Tag: darkwind

Book Review: Lightfall (The Starchaser Saga #4) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 478 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: June 15th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fight for alliance has just begun.

Scarred and shaken by months of imprisonment, Princess Cistine Novacek takes the newest battlefield before her: Valgard’s treacherous political landscape. With her cabal at her side, she faces the daunting task of healing from her trauma and securing the treaty her kingdom needs…while in the shadows, sinister threats arise.

A kingdom away, Ashe and Maleck walk a tenuous line. It’s dangerous enough convincing Mahasar’s Mad King of a treaty that doesn’t yet exist – harder still while battling their own specters and the disastrous attraction growing between them. The future of both kingdoms rests in the hands of two warriors who were once sworn enemies; if they can’t learn to be something more, together and apart, war may come before Cistine fulfills her mission.

Alliances shift. Old and new enemies storm the gates. Healing comes at a cost. And with their own fears threatening everything they hold sacred, the cabal must learn how to trust one another with an unshakable faith.

Nothing less will survive the coming storm.

BEAUTIFUL.

Vague review to keep spoilers away.

This was a gorgeous middle book filled with some necessary healing and loving scenes that I was swooning left and right over. I loved many many moments and even highlighted some quotes (I’m terrible at remembering to highlight parts I love).

The character development is as always, first and foremost in my mind and Lightfall brings it. I loooove seeing how these character continue to move forward from trauma and intensity of all the things that have happened.

I like how Cistine stays at the forefront of this group, but that each book seems to highlight another’s journey. This one followed Ashe the most and while I occasionally wanted to shake her, I’m so happy to see where she is now. The focus on therapy and speaking your truths is a theme throughout.

The PAIN of that ending though has me on pins and needles and I NEED ANSWERS.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, physical and magical altercations, battle themes, torture, loss of loved ones, PTSD, mentions of rape and sexual assault

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Book Review: Darkwind (The Starchaser Saga #1) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 442 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Middle Kingdom of Talheim has enjoyed peace for decades. But with the threat of war rising from the ruthless South, the dream of a quiet life is fading. And for the noble but naïve Princess Cistine, that means embarking on a dangerous quest to the Northern Kingdom, where she hopes to forge an alliance against their southern foes and save her people.

But when Cistine is captured by an outlaw and his band of cutthroat warriors, she finds a more deadly adventure than she bargained for – and a greater power within herself than she ever knew.

Swept up in the unpredictable tide of a tenuous and shadowy political climate, a ruthless land governed by the stars, and the unexpected revelations that come from her mysterious new companions, Cistine must learn how to fight, how to lead…and above all, how to trust herself.

If the young princess can’t be forged into a fighter, then her kingdom will fall.

HI, THIS IS MY NEW PERSONALITY.

Y’all. New fantasy obsession alert. I LOVED this!! Another Kindle Unlimited gem that has its hooks in me.

This is a slow build. And at times you do feel that slowness, but it has a necessity. I hate when things are slow and aren’t truly moving. In this case, we got to see some major character growth from Cistine and I looooved that. I enjoy seeing the development of skills rather than overnight they are fantastic at everything.

The plot is satisfying too. The world building is easy to follow and I like how the magic system is involved. I also absolutely loved that this had FOUND FAMILY. One of my favorite non-romantic tropes. This group grew on me and I am hopeful that we get to see there stories as the series progresses.

I can see that the romance will be a super slow burn. And I love those so doesn’t bother me one bit. I even like how it’s set-up right now (I don’t want to mention more because of spoilers). It’s just a true to life way of romance and I think this slow development will be EVERYTHING.

I can’t wait for more of this one. It was just what I was looking for when I picked it up and I’m genuinely excited to keep reading. Highly recommend for my fantasy friends!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: small battle scenes, torture, loss of loved ones, domestic abuse (recounted)

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