Tag: fantasy books

ARC Book Review: The Shards of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #2) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 436 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 22nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The quest is over, but the curse has only just begun.

During her journey to the Mystique Mountains, Ophelia uncovered twisted secrets of love and war. Now, she’s left to pick up the pieces while stepping into her new role. But when a chancellor of a minor clan delivers a destructive premonition, Ophelia’s appointment is challenged, forcing her into a trial period–one that heightens the tensions already brewing in her relationships.

Amid the battles for alliances, the Angel, Damien, returns with more prophetic musings and threats. In order to defeat her political enemies, prove her worth, and solve the Angel’s message, Ophelia must fight to unravel the secrets of her opponents and heal her own wounds. But with war looming and scars of the past surfacing, can she find answers before time runs out?

The second installment in the The Curse of Ophelia series is rife with trials of growth, challenges of love, and games of politics. The Shards of Ophelia is perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Raven Kennedy, and Carissa Broadbent.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SOPHOMORE SUCCESS.

Excuse me? THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.

From the beginning I was wrapped up into this story. I enjoyed book one, and this blew it out of the water. I am officially attached to these characters, the plot and everything else in-between.

I loooove that it was dual POV. There’s a lot of complex emotions and hard choices to make. It all tore at my heart and made me ache. I love how this was written though. It felt real, with flawed characters doing their best, trying to take that next step forward and realizing what things you have to let go.

The romance picked up in ways I had been hoping for and I am HERE FOR IT. I love this found family and the new people that are being taken into the group. The other subtle relationships that may be popping up. The intensity at which I hate the antagonists. How the plot moves through fast and quiet times seamlessly. THE ANGST AT WHICH THIS ROMANCE BRINGS ME TO MY KNEES.

It’s all here, it’s all fantastic. Time to read this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: 1-2 open – low/moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, near death experiences, torture, physical and magical altercations, battle themes

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Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Length: 372 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Dragonsteel
Release Date: April 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson meshes Jason Bourne and epic fantasy in this captivating adventure that throws an amnesiac wizard into time travel shenanigans—where his only hope of survival lies in recovering his missing memories.

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only help from the “real world” should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

I HAD A GOOD TIME.

This book is definitely different than any other Sanderson book I’ve read before (and I have 15+ under my belt). But that’s also why I enjoyed it!! He wanted to write something unique and he did and I got a kick out of listening to his audiobook. This is also shorter than his usual too (the audio was 9 hours) so it’s all around a nice change of pace.

Our mystery man wakes up and has no idea what’s happening and I loved learning the world with him. Slowly uncovering clues and putting together the handbook and watching things unfold. I enjoyed the side characters and the general story. There’s some good quirky laughter moments and even a little sub-plot romance! I thought the leading man went through some good growth too. He really has to evaluate himself and the choices he’s made and I love deep character moments.

Everything may feel a little chaotic, though I found that to work in it’s favor. I’m just a Sanderson fan and liked getting something new from him.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sci-Fi / Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating (main character’s ex), physical and weapons violence, loss of life, murder, grief and depression depiction, mentions of the pandemic, suicide ideation

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2023

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SUMMER. And my biggest reading month ever.

**As a little reminder note. Reviews for these books come out over the following months. But consider anything on the Favorites list a must read from me!**

Favorites this month:

  • Windsong Manor
  • The Shards of Ophelia
  • Tower of Dawn
  • Upping the Ante
  • Dark Age
  • The Deal
  • One Kiss Alone
  • Safe Harbor
  • The Magic Of Lemon Drop Pie
  • The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
  • All Alone With You
  • Kingdom of Ash
  • The Bones of Benevolence
  • Glimmers of You
  • The Fake Out
  • Light Bringer
  • Glow of the Everflame

Least favorites:

