Tag: romantasy

Book Review: Lore of the Tides (Lore of the Wilds Duology #2) by Analeigh Sbrana

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 454 pages
Author: Analeigh Sbrana
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: July 8th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the author of Lore of the Wilds comes the exciting and passionate conclusion, as Lore navigates Fae magic amid looming dangers that threaten to destroy her world.

Lore Alemeyu wakes up to discover she’s on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Held prisoner and with no way to escape, she’s faced with a dire set of circumstances…

A crew that’s distrustful of Lore’s magic capabilities…

Her betrayal by a Fae she thought she could trust…

A dangerous quest for the sun book, which, if placed in the wrong hands, will make the Alytherian Fae even more powerful.

Lore must navigate threats on the ship and beyond, into the ocean’s magical and mysterious depths, in order to find the sun book herself and help free the humans. All the while, Lore can’t help but feel the intense pull of one Fae male who has been helping her all along. But is she willing to risk her human heart for creatures that have burned her in the past, and jeopardize her people’s future?

Thank you Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.

ONE GIANT SIDE QUEST.

I desperately wanted to love this more than book one but feel about the same for both books. What’s funny is the least frustrating piece of this was the love triangle. I actually didn’t mind it (did it go the way I want???? Well IYKYK) but I at least could see the thought process and enduring relationship between Lore and who she ends up with.

The book started off well but then when they went below the waves it began to feel like a side quest. As if the original plot line wasn’t strong enough to carry all of book two so adding in this tangent was supposed to fill in some gaps and all it did was add space for spicy scenes.

I did enjoy the audiobook a lot and there were some endearing scenes and moments. I would read another book by this author. I’m kind of hoping a fresh series will be the click for me.

Overall audience notes:

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

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Book Review: A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Compelling Fates Saga #1) by Sophia St. Germain

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 476 pages
Author: Sophia St. Germain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 3rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Half-Fae Elessia could have had everything.

Literally.

Since her magic allows her to compel anyone to do her bidding by merely looking into their eyes, the world was at her feet.

But after a tragic accident, she is thrown into the Fae king’s dungeons and forced to swear a blood oath to him, binding her to his service.

Five years later, she’s living amongst humans in Ellow and has created a life for herself—as much as she can with the king’s promise to call in his debt looming over her.

When he finally comes to collect, she is made to infiltrate the human elections to determine whether the current regent is involved in the strange things happening in the land of Fae.

With the promise of freedom from the king’s claws, Elessia is determined to see it through. Liberty is within reach as long as she can keep the lethal Fae guard watching over her from eliminating her before she unearths the information the king seeks.

But as she grows closer to the brooding human regent and secrets begin to unravel, Elessia realizes greater forces may be at play.

And she might stand before the choice between her own freedom and that of a nation.

WHAT A STUNNER.

I had such a great time with this book. I’m glad I was convinced to pick it up because I will absolutely be continuing the series. I appreciate a well executed slow burn and this one delivered. I love romantic plot lines like this one and I think it has been set up well for the series.

The FMC had a slow character arc brewing and I loved the beginning of her journey. I love that there was a training montage of sorts so we actually got to see her learn to defend her self rather than automatic greatness.

There were many subtle moments that I think will clue in as the series progresses so I’m very excited to see where that leads. Some of the plot points dragged a little bit for me but that was only a small issue for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content Warnings: torture, loss of life

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ARC Book Review: The Legacy of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #5) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 750 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A forgotten myth resurrected. A legacy to conquer them all.

Ophelia and Malakai have been ripped from their loved ones and are at the mercy of a vengeful god.

But they quickly discover that in order to uncover secrets buried among realms, that may be precisely where they need to be. Even if it jeopardizes all they have fought to become.

Meanwhile, their friends receive a surprise visit from a potential ally that spurs them to rekindle partnerships, deny the bounds of power, and push love to the brink of destruction.

With myths resurrected and the very fabric of Ambrisk at risk, can the warriors survive their final battle against the deities? Or are they fated to become the legends stories are written of?

Everything culminates in this high-stakes, realm-shattering conclusion to the Epic Romantic Fantasy series, the Curse of Ophelia. With a loveable found family, scorching slow burn romances, and inspiration from Greek mythology, this series introduces a universe full of twisted lore and ancient battles that is perfect for fans of Chloe C Penaranda, Sarah J Maas, and Melissa K Roehrich.

MADE IT.

I miss the era of longer series and I loved that this has five books (+ a novella) with so many characters to love and appreciate. Each book was genuinely solid. NP crafted an incredible world with an amazing magic system and storylines I was deeply attached to reading.

I won’t go into much detail here because I don’t want to lead into any spoilers. But I’ll be CLEAR, you should absolutely read this series. Especially if you’ve been chasing the high of Throne of Glass ever since you finished the series. It is in no way a copycat, it just has the vibes in all the best ways.

The length of this one got to me a little bit (which could have been a mood thing so take that with a grain of salt). Otherwise, I don’t have any complaints. I loved seeing where all of these pairs ended up, there were so many memorable, soul-binding scenes and the antagonist got their due. The roller coaster of emotions was stellar. I can’t wait to read NP’s next series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild – moderate
  • Romance: 4-5ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content notes: abuse (mental/emotional), loss of loved ones, mild blood/gore, torture, assault, PTSD

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ARC Book Review: Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy #1) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 576 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling romantasy series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards-a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.

Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape-for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.

In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world-and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?

Thank you to Del Rey and Elise Kova for a gifted ARC.

ELISE KOVA DOES NOT MISS.

Did you know, I have read all of Elise Kova’s books? I am a major fan girl and I have been so excited for this new series and it absolutely delivered. This was one of the COOLEST magic systems!!! I loved all of the tarot cards and majors and how they all wove into the world. The houses and academy were an intriguing aspect I look forward to seeing more of in book two.

AND THE ROMANCE? THIS IS HOW YOU DO ENEMIES TO LOVERS. I have been begging for an enemies book with actual enemies and BLESS. I GOT IT. The building tension between Clara and Kaelis was exquisite. Thank heavens for a true slow burn as swell.

One thing I love about EK books is never knowing who is going to make it out alive. The ruthlessness of her game creates such a harrowing dynamic as the pages turn. But alongside that I love the deep friendships that are built and the trust communicated between characters too. The ending will send you into the stratosphere because I am always here for a cliffhanger.

There’s just so many nuanced things I loved about this book y’all. It’s a great place to start for Elise Kova (BUT DON’T FORGET TO READ AIR AWAKENS TOO).

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance; 2-3 open door
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: loss of life, murder

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