Tag: fantasy books

Book Review: Age of War (The Legends of the First Empire #3) by Michael J. Sullivan

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆  
Audience: High fantasy
Length: 420 pages
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Release Date: July 3rd, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rich in magic and adventure, Michael J. Sullivan’s soaring fantasy novels are masterworks of heroism, love, and sacrifice. Now, in Age of War, the epic battle between humankind and the cruel godlike beings who once ruled them finally ignites in all its fury.

The alliance of humans and renegade Fhrey is fragile—and about to be tested as never before. Persephone keeps the human clans from turning on one another through her iron will and a compassionate heart. The arrogant Fhrey are barely held in check by their leader, Nyphron, who seeks to advance his own nefarious agenda through a loveless marriage that will result in the betrayal of the person Persephone loves most: Raithe, the God Killer.

As the Fhrey overlords marshal their army and sorcerers to crush the rebellion, old loyalties will be challenged while fresh conspiracies will threaten to undo all that Persephone has accomplished. In the darkest hour, when hope is all but lost, new heroes will rise . . . but at what terrible cost?

WHY. WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY?

From the summary alone, I knew I was going to be destroyed by this book. And I was unfortunately right, but it hurt even worse. I sat there numb after, not knowing what I was supposed to do next. How do we go on?

I love this series so much. All of these characters are absolutely stunning. Everyone has back story, desires, strengths and weaknesses, EVERYTHING. I love each one of them in their own ways. Even the antagonists have stories and reasons. It makes this push and pull so intriguing and well thought out. There’s a lot of political movements, battles, and quiet moments.

In previous reviews I mentioned that I felt it was missing a touch of romance. THIS GAVE IT TO ME. It just needed a little and this was the perfect amount. I saw some new relationships blossom (and I AM HERE FOR IT) that were tender and precious to watch. I saw some relationships strengthen and hold fast to one another in the darkest moments. I unfortunately saw some relationships ripped from my hands as I pleaded to the bookish gods to give them ONE MORE MOMENT. *walks away from review*

*deep breath*

Okay, I’m back. I clearly am still struggling with that conclusion. Age of War does not mess around and the loss that occurred throughout this book was devastating. I’m really invested in these characters y’all.

And while I love them, the world building and magic system bring it all together. This world is vast and I feel I’m only scratching the surface. It’s utterly stunning. I think the magic system is clever and actually makes sense (I know we’ve all read magic books when we sit there saying “what….?”). There’s reasoning and explanations for why things are the way they are (regardless if it should or will remain that way).

This series is fantastic and I will recommend it ALL DAY.

Overall audience notes:

  • High fantasy
  • Language: b*tch used two or three times
  • Romance: a few kisses
  • Violence: swords, elemental magic, poison, arrows, demons, physical
  • Trigger warnings: suicide ideation

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Summer TBR

GoodeyReads11 Comments

Hello, Top Ten Tuesday!

I think this is a great topic this week and I’m excited to get to it. I feel like a lot of books don’t actually come out during the summer. They all come out in May so we can read them all summer. Because of that, most of my picks are things I’ve interested in getting through this summer before the new releases of the fall come out!

BECAUSE FALL WILL BE AMAZING. Summer has lots of great options too.

Here we go.

Age of War (The Legends of the First Empire #3) by Michael J. Sullivan

I AM LOVING THIS SERIES. Take note: it’s full of so many amazing b.a. heroines that I can’t put it down. It’s a great epic fantasy! Highly recommend.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

I have finished book one (why did I wait so long to read these?). And I’m hopeful I can get through the rest this summer!

Vow of Thieves (Dance of Thieves #2) by Mary E. Pearson

I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS BOOOOOOOOOK.

Rage (Stormheart #2) by Cora Carmack

I HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO YEARS FOR THIS. THE HYPE IS REAL.

Wild Savage Stars (Sweet Black Waves #2) by Kristina Perez

After being blown away by the first book I am super excited to see how this book plays out. It’s based off of Tristan & Isolde.

Recursion by Blake Crouch

My husband and I both enjoyed Dark Matter and we’re both intrigued to see how Crouch’s sophomore book goes.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

After loving Next Year in Havana, I immediately added this to my TBR. Now I need to wait til my library gets it in.

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

I’ve read almost all of her books, but missed this one last year! I heard this one will rip out my heart, what else is new?

Jackaby Series by William Ritter

I have read Jackaby and I have the rest of the series sitting in my house. I need to get on this.

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

IF I DO ANYTHING THIS SUMMER I WILL FINISH THIS AUDIOBOOK. It’s 45 hours long y’all. I’ve listened to 10 so far and have barely made a dent. I’m really enjoying it, but since it’s an epic fantasy it just takes longer to work through.

Have you read any of these yet? What’s a book on your summer TBR? Lets talk in the comments!

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Book Review: The Traitor’s Ruin (The Traitor’s Circle #2) by Erin Beaty

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Erin Beaty
Publisher: Imprint
Release Date: July 10th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After proving her worth in book one as a deft spy and strategic matchmaker, Sage Fowler is now comfortably positioned in high society as the royal tutor. When she’s called upon to teach his majesty’s soldiers how to read and write, she jumps at the chance to serve her kingdom of Demora—and to be reunited with her fiancé, Captain Alex Quinn. 

During a skirmish, Sage and Alex are separated. She watches him die before he can deliver important military intel—or so she thinks. She escapes from the enemy and makes an unlikely alliance with a mysterious soldier from a third nation. As Sage tries to rally their support against a common foe, the important political alliance is plagued by secrets and betrayal. 

Can Sage complete Alex’s mission and save her kingdom once more?

The Traitor’s Kiss Review – ☆☆☆☆☆

Y’ALL I AM SMITTEN BY THIS SERIES.

Some books hit you at the right time, causing you to love them on an even grander scale than you thought you originally thought you might. This has been that case and I can NOT stop gushing about it.

Alex & Sage ARE LIFE. THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS AND I LOVE THEM. And I can’t stop using capitals. Bear with me. They’re so many emotions to express.

Oh how miscommunication wears on me in books. I didn’t hate the way this was done though. Alex was struggling through some PTSD-like emotions that were causing him to have a hard time coping. This lead to some issues with Sage that sent her into dangerous situations. While I am all over cheering Sage on, I was also like GIRL. STOP RUNNING TOWARDS DANGER. But she can handle herself, this is a favorite fact of mine. But really, once they started working together, magic happened. WHOOP.

The bad guy was kinda silly in this because he didn’t have the most villain-y reasons for battle and attempted kidnappings. The other political aspects were much more flourished and I loved getting to travel all of the map. It was amazing world-building full of getting to know other kingdoms, lands, and people.

One of my favorite tiny tidbits is that Alex actually shows emotion. He CRIES, and I want to cry with him. I always hate when guys think they’re too good to shed a few tears at truly awful situations. He cares so much and I feel that on every level.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy romance
  • Language: very little (I believe shoot was used once or twice)
  • Romance: lots of kissing and wanting each other
  • Violence: knives, fire, physical, battles, quicksand, torture, arrows

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Top Ten Tuesday: Standalone Books That Need A Sequel

GoodeyReads7 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is here again and we’re discussing Books That Need A Sequel. Going through my books I realized just how many series I read. Do I mind? Nope, I love series. But below are some great standalones that I felt could have more to make them even better or that I loved so much I want more from their world.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I could definitely live in this world again and get more of Celia and Marco.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Based off of what the book is about, you know the ending will hurt your soul. So I’m thinking a sequel where Catherine has a much happier ending, ya know?

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I absolutely adored this book and reading about Puck. Having more of this story and these crazy water horses would be so cool.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Sirens. Pirates. Slow-burn romances. GIVE ME MORE. (Review here).

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Now, she does have The Girl the Sea Gave Back coming out, but those have different characters even though it’s the same world. I would love more Eelyn and Fiske and am happy that they will at least appear in the next book! (Review here!)

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

I think this book was too brief. I did like it, but I think with even more story and tales it would be even greater. Especially if there was a PREQUEL book. Yes, this needs a prequel book. The Wicked Deep was a clever read that left me with so many mixed emotions.

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

I LOVED this book. And wish dearly I could have more of it. Levenseller has become one of my favorite authors.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

A book a few years down the line after Eleanor has conquered all of her demons, falling in love and living her best life. That would be one sweet book.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

I liked this book, but didn’t love it. If things were expanded and had time to flourish I think I would be allllll over it. Because there’s fairies and I love fairies.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

This was on of my favorite books from a few years ago. So many feelings. I could use a sequel with more Atlas and Lily because y’all, they deserve it.

Have you read any of these? What books do you think need sequels? Lets talk in the comments!