Tag: new adult fantasy romance

Book Review: A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 710 pages
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Release Date: October 19th, 2021
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BOOK SUMMARY:

The Flesh and Fire series is set in the beloved Blood and Ash world.

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

WHY SO LONG.

After not loving the third book in the FBAA series, I decided to give this one a chance hoping it would reignite my love, but alas, that hope was dashed.

Why are these books so long?????? Take away 300 pages and then I would say we have a really great fantasy on our hands. Instead we get a lot of fluff + some info dumping chapters to round out a 700 page monster.

I did like Nyktos. He’s the saving grace. I liked his personality and how sweet he was on Sera. There quiet moments together when they got to talking were tender and I love how both of them began opening up to each other. Sera was a copycat of Poppy. Apparently that was on purpose? At least she asked a lot less questions. I definitely liked her more than Poppy. There was too much steam for me personally. Some scenes furthered the connection and plot, others just seemed there to add in another few pages.

The info dumping did add more to this world and I got a better understanding of the things I learned from TCoGB. I’m still on the fence about continuing this story. We’ll see.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: war and battle themes, weapons violence, magic violence
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, torture (whipping), loss of loved ones

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ARC Book Review: A Hunt of Shadows (A Trial of Sorcerers #2) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 382 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The second book in A Trial of Sorcerers is filled with forbidden magic, shadowy intrigue, heart-pounding action, and slow-burn romance.

Eira is now a champion of the Solaris Empire. She’s off to a land she’s only dreamed about. But a nightmare awaits her.

Her sworn enemy has escaped. His allies are powerful and deadly. And Eira finds herself tangled in the dangerous web of the undercity of Risen where the mysterious Court of Shadows and lethal Pillars battle for the fate of the kingdom.

But vengeance has a price. When Eira is captured by her enemies, it’s not only her life, but the lives of her friends, and the man she loves most, at stake. The woman she was won’t be enough to turn the tides churning against her from long before she was born. She’ll have to become something more. She’ll have to love deeper and fight fiercer than ever before.

The only way to kill a legendary champion, will be to become one herself.

Experience Eira’s adventure in the A Trial of Sorcerers series by USA Today bestselling author Elise Kova today, for readers who enjoy young adult, epic fantasy, filled with sorcery, deep friendships, forbidden romance, and tales of faraway lands.

A Hunt of Shadows takes place after the events of A Trial of Sorcerers. Readers should begin with A Trial of Sorcerers before reading A Hunt of Shadows.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A JOURNEY.

Kova really likes to hit you with the punches in the end ya know? My heart is hurting after that ending. I knew something was coming and now I have to contend with waiting until next year for more answers for my love birds! THE AUDACITY.

I loved the journey Eira went on as a character. Heck bent on revenge at the beginning she learns over time to open up and rely on others. I liked her acknowledgement of her faults and the way she unfurled as a force to content with. I adored all of her friendships. I love a strong friend group and even the more salty characters are charming and perfectly placed.

The plot slowed in the middle with all of the Court of Shadows talk. It took up a lot of space and dragged for a bit. That was my only major complaint. I think a little more build up in the romance before things got heated would have been nice too. But that made more sense with the ending and subsequent plot lines so I’ll let that one slide.

I absolutely hate all of these villains. Yet I love that I hate them. The writing here is amazing at really building up that awfulness and dread every time The Pillars come into play. They’re terrific antagonists and I can’t wait for the ultimate takedown.

This series is full of action and heart. Romance and friendships. Twists and turns and the cliffhangers I have come to expect. I love this universe and can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: mild gore/blood
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual harassment, torture, fire explosions resulting in loss of life, kidnapping

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Book Review: The Inadequate Heir (The Bridge Kingdom #3) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: New Adult Fantasy Romance
Length: 625 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: November 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Return to the world of The Bridge Kingdom in this sensuous fantasy full of romance and intrigue that is perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Silver Flames.

A soldier raised as heir to an empire, Zarrah is motivated by two truths. The first is that the Veliant family murdered her mother. And the second is that her pursuit of vengeance will put every last one of them in their graves.

The Endless War between Maridrina and Valcotta has raged for generations, leaving thousands of Zarrah’s people dead and countless more orphaned. So when she’s given command of the contested city of Nerastis, Zarrah is prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy the Maridrinian forces who oppose her. And to kill the Veliant prince who leads them.

Yet a chance encounter with an anonymous, and handsome, Maridrinian causes Zarrah to question whether the violence she’s perpetrated is justice or a crime. And as she continues to meet the nameless man each night, she finds common ground – and fiery passion – in his arms.

But when identities are revealed, Zarrah must decide whether to embrace a chance at peace…or march to the drums of war.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING.

I know my review won’t fully encapsulate how much I loved, LOVED this forbidden fantasy romance. I’ll just say it again, READ THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SERIES.

Keris is my new man. Holy wow did I love him (and who would think I’d love a blonde man? lololol). I loved his tenacity and absolute unbending will to do anything he needed to in order to protect Zarrah. But never fear, Zarrah is an amazing heroine in her own right who takes down the forces around her with some killer moves. I LOVE THESE TWO. TIH was about double the length of TBK/TTQ which means we got a whooooole lot more. I love that there was more depth, more nuances, further understanding of choices and the world. IT’S ALL HERE.

I would completely forget that this actually covers the entire TTQ timeline. I was wrapped up in what felt like a new story. I love that it all was fresh and even when there were some moments of cross over I was over the top anxious wondering what was going to happen next.

AND THE VILLAINS. There’s top notch ones running around this story. Another was added that made me want to throw them across a room. THE BETRAYAL. THE ENDING. MY HEART HURTS. I thought I was emotionally prepared, but alas, DLJ knows how to rip my heart out and beg for the next book.

Needless to say, YOU MUST READ THIS.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: murder, torture, executions, physical altercations, weaponry, many near death experiences

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Book Review: Knight (Fae Games #2) by Karen Lynch

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Urban Fantasy + Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Karen Lynch
Publisher: Tempest Press
Release Date: January 5th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Jesse risked everything to bring her mother and father home, but her life is far from back to normal. With her parents’ memories of their abduction gone, Jesse is no closer to finding answers, and the threat still looms over her family.

When the Agency announces that a powerful Fae artifact is missing, Jesse suspects it’s connected to her parents’ disappearance. Until the artifact is found, her family will never be safe. This job might be more than she can handle alone, but is she willing to accept help from the people who betrayed her, from the one person she is trying hard to forget?

The only thing Jesse knows for sure is that the game is not over. The rules have changed, there are dangerous new players on the board, and the stakes are higher than ever. She’s always been smart and resourceful, but it might take the goddess herself to save Jesse from what comes next.

THAT ENDING THOUGH.

This series has been so good so far. Exactly what I needed. New adult urban fantasy with all the faes I could want. These books are hard to put down.

Jesse is still the same character as before. I thought she grew even more here with all of the things thrown at her this round. She’s gotta be one of my new fav heroines. I love her inner dialogue and witty banter. How passionate she is about caring for her family and taking care of business.

I neeeeed more Lukas though. That’s my only minor complaint. I want more of this fae prince and I want it now. The romance could be built up a little bit more. Things amped up a bit between the two but I wholly expect that to change in the last book (hopefully).

I liked the narrative here and where the story went. The plot flows pretty seamlessly through bounty catches, espionage and recoveries. The ending definitely dropped some huge information and I must know how that plays out in the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Urban Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: kidnapping, murder, physical and magical altercations, blood depiction

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