Erika

I've received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

This book is the fantasy version of the bachelor and it definitely reads that way. I haven't read the first book in the series, which is his mother bachelorette style, but there are mentions to the story frequently in this book that implies there was more action in that series than this one. If you read the selection, imagine it's like that where each lady is given a date but through competitions and such you can gain more time with the bachelor. There are more points of view in this book and unlike the selection where you are certain who is going to win, it's unclear in this book.

My gripe with this book is that is very slow, while there is hints of plot and room for action, it ends as quickly as it starts. My other thing is that this is not a one and done book, by the end of it he hasn't even eliminated any of the contestants or whittled then down at all!

Overall if you are a fan of reality tv and fantasy, then this might be the book for you. I will be reading the next book if only to figure out who the prince ends up with.

I received this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was intriguing from the first chapter, it had Romeo and Juliet vibes if Romeo and Juliet met more than once and had their memories wiped. The story follows Otello who is the prince of the empire, and Lady Elspeth, a noblewomen Elf, who's family and life were taken from her out of prejudice. They need to help each other survive and reclaim what is rightfully theirs and learn what they mean to each other.

In this book you will find a female Robin Hood, miscommunications (done tastefully), memory loss, different magic systems, mistaken identity, mind control, and some murder.

I'm excited to see where this book goes in book 2, as the stakes are higher at the end of book 1 and they need to learn to work together to survive and claim what is theirs, plus tension as they learn what they mean to each other.

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one was the best yet!!! I absolutely love the main characters (no spoilers) and their chemistry! Dante was smoldering sexy and down bad for the FMC and I was loving every minute of it. Plus the tension of knowing the background knowledge that the main characters didnt added some extra burn. Highly recommend for fans of the precious two books, this is my new favorite!

In this book you will find; miscommunication trope, public sex, touch her and die, Princess trope, a “man” down so bad, power couple, fated mates, and some detailed deaths.

4.5 stars because Granny doesn't stay a granny in appearance and I feel like that's a cop out, but other than that this slays go granny

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


She's done it again, I absolutely loved this book! Returning to the same world as Wild Magic, we get a different love story from Skye, a bubbly seer who has had trauma from being enslaved by demons and has risen above it and the vampire leader Mischa, who prefers solitude and books to the presence of others and channels some extraordinary power. Watch as they fall in love, all while preventing a Fairy from releasing dragons from their hibernation and bathing the world in fire. No biggie.

These books are super addicting and easy to read! I love how the characters feel fleshed out and you can tell the trauma of their backstory with it being forced down your throat. I wouldn't really consider this a slow burn either. But when reading it I also didn't think it was crazy fast, it fit the pace of the story. I enjoyed it and can't wait for the third one. I already have my guess on who it's going to be about!

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Dragons, witches, and fae are the ultimate trifecta and I really appreciated how the author made it feel fresh in this book.

Serena was living her life with so much lost and grief until she got transported to another world with familiar faces but unfamiliar everything else. She must fit in and learn the rules of the land while navigating court, her “powers” and the man who has the same face as her ex boyfriend that's in charge of training her and absolutely hates her guts.

“Ask your guard dog.” “Considering he's probably balls deep in CC right now, I'd rather not.”

Selena humor is so funny in the book with the juxtaposition of her modern behavior in a medieval setting. I hope in future books she doesn't lose her spark!

In this book you will find: love triangle, jealousy jealousy, touch him and die, betrothed to another, fated mates, fish out of water, dragons, and being the last of your kind.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This read was enjoyable. It took me a couple chapters to understand who was who and to get invested in the story but once I did, it really reminded me of good old 80's fantasy books. Where the world and magical system is really fleshed out and the realities of war and power are played out on page with real world consequences.

I am looking forward to book 2, let's bring on the dragons!!

I really enjoyed this! I didn't realize it was a novella of a much larger world but from the snippets I got I'm interested in reading more of it. This is an enemies to lovers in the loosest sense but I understand why it got resolved so quickly because of how short it is. It's a nice teaser and I'm looking forward to reading the first in the series.

I received an advanced copy and am voluntary leaving a review.

THEY DID IT AGAIN. I absolutely loved everything about this except Raphael being a little wuss. Talon gave me everything I wanted and I can't wait to see where this goes in the third book. Nia is a character I actually adore because instead of telling me how capable and powerful she is, it's clearly able to be seen through her actions and the way she is able to reason and think through events.

I'm absolutely in love with these characters and this world and can't wait to continue!

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In this book you will find: On screen death, almost suicide, mentioned rape, faked pregnancy, loss of magic

This book was sold to me on giving practical magic vibes and being perfect for fall and while it did give those vibes it was much darker than I expected. Not in a bad way but I would definitely check trigger warnings, I mentioned some of the triggering things I saw above.

However, overall I thought it was good and gave me the vibes fall vibes I've been craving. Love the use of kitchen magic and most of the recipes found in the book I would want to try in real life, so it's an added bonus of 2 books in one. I thought it would be more of a murder mystery and it was more the death of one version of yourself in favor of a new one, which is something that all of us have to do at one point or another.

If the triggers don't bother you and having some dark things come out of left field that I think this book is for you!

she has done it again

Absolutely no notes, perfection!!! I'm so ready to dive into the next one. I absolutely love the characters and the world and want like fourteen more of these right now.

I received an e-arc through Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

In this book you will find: bodyguard trope, cleopatra mythology, objects have random magic, graphic description of a characters death, enemies to friends to lovers, betrayal, plucky heroine, morally gray love interest, interesting side characters, and a girl fighting patriarchal values.

I was foaming at the mouth for this book as soon as I heard it was similar to the 1999 version of the Mummy (starring Brendan Fraiser and Rachel Weisz), and boy did I get the vibes. It isn't a carbon copy of the movie, in fact the main points that are similar is being in Egypt, the bodyguard trope, and there being some magic and flashbacks but there is no mummy in the traditional sense, there definitely is mommy issues.

As a whole the plot follows a young woman who just wants to follow her missing, presumed dead parents, into the place they loved most Egypt. Along the way she finds out she is the key to finding the tomb of Cleopatra and protect it from everyone, including the people closest to her.

What impressed me the most from the book is the tonal shift from the beginning to end of innocence and overly trusting to a darker sense of reality and saying goodbye to the innocence she knew. While I could see a couple of the major plot points and twists from a mile away, the last couple of chapters and especially the last chapter blew me away! It makes me so excited for the sequel, and I can't wait for this book to come out so I can make all my friends read it and discuss our thoughts!

This was a nice collection of stories about one of my favorite topics, witches. The stories are all standalone and each stories all have their own personal style. This is for the person who would prefer quick short reads and a bunch of genre jumping.

Short and Sweet

Wow wow wow!! 30 pages of masterful story writing that grips you and compels you to want more even though it in itself is a perfect story. The complexity astounds me, the characters compelling, and a doomed romance that puts a cathartic ache in my heart! Give me more Alix E. Harrow!

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm a sucker for a good fairytale retelling so I was intrigued by the premise. And it was overall a decent story. We follow Prince “charming” as he plays the hero in classic fairytales that we all know and love in a way that's a bit edgier than the classic Disney tales.

The women in this book are the true stars of the show and all of them are so interesting and multidimensional. They each have their own talents and traits that truly make each of them feel like their own well rounded character.

The only reason I didn't rank this book higher was because I loved the idea and just thought in execution it needed a bit more. The writing was a little stilted in places that slowed the pace of the book, I think it would have benefited from being written in first person instead of third, maybe at least for charmings sections. While it left me wanting more, if you like fairytales, bad-ass females who go after the man who wronged them, sisterhood, dragons, and twist after twist, I think you will really enjoy this book!

I've received this arc through Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review, thank you for letting me read it.
First let me tell you first and foremost, I'm a huge fan of Mercedes Lackey work...and before this book I've not picked up one of her works set in the world of Valdemar. I know, I know, crazy, but it's an intimidating series to start! Well after reading Gryphon in Light, I'm feeling inspired to start at the very beginning.
Would I recommend this book to start? No, not if you aren't comfortable with high fantasy books with specific lingo and established set of rules that's been expanded upon through multiple series. To me, it didn't really deter me, I tend to power through world building and allow context to help my understanding. One thing about Mercedes Lackey's books is just the ease and comfortability of her writing. I read one of her books and it just feels like a warm sweater, and this felt the same.
Regarding to the actual plot of this book, most of the actual action is set off screen, but the results of war is shown on screen. Some tws would be taking about death, war but nothing on screen. We follow a gryphon eager to make his mark on a world, and in the process of trying to help others creates a quest with a motley crew of magical and non magical beings, not all as recognizable as gryphons. This book is mainly the getting together the group, establishing it as a holy and dangerous mission and creation of a chosen one. But not much happens and they don't even leave on the quest until 250 pages pass out of 319.
Overall I'm intrigued but before the next book in this series comes out, I'm going to brush up on my lore so I can keep up and appreciate cameos of past important characters and references. Thanks again for letting me review!

I've received an e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness, this series keeps getting better from book to book. Each time I think, huh tough to top that and I'm wrong. I love books that make me love love, and get a little heartsick in the process. What is pleasure but pain and vice versa.

This book follows Neelo (They/Them) the Heir to the Southern Court as they work together with Talhan (He/Him) to uncover the mystery of the Violet Witches return, and stop a drug from killing/controlling their people. The slow burn romance in this one almost killed me. I fell in love with Talhan promptly, and really resonated with Neelo in this book. A shy bookworm, who doesn't think they are ready or worthy for the things they want, and the journey to find that hidden strength they've always had. The only thing I wanted from this book is Talhan's point of view, I was practically raving for it. Like I said, I fell in love with him, and just needed a touch more of him, and his point of view.

This book contains friends to lovers, mysteries, poly relationships, found family, LGBTQIA + characters, touch them you'll die, sunshine/grumpy, and some really good smut. Can't wait to read the next one to see how this one could be topped!

Give Me More!

How can an ending be so satisfying and still leave me wanting more??? This world is so cool and I can see where it was left open to explore in future books and all I can say is give it to me now please!! I want more of Sam and the rest of the crew, I'm not ready to leave the world yet!!

As a self proclaimed connoisseur of dragons in literature (feel free to ask for recs) when I saw this book on netgalley as one of my most anticipated reads I had to request and couldn't not be more grateful!
To start off, let me be clear this book is not for fantasy newbies, this is a high fantasy book. There is a big info dump, with world building and tone setting that lasts for about 150 pages before we get to the meat of the plot. With high fantasy there is an amount of learning the language of the world, such as Drakine in the book meaning Nobleman, which was well done I felt I adjusted quick enough. After finishing the book and realize the direction these books (it is not a standalone) will be taking I would agree that this info dump is necessary in order to make this story as compelling as it was.
Now to the actual plot I loved it. To me it gave 80s/90s fantasy (think Dragon Riders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey) with modern ideals. A major part of the book is the acceptance of being non-binary and gender fluid. There are many conversations of not constricting oneself to a box of what gender values are assigned and it's refreshing to see in literature, if we are not quite at that stage in society unfortunately.
I'm keeping this review spoiler free because I feel like it's best to just experience it blind like I did. But to hit some main points while I think the romance is while not quite a subplot it isn't the main plot in this first book at least. But it is giving enemies to lovers to ???, there is longing, tension, hiding parts of yourself because you are afraid of the others reaction. Found family, a heist, betrayal and riding the line between how much we do is destined or based on free will.
I will be picking off the next book whenever that comes out as I can't wait to see what happens next after that shocker of an ending. Thanks again for sending me the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed the book, it was a fast read and I felt like I knew the world without it feel like an info dump. Was it revolutionary and breaking the mold? No, but it didn't need to be. I smiled at the times I was suppose to smile, I was tense at the moments I was suppose to tense up and Xaden made me blush more than a couple times and that's good enough for me. I loved the dragons, and would love to see more of the gryphons in future books. This was an excellent read and I'm excited to continue the series.

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Alright I absolutely loved this book. I went into it knowing exactly what it is which is a gender bent Counte of Monte Christo retelling with magical elements and man did it deliver. The writing was beautiful, the emotions, the betrayal, the struggle of remembering what was and trying to piece together the aftermath. It gripped me and held my focus in a way few books have recently. This book is about the exchange of power and anger and how having more of it could lead you down the same path of those you hated the most.

There is a lot of love in this book as well, whether familial, romantic, friendship and all the ways it can get twisted and used against you. I loved the characters and their dimensions. The duality of characters as the story progresses really were dynamic as I had to change my pov of who they were and how I felt about them. I ended up feeling pity for some of the characters I thought were minor and could do no wrong and some that I hated and was supporting her revenge. I highly suggest everyone pick up this book!

an underated dark romantasy pick

I really enjoyed this! A little dark and twisted, in a world where your soul can reside on a scale of white to black with a whole lot of grey area, how far will you go for the ones you love? I really enjoyed the main character of the book who is a strong female character and that's shown not told. Any moments of weakness are reasonable in context which is totally rare these days. I really loved the enemies to lovers tension and they truly felt like enemies in the beginning. The plot was also plotting, it was a super enjoyable read de start to finish!

I love just how rich and involved the story is and how intricate it is without suffering plot or character development. Masterful writing!

I absolutely adored this book! Everything about it drew me in, the banter, the tension, the longing and the world itself was so interesting! The book follows Hart, a grumpy demigod who works as a police/military type of role, where the bad guys are souls that reanimate the dead (if they still have a normal appendix). Mercy is works with her father as an undertaker, preparing dead bodies for their last rites which puts her in constant contact with Hart as he lugs the deanimated corpses to the undertakers.

This book has everything, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, miscommunication, anonymous letter writing, tension, angst, smut, a mystery, Magic used in unusual way, and a really cool world. It is a stand alone, but I saw that the author is going to write another book set in the same world and I'm so excited! It's too cool of a world to leave it to one book! I highly recommend you read this book before her next one comes out!

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read this book years ago and it still hold up. The book follows Mya a part demon, part human, part ??? girl as she struggles to survive in purgatory, not for her life as she's the best fighter there is, but out of boredom as her people are kept under the thumb of their overlords, and her fights in the Purgatory Arenas aren't enough to excite her. Things start to heat up when she meets the Prince of Thrax, Lincoln who is part human part Angel, and I loved their relationship throughout the books.

What is special about the anniversary special is the bonus story about Walter, a ghoul who helps control purgatory now, but acts like Mya's adopted older brother. It's cutesy and with the rest of the drama of the first book, adds a sense of normalcy which is interesting. Loved this anniversary edition of one of my fave series!