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I received an eARC of this book via YA Books Central. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Pawns by Patrick Hodges is the first book in the Wielders of Arantha series. Complex and creative don’t begin to explain the story weaved here. Following the lives of three very different women, Pawns is an exciting adventure off-planet, a last hope mission to save Earth from the invading Jegg.
The story begins with Maeve and her teenage son Davin. They’ve just escaped Earth and the Jegg, suffering devastating losses in the process. Losing their entire team of scientists including her own husband, Maeve and Davin are enroute to a primitive planet that holds a power that may stop the Jeggs once and for all. Despite their tragedy, Maeve and Davin are determined to complete the mission, and they won’t stop until they do.
Kelia is known as the Protectress, the leader of her women-only tribe. Long ago, their ancestors escaped slavery at the hands of men and now live in seclusion. Some are wielders, able to manipulate the elements, a gift from Arantha, the goddess they worship. Kelia is one such wielder, the most powerful which is why they call her Protectress. Her job is to keep her tribe safe and watch the signs Arantha sends her. A new vision of violence and an object falling from above lead her Maeve and Davin, where she learns that not all is as she thought.
Elzaria is also a wielder and sister to the usurper Elzor. Together they are burning the countryside, taking one kingdom at a time, in search of the mythical Stones. These stones are said to offer power to the wielder who holds them. Both are jaded and dangerous and haunt not only Kelia’s visions but that of the high mage.
Overall I really enjoyed Pawns. The world-building, Kelia and her tribe, and all the different characters bring the story to life on the pages. If you enjoy sci-fi, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this one. It does not disappoint.
**This review first appeared on YA Books Central. To see it and other reviews for this book, follow the link.**
Pawns by Patrick Hodges is the first book in the Wielders of Arantha series. Complex and creative don’t begin to explain the story weaved here. Following the lives of three very different women, Pawns is an exciting adventure off-planet, a last hope mission to save Earth from the invading Jegg.
The story begins with Maeve and her teenage son Davin. They’ve just escaped Earth and the Jegg, suffering devastating losses in the process. Losing their entire team of scientists including her own husband, Maeve and Davin are enroute to a primitive planet that holds a power that may stop the Jeggs once and for all. Despite their tragedy, Maeve and Davin are determined to complete the mission, and they won’t stop until they do.
Kelia is known as the Protectress, the leader of her women-only tribe. Long ago, their ancestors escaped slavery at the hands of men and now live in seclusion. Some are wielders, able to manipulate the elements, a gift from Arantha, the goddess they worship. Kelia is one such wielder, the most powerful which is why they call her Protectress. Her job is to keep her tribe safe and watch the signs Arantha sends her. A new vision of violence and an object falling from above lead her Maeve and Davin, where she learns that not all is as she thought.
Elzaria is also a wielder and sister to the usurper Elzor. Together they are burning the countryside, taking one kingdom at a time, in search of the mythical Stones. These stones are said to offer power to the wielder who holds them. Both are jaded and dangerous and haunt not only Kelia’s visions but that of the high mage.
Overall I really enjoyed Pawns. The world-building, Kelia and her tribe, and all the different characters bring the story to life on the pages. If you enjoy sci-fi, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this one. It does not disappoint.
**This review first appeared on YA Books Central. To see it and other reviews for this book, follow the link.**
How to Date Your Dragon is the first book I’ve ever read by Molly Harper, and it won’t be the last! A laugh-out-loud adventure in a small town in the Bayou, Harper gives readers a sassy paranormal romance they can sink their teeth into.
Jillian Ramsey is an anthropologist on a mission, but it isn’t a normal mission. She is tasked with studying the citizens of Mystic Bayou, a town that houses both humans and the supernatural. I like Jillian. She is curious and respectful of the supernatural citizens all while being a professional.
Bael Boone is the town’s sheriff and isn’t all that happy about Jillian being there. He’s gruff, rude, easily angered, and fiercely possessive. Why he’s possessive of Jillian though is another matter entirely. I like Bael too. He’s an interesting character, and his shiter is well everything the title suggests
Jillian Ramsey is an anthropologist on a mission, but it isn’t a normal mission. She is tasked with studying the citizens of Mystic Bayou, a town that houses both humans and the supernatural. I like Jillian. She is curious and respectful of the supernatural citizens all while being a professional.
Bael Boone is the town’s sheriff and isn’t all that happy about Jillian being there. He’s gruff, rude, easily angered, and fiercely possessive. Why he’s possessive of Jillian though is another matter entirely. I like Bael too. He’s an interesting character, and his shiter is well everything the title suggests
Another funny read from Molly Harper! Love and Other Wild Things is the second book set in Mystic Bayou, and this time the plot dives a little more into the rift that is turning average humans into shifters.
Danica Teel, Danni for short, is an energy witch sent by the League to assist Jillian and mayor Zed with the rift. As an energy witch, she is empathetic and can read people’s feelings and, for lack of a better word, energies. It is this gift that allows her to get in tune with the supernatural going-ons of Mystic Bayou. She’s outspoken, a little crass, and has zero reservations when it comes to hooking up with the bear-shifter mayor.
I already liked Zed prior to reading this book. He was a big character in the first book, but here he gets his own story. He’s lovable, a flirt, and not ready to settle down in the slightest until he meets Danni. Then he’s cuddly like a teddy bear and ferocious when he thinks she’s in danger.
As much as I enjoyed this story, I also disliked it. It was kinda boring, not much happened, and when it did, it was expected. Very little left to the imagination and very little surprises to keep the plot moving. I did however enjoy Ronconi and Davis’s narrations again. I love Ronconi’s accents, they are spot on!
Overall Love and Other Wild Things was an okay read for me. While there were funny moments, the lack of romantic buildup and predictable plot dragged me down. I’m going to put this series on the backburner for now. I’ll pick it up again when I’m in the mood for a laugh.
Danica Teel, Danni for short, is an energy witch sent by the League to assist Jillian and mayor Zed with the rift. As an energy witch, she is empathetic and can read people’s feelings and, for lack of a better word, energies. It is this gift that allows her to get in tune with the supernatural going-ons of Mystic Bayou. She’s outspoken, a little crass, and has zero reservations when it comes to hooking up with the bear-shifter mayor.
I already liked Zed prior to reading this book. He was a big character in the first book, but here he gets his own story. He’s lovable, a flirt, and not ready to settle down in the slightest until he meets Danni. Then he’s cuddly like a teddy bear and ferocious when he thinks she’s in danger.
As much as I enjoyed this story, I also disliked it. It was kinda boring, not much happened, and when it did, it was expected. Very little left to the imagination and very little surprises to keep the plot moving. I did however enjoy Ronconi and Davis’s narrations again. I love Ronconi’s accents, they are spot on!
Overall Love and Other Wild Things was an okay read for me. While there were funny moments, the lack of romantic buildup and predictable plot dragged me down. I’m going to put this series on the backburner for now. I’ll pick it up again when I’m in the mood for a laugh.
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
If you’ve been missing Rhysand and Feyre, the Night Court, and the realm of Fae, The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy is for you! To say I loved this book is an understatement. I devoured it! This book has something for everyone and is a must-read for fantasy fans. Following the story of two very different people, The Orchid Throne sets up the world of the Forgotten Empires, hooking the readers with its lush fantasy, political intrigue, and steamy romance.
Euthalia is the Virgin Queen of the island kingdom Calanthe. She will do anything to keep her people safe from the mad emperor, including sacrificing herself in marriage to him. She has a plan, not a good plan, but a plan to bring an end to his tyranny. Guided by the magical orchid ring her father left in her care, Euthalia walks a fine line of keeping the emperor and his emissaries happy while planning treason in her mind. That is her waking world. Her dreams are plagued with a wolf, tearing down everything she’s ever loved, leaving her beloved island blood soaked.
Conrí is the wolf of Euthalia’s dreams. The former Crown Prince of Oriel, Conrí is now a slave in the vurgsten mines. Building an army of slaves, he escapes. Now known as the Slave King, Con wants only one thing: revenge. Revenge for his family, his people, and his home, and he will have it or die trying. A prophecy about the abiding ring leads him to Euthalia’s palace. But will the Virgin Queen help the Slave King defeat the emperor once and for all?
I loved the writing style of this one. Beautiful, vivid descriptions paints the landscape of Calanthe in the reader’s mind that isn’t easily forgotten. I felt as if I could smell the flowers and feel the warmth of Calanthe’s sun as I read. The chapters alternated between Euthalia’s and Conrí’s POV. I enjoyed this aspect more than I thought I would. They are very different, and it allows the reader to get to know the character’s separately before they are together. It also had me shipping them before they’d even met.
Overall I loved The Orchid Throne. Lia and Con are fascinating characters, thrown together by fate, and bond by their hatred of the emperor. I cannot wait to read more about their adventures and scheming. If you are a fan of fantasy and don’t mind a little romance, I highly recommend this as your next read!
**This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.**
If you’ve been missing Rhysand and Feyre, the Night Court, and the realm of Fae, The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy is for you! To say I loved this book is an understatement. I devoured it! This book has something for everyone and is a must-read for fantasy fans. Following the story of two very different people, The Orchid Throne sets up the world of the Forgotten Empires, hooking the readers with its lush fantasy, political intrigue, and steamy romance.
Euthalia is the Virgin Queen of the island kingdom Calanthe. She will do anything to keep her people safe from the mad emperor, including sacrificing herself in marriage to him. She has a plan, not a good plan, but a plan to bring an end to his tyranny. Guided by the magical orchid ring her father left in her care, Euthalia walks a fine line of keeping the emperor and his emissaries happy while planning treason in her mind. That is her waking world. Her dreams are plagued with a wolf, tearing down everything she’s ever loved, leaving her beloved island blood soaked.
Conrí is the wolf of Euthalia’s dreams. The former Crown Prince of Oriel, Conrí is now a slave in the vurgsten mines. Building an army of slaves, he escapes. Now known as the Slave King, Con wants only one thing: revenge. Revenge for his family, his people, and his home, and he will have it or die trying. A prophecy about the abiding ring leads him to Euthalia’s palace. But will the Virgin Queen help the Slave King defeat the emperor once and for all?
I loved the writing style of this one. Beautiful, vivid descriptions paints the landscape of Calanthe in the reader’s mind that isn’t easily forgotten. I felt as if I could smell the flowers and feel the warmth of Calanthe’s sun as I read. The chapters alternated between Euthalia’s and Conrí’s POV. I enjoyed this aspect more than I thought I would. They are very different, and it allows the reader to get to know the character’s separately before they are together. It also had me shipping them before they’d even met.
Overall I loved The Orchid Throne. Lia and Con are fascinating characters, thrown together by fate, and bond by their hatred of the emperor. I cannot wait to read more about their adventures and scheming. If you are a fan of fantasy and don’t mind a little romance, I highly recommend this as your next read!
**This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.**
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
It’s been one week since I finished The Grace Year by Kim Liggett as I sit down to start this review. Y’all I still don’t know what to say! If you’d asked me if I liked the book while I was reading it, the answer would be no. But then something happened. The closer I got to the end, the more enthralled and horrified I was, the more I became invested in the characters, their plight, and what would eventually happen to them. If you ask me now if I liked the book, my answer would still be no because I didn’t just like it, I loved it!
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett is the most unique story I’ve ever read. I have nothing to compare it to. The blurb refers to [b:The Handmaid's Tale|38447|The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546031886l/38447._SY75_.jpg|1119185] as do other reviewers. I haven’t read nor watched the series so I can’t make that comparison. What I can say is that this book stands on its own. It isn’t quite fantasy, more a historical dystopian and thriller. Basically take a dash of [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1447303603l/2767052._SX50_.jpg|2792775] and mix it with M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village and you get a taste of what The Grace Year is about.
Every year when the girls of Garner County reach the age of sixteen, they are banished from the community and confined in a small area of wilderness. Why? They are told that when they reach this age they hold magic. Magic to make men lust and women jealous, dangerous and tempting. They are to spend the year releasing their magic into the wild and return to the county purified and ready to take their place as wives in the county. Not all return from their grace year, some die, some go mad. Are you creeped out yet? Because I was!
The book follows one of the grace year girls, Tierney James. Unlike the other girls in the community, Tierney has a free spirit and dreams of a better life for herself. She doesn’t want to receive a veil, which will mark her as a wife when she returns. She wants the freedom to work in the fields and still look at the stars every night. I like Tierney. Her wit and her courage take her far in this story.
But it isn’t just Tierney that makes the book. It’s the other grace year girls. Each brings a unique look at the world. No one knows what to expect entering the grace year. It’s forbidden to talk about, but once they are there they share what little they do know from older siblings and parents. Poachers wait outside the walls, ready to take the girls and bleed them for the magic they possess. It’s horrific and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
Overall I really loved The Grace Year. I was shocked and horrified, tears were shed, and I did laugh at times. If you enjoy an edge of your seat read, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Grace Year. It will not disappoint!
It’s been one week since I finished The Grace Year by Kim Liggett as I sit down to start this review. Y’all I still don’t know what to say! If you’d asked me if I liked the book while I was reading it, the answer would be no. But then something happened. The closer I got to the end, the more enthralled and horrified I was, the more I became invested in the characters, their plight, and what would eventually happen to them. If you ask me now if I liked the book, my answer would still be no because I didn’t just like it, I loved it!
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett is the most unique story I’ve ever read. I have nothing to compare it to. The blurb refers to [b:The Handmaid's Tale|38447|The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546031886l/38447._SY75_.jpg|1119185] as do other reviewers. I haven’t read nor watched the series so I can’t make that comparison. What I can say is that this book stands on its own. It isn’t quite fantasy, more a historical dystopian and thriller. Basically take a dash of [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1447303603l/2767052._SX50_.jpg|2792775] and mix it with M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village and you get a taste of what The Grace Year is about.
Every year when the girls of Garner County reach the age of sixteen, they are banished from the community and confined in a small area of wilderness. Why? They are told that when they reach this age they hold magic. Magic to make men lust and women jealous, dangerous and tempting. They are to spend the year releasing their magic into the wild and return to the county purified and ready to take their place as wives in the county. Not all return from their grace year, some die, some go mad. Are you creeped out yet? Because I was!
The book follows one of the grace year girls, Tierney James. Unlike the other girls in the community, Tierney has a free spirit and dreams of a better life for herself. She doesn’t want to receive a veil, which will mark her as a wife when she returns. She wants the freedom to work in the fields and still look at the stars every night. I like Tierney. Her wit and her courage take her far in this story.
But it isn’t just Tierney that makes the book. It’s the other grace year girls. Each brings a unique look at the world. No one knows what to expect entering the grace year. It’s forbidden to talk about, but once they are there they share what little they do know from older siblings and parents. Poachers wait outside the walls, ready to take the girls and bleed them for the magic they possess. It’s horrific and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
Overall I really loved The Grace Year. I was shocked and horrified, tears were shed, and I did laugh at times. If you enjoy an edge of your seat read, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Grace Year. It will not disappoint!
I’m not going to lie….I read The Burning Shadow in two days. It could’ve been one sitting if my eyelids would have cooperated and not shut on me at 4am, but I digress. The first book of I ever read was her Luxen series. I fell in love with Luc there and couldn’t contain my excitement when she announced the spinoff series featuring him. Y’all I loved [b:The Darkest Star|34221193|The Darkest Star (Origin, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526240882l/34221193._SY75_.jpg|55272995] and didn’t have the same expectations for The Burning Shadow. If it’s possible I think I loved it more than the first! Picking up almost immediately where [b:The Darkest Star|34221193|The Darkest Star (Origin, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526240882l/34221193._SY75_.jpg|55272995] left off, The Burning Shadow is a fast-paced, paranormal romance that left me with my heart aching and my mind reeling.
Evie (or should I say Nadia?) is adjusting to her circumstances, still coping with a past that was stolen from her. She is understandably confused, drifting through her days wondering who she really is and what was done to her. Micah left her shaken. Luc provides her stability, but does he really care for her or the memory of who she was? This question plagues her and makes her doubt Luc’s motives. Then there’s her mom who isn’t her mom. Evie really struggles with who to trust, and while she wants answers, she’s also terrified to find the truth.
Luc is as adorable, freaky, and scary as he has always been. The boy is the king of corny pickup lines, and yet also the most powerful Origin, meaning that everyone answers to him. He is a know-it-all, and the question of what is going on with Evie leaves him shaken because he doesn’t have the answer. The only thing he does know is his feelings for Evie. That is the one constant in it all.
The world fears a Luxen rebellion, killing humans, but now they have bigger problems. A mysterious illness is killing people, and those that it doesn’t kill are mutating into something Luc and his fellow Luxen have never seen. These people are freakishly strong, fast, and seem to harness the power of both the Luxen and Arum. While Luc and Evie chase down answers, they must also come to terms with what has happened to her and how it affects their relationship. The romance is a subplot of this story, but it is there and oh so sweet. I love these two! Every interaction, how careful Luc is with her, and how much he loves her is evident in every touch, every word. He even made me tear up once or twice!
Overall, I loved The Burning Shadow. If you are a fan of or a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed. The book delivers a beautiful romance, filled with the excitement and thrill of a paranormal adventure.
Evie (or should I say Nadia?) is adjusting to her circumstances, still coping with a past that was stolen from her. She is understandably confused, drifting through her days wondering who she really is and what was done to her. Micah left her shaken. Luc provides her stability, but does he really care for her or the memory of who she was? This question plagues her and makes her doubt Luc’s motives. Then there’s her mom who isn’t her mom. Evie really struggles with who to trust, and while she wants answers, she’s also terrified to find the truth.
Luc is as adorable, freaky, and scary as he has always been. The boy is the king of corny pickup lines, and yet also the most powerful Origin, meaning that everyone answers to him. He is a know-it-all, and the question of what is going on with Evie leaves him shaken because he doesn’t have the answer. The only thing he does know is his feelings for Evie. That is the one constant in it all.
“You,” he spoke. “It’s only ever been you. Before. Now. Later. There’s been no one else. There … just can’t be.”*swoon* How can you not love him after that?!
The world fears a Luxen rebellion, killing humans, but now they have bigger problems. A mysterious illness is killing people, and those that it doesn’t kill are mutating into something Luc and his fellow Luxen have never seen. These people are freakishly strong, fast, and seem to harness the power of both the Luxen and Arum. While Luc and Evie chase down answers, they must also come to terms with what has happened to her and how it affects their relationship. The romance is a subplot of this story, but it is there and oh so sweet. I love these two! Every interaction, how careful Luc is with her, and how much he loves her is evident in every touch, every word. He even made me tear up once or twice!
Overall, I loved The Burning Shadow. If you are a fan of or a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed. The book delivers a beautiful romance, filled with the excitement and thrill of a paranormal adventure.
Please note that if you have not read the first book of the series, there are minor spoilers to that book in this review. Read at your own risk!
Eidolon by Grace Draven is the follow-up to [b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422721500l/24473763._SX50_.jpg|40780371] continuing the story of Ildiko and Brishen. At the end of [b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422721500l/24473763._SX50_.jpg|40780371], a horror was unleashed by Brishen’s mother, the queen of the Kai. Eidolon picks up immediately where that cliffhanger left off with an added POV from Kirgipa, a nursemaid in the castle. As the galla ravage the castle and capital city, Brishen and Ildiko are unaware, happy and content lavishing in each other’s company. Then the news comes and their world is thrown into chaos.
Let’s start with Brishen this time. I love this Kai! He is kind, compassionate, and just a good person. You don’t see that often. Even his flaws are relatable and good. When news of his Bast-Haradis reaches him, his world shifts. Brishen is now king, a title he neither expected nor wanted. Now he must deal with the invading galla before the horde becomes too large and the survivors who seek refuge in his lands.
Ildiko’s entire world has come to a halt with the news that Brishen is now king. Unable to bear children, the rational and pragmatic part of her brain tells her what her heart doesn’t want to accept. Her marriage is over. She must leave a man she never expected to love because she cannot provide him heirs. Ildiko is in mourning for something that hasn’t even happened yet, all while trying to support her husband and be his rock. My heart broke for her. She is devastated and still putting on a queenly face to help not just Brishen but those Kai that are looking for refuge. She is strong and I love her for that!
The plot here is twofold. First Brishen must find allies to stop the galla and become a wraith king. A wraith king is not living and not dead, but somewhere in between. The galla can’t be killed, but the wraith kings are the only ones that can safely fight them and force them back to their own realm. The ritual is scary, and there is no guarantee Brishen will return. He’s unsure of himself as king, and now he doubts Ildiko’s motives. Will she stay with him or leave? The romance is the second part of this plot as it affects both Ildiko and Brishen, leaving the reader bereft and upset for them.
Overall I really enjoyed Eidolon. I love Ildiko and Brishen and seeing their relationship put to the test here is heart-breaking. This one is a faster read than the first with the plot more focused on the fantasy and action than romance. If you enjoyed the first, you will enjoy this one to. I highly recommend it for fans of paranormal romance and fantasy.
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.
Eidolon by Grace Draven is the follow-up to [b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422721500l/24473763._SX50_.jpg|40780371] continuing the story of Ildiko and Brishen. At the end of [b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422721500l/24473763._SX50_.jpg|40780371], a horror was unleashed by Brishen’s mother, the queen of the Kai. Eidolon picks up immediately where that cliffhanger left off with an added POV from Kirgipa, a nursemaid in the castle. As the galla ravage the castle and capital city, Brishen and Ildiko are unaware, happy and content lavishing in each other’s company. Then the news comes and their world is thrown into chaos.
Let’s start with Brishen this time. I love this Kai! He is kind, compassionate, and just a good person. You don’t see that often. Even his flaws are relatable and good. When news of his Bast-Haradis reaches him, his world shifts. Brishen is now king, a title he neither expected nor wanted. Now he must deal with the invading galla before the horde becomes too large and the survivors who seek refuge in his lands.
Ildiko’s entire world has come to a halt with the news that Brishen is now king. Unable to bear children, the rational and pragmatic part of her brain tells her what her heart doesn’t want to accept. Her marriage is over. She must leave a man she never expected to love because she cannot provide him heirs. Ildiko is in mourning for something that hasn’t even happened yet, all while trying to support her husband and be his rock. My heart broke for her. She is devastated and still putting on a queenly face to help not just Brishen but those Kai that are looking for refuge. She is strong and I love her for that!
The plot here is twofold. First Brishen must find allies to stop the galla and become a wraith king. A wraith king is not living and not dead, but somewhere in between. The galla can’t be killed, but the wraith kings are the only ones that can safely fight them and force them back to their own realm. The ritual is scary, and there is no guarantee Brishen will return. He’s unsure of himself as king, and now he doubts Ildiko’s motives. Will she stay with him or leave? The romance is the second part of this plot as it affects both Ildiko and Brishen, leaving the reader bereft and upset for them.
Overall I really enjoyed Eidolon. I love Ildiko and Brishen and seeing their relationship put to the test here is heart-breaking. This one is a faster read than the first with the plot more focused on the fantasy and action than romance. If you enjoyed the first, you will enjoy this one to. I highly recommend it for fans of paranormal romance and fantasy.
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.
I have no words….well, that’s a lie. I have lots of words. Just where to start?! Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco is the first in the series about a young woman who works with her uncle and his apprentice to find the killer preying on the women of Whitechapel.
If you’ve followed my reviews long, there’s one thing you’ve probably noticed. I don’t typically read thrillers or horror. I steer clear of crime books too. I want to be taken on an adventure and forget the real problems of the world when I pick up a book to read. That being said, why would I pick up a historical fiction about Jack the Ripper? Well that’s kind of a redundant question for me. I’m obsessed with Jack the Ripper. His killing spree has always fascinated me, and I devour anything I can get my hands on about him and that time period. Hence the reason I picked up Kerri Maniscalco's book. And boy am I glad I did!
Stalking Jack the Ripper is a fictionalized version of the real story following Audrey Rose Wadsworth as she helps her uncle, a forensic physician, and his apprentice, the enigmatic Thomas Cresswell. Audrey Rose is seventeen when the book opens, and from the first line I knew I’d love her. She is working in secret with her uncle. Her father heavily disapproves of his work and has forbidden Audrey Rose from doing the same. It is unladylike and not proper. However Audrey Rose could care less what her father thinks. She is fascinated by the science behind her uncle’s work, and if it means saving a life, she won’t stop doing it.
Thomas Cresswell is an enigma. His character reminds me a lot of Sherlock Holmes. He focuses on science and removes emotion from the equation when he is working on a case. Instead he focuses on the details, details most would miss. Thomas is abrasive and crass at times, putting off Audrey Rose, but at others his intuitive nature grows on her. She begins relying on him, and I’m not gonna lie I ship them hard!
While the plot of this story is focused on the murders in Whitechapel, it also focuses on Audrey Rose’s home life. Losing her mother five years prior has left her family in a state of mourning and disarray. Her father has turned to drugs, her brother is starting to crack under the stress, and Audrey Rose continues to pull away and focus all her energies into science and learning whatever her uncle is willing to teach. The mystery surrounding the Ripper case and Audrey Rose’s personal life intertwine making for a compelling read. I really couldn’t (and didn’t want to) sit the book down for any reason. I wanted to keep reading and find out as much as I could.
What I love most about this story is the foreshadowing. If you are clever, you may figure out and solve the crime before the end of the book. But you’d best be Sherlock Holmes clever! When everything is revealed, it was an ah-ha moment for me. It all comes together beautifully. It’s brilliant!
Overall I loved Stalking Jack the Ripper. The author takes liberties with the history to fit the story, but it isn’t distracting and unless you are very familiar with the original case, I don’t think it is noticeable. I love the historical aspects of the book. I felt like I was really there in late 1880s London and I was the one stalking the Ripper. Seriously y’all, if you enjoy a fast-paced, clever thriller, I highly recommend you put this on your TBR asap!
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.
Radiance by Grace Draven is the first book in the Wraith Kings series and exactly what I didn’t realize I needed! I love fantasy, and I love romance. Grace Draven blends the two genres for Radiance. I devoured it. Unlike any I’ve ever read, I fell head over heels in love with the two main characters, their relationship, and the world-building. Gah! That world-building is fantastic. I have every intention of reading the sister series set in the same world. Radiance is a story of obligation, friendship, and love between two people of different races that should be repulsed by each other.
Ildiko is the orphaned niece of the Gauri King and set to wed the youngest prince of the Kai when the story opens. She’s resigned to this fate and slightly scared. The Kai are not known as kind people. They aren’t even human. They are a nocturnal Elder race, with sharp claws and pointy teeth that remind Ildiko of wolves with her as their prey. When she comes across a Kai in the palace gardens before her wedding, he puts her at ease. He is kind with a quick wit, reminding her that even though his appearance may scare her, they aren’t that different. This Kai happens to be her betrothed.
Brishen is the spare prince, the youngest of the Kai king and not in line for the throne. He always knew that his marriage would be one of political gain, not for love. Before the ceremony, he takes a few minutes in the palace gardens and encounters an enchanting human. While he finds her repulsive, he also admires her courage, wit, and mind. Learning she is to be his wife, he finds himself at peace. She may not give him children, but they can form a friendship, if not a true marriage one day.
I love both Ildiko and Brishen. Ildiko adapts quickly to her new home and her husband. He isn’t what she expected. He’s kind, empathetic, and a true gentleman. He puts her needs before his own and is fiercely protective of her. Brishen is everything you might want in a husband even if you couldn’t stand his looks. Their relationship is one built on friendship, and the romance is a true slow burn. I found myself falling for them before they fell for each other. I love how the author conveys their relationship. It’s believable and strong as a result.
Overall, I devoured Radiance. I loved Ildiko and Brishen. My heart ached for them as they adapted and got to know one another. I highly recommend this fantasy romance for anyone that enjoys a slow burn.
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.
Ildiko is the orphaned niece of the Gauri King and set to wed the youngest prince of the Kai when the story opens. She’s resigned to this fate and slightly scared. The Kai are not known as kind people. They aren’t even human. They are a nocturnal Elder race, with sharp claws and pointy teeth that remind Ildiko of wolves with her as their prey. When she comes across a Kai in the palace gardens before her wedding, he puts her at ease. He is kind with a quick wit, reminding her that even though his appearance may scare her, they aren’t that different. This Kai happens to be her betrothed.
Brishen is the spare prince, the youngest of the Kai king and not in line for the throne. He always knew that his marriage would be one of political gain, not for love. Before the ceremony, he takes a few minutes in the palace gardens and encounters an enchanting human. While he finds her repulsive, he also admires her courage, wit, and mind. Learning she is to be his wife, he finds himself at peace. She may not give him children, but they can form a friendship, if not a true marriage one day.
I love both Ildiko and Brishen. Ildiko adapts quickly to her new home and her husband. He isn’t what she expected. He’s kind, empathetic, and a true gentleman. He puts her needs before his own and is fiercely protective of her. Brishen is everything you might want in a husband even if you couldn’t stand his looks. Their relationship is one built on friendship, and the romance is a true slow burn. I found myself falling for them before they fell for each other. I love how the author conveys their relationship. It’s believable and strong as a result.
Overall, I devoured Radiance. I loved Ildiko and Brishen. My heart ached for them as they adapted and got to know one another. I highly recommend this fantasy romance for anyone that enjoys a slow burn.
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, click here.
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
In all seriousness, Fireborne by Rosaria Munda is the best. I have nothing to compare it to. It is unique, yet takes elements I love from other fantasy novels and breathes new life into them. Do you like dragons? Do you like revolution? Do you like an unlikely hero? Do you love a heart-breaking romance? If you said yes to more than one of these, you are going to love Fireborne. Following two orphans of the revolution, Fireborne explores what happens to society and the teens left behind to rebuild it.
Annie and Lee are opposites. Annie is a former serf, orphaned when her family was executed by the dragonlord they served. She’s timid and shy, but very smart. Her brains take her far. She is allowed a dragon and trained as one of the new riders. Lee is the orphaned son of one of the dragonlords. He should have died, yet he was spared. No one knows how or why, and no one knows his true identity. He keeps it secret. His family was hated and despised, Lee knows that if his identity was ever leaked, he’d be killed. It is the mercy that he was shown and Annie’s history that gives Lee a unique perspective. Lee doesn’t want revenge for what was done to his family, he wants to move past it and build a better future for those that survived.
I love both Annie and Lee. They are unlikely friends that depend on each other to make them better. Lee cares deeply for Annie which is evident from their first interaction. Annie cares just as deeply, but also is confused. She knows who he is, even if the name was never spoken. This silence drives a wedge in their relationship, and when we the readers first meet them it is painful to see. The author’s writing evokes a powerful response from the reader. It is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. I truly felt both their pain and hurt. I just wanted to wrap them both in a hug.
The plot is centered around a tournament, which all the dragonriders have entered. Each win gets them closer to being the leader of the new dragonriders, an aerial fleet for the kingdom. The undertones of the tournament and education they receive is different than what the general public receives. History is being rewritten by the winners of the revolution that occurred ten years prior. Annie, Lee, and the other riders know it. The question is when is it too much. When do you tell the truth and when do you tell a pretty lie? This book explores propaganda and a society in which people are divided not by their birth but by their smarts.
Overall, if you haven’t guessed already, I love Fireborne. It is a fantastic read. The details and the dragons, the new government, and Lee and Annie drive the plot making it a fast read. If you enjoy YA fantasy with a heavy dose of politics, I highly recommend it. Me? I’m just going to be over here waiting for the next installment with bated breath because I need it ASAP please!
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem.
In all seriousness, Fireborne by Rosaria Munda is the best. I have nothing to compare it to. It is unique, yet takes elements I love from other fantasy novels and breathes new life into them. Do you like dragons? Do you like revolution? Do you like an unlikely hero? Do you love a heart-breaking romance? If you said yes to more than one of these, you are going to love Fireborne. Following two orphans of the revolution, Fireborne explores what happens to society and the teens left behind to rebuild it.
Annie and Lee are opposites. Annie is a former serf, orphaned when her family was executed by the dragonlord they served. She’s timid and shy, but very smart. Her brains take her far. She is allowed a dragon and trained as one of the new riders. Lee is the orphaned son of one of the dragonlords. He should have died, yet he was spared. No one knows how or why, and no one knows his true identity. He keeps it secret. His family was hated and despised, Lee knows that if his identity was ever leaked, he’d be killed. It is the mercy that he was shown and Annie’s history that gives Lee a unique perspective. Lee doesn’t want revenge for what was done to his family, he wants to move past it and build a better future for those that survived.
I love both Annie and Lee. They are unlikely friends that depend on each other to make them better. Lee cares deeply for Annie which is evident from their first interaction. Annie cares just as deeply, but also is confused. She knows who he is, even if the name was never spoken. This silence drives a wedge in their relationship, and when we the readers first meet them it is painful to see. The author’s writing evokes a powerful response from the reader. It is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. I truly felt both their pain and hurt. I just wanted to wrap them both in a hug.
The plot is centered around a tournament, which all the dragonriders have entered. Each win gets them closer to being the leader of the new dragonriders, an aerial fleet for the kingdom. The undertones of the tournament and education they receive is different than what the general public receives. History is being rewritten by the winners of the revolution that occurred ten years prior. Annie, Lee, and the other riders know it. The question is when is it too much. When do you tell the truth and when do you tell a pretty lie? This book explores propaganda and a society in which people are divided not by their birth but by their smarts.
Overall, if you haven’t guessed already, I love Fireborne. It is a fantastic read. The details and the dragons, the new government, and Lee and Annie drive the plot making it a fast read. If you enjoy YA fantasy with a heavy dose of politics, I highly recommend it. Me? I’m just going to be over here waiting for the next installment with bated breath because I need it ASAP please!
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem.