Tag: fantasy books

Book Review: Falling in a Sea of Stars (Green Rider #8) by Kristen Britain

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 672 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After Sacoridia’s victory over Second Empire, Karigan G’ladheon’s life as a Green Rider should have settled into an ordinary routine. But her father’s abrupt departure to rescue Laren Mapstone, leader of the Green Riders and the woman he loves, from the far distant land of Varos, has left Clan G’ladheon’s business in disarray and Karigan’s hands full.

Even as Karigan tries to sort out the clan’s mess, a darker, more perilous crisis casts its shadows over her: Mornhavon the Black has reawakened. Moreover, he has freed two undead wraiths from their imprisoning tombs to hunt Karigan down and bring her to him in Blackveil Forest.

In a deadly confrontation with one of the wraiths amid the frivolity of the Harvest Ball, Karigan is left vulnerable to the intrigues of another old adversary she thought destroyed long ago. Haunted by the unceasing rhythm of the dance, she falls endlessly through the frigid dark of the heavens, and even Westrion, god of death, cannot save her.

King Zachary, bereft and hopeless, keeps vigil for her safe return. If they are not reunited, her loss may destroy him – and any chance Sacoridia has of overcoming Mornhavon’s dark designs.

I NEED SOMEONE ELSE TO READ THESE BOOKS.

To this day, I am convinced I am the only person I am aware of who is up to date on this series and it HURTS me because there is way too much to discuss!!!!!

Another intense installment with politicking and twists and action and questions and so many moments. What I find amazing about the writing style is that it continually switches POV and I have no issues listening to the audio through all of the changes. The characters stand out and I could not put this book down. I love the story telling and I must know what happens next.

There’s one plot line that brings me a little frustration [maybe I finally clocked where it’s going??] but otherwise I am here for it all. While not a ROMANCE in the traditional sense the romantic plot lines are well woven in and I love them all.

I just can’t recommend this series enough y’all!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 1 almost vague scene; closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 480 pages
Author: Sarah Mughal Rana
Publisher: HarperCollins / Hanover Square
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For fans of The Poppy War, She Who Became the Sun and The Will of the Many, a breathtaking fantasy novel about the daughter of an overthrown emperor from an exciting new voice

Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan and reclaim their throne.

To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing among the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible vengeance or salvation.

Thank you Hanover Square Press for the gifted eARC.

LOST MY ATTENTION.

I really really wanted to love this book (hello beautiful cover). But gosh, something was just missing. And I don’t know how best to explain it all. At the core are solid themes with a complex world and a good amount to ponder. I initially was interested in the happenings and then at some point I realized my mind just kept drifting.

I did see some growth in the FMC and I liked how her rage combined with her convictions took her on a journey of self discovery and learning how to best take the next step forward. Some of the side characters were interesting and I think I’d like an even stronger sense of found family. Not that every book needs a romance, but I feel this was lacking in any strong relationship bonds (of any variety).

I believe this is a standalone which connects back in to the pressing issues. The ending did not feel fully resolved and I think the entire plot would have been better if stretched out and allowed time for more connection. The amount of montage fight scenes got to be repetitive.

If you’re on the fence, I will say this did not turn me off from trying another book by this author. Sometimes the debut isn’t the gem and I’d be curious to see what comes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Vilest Things (Flesh and False Gods #2) by Chloe Gong

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Chloe Gong
Publisher: S&S / Saga Press
Release Date: September 10th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the thrilling sequel to Immortal Longings, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra.

Calla Tuoleimi has succeeded in the impossible. Despite the odds, she has won San-Er’s bloody games and eliminated King Kasa, her tyrant uncle and the former ruler of Talin. She serves now as royal advisor to Kasa’s adopted son, August Shenzhi, who has risen to the throne.

Only Calla knows it isn’t really August.

Anton Makusa is still furious about Calla’s betrayal in the final round of the games. In an impossible feat, he took over August’s body to survive, and has no intention of giving up this newfound power. But when his first love, the beautiful, explosive Otta Avia, awakens from a years-long coma and reveals a secret that threatens the monarchy’s authority over Talin, chaos erupts. As tensions come to a boiling point, Calla and Anton must set their conflicts aside and head to the kingdom’s far reaches to prevent anarchy… even if their empire might be better off burning.

I’M TRYING.

Chloe Gong has written one of my favorite dark YA series so of course I’m over here trying to love on her adult books but y’all. I am STRUGGLING. I listened to the audiobook this time which didn’t change my perception but did make going through it quicker more achievable because I once again found myself somewhat…bored.

It feels like the plot is trying to do so many things at once that I’m not quite sure what truly needs to be done. Or it’s this sense of lolly-gagging from the characters while waiting for big shifts in the story to occur. And whoever is calling this book a romance is lying to you. Yes, it does have some romantic aspects but I consider that 10% of the story at best.

So I don’t know. Actually I do know, I know I will find myself reading book three hoping something clicks finally for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2+ brief open
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #1) by John Gwynne

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 480 pages
Author: John Gwynne
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: May 6th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.

After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið.

Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out.

Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods . . .

NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING.

I fully went into this book thinking I would love it and I am now sitting here wondering if I read a different book than all of the great reviews I read of this one. It wasn’t BAD, truly wasn’t, but there were a few things that didn’t work for me.

And maybe this was an audio issue? All of the names sounded very similar and it took me a bit to recognized who was who and what was going on with each POV. I loved that it had multiple POV’s but with so many side characters within each POV I started to get a bit lost. Frankly, I feel like I still don’t have a good grasp on the world building or everything that’s happening.

I did like Orka and Elvar’s POV’s the most. I was the most interested and engaged in their quests and journeys. I think the cover gave me vibes for something more intense and while there are action scenes and battles and such, with the lack of character driven-ness, I wasn’t feeling any sort of way about anyone who died.

Right now I can’t say I want to continue the series. It would take some major convincing to do so.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high

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