Tag: fantasy romance

Book Review: Fallen Gods (Fallen Gods #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Publisher: Bramble
Release Date: December 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The legends of the past are never truly dead and buried . . .

Liv Olson has been drawn to Norse Mythology her entire life. After earning her degree and working as a curator at one of New York’s most prestigious museums, she gets an unexpected offer for her dream job in Norway – the same place her brother disappeared months ago – after a cryptic message about finding their long-lost father.

She finds herself surrounded by superstitious townspeople who refuse to even look at the water. Liv soon realizes that the small town of Vonn is nothing like it seems. Shops close before dark, and things she’s only read about seem to suddenly exist. To top it off , her new boss, Tristan, is insultingly mean and engagingly beautiful – and, as part of the job, she must live with him in his mansion.

As her life quickly unravels into chaos, she’s left wondering who’s pulling the strings in this mysterious place where nothing makes sense, yet everything feels familiar.

Her studies have always told her the gods are who you trust. But what happens when the man who’s destined to kill you – is your savior?

Rachel Van Dyken’s Fallen Gods duology is a steamy, dramatic myth retelling.

Thank you Red Tower Books for the gifted ARC and LibroFM for the audiobook.

YEAH I’LL READ THE SEQUEL.

While initially not on my radar, I’m pleasantly surprised and will be happy to get my hands on the sequel. I haven’t read a book with Greek mythology recently. There were some unique dynamics to the basis of the story I liked and the school setting worked well.

I loved the audiobook and would easily recommend that format too.

The characters and found family worked well. I do think the dialogue and stylistic choices came across more young adult than adult (but maybe this is more new adult? still though). Which bugged me constantly. I couldn’t quite find the vibe.

And calling this enemies feels really loose with the term too. A longer slow burn would have really sold them. I did think there were some good moments between them and I appreciate that it’s not spice focused.

The ending was wild and a big cliffhanger, my favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3ish open; low/vague explicit
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Thorn Season (Thorn Season #1) by Kiera Azar

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Kiera Azar
Publisher: Storytide
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Shadow and Bone meets The Selection in this first book in Kiera Azar’s sharp, sexy, and twisty debut YA romantasy trilogy!

In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders, in possession of a magical Spectre–a shimmering thread that can extend beyond their visible body to give a loving caress, pick a lock . . . even kill. Feared for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine, heiress and daughter of a Hunter family . . . is also a Wielder. At eighteen, Alissa knows she’s escaped execution thus far only due to painful self-control and the efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal—and caught between two equally dangerous one a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairy-tale prince, who would destroy her if he knew the truth—and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

With the threat of discovery lurking around every corner—and romance becoming an increasingly dangerous temptation—Alissa will find that she has more to lose than her secrets. It’s Rose Season at the palace, but to survive she’ll need to become the most vicious of thorns. . . .

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

IT WAS GOOD.

Which honestly, could be the review. It wasn’t a book that STOOD OUT LOUDLY, but that I had an easy time picking up and liking the progression of the plot. I enjoyed the FMC, Alissa, and definitely want to see what happens to her in the next book.

The romance has some great turns though. It kept me on my toes and I love the crisscrossing paths. When it comes to a series, I don’t expect (nor really want) the end game to be in my face, give me some mystery, keep the build coming.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: The Rebel and the Rose (The City of Fantome #2) by Catherine Doyle

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Upper YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Catherine Doyle
Publisher: Margaret K. Elderry Books
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The path of destiny burns with love, magic, and betrayal in this second book in the City of Fantome enemies-to-lovers romantasy series perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Caraval.

From a remote hilltop haven, far from the city of Fantome, Seraphine Marchant and her Order of Flames plot to eradicate shade magic with lightfire. But as Sera struggles to control her blooming powers, destiny calls her back to Fantome—and to the assassin who haunts her dreams.

Ransom Hale can’t get Sera out of his head. As their rivalry grows and he grapples with the responsibility of leading the Order of Daggers, he feels himself slipping further from who he wants to be. Is he doomed to a life in the shadows? Or can he forge another path?

Meanwhile, rebellion is stirring in the kingdom, and a dangerous prince grows in power. Forced to work together by order of the king, Sera and Ransom’s conflicted hearts are tested to their limits. And all the while, an ancient prophecy is unfolding that will change the fate of Valterre forever…

Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted copy and Simon Audio for the audiobook.

GOOD SEQUEL.

I had a good time with this one! I enjoy Doyle’s writing style and getting to see more of this world. The magic system continued to grow and I think this is leading up to an awesome third book (conclusion? I’m not sure).

The romance delved deeper and dragged out the slow burn really well. I love the opposite worlds Ransom and Sera inhabit and how they continually find each other. The audiobook does a good job of conveying their voices as well.

Everything amped up well and I look forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Servant of the Earth (The Shards of Magic #1) by Sarah Hawley

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Sarah Hawley
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.

Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.

Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.

With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness.

Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will… but even that may not be enough.

NOTHING NEW, BUT I LIKED IT?

I know you’ve seen plenty of moments when someone compares a book to ACOTAR. Aaaand this is going to be another review in that vein. Human woman lands herself in hot fae land, is part of a trial based competition and a few others things you’ll recognize. That’s not an automatic turn off for me because I don’t mind that plot. BUT, this one didn’t sweep me away. I’ll try the second book though.

I liked how strong willed Kenna was through the horrors of the court. She’s resilient and focused which makes for a character who doesn’t bring the frustration. There was something missing from the plot though and I think it was because Kenna felt like a side character to a story already happening? I don’t know, it wasn’t clicking.

The romance did exactly what I expected. And while I usually LOVE this kind of trope/plot it didn’t hit as well here. I think the spice started to feel gratuitous and since [redacted because of spoilers] was happening I wasn’t connected and skipped a lot.

But there’s enough woven in between my issues that have me intrigued and hopeful that the follow up will have better focus.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: brutal/bloody executions and torture, emotional and physical abuse, body horror, sexual assault and violence

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