Tag: young adult fantasy

Book Review: A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Gothic Fantasy Romance
Length: 378 pages
Author: Ava Reid
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 19th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.

But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

ENJOYABLY DARK.

I didn’t know quite what to expect when I picked this up but I’m very glad I did! It ended up being a great dark academia read and the romance had me pretty smitten.

I loved the themes of being a survivor and the ups and downs that that journey can take you on. Things are never linear and this was a good example of those struggles. I appreciated seeing Effy find healing and love and someone to trust in her life that truly believed her. The romance was a slow sub-plot with a rivals atmosphere that I couldn’t get enough of.

The fae aspects were intriguing to me. I love seeing how different authors portray them in books. This was a twisted and haunting version that left me begging for answers until the final conclusion.

A really solid read and one I would not hesitate to recommend for the fall season!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Dark Academia
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one brief open; low explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: grooming by a teacher, sexual abuse (very little detail)

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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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Book Review: Blade Breaker (Realm Breaker #2) by Victoria Aveyard

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 578 pages
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 28th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fate of the world rests on a blade’s edge.

Fighting beside her band of unlikely companions, Corayne is learning to embrace her ancient lineage and wield her father’s powerful sword.

But while she successfully closed one of the Spindles, her journey is far from over.

Queen Erida’s army marches across Allward with her consort, Taristan, right beside them, opening more portals into nightmarish worlds, razing kingdoms to the ground.

Corayne has no choice but to assemble an army of her own if she’s to save the realm as she knows it. But perilous lands await her and the companions, and they face assassins, otherworldly beasts, and tempestuous seas all as they rally a divided Ward to fight behind them.

But Taristan has unleashed an evil far more wicked than his corpse armies. Something deadly waits in the shadows; something that might consume the world before there’s any hope for victory.

WHO KNEW.

I’m here with another five star read for this series and I’m as surprised as you are. I have been really loving the audiobooks and the whole way this world is set-up. It’s complicated and intricate and I love that we got to explore the world a lot more in the second book.

NOT TO MENTION. This series currently has me cheering on the villains and I don’t know what to do with that information. I’m kick your feet in the air giddy whenever Taristan is on page. LIKE HOW. It’s fine. I’m here for it. Though I’m also so very curious how that plot line will work out in the finale.

This is the kind of epic fantasy I really enjoy and I also appreciate that it is a true young adult book too. There’s twists and big action scenes. Quiet moments and political intrigue. It’s been great, can’t wait for more!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door (between a married couple)
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, mass murder and war themes

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: October 2024

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I just want cooler weather.

Favorites this month:

  • Silver and Bone
  • Goodbye Again
  • Holiday Tides
  • Across the Ages
  • The Twisted Throne
  • A Tale Told by Traitors
  • Home Run Heart
  • A Queen of Ice

Least favorites

  • Kiss Me at Christmas
  • Blood of the Sands
  • All I Want Is You
  • [ARC] The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke
  • [ARC/ALC] The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan
  • [ARC] Silver and Bone (Silver and Bone #1) by Claudia Cain
  • A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
  • The House at Watch Hill (Watch Hill Trilogy #1) by Karen Marie Moning
  • Goodbye Again by Caitlin Moss
  • [ARC/Novella] Holiday Tides (A Wilks Beach Holiday Novella) by Laura Langa
  • [ARC] The Gentleman’s Confession (Matchmaking Mamas #3) by Anneka R. Walker
  • The Dagger and the Flame (The City of Fantome #1) by Catherine Doyle
  • Vilest Things (Flesh and False Gods #2) by Chloe Gong
  • Across the Ages (Timeless #4) by Gabrielle Meyer
  • One on One by Jamie Harrow
  • Tell Me You Love Me (The Boys of Riverside #4) by Gracie Graham
  • The Twisted Throne (The Bridge Kingdom #5) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew
  • The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
  • [Novella] Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
  • [ARC] A Tale Told by Traitors (Tales of Wonder and Woe #2) by R. Dugan
  • [ARC] Home Run Heart (Kitt’s Harbor #2) by Hailey Gardiner
  • For She is Wrath by Emily Varga
  • We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey
  • Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
  • Blood of the Sands (The Ballan Desert #1) by S.C. Grayson
  • The Secret of the Book Keeper (The Secret of the Book Keeper #1) by J.A. Hemingway
  • Miss Adeline’s Match by Joanna Barker
  • Wanted: A Roommate Who Isn’t Evil (High Court of the Coffee Bean #3) by Jennifer Kropf
  • All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard
  • Season’s Schemings (Cyclones Christmas #2) by Katie Bailey
  • Fighting for You (Veterans of Silver Ridge #4) by Claire Cain
  • [ARC] Spectacular (Caraval #3.5) by Stephanie Garber
  • Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo
  • Not a Thing (Seddledown #2) by Susan Henshaw
  • The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain
  • [ARC] A Queen of Ice (A Trial of Sorcerers #5) by Elise Kova
  • Inheritance of Scars by Crystal Seitz

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