Thanks to Knopf Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: “The Isles of the Gods” is a high-seas adventure you won’t want to miss out on! 

 

One aspect of “The Isles of the Gods” that I enjoyed was reading from a new point-of-view each chapter. Kaufman’s choice to alternate between Selly, Jude, Laskia, Keegan, and Leander’s viewpoints not only helps the reader to piece together each character’s role in the quest they must embark on, but also provides opportunities for her readers to see parts of themselves reflected in her diverse characters. Kaufman’s efforts to represent characters of different races/ethnicities, socio-economic classes, and sexualities mirrors the diversity of our world, which I thoroughly appreciate. 

 

The slow and gradual development of Kaufman’s characters over the course of “The Isles of the Gods” gives her the space needed to build her fantastical world. Kafuman does a fantastic job making each country distinct from one another with her detailed descriptions. For example, I especially like how Kaufman contrasts Alinor’s rolling greens hills with Mellacea’s crammed city to make both regions more memorable. Additionally, she goes in depth about the land’s origins, the Gods and Goddesses that ruled over them, and the ways in which they are honored. 

 

Kaufman’s complex world-building does not allow the story to take off until its halfway point, but once it did, I was completely engrossed by the slow burn romance, the high stakes atmosphere, and the intriguing magic system. With the threat of war between Gods looming, I cannot wait to see how book 2 unfolds.

Review: “Warrior Girl Unearthed” is a powerful novel about reclamation. 

Boulley does a fantastic job familiarizing her readers with Ojibwe customs and traditions through the perspective of the main character Perry Firekeeper-Birch as she spends the summer looking for ways to return the ancestral remains of the Warrior Girl to her tribe. The context provided about NAGPRA, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, is very informative and shows that like many other laws in the system, it is flawed when inadequately enforced, as is the case Boulley’s novel. Perry’s frustration and despair radiates off the page and cannot help but weigh heavy on the reader’s heart every time she is denied access to her people’s sacred items and ancestral remains when she goes by-the-book. Left with no choice, Perry organizes a heist to reclaim what rightfully belongs to the Ojibwe tribe. 

While Perry begins to set her plans in motion, Indigenous women begin to disappear. This element of mystery further immersed me in the story and spreads awareness about the MMIW movement. Boulley’s shocking revelations about the killer’s connection to the stolen artifacts and remains had me on the edge of my seat! 

At its core, “Warrior Girl Unearthed” honors the history of Indigenous people and sheds light on their experiences with past and present injustices. I could not recommend it more.

Review: “Bloodmarked” is everything I could have hoped for  in a sequel and more! 

 

With Nick having been kidnapped by his own father and the Arthur Awakened, Bree seeks help from the High Council of Regents, who serve as the backbone of The Order of the Round Table when it is not gathered. Having not been present in “Legendborn” the reader learns of the different responsibilities allotted to the Regent of Light (overseeing all of the society’s operations in the Onceborn world), the Lord Regent (looking after Legendborn records, Order History, and commanding the Table when Arthur has not been Awakened) and the Regent of Shadows (commanding the military). 

 

We also are exposed to their inherent racism and sexism as they try to convince Bree that despite having the king’s blood, she is a mistake. The regents’ use of power to instill fear and exert control not only forces Bree to go on the run and rescue Nick herself, but also calls attention to the many systems of oppression in our society today that have yet to be deconstructed. 

 

Luckily, Bree is not entirely without allies. Alice, Selwyn, and William join her on her quest to find Nick. I especially loved that Alice is given a larger role in “Bloodmarked” because it allows the reader to explore the dynamics of her friendship with Bree. I also appreciated how her character demonstrates throughout the novel that you do not need to have magical abilities to kick ass. 

 

Though the reader is never given Selwyn’s perspective in “Bloodmarked,” Bree’s growing attraction for him results in her discovering insecurities, strengths, and motivations of his that weren’t fully touched upon in “Legenborn”, adding complexity to his character. Her newfound feelings for him also create internal conflict as she mulls over whether her heart belongs to him or Nick. I personally loved watching Bree and Sel’s romantic relationship flourish in this book. Sel’s protectiveness over Bree and his proclamations in Old Welsh leave me with no choice but to give him complete and total ownership of my heart. 

 

Aside from the deepening of Bree’s relationship with others, she also learns more about herself under the protection of her ancestors in a place called Volition. Here, she is surrounded by rootcrafters who reclaimed the land from their oppressors. For the first time, people who look like Bree and share some of the same abilities help her learn the extent of her powers and uncover the mystery surrounding the origin of her bloodcraft. 

 

The jaw-dropping revelations made about Vera, the threat of Camlann on the horizon, Sel’s gradual loss of humanity to his demon blood, the Regent’s persistence to to find a new ancestor to replace Bree as the Scion of Arthur, and Bree’s sacrifice left me an emotional sobbing mess by the novel’s end. I can only hope that book three puts me back together again.

Review: Laura Lee Guhrke’s first book in her new “Scandal at the Savoy” series is the perfect feel-good read! 

 

“Bookshop Cinderella” is a “She’s All That” meets Julia Quinn opposites-attract romance that alternates between Evie Harlow’s and Maximillian Shaw’s points-of-view. 

 

Chapters written from Evie’s perspective were very enjoyable to read! As a bookstore owner, Evie is very knowledgeable and independent during a time period when women were supposed to be neither. Because she is a woman ahead of her time, she is treated like an outsider by members of high society and made to think that she will live out the rest of her life as a spinster. That is, until she meets Maximillian Shaw, the Duke of Westbourne. 

 

Years after the devastating death of his first wife, Max is in search of a new bride, preferably one that he won’t get too attached to. When he stumbles upon Evie and her shop, he makes her an offer—he’ll make her the diamond of the season and they’ll both share the winnings from a bet he made with his friends. The more time he spends with Evie, the more he realizes that there is no escaping love. 

 

I absolutely loved Evie and Max’s chemistry! Little moments in the book where they snacked in the kitchen with one another, practiced dancing together, and snuck looks at each other during fancy dinner parties made my heart flutter. I also appreciated that Max never attempted to change Evie to meet society’s expectations. Instead, he loves her for who she is and makes her aware of the beauty she always possessed. I hope that Evie and Max will make an appearance in the  next “Scandal at the Savoy” book!

Review: Tracy Deonn’s fantasy debut “Legendborn” empowers and inspires. 

 

The novel is told from the perspective of sixteen-year-old Briana “Bree” Matthews. Through Bree, Deonn broaches subjects like grief, trauma, racism, and sexism. She takes great care in capturing Bree’s wide range of emotions as she goes through different stages of grief after the loss of her mother. Additionally, Deonn addresses intergenerational trauma. As a descendent of enslaved people, Bree inherits the trauma that her ancestors experienced. She is reminded of their pain by unmarked graves and monuments celebrating their enslavers. I appreciate Deonn raising awareness about the historical harm experienced by the Black community and grief-related conditions. I also love how Deonn uses her characters to eradicate the stigma surrounding seeking help from professionals as a means of support. 

 

One way in which Bree initially tries to cope with her mother’s death before speaking with a therapist is by enrolling in a residential program for high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill. While she is there, she acquires the Sight and discovers the world of the Legendborn. I was blown away by the concept of bringing the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to life in our contemporary world through their living descendants. Deonn establishes a hierarchy within the Order of the Round Table starting with the Scions at the top of the pyramid followed by Merlins (sorcerers), Squires, and Pages. Each year, Pages are given an opportunity to compete to become a Squire for one of the Awakened Scions. As a a newly appointed Page, Bree immerses the reader in the high stakes environment of the trials and familiarizes us with the inner workings of the Order. She also exposes readers to the “double jeopardy” she experiences—racism and sexism—as a result of the Order’s heteropatriarchal structure.  

 

Deonn draws from Arthurian myth to create her complex magic system. Bloodcrafters, the Legendborn and Merlins, steal their magic from their descendants as part of their mission to hunt and kill Shadowborn (demons) to protect Onceborns (regular humans) and prevent Camlann from occurring. Depending on which knight of the round table they are related to and whether or not they have been called, the Legendborn can use their aether to create weapons, form armor, or heal others. Merlins use their aether for much of the same in addition to administering oaths, shapeshifting, and erasing memories. While the abilities of the Legendborn and Merlin are impressive, the former have to grapple with shortened lifespans and the latter are vulnerable to succumbing to their demon blood as a consequence of stealing from their bloodlines. 

 

Aside from the Legendborn, Rootcrafters exist in Deonn’s fictional world. Rootcrafters have magical abilities of their own that they borrow from their ancestors. They harness root to manipulate the growth of plant life (wildcrafter), see a person’s aura (reader), speak to the dead (medium), or walk the memories of their ancestors (memory walker). 

 

As a Page and Rootcrafter, Bree has to navigate both worlds that harbor animosity towards each other while still processing her grief and encountering discrimination. At her side is Nick Davis, the legendary Scion of Arthur. What starts out as a begrudging mentor/mentee partnership develops into a loving relationship. Nick is the epitome of a “golden retriever boy” and it is quite possible that I fell for him as hard as Bree did what with his protective and sunshine personality. 

 

If you have not read this book yet, this is me telling you to do so. It is one that demands to be read and absorbed. As Deonn so beautifully puts it in her author’s note, “Legendborn” “is an opportunity to reorient ourselves to the stories we preserve… and rediscover who gets to be legendary.”

Review: The conclusion to Ryan’s fantasy duo ups the heat and the stakes! 

 

Having spent a majority of “These Hollow Vows” in the Seelie Court, Ryan allows the reader to explore the Wild Fae Lands and the Unseelie Court in “These Twisted Bonds.” Through Brie’s point-of-view, the reader journeys to Staraelia, a town in the Court of the Moon, and is exposed to Lunastal, a celebration of the bounty of the harvest. Despite the golden queen’s plans to destroy the shadow court looming overhead, Brie’s partaking in aspects of the ritual (like trekking up the mountain, making offerings to Lugh, and dancing) changes both the reader’s and Brie’s perceptions of the Unseelie from cruel and evil fae to innocent beings. 

 

Prince Ronan’s betrayal only deepens Brie’s connection with Prince Finnian and the shadow court by proxy. However, it also contributes to Brie’s trust issues. Brie’s inner thoughts reveals her struggle to confide in those around her, even Finnian, and the extent of her loneliness as a result. This aspect of the novel’s conflict is beautifully executed by Ryan and adds complexity to Brie’s character. 

 

Ryan also does a great job slowly uncovering the mystery surrounding Brie’s past and her magical abilities. Many of the truths that came to light blew my mind and sucked me further into the storyline. 

 

I hope that Ryan considers writing more novels that exist in the fae realm because I am not ready to say goodbye after reading this duology!

Review: The conclusion to the Dreamland Billionaires trilogy is bittersweet! 

 

Cal and Alana’s relationship is everything! Their alternating viewpoints allow the reader to piece together their joint pasts, the moment their childhood friendship turned into something more, and the fallout that tore them apart. Asher makes it clear, however, that the two still have lingering feelings for each other in the present, no matter how bad their reunion was. I appreciated how Asher naturally intensified these feelings over the long summer period Cal spent in proximity to Alana at the family lake house as part of receiving his inheritance. Though agonizing, the slow rekindling of Cal and Alana’s romance is worth its weight in hundred dollar bills. 

 

“Final Offer” proves that it is much more than a romance novel by broaching topics like substance addiction. Asher takes great care in capturing Cal’s dependence on alcohol to overcome his grief and anxiety. Through his point-of-view, the reader is exposed to Cal’s internal battle with himself and the commitment he makes to stay dry. I appreciate Asher for not sugarcoating reality by taking her time detailing Cal’s road to recovery. 

 

Like her other novels, “Final Offer” features diverse characters. Alana was born in Barranquilla, Colombia before moving to the United States with her mother and sister when she was seven. Asher showcases how Alana’s culture is an integral part of her identity by writing her dialogue in Spanish and familiarizing the reader with Columbian dishes she is fond of making. I enjoyed learning about this piece of Alana’s identity and region of the world I did not know much about prior to reading “Final Offer.” 

 

Another piece of Alana’s identity is being a single parent. Cami, her adopted daughter, is her world. I loved how Asher uses Alana and Cami’s relationship to show that family isn’t always comprised of parents and their biological children, but can simply be the people we choose to be in our lives. Alana’s devotion to her daughter’s happiness over all else really moved me. 

 

I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, but equally excited to dive into the spin-off, “Love Redesigned”!

Review: There is no better way to return to the Remnant Universe than reading Pearson’s expanded prequel! 

 

After learning bits and pieces about Morrighan and Jafir in Pearson’s other works, I enjoyed getting the opportunity to finally read from their perspectives! Pearson allows the reader to view what life was like for both characters after the Devastation. Their gradual development from enemies existing in rival camps to lovers braving hardships together gripped me like no other novel and brought tears to my eyes. 

 

In addition to Morrighan and Jafir’s story, the prequel includes gorgeous interior illustrations by Kate Ohara. Ohara does a fantastic job capturing Morrighan and Jafir’s budding romance on the page. The illustrations in conjunction with Pearson’s text immerses readers in the world of the Remnant and creates a storybook feel that mirrors the tales Morrighan told to her tribe. 

 

“Morrighan” will forever be one of my favorite works by Pearson. Readers often skip prequels because they view them as unnecessary, but “Morrighan” truly is a must read for fans of The Remnant Chronicles and the Dance of Thieves duology!

 

Review: Thalassa’s latest paranormal romance novel truly is bewitching like its namesake! 

 

“Bewitched” is told from the perspective of Selene Bowers, a witch whose dream is to be accepted into Henbane Coven. To gain admittance, she arranges to go on a quest in South America. Only, before she gets there her plane is torn from the sky by ancient magic. Sacrificing her memories to awaken her powers, Selene survives the crash and seeks out the source of the attack. In the process, she sets free Memnon the Cursed, an evil sorcerer who believes that Selene is his wife and worse, that she was the one who betrayed him. 

 

I really enjoyed reading from Selene’s point-of-view because the gaps in her memory motivate the reader to progress through the novel and speculate whether or not she is Memnon’s wife and if so, why she cursed him. Additionally, because Selene is in the dark about her own past, each new revelation she makes about herself is just as jarring for her as the reader, creating new sources of tension that propel the narrative. Still, Selene does not let her memory loss define her or get in the way of her goals, which is an aspect of her character that I admired. 

 

Like her other works, Thalassa takes her time crafting her world. “Bewitched” mainly takes place in Northern California. Though the region is populated by humans, lycanthropes, mages, and sorcerers, we specifically learn how about witches enrolled at Henbane Coven. Through Selene, Thalassa beautifully captures identifying markers to witch magic on the page by describing unique color hues. She also incorporates rhyme and a language of her own creation to demonstrate how words add to the potency of a spell. 

 

The ancient language Selene draws power from throughout the novel is Sarmatian, the language of Memnon’s people and interestingly enough, a real nomadic tribe. I appreciated how Thalassa made efforts to preserve bits of Sarmatian culture through Memnon’s character. 

 

Selene’s power being at her strongest whenever she speaks Memnon’s native tongue speaks volumes about their connection. The longer Selene spent in the Sarmatian warrior’s presence, the harder it was to resist his charm. I too was won over by his persistence until his need to settle the score put Selene’s well-being at risk at the novel’s end. I look forward to seeing how he plans to make amends in the sequel!