I am still on a physical book buying ban lol…it’s been good for my wallet at least! Anything I’m buying are ebooks and usually ones that are on sale. So most books I’m reading lately are from NetGalley or Kindle Unlimited. This is my haul for March:
NETGALLEY::
KINDLE UNLIMITED::
So for these Kindle Unlimited titles – we shall see if I actually get to read them on time. These are more of mood read books and sometimes I’m in the mood and times I’m not. It’s just up in the air and I don’t feel any pressure to finish them like I do my NetGalley books.
I’ve been reading slow this year! It’s okay though. I wish I could buy some new releases but I have a family trip coming up in June that I have to save money for. So hopefully I can get these new releases at the library!
Title: With Dagger and Song (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #2)
Author: Helen Scheuerer
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: 378
Publication Date: 11/13/21
Publisher: Alchemy
Categories: Fantasy, Series, Young Adult, Adventure
An empty crown. A perilous journey. Will she answer when darkness calls?
Against all odds, Roh survived the harrowing Queen’s Tournament, but now something far deadlier awaits her: a formidable quest for the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel.
The gems have been scattered across the realms – and only when Roh retrieves them can she take her place as queen. But surrounded by hostile companions and tormented by the dangerous secret she carries, Roh begins to realise that the pursuit of power may prove more destructive than she ever imagined.
Nothing can prepare her for the nightmares that fester in the shadows of Akoris, a fanatical cyren territory, or the twisted games of its cunning leader…
Can Roh win the first birthstone without sacrificing everything she holds dear – and without losing herself?
Packed with heart-pounding action and layers of intrigue, With Dagger and Song is the second epic instalment in Helen Scheuerer’s Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet.
This is book two of the Curse of the Cyren Queen series and it picks up from book one. Roh survived the Queen’s Tournament and we find out she’s a future queen, not just a bone cleaner. Of course they won’t let her be Queen until she goes on a quest to get the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel. Then and only then will it prove she is worthy.
Roh chooses her companions on this quest – Odi is a given but Harlyn was a curious choice since Har hates Roh with a passion after learning about Roh’s deception. Also Roh picks warriors Yrsa and Finn to come along. Finn is another one that hates Roh. A lot of people hate Roh! haha…but at least being thrown together on this journey, we get to learn more about Yrsa and she’s a good person. Finn, well…we shall see what happens there, it seems he’s warming up to Roh. It’s Harlyn and Roh’s relationship that I was hoping would be repaired somehow in this sequel. It’s rough but they get there.
The group travels across Saddoriel to Akoris, where the fanatical cyrens reside and their ruler, Adriel is pulling the strings. So somehow Roh has to appease Adriel by passing more tests in order to be acknowledged as queen. I am really enjoying the journey they are taking through these different lands though. I also like that the story moves forward with Roh trying to get the birthstone plus doing her best trying to find out more about her mother’s past. We find out a bit more about Roh’s mysterious background as well.
I think Roh has a lot of character growth in this sequel. She still has trouble trusting people with her secrets, even though secrets are what messed up her friendship with Harlyn and Orson, the two people who knew her best. But Roh is starting to learn that she needs allies and good advice. I’m sure Roh will make more mistakes before we get to the end of this series, but seeing progress is a good thing.
Content Warnings: drugged, violence
They did a bunch of traveling but once they were in Akoris they stayed put for the bulk of the story. Akoris was an interesting place but I thought Adriel would have been more sinister – Roh handled him quite well I believe.
I’m looking forward to see what happens with Finn and Roh. An enemies to lovers thing? Or not? Haha…I like seeing them bicker as potential friends or lovers. I’m also eager to see what happens with the water drake egg that Roh has in her possession! That ending made me wish book three was going to be out soon.
Why you should read it?
story about betrayal and forgiveness
you like an underdog story
Roh’s character development – she has a lot of things to fix and I”m glad she’s facing it head on
Why you might not want to read it?
not into fantasy
wait until the whole series is out
My Thoughts:
I thought this was a good sequel as we follow Roh and her companions to Akoris. We learn about the water warlocks and their beef with cyrens. Also, we get to know more about Roh’s background. I’m looking forward to more adventure in book three and I hope we get more of Finn and Roh and the water drake egg!
