Book Review: Chain of Iron (The Last Hours #2) by Cassandra Clare

November 26, 2021March 13, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: YA Urban / Historical Fantasy
Length: 592 pages
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: March 2nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.

Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.

BUT WHY.

I kept hearing about this *emotional ending*. I imaginged something catastrophic happening, tears being shed, etc. All I actually felt was RAGE. I know and expect a cliffhanger in Shadowhunter books. It’s fine, but sometimes they don’t match up well for me. This one seemed like it’s going to cause a lot more damage and I am not okay.

COI took a long time to pick up. It was hundreds of pages before I felt really connected to the story. Even with loving a character driven novel, I guess with some many switches between POVs I wasn’t feeling attached to anyone until later down the line.

Granted, once things got going, they got moving quickly. I really liked the second half. And I especially appreciate that this feels like more of a fresh take in the Shadowhunter world. It’s no secret that I’m slowly fading out of wanting to read this series. It’s a lot of books in one world, ya know?

For now, I’m continuing on. Definitely invested enough to read book three and see what happens next. There’s many ships I’m hoping set sail (or for that matter, REMAIN SAILING). I do adore this cast and the whole group of Merry Thieves.

Overall audience notes:

YA Urban / Historical fiction Fantasy
Language: very little
Romance: kisses to closed door scenes
Violence: battles, demonic attacks, weaponry
Trigger/Content Warnings: alcohlism

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Book Review: White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

November 7, 2021October 17, 2021 GoodeyReads1 Comment

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

BOOK SUMMARY:

Layla just wants to fit in at school and go on a date with Zayne, whom she’s crushed on since forever. Trouble is, Zayne treats Layla like a sister–and Layla is a half demon, half gargoyle with abilities no one else possesses. And even though Zayne is a Warden, part of the race of gargoyles tasked with keeping humanity safe, Layla’s kiss will kill anything with a soul–including him.

Then she meets Roth–a demon who claims to know her secrets. Though Layla knows she should stay away, it’s tough when that whole no-kissing thing isn’t an issue. Trusting Roth could ruin her chances with Zayne, but as Layla discovers she’s the reason for a violent demon uprising, kissing the enemy suddenly pales in comparison to the looming end of the world.

ROTH.

There’s your takeaway.

I see why everyone loves him. He is flying up my list of book boyfriends as well, so hopefully this all turns out well by book three.

Also, incredibly happy I enjoyed this because JLA books are super hit/miss for me. This was a hit. I’m ready for more. Writing this review is making me want to download book two, ASAP. I’ll probably have that review out soon too.

This was an urban fantasy that worked really well. Sometimes I have a difficult time suspending reality for an urban read. This didn’t happen here and I LOVE that. The pace was steady and full of just enough action. Combined with quiet moments and getting to know one another. It was fantastic. I found myself continuously wanting to pick this up to continue. I definitely think the wonderful narrator was to blame too, they did a fantastic job and I’d recommend the audio all day.

Things exploded at the end and many reveals were tossed out. I look forward to seeing the exploration of these plot lines and how they come back together. I heard a love triangle brews too? I’ll probably have some thoughts on that soon as well. I’m already fully for Roth and this backlist JLA is charming my soul.

Overall audience notes:

YA Urban Fantasy
Language: little
Romance: one brief open scene
Violence: physical and magical altercations

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Book Review: Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee

September 16, 2021July 29, 2021 GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 590 pages
Author: Fonda Lee
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: July 23rd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In Jade War, the sequel to the World Fantasy Award-winning novel Jade City, the Kaul siblings battle rival clans for honor and control over an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.

On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.

Beyond Kekon’s borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon’s most prized resource, could make them rich – or give them the edge they’d need to topple their rivals.

Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival – and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.

Jade War is the second book of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.

OOHHHHHHMYGOOOOOODNESS.

Wow. I’ve been saying it all week since I finished this one, don’t sleep on this series!!! It’s absolutely incredible. An Asian dark urban fantasy that will have you desperately wanting to be part of the No Peak clan, and begging to the universe they actually don’t know who you are.

I love all of these characters. I am attached and will harm others if they are harmed. Too bad the author is a kill whatever character I want type. Cue extreme anxiety and Pikachu face the entire time I’m reading hoping my loves aren’t taken out. THE STRESS Y’ALL. I almost lost it at the end because I LOOOVE that the writing keeps me wondering who’s going to make it out alive.

All of the political intrigue and family drama are on point. It doesn’t feel over run to the story and works for everyone involved. I liked getting location changes to other areas of the world and seeing how those are affecting Kekan. There’s just so much here!!! Too much to say. I am wrapped up in this series and anxious for the last one.

As a romance lover, I like the addition of the small passion filled storylines throughout. While some are heartbreaking (and I do mean my soul shattered) and others are a bit more healing, they only add to the larger plot. I love when all of the strings weave well within each chapter.

Overall audience notes:

Dark Urban Adult Fantasy
Language: some strong
Romance: kisses to brief open door scenes
Trigger/Content Warnings: abortion, loss of loved ones, explosions, brutal torture, gruesome violence and gore, homophobia, ableism

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Book Review: The PAN (The PAN #1) by Jenny Hickman

September 10, 2021January 12, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: NA Urban Fantasy Romance / Retelling
Length: 414 pages
Author: Jenny Hickman
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Release Date: October 14th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since her parents were killed, Vivienne has always felt ungrounded, shuffled through the foster care system. Just when liberation finally seems possible—days before her eighteenth birthday—Vivienne is hospitalized with symptoms no one can explain.

The doctors may be puzzled, but Deacon, her mysterious new friend, claims she has an active Nevergene. His far-fetched diagnosis comes with a warning: she is about to become an involuntary test subject for Humanitarian Organization for Order and Knowledge—or HOOK. Vivienne can either escape to Neverland’s Kensington Academy and learn to fly (Did he really just say fly?) or risk sticking around to become a human lab rat. But accepting a place among The PAN means Vivienne must abandon her life and foster family to safeguard their secrets and hide in Neverland’s shadows… forever.

WHO KNEW.

Who knew that I would read a book that’s a retelling of Peter Pan and enjoy it? Nay, really enjoy it? NOT ME. [I’ve never been a fan of Peter Pan]

This had the romance that I’m clearly always on the look out for. Deacon and Vivienne have this insta-ish, heated romance that I loved! This connection felt right and their banter and antics had me lovin’ every minute of it. I like how both of them have flaws and things to work on and you can see the character changes over time.

The world set up is a fun urban fantasy type. There’s only a touch of magic, but it works so well! I love the HOOK take and how the battle between the PAN and HOOK shake out. It’s very interesting and I’m curious how it will continue to go in the series. I like that I found out a lot, but that there’s still plenty more to deduce in book two!

It went back and forth between a bit of younger YA drama/immaturity to some older more mature YA vibes. I hope it continues to hang out in the mature area because that’s really working for the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Overall audience notes: