A Forbidden Alchemy by. Stacey McEwan | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: A Forbidden Alchemy

Author: Stacey McEwan

Narrator:
Billie Fulford-Brown (Narrator), Joshua Riley (Narrator)

Format: audiobook (audible)

Pages: 480 / Audio Reading Time (approx.): 16 hours and 46 minutes

Publication Date: 7/1/25

Categories: Romantasy, Magic, Enemies to Lovers, Fantasy, Romance

This stunning slow-burn romantasy follows a fated pair who uncover a world-changing secret and are thrust into a violent class war, navigating love, loss, and devastating betrayals.

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines keeping the city alive.

And then they uncover a devastating Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.

In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, thrusting Nina and Patrick into opposing factions of a brewing war. Now an elite Artisan with the very rare talent for charming earth, Nina has turned her back on the fight, haunted by the loss of her found family. But fate intervenes when she is captured by Patrick’s rebel group. Despite the years and conflict that separates them, Patrick hasn’t forgotten Nina. He desperately seeks her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City. Reluctantly, she agrees, battling the sparks flying between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the sake of the Artisans, Nina faces an impossible choice that could alter the fate of their world.

Content Warning: violence, death

+ The narrators are amazing on this audiobook. The accents are fantastic!

+ The world building is really good in this story. There is a magic system that is really interesting – where people can either be Crafters or Artisans. Miners are rebelling against the Lords who is looking for the Alchemist, which is someone who has considerable power.

+ I really enjoyed Nina and Patrick’s story of how they met, parted and met again. In between that time, both of them have lived different lives – Nina training as an earth charmer and falling for Theo, who is a son of a prominent Lord. When Nina and Patrick meet again, it’s under different circumstances but it starts off a romance where Patrick is falling hard. Patrick is a strong character, harsh because of the conditions he’s had to live in, but I love how he protects his own – he loves his family and community, and is falling for Nina and will do anything for her. Nina feels strongly about him too, even though Theo makes an appearance again, but it gets a little complicated between all of them. It is a slow burn between Nina and Patrick though with a little heat.

+ There are a few twists and turns in this story that kept me attention engaged. There is a lot of secrets and a betrayal. The ending is really good too but ends in a cliffhanger!

~ Nina at times wasn’t my favorite especially in the end. I don’t know if it was because I felt disconnected from her character due to me listening to this as an audiobook?

Final Thoughts:

This is the first book in a series I think and it’s a really good start. I loved learning about this unique world with magic, and miners rebelling against the House of Lords. Patrick is a very compelling character but I think I wanted a little more from Nina. Their romance is a slow burn, but Patrick falls hard, and we’ll see what happens next after that ending. This audiobook version was very entertaining and the narrators sounded really good with their accents. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Ledge by. Stacey McEwan | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Night Prince by. Lauren Palphreyman | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Night Prince (Wolf King, #2)

Author: Lauren Palphreyman

Format: borrowed (KU)

Pages: 499

Publication Date: 4/1/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Politics, Werewolves, Romantasy, Enemies to Lovers

Aurora is caught between powerful alphas as they fight for the Wolf Throne. But darker forces are rising. . .

The highly anticipated sequel to The Wolf King. Pre-order now!

Aurora may have survived the Wolf King. But his bite marks her skin, and in accordance with Wolf Law, that makes her his property. Now, he wants her back.

To beat him and take his throne, Aurora and Callum must form a dangerous alliance with one of the most feared Wolves in the Kingdom, Blake. He is their enemy, but he has entangled his life with Aurora’s—meaning she cannot harm him without forfeiting her own life.

As she fights to break their connection, she suspects Blake is keeping secrets about a dark power that rises in the north, and the unsettling nature of the bond between them. It seems there is a bigger game at play than who sits on the Wolf Throne—one that threatens both the Kingdom of Wolves, and the Kingdom of Men.

With her wolf awakening, enemies closing in, relationships tested, and secrets revealed—Aurora may be the only one who can stop an ancient evil from rising.

If she can figure out who to trust.

If she can figure out where she, and her heart, belong.

If she can stay alive.

Content Warning: violence, mentions of torture, death, whipping

+ I read this book right after book one because of that ending! This take off right after the events of book one.

+ Aurora is still caught in the middle of everything but one relationship gets even more muddled. The one with Blake. Blake is sarcastic, total red flags, he’s not morally grey – he’s morally black, he is manipulative. But he’s the only one who tells her anything, he’s the one who wants her to push and fight back. I’m obsessed!

+ Book one was a enemies to lovers with Callum because he is the “enemy” as in the werewolf, but he’s a really good guy and I can see why Aurora adores him. There was no fighting between them. But the true enemies to lovers (the kind filled with hate) is between Aurora and Blake. Their bond is made closer and they both eventually see the dark side of one another and that’s why I love seeing their relationship grow. He’s fighting it and she’s disgusted by it…but it is inevitable and I hope they are end game. I don’t really want this to be polyamory because I feel like Callum deserves a Queen by his side, but I don’t think it is Aurora.

+ I did figure out one of the big reveals, sort of early in this book but it’s okay because I still think the moment when it happens is epic. I’ve been waiting for Aurora’s character to grow and she pushes back much more in this book, but she also retreats inside herself many times – she is growing though. But the other reveal in the story was a shocker to me.

+ So many things happen at the end of this book, that I was hoping book three would be coming out SOON but I have to wait until 2026. Also, I love all the new people we meet like Lochlan, Jack – I wonder if there will be spinoffs for any of these characters?

~ The love triangle feelings are heightened and complicated in this one and there is a lot for Aurora to work out. Callum has been protecting her so well and that is his nature, but Aurora needs to grow so there is a lot of turmoil between them as she tries to find her place in this new world of werewolves.

~ My biggest issue with this book? I wanted more Aurora and Blake! There is a lot of Aurora and Callum but I wanted more of Blake. Yes, he is manipulative but in this book we learn more about what happened to him in the past. And I liked getting to know him in his lands. There is also a lot of dreaming parts I think to make up for the fact that Aurora and Blake don’t get to spend much real time together since she is still with Callum. But their bond grows through these dreams…I just wish they didn’t have to dream so much and they can be together more outside of it.

Final Thoughts:

I’m addicted to this series, and I’m not ashamed to say I think it’s because of Blake. I should want Aurora to be with good, protective, kind Callum – but of course instead I want her to end up with the really messed up, hot, sinister, manipulative wolf.😅 There is just something about this series: werewolves, kilts, and Scottish accents (and no I haven’t listened to the audiobook but since they are wearing kilts, these guys have Scottish accents in my head lol). It’s fun! I might just have to re-read this book a few times until book three gets released!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Metal Slinger by. Rachel Schneider | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal, #1)

Author: Rachel Schneider

Format: borrowed (KU)

Pages: 497

Publication Date: 5/12/24

Categories: Romantasy, Friends to Lovers, Enemies to Lovers

Brynn has spent the better part of her life waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, the very same people who exiled the Alaha to live a life over the sea. A rite of passage for all young guards, she’s not sure what to expect from it, but breaking a century- long peace treaty certainly isn’t on her map.

Neither is the encounter with an enemy soldier.

Returning home to Alaha, she’s confronted with the aftermath of the day’s events. The future is uncertain as the threat of hunger looms over the people. With rumors of a growing rebellion, Brynn and her closest friends promise to stick together.

When an unexpected visitor arrives, Brynn’s loyalty will be tested as she learns of a world of magic and treachery. Once her enemy, always her enemy, right? But the dark, knowing eyes of a stranger make her question everything…

…including her heart.

Content Warning: violence

I’ve been seeing this book on booktok but saw it Kindle Unlimited before – I heard that a traditional publisher was picking this book up so I downloaded to see what the hype was about.

+ The beginning was good and I was definitely hooked. I was intrigued by these group of people who have been exiled from land. In Alaha, their home is an island without land. So I thought that was really interesting! Brynn is training to be a guard and is almost finished. To top it off, her best friend, Kai, who is also the son of the leader of their people, wants to marry her. All should be good until something happens that puts their people in danger of starvation.

+ The magic system is interesting. People have elemental magic. But you need land to activate and use magic.

+ Brynn seems like a strong and beautiful female. She’s good with a sword and as the story moves on we find out things about her past like she has magic and that her family is still alive. Without spoiling the story because there is a plot twist that changes what I think about Brynn/Jovi, let’s just say she is unexpected.

+ Brynn has crushed on Kai since they were young so that’s a friends to lovers match there. But then she meets Acker. He is the typical dark haired, hot, mysterious, guy who embodies danger and all that (he’s good at killing)…and he has metal magic. He also fills the gaps of her missing memories about her childhood because he knew her as Jovi. They get to know one another and there is desire between them. I thought they fell too fast for one another but I blamed it on the bond they have. There are some spicy scenes between them.

~ There is a lull in the middle of this book. For awhile, Brynn/Jovi and Acker is floating in the middle of the ocean trying to find land. They get to know each other but not much is happening. Even when they get to land, I don’t feel like the world-building was strong. There are kingdoms with a fragile peace treaty and Acker and Jovi being on these lands trying to get to Kenta (Acker’s kingdom), threatens the peace. But I wanted to know more about these kingdoms.

~ I liked Acker and Jovi’s growing relationship but I did feel something was missing because it was moving so fast. Did she really just dismiss her feelings for Kai so suddenly? Acker fell fast and hard for her too. I wanted build-up, but because they are Matched and have a bond, so it’s undeniable? I wanted more of an emotional connection but I wasn’t feeling it.

~ The plot twist. This is what all the hype is about with this book…so let’s talk about it. It comes with a sudden flashback at the end of the book during a build to a climactic moment but though I felt stunned, it felt kinda off, and I was confused. The way it’s executed means a lot of things happens off page, and we, the reader don’t get that information. It also paints Jovi in a very different light than how I saw her throughout the book – which is the goal, I guess? But it leaves me with SO many questions that won’t be answered until the next book or not? We shall see, maybe now I don’t trust the author since she didn’t trust me?😅 Throughout this whole book there is no show of motivation for her to do what she did at the end – it’s a whole secret until then, she’s lying the whole time. And fine, I don’t mind being lied to for shock value, but make it make sense. I like a good unreliable narrator but Brynn/Jovi is not that, doesn’t even give us a hint that she’s unreliable. The were just a few indications that did give me pause in the book and maybe foreshadowed this was going to happen – I questioned how fast she fell for Acker but chalked it up to insta-love and also, wondered why with her at the border of her kingdom, she wouldn’t go right away and see the mom she hasn’t seen in forever.

Final Thoughts:

If you are a high-fantasy reader, go into this one with low expectations. If you love romantasy and all the usual tropes, you will enjoy this one. You kind of have to go with the flow with this one and not think too hard on connecting dots. I was half and half on this one. I knew it was a romantasy with a lot of hype – so I wanted to see what the hype and plot twist was about. The plot twist had potential but I did not like how it was executed. I did like the beginning when the story is set with the characters, and the world of Alaha, but then there is a lull in the middle as our main characters are floating on the sea trying to find land. Pacing wise, this felt choppy. I had to re-read some parts a few times in the book because I felt like I missed something.

Will I read book two? Yes, I think I will read it because I want to see what happens to Brynn/Jovi and Acker after that wild ending. There is a snippet at the end of the ebook for book two, and it looks like it takes place after a few years have passed, so I think that’s interesting. But when I read book two I will go in with trust issues. 😅

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Wolf King by. Lauren Palphreyman | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Wolf King (Wolf King, #1)

Author: Lauren Palphreyman

Format: borrowed (KU)

Pages: 475

Publication Date: 9/14/25

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Politics, Werewolves, Romantasy, Enemies to Lovers

When a princess is kidnapped by an alpha , war rages between the humans and the wolves. But soon, forbidden attraction starts to grow. . .

Princess Aurora longs to escape the castle and the marriage that has been arranged for her.

But on the night before her wedding, at a dog fight where captured werewolves are made to fight for sport, she spares the life of a young wolf. It puts her on the radar of the powerful alpha who was going to kill him. And it changes everything.

That night, when the alpha escapes, he kidnaps her and takes her to the rugged lands north of the border — where the once warring werewolf clans are beginning to unite. He thinks that she is the key to winning the war against the humans.

Only, as they spend time around one another, forbidden attraction starts to grow. And as Aurora learns that not all wolves are bad, the alpha discovers that she is in danger from both his enemies, and those he once considered friends.

With monsters on both sides, a bloodthirsty war between humans and wolves raging, and undeniable passion growing between them — will their story end in love? Or tragedy?

And will Aurora ever get home?

Does she even want to?

Content Warning: violence

+ I kept seeing this book on KU and then finally saw someone say on here how much they loved it. So I downloaded because I felt like I was in a romantasy slump (I took a break to finish arcs), and was craving a good romantasy. And I’m so glad I read this one, because I devoured it!

+ Princess Aurora is about to be married to a horrible man so when the alpha from a werewolf clan kidnaps her she goes willingly – telling herself she is saving her people but secretly knowing she is saving herself. from her future husband. Aurora was raised to be poised, and in control of her emotions but once she is free from her duties she learns she has to toughen up in a different way because now she’s surrounded by werewolves and they have their own hierarchy of doing things.

+ This is a romantasy and Callum, alpha of Highfell, is charming! Yes he is the enemy because he kidnapped her and basically wants to hold her hostage but he was very easy to fall in love with because he’s a good guy, loves to tease Aurora even when she throws a fit, and clearly they have a physical attraction that’s hard to deny. I thought their relationship was very sweet and he’s very protective of her. It does get spicy between them.

+ I really enjoy the politics of the werewolves and how they are fighting the humans. Even though there are a few characters to learn, I didn’t have a hard time keeping track of them. I actually felt like there were so many intriguing characters, like Blake. Blake…he is mysterious, dangerous, can’t trust him, very full of red flags and yet, I’m wondering if this is turning into a love triangle? Not sure I want that to happen. And what does that say about me that I want to know more about the really bad boy instead of Aurora staying with the really good guy?! 😅 But it’s hard not to fall for these werewolves in kilts! Anyway, there is a lot of politics and right now Aurora is the pawn and I want to see how this ends up for her character.

~ I think I want to see a little more fight and growth in Aurora and I’m sure it is coming. I’m grateful for Callum and his goodness because she would’ve been passed around and bartered if not for his protection! But eventually I want to see her take power into her own hands.

~ I really hope it’s not a love triangle, but why am I not set on Callum being her love interest? Because of Blake.😅

Final Thoughts:

I needed a romantasy to read this week and this came through! I devoured it and the second book (review coming) in 2 days. And now I have to wait for book three which bums me out so bad. 😅 I’ve always been a fan of fae and vampires more than werewolves but this one is so fun, it might be because of the kilts and the charm! I enjoyed the politics, the werewolf hierarchy drama, Aurora being a human princess among wolves, the romance, the spice and Blake. So glad I finally read this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Bond That Burns by. Briar Boleyn| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy, #2)

Author: Briar Boleyn

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 395

Publication Date: 12/27/24

Categories: Romantasy, Dark Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Bully Romance

At Bloodwing Academy, blood is currency, but a dragon’s legacy is priceless–and as dangerous as fire.

I thought surviving my first year in Bloodwing’s deadly halls would be enough. I was wrong.

I accidentally woke a dragon–a creature of myth, of death, of fire.

Now every highblood house wants control over me and the dragon’s legacy I carry. But here’s the I have no control. I’m bluffing my way through every encounter, trying to keep everyone from realizing that I’m not the one pulling the dragon’s strings.

And then there’s Blake Drakharrow. I thought he was on my side, that I might even be able to trust him. But he betrayed me. Now I’m his only blood source. How messed up is that? In a place like Bloodwing, where power and survival are everything, this bond may well be the death of us both. Unless I can find a way to end it.

In this world of vampires, dragons, and lies, there are no happy endings. Just legends–and the darkness it takes to make them.

Content Warning: violence, death, bullying; the book has an extensive list of trigger warnings

I read book two since it was on kindle limited and I was like why not – I just finished book one, let’s push on.

+ Still love Medra’s friendships with Florence, Theo and Visha. Also her growing bond with the dragon, Nyxaris, who has a right to mistrust vampires and everyone else.

+ There is more dragons in this story than learning about vampire lore. Now the story has focused on figuring out what happened to dragons in the past since of course Nyxaris conveniently doesn’t remember much. It’s a mystery that Medra promised Nyyxaris she would learn about and provide the dragon with that missing information.

+ Loved that Kage was featured more in this book – I honestly wish he was the love interest.

~ I do not like Blake. I just couldn’t stand his downward spiral in this book. This is where the bully romance really shows (more than in book one). He is going through a change (something of course I figured out right away once it was hinted in the book) – but he is losing control because of his need for Medra. He is possessive, jealous, angry, but she’s trying her best to push him away (uncessfully), but he is such an ass to her. Maybe growth will come for him in book three but I don’t know if I’ll read it, I can’t stand to hear him say everything is his fault and then he messes up again. Come on Blake! Medra needs to grow also – why is she always getting betrayed by the end of the story? Like no one is steps ahead in this story except Viktor, Blake’s uncle and he’s the villain!

~ The romance is now not so enemies to lovers. She “hates” him but loves to have sex with him. So they are in the enemies with benefits stage, I guess? I don’t know because this is the first time I have actually skipped all the smut in a book because I just couldn’t stand the characters being with one another! 😅. I got tired of the back and forth.

~ Medra finally mentions a tiny bit about her past. Crumbs. Why haven’t we learned more about her fae upbringing yet? Why the long wait? Why is her mother’s spirit in a knife? She brings her along randomly and they can talk in Medra’s head when she has the knife, but it’s so strange. Just gives us more information about Medra!

~ Blake’s sister is still feral. Then Mr. Rodriguez who was supposedly a nice teacher thinks to create a secret society dragon hunter on his own – like what? More things happen but actually they all happen at the end and then there’s a cliffhanger. And why are all the good people getting hurt and dying?

~ The writing isn’t my favorite. It’s simple to read but some things just doesn’t flow well and there is just too much going on.

Final Thoughts:

I was happy this book was shorter than the first, but at least in book one Blake only had hints of being horrible and there was more academia, trials, drama and politics to keep the story moving. This one focused more on the bully romance and I hate a bully so I do not like Blake in this book at all, so much so that I dislike the romance between him and Medra a lot. I did like Medra’s friendships but I hope there is LOTS of growth for Blake and Medra in book three but I kind out doubt there will be. If I read book three it won’t be for the romance, but for the dragons, Kage Tanaka and maybe to learn something more about Medra’s past.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

On Wings of Blood by. Briar Boleyn ⭐️⭐️⭐️

On Wings of Blood by. Briar Boleyn| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy, #1)

Author: Briar Boleyn

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 523

Publication Date: 11/30/24

Categories: Romantasy, Dark Romance, Enemies to Lovers

What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy.

I didn’t sign up for this.

A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That’s a recipe for torment.

I’m Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn’t stopped the vampires from deciding I’m worth capturing. Now I’m stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We’re just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.

But that’s not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He’s been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we’re betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I’m not going down without a fight.

Bloodwing isn’t just a school—it’s a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you’re weak? You’re dead.

Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I’m starting to think the real danger isn’t the academy—it’s what I’m becoming in this twisted game of power.

And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.

They think they can control me. They think they can use me.

But they have no idea what they’ve awakened.

Content Warning: violence, death, bullying; the book has an extensive list of trigger warnings

Okay, I finally pushed through and read this book which is a sensation on booktok! And I have a few thoughts. Let’s start with the good.

+ I always love a dark academia type of book. I don’t know why, but I always have and I did enjoy it in this story as well. In Bloodwing Academy, there are four main vampire houses that rule. The blightblood who are not vampires but allowed into the school will be funneled into a certain house by the end of the year. The students learn different things like combat, healing, history, and more.

+ Medra Pendragon, is fae/human, but forced to be bound to a vampire prince, Blake Drakharrow, because of her dragon rider mark. For the most part I thought she is an interesting character who has lots of fight in her, and secrets. Because she dropped out of nowhere, she knew nothing about vampires and their world so she questioned a lot of the authority figures. It will be interesting to see what happens in book two.

+ I did find the world-building fascinating because I also do love a good vampire story. There was a lot to learn about the vampires, dragon riders and then there is Medra who is fae and just dropped out of her world into this vampire one.

+ I enjoyed the found family Medra created with her new friends at Bloodwing Academy especially since some of the highblood vampires, Blake’s friends, were trying to make her life hell.

~ This was almost a DNF in chapter one because I was lost and confused. And I put it aside for weeks but kept seeing tiktoks about it and I really wanted to know what the fuss was about so I finally PUSHED through the beginning and once Medra is at the academy things start to make sense. So I didn’t like how this book started.

~ I don’t love the romance. They are forced to be bound because of Blake’s uncle, and because this book was mostly world-building and learning about vampires since Medra is clueless about this world, I felt like they didn’t have much interaction. When they did interact I didn’t feel any chemistry and yet he’s obsessed with her. There is one real spicy scene between them, I think two fantasies, but just one real one and even then I felt it came on suddenly. And then he goes and messes it all up – really Blake? (And why is this hot, scary vampire named Blake?!) I’m reading book two just to see if he can redeem himself. Honestly, I wanted her to end up with Kage Tanaka!

~ I think there was too much going on in this story. There is Medra’s secret fae identity, she’s a dragon rider – how? Why? And then her mother that died at birth is in her thoughts, she is talking to her spirit, but that kind of goes away in the middle of the story? And Blake’s sister is going feral. Then Medra has to do all these trials, plus all the schooling she taking on. It just didn’t flow well for me. It felt all over the place.

Final Thoughts:

This would have been a DNF if I didn’t power through and in conclusion it’s one of those books that is entertaining if you like all the tropes like dark academia, enemies to lovers, found family and more. I didn’t love the writing style and it might be just me but I had trouble with the formatting of the text not having indentations (it was driving me crazy which made me want to DNF at first). I didn’t love the romance either – will there be someone else for Medra? Probably not, so let’s see if things change in book two and I am reading book two because of the dragon aspect of the story which only really emerged at the end of this book. I think it has a lot of potential but just didn’t love the execution of it.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bound in Inked Flame by. Ava Larksen| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Bound in Inked Flame (Of Crows and Thorns Saga, #1)

Author: Ava Larksen

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 731

Publication Date: 2/27/25

Categories: New Adult, Romantasy, Dark Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Crime Families

When I signed myself away in marriage, I should have read the fine print. Ink fades—blood binds.

I’m a prisoner, trapped behind gilded gates, my freedom traded for safety. Magic pulses beneath my skin, wild and forbidden. In our world of ruling Houses, wielding such power means death. One slip, one spark—everyone I love dies.

As a princess of the Great House, I should have been untouchable. But in a cruel twist of fate, a ruthless family of enforcers claims the right to choose any bride. Now I’m to marry the infuriating Graysen Crowther. Our loathing is legendary, but with only a wall between us each night, hatred burns into something far more treacherous. One touch and I might lose something far worse than my life—my traitorous heart.

As my control fractures and betrayal tightens its noose, my only chance at survival lies in escaping to seek the monster who holds the truth about my magic. Yet when a bargained kiss unleashes an unbreakable bond, dark suspicion whispers through my bones that I’m caught in a blood-soaked web.

For in this deadly game of power, where trust is a luxury I can’t afford, Graysen moves like someone who’s been playing long before I knew there was a game.

And his secret might prove more lethal than any forbidden magic.

BOUND IN INKED FLAME is the first book in the OF CROWS AND THORNS SAGA, an epic dark romantasy. Perfect for readers who crave plot-heavy, character-driven sagas drenched in atmosphere and rich world-building—where dark mysteries unravel alongside a slow-burn romance and heart-wrenching choices that threaten to destroy everything. Please note this book ends on a cliffhanger. For content warnings, please check the author’s website.

Content Warning: violence, death, sexual assault, attempted rape

+ I picked this up on a whim because of the cover, the synopsis and some 5 star ratings. 30% into the book I almost DNF’ed this book. Why did I push through? I wanted to know what power Nelle had and I like a good complicated drama with families who hate each other, I wanted to see how that would turn out. Plus the loathing between Nelle and Graysen was palpable and I wanted to see how slow or quick they turned into lovers.

+ Nelle Wychthorn, is from a great House. Graysen Crowther, is from an old but lower House. And they are bound to marry each other, but they cannot marry until she turns 20. For now, they spend one day a year with one another, until now when her older sister is about to be engaged to a man from another House and there will be weekend festivities and Graysen must attend. These two HATE each other, I like that she gave as good as he gave but she was still the younger of the two, she’s 19 and I think he’s like 25? Or something like that.

+ This is an interesting world – the Horned Gods rule these crime families, but this world is apart from the real world, there is a scene where the FMC and MMC even go to New York City. Any person who is “other”, which is someone with powers, is supposed to be given to the Horned Gods at birth. Some people though, like the Crowthers have minimal magic that the Gods do allow like having truesight.

+ I enjoy a story with crime families that don’t like each other and it’s very true here in this one. The Wychthorns are the top dog of houses, and everyone bows to them because they have favor from the Horned Gods. But I like seeing the different drama families had with one another. The biggest one being between Nelle and Graysen’s family which really puts a wrench in their love story. I liked when Nelle’s sisters or Graysen’s brothers (especially Caidan) were in the story.

+~ The romance is enemies to lovers. I love the tension and fighting between Nelle and Graysen – they hate each other a lot. I like that she fights him, but then starts to care for him and I can see why she would if he’s the only relationship she’s had – bad as it has started out, he is still the only one she’s ever spent time with. In that sense, their relationship is a bit dark and toxic because she knows nothing else except him. And this isn’t a slow burn when it comes to spice…now will there be love? I don’t know, when you think Graysen will just let go and admit he cares, he withdraws back into himself again. There is a lot of betrayal in this story also and by the end of this book I was hoping Nelle never forgives Graysen. It will take a lot for ME to forgive him, he will need to grovel bad.

~ I read this 700+ pager in one day, because I had time but I did also almost DNF’ed this because of nothing much happening in the first 30% of the book. I just wasn’t feeling it and the world building felt so vague. There was focus on Nelle and Graysen’s spice, but I wanted more than that. I stuck around but still, I almost gave up a few times because some things became repetitive.

~ The book has a part where a character mentions reading smut on a Kindle and it took me out of the story, it called me out lol (and I almost DNF’ed right then and there). I think it was the mention of a real-time device in a fantasy world that was a little jarring. Also Nelle is 19 and secretly so powerful but then she would talk like a brat and say “As if…” and I’m so old that it just reminded me of the movie Clueless! 🤭 So then I would think this FMC is ridiculous. I get it she’s young, she didn’t have much control over things even though she tried, she’s sassy and doesn’t like being told what to do. But she’s super powerful and we are reminded of it over and over. I did wish many times that she was older than 19, like 23 or something and was out of the brat stage.

~ Pacing. Sometimes the spicy scenes would take chapters and they really only had one weekend together. But I wanted to learn more about the families and the Gods. Yes, the smut drew me in but it still could have been shortened. So it would go from Nelle’s sexual awakening and them fighting (again/always) to them remembering oh yeah they are there for her sister’s engagement festivities and the Horned Gods were coming so Nelle better keep this secret power inside her in check. There was some good action here and there and then the big event at the end, but pacing could have been better and it could have been less repetitive.

~ I need Nelle to get ruthless and stay ruthless after all the stuff happening to her. She was literally a child when all this drama happened and she was being blamed without even knowing it. I was warming up to Graysen (okay so he’s sexy, hot and protected her – BUT he still pissed me off). And after that ending, I need Nelle to cut him off and punish him and his family for a little bit. I don’t know if I will forgive him – there was a strange mention of a better option vaguely in the story (so many things were vague!), but is there another option out there for her?

Final Thoughts:

I am so surprised I read this in one day after wanting to DNF it a few times but I saw so much potential with the world building. I was drawn to this world of crime lords all fighting and betraying one another. I like that there is an enemies to lovers romance, but I don’t know if I can forgive you now Graysen Crowther. So much could be cut out to make this story move faster and be tighter. I need Nelle to grow up a little and stop acting like a brat, learn some lessons! I need Graysen to grovel 😅 for forgiveness (look I get why he is the way he is, I just need to see if there’s another option for Nelle). I even read the snippet from book two at the end because it has that addictive factor. So I have very mixed feelings about this one but I’m still going to read book two unless that one gets repetitive too and I have to DNF, but I hope some things are cleaned up and it’s shorter. I am definitely here for the drama!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Silver Elite by. Dani Francis| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Silver Elite ( #1)

Author: Dani Francis

Format: hardcover (owned)

Pages: 528

Publication Date: 5/6/25

Categories: New Adult, Forbidden Romance, Romantasy, Dystopian, Fantasy/Sci-fi

In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

The world is divided. On the Continent, you’re either a Prime—immune to the biotoxin that nearly wiped out the Earth’s population 150 years ago—or a Modified, one who was enhanced by the toxin, developing powerful psychic gifts.

As conflict rages between the two sides, Wren Darlington lives in hiding. Occasionally running the odd op for the rebel Uprising against the Primes’ oppressive rule, she must keep a low profile. After all, if the enemy finds out that she is a Mod with a staggering four psychic abilities, she won’t just be sent to the labor camps. She’ll be executed—immediately and without trial.

When a careless mistake puts Wren in the crosshairs of the Continent’s military, she is taken captive and forced to join their most elite Silver Block. Unwittingly, they’ve handed her the perfect opportunity for the Uprising to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. That is, if she can keep her powers hidden, survive training, and prove herself to Cross Redden, her maddeningly cocky commanding officer.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Cross doesn’t trust her—even as he seems determined to destroy the remaining shreds of Wren’s self-control. Yet as the war between Primes and Mods escalates, and as Wren and Cross find themselves unable to stay away from each other, they must decide how far they’re willing to go for their secrets—and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

Content Warning: violence, death, executions, mention of labor camps

+ I hate to admit I was highly influenced to buy this book because of tiktok 😅. I heard nothing about it until everyone started praising it on tiktok and then I was like oh a dystopian? I haven’t read one in awhile so I bought it on release day. I had very high expectations because of hype and honestly I should have read it after the hype went down a little. Totally my fault! But I did read it in one day.

+ Nostalgia has me loving the parts of this story that was dystopian. There are warring sides, the government versus the rebels – I still don’t know who the good guys are since they both have committed crimes. A military academy program to become Silver Block or Silver Elite (top special ops) and a young woman named Wren who is forced into the program even though she is secretly the enemy. It’s either that or be put into the labor camps. There is even a found family element I enjoyed as Wren goes through this program, she makes friends but also makes some enemies.

+ The romance is insta-lust between Wren and her commanding officer, Cross, who is hot but also the evil General’s son. She tries to fight her attraction to him but she doesn’t put up much of a fight. They want each other and get together to scratch the itch until later in the story things change a little. There is spice but I didn’t feel like it was overboard. It’s an enemies to lovers and a forbidden romance situation.

+ Wren going through the program is what takes up most of the story. She partakes in tests, has classes, makes friends and enemies and hooks up with Cross. But because she is Modified, she doesn’t want to actually be a Silver Elite, so she goes undercover for the rebellion. It’s a tight rope she’s walking as she falls for Cross but she also has to remember that her parents were part of the rebellion, so where does she belong? It will be interesting to see what happens next.

~ Some issues I had with the book: this is being compared to an adult Hunger Games – it is not like Hunger Games except for the government fighting with the rebellion. This is it’s own dystopian world and story and it’s pretty light on the world-building so far. Is it predictable? Yes. But it’s easy to read, it’s on those stories that you can binge.

~ There were times I felt Wren moved on so easily. There are a few deaths in this book and I feel like how she and everyone else casually moved on after one of them didn’t sit right with me. I wanted more emotion.

~ The insta-lust relationship lacked emotional connection. I’m all for a young woman getting it on with her hot commanding officer, but I wanted the romance and emotional connection too. It gets better at the end but I still had moments where I was wondering if Wren was going to maybe make a better connection with her new academy friend, Kaine. Of course there is more to Cross and maybe book two will explore him more, but I also want to know more about Kaine.

Final Thoughts:

So it didn’t meet my high expectations – by the end I was feeling it was a 3.5 star book but I did read it in one night so I bumped it to 4. I found it entertaining but it was more romantasy or should I say romantopian 😅? The romance is insta-lust but it does grow into more by the end of the book. The story is predictable but I did like the whole premise of people being modified and having different powers and the politics are definitely going to get complicated for Wren so I’d like to see how she handles that and everything else in book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nightshade by. Autumn Woods| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Nightshade (Sorrowsong University, #1)

Author: Autumn Woods

Format: ebook (borrowed – KU)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 1/27/25

Categories: Romance, Academia, New Adult, Mystery, Enemies to Lovers

When Ophelia Winters accepts a scholarship at a prestigious Scottish university to prove that her parents’ death was the fault of Cain Green, an American aviation tycoon, her plan is simple; keep her grades up and her head down. The last thing she wants is to wind up in a mafia war or step on the toes of royalty.

Her plan gets off to a rocky start when the mysterious man that almost kills her on her first day turns out to be Cain’s eldest son. As far as she’s concerned, Alex Corbeau-Green is a younger version of his billionaire father. A monster hiding beneath a beautiful facade.

Loneliness has been Ophelia’s only dependable companion for years, but when anonymous threats and mysterious occurrences start to haunt her time at Sorrowsong, she wonders if she really can survive there on her own.

Between being paired together for a project and ending up as each other’s alibi for a murder, avoiding Alex becomes increasingly impossible. She begins to fall for the soft heart that hides beneath his hard exterior.

Tormented by a malicious stalker and growing closer to Alex, Ophelia’s desperation for revenge wavers for the first time. Can she really bring herself to pull the trigger on Cain now that she knows the family it’ll split into two?

Content Warning: violence, stalking, bullying

+ I randomly picked this off of Kindle Unlimited because of the cover, and the synopsis. And I devoured it in one night! 😳 It’s a dark academia, new adult story that includes an atmospheric setting in Scotland at a place called Sorrowsong University where the students are divided into four houses and the students that attend are the rich of the rich. There are even kids from Mafia families there. Ophelia is there for revenge but then she meets Alex Corbeau-Green and her world is changed.

+ The setting is in Scotland and it’s dreary, cold, wet and the buildings are drafty, old, and barely has a wifi signal. But it lends to the mystery that takes place in the story. Ophelia is trying to figure out who caused the event that killed her parents and that’s why she’s at the school. She has a suspect in mind but after someone starts stalking her at school she has to go back to the drawing board and find more evidence.

+ Ophelia is alone after her parents death and she craves attention and affection but she doesn’t know how to make friends, or how to allow people to be close to her. She definitely doesn’t fit in with the rich kids but I like that she doesn’t let that stop her from talking to kids. She is determined to find more evidence about her parents death and I did feel for her – she’s so alone.

+ Now let me talk about Alex. Alex was a major red flag when they met, too hot, tatted, rich, friends with the Mafia kids, he smokes and then we find out he has like 6 sisters and a mom with mental health issues and he takes care of them the best he can from overseas?! Oh and he plays rugby. The more the story went on and he interacts with his sisters, and you can see how loyal he is to his friends and then how he’s trying not to fall for Ophelia but he’s always there taking care of her. I fell for him – I can see why Ophelia fell too even though she tried to stay away from him. Book boyfriend alert!

+The banter between Ophelia and Alex is so good. At one point they were flirting with emails and crossword references (because she loves crossword puzzles!) – swoon! I can’t get enough of them! And it’s a slow burn, they don’t really do anything until later – they start off as enemies and even when they turn into lovers I didn’t feel it was too graphic. And their spicy scenes were fade to black. I thought their romance was beautiful with both of them being vulnerable and opening up to one another (at least Alex did).

~ The book was predictable – I could tell who instigated Ophelia’s parents death pretty quick but I still enjoyed getting from the beginning to the end of the book. The end leaves our lovers in some heartbreaking drama but I know when they fix it in book two, it’s going to be epic or I hope it will. There is also another twist at the end which I thought was good.

~ Ophelia was not the best investigator for this murder mystery. She got caught several times trying to find evidence and she’s not one to really ask for help since she is a lonely girl – who does she really know and trust? She did make some friends but we’ll see what happens after that ending.

Final Thoughts:

I’m going to say all the stars for this book I’m giving to Alex (and all his yearning) and his patience with all the females in his life 🥺, the enemies to lovers romance and the BANTER that was taking place in this story. I was eating it all up. Yes, the story was predictable but I enjoyed it anyway and need to know when book two is coming out!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Amid Clouds and Bones by. Ella Fields | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Amid Clouds and Bones

Author: Ella Fields

Format: eBook (KU)

Pages: 403

Publication Date: 7/23/24

Categories: Romantasy, Spicy, Fae, Fantasy, Romance

A princess determined to survive an arranged marriage to a heartless faerie prince is saved by a twist of fate that could destroy their world in this all-new standalone fantasy romance.

As the half faerie daughter of a human king, my days were spent tucked out of sight—until the Seelie Fae sought an alliance with our kingdom. In exchange for my father’s help in defeating their Unseelie enemies, I would wed Atakan the heartless.

The Seelie prince loathed everyone, but none more than me. Throughout the years leading to our nuptials, each encounter grew more terrifying than the last as he demonstrated how he’d earned his infamous reputation.

Fear would only doom me faster. So I learned to hide it with games I soon became happy to play. I wasn’t supposed to crave a monster. But just when I’d thought I might tame the untameable, fate intervened.

And delivered me straight to his enemy.

This fast-paced standalone features true enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, high heat, and a cast of morally grey and villainous characters.

Content Warning: violence, grief, dark romance

This book jumps right away into the romance. It’s between Prince Mildred (half fae/human) and Prince Akatan of the Seelie. They positively loathe one another but to survive in his kingdom as his betrothed, she seduces him instead. They seduce each other, and yes it’s spicy.

And though I did enjoy the hate-seduction going on somewhat, it did feel dark. There isn’t a lot of world-building so the seduction/romance was the main focus. Mildred is caught in between this war with the Seelie and Unseelie, but the story focuses on her survival and her choice in how to survive is seducing her soon-to-be husband. But in between the power plays and insults to one another, they eventually fall for one another. But I almost didn’t believe Atakan because he’s a horrible person. 😅 There is also a love-triangle but once again it was Mildred getting caught up in the politics.

Now, Mildred is an interesting character. I loved that she has a close connection to her sister, but this girl was falling for guys pretty easily Atakan was the bad boy, and Vane the Unseelie king, is a supposed bad boy too but he was actually nice? She’s basically a pawn and I get she’s trying to survive her situation, but I kind of wanted more out of her. Sex was her power but I wanted more.

Final Thoughts:

I didn’t feel like this story got deep and that’s fine because once I realized it was more romance heavy then I stayed for the enemies to lovers vibes. It’s got Fae, lots of spice, two characters hate/loving one another, some political intrigue, shifters, and dragon creatures. Overall, it was a quick read and I was entertained.