Title: Dance with the Sword (Bluebeard’s Secret, #2)
Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: 371
Publication Date: 9/17/21
Publisher:
Categories: Fantasy, Romance
A GRIM BETRAYAL. A DYING KING. A HUSBAND WHO WON’T LET HER GO. With the heart of the Wittenhame still ringing from Izolda’s actions and her new husband shocked at her betrayal, the future seems very grim indeed. If Izolda had been asked if she wanted to be rescued from her would-be bridegroom and returned to her home and family, she would have eagerly agreed to go, but now that she is back in the mortal world, she is quickly discovering that home, family and even the inclinations of her own heart are not what she expected. Worse yet, Izolda has unwittingly become a pawn in a deadly dance between two Wittenbrand, snatched from the claws of one of them only to be stolen back by the other. With her bodiless friend Grosbeak along for the ride and the great game of crowns and thrones still being played out across the nations, will Izolda’s endless common sense still be enough to rescue her from disaster? Or will she fall prey to the terrible ambitions of her enemies?
DANCE WITH THE SWORD is the second book in the Bluebeard’s Secret series following the eerie and romantic story of FLY WITH THE ARROW.
The reason I enjoy this series is the writing or the way things are worded, the relationship between Arrow (Bluebeard) and Izolda is so filled with angst but so romantic as well. Their wedding vows kill me – it’s so gorgeous, especially when Arrow is in the middle of a fight to the death and he’s repeating his vows to her! 😭
Grosbeak saved this book for me. There were so many things that were confusing to me because I didn’t re-read the first book which I remember being a wild ride and confusing in parts as well. But Grosbeak always brought it back into “reality” for me – I love his morbid humor, I mean his head is on a stick! He always makes me laugh, especially since Izolda is always in a tense situation.
I needed more of Arrow and his kisses but this is the slowest burn romance ever. He is intense and I just wish their relationship wasn’t so messed up with him taking her lives – they seem doomed but I’m holding out for a happily ever after.
There is a lot of political intrigue and betrayal in this one as we learn more about the Sword. Izolda has some growth in this book because she needs to learn to lead an army without Arrow at her side. She and Grosbeak are unlikely best friends at this point but she can hold her own even though it all frightens her. I like how she appears steady and can figure things out (sometimes too late) but Arrow is right – she is perceptive.
Content Warnings: violence
There were some typos in this sequel.
As mentioned above, this story got confusing at times. It’s a fast paced book and a lot of traveling from one place to another. It’s another cliffhanger ending so I’d wait for all books to be out to binge this series.
Again, I needed more Arrow and Izolda moments! Can these two just hook up already? I love all the kisses though, it’s so romantic.
Why you should read it:
interesting take on Bluebeard story
Arrow (Bluebeard) and his kisses and intense gazes
fast paced with lots of action
Izolda’s character growth
Why you might not want to read it:
typos
confusing at times
slowest burn romance ever
My Thoughts:
This book felt rushed, especially with the typos in the story. It’s a fast paced book but I do wish some things were fleshed out more and we had more time with Arrow and Izolda. I felt like this was more of her story than his, she has to redeem herself after betraying him, she has to find it in herself to trust him, to give in to him…but Izolda doesn’t want to lose herself either. He is taking her lives – it’s what he does…so what does that leave her? Their slow burn romance is driving me crazy though because they are attracted to one another, and yet they can’t be together that easily, they can’t even “talk” to one another…thank god for mind reading though right? The politics between the fae is filled with betrayal, but honestly – I just wanted more Arrow. 🤷🏻♀️ I’ll be reading book three of course, just to see what happens, but I hope there is less typos and my brain can keep up! The wild ride continues.
📚 ~ Yolanda
Quotes from the Book:
“If you cannot gift it in whole, then gift it in slivers and I will reassemble it within my own breast and guard it there in the sanctuary of my immortal soul.”
~ Dance with the sword by. Sarah k.L. wilson
“Surely you must see how I will give of my own flesh to have you, to keep you, to buy you back from treachery. Surely you understand that you are without price or equal to me.”
Gripping and action-packed, The High Mountain Court is an adrenaline-filled, high fantasy with fae courts, powerful witches, and a diverse cast of characters, perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Holly Black.
Thirteen years fleeing witch hunters and the looming threat of death. Nineteen-year-old Remy knows she is possibly the last red witch alive, and she is determined to stay that way. The Northern Court King has slaughtered her home court and placed a bounty on red witch heads.
When four fae warriors enter her tavern refuge, Remy tries to flee, but her magic isn’t strong enough to stop a fae prince on a mission. The handsome Prince Hale of the Eastern Kingdom wants to stop a war with the Northern Court before his kingdom befalls the same fate as Remy’s. He needs a red witch and Remy may be the only person alive who can help him. Can she really trust Prince Hale? Can her fallen court be resurrected from the evil clutches of the Northern Court King? For the chance to save herself, her people, and help defeat the Northern King, Remy must put her faith in Hale and his companions on a dangerous quest to find lost relics.
The High Mountain Court is the first book in the thrilling fantasy saga, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Expect danger, intrigue, and thrilling passion as Remy journeys to save the kingdom she holds most dear.
I picked this one up over the weekend just because I was craving a faerie storyline. I had no real expectations going in and I was surprisingly entertained!
I enjoyed the world building with faeries and witches. Remy is supposedly the last red witch alive so she is basically living on the run, with two loyal companions who are brown witches. She runs into Hale, who is a fae Prince from the Eastern Kingdom. He’s been looking for a red witch to help him find some magical artifacts. These magical artifacts would supposedly lead him to a missing heir of the High Mountain Court who can wield the treasures and fight the Northern King who is trying to overtake all the kingdoms.
Remy as a main character was just okay at first. She’s special, but we don’t fully know why until way later. I did love finding out the secrets she was hiding. There was something emotional about Remy too – she’s an orphan and has had some trauma in her past. She travels with two companions who are clearly devoted to her, and you see by the end just how far that devotion goes. Remy grows a lot in this story – she learns to fight, she learns to embrace her fears and she gains courage from her new fae friends.
The cast of characters are great and diverse. I especially liked Carys and Bri – fae who take her in and help her grow into a stronger young woman, they were fun. I liked that there was lots of action in the book, especially in the end and the twists were good too.
The romance between Remy and Hale is nice and it builds. I like that at first it grows from animosity to friendship and then eventually something they both can’t deny. It gets pretty steamy between them. I was definitely rooting for them and their happily ever after.
Triggers: violence
My biggest issue with this book was the moment they realized they were each other’s Fated Mates. From then on the phrase “fated mate” or “fated” or “mate” was everywhere and it ruined it for me! I love the fated mates trope – but do I need to be reminded they are fated on every other paragraph? Nope. I think I know they are fated – you had to tell me only one time. lol…it became so repetitive I was cringing.
Would have love to learn more about the witches!
Why you should read it:
you like fated mate romances
interesting world building of fae courts and witches
lots of action and some emotional parts too
Why you might not want to read it:
the word “fated mates”, and “mate” are repeated a lot in the last parts of this book
My Thoughts:
I honestly just picked this up because I needed something light and easy to read that had faeries and romance in it. To me this was a fun read with enough action and emotion to keep me invested in the characters. It actually ticked off all the boxes in what I was looking for in a book until the fated mate stuff. I love a good fated mates story, but I really don’t need to be reminded every five minutes they are fated. 🤦🏻♀️ I will still read book two because it’s going to be about another set of characters but I hope there is WAY less of the phrase “fated mate” or “mate”.
Title: Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic, #2)
Author: Elise Kova
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: 374
Publication Date: 8/19/21
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Fae
She knew her hand in marriage would be sold. She had no idea a fae prince was the buyer.
Katria swore she’d never fall in love. She’s seen what “love” means through the cruelty of her family. So when she’s married off to the mysterious Lord Fenwood for a handsome price, all Katria wants is a better life than the one she’s leaving. Feelings are off the table.
But her new husband makes not falling in love difficult.
As their attraction begins to grow, so too do the oddities within her new life: strange rules, screams in the night, and attacks by fae that Katria never thought were real. When she witnesses a ritual not meant for human eyes, Katria finds herself spirited away to the land of Midscape.
Surviving the fae wilds as a human is hard enough. Katria must survive as a human who accidently pilfered the magic of ancient kings – magic a bloodthirsty king is ready to kill her for in order to keep his stolen throne – and her new husband is the rightful heir in hiding.
The power to save the fae is in her hands. But who will save her from a love she vowed never to feel?
A Dance with the Fae Prince is a complete, *stand-alone novel*, inspired by the tales of Psyche and Eros, as well as Cinderella, with a “happily ever after” ending. It’s perfect for romantic fantasy readers who enjoyed of A Court of Silver Flames and An Enchantment of Ravens. A Dance with the Fae Prince features a slow-burn romance, swoon-worthy couple, and steaminess that ranges from simmering to sizzling.
I am really loving this series of stand-alone novels set in this fantasy world infused with romance and fairytale and mythology references. Elise Kova is on a roll with these books!
What’s not to like in A Dance with the Fae Prince? We have a girl, Katria, who is basically Cinderella and has an abusive step-mother and step-sister. She is given to a mysterious Lord as a bride in exchange for a book her late mother owned. But this mysterious Lord is no human lord at all but a Fae Prince trying to become king.
We are transported to the land of the Fae. If you read the first book in the series, A Deal with the Elf King, you do get some of the background of how the lands were split. We get Fae history, world building, an explanation of what powers they have and how they work their ritual magic.
Katria is basically Cinderella who doesn’t believe in love, or who believes love is harmful. She is sheltered but with a wild spirit that years to run free. She finds herself falling in love with Midscape and the people, finally feeling like she belongs – but all she thinks Davien wants is the magic inside her so he can be king. Davien isn’t an aggressive alpha male, he doesn’t know how to rule and lead but he is learning. He grew up away from the the fae world so he himself is trying to find his place. But he is patient with Katria, Slowly and surely, they find their places with one another. I enjoyed their slow burn romance because they get to know one another and in a stand-alone book, that’s hard to do sometimes.
The secondary characters were great also, I loved Shaye and Raph. I was rooting for Davien and his friends to win and the twist in the end was sweet even though I suspected it all along.
Triggers: abuse
Katria is abused by her stepmother and stepsister. Even her dad had watched her stepmother do something to her which was why she couldn’t understand what love was without pain. The Fae at Midscape give her a glimpse of what love between friends, family and lovers could be like. It is a very emotional and eye opening journey for Katria.
Why you should read it:
lovely slow burn romance
great world building
a very complete stand alone novel
Why you might not read it:
it’s a stand alone but set in the same world as the other book in the “series”
you are not into slow burn, fantasy romance
My Thoughts:
So far I’ve really love the books in this series even though they are stand alone novels. I think because the stories are set in the same world, there is a continuity to them, but they are different enough to keep it interesting. I love romance in my fantasy books so this series is perfect for someone like me. I’m already looking forward to the next book!
Most nights, I dance and laugh with friends till the morning birds start to sing. But then disaster strikes.
A sinfully sexy angel strides in to my favorite dance hall and compels me to work for him–in Hades Castle. Sure, I always wanted to see the inside of the ancient fortress that looms over the city. But the fallen angel is a brutal tyrant–and I think he killed my sister.
Now, he wants me to pretend to be his wife. Instead, I plan to assassinate him. Too bad the only way to kill an angel is to seduce him. And the sensual charms of the fallen will make it hard to stay on task.
But this is a battle, and he’s my beautiful enemy. We are fighting with weapons of desire, and we’re both at risk of losing ourselves in this war.
In this first book, Fallen, we get introduced to Lila a poor thief who is just trying to survive and Samael, basically a fallen angel – but the Angel of Death. He hires Lila (who poses as someone else) to be his wife – he needs to marry a mortal to be king of the fallen angels in Dovren. But there is a group of rebels trying to take him down and end the angels’ reign in their kingdom. What side is Lila on? Clearly the human/rebel side and she tries to find ways to actually take Samael down.
This was a super quick read – Lila seems like an interesting main character, at times she can call some powers to her but there is no indication that she is a fallen angel or a demon. Samael is all death – many times we are reminded looking upon his TRUE face would cause people to lose their minds and it’s why he wears a cowl. Of course Lila can look at him straight on. They are both attracted to one another because she’s got a nice body and Samael is an angel and apparently they are super hot even though totally deadly. I think it was a solid start to a series and it did make me curious about the fallen angels and what Lila’s powers could be.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Rapture (Hades Castle, #2)
Author: C.N. Crawford
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: 244
Publication Date: 1/18/21
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Categories: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Synopsis:
The angel of death locked me in one of his castle rooms, surrounded by books and delicious food. Not bad, right? Except for the loneliness, and the lust-fueled dreams that torment me every night. Specifically, dreams of Samael. And did I mention a psychotic ghost keeps trying to kill me? Because no one else believes me about that.
Now, I’m desperate to get out of the castle and hunt down the murderous Free Men who led to my imprisonment. Samael wants to destroy them, too. We have the same goal, but don’t trust each other. When distrust shifts into passion, it only makes things more complicated.
Despite what we feel, we’re destined to be enemies. If we can’t rewrite our fates, we will lose each other forever–and one of us will end up dead.
Another quick read – I felt like this book could have been split with the first and third and it could have been a duology. This one is shorter than the first one! The story starts off where it last ended in book one, Lila is imprisoned in a tower because she tried to kill Samael. She feels more of the Raven King’s power and yes there is a whole back story about Samael’s life before falling, apparently he was married to a demon named Lilith. We learn that Lilith has her own backstory with the Raven King and they are tied to Lila – hence why Lila has nature powers. There is more attraction between Lila and Samael and things get heated between them even though she tried to kill him. He doesn’t trust her, but he’s falling for her. I did enjoy learning more of the back story of some of the characters but I just wish it wasn’t so short. It would be nice to get to know more fallen angels because so far there is only three in this series that we have met. Because it was so short I immediately read the next book.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: Possessed (Hades Castle, #3)
Author: C.N. Crawford
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: ??
Publication Date: 4/21/21
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Categories: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Synopsis:
I’m struggling with my dark side–the demon within me–and only Samael can help me. He has decided we’re dangerous for each other, but I know we need to join forces. If we can’t defeat the Free Men together, I will lose myself to the demon within me, and a darkness will spread across Albia.
Lila is possessed by Lilith’s spirit and the rebels have a book that can control that spirit. What they want is for Lilith to end Samael and the angels’ rule. But Lila/Lilith is remembering a lot of her past and she also remembers how humans tortured her in her past life. Lilith also remembers why she hates Samael and though Lila doesn’t, Samael decides they are bad for one another. Except they can’t stay apart so they give in to their needs and Lila/Lilith helps Samael defeat the Free Men. I think this was a solid ending to a story that could have maybe be just one book or a duology. I read the three books in one night so most likely it could have been one book. Overall, I thought the series was entertaining, it was quick and some parts felt rushed, but that’s ok.
Categories: Paranormal, Young Adult, New Adult, Romance
Cross your heart and hope to live.
I should leave them alone and be done with vampires. I finally have my mother back, I’m dating the perfect guy, and I’ve parted ways with Adrian Teresi.
But I have an opportunity to help the hunters and hopefully learn something that could save more humans. Not to mention, I need answers about the venom burning through my veins.
So I go back to The Alabaster Heart to strike another deal with the vampire prince. The game of cat and mouse that follows is expected, and maybe even a little fun, but nothing prepares me for the day that our games end—and the consequences begin.
Cruel Stakes is the sequel to Blood Casino, a paranormal series about Vampires who are like the mafia running the underworld. Evangeline or Eva, is playing both sides, working for Adrian, a vampire prince and also becoming a vampire hunter with Felix and her friends. The stakes are higher now because the Queen of vampires, Brisa, has her in her sights.
I liked being in Adrian and Eva’s world again, especially when they travel to the Palace of Versailles in France. Brisa has won the city of Versailles and has called her princes to come party with her basically, and they party everyday. It’s decadent, and as opulent as when Marie Antoinette was alive in Versailles. But to what end?
Eva and Adrian have grown somewhat closer, as close as cold Adrian lets her be – but still it’s hard to know how much Adrian can be trusted. I like that once we start to think we know Adrian…we don’t again. He is quite a mystery and I’m wondering at his end game for real.
There is another twist at the end involving Leslie Tate – so I guess I will wait for book three.
This sequel felt rushed. It’s a very quick read with only less than 300 pages in this volume and I needed more to the story. I felt like things were just being glossed over. Leslie Tate is back? Okay, let’s ambush Adrian and oh, too bad the fight is over. It was all so fast, the scenes needed to be extended a bit at least!
Adrian and Eva finally admitting something about their attraction felt so anti-climatic but there is drama there we get to know more about in book three I hope. The way it happened was rushed. And what is this obsession with her virginity? I get she smells good to vampires but yikes…haha. Eva was trying to get laid in this book.
Eva dealing with Felix, her “boyfriend”? Did they even really care about each other? I felt nothing and I’m team Adrian anyway. I honestly am not sure what it is about Eva who is 19 years old appeals to world and very very old Adrian. 😅 She is fetus compared to him. Sigh…but that’s how it is with vampire hookups. And even worse, I felt awful about her best friend Ayla. What is going on with that? How were they so close and now not best friends? And how is Eva so casual about it? She tried to talk to her a few times, but I felt like as a best friend…she could do way more. So I wasn’t feeling Eva at all in this book at all.
Why you should read it?
vampires vs. vampire hunters and….energy demons?
fun plot twist at the end
Adrian and Eva finally make moves on one another
Why you might not want to read it?
the story is rushed
most exciting thing happens at the end of the story, it’s a cliffhanger
this could have been combined with book 3
Am I still going to read book three? Yes, definitely because I need to see what happens with that plot twist. I hope Eva has more character growth in the next book and we see what Adrian is really up to and how he really feels. Overall, I’m still entertained with the series and look forward to the next one.
Categories: Romance, Musician/Rock Star, Contemporary, Diverse
Since the death of his twin brother, Oliver’s caught between pleasing his fans and finding himself. Emery finds him first.
Emery has never felt more alone. Raising her daughter is both her pleasure and her pain as she struggles to hold on to her job as a bartender and keep a roof over their heads. With no one to help them—no support system—any unexpected expense or late bill could turn their whole world upside down.
Reeling from the death of his twin brother and bandmate, rock star Oliver Smith is trying to drink his problems away. Apparently he isn’t very good at it; they follow him wherever he goes. Also in hot pursuit are the paparazzi, who catch Oliver at his lowest low.
He could have walked into any bar in California, but he walked into hers. Emery helps Oliver lose the crowd, and they find themselves alone: two people whose paths are marked with loss and pain. However, they hold an unshakable hope for healing. They find solace together, but can their love withstand the world?
This book definitely fulfilled my craving for a rockstar romance. The rock star or R&B star in this instance is Oliver & Alex Smith, who are twins and best friends. But Alex tragically dies and Oliver is left in grief. Emery is a single mother trying to make things meet but she is struggling and she has hardly any support. When Oliver and Emery meet, it starts as a friendship and into something more.
I really liked Oliver and Alex even though Alex was only in the book for a little bit. You can feel their tight brotherly bond and it’s so sad when he dies. Oliver grieves and out of the two brothers he was the quiet and introspective one so dealing with this event is hard for him. But I love how he opens up especially when he meets Emery. He is in a toxic situation with his girlfriend and just in life in general after Alex’s death. Emery is a wonderful character – she loves her daughter, loves her sister and she’s strong despite her toxic upbringing. I love her strength and her softness despite her hard circumstances.
The romance is a slow burn but when they do get together, oh does it burn between them. Don’t be surprised by the sweetness of their relationship because in the bedroom it gets steamy fast. Oliver and Emery start off as friends but they grow closer and Oliver bonds with her daughter which is so adorable. I love the theme of family in this book. Oliver has supportive and caring parents, but Emery has strict parents who withheld affection, even hated her which is truly awful. I liked how it shows how families can be toxic but there is always a chance to stop the cycle and create new, healthy family traditions.
The story is a little predictable when Emery becomes his personal chef, but I didn’t mind that at all. Also just because she’s a personal chef, this wasn’t a foodie book at all. They say her food is amazing but we don’t necessarily get all the food descriptions like we do in more food oriented romance stories.
The sexual parts are quick scenes but pretty hot and descriptive, so if you aren’t into that – this may not be for you.
Why you should read it:
fan of R&B music star falling for regular girl trope
slow burn, steamy love making scenes, sweet romance
emotional story of two people overcoming sadness and struggle in their lives
quick read
Why you might not want to read it:
musician trope
predictable story
My thoughts:
I don’t read a lot of rock star trope stories but once in awhile I get a craving for it. I loved that this was about an R&B star because it’s one of my favorite music genres and this is a diverse read with a beautiful black man and woman as the lead characters. The story is emotional, sweet, and deals with a hard topics like grief and a toxic family. But our couple comes out shining and filled with a new outlook on life and love. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
A deadly contest. A vaulting ambition. How far will one cyren go to win?
Mighty cyrens have ruled the ancient lair of Saddoriel for centuries. A cavernous fortress, a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels and levels, powered by magic and music…
From the moment she was born, Roh, the daughter of an infamous criminal, has been despised by her own kind. Restricted to the Lower Sector and forced to work as a common bone cleaner, she has always believed she belongs above: where lies adventure… and power.
Opportunity arises in the form of the Queen’s Tournament, a treacherous set of trials that could see the victor crowned ruler of the entire lair. Up against the most cunning, dangerous cyrens in all the realms, does Roh stand a chance?
A Lair of Bones is the first gripping book in the dark fantasy quartet, Curse of the Cyren Queen.
I went into this story kind of blind. I love how dark and ominous the cover looks and I don’t usually read many books about Sirens or Cyrens as they are spelled in this series, but I was needing something different and I’m glad I borrowed this one.
Rohesia, or Roh is the daughter of a criminal so it’s only natural that she wants to know why her mother did what she did, what really happened, and to do anything to get out of the Lower Sector. She can do all these things if she joins the Queen’s Tournament and wins it all – the winner becomes Queen. But the trials are not easy and she is assigned a human to keep alive at the same time. But Roh has it in her to win, even if she has to hurt the people she loves to do it.
Roh is a morally gray character – do I like her? I like the reasons for her ambitions but I also worry what power will do to her as well. I don’t know if I quite trust her fully to do the right things, since she shows she’s willing to do some wrong things to get her way. Her ambition stems from how she was brought up, at orphan, despised, marked and kept down in the lower sector. She wants more than that…as she should. The way she goes about it is suspect though but I’m hoping for more character growth…she’s already starting to get there with Odi, her human by her side. They have an interesting relationship and I want to see what happens with them and I don’t mean that in a romantic sense – there is no romance in this book, but if there somewhere in the next book, I won’t mind at all! Usually I need romance in my fantasy novels but I like this story as is right now.
I love the characters we meet in this story from Roh’s mom, her best friends, Odi, the Queen and even Roh’s foes. It just makes the story so interesting.
The story itself is creative and I enjoyed the world building of this world of Cyrens. I love how music was incorporated with the Cyrens kidnapping human musicians. I was engaged with how Roh was going to carry out her plans and see if her ambitions would make her do whatever it takes to win or she would learn other ways to accomplish her goals.
Triggers: death
Roh is a morally gray character so you either like her or you don’t. She is ambitious, but she has a fascinating backstory, or at least her mother does and I really know what Cerys’ story is. Odi seems to be changing Roh in some ways, softening her up when it comes to human interactions at least. Will she able to mend her friendship with her best friends though? I hope so.
I liked the trials of the Queen’s tournament but I think there could have been more intensity to it. At least with the first two. I did like the twist of the second trial, but the third was the most action packed of them all. I hope the series gets more intense with the second book and the next quest Roh embarks on.
It would be nice to have some kind of romance? But that’s a ME issue haha, because I love romance.
Why you should read it:
fascinating world of Cyrens (Sirens), detailed world building
a tournament to win the throne, competition
interesting characters
morally gray character
Why you might not want to read it:
no romance
some trials lacking in intensity
My Thoughts:
This is a really great start to a series and I’m surprised I loved it even with no romance in it. Roh’s journey is not over and I hope we get to learn more about the other characters in the book. They all stand out in their own way and I love that about the stories. I especially love this dark world of the Cyrens that the author has created and I eagerly look forward to reading the sequel.
Title: A Court of Honey and Ash (Honey and Ice, #1)
Author: Shannon Mayer and Kelly St. Clare
Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)
Pages: 420
Publication Date: 7/6/21
Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing
Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Fae, New Adult
Orphaned. Trained to fight. Raised to fear the power of Underhill. Secretly in love with a man who doesn’t want me.
I’m still just Alli, aka the half-human orphan fae, but my life is looking up for the first time. It only took me my whole 24 years.
But when Underhill—the ancestral home of the fae—shatters, making it impossible for any fae to enter, I’m the only one who knows who did it.
A secret that will be the death of me if I do nothing.
A brutal madness spreads through the fae as they lose their connection to Underhill, and to save my people, my only choice is to leave all I have fought for and go on the run.
Unless I figure out how the hell magic that has existed since the dawn of time was destroyed with a single touch, well, an entire life spent fighting to prove myself isn’t going to mean anything at all.
I must find the answer to the riddle of Underhill’s shattering.
Hunted by the very man I loved once upon a time.
Kelly St. Clare is one of my favorite authors that I found through Kindle Unlimited and I’ve read one of Shannon Mayer’s series Shadowspell Academy. The two authors combining makes for a good first book to a new series about the Fae.
This book is action packed from the get go, I think that’s a Shannon Mayer signature (even if I only read one of her series), action seems to be her thing and it keeps the story moving quickly. We meet Kallik in a competition that will decide her future. We also learn she’s half human and half fae, the bastard daughter to the Seelie King who put her in an orphanage when her mother died. Kallik is strong, can kick butt and hold her own around the guys.
And of course there is a hot Fae who Kallik has a crush on, or had past crush on, named Faolan. He seems to be everywhere Kallik is since her return from the trials. When something major happens involving Kallik, Faolan is sent to investigate. Kallik and Faolan definitely have chemistry and I hope there is more of it in book two.
The side characters are great – I love Cinth, Kallik’s besti-friend and rolling pin wielder. And Ruby, the giant Fae outcast is a sage with wise advice, a leader trying to protect the outcast and Kallik is building a friendship with him which Kallik definitely needed since she only has Cinth in her life.
Triggers: violence
The setting of Alaska is an interesting choice for the Fae but remote enough that they can have their own island to inhabit. I kept trying to picture what this Underhill would look like though.
Kallick is twenty-four years old, so I’m assuming this is new adult? Or just adult fiction though there was only some kisses taking place in the story.
It’s one of those series with cliffhangers but thank goodness the wait is only a few months and not a whole year!
I can tell it’s already one of those series I’m going to be addicted to and I can’t help myself, I love the Fae. This one is a quick read with lots of action, good chemistry between Kallik and Faolan, an awesome best friend in Cinth and a new world to explore. It’s a great start to the series and I look forward to book two.
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