Book Review: Veins of Magic (The Otherworld #2) by Emma Hamm

March 27, 2020January 30, 2020 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy retelling + romance
Length: 350 pages
Author: Emma Hamm
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: December 19th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The conclusion of Heart of the Fae, where Beauty and the Beast meets Irish Mythology.

Once upon a time…

Heartache dogs the steps of Sorcha of Ui Neill. Although she is home with her family, she is unable to shake the memories of her time in Hy-brasil. She heals with a heavy heart, tells stories with melancholy words, and cannot forget the magic of the Otherworld. When an opportunity arises to return to her beloved Fae Prince, she makes a questionable deal. Dark magic, druidic curses, and a witch open a portal and send her tumbling into the middle of a war she must end for the sake of all who dwell in the Otherworld.

Saving the faeries will not be easy when she has become a woman they fear.

The once banished king battles his way through the Otherworld, freeing the Lesser Fae with each swing of his sword. Each attack turns Eamonn into something far more beastly than before. Geodes multiply and hinder his movements, harden his heart, and crystalize his resolve.

Together, they face the King of the Seelie Fae and his golden army to end the war that will change the fate of the Otherworld forever.

SUCH A GOOD RETELLING.

Oh what a magical and great ending to this duology. A great retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I love seeing the parallels between the two of them. This of course added a lot more to it and made the story adult (in a good way).

I absolutely loved Sorcha. LOVED HER. She was so brave and courageous. Bold and brash. Didn’t take anything from Eamonn and I absolutely was all for how she handled each situation that came her way. Sorcha always knew what she wanted and who she loved. She really held this book. Though, for real, I LOVE Eamonn too. I loved the way that he acknowledged his mistakes. How much he truly loved Sorcha and actually listened to her. What a power couple they were! Long may they reign.

This book dove much deeper into the backgrounds of the fae life and the stories behind why Eamonn and his brother were in the tides of war against one another. It really made the conflict stand out and made this book more a larger impact.

There were definitely a couple of heart stopping moments where I actually didn’t know how it was going to end. It kept me on my toes and the action moments balanced well with the romance and tenderness between Eamonn and Sorcha. I can’t wait to read the other books in this universe!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy romance retelling
Language: very little
Romance: kisses, make-outs, a few mildly detailed love scenes
Violence: battles, swords, physical

Instagram || Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover

February 18, 2020February 19, 2020 GoodeyReads14 Comments

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

Had to think about this one a bit. It’s like the book hangover happens, then I find another book and keep going. I ended up scrolling through my reads from most recently til about last summer and found a great list of books that definitely gave me a book hangover.

I will recommend these books up and down all day. If you haven’t read them, YOU SHOULD.

A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J. Maas

This may be the…fifth? time I’ve read this book since its release and still every dang time, I get a book hangover. I love it so much and I know I subconsciously compare fantasy romance books to it because Rhys and Feyre are forever favorites.

The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

I recently re-read these in just the last month and book two WILL ALWAYS BRING A HANGOVER. One so bad that I feel the immediate necessity to read book three and I know exactly what happens. That’s an amazing series.

Faking Under the Mistletoe by Ashley Shepherd

BEST CHRISTMAS READ EVER. I have plans to read it again in December because I loved it so. An indie author that deserves all the praise. This enemies to lovers book is just that fantastic.

New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind

You know what’s my favorite? This book is my favorite. Magical and romantic with a solid plot. I can’t wait for her new book this year!

If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It is one of the best YA Contemporaries I have ever read. I love the character arc, the sweet romance and the real feel of high school. It has all the things.

Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin

Top debut of 2019. Yup, I said it. THIS WAS AMAZING. I love a good forced marriage plot line. And the romance is MMM SO GOOD YES. Book two is sure to be one of my favorites of 2020.

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

Were you waiting for this one? I have made my love for this book KNOWN. I’m even listening to it for a third time in preparation for the sequel. And I’m getting giddy all over again!

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Ooooo yes. I read this book in one sitting. ONE SITTING. And an actual I started it in the evening and didn’t go to bed until I had my ending. I loooooved this second chance romance. It left me dazed in the best way.

Air Awakens Series by Elise Kova

**Air Awakens | Fire Falling | Earth’s End | Water’s Wrath | Crystal Crowned**

I also have a very clear obsession for this series. I binged this all within two months because I couldn’t get enough. Fire Falling probably gave me the worst hangover. The entire series itself was such a masterpiece.

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

Hoover’s ability to take real and utterly raw emotions of the human condition and make them a beautiful romance that makes you want to cry and cheer all in the same breath is unbelievable on it’s own. And that very long sentence is all this book needs for me to hopefully convince you to read it.

Instagram || Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: The Romance Books I’m Reading for February!

February 11, 2020March 21, 2020 GoodeyReads11 Comments

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

I have really found myself in such a mood for romance books this February. And honestly, I’m not even that big of a Valentine’s day person or anything. It must be something in the air!

Anyways, I put together a list of books I’ve already read and those I plan to, all involving lots of romance. Plenty of books I beg of you to get on your TBR.

Already read:

Eleanor & Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry

Review to come in May!

This was a pretty good second chance romance. Only a little steam. Had some issues with the speed and the amount of drama added in, but I still enjoyed it.

A Temporary Marriage: Fake Love Series by Summer Dowell

Review to come in May!

This was the perfect fluffy, halmark-esque quick (less than 200 pages) book to read in between some heavier books. I thought the story was cute and definitely had a happy ending.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Review

One of the THREE re-reads I have planned out for this month. I love these books y’all. Definitely a great romance to read again this time of year.

Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

Review to come in May!

Recently finished this last week and Y’ALL. I have been officially sucked into this romance. Jamie and Claire forever. My heart aches for this story and I am desperate to know what happens next.

The Winner’s Crime (The Winner’s Curse #2) by Marie Rutkoski

Review to come in May! (I didn’t write reviews when I read this the first time)

My second re-read. I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. It was time for a re-read. The audio book is amazing by the way if you’re curios. A great enemies to lovers romance.

Wild at Heart (Wild #2) by K.A. Tucker

Review scheduled for February 19th!

Ohhhhhh I loved this. It was so wonderful. That subtle five stars that sneak up on you by the end. I love reading books about couples that are already together!

To Be Read:

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

Review

This might be under the “to be read” section only because I haven’t read it *yet*…this year. This will be my THIRD time reading it in preparation for book two! I NEED TO WRITE IN CAPS AGAIN, THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. YOU SHOULD READ IT.

The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom #2) by Danielle L. Jensen

I DON’T KNOW HOW I CAN CONVEY MY EXCITEMENT THAT THIS BOOK COMES OUT THIS MONTH. I AM BEYOND EXCITED. BEYOND.

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Another favorite author of mine releasing a dark romance that sounds so amazing I am anxiously waiting for my pre-order to get here on release day.

Are you reading any romance books for February? Have you read any of these books? Lets talk in the comments!

Instagram || Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf

January 21, 2020January 30, 2020 GoodeyReads3 Comments

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

I’m really proud of myself for this list. I only bought one book in January and the rest were from Christmas or before. I’ve been trying this year to keep my purchases in check and make sure I REALLY want them on my shelves. There’s not enough to time read a book that isn’t what you want.

Physical Books:

One of Us Is Next (One of Us is Lying #2) by Karen M. McManus

This was my first purchase for new releases in 2020! It was a great read and I have loved all of McManus’s books.

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

Yes, yes. We allllll know I’ve read this multiple times but I really wanted the physical copy and I got one for Christmas! YAYAYAYAY.

180 Seconds by Jessica Park

I actually finished and wrote for the review for this just yesterday! Spoiler alert: I LOVED IT.

Confess by Colleen Hoover

Of course another CoHo book is in this group. I have read this one too already and it was another 5 star amazing book by her.

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

I plan on reading this soon as my second West book. Didn’t love the first one, but I’ve seen this one has the highest ratings so hopefully this works out better.

A lot of these books were from a HPB sale I went too, hence why I picked up another West book. Thought it was about time to read a couple of these.

Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3) by Brandon Sanderson

THIS SERIES IS SO AMAZING. AND MY MIND IS ALWAYS BLOWN BY THE INTRICACIES. Oh guys. Take a chance on these books. Pleeeeease.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

There’s a theme here y’all. Because, OH LOOK another CoHo book! This was the book my friend and I chose for our book club in January. SUCH A GOOD BOOK.

Digital Books:

Vortex Visions & Chosen Champion (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles #1 and #2) by Elise Kova

I am reading this series through Kindle Unlimited so I’m counting these as adding to my bookshelf. I really enjoyed book one and have just started book two. I love being back in this world.

Have you read any of these? What was your last book added to your bookshelf? Lets talk in the comments!