A Fate Inked in Blood: A Book Review

This book has ALL the Viking vibes! It reminded me a lot of the TV show Vikings with its Viking culture, battle scenes, and discussions about power and fate. I was sucked in from the very beginning. I love when the MC is the chosen one, and right away I wanted to root for Freya. I appreciated her character journey of trying to control her fate when so many difficult things happen to her. 

The romance in this is a slow-burn forbidden love, and I think it balances well with the epic plot. Both the romance and the plot have lots of twists and turns that held my attention, and I can't wait to see where the next book goes. 

I had some reservations about Freya as a character. Some of her decisions (or lack thereof) annoyed me. And I wanted more of an emotional-focused relationship with Bjorn, not just lust. But I think that relationship growth will come in the next book, and I sincerely hope Freya finds more strength and stubbornness too. 

Overall, this is an entertaining Viking fantasy, one that both Danielle L. Jensen's beloved readers and new readers alike will enjoy. Definitely give this one a try if you love Sky in the Deep, The Shadow of the Gods, and The First Girl Child.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Ballantine and Del Rey, for the arc!

Releases February 27, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: fighting violence and death, gore, sacrificing animals, swearing, several open door scenes

Lost Kingdom: A Book Review

I've heard nothing but amazing things about this debut YA fantasy, and I'm ecstatic to say that I loved it too! It has everything that makes it a solid fantasy: an impressive world with detailed magic and people from all sorts of cultures and backgrounds, political intrigue and a land at the brink of war, and characters with hidden identities and secrets. This book has it all and balances all of the elements perfectly.

From the very beginning, there is a huge amount of tension, and it only builds throughout. It never really slowed down, even with having a travel plot, because there were so many secrets to unravel and battles to fight (both physically and emotionally). I love the direction the plot is going, and I can't wait for the next book.

I love the characters too. Raven is that fierce female MC we all love, but she has her own issues with trying to get her memories and magic back. Jeddak is complicated in his motives, but it's clear he has a good heart, and I loved the element of him having a bear companion, Kah. The dynamics between Raven and Jeddak were well executed, even if the romance is on the back burner for now.  

Overall, this is a solid YA fantasy that I truly enjoyed, and I think a lot of other readers will too. It has similar vibes to An Ember in the Ashes, and I love Laurel Black's engaging writing style. I definitely recommend this one!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Laurel Black, for the arc!

Releases January 17, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: threatening of sexual assault, slavery, torture, violence and death, injuries, poisoning, kissing

The Game of Hearts: A Book Review

I loved The Never Heir earlier this year, so I was excited to be spending time in this fairy tale world again with The Game of Hearts. Courtney Millecam's writing is so captivating, and she creates such a detailed fantasy world within a 1920s historical setting so well. Even though she writes retellings, I know I'm going to be reading something original and fresh every time. 

I'm not a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, so it's amazing that I enjoyed this story so much! I loved how elements of the original story show up in the competition plot. There's tons of tension in wondering who Alice can trust and what will happen after each decision she makes. The plot moves along quickly, and the ending is absolutely crazy!

The romance is captivating as well. It's a true rivals-to-lovers slow burn, and even though I wanted more forced proximity with them, I enjoyed each scene we got. I bet there will be more to come with their relationship, and I'm excited to see what the next book brings! Overall, this is a great companion novel to The Never Heir, one I think readers who like retellings will enjoy.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Courtney Millecam, for the arc!

Releases Feb 23, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: fighting violence and death, monster violence and death, injuries, murder, kisses

Even if it Breaks Your Heart: A Book Review

This book is so heartfelt and deep. There is so much character growth from the two main characters both separately and together. They both have impossible things to overcome, and their journeys are inspiring. 

I also loved the cowboy and rodeo aspects of this romance. I don't think I've read a romance with a rodeo setting before, and I've been missing out! I love going to the rodeo, and it was fun to see rodeos through the characters' perspectives. 

I think so many readers will fall in love with this story and with the characters. I think if I'd read this book in the summer when I was loving rodeos and craving cowboy romances, I would have loved this even more. But I think I'm hitting a stage where YA contemporaries aren't for me. Teens in books annoy me too much. And I found parts of this too slow to keep my attention. But overall, I think it's an impactful, sweet romance.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 4
Overall: 3

Thank you, Wednesday Books, for the arc!

Releases Feb 6, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: child terminal illness and death, parent abandonment and neglect, language, one tame fade to black scene

The Joy of Yarn: A Book Review

Like most knitters or crocheters, I have more yarn than I know what to do with. And it can get overwhelming pretty fast. So I was thrilled when I discovered The Joy of Yarn.

First of all, this book is gorgeous to look at. The pictures of yarn are bright and cheery, and there are some beautifully laid-out patterns at the end. The pages are all simple and well organized, and I like being able to flip back and easily find a section I want to reread.

There are some great tips in this book about destashing your yarn and being more mindful about the yarn you buy. I particularly love the sections on cataloging your yarn using spreadsheets and tips for how to make your stash more beautiful and usable. Marie Greene's tips make sense and are backed by many knitters who have taken organizing courses from her.

Overall, this is a great book for fiber artists who need some organization help, or even for knitters who want some fun stash-busting projects. I'm very glad I came across this book!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Content: 4
Inspiration/Value: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Page Street Publishing, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Heartless Hunter: A Book Review

A fantasy Scarlet Pimpernel retelling? Yes, please!! I love The Scarlet Pimpernel, and I love witches, so Heartless Hunter is the perfect mash-up for me. It has all the tropes and elements I love: hidden identity, enemies to lovers romance, slow burn, witch magic, and rebellion. And the story moves so quickly that I didn't ever want to put it down! 

What I love most about this book is the romance. The dual POV adds a lot of tension to the relationship, and I love seeing both Gideon's and Rune's thoughts about each other and how those thoughts changed throughout the book. There are some incredibly romantic parts, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how everything would play out. 

I have a couple of reservations, mainly that I found it to be quite predictable, which is saying something coming from me—I rarely pause and make accurate predictions. All of the foreshadowing was a little heavy handed, and it took some fun out of the plot. I also got the ick from recurring conversations about trying to manipulate a character for sex to get answers (as if this behavior is okay and excusable).

Reservations aside, I was overall delighted with this fast-paced witchy fantasy retelling. I can't wait for the sequel! 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Wednesday Books, for the arc!

Releases Feb 20, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: witch hunts/genocide, torture, public murders, death of a child, death of parents/grandparent, fighting violence and wounds, addiction, domestic abuse, physical and sexual abuse (off page), self harm, one open door scene

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!  

Drinker of Ink: A Book Review

This book. THIS BOOK is why I read. It's been a long time since a book made me chuckle and gasp, mourn and yearn, sob with sorrow and cry with joy. It made me rethink how I view life, its beauty and unexpectedness, its relationships and the words we use to make sense of the world. I don't ever think I've read a book that is so full of life.

The character growth is unparalleled. Vivienne and Peter must be real, must be actually living in our world. At the very least, they are alive in my soul. I know them intimately now through their story, and I think the book's format of journal entries is key to achieving this. You feel what they feel. You experience life with them, and their poetry offers entirely new ways of looking at things.

What I love most about Drinker of Ink is the writing. It is utterly ethereal. I never mark up romances, but I underlined so much of its pages. The word choice, cadence, and the metaphors draw you in and make you rethink everything. I couldn't devour this book. I had to sit with its words, reread its passages, and contemplate what they meant to me. Shannon Castleton's writing is true enlightenment. There's no other way to describe it.

Drinker of Ink is indescribably beautiful. I don't think this type of book will connect with everyone, certainly not on the scale that it connected with me, but I know it's a true gem for the right audience. I beg you to read it. It may change your life, like it has mine. I have been truly transformed by this book.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5 million stars
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you with all my soul, Shannon Castleton, for the arc!

Releases Jan 11, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: cancer, family deaths, bullying, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!  

A Fragile Enchantment: A Book Review

This book has such a beautiful cover. It immediately drew me in and made me want to read this book without even knowing what it was about. Unfortunately, the story didn't quite live up to the whimsical, gorgeous cover.

Nothing much...happens in this one. The plot centers around court politics and Niamh sewing wedding clothes for the prince and his betrothed. Then the romance develops, and the plot centers around that. Sometimes that really works for me in fantasy, but I couldn't bring myself to truly care about Niamh and all the other characters. I wanted more intrigue, more high stakes, more tension to balance out the coziness of the romance. I ended up speed-reading most of the second half of the book, and I feel like I didn't miss anything major. 

I think this book was just more cozy than I was expecting, so it didn't work for me. But I can see how others would love this book! This is my second "meh" book by Allison Saft, so I don't think she's the author for me. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Wednesday Books, for the arc!

Releases Jan 2, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: parent death, abandonment, and cruelty recounted; smoking and drinking; swearing; one fade to black scene

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!  

The City of Stardust: A Book Review

This book is absolutely entrancing. It's been a long time since I read a fantasy standalone, and this one just hits different! From the beginning, I was pulled in with the curse, secrets about a magical world, and Aleksander's morally gray POV. And not to mention the writing is spellbinding. 

For a standalone, this book does a great job of creating a complete, complex world. I never felt bogged down with details, and everything is revealed in an organic way. There is so much detail, so much lore, that I would have loved more books set in these worlds, yet it holds its own as a standalone.

I wouldn't say this is a fast-paced book, but there's always tension with the curse and time running out. I think all the different POVs helped move the story along, and the constant reveals also kept my interest. I love books that have a villain POV that shows their villain origin story and all the different sides of them, and this book did a fantastic job showing that.

My only complaint is that the eloquent writing kept me a little removed from Violet and Aleksander. I wanted to feel their emotions as they felt them. Perhaps I needed more character growth from Violet. But still an captivating story with a beautiful ending. I think fans of Laini Taylor and V.E. Schwab will enjoy this!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Hatchette Book Group, for the arc!

Releases Jan 30, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: parent abandonment, fighting violence, death and gore, child kidnapping and sacrificial death, torture recounted, one brief open door scene

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

The Christmas Letters: A Book Review

I'm very partial to letter-writing in romances, since that's how my husband and I "met." The letter writing in this book was so cute, especially with it being around Christmas time. And I loved the meet-cute that parallels with it. Tess and Drew are adorable together; they are two cinnamon rolls characters that deserve the world.

I did have a couple reservations about the writing and the story that didn't work for me. Mainly, I felt the dialogue needed to be tighter and more entertaining, and I got impatient with Tess at a couple parts. And, to be honest, it's rare that a novella ever feels complete to me. But all in all, this is a super sweet romance that's great for the Christmas season, and I can see the You've Got Mail plot really connecting with the right people. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the review copy!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parents' deaths recounted, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!