Tag: fantasy

Arc Review: Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Format: Ebook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: July 9, 2019

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Quest, Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia’s task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor’s reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eArc book for an honest review.

I loved it.

And I wasn’t quite sure, even with the synopsis, what I was getting myself into. But the first few sentences let me know right away I was going to be taken on a magical journey and the story held to it’s promise.

The writing reads like a dream. It’s very beautiful and reminds me of a fairy tale – but with a twist. Maia Tamarin’s idyllic life is torn at the seams due to unfortunate life events and to help her family she poses as a boy to compete for the chance to become the imperial tailor for the emperor. It sounds like Mulan, but with fashion involved.

Here’s where things take on a Project Runway spin and yes, I used to love that show! 😬 So did I enjoy that part of the book? Oh yes! The backstabbing, the challenges, the fashion, and wondering who will be eliminated, makes for great drama.

Then there is the impossible challenge which takes Maia and the imperial enchanter, Edan, on a quest. I love how Maia and Edan’s romance builds. She is not impressed by him and he helps her because he is intrigued by her but it stays that way for awhile. Edan is snarky and flirty but she doesn’t put up with it. The relationship grows deeper as they open up to one another during the quest. Yet, after the impossible becomes possible, Maia makes a choice that has consequences for both of them.

Maia is strong, brave, and willful for her age. She loves hard – it’s present in her love for her family and for Edan. I hope in the second book she gets to appreciate her feminine side since throughout Spin the Dawn, she is living in a male dominated world and has to pretend be a boy. Even in her family she was surrounded by men – so I think it would be nice for her to have a female friend who knows she’s female. The only other female in this story who has a big role is Lady Sarnia, who is the emperor’s future wife. She comes off as a villain, but she is someone trapped in a man’s world also, so I hope she gets more of a spotlight in book two because there is more to learn about her.

This story was filled with emotion, magic, love and epic adventure. It was more than I expected and I can’t wait for the next book.

Get it here: Amazon


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Book Review: Legendary (Caraval #2)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Author: Stephanie Garber

Format: eBook (borrowed)

Pages: 416

Categories: Magic, Game, Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister’s. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever…

I’m not sure why I wasn’t ready to read this last year when it came out – maybe I needed a break from fantasy books? I know I borrowed it and didn’t finish it. Well, I was ready now! Especially because I borrowed it again and saw I only had a few days left – I was determined to read it.

I vaguely remember book one, Caraval. I know I loved that book. This time it isn’t about Scarlett. Legendary is about her sister, it is Donatella’s story.

Not only do I love her name, but I could relate to Tella. She’s spunky and brave, always throwing caution to the wind. Tella likes to seem unaffected by the boys she dallies with, not trusting the concept of “love”. She has a more pressing issue she’s passionate about, finding her mother, Paloma. Tella enlists the help of someone in secret but in truth she’s basically signed her soul to the devil.

This book drew me back in right away to the very mysterious, enchanting and almost sinister world of Caraval. Caraval is a game masterminded by someone called Legend. No one knows who he really is, just that he has powerful magic that peaks during Caraval. He creates a game with players, clues and fascinating locations, but the game sometimes gets a bit too real. Deathly and scarily real, as Scarlett learned in the first book. This time, Tella plays the game and once more it blurs the line of reality and what isn’t real. The winner of Caraval gets to meet Legend in person, and Tella owes someone payment for their help. She owed them the identity of Legend in order to free her mother. Tella needs to win or she will die.

The story is in every sense magical from the description of the location, the people who work for Legend, to the lavish dresses and costumes that Tella and her sister adorns every night. The writing is lyrical and delicious, in a decadent way. I swear this story is so scrumptious, I ate it up! I ate it up quick.

We learn about the Fates in this story and more about a certain cursed deck of cards. I really enjoyed that part of the story because it really put Tella in a dilemma. She has an impossible choice and I wondered what path she would take. Also, we learn more about who Legend is in this book, finally! I was beginning to think he was every hot guy we encountered in the book. I didn’t know who to trust or believe! And can we speak about the guys? Even the villains and irritating guys are handsome and I thought, no wonder Tella has fun kissing whoever she wants with so many attractive guys around. 😅 But there is romance in here ladies and gents…but we will see where it goes in the next book!

I started this book yesterday and finished it BEFORE midnight! I couldn’t stop, it was so good. I did find some parts slower than the first book …or maybe because Caraval was new and exciting it went by quicker. Also, do we get to see more of The Prince of Hearts in Finale? Because he sort of dropped off in an anti-climatic way. 🤔 Of course now I’m ready to read Finale, and I don’t have a copy.

So that will be my goal today – finding Finale. 😅 I need to know how this ends.

Get it here: Amazon

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Friday Five: 5 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book Series – I Read On Kindle Unlimited

I’ve been meaning to do some fun Top 5 or Top 10 list post and sometimes I just don’t have the time! How do you awesome bloggers do it? 😘

So Kindle Unlimited – let’s talk about it. For a monthly subscription you get to read unlimited books in the Kindle library. When I had no kids, I bought books like crazy! When we moved into a small house, I had to donate my books, keeping only a few. When I had kids, and a bigger mortgage – I had to be on a budget! Thank goodness for libraries!

I tried out Kindle Unlimited because of one author, Christi Caldwell. I was looking for new romance authors because it was my favorite genre but I was having a hard time finding ones that appealed to me. I read one of her books and wanted more so I got a subscription. But because it’s a monthly subscription, there were times I was in a reading rut trying to find something good there – and cancelled. I joined again, cancelled and joined again! 😅 Then I tried some of the fantasy ebooks…and I’ve had a steady subscription since. So here are my 5 fantasy/sci fi (mostly fantasy) book series I’ve found on Kindle Unlimited that I’ve enjoyed so far!

The Spoken Mage Series by. Melanie Cellier

This series is pretty good. I enjoyed seeing Elena, the spoken mage, learn, grow and fall in love. My favorite thing though is the friendships she’s made along the way. I’m going to be finishing up the series soon, so hopefully it ends on a good note.

The Tainted Accords Series by. Kelly St. Clare

I read this series last year and really enjoyed it! I was transported to a fascinating fantasy world. Princess Olina has worn a veil over her face since her infancy and watching her transform from a girl with a veil to one without is pretty awesome.

Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles by. Elise Kova

I should feature the Air Awakens series but honestly it’s been four years since I’ve read it. So instead I’ll talk about Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles, the re-entry into Elise Kova’s fantasy world filled with magic and political intrigue. I’ve only read book one, and will get to book two eventually when I get this TBR list down a little. 😅

The Culling Trials by. K.F. Breene & Shannon Mayer

These academy books always get me! I’m serious! Haha – but this series is very addicting. I’m in the middle of book three right now and can’t wait to see how it ends. Sometimes these indie book are so short, they could have mashed these three books to make one book! But I don’t mind the short wait between the books. In this series we have a very strong female character who is surrounded by vampires, necromancer, goblins, magic users and assassins. It’s so fast pace and fun! It’s a wild adventure throughout the whole series. Speaking of “Wild” that’s our character’s nickname and I can see why! Loving this series so far!

Secondborn Series by Amy A. Bartol

I am not a big sci-fi fan. Actually this was the series that got me saying, oh, okay maybe I like sci-fi, maybe… I love Amy A. Bartol’s stories because they are creative even if they go off a bit tangent and wild, there is something about them that is addictive. Secondborn is cool, Traitor Born is my favorite and Rebel Born – though I gave it 4 1/2 stars because the romance part came together the way I wanted and I’m obsessed with Reykin haha, this book goes almost into another dimension diving into sci-fi/mythology/fantasy it made my head spin. It works for some people and others hated. I actually understood what the author was trying to do – but there was a lot of info dump about parallel universes, mind control and then add the mythology…it’s a whirlwind. It would have played out better if we had hints of these things in book one and two for sure! I still love it though. 😬

Have you read any of these books? Are you a Kindle Unlimited subscriber? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Reading! 😘

Book Review: The Shadowglass (The Bone Witch, #3)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Author: Rin Chupeco

Format: Hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 449

Categories: Family, Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult

Book Blurb:

Tea is a bone witch with the dark magic needed to raise the dead. She has used this magic to breathe life into those she has loved and lost…and those who would join her army against the deceitful royals. But Tea’s quest to conjure a shadowglass—to achieve immortality for the one person she loves most in the world—threatens to consume her heart.

Tea’s black heartsglass only grows darker with each new betrayal. And when she is left with new blood on her hands, Tea must answer to a power greater than the elder asha or even her conscience…

MY REVIEW

The conclusion to The Bone Witch series made me cry – it shattered my heartglass. The Shadowglass continues right after The Heart Forger with it’s past/present storytelling style. Tea is telling the past and the Bard is telling the present. We’ve learned so much about what happened with Tea and why she wants to make shadowglass but this book was so much more. The story comes together as it pieces scenes from Tea’s past and present. All the characters are back except for ones we’ve lost along the way. We meet more characters from other kingdoms and daeva too. I really liked the kingdoms or Yadosha and Istera.

Tea is constantly debating the real reasons why she wants to make shadowglass, and thank goodness for that. If she wasn’t tested and constantly questioned about her motives would she have been tempted by the power of the Dark? I tried to put myself in her place and honestly, I don’t know if I could do what she did but she at least was honest about her goals.

A lot of what takes place in The Shadowglass made me mad at everyone for doubting Tea, especially her brother, Fox. Their distrust comes because she is a Dark asha, but I wish more people had helped her in her darkest moments. Thank goodness for Kalen, Khalad, Likh and her azi. If it weren’t for them, she would have been an evil force to be reckoned with driven by pain and revenge. Yes, she was driven by revenge, but also love and guilt for her brother, Fox. She was blessed with Kalen’s love to keep her grounded. But I was so annoyed with Fox, though I understood his behavior. If I was him, I would have acted that way also.

Tea and Kalen’s love story is so beautiful. They will be added to my list of favorite book couples of all time. I tear up just thinking of the ending. He loves her at her worst and let’s her be strong. She loves him for helping her and loving her no matter what. 😭 I’m still heartbroken this series is over -the ending is bittersweet and perfect.

Besides Tea and Kalen’s story, I loved seeing Likh’s transition. Likh has been evolving throughout the whole series. Likh learns to be an asha, because she had natural powers though she was born in the wrong body. She also falls in love and learns to navigate that as well. I’m glad Tea had her as a traveling companion. Likh was always there for Tea and they both needed each other.

And because I was angry at everyone on Tea’s behalf, I had to try to forgive them too when she does. Lie, I’m still a little mad at them – haha! I knew this book would break me, but honestly while reading this book, I kept saying: okay…I’m okay (in the beginning)…I’m okay (in the middle)…I’m going to be okay (almost to the end) and then boom. Waterworks. This book made me feel all kinds of emotions.

This has become one of my favorite series and I can’t believe I was going to give up on it because book one was a struggle to get into. It’s definitely not a series for everyone. If you don’t like stories that tell the past/present (and I usually don’t!) – this may not be for you. I’m glad I pushed on and came to the end. I think it speaks to the author’s writing that she made me come back for book two and three and made me cry. 👏🏼 I need to buy a beautiful boxed set to add to my shelf, so I can revisit this lush fantasy world again. ❤️

Get it here: Amazon

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To read my review of The Bone Witch and The Heart Forger, click HERE.

Book Review: Enchantée

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Gita Trelease

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 449

Categories: Historical, Young Adult, Magic, Romance, Fantasy

Book Blurb:

Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries—and magicians…

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. There, she gambles at cards, desperate to have enough to keep herself and her sister safe. Yet the longer she stays at court, the more difficult it becomes to reconcile her resentment of the nobles with the enchantments of Versailles. And when she returns to Paris, Camille meets a handsome young balloonist—who dares her to hope that love and liberty may both be possible.

But la magie has its costs. And when Camille loses control of her secrets, the game she’s playing turns deadly. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, freedom or magic—before Paris burns… 

MY REVIEW

This book is true to it’s title, Enchantée – it is truly enchanting! The story is a mix of fantasy and history. It is set in the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette so just knowing that brings visions of excess and debauchery to mind. There wasn’t much debauchery in this book though, but there is romance.

I visited Versailles a few years ago and so I knew I had to read this book. Just mention of the Hall of Mirrors in the story reminded me of walking down that hall myself, envisioning Marie Antoinette and her courtiers. The grounds are so grand.

Image via Giphy

Enchantée, is ultimately a story of orphans Camille Durbonne and her sister, Sophie, who is recovering from small pox. Their brother Alain, is a drunk and has become violent towards them. They cannot rely on him to make money so they work to make ends meet.

France is on the verge of a revolution. The poor are starving and the rich keep on living their life of excess. Camille comes from a family who has had magic in their blood so she uses her skill to cheat at cards, gambling her way to wealth in Versailles. But things are not what they seem there and she must be on guard. When she is not at Versailles playing a dangerous game, she is just Camille who has fallen in love with a balloonist.

I enjoyed the writing, it wove it’s spell on me and the pages went by quickly. Camille is a strong character. She knows her brother is lost to his demons so she does her best to move on and protect her sister. But using magic and gambling in a way becomes her own addiction. There is intrigue at Versailles and she gets caught up in it. I loved the lore about Versailles being created by magic! I can so believe that.

I tried my best with pronouncing the french words in my head as I read the book. But I can’t say I was successful haha. There is a glossary of French terms in the back of the book which is a nice touch for us non-french speaking readers.

The romance was so sweet and the balloonists and inventors that Camille befriends was a part of the book I didn’t know I needed. It gave Camille balance and a way to ground her character. I liked seeing the contrast of her in disguise going to Versailles being among gamblers and aristocracy versus being herself hanging out with young people with ideas. At Versailles, they pass the time in boredom squandering their money away or playing hide and seek. Whereas these balloonists are experimenting and inventing a hot air balloon which in the book stood for hope. It’s where Camille feels the freedom to be herself.

There is mention of the revolution but it is in the background. Camille lives both sides of the story, the rich and the poor life. I like that she can stay true to herself throughout the story.

Strangely enough, the magic in the story didn’t quite grab me or the villain and his storyline. He didn’t come off sinister enough for me. I say strange because most of the book is about magic and the illusions it can create. The story doesn’t delve into the history of magic or what she does to create it. It’s just there in her bloodline. I did like learning she needed sorrow to create magic which makes sense since there is a cost to using it. We see the cost of magic use in other characters as well. But yes, I wish there was more about the magic and how it worked.

Overall, Enchantée is a truly enchanting, imaginative and enjoyable story that tells a tale of love, magic and hope.

Get it here: Amazon

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Book Reviews: The Bone Witch & The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #1 & #2)

Title: The Bone Witch

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Rin Chupeco

Format: eBook

Pages: 432

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Necromancy, Magic

Book Blurb:

Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise. If there’s anything I’ve learned from him in the years since, it’s that the dead hide truths as well as the living.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha-one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.

MY REVIEW

“Lady Mykaela was telling me the reason bone witches were feared: not because we could control daeva but because daeva were not the only ones we could choose to compel.“

The Bone Witch, by. Rin Chupeco

I finally read this book! I’ve been meaning to read it for the past two years and even tried to read it and put it away. I’m glad I put it aside until I was ready to read it. This time, I decided to read it slowly and put it down when I wanted to but picked it up again the next day and the next until I couldn’t stop.

But let me tell you what bothered me before that prevented me from connecting to this book. The past/present storytelling would throw me off. This time around I took it for what it was and treated it like a mystery. It made me want to know who Tea is talking to and why she is telling this tale. Something horrible seems to have happened and we don’t know why yet. This kept me in the story and then suddenly I was immersed in this world of ashas and daeva. The world building is wonderful, but again, you have to be patient with it.

This story is written beautifully. It is like a fairy tale or like folklore actually. It appears like nothing happens for much of the story because Tea is learning how to be an asha. And yes in my head I kept calling her “Tea” until a character she meets says, “Tey-uh”. 😂 Oops. But I liked calling her Tea, like the drink, so I kind of stuck with it.

Tea finds out she is an asha when she accidentally resurrects her brother, Fox. An asha is basically a witch who can control the elements with runes or help with healing among other things. They are also like geisha – they cultivate skills to entertain people with dance and song. But Tea, is a Dark Asha, she can raise the dead and kill daeva, which are demonic creatures that cause havoc in their world. The people in this world wear heartglasses, a necklace that is similar to a mood ring. Certain colors of the heartglass can reveal what a person is feeling or if the person is ill. The world Rin Chupeco builds is detailed, lush and vivid, so I really enjoyed this part, slow as it is. I even got hungry reading about the foods they were eating in the book, that’s when I knew I had been transported to this fictional world.

Tea and her brother Fox (now her familiar) leave their home and family to journey with the current bone witch, Lady Mykaela. Mykaela becomes her mentor and teacher. Tea is thrusted into this world of ashas and learning to become one of them takes dedication and learning in all the disciplines from combat, healing, dancing, singing, casting runes and killing daeva. But she’s also navigating this world and how to be a proper asha in it, which includes mingling with politicians, attending parties and learning about current affairs.

There are other things happening in the story other than Tea learning about her powers. There is the mystery of Lady Mykaela’s missing heartglass, Tea’s strange connection with daeva, and her crush on Prince Kance. The story picks up in the second half and it gets good!

Don’t look for romance in this first book of the series, if you do, you will be disappointed. But there is love, sibling love between Tea and her brother, which I wasn’t expecting to endear me so much. This book didn’t need romance because I love how Fox looked out for Tea and vice versa. It doesn’t mean a love interest isn’t building for Tea, the past/present storytelling aspect reveals a few things at the end! And it’s a good ending which led me to continuing the series right away with book two…see review below!

But I wouldn’t have gotten to amazing book two if I didn’t stick out book one, so I’m glad I finished this one. It is a slow start but a fantastic build-up to the next book.

Get it here: Amazon

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Title: The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch, #2)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Format: eBook

Pages: 528

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Necromancy

Book Blurb:

No one knows death like Tea. A bone witch who can resurrect the dead, she has the power to take life…and return it. And she is done with her self-imposed exile. Her heart is set on vengeance, and she now possesses all she needs to command the mighty daeva. With the help of these terrifying beasts, she can finally enact revenge against the royals who wronged her—and took the life of her one true love. 

But there are those who plot against her, those who would use Tea’s dark power for their own nefarious ends. Because you can’t kill someone who can never die… 

War is brewing among the kingdoms, and when dark magic is at play, no one is safe.

MY REVIEW

“Take a girl and remove her heart. Add a touch of tragedy and a thirst for vengeance. Divide her into equal part of grief and rage, then serve her cold.“

The Heart Forger by. Rin Chupeco

This second book of The Bone Witch series, slayed me. And let me tell you, I read book one in four days, and book two in one day! I didn’t want to leave this rich world that Rin Chupeco has written. I’m even afraid to read the last book of the series. It’s a good thing I don’t have it on me, or else I would get no sleep tonight. 😅

The Heart Forger starts off with the past/present storytelling again, this time I’m used to it and look forward to it. It beings with Tea telling the Bard another story but these stories make me apprehensive. The tale she tells isn’t a happy one and that scares me, for her and her loved ones.

The mystery of Lady Mykaela’s heartglass takes precedence in book two because she is dying without it. Tea wants to help find Mykkie’s heartglass, and the mystery of it reveals some nefarious things going on in Odalia. There is more political intrigue between the other kingdoms in this book also, which moved this story along quicker than the last one. There is action, mystery, romance, sibling love, friendship and always the fantastic world-building. We even get a glimpse of Tea’s family again, just for a quick minute, but that was so nice to see because we don’t get much of them in book one.

In this book we get to know more about the evil enemy, the Faceless and watch as Tea gets stronger in her dark powers. I love her bond with the daeva, especially the aiz (a three headed monster with wings). This book has more than one love story going on and I am here for all of it and the diversity! Tea’s love story made me sigh with happiness, but knowing what is revealed in the past/present storytelling makes me dread what happens. Obviously in the present, Tea has been pushed beyond what she used to be, she’s chosen to do drastic things for vengeance and my heart aches for her.

I’ve read the books back to back and have seen Tea grow powerful as she learns the dark and secret runes. And I love Tea – yes she’s sometimes impulsive and doesn’t listen to the elders, but she always tries her best. Tea usually uses her powers to save those she love but no matter what she does, she has the stigma of being a dark asha and walks a fine line of doing what she thinks is right or coming off as power hungry. People trust her to a point and I hurt for her. There are people who don’t want her achieving so much power, which is understandable. Tea is also afraid that she will become the monster everyone thinks she is deep down inside when she is caught up in her powers. How far will Tea go to help the ones she love?

I have to wait until book three becomes available at my library to read it and I hope that’s very soon. Or I may just have to buy the set since I am in love with the series. I am so invested in this story: the relationships, the characters, the creatures, the world building and they storytelling. It is all beautifully done. I’m so glad I committed to this series and now I don’t want to see it end. ❤️

Get it here: Amazon

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Book Review: The Memory Thief

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Lauren Mansy

Format: eBook

Pages: 368

Publication Date: October 1, 2019

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

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

Book Blurb:

In the city of Craewick, memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please.

Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark is desperate to live outside of the corrupt culture, but grapples with the guilt of an accident that has left her mother bedridden in the city’s asylum. When Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, a Craewick practice in which a “criminal’s” memories are sold to the highest bidder before being killed, Etta will do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means rejoining the Shadows, the rebel group she swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier.

To prove her allegiance to the Shadows and rescue her mother, Etta must steal a memorized map of the Maze, a formidable prison created by the bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm. So she sets out on a journey in which she faces startling attacks, unexpected romance, and, above all, her own past in order to set things right in her world.

MY REVIEW

Thank you to Blink and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC.

The premise of this story is really interesting. Memories are used as currency and the world created around this idea is fascinating. Taking memories sounds a bit scary to me, just because I wonder how someone would stay themself with other memories in their head. Also it feels like cheating. If you want to learn a skill, steal a memory and now you are an expert in it. It shows how the Gifted has the upper hand in this world.

Etta Lark is hiding from her past. Her best friends are dead and her mother is in an asylum. Etta made a deal with Madame, the ruler of Craewick, that would help her hide from the Shadows, a group she betrayed to help save her mother. But Madame changes the rules on her and Etta has to go back to the people she hurt to help her mom again.

This was a fast read. I devoured all the information about the Gift, Ungifted, and Minders. The world of the Shadows is really intriguing and probably my favorite part of the book. Some of the story is told through memories, since Etta has taken a few. There is insta-love but I think it works because it is a standalone book. Etta and her love interest do get to know each other on their quest. I’m so used to reading trilogies with love stories drawn out that seeing insta-love in a book that isn’t purely a romance novel is sometimes hard to get used to. It works in this story but I wasn’t that invested in the romance though.

When Etta and Reid get to the end of their journey, Etta’s past is revealed in a twist and it seemed so convenient. Etta accepts this reveal so easily. From there on, the story wraps up and everything works out in the end. Which is great, but my interest was dwindling by then. The time span of this story happens in one week, so the ending felt rushed.

Overall, this was an interesting book, with a potential to be amazing because I really enjoyed the underworld of the Shadows. Everything else though fell flat for me.

Get it here: Amazon

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Book Review: Kingdom of Exiles (The Beast Charmer, #1)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Maxym M. Martineau

Format: E-book

Pages: 400

Publication Date: June 25, 2019

Categories: Fantasy, Beasts, Romance, Magic, Assassins

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

Book Blurb:

Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts-an offense punishable by death-and now there’s a price on her head. With the realm’s most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can’t refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena’s terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin’s oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena’s continued survival…and his own. 

In a game of trust and half-lies, only one thing can be certain: traps capture more than beasts and ensnared hearts are impossible to untangle.

MY REVIEW

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc for an honest review.

Magic beasts! Undead assassins and a curse! This blurb had me at magical beasts. It was not hard for me to dive into this lush fantasy world. Leena is a beast charmer, and she reminded me of a Pokemon trainer! Yes, I said Pokemon. 😅 She had to find these beasts, tame them and put them in a special realm where they waited to be summoned. I wanted to be Leena and have a collection of beasts.

Leena is exiled from her home and there is a bounty on her head. The Cruor is a group of undead assassins, lead by Noc. Their powers are really interesting. They can control shadows and Noc can raise more assassins with his blood, like a vampire. Noc is powerful and in essence a “beast” as well. They are attracted to one another right away but Noc can’t get close, he is cursed. Noc finds her irresistible and Leena is a beast charmer so…why not try to tame his beast? 😉 They are meant to be .

Instead of carrying out the bounty, Noc and Leena negotiate on terms that may help both of them get out of the binds they are in. They are both trying to survive.

I love Leena. She’s strong, caring but vulnerable and she’s comfortable in her charmer skin. The magical beasts in the story are all amazing. They have different characteristics and powers. Noc is a typical strong male character, handsome, powerful and I love how he valued his friends even if he had to keep his distance. He has a sad past with lots of death involved and I hope we learn more about it in the next book.

I enjoyed Noc’s assassins: Calem, Oz and Kost – well not so much Kost, but he eventually grew on me. Their job is to escort Leena and make sure she stays in line but for the most part these guys come off friendly and funny (except Kost of course) and protect her. Leena seemed to soften these assassins up.

I didn’t think I’d read it through the night since I started it so late in the evening, but I could not put it down! This book was lots of fun, full of adventure, a delicious romance and those fantastic magical beasts. I look forward to the sequel.

Book Review: The Living God (The Living God, #1)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Author: Kaytalin Platt

Format: E-book

Pages: 300

Publication Date: May 21, 2019

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic

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

Book Blurb:

The Living God is foretold to bring about the destruction of the world in order to rebuild it into a paradise. Some worship and welcome His coming, other’s fear Him and would do anything to stop it. The Living God follows the internal struggle of two mages, Saran and Keleir, as they confront their fears and attempt to find meaning in the hand that life has dealt them. Saran seeks to overthrow her crazed father and salvage what is left of her country before it falls into complete ruin. Keleir is cursed with a Rauke’s soul, an ancient creature who is only able to survive by merging with an unborn child upon entering our world. Saran and Keleir are touched by fate, gifted with the ability to sense each other, and destined for a future that neither care to know. When Saran’s magic is stolen, she must confront a life without the ability to manipulate time, struggle to see the rebellion finished, and keep Keleir from becoming The Living God. 

MY REVIEW

Thank you to Inkshares and Edelweiss+ for this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Let’s start with the good: I love the cover, it’s a beautiful color palette. And I’ve been reading a lot of epic young adult fantasy books lately, so why not one more?

This was not for me. The beginning starts off with Saran D’Mor, who is a princess, and she is in the middle of a battle. She is helping rebels fight against her father the king. I thought a fast start was promising but instead it left me confused, like I missed book one, though this is the first book. Keleir is introduced right away, and he was interesting. He is a mage with an Oruke inside him, which is like a demon and it makes him very dangerous. Right away Saran and Keleir are established as lovers. But for punishment her father binds her magic which is a problem because she is the one that keeps Keleir’s Oruke at bay. Yikes.

This world Saran lives in is very complex and interesting. There are Gods and mages. Saran is a Time Mage but there are other types of mages as well, like fire mages and lightning mages. I liked how they could open a gate and teleport from one place to another. And then there are other worlds also or parallel worlds. Three to be exact which are called The First, The Second and The Third. I thought that was fascinating.

But the biggest problem I had with the book is I didn’t care about the story. I didn’t connect to the characters. I kept picking up the book and putting it off. I struggled through this one. Unfortunately, this one was not for me but I’m sure there are many fantasy lovers who would enjoy this fascinating world.

Book Review: Voice of Dominion (The Spoken Mage 3)

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Author: Melanie Cellier

Format: E-book

Pages: 316

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Book Blurb:

Elena may be the only Spoken Mage in history, but she struggles with limitations. Unable to stockpile written workings as her mageborn year mates do, she runs the constant risk of burning out. But when the Armed Forces draw the third years to the front lines of their war, Elena’s strength and flexibility may be necessary to keep them all alive.

As Elena wrestles with how much she will sacrifice for the war, Lucas must decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice for her. Faced with a greater threat than even they realize, Elena and Lucas must work together and either fight or be consumed by their enemies.

MY REVIEW

Elena is a Spoken Mage, whereas other mages write a composition of magic on paper and then tear it up in order for the magic to happen, all she needs to do is speak the words. In the first two books Elena is at an academy learning how to harness and expand her powers. Their kingdom, Ardann has been at war with neighboring kingdom, Kallorway. This time Elena and her classmates are sent to the front lines to observe the battle but gets caught in some skirmishes.

One reason I like this series is how the magic is created with the written compositions. It’s different! It would definitely be easier to speak out a command than spend time composing it but the author shows how writing could be beneficial in certain aspects as well.

There was a lot more action in this book now that they are at the front lines. Elena’s best friends are with her and still awesome. I’m glad she has good people around her. The romance has been a clean slow burn throughout three books now. It’s a back and forth thing between Prince Lucas and Elena. But I just wish they would just stay together. The twist in the ending, made me pause hard. It threw me off and made me wonder why that needed to take place. I’m not sure that I like it. I guess we will see how it works out in the next book – but it definitely surprised me!

All the books in this series are quick, easy, fun reads – this one wasn’t my favorite though.