kezmarie36's reviews
870 reviews

Daughter of secrets and sorcery by H.R. Moore

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

This was an emotional journey with plenty of shocking twists and betrayals. Carrying on straight from book 1 Maria and Elix try to navigate Cane's rule and survive his dangerous mind games. Ava continues to understand her heritage and gifts, and works with Billy and Kush as they uncover more secrets. I loved having Hale and Sophie's new pov, I enjoyed their bickering and tension, and seeing their feelings develop in between their own plotting. 
This is packed full of political scheming, backstabbing, rebellion, revenge and power plays.
The final chapters were full of surprises and high stakes, and the story was gripping start to finish.  Looking forward to the next book!

Silent Betrayal by Shona Knight

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.5

After that cliffhanger I have been desperate to read this second part, and it was intense. 
Mina is a true survivor, but she is far from safe from the serial killer and her psychotic family. As the 7 men all rally to protect her, they are racked with guilt over their failings, and desperate to show they all love her and grovel for forgiveness. 
They each have their own personalities, nicknames, and ways of helping Mina, this was sweet to see and Hella spicy when they advanced their relationship. 
I liked that Mina found her voice, gained her confidence and freedom, and found comfort in her new family.
Also the twists were fantastic, as they've been tracking the serial killer, it exposes Mina's past, disturbing secrets come to light, and they discover dangerous and toxic obsessions. 
It's a good mix of spice, transformation, revenge, trauma and healing, with some truly psycho characters.

For The Hope Of It All by Alanis Winters

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This journey hurt my heart, it was tragic, beautiful, devastating and unforgettable.
Scarlett and Noah were best friends that grew up together and spent summers together with their families at the lake house cabin.
One summer shifts their bond from friends to more and they embrace their chance at love. But when Noah starts to become distant, plans fall through, and everything becomes hopeless, Scarlett is left heartbroken, confused, betrayed, and lost without her best friend. 
2 years later, she is forced to return to the cabin for a summer reunion, and confront the boy who broke her heart without reason. 

With flashbacks to the past, this heartfelt journey explores young love, complex relationships, fears, regrets, and trying to mend mistakes.
Their reconnection is filled with tension, pain, nostalgia and bravery, and a chance to heal and love. 

❤️ 'Noah stood there, watching her go, the heaviness of his guilt and regret pressing down on him like a storm he couldn't escape'

❤️ "You already lost me once, Noah, and you can't lose something a seconds time if you don't really have it"

❤️ "You are more than enough. More than anyone else. You don't see it, but I do. I've always seen it"

❤️ "You've always been my light, Scarlett. Even in the darkest moments, you were there, a memory that kept me going"

Lightning Knight by Karen Daliath

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

This was an emotional conclusion to the duology. It was definitely full of twists and surprises, exploring conflicts of faith, dark paths of revenge, and the power of love. 
There were some really powerful and devastating scenes, and I enjoyed seeing Alexa and Tristan fight for each other. It kept me hooked, and the ending was beautiful and inspiring.
This is a sweet, emotional, tragic yet uplifting YA Christina Fantasy journey, with supernatural elements, and strong soul mate bonds. 

Beyond the Sea, Annie's Journey Into The Extraordinary by Nina Purtee

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

Racked with guilt over her cousin's sailing accident, Annie embarks on a healing journey to rekindle her love of the sea. Along the way she meets mysterious men, including Ramone, a Spanish matador, and El Amir, a Moroccan businessman, who offer her unforgettable experiences, and who seem to constantly cross her path despite her last minute travel plans. 

She travels to exotic places, meets new friends, and gets to indulge in the culture and enlightenment they have to offer.  Her journeys take her across Spain, Tanzania, Bali, Australia, London and more, and she seeks out new adventures at each destination that lead her onto the next, whilst logging her interactions and insights in her journal. 
 
Torn between her 2 mysterious but handsome love interests, she is also entangled in the mystery of her father's disappearance, with rumours of him working undercover. She receives packages and clues and works on trying to discover what happened. But her love interests are also shrouded in secrets, and it makes her question whether she can trust them, or if they are connected to her missing father, and if she might also be in danger. 

This is packed with adventure, mystery, surprises, and is a journey of self discovery.

Tarnished Relics: A Children of Isteni Tale by AJ Titter

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

Attoria is a rare seer, prophecised to aid the God of Death in coming to power. After her mother's sudden death, she ventures to the mountains to seek answers in how to avoid her destiny, and ends up working for the King and deciphering visions of his future.
She has to battle hiding her true identity, using and interpreting her powers, and navigating friends from foe, and surviving those who aim to harm her. 
I enjoyed seeing Attoria's inner monologue as she unpicks the prophecy and her visions, she feels relatable in her struggles, and her quest to find answers and be a protector rather than destroyer. 
I liked the elements of unique magic and the imagery of the pool, the character growth and building friendships, and the drama and rebellion brewing over the God's rivalry. 
Attoria is a survivor, who has to endure painful losses and sacrifice to make her own destiny, and this story follows her adventurous and determined journey. 

No Justice for Thieves by Laura Greenwood

adventurous mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

This is the start of an urban fantasy series combining Egyptian mythology and alternate realities. Rera is a thief trying to get by and provide for her sister, and working as part of a crew of thieves she has jobs to do including stealing relics from God's temples. When she tries to escape from a heist she finds herself chosen by the God of Truth in an accidental blessing ceremony, and now has the ability to hear people's truth and lies. She's tricked into working undercover so she can report on her gang and use her gifts. Stuck between loyalty to her friends and curiosity at the Gods purpose for her, she's risking a lot to stay undercover and do what's right. 
I liked the added mystery of the other blessed gifts, the action from the heists, and the mystery and intrigue of learning everyone's secrets, including Ben's undercover purpose. 
This is a fun introduction to the series, and I can't wait for more. 

Serenade of Kings by Christine E. Schulze

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a prequel story to Prelude of Fire, and explores not only an intriguing villain origin story, but learning about unique powers, hidden identities and dangerous political and royal scheming. 
I really enjoyed how it followed multiple characters and you get insight into their abilities, flaws and motivations, and they all have the potential to be a villain, but it isn't unveiled till the end who the true enemies are. 
This keeps you guessing throughout, and shows how manipulation, dire stakes, choices and a need for power played into the character's darkness and influenced their fate.

I loved the worldbuilding and variety of magic with songspells, elemental and mental magic, and I enjoyed seeing how Gailea pushes to discover her magic abilities but battles with the need to remain hidden, and not reveal her true skills to the King.

There is a good balance of action, mystery, political intrigue and building romance that it's easy to get swept into the story, especially with the bonds of found family and friendships. 
There are also dark themes of sacrifice, brewing rebellions, corruption, manipulation and betrayals. It's a gripping and powerful story showing a descent into madness, and the dangers of power. 

Straight to the Chapel by Bridget L. Rose

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

This was a really sweet and cosy romance, with good drama, steamy scenes, tension and adorable hate to love you banter. 
I enjoyed all the tropes, fake marriage single mum, forced proximity, scared to love, and enjoyed seeing both characters grow. 

The Babylonian Chronicles by Henry Sipes

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

This was a gripping sci-fi journey that packs a punch at under 150 pages. 
It's split into 3 parts, each filled with high stake adventures, contemplation, action and intensity. 
The writing style is vivid and lyrical, and there is building suspense throughout leading to the intense final battle.  
I enjoyed the range of characters and seeing their thoughts, emotions, and actions play out when facing life threatening situations.
The novella follows attacks on their base, launching rescue missions, defense and planning, and unravelling the mysteries of ancient maps and markings. 
I loved the touch of having pictures in the book to add to the story alongside the crew's epic adventures.