Unravel the Dusk is book 2 in a duology that follows our main character Maia on a quest to become a Master Tailor (a title not permitted to women), while she also unintentionally awakens her magic. The first book in this duology was an instant 5 star read. I loved everything about it, from the political setting of a woman entering the Emperor’s employment disguised as a man, to the allyship turned romance between the Emperor’s Enchanter and Maia. I was especially engrossed by the magic system and cultural lore of the gods and goddesses, and discovering what role, if any, they played in assisting our main characters. It all just worked for me and I couldn’t wait to continue the story in book 2.

The cliffhanger from book one both is, and is not, drawn out in the second novel. Right away we’re thrust back into Maia’s life, mere hours (or possibly a day or two) after the first novel ended. While we didn’t have to wait long to see what our characters had been up to since we’d parted with them, it did take about 60% of the book for Maia to make a pivotal decision.

The rest of this review will contain spoilers. Before I begin that section, for those of you who would like a tldr (too long didn’t read) summary of my thoughts on the book as a whole: this second novel gave me a lot of anxiety. I felt like the final few chapters rounded out the ending of this story in a way that soothed those personal wounds, but the overall experience reading this book was not the light, fluffy, exploration and enjoyment from book one. I’ll definitely be picking up more books from this author because I think they have a great way of weaving a story together, and really lush, vivid descriptions of not just location or setting, but also cultural impact on the characters.

For those of you who would like some spoilers, let’s dive in.

Maia is struggling to not become a demon, after the events in book one. I was really anticipating this being a cool aspect of her story, and was excited to watch the ways her new powers would manifest. Instead it was pages of Maia fighting internally and externally against this take over of her mind, body, and soul. The back and forth, the will she won’t she, her looming death and indecisiveness, while working to highlight the depths of the demon’s torment and hold over Maia, left me incredibly anxious as the reader.

I just wanted Maia to decide to give up or fight back, and when she flitted between those options
each chapter, I found myself disconnecting with her as a character. If she couldn’t pick a lane to charge down, how could I pick a way to root for her.

Aside from this plot point, the writing was engaging when it came to the fight sequences, harrowing escapes, and the ensuing battles. Ironically, I felt the most settled during the last battle, when Maia had finally made a choice and followed through on her plan. The way this novel wrapped up brought me right back to the moment Maia and Edan realized they loved each other. That moment of light, love, and hope was a great way to end the novel that, at times, I wasn’t sure would have a happy (or even cohesive) ending.

Overall I enjoyed this story as a whole. Maia and Edan as characters were so interesting. I loved watching what choices they made for their magic, themselves, and their families (and I guess for their people or country). Despite not talking about it at length in either of my reviews, I also really liked seeing the Empire unravel alongside Maia’s dresses. The politics involved and the wars that framed the beginning of the first novel and the ending of the second, as well as the shifting power dynamics, were a great addition to a story that showed how one person’s actions can have domino-like consequences. While this second book triggered some of my own anxiety, I’m still happy I know what happened next, and can imagine how Maia and Edan spent their final days together.

This novel was a great introduction to the Shadowhunter word. Though I had already read one book set in this fantasy world, this book did a great job introducing the reader to new terms, a myriad of creatures, weapons, and ideologies. We also had an interesting cohort of characters to work with right from the start.

What I found so interesting about these novels is the way we were able to switch and follow different characters, despite not utilizing first person POV. For me this writing style almost became an extension of the story, as if we the reader were some omniscient, all powerful being watching these characters scramble about after each other.

I found this first novel very predictable. There were no shocking moments, revelations, or plot twists that got my adrenaline pumping. While it was very enjoyable, the characters drove this story forward and kept my interest more than the plot itself.

As we are introduced to many characters through backstories, flashbacks, discussions of family heritage and origins, there were a handful of times when some of the comments came off with racially charged undertones. Am I being too perceptive? Was this a character flaw designed to signal the time period? As a white woman I don't feel qualified to decide, but I just wanted to mention that throughout this trilogy there were a handful of phrases or stereotypes used that made me pause, and squint at the page.

This first novel was incredibly character driven for me as the reader. While I was vaguely curious about what twists might happen in the next novel, I was more excited to have a chance to spend more time with these characters and watch watch shenanigans they'd get up to next.

Book 2 in this series stands rather firmly with book 1 in my rating system. It didn't suffer from book 2 syndrome, and did have a few moments that genuinely caught me by surprise. One of those surprises included something I dread: the love triangle. I almost put the book down and stopped reading, but decided I owed it to my friend to keep going, and I'm glad I did.

This novel peeled back the layers on these characters in ways I was not expecting. There were betrayals and confessions I did not see coming. Getting to secretly watching, as the omnipresent reader, these characters go about their secret lives was so entertaining!

I did find myself expecting the other shoe to drop in this novel and it never really did. I'd discover shortly that all the shoes would be dropping over and over in the finale, like a stampede on my heart.

This book d e s t r o y e d me. Currently still crying. Highly recommend.

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Books 1 and 2 in this series were a solid 4 stars, but book 3 truly is the crown jewel. The stakes in this novel were astronomical. The way these characters had seemingly coasted through the plot up until this point just made the actions and consequences of this novel feel that much more brutal and excruciating to sit through.

I've left the review spoiler free up until this point. Here is my warning. Past this point there will be spoilers.


Part of me didn't believe Jem died. I didn't cry when Will felt his mark bleed, and the cord snap. Even when we saw the characters in the Institute the next day with red, puffy eyes, I refused to believe he was gone. When I found out later that he became a Silent Brother instead, it broke my heart for Will, and for Tessa. For some reason my brain never allowed that outcome to be a contender or a real possibility.

Will's journey to Tessa is what epic fantasies are made of. I love a good, grueling, heart wrenching journey. I'm so glad Balios (his horse) survived or I would have quit reading right then and there. Will and Tessa's reunion in the mountain was hundreds of pages in the making, and absolute perfection (even if it was fade to black - I get it, YA rating).

I could have come out of this novel with a totally different perspective if it had ended with the proposal. Knowing Jem was a Silent Brother was still a knife in the heart, but at least they had each other; Will and Tessa.

But Clare couldn't leave well enough alone, and she had to add an Epilogue, which I'm normally thrilled to read. When I tell you I sobbed so hard I'm not even sure I read all the words on the page. My glasses were off, my eyes were full of tears, and I saw just enough to see Tessa outlive Will and her children. I saw just enough to see Jem, as a Silent Brother, caring for them both every step of the way, to the extent he was allowed. Only for Tessa to be reunited with a mortal Jem on the last few pages. Knowing she'd watch him die too.

That Epilogue has made me question everything I have ever believed about mortality, immortality, life, death, love, and loss. I will never be the same, and I think I'm thankful for it. I'm still too depressed to know for sure, but nothing could have prepared me for that final chapter. I will think about this story, and these characters, for a very long time.

One of the things I love reading about are the Gods of Olympus. Whether they’re still residing in Olympus, or living in a more modern day society, I can’t seem to get enough of these characters and all their reimaginings. This story follows the children of Hades and Persephone, some of whom are named after very prominent Gods (their uncles). They are each tasked with guarding a gate to hell, and keeping the daemon population at bay in the mortal realm.

The premise of this novel, along with the promise of spicy romance, was more than enough to convince me to pick it up. I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the world building better than anticipated, but so was the overall plot and development of the side characters. Each son of Hades and Persephone (to my understanding) will have their own dedicated novel in this series, so it was very entertaining to see how they were all introduced through Ares’ eyes and memories.

Despite knowing about the intended purpose of the future novels, I was still surprised when this novel included scenes with just the other brothers, without our main characters Ares or Megan present. It created a sense of intrigue and anticipation about what might happen in their own stories, and cultivated a desire to dive deeper into this series in the future.

The pacing of this novel in terms of the romance was a slower burn that positively sizzled around the halfway point. I appreciated that both characters, Ares and Megan, were trying their best not to fall for each other. However their attraction to one another was undeniable, and the resulting chemistry when they finally gave in to those desires was pretty explosive. That motorcycle scene will be a hard one to forget (and I don’t think I want to).

Overall my only complaint, and something I am personally bothered by in a lot of novels, was the repetition of what’s at stake for these characters. I tend to skim the internal monologue of the characters going back and forth, reminding themselves why x action is bad or what y action could cost them. I’m not sure if it’s just a me thing at this point, or if other readers actually find this repetition a way to curate more intense and suspenseful scenes? The action sequences in this novel alone held so much energy and power that they dwarfed any of the inner anxieties of the characters.

I’m very happy I decided to pick this story up. I can see this world getting stuck in my head, and think I’ll find myself wondering what Ares and his brothers are up to. I thoroughly enjoyed, and was impressed by, the displays of the god’s magic, and how it manifested differently in each character. The flashes of the other world reminded me so much of one of my favorite movies, "Constantine", and I’m sure I’ll pick up at least one other book in this series in the future, if not just binge the entire series outright one day.

Trigger warnings: domestic violence and abuse of power (domestic partner is a cop)

I always enjoy paranormal or supernatural romances that involve at least one wolf shifter, so I was excited to pick up this story. I didn’t realize at the time, but this was a very quick read, clocking in at around 140 pages. The length of this novel understandably affected the pacing of the story, which at times I appreciated. We got right to the point, and quickly, but we did miss out on moments that make the romance so much more intense. We didn’t get to see the spark or connection grow between these characters, or the banter back and forth that makes the eventual giving in to temptation that much sweeter.

For how quick this story was I am impressed by how much it covered. Our MC Grace is running from her abusive, cop ex-boyfriend, and lands herself right in the middle of a wolf pack. The alpha instantly senses she’s his mate, and silently has his pack trailer her around the clock. They can all sense and smell the fear radiating off her, and are waiting for the day she comes clean or the danger makes itself known.

When it comes to contemporary romances, if a main character was this possessive of his partner it would read as an instant turn off. But when it’s a werewolf who growls when someone so much as glances her way, I have to admit I’m down bad. This was a bite sized romance with a defined beginning, middle, and sweet happily ever after. It was just what I needed after finishing a much longer book, and craving another world I could briefly slip into for just a moment.

If there was one thing I could change about this book it would be the vulgarity and the phrasing when it came to the spicier scenes. That’s absolutely a personal choice, and this aspect of the book might be just what someone else is looking for. I was able to look past a lot of this language by attributing it to the wolf, or animalistic side of Hunter, while still allowing myself to be swept away by this quick moving story.

I discovered Katee Robert last year when Neon Gods popped onto my radar. After reading and loving that book, I thought Robert would become my new favorite author, but as it turns out, not all of her writing (or the bdsm elements included) works for me 100% of the time. However the Dark Olympus series is still one of my favorites, and I’ve been trying my best to keep up with these consistent new releases!

The most refreshing thing about this series was the new take on the gods and goddesses of Olympus. While they don’t exhibit magical powers, they do carry heavy wallets, run in an elite circle, and are the primary governing body of their city. The murder, deceit, and marital affairs from lore far and wide were adapted to these new characters, and their not so mundane human lives.

Radiant Sin is the fourth book in this series, following Apollo and his assistant Cassandra. After the tumultuous ending of book 3, I was very excited to see how these new characters would continue to disrupt the upper echelon of Olympus and the elite. As soon as Cassandra and Apollo got invited to an exclusive, week-long party, I had instant murder mystery vibes, which was something new for this series. While the other novels included mysterious murders, they didn’t follow the narrative formula of traditional murder mysteries to the extent that this story did.

This story included some of my favorite tropes, such as fake boyfriend, forced proximity, and the beloved one bed conundrum. Cassandra and Apollo were hot together for so many reasons, but what really sold me on them as characters, and a couple, was how deeply their feelings ran for each other. This union was a long time coming, and the suppressed emotion (that was finally allowed an outlet) was released in many explosive and sultry ways.

I think this might be my favorite book in the series so far. I’ve been itching to reread Neon Gods, just because of my love for Hades and Persephone as characters in any retelling, and until that time comes I cannot say for sure that Radiant Sin tops my list. I think the plot and the romance were incredibly well balanced, and the entire storyline was thrilling to read. Whether we were trying to wade through lies and omissions, or watching Apollo and Cassandra enjoying having to hide in a closet a little too much, all the scenes kept my full attention.

I feel like this series is truly just getting started, and there will be some explosive moments in the next few novels. Robert, if you’re reading this, please keep my favs safe if Olympus falls into chaos.

DNF around chapter 4

The dialogue/monologues felt too juvenile compared the the gruesome fight scenes. It was a really weird dichotomy that did not work for me. I was looking forward to the strong female protagonist aspect of this story but could not get past the writing.

I’m no stranger to a vampire romance, especially when there are dark forces driving our main characters apart. The premise of this novel was too enticing to pass up, and when it was free on Kindle during a farofeb promotional period, I grabbed myself a copy and sat down to read.

The opening of this novel, like the beginning of any new fantasy world, threw me off kilter. I was trying to piece together the time period based on the mention of a doorbell and lamps or lanterns, deciphering if any magical element aided in the potential for electricity, all the while meeting our main characters at an 18th birthday party.

The first few chapters, and our initial meeting of the beautiful, mysterious party crasher, felt rushed and lacked the necessary chemistry to sell the impromptu make out scene upstairs. Instead of feeling the undeniable chemistry between these two characters we (the reader) just met, and who were complete strangers to each other, all I felt was a bit of confusion.

I didn’t want to let my initial response and impression sway me from continuing with this story, and ultimately I’m glad I kept going. This novel does build more suspense and tension between characters over time, while also settling into the time period. The family histories and generational world building was just as expansive as the political environment our MC Calla finds herself swept up in. We were also introduced to different sects of magical creatures with multitudes of abilities as the novel progressed.

On Goodreads this novel is classified as New Adult, but I think a more appropriate rating would be Young Adult. Some of the dialogue, and inner monologue, felt very young and juvenile. The sexual experiences between characters didn’t go any deeper than a few kissing scenes, and overall the vibe of the book felt like it was intended for a younger audience. While there are discussions of injuries, fighting, and blood (because hello, vampires), I don’t think it’s anything that couldn’t fall under a YA rating.

To put it as mildly as possible, I thought this novel was doing a lot, and that wasn’t always a good thing. Our characters would narrowly escape one experience, only to be caught 2 or 3 more times on the next few pages. That element of surprise and suspense, after a while, became a detriment to the pacing of the story. It also felt like there was an urgency to introduce as many characters from different locations as possible, and like this level of world building was taking the reins away from the plot itself. It felt like the author was trying to introduce different characters and groups of people who were indebted to Calla, so that they could be called on in future novels, instead of organically weaving them into the story.

My complaints with this novel are mostly directed towards the execution, and less on the plot itself. I think Calla, as well as the other characters, are very interesting, and her family’s history leaves a lot at stake for the future. The elemental magic, as well as the vampire factions, are all parts of this story that I’d want to explore more in the future. With some editing and intentional reworking I think this story has a lot of potential to become a great fantasy series.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Y’all, this is one of my extremely overdue Netgalley ARC’s that I am absolutely kicking myself over. I read Tessa Bailey’s “Fix Her Up” on Netgalley, and she instantly became one of my favorite writers. I was dying to find out if this was just a one off chance, or if she’d prove herself to be tried and true. I missed the opportunity to get the second novel in this series on Netgalley, but did manage to snag novel #3, “Tools of Engagement.”

Since I missed a step in this series, I was meeting Wes for the very first time, and because it had been so many years since reading the first novel, it felt like I was meeting Bethany all over again. What I love about Bailey’s writing is, hands down, her characters. Right from the first chapter they were both so fleshed out and real to me. The novel only grew on their strengths and weaknesses as the plot served to highlight their well deserved wins, and timely shortcomings.

This novel is written with dual points of view, and every time we got to read from Wes’ perspective I kept mentally repeating to myself, “This is a man written by a woman.” He was so funny, honest, blunt, and an unashamed flirt while also being so sensitive to Bethany, and intuitively knowing exactly what she needed in any given scenario. He is the type of man women dream of, and Bailey absolutely delivered.

Lately I’ve developed a bad habit of skim reading. I don’t skim everything I read, but I find myself feeling exasperated and bored by internal monologues more often than not. I realized while reading this novel that my eyes would stray over a few lines, and I’d internally admonish myself before going back up to read them in full. This was the first romance centered novel in months that I read every single line, and loved it all!

The characters were so complex that they weren’t overthinking or overanalyzing the same problems over and over again. Each time we were allowed into their headspace the characters were growing, changing, and learning to adapt to new situations as they arise. I really connected with Bethany and her mental battle to strive for perfection in everything. While I don’t have the same mental health struggles she does, the way they consumed her life and relationships was something I could relate to.

It was so beautiful to see a character like Wes, who had grown up in foster care, learn what selfless love really is through his niece. This element of his life and character made him more grounded and relatable, and his niece became a fixture in this story all on her own.

The plot itself was entertaining enough to keep me engaged. While the character development took the forefront of this story for me, the plot kept us moving forward and continued to challenge our characters. Just like Wes and Bethany were learning how to renovate a house together (while competing with her brother on a television show), they were also learning how to renovate their lives to include one another.

This story was funny, sexy, community driven, and tender hearted. I am so happy I not only grabbed a copy of this novel from Netgalley, but I finally sat down to read it. Bailey has continued to write more romances after finishing this series, and I can’t wait to sit down and get caught up on what she’s written so far, as well as anything she creates in the future.