Category: Reviews

Reviews

Review: Water’s Wrath by Elise Kova

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Book Review

Water's Wrath
Water’s Wrath by Elise Kova
(Air Awakens #4)
Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
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Synopsis
Librarian turned sorcerer. Sorcerer turned hero. Hero turned puppet.

The Solaris Empire found victory in the North and, at the cost of her heart and her innocence, Vhalla Yarl has earned her freedom. But the true fight is only beginning as the secret forces that have been lurking in the shadows, tugging at the strings of Vhalla’s fate, finally come to light. Nowhere is safe, and Vhalla must tread carefully or else she’ll fall into the waiting arms of her greatest foe. Or former lover.

What I thought
Since this is book four in the series, this will be short and sweet.

There was a lot going on in this book you can tell we are nearing the end of the series. I felt that this book’s main purpose was to move people to where they need to be for the final book.  I also found my love for Jax in this book there is just something about him that I adore.

I am still wanting that happy ending for Daniel but I am starting to worry that its not going to happen. Yes, I will hold onto this until the end 🙂

If you have not picked up this series, you should really consider doing so if you like young adult fantasy and romance.  Especially if you like strong female characters who take control of their own destiny.

My Rating: /54 Stars

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Review: The Crown’s Dog by Elise Kova

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Book Review

The Crown's Dog
The Crown’s Dog by Elise Kova
(Golden Guard #1)
Young Adult, Fantasy
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Synopsis
A coastal summer is turned upside down by a violent murder, and a quest for lost pirate treasure turns into a hunt for the killer.

Jax Wendyll is the crown’s dog. As punishment for the unspeakable crimes that torment him to this day, his life has been conscripted to the Empire Solaris. However, in an Empire afflicted by peace, his duties are relegated to unquestioningly aiding the antics of the youngest prince, Baldair.

Erion Le’Dan, a nobleman’s son, expects a quiet summer visit to the Imperial Palace, his only agenda to visit with his unlikely friends. But Jax’s discovery the legendary pirate Adela Lagmir’s old workroom inspires a hunt for her long lost treasure.

The pursuit of Adela’s truth takes the three men to the Imperial summer manor, built along the old pirate mainstays. When Adela’s trident is branded into a murdered servant, Prince Baldair’s summer amusement of treasure-hunting becomes a hunt to find the killer. But, as mysteries compound, the ghosts of Jax’s past may not be the only things haunting them.

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

Let me start by saying thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book in the Golden Guard Trilogy, which is a prequel to the Air Awakens Series.  The Crown’s Dog is about Jax and I was here for it. I found my love or Jax in Water’s Wrath and this story just solidified my soft spot for him.

This story begins three years after Jax becomes conscripted by the crown. This story tells you how he became part of the Golden Guard and you see how much the events that lead to his really affect him.  In the Crystal Crowned, a good bit of years has passed and he has been able to build up a shell so it seems almost cold when you hear it then but in this book, you get more raw emotion and you see things from his perspective.

This book is full of little details that explain some things in the Air Awakens books more than once I was like “ahh now that makes more sense”.  Don’t get me wrong they is nothing missing from the Air Awakens book these little tibbits are like little easter eggs.

As a bonus in this story, you get to see the creation of the Golden Guard.

Even though the books in this trilogy are prequels I would read them after the Air Awakens series.  They could spoil some things for you that happens in the last two books (Water’s Wrath and Crystal Crowned).

I can not wait to get my hands on the next book in this trilogy!

My Rating: /55 Stars

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Reviews

Review: Competence by Gail Carriger

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Book Review

Competence
Competence by Gail Carriger
(The Custard Protocol #3)
Steampunk, Fantasy, Paranormal, Adult
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Synopsis
Accidentally abandoned!

All alone in Singapore, proper Miss Primrose Tunstell must steal helium to save her airship, the Spotted Custard, in a scheme involving a lovesick werecat and a fake fish tail.

When she uncovers rumors of a new kind of vampire, Prim and the Custard crew embark on a mission to Peru. There, they encounter airship pirates and strange atmospheric phenomena, and are mistaken for representatives of the Spanish Inquisition. Forced into extreme subterfuge (and some rather ridiculous outfits) Prim must also answer three of life’s most challenging questions:

Can the perfect book club give a man back his soul?
Will her brother ever stop wearing his idiotic velvet fez?
And can the amount of lard in Christmas pudding save an entire species?

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
A book in which Prim discovers her happiness. Prim’s story focuses around accepting oneself and not conforming to societal norms just because that is what you are supposed to do. I might be looking way too much into this but this story shows the importance of accepting who you are and that those who truly care about you will accept you for you. 

I loved this book! There is just something about the life lessons in this series that just warms my heart. Prim spends so much time denying who she is just because she is worried about what society might say. Everyone around her is so patient and supportive and they “knew” before she accepted it.

This is a story of self-acceptance and love.

My Rating: /55 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: HEIST by Kezzy Sparks

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Book Review

Heist_Final_Opt1
HEIST by Kezzy Sparks
A Melanie Perkiss Witch Hunter Novel
Fantasy, Paranormal
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Synopsis
A jilted ex. A scheming dark witch. A magical crime of the century.

Melanie Perkiss, Buffalo NY’s most capable witch hunter, accepts the onerous task of chasing down a sorceress who, while acting on behalf of a vengeful ex, has magically deprived a man of his genitals and vanished.

The case is as perplexing as it is urgent. The victim, Casey, is just about head to the altar with his girlfriend, and imagine the pressure this brings on Mel. Added to that, the witch whom Mel chases is not just cunningly elusive, she also has powers to destroy anyone who dares apprehend her.

Will Mell be able to corner the sorceress, recover the taken goods and save a doomed marriage, while bringing the conspirators to justice?

A thrilling modern-day magical mystery, with a generous touch of humor.

Mature audiences advised.

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

Let me first thank the author for sending me a copy of the book. When I was sent the synopsis it grabbed me and if I’m honest it made me laugh a little so I was sold.
This is not my typical type of book that I would pick up but I wanted to give it a go anyway.  The story was entertaining, and honestly how many of us wishes something similar could happen to one of our exes. Unfortunately for me, I did not like our main character.  There was just something about her personality that put me off early on in the book. Now with that said do I think that this is a bad book? NO. I just did not jive with a character, which happens.  We do not like every person we meet so why would this be any different. Do I still recommend it? YES!

If the synopsis appeals to you I say give it a go. Characters are like people we can not like them all and you may love her.

My Rating: /53 starsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: Stolen Bloodlines by L.G. Rollins

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Book Review

Stolen Bloodline
Stolen Bloodlines by L.G. Rollins
(Steam and Shadow #4)
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Synopsis
The heritage she never knew was hers. The future he never believed could be.

Jasper Wimple’s art is gaining popularity and life is falling into place for him at last. After meeting the Ambassador from China, a relationship that could propel him forward, Jasper’s street smarts tell him to steer clear of the man. But nothing could have prepared Jasper for a ghostly visit from one of the ambassador’s murdered victims, or taught him what to do when the ghost demands Jasper help protect his surviving wife and daughter.

Ju is done mourning a father she never knew for the entirety of Ghost Month, despite her mother’s insistence that they continue the tradition. Instead, Ju focuses on her upcoming audition—her one chance to enter London’s most prestigious dance school.

But then her mother’s life is threatened, and Ju sets everything else aside. Working together as new friends and unexpected allies, Jasper and Ju struggle to protect Ju’s mother and each other. With their own lives, the lives of those they care most about, and a budding romance all on the line, will they bring one of the most powerful men in England to justice before he silences them for good?

What I thought
This is the fourth book in the Steam and Shadow Series, however, all of these books can be read as stand-alones. This book picks up  3 months after Clockwork Image. I was so happy that we get a book about Jasper I really liked his character so much in Clockwork Image!  This book happens in a little over a month. 

I really liked this book once I started reading it I did not want to stop.  This book definitely had enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.  I liked Ju and how this story worked in Chinese culture the way it did.

If you like fantasy, steampunk, paranormal or some clean romance then you need to pick this book up.

My Rating: /55 Stars

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Review: Cage of Darkness by Jennifer Anne Davis

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Book Review

Cage of Darkness
Cage of Darkness by Jennifer Anne Davis
(Reign of Secrets #2)
Fantasy, Young Adult Romance
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Synopsis
While traveling to Fren, Allyssa and Odar are hijacked by a ruthless assassin who divulges a stunning secret that changes everything.

Trying to come to terms with this newfound revelation, Allyssa is taken to Russek and delivered into the hands of a malicious and twisted royal family. She finds herself an unwilling pawn in a risky political game that will either end with her death or the annihilation of her beloved kingdom. Unsure of where the lies end and the truth begins, she must survive the brutal family and escape the fortified castle, all the while coming to grips with her feelings for Odar.

In a kingdom filled with darkness, Allyssa enters a game where one wrong move means death, secrets hide around each corner, and it will take every ounce of cunning she has to survive.

What I thought
This is the second book in the Reign of Secrets series.  I have read other books by this author and I love her writing style.  You get so much and there is not the useless “fluff” that is present in some YA Fantasy books.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book.  I do feel slightly justified for not liking Odar, he really shows his true colors in this book. I know some people felt that he didn’t feel like the character in book 1. I see that but come on he lied about who he was through the whole of book one, so I take who he was then with a grain of salt. 

Allyssa is an amazing character! The events that she goes through in this book I know I could not have come out on the other side as well as she did.  The worse things seemed to get the more she refused to be weak and I admire that in her.  There are parts of this story that are dark, really dark, but this is where the writing style really mattered for me because in most cases I would have DNF’d the book but I was so engrossed in the story I couldn’t stop.

There were are few reveals that happen in the book one I saw coming due to clues being dropped in book 1. But what happened, in the end, I mean the very end of the book I should have seen coming but I didn’t.  I really can’t wait to see what decision is made regarding it but I foresee how it is going to go.

I can not wait to read book 3 I have only waited due to needing to write this review (and I got very behind on them) because I wanted this to be my thoughts not knowing what was coming up.

I hope Allyssa ends up being a phoenix that rises from the ashes.

My Rating: /54 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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Review: Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

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Book Review

Suitors and Sabotage.png
Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey
Historical, Mystery, Young Adult, Romance
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Synopsis
Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father’s approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.

Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother’s intended.

But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of “accidents,” it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. . .

What I thought
I read this book as a buddy read with the wonderful Brittany from Perfectly Tolerable. If you have not checked, her out you really should. She also reviewed this book and you can find her review here.  Brittany is wonderful and more on the ball than I am lol she posted her review right after we read the book unlike me who let my reviews pile up.

I really enjoyed this book.  Imogene who was given one season for only one reason, to find a suitor, and did she ever with Earnest he is everything that her father had in mind, the firstborn of an influential family. Due to the constant criticism from her parents, she is an anxious person. (Brittany touches more on this in her review) Okay her parents are just downright mean, just to be mean, I really felt for Imogene there was no reason they picked on her the way they did. After the season was over Earnest comes to call and brings his brother Ben along for support. Once Ben sees Imogene’s drawings, he is impressed with her ability to render art. With that common interest, Ben begins bringing Imogene out of her shell and it is such a cute story to watch unfold even if they don’t realize there could be a future for them. Ben and Imogene are at constant war with their feelings since it is Earnest that wants/is supposed to ask for Imogene’s hand. And they do not realize that they have feeling for each other even though it is obvious to everyone else.

I only had one issue with this story and Brittany had the same issue too.  Imogene leads Earnest on for far too long. Imogene wants to tell him but is asked not to because her friend is trying to impress Ben and they know that if Earnest leaves then Ben will too.  I can’t be too mad about it all since Imogene acknowledges that it isn’t right, so the story does not support that issue but recognizes that it is wrong.

If you enjoy clean Regency Romance/Mystery novels than you should really give this one a chance.

My Rating: /54 StarsFollow me on other platforms:
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