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_ckarys's reviews
433 reviews
205z: Time and Salvation by Jason Michael Primrose
4.0
205Z: TIME AND SALVATION is the first book in the Lost Children of Andromeda series. This is the perfect read for fans of sci-fi fantasy/dystopian crossover books, with a special emphasis on family relationships, friendships and personal growth. Also, the majority of the main cast of characters is diverse, which was a beautiful breath of fresh air! I highly recommend this read to fans of the genre and Marvel fans as well!
Time and Salvation was a deeply immersive read. Not only did I find the author’s writing style heartfelt and easy to follow, but I loved the interactive segments with questions for the reader and the visual component of the narration. Throughout the book the reader can find incredibly beautiful illustrations of key moments, and as someone who loves fanart, this was such a treat! You can even find a soundtrack for this book on Amazon! All of these little details really enhanced the feeling I perceived since the very first page: reading this book was like watching a movie—and a great one at that! The story is filled with action, plot twists, and a chain reaction of events that challenge and shape the heroes throughout. Allister could easily be a Marvel superhero. He is a young man with a traumatic past who finds himself dealing with a power he doesn’t completely understand, and one he doesn’t always think himself capable of controlling. His inner struggles go hand in hand with his character development: the more he understands his powers, the stronger he grows, and so too does his confidence. A very positive hero!
My favorite aspect, however, was the character relationships. Though there are some I would have liked to see in a little more depth—specifically that between Allister and Leesa—I deeply appreciated the author’s realistic approach to familiar bonds, not just as uplifiting and positive but sometimes messy, complicated and even damaging. I especially loved Allister’s relationship with his parents—his father most of all. If you don’t think I cried during some key moments in this book, you are wrong!
Overall this was a fantastic start into this series and sets a great premise for what’s to come.
Time and Salvation was a deeply immersive read. Not only did I find the author’s writing style heartfelt and easy to follow, but I loved the interactive segments with questions for the reader and the visual component of the narration. Throughout the book the reader can find incredibly beautiful illustrations of key moments, and as someone who loves fanart, this was such a treat! You can even find a soundtrack for this book on Amazon! All of these little details really enhanced the feeling I perceived since the very first page: reading this book was like watching a movie—and a great one at that! The story is filled with action, plot twists, and a chain reaction of events that challenge and shape the heroes throughout. Allister could easily be a Marvel superhero. He is a young man with a traumatic past who finds himself dealing with a power he doesn’t completely understand, and one he doesn’t always think himself capable of controlling. His inner struggles go hand in hand with his character development: the more he understands his powers, the stronger he grows, and so too does his confidence. A very positive hero!
My favorite aspect, however, was the character relationships. Though there are some I would have liked to see in a little more depth—specifically that between Allister and Leesa—I deeply appreciated the author’s realistic approach to familiar bonds, not just as uplifiting and positive but sometimes messy, complicated and even damaging. I especially loved Allister’s relationship with his parents—his father most of all. If you don’t think I cried during some key moments in this book, you are wrong!
Overall this was a fantastic start into this series and sets a great premise for what’s to come.
Bedding Rose by Ann Denton
5.0
The Stalked and Plucked series is becoming my guilty-not-so-guilty pleasure read. These taboo romance standalones can be read individually or as a series, but please check the trigger warnings before starting. In BEDDING ROSE the main triggers are: cutting, rape (off page, happens in the past) and murder. If that’s something you can handle, and you love a good brother’s best friend trope with an obsessively protective man and tons of angst and banter, then I highly recommend this read!
I had already enjoyed Chaining Daisy back when I read it, but while I loved the dynamic of that relationship, I wanted a bit more “story” to go with it and more background on the characters. Bedding Rose had that! While the scorching hot romance was still very much the focus, this one felt more like a novel than a short story. The author took her time fleshing out Angelo and Rose’s characters, and it made the romance much more rewarding when it happened. I fell hard for these two! Rose was a devastatingly heartbreaking and strong character, not only for how she deals with the trauma of her past abuse, but also for the confidence she finds along the way to deal with the other expectations keeping her caged. Angelo, on the other hand, was exactly the sort of bad boy I love falling for. The tattoos and protective alphahole attitude were already a guarantee for me, but pair that with how attentive and careful he was with Rose and you’ve got yourself a winner. He may be unconventional, but he’s more than deserved his throne as my favorite of Ann Denton’s men.
Angelo and Rose’s story wraps up perfectly, but the author leaves us hanging with a tease of what’s coming in the next installment, where another of the Wildflowers girl squad will be the protagonist. I admit, if that story is going where I think it is, this one will truly be a taboo romance. The author has a great challenge in her hands, but I’ve read enough Ann Denton books by now to trust that she’ll work some magic! However, this is also me throwing in a request into the void to get a book about Enrique, Rose’s brother, who wins the award for best brother, best sassy boy and best secondary character with main character energy.
I had already enjoyed Chaining Daisy back when I read it, but while I loved the dynamic of that relationship, I wanted a bit more “story” to go with it and more background on the characters. Bedding Rose had that! While the scorching hot romance was still very much the focus, this one felt more like a novel than a short story. The author took her time fleshing out Angelo and Rose’s characters, and it made the romance much more rewarding when it happened. I fell hard for these two! Rose was a devastatingly heartbreaking and strong character, not only for how she deals with the trauma of her past abuse, but also for the confidence she finds along the way to deal with the other expectations keeping her caged. Angelo, on the other hand, was exactly the sort of bad boy I love falling for. The tattoos and protective alphahole attitude were already a guarantee for me, but pair that with how attentive and careful he was with Rose and you’ve got yourself a winner. He may be unconventional, but he’s more than deserved his throne as my favorite of Ann Denton’s men.
Angelo and Rose’s story wraps up perfectly, but the author leaves us hanging with a tease of what’s coming in the next installment, where another of the Wildflowers girl squad will be the protagonist. I admit, if that story is going where I think it is, this one will truly be a taboo romance. The author has a great challenge in her hands, but I’ve read enough Ann Denton books by now to trust that she’ll work some magic! However, this is also me throwing in a request into the void to get a book about Enrique, Rose’s brother, who wins the award for best brother, best sassy boy and best secondary character with main character energy.
Secrets & Photographs by A.K. Ramirez
4.0
SECRETS & PHOTOGRAPHS is the first book in a mystery series, which isn’t my go-to genre and yet I enjoy it every time I try it! It didn’t take long for me to feel like this story would make a great screen adaptation. All the addictive qualities of a good police procedural were there: characters that felt real and that one could empathize with, complex familial and romantic relationships, and an interesting mystery plot.
Though I’m not usually a great investigator and let the mystery unfold by itself, this time I was invested, perhaps because of how personal the events were for the protagonist. I was buddy reading with my sister, so it was so fun to make theories together and exchange notes. The resolution of the murder case was satisfying, though it seems like there are still some loose threads and I’m curious to see if my theories on that regard are true!
What I enjoyed most about the book however was the human aspect of Marissa’s relationships, where the second-chance trope reigned supreme. Her friendship with Allison, that was true and steadfast. Her turbulent relationship with her sister Melanie. Her complicated past with her ex, Jared, and the hopeful relationship blooming with Special Agent James Mackenzie. As a fellow dog mom, however, the sweet bond with Ellie, her service dog, resonated with me most of all. Marissa’s messy personal life is what really kept me turning the pages. Not all the conflicts in the book are resolved, which is yet another reason I’m curious about the rest of the series.
Though I’m not usually a great investigator and let the mystery unfold by itself, this time I was invested, perhaps because of how personal the events were for the protagonist. I was buddy reading with my sister, so it was so fun to make theories together and exchange notes. The resolution of the murder case was satisfying, though it seems like there are still some loose threads and I’m curious to see if my theories on that regard are true!
What I enjoyed most about the book however was the human aspect of Marissa’s relationships, where the second-chance trope reigned supreme. Her friendship with Allison, that was true and steadfast. Her turbulent relationship with her sister Melanie. Her complicated past with her ex, Jared, and the hopeful relationship blooming with Special Agent James Mackenzie. As a fellow dog mom, however, the sweet bond with Ellie, her service dog, resonated with me most of all. Marissa’s messy personal life is what really kept me turning the pages. Not all the conflicts in the book are resolved, which is yet another reason I’m curious about the rest of the series.
Shattered Vow by Eva Chase
4.5
SHATTERED VOW is my first book by Eva Chase, but it definitely won’t be the last! If you’re a fan of X-Men but also can’t get enough of romance, I highly recommend this book, and also find it perfect for both veterans and newbies to reverse harem thanks to its slow-burn/forced proximity dynamic.
A strong heroine and a group of men devoted to her are elements I expect to find in this subgenre, but I loved that the heroine was not the only link uniting the men. A lifetime of friendship—and their belief that the heroine, Riva, has betrayed them—added so much more depth to the whole dynamic. Their loyalty toward one another was one of my favorite aspects of the story, and I’ve found this is a key element for my full enjoyment of reverse harems in general. I really appreciated the pacing of the romance as it didn’t feel rushed at all. The author took her time characterizing each character and fleshing out the different relationship dynamics to the point where I feel a deep love for each of them. Of course I have a favorite—it’s Andreas and I won’t be accepting any objections at this time—but I definitely see myself shipping everything and everyone as soon as we get to see more of these micro-relationships at play.
Although the romance was definitely the highlight of the story, I did appreciate that it wasn’t the only focus. The group is involved in a sort of investigation/get-away mission to understand the origins of their strange gifts and the reason why they’ve been locked up and experimented on their entire lives, and I was invested! There is still so much to unpack, and I’m so excited to find out more in the next installments—and to watch Jacob on his knees begging for redemption. If you know, you know.
A strong heroine and a group of men devoted to her are elements I expect to find in this subgenre, but I loved that the heroine was not the only link uniting the men. A lifetime of friendship—and their belief that the heroine, Riva, has betrayed them—added so much more depth to the whole dynamic. Their loyalty toward one another was one of my favorite aspects of the story, and I’ve found this is a key element for my full enjoyment of reverse harems in general. I really appreciated the pacing of the romance as it didn’t feel rushed at all. The author took her time characterizing each character and fleshing out the different relationship dynamics to the point where I feel a deep love for each of them. Of course I have a favorite—it’s Andreas and I won’t be accepting any objections at this time—but I definitely see myself shipping everything and everyone as soon as we get to see more of these micro-relationships at play.
Although the romance was definitely the highlight of the story, I did appreciate that it wasn’t the only focus. The group is involved in a sort of investigation/get-away mission to understand the origins of their strange gifts and the reason why they’ve been locked up and experimented on their entire lives, and I was invested! There is still so much to unpack, and I’m so excited to find out more in the next installments—and to watch Jacob on his knees begging for redemption. If you know, you know.
The Syren's Mutiny by Jessica S. Taylor
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
THE SYREN’S MUTINY is the book every reader who loves syrens more than mermaids was waiting for! If you love a good seafaring adventure along the lines of To Kill a Kingdom and Fable, with bloodthirsty syrens, dashing rogues and a mildly steamy romance to keep the blood flowing, I highly recommend trying this one.
This book has everything an adventure at sea needs: dangers at sea, dangers on land, and a cast of deeply addicting and flawed characters to keep the story interesting. While this installment only scratches the surface of the world-building potential, I’m already obsessed with the darkness of the syren lore and how it connects with the superstitions tied to women at sea. These syrens are true predators, and I loved seeing this aspect of their way of life as much as I did seeing the camaraderie and sisterhood that links them in their everyday life.
The characters were certainly the highlight of the novel. Brigid and Caelum were incredible protagonists! They’re both strong and determined in their own right, but they also don’t hide their vulnerabilities, which made them that much more likeable and relatable. I especially loved the way the author handled the descriptions of Brigid’s past trauma and the anxiety that she carries with her from that moment on. It’s no surprise that this incredible characterization also brought to a fantastic romance. I will never stop advocating for the superiority of stories where acquaintances/friends grow estranged only to meet again when they’re older. The chemistry between Caelum and Brigid jumped off the page from their very first scene together, and the author did an incredible job at pacing this relationship, balancing the attraction with moments of misunderstanding and tension. The few steamy moments between them promise such great things from the sequel! Sequel that I will need in my hands effective immediately thanks to that fantastic cliffhanger, which was the perfect gasp-out-loud ending to a book that was hard to put down.
This book has everything an adventure at sea needs: dangers at sea, dangers on land, and a cast of deeply addicting and flawed characters to keep the story interesting. While this installment only scratches the surface of the world-building potential, I’m already obsessed with the darkness of the syren lore and how it connects with the superstitions tied to women at sea. These syrens are true predators, and I loved seeing this aspect of their way of life as much as I did seeing the camaraderie and sisterhood that links them in their everyday life.
The characters were certainly the highlight of the novel. Brigid and Caelum were incredible protagonists! They’re both strong and determined in their own right, but they also don’t hide their vulnerabilities, which made them that much more likeable and relatable. I especially loved the way the author handled the descriptions of Brigid’s past trauma and the anxiety that she carries with her from that moment on. It’s no surprise that this incredible characterization also brought to a fantastic romance. I will never stop advocating for the superiority of stories where acquaintances/friends grow estranged only to meet again when they’re older. The chemistry between Caelum and Brigid jumped off the page from their very first scene together, and the author did an incredible job at pacing this relationship, balancing the attraction with moments of misunderstanding and tension. The few steamy moments between them promise such great things from the sequel! Sequel that I will need in my hands effective immediately thanks to that fantastic cliffhanger, which was the perfect gasp-out-loud ending to a book that was hard to put down.
An Incarnation of Shadow and Light by S.A. Christianson
4.0
AN INCARNATION OF SHADOW AND LIGHT is a solid New Adult debut strong for its world building, unique magic system, but most importantly for the diverse and intriguing cast of morally gray characters. This is a read I especially recommend to fans of A Darker Shade of Magic and Six of Crows!
I was a huge fan of the world building and unique magic system. I love the sun and moon dichotomy, so I was extremely pleased with the whole aesthetic. But most of all I loved that magic wasn’t a simple accessory in the plot. It played a pivotal role in the political intrigue, especially since depending on the location, having magic is perceived in a completely different way. This story was compelling, high stakes and full of plot twists! The characters, however, were the book’s greatest strength. An Incarnation of Shadow and Light counts on a diverse, morally gray cast, with great LGBTQIA+ representation (including bisexual, lesibian and non binary characters). I especially enjoyed characters like Ada Vard, an ambitious woman with an instinct for profit and one of the most influential conlords, and Gabriel Capello, the Incarnate of the Moon, who delivered charm, ambition, and a vein of ruthlessness.
All my friends who don’t love cliffhangers will be happy to know the story wraps up nicely, although there are some loose threads that hint at a possible sequel. Which I hope is true because I’m very much looking forward to see more of the dynamic between certain princes.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
I was a huge fan of the world building and unique magic system. I love the sun and moon dichotomy, so I was extremely pleased with the whole aesthetic. But most of all I loved that magic wasn’t a simple accessory in the plot. It played a pivotal role in the political intrigue, especially since depending on the location, having magic is perceived in a completely different way. This story was compelling, high stakes and full of plot twists! The characters, however, were the book’s greatest strength. An Incarnation of Shadow and Light counts on a diverse, morally gray cast, with great LGBTQIA+ representation (including bisexual, lesibian and non binary characters). I especially enjoyed characters like Ada Vard, an ambitious woman with an instinct for profit and one of the most influential conlords, and Gabriel Capello, the Incarnate of the Moon, who delivered charm, ambition, and a vein of ruthlessness.
All my friends who don’t love cliffhangers will be happy to know the story wraps up nicely, although there are some loose threads that hint at a possible sequel. Which I hope is true because I’m very much looking forward to see more of the dynamic between certain princes.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
Blood Of Torbatt (The Lost Faces, #2) by C.J. Merwild
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Like its predecessor, BLOOD OF TORBATT brilliantly balanced a character driven story and forwarding the plot. If you haven’t checked out this series yet, I would 100% recommend it to readers of adult fantasy. This series has it all: characters, world, romance. But please check the trigger warnings provided by the author before diving in.
