ettaviereads's Reviews (356)

This was a fun low fantasy read! The author does a magnificent job of merging ancient middle eastern cultural aspects with low fantasy on a trip through the Indian Ocean. It is extremely clear that the author did extensive research to be able to accurately depict the events of this book. 

I absolutely loved the sassy old lady pirate vibes that Amina gives off as she takes up a mission after being retired for a while. Her determination, kindness and sometimes rash decisions keeps the plot interesting while making the reader connect to her emotionally. 

I also appreciated the diversity of the characters and the way the narrators chose to depict the story made it feel like the listener was sitting and listening to a retelling of Amina’s tale.

This book was so good! Though I was suspect of Zulee and Rhess right off the bat, I did not see the final twist of the book coming. 

I absolutely fell in love with Cal and his no BS attitude towards Kiva which went along with his general teasing of her in a nice way. His willingness to lay everything on the line for his family and those he cares about makes his tragic backstory even more heart wrenching. 

Jaren was a bit frustrating for me in this book as he navigated his duties and brought Kiva into his family’s home. However, the betrayal that Kiva accomplishes along with another, unexpected character left me heartbroken for Jaren and Kiva’s relationship. 

I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen in book 3 considering all of the chaos that ensued in the final pages of book 2 but I will 100% be reading it in the near future because I NEED to know what is going to happen next. 

The ending of this book had me in tears. So much happens in the last 10% that I’m shook and the cliffhanger ending ❤️‍🩹💔

Liora and Calais make such a fun FMC/MMC combo, though the story is told from Liora’s POV. The imminent war on Faerie and the challenges of Liora’s past made me coming back for more every time that I opened the book. 

She even has two magical creature side kicks: Odette and Baylus who bring comfort and sometimes even satire to Liora’s situation. I enjoyed the banter between Gareth and Marlak throughout the book because it added a sense of found family and lightness to the overall mood. 

There were some plot twists that I didn’t see coming and some questions I have still swimming in my brain, even at the end of the book. However, it is clear at the end of the book the McCauley is planning a sequel. 

Overall, a great read with a plethora of tropes and micro tropes that made me happy to experience this world. 

2.5 🌶️ 

This is a fast paced enemies to lovers, sapphic fantasy romance book with politics, hidden identities and it keeps you guessing!

It was so nice to have a queer normative world present that didn’t make it feel forced. There are a variety of queer characters who play major and side character roles and their relationships add so much to the story. 

The interesting connection between obeah and their soulbound mate shows to Yeeran and Lettle that what they knew growing up about obeah is so very wrong. 

One of the obeah, Pila, was a favourite character with her sarcastic commentary and funny remarks adds light to the fairly intense plot.

4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️

This book was a whirlwind! You have a second chance romance but also a separate golden retriever love interest and a devious ex-husband…

The FMC is morally grey, traumatized and at least 30 yrs old. It was nice to have an older FMC who isn’t necessarily the hottest 30 yr old you’ve ever seen either. She’s gone through some crap and even by the end of the book, things are not going the way she would expect. 

There are twists and turns, family trauma, substance abuse, and an emotional sisterly bond that drives the plot. The two MMCs are both kind, genuine men but one of them gains more trust from the FMC than the other. 

1.5 Spice and 4 Tears

I’m still trying to recover emotionally after the last 15 chapters #IYKYK. The sacrifice, the battle, the adoration, the death, the love, just all of it caused so much emotional damage. 

I loved the way that Nesta and Elian’s characters developed in this book and that we learned so much more about Mor and Amren. Feyre showed why she is such a fierce, badass character and I am here for it!

There was a lot more action and less spice in this book than the previous two, in my opinion, and I fell even more in love with all of the characters. I am interested to see where things will go from here.

This was a very interesting listen! Reeves crafts a complex world where things aren’t always as they seem. The novel gives CS Lewis Chronicles of Narnia vibes with many twists and turns but also kind of a cozy fantasy feel. 

Jemma with the help of Edgar navigate complicated tasks through so many lands. As a reader, you are transported into a place where memories are held in so many different ways while being key to the Erigena’s prophecy. 

Reeves crafts an interesting magical system with numerous types of shifter characters, talking animals, and even an epic quest to gather information to save the realm. 

Give this book a read or listen if you like intricate world building, unique magical systems, found family, and epic quests. 

I struggled to connect with the characters and the plot line.

Another phenomenal addition to the Mindf*ck Series. ST Abby keeps readers on their toes as they work the Boogeyman case, some secrets are revealed and the Scarlet Slayer is still on the loose. 

With two more books left in this series and where this book finished, I feel like there’s a lot more to learn about the Evans family and I worry how Logan and Lana will make it through. 

0.5🌶️ 

This book was phenomenal! I was hooked from the first page until the final plot twist on the final page. The story follows Kiva in a deadly prison as the prison healer and the many things that go on behind the walls. 

She makes decisions that lead to her participation in the Trial by Ordeals and it is just about as intense as it can get. Each trial had me questioning what would happen next. 

I also fell in love with the three other main characters: Tripp, Naari and Jaren as the story progressed and things got more and more intense. 

There were a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming at all and Lynette Noni did a phenomenal job at their reveals. While thinking back on the various twists included in the plot, Lynett Noni does drop very subtle hints into what was going to happen but as a first time through, it will likely catch the reader off guard. 

I am glad this is a completed trilogy cuz I’m so ready to find out what’s going to happen next!!