Book Review: A Broken Blade (The Halfling Saga #1) by Melissa Blair

April 13, 2023January 25, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Melissa Blair
Publisher: Union Square Co.
Release Date: August 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The BookTok sensation from debut author Melissa Blair—now with exclusive bonus content!

“Gripping and fierce. This is much-needed fantasy with its fangs honed sharp by the power of resistance. Melissa Blair has built a tremendous world.”—Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

My body is made of scars,
some were done to me,
but most I did to myself.

Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the king’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure moves against the Crown, Keera is called upon to hunt down the so-called Shadow. She tracks her target into the magical lands of the Fae, but Faeland is not what it seems . . . and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she learns, and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is: the King that destroyed her people or the Shadow that threatens the peace?

As she searches for answers, Keera is haunted by a promise she made long ago, one that will test her in every way. To keep her word, Keera must not only save herself, but an entire kingdom.

Fans of fast-paced high fantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Inadequate Heir, and From Blood and Ash author Jennifer L. Armentrout, will enjoy the fierce female characters, sapphic representation, and fantasy romance of A Broken Blade.

WHOA.

I had no expectations going into this one. I had heard of its origin story and that was convincing enough for me to give it a go.

The audiobook was wonderful. And easily recommend that route if you’re looking for a fantasy romance!

This had many many mashups of tropes and fantasy book elements that I love seeing. I know others might not like the addition of that many pieces, but it just reminded me why I love fantasy reading so much and I had a blast seeing all of the nuanced aspects come together.

I really liked the main character and her story. Thing were unveiled in an easy to follow way that kept me intrigued and wanting more. The romance was enjoyable and I can’t wait to see how that further develops after that ending!!

A solid start to a new series that I will definitely be waiting to get my hands on as soon as it releases.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy + Romance
Language: some
Romance: one open door scene
Violence: med-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault mentioned, substance abuse (alcohol), self harm, murder, torture, colonialism

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Book Review: Firebrand (Green Rider #6) by Kristen Britain

April 10, 2023May 24, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 816 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: February 28th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Magic, danger, and adventure abound for messenger Karigan G’ladheon in the sixth book in Kristen Britain’s New York Times-bestselling Green Rider epic fantasy series.

Zachary Davriel Hillander, High King of Sacoridia, rues how much he has had to give up to lead his realm, including the freedom to live and love as he chooses. When an embassy from Eletia arrives to propose a joint venture between their realms to seek out an old ally in the north, he is dismayed to learn that the one Sacoridian they have in mind to accompany their guide is the woman he truly loves but cannot have: Green Rider Karigan G’ladheon.

Karigan has only just returned from a dark future where Sacoridia has been conquered and is ruled by a despotic emperor, and she has not recovered in heart or mind. As if that is not enough, the castle ghosts won’t leave her alone. Though Zachary is loath to part from her so soon after her return, he knows she is the best choice to undertake the mission to the north.

Each step on their journey places Karigan and her companions closer to enemy territory and danger, for northward lie the forces of Second Empire, Sacoridia’s longtime foe, and Grandmother, the necromantic leader of Second Empire, has not been idle. She uses her magic to summon a wild elemental spirit to wreak havoc upon Zachary and his wife, Queen Estora.

At first the Sacoridians succeed in fending off the creature, but it so covets Estora that it can’t stay away. It abducts Zachary, assuming his form and his place at Estora’s side–but when it is finally ousted, Zachary is still missing. Estora, alone and heavy with twins, must prepare her realm for the coming conflict from the confines of her bedchamber.

Meanwhile, the danger only deepens for Karigan and her companions as they journey north. When she finds herself caught in the midst of a clash between forces, Karigan must rescue and protect her king before she falls into a trap set by Grandmother–a trap that could give Second Empire the power to control the dead and all the demons of the hells.

VERY MUCH CONFLICTED.

I jumped back into this series on a whim and woooooo boy I am CONFLICTED.

The romantic plot lines of this series will be the end of me. I’m at this point of having invested too much time not to see this through, but also I’m going to be enraged if things don’t follow through for Karigan. She is getting the short end of the stick EVERY DANG TIME. In, seriously, everything. Her moments of peace are few and far between and I feel for her in having to pick herself back up over and over again. I would want to stay down for a bit too.

