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a_phoenix_bookcorner's Reviews (58)
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Two fingers pressed under my chin and lifted my gaze to his. “Your scars are beautiful,” he said, and there was a swift, swelling motion in my chest that couldn’t be deflated no matter what my brain yelled at it. “But I refuse to allow your body to be scarred again.”” -A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer Armentrout
Can a marriage stop an inevitable war between the Ascended and the Atlantians? Can it protect her from all those that want to harm her? But most of all, will it heal the war that rages within her own heart or will it tear it out and turn it to ash? Poppy and Casteel navigate through his betrayals, her identity crisis, and their infinite gravitational pull to one another. And all while they must “pretend” that their engagement is real for the sake of the Kingdom of Atlantia. From Maiden to Princess- Poppy will face a whole new world as she learns more of the history of Atlantia and the Ascended. The only question is- will she allow Casteel to help her through the journey or will she fight him and her heart the entire way?
Wow- this book had me on the edge of my seat. This is a solid 5 star read for me. I simply couldn’t put it down, the twists I did not expect, the banter and enemies to lovers was a *chefs kiss*. Jennifer Armentrout has a way of giving you a just a taste of what you want to happen between the characters without the characters both being openly in love. She has a nice and consistent way of world building that is easy to follow.
The build up to the ending of this book gave me major Red Wedding vibes, iykyk. The anticipation was phenomenal. And twists in all the right places. Casteel is the absolute best “touch her and die” and “burn the world down for her” vibes I have had from a Romantasy in a while. I cannot wait to start the third book!
Can a marriage stop an inevitable war between the Ascended and the Atlantians? Can it protect her from all those that want to harm her? But most of all, will it heal the war that rages within her own heart or will it tear it out and turn it to ash? Poppy and Casteel navigate through his betrayals, her identity crisis, and their infinite gravitational pull to one another. And all while they must “pretend” that their engagement is real for the sake of the Kingdom of Atlantia. From Maiden to Princess- Poppy will face a whole new world as she learns more of the history of Atlantia and the Ascended. The only question is- will she allow Casteel to help her through the journey or will she fight him and her heart the entire way?
Wow- this book had me on the edge of my seat. This is a solid 5 star read for me. I simply couldn’t put it down, the twists I did not expect, the banter and enemies to lovers was a *chefs kiss*. Jennifer Armentrout has a way of giving you a just a taste of what you want to happen between the characters without the characters both being openly in love. She has a nice and consistent way of world building that is easy to follow.
The build up to the ending of this book gave me major Red Wedding vibes, iykyk. The anticipation was phenomenal. And twists in all the right places. Casteel is the absolute best “touch her and die” and “burn the world down for her” vibes I have had from a Romantasy in a while. I cannot wait to start the third book!
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.75 stars!
““But we won’t do that tonight. We can’t. Because if I get any part of me in you, every part of me would be in you, and I want to hear every sound you make when that happens.”” -From Blood And Ash
The Maiden. Poppy was the second maiden in history. Cursed to live a caged life because the gods had chosen her to save the Ascended. But why was she chosen? What about her made her so special? Was it her gift? If so, why was she forbidden to use it when it could help so many people? Hidden behind a veil at all times, there were more than just scars that screamed to be revealed. Could she find just a touch of freedom in her royal guard, Hawke, before she was set to Ascend and serve the gods? But who is this new and uprising guard? Could he be the best man to protect her from the Dark One, an Atlantian out for HER blood and from the Craven who were out for ALL blood? But at the price of tainting the maiden? Who, really, is Hawke protecting her from? Herself, the Craven, the Dark One, her forced destiny?
This is a massive world/book which so many glowing parts to it that it was difficult to give a true synopsis in only 1 paragraph. From Blood and Ash was a page tuner, couldn’t wait to get off work to read it, stayed up late even when I shouldn’t have, kind of book. So far I am NOT disappointed. I listened the dramatized audio of this when I was unable to physically read and would recommend it a thousand times over again. Cannot wait to get the next book!
The only reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because I was able to predict the major twist- although the author kept me on my toes and second guessing myself a few times.
I would recommend this book to ANYONE who likes the romantasy genre and doesn’t mind a few open door spicy scenes. To anyone wondering if this book is worth the hype, 100% it is. I waited 2 years to read this as I was afraid it wouldn’t be worth it, but I wish I had read it sooner.
““But we won’t do that tonight. We can’t. Because if I get any part of me in you, every part of me would be in you, and I want to hear every sound you make when that happens.”” -From Blood And Ash
The Maiden. Poppy was the second maiden in history. Cursed to live a caged life because the gods had chosen her to save the Ascended. But why was she chosen? What about her made her so special? Was it her gift? If so, why was she forbidden to use it when it could help so many people? Hidden behind a veil at all times, there were more than just scars that screamed to be revealed. Could she find just a touch of freedom in her royal guard, Hawke, before she was set to Ascend and serve the gods? But who is this new and uprising guard? Could he be the best man to protect her from the Dark One, an Atlantian out for HER blood and from the Craven who were out for ALL blood? But at the price of tainting the maiden? Who, really, is Hawke protecting her from? Herself, the Craven, the Dark One, her forced destiny?
This is a massive world/book which so many glowing parts to it that it was difficult to give a true synopsis in only 1 paragraph. From Blood and Ash was a page tuner, couldn’t wait to get off work to read it, stayed up late even when I shouldn’t have, kind of book. So far I am NOT disappointed. I listened the dramatized audio of this when I was unable to physically read and would recommend it a thousand times over again. Cannot wait to get the next book!
The only reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because I was able to predict the major twist- although the author kept me on my toes and second guessing myself a few times.
I would recommend this book to ANYONE who likes the romantasy genre and doesn’t mind a few open door spicy scenes. To anyone wondering if this book is worth the hype, 100% it is. I waited 2 years to read this as I was afraid it wouldn’t be worth it, but I wish I had read it sooner.
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A man find himself at rock bottom with a goal of getting to California to try and turn his life around, when he spots two giraffes being hauled in from the New York Harbor. The giraffes were set to be transported to San Diego, CA. With no money, job, family, friends or a home, these two giraffes become this man’s only beacon of hope of starting new and fresh. He had to follow them and get to California. Based during the time period of World War II, West With Giraffes is a tale of reality, struggle, and dreams. From research, there were two giraffes during that time frame that were transported from NY to CA- but it is my understanding that the majority of the characters in this book are fictional.
I wanted to really like this book. Perhaps it was the audio, I will never know, but it just fell a little flat for me. It wasn’t a page turner by any means. However, the ending of the story was not quite how I expected and I can appreciate the author not taking the typical route with the complete happily ever after because that’s not reality. So in that regards, it was a breath of fresh air. I also thought going in that this was based off a true story, and while it kind of is, the giraffes were real and the giraffes handler was real but their actual journey and adventures within this novel are fictional.
I wanted to really like this book. Perhaps it was the audio, I will never know, but it just fell a little flat for me. It wasn’t a page turner by any means. However, the ending of the story was not quite how I expected and I can appreciate the author not taking the typical route with the complete happily ever after because that’s not reality. So in that regards, it was a breath of fresh air. I also thought going in that this was based off a true story, and while it kind of is, the giraffes were real and the giraffes handler was real but their actual journey and adventures within this novel are fictional.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“As usual, it’s always a win in my book when I get to see her smile like that, especially when it’s a smile that’s exclusively meant for me.”
Best friends growing up, they were inseparable. They were also never single at the same time. Never a chance to dive into those stirring romantic feelings. 10 years later, she’s in town for their friends wedding after breaking up with her on and off again boyfriend and he’s in the middle of a divorce. Could now be the right time and can they get past their hurt from one another to stop fighting their connection?
Let me start off by saying that contemporary fiction is not my go-to genre. And friends to lovers is not my favorite trope. However, this book was so cute! Also- who ever said only buff shadow daddy’s can be hot and dominate in the bedroom? Ford was a perfect friend and gentleman, but also… 😳. The story was very well put together and was believable. I also really hope that we get a book about Miles’ possible romance!
Blair the female main character was a little whiny and woe-is-me at times but I think that was meant to be as part of her development as she got more confident towards the later part of the book.
If you like friends to lovers this book is for you. If you like a little bit of praise… this book is for you. If this book was adapted into a movie, I would watch it.
Best friends growing up, they were inseparable. They were also never single at the same time. Never a chance to dive into those stirring romantic feelings. 10 years later, she’s in town for their friends wedding after breaking up with her on and off again boyfriend and he’s in the middle of a divorce. Could now be the right time and can they get past their hurt from one another to stop fighting their connection?
Let me start off by saying that contemporary fiction is not my go-to genre. And friends to lovers is not my favorite trope. However, this book was so cute! Also- who ever said only buff shadow daddy’s can be hot and dominate in the bedroom? Ford was a perfect friend and gentleman, but also… 😳. The story was very well put together and was believable. I also really hope that we get a book about Miles’ possible romance!
Blair the female main character was a little whiny and woe-is-me at times but I think that was meant to be as part of her development as she got more confident towards the later part of the book.
If you like friends to lovers this book is for you. If you like a little bit of praise… this book is for you. If this book was adapted into a movie, I would watch it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“War was full of goodbyes, and most of them never really happened; you were always too early or too late.”
This is the part in the review where I usually do a brief synopsis in my own words. However, I ghonestly don’t think I can do this book justice and write a synopsis that is deserving of its brilliance. But I will try.
This book follows a young, fresh out of school nurse who decides to enlist in the Army during the Vietnam War. She will encounter loss, love, brutality, friendship, trauma, rock bottom, incredible highs, war, injustice, soul-crushing heart break and that doesn’t even scratch the surface.
The Women, by Kristin Hannah, is a powerful, heart wrenching, tear producing, eye opening, thought provoking, master piece. Kristin Hannah does a beautiful job weaving romance into history and war and death. The way that she builds her characters up, tears them down and builds them up again is nothing short of genius. I highly respect that the author did her homework on this subject and interviewed several people who experienced the war. It allowed this story to be the raw, unhinged, realistic, jaw dropping and toe gripping novel that it is. Her descriptions are vivid and really allow you to be in the moment without being too distracting.
This is a book that I will forever wish I could read again for the first time. It was riveting and I could not wait to get off work to read it. If you know and understand the phrase “it hurts so good”, this book is for you. If you have read/seen and enjoyed “A Walk To Remember” by Nicholas Sparks, this book is for you. If you are curious about “the war no one wants to remember” - Kristin Hannah, this book is for you. If you have triggers from war, please be aware that half of this book is set in an impossibly difficult war zone.
This is the part in the review where I usually do a brief synopsis in my own words. However, I ghonestly don’t think I can do this book justice and write a synopsis that is deserving of its brilliance. But I will try.
This book follows a young, fresh out of school nurse who decides to enlist in the Army during the Vietnam War. She will encounter loss, love, brutality, friendship, trauma, rock bottom, incredible highs, war, injustice, soul-crushing heart break and that doesn’t even scratch the surface.
The Women, by Kristin Hannah, is a powerful, heart wrenching, tear producing, eye opening, thought provoking, master piece. Kristin Hannah does a beautiful job weaving romance into history and war and death. The way that she builds her characters up, tears them down and builds them up again is nothing short of genius. I highly respect that the author did her homework on this subject and interviewed several people who experienced the war. It allowed this story to be the raw, unhinged, realistic, jaw dropping and toe gripping novel that it is. Her descriptions are vivid and really allow you to be in the moment without being too distracting.
This is a book that I will forever wish I could read again for the first time. It was riveting and I could not wait to get off work to read it. If you know and understand the phrase “it hurts so good”, this book is for you. If you have read/seen and enjoyed “A Walk To Remember” by Nicholas Sparks, this book is for you. If you are curious about “the war no one wants to remember” - Kristin Hannah, this book is for you. If you have triggers from war, please be aware that half of this book is set in an impossibly difficult war zone.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
““It’s still beating,” he whispers. “As long as it’s beating, you’re okay.””
A romance that was was smothered before it even started… until shared trauma forced a connection. Now they need each other in the most unhealthy and raw kind of way. One small problem… he’s her sisters fiancé.
Wow- what a page turner! When I picked up this book, I was no expecting it to be as dark as it was but I am here for it! Definitely check your triggers but a phenomenal read! I loved how the author fused these two paths with trauma that no one else could understand. Trauma bonding is a real thing but what is even more beautiful is how these two get past the trauma bonding. I was captivated by the first chapter.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how they never really dived into Deans trauma. They touched on it a little bit but for the most part it seemed to be hugely overshadowed by Cora’s.
This is usually the part where I try and make a connection to another book or trope or movie of some kind. But I think I can say that ‘Still Beating’ is the first of its kind for me. If you love a side of thriller with your romance, this might be for you. I don’t think it’s quite a dark romance because the darkness in this book is not directly caused by the two main characters. They only survived the darkness, together.
A romance that was was smothered before it even started… until shared trauma forced a connection. Now they need each other in the most unhealthy and raw kind of way. One small problem… he’s her sisters fiancé.
Wow- what a page turner! When I picked up this book, I was no expecting it to be as dark as it was but I am here for it! Definitely check your triggers but a phenomenal read! I loved how the author fused these two paths with trauma that no one else could understand. Trauma bonding is a real thing but what is even more beautiful is how these two get past the trauma bonding. I was captivated by the first chapter.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how they never really dived into Deans trauma. They touched on it a little bit but for the most part it seemed to be hugely overshadowed by Cora’s.
This is usually the part where I try and make a connection to another book or trope or movie of some kind. But I think I can say that ‘Still Beating’ is the first of its kind for me. If you love a side of thriller with your romance, this might be for you. I don’t think it’s quite a dark romance because the darkness in this book is not directly caused by the two main characters. They only survived the darkness, together.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“His love for her had burned like a thousand suns—suns that were smothered by years of carnage.”
When Vega seems to hit rock bottom, a quirky woman shows up at the bar claiming to be her best friend. She also claims that Vega is a princess from a different realm who was cursed by her sister to repeat her life over and over again on Earth with awful luck. Is Vega losing her mind along with her luck? Or is there a whole realm waiting for her to wake up and lead them into battle and defeat her sister once and for all? Oh, let’s not forgot the dragon shifter best friend who would do anything to protect her. And the warrior love of her life who broke a promise.
I absolutely loved Revenge of the Forgotten. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel for the author, Dany Crooks. She did a fantastic job. One of my favorite things about this book was how the story of the past was told. It wasn’t told in boring or lengthy narratives but as dreams or memories. I loved being able to be with the characters as the memory was unfolding. The transitions between past and present were seamless and never confusing.
You will never beg for a romance to fail and succeed at the same time as you will with the romance in this story. The author does a nice job and playing with the readers feelings and make you question your morals . The back and forth ice and hot emotions you feel for the MMC is genius-level puppeteering.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that there is no release date for book 2!!! :-(
If you loved Darius/Tory in ZA- this story is for you. If you loved the FMC in ‘A Court This Cruel and Lovely’- this story is for you. If you liked the lore and world building of ‘What Lies Beyond the Veil’- this book is for you. Highly recommend and cannot wait for next book!
When Vega seems to hit rock bottom, a quirky woman shows up at the bar claiming to be her best friend. She also claims that Vega is a princess from a different realm who was cursed by her sister to repeat her life over and over again on Earth with awful luck. Is Vega losing her mind along with her luck? Or is there a whole realm waiting for her to wake up and lead them into battle and defeat her sister once and for all? Oh, let’s not forgot the dragon shifter best friend who would do anything to protect her. And the warrior love of her life who broke a promise.
I absolutely loved Revenge of the Forgotten. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel for the author, Dany Crooks. She did a fantastic job. One of my favorite things about this book was how the story of the past was told. It wasn’t told in boring or lengthy narratives but as dreams or memories. I loved being able to be with the characters as the memory was unfolding. The transitions between past and present were seamless and never confusing.
You will never beg for a romance to fail and succeed at the same time as you will with the romance in this story. The author does a nice job and playing with the readers feelings and make you question your morals . The back and forth ice and hot emotions you feel for the MMC is genius-level puppeteering.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that there is no release date for book 2!!! :-(
If you loved Darius/Tory in ZA- this story is for you. If you loved the FMC in ‘A Court This Cruel and Lovely’- this story is for you. If you liked the lore and world building of ‘What Lies Beyond the Veil’- this book is for you. Highly recommend and cannot wait for next book!