This was my first Chuck Wendig novel and I enjoyed it so much. The writing, the creativity, the heart, the thought. This storyline intertwines fantasyThis was my first Chuck Wendig novel and I enjoyed it so much. The writing, the creativity, the heart, the thought. This storyline intertwines fantasy, mystery and horror while offering amazing settings and character-driven details. The ending wraps up rather quickly but this book is absolutely about the journey and not the destination so put your phone down and enjoy the ride.
My favorite quote:“Friendship is like a house. You move into this place together. You find your own room there, and they find theirs, but there’s all this common space, all these shared places. And you each put into it all the things you love, all the things you are. Your air becomes their air. You put your hearts on the coffee table, next to the remote control, vulnerable and beautiful and bloody. And this friendship, this house, it’s a place of laughter and fun and togetherness, too. But there’s frustration sometimes. Agitation. Sometimes that gets big, too big, all the awful feelings, all that resentment, building up like carbon monoxide. Friendship, like a house, can go bad, too. That air you share? Goes sour. Dry rot here, black mold there, and if you don’t remediate, it just grows and grows. Gets bad enough, one or all of you have to move out. And then the place just fucking sits there, abandoned. Empty and gutted. Another ruin left to that force in the world that wants everything to fall apart. You can move back into a place like that, sometimes. But only if you tear it all down and start again.”...more
Unsure if I will continue the series. Didn’t feel engaged whatsoever until the halfway mark and you can see the length of this book! Even then, the seUnsure if I will continue the series. Didn’t feel engaged whatsoever until the halfway mark and you can see the length of this book! Even then, the second half was 3 star material for me personally. I really enjoyed the first 2 books so I’m super disappointed....more
Excellent! No filler in this 2nd installment. A mix of action, mystery and suspense. Lots of questions and eventually lots of answers. Author leaves tExcellent! No filler in this 2nd installment. A mix of action, mystery and suspense. Lots of questions and eventually lots of answers. Author leaves the reader desperate for the next book!...more
The King's Guard is a novela that takes place before we meet Elisa. It is Hector's story. It was good to see that Hector's loyalty, leadership, and stThe King's Guard is a novela that takes place before we meet Elisa. It is Hector's story. It was good to see that Hector's loyalty, leadership, and strategic mind were in place well before he became commander of the royal guard. This is also a story about Prince Rosario's birth and parentage. This short-story is perfect for fans of Hector and Prince Rosario's characters.
Merged review:
The King's Guard is a novela that takes place before we meet Elisa. It is Hector's story. It was good to see that Hector's loyalty, leadership, and strategic mind were in place well before he became commander of the royal guard. This is also a story about Prince Rosario's birth and parentage. This short-story is perfect for fans of Hector and Prince Rosario's characters....more
A Broken Blade is the first installment in this fantasy world full of magic, spies, assassins and a totalitarian royal court. This world of elves, faeA Broken Blade is the first installment in this fantasy world full of magic, spies, assassins and a totalitarian royal court. This world of elves, fae, mortals and halflings was developed with many layers that created an impressive reading experience. I saw this tagged on goodreads as young adult but I viewed this one as at least new adult due to heavy themes. I really enjoyed it. ...more
The Empyrean series delivers a solid 2nd book with major surprises, multiple action sequences, more romance than the first, and another exciting cliffThe Empyrean series delivers a solid 2nd book with major surprises, multiple action sequences, more romance than the first, and another exciting cliffhanger. But, overall it was way too long. When my journey through this story was at 95%… with only 5% left… the audiobook still had 1.5 hours remaining. It’s the book that never ends. Good thing I was enjoying it! ...more
An underestimated heroine who proves them all wrong, disability representation, enemies to lovers romance, and a severe cliffhanger ending that makes An underestimated heroine who proves them all wrong, disability representation, enemies to lovers romance, and a severe cliffhanger ending that makes you search for the next book immediately! The new-adult romance scenes are easy to skip over if so wished but are very detailed if that's your thing. This book is incredibly fast-paced which I love, it allows you to literally fly through the pages. Film rights have already been purchased and it’s scheduled to be a 5-book series.
4 stars versus 5 because the over-hyped marketing. It's indeed a great book but not as earth-shattering as all the influencers will have you believe.
Thank you to my sister for recommending Fourth Wing and letting me borrow her copy....more
Syrens and mermaids are probably my favorite mythological creatures, and I prefer them murderous and mysterious. In my perspective, they represent theSyrens and mermaids are probably my favorite mythological creatures, and I prefer them murderous and mysterious. In my perspective, they represent the rage of all women who remain underestimated time and time again because of their perceived fragility in mind and body. There is something unexpected simmering underneath that delicate beauty. You better watch out!
In Meraki, the syrens are dangerous and have the ability to bring even the greatest to their knees. I loved this and would have liked to see even more of this aspect. A few sea monsters make appearances, adding intense action sequences to this young adult novel full of mythology, fantasy-specific politics, and of course a romance. It’s a quick, fast-paced read with a sequel all ready to go if you so wish. Indie books for the win!!...more
This book is like a Cirque du Soleil show. The words are magical and the characters & timelines are layered on top of one another so that there is alwThis book is like a Cirque du Soleil show. The words are magical and the characters & timelines are layered on top of one another so that there is always something to experience in every scene. But... I was bored and I HATE to say that because there are so many impressive elements.
It goes without saying that I'm in the minority here. Maybe it was a mood thing or an audiobook thing... maybe it was a writing thing. 3 stars isn't bad - I absolutely acknowledge the talent involved in creating this book. It just wasn't memorable enough to justify more from me as a reader....more
In Between Two Seas, author Cerece Rennie Murphy has written 4 short stories that speak to the black experience related to oppression, rage, excellencIn Between Two Seas, author Cerece Rennie Murphy has written 4 short stories that speak to the black experience related to oppression, rage, excellence, and power. But most of all, the overcoming of everything this wicked world lay in their path. The writing is excellent and the mix of genres ensures quality entertainment while making you think, which is the very best kind of reading experience in my opinion. Absolutely check it out!...more
Holly Black's The Folk of the Air series is proving to be satisfying and engaging for the majority of its readers. No matter your age, this ongoing faHolly Black's The Folk of the Air series is proving to be satisfying and engaging for the majority of its readers. No matter your age, this ongoing fantasy story is well-worth the read...and the wait for the next installment(s). I didn't find any filler in this 2nd book which is a rarity for YA these days. Very excited to continue the series!
My favorite quote: “Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold on to.”...more
There is a tiny handful of authors I trust with the erotica I read and Tiffany Reisz is at the top of that list. She gives equal dedication to all comThere is a tiny handful of authors I trust with the erotica I read and Tiffany Reisz is at the top of that list. She gives equal dedication to all components within her novels which allows every character, every plot and subplot, every witty line and underlying theme, and yes, every delicious sexual encounter to be worthy of the readers entire investment. She has many popular works in her bibliography, but her name became even more well-known when 2017's The Red hit the masses. With such an addictive story and well-deserved success, readers (and apparently publishers) needed more! The Rose is Reisz's answer to their call.
Spoiler contains my spin on the book synopsis: (view spoiler)[Now a series, this second installment is set in England two decades after The Red. Mona's 21-year-old daughter Lia is secretly running an escort service. Is it any surprise that Malcolm's notoriously rakish influence continues? But when the source of her teenage heartbreak betrays her further by blackmailing her with this information, she must find big money fast. Enter artifact collector Augustine “August” Bowman who very much wants the Rose Kylix, a wine cup dated to 500BC, which Lia's father gifted to her on her 21st birthday. August makes outlandish claims about the magical powers associated with the kylix cup and he can prove it. Lia agrees to sell to August under a week's worth of conditions that will benefit them both. And so begins another collection of erotic adventures. Only this time, it's Greek mythology, and it's freaking amazing! (hide spoiler)]
Erotic romance meets mythological re-imaginings, The Rose could only come from the mind of Tiffany Reisz. Written to work as a standalone, this installment will perfectly satisfy readers new to the series as well as existing fans. Well-researched, funny, and delightfully creative, once you enter this dream world of goddesses, gods, and Godwicks, you won't ever want to wake up. Check it out!
