Category: Reviews

Reviews

Review: Baron Weaver’s Game of Bezique by Elle Beaumont

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Review

Baron Weaver's Game of Bezique
Baron Weaver’s Game of Bezique by Elle Beaumont
Young Adult, Paranormal, Steampunk, Fantasy
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Synopsis
At eighteen, Etienne Mercier shouldn’t have to worry about being hunted in the streets of Paris. To survive, he cons people with games of chance, hoping no one will discover the truth his grown-out hair hides—he is Fae. Baron Weaver knows, though, and when Etienne tries to con the man, he’s the one who gets surprised.

Etienne flees to escape the Baron, but soon realizes he’s not being chased for the reason he thinks. The Baron offers him a once-in-a-lifetime chance—the opportunity to work in Cirque de la Tempete as an aerialist.

Jumping at the chance to earn an honest living, Etienne never expects to find what he lacked all along—a purpose and a family—especially when he meets Lili. But Lili has plans of her own, and together, Etienne finds himself taking his biggest–and deadliest—risk yet.

Care for a game of chance? Step right up!

What I thought
I was kindly given a copy of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Baron Weaver’s Game of Bezique is a short story ser in Paris in what feels like the 1800s. the story focuses around Etienne who is part Fae. This story ticked so many of my boxes. Now I understand that this was a short story but I wanted so much more this had a really nice buildup but the ending felt very rushed. Don’t get me wrong I really liked it. My only issue was how fast the end happened.

At the end of the story, the author states that she has much more in store for Cirque de la Tempete and that we would be seeing him again. So to me what makes the most sense is that this may be a prequel to a series.  I know I am just trying to justify my feelings and it all comes down to me wanting more because the author did a good job and got me attached to her characters.

So now the important thing would I suggest this book to anyone else? YES

My Rating: /5

4 Stars

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Review: Peppermint and Pentacles by Melanie Karsak 

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Review

peppermint-and-pentacles
Peppermint and Pentacles
by Melanie Karsak
Steampunk Red Riding Hood #3
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Synopsis
Up on the housetop werewolves howl Out jumps good old Agent Louvel Down through the chimney chasing monsters quick Feeling far less jolly than Old Saint Nick Red Cape Society Agent Clemeny Louvel is used to chasing werewolves across London. But when she’s reassigned to a special case just days before Christmas, she learns that she’ll need more than a silver bullet to keep everyone on the nice list. Peppermint and Pentacles is a retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale set in Melanie Karsak’s bestselling steampunk universe.

What I thought
This is the third book in the Red Riding Hood Series. I love this steampunk retelling of Little Red Riding Hood! And I really love how you get them novella size pieces. I would not have thought I would but I like being able to pick one up and not have to put it down until I am done with it.

This story takes place on the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Clemeny who is used to taking down Werewolves is really out of her comfort zone in this one when she has to take down a creature she has never faced before.  Who is Clemeny’s partner in this one… none other than Agent Hunter.

I mean even though these books are really short this has been such a slow burn romance and I am living for every minute of it.

We get some of Agent Hunters back story, which ends up adding a whole new level of complicated in Clemeny’s mind regarding any possible relationship. Clemeny is all too aware of where she stands in the ranks of society, but Agent Hunter doesn’t seem to care about any of it.

All in all, I love watching Clemeny grow as a character. Also, I think this world is amazing if you didn’t know all of the author’s steampunk books live in this world.

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: The Hummingbird Dagger by Cindy Anstey

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The Hummingbird Dagger
The Hummingbird Dagger by Cindy Anstey
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Synopsis
1833. After young Lord James Ellerby witnesses a near-fatal carriage accident on the outskirts of his estate, he doesn’t think twice about bringing the young woman injured in the wreck to his family’s manor to recuperate. But then she finally regains consciousness only to find that she has no memory of who she is or where she belongs.

Beth, as she takes to calling herself, is an enigma even to herself. She has the rough hands of a servant, but the bearing and apparent education of a lady. Her only clue to her identity is a gruesome recurring nightmare about a hummingbird dripping blood from its steel beak.

With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth slowly begins to unravel the mystery behind her identity and the sinister circumstances that brought her to their door. But the dangerous secrets they discover in doing so could have deadly ramifications reaching the highest tiers of London society.

What I thought
This story is a YA Regency mystery/romance. It is a clean YA story. The writing style reflects that of Jane Austen.  I could not wait for this book to come out. I pre-ordered it as a Birthday gift for myself.  The cover gave me Sherlock vibes; however, I know that the author does not write mystery that way. So I went into this book understanding that it was not going to be action packed and the romance would be clean and slow burning. Knowing all that I was not disappointed by this book at all. It was exactly what I was looking for at the time and I loved it.

I can’t imagine waking up and not having any memory of who I am or my past. Then every night having horrifying nightmares of a hummingbird dagger dripping my blood, and not knowing what any of it means. I loved the character Caroline and how she seemed to hold everything together.

Oh My God as I am writing this I just realized that James reminds me of Bingly. I’m not sure what it is exactly about his character that makes me think that but I’m okay with it.

I loved Walter and watching how much he grew in this story and the fact that it was realistic. He went from being a little wild to being responsible and it all stemmed from the fact that he felt responsible for Beth’s condition. Which is true since he caused the accident.

So if you are looking for a slow-burn clean romance and some mystery written in Austen esque style then this is your book.

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger

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Review

Romancing the Inventor
Romancing the Inventor
by Gail Carriger
Supernatural Society #1
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Synopsis
Imogene Hale is a lowly parlourmaid with a soul-crushing secret. Seeking solace, she takes work at a local hive, only to fall desperately in love with the amazing lady inventor the vampires are keeping in the potting shed. Genevieve Lefoux is heartsick, lonely, and French. With culture, class, and the lady herself set against the match, can Imogene and her duster overcome all odds and win Genevieve’s heart, or will the vampires suck both of them dry?

This is a stand-alone LBGTQ sweet romance set in Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse, full of class prejudice, elusive equations, and paranormal creatures taking tea.

Delicate Sensibilities? This story contains women pleasing women and ladies who know what they want and pursue it, sometimes in exquisite detail.

Supernatural Society novellas can be read in any order.

Read-along
Midway through 2018, I decided that I wanted to read the books from Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse in chronological order. This led me to start the journey of the Parasolverse Read-Along in August 2018. If you would like more information about the read-along please visit my post about it here. At the beginning of each month, I will have a brief read-along post go up letting you know what the book for that month is.

What I thought
Delicate Sensibilities? This story contains women pleasing women and ladies who know what they want and pursue it, sometimes in exquisite detail.

Just in case you did not read the synopsis above I thought I would put that warning here too. If this is not your thing turn back now.

If you are wanting to read this in timeline order then this book comes after Timeless. However, this book stands on its own very well.

This Novella was amazing and I could not put it down. 

My love for Genevieve goes back to the Finishing School series she was always witty and you never knew what she was going to come up with; however, I left the Parasol Protectorate series worried about her, she was just so sad and dare I say it lonely. For those that did not read the Parasol Protectorate series Genevive really got her heart broken in a very cold way by a little French girl. You can tell in this story she is in denial that anyone would love her and she has any love to give. This is a slow burn romance and I love to see Vive happy.

This review is very short due to me removing the part where I began ranting and defending this story. I looked through some reviews after I read the book good and bad and there were a few that really bothered me. Victorian London and present day is very different, and it always bothers me when people pick something apart due to the culture of the time. So instead of getting ready for work the morning, this was set to go live I am taking out the history lesson and the in-depth this is why the characters acted this way or said that section of this post.

Sorry for the rambling. Oh, and Werewolves are so much better than Vampires.

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: Waltz of the Crows by L.G. Rollins

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waltz-of-the-crows
Waltz of the Crows by L.G. Rollins
Steampunk,  Cozy Mystery, Romance
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Synopsis
Leila Hale’s orders are clear: impersonate a nurse, make contact with her fellow spy, and get London the information it needs without being caught or killed; or worse, tripping up so horribly her superiors deem her incompetent.

Samuel Rowley has returned to find his hometown disease-ridden, with many on the brink of madness. Not a man to sit back and merely hope for the best, he determines to explore every resource available until he finds a solution.

Together, Leila and Samuel sort out the relevant from the distractions and tease truth from lies. But as they uncover various secrets, it becomes evident that this insanity isn’t a disease at all, but a meticulously infiltrated poisoning; and the perpetrator has them in their sights.

When all is made known, will Leila and Samuel have enough wit and strength to save themselves, their future, and a town full of innocent victims?

Waltz of the Crows is Book 3 in the Steam and Shadow Series; all books in this series are stand-alone and can be read in any order. Waltz of the Crows is a Victorian Era Steampunk (think Woman in White but with cool gadgets) bundled up with a cozy mystery and sweet romance. Perfect for lovers of Marissa Meyer’s Cinder and Stephanie Garber’s Caraval.

What I thought
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was contacted by the author and asked if I wanted to read this book. I thought it sounded good so I thought I would give it a try. I won’t lie, guys, I went in with low expectations because I have not had the best luck lately with cool concept but not great delivery (yes more than one instance in a short period of time).  So believe me when I say that I loved this book I only put it down because I was falling asleep and then picked it right back up again as soon as I woke up.  I can’t remember the last time I was this invested in characters that I was holding my breath to see what was going to happen to them.

This was the perfect amount of steampunk, cozy mystery and romance I have found in a long time.  It blends them all together just right and I did not feel as if any one element overpowered the others.

If any of those elements interest you I would suggest you grab a copy of the book!

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: Timeless by Gail Carriger

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Review

Timeless
Timeless by Gail Carriger
Parasol Protectorate #5
Steampunk, Historical Romance, Paranormal
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Synopsis
Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire’s second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly.

Until, that is, she receives a summons that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

TIMELESS is the final book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Read-along
Midway through 2018, I decided that I wanted to read the books from Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse in chronological order. This led me to start the journey of the Parasolverse Read-Along in August 2018. If you would like more information about the read-along please visit my post about it here. At the beginning of each month, I will have a brief read-along post go up letting you know what the book for that month is.

What I thought

Well, we made it to the end of this series, and it was quite a ride. Alexia is one of a kind and I love her. If this is the first review you are seeing for this series here are the links for the other books in the series: Soulless | Changeless | Blameless | Heartless.

As we head into this book two years have passed by since the end of Heartless and the Macons have settled into their life in London society as much as a werewolf and a Preternatural can. Now I know I always try to leave out spoilers; however its really hard to talk even a little about the fifth book in a series without spoiling something so I will give you one more non-spoilery thought then on to some random spoiler thoughts.  I am making them short so hopefully to not completely spoil the ending of the book.  As this series ended I did not feel like I was left hanging.  Yes, there are things that I want more of but I feel satisfied with the ending Gail gave us.

***SPOILERS***

I am not satisfied with whatever ending Felicity received she is such a selfish, conniving little twit. How dare she do that. (Stomps foot for effect)

Sidheag really needs to learn to control her temper! But man that girls got stamina.

Lyall and Biffy is the cutest couple ever! (I need more of this in my life)

Who would have thought Floote would have been on his own mission?

Ivy in charge of fashion.  Oh, the hats.

And lastly, since reading this book I have had the song “Who Wants to Live Forever” stuck in my head. Poor Matakara.

Now this song makes me want to watch Highlander again.

So tell me your thoughts have you read this series?

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh

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Flame in the Mist.png
Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh
Fantasy, Retelling, Young Adult, Romance
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Synopsis
The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

What I thought

Let’s get down to business to defeat The Huns.

So this is literally what has been playing in my head since I finished this book I’m not complaining because I love Mulan.

This is a loose Mulan retelling that takes place in Japan.

I am really glad that I waited so long to read this book when it first came out there was a lot of hate because people expected a strict Mulan retelling. This story takes place in Japan so the culture is very different than the movie since it takes place in mainland China. I think that this might be why people felt let down by the retelling aspect.

The Mulan essence lives in our main character Mariko. Due to actions out of her control, Mariko has to dress like a boy to survive. Mariko fights for what she feels is right no matter the cost. Also, we have the hate to love trope that we all know I am such a sucker for.

There are some big thing that happens at the end of this book that really has me on the edge of my seat to see what happens. This book is told from a few different perspectives that should all come together in the Smoke in the Sun. Well, at least I really hope they do.

I am going to read the two short stories that came in between books 1 and 2. And just in case you did not know this but they appear to be free on Amazon.

This story is part of the duology so I’m super excited to pick up the second installment.

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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