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the_cover_contessa's reviews
1714 reviews
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for supplying me with an egalley and finished copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
When this popped up for request I was super excited. The publisher had sent me the first book to read and review and I really enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. So when I saw this I jumped on the chance to get a copy. And then a finished copy showed up in the mail for me and I knew it was meant to be.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, stop here as there may be spoilers in this review with regards to that book. And this book picks up right after the first one ends, so you'd be lost if you didn't read that one first! The world that is established in that book as well as the developed characters can only be understood if you have read these books in order.
After the tumultuous summer the James girls had, things are finally settling down. But the Moth Winged Man, always a myth in Caball Hollow but now made real, is still haunting the area. The myth is definitely a reality. While the first book focuses on Linden and Cole, this book focuses on Rowan and Hadrian.
Rowan James continues to scent lies on people tongues as they tell them. And things are not what they seem when she takes a job to help the forest rangers be on the look out for poachers. She isn't expecting to ever see Hadrian Fitch again but he ends up in her path anyway, flitting between her world and the Otherworld. Together they try to solve the mystery of the slowly dying Bone Tree while navigating their attraction to each other.
It's nice that Pearsall does not simply focus on a romance between Rowan and Hadrian. She builds the world out more than what we saw in the first book and gives the characters the space they ned to grow and develope. At the same time, I do wish there was just a bit more of them in that capacity in this book. You can feel their pull to each other but the scenes aren't really there to back it up.
Pearsall does a great job continuing to build the fantasy world that is within the boundaries of Caball Hollow. I feel like the pacing of this one is a bit slower than the first. There were areas where things dragged for me a bit. But the tension, banter, and mystery made up for it and kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens. One of the things that prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was the fact that at some points the story line almost felt disjointed and confusing. I had to turn back pages a few times in order to truly understand what was going on or what had just happened.
Pearsall does a great job with describing the area, though. I've not spent time in this part of the country and I really felt as though I was right there. It was easy to picture the area in my mind.
The ending leaves you seeing there could definitely be a third book if the author chooses, though it does wrap up fairly well. I'm hoping we get to see the stories from the other sisters!
This series would be perfect for people looking for a bit of a spooky read during Halloween season!
When this popped up for request I was super excited. The publisher had sent me the first book to read and review and I really enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. So when I saw this I jumped on the chance to get a copy. And then a finished copy showed up in the mail for me and I knew it was meant to be.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, stop here as there may be spoilers in this review with regards to that book. And this book picks up right after the first one ends, so you'd be lost if you didn't read that one first! The world that is established in that book as well as the developed characters can only be understood if you have read these books in order.
After the tumultuous summer the James girls had, things are finally settling down. But the Moth Winged Man, always a myth in Caball Hollow but now made real, is still haunting the area. The myth is definitely a reality. While the first book focuses on Linden and Cole, this book focuses on Rowan and Hadrian.
Rowan James continues to scent lies on people tongues as they tell them. And things are not what they seem when she takes a job to help the forest rangers be on the look out for poachers. She isn't expecting to ever see Hadrian Fitch again but he ends up in her path anyway, flitting between her world and the Otherworld. Together they try to solve the mystery of the slowly dying Bone Tree while navigating their attraction to each other.
It's nice that Pearsall does not simply focus on a romance between Rowan and Hadrian. She builds the world out more than what we saw in the first book and gives the characters the space they ned to grow and develope. At the same time, I do wish there was just a bit more of them in that capacity in this book. You can feel their pull to each other but the scenes aren't really there to back it up.
Pearsall does a great job continuing to build the fantasy world that is within the boundaries of Caball Hollow. I feel like the pacing of this one is a bit slower than the first. There were areas where things dragged for me a bit. But the tension, banter, and mystery made up for it and kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens. One of the things that prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was the fact that at some points the story line almost felt disjointed and confusing. I had to turn back pages a few times in order to truly understand what was going on or what had just happened.
Pearsall does a great job with describing the area, though. I've not spent time in this part of the country and I really felt as though I was right there. It was easy to picture the area in my mind.
The ending leaves you seeing there could definitely be a third book if the author chooses, though it does wrap up fairly well. I'm hoping we get to see the stories from the other sisters!
This series would be perfect for people looking for a bit of a spooky read during Halloween season!
The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
She Doesn't Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an audio galley of this book to listen to and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is my first title I've read by Jenny Elder Moke and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what I was given. It's a quirky, run, romantic, and mysterious read that had me drawn in from the first chapter.
I've not listened to any narrations from Sarah Mollo-Chirstensen before. I loved her cadence throughout the book. She easily switched between character voices and made them completely their own. She also easily infused the emotions in her voice which made me like the characters even more. She does a great male Australian accent, in case you were wondering! Her transitions are smooth and I would definitely add her to the list of narrators I will be looking out for.
Kate Valentine has agreed to attend her ex's wedding. What she isn't expecting is to find the guy she has been pining over for two years to also be in attendance. Or for there to be murders taking place that almost exactly replicate her own murder stories she writes!
Moke does a nice job developing Kate's character. She loves writing her character Loretta, but she often times looks to Loretta for advice, rather than taking hold of her own life and leading it. Throughout the book, she falls back on Loretta for advice while slowly realizing she needs to be able to let go of this character in order to move on with her life from all the things that have happened in the past. With Jake unexpectedly thrown in her path, she's not sure how to act or what to do. Her attraction to him hasn't lessened but she is sure he does not feel the same way. And given things that have happened between them in the past, she knows she must adore him from a far.
Jake's character was great. I love supportive he was of Kate. He's definitely a golden retriever in this story. The cast of side characters is diverse and fun to get to know, as well. And Moke gives us so many motives during the story to keep the reader on their toes.
Moke does a great job keeping you off the path of the "murderer" (this is in quotes because of how things happen in the book and once you read it you'll understand why). I never guessed who it was. I was actually a bit surprised by it, to be honest. There are so many unlikable characters with motive you really just don't know who done it! Plus she infuses quite a bit of banter between the characters. And the sexy times are quite steamy!
I will say some of the story is quite unrealistic. Who would not call the police when they find a dead body? If Kate or Jake were private investigators, then it would be more understandable. But so much happens at this wedding, one disaster after another, that I cannot imagine the authorities would not be called to solve the mystery, especially since it takes place over a few days.
Overall this book really was so much fun to listen to: forced proximity, murder mystery, slow burn and second chance romance! It's a cozy mystery read that readers of Lucy Score's Riley Thorn series will love.
This is my first title I've read by Jenny Elder Moke and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what I was given. It's a quirky, run, romantic, and mysterious read that had me drawn in from the first chapter.
I've not listened to any narrations from Sarah Mollo-Chirstensen before. I loved her cadence throughout the book. She easily switched between character voices and made them completely their own. She also easily infused the emotions in her voice which made me like the characters even more. She does a great male Australian accent, in case you were wondering! Her transitions are smooth and I would definitely add her to the list of narrators I will be looking out for.
Kate Valentine has agreed to attend her ex's wedding. What she isn't expecting is to find the guy she has been pining over for two years to also be in attendance. Or for there to be murders taking place that almost exactly replicate her own murder stories she writes!
Moke does a nice job developing Kate's character. She loves writing her character Loretta, but she often times looks to Loretta for advice, rather than taking hold of her own life and leading it. Throughout the book, she falls back on Loretta for advice while slowly realizing she needs to be able to let go of this character in order to move on with her life from all the things that have happened in the past. With Jake unexpectedly thrown in her path, she's not sure how to act or what to do. Her attraction to him hasn't lessened but she is sure he does not feel the same way. And given things that have happened between them in the past, she knows she must adore him from a far.
Jake's character was great. I love supportive he was of Kate. He's definitely a golden retriever in this story. The cast of side characters is diverse and fun to get to know, as well. And Moke gives us so many motives during the story to keep the reader on their toes.
Moke does a great job keeping you off the path of the "murderer" (this is in quotes because of how things happen in the book and once you read it you'll understand why). I never guessed who it was. I was actually a bit surprised by it, to be honest. There are so many unlikable characters with motive you really just don't know who done it! Plus she infuses quite a bit of banter between the characters. And the sexy times are quite steamy!
I will say some of the story is quite unrealistic. Who would not call the police when they find a dead body? If Kate or Jake were private investigators, then it would be more understandable. But so much happens at this wedding, one disaster after another, that I cannot imagine the authorities would not be called to solve the mystery, especially since it takes place over a few days.
Overall this book really was so much fun to listen to: forced proximity, murder mystery, slow burn and second chance romance! It's a cozy mystery read that readers of Lucy Score's Riley Thorn series will love.
The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've been a lover of Howard's work for a long time. I especially love when she delves into the fantasy world. So to say I was excited to read this one when given a chance is an understatement.
I'll start with the cover because how cay you not? Even if I didn't know Amalie's work, I would pick this book up and buy just based on the gorgeous cover.
Amalie continues to impress by building a unique magical world within her book. I'm always excited to be introduced to new folklore and this one definitely fit that bill. I don't know much of Persian or Indian mythology but Howard does a nice job of creating a world where we understand the background and what it means to the characters and their development within the story. So many different concepts to explore and enjoy.
The pacing was well done with this book. I didn't feel bored when reading it and I definitely wanted to know what was next every time I had to put it down to do something else.
The FMC, Suraya Saab, is well done. She's funny and interesting and easily relatable for the reader. I liked her view on life and also loved her loyalty to family and close friends. I loved her profession but, being a bladesmith seems like it would come with a bit more "badassery" than I felt from the actual character. She wasn't strong in that respect, kind of keeping to herself when I felt like such a character would be a bit more brash and loud mouthed. The MMC, Roshan, was most of all funny. I loved that he could easily get Suraya to laugh. I will say the romance seemed just a bit forced for me. I wanted a bit more development and conflict with the characters but it wasn't truly there. He fell for her a little faster than I would have liked but at the same time his knowledge of who she was and what she could possibly do for him were floating about. It seems his intentions were not all on the up and up from the get go. But their banter is really quite fun and it's what made me feel the relationship was true.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters. Some I was sad to see go and others I wanted to see GONE! There's definitely villainy in this story. There's even a bit of a Hunger Games feel to how the book begins with the girls needing to prove their worth to the crown prince in order to become his selected wife.
So why not 5 stars, you say? I know the book is marketed as an adult romantasy and in all honesty, I just didn't get that vibe with it, despite the characters being in their 20s. It really did had a younger feel to me even with the spice infused into the story. If that spice was not there, I would not have thought of it as anything but a YA fantasy. I would definitely tell people this felt more like an older YA or even NA book with adult themes. This part of the execution fell a little flat for me. I'm hoping the second book leans more towards that adult theme the author was going for. I also found some parts of the story to be rushed. While Howard does a good job showing us the world, I needed to spend more time in some of the spaces to really understand the mythology behind what she was presenting.
Overall, I'd recommend this one and I'm excited to see where Howard is going to take the second book in the series.
I've been a lover of Howard's work for a long time. I especially love when she delves into the fantasy world. So to say I was excited to read this one when given a chance is an understatement.
I'll start with the cover because how cay you not? Even if I didn't know Amalie's work, I would pick this book up and buy just based on the gorgeous cover.
Amalie continues to impress by building a unique magical world within her book. I'm always excited to be introduced to new folklore and this one definitely fit that bill. I don't know much of Persian or Indian mythology but Howard does a nice job of creating a world where we understand the background and what it means to the characters and their development within the story. So many different concepts to explore and enjoy.
The pacing was well done with this book. I didn't feel bored when reading it and I definitely wanted to know what was next every time I had to put it down to do something else.
The FMC, Suraya Saab, is well done. She's funny and interesting and easily relatable for the reader. I liked her view on life and also loved her loyalty to family and close friends. I loved her profession but, being a bladesmith seems like it would come with a bit more "badassery" than I felt from the actual character. She wasn't strong in that respect, kind of keeping to herself when I felt like such a character would be a bit more brash and loud mouthed. The MMC, Roshan, was most of all funny. I loved that he could easily get Suraya to laugh. I will say the romance seemed just a bit forced for me. I wanted a bit more development and conflict with the characters but it wasn't truly there. He fell for her a little faster than I would have liked but at the same time his knowledge of who she was and what she could possibly do for him were floating about. It seems his intentions were not all on the up and up from the get go. But their banter is really quite fun and it's what made me feel the relationship was true.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters. Some I was sad to see go and others I wanted to see GONE! There's definitely villainy in this story. There's even a bit of a Hunger Games feel to how the book begins with the girls needing to prove their worth to the crown prince in order to become his selected wife.
So why not 5 stars, you say? I know the book is marketed as an adult romantasy and in all honesty, I just didn't get that vibe with it, despite the characters being in their 20s. It really did had a younger feel to me even with the spice infused into the story. If that spice was not there, I would not have thought of it as anything but a YA fantasy. I would definitely tell people this felt more like an older YA or even NA book with adult themes. This part of the execution fell a little flat for me. I'm hoping the second book leans more towards that adult theme the author was going for. I also found some parts of the story to be rushed. While Howard does a good job showing us the world, I needed to spend more time in some of the spaces to really understand the mythology behind what she was presenting.
Overall, I'd recommend this one and I'm excited to see where Howard is going to take the second book in the series.
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've become a pretty big Lana Ferguson fan. I love that she can write contemporary but also can venture into the mythical realm of the paranormal without batting an eyelash. I've honestly not seen this with many romance writers and she does a fabulous job with it. I venture to say I may like her paranormal romances more than her contemporary ones! Bring on all the monster romance for me to read. Plus, this one is new to me. Who would have thought to use the Loch Ness Monster as the monster in a romance story?
I don't know much about Scottish folklore when it comes to The Loch Ness Monster. Just what I've heard here and there about Nessie having been spotted at some point and the grainy pictures I've seen that really don't tell much. I love that Ferguson took this lore and expanded it to make it more relatable. I won't get into too much as I don't want to spoil it, though I think the reader figures out pretty early on something is amiss!
Keyana McKay is a great character. She spunky but also a bit shy and unsure of where she fits in the world. With no immediate family left, she jumps over the pond to Scotland to find her roots, and also her family that her father left behind. Of course she doesn't understand why he left and why his family (especially her grandomother) is so cold to her. That is until she starts to unravel her family's part in the lore of the monster deep in the loch. I cannot imagine the loneliness Key must feel from having lost the only person in the world who meant anything to her. But Ferguson does a great job of helping us with this. I was definitely rooting for her to have a HEA from the very start. I enjoyed how Ferguson also wove some magic into Key's past.
Lachlan Greer is a secretive character. Secrets he carries because he has no other choice. Secrets that were thrust upon his family long ago by the McKay's. Ferguson weaves a feud between Loch and Key's families that rivals the Hatfields and the McCoys. But when his secret is revealed and he sees he's not cast out by Key for it, things start to heat up a bit between them. Enemies to lovers quickly changes into something with burning and hot. He's definitely the grumpy to her sunshine (which he has no problem talking about) but she also wins him over and softens him.
And let me just tell you about the side characters! I loved the twins so much. They were super supportive of Loch and were not inclined to give away any of his secrets, lest people persecute him. I can see how they might have their own little stories in the future
Ferguson does a great job keeping the pacing going in this story, especially considering how long the book is. I was never bored. I kept wanting to pick the story up and see what would happen next. I love the mystery woven into the romance. I figured out early on who the "villain" was but it was interesting to see how and why it was that person. She inserts spice where it's needed and doesn't overdo it. And the banter! I caught myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions. This author knows how to do it and do it right. She does a nice job with the world building and back story. I love the use of the journal entries to help this story along.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the actual country of Scotland. I feel like Ferguson tried to put some of it in the story through the farm and a visit to an adjacent town, but for the most part I did have a hard time picturing the Loch and how it was situated to the surrounding areas. I needed a bit more description of what I know from friends/family who have visited is a beautiful country.
