ARC Book Review: The Emerald Alliance (The Otherworlds #3) by Courtney Millecam

March 25, 2025February 20, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 510 pages
Author: Courtney Millecam
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 25th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A heartless boy. A timid girl. And an exiled fae who will do anything to go home.

It’s been two years since Queen Verena exiled Thea to 1923 Chicago. As a fae living in the city, Thea tries to forget her past and blend in, but she’s plagued by thoughts of Faerie, her failed attempt at rebellion, and everyone she left behind.

When tragic news from the Winterland reaches Thea, she’s determined to find a way home. Even if it means striking a deal with a notorious fae who rules the criminal world and teaming up with two mortals she barely knows. There’s Alice, who holds the key to changing the fate of the Winterland, but her heart is divided between saving the kingdom and saving the boy she loves. Then there’s Edmund, who provokes Thea as much as he protects her. He has his own reasons for returning to Faerie, and Thea isn’t certain if Edmund is an enemy or an ally.

They say there’s no place like home, but home has changed since Thea was last there. New rulers, new alliances, and new dangers lurk around every corner. When their mission goes terribly wrong, a desperate bargain is made, and Thea and Edmund are forced to navigate the unfamiliar Emerald Kingdom alone. And with more than just her heart on the line, Thea worries that saving Faerie will cost more than she’s willing to give.

The Emerald Alliance is the thrilling conclusion to the Otherworlds Trilogy and is perfect for fans of atmospheric settings, fairytale retellings with dark twists, and slow burn romance that’s swoony, not spicy.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.

EPIC CONCLUSION.

I loved how this story came together!!! Multi-POV is one of my favorites and there’s not one weak character here. I loved getting everyone’s side and thoughts and everything in between.

Edmund brings about one of my favorite plot devices, a redemption arc. I LOVED IT. The heated glances and moves between him and Thea brought the enemies but we have chemistry vibes that I was all over. Not to mention getting to see all of my other favorites woven throughout just made my day.

The action and pacing come together beautifully. This was a well written and well crafted saga. I loved the nods of fairy tales, the inclusion of Faerie lands with mortal lands and the anxiety I felt trying to survive those last few chapters.

I can’t wait to see what Courtney writes next!!

Overeall audience notes:

YA Historical fantasy
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde #2) by Heather Fawcett

March 19, 2025February 17, 2024 GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 342 pages
Author: Heather Fawcett
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: January 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.

Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore—she just wrote the world’s first comprehensive of encylopaedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Folk on her adventures . . . and also from her fellow scholar and former rival, Wendell Bambleby.

Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, and in search of a door back to his realm. So despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of marriage. Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and danger.

And she also has a new project to focus a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by Bambleby’s mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambley’s realm, and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans.

But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors, and of her own heart.

EVEN BETTER.

I was one of the few that only liked book one and I loved this one even more. I felt drawn into the world and plot. And once again that banter between Emily and Wendell was still top notch. I like Emily’s voice a lot and her dry wit throughout.

I think with this being the second book I also enjoyed the writing style more as well. The story was fairly engaging and was moving just enough but also had those nice cozy vibes that I know this series is known for.

I was hoping for a little bit more romance? I felt like that was missing and the few pieces we did get seemed rushed.

It looks like there’s going to be more in this series though so I’m excited to continue and look forward to what happens next.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: low
Romance: closed door
Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Where the Library Hide (Secrets of the Nile #2) by Isabel Ibanez

March 18, 2025November 29, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: NA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Isabel Ibanez
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: November 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The stunning conclusion to the story that started in What the River Knows. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance like no other!

1885, Egypt

Inez Olivera is left reeling from her cousin Elvira’s murder, and her mother’s betrayal, and when Tío Ricardo issues an ultimatum about her inheritance, she’s left with only one option to consider.

Marriage to Whitford Hayes.

Former British soldier, her uncle’s aide de camp, and one time nemesis, Whit has his own mysterious reasons for staying in Egypt. With her heart on the line, Inez might have to bind her fate to the one person whose secret plans could ruin her.

ENDING SAVED IT.

OOOO do I love a dramatic and action packed ending. Bless this book for having one because I felt off kilter at the start. I thought the plot got lost initially and even though I loved seeing the development between Whit and Inez, there wasn’t much else happening until a quarter of the way in.

I did love all of the historical aspects and how those have been combined with fantasy elements. I love love love books in this sub genre and this hit the spot for those perfectly.

One of the main antagonists was extremely obvious and was a bit of a let down, BUT I will say I was surprised by one of the reveals and that helped balance out. It led to the chaos that was the final few chapters and I loved seeing how it all went down.

This duology really worked well as a duo. It was not drawn out, there’s good action and endearing characters. I adored Inez and Whit and the audiobook narrators for them did a great job. I can’t wait for more books from this author.

Overall audience notes:

NA Historical Fantasy Romance
Language: mild
Romance: vague fade to black
Violence: moderate – high
Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, non-consensual drugging, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Rose Bargain (The Rose Bargain #1) by Sasha Peyton Smith

March 15, 2025February 14, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Sasha Peyton Smith
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.

YO, WHAT.

This book had one moment where I absolutely shouted WHAT in my car and I love that for me. Bring me a book that has a shock factor and I am your girl. I adored this book a lot. The audiobook was great and this reminded me of why I enjoy fantasy romance so much. I will say it definitely leans into the new adult category over young adult if you were curious.

I loved the setting. I can’t get enough of historical fantasy and liked the twist that this one had. The bargains and fae and competition all aligned with the coup in progress and I enjoyed the betrayals and twists throughout. I don’t mind a love triangle involving brothers and this one had the right plot edge that I knew something else was going on and was excited to figure out what that happened to be. I do think one of the brothers was a little flat for 90% of the book but now I think that has opened up a lot more for book two.

An absolute gem in my mind. Fantastic book, can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes: