ARC Book Review: Gilded Serpent (Dark Shores #3) by Danielle L. Jensen

April 22, 2021February 28, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 576 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: April 27th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

THEIR BATTLES ENDED IN VICTORY

Lydia returns to Mudaire to enter training at the healing temple. But instead of fighting to save lives, she’s convinced she is doing more harm than good. She delves into the history of the gods only to discover a truth that will change her life forever.

His birthright as commander of the Royal Army is finally in his grasp, but Killian feels anything but victorious. Burdened by his past, he embraces the darker side of his mark—and in doing so, risks starting a war.

BUT THE WAR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN

Having defeated the tyrant Urcon, Marcus struggles to form a lasting alliance with the Arinoquians. But he is plagued by the knowledge that there is a traitor among his friends, and it could cost him everything that he’s fought for.

Torn between her growing allegiance to the Thirty-Seventh legion and her need to liberate her people, Teriana finds herself mired in a web of secrets. She embarks upon a path that will either save everyone she loves—or put them all in their graves.

Thank you to Tor Teen and Netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

I seriously love this series. If I could convey this book in one word it would be: STRESSFUL.

I would have to put the book down and chill out my racing heart because everything in this book will set you on edge. IN THE BEST WAY. The daring adventure that both Teriana/Marcus and Killian/Lydia go on are absolutely captivating. I had to know what happened next. I NEEDED to know what happened next. This is easily becoming one of my favorite YA Fantasy series.

The ANGST on both sides had me reeling. Yesssss, you get those soft and sweet moments, but wow did the general will they/won’t they leave me excited for future books. I love both of these ships and am incredibly impressed at how well each character is built. There was more background stories added to everyone as well which helped me attach myself to them too.

Talk about JAW DROPPING MOMENTS. Things I did not see coming in any capacity that change the entire landscape of the story. MY FAVORITE. Ah, I love being surprised in this way. It only amped up the setting and the harrowing situations everyone kept finding themselves in. [Seriously, can my loves catch a break?]

I really recommend this series 100 times over if you love fantasy. These are a slower build, but have so much action it doesn’t feel that way. I love the Roman-esque inspired nature of the world and the magic system is fascinating. I can’t say enough good things about the Dark Shores series. I’m a forever fan of Danielle L. Jensen’s writing.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: some strong
Romance: Kisses to little detailed brief scenes (mostly closed door)
Violence: physical altercations, battles, weaponry, animal attacks, corruption

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Book Review: A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet

March 26, 2021September 29, 2020 GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Amanda Bouchet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: August 2nd, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER…

“Cat” Catalia Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods—and her homicidal mother—have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm—until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin’s fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.

NOT SUBTLE.

That’s the biggest takeaway I got from this. And I am also realizing, I like things a lot more subtle.

Everything started off really well. I love the setting and environment. The mix of Greek gods and mythology is always fascinating to me and it’s no different here. I would have loved some more world-building because I occasionally got lost in the hierarchies of different realms.

I looooved this audio book narration though. Great changes between characters and I really fell into the sweeping way the narrator told the story.

The romance between Griffin and Cat was in your face from the beginning. I was hoping for a bit more will they/won’t they, but alas that was not the case. Within my personal tastes it was also verrrrry steamy and I found myself skipping sections to get back to the story. And I didn’t love Griffin by the end either. His intensity and what I felt was a lack of willingness to even hear Cat’s side of the story really rubbed me the wrong way. He was insistent about HIS wants and desires and I felt Cat getting neglected.

I don’t plan on picking up the next one. This was a difference in preferences for me so don’t let my review hold you back. It was great writing and the story is woven in there.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy romance
Language: none
Romance: everything from kisses to multiple very open door/descriptive scenes
Violence: murder, battles/skirmishes, physical altercations, magical attacks, creature attacks
Trigger warnings: abusive parents

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Book Review: A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR #4) by Sarah J. Maas

March 23, 2021February 28, 2021 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 768 pages
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: February 16th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.

STUNNING.

It was a test of my willpower, but I have kept this spoiler free!

That’s the best word I could think of, but yet still doesn’t encompass everything I felt reading this book. I felt EVERYTHING. It was a beautiful and hard journey Nesta went through. This book just went on a whole other level. I won’t be able to convey everything I’m sure I’ll try to in this review, so in simplicity: I loved it. I love this series. And will add this to books I reread every year.

I know this book was about Nesta, but it has to be mentioned, CASSIAN. That patient, very patient soul. Oh my goodness, every time the sentiment, keep reaching your hand out, was used I couldn’t handle. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER. And watching both of them grow and accept and love and all the things. I’m already incoherent. Cassian and Nesta solidified themselves as one of my favorite couples everrrrr.

The story was definitely character driven (I don’t mind). I was impressed that a whole new plot was unfurled and actually connected really well to the previous 3 ACOTAR books. I’m excited to see where each book will take us. There’s a lot to explore and so many characters to follow too! I don’t know how SJM is going to give us all of the answers, but I don’t doubt that she’ll be able to.

Can we also discuss the new characters? Nesta’s new friend group. BECAUSE I LOVE THEM. And saw the inklings of where their stories will go and I AM HERE FOR IT. I WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS. They were the perfect pieces that Nesta needed to open up to others & start the mending of her own soul.

I found myself laughing many times and wondering where was my magic, smut reading house? I found myself crying many times because of the pure raw anguish of Nesta’s grief and coping (and that ending really had me). This was everything I hoped for in getting Nesta’s story.

It was interesting to see characters like Rhys for her point of view. There was such a contrast to Feyre’s (obviously). I really loved seeing all of the court in another way and continuing there stories too. I wish I would have seen more from some, but I understand the whole-hearted focus on Nesta.

I didn’t think she’d become such a beloved character. This story changed my mind.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy romance
Language: strong throughout
Romance: verrrrrrry open door scenes & lots of ’em
Violence: battles, physical altercations, kidnapping, magic use
Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of grief and depression; suicide ideation, loss of loved ones; discussion and scenes of past sexual assaults and rape

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Book Review: The Princess Will Save You (Kingdoms of Sand and Sky #1) by Sarah Henning

March 12, 2021September 24, 2020 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sarah Henning
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: July 7th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Princess Will Save You is a YA fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess Bride, in which a princess must rescue her stable boy true love, from the acclaimed author of Sea Witch, Sarah Henning.

When a princess’s commoner true love is kidnapped to coerce her into a political marriage, she doesn’t give in—she goes to rescue him.

When her warrior father, King Sendoa, mysteriously dies, Princess Amarande of Ardenia is given what would hardly be considered a choice: Marry a stranger at sixteen or lose control of her family’s crown.

But Amarande was raised to be a warrior—not a sacrifice.

In an attempt to force her choice, a neighboring kingdom kidnaps her true love, stable boy Luca. With her kingdom on the brink of civil war and no one to trust, she’ll need all her skill to save him, her future, and her kingdom.

TRAVELLING TROPE.

Oh goodness. I don’t *mind* a travelling story. There can be a lot to them that takes away form the fact that the characters are going hundreds of miles somewhere. Take ship stories for instance! They’re on the water plenty and I rarely find it such an issue.

Here? Yes, issue. Even in audio book form I was going wild listening to the repetitive motion of the girl or guy getting captured, then finding a way out, to start all over again.

In instance of The Princes Bride similarities, I did see some. I haven’t watched the movie in a very long time so I won’t speak more to this. But even a casual watcher of it could see where some of the story interlapped.

I liked Ama just fine as a main character. She was interesting. Loved her trying to take down a society that clearly has some flaws by forcing a woman to marry and not letting her rule in her own right. Totally here for that part. I didn’t even mind the love story that much because it was given from the start. It took me some time to get on board with the ship, from having to learn the characters, but I liked the idea.

I kind of think this should have been left as a standalone. With a different, more closed off ending, but I’m not sure how a full second novel will not drag about to continue this story. It’s a predictable plot, with slow pacing that really left me underwhelmed.

Overall audience notes: