That ending rocked my world, it was something I was hoping would happen, but even when I was expecting it, I still ended up being surprised at how it That ending rocked my world, it was something I was hoping would happen, but even when I was expecting it, I still ended up being surprised at how it came about (thanks to that bonus content).
If I could be a fly on the wall (or better yet, Merri) right now...
Anyway, there are a few things I'd like to focus on, first and foremost, PUFFINS!!! That was the cutest thing everrrrr, now I need them to appear outside of a dream sequence, and for Asher to adopt one. I'm not asking for much, I swear. And the Operation Puffin scenes were brilliant, as always. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BE IT, I NEED MORE TRANSMISSIONS LIKE I NEED AIR!!!
This leads me to the biggest crossover so far, with pretty much everybody from the past series meeting face to face. My life? Made.
What makes it even better is that we got to see my favourite book man, Nord, in there too. I missed him and Lina so much. That quote at the start about him being so hot he could melt the polar ice caps had me hollering. It's so true.
Next up Malice, who finally got his time to shine, and Grim, who delivered well beyond my wildest dreams. Horseman favorites list: secured. The hottest scenes in the book were theirs, hands down.
All four of them got a lot of relationship development, getting to an interesting (and logical) point, until one of them decided to open his big mouth...
I'm not that mad though!! Solely because of where the book ended, in any other timeline I'd be extremely upset. Like, you guys didn't see the signs? Not one of you? It took Merri pointing it out for y'all to put your thinking caps on? My word.
No wonder Luc is my fav, that man knows how to PLAN. I admire his commitment to fulfilling his destiny, honestly. I wish he had even more chapters. Mayhaps we'll get some more in book four, it would be the perfect time.
One character I also wish we got more of, is Andi. It makes sense why we didn't see her for most of the book, but I'm gonna need Merri to make things right between them STAT. If there's one thing she needs in her life right now, it's a ride-or-die best friend.
But yeah, I have never wanted to throw a bag of marbles on the floor and watch certain characters scramble as much as I have in that scene where Death said what he said. AND, he'd have to pick up all the marbles afterwards, that would teach him. Hmph.
The wait between books 2 and 3 was gonna end me, I was suffering. Please don't make us wait that long for book 4!!! Especially with that juicy cliffhanger you left us on, okay? Okay.
As for you, reading this review, don't ask any questions, just go get all the audiobooks and come back here when you're done. You haven't listened to a better cast in your life, they'll make the story feel so alive. Go do it now!!!
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I've been eating eggplant salad and an eggplant/zucchini/tomato stew for the past few days in preparation for this book, I even had some moutabal the I've been eating eggplant salad and an eggplant/zucchini/tomato stew for the past few days in preparation for this book, I even had some moutabal the weekend prior. I feel kinda bad for consuming so many poor eggplants now, imagine if they were actually shifters in disguise??
That's the whole premise of this book, people who can shift into vegetables, and our lovely male MC Aubrey can turn into an eggplant!! Of course, the girl he falls for, Sadie, is allergic to eggplants. You can imagine how that goes.
Or maybe you can't, because Aubrey also used to be in a vegetable shifter mafia, and they're coming for him, so he's always on the run.
I loved all the punny names, starting with Aubrey's own, a play on the word aubergine. Then there's the Bells who are...bell peppers, Mr Ato (tomato), Mr Oli (broccoli), they added a certain whimsy.
My personal favourite vegetable that I could eat every day (and pretty much do) happens to be tomatoes, but I would NOT feel guilty about munching on the one in this story, no sir.
I also adore eggplants (I mean, just look at the start of my review), but after this book, I'll never look at them the same way again. After that last scene too, if I don't keep seeing that every time I look at one...
Bad Seed was so silly, but in the best way possible. There was a little dose of angst (he's an eggplant and can't tell her, but also doesn't know that it's him she's allergic to because she didn't tell him, and he's fallen for her so he wants to stay, but also feels like he has to leave to keep her safe), but it was mostly lighthearted.
There's a cute cat called Astin, who made me imagine a crossover in which he accidentally bites one of the cheese shifters from Ellen Mint's other book. Because Astin loves tacos apparently, tacos have cheese, what do the men in Why Cheese turn into? Exactly.
LETTUCE move on to the romance, I thought it was really cool that Sadie knew what she wanted and wasn't shy about it, and that Aubrey loved her just as she was and focused on pleasing her (again and again and again).
It was kinda funny how she couldn't figure out what he was after she kept getting hives though. Like, there must've been some secret unlisted eggplant in the ingredients of the food I ate, my boyfriend is definitely not an eggplant.
Oh, you know what else was hilarious? The veggie photo shoots!!! That eggplant one was felt through the screen, lemme tell you. But it's such a perfect job for Sadie to have, I couldn't have thought of a better one if I tried.
If you love goofy reads that feature arguably the hottest vegetable as one of the main characters, then you need to read Bad Seed. The eggplants in your kitchen would want you to.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
Having read Tiffany's first book a couple of days ago, I knew what to expect with this one, but I still ended up being surprised at every turn.
In HigHaving read Tiffany's first book a couple of days ago, I knew what to expect with this one, but I still ended up being surprised at every turn.
In High Achiever, Tiffany covers her years as an addict, her time in jail and the rehab facility she went to, and in A Clean Mess we get a follow up, what happened after she left rehab, met her husband and got pregnant in record time.
Much like the first memoir, this one has chapters that end with mini cliffhangers so you can't help but say "one more chapter", because you want to know what's going to happen next.
There's a dual timeline, the present day (which is what hooks you initially) and the past. I was insanely curious about what happened in the present, and I'm STILL curious because we didn't get a proper resolution.
We did get something, like a hint, but it wasn't totally clear, and I don't want to assume the worst, you know? But at the same time I get that maybe Jenkins wasn't able to say all of it publicly for one reason or another.
I agree with another review that said maybe that scene should've been left out of the book, if she couldn't sum it up in one sentence.
Anyway, I liked this better than book one, it felt more honest. Tiffany described her struggles with staying sober while being a wife and mother, how she had to learn to deal with anxiety after dulling her senses for so many years, and postpartum depression which doesn't discriminate.
There's an obvious growth in between the two books, I'm sure some of that is due to everything she experienced here.
At the start of the book (in the past timeline) you can see she's still a bit insecure, unsure if she can stay on the right track with everything moving so fast, but she does!! She did that!! Even with so many things going wrong, she managed to stay sober.
The thing that surprised me the most was the ending, I really wasn't expecting that to happen, but it makes sense.
You can read this memoir without the other, but I'd recommend reading them in order so you'd have the full context. I wouldn't mind reading a third memoir somewhere down the line, if Jenkins decides to write one.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
HELLO NEW VAMPIRE BOOK JUST DROPPED!!! But more importantly, the heroine is tall, we cheer!! (It's me, I'm cheering)
From the get go, I had trouble putHELLO NEW VAMPIRE BOOK JUST DROPPED!!! But more importantly, the heroine is tall, we cheer!! (It's me, I'm cheering)
From the get go, I had trouble putting this book down, it's very easy to read and you just want to find out what happens next.
Stephania starts off chronicling her life, and it does go into some dark places, but I wouldn't say this is darker than some of KC's other series.
As a revenge trope connoisseur, I got FED. Almost everyone who has ever wronged Stephania, or one of her friends, met their end. As they should!! Although, I was kinda hoping a certain character would get a redemption arc instead. They were actually my favourite - my problematic fav, if you will.
The sections where Stephania was growing up and training to become a lean, mean, muscle machine were my absolute faves. Lukain may or may not have had something to do with that. If I said he was my second fav...
The book slows down a lil when some stuff goes down and Stephania ends up in the hands of someone she didn't expect. I didn't expect that either, truth be told.
From that point on, we have three main love interests, and yes, I already picked favourites, Garro is in first place. It's really only because he and Stephania had some history I thought was cute. Then Skar, and then Vallen.
But the focus isn't on the romance, they basically come together (haha) and then it's all plot plot plot for the rest of the book.
My spidey sense alerted me that (REDACTED) wasn't truly gone, so when they popped up again I was like "AHA, I KNEW IT". But then I didn't see some of the other twists, like the one that starts with J. Now I feel like I need to go back and check if anyone was looking at x character funny because of that.
Which brings me to the ending, did I think the "painting" would come in to play? Absolutely not. So that was another thing that surprised me.
I really wanna see where the whole Loreblood thing goes from here, it's such an interesting concept, so KC please give us book two soon ok?
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
"But together, together, we’re something else, because her and I are the same. She’s sick. Sick like me."
When I saw this was coming out, I jumped (qui"But together, together, we’re something else, because her and I are the same. She’s sick. Sick like me."
When I saw this was coming out, I jumped (quite literally), because I knew it was going to be good, like everything else this author writes.
It's a novella, but the plot was not lacking in the least. If you're a fan of two people from rival families falling in love, then you're in for a treat.
They're supposed to hate each other, but can't stay away, even when others try to keep them apart. There were a few moments where I was worried it would end badly, but luckily they got their HEA at the end.
The gothic atmosphere was on point and the romance BURNED through the screen with how intense it was. I got the impression that if something happened to one of them, the other one would take the whole world down in retribution.
The world was very developed and I could picture it clearly. I'd love to explore every nook and cranny along with the characters. Hopefully the next book will be longer, and with even more lore. I can't wait to see where Zoe's journey takes her.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
HELLO I'M OBSESSED!! I'll have to go back and read Matt King's other books, because I haven't had enough of this world.
Wraith truly does function as HELLO I'M OBSESSED!! I'll have to go back and read Matt King's other books, because I haven't had enough of this world.
Wraith truly does function as a standalone, and everything you need to know is inside, but it makes you want to explore more and read about some of the other characters who were mentioned, at least in my case.
It's a very fast paced book which suited me perfectly, and there were no big info dumps. It did take a few pages for me to get used to the world, but other than that I had no trouble getting into the story.
And what a story it was!! Wraith has me in its clutches now, I can't stop thinking about it. It's exactly the kind of book I like, with people gaining powers from a mysterious element, and all the Chaos that comes with it. See what I did there? Hah.
I agree with the reviewer who said this was giving X-Men vibes, it 100% was!! And since I'm a huge fan of that, it's no wonder I loved this too.
Zoe was an amazing character, I'd follow her to the ends of the Earth if she asked. And I can't wait to see where she goes from here, the friends she makes etc.
Speaking of friends, Cedric was a hoot, probably my favourite character next to Zoe.
Now...there's Britt. I think their relationship was handled really well, and it felt realistic. I hated Britt every time she was on-page though, because I knew something unhinged was about to happen and/or she'd be trying to hurt Zoe.
Another villain had me completely fooled until the "switch", I was sitting there thinking "oh they're just a bit misguided"...how wrong I was. In general this book has so many twists, and I saw almost none of them coming.
One of the things I loved most about Wraith, were all the descriptions of different Chaotic abilities. Of course, we got the most detail about Zoe's, and I'm not even a tiny little bit confused about how hers work, it's all crystal clear.
I love that scene near the end that's in the water, so powerful. It might actually be my favourite scene in the whole book.
The ending leaves room for a sequel, and I'm curious how that's gonna go since all the books are standalones technically, but either way I'll be seated for more Zoe.
*Thank you to the author and BDA publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
Arborable took tree-hugging to a whole different level and I'm all for it.
I'm used to Ellen Mint's books being hilarious and creative, and this one waArborable took tree-hugging to a whole different level and I'm all for it.
I'm used to Ellen Mint's books being hilarious and creative, and this one was no different. So much thought was put into the dryads and their world, from their names to how they look, speak, move, eat, reproduce, and how they came to be (they don't all get "born" the same way or in the same place).
The story was extremely compelling, I didn't want to put it down, I literally had it downloaded on two devices so I could switch back and forth while one of them was charging, I was THAT invested.
Now, you might look at this book and think it's just a silly dryad romance, but!! It's not all sunshine and daisies for dear Trish, she's suffering from cancer and doesn't have long left to live, which makes getting kidnapped by dryads who want to sacrifice her to a giant tree extremely inconvenient.
Luckily, there's a devilishly handsome rogue dryad who rescues her, and takes her under his wing, or should I say...bark?
He also happens to ride on a giant fox called Valpuri, who is just the cutest not-so-little thing. More Valpuri in the sequel please!!
Linden teaches Trish how to fight, which is something she desperately needs, and it serves her well on many occasions. I love how she refused to give up, even if she was missing a core part of herself, she still got back up to try again.
Romance wise, I'm in love with both Linden and Hickory, and really like Willow and Ryder (from what we've seen of them so far). I'm glad we got to see Trish with Hickory in this book because I don't know if I would've survived till book two, hah.
I have to mention the pollen!! I'm of the firm belief that (REDACTED) would've pollinated (REDACTED) if they weren't already...you know. I'm curious about that storyline, and what will happen to the child when it arrives.
Speaking of children, Ash is one of my favourite characters, she's such a pure soul, I hope she made it out and we'll see her in book two.
There's also some secrets that will hopefully be revealed, like more of Linden's past and why he said what he did about Trish going back to the human world.
And then there's that ending...I had a feeling something like that would happen, it was an excellent cliffhanger. I can't wait to know more.
Pleaseeee pick up this swashbuckling dryad romance today, you won't regret it.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I can't say I ever thought about how teeth would taste like, but after reading this book...thoughts are being thunk.
I'm kidding, I DO NOT want to tryI can't say I ever thought about how teeth would taste like, but after reading this book...thoughts are being thunk.
I'm kidding, I DO NOT want to try crunching on teeth, but I appreciate the details we got. Like how the Bite changes your own so you won't break them as you take, well, a bite out of someone else's.
It's also a nice twist on the vampire lore, instead of craving blood, they crave teeth!! If it gets bad enough, they go feral. So you can imagine how hard it was for Petya to teach their new recruit some discipline when it came to his newly awakened cravings.
I adored their dynamic, they worked well together, and the way Petya kept calling Devóne a kid was adorable.
The addition of Naoma to the team was kinda unexpected, but very welcome. I'm obsessed with her, she is the moment. I'm seated for more romance crumbs, by the way. Was it a bit fast? Yes. Do I care? No.
I often praise Kaden's creativity in my reviews, that's because he deserves it. I don't know how he comes up with all the little tidbits that make the world work, but I can always count on him to deliver something unique.
If you've read his other books, you can recognise his style, but that's where the similarities end, this is a completely different world and story, and I can't wait to experience even more of it.
The real-world parallels are evident in Toothsucker, it's not too far out of the realm of possibility that we're heading in that direction. But on the other hand, we don't have music-producing dolphin cyborgs (yet) now, do we? Why do I kinda want them to exist though...
Also, that Paladins reference...I love when authors mention their other books inside of a book, especially when the scene they're mentioned in is this funny. Someone please tell Boyband I'm the "freak" who loved the books, thank you.
Now for the obligatory Slavic person commentary ahem ahem:
- Okrepinate, I found the name fitting because in my language "okrepiti (se)" means to drink/eat your fill of something after which you feel a lot better and have the will to go on.
- Davor as a fake name. Do I even have to say it...The Serb in me approves.
- Petya, whose name reminded me of Petya (Peter) and the Wolf (the children's story), I love that the main character is called Petya, okay.
- Medislavia, which I'm assuming is supposed to be like a union of Slavic countries, I can't help but think that, if it did happen in the future, it would fall apart in no time because we'd be at each others' throats, plus Medislavia isn't painted in the best light here sooo...
Which brings me to the whole point of this book, the refugees. Petya is a refugee, and his story mirrors those of real life refugees, from Russia and Ukraine. Here in Serbia, we have a lot of refugees from both countries, luckily, they didn't have to go through what Petya did to find safety.
This world isn't kind to refugees, no matter where they come from, so the least we can do is be human and help them in any way we can. So I'm echoing Kaden's words from the acknowledgements - please consider donating to a charity that supports refugees, if you can.
And while you're at it, READ TOOTHSUCKER, not only because it'll be unlike anything you've read before, but because Mr Love is donating all of his release day proceeds to refugees who need it.
4.5
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
“If all knights were as honourable as Elliot, then no children would ever die in war.”
EXCUSE ME, I AM IN PAIN BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK. What do you mean m“If all knights were as honourable as Elliot, then no children would ever die in war.”
EXCUSE ME, I AM IN PAIN BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK. What do you mean multiple intriguing characters met their end?? Nope, nope, I refuse to believe it. Everyone is fine and happy.
AGH. Those two in the last several chapters really got me, the first one was an absolute shock, I had to put the book down in disbelief. Then I went back to reread that section to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. IT'S SO UNFAIR!!
Then when the second one happened, I was almost expecting it, but was hoping that character would somehow make it. Unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be.
As hurt as I am, I still love that twist, everything seemed to finally be going in the right direction, there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and then of course something terrible had to happen to ruin it, but I love the emotions it pulled out of me anyway.
I feel so bad for the ones who'll have to pick up the pieces, and try to defeat Walter once and for all with such big players removed from the board. They'll need all the luck in the world to pull it off.
Now, speaking generally, this was the best book in the series (so far). And you know how I feel about book one, but The Rise of the West took The Dance of Light to a whole different level with the stellar character development. I had a hard time tearing my eyes away from the pages, everything was simply enchanting.
Every single PoV was gripping in its own way, so it's kind of cruel we lost some we were getting to know even better (no, I will not get over it).
I found myself falling deeper in love with the world and its characters as I was reading, even the newly introduced ones like Rain and Marin. I hope we'll see more of them in the next book. I like Edmee too, even if she's a bit misguided.
Velhisya's PoV was the scariest / most anxiety-inducting to me, because of the situation she was in. I didn't want anything bad to happen to her, and was waiting for her to either rescue herself, or for someone to come and help her.
Relating to that, I miss her poor cellmate already, I'd like to think that they're in a better place now, free from judgement.
I also missed our favourite pirate, John, who spends the whole book away from his (remaining) friends, which is very inconvenient, considering the situations they found themselves in. But worry not, he's coming back to his senses, slowly.
I'd say this was more character heavy than plot heavy, but there's absolutely enough politics, betrayals & plot to go around. And it doesn't feel like a filler book, though the fight with Walter is eminent.
There's even a teeny tiny speck of romance, where Velhisya realises there's a bond with Elliot, and where Elliot realises she's the only one for him. It's only a matter of time before they can finally be together, and I can't wait to see it.
If you love series that progressively get darker, punch you in the feels, and are filled with adventures and wonder at every turn, PLEASE GIVE THE DANCE OF LIGHT A CHANCE!!! I've been obsessed since the first book and I know you will be too.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
BREAKING NEWS, EIRIK WASN'T USELESS IN THIS ONE?? GASPPP. There was *something* that happened, and I was like "of course it would happen to him and toBREAKING NEWS, EIRIK WASN'T USELESS IN THIS ONE?? GASPPP. There was *something* that happened, and I was like "of course it would happen to him and to [REDACTED]", but you know what, he pulled through at the end when it mattered most, and I respect that.
I'd almost go as far as to say I'd like a short story about him and his little group, my opinion of him has definitely improved. Can't say the same for Damon though.
So, Ravinica and her mates have some real trouble at their doorstep, and we finally find out the answer to the biggest secret of all (and no, I'm not telling you what it is, go read the books).
Can I just say...I had a theory about that and it was correct, but I was still surprised when it played out that way. I was highkey expecting that character to stay nice and then they had to ruin it. AGH.
If anyone's seen Ghibli's Castle in the Sky, said character gave me huge Muska vibes, if you know, you know.
Aside from the many glorious battle scenes, we also got numerous twists that I wasn't expecting.
Like say, the large table scene, the shady new leader election (I saw it like a second before it happened), that one character who you never knew which side they were on finally picking one, and a certain other character receiving the recognition they deserve (was scared for them for a good minute there, when they were in enemy clutches).
I loved all the forgiveness we saw, like when Sven and his siblings put aside their differences for the greater good, and how Lindi went without mentioning the secret mission again, but to be fair...she didn't have the time. In any case, I know they're all good now.
I also loved the ending, I feel like it was very fitting for the series, and can believe that the elves and humans (and other creatures ahem) will finally live in peace. Unless if SOMEONE decides to come back and ruin it, I like that we have that option floating around.
The door is open for a potential spinoff, so I'm obviously going to campaign for a crossover between Vikingrune and Shadowblade once again, mayhaps they can team up to help another academy with their own troubles? I wouldn't say no to another Dawn.
BEFORE I FORGET, we got to see the men interacting with each other in some interesting ways, even more than before, so if you love sword crossings in your RH you'll love this series.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
Holy giant crabs, that ending!!! I had literal chills, and now I'm twiddling my thumbs like Spongebob in that one episode while anxiously waiting for Holy giant crabs, that ending!!! I had literal chills, and now I'm twiddling my thumbs like Spongebob in that one episode while anxiously waiting for the next installment.
Also, if you're curious why I started the review with giant crabs, you might want to pick this book up for a nice surprise. I was not expecting that, 10/10, if I ended up stranded in a different realm I'd pick that one, no question.
My favourite part of The Crystal Heir was all the realm jumping (obviously, haha). I loved seeing this enchanting world get expanded, and meeting all the nice (and not-so-nice) creatures that inhabit it.
There's a new storyline that stemmed from a specific realm that I'm so excited to see play out, but it happened near the end so now I have to wait...boo.
Anyway, The Crystal Heir managed to strike a good balance between plot and character development, neither was lacking in favour of the other. We got to know everyone on a deeper level (even one of the villains), but I gotta say that Nikoza and Nex really stole the show this time around.
My heart was squeezing for poor Nikoza, how she just wanted to help people to the best of her ability despite the consequences. She's the sweetest character. I can safely say that she's made it onto my forever favourites list after this book.
And Nex...Nex, I would follow you to the ends of the Earth, you just have to ask. Or don't ask, I'm already on my way!!
There was some relationship development between Kasia and Zinarus, I found myself audibly exclaiming "Finally!!", after their whole push and pull dynamic yielded (very satisfying) results. I couldn't keep the smile off my face during some of their scenes together.
Can we also talk about how devoted he is to her? A true romantic right there.
We learned more about reaching, and it's so fascinating to me still, definitely one of my favourite magic systems to date.
At the start we got a nice recap, and, much like the first book, this one is filled with beautiful character artwork (respectfully looking at that Zinarus one) and maps, as well as detailed battle formations (as I call them in my head). I'd like to focus on the latter, because I don't recall ever seeing something similar in a fantasy book before.
We basically got to see where every battle was being played out, where each group of characters was positioned in reference to one another, their movements as the battle went on, and they all had unique markers setting them apart, which made the reading experience even more immersive.
The only thing I had a tiny problem with is the pacing, it really slowed down compared to the first book, so I couldn't binge as much of this as I wanted to.
But other than that, it was an excellent sequel, jam-packed with political machinations that will make your mind run wild. Add in a few twists, and you'll be right here with me, eagerly anticipating book three.
P. S. Gregorzon when I catch you!!!!! If I said he was my most hated character, then what??
4.5
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
That second to last chapter had me ready to screech and throw my phone at the wall. I'm not saying I want Mr Big Bad to succeed...but...but...he's hotThat second to last chapter had me ready to screech and throw my phone at the wall. I'm not saying I want Mr Big Bad to succeed...but...but...he's hot, you can't blame me.
I know that *if* we ever get to see them together, the payoff will be so worth it, so I'm (not so) patiently waiting, paying extra attention to all of Luc's chapters for any clues, and now I think one of my theories is more likely to be true than not. So we'll see, fingers crossed I guessed correctly.
I'm honestly dying to see if she actually does what he suggested in the next book, imagine the pain the rest of them would be in if she did, and how they'd rip the (already ending) world apart to find her. Ahh. GIVE IT TO ME PLEASE, I CRAVE CHAOS.
Ba dum tss.
No, we cannot get through a single review of this series without a Chaos joke in there somewhere, get used to it.
So, Chaos was more character development than plot, not a lot happened, but relationships sure evolved.
If you know me, then you know I'm a fan of dream magic, in this case dreamwalking. I loved seeing Merri visit the guys in their dreams, those were some of my favourite chapters (along with the Luc ones, ahem ahem).
We got a bunch of steam to go with, and I might be just a little obsessed with that one scene with Sin (you know which one) and that pillow scene near the end. But just a little (a lot).
I love the Dreamwalking for another reason too, and it involves a certain Horseman who can't touch Merri in the real world because we all know what could happen if he did.
And then when she pulled back from them, I was like NOOOO MERRI NOOO, DON'T LISTEN TO [REDACTED], GO GET YOUR FILL.
We also got some answers, more Operation Puffin goodness, Andi being a hilarious friend, Christian being pretty interesting (I'd like to know more about him, I could see a spinoff happening with the whole Hecate thing), and another Crombie cameo, what's not to love?
So far, I think this series is a bit slower with the action than the others, but that's not a bad thing, we just get to see more of the characters bonding, the Apocalypse can wait, mhm.
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
As a lover of all things Arthurian, I obviously had to give this book a read. It's set in the modern day, and has enough secrets to fill Merlin's bearAs a lover of all things Arthurian, I obviously had to give this book a read. It's set in the modern day, and has enough secrets to fill Merlin's beard. They drove me a bit bananas, not gonna lie. I know we'll get answers at some point during the series, but I want them NOW!!
It's also not a bad thing to learn things as we go, I'm just upset that I can't figure everything out, hah. Like, I kinda get the point of The Quest, but also...not. Everything about it is so mysterious, and it seemed like we'd finally get to know more about it, and then BAM, cliffhanger ending.
When I tell you my gasts were flabbered because WHAT???? I was not expecting that at all. And I need to know what happens next, I can't wait for May!!
But anyway, The King's Maiden was a really easy read, I had no trouble getting into it, and I knew from the prologue that I'd like it. I didn't want to put it down, it's kind of addicting.
Elle Parker's writing is so smooth for a debut author, and the jokes were pretty funny too.
The Arthurian lore wasn't featured as much as I was expecting, but the references were there. I'm hoping more vibes will come into play in the next installments.
Now for the romances, out of the three, I can't tell which I like most. We spent the most time with Landon, but I can definitely be swayed Kingston's or Max's way in the future, especially since Mordred is my baby.
Speaking of, Vivian!!! I need her OUT, she's such a menace. I could literally hear her shrieks through my screen!!
Adding Elaine was a nice touch, I feel like she acted true to her character. And Gia was a great best friend, I need to see her set up with a Knight of her own.
And of course Quinn, our lovely main character, I love how she kept poking at everyone, trying to get a rise out of them, instead of doing what was expected of her. It only made me like her more. Her banter with Max in particular made my day every time it happened.
One thing that bugged me is the bathroom scene, the steamy one. Yes, only because of hand washing, and I hate that I noticed it, but I did. I saw another person mention it in their review so it wasn't just me.
On a lighter note, we got the dance scene to compensate. It was probably my favourite scene in the book, more of that please and thank you.
Now gimme book 2!!
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
“One day…when all this is over, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that, you know?” “Let me go?” “Yes.” “Good.” I pushed up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Bec“One day…when all this is over, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that, you know?” “Let me go?” “Yes.” “Good.” I pushed up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Because I’m starting to think I don’t want you to, either.”
After this book, I have a hard time believing Kingston or Landon will take the number one spot away from Max, because he's a dream.
I was living for every single interaction he had with Quinn, they were perfect together. Like, if this wasn't a whychoose book, I'd pick Max so fast, there'd be no contest.
Which is interesting because I felt like all three were perfectly balanced in the first book, but Max definitely got his chance to shine in this one and he took it!!
We got to see a different (and incredibly sweet) side of him, and I'm afraid he's completely won me over.
That's not to say that Landon and Kingston didn't have their moments too, through I definitely held a little grudge against the former for what he did to Quinn for the majority of the book. I started to like him again during a very specific scene where he wasn't the only participant. You know which one.
But generally, I loved seeing how safe Quinn felt when he was around, showing us that she still trusted him deep down, despite what happened. And I do feel bad for him, because there's something very clearly eating him up inside and he can't share what it is.
As for Kingston, I feel like we've been waiting an eternity for that kiss, I require even more Kingston content!! He's the one we know the least about, and he keeps holding back. I'm sure there's a very good reason for it, probably something to do with the big bad on top of the food (Court) chain, hopefully we'll learn more about it in book three.
But he was present when it counted, which is really all that matters. I also liked the very subtle, but noticeable, hints at something going on between him and Landon, and likewise something brewing between Landon and Max. I know Quinn will have a field day when they all admit their feelings.
And of course our girl, Quinn, who's been dealing with so much stuff from the start of the series, that she deserves an all-inclusive paid vacation somewhere peaceful, WHEN she wins The Quest, which she will!!
She does a lot of growing in The Viper’s Lady, being allowed to process her emotions really does wonders for her. She knows what she wants is within reach and she's ready to grab it with both hands.
But it takes her a bit to get to that point, so Gia's encouragement throughout her journey (even if they couldn't communicate for several days) was needed.
As much as I hate to see Quinn suffer, I like that she didn't just brush off what Vivian and her minions did to her, no, she's reliving her trauma over and over in her dreams, showing us that you don't have to be strong all the time, and that it's okay to not be okay for a while after experiencing something like that.
It's a lot more realistic that way than having her pretend like nothing ever happened. Healing is a slow process, luckily Quinn now has a support system of four, (or maybe five if we count Izzy) individuals to help her get through it.
Story wise, this was even more captivating than The King's Maiden, we got a few answers here and there, but there's still so much left to be uncovered. It's one of the things I love most about this series, it keeps me guessing.
Like, there's something that happens to a certain character, and I have two suspects, but one of them feels too obvious, but it also might not be the second one either, it could be someone I haven't even considered.
That ending left me going "What? No, they can't do that???" but apparently they can!!! I hope it doesn't come to pass in the way I'm thinking, if it does I'm going to jump into the book to protect Quinn myself, I swear.
On a lighter note, Gia is getting her own novella!! Three cheers for Gia and her totally sane and mysterious beau!! I need that beau to be a Knight sooo bad, please let him be a Knight. I can't wait for that, or for book three, I'm so excited.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
If you want to have a proper cry this Valentine's Day, then youHAPPY RELEASE DAY TO COLLATERAL DAMAGE!
"You were my beginning. And you will be my end."
If you want to have a proper cry this Valentine's Day, then you should read Collateral Damage. Yes, it will break you, but it will also put you back together again, so I'd say that's a win-win.
It's a slow burn romance with lots of tension, but the book itself isn't slow at all, you could easily finish it in one day, because Alo and Hays won't let you go until you've read all they have to say.
If you've ever experienced any kind of trauma, you might see yourself in this book, as I did. These two go through A LOT together, and it's not always sunshine and rainbows, but it was so worth it, reading their story.
I related to Hayden more than I did to Alora, but there are parts of me in both of them which is what made me love this book so much.
We follow both of their PoVs, and they're equally engaging. I enjoyed watching them grow to love one another & heal each other. The way Hayden brought Alora out of her shell, and Alo brought back a part of Hays she thought was gone, MY HEART.
I wish I could talk about the plot, but I don't wanna spoil anything, just know that it's a whole experience, and you should be ready to cry during the last 100 pages, mkay?
Because I absolutely did cry, the epilogue really got me, and got me BAD, I was a mess, about to question my whole existence. Then the picture at the end of the epilogue got me again...I've been HURT by this book, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Also fun fact, sunflowers are my favourite, which is going to be interesting going forward, because I KNOW I'll remember this book every time I look at one. Haha. *wails in the distance*
This was a beautiful, beautiful book, and I need everyone who has ever asked for a good sapphic romance to please read it!!! It has excellent and lovable characters, stellar writing (and pacing), an interesting and heartbreaking plot, and of course wonderful steam, what more could you want?
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
“What kind of captain cries before his people?” “The best kind.”
There were so many quotes I could've picked to put at the top of my review, but I picke“What kind of captain cries before his people?” “The best kind.”
There were so many quotes I could've picked to put at the top of my review, but I picked this one, because I got punched in the feels, hard. And it wasn't the only time either!! Was I expecting everyone to survive? No. Am I still sad? Yes.
But to start this off on a lighter note, I am absolutely obsessed with the world & lore expansion we got, Kaden Love's attention to detail is one of my favourite things about his books. I feel so immersed whenever I read a story set in his world, I can picture everything vividly and feel as if I'm there myself.
You may have noticed the (not so little, wingspan the size of a house) flying critter on the cover. That, my friends, is one of many new interesting creatures we get to meet, called a zlatog. Now me being me, I found it immensely satisfying that they're called zlatogs and have golden horns, because zlato in my language means gold.
Speaking of, AVRA IS THE CUTEST ZLATOG IN ALL THE LANDS!! Her bond with Yetrik? The duo I never knew I needed. She must be protected at all costs.
