Tag: Fantasy (Page 1 of 120)

BOOK REVIEW: Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1) by Adrienne Young

December 3, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Fallen City by Adrienne Young
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate's daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose―to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city's Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casperia was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel's inner workings, and she knows what her future holds―a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

As a secret comes to light and throws the city into chaos, Luca and Maris hatch a plot to create a calculated alliance that could tip the scales of power. But when an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war. As their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing. And even if they can find their way back to each other, there may be nothing left.

Review:

Fallen City was a star-crossed lovers romantasy that had layers of political intrigue. With war and corruption seeping throughout this story, we got to watch a love that refused to burn. Yet the way the story was told, there was so much cast in shadows. Mystery swirled around, and I wasn’t ever pulled in enough to want to dig. That’s because the story alternated between the past and the present, and while dual timelines are one of my top favorite tropes, it didn’t work here for me. I felt as though I was kept at arm lengths from Luca and Maris. Who both told us the story. And while I was intrigued by what happened, I never got to connect or feel their emotions. I desperately need that connection to love a book, regardless of how fascinating or unique it is. Here’s hoping you make a deeper connection than me, if you pick this one up!

Breath by breath, the realization took shape in my mind. Mortals weren’t the architects of this war. The gods were.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4) by Lexi Ryan

November 25, 2025 / Jen / 2 Comments

Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4)
by Lexi Ryan
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Princess Jasalyn has eleven days to live.

Jasalyn is facing the repercussions of a deadly bargain. Her life, and the future of the shadow court, are forfeit on her birthday unless she can stop the evil fae king Mordeus. She needs to face her greatest fears and find him before she runs out of time, but even after everything, Kendrick won’t let her face this alone.

Shape-shifter Felicity has vanished.

Felicity disappeared from King Misha’s dungeons, and her friends have been searching for her to no avail. But even if she’s found, Felicity will never be able to escape the oracle’s tragic prophecy for her and her family. In her lonely battle with fate, Misha is the last person she can ask to stand by her side, but the first one she’ll need.

Review:

Between These Broken Hearts was a beautiful conclusion to the These Hollow Vows Series! Games were played, plans went sideways, and with mysteries and magic lacing the pages, it made this book impossible to put down! I love how strong the sisterly love was throughout this story, and the found family was so beautiful! If you enjoy YA romantasy, definitely put this series on your tbr!

I traded everything for vengeance, and I can’t allow my mind to drift to what happens when there’s no more left to take.

Jasalyn faced an impossible future. With Mordeous having some level control of her body, everything looked so bleak. And with the ring not allowing others to remember her, she felt truly alone. I loved that she had those rallying behind her. Even if I wanted to hate one of them, *cough Kenrick cough *. But as truths came to light, my feelings towards those changed. Especially when we saw the lengths they would go to protect her. But I was terrified for Jasalyn. Time was running out, and there didn’t seem to be any answers in sight for how she wouldn’t die.

“Like what you see?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. As if I don’t care. As if the memories of his touch don’t haunt me.

This story alternated between Jasalyn and Felicity, and I was invested in both of their stories. With Felicity, while I started out confused, I loved the path her story took. Especially when Misha was on the pages, he was my favorite! I loved how forward he could be and his banter with Felicity was everything! I desperately wanted to know his thoughts! With prophecies and trying to protect those they loved, they both kept me on the edge of my seat with having to know what happened next!

This, I think. If I get to live, I want more moments like this.

With unlikely alliances, plans made that put those we love in precarious situations, gut wrenching truths, and so much at stake, this book easily became a favorite! I cried happy and sad tears. And that ending was incredible! We got to see HEAs for so many within this story! Now I can’t wait to see what Ryan writes next!

Other Favorite Quotes:

The pain that moves across his face makes me wish for a different life in a different world under a different set of stars.

“Everyone in this world has a fate they would personally rearrange the stars to avoid.” His gaze settles on my mouth for a beat before he takes a step back. “Don’t think I am so different.”

His gaze flicks to mine. If you’re so worried, you should probably stop looking at me like that.
Like what? Like you know how my mouth feels on your skin and you’re wondering when you can feel it again.
I gape at him and he lifts a shoulder as if to say he can’t help how I’m feeling.

His hands are gentle and he’s trying to hide the fear in his voice, but I am dying. I know it. Why fight this when I can take comfort in my final moments?

The rough pad of his thumb skims across my bottom lip and he bends down to speak softly into my ear. “When you’re in my dreams, you never look like the princess.”

He wanted to break me. He needed me to be so fragile that when the flames burned me to ash, I’d surrender. He wanted to make me weak, but he didn’t realize he was teaching me just how much pain I can endure and survive. I am so much stronger than he is.”

BOOK REVIEW: The Primal of Blood and Bone (From Blood and Ash #6) by Jennifer L Armentrout

September 22, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Primal of Blood and Bone (From Blood and Ash #6)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In the shadows and flames, Primals will fall…

And from the blood and ash, new gods will rise.

What was dreamt.

Poppy was never meant to awaken, and the consequences are devastating and far-reaching, stirring ancient powers from their slumber and transforming Casteel and Kieran in ways even the Fates couldn’t have foreseen. But what that means is the least of their concerns. For now.

What was foreseen.

The Blood Crown has fallen, but what has risen is a far greater danger than they’ve ever faced. From flesh and fire, the Great Conspirator has returned to the mortal realm, and he wants only one thing. They must stop the true Primal of Death before he regains his strength, and it won’t be easy. Even weakened, his influence is undeniable. His power, unthinkable.

Has come to be.

While the future of the realms rests upon them, they won’t stand alone. The gods have awakened—each harboring their own blood-soaked secrets. But they must navigate an unbalanced realm, where every choice—past and present—has the potential to not only undo everything they’ve fought for but also destroy the very bonds that have Joined them together.

For the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction has risen.

Review:

The Primal of Blood and Bone was an emotional powerhouse. Dread and happiness swirled together, and shock too. I had no words and didn’t even know how to process some of the things that I read. But watching the way these three series wove together left me in complete awe and gave me chills. And having so many characters we love appear within one book made this story unforgettable. The Primal of Blood and Bone was a dark and gritty tale that will reach into your heart and own every last piece of you!

While I was a complete mess reading this story, the banter and teasing moments were everything. Here are some quick thoughts on some of my favorite characters. If you don’t want to know any of my feelings towards them, then skip this part ♥….

View Spoiler »

There’s many more I want to mention, but I can’t. You’ll definitely be pleasantly surprised, or screaming with joy like me, for who you’ll find within these pages!

As this story unfolded, we got so many answers! Yes, new questions arose, but I loved getting some long awaited insights! Yet……beware. As I was trying to piece together the clues, JLA beautifully placed in some foreshadowing that I didn’t catch until it was right upon me. The twists stole my breath. And we also got to see how decisions from the past affected the present. Plus having knowledge from the Flesh and Fire Series and The Awakening Series allowed us to see a few things coming. Yet this story still made me scream, jump, and left my mouth hanging open in complete shock as horrors happened before our eyes. Hang on, because it’s a wild ride!

With steamy moments, sacrifice, death, secrets, and love, this story unfolded in ways that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It was an emotional one too, I cried all the tears from happiness, relief, pain, loss, and suffering. Yet these characters will lift you up. Their love for one another, the friendship, and how far they will go to protect each other made my heart soar. But prepared, not only to have tissues, but for that ending. The Primal of Blood and Bone left us with the need to grab that next book now, that ending was powerful!

******I’ll be posting quotes in my review once we’re a few days out from release******

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

BOOK REVIEW: Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1) by Julie Soto

August 27, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Soto crafts a lush and dark romantic fantasy that’s filled with intrigue, magic, and an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance.

The war is over, the dark forces have won, and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead.

Captured as her castle is overrun by the enemy, the world as Briony Rosewood knows it is changed forever. Evil has won, and her people face imminent servitude, imprisonment, or death.

Stripped of her Magic and her freedom, Briony and the other survivors are quickly sold off to the highest bidders in an auction—and as Evermore's princess, she fetches the highest price. After a fierce bidding war, she’s sold to none other than Toven Hearst, scion of a family known for their cruelty.

Yet despite the horrors of her new world and the role she must learn to play within it, all is not lost. Help—and hope—may yet arise in the most unlikely of places…

Review:

Rose in Chains pushed me outside my comfort. This book was gritty, dark, and held me in the palm of its hands. If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers romantasy and books that make the world fall away when you’re reading them, this is your book! I am not so patiently waiting for the next one to be released.

Briony was someone I instantly clicked with, and she easily pulled me into this story from that first page. Her pain, struggles, anger, and fight became mine. And as the past and the present wove together, I thought I understood everything from the beginning. Oh how wrong I was. As we truly started to see characters and their interactions, our world was made larger. So many things came into play, and Soto was a mastermind for how she made this story unfold.

While the plot, storyline and unique magic system were fascinating, the characters made this book for me. They all caused such strong visceral reactions in me. There were ones I loved, hated with every ounce of my soul, and others I was unsure of where they would land leaving my nerves buzzing inside me. But the ones I hated?! Oh. The atrocities that happened in this book were gutting. And as someone who will easily DNF a book that has SA, this one kept me reading. There are quite a few mentions of SA off the pages, one on page to another character, and shockingly I was able to keep reading. That is not normally how it pans out. Usually I throw my kindle or phone away from me, and I am done. But I was too invested in this story to stop, I had to know what happened next and that never happens.

Rose in Chains was a slow burn romance that was beautifully done. Watching that trust form, and then turn into more?! I was hooked. And when forced proximity was thrown into the mix, I was a goner. Also, there was a twist I didn’t see coming, but I should have. The clues were all there, but I was so focused on everything else I missed it. So while this book started out as a struggle for me, because of the mentions of SA, this book refused to be put down. And I will definitely be reading the next one when it releases!

BOOK REVIEW: The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris

July 28, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The world ended ten years ago.

Vampires showed up, took over, and turned the whole planet into their personal all-you-can-drink buffet. The president? Bloodsucker. The government? Bloodsuckers. My social life? Absolutely nonexistent.

But hey, at least I had one thing going for me―slayer training. My twin sister, Ripley, and I were about to go pro, officially joining the ranks of the last people on earth who actually do something about the whole “undead overlords” situation.

And then X had to show up. The vampire boogeyman. The worst of the worst. And instead of killing Ripley, like any decent monster would, he turned her. Now she’s technically a vamp, but something tells me my sister is still in there. Which means I can’t slay her.

Review:

The Ground That Devours Us was the type of book that will completely consume you and was impossible to put down. With a gritty and rugged world, characters that will own you, and a storyline that was dark and hypnotic, this easily sailed onto my favorites list!

Ripley looks up at me, heartbroken. She wants me to accept her, but I don’t know if I can love these new parts of her. Maybe that makes me a monster, too.

Here’s more reasons why I loved this story…

“If you haven’t figured it out yet, I do wild things when it comes to you.”
His words sear me to the core. This is dangerous, this confession.

*X, oh I wanted to hate him. He was ruthless and lethal. And while he took from Ruby, he also protected her. He was all the shades of grey.

*Ruby was fierce, clever, and I was rooting for her every step of the way!

*The banter, hostility, and hate vibes were everything! It’s a slow burn that played out beautifully.

*While this is a book about vampires and humans, it felt unique and new. With a dystopian backdrop, and fantasy elements woven in, I was captivated by the world that they lived in and everything we learned about the vampires.

*At times I was terrified for who I could truly trust and my stomach twisted with unease.

*The stakes grew higher as the story unfolded and I loved the twists and turns!

“What are you most afraid of?”
His answer is quick, breathless. “You. A thousand times, you.”

I cried, laughed, and fell in love. Kalla Harris made a fan for life and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

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