Tag: young adult fantasy

ALC Book Review: Masquerade of the Heart (Garden of the Cursed #2) by Katy Rose Pool

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Katy Rose Pool
Publisher: Holt Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs must deal with the aftermath of her fake romance with one of the most powerful nobles in the illustrious—and deadly—Evergarden society , all while uncovering the mystery behind her mother’s disappearance. T his edge-of-your-seat duology finale is perfect for fans of Veronica Mars , These Violent Delights, and Chain of Iron .

Caraza sits poised on the edge of chaos. Tensions rise between the Five Families and trouble brews in the Marshes—and Marlow is at the center of it all. In the tragic aftermath of the Vale-Falcrest wedding, Adrius refuses to speak to her, publicly vowing to find a wife before the year is out. Despite her heartbreak, Marlow is still intent on breaking his curse. To do so, she’ll have to play loving daughter to the man who cast it. But the closer she gets to her father, the more she starts to question if he’s really the villain she’s made him out to be.

Marlow has learned by now that in a city steeped in secrets and lies, not everything is as it seems. As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Marlow must decide who to trust—and how high a price she’s willing to pay for the truth.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

LOVED THIS CONCLUSION.

I enjoyed book one, and I loved this sequel even more. I loved the way the romantic tension was cranked up and the forbidden aspects had me in a chokehold. The audiobook was absolutely fantastic. There wasn’t two narrators for the dual POV but I feel like Jennifer Blom did a great job of distinguishing the different characters.

The card and curse system is really cool and I loved seeing deeper dynamics of the magic system and world. I loved the found family Marlow was a part of and the loyalty and love they showed each other. Adrius’s sister kind of drove me up a wall, but she was my only small issue. The other dramatic sub plots worked well for continuing the story at least.

I liked the way things wrapped up. This was the first series I’ve completed from Katy Rose Pool and now I’m officially a fan and look forward to future projects. MOTH was filled with a combination of upper young adult devices that I love and now it’s a completed duo so go read it!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate-high

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ARC Book Review: Of Jade and Dragons (Fall of the Dragon #1) by Amber Chen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Amber Chen
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Eighteen-year-old Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a world-class engineer like her father, but after his sudden murder, her life falls apart. Left with only a journal of her father’s engineering secrets and a jade pendant snatched from the assassin, a heartbroken Ying follows the trail to the capital and the prestigious Engineers Guild—a place that harbors her father’s hidden past—determined to discover why anyone would threaten a man who ultimately chose a quiet life over fame and fortune.

Disguised as her brother, Ying manages to infiltrate the guild’s male-only apprenticeship trial with the help of an unlikely ally—Aogiya Ye-yang, the taciturn eighth prince of the High Command. With her father’s renown placing a target firmly on her back, Ying must stay one step ahead of her fellow competitors, the jealous guild masters, and the killer still hunting for her father’s journal. Complicating everything is her increasingly tangled relationship with the prince, who may have mysterious plans of his own.

The secrets concealed within the guild can be as deadly as the weapons they build—and with her life and the future of her homeland at stake, Ying doesn’t know who to trust. Can she avenge her father even if it means going against everything he stood for, or will she be next in the mastermind’s line of fire?

Thank you to Penguin Teen for the free book.

THE ENDING BROUGHT IT.

I was minding my own business reading this book, enjoying it, thinking this would be a good four star and I’d be happy to pick up the next book. BUT THEN, I just absolutely loved that the last 25% took it to another level for me. This had the classic middle ground young adult vibes (and actually kept it that way with the content) that reminded me of all the things I love about young adult books.

I loved Ying. She was tenacious and full of heart. There were some Mulan nods alongside a fantasy woman in STEM and I loved the combination. The competition and guild trials were interesting and paced well. I loved that the progression of the story kept moving forward and had me glued to my book.

The slow burn romance made me FEEL by the end. And I am HERE FOR THE DRAMA of it all. I can’t wait to see how things shake out and where they go. I love that this ended on a cliffhanger that demanded my attention. I also really loved the friendship Ying had with a few of her fellow apprentices. It showcased a true boy / girl friendship (which I feel like we don’t see enough of???) and I loved how the loyalty was truly forged in fire.

Fantastic book, can’t wait for more!!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: war themes, near death experiences, murder, weapons violence

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Book Review: The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology #2) by Holly Black

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 360 pages
Author: Holly black
Publisher: Little Brown
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An imprisoned prince. A vengeful queen. And a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame.

Prince Oak is paying for his betrayal. Imprisoned in the icy north and bound to the will of a monstrous new queen, he must rely on charm and calculation to survive. With High King Cardan and High Queen Jude willing to use any means necessary to retrieve their stolen heir, Oak will have to decide whether to attempt regaining the trust of the girl he’s always loved or to remain loyal to Elfhame and hand over the means to end her reign—even if it means ending Wren, too.



With a new war looming on the horizon and treachery lurking in every corner, neither Oak’s guile nor his wit will be enough to keep everyone he loves alive. It’s just a question of whom he will doom.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes the stunning blood-soaked conclusion to the Stolen Heir duology.

MY NEW FAVORITE?

I have never been a SUPER fan of this series, but I have continually enjoyed them and was really excited that this one was featuring Oak as the only POV. I loved getting everything from his angle and his thoughts and desires.

This had a little more romance focus and I was obsessed with Oak and Wren. Every little touch or glance, longing look and heated kiss. YEPPPP. Give it all to me. It’s fast paced and filled with a good balance of pacing where I continually wanted to keep reading.

I loved seeing more of Jude and Cardan. And I loved where the plot rotated to as well. This was just an amazing conclusion. I have nothing to gripe over. Would absolutely say READ IT.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 1 implied closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Cursed Crowns (Twin Crowns #2) by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber
Publisher: Balzer + Bay
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns . . . but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Cool-headed Rose sets off on a Royal Tour to win over the doubters, but soon finds herself drawn to the Sunless Kingdom. Here secrets are revealed about those closest to her, and Rose finds her loyalties divided.

Meanwhile rebellious Wren steals away to the icy north to rescue their beloved grandmother, Banba. But when she accepts King Alarik’s deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom, the spell has unexpected – and far-reaching – consequences . . .

As an ancient curse begins to arise from the darkness, the sisters must come together and unite the crown. Their lives – and the future of Eana – depend on it.

Break the ice to free the curse,
Kill one twin to save another.

I LIKED IT.

I know that may not seem like much but I kind of tore book one down but still wanted to give this one a chance and thought the development was much better.

One of the things I love most is that these sisters actually work together. There’s care, love and taking care of one another. Rose and Wren don’t always see eye to eye but I appreciate that that strong sister bond is always holding them together.

The romances swooned it up a bit more too. I finally got on board with Rose and her leading man. There were some good twists there that I like for the future story too. Wren’s was good, and then left me head scratching by the end. I don’t know if the added love triangle was actually necessary, crossing my fingers it makes sense.

I liked the story more and the magic, world building, etc. The action is kicked up a notch and the plot thickens. I look forward to book three.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: implied closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle themes, reincarnation, kidnapping

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