Tag: fantasy series

Book Review: Firebrand (Green Rider #6) by Kristen Britain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 816 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: February 28th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Magic, danger, and adventure abound for messenger Karigan G’ladheon in the sixth book in Kristen Britain’s New York Times-bestselling Green Rider epic fantasy series.

Zachary Davriel Hillander, High King of Sacoridia, rues how much he has had to give up to lead his realm, including the freedom to live and love as he chooses. When an embassy from Eletia arrives to propose a joint venture between their realms to seek out an old ally in the north, he is dismayed to learn that the one Sacoridian they have in mind to accompany their guide is the woman he truly loves but cannot have: Green Rider Karigan G’ladheon.

Karigan has only just returned from a dark future where Sacoridia has been conquered and is ruled by a despotic emperor, and she has not recovered in heart or mind. As if that is not enough, the castle ghosts won’t leave her alone. Though Zachary is loath to part from her so soon after her return, he knows she is the best choice to undertake the mission to the north.

Each step on their journey places Karigan and her companions closer to enemy territory and danger, for northward lie the forces of Second Empire, Sacoridia’s longtime foe, and Grandmother, the necromantic leader of Second Empire, has not been idle. She uses her magic to summon a wild elemental spirit to wreak havoc upon Zachary and his wife, Queen Estora.

At first the Sacoridians succeed in fending off the creature, but it so covets Estora that it can’t stay away. It abducts Zachary, assuming his form and his place at Estora’s side–but when it is finally ousted, Zachary is still missing. Estora, alone and heavy with twins, must prepare her realm for the coming conflict from the confines of her bedchamber.

Meanwhile, the danger only deepens for Karigan and her companions as they journey north. When she finds herself caught in the midst of a clash between forces, Karigan must rescue and protect her king before she falls into a trap set by Grandmother–a trap that could give Second Empire the power to control the dead and all the demons of the hells.

VERY MUCH CONFLICTED.

I jumped back into this series on a whim and woooooo boy I am CONFLICTED.

The romantic plot lines of this series will be the end of me. I’m at this point of having invested too much time not to see this through, but also I’m going to be enraged if things don’t follow through for Karigan. She is getting the short end of the stick EVERY DANG TIME. In, seriously, everything. Her moments of peace are few and far between and I feel for her in having to pick herself back up over and over again. I would want to stay down for a bit too.

The action and politicking stayed steady. I liked the flow of action and where The Second Empire drama continued on. There were some characters missing, but the ending led me to believe it’s going to come full circle in the next book? Which makes sense and I will be picking up ASAP.

I am also incredibly conflicted about King Zachary. While a good King, he is a bit wishy washy for me as a man. He wants to make every decision correctly but after deciding does not commit fully and the wake being left behind is hurting my heart. I did love that we got his POV much more in this installment and his understanding and choices at least were easier to understand. I love the multi-POV and the writing style. It is perfect as an audiobook.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD (from torture), torture, whipping, near death experiences, cheating/infidelity, loss of loved ones, loss of life

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Book Review: Bonded Fate (Guardians of the Maiden #2) by Beck Michaels

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 531 pages
Author: Beck Michaels
Publisher: Pluma Press
Release Date: August 3rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Joined by blood. Bound by destiny.

The stakes are higher, new questions will surface, and more blood will spill in the thrilling sequel of the Guardians of the Maiden fantasy series.

Reeling from Cassiel’s confession, Dyna struggles to understand what the Blood Bond means for them both, all the while trying to stay one step ahead of a newfound enemy. When reuniting with a familiar sorceress, she realizes the only way to defeat Tarn is to find her Guardians—all of them.

Cassiel never meant to tie himself to a human, especially one that inexplicably draws him. But then the bond develops a startling change, and it puts into question everything he thought he knew.

Zev straddles the line between human and wolf, unsure if his dark thoughts truly belong to the Madness. It’s growing stronger, determined to take over—and he may just let it.

The journey to get the answers they each need will test them all. But what Dyna doesn’t know is that it comes with a price, and it may cost more than she bargained for.

DID ANYTHING HAPPEN?

I wanted to love this more, BUT I’m still planning on moving forward with book three so all hope is not lost. I mostly feel like not that much actually happened? The crew kept getting attacked, but made no actual progress on their journey.

What did progress were some romantic plotlines, YAY. I did love those and am in love with all things Cassiel. Dyna, eh. She’s just not the heroine I’m here for [yet]. I will give her credit for making some progress. Dyna is a bit whiny and naïve about way too much, buuuut she did take the time to grow some necessary skills in magic/weaponry and practices moves us forward y’all. They’re relationship is all things I love about fantasy romance and I am here for more of it allllllll.

I love all of these points of view. It feels very epic fantasy with many characters and moving parts. I think [hope] a lot of the smaller things that happened here are precursors to the wild amount of things that can happen in book three.

The depth of the villain is starting to show and his buddy Von. I love that we get to see there side of the story too and needless to say, I’m cautiously excited to see where this moves to next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: servitude, physical and magical weaponry, suicidal ideation, grief, PTSD, near death experiences

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

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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: Darkwind (The Starchaser Saga #1) by Renee Dugan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 442 pages
Author: Renee Dugan
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Middle Kingdom of Talheim has enjoyed peace for decades. But with the threat of war rising from the ruthless South, the dream of a quiet life is fading. And for the noble but naïve Princess Cistine, that means embarking on a dangerous quest to the Northern Kingdom, where she hopes to forge an alliance against their southern foes and save her people.

But when Cistine is captured by an outlaw and his band of cutthroat warriors, she finds a more deadly adventure than she bargained for – and a greater power within herself than she ever knew.

Swept up in the unpredictable tide of a tenuous and shadowy political climate, a ruthless land governed by the stars, and the unexpected revelations that come from her mysterious new companions, Cistine must learn how to fight, how to lead…and above all, how to trust herself.

If the young princess can’t be forged into a fighter, then her kingdom will fall.

HI, THIS IS MY NEW PERSONALITY.

Y’all. New fantasy obsession alert. I LOVED this!! Another Kindle Unlimited gem that has its hooks in me.

This is a slow build. And at times you do feel that slowness, but it has a necessity. I hate when things are slow and aren’t truly moving. In this case, we got to see some major character growth from Cistine and I looooved that. I enjoy seeing the development of skills rather than overnight they are fantastic at everything.

The plot is satisfying too. The world building is easy to follow and I like how the magic system is involved. I also absolutely loved that this had FOUND FAMILY. One of my favorite non-romantic tropes. This group grew on me and I am hopeful that we get to see there stories as the series progresses.

I can see that the romance will be a super slow burn. And I love those so doesn’t bother me one bit. I even like how it’s set-up right now (I don’t want to mention more because of spoilers). It’s just a true to life way of romance and I think this slow development will be EVERYTHING.

I can’t wait for more of this one. It was just what I was looking for when I picked it up and I’m genuinely excited to keep reading. Highly recommend for my fantasy friends!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: small battle scenes, torture, loss of loved ones, domestic abuse (recounted)

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