Book Review: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

June 12, 2025May 9, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Dani Francis
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

The world is divided. On the Continent, you’re either a Prime—immune to the biotoxin that nearly wiped out the Earth’s population 150 years ago—or a Modified, one who was enhanced by the toxin, developing powerful psychic gifts.

As conflict rages between the two sides, Wren Darlington lives in hiding. Occasionally running the odd op for the rebel Uprising against the Primes’ oppressive rule, she must keep a low profile. After all, if the enemy finds out that she is a Mod with a staggering four psychic abilities, she won’t just be sent to the labor camps. She’ll be executed—immediately and without trial.

When a careless mistake puts Wren in the crosshairs of the Continent’s military, she is taken captive and forced to join their most elite Silver Block. Unwittingly, they’ve handed her the perfect opportunity for the Uprising to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. That is, if she can keep her powers hidden, survive training, and prove herself to Cross Redden, her maddeningly cocky commanding officer.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Cross doesn’t trust her—even as he seems determined to destroy the remaining shreds of Wren’s self-control. Yet as the war between Primes and Mods escalates, and as Wren and Cross find themselves unable to stay away from each other, they must decide how far they’re willing to go for their secrets—and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

WHOA.

This honestly wasn’t on my radar until release day and I feel very fortunately Libby delivered a copy so quickly because OH MY GOSH WHERE HAVE I BEEN. This was like adult Divergent (but I swear if it ends the same you will feel my wrath across the globe) but add in more romance and I was SO HERE FOR IT ALL.

I can’t even go over everything I want to because there’s so much to unpack. The action was INTENSE and I loved the hidden identities and crossing loyalties and how the magic aspects worked into this dystopian-esque world.

I loved Wren, the FMC. She was wild and tenacious while battling grief and taking what she hoped would be the next best step. I loved that both sides have some twisted backgrounds because I think the exploration of that in the next book will be amazing. I want all of the history between these warring groups.

And the romance was heated. Such an amazing slow burn that was filled with that I hate you but I love you banter that sends me every time. There were a few key moments that my feet kicking and my voice squealing. The audiobook was incredible at bringing this book to life. Good heavens I need book two YESTERDAY.

Overall audience notes:

Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 4-5+ open door
Violence: high

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ARC Book Review: A Dance of Lies (A Dance of Lies #1) by Brittney Arena

June 10, 2025March 5, 2025 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Brittney Arena
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: June 10th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A debut fantasy romance filled with hope after heartbreak, secrets, and betrayal, as a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom

My protector is gone, revealed to be a monster. But I remind myself that I am not a damsel. I’m no princess bound within a tower.

I am a shadow.

Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a deal: become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.

As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.

As the rivalry between brothers escalates, with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth of her past comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how much of her soul she’s willing to damn in the process.

Thank you to the author and Del Rey for the gifted ARC.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING.

I am someone who prefers to read my ARCs in order but this book was CALLING TO ME. And it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Oh my goodness this will absolutely be one of my favorite fantasy romances of 2025.

Something I loved the most was that the focus was not on adding spice for the sake of it (in fact this book does not have any spice). The emotions were the focus and the slow burn journey as Vasalie is put into a perilous situation that could cost her everything, or might save the nation too.

I loved Vasalie. As someone who struggles with chronic pain there was an abundance of sentiments throughout (I highlighted the heck out of this book) that I resonated with and felt deep in my soul. I admired her strength and acknowledgement of her short comings, but also how far she has risen and her tenacity to honor her body and do her best.

The ROMANCE. I don’t want to say much on this front because I think it will truly be best experienced by reading the book without a lot of context. I loved everything about it and how the movement of the romantic aspects coincided beautifully with the political intrigue. All of the dance content had me wishing I could see these dances live because they were wonderfully written and crafted.

It’s a slow journey that is worth the build. So many moments stood out to me and I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time. I anxiously await getting my hands on the sequel.

An incredible debut you must take a chance on.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: mild
Romance: heated make-outs
Violence: high
Content Warnings: emotional abuse, physical abuse, alcoholism, PTSD, panic attacks, trauma, violence against children, graphic death, chronic illness, disability and sexism (these were taken from the front of my copy)

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Book Review: A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated #2) by Danielle L. Jensen

June 8, 2025May 17, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: May 13th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A shield maiden fights to break the shackles of prophecy—and to overcome the betrayal of the man who broke her heart—in this searing conclusion to the Norse-inspired fantasy romance duology that began with the bestselling A Fate Inked in Blood.

The secret of her divine heritage revealed, Freya finds herself on a path that will see thousands of lives lost to the magic in her blood. Desperate to avoid this dark fate, she risks an alliance with Skaland’s greatest enemy to seek answers from the seer who foretold her future—the same seer who sent Bjorn to kill her.

While Freya still seethes with rage over Bjorn’s betrayal, the blood oaths that bind her demand that she keep him close as she hunts for a way to avert the looming war. Her magic draws her to the front lines of an old enmity, embroiling her with Nordeland’s Unfated—children of the gods who serve the king she was raised to fear. The same king who, unlike Bjorn, is now willing to fight at her back. For despite the desire that burns hot between Bjorn and Freya, his growing distrust of her chosen path threatens to drag them further apart.

As war approaches, gods and mortals must choose their weapons. Yet the fiercest battle will be the one Freya wages within herself. With the magic of two goddesses burning in her veins, she must weave the threads of destiny to decide her own fate: Will she be the shield that protects her people or the curse that destroys them?

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

DLJ NEVER DISAPPOINTS.

I just love being back in the world’s DLJ creates. I love her writing and story telling and have been chomping at the bit to get my hands on this book. No notes, I am in love with Freya and Bjorn.

I had some spice issues in book one and was [pleasantly] surprised that this book only had one true long open door scene? Not mad. I felt like the plot was really focused on the action and dynamics happening between Freya and the goddesses, warring clans and everything in-between. The last battle scene was incredibly well written and was intense waiting for those final moments.

I loved the relationship between Bjorn and Freya. It feels so fated and romantic and you can see the care flowing between them even when the [rightful] anger is set to boil. It’s a love that doesn’t give up and I loved any moment they got together.

Also the audiobook is fantastic (dual POV with two narrators). Highly recommend.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance:
Language: moderate
Romance: 2 open door
Violence: high

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ARC/ALC Book Review: A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

June 3, 2025May 26, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA FantasyRomance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: June 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

Truyan Saigas didn’t choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father’s disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms.

Thank you to PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook and Get Underlined for the final copy.

ANOTHER GEM.

I really liked this book!! And the audiobook was such a great listen. This had some beauty and the beast vibes I was all over. Add in some dragons and this was a winner.

I loved that this had three sisters who all loved and supported each other. The bonded family dynamic was powerful and a theme I appreciated throughout. It’s beautifully written and brought to life all of the nuanced layers of the story. I loved all of the mythical creatures + creatures of the deep. The world is gorgeous.

I loved Truyan. She’s a strong and loyal FMC who continually made me want to cheer her on. I loved her character arc and journey. And y’all know I LOVE a marriage of convenience. Tru and Elang had some good banter and there were a lot of sweet moments too. I found myself with the feels at those closing scenes!! Thank heavens for great epilogues.

Overall audience notes: