Tag: fantasy

Book Review: A Prince of Song and Shade (A Tale of Stars and Shadow #2) by Lisa Cassidy

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 536 pages
Author: Lisa Cassidy
Publisher: Tate House
Release Date: April 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The darker the night…

Emboldened by the effect Talyn Dynan had on the humans of Mithranar, the Shadowhawk is working harder than ever to make a difference for those struggling to survive on the streets of Dock City. But when violence spreads to the citadel in a horrific murder, he finds himself torn between protecting the humans and keeping his identity secret from the increasingly determined prince of night and his Falcon hunters.

Meanwhile, Talyn has returned home to the Twin Thrones ready to begin rebuilding her life. Yet there are more secrets shrouding the Dumnorix family’s past than she realised, and when the Callanan ask her to undertake a highly dangerous mission, Talyn is faced with a difficult choice—between duty to her family and country and trusting the shadowy criminal she met in Mithranar.

And after their failed assassination attempt on Prince Cuinn, Vengeance are far from done. Their reach is deeper than either Talyn or the Shadowhawk could ever have imagined, and now they’ve got a new target in their sights.

LOVED.

Another book in this series down and another five star read. THEY ARE SO GOOD.

I loved that the dual POV really was in the forefront. The back and forth chapters between Talyn and the Shadowhawk made for great pacing and an inability to put this book down at all. Both of their stories are so powerful and seeing both sides of everything really helped round out the plot.

The found family dynamics once again warmed my soul. I love this group of friends who have clearly turned more to each other. The loyalty to protect and the bravery each exhibit is the kind of stuff I love in my fantasy books.

I can’t really say much more due to spoilers that you’ll just have to read to know. BUT I am absolutely loving this series. I LOVE these characters, I LOVE the story and can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: THE HINTS ARE KILLING ME
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle scenes, physical and magical altercations, near death experiences

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: First Rider’s Call (Green Rider #2) by Kristen Britain

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 596 pages
Author: Kristen Britain
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: August 3rd, 2004
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

GHOSTLY RIDERS

Karigan G’ladheon had been a Green Rider, one of the king of Sacoridia’s elite magical messengers. Being a Green Rider was more perilous than Karigan had ever imagined, for a rogue Eletians had cracked the magical D’Yer Wall which had protected Sacoridia for a thousand years from the evil influence of Blackveil Forest–the arboreal prison of Sacoridia’s ancient enemy Mornhaven the Black–and had brought the threat of dark magic into the land. In the messenger service she had been caught up in a world of deadly danger, and though she had defeated the Eletian, she had nonetheless been tainted by his wild magic.

Exhausted in body and spirit, and determined to be the mistress of her own destiny, Karigan has returned to her home in Corsa. But Karigan’s determination was no match for the Rider’s call. Ghostly hoofbeats echoed in the deep regions of her mind, and when she awoke to find herself on horseback halfway to Sacor City–in her nightgown–she finally gave in.

Back at court Karigan found the Green Riders weakened and diminished. Rider magic was becoming unreliable, and she herself was having ghostly visions–visions of a strong woman with wild flowing hair and a blue and green tartan draped across her shoulder, pinned with a golden brooch. This woman was no stranger to Karigan nor would she have been to any Green Rider, for she was Lil Ambriodhe, First Rider, and founder of the Green Rider corps. But why was she appearing to Karigan? And would Karigan be able to seek the help of a woman who had been dead for a thousand years?

I’M INVESTED.

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this up. I decided to try the audio (highly recommend) to make it through this tome to really decide if I wanted to invest in this series. Ohhhh did the audio convince me! I really liked this epic fantasy and I feel excited to read book three.

After about 100 pages I started to settle [and remember] who was who and what was happening. By the end I found myself intrigued by the storylines and characters. I wanted to know more about everyone and I am HOOKED on the bit of romance this book is finally adding in. Some books need a dash of romance and this is the case for the series. There’s so much action and politics and things of that nature happening that a bit heavier addition of some soft, tender moments would send this into 5 star land for me.

There’s many maaaany different lines weaving together. I liked the change of POV’s and I was able to keep up with what was happening. They’re journal chapters that gratefully do lead to a HUGE reveal that I think is going to have some great threads for the next book.

I’m excited to continue this high fantasy. It’s nice to have a thick series to work my way through and will definitely be continuing with the audio books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, murder, loss of loved ones, fires, kidnapping, near death experiences

Instagram || Goodreads

Book Review: The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2) by R.F. Kuang

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Adult Fantasy
Length: 672 pages
Author: R.F. Kuang
Publisher: Harper Voyage
Release Date: July 14th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rin’s story continues in this acclaimed sequel to The Poppy War—an epic fantasy combining the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters.

The war is over.

The war has just begun.

Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the atrocity she committed to save her people. Now she is on the run from her guilt, the opium addiction that holds her like a vice, and the murderous commands of the fiery Phoenix—the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power.

Though she does not want to live, she refuses to die until she avenges the traitorous Empress who betrayed Rin’s homeland to its enemies. Her only hope is to join forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who plots to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new republic.

But neither the Empress nor the Dragon Warlord are what they seem. The more Rin witnesses, the more she fears her love for Nikan will force her to use the Phoenix’s deadly power once more.

Because there is nothing Rin won’t sacrifice to save her country . . . and exact her vengeance.

WHO’S SIDE AM I ON?

This book got me FEELIN’ over that ending. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW. I have THOUGHTS and I need resolutions in the last book or we might be seeing a book throwing scenario. I can’t trust anything in this series and I hate [read: LOVE] that. By the time I’m feeling settled in one scene and its movement I am twisted around by the next chapter trying to find my footing again. The intense action and politics are continuing on and I can’t even begin to tell you which side I actually stand on.

Rin annoyed me on and off this go around. Many many decisions were made for her and I wish that she would have listened or been more open about those in her life. It did move the story along, but it did leave me wondering what hill our main character is going to stand on. I did however, enjoy seeing Rin develop a lot of relationships (platonic, and maybe something else?!?). That was a big part of this read and I think is going to play an even bigger role in the last book.

I love the audio version and how well everything is narrated. I am easily swept away by the story and it helped pass the slower middle area quicker by listening rather than physically reading this go around. I am anxious to get my hands on book three to see how this all ends. WHO SURVIVES.

Overall audience notes:

  • Adult fantasy
  • Language: some strong throughout
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: rape, sexual assault, attempted assault and rape, extreme gore and violence; extreme blood and physical altercations; dismemberment, loss of loved ones, war scenes, racism, genocide, colonization, substance abuse and addiction, PTSD, suicide, self-harm, suicide ideation, forced medical examinations, animal death/torture

Instagram || Goodreads

Book Review: The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns #1) by S.M. Gaither

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 512 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 17th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An ancient evil is stirring. The old gods are growing restless. Can she stop the coming storm?

A Devastating Sickness

For decades, the Kethran Empire has been plagued by a strange illness that leaches the very life and soul from its victims.

The Girl Who Survived

Casia is one of the Fade-Marked—one of the few people who caught this sickness and lived. Why she lived is a mystery even to her and the outcast crew of mercenaries she calls her family. It also makes her an intriguing target for the young, enigmatic king-emperor, who claims he wants to work alongside her to find a cure.

Unfortunately, working alongside him also means working with the handsome but infuriating captain of one of the most prestigious branches of the Kethran Army.

A Soldier With No Past

This infuriating Captain Elander also has secrets: A past that Cas can’t seem to uncover, a powerful but strange brand of magic, and a deep distrust of the very monarch that he’s sworn to serve. She feels oddly drawn to him in spite of these things…

But can she really trust him?

The Fate of an Empire

As the bodies pile up and strange monsters begin to wreak havoc throughout the realms, Cas and Elander will have to work together to protect their world whether they trust one another or not. Because one thing is clear: Something ancient and evil is stirring in the shadows of Kethra.

And the empire will not survive its full unleashing.

But how can they save a world where nothing and no one is what they seem to be— including Cas herself?

NEW FANTASY OBESSSION.

I’m always looking for a fantasy series to dive into, and this one is it. It was SO DANG GOOD. And the audio book was fantastic. Highly recommend that avenue if you’re interested. I flew through this fast. The pacing was well intentioned and never felt like a drag. I love the high stakes action and the plot itself. Gimme book two ASAP.

Of course, one of my favorite aspects is the enemies to lovers trope. It’s heated and tangled. Left me begging for them to actually kiss and then contemplating what I was supposed to do with AN ENDING LIKE THAT. It’s going to be a long haul and I am here for it.

I love a strong female main character and Cas IS THAT WOMAN. She takes charge, occasionally runs off into danger, but is fiercely loyal and is just looking for answers to save her loved ones. Cas got in on the action and drove this book forward with her stubborn tenacity. Can’t get enough of her. There’s been some mention of Throne of Glass vibes and I can definitely see that here (in a great way).

The ending left me reeling and I am not coping well waiting for the next book. I’m excited to continue this series because that first book was a hidden gem.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, creature attacks
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, loss of loved ones, a wasting sickness

Instagram || Goodreads