Tag: fantasy romance

Book Review: Creatures of Chaos (Creatures of Chaos #1) by Julie Hall

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 445 pages
Author: Julie Hall
Publisher: Julie Hall LLC
Release Date: October 29th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for fans of forbidden love, high-stakes games, and everything supernatural. Creatures of Chaos is a fast-paced YA urban fantasy series that’s being called The Serpent and the Wings of Night meets Crave.

Chaos, the vicious supernatural competition where heroes are born and riches are won.

To most, it’s just an urban legend whispered in the darkest shadows, but that all changes when my best friend drags me into a savage world where vampires, shifters, and fae compete for glory and fame.

As a creature without magic, I’d be a fool to enter Chaos, but the prize—a dagger of untold power—could change my powerless existence. With that dagger, I could wield magic, earn respect, and maybe, just maybe, win the heart of the dragon heir… it’s a risk I have to take.

Now, I’m pitted against beasts in a ruthless battle with no powers, no plan, and an infuriatingly attractive ally who’s just as likely to slit my neck as save it. Every round of Chaos leads me closer to seizing my deepest desires or losing everything.

In Chaos, survival is the only rule. And winning is all that matters.

Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Julie Hall for the gifted copy.

AN AUSPICIOUS START.

I haven’t read a fantasy in about a week (which is a long time for me okay?) and this reminded me that I need to deep dive right back in. I loved all of the different creatures and shifters and look forward to seeing further explorations of everyone’s powers and how they work in the world.

The games really did bring the chaos and I loved the added elements of the different activities and surprises that were involved. The love triangle had my attention and I am hopeful about the direction for future books. What’s also nice about this book is that is YA. And it stays too that. The language level and romantic aspects are low while still bringing plenty of swoon and heated moments.

There were other tropes woven in that I loved seeing (aka found family). The early beginnings of those strong bonds that will carry through the series are some of my favorite. I liked the high action and intrigue, deadly trials and a FMC who is tough beyond doubt. OKAY AND I would also love to give a quick nod to the fact that Locklyn has supportive and “normal” parents because I don’t think those kind of family dynamics are seen enough in books.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC Review: A Monsoon Rising (The Hurricane Wars #2) by Thea Guanzon

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Thea Guanzon
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: December 10th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two hearts circle each other in the eye of the storm in this highly-anticipated follow-up to The Hurricane Wars—prepare for more enemies-to-lovers romance, magical adventures, and political schemes in this Southeast Asian-inspired world.

After a lifetime of war, Alaric and Talasyn were thrust into an alliance between their homelands that was supposed to end the fighting; however, being married to their sworn foe feels far from peaceful. Now Talasyn must play the part of Alaric’s willing empress while her allies secretly plot to overthrow his reign. But the longer the couple are forced together, the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them. When the time comes to act, can she trust him, or must she ignore her heart for the sake of so many others?

As the master of the Shadowforged Legion, Alaric has trained for battle all his life, but marrying a Lightweaver might be his most dangerous challenge yet. With tensions between nations churning, he needs to focus on the greater threat—the Moonless Dark, a cataclysmic magical event that could devour everything. Only he and Talasyn can stop it, with a powerful merging of light and shadow that they alone can create together. But saving their world from this disaster is a mere preface to his father’s more sinister schemes, and his wife is a burning flame in the darkness, tempting both his loyalties and his desires.

The Hurricane Wars aren’t over. It’s time to choose what—and who—to fight for. The world holds its breath amidst a whirlwind of new magic and old secrets that could change everything.

Thank you Harper Voyager for my gifted copy and LibroFM for the audiobook.

VIBIN’

I just enjoy the heck out of this series y’all. It’s incredibly romance centric and I am smitten with Alaric and Talasyn. They epitomize what I love about these types of romantasy books and I am intensely involved in what’s going to happen next. BECAUSE DID YOU READ THAT CLIFFHANGER? I love the drama.

I think it’s amazing how high the angst and tension is between these two. And yet we get a showcase of Alaric and Talasyn working together (which I adore in E2L books). There’s a lot of push and pull and some compromise filled with politicking and subtle betrayals. It really is a fantastic continuation that holds it’s own candle. There’s no sophomore slump here, I was hooked to this story from the start and I loved all of the micro-tropes throughout that had me howling.

And I immensely appreciate a dual POV romance and love getting Alaric’s viewpoint. I am having the best time reading these books and the flair of the drama and romance. And yes, I’M STILL THINKING OF THAT CLIFFHANGER.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 3 open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: parental abuse, death and loss of loved ones

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Book Review: A Song of Shadow and Starlight (Shadow and Starlight #1) by Morgan Gauthier

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Morgan Gauthier
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Release Date: August 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ilaria Shaye Kitarni is the sole heir to the Midorian Throne, but she will never be permitted to rule.

On the eve of her wedding to her childhood best friend, she unwittingly thwarts an assassination attempt, and is kidnapped by the Tronovians, the sworn enemy of the Midorians.

Determined to escape her captors, she burns their boat and swims to the shores of the Jungle Kingdom of Bava. But instead of getting away, she thrusts herself, and the three magic-wielding brothers who captured her, into perils she’s only ever read about in books.

During the long trek through Bava, she discovers hidden truths not only about the people she loves most, but about herself as well.

Never trust a Tronovian. That has been beaten into Shaye’s head for as long as she can remember, but could it be, the only people she can trust are her enemies?

A Song of Shadow and Starlight is the first book in a NA Fantasy Romance and Adventure series, perfect for fans of Avatar the Last Airbender, ACOTAR (Steamy vibes without Explicit Spice), and Dungeons and Dragons!

NOT QUITE RIGHT.

This started off well, but unfortunately went downhill for me in the end.

My biggest issue involved the writing style. The EASE of the writing was great, there was a fast quality to it and I felt like the pages were flying by. But there was a lot of modern dialogue/lingo + modern amenities that didn’t fit into the world that had been constructed. It took me out of the book over and over again. If this had been an urban fantasy (or at least those vibes) I think things would have made a lot more sense.

The romance is FAST. Shaye flips a switch so fast I got whiplash. From being “upset” with her kidnappers to “being one of them” in like 3 days. WHAT. There’s some good found family pieces slipped in, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the rest. This is NOTTTT enemies to lovers.

I don’t really have plans to pick up the second book. Not worth the time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: low innuendo; kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, murder, blood/gore depiction

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Book Review: The Scarlet Veil (The Scarlet Veil #1) by Shelby Mahurin

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 640 pages
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This dark and thrilling vampire romance—set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Serpent & Dove series—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas!

Célie Tremblay has always been a good girl: kind and beautiful, a daughter of whom every parent would be proud. She surprises the entire kingdom when she defies tradition to become the first huntswoman—including her new captain and fiancé, Jean Luc, who rules the huntsmen with an iron fist. He isn’t the only one concerned for Célie’s safety, however. Though her friends try to protect her from the horrors of her past, mysterious whispers still haunt her, and a new evil is rising in Belterra—leaving bodies in its wake, each one drained of blood.

Determined to prove herself in her new role, Célie tracks the killer to the lair of Les Éternels—ancient creatures only spoken about in nursery rhymes—and catches the attention of their king, a monster who hides his plans for her behind beautiful words and sharp smiles. Now Célie has new reason to fear the dark because the closer he gets, the more tempted she feels to give in to his dark hunger—and her own.

I AM HERE FOR IT.

And please, for all that is bookish, don’t let me down like books two and three of the previous series. I BEG. Because this was FANTASTIC. I knew from the first few hours of listening this was going to be a five star. I loved Celie’s journey and the stronger self she became by being forced outside of the box she’d be unknowingly forced into.

The romance is a SLOWWWW burn and I am obsessed. I can’t wait for this to continue throughout the series. I am hooked over these two and I liked the evolution of that relationship too. It’s not noticeable right away and subtly sneaks up on you as the book progresses.

I loved the overall plot and story. I found the book very well balanced between those hard, fast action moments and the softer, self discovery types (or maybe even a little romance) too. The ending had me SCREAMING and I am anxiously awaiting the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: low innuendo; make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, murder, loss of loved ones

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