  • Hideaway
  • House of Striking Oaths
  • Kingdom of Nomads
  • The Phoenix King
  • [Novella] Snapshot by Brandon Sanderson
  • Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder
  • [ARC] Windsong Manor by Julie Wright
  • [Graphic Novel] Dark One by Brandon Sanderson
  • Dark One: Forgotten by Brandon Sanderson
  • [ARC] The Shards of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #2) by Nicole Platania
  • [Reread] Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
  • [Novella] Upping the Ante (Sheet Cake Love Stories) by Emma St. Clair
  • [Reread] Dark Age (Red Rising #5) by Pierce Brown
  • [ALC] The Honeymoon Crashers (The Unhoneymooners #1.5) by Christina Lauren
  • The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy
  • [ARC] One Kiss Alone (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #3) by Nichole Van
  • The Queen of Dawn (Shadows and Crowns #5) by S.M. Gaither
  • Safe Harbor (Scoops Series #1) by K. Sinko
  • Sing Me to Sleep (Sing Me to Sleep #1) by Gabi Burton
  • The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden
  • [ARC] Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods #1) by Chloe Gong
  • [Reread] The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
  • The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady
  • [ARC] First Impressions of You by Gabriela Graciosa Guedes
  • [ARC] All Alone With You by Amelia Diance Coombs
  • [Reread] Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Hideaway by Bekah Overbey
  • Garden of the Cursed (Garden of the Cursed #1) by Katy Rose Pool
  • House of Striking Oaths (The Kingdom of Crow #3) by Olivia Wildenstein
  • [Novella] Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
  • Friends Don’t (Fall in Love #1) by Leah Dobrinska
  • A Lady’s Guide to Scandal (A Lady’s Guide #2) by Sophie Irwin
  • The Bones of Benevolence (Benevolence & Blood #1) by Lauren M. Leasure
  • [ALC] Glimmers of You (Lost & Found #3) by Catherine Cowles
  • Play for Me by Libby Hubscher
  • [ARC] The Scarlet Alchemist (The Scarlet Alchemist #1) by Kylie Lee Baker
  • Cupid’s Compass (The Soulmate Seeker Series #1) by Ashley Weiss
  • The Fake Out by Sharon M. Peterson
  • A Kingdom of Nomads (Outcast #2) by S.B. Nova
  • The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise
  • Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
  • Coach (Treasure State Wildcats #1) by Devney Perry
  • The Bombshell Effect (Washington Wolves #1) by Karla Sorensen
  • [ARC] The Phoenix King (The Ravence Trilogy #1) by Aparna Verma
  • [Gifted] A Royal Competition (Royal Hearts #2) by Amanda Schimmoeller
  • Light Bringer (The Red Rising Saga #6) by Pierce Brown
  • Glow of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #2) by Penn Cole
  • Mile High (Windy City #1) by Liz Tomforde
  • Off to the Races (Gold Rush Ranch #1) by Elsie Silver

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ARC Book Review: Jade Shards (The Green Bone Saga #0.75) by Fonda Lee

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Novella
Length: 136 pages
Author: Fonda Lee
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Release Date: July 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Fonda Lee returns to the acclaimed Green Bone Saga with four prequel short stories that delve into the personal histories of the Kaul and Ayt families.

The Witch and Her Friend. Before she was the ruthless leader of the Mountain clan, Ayt Mada was an orphan without friends at school except for one: Aun Ure, a teenage girl feared and renowned as an assassin but yearning for a simpler life.

Not Only Blood. Before he was the heir apparent of the No Peak clan, Kaul Lan challenged his grandfather and clan patriarch to help a boy who had lost everything.

Better Than Jade. Before they were married, Kaul Hilo and Maik Wen were a young couple facing long odds: the son of a top Green Bone clan in love with a stone-eye girl from a disreputable family.

Granddaughter Cormorant. Before she left and returned to Kekon, Kaul Shae was the apple of her grandfather’s eye…as well as a daring secret informer to a foreign country.

Contains an introduction and story notes by the author.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

I MISSED THEM ALL.

I loved this collection so much!!! The Green Bone Saga is one of my all time favorite fantasy series and when I heard we were getting a few more short stories, I HAD TO HAVE IT. And it delivered.

Seeing everyone again, learning some more back stories, seeing the beginnings of love, it’s all here. I love that Fonda Lee wrote these and that I got a chance to be back in this world. I found each one engaging and quick and that it added another layer to how I view the characters from the trilogy. This is a must read for those who love this series!

Note: I think this is best read after finishing the series (but also could be read after at least reading book one, Jade City). The author adds some comments after each short story about why she chose to write it and its connection to the larger story.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Novella Collection
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2 open door; high explicit
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: suicide, physical altercations, murder, loss of a parent

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