Tag: fantasy romance

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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Book Review: House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J. Maas

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 805 pages
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: February 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.

The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.

In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.

*FLAILS INCOHERENTLY*

Someone should have recorded me as I finished this book because the way I ran around my house flipping out was WILD.

BECAUSE THAT ENDING WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE.

Once again SJM has brought the house down with her captivating storytelling. I loved that there were even more points of view from this whole cast. I felt more connected to everyone and got a better feeling for their personal and group dynamics. I’m very much emotionally attached to them and the ships I want sailing and will not stand for anything less than HAPPY EVER AFTERS FOR ALL.

The plot thickens even more and my jaw hit the flow as things were unveiled. I love how the web is woven and die cast for all at play in the world. The combination of masteries it took to put this together blows my mind. Writing wise, it reads slower. Yet, it’s one of those novels that makes sense for the slowness. It’s heavily character driven and those stories need told.

I LOVE where many of these lines are heading and I will be impatiently awaiting the next book. I intentionally tried to keep this as vague as I could because people who spoil are the worst. Another SJM all the dang stars read for me!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: multiple (5+) open door
  • Violence: mild-strong blood/gore
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, torture, creature attacks, physical altercations, gun violence, loss of loved ones, slavery, imprisonment

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