Jessica's bookshelf: all en-US Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:17:24 -0700 60 Jessica's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[Shadow & Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, #4)]]> 208301504
The time has come to make one last stand against the forces of cursed men and monsters. But Thea’s enemies are only getting stronger. With allies divided and an outnumbered army, she must race against her own fate to secure the future of the midrealms � or die trying.

A prophecy is looming, and Thea’s life is in the balance. Does she have the power to cheat death itself?

Love and loyalty will be tested. Bonds will fracture forever. But all must fight for a better world.

In the final war for survival, will Thea and Wilder emerge victorious? Or will the shadows consume them at last?

Fans of Fourth Wing, The Witcher and The Bridge Kingdom, brace yourselves for sizzling romance, found family and heart-pounding battles in Shadow & Storms, the epic finale to The Legends of Thezmarr.]]> 420 Helen Scheuerer 1922903183 Jessica 0 currently-reading 4.21 2024 Shadow & Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, #4)
author: Helen Scheuerer
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/28
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, #3)]]> 199057100 466 Helen Scheuerer 1922903175 Jessica 5 4.30 2024 Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, #3)
author: Helen Scheuerer
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/28
date added: 2025/04/28
shelves:
review:
I definitely like this better than the second book. I felt like more happened in the plot. I knew that we were going to get to the Great Rite, but that was definitely a weird way to get there. There were quite a lot of plot twists in this story which I liked, and we met a bunch of characters from "Slaying the Shadow Prince". There were also a lot of reveals and some back story which explains some of the plot twists. Overall I just felt like this was a great book.
]]> <![CDATA[Between Dragons and Their Wrath (The Shattered Kingdom, #1)]]> 202776724 From Aurealis Award‑nominated author Devin Madson comes a new rip-roaring epic fantasy full of dragons, alchemical magic, and forbidden romance that unfolds as three people in a shattered empire become entangled in a looming revolution.

The old kingdom of Paicha has been split into city states, but there are those who seek to reunite the shattered realm-by force if necessary. Amidst the turmoil there are three who will find their destinies inextricably tangled. Tesha is a glassblower's apprentice who becomes a tribute bride when her city is conquered by the south. In the enemy's court, she's perfectly placed to sabotage them, but her heart has other plans. Naili is a laundress in the house of an eccentric alchemist who is awakening to strange new powers. When radicals approach her, she faces a choice between keeping her magic to herself and using it to change the world. And in the desolate Shield Mountains, dragon rider Ash protects the cities from the monsters in the Iipao sands beyond. But, soon he'll have to learn how to protect his dragon when hunters unlock the secret to killing them. As war sweeps across the land, Tesha, Naili, and Ash must fight for survival against political enemies, dragon hunters, and monsters both within and without.

Praise for Devin 'This is a tale that hits all the right spots. Imaginative world-building, a pace that builds perfectly to a heart-pounding finale and captivating, believable characters. There's a lot to love here. Highly recommended'
John Gwynn, author of Shadow of the Gods
'Breathtakingly triumphant . . . it has become one of my favourite books of all time . . . a gripping, evocative hurricane of emotions that constantly took my breath away'
Petrik Leo, Novel Notions]]> 480 Devin Madson 031641798X Jessica 0 to-read 3.57 2024 Between Dragons and Their Wrath (The Shattered Kingdom, #1)
author: Devin Madson
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Cursed Bite (Bound to the Enduar #1)]]> 208568290
Arlet has spent her life weaving beauty from nothing, but what she wants most—the one thing she has never been able to create—is her own family. As the newest human appointed to the Enduar Court, she thinks she’s closer than ever. She knows troll magic is unique and runs deep� perhaps deep enough to grant her the one thing her infertility has taken away.

However, tensions with the elves continue to rise, and they provide a clear end to their brewing war. A human bride. Prized for their ability to bear children of any race, a human promises a solution for the Elf King's insecure bloodline, and he erroneously sets his sights on Arlet.
When she refuses, he marks her with a curse, ensuring her fate is tied to his.
As the troll king's personal advisor, Lord Vann wants little to do with humans, even though they have integrated with his people. He mourns the woman he lost long ago, and has no patience for a beautiful but desperate human with dangerous magic poisoning her veins. But when the Elf King tries to collect his future bride, Vann will have to choose: stay shackled to the ghosts of his past or fight for a future that he shouldn't want and doesn't deserve.
Love is a curse, and monsters don’t get happy endings. Or do they?
A Cursed Bite is an enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romantasy that is the first in what will be a duet, with an attached standalone. It's perfect for fans of Ruby Dixon, Laura Thalassa, and Rebecca Yarros.]]> 398 Daniela A. Mera Jessica 0 currently-reading 4.26 A Cursed Bite (Bound to the Enduar #1)
author: Daniela A. Mera
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.26
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> Slaying the Shadow Prince 123636295
Drue Emmerson, noblewoman-turned-ranger, wants one vengeance. With her family slain by the vicious shadow wraiths, she’s determined to defend her fallen kingdom. And that means carving out the hearts of every dark creature she can find.

Talemir Starling, celebrated warrior of the realms, has a dangerous he's a half-wraith, kin to the creatures wreaking devastation on the world. He’ll do anything to keep his true nature under control� especially around the woman who’s vowed to destroy him.

When someone Drue cares about disappears, all signs point to Talemir’s kind. But he’s determined to prove he’s no monster, and to seek answers of his own. Begrudgingly, the pair must join forces to uncover the deadly truth.

But in a world of chaos and carnage, where danger lurks at every turn, deadlier still is their attraction to one another � the one thing that might just spell the end of them both.

Will Talemir win Drue’s heart? Or will she carve his out before the end?

Slaying the Shadow Prince is a standalone instalment of the heart-pounding fantasy romance series, Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers . If you like fiery heroines and tortured heroes, as well as forced proximity, found family and touch-her-and-you-die vibes, you will devour this sexy, addictive fantasy romance.]]> 416 Helen Scheuerer 1922903094 Jessica 5 3.82 2023 Slaying the Shadow Prince
author: Helen Scheuerer
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/06
date added: 2025/04/06
shelves:
review:
This was my first Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers as I am reading the emotional impact order of the Legends of Thezmarr. It was great as a tension-filled slow burn fantasy romance. It did answer some questions from the Legends of Thezmarr but not all. I love all the characters we meet and they are really well fleshed out despite the short timeframe, even Terrence. I like how Talemir and Drew have to work together before falling in love. It was a good plot with good pacing. However, I think there should have been a bit more of a learning curve to Talemir using his powers considering how long he suppressed them rather than trained with them. I also would have thought we would have seen more of Draithus considering how much he's mentioned in Legends of Thezmarr. All in all a great accompaniment to the Legends of Thezmarr but also could easily be read on its own.
]]> <![CDATA[Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)]]> 76714487 An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.

After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need—and will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries shadows from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realize they could engulf them both.

In this sweeping parallel novel to the New York Times bestselling Empire of Storms, Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience if they wish to save their friends. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, deep in the shadows of mighty mountains where warriors soar on legendary ruks, long-awaited answers slumber. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival—or doom them all . . .]]> 663 Sarah J. Maas 1639731040 Jessica 0 currently-reading 4.26 2017 Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)]]> 76713323 An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

In this breathtaking fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, Aelin will have to choose what—and who—to sacrifice if she's to keep the world of Erilea from breaking apart.]]> 693 Sarah J. Maas 1639731024 Jessica 0 currently-reading 4.66 2016 Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.66
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)]]> 76707900 An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past�

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.]]> 648 Sarah J. Maas 1639731008 Jessica 3
As with most of this series only smallish plot points happen until the last 20 chapters. I do recommend reading Assassin's Blade right before this book though - it becomes relevant where it really wasn't for Book 1/2.

The ending felt like it could have been a series ending but it was a bit too small and easy.

Manon and Elide really carried this book. But even they weren't doing a lot. Manon makes no decisions and is saved by the bell. Elide just has bad luck.

I am finally going on to the next book (I changed to ACOTAR at this point last time). Although not expecting anything different pacing wise.]]> 4.64 2015 Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.64
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2025/04/03
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves:
review:
I did not love this book. It was a slog to get through. The first 60-80% is just the characters puttering around Rifthold or Morath. In Rifthold, it is eventually set up like a heist story except you didn't know it was a heist so characters are just sneaking about and you get little to no information on it until the 'big reveal' which is just out of left field.

As with most of this series only smallish plot points happen until the last 20 chapters. I do recommend reading Assassin's Blade right before this book though - it becomes relevant where it really wasn't for Book 1/2.

The ending felt like it could have been a series ending but it was a bit too small and easy.

Manon and Elide really carried this book. But even they weren't doing a lot. Manon makes no decisions and is saved by the bell. Elide just has bad luck.

I am finally going on to the next book (I changed to ACOTAR at this point last time). Although not expecting anything different pacing wise.
]]> <![CDATA[Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1)]]> 37834723 Alternative cover edition of ISBN13: 9780805094596.

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.]]> 358 Leigh Bardugo 0805094598 Jessica 4 3.86 2012 Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1)
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/19
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:
I put this on the re-read list because the show came out and wanted to read more about Six of Crows characters. This was ok. The world building is spectacular. The characters do some silly stuff. The "love triangle" is really a choose neither. There are definitely a few threads left loose at the end - Apparat, Baghra. I only made it partway through book 2 so hopefully can make it to the ending this time.
]]> <![CDATA[Vows & Ruins (The Legends of Thezmarr, #2)]]> 123007281
But Thea’s world is turned upside down as she struggles to navigate her newfound magic and uncover the secrets of her past. Slowly, she begins to untangle the truth about her family, her powers and the evil that threatens to engulf the kingdom.

When Wilder Hawthorne returns to be her official mentor, everything changes. Dark forces are gathering, and he will stop at nothing to prepare her for the challenges to come, even if it means breaking her.

As war looms and their quest for answers leads master and apprentice deeper into danger, the undeniable connection between them intensifies � defying all odds, but also threatening to tear them apart.

With secrets unravelling and evil closing in, Thea and Wilder fight to save the world, and each other. The fate of the realms rests in their hands � will they emerge victorious, or will the darkness consume them both?

Full of action, adventure and steamy romance, Vows & Ruins is the second book in the spellbinding epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and is perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom, From Blood and Ash and The Witcher.]]> 536 Helen Scheuerer 1922903051 Jessica 5
The last few chapters try to throw some plot twists in there, but many were predictable and very foreshadowed if you had an inkling. I still liked it a lot so I will continue, following "emotional impact" reading order.]]> 4.05 2023 Vows & Ruins (The Legends of Thezmarr, #2)
author: Helen Scheuerer
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/19
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:
I'm not going to lie, this was almost a four-star read for me, but the ending brought it back. I didn't think there was a lot that happened in the majority of the book. A trip, people keeping secrets, some training. It wasn't even a good training montage as Thea is/was already good. My main gripe is that there was a lot less plot and a lot more spice in this book. Literally 5 seconds after they say friends only & no special fun time. They have constant special fun time.

The last few chapters try to throw some plot twists in there, but many were predictable and very foreshadowed if you had an inkling. I still liked it a lot so I will continue, following "emotional impact" reading order.
]]> <![CDATA[The High Mountain Court (Five Crowns of Okrith, #1)]]> 58310153 Gripping and action-packed, The High Mountain Court is an adrenaline-filled, high fantasy with fae courts, powerful witches, and a diverse cast of characters, perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Holly Black.

A red witch in hiding�

Thirteen years fleeing witch hunters and the looming threat of death. Nineteen-year-old Remy knows she is possibly the last red witch alive, and she is determined to stay that way. The Northern Court King has slaughtered her home court and placed a bounty on red witch heads.

When four fae warriors enter her tavern refuge, Remy tries to flee, but her magic isn’t strong enough to stop a fae prince on a mission. The handsome Prince Hale of the Eastern Kingdom wants to stop a war with the Northern Court before his kingdom befalls the same fate as Remy’s. He needs a red witch and Remy may be the only person alive who can help him. Can she really trust Prince Hale? Can her fallen court be resurrected from the evil clutches of the Northern Court King? For the chance to save herself, her people, and help defeat the Northern King, Remy must put her faith in Hale and his companions on a dangerous quest to find lost relics.

The High Mountain Court is the first book in the thrilling fantasy saga, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Expect danger, intrigue, and thrilling passion as Remy journeys to save the kingdom she holds most dear.]]> 354 A.K. Mulford Jessica 0 currently-reading 3.69 2021 The High Mountain Court (Five Crowns of Okrith, #1)
author: A.K. Mulford
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/11
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely, #5)]]> 6368611 Send the messengers for the Faery Courts. This is the end.

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win...and some will lose everything.


The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.]]> 327 Melissa Marr 0061659258 Jessica 0 to-read 4.11 2011 Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely, #5)
author: Melissa Marr
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Old Habits (Wicked Lovely, #2.6)]]> 10000600
Recently anointed king of the Dark Court, Niall struggles to forge a new relationship with his subjects—and with the former Dark King, Irial, his once-friend, once-enemy, and now possible-advisor.]]> 100 Melissa Marr Jessica 0 to-read 3.96 2011 Old Habits (Wicked Lovely, #2.6)
author: Melissa Marr
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Stopping Time (Wicked Lovely, #2.5)]]> 8042847
Leslie walked away from the Dark Court, determined to reclaim her life and live it on her own terms-even if it meant leaving behind the two faeries who love her. She knows Niall and Irial watch over her, and she would give almost anything to keep them from hurting. But she resists the pull to be with either one of them.

Someone knows about Leslie-s past, however, and is intent on using her to reach the fey. And he doesn't care who gets hurt.]]> 36 Melissa Marr Jessica 0 to-read 3.94 2010 Stopping Time (Wicked Lovely, #2.5)
author: Melissa Marr
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2010
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Cold Iron Heart 52554863
In this prequel to the international bestselling Wicked Lovely series (over a million copies sold), the Faery Courts collide a century before the mortals in Wicked Lovely are born.

Thelma Foy, a jeweler with the Second Sight in iron-bedecked 1890s New Orleans, wasn’t expecting to be caught in a faery conflict. Tam can see through the glamours faeries wear to hide themselves from mortals, but if her secret were revealed, the fey would steal her eyes, her life, or her freedom. So, Tam doesn’t respond when they trail thorn-crusted fingertips through her hair at the French Market or when the Dark King sings along with her in the bayou.

But when the Dark King, Irial, rescues her, Tam must confront everything she thought she knew about faeries, men, and love.

Too soon, New Orleans is filling with faeries who are looking for her, and Irial is the only one who can keep her safe.

Unbeknownst to Tam, she is the prize in a centuries-old fight between Summer Court and Winter Court. To protect her, Irial must risk a war he can’t win--or surrender the first mortal woman he's loved.]]> 304 Melissa Marr 1087872111 Jessica 0 to-read 3.85 2020 Cold Iron Heart
author: Melissa Marr
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[With Wing And Claw (Fae Isles, #5)]]> 210263022 The war is over� but the trouble is only just beginning

Thysandra’s world is falling apart. Rebels have overthrown the fae empire she’s served for centuries. Worse, she’s the one who caused the defeat � tricked into treason by her longtime nemesis and romantic obsession, Anaxia, who then promptly abandoned her again, like the empathy-lacking demon she is.

Execution by rebels would be a relief at this point.

Instead, the bastards name her High Lady of the very court she just betrayed. Punishment or reward, Thys isn’t quite sure.

Now she’s supposed to restore order at the Crimson Court� but fae are clamouring for violent revenge. Humans want rights and reparations. There's a sentient mountain causing trouble, and Anaxia is suddenly prancing around the castle again, refusing to leave, and murdering people left and right.

Most ridiculously of all, she’s claiming Thysandra is madly in love with her.

Agreeing to work together is the only way to restrain the little menace. But when tensions at the court rise to a breaking point, simple cooperation may no longer be enough� Because someone is undermining Thys at every turn. And if she doesn’t soon decide how much she can trust this fickle demon she can’t help but desire, it may just be the death of them both.


With Wing and Claw is a steamy sapphic fantasy romance featuring a former villain coming to terms with herself, a stabby demon with no morals but plenty of charm, and lots of deadly court intrigue. It can be read as a standalone, although certain events will be more meaningful for readers of the main Fae Isles series.
]]> 455 Lisette Marshall Jessica 0 to-read 4.00 2025 With Wing And Claw (Fae Isles, #5)
author: Lisette Marshall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Queens of Mist and Madness (Fae Isles, #4)]]> 201127804
Emelin has finally found the bindings, the key to her victory. But to use them, she needs one last piece of the puzzle � and the only person who can give her that information is a stubbornly silent Thysandra.

And an uncooperative captive is the least of Em’s problems.

As the Mother prepares to strike, the magical world continues to squabble. Something ominous is plaguing Creon. And Em’s own newfound powers come with a dark side she did not expect, forcing her to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for the fate of the world.

To find allies and gather the forces they need, Em and Creon have no choice but to face the shadows of their pasts. But when disastrous secrets are revealed and the Mother finally deals her devastating