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eloquentmuse's reviews
1011 reviews
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Five Broken Blades is a fantasy-murder-mystery mashup set in a world inspired by ancient Korea, which was a refreshing change from the usual Eurocentric fantasy fare. The story follows a group of unlikely allies—each one morally gray or outright terrible: a liar, a thief, a killer, an exiled prince, and an assassin who hides behind the label of courtesan. It’s your classic “band together to take down the evil ruler” setup, but with a darker, twistier edge.
I appreciated the themes of found family, the struggle for redemption, and the ever-present question of whether people like this can truly change. There’s also a traitor in their midst, which added some solid tension and mystery.
That said, the pacing felt slow to me. It’s heavy on dialogue and character interaction, light on action, which made it drag in places. I also wasn’t a fan of how much women are demeaned in this world—while it may reflect the society’s culture, I’m hoping that gets explored or challenged more in future books.
There were definitely twists, and I think fans of slow-burn fantasy with morally gray characters will enjoy this one. But for me, it didn’t quite hook me enough to continue the series.
I appreciated the themes of found family, the struggle for redemption, and the ever-present question of whether people like this can truly change. There’s also a traitor in their midst, which added some solid tension and mystery.
That said, the pacing felt slow to me. It’s heavy on dialogue and character interaction, light on action, which made it drag in places. I also wasn’t a fan of how much women are demeaned in this world—while it may reflect the society’s culture, I’m hoping that gets explored or challenged more in future books.
There were definitely twists, and I think fans of slow-burn fantasy with morally gray characters will enjoy this one. But for me, it didn’t quite hook me enough to continue the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
TBD
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.0
TBD
Eclipse of the Crown by A.K. Caggiano
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Possible spoilers:
This fantasy romance/ romantic comedy novel in AK Caggiano’s Villains and Virtues series wraps up the story of Amma and Damien beautifully, while hinting at more to come (Xander’s book, anyone?). This book was everything I hoped for and more—funny, heartfelt, a little spicy, and totally epic.
Amma, the sweet and innocent human baroness, has grown so much throughout this series. In this final installment, she really comes into her own—finding strength, discovering hidden powers, and becoming a total badass in the most satisfying way. Damien, the grumpy half-human, half-demon villain with a soft spot only for Amma, continues to evolve too. Their dynamic is so well-done—complementary, supportive, and deeply loving without either losing themselves in the process.
One of my favorite parts of this book (and the series as a whole) is its message: that magic (or arcana) isn’t inherently good or bad, and that morality comes from the heart, not bloodlines or societal roles. That theme really comes to the forefront here, especially as they face off against a truly terrifying, world-ending force from the abyss—something so powerful and wrong it feels like the antithesis of life itself.
The stakes are sky-high, the battles are intense, and the emotional moments hit hard. I especially loved how all kinds of love—romantic, familial, friendship, and even love for home—come together to form the final stand. And let’s not forget the fae! Their true nature and role in this story was such a great reveal.
This finale has more spice than previous books. I’d rate it a jalapeño pepper in spice.
This fantasy romance/ romantic comedy novel in AK Caggiano’s Villains and Virtues series wraps up the story of Amma and Damien beautifully, while hinting at more to come (Xander’s book, anyone?). This book was everything I hoped for and more—funny, heartfelt, a little spicy, and totally epic.
Amma, the sweet and innocent human baroness, has grown so much throughout this series. In this final installment, she really comes into her own—finding strength, discovering hidden powers, and becoming a total badass in the most satisfying way. Damien, the grumpy half-human, half-demon villain with a soft spot only for Amma, continues to evolve too. Their dynamic is so well-done—complementary, supportive, and deeply loving without either losing themselves in the process.
One of my favorite parts of this book (and the series as a whole) is its message: that magic (or arcana) isn’t inherently good or bad, and that morality comes from the heart, not bloodlines or societal roles. That theme really comes to the forefront here, especially as they face off against a truly terrifying, world-ending force from the abyss—something so powerful and wrong it feels like the antithesis of life itself.
The stakes are sky-high, the battles are intense, and the emotional moments hit hard. I especially loved how all kinds of love—romantic, familial, friendship, and even love for home—come together to form the final stand. And let’s not forget the fae! Their true nature and role in this story was such a great reveal.
This finale has more spice than previous books. I’d rate it a jalapeño pepper in spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, War
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault
Summoned to the Wilds by A.K. Caggiano
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
4.0
TBD
Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
TBD
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Possible Spoilers:
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, the third book in the Empyrean series, takes the story far beyond the walls of Basgaith War College. Violet and Xaden lead us into an expansive world filled with dangerous venin, untold history, alliances with foreign nations, and a heartfelt search for Andarna’s family. This installment deepens the stakes, explores new cultures, and delivers more of the thrilling battles and emotional moments we’ve come to love.
We also get to experience the perspectives of a broader cast of characters, giving us insight into their personalities, decisions, and relationships—not to mention the vibrant and varied personalities of the dragons themselves. The world-building and lore in this book are phenomenal, with twists so frequent and shocking they’re like the tornadoes that show up in the story!
Beyond the action, Onyx Storm brings meaningful messages. It tackles the struggles of leadership—delegation, trust, making mistakes, and the heartbreaking reality that you can’t save everyone. It highlights the corruption of leadership that rewrites history, withholds knowledge, and enforces control through fear. It explores addiction, as the venin’s hunger for power mirrors substance abuse with devastating accuracy. And it dives into cultural differences and the challenge of forming alliances, as we see with the barbaric customs of some nations and the teamwork between dragon riders and gryphon fliers.
The emotional beats hit hard, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters, who feel so real they’ve become part of my life. (Ridoc better be okay!) And that cliffhanger? It’s absolutely brutal—I feel like the rollercoaster just stopped at the very top. There’s no doubt another book is coming, and I can’t wait to see where the series takes us next.
This was an intense, emotional, and captivating read. If you’re here for realistic, complex characters, deep world-building, and twists galore, you’re in for a treat.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, the third book in the Empyrean series, takes the story far beyond the walls of Basgaith War College. Violet and Xaden lead us into an expansive world filled with dangerous venin, untold history, alliances with foreign nations, and a heartfelt search for Andarna’s family. This installment deepens the stakes, explores new cultures, and delivers more of the thrilling battles and emotional moments we’ve come to love.
We also get to experience the perspectives of a broader cast of characters, giving us insight into their personalities, decisions, and relationships—not to mention the vibrant and varied personalities of the dragons themselves. The world-building and lore in this book are phenomenal, with twists so frequent and shocking they’re like the tornadoes that show up in the story!
Beyond the action, Onyx Storm brings meaningful messages. It tackles the struggles of leadership—delegation, trust, making mistakes, and the heartbreaking reality that you can’t save everyone. It highlights the corruption of leadership that rewrites history, withholds knowledge, and enforces control through fear. It explores addiction, as the venin’s hunger for power mirrors substance abuse with devastating accuracy. And it dives into cultural differences and the challenge of forming alliances, as we see with the barbaric customs of some nations and the teamwork between dragon riders and gryphon fliers.
The emotional beats hit hard, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters, who feel so real they’ve become part of my life. (Ridoc better be okay!) And that cliffhanger? It’s absolutely brutal—I feel like the rollercoaster just stopped at the very top. There’s no doubt another book is coming, and I can’t wait to see where the series takes us next.
This was an intense, emotional, and captivating read. If you’re here for realistic, complex characters, deep world-building, and twists galore, you’re in for a treat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, War
Moderate: Death
Arran's Obsession by Jolie Vines
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Possible Spoilers:
Arran’s Obsession is a dark urban gangster romance, but honestly, it just wasn’t for me. While the story tries to tackle themes of overcoming abuse and learning how to love through chosen family, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark.
Arran, the male lead, grew up in a violent, abusive household with a gangster-pimp father. He claims he’s nothing like his dad and doesn’t run a gang, but his “adult entertainment club” involves some seriously questionable stuff, like the Game. In it, twenty men chase and fight over five women (who have volunteered) in a warehouse.
Genevieve, the female lead, ends up entering the Game by accident after her father abandons her family and leaves them broke. She’s desperate, which puts her in Arran’s world, and their romance kicks off from there—but it’s far from healthy.
Arran is a complicated character, but I couldn’t bring myself to like him. He’s controlling, and despite claiming he wants to be better than his dad, some of his actions (like assaulting Genevieve in her sleep and using his power over her) completely undermine that. He has a small redemption arc, but by the end, he’s still pretty much an asshole.
Genevieve, on the other hand, felt immature and naïve. Her relationship with Arran often came off like Stockholm Syndrome, with her brushing off his toxic behavior because of her feelings. It was frustrating to watch her ignore so many red flags.
While there are some moments of emotional depth and vulnerability, they’re overshadowed by constant miscommunication and questionable choices from both leads. The spice scenes were frequent but felt unnecessary and sometimes bordered on dark or uncomfortable territory.
Overall, this story had potential, but the toxic dynamics and lack of real growth made it a tough read. If you enjoy dark romances with broken characters and can overlook some problematic elements, you might enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.
Arran’s Obsession is a dark urban gangster romance, but honestly, it just wasn’t for me. While the story tries to tackle themes of overcoming abuse and learning how to love through chosen family, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark.
Arran, the male lead, grew up in a violent, abusive household with a gangster-pimp father. He claims he’s nothing like his dad and doesn’t run a gang, but his “adult entertainment club” involves some seriously questionable stuff, like the Game. In it, twenty men chase and fight over five women (who have volunteered) in a warehouse.
Genevieve, the female lead, ends up entering the Game by accident after her father abandons her family and leaves them broke. She’s desperate, which puts her in Arran’s world, and their romance kicks off from there—but it’s far from healthy.
Arran is a complicated character, but I couldn’t bring myself to like him. He’s controlling, and despite claiming he wants to be better than his dad, some of his actions (like assaulting Genevieve in her sleep and using his power over her) completely undermine that. He has a small redemption arc, but by the end, he’s still pretty much an asshole.
Genevieve, on the other hand, felt immature and naïve. Her relationship with Arran often came off like Stockholm Syndrome, with her brushing off his toxic behavior because of her feelings. It was frustrating to watch her ignore so many red flags.
While there are some moments of emotional depth and vulnerability, they’re overshadowed by constant miscommunication and questionable choices from both leads. The spice scenes were frequent but felt unnecessary and sometimes bordered on dark or uncomfortable territory.
Overall, this story had potential, but the toxic dynamics and lack of real growth made it a tough read. If you enjoy dark romances with broken characters and can overlook some problematic elements, you might enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Sandiford
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Possible Spoilers:
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Sandiford is a clean Christmas fantasy romance set in a richly imagined world populated by humans, fae, vampires, werewolves, witches, and more. The story centers on Elsie, the human FMC, and Kit, the fae MMC.
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Sandiford is a clean Christmas fantasy romance set in a richly imagined world populated by humans, fae, vampires, werewolves, witches, and more. The story centers on Elsie, the human FMC, and Kit, the fae MMC.
Elsie and her family run a tea shop in Winterfrost Market, a human town, but they’re used to moving from place to place due to her mother’s restless tendencies. This time, however, her mother has left on a mysterious trip to the dangerous Midwinter Haven to obtain a secret tea ingredient and hasn’t returned. Worried, Elsie’s family is desperate for answers.
Enter Kit, a handsome and enigmatic stranger with a magical white dog named Pepper. Rumored to be headed toward Midwinter Haven, Kit becomes Elsie’s hope for finding her mother. But instead of agreeing to search alone, Kit challenges Elsie to accompany him—a challenge she unexpectedly accepts.
The story that follows is an adventurous journey filled with growing trust, cultural misunderstandings, and a romance that develops naturally as Elsie and Kit confront their prejudices about each other’s species.
What I liked:
• The central message of breaking stereotypes and learning about other cultures before passing judgment was beautifully woven into the story.
• The romance between Elsie and Kit felt natural and well-paced.
• Pepper, the magical dog, was a delightful addition.
• The hints about Kit’s brother’s intentions were intriguing, and I suspect he’ll play a key role in a future installment.
What I didn’t like:
• Elsie’s naïveté, while understandable due to her youth, was sometimes frustrating.
• Her self-absorption made her a difficult character to root for at times, though I can see how these traits were integral to her character arc.
Overall, Winterfrost Market was a fun and festive read, even if Elsie’s personality occasionally grated on me. Fans of clean fantasy romance with a holiday twist will likely enjoy it!
Spice Scale: Pimiento (100-500 Scoville)
Spice Scale: Pimiento (100-500 Scoville)
Hunted in Holly by Leann Belle
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Possible Spoilers:
I finished this book because it was fast-paced and a quick read, but it left me feeling conflicted. Hunted in Holly is a dark romantic fantasy with a Christmas vibe, set in a world where supernatural beings like saints and gods exist. Caroline, the new queen of the South Pole, is out for revenge after her family is annihilated. She suspects Saint Nicolas, the King of the North Pole, and sets out to kill him.
What follows is a deadly game of hide and seek in the Arctic, where Caroline must use her powers, survival skills, and knowledge of the icy terrain to escape Nicolas. If he catches her, she’s forced to marry him—and endure some very spicy consequences.
While the concept had potential, I struggled with the execution. Nicolas’s character felt more power-hungry and violent than passionate, and I found some of his actions, particularly involving Caroline while she was unconscious, deeply unsettling. While I can appreciate dominance in dark romances, this crossed a line for me.
Additionally, there’s more spice than substance in this story—if you’re here for plot-driven fantasy, you won’t find much of it. The book also ends on a lackluster note, which left me feeling underwhelmed. If you’re into heavy spice with minimal plot and don’t mind darker themes, this might be for you. Personally, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
I finished this book because it was fast-paced and a quick read, but it left me feeling conflicted. Hunted in Holly is a dark romantic fantasy with a Christmas vibe, set in a world where supernatural beings like saints and gods exist. Caroline, the new queen of the South Pole, is out for revenge after her family is annihilated. She suspects Saint Nicolas, the King of the North Pole, and sets out to kill him.
What follows is a deadly game of hide and seek in the Arctic, where Caroline must use her powers, survival skills, and knowledge of the icy terrain to escape Nicolas. If he catches her, she’s forced to marry him—and endure some very spicy consequences.
While the concept had potential, I struggled with the execution. Nicolas’s character felt more power-hungry and violent than passionate, and I found some of his actions, particularly involving Caroline while she was unconscious, deeply unsettling. While I can appreciate dominance in dark romances, this crossed a line for me.
Additionally, there’s more spice than substance in this story—if you’re here for plot-driven fantasy, you won’t find much of it. The book also ends on a lackluster note, which left me feeling underwhelmed. If you’re into heavy spice with minimal plot and don’t mind darker themes, this might be for you. Personally, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence
Moderate: Death