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Review: Ember of Night by Molly E. Lee

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Book Review

Ember of Night by Molly E. Lee
(Ember of Night #1)
Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

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Synopsis
I am a weed.

Unloved by my abusive, alcoholic dad. Unwanted by my classmates. Unnoticed by everyone else.

But I’d suffer anything to give my kid sister a better life—the minute I turn eighteen, I’m getting us the hell out of here. And some hot stranger telling me I am the key to stopping a war between Heaven and Hell isn’t going to change that.

Let the world crumble and burn, for all I care.

Draven is relentless, though. And very much a liar. Every time his sexy lips are moving, I can see it—in the dip of his head, the grit of his jaw—even if my heart begs me to ignore the signs.

So what does he want?

I need to figure it out fast, because now everyone is gunning for me. And damn if I don’t want to show them what happens when you let weeds thrive in the cracks of the pavement…

We can grow powerful enough to shatter the whole foundation.

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

I will be honest, I was on the fence about this one before I picked it up. There was just something about it that kept piquing my interest so I decided to give it a chance. Thankfully I listened to that little voice because I really enjoyed this book. There is so much that happens in this book that you can’t put it down. There is just something about Harley that spoke to me and I can not put my finger on exactly what that is yet. Out of all of the things that I expected to happen in this book, the ending was not one of them. I have to say that I am so happy that the next book is coming out this fall because I need to see what happens next.

My Rating: /5

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Review: The Autumn Republic by Brian McClellan

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Book Review

The Autumn Republic by Brian McClellan
(Powder Mage #3)
Fantasy, Flintlock Fantasy

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Synopsis
The capital has fallen…

Field Marshal Tamas returns to his beloved country to find that for the first time in history, the capital city of Adro lies in the hands of a foreign invader. His son is missing, his allies are indistinguishable from his foes, and reinforcements are several weeks away.

An army divided…

With the Kez still bearing down upon them and without clear leadership, the Adran army has turned against itself. Inspector Adamat is drawn into the very heart of this new mutiny with promises of finding his kidnapped son.

All hope rests with one…

And Taniel Two-shot, hunted by men he once thought his friends, must safeguard the only chance Adro has of getting through this war without being destroyed…

THE AUTUMN REPUBLIC is the epic conclusion that began with Promise of Blood and The Crimson Campaign.

What I thought
This book was a perfect ending for an amazing series.  Before I picked up the first book in this series I would have told you that the idea of a flintlock fantasy did not appeal to me.  However, I gave this series a chance and I regret nothing.  Since this is the final book in this series I am going to keep this short, so that I do not spoil anything. 

I love how this series keeps an even pace throughout all three books, each one picks up one right after another.  I also like how the POV’s all flow, I did not feel like I was missing anything.  

After the first two books I still am not a fan of Adamat’s story.  However, I understand that it is necessary to balance out the book.  When it comes down to it I just did not like his character as much as I liked the others.  

Taniel and Ka-Poel have been my favorites from the beginning and I am so happy for the ending that they get. 

Bo and Nila very quickly grew on me.  I was on the fences regarding these two at the end of the second book.  Honestly there is just something about Bo that I can’t quite put a finger on that I really like about him.  Nila is unique and I can’t help but to wonder if she will be mentioned in the future books in this world.  There are hints to her abilities and she does not “fit” into the magic system of this world. 

I am purposefully not saying anything else to avoid spoilers.  If you have not picked up the first book yet you really should give it a try if you enjoy epic fantasy stories. 

My Rating: /5

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Review: The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

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Book Review

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
(Blacktongue #1)
Fantasy

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Synopsis
Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.

But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.

Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.

Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva’s. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford. 

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

After reading the synopsis for this book I could not wait for it to come out.  It sounded like it was going to be right up my alley.  However, I found the book to be so-so.  I am a character-driven reader and I just did not care about any of the characters in this book.  I had no connection with Kinch (the MC) and I was not a fan of his type of humor.  It wasn’t bad just not for me.  On a positive note, the world-building in this book is done really well.  

I know that there are a lot of people out there that would love this book, but it sadly was not for me.   If you enjoy crass humor then this is the book for you.

My Rating: /5

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Review: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

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Book Review

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Fantasy, Mythology, Retelling

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Synopsis
As Princesses of Crete and daughters of the fearsome King Minos, Ariadne and her sister Phaedra grow up hearing the hoofbeats and bellows of the Minotaur echo from the Labyrinth beneath the palace. The Minotaur – Minos’s greatest shame and Ariadne’s brother – demands blood every year.

When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives in Crete as a sacrifice to the beast, Ariadne falls in love with him. But helping Theseus kill the monster means betraying her family and country, and Ariadne knows only too well that in a world ruled by mercurial gods – drawing their attention can cost you everything.

In a world where women are nothing more than the pawns of powerful men, will Ariadne’s decision to betray Crete for Theseus ensure her happy ending? Or will she find herself sacrificed for her lover’s ambition?

Ariadne gives a voice to the forgotten women of one of the most famous Greek myths, and speaks to their strength in the face of angry, petulant Gods. Beautifully written and completely immersive, this is an exceptional debut novel.

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

I have always enjoyed mythology, but I have to say I love that we are getting retellings that focus on the mostly forgotten women of the original myths.  They were briefly mentioned and usually, the context around them was not good.   I took a mythology class in high school (no one needs to know how long ago that was) and we studied the Greek myths.  So when the only thing I could remember about Ariadne was that she liked to dance I knew I was in for a treat.  The original story focused on Theseus and the Minotaur and little was said about the Minotaur’s sisters.  Also, the original story used the mother as a lesson to be learned.  So I really enjoy that this story dives into the fact that the mother is used by the gods to punish her husband and it shows her trama.  In many ways, this story gives back to all the women that were just brushed over.   And it does help that some of the men do get what is coming to them.  

I found the writing to be lovely and I was pulled into the story from the beginning.  This is a wonderful book for anyone that loves retellings or is a fan of Madeline Miller’s Circe.  

My Rating: /5

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Review: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

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Book Review

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
(Burning Kingdoms #1)
Fantasy

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Synopsis
Author of Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne, beginning a new trilogy set in a world inspired by the history and epics of India, in which a captive princess and a maidservant in possession of forbidden magic become unlikely allies on a dark journey to save their empire from the princess’s traitor brother.

Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini spends her days in isolation in the Hirana: an ancient temple that was once the source of the powerful, magical deathless waters — but is now little more than a decaying ruin.

Priya is a maidservant, one among several who make the treacherous journey to the top of the Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is happy to be an anonymous drudge, so long as it keeps anyone from guessing the dangerous secret she hides.

But when Malini accidentally bears witness to Priya’s true nature, their destinies become irrevocably tangled. One is a vengeful princess seeking to depose her brother from his throne. The other is a priestess seeking to find her family. Together, they will change the fate of an empire. 

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

How much did I like this book? Well… I sold some books and drove an hour away to my closest Barnes & Noble just so I could have a physical copy.  

This book was amazing. It was everything I wanted and more.  This is now my favorite book of the year and I don’t think any other book will be able to top it.  I have so many feelings about this book and I have to think about what I am typing so I do not spoil the story for anyone.

This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy so the beginning is slow, while you learn the world, but once you get over that point it is hard to put down. I have not read any books by this author so I had no idea what I was in for.  The writing of this book was phenomenal; it was like I was right there with the characters.  I found myself so invested in the relationship between Malini and Priya that I was reading this book every chance I got.  It’s like this book did everything perfectly and I can not think of one thing that could have made it better.  

The women in this story are:
Passive:  No
Morale Grey: Yes
Flawed: Yes
Strong: Yes 
Going to save their Kingdom: Yes

I had to give myself some time to come up with word for this review and I still don’t think I am giving it justice.  If you like political fantasy, morally grey characters, Sapphic romance, strong female leads… you should read this book. You can thank me later.

My Rating: /5

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Review: The Audacious Miss Eliza by Laura Rollins

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Book Review

The Audacious Miss Eliza by Laura Rollins
(Daughters of Courage #1)
Regency Romance, Clean Romance

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Synopsis
As it turns out, a London Season is the worst place to find love.

Eliza Mulgrave never expected to make her bows to society. Yet here she is, dancing at Almacks and riding through Hyde Park. It would be perfectly delightful if it weren’t for the whispers and scornful glances. She certainly never sought to quit her place in society as a tradesman’s daughter. At least then she had known who she was and how to act; now, she’s completely lost.

Adam Lambert has been raised to be a viscount and though the time has come sooner than expected he is confident stepping into this new life. Until he meets his Father’s best kept secret—a little girl. And now she’s Adam’s responsibility. Surely someone ought to have told him about her before now.

After stumbling through an initial meeting, Adam and Eliza both find in the other what they most need this Season—a sincere friend. But society is not often willing to grant two people room to learn for themselves who to be, or who to love.

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

There has not been a book that this author has written that I have not enjoyed. I am not biased I just really love her writing and I am thankful to be on her street team.

This is the first book in the Daughters of Courage series. This series will have four books in it and I can not wait for them to come out. These books are Clean Regency Romance, which means that there is no smut. I prefer these romance books so these are always a huge win for me. These books can be read as stand-alone novels.

In this story, we follow the Mulgrave family who lives comfortably in the country. They are not a family in the ton, however, due to their father saving Lady Blackmore from bandits and being knighted for it, they are not thrown into society to find husbands befitting their new station. The issue is that they were not raised to “perform” on the marriage mart and have only a short time to learn how to weave in and out of it. Eliza has a hard time with all of it, however, she is able to make some wonderful friends along the way.

I adored Adam Lambert in this story he was such a good friend to the Mulgraves and he preferred that Eliza did not act like all of the ladies of the ton. He supported that she be herself and when she took up for someone, which angered one of the mamas, he liked her the more for it.

I loved the interactions between Eliza and Adam they are truly kind souls and are perfect for each other. I enjoyed this book so much that I found it hard to put down. I encourage anyone who enjoys Clean Romances to pick this one up.

My Rating: /5

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Review: Admonition by Kathryn Amurra

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Book Review

Admonition by Kathryn Amurra
(Soothsayer’s Path, #2)
Historical Romance

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Amazon
(E-book is FREE on June 5, 2021)

Synopsis
Sabina is a young noblewoman who, based on her soothsayer aunt’s prediction, believes her words are dangerous and will hurt those she loves. Following the death of her beloved husband, she takes a vow of silence to protect others from suffering the same fate. Ignored and scorned by those around her, who believe her to be cursed by the gods who took her voice, she is content to live in the shadow of her former life, avoiding society as best she can and staying away from the politics and drama of Rome’s inner circles.

Lucius is an unwilling front-runner to inherit the title of Emperor from Rome’s childless leader, Trajan. Although the soothsayer warns him to steer clear of a pretty face that hides a cursed soul, Lucius cannot help but be drawn to the silent and beautiful Sabina. After learning her secret, he is as determined to help her shed her cloak of silence as she is to keep him at a safe distance. But when Lucius becomes the target of a political plot, Sabina must decide whether breaking her silence will save his life or merely seal his fate.

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 didn’t think it was possible but I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one.  

I loved how this story picks up during the events in the first book, and the way that it is done is perfect. You do not get a retelling of the events in the first book this story just branches off in a whole new direction. To the point we didn’t even meet these characters in the first book. I think that the way that it was handled was done so well.

Sabina who believes that her aunt’s (the Soothsayer) reading is the reason for all the horrible things that happen to the ones she loves.  We also have Sabina’s sister who is very naïve but has a good heart. Anyone who has ever been around teenagers would understand the struggles Sabina has of having to keep her in line as her chaperone all the while not being able to speak.  

Lucius, who has seen how politics can affect men and their families doesn’t care for it.  I don’t know what it is about him but I liked him from the beginning.  It may have to do with the way he always treated Sabina.  Everyone thought she was cursed by the Gods so they avoided her, but Lucius looked beyond that from the start.  He saw something in here that no-one outside of her family dared look for. When Lucius is pulled into a political plot where he could save himself at the cost of others his response to that situation just showed how wonderful of a person he really is.

This story teaches a lesson about reading into things.  The four main characters in this book all have a reading by the Soothsayer.  Each one is interpreted differently and none of them was right.  I did like how at the end of the story you see them piecing the readings together after the fact.  Though I do have to agree with Sabina what good are the predictions if you can’t figure them out until after the fact.

My Rating: /5

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