Tag: fantasy romance

Book Review: Kingdom of Claw (The Ashen #2) by Demi Winters

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 586 pages
Author: Demi Winters
Publisher: Delacorte
Release Date: February 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Silla Nordvig survived the Road of Bones.

In the aftermath of her journey, her dreams of a simple life have been shattered. Beaten, betrayed, and reeling from the revelation of her true name, she flees Kopa with Reynir Galtung, ruthless leader of the Bloodaxe Crew. But Silla soon discovers Rey has been keeping secrets of his own, and they’re forced into hiding together.

Stuck in a shield-home with the murderous man she thought she knew, Silla forms a new plan: master the magic flowing through her veins to save her sister. But before she can do that, Silla must face her most formidable opponent yet–her own inner demons.

Saga Volsik has nothing to lose.

They’ve murdered her family. Stolen her throne. And now they expect her to marry their son. But when she discovers her foster mother has been keeping the biggest secret of all, everything changes.

Saga’s goal: dismantle Queen Signe’s plans piece by piece. The only problem? The handsome Zagadkian dignitary who knows far too many of her secrets.

Meanwhile, dark threads continue to weave themselves through Íseldur as magic long thought dead begins to wake. In this follow-up to The Road of Bones, both women will need to find the strength to step into their destiny and stop chaos from sweeping across the land.

Return to the Kingdom of Íseldur where enemies become lovers and dark secrets hide around each corner. This installment digs deeper into Íseldur’s forbidden magic and the simmering attraction growing between two unlikely couples.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for my gifted copy.

HOT DANG.

I just really need more to get to reading this fantasy series because it is SO GOOD. I loved the sequel and appreciated how much bigger the world became by adding in more POV’s and getting a feel for both sisters, Saga and Silla.

And I really loved the slow burn romances for both sisters. Silla’s was tender and slow and filled with brimming tension. Not to mention, the communication was my absolute favorite!! I love feisty arguments and moments of connection that really show you who someone is and what they are willing to fight more. Saga’s was always incredible because I loved the complexity of the forbidden and hidden identities as she tried to survive a gilded cage.

The ending brought it in so many ways and I am so excited with the new turns book three will take. I love the lore and the Viking inspiration and the world building and magic. It’s all good. And the audiobooks are great too!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: moderate – high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal #1) by Rachel Schneider

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 497 pages
Author: Rachel Schneider
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Brynn has spent the better part of her life waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, the very same people who exiled the Alaha to live a life over the sea. A rite of passage for all young guards, she’s not sure what to expect from it, but breaking a century- long peace treaty certainly isn’t on her map.

Neither is the encounter with an enemy soldier.

Returning home to Alaha, she’s confronted with the aftermath of the day’s events. The future is uncertain as the threat of hunger looms over the people. With rumors of a growing rebellion, Brynn and her closest friends promise to stick together.

When an unexpected visitor arrives, Brynn’s loyalty will be tested as she learns of a world of magic and treachery. Once her enemy, always her enemy, right? But the dark, knowing eyes of a stranger make her question everything…

…including her heart.

POINTS FOR THE BLINDSIDE.

I, your humble reader, have read over 1,000 fantasy books. AND NOT ONE has had this kind of twist. I am reeeeeeling from it y’all. I LOVE IT. I loved the chaos it caused and how wild the ending became and how I must have my hands on book two NOW.

There were a few issues with the world building and magic system that didn’t make sense. I was able to overlook these enough because of how much I enjoyed having a unique fantasy romance to read.

The romance is heated and tender and I enjoyed the way relationships were conveyed in this world. I liked all of the characters and found the pacing was steady. It flew by and is absolutely worth the download.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: January 2025

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

We made it through 3438753 days of January. Here’s what I read!

  • [Reread] A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas
  • [ARC] Beyond the Crescent Sky (The Balkan Legends #2) by A.L. Sowards
  • [ALC] The Favorites by Layne Fargo
  • Our Deadly Designs (This Dark Descent #2) by Kalyn Josephson
  • [ARC/ALC] Gate to Kagoshima (Ancestor Memories #1) by Poppy Kuroki
  • [ARC] Of Flames and Fallacies (The Arterian Series #1) by Courtney Whims
  • Let You Love Me (Boys of Riverside #5) by Gracie Graham
  • Morbidly Yours (Love in Galway #1) by Ivy Fairbanks
  • Familiar Stranger by Caitlin Moss
  • [ARC/ALC] The Rival by Emma Lord
  • All to Pieces (The Seddledowne #3) by Susan Henshaw
  • [ARC/ALC] The Beasts We Bury (The Broken Citadel #1) by D.L. Taylor
  • A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
  • A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
  • Where the Black Line Ends by Meagan Williamson
  • [ARC] A Heart Devoted (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #5) by Nichole Van
  • [Reread] Iron Flame (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros
  • [ARC/ALC] Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli
  • Seeing Miss Heartstone by Nichole Van
  • Know Your Newlywed by Elena Armas
  • Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal #1) by Rachel Schneider
  • The Heart of the Rebellion by Sian Ann Bessey
  • Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
  • A Tribute of Fire (The Eye of the Goddess #1) by Sariah Wilson
  • When Alec Met Evie (The Appies #6) by Jenny Proctor
  • Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3) by Rebecca Yarros
  • Class Clown (The Thornback Society #4) by Aspen Hadley
  • The Legend of Meneka (The Divine Dancers Duology #1) by Kritika H. Rao
  • Better Than Revenge by Kasie West
  • [ARC] Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch #7) by Misty M. Beller
  • [Short Story] The Situationship by Abby Jimenez
  • [ARC] Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
  • Unromance by Erin Connor
  • A Forbidden Fate (A Forbidden Fate #1) by Kaven Hirning
  • [Novella] Spirit of the Wood (Green Rider #7.5) by Kristen Britain
  • Smoke and Mirrors (Silver and Bone #2) by Claudia Cain
  • [Reread] The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
  • The Check Down (Lacey Bros #1) by Brandy Pelletier

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Legend of Meneka (The Divine Dancers Duology #1) by Kritika H. Rao

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Kritika H. Rao
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this sweeping crossover of romantic fantasy and Hindu mythology, acclaimed author Kritika H. Rao reimagines the famous tale of a celestial dancer tasked with seducing a human sage, but when she finds herself falling in love with her mark, she will be forced to choose between loyalty to her home and being true to herself—perfect for readers of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Kaikeyi, and Circe.

Across the mortal and immortal realms, celestial dancers known as apsaras are revered for their beauty, allure, and enchanting magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—Meneka despises leaving each of her marks in thrall to her potent illusions. With every seduction Lord Indra, king of heaven, demands of her for his political gain, she craves her freedom more and more.

When a mortal sage’s growing powers threaten Indra’s supremacy in his own realm, Meneka seizes a rare opportunity. She strikes a deal—if she can seduce this dangerous man, Indra will allow her to forgo future missions. But upon meeting the sage, Kaushika, Meneka finds herself captivated by his energy, ignited by his empathy and passion, even though he threatens everything she’s ever known. Can she overthrow the man who is—little by little—stealing her heart, or is Kaushika seducing her instead? As war looms in the skies, Meneka must choose between her duty to protect her home, and the sage who is showing her what true love can mean.

Romantic, spellbinding, and empowering, The Legend of Meneka breathes new life into Hindu mythology to weave a lustrous tale of a woman discovering the cosmic power within herself. This first book in the Divine Dancers duology is a completely unputdownable adventure for lovers of romantasy and myth retellings.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and Storygram Tours for my gifted copy.

TOO LUSTY FOR ME.

I really wanted to love this one and I do think the second half got a lot better. There seemed to be more of a plot and the action was amping up enough to hold my attention more.

The romance did grow on me on some aspects. I like the general idea of having to seduce the enemy and Kaushika was a worthy foe. Seeing Meneka have some growth as she met other mortals and fell in love with Kaushika were some of the better moments here.

What wasn’t clicking was the fact the entire book and major theme revolved around lust. It’s just not something that worked for me and it kept taking me out of the story. Even amidst scenes I did like, and I enjoyed Meneka as a character, ultimately I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: multiple open door; innuendo throughout
  • Violence: mild – moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph