The Fool and the Sparrow by Dana Fox: A Book Review

 

The Fool and the Sparrow by Dana Fox is the first book in her Arcana of the Tarot series.  It's a bit of fantasy romance, with a touch of Ruby Dixon style heat...this series is NOT for younger readers.

Summary:

Kit the Fool feels restless in his life, and worries he may be in for a reversal...think, when the tarot cards are flipped and their meaning is reversed.  To do some soul searching, and to ease his own restlessness he decides to return to earth to search for answers.  He immediately finds Thea, but it isn't their first time meeting each other. Roughly twenty years prior, Kit found her abandoned and alone, and turned her in to the authorities. 

Thea, is a member of a secretive group called  "The Order." Having been abandoned by her family at a young age, Thea was raised and trained by the Order to be a spy, and assassin, but after many years serving this organization she looks for a way out. She finds a file that will expose the group, and is determined to get it to a whistle blower who will broadcast this information to the world.

Kit feels called to accompany Thea on her journey, and while she initially doesn't want him to join her, she eventually allows him to come. With his good looks, blond curls, and beautiful purple eyes she finds herself attracted to him.

Thoughts:

This book peaked my interest because of the unique setting of bringing the tarot card deck to life. The world building was very light with some mystery still left as to how the living arcana came to be. The pacing of the book was quick and easy. I initially found the beginning of the book to be a bit challenging to read.  The unique way the Arcana spoke to each other I found it initially difficult to follow, however once we got to Thea things were much easier.  

Thea reminded me a lot of Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow from the Marvel Comic book, but Kit was a weird combination of aloofness, spontaneity, and recklessness.  The author tries to embody the meaning of the tarot card in his personality, and I feel she does a good job in this, however I didn't really care for him as a character. I felt their initial meeting was awkward and I practically yelled at the book when Thea decided Kit could go with her..

While it was a fun, sexy read, I wish the relationship between Thea and Kit was deeper. It seemed like they were a partnership of circumstance. I love that she mentions lots of today's social issues in her book, and a strong female lead is always ALWAYS a win for me. If you're looking for a quick, steamy read be sure to grab this book.

Heat factor: 

7/10 -- this book plays with being smut, however the storyline is developed enough to keep it out of that category for me. The sex scenes are very intense, but all consensual. 

The Fool and the Sparrow is available for pre-order now, and will be released June 15, 2022.  It will be available on kindle unlimited!!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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Of Cages and Crowns: A Book Review

If you liked Hunger Games, you'll love Of Cages and Crowns

Summary:

Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump is book one of a two book series.   Monroe Benson, a young woman who is "goddess touched" and has the ability to use and manipulate fire. Every generation 10 young goddess touched women, each with their own unique ability come together to compete in a contest called the Culling. They compete with each other,  killing each other to become the next queen of Erydia. Monroe doesn't want this future that seems laid out for her.  Her "goddess touched" mark was on her hand when she was born, family moved to a remote part of the country, and hid her entire life from authorities.  Her family though is split on opinions; her brother Kace wants to become a royal guard and tries to encourage Monroe that her gift is an honor and to fight for the crown would elevate their family. Her other brother, Ambrose joins a resistance group called the Culled, and tries to get Monroe out of the country before she is caught and sent to the capital for the Culling.

Thoughts:

Ya'll what a wild ride. For starters, the book was well paced, and it was tough to set down.    The world building was laced beautifully throughout the story, with an introduction in the beginning that helps give the world depth.  **Don't skip the intro**  It's short and helps set the stage. I liked Monroe, she was tough, independent, not whiney, or needy.  There is a sweet but complicated blossoming relationship between Monroe and Cohen, the queen's son.  I love how Monroe was vulnerable, initially depending on her brother to get her to safety, but in the end she really came into her own making tough choices to get herself and those she loved to safety. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games, or the Divergent series you'll enjoy Of Cages and Crowns.  I can't wait for the next book to be available!

Heat Index: Zero

Triggers: Death, Violence, Betrayal

Of Cages and Crowns is available for pre-order now, and will be available for purchase November 22, 2022. 

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Review: A Court of Bitter Thorn

When I read Kay L Moody's Flame and Crystal Thorns I was pulled in, and really wanted to go back and read the series that it was spun off of. This is an cute fae series, not too dissimilar to SJM's A Court of Thorns and Roses.

A Court of Bitter Thorn is book one of her series Fae of Bitter Thorn.

Summary:

Elora, engaged to be married and recently orphaned is tricked by the fae prince Brannick to come back to Faerie and help him become the High King. She is unable to go home to the mortal world until Prince Bannick becomes King.  She feels betrayed by his trickery and ends up turning against him aligning herself with his competition. She finds herself trapped, controlled and lied to by the prince, but she can't help that she's developing feelings for the attractive fae.

Thoughts:

The world building was beautiful, and I love how scenes were described. The bedroom Elora stayed in at the castle is my dream bedroom, ya'll. This book lacked lots of the depth that I was hoping for. Elora is tough...but only kinda? She is the daughter of the best swordsman in the area, and he has taught her how to swordfight. She can hold her own in a fight, but still lives in a man's world where she must set that aside and marry to secure a home for both herself and her sisters.  Bummer.

While gathering apples, Brannick tricks her into a bargain and then traps her in his castle.  He immediately begins manipulating her, trapping her in her room, tricking her so she can't tell people about their deal. This whole relationship between these two is so unhealthy. He's constantly rejecting her, feigning disgust when she's around because she's human. I felt sad for her most of the book, and was annoyed that this person who's supposed to be so strong is attracted to this toxic guy. I don't mind the tough person who's a softy on the inside, but a tough person who is attracted to someone who's constantly putting her down and gas lighting her, no thanks.

The world though is interesting, and having seen her other work I'm going to keep going with the second book. 

A Court of Bitter Thorn is available for purchase here.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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A Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses

 

I finally got a chance to read through Sarah J. Mass's A Court of Thorns and Roses.  If you need a book to just take you somewhere else for a bit, this is it.

Summary: 

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Tamlin in his shape shift form.

Art Credit: BlogTealDeal on Tumbler

Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book.  I couldn't set it down.  It was a wonderful escape, and a story that captivated me from the start. The book flowed well, the world building was easy to follow and slowly unfolding throughout the story. The romance between Feyre and Tamlin developed slowly, and in a way that I could relate to, even in a fantasy type sense.  

I really love Feyre, she is intelligent, innovative and doesn't wait for someone to rescue her.  When her family hit rock bottom she taught herself to shoot a bow and arrow, and to track and hunt for food. She was not the eldest sister, but she took care of her father and her sisters. When she moved in with Tamlin, she challenged him.  She wasn't an easy guest initially, often disobeying rules that he established for her.

If you were curious about fantasy books, but haven't ever felt pulled towards high fantasy (think D&D), then this world may be a good starting place for you.

Spice Rating 4/10: There is sex, it's mildly graphic.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is available for purchase here.

Disclaimer: I purchased this book on my own, and reviewed it all on my own. If you appreciate the review and would like to purchase please consider using one of the links here as I get a small monetary kick back that helps keep this blog going. 

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A Review: Flame and Crystal Thorns

If you loved  A Court of Thorns and Roses by SJM, you'll love Flame and Crystal Thorns.

Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody  is the first book of a fantasy novel series spin off from her original series the Fae of Bitter Thorn. If you want to start from the beginning of everything stop right now, and get A Court of Bitter Thorn. 

Summary:

We follow the story of Chloe, a town healer as she discovers people in her town are getting sick with an illness not usually seen.  Quintus, a fae from her past mysteriously shows up and tells her she needs to return to Faery she initially refuses.  Being the town healer she feels she cannot leave when the town needs her the most, but when she realizes her sister is in danger and by saving Faery she saves her town, she agrees to go.

Thoughts:

The story picks right up with a fast paced introduction.  We immediately see Chloe doing what she does best, working as a healer to save her townsman from a mysterious illness. We learn quickly she has a kind, compassionate heart when it comes to the people of her town. There are connections to characters from the previous series right off from the bat, so I strongly feel that this book should be read after you read her Fae of Bitter Thorn Series. This is not what I did (learn from my mistake, ya'll!), because I was frustrated there was a story and a connection that really wasn't well explained.

The chemistry between Chloe and Quintus evolved throughout the book.  Initially neither seemed glad to be with the other, but slowly they both let down their guard. While Chloe was devoted to her healing craft, she was fearful in battle. Quintus knowing how she responds to battle was very protective and was often her rescuer. Chloe's character development though seemed very simple though, going from being so self sacrificial to putting herself higher on her own priorities.   I hope that in the second book we see her develop even further.  I would love to see her become a badass of her own making. Overall,  I really loved this book, to the point where I really couldn't set it down. If you enjoyed ACOTAR and other Fae Court type novels you would enjoy this book. 

Heat Index: Zero: There is no sex, implied or otherwise in this book.

Flame and Crystal Thorns will be available for purchase beginning May 10, 2022. 

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book free for review.  This however does not affect my opinions, as I do not leave a review for each book I receive. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

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