Overall this is just a fun story intermingled with mystery, romance, folklore, curses, and a bit of the paranormal. Ok, not a bit, but you'll see what I'm going on about. I am definitely a lifelong Lana Ferguson fan and cannot wait to see what she has in line for the future! If you enjoyed The Fake mate by this author, this one will reel you right in!
I've become a pretty big Lana Ferguson fan. I love that she can write contemporary but also can venture into the mythical realm of the paranormal without batting an eyelash. I've honestly not seen this with many romance writers and she does a fabulous job with it. I venture to say I may like her paranormal romances more than her contemporary ones! Bring on all the monster romance for me to read. Plus, this one is new to me. Who would have thought to use the Loch Ness Monster as the monster in a romance story?
I don't know much about Scottish folklore when it comes to The Loch Ness Monster. Just what I've heard here and there about Nessie having been spotted at some point and the grainy pictures I've seen that really don't tell much. I love that Ferguson took this lore and expanded it to make it more relatable. I won't get into too much as I don't want to spoil it, though I think the reader figures out pretty early on something is amiss!
Keyana McKay is a great character. She spunky but also a bit shy and unsure of where she fits in the world. With no immediate family left, she jumps over the pond to Scotland to find her roots, and also her family that her father left behind. Of course she doesn't understand why he left and why his family (especially her grandomother) is so cold to her. That is until she starts to unravel her family's part in the lore of the monster deep in the loch. I cannot imagine the loneliness Key must feel from having lost the only person in the world who meant anything to her. But Ferguson does a great job of helping us with this. I was definitely rooting for her to have a HEA from the very start. I enjoyed how Ferguson also wove some magic into Key's past.
Lachlan Greer is a secretive character. Secrets he carries because he has no other choice. Secrets that were thrust upon his family long ago by the McKay's. Ferguson weaves a feud between Loch and Key's families that rivals the Hatfields and the McCoys. But when his secret is revealed and he sees he's not cast out by Key for it, things start to heat up a bit between them. Enemies to lovers quickly changes into something with burning and hot. He's definitely the grumpy to her sunshine (which he has no problem talking about) but she also wins him over and softens him.
And let me just tell you about the side characters! I loved the twins so much. They were super supportive of Loch and were not inclined to give away any of his secrets, lest people persecute him. I can see how they might have their own little stories in the future
Ferguson does a great job keeping the pacing going in this story, especially considering how long the book is. I was never bored. I kept wanting to pick the story up and see what would happen next. I love the mystery woven into the romance. I figured out early on who the "villain" was but it was interesting to see how and why it was that person. She inserts spice where it's needed and doesn't overdo it. And the banter! I caught myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions. This author knows how to do it and do it right. She does a nice job with the world building and back story. I love the use of the journal entries to help this story along.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the actual country of Scotland. I feel like Ferguson tried to put some of it in the story through the farm and a visit to an adjacent town, but for the most part I did have a hard time picturing the Loch and how it was situated to the surrounding areas. I needed a bit more description of what I know from friends/family who have visited is a beautiful country.
Overall this is just a fun story intermingled with mystery, romance, folklore, curses, and a bit of the paranormal. Ok, not a bit, but you'll see what I'm going on about. I am definitely a lifelong Lana Ferguson fan and cannot wait to see what she has in line for the future! If you enjoyed The Fake mate by this author, this one will reel you right in!
Off to the Races by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Voyager for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I really enjoyed The Hurricane Wars so much more than I thought I would. I wasn't expected the excellent writing, the amazing plot, the great pacing, and, most of all, characters who I became totally invested in. I enjoyed this installment even more than the first!
This book picks up soon after the ending of the last book. It's hard to give a full review without spoiling what actually happens, to be honest. The first book was very rooted in the politics of the world and building it out so we understood the unique magic system Guanzon has created. This book was much more focused on the relationship between the MMC and the FMC and their push and pull with one another. The politics are still there and Guanzon does a great job with moving the plot along with a lot of action and mystery sewn together.
Alaric and Talaysan are married and there's no going back from that political alignment. They must combine forces to save their lands from and event that can devour everything in its path. There's a ton of push and pull between them in this book. Their attraction to each other is something that confuses both of them. They don't want to have those feelings but it just cannot be helped. Of course there's a ton of "he doesn't feel that way" and "why do I feel this way about her" going on throughout the book to create a sense of tension where the romance is concerned. jAnd them giving in to what they believe are their baser needs is something they definitely struggle with; their chemistry is off the charts. These two definitely show off their poor communication skills and there are a ton of scenes where this plot point rears its head throughout the book.
Alaric definitely shows his morally gray side in this book. But you can also see how his mind is working and his thoughts are changing and his struggle to come to terms with who his father is. That relationship shows how Alaric's personality formed the way it did and why he struggles so much with his feelings for Talasyn and what must ultimately become of them both.
This book definitely delved more into character development than plot. Don't get me wrong, the plot was there, but this book focused a lot on the romance aspect of romantasy. And I was all there for it because I knew from book one we had to see these two give into their desires. The plot was slower to move for me because of this, though I wasn't bored at any time. But Guanzon inserted so much more intrigue and unexpected things that I didn't see coming. And I don't feel this book suffered from second book syndrome, which happens often with trilogies and drives me bananas.
Of course the author had to leave the ending on a huge cliffhanger (it's a good one, I promise), so now I need book three yesterday. If you loved the first book in this series, and want to see the relationship really grown and blossom, you'll enjoy this second installment immensely.
Review on The Cover Contessa can be found at this link: http://www.thecovercontessa.com/2024/12/arc-review-monsoon-rising-hurricane.html
I really enjoyed The Hurricane Wars so much more than I thought I would. I wasn't expected the excellent writing, the amazing plot, the great pacing, and, most of all, characters who I became totally invested in. I enjoyed this installment even more than the first!
This book picks up soon after the ending of the last book. It's hard to give a full review without spoiling what actually happens, to be honest. The first book was very rooted in the politics of the world and building it out so we understood the unique magic system Guanzon has created. This book was much more focused on the relationship between the MMC and the FMC and their push and pull with one another. The politics are still there and Guanzon does a great job with moving the plot along with a lot of action and mystery sewn together.
Alaric and Talaysan are married and there's no going back from that political alignment. They must combine forces to save their lands from and event that can devour everything in its path. There's a ton of push and pull between them in this book. Their attraction to each other is something that confuses both of them. They don't want to have those feelings but it just cannot be helped. Of course there's a ton of "he doesn't feel that way" and "why do I feel this way about her" going on throughout the book to create a sense of tension where the romance is concerned. jAnd them giving in to what they believe are their baser needs is something they definitely struggle with; their chemistry is off the charts. These two definitely show off their poor communication skills and there are a ton of scenes where this plot point rears its head throughout the book.
Alaric definitely shows his morally gray side in this book. But you can also see how his mind is working and his thoughts are changing and his struggle to come to terms with who his father is. That relationship shows how Alaric's personality formed the way it did and why he struggles so much with his feelings for Talasyn and what must ultimately become of them both.
This book definitely delved more into character development than plot. Don't get me wrong, the plot was there, but this book focused a lot on the romance aspect of romantasy. And I was all there for it because I knew from book one we had to see these two give into their desires. The plot was slower to move for me because of this, though I wasn't bored at any time. But Guanzon inserted so much more intrigue and unexpected things that I didn't see coming. And I don't feel this book suffered from second book syndrome, which happens often with trilogies and drives me bananas.
Of course the author had to leave the ending on a huge cliffhanger (it's a good one, I promise), so now I need book three yesterday. If you loved the first book in this series, and want to see the relationship really grown and blossom, you'll enjoy this second installment immensely.
Review on The Cover Contessa can be found at this link: http://www.thecovercontessa.com/2024/12/arc-review-monsoon-rising-hurricane.html
The Bright Side Of Disaster by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0