa. Dizzy, her bat familiar, is cute and has continued to be a perfect addition to series. Things are starting to come together in Wanda’s personal life too and there’s a prophecy being opened up so I am here for the last few books!!

These are short books and don’t need long reviews. Trust me when I say that if you’re looking to try out a cozy mystery, I would HIGHLY recommend these! I’m never bored and love revisiting these characters and world over again. I keep trying to read a different kindle book in between these and get totally sucked back into the Wayfair’s.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal cozy mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: murder (not in deep detail), animal attacks

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Book Review: Steelheart (The Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult dystopia + sci-fi
Length: 384 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Ember
Release Date: September 24th, 2013
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

David wants Steelheart — one of the Epics said to be invincible, who killed David’s father. For ten years, David has studied and planned for revenge. He wants to join the Reckoners. These rebels assassinate the Epics, super-powered tyrants. He has seen Steelheart bleed.

ALWAYS ON EDGE.

Does anyone else feel that way reading a Sanderson book? No? Just ME?

I feel like every time I read his books (and this is my…10th? book) he keeps me on edge constantly. No matter the genre, characters, setting, etc. I never know quite what’s going to happen, and when it appears a touch cliche, I am then TOTALLY caught off guard by the reveals. And this is why I keep coming back.

I absolutely loved David. Oh my goodness, so cute and adorable. I laughed out loud so many times reading this because his attempts at being smooth were undeniably precious. He was a gem of a main character who really grew up and took in the world around him to survive in the post-apocalyptic waste land.

My feelings towards dystopian books dropped off after reading The Hunger Games and Divergent so I haven’t picked up many (if any) since. I kept putting Steelheart off for this reason. But no longer! I must finish this series. The world building around these Epics and all of their powers is completely fascinating. Sanderson knows how to create a masterpiece in regards to magic/power systems so I can’t wait to know the final details for this one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult sci-fi / dystopia
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: murder, gun violence, magical powers (energy blasts, control of elements, etc.), physical altercations, car wrecks
  • Content warnings: witnessing the loss of a loved one

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