Scan barcode
courtvander's reviews
177 reviews
Veiled in Stars and Silver by J. Ann Curtis
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"'Do you have a happy thought, love?'"
ARC Review
This Peter Pan retelling brought back all the childhood memories! I absolutely adored reading about Wendy and Captain Hook and their adventure of saving Neverland. My only pet peeve was the writing decision; Wendy written in first person and Peter & James written in third person. The surprise twist at the end really got me, and I think it was absolute genius. I always felt they were the true villain, even growing up watching Peter Pan!
ARC Review
This Peter Pan retelling brought back all the childhood memories! I absolutely adored reading about Wendy and Captain Hook and their adventure of saving Neverland. My only pet peeve was the writing decision; Wendy written in first person and Peter & James written in third person. The surprise twist at the end really got me, and I think it was absolute genius. I always felt they were the true villain, even growing up watching Peter Pan!
A Sword of Gilded Embers by B.C. FaJohn
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5
"'Only those most righteous will survive the wrath of revenge. Only those who sacrifice souls for my sustenance shall survive - whether they are of ash or of stardust.'"
ARC Review
Book Two - A Sword of Gilded Embers was a lot more plot heavy than the steamy romance novel of book one. I wish we had received more fae history in book one because it was a little overwhelming reading all of it in book two. Eero will forever be my favourite perspective to read by far! His dedication to Aurelie is so fierce, and I can't get enough! Really looking forward to book three now that the plot has truly been paved and the revenge is on!
ARC Review
Book Two - A Sword of Gilded Embers was a lot more plot heavy than the steamy romance novel of book one. I wish we had received more fae history in book one because it was a little overwhelming reading all of it in book two. Eero will forever be my favourite perspective to read by far! His dedication to Aurelie is so fierce, and I can't get enough! Really looking forward to book three now that the plot has truly been paved and the revenge is on!
Fated to the Lone Wolf: The Luna Shaw Series by L.L. Winters
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
"'Why am I wearing a Nickleback t-shirt?' 'Don't fucking start, you already mocked me for liking Nickleback last night, they're actually a really under-appreciated band,'"
ARC Review
This scene made me feel so seen and I was cackling out loud! Fated to the Lone Wolf is spicy shifter red riding hood retelling and an incredibly addictive read! I finished this book in one sitting. I loved the friendship between Luna and Anna, not many books can capture genuine female friendship the way L.L. Winters did. The chemistry and banter between Jackson and Luna are unmatched. This is why the ending of this book really threw me off, and I immediately need to read book two!!
ARC Review
This scene made me feel so seen and I was cackling out loud! Fated to the Lone Wolf is spicy shifter red riding hood retelling and an incredibly addictive read! I finished this book in one sitting. I loved the friendship between Luna and Anna, not many books can capture genuine female friendship the way L.L. Winters did. The chemistry and banter between Jackson and Luna are unmatched. This is why the ending of this book really threw me off, and I immediately need to read book two!!
The Pull of the Tide by Rosemarie Dillon, Theresa Tyree, S.D. Simper, Evelyn Shine, Julie Brydon, Erin Branch, Erin Casey, Ali Williams, Aoibh Wood, Elliot Ason
adventurous
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? No
4.5
"Damn the succession rules to the depth of the dark seas."
I had the privilege to receive this ARC read. The Pull of the Tide is a lovely short story! I didn't put it down the moment I started it. This romance is between a selkie and a siren. The sweet song between these two females is so beautiful and captivating.
I had the privilege to receive this ARC read. The Pull of the Tide is a lovely short story! I didn't put it down the moment I started it. This romance is between a selkie and a siren. The sweet song between these two females is so beautiful and captivating.
A Crown of Ash and Silver by B.C. FaJohn
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I will continue to love you, even if the stars stop burning. If the sky collapses, leaving us in nothing but a void of violence and darkness, I will always love you - my guiding light."
ARC Review
I loved this story from start to finish, and I crave more! I was hooked the moment Aurelie meets the stoic masked bodyguard Eero. I normally do not enjoy rotating male povs, but I found myself looking forward to reading Eero's chapters. He's truly a morally grey character, and I absolutely loved that he displayed both hero and villain attributes. Unapologetically killing people to protect Aurelie and being so gentle and patient with her.... um yes. I am dying to know what the heck happened to Aurelie at the end and how it'll play out in book two!!
ARC Review
I loved this story from start to finish, and I crave more! I was hooked the moment Aurelie meets the stoic masked bodyguard Eero. I normally do not enjoy rotating male povs, but I found myself looking forward to reading Eero's chapters. He's truly a morally grey character, and I absolutely loved that he displayed both hero and villain attributes. Unapologetically killing people to protect Aurelie and being so gentle and patient with her.... um yes. I am dying to know what the heck happened to Aurelie at the end and how it'll play out in book two!!
Of Darkness and Ruination by Rachel Fallon
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ARC reader review.
Rachel Fallon did such a wonderful job encapsulating this world. From the fae courts, enchanting shifters and the wondrous landscapes, I felt like I was in the book itself!
This fantasy book has all the elements of a romantacy I want in a story but ultimately didn't land. I had a really hard time connecting with the main character Asteria. I felt like her beauty was meant to empower confidence but came across as her personality. I found the writing style of her monologues to be repetitive and predictable. My favourite moments of this book were with Calix and Asteria becoming close friends with all the night court fae.
The sexual assault scenes were too graphic and too many for my liking (the author does have the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book).
Congratulations to Rachel Fallon on your first release. I look forward to reading about Calix and Asteria in book two!!
Rachel Fallon did such a wonderful job encapsulating this world. From the fae courts, enchanting shifters and the wondrous landscapes, I felt like I was in the book itself!
This fantasy book has all the elements of a romantacy I want in a story but ultimately didn't land. I had a really hard time connecting with the main character Asteria. I felt like her beauty was meant to empower confidence but came across as her personality. I found the writing style of her monologues to be repetitive and predictable. My favourite moments of this book were with Calix and Asteria becoming close friends with all the night court fae.
The sexual assault scenes were too graphic and too many for my liking (the author does have the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book).
Congratulations to Rachel Fallon on your first release. I look forward to reading about Calix and Asteria in book two!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping