A Castle of Bitter Thorn: A Review

Warning...Stop!!

Before you read on, if you haven't read my review of Book 1: A Court of Bitter Thorn do not proceed unless you're ok with spoilers! A Castle of Bittern Thorn is Book Two, of the Court of Bitter Thorn series.

Blurb: 

Fae Bargains are not easily broken.

Elora has decided to stay in Faerie to help Prince Brannick become High King. With the element of surprise on their side, they only have to hide their sword training lessons until the last phase of testing.

But Brannick is ruled by a bargain that could ruin everything. Queen Alessandra is beginning to remember her history with the prince. With one word, she could force him to lose the testing and give up his freedom forever.

With a growing reputation, Elora’s anonymity in Faerie is shrinking fast. Her sisters are safe in the mortal realm, but she is desperate to help Brannick win the throne.

If he doesn’t, any number of fae could capture Elora. Or even worse… her sisters.

Thoughts:

First of all, I love a book that takes me someplace else.  The world Kay L Moody creates is beautiful, vast and dangerous. In the first book Brannick irritated me.  He kept Elora under lock and key (Did we not learn anything from Tamlin's mistake ya'll??). Her bedroom was magically sealed to keep her in, and she wasn't "allowed to leave" with out an escort, but Elora still managed to swoon over him. I'm still having issues with this one. 

Spoiler alter: she doesn't dump him. Instead we have a slow burn type of romance, and if you remember from the first book...Brannick and Elora cannot touch each other. Through out the book he slowly stops acting disgusted in her presence and begins to act somewhat proud of her. Other than Brannick seeming to be her weakness, Elora is quite badass and she shows off not only her sword skills in this book again, but she also rescues herself. 
Brannick...I'm disappointed in you, she is far more than you're worth.  I would have also liked to know more about Queen Alessandra, what's her story? The book ends on another cliffhanger and it doesn't seem we are finished with Queen Alessandra yet, so perhaps we'll find more in book three.
Overall, I've given this book 4.5 stars, despite not liking Brannick, it was a page turner and I really enjoyed it.  Onward to book three!
A Castle of Bittern 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 my new bookshop, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

Read More

Windsong: A Review

A beautiful blend of Beauty and the Beast, the Golden Compass and Norwegian Fairytales

You guys, I'm absolutely enchanted with Windsong.  It's possibly the best book I've read all month. Let me just lay it all out right now:

Full on five stars ya'll...no hesitation.

Blurb: 

Life doesn’t wait for tears to finish.

Eighteen-year-old Roxana Welhaven has lived her life by this motto. When her mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Roxana swallows her tears and vows to do whatever is necessary to save her.

Even if it means making a deal with a talking polar bear.

The bear offers to cure her mother, but only if Roxana lives with him for one year. When she agrees, the bear whisks Roxana through a portal to another world and gives her lavish accommodations in an enchanted castle. Although she’s determined to serve her year and return home, the impatient and high-strung Roxana finds her heart drawn to the bear’s tranquil nature. He’s compassionate, clumsy and utterly adorable.

He's also a cursed man, trapped inside a bear’s body.

True love won’t be enough to break his enchantment. To save him, Roxana must embark on a treacherous quest to find his captor, a journey that will lead her east of the sun and west of the moon.


A retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

Artist Credit: Kayshasiemens

Thoughts:

First I want to warn you all, this book made me cry multiple times. I almost feel like you can't fail when you have fairy tale retellings, and this one feels like it has so many aspects of stories we already know.  Like beauty and the beast, and of course the Norwegian Fairytale, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Roxana is a tough young lady, which if you know me you know I already like her. She's put in a difficult situation and makes difficult choices for the betterment of her family.  Along the way she slowly opens her heart to the bear and his meat eating horse friend, Vidar.

The book is broken up into four parts, which help with the organization of the story. My neurodiverse brain loves organization, ya'll. Part one was Roxana and the bear getting to know each other, and this bear...you guys.  He is an absolute clumsy, adorable sweetheart.  The book starts to take a darker turn, but you really aren't told why. Part two the darkness really creeps in, and Roxana is given an out, but she refuses to take it. Part three is where the difficulty really reigns in and Vidar and Roxanna become inseparable on their journey. How am I supposed to adore a frightening meat eating horse...but I do. Every girl needs a scary horse. Part four ties the story up, but I won't tell you more than that.

I found it easy to get pulled into this book.  Stephanie Donahue is brilliant at playing with reader's emotions and making us feel deep connections with her characters.  Get ready to fall in love with all the characters, and maybe even feel a little bad for the villain in the story too. This is a book that I will likely reread when I need to get away from life, and my re-read list is very very small.

Windsong by Sephanie Donohue is available for pre-order now, and will be available for purchase June 29, 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 bookshop here, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

Read More

With Fangs and Claws: A Review

I'm deep in my arcs at the moment, and when I finished one I grabbed this book as a quick read before I jumped into another ARC.  I saw things like...reverse harem, and wolf knotting, and I thought ok...a fun quick smutty read.  No. It was not smut, ya'll. 

Summary: 

Darcy is the daughter of the Duke of Elverston, and is a trained fight and hunter.  She lives in a world where women are subjugated and often beaten by their father's or husband's.  She meets the four young princes of Stralae while out on a hunt, and they immediately recognize her as their mate and future queen.  Darcy wasn't even sure if she was about the reverse harem that fell into her lap, and could she leave behind the only home she'd ever known, specially when she didn't realize how much better life might be for her if she left this very patriarchal society.

Thoughts: 

I jumped into this book with out reading the reviews, thinking maybe it would be a quick easy smutty read.  It was definitely way more than that.  I really enjoyed the plot, the character development and the contrast between the "heathen warg country" and the "patriarchal human country." The author makes it clear that this is a separate made up world, but I can't help but to see the similarities to our world. Overall I really enjoyed this book, and if you're looking for a different kind of romance book with lots of depth and growth, be sure to grab it! Be ware...she leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger, I'll keep an eye out for book two!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.5

Spice: 🍆🍆🍆🍆 - Graphic, but not a whole lot of it, and was well fitting with the story.

Trigger Warnings: Family Violence, physical abuse, and subjugated women.

With Fangs and Claws  is available now and is available on KU! 

Read More

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!

Read More

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. 

Read More

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!

Read More

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. 

Read More

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!

Read More

Clairvoyants: The Fifth Strain -- A Review

Fans of  X-men, Avengers,  or Teen Titans are going to love Clairvoyants: The Fifth Strain.

Summary: 

Clairvoyants: The Fifth Strain is book two in the series Clairvoyants by Brady Moore.  We follow the story of Rion Greane, a kinetic, which is the type of clairvoyant who can move things with his mind. Clairvoyants are people with special abilities.  The four known types of clairvoyants are kinetics like Rion,  readers who can read minds, aurals who can transfer their consciousness into other bodies, and prophets who get visions of the past, present or future. There is a rumor of a fifth type, but no one seems to know who or what that is just yet.

 A government agency called Psyriin wants to eradicate clairvoyants. Psyriin is using other calirvoyants to hunt them down. The group of clairvoyants has been split up with some are in hiding while others are missing. Rion hopes to find his mother, and the other missing clairvoyants with out being caught by Psyriin.

Thoughts:

This was a well paced book, and even though I didn't read the first one the author did a brilliant job on filling me in without the dreaded info dump. He carefully laced in bits and details so I was able to follow the story...however, I wish I had read the first novel and suggest you grab it if you're able. There was a great story there, and I do feel the second book would have made my connection with the characters deeper.  

Rion and the other clairvoyants have formed a close-knit family group.  They often showed how deeply they loved each other as a family, and our author is not afraid to express these emotions in his characters.  Rion even remarked early on that losing one of their group was like losing a limb. It was obvious to me that many of these relationships began in the first book and must have continued in their depth in this book. This was a tight group of people who would sacrifice themselves for the group with out pause. As the story unfolds they learn how to work together with their individual powers to keep each other safe from Psyriin.  

It was easy for me to get caught up in this book just after the halfway point, and it became one of those "just one more chapter, just one more chapter" until I reached the end.  There was fighting, and action, and narrow escapes.  Rion stopping a spray of bullets with his mind like a badass? Yes, please..

There were a few metaphors I scratched my head at early on...like an ocean of sweat, or a geyser of saliva. Those moments were far and few between though, and overall the book well was written and easy to read. The characters were relatable and lovable, specially when you can see how much they care for each other. If you're a fan of the Avengers, X-men or Teen Titans you will love this book. 

**Warning** The book ends on a cliffhanger that sets us all up for the next book.

 Clairvoyants the Fifth Strain is available now for pre-order and will be released May 5, 2022.

You can follow Brady Moore on Facebook here or on Instagram 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!

Read More

A Review: One Day I Shall Astonish the World

This may be my first case of Bookstagram made me do it.  I've seen Nina Stibbe's name float around from time to time.  Her novels are known for their humor, which I definitely found in her newest book One Day I Shall Astonish the World.

Summary: 

In this story we follow Susan and her life long friendship with Norma. Stibbe tells the story of both Susan and Norma's lives and their marriage, career and family life. As is her style, Stibbe delivers this story with humor and clarity.  The relationship between Norma and Susan is complex, and deeply real and one I can relate to having a lifelong best friend.

Thoughts: 

It's been a long while since I've read a story of this style.  Stibbe artfully tells Susan's story from young adulthood starting in the 90's all the way to 2020 with the onset of covid.   This is the type of book that I would turn to in between intense books just to have something calm to read, but I would likely read it for a bit, set it down, read something else and then come back to it. This book's focus was more on personal development and the lifetime relationships instead of a plotline. If you're looking for a calm gentle read, add this to your TBR list. 

Additionally, I also listened to the audio version of this book. I found the narrator to be easy to understand and listen to.  Her pacing and enthusiasm was perfect.  

One Day I Shall Astonish the World will be available for purchase beginning May 3! 

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!

Read More

A Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was one of the first books I received from the Book of the Month Club. If you're interested in trying it out, your first book is only $5 if you use my link, and I get credit towards more books (yay...thanks!!).  So far I've found it to be a very practical way to get your hands on some REALLY good books.  Click here if you'd like to try it!

Summary:

It's 1714, the worth of a woman for the most part is who she will marry and how many children she will have for her husband. This is not the life Addie LaRue wants for herself.  She doesn't know what the whole world has to offer her yet, but she knows she wants to be free to find out.  She prays, and leaves offerings to any god that will hear her, with a warning never to pray to the gods of the night. In her despair, she ends up doing just that and makes a Faustian bargain...for the freedom to live the life of her choosing until she is finished with it, she will give her soul. The catch to this bargain: no one remembers her. 

Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book. Easily a five star review.  The story mainly stays from Addie's perspective, and while she initially bit off more than she can chew, she adapted and overcame her situation and eventually thrived in what Luc hoped she'd quickly fail in. She did it all on her own. There is a bit of romance near the end that I don't want to give any spoilers about so I will just leave you with a heat level. This is a story of desperation, regret, loneliness, and perseverance. 

Heat Rating: 5/10  -- There was sex in this book, but the sex was not steamy or detailed. 

Disclaimer: I purchased this book on my own to read and review. There are links to Amazon, clicking these links won't cost you anything but any purchase helps support this blog.  Thanks!

Read More