Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: April 2022

April 30, 2022 GoodeyReads2 Comments

A wishy washy reading month. I threw away way to many DNFs, but there were some diamonds in the rough here.

Favorites: The Godborn and the King, Double or Nothing, The Love Connection, Long Story Short, Lodestar, A Brush with Love, The Saltwater Heir, Heir of Fire, The Diamond Eye

[ARC] The Godborn and the King (The Raven and the Dove #4) by Kaitlyn Davis
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
Mr. Hoa (Fake It #1) by Carina Taylor
[Novella] Inheritance (American Royals #0.5) by Katharine McGee
Souls of Fire and Steel (Frozen Sun Saga #3) by Jill Criswell
The Atlas Six (The Atlas #1) by Olivie Blake
[ARC] Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
[Novella] Passion or Penalty by Leah Brunner
[Novella] Falling for Your Brother’s Best Friend by Emma St. Clair
[ARC] Double or Nothing (A Pride and Pranks Romance #2) by Cindy Steel
[Novella] There Goes the Groom (Romance of Rank #1.5) by Esther Hatch
The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time #4) by Robert Jordan
[Novella] The Love Connection (Airport Novellas #1) by Denise Williams
The Ace of Hearts (Larkhall Letters #1) by Ashtyn Newbold
One for All by Lillie Lainoff
[Novella] Below Zero (The STEMinist Novellas #3) by Ali Hazelwood
The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher
[Novella] Somewhat of a Ruse by Jess Heileman
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
Lodestar (Keeper of the Lost Cities #5) by Shannon Messenger
[Reread] Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1) by Elise Kova
[ARC] Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor
My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen
In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer
Four Aunties and A Wedding (Aunties #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings
Scarlet Princess (The Lochlann Feuds #1) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
[ARC] The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London
The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
[Novella] Finding Cinderella (Hopeless #2.5) by Colleen Hoover
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Tarnished Crown (The Lochlann Feuds #2) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn
The Saltwater Heir (The Blood and Water Saga #1) by Cassidy Clarke
[Reread] Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
Pretending at Love (Greenbank Romances #2) by Karen Thornell
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher
Crimson Kingdom (The Lochlann Feuds #3) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
[ARC] When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Did we read any of the same books? See any you want to read? Leave a comment!

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Book Review: The Bone Thief (The Bone Charmer #2) by Breeana Shields

April 15, 2022June 21, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Breeana Shields
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Release Date: May 26th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A deft exploration of the weight of grief and cost of revenge, Breeana Shields’s Bone Charmer duology reaches its spine-tingling conclusion in this high-octane fantasy-thriller.

Saskia returns to Ivory Hall to train in bone magic, determined to stop Latham from gaining the power of all three Sights—past, present, and future. But danger lurks within the fortress’s marrow. Trials are underway for the apprentices, and the tasks feel specifically engineered to torment Saskia, which is exactly what Latham wants.

As she grows increasingly more suspicious, her thirst for revenge becomes all-consuming. Together with the friends she can trust and the boy she loved in another lifetime, Saskia traces clues from Latham’s past to determine what he’ll do next. Their search leads them across Kastelia and brings them to a workshop housing a vast collection of horrors, including the bones Latham stole from Gran, and the knowledge that the future isn’t all that’s in jeopardy—but the past as well.

A SOLID DUO.

This was a good duology!! I thoroughly enjoyed both books. And even though this one didn’t have the same pop as the first, I still liked it and the final conclusion.

It’s such a cool magic system. I love the vast options that magic has in the world and that tattoos play a huge part in their lives. What type of events they’ve gone through, if they’ve fallen in love, or mastered a magic. It’s interesting and one of the best parts of the series.

Saskia is a main character I liked a lot. A bit stubborn, and occasionally making mistakes made her feel real. She was also tender and loyal to those around her. I would have looooved a bit more romance like there was in the first book. Nothing really happened until the end and I wish it had flowed through the entire story more.

At times I thought the plot didn’t matter or fit the revenge plot idea from the first book. The further the book goes, things seem to round out. The tasks that Saskia and her friends are asked to do start to converge with the final showdown.

It’s a great duology with easy, magnetic writing. Even if I was struggling with the plot at times, I still never felt the need to skim. A lesser known duo to definitely look into!

