Tag: romance

Review: Mirror of Malice by Tee Harlowe

Published on by Amanda

This book releases on January 24th!

5 / 5 Stars!

This is my new favorite fairytale retelling!

Liliath has been locked in a prison tower for two years, after her evil stepmother took over as queen. She’s been waiting for her betrothed to rescue her, so they can take back her kingdom. One day, she sees a cloaked man wearing his ring finally coming to get her, and he succeeds! Except, he isn’t her betrothed. She’s traded her prison for a kidnapper and thief.

Penn is the hulking, gorgeous, king of thieves. He’s spent a long time trying to steal the magic mirror and got the bonus of rescuing Liliath at the same time. The two argue from day one, and Penn tries to train her to be another of his thieves. Liliath will play along for now, but she isn’t worried about Penn’s end game. Her only concern is getting back to her land, stopping her stepmother, and helping her people.

I loved this book! It had plenty of Snow White elements with some Robin Hood thrown in, all while being original and captivating. I adored all of the thieves, and Penn and Liliath’s progression from enemies to more is extremely believable and provides some steam. The world that has been introduced is rich, with plenty more able to be delved in to in later books. There are more princesses around, with more fairytales to retell, so I cannot wait for the next book!

Book blurb from Goodreads:

He’s supposed to be my salvation, but he might just become my ruin.

I’m a prisoner in my own castle. Trapped by my apple-loving narcissist of a stepmother, desperate for my betrothed to rescue me.

Yet it’s not my one true love who comes—it’s the king of thieves. Just perfect.

He takes my stepmother’s mirror, the source of her power, but leaves with an additional treasure: me.

Now I’ve traded one prison for another. Penn Vanderbilt is cunning, captivating, and completely insufferable. He’s also secretive about his stolen goods . . . and the reason he kidnapped me.

Forget the thief’s plan. I’ve got one of my own: pretend to go along with his little scheme while plotting my escape.

I’ll only have to con the greatest con man alive. Never mind that I might be falling for him. The price of failing is my kingdom. But succeeding might just cost my heart.

Mirror of Malice is book one in Stolen Crowns, a series of steamy standalone but interconnected fairytale retellings. This enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract book is perfect for fans of banter, (very) snarky heroines, and slow-burn fantasy romance.

Release Day Review: Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Archer

Published on by Amanda

3 / 5 Stars!

Released today!!

Sanctuary of the Shadow is an interesting premise. We start in the world of the Salizar’s circus, where Harrow is hiding in plain sight as a fortune teller. We get hit with the mystery of Raith and get to see his character develop even though he has no memory. The two are immediately drawn together and both have missing pieces of their pasts to find.

I’m honestly really split on this book. The idea of it is fantastic, but the writing often kept me from staying totally in the moment. A lot of the storyline and relationships seem to move too quickly.

I expected the circus to play a bigger part of the story, and I’m a bit disappointed that less of it was explored or developed, as I think that would have added so much to the world building.

The side characters were my favorite parts of the book. Nashira and Malaikah both drew me in more than Harrow and Raith did. I really hope that a certain snake is explored more in the next book too.

Overall, I’m glad that I read it, and if the next book is about Malaikah’s journey, then I’ll definitely be reading it!

I received a review eARC provided by the publisher for an honest review. This beautiful edition pictured is also on its way to me, purchased by me!

Blurb from author’s website:

Enter at your own risk―and discover the greatest show unearthed in this explosive, darkly imaginative debut fantasy…
For humans, the circus is a place filled with wonder and amazement. For Harrow, though, it’s a place to hide from those who slaughtered her entire clan. Disguising her abilities as part of her act has kept her true identity safe for years.
Until he arrives.
A strange new attraction with no name, no memory of who―or even what―he is, let alone an explanation for his odd yet deadly powers. But beneath the layers of anger and isolation, one glimpse into his inky eyes reveals a soul that calls out to the loneliness in her own.
And so she chooses him.
Harrow is drawn to the darkness, to her insatiable need to soothe the beast who threatens their very existence. But with every secret she unlocks from his past, another from hers whispers free as well―luring enemies who will stop at nothing to get their final revenge on Harrow. And she’s afraid she’s given them the perfect weapon against her…because he’s not what he seems.
But maybe it’s time they finally learn―neither is she.

Review: Crown of Earth and Sky by Emberly Ash

Published on by Amanda

4 / 5 Stars!

Twins should not exist in the fae world. Yes, King Arthur and Veyka Pendragon defied those odds. Yet it left Veyka with a terrible secret and a horrible upbringing. After Veyka is forced to take the throne even if only as a farce, she’s forced to marry. There are always two on the throne of Annwyn, an Elemental king or queen and a terrestrial heir proven to be the best and their counterpart. The Brutal Prince, Arron Earthborn, is the strongest fae in a thousand years, so he’s chosen as the king to Veyka’s queen.

The story is from both Veyka’s and Arron’s perspectives. We see Veyka struggle with grief and depression, while plotting her revenge. We see Arron, forced from the battlefield to the court, try to figure out what to do with his new queen, who has no care to rule.

The lust between the two jumps from the page, but can two such guarded people ever let their walls down, especially with secrets that could change the fate of Annwyn?

This is an adult twist of the Arthurian legends and a wonderful read. We’re mostly in one area of the world, but so much more is alluded to that I expect to see in future books. I cannot wait to see more. There are still a few Arthurian legend characters missing that I can’t wait to see, and I need to know if my hunches are right!

There are trigger warnings, so make sure you pay attention to those if you may have triggers.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. It’s also available on kindle unlimited.

Book Blurb from Goodreads page:

What do I want?
A quick death.
Barring that, I only dream of one thing—revenge.
Veyka Pendragon was crowned queen in a farce fit for any circus. Now, as her traitorous court plots around her, the new Queen of the Elemental Fae must take revenge on the humans who betrayed her while also guarding a dangerous secret.
The arrival of her betrothed, the storied Brutal Prince, is merely another cog in the wheels of time and space spinning around her.
Arran Earthborn is the strongest terrestrial fae in millennia. If Veyka wishes to keep the peace her ancestors fought and died for, she must join with him soon.
But the Brutal Prince has not earned his name by playing nice. The torture he exacts will enrage and enflame her—and endanger a secret that would rip their world to shreds.
The days are slipping by.
Very soon I will have to choose…
The crown that destroyed my life but protects my kingdom…
Or settling the scores that haunt my every step.
Crown of Earth and Sky is a twisted mythology retelling of the Arthur legend. It is a high-steam fantasy romance with dark elements.

REVIEW: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Published on by Amanda

Letters of Enchantment series

4 / 5 Stars!

“you are worthy of love. You are worthy to feel joy right now, even in the darkness. And just in case you’re wondering … I’m not going anywhere, unless you tell me to leave, and even then, we might need to negotiate.”

I’m pretty sure that quote will be everywhere.

Divine Rivals was such an amazing book. It tells the story of Iris Winnow, an eighteen-year-old who’s trying to get the columnist promotion at Oath Gazette. Her brother is off at war, but she hasn’t heard from him. Her mother is suffering from addiction and is neglectful, and Iris needs the money to keep their apartment and food on the table. Then there’s her rival for the columnist position Roman Kitt, a smart, handsome, and wealthy man.

The gods are on the move and a war has broken out. Her brother went to fight, and since she hasn’t heard from him, she types out letters to him on an old typewriter and puts them under the wardrobe door, where they vanish. Unbeknownst to her, they appear in Roman’s room, and he begins to anonymously write back to her. An amazing friendship forms, though only Roman is aware of who he’s been writing to this whole time.

When things lead to Iris going on a traveling reporting job to the front lines, will their friendship grow? Will the magic connecting them continue? Will she find out anything about her brother? Do the gods really walk among them? What follows is a truly beautiful novel with some of the best quotes around.

“It’s not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless. Iris, look at me. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I intend to see that you have it.”

This is not my usual book. Yes, it’s fantasy, but it’s a purer, simpler version. I don’t mean the writing, but it’s a more humanized novel maybe. I’m not sure that I can describe it if you haven’t read it. It was definitely a break from all the dragon, high action things that I had been reading. A pleasant break. I’m truly glad that I read this book and have already pre-ordered the next.

“I never told you that I love you. And I regret that, most of all.”

Book blurb from author’s website:

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
Shadow and Bone meets Lore in Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals, an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

REVIEW: The Last Dragon King by Leia Stone

Published on by Amanda

4/5 Stars!

Cinderella meets the Hunger Games meets dating shows.

A girl from a small village finds herself unexpectedly a candidate to become queen when she finds out that she may have a more magical heritage than she’d always believed.

Arwen is the older sister in a family who lost their father. She takes up hunting to support her family in a small town with few extra resources. After a successful hunt, she returns for a festival but instead has her world turned upside down.

I’m very split on this book. In one case, I was hooked and finished it in a few hours. On the other, I have some issues with a few parts of it.

I love the beginning of this book. Yes, it has parallels to other stories, but it also has an amazing FMC. I immediately loved Arwen, and Drae was intriguing. I got nervous when all the queen candidates got together and expected the book to go into the usual catty girl competition stuff. It was pleasantly surprising when that was not the case. Female characters supporting each other, cheering each other on and accepting differences was a nice change.

Some of the book did feel a bit rushed, and I wish certain aspects had been flushed out more. That being said, sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy a quick read! It also had an odd mix of purity until marriage and other views of having families. Neither of those things are bad, and it takes all kinds of people and relationships to make the world the place it is. I do look forward to reading more of this series in the future and exploring the other characters that were introduced or mentioned!

This book can either be read as a standalone, or as part of The Kings of Avalier series.

Thank you to the author and #NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Book blurb from author’s website:

The Dragon King is looking for a wife.

This news throws the women in my village into a tizzy. The king will be sending out the royal guard to bring women of childbearing age to his castle in Jade City.

There is only one requirement: the woman must carry enough magic to produce an heir for him.

I’m a watered-down human with a mere ten percent dragon magic lineage, I know I won’t be chosen, but for some reason the magic sniffers command me to present myself to the king as a possible wife.

I’m ready to go to Jade City until my mother tells me a terrifying secret. A secret that could get me killed… by the king himself.