retrogirlreads's reviews
1307 reviews

Between Heaven and Hell by E.L. Irwin

5.0

*i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

After Aurek’s sacrifice at the end of book one, Janet Caroline Tanner remembers nothing of the world of Eden, or demons, or her Guardian. At the orders of Aurek, her memory has been wiped, and with Cash awake, she has other things on her mind.

But Theron, the demon who holds Aurek captive, is not adhering to his part of the deal. Still he stalks Jane, which causes her taken memories to start coming back to the surface. Once Jane has her memories back, and realizes what is happening to Aurek, she is willing to do anything to get him back - even going into Purgatory.

“Between Heaven and Hell” is the stunning conclusion to the Guardian duology. A series full of humor, adventure, plot twists, and clean romance, it is definitely something you don’t want to miss!

Between Earth and Eden by E.L. Irwin

5.0

“Eternity was in that kiss. Time no longer mattered.”

In this universe, every human has a Guardian, a supernatural being assigned to protect them. But there are also Hunters, “Fallen” who hate the human race and seek to destroy them. Janet Tanner has always seen things she can’t quite explain, terrifying things. Nobody understands or believes her, except her beloved twin brother Cash... who she loses at 13 to a deadly accident that leaves him in an accident that leaves him in a coma. Relatively unscathed from the accident herself, Janet carries the guilt with her for the rest of her adolescent years. Now twenty two, she moves away from her parents to try to get some independence. Almost immediately, she meets a guy named Theron, who is darkly handsome and very interested in her. Unbeknownst to Janet, Theron is actually the Hunter bent on destroying her. The book is told from Janet’s point of view, with small excerpts from Theron and Janet’s Guardian Aurek.

I completely adored this book. The romance, the passion, the mystery, the suspense, everything was beautifully written and wonderfully done. Kudos to the author for a beautiful story!

*i received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The Intercessors by Sarah Ashlyn

5.0

Serenity Sharp is having a normal day when she hears horrifying news: her beloved daughter Olivia-Mary’s school is on lockdown due to a school shooting, and three students have been killed - and they don’t know which ones. Sick with grief, Serenity looks back to her troubled childhood and finds solace in Intercessory prayer. Important characters are her mother, a strong woman who fiercely believed in God, and battled cancer in order to stay with her two children, as well as her older brother, Jeremiah, who she always looked up to, and who was willing to protect her from anything and anyone. As always, Christianity and God play an important role in this novel, as the characters find strength through prayer and faith.

This book was absolutely amazing! Sarah Ashlyn merges faith and tragedy in order to weave a spell-bounding story that will stay in your heart long after you’ve finished reading.

* i received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

One Child Too Many by Sarah Ashlyn

5.0

Bullying. Happens to everyone, right? But it can have devastating consequences.

Sarah Ashlyn explores this concept in her book “One Child Too Many,” which is set in a small town three months after the devastating loss of little Molly Peele, an eleven year old girl who committed suicide due to bullying. It is centered around her parents, Brian and Audrey, who are struggling to maintain their marriage and their mental health after their loss. Two girls, Remi and Skylar, as well as their families, also play a key role. The concept of Christianity and God is a strong force in this novel, as it guides and strengthens characters throughout the story.

This book hit me straight in the heart. The story seemed so very real, and the sad thing is, it could and has easily happen/ed in the real world today. This is a heart wrenching story, be prepared for tissues. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it! :)

* i received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

The Ascent by Peter Regg

5.0

When this book starts, it is a couple days before Wesley’s sixteenth birthday. In Wesley’s village, they must make a journey known as the Ascent, which involves climbing a mountain. But Wesley is not excited about this. As the son of war hero James Wolfe, Wesley has never been seen for himself. More than that, he has to share his Ascent with a girl named Sky, who has been mean to him for as long as he can remember. So yeah, Wesley is not looking forward to this at all.

But everything changes when Wesley and Sky run into a creature named Hax at the top of the mountain. Hax swears that one of them is special, and that he is sworn to bring that person to his mistress, Aurelia, who will help them grow. But when they travel down the mountain and find Wesley and Sky’s village in ruins, everything changes. Determined to find out what happened, they set out on a quest.

On the other side of the country, army recruit Lia and her partner Simon are the best in their unit. One night, they are awoken and told they are to set off on a mission by order of the King himself. Lia, bored of always winning, is thrilled. Simon, not so much, especially as their traveling companion is Shadow, an army assassin whose reputation is dark indeed. But when shadow, Lia, and Simon get separated, and Lia and Simon get captured, they learn secret information that must get to the king immediately. But first, they must escape.

This book was so refreshing. It was fantasy mixed with humor, adventure, and just a touch of romance. It was really interesting, and I hope to see the story continued.

*i received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

The Elementals (#1): Break Chains. Break Free. by Lucentine Writer

5.0

Viridian is a Seven... lowest of the classes, doomed to a hard life. The Trial, which only happens every two decades, is a way to prove herself and rise above her station.

Kyan is a Four. He has a good life, but he’s always wanted more. He believes that participating in the Trial will be the way to become something more than what he already is.

