Vespertine by. Margaret Rogerson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Vespertine (#1)

Author: Meghan Quinn

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 10/05/21

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Spirits, Saints, Magic

The dead of Loraille do not rest.

Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on; otherwise, they will rise as spirits with a ravenous hunger for the living. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands and troubled past.

When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic. It is a revenant, a malevolent being that threatens to possess her the moment she drops her guard. Wielding its extraordinary power almost consumes her—but death has come to Loraille, and only a vespertine, a priestess trained to wield a high relic, has any chance of stopping it. With all knowledge of vespertines lost to time, Artemisia turns to the last remaining expert for help: the revenant itself.

As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. And when a hidden evil begins to surface, she discovers that facing this enemy might require her to betray everything she has been taught to believe—if the revenant doesn’t betray her first.

I love the world building with the nuns (Gray Sisters) and other clergy wielding relics that contain spirits in them. The story gave me a sense that the setting was in some place that resembled France in a time when the clergy was in power, game me Joan of Arc vibes at times. We learn about how the relics, spirits and revenants (spirits) are used and contained. There is also some history about the spirits as well and information about their ranking or order. The spirits are listed in order in the book if you get confused, I only saw it at the end of the book but it is helpful! There was a good amount of action in this story and the story moved quickly.

Artemisia is not an open character at first. She comes off as someone who wants to be alone and not good in social situations. People think she is different because of her past and how she survived being possessed by an ashgrim. It left her with burned scars on her hands, a tendency to not want to be close to people and with a high tolerance to handling a relic. When things take a turn for the worst she is entrusted with the care of a relic that holds a highly powered revenant and she has no training with it whatsoever. But she trusts her instincts and for the most part she finds ways to work with her revenant to help defeat other spirits. Also she learns how to let others in to help her when things get too tough.

Her revenant, Rathanael, is mean, grouchy but hilarious. At least, he was funny to me even as he was berating and insulting Artemisia every chance he could get. Their partnership is unconventional but they are perfect for one another.

Leander was poised as a villain but we don’t understand his motivations until way later in the book. He is a very private guy as well and it was hard to get a good read on him in the beginning other than him trying to control Artemisia. Is there a potential for a romance there? I’m not sure. This whole book didn’t have any romance in it but I felt like it hinted at something between Leander and Artemisia. We shall see.

Content Warnings: self harm, violence, death, PTSD, anxiety

It took me a few days to get through the first chapter because I needed to get into a nun mood? If that makes sense haha! But once I grasped what was going on and was immersed into the world-building, I found my bearings. I will say it can get confusing with the relics and revenants and unfamiliar terms, so use the spirit order/ranking list in the book.

There is no romance, and I was hoping for some but it was okay without too. The main relationship is between Artemisia and her revenant and it’s pretty entertaining.

Why you should read it:

fascinating world building
lots of action with nuns, soldiers, and knights trying to fight spirits
good character growth

Why you might not want to read it:

sometimes confusing, with the ranking or classification of spirits, unless you keep checking the list
nuns fighting spirits isn’t appealing to you 🤷🏻‍♀️

My thoughts:

Once I got into the story I was hooked and love the world-building (might be the Catholic upbringing in me). I enjoyed Artemisia’s growing, if reluctant, relationship with her revenant. I found them entertaining. I’m also interested to see where book two goes and if Leander comes back into the story a changed man! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

📚 ~ Yolanda

When Night Breaks by. Janella Angeles | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Cards, #2)

Author: Janella Angeles

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 10/5/21

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magicians, Romance

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!

The competition has come to a disastrous end, and Daron Demarco’s fall from grace is now front page news. But little matters to him beyond Kallia, the contestant he fell for who is now lost to this world and in the hands of a dangerous magician. Daron is willing to do whatever it takes to find her. Even if it means embarking on a dark and treacherous journey, risking more than just his life, with no promise of return.

After awaking in darkness, Kallia has never felt more lost. Especially with Jack by her side, the magician with who has the answers but cannot be trusted. Together, they must navigate a dazzling world where mirrors show memories and illusions shadow every corner, one ruled by a powerful game master who could all too easily destroy the world she left behind — and the boy she can’t seem to forget. With time running out, Kallia must embrace her role in a darker destiny, or lose everyone she loves, forever.

This series has beautiful covers, that’s for sure!

I did like that this second book and conclusion is more sinister than the first book. In the first one, Jack and the whole town of Glorian is a mystery. We do uncover many secrets in this conclusion. We learn about this mysterious villain, the Dealer, who seems more powerful (or so it seems) than Jack. We learn more about the town of Glorian, the Patrons, the mirror and Kallia’s past.

Kallia stays consistent even though missing her powers, she is still full of fight and sass. I liked learning more about Jack. There is a lot of action but it comes at the end of the book.

For awhile I thought Kallia’s friends from the circus wasn’t going to make an appearance in this but they do – of course they do and they help save Kallia.

The first book was about the dazzling performance of magic shows and the circus. In this book it’s about what’s inside the mirror- which is a darker side of everything in Kallia’s world. Usually I need to be in the mood to read about magicians/circus. Well I wasn’t quite in the right mood for this sequel and it’s take on illusions, I think. Some things was hard for me to follow but that might be because I just wasn’t interested. This is is definitely one of those instances that if you love the first book (and I didn’t)…you will love this one. It’s just not the right series for me.

I didn’t connect to any of the characters. Not even Kallia’s journey kept me interested in this one.

I wasn’t into the love triangle. I mean there was a potential for one for sure but I’m glad it didn’t quite go there.

Why you should read it:

You love the first series or liked it enough to find out more
To find out what the whole mystery is
You enjoy stories about magicians

Why you might not want to read it:

Wasn’t into the first book
Love triangle potential

My Thoughts:

I love the books covers, it’s what sucked me into reading the first book. Story wise? I wasn’t into the magician/illusions theme. But I do like that this one is darker than the first book. Not even the romance in this one held my interest though because of the love triangle and I love a good triangle…but I didn’t feel this one. That doesn’t mean others won’t love this story, actually I think fans of the first book will enjoy this conclusion. It just wasn’t for me.

📚 ~ Yolanda

A Dark and Starless Forest by. Sarah Hollowell | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: A Dark and Starless Forest

Author: Sarah Hollowell

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 9/14/21

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Diversity, Magic, Paranormal

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

Thank you to HMH Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When her siblings start to go missing, a girl must confront the dark thing that lives in the forest—and the growing darkness in herself—in this debut YA contemporary fantasy for fans of Wilder Girls.

Derry and her eight siblings live in an isolated house by the lake, separated from the rest of the world by an eerie and menacing forest. Frank, the man who raised them after their families abandoned them, says it’s for their own good. After all, the world isn’t safe for people with magic. And Derry feels safe—most of the time.

Until the night her eldest sister disappears. Jane and Derry swore to each other that they’d never go into the forest, not after their last trip ended in blood, but Derry is sure she saw Jane walk into the trees. When another sibling goes missing and Frank’s true colors start to show, feeling safe is no longer an option. Derry will risk anything to protect the family she has left. Even if that means returning to the forest that has started calling to Derry in her missing siblings’ voices.

As Derry spends more time amidst the trees, her magic grows more powerful . . . and so does the darkness inside her, the viciousness she wants to pretend doesn’t exist. But saving her siblings from the forest and from Frank might mean embracing the darkness. And that just might be the most dangerous thing of all.

I really didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I love the cover and also the premise for the story sounded intriguing. I got approved for the arc last minute, but the book is a quick read so I’m glad I got to finish even though it just published!

I love the mysterious and dark atmosphere of this story. We meet Derry and she has eight siblings (not by blood). They live in what seeps like am isolated house bordered by a forest and their caretaker is a man named Frank. Everything about that just made me suspicious about Frank from the start! Apparently these girls have magic or powers, Derry’s magic is related to nature, things bloom on her body.

Derry is our main character and she is a plus sized girl compared to her sisters, she loves her sisters and is very afraid of Frank. She doesn’t have the best control of her magic. When something happens to the sister she is the closest to, Jane, this pushes Derry to break Frank’s rules, no matter the consequences and she meets something in the woods that makes her question Frank and his methods. I like when Derry finds out the truth and we see her become stronger.

The sisterly bond is great since they are all isolated together. You can feel the love between them and it’s their chosen family bond that helps defeat Frank. Also they are diverse, which was nice.

Triggers: abuse, manipulation, death, violence

Frank is straight up evil and I was so happy when Derry stood up to him! It honestly gave me satisfaction with how Derry dealt with him. But who are Franks “friends” that he kept going to see when a girl went missing? I’m very curious about that.

I think the magic system confused me in the beginning though it makes sense in the end when more of the mystery about Frank is solved. When they called themselves “alchemists”, I was waiting for them to do alchemy but their powers didn’t work that way. It really was magic within them, magic they were born with.

There are nine of them, Derry and eight siblings, but I swear I kept forgetting who was left when a few went missing. I felt like the only ones I really knew were Derry, Jane and Elle – they seemed the more fleshed out of the girls.

Why you should read it:

it’s a story about girls taking back their power and magic, mostly Derry’s journey
diverse cast
suspenseful, creepy vibes

Why you might not want to read it:

dark story with themes of abuse and manipulation
not a happy story, ending is bittersweet

My Thoughts:

It took some patience to get my bearings in the story when I started the book, but my curiosity kept me reading. I wanted to know who Frank was and what was in these creepy woods. Though it is a dark story, I was glad to see Derry rise up against the man who was hurting her and her sisters. I can definitely relate to that! This was a quick read filled with diversity, a strong sisterly bond, magic and empowerment.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Where Dreams Descend by. Janella Angeles | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Where Dreams Descend (Kingdom of Cards, #1)

Author: Janella Angeles

Format: Hardcover (own)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 8/25/20

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Magicians, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes.

As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.

The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost

The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told

The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide

Where Dreams Descend is the startling and romantic first book in Janella Angeles’ debut Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology where magic is both celebrated and feared, and no heart is left unscathed.

First off, the book cover is gorgeous! I love the reds and golds and the font too – it just looks so good.

This book definitely gave me some Phantom of the Opera vibes with Jack, this master magician being so mystery and some Moulin Rouge because of Kallia. Kallia is a showgirl but a magician as well who wants all eyes on her and is very unapologetic about it. This girl knows she’s a star and it comes through in her personality. Demarco is another mysterious magician, who has a past that is revealed when he starts getting close to Kallia. The tone of the book is dark, very much like the stage is set for something dire or spectacular…or both?

Kallia is a bold character and I did like that about her. She wanted more than being a showgirl, she wanted to be the main girl on stage because she loves the applause. Kallia is the only female magician in this competition so she really has to do everything to outshine the guys. I did like how she made friends with the Conquering Circus, and the other bold women that was a part of the circus.

Kallia and Demarco’s relationship starts off slow but it heats up. Obviously there is attraction, but Demarco is a judge and Kallia is a contestant so that wouldn’t look good to onlookers if they were to get together. It’s inevitable though but Demarco is hiding a secret and of course Jack doesn’t miss an opportunity to warn Kallia. I did think it was cute how Kallia and Demarco didn’t get along and then they started to become friends because anything more. But can Demarco take on Jack who seems like a way more powerful guy?

Triggers: toxic relationships, misogyny

It took me a few days to finish this book. It was a little slow and I was interested in Kallia and her magic but there is way too much mystery about Jack. More is revealed at the end but it’s a 460+ page book and I wanted a little more information a bit earlier about Jack, other than the fact he is obsessed with Kallia. Clearly she doesn’t want anything to do with him so he was being creepy.

Though Kallia is a powerful young woman, I couldn’t really connect to her. Maybe that’s where my interest lagged because I didn’t care too much about her journey becoming a star on stage. Maybe I’m just not into magician stories? I don’t know.

I hope there isn’t a love triangle because Jack is obsessive and manipulative. If he’s doing for some reason we don’t know then maybe I’ll change my mind when I know more information. Although Kallia and Demarco have something going on, there is drama at the end so we shall see how that goes.

