Tag: fantasy romance

ARC Audio Book Review: Long Live the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #2) by J.M. Kearl

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 560 pages
Author: J.M. Kearl
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 26th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The enthralling and romantic sequel to J.M. Kearl’s enchanting Bow Before the Elf Queen.
Layala fought against falling in love with him. Thane battled to win his mate’s heart. Now they’ll discover if their love can withstand those who tore them apart.
Held for weeks without food or water, Layala’s resolve begins to fracture as an evil darkness looms over her. She’s the key to destroying the Void or reviving its creator— the long-dead Black Mage she has a mysterious connection to.

Layala and Thane learn what it truly means to fight for love as their enemies surround them and it becomes a struggle for revenge, the kingdom, and finding the truth about why Layala seems to harbor the power of whether Palenor falls into darkness or if her Lightbringer name holds true.

Author’s note: Long Live the Elf Queen is book 2 in the Elf Queen series and ends on a cliffhanger. It contains romantic steam, violence, war, and mature themes with morally grey characters.

Thank you to House Valor Books and Netgalley for an ALC.

THAT CLIFFHANGER Y’ALL.

I don’t really mind cliffhangers, even if they cause me high amounts of stress. And this book definitely ended with a wild one that I LOVEEEE. I have no clue where this will go and why and you better believe I’ll be picking up the next book.

Audiobook thoughts: As an ALC wanted to touch base here too. I did love that within this dual narration any feminine characters were by one actor and the male characters by the other. It gave a real life conversation tone to it and made for a positive listening experiences. What I didn’t love was a few of the side characters voices. They were kind of hard to listen to and was grateful when their roles became more minimal so they didn’t show up as often.

Back to the general bookish thoughts. I really like this romance. Luckily there wasn’t a long separation here and we got to see Layala and Thane work together as a couple (my favorite for fantasy romances). There’s just the right amount of spice that works well within the plot and the story moves forward in interesting ways. I liked all of the dragons that showed up. There’s a good amount of action and I’m intrigued by the antagonists and figuring out who belongs on what side.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: 2 brief/vague open + mild innuendo
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, weapons violence, magical and physical violence, loss of loved ones, battle themes

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Book Review: Lord of Gold and Glory (Fae Isles #2) by Lisette Marshall

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 580 pages
Author: Lisette Marshall
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Emelin has escaped the Crimson Court and saved Creon from the Mother’s chains. But her newfound allies bring dangers of their own. Thrown into a world of old feuds and thorny grudges, she needs all her ingenuity to keep the Silent Death safe from his friends-turned-enemies.

And the political games of the Alliance are the easy part …

Haunted by shadows of his past and magic he never wanted to wield, Creon is slowly losing control of his powers. The only solution may be found outside the buried halls of the Alliance’s stronghold – back within reach of the Mother and her armies hunting for him.

Soon Emelin can no longer hide from the war looming over the archipelago. And when her quest for Creon’s safety reveals glimpses of her own mysterious origins, she has no choice but to claim her place on the battlefield … or lose the male she loves forever.

MISSIN’ A LITTLE SOMETHING.

I wish I loved this as much as the first, but I fear second book syndrome got me this round.

I really enjoy Emelin and Creon’s relationship. They generally communicate well and respect each other and take care of one another. What I didn’t love, is 9 times out of 10 when they were alone, they banged. I just need the steam to make sense for plot and story and not thrown in there without thought. There’s plenty of good moments between them overall at least.

There’s a good sense of general plot development. I liked seeing the side characters more and getting a better understanding of team dynamics. I thought the world building progressed well and I do think this magic system is a really cool concept. Amidst all of the learning and growth there I wish there were a bit more battle-ish scenes. I got all of the politicking, now lets amp it up.

The writing style carries me over enough that I do want to continue the series. There were some good reveals (and I have my eyes on a few particular one for the next book) that I’m excited to see how they shape Emelin’s world.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open; high explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, war themes, murder, torture, weapons and magical violence

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Book Review: Obsidian Throne (The Lochlann Feuds #4) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 434 pages
Author: Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 26th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

No matter how I had tried to avoid it, there was no escaping what we had: The kind of love you went to war for.

And that’s exactly what I intended to do.

Obsidian Throne is the fourth and final book in the Lochlann Feuds Series. Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to Rowan’s story!

FINALLY FINISHED.

This series started out so promising and while the last book was good, I’m left feeling meh about everything as a whole. I think condensed to a trilogy would have been the biggest boost here, but it’s been a bunch of mixed thoughts and speed reading over here.

I liked that I got to see Evander and Rowan really work for their relationship. It’s nice when a book doesn’t throw a couple apart for the drama, but allows them to work within the plot for solutions. Rowan really held her own and I liked her tenacity and not backing down at slight provocations. Evander learned to be more open and to lean one someone allowing him moments of peace. This couple was truly a match. And that deserves all the praise.

The plot was better here. A bit more intrigue, some actual battle scenes, the story thickened with intent as the war for the throne ensued. I like that Theo made some appearances (and wasn’t a nuisance) and that we got to see some other side characters too.

I don’t think I loved this series because I needed more world building. That was the puzzle piece missing. I STILL don’t know why Rowan had fae blood and others didn’t and why that gave her miniscule power? Things like that just didn’t make sense and constantly took me out of the book.

Anyways, take what I say as you will. This might be a hit for you!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door (married couple)
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, branding, whipping, murder, near death experiences, war themes

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Book Review: A Duel With The Vampire Lord (Married to Magic #3) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 536 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: August 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On the night of the blood moon, the Vampire Lord must die.

Floriane’s position as the forge maiden of Hunter’s Hamlet is one of reverence, for it is her skill that arms and protects the vampire hunters. She knows her place and is a faithful servant to the Master Hunter and her community… until the night of the blood moon. Until her brother is dying at the hands of the Vampire Lord Ruvan.

Wanting to defend her home at all costs, Floriane fights the vampire lord, ready to give her life if it means taking his. But Ruvan doesn’t want to take her life… he wants her.

Kidnapped and brought to the vampire castle, Floriane is now blood sworn to the vampire lord. She is bound in mind and body to her worst enemy. But Ruvan isn’t the fiend she thought he was. She learns the truth of the vampires: They are not mindless monsters, but a proud people, twisted and tortured by an ancient curse.

Ruvan believes that Floriane might be the key to ending his people’s suffering. All Floriane wants is to defend her home. Loyalties are tested and the lines between truth and lie, hate and passion, are blurred.

When her dagger is at his chest, will she be able to take the heart of the man who has claimed hers?

A darkly-reimagined Snow White meets inspiration from Beauty and the Beast in an epic fantasy world of hunters, vampires, and curses that run deeper than blood. This stand alone is complete with a “happily ever after” ending. It’s perfect for fantasy romance fans looking for just the right amount of steam and their next slow-burn and swoon worthy, enemies to lovers story.

GREW ON ME.

It’s no secret, vampire books and I don’t generally get along. But Elise Kova is one of the few authors who I would give a chance to and I truly did end up enjoying this one!

I really liked the exploration of vampire lore. This felt like a new discovery on the age old assumptions and it was interesting to see how Ruvan’s history and the curse played into the human’s perceptions of vampires as a whole. There’s a great dose a mystery that has to be unraveled and I liked the twists at the end as everything was revealed.

Pacing wise it lost me a bit in the middle. A standalone fantasy at 500+ pages means there’s plenty of substance, but some if it was lost on me. I thought the romance was moving alright, the wider plot was okay too. It really took the later half to bring me back in and I realized how much I did enjoyed Ruvan and Floriane together.

I loved the Floriane was a smithy. I always like different dynamics that aren’t commonly seen and this was one of them. She was tenacious and hard working. Filled with determination to get back to her brother and end the curse once for all.

Another good read for this series. Ultimately there really wasn’t any discourse for the previous books (only vague mentions), but I did see hints for what looks like TWO more books and I’m excited to continue!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: light
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, murder, loss of loved ones, creature attacks, physical and magical attacks, small battle scenes

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