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I received an eARC of this book via the authors. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Fantastic conclusion to this dark and twisted Cinderella retelling! Of Thieves and Shadows by the fabulous Elle Madison, Robin D. Mahle picks up right where we left off in book three with Aika and Remy. Here we get to see just how far they will go for the kingdom and to stop Aika’s “Mother.” Because this is the fourth book of the series, please note that there may be spoilers to previous books in this review. Read at your own risk
Fantastic conclusion to this dark and twisted Cinderella retelling! Of Thieves and Shadows by the fabulous Elle Madison, Robin D. Mahle picks up right where we left off in book three with Aika and Remy. Here we get to see just how far they will go for the kingdom and to stop Aika’s “Mother.” Because this is the fourth book of the series, please note that there may be spoilers to previous books in this review. Read at your own risk
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
A promising start to a new series, The Mirror: Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao is a prequel of sorts telling a story about a witch, her ill-fated friendship, and the by product of feuding. Elva is a young girl on her way to womanhood with a remarkable gift of foresight. She sees the future when she looks at her reflection, mostly through liquid. For her protection, her parents have taught her to keep her ability a secret. Don’t want the villagers burning a witch at the stake
A promising start to a new series, The Mirror: Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao is a prequel of sorts telling a story about a witch, her ill-fated friendship, and the by product of feuding. Elva is a young girl on her way to womanhood with a remarkable gift of foresight. She sees the future when she looks at her reflection, mostly through liquid. For her protection, her parents have taught her to keep her ability a secret. Don’t want the villagers burning a witch at the stake
I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Crown of One Hundred Kings is the first book I’ve ever read from author Rachel Higginson, and it won’t be the last! I devoured this book, there is no other way to explain it. I was hooked from the first words to the last, and y’all I am DYING! I need the next one ASAP. Crown of One Hundred Kings follows the story of Tess, an orphaned princess, as she crosses her realm to claim the throne. Fans of fantasy will love this book!
Tessana Allisand fled her home when she was a young girl after finding her family slaughtered. Raised by monks in the farthest kingdom of the realm, Tess knows it’s time to return. With her best, and only, friend Oliver, she sets out on a trek across the nine kingdoms only to find a dark magic that is lurking in the shadows, villages in disrepair, and rebellion on the horizon. I love Tess! She’s humble when she needs to be, yet has never lost that confidence that comes with being a royal. She is determined and headstrong, brave in the face of her fears, and loyal to the people of her realm. Finding that her uncle has neglected most of her kingdom is heartbreaking for her, but it only deepens her resolve. I have such respect for her.
Oliver is probably my favorite character of the book. Also an orphan and raised by the monks since he was a baby, he is Tess’s only friend at the monastery. Having not taken his vows of silence yet, he’s also the only one that speaks to Tess in her years there. They have an easy friendship. I love their banter! Their relationship is closer to being siblings than friends, and I think that shows just how much Tess trusts him and he believes in her.
Then there is Arrick Westnovian, the “Rebel King.” He is the leader of the feared rebel army. Rumors of their ruthlessness abound, and Tess doesn’t know what to make of them. Arrick seems familiar to her, and everything in her begs her to trust him, but why? I personally love Arrick. He is firm yet kind and his fellow rebels follow him without question. To me, that says a lot about a man that someone willingly follows them out of respect for the person.
Overall, I loved Crown of One Hundred Kings. Tess and her journey is eye-opening as she crosses kingdoms that are falling prey to the Circle of Shadows. When rebels protect her people and the army does not, Tess knows the job in front of her won’t be easy. It isn’t even one she ever wanted, but (and that’s a big BUT) her duty and loyalty to her people, the love she has for them that is born from watching her own parents rule, drives her. If you enjoy YA fantasy with a dash of romance and a ton of adventure, I highly recommend it!
Crown of One Hundred Kings is the first book I’ve ever read from author Rachel Higginson, and it won’t be the last! I devoured this book, there is no other way to explain it. I was hooked from the first words to the last, and y’all I am DYING! I need the next one ASAP. Crown of One Hundred Kings follows the story of Tess, an orphaned princess, as she crosses her realm to claim the throne. Fans of fantasy will love this book!
Tessana Allisand fled her home when she was a young girl after finding her family slaughtered. Raised by monks in the farthest kingdom of the realm, Tess knows it’s time to return. With her best, and only, friend Oliver, she sets out on a trek across the nine kingdoms only to find a dark magic that is lurking in the shadows, villages in disrepair, and rebellion on the horizon. I love Tess! She’s humble when she needs to be, yet has never lost that confidence that comes with being a royal. She is determined and headstrong, brave in the face of her fears, and loyal to the people of her realm. Finding that her uncle has neglected most of her kingdom is heartbreaking for her, but it only deepens her resolve. I have such respect for her.
Oliver is probably my favorite character of the book. Also an orphan and raised by the monks since he was a baby, he is Tess’s only friend at the monastery. Having not taken his vows of silence yet, he’s also the only one that speaks to Tess in her years there. They have an easy friendship. I love their banter! Their relationship is closer to being siblings than friends, and I think that shows just how much Tess trusts him and he believes in her.
Then there is Arrick Westnovian, the “Rebel King.” He is the leader of the feared rebel army. Rumors of their ruthlessness abound, and Tess doesn’t know what to make of them. Arrick seems familiar to her, and everything in her begs her to trust him, but why? I personally love Arrick. He is firm yet kind and his fellow rebels follow him without question. To me, that says a lot about a man that someone willingly follows them out of respect for the person.
Overall, I loved Crown of One Hundred Kings. Tess and her journey is eye-opening as she crosses kingdoms that are falling prey to the Circle of Shadows. When rebels protect her people and the army does not, Tess knows the job in front of her won’t be easy. It isn’t even one she ever wanted, but (and that’s a big BUT) her duty and loyalty to her people, the love she has for them that is born from watching her own parents rule, drives her. If you enjoy YA fantasy with a dash of romance and a ton of adventure, I highly recommend it!
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman is the first book in a cutthroat fantasy about a cursed town and the magical tournament. If The Hunger Games and Harry Potter had a baby, this book would be it. Every twenty years, the blood veil falls and seven families name a champion to compete to the death in a tournament for high magic. This generation however features reluctant champions, champions who want to survive at any cost, and champions who were never meant to be champions. With conspiracies that the curse can be broken, unlikely alliances form and turn the tournament on its head. Told from the POV of four of these champions, All of Us Villains will leave the reader wondering which side they’d fall on: the one where all the champions can live or the one where only the strongest survives.
This is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. It’s dark and violent, gruesome in nature, and character-driven as much as plot-driven. This story opens just a few weeks before the next tournament. Most of the champions have been chosen, and now they wait for the blood veil to fall. What is different this year is the presence of reporters and paparazzi and even protesters to the tournament. A tell-all novel written anonymously about the history of the tournament, the town of Ilvernath, and the seven families has caused the entire country to take notice. Should one family control all the high magic? Is there a way to stop the tournament and needless killing?
What makes this book standout from others similar to it is the narration. Told from the perspective of four champions, we get a glimpse of their life, fears, and, in some cases, determination to win. Alistair comes from the family who has won the tournament the most; he is expected to win this year as well. His family is cruel and callous, and yet Alistair full of monster stories is reluctant to be the killer the tournament requires him to be. Isobel is the girl who didn’t want to be champion. She hates the spotlight, but her family thrives on fame. Beautiful Isobel brings fame and attention to her family, but what lengths will she go to to survive? Briony, Isobel’s former best friend, has trained her whole life to be champion, however her younger sister is chosen instead. Her family is known for doing what is right even when right isn’t popular. Briony knows she is supposed to be champion, she can stop the tournaments for good, but how does she swap with her sister? Gavin is the least likely to be a champion and the most likely to die first. He hates his family, hates they’ve sentenced him to die, and hates that he will fight anyway. There’s a lot of anger with the Grieve.
Overall, I enjoyed All of Us Villains. The authors really make you think about your own morals as these teens, not quite adults, enter a death tournament for magic. I found the magic system unique, and despite the sheer number of characters to keep up with, I was intrigued by each and every one. The urgency to end the tournament or win drives the plot, and while it isn’t as fast-paced as I’m used to reading, the slow build to climax adds to the tension and mystery surrounding the town and champions. If you are a fan of dark fantasy and magical realism, I highly recommend it.
This is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. It’s dark and violent, gruesome in nature, and character-driven as much as plot-driven. This story opens just a few weeks before the next tournament. Most of the champions have been chosen, and now they wait for the blood veil to fall. What is different this year is the presence of reporters and paparazzi and even protesters to the tournament. A tell-all novel written anonymously about the history of the tournament, the town of Ilvernath, and the seven families has caused the entire country to take notice. Should one family control all the high magic? Is there a way to stop the tournament and needless killing?
What makes this book standout from others similar to it is the narration. Told from the perspective of four champions, we get a glimpse of their life, fears, and, in some cases, determination to win. Alistair comes from the family who has won the tournament the most; he is expected to win this year as well. His family is cruel and callous, and yet Alistair full of monster stories is reluctant to be the killer the tournament requires him to be. Isobel is the girl who didn’t want to be champion. She hates the spotlight, but her family thrives on fame. Beautiful Isobel brings fame and attention to her family, but what lengths will she go to to survive? Briony, Isobel’s former best friend, has trained her whole life to be champion, however her younger sister is chosen instead. Her family is known for doing what is right even when right isn’t popular. Briony knows she is supposed to be champion, she can stop the tournaments for good, but how does she swap with her sister? Gavin is the least likely to be a champion and the most likely to die first. He hates his family, hates they’ve sentenced him to die, and hates that he will fight anyway. There’s a lot of anger with the Grieve.
Overall, I enjoyed All of Us Villains. The authors really make you think about your own morals as these teens, not quite adults, enter a death tournament for magic. I found the magic system unique, and despite the sheer number of characters to keep up with, I was intrigued by each and every one. The urgency to end the tournament or win drives the plot, and while it isn’t as fast-paced as I’m used to reading, the slow build to climax adds to the tension and mystery surrounding the town and champions. If you are a fan of dark fantasy and magical realism, I highly recommend it.
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
WHAT AN ENDING!!!!
WHAT AN ENDING!!!!
I received a copy of this book via Rockstar Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Gold Spun by Brandie June is the first book in a YA fantasy duology about a young girl trying to keep her family alive, a prince who should never become king, and a fae boy who will unravel it all. I love retellings, especially those that take the darker Grimm tales and put their own spin to it which is exactly what June has done with this one. You’ll never see Rumpelstiltskin the same way!
Elenora Molnar is seventeen when she encounters a fae in the Biawood. The fae in question is trapped by two hunters who plan to kill him or turn him into the king for a reward. Taking pity on the seemingly innocent fae, Nor helps him escape and asks for nothing in return. The fae gives her a golden bracelet weaved from a piece of his own shirt and says that if she ever wants to call in her debt, she can by simply adding her own blood to the bracelet. It isn’t long before Nor, a cunning thief who travels the countryside with her brothers selling a miracle “cure all” potion, finds herself face to face with Prince Casper, the soon-to-be king who doesn’t take kindly to thieves. Trapped and unsure of what to do, Nor finds herself in a tower full of straw and with no choice but to call on her favor.
The world building is vivid, and you don’t even realize it is happening. There are no info-dumps, rather it is built into the story itself, woven into the action and revealed as Nor lives it. Nor is a fun character to follow. It was easy to empathize with her and understand her actions. I felt so bad for her when she was caught, but even more so how and why she’s caught. This girl will do anything for her brothers and that unfortunately comes back to haunt her.
The author sets up a small love triangle between Nor and Pel, the fae, and Nor and Prince Casper. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first. I was intrigued by Pel. Nor describes him as beautiful, a god among men, but he frightens her with his blood magic and all the unknowns of the fae. Casper is harder to like. I wanted to love him from the start, however his harsh treatment of Nor and then his sudden reversal of feelings (like he was ready to execute her, then he’s declaring his love for her) was questionable.
Overall, I really enjoyed Gold Spun. The twist on the classic tale along with the world June created for it is amazing. I devoured it. Highly recommend for anyone that enjoys YA fantasy with a touch of romance.
Gold Spun by Brandie June is the first book in a YA fantasy duology about a young girl trying to keep her family alive, a prince who should never become king, and a fae boy who will unravel it all. I love retellings, especially those that take the darker Grimm tales and put their own spin to it which is exactly what June has done with this one. You’ll never see Rumpelstiltskin the same way!
Elenora Molnar is seventeen when she encounters a fae in the Biawood. The fae in question is trapped by two hunters who plan to kill him or turn him into the king for a reward. Taking pity on the seemingly innocent fae, Nor helps him escape and asks for nothing in return. The fae gives her a golden bracelet weaved from a piece of his own shirt and says that if she ever wants to call in her debt, she can by simply adding her own blood to the bracelet. It isn’t long before Nor, a cunning thief who travels the countryside with her brothers selling a miracle “cure all” potion, finds herself face to face with Prince Casper, the soon-to-be king who doesn’t take kindly to thieves. Trapped and unsure of what to do, Nor finds herself in a tower full of straw and with no choice but to call on her favor.
The world building is vivid, and you don’t even realize it is happening. There are no info-dumps, rather it is built into the story itself, woven into the action and revealed as Nor lives it. Nor is a fun character to follow. It was easy to empathize with her and understand her actions. I felt so bad for her when she was caught, but even more so how and why she’s caught. This girl will do anything for her brothers and that unfortunately comes back to haunt her.
The author sets up a small love triangle between Nor and Pel, the fae, and Nor and Prince Casper. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first. I was intrigued by Pel. Nor describes him as beautiful, a god among men, but he frightens her with his blood magic and all the unknowns of the fae. Casper is harder to like. I wanted to love him from the start, however his harsh treatment of Nor and then his sudden reversal of feelings (like he was ready to execute her, then he’s declaring his love for her) was questionable.
Overall, I really enjoyed Gold Spun. The twist on the classic tale along with the world June created for it is amazing. I devoured it. Highly recommend for anyone that enjoys YA fantasy with a touch of romance.