Blood of Torbatt picks up exactly where The Nichan Smile left off. Because of the massive size of the cast of characters and world-building, I was afraid I’d have trouble reconnecting with the story, but I was very appreciative of how the author wove little reminders in her storytelling that immediately triggered my memory. It made the reading experience much smoother and enjoyable.
Like most people who have read the first book, I was desperate to have Gus and Domino reunited, but I will be honest: after reading this installment, I’m actually glad they were apart. As much as I love the boys together, I think this separation was necessary for them to grow into the men they’re meant to become. In Blood of Torbatt, Gus and Domino undergo some very interesting journeys filled with heartbreak, joy, and a great deal of self-discovery. Gus was definitely the star of the book, and his arc was my favorite to read both because of the characters he meets along the way and his own personal growth. This doesn’t mean, however, that I didn’t like Domino’s arc. I did find his story to be somewhat slower, but it’s no less satisfying to see him grow into his leadership. I also adore his relationship with Lienn, who is definitely my girl crush of the series!
There are some instances where I thought the pacing was a little too slow for my tastes, but its’ a very personal preference and in no way influences the quality of the story. There are so many epic discoveries and shocking twists, I’m honestly still reeling from the epic proportions of it all! I’m very much looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Blood of Torbatt picks up exactly where The Nichan Smile left off. Because of the massive size of the cast of characters and world-building, I was afraid I’d have trouble reconnecting with the story, but I was very appreciative of how the author wove little reminders in her storytelling that immediately triggered my memory. It made the reading experience much smoother and enjoyable.
Like most people who have read the first book, I was desperate to have Gus and Domino reunited, but I will be honest: after reading this installment, I’m actually glad they were apart. As much as I love the boys together, I think this separation was necessary for them to grow into the men they’re meant to become. In Blood of Torbatt, Gus and Domino undergo some very interesting journeys filled with heartbreak, joy, and a great deal of self-discovery. Gus was definitely the star of the book, and his arc was my favorite to read both because of the characters he meets along the way and his own personal growth. This doesn’t mean, however, that I didn’t like Domino’s arc. I did find his story to be somewhat slower, but it’s no less satisfying to see him grow into his leadership. I also adore his relationship with Lienn, who is definitely my girl crush of the series!
There are some instances where I thought the pacing was a little too slow for my tastes, but its’ a very personal preference and in no way influences the quality of the story. There are so many epic discoveries and shocking twists, I’m honestly still reeling from the epic proportions of it all! I’m very much looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
There’s no way to sugar coat this. I was massively disappointed by this book. After the huge success of Kingdom of the Cursed, I really thought the direction the series was going would make it a favorite. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
My issues with KINGDOM OF THE FEARED are primarily two: plot and characters. On the former, I might be the problem—at least, to an extent. The book picks up exactly where its predecessor ends, and I was enjoying it immensely!. However, there was soon a plot twist regarding Emilia—and her relationship with Wrath—that really destabilized me. Personally, I felt like it was coming out of the blue, and I couldn’t remember any grounding information from the previous books that led up to it. Maybe the hints were there and I just couldn’t remember them. Maybe someone who will read the entire trilogy back to back will have a different perception. Either way, it shouldn’t be a given that readers will be binging, rereading, or remembering details after a great length of time, and I don’t feel like some of these elements were reintroduced in a way that would trigger the reader’s memory. For the majority of the book I felt like I had started reading a series midway without catching up with the previous installments first, so off course was the focus of the plot. Were the plotlines resolved? Most of them were, but in a very rushed way that didn’t feel cohesive with the rest of the trilogy.
As for the characters, unfortunately I felt like this book was a return to the dullness of Kingdom of the Wicked. Emilia was back to being insufferable, and Wrath was once again a pale ghost of the demon—the Devil—he was meant to be. What hurts me the most is that Kingdom of the Feared lacked what has always been the strength of this series: Wrath and Emilia, together. Where was the banter? Where was the chemistry? I found it was greatly affected by the main plot twist and the space given to Vittoria’s character. It was a gamble, but unfortunately one that didn’t pay off. Vittoria was extremely inconsistent—ruthless, cold, manipulative one moment and meek and loving the next. I couldn’t get a measure of her, which also made it difficult for me to feel any sort of interest in her bond with Emilia, her motives, or the hinted relationship between her and two of the other demon princes. I think I would tolerate Vittoria as a protagonist even less than Emilia, and don’t think I’d be interested in reading a spinoff about her—if there ever were one.
In short, I am not happy with this final installment. The Kingdom of the Wicked series had great potential and the characters to pull it off, but ultimately it feels like the author ended up wanting to do too much at once. However, this is Kerri Maniscalco’s first time writing fantasy, and I believe she has the creativity and skill to improve in future projects. I’m still very curious to read her future works within the fantasy genre.
My issues with KINGDOM OF THE FEARED are primarily two: plot and characters. On the former, I might be the problem—at least, to an extent. The book picks up exactly where its predecessor ends, and I was enjoying it immensely!. However, there was soon a plot twist regarding Emilia—and her relationship with Wrath—that really destabilized me. Personally, I felt like it was coming out of the blue, and I couldn’t remember any grounding information from the previous books that led up to it. Maybe the hints were there and I just couldn’t remember them. Maybe someone who will read the entire trilogy back to back will have a different perception. Either way, it shouldn’t be a given that readers will be binging, rereading, or remembering details after a great length of time, and I don’t feel like some of these elements were reintroduced in a way that would trigger the reader’s memory. For the majority of the book I felt like I had started reading a series midway without catching up with the previous installments first, so off course was the focus of the plot. Were the plotlines resolved? Most of them were, but in a very rushed way that didn’t feel cohesive with the rest of the trilogy.
As for the characters, unfortunately I felt like this book was a return to the dullness of Kingdom of the Wicked. Emilia was back to being insufferable, and Wrath was once again a pale ghost of the demon—the Devil—he was meant to be. What hurts me the most is that Kingdom of the Feared lacked what has always been the strength of this series: Wrath and Emilia, together. Where was the banter? Where was the chemistry? I found it was greatly affected by the main plot twist and the space given to Vittoria’s character. It was a gamble, but unfortunately one that didn’t pay off. Vittoria was extremely inconsistent—ruthless, cold, manipulative one moment and meek and loving the next. I couldn’t get a measure of her, which also made it difficult for me to feel any sort of interest in her bond with Emilia, her motives, or the hinted relationship between her and two of the other demon princes. I think I would tolerate Vittoria as a protagonist even less than Emilia, and don’t think I’d be interested in reading a spinoff about her—if there ever were one.
In short, I am not happy with this final installment. The Kingdom of the Wicked series had great potential and the characters to pull it off, but ultimately it feels like the author ended up wanting to do too much at once. However, this is Kerri Maniscalco’s first time writing fantasy, and I believe she has the creativity and skill to improve in future projects. I’m still very curious to read her future works within the fantasy genre.
Pale Flame (Fire of the Blood, #2) by Jasmina Coric
4.0
It’s a good day indeed when a sequel lives up to its predecessor, and that’s definitely the case with Pale Flame. This installment had as much epic action and mystery as Fire of the Blood, and yet the stakes felt so much higher. Plot twists and heartbreak were never too far away! If you’re a fan of fantasy stories rich with mythology, a good chosen one trope, gods, angels and dragons, I cannot recommend this series enough!
As much as I enjoyed getting to see familiar faces again (like my sweet Kyle and my boy Aaron…), my favorite thing about this book was the expansion of the cast. We get to meet some very interesting characters this time around, and we also get quality time with characters we haven’t seen much of in the first book. I loved the deeper insight on Mallory’s past and her relationship with her brother Isabrand, and very much enjoyed the prominent role Killian played in this book. Very much enjoyed it. The kind of enjoyment that makes him a favorite character of the series for me.
Speaking of…another thing I really enjoyed was the romance! It was probably one of the biggest surprises for me given how little space it had in the previous book, and while it continues not to be a main focus, I definitely enjoyed the addition. You know me, I’ll never refuse a romance. Especially one as teased and well-paced as this one! If you like fated lovers, slow burns and a spicy payoff, you’re definitely going to enjoy it as much as I did.
And now the wait for the next installment begins, and it will be hard. Jasmina Coric is such a pro at creating cliffhangers that make my jaw drop to the floor!
As much as I enjoyed getting to see familiar faces again (like my sweet Kyle and my boy Aaron…), my favorite thing about this book was the expansion of the cast. We get to meet some very interesting characters this time around, and we also get quality time with characters we haven’t seen much of in the first book. I loved the deeper insight on Mallory’s past and her relationship with her brother Isabrand, and very much enjoyed the prominent role Killian played in this book. Very much enjoyed it. The kind of enjoyment that makes him a favorite character of the series for me.
Speaking of…another thing I really enjoyed was the romance! It was probably one of the biggest surprises for me given how little space it had in the previous book, and while it continues not to be a main focus, I definitely enjoyed the addition. You know me, I’ll never refuse a romance. Especially one as teased and well-paced as this one! If you like fated lovers, slow burns and a spicy payoff, you’re definitely going to enjoy it as much as I did.
And now the wait for the next installment begins, and it will be hard. Jasmina Coric is such a pro at creating cliffhangers that make my jaw drop to the floor!
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
BELLADONNA may have singlehandedly become my favorite fantasy read of the year. While the book is marketed as YA, it toes the line of New Adult, which makes it perfect also for more mature readers. It has everything I could ask for in a dark fantasy read: a gothic atmosphere, a dark and mysterious love interest, a captivating murder mystery that allows you to make new theories with each chapter. If those all sound like things you would enjoy as well, I highly recommend this book!
Signa and Death’s story swept me away from the very first page and didn’t let me go. With the prologue alone, the author set the tone for the rest of her novel: haunting, deadly, captivating. I loved thetwo main characters. While I can’t say I 100% identified with Signa, she was still very easy to sympathize for and I fell in love with her immediately. Her loneliness and need to belong were palpable, and I really appreciated the fleshed out struggle between the picture perfect lady she thinks she should be and the magnetic pull of Death’s dark powers. Death himself completely ruined me for all other love interests! This is a figure that is often depicted as a villain, but while it can’t be said that he is exactly a hero in this novel, there was definitely nuance. If romance is dead, it’s because it’s Death. Pun intended. Every interaction between these two was charged with tension and banter and the darkest sort of sweetness. I haven’t shipped a couple with this level of desperation for quite a long time and it felt so good!
Apart from the exceptional romance, I also really appreciated the mystery element. I’m not very good at keeping up with investigations, but the cast of secondary characters was so interesting, I ended up making new theories with each chapter. I’m happy to see I was a very good detective this time around!
In short, this book is amazing. There’s many laughs, some tears, and quite a few gasps. The biggest one comes with the ending, which left me in a desperate state of need for Foxglove. I cannot wait for the next chapter in this series, which is bound to become an all-time favorite!
Signa and Death’s story swept me away from the very first page and didn’t let me go. With the prologue alone, the author set the tone for the rest of her novel: haunting, deadly, captivating. I loved thetwo main characters. While I can’t say I 100% identified with Signa, she was still very easy to sympathize for and I fell in love with her immediately. Her loneliness and need to belong were palpable, and I really appreciated the fleshed out struggle between the picture perfect lady she thinks she should be and the magnetic pull of Death’s dark powers. Death himself completely ruined me for all other love interests! This is a figure that is often depicted as a villain, but while it can’t be said that he is exactly a hero in this novel, there was definitely nuance. If romance is dead, it’s because it’s Death. Pun intended. Every interaction between these two was charged with tension and banter and the darkest sort of sweetness. I haven’t shipped a couple with this level of desperation for quite a long time and it felt so good!
Apart from the exceptional romance, I also really appreciated the mystery element. I’m not very good at keeping up with investigations, but the cast of secondary characters was so interesting, I ended up making new theories with each chapter. I’m happy to see I was a very good detective this time around!
In short, this book is amazing. There’s many laughs, some tears, and quite a few gasps. The biggest one comes with the ending, which left me in a desperate state of need for Foxglove. I cannot wait for the next chapter in this series, which is bound to become an all-time favorite!