The action and politicking stayed steady. I liked the flow of action and where The Second Empire drama continued on. There were some characters missing, but the ending led me to believe it’s going to come full circle in the next book? Which makes sense and I will be picking up ASAP.

I am also incredibly conflicted about King Zachary. While a good King, he is a bit wishy washy for me as a man. He wants to make every decision correctly but after deciding does not commit fully and the wake being left behind is hurting my heart. I did love that we got his POV much more in this installment and his understanding and choices at least were easier to understand. I love the multi-POV and the writing style. It is perfect as an audiobook.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy
Language: very little
Romance: closed door
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD (from torture), torture, whipping, near death experiences, cheating/infidelity, loss of loved ones, loss of life

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Book Review: Lovely, Dark and Deep (Fallow Creek #1) by Claudia Cain

April 9, 2023February 15, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Mystery
Length: 300 pages
Author: Claudia Cain
Publisher: Black Sheep Books
Release Date: November 5th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s a beautiful day in autumn, and a little girl has gone missing…

She’s not the first.

Hannah Hendricks is the fourth child to disappear from the small town of Fallow Creek in the past two months. Search parties comb the woods and vigils are held, yet there is no trace of the missing children, as if they have vanished off the face of the earth.

Cassandra Reilly is certain there is magic involved, but few people trust the word of a witch, and fewer still want her help. As an outsider to the rest of the town, it seems there is little she can do – until Hannah’s parents arrive on her doorstep, begging for magical aid.

Cass is tired of doing nothing, but agreeing to help is more dangerous than she knows. Something evil is at work in Fallow Creek, and if she isn’t careful, she’ll lead it back to her own door…

Content warnings for this book can be found on the author’s website.

Thank you to the author for the gifted Kindle book.

SPOOKY.

Well this will give you the hibbie jibbies REAL FAST. This was outside of my usual genre choices but added in a lot of things I always love reading about for an eclectic and fast paced book. I was real excited when a snarky Fae showed up to hunt down the terror in the woods. I thought he and Cass had great banter and there’s definitely some slow build romance happening here.

There were good twists too. Especially about a certain character (!!). I love being taken by surprise and I think it helped build Cass’s character too knowing her decisions from the past. I didn’t love her sister, Pen, who felt like she was 11 instead of 17. But I did adore Theo.

This is absolutely perfect for the fall and with the addition of witches gives all the vibes you could hope for. Occasionally I would find some of the information repetitive (as in, it was just touched over, but is being repeated by a different character on the next page). Besides that I don’t have any major complaints. I loved the pacing, the need to know what happens next and seeing all of the spooky things that go bump in the night. After that ending I’m excited to see how this story further unfolds!

Overall audience notes:

Paranormal mystery
Language: a little
Romance: flirting
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: missing children, loss of life, physical and magical altercations, creature attacks, near death experiences, loss of a parent (off page, prior to book)

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ARC Book Review: Divine Rivals (Iris at the Front #1) by Rebecca Ross

March 31, 2023January 10, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Upper YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: April 4th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in this epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

OMG READ IT.

Audiobook review: LOVED. I love that dual narration. And since this book had a letter writing element to it I was so excited that it was voiced by the two main characters for each reading of the letter experience. I thought the narrators did great and made this book even more incredible.

Consider this my new favorite Rebecca Ross book. From the first few chapters I knew it was going to be a winner. It had one of my favorite subtle romantic set-ups that I LOVE SO MUCH. The tension and chemistry between Iris and Roman was astronomical. I was smitten from the get-go.

The setting is one of those unique facets I can’t get enough of. It’s fantasy BUT with a historical elements that are an undeniable hit when combined. The warfare + meddling gods + humans just trying to survive are the kind of fantasy books I love to read. I liked the intensity factors and wondering who’s going to survive the next chapter and where the next shoe may drop. It’s all here and I’ll say it again, READ IT.

I was perfectly shocked by the ending. One of those, I see you coming, but now the HOW’S. And the OMG WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ya know? I am devastated 100 different ways and yet it was all so beautiful?! The quiet moments slayed me and the passion was magnetic.

Rebecca Ross’s best book. I said it.

Overall audience notes: