Category: Reviews

Reviews

Review: One Flew Through the Dragon Heart by C.S. Johnson

sophrilreadsLeave a comment
Book Review

One Flew Through the Dragon Heart by C.S. Johnson
(Favan & Flew #1)
Steampunk, Fantasy, Romance
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
A Chinese Legend.

A British Secret.

Star-Crossed Lovers with Incompatible Magic. 

Brixton Flew works as a professor of wielder instruction at Rembrandt Academy, hoping to erase the regrets of his youth along with the resulting debt. But when he comes face to face with his biggest regret—the woman who broke his heart, Adelaide Favan—Brixton soon realizes his troubles have only begun.

Unable to control her magic, Adelaide knew leaving Brixton was the only way to protect him when they were younger. Now she discovers he is the key to recovering the Dragon Eyes, a legendary treasure connected to her magic and her family’s disgraced legacy—and she knows the risk is great, to both his life and her heart.

With others seeking the power of the Dragon Eyes, Brixton and Adelaide must outwit their foes and face down their families to save London from an ancient legend that sleeps beneath the magic portal in their city.

But the renewed passion growing between them may prove to be the greater peril …

What I thought
I received a copy of this book from Laura at Unicorn Questor and the Author as part of a Bookstagram Tour, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do you want: a unique take on Steampunk London, color magic, and second chance romance? Then look no further.  

I have read books by this author before so I knew that I was going to like the book but what I did not expect was to like it as much as I did.  I am a fan of steampunk books and I have to say that I can be picky because I know what kinds of things I like, and this book gave me that and more. 

I loved this take on Victorian London, and how the author was able to mix the magic and steampunk elements together and make it all work so well. I loved the family elements and how Brixton and Adelaide interact.  

I really hope the author decides to continue this series.  I love these characters and I can not wait to see what is in store for them.  I can see so many directions that future books can take not just with these two characters but branching off for storylines about Luella she was a strong character in her own way and the book just would not have been the same without her.

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook

Reviews

Review: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

sophrilreads6 Comments
Book Review

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
Sci Fi, Space Opera
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.

Now she’s awakened a nightmare.

During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.

As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.

While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .”

What I Thought
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for giving me an audio copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I heard that Christopher Paolini wrote a Sci-Fi book I was on the fence. I really liked his Eragon series and I wanted to give it a chance; however, I have never been interested in space opera books before. Then I watched a live stream of an interview and when I saw him talk about the book I just knew that I had to give it a chance. I preordered my physical copy and then later found the audiobook on Netgalley and I just had to get it.

When you look at this book it is very intimidating but be assured it is well worth it. This book is a standalone so no worries that by picking this one up you are committing to something bigger. This book is a slow burn story. Yes, there are some action-packed scenes however, for the most part, the story stays at the same pace. Personally, I really enjoyed that I am this is a 32-hour audiobook so the constant pacing was welcome. Plus Jennifer Hale was an amazing narrator.

I felt that this book gave me everything a book this size should: serious content, humor, companionship, and everyday life. I never felt like I was missing something.

Now in regards to Sci-Fi tropes and themes, I can not help you there. This is the first “space” book I have ever picked up so I can not tell you if they are done with new spins.

All in all I really liked this book and it is something I can see myself going back and picking up again.

If this book interests you in any way bite the bullet and pick it up. I think you will enjoy it.

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook

Reviews

Review: The Hope of Christmas Past by L.G. Rollins

sophrilreads2 Comments
Book Review

The Hope of Christmas Past by L.G. Rollins
(A Dickens of a Christmas Book 1)
Regency Romance, Proper Romance, Christmas Story
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
With so much at stake this Christmas Season, love will only get in the way.

Belle Young has waited three years for Lord Wilkins to return from his travels abroad—and a full seven years since he first promised to marry her and carry her away from her aunt’s oppressive home. What better time of year for their reunion than Christmas? Belle is certain Lord Wilkins means to make good on his word—that is, until she’s introduced to the vibrant young woman who followed him home from America, at his invitation. Shocked and confused, Belle is determined to remind Lord Wilkins of his promise to her. After all, she needs this marriage. It’s either that or spend the rest of her life as a nobody, an unwanted ward of her aunt, alone and wholly unloved.

Mr. James Radcliff has never minded his lack of title or high standing among society. He is quite content with his status as gentleman and cousin to the exuberant Lord Wilkins. But then he learns that his cousin is not actually the son of the late earl; if the information ever got out, James would find himself Earl and his cousin would be thrust from society. It may not be what most men would do, but James is determined to find the only proof of his cousin’s illegitimacy —and destroy it.

The Hope of Christmas Past is the first in A Dickens of a Christmas series. It is a clean and wholesome Regency Christmas romance; a story of goodness amidst adversity, holiday cheer, and, hope. Each book in this series is a stand-alone and can be read apart or enjoyed in proper order.

What I thought
I received a copy of this book from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is just something about the way this author’s writing that draws me in and makes me have all the feelings. I love reading her books and I am lucky that I have the privilege of being on her ARC team. All of her books make me feel a full range of emotions and I just love reading them.

From the very beginning of this story I was sucked in and I found it very hard to put down. This story is not a retelling of a Christmas Carol but uses key elements from the original story to build the basis of this story. There is a cameo of Mr. Scrooge in this story.

My absolute favorite character in this story is James. He is beyond your typical good guy. He is willing to put those he cares about before himself. James comes into information that could give him the title of Earl and he would never have to worry about money again. However, he does not want any harm to come to his cousin in any way and does everything in his power to make sure that any proof is destroyed. He is just a wonderful character and I wanted everything to work out for him.

Fezzi is such a character than even though his actions makes you want to not like him there is just something in the way that he is written and makes it just so you can’t.

Belle’s character grows so much in this story. Belle has so much to lose if she does not hold Fezzi to his promise. As the story progresses she grows so much. So as not to spoil this story I am just going to say that she learns what the phrase “Always a Lady” really means in the end.

I loved this story so much and I will suggest this for anyone who loves a good Regency romance.

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook

Reviews

Review: Altered Helix by Stephanie Hansen

sophrilreadsLeave a comment
Book Review

Altered Helix by Stephanie Hansen
(Altered Helix #1)
Young Adult, Dystopian, Paranormal Mystery, Novella
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
I didn’t want to take the traditional path. First, I wasn’t ready for college. Second, I was going to live with my best friend, Tiff, and work at the Haunted House. Third, did I mention the hot guy Josh that works there too?

The most exciting thing about Austria’s new job, at a local haunted house, was the fact that the toughest looking people screamed the loudest. But when she meets the boy without a home, Josh, Austria’s life takes intriguing and eventful turns. Up until now, Josh has managed to hang with his Street crowd, but they’re in danger, and so is Austria, the girl Josh recently fell for. The group finds themselves joining forces with previously considered enemies who also now find themselves in danger.

Deeply compassionate and full of twists, Altered Helix captures the struggle of polarized people that must work together for the greater good.

What I thought
I received a copy of this book from the Author and R&R Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Altered Helix is a young adult, mystery, romance. This was such a quick read I was halfway through the book before I realized it.

This book has dystopian elements since this book takes place after the fall of the American National government, the States are left up to governing themselves and as a result, a lot of social programs have disappeared and there are more homeless people than those living in homes it seems.

This book kept me entertained the whole way through. The concept is interesting and I really like how the title of this book ties into the story. There were a few elements that I did not jive with me. This book is full of instalove and I just don’t care for that and I am not a big fan of dystopian stories.

I can not wait to continue the series and see where the story goes from here.

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook

Reviews

Review: Awaken the Three by D.L. Jennings

sophrilreadsLeave a comment
Book Review

Awaken the Three by D.L. Jennings
Highglade #2
Fantasy
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising . . .

The Shaper of Ages is gone, and along with her, the Breaker-yet gods are not the only threat to the peace of the living.

Aldis Tennech, the once-great general of the armies of Gal’dorok, finds himself in exile. His only hope of reclaiming glory lies in the hands of a self-proclaimed emperor, and the unearthly powers that put him there. Meanwhile, improbable alliances are forged in the north as unexpected enemies rear their heads and threaten ruin-with a single thread in common, connecting them all.

In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . .

. . . to awaken the three.

What I thought
I received a copy of this book from the Author and R&R Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I agreed to read this book I was not sure what I was going to think about it. This is the second book in the Highglade series, and I have not read the first one so I was not sure how this was going to go. I can honestly say that this book can be read as a stand-alone. I did not feel like I was missing information. I was able to read and enjoy this book as a whole.

This book is fast-paced and I was pulled into the story quickly. Once I started this book I did not want to put it down. This is more of a military fantasy which is something I do not read much but it was written in such a way that I loved it.

This book is perfect for any lovers of fantasy!

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook

Reviews

Review: A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe

sophrilreads1 Comment
Book Review

A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe
Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the promise of the Stone’s riches is in their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.

While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists.

But in Oxford, there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead, they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and sacrifice her sanity, or let the people she loves die.

What I thought
Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings expressed are my own.

This is a YA historical fantasy debut. The cover for this book is amazing it drew me to this book. As a whole, I liked this story. I would say that this book is much more historical than a fantasy the only fantasy element is the search for the philosophers stone, but then again this was something that did happen. So for me, I was hoping for a little more fantasy but that was just me and no fault of the book.

This book starts out at a slow pace, then it picks up, then slows down again. I am specifying this just so you know not to go into this looking for something that is fast-paced. I was lucky that what I needed at the time was a slower book so this fit the bill perfectly. When the book slowed down in the second half of the book there were times where it felt the story got lost. During this time I became annoyed with some of the characters that I had liked up to that point.

In the second half of the book, I became very annoyed with some of the characters that I liked up to this point. And by the end, there was only one character that I wanted to have a good ending.

I enjoyed the book as a whole and I would definitely read something by this author again.

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook

Reviews

Review: Thief of Dreams by Bec McMaster

sophrilreads2 Comments
Book Review

Thief of Dreams by Bec McMaster
(Court of Dreams #0.5)
Fantasy, Romance
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
Twenty brides. One prince. Who will survive when the competition turns deadly?

When Prince Keir of the Court of Dreams sends out a summons in search of a bride, the Wraith King sees a chance to steal the powerful Dragon’s Heart. He sends his best thief, Zemira Az Ghul, to penetrate the court as one of the potential brides.

All Zemira wants is freedom from the chains that bind her to the king, and if she finds the relic she’ll have it. But the Court of Dreams is more dangerous than she ever expected, and Zemira must soon choose between her freedom—and her heart.

What I thought
I received a copy of this book from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story! I love this author’s writing style. I felt pulled in from the beginning. This is a fast-paced novella that is easy to get into. This book is full of Fae, Wraiths, and Dragons. Oh my! Sorry I just had to. I really liked Zemira’s character and dI can not wait to continue with this series. The Novella itself is only 110 pages so I am not going to say anything so as not to spoil the story for you.

I realized that I really need to read more by this author.

Oh, and now I have a new favorite phrases: cauldrons piss.

My Rating: /5

Follow me on other platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bloglovin | Facebook