Tag: macmillan audio

ARC Book Review: The Beasts We Bury (The Broken Citadel #1) by D.L. Taylor

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: D.L. Taylor
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Deceit and betrayal abound in this dark YA romantasy about an heir to the throne who can summon an army of animals and a thief who plans to manipulate her to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime heist.

Will he steal her heart… or her chance at the throne?

Daughter and heir to the throne, Mancella Cliff yearns for a life without bloodshed. But as a child, she emerged from the Broken Citadel with the power to summon animals—only after killing them with her bare hands. Her magic is a constant reminder of the horrors her father, the ruler of the realm, has forced upon her to strengthen their power.

Silver is a charming thief struggling to survive in a world torn apart by Mancella’s father’s reign. When a mysterious benefactor recruits him for the heist of a lifetime, a chance to rob the castle, Silver relishes the opportunity for a real future—and revenge. But he’ll have to manipulate Mance and earn her trust to pull it off.

As the deception and carnage mount, Mance must find a way to save her realm without becoming the ruthless monster she’s been bred to be. And when Silver discovers that his actions are fueling the violence that Mance wants to prevent, he’ll have to choose between his ambition and the girl he’s falling for.

Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours and Henry Holt for the gifted copy and Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

SOLID READ.

I really liked this (and the audiobook was great too!). NOW, it is dark. Please check the content warnings for the magic system. While unique and something I haven’t read before, it’s on the heavier side.

I did love how much of a sunshine character Silver was. He balanced out the book and brought the little bit of optimism that the story needed to make things feel like they could keep going. The romance was a bit quick for me, it grew on me too though.

The complicated politics are intriguing and I am definitely invested in reading the next book. Betrayals and trauma and good twists kept me on my toes and the stakes felt high and intense.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Dark Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: animal sacrifice/cruelty (as a means to the magic system), mental and physical abuse

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ALC/ARC Book Review: The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Emma Lord
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again!

At long last, Sadie has vanquished her lifelong academic rival — her irritatingly charming, whip smart next door neighbor, Seb — by getting the coveted, only spot to her dream college. Or at least, so she thinks. When Seb is unexpectedly pulled off the waitlist and admitted, Sadie has to compete with him all over again, this time to get a spot on the school’s famous zine. Now not only is she dealing with the mayhem of the lovable, chaotic family she hid her writing talents from, as well as her own self doubt, but she has to come to terms with some less-than-resentful feelings for Seb that are popping up along the way.

But the longer they compete, the more Sadie and Seb notice flaws in the school’s system that are much bigger than any competition between them. Somehow the two of them have to band together even as they’re trying to crush each other, only to discover they may have met their match in more ways than one.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies.

THE NOSTALGIA.

Emma Lord does an incredible job of making me feel nostalgic for my college aged years. Where things are confusing, live has a lot of new turns and you’re just trying to find out where you want to be and the goals you have to achieve to get there. I adore this setting so much and love that it’s set in college but still YA appropriate.

I loved the dynamic between Sadie and Seb. The banter was fantastic. The quips and pranks back and forth really sold me on how much they care about each other even though they have been ignoring those feelings for so long. The cute pancake dates and tender quiet discussions were sweet and impactful for the storyline.

It’s a genuine and fun read. I also adored the complex family relationships. That there was support and love but issues too. It’s not all sunshine, yet you know who’s in your corner. I love the authentic nature of these kinds of plots.

If Emma writes it, I’m going to read it and this is no different. Another gem and one I am so grateful I got my hands on early.

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult contemporary romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses

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ALC Book Review: Breath of the Dragon (Breathmarked #1) by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 352 pages
Author: Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy duology based on characters and teachings created by Bruce Lee!

Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s Tournament, held every six years to entrust the magical Scroll of Earth to a new protector. Eager to prove his skills, Jun hopes that a win will restore his father’s honor—righting a horrible mistake that caused their banishment from his home, mother, and twin brother.

But Jun’s father strictly forbids him from participating. There is no future in honing his skills as a warrior, especially considering Jun is not breathmarked, born with a patch of dragon scales and blessed with special abilities like his twin. Determined to be the next Guardian, Jun stows away in the wagon of Chang and his daughter, Ren, performers on their way to the capital where the tournament will take place.

As Jun competes, he quickly realizes he may be fighting for not just a better life, but the fate of the country itself.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Wednesday books for the gifted audiobook.

GREAT AUDIOBOOK.

I am a major Fonda Lee fan (have you read Jade City yet? BECAUSE YOU SHOULD). Any who, I knew I needed my hands on this book and it was great. If you enjoy high action and low romance fantasy reads, this is a solid pick. I will definitely be picking up the next book.

I loved Jun as the MC. He’s scrappy and a bit naive, but works hard to make a name for himself. The competition Jun finds himself in is intense and gritty. I liked that it didn’t take up the entire book and that there was a lot more politicking and nuanced world building happening in the background. I liked the magic system and dragon scale concept and the unique abilities that were brought about by being breathmarked.

Some of the twists feel a little predictable and I wouldn’t say that was a big issue, but I could ultimately see from the beginning where things were moving towards. The audiobook had a fantastic narrator though and it was a nice switch up to go with something less romantic than my usual fair.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: murder, loss of loved ones, blood/gore depiction

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ARC/ALC Book Review: The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats #1) by Mary E. Pearson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Flatiron
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance.

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.

Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

Thank you to Flatiron for the gifted ARC and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

LOTS OF THOUGHTS.

Alright, y’all know this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024 and I thought it delivered in the end. I do tend to have a hard time with an urban-ish setting where the characters kind of flip back and forth between fae/human lands. I thought enough time was spent in the fae lands that I was able to enjoy the fantasy world.

I loved that it was multiple POV. I love having views from all the characters. And with shorter chapters the pace was moving well and I was getting every angle of the story I needed to see the big picture.

The world building was perfectly fine and I love books with fae so no issues at all for me there. I thought Bristol was a FMC I could get behind and I think her potential is brewing and I liked the growth and strength throughout this book. There were some good reveals that you could see coming but enjoyed all the same with the dramatic fall outs.

I also loved the romance. It was a slow burn where the characters actually got to know each other and gave good push and pull with banter and heated moments. This is OPEN DOOR for anyone who has read her previous series. It’s vague though (my preference) and didn’t overwhelm the plot.

The audiobook was amazing. I listened and read my copy and loved the experience. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job for reading all of the POV’s and creating distinct voices.

I’m just a huge fan of MEP and I loved being immersed in her writing and world again. I can’t wait to see what happens in book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: 3+ vague open door
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: murder, loss of life, weapons violence

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