Tag: library book

Book Review: Spice Road (The Spice Road Trilogy #1) by Maiya Ibrahim

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 464 pages
Author: Maiya Ibrahim
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: January 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first book in an epic fantasy series set in an Arabian-inspired land with secret spice magic. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, sixteen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother, whose betrayal is now the country’s greatest threat.

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, there is secret spice magic that awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. Sixteen-year-old Imani has the affinity for iron and is able to wield a dagger like no other warrior. She has garnered the reputation as being the next great Shield for battling djinn, ghouls, and other monsters spreading across the sands.

Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother, who tarnished the family name after it was revealed that he was stealing his nation’s coveted spice–a telltale sign of magical obsession. Soon after that, he disappeared, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes. Despite her brother’s betrayal, there isn’t a day that goes by when Imani doesn’t grieve him.

But when Imani discovers signs that her brother may be alive and spreading the nation’s magic to outsiders, she makes a deal with the Council that she will find him and bring him back to Qalia, where he will face punishment. Accompanied by other Shields, including Taha, a powerful beastseer who can control the minds of falcons, she sets out on her mission.

Imani will soon find that many secrets lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes–and in her own heart–but will she find her brother?

THOUGHTS.

This book has me feeling multiple different ways.

What did I like? I didn’t mind that Imani was an unlikeable character. Those tend to be my favorites AS LONG AS there are signs that they understand the need for change and growth in their own life. And I thought by the end Imani was starting to showcase some of that (and it’s a series, we’ve got time). The magic system is cool, needed more world building overall but I like what I know so far. I liked the sibling dynamics too. It came off as real with the bickering and also protecting them at all costs kind of vibes.

The romance has me the most up in the air. It definitely went a different way than I expected and I’m soooo very curious where that’s going to lead. I don’t mind not knowing after one book, it has me intrigued enough to read book two.

I don’t love traveling tropes and this was in abundance. Run over here, go over there, meh. It had one too many moments where I wanted them to stop moving for a second and lay some groundwork. And I need more Qayn. LOTS MORE Qayn.

I’m not upset I read this, I do think it’s a bit over hyped though. And I will be picking up the next book at least!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and weapons violence, magical violence, torture (off page), animal death

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Book Review: The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Ally Press
Release Date: November 2nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The one man who could help her, must never know her name.

If Kate Chamberlin can’t reveal her true identity to the world, she must settle for sharing only her talent. Hired as a musician for KDKA radio, Kate plays everything from sponsors’ jingles to complex sonatas. As long as the whispers around the broadcasting room refer to her as “Killjoy Kate” and not “Catarina the crime boss’s daughter,” then her life is safe from danger.

Or so she thinks.

When anonymous, violent threats surface, Kate’s wary of accepting protection from the handsome private investigator, Detective Jennings. His save-the-world attitude is as charming as his manners, but no one, especially him, can know the gruesome realities of her birth.

The 1924 Pittsburgh underworld is as complicated as it is elusive, and though the dealings of the Salvastanos have dwindled, Rhett Jennings is certain the man responsible for his father’s death is still at large. But his personal hunt for justice must be set aside when his day job requires him to investigate threats directed at a young radio broadcaster with enamoring brown eyes and secretive behavior.

When danger surrounds them, will the truth of Kate’s past become the key to their survival?

I LIKED IT.

This is my first by the author, and the first Christian romance I’ve read in a very long time. Both turned out better than I expected and I’m grateful for that.

I liked the plot and setting. The historical aspects worked so well and I felt transported to the 1920’s. The mystery brought out enough intrigue to keep the page turning and I did not see some of the ending reveals coming!

Romance wise, it was rather swoony and sweet. I love protective heroes, it’s just my favorite, and there were plenty of opportunities for that here. A tiny bit of fake dating, taking care of you scenes and you can consider me charmed. There were a few things about purity that I didn’t love and I’m mostly chalking up to a time period situation. Otherwise the Christianity aspects worked well into the plot and I liked the themes of forgiveness and God accepting you where you are.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: non-consensual drugged beverage, attempted murder, loss of a parent, gun violence, break-ins

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Book Review: The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: NA Fantasy
Length: 452 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: October 25th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Loom burns. Nova bleeds. The war for the fate of both rages.

A new rebellion has risen from the still-smoldering remnants of the Five Guilds of Loom to stand against Dragon tyranny.

Meanwhile, on Nova, those same Dragons fight amongst themselves, as age-old power struggles shift the political landscape in fateful and unexpected ways.

Unlikely leaders vie for the opportunity to shape a new world order from the creations of one temperamental and lethal engineer.

The fates of the beloved characters of the Loom Saga are revealed in this epic and explosive conclusion to a dark fantasy certain to delight readers looking for sweeping adventure, heart-pounding action, and a world that will live on long after the last page.

I FINISHED IT.

I read the first two books in this series a few years ago and finally swung around to finishing the series. Was it worth it? Eh I suppose to. I liked a lot of this, but it really isn’t my favorite of Kova’s (That would be Air Awakens and I beg of y’all to read it).

Anywho, I DID enjoy this characters. Florence, Ari and Cvareh all play solid roles. I liked the character progression and where they ended up when the war was over. What I struggled with was the relationship between Ari and Cvareh. When books are like HERE’S THE ROMANCE, then take it away for a long time it makes things feel unbalanced.

That’s mostly what I thought of the entire book. Unbalanced. Between the politicking, action and relationship building I was looking for something a bit different.

The magic system is suuuper cool. I do the love dragons, and chimera and steampunk vibes of the world. It’s unique and fresh and what really held the story together for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle themes, magical and physical altercations

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Book Review: You, with a View by Jessica Joyce

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages


Author: Jessica Joyce
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 11th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two weeks on the road… stuck in a car with your high-school enemy.

Noelle Shepard is grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother when she discovers decades-old photos and letters that hint to a forbidden love in her gram’s past. Needing to know the full story, she creates a TikTok video appealing for information – and it goes viral.

Through her video, she manages to track down her grandmother’s secret love, Paul, who offers to take her on the honeymoon road-trip he and Gram planned but never got to go on.

Noelle jumps at the chance to make this one last connection with her grandmother. There’s just one problem – Paul’s grandson is Noelle’s frustratingly handsome high-school rival Theo.

And Theo has to come, too.

It’s only two weeks. Surely Noelle can survive that long? But with one car between them – and often only one bed – it doesn’t take long for things to heat up…

REAL GOOD.

I loved this audiobook and I loved this story. It was incredibly well put together. The road trip worked well and learning more about Noelle’s grandmother and her love story really squeezed my heart.

And the romance?? Immaculate banter and chemistry. They really had things going for them from the beginning. I adored Theo and was smitten by how much he cared. The third act made me a little cranky and I also got thrown by the random psychic reading that influenced the plot way too much for me?

Otherwise though, a solid romance read. The side characters were incredible. One of my favorite aspects was that Noelle had a supportive and loving family. I don’t feel like that’s seen very often in adult romance and I loved the support. I look forward to more books by this author!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open; moderate explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a grandparent, strained family relationships

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