Deathbringer by. Sonia Tagliareni | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Deathbringer (#1)

Author: Sonia Tagliareni

Pages: 432

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Categories: Dark Academia, Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Murder Mystery, Series

Born with the ability to speak with the dead, Viola hates her magic. It killed her sister, Olivia, and if she doesn’t learn why, it will kill her too. Her only hope lies within the perilous walls of Gorhail Institute of Magic, where Olivia spent her final days.

There, Viola clashes with Sylas, a poison mage whose magic stems from three magical snakes. Immortal, tormented, and reckless, Sylas is tethered to a life he never asked for and haunted by guilt for his father’s death. His hatred for death mages runs deep, and he’s determined to keep Viola at a distance. But when an attack forces him to heal her, their fates become intertwined by a magical bond that threatens to upend his loyalties—and his common sense.

As more students start turning up dead, Viola and Sylas are drawn into an uneasy alliance that pulls them deeper into Gorhail’s treacherous passageways, where secrets fester beneath the stone and the dead do not rest. And as enemy lines begin to blur and their undeniable attraction grows, Viola and Sylas uncover a chilling someone is hunting mages for their magical relics, and if they can’t uncover the killer in time, Viola will be next.

Content Warning: death, violence

+~ Viola hates her magic, but when her sister is killed and she is brought to Gorhail – she learns even more about her family, and her magic. There is a murder mystery going on because her sister is not the only one killed, and though mysteries move a little too slow for me, the dark academia aspects sucked me into the story. I also liked the magic and different houses ~ especially the asperi (snakes), I just wish we got to see use Viola use more of hers.

+~ Though Viola hates her magic and wants nothing to do with it, she does what she can to help with figuring out who is killing people at the academy. I definitely see growth in her but it would have been nice to see her learn how to use her magic. I did enjoy the found family in the story, especially Sylas’s family that kind become Viola’s friends. His sister Lyria and his adopted brother Beau are great.

+~ I liked the enemies to lovers romance at first, though it is a very slow burn. Their families have bad blood, but Viola is really innocent to it – she doesn’t know the past of their family like Sylas does. He holds a grudge against Viola because of it but then falls for her. But he lets doubts in his mind about her which really turned me off. Viola doesn’t do anything to earn his distrust and yet, his prejudice against her family line hurts her. So…although he confesses his love and apologizes, I was not moved by him. Also, I do think they needed more interactions to solidify their relationship, it did come off a little bit like insta-love.

+~ The story is a murder mystery which means it does move at a slow pace. There is a lot of info to process but I do think there needs to be a little more world building so we could learn more about the academy.

Final Thoughts:

This was going to be a 4 star read…but then Sylas left me wanting. His behavior annoyed me, but I did like the romance until he annoyed me. I did enjoy Viola, Lyria and Beau. The murder mystery means this was slow paced but I like the magic and dark academia. I think it needs a little more world building but this was a solid first book in a series.

Read if you like:

found family
forbidden romance, slow burn
dark academia
murder mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Hunt the Dragons by. Miranda Lyn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Hunt the Dragons (Hide the Witches, #2)

Author: Miranda Lyn

Pages: 608

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/21/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Dragons, Demons, Witches

Some debts are paid in blood. Others in love.

Syneca Black should be dead. But with her last breath, the Phoenix witch makes a desperate bargain with a mysterious stranger for a price she still doesn’t understand. She wakes in the Underworld alive, bound, and hunted. To repay the bargain that spared her life, Syneca must find a missing dragon before her debt comes due. Only Silas stands between her and the demon princes who want the stolen fire in her veins.

The more she lets herself trust the man who carried her into the Underworld, the harder it gets to tell where her distrust of him ends and everything else begins.

She isn’t the only one running out of time. Lucette Varrow answers to the moon now, and whatever she becomes when it rises, she doesn’t remember it. The only thing that ever breaks through is a dragon she shouldn’t recognize, and can’t stop needing.

Two women descended into different kinds of darkness. Only one may find her way back.

Content Warning: violence, grief

+ I love how this world opens up! We go to the Underworld and learn about the demon princes who are also hunting for the Phoenix because it’s their power she has, and they want it back. There are three POVs in this story: Syneca, Silas and Lucy. Lucy is separated from everyone so her character development and arc is huge. In the end the storylines converge and we learn even more about Furies, and dragons. The cast of characters get bigger, and the world expands which is great.

+ The found family trope in this series is really amazing. I love Pip – she is the glue between them! I also love how we get new characters, Dez, Lore and Ramiel who are demons. I feel like that it a big appeal of this series – the lovable characters, characters you get invested in.

+ There are two romances happening in this book. One for Lucy with someone I wasn’t expecting. That romance storyline has spice. But Syneca and Silas – wow, it’s a slow burn, or I’d say slow yearn since there is no spice between them – just a tiny bit of steam but so, so much yearning especially from Silas! They have such an epic romance, which I’m happy and I can’t wait to see what happens in book three.

+ This book is what fantasy is all about. There is magic, romance, friendship, lore, teleporting (they jump into books – I LOVE it), different species living among one another (somewhat peacefully) and cute creatures like grimmies! It’s got adventure, intrigue, and action.

Final Thoughts:

I love this series and I’m just sad I went through books one and two so fast and now I have to wait for book three. That was totally my fault but it was all worth it. I cannot wait for book three and see what happens to all these characters that I love.

Read if you like:

found family
good world building
epic romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Hide the Witches by. Miranda Lyn | Book Review – 4 stars/2 🌶️

Hide the Witches by. Miranda Lyn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Hide the Witches (#1)

Author: Miranda Lyn

Pages: 558

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 4/20/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Enemies to Lovers

Some bonds are forged in blood. Others burn everything to ash.

In Grimora, secrets burn faster than witches, and Syneca Black is both. Forbidden fire magic courses through her veins, hidden behind a lifetime of lies because Hunters don’t spare phoenix blood.

When her best friend vanishes and resurfaces on execution scrolls, accused of crimes that she couldn’t have possibly committed, Syn risks everything and volunteers for a hunt that could see both of them killed. It’s the only way to protect the woman who is like a sister to her. But taking that oath means binding herself to Wickett, the legendary Hunter whose sharp eyes and lethal grace have ended countless witches’ lives.

Every moment beside him threatens to shatter her carefully built lies. Every stolen glance fans flames she can’t afford to kindle. He’s sworn to his cause. She’s everything he’s trained to destroy. But in a city where Sprites carry desperate messages and ancient Furies keep secrets, the most dangerous discovery isn’t the growing fire between them. It’s realizing that both hunter and hunted are dancing to someone else’s deadly design.

When the blood debts come due, Syneca must save the woman who stood with her in shadows or trust the man whose touch feels like salvation.

Will the world burn or will she?

Content Warning: violence, death, grief, abuse

+ Syneca Black is the Phoenix that the Magistrate and everyone else is hunting down because there is a prophecy that her power would burn down the world. Thing is, she’s been hiding her identity well but then one of her roommates and best friend, Vitoria, gets accused of being the Phoenix. Vitoria goes missing and the Magistrate puts together a group to hunt her down. Syn and her other friend Calder join the group so they can find her and help her, but also the Magistrate’s son who is a notorious hunter, Wickett is part of the group. I enjoyed the world building and the different species like sprites, shifters, witches, dragons, etc…

+ I love the found family in this story, especially the one between Syneca and Calder, but more people are added to the group. Syneca has a familiar that’s a grumpy griffin, and there is an Oracle, and Furies. It’s such an interesting cast of characters.

+ The romance is a slow burn and enemies to lovers between Syneca and Wickett, but I can’t say he was easy to get to know. He’s a hunter, he kills easily, and he marked Syneca as a person he will kill after their mission. So when the attraction grows between them, it does give us a spicy scene but also a twist in the story.

+~ I enjoyed this one and read it kind of slow, but it is almost 600 pages, so it was a bit long. But I was invested in the characters and the search for Vitoria. The twist in the story is very interesting and that cliffhanger ending has me downloading book two asap.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoy the world building, characters, the slow burn romance and the twist and turns at the end of this book! I’ve already downloaded book two so stay tuned for that review.

Read if you like:

hunter x witch, enemies to lovers
found family
good world building

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This Shattered Tempest by. Thea Guanzon| ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: This Shattered Tempest (The Hurricane Wars, #3)

Author: Thea Guanzon

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 496

Publication Date: 10/6/26

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Categories: Fantasy/Sci-Fi, 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 Harper Voyager for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When the storm swallows the world, who will be left standing?

Throughout their political marriage, Alaric and Talasyn struggled to resist the undeniable pull between them, even as rising tensions forced them on opposite sides of a looming war. Hand in hand, they vanquished the cataclysmic threat of the Moonless Dark—and started to hope for a future together.

That hope is shattered when a devastating attack sets off a chain of events that tears them apart once more. Now, as two rival nations prepare for a final, decisive clash, the Master of the Shadowforged Legion and the last Lightweaver fight to find their way back to each other. But the odds are stacked against them, and time is running out…

Is love enough to rewrite destiny? Can a new beginning rise from the ruins of the past? Or are Alaric and Talasyn doomed to meet as enemies on one last battlefield? This explosive third and final book brings the beloved Hurricane Wars series to a stunning conclusion—where passion and power collide, and the fate of a divided world hangs in the balance.

Content Warning: violence, death

+~ It’s been 2 years since the second book came out so I did go into this without doing a recent re-read of that book and there were times I had to wait for things to click because it’s a big cast of characters. The world-building includes a few different regions, so it took me a little while to remember people and places. Of course Tala and Alaric stand out the most to me, but because there is a lot of political intrigue taking place, it’s important to know who is on who’s side – and yes I did get lost at times.

+ Tala grows so much in this book! She has to make hard choices about her ruler, her people, her husband (who is the enemy) and which side to chose. I don’t blame her for choosing her people because that is how she was raised, familial duty is strong in her. But I felt bad for her because she loved Alaric too. There is a moment in the book where she has to break away from him and find strength within herself to do the right thing. Alaric was frustrating me though because he couldn’t break free from his father soon enough, he eventually learns and does the right thing in the end.

+ The romance is so filled with challenge, strife, and betrayal. I almost had no hope for them! I didn’t know how they would forgive each other. Their relationship comes with costs, but eventually they get things right and I didn’t know it would make me emotional. I love their ending. I will say I think Tala bent more than Alaric did – it took him awhile to see the light, and I know that’s trauma on his part because of his relationship with his father. He really was lucky that Tala fought to have him in her life. But someone had to fight for their love and of course it would be Tala because she overcomes a lot and by the end she’s not afraid to be vulnerable and fearless. There are a few spicy scenes between them though which absolutely matched their enemies to lovers vibe.

+ I enjoyed the political intrigue when I could follow who was betraying who, but I also loved the aether magic and the dragons that protect Tala’s people! The story touches on the cost of war on all sides involved and the tension that grew inside me while reading this was almost off the charts near the end. I wanted it to work out for everyone so badly but there was a moment of hopelessness before everything is resolved. There were some emotional parts to this story especially at the ending. I also love that this is by a Filipino author and there is a word in the story that pulled at my heart strings because it’s a word in the Filipino culture for mother or grandmother. Just having that in there was everything to me and connected me more to Tala.

Final Thoughts:

This conclusion to The Hurricane Wars series is tense, heartbreaking but also healing at the end. Tala grows to become the Empress she is destined to be, by making hard choices, confronting the past and even people considered family who is trying to hurt her. She loses a lot in order to become stronger and bring about the hope for the future she and Alaric had. There were times I was a little lost because of so much going on and all the names I had forgotten but I couldn’t put this down. I was rooting for Tala and Alaric and their dream of a future with no war. The story was filled with political intrigue, betrayal, darkness but also hope. I loved it!

Read if you like:

political intrigue
character development
secrets, betrayals
enemies to lovers
tension

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Tusk Love by. Thea Guanzon | Audiobook – 5 ⭐️/ 2🌶️

A Monsoon Rising by. Thea Guazon | ARC Review – 4 ⭐️

The Hurricane Wars by. Thea Guanzon | ARC Review – 3.5 ⭐️

Ignite the Infernos by. Ivy Asher| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Ignite the Infernos (Secret of the Syphon, #2)

Author: Ivy Asher

Pages: 339

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/8/26

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dragon Shifters, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Series

After her family curse is lifted, Ever’s on the run from her enemy, a shifter who’s both her foe and her fate, in this slow-burn sequel to Spark the Flames.

With one murderous act, Ever Tenebrae has freed the Syphons. But breaking the curse was only the beginning of the daunting journey ahead . . .

Ever’s once again on the run from the Horde and the dragon prince who’s become something far more dangerous than a mere enemy. Aeson Noctis is on the hunt, and the deeper he digs through the sands of the Scorch, the more truths he uncovers.

Though the road’s fraught with peril, Ever will have to move quickly if she’s to reunite with her people and ensure their survival. Staying hidden should’ve been easy for the Syphons, but their protection weakens as the bond between Ever and Aeson grows stronger each day.

Now, with old adversaries closing in and new threats rising from the shadows, Ever must decide once and for all who to trust. Because the Syphons’ secrets are coming to light, and what’s revealed could save them—or lead to their ultimate destruction.

Content Warning: violence, death, mentions of torture, trauma, memories of trauma

+ After reading book one, I went straight into book two without taking a break! Ever is on the run, and Aeson is on the chase because that’s his bonded. And even though Aeson was on the chase, I really wanted Ever to go back home to her sister and the Syphons so she could catch them up on everything going on. Would it have been easy for Ever to just trust Aeson and tell him everything? Definitely. But the people who killed her family were still out there living among The Horde, so I totally get why she can’t trust him with everything yet.

+ I feel like we get to see more of Ever’s bad-assery in this sequel. She’s leading Aeson on a chase and he is flustered. Ever bends a little eventually because she knows she needs help. She knows what she’s doing and as she said, has the ovaries to do it. I love her bravery but yes she can be frustrating because all Aeson wants to do is love her and all she knows how to do is run. We finally get to meet her sister and get to know her better. They have some issues to work out but their bond and love is strong. I loved getting to know their found family of wyverns and sorcai.

+ The romance is complicated because of all the trust issues between Ever and Aeson. He wants her to bend and let him in. She wants to because of her dragon’s needs but she’s also afraid because letting someone in means the potential to get hurt and she’s been hurt a lot. I’m rooting so hard for them though. They bicker and fight, but they also have some tension filled spicy scenes that are fun. And I actually like how there isn’t many spicy scenes between them – just the right amount because they really have a lot to work through. Clearly, he is crazy about her but wants her to choose him not because of the bond. I feel like the payoff for their romance is going to be so good because Ever is right, she is his mate, but he is not her master. And he is sticking by her even when she pisses him off 😅 – he’s a good man!

+ There is more political intrigue in this one because the Dukes and other powerful people of The Horde want a chance to meet Ever and court her too. There are power plays and people making moves and still Ever is trying to weed out who massacred her family – they get somewhere at the end but it leaves the story with another plot twist.

Final Thoughts:

I absolutely devoured books one and two back to back and I cannot wait for book three. I want more of this world, more of Ever and Aeson bickering and having steamy scenes, but I also want to know more about her twin and the Syphons. The secrets are coming out and they are so intriguing – I can’t wait to see how this all plays out. I will be waiting patiently for book three!

Read if you like:

dragon shifters
urban fantasy
strong and stubborn FMC & MMC
enemies to lovers
political intrigue

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Spark the Flames by. Ivy Asher | Book Review – 4.5 stars/ 2 🌶️

Spark the Flames by. Ivy Asher| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Spark the Flames (Secret of the Syphon, #1)

Author: Ivy Asher

Pages: 504

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 3/21/25

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dragon Shifters, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Series

When it comes to dragons, there’s no such thing as safe.

I learned that the hard way when my kith and kindred were slaughtered right before my eyes.

Everyone thinks the wyverns and the sorcai did it, but I know the truth.

I’ve been hiding from The Horde ever since, existing under their radar, surviving.

And then one day, they find me…he finds me. Aeson Noctis, the king’s second son and my new captor.

Aeson thinks he can force me back to Paragon City. He thinks he can use me and claim my power for his own.

But the dragons should’ve been more careful about who they let inside their city. I’m not some weak little pawn. I’m here looking for answers.

I’m here looking for revenge.

When it comes to dragons, there’s no such thing as safe. I know because I am one, and now I’m going to make The Horde pay for what they’ve done.

They thought they killed all the Syphons.

They thought they hunted down every one.

They thought wrong.

Content Warning: violence, death, mentions of torture, trauma, memories of trauma

+ I’ve been wanting to read this book since last year but decided to wait because it was part of a series. I finally picked it up because book two is out but now I wish I waited until book three came out because I enjoyed this book so much.

+ I really enjoy the world building in this series – it’s urban fantasy with dragon shifters and there are portals also. Ever is the FMC who is escaping her captors but ends up with The Horde, the rulers of this kingdom and also her enemy. Ever is a special type of dragon, a Syphon, who were all massacred years ago – or so everyone thought. Ever and her twin have been hiding out with the surviving Syphons and now they are trying to break the curse put upon them and figure out who they need to take their revenge on. This book was such a quick read filled with action, political intrigue and lots of tension. There are emotional moments too because of what Ever’s been through.

+ Ever is spunky, fierce, and she’s got so many walls up she can’t trust anyone but she’s also funny. I love her even if she can be frustrating because of the walls she puts up and the secrets she is hiding. I totally understand why she has her walls though! Aeson, is the Commander of The Horde army and he’s distrustful of Ever too but he also can’t get her out of his head. He wants to protect her, he wants her to bend to him but she is not the bending type. The two clash a lot, which was fun to witness. There is a strong found family trope in this story especially with Aeson and his Wing unit – they guard him with their lives. The people in his Wing are made up of some fun characters. I did like also getting to know Lorn also, Aeson’s brother, who is the heir. I can’t wait to get to know more of the Syphons and Ever’s sister.

+ I love the enemies to lovers romance between Ever and Aeson. Clearly, they are attracted to one another because of their dragons wanting to bond, which makes it very interesting but they both question the attraction – is it the dragons or is it them as people wanting to bond? I love how Aeson wants it to be because Ever wants him…same with Ever, but they still both have hidden agendas too. They have major trust issues they have to work out. So theirs is a complicated relationship but they do have a spicy scene filled with yearning and want – and I love how it built up to that and didn’t happen right away.

Final Thoughts:

I started this one and couldn’t put it down. I love the world building, the characters, the tension filled romance and I can’t wait to jump into book two!

Read if you like:

dragon shifters
urban fantasy
strong and stubborn FMC & MMC
enemies to lovers
political intrigue

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Blood So Deadly Divine by. J.M. Grosvalet | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Blood So Deadly Divine (The Deadly Divine, #1)

Author: J.M. Grosvalet

Pages: 596

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 11/18/24

Categories: High Fantasy, Romance, Series

A Hallowed…

Born with a soul that unites realms, Elara, the Hallowed, has lived a life that has never been her own. Trapped within a web of divine rituals and spiritual duties, she’s more a vessel than a person. With a power that has the dual edge to purify or defile, the weight of the realm’s hopes rests on her shoulders. But when her sheltered existence among the Druid sect is shattered by a friend’s brutal murder, she’s compelled to peel back the layers of deceit that have long ensnared her.

A Hunter…

Ivan Dantan, known in hushed tones as “The Hunter”, is the cold embodiment of lethal precision and power. With a mask that strikes terror and a legacy stained in blood, he is duty-bound to the High Council. But when Elara, a beacon of light and defiance, enters his life, the lines between duty and desire blur. He challenges her, stirs her spirit, and draws her to the precipice of the forbidden.

A Realm…

Latheria, poised on the knife’s edge of dark power and ancient pacts, stands threatened by forces that wish to shatter its delicate balance. As the shadows of treachery loom large, the distinctions between ally and enemy, right and forbidden, begin to fade. Elara and Ivan find themselves at the heart of a realm teetering on the edge of upheaval, where the ties that bind them could be the very threads that unravel the fabric of their world.

Content Warning: violence, death, blood sacrifice

+ I’ve had this one in my KU library for awhile now and I’ve been meaning to get to it and finally did. Ellara is Hallowed, supposedly chosen by divine to give up her blood periodically for the kingdom to thrive. She is a prison to this life of Druids and sacrifice and she is tired of it but don’t know a way out until she learns the truth about the Fae that are being hunted and taken, and how it ties to her.

+~ Everything revolves around Ellara and her blood. There are secrets, so many betrayals and political intrigue in this one which I enjoyed a lot. I’d say it’s more fantasy than romance. It has dense world building so the story moves slow in the first half. There is even Faerie language (there are footnotes with translation in the glossary). We learn about the Druids, some things about the Fae and also the space between realms called the Void. A lot of the information later on in the book about the Void gets very dense though and kind of went over my head. But I stuck with it and enjoy the action moments especially in the end.

+ Ellara’s character was obedient in the beginning but it was clear she was tired of being a pawn for everyone, especially Osin, who has her trapped as the blood sacrifice. Because she was sheltered by the Druids, there was a lot of growth in her but I do hope to see more. She was naive about a lot of things which was to be expected, but once her eyes are open to Osin’s crimes and know that not everyone can be trusted she grows much more.

+ There is barely a romance in this one, it’s a very slow burn with not really any spice, just some steam and a lot of the times there was not one guy who I thought Ellara was fully connected to, but you have to read to the end to see it play out. I don’t know how I feel about the Hunter, the man Ellara spent most of her time with. He is an enemy but she has missing memories about her past so when some things are revealed, it opened my eyes about him but I was still wary. There are other men that come into her life though that will probably be featured more in book two – it will be interesting to see how the romance plays out.

Final Thoughts:

Despite the heavy world building and slow first half I was hooked on Ellara and her journey as a naive, sheltered, blood sacrifice and her regaining memories and getting stronger. She’s a very resilient character and I loved seeing her grow. The political intrigue kept me invested in the story. There is more fantasy than romance but I still enjoyed and downloaded book two right away! Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Read if you like:

high fantasy/low romance
enemies to lovers
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When the Universe Sings by. Gillian Eliza West | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: When the Universe Sings

Author: Gillian Eliza West

Pages: 318

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 8/6/26

Categories: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, LGBT+

There is only one rule in the trust no one.

Juniper knows it all too well. After her home planet was destroyed and eleven years on Ebyd III, a Galactic Federation mechanical prison, the only thing she might fear now is death. Taking a chance at freedom, she climbs into the ventilation shaft of a docked pleasure barge only to be discovered by the mistress of the ship. Given the choice between certain death on Ebyd III and the unknown, she joins as their new silks dancer.

When Captain Asher Ruciyah seeks someone to complete his crew for a mysterious mission, Juniper is hired as their climber to round out their numbers. As part of this new crew intent on stealing one of the universe’s most powerful weapons, Juniper discovers she wants something more than revenge on the man who took everything from her.

But nothing and no one is as it seems, especially in a galaxy filled with lies, deceit, and false identities. Juniper will learn that revenge isn’t as simple as she thought it would be and sometimes it’s not one person, but an entire universe against you.

Content Warning: violence, death, grief, attemped sexual assault

+ Whatever this is, I want more of it! This space, sci-fi romance genre is so refreshing for someone like me who reads so much romantasy. The story is told with 2 POVs, Juniper and Asher. I loved the world building, and the different species of people from various planets in the galaxy. I especially love Asher’s crew who is planning to do a heist or two to find a special stone, the found family element was great.

+~ Juniper is a young woman with lots of trauma and she doesn’t talk much and honestly, I didn’t blame her. She has had to endure a lot. I love her character but there were some moments where her fears didn’t make her think rationally or trust people she should trust. Again, it’s from her trauma, but things could been really messed up because of her distrust. I love how things end for her though! Asher is a Captain, and he’s also from Juniper’s traumatic past. But wow did I love the way he loves her! Some things could have been fixed with a little communication but it was hard to get past Juniper’s wall of trauma.

+ I love the romance. It is enemies to lovers, and fated mates but I like how it is done. Because Juniper has a wall Asher can’t get past it takes awhile before Juniper acknowledges how much she desires him. And the spice? Beautifully done, especially that mating bond scene at the end – that’s how to do a mating ritual! 🔥 It was hot but beautiful and meaningful too. I loved how Asher yearns for Juniper and eventually she lets him in.

~ This is a standalone and it’s a quick read at barely over 300 pages. I wanted more because I love this world and the romance! I wish this was a series. I love Asher and Juniper so much that I wish there was more time to see them getting to know one another. I want even more of the crew, and Crux/Kal, I want him to have a happy ending because he’s such a good friend! There is another book in this world coming but will these characters make a cameo? I hope so.

Quotes From the Book:

“In a thousand lifetimes, June, I would choose you. With or without this bond.” – When the Universe Sings by. Gillian Eliza West

Final Thoughts:

I wasn’t planning on reading this but for some reason I needed something different from the typical romantasy and took a chance on this one and I’m so glad I did. I loved it and I just we had more books about these characters! I enjoyed the found family, the characters, the story and the world-building. The romance is so good and the spice was spicing, I love Asher and Juniper. I hope we get more books in this world and these characters come back for a cameo.

Read if you like:

sci-fi/fantasy romance
enemies to lovers
fated mates
found family
standalone

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review– 4.5 stars/2 🌶️

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by. Carissa Broadbent| ARC Review – 4.5 stars

Six Scorched Roses by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review – 4.5 stars

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review – 4.5 stars

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review – 5 stars

**I’m pretty sure I read Slaying the Vampire Conqueror but never wrote a review so I will be re-reading and doing a review soon**

**I also read Daughter of No Worlds, up to book 2 but never wrote reviews because I just started my blog I believe so I will be doing a re-read of those and reviewing them also!**

The Anatomy of Magic by. Alexis L. Menard | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️.5

Title: The Anatomy of Magic (#1)

Author: Alexis L. Menard

Pages: 479

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/30/26

Categories: Steampunk Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Series

Enter a world of forbidden magic . . . where falling in love could be the last mistake you ever make.

Nina Veyr has a dangerous secret—illegal magical abilities she cannot explain. If the city of Valveron’s enforcers found her, she would be executed . . . or worse. For years, Nina has stayed in the shadows, picking pockets and smuggling enchanted relics to get by. Then she steals from the wrong man.

Max Antonin is the most powerful crime boss in the city. Cold, deadly, and breathtakingly attractive, Max has his sights set on Nina, and nothing will stand in his way. But when Nina is framed for a shocking murder, Max offers to help her find the true killers. She knows she can’t trust him—that deals with a devil always come at a cost. But there’s no way she can survive on her own.

As they follow a trail of bodies into the city’s underworld, Nina feels a dangerous attraction pulling her ever closer to him. But can she trust her life and her heart to the city’s most ruthless criminal?

Content Warning: violence, death, medical horror

World Building: The world building for this story really fascinated me – it’s got steampunk elements. There is magic and science, which took some time to grasp but for the most part I think it was explain pretty well. There was lots of political intrigue which made the story move quick. I didn’t expect the body horror – the medical experiments done on people. We also get to explore the underground crime world in Valveron.

Characters: Nina is a surgeon’s assistant but on the side she is delivering dead bodies to make money. The money is needed to help her mom who isn’t in good health. But then she is framed for the murder of a top official and things go haywire for her. Max, is one of the Cursed – basically a modified Vampire, with elemental powers. He is a tortured MMC with a dark past and a crime boss. Together Nina and Max become reluctant allies looking to find the “buyer” of these bodies because it might give them all the answers they are searching for. There are a few other characters we meet that form Max’s found family, and I loved a few of them.

Romance: Nina and Max are enemies then reluctant allies turned into lovers and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall in love because it doesn’t start off on the right foot. I love their banter and I didn’t mind that this wasn’t as spicy as I was expecting. There was only one spicy scene. But I love their forced proximity, and the build-up between them was great. I love seeing Max open up because Nina sees past his scars and happy that Nina has someone that cares about her.

Story: There is a lot of world building and it took a little time to understand the magic/science system in this story but I actually found it refreshing and something way different than the books I’ve been reading. The steampunk elements made it even more interesting. I enjoyed the characters, the found family and the banter and romance. The ending makes me eager to see what will happen in book two!

Final Thoughts:

This is the first book I’ve read from this author but definitely not the last and I’ll be checking out her last series because I had so much fun reading this one. I liked the magic and science (though there is a lot of information to process about it), and the steampunk fantasy setting. I love the banter and romance between Nina who is a woman that doesn’t give up and Max who is a tortured man – I love them together! There was lots of action, and political intrigue to make this story move fast. I’m looking forward to book two.

Read if you like:

steampunk fantasy
enemies to lovers romance
found family
magic and science
criminal underworld

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Light Wielder by. Rachel Schneider | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Light Wielder (Fire & Metal, #2)

Author: Rachel Schneider

Pages: 485

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 6/9/26

Categories: Romantasy, Series

It’s been four years since Jovie betrayed Acker, fracturing their relationship. Her decision to take King Edmond’s magic, sparing his life at Acker’s request, has sparked a brutal war. The Kenta and Strou forces ally against the Roison and Alaha, with Maile perched dangerously on the edge of their battles.

Jovie is determined to keep the innocent Maile people from a conflict she helped start―even if it means suppressing the Matching Bond and sacrificing any hope of repairing her relationship with Acker. Yet, visions of him continue to haunt her dreams.

Acker is resigned to aid in his father’s war while in an arranged marriage with a wife who detests him. Though still pained by Jovie’s deception, he can’t stop his thoughts from turning to her. And Acker has found a way to slip into Jovie’s dreams despite her attempts to stifle the Matching Bond. There he watches her, torn between his loyalties and desire.

When he discovers the chilling reason behind the return of his father’s magic, as well as Edmond’s dangerous new alliance, Acker must finally decide which war he wants to fight: the one for his king or the one for his heart.

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Four years have passed and Acker and Jovie are living separate lives. Acker is married, but the Bond with Jovie is undeniable. Jovie is queen of Maile and doing a great job of it too. We are back in this world of politics and magic, but this time Acker realizes his dad really does need to be taken down and works to make that happen.

Characters: Acker is stuck in a loveless marriage and still drawn to Jovie because they are each other’s Match, and he goes and gets her. Jovie is actually doing well as queen of Maile, which was nice to see. Of course when the two of them are together there is drama because of what she did to him in book one. I did like the secondary characters, especially Messer and Beau.

Romance: If you don’t like having one of the main characters married and still wanting someone else, then this isn’t for you. It’s messy! I didn’t love that Acker was married to someone else. Acker and Jovie are enemies especially after what she did to him at the end of book one. Acker is married but it is a loveless marriage and he still wants Jovie. Both of them still want each other badly, but also are okay with having revenge hookups with other people, which again, I don’t think I loved. But I was actually surprised how tame the spice was in this book between Acker and Jovie. I was also maybe hoping for more of the emotional connection between them.

Story: I enjoyed the politics. I don’t know how I feel about the time jump – it’s a 4 year time jump and I feel like it definitely let Acker deal with his anger towards Jovie off page. I was expecting more enemies to lovers interactions between them but felt like he worked on the anger issues by the time the story starts. There are some strange things that happen in the story, one involving a spicy scene, but I guess I should not have been surprised!

Final Thoughts:

I think this was a pretty good follow up to book one, especially after the major plot twist that happened in that book. I just don’t think the 4 year time jump worked for me in this one. I think it’s too long of time gone by – but it did bring a calmer than expected Acker into the story, I suppose? But I wanted to see what a betrayal would have done to him right after. By the time they reunite, I feel like Acker has accepted everything and he just wants Jovie. At least Jovie feels bad about what she did. I did enjoy the politics and I think Messer was a stand-out character and maybe his story will be told next?

Read if you like: