Oh boy! The Rhino Tribe was definitely not what I expected…in the best way possible. This is not the sort of book that I usually pick up, but rather a kind of story I love watching in a tv show that I can binge all day to escape adulting and responsibilities. However, this book really played out like a tv show on paper, and I found it really well done. The way the chapters were built and the multiple perspectives really served to create a feeling of small details that fit into a greater narrative, which also justifies the slow beginning.

The world-building was one of my favorite aspects. There was so much attention to detail in the way things were described to make every tribe feel unique and different from the others. I especially loved the animal element, and in particular, I enjoyed reading about the Wolvish, as wolves also happen to be my favorite animals!

The characters all had great development, and though I resented a lack of dialogue, I enjoyed their complexities and their difficult relationships all the same. The protagonist, Stug, was especially useful in understanding the world and its politics. Although I enjoyed most of the characters, my favorites were the women. Each in their own way, they were all very empowering and showed many different aspects of women’s strengths. My favorites were Atta, the lover of Stug’s son, Urgon, and a member of the Wolvish tribe who was the kind of woman who knew exactly what she wants and how to get it. (I told you I loved the Wolvish, okay? Don’t be surprised!). Another character I enjoyed was Quetzy, a farmer woman who was captured by Warlocks and was able to escape death by using her brain and determination.

So apart from the slow beginning, this book was a perfect (and bloody) escape. I recommend it to readers of adult fantasy!

Another amazing New Adult Romance novel that kept me on the edge, and made me devour this in a sitting!

Most people know that I love romance in books, but don't like romance books. My passion belongs to fantasy worlds and their wars, problems and characters. However, ever since I came across NA novels, I found myself enjoying them more than I wanted to admit. For several reasons. And Tami Fischer made sure I added some more reasons to that list with Burning Bridges, the first novel of a trilogy.

The reason I picked up this book was because I found myself in a semi-slump due to my uni reading list, and needed something light and goodhearted which was impossible to find within the Fantasy genre at that time. So my friend recommended me this series, and without thinking too much I got the books and started the first right away. Only to completely devour it.

I personally can only last a few of these books before I start to get bored, and I definitely can only love them if I'm A) in the right mood, and B) not taking it seriously. Really. You should come for the bananas, and not for the logic. If all of that is set, the devouring can start!

In the beginning of reading, I found the story rather filled with stereotypes and cliches, and didn't expect to enjoy it as much. Ella, a goodhearted girl, gets broken up with and finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with a friend. After spilling her drink into his face (applause for that), she gets kicked out of the bar and finds herself alone in the street where she shortly after gets approached by three guys of the sorts who don't have the word "no" in their vocabulary. But before any damage can happen, a mysterious guy saves her and disappears into the night. And after that all she can think of are the steelgrey eyes of that night. Whoever thought of Twilight that moment, fear not, even the author was very well aware of the resembles to Edward saving Bella as she was making fun of it in the story itself (and made me automatically forgive her the stereotypical beginning). I wasn't expecting much, to be honest, but as soon as these two characters found their ways back to each other, I didn't want and couldn't stop reading. The tension build between them kept me on edge all the time, and the dark life of Ches, the male protagonist, gave the story an extra spice that made some things not as predictable as I feared they would be.

All in one, this book is the perfect goodhearted romance story to read in between and to get into the mood of reading more books, especially when one tries not to take anything seriously at all.

And just like that I finished the second novel set in the Fletcher University trilogy by Tami Fischer, and just like with the first, I adored it. I might have even adored this one a little more.

What seems to be very common in the NA romance genre is the need of stereotypical couples. We had them with Ella & Ches as the good girl and bad, mysterious and dangerous guy in Burning Bridges , and the opposite in Sinking Ships where Carla is the one who hides secrets, is tough and doesn't let anyone near here and Mitch represents everything you need in a good guy. Literally.

So while I'm nowhere near a fan of such stereotypical representation in books, I just ignore that fact about this genre whenever my mood decides it's time to read such books. And most of the times, I get attracted to option A because after all, bad boys just have a different thing about them - in books.
This is why I didn't have many high hopes of liking the pairing in this book. We had similiar stereotypical pairings in Mona Kasten's Again books, and I never seemed to fall for the nice guys as much, even if I enjoyed the stories over all.
However, this book proved me that good guys are very much capable of raising my inner banana rating (which we use as a official romance rating for #booktalkwithwifey, ha!), and I came to adore Carla & Mitch way more as a couple than I did with Ella & Ches in the first book.

Is this story overall better than the first book? I dare say "yes"! Is it perfect? No. However, as it always is with this genre, you shouldn't take things and aspects way too seriously in order to be able to enjoy the story. As always, the drama is there to increase the tension, and if one thing was constantly there it was this: THE TENSION. And I was more than willing to read all about that.

To say it in the words of my friend who is responsible that I picked up these books: Shower ... hot.

That's all you need to know. Really.

Now I can't wait to read the last book as it seems to be the first without a stereotypical pairing, and much much darker than the first book. I CAN'T WAIT.

WHAT. A. RIDE.

Ever since I picked up the Fletcher University series, I was eager to be finally able to read this installement because the blurb already sounded so intriguing and promising. And as I made progress with Burning Bridges and Sinking Ships , my excitement just got higher and higher.

While I wasn‘t so sure what to think of Lenny during the first installement, she really grew on me in Carla & Mitch‘s story, and Creed has been a favorite of mine all along. But it wasn‘t just the two as individuals that spiked my interest but them being best friends. Generally the trope friends to lovers doesn‘t excite me as much, especially in Fantasy books the enemies-to-lovers trope just always feels superior. But Hiding Hurricanes ‘s execution of the friends-to-lovers trope was just so amazingly done that I start to enjoy the trope as a whole a lot more, especially in this subgenre.

Lenny‘s and Creed‘s friendship is one to be admired. Their little moments, the chats, their little games, and the way the communicate is something that I do not only enjoyed in this book, but remind me of my own friendships. It was the sass and unconditional support that made their bromance so special, and most definitely put a new level of tension between them as it was their friendship who blinded both from each other‘s feelings. And I was living for it.

However, the cherry on the top of this story that made this story so delicious was Lenny‘s secret. Her whole past no one knows about combined with her secret job as a the most popular and beloved stripper in town - Daisy - turned this book in a story that was filled with tension and the all time present question Will he find out? .

The premise of the story is just so new, pure and exciting that I couldn‘t stop myself from binging this book. Lenny has been in love with her best friend Creed from the very beginning, but hides her feelings as she is afraid of putting their friendship in danger. Creed, on the other hand, has his own secrets and hides his own feelings, and finds distraction and interest in Daisy , who is Lenny but he doesn‘t know that. After visiting the local strip club several nights, one incident changes the friendship between them as him and Daisy kiss, and Lenny‘s secret is in danger - as much as her feelings become even more chaotic.

There is no way for me to express how much I enjoyed this ride of feels without spoiling the book but let me say this: THIS RIDE WAS PHENOMENAL. I can‘t imagine this premise to have worked for any other characters as it did for Lenny and Creed, and I enjoyed every single moment between them. No matter if it was Lenny or her alter ego, Daisy, in the scene.

However, there were some things that I wished were differently. And that‘s the ending. It felt rushed, and to some extent I wished certain things were revealed differently, or for the author to take more time to develop certain points. But this seems to be a common thing that bothers me in this genre, the only exception being Sinking Ships as that ending was perfect. But even if the ending didn‘t satisfy me as much as I wished it would be, I see it as a very subjective opinion of mine, and just enjoyed the book in total so so much. For a fact, while I can imagine myself rereading NA books at some point in the future, this was the first time that I immediately had the urge to go back to the beginning and reread it, and that alone speaks volumes.

I LOVED THIS ONE.

For someone like me who has made literature such a big part of her life, even finding a book where there are quotes about books, reading and stories makes me emotional. I even have some of my favorites tattooed on my skin because I want those words to be with me at all times. So you can imagine how happy I was to find this book, because Below the Dome focuses most of all on stories.

Like many readers, stories are a big part of the protagonist’s life. Katchan is raised by his grandmother, who was a passionate storyteller and shared stories with her grandson. When she dies, all she leaves Katchan is a red rock and a parchment on which a story is written. However, Katchan cannot read it, because the gift of reading is one he doesn’t possess (what horrible world is this, you ask? I know, I FEEL YOU.) When the village Elder threatens to take the stone and the parchment, Katchan embarks on an adventure in the desert, hoping to find the people who live below the dome, where the sun sets, and that they may teach him to read his grandmother’s final words to him.

During the book we meet a variety of characters, all of them meaningful. In fact, each of them is somehow connected to a story that Katchan has learned from his grandmother, though how they are connected is something you understand as you read, and I really enjoyed the added mystery. In the desert, Katchan discovers that his grandmother’s stories were more than that. They were pieces of truth, and with them she has given him the means to navigate life. Though this was a short book, it was a meaningful one that made me think a lot about the role of stories in our lives, and how they connect us. I really enjoyed reading this and recommend it to everyone who wants a short but emotional read.

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review.

HOW SHALL I SURVIVE UNTIL APRIL TO KNOW MORE?

Or basically. HOW SHALL I SURVIVE AFTER THIS GLORIOUS BOOK?

Writing this review is hard. Not because I have anything bad to say, or because I need to properly sort my thoughts (well a little bit of that), but simply because if I don't control myself, this would only consist of the following:

JFFDSFHSIDHFUIDFHDUFHDSUFHUSDHFISDFHIUSDFHUSFHKHFIDBVIRFHLISFADLAAaaaADHLFAHSDFHASLDJFHALSDHFLSADHFLSDHFLSDHFHSADLFHALSDFHASDLFHADFHALHDFLASHDFLHAFH

And we don't want that, right?

From Blood and Ash already did a pretty amazing job in wrecking me, leaving me panting for more. However, I was able to survive that because I had A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire at my hands. Ready to continue this series, to read more about Poppy and Hawke, to let it consume me. Finishing THIS book was harder. A lot. I binged the first 70% in a matter of 1-2 days (I can't even remember), when I realized that after this book there is nothing. Just the endless painful wait for the next book to come out. And nothing else. So I savoured those last 30%, carefully trying to not devour what's left in a short matter of time. Pacing myself so I can longer enjoy the story of Hawke and Poppy. And ... in the end, I just .. finished it? FINISHED IT. I could've lied to myself how much I wanted, this book did have an ending, and I reached it. And now my heart aches, and I'm lost, and I need more, but won't get it until Spring.

And such books are the ones that keep me going. To be honest, I was fearing a reading slump due to the fact that I barely read anything that wasn't university related in the past months. I reached out to books of the New Adult Romance genre to keep myself occupied, and was afraid no story would take hold of me this year. But this story did. And yes. You're right, it's Hawke's fault. But not entirely.

As much as I'm a sucker for the romance in this series (and trust me ... TRUST ME .. I crave it like nothing else), it's also the worldbuilding, the plot, the story that just thrill me. I loved how Jennifer L. Armentrout revealed everything in [b:From Blood and Ash|52831200|From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585598504l/52831200._SX50_.jpg|78982151]. I was anticipating a plottwist, and I was hoping for a reveal of that sorts, but it was the way she built up to it, the way she added some more tension and feelings to it that made me go crazy. To witness now, how everything unfolds was a blast! I loved seeing more of the Atlantians, the way they live, they survive, we learn more of the species that are involved in this book, more of the gods (which I, on my part, really really enjoyed!!), and politics. While I have to admit that in the beginning of FBAA I was midly confused about the worldbuilding set around the Ascended, it made sense to twist it that way as it all was leading to this very specific part of the story. I mean, I do not want to talk about the ending... BUT DAMN. Everything that has been build up before was just perfectly executed, and I'm dying to see more of the world, the magic, the politics and history. And especially a lot more about the lore of the gods.

My head is not only all but busy thinking of Hawke and Poppy, but also busy brewing up theories like it hasn't for a long time. Just throwing in some questions that I have been asking myself throughout the whole book (and some more that I'm asking now):

Spoiler

From the very beginning, I was sure that Poppy is not descended from the empath bloodline. I mean, it was definitely too obvious. So I did ask myself what she is, where she is coming from. I also did assume she must be related to the queen. And therefore, believe what the Dutchess said. What I'm asking myself now is, especially since the Dutchess was so happy about the marriage, Did Poppy just accidentally help the Ascended by marrying Casteel and going to Atlantia? I'm dying to find out, as I'm smell some shit to go down very soon. But then again the gods seemed to approve? We shall not forget about the sky changing during the wedding. Or the fact that Poppy was saved by a goddess in the mist. For her to be a descendent of a god it does make sense, but what does it actually mean? I need more history on the gods. I need to understand Poppy's connection to the wolven that has been there from the very beginning. I need to understand what she is. How will her powers develop? WHAT IS GOING ON. Also, will this situation change her relationship to Casteel? It must. But I don't want to. I WANT THEM TO FUCKING SAY I LOVE YOU TO EACH OTHER. But Poppy appears to be now Queen. As the granddaughter of the Queen of the Ascended? Also what does this mean? I can imagine that the Queen of the Ascended is not ... an Ascended. Poppy's mother didn't Ascend. It makes sense that the Queen didn't either. But she ... is immortal. And Poppy was supposed to be half-atlantian? So what if ... the Queen of the Ascended is an Ascendend, and what if she - I guess it's her - had her daugther with the god? What ifs, what ifs, what ifs. ALSO what if ... and this one breaks my heart the most. WHAT IF VIKTER IS ALIVE? What if he died .. but didn't die? And no, I don't mean be an Ascended. What if he is some sort of shapeshifting (they're called changelings, am I remembering correctly?) Atlantian, and he kind of became Alastir? Or what if he is Alastir, and Vikter. What if he is there making sure that Poppy ... fulfills her fate? Or ... what if Vikter is Poppy's dad. (okay that's probably just wishful thinking because I loved him so much). I just .. something seems so odd about Alastir constantly reminding Poppy of Vikter, and I can't see this being an coincidence. Also, I'm pretty sure Beckett was following Alastir's order to bring Poppy to Nyktos' chambers, and while I know many are mad at Beckett's betrayal, I feel like the young wolven didn't have a choice since he seemed sincere when he thanked Poppy for healing him. However, it must have been Alastir. I haven't trusted him - even though I did want to - from the beginning, and the way he kept telling Casteel's mother, the queen, that it still isn't too late just tells me that they know something, and I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. This whole Ascended/Atlantia/gods-affair seems so much bigger, and I'm just dying to figure it all out. DYING.
might add some more theories as I spent some more days dying

And despite all of it, my mind, body and soul are with Poppy and ... HAWKE. I just adore these two together. I wanted to slap them, hug them, be them, be with them. It's insane. I have collected many many book boyfriends in all these years, and I have obsessed over many many couples as well. But these two just add a new level to my obsession and feels, it's insane. It's a ride I'm glad I took. And I just can't stop myself obsessing over these characters. Again, Jennifer L. Armentrout did everything right with the tension between them, the way their relationship developed, or they as characters developed. I just loved turning those pages, and I couldn't stop turning the pages, and this is entirely their fault. My heart rate was up as if I was in the mids of some cardio workout reading their banter, their fights, their ... tension. And to say I haven't become addicted to them would be the biggest lie that has passed my lips.

So excuse me while I leave this messy review, and go to obsess a little bit more about these two.
I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF.
Someone fan me. And bring me book three.

Okay now I demand the full first part of the book in Hawke‘s POV! It‘s so fascinating to see him shocked and intrigued. I loved this!

Merged review:

As 2020 passed, I almost feared I would have to end the year without discovering a new favorite series. A new favorite that would blow my mind. That would make me obsess over it, even when I'm not busy reading it. One that would shatter my world. That would find its way into my heart, body and mind. That wouldn't let me go.

It's not that 2020 hasn't treated me with good books. It did. I came to love a few standalones deeply. I obsessed a lot over [b:House of Earth and Blood|44778083|House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559142847l/44778083._SY75_.jpg|46924772] or [b:Incendiary|52888729|Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568058171l/52888729._SX50_SY75_.jpg|56956163] that have been definitely the highlight of the first half of 2020. I've read many other great reads, and definitely spent enough time obsessing over sequels that have been released this year such as [b:The Damned|53131137|The Damned (The Beautiful, #2)|Renée Ahdieh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570224902l/53131137._SY75_.jpg|65882266] or [b:Blood & Honey|40550366|Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)|Shelby Mahurin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580922495l/40550366._SY75_.jpg|62967372] that I have yet to read. But ... ever since summer hit, I was looking for one book to shatter my soul. To climb those stairs, and be my highlight of the year. And then this month's Book Talk With Wifey happened, and From Blood and Ash offered EVERYTHING my poor soul has been looking for. E V E R Y T H I N G.

I was well aware that this book has been around for a while, and that the hype around it was HUGE. But something inside me just made me look away. Maybe it was the fact that I've been reading JLA's books as a teen and thought my time to obsess over her books is over (clearly, ignoring the fact that this book had been High Fantasy and Adult - two things I'm currently loving to read) or maybe I was just too hesitant to pick up book that have been hyped too much, because hypes have lately made me do the opposite: not liking the books as much. Whatever my reasons have been, I can only say I'm utterly grateful that Chiara (@_ckarys on IG) and I have been convinced to pick this up as our November BTWW book. Because this book changed the game. IT CHANGED THE GAME.

Just beginning to state a few things that I throughout enjoyed in this book, before I lose myself in my endless obsession and fangirling. I have read that JLA was hesitant herself to write an High Fantasy novel, and damn am I thankful she decided to do so. Not only has been the worldbuilding and the setting from the very beginning intriguing and on point, but I actually have not felt a bit that this is something I have read before. And I have read plenty of books with a royal setting. Poppy's position as the Maiden was probably a reason I've been avoiding the book. A Maiden chosen by the gods themselves? Who is kept away? Pure? Innocent? That combined with the fact that I was well aware of the strong guard playing a role in her life, I just didn't like the idea of reading a court story with a damsel in need of help. And boy was I wrong. I came to adore Poppy so much that half the time I was more excited about her actions that my main obsession of this book. The guard. Hawke. Oh man, I can't wait to start talking about him. But first, let me be rational and professional. If I even can. Poppy is such a strong female badass character that I immediately loved. I never saw myself getting bored due to her role as the pure Maiden, nor did I felt that this role bestowed upon her - if one can call it that - was something that was bothering me. Don't take me wrong. It was bothering me. But in all the right ways.

But Poppy and Hawke weren't the only characters I loved deeply. Ever character that has been introduced into this world played a role. Not once did I think that anyone just served to be a filler. JLA gave each character a purpose, a personality to either like or not, and a role important in the plot that has slowly began to unfold. My heart was all with Rylan, Vikter, Tawny - and while I can easily start obsessing over secondary characters, it rarely happens that I immediately love them. And I did. Even minor characters that have shared a scene or two made sense, had not only a purpose to get the story going, but were full of a personality that didn't feel flat. And why was that so important to me? Because any kind of Romance novels, even High Fantasy Adult ones, tend to keep the focus mainly on the two leads who easily overshadow everyone else. Not in this book. Each character was alive, each character made me feel something. Which made not only the setting seem realer, but the whole story became just more vivid, more intense, more believable.

Every piece of this puzzle had a place and a story to tell. The worldbuilding unfolded itself just as the magic system unfolded in just the right pace, as did the romance in this book. And there's no denying that the romance is the most perfect I have come across for a very long time.

I imagine most people reading this book, or even this reviews, have read [b:A Court of Mist and Fury|17927395|A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406996l/17927395._SY75_.jpg|25126749] and loved it deeply, obsessed over it even after years have passed. I surely belong to those. And just let me tell you this. This book is what we all needed after ACOMAF, and even put that one to shame. And I say this with the biggest love (still) and biggest heartache. BUT IT WAS THIS GOOD.

Hawke had my full attention from the very beginning, and at this point I just want to applaude to JLA that she pulled off the beginning of FBAA they way she did. It was excellent! Ever since the first chapters, there was a tension so big build that I found myself not being capable of putting the book down. I kept whispering to myself that I would close the book, and follow the #BookTalkWithWifey schedule, that I would only read a day ahead or two. And found myself quickly ditching the schedule on day two. Finishing the book on Day three. Of Ten. The schedule was meant to last ten days. I never had a chance to stick to it.

It wasn't just that Armentrout managed to build up all this tension and then gave us what we needed. No, it's way more. With each chapter, each scene, each moment that served our needs and needs we didn't know we have, she also builded up more worldbuilding, showed more history, expanded the world and narrative. This didn't only feel like reading a romance story between two amazing characters, but it set new standards to amazing worldbuilding that can come from reading/writing a romance-heavy novel.

My obsession for the world, the story, and the characters grew with each chapter. Hell, each page. And Hawke became the center of my attention. Just as Poppy did. Just as the full book did. But oh.. Hawke. HAWKE. He really really really put a shame on every book boyfriend that resides in my harem. Starting from his looks, the damn dimples, the banter, his actions, to his full personality. This guy is very fine polished jewel. A diamond.

There was no line that made me cringe, there was no scene that was unneccessary and only written to serve the readers. Every conversation, every look, every movement was perfect, built up more tension, and left me panting for more. Yes. PANTING.

I can't even begin to tell you all the things that guy made me think, or made everyone who participated in the #BookTalkWithWifey readalong chat thirsty and go crazy.

And the climax of the book just turned everything even more intriguing, thrilling, and better. And at that point, I didn't even know there's a change that this could happen. But oh was I wrong.

And to be a little desperate. Let me scream this.

Spoiler

THAT SCENE IN THE FOREST, IN THE GODDAMN SNOW COVERED FOREST. AFTER SHE STABBED HIM. THE FULL REVEAL OF NOT ONLY WHAT BUT WHO HE IS. I honestly was already thanking JLA for writing the scene in the room before the big plot twist that I was hoping would happen (!!) because I wasn't expecting that after the big reveal there would be any way to see them together in a way I desperately wanted. But damn. That scene can just win every award ever, and have my soul. There. Have it. Because JLA did that , and now my soul is lost. Honestly. My soul was already lost at chapter three. BUT DAMN. Just everything was SO PERFECT. And this is where I have to end talking, because .... my heart's racing, and I'm very close to just ditch all my responsiblities, not finishing this review or doing anything productive, and going back to reading ALL MY FAVORITE SCENES. And you can imagine how many involve Hawke's "many talents".

So is the hype worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Should this book be read by everyone? EVERYONE. AND SOME. Will I obsess over this series? FOREVER. Has it ruined me? YES AND I'M THANKING IT.

This book deserves ALL the stars, and then some. Because five isn't enough to express how good it is.
And since it was November's #BookTalkWithWifey books, and we rate romance in bananas there. Let me tell you. Not even five bananas are enough. We've been looking for a high banana rating, and we found one. One that wrecked the rating. This is an infinite banana rating book. And everyone should read it. HAVE YOU HEARD ME?

While I have come across many amazing sci-fi stories in my life, I’m always hesitant to pick one up as my true love belongs to the worlds of fantasy literature. But what if a book combines elements of science fiction with those of fantasy, and adds an amazing enemies-to-lovers romance to it? I’m sold. And that’s what The Last Lumenian just did!

The story kicks off right away, filling the pages with action, and introducing the readers into a world that is filled with politics, rebels, gods, secrets, and magic. In the middle of it, we find Lilla – a sassy, adventurous, strong and determined protagonist who tries to unveil the secrets, and fight for the good. What starts out as a need to rebel against her father, and help oppressed refugees, quickly becomes more complicated when Lilla discovers her magic – and the potential war that is quickly nearing her home world.

While I enjoyed the fast pace of this story, I do have to admit it took me some time to get acquainted with this complex worldbuilding as the Seven Galaxies are not something you can immediately explore and understand. This was where the glossary was very helpful and handy for me to find the orientation I needed in the beginning. (Honestly, glossarys are a thing that should be included everywhere! I loved that S.G. Blaise did it!) As the story progressed, I found myself eager to find out more of the gods, the Lumenians, and the role Lilla must play in order to save her home world. (If you know me, you know I'm a sucker if it comes to anything related to the power of gods and this one just fit perfectly the worldbuilding of the story!)

As much as I enjoyed the lush worldbuilding, and the quick pace of this story, my favorite aspect was … you might have guessed it … the romance! I’m weak if it comes to the hate-to-love trope, and although I thought I was first rooting for the very handsome pilot at Lilla’s side, I couldn’t help myself but falling for the imposing and sassy General. Reading the banter between these two made me grin like an idiot more times than I want to admit. (Though, the little masochist I am, I would have loved to be tortured more if the romance has progressed a little bit slower!)

If you’re looking for a sci-fi book combined with elements of fantasy, a sassy romance, epic magic and gods, and a strong protagonist, I can recommend you to pick up The Last Lumenian, and enjoy the ride!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book!

Have you ever been in a life slump that was also a reading slump and nothing, literally nothing could've helped you out of it? Usually, no matter what book I pick up during times like these, I either end up DNFing or not liking them. But the power of These Violent Delights hits different, because despite of my life/reading slump situation, I enjoyed this book A LOT.

I have been eager to read this book ever since I laid eyes on the cover, and realized it's a Romeo & Juliet gangster retelling set in the golden era of the 20s IN SHANGHAI. So many aspects of this book were calling me to it. I am obsessed with the enemies-to-lovers trope, and I was curious to read a Romeo & Juliet retelling. I love gangsters in movies, and honestly the best gangsters are from a time of parties, cigarettes, flapper girls, and suits. However, I never really read anything like this. I just enjoyed watching it. (And to be honest, this book deserves a TV adaptation... but we get to this later) And if you know me, you know how much I love to learn more about other places, other cultures, other mythologies, or other histories that the common ones my teacher taught me at school. So to be able to read about 20s gangsters in Shanghai was just something I couldn't pass.

The setting surely didn't disappoint, and gave me so much more than I expected. As I mentioned, the history of Shanghai isn't really something that was on my school curricula, and therefore I had no clue about the influences, the struggles, and the situation the people faced during the 20s. But Chloe Gong takes the readers' hands, and gives us a great look into historical Shanghai, weaving it perfectly with the horrific monster she introduces in the book. I often found myself so intrigued, and wanted to know even more that I kept stalking Chloe's Pinterest walls, wikipedia articles, and google for better insights. Not that they were necessarily needed, but I love when authors spark my interest even beyond the story they tell. Also, in additon, there is an Author Note at the back that explains quickly what it looked like in Shanghai during the 20s, and I could hug every author who does things like that.

Not only did Chloe Gong excite me with the setting, the knowledge she provides, and the atmosphere, but the writing was just so beautiful, I had to reread the prologue just to really prepare myself for the rest of the story. I have always been a very visual reader, imagining everything I read, needing the visual depiction in my head to really get sucked in to a story. Sometimes it's easier to do so, sometimes it takes more time for me to project the right scenes. With Chloe's writing, everything came so natural. I could picture the setting, the emotions, the story as if it were a great movie playing out in front of my eyes instead of pictures I conjure in my mind.

Despite the fact that this is a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet which could've given away some of the general plot, I never felt smart enough to figure things out or was able to see things coming. As much as I thought that I knew what I was getting into, I ended up not knowing at all what I was getting into, and the plot kept me turning the pages like crazy.

However, the best aspect of this book (and I know I named very good ones already) were the characters!!! Juliette Cai is one of those female protagonist you fall in love with while you fear she could slit your throat if you breathe in the wrong direction, and here I am applauding her for that energy. Her wit, her sass, her character were just *chef's kiss*, and she immediately made it on my list of favorite badass ladies. And then there's Roma Montagov who just needs to be protected at all costs. HAVE YOU HEARD ME? At all costs! I loved his character. While I was expecting someone more ruthless, and let's be honest the ruthless ones are more easily welcomed in my book boyfriend harem, this boy has stolen my heart with his dreams, his hopes, his good heart, and .... *swoon* just because he is Roma. At first, I couldn't really see how I could obsess over this ship with Juliette being the ruthless, calculating heiress that takes everything at every costs, and Roma acceptin ghis position as an heir, but not really putting his heart in it. But Juliette and Roma work perfectly as a team, they complete each other in such a genuine way, and I was so happy to see a constellation like this. And this is not where it ends. Nope. Because apparantly it's not enough to love just these two. *sigh* Benedict and Marshall were definitely stealing the show a lot of times, and I'm just as eager to find more about these two White Flowers, as I am if it comes to Kathleen - Juliette's cousin and member of the Scarlet Gang. Chloe Gong has not only created a ship full of tension that killed me most of the time, but also has made me fall in love with the secondary characters that I can't wait to see where their story continues. Every single one of them feels so naturally to read about, and the diversity rep in this book was amazingly executed.

But there needs to be a "but", and I hate that it does, especially because this comes more from my life slump situation. If I had read his book at any other time, this review might have not needed the "but", ... but here it comes. While the plot was intriguing and had me turning the pages, there were also times where I wished things would have progressed faster. Often I found myself not as excited about a new clue, and wished for some more Juliette and Roma action that came primaly out of my need to release the freaking tension that these two were masters in. Sometimes, it was too easy for me to put the book aside ... and in combination with my life/reading slump that lead to me not picking up the book again soon enough.

This is why I did nothing but struggle when I had to decide what to rate the book. 4 stars? 5 stars? Who knows. My brain didn't work, and I kept going back and forth. However, I did settle on 4.5 stars at last as I don't think any other book would have brought me as much joy in a situation as the one I'm currently in, and honestly I'm already counting the days for the sequel Our Violent Ends to release. I NEED ANSWERS AND I NEED ROMA TO BE PROTECTED. ARE YOU LISTENING.

If you want to know more about what I have thought about this book, say "hi" to my instagram ( @drawingandreading) where I and @_ckarys discussed These Violent Delights for our monthly #booktalkwithwifey readalong live chat!