fantasy

Review: Gossamer in the Darkness by Kristen Ashley

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I am so happy I did a Fantasyland reread last year and finally read the Rising series as well. I was primed for this book. 

The thing about the 1,001 Dark Nights is that you don’t NEED to read any other series. You can dive right in and experience this new story without feeling like to missed anything. But as with all Kristen Ashley books, I will say that I HIGHLY recommend you read the series when you get a chance. The Fantasyland series is so transporting and fantastical. It’ll make you wish that there was an parallel universe that you could transport to. 

Maxine was brought to this world and forced to make a Marquess fall in love with her. But she can’t tell him who she really is. But of course things don’t always work the way they’re supposed to. She thought her plan was simple. But then she met the man and everything changed. 

I enjoyed this story very much. Short and sweet and sexy. I love the cameos and new characters. I truly hope we get a few more stories from this world. There’s a couple of people that I’d like to see find their HEAs.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3L439tU

Preview: The Iron Sword by Julie Kagawa

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Release day: February 1, 2022

What an exciting addition to this series!

While I’m happy we get Ash’s POV this time around, I do miss being in Puck’s head. He’s always so fun. And I was hoping for more romance, if I’m being honest. But alas…

While trying to find Kirian the gang discovers that faery isn’t what they thought it was. The past found a way of sneaking up and changing everything they ever knew. Definitely didn’t see that coming. But I’m hoping for good things in the next one.

If you’re looking for an adventurous YA series, then this is right up your alley. And when I say YA I mean Y-A. There’s no sexy times or uncomfortable violence to worry about. But I love these characters, so I can deal. 🤪

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3rvYHMa

Review: A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker

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I love when my authors take a chance and write out of their usual genre.

I have loved K.A. Tucker since I first read Ten Tiny Breaths a million moons ago. I’ve been a huge fan of her romances and am usually recommending them to all my friends. When I heard she was writing a fantasy, I was immediately intrigued.

A Fate of Wrath & Flame is the first in a new series, so, of course, there are a lot of new names and places to remember. It took me a little bit to find my groove. I was a highlighting fiend. 🙂 This happens a lot with new fantasies. But I spent two days fully engrossed in this story. There was so much happening I was hooked.

Of course there was also romance. This is Ms. Tucker’s talent, after all. Definitely a bit of enemies to lovers sprinkled with second chance.

By the time I was at the end I was hoping it wasn’t the end. I wanted more, LOTS more. So now I sit here and wait forever the next book…😬

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/2SsKJws

Review: The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

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Puck has a book!!

I have been waiting years for this. I’m such a sucker for the Fae and I will read all the faerie stories. The Iron Fey was one of my first YA series that I read when I became a reader and I loved it. I read the spin off a few years later and shared them both with my daughter. She was Team Puck, by the way.

When Julie announced that Puck was getting his own series we were both over the moon. When I was given an ARC I wanted to dive right in but I waited til life slowed down so I could give it the attention it required. I am so happy it did that.

I’ll admit as I reading I was a bit nervous for Puck. His story seemed to go off in a way that had me biting my nails. But I trusted Julie to spare my nerves and make things right. AND SHE DID.

We get a new batch of friends, including Keirran, Meghan and Ash’s son. We met him in the spin off series, and he caused a bit of trouble and heartache, but he’s trying to make things right.

There’s a evil that’s lurking and causing lots of issues and it’s up to Puck and his crew to make things right. I am quite excited to see where this series will go. But it definitely feels good to be back in this world.

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3q3xKwy

Review: Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts by Nancy Campbell Allen

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This is the 4th book in the Proper Romance Steampunk series. While it’s technically an interconnected standalone, I highly recommend you read the others first to get the full effect. Plus you’ll get to meet some of the current characters.

Emme is all about full rights for everyone, including shifters. Unfortunately there are those who disagree and have made their feelings known, in the way of a death threat. So Inspector Oliver Reed is charged with being her bodyguard. After dealing with the aftermath of her many protests, he is less than thrilled with being forced to be around her even more.

Watching these two together was so fun. They circled around each other for a while. It was bit like enemies to lovers, which is my favorite sub genre of romance. They clearly didn’t feel good and happy thoughts in the beginning. But the more they’re put together the more they come to the realization that they care for each other.

Plenty of butterflies in the belly moments sprinkled with a few heart stopping ones makes this the perfect sweet romance. I really hope we got more from this world!

~Melpomene

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Review: Skyhunter by Marie Lu

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After reading the Warcross duology I hoped this would be similar in feelings and actions. It was. And I’m very happy.

I received this audible from Libro.fm and then the DTB from Bookish First so I went back and forth from reading to listening. I was fully caught up in the action. I hated to put it down to do life.

Talin is a striker and her only job is to protect her world from the Federation. She knows what horrific things they can do so she is willing to fight to the death to protect others from living what she barely lived through.

When a prisoner is brought in she discovers that he is way more than a simple Federation runaway. He just may well be the answer to how they can win this war.

I fell in love with all the characters. They each had a bond that was unbreakable. It was inspiring to see that. They would do anything and everything for each other.

Skyhunter is an action packed YA fantasy filled with emotions, family bonds and even a hint of love. I was on the edge of my seat as I neared the ending and frankly I’m a bit anxious to see what happens next.

~Melpomene

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Review: Fable by Adrienne Young

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If you’ve read Adrienne Young’s books then you’ll know what kind of worlds she creates. With her words she transforms you into the scenes and you feel like you’re experiencing everything right along with them. I fell in love with the cover and I knew I would love the story. Honestly, I didn’t read the blurb til I finished the book.

Fable was abandoned by her father four years ago. She makes it her goal to somehow escape the island he left her at and find him in order to get what she’s owed. What she didn’t plan on was falling into a crew of throwaways and eventually becoming one of them.

I adored this book and couldn’t put it down. It’s been a long time since I felt like this while reading. There’s a very slow burn romance, which was written perfectly, which I was hoping for. There’s a sense of family, which made this story magnificent. I pretty much fell in love with everyone. To see all these guys and gals working together and willing to risk their lives for each other, it’s a beautiful thing.

I can’t wait to read book two!!

This is definitely in my top 10 of 2020.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/2Dvlfau

Review: The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen

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A thrilling and emotional conclusion to this duology!

From the very first line I was riveted. It brought all of the Merciful Crow feelings back. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you stop right now and go rectify that. The Faithless Hawk takes place pretty much right after Crow ends. If you don’t remember everything, I suggest you go back and reread a few chapters at least.

This was another buddy read with Sassy, since she enjoyed TMC so much. So I got her input for part of the review also.

I loved the fact, and I even said this in my last review, that this isn’t your typical “I am a strong and powerful girl and I can do no wrong and everyone must follow me,” YA book. She makes mistakes. HUGE ones. But she also works well with others and knows it’s not about her, it’s about everyone. I love how her crows help her even when she tries to take as much on her shoulders. She even has a few Hawks to help her along the way! She doesn’t give up, even when she can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We love Tavin. There were so many OMG parts with him, and not necessarily in a good way, but just hold on for a while. You can’t see the whole board when you’re a piece in the game. Just wait and step back and see the plays. I was going back and forth with him. But I am so happy I held on. I knew there was a reason for everything.

“I’ll never doubt that boy loves you. But loving someone doesn’t make us choose right, for us or for them.”

This book seemed more focused on the relationships surrounding Fie. The banter between the characters made us giggle and smile, a lot. Prince Jasimir was more open with his feelings and it was nice to see that. He was rather standoff-ish in the first book. It was good to see him loosen up a bit. There were a few scenes with him that made us teary. In fact, her and I just sat here for 10 minutes reminiscing about all the hilarious and emotional group scenes and it kinda makes me want to reread it.

This series will definitely be added to my YA rec list! I hope you guys love it as much as we did!

~Melpomene

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Quick review: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

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A solid 4 star book that borders on the mature YA/NA line. A slow burn romance that made my heart all squishy.

I loved watching Lou and Reid together. She’s a witch that is hiding in plain sight and trying not to get caught. And Reid is a Chasseur, who’s soul job is to hunt down and kill witches. So when they’re caught in a compromising situation and forced to marry, that when things start to get crazy. She must keep her secret from Reid, but spending so much time with him definitely doesn’t make things easier.

I’ll admit for the first quarter I thought it was an okay book. I wasn’t sure about these characters. By the time I made it to the halfway mark I was sitting up and paying close attention. Some parts were kinda silly and a bit of the humor felt forced. But by the time I was done, I wish I waited til closer to the second book’s release cuz I need to know what’s gonna happen next! All in all it really was an enjoyable debut and I look forward to seeing these characters grow and how they handle the secrets that were revealed.

If you’re looking for a good mature YA/NA fantasy with witches and magic, then add this book to your TBR.

~Melpomene

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Review: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

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Roller coaster ride doesn’t even come close to what this book felt like.

I was so excited to start a new series my Sarah Maas! I’ve loved her Throne of Glass and ACOTAR series so much, I had high hopes for this one. I knew this would give me all the feels, and I was right. Plenty of heart stopping moments mixed with a few teary ones had me at the edge of my seat. I wasn’t expecting to cry so soon in the series, but dang, tears were pouring down my cheeks.

I’ll admit the first 15 chapters, or so, were a struggle for me. I had to force myself to keep going. Sarah dropped a lot of information on us and it just didn’t grab me. I was used to the instant pull of ToG and ACOTAR. This didn’t compare. I didn’t help that I didn’t like Bryce at all in the beginning. Heck, it took me til half the book before she started to grow on me and the last section to actually like her.

That being said, I liked the interaction between Bryce and Hunt. The banter was fun to watch. And seeing them slowly heal and grow together was exactly what I was hoping for. But I wish there was more heat. For an adult book this lacked in that department. We got more f-bombs and adult talk, but this still felt like a NA book. I kept waiting and waiting for more adult situations but was left disappointed. Not that I only read for those but I expected more in an “adult” series. So here’s to hoping book two knocks our socks off. Among other things…😉

She put a hand on her chest. Over her heart. “I was waiting for you—in here.”

The amount of growth these characters went through, from the first page to the last, was enormous. That’s the type of story I like reading about. I was happy to see this first ARC all wrapped up neatly in this book. There was closure on a few things but it also was left opened enough to keep us coming back. I look forward to see what happens in the next chapter of their lives.

~Melpomene

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