jayceejarvis's reviews
976 reviews

The Banshee Bartender by Alexa Piper

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I struggled a bit to cheer for Aaron as he is comes off as a little too entitled for my taste, even if some of his arrogance is earned through his very impressive magic skills. I enjoyed the world building in this story with the creative use of enchanted objects, and Ilya's unique powers. It also had one of my favorite micro-tropes of using telepathy during sex--to very good effect! Ilya was an interesting character with a touching backstory who made Aaron work for his trust in a way I appreciated. The action was well balanced with the steamy romance. Highly recommend for fans of paranormal romances with unusual supernatural characters.

How to Get the Girl (And Not Destroy the World) by Marie Cardno

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 The world building in this final installment in the Monster Girlfriend series is just as creative and mind bending as the rest. Sian gets stuck in a time loop and has to figure out how to escape, while Trillin's memories get wiped over and over. Eventually they figure out how to work together, and defeat the Endless once and for all. While the first story in this series is my favorite, this is a solid character driven conclusion. Highly recommend the entire series for creative, lovecraftian worldbuilding and compelling characters--especially the terrifying monster! 

How to Get a Date with the Evil Queen by Marie Cardno

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

 I enjoyed this next installment in Trillin and Sian's adventures. It picks up where book one left off, and I really recommend reading them in order. As always Trillin is a unique and satisfying monsterous love interest, while the world building is inventive and compelling. The world they find themselves in isn't quite as cool to me as the Endless, but it is still a fun adventure. Can't wait to read the last chapter in this series! 

The Merchant's Love by Antonia Aquilante

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 This story had the best demi-sexual rep I think I've ever seen in a romance--extra remarkable since this is a cozy fantasy without the terminology for it. At the beginning of the story Faelen enjoys talking to Maxen and forming a friendship with the commoner, but it is clear he doesn't feel attraction and hasn't experienced desire for anyone. Maxen is attracted to Faelen but he values their growing friendship and doesn't imagine he can have anything more with someone so far above his station. Faelen's attraction slowly awakens after their friendship is established, and even after he realizes he wants to kiss Maxen, they go very slow on the sexual front, with refreshingly clear communication all around. All in all just a lovely charming slow burn romance. There were some broader plot holes with a spell gone wrong, but overall a very satisfying cozy fantasy with characters I really enjoyed. Highly recommend this entire series for fans of cozy fantasy romance with a dash of political intrigue. 

The Artist's Masquerade by Antonia Aquilante

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.75

I loved prickly, temperamental Flavian as a character doing his best in a very difficult situation, and not always being kind and sweet. Cathal is also a difficult character in a totally different way, as he tries to live up to the expectations of his demanding father. Cathal was not the most sympathetic character in the first book, so it was interesting to see his character growth as he came to terms with his own sexuality and how to stand up to his father. This story has some interesting messages about gender and identity without being over the top with it, which I also appreciated. I was a little surprised at how quickly the characters fell into bed together, given their complex circumstances, but the chemistry was off the charts so it worked. Highly recommend for fantasy of manners fans who want all the political maneuvering and enjoy a little steam. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Violence

The Prince's Consort by Antonia Aquilante

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

4.75

 The premise for this story is very interesting, in that Amory's father essentially tries to whore him out to the prince (who is the ruler of his kingdom) and the prince rescues him from his father's schemes by pretending to go along with them. I found the instant connection between Prince Phillip and Amory a little too pat, especially since the prince is explicitly looking for someone to trust and befriend, which takes more time than just falling into bed together. Still Amory is such a perfect foil for the prince that the chemistry worked. While primarily a character driven romance there are plenty of other things going on to keep the pages turning--including a complex mpeg plot that actually worked for me (mpreg is definitely not my thing.) I think I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't just read To Love the Dragon King--which I adored--since there are some echoes in term of the characters and situation that would have been an issue with a little distance. I still recommend this book (and series) for fantasy of manners fans who like court politics in their stories. 

To Love the Dragon King by Antonia Aquilante, Antonia Aquilante

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 This book has been on my TBR pile for a while and I am once again kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. This is a wonderful royal romance between the king of a reclusive nation of dragon shifters and the reluctant--and innocent--concubine of a traitor to the crown. The political intrigue is layered and interesting, while the personal relationships are what make this story really shine. Sascha is quickly accepted into Lysander's family, though it takes him a while to fully find his feet at court. The worldbuilding is lush and vivid, while the romance leaps off the page. This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last. Highly recommend for fans of epic fantasy romance. 

Mastery: Sex Wizards, Book 2 by Alethea Faust

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

 Expect all the heat and lots of relationship drama as Dom dives deeper into the magical mysteries unlocked by his studies of sex magic. This second installment in the series continues the growth of Dom and Olbric's relationship, as well as deepening the characterization of Arlon and some of the other wizards at the Crux. I appreciated the special care given to the growth and limitations of the wizards traumatized in the first book, and that those events are in no way minimized. Because of this overarching plot of rogue wizards the series is best read in order. This series is perfect for fans of erotic magical systems who want that explored in a consensual, sex-positive way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Sexual assault, Torture

The Captive Shifter by Veronica Scott

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

4.5

 While there was nothing ground breaking in this fated mates story, it is well executed with characters who are easy to cheer for. The magic system in interesting with a pantheon of gods (and their chosen champions) standing against an encroaching darkness. The ending felt a little rushed, but it was otherwise a satisfying fantasy with a leopard shifter and plenty of epic magic. I recommend it for fans of shifters who like to see them in unique fantasy settings. 

Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

 This historical fantasy is full of gothic vibes as Thornby is mysteriously trapped on his father's estate. John arrives to solve the mystery of who is tormenting Thornby's stepmother, and is surprised to find layers of magic and curses affecting the whole family. A man of humble roots, John is prepared to dislike the snooty Lord Thornby but finds himself drawn to him instead. The two work together to unravel the mystery of his curse and the strange happenings on the estate, while trying to thwart Thornby's vengeful father. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy magical gothic mysteries with plenty of family drama and angst. Perfect for fans of The Magpie Lord.