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kezmarie36's reviews
867 reviews
The Weight of the Wishing Stone by Kevin Cox
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
What was meant to be a day of victory for Rykan's first battle, turns into disaster as the enemy overthrow them, kill his father, and take the survivors captive.
Selaina's normal life of chores, farming and forest walks turns into chaos too with the appearance of a stranger and leads to the loss of her family and the end of her shielded existence.
Now both of them must find a way to survive, travel the unknown lands gaining new allies, and find the courage to fight and meet their destiny.
This is an engaging fantasy tale told in 2 povs, with reluctant heroes, relic hunts, and dangerous quests. With prophecies and hidden truths, these characters face challenges and dire stakes as their paths merge and they seek the wishing stone, hoping to change the future.
This was an epic journey, filled with mystery, sacrifice and resilience, with a creative ending that leaves you ready for book 2.
⚔️"People fear what they don't understand"
⚔️"Our steps are not merely our own. Each choice carries the weight of countless lives"
⚔️ "Why is it always swords and magic? Why not a good parley once in a while?"
Selaina's normal life of chores, farming and forest walks turns into chaos too with the appearance of a stranger and leads to the loss of her family and the end of her shielded existence.
Now both of them must find a way to survive, travel the unknown lands gaining new allies, and find the courage to fight and meet their destiny.
This is an engaging fantasy tale told in 2 povs, with reluctant heroes, relic hunts, and dangerous quests. With prophecies and hidden truths, these characters face challenges and dire stakes as their paths merge and they seek the wishing stone, hoping to change the future.
This was an epic journey, filled with mystery, sacrifice and resilience, with a creative ending that leaves you ready for book 2.
⚔️"People fear what they don't understand"
⚔️"Our steps are not merely our own. Each choice carries the weight of countless lives"
⚔️ "Why is it always swords and magic? Why not a good parley once in a while?"
Between Flames and Deceit by M.A. Frick
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The steamy tension building in this had me flipping the pages non stop. I absolutely adored the chemistry between Kallias and Nienna, all the secret glances, growing lust and dangerous desires! All their accidental and secret meetings together had me swooning.
This is a gripping forbidden romance, where you can't help but root for their love, especially balanced against the hated I had for Tallon, and his arrogance and disrespect towards his future bride. You know a book is great when you can passionately love, and vehemently despise characters, and this definitely does it.
This whole world is magical too with dragons, assassins and unique magic. It's a land filled with political intrigue, tension, sacrifice, and pitting love against duty.
It is captivating, emotional, witty, swoony, and a must read!
I am dying after that ending though and need part 2 of this duology yesterday.
🔥 "Gods, she would be a stunning queen - fierce. Beautiful"
🔥 "Are you going to command me, King Kallias?"
🔥 "Two lovers tangled in a web. It was forbidden. And I never wanted anything more"
This is a gripping forbidden romance, where you can't help but root for their love, especially balanced against the hated I had for Tallon, and his arrogance and disrespect towards his future bride. You know a book is great when you can passionately love, and vehemently despise characters, and this definitely does it.
This whole world is magical too with dragons, assassins and unique magic. It's a land filled with political intrigue, tension, sacrifice, and pitting love against duty.
It is captivating, emotional, witty, swoony, and a must read!
I am dying after that ending though and need part 2 of this duology yesterday.
🔥 "Gods, she would be a stunning queen - fierce. Beautiful"
🔥 "Are you going to command me, King Kallias?"
🔥 "Two lovers tangled in a web. It was forbidden. And I never wanted anything more"
Joni Jones and the Ghost Train by P.D. Leyshon, P.D. Leyshon
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This is an immersive and spooky fantasy adventure following 11 year old Joni Jones. 12 months ago on Halloween his brother mysteriously disappeared, now he's having strange nightmares and hearing train noises at midnight, and he feels like it's clues leading to his brother.
When he discovers his parents also went missing under strange circumstances, he teams up with his friends to solve the mystery.
This spooky adventure takes them into a ghostly realm where they'll face undead monsters, walk through history, and have to work together with ghosts to try and find a way home alive, and find Joni's missing family.
Together they learn ghost fighting skills from the resistance, discover the enemies world ending plans, and find out the devastating truth of why his brother and parents disappeared.
This is a thrilling tale full of action, teamwork, high stakes and resilience, and a time travelling adventure that kids and adults will enjoy, with an ending leaving it open for more excitement to come.
When he discovers his parents also went missing under strange circumstances, he teams up with his friends to solve the mystery.
This spooky adventure takes them into a ghostly realm where they'll face undead monsters, walk through history, and have to work together with ghosts to try and find a way home alive, and find Joni's missing family.
Together they learn ghost fighting skills from the resistance, discover the enemies world ending plans, and find out the devastating truth of why his brother and parents disappeared.
This is a thrilling tale full of action, teamwork, high stakes and resilience, and a time travelling adventure that kids and adults will enjoy, with an ending leaving it open for more excitement to come.
Demon Tide by Troy Hooker
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
This is a great sci-fi adventure with a group of 7 teens navigating the end of the world as they know it, working together to survive, and trying to figure out the mystery and secrets of their surroundings.
There's an eerie tone throughout keeping you on edge, with strange noises and shadows, hidden rooms, and growing threats.
I liked that each character brings something helpful to the group, and you follow a group of teens reacting to dangerous situations and powering through it together.
There is a good amount of intrigue from shadowy governments, secretive labs, being on the run and hiding out in a creepy mansion, and stumbling on demonic monsters.
I enjoyed that this had the kids save the world vibes, fighting monsters, and using their survival instincts.
This is the first book in the series, and i'm excited for more to come.
There's an eerie tone throughout keeping you on edge, with strange noises and shadows, hidden rooms, and growing threats.
I liked that each character brings something helpful to the group, and you follow a group of teens reacting to dangerous situations and powering through it together.
There is a good amount of intrigue from shadowy governments, secretive labs, being on the run and hiding out in a creepy mansion, and stumbling on demonic monsters.
I enjoyed that this had the kids save the world vibes, fighting monsters, and using their survival instincts.
This is the first book in the series, and i'm excited for more to come.
Oron Amular: The Complete Trilogy by Michael J. Harvey
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This is an epic fantasy trilogy set in a medieval world of Knights, Elves, Wizards, quests and tournaments.
A mysterious invite arrives calling those to the Mountain for a tournament, and promising unimaginable power as a reward.
An unlikely group band together to brave the quest, and along the way face further challenges, including rescuing an elven princess, battling demons and lake monsters, fighting enemies and facing suffocating traps.
This is a story filled with action, intrigue tension, magical beings and mystery. It's a beautiful world for escapism, brimming with quests, destiny, magic and danger, and this combined trilogy wraps it all together for one rich and immersive experience.
Although a complete trilogy, it's left open for more to come of this world.
A mysterious invite arrives calling those to the Mountain for a tournament, and promising unimaginable power as a reward.
An unlikely group band together to brave the quest, and along the way face further challenges, including rescuing an elven princess, battling demons and lake monsters, fighting enemies and facing suffocating traps.
This is a story filled with action, intrigue tension, magical beings and mystery. It's a beautiful world for escapism, brimming with quests, destiny, magic and danger, and this combined trilogy wraps it all together for one rich and immersive experience.
Although a complete trilogy, it's left open for more to come of this world.
Heat Clinic by Alexis B. Osborne
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
This was a spicy omegaverse romance, exploring heats, ruts, lots of kinks, and finding a pack. It's full of spice, there's no cheating or dramas, it's about connecting and completing their family unit, lots of pleasure, and a hea for the 4 of them.
It Happened in Clissold Park by Hugh Todd
lighthearted
reflective
5.0
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. It's centred around events in Clissold Park told over the course of a year, with each story giving an entertaining glimpse into different characters lives, with some overlaps of work colleagues and friends.
Each story is unique and explores the mundane aspects of life and work, as well as surprises, relationships, drama, and a diverse cast.
I loved the way it explored different perspectives and makes you think about the unseen curiosities of life and from different points of view.
It has a fabulous range from truffle hunts to ghostly reunions, and catching criminals to killer trees.
I liked the supernatural elements, and how the ending ties everything nicely back to the beginning.
Definitely recommend if you want something lighthearted and thought provoking.
Each story is unique and explores the mundane aspects of life and work, as well as surprises, relationships, drama, and a diverse cast.
I loved the way it explored different perspectives and makes you think about the unseen curiosities of life and from different points of view.
It has a fabulous range from truffle hunts to ghostly reunions, and catching criminals to killer trees.
I liked the supernatural elements, and how the ending ties everything nicely back to the beginning.
Definitely recommend if you want something lighthearted and thought provoking.
Mourn Not the Mortals by Jordan Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
This was an epic tale, and dark and gritty world of lore, complex characters, and unique powers.
You experience multiple pov as you explore the diverse characters and follow them on their quests, or journeys of growth. They each have unique abilities or desires, fueled by ambition, knowledge, devotion or power, and it blends religion, magic and culture well.
I enjoyed all the elements of political intrigue and duty, the responsibilities of leadership, and the mystery of what darkness lies in the beyond.
I think Aliss, Taren and Snare are my favourite characters so far, but I enjoyed learning about them all, and I am definitely curious to learn more about Larc.
Although there are a lot of characters, it's easy to keep track of them all by their distinct personalities or missions, and the gritty storyline keeps you intrigued, especially with the ending.
If you like the vibes of GoT, The Witcher and Shadow and Bone, this is for you.
You experience multiple pov as you explore the diverse characters and follow them on their quests, or journeys of growth. They each have unique abilities or desires, fueled by ambition, knowledge, devotion or power, and it blends religion, magic and culture well.
I enjoyed all the elements of political intrigue and duty, the responsibilities of leadership, and the mystery of what darkness lies in the beyond.
I think Aliss, Taren and Snare are my favourite characters so far, but I enjoyed learning about them all, and I am definitely curious to learn more about Larc.
Although there are a lot of characters, it's easy to keep track of them all by their distinct personalities or missions, and the gritty storyline keeps you intrigued, especially with the ending.
If you like the vibes of GoT, The Witcher and Shadow and Bone, this is for you.
Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny by Nina Purtee
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
It was nice to revisit these characters again and see what is next for Annie and Ramone, after their surprising announcement at the end of book 1.
I always enjoy the range of locations visited and the descriptios of scenery, and seeing old and new characters along for the adventure.
There a nice sense of serendipity and curiousity on their journey, and that balanced nicely against the moments of suspense, mystery and tension.
I enjoyed seeing Antonio's journey in this too, his achievements and chance for happiness.
It has a heartwarming feel throughout, a diverse range of characters, and great themes of empathy, resilience, adapting, and growth.
I always enjoy the range of locations visited and the descriptios of scenery, and seeing old and new characters along for the adventure.
There a nice sense of serendipity and curiousity on their journey, and that balanced nicely against the moments of suspense, mystery and tension.
I enjoyed seeing Antonio's journey in this too, his achievements and chance for happiness.
It has a heartwarming feel throughout, a diverse range of characters, and great themes of empathy, resilience, adapting, and growth.