Tag: historical fantasy

Foul Heart Huntsman by. Chloe Gong | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Foul Heart Huntsman (Foul Lady Fortune, #2)

Author: Chloe Gong

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 560

Publication Date: 9/26/23

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Categories: Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Series

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

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rosalind Lang has suffered the worst possible fate for a national spy: she’s been exposed. With the media storm camped outside her apartment for the infamous Lady Fortune, she’s barely left her bedroom in weeks, plotting her next course of action after Orion was taken and his memories of Rosalind wiped. Though their marriage might have been a sham, his absence hurts her more than any physical wound. She won’t rest until she gets him back.

But with her identity in the open, the task is near impossible. The only way to leave the city and rescue Orion is under the guise of a national tour. It’s easy to convince her superiors that the countryside needs unity more than ever, and who better than an immortal girl to stir pride and strength into the people?

When the tour goes wrong, however, everything Rosalind once knew is thrown up in the air. Taking refuge outside Shanghai, old ghosts come into the open and adversaries turn to allies. To save Orion, they must find a cure to his mother’s traitorous invention and take this dangerous chemical weapon away from impending foreign invasion—but the clock is ticking, and if Rosalind fails, it’s not only Orion she loses, but her nation itself.

Content Warning: violence, medical experiments

Here we are back in Shanghai on the edge of turmoil! And can I say I love the book covers of ALL her books. I have to admit it took me about 10% into the book to get situated again in this world, and I was confusing Oliver for Orion and vice versa. THEN I got my bearings, and it was smooth sailing from then on out. I think it’s easy to get confused because there are a few romantic couples in this series. We have Rosalind/Orion, Celia/Oliver, and the one that’s not fully established yet, Phoebe/Silas. So, I was trying to keep them organized in my head. Is Alisa ever going to meet someone?

If you like spies and assassins , with some historical fiction happening in the background (Japan is threatening to invade Shanghai) then you will love this series. It’s got action, mysterious players, covert operations, sinister medical experiments, exciting get-aways and romance. There are also some surprises which I loved.

As for the romance, I love Rosalind and Orion who are too funny and cute with one another. There is actually a lot of love in this book between them and then the love struggles going on with the other couples. I feel like Celia and Oliver are okay but the other one I thought was a good development was between Phoebe and Silas. But I wanted more for them. I honestly didn’t realize this was a duology while reading it and felt like a third book could have happened just for Phoebe and Silas, but I think the story was tied up nicely. I still think this series could continue with another duology maybe for Alisa? And I love the found family between all of them.

Tropes: found family

Why you should read it:

  • you love this series (These Violent Delights) and enjoyed Foul Lady Fortune
  • lots of action
  • lots of romance during all the tension and chaos in the city

Why you might not want to read it:

  • not into the series

My Thoughts:

Even though it took me a little while to get my bearings in the story, I locked in and enjoy the ride that is a Chloe Gong book! I think I’m starting to get used to the wild finishes of her books – it’s exciting and makes me want to read the next book from her. I love Rosalind and Orion’s romance, they can be so silly together which was fun. And I love the themes of family and friendship in the book. Great conclusion to this duology and I hope Alisa gets her own duology too.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Immortal Longings by. Chloe Gong | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Foul Lady Fortune by. Chloe Gong | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Our Violent Ends by. Chloe Gong | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

These Violent Delights | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by. Heather Fawcett | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries (#1)

Author: Heather Fawcett

Narrators: Ell Potter, Michael Dodds

Format: audiobook (borrowed)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 1/10/23

Categories: Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Romance, Fae

A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love, in this heartwarming and enchanting fantasy.

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party–or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily’s research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones–the most elusive of all faeries–lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all–her own heart.

Content Warning: violence

I finally got to finish this book by listening to it as an audiobook. I actually enjoyed reading it but I felt like it was going slowly and not in a bad way. I think because it’s such a cozy, slow moving story which I don’t usually like and I was getting bored reading, but not bored with the story. I just felt like if someone read it to me, it would hold my attention more and it sure did. The narrators are fantastic in this audiobook and definitely sounds like how I imagined Emily Wilde to sound like.

I found her interactions with Wendell so funny because they are such opposites. She’s driven, stubborn, headstrong and ambitious to complete this Encyclopedia of Fairies and Wendell is not. But Emily gets into some situations that become dangerous and she realizes she needs help.

The romance between Emily and Wendell is a slow burn and I thought it was cute when they both finally acknowledge their feelings for one another.

I do feel like there was more action in the end of the book so I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.

Tropes: slow burn

Why you should read it:

  • great narration
  • Emily’s investigations and researching of the Faerie world
  • Emily and Wendell’s slow burn

Why you might not want to read it:

  • might be too slow and boring for people not into cozy reads

My Thoughts:

I actually enjoyed this one more as it was read to be through an audiobook. I actually got 20% into the ebook before I put it down because it was too slow, even though I enjoyed Emily and her adventures learning about the fae. I had a feeling it would work out better for me as an audiobook and I was right. The narrators did a fantastic job and I was much more engaged in the story and even finished it. I adored Emily and Wendell together. I’m not sure if I’ll be reading the sequel but if I am in the mood for a cozy read, then I’ll pick it up.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Even The Darkest Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: All The Wandering Light (Even The Darkest Stars Book 2) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by. Hester Fox | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Last Heir to Blackwood Library

Author: Hester Fox

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 4/4/23

Publisher: Graydon House

Categories: Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Alchemy, Gothic

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

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

In post–World War I England, a young woman inherits a mysterious library and must untangle its powerful secrets…

With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she’s descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home.

The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own.  

Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey’s previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library’s mysteries in order to reclaim her own story—before it vanishes forever.

Content Warning: holding someone against their will

I am always intrigued by books by Hester Fox, so I requested this one right away. Here is what I thought:

+ The writing is lush and engaging. I could envision Ivy going to Yorkshire to live in this haunted, old abbey. There were moments the story gave me the chills and creeps. It had all the gothic vibes I was expecting from this author.

+ I like the twist in the story because it was totally unexpected. There is a sentient, evil library – which I thought was pretty cool. I was afraid for Ivy because even I didn’t know what was going on until it was explained, but I could sympathize and feel her confusion and terror when certain things start happening to her.

+~ Ivy is an unreliable narrator which is fascinating and frustrating at the same time. By the middle of the book, I was so irritated with her decision making! There is an explanation to her behavior but you have to keep reading.

~ Though this is a quick read, there is so much information withheld from Ivy it was very frustrating. I just was wishing someone would tell her something to help her out. I just kept judging her and saying she was very naive but there is more to the story that I can’t reveal.

~ There were some parts to the story that felt disjointed. The romance didn’t quite work for me, it could have, but the way the story is written – it just didn’t work for me. And after the explanation about the Abbey’s library – everything felt rushed from then on to the end. I wish there were more creepy scenes, and more incidents with the library books!

Tropes: sentient library

Why you should read it:

  • you like gothic, historical fantasy
  • the atmosphere of the Abbey, the library, the writing is engaging
  • Ivy is an unreliable narrator

Why you might not want to read it:

  • some parts of the story is rushed, romance didn’t work for me

My Thoughts:

I’m always picking up a Hester Fox book because I know the gothic vibes will be there. I love how her writing captures a setting, in this case, Yorkshire and the Abbey. I love the creepy vibes and wish it were creepier! I enjoyed the twist in the story about the library and wish there were more instances where we got to see the library in action. The romance didn’t work for me and I do think the ending was rushed but I still found it entertaining.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BLOG TOUR} A Lullaby for Witches by. Hester Fox | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC Review | The Widow of Pale Harbor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Divine Rivals by. Rebecca Ross | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Divine Rivals (#1)

Author: Rebecca Ross

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 368

Publication Date: 4/4/23

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Historical Fantasy, War, Gods, Romance, Young Adult, Grief

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

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

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever. Shadow and Bone meets Lore in this epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

Content Warning: violence, death, alcoholism, war, wounds, grief

I requested this book because it said Rebecca Ross wrote it and I was not disappointed. Here is what I thought:

+ I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this story and I was so surprised at what I got. This is a historical fantasy, set in a time similar to the 1950’s – the main characters are reporters who use typewriters to write their article for the newspaper. The fascinating thing in this story is the war wasn’t started by humans that we know of, but gods. And the gods have used humans to fight their war. We get a bit of the lore between the gods Dacre and Enva and why they started fighting. There is even magic in this world, magic typewriters, enchanted houses, which I thought was really fun.

+ Because this is basically a war drama – there is sweeping rivals to lovers romance, there is loved ones missing on the front lines, the horrors of war, the strength of love and character and I experienced so many emotions in this one book alone. I think I teared up three times. And I wasn’t expecting this book to do that to me.

+ The romance is a big part of this story and I love it. It’s the type of romance I would expect in a war drama actually and fits so beautifully. I’m a sucker for written letters (I am old enough to have done this back in my day lol), two people who love the written word – falling for one another because of the words they are writing to one another. It grabbed the romantic in me by the heart and I was rooting for their love from beginning to end!

+ There is more to the story especially when it comes to Iris trying to find her brother. My heart felt for both Iris and Roman. Mostly Iris because she was so all alone in the world. But what a tough young lady to keep on going even when it seems she has nothing left. She’s determined to find her brother and know if he was dead or alive. And Roman for overcoming an accident in his past that has ruined his family forever. I commend both of them for trying to love again even when they’ve both been so hurt.

~ There is a cliffhanger at the end and this book is a series. The ending broke my heart for Iris and her crew at the end of this book.

~ I do want more back story about the Gods because other Gods are mentioned besides Dacre and Enva, but I’m hoping that information comes in book two.

Tropes: magical correspondence, rival journalists

Why you should read it:

  • fan of Rebecca Ross
  • it’s got a little bit of everything: war, drama, gods, romance
  • I love Iris and Roman

Why you might not want to read it:

  • some readers might the story lacking in world-building especially in the mythology department but I’m hoping there is more of it in book two – the Dacre/Enva story kind of reminds me of Hades and Persephone but different

My Thoughts:

Where does Rebecca Ross come up with these stories? She is becoming my new must-read author only because she tries different things, different time periods, different settings and I always enjoy what she creates. I went with 5 stars for this book because the way this story took me for a ride, an emotional one at that, it even made me cry. I was caught up in the heartbreak for Iris, the horrors of war and the sweeping love story between Iris and Roman. I am so excited for book two, I’m just sad I have to wait awhile for it.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Sisters of Sword and Song by. Rebecca Ross | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A River Enchanted by. Rebecca Ross | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: The Queen’s Rising ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bone Weaver by. Aden Polydoros | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Bone Weaver

Author: Aden Polydoros

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 9/19/22

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Categories: Young Adult, Historical Fantasy, LGBT

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

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

A haunting fantasy following Toma, adopted daughter of the benevolent undead, making her way across a civil war-torn continent to save her younger sister as she discovers she might possess magical powers herself.

The Kosa empire roils in tension, on the verge of being torn apart by a proletarian revolution between magic-endowed elites and the superstitious lower class, but seventeen-year-old Toma lives blissfully disconnected from the conflict in the empire with her adoptive family of benevolent undead.

When she meets Vanya, a charming commoner branded as a witch by his own neighbors, and the dethroned Tsar Mikhail himself, the unlikely trio bonds over trying to restore Mikhail’s magic and protect the empire from the revolutionary leader, Koschei, whose forces have stolen the castle. Vanya has his magic, and Mikhail has his title, but if Toma can’t dig deep and find her power in time, all of their lives will be at Koschei’s mercy.

Content Warning: violence

I got a chance to read this one because it was offered as a read now arc on NetGalley and I thought why not? It sounded interesting but somewhere 30% into the story I was losing interest. By the time I got to 50% I decided to skim the rest of the book. So here’s what did and didn’t work for me:

+ I think the mixture of historical events happening in Imperialist Russia intermingled with fantasy elements is fascinating. The world building of different monsters and people with powers is really cool and different. Especially Toma’s powers of stitching people up and making them come back to life after death.

+ I thought Vanya and Toma were interesting characters. Mikhail is a tsar but he wasn’t my favorite – he was just a little to stiff. Vanya is charming and Toma is always helping people. This trio was interesting. I thought there was something brewing between Mikhail and Vanya but wasn’t sure. And then maybe Vanya and Toma?

~ Story moved a bit too slow for me at times which is why I lost interest.

~ This definitely would be a mood read for me and clearly I wasn’t in the mood. So although the book isn’t for me I think many people who like Russian inspired fantasy would enjoy this story.

~ Open ending?

Tropes:

Spice Level:

Why you should read it:

  • you like Russian history inspired fantasy
  • interesting world building with magic and monsters

Why you might not want to read it:

  • it was too slow for me

My Thoughts:

Though I ended up skimming this book because it was not holding my interest, I did think the world-building was interesting. I just think I wasn’t in the right mood or I’m not the right reader for it but I know plenty who will enjoy this book.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Foul Lady Fortune by. Chloe Gong | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Foul Lady Fortune

Author: Chloe Gong

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 528

Publication Date: 9/26/22

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Categories: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Series Spin-Off

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

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.

Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.

Code name: Fortune.

But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.

To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.

Content Warning: violence

I have to be honest and say I struggled with the beginning of this book because of the mystery and spying going on but wow does it pick up at the ending! Here’s what did and didn’t work for me:

+ We are back in Shanghai but way after Roma and Juliette are gone. This time we are in the thrall of Rosalind’s story – if you remember from the first series and how it ends, things didn’t go so well for Rosalind. This time though she has a chance to do more with what she is left with. And Aliza is in this story, she’s older now and a spy in her own right.

+ The new cast of Orion, Oliver, Phoebe and Silas is wonderful! I was more interested in Orion and Phoebe though since Oliver was on the other team with Celia (Rosalind’s sister).

+ Rosalind and Orion really grew on me. They are assigned together on a mission and have to be in a fake marriage. I love how their relationship grew and by the end I was emotional about what was happening to them.

+ The story gets good at the end! Like that alone makes me want to read book two asap. I’d say more of the action starts midway into this book and into the second half.

~ The beginning is slow – because it starts off like a mystery and moves at a mystery pace. A lot of the politics, which I was interested in during the first series, was lost to me in this book. Now there are communists, Nationalists and the Japanese trying to fight over Shanghai and a lot of that stuff went over my head. I

Tropes: fake marriage, spy romance

Spice Level:

Why you should read it:

  • if you loved These Violent Delights and want to return back into that world
  • sweet relationship between partners Rosalind and Orion
  • the second half of the book is suspenseful and action packed – it was the best part of the story in my opinion

Why you might not want to read it:

  • beginning of the book is slow and it was hard for me to get into
  • all the politics made it hard to follow who was on which side

My Thoughts:

I’m sad I struggled through the first part of this one since this is one of my highly anticipated reads – it was a two and a half/three star read until the 50% mark came into play. The ending was what I was hoping most of the book would be like…well, maybe not most haha, but it is a long book and the beginning was promising and then went into slow, mystery mode. I enjoyed seeing old characters and meeting new ones. The romance that is growing between Rosalind and Orion was fun to see because they were in a fake marriage but by the end I was totally invested and only want the best for them. I look forward to reading book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Within These Wicked Walls by. Lauren Blackwood | ARC Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Within These Wicked Walls

Author: Lauren Blackwood

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 11/9/21

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Paranormal, Fantasy, Gothic Romance, Young Adult, Ethiopian Inspired, Jane Eyre Reimagined, Lite Horror

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

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kiersten White meets Tomi Adeyemi in this Ethiopian-inspired debut fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre.

Andromeda is a debtera—an exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. When a handsome young heir named Magnus Rochester reaches out to hire her, Andromeda quickly realizes this is a job like no other, with horrifying manifestations at every turn, and that Magnus is hiding far more than she has been trained for. Death is the most likely outcome if she stays, but leaving Magnus to live out his curse alone isn’t an option. Evil may roam the castle’s halls, but so does a burning desire. 

Forgive me for not knowing right away that this is an Ethiopian inspired, Jane Eyre reimagined story. The NetGalley blurb gave no indication of it but when I went to Goodreads after I read the book, I was surprised. In a way, I liked not knowing it was Jane Eyre inspired because as I read the book I kept wondering why it kept reminding me of one of my favorite books! So in that instance, it did it’s job in capturing the classic story.

Within These Wicked Walls is a mash-up of everything I was craving! It is set in a very unique location where the cleansing takes place in a castle, but in a desert landscape and our main character Andromeda is a debtera. She is trained to exorcise households cursed by the Evil Eye. The house she is currently exorcising has walls that bleed and a Librarian demon that threatens people by leaving books open to a certain quote. Be still my heart! Then there is Andromeda’s conflicted relationship with the man who raised her and of course the new young man in her life, her employer – an eccentric, sometimes sweet, sometimes oblivious guy named Magnus. Put this altogether and for me, at least, it was a match made in light horror heaven.

I found the debtera and exorcisms unique. I liked how they used amulets for protection. I liked how the house is a horror show (and I’m a wimp with horror) with staff disappearing and residents getting hurt. Andromeda was trained to be a debtera by the man who raised her, Jember. Andromeda is a great character. She is tough and independent because how she was raised but still good at heart. A secondary character I loved as well was Saba who showed Andromeda love through action.

It’s because of Jember, Andromeda finds herself in a challenging spot with Magnus and this job to cleanse his house. She didn’t finish her training and is unlicensed, so patronage through Magnus is her best bet to make a living. It’s that or survive on the streets. Eventually she realizes cleansing the house would mean more to her than a patronage, it would mean helping the people she has come to care about.

I realized it was a Jane Eyre retelling when Andromeda and Magnus would interact. The banter between them is so good, and the longing made me swoon. They balanced each other out, Magnus trying to open Andromeda to fun and affection, and Andromeda grounding Magnus when he was losing himself.

Triggers: abuse, depression, blood, violence, death, gore, toxic relationships, kidnapped

I think some people will have a problem with the insta-love between Magnus and Andromeda. But I didn’t mind because it’s a Jane Eyre retelling, and the reason I love Jane Eyre was because of Jane and Mr. Rochester. So yes, give me the insta-love.

The abusive relationship is hard to swallow but Andromeda confronts Jember about it and makes her peace with him in the end. Could I be as forgiving as Andromeda? I don’t think I could but who knows if I were in her shoes?

I’ve been looking for something different to read and this was unique and familiar at the same time so it checked all the boxes for me! I read this book in one sitting. I loved how it was creepy enough but it didn’t scare me, it had a lot of action and the story was filled with all the romance drama I was craving. I love this reimagined story of Jane Eyre.

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Boundless by. Anna Bright | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The Boundless ( The Beholder, #2)

Author: Anna Bright

Format: Hardcover (own)

Pages: 491

Publication Date: 6/9/20

Publisher: HarperTeen

Categories: Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Political Intrigue

When Selah found true love with Prince Torden of Norway, she never imagined she’d have to leave him behind. All because the Beholder’s true mission was a secret Selah’s crew didn’t trust her to keep: transporting weapons to the rebels fighting against the brutal tsarytsya, whose shadow looms over their next port of Shvartsval’d. A place Selah hoped she’d never go.

But gone is the girl who departed Potomac filled with fear. With a stockpile of weapons belowdecks and her heart hanging in the balance, Selah is determined to see the Beholder’s quest to its end. 

This has been sitting on my shelf for a good year. I bought it during the pandemic on clearance and only picked it up to read now. The covers for this duology are really beautiful. Now the story itself is very interesting – I did enjoy the first book in the series, The Beholder, although it was a like mix of fairytales, historical fantasy and the bachelorette combined! Fascinating mix right? Well in this conclusion, Selah had found her true love… or has she? And can she finally help her crew do what they had planned to do (without her knowing) and finally go home?

I’m glad Selah had different challenges in this one – other than having guys fall for her and trying to decide who she loves. I mean…yes I can see that being a problem since she has to wed, but with everything else going on – she has bigger problems to fix. And Selah gets into it with Baba Yaga herself – a cold hearted killer who has taken a liking to Selah.

Obviously Selah found her true love in Torden – but why was Lang now a prospect? Out of sight, out of mind? Come one Selah – I wasn’t happy with Selah about this but I like Lang a lot. Or I like how he doesn’t cave into her demands. The secondary character came shining through in this one. Cobie is awesome and so loyal, Selah is so lucky to have her. I also loved seeing more of Anya as well. Aleksei surprised me and had some growth so that was promising.

I think the fairy tale infusion is what kept me reading. I love the reference to the 12 Dancing Princesses and of course Hangel and Gretel. thought the world of Baba Yaga was appropriately, cold, harsh and scary. Selah went through a lot being imprisoned there with her friends but it was good to see her rise to all the challenges.

Triggers: violence, abuse

My biggest issue with this book and it’s definitely a me problem is that Selah and Lang have a moment. I don’t remember her being with Torden much – I know she fell for him hard but honestly, I was liking the friction/attraction she was having with Lang. But she doesn’t deserve him – how did she get mad at HIM for not being right there to rescue her when he was helping the tribes and doing other things in the fight/rescue mission. I mean…🙄. I’m glad she now knows what she wants is someone selfishly in love with her (Torden) but come on…to be mad at Lang about that? He deserves a happy ending, poor guy.

Why you should read it:

  • if you liked The Beholder – definitely pick this one up
  • it mixes fairy tales and historical fiction, fun world building
  • if you are team Torden then you will love this one

Why you might not want to read it:

  • if you are team Lang haha – like me
  • not into love triangles
  • not into Selah flip flopping between boys

My Thoughts:

Selah – you boy crazy teenager, you! She was so frustrating haha but young and hey I remember being unsure about a guy. What I really like about this series is the creativity with the mix of fairy tales and historical fiction. I thought it worked in a strange way (they travel by wooden ship but have radios…🤔). Overall I was entertained by this series, I just didn’t like who Selah ended up with but I guess he was the best choice for her.

📚

Storm from the East | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Storm from the East (Glass Alliance, #2)

Author: Joanna Hathaway

Format: Hardcover (own)

Pages: 496

Published Date: 2/11/20

Categories: Historical Fantasy, War, Family, Romance

Battles, revolution, and romance collide in Joanna Hathaway’s stunning, World Wars-inspired sequel to Dark of the West

Part war drama, part romance, Storm from the East is the second novel in Joanna Hathaway’s immersive, upmarket YA fantasy series that will appeal to readers of Sabaa Tahir, Marie Rutkoski, and Evelyn Skye.

War has begun, and the days of Athan’s and Aurelia’s secret, summer romance feel a world away. Led by Athan’s father, the revolutionary Safire have launched a secret assault upon the last royal kingdom in the South, hoping to depose the king and seize a powerful foothold on the continent. Athan proves a star pilot among their ranks, struggling to justify the violence his family has unleashed as he fights his way to the capital—where, unbeknownst to him, Aurelia has lived since the war’s onset. Determined to save the kingdom Athan has been ordered to destroy, she partners with a local journalist to inflame anti-Safire sentiment, all while learning this conflict might be far darker and more complex than she ever imagined.

When the two reunite at last, Athan longing to shake the nightmare of combat and Aurelia reeling from the discovery of a long-buried family truth come to light, they’ll find the shadow of war stretches well beyond the battlefield. Each of them longs to rekindle the love they once shared . . . but each has a secret they’re desperate to hide.

  • We return to this intriguing historical fantasy world, the second novel in the Glass Alliance series and the stakes are higher. The plane fights are more thrilling as Athan tries to advance in his career as a fighter pilot and impress his father (who is barely impressed by anything he does). Aurelia is trying to stop a war but making more of a mess of things. There are secrets, there are truth bombs, and real bombs, there is romance. There is so much I feel like this should be a movie.
  • The family dynamics of the Dakar’s is fascinating, toxic, riveting and I really need to know what Sinora has on the General! But the siblings in this family has been raised in an unconventional way, all they have known it seems is war – they grew up with a manipulative father and they are left hungry for his love and praise. I feel like we get snippets here and there about each boy, of course we know more about Athan, but Arrin and Kalt, are intriguing – mostly Arrin at this point. Their sister doesn’t get a lot of scenes but she seems interesting as well.
  • Aurelia travels to Resya and learns more about her mother’s background and some shocking truths are revealed. I kept feeling like she means well and thinks she’s a step ahead when really sometimes her involvement just messes things up more. She has a good heart and wants the war to be over because she knows how evil it is, all these lives dead for what? But she’s torn because of her family secrets as well. How does she stop a war and keep her family safe at the same time? It seems impossible.
  • I love how this series is written. Each chapter gets to the point quickly and it moves the story quickly. I really like how this story questions all sides fighting a war, is it ever worth it, who is the more evil one, who will benefit in the end, and will it ever end when vengeance is the motivation? And what is the true cause each side is fighting for?
  • PTSD gets a spotlight in this series and we see Athan really start to go through it. We already know Arrin’s affected by it, but Kalt not so much maybe because he’s on a ship? And then there are the people caught in the crossfire of war who suffer greatly as well.
  • The ending was a shocker and I am definitely going to be reading the arc to book three, ASAP.

Triggers: violence, war atrocities, suicide, PTSD

  • Athan and Aurelia have a few scenes together in this series but for the most part they are not together. There are letters written between them that aren’t sent but we feel the yearning between them.
  • Will war ever end? When will it be enough for General Dakar?

This sequel really keeps the story moving at a clipped pace, almost like we are the ones marching into battle along with everyone else. I felt the tension between the Dakar boys and Athan’s thrills in the plane and fears. I was shocked with Aurelia’s discoveries and Sinora’s actions, and Athan and Aurelia’s love is so bittersweet but will it stand a chance? Can peace be achieved between all sides? I’ll be reading the third book right away to find out!

📚 ~ Yolanda

Dark of the West | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Dark of the West

Author: Joanna Hathaway

Format: Hardcover (owned)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 2/5/19

Categories: Young Adult, WWII Inspired World, Historical Fantasy, Romance, Family

He was raised in revolution. She was raised in a palace. Can their love stop a war? Code Name Verity meets The Winner’s Curse in Joanna Hathaway’s Dark of the West, a breathtaking YA fantasy debut.

Aurelia Isendare is a princess of a small kingdom in the North, raised in privilege but shielded from politics as her brother prepares to step up to the throne. Halfway around the world, Athan Dakar, the youngest son of a ruthless general, is a fighter pilot longing for a life away from the front lines. When Athan’s mother is shot and killed, his father is convinced it’s the work of his old rival, the Queen of Etania—Aurelia’s mother. Determined to avenge his wife’s murder, he devises a plot to overthrow the Queen, a plot which sends Athan undercover to Etania to gain intel from her children.

Athan’s mission becomes complicated when he finds himself falling for the girl he’s been tasked with spying upon. Aurelia feels the same attraction, all the while desperately seeking to stop the war threatening to break between the Southern territory and the old Northern kingdoms that control it—a war in which Athan’s father is determined to play a role. As diplomatic ties manage to just barely hold, the two teens struggle to remain loyal to their families and each other as they learn that war is not as black and white as they’ve been raised to believe.

  • My favorite part of this book is the intensity in brings. Athan is the youngest son of a General who is ruthless and has a reputation for fighting and winning wars. The General is a hard man who is always scheming. Aurelia is a Princess raised with rules but her mother is a Southern with a past that threatens their monarchy rule. There is a lot of political intrigue in this story and it brings the tension between all sides involved.
  • I was very invested in Athan and his struggles with wanting his dad’s approval, competing with his older brothers and wanting to be with his mother. I felt awful for him and what he had to deal with just to survive his family. His brothers all want to be the apple of their father’s eye and will do anything for his praise. Athan wants to disappear but he can’t because of his loyalty to his family and his mom’s memory. So what will he do?
  • Aurelia’s mother, the Queen of Etania is an intriguing character. She’s from Resyna but we don’t know much about the country because the story doesn’t travel there yet. All we know is what the characters tell us, and Sinora, the Queen has past that is entangled with Athan’s father. What happened exactly? We don’t know, but I hope I find out more about it in the sequel.
  • Having grown up in the 80’s, I was a big fan of the movie Top Gun and watched it a lot. This story is inspired by World War II but the plane fights reminded me of Top Gun and Athan is definitely Maverick. And Cyar is Goose ~ except I hope Cyar has a better storyline than Goose did in the movie! I enjoyed the flying and stunts in this book a lot though.
  • The political intrigue and scheming is very good and just like chess. Everyone is making moves and we aren’t sure who is going to win at this stage of the series. It’s a back and forth match but winner will take all. Unfortunately Athan and Aurelia are caught in the cross-fire.
  • The romance between Athan and Aurelia is sweet and very slow. They are both young, both have secrets but enjoy each other’s company. Will their bond continue to stay strong when the truth lets out?
  • Triggers: murder, violence, war
  • Aurelia at times comes off as naive but there was a moment in the end where she shows that she really isn’t just a useless princess. I’m curious to see what happens to her in the sequel.
  • Athan is said to be brilliant and smart but his character doesn’t seem to show it at all. He’s a good pilot, maybe shows off and disregards the rules too much, but brilliant strategist or something? I don’t see that yet. Maybe in the sequel?

I am glad I finally picked up this book. I was thoroughly entertained and was invested in the story because the tension between the warring countries was really good. The General seems to be a step ahead of everyone, or is he? I’ll need to find out more in the sequel but so far I’m enjoying this WWII inspired fantasy world with intriguing characters and a lot of political intrigue.

✈︎ ~ Yolanda