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bookobsessedfamily's reviews
97 reviews
All the Blood Spilt by A.M. Dunnewin
4.0
We are back with Joss in book 2 of the Dark Souls Trilogy. Some spoilers from book 1 if you read on.
Joss and Henrik are on the run after saving the prince from execution. They now are trying to find him and help him get home. It turns out that they are going to have to fight to stay alive since there's now a price on their heads.
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Just like the first book, this one is dark. It's confusing that it's considered a "romance" book since there's actually very little romance.
There is a lot of action and a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It's a book that really does keep you wanting more, even though it can be dark and graphic at times.
I really would like to read the third book when it comes out to see what happens with everyone.
Joss and Henrik are on the run after saving the prince from execution. They now are trying to find him and help him get home. It turns out that they are going to have to fight to stay alive since there's now a price on their heads.
----
Just like the first book, this one is dark. It's confusing that it's considered a "romance" book since there's actually very little romance.
There is a lot of action and a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It's a book that really does keep you wanting more, even though it can be dark and graphic at times.
I really would like to read the third book when it comes out to see what happens with everyone.
Heir of Amber and Fire by Rachanee Lumayno
5.0
Princess Jennica is on the run from her arranged marriage. Tasked to find a dragon who captured her mother long ago, she must trust the help of a dragon seeker.
Will she learn the truth in time to save her kingdom?
I listened to the audio version of this and I loved it. It was narrated by the author, so I got to hear how she imagined the characters' sound and how things were pronounced. She was very good at narrating and made it very interesting to listen to.
In typical fantasy fashion, the book is slow and challenging to follow along until the initial world-building is complete. After that things pick up and it's a very interesting book.
I love that the FMC is strong and finds her way, even if she doesn't initially know what to do.
I would love to listen to more books narrated by this author or read books written by her.
Will she learn the truth in time to save her kingdom?
I listened to the audio version of this and I loved it. It was narrated by the author, so I got to hear how she imagined the characters' sound and how things were pronounced. She was very good at narrating and made it very interesting to listen to.
In typical fantasy fashion, the book is slow and challenging to follow along until the initial world-building is complete. After that things pick up and it's a very interesting book.
I love that the FMC is strong and finds her way, even if she doesn't initially know what to do.
I would love to listen to more books narrated by this author or read books written by her.
All the Dark Souls by A.M. Dunnewin
4.0
TW: Death, gore, specifically execution style by beheading and hanging
Joss is the last in a long line of executioners. She's ostracized by most of her community because she has to do something that she would never choose for herself.
Aric is left on the side of the road nearly dead after he failed to assassinate his last target.
To atone for her life as an executioner, Joss helps care for those who are injured, including Aric. But when his failed job and her mandated job collide, who will survive?
----
This is different from any book I have read before. Yes, it's very dark, but I have never read a book from an executioner's point of view.
It is a slow burn, it takes us a while to get to the real action and plot of this book. Though the build-up is very important because it gives us background into Joss and her life and the basis for what the whole book, and I am guessing series, is about.
I am interested to see where Joss and Aric's relationship goes and to see how things play out in book 2.
Thank you to the author and @breysbooktours for the chance to read and review this book.
Joss is the last in a long line of executioners. She's ostracized by most of her community because she has to do something that she would never choose for herself.
Aric is left on the side of the road nearly dead after he failed to assassinate his last target.
To atone for her life as an executioner, Joss helps care for those who are injured, including Aric. But when his failed job and her mandated job collide, who will survive?
----
This is different from any book I have read before. Yes, it's very dark, but I have never read a book from an executioner's point of view.
It is a slow burn, it takes us a while to get to the real action and plot of this book. Though the build-up is very important because it gives us background into Joss and her life and the basis for what the whole book, and I am guessing series, is about.
I am interested to see where Joss and Aric's relationship goes and to see how things play out in book 2.
Thank you to the author and @breysbooktours for the chance to read and review this book.
Leo on Fire: Book One of the Zodiac Drift Series by Heather Lee Dyer
4.0
TW: death of parents, murder, capture, kidnapping
Those with powers are called Zodiac Children or Zods. The government tests them and send them to a special school where they are rarely heard from again. But now Zods are turning up missing, or worse, dead.
Adalaide must team up with her aunt and Cal as well as others to solve the mystery and find the missing teens. She also has to come to terms with the fact that powers exist, and she has them.
----
This is a slow burn. It takes some time to get to the real action of the story, but exploring the powers and solving the mystery is interesting.
We don't have a conclusion as to who is capturing them or why, but I have a feeling that we will get them in future books.
Thank you to the author and @equalitybooktours for the chance to read and review this book.
Those with powers are called Zodiac Children or Zods. The government tests them and send them to a special school where they are rarely heard from again. But now Zods are turning up missing, or worse, dead.
Adalaide must team up with her aunt and Cal as well as others to solve the mystery and find the missing teens. She also has to come to terms with the fact that powers exist, and she has them.
----
This is a slow burn. It takes some time to get to the real action of the story, but exploring the powers and solving the mystery is interesting.
We don't have a conclusion as to who is capturing them or why, but I have a feeling that we will get them in future books.
Thank you to the author and @equalitybooktours for the chance to read and review this book.
Carved Amidst the Shadows by M.T. Fontaine
5.0
TW: This one is full of them, including infanticide, murder, gore, death of family, abandonment, violence, trauma, suicide, miscarriage, and more.
The greed of men vs. hoarding god-give powers.
After the war, boarders between kingdoms cannot be crossed except by a few. Those without the mark are hunted and killed. But soon a war will ensue to change it all.
It all starts when Kaianne survives the impossible and becomes what she has learned to fear most, Carved. Beating all odds she will be the key to change if only she can survive.
----
This is a dark story with a lot of triggers. Not the darkest I have read, but it has some very difficult topics.
This book has a lot happening and is told from 3 points of view at one point. It is a mix between fast and slow-paced.
The world-building is what I would expect from an epic fantasy book. There are even new words with a glossary at the end.
The characters are well-developed and most are likable. Often I don't know which way a character will turn or what they will do, which I like. We get a lot of background information on the main characters without slowing the story down, and the background information is relevant to the story. There are a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
I would love to read the next one to know how it all turns out.
Thank you to the author and @equalitybooktours for the chance to read and review this book.
The greed of men vs. hoarding god-give powers.
After the war, boarders between kingdoms cannot be crossed except by a few. Those without the mark are hunted and killed. But soon a war will ensue to change it all.
It all starts when Kaianne survives the impossible and becomes what she has learned to fear most, Carved. Beating all odds she will be the key to change if only she can survive.
----
This is a dark story with a lot of triggers. Not the darkest I have read, but it has some very difficult topics.
This book has a lot happening and is told from 3 points of view at one point. It is a mix between fast and slow-paced.
The world-building is what I would expect from an epic fantasy book. There are even new words with a glossary at the end.
The characters are well-developed and most are likable. Often I don't know which way a character will turn or what they will do, which I like. We get a lot of background information on the main characters without slowing the story down, and the background information is relevant to the story. There are a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
I would love to read the next one to know how it all turns out.
Thank you to the author and @equalitybooktours for the chance to read and review this book.
A Draught of Ash and Wine by Kristin Jacques
4.0
We are back with Jonathan and Vic. Jonathan's human life has ended, but he's now dealing with a whole new way of living with an insatiable attraction to a vampire.
Jonathan and Vic are now both on the run. When they seek sanctuary with some of Vic's old friends, Jonathan is skeptical if they should trust them, but his trust in Vic wins. Will his trust be in vain?
----
I love the twists in this book. I didn't see the outcome being what it was.
I also love the diversity. There's so much LGBTQ+ representation. First, Jonathan and Vic are in a MM relationship, where Jonathan is still coming to terms with his attraction. And Merry gives a whole new meaning to gender fluid.
Jonathan is a little insecure in his relationship, but we get to see his confidence, as well as his relationship with Vic, grow.
This was a good read though parts of it were slow.
Thank you to the author and @equalitybooktours for a chance to read and review this book.
Jonathan and Vic are now both on the run. When they seek sanctuary with some of Vic's old friends, Jonathan is skeptical if they should trust them, but his trust in Vic wins. Will his trust be in vain?
----
I love the twists in this book. I didn't see the outcome being what it was.
I also love the diversity. There's so much LGBTQ+ representation. First, Jonathan and Vic are in a MM relationship, where Jonathan is still coming to terms with his attraction. And Merry gives a whole new meaning to gender fluid.
Jonathan is a little insecure in his relationship, but we get to see his confidence, as well as his relationship with Vic, grow.
This was a good read though parts of it were slow.
Thank you to the author and @equalitybooktours for a chance to read and review this book.
Fires of the Forsaken by Stephanie E. Donohue
4.0
Addie just wanted a pizza, but the next thing she knows, she's in a different time in the middle of a war.
Lass doesn't remember anything about her past, but it will come to haunt her.
Both are struggling with controlling powers they don't understand while trying to survive a war.
----
This starts slow but picks up in the second half.
The characters are well-developed and you become invested. It is dual point-of-view. When it switched points of view it also changes times, so it can be a little confusing until you figure this out. The one point of view also has intentional misspellings and crossing out like it's a journal entry. At first, I thought this was something to do with the ARC copy, but figured out it was intentional.
I really like Addie. She's a strong FMC but not in the sense that you normally think. She's not strong physically but she knows her strengths and weaknesses and uses those. She's also snarky and witty. I love her banter and it makes the book also funny at times.
The world-building is great and the creatures the author created are downright creepy.
I would love to read the next book when it comes out.
I did get a copy of this book, this is my honest review.
Lass doesn't remember anything about her past, but it will come to haunt her.
Both are struggling with controlling powers they don't understand while trying to survive a war.
----
This starts slow but picks up in the second half.
The characters are well-developed and you become invested. It is dual point-of-view. When it switched points of view it also changes times, so it can be a little confusing until you figure this out. The one point of view also has intentional misspellings and crossing out like it's a journal entry. At first, I thought this was something to do with the ARC copy, but figured out it was intentional.
I really like Addie. She's a strong FMC but not in the sense that you normally think. She's not strong physically but she knows her strengths and weaknesses and uses those. She's also snarky and witty. I love her banter and it makes the book also funny at times.
The world-building is great and the creatures the author created are downright creepy.
I would love to read the next book when it comes out.
I did get a copy of this book, this is my honest review.
The Colorado Killer: Covert by Breanna Hicks
4.0
After leaving Colorado, the killer is on the hunt again. We learn his identity and get and inside peek at his thought process.
Fiona is an old face we remember from the first book. *spoiler* Her relationship with Sawyer didn't go as planned and she's getting away for her birthday. Her new flame has some bad habits though.
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I like that we are getting a look into the killer's life and thought process. There are a lot of things though that don't add up. I get it's a book and not real, but it's unrealistic that the cops couldn't find him, he's sloppy. Also, who's not going to call the cops when threatened?
Even though there are some things that aren't realistic, it's interesting enough to hold your attention and make you want to read more. Personally, I like my crime thrillers/mysteries to be more realistic.
It's also a quick read, I read it in a little over an hour.
I do want to know what happens in the next book though.
Fiona is an old face we remember from the first book. *spoiler* Her relationship with Sawyer didn't go as planned and she's getting away for her birthday. Her new flame has some bad habits though.
----
I like that we are getting a look into the killer's life and thought process. There are a lot of things though that don't add up. I get it's a book and not real, but it's unrealistic that the cops couldn't find him, he's sloppy. Also, who's not going to call the cops when threatened?
Even though there are some things that aren't realistic, it's interesting enough to hold your attention and make you want to read more. Personally, I like my crime thrillers/mysteries to be more realistic.
It's also a quick read, I read it in a little over an hour.
I do want to know what happens in the next book though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and Gore
The Colorado Killer by Breanna Hicks
4.0
Ryan is looking for a getaway, a chance to take a break from life. A hunting trip in Colorado seems like the perfect solution.
Charlotte is looking to get away after her fiancé leaves her for her best friend. A week in a Colorado cabin should do the trick.
Liam enjoys his quiet life in the Colorado woods, but when someone turns up dead, Liam's past may come back to haunt him. Will he be able to clear his name before it's too late?
----
There is some suspense and mystery, as well as a little romance. There is one spicy scene told from 2 points of view, but nothing overly graphic.
This was a super quick read, but there is enough to keep you interested. I look forward to starting the second book to see what happens next.
Charlotte is looking to get away after her fiancé leaves her for her best friend. A week in a Colorado cabin should do the trick.
Liam enjoys his quiet life in the Colorado woods, but when someone turns up dead, Liam's past may come back to haunt him. Will he be able to clear his name before it's too late?
----
There is some suspense and mystery, as well as a little romance. There is one spicy scene told from 2 points of view, but nothing overly graphic.
This was a super quick read, but there is enough to keep you interested. I look forward to starting the second book to see what happens next.
The Don by Piper Stone
4.0
After the brutal murder of her father, Raleigh's life is turned upside down. Being the principal dance for a New York Ballet Company she should be used to jerks, but Maxwell is different.
Maxwell is thrown into a life he never wanted after the death of his friend, but to protect his goddaughter he will do anything. How far will the lines between what's right and wrong blur? Will he be able to protect Raleigh from the dangerous life of being a mafia princess?
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There's a good bit of spice in this one, whole chapters, but sometimes it distracts from the plot. I am also good with the age gap trope, I wasn't really liking the goddaughter/godfather relationship.
There's also a bit of mystery and suspense, which is a nice mix-up in a spicy romance.
Other tropes include touch her and die, virgin, forced proximity, forbidden romance, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract
I did get an EARC copy of this book, this is my honest review.
Maxwell is thrown into a life he never wanted after the death of his friend, but to protect his goddaughter he will do anything. How far will the lines between what's right and wrong blur? Will he be able to protect Raleigh from the dangerous life of being a mafia princess?
----
There's a good bit of spice in this one, whole chapters, but sometimes it distracts from the plot. I am also good with the age gap trope, I wasn't really liking the goddaughter/godfather relationship.
There's also a bit of mystery and suspense, which is a nice mix-up in a spicy romance.
Other tropes include touch her and die, virgin, forced proximity, forbidden romance, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract
I did get an EARC copy of this book, this is my honest review.