Tag: fantasy romance

ARC Book Review: Hunt the Stars (Starlight’s Shadow #1) by Jessie Mihalik

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Jessie Mihalik
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: February 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The critically acclaimed author of Polaris Rising takes readers on an exciting journey with the start of her brand-new series about a female bounty hunter and the man who is her sworn enemy.

Octavia Zarola would do anything to keep her tiny, close-knit bounty hunting crew together—even if it means accepting a job from Torran Fletcher, a ruthless former general and her sworn enemy. When Torran offers her enough credits to not only keep her crew afloat but also hire someone to fix her ship, Tavi knows that she can’t refuse—no matter how much she’d like to.

With so much money on the line, Torran and his crew insist on joining the hunt. Tavi reluctantly agrees because while the handsome, stoic leader pushes all of her buttons—for both anger and desire—she’s endured worse, and the massive bonus payment he’s promised for a completed job is reason enough to shut up and deal.

But when they uncover a deeper plot that threatens the delicate peace between humans and Valoffs, Tavi suspects that Torran has been using her as the impetus for a new war. With the fate of her crew balanced on a knife’s edge, Tavi must decide where her loyalties lie—with the quiet Valoff who’s been lying to her, or with the human leaders who left her squad to die on the battlefield. And this time, she’s put her heart on the line.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

PROGRESSIVELY BETTER.

A new to me author with an enjoyable first read from them! I liked the progression of this story and how the second half of it really leaned in well to the plot and romance aspects.

I liked Tavi as the main character. A heroine with a past who fiercely loves her crew and wants to protect them at all costs. Having to join up with her enemy to make some much needed credits (money) wasn’t in her plans, but sparks ignited between the two. At first I wasn’t that into Torran. He was too quiet. I wasn’t getting much background or interaction with him. As the story moved along I liked that he took a larger role and after some silly plot defects were out of the way he could speak more freely. I liked the chemistry between Torran and Tavi. I think there’s a higher chance of me loving them even more in book two.

One of the things I didn’t love was the weird obsession with food? Practically every meal was specifically covered. Preparation, cooking and eating. If it really played into the plot, cool. This was not the case and I skipped over many paragraphs of filler about their meals. I didn’t need that.

The second half was much faster and actually discussed (with action scenes at last) the true reason Torran needed Tavi and her crews help. I was happy to finally see some of the antagonists and what the larger viewpoint is regarding the series. I’m curious what the second book will hold. It wasn’t a bad start to a new series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: two brief open door
  • Violence: gun/weaponry violence, magical and physical altercations
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a kidnapped child, loss of loved ones, war themes

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Book Review: Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked #2) by Kerri Maniscalco

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: October 26th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After selling her soul to become Queen of the Wicked, Emilia travels to the Seven Circles with the enigmatic Prince of Wrath, where she’s introduced to a seductive world of vice.

She vows to do whatever it takes to avenge her beloved sister, Vittoria… even if that means accepting the hand of the Prince of Pride, the king of demons.

The first rule in the court of the Wicked? Trust no one. With back-stabbing princes, luxurious palaces, mysterious party invitations, and conflicting clues about who really killed her twin, Emilia finds herself more alone than ever before. Can she even trust Wrath, her one-time ally in the mortal world… or is he keeping dangerous secrets about his true nature?

Emilia will be tested in every way as she seeks a series of magical objects that will unlock the clues of her past and the answers she craves…

One sister.
Two sinful princes.
Infinite deception with a side of revenge… Welcome to Hell.

A SOFT FOUR STARS.

I am mixed on this book.

Half the time I felt like it was trying too hard to be sexy. I know that this was a jump into new adult fantasy romance, WHICH IS FINE. I love that genre. It’s cool. What isn’t cool is the forced angst that happened for 80% of this book where I just wanted them to do it and move on so the plot itself could move forward. Some of the angst was working for me, most of the scenes weren’t.

Still obsessively in love in Wrath though. He holds his own star in this case. He gives me my favorite kind of dark, brooding vibes. I love how he is with Emilia and by the last closing scenes I felt much better about them together. Gives me a loooot of hope for how the next (maybe last?) book is going down. I like when people work together, let’s do this.

Since the plot was stalled for most of the book, the little glimpses were only seen at the end. They were some wild glimpses though that surprised me. I definitely need more information and that alone helped me like this book more.

