House of War and Bone by. Leia Stone | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: House of Ash and Shadow (#1)

Author: Leia Stone

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 304

Publication Date: 9/26/23

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Fae

“And what if I go dark?” I whimpered.
His face sobered. “Then I will jump into the shadows and pull you back to the Light.”

Seventeen-year-old Fallon Bane was born with a a single touch from another person will always cause her excruciating pain. Thus, she has accepted that she will die without ever being kissed, without even hugging her own father.

But when her beloved father falls ill, she breaks into the magical Gilded City to find a healer fae that can save him. When handsome healer Ariyon Madden agrees to help, everything she knows about herself and her curse changes. Because during her father’s healing, Ariyon reaches out and touches her bare skin. She waits for the agony… but it never comes.

For the first time in her life, she imagines a new future for herself. However, that fantasy is short-lived, because not only does Ariyon flee from her in disgust when he learns of her curse; he also reveals her existence to powerful fae who want to hurt her.

Fallon is then swept away to a magical academy, there she learns the terrifying truth about her family history and her dark magic. Her life and the future of fae everywhere hang in the balance, and all the while Fallon is dreaming of being touched by Ariyon Madden one more time before she dies…

Content Warning: violence

I’ve read a few Leia Stone books off and on through the years but I think the last book I read from her made me realize her books aren’t for me anymore. But I wanted to try out this one because I can’t resist the Fae but reading this has reinforced my stance on her books not being for me because I’m not the target audience.

This is a young adult romantasy and I can usually enjoy anything young adult but for some reason this just felt too young for me. It’s perfect for younger readers, but I’m too old for this one – I kept rolling my eyes and Fallon giggling and falling so easily for cute boys. The romance drama is very much something teenagers will love. It’s full of angst and there’s kind of a love triangle with two brothers but kind of not also because only one of them can touch her without activating her curse so we know who she is going to end up with.

Fallon is a cursed girl, who everyone loves but her mother was a dark magic wielder who hurt and killed people and they are afraid Fallon will be the same. But there are people on her side determined not to let her “go dark”. She goes to an academy where she’s supposed to learn about magic and how to control her powers. The story is pretty predictable and I skimmed through the halfway point to the end. My favorite character surprisingly was a bird name Yanric!

My Final Thoughts:

I’m giving it 3 stars because I would have devoured this book in my 20’s. But at my age now I want a little more depth to the characters and story. This one is good for a quick read, and if you are in the mood for some teenage romantasy. But it’s not for me and I won’t be continuing the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Dark Bite (Vampire Hunter Society, #1) by. Leia Scott | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dark Bond by. Leia Stone | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unholy Terrors by. Lyndall Clipstone | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Unholy Terrors

Author: Lyndall Clipstone

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/17/23

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Categories: Young Adult, Series, Dark Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal

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

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A bloodstained tale of a girl torn between her vows and her heart, where falling in love may be the deepest sin of all…

Everline Blackthorn has devoted her life to the wardens—a sect of holy warriors who guard against monsters known as the vespertine.

When a series of strange omens occur, Everline disobeys orders to investigate, and uncovers a startling truth in the form of Ravel Severin: a rogue vespertine who reveals the monsters have secrets of their own.

Ravel promises the help she needs— for a price. Vespertine magic requires blood, and if Everline wants Ravel to guide across the dangerous moorland, she will have to allow him to feed from her.

It’s a sin for a warden to feed a vespertine— let alone love one— and as Everline and Ravel travel further across the moorland, she realizes the question isn’t whether she will survive the journey, but if she will return unchanged. Or if she wants to.

Content Warning: self harm, violence

I was wary going into this book because I just finished Forestfall, the conclusion to Lakesedge, and didn’t love it. But whereas Forestfall disappointed me, this new book, Unholy Terrors, is really amazing. I might love it even more than Lakesedge!

Here we are with another book about vespertines, and I’m always wondering what a “vespertine” is now that more books are including them. But in this book, they are monsters. And Everline is a warden, a holy warrior, but one and maybe the only one who doesn’t have magic – which her half-sister, Briar, likes to always remind her of at every chance she gets. Everline wants answers about her birth, the death of her mother, and why her father treats her differently. All she wants is his love and attention, but she feels like a burden instead.

This author does such a great job with dark fantasy. The setting, the lore, the magic, Everline’s search for truth, the boy who is a monster, and the fight against evil are some of the things I love about this book. I loved the romance too which is an enemies to lovers, forbidden romance. There are hard choices to be made between them because of who they are and how they were raised. But I love how in the end they choose one another.

Tropes: forbidden romance, enemies to lovers

Why you should read it:

dark vibes, dark fantasy perfect for Fall
romance between a girl and a monster

Why you might not want to read it:

not into dark stories

My Thoughts:

This one will be perfect for Fall and releases just before Halloween. It’s a dark romance fantasy with monsters, warriors and a love that unites both sides.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Nobles

Lakesedge by. Lyndall Clipstone | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Forestfall by. Lyndall Clipstone | Book Review ⭐️⭐️💫

Heart of Night and Fire by. Nisha J. Tuli | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Heart of Night and Fire

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 379

Publication Date: 9/15/23

Publisher: Second Sky

Categories: New Adult, Series, Fantasy, Romance, Indian Mythology

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

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

A city of magic. A passion born in dreams. A secret that will set their world aflame.

Packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, heart-pounding action and devastating twists, The Nightfire Quartet is an epic fantasy romance that begins with a slow burn and builds in intensity. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Carissa Broadbent.

For years, Zarya has been trapped in a gilded prison. Her magic is forbidden, a dangerous secret—though nobody will explain why. Now she is ready to break free and find the truth.

Escaping to the dazzling city of Dharati, Zarya discovers a new world of enchantment and intrigue. With the help of seductive, blood-drinking rakshasa and magic-weaving Aazheri sorcerers, she searches for answers.

But the city is under siege. Every night, dark creatures attack. And since Zarya’s arrival they are growing stronger. To protect her new home, Zarya joins the fight.

As she battles on the walls and hunts through libraries for clues about her gifts, Zarya’s dreams are haunted by a mysterious stranger. Powerful, arrogant and handsome, Rabin sees through her secrets and ignites a desire she cannot resist. But can he be trusted?

When darkness threatens to overwhelm Dharati, Zarya is faced with a deadly choice. Will revealing her magic save the city? Or destroy everything she loves?

Enter a glittering new world inspired by Indian mythology and prepare to discover your new obsession.

Content Warning: violence, death

First I had to request this book because of that book cover and second, I found this author’s books on Kindle Unlimited this year and enjoyed them! So I wanted to see what this new series would be like and I was not disappointed.

The world-building is lush and inspired by Indian mythology. Vampire like people called Rakshasas that have silver hair and drink blood? Mages with elemental powers? A queen that is embodied in a tree? Monsters like birds that drop demon eggs?! I love this world of magic and fantasy, it’s so unique and vibrant.

Zarya is a character with a mysterious past. She was raised by a mage named Row who has gone missing which means she is essentially free to leave the barriers he used to keep her confined in. Her longing for new experiences is made reality when she goes to Dharati. She goes with her companion Aarav who she despises because he is like her watchdog. But she really blossoms in Dharati where she gets to experience so many things. She’s also in search of her past while she’s there and what she finds out is a big shock to everyone. I like how she’s willing to help, and loved to train with the soldiers and it was nice to see her actually become friends with Aarav. She also makes friends with Yasen, who didn’t like her at first.

Now Zarya has an instant attraction to Vikram, who is a Rakshasas but it’s a super slow burn between them. I felt like there was a light flirtation between them, nothing that would be serious. So when another guy, Rabin (tall, dark and mysterious) comes into play, I got even more interested in the story. I’m such a sucker for the bad boys but I love the twist in the story and can’t wait to see what happens in book two! I have a feeling it’s going to be spicy between her and Rabin. I do hope there is more character development in book two because though everyone was interesting – I’d have love to connect to Zarya more.

Tropes: girl with mysterious past, girl who comes into her powers

Why you should read it:

world-building, lush fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology
lots of magic and fighting monsters
Rabin and Narya

Why you might not want to read it:

Rabin only comes into the story in the second half of the story

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one and can’t wait for book two just to see how the sparks fly between Rabin and Zarya! I love the world building in this story and look forward to reading the sequel.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

Trial of the Sun Queen by. Nisha J. Tuli | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rule of the Aurora King by. Nisha J. Tuli | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Zhara by. S. Jae-Jones | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Zhara (Guardians of Dawn, #1)

Author: S. Jae-Jones

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 8/1/23

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Magic

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!

Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

Magic flickers.
Love flames.
Chaos reigns.

Magic is forbidden throughout the Morning Realms. Magicians are called abomination, and blamed for the plague of monsters that razed the land twenty years before.

Jin Zhara already had enough to worry about—appease her stepmother’s cruel whims, looking after her blind younger sister, and keeping her own magical gifts under control—without having to deal with rumors of monsters re-emerging in the marsh. But when a chance encounter with an easily flustered young man named Han brings her into contact with a secret magical liberation organization called the Guardians of Dawn, Zhara realizes there may be more to these rumors than she thought. A mysterious plague is corrupting the magicians of Zanhei and transforming them into monsters, and the Guardians of Dawn believe a demon is responsible.

In order to restore harmony and bring peace to the world, Zhara must discover the elemental warrior within, lest the balance between order and chaos is lost forever.

Content Warning: violence

I was absolutely drawn to this book because of that gorgeous book cover. It’s one of the prettiest book covers I’ve seen this year. I was also intrigued with the synopsis saying it’s Sailor Moon meets Cinder but as I read the book I felt like it didn’t deliver on any of those fronts. And I watched Sailor Moon this summer so that’s fresh in my head while I read this book and there were some similarities. I think Zhara has the personality of Usagi (Sailor Moon) in some aspects, like she giggles around good looking people, she’s bubbly but cares about helping others.

Story wise it was easy to follow. There is something going on, monsters are reemerging and the need for the mysterious society called the Guardians of Dawn are needed for their magical skill. I guess that’s another thing related to Sailor Moon, the Guardians. But it’s very different from the Guardians in Sailor Moon.

Zhara has magic that she is trying to keep secret. She’s a little bit of a Cinderella, and her evil step-mother treats her and her sister horribly. Zhara meets the royal prince, Han, who’s undercover and looking for the Guardians also. I thought their interactions were cute and fun. There is a lot of sexual innuendo because of some books they discuss but it all feels very innocent. My favorite character I think is Xu, who is Han’s best friend. They are Han’s closest companion and really came through for him when he needed them. I felt like Xu kept Hu in line as much as they could.

I was okay with the build up of the story but somewhere along the way the story wasn’t holding my attention. I think maybe this would work better for younger readers. It read a little too young for me, or I’m just too old for it, but I couldn’t connect to the story.

Why you should read it:

comparison to Sailor Moon and Cinder, it has magic and Guardians, and a sweet romance

Why you might not want to read it:

might read too young for some adults

My Thoughts:

I wish I could have connected to this story more because I really do love that book cover. I also could have been comparing it hard to Sailor Moon since I spent the summer watching the series on Netflix. Overall, it was an okay read with some funny moments but I think it’s not for me. I do think it would appeal to younger YA readers though.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Forestborn by. Elayne Audrey Becker | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Forestborn (#1)

Author: Elayne Audrey Becker

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 368

Publication Date: 8/31/21

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure, Political Intrigue, Shape Shifters

TO BE BORN OF THE FOREST IS A GIFT AND A CURSE.

Rora is a shifter, as magical as all those born in the wilderness–and as feared. She uses her abilities to spy for the king, traveling under different guises and listening for signs of trouble.

When a magical illness surfaces across the kingdom, Rora uncovers a devastating truth: Finley, the young prince and her best friend, has caught it, too. His only hope is stardust, the rarest of magical elements, found deep in the wilderness where Rora grew up–and to which she swore never to return.

But for her only friend, Rora will face her past and brave the dark, magical wood, journeying with her brother and the obstinate, older prince who insists on coming. Together, they must survive sentient forests and creatures unknown, battling an ever-changing landscape while escaping human pursuers who want them dead. With illness gripping the kingdom and war on the horizon, Finley’s is not the only life that hangs in the balance.

Content Warning: violence

It took me a few months to finish this book and not because it’s bad at all! I was in the mood and then not in the mood for a few months, so I read this little by little until finally I was recently in the mood to finish!

The things I enjoyed about this book: the world building, the shape-shifter magic and the political intrigue. I love the sibling relationship between Rora and Helos. There is very slow burn romance brewing, one that I just put to the side because it was barely there for a long while in the book. I just concentrated on the relationship between Rora and Helos.

There is a lot of travel and adventure in this story and it’s where Rora and Weslyn finally lower their guards to get to know each other better. It will be interesting to see what happens in book two.

Tropes: slow burn, sibling bond

Why you should read it:

adventure, world-building, shape-shifter magic
slow burn romance

Why you might not want to read it:

no reasons I can think of – maybe if you are not in a fantasy mood

My Thoughts:

Once I pushed through the story, I actually enjoyed the story. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Rora and her brother Helos. I love their shape-shifter magic and the adventure they go on. I look forward to reading the next book..

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Outlet

**I got my copy from Book Outlet but sometimes they don’t have it in stock, so keep that in mind if you click the link**

Silver in the Bone by. Alexandra Bracken | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Silver in the Bone (#1)

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 4/4/23

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure, Romance

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

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

A series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

Tamsin Lark didn’t ask to be a Hollower. As a mortal with no magical talent, she was never meant to break into ancient crypts, or compete with sorceresses and Cunningfolk for the treasures inside. But after her thieving foster father disappeared without so much as a goodbye, it was the only way to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive.

Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian vanished with a powerful ring from Arthurian legend. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring.

As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .

Content Warning: violence, gore, death

I wasn’t sure what to expect when requesting this book. I enjoyed Lore which is from the same author. So I thought the concept for this one was intriguing. Here is what I thought:

+ Once I got my bearings in the story, and things started to gel a bit better I was really into the action parts of this story. It’s quite an adventure that Tamsin goes through in this book. It’s urban fantasy so it starts off in the modern world and there is magic, portals and yes Avalon. So I enjoyed all the places this book took me, it’s quite a journey.

+ I liked the characters. Tamsin is that girl who has abandonment issues, doesn’t have a traditional family, doesn’t have anyone really except her brother Cabell. She keeps people away with a gruff, pessimistic front which means she’s not the easiest to be around. Cabell is dealing with some things! Neve is this cool and kind hearted girl who is a sorceress and then there is the gorgeous Emrys who is a rich boy but he has his own issues to deal with. And then there are all the characters in Avalon that were fun to get to know.

+ I mentioned the action but can I say I didn’t expect this to get a bit scary/creepy too? There are zombies in this one and they are relentless and vicious. I actually enjoyed the scenes when they were fighting them even if it got bloody and gory.

+ The ending is a cliffhanger but wow, how the story leads up to it is pretty exciting. I think the second half of this book was the best part, there were a few plot twists that were unexpected. I need to know what is going to happen with Cabell, what is going on with Emrys and I am rooting for the girls to do what they need to do!

~ It took me awhile to get situated in the beginning of the book because I was thrown into it. I didn’t know what Tamsin was, what a Hollower was, if this was fantasy, if this was contemporary. I kind of wish I was lead into it a bit better.

~ Pacing – at times this book was going really fast, because the action is really great and then once it would get good, it pulled back. I had to check a few times how many more pages was left in the book because I was hoping I was near the finish line. It definitely felt like 480 pages.

~ The zombies or Children of the Night are reminiscent of the Whitewalkers in Game of Thrones. They are afraid of fire, they are freakishly scary and want blood, and come out at night. It’s what I totally pictured in my head when I read the scenes with the Children of the Night. Also the bodycount factor reminded me of GoT also! The author wasn’t afraid to kill off good people in this story – it was a heartbreaking scene but definitely makes me want to read book two. But anyway if you aren’t into zombies – this might not be for you.

Tropes: found family,

Why you should read it:

King Arthur legends, adventure, zombies, magic
the enemies to lovers romance between Tamsin and Emrys
you like urban fantasy

Why you might not want to read it:

you get thrown in to the story, pacing is all over the place, it’s kind of chaotic until you get your bearings

My Thoughts:

I found this book very entertaining for the most part! The pacing issues made it feel laggy in some places but the action was really good especially in the later part of the book. I will definitely read book two because I want to know what happens to these amazing characters.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Lore by. Alexandra Bracken | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blood & Steel by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Blood & Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr #1)

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 504

Publication Date: 2/16/23

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

With her death foretold, Althea Zoltaire only has three years to become what she’s always dreamed of being: a warrior legend.

Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.

The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone.

All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms.

Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as a champion of Thezmarr – or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts?

If you like fierce sword-wielding heroines and brooding, tortured heroes, you will devour this sexy, addictive fantasy adventure.

Perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher, BLOOD & STEEL is an epic romantic fantasy with enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn spice, found family, and a sprawling world of magic and monsters. Blood & Steel is the gripping first book in the heart-pounding, epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr.

Content Warning: violence, bullying, hazing

I was in the mood for a romantic fantasy and saw that one of my must-read authors Helen Scheuerer came out with a new book series. So I borrowed it on KU and this is what I thought:

+ I enjoyed this author’s past series, but I still have to finish book 4 from the last one. I always enjoy the world-building and it’s no different with this one. Set in a world where kingdoms are trying to combat evil monsters coming through a rift in the Veil, there is action, legendary warriors, monsters and romance.

+ I like my romantic fantasy with all the tropes and this one has a few: enemies to lovers romance, girl with a secret past/power, sibling bond, found family, a young woman training among young men, mentor/mentee romance and I think it all fits nicely together. It’s what I look for and when I get it in one book, it’s wonderful. It may be predictable but that’s why I like it.

+ Speaking of romance. Althea or Thea is the young woman who wants to be a warrior but there is a rule that women are not supposed to carry weapons because of a prophecy. But she breaks the rules and who’s there to teach her how to fight – but reluctantly? The grouchy, cold hearted Wilder Hawthorne, one of 3 legendary Warswords, a menacing warrior who has no time to be Thea’s babysitter but can’t seem to stay away. It’s a slow burn, but it’s clear they are attracted to one another and they have one steamy moment.

+ I love the found family Thea has with Kipp and Cal, two guys she befriends in training. And I love that she also has her sister to help keep her on track at times even though they butt heads a lot.

+ Story-wise I am intrigued to see what happens after that cliffhanger ending. Will Thea learn more about her past and powers and learn to use it for good? I did love all the action and fighting scenes in this book, I think it is very entertaining.

~ Thea is a bit impulsive but I understand because of her fate stone and what it means. I can see why she wants all she can get out of life even if that means being reckless at times. But she does learn, especially because a lot of this book is about her training and honing her skills – she eventually learns some sense of control, which is good.

~ The romance is a bit of back and forth, push and pull plus it’s a slow burn, but Wilder keeps fighting it so we shall see what happens in the next book.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, special girl with past/undiscovered powers, found family

Why you should read it:

Thea’s goals of becoming a female warrior even if it is against the law
found family, sibling bond, lots of action fighting monsters
romantic fantasy, slow burn, enemies to lovers

Why you might not want to read it:

it feels young adult even though the MC is 24? Especially when she is training with everyone.
special girl trope

My Thoughts:

This one has everything I want in a romantic fantasy that is bingeable. It has found family, action, monsters, magic, fighting, a sister bond, and a special girl who now is finding out how special she really is to the kingdom. Now only if the other books were already published, that would’ve been much better for me lol. I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

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

With Dagger and Song by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Fabric of Chaos by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

The Sweetest Betrayal by. Natalie Mae | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Sweetest Betrayal (#3)

Author: Natalie Mae

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 394

Publication Date: 2/14/23

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Series, Magic, Adventure, Romance

In this heart-pounding conclusion to The Kinder Poison trilogy—which People magazine proclaimed a “delicious high-stakes adventure”—war looms over Orkena, but can Zahru save her people without losing herself?

War has come to Orkena.

Zahru has risen as Mestrah, and she is determined to peacefully end the escalating tensions with Wyrim, her country’s long-time enemy. Yet diplomacy proves to be futile, and when Zahru turns to Orkena’s allies for help, she finds that none are willing to come to her aid—not without Kasta ruling at her side.

As Wyrim advances on the capital, Zahru is desperate to protect her people, even if that means accepting Kasta’s help. But her enemy is merciless. And as ambushes and betrayals push Zahru to increasingly dark tactics, she wonders if perhaps Kasta had it right all along: maybe peace was never an option … and maybe she was never meant to do this alone.

Can Zahru spare her enemy without sacrificing her kingdom? Or will Orkena’s salvation only come if Zahru becomes the monster her people need?

Content Warning: violence, kidnapping

This is one of my most anticipated reads for 2023 and it did NOT disappoint. And the covers for these series – absolutely stunning. Simple and stunning and I will be adding this to my bookshelf for sure. Here’s what I thought:

+ Things carry on right away from the ending of book two and boy does Zahru have a lot to answer for and face in this last book of the series. She goes through some things! But she has to in order to grow. She has major trust issues especially when it comes to Kasta. But also she doesn’t know if she can even trust herself with this god-like power. Is she a good person? Is she bad? Is she a good leader? She has a lot of growing up to do if she wants to prove she can be Mestrah.

+ One reason I love this series? The characters! From our main ones like Zahru and Kasta to all her friends her found family of sorts, they are all different, complex and amazing. They fight, argue, have fun together, support one another – intervene if need be. I love this group of characters. Hen is my favorite! I want her as my bestie.

+ Zahru and Kasta are off the charts and I didn’t even know if they would make it in the end! I didn’t even trust him for most of the story. 😅They had me anxious, eyes wide, palm over my mouth when some things happen. But wow the tension between them is so good and then also wondering as a reader if they are even good for one another made me question a lot of things but honestly and I don’t know if it’s my hormones but I teared up in some places of this book. I love them so much. They are the perfect couple in all their imperfections and I love that ultimately it was about them finding their way to trust one another and forgive. I can go on but yeah…I found a new favorite couple. They have a few steamy moments but what I love about it is it’s quick, not super detailed but you still feel the heat, maybe because it’s a long time coming and it comes as a relief that they finally stop fighting one another.

+ Wonderful story telling! It has humor, romance (and not only between Zahru and Kasta), friendship, battles, danger, adventure and more. I read this in one day without expecting to! And I wrote this review after I finished because I was feeling so much things about this book.

+ A perfect ending to a great series!

~ Some of the young characters sounded like the spoke in modern day speech which sometimes threw me off but I went with it and laughed a lot when it happened because it was mostly between Zahru and her friends. I didn’t mind it at all but I don’t remember if the previous books had the characters talking this way. I’ll have to re-read the whole series and I most definitely WILL since I loved this conclusion so much.

Tropes: enemies to lovers

Why you should read it:

Zahru and Kasta 🥰 – angst, bickering, tension, enemies to lovers and a very happy ending
great cast of characters – Hen is amazing
great story-telling, action, adventure, politics, romance

Why you might not want to read it:

My Thoughts:

I loved this conclusion – it had everything I wanted and really exceeded any expectations I had. I just wanted it to be as amazing as the cover and I can say it did it’s job in making me happy and satisfied at the end. Great series that I will be re-reading again hopefully soon! I want Natalie Mae to be working on her next series now with more enemies to lovers please 😅. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Kinder Poison | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Cruelest Mercy by. Natalie Mae | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Sisters of Sword and Song

Author: Rebecca Ross

Format: paperback (own)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 6/23/20

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Family, Mythology

From the author of The Queen’s Rising comes a thrilling YA stand-alone fantasy about the unbreakable bond between sisters. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky in the Deep, and Court of Fives.

After eight long years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been proudly serving in the queen’s army. But when Halcyon appears earlier than expected, Eva knows something has gone terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run, hunted by her commander and charged with murder.

Though Halcyon’s life is spared during her trial, the punishment is heavy. And when Eva volunteers to serve part of Halcyon’s sentence, she’s determined to find out exactly what happened. But as Eva begins her sentence, she quickly learns that there are fates much worse than death.

Content Warning: whipping, violence

I am a fan of Rebecca Ross and when I saw this on an online bookstore and learned that it was a standalone, I bought it. Here is what I thought:

+ It’s a compelling story about two sisters, one a warrior, the other who has a bad leg – both very loved by their family. When Halcyon, the warrior, finds herself in big trouble with her command, her sister, Evadne tries to save her. But then Evadne gets embroiled with a secret, dangerous mission. Evadne and Halcyon are the key to this mission.

+ I love Evadne and her family. I could feel the love in their family from beginning to end and it was touching how she wanted to help her sister and the cost of being a slave. The other family is Straton who is Halcyon’s commander in the Legion she served. Though he comes off as a villain in the beginning, as the story unfolds I saw how much he really did care for Halcyon. I loved that both families had to work together to stave off a rebellion.

+ This story has everything! It has mythology, magic, politics, betrayal, love, romance, and friendship. The mythology feels like it’s inspiration is taken from Greek mythology.

+ Evadne has a romance with Damon and though it seems like something so mild as they work alongside one another, by the end my heart melted when they finally got a chance with one another.

~ I thought this story could have been darker and more intense. The magic and mission was very dangerous and what Halcyon is accused of is really so devastating for everyone involved. But I did feel there was a lightness to this story, very much a presence of hope throughout it all – maybe because of Evadne? Halcyon did have a darker journey though but I think I wanted to be fearful for the sisters, but I wasn’t. But also, I think it works and is perfect for teens and young adult…just for me as an adult reading, I wanted it darker.😅 Because it really is a great story.

Why you should read it:

it’s a standalone
you like books by Rebecca Ross, it’s great story-telling
the relationships are really amazing – the romance, the sisters, the family dynamics

Why you might not want to read it:

kind of wanted more in intensity

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining with the world building, the magic, and the dangerous mission. What I loved most though was the relationships between the characters. The romance between Evadne and Damon is the sweetest. The bond between Evadne and Halcyon is heartwarming. I read this one slowly mostly due to a busy week, but by the end of the book it really melted my heart – especially Damon’s journal entries. 🥺 Great story and I look forward to reading more from this author!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

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

Wildblood by. Lauren Blackwood | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Wildblood

Author: Lauren Blackwood

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 2/7/23

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Contemporary, Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Paranormal

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!

Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood. Kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company, she’s worked as a tour guide ever since with a team of fellow Wildbloods who take turns using their magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle teeming with ghostly monsters.

When the boss denies Victoria an earned promotion to team leader in favor of Dean, her backstabbing ex, she’s determined to prove herself. Her magic may be the most powerful on the team, but she’s not the image the boss wants to send their new client, Thorn, a renowned goldminer determined to reach an untouched gold supply deep in the jungle.

Thorn is everything Victoria isn’t – confident, impossibly kind, and so handsome he leaves her speechless. And when he entrusts the mission to her, kindness turns to mutual respect, turns to affection, turns to love. But the jungle is treacherous, and between hypnotic river spirits, soul-devouring women that shed their skin like snakes, and her ex out for revenge, Victoria has to decide – is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?

Content Warning: violence, death, abuse, mention of rape, forced labor, kidnapping

I loved this author’s last book, Within These Wicked Walls, and wanted to see what new world she created with Wildblood. Here’s what I thought:

+ There is a tour in Jamaica that takes people through a magical, dangerous jungle. Only people with magic in their blood or blood science can take these people safely through the jungle. The most powerful person at this tour company is Victoria. I thought this idea of blood science was very unique and creative. It’s basically blood magic, but I guess more modern.

+ The characters are very unique and intriguing. All of the young people working in this tour company have been kidnapped and abused – it’s a pretty awful place to be, but because they have been abused – they feel hopeless in ever leaving. Victoria is our heroine, Dean is a villain but not the only one – but he is the one we get a clear look at what abuse and fear does to a child when they grow up, Thorn is a wealthy man who pays for a tour and sees this blood science for the first time and all the other side characters are fascinating as well! There is betrayal and mistrust throughout the whole story.

+ The setting of this jungle filled with monsters is a character in itself and it heightened the tension in the story. I really enjoyed the unique world-building.

+ I like Victoria’s character growth. She learns to lead and fight back against her abuser. Also the twist in the story is pretty cool, I was not expecting it at all.

~ I don’t mind insta-love but I felt this one is totally rushed. Thorn and Victoria just met and are saying I love you by the end of this tour and story. I did like how it ended because Victoria really needs to learn who she is before settling down but it was definitely a quick relationship. I didn’t quite feel the love between them.

~ There are so many dark themes in this book – these kids have been abused so badly by their boss. Victoria is even raped by him. I’m usually okay with these themes but Dean’s treatment of Victoria was so toxic, I felt ill for her. I felt horrible for Dean too and all of them who worked for their evil boss.

~ I wish we learned more about blood science. Also there was a bit of too much repetition with the phrase “kiss my teeth”.

Tropes: found family

Why you should read it:

dark story, dangerous jungle, blood magic
there is backstabbing, mistrust and an interesting twist in the story

Why you might not want to read it:

insta-love

My Thoughts:

Even though I had some issues with the story like the insta-love and wanting more information on the blood science, I actually read this book in two days because it was unique and intriguing. There are lots of trigger warnings in this one though. It is definitely a story with heavy themes but I like how it turns out in the end. I look forward to reading more from this author!