The scene where they met reminded me a lot of Harry (Potter) meeting the Hippogriff, showing proper respect etc. It was so sweet.
Zlatogs even have their own humming language, and the person bound to them pats them to communicate back, how cool is that? AND, they're very loyal creatures, so they're THE perfect companions.
Character wise, we're still following Aerhee, Phenmir and Yetrik, but we also have a few more PoVs added that bring so much to the story.
After reading Beastcall, I was looking forward to seeing Runith again and this book delivered! Semi got a much bigger role as well, I enjoyed seeing more of her.
Which reminds me, my favourite chapter in the whole book? Chapter 26. Nobody is surprised, hah. BUT LISTEN, the reason it resonated with me so strongly is because it was like a little slice of peace and comfort amidst all the chaos. A moment where only the two of them existed, for a little while.
Anyway, the character development in this one guys...I can't pick a favourite anymore (except my little horned bat baby, Avra). My eyes were literally glued to the screen for every PoV switch, they were all so compelling.
I would say that I have a new appreciation for Aerhee after finishing though, especially with that ending. I cried because of her in book one, and the cycle continues in book two.
I'm going to miss a certain PoV character, I really got attached *sniff sniff*. I'm telling you, when you pick up this series you're going to fall in love with everyone and it's going to be hard to let them go. It doesn't even matter what side they're on.
The humour does make it a bit more bearable, I found myself laughing at certain lines and highlighting them so I could go back and laugh again.
And to my friends who love book politics, I AM BEGGING YOU TO READ PALADINS OF THE HARVEST, YOU WILL BE FED AND FED WELL!!!
This time, the ending is a proper cliffhanger and I can't wait until book three, because WHAT?! I MUST KNOW MORE. I am humming with anticipation (yes, I had to).
Bonus points for including a recap at the start (and the lovely map I can't stop staring at).
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
AAAAAAH THE LAST MATE GAMES SERIES IS FINALLY UPON US FRIENDS, AND THE STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN EVER!!
First thing's first, Operation PUFFIN. Yes. BIIIGAAAAAAH THE LAST MATE GAMES SERIES IS FINALLY UPON US FRIENDS, AND THE STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN EVER!!
First thing's first, Operation PUFFIN. Yes. BIIIG YES. Possibly the funniest chapters in the book, and we got to see the other players as a cherry on top. The first two recording sessions, I didn't think we'd see more than a few total, but the third one really blew me away, my heart is full, I missed them all so much.
Second, SHANE EAST. The narrator who became my fav the moment I first listened to Meg Anne's solo books has a main role in this epic series??? To say I'm happy would be an understatement. He's the perfect addition to the Mate Games cast, so it's no wonder I've been favouring a certain character.
Third, Crombie. You already know I love him and he'll get a shoutout any time I see him. I love his dynamic with Lilith AND Sinclair. He'll never fail to make me laugh.
Ok now, the actual stars of the show, Merri and the infamous Horsemen of the Apocalypse!! I feel like I've been waiting to meet the four Horsemen forever and now that I have...I'm in love with all of them. Oopsie.
Am I jealous of Merri? Yes. Would I take her place in a heartbeat? Also yes.
The Horsemen are tasked not only with protecting Merri, but also with preventing someone else from sinking their claws into her. But you know, after those beach dreams, I wouldn't blame Merri if she fell for his charms.
Merri is such a great character to follow, because she's a succubus with a ravenous appetite, raised by auntie Lillith, who cams in order to feed. So what's gonna happen when she's stuck in a penthouse with her new "bodyguards" you ask? Chaos. Hah, I had to.
The tension was perfect, and the scenes where the Horsemen "helped" our dear girl to feed were simply delicious.
I said I love all four of them, but Grim is my fav, surprise surprise. I am also partial to Luc. Yes, look at me, falling for the bad guy (again). Even if Merri doesn't somehow end up with all five of them (or six, Cole, anyone?), I'm along for the ride.
Speaking of Cole, I do have ~ theories ~. I don't think he'd have as much interaction with Merri if he wasn't important, or someone we'll be introduced to later. Or maybe it's someone we already know? Either way, he's suuuper sweet, I'd love to see more of him. Also, I feel bad for him because at least twice, from what I remember, his private session with Merri was cut short. Let my man live!!
But other than that, I don't know which of the Horsemen is going to succeed in their "mission" and stop the Apocalypse, I can't predict it. Maybe it'll be all four, wouldn't that be something? They are supernaturals, after all.
Bonus points for Andi, who seems like a true gal pal, and that Cerberus cameo, I DIED, I WAS LITERALLY ON THE FLOOR, I wasn't expecting that. It's actually even funnier when you remember whose voice Sin was imitating that one time. Full circle moment.
The ending was obviously a cliffhanger, I am panicking as we speak. What a way to leave us hanging, you gotta love Kim and Meg.
Lastly (because I saw a few people read this book only), please go back to the first Mate Games book, and read the whole universe from the beginning. It's so much better to start there and have all the context rather than just jumping into this one.
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
“If I lose you, I lose my last touch of all that is myself and what binds me here.”
I got chills reading that ending, IT WAS SO GOOD!! I love how we've“If I lose you, I lose my last touch of all that is myself and what binds me here.”
I got chills reading that ending, IT WAS SO GOOD!! I love how we've been building up to that the whole book, with a certain goddess speaking to Alysha throughout, giving her directions etc, a match made in heaven.
Alysha can do no wrong in my mind, every time she's like "more blood" I'm like yessss go girl get those enemies!!
And I ADORE her relationship with Helena, how they protect each other no matter what, and the feelings they develop along the way. I ship them so hard.
I was actually wondering which way Alysha would go, ace or sapphic (or both), because there was a part in the book where she mentioned how boys felt wrong, and then there were her looks toward Helena...I see you and I support you!!
It's safe to say Alysha's PoV was my favourite yet again. This time around though, I really appreciated Austin's PoV as well, Sorella's & Doc's (of course). Each of them, as well as the others, added so much to the story. And, if you like politics, you'll really love this book, because there's a ton of it.
I found myself missing Runt, after what happened at the start, it was so unfair. And following Ben in the aftermath was a whole experience. I didn't really forgive him, until we got his PoV and things were cleared up, sorry Ben.
One thing that bugged me though, is that neither Ben nor his father seemed overly concerned about Alysha when they got the news at the start, like that's your sister/daughter?? Possibly in danger??
Anyway, I also liked Lady Blacklace as a character, she was intriguing. The Wrathfall was as well, I can't wait to see where that storyline goes, it was probably my favourite after Alysha's.
If you're having trouble remembering who's who, worry not, for there is a list of characters at the end of the book. It's very well explained, so I'd suggest you check that before jumping back in, it'll make your reading experience even smoother.
The writing is even better than it was in the first book, and we got a good amount of plot and character development to go with. And the world building? Spectacular.
Before I end this, I have to mention that romance/smut book burning scene, it's mirroring real life, much like some other scenes from the book/series. With so many books being banned, you can't help but wonder what it'll lead to. Hopefully not something like this.
All in all, an excellent second book in The Conspiracy of Crows series. I wish I could jump into book three now.
P. S. The series name is making so much sense now.
4.5ish
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I love how I always learn something new when reading a Mandy Robotham book. This time, I learned about The Great Smog which affected London in 1952, tI love how I always learn something new when reading a Mandy Robotham book. This time, I learned about The Great Smog which affected London in 1952, taking thousands of lives, and yet an event I knew nothing about.
At the start of the year (and the last few days or 2024), we had a smog problem in my city, which I couldn't help but think back to as I read A Dangerous Game. Luckily, our smog wasn't as deadly as the one described here, but it was certainly harder to breathe.
So I related to Harri and Dexie in more ways than one would expect! And Harri specifically, was a character I wanted to see more of, after reading The Hidden Storyteller, so I'm glad he got his own book, and a little romance to boot.
It was also nice to see Georgie and Max making a cameo appearance, and helping out in their own way. But Harri and Dexie were the real stars, I loved seeing their dynamic duo in action as they tracked down a Nazi hiding in plain sight, and got to know each other on a deeper level in the process.
Through Dexie, we got to see what life was like for a policewoman back in the 50s, down to the tiniest detail (yes, someone did make her fetch tea as if she were a secretary). It only made me appreciate Harri all the more, because he always praised his fellow colleagues back in Germany, and was adamant nothing would've been solved if it hadn't been for them.
He also gave Dexie the space to be herself, and treated her like a person, one more than capable of doing her job. It's no wonder she fell for him, really, I would too!
We got to explore post-war London, which I don't read about often, and see the effects WW2 had on every person we encounter.
Which reminds me, there is a moment where a character hesitates before making a decision, and even I can't say what I would've done in their place. I know my brain would've panicked and it probably would've ended exactly the same.
As that was happening, the image that flashed in this character's mind was chilling and brought tears to my eyes.
On a lighter note, there's a cute canine companion, who's one of my favourite characters in the book!
The plot was engaging and well-researched. I had no trouble following all the threads, thanks to Robotham's excellent writing.
You can read A Dangerous Game on its own, or you can start the journey with The Berlin Girl, get to know Georgie who started it all, and then follow her on a different adventure in The Hidden Storyteller where she meets Harri, and the rest is history. Hah. I had to.
Whichever book you choose to start with, you won't regret it, because Mandy Robotham is a master of historical fiction. You'll be pulled into the lives of her characters in no time.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I started reading this last night and found it so hard to stop, but alas, I was getting sleepy, so I finished it today instead. It's such an easy readI started reading this last night and found it so hard to stop, but alas, I was getting sleepy, so I finished it today instead. It's such an easy read, despite the topics covered, so you'll have no problems finishing it in one go.
The story was intriguing from the beginning, the way it started - it could've been a thriller!! But really, it's a book about two childhood friends figuring things out while dealing with different mental health issues.
Both Sarah and Ai-eesh (yes, I had to) felt like real people to me, and I could relate to them both.
I had a family member who was an alcoholic, and who unfortunately passed away from related issues, so Sarah's behaviours were familiar to me on a deeper level.
I so badly wanted her to succeed, to go back to rehab, but she kept messing up AAAAAAH. Did I feel like hugging her? Yes. Did I feel like throwing that burnt mac and cheese at her until she stopped drinking? Also yes.
Aisha meanwhile, struggles in school, unsure if she picked the right path for herself, and if that isn't me...I 100% picked the wrong major and I'm suffering, I get you Aisha.
She meets a boy named Tim who I wish had a bigger role in the story. He helps Aisha break out of her shell a bit, and keeps trying with her, the way she keeps showing up for Sarah.
I do feel like the book is a teensy bit short, because, while it does end on a happy note, not everything was resolved fully. I wouldn't have minded an extra chapter in between chapter 29 and the epilogue filling those blanks in.
But anyway, read this if you want to see mental health, addiction and homelessness be tackled properly, and in an approachable way for YA readers, and also if you want to read about a cool female friendship where one friend has awesome music taste *cough* kpop *cough*.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more