Why you should read it:

if you like magician and circus stories, you will enjoy this
has Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge vibes
story about a girl wanting more in her life

Why you might not want to read it:

slow start, book got interesting in the end
might be a love triangle brewing
needs more world building or explanation about magic system

My Thoughts:

I was really wowed by the book cover but for me the story didn’t live up to my expectations of it. I did enjoy the Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge vibes but I need to know more about Jack. I did enjoy the dark tone of the story and how Kallia is a girl who wants more in her life and takes it by the handful – she’s hard worker, stubborn, bold and yes she is a star. I’ll be reading the next book because I have the arc in NetGalley but if I didn’t, I don’t think I’d have picked up the sequel.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Black Sun by. Rebecca Roanhorse | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1)

Author: Rebecca Roanhorse

Format: Hardcover (own)

Pages: 454

Publication Date: 10/13/20

Publisher: Saga Press

Categories: Fantasy, Indigenous/Pre-Columbian Americas, LGBTQIA+ , Political Intrigue

The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic.

A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun

In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.

Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

I love that this series is set in the Pre-Columbian Americas. I have always been fascinated by the Mayans, Aztecs, Incas and so many I don’t know about. I absolutely love it.

With the story set in this time period, there is so much wonderful world building. There is the priests that study the stars, the clans that worship their own Gods, and a fight between the two. There is witchcraft, mermaids (we’ll find out more about this hopefully in book two?), a doomed slow burn romance, and political intrigue. There is even large crows, and other large creatures in the story. Just everything about this book made me feel like I could see this as a tv series or movie.

There are three main characters: Serapio who is blind, mysterious, mystical and dangerous. He was quite a past and upbringing and he has a destiny to fulfill. There is Xiala, a ship captain and Teek, which makes her mysterious as well, she’s like a Siren and has some powers with use of her Song. Then there is Naranpa, the current Sun Priest but a woman who grew up in poverty and rose up the ranks. I feel like we got to know all three of them pretty good in this first book.

There is a lot of diversity in Black Sun. Xiala is bi, Naranpa used to be involved with someone who is transgendered, and so many more characters in this story are just open with their sexuality and that was nice.

Triggers: mutilation, self-mutilation, abuse, death, suicide

The mutilation in chapter one almost took me out! I was horrified but of course later on we learn why it happened. A lot of this book is about setting the stage for what’s to come, so the mutilation parts come at the beginning and end of the book (thank goodness). There are a few others scenes that are just as gory. I feel like it’s comes as such a surprise because the first half of the book seems so “quiet”…or Serapio is, at least.

I felt like the beginning was slow after that eye opening first chapter, but because it’s a world so intricate, I didn’t mind the slowness and it really builds until the ending climax. I took a few days to read this one, not because I wasn’t enjoying it though.

This is adult fantasy as opposed to all the young adult fantasy I usually read but I found this very enjoyable despite it not something I tend to read.

I look forward to reading book two whenever it comes out, after that cliffhanger of an ending. Has Serapio’s destiny changed? What’s going to happen to Naranpa? I have questions and I also want to know about Xiala and the Teek. There is so much more to uncover in this world of Black Sun. If you like fantasy, you might enjoy this one.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Better Together by. Christine Riccio | ARC Review

My Rating: 2/5 Stars (DNF’ed @ 20% but read the ending)

Title: Better Together

Author: Christine Riccio

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 6/1/21

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Contemporary, Young Adult, Sisterhood, Family, Romance

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 arc in exchange for an honest review!

Jamie’s an aspiring standup comic in Los Angeles with a growing case of stage anxiety.

Siri’s a stunning ballerina from New Jersey nursing a career-changing injury.

They’ve both signed up for the same session at an off the grid Re-Discover Yourself Retreat in Colorado. When they run into each other, their worlds turn upside down.

Jamie and Siri are sisters, torn apart at a young age by their parent’s volatile divorce. They’ve grown up living completely separate lives: Jamie with their Dad and Siri with their Mom. Now, reunited after over a decade apart, they hatch a plot to switch places. It’s time they get to know and confront each of their estranged parents.

With an accidental assist from some fortuitous magic, Jamie arrives in New Jersey, looking to all the world like Siri, and Siri steps off her flight sporting a Jamie glamour.

The sisters unexpectedly find themselves stuck living in each other’s shoes. Soon Siri’s crushing on Jamie’s best friend Dawn. Jamie’s falling for the handsome New Yorker she keeps running into, Zarar. Alongside a parade of hijinks and budding romance, both girls work to navigate their broken family life and the stresses of impending adulthood.

I liked the moment the sisters meet because we get to learn a bit of the back story of their history. It’s a sad history though and they get at least someone to help them navigate reintroducing one another to their lives again.
They are different in personality. Jamie is loud, says what she wants – she’s a comedian in life and as her profession. Siri is more subdued, was a ballerina until that dream came to a halt, so they are very different.
There is a happy ending (yes I read the ending), so it all works out with the family and the romance storylines in each girl’s life.

I couldn’t connect with any of the girls. I couldn’t get over Siri’s name being Siri, it just reminded me too much of Siri from the iPhone. Also, the fact that they were named after Game of Thrones characters (I Love GoT too but…), bugged me because Jamie and Cersei, the incestuous siblings? Interesting choice of names.
Jamie tries too hard and there is a lot of swearing (I don’t mind swearing) but a lot of it is in caps, so okay, Jamie is loud. But then her sister Siri likes to swear also…but using non-curse words such as “excrement” and just other random alternative curse words. But excrement is used a lot and after awhile it isn’t cute or funny.
I skipped a lot and apparently I skipped too much because there was a parent trap situation somewhere in the story and there’s magic that made that happen.

This one was clearly not for me since I did not finish and mostly skipped but I think there are readers out there who will enjoy it especially if you like stories like the Parent Trap.

📖 ~ Yolanda

A Chorus Rises by. Bethany C. Morrow | ARC Review

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Title: A Chorus Rises (A Song Below Water, #2)

Author: Bethany C. Morrow

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 272

Publication Date: 6/1/21

Publisher: Tor Teen

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Racism, Hate Crimes, Social Media, Identity, Young Adult

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

Thank you to Tor Teen for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Hate U Give meets Shadowshaper in Bethany C. Morrow’s A Chorus Rises, a brilliant contemporary fantasy set in the world of A Song Below Water.

Teen influencer Naema Bradshaw has it all: she’s famous, privileged, has “the good hair”— and she’s an Eloko, a person who’s gifted with a song that woos anyone who hears it. Everyone loves her — well, until she’s cast as the awful person who exposed Tavia’s secret siren powers.

Now, she’s being dragged by the media. No one understands her side: not her boyfriend, not her friends, nor her Eloko community. But Naema knows the truth and is determined to build herself back up — no matter what.

When a new, flourishing segment of Naema’s online supporters start targeting black girls, however, Naema must discover the true purpose of her magical voice.

Absolutely love the cover! Both covers for this series are so beautiful.
I actually enjoyed this book more than I did A Song Below Water and I think because Naema’s voice is so strong whereas in the previous book, Effie and Tavia almost blended together. But Naema is vocal, she knows who she is, and how she wants to be perceived at online and in person. She is flawed but that’s why I liked learning about her character. Naema is the “mean girl” from the first book but this is her story now, and I like how she confronts her struggle about being Eloko and a black girl.
I think I got a better understanding of what Eloko means from this book, but still, not totally, not even Naema knows much about her magic as an Eloko is seems. I liked that Naema leaves Portland, where Eloko are well known and visits her family in Arizona. She’s out of her element and we get to see her interact with family who she hasn’t seen in awhile, we also learn a little more about how Eloko connect to their Ancestors.
I liked how she and Tavia come together at the end to fight something bigger than the drama between the two of them. I like how the issues of social media and how the media as whole perceives or creates certain storylines to fit their agenda.

Triggers: racism, hate crimes

This is supposedly a companion novel instead of part of a series and can be read alone, but I’d be lost if I didn’t read A Song Below Water beforehand. I would recommend reading A Song Below Water first.
Naema isn’t a likable character in book one and even in the beginning of A Chorus Rises, but she grew on me and owned up to some of her mistakes by the end.
I still feel like Elokos are vague after reading both books. Would like to have more information about them and world building.

I enjoyed how this story explores racism, and media’s role in a sensitive situation like Naema and Tavia’s story through an urban fantasy lens. We had Tavia’s story in book one and Naema was the mean girl. Now it’s the mean girl’s turn to tell her story and I her complicated and someone trying to figure out what being black and Eloko means. I do recommend reading A Song Below Water before this one to get the whole picture of what happens with these girls, if not you might be a little lost.

📚 ~ Yolanda

BLOG TOUR} These Feathered Flames by. Alexandra Overy | ARC Review

Welcome to the blog tour for These Feathered Flames by. Alexandra Overy!

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Title: These Feathered Flames

Author: Alexandra Overy

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 496

Publication Date: 4/20/21

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Sibling Rivalry, Political Intrigue

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

Three Dark Crowns meets Wicked Saints in this queer #ownvoices retelling of “The Firebird,” a Russian folktale, by debut author Alexandra Overy.

When twin heirs are born in Tourin, their fates are decided at a young age. While Izaveta remained at court to learn the skills she’d need as the future queen, Asya was taken away to train with her aunt, the mysterious Firebird, who ensured magic remained balanced in the realm.

But before Asya’s training is completed, the ancient power blooms inside her, which can mean only one thing: the queen is dead, and a new ruler must be crowned.

As the princesses come to understand everything their roles entail, they’ll discover who they can trust, who they can love—and who killed their mother.

It has a gorgeous cover! I love red covers.
I liked the power of the Firebird. Izaveta and Asya are twins but separated because one will be Queen and the other will be this mysterious, powerful Firebird. The Firebird basically finds someone who’s done something it deems wrong and takes “payment” in usually violent ways from the person committing the crime. Asya is the Firebird and she is trying to control the power in her, afraid of it’s power.
Izaveta is the cold and cunning princess who will be Queen. She plays the politic games and tries to stay a step ahead of everyone, including her own sister.
There is a strained relationship between them since both have different roles in this kingdom. But each of them have missed one another, so it was interesting to see them navigate their relationship as strangers pretty much. Deep down though, their need for each other is fierce.
I liked Asya’s growing relationship with her guard. Asya is feared and despised by everyone around her, including her guard, but things change when they are thrown together. Things definitely get intense between them and it’s a f/f romance. Izaveta has a growing love interest as well but with a scholar.

Sadly, I didn’t connect to any of the characters.
If you like Three Dark Crowns where sisters are against one another, you will enjoy this one. I think I needed to be in the right mood to read this one.

For me this was just an okay read, maybe it would have been more enjoyable for me if I was in the right mood for it. I do think the story is fascinating with the Firebird storyline and it will definitely appeal to young adult fantasy readers.

🔥 ~ Yolanda

About the Author:

ALEXANDRA OVERY was born in London, England. Ever since she was little she has loved being able to escape into another world through books. She currently lives in Los Angeles, and is completing her MFA in Screenwriting at UCLA. When she’s not working on a new manuscript or procrastinating on doing homework, she can be found obsessing over Netflix shows, or eating all the ice cream she can.

https://www.alexandraovery.com/

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Fly with the Arrow | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Fly with the Arrow (Bluebeard’s Secret, #1)

Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 311

Publication Date: 3/2/21

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Fairytale Retelling, Fae, Young Adult/New Adult

A STOLEN BRIDE. A TERRIFYING BRIDEGROOM. THE GAME THAT WILL DETERMINE THEIR FATES.

No one told her the most important law of the court – the Law of Greeting.
If they had, maybe she wouldn’t have greeted Bluebeard when he arrived to claim a mortal wife. And if she hadn’t greeted him, she wouldn’t have become his sixteenth wife or been swept away to the lands of the Wittenhame.

But if none of that had happened, then she wouldn’t have been an integral part of the game that takes place every two hundred years – a game that determines the fates of nations .

For not all is as it seems, not in her homeland of Pensmoore, not in the Wittenhame, and certainly not in her new marriage.

I haven’t read the classic Bluebeard story but I’ve heard about it, and always thought it was just some pirate story. After reading this retelling of it, I’m very curious about Bluebeard (I don’t think I’ll read it still) but I’m fascinated about why he killed his wives! Anyway back to Fly with the Arrow, I found this to be a fast-paced, wild story that at times reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, Izolda being Alice and entering this crazy and wild world of the fae in Wittenhame.
Izolda is very level-headed for 19 years old which I appreciated because Arrow (Bluebeard) is really her opposite, full of energy, mood swings and very unpredictable. They are a great match, balancing each other out.
I enjoyed the world building even though at times I felt confused, because there is a lot going on but I also didn’t mind the whirlwind of it…if that makes sense? I loved Arrow’s magical house with a talking fireplace and a gargoyle. I love the humor and the way Arrow talks just cracks me up, especially when it’s with his riddles. I love riddles so this book was so much fun to read.
I love the cover, that’s what drew me to the book and I passed it on by because it was a Bluebeard retelling. But I came back to it because of how pretty the cover is.

Triggers: violence, decapitation

It’s a cliffhanger ending. 😦 So if you can’t stand cliffhanger endings then I’d suggest you wait for the whole series to be published.

This is a fun, wild journey into the world of the Wittenhame where Arrow (Bluebeard) is a ruhthless fae prince. Arrow has collected a few wives in his past but Izolda is different from all the rest, so far. It’s got action, a slow burn romance, humor and riddles galore. I’m excited to see what happens next in this series! I’m glad I decided to read this one.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Shadowspell Academy: Year of the Chameleon | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Shadowspell Academy ~ Year of the Chameleon

Author: Shannon Mayer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 302

Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing

Categories: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Academy, Survival, Coming of Age, Cliff Hanger

I’ve made it through the Culling Trials, the test that proved my mettle against every possible challenge.

I assumed that meant things would settle down and I’d start truly learning.

No more danger.

No more death threats.

No more wondering who was out to get me.

Apparently, that was not to be.

I am what this supernatural world calls a Chameleon—a rarity even amongst all these monsters. And rare things are coveted and feared by the most powerful of all—The House Of Wonder.

It’s a good thing I have my crew at my back, because this Academy?

It’s about to get seriously ugly.

Which means this farm girl is ready to play by only one set of rules.

Her own.

I didn’t know there was going to be more to this series, but I am happy there is! Wild is back but this time she knows she’s a Chameleon, someone who exhibits all the powers of each House.
It starts off right away with something happening to all the Houses so they are holed up at House of Wonder, it’s where the mages rule. There is a mystery to figure out – what is going on with the Houses being attacked except for Wonder? Or are they wrong and something happened to Wonder as well?
Wild is always a fun character – she has her own crew of misfits from each House. She’s outspoken and brave. She holds her own even when getting her butt kicked in training but that’s what makes her a cool person, Wild doesn’t give up.
Since Wild is a teen surrounded by some hot guys at the moment, yes there are options – and her options are wide open in this one! She can’t seem to figure out her feelings for certain guys, but there are other things to focus on at the moment like the Shadowkiller roaming around somewhere, and the attack on the houses.
It’s a very quick read and a great book to just lose yourself in – pure escape!

Like I mentioned, Wild can’t seem to figure out her feelings with these cute boys around her. It’s not quite a love triangle – we shall see what happens with that situation.
The ending is a cliff hanger but the next book comes out soon, in 3 weeks actually, which is great – I love when the wait isn’t too long!
Also the ending switches to Wally’s POV! She is Wild’s best friend and a Necromancer, something happens at the end where it seems that Wally will have to take over the leadership role, which is exciting. Can’t wait to see her shine.

Shannon Mayer does Academy books very well – it has action, a little flirtation and romance here and there, a strong heroine who has all the special powers but she learns them, fails at her gifts too but never gives up. There is drama, humor, heartfelt friendship and in this one, some visits from ghosts in Wild’s life. I look forward to seeing what happens next!

🥰 ~ Yolanda