Seventeen year old Lumi is a Two. With her grandmother dead, she longs to become something more than what she is.

Reznor is a One, the highest of the high. He has servants and everything he could possibly want... everything but revenge for his father, who was unjustly murdered by someone in a position of power. He believes that the Trial is the way to get into a position of power.

Four different teens, from four different ways of life. Who will win? Find out in this fantastic book by Lucentine Writer!

*i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Sage, Smoke & Fire by Ryan Kurr

4.0

“Sage Smoke and Fire” by Ryan Kurr was a fascinating read. This book is about a group of six people who are gifted with powers and form a coven, led by a woman named Nina. The book was very nicely built up, but the constant descriptions of everyone’s emotions felt like it was jumping from one point of view to the other, which could be confusing at times. The book ends on a completely different note than it started on. I give it four stars bc I thought the world building was nice and there was a lot of beautiful descriptive imagery.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

2020 on Goodreads by Various

5.0

Wow. 2020 was the year I started reviewing books, and I’ll never go back! It’s truly my passion.

Non arcs:

• The Lightning Struck Heart - T.J. Klune

• The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller


Books Gifted By Authors:

• The Heart Casts No Shadow - Susan Holt
• Subversive - Colleen Cowley
• Radical - Colleen Cowley
• Revolutionary - Colleen Cowley
• Sage Smoke and Fire - Ryan Kurr
• The Crimson Inkwell - Kenneth A. Baldwin
• The Outcasts - Misty Hayes
• The Watchers - Misty Hayes
• Tree of Souls - Misty Hayes
• Tales by Trees: The Seafarer - Iiro Küttner
• Lutapolii: White Dragon of the South - Deryn Pittar
* The Elementals: Break Chains, Break Free - Lucentine Writer
• The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow Boy: Coming Home - Claire Youmans
* Between Earth and Eden - E.L. Irwin
* Between Heaven and Hell - E.L. Irwin
* The Ascent - Peter Regg
* Scorched Feathers - Bri Mooney
* Emily Voss Episodes 1-3: Nick Lavitz
* Black Heart - Maggie Kay
* Ice Queen - Maggie Kay
* Sineria: The Great Kingdom - Dave J. Williams
* Sineria: Age of War - Dave J. Williams
* Stocking Stuffers - Melissa Ivers, K.M. Rives, E.J. Darling, Maira James, Sibylla “Siby” Matilde
* Highlander’s Wild Bride - Isobel Irving
* Big Cranky: Fall Into Darkness - James Pyne
* One Child Too Many - Sarah Ashlyn
* The Intercessors - Sarah Ashlyn
* The Forsaken: First Strike - Eddy Young

So blessed to have joined the reviewing community. Check out my bookstagram @readsbysarita if you want, and send me a message if you want to be friends! I love meeting people who love books. Anyways, here’s to 2021!

Elixir Bound by Katie L. Carroll

5.0

Even though Katora Kase is the third born child in her family, it is she who is set to inherit her family’s farm, where they grow essence berries, which are used to make a sweet drink native to their nation. Little does she know, however, that making Essence is just a cover up for the Kase family’s true duty as guardian of the Elixir - a magical drink that heals most ills. If Katora chooses to run the farm, she must also take on the responsibility of being the Guardian to the Elixir. When Katora’s father realizes that they are almost out of the special ingredient needed to make the Elixir, he sends Katora, her siblings Bhar and Kylene, a young man named Hirsten, and their anni dennick servant Palafair on a quest to gain more. On this journey, Katora and her team face many dangers, and she fights her growing attracting to Hirsten for the sake of duty.

I really enjoyed this book! It was exactly my cup of tea. I loved the magical elements, and the creation of the dennicks. I will be reading book 2!

* I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review *

Elixir Saved by Katie L. Carroll

5.0

“Elixir Saved” is the stunning sequel to “Elixir Bound,” in which we were introduced to the world of the Great Peninsula, the Kase family, and the dennicks Palafair and Zelenka. This book is told from three point of views: Kylene Kase, Katora’s quiet younger sister, who has always felt out of place in the world; Zelenka the tili dennick, now married to Palafair; and Devon Kase, the almost primeyear who longs to prove himself as more than a youngeryear. When Katora Kase, guardian of the Elixir, receives a message signaling that Fyren, their world’s old foe who hasn’t been seen in centuries, might be back, Katora, Kylene, their brother Bhar, and Katora’s boyfriend Hirsten set out on a journey to plead for help from Odeletta, the Ice Queen, a higher being who earned her nickname from Fyren’s betrayal long ago. Meanwhile, Zelenka and Palafair journey to Faway Forest to reunite with Zelenka’s long lost tili dennick clan, and plead for them to help in the upcoming war. Devon Kase has been coddled all his life, and on the cusp of manhood, he wants to be seen as more than a little boy. He believes he has seen a sign, and heads up a mountain where priestesses dwell in order to look for a sign. Their three paths do converge as the war looms closer.

This book was amazing! It was just as good as the first one. I loved the plot, how the three point of views were separate yet connected at the same time, and the creation of the dragonfly creatures called sciathilte. I look forward to seeing more of this author in the future.

* i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *