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thebookrealmguide's Reviews (44)
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 ⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Publishing: 8/12/2025
What a fun little novella to jump back into the Ruinous Love world with the Kane brothers and the sassy women who made them fall in love. It's only 48 pages, but they are packed with the Annual August Showdown. Can't miss that! If you love the Ruinous Love Trilogy, this extra time with these characters will satiate your thirst for more as it bridges you into Weaver's next trilogy, the Season of Carnage.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Publishing: 8/12/2025
What a fun little novella to jump back into the Ruinous Love world with the Kane brothers and the sassy women who made them fall in love. It's only 48 pages, but they are packed with the Annual August Showdown. Can't miss that! If you love the Ruinous Love Trilogy, this extra time with these characters will satiate your thirst for more as it bridges you into Weaver's next trilogy, the Season of Carnage.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Author: Sarah Lee Wohn (Indie Debut)
Publishing: 9/3/2025
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Pages: 696
This is great for fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Star Wars, Gild, The Cruel Prince, and When the Moon Hatched!
"You are the only good thing that has ever happened to me in my entire existence..."
This is one of my favorite epic fantasies of the year! Baradaz "Rada", the Goddess of Light/Queen of Aron- Lyr, and Belekoroz "Noctis", the God of Darkness, are something else. She is light and he is dark, yet they are completely drawn to each other, for better or worse. If you can yearn, desire, and crave a person after millennia, then you are fated for sure. Especially if you are willing to bring the end if the world to be with them. These characters made me so mad many times, but I still wanted them to be together. And that's not even the full lore of these two and this world! So much happens, it's borderline a full-on opera drama.
A little on my boy, Noctis: To me, he is a merge of Kylo Ren (Star Wars) and Loki (Marvel), which are some of my favorite morally grey/villain movie crushes. If that is your book boyfriend vibe, you will love him!
This is the type of book that stayed with me after I put it down every night. I kept coming up with theories on who could be the villain, and what would happen next. If you want to get lost and immersed in another world and feel so many feelings, this is a good pick.
The cliffhanger left me enraged, with my jaw on the ground. Thankfully, Sarah is already working hard on Book 2, so I won't have to wait too long.
Read if You Love:
- An Epic Fantasy World Elves, Dragons, and Dwarves
- Gritty Cottagecore Meets Goddess of War
- A Forbidden Love Spanning Millenia
- Slow Burn Steam to Sizzling Spice
- Dual POV, Dual TImeline
- Witty Banter
- Soul Deep Yearning
- Enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to...
- He is Soft for Her
- The Queen Gets the Villian
- Forced Proximity (One Farm, One Bed, One Horse)
- "I Had Nowhere Else to Go"
Thank you to The Nerd Fam, NetGalley, and Sarah Lee Wohn for this eARC! All opinions expressed are mine.
Publishing: 9/3/2025
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Pages: 696
This is great for fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Star Wars, Gild, The Cruel Prince, and When the Moon Hatched!
"You are the only good thing that has ever happened to me in my entire existence..."
This is one of my favorite epic fantasies of the year! Baradaz "Rada", the Goddess of Light/Queen of Aron- Lyr, and Belekoroz "Noctis", the God of Darkness, are something else. She is light and he is dark, yet they are completely drawn to each other, for better or worse. If you can yearn, desire, and crave a person after millennia, then you are fated for sure. Especially if you are willing to bring the end if the world to be with them. These characters made me so mad many times, but I still wanted them to be together. And that's not even the full lore of these two and this world! So much happens, it's borderline a full-on opera drama.
A little on my boy, Noctis: To me, he is a merge of Kylo Ren (Star Wars) and Loki (Marvel), which are some of my favorite morally grey/villain movie crushes. If that is your book boyfriend vibe, you will love him!
This is the type of book that stayed with me after I put it down every night. I kept coming up with theories on who could be the villain, and what would happen next. If you want to get lost and immersed in another world and feel so many feelings, this is a good pick.
The cliffhanger left me enraged, with my jaw on the ground. Thankfully, Sarah is already working hard on Book 2, so I won't have to wait too long.
