REVIEW - Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

The Book

Release Date: 2 September 2014

Goodreads Link

'One of the best fantasy book series of the past decade' TIME

The heir of ash and fire bows to no one.

A new threat rises in the third book in the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.

Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak, but now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth. That truth could change her life - and her future - forever.

Meanwhile, monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena will need the strength not only to fight the evil that is about to be unleashed but also to harness her inner demons. If she is to win this battle, she must find the courage to face her destiny - and burn brighter than ever before.

The third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series continues Celaena's epic journey from woman to warrior.

My Review    5 STARS

So much action!

There is so much that happens in this book.  We have Celaenas updates along with updates from Chaol, Dorian and three other characters.

Each update keeps us a breast of their part in the story.  How the fair, what they have to do and the secrets they hold along with their struggles.

There is so much action, plots revealed, treason, strength as alliances form and sadness and pain as truths are revealed and/or finally accepted.

I really enjoyed this book and although it did not leave on a cliff hangar, i cannot wait to see what happens with these characters.

REVIEW - Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

The Book

Release Date: 15 August 2013

Goodreads Link

She is the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But does she have the heart of a killer?

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. But Calaena is far from loyal to the crown. Keeping up the charade - while pretending to do the king's bidding - will test her skills in an entirely new way. And it certainly isn't the only point of confusion for the young girl. Because though she's made her choice between Dorian and Chaol, the ways of the heart are never simple...

My Review   5 STARS

This is the second book in the series and it cannot be read out of order in the series or you will miss vital information.

Celaena has secrets. But her friends have their own secrets too. What happens when some of these secrets spill out and when one friend is taken from her completely.

Celaena navigates her job as the royal assassin and helping her cause, but when tragedy strikes, it forces Celaena to rethink her values, to step and and fight for a cause bigger than just her and to open up more with Dorian and Chaol.

I really enjoyed this book, even though it ended on a big exposure, which i had already guessed, but i am glad that i already have the next book in the series to see what happens next.

REVIEW - Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas

The Book

Release Date: 7 August 2012

Goodreads Link

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

My Review   5 STARS

I the first book of the series we find our FMC in a salt mine where she has been for a year and she is being escorted by guards to see where her fate will take her that day.

We meet both Chaol the Captain of the Kings guards and Crown Prince Dorian who both feature a lot in this book and both develop feeling for Celaena.  Celaena is morally grey, an assassin and in pain from betrayal and the death of her friend and slightly more Sam.

Celaena is taken from the Mine's to be the Princes chosen entry to become the Kings Assassin, but it ends up being so much more.

We meet another Princess in Nehemia and we also have a support for Celaena with her servant Philippa.

Again Celaena shows us her strength, not only in body, but of will and of mind and also how clever she is.  She is certainly not a character to be messed with, but when she loves. or makes friends she protects them and will do ANYTHING to protect them.

I really enjoyed this book and an really looking forward to the rest of this series.

REVIEW - The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J Maas

The Book

Release Date: 4 March 2014

Goodreads Link

Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no-one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam.

When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes—and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn's orders, Celaena risks unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn's clutches—and if they fail, they'll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives...

A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers listeners a deeper look into the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling—and deadly—world.

Included in this volume:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire

My Review   5 STARS

This book has 5 short novellas to introduce us into the Throne of Glass Series and to Celaena's past before we dig into the first book.

These stories give us a glimpse of what type of character she is and some of the things she has been through in order to be who she is and where she is at the beginning of the book.

I really recommend reading this book first to help give you a better context at some of the people mentioned and why Celaena is as strong as she is.

I really enjoyed these stories and am really looking forward to reading this series.

REVIEW - God of Malice (Legacy of Gods #1) by Rina Kent

The Book

Release Date: 14 Jul 2022

Goodreads Link

I caught the attention of a monster.
I didn’t ask for it.
Didn’t even see it coming.
But the moment I do, it’s too late.
Killian Carson is a predator wrapped in sophisticated charm.
He’s cold-blooded, manipulative, and savage.
The worst part is that no one sees his devil side.
I do.
And that will cost me everything.
I run, but the thing about monsters?
They always chase.

This book is not a conventional romance and contains themes that aren't to everyone's liking. Please check the author's note before reading.

My Review     5 STARS

This is the first book that I have read by this author and it is certainly one of the dark books that I have read.  I can certainly see that if a darker more morally grey man is not your thing that some would have issues with this type of book.

Glyndon is struggling with the death of her friend Devlin she watched as his car went over the end of the cliffs.  She is there at the cliffs one night months after when she first meets Killian.

Killian is a much darker type of human, much darker than one of her twin brothers Landon who has a darkness within him.  Killian embraces his darker side and pushes at Glyndon the very first time he meets her.  He is himself with her and it both scares and excites her.

It this book we see family relationships that are certainly flawed, strong friend groups and alpha males who protect not only their friends, but those that they believe belong to them.

It takes very little for Killian to find that he is interested by Glyndon in a way that he has never been interested in a female before.  He therefore makes up his mind that she is his and does not take no for an answer.

I did like the complex web of relationships, the almost surprise twist near the end and knowing that most of these characters will get their own books.  I have not read the books about the parents, but will probably go back and read these at some point.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

REVIEW - The Bride of Atlantis: An epic romantic fantasy (Shadows of Olympus #2) by Maya Gryffin

The Book

Release Date: 18 November 2024

Goodreads Link

At last, winter is lifting...  

In the high mountain passes of Ancient Greece, the mortal Psyche and her lover, the fallen god Eros, are waiting out the unnatural heavy snows. The seasons are out of kilter: the gods are angry... and with good reason. Psyche has a mysterious weapon in her possession: an adamantine blade capable of killing a god. Because of it, Eros has been expelled from Olympus, and the gods are looking for them both. Now, as Eros's divine powers start to wane, it's all he can do to keep them both safe. 

When the gods are at your back, where can you hide?  

Eros and Psyche decide to journey to the infamous isle of Atlantis, a place where the gods once walked, and where now, a tyrannical king keeps the island nation in his grip. Eros hopes to find his father, the war-god Ares. Psyche, too, has reason to believe she might be reunited with her family on Atlantis, where many refugees have traveled. But when the two reach the fabled island, although it is as lush and beautiful as the legends say, it holds dangers they could never have imagined. And when Psyche is reunited with her family, it's under the strangest circumstances imaginable. The further Atlantis draws them under its spell, the clearer it will become that nothing is what it seems. Will promises of his former glory draw Eros away from her for good? As the world seeks to divide them, rebellion foments outside the castle walls. 

War is coming. 

And soon, to save those she loves most, Psyche will first have to betray them...

My Review    5 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the second book in the series and cannot be read as a stand alone.  The book follows the same characters and the story would not follow the relationships between the characters.

Eros and Psyche are married.  They are journeying to Atlantis, where Psyche believes that her father and sister have gone, banished before the earthquake ruined their village.  The pair bond close with their travels and Eros's horse Ajax accompanies them.

Entering Atlantis is difficult however as the new King has stopped outsiders from entering on all counts.

When they finally arrive at Atlantis though, things are rocky, not only between the families, but between Psyche and Eros.  Psyche feels things are not what they seem, while Eros seems almost oblivious to what is going on.  

We get a few answers to questions we want answering, but in the end we have more questions that need answering as we can only guess the answers to.

I love the characters development and the world building that the author has created, especially with the downfall of Atlantis and why it falls.

I am really enjoying this series, and really look forward to book three.

REVIEW - Phantasma (Wicked Games #1) by Kaylie Smith

The Book

Release Date: 3 September 2024

Goodreads link

Welcome to Phantasma.

There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.

When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.

Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.

Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.

Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.

Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.

Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart…

A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Caraval in this seductive fantasy adventure. With steamy romance, a sexy morally gray love interest, OCD rep and jaw-dropping twists, Phantasma is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli and Carissa Broadbent.

My Review     5 STARS

I really enjoyed this book, but I could not see any similarity to ACOTAR within the story line.

This a a dark romance with a morally grey MMC and a FMC who gets a little greyer as she goes along the book and she competes in trials that test her.

Loved the OCD aspect of the FMC.  A side of things we usually do not get given with such careful writing that you can see that the writer knows about it herself.

Blackwell was certainly a darker character and I really enjoyed him and the relationship that he forged with Opelia.

Ophelia is a strong  character with her own flaws, but she knew that she had to fight for her sister and many times , for her own life.  

I saw one aspect of the ending fairly quickly, but there was certainly one or two things that I had not seen coming.

I look forward to Genevieve's story and what lies in the darkness for her.

REVIEW - A Court of Mist and Fury: Rhysand's POV by Illyrian Tremors

The Book

Release Date: 1 January 2017

Goodreads Link

SPOILERS FOR THE ORIGINAL BOOK BELOW :

ACOMAF Part 1: The House of Beasts (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

The first 13 chapters of ACOMAF told from Rhys's POV. Includes some brief details of his three months without her after he comes home from UtM and some improvised scenes, but most of it concerns his time with Feyre.
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ACOMAF Part 2.1: The House of Wind (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 14-27 of ACOMAF from Rhysand's POV.

Starting with Chapter 14: Rhys brings Feyre to Velaris after saving her from Tamlin's prison in the Spring Court. His inner circle crashes their brief landing in Rhys's townhouse, sending Feyre upstairs. Downstairs, Rhys chats with his family and learns about another temple raid from Azriel.
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ACOMAF Part 2.2: The House of Wind Cont'd (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 28-40 of ACOMAF from Rhys's POV.

Beginning with Rhys and Feyre's return from visiting her sisters, and following through the trip to the Summer Court and the first visit from the mortal queens.
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ACOMAF Part 2.3: The House of Wind Cont'd (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 41-51 of ACOMAF from Rhysand's POV.

Kicking off with Rhys's decision to steal the Veritas and subsequent hesitation over the role Feyre will play if she goes with him to the Court of Nightmares.
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ACOMAF Part 3.1: The House of Mist (Rhys POV) by illyriantremors

Chapters 52-56 of ACOMAF from Rhys's POV.

Starting with his recovery after being shot down by Hybern while Feyre takes time away.

The Book can be found here.

My Review       5 STARS

I am usually not too much of a fan of fan-fiction, however this is so good, you may well forget that this has not been written by Sarah J Mass herself.

In this full length book, you get Rhysand's POV instead of Feyre's for A Court of Mist and Fury.

i is great to get to feel his emotions towards Feyre, his friends and his family. His struggles through his childhood to now and knowing he will be patient as Feyre needs him.

Really enjoyed this book and may well go back and see what else the author has written.

REVIEW - Beacon (Kindled #8) by Claire Kent

The Book

Release Date: 11 October 2024

Goodreads Link

It might have taken ten years for Mack to fall apart, but now he has disappeared.

He's been the heart of our community since Impact, keeping all of us alive in a hostile, unstable world. Now he's been hurt after fighting one too many battles. He's retreated into a massive, dangerous forest to live on his own, and he won't come out.

Mack and I had an on-and-off relationship for years, but it's always been no strings attached. After a toxic marriage, I can't commit to another man until I'm confident I can stand on my own. But some things are more important than the emotional baggage I've always carried. Mack is more important.

And it's time to bring him home.

Beacon is a post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe, and it includes violence and (secondary) character death. It's the eighth and final book in the Kindled series.

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the last book in the series and we finally get Anna and Mack story, characters that have been in many of the previous books and we also get to see many other characters from previous books too.

Mack had been emotionally wounded in the last book after he helped come to the rescue of others and is now licking his wounds in the cabin that Chloe's grandfather had put together in case of an event like impact.

Everyone is worried about Mack and 6 Months later it is Anna that goes to find him hoping to bring him back.  

But Mack is not the man he used to be.It takes patience and being herself that slowly brings him out of his shell, along with his desire to protect Anna.

The pair are semi good about talking to each other and keeping the air clear, however it soon appears that they have strong feelings for each other than they thought, especially when Anna is hurt and when she wants to help Maria and her group help the farmers with the rebel problem.  Mack has to find how the new him will cope.

Although I really did enjoy this book, it fell a little flatter than previous books, but I still did enjoy it and it had a decent amount of spice.

REVIEW - A Shattered Kingdom of Steel (Of Metals and Curses #2) by Renna Ashley

The Book

Release Date: 6 September 2024

Goodreads Link

He’s my mate, or my murderer. That is, if I don’t kill him first.

The former Captain of the High King’s Guard, Lymseia Wynterliff has never been one for politics. But when the High King tasks her with a diplomatic mission forcing her to return home to Illnamoor—the capital of the Steel Court—she begrudgingly accepts. The High King needs someone he can trust, and Lymseia’s the only one for the job.

But all it takes is one ambush to ruin everything. With the blood of her men on her hands, Lymseia has no choice but to go along with her kidnapper’s demands. Only, her enemy isn’t at all who she expects. Her kidnapper, and the one to blame for the ambush, is the one and only heir-apparent to the Silver Court: Asheros Larmanne. Her fated.

Mysterious and cunning, Asheros stands in the way of her duty. He has an agenda of his own, and that sly grin of his only further conceals his intentions. When hostilities rise between the five Courts, threatening to reforge centuries-old alliances, it becomes all too clear that someone is orchestrating the turmoil that’s spreading like wildfire. Maybe, with Asheros’s help, Lymseia can uncover the orchestrator’s identity, and end this before it’s too late.

But if Lymseia’s trust in her captor is misaligned, her kingdom will shatter around her.

A Shattered Kingdom of Steel is the second book in the Of Metals and Curses series, featuring rivals-to-lovers romance, fated mates, forced proximity, and plot twists you’ll never see coming, perfect for readers that enjoy fantasy romance. Each book in the series features one couple, a HEA, and an overarching plot that builds with each installment. Any cliffhangers pertain to the continuing plot, and not the couple's love story. While each book can be read on its own, for the best experience, it is recommended that the series be read in order.

My Review    5 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the second book in the series and starts up where the previous book left off.  I had left off reading this book for a while as I knew that it would be good and i didn't want it to be over so quick.

Lymseia was the High Kings Captain of the guard, but with a new role is more of a diplomat and is travelling to the Steel Court when her convoy is ambushed.

Asheros Larmanne, heir apparent to the Silver court has his reasons for his actions and sooner than you blink they end up on the same page.

We follow the journey of the pair and his companions as they set about finding the previous high kings killer along with navigating feelings for each other, especially when it becomes clear that they are either fated mates or will end up killing each other.

Both a strong characters and i love that Asheros is not afraid of the strong capable character that Lymesia is, his 'Bladesinger'.

There are some great supporting characters and the ongoing story from book one brings you along, giving you some answers to our questions, but also creating new questions we want answered.

I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait the the next book with Myrdin and his assassin.

REVIEW - The Holiday Games by Lili Valente

The Book

Release Date: 25 October 2024

Goodreads Link

My life could have been ripped straight from a Hallmark movie. 

My name is Caroline "Candy" Cane, I own a country inn, date a man who runs a Christmas tree farm, and my mom's peppermint fudge wins first place at the Reindeer Corners' festival every year. Basically, I'm living every romance-loving girlie's small town dream.

Until a last minute trip to New York City leads to catching my boyfriend banging a Rockette (in full elf costume).

So, when I'm offered a chance to star in a hospitality-themed reality show, I jump at the chance to serve hot cocoa in roller skates on national television.

The only problem? The smoking hot, broody, perfectly bossy producer, Leo...

He's everything I've ever wanted in a man, but he's also my new boss and completely off-limits.

And that's before we realize our lives--and our pasts--are more intimately intertwined than we could have imagined.

Do I dare make holiday magic with the one man I now know I should never kiss under the mistletoe?

My Review     5 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a great book to get you into the holiday spirit with a woman who lives in Reindeer Falls and who's name is Candy.

Candy runs a holiday inn with her best friend who is more like a sister.

With a case of the grumps stoping her from her usual happy self, her friend sends her to New York, but once there she finds that her boyfriend is not the man she thought he was.

There she meets Leo, a man who lights her up, however his past interlines with hers and he is off limits until both of them realise how they are connected and Leo tells his truths,

These truths free Candy for a while and she agrees to go on his  reality show, but can they keep their hands off each other?

As with all of the authors lighter books there is comedy placed within a pesky but loveable animal, in this case a ginger tom cat.

The book certainly helps with the holiday feeling, a happy ending and you find yourself smiling to yourself whilst laughing out loud at times.

REVIEW - The Ruin of Eros by Maya Gryffin

The Book

Release Date: 7 October 2024

Goodreads Link

The world of the gods is merciless… and so is the world of men.

We grew up with stories of the gods. We know how cruel they can be. But I’ve spent my whole life playing by the rules, trying not to stand out. I know what happened to my mother—standing out was what got her into trouble.

But now, because of the king’s vanity, the goddess Aphrodite is out for blood... mine. Even my father, one of the king's councilors, can’t save me. Nor can my sister, or my fiancé. But I'm determined I will not let them see me tremble, even when the king’s men leave me shackled on the great rock they call Aphrodite’s Pillow.

When I see the shadowed figure emerging from the mist—black cloak, hidden face, a hunter’s stride—I know he must be my executioner. But then, instead of death, the cloaked stranger offers me a bargain. He’ll save my life… in exchange for my freedom.

It's an impossible choice—bind myself to a monster, or suffer divine vengeance. It's a choice with only one answer, if I want to live. But waking in a palace in a new, strange realm, I still wonder if I chose wrong. What is a mortal woman to do in a world where everything has been taken from her? Fight back. And guard her heart. I’ve lost my family, I’ve lost my freedom, and I may yet lose my life. But I will not lose my heart. No matter what it says it wants…

A Beauty and the Beast romance set in the epic world of Greek mythology, The Ruin of Eros is a captivating romantasy must read, with a fantastic storyline full of tension and a strong female character as its heroine. The perfect choice for fans of fantasy romance or books like The Games Gods Play, The Song of Achilles, The Shadow Bound Queen or Lore Olympus!

My Review    5 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a brilliantly put together book for those of us that love books with the Gods and other mythological creatures.

Psyche is a very beautiful woman and the youngest of two daughters of her widowed father.  She is good at hunting as her father had her taught well with her studies along with riding a horse and since he is a decorated member of the army knows how to defend herself.

However when the town around her on a festival state that she is so very beautiful, possibly even more beautiful than Aphrodite, not that she wants the acclaim, it causes the goddess to be angered.

This is where the fun starts to happen.  When she is left by the cliffs by the town for tribute, a figure emerges from the dark when the town has left giving her a choice.  Die or go with him with conditions in place.

I loved the world building, the strong characters and the familial ties woven into the story.  Psyche proves to the reader she is a strong character.  She has the chance to escape when her new world cracks, but when she finds out who the man who rescued her is she goes to save him, knowing that her has been captured.  

She overcomes both physical and mental obstacles and he in turn looks after her.

The book finishes with lots of unfinished endings and I really cannot wait to read the next book in the series.  I read this book a while ago and its one of the few books this year that has stayed with me after.

REVIEW - When it Sizzles (The McGuire Brothers #8) by Lili Valente

The Book

Release Date: 6th September 2024

Goodreads Link

I’m a nerdy virgin—glasses, spreadsheets, collection of test tubes, you get the idea—and proud of it.

I don’t mess around with unpredictable things like lust, let alone love.

Or so I think…until a gorgeous, brilliant blast from the past kisses me at my sister’s wedding.Suddenly, I’m staying up all night with Dr. Connor Sinclair, making out, making plans, and kicking his adorable butt in chess.

The catch? Connor’s leaving town in three days Three days! That isn’t nearly enough time to spend with this delicious, sexy, oh-so-perfect-for-me man.

So when he shows up at my place the next morning with two tickets to Vegas and a wild plan to roll the dice on forever, I shock myself by saying…yes.

Yes, to a whirlwind romance.

Yes, to saying “I do” in Sin City.

Yes to breaking all my logical rules.

Will this turn out to be the biggest mistake of my life? Or the best illogical choice this nerd ever made?

My Review    5 STARS

This is the last book in the McGuire Brothers series and this short but sweet Novella is the icing on the cake.

Wendy Ann is the youngest child and has always had the threat of her older siblings to keep her being a 24 year old still holding her V-Card, whilst being a bit of a nerd.

Connor Sinclair is in his thirties and moving away from Bad Dog after selling his medical practice, he does not want to work with his barely tolerable young brother and is moving to Boston.

When the pair meet at Binx and Sevens wedding the sparks between this pair leap of the pages and the chemistry lights up the pages as their wits also find a true challenge within beautiful wrappings.  It's a true meeting of the minds.

I have enjoyed the whirlwind romance and leap of faith that the characters take and am actually sad that this is the last of the series.