Book Review: Heart of the Sun Warrior (The Celestial Kingdom Duology #2) by Sue Lynn Tan

December 29, 2022November 17, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: November 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After her perilous quest to free her mother, Xingyin thrives once more in the tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a treacherous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation–to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love… even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin–the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi–as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.

NEW FAVORITE DUOLOGY ALERT.

Not me going from “this book will be thrown across the room if what I think is happening happens” to crying while hugging this beautiful book that broke my soul and mended it.

THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. MAGNIFICENT. Sue Lynn Tan has cemented herself in my auto-buy column after this read. I never wanted to put it down. I love the writing and pacing style that keeps things moving (slow and fast) while adding in the soft and action with ease.

Xingyin is one of the best female protagonists I’ve read in awhile. She is strong, capable and full of self reflection. I love that she can make mistakes, apologize, and hold her ground all in the same story. Complex characters are my lifeblood and Xingyin is someone I would desperately love to have on my side.

THE ROMANCE THOUGH. I want to keep this paragraph pretty vague because spoilers will ruin this for y’all. But I will say, it went different than I expected, but still gave me everything I hoped for when I started reading HOFSW. I don’t think [hope] you’ll be disappointed either. BECAUSE IT BROUGHT ON ALL THE TEARS.

I felt every emotion. Enjoyed every page. And was blissfully satisfied with this conclusion.

I love this book y’all. READ IT PLEASE. THANK ME LATER.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy + Romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Violence: med-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, battle themes, physical and magical altercations, loss of life

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Book Review: Dawnstar (The Starchaser Saga #2) by Renee Dugan

December 22, 2022September 18, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 413 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A missing friend. A hunt for answers. A path to vengeance.

With her Warden stolen, her hopes of an easy alliance thwarted, and her trust in her own kingdom shattered, Princess Cistine Novacek faces her greatest challenge yet: using wit and steel to bring down a wicked Chancellor and prove herself to the cabal’s tentative allies in the Courts. As friendships are tested, bonds broken, and love put to the test, the princess must face the growing threats within the Northern Kingdom – and learn to rise a queen.

Locked away in a desert prison, Asheila Kovar faces the struggle of her life: surviving the ruthless Blood Hive, returning to her princess, and avenging a betrayal against the heart of her kingdom. But there are more secrets and schemes than just hers lurking in the catacombs…and the struggle between powerful forces above and below the sands will test Ashe’s loyalty in dangerous ways.

Ways that may spell death for people the cabal cannot afford to lose.

AHHHHH.

This series has taken another step in the right direction. A sequel I can get behind.

I loved the continued dynamic between this found family group. I love them. I love them SO MUCH. Everyone. All of them. I can’t wait to get more points of view because I need them all and I need them all to be happy.

The plot does a great balance of giving answers while maintaining some general mystery about the large scale story (since this is a seven book series). But don’t worry, this book takes you through ALL OF THE FEELINGS. I got misty eyed a few times towards the end, because how could you not?! The revelations and betrayals will make you hold your breath and push to finish as quickly as you can.

There’s a lot more I’d love to say, but in the effort to keep spoilers out, I shall not. JUST KNOW IT’S SO GOOD AND THIS SLOWBURN ROMANCE WILL BE THE END OF ME.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of sexual assault and rape (recounted), loss of loved ones, avalanches, torture, whipping, kidnapping, battle scenes, grave injuries, major loss of life

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Book Review: Nightwing (The Starchaser Saga #3) by Renee Dugan

December 17, 2022October 13, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: December 1st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Princess Cistine Novacek is a prisoner of Valgard.

Facing unbearable grief and the revelation of her own formidable power, Cistine battles her captor’s cruel games in a fight to escape. Her only hope for survival lies in her own cunning, a surly guard, an imprisoned beast with his own reasons for seeking freedom, and an unexpected ally who will risk everything to bring her home.

Tatiana and Quill are on the hunt. Far from the familiar, they search the shadowy corners of Valgard for their lost princess. But to rescue Cistine, they may be forced to pay a higher cost than either of them bargained for—a choice that unearths an old darkness lurking at the door of their kingdom, waiting to be let inside.

Banished for betrayal, Asheila Kovar hatches a daring plan to find the princess she’s sworn to protect. But a pair of unlikely companions will guide her on a journey she never expected, with enemies she never foresaw and revelations that will change her understanding of Talheim’s past – and the course of all their futures.

Lines must be crossed. Lives must be given. Answers must be unveiled. And in order to thwart a tyrant’s madness, sacrifices are demanded of the cabal…a price that will alter the fate of the Three Kingdoms forever.

AMAZING.

I am sincerely hooked on this series and hopefully these reviews are convincing y’all to pick these books up. They need more love.

This will be a more vague review to keep away from spoilers, but know I LOVED IT.

I love this entire cast. There’s so many fantastic people. All with unique personalities, common goals, strengths and weaknesses. It’s all there. I love that they don’t always make the exact right choice. They’re flawed and growing and it’s my favorite.

There’s a few romance sub plots that got a little more speed this time and I ADORE them. Seeing some of those kiss scenes finally happen, HECK YEAH.

The ending hurt. Oh it did. I love the flow of story with rises and falls and how Dugan always leaves me wanting more.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy + Romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses; an implied closed door
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of rape and sexual assault, PTSD, sexual assault and harassment , physical and weapons violence, abuse, torture, war themes

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Book Review: Bow Before the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #1) by J.M. Kearl

December 15, 2022September 18, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 598 pages
Author: J.M. Kearl
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 26th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In hiding all her life, Layala prepares for the day the wicked High Elf King Thane will come to steal her— his powerful mate. She trains to take her revenge for the wrongful execution of her parents, who died for her freedom.
Now that day has come, forcing her to come face-to-face with what she’s hidden from: a dangerous, dark-haired, warrior king determined to marry her.
After she’s shoved into a black carriage pulled by six ominous steeds, Layala makes plans to take her captors’ lives and free herself….but Thane has a secret that makes it impossible for Layala to slay him. She has an even darker truth that makes loving her forbidden, no matter how much Thane wants to touch.

Dare to dive into this whimsical and deeply romantic story inspired by Hades & Persephone, The Lord of the Rings, and a sprinkle of Norse mythology. A tale that will grip you from the first page and stay with you long after the last.

I’LL READ THE NEXT ONE.

I have sat on this one in my kindle unlimited library for a long time, and upon finding an audio version I flew through this!! I’m so glad I gave it a chance.

The romance set-up was everything I love about arranged marriage/enemies to lovers. There’s great banter, knife to the throat moments and all the swoon from Thane. I loved his persistent nature to show Layala exactly the kind of elf he is. It was also nice to see Layala show the ability to change her mind as new facts were laid before her. Too stubborn of a nature always bugs me and I love that this wasn’t the case here. I really liked her strength and resilience amidst a whole heap of drama.

What brought this to a four star for me was the third act conflict. I just couldn’t believe that Layala believed that about herself. It didn’t track well and made for unnecessary drama that rolled my eyes a bit.

I did like the surrounding plot and story. It keeps the pace moving well and there’s a heavy dose of action to keep you on your toes. I look forward to seeing where this book will go to next!

Overall audience notes: