Tag: young adult fantasy romance

ARC/ALC Book Review: A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA FantasyRomance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: June 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

Truyan Saigas didn’t choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father’s disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms.

Thank you to PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook and Get Underlined for the final copy.

ANOTHER GEM.

I really liked this book!! And the audiobook was such a great listen. This had some beauty and the beast vibes I was all over. Add in some dragons and this was a winner.

I loved that this had three sisters who all loved and supported each other. The bonded family dynamic was powerful and a theme I appreciated throughout. It’s beautifully written and brought to life all of the nuanced layers of the story. I loved all of the mythical creatures + creatures of the deep. The world is gorgeous.

I loved Truyan. She’s a strong and loyal FMC who continually made me want to cheer her on. I loved her character arc and journey. And y’all know I LOVE a marriage of convenience. Tru and Elang had some good banter and there were a lot of sweet moments too. I found myself with the feels at those closing scenes!! Thank heavens for great epilogues.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Disciples of Chaos (Seven Faceless Saints #2) by M.K. Lobb

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: M.K. Lobb
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Release Date: February 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this thrilling sequel to Seven Faceless Saints, Roz and Damian must tackle the ongoing war between Ombrazia and Brechaat while coming head-to-head with the destruction that comes with the seventh saint, Chaos–perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.

 Damian Venturi isn’t aware of it yet. But as small shifts start to crack the foundations of the Ombrazian power structure after the Rebellion’s attack, cracks are beginning to show in Damian’s own facade. Uncontrollable anger is bubbling to the surface and can’t always be pushed down. Can he keep everyone safe, even from himself?

 Rossana Lacertosa should feel victorious. She accomplished everything she set out to do, and more. The Rebellion’s attack set countless prisoners free and brought attention to the unfairness in the Palazzo’s structure. And Damian is back by her side where he belongs. Yet the war with Brechaat rages on and government officials are hellbent on keeping the status quo.

 Then an Ombrazian general arrives from the front lines, and orders dozens of arrests, shipping Roz and Damian’s friends up north. Determined to free those who matter most, Roz and Damian set their sights on Brechaat. But on their journey to hell on earth, Roz will need to face the fact that Damian is not just shifting further from the boy she used to know, but down a dark path into chaos.

 The complications of love, magic, faith, and war will keep readers eagerly turning the pages as they head towards the gripping conclusion in the Seven Faceless Saints duology.

I LIKED IT.

I thought this was a good conclusion. I didn’t have any over hyped expectations or anything. I was just looking for a young adult fantasy to listen to and this did the job.

I always love meddling gods and while this had some predictable turns, I still liked the story. The romance played out differently than the usual though and I liked seeing Damian and Rossana work together. There’s a great plot with small parts playing into the story from multiple angles. Some good cross roads and growth and I liked the side characters too.

I felt like this wrapped things up well, but maybe there’s more? I’m not sure, I thought this concluded things and left it at a good spot.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: heated make-outs
  • Violence: moderate-high

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Book Review: Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 482 pages
Author: RM Gray
Publisher: Merlin’s Pen Publishing
Release Date: October 13th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Violet Oberon had never stepped foot on land.

Six hundred years after the Nightweavers claimed human lands for their own, the ocean is a haven for seventeen-year-old Violet and her family. Notorious pirates of the Western Sea, the Oberon clan are undefeated in battle—until an Underling murders Violet’s brother, and she discovers there are monsters more fearsome than the Nightweavers that have taken them captive.

When the son of a wealthy Nightweaver shows Violet and her family mercy, offering employment at his estate rather than enslavement, Violet vows not to forget that he is everything she hates. But as she adjusts to her new role as a kitchen maid at Bludgrave Manor, she finds that hatred is a curious thing. Arrogant, entitled, right hand to the wicked prince, William Castor might be the key to avenging her brother-and reclaiming her freedom.

But mercy always comes with a price. As Violet hunts the Underling responsible for her brother’s death, dark secrets threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew about the Nightweavers, herself, and her world. Torn between family loyalty and a chance at revenge, the cost of learning the truth about her brother’s murder could be her life.

STARTED STRONG.

I genuinely went in with the best of hopes for this one. And the first 40% were solid. I was intrigued by the magic system and world and all things pirates. A burgeoning romance was upon the pages and things seem settled for an amazing read.

And then I thought some aspects went downhill. The rest of the book was in one location and I needed more movement. There was also a lot of world building and magic explanations that felt info-dumping because we didn’t really see those in action. Having the book only in one place stopped a lot of expansion opportunities.

Then we had the love interest disappear for a bit on his own adventure which left the progress there become stagnant. I still don’t know if I like them together honestly. It does appear there will be a second book? I don’t have plans to pick it up though.

The last 25%ish picked up with some good twists and reveals. The villain monologues went on a bit but I was surprised by some scenes. I think I’m most obsessed with Captain Shade who absolutely needs his own POV.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Creatures of Chaos (Creatures of Chaos #1) by Julie Hall

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 445 pages
Author: Julie Hall
Publisher: Julie Hall LLC
Release Date: October 29th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for fans of forbidden love, high-stakes games, and everything supernatural. Creatures of Chaos is a fast-paced YA urban fantasy series that’s being called The Serpent and the Wings of Night meets Crave.

Chaos, the vicious supernatural competition where heroes are born and riches are won.

To most, it’s just an urban legend whispered in the darkest shadows, but that all changes when my best friend drags me into a savage world where vampires, shifters, and fae compete for glory and fame.

As a creature without magic, I’d be a fool to enter Chaos, but the prize—a dagger of untold power—could change my powerless existence. With that dagger, I could wield magic, earn respect, and maybe, just maybe, win the heart of the dragon heir… it’s a risk I have to take.

Now, I’m pitted against beasts in a ruthless battle with no powers, no plan, and an infuriatingly attractive ally who’s just as likely to slit my neck as save it. Every round of Chaos leads me closer to seizing my deepest desires or losing everything.

In Chaos, survival is the only rule. And winning is all that matters.

Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Julie Hall for the gifted copy.

AN AUSPICIOUS START.

I haven’t read a fantasy in about a week (which is a long time for me okay?) and this reminded me that I need to deep dive right back in. I loved all of the different creatures and shifters and look forward to seeing further explorations of everyone’s powers and how they work in the world.

The games really did bring the chaos and I loved the added elements of the different activities and surprises that were involved. The love triangle had my attention and I am hopeful about the direction for future books. What’s also nice about this book is that is YA. And it stays too that. The language level and romantic aspects are low while still bringing plenty of swoon and heated moments.

There were other tropes woven in that I loved seeing (aka found family). The early beginnings of those strong bonds that will carry through the series are some of my favorite. I liked the high action and intrigue, deadly trials and a FMC who is tough beyond doubt. OKAY AND I would also love to give a quick nod to the fact that Locklyn has supportive and “normal” parents because I don’t think those kind of family dynamics are seen enough in books.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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