The Brothers Hawthorne by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Brothers Hawthorne (The Inheritance Games, #4)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 8/29/23

Categories: Young Adult, Series, Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense

Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher.

Grayson Hawthorne was raised as the heir apparent to his billionaire grandfather, taught from the cradle to put family first. Now the great Tobias Hawthorne is dead and his family disinherited, but some lessons linger. When Grayson’s half-sisters find themselves in trouble, he swoops in to do what he does best: take care of the problem—efficiently, effectively, mercilessly. And without getting bogged down in emotional entanglements.

Jameson Hawthorne is a risk-taker, a sensation-seeker, a player of games. When his mysterious father appears and asks for a favor, Jameson can’t resist the challenge. Now he must infiltrate London’s most exclusive underground gambling club, which caters to the rich, the powerful, and the aristocratic, and win an impossible game of greatest stakes. Luckily, Jameson Hawthorne lives for impossible.

Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, Grayson and Jameson—with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.

Content Warning: violence

I read this book to find out if there is any justice for Grayson and I may have to read the next book to see if he gets it there because man, is he being put through the wringer!

This book is two stories: one about Jameson and the other about Grayson. I think the story could have been split into two books but in this case, it did work pretty well because the story moves seamlessly and tightly that I wasn’t bored with one story more than the other. I definitely was more interested in Grayson’s story but there were some fascinating things happening with Jameson’s story also.

Jameson is antsy and is looking for something more. Something his own that doesn’t involve the help of his brothers, or Avery. He starts off with Avery in his journey into a secret underground club called the Devil’s Mercy and honestly, the two people that intrigued me a lot was Rohan and Zella. I want to know more about them! Jamie was being his reckless self but he did achieve what he wanted. There wasn’t much romance between Jameson and Avery and I was team Grayson so…I guess I’m glad there wasn’t much romance between them lol.

Grayson. When will Grayson catch a break? His challenge was a bit more involved with the past story of the Hawthornes and all the drama that got them to where they are but this time he gets to meet more family. And I love his half sisters, Gigi and Savannah. Gigi was the bubbly personality he needed in his life though, so I loved their interactions. I do wish this book was only about Grayson since Jameson got the girl (Avery)…but it’s not meant to be for Grayson for now – which breaks my heart for him still. He better get something good happening in his life in the next book!

There wasn’t a lot of Nash or Xander in this book but they were definitely helping more with Grayson than Jameson. Gigi reminded me of Xander though, they are both the fun characters. As for Eve…I don’t know what I think about her right now but I’ll wait to see what role she plays in book two.

My Final Thoughts:

I think this book is the transition or build-up for what’s coming in book five but I was hoping more good things to happen for Grayson but that wasn’t quite the case, except for meeting his sisters. I need Grayson to fall in love, leave Avery in the past, leave Eve there too because honestly…he needs something new. Jameson’s journey was mostly interesting because of Rohan and Zella who come into the story. I’d love for them to have their own story or series – I can see many storylines happening with the Devil’s Mercy being at the center of it. Overall the book was as entertaining as the other books in the series and fits very well. It’s fast-paced, has all the mystery, puzzles, riddles, and suspense as the other books and I look forward to reading book five if only to see Grayson come that much closer to achieving some kind of happiness.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Inheritance Games | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Hawthorne Legacy by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Final Gambit by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Never a Hero by. Vanessa Len | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Never a Hero (Monsters, #2)

Author: Vanessa Len

Format: ebook (own)

Pages: 528

Publication Date: 8/29/23

Categories: Young Adult, Series, Urban Fantasy, Time Travel, Paranormal

This sequel to the contemporary fantasy Only a Monster will take Joan deeper into the monster world, where treacherous secrets and even more danger await.

Despite all of the odds, Joan achieved the impossible. She reset the timeline, saved her family – and destroyed the hero, Nick.

But her success has come at a terrible cost.

She alone remembers what happened. Now, Aaron, her hard-won friend – and maybe more – is an enemy, trying to kill her. And Nick, the boy she loved, is a stranger who doesn’t even know her name. Only Joan remembers that there is a ruthless and dangerous enemy still out there.

When a deadly attack forces Joan back into the monster world as a fugitive, she finds herself on the run with Nick – as Aaron closes in.

As the danger rises – and Nick gets perilously closer to discovering the truth of what Joan did to him – Joan discovers a secret of her own. One that threatens everyone she loves.

Torn between love and family and monstrous choices, Joan must find a way to re-gather her old allies to face down the deadliest of enemies, and to save the timeline itself.

Vanessa Len’s stunning Only a Monster trilogy continues with this second instalment, a thrilling journey where a secret past threatens to unravel everyone’s future.

Content Warning: death

Ah, time travel! I’m always either loving it or hating it and in this sequel to Only a Monster, I was on the verge of hating it. But I’ll get into that.

There are a lot of things I like about this sequel. The story moves forward, though it felt like it was pulling teeth with trying to get answers about anything in this story – but I did like how Joan finally learns more about her bloodline and her powers. Nick, her soulmate is back, but he doesn’t know her anymore because of what she did to him in book one, but that doesn’t matter to soul mates because they seem to be forever drawn to one another. But where was Aaron Oliver? I wanted more of him in this book and we got less. He only really comes into the story halfway in! Is there a love triangle? I couldn’t tell in this book – it seems like Joan loves Nick, but she has a connection to Aaron (maybe a strong friendship? I don’t know. I was rooting for Aaron honestly). I love Tom and Jamie, so I’m glad we got more of them in this sequel.

The story moves fast for a book that clocks in at 528 pages because of all the time jumping but it also feels like the information moves too fast also. Joan is trying to figure out what is happening to the current timeline – and there are multiple timelines being discussed. And it was repetitive too. Also Joan was frustrating me. She can’t stay away from Nick, so then she endangers him and then endangers her monster friends by bringing Nick along because she wants to protect him. I get he’s not a monster killer anymore but after seeing what he did in the previous timeline and watch him kill my family – I would protect my friends and family. Soulmate or not! But I guess it’s hard to resist her love for him. Yet, she remembers feeling something for Aaron in the previous timeline. Though there is angst, there isn’t much romance going on in this one. Anyway, Joan and her friends trying to get information got annoying because a lot of people didn’t know anything or if they did, wouldn’t explain.

I liked the ending which is where a lot of the action is and the unexpected twist in the story makes me want to read book three. But I really wish there was more Aaron, less repetition and more action.

My Final Thoughts:

I think the first book was better and I hope the third book has more of Aaron because that’s who I wanted to read more about in this book. But there was a lot of Nick, so you Nick fans will love this one. I like the ending and will definitely read book three. Overall, this was an entertaining book and I’m curious to see what will happen in the next book after all that was revealed in this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Only a Monster by. Vanessa Len | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Foxglove by. Adalyn Grace | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Foxglove (Belladonna, #2)

Author: Adalyn Grace

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 8/22/23

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Series, Fantasy, Gothic, Mystery, Paranormal

The captivating sequel to the Gothic-infused Belladonna, in which Signa and Death face a supernatural foe determined to tear them apart.

A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He’s hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago…and now he’s determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance.

Dangerous, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Signa and Death’s story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

Content Warning: death

I finally read one of my most anticipated reads this year and I will say I did not expect this new direction in the story at all! And how gorgeous is this cover?! I bought the hard copy and this is what it looks like:

Most of this book is set as a gothic paranormal mystery. Signa and Blythe (mostly Blythe) are trying to figure out who murdered the duke. Blythe’s father is the main suspect and she will do anything to clear his name. But we get a new player in town, Death’s brother, Fate! Fate is convinced Signa is his long lost love but Signa is doesn’t believe it when she is so madly in love with Death. But they all have to make deals with Fate to help clear Elijah Hawthorne’s name.

I already loved Signa and Death from Belladonna so I didn’t love Fate trying to come between them. I did like learning more about Life though and of course Signa’s skill for seeing and talking to ghosts lends the gothic paranormal vibes to this book, which I love. I felt like the beginning of the book went slowly because it is a mystery. I also didn’t feel like there was much of Signa and Death in this book as I would have liked only because Blythe has a bigger role in this book.

Blythe really gets the spotlight in this book. She fights for her dad, trying to figure out who could have killed the duke because she believes with her whole heart it wasn’t her dad. She even makes a deal with Fate that would have unknowingly (to her), ruin Signa’s life forever. I loved how she goes toe to toe with Fate. As for Fate – he’s a mysterious character and not very likable but the twist in his fate was fantastic and I’m excited to see what happens in book three!

My Final Thoughts:

I don’t think I loved this as much as Belladonna but I do love how Blythe emerges as a strong character in this book. I think it’s a balanced enough book for Signa and Blythe to share the spotlight in this one but it’s clear in the end the next book will be Blythe’s story. The mystery moved a little too slow for me at first but the story picks up in the second half and I was hooked from there to the end. I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Belladonna by. Adalyn Grace | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Her Radiant Curse by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Her Radiant Curse

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 8/29/23

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Categories: Prequel, Series, Fantasy, Family, Young Adult

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!

One sister must fall for the other to rise.

Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.

Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point.

Content Warning: violence

I don’t know what I was thinking when I started reading this book, or I wasn’t thinking and just wanted to read an Elizabeth Lim book because she is an amazing storyteller. But this is the prequel to Six Crimson Cranes and I didn’t realize it until halfway into the story! This is Raikama’s (Channi) story, Shiori’s step-mother who was such an intriguing character in Six Crimson Cranes. Now we get her backstory.

The story telling as always with this author is magical. It just seems so effortless! The story takes us on an adventure through what feels like South East Asia. The climate is tropical, with tigers and snakes and food ingredients that I recognized because they are used in Filipino cooking like, pandan! That was a nice surprise!

Channi is cursed with a snake face, whereas her sister, Vanna shines like a jewel. When the witch/demon who cursed Channi comes to claim her sister as promised, Channi fights like hell to save her with a few allies. This was such a beautiful story about sibling love, it broke my heart in the end.

And I love Ukar, Channi’s snake friend! He was such a loyal friend and I love Channi’s connection to him and the snakes. The message of the book was beautifully conveyed too. Channi was cursed with snake scales on her face and she lived a life of struggle because of it. And Vanna is born with beauty but she too endures a few personal struggles even though she’s given everything. So they both were unhappy, beautiful or not. Also, Angma’s story is heartbreaking, even though she is the villain. It goes to show be careful what you wish for because the consequences of it can be unknowingly devastating.

I wanted more romance between Channi and Hokzuh but that’s just because I love romance in my fantasies. Their story is a bit of a tragedy though, which was sad.

Why you should read it:

the sibling love between Channi and Vanna
beautiful storytelling

Why you might not want to read it:

you didn’t read or like Six Crimson Cranes

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful prequel to Six Crimson Cranes! If you wanted to know more about Raikama, Shiori’s stepmother, then here is your chance because this is her story when she was just a girl named Channi who loved her sister Vanna so very much.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

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

Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars, #2) | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Six Crimson Cranes by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dragon’s Promise by. Elizabeth Lim | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

House of Marionne by. J. Elle | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: House of Marionne (#1)

Author: J. Elle

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 8/29/23

Publisher: Razorbill

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Urban 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 Razorbill for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

RICH IS THE BLOOD OF THE CHOSEN.

17 year-old Quell has lived her entire life on the run. She and her mother have fled from city to city, in order to hide the deadly magic that flows through Quell’s veins.

Until someone discovers her dark secret.

To hide from the assassin hunting her, and keep her mother out of harm’s way, Quell reluctantly inducts into a debutante society of magical social elites called the Order that she never knew existed. If she can pass their three rites of membership, mastering their proper form of magic, she’ll be able to secretly bury her forbidden magic forever.

If caught, she will be killed.

But becoming the perfect debutante is a lot harder than Quell imagined, especially when there’s more than tutoring happening with Jordan, her brooding mentor and— assassin in training.

When Quell uncovers the deadly lengths the Order will go to defend its wealth and power, she’s forced to choose: embrace the dark magic she’s been running from her entire life or risk losing everything, and everyone, she’s grown to love.

Still, she fears the most formidable monster she’ll have to face is the one inside.

Brimming with ballgowns and betrayal, magic and mystery, decadence and darkness, House of Marionne is perfect for readers who crave morally gray characters, irresistible romance, dark academia, and a deeply intoxicating and original world.

Content Warning:

I was definitely intrigued by the synopsis of this book and of course I love the beautiful cover. The synopsis touted balls, secret societies and balls and it definitely had all those things plus romance. I liked that it was a magic school where Quell, the main character, had to figure out how to use magic but she’s hiding a secret, she has forbidden magic in her that she has to struggle to suppress so no one knows.

It has the typical magic training school tropes, which I always enjoy. I love the whole magic school atmosphere. Quell is new so she has to catch up to the other students. Some become her friends, some resent her for being the long lost Marionne heir who has come back into the fold and the favorite of the headmistress, who is her grandmother.

There is a romance between Quell and Jordan, who is part of another House but training at House Marionne. Jordan is her mentor. He’s someone who is all about his duty, which make them sort of opposites but they have a lot of things in common too.

I did like Quell but there were times I found her really naive for someone who is a seasoned runaway. I just felt like she would listen to her instincts more. But I think I’m judging it from an adult point of view because if I read this as a young adult I’d probably relate better to her. Quell is also separated from her mom and her relationship with her grandmother is new and felt false. It makes for some interesting family dynamics. This book is great for teens and young adults.

Also I felt like the beginning just throws you into the story without much build-up. We go in blind just as Quell does when she finds her grandma and learns about this secret society. I found the story entertaining and I liked the ending where we learn about Yagrin. He’s a character introduced in the beginning and we get bits of his perspective here and there, but the ending reveals a bit more and makes me want to read book two!

Why you should read it:

magic school, secret society, family, romance

Why you might not want to read it:

might read too young for some adults

My Thoughts:

I’m a sucker for magic schools, and a girl training to use powers she never knew she had but also hiding the secret of the supposedly bad powers she does have. I felt like this book had all the elements I love in a young adult urban fantasy, including the romance between Quell and her mentor, Jordan. Some people might find this reads young and Quell is a naive and clueless in some aspects but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. I also liked the ending which makes me want to read the next book in the series. Overall, I found this to be an entertaining story!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Wings of Ebony | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Forestfall by. Lyndall Clipstone | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Forestfall (World at the Lake’s Edge, #2)

Author: Lyndall Clipstone

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 9/27/22

Categories: Gothic, Dark Fantasy, Young Adult, Series

Some oaths can never be broken…

The curse that haunted Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at great cost. Violeta Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta makes a desperate bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living at his side in the land of the dead.

But this world of souls and mist hides many secrets. And when Leta realizes she is still connected to Rowan by a tethering spell, she will risk everything— even her soul— to try and reach him.

Torn between power and love, life and death, Leta struggles to keep hold of her humanity as she falls further and further under the spell of the world Below… and the Lord Under.

Content Warning: self harm

I am sadly disappointed with this one since I really enjoyed the first one, Lakesedge. Leta is in the underworld with Lord Under and Rowan is above and not willing to let Leta go. Rowan doesn’t believe she’s dead and he’s kind of right.

The thing I did like about this story is that it is a dark fantasy. It’s got all the elements with the blood magic, Gods in the underworld, dark forests, a dark lake. It’s got the angst and emotional longing of two people who love one another and will do anything to be together, even making deals with the devil (so to speak). I even liked the dark Gods.

What I didn’t quite enjoy was Leta’s relationship with Lord Under, who she hates but…loves? But she LOVES Rowan…I get she was trying to find a way to get back to Rowan but I didn’t want a love triangle. I wasn’t connecting to Leta in this one whereas in the first book, I liked her character. I did get tired of the angst between Leta and Rowan, it was repetitive, the back and forth.

Tropes: love triangle

Why you should read it:

you like Lakesedge and now want to explore the world where Lord Under thrives
dark themes, dark gothic fantasy

Why you might not want to read it:

I couldn’t connect to any of the characters
had to push through and eventually skim a few chapters to finish

My Thoughts:

This series had so much potential but this sequel falls flat and I’m sad about it. I can say that this would make a great read for Fall, near Halloween. Maybe it would have made me enjoy it more? Mood reader problems! Anyway, at least I can say I completed this series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

The Davenports by. Krystal Marquis | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Davenports (#1)

Author: Krystal Marquis

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 1/31/23

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

In 1910, the Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they’re not supposed to.

There is Olivia, the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married. . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love—unless it’s with her sister’s suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business—and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen’s brother, John. But Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can’t seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.

The first book in a breathless new series, The Davenports offers a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked, while delivering a totally escapist, swoon-worthy read. Inspired by the real-life story of C.R. Patterson and his family, it’s the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love.

Content Warning: racism

The synopsis for this book sounded intriguing because my first love is historical romance and being a reader of the genre for many years (not so much now), it always came with a Caucasian cast of characters. So I love that the Davenports are a wealthy Black family in America. This book is set in the 1910 so I could imagine all the outfits and the lavish parties of that time period and the author did a great job at that. The author also did a great job of showing us what Black people were experiencing at that time, in the early 1900’s when there was a community of successful and wealthy Black people. There is more about her inspiration for her story in the author’s notes at the end of the book.

As for the story, I was into it until 25% in and then it wasn’t holding my attention I think because it was told with four POVs and I was bored even though 4 POVs should at least have given me one POV to really root for. The chapters are quick but I felt like I’d have been more engaged if maybe it was Olivia and Helen’s POV since the book focuses a lot on their family. All four young women have relationship dramas to deal with. Olivia and Ruby are best friends and the eldest daughters, so their role is to marry a man with wealth, and status. Helen is the younger sister to Olivia and she has dreams of running her father’s company but according to him, that’s not happening. And Amy-Rose is a servant and daughter of a slave owner, so her romance with John (Olivia’s brother) is almost doomed from the start. She has no wealth or status. And things play out predictably with everyone falling for who they shouldn’t and not everyone having who they wanted.

The story being predictable is not a problem since I love that about romance. But this one was missing something. Nothing was standing out for me. I liked Helen and Ruby the most because they had vibrant personalities, but I do think it was just too many POVs for me. And they were all going through similar romance drama. It took me 3 weeks to read this book, and usually I DNF after one week but I pushed through. I had to skim some parts though. If each girl had gotten their own book, maybe it would have worked out better for me.

Why you should read it:

affluent, wealthy Black families in the 1900’s set in Chicago, American history
4 romances taking place

Why you might not want to read it:

4 romances taking place – for me it was a bit too much
this was almost a DNF for me because it wasn’t holding my attention

My Thoughts:

I wish I had connected to this one more but I honestly can’t say if it’s the story that didn’t hold my attention or the fact that I seldom read historical romances anymore and just wasn’t in the mood. What I did enjoy was learning about prominent Black families in the early 1900’s and seeing them thrive and have success in politics and business. As for the romances, I wish there were less POVs. I don’t think I’ll be reading the sequel but I think if you like historical romances you will enjoy this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Cursed Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Cursed Crowns (Twin Crowns, #2)

Author: Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 4/28/23

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Witches, Twins, Adventure

Bestselling authors and real-life sisters-in-law Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber join forces on a compelling YA fantasy bursting with high-stakes adventure, romance and humour. Two queens, one throne. What can possibly go wrong . . .?

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns . . . but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Cool-headed Rose sets off on a Royal Tour to win over the doubters, but soon finds herself drawn to the Sunless Kingdom. Here secrets are revealed about those closest to her, and Rose finds her loyalties divided.

Meanwhile rebellious Wren steals away to the icy north to rescue their beloved grandmother, Banba. But when she accepts King Alarik’s deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom, the spell has unexpected – and far-reaching – consequences . . .

As an ancient curse begins to arise from the darkness, the sisters must come together and unite the crown. Their lives – and the future of Eana – depend on it.

Break the ice to free the curse,
Kill one twin to save another . . .

Content Warning: violence, self harm for blood magic

I found this ebook ready to borrow right after I finished book one of this series, Twin Crowns. With everything still fresh in my head, I continued on this journey with Rose and Wren as they figure out how to unite the people and witches of Eana. There is a lot of pushback from the non-witches and Rose needs help quelling a rebellion but Wren is pulled to Gevra, where Banba, their grandmother is being imprisoned by King Alarik.

The story is told from both POVs. Rose, I feel, is more invested in being Queen of Eana, even though she shares the throne with Wren. When Rose and Shen get pulled into a quest to find the Sunkissed Kingdom we get to know more about Shen which I loved. The Sunkissed Kingdom is a magical place and fitting for Shen. But finding out about Shen’s past causes a big conflict between him and Rose. I didn’t think the two of them could ever fight about anything but I was wrong! Still, their romance is the sweetest one in the book and I knew things would work out between them. They both have to grow and they do.

As for Wren. Oh Wren. Wren is the twin who is bold, fearless, and not afraid to speak her mind and I like that about her but she is tested in this sequel because of the length she would go to save Banba. Wren makes some bad choices and the consequences are dire but it definitely forces her to think about her actions. And there is an unexpected love triangle and in a way I was intrigued by it because Tor is still a mystery but so bland. He does nothing for me. We don’t learn anything more about him except that he is pretty good at staying away from Wren. So I actually liked the new development with Wren and Alarik because it’s an enemies to lovers trope but how will it play out in book three? I’m not sure. I did sympathize with Wrens love for Banba and not wanting to let her go and I like that it paralleled Alarik’s fear of letting Ansel. It’s why I’m rooting for them. I feel like Wren and Alarik have that darkness in them, the grief inside them that helps them understand one another.

The sisters also now have to deal with their ancestor Oonagh Starcrest who has been revived from her slumber and about to wreck havoc on their world, so book three should be interesting. I’ll definitely read it to see what happens with Alarick and Wren.

I did enjoy this sequel but I did feel like I was more interested in Wren’s POV than Rose’s, whereas book one felt more even and seamless. Also the sisters are separated for most of the book again. I’d love for them to be together in book three.

Tropes: twins, love triangle

Why you should read it:

you liked book one
both sisters have more character growth in this one

Why you might not want to read it:

might feel like for a younger audience

My Thoughts:

I’m sad I have to wait for book three but I have high hopes that book three will tie up all the loose ends and these sisters can finally spend time together in a united kingdom.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Review | The Storm Keeper’s Island ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Twin Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Twin Crowns by. Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Twin Crowns (#1)

Author: Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 5/17/23

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Witches, Twins

Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to return to the place of her parents’ murder and usurp the only survivor, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Or she would, if only a certain palace guard wasn’t quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic didn’t have a habit of causing trouble…

Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.

Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?

Content Warning: violence, kidnapping

I wanted to read this book because Catherine Doyle wrote the Blood for Blood series which I was obsessed with back in 2015! So I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Twin Crowns and also not super surprised because she was part of the writing duo. And I’ll just point out that I don’t love books about twins but maybe because it always feels like the same trope. In Twin Crowns, we get the twins who were separated at birth trope and one sister is coming for the crown that the other one is supposed to have. Sound familiar? Yes, because that’s what usually happens in twin stories so I was over it a few years ago.

I went in with low expectations, but I ended up reading this book in one day! There are two clashing sides: witches and non-witches. Wren was raised with the witches and Rose was not, she was raised on the side that killed witches. Wren is trying to take the Queendom back from a man called Rathborne, who killed their parents. But Rose still wants her throne and tries to fight for it. It’s a really fun story, even though Rose can be annoying because she’s the pampered princess. However, I felt like she had the dashing and charming Shen Lo (love him) to balance her out. He brought her out of her comfort zone, which I loved. As for Wren, I like that she is feisty and a strong character. Wren’s romance with Tor had more heat which I liked but I’d love to know more about Tor. I don’t think we know much about him at all. I think the sisters being separated and going through their own challenges kept the story moving and I liked that it was seamless despite it being told in two POVs.

One thing bothered me about the story – how did Wren know Rose’s routine and all of the people at the palace? Was she studying her for that long? I don’t think it ever says in the book unless I missed it and so at times it felt unbelievable that Wren would automatically know all the staffs’ names. I just went with it. At least she had magic to make her look exactly like Rose. I did like the times she slipped out of character though, just to see if anyone would catch her.

At times the story felt like it was meant for a younger YA audience but I think maybe because the whole story has a fun vibe to it? Anyway I was confused about how I felt about that but I guess I didn’t mind it since I finished it in one day.