Overall audience notes:

Young adult fantasy
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Violence: physical altercations, magical weaponry, attempted murder

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Book Review: Jade Legacy (The Green Bone Saga #3) by Fonda Lee

April 12, 2022January 10, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 713 pages
Author: Fonda Lee
Publisher: Orbit Books
Release Date: November 30th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins, to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family, and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same.

The Kauls have been battered by war and tragedy. They are plagued by resentments and old wounds as their adversaries are on the ascent and their country is riven by dangerous factions and foreign interference that could destroy the Green Bone way of life altogether. As a new generation arises, the clan’s growing empire is in danger of coming apart.

The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices… but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.

WHAT A BOOK.

I honestly was a bit nervous to dive into this one. I LOVE this series and knowing that this book somehow covered 30 years had me wondering how this was all going to go down. I did cry multiple times so IT HURT. BUT IT WAS AMAZING.

This review will not be able to contain everything I want to say because words are hard. So first off I’ll say, YOU NEED TO READ IT. At least that refrain is here.

I am obsessed with this entire cast. I love every single one of them. I love that I got to see their entire lives, see the kids grow up and more. There’s still plenty of action, many twists and turns and betrayals to make you fall apart. The quiet moments with deep conversations, the soft times built on reconnection. And the last moments with good-byes and a request to do better. How can you not be emotionally attached?! *cue more tears* I could write a paragraph for each of the characters, that’s how much I loved allllll of them.

Many things I didn’t see coming and left me shattered. Though I felt by the end I understood Lee’s choice in writing this book over such a large amount of time. There was only one way this could end and I get it. My heart might not recover for awhile, but I get it. And actually, I really loved the ending. I love endings that click and work for all parties.

The Green Bone Saga is built with intricate world-building, an awesome magic system and a tight knit clan. I have been utterly captivated by this entire series and would recommend it to anyone interested in adult fantasy. This is NOT one to miss y’all.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy
Language: strong
Romance: multiple brief open door
Trigger/Content Warnings: suicide, bullying, murder, gun violence, cheating, kidnapping, torture, heavy gore/blood depiction, grief, explosion

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Book Review: Divine Blood (Guardians of the Maiden #1) by Beck Michaels

March 4, 2022May 19, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 467 pages
Author: Beck Michaels
Publisher: Pluma Press
Release Date: June 3rd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Shadow demon nearly took everything from Dynalya Astron, and it would soon return for more. When she discovers a way to fight back, she must go on a perilous journey and risk it all for those she holds dear.

Along the way, she meets Cassiel, a Celestial Prince with magic blood and wings as black as his heart. He wants nothing to do with Dyna until he learns she could lead him to a place he has been searching for all his life.

But reaching their destination is not as easy as they thought, nor are they the only ones who search for it. With danger at every turn and harrowing secrets between them, the quest will require much more than determination. They must fight for what they desire—or die trying.

For fans of Throne of Glass,The Cruel Prince, and The Lord of the Rings comes Beck Michael’s debut novel with remarkable characters, a budding romance, and gripping action. Divine Blood is the first book of an Epic Dark Fantasy series that explores the depths of loss, acceptance, and the true meaning of courage.

SOLID START.

A great start to a new fantasy series that might have me hooked! I listened to it as an audio book and really enjoyed that format. Definitely recommend that way if you like audio books!

Don’t quote me here, but apparently this is somewhat LOTR-ish? I’ve never read or seen the movie, but if that’s your jam, maybe you’ll enjoy this series too.

I love the world building here and allllllll of the magical creatures; elves, fae, angels, humans, werewolves, and many more! Everyone fit well together and I liked the initial set-up of everything. I’m curios how things will keep expanding and look forward to learning more about the magic systems as well.

There was an overwhelming about of POV’s. I generally love multiple, but this was a bit much initially. By the end, when I had a better grasp on who was who and which side of the divide they stood on, it was much more enjoyable. I’m starting to get a feel for this cast and I only want more. The only character I didn’t like was Dyna. Wow was she the epitome of [what she was referred to multiple times in the book] a stupid human. She came off whiny and had to be rescued more times than I could count. Hopefully that means there will be character growth over the series. That + a more intricate romance will sky rocket this for me.

Overall audience notes: