Tag: fantasy romance

Book Review: Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2) by Olivia Rose Darling

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Olivia Rose Darling
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The second novel in Olivia Rose Darling’s thrilling and steamy romantic fantasy series, following Fear the Flames.

In the explosive sequel to the bestselling romantasy Fear the Flames, two fated lovers must unite against warring kingdoms to defend their home and crowns from those who wish to destroy them.

Cayden Veles, renowned Demon Commander of Vareveth, overthrew the throne to save Elowen Atarah, the woman he searched for since childhood. Now he’s determined to fulfill his quest for revenge against her father, even if it means forcing the only person he’s ever wanted into a marriage of political convenience.

Elowen Atarah has everything she thought she’d ever want. Finally reunited with her dragons, she now has an army to enact vengeance, but as events transpire, she begins contemplating if she wants more. As her father’s only living heir, the Imirath throne is her right and destiny. But fighting and winning a war will require trusting Cayden Veles, her partner in crime and now king to her queen; the man she both longs for and doubts, especially after opening her heart only to become a pawn in his game.

Navigating the shifting allegiances amongst all the kingdoms of Ravaryn will require all their strategy and strength, with devastating and bloody attacks on one side and cutthroat diplomacy for alliances on the other. But Elowen and Cayden must find a way to stand strong within the power they’ve gained, or risk losing everything.

Delving deeper into a vast and ever-changing world, Wrath of the Dragons will take you on a journey filled with epic battles and a tender, angsty love for the ages.

SO I LOVED THIS?

Note: I read the first book when it was indie and the Wrath audiobook mentioned that I should go back and read the traditional version of Fear the Flames first because of the changes. I didn’t do that and honestly had no issues. Any continuity questions didn’t bug me enough to go back. I rolled with it and it was still amazing.

I just LOOOOVE a man down bad so dang hard. Cayden can truly see nothing in front of him but Elowen and I love that for him. This was heavy on the romance side and I was cool with allllll of it. There was also an uptick in action and intrigue and all the things. And there were some swoooooony scenes.

NOT TO MENTION the audiobook is DUAL narration which is always the superior choice. It really made the book and you have to read it this way. I’m looking forward to the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4+ open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4) by Lexi Ryan

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Lexi Ryan
Publisher: Storytide
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Forbidden romance, mysterious prophecies, and the battle to save the fae realm come to a captivating conclusion in the #1 New York Times bestselling saga begun with Abriella in the These Hollow Vows duology and continued with Jas and Felicity in Beneath These Cursed Stars.

Princess Jasalyn has eleven days to live.

Jasalyn is facing the repercussions of a deadly bargain. Her life, and the future of the shadow court, are forfeit on her birthday unless she can stop the evil fae king Mordeus. She needs to face her greatest fears and find him before she runs out of time, but even after everything, Kendrick won’t let her face this alone.

Shape-shifter Felicity has vanished.

Felicity disappeared from King Misha’s dungeons, and her friends have been searching for her to no avail. But even if she’s found, Felicity will never be able to escape the oracle’s tragic prophecy for her and her family. In her lonely battle with fate, Misha is the last person she can ask to stand by her side, but the first one she’ll need.

WELL THIS GOT ME.

I fully admit that after book one I wasn’t totally invested in picking this one up. I knew I would, I just wasn’t EXCITED. And for the first half of the book that’s how I felt here too. Not bad, not stellar, another new (these aren’t young adult) adult fantasy romance to check off the list.

BUT. Something clicked in that second half. I became genuinely attached to the characters and romances and the themes of the story that I was engulfed in knowing what was going to happen next. I love the way Lexi Ryan writes complicated romances that have this all consuming nature about them. That soul mate level quality of interaction that makes you truly believe these couples are meant for each other.

I loved the audiobook and the cameos from previous characters. I will absolutely be picking up whatever Ryan writes next!

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult fantasy romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: vague fade to black scenes
  • Violence: moderate – high

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Book Review: When Sisters Collide (The Gifts of the Gods #2) by S.E. Bouvier

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: New Adult Fantasy Romance
Length: 620 pages
Author: S.E. Bouvier
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two sisters, torn apart by fate, now stand on opposing sides of a brutal war.

High in the snowy mountains, Alena trains harder than ever under the watchful eye of an Amazon warrior. Driven by her sister’s heartbreaking choice, she’s determined to embrace her destiny as the Omega and fulfil the Mother Goddess’s command—defeat Emperor Tarquinius before his legions conquer the Western Lands and his greed destroys the remnants of the old gods. But when her closest allies are captured and enslaved, Alena’s world descends into chaos. She soon realises her sister’s treachery was only the beginning…

Meanwhile, Katell, now leader of the Black Helmets, battles on the war front against the Ice Kingdoms. Wielding the dangerous magic of Laran’s Tears, she is more powerful than ever, but at a steep cost to her health. When a rescue mission goes awry and she mistakenly attacks a legate, her loyalty to Rasenna is called into question. To prove her worth, Katell is sent to the besieged city of Tiryns with a single end the siege by any means necessary and capture the rebels hiding within its walls.

Under the gods’ unwavering eyes, the sisters’ paths draw them together once more. With loyalty and love hanging in the balance, they will be forced to decide where their true allegiances lie—and what they are willing to sacrifice.

Full of adventure, magic, and steamy romance, WHEN SISTERS COLLIDE is the second book in THE GIFTS OF THE GODS, a thrilling epic romantic fantasy series perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, An Ember in the Ashes, and Greek mythology.

Please note the series is New Adult and contains moderate steam/spice, some violence, language, and mature situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.

I’M GOING TO NEED YOU TO GO PICK UP THIS SERIES.

OH Y’ALL. I loved book one and this sequel held up. HELD UP. I can’t help but get hesitant when I see a book over 600 pages, but let me tell you, all worth it. I’m obsessed.

The romances are everythinggggg. And not always what you’re expecting or the typical route. Which is probably why they make me drool. I love when fantasy romances accomplish this kind of longing and betrayal and angsty tension that you can’t look away from. There’s multiple romantic plot lines (and even a new POV that might have one too???).

And while the romance sing the plot lines hold their own elite status. It’s a great combination of politicking, travel, battles with gods and more. Every chapter brings you something new. This may have taken me awhile to read but that was only because I was enjoying it so thoroughly I didn’t want it to end.

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult fantasy romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: loss of life, war themes

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Book Review: A Promise so Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga #2) by Sophia St. Germain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 458 pages
Author: Sophia St. Germain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After saving her rebel friends on the final day of the election, Elessia is on the run.

But the danger is far from over.

As she fights her guilt for betraying Loche, the man she foolishly believed could mend her broken soul, and wrestles with the unexpected emotions stirring within her for Merrick, her fiercely loyal guard, Elessia learns of the rebel’s true plans—plans that threaten every loved one she’s left behind.

But it’s the even greater peril looming on the horizon—the one that could shatter the very foundations of their world—that forces her to decide whether she is willing to embrace her birthright to the Rantzier name and, with the help of Merrick and his band of unwilling warriors, lead the journey to unite the warring factions of Havlands before it’s too late…

Or before the Fae king and human regent find her.

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

This is definitely a hidden gem in the romantasy world. I love the way the love triangle has been working out and where things led to in this installment. I think that Elessia showed so more growth and I am continually enjoying seeing her journey. The action hits an uptick and the second half of this book really flew by.

I loved the addition of more characters and the complicated found family dynamics they created. The higher level of intensity is starting to set the scene for the next book. [So far] I have found the continuation just right, I’m still getting enough info about the world and magic while also loving on the romance. Elessia was a *touch* too oblivious for me in regard to the romance BUT Merrick? Hot dang I loved watching that man follow her around.

Very excited for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door (slow burn, concentrated at the end)
  • Violence: high

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