Tag: young adult fantasy

Book Review: Hearts That Cut (Threads That Bind #2) by Kika Hatzopoulou

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Kika Hatzopoulou
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this heart-pounding, much-anticipated sequel to Threads That Bind , Io will face threats even more dangerous and players even more powerful as she discovers what it will mean to follow—or defy—her fate.

It’s been five weeks since Io left Alante to follow the golden thread, and she’s no closer to finding the god on the other end. She spends her days in constant, grueling travel and her nights worrying over the fate-thread she shares with Edei—which seems to be fraying. Making matters worse, she and Bianca soon realize that their only lead has shaken them off, snapped the golden thread, and disappeared.

But not before Io gathers some crucial clues. Her investigation leads her to a new mystery, a rash of sibling disappearances across the Wastelands that seems to be connected to the murders in Alante. And all signs point to Nanzy, the golden city, as the center of the whole conspiracy.

As Io and Bianca make their way to Nanzy, they make powerful enemies, find allies new and old, and uncover a horrifying plot that traces back centuries. The more Io learns, the more she begins to suspect that the future of the world may truly rest on her shoulders. But she will have to determine how much of the future is her choice—and how much is simply her fate.

I WAS BORED.

But honestly, this really went off the rails for me. I liked book one quite a bit and I’ve been excited to read the sequel but not one thing is truly standing out for me from reading this.

It felt like Io venturing around running into different gods, asking questions and then getting captured. Rinse and repeat. And the romance disappeared. It took Edei about half the book to even show up and the fate thread between them had lost its luster for me.

There were so many plot things happening that the character development was lost in the shuffle. I thought most of them seemed one dimensional and nothing standout.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate; some blood/gore

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Book Review: Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy #1) by I.V. Marie

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Dark Academia Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: I.V. Marie
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Six students at Blackwood Academy, an enigmatic boarding school located at the edge of the afterlife, must compete for the once-in-eternity chance to change their fate—or risk remaining stuck in purgatory forever. An unputdownable debut full of hairpin twists, shock betrayals and world-defying love, for fans of The Atlas Six.

Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located at the fringes of the afterlife, where students are fated to spend the rest of eternity shepherding lost souls. Once a pupil enters the school’s arched gates, there is no way out…except for the Decennial, a once-in-a-decade celebration that rewards nominees who pass its trials with a choice: formally graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or venture into the unknown and cross over to the mysterious Other Side.

Wren Loughty is certain that this Decennial, she has what it takes to earn the nomination—unless, that is, her academic archrival Augustine Hughes steals her spot.

Irene Manette Bamford has never cared about playing by the rules. She’s willing to break whatever (and whoever) stands between her and getting the hell out of Blackwood, including her best and only friend, Masika Sallow.

Olivier Dupont gave up on securing the nomination ages ago. But after he meets Blackwood’s newest student, Emilio Córdova, he’ll do anything to keep Emilio from leaving him and crossing over to the Other Side—even if it means claiming the victory for himself.

All of them are determined to be Blackwood’s chosen candidate–and all of them would do anything to win. But none of them are prepared for what’s to come. Because this Decennial will be different. This time, the Decennial isn’t a celebration…it’s a competition. And there can only be one victor.

Six nominees. Four trials. Untold danger. Wren, August, Irene, Masika, Olivier and Emilio are about to learn: there are some fates worse than death.

Thank you Delacorte Press for the gifted copy.

I’LL READ BOOK TWO.

This had every typical kind of vibe you’d find in a multiple POV, young adult, dark academia read. Which added many points in its favor because I do enjoy those things, but also took away for the lack of originality too.

And what bugged me the most was that if there had been 50ish more pages it could have been a standalone. Honestly I’m not sure how it continues for book two, but I do want to read it. There were multiple romances that I did like but needed more of a slow burn. I kept feeling like I was missing a prologue novella to get more of a background on everyone.

The magic system is interesting and I loved the immortality concept. There’s not a whole lot of school happening but the gothic atmosphere was definitely present. I kept wanting to pick this back up to see where it goes which is always my sign that it’s a solid read.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Dark Academia + Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy Retelling
Length: 352 pages
Author: Kalynn Bayron
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Release Date: June 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling author and TikTok sensation Kalynn Bayron returns to fairytales with a lush, thrilling and original YA Snow White retelling that brings a new and exciting voice to this familiar tale. Perfect for fans of Cinderella Is Dead.

Only the truly desperate – and foolish – seek out the Knight, an ancient monster who twists wishes into curses. Eve knows this first-hand: one of her mothers was cursed by the Knight and trapped in the body of a songbird. With the unique abilities to communicate with animals and conjure weapons from nature, Eve has trained all her life to defeat him.

With more and more villagers harmed by the Knight’s corrupt deals, Eve believes she’s finally ready to face him. But when Queen Regina begins acting strangely – talking to seemingly no one, isolating herself, and lashing out at the slightest provocation – Eve must question if her powers are enough to save her family and her kingdom.

I’M NOT QUITE SURE.

I don’t really know how to format this review. I never found myself upset with reading but now that I’m trying to write this out, I don’t think I really felt anything. When the Snow White aspects started coming into play in the second half, I liked those! I thought there were great allusions with a uniquely crafted version that left me wondering how things would finally come together without feeling like the original. There were a few good twists and changes that worked well for me.

The romance needed better pacing. This is a shorter fantasy and I think the development should have started sooner. The love confessions felt out of left field and while I DID think there was chemistry, I never got those swoony romantic feelings for them.

It is a standalone and from what I recall there weren’t any glaring plot holes. The story wraps up well, the antagonist has a satisfying end and you get that happy ever after.

Overall audience notes:

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

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Book Review: Poison in Their Hearts (Castles in Their Bones #3) by Laura Sebastian

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Laura Sebastian
Publisher: Hodderscape
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Follow three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown.

Promised for marriage, now destined to die.

Since Sophronia’s murder, princesses Daphne and Beatriz have discovered the truth: they are pawns in their mother’s bid for the throne of Vesteria.

Separated with enemies on all sides, Beatriz and Daphne’s only hope are the few allies who stretch across the borders of Vesteria: Sophronia’s husband, the deposed King Leopold; Violie, a former spy for Empress Margaraux; and Beatriz’s missing husband, Pasquale, and his lover, Ambrose. But whispers of an ancient prophecy and secrets from their past follow every move they make.

With the magic of the stars, the princesses are ready to make their final stand.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DUOLOGY.

Mehhhhh. I admit to never feeling FULLY invested in this series, but I did feel it enough to want to finish it out. But for 600 pages I think this really should have been a duology. Many of the story lines seemed dragged out and you’d think with all of that page time the romances would have been more developed but I kept waiting for more and never found it.

There were some good scenes and I did love how fiercely loyal all of these sisters were to each other. I love good sister relationships like this. I enjoyed the characters and thought there were some good character arcs written in too. I just think the length really kept me from feeling these books.

Overall audience notes:

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

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