Tag: delacorte press

Book Review: The Weaver Bride (The Weaver Bride #1) by Lydia Gregovic

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Lydia Gregovic
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A sweeping fantasy about a witch who must navigate a ruthless marriage competition—and try not to fall in love along the way. Part twisting mystery, part thrilling romance, The Weaver Bride is an unputdownable romantasy steeped in a lush magical world.

Lovett Tamerlane is a silkwitch. Like all girls of her kind, she holds a rare magic—a magic that can be harnessed only through marriage to a Weaver. But finding a Weaver husband requires status, refinement, and money, all of which Lovett sadly lacks. Her one secret ability, to open any door, is her saving grace. Hidden in plain sight, Lovett spends her days using her gift to steal from wealthy families and her nights avoiding the fate imposed on all unwed silkwitches: a life confined to the cloisters.

But opening doors can be dangerous, and when Lovett steals from the wrong person, she finds herself face to face with Eliot Lear, the notorious son of a prominent Weaver. It turns out Eliot’s been watching Lovett. He knows she’s a silkwitch, and he offers her a life-altering opportunity: entrance to the Vainglory, a competition with the ultimate prize—marriage to Noé Alaire, heir to generations of Weaver wealth. The catch? Last year, the Vainglory ended in tragedy. The winner died. And the winner was Eliot’s sister.

The arrangement is simple: If Lovett solves the mystery of Ophelia Lear’s death and unmasks her killer, Eliot will ensure she has her pick of Weaver suitors, regardless of who wins the competition. Yet unraveling Ophelia’s murder proves far more complicated than either of them anticipated. And Lovett should know better than to take a Weaver at his word.

After all . . . what is love without betrayal?

Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook and GetUnderlined for the final copy.

GIMME BOOK TWO.

After enjoying Lydia Gregovic’s debut I knew I had to get my hands on this one and it was a solid upper YA/NA fantasy romance! I liked the world building a lot and the complexity of the silkwitches and how they functioned in society. It set up the perfect atmosphere for rebellion and takedowns that I hope to see in the sequel.

The romance is a good heated enemies to lovers that pushes and pulls as the pages turn. I enjoy betrayal plotlines and I liked the ruthlessness that their story gave off. I do recommend the audiobook as the narrator did a great job voicing Lovett and the other characters (single POV).

I wasn’t 100% convinced by the competition storyline but it’s an easy book to consume. I like LG’s writing style and the way the romances are crafted. Looking forward to more!

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA/NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Family of Liars (We Were Liars #2) by E. Lockhart

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: May 3rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The prequel to We Were Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come.

A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts.
A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow.
A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy.
A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes.

Welcome back to the Sinclair family.
They were always liars.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

I WAS BORED.

While I don’t think there was anything WRONG with this book I was just so bored I found very little enjoyment in reading it. After We Were Liars and knowing the twist and the family dynamics in that book it made this one seem very predictable. Of course there was more drama and chaos, but nothing I couldn’t see from a mile away.

Maybe I read these two too close together? I’m not sure. I do have book three so I’m going to read that too and maybe that’ll make me feel differently about the series as a whole.

I did like the audiobook so if you wanted to read this, I’d recommend that format!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Mystery
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: attempted r*pe, alcohol consumption, prescription drug use, grief/loss depiction, loss of a sibling, murder, drowning recounted

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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: Kingdom of Claw (The Ashen #2) by Demi Winters

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 586 pages
Author: Demi Winters
Publisher: Delacorte
Release Date: February 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Silla Nordvig survived the Road of Bones.

In the aftermath of her journey, her dreams of a simple life have been shattered. Beaten, betrayed, and reeling from the revelation of her true name, she flees Kopa with Reynir Galtung, ruthless leader of the Bloodaxe Crew. But Silla soon discovers Rey has been keeping secrets of his own, and they’re forced into hiding together.

Stuck in a shield-home with the murderous man she thought she knew, Silla forms a new plan: master the magic flowing through her veins to save her sister. But before she can do that, Silla must face her most formidable opponent yet–her own inner demons.

Saga Volsik has nothing to lose.

They’ve murdered her family. Stolen her throne. And now they expect her to marry their son. But when she discovers her foster mother has been keeping the biggest secret of all, everything changes.

Saga’s goal: dismantle Queen Signe’s plans piece by piece. The only problem? The handsome Zagadkian dignitary who knows far too many of her secrets.

Meanwhile, dark threads continue to weave themselves through Íseldur as magic long thought dead begins to wake. In this follow-up to The Road of Bones, both women will need to find the strength to step into their destiny and stop chaos from sweeping across the land.

Return to the Kingdom of Íseldur where enemies become lovers and dark secrets hide around each corner. This installment digs deeper into Íseldur’s forbidden magic and the simmering attraction growing between two unlikely couples.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for my gifted copy.

HOT DANG.

I just really need more to get to reading this fantasy series because it is SO GOOD. I loved the sequel and appreciated how much bigger the world became by adding in more POV’s and getting a feel for both sisters, Saga and Silla.

And I really loved the slow burn romances for both sisters. Silla’s was tender and slow and filled with brimming tension. Not to mention, the communication was my absolute favorite!! I love feisty arguments and moments of connection that really show you who someone is and what they are willing to fight more. Saga’s was always incredible because I loved the complexity of the forbidden and hidden identities as she tried to survive a gilded cage.

The ending brought it in so many ways and I am so excited with the new turns book three will take. I love the lore and the Viking inspiration and the world building and magic. It’s all good. And the audiobooks are great too!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: moderate – high

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