Read if You Love:
- An Epic Fantasy World Elves, Dragons, and Dwarves
- Gritty Cottagecore Meets Goddess of War
- A Forbidden Love Spanning Millenia
- Slow Burn Steam to Sizzling Spice
- Dual POV, Dual TImeline
- Witty Banter
- Soul Deep Yearning
- Enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to...
- He is Soft for Her
- The Queen Gets the Villian
- Forced Proximity (One Farm, One Bed, One Horse)
- "I Had Nowhere Else to Go"
Thank you to The Nerd Fam, NetGalley, and Sarah Lee Wohn for this eARC! All opinions expressed are mine.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a fun YA romantasy summer read!
It’s a debut for the author, Mikayla Bridge. Very light hearted, action-packed, and original story. I loved the topic of phoenix racing. This is what drew me in to read the book in the first place. I think I needed a change of pace from dragons, and this was similar yet different enough to satisfy my need to something new. The phoenix racing is akin to if horse racing and F1 racing had a baby. Very fun and accelerating.
I don’t get to say this often, but the characters were so fun and lovable. I loved their innocence, but still a very fiery bunch that kept me on my toes. They were just very enjoyable to curl up with at the end of the day. A true sense of found family with this crew of teens, and I felt like a Howler as I read as well. I also loved our non-brooding, cocky MMC, Warren “Coup”. I also have been reading too many broody leads lately and he was just the right fix of sunny golden retriever energy that I needed. While I loved our FMC, Kel, I would say, Savita, her phoenix, stole the show. I loved every moment with her, and missed her dearly when she wasn’t on the page.
Definitely pick it up! It’s compared to a Fourth Wing meets Iron Widow. I really think it had a vibe of its own though. It’s also marketed as an enemies-to-lovers, but I got more reluctant teammates, maybe even rivals, vibes from Coup and Kel than enemies. Plus it all starts with some fake dating! Very entertaining. As a YA, it’s pretty closed door, but I love that every once in a while too. The sweetness in the romance is so rewarding.
We were left with a great cliffhanger to pick up from in Book 2! I’ll definitely be looking forward to continuing with the series.
I loved immersive reading the ARC with the ALC. Safiyya Ingar did a fantastic job verbally bringing this world to life. There were many characters she plays and she gave each their own flavor and spirit.
I loved immersive reading the ARC with the ALC. Safiyya Ingar did a fantastic job verbally bringing this world to life. There were many characters she plays and she gave each their own flavor and spirit.
Thank you NetGalley, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for my ARC, and Macmillan Audio for my ALC.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Terror at the Gates was a little different than what I initially expected it to be. I was hoping it would lean more into the urban fantasy, neo-noir, mafia vibes, but a lot of it was spent on religious trauma and commentary than I like, pulling me out of the story often.
My favorite part of this novel was the relationship between Lilith and Zahariev. The push and pull tension, slow burn-to-toe curling passion, forbidden love was amazing. They are a very fun pairing. Very “touch her and die” and Zahariev means it.
I also loved the gritty, dark, dangerous city setting very much. Niveveh embodies the neo-noir aspects of the story and gives it the perfect backdrop.
I also found the fantasy and magical aspects of the sex/desire magic, witches, and the magical blade so interesting. I wish more time would have been spent unraveling this portion of the story. It would have been far more intriguing.
The plot is very clunky and confusing. I think there were too many subplots going on. We should have followed one and it would have been great. We also do not get the background stories for any of the relationships Lilith has which is a bit disorienting. I would love to know how she met and became close friends with characters like Coco and Ester.
The commentary of female rage and oppression of women in certain denominations of Christianity is fair. It seems that Catholicism is the inspiration for this world’s religion and I can understand the frustrations that Lilith is going through.
But the mix of religion in the fantasy aspects was very off putting for me. I don’t mind commentary, positive or negative, but it seemed to make a mockery of God in some moments and that is not for me. I do not plan to continue reading this series for this reason. I simply prefer my fantasy reads to be complete escapism and this book kept bringing me back to real world frameworks too much for my taste.
I did enjoy the narration by Laura Horowitz and Tristan Warden. At moments, it felt a little cartoony for the voices created for the side characters. But overall it worked to create the vibes for the story.
Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for my ALC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. Ciccarelli did it again. Another book I finished in two days. Magic.
This duology holds a very special place in my heart. In the midst of adulting craziness, it reminded me I can still devour books like I did when I was young. I can get swept up in a story and feel completely immersed in it.
Read these two books. Just do it. It’s intoxicating. I still want more. I may draft an email requesting it! Haha.
This duology holds a very special place in my heart. In the midst of adulting craziness, it reminded me I can still devour books like I did when I was young. I can get swept up in a story and feel completely immersed in it.
Read these two books. Just do it. It’s intoxicating. I still want more. I may draft an email requesting it! Haha.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finished this book in TWO days. I can’t remember the last time I did that. Wow. This was a well earned five stars. Second if the year for me.
No notes. Perfect true enemies to lovers. Excellent pacing. Butterfly-inducing banter. Lots of cat and mousing. Lovable well-written characters. Just loved everything about this book.
Honestly chef’s kiss.
And a huge standing ovation to Grace Gray! What excellent narrating. The best audiobook I’ve heard in a while. Gray really gave her best acting, especially as Rune. I truly could feel every emotion in her voice.
Can’t wait to devour Rebel Witch!
No notes. Perfect true enemies to lovers. Excellent pacing. Butterfly-inducing banter. Lots of cat and mousing. Lovable well-written characters. Just loved everything about this book.
Honestly chef’s kiss.
And a huge standing ovation to Grace Gray! What excellent narrating. The best audiobook I’ve heard in a while. Gray really gave her best acting, especially as Rune. I truly could feel every emotion in her voice.
Can’t wait to devour Rebel Witch!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
100% Mark - Overall, the premise of this book is really interesting. Everything that happens to Lilith is objectively really cool, from her powerful mana (magic system), to her going to the academy, to the people she meets, the adventures she goes on, and the world setting. This has really good bones and if we can fix some things in Book 2, we have a good series.
I, along with my fellow Nerd Fam readers, struggled with the writing style. I speculated this has to do with English not being the author's first language. She indirectly alludes to this in her Acknowledgments. I may be reading into this wrong, but either way it was a tough read. Though if I am right, I truly commend the author for venturing to write a book in a second language. That's hardcore.
I also struggled with our FMC, Lilith. Her character was inconstant. I never really left like I fully understood what she wanted and what her goals were throughout. They were changing depending on who she was interacting with.
The cliffhanger made me sad honestly haha. I will read Book 2, but I fear I lost a character I really liked and I'm really bummed about that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
51% Mark - This is such a fantastic dark fantasy romance so far! I'm really enjoying arc reading Scheirer's debut novel. It a unique magic system, and it is set in a school location where the students are learning to develop their magic. It has hints of Shadow & Bone with concept like the Void and dark creature that maul people. There is also political intrigue mixed in with royals. There is also an inclining of a romance to come. So far the bread comes have been delicious. I need more NOW! Heading back to reading. Must finish ASAP.
Go support this book! It is available TODAY for purchase on paperback, Kindle, and KU!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #boundbyrunes #thenerdfam
I, along with my fellow Nerd Fam readers, struggled with the writing style. I speculated this has to do with English not being the author's first language. She indirectly alludes to this in her Acknowledgments. I may be reading into this wrong, but either way it was a tough read. Though if I am right, I truly commend the author for venturing to write a book in a second language. That's hardcore.
I also struggled with our FMC, Lilith. Her character was inconstant. I never really left like I fully understood what she wanted and what her goals were throughout. They were changing depending on who she was interacting with.
The cliffhanger made me sad honestly haha. I will read Book 2, but I fear I lost a character I really liked and I'm really bummed about that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
51% Mark - This is such a fantastic dark fantasy romance so far! I'm really enjoying arc reading Scheirer's debut novel. It a unique magic system, and it is set in a school location where the students are learning to develop their magic. It has hints of Shadow & Bone with concept like the Void and dark creature that maul people. There is also political intrigue mixed in with royals. There is also an inclining of a romance to come. So far the bread comes have been delicious. I need more NOW! Heading back to reading. Must finish ASAP.
Go support this book! It is available TODAY for purchase on paperback, Kindle, and KU!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #boundbyrunes #thenerdfam
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“This is where we always end up, Aya love. You with a knife to my throat.”
This was one of my more unique reads. Not only was this series a new one to me, but I read it alongside the author and some of her biggest fans. It was so fun to hear the author’s thoughts and reactions to us reading her book. We got lots of insider tidbits as we read it together.
Overall, I flew through this book! It was addicting, intriguing, and bingeable.
I enjoyed the MMC, Will, the most. He was sensitive, emotional, but still very masculine, confident/cocky, and flirty. Very capable and he gets the job done.
The romance was a top seller for me. The slowest of burns and enemies-to-lovers. A winning combo! I really enjoyed all their moments of breaking past their hate for each other and finally admitting their feelings. These two gave me so much whiplash from going hot and cold on each other.
There is a lot of political intrigues mixed in with prophesy and magic. The magic system is intricate and unique. I really enjoyed learning about everyone’s powers.
What You Will Find:
🔥New Adult Romantasy
✨Enemies-to-Lovers
🔪Knife to Throat
🔥Slow Burn
✨Magic & Prophecy
🔪Forced Proximity
🔥Morally Grey Characters
✨Chosen One
🔪He Falls First
🔥Touch Her/Him and Die
✨Political Intrigue
🔪Reluctant Allies
This was one of my more unique reads. Not only was this series a new one to me, but I read it alongside the author and some of her biggest fans. It was so fun to hear the author’s thoughts and reactions to us reading her book. We got lots of insider tidbits as we read it together.
Overall, I flew through this book! It was addicting, intriguing, and bingeable.
I enjoyed the MMC, Will, the most. He was sensitive, emotional, but still very masculine, confident/cocky, and flirty. Very capable and he gets the job done.
The romance was a top seller for me. The slowest of burns and enemies-to-lovers. A winning combo! I really enjoyed all their moments of breaking past their hate for each other and finally admitting their feelings. These two gave me so much whiplash from going hot and cold on each other.
There is a lot of political intrigues mixed in with prophesy and magic. The magic system is intricate and unique. I really enjoyed learning about everyone’s powers.
What You Will Find:
🔥New Adult Romantasy
✨Enemies-to-Lovers
🔪Knife to Throat
🔥Slow Burn
✨Magic & Prophecy
🔪Forced Proximity
🔥Morally Grey Characters
✨Chosen One
🔪He Falls First
🔥Touch Her/Him and Die
✨Political Intrigue
🔪Reluctant Allies
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a fun read for me! I came in knowing all the controversy surrounding this book (incorrect marketing, not enough substance, mysterious pen author, etc), so I felt I was entering with a good headspace for what I was getting.
I would recommend the audiobook. I really enjoyed narrator, Amanda Dolan's, work. She did fantastic.
I personally didn’t need it to be overtly political to satisfy it being a dystopian book. That is better suited found somewhere else. It definitely leaned more into the romance and action aspects, but we may get more political in Book 2 and 3.
Overall, it is an easy, fun read. So easy I was able to put it up to 2.75 speed and still follow along. I enjoyed it for what it was. Actually, I really loved it and it helped it was my book club read. Much more fun to read with others than by yourself. Emily Fox on Fable said it “was a potato chip. Enjoyable and entertaining”, and honestly that pretty much sums it up. A very yummy potato chip.
Can’t wait for Book 2! I better be on that ARC team next time haha.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. This was a dreamy, lyrical, gothic read. It was like a written painting now etched into my brain. I felt like I was drowning in Aisling’s fetid flowery waters each time I read, completely engrossed in this world, dreaming.
Dear me, Bartholomew. You have written another masterpiece. Wow. This book was a true five star read. My first of 2025. Thank you!
Lovable characters. Gorgeous setting. Gripping plot. Beautiful themes. Personal enjoyment through the roof.
I wish I could read it again for the first time. I’m so glad I did immersion reading for this book: audio and ebook. It helped tuck me in further into this magical story. For that, I also thank Samantha Hydeson. Wonderful job bringing this book to life with your voice. Magnificent.
What you will find:
🦋Gothic Romantic Fantasy
🖤Atmospheric and Eerie Setting
🦋Fantastic World Building
🖤Funny Characters (Oh Gargoyle! 🤍)
🦋Witty and Tension-Filled Banter
🖤Perfectly Romantic
🦋Flawless Pacing
🖤Intriguing and Engaging Magic System