Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
"No one will hurt you and not see the end of my blade."
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
Stars and Shadows #1
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / arranged marriage
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive with a few scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 259 pages
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / arranged marriage
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive with a few scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 259 pages
Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3Lo0ddQ
Destiny or desire?
Where does your allegiance lie?
I am told my union to the crowned prince will determine the fate of the kingdom, but it isn’t my betrothed who haunts my dreams. It’s the half-breed prince who stands at his side.
He is darkness and sin, and when he whispers promises of wickedness in my ear, I crave a man who I can’t have.
Every thought I have is treasonous. The way my hands ache to touch him deceitful.
Even my dreams make me a traitor to the kingdom I am sworn to protect.
But when the kingdom is attacked, I am forced to make choices I’m not prepared for. Our lies and deception are entangled in the shadows and stars, and as they unravel so shall my fate. Betray a kingdom or betray my heart.
My Rating - ★★★
After reading several positive reviews about this book, I knew I was going to read it some day. Well, some day came and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know I'm in the minority with not loving it. However, I didn't hate it either. I just wish I became more invested in what was happening.
Adara is starblessed and it seems that she is the key to unlocking a destined greater power. She's promised to the future king of the fae, but she's instantly drawn to his brother. I thought these facts would give me more drama, more intrigue, but I got a lot of inner tormoil from a girl who didn't know her own mind. Please save me from single perspective strories told by immature, innocent, impulsive, insecure people. PLEASE!!
The end grabbed me so the next book is already loaded up.
After reading several positive reviews about this book, I knew I was going to read it some day. Well, some day came and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know I'm in the minority with not loving it. However, I didn't hate it either. I just wish I became more invested in what was happening.
Adara is starblessed and it seems that she is the key to unlocking a destined greater power. She's promised to the future king of the fae, but she's instantly drawn to his brother. I thought these facts would give me more drama, more intrigue, but I got a lot of inner tormoil from a girl who didn't know her own mind. Please save me from single perspective strories told by immature, innocent, impulsive, insecure people. PLEASE!!
The end grabbed me so the next book is already loaded up.
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
Stars and Shadows #2
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive with a few scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 244 pages
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive with a few scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 244 pages
Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3RmVa1h
My fate is bonded to two princes– one born of blood, the other of power— but my trust lies in neither.
My skin is cursed by the stars, my fate damned by desire.
But when the dark prince offers me a bargain that will save his people and my life, the cruel and intoxicating male gives me no choice.
Our union is his revenge, and I am his sacrifice.
His lies are unforgivable. His wicked touch still bathes me in sin.
He is my mate, and he is tortured by a curse to protect his people from his own family.
I could now see him for exactly who he was. So why can’t I get his alluring touch out of my head?
I am the key to saving his kingdom, but he alone has the power to ruin me.
My Rating - ★★★1/2
I enjoyed this one far more than the first. I think it had more to do with learning more about Evren and vampyres in general and how wrong the legends were that Adara grew up hearing. She took far too long to put her prejudice and ignorance aside for my taste. Honestly, I got really tired of her nonsense, but I lived for the moments I got to spend with Evren, Sorin and Thalia. They were the highlights of this story for me and I'm looking forward to seeing how (because there is no IF) everyone will take down Gavril and his wicked family.
I enjoyed this one far more than the first. I think it had more to do with learning more about Evren and vampyres in general and how wrong the legends were that Adara grew up hearing. She took far too long to put her prejudice and ignorance aside for my taste. Honestly, I got really tired of her nonsense, but I lived for the moments I got to spend with Evren, Sorin and Thalia. They were the highlights of this story for me and I'm looking forward to seeing how (because there is no IF) everyone will take down Gavril and his wicked family.
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
Stars and Shadows #3
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Multiple 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, but not quite explicit
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 314 pages
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Multiple 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, but not quite explicit
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 314 pages
Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3Pc0emk
I entered into a bargain—choosing my mate over my freedom.
But I underestimated the crowned prince who took me. His touch like venom. His vengeance lethal.
He craves a power I no longer hold, and he’ll sacrifice every part of me until he gets it.
But I don’t belong to him. I belong to his brother.
His brother who will come for me, consequences be damned.
My fate is entangled between two princes—one who craves my power, the other who covets me—and I have more to lose than I ever imagined.
War rages in a game between queens, and I have become their pawn. But I will fight for my life, for my mate, and he will raze kingdoms to get me back.
My Rating - ★★★★
What the frig?!
Why couldn't the entire series be read like this book? I was deeply in love with the way that Evren's voice came through. Finally, I had something to sink my teeth into—a well-rounded and developed story with characters and emotions and plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Did I find some parts repetitive? Yes. I think I understood the sentiment that Evren and Adara belonged to each other after it was mentioned the first five times. I was excited to see these two as a couple, with Adara finally being real. That's right, she was no longer denying how she truly felt and I couldn't have been happier. Gone was the immature and unreliable girl I'd come to know. In her place was a beautiful, confident, fierce warrior of a woman that should have been the star of this story from its beginning.
And because I'm interested in whatever is brewing between Thalia and Sorin, I'll probably be reading their book too.
What the frig?!
Why couldn't the entire series be read like this book? I was deeply in love with the way that Evren's voice came through. Finally, I had something to sink my teeth into—a well-rounded and developed story with characters and emotions and plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Did I find some parts repetitive? Yes. I think I understood the sentiment that Evren and Adara belonged to each other after it was mentioned the first five times. I was excited to see these two as a couple, with Adara finally being real. That's right, she was no longer denying how she truly felt and I couldn't have been happier. Gone was the immature and unreliable girl I'd come to know. In her place was a beautiful, confident, fierce warrior of a woman that should have been the star of this story from its beginning.
And because I'm interested in whatever is brewing between Thalia and Sorin, I'll probably be reading their book too.
“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy.
A rider without their dragon is dead.”
A rider without their dragon is dead.”
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Part of a series - The Empyrean #1
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / enemies to lovers
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive, slow build
Source - ebook from the library
Length - 664 pages
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / enemies to lovers
POV - Heroine 1st person
Heat - descriptive, slow build
Source - ebook from the library
Length - 664 pages
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die
Find it here: Goodreads
My Two Cents
My Rating - ★★★1/2
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Social media went crazy blasting this book, which is why I finally gave in to the hype. Did this book live up to expectations? Kinda sorta. And rather than highlight what has already been extolled about this book, I'm going to get into what I want to happen in the next one for this series.
The Continent is home to two kingdoms—and we've been at war for four hundred years.
You see that right there? Please elaborate. Why did I read over 600 pages that didn't tell me why these kingdoms were at war. Nothing explained why this academy existed. What was the need for the factions, such as riders, scribes, healers and infantry? What sparked the conflict? Who was the leader of the other side? Seems like they've been fighting over 400 years for something no one even remembers. KMT!!
There is nothing more sacred than the Archives. Even temples can be rebuilt, but books cannot be rewritten.
You don't say. Yet we're now realizing that the truth has been a hidden secret for who knows how long. Facts are missing from your so-called history and it took practically the entire book to realize that. Seriously? Forget foreshadowing. The author basically screamed that something wasn't right from the beginning. And then we had to wade through the nonsense for the characters (I'm looking at you, Vi) to catch up. That ending only prompts more questions!!
One generation to change the text. One generation chooses to teach that text. The next grows, and the lie becomes history.
PREACH!!
“I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself over and over, then I'll do it. You gave me your heart, and I'm keeping it.”
Okay, so I'm not a huge fan of the romance in this book, only because it didn't really get a chance to shine. That was mostly due to Violet and her antics, however, I did appreciate the way the author allowed her to be free with her thoughts and feelings. Was it annoying that for half the book she kept believing he was going to kill her when all he did was help her? Did I get frustrated that she was so oblivious and a bit ungrateful towards Xander? When Xander's truths came out, was I more sympathetic towards him than towards Vi? Yes. The answer to all of these questions is yes. I'm putting a bit of faith in this author that she will pull off a better dynamic between these characters in the next book. Give Xander a voice please, not a diluted mishmash of personality as seen through the eyes of a naive scribe-forced-to-turn-into-a-rider.
I'm sure there are so many other things I need clarification on, but I'll wait to see what the next book brings me. In the end, I enjoyed myself while reading Fourth Wing. I've never tried this author before and it was an exciting experience. I love dragons and war and I'm looking forward to what's to come for these characters that I've started to adore.
The Author
Rebecca is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over fifteen novels, including FOURTH WING, and is always ready to bring on the emotions. She's also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence in New Adult for Eyes Turned Skyward from her Flight and Glory series.She loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for twenty-one years. She’s the mother of six children and lives in Colorado with her family, their stubborn English bulldog, feisty chinchillas, and Maine Coon cat who rules them all. Having fostered then adopted their youngest daughter, Rebecca is passionate about helping children in the foster system through her nonprofit, One October.
Visit her website at www.RebeccaYarros.com for more.
Review // How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy by AJ Sherwood
August 07, 2023
What’s a white knight to do when his princess is causing utter havoc leading in mass murder? Go to the famous Black Sorcerer of Grimslock for help, apparently.
What’s a black sorcerer to do when the white knight comes to him for help? Keep him, naturally.
Devan does not approve of this payment plan. Tan does.
What’s a black sorcerer to do when the white knight comes to him for help? Keep him, naturally.
Devan does not approve of this payment plan. Tan does.
FYI: This series is an MM Interracial Fantasy Romance I read through Kindle Unlimited
Villainy #1
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - mentions of sexy times, but nothing's happened yet
Length - 103 pages
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Diving into the world created for Devan and Tan was a strange delight. These characters cracked me up. For a start, our heroes are set to rescue an entire village from a barbarian rampage. The princess has planned to sacrifice all of the people. Devan has another plan. As her most dedicated, fierce, and loyal knight, he seeks out the black sorcerer for aid. Tan does not disappoint. Throw in some mystical shenanigans, Tan's inappropriateness, Devan's stoicness, and everything in between, I was freaking rolling. Tan begging for cuddles as payment gave me life! I had so much fun reading this book and knew from the first bit that I'd be continuing this series.
Villainy #2
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - mentions of sexy times, but nothing's happened yet
Length - 98 pages
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Still the same creative dynamic in this book. Devan has been tasked with hunting a strange creature in the woods who only hunts adults. It tears their throats out and drains them dry. Sound familiar? When Devan goes up against it, he finds himself swiftly outmatched and in need of help. Who does he call?
Tan couldn't be happier to help Devan, but he's livid that the Princess, once again, shows a lack of concern for everyone's favourite knight. We're introduced to Tan's siblings, who are almost as ridiculous as he is. His sister, Fa, is a hot mess of comedic delights and his brother, Niran, is a necromance unlike any other I've experienced before. I'm serious, these characters are full of fun. Our heroes take on the undead with glee and I was excited to see the deep level of trust developing between Devan and Tan.
Are we one huge step closer to happily ever after? Tan hopes so!!
Villainy #3
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - mentions of sexy times, but nothing's happened yet
Length - 91 pages
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Could these characters be any sweeter? The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between these two is so fun! I'm in love with their every interaction, their banter, and the wacky adventures they find themselves a part of. In this book, Tan and Devan are in search of a magical sword.
I enjoyed the fact that they were in a new town, that Tan was using some new magic, and that Devan was fighting the very endearing temptation right in front of him.
Am I the only one who finds it hilarious how quickly our heroes dispatch the dumdums who think they have what it takes to best them?
There's more hilarity, some action, and Tan couldn't stop flirting to save his life.
When will Devan finally give in?
Villainy #4
My Rating - ★★★★
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - FINALLY!! A descriptive scene towards the end
Length - 95 pages
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
This latest adventure takes Devan and Tan on the high seas. Kinda. Devan's cousin reaches out to him for help because several ships have been capsized and the crews were missing. What is lurking out there?
My biggest takeaway of this book was that Devan and Tan finally consummated their relationship. All of the back and forth, the delicious sexual tension, and absolutely adorable banter brought us to the moment we had all been waiting for... hot sex!
Yes, there was plenty of action and adventure, I was surprised (and strangely excited) to see Tan in a rage, but I was happy to be here for all of it. Especially because Devan finally gave in to what was obviously between them.
Love is in the air people and I can't wait to see how it factors into the stories to come.
Villainy #5
My Rating - ★★★★★
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - a bit more than descriptive
Length - 88 pages
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
For this adventure, our heroes don't really have to go anywhere. Tan is determined to fix his past mistakes (The Void), but something goes wrong. He's magically depleted, left unconscious, found by other adventurers, and portalled to the dungeon of Goodwine. It's up to Devan to get him out and he has an ingenous plan to do so. I loved this issue!
Full of more shenanigans, this book showed us how close Devan and Tan had grown, not that it was ever in doubt. Devan is even more pressed to find a solution to having his cake and eating it too. He wants to spend his life with Tan, but he can't abandon his people to the whims of a mad woman. How are they going to make this work?
Well, this author hasn't disappointed me yet with this story, so book 6 is already loaded up!
Villainy #6
My Rating - ★★★★★
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - a bit more than descriptive
Length - 95 pages
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Devan needed to find a way to protect the people from Princess Serenity while being with the love of his life. Tan just wanted whatever made Devan happy and was willing to do any and everything for his man. Somehow they made it work and I loved it!
Both men were their badass selves. The people knew who they wanted to rule and it wasn't Serenity of her father, the king. And I was giddy getting to read all about it!
Honestly, if you like stories about adventure, action, hilarious ridiculousness and tons of love, you need to grab this series up. Devan and Tan, their motley crew of allies, and everything they all experience and do, will keep you entertained!!
Sometimes I catch myself enjoying a moment, and worry I'm enjoying it too much, you know? Like something could come along and ruin all of this if I let myself have too much fun or get too accustomed of feeling happy.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
My Rating - ★★★★★
Part of a series - Crescent City #2
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - ebook from the library
Length - 1335 pages
Previous book in the series: House of Earth and Blood
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.
The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.
My Two Cents
I don't even know where to start. This book had SO MUCH going on that here... at the end... I'm still gasping over everything I learned about this world!
With it only being my second time trying this author, I was hoping I would love this sequel to House of Earth and Blood.
Did I love it?
You better believe it!
There were so many people and subplots and motives and secrets and reveals and twists... It was hard not to stay engaged. I HAD to know what the heck was going on.
Put this book down? Sleep? Are you joking??? I was too busy taking notes!
Bryce and Hunt were trying to lie low after everything they did in the first book. I couldn't blame them because they skirted death by an inch. But no matter their good intentions, it seems fate wants to keep playing with them, drawing them into circumstances that could get them killed.
“Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again, I promise.”
Rebellion is brewing.
Hel is making a stand.
Pollux and Bax and the Harpy and the Hind are in town.
Ruhn is falling in love?
Ithan learned some hard truths... about himself.
Tharion is very close to losing everything.
Cormac was full of surprises.
And through it all, I kept hoping and praying, crossing my fingers and toes, that my Hunt angel would be okay.
Seriously though, I'm at that point where, if it's between everyone else dying or Hunt...
Actually, make that Hunt and Ruhn. Although I do wish everyone (at least the good guys) could live. That would be a dream, wouldn't it?
I loved the banter. I loved all of the side stories for some of the characters. I can't even explain how much I started to love Ruhn in this book. His storyarc blew me away and I'm hoping to see more of it in the book to come. Ithan had a really neat story that seemed to be happening, although it seemed to lose some momentum along the way. And then Tharion... I have NO IDEA where his part of the story is going. But I'm excited to find out!
The next book can't come into my hands soon enough. That ending was INSANE! I knew that I'd be diving off a cliff, but I wasn't expecting it to be like this. I didn't think I'd be so freaking crushed at the end of it. I'm terrified, excited, and super anxious to find out what will happen next.
Knowing the truth about the Asteri (or at least some of it)... how will this play out?
The Author
Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and are published in thirty-seven languages.A New York native, Sarah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, and dog.
To find out more, visit sarahjmaas.com or follow @therealsjmaas on Instagram.
As you know, not every book I read will get 4 or 5 stars. Here are a few that I still enjoyed!
Wretched by Emily McIntire
My Rating - ★★★
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / retelling
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, less than explicit
Source - borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 282 pages
Wretched was a play on the Wizard of Oz, but I didn’t really SEE it. Ah well, no matter. I enjoyed it just the same.
What I liked:
* Evelina being the ‘bad guy’ made me smile. I loved that the woman was the one causing trouble, being on the wrong side of the law, ruling from the shadows. It gave this story a unique twist.
* The whole enemies-to-lovers and forbidden vibes of this story kept me engaged with the plot. I’m a sucker for a protective hero and while Nicholas was undercover in this crime family, his true nature always had a way of shining through.
However, as much as I enjoyed this book, I was also bored. I skimmed through a lot of it. So please take my rating with a grain of salt.
If I’m her calm, then she is my chaos, and if I can’t live with her forever, then I don’t want to live at all.
The Fae King's Curse by Jamie Schlosser
My Rating - ★★★
Genre/Trope - Fantasy Romance / fated mates
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - descriptive
Source - borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 281 pages
For the most part, I loved this book. However… the setup of Quinn fighting against Kirian’s declared feelings turned me off from pretty much the start. I found it hard to get on board with their happy ending when for so much of this book, Quinn was being silly. You’re in love with the man. He’s already proven that he doesn’t care about the curse because he chose you. Why then hurt him by denying him what you both want?
I wasn’t trying to read a children’s book.
If it weren’t for Kirian and his cousins and all of their awesomeness, I don’t think I would have enjoyed this story as much.
Kudos to the author for writing in this subgenre and allowing me to enjoy the world created. Will I read the next book? Ummm yeah because I really need to see Damon get some!
"I can live without my sight, but I cannot live without you."
For Christiano, With Hate by Soraya Naomi
My Rating - ★★★
Genre/Trope - Contemporary Romance / mafia / arranged marriage
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - more than descriptive, less than explicit
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - approx. 250 pages
Teagan has stepped into it. Now that she knows of her best friend’s connection to the Syndicate, she has to either step up or… So while she wants no part of any of it, she agrees to be married to Christiano, the Syndicate’s assassin. He wants this marriage as much as she does—which is none at all. Off to a bad start, he barely spends time with her, she tries to gain his attention through passive-aggressive means, and nothing seems to get done. When they finally do make an effort, that’s when the magic happens.
I’ve loved the Chicago Syndicate series from the beginning and I loved seeing all of the characters I fell in love with sprinkled throughout this story. I enjoyed seeing some of them take big roles in the plot (looking at you Luca and Henry!). I failed to connect with the main characters and it mostly boiled down to Teagan and her childish behavior. I kept having to remind myself that she was 30 years old because she was very OTT and out of control. She made rash decisions, she constantly challenged when it wasn’t necessary, and her irrational thoughts drove me mad.
Most of my frustration came from the fact that these characters lacked emotional depth. I knew very little about what drove them to be the way they were. I didn’t know what motivated or inspired them. Aside from Christiano’s revelation about his parents’ death and Teagan’s mention of not knowing her father and having a distant relationship with her mother, there wasn’t much else to learn. I knew so many details about the individual items Teagan and Christiano would wear though. I’d take emotional growth over superficial details any day.
Overall, I had a blast hanging out with some of my favorite people and I’m a bit sad knowing that this will probably be the last book for them. I’ll miss the drama, the action, and the sense of family these characters engender the most.
The Syndicate, once a shadowy organization, has transformed into a haven of love, acceptance, and unbreakable bonds.
"You Keep making me hate you," I whisper.
"Good." A muscle flexes in his temple.
"That will make everything easier."
~ Louisa & Lir
"Good." A muscle flexes in his temple.
"That will make everything easier."
~ Louisa & Lir
──────────── ♔ ────────────
A Court of Sugar and Spice by Rebecca F. Kenney
My Rating - ★★★★¼
Standalone - Wicked Darlings #1
Release - January 1, 2022
Genre/Trope - Fantasy retelling / elements of instalove and enemies to lovers
POV - Dual 1st person (Clara & Louisa)
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 373
Standalone - Wicked Darlings #1
Release - January 1, 2022
Genre/Trope - Fantasy retelling / elements of instalove and enemies to lovers
POV - Dual 1st person (Clara & Louisa)
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 373
With their inheritance restricted until their marriage, sisters Clara and Louisa, both in their twenties, must live with their godfather Drosselmeyer. One night, an accident brings to life one of the strange wooden dolls in Drosselmeyer's mansion. The Nutcracker doll is a cursed Fae prince, and he pleads for the sisters' help. During the ensuing journey into the Fae realm, Clara encounters the handsome Sugarplum Faerie, and he promises her the chance to enact all her forbidden fantasies. Meanwhile Louisa and the Nutcracker Prince battle and bicker over everything, despite the growing attraction between them. And to make matters worse, the entire Seelie kingdom is under threat of conquest by the Rat King, ruler of the Dread Court.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
My Two Cents
When I picked this book up, I had no idea what I was in for… AND I LOVED IT!! This author has found a new fan in me and after reading A Court of Sugar and Spice, I’ll never look at the Nutcracker or the Sugar Plum Faerie the same!
I walked into a world of magic, with mythical creatures, dangerous terrain, and tons of adventure. The author captured the feeling and wonder of this world perfectly. I could easily imagine the impossible trees and valleys, Fin’s infamous candies and bombs, the beauty that surrounded these characters.
Sorry for being vague, but I truly believe that the plot of this story needs to be experienced rather than told. It’s sexy, fun, charming, and full of love. There happens to be another book involving Clara and Fin and I’m excited to read it!
My Two Cents
Rebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories... pirates, warlords, demons, Fae, and royals. Her two main series are the "Dark Rulers" series (standalones in a shared world) and the Immortal Warriors series (connected books). She has also written a zombie-apocalypse/vampire-romance trilogy (book 1 is "The Vampires Will Save You"). Other books include a demon romance duet, a dark mermaid fantasy duology, and other spicy retellings.Rebecca lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.
For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on TikTok @rebeccafkenney, Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks, and on Twitter @RebeccaFKenney1.
The Fuse series by E.L. Todd is an action-packed fantasy adventure with a taste of adventure, romance, magic, and dragons!
Fuse by E.L. Todd
Fuse #1
Release - December 18, 2020
Genre - Fantasy
POV - 3rd person
Heat - none
Format - ebook
Length - 315 pages
Growing up in a small village, Cora was destined for an ordinary life.
But fate had other plans.
The shamans, dark servants of the empire, invade her village, searching for something…or someone. Before they can feed on the soul of an innocent boy, she stabs them with her blade. It’s a dire mistake—because they’re invincible.
She flees into the wildlands until a voice commands her attention.
Come to me.
Her curiosity too great, she follows the voice inside her head…and comes across a fiery red dragon. Every free dragon has been enslaved by King Lux, forced into a nonconsensual fuse between man and dragon.
Except this one.
As the last free dragon in Anastille, he’s also on the run.
They realize they need to work together to overthrow the empire…or neither will be free.
Ashe by E.L. Todd
Fuse #2
Release - July 6, 2021
Genre - Fantasy
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - None
Format - ebook
Length - 548 pages
Cora's visit with the elves proves to be more than she bargained for.
She learns her parentage, but it's the last thing she ever expected to hear.
She came to the elves for help to defeat King Lux, to free the dragons still trapped in captivity, but she discovers a timeless place, where outside matters mean nothing.
There's little chance to convince them of anything, especially when her human heritage has permanently marked her as an outsider.
Rush returns to Bridge to begin their plans, but there's also a fear in the back of his mind.
Is she safe?
Flare shares the same concern. Will they hurt Pretty?
Elven magic separates their borders, but perhaps the connection between Rush and Cora is enough to keep the channel open between them, to exchange thoughts and feelings, until she departs the forest and reunites with him once more.
Forces are moving in the world, and they have to move quickly before King Lux finds them both--and destroys them.
Fury by E.L. Todd
Fuse #3
Release - October 26, 2021
Genre - Fantasy
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - none
Format - ebook
Length - 568 pages
Cora and her allies must defeat the most vile king in Anastille's history.
Will they find victory?
Or lose everything they have left?
Slay by E.L. Todd
Fuse #4
Release - April 25, 2022
Genre - Fantasy
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - none
Format - ebook
Length - 740 pages
The events of Anastille have unfolded in the most unexpected ways, and with the odds stacked against them, victory is merely a hope. But our heroes will do what they can to free the imprisoned dragons, to overthrow King Lux from his throne, and heal the divided factions of a war-torn country.
My review of the series ~ 3 stars
Book One
The world these characters inhabited was very easy to visualize. The forests were lush, the deserts were arid, and the wonders beyond Cora’s village were just that… wondrous.
The mystery surrounding Flare’s character... I had a feeling I knew exactly who he was and I was curious to see how it would affect the story to come. I wasn’t wrong.
I have a strange fascination with Flare and the process of dragons fusing with humans. This is such a unique take on the supernatural. The bond they share, becoming one, seems like something so special.
While Cora was nosy (or inquisitive if you want to romanticize it), I found her a bit annoying. People don’t have to share everything about themselves just because you have. It doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of trust. It could just be an individual’s preference.
Orcs, giant frogs, evil men in power, elves, dwarves, dragons, shamans (shadow-like figures who can suck the soul right out of you, can fly, and are impossible to kill… or are they?). I'm on edge and can't wait to dive into the next book!
Book Two
Is it wrong that when Rush and Cora finally ‘got together’ I wanted it to be somewhat descriptive? I thought this was an adult fantasy novel, especially with all of the cussing. I’m grown. Screw the fade to black theatrics!
I’m in awe of Ashe and everything he’s been through, what he’s accomplished, and what he has yet to do.
Finding out Cora’s parentage, at least who her father was, was a tough blow. I knew it was going to wreck whatever she and Ashe could have. And why does Cora try so hard to stand in her own way of happiness?
I’m still very much in love with Flare and Rush. Their connection is hilarious, sweet, and so touching.
Book Three
I’m all for Rush’s road to redemption. I only wish that this journey changes his mind about sacrificing himself at the end.
I’m still pretty blown away by the imagery this author has created. Once they were stuck in the mountain, I could feel the walls closing in around me. I could sense the dampness in the air.
The action scenes were fantastic. Whether it was Rush chopping off heads and not bothering to take names, or Cora using her magic to surprise attack the previously undefeatable, it was exciting and so entertaining.
Book Four
Favorite character: Callon. Dude, this man was everything. I did get frustrated a bit because his hate game was so strong, but I understood his reasons.
Understanding Cora’s parentage explained a lot about her powers and her innate nature. I was tired of her always being right, even when she was wrong. I was tired of people defending her when it was obvious she needed to be corrected. She got away with way too much and I needed her to come down a peg. She wasn’t better than anybody.
The final battle: better than expected. It was so well written, so intense, so terror-inducing. I didn't know who would even be alive in the end.
Rush was still a phenomenal character, with his horrific past, his attempts to right all of his wrongs, his redemption. He just needs people to see the great strides he’s made and the hero he has turned out to be.
Her Mad Hatter
Standalone - Kingdom #1
Release - July 7, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 123 pages
Alice is all grown up. Running the Mad Hatter's Cupcakery and Tea Shoppe is a delicious job, until fate--and a fairy godmother with a weakness for bad boys--throws her a curveball. Now, Alice is the newest resident of Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter fuels her fantasies and thrills her body with his dark touch.
The Mad Hatter may have a voice and a body made for sex, but he takes no lovers. Ever. But a determined fairy godmother has forced Alice into Wonderland--and his arms. Now, as desire and madness converge, the Hatter must decide if he will fight the fairy godmother's mating--or fight for Alice.
My Review: 3 stars
A new-to-me author just found a new fan! I loved the way she captured the Hatter, how she illustrated the madness of Kingdom and all of its creatures. This story was unlike anything else I've ever read before and I'm in love with the magic of it all. Alice was nothing like the Alice of storybooks. And the Hatter... he gave me the deliciousness that Johnny Depp gave this character. It's no wonder that Alice saw the same thing. He was a nut, but Alice was able to see beyond his mad utterings into the amazing man he truly was. There was some push and pull, some major resistance, but in the end this was an entertaining story.
Gerard's Beauty
Standalone - Kingdom #2
Release - July 28, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 188 pages
Betty Hart has had it with men. Jilted in love, her life now consists of shelving books by day, watching too much Anime by night, and occasionally dressing up like a superhero on the weekends with her fellow ‘Bleeding Heart’ nerds. Men are not welcome and very much unwanted. Especially the sexy Frenchman who saunters into her library reeking of alcohol and looking like he went one too many rounds in the ring.
Gerard Caron is in trouble. Again. Caught with his pants down (literally) he’s forced to seek asylum on Earth while his fairy godmother tries to keep Prince Charming from going all ‘Off with his head’. Maybe, messing around with the King’s daughter hadn’t been such a great idea after all, not that Gerard knew the silly redhead was a princess. But his fairy godmother knows the only way to save his life is to finally pair Gerard with his perfect mate, whether he’s willing or not.
From the moment Gerard lays eyes on the nerdy librarian he knows he must have her, but Betty is unlike any woman he’s ever known. He thought Betty would come as willingly to his bed as every other woman before her, but she is a woman who demands respect and even… horror of all horrors… love. Is it possible for a self-proclaimed Casanova to change his ways?
My Review: 3 stars
Gerard was a manwhore extraordinaire. Aside from Belle, he never delved beneath the surface, never trusted that there was only one female for him. Misunderstood and bitter about it (I kinda felt bad for the guy), he acts out. Dude was immature and ridiculous. When he went a bit too far, he's punished by spending time on Earth and making his 'one true love' fall in love with him. But Betty isn't like the vapid or superficial ladies he's used to. His game doesn't work. I loved when he finally got real with her and with himself. There was so much more to the man hidden beneath the surface and the author did an amazing job with all of it.
Red and Her Wolf
Standalone - Kingdom #3
Release - September 26, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 213 pages
Long ago there lived a beautiful child. Her name was Violet. Fair of skin, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. Born of wild magic, she was a woman with a child’s heart. Innocent and lovely, but not at all what she seemed--you see Violet went by another name: The Heartsong.
She was the child of fairy magic, the physical manifestation of all fae kinds unbridled power. Cosseted and pampered, she grew up in isolation, never knowing who she really was, or why there were those who’d seek to harm her.
Ewan of the Blackfoot Clan is a wolf with a problem. He’s been sent to kill the Heartsong, but the moment he lays eyes on the blonde beauty he knows he’ll defy the evil fae he works for to claim Violet as his own.
This is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, as it really happened...
My Review: 4 stars
This was my favorite story of the series so far. Where the other books were light and humorous, this one was dark and mysterious. Violet was pure magic. She was the result of dark magic being purged from the fairies and all dark emotions are what fueled her. Know the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Well, you've never heard it like this. What if the wolf didn't do the awful things that myth made up? What if he was meant to be with Red?
That's what this book was about... and so much more! Red hated Ewan for what she believed he had done. And when she learns the truth, she has to fight against everything she thought she knew and believed. Her story was all about turning that love into hate and destroying the darkness. It was such a beautiful and unique way of telling this fairytale and I was far too infatuated with Ewan. He was everything that was good and kind and sweet and sexy... he was yummy. And if you love retellings, you need to read this one!
Jinni's Wish
Standalone - Kingdom #4
Release - November 26, 2012
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 137 pages
A long, long time ago there lived a man. A Jinni, who had one wish. To know love. But the woman he thought he knew betrayed him and the love he thought they shared. Tortured for his crimes, he was cast out of Kingdom, stripped of all his powers, left to langour in pain and solitude, until eventually he becomes nothing but a ghost...
Paz Lopez is an artist with a dream. To buy a ridiculously large penthouse in the swankiest section of Chicago. But there's just one hitch, she has no man to share her dream with. A fateful visit to a carnival and Madam Pandora's tent sends Paz on a mission to find the love of her life before it's too late.
But the Madam forgot to tell Paz one very important detail... to meet him, Paz will have to die first.
My Review: 3.5 stars
This may have been the most magical book of the series thus far. The love that developed for both Jinni and Paz happened in the inbetween. She was hovering at death's door and he was slowly slipping away. Only what they felt for each other kept them tethered to our world. Their story was beautiful, painful, eerie, and lovely. I'm really enjoying myself with these books!
Hook's Pan
Standalone - Kingdom #5
Release - April 23, 2013
Genre - Fantasy Romance
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 172 pages
Trishelle Page has known pain in her life, but instead of it making her weak, she's stronger. Confident. That is until the day a fairy kidnaps her during her staring role in Peter Pan's play and tells her not only do fairy tales exist, but that she's the soulmate of the pirate they call Hook, making her question everything she ever thought she knew.
Captain James Hook is a man at the end of his rope. He's not the villainous bastard tales have made him out to be. So when the curvaceous blonde drops, literally, at his feet he aims to prove it to her. If only to get her into his bed.
What neither one knows is that fate and magic are conspiring and they can deny the attraction all they want but the end is already written, it's just a matter of getting there.
My Review: 2 stars
This was my least favorite book of the bunch. I didn't like Trishelle when she was introduced in Gerard's Beauty and I liked her even less here. Which sucked because I was hoping this book would make me like her more. As pathetic and sad as she was, I figured I would feel an ounce of pity or compassion. I was just annoyed. The only thing that saved this book was the magic of Neverland and the wonder of James Hook. Dude was delicious!!
Suffering the pain of flesh is my duty; protecting you from it is my vow.
────── ♔ ──────
Queen of Rot & Pain by Liv Zander
The Pale Court Duet #2
Release - June 23, 2022
Genre - Dark Fantasy Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / several explicit scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 274 pages
Publisher - Ink Heart Publishing
Release - June 23, 2022
Genre - Dark Fantasy Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / several explicit scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 274 pages
Publisher - Ink Heart Publishing
Worse than a god in rage... is a god in love.
I punish lies and deceit,
An eternal damnation of agony and pain.
Yet, when it is my wife whose deception plagues me,
I know what I must do.
Shackle her soul to the lying, cold corpse that she is,
Ensuring that she never escapes me.
My wrath,
My torture,
My pain,
And my pleasure.
I am the King of Flesh and Bone,
Every part of her I possess and own.
She is mine,
Death shall never do us part.
Welcome home, my queen.
My Two Cents
5 "Not even death can end us" stars
With the way the first book ended, I had no idea what was going to happen in this one. I could assume a lot, such as the fact that Ada dies and Enosh finally gets to keep her with him for eternity. But that's not what I wanted. I wished for them to fall in love, for her to gain immortality somehow, for a happy ending.
And honestly... I got everything I wanted and so much more!
Ada was dead, but no matter how cold she got, it never stopped their heat. Enosh was very creative in his ways of punishing her for what he believed was her betrayal and, through this horrific journey, Ada grew into a woman who deserved to stand by his side. He was a god after all.
I loved Ada. Loved her like I had never before, with no precaution over the pain it had already caused me, nor the pain that was certainly yet to come. I loved her with a ferocity that was not safe for me or her. Certainly not for this world.
The death had a life of its own in this book. The magic of the way Enosh wove flesh and bone into clothing, furniture, animals, etc... I'm truly awed by the way this author illustrated this strange world with her words. And the terrifying beauty that was created for Ada and Enosh was ugly and sexy and painful and real. So freaking real.
About the Author
Liv has an unhealthy love for sexy villains. To cure herself of her poor choice in men, she's currently undergoing therapy, but who can afford that these days? To fund her co-pays, she's writing deliciously dark fantasy romance about the men who would burn the world to the ground for their women. Is that counter-productive? Probably, but it's also a lot of fun.When she's not joking around, she can be found procrastinating in her office with a mug of coffee or a glass of wine (depending on time of day and how miserable the writing is going). Oh, she also loves skulls. And ravens. And skulls.
Visit http://livzander.com for more information
Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. Never my whore, forever my woman.
────── ♔ ──────
King of Flesh and Bone by Liv Zander
The Pale Court Duet #1
Release - April 21, 2022
Genre - Dark Fantasy Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 4.5 out of 5 / several explicit scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 258 pages
Publisher - Ink Heart Publishing
Release - April 21, 2022
Genre - Dark Fantasy Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 4.5 out of 5 / several explicit scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 258 pages
Publisher - Ink Heart Publishing
Worse than a ruthless king... is a king obsessed.
Isolation, darkness, and rotting flesh,
Surrounds me, suffocates me,
But I am the vile ruler who controls it all.
I long for warmth,
Yet, all that I touch,
Is cold.
Then, she stumbles in to my domain,
Lost and frightened,
Alone and confused.
And I terrify her even more.
She calls me the devil,
So I show her pleasure,
Like only the devil can.
I am the heat that stirs her flesh,
The longing that trembles her bone.
She begs her body to refuse,
To escape my embrace,
But I am her master,
The puppeteer of passion.
I am the King of Flesh and Bone.
Welcome to my court, little one.
My Two Cents
4 "Devotion for eternity" stars
Can you imagine being so used to the walking dead that it becomes commonplace?
Imagine bodies clawing themselves out of their graves and wandering around aimlessly?
And this is normal???
That's just a glimpse of the surreal world created for this story.
➼ corpses don't rot, so they end up walking around
➼ babies born on the full moon are likely to be born dead
➼ everyone knows that the King of Flesh and Bone is the one responsible for this life
➼ old-fashioned misogyny and religion keep a good woman down
➼ a gothic and eerie feel to everything
➼ new-to-me author blew me away!!
Did I find it icky? Ummm... yeah. Enosh was the god of all flesh and bone. His palace was built with bones, he created clothes out of skin, he didn't do his duty of rotting the dead, and it was all a bit gross. But also oddly intriguing. I couldn't get enough of it. And for all her denials, neither could Ada.
Giving him a broken heart didn't hurt because I love a damaged hero (or anti-hero) and made for some interesting tension between him and Ada. She did everything to resist the irresistible and I lived for their every interaction.
And when the danger came, as it inevitably would, I was loving that too. Those torture scenes were fantastic!
I have no idea what the next book will bring, but I do have some blind requests, such as Ada being granted immortality, that she falls in real love with Enosh, and that somehow, amidst the death and rot and yuck, these two get a happy ending.
Luckily I've already got book two loaded up so I'm off.
About the Author
Liv has an unhealthy love for sexy villains. To cure herself of her poor choice in men, she's currently undergoing therapy, but who can afford that these days? To fund her co-pays, she's writing deliciously dark fantasy romance about the men who would burn the world to the ground for their women. Is that counter-productive? Probably, but it's also a lot of fun.When she's not joking around, she can be found procrastinating in her office with a mug of coffee or a glass of wine (depending on time of day and how miserable the writing is going). Oh, she also loves skulls. And ravens. And skulls.
Visit http://livzander.com for more information
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