Tag: romantasy

ARC Book Review: To Dance with Death (The Edge of Glass #2) by Brittney Arena

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Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Brittney Arena
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: August 4th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the epic conclusion to the fantasy romance duology that began with A Dance of Lies, Vasalie must journey to the realms of the dead to restore the memories of her beloved prince and stop a mounting war.

Once a spy for the ruthless King Illian, Vasalie sacrificed herself to kill him and prevent a prophesied war. But Illian’s brother, Anton—the king she allied with and began to love—struck a deal with Moranya, the goddess of the underworld, to bring Vasalie back. The his compassion, his memories of her, and all the events of the past six weeks.

Now stripped of the truth, Anton believes his friends betrayed him and accepts Moranya’s offer to rule the kingdom of the dead. But with the kingdom he leaves behind on the brink of civil war, and her cruel father threatening to invade, Vasalie realizes only Anton can reunite a fractured realm.

To save her world and the man she was coming to love, Vasalie must journey to the underworld and reclaim him. But the Anton she finds is the worst version of the arrogant, debauched king she once thought he was. To restore him, she’ll have to restore his memories first… even if it means sacrificing her own heart.

Thank you to Del Rey for the eARC.

BEAUTIFUL CONCLUSION.

I just really love the way Brittney Arena writes. It’s delicate and raw and always brining these added touches that create an environment I can’t look away from. I was most attached to the themes and small moments I highlighted about life and loving someone at their best AND worst and how that can lead to a hopeful and peaceful life.

Vasalie exhibited the same strength from book one and took even further leaps to guide Anton back to her. I loved that their was still a lot of dancing content and friendly banter between Vasalie and Sundar. The halfway mark was a turning point that brought more of the plot lines moving and I loved the convergence.

I’m still smitten with Vasalie and Anton. I liked the banter and the somewhat reversed situation from the previous book. I have many moments playing through my mind on a loop that I just could not get enough of. Bring me the swoon and the yearning.

I would have loved a few more Anton chapters and I do think there was a small issue with the pacing.

Minor things that do not override how much I loved the journey. Brittney Arena has solidified herself as one of my favorite fantasy romance authors and I can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 1-2ish vague open door, emotional based
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2) by Olivia Rose Darling

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Olivia Rose Darling
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The second novel in Olivia Rose Darling’s thrilling and steamy romantic fantasy series, following Fear the Flames.

In the explosive sequel to the bestselling romantasy Fear the Flames, two fated lovers must unite against warring kingdoms to defend their home and crowns from those who wish to destroy them.

Cayden Veles, renowned Demon Commander of Vareveth, overthrew the throne to save Elowen Atarah, the woman he searched for since childhood. Now he’s determined to fulfill his quest for revenge against her father, even if it means forcing the only person he’s ever wanted into a marriage of political convenience.

Elowen Atarah has everything she thought she’d ever want. Finally reunited with her dragons, she now has an army to enact vengeance, but as events transpire, she begins contemplating if she wants more. As her father’s only living heir, the Imirath throne is her right and destiny. But fighting and winning a war will require trusting Cayden Veles, her partner in crime and now king to her queen; the man she both longs for and doubts, especially after opening her heart only to become a pawn in his game.

Navigating the shifting allegiances amongst all the kingdoms of Ravaryn will require all their strategy and strength, with devastating and bloody attacks on one side and cutthroat diplomacy for alliances on the other. But Elowen and Cayden must find a way to stand strong within the power they’ve gained, or risk losing everything.

Delving deeper into a vast and ever-changing world, Wrath of the Dragons will take you on a journey filled with epic battles and a tender, angsty love for the ages.

SO I LOVED THIS?

Note: I read the first book when it was indie and the Wrath audiobook mentioned that I should go back and read the traditional version of Fear the Flames first because of the changes. I didn’t do that and honestly had no issues. Any continuity questions didn’t bug me enough to go back. I rolled with it and it was still amazing.

I just LOOOOVE a man down bad so dang hard. Cayden can truly see nothing in front of him but Elowen and I love that for him. This was heavy on the romance side and I was cool with allllll of it. There was also an uptick in action and intrigue and all the things. And there were some swoooooony scenes.

NOT TO MENTION the audiobook is DUAL narration which is always the superior choice. It really made the book and you have to read it this way. I’m looking forward to the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4+ open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: A Promise so Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga #2) by Sophia St. Germain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 458 pages
Author: Sophia St. Germain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After saving her rebel friends on the final day of the election, Elessia is on the run.

But the danger is far from over.

As she fights her guilt for betraying Loche, the man she foolishly believed could mend her broken soul, and wrestles with the unexpected emotions stirring within her for Merrick, her fiercely loyal guard, Elessia learns of the rebel’s true plans—plans that threaten every loved one she’s left behind.

But it’s the even greater peril looming on the horizon—the one that could shatter the very foundations of their world—that forces her to decide whether she is willing to embrace her birthright to the Rantzier name and, with the help of Merrick and his band of unwilling warriors, lead the journey to unite the warring factions of Havlands before it’s too late…

Or before the Fae king and human regent find her.

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

This is definitely a hidden gem in the romantasy world. I love the way the love triangle has been working out and where things led to in this installment. I think that Elessia showed so more growth and I am continually enjoying seeing her journey. The action hits an uptick and the second half of this book really flew by.

I loved the addition of more characters and the complicated found family dynamics they created. The higher level of intensity is starting to set the scene for the next book. [So far] I have found the continuation just right, I’m still getting enough info about the world and magic while also loving on the romance. Elessia was a *touch* too oblivious for me in regard to the romance BUT Merrick? Hot dang I loved watching that man follow her around.

Very excited for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door (slow burn, concentrated at the end)
  • Violence: high

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ALC Book Review: A Forsaken Prophecy (The Artisan Trilogy #2) by Stacey McEwan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Stacey McEwan
Publisher: Simon Audio
Release Date: July 13th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a world of high-class magic and gangster grit, a star-crossed couple must decide where their loyalties lie in the sizzling romantasy follow-up to BookTok star Stacey McEwan’s New York Times bestseller A Forbidden Alchemy.

In Belavere Trench, the Artisans and the Craftsmen are at war. Patrick, the last Alchemist, and Nina, the world’s only known earth Charmer, have been captured by the Artisans, putting Patrick’s rebel union in a precarious position.

Though he hasn’t forgiven Nina her betrayals, Patrick has other things to worry about. He is finally reunited with his father, a prisoner of the Artisans, and the group lands a narrow escape only with the help of Nina’s first love, Theo. Decoding an ancient prophecy, they set off in search of an infinite supply of idium that will determine the course of the war, should it prove more than a myth. Fleeing across Craftsman towns on the brink, they will encounter old friends – and enemies – in search of answers.

Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

I LIKED IT.

But not as much as book one. Something was missing.

🎧: I do like that this book had three separate narrators. That helped with the POV switches. I thought they did a good job and I liked listening, easily recommend this format.

Alright, back to the book itself. I do really appreciate that this wasn’t a spice forward romance. There’s still a lot of tension and will they/won’t they slow burn that I liked seeing between Nina and Patrick. I did NOT love that the love triangle-ish?? was present from the first book. This kind of story doesn’t need it.

I thought most of the pacing and movement was fine. I don’t know if the addition of new POV’s or the mostly travel based plot caused the detriment, but alas, I was hoping for a bit more. There’s a lot of action and intensity that helped a lot too. Some good reveals and turns as well.

I’ll absolutely be reading the conclusion.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 1 open door
  • Violence: high

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