kezmarie36's reviews
875 reviews

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.

My blood is yours by Chiara Forestieri

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Fast paced, spicy, intense forced proximity, and so entertaining!
Sariel, a demon prince is on a quest to find his soulbound, but when he uses his family's relic to portal to earth he ends up being captured and held prisoner.
Elowen has dreamed about a demon for months, and now she's face to face with him locked in a cell and forced to care for him and retrieve DNA samples for her master. 
Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, he only wants to please his mate, she cares for him and makes him beg, and their forced proximity only brings their bond closer.

It's a layered plot of fated mates, dom/sub dynamics, sexual exploration, and trying to escape their prison. There is also mystery, drama, banter, lots of lust and portal travel. 
One to read if you love spicy monster romances.
Can't wait for more of this series.

Wings of Power by Katrina Thorpe

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

4.75

Loved this fourth book of the series. Just when you think it can't possibly get more dangerous or chaotic, it does exactly that and more. They continue to fight against Amaros and his diabolical plans, Zarla has to become Queen so she can leave the realm and save Kyle, and everything is utter chaos with relic hunts, new enemy threats and betrayals from within. Loved the fast paced action, all the fun animal bonds, dragon riding, and Zarla trying to save everyone she can as their epic battles continue. 

Ruins of Starlight by B.C. FaJohn

dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25

Loved the slow burn and enemy to lovers vibes of this. Amazing shadowy magic systems, royal intrigue and scheming, relic hunts, and lots of steamy tension. I loved seeing the threads come together, and the talk of prophecies and curses. Had such a great and twisted ending, can't wait for the next book! 

Monster of the Dagger Mountains by Meredith Hart

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a good paced Romantasy adventure, with a touch of spice, lots of fun flirting and banter, forced proximity, magic and tension. 
I liked the magic system, the reveals about the old Gods, and the chemistry between characters. I adored the question game and the character growth. 

Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson

medium-paced

3.75