The Witches Blade by. A.K. Mulford | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Witches’ Blade (The Five Crowns of Okrith, #2)

Author: A.K. Mulford

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 444

Publication Date: 11/02/21

Categories: Romance, Dark Fantasy, Fae, Witches, Fated Mates

A magic sword. A powerful curse. An untested fae princess.

Eighteen-year-old Ruadora Dammacus now possesses the Immortal Blade. But when Rua discovers the Northern King’s uncle is alive and has cast a spell on a blue witch army, she realizes that the battle is just beginning.

Venturing into the Northern Court, Rua finds herself with an unlikely ally in the new King. Her problems are mounting, and the handsome King is only one of them. With the eyes of her newfound family on her, can Rua prove herself worthy of the Immortal Blade or will its magic be too powerful? Danger, intrigue, and thrilling passion ensues as Rua battles to break the witches’ curse.

Enthralling and adrenaline-filled, The Witches’ Blade is the second book in the gripping high fantasy saga, The Five Crowns of Okrith.

I really enjoyed book one of this series and was curious to see how the sequel would go. Book one was Remy’s story and the sequel is about her younger sister Rua. The ending of book one really put Rua in a hard position. She feels guilt from not being quick enough to save her brother and now she possesses the Immortal Blade which infuses blood lust into her when she continues to use it. Rua feels like she is becoming a monster and is glad to be away from Remy, the sister she hardly knows.

This story goes harder than the first book meaning, Rua is damaged and she’s just trying to survive. She has trauma from what happened to her and her family as a child, then being raised by red witches who didn’t know how to give her affection, to now reuniting with her sister, just as they lost their brother. This story is emotional, dark, sad and yet it really does turn around in the end and hope comes shining through.

The romance between Rua and Renwick is a very slow burn but when they get together finally…whew…does it burn! There are a bunch of things going on in the book including Renwick trying to repair relations with the blue witches who his dad and uncle killed off or tortured. And Renwick is not innocent in the atrocities as well – he was once a part of them. Talk about trying to live with demons, trying to make things right and not knowing if it will ever be enough…that’s what Renwick is living with so he and Rua are alike in that sense. But Renwick grew on me the more we learned about him – and then by the end he was melting my heart along with Rua’s. I like that they had to work things out within themselves before actually trying to be together.

Bri is an amazing secondary character who was there in book one, now two and I hope book three is about her and her brother. She is a wonderful character but she has secrets as well. I love how LGBT+ is represented in this book and how natural it is in the world-building.

Speaking of world building, I loved how we learn about the blue witches and the atrocities that happened to them. It goes along with the darkness of Renwick and Rua’s emotions – the whole tone of this story was just darker than the first but I enjoyed it because it brought heavier emotions than book one did, it definitely delved into trauma and PTSD.

Content Warnings: addiction, violence, death, PTSD

Remy and Rua don’t get a real chance to get to know one another in this book. Remy is happy with Hale and life is good for her. Rua on the otherhand is dealing with some tough feelings and emotions. Thank goodness for Bri or else Rua would truly be lost, I think. I love that Bri was there for her in Rua’s darkest moments. Though I do hope Remy and Rua can reconnect again, I also know it’s realistic that it doesn’t happen right away after all the trauma they have been through.

This is a fated mates book and though I cringe when that part comes along, I think I enjoyed the way this was revealed more so than when it was revealed between Hale and Remy. That one was too much for me, but for Renwick and Rua…it was just right and didn’t make me cringe. I also appreciated the fact that Remy and Renwick gave each other space – I was actually wishing they were in more scenes together, but I get they needed space as well.

Why you should read it?

you love fated mates trope
you like a darker fantasy story where characters deal with trauma
really consistent series so far

Why you might not want to read it?

heavy, dark topics

My Thoughts:

This is a great sequel in what is a very consistent series so far and I’m enjoying the different couples and their romance stories plus their personal struggles as well. I love how the LGBT+ representation is so natural in the story and am looking forward to learning more about Bri and her love story – which amazing woman will win her beautiful heart? I look forward to reading book three!

📚 ~ Yolanda

With Dagger and Song by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: With Dagger and Song (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #2)

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 378

Publication Date: 11/13/21

Publisher: Alchemy

Categories: Fantasy, Series, Young Adult, Adventure

An empty crown. A perilous journey. Will she answer when darkness calls?

Against all odds, Roh survived the harrowing Queen’s Tournament, but now something far deadlier awaits her: a formidable quest for the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel.

The gems have been scattered across the realms – and only when Roh retrieves them can she take her place as queen. But surrounded by hostile companions and tormented by the dangerous secret she carries, Roh begins to realise that the pursuit of power may prove more destructive than she ever imagined.

Nothing can prepare her for the nightmares that fester in the shadows of Akoris, a fanatical cyren territory, or the twisted games of its cunning leader…

Can Roh win the first birthstone without sacrificing everything she holds dear – and without losing herself?

Packed with heart-pounding action and layers of intrigue, With Dagger and Song is the second epic instalment in Helen Scheuerer’s Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet.

This is book two of the Curse of the Cyren Queen series and it picks up from book one. Roh survived the Queen’s Tournament and we find out she’s a future queen, not just a bone cleaner. Of course they won’t let her be Queen until she goes on a quest to get the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel. Then and only then will it prove she is worthy.

Roh chooses her companions on this quest – Odi is a given but Harlyn was a curious choice since Har hates Roh with a passion after learning about Roh’s deception. Also Roh picks warriors Yrsa and Finn to come along. Finn is another one that hates Roh. A lot of people hate Roh! haha…but at least being thrown together on this journey, we get to learn more about Yrsa and she’s a good person. Finn, well…we shall see what happens there, it seems he’s warming up to Roh. It’s Harlyn and Roh’s relationship that I was hoping would be repaired somehow in this sequel. It’s rough but they get there.

The group travels across Saddoriel to Akoris, where the fanatical cyrens reside and their ruler, Adriel is pulling the strings. So somehow Roh has to appease Adriel by passing more tests in order to be acknowledged as queen. I am really enjoying the journey they are taking through these different lands though. I also like that the story moves forward with Roh trying to get the birthstone plus doing her best trying to find out more about her mother’s past. We find out a bit more about Roh’s mysterious background as well.

I think Roh has a lot of character growth in this sequel. She still has trouble trusting people with her secrets, even though secrets are what messed up her friendship with Harlyn and Orson, the two people who knew her best. But Roh is starting to learn that she needs allies and good advice. I’m sure Roh will make more mistakes before we get to the end of this series, but seeing progress is a good thing.

Content Warnings: drugged, violence

They did a bunch of traveling but once they were in Akoris they stayed put for the bulk of the story. Akoris was an interesting place but I thought Adriel would have been more sinister – Roh handled him quite well I believe.

I’m looking forward to see what happens with Finn and Roh. An enemies to lovers thing? Or not? Haha…I like seeing them bicker as potential friends or lovers. I’m also eager to see what happens with the water drake egg that Roh has in her possession! That ending made me wish book three was going to be out soon.

Why you should read it?

story about betrayal and forgiveness
you like an underdog story
Roh’s character development – she has a lot of things to fix and I”m glad she’s facing it head on

Why you might not want to read it?

not into fantasy
wait until the whole series is out

My Thoughts:

I thought this was a good sequel as we follow Roh and her companions to Akoris. We learn about the water warlocks and their beef with cyrens. Also, we get to know more about Roh’s background. I’m looking forward to more adventure in book three and I hope we get more of Finn and Roh and the water drake egg!

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Burning God by. R. F. Kuang | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Burning God (The Poppy War, #3)

Author: R.F. Kuang

Pages: 570

Publication Date: 11/17/20

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Categories: War, Fantasy, Series, Political Intrigue

The exciting end to The Poppy War trilogy, R. F. Kuang’s acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect.

After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead.

Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much—the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges—and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.

Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

Once again, the continuation of the books in this series is pretty flawless. It carries the intensity, even more so with this one.

Rin has finally begun to learn some leadership skills which helps because she needs the Southern Coalition army behind her to defeat Nezha and the Hesperians. She also needs more shamans to go up against them.

As always Kitay is Rin’s saving grace. Without him, I don’t know where Rin would be. She doesn’t even have power without him. She needs his brilliant mind and his voice of reason even when she doesn’t listen to him, she at least considers what he says and that’s something.

The Trifecta story was fascinating and we finally get to learn about what happened between them. Nezha…oh Nezha, I never forgave him his betrayal of Rin. I know he was tortured by the Hesperians and had awful parents but I just can’t forgive him yet I also know he knows how to run the country….still….the thought of him leaves me feeling so bitter.

I liked that the story delves into questions like even though Rin is victorious…she is mostly victorious in revenge because who really wins in war? Who suffers the most? And who is left to rule? Are they good enough to rule? Rin is a killing machine and soldier but leader of a country? Nope – she has no patience for that, there is so much to learn about running a country competently, she is in over her head. She was never safe even after “winning”.

This stories ends and it’s so final, at least for Rin’s story. It’s not a pretty ending. After I shut off my ipad, I felt like I was burned by Rin’s phoenix too.

Content Warnings: violence, cannibalism, gore, stories of rape, death, grief, drug use, racism

Rin has become ruthless. She was scary before but in this one there is no turning back for her, her path is written in destruction. But the thing I hate about Rin is she NEVER LEARNS. It was absolutely frustrating and I could only tolerate her when Kitay was with her trying to talk some sense in her or drawing up battle plans and inventions. She cannot see through people for the life of her, no matter how many times she is betrayed…maybe I expect too much of her? But how many times can she be betrayed and learn never to trust people. After what happened at the end of book two? It’s her weakness and shows her to be more human than god but she’s supposed to fight a powerful Nezha and honestly…he was more powerful, he could snuff out her fire! After winning the war though she turns paranoid and kills someone close to her…I was so tired of her by then because that’s the time she chooses not to trust someone? After they won? I was just hoping after what happened with Nezha she would get it together. Most times she seemed to have things under control and then there were times I wondered what she was doing. The ending seemed like the only way this could have ended but it made me feel so empty….all of that…everything she went through and put Kitay through…for that ending. I wanted to cry for Kitay but I was too exhausted.

Was the Trifecta ended that easy? They were all so powerful and yet…I was hoping for something more I think…at least have them leave the mountain and join the fight because they were talked up so big from book one? But I guess that wouldn’t work because Daji was like Rin…she had tunnel vision when it came to the Dragon, no matter how he abused her. 😒 I did like how it came full circle of the Trifecta of the past and the trifecta of the present being Nezha, Rin and Kitay.

This book is the goriest of all I think and it involves children. It has even some cannibalism because what will people do to survive if there is no food? Still, I’m glad I wasn’t eating while reading the book. This book shows you the realities of war – real war.

Why you should read it:

you like to torture yourself with a story with no happy ending (haha just kidding! kind of)
amazing, intense series about war and consequences of it
you are already invested in the series and need to know how it ends

Why you might not read it:

sad ending
everything in the content warnings

My Thoughts:

I read this trilogy in 4 days. I felt exhausted and empty by the end of it but that doesn’t mean it’s a good series, but it made me feel how someone who is traumatized by war would feel. Gutted, empty, questioning the action of the characters along the way – what a series. If you want something intense and can handle a dark read – read this series. Glad I did and I can’t believe it’s not off my TBR list. I wasn’t even planning to read it this year lol…but things worked out!

📚~ Yolanda

Bad Lands by. Stacey Marie Brown | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Bad Lands (Savage Lands, #4)

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 359

Publication Date: 10/5/21

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Suspense

Some myths should just stay buried.

Brexley’s journey has led her to the most coveted object in the world. In discovering the Nectar, Brexley finds other secrets and truths she was not ready for, ones that destroy everything she has ever known, confronting a power within herself she is not ready to face.

Magic is a balance. Things come at a cost. In saving lives, Brexley destroys her own power, cutting the connection with the infamous legend. When faced with devastating loss and destruction, the fabric of friendship, trust, and love are put to the test.

Trying to forget her grief, Brexley delves deeper into stopping Istvan, uncovering the depths he will go to gain power. She is thrown deep into the underbelly of greed and deceit, leading her back into the depths of hell.

Where only one survives.

Sometimes I wish a series would stick to being a trilogy because I don’t want to lose interest and I am starting to lose it for this one. I liked how we got to finally know more about Brex’s history at the end of book three. Of course she’s dealing with a lot after what happened in the cliffhanger from book three, she’s definitely processing it. We get even more information about Brex’s past, her family lineage, what happened with the druids, and what it means for her (they don’t know that yet).

I did like how my favorite guy Ash is always by her side, no matter what, Brex with power or without. I like all her friends making an appearance also, they are always so supportive of her.

I only got really into the book when Killian reappears, love him, even though Brex is totally Warwick’s – I still like Killian. It looks like something might be happening with him and Rosie and I love that for both of them!

Content Warnings: violence

I don’t like that the series is getting too long and it’s taking forever to figure out Brex’s powers. This story does a full circle and the beginning of the book comes back around and I thought we were done with that. I get that Brex has no power and it would make another prison scene more interesting? But now to be forced to see all the people she cares about get tortured now…like, here we go again? I’m kind of tired of it. I get it’s a setback for Brex but I just wanted to see her done with that phase of her life.

Warwick did nothing for me in this one too. Brex needs him to be there and more communicative in her low points, and maybe that’s why I was so happy she had Ash and other people in her life. I’m kind of tired of him being such an alpha and always claiming her. We already know they are end game for one another.

I’m over Caden and Hannah. Like can they just not be in the series? 😒

Why you should read it:

you are invested in the series and want to see what happens next
find out more about Brex’s family background
the secondary characters are great

Why you might not want to read it:

repetitive
doesn’t feel like the story moves forward

My Thoughts:

This was an okay read for me compared to the previous three books in the series. It was nice learning more about Brex’s family history and seeing her as human but I could do without some of the more repetitive parts of the story. My interest in this story got only stronger when Killian made an appearance. Not sure if I’ll just wait for all the rest of the books to publish and just binge it in one go.

📚~ Yolanda

BLOG TOUR } The Keeper of Night by. Kylie Lee Baker | ARC Review

Welcome to the blog tour for The Keeper of Night by. Kylie Lee Baker!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Keeper of Night

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 10/12/21

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Categories: Fantasy, Japanese Mythology, Young Adult, 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 Inkyard Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Julie Kagawa meets Scythe in this captivating and evocative journey into Death’s domain as one soul collector seeks her place in the underworld of 1890s Japan. Book 1 of a planned duology.

Death is her destiny.

Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough yearns for the acceptance she has never found among the Reapers who raised her. When the Shinigami powers she can no longer hide force her to flee for her life, Ren and her younger brother—the only being on earth to care for her—travel to Japan and the dark underworld of Yomi, where Ren hopes to claim her place among the Shinigami and finally belong.

But the Goddess of Death is no more welcoming than the Reapers who raised her, and Ren finds herself set on an impossible task—find and kill three yokai demons, and maybe, just maybe, she can earn a place in Death’s service. With only her brother and an untrustworthy new ally by her side, Ren will learn how far she’ll go to win the acceptance she craves, and whether the cost of belonging is worth any sacrifice.

The Keeper of Night is a fascinating take on Reapers and Japanese Mythology. Ren is half Japanese/half British, half Reaper/half Shinigami and all she wants is to belong somewhere and not be half of anything. When something happens in London, she is banished from the Reapers and basically makes her way all the way to Japan to try and be a Shinigami, something similar to Reapers. In tow is her half-brother Neven, who barely knows Japanese. Ren can get by on what’s she’s learned on her own but Japan is nothing like London. In order to become a Shinigami she has to complete a few quests, taking out powerful Yokai (spirits/demons). If Ren accomplishes her tasks then she will become a Shinigami and say goodbye to her Reaper past.

It’s been awhile since I read a book with Japanese Mythology and this one is cool because it involves Yokai! Okay yes, I did learn what yokai was from that tv show my son used to watch, Yokai Watch. Yokai in this book are scary!. But Ren isn’t one to be frightened of them (much) she was once a Reaper. I thought the Reapers were pretty cool, with their clocks to pause time, it definitely came in handy when Ren was killing Yokai.

Ren is going through a struggle – she’s done with the Reapers, who do not want her anyway. She wants to embrace her Japanese side and become a Shinigami but it’s not so easy. She’s a morally gray character, doing whatever it takes to achieve her goals but at what cost? Neven who made the choice to stay with her is getting hurt physically and emotionally in the process. But she sees it to the end even when the unexpected happens.

I thought the secondary characters did their job in keeping Ren conflicted. Neven is the sweetest brother but he loved being a Reaper – it’s his identity. It’s only half of Ren’s identity though and she is struggling with all of it. Neven is her moral compass. As for Hiro, he comes off like a good guy but with that suspicious dark gleam in his black eyes. He helps Ren by giving her intel about the Yokai and feelings grow between them but there is more to him that meets the eye.

This story is dark with death a constant theme and the Yokai are scary and creepy spirits/demons. I love that the story is action packed when it comes to taking down the Yokai.

Triggers: gory scenes, violence, death, hurting a Yokai in the form of a child

The story starts off to a quick start then there is a little lull when Ren reaches Japan, which is to be expected as she gets her bearings in a country so totally different than England. Luckily they meet Hiro who helps them navigate this Underworld in Japan and help explain the Yokai to Ren and Neven.

Why you should read it:

unique world building of Reapers, Shinigami and the Japanese Underworld
morally gray main character
lots of action when Ren is fighting the Yokai

Why you might not want to read it:

some gory scenes
cliffhanger
dark story

My Thoughts:

I actually enjoyed this dark story. It took me a few days to read, but I had fun with the Yokai and horror scenes (and I can’t even watch horror movies) – what is it with Japanese horror and girls with long hair covering their faces? Just the imagery alone freaks me out but the story was intriguing too. A half Japanese girl trying to find where she belongs and doing anything she can to achieve her goals made me interested in how far she would go or if she would ever pull back. The twist in the end makes me want to read the next book.

📚 ~ Yolanda

About the Author:

Kylie Lee Baker grew up in Boston and has since lived in Atlanta, Salamanca, and Seoul. Her writing is informed by her heritage (Japanese, Chinese, and Irish), as well as her experiences living abroad as both a student and teacher. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing and Spanish from Emory University and is currently pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science degree at Simmons University. In her free time, she watches horror movies, plays the cello, and bakes too many cookies. The Keeper of Night is her debut novel.

https://www.kylieleebaker.com/

Twitter: @KylieYamashiro

Instagram: @kylieleebaker

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56030267-the-keeper-of-night

The Dark Bond by. Leia Stone | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Dark Bond (Vampire Hunter Society, #2)

Author: Leia Stone

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 242

Publication Date: 9/25/21

Publisher: Leia Stone

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Series, Paranormal

Everything I thought I knew was a lie. The evil vampire spawn I’d hunted my entire life have turned out to be my only allies. Hidden away in Magic City, I’ve promised to help support Luka as he competes to become King.

The problem? I’m falling for him and he’s engaged to be married.

To get my mind off of my boy problem, Liv and I band together with our allies to dig deeper into the betrayal of every hunter. What I find shocks me to my core.

With Luka’s fiancé breathing down my neck, and hidden truths bubbling to the surface daily, it will take every skill I have to stay alive.

Book two of the Vampire Hunter Society series is another fast paced ride. The story takes off from where it ended in The Dark Bite. Luka is engaged to Cassara, which seriously sucks and Aspen has to deal with it. Luka is trying to become king so he has to fight his way to the top. As for Aspen, she has to keep feeding him (or he dies) but he’s engaged to someone else and it hurts her. So Aspen tries to concentrate on freeing the women at the breeding farm instead, and hoping she can find out more about her mom.

I like the girl gang that’s coming together, Aspen and Liv – the hunters, and Demi and Sage – the shifters. Aspen needs the support since her heart is breaking over Luka. Also happy that Aspen is reunited with her mom and sister, she needs all the support she can get.

I hated Luka’s circumstances and honestly could have done without the surprise engagement – but I did like how with a lot of things on his plate he tries to balance things out and know what people need from him. He’s a crazy fighter in the ring, but he’s a softie when it comes to Aspen, which is really sweet.

The story moves forward with Luka trying to be king, and the rescue plan to free the women at the breeding farm. We even get to see a fight with Maz and learn about her story and the reason for the breeding farms. Looks like book three will be interesting with the hunters coming to Magic City.

Content Warnings: violence, human trafficking

Why? Why did Luka have to be engaged? I couldn’t get over it and hated that Aspen was pretty much the “other woman”. 😒 It was a big no for me. There was lots of angst and drama. But conveniently, it is resolved in the end. I was almost hoping Sterling would come back from the dead to make things even for Luka haha, I’m so petty.

I felt like Luka’s battle to be king was rushed. He would do his fighting while Aspen was trying to investigate the breeding farm but we don’t really get to watch him fight except for the last two important matches.

Cliffhanger ending again but yikes, what an ending. This book was about coming for Aspen – broken hearted for days.

Why you should read it:

it’s a quick read with lots of action
angsty paranormal romance
a fun girl gang vibe growing between the hunters and shifters

Why you might not want to read it:

the drama with Luka being engaged
story feels rushed, but the books come out quick

My Thoughts:

The series is flowing nice from one book to the other and they come out quick with a very short wait in between. It’s a pretty wild ride. My biggest issue with this sequel is that I loved Luka and Aspen in book one and hated that the man is basically about to get married to someone else in book two! Of course Luka and Aspen are bonded in some way so they were going to make it work but I thought it was too much drama for me and so full of angst. I wasn’t feeling it no matter how hot Luka is. Aspen was just getting pummeled emotionally in this book, which shows her strong character but still – I can’t get over what Aspen had to basically go through to get her man. 🤦🏻‍♀️ This one just made me feel bad for Aspen…she didn’t deserve all of that after what happened at the ending of book one. 😒 I guess I’ll read book three but I’m not too excited about it.

📚~ Yolanda

A Throne of Feathers and Bone by. Shannon Mayer & Kelly St. Clare | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Throne of Feathers and Bone (Honey and Ice, #2)

Author: Shannon Mayer & Kelly St. Clare

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 351

Publication Date: 9/27/21

Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Faerie

Chosen. Framed by my father’s murderer. Running from the fae courts. Fated to never touch the man who sets my blood on fire.

Life was looking up for me not long ago. Now, it’s looking all the way down. This latest shitstorm? Yeah, it takes the cake and the beetroot tickle.

The father who shunned me from birth lays cold and dead. The courts are in turmoil and after blood. My blood. I need to find his killer, yet that mystery pales in comparison to the madness crushing fae in its giant grip.

I’m desperate to find the door to Underhill before true anarchy descends. The answers I seek are on the other side, I’m sure of it.

With two gifted swords, a magic shield, some finnicky power, and dubious spirit for company, I must locate the path to our native realm again. And if I can manage that while resisting the Unseelie fae stalking my every footstep, then all the better.

But I am part human after all.

What is it about snarky young ladies in an urban fantasy? I’m addicted. I’ve loved Kallik/Alli’s snark since book one and it continues in book two especially when she is around Faolan/Lan. Alli is on the run and trying to figure out how to open Underhill but every time she gets a chance something disastrous happens…why? The Unseelie and Seelie are about to fight because of her and now the Outcasts too. Alli needs to figure out her powers and ties to Underhill before more people die.

One thing I love about this series, is who Alli cares and I’m talking about her best friend Cinth who is amazing. If there isn’t family around for a main character in a story, I absolutely approve of besties being there, being their ride or die, and found/chosen family and Cinth is that for Kallik. I love her to pieces. I love how she loves Kallik and tries to be there for her, and tries to be that grounding factor in her life.

And my other favorite thing? When boy and girl are friends, girl falls for boy, boy disappers from her life and shows up again and they kind of hate each other (but not really) but under all that amazing sexual tension is still friendship too…that is Faolan and Kallik. I love how they bicker and joke and fight each other and then fight together against harm. I love how they have history and that they finally talked it out in this sequel. I like that they can be themselves with one another.

The pacing of this is great, the story keeps moving with action, fighting, trying to find out how to open Underhill. There is a battle about to happen between Unseelie, Seelie and the Outcasts. There is betrayal, there are secrets revealed and yes a funny, sarcastic, very snarky Oracle who made me laugh. This series is fun and I want more.

Content Warnings: violence, death

Barely a love triangle – you know it’s Faolan and Kallik as end game. I get that she wants a guy who doesn’t drive her crazy (I mean maybe physically yes, but emotionally – no). But she and Faolan has history, they just needed to sort some things out.

The first two books came out quick one after the other and it seems the third comes out in January, which isn’t too long of a wait. Yay!

Why you should read it:

if you love romantasy (is that what these are called now?) you will enjoy this one
story moves along quickly with action, romance, secrets and betrayal
the snarky females and Cinth, the cinnamon roll (can I hug her?)

Why you may not want to read it:

not into romantasy
tired of books about the Fae

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this story from top to bottom even with the little love triangle because you know it’s just Alli sorting her feelings and pushing Faolan away. I love them together, you can tell they have history and it’s transitioning into something much, much more. I’m so glad Alli and Cinth were reunited as well because Faolan and Alli may be lovers, but Alli and Cinth are soulsisters. 🤷🏻‍♀️The story was exciting and moved quickly with twists and turns and that Oracle made me cackle. Give me book three!

📚~ Yolanda

Dance with the Sword by. Sarah K.L. Wilson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Dance with the Sword (Bluebeard’s Secret, #2)

Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 371

Publication Date: 9/17/21

Publisher:

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

A GRIM BETRAYAL. A DYING KING. A HUSBAND WHO WON’T LET HER GO.
With the heart of the Wittenhame still ringing from Izolda’s actions and her new husband shocked at her betrayal, the future seems very grim indeed.
If Izolda had been asked if she wanted to be rescued from her would-be bridegroom and returned to her home and family, she would have eagerly agreed to go, but now that she is back in the mortal world, she is quickly discovering that home, family and even the inclinations of her own heart are not what she expected.
Worse yet, Izolda has unwittingly become a pawn in a deadly dance between two Wittenbrand, snatched from the claws of one of them only to be stolen back by the other.
With her bodiless friend Grosbeak along for the ride and the great game of crowns and thrones still being played out across the nations, will Izolda’s endless common sense still be enough to rescue her from disaster? Or will she fall prey to the terrible ambitions of her enemies?

DANCE WITH THE SWORD is the second book in the Bluebeard’s Secret series following the eerie and romantic story of FLY WITH THE ARROW.

The reason I enjoy this series is the writing or the way things are worded, the relationship between Arrow (Bluebeard) and Izolda is so filled with angst but so romantic as well. Their wedding vows kill me – it’s so gorgeous, especially when Arrow is in the middle of a fight to the death and he’s repeating his vows to her! 😭

Grosbeak saved this book for me. There were so many things that were confusing to me because I didn’t re-read the first book which I remember being a wild ride and confusing in parts as well. But Grosbeak always brought it back into “reality” for me – I love his morbid humor, I mean his head is on a stick! He always makes me laugh, especially since Izolda is always in a tense situation.

I needed more of Arrow and his kisses but this is the slowest burn romance ever. He is intense and I just wish their relationship wasn’t so messed up with him taking her lives – they seem doomed but I’m holding out for a happily ever after.

There is a lot of political intrigue and betrayal in this one as we learn more about the Sword. Izolda has some growth in this book because she needs to learn to lead an army without Arrow at her side. She and Grosbeak are unlikely best friends at this point but she can hold her own even though it all frightens her. I like how she appears steady and can figure things out (sometimes too late) but Arrow is right – she is perceptive.

Content Warnings: violence

There were some typos in this sequel.

As mentioned above, this story got confusing at times. It’s a fast paced book and a lot of traveling from one place to another. It’s another cliffhanger ending so I’d wait for all books to be out to binge this series.

Again, I needed more Arrow and Izolda moments! Can these two just hook up already? I love all the kisses though, it’s so romantic.

Why you should read it:

interesting take on Bluebeard story
Arrow (Bluebeard) and his kisses and intense gazes
fast paced with lots of action
Izolda’s character growth

Why you might not want to read it:

typos
confusing at times
slowest burn romance ever

My Thoughts:

This book felt rushed, especially with the typos in the story. It’s a fast paced book but I do wish some things were fleshed out more and we had more time with Arrow and Izolda. I felt like this was more of her story than his, she has to redeem herself after betraying him, she has to find it in herself to trust him, to give in to him…but Izolda doesn’t want to lose herself either. He is taking her lives – it’s what he does…so what does that leave her? Their slow burn romance is driving me crazy though because they are attracted to one another, and yet they can’t be together that easily, they can’t even “talk” to one another…thank god for mind reading though right? The politics between the fae is filled with betrayal, but honestly – I just wanted more Arrow. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ll be reading book three of course, just to see what happens, but I hope there is less typos and my brain can keep up! The wild ride continues.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Quotes from the Book:

“If you cannot gift it in whole, then gift it in slivers and I will reassemble it within my own breast and guard it there in the sanctuary of my immortal soul.”
~ Dance with the sword by. Sarah k.L. wilson

“Surely you must see how I will give of my own flesh to have you, to keep you, to buy you back from treachery. Surely you understand that you are without price or equal to me.”
~ Dance with the sword by. Sarah k.L. wilson

The High Mountain Court by. A. K. Mulford | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The High Mountain Court (The Five Crowns of Okrith, #1)

Author: A.K. Mulford

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 312

Publication Date: 8/10/21

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Fated Mates, Fae, Witches

A red witch in hiding…

Gripping and action-packed, The High Mountain Court is an adrenaline-filled, high fantasy with fae courts, powerful witches, and a diverse cast of characters, perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Holly Black.

Thirteen years fleeing witch hunters and the looming threat of death. Nineteen-year-old Remy knows she is possibly the last red witch alive, and she is determined to stay that way. The Northern Court King has slaughtered her home court and placed a bounty on red witch heads.

When four fae warriors enter her tavern refuge, Remy tries to flee, but her magic isn’t strong enough to stop a fae prince on a mission. The handsome Prince Hale of the Eastern Kingdom wants to stop a war with the Northern Court before his kingdom befalls the same fate as Remy’s. He needs a red witch and Remy may be the only person alive who can help him. Can she really trust Prince Hale? Can her fallen court be resurrected from the evil clutches of the Northern Court King? For the chance to save herself, her people, and help defeat the Northern King, Remy must put her faith in Hale and his companions on a dangerous quest to find lost relics.

The High Mountain Court is the first book in the thrilling fantasy saga, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Expect danger, intrigue, and thrilling passion as Remy journeys to save the kingdom she holds most dear.

I picked this one up over the weekend just because I was craving a faerie storyline. I had no real expectations going in and I was surprisingly entertained!

I enjoyed the world building with faeries and witches. Remy is supposedly the last red witch alive so she is basically living on the run, with two loyal companions who are brown witches. She runs into Hale, who is a fae Prince from the Eastern Kingdom. He’s been looking for a red witch to help him find some magical artifacts. These magical artifacts would supposedly lead him to a missing heir of the High Mountain Court who can wield the treasures and fight the Northern King who is trying to overtake all the kingdoms.

Remy as a main character was just okay at first. She’s special, but we don’t fully know why until way later. I did love finding out the secrets she was hiding. There was something emotional about Remy too – she’s an orphan and has had some trauma in her past. She travels with two companions who are clearly devoted to her, and you see by the end just how far that devotion goes. Remy grows a lot in this story – she learns to fight, she learns to embrace her fears and she gains courage from her new fae friends.

The cast of characters are great and diverse. I especially liked Carys and Bri – fae who take her in and help her grow into a stronger young woman, they were fun. I liked that there was lots of action in the book, especially in the end and the twists were good too.

The romance between Remy and Hale is nice and it builds. I like that at first it grows from animosity to friendship and then eventually something they both can’t deny. It gets pretty steamy between them. I was definitely rooting for them and their happily ever after.

Triggers: violence

My biggest issue with this book was the moment they realized they were each other’s Fated Mates. From then on the phrase “fated mate” or “fated” or “mate” was everywhere and it ruined it for me! I love the fated mates trope – but do I need to be reminded they are fated on every other paragraph? Nope. I think I know they are fated – you had to tell me only one time. lol…it became so repetitive I was cringing.

Would have love to learn more about the witches!

Why you should read it:

you like fated mate romances
interesting world building of fae courts and witches
lots of action and some emotional parts too

Why you might not want to read it:

the word “fated mates”, and “mate” are repeated a lot in the last parts of this book

My Thoughts:

I honestly just picked this up because I needed something light and easy to read that had faeries and romance in it. To me this was a fun read with enough action and emotion to keep me invested in the characters. It actually ticked off all the boxes in what I was looking for in a book until the fated mate stuff. I love a good fated mates story, but I really don’t need to be reminded every five minutes they are fated. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I will still read book two because it’s going to be about another set of characters but I hope there is WAY less of the phrase “fated mate” or “mate”.

📚~Yolanda

The Hawthorne Legacy by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games, #2)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 368

Publication Date: 9/7/21

Publisher: Penguin

Categories: Young Adult, Inheritance, Puzzles, Riddles, Mystery, Romance, Contemporary

Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Inheritance Games perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.

The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions – including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons.

Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows that she’s not a Hawthorne by blood, but clues pile up hinting at a deeper connection to the family than she had ever imagined. As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture – by any means necessary.

With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike.

Well, well, well…the twists keep on keeping in this series, doesn’t it? Avery, the Hawthornes and friends are on the move to break the case of Toby Hawthorne and how Avery fits into the inheritance Tobias Hawthorne left her. So did they figure it out?

I love the puzzles and riddles of course and it’s what made me love the series in the first place. We get more of it here, but more like a scavenger hunt because they have to travel places to find things. This book is fast pace – by the end of it, I was like wait…is it over? Book three can’t come soon enough.

I love Max! Max is Avery’s best friend and honestly I’m so glad she was here for book two. I love her humor and penchant for substituting her curse words. Speaking of friends – Libby who is Avery’s sister doesn’t have a huge role here but I still love that she is Avery’s only family really.

We do get to know more about Toby’s past which is great! There is a whole backstory there and this is the sequel to tell it.

My team Grayson standing did not go well for me in this book! 😔 But that’s okay – I felt like Avery was busy finding clues than concentrating on romance which is understandable. Jameson is fine, but yeah I was over the love triangle between Avery and the brothers in this one. I don’t mind love triangles but when there is two brothers involved? It sucks! Also I didn’t feel like Avery had much a connection to either them, almost like either them will do – until the end, of course.

There was too much going on. I felt like there were too many characters to keep up with and plot points! I think in book one, we were being introduced to them so I could keep it straight but add Toby’s back story and I need a white board and pen to make some diagrams on who is connected to who! There were so many twists ad turns, I got a bit dizzy.

How many times are they going to talk about invisible ink? Haha…that was super repetitive.

Why you should read it:

if you read the first book, read this one to learn more about Toby Hawthorne
To find out who will win Avery’s heart
To get more time with Max because she’s fun

Why you might not want to read it:

love triangle with brothers
too much filler, too much going on

My Thoughts:

Even though I had my little issues with the book, it’s a second book in the series and I’ll let it slide because I was still entertained. I still flew through the book quickly and I’m looking forward to book three!

📚~ Yolanda