Book Review: A Trial of Sorcerers (A Trial of Sorcerers #1) by Elise Kova

January 17, 2022 GoodeyReads5 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: NA Fantasy
Length: 355 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ice is in her blood.

Eighteen-year-old Waterrunner Eira Landan lives her life in the shadows — the shadow of her older brother, of her magic’s whispers, and of the person she accidentally killed. She’s the most unwanted apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers until the day she decides to step out and compete for a spot in the Tournament of Five Kingdoms.

Pitted against the best sorcerers in the Empire, Eira fights to be one of four champions. Excelling in the trials has its rewards. She’s invited to the royal court with the “Prince of the Tower,” discovers her rare talent for forbidden magic, and at midnight, Eira meets with a handsome elfin ambassador.

But, Eira soon learns, no reward is without risk. As she comes into the spotlight, so too do the skeletons of a past she hadn’t even realized was haunting her.

Eira went into the trials ready for a fight. Ready to win. She wasn’t ready for what it would cost her. No one expected the candidates might not make it out with their lives.

This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

WELCOME BACK TO SOLARIS.

Ahhhhh I’m so happy I loved this one. I LOVE AIR AWAKENS WITH MY WHOLE BOOKISH SOUL. And when the Vortex Chronicles let me down I didn’t know what to expect with A Trial of Sorcerers. Thank heavens it was a HIT.

I felt a reawakening of my love for Kova’s writing and expert slow burn and torturous romance scenarios. I loved Eira. I loved how much she learned to believe in herself and stand up on her own. I also felt like there were some nods to Elsa from Frozen. I love a bad-a ice queen so no complaints here. It was delightful.

Completely tortured by a love triangle where I just KNEW what was going to happen and wasn’t surprised (but not in a bad way) when things unfolded as they did. I honestly would have been upset otherwise. I can’t wait for more of Cullen. ALL THE CULLEN.

The plot is intricate and I’m amazed how easily another story in this universe has been unwoven. I think it’s going to be another great series ahead and I am anxious for book two.

Overall audience notes:

NA Fantasy + Romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Violence: physical and magical altercations
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one (on page), near death experiences

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Book Review: Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

January 15, 2022November 1, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA/NA Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: March 26th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

ROTH FOREVER.

I’m glad this book redeemed the series after that doozy of a second. I liked this conclusion and felt like it wrapped up everything it needed to for this story. The wrap up was really quick, buuut at least it all worked out.

I get the book boyfriend hype for Roth. I adored him myself. He’s the best part of this series. I love the dark, brooding type who is passionate about the one thing he truly loves (aka Layla). There were many great moments between them and I was smitten up and down the block.

The middle of the book is wrapped up in the romance. Which is fine. I just wish more of the plot was intertwined. Like I mentioned earlier, the Lilin/Lilith plot line is pushed to the last hundred pages and left me wishing it played a bigger role.

A good backlist series to read if you’re up for an urban fantasy romance adventure. This book had a lot of great elements and I loved the audio books!

Overall audience notes:

YA/NA Urban Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: multiple brief open door
Violence: murder, attempted murder, physical and magical altercations; blood depiction

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Book Review: Gild (The Plated Prisoner #1) by Raven Kennedy

January 8, 2022October 23, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 375 pages
Author: Raven Kennedy
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: October 16th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fae abandoned this world to us. And the ones with power rule.

Gold.

Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.

Even me.

King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe.

Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.

Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.

Because these bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I’d never left.

The myth of King Midas reimagined. This compelling adult fantasy series is as addictive as it is unexpected. With romance, intrigue, and danger, the gilded world of Orea will grip you from the very first page.

Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and rape. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.

I READ IT.

I feel that’s a pretty good accomplishment after it took me three tries to get here.

First and foremost: skip the first chapter. It’s not of use to the story and really turned me off. So much so it took a few friends to say consider giving it one more try. I can say I’m not upset I read it and truly do want to read book two, so that’s saying something!

I liked Auren. Not the strongest main character but there’s a lot of potential there. As the book progressed you could really see her slowly move towards independent thought and unravelling her old notions. I think Auren will only grow from here.

There is absolutely zero world building until about 80%. That’s when I FINALLY got a small glimpse of the world at large. Does it really explain the magic system? Nope. Still not sure about that one. At least the world is a touch clearer. I liked defined ideas and space in fantasies and that was missing here.

Not really any romance in this book. It’s a lot more like Stockholm syndrome. I think that’s played a big part into Auren’s character and the dynamic between her and King Midas. I like that I see potential. The ending added enough oopmh that I’m excited to see what book two holds.

Overall audience notes:

Adult fantasy romance
Language: strong and derogatory (a lot of the use of the word c**t)
Romance: open door
Trigger/Content Warnings: on page violent rape (occurs to side character), sexual assault, murder, blood depiction

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Book Review: Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

November 28, 2021October 23, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: March 26th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to her mysterious power of a soul-stealing kiss. Suddenly, the Warden clan that has always protected her is keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the forbidden demon prince who understood her in ways no one else ever could.

Rock bottom is only the beginning once Layla’s powers finally start to evolve. She’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden, finally getting what she has always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count piling up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing or able to pay.

LOVE TRIANGLE WOES.

I’m enjoying this series. I am, but gosh dang it, book two syndrome alive and well today.

All because of an unnecessary love triangle between Zayne and Roth. WE ALL KNOW IT’S ROTH Y’ALL. HE IS ENDGAME.

The plot was pretty much tossed aside until the very end for the romantic dilemma. Luckily the audio book is really great and it feels like an easy listen. I loooove all of the Roth moments and totally get why he’s hyped everywhere. He’s probably the best character of this series. I’ll stand by that statement.

Learning more about Layla and her powers was nice. Like I said, just wish there were more of this continuation. The ending dropped a few surprised and I’m excited to read the last book, but was mostly disappointed in this one.

Overall audience notes: