Tag: Fantasy (Page 1 of 119)

BOOK REVIEW: Gold (The Queen & the Assassin #3) by Lisette Marshall

BOOK REVIEW: Gold (The Queen & the Assassin #3) by Lisette MarshallGold (The Queen & the Assassin #3)
by Lisette Marshall
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

To challenge the Empire is to challenge Death...

The Queen

Uniting the Five Kingoms against the Taavi Empire was always a risk. But Tamar didn't expect the Empire to take its revenge only on Redwood. And she certainly didn't expect the Empress to make such an impossible demand: for Runo to return to Raulinna before the month is over.

The Assassin

Runo knows how the Empress's personal enemies die – slowly and painfully. A fate he has no intentions of meeting. But the Empress is not the only one who wants him dead... In the shadows of the Red Castle, Tamar's dukes are playing a dangerous game for power. And he might just be the first thing in their way.

A fight against time

Old enemies unite. Old secrets resurface. With their allies powerless and their court against them, the queen and the assassin need more than iron and bloodshed to survive. Will even their wit and ingenuity be enough to defy the Empire before time runs out?

Gold is the third and last book of The Queen & The Assassin, a steamy fantasy romance trilogy taking place in the dangerous, passionate world of the Five Kingdoms. Perfect for readers of enemies to lovers fantasy and adult fairy tale romances, it tells a story of deadly intrigue, dark secrets and sizzling forbidden love.

Review:

With betrayal, friendship, jealousy, threats, and love, Gold was a fabulous conclusion to The Queen & the Assassin Series!   Watching those we love redeem themselves, and others get the happily ever after they deserve was so much fun!  This forbidden romance will make you feel everything, and leave you smiling long after you read that last page!

‘I owe you more than my survival, do you realise that? I owe you my truth and my history and every shred of my soul that could still be salvaged– so be stubborn for me, be heartless, be every bit the Iron Queen you want to be, and I’ll still love you to death. Understood?’

With characters you couldn’t help but love, this story was so entertaining.  Runo showed us time and again how wicked smart he was!  I loved how cocky he could be, and his wicked mouth!  And I found myself clapping my hands with how bold and fierce Tamar was.  Yet Runo was to be given back to the Empress.  And Tamar had the weight of the world on her shoulders dealing with political plays and the other kingdoms.  So thank goodness for their steamy moments together.  It felt like they could finally breathe when it was just them.  Those scenes were everything.

‘You’re mine.’ Words he’d never even dared to think, and now they fell from his lips like the most self- evident of truths.

One thing I really loved about this final book was how friendships played such a large part.  While Tamar and Runo had each other, my heart was so happy that they found friendships with others around them.  I loved watching how those friends had their back, or helped them conquer their goals.  It was the best!  And the ending we were given was so fabulous.  It was not only a beautiful happily ever after, but we also got to see where Jaghar and Viviette were in their happily ever after too.  I can’t wait to read whatever Lisette Marshall writes next!

BOOK REVIEW: Silver (The Queen & the Assassin #2) by Lisette Marshall

BOOK REVIEW: Silver (The Queen & the Assassin #2) by Lisette MarshallSilver (The Queen & the Assassin #2)
by Lisette Marshall
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

He chose not to kill her. Will his life be the price he must pay?

The Queen
Tamar just wants the world to go back to normal after her guard’s betrayal. Back to the familiar schemes and squabbles. Back to a court she can control. But the dangerously seductive assassin sleeping in her bed won’t be so easily controlled, and his stubborn defiance of her authority isn’t the only threat to her court.

The Assassin
No one disobeys the Empress of the Taavi Empire without consequences, and Runo is doing far worse than disobey her. But another assassin on his trail isn’t the consequence he expected. Let alone the one infamous Silver Dagger who still has a few personal scores to settle with him… A grudge that doesn’t only put his own life in danger, but Tamar’s too.

A vengeful enemy
With an old enemy on her way to the Red Castle, the queen and the assassin must once again fight for their lives – and love. But as their secrets grow heavier and their differences turn into disagreements, can they trust each other enough to survive?

Silver is the second book of The Queen & The Assassin, a steamy fantasy romance trilogy taking place in the dangerous, passionate world of the Five Kingdoms. Perfect for readers of enemies to lovers fantasy and adult fairy tale romances, it tells a story of deadly intrigue, dark secrets and sizzling forbidden love.

Review:

Silver was a forbidden romantasy that was filled with charm, romance and political intrigue.  This was an incredible continuation of The Queen & The Assassin Series, and I loved where this story led us.  If you’re a fan of steamy romance, characters that will have you rooting for them, and fabulous angst, definitely add this series to your tbr! 

He finally had a game to play. And he wasn’t going to wait a minute longer.

Runo is one of my favorites!  I loved his dark humor and that while he could hold an air of hostility, he also had the ability to inject laughter in those moments too.  He had such a spectacular way of making me feel multiple things at once.  So as the story unfolded, I loved watching him make friends in the guard and the townspeople.  Runo was clever, charismatic, sweet, kind, thoughtful, and so easy to fall for.  When an assassin was sent after him from the Empress, I truly had no clue where this story would go.  It kept me glued to the pages!

He slammed his mouth into hers.
It was a challenge, a confession, and a command at once– a kiss demanding full and instant surrender.

Tamar was in a precarious situation.  As she grew closer to Runo, no one could know.  Not even those closest to her knew about their steamy nights together or the friendship that was forming between them.  So as Tamar was civil at best in public with Runo, it cut like a knife.  I understood why, but still, it hurt.  Especially since Tamar seemed to keep her guard up around Runo.  She was so damaged from her ex-husband, and I wanted her to be brave.  Just like she was as a ruler.  I wanted her to open up and tell Runo exactly how she felt.

I just want you here. I just want you with me. But she didn’t speak the words, and the silence that fell was not an inviting silence by any means.

Tamar and Runo together were so much fun.  I loved the bond that was forming between them, and I kept all of my fingers crossed that one day Runo would rule alongside Tamar!  Runo had no problems calling Tamar out on her bs, and Tamar had no qualms about being playful with Runo.  And their steamy moments were done so fabulously *fans face*!

You just spent decades looking for a place where your heart wouldn’t kill you.

Silver left us at the perfect stopping point where we could breathe and also be excited for that next book.  I’m so glad this trilogy is complete, because I jumped right into the next one already.  And if you’ve read her series, The Princess and the Spy, you’ll be so happy to see some of our favorites in this story!    

BOOK REVIEW: The Rogue King (Inferno Rising #1) by Abigail Owen

BOOK REVIEW: The Rogue King (Inferno Rising #1) by Abigail OwenThe Rogue King (Inferno Rising #1)
by Abigail Owen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Kasia Amon is a master at hiding. Who―and what―she is makes her a mark for the entire supernatural world. Especially dragon shifters. To them, she's treasure to be taken and claimed. A golden ticket to their highest throne. But she can't stop bursting into flames, and there's a sexy dragon shifter in town hunting for her...

As a rogue dragon, Brand Astarot has spent his life in the dark, shunned by his own kind, concealing his true identity. Only his dangerous reputation ensures his survival. Delivering a phoenix to the feared Blood King will bring him one step closer to the revenge he's waited centuries to take. No way is he letting the feisty beauty get away.

But when Kasia sparks a white-hot need in him that's impossible to ignore, Brand begins to form a new plan: claim her for himself...and take back his birthright.

Review:

The Rogue King was a forbidden dragon shifter romance that was filled with action and a lot of heart.  With political intrigue, precarious situations, and a fascinating world, I fell madly in love with this book!  I cried, laughed, and this story went right onto my favorites list.  If you love romance that holds you in the palm of its hand, definitely add this one to your tbr!  

“My knight in shining scales,” she quipped.
“I’m no knight any more than you’re a princess,” came the immediate denial.
Huh. Little do you know.

This story started off with a bang and within a few chapters, Brand and Kasia found themselves being hunted.  Brand was a dragon shifter, who was supposed to bring Kasia back to the Blood King.  It would make him one step closer to his revenge.  Yet they hit a plethora of obstacles along the way.  The action was so much fun, and it made this book impossible to put down!

She called to something deep inside him.
Mine, that voice whispered.

Brand was someone I instantly loved.  He was protective and loyal, yet I wanted Kasia to be for him.  He was so focused on the end game, that he didn’t even realize when little cracks started to appear in his plan as a friendship formed between them.  But Brand was the mysterious and silent type.  I loved getting to know him, and when he would show us little peaks into who he was, it felt like the sun was breaking through the clouds.

“It’s not smart to piss off a dragon.”
She lifted a single eyebrow and snorted— a very dragon sound. “Like you’d hurt me.”
There went that trust thing again, like a quiver of arrows unloaded into his heart. Only now, it just pissed him off.

There was so much unknown in Kasia’s world, but her visions never steered her wrong.  Because of them, she knew without a shadow of doubt that Brand would always protect her.  That she was safe with him.  So as she traveled with Brand, I loved that we got to see how brave and fierce she could be.  And that in the end, she definitely knew what she wanted!  I easily loved Kasia with my whole heart!

Kasia kept pushing. “Look at how you handled our first meeting. Your instinct was to help me.”
Now he scowled. “My first instinct was to fuck you. Long and hard.”

On their dangerous travels, watching them get to know each other was so entertaining.  I loved how they messed with one another.  How they learned to rely on each other.  And how they worked together as a team.  But one of them things I loved the most, was when their moments turned seductively steamy.  Sigh.  Rounding out this story were so many fabulous characters that I can’t wait to see in future books!

To hell with supposed- tos, and the world outside, and what logic should tell her was a bad idea. She didn’t want to stop this, to fight it any longer.

With revenge, lies, bargains, and love, The Rogue King was an instant favorite!  This story will make you feel so much, I even screamed and jumped haha.  And while I couldn’t wait to jump into the next book, I learned that this series, Inferno Rising, intertwines with the Fire’s Edge Series.  And the author has a reading order recommendation on her website that I will be following.  I’ll share the link here.  Enjoy! 

BOOK REVIEW: Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith

BOOK REVIEW: Revelle by Lyssa Mia SmithRevelle by Lyssa Mia Smith
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle is a breathtaking YA stand-alone fantasy full of dazzling magic, romance, and mystery from debut author Lyssa Mia Smith.

On the island of Charmant, magic flows like bootlegged champagne, and fantasies can be bought for the price of a gemstone.

Luxe Revelle, star of her family’s fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant’s wealthiest family makes her an offer—everything the Revelles need to stay in business, in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor—she can’t refuse.

The moment Jamison Port sets foot in Charmant, he can’t shake the feeling of familiarity. An orphan with as few memories as gemstones, he’s desperate to learn what happened to his parents. But as he delves into the island’s secrets, he risks angering the wrong person and discovering a truth that just might break his heart.

When Luxe and Jamison accidentally meet, the sparks that fly are more than her magical enchantments. But keeping secrets from powerful people is a dangerous game . . . one that could destroy them both.

Review:

Revelle was a magical journey that swept me away.  With a unique intertwining of magic, time travel, and more, this book held me in the palm of its hand.  The characters leapt from the pages, and the storyline had an air of mystery to it that was so much fun.  Set in the 1920s during the Prohibition Era,  the twists were phenomenal, and the romance tugged at my heart.  With tears in my eyes, I fell in love with how family, friendship, and love played such an integral part of this story.  I listened to the audiobook and it completely enraptured me.  Lyssa Mia Smith has made a fan for life, and I can’t wait to see what she releases next!

I was trapped. Completely and utterly trapped. 
My whole life, I’d believed we held the magic, the power. We made dreams come true. 
Just never our own.

BOOK REVIEW: House of Burning Frost (The Kingdom of Crows #5) by Olivia Wildenstein

BOOK REVIEW: House of Burning Frost (The Kingdom of Crows #5) by Olivia WildensteinHouse of Burning Frost (The Kingdom of Crows #5)
by Olivia Wildenstein
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

FAKE AN ENGAGEMENT TO THE ICE KING TO TRAP AN ENEMY.

END THE SHAM BETROTHAL ONCE THE FOE IS CAUGHT.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

If I were mortal, the epitaph on my tombstone would read: 'Here lies Isla Ríhbiadh, cherished daughter of Fallon and Lorcan, crown princess of Luce, and blunderer like no other.' Luckily, I'm an immortal shifter sorceress, so my countless slipups haven't resulted in my untimely demise. Yet. When my latest blunder lands me in the steam chamber of a very naked and very irritable Faerie king, I worry the pointy-eared Glacin will dispose of my body under six feet of solid ice. Instead, he suggests we get married. Our betrothal is purely strategic, meant only to trap King Konstantin's shifter-hating enemies. He's uninterested in finding love, and I'm uninterested in falling for a man who isn't my mate. A fool-proof alliance. Obviously, I'm a fool for thinking this, since nothing I ever do goes right. What starts as a friendly ruse soon turns into a perilous game. One that blurs the line between scheming and desire. Between childhood fantasies and adult realities. Between the Ice King and me. House of Burning Frost is a tale of peril, passion, and the power of love to transcend the confines of fate.

*This spicy standalone romantasy can be read without reading books 1-4, but, for more enjoyment, it's suggested to read the prior books.

Review:

House of Burning Frost was a steamy romantasy that was impossible to put down.  With the most fabulous slow burn, sexual tension that was palpable, and moments that had me laughing out loud, I fell madly in love with this book. Mystery swirled within these pages, so I was always nervous for what would come next.  With bargains, traitors, love, secrets, and friendship laced throughout this story, this book went straight onto my favorites list!

“Define little spell.”
“I could chop the tip off one of your fingers. I’d grow it back immediately.” His lips remain crooked.
“Tempting.”

Isla was someone I absolutely adored.  She could be so brave and fierce, yet she could be uncertain and struggled at times with her blood casting.  So when Isla had the most memorable meet cute with King Konstantin, I was nervous for her.  They started off on the wrong foot, even if they had this beautiful chemistry between them.  Yet with tension thrumming, I was waiting for the fireworks to explode. 

When he lowers his hand, amusement has softened his own expression. “You will end up being the death of me, Miss Ríhbiadh.”

Konstantin had me from the moment he met Isla.  He was charismatic, fair, protective, and logical.  And when we got his point of view a little farther into the story, I was screaming!  His thoughts…..oh you wouldn’t realize what they were underneath his icy facade.  His country was in turmoil, and there was so much unrest, so we got to see how much he struggled with all that was on his plate.  But we also got to see his thoughts towards Isla.  And I absolutely loved them!

“Let the ruse begin,” the Ice King murmurs.

Watching Isla and Konstantin work together and try to find trust was so much fun!  Especially when you throw a marriage of convenience on top of it.  The fact that there was some animosity there, while they were pretending to be engaged, will keep you smiling.  Their banter was fabulous and I loved how they messed with each other!  At times it felt like they were going to explode.  So with rejection, hope, and the kindling of more, I fell right along with them!

He guides my head down toward his and silences me with a kiss that streaks fire down my throat and into my chest.

While this book can definitely be read as a standalone, I can’t recommend reading the previous 4 books enough.  You get to watch Isla’s parents fight for their happily ever after, and there’s so many characters from the past who make an appearance in this story.  So I was cackling with delight each time a new one would appear haha.  Also, the political intrigue kept us on our toes!  With the mingling of fae, shifters, and humans, there was still a lot of tension and discrimination.  The way it played into the storyline definitely kept me surprised!

“I don’t fucking trust anyone, Isla! I don’t even fucking trust my own general!”
Oh. That’s… unexpected. “Well, you should trust me. Or rather, you should have, for I want nothing from you. Nothing. Not your crown. Not your affection. Not your admiration. Not your coin. Nothing.”
“And I want everything!” he exclaims.

House of Burning Frost was a forced proximity, marriage of convenience that will keep you smiling from that first page to the last.  And this steamy romantasy made me cry all the tears!  Along with screaming with laughter too.  I think this is definitely Wildenstein’s funniest books.  So with the most fabulous ending ever, and getting to see so many favorites, I closed this book so happy!  If you love romantasy, definitely add this one to your tbr!

“You, Isla Ríhbiadh, have set fire to my kingdom of ice and torched your way into my frozen heart.”

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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