brooksie03051's reviews
301 reviews

Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Gun violence and Death

Compass Points, Book 1 by Jillian Witt

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

Rose, is a young fae who owns a business forging weapons just as her parents did when she was young specializing in custom magic-infused weapons (for certain people).  At just 16 years old, she ran away from her fae court and never looked back living a quiet life with her animal shapeshifting friend who keeps an eye on her and is the only one who knows who she is and what happened when she fled 10 years ago.  A deadly mist has been appearing in some of the villages leaving all in its wake in a permanent state of sleep. 

A handsome fae named Luc appeared in her shop stating he heard of the custom weapons and sought out the weapons master to make one for him.  He looked powerful and suspicious so she denied his request to speak with the weapons master unbeknownst to him she was said weapons master.  Determined to speak with them, he decided to try and force the information from her and she promptly put him in his place.  Getting nowhere being secretive with her, he admitted who he was and why he sought out the weapon.  When the mist hits too close to home, and threatens her village, she finds that her specialized weapons can help. She can no longer stay hiding in the safety of this new home knowing it's a matter of time before the mist takes over all lands.  She agrees to find out more information and travels with Luc to see if she can't trust him before deciding to make him the weapon he seeks.  This also forces her to face what she ran from 10 years ago and she doesn't know what will happen if she is seen and recognized. She ran away for a reason.

This is a quick read of a slow burn cozy romantic fantasy where the magic is elemental and each compass point masters an element with a leader of each.  Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire with a god who represents each.  It has a strong female character, fake dating, and enjoyable banter.  I look forward to the next book to see how this relationship blossoms and how they handle not only the mist but those who created it. 

The Court of Miracles by Victor Dixen

challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

 

The Court of Miracles Vampyria #2 by Victor Dixen (US publication June 25, 2024)

Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

 

This is the continuation of a YA paranormal historical fantasy set in an alternate history filled with bloodthirsty vampyes in France. 

In the heart of rural France, Jeanne Froidelac witnesses the king’s soldiers murder her family and learns of her parent's role in a brewing rebellion involving the forbidden secrets of alchemy. As a commoner, she has no power to seek revenge for the ones she loves.  To avoid suffering the same fate as her family, Jeanne disguises herself as the dead aristocrat Diane de Gastefriche, a young noble maiden her brother fell in love with and takes on her identity after she is killed and becomes a ward of the crown.  She is enrolled in a prestigious school for aspiring courtiers under the crown's protection and plays a dangerous game that brings her to the palace doors in Versailles.

Jeanne is no aristocrat, she plays the part.
She dreams not of court like the others, but of blood to avenge her family.
The blood of a king whose murderous reign must be stopped. 

 

Jeanne fooled them all and won the prestigious honor sip of king and became his newest squire.  After taking his blood that he gives the chosen squires that bestow limited powers to them, she is tasked with a special mission for the vampyre King of Shadows Louis XIV.  The King is determined to protect his empire at any cost and when a mysterious renegade vampire known as the Lady of Miracles, mistress of ghouls and nightmares ascends to power with her own Parisian court hidden underground ruling over the forgotten lower class people of France.  Lower than commoners, the outcasts of society, the wretched untouchables who are spit on by all.  The Lady of Miracles is King Louis biggest threat, something he has not had for centuries. His secret weapon is Jeanne posing as Diane, who earned the King’s trust with her cunning ways and a handful of helpful friends. He sends Jeanne to Paris to find and stop this tick who is a threat to his power.

Little does the King know, this orphaned ward belongs to a clandestine organization whose main mission is to destroy and rid the world of the evil vampyre starting with the King and all his evil minions littered all over France. The problem is she is not the only one on this mission.  She is sent with her rival and an escort from court to embark on a quest that could alter the kingdom’s destiny—and expose a powerful secret that she will do anything to protect. Her companions hinder her plans and even posing as a false supporter of the king, she has to worry about more than just the Lady of Miracles.  Many foes have nefarious plans, and she has to tread lightly to accomplish her mission. 

 

“What if there is truly no hope? Not for mortals, vampyres, or anyone? What if there's no future?”

 

Jeanne has no interest in becoming a part of the King's court, or joining the Lady of Miracles. Her mission is to destroy the bloodsuckers who continue to terrorize and kill innocent mortals and only care about power. Thanks to the king, she also has power as well and attempts to use it to her advantage to keep herself alive to avenge those who had fallen under his wrath and her short list of allies. 

 

This isn't a sweet love story.  It's a continuation of vengeance in a dark bloody paranormal war following a young woman who will do whatever she can to succeed. She is relentless yet has even more challenges on this adventure in Paris.  Jeanne is in constant danger by many people who all have an agenda. I found it difficult to put down needing to know how she handles each new roadblock she is challenged within this reimagined historical France. Her powers are emerging after the sip of the king and she is still discovering them. The next book in this series will be interesting to see more of her powers that continue to manifest and future relationships with those who want the same as she does.  Freedom from the wicked. 

The Ever King by LJ Andrews

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Ever Queen by LJ Andrews

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.5

The Ever Queen   by L.J. Andrews 

 

The Serpent and the Songbird continues with part two of a dark fantasy romance filled with pirates, sirens, fae, magic, fated love, and spice. 

 

The Songbird was his Captive, his challenger, and then his Queen

Enemies of not only The Bloodsinger but of all the Kings in the realms. The unknown half-brother took Livia from the pirate king who holds her heart and soul. They see her as a weak princess, a pawn in wicked games to control and conquer the Bloodsinger and take his crown.  Little do they know that this little songbird bites like her serpent mate, the Ever King. Her heart belongs to that beautiful monster, her bloodsinger and she will fight to be back in his arms again.  They underestimated the first Ever Queen.

The Serpent is a Villain, a Captor, a King, and his heart beats for a songbird

His enemies stole the only woman who claimed his cold heart and his soul. Betrayed out of greed and desire for the crown, they took the one thing the Serpent could not live without. They won't die for trying to take his crown, they will die for touching his songbird.

 

"What do you not understand? I care nothing for my life if she is not in it."

Erik's heart belongs to Livia and they are as one. He will stop at nothing to get her back, even face her father the King from whom he stole her from and he is less than pleased to see him again without his daughter. The Bloodsinger will hunt them down and spill their blood to get her back and he will make his Ever Queen's crown with their bones.

 

I listened to this on audiobook and the end prologue has a scene that made me cackle like a sea witch with tears streaming down my face.  Highly recommend listening to it, but make sure you are wearing earbuds because...the spice. 

Tiny Dark Deeds by Eden O'Neill

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Savage Little Lies by Eden O'Neill

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.25

Lucky Charm by Anne-Marie Meyer

hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This romance novel was as predictable as most romance books and movies. It was still  sweet and a quick read. 

For those who aren’t fans of spicy books, it doesn’t have explicit sex scenes.  The end happed quickly after a point that seemed it could have been a bit longer with some added scenes or drawn out a specific scenario. Regardless the end would have still been the couple having their happily ever after even if the story could have benefited with a bit of suspense. 

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Empress of Fae by Briar Boleyn

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Empress of Fae (Blood of a Fae #3) by Briar Boleyn

 

Book 3 in this addictive fantasy King Arthur retelling continues a gripping adventure embued with powerful magic, hidden identities, forbidden love, and epic battles.  It follows Morgan Pendragon, a complex heroine on a mission to not only control her power to navigate her destiny but also help stop her brother the King of Camelot from making grave mistakes with his reign.  King Arthur has Excaliber and she needs to ensure her little brother and friends are safe, but also battle with her own heart over the fae prince who stole her heart.  

 

"You're all I think about. You're all I see.  I'm so tied to you, I barely know who I am anymore." 

 

Morgan runs from her bonded mate, her husband Prince Kairos Draven back to Camelot to try and save the citizens and her youngest brother before King Arthur does any more damage.  Merlin finds a safe way to get Morgan back into the castle without the king suspecting her of treason, but Arthur isn't the only dangerous man in the court now.  Morgan plays a dangerous game and many eyes are on her.  She is known as a Pendragon, but her real last name is Le Fay and with a new title she didn't want as the new ruler of the fierce Siabra fae.  Draven will not let his mate go.  He promised to help her take back her kingdom before King Arthur destroys it and everyone in it.  He takes a trusted crew with him to aide her at Camelot, but time is short as Arthur finds creative ways to test Excaliber and everyone is in danger.  

 

"Beware the dread curse of three.  The sword, the spear, the grails mystery. Blood calls to blood, the dark shall rise.  Forged by the gods under sacred skies". 

 

Morgan and Draven's love story is spicy and irresistible.  The villains are wicked, cruel, and uncaring. The magic is tenacious and powerful. I couldn't put this book down. 

 

I am grateful for the opportunity to read this fantastic ARC through NetGalley and the author for my review and honest opinion.