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kitvaria_sarene's reviews
2366 reviews
A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience by Stephanie Burgis
5.0
A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience by Stephanie Burgis is such a cute and comforting story!
A scholarly young lady gets forced into a marriage with a vampire lord, who also might not actually have wanted said marriage, for reasons this novella is bound to uncover.
I absolutely loved both main characters, who are quite strong willed, yet able to see when they were wrong. The banter and friendship forming went down like a wonderful mug of iced coffee (it's 30°C in my flat, so hot cocoa does not sound appealing in the least right now 😅)
My only gripe is the length - I would have loved to have a whole novel about these two!
A scholarly young lady gets forced into a marriage with a vampire lord, who also might not actually have wanted said marriage, for reasons this novella is bound to uncover.
I absolutely loved both main characters, who are quite strong willed, yet able to see when they were wrong. The banter and friendship forming went down like a wonderful mug of iced coffee (it's 30°C in my flat, so hot cocoa does not sound appealing in the least right now 😅)
My only gripe is the length - I would have loved to have a whole novel about these two!
An imPerfect Samhain: A Standalone Novella From The imPerfect Cathar Universe by C.N. Rowan, C.N. Rowan
4.0
An imPerfect Samhain by C.N. Rowan is a novella within the main series. You can read it as a stand alone to get a feel for the series as well as in between the books, as it's set in the past.
This is an especially grim one, so beware triggers, especially for children being harmed and domestic violence.
To me it had a bit less humour than previous installments, but still the occasional chuckle along the way!
This is an especially grim one, so beware triggers, especially for children being harmed and domestic violence.
To me it had a bit less humour than previous installments, but still the occasional chuckle along the way!
An imPerfect Fable by C.N. Rowan
4.0
An imPerfect Fable by C.N. Rowan is a novella in the imPrrfect Cathar series.
It's dark and gritty but also funny, so a great fit with the rest of the books.
I really liked the mythology in this one, but the end was a bit too quick for my personal liking.
Perfectly entertaining and a real quick read between the big tomes!
It's dark and gritty but also funny, so a great fit with the rest of the books.
I really liked the mythology in this one, but the end was a bit too quick for my personal liking.
Perfectly entertaining and a real quick read between the big tomes!
imPerfect Demons by C.N. Rowan, C.N. Rowan
4.0
imPerfect Demons by C.N. Rowan is yet another good installment in a gritty yet funny Urban Fantasy series!
As I'm still reading, 8 books and 2 novellas in, shows you how much I enjoy these!
More banter, more action, more heartache and more action - and oh how the stakes have gone up yet again!
This is the end of the story ARC, and I must say it's a satisfying one. Enough left open to feel realistic, but also enough closure to leave the series with a good feeling.
I especially enjoyed the balance between joy and heartache, success and loss and the many stages and twists between.
It's sad to see Paul and his crew go their own way without me, but I'm glad I got to spend so much time with them!
As I'm still reading, 8 books and 2 novellas in, shows you how much I enjoy these!
More banter, more action, more heartache and more action - and oh how the stakes have gone up yet again!
This is the end of the story ARC, and I must say it's a satisfying one. Enough left open to feel realistic, but also enough closure to leave the series with a good feeling.
I especially enjoyed the balance between joy and heartache, success and loss and the many stages and twists between.
It's sad to see Paul and his crew go their own way without me, but I'm glad I got to spend so much time with them!
Echoes of a Fallen Kingdom by B.T. Narro
3.0
Echoes of a Fallen Kingdom by B.T. Narro is the very slow start to a new series.
It's very much focused on the characters, and their everyday lifes for most of the book, before the story actually gets going in the last 10% or so at a guess.
I enjoyed some of those bits, like the main character starting to train as a book binder, but overall it didn't really grba me nearly as much as it should have. I love a good "apprentice" story, but there's or enough actual training, and learning along with the character to scratch that itch, as the MC is treated very unfairly and doesn't really get to do what he is supposed to learn.
I did like the relationship between the brothers, but found the budding romance between two 10 yea roles a bit off. It's a strong friendship at first, which I love, but there's the few moments that seemed to go past it and just felt off for the age and majority of them.
I didn't really click with the thieving brother, again, I usually enjoy a good rogue or thief, but I simply didn't like him. Not necessarily the authors fault, I don't like all real people either after all.
Overall all the characters just didn't really felt real to me, but definitely stayed slightly removed fiction people.
The world building had some promise, but I would have liked a bit more depth even this early on.
The audio narration was great, which is what kept me going, but I don't think I'll pick up more books on the series.
It's very much focused on the characters, and their everyday lifes for most of the book, before the story actually gets going in the last 10% or so at a guess.
I enjoyed some of those bits, like the main character starting to train as a book binder, but overall it didn't really grba me nearly as much as it should have. I love a good "apprentice" story, but there's or enough actual training, and learning along with the character to scratch that itch, as the MC is treated very unfairly and doesn't really get to do what he is supposed to learn.
I did like the relationship between the brothers, but found the budding romance between two 10 yea roles a bit off. It's a strong friendship at first, which I love, but there's the few moments that seemed to go past it and just felt off for the age and majority of them.
I didn't really click with the thieving brother, again, I usually enjoy a good rogue or thief, but I simply didn't like him. Not necessarily the authors fault, I don't like all real people either after all.
Overall all the characters just didn't really felt real to me, but definitely stayed slightly removed fiction people.
The world building had some promise, but I would have liked a bit more depth even this early on.
The audio narration was great, which is what kept me going, but I don't think I'll pick up more books on the series.
A Bad Place to Be a Hero by Jerry F. Westinger
4.0
I found A Bad Place To Be A Hero by Jerry F. Westinger by looking for free or cheap books on kobo. Never heard of the title or the author, but the cover and blurb were intriguing, so I jumped right in!
I wasn't disappointed, as it is a quick to read story. I enjoyed just how different the main characters are. Not heroes, but still likable enough, unintentionally thrown together, which causes some nice banter.
A necromancer who has to hide, an ex noble werewolf now working the streets, and an innkeeper with a dark side business. Count me in!
There's a good dose of mystery as well as some twists and turns, and the balance between light reading and dark bits worked very well for me.
I would have liked a bit more depth here and there, but overall it was a really entertaining story!
I wasn't disappointed, as it is a quick to read story. I enjoyed just how different the main characters are. Not heroes, but still likable enough, unintentionally thrown together, which causes some nice banter.
A necromancer who has to hide, an ex noble werewolf now working the streets, and an innkeeper with a dark side business. Count me in!
There's a good dose of mystery as well as some twists and turns, and the balance between light reading and dark bits worked very well for me.
I would have liked a bit more depth here and there, but overall it was a really entertaining story!
King's Imitation by Erin Grunke
3.5
King's Imitation by Erin Grunke is an interesting YA fantasy, which can easily appeal to older readers looking for an easier read.
There's a handful of characters, so enough to feel epic, but not so much as to be confusing. There are some of the typical coming if age tropes, but I really enjoyed there not being a big romance arc or love triangle! There is just a dash of romance, not more than in series like Wheel of Time for example.
The world building was intriguing, but could have done with a bit more depth here and there. As the plot was easy to fall in, and the voice was catchy, I didn't overly mind it. I did like the different "races" who have special talents, but the twists were just a tad too obvious and predictable for me. In a YA novel I'm way more forgiving about that sort of thing than I'd be in adult fantasy, as the target audience probably hasn't read hundreds of fantasy books before, so will not see it coming nearly as soon as a "veteran reader".
I liked most of the action scenes, and especially how magic was included, just at the end it seemed to get a bit unfocused.
All in all, this was a good story that kept me hooked all the way through!
There's a handful of characters, so enough to feel epic, but not so much as to be confusing. There are some of the typical coming if age tropes, but I really enjoyed there not being a big romance arc or love triangle! There is just a dash of romance, not more than in series like Wheel of Time for example.
The world building was intriguing, but could have done with a bit more depth here and there. As the plot was easy to fall in, and the voice was catchy, I didn't overly mind it. I did like the different "races" who have special talents, but the twists were just a tad too obvious and predictable for me. In a YA novel I'm way more forgiving about that sort of thing than I'd be in adult fantasy, as the target audience probably hasn't read hundreds of fantasy books before, so will not see it coming nearly as soon as a "veteran reader".
I liked most of the action scenes, and especially how magic was included, just at the end it seemed to get a bit unfocused.
All in all, this was a good story that kept me hooked all the way through!
Last Winter Sun by G.R. Matthews
We follow a team of mercenaries, who are doing their job for the money, but also are still good people at heart. Caleb is their leader. An older ex soldier who's joints creak and crack more than they used to. Then we have Wei, a small Asian woman who you don't want to be in a gift with. Thorsson, of Scandinavian descent, who can fix almost anything, and loves everything that goes *boom*.
And then we have Radley, a teen magician who they kind of adopted at some point, but who more than pulls his weight with his powers.
The book is a quick paced read, with plenty of action. Lots of fight scenes, which felt realistic and smooth to me. Sometimes they just feel like a technical manual, but here they easily kept me hooked.
There are a few really dark scenes, but overall the tone is not as bleak as some other dystopian novels I read. Especially the occasional banter, and the friendships and bonds made for a nice balance.
I loved exploring this new / old world, and trying to figure out what happened. Being able to track their quest on a map of England was pretty awesome as well!
As a long time fan of the author, I adored the little nods to his Forbidden List and Corin Hayes series. This starts to feel a bit like a cosmere situation, with this being a link between the ancient tomes and the far future…
I am not sure if there will be sequels, the “A Rift Novel” lets me hope there will be more. The ending for this is satisfying, but leaves open more questions than it answers! It doesn't feel so much like a cliffhanger, more like an intentional open ending. However I definitely want more!
5.0
Last Winter Sun by G.R. Matthews is a mix of dystopian novel, magic, orks and other beasts. The blurb says “A-Team meets World of Warcraft” and as someone who enjoyed both a whole lot, I obviously had to read it!
It is set sometime in the future. Some 20 years ago a rift opened up, and all sorts of creatures have come through. Most of the world has fallen, and travelling between the left over human settlements is a dangerous adventure.
It is set sometime in the future. Some 20 years ago a rift opened up, and all sorts of creatures have come through. Most of the world has fallen, and travelling between the left over human settlements is a dangerous adventure.
“The tarmac of the old, narrow road was pitted and potholed. Years of neglect, of freezing winters and cool summers had lifted the man-made surface. Tree roots had folded it up into ridges and sharp edges which were always ready to trip the unwary walker. To their right, the trees were high and spread their skeletal branches over the road, adding to the gloom.”
We follow a team of mercenaries, who are doing their job for the money, but also are still good people at heart. Caleb is their leader. An older ex soldier who's joints creak and crack more than they used to. Then we have Wei, a small Asian woman who you don't want to be in a gift with. Thorsson, of Scandinavian descent, who can fix almost anything, and loves everything that goes *boom*.
And then we have Radley, a teen magician who they kind of adopted at some point, but who more than pulls his weight with his powers.
“Caleb’s chest hurt. The chill winter air burned all the way down his throat and his lungs were screaming in agony. His heart was thumping against his ribs as if it wanted to burst free. His muscles complained on every step and his tread was heavy. Feet like iron weights were hard to lift and trembling legs strained on every step.”
The book is a quick paced read, with plenty of action. Lots of fight scenes, which felt realistic and smooth to me. Sometimes they just feel like a technical manual, but here they easily kept me hooked.
There are a few really dark scenes, but overall the tone is not as bleak as some other dystopian novels I read. Especially the occasional banter, and the friendships and bonds made for a nice balance.
“Blood from the entry wound bubbled. A child’s entertainment, blowing bubbles in soapy water, turned obscene as each tiny bursting bubble of blood carried with it the man’s last breath.”
I loved exploring this new / old world, and trying to figure out what happened. Being able to track their quest on a map of England was pretty awesome as well!
As a long time fan of the author, I adored the little nods to his Forbidden List and Corin Hayes series. This starts to feel a bit like a cosmere situation, with this being a link between the ancient tomes and the far future…
I am not sure if there will be sequels, the “A Rift Novel” lets me hope there will be more. The ending for this is satisfying, but leaves open more questions than it answers! It doesn't feel so much like a cliffhanger, more like an intentional open ending. However I definitely want more!
A Shadow Over Haven by David Green
5.0
A Shadow over Haven by David Green is another fantastic instalment in a series set in hell - on earth.
Nick Holleran Isa Main character who I immediately clicked with, especially for his sass and sarcasm! He's prone to just run into every situation head first, and hopefully a plan will come along at some point. I enjoy his voice so very much, and while I want to shake him every so often, I can always understand why he does things.
In this part of the story, he gets his hands on a very powerful relic, which he had to keep safe, all while not falling into its thrall…
I care a lot for Nick and all those dear to him, so it felt like coming home.
Spending time with favourite characters again, be it his kinda adopted ghost daughter, his girlfriend who might not be magical, but well able to kick ass or the bar owner who won't be messed about. Then there's also the ones who I find deeply intriguing, but am still quite wary about - Lucifer himself as well as Death, to name but a few.
They all gained even more depth, and boy do I need the next book right now, as it ends on quite the helldangler, just my luck, as this one isn't even out yet, I was just lucky enough to get an advanced copy. Luckily he's a quick writer, so the next one will hopefully be out in spring.
If you like fast paced urban fantasy, without a focus on romance, instead all about friendships and (found) family as well as plenty of action, banter and intrigue, you have to read these!
Nick Holleran Isa Main character who I immediately clicked with, especially for his sass and sarcasm! He's prone to just run into every situation head first, and hopefully a plan will come along at some point. I enjoy his voice so very much, and while I want to shake him every so often, I can always understand why he does things.
In this part of the story, he gets his hands on a very powerful relic, which he had to keep safe, all while not falling into its thrall…
I care a lot for Nick and all those dear to him, so it felt like coming home.
Spending time with favourite characters again, be it his kinda adopted ghost daughter, his girlfriend who might not be magical, but well able to kick ass or the bar owner who won't be messed about. Then there's also the ones who I find deeply intriguing, but am still quite wary about - Lucifer himself as well as Death, to name but a few.
They all gained even more depth, and boy do I need the next book right now, as it ends on quite the helldangler, just my luck, as this one isn't even out yet, I was just lucky enough to get an advanced copy. Luckily he's a quick writer, so the next one will hopefully be out in spring.
If you like fast paced urban fantasy, without a focus on romance, instead all about friendships and (found) family as well as plenty of action, banter and intrigue, you have to read these!
Pauper's Empire by Levi Jacobs
4.0
Pauper's Empire by L.W. Jacobs is the second book in the series.
I really enjoyed the new direction - instead of rebelling and trying to free a city, it's now all about governing said city, and trying to hold things together. Easier said than done as everyone quickly learns!
This is still very much a coming of age story, so if you don't like to read about young people who are still trying to find their own way, with a lot of almost anime style fight scenes this will most likely not appeal to you.
If you enjoy a quick pace, plenty of action and a world that slowly expands, but isn't overly complicated to follow, this might be an ideal choice!
I really enjoyed the new direction - instead of rebelling and trying to free a city, it's now all about governing said city, and trying to hold things together. Easier said than done as everyone quickly learns!
This is still very much a coming of age story, so if you don't like to read about young people who are still trying to find their own way, with a lot of almost anime style fight scenes this will most likely not appeal to you.
If you enjoy a quick pace, plenty of action and a world that slowly expands, but isn't overly complicated to follow, this might be an ideal choice!