Sunrise on the Reaping by. Suzanne Collins | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Sunrise on the Reaping

Author: Suzanne Collins

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 382

Publication Date: 3/18/24

Categories: Young Adult, Dystopia, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

Content Warning: violence towards children, death, murder

+ This is Haymitch’s story and everyone knew it would be crazy because of how he was an alcoholic in The Hunger Games (Katniss’ era) and now we learn what drove him to drown himself in the bottle. And it is brutal.

+ I like how we get to see Haymitch – happy and carefree even with the struggles the districts are going through. He has this way of being charming and like nothing bothers but when we are in his head, we see so many things are weighing on him like wondering about his family, his love Lenore, and dying. He’s an interesting character because he’s not the hero, like Katniss. He’s not there to save anyone really, he really things he’s going to die in the games, but he comes out the winner anyway.

+ The action picks up halfway into the book and these games are brutal. Just some of the ways these kids die is gruesome. And I like that Haymitch isn’t this hero like Katniss was – he’s this regular guy who really just thought he was going to die in the games. The fact that he survives is a torture I can’t even imagine especially with what happens after the games, so much survivor’s guilt and nightmares. And the poem from Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven, being used in the book did not help my emotions – it’s my favorite and it broke my heart while Haymitch’s was breaking. When I read the epilogue, I shed a tear.

+ Having just read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I love how Lenore Dove ties into the Covey and Lucy Gray! Also there were so many familiar faces from The Hunger Games, like young Effie, Plutarch, Betee, Mags and Cesar. It was nice to see their younger selves. There are a lot of new tributes but you can’t get attached because it is the Hunger Games. 😢

~ I think the part where Haymitch gets to the Capitol and they meet other tributes was a bit slower than the rest of the book but that could be because I was anticipating the start of the games. It was the perfect opportunity to show us who were rebels and how Haymitch became a part of everything.

~ I’m someone who doesn’t love songs in a book only because I don’t know how they sound. Of course I love the “are you, are you, coming to the tree…” song because it was sung in the movie. This one has a few songs, not as much as TBOSAS but it’s there plus the poems.

Final Thoughts:

This was exactly what I was expecting for Haymitch’s story. It left me angry and heartbroken. Only something tragic and horrific could turn that bright, young man into what he is by the time Katniss enters the games. Snow’s punishment for his defiance broke him and for that I hate Snow even more.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From this Author:

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by. Suzanne Collins | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Hunger Games by. Suzanne Collins ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Catching Fire by. Suzanne Collins ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mockingjay by. Suzanne Collins ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by. Sarah Adams | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Beg, Borrow, or Steal (When in Rome, #3)

Author: Sarah Adams

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 1/7/25

Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Series

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this rivals-to-lovers romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He’s the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year, with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.

Jackson Bennett is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited for—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.

With their chemistry-fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, Jack agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?

Content Warning: narcissistic parent

I never read When in Rome, only Practice Makes Perfect and now this book:

+ I love the enemies to lovers between Emily and Jack! Their fighting and banter is so fun and the tension between them is great. Especially because this was kind of a slow burn, when they finally kiss it’s a moment.

+ Emily is the oldest sister and she’s portrayed perfectly. She likes control, she never cries – is never vulnerable because she had to be the strong one. And Jack is her opposite, he is more free spirited, riding his motorcycle and wearing necklaces his students have made him. I liked seeing them bring out the best in each other when they finally stopped fighting.

+ I love the bond Emily has with her family and I liked how the book explored Emily’s feeling of loneliness as she watches each of them have their own lives. I was rooting for her to accept what Jack was offering her: affection and friendship. And I liked seeing Jack trying to deal with his own trauma about having a narcissistic father. Together I thought they did pretty good navigating their personal issue and what they brought to their relationship.

~ I think there were some times I felt like Emily was so stubborn. I get that it was something she had to work through but at times I wanted to give her a talk lol.

Quotes From This Book:

“Life can be a little shit sometimes. But shit also makes fertilizer.”
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by. Sarah Adams

“Grow from your experience, don’t let them smother the light out of you.”
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by. Sarah Adams

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book even better than the second book only because I love an enemies to lovers trope. Emily and Jack’s banter was so fun and I like how both of them had personal issues they had to deal with in order to be together. Sometimes Emily could be a bit stubborn but I love Emily’s family and friendship bonds. The small town vibes makes it a fun and comforting read. If you love this series, I think you’ll enjoy this one also.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Match by. Sarah Adams | Audiobook Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Practice Makes Perfect by. Sarah Adams | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Four Ruined Realms by. Mai Corland | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Four Ruined Realms (The Broken Blades, #2)

Author: Mai Corland

Narrator: Donald Chang, Greg Chun, Zion Jang, Sophie Oda, Jaine Ye, Roger Yeh

Format: audiobook (borrowed)

Pages: 432 / Audio Reading Time (approx.): 13 hours 31 minutes

Publication Date: 1/7/25

Categories: Fantasy, LGBT+, Series, Romance

The King of Yusan may be the greatest liar of them all.

His sister’s ring is in his sights, and he will do anything to get what he wants. Even manipulating the five blades to steal it…

Bonded by a common enemy, then divided by deceit, the blades must rely on their skills to pull off King Joon’s pursuit or risk his legendary wrath.

A foreign rule of law stands between them and Quilimar, the Queen of Khitan. Now they have one month to steal the powerful Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord. But that impossible task might be easier than trusting one another, even though their lives, their families, and the realms depend on it.

They can all agree on one thing: the king can’t win. But can they beat him at his own game?

Because for the blades, this time it’s not just personal, it’s revenge. Lies may have torn them apart, but now vengeance will bring them together.

Content Warning: violence, mentions of pleasure houses (prostitution)

+ This audiobook picks up after the first book. This crew of assassins have a mission to retrieve a certain ring. Tiyung is the only one not there with them, he is imprisoned and separated from Sora.

+ The narrators again do such a good job with each character and this is a big cast – there are 6 POVS. Sora was my favorite in book one but in this book I think everyone is even, but Mikail I don’t like and never did since book one only because he can be such a jerk. Sora becomes nicer in this one whereas in book one she felt like the coldest killer of them all but her motivations have definitely changed after the events that has happened. There is an interesting new character, Hannah.

+ Royo and Aeri is the only one with a growing romance this time, whereas in book one all three couples were having some sort of romance. But since Sora and Tiyung are separated and Euyn and Mikail have drama, it’s only Royo and Aeri who caved into their desires. But it’s very mild spice.

+~ The story moves really quick because of the short chapters and there is some action. I felt like it moved faster than book one but because I’m listening to it as an audiobook I also feel like I miss a lot of details.

~ For most of the book they are traveling to get to the location of the ring, so when they finally do, in the end, it’s full of action. So for me, the ending is really the best part.

Final Thoughts:

I think because I listened to book one and book two back to back I’ve been motivated to finish the series. The narrators do a great job as usual and the story moves quickly because of the different POVs and short chapters. Overall, I found the story entertaining and a solid sequel. I look forward to finishing the series when I get a copy of the audiobook for book three.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Five Broken Blades by. Mai Corland | Audiobook Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Desert of Bleeding Sand by. Lucia Damisa | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Desert of Bleeding Sand

Author: Lucia Damisa

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages:

Publication Date: 3/27/25

Publisher: Darkan Press Inc.

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Series

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

Thank you to Darkan Press Inc for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

“ A breathless rivals-to-lovers Romantasy that will captivate you from the very first page .”— USA Today Bestselling Author Stacy Reid. In a glittering Sahara Desert palace, many have come to die…

Zair, a reviled half-blood with magical powers, is determined to stop the traitors attacking her academy and kidnapping its students—especially as her beloved sister is targeted. Sent to the palace during the king’s coronation, her mission is unmask the culprits behind the disappearances. But when she crosses paths with Dathan, a rival spy from another academy, his hidden motives complicate everything.

As danger escalates and more students vanish, Zair and Dathan realize they must join forces to stop the looming threat. As they close in on the traitors, a shimmering attraction pulses between them, threatening to unravel their focus. In a palace where everyone covets power and night magic guards its halls, Zair must save her fellow students—and protect her heart from the one person she cannot afford to trust.

+ I was a beta reader for A Desert of Bleeding Sand and I was so excited to read this one!

+ I love a rivals to lovers romance and this one has a great start with Zair and Dathan being from rival academies. These two are from military academies so they are competitive and when they have to work together on a mission, the competitiveness comes out. I love their banter and watching their attraction grow. It’s a slow burn so we’ll see what happens in the next book.

+ I like a fantasy book that has themes of friendship and family because it’s so relatable to me. Zair is close to her family and is protective of them which is nice – I love their bond! Zair is half Esan, and she experiences prejudices against her but what I love about her is her strength! She’s a great, strong yet at times vulnerable young woman. Dathan is an interesting character also but he doesn’t have the coziest relationship with his family.

+ The story moves quickly which I love – it’s filled with lots of action and even some mystery. The world-building is great – we get to learn about the different kingdoms and the political intrigue kept me invested. I love the diversity of this world.

Final Thoughts:

I was so honored to be a beta reader for this book and honestly I was impressed with the arc copy. I enjoyed how balanced this story is plus I love a story with students in an academy and add to that it’s a rivals to lovers romance? I was hooked. The diverse world-building is so interesting, the action keeps the story moving and I was invested with the political intrigue. I can’t wait to see what happens in book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Holy Terrors by. Margaret Owen | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Holy Terrors (Little Thieves, #3)

Author: Margaret Owen

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 560

Publication Date: 4/1/25

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Categories: Fantasy, Series, Romance, LGBT+, Young Adult, Mystery

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

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s been nearly two years since Vanja brought down the cult she started, and she’s still paying the price. As the Pfennigeist, she bucks the law in order to help the desperate and haunt the corrupt all across the empire—and no matter what, she works alone.

But an impossible killer is tearing through royalty, and leaving Vanja’s signature red penny on every victim. Suddenly the Pfennigeist is no longer a folk hero but a nightmare. When even the Blessed Empress falls, the empire’s seven royal families must gather to elect her successor within a matter of weeks, or risk the collapse of reality itself… even though it puts every house in the killer’s sights.

Vanja tells herself she’s wading into the royalty’s vicious games only to save the name she made, and the loved ones also in jeopardy. But the Order of Prefects has also put their sharpest official on the case, the one who swore he’d always find Vanja—until she broke his heart. Journeyman Prefect Emeric Conrad may no longer be the boy Vanja knew, but they’ll have to work together one last time to have any chance of surviving the deadly catastrophe coming for them all.

With bloody conspiracy, sinister magic, and old adversaries closing in, it will take everything Vanja has to save not just the people she loves, but the future she’s fought for. In this thrilling final chapter of the Indie Next series Little Thieves, New York Times-bestselling author Margaret Owen shows us the pain and beauty of choosing which demons to face, and which to forgive.

Content Warning: mention of sexual assault, death, murder, violence

+ Holy Terrors brings us back to the world of Little Thieves and I went into this one not doing a re-read…all I remembered was Vanja and Emeric breaking my heart in book two and I needed to know what happens to them. I didn’t need to do a re-read, it picked up where it left off and everything was coming back to me because this story is so unique.

+ My favorite girl, Vanja is back. Her life as the Pfennigeist is full of adventure – she’s a thief, always running from one con to another. She’s helping people along the way and trying to forget Emeric and the choice she made in book two. I love her personality and attitude – she’s someone who is broken, trying to find desperately who and what she is and what she wants in this life. She’s always running but this is the time she has to face the music. There is so much growth in her – I was proud of her!

+ My favorite gods Death and Fortune are back and funny as ever. I love how they mother Vanja as much as they can. Another character that grew on me is Benno, love him! There were some interesting characters in this book and all of them are needed to solve this case of royals dying.

+ The romance – this is the first book this year that made me cry. Vanja and Emeric, my loves. They have both moved on after Vanja left him at the end of book two. He’s engaged. She’s had other lovers. But it’s undeniable when they come together again that they are just messy and meant to be. But Vanja has to learn to stop running, and Emeric has to realize why she ran. I loved all her self reflections because Vanja did some hard work looking inwards and facing her demons. I love them so much. My favorite part of this story was them.

+ Outside the romance there is a major event happening and Vanja is the number one suspect, until they realize it’s not. The whole crew is led on a merry chase trying to figure out what is happening and catch the main killer. There are a lot of twists and turns. It also showcases how amazing Vanja and Emeric are, like Sherlock Homes haha! I did enjoy the mystery but there is a lot of names – names that are long and hard to pronounce, so at times I found that to be too much. At least everything happens in one place, at conclave.

~ There are also some events at the climax of the story where something happens, and it has to do with time and a different timeline, gets very fantastical but it was a little confusing but maybe because I was rushing to the end with everything that is happening. I might have to read that ending again just to make sure I understood what happened.

Final Thoughts:

My favorite part of this conclusion is Vanja and Emeric making their way back to one another. I never knew this story would be so emotional. Their story made me cry. I was so proud to see Vanja grow, she came such a long way from book one and she deserved to have happiness. This world of Little Thieves is so unique with the world-building, the mystery, magic and characters. I love all of it. This book had lots of twists and turns and even some parts that confused me at the end but overall this is a fantastic conclusion to a really amazing trilogy.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve read From This Author:

Little Thieves by. Margaret Owen | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Painted Devils by. Margaret Owen | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oathbound by. Tracy Deonn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Oathbound (The Legendborn Cycle, #3)

Author: Tracy Deonn

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 656

Publication Date: 3/4/25

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Series

Severed from the Legendborn. Oathbound to a monster.

Bree Matthews is alone. She exiled herself from the Legendborn Order, cut her ancestral connections, and turned away from the friends who can’t understand the impossible cost of her powers. This is the only way to keep herself—and those she loves—safe.

But Bree’s decision has come with a terrible price: an unbreakable bargain with the Shadow King himself, a shapeshifter who can move between humanity, the demon underworld, and the Legendborn secret society. In exchange for training to wield her unprecedented abilities, Bree has put her future in the Shadow King’s hands—and unwittingly bound herself to do his bidding as his new protégé.

Meanwhile, the other Scions must face war with their Round Table fractured, leaderless, and missing its Kingsmage, as Selwyn has also disappeared. When Nick is detained by the Order’s Merlins, he invokes an ancient law that requires the High Council of Regents to convene at the Northern Keep and grant him an audience. No one knows what he will demand of them…or what secrets he has kept hidden from the Table.

As a string of mysterious kidnappings escalates and Merlins are found dead, it becomes clear that no matter how hard Bree runs from who she is, the past will always find her.

Content Warning: violence, kidnapping

I took my time reading this book and let me tell you, even at 600+ pages, I didn’t want it to end.

+ The characters and relationships that are built between them are so good. New characters were introduced, Elijah (he’s okay) and Zoe. I enjoyed her growing relationship with Zoe who was hostile with her at first. There are multiple POVs in this book and I really loved Mariah and Natasia’s perspectives! I even think the Shadow King is an interesting villain.

+ There are a few things going on in this story. Bree is with the Shadow King, and is there to help him get his crown but also, girls with Rootcraft magic are going missing. There are things happening with the Scions also and the Morgaines and then there is Sel going through demonia. I remember thinking in book two that I really wished Bree had someone to help her with her powers and this books gives her that but in the most dangerous way ever.

+ Bree has really been through hell and back in this series so far. This story is her turning point – she’s in a place where she needs to heal and figure out what to do with all this power she has. Does she embrace it or throw it all away? Bree is a complex character and I actually have to remind myself she’s still young, she’s 17! So does she make some mistakes? Yes, she still does and some people like Valec call her out on it. Is she better at controlling her emotions? For the most part, I think so.

+ And yes because there is so many characters, let’s talk about my favorite boys: Nick and Selwyn. 😩 First Selwyn – he has his own hellish path he’s on, and wow…he is barely in this book but the ending is…🤯. As for Nick, when he reunites with Bree, I screamed I think lol. They are apart for half of the book but when he is with her, oh my goodness. Oh my goodness, Nick! He is her person in every way, but I can’t forget about Sel even though he was hardly with Bree in this book. From Legendborn, I have been team Selwyn but Nick is such a sweet guy! I swear this is the one time I was thinking, maybe they can be a throuple? 😅. But who knows what will happen with Sel after that ending!

~ I need Selwyn’s perspective. He was barely in this book but he will have to be in book four more because of what happened at the end of this book but please…I need more Selwyn! It was interesting to have his mom’s POV as she observed him, but I just want his perspective.

~ The beginning of this was a little slow but I forced myself to not rush and settle into the story. There is a lot of information to absorb and if you didn’t re-read the series like me, I had to get my bearings but that was easy enough the more I read and was immersed into this world.

Quotes From This Book:

“Greedy men collect what they cannot understand, and weak men destroy what they cannot control.”
Oathbound by. Tracy Deonn

“Bree isn’t the thought; she’s the action.”
Oathbound by. Tracy Deonn

“We’ve kissed enough that I know how you like to be kissed.”
Oathbound by. Tracy Deonn

“It is a rare being who keeps wading into the war of life with a fractured weapon.”
Oathbound by. Tracy Deonn

Final Thoughts:

This one started off a little slow for me because I had to get used to the different POVs which was kind of unexpected but then I loved it as I read more. I love the relationships these characters have with one another – it is so good. Bree’s journey has never been easy has it? And it isn’t easy in this book also but she’s finally come to a place of healing and I can’t wait to see what book four has in store for her. She’s strong and her growth has been amazing. As for the romance – I’m rooting for both guys 😅. I’ve been team Selwyn because I’m an enemies to lovers kinda girl but Nick made me swoon in this book. Sel is kind of scary right now and who knows what will happen with him in the next book. As for the next book though, I need Alice to be okay. I’ll be waiting patiently for the next one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Legendborn | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bloodmarked by. TracyDeonn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Frost Bound by. Frost Kay | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Frost Bound (Entangled with Trickery Book, #1)

Author: Frost Kay

Format: ebook(KU)

Pages: 364

Publication Date: 2/13/25

Categories: Monster Romance, Fantasy, Series, Enemies to Lovers, Romantasy

Dahlia Skysinger has managed to survive the underworld of Astera her whole life through clever deals, selling her voice, and never staying in one place too long. When her little brother is caught stealing from the crown, Lia is forced to make a cruel bargain with the royals.

Her life for his.

To regain her freedom, Lia must impersonate the princess, marry the monstrous frost giant king, then spy on and . . . kill him.

Taking a human bride is King Neve’s last chance to secure peace for his people. Promised a frail mortal princess he could lock away and forget about, the last thing he expects is a woman with a sharp tongue and a reckless amount of courage. Lia might be the key to avoiding war, but he doesn’t trust a single word that falls from her pretty lips.

And so the wicked game of trickery and survival begins.

But what happens when an assassin starts to have feelings for her target, and a king’s icy heart begins to melt for his little human bride?

Book One of The Entangled in Trickery Series

Perfect for romantasy readers who enjoy fiery enemies to lovers romance, arranged marriage, learning to love yourself, epic fantasy adventure, sexy monster villains, slow burn with ALL the tension and angst, and mythical sidekicks.

Content Warning: violence

I haven’t read a Frost Kay book in awhile but I was attracted to this on Kindle Unlimited because of the book cover. I thought the premise was interesting also and wanted to see how this arranged marriage, enemies to lovers romance would play out.

The thing I found really interesting is the world-building because Dahlia, or Lia, is about to marry a frost giant, Neve. The frost giants have blue skin, full black eyes, and the men have horns on their shoulders. I found them fascinating.

It’s definitely a slow burn (super slow), monster romance, with just a little bit of spice that happens near the ending of the book. There are a lot of tropes I enjoy in this book like the arranged marriage, and enemies to lovers. Neve really hates humans and the fact he’s bound to this marriage grates on his nerves but he finally starts to feel something for Lia when the cliffhanger ending happens! I thought Lia was an even-tempered but strong character as she takes on this task of impersonating the princess.

The story itself isn’t that original but I still found it enjoyable because of the monster romance aspect of it.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a quick, binge-able read and if you like books with the tropes I mentioned above then you will like this monster romance. You might want to wait for the second book to come out because of the cliffhanger ending though.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Mini Reviews } The Tainted | The Exiled | Dominion of Ash Series by. Frost Kay ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Fallout | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Review | The Hunt (The Twisted Kingdoms, Book #1) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

To Shatter the Night by. Katherine Quinn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: To Shatter the Night (Mistlands, #2)

Author: Katherine Quinn

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 12/3/24

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Series

Welcome back into the Mist…in the astonishing sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller To Kill a Shadow…

Some fear the darkness. It’s the place where horror hides, concealing its rank, sharp teeth and insatiable hunger. But there is no darkness more feared than that of the mist that’s overtaken the kingdom…and its brave—and ultimately doomed— soldiers.

Except for Kiara Frey.

She has nothing to fear from the night. Not anymore.

Driven by the fury of her splintered heart, Kiara knows that the answers—and the only possible way to a future with Jude Maddox—begin with the realm’s most notorious thief, the Fox. Together, they hunt down the path to breaking Asidia’s dark curse, but in the shadows, something more horrifying than the mist lies in wait. Watching. Willing Kiara to find the game pieces set in place long ago.

As Jude and Kiara are lured to a sacred temple—a shrine that is the home to both exquisite dreams and chilling nightmares—Kiara’s newfound powers flourish but her shadows threaten to consume her.

Because here in these cursed lands, it’s not the darkness that destroys the soul…it’s love.

Content Warning: violence

This is the conclusion to the Mistlands duology and it picks up where it left off in book one. Kiara and Jude are separated but they find their way back together.

I always thought the concept for the book was interesting, there is no daylight in this world of the Mistlands but there is a prophecy and now they know Kiara and Jude is a part of it. Jude goes through some tough moments in this book but Kiara does her best to go find him and that’s an adventure in itself. I liked Kiara’s relationship with her best friend Jake. I thought their friendship was fun. There is a lot of action in the second half of this book because Kiara, Jude and their group need to complete a dangerous quest.

The romance is nice, they finally admit what they want from each other but it was always insta-love from book one. They even have a bit of a little spicy moment.

Final Thoughts:

I found this story to move quickly with lots of action, and adventure. Plus it has the romance even though it was kind of insta-lovey in book one and the found family was nice. I think this was a great conclusion to the duology.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

To Kill a Shadow by. Katherine Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thunderhead by. Neal Shusterman | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

Author: Neal Shusterman

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 504

Publication Date: 1/19/18

Categories: Dystopia, Young Adult, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Series

Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.

Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?

Content Warning: violence

I finally finished Thunderhead! And I would have been finished earlier if I was reading it as an ebook but that was my fault for letting that expire. Thank goodness I actually have the hardcover books on my shelf huh?😅

There are a lot of things happening in Thunderhead and it follows a bunch of different characters throughout. Rowan’s character goes through a lot whereas Citra is doing well with Scythe Curie at her side. Another character, Greyson, has a big role in the events that transpire in this story.

I found Thunderhead’s thoughts really fascinating especially because in our real world we are on the verge of AI being everywhere. I also found what was going on in the Scythedom really interesting because of the power plays taking place and how I feel like it represents the Vatican. It really is amazing to imagine the world becoming the way it is portrayed in this book. The medical science and convenience of some things – like not needing to work – sound amazing. But the story explores the other side to this conversation too. The story is complex and the world-building is great.

The book is long and I was bummed Rowan and Citra was apart for almost all of it! But overall I was entertained.

The ending was unexpected and crazy. I’ll be jumping into book three hopefully next month.

Quotes from the book:

“I have pondered the records of the mortal age and long ago determined the two sides of the coin. While freedom gives rise to growth and enlightenment, permission allows evil to flourish in a light of dat that would otherwise destroy it.”
Thunderhead by. Neal Shusterman

Final Thoughts:

What a sequel to Scythe! I love reading the Thunderhead’s thoughts and I really wasn’t expecting the story to take the turn it did. It was great to be in Rowan and Citra’s world again but it’s one that is collapsing under the strain of what’s happening in the Scythedom. I can’t want to see how this story ends.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Book Review | Scythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Queen of Shadows and Ruin by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Queen of Shadows and Ruin ( The Nightfire Quartet, #4)

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 491

Publication Date: 3/6/25

Publisher: Second Sky

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

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

Thank you to Second Sky for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Zarya must become the darkness…

Soaring through the sky to the frozen mountains of Andhera, Zarya knows that only she can save her home from annihilation. Ruthless armies hunt her friends and toxic dark magic spreads through the land, consuming all it touches. To fight back, she and Rabin must find dangerous new allies.

In a palace of black marble, Zarya finally meets her father—the mysterious Raja Abishek. She approaches warily. For years she was told to fear this man, that he seeks to steal her power. But Abishek welcomes her with open arms, with gifts and lavish celebrations.

Rabin is sure the king can help them, turning the tide of war and decay. And when the magic binding Zarya’s heart to Rabin begins to fail, only Abishek can offer a cure. Zarya dreads the thought of placing their lives in his hands… But can she hesitate, when Rabin might be torn from her forever?

As Zarya makes her choice, ancient magic breaks loose, and her world shatters. In a ruined and long forgotten city, her love for Rabin will be tested to its limits. An army of shadows marches against her, destroying all in its path, and everything Zarya loves will be lost, unless she can face the darkness inside her—and release its devastating power.

An absolutely gripping fantasy romance that’s perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and Carissa Broadbent, Queen of Shadows and Ruin is the epic final volume in the Nightfire Quartet.

Content Warning: violence

+ Zarya and Rabin are together but they are visiting with her her father, Abishek, and her suspicions about him are spot on but she’s also trying to keep an open mind. They both have to navigate being in his kingdom, but Rabin is trying to convince himself that Abishek means them no harm. His instincts are very wrong. I do feel like this was the biggest challenge to befell Zarya and Rabin and they come through it all in the end. There are some spicy scenes between them.

+ Yasen, Zarya’s bestie, is with her in the beginning but they do split apart in the book because they he and Miraan have to return to Ishaan because of what’s happening there. So I think it’s nice that Yasen has his own big role in this story.

+ A lot of loose ends get tied up and there is even a few twists in the story.

~ I thought the story was a bit too long and dragged in the middle, especially because Abishek is trying to keep Zarya and Rabin in Andhera, and that was repetitive. Clearly, he was lying to them but Zarya gave him the benefit of the doubt. But I felt like that part could have moved faster.

Final Thoughts:

I think this books was a bit long and the middle slowed down but it does finish off with more action. But I do think this is a good conclusion to the Nightfire Quartet because it tied up all the loose ends. Zarya and Rabin’s love is as strong as ever as they rise to all the challenges against them. Overall, this was a solid addition to the series.