Tag: young adult fantasy

ARC Book Review: Divine Rivals (Iris at the Front #1) by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Upper YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: April 4th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in this epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

OMG READ IT.

Audiobook review: LOVED. I love that dual narration. And since this book had a letter writing element to it I was so excited that it was voiced by the two main characters for each reading of the letter experience. I thought the narrators did great and made this book even more incredible.

Consider this my new favorite Rebecca Ross book. From the first few chapters I knew it was going to be a winner. It had one of my favorite subtle romantic set-ups that I LOVE SO MUCH. The tension and chemistry between Iris and Roman was astronomical. I was smitten from the get-go.

The setting is one of those unique facets I can’t get enough of. It’s fantasy BUT with a historical elements that are an undeniable hit when combined. The warfare + meddling gods + humans just trying to survive are the kind of fantasy books I love to read. I liked the intensity factors and wondering who’s going to survive the next chapter and where the next shoe may drop. It’s all here and I’ll say it again, READ IT.

I was perfectly shocked by the ending. One of those, I see you coming, but now the HOW’S. And the OMG WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ya know? I am devastated 100 different ways and yet it was all so beautiful?! The quiet moments slayed me and the passion was magnetic.

Rebecca Ross’s best book. I said it.

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, war themes, loss of a parent

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Book Review: The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 464 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: HarperTeeen
Release Date: February 6th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true: she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, she reluctantly accepts. But there is much more to his story, for there is a dangerous plot to overthrow the king of Maevana—the rival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved, some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. Who will be that queen?

With gorgeous description and detailed rendering of a world where not everything is what it seems, debut author Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and, ultimately, self-discovery.

SLOW START.

I feel like I don’t have a lot to say about this one? It was a good audio read, but left a lot to be desired in the YA fantasy genre.

Things got off to a very slow start and it took until about halfway before they really picked up. I could have used a little less school time and more development in multiple other places. For instance, the romance. Super underdeveloped. Also didn’t love the teacher/student angle (even though they’re in the same age range)? Something wasn’t clicking for me. It was better when they were completely out of that setting at least.

I really wish the main character, Brienna had more power. When I found out what her role was for the book I was a bit let down. I thought it was going in different direction (and maybe book two does this?).

It’s a pretty typical YA fantasy, which isn’t a bad thing. I think reading it would have been tougher than being able to speed up the audio. I love Ross’s newer books and wanted to try out one of her backlist.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young Adult Fantasy
  • Language: None
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, war themes, teacher/student relationship

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Book Review: Foul Lady Fortune (Foul Lady Fortune #1) by Chloe Gong

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Rating: ★★★★★
Genre: YA Magical Realism + Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Chloe Gong
Publisher: McElderry Books
Release Date: September 27th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.

Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption for her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.

Code name: Fortune.

But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.

To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.

NEW OBESSION.

I loved this book so much y’all!!!!!! It was one of my biggest releases for the year and it did not disappoint in the slightest.

All of the characters were amazing. The main leads Rosalind and Orion had me hooked on them because MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE. I loved the build they have and the way they are slowly moving from unsuspecting partners to a close bond. They, along with the other relationships that are starting (not saying because spoilers) are fantastic. I am here for it all.

The plot is captivating and I never wanted to stop listening to the audiobook. There was great pacing and the flow of writing is stellar. I was definitely shouting at my steering wheel listening to some of these scenes. Shocked doesn’t even begin to cover it. I loved all of the twists and betrayals. Never quite knowing who’s side someone is on. It reads like an incredible spy thriller and I cannot wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fiction + Magical Realism
  • Language: some
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, blood depiction, medical experimentation mentioned, murder, physical violence, weapons violence

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Book Review: Well of Eida (The Fallen Kingdoms #1) by KB Benson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 413 pages
Author: KB Benson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 3rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two years have passed since Ari was taken as a prisoner to the troll realm. Two years of blood staining her hands, killing as the troll king’s mercenary. In Eida, it’s kill or be killed, and Ari will do anything to survive.

But survival does not come easy in Eida, especially for a young woman with fire in her blood.

When Ari’s sold to one of Eida’s most notorious training masters, her survival comes with a price: unleash the monster she’s buried inside. A very real and very dangerous creature no opponent can defeat.

Ari expects to kill. She expects to survive. But she doesn’t expect the growing feelings she has for the man who has claimed her as his. Together, Ari and her master will cut down every opponent in the arena seeking a wish from their king.

Until a man from her past challenges her within those walls, and everything Ari has fought for crumbles. All for a man she once loved. But if she is to save her own life, she must take his.

After all, everyone dies in Eida.

NEED THE SEQUEL.

This was a good starter book!! I enjoyed a lot of it and have definite plans to pick up the next book.

The beginning gets you on the edge of your seat real quick. I liked all of the action and intense fight scenes. Within that I do think the middle got a little repetitive with how many fight scenes there were. I was looking for a bit more character building or something else not endless streams of altercations. I did like Ari too. She is clearly on a big character arc and for the beginning of the series I am happy to watch this journey for her.

Note: there is a love triangle!!! It does add a level of angst and making me want to shake a few characters BUT I do think with a longer series it’s going to create some drama that I look forward to (as long as I’m on the right side….).

I liked most of the world building. I felt like that was unveiled well and some good answers about the trolls were given. What I’m still confused about is the magic system. I’m not sure why certain people have certain things and I need some answers on that front.

A solid start. Brutal, intense and a dash of romance. I liked this one a whole lot. Can’t wait for more!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, physical and magical altercations, creature attacks, plague-like sickness, near death experience, weapons violence

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