Ridley Aris
I received an ARC of What We Can Know from NetGalley. All feedback and opinions expressed are my own.
Where to start? This book was extremely challenging for me on several levels. The first being the formatting. The flow and structuring of sentences where certain things were bolded, where the break in the sentence moved to another line at the start of a new paragraph, etc., put me off from the beginning. I found myself having to go back and re-read to make sure I didn't miss something. The second being the narration/povs. It was like being on the outside looking in on someone's paraphrased recounting of events but the paraphrasing was being presented as a dissertation. It was a struggle to get through the first half of this book and by that point I feel I just wasn't invested.
While I appreciate the opportunity to read this story as an ARC, I struggled to connect with it and appreciate the story for what it is.
I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Honestly, I loved this book. As someone who enjoys cozy fantasy and cozy stories, especially between epic/high fantasy series, this was such a welcomed surprise. Another reviewer said that this is a recommendation for fans of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and Emily Wilde, which I fully agree with. Unlike most stories where our MC is a villain, Violet is a former villain, trying to atone for her deeds and forge a new life of good...but, nothing is ever that cut and dry and we'll just say perspective is everything. While a cozy story, there is some spice but it is pretty tame all things considered. The character development, struggles and ultimate relationships built throughout our FMC's road to redemption are kept me interested and entertained This was my first title by Emily Krempholtz but it will not be my last. If you're looking for a cozy read with witches, found family, redemption, life reboots, etc., then pick this one up!
I received an ARC of The Witch of Wall Street from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Witch of Wall Street is a cute, cozy fantasy with witches and magic woven into the corporate world. Add tropes like he falls first, golden energy, enemies to lovers, etc., and you have a pretty typical fantasy rom. What sets it apart is its world-building and the characters. One character's magic is chaotic while the other is very controlled, and they have to work together for a common purpose while navigating the opposites-attract pitfalls our long-time rivals encounter.
Although this story has a fast-paced plot, the pace of the overall story is enjoyable and engaging.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
How best to describe this book? Think The Prince & Me meets Red, White & Royal Blue. This book is on point with the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the banter between our MMCs is fantastic. Too often, the banter and/or the angst takes too long to build without a payout, but I didn't feel that way with The Prince and the Player, as the story's pace was quick. My only criticism of the MMCs is that while the banter was good, Farron skipped straight past brooding and was just aggressively angry the entire story, and there was no actual development of a relationship other than going from enemies right to lovers. Most enemies-to-lovers tropes have a period where a relationship starts to form before the eventual realization that feelings are involved.
As an aside, the cover irks me slightly. The characters depicted on the cover are reversed from how they are described in the story...
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It was also my first introduction to Nora Phoenix, and I look forward to reading more from the author.
I received an ARC of Once Upon You and Me from NetGalley and Harlequin; All opinions are my own.
The story behind Once Upon a Time You and Me is cute, fluffy, etc. Kind of your typical age-gap romance (our MMCs are 13 years apart). Nothing sticks out about the story as far as new or groundbreaking, but I did appreciate the representation of Bi, ADHD, Burly MMC, etc. That said, there are a couple of things that fell flat for me:
First, our ex-wife character. audible groan
Secondly, some of the ADHD representation gave me the ick a bit. Points for trying, but some of the scenarios felt like they were used for comedic relief instead of representing the impactfulness they can/do have IRL.
I don't know that I would market this as “spicy.” There is some spicy content, but it is kind of tame, considering other books in spicy genres. Overall, this is a cute story and is a decent cozy read if you're looking for a queer representation book.
Thank you to S.W. Kent for being chosen as one of his ARC readers.
I loved everything about this story. Not only is it fantasy, my favorite genre, but there is something and someone here for everyone to enjoy and relate to (more on that in a bit). Unlike most fantasy novels, which have magic systems and world-building that can leave you feeling burnt out from just trying to keep up, The Storyteller from Balincia has an original magic system that lends itself to the story's originality while being easy to follow. The world-building is masterfully done and is captivating, crafting an incredibly detailed world for not only our characters but for us as readers. The attention to detail to create such rich histories, lores, etc., is not something you typically get in book one of a series.
The story's pace was enjoyable and delivered intentionally without filler. The introduction of the characters and their dynamics with each other just made the story that much more seamless. The Storyteller from Balincia must be the most diverse and inclusive read I have experienced in quite a while. The author brought in multiple races, body types, colors, sexual orientations, genders, non-binary, etc., which go beyond typical fantasy archetypes. Despite being so diverse, the acceptance and cooperation between these characters is a breath of fresh air and a much-welcomed change and captures the found family trope well.
If you are looking for your next epic fantasy read, and want a story that has relatable characters, a MM romance, found family, diversity, and tons more...The Storyteller from Balincia is a must-add to your TBR.
I received and ALC of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
I loved this book. The plot, while magically, is still very relatable in how we deal with pain and the pain of love/loss. There is no complicated world building, an easy to follow magic systems and overall the story is very reminiscent of Encanto meets Practical Magic...which are both vibes I enjoy.
The story and its pace were perfect for me. The narrator was also very enjoyable to listen to.
I would highly recommend this book/audiobook to anyone looking for a story about love and family.
I received this audiobook as an ALC from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Let's start with the good: I have not listened to anything narrated by Michael Crouch before but I did enjoy his narration of The Prince's Heart. This story was lighthearted and an easy read.
Where this story misses the mark:
First, its marketing. The comparison between the Red Queen and Throne of Glass could not be less accurate. There is nothing high adventure, high stakes in this book. Sure, there is plot and while we have themes like arranged marriages, countries on the proverbial brink, etc...there is nothing really overly dramatic or action packed.
Secondly, the love interest between our two main characters is more of a love at first sight with zero substance arrangement. There is barely any development in the characters or their relationship. For those of you wondering... the relationship from the start of the book through the epilogue is about as spicy as mayo. While I do appreciate the queer representation, the “I love you” “I love you too” “we can't be together” “Ok” “I love you” feels like it could have been much more well thought out.
Third, the romance is not the only slow burn for this book. The plot development and story line are difficult to stick with and while you can pick up on what's happening, it takes way too long to get there. If had read this book vs listened to it, I would have absolutely DNF'd. The three stars is absolutely for the audio narration because it improved the overall experience of this story.
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Where to start? This story was a huge detour from my normal genres, but as a food lover I thought I would give it a try. The story itself is very unique in that our MC can sense ghosts, but only by way of their favorite food from when they were alive which floods his mouth when they are near. That connection evolves over time and he uses it bring closure to others who have lost loved ones.
While I am a fan of food, I struggled a bit with some of the descriptions. The book is worth the read since it is such an original concept and I am grateful to have been able to obtain a ARC. My only other feedback is that while the story had lots of interesting facets, it did seem to drag a bit in places.
I received an ALC of Our Infinite Fates from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this story but I had much higher expectations for it based on the description. The writing is beautiful, but for a story about fated mates intertwined over a thousand years the only real feelings you get for 70-75% of the book is hatred and longing. It isn't until around 75-80% when you find out what caused our two MCs to be fated to love and kill each other forever. I will say, the twist of the how/why it happened, was really enjoyable for me. Especially with the perspective it gave our MCs after so many lifetimes once it was understood.
Another thing I enjoyed is that the timeline jumped around to different time periods and places in our MCs history, revealing what their lives were like, how they found each other and their loved ones, what they endured through time, etc.
All in all a good story and I would one that I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fated mates/reincarnation tropes.
I received this book as an ARC.
The overall premise of the book is good, though there are several things which make it challenging to get through.
First, the story itself has a strange mixture of falling flat while introducing additional confusion since the descriptions leads you to believe it is from a single POV and then you find out there are multiple.
There is world building and a lot of details to set up an epic fantasy; however, it almost seems like the entire book is to lay the foundational world building and to get you to book two. Which I totally understand is how a series builds, but usually the first book gets the basics of the story, characters, world and starts the main plot then ends on a cliff hanger. A lot of this book felt confusing or disjointed, almost like it should have been a prequel novella VS a standalone intro to the series.
There are some great themes throughout and I think there is a great potential for the story in book two. I will be interested to see how the author continues the series.
I received this book as an ARC
This was an unexpected find but I was intrigued by the premise of an ancient Egyptian themed story. The challenges.... As with most books that start a fantasy series, the world building is a lot and makes the progression of the story very slow at points. It was able to keep my interest but I kept asking myself when we were going to really get going especially considering this is a YA book at about 500+ pages.
That said, once the story did get going I really enjoyed the mythology, the magic, etc. You can absolutely tell the author has a deep connection to Egyptian history/culture and tried to create an amazing fantasy world. I was also surprised by some of the gore which was welcomed, just not something you usually find in a YA.
All in all I think this book is a great start to the series and sets up the next book. I'm intrigued to see where the author takes the story and our characters next!
I received an ARC copy of this book
Where to start? This YA fantasy duo is an absolutely fantastic combination. The story itself is incredible, the world building is great and yet not too much, minimal romance (because, it is a YA novel...). If you're a fan of fantasy books and looking for something new, or to get you out of a reading slump, I would highly recommend picking this up and giving it a go. You will not be disappointed.
Kate's Solstice Witch series was my first ARC, and I have been privileged to receive an ARC for each book in the series.
The Solstice Witch Series is one of my favorite urban fantasy series, and each book gets better. Alchemy is the 4th in the series and continues to follow Lenna on her magical journey as a witch and fae. Aside from navigating the ever-complex love triangle, she has been involved in; she is also gearing up to face the vampire king, which we have all been waiting for throughout the series.
Alchemy is the perfect close to the Solstice Witch series with the right amount of spice, plot twists, and character development. As with Kate's other books, the world-building is excellent and not complex. You don't end up with high-stakes fantasy burnout, and the magic systems are easy to follow. I highly recommend the entire series, but Alchemy is the perfect ending you want in a well-thought-out series.
This was my first book my C.G. Drews, but I requested an ARC from NetGalley bc of the anticipation and feedback I'd seen on TikTok. Needless to say, it did not disappoint.
I don't read too many paranormal/monster stories, but this one was told just right with the perfect amount of suspense and coupled with a slow burn love story. This book was an easy read, which I devoured in one sitting.
I will definitely be checking out more titles from this author in the future.
I had such high hopes...
Let me start by saying I read and listened to this book. I wanted to like it, but it is trying entirely too hard. The writing style seems to be all over, the dialogue was kind of cringy jumping from one extreme of a Lara Croft type FMC character to a love sick heroine calling the MMC “baby.” The spice? About as spicy as mayo. At one point I actually realized I rolled my eyes as our FMC is saying she is barely familiar with Aramaic and then in the next sentence has miraculously translated an entire paragraph of scripture she didn't know and also miraculously just remembered perfectly. This story had a lot of build up for what seemed to be a rushed delivery to end on a cliffhanger.
I have mixed feelings about this origin story. I love Storm, but reading this was very similar to watching X-Men: Apocalypse. While I understand origin stories have similarities, I felt like there were several liberties in this version that painted a very different picture and deviated. I wasn't looking for an exact retelling, but some of our heroine's demeanor didn't feel right. Overall, enjoyable and I would recommend for an entertaining read.
I was given a copy of this book as an ARC and it is the first introduction i have to the author and the series.
I enjoyed the fact that there is a recap to get a reader up to speed to continue with the story, and while I'm sure there is entirely more context by reading the first book in the series, the recap feels sufficient to step right into book two with minimal disconnects.
This story is a psychological thriller, and has a lot of twists and turns as you would expect. While there are many original elements to the story and characters, a thriller with a main character who has amnesia and needs to remember their past is not one of them. I did appreciate that the author took the time to thoroughly research the condition to make her story as factually accurate though. That said, the pace was good, but the writing style was a little different for me and was a little hard to follow at certain points. An example of this would be a character does something like turns a car into a parking lot, then the story jumps to give background that at one time said character was offered employment with the establishment that the parking lot belongs to but they declined the offer, and the immediate next line is unrelated to the blurb. There's a few instances like this where the positioning of information, while potentially valuable knowledge, just seems disjointed or doesn't flow well IMO.
Overall, the story was enjoyable, builds up to a cliffhanger and leaves readers primed for the next book in the series.
I'm 3 books into the TOG series and have been loving it. Everything about this series has started off strong and amazing...until now. Heir of Fire was entirely too long. So many words to say nothing or to be used as filler. I felt like I was re-reading ACOTAR for the first time.
I love where the story is going, I love the character development, but why for the love does SJM crank out several amazing books and then one curveball that could have been 40% shorter and still got you there.
First, let me say that this was an ARC and my first book by the author. I have read other MM stories, so I was pleasantly surprised that this book didn't have many of the familiar plot holes and typical content you find within the space.
The story is enjoyable, the characters are relatable (and likable) without trying too hard, and it brings freshness to MM characters/storylines. It is nice to see another side of the MM writing world and one that I would happily delve into again in future stories/series.
I also love the undertones of gaming (regardless of platform/avenue) as it is not something widely represented within the community, nor is the sugar and
I was given Berja as an ARC, and what a way to start 2024.
While this story was outside my normal genre I was intrigued to read it based on the description.
The storytelling behind Berja is like being quietly invited to sit and listen to an ancient retelling passed down between generations. The writing is fantastic and immersive, giving readers the feeling of being in the now and experiencing what the FMC is going through.
The world-building and overall story are easy to follow even upon entering the story, as our FMC is already in a tough spot. I also enjoyed the nods to Norse Gods and lessons of being careful about what you wish for and who you trust, as not everyone's intentions are as pure as yours.
Merged review:
I was given Berja as an ARC, and what a way to start 2024.
While this story was outside my normal genre I was intrigued to read it based on the description.
The storytelling behind Berja is like being quietly invited to sit and listen to an ancient retelling passed down between generations. The writing is fantastic and immersive, giving readers the feeling of being in the now and experiencing what the FMC is going through.
The world-building and overall story are easy to follow even upon entering the story, as our FMC is already in a tough spot. I also enjoyed the nods to Norse Gods and lessons of being careful about what you wish for and who you trust, as not everyone's intentions are as pure as yours.
The author provided this book to me in exchange for an unbiased review. First, I was given the ability to choose which books I would like to receive and review. Cowboy Bebop meets the Witcher? Sold.
Secondly, the 5-star reviews weren't wrong. Until the Shadow Blades Chronicles, I hadn't read anything by Patrick Dugan. Now that I have, though, I am a fan. One of the most challenging things about reading fantasy books is trying to keep up with the world-building and magic systems. The Ashen Orb Bounty starts immediately in the story. It builds the world and magic around the reader, making it easy to digest since you learn as you go. Why is this good? Two-fold, really, it prevents you from reading several chapters of background to get the world-building before you understand anything while eliminating the burnout you get from overly complex storylines.
The story feels like Cowboy Bebop, Witcher, and Dungeons and Dragons. I loved learning about the Shadow Blades but also learning about each of the team members, what role they played, and how they all got along (or didn't).
While this story has a fantastic amount of detail and leaves you on a quasi-cliffhanger, it is an effortless read that goes quickly. I look forward to seeing what Book 2 has for our Shadow Blades.
The author provided this book to me in exchange for an unbiased review.
The Dragon's Wrath Bounty (Shadow Blades Chronicles, Book 2) picks up where The Ashen Orb Bounty leaves off. Our Shadow Blades, having been successful in their mission, are trying to collect their payment. However, no good deed goes unpunished as our Shadow Blades's previous successes, despite the odds, find them in a precarious situation that looks to exploit their skills and services once again.
Book 2 introduces us to new insights into the Shadow Blades's dynamics and relationships, the potential loss (or replacement) of a character from Book 1, and, to complicate things more, a dragon.
The author once again does a fantastic job of weaving his story and intertwining tons of details into an effortless read. The writing style, pace, etc., feels precisely like a continuation from Book 1 instead of a separate book in the same series as some authors tend to do. The Dragon's Wrath Bounty ends on another quasi-cliffhanger, stirring anticipation for the continuation of the story.
I was given an ARC of Kingdom of Ash and Bones in exchange for an honest review.
I had high hopes for the sequel and was intrigued how it would fare compared to the first book, however; I agree with the other ARC reviews that this story is lacking.
First, let's talk length. Kingdom of Ash and Bones is 55 pages shorter in length than the first book. While that wouldn't necessarily be a huge issue and sequels tend to either be shorter or longer than the flagship novel, there is entirely too many plots/storylines crammed into this book to sufficiently tie them all up considering the majority of the fight, etc., starts about 50-60% in. The pace of the entire book feels very rushed and just jumps from thought to thought without really answering any of the existing questions, but whilst also introducing more. When you do get closure on a storyline, it is overly simplistic. There is this looming build up and then very simply “they died, we buried them. Next.”
Secondly, this book clocks in at 209 pages but the author's use of repetitive words/phrases and dialogue does nothing for the story/context. This isn't limited to a certain part of the book, but rather is in every chapter, on most pages which seems more like filler text than anything else.
Third, the building conflict from book 1 through book two, leading to the final battle, is entirely anticlimactic. Spoiler: Our MFC basically wins the battle based on a technicality by “booping the snoot” of the queen. From there, everything literally just solves itself. Our Main Characters move on to allow the kingdom to heal, then there's Drakens, and finally the story ends on basically an announcement of the Draken Rising series.
Due to the aforementioned items, and also some other ones I haven't shared, this book falls flat as a highly anticipated sequel and reads more as a feral novella that hasn't quite decided what it wants to be when it grows up.