Book Review: Codename Charming

Title: Codename Charming [Palace Insiders 2]

Author: Lucy Parker

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Rating: 5 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites–she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic–but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…

For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.

When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning…

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

I loved this book, it was so heartachingly sweet, and like any good mid-series book, it managed to stand alone under its own power. I cannot stress to you how important that is to me, because sometimes you pick up a book in the middle of a series, or you wait more than a year for a sequel, and forget the book before it. I love being able to pick up any book in a series and be able to dive right in without getting lost.

The romance in this book was deliciously comical in the best way. It was a story of opposites attract, and there was something so endearingly sweet about this scarred, massive bodyguard falling head over heels for a tiny ray of sunshine and becoming each other’s family. They were so cute, and I loved every second of their relationship. There was a lot of “fate” and “serendipity” at play, but the author managed to lean into it without making it ridiculous or unbelievable.

I don’t want to spoil too much, so I’ll just say that this was a lovely cozy read, and if you’re looking for a romance book that’s easy to sink into and makes you smile, this is the book to pick up. I was grinning ear to ear by the end of the story. I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone who needs a pick-me-up after a long week.

Book Review: Dawn Breaker

Title: Dawnbreaker [Salvation Cycle 2]

Author: Jodi Meadows

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Rating: 4 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

The thin membrane of magic separating the human and demonic planes has been destroyed. Nightrender, the immortal warrior of the gods, must find a way to rebuild it, but Hanne—the serpent girl, always too cunning to be trusted, too hungry for power—has become High Queen, and is too consumed with ambition to cooperate. Meanwhile, Rune—married to Hanne, but in love with Nightrender—is lost in the realm of demons after a disastrous battle, wandering alone in a twisted landscape of mercury seas, black-glass spires, and winds blowing ash … In this second and final installment of the Nightrender duology, the circle will close, and the world will be saved—or burnt to a cinder.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

I really enjoyed this series as a whole, and of course, this book in particular, though there are a few caveats to that. The writing was clear and easy to read and didn’t suffer from annoying typographical errors or grammatical mistakes. The characters had depth and individual motivations that sometimes led to conflict. The worldbuilding was perfection. I adored the idea of the malstop and the little bubbles of pure chaotic malice that dotted the landscape, causing havoc wherever they cropped up. All of these are fantastic things.

The book could be a bit slow and a bit long if you don’t read a lot of epic fantasy (which I don’t), but not so much as to make me put the book down. My two biggest complaints, however, are that 1. the romance was rather lackluster – and I can admit that in part, that’s because I am an avid romance reader, and this just didn’t have the romantic tension or emotional payoff I was looking for, and 2. The ending was rather unsatisfactory.

I expected one ending and got another – in fact, I expected two different endings and got a third option. This is one of those rare occasions where I would have been happy with an ending where the rancor king wasn’t killed or had somehow been redeemed even in part through his connection to Hanne. I’d also have been fine with the Nightrender being killed. I’m not entirely made with how the book ended, but it felt a bit cheap.

I’d have loved it if Hanne had taken Light Eater into her own hands and killed the rancor king herself, using his love for her to get close to him. That would have been a fantastic and satisfying ending, but alas, it was not to be.

Overall I loved the book and I’m happy I read it, but it had a few issues that dampened the joy a bit for me. Nothing major, just… a little disappointed. Still well worth reading.

Book Review: Outcasts

Title: Outcasts [Ferryman 3]

Author: Claire McFall

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: 3 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

Tristan and Dylan have escaped death and conquered destiny. Nothing is stopping them from being together.

But every action has a consequence, and their exile to the real world has caused an imbalance in the afterlife. It’s owed two souls – and it wants them back.

When the world of the dead claims Dylan’s parents to restore the balance, Dylan and Tristan are offered a terrible bargain: stay together and condemn innocent souls to death, or return to the wasteland to take their place and be separated. Forever.

Are they willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

This was such a heartwarming finale to the Ferryman series. Though it did feel a little short, I think mostly because the story is very self-contained; The characters were confined to small groups in a single setting for most of the book, and that can make it hard to gauge time and distances for the characters and the overall plot.

I wish the author had delved a little further into Tristan expressing his feelings towards Dylan’s decision to sacrifice both of their lives for Dylan’s parents… because I feel that was one avenue of the story that wasn’t explored well and it could have given the book a little more depth and length to explore. It was obvious that Tristan wasn’t okay with the decision, but he let it slide, and I think there should have been more conflict and conversation between Dylan and Tristan about the topic.

Overall though, I enjoyed the story, it felt wrapped up, and even though there are certainly some questions left unanswered, particularly about the thing in the lake, I’m happy with how the story went. It isn’t my favorite story in the series, but I had fun reading it regardless.

Book Review: Here Lies Olive

Title: Here Lies Olive

Author: Kate Anderson

Genre: Young Adult, LGBTQ+, Horror, Paranormal, Fantasy

Rating: 3 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

Growing up in the dark tourism capital of the United States, sixteen-year-old Olive should be comfortable with death. But ever since an allergic reaction almost sent her to the wrong side of the grass, she’s been terrified that there is no afterlife. And after the death of her surrogate grandmother, Olive has kept everyone at arm’s length because if there’s Nothing after we die, relationships and love can only end in sorrow.

When she summons a spirit to answer her questions about death, Olive meets Jay, a hitchhiking ghost trapped in the woods behind the poorhouse where he died. Olive agrees to help Jay find his unmarked grave in exchange for answers about the other side and what comes next.

Meanwhile, someone―or something―is targeting Olive’s classmates, and the longer Jay lingers, the more serious the attacks become. Blaming herself for having brought Jay back, Olive teams up with maybe-nemesis, maybe-crush Maren, ex-best friend Davis, and new girl Vanessa to free Jay’s spirit before he’s trapped as a malevolent shade and the attacks turn deadly. But in doing so, Olive must face her fear of death and risk losing another person she loves to the Nothing.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

My feelings about this book are very mixed. On the one hand, I had fun reading it, I enjoyed the ghosts and the world-building behind how they function, how shades are made, and how Olive is desperate to understand what happens after we die. Friendships are built and broken, and repaired. All of these are good things and things I enjoyed.

But overall, the book felt sloppy. The romances were paper thin. There was a lot of angst between the ghosts and the teens, and it felt kind of cheesy that the main character went goth after her brief death, and so much of her personality was built around how not like other teenagers she was. It was a bit tiring and eye-roll-worthy. It felt juvenile and sometimes ruined my enjoyment of the better aspects of the plot because it made her feel like a bit of a caricature.

In the end, I liked the book, but it had a lot of problems. I think it could have been better written, but I didn’t entirely hate it, I was just a bit disappointed.

Book Review: Wolf Gone Wild

Title: Wolf Gone Wild [Stay A Spell 1]

Author: Juliette Cross

Genre: Contemporary, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Rating: 5 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

What’s the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf? Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts.

Convinced he’s cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane.
​Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven — no werewolves. They’re known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls into the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she’s ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules.

​What Evie doesn’t know is that Mateo’s wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she’s in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

This was a super cute little romance. The author did a fantastic job of making this book easy to read and full of loveable characters. I adored the two main characters, Mateo and Evie.

Mateo was a complicated mix of a quiet introvert who is sweet and protective and a maddeningly aggressive and opinionated inner wolf. The two halves of Mateo were constantly at odds and yet worked together – like bickering brothers. It was a nice dynamic, and the more mellow human side of Mateo helped to temper what would otherwise be a very overpowering and dominant wolf.

Evie, likewise, was an interesting mix of spunky, tender-hearted, and stubborn. She knew her mind, and she stuck with it, but it was obvious how much she cared about her loved ones, and was generally a bubbly, quirky person.

I adored the weird, geeky relationship between the two. They were a lot of fun to follow throughout the story. Their romance was friendly and sultry, and I think the author did a great job of keeping their romance from straying too far into the scary given how domineering and aggressive Alpha could be.

The other characters were a little less defined, which was expected, but equally interesting. There were a lot of hints about some upcoming relationships that will be deliciously complex, and I couldn’t be more excited to follow along with them. I think out of all the characters, Mateo’s office secretary was possibly the weakest character – she seemed disconnected from the story in an odd way, and I couldn’t get a handle on who she was or how she felt about Mateo and Evie.

Overall, I loved the book. Paranormal romances like this aren’t anything new and exciting to the book world, but I enjoyed this one. It was sweet and endearing, and I’d recommend it for a good weekend read.

Book Review: All That Consumes Us

Title: All That Consumes Us

Author: Erica Waters

Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal, Gothic, LGBTQ+

Rating: 5 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

The students in Corbin College’s elite academic society, Magni Viri, have it all—free tuition, inspirational professors, and dream jobs once they graduate. When first-gen college student Tara is offered a chance to enroll, she doesn’t hesitate.?  Except once she’s settled into the gorgeous Victorian dormitory, something strange starts to happen. She’s finally writing, but her stories are dark and twisted. Her dreams feel as if they could bury her alive. An unseen presence seems to stalk her through the halls.  And a chilling secret awaits Tara at the heart of Magni Viri—one that just might turn her nightmares into reality; one that might destroy her before she has a chance to escape. 

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

This was a stunning gothic story. The writing was eerie and filled with tension, clear and effortless. I loved the mystery surrounding the secret society and its members, and how that led to mistrust and paranoia for the main character, who was intentionally kept out of the loop throughout the book.

There were a lot of underlying themes of loneliness, love, and belonging that manifested in different ways through many of the characters – living and dead alike. I liked how Isabella and Tara had so much in common, even though they couldn’t be more different in how they handled their circumstances. Isabella made a strong antagonist and was very clearly defined as a character – much more than the director of Magni Viri, who felt more like a caricature.

I liked that the book was inclusive in the way it had various queer characters, but I also can’t help but feel that it was a bit obvious, and at the same time, underutilized. While I love that they were included, it felt forced to have five queer characters in the same small group of Magni Viri members, and other than an offhand remark about one of the characters being disowned by their parents, there was no real conflict or underlying message to go along with it… which would be fine if there was one queer character, but it felt so intentional to have so many in the small cast that I was surprised that there wasn’t more of theme of acceptance to accompany it.

That aside, I truly enjoyed the book. It may be one of my favorite gothic stories I’ve read over the past few years, and the plot felt fresh, and not like a rework of the same haunting story I’m used to seeing in gothic stories. I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys the genre.

Book Review: Ghost Tamer

Title: Ghost Tamer

Author: Meredith R. Lyons

Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy

Rating: 3 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

Death is one thing, it’s what you do afterward that matters.  Aspiring comedian Raely is the sole survivor of a disastrous train wreck. While faced with the intense grief of losing her best friend, she realizes that someone is following her―and has been following her all her life. Trouble is, no one else can see him. For a ghostly tag-along, Casper’s not so bad. He might even be the partner Raely needs to fight the evil spirit hell-bent on destroying her. Raely and her friend must learn why this demonic spirit is haunting Raely and how she can stop him before he destroys her life―and her soul. Which, much to her chagrin, means she needs the help of a psychic (although she’s sure they are all charlatans) and must rid herself of the pesky ghost hunter who’s interested in exploiting her new abilities.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

This was one of those books that I liked, but it wasn’t fantastic. It was categorized as a paranormal mystery/thriller, and in some small ways, it was, but it felt like the book was about something entirely different – that the thriller aspect especially, was just a vehicle for the real story – and that was a story of trauma, grief, and family.
 
Don’t get me wrong, I liked the book. I loved the two main characters, Raely and Julian. They had a good dynamic that worked well. The writing was clear and easy to read, and there weren’t a lot of technical errors in the writing. But I think where the story missed the mark for me was the smaller relationships between the various characters.
 
The ghost hunters, Raely’s mom, Raely’s dad, Joe, Luck, and the Seer… these relationships were surface-level deep, often contentious, and in the case of the ghost hunters and Luck, not terribly important to the story. The book felt like a Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy that was miscategorized. If Julian had been a love interest, it would have been perfect for that sort of book. Instead, it tried to be something with a little more depth but missed the level of depth it needed to do so.
 
Overall, I had a fun time reading this book, but it’s not one I think I’d re-read, or even mention to another reader in passing.

Book Review: Under The Heavens

Title: Under The Heavens [The Ark Trilogy 1]

Author: Ruth Fox

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Rating: 5 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

Even the darkest secrets will come to light. Bubbly social media star Hannah Monksman is captaining  Seiiki  and carrying the last of Earth’s whales to a new paradise planet. Viewers have been following Hannah’s journey, but what they don’t know is her true identity―Kim Teng who won her role as Caretaker with the help of underground operatives known as the Crusaders. Kim forms a close bond with the whales in her care, and their mental Link allows conversation on the lonely spaceship. But when one of the whales, Adonai, begins acting strange, Kim begins to suspect that she is a pawn in a secret mission meant to ensure the whales never reach their destination. Or it may just be the isolation getting to her.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

This book was an unexpected surprise that I had no intention of getting into – in fact, I didn’t even know this book existed at first. I’d picked up the second book in the series mistakenly thinking it was the first, and after reading about two chapters in, decided there was no way that my assumptions were correct. That led me to find this book, and I thought, well, I guess I’ll start here and give it a try. I was disappointed.

I ended up really enjoying this book. Though at times I still felt like I’d missed a previous book, because the story started off-screen months before the book began, it was still a much easier slide into this book than the second. I loved the way the whales were handled and how the author used their intelligence and ignorance to pose some very human questions about the afterlife, our place in nature, and the future of our kind. Fifteen, the somewhat unintelligent but bubbly wild whale was the unsung hero of the story, and by far my favorite character, followed closely by Adonai.

I loved how the author handled the loneliness of a single passenger on a giant spaceship full of whales, how that affected her mental state, the paranoia that sometimes came with it, and the way Kim used her schedule and the computer to combat some of what that did to her mental load. The story was full of action and tension, but also some beautiful moments of reflection and wonder.

Book Review: The Scarlet Alchemist

Title: The Scarlet Alchemist [The Scarlet Alchemist 1]

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Historical

Rating: 5 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist, of providing for her family by making alchemical gold and gems for the wealthy to eat in order to stay young forever. But for now, she’s trapped in her impoverished village in southern China, practicing an illegal form of alchemy to keep food on the table—resurrecting the dead, for a price.

When Zilan finally has the chance to complete her imperial exams, she ventures to the capital to compete against the best alchemists in the country in tasks she’ll be lucky to survive, let alone pass. On top of that, her reputation for raising the dead has followed her to the capital, and the Crown Prince himself seeks out her help, suspecting a coming assassination attempt.

The more Zilan succeeds in her alchemy, the more she gets caught in the dangerous political games of the royal family. There are monsters lurking within the palace walls, and it’s only a matter of time before they—and secrets of Zilan’s past—catch up with her.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

This book was a trip. It was full of gore, spiritualism, magic, and intrigue. The author did a great job of blending Eastern history and culture with a familiar sense of romantic fantasy, and it felt seamless. I never felt confused or lost.
 
The characters were interesting, especially Zilan – she was determined and endearingly sweet about her family, a shrewd businesswoman, and completely unaffected by the sight of a dead body… but at her core, she was simply a good person. She fought for what she believed was right, even when it seemed impossible and unchangeable. She made a strong main character, and carried the story, driving it forward with her choices. She was no passive heroine. I did NOT expect the ending at all. It completely blew my mind, and that entirely came down to Zilan. She surprised me in a way that made me shout with happiness and draw back in horror.
 
My least favorite character was probably the prince. I mean, he was sweet. He loved ducks. He was sort of stupid. I liked how devoted he was to his sisters, to Zilan, and to his kingdom, but he was one of those characters that is hard to take seriously because of how naïve he was. If he had a problem, he threw money at it, completely unaware of any other meaningful alternative. He just wasn’t a strong character.
 
Overall, the book was fantastic. It was well-written and full of romance, political intrigue, horror, and self-sacrifice. I’m glad I read it, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something new and different. This story stands apart from the usual fantasy romances and doesn’t wrap up everything in a tidy little bow at the end.

Book Review: Night of The Witch

Title: Night of the Witch [Witch and Hunter 1]

Author: Sara Raasch & Beth Revis

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Historical

Rating: 5 Stars

Description/Synopsis:

A witch and a hunter. Vengeance is their mission. Love is their destiny.

Fritzi is a witch. A survivor of a brutal attack on her coven, she’s determined to find her only surviving family member and bring the hexenjägers—zealot witch hunters—to justice for the lives they ended. To do this, she will need to take down their leader—Kommandant Dieter Kirch.

Otto is a hexenjäger and a captain, the second in command to Dieter Kirch—but that’s just his cover. Years ago, the hexenjagers burned his innocent mother alive and since then, he has been planning a move against the witch hunters that tore his family apart. And now the time has come for them to pay for what they’ve done.

When Fritzi and Otto are unexpectedly thrown together, neither is sure they can trust the other, despite their common enemy. But all they have is one another, and they both crave revenge. As truths come to light and trust shifts, Fritzi and Otto uncover a far more horrifying plot at the center of the hexenjäger attacks . . . but their own growing feelings for each other may be the most powerful magic of all.

WARNING – SPOILERS MAY ENSUE BEYOND THIS POINT – REVIEW BELOW

What a stunningly dark and fantastical read! Night of the Witch pulled together threads of fairytale, folklore, and true historical events to weave a tale of persecution, romance, and magic, set against the backdrop of 1500’s Germany and the mysterious Black Forest.

The author did a spectacular job of pulling the story together into a moving and cohesive tale, full of determined (and sometimes zealous) characters, without neglecting the horror of its historical accuracy – including how fear, greed, and complacency led to the suffering of hundreds of innocent people.

The book was exceedingly well written and I adored the characters. This is a perfect late-night read for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, and I cannot recommend it enough. I can’t wait for the next-in-series!