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retrogirlreads's reviews
1307 reviews
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
5.0
Exiled from his home at the age of 10, former prince Patroclus is sent to the kingdom of Phthia, where he meets Achilles, the son of King Peleus. Achilles and Patroclus quickly becomes friends, and grow closer as they get older. As they grow, new feelings begin to stir, and they become something more. But when Queen Helen of Sparta is stolen from her home, her husband Menelaus calls in the debt sworn by all of Helen’s former suitors... including Patroclus. Unwilling to let Patroclus go alone, Achilles joins the war on the side of the Greeks.
Madeline Miller’s retelling of the story of a classic Greek hero was absolutely enchanting. Told from the point of view of Patroclus, we get to see Achilles grow from smiling young boy to the stone-faced, legendary warrior we all know and love. This was my first book by Madeline Miller, and I will definitely look into her other books. “The Song of Achilles” is perfect for fans of the Iliad, and for historical fiction lovers.
Madeline Miller’s retelling of the story of a classic Greek hero was absolutely enchanting. Told from the point of view of Patroclus, we get to see Achilles grow from smiling young boy to the stone-faced, legendary warrior we all know and love. This was my first book by Madeline Miller, and I will definitely look into her other books. “The Song of Achilles” is perfect for fans of the Iliad, and for historical fiction lovers.
The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune
5.0
Twenty year old Sam of Wilds is the apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows. He and his best friends, Garry the hornless unicorn and Tiggy the half-giant, are always getting into trouble, much to the amusement and exasperation of others. Sam doesn’t get along with Prince Justin, even though he’ll eventually be Justin’s wizard. Why is that, you might ask? Because of twenty five year old Ryan Foxheart, the Knight Commander... and Justin’s boyfriend. Sam thinks Ryan is the dreamiest dream to have ever been dreamed, although they barely know each other. During the course of the novel, Sam and Ryan grow closer and sparks fly. It all seems to be going perfectly... until Justin is kidnapped by a dragon, and Sam, Ryan, Gary and Tiggy set out on a quest to get Justin back.
“The Lightning Struck Heart” is the first book in T.J. Klune’s “Tales from Verania” series, and I am absolutely obsessed! Light hearted and hilarious, this book is the perfect read to make you smile and laugh.
“The Lightning Struck Heart” is the first book in T.J. Klune’s “Tales from Verania” series, and I am absolutely obsessed! Light hearted and hilarious, this book is the perfect read to make you smile and laugh.
Tree of Souls by Misty Hayes
5.0
Battles rage in this final installment of the Blood Dagger trilogy. Larna Collins is in shock. The love of her life sacrificed himself to save her best friend, and there is nothing on her mind but revenge against the people who attacked them. Corinth Taylor is reeling... the vampire blood in his system, which was used to keep him alive, is warring with the angel blood he was born with. The only thing that matters? Defeating the Grigori. Will Larna and Corinth be able to defeat their enemies at last? Find out by reading “Tree of Souls” by Misty Hayes!
*i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
*i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Subversive by Colleen Cowley
5.0
Oh. My. Gosh. This book.
I started “Subversive” yesterday evening, and I read the entire novel in two hours straight. I have so many feelings about this book! The humorous banter, the sizzling romance, and the incredible plot had me hooked from the start! The novel is told from the (third person) perspectives of both Beatrix Harper and Peter Blackwell. 33 year old Beatrix Harper’s life instantly changes when her old classmate Peter Blackwell, whom she hasn’t seen since she was 13, barges back into her life and reveals that he has returned to their small town to become the new Omnimancer. He immediately demands that she work for him as his assistant, stealing her from her previous employer, which annoys her off the bat. But as more details are revealed about Peter’s reappearance, and as Beatrix becomes more and more entangled with him, she starts questioning everything: from her loyalty to the League to the very truths of everything she’s ever been told about magic itself.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I started “Subversive” yesterday evening, and I read the entire novel in two hours straight. I have so many feelings about this book! The humorous banter, the sizzling romance, and the incredible plot had me hooked from the start! The novel is told from the (third person) perspectives of both Beatrix Harper and Peter Blackwell. 33 year old Beatrix Harper’s life instantly changes when her old classmate Peter Blackwell, whom she hasn’t seen since she was 13, barges back into her life and reveals that he has returned to their small town to become the new Omnimancer. He immediately demands that she work for him as his assistant, stealing her from her previous employer, which annoys her off the bat. But as more details are revealed about Peter’s reappearance, and as Beatrix becomes more and more entangled with him, she starts questioning everything: from her loyalty to the League to the very truths of everything she’s ever been told about magic itself.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Radical by Colleen Cowley
5.0
Beatrix Harper despairs for the life of her sister after an earlier assassination attempt by the government. She is willing to do anything to save her... including teaching thousands of women magic when it is very much illegal to do so. She believes she can push attention off her sister - because women doing magic would be the much bigger threat. But keeping all of this from Peter is turning out to be a lot harder than she thought.
Peter Blackwell is desperate. He is no closer to finding a protection spell big enough to counteract the weapon he made and then stole from the government... the real reason he found himself back in his small hometown. He is also finding it more and more difficult to control his feelings for Beatrix, who is never far from his mind. But he also wonders if he can trust her, as he is constantly worrying about whether or not she is teaching other women magic, which could send him and everyone else involved to prison.
Sparks collide in book 2 of the Clandestine Magic trilogy, which was everything I could want and more!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Peter Blackwell is desperate. He is no closer to finding a protection spell big enough to counteract the weapon he made and then stole from the government... the real reason he found himself back in his small hometown. He is also finding it more and more difficult to control his feelings for Beatrix, who is never far from his mind. But he also wonders if he can trust her, as he is constantly worrying about whether or not she is teaching other women magic, which could send him and everyone else involved to prison.
Sparks collide in book 2 of the Clandestine Magic trilogy, which was everything I could want and more!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Revolutionary by Colleen Cowley
5.0
“Revolutionary” is the stunning conclusion to Colleen Cowley’s Clandestine Magic trilogy. With the vows now destroyed, Beatrix Harper finally realizes that she is in love with the town’s Omnimancer Peter Blackwell of her own accord. Unfortunately, Peter is now in a coma due to the work of her best friend Ella, who is now missing and presumably on the run. Finding employment with Senator Gray, Beatrix works on finding a cure for Peter, strengthens her ties to the League, and keeping a roof over her head.
This was such a beautiful ending to a series that I absolutely loved. The plot was interesting, the banter hilarious, the love story sweet with just the right touch of angst.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a beautiful ending to a series that I absolutely loved. The plot was interesting, the banter hilarious, the love story sweet with just the right touch of angst.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tales by Trees: The Seafarer by Iiro Küttner, Owen F. Witesman, Ville Tietäväinen
5.0
The crown prince of an unnamed kingdom visits the seashore every day, longing for more. The prince, yearning for a life at sea, trades his crown to three seeds. These seeds were thought to have come from the Great World Tree, which offers gifts and wisdom to mankind.
This was such a charming fairytale! It’s a short read, but definitely worth it. I enjoyed it very much.
*i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
This was such a charming fairytale! It’s a short read, but definitely worth it. I enjoyed it very much.
*i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The Heart Casts No Shadow by Susan Holt, Susan Holt
5.0
Review by Sarah Elyse Rodriguez:
When Rhonwyn mi Hywel’s beloved father is executed by the evil King Risick, she joins the Resistance, a group of rebels working to overthrow the king. She is sent to the palace as a spy for the Resistance after winning a tournament that allows her to become the king’s new Royal Gymbal Opponent. As Rhonwyn explores the palace, searching for anything that could serve as information, she finds that all is not what it seems. When she stumbles onto a shocking discovery that changes everything, she must choose between her desire for revenge and the blossoming new love that is now in her heart.
This is my first book by Susan Holt, and I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I literally could not put it down! Holt’s dialogue is witty, her descriptions enchanting, and her plot twists always shocking! I was very pleasantly surprised by this book, and I hope to see more from this author in the future.
When Rhonwyn mi Hywel’s beloved father is executed by the evil King Risick, she joins the Resistance, a group of rebels working to overthrow the king. She is sent to the palace as a spy for the Resistance after winning a tournament that allows her to become the king’s new Royal Gymbal Opponent. As Rhonwyn explores the palace, searching for anything that could serve as information, she finds that all is not what it seems. When she stumbles onto a shocking discovery that changes everything, she must choose between her desire for revenge and the blossoming new love that is now in her heart.
This is my first book by Susan Holt, and I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I literally could not put it down! Holt’s dialogue is witty, her descriptions enchanting, and her plot twists always shocking! I was very pleasantly surprised by this book, and I hope to see more from this author in the future.