Review: While much of “The Atlas Paradox” is filler in anticipation of the publication of “The Atlas Complex” (book three in the series), I did not mind in the slightest because I was gripped by Olivie Blake’s beautifully crafted prose! 

 

This anxiety inducing sequel is once again told from multiple, diverse perspectives. I enjoyed occupying the minds of all of the Society initiates (Parisa, Libby, Nico, Callum, Tristan, and Reina) and watching them further develop as characters as a result of the knowledge they are given by The Alexandrian Society. Additionally, I appreciated the inclusion of Ezra, Gideon, and Belen’s points-of-view, which deepened the plot and contributed to its intrigue. 

 

As the novel progresses, each character is slowly corrupted and consumed by the Society’s archives. New alliances are made, lives are put in jeopardy, and morals are abandoned. 

 

I look forward to seeing how Blake brings this series to a close now that things are taking a turn for the worst. 

Review: Elise Kova’s latest book in the Married to Magic series is fang-tastic! 

 

“A Duel with the Vampire Lord” centers around Floriane, a forge maiden who is kidnapped by her worst enemy—the vampire lord Ruvan. In order to survive, she becomes his blood sworn. But the longer Floriane stays at Castle Tempost, the more she realizes that the vampires are not the monsters she thought they were. 

 

Floriane is a strong female protagonist and compelling character. She finds great joy working beside her mother as a blacksmith. As someone who is not familiar with this line of work, I loved learning about how metal is forged into weapons and how much strain the body goes through during this process. To accurately portray smithing, Kova worked with an iron artist to make her own dagger, which makes this book extra special! 

 

Due to the long hours Floriane spends in the smithy, she has an “untraditional” figure—one that is curvy and stout. The way she is described made me love her all the more because Floriane provides representation of women of different body types to readers. 

 

Though she is self-conscious about her appearance at the beginning of the novel, comparing herself to other women in the town, those feelings go away the moment she realizes that Ruvan burns for her. Of the three books in the series, “A Duel with the Vampire Lord” has the best relationship development. Ruvan and Floriane naturally start off as enemies, but they are forced to put their differences aside in order to break the curse plaguing Ruvan’s people. Their attraction for each other heightens the more time they spend with each other until it reaches a fever pitch (arguably Kova’s spiciest scene to date). I absolutely love Ruvan and Floriane’s chemistry and the sacrifices that they made each other towards the end of the novel truly made me feel things. 

 

Another aspect of the novel I appreciated is how Kova was able to create something new about vampires. In her world, blood is used to enhance magic rather than quench thirst. Their blood based magic system is both complex and unique, informing the reader of the vampire’s customs and abilities. 

 

In past books, a majority of the time is spent in Midscape (Kova’s magical land). Kova switches it up in this novel, dividing the protagonist’s time between Midscape and Hunter’s Hamlet, Floriane’s home in the Natural World. I enjoyed getting the opportunity to learn about the social structure of Hunter’s Hamlet (complete with a Master Hunter, Hunters, a Forge Maiden, and farmers) while still being able to venture into the Vampir mountains. 

 

I cannot wait to continue on in the Married to Magic series with “A Duet with the Siren Duke” next year! Fingers crossed that Ruvan and Floriane make a cameo!

Review: “Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend” is as addictive as the social media platforms that bring the two main characters together. 

 

Penny Reid’s standalone romcom alternates between the viewpoints of Winnifred (Winnie) Gobaldi, a public school science teacher, and Byron Visser, a best-selling author. Despite having known each other for years, the two have nothing in common and are NOT best friends. Yet, they decide to fake a romantic relationship online for Winnie’s followers to further both of their careers. What’s the harm if no real feelings are involved, right? But as the lines between what is pretend and what is real begin to blur, the two discover that nothing is ever really that simple. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Byron and Winnie’s grumpy and sunshine personalities clash as they slowly fell for each other. 

 

I found myself especially relating to Winnie’s character. As a fellow educator, it was heartwarming seeing her so dedicated to her job. Several times throughout the novel she receives criticism for her occupation, but she was always ready to defend her choices no matter what. 

 

Additionally, I appreciated how Winnie uses her social media to empower younger children who want to pursue careers in STEM. Her commitment to delivering worthwhile content is what ultimately lights the spark in her relationship with Byron. 

 

Because social media is a huge aspect of the book, the reader is exposed to fun formatting like Byron and Winnie’s text exchanges. Their instant messages in combination with their other interactions contribute to the realistic quality of their romance. 

Review: Kerri Maniscalco’s final book, “Kingdom of the Feared,” is one hell of a ride! 

 

Maniscalco turns up the heat in Wrath and Emilia’s relationship. The pain, deception, and suffering that they have experienced is no match for the love they have for one another. Though the explicit scenes were a bit too numerous for me personally, romantasy readers will love the steamy direction this book takes! 

 

At the same time that Wrath and Emilia’s relationship is developing further, so too is Emilia as a character. I absolutely love her character arc throughout this series. At the start of book 1, Emilia is very innocent and naive. By book 2, she is consumed by wrath and vengeance stemming from the murder of her sister. In this final book, the reader is exposed to a more merciful side of Emilia. Despite all of the trials and tribulations she has faced as a result of uncovering her past, Emilia is willing to let go and move on to get her happily ever after. 

 

Unfortunately, that hard won happily ever after is overshadowed by loose threads that are not fully resolved by the book’s end. Deep down I am secretly hoping that these threads will get tugged on in a future spin-off series (fingers crossed). 

 

For now, Maniscalco’s shocking twists more than make up for any feelings of discontent. The revelations that were made all throughout the book had me constantly backtracking and re-evaluating the previous novels. I thoroughly enjoyed every bombshell and was left agape more times than one. 

 

Maniscalco also uses Emilia to introduce the reader to Sloth, the seventh prince of hell who did not grace the pages of “Kingdom of the Wicked” and “Kingdom of the Cursed.” While he outwardly appears lazy, looks can be deceiving. His unique characterization makes it clear that he is just as wicked as his brothers. 

 

Over the span of several late nights spent reading “Kingdom of the Wicked” and “Kingdom of the Cursed,” I grew rather attached to the characters and the world that Maniscalco created. While I am sad that “Kingdom of the Feared” marks the end of Emilia and Wrath’s story, I am at peace knowing that it also marks the beginning of their long rule over the seven circles. 

 

Review: Get ready to set sail and embark upon the show-stopping sequel to “Defy the Night.” 

 

For the first time, the reader is able to venture beyond the Kingdom of Kandala aboard the “Dawn Chaser.” Kemmerer immerses the reader in in the environment on the pirate ship by using language fit for sea life, nautical terms, and detailed imagery. 

 

Kemmerer is also thoughtful in the worldbuilding of the Kingdom of Ostriary. Through Captain Rian Blakemore’s character, the reader learns about the political atmosphere surrounding the chain of six islands and the infighting over the throne. 

 

Blakemore also serves as a source of tension for Tessa and Corrick’s relationship. Blakemore manipulates Tessa into seeing only the evil in Corrick, who is struggling to choose his true self over the cruel persona he has adopted for so long. With so many people influencing their perceptions of each other, Tessa and Corrick's love is put to the test overseas like never before. 

 

Once again, the reader alternates between Tessa and Corrick’s perspectives with the addition of a new viewpoint: “The Outlaw.” The Outlaw’s point-of-view allows the reader to keep up with Kandala while Tessa and Corrick are abroad. The mystery surrounding his identity also keeps the reader on their toes and contributes to the story’s wild twists and turns. 

 

While there are only three perspectives featured, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing side characters like Quint, King Harristan, and Rocco play larger roles in this novel. I look forward to seeing how they fit into the final book in the “Defy the Night” trilogy and how Tessa and Corrick will recover from the explosive way “Defend the Dawn” ended!