ARC Review: Thorn Season by Kiera Azar

With the irresistibly compulsive quality of Fourth Wing and the rich world-building of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Thorn Season is sharp, funny, sexy and dangerous, and packed full of irresistible twists – an unforgettable novel that marks the introduction of a major new YA voice and will be the romantasy debut of 2025.

In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders – able to exert a physical power that extends beyond her visible a shimmering tendril that can pick a lock, a gentle coil that reaches out to give a loving caress, or an inexorable rope that will kill a man before he knows it is around his neck. Feared and mistrusted for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine – heiress of a noble lineage, daughter of a Hunter family – is also a Wielder. And as she approaches her eighteenth Season, Alissa knows she has escaped execution so far only through painful self-control, and the fragile efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself trapped in a web of hidden intentions – and caught between two equally dangerous men. One is a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairytale prince, who would see her destroyed in an instant if the truth were known – and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

It’s Rose Season at the palace, but Alissa knows that survival will depend on being the most vicious of the thorns…

Title: Thorn Season (Thorn Season #1)

Author: Kiera Azar

Publisher: Harper Collins Children

Expected Publication Dare: September 2, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I can't believe this was a debut fantasy. I enjoyed it so much! Fantastic world building, an interesting magic type system, villains, a corrupt monarch, mysterious happenings, and rebels. This was such a great mix of fun, romance, and tension!

I will say the book initially started a bit slow for me. There is a lot of build up to what happens in the second half of the book. But once the build up was over, the book moved really quickly with tons of action, chases, and high stakes to be had. I never thought to stop reading but I was waiting for it to pick up and boy did it ever!

I adored all the characters. Alissa is an amazing heroine. She's smart and sassy and has so much growth in this book. And she is vengeful with bloodlust and I loved every minute of watching her bloom and grow. She was literally a different person by the end of the book with all she learns. Kiel, oh my! I need more Kiel in my life. I'm sure he'll be a bigger part of the next book but I will say I was sad to not have him in the last 35% or so of the book. I kept wanting him to show up. Garrett left something to be desired. I'm just super angry at his character (read and you'll know why) and I'm hoping he will in some way redeem himself, if he doesn't die first.  And then there's Erik, The King, who you know from the start is just full of all the evil. And he gives quite the twisty turn with the things he knows you never thought he would! Carmen, Tari, Blaire, and so many more. I really enjoyed how Azar made each and every character unique.

And I loved how Azar worked in so many surprises throughout the book. Not only to show us who the characters really were but also to show us they are not at all who we may have thought they were, as well. Scheming and plotting come at you from all sides. It's like watching a show about 15th century England! Every moment, every interaction had weight to it that was essential to the plot. Azar packs the betrayal in places where you never thought you'd see it coming. Definitely surprises around every corner in her world.

I'm really excited to see Azar go deeper into her world and help the reader explore more of the magic system. And I love that she's added additional adventure outside the initial world. It is giving me Throne of Glass vibes! If you're looking for a fantasy that doesn't rely solely on the romance and is full of twists and turns throughout, I highly recommend you give this one a try.

Author:

KIERA AZAR was born in Surrey, where she grew up acting, singing and songwriting, making her screen debut in the Netflix adaptation of Shadow And Bone. She studied biomedical science before she wrote her first book and decided to pursue her love of storytelling. Thorn Season is her first novel.

 

ARC Review: Warrior Princess Assassin

New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer makes her adult debut with this irresistible and steamy fantasy about three characters whose paths will collide in surprising ways – two royals pushed into a political engagement, and the assassin tasked with hunting them down.

WARRIOR. King Maddox Kyronan’s fire magic has earned him a ruthless reputation on the battlefield, but now his kingdom is slowly burning. Ky’s only chance to save his people is to enter a marriage alliance with the neighboring nation of Astranza, and hope that the royal family’s power to manipulate the weather will help his land flourish once more. He just needs to ensure no one finds out how the blaze began.

PRINCESS. With war looming on the horizon, Princess Jory’s home needs the protection of the fearsome warrior king, but she is hiding a dangerous her family’s magic is fading. Tempting as it is to reject her duties and run away with her childhood friend, Asher, Jory knows that she is the kingdom’s last hope. When she meets her intended, Jory is surprised to discover that beneath Ky’s daunting exterior is a compassionate and sharp-witted man who sets her heart aflame. But what will he do when he realizes she's deceiving him?

ASSASSIN. Asher’s done what he must to survive, even if that means getting his hands dirty. Once a young nobleman in Astranza’s palace, where he and Jory caused mischief together, now he’s part of the Hunter’s Guild, employing much darker skills. When a lucrative job comes his way, Asher can’t say no—until he discovers the targets. Someone wants Ky and Jory dead. With the Guild watching, Asher must decide what he’s willing to do to protect the woman he loves.

A tale of three complex characters torn between chasing, betraying, and falling in love with each other, Warrior Princess Assassin marks the beginning of a thrilling new fantasy trilogy filled with enchantment, adventure, and passionate romance.

Title: Warrior Princess Assassin

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Avon

Expected Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

To say I was excited for Kemmerer to be releasing an adult fantasy title is an understatement. I'm a huge fan of Kemmerer's book and have been reading her since the first book she published. I had very high expectations for this book as I know I usually love Kemmerer's writing and her story lines. Unfortunately, this book just did not meet those expectations at all.

Let's start with the things I did enjoy. First, the cover and stenciled edges are just gorgeous. Yes, I do judge a book by it's cover and I judged that I would love this one.The book started off well, with the characters each having their own chapters. It's three points of view. I love books with different points of view as it shows the story through more than one set of eyes and makes it more interesting to me. The set up for the story was there, with the bones starting from page one, but that was where it fell off for me.

The world building in this book is thoroughly lacking. While the magic is somewhat explained, even by half way through the book I had no idea where it came from or how it truly worked. All I knew where there were countries (maybe territories) that were enemies but needed each other to try and defeat a common enemy. I didn't truly understand how their alliance would help do this even by 50% in. The book is very focused on character interaction, which would be fine if it were a romance, but this was billed as a fantasy, so where was that part of the story line? By the end I didn't understand the political relationships or why there was conflict between the different territories.

The characters were very flat for me. I didn't like any of them. I didn't feel like they were all that reliable. I think out of the three, the Warrior POV seemed most realistic. However, it was hard to distinguish between the POVs, I found myself flipping back to make sure I knew which POV I was reading on many an occasion. I'm wondering if the audio might help with this. I saw Teddy Hamilton was one of the narrators and I truly love him. But I don't love the characters enough to go back and try this on audio. And the chemistry between the characters was just not there. If you're going to build a throuple, there really needs to be a lot of chemistry and engagement between the characters. A build up so we understand the why choose. Early on in the book there is a scene where the two male characters are interacting and one of them notes the other might be hard. But it just did not fit into that part of the story. There was nothing organic about the romance and it was more uncomfortable than anything else.

And the writing definitely skewed YA to me, even though this is an adult title. I just didn't believe the characters were the ages they were billed to be. They all seemed very young and naive despite being told the two male characters have some life experience.

Overall I am just very disappointed in this title. I spent much of the time while reading it bored and forced myself to keep turning the pages in the hopes that something, anything, interesting and exciting would happen. I kept waiting for it to ramp up and give me a great plot but it never did. I needed swooning, intrigue, higher stakes, and much more yearning. I got none of this. And the cliffhanger was predictable. I wanted to love it, but it wasn't my cup of tea. I won't be pursuing the future books in this series and this saddens me.

Author:

Brigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of dark and alluring YA novels like A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Defy the Night, and Letters to the Lost. A full time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family. When she’s not writing or being a mom, you can usually find her with her hands wrapped around a barbell.

 

ARC Review: Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie

Six students at Blackwood Academy, an enigmatic boarding school located at the edge of the afterlife, must compete for the once-in-eternity chance to change their fate—or risk remaining stuck in purgatory forever. An unputdownable debut full of hairpin twists, shock betrayals and world-defying love, for fans of The Atlas Six.

Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located at the fringes of the afterlife, where students are fated to spend the rest of eternity shepherding lost souls. Once a pupil enters the school’s arched gates, there is no way out…except for the Decennial, a once-in-a-decade celebration that rewards nominees who pass its trials with a choice: formally graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or venture into the unknown and cross over to the mysterious Other Side.

Wren Loughty is certain that this Decennial, she has what it takes to earn the nomination—unless, that is, her academic archrival Augustine Hughes steals her spot.

Irene Manette Bamford has never cared about playing by the rules. She’s willing to break whatever (and whoever) stands between her and getting the hell out of Blackwood, including her best and only friend, Masika Sallow.

Olivier Dupont gave up on securing the nomination ages ago. But after he meets Blackwood’s newest student, Emilio Córdova, he’ll do anything to keep Emilio from leaving him and crossing over to the Other Side—even if it means claiming the victory for himself.

All of them are determined to be Blackwood’s chosen candidate–and all of them would do anything to win. But none of them are prepared for what’s to come. Because this Decennial will be different. This time, the Decennial isn’t a celebration…it’s a competition. And there can only be one victor.

Six nominees. Four trials. Untold danger. Wren, August, Irene, Masika, Olivier and Emilio are about to learn: there are some fates worse than death.

Title: Immortal Consquences

Author: I.V. Marie

Publisher: Random House Children's

Expected Publication Date: June 29, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Random House Children's Publishing for sending me a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own. I was disappointed to be denied a copy of this book on NetGalley but then the publisher contacted me to see if I'd like to read and review and I jumped at the chance.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It had so many great elements that checked all kinds of boxes for me. A magical academy a la Harry Potter. Hunger Games type competition. Stranger Things type creatures who are freaking scary and definitely out to get everyone. Plus a dark academia setting with an undead feel and good and evil factions. All this within the realm of the dead. It was so much fun to read.

I loved the multiple POVs the author used to give us so many different visions of what was happening during the entire book. If differing POVs is not your thing, you might not like this one as there are six, but I found it fascinating. The dynamics between the characters was enjoyable. And the entire crew gave a found family feel. It was great to get to know each and every character this way. Each character was well developed and Marie absolutely made me care for each and every one of them. They were relatable, despite the element of them being dead souls. The POVs were easily distinguishable and the characters were likeable with lots of flaws to make them even more understandable. The alternating POVs also kept me interested in the story as I wanted to know what happened to each and every one of the characters; what their end game was and why.

The pacing was action packed. There was always something happening that moved the story forward and kept me interested in what would be happening next. I was never bored, not for one single minute.

And the slow burn romances were on point. This book is definitely YA. I am a big romance reader so I always worry about a young adult romantasy and what it will hold for me. There is definitely fade to black with any scenes that contain the hint of a sexual encounter, but that didn't make the romances any less enjoyable. And the angst, oh the angst. I think this is what did it for me. I didn't need to spice because the longing and chemistry Marie did create was on point! There is great LBGTQ+ rep in this book, as well. 

Marie also did a fabulous job with the world building. It's filled with such great description and a well fleshed out magical system that was easy to understand. This part absolutely reminded me of Harry Potter with it's different dorms acting like the houses for the different magical abilities. And I loved her writing. It was easy to read and smooth.

This book is easily in my top 5 for this year. And I just knew there would be some crazy twist and a bit of a cliff hanger for this one but I didn't care. I was sad to come to the end and would love to have the second book right this very minute. I cannot wait to read what comes next!

If you're looking for an action packed paranormal read with dark academia the likes of Harry Potter and trials the likes of The Hunger Games, this one is it. I am absolutely enamored and on board with this series and cannot wait to see where Marie takes this story line!

Author:

I.V. Marie was born and raised in Miami to a Peruvian mother and Chilean father, where she acquired a penchant for afternoon cafecitos and developed an all-consuming obsession with books. Her writing ambitions began behind her grandparents’ computer, where she spent her childhood crafting spooky and fantastical short stories. She holds a BA in Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University and currently lives in Los Angeles, where she spends her free time going on walks with her chaotic, but loving dog, Mr. Darcy.

 

ARC Review: Rose In Chains by Julie Soto

 

This beautiful DELUXE EDITION hardcover featuring gorgeous sprayed edges with stenciled art is only available for a limited first print run and while supplies last. This is a stunning special edition you will want to add to your collection.

YOUR NEXT ROMANTASY OBSESSION!

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, Briony Rosewood knows that the world as she knows it is changed forever. The dark forces of Bomard have won and her people, the Eversuns, face imminent servitude, imprisonment or death. Her brother, fated to be heir twice over and unite the warring kingdoms, is dead.

Stripped of her Mind Magic and her freedom, Briony and the other survivors are quickly auctioned off to the highest bidders in an auction – and as the heir-apparent’s sister, she fetches the highest price.

After a fierce bidding war, she’s sold to none other than Toven a high ranking Bomardsun – and her long-time and ill-fated infatuation. Scion of a family known for their cruel control of Heart Magic, the Hearsts are ruthlessly ambitious, and Briony knows they will use her however they can to further their own interests.

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…

Title: Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1)
Author: Julie Soto

Publisher: Hachette Audio/Forever

Expected Publication Date: July 8, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Forever, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I will say, Julie Soto breaking into fantasy had me worried. I enjoy her romances but wasn't sure how well her writing would translate into a different genre. To say I was pleasantly surprised and even think this may be where she should settle is an understatement.

I have not listened to any books narrated by Ella Lynch before, I'm always worried I won't enjoy a new narrator but Lynch surprised me as being a perfect voice for the main character, Briony Rosewood. She did a wonderful job making me feel connected to Briony and helping me to experience all the emotions that were wound together in this book.

The characters of this book are so well fleshed out and developed. It was easy to understand them, to feel their emotions, and to be swept away by their circumstances. Briony knows her place in her world, which is not to put herself ahead of her twin in any way. Her country rules by typical misogynistic ways with heirs only ever being male. Of course once her brother is not longer in the picture, her worth changes, especially for her enemy. Toven Hearst has always been a thorn in Briony's side. But you can see there is so much more to him than what Brony sees. Because the book is told from her POV, we don't get to see what it truly in Toven's mind. But we do see him well enough through Briony to know the struggles he is truly experiencing. He cones off as morally gray, but I don't truly think he is. Again, we don't see things through his eyes and we are not in his mind to experience what he does, we only experience him through Briony. This helps keep the mystery of him throughout the book. However, there is so much Briony does not see about him. I'm not sure if it's because she is naive or because she is just not in tune enough to know. I won't say more than that because if I do, I'll spoil things for everyone.

While there is romance in this book, that is not the main focus at all. There are a few scenes of spark, and one which is a bit spicy, but it is the slowest of slow burns. Yes, this book is billed as a Romantasy, and I can see where the romance aspect may have more impact in the future, but this book was all about building the world, sorting out the magics that exists, and figuring out who is on what side of the fight. The world is immersive and lush. At no time was I confused by the system being portrayed. Soto made it hard to see who could and could not be trusted. To be expected in a book where treason is a high stakes game.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Soto's amazing use of side characters in this book. She never introduces someone who is not someone important to the plot. Even if they play just a small part in the story. Her characters are all important and all bring something to the mix. Some of those characters are important in how they form a found family. 

I loved how the book was set up with flashbacks to give the back story in understanding Briony and Troven Hearst's relationship from the very beginning. Their enemies vibe was palpable from the very first scene we see with them together. That tension was perfect for the story to come. It fueled the pacing and made the plot that much more interesting.

Did I figure a few things out from the beginning? Yes, yes I did. Did I care? Not one bit. I needed to see how Soto would get me through the story and show me on the other end the things I knew were going to happen. 

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I honestly did not want it to end. I kept stopping my reading at short intervals towards the end because I just needed to soak it all up and slow my pace. I loved absolutely everything about it. From the characters to the magic system to the political intrigue. Soto reeled me in and kept me turning pages to see where she would take me. And I must say, what a ride it was. I am already itching to read the next book in this series to see where it goes.

Author:

JULIE SOTO is a USA Today bestselling author, playwright, and actress originally from Sacramento, CA. Her musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for her script. She is a musical theater geek, fandom nerd, and the author of many spicy fan fictions. Julie now lives in Fort Bragg, CA, with her dog, Charlie. She is probably drinking coffee as you read this.

ARC Review: A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan

 

This stunning slow-burn romantasy follows a fated pair who uncover a world-changing secret and are thrust into a violent class war, navigating love, loss, and devastating betrayals.

Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson are twelve years old when they are whisked away from the shadows of their disenfranchised mining towns to dazzling Belavere City to discover their magical potential. Those who pass Belavere’s test will become Artisans, wielders of powerful elemental magic destined to fulfill the city’s grand ambitions. For Nina, the Artisan School symbolizes a dream and an escape from her harsh reality, while Patrick yearns to return to his Craftsman family, whose extraordinary physical strength serves the idium mines keeping the city alive.

And then they uncover a devastating truth: Artisans aren’t born, they’re chosen. They part ways on very different paths, leaving them to carry the burden of this secret alone.

In the years that follow, a Craftsman revolution ignites, thrusting Nina and Patrick into opposing factions of a brewing war. Now an elite Artisan with the very rare talent for charming earth, Nina has turned her back on the fight, haunted by the loss of her found family. But fate intervenes when she is captured by Patrick’s rebel group. Despite the years and conflict that separates them, Patrick hasn’t forgotten Nina. He desperately seeks her help for a mission that could shift the tides against Belavere City. Reluctantly, she agrees, battling the sparks flying between them. But when Nina’s first love reappears, asking her to betray Patrick for the sake of the Artisans, Nina faces an impossible choice that could alter the fate of their world.

Title: A Forbidden Alchemy

Author: Stacey McEwan

Publisher: S&S/Saga Press

Publication Date: July 1, 2025

Reivew:

Thank you to Saga Press/S&S Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Stacey McEwan is a treasure everyone should experience. Her Glacian trilogy was one of my favorite fantasy reads last year. I loved her writing, the pacing she introduced, the plot and plot lines, and her wonderfully developed characters. I was excited to get a copy of her new romantasy to read! And the Peaky Blinders vibes mixed with just a bit of a Hunger Games type world in this book, oh boy! While the book has elements of these things, it remains unique.

First, I need to talk about the cover of this book. It is absolutely gorgeous and creates a great vibe for the story. Not only that, once you read it and look back, you see just how it fits perfectly with the story.

I will say it took some time for me to get into the book. The beginning is a lot of childhood background which I think could have been woven into the story line in general, but McEwan chose to have us follow along as the characters got older and progressed in their lives.

McEwan chose to write this book in dual POV, The FMC, Nina, has a first person POV while the MMC, Patrick, has a third person distant objective POV. At first I wasn't sure I would like this. BUT it worked well. Nina's POV was so intense and personal. While Patrick's POV not only showed him but all the other side characters and their personalities. 

I loved the world building of this book. While I felt like there could possibly be a bit more background to the magic system, it was easy to understand. I loved the Artisan's and their different powers: earth movers, metal workers, water movers, ink workers. It was all so interesting and intricate. Elemental magic at it's best.

Of course it wouldn't be proper fantasy without conflict. The government versus the common man. It gave some dystopian vibes in that way. But the layout of the world and how the population was separated was exactly what I imagined for this rebellion. Lots of secrets and turmoil. Lots of power struggles.

Then there's the found family aspect. I absolutely love a found family. While Patrick's actual family is part of his life, Nina does not have any connection with her blood family. Both characters find family in those who surround them. Found family is often such an important part of fantasy and McEwan built this one perfectly. And the banter that ensues between all these characters is top notch!

Were there twists and turns? Absolutely. Secrets revealed, some of which I guessed others that were a complete shock. I loved how the loyalties wavered and you weren't sure who was on what side. And that ending? Ugh, yes, a cliffhanger leaving me wanting book 2 right now because I need to know how things progress and what happens. I'm sure we are in for a huge battle!

If you're looking for a book with a unique magic system involving the elements, twists and turns, well developed and relatable characters, and challenged loyalty, give this one a try!

Author:

Stacey McEwan is the best-selling author of fantasy romance. Her books have been translated into four languages. Her high school English teacher once called her writing "above year level standard" and she took it far too seriously. Stacey received a bachelor's degree in education in 2012 and was a school teacher for eleven years. She is a content creator on multiple platforms, including Tiktok and Instagram. Stacey first published after book lovers of the internet encouraged her to share her story ideas. She was born and raised on the Gold Coast, Australia, and still resides in her hometown with her husband, two children and one questionable dog.

ARC Review: Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson

 

A young thief attempting a daring casino heist during a high-stakes tournament is torn between two warring brothers in Den of Liars, a thrilling YA fantasy romance by acclaimed author Jessica S. Olson.

Lola St. James is the world’s best kept secret. When her father’s loss in the Liar’s Dice Tournament–a high-stakes competition where players are forced to gamble with their deepest secrets–made her a target, she was rescued by the Thief, the notorious leader of the Tentacles. But the Thief’s kindness came with a Lola’s heart. In the years that followed, she and the Thief formed a bond like no other, able to feel each other’s emotions because of their shared heart.

Now, living under the pseudonym Astra, she is determined to prove herself and become a full-fledged Tentacle. But when a critical heist goes sideways, the only way forward is for Lola to compete in the Liar’s Dice Tournament herself. Lola is confident in her ability to pull off any heist, but the Thief's mysterious brother, the Liar, runs the game and he turns out to be more than she bargained for. As her attraction for him grows and illusions run wild, she will be forced to confront the secrets of her past, the truth of the brothers’ shared history, and the lies she tells herself.

Title: Den of Liars

Author: Jessica S. Olson

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Expected Publication Date: July 1, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan's Children's Publishing group, Fiewel and Friends, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this title to listen to and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved the idea of this book. A casino of sorts where people gamble secrets. It was very intriguing. And I have listened to books narrated by this female author (under a different name) and have enjoyed her. So having a copy of this one to listen to (and read along with the Kindle version) was nice.

This book gave me Leigh Bardugo Six of Crows vibes. I think it was the crime boss in a fantasy world thing that made me feel that way. So the idea of the story was really great. It was written well with average pacing and lots of suspense woven throughout. But it didn't hit it's mark for me. 

I'll start with the narration. Unfortunately, I didn't click well with the narrators. They had good cadence and inflection, I just wasn't pulled in by their voices for the characters they were portraying. It is dual narration with a FMC and MMC POV. I wish there had been more from the MMC's POV. I felt the book heavily relied on the FMC's POV.

Beyond the narration, I truly struggled to connect with the characters. Astria/Lola had a lot of baggage but I didn't feel like she really addressed any of it and grew from what she found throughout the book. She still seemed to be in the same place she started by the end. Nic/Liar was a better character for me. I could feel his struggle in wanting to be more than just the liar he was. But he didn't do much to change it. Both these characters had limited growth and development for me and came across as one dimensional rather than layered.

I also struggled to feel the chemistry and romance between the characters. It seemed quite forced. There was no growth there. No lead up. It just was suddenly they were attracted to each other and that was that.

I also found the world building lacking. I had a hard time understanding the magic system and how it worked. Or even how people had magic in the first place. 

I did appreciate the inclusion of a disability in this book. I could feel the struggle from that character in having to deal with an eye that doesn't work quite right and glasses often getting in the way. 

Overall, the book is fast paced but it just missed the mark for me with the lack of world building and development of the characters. I honestly couldn't wait for it to end.

Author:

Jessica S. Olson is the author of Sing Me Forgotten, A Forgery of Roses, and the Den of Liars duology. A former copyeditor from New Hampshire, she currently lives in Texas with her husband, four children, and carefully curated supply of snacks. Her books have received starred reviews, earned librarian/bookseller accolades, and been translated into several languages throughout the world. In her free time, she practices aerial hoop and eats peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar.

ARC Review: The Starlight Heir (The Starlight Heir #1) by Amalie Howard

 

A bladesmith with the power of the stars in her blood and a prince with a dangerous secret will fight to save their kingdom in this spicy and spellbinding romantasy inspired by Persian and Indian mythology—perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas and Thea Guanzon.

To save the realm from eternal darkness, she’ll have to choose between the truth and the lie—stand and fight or kneel and die.

“His Imperial Majesty, King Zarek requests your presence as his esteemed guest.”

When the gold-dusted court invitation arrives at Suraya Saab’s forge, she believes it’s a joke. Nobles might seek her skills as a bladesmith—one of few who can imbue her work with precious jadu, the last source of magic in the realm—but she has no qualifications as a potential bride for the crown prince. Still, the invitation is the chance at adventure, and the means to finally visit the capital city her late mother loved.

But what awaits her in Kaldari is nothing she could have imagined—and fraught with danger. It’s not the crown prince, but his impossibly handsome, illegitimate half-brother, Roshan, who draws her interest…and her ire. The invitation isn’t a quest to find a suitable bride, but a veiled hunt for the starbringer—a girl rumored to hold the magic of the stars in her blood. And across the city, unrest is brewing between the noble houses and the rebel militia.

When the rebels carry out a brutal strike, Suraya and Roshan find themselves on the run, trying to deny their simmering attraction and the knowledge that Suraya herself might be the starbringer. But Roshan is hiding secrets of his own. And with no control of the power that seems to be stirring within her, Suraya has drawn the attention of the old gods themselves…and the interest of one dark god in particular might be the biggest threat of all.

Title: The Starlight Heir (The Starlight Heir #1)

Author: Amalie Howard

Publisher: Avon

Expected Publication Date: January 7, 2025

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I've been a lover of Howard's work for a long time. I especially love when she delves into the fantasy world. So to say I was excited to read this one when given a chance is an understatement.

I'll start with the cover because how cay you not? Even if I didn't know Amalie's work, I would pick this book up and buy just based on the gorgeous cover. 

Amalie continues to impress by building a unique magical world within her book. I'm always excited to be introduced to new folklore and this one definitely fit that bill. I don't know much of Persian or Indian mythology but Howard does a nice job of creating a world where we understand the background and what it means to the characters and their development within the story. So many different concepts to explore and enjoy.

The pacing was well done with this book. I didn't feel bored when reading it and I definitely wanted to know what was next every time I had to put it down to do something else.

The FMC, Suraya Saab, is well done. She's funny and interesting and easily relatable for the reader. I liked her view on life and also loved her loyalty to family and close friends. I loved her profession but, being a bladesmith seems like it would come with a bit more "badassery" than I felt from the actual character. She wasn't strong in that respect, kind of keeping to herself when I felt like such a character would be a bit more brash and loud mouthed. The MMC, Roshan, was most of all funny. I loved that he could easily get Suraya to laugh. I will say the romance seemed just a bit forced for me. I wanted a bit more development and conflict with the characters but it wasn't truly there. He fell for her a little faster than I would have liked but at the same time his knowledge of who she was and what she could possibly do for him were floating about. It seems his intentions were not all on the up and up from the get go. But their banter is really quite fun and it's what made me feel the relationship was true.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters. Some I was sad to see go and others I wanted to see GONE! There's definitely villainy in this story. There's even a bit of a Hunger Games feel to how the book begins with the girls needing to prove their worth to the crown prince in order to become his selected wife.

So why not 5 stars, you say? I know the book is marketed as an adult romantasy and in all honesty, I just didn't get that vibe with it, despite the characters being in their 20s. It really did had a younger feel to me even with the spice infused into the story. If that spice was not there, I would not have thought of it as anything but a YA fantasy. I would definitely tell people this felt more like an older YA or even NA book with adult themes. This part of the execution fell a little flat for me. I'm hoping the second book leans more towards that adult theme the author was going for. I also found some parts of the story to be rushed. While Howard does a good job showing us the world, I needed to spend more time in some of the spaces to really understand the mythology behind what she was presenting.

Overall, I'd recommend this one and I'm excited to see where Howard is going to take the second book in the series.

Author:

AMALIE HOWARD is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, most notably of The Beast of Beswick, “a smart, sexy, deliciously feminist romance,” and one of O-The Oprah Magazine’s Top 24 Best Historicals to Read. She is the co-author of the #1 bestsellers in regency romance and Scottish historical romance, My Rogue, My Ruin and What A Scot Wants, and has also penned several young adult novels, critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, School Library Journal, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Kid’s INDIE NEXT selection. Of Indo-Caribbean descent, she has written articles on multicultural fiction for The Portland Book Review and Ravishly magazine. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. Visit her at amaliehoward.com.

ARC Review: A Monsoon Rising (The Hurricane Wars #2) by Thea Guazon

 

Two hearts circle each other in the eye of the storm in this highly-anticipated follow-up to The Hurricane Wars—prepare for more enemies-to-lovers romance, magical adventures, and political schemes in this Southeast Asian-inspired world.

After a lifetime of war, Alaric and Talasyn were thrust into an alliance between their homelands that was supposed to end the fighting; however, being married to their sworn foe feels far from peaceful. Now Talasyn must play the part of Alaric’s willing empress while her allies secretly plot to overthrow his reign. But the longer the couple are forced together, the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them. When the time comes to act, can she trust him, or must she ignore her heart for the sake of so many others?

As the master of the Shadowforged Legion, Alaric has trained for battle all his life, but marrying a Lightweaver might be his most dangerous challenge yet. With tensions between nations churning, he needs to focus on the greater threat—the Moonless Dark, a cataclysmic magical event that could devour everything. Only he and Talasyn can stop it, with a powerful merging of light and shadow that they alone can create together. But saving their world from this disaster is a mere preface to his father’s more sinister schemes, and his wife is a burning flame in the darkness, tempting both his loyalties and his desires.

The Hurricane Wars aren’t over. It’s time to choose what—and who—to fight for. The world holds its breath amidst a whirlwind of new magic and old secrets that could change everything.

Title: A Monsoon Rising (The Hurricane Wars #2)

Author: Thea Guanzon

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Expected Publication Date: December 10, 2024

Review:

Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Voyager for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I really enjoyed The Hurricane Wars so much more than I thought I would. I wasn't expected the excellent writing, the amazing plot, the great pacing, and, most of all, characters who I became totally invested in. I enjoyed this installment even more than the first!

This book picks up soon after the ending of the last book. It's hard to give a full review without spoiling what actually happens, to be honest. The first book was very rooted in the politics of the world and building it out so we understood the unique magic system Guanzon has created. This book was much more focused on the relationship between the MMC and the FMC and their push and pull with one another. The politics are still there and Guanzon does a great job with moving the plot along with a lot of action and mystery sewn together.

Alaric and Talaysan are married and there's no going back from that political alignment. They must combine forces to save their lands from and event that can devour everything in its path. There's a ton of push and pull between them in this book. Their attraction to each other is something that confuses both of them. They don't want to have those feelings but it just cannot be helped. Of course there's a ton of "he doesn't feel that way" and "why do I feel this way about her" going on throughout the book to create a sense of tension where the romance is concerned. jAnd them giving in to what they believe are their baser needs is something they definitely struggle with; their chemistry is off the charts. These two definitely show off their poor communication skills and there are a ton of scenes where this plot point rears its head throughout the book.

Alaric definitely shows his morally gray side in this book. But you can also see how his mind is working and his thoughts are changing and his struggle to come to terms with who his father is. That relationship shows how Alaric's personality formed the way it did and why he struggles so much with his feelings for Talasyn and what must ultimately become of them both.

This book definitely delved more into character development than plot. Don't get me wrong, the plot was there, but this book focused a lot on the romance aspect of romantasy. And I was all there for it because I knew from book one we had to see these two give into their desires. The plot was slower to move for me because of this, though I wasn't bored at any time. But Guanzon inserted so much more intrigue and unexpected things that I didn't see coming. And I don't feel this book suffered from second book syndrome, which happens often with trilogies and drives me bananas.

Of course the author had to leave the ending on a huge cliffhanger (it's a good one, I promise), so now I need book three yesterday. If you loved the first book in this series, and want to see the relationship really grown and blossom, you'll enjoy this second installment immensely.

Author:

Traveler, fangirl, dungeon master, cat lady, and iced coffeeholic residing in Metro Manila. Somehow also a New York Times, USA Today, Indie List, Sunday Times, and international bestselling author!

The Hurricane Wars is out now from the Voyager imprint of HarperCollins. Its sequel, A Monsoon Rising, will publish this December.