Tag: fantasy books

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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Book Review: Isles of the Emberdark (The Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 465 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Dragonsteel Entertainment
Release Date: July 1st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Ones Above are starting to grow impatient and want to build an installation to breed and collect Aviar on one of First of the Sun’s islands. Vathi and Dusk are trying to figure out how to delay their progress and are also dealing with people from another world, likely Roshar. Dusk realizes that the people of First of the Sun are hopelessly outmatched and decides to go through Patji’s Eye, the perpendicularity on the island Patji, to try to enlist help.

OH HOW I LOVED THIS.

NOTE: I wanted to mention upfront that I don’t think this is the right book for someone wanting to try Sanderson for the first time. While it could totally be read as a standalone a lot of the joy I got from reading Emberdark was from the fact I knew all of the mentions of Sanderson’s other books and how they connect for a future Cosmere.

Now back to business. WHAT A GOOD BOOK. It absolutely has the Moana vibes everyone has talked about (even though it was written before Moana). I loved the seafaring adventure and seeing the Cosmere down the line and how all of the worlds have fused to new populations and situations. I loved all of these characters and the story and plot and ALL THE THINGS OKAY. I couldn’t put this book down and thought the audiobook was amazing too.

There’s just so many good tidbits and scenes I could talk about forever. And many important conversations and topics that I loved seeing included. This is easily one of my favorite secret projects (how many times have I said that now??).

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: moderate

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: June 2025

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How is it already June???

Another month in the 30’s which has been kind of nice. I’ve slowed down a bit this summer and I’m spending time watching shows and being out in the sun.

Happy reading y’all!

  • [ARC] Seas the Dating Coach (Wilks Beach #1) by Laura Langa
  • [ARC/ALC] The Blood Phoenix (Fall of the Dragons #2) by Amber Chen
  • I’ll Paint You a Sunset Someday by Bex Alexander
  • [Graphic Novel] We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer
  • The Glittering Edge (The Idlewood Duology #1) by Alyssa Villaire
  • [ARC/ALC] Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle
  • [ARC] Roots of Darkness (The Ashen #2.5) by Demi Winters
  • Love Unwritten (Lakefront Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher
  • [Reread] Dark Shores (Dark Shores #1) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • Truly Medley Deeply (Sweet as Sugar Maple #5) by Kate Watson
  • [Reread] Dark Skies (Dark Shores #2) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [ALC] A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry
  • I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan
  • On the Slopes of Tahoe (Love Along the Way #2) by J.A. Forde
  • Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang
  • [ARC] Seashells and Other Souvenirs by Rachel Lawrence
  • Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing (Magnolia Parks Universe #5) by Jessa Hastings
  • [ALC] A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan
  • [ARC] Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy #1) by Elise Kova
  • My Fault (Culpables #1) by Mercedes Ron)
  • One Final Turn (Electra McDonnell #5) by Ashley Weaver
  • The Night Prince (Wolf King #2) by Lauren Palphreyman
  • The Love Playbook (Boys of Ann Arbor U #1) by Gracie Graham
  • Driving Maisie Crazy (Men of the Isles #2) by Deborah M. Hathaway
  • The Robin on the Oak Throne (The Oak and the Holly Cycle #2) by K.A. Linde
  • [ARC] Roads of Resistance (Falcon Point Historical #2) by A.L. Sowards
  • [ARC/ALC] Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods
  • We Were Liars (We Were Liars #1) by E. Lockhart
  • Salvacion by Sandra Proudman
  • [Reread] Tarnished Empire (Dark Shores #0.5) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [ARC] Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
  • [ALC] Soul of Shadow by Emma Noyes

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Book Review: The Sword of Kaigan by M.L. Wang

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 631 pages
Author: M.L. Wang
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 19th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful fighters in the world, warriors capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For centuries, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire’s enemies at bay, earning their treacherous spit of land the name ‘The Sword of Kaigen.’

Born into Kusanagi’s legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always know his purpose: to master his family’s fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives and pulls back the curtain on Kaigen’s alleged age of peace, Mamoru ralizes that he might not have much time before he has to become the fighter he was bred to be. Even worse, the empire he was born to defend might stand on a foundation of lies.

Misaki told herself that she left the passions of her youth behind when she married into the Matsuda house. Determined to be a good housewife and mother, she hid away her sword, along with everything from her days as a fighter in a faraway country. But with her son asking questions about the outside world, the threat of invasion looming on the horizon, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, Misaki finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface.

When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies ever reach their shores?

THIS BOOK TORE ME UP.

I was not expecting the devastation this book brought me. OHMYGOODNESS. I can’t even speak to it as well as I want to because it would spoil things and I need y’all to go read this book and then come find me so we can cry together.

This also had one of the best character arc chapters I have ever read (IYKYK). The fighting and emotion and being at your absolute lowest that brought this character to finally shape up and DO SOMETHING. I will constantly be coming back to this scene.

And I loved loved loved Misaki. This book really showcased the strength of being a woman and mother. The way so many themes were tackled were hard hitting and raw. I could not put this book down. I thought the writing and pacing was incredible. This book made me think, cry, rage and contemplate all the things.

Hands down a new favorite in the fantasy genre for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: this isn’t a romance book but there are some discussions around sex
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: miscarriage, suicide, war themes, loss of loved ones, graphic deaths/violence, attempted murder of a baby, r*pe, post partum depression

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