Tag: throne of glass

Book Review: A Queen Comes to Power (An Heir Comes to Rise #2) by C.C. Penaranda

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 535 pages
Author: C.C. Penaranda
Publisher: Lumarias Press
Release Date: August 1st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A DUTY…

Bound in service to the king within the city, Faythe grapples with morality to keep herself and her friends safe. Nik’s loyalty is tested as he struggles against his father’s cruel ways. When blood and duty divide the heart, can love conquer all?

AN ALLIANCE…

While the kingdoms prepare to unite, Faythe is forced to remain hidden in plain sight. But suspicions quickly arise with the mysterious fae general from an ally court. Getting close to Reylan could unravel truths she longed for, but trust is hard to gain and even harder to hold. When lurking evil threatens the alliance that keeps them all safe, Faythe may find herself on the side where danger meets desire in a force that could break past the guard on her heart.

A CHOICE…

For the threat of battle isn’t the only conflict to fear. Faythe can’t forget the deal she struck in the woods to save her friend’s life–and it’s time to fulfil. Finding the temple ruin leads them to harrowing discoveries within the castle…and something far more sinister than the war that lingers. It seems everyone will receive more than they bargained for. A history that haunts, truths that destroy, and a tangled destiny they didn’t expect.

When courts collide, blood may be spilled. But when destinies collide, blood may hold power.

GO READ THRONE OF GLASS.

I don’t feel good about continuing this series so I’m not. I think this is an icky line of plagiarism and I’m not cool with it whatsoever. I know books occasionally resemble others, it happens, but barely changing names and the plot doesn’t make a new book, it makes a copycat.

The writing is fine and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I think there’s a lot of potential for these characters if things weren’t this close to Throne of Glass. I would love to see them in a completely new setting with plot modifications.

I’m going to stop here because there isn’t much point of reviewing something I won’t be continuing. If you read this, read Throne of Glass first.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical violence, torture, kidnapping, loss of loved ones

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Book Review: An Heir Comes to Rise (An Heir Comes to Rise #1) by C.C. Penaranda

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 382 pages
Author: C.C. Penaranda
Publisher: Lumarias Press
Release Date: February 25th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A SWORD…
In the impoverished outer town of a kingdom where fae outrank humans, Faythe, an orphan with a talent for swordplay, knows the importance of keeping her head down around the fae patrol. She and best friend Jakon long for a better life, and her desire to swing her sword in combat may bring the purpose and coin she’s yearned for.

A DREAM…
When she draws the attention of royal guard Nik, she soon learns that her mortal nature isn’t the only reason to remain out of sight. Nik is a Nightwalker, a silent assassin of the mind with the power to enter others’ dreams, and whether she trusts him or not, he’s about to awaken abilities in Faythe that shouldn’t exist in a human. Nightmarish abilities. Deadly abilities. Abilities that will teach Faythe blood really does run thicker than water…and if she doesn’t trust in higher powers soon, blood will run indeed.

AN HEIR…
For this is no battle Faythe can fight with steel. Within the city walls, suspicions are arising, and here in the outer town she has deeper bonds to protect. It seems everyone will die with a dark secret to tell, but what if one unlikely human girl was born harboring the darkest secret of all…?

In a clash of steel, a mortal body may fall. But in a clash of dreams, a powerful heir may rise.

Fans of THRONE OF GLASS and RED QUEEN will enjoy this first instalment in a gripping new fantasy series that portrays the unbreakable strength of friendship, the struggle for honor, and the ache of sacrifice.

INTRIGUED.

I have found myself in an odd thought zone after this one. I was simultaneously disgruntled that there were a loooot of Throne of Glass similarities and delighted that it had many essences of my favorite series ever. A juxtaposition that ultimately worked out because I’ve already started reading book two.

I did enjoy the friendships and many of those dynamics. I love strong bonds like that because found family is always my jam. I’m curious how those will further change throughout the series.

The romance grew on me. I thought it could have used a bit more something but I liked Nik and all that he was able to teach and help Faythe with (I’m continually trying to remain vague to not spoil anything).

Plot was good too. A decent balance of slow and action fueled moments. Even some good twists that kept the pages turning. I am very much interested in continuing because I have some ideas for book two that I can’t wait to see how they play out.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: heated make-outs
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, imprisonment

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: September 2020

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I have big goals to hit 200 books this year.

Which may have lead to a wild amount of books read to make sure I’m on target. I hit 177 and 200 is in sight y’all.

Favorite reads: Blood & Honey, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, and the Wayfair Witches series

Least favorite: The Last House Guest, Bone Crier’s Moon, A Kingdom of Ash and Briars, and The Princess Will Save You

  • He Started It by Samantha Downing – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda – (☆☆)
  • Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove #2) by Shelby Mahurin – (☆☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • [ARC] Float Plan by Trish Doller – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Silent Kingdom by Rachel L. Schade – (☆☆☆)
  • Majesty (American Royals #2) by Katharine McGee – (☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle #1) by Rosaria Munda – (☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • Bone Crier’s Moon (Bone Grace #1) by Kathryn Purdie – (☆☆☆)
  • The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Bottling It (Wayfair Witches #1) by A.A. Albright – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Enemy (It Happened in Charleston #2) by Sarah Adams – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [Reread] Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake #1) by Victoria Schwab – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Kingdom of Ash and Briars (The Nissera Chronicles #1) by Hannah West – (☆☆)
  • Bricking It (Wayfair Witches #2) by A.A. Albright – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [Reread] Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] The Bitterwine Oath by Hannah West – (☆☆☆)
  • Room-maid by Sariah Wilson – (☆☆☆☆)
  • A Trick for a Treat (Wayfair Witches #3) by A.A. Albright – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Forgotten Kingdom (The Lost Queen Trilogy #2) by Signe Pike – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Princess Will Save You (Kingdoms of the Sand and Sky #1) by Sarah Henning – (☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Magic Study (Poison Study #2) Maria V. Snyder – (☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • Winging It (Wayfair Witches #4) by A.A. Albright – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Wrapping Up (Wayfair Witches #5) by A.A. Albright – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [Novella] Of Sun & Sandstorms (Swift Shadows #2.5) by M.L. Greye – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks – (☆☆☆☆)
  • A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet – (☆☆☆☆)

How was your reading this month? Any favorites? Did we read any of the same books? Lets talk in the comments!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Follow On Social Media

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Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

This was a fun topic this week! A little hard for me to think about, but when I considered how many photos of bookish boyfriends I could see, it became a whole lot easier.

Rhys – ACOTAR Series

Ohhhh yes. Can I please get selfies of Rhys all day long? I don’t think it’s too much to ask. [Which means this one could definitely apply to Cassian and Azriel too].

Thomas Cresswell – Stalking Jack the Ripper Series

Clearly, I mostly want pictures of my bookish boyfriends. AND WHO DOESN’T LOVE THOMAS CRESSWELL?

Calla – Wild Duology

Mostly because I know she’ll post pictures of Jonah (hello hot tub photo from Wild at Heart). But also because I would love to see all of Alaska photos!

Lara Jean – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series

Could you imagine all of the amazing baking photos there would be?! As a fellow baker I would love this (and ya know…pictures of Peter K.).

Shallan – The Stormlight Archive Series

She’s an AMAZING artist in this series and her “artwork” is even in the books! Definitely think her artwork on social media would be top notch.

Aelin – Throne of Glass Series

I know she’d post a lot of pictures of Rowan and I AM HERE FOR IT. I think I would follow just about anyone in this world. There’s so many great options.

Olivia Langley – Faking Under the Mistletoe

Olivia is someone you want to be friends with so easily. I adored her character and personality in this book and think she would be so fun to follow on social media. She’d keep things lively!

Grant and Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Okay, but honestly. Who doesn’t think it would be so cool to follow a President on social media?! And I don’t mean those that are ultimately managed by someone else, but an honest Instagram page from a President during these time periods. I found both of these books so fascinating.

Lou – Serpent & Dove

Yes please. I want to be this chicks best friend. I think we could bond over our love a pastries.

The entire crew of Squad 312 – The Aurora Cycle Series

I JUST LOVE THEM ALL. AND WANT THEM ALL. BUT ESPECIALLY KAL.

Who would you follow on social media? Anyone from my list on yours? Lets talk in the comments!

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