With Dagger and Song by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: With Dagger and Song (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #2)

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 378

Publication Date: 11/13/21

Publisher: Alchemy

Categories: Fantasy, Series, Young Adult, Adventure

An empty crown. A perilous journey. Will she answer when darkness calls?

Against all odds, Roh survived the harrowing Queen’s Tournament, but now something far deadlier awaits her: a formidable quest for the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel.

The gems have been scattered across the realms – and only when Roh retrieves them can she take her place as queen. But surrounded by hostile companions and tormented by the dangerous secret she carries, Roh begins to realise that the pursuit of power may prove more destructive than she ever imagined.

Nothing can prepare her for the nightmares that fester in the shadows of Akoris, a fanatical cyren territory, or the twisted games of its cunning leader…

Can Roh win the first birthstone without sacrificing everything she holds dear – and without losing herself?

Packed with heart-pounding action and layers of intrigue, With Dagger and Song is the second epic instalment in Helen Scheuerer’s Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet.

This is book two of the Curse of the Cyren Queen series and it picks up from book one. Roh survived the Queen’s Tournament and we find out she’s a future queen, not just a bone cleaner. Of course they won’t let her be Queen until she goes on a quest to get the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel. Then and only then will it prove she is worthy.

Roh chooses her companions on this quest – Odi is a given but Harlyn was a curious choice since Har hates Roh with a passion after learning about Roh’s deception. Also Roh picks warriors Yrsa and Finn to come along. Finn is another one that hates Roh. A lot of people hate Roh! haha…but at least being thrown together on this journey, we get to learn more about Yrsa and she’s a good person. Finn, well…we shall see what happens there, it seems he’s warming up to Roh. It’s Harlyn and Roh’s relationship that I was hoping would be repaired somehow in this sequel. It’s rough but they get there.

The group travels across Saddoriel to Akoris, where the fanatical cyrens reside and their ruler, Adriel is pulling the strings. So somehow Roh has to appease Adriel by passing more tests in order to be acknowledged as queen. I am really enjoying the journey they are taking through these different lands though. I also like that the story moves forward with Roh trying to get the birthstone plus doing her best trying to find out more about her mother’s past. We find out a bit more about Roh’s mysterious background as well.

I think Roh has a lot of character growth in this sequel. She still has trouble trusting people with her secrets, even though secrets are what messed up her friendship with Harlyn and Orson, the two people who knew her best. But Roh is starting to learn that she needs allies and good advice. I’m sure Roh will make more mistakes before we get to the end of this series, but seeing progress is a good thing.

Content Warnings: drugged, violence

They did a bunch of traveling but once they were in Akoris they stayed put for the bulk of the story. Akoris was an interesting place but I thought Adriel would have been more sinister – Roh handled him quite well I believe.

I’m looking forward to see what happens with Finn and Roh. An enemies to lovers thing? Or not? Haha…I like seeing them bicker as potential friends or lovers. I’m also eager to see what happens with the water drake egg that Roh has in her possession! That ending made me wish book three was going to be out soon.

Why you should read it?

story about betrayal and forgiveness
you like an underdog story
Roh’s character development – she has a lot of things to fix and I”m glad she’s facing it head on

Why you might not want to read it?

not into fantasy
wait until the whole series is out

My Thoughts:

I thought this was a good sequel as we follow Roh and her companions to Akoris. We learn about the water warlocks and their beef with cyrens. Also, we get to know more about Roh’s background. I’m looking forward to more adventure in book three and I hope we get more of Finn and Roh and the water drake egg!

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Ivies by. Alexa Donne | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Ivies

Author: Alexa Donne

Format: Hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 5/25/21

Publisher: Crown

Categories: Prep School, Murder Mystery, Young Adult

Everyone knows the Ivies: the most coveted universities in the United States. Far more important are the Ivies. The Ivies at Claflin Academy, that is. Five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly.

Alexa Donne delivers a nail-biting and timely thriller about teens who will stop at nothing to get into the college of their dreams. Too bad no one told them murder isn’t an extracurricular.

I like a good murder mystery and this one is fairly interesting. It’s about a group of girls at a prep school who call themselves the Ivies because they will do ANYTHING to get into the Ivy School of their dreams. The group has the typical head mean girl, her cronies and then the weakest link who is Olivia, because she’s the poor scholarship girl. Something happens to Emma, one of the girls in the group – she is murdered and Olivia wants to find out who did it.

Olivia’s investigation takes us into the world of the Ivies and all the stuff they did to other students at Claflin to put themselves ahead. I think the story did a good enough job keeping me on my toes trying to figure who the killer could be, but my suspicions were pretty on point.

It’s a quick read and has lots of prep school drama. If you like scandals then you will enjoy this one.

Content Warnings: bullying, death, toxic relationships

I didn’t connect to any of the characters because I couldn’t relate to their situations. I don’t know anyone who would do all the things they did to get into an Ivy league school – so it was a bit too dramatic for me.

I didn’t really feel the romance building between Olivia and Ethan.

Why you should read it?

you like a drama filled prep school story
you like ya murder mysteries

Why you might not want to read it?

can’t relate
predictable

My Thoughts:

This was an okay read. The story was a bit predictable but I guess the fake friendship of the Ivies was entertaining enough for me to finish the book. Sometimes it’s interesting to see how far a character would go to get what they want!

📚 ~ Yolanda

Just Haven’t Met You Yet by. Sophie Cousens | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Just Haven’t Met You Yet

Author: Sophie Cousens

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 11/09/21

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Categories: Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Laura’s business trip to the Channel Islands isn’t exactly off to a great start. After unceremoniously dumping everything in her bag in front of the most attractive man she’s ever seen in real life, she arrives at her hotel only to realize she’s grabbed the wrong suitcase from the airport. Her only consolation? The irresistibly appealing contents of the case: a copy of her favorite book; piano music; and a rugged, heavy knit fisherman sweater only a Ryan Gosling lookalike could pull off. The owner of this suitcase is Laura’s dream man–she’s sure of it. Now, all she has to do is find him.

The mix-up seems written in the stars. After all, what are the odds that she’d find The One on the same remote island where her mom and dad had first fallen in love, especially as she sets out to write an article about their epic romance? Commissioning surly cab driver Ted to ferry her around seems like her best bet in both tracking down the mystery suitcase owner and retracing her parents’ footsteps. And if beneath Ted’s gruffness lies a wit that makes their cab rides strangely entertaining, so much the better. But as Laura’s long-lost luggage soulmate proves difficult to find–and as she realizes that the love story she’s held on a pedestal all her life might not have been that perfect–she’ll have to rethink her whole outlook on love to discover what she really wants.

This is a fun story about a woman who takes a business trip to the Channel Islands, Jersey, to be exact, to hunt down information about her parents’ romance story. But she picks up the wrong luggage at the airport and comes up with this Mr. Perfect dream scenario in her head about the luggage owner so she decides to find him.

Laura is a wild woman! Haha, talk about concocting fantasies in her head about the mysterious luggage owner but she is funny, nice, romance obsessed and such a funny character. She goes to Jersey on a work assignment and finds out a lot about her family history and uncovers some truths that break her heart. But she also meets two men who become potential romances for her, but which one will she choose?

The whole cast of characters are fun as well from her best friends Dee and Vandy, who give love and life advice to everyone she meets on Jersey.

The men she meets on Jersey are quite different. Ted, her cab driver, is scruffy, older and going through a divorce. Jasper, the luggage owner is perfect, they like the same music and have the same goals and yet….Ted is who she keeps thinking about. She’s only known these men for a few days so it is almost an insta-love/insta-attraction kind of thing.

I liked the emotional parts of the book as well when it came to Laura and her memories of her mom. Ted also has moments with his dad who has Parkinson’s. There was a nice sense of family being important in the story and I love that.

I learned about Jersey! I never really knew anything about it or the Channel Islands so it was nice learning about the island.

Content Warnings: grief, marriage troubles

Ted is going through a separation and I think I would turned off by that but it really did seem like it was an ended relationship, the paperwork just needed to go through. Laura knew about it at least, it wasn’t secret.

Why you should read it:

cute rom-com story
sentimental and heartwarming
the cast of characters are funny and entertaining

Why you might not want to read it:

a little bit of insta-love/ or insta-attraction

My Thoughts:

This was a fun rom-com that was exactly what I needed for this holiday season. No it’s not a holiday romance but it gave me the romance feels and the sentimental ones especially when the characters were surrounded by family. I loved the setting of Jersey because I learned something new. Laura is a fun main character who finally gets the meet-cute, two guys to choose between, clarity about her family and a chance to stand up to her overbearing boss. I enjoyed this one a lot!

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Love Con by. Seressia glass | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Love Con

Author: Seressia Glass

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 12/14/21

Publisher: Berkley Books

Categories: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Cosplay, Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

He’s cosplaying as her boyfriend but their feelings for each other are real in this romantic comedy from Seressia Glass.

Sometimes Kenya Davenport believes she was switched at the hospital–how else could a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay come from STEM parents? Still, Kenya dreams of being able to turn her creative hobby into a career. She finally has a chance to make it big when she joins the reality show competition Cosplay or No Way.

There’s just one catch: the challenge for the final round is all about iconic pairs, and the judges want the contestants’ significant others to participate. Unfortunately, Kenya is as single as can be at the moment. Luckily her best friend, Cameron Lassiter, agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the show.
Roleplaying a couple in love will force them to explore what they’re hiding under the mask of friendship. Can Kenya and Cam fake it until she makes it, or will she be real about her feelings, knowing it could cost her the best friend she’s ever had?

This book caught my eye because of the very colorful cover and the synopsis about two cosplayers falling in love! I’ve never read a book about cosplayers before so this is a first for me and it was delightful!

I like Kenya a lot because she’s beautiful, fierce, unique, creative, plus size and confident! She has her insecurities, especially when her parents are grilling her about her future, but for the most part Kenya is mentally strong and she has to be because she is in a high stakes television competition and in the final round.

Her love interest is her best friend and fellow cosplayer, Cameron. She doesn’t know he’s been into her for a long while now, but he’s hoping the fake dating will help her imagine him as a something more and a potential real boyfriend. This boy is crazy about her and I love how he helps her make her dreams come true. Cam is there to defend her, help her, calm her down, protect her and he even lets her grow. He is a keeper!

If the best friend vibes is the sweetest, then let me tell you that the physical attraction between them is the hottest. Problems arise when Kenya’s parents get involved, Cam’s ex and the show trying to cause drama but they navigate it with an awesome communication session.

As for the cosplay stuff, I thought it was a cool competition and different! There is so much work that goes into cosplay so I’m glad it got a spotlight in this book.

Content Warnings: microaggressions

Kenya is black and plus sized and she deals with a lot of microaggressions from one of the judges on the show, a producer from the show and Cam’s ex. Kenya has to rise above it all or else they paint her as the angry black female on the competition. She is strong and I can see why Cam is deeply in love with her. Kenya really is a queen.

This is a quick read and the fake dating starts almost right away, there is no build up at all – so I had to get my bearings a little but we get lots of information later about Cam and Kenya’s relationship and get a good feel for their friendship.

Why you should read it:

diverse
cosplay
friends to lovers, fake dating romance
Kenya is fabulous

Why you might not want to read it:

needs more build up to their attraction, it’s instant

My Thoughts:

I like that this was something different for me, in that the two main characters are into cosplay. It was fun to see them in the process of building the costumes and seeing their friendship turn into physical attraction and love. I enjoyed Kenya’s character a lot! She is amazing and I can see why Cam is in love with her, and vice versa. This one is a light read and left me feeling happy for the couple at the end.

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Burning God by. R. F. Kuang | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Burning God (The Poppy War, #3)

Author: R.F. Kuang

Pages: 570

Publication Date: 11/17/20

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Categories: War, Fantasy, Series, Political Intrigue

The exciting end to The Poppy War trilogy, R. F. Kuang’s acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect.

After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead.

Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much—the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges—and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.

Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

Once again, the continuation of the books in this series is pretty flawless. It carries the intensity, even more so with this one.

Rin has finally begun to learn some leadership skills which helps because she needs the Southern Coalition army behind her to defeat Nezha and the Hesperians. She also needs more shamans to go up against them.

As always Kitay is Rin’s saving grace. Without him, I don’t know where Rin would be. She doesn’t even have power without him. She needs his brilliant mind and his voice of reason even when she doesn’t listen to him, she at least considers what he says and that’s something.

The Trifecta story was fascinating and we finally get to learn about what happened between them. Nezha…oh Nezha, I never forgave him his betrayal of Rin. I know he was tortured by the Hesperians and had awful parents but I just can’t forgive him yet I also know he knows how to run the country….still….the thought of him leaves me feeling so bitter.

I liked that the story delves into questions like even though Rin is victorious…she is mostly victorious in revenge because who really wins in war? Who suffers the most? And who is left to rule? Are they good enough to rule? Rin is a killing machine and soldier but leader of a country? Nope – she has no patience for that, there is so much to learn about running a country competently, she is in over her head. She was never safe even after “winning”.

This stories ends and it’s so final, at least for Rin’s story. It’s not a pretty ending. After I shut off my ipad, I felt like I was burned by Rin’s phoenix too.

Content Warnings: violence, cannibalism, gore, stories of rape, death, grief, drug use, racism

Rin has become ruthless. She was scary before but in this one there is no turning back for her, her path is written in destruction. But the thing I hate about Rin is she NEVER LEARNS. It was absolutely frustrating and I could only tolerate her when Kitay was with her trying to talk some sense in her or drawing up battle plans and inventions. She cannot see through people for the life of her, no matter how many times she is betrayed…maybe I expect too much of her? But how many times can she be betrayed and learn never to trust people. After what happened at the end of book two? It’s her weakness and shows her to be more human than god but she’s supposed to fight a powerful Nezha and honestly…he was more powerful, he could snuff out her fire! After winning the war though she turns paranoid and kills someone close to her…I was so tired of her by then because that’s the time she chooses not to trust someone? After they won? I was just hoping after what happened with Nezha she would get it together. Most times she seemed to have things under control and then there were times I wondered what she was doing. The ending seemed like the only way this could have ended but it made me feel so empty….all of that…everything she went through and put Kitay through…for that ending. I wanted to cry for Kitay but I was too exhausted.

Was the Trifecta ended that easy? They were all so powerful and yet…I was hoping for something more I think…at least have them leave the mountain and join the fight because they were talked up so big from book one? But I guess that wouldn’t work because Daji was like Rin…she had tunnel vision when it came to the Dragon, no matter how he abused her. 😒 I did like how it came full circle of the Trifecta of the past and the trifecta of the present being Nezha, Rin and Kitay.

This book is the goriest of all I think and it involves children. It has even some cannibalism because what will people do to survive if there is no food? Still, I’m glad I wasn’t eating while reading the book. This book shows you the realities of war – real war.

Why you should read it:

you like to torture yourself with a story with no happy ending (haha just kidding! kind of)
amazing, intense series about war and consequences of it
you are already invested in the series and need to know how it ends

Why you might not read it:

sad ending
everything in the content warnings

My Thoughts:

I read this trilogy in 4 days. I felt exhausted and empty by the end of it but that doesn’t mean it’s a good series, but it made me feel how someone who is traumatized by war would feel. Gutted, empty, questioning the action of the characters along the way – what a series. If you want something intense and can handle a dark read – read this series. Glad I did and I can’t believe it’s not off my TBR list. I wasn’t even planning to read it this year lol…but things worked out!

📚~ Yolanda

The Dragon Republic by. R.F. Kuang | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)

Author: R. F. Kuang

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 658

Publication Date: 8/18/19

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Categories: War, Academy, Adventure, Fantasy, Young Adult, Political Intrigue

The searing follow-up to 2018’s most celebrated fantasy debut – THE POPPY WAR.

In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.

With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.

But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.

The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve read a sequel that is so strong and this is a longer book than the first one! Let’s just jump right into it.

I love that the story flowed and didn’t miss a beat from the first book. It had the same intensity, maybe this time even more because yes, the story gets even darker, if possible. It grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. I mean what kind of trouble can Rin get into this time – this girl is addicted to power and praise, a deadly combination.

I was loving Rin’s Cike squad even though they are killers and uncontrollable, loving that Kitay, Nezha and Venka was with Rin to keep her somewhat grounded (honestly they could barely keep her sane), but the fact that I was lulled into thinking Rin was maybe going to be safe from herself now…another slap in the face for me. This story didn’t care about my feelings.

Being in Nezha’s province and home was an eye opener to how he was brought up – his dad is something else. But we get a new twist in the story where in comes to Nezha. Also we get more information about the Hesperians, these colonizers from across the sea. It infuriated me that they could just come in and try to fix Nikara just because they thought they were superior. It just reminds me of how many of the countries in our present world was forced to endure being colonized. 😠 Another thing I loved was getting to know Chagan’s people – but it was another scene that broke my heart.

The battle strategies and political intrigue continue in this story as we see the betrayals, the back stabbing or games these leaders play. We see how the poor people who are bystanders in war suffer the most. We also see what people turn into when they harbor desires of power, or hold onto never ending rage.

Content Warnings: violence, graphic account of rape, death, drug use, abuse, grief, self inflicted pain

Rin is not a likable character – I almost hate her for her decisions but I will say this about her – she is who she is. She is so strong and oh so angry. She is Rage. Her god is about destruction and consuming as fires do so she cannot help that part of her but when it’s just a human with deep seated rage, it’s scary. I wanted her to come back from that, make a turn…but this story is about war and Rin has been betrayed so many times. That’s what made me angry at her at times that she followed the wrong people so rashly and it had to do with her addiction to toxic/powerful men. Thank God for Kitay…he was her saving grace. She never listens or when she does…it’s too late. It’s always too late. She does grow in book two and tames her addiction to opium thank god, but wow does she have issues. The story just seems to get darker and you think you’ve met the most evil people already and nope…it gets worse. But I get it…unifying a country is messy AF. But the unending killing and it’s just not killing, it’s torture, it’s madness, it’s bloodlust, it’s horrible.

Why you should read it:

great writing and world building
to see if Rin can control her demons
it’s an epic war story with some good twists
makes you take a deeper look at war, choices and consequences

Why you might not want to read it:

graphic killing, graphic rape stories
a lot of drug use

My Thoughts:

I’ve been reading this series in one continuous go and honestly…it’s dark reading. I saw some light in this one finally until the author snuffed it out again! The author is cold-blooded with this story and wrote a story about war within a fantasy world and held nothing back. There is no romance in this book at all and maybe I tolerate other darker reads because the romance at least reminds me love is there. The closest thing to love Rin gets in this sequel is Kitay’s friendship, thank god! I’m on to book three.

📚~ Yolanda

The Poppy War by. R.F. Kuang | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Poppy War (#1)

Author: R. F. Kuang

Format: eBook (borrowed)

Pages: 531

Publication Date: 5/1/18

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Categories: War, Academy, Adventure, Fantasy, Young Adult, Political Intrigue

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

When I got to the end of this book, I was speechless…what did I just read? The writing is so good even though it was giving us so much information about the history of Nikara, and introducing us to many different characters. The writing was simple enough to make me understand everything going on without missing a beat or getting lost.

The world building is fantastic and it is a fantasy but it borrows from real events that happened in World War II when Japan invaded China. At one point you think Rin’s biggest challenge is passing her exams at Sinegard and dealing with bullies but then the story takes a darker turn and it gets brutal. I felt like I was punched in the gut or the face or both. I loved the world building of Rin at Sinegard, her training is so exciting especially when it came to martial arts and studying with her Lore master. The war scenes are violent but also suspenseful because it’s like watching a game of chess.

Rin is a very fleshed out, bold and flawed character. I was rooting for her so bad but then things take a bad turn and then I was scared about the path she was taking. It was to the point of frustration that I wanted to shake her but what do I know of war and how I would be in war. I had to remind myself that Rin is in war and she went from a structured school life to utter chaos of killing and Rin is someone who has dealt with trauma after trauma in her life and hasn’t known good coping mechanisms to handle stress. She turns to self-inflicted pain and then drugs. Rin rises so high in her days in school and then her fall is so hard and so far down, it’s tragic.

The secondary characters are so good and each one stands out on their own which is beautiful. We get to know her classmates and masters, we see relationships change and grow. Even though Rin is a hard character and has lacked love all her life, I was surprise to see her open to friendship at least, with Kitay and her master.

There is so much conflict in this story from the history of Nikara, tension between Rin and everyone else, Rin fighting herself and her own personal battles. This story felt like war where you are trying to determine who is right, who is wrong, which strategy is best to win a war, casualties to reach their goal or to avoid casualties and risk a longer war? So many questions, so many decisions to make, so much consequences. There was one point I felt like I would break along with the characters and it’s when Venka tells Rin what happens to her. I felt gutted.

Content Warnings: violence, graphic account of rape, death, drug use, abuse, grief, self inflicted pain

This story gets darker the further you get into the book. War is brutal and this story is about war. It doesn’t shy away from violence and stories of rape. I almost couldn’t get through Venka’s account of what happened to her and what she witnessed.

Also Rin’s drug addiction is raw and frightening because we see her descend into the chaos inside her. Rin becomes addicted to opium and makes so many rash and bad decisions. The drug addiction depicted in this story is so raw and scary because we are in mind and pain. There is so much pain and she cannot mentally handle it.

Why you should read it:

great writing and world building
awesome characters who are flawed
epic war story

Why you might not want to read it:

graphic killing, graphic rape stories
a lot of drug use

My Thoughts:

This book lives up to the hype and I can’t believe it took me this long to read it! I’m already in the middle of reading book two so that review will be coming soon. Poppy War is an amazing read but it is pretty brutal. The writing is wonderful though and I read this as slow as I could to savor the story.

📚~ Yolanda

White Smoke by. Tiffany D. Jackson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: White Smoke

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Format: eBook (borrowed)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 9/14/21

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Categories: Thriller, Young Adult, Horror, Contemporary

The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!

Marigold is running from ghosts. The phantoms of her old life keep haunting her, but a move with her newly blended family from their small California beach town to the embattled Midwestern city of Cedarville might be the fresh start she needs. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper.

The renovated picture-perfect home on Maple Street, sitting between dilapidated houses, surrounded by wary neighbors has its . . . secrets. That’s only half the problem: household items vanish, doors open on their own, lights turn off, shadows walk past rooms, voices can be heard in the walls, and there’s a foul smell seeping through the vents only Mari seems to notice. Worse: Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants Mari gone.

But “running from ghosts” is just a metaphor, right?

As the house closes in, Mari learns that the danger isn’t limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks.

I wanted a Halloween read to give me chills and make me afraid to read it at night and I can say this story did a pretty good job and almost made me not read it at night. But I wanted the chills lol…

Marigold and her family move into a new neighborhood that is rebuilding but it’s in a town that is rundown. To make matters worse, her stepsister Piper is creepy as heck. According to people who live around the town, Marigold’s house is haunted and the story delivered in giving me the chills. If I was living in that house, I don’t know that I would ever want to be alone in it!

Marigold is an interesting character because she has a background of drug use and some major anxiety about bedbugs. So is she seeing things? Her anxiety gave ME anxiety! Personality wise, I can see Marigold is trying to be better than her past self but I wish she made some better choices. I love her brother Sammy who is a sweetheart and eventually is the one to believe Marigold when things get crazier in the house.

Yusef is a solid character and I felt safe when Marigold was with him. He gives her background about the history about the town. I also liked how the story shows gentrification and how so many of the townspeople ended up in jail because of the people running it. In the back story we also learn about Ms. Suga, the “ghost” or imaginary friend that Piper has, it really lent to the spooky vibes in the book.

There is a good twist to the story and I like how there was a buildup to it.

Content Warnings: drug use, bed bug phobia, scary scenes

The book is more creepy and at times scary than straight “horror”. I don’t read much horror and this was good enough to scare me but not too much!

The ending is so abrupt – I was a little bummed about that.

Why you should read it:

to get creeped out
you like haunted house stories
good twist in the story

Why you might not want to read it:

bed bug phobia – so much anxiety
abrupt ending
might not be scary enough/horror for you

My Thoughts:

I can handle this kind of spooky story where the house is haunted enough to make me consider putting down the book but I power through it anyway just to get the chills lol. It’s a story filled with creepy scenes, and perfect for a Halloween read if you want a quick read with an interesting twist at the end.

📚 ~ Yolanda

That Weekend by. Kara Thomas | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: That Weekend

Author: Kara Thomas

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 6/29/21

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Mystery, Young Adult

Three best friends, a lake house, a secret trip – what could go wrong?

It was supposed to be the perfect prom weekend getaway. But it’s clear something terrible happened when Claire wakes up alone and bloodied on a hiking trail with no memory of the past forty-eight hours.

Three went up the mountain, but only one came back.

Now everyone wants answers – most of all, Claire. She remembers Friday night, but after that… nothing. And now Kat and Jesse – her best friends – are missing.

That weekend changes everything.

What happened on the mountain? And where are Kat and Jesse? Claire knows the answers are buried somewhere in her memory, but as she’s learning, everyone has secrets – even her best friends. And she’s pretty sure she’s not going to like what she remembers.

I wanted to read some spooky reads before Halloween and seriously pick a few books up because of the cover, this being one of them. This is not spooky – it is a murder mystery and when I was reading it, I thought of how real this story could be so that makes it more suspenseful.

I like how Claire is an unreliable narrator. We only have information about what happened on the mountain she went hiking with her friends – but she was injured and has amnesia about that day. We get her shaky accounts about what took place that weekend and through her we try to piece together the events that took place which resulted in her being injured and her two best friends missing.

I thought the author did a great job keeping me invested and wanting to find out what really happened but I did suspect what was going on halfway into the story. I still wanted to know how things unfolded though. This is a quick read and I read it in one sitting.

Content Warnings: physical abuse

I didn’t like how rushed the ending felt, it was almost anti-climatic. And the family secrets is such a turn off, so this story left me with an icky feeling! lol…and here I was looking for spooky vibes. It definitely wasn’t spooky, just kinda gross!

Why you should read it:

you like mysteries and an unreliable narrator
quick read
some good twists in the story

Why you might not want to read it:

rushed ending
one story twist that was gross

My Thoughts:

I can say I was fairly enjoying this mystery until one of the twists in the end – did it really have to go there? 🤦🏻‍♀️ I don’t think the story needed it but maybe it was just for shock value. I was shocked and disgusted and ready to end the book. Overall a decent mystery with an unreliable character that kept me guessing even though I predicted the outcome early in the book.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Bad Lands by. Stacey Marie Brown | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Bad Lands (Savage Lands, #4)

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 359

Publication Date: 10/5/21

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Suspense

Some myths should just stay buried.

Brexley’s journey has led her to the most coveted object in the world. In discovering the Nectar, Brexley finds other secrets and truths she was not ready for, ones that destroy everything she has ever known, confronting a power within herself she is not ready to face.

Magic is a balance. Things come at a cost. In saving lives, Brexley destroys her own power, cutting the connection with the infamous legend. When faced with devastating loss and destruction, the fabric of friendship, trust, and love are put to the test.

Trying to forget her grief, Brexley delves deeper into stopping Istvan, uncovering the depths he will go to gain power. She is thrown deep into the underbelly of greed and deceit, leading her back into the depths of hell.

Where only one survives.

Sometimes I wish a series would stick to being a trilogy because I don’t want to lose interest and I am starting to lose it for this one. I liked how we got to finally know more about Brex’s history at the end of book three. Of course she’s dealing with a lot after what happened in the cliffhanger from book three, she’s definitely processing it. We get even more information about Brex’s past, her family lineage, what happened with the druids, and what it means for her (they don’t know that yet).

I did like how my favorite guy Ash is always by her side, no matter what, Brex with power or without. I like all her friends making an appearance also, they are always so supportive of her.

I only got really into the book when Killian reappears, love him, even though Brex is totally Warwick’s – I still like Killian. It looks like something might be happening with him and Rosie and I love that for both of them!

Content Warnings: violence

I don’t like that the series is getting too long and it’s taking forever to figure out Brex’s powers. This story does a full circle and the beginning of the book comes back around and I thought we were done with that. I get that Brex has no power and it would make another prison scene more interesting? But now to be forced to see all the people she cares about get tortured now…like, here we go again? I’m kind of tired of it. I get it’s a setback for Brex but I just wanted to see her done with that phase of her life.

Warwick did nothing for me in this one too. Brex needs him to be there and more communicative in her low points, and maybe that’s why I was so happy she had Ash and other people in her life. I’m kind of tired of him being such an alpha and always claiming her. We already know they are end game for one another.

I’m over Caden and Hannah. Like can they just not be in the series? 😒

Why you should read it:

you are invested in the series and want to see what happens next
find out more about Brex’s family background
the secondary characters are great

Why you might not want to read it:

repetitive
doesn’t feel like the story moves forward

My Thoughts:

This was an okay read for me compared to the previous three books in the series. It was nice learning more about Brex’s family history and seeing her as human but I could do without some of the more repetitive parts of the story. My interest in this story got only stronger when Killian made an appearance. Not sure if I’ll just wait for all the rest of the books to publish and just binge it in one go.

📚~ Yolanda