Kiss of the Selkie by Tessonja Odette was so good! I've loved all of her Entangled with Fae books so far and I'm happy to report that this w4.5 stars!
Kiss of the Selkie by Tessonja Odette was so good! I've loved all of her Entangled with Fae books so far and I'm happy to report that this was no exception. Maisie was such a fun character to follow and I was very invested in the happiness of Podaxis. I always enjoy the unique fairytale connection Tessonja makes with her stories. It's never an exact retelling and despite knowing the general plot of the fairytales, I still get surprised.
I will definitely be reading future books in this series! Tessonja is officially an auto-read author for me....more
I thoroughly enjoyed Go the Distance! It felt like a Hercules sequel and really made me want to watch the movie. I enjoyed the additional mythology stI thoroughly enjoyed Go the Distance! It felt like a Hercules sequel and really made me want to watch the movie. I enjoyed the additional mythology stories being woven in and referenced throughout Meg's journey. I think what kept this from being a 5 star read for me was the writing feeling like it was more Middle Grade than Young Adult at times. However, Jen Calonita perfectly captured the characters of Megara, Hades, Phil, Hercules, etc. so overall, I am quite content....more
B.A. Lovejoy has blown me away again! I didn't expect to enjoy Quill and Cobweb as much as Ink and Foxglove but it was just as good. Wren an4.5 stars!
B.A. Lovejoy has blown me away again! I didn't expect to enjoy Quill and Cobweb as much as Ink and Foxglove but it was just as good. Wren and Luka are delightfully complex and compelling characters to read about and Lovejoy consistently writes intriguing side characters. I am very invested in what happens to Adam Harlow. I can't wait for the next book and can't recommend The Chronicles of Whynne enough!
Thanks so much to the author for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review....more
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young is an intriguing story of the renowned Roth family we met in Namesake. The all-too-brief encounter in Name3.75 Stars
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young is an intriguing story of the renowned Roth family we met in Namesake. The all-too-brief encounter in Namesake didn't even scratch the surface of the complex family relationships seen in The Last Legacy. I love a good crime family plot and the Roth family did not disappoint. I was continually reminded of Six of Crows as I listened and couldn't put it down.
Bryn is cunning and fierce as she navigates finding her way in the Roth family. I would love to read more about the Roth family's history. There is a lot about the family that is still shrouded in mystery. I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me was the romance. It wasn't insta-love but lacked the depth I wanted.
Suzy Jackson is the perfect narrator for Bryn and I'm so glad I chose to listen instead of read.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc!...more
Shuriken of Honor by A.C. Ward is the fourth book in The Kami Prophecy, a YA series inspired by Feudal Japan that is full of mythology and r4.5 Stars!
Shuriken of Honor by A.C. Ward is the fourth book in The Kami Prophecy, a YA series inspired by Feudal Japan that is full of mythology and romance.
Shou is fiercer than ever in Shuriken of Honor as she uncovers pieces of her past and fights to stay alive as both mortals and Kami alike try to kill her. Shou spends a large portion of the book unhappily separated from Masaru while he fights his enemies within and outside of the Date clan and strives to find his way Daimyo.
Another part of the prophecy is unearthed but the future couldn't be more unknown for the Marked and the Fated.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series! Hopefully it has even more of Geki in it.
I didn't realize this was going to be more than one book so the ending left me surprised but I enjoyed this twist on Cinderella. Prince Charming was wI didn't realize this was going to be more than one book so the ending left me surprised but I enjoyed this twist on Cinderella. Prince Charming was witty and well, charming; the evil stepmother is toxic and abusive; and Elya, "Cinderella," is kind despite her dark upbringing. I'm very curious about book 2!
Thanks so much to the author for the e-arc!...more
I'll be honest, I was skeptical when I first started Ink and Foxglove because I REALLY loved The Night King and it's quickly apparent that a4.5 stars!
I'll be honest, I was skeptical when I first started Ink and Foxglove because I REALLY loved The Night King and it's quickly apparent that about 100 years have passed since then. But the witty banter between Wren and Luka won my heart in no time and the plot kept me guessing.
After that ending, I desperately want the next book!
Also, another stunning cover!
Thanks so much to Bethany Anne Lovejoy for a free copy of the book to read and give an honest review....more
I didn't expect to enjoy Heart of the Raven Prince as much as Curse of the Wolf King but it didn't disappoint! I loved the banter between Em4.5 Stars!
I didn't expect to enjoy Heart of the Raven Prince as much as Curse of the Wolf King but it didn't disappoint! I loved the banter between Ember and Franco and I am usually not a big fan of the fake-dating trope but I was hooked on this one!
These standalone spin-off books set in Faerwyvae are so fun and I can't wait for the next one! I have not read the Fair Isle Trilogy yet so I can confirm it is not necessary to enjoy these standalone books, although I have a sneaking suspicion I'll appreciate them even more once I have. I am very curious about the mysterious Maisie's that was teased at the end of the book as well!
Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! ...more
I don't read many standalone fantasy books so it was a nice change of pace knowing from the beginning that everything would be resolved. Whi3.25 stars
I don't read many standalone fantasy books so it was a nice change of pace knowing from the beginning that everything would be resolved. Which brings me to my least favorite part of a standalone fantasy book, how much has to be fit into a single book, usually at the expense of character and plot development. This was no exception and regrettably made it a forgettable book.
That being said, the romance was sweet and the magic was interesting. I'm not at all mad that I read it and it made for a nice change from the longer series I've been reading.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!...more
Awakening Shadows by Sydney Hawthorn is a delightful YA Fantasy full of magic and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building and characters. JosAwakening Shadows by Sydney Hawthorn is a delightful YA Fantasy full of magic and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building and characters. Joseline really matures from the somewhat spoiled princess to someone who wants to be able to defend herself. Her blossoming relationship with Quinn was so sweet and he is the broody love-interest you can't help swooning over. I was intrigued by Dax and Evalyn even more than Joseline and Quinn but I won't say more on that front.
The pacing of the book is pretty steady and there's good foundation for the sequel. I am definitely looking forward to the next book!
Thanks so much to the author for a digital copy of the book!...more
An excellent sequel! Sword of Compassion picks up pretty much where Katana of Trust left off, skipping what would have been unexciting traveling sc4.5
An excellent sequel! Sword of Compassion picks up pretty much where Katana of Trust left off, skipping what would have been unexciting traveling scenes. It starts with Masaru, Shou and Katashi arriving at the Date Palace where things quickly go awry.
I really enjoyed getting to see Shou's bond with Masaru grow stronger while they face both mystical troubles with the Kami and more earthly problems such as attraction and familial discord. The prophecy is always there, driving the overall plot and it finally reveals the meaning of the 2nd verse and gives a peek at the 3rd.
The Japanese inspiration is just as enjoyable in this book as in the 1st and once again, I'm surprised at the amount of world-building that occurs in such a short book. I've been left with questions and burning suspicions so I can't wait for the 3rd book!
Thanks so much to A.C. Ward for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!...more
This is such a good series! It can easily be read as one long, continuous book with a prologue.
It's a tale of adventure and magic set in the same worlThis is such a good series! It can easily be read as one long, continuous book with a prologue.
It's a tale of adventure and magic set in the same world as Alisha Klapheke's Enchanting the Elven Mage and Kingdoms of Lore series but I can attest that it can be read without reading either.
Despite being 5 books long, the series is still under a thousand pages but has more world-building than some series 2 and 3 times as long. I really enjoyed Vahly, Arcturus, and Nyx's characters and was intrigued by every encounter with the Sea Kynd. It added extra depth to experience the story unfolding from both Vahly and the Sea Kynd's points of view also.
If you enjoy bingeing a series, this is one is very bingeable!...more
I was a little skeptical of how I was going to like the book when Gemma says she hates snow but I kn4.5 stars
"You make me feel the way books do."
I was a little skeptical of how I was going to like the book when Gemma says she hates snow but I knew I was going to love it when the Tomato Sauce scene happened. I laughed to myself and rolled my eyes just as I imagined Gemma did.
The world-building was quite good and I liked every character in their own little way but the banter is what won me over. Despite being a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I definitely second the Bridgerton vibes. Elliott is is the brooding royal we readers can never resist and Gemma is the independent bookworm we all see ourselves as. I also really appreciated the female empowerment Gemma embodies and that she is strong enough to carry her own giant stack of books.
Overall, it's a fast paced Beauty and the Beast retelling with some slow burn romance and I will definitely be reading more from Tessonja! Also, this cover is gorgeous!
Thanks so much to the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!...more
"I’d much rather read about handsome young men than talk to them myself.”
This is the enemies to lovers with Fae I wanted Cruel Prince to be!4.5 stars!
"I’d much rather read about handsome young men than talk to them myself.”
This is the enemies to lovers with Fae I wanted Cruel Prince to be! I was completely enthralled with this book and couldn't put it down.
There's always something interesting about a plot that involves a competition for choosing a spouse from a group of strangers. I can't resist a good tricky Fae wording plot element either.
I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Thanks so much to the author for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!...more
This was so good! The Japanese background is delightful and nicely executed. It's a short book but despite that, Shou and Masaru were very i4.5 stars!
This was so good! The Japanese background is delightful and nicely executed. It's a short book but despite that, Shou and Masaru were very interesting to read about and I'm very curious about Katashi and Yosuke. It's a fast paced, intriguing read and I can't wait for the 2nd book!
I received an early e-arc of this in exchange for an honest review.