Tag: young adult fantasy

Book Review: Sonnets and Serpents (Casters & Crowns #2) by Elizabeth Lowham

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Elizabeth Lowham
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: October 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A cynical shapeshifter. A hopeful princess. A love they never saw coming.

Silas Bennett grew up in a kingdom where magic-users are persecuted, especially those with the rare ability to transform into animals. After discovering he could shapeshift into a serpent, Silas was nearly killed—only to escape to a neighboring kingdom where he could study and use his magic freely. Now, he is determined to become a professor at the university he calls home, even though he is only nineteen. But first he must distinguish himself in his research field by proving that legendary magic stealers exist.

Princess Eliza, a hopeless romantic inspired by sonnets and their promises of true love, refuses to believe her beloved Henry perished at sea. She will do whatever it takes to find him and bring him home—even if it means traveling to another country and asking for help from a shapeshifting outcast.

With Eliza’s relentless optimism pitted against Silas’s unyielding cynicism, the two enemies can’t seem to have a civil conversation. But when they are unexpectedly bound by a pair of magical bracelets, which can only be unlocked by a kiss of true love, they quickly discover that they’ll have to work together as they navigate different languages, their past prejudices and fears, and a blossoming relationship. When their search for the truth about magic stealers threatens both Silas’s magic and Eliza’s safety, the two must learn to be vulnerable and trust each other’s hearts.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for a gifted copy.

WELL WELL WELL.

After [to put it mildly] not loving this author’s first book I convinced myself to give another story another chance and here we are. I will say, waiting for the audiobook helped. I liked that I could move through it faster and yay for having two narrators for the dual POV’s.

I thought this was a fairly simple story but had some good messages and general themes that I could connect with. It ends well and I did like the main characters. The book is heavily forced proximity based and that really sold me on the romance as the chapters turned.

What was kind of a bummer was the “enemies to lovers” trope this had presented. The banter came across more juvenile than heated and made me chuckle rather than swoon.

All in all, I’m not upset I read it but also can’t shout READ THIS BOOK either? If you enjoy closed door romances and are easy to please, try it out.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild

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ARC Book Review: The Prince of Mourning by Jenn Bennett

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Upper YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Jenn Bennett
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace meets A Study in Drowning in this sizzling gothic romantasy that follows the forbidden romance between a young nurse and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist.

After receiving a strange summons, eighteen-year-old nursing student Molly O’Rinn finds herself the private live-in nurse for a wealthy young man in his haunting Hudson Valley mansion. But after arriving at his secluded estate, Molly discovers that her handsome employer is not what he seems, and most surprising of all is what rests deep inside the mansion’s walls.

Perhaps not what, but who…

A young man about Molly’s age—at least in appearance—is a prisoner of the estate, locked behind magical barriers. Nin is royalty, the son of a legend. He is not human, not of this world…and not like anyone Molly has ever met.

Molly should stay away from him. But Nin is a terrifying yet strangely attractive being, and soon both Molly and Nin find themselves drawn to each other, sparked by a connection neither of them can deny. But as the two become entangled in a forbidden affair, outside forces start to press in.

Because Nin’s legendary father is looking for his son, and he’s not the only one.

To keep Molly safe, Nin must find a way back to his realm or suffer the consequences. Even if it means choosing his princely duty over love.

Thank you to Simon Teen for the eARC.

WENT ROGUE.

Well I think calling this one adjacent to Belladonna is where this all went wrong. These two books are not on the same level.

I thought things started out fine and I was intrigued. There’s a good atmosphere and spooky gothic vibes throughout. That note did hit the best.

But a few things didn’t make sense. One of those being the dialogue. Some of it felt extremely modern and I get that it’s a young adult book but it threw me out of the story the way Molly would phrase somethings.

The cover lends itself to some kind of haunting ball vibes right? Those aren’t there either. The plot meanders and slows to excruciating lengths. Molly, “I’m a nurse I know what to do” (though she hasn’t even completed her training), wasn’t that fun to be around. And then adding in so many gods, possession, curses, etc. in the late second half had me quirking my head. It did not need all of that. Once again, the lack of focus for the story is when it really went off the rails.

It looks like there will be a sequel, but I don’t know how I feel about it or if I’ll read it [yet].

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: vague fade to black
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: those dying of tuberculosis, loss of loved ones

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ALC Book Review: Never Ever After (Never Ever After #1) by Sue Lynn Tan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Not all fairy tales end happily ever after in this Cinderella-inspired fantasy by the bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess—for fans of Renée Ahdieh, Tahereh Mafi, and Stephanie Garber.

Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.

Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince, who tempts her with a world she’s never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, for she’s soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.

This sweeping fantasy romance inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale is the first in a breathtaking new series by the acclaimed author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

GIMME BOOK TWO.

I enjoyed this one so much! Honestly, Sue Lynn Tan never disappoints and I have been anxious to get my hands (and headphones) on this book. It felt very classic to her style of story telling and I thought the young adult world was executed well.

I loved Yining as the FMC. She’s ambitious in her own right and learns to stand firmly on her boundaries. I loved the push and pull in the romantic love triangle (it’s giving Daughter of the Moon Goddess…maybe…or maybe I have that all wrong BUT MAYBE). SLT is one of the few author’s who I don’t mind reading love triangles from.

I’m not sure I caught many Cinderella nods but that could be that I haven’t watched that movie in 20+ years? So if you’re worried about that aspect I can’t really comment on it.

There were some beautifully crafted reveals and I thought the audiobook narrator did an amazing job. I love the enchanting vibes of Tan’s stories and am begging to get my hands on book two ASAP.

Overall audience notes:

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

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ARC Book Review: The Demon and the Light (The Floating World #2) by Axie Oh

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Axie Oh
Publisher: Fierce Reads
Release Date: October 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in The Demon and the Light, the hotly anticipated follow-up to Axie Oh’s The Floating World.

The battle is over, but the war is just beginning…

With the help of her friends and allies, Ren managed to topple the General’s insurrection, but the Floating World and its territories are still under threat of attack from the rival Volmaran Empire. And far worse, she was powerless to save Sunho from being overcome by the monstrous power in his blood. Now he’s gone, transformed into a feral, deadly creature that doesn’t even recognize her anymore, and her heart aches for the sweet boy she’s grown to love.

But the escalating war will not pause for her grief. Seen by some as a heavenly savior and others merely a figurehead to be manipulated, Ren must use all her courage and cunning to survive the royal court’s game long enough to find Sunho and bring him home before he loses himself to the Demon forever.

Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours and Fierce Reads for the gifted copy.

SOLID CONCLUSION.

Note, I eyeball read this on vs. audiobook (I did the audiobook for book one) and felt like eyeball reading was the better option this round. I was much more connected to the story and characters and enjoyed this conclusion.

Any who, this was a fast paced, well built fantasy that had me hoping for a HEA before the closing pages came into view. I enjoyed the multiple POV style (there were three) and the romances too. I adored Sunho and Ren. They were each other’s compliment and I thought they had many sweet moments together. I loved the way they loved.

Jaheil also showed a lot of growth and I fell in love with his POV (and little romance) too. Having his viewpoint helped balance out more sides of this world and political system. All of the emotions and growth and seeing everyone work together to solve the final trial was beautifully crafted. This found family was incredible.

I am a continual fan of Axie Oh’s books and I can’ wait for whatever is next!!

Overall audience notes:

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

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