Tag: fantasy romance

Book Review: A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame #1) by K.A. Tucker

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 634 pages
Author: K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: May 25th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Gifted thief Romeria has flourished from her days as a street kid pilfering wallets to survive. Now she thrives, stealing jewels from the rich under the involuntary employ of New York City’s most notorious crime boss. But when an enigmatic woman secures her services at swordpoint, Romeria is plunged into a startling realm of opposing thrones, warring elven, and elemental magic she cannot begin to fathom.

Her quest is straightforward: Steal a stone from Islor’s sacred garden without anyone discovering her true identity, which would earn her certain death. But the identity she has inexplicably assumed is that of the captured Ybarisan princess—an enemy to Islor after she poisoned their beloved king and queen on the day she was to marry the prince.

Her betrothed, the newly crowned King Zander, detests her with every grain of his handsome being. Fortunately for Romeria, she is more valuable to him alive than dead. Zander gives her a choice: life in a cell, or an acquittal of all charges in exchange for her help in exposing the growing plot against him.

Romeria sees no other option and embraces the tricky role of smitten queen-to-be until she can escape, a ruse that brings her far closer to the king than she anticipated and threatens more than her safety. As she digs deeper into this sacred garden and the ancient feud between Ybaris and Islor, she discovers monstrous truths that could spell ruin for all.

She would know the world of vengeful gods and monsters, and the lengths one would go for love. And nothing would ever be the same for her again.

TOOK AN UNEXPECTED TWIST.

Was it a good twist?

Not from my perspective.

Sooooooo I’m feeling a bit disappointed over this. I was SO EXCITED for this fantasy by one of my favorite authors, and maybe I hyped it too much? Maybe this fantasy just didn’t click? Maybe some combination of a handful of things.

I liked the romance between Romy and Zander. It’s a slowwww burn, but works so well here. I thought the chemistry was there (would have loved even more) and the banter was great too. I look forward to more of them based on how this ended so I’m definitely looking towards the sequel for a lift.

What fell really flat was the world-building and the magic system. Romy spent most of the time in the dark, so I spent even more time in the dark. I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. I could form a list for you, but it would probably spoil most of the story, ha. There’s some info dumping pages where I kind of caught up on what was happening, but frankly, I have no idea what’s going on. The whole quest to get the stone wasn’t even the plot of this book. Many mixed messages.

Speaking of mixed message, I’m still upset over the twist. It felt like it only added to the confusion. Why was it added? Why do they need to be that way? And once again, many more questions.

Even though the story wasn’t the necessarily like the summary led me to believe, I did like most of it. It was entertaining most of the time and I’m still curious enough to see what’s next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: kisses to open door scenes
  • Violence: sword battles, physical altercations, poison
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: slavery

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Book Review: Fly with the Arrow (Bluebeard’s Secret #1) by Sarah K.L. Wilson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 311 pages
Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: March 2nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A STOLEN BRIDE. A TERRIFYING BRIDEGROOM. THE GAME THAT WILL DETERMINE THEIR FATES.

No one told her the most important law of the court – the Law of Greeting.
If they had, maybe she wouldn’t have greeted Bluebeard when he arrived to claim a mortal wife. And if she hadn’t greeted him, she wouldn’t have become his sixteenth wife or been swept away to the lands of the Wittenhame.

But if none of that had happened, then she wouldn’t have been an integral part of the game that takes place every two hundred years – a game that determines the fates of nations .

For not all is as it seems, not in her homeland of Pensmoore, not in the Wittenhame, and certainly not in her new marriage.

CONSIDER ME INVESTED.

This is my first book by Wilson and it will not be my last! What an enjoyable fantasy romance that holds a lot of potential for future books.

I was here for this slow burn romance. And it is verrrrry slow. But I think that really led to Izolda and Bluebeard connecting past the initial differences between them. Throw in a curse that is an occasional nuisance to work around added to the fun. I thought they had great banter and some of those quiet moments I am always begging for. I can’t wait for to see the intensity ramp up between them.

The plot is really interesting! I don’t know much about the story of Bluebeard (though BRB going to go look it up). Each plot line kept me reading, and even at a short fantasy the world building and magic system lined up well. It wasn’t trying to do too much and was easy to envision and enjoy. I could have used something intense. That was the only thing missing. I never felt amped by the romance or the story itself until the last 20 pages. I wanted a little more from that vibe throughout. The ending is great though and I will definitely have to get to book two ASAP.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low/mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, physical and magical altercations, creature attacks

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Reading Wrap Up: March 2022

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We’re just going to pretend that I didn’t forget about February’s wrap up and then was too exhausted to make it.

Trying to remedy that by starting March’s earlier!

FAVORITES:

  • All my rereads
  • Every Nichole Van book
  • The Unknown Beloved
  • A River Enchanted
  • Our Last Days in Barcelona
  • Sweet Right Here (A Lost Story Bookshop Novel #1) by Jenny B. Jones
  • [Reread] A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR #1) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Gallant by V.E. Schwab
  • [Reread/Novella] A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOTAR #3.5) by Sarah J. Maas
  • [ARC] A Symphony of Stars (The Gods of Men #3) by Barbara Kloss
  • Romancing the Rake (Brotherhood of the Black Tartan #2) by Nichole Van
  • The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1) by Mimi Matthews
  • [Novella] Evershore (Skyward #3.1) by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson
  • [ARC] The Unknown Beloved by Amy Harmon
  • How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan
  • Loving a Lady (Brotherhood of the Black Tartan #3) by Nichole Van
  • Under Locke by Mariana Zapata
  • Daughter of the Deep (The Children of Lyr #1) by Lina C. Amarego
  • Edgedancer (The Stormlight Archives #2.5) by Brandon Sanderson
  • Fly with the Arrow (Bluebeard’s Secret #1) by Sarah K.L. Wilson
  • A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence #1) by Rebecca Ross
  • Only A Monster (Monsters #1) by Vanessa Len
  • An Impossible Imposter (Veronica Speedwell #7) by Deanna Raybourn
  • Making the Marquess (Brotherhood of the Black Tartan #4) by Nichole Van
  • Just a Heartbeat Away (Forever Yours #1) by Cara Bastone
  • Remembering Jamie (Brotherhood of the Black Tartan #5) by Nichole Van
  • [Non-Fiction] Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alred Lansing
  • [Novella] Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1) by Ali Hazelwood
  • [ARC] Love Practically (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #1) by Nichole Van
  • The League of Gentlewomen Witches (Dangerous Damsels #2) by India Holton
  • [Novella] The Emperor’s Soul (Elantris) by Brandon Sanderson
  • [ARC] Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton
  • Queen (Fae Games #3) by Karen Lynch
  • [ARC] Luck and Last Resorts (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #2) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
  • Crimson Reign (Blood Heir Trilogy #3) by Amie Wen Zhao
  • The Lady Tempts an Heir (The Gilded Age Heiresses #3) by Harper St. George
  • [ARC] The Rightful Bearer (The Maiden Ship #3) by Micheline Ryckman
  • [Novella] Stuck With You (The STEMinist Novellas #2) by Ali Hazelwood
  • Bride of the Shadow King (Bride of the Shadow King #2) by Sylvia Mercedes
  • [Reread] A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR #4) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Love Off-Limits (Some Kind of Love #3) by Jenny Proctor
  • [ARC] The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
  • The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons #2) by Julia Quinn
  • Seatmate (Love Lines #3) by Cara Bastone
  • [Reread] The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

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ARC Book Review: A Symphony of Stars (The Gods of Men #3) by Barbara Kloss

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 576 pages
Author: Barbara Kloss
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: March 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Will Imari fall like every sulaziér before her?

In a desperate attempt to save King Jeric’s life, Imari drew upon the power from the Tree of Wisdom, hidden deep within the forsaken lands of Sol Velor. But Imari could not have known that by doing so, she would also free Zussa—the Great Deceiver—who had been bound between worlds since the beginning of time.

Thus freed, and now using Azir Mubarék as a vessel, Zussa will stop at nothing to exact her final revenge: to unravel the world as it is written.

With Trier destroyed and so many Sol Velorians and Liagé now under Zussa’s employ, it seems the Five Provinces are doomed to Zussa’s insatiable wrath. Jeric and Imari’s only hope is to return to Corinth, to gather whatever fighting men will help, but Jeric hasn’t been home in over two months. He can’t possibly know what awaits him there, or if he still has a throne.

Regardless of what they find, Imari soon comes to realize that her particular gifting as a sulaziér is crucial in their inevitable fight against Zussa. The only problem is that her flute—her talla—is broken, and she can’t channel Shah power properly without it. Jeric has miraculously discovered a new talla, but using it might come with a price that Imari is not willing to pay.

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of the book!

GREAT CONCLUSION.

There is something so satisfying about finishing a series. Especially when the last book concludes the things you need to close the book and appreciate all the words you’ve read.

I am just smitten with this romance. I adore Jeric and Imari. I would have loved even MORE of them because every time they graced the pages I would swoon. I loved all of the quiet moments and a lot of those ending scenes where they both fought for the love between them. Jeric never game up on Imari and I AM HERE FOR IT.

There were many points of view (I think even more than book two?) and it was nice getting different angles of the impending final battle. Seeing characters make turn arounds, finding new love, and coping with big changes. I have enjoyed this entire cast. The protagonists and antagonists. Both played their roles well which gave to an intense finale.

The first half was a bit slow for me as most of it was travel based (which is never a strong trope for me). By about halfway things definitely started picking up as kingdoms unraveled and the great deceiver maxed out the dial on their plans.

This series has been stunning all around and I am so happy to have found it! Available on KU and a great read for new adult fantasy lovers!

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult fantasy romance
  • Language: light
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild blood/gore
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: torture, physical and magical altercations, weapons violence, possession, near death experiences

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