The audio was a great read and I liked the occasional sound effects used! I love a wonderful production for audios.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: murder, mutilation, physical & magical altercations

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Book Review: Glint (The Plated Prisoner #2) by Raven Kennedy

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Rating: ☆☆☆1/2
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 441 pages
Author: Raven Kennedy
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: January 11th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“You want to make your life easier? Then be the caged bird that you are and sing.”

For ten years, I’ve lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas’s golden castle. But one night changed everything.

Now I’m here, a prisoner of Fourth Kingdom’s army, and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it out of this in one piece. They’re marching to battle, and I’m the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war.

At the heart of my fear, my worry, there’s him—Commander Rip.

Known for his brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is unsurpassed. But I know the truth about what he is.

Fae.

The betrayers. The murderers. The ones who nearly destroyed Orea, wiping out Seventh Kingdom in the process. Rip has power sizzling beneath this skin and glinting spikes down his spine. But his eyes—his eyes are the most compelling of all.

When he turns those black eyes on me, I feel captive for an entirely different reason.

I may be out of my cage, but I’m not free, not even close. In the game of kings and armies, I’m the gilded pawn. The question is, can I out maneuver them?

This is the captivating second book of The Plated Prisoner series. It’s an adult epic fantasy story blending romance, intrigue, and beautiful imagery. Return to the seductive story of magic inspired by the myth of King Midas, and get caught up in the world of Orea.

Please note: There is explicit language and romance in this book, not suitable for those under the age of 18.

AUREN FOUND A HAWK.

That’s the gist of this plot. Things started off well. Literally right where book one ended. But then, while with the enemy army, Auren basically spent the entire time trying to find a hawk. That’s what I got out of this.

I thought there would be a lot more something. Even the one love scene was between a side couple? Soooo not even a romance plot change? Somehow I kept reading, the writing has that kind of quality about it. I’m just sitting here typing realizing not all that much happened and it’s a bit annoying.

Rip was one of the best parts of this book. I love a fae warrior. I would have loved even more of him and his story with Auren! I see hints of where it’s going, but as always, gimme mooooore.

The ending ramped up at least. While highly predictable, it does add another layer to the story so YAY. I’m curious how that actually plays out in book three, which yes, I am going to read too. A pretty bland edition to the series that’s making this review hard to write because of the lack of things to discuss.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: murder, physical altercations

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Book Review: A Trial of Sorcerers (A Trial of Sorcerers #1) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: NA Fantasy
Length: 355 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ice is in her blood.

Eighteen-year-old Waterrunner Eira Landan lives her life in the shadows — the shadow of her older brother, of her magic’s whispers, and of the person she accidentally killed. She’s the most unwanted apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers until the day she decides to step out and compete for a spot in the Tournament of Five Kingdoms.

Pitted against the best sorcerers in the Empire, Eira fights to be one of four champions. Excelling in the trials has its rewards. She’s invited to the royal court with the “Prince of the Tower,” discovers her rare talent for forbidden magic, and at midnight, Eira meets with a handsome elfin ambassador.

But, Eira soon learns, no reward is without risk. As she comes into the spotlight, so too do the skeletons of a past she hadn’t even realized was haunting her.

Eira went into the trials ready for a fight. Ready to win. She wasn’t ready for what it would cost her. No one expected the candidates might not make it out with their lives.

This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

WELCOME BACK TO SOLARIS.

Ahhhhh I’m so happy I loved this one. I LOVE AIR AWAKENS WITH MY WHOLE BOOKISH SOUL. And when the Vortex Chronicles let me down I didn’t know what to expect with A Trial of Sorcerers. Thank heavens it was a HIT.

I felt a reawakening of my love for Kova’s writing and expert slow burn and torturous romance scenarios. I loved Eira. I loved how much she learned to believe in herself and stand up on her own. I also felt like there were some nods to Elsa from Frozen. I love a bad-a ice queen so no complaints here. It was delightful.

Completely tortured by a love triangle where I just KNEW what was going to happen and wasn’t surprised (but not in a bad way) when things unfolded as they did. I honestly would have been upset otherwise. I can’t wait for more of Cullen. ALL THE CULLEN.

The plot is intricate and I’m amazed how easily another story in this universe has been unwoven. I think it’s going to be another great series ahead and I am anxious for book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one (on page), near death experiences

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