Note: There is an identity mystery of sorts floating throughout this book. It will likely be no mystery at all to you as the reader even though it takes our heroine quite some time to make it to the big reveal. I believe it's spelled out for the reader intentionally. Who wants to be mentally distracted when there's so much fun to be had? I foresee this being a possible criticism so just wanted to put in my 2 cents.
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Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of The Rose. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing. Source: NetGalley Author: Tiffany Reisz Publisher: Harlequin - MIRA Genres: Erotica Pub Date: April 16, 2019...more
Muse of Nightmares is the second installment in Laini Taylor's young-adult fantasy duology titled Strange the Dreamer. This series is original, uniqueMuse of Nightmares is the second installment in Laini Taylor's young-adult fantasy duology titled Strange the Dreamer. This series is original, unique, highly complex, and it features Taylor's gorgeous writing style. Admittedly, I enjoyed the first book more than this second, but it was still good and a must read for fans of this ongoing story. I highlighted many relevant and lovely quotes, and I continue to be in awe of Taylor's imagination. However, in my opinion, this second book feels very long-winded in sections, filled with words and not a whole lot of scenes that move the story forward. Laini Taylor fans already know this is not necessarily a bad thing. Afterall, Taylor's words are her talent, but in this case, I felt the drag big time. It is my genuine hope that this is my isolated experience and that other readers fully enjoy this much anticipated sequel from one of the world's greatest storytellers of all time. ♥
My favorite quote: “For an instant, at least, they seemed one and the same, as though all anguish exists in the same deep well, no matter what loss or misfortune leads us to it. We might be at odds, hate each other, and desired each others destruction, but in our despair, we are lost in the same darkness, breathing the same air as we choke on our grief.” ...more
Note: The Mermaid is a reimagining of P.T. Barnum and his 1840s Feejee Mermaid hoax and not a retelling/reimagining of The Little Mermaid.
I tend to haNote: The Mermaid is a reimagining of P.T. Barnum and his 1840s Feejee Mermaid hoax and not a retelling/reimagining of The Little Mermaid.
I tend to have a hard time enjoying reimaginings/retellings of actual historical figures...especially when they're not portrayed in the best light. But this is where the author made a wise choice. She incorporated fantasy/mythology so even though a name may be familiar, it's part of a world that doesn't entirely exist. Christina Henry reimagines popular characters in the most engaging ways. Historically, she has focused on fairytale characters, twisted them on their heads, and made some successful horror out of them. In The Mermaid, there is no horror here. There is love, loss, history, and admirable soapboxes about women's choice/independence and harmful religious zeal.
This story focuses primarily on the mermaid "Amelia" herself with Barnum and his associate Levi Lyman being secondary characters. Overall, I fully enjoyed this book. I didn't know much about Barnum and his fake mermaid to begin with, so I enjoyed this as a fresh piece of fantasy/fiction versus an intentional reimagining; however, I've since researched a bit about the various hoaxes Barnum exhibited and can respect this as the reimagining it is.
I would recommend The Mermaid for fans of historical fiction with a bit of fantasy entwined, and would highly encourage existing Christina Henry fans to set aside expectations based on her previous work. Also, while P.T. Barnum is not portrayed as a villain, he is written as a businessman consumed with dollars and the bottom line with moderate to little regard for the safety and health of those in his employ. I don't have a personal opinion on the man since I've never met him, haven't completed my own research, and I take hearsay with a grain of salt. If you think this portrayal would not negatively impact your enjoyment, I'd say go for it. Enjoy!!
My favorite quote: “Women who did what they liked instead of what other people wished were often accused of witchcraft, because only a witch would be so defiant, or so it was thought.”...more
“Nice things don’t happen in storybooks. Or when they do happen, something bad happens next. Because otherwise the story would be boring, and
“Nice things don’t happen in storybooks. Or when they do happen, something bad happens next. Because otherwise the story would be boring, and no one would read it.”
The Cruel Prince is the first installment in Holly Black's young-adult fantasy series titled: The Folk of the Air. I found it to be fast-paced and incredibly engaging with a storyline I am eager to follow. The many, many characters to follow gave me a little bit of trouble, but it may not impact you at all. Definitely a winner in terms of YA that appeals to many ages. Check it out!
My favorite quote: “The odd thing about ambition is this: You can acquire it like a fever, but it is not so easy to shed.”