Mini Reviews | Hades Castle Trilogy by. C.N. Crawford

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Fallen (Hades Castle, #1)

Author: C.N. Crawford

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 310

Publication Date: 10/14/20

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Synopsis:

In Dovren, even the angels sin.

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.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Cruel Stakes (Vamipre & Vices, #2) by. Nina Walker | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Cruel Stakes (Vampires & Vices, #2)

Author: Nina Walker

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 286

Publication Date: 7/8/21

Publisher: Addison & Gray Press

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.

The Mixtape by. Brittainy Cherry | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The Mixtape

Author: Brittainy Cherry

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 333

Publication Date: 7/1/21

Publisher: Montlake

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.

Triggers: mentions of rape, parental neglect/manipulation/verbal abuse, grief, death, post-partum depression, depression

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.

📚~ Yolanda

A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen #1) by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Title: A Lair of Bones

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 304

Publication Date: 7/13/21

Publisher: Alchemy

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Sirens

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.

📚 ~ Yolanda

A Court of Honey and Ash by. Shannon Mayer and Kelly St. Clare | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

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.

📚~ Yolanda

Year of the Chameleon 3 by. Shannon Mayer | Book Review

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Title: Year of the Chameleon 3 (Shadowspell Academy, #6)

Author: Shannon Mayer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 302

Publication Date: 2/26/21

Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

You Don’t Choose the Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

Broken, bruised, and battered beyond anything else, I’ve survived what I shouldn’t have.

But my day isn’t done yet. We finally have the key to stopping Frost—literally. Even if we don’t know how to use it.

One last time my friends and I have to scour not only the city but the supernatural world to find the pieces of this final puzzle—and we have three days to do it.

One final showdown brings us back to where it all began, and I face off against the woman who killed my brother. Who hunted my mother down. Who broke my uncle’s spirit.

If I cannot find the final pieces, then I will fail. And if I fail, Frost wins, and we are all doomed.

No pressure.

No pressure at all.

This book picks up right away from the last one and Wild and her friends are in the thick of things. It’s a fast-paced story and doesn’t let up until the end of the book.

Rory finally realizes he loves Wild so I’m glad that finally was resolved. We knew from the start they belonged together, right? It was just a matter of him realizing it.

The gang is back and ready to help Wild take down Frost. One of the best things about this series was about the friendship and found family Wild has with all these kids from different houses. This stays true to the end of the book.

I’m glad this series is over since I was already feeling impatient with it in the last book. Book five and six could have been combined basically but I know that’s not how it works. I’m glad we get Rory and Wild finally together. Wild and her friends find a way to accomplish their goals and overall it was a fun series, my favorites being the first three books.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Year of the Chameleon | Shadowspell Academy 5 | Book Review

My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Title: Year of the Chameleon (Shadowspell Academy, #5)

Author: Shannon Mayer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 314

Publication Date: 3/30/21

Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing

Categories: Series, Young Adult, Academy, Romance, Urban Fantasy

You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

The Shadowkiller is back.

And he is hunting me down like a dog in the streets of New York City using every tool and ally he has—including people I once trusted.

I have never been so alone in my life, and yet if I turn to my friends that puts a target on their backs too. Which means I have to keep running.

So, I do what I know, and I set myself to finding the trail of breadcrumbs that will lead me to the one who is still pulling the strings.

Frost. A Chameleon just like me. Just like the Shadowkiller. Worse, she’s seeking out my friends to pick them off, one by one. To drain their lives in order to feed hers.

To stop her, I have to find her—a task easier said than done in a city this size.

What I don’t expect to find is a truth that this world and its secrets run far deeper, and far darker than I could have ever suspected.

But is any of that going to stop me?

Not a chance.

It’s a quick read and continues right where book #4 left off. Wild is now with Nicholas and Ash but she’s trying to get away from them.
This time, we get different perspectives from her crew, especially Wally the Necromancer. I love that Wally is part of Wild’s crew because she needs more girls around her. Yay for the positive women friendships. The rest of the guys are awesome as well.
We get to learn more about the Shadowkiller and the few Chameleons that exists.

I feel like this could’ve been added to book number 4 because it was such a quick read and there were some things I thought was a bit repetitive, like when it came to Ethan. Will there be enough time in the next book to tie up all the loose ends about the Shadowkiller? I don’t know.
Also, does Wild really need to think about her feelings about Rory, Ethan and Colt right now when so much things are going down? Haha…I know she put it behind her, and put the mission first but still, it came up way too much for me.
Something feels missing and I just realized that the first three books in the series was co-written with another author, K.F. Breene. No wonder these last two books felt like something was missing, and that makes a lot of sense.

This one feels rushed and the next book is the last to the series, so it makes me wonder if every loose end will be tied up? I’ll read the next one because I’m already this far invested and they are really short books anyway so we shall see what happens next but this wasn’t my favorite book in the series.

📚~ Yolanda

Shadowspell Academy: Year of the Chameleon | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Shadowspell Academy ~ Year of the Chameleon

Author: Shannon Mayer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 302

Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing

Categories: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Academy, Survival, Coming of Age, Cliff Hanger

I’ve made it through the Culling Trials, the test that proved my mettle against every possible challenge.

I assumed that meant things would settle down and I’d start truly learning.

No more danger.

No more death threats.

No more wondering who was out to get me.

Apparently, that was not to be.

I am what this supernatural world calls a Chameleon—a rarity even amongst all these monsters. And rare things are coveted and feared by the most powerful of all—The House Of Wonder.

It’s a good thing I have my crew at my back, because this Academy?

It’s about to get seriously ugly.

Which means this farm girl is ready to play by only one set of rules.

Her own.

I didn’t know there was going to be more to this series, but I am happy there is! Wild is back but this time she knows she’s a Chameleon, someone who exhibits all the powers of each House.
It starts off right away with something happening to all the Houses so they are holed up at House of Wonder, it’s where the mages rule. There is a mystery to figure out – what is going on with the Houses being attacked except for Wonder? Or are they wrong and something happened to Wonder as well?
Wild is always a fun character – she has her own crew of misfits from each House. She’s outspoken and brave. She holds her own even when getting her butt kicked in training but that’s what makes her a cool person, Wild doesn’t give up.
Since Wild is a teen surrounded by some hot guys at the moment, yes there are options – and her options are wide open in this one! She can’t seem to figure out her feelings for certain guys, but there are other things to focus on at the moment like the Shadowkiller roaming around somewhere, and the attack on the houses.
It’s a very quick read and a great book to just lose yourself in – pure escape!

Like I mentioned, Wild can’t seem to figure out her feelings with these cute boys around her. It’s not quite a love triangle – we shall see what happens with that situation.
The ending is a cliff hanger but the next book comes out soon, in 3 weeks actually, which is great – I love when the wait isn’t too long!
Also the ending switches to Wally’s POV! She is Wild’s best friend and a Necromancer, something happens at the end where it seems that Wally will have to take over the leadership role, which is exciting. Can’t wait to see her shine.

Shannon Mayer does Academy books very well – it has action, a little flirtation and romance here and there, a strong heroine who has all the special powers but she learns them, fails at her gifts too but never gives up. There is drama, humor, heartfelt friendship and in this one, some visits from ghosts in Wild’s life. I look forward to seeing what happens next!

🥰 ~ Yolanda

A Twist of the Blade | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: A Twist of the Blade (Shadows and Crowns, #2)

Author: S.M. Gaither

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages:

Publication Date: 1/28/21

Categories: Young Adult, New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Friendship

Mercenary. Survivor. Queen.

Who is Casia Greythorne?

Still reeling from an unimaginable loss and the revelation of an identity she isn’t sure she wants to embrace, Casia has one plan: Try to control something. Something like the strange magic awakening inside of her. Mastering that magic will take her and her friends on a quest through cursed lands, into the dwellings of old gods, and deep into a southern empire filled with deadly foes and unlikely allies.

Meanwhile, the foundations of the Kethran Empire continue to crumble. The king-emperor clings to his crown with increasingly bloodied hands. Monsters and soldiers alike stalk Casia’s every step, determined not to let her return to claim a throne that is rightfully hers. Still, the greatest threat to her possible rule may not lie in the king-emperor, but in a former captain of his army—a man that she came dangerously close to falling in love with.

Elander Revenmar thought he knew who he was. He had a mission, a plan, a god he was content to serve. Then came Casia. A woman as mysterious as she is dangerous. One he should have stayed away from, and whose life he never should have saved.

Because salvation always comes with a cost.

**And some debts can only be paid for in blood.**

World Building ~ I really enjoy the story about the Gods and their revenge on humans. Cas was in Oblivion at the ending of book one but she doesn’t stay long. She needs to find her friends and stop her brother Varen from world domination. So Cas picks herself up, her broken-hearted, weakened, lost self and puts one foot in front of the other and keeps moving forward. We get to visit a different kingdom in this book which is great because Cas needs help, so she goes and seeks it out.
Characters ~ Cas is resilient, even when she thinks of giving up, she tries again and again and that’s so inspiring. And I love her friends, her support group that sticks by her no matter what. There were many times when the story was emotional because of what was happening to her friends.
Romance ~ or what is left of it…it is “complicated” as Elander likes to say. This is a story of past and present, reincarnation, a second chance, but it gets more complicated for Elander and Cas the more the truths are revealed.
Storytelling ~ this just flowed so easily, I read it in one night. I like how nothing is easy in this story between Cas and Elander with their romance or with Cas and Varen and their family ties. But for sure I love when Cas has her friends around her.

Not gonna lie, I wanted more of Elander and Cas together ~ I love them. But he kept having to disappear, he had his reasons though.

This story had action, good story telling, great world building, an inspiring main character and a complicated romance that just makes me hope so hard that Cas and Elander have a happily ever after. I look forward to reading book three which can’t come soon enough!

⚔️ ~ Yolanda

Blood Casino | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Blood Casino (Vampires & Vices, #1)

Author: Nina Walker

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 324

Publication Date: 1/28/21

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Supernaturals, Romance, Vampires

Keep your cards close and your enemies closer.

At least that’s what my mom always told me. Becoming a vampire hunter was never in my cards, but it is now that she needs my help. A decade ago vampires seized control of the bars, casinos, and the dark underbelly of society. Now they deal in addiction and bargain with blood, and humans over twenty-five can’t fight back against their compulsion. It’s made my mother vulnerable––the only family I have left.

To save her, I’m forced to make a deal with the devil––one who lives above a casino, wears a crown, and wants to drink my blood. Adrianos Teresi may be dangerous and alluring but I’ve got a stake hidden up my sleeve. I’ll go all in and play his game, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

What I don’t expect? The heart that needs guarding is my own.

Vampires and gambling definitely go together. In Blood Casino, the stakes are high ~ Evangeline is trying to save her mother from a gambling addiction, and who runs the casinos? Vampires. A vampire prince in this case, named Adrian. He is centuries old, deadly but looks 25, uh huh ~ you know that vampire genes don’t age haha. The hate is mutual between but they keep running into each other.
Love the setting of New Orleans. I went there once as a teen and I still remember the French Quarter vividly, it’s definitely a place you can’t forget. But the whole seedy, dark vibe makes New Orleans the perfect place for supernaturals to thrive.
Adrian is not a nice guy ~ he’s a vampire who’s been a live a long, long time. He kills in front of Eva, threatens her with violence, is violent, and scheming. Exactly what my image of vampires were like before Twilight lol…no hate on Twilight, I love Twilight, but before that…the vampires I knew burned in the sun, they did not sparkle.
I like action. Eva’s friends are vampire hunters but all is not what it seems with their leader Leslie Tate. We don’t learn much about Tate but I think more will come in the sequel. I like the vampire hunter action and the twist in the end as well.
The enemies relationship between Adrian and Eva is not quite to the “lovers” yet…and will it ever get there? We shall see, Eva’s got options, is all I’m saying.

Love triangle in the making? We shall see, but Eva has crushed on her best friend’s brother for awhile and now they are training as hunters, they get to spend more time together. The only thing that happens in this book is kissing. And very few kissing scenes at that, so there is a lot of room to grow with the romance angle.
Eva is 18 years old. I love how she tries so hard to survive and take care of her mom..but she is just 18, making mistakes, acts like a teenager especially around a very old vampire ~ she really is lucky she hasn’t been killed by chapter one! I hope we see more growth in her.

This story was a pure escape for me and a fresh take on vampires in urban fantasy. I enjoyed it so much I read it in one night and I’m here scouring this author’s backlist so I can binge read this week. I’ll be waiting impatiently for the sequel.

🧛‍♀️ ~ Yolanda