Tag: fantasy books

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

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

Instagram || Goodreads

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

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

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

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

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:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical altercations, gruesome animal mauling, magical weaponry, brief battle scenes

Instagram || Goodreads

ARC Book Review: A Hunt of Shadows (A Trial of Sorcerers #2) by Elise Kova

GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 382 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The second book in A Trial of Sorcerers is filled with forbidden magic, shadowy intrigue, heart-pounding action, and slow-burn romance.

Eira is now a champion of the Solaris Empire. She’s off to a land she’s only dreamed about. But a nightmare awaits her.

Her sworn enemy has escaped. His allies are powerful and deadly. And Eira finds herself tangled in the dangerous web of the undercity of Risen where the mysterious Court of Shadows and lethal Pillars battle for the fate of the kingdom.

But vengeance has a price. When Eira is captured by her enemies, it’s not only her life, but the lives of her friends, and the man she loves most, at stake. The woman she was won’t be enough to turn the tides churning against her from long before she was born. She’ll have to become something more. She’ll have to love deeper and fight fiercer than ever before.

The only way to kill a legendary champion, will be to become one herself.

Experience Eira’s adventure in the A Trial of Sorcerers series by USA Today bestselling author Elise Kova today, for readers who enjoy young adult, epic fantasy, filled with sorcery, deep friendships, forbidden romance, and tales of faraway lands.

A Hunt of Shadows takes place after the events of A Trial of Sorcerers. Readers should begin with A Trial of Sorcerers before reading A Hunt of Shadows.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A JOURNEY.

Kova really likes to hit you with the punches in the end ya know? My heart is hurting after that ending. I knew something was coming and now I have to contend with waiting until next year for more answers for my love birds! THE AUDACITY.

I loved the journey Eira went on as a character. Heck bent on revenge at the beginning she learns over time to open up and rely on others. I liked her acknowledgement of her faults and the way she unfurled as a force to content with. I adored all of her friendships. I love a strong friend group and even the more salty characters are charming and perfectly placed.

The plot slowed in the middle with all of the Court of Shadows talk. It took up a lot of space and dragged for a bit. That was my only major complaint. I think a little more build up in the romance before things got heated would have been nice too. But that made more sense with the ending and subsequent plot lines so I’ll let that one slide.

I absolutely hate all of these villains. Yet I love that I hate them. The writing here is amazing at really building up that awfulness and dread every time The Pillars come into play. They’re terrific antagonists and I can’t wait for the ultimate takedown.

This series is full of action and heart. Romance and friendships. Twists and turns and the cliffhangers I have come to expect. I love this universe and can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: mild gore/blood
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual harassment, torture, fire explosions resulting in loss of life, kidnapping

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph