Book Review: Thief of Sorrows by Kristen M. Long

September 19, 2023August 1, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 445 pages
Author: Kristen M. Long
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 17th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What if Robin Hood was a female assassin, with deadly powers, who not only steals from the rich and corrupt…she kills them too. Isolde Cotheran is anything but a damsel in need of saving. By day, she is the heir to Thornwood manor and all its lands. By night, she masquerades as the Hood, a brutal outlaw who leads a cadre of thieves and assassins whose mission is simple, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. When Isolde brutally kills a lord, it forces two men back into her life. Liam, the handsome Captain of the Guard, who was shunned from Thornwood for joining the evil king’s army. And Gage, the Right Hand of the king and murderer of Isolde’s first love. After a successful heist leaves Gage humiliated and in danger of the king’s wrath for failure to capture the Hood, Isolde’s world is thrown into chaos. Struggling to protect those she loves not only from the dangers of the kingdom but from her own deadly power, Isolde is forced to take action when one of her own is caught in the crosshairs. Choices are made and blood is spilled, forcing the Hood to face her past. A past that is far more dangerous than even she realizes.

Thank you to the author for a gifted audiobook.

I’LL READ THE SECOND.

Audio notes: I loved the audio! The narrator was great. And I think that really helped my overall enjoyment of the book.

I was very intrigued by the gender bend on Robin Hood and liked how it played out. There’s some great action, lots of politicking and some dark evil. Isolde was a FMC you wanted to root for and I liked seeing her strength and determination to right wrongs.

The romance didn’t really set me swooning. It was a relationship already formed and that left me in the dust for catching up on the chemistry. I am genuinely curious where it’ll go in book two now that events have occurred. There’s room for a solid build.

I felt like the plot meandered and in the middle especially. I kept waiting for different aspects of the story to move, or for even sub-plots to get a little more shine. I still have plans to read book two and see the progression. I do think the writing was wonderful and the potential is here.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy
Language: some strong
Romance: 2-3 open; low-moderate explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of sexual assault and rape, kidnapping children, assault, murder, near death experiences, weapons violence

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Book Review: Glow of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #2) by Penn Cole

September 17, 2023July 29, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 637 pages
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: July 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything—but keeping it could cost Diem her life.

The threat of war has arrived at Diem’s doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil’s bargain with the people she hates most: the royal family of House Corbois.

But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren’t as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.

Meanwhile, her mother is still missing, and the secrets she left behind can no longer be ignored—and neither can the Guardians and their demands. Caught between an old flame and a sizzling new spark, Diem must confront the truth about who she is and what she wants before time runs out.

War is coming, and dangerous enemies wait on all sides.. but the most deadly battle Diem faces may be the one for her heart.

Glow of the Everflame is the second book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

THAT ENDING.

This series has blown me away. It came out of nowhere for me and now I am sucked into this world and these characters and wish I could binge the entire series right now.

I love Diem. I love that she is utterly flawed, but also works hard for the things she wants. Stubborn, loyal and always learning, she makes a lot of leaps in this book. I loved the progression of Diem learning her magic. I did want to shake her about the Henri plot line, but I’m glad that finally ended where I wanted it to.

LUTHER. I felt like I could highlight every time he spoke because that man had a way with words. I loved how fiercely protective he is and the power of his presence throughout the story.

The plot has a beautiful pace. I loved the soft moments and all the action and how we really got to watch Diem in her new role. Based on the ending I now have no idea where this is going and I’m simultaneously terrified and absolutely stoked.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some mild
Romance: one brief almost scene
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of loved ones, blood/gore depiction

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ARC Book Review: Heat of the Everflame (Kindred’s Curse #3) by Penn Cole

September 13, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 1026 pages
Author: Penn Cole
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 12th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem’s allegiance—or her death.

After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she’s falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves… even from each other.

The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate.

Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies—while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own.

But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything…

Heat of the Everflame is the third book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga, a four-book epic fantasy romance series that follows our fiesty, bad*ss heroine Diem Bellator in her fight against injustice, her struggle to survive in a royal palace full of betrayal and intrigue, and her journey of self-discovery and finding true love. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers series is perfect for fans of unique magic systems, dragons and other mythical creatures, angst and romantic tension, and hilarious banter. This book will appeal to fans of plot-heavy, character-driven romantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, Gild, Shadow & Bone, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.

This is one of my newest favorite series ever. Three books in and I am LOVING EVERY PAGE. Do not let this page count concern you. I didn’t notice one bit that this was 1,000 pages. Luther will soothe your soul and you’ll fall in love with Diem’s personality.

I love the massive journey this book took. Meeting other leaders and seeing other lands. Watching the magic happen and curious where things will continue to turn. Well written politicking is my favorite and I love how this was crafted here. There’s a lot of people trying to make the best decision of their people, even if they might not be seeing the full story.

Getting some BIG answers to some questions I know we’ve all been waiting on was FANTASTIC. I have many theories and I will be waiting on pins and needles needing to know how this series wraps up. I love all of the gryvern content. I love how Diem makes right and wrong decisions and in genuinely trying her best. I AM OBSESSED WITH LUTHER and his unwavering loyalty and determination. There’s multiple side characters who I adore, and many I hate, and I love that I feel that much for everyone.

This is a beautiful series. With the slowest of slow burns and the intense action that my fantasy reader self craves. I LOVE THIS SERIES PLEASE READ IT.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: 3 open door
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, near death experiences, battle themes

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Book Review: Back to Class (The Thornback Society #3) by Aspen Hadley

September 10, 2023June 21, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Aryn Murphy loves her family and friends, sports, and teaching school. What she doesn’t love is all the wrong attention she receives from men who don’t know the first thing about her.

When her childhood friend Wesley moves to town and lands a job working at the same school where she teaches, she has the perfect idea – he can be the decoy that keeps all the men away while she focuses on her otherwise perfect life. After all, Wesley has always been someone she’s felt safe with.

Wesley Baker harbored a secret crush on Aryn in high school, and when he arrives at his new job to find Aryn there too, that crush comes raging back. Now she wants him to play the part of doting boyfriend by night, and forgotten coworker by day.

But he had enough of playing pretend all those years ago. This time, he’s looking to play a different game – one with high stakes, and the potential to make them both winners.

Back To Class is a kissing only, sweet and clean romcom, with all the swoon but no explicit content.

LOOOOVED.

First and foremost I have to talk about one of my favorite aspects of Aspen Hadley’s writing and the way she crafts a character. I love that we can see the flaws of her FMC’s. Aryn has things she needs to work on and issues that are weighing her down. And what I appreciate most is that when the conflict comes up in the end it doesn’t turn into miscommunication. It turns into an argument and talking and communicating needs and wants. Compromise and speaking with respect. IT IS MY FAVORITE. I love these kind of conversations and they make my heart absolutely melt.

I looooved the opposites attract, reverse jock/nerd tropes. They worked so well. I just adore Aryn and Wesley. The chemistry was continually flying and all of those little moments really added up to a wonderful romance. I love all of the friendships and family and traveling that happened. The volleyball games were fun and this book was a delight to read.

Overall audience notes: