Bright Ruined Things by. Samantha Cohoe | ARC Review

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Title: Bright Ruined Things

Author: Samantha Cohoe

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 10/26/21

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Magic, Romance, Shakespeare Re-imagined (Tempest), One Night

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

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“A deftly-plotted tale about ambition and belonging, Bright Ruined Things takes Shakespeare’s The Tempest and brilliantly reimagines its themes of family and love. Cohoe writes with a magic that dazzles and cuts right to the core.” – Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

Forbidden magic, a family secret, and a night to reveal it all…

The only life Mae has ever known is on the island, living on the charity of the wealthy Prosper family who control the magic on the island and the spirits who inhabit it. Mae longs for magic of her own and to have a place among the Prosper family, where her best friend, Coco, will see her as an equal, and her crush, Miles, will finally see her. Now that she’s eighteen, Mae knows her time with the Prospers may soon come to an end.

But tonight is First Night, when the Prospers and their high-society friends return to the island to celebrate the night Lord Prosper first harnessed the island’s magic and started producing aether – a magical fuel source that has revolutionized the world. With everyone returning to the island, Mae finally has the chance to go after what she’s always wanted.

When the spirits start inexplicably dying, Mae starts to realize that things aren’t what they seem. And Ivo, the reclusive, mysterious heir to the Prosper magic, may hold all the answers – including a secret about Mae’s past that she doesn’t remember. As Mae and her friends begin to unravel the mysteries of the island, and the Prospers’ magic, Mae starts to question the truth of what her world was built on.

In this YA fantasy, Samantha Cohoe wonderfully mixes magic and an atmospheric setting into a fantastically immersive world, with characters you won’t be able to forget.

I was intrigued about this book because the cover screamed 1920’s and reminded me of The Great Gatsby and I was in the mood to read a book in that period, but this one comes with a twist. I don’t remember much about Shakespeare’s The Tempest, since it’s been awhile I’ve read it but that’s okay, this is a reimagined version of The Tempest and it hooked my interest for sure.

The mood is set on an island full of magic, mystery and wealth. Here we are on First Night, where the Prospers and guests will celebrate how they tamed the wild spirits of the island when they first settled there. The Prospers are a powerful and wealthy family because of this magic. When they arrived on that island, they harnessed the wild magic there and became wielders of that magic. The magic, wealth and power is then passed down through generation, to an heir. The current heir is Ivo, who is one of the grandson’s of Lord Prosper, the patriarch of this powerful family.

Mae, our main character is described as this mousy, unimportant person who is a ward of Lord Prosper until her eighteenth birthday which is coming up quick. But Mae isn’t mousy, she is hungry. She has always wanted to belong on the island, and belong to the Prospers, but how? She’s just Mae, a nobody, but she decides that will change. Mae goes through many challenges in this book and it was fascinating to see how far she would go to make her plans come true.

There is an array of characters because the Prospers have a few grandchildren: Appollonia, Alasdair, Miles, Ivo and Cordelia (Coco). I love all their names, it fits the theme of the 1920’s and each character is different with their own motivations. I loved the whole mess of their interactions and it gets chaotic with Mae thrown into the mix!

While Mae is scheming her way into the Prosper family, there is another matter at hand. The spirits, who populated the island before the Prospers came and tamed them are dying. The spirits are servants to the Prospers but no one knows why they are getting ill. Truths are revealed, and Mae, along with the Prosper grandchildren learn about how the magic of the island is being harnessed and at what cost.

Triggers: violence, suicide ideation, slavery,

Mae is in love with Miles, or is she really? Or is he someone she needs to attain her goals? I needed to find out but as far as romance goes – the only one who has much of a romance drama going on is Appollonia. Mae and Miles’ connection felt frail. It bugged me a little because I wanted to know and see it play out but I will say it ended as dramatic as the whole story was from beginning to end. Mae had her heart set on one Prosper throughout the book and I don’t know that she deserved who she got in the end. I needed more.

A person who we needed to know more of? Ivo. He’s the oddball of the grandkids. He has the most magical power, he’s unkempt, and totally misunderstood but it would have been nice to really get to know him better.

I did like the mysterious setting of the story, but as far as the 1920’s? I got it from the names but they really could have taken this story and placed it in any era.

There were times in the story where I was getting frustrated with the secrecy. It was slow going. But it does come to a big climax at the end of the story, which was my favorite part because there was so much backstabbing, truth bombs, action, mystery and revenge! Choices had to be made and it was interesting to see what paths they all chose.

I’d have loved more information about the magic and background on the spirits. Maybe Aeris could have provided more of that knowledge when he wasn’t being obnoxious? It is explained a little more but near the end of the story. It would have been nice to be fed something in the beginning and middle too. But all of these events happen in one day, one special night, so it’s a tight window to get the whole story in.

I think Bright Ruined Things really captured the vibe of an island with powerful magic and something amiss. It had the mysterious island, exuberant wealth, the girl hanging on the outside wanting in, a messy not-quite-love story, family drama, complicated relationships and moral choices to make – although, those choices should have been easy ones from the moment the Prospers settled on the island. I had fun getting to know all the flawed characters in this story, where each had their own agenda. We get to see and explore their decisions, whether they are right or wrong. In the end, I was entertained, but there were times I was a bit frustrated with how little information was being revealed. Overall, I enjoyed it and finished it in one night.

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Boundless by. Anna Bright | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The Boundless ( The Beholder, #2)

Author: Anna Bright

Format: Hardcover (own)

Pages: 491

Publication Date: 6/9/20

Publisher: HarperTeen

Categories: Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Political Intrigue

When Selah found true love with Prince Torden of Norway, she never imagined she’d have to leave him behind. All because the Beholder’s true mission was a secret Selah’s crew didn’t trust her to keep: transporting weapons to the rebels fighting against the brutal tsarytsya, whose shadow looms over their next port of Shvartsval’d. A place Selah hoped she’d never go.

But gone is the girl who departed Potomac filled with fear. With a stockpile of weapons belowdecks and her heart hanging in the balance, Selah is determined to see the Beholder’s quest to its end.

This has been sitting on my shelf for a good year. I bought it during the pandemic on clearance and only picked it up to read now. The covers for this duology are really beautiful. Now the story itself is very interesting – I did enjoy the first book in the series, The Beholder, although it was a like mix of fairytales, historical fantasy and the bachelorette combined! Fascinating mix right? Well in this conclusion, Selah had found her true love… or has she? And can she finally help her crew do what they had planned to do (without her knowing) and finally go home?

I’m glad Selah had different challenges in this one – other than having guys fall for her and trying to decide who she loves. I mean…yes I can see that being a problem since she has to wed, but with everything else going on – she has bigger problems to fix. And Selah gets into it with Baba Yaga herself – a cold hearted killer who has taken a liking to Selah.

Obviously Selah found her true love in Torden – but why was Lang now a prospect? Out of sight, out of mind? Come one Selah – I wasn’t happy with Selah about this but I like Lang a lot. Or I like how he doesn’t cave into her demands. The secondary character came shining through in this one. Cobie is awesome and so loyal, Selah is so lucky to have her. I also loved seeing more of Anya as well. Aleksei surprised me and had some growth so that was promising.

I think the fairy tale infusion is what kept me reading. I love the reference to the 12 Dancing Princesses and of course Hangel and Gretel. thought the world of Baba Yaga was appropriately, cold, harsh and scary. Selah went through a lot being imprisoned there with her friends but it was good to see her rise to all the challenges.

Triggers: violence, abuse

My biggest issue with this book and it’s definitely a me problem is that Selah and Lang have a moment. I don’t remember her being with Torden much – I know she fell for him hard but honestly, I was liking the friction/attraction she was having with Lang. But she doesn’t deserve him – how did she get mad at HIM for not being right there to rescue her when he was helping the tribes and doing other things in the fight/rescue mission. I mean…🙄. I’m glad she now knows what she wants is someone selfishly in love with her (Torden) but come on…to be mad at Lang about that? He deserves a happy ending, poor guy.

Why you should read it:

if you liked The Beholder – definitely pick this one up
it mixes fairy tales and historical fiction, fun world building
if you are team Torden then you will love this one

Why you might not want to read it:

if you are team Lang haha – like me
not into love triangles
not into Selah flip flopping between boys

My Thoughts:

Selah – you boy crazy teenager, you! She was so frustrating haha but young and hey I remember being unsure about a guy. What I really like about this series is the creativity with the mix of fairy tales and historical fiction. I thought it worked in a strange way (they travel by wooden ship but have radios…🤔). Overall I was entertained by this series, I just didn’t like who Selah ended up with but I guess he was the best choice for her.

📚

Small Favors by. Erin A. Craig | ARC Review

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Title: Small Favors

Author: Erin A. Craig

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 7/21/21

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Romance, Paranormal, Lite Horror, Historical Fantasy

Ellerie Downing lives in the quiet town of Amity Falls in the Blackspire Mountain range–five narrow peaks stretching into the sky like a grasping hand, bordered by a nearly impenetrable forest from which the early townsfolk fought off the devils in the woods. To this day, visitors are few and rare. But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned.

As fall turns to winter, more strange activities plague the town. They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents’ deepest desires, however grand and impossible, for just a small favor. But their true intentions are much more sinister, and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames.

This book cover is so absolutely beautiful and oh so deceptive! I like that about it.
World Building ~ This author knows how to write books that are tinged with creepiness and loaded with suspicion. I suspected everyone, I couldn’t trust anyone – not even our main character, Ellerie! The story had me hooked with the setting, the tone, the silver eyes in the woods and I just imagined if I lived there, I’d die right away. Haha…of fear! The story is set in a historical atmosphere, during the time of settlers in America. People settled in a valley surrounded by pine trees and wilderness, they farm for their livelihood and live far from the city. They ride horses and make their own clothes, so you can imagine the kind of life they live.
Characters ~ Ellerie and her twin Sam are the eldest of four children but certain events come to pass in their village of Amity Falls and they are left without parents. It’s a hard life in Amity Falls but a good one. The neighbors are friendly and help each other out until mysterious deaths and incidents take place around the village. Then we see everyone get suspicious of one another and their tight community start to unwind. We meet a lot of characters in this book, but Ellerie is our main storyteller.
Plot ~ Ellerie and the townspeople need to survive the winter without a ration run because of the creatures in the woods. But they start turning on one another. What are these fast creatures with silver eyes in the woods? For most of the books I guessed they were werewolves, because what else could they be? But it was something else preying on the people of Amity Falls. It’s a mystery.

Triggers: Violence, blood

I was impatient with the lack of information we got about the creatures by the middle of the story but most of our information about the creatures in the woods come at the latter part of the book. The story builds slowly and then really picks up as the situation in Amity Falls gets worse but the ending feels a little bit rushed, like that’s it ~ the problem is neatly solved.
Creep factor ~ there is blood, gore, deformities, eyes play tricks on people, and what every horror novel needs, a doll.
There is a romance but one that left me suspicious of Ellerie’s love interest, Whitaker. So I wasn’t too invested because there were too many red flags.

Overall, I was on the edge reading this book as the mystery surrounded me like the wilderness and pines in Amity Falls. I love the beautiful writing, the atmospheric setting, the creepiness that edges into the story as tempers flare and blood flows in Amity Falls and everything seems…wrong. The ending was a little abrupt for me but this one is perfect for mystery, paranormal and suspense lovers.

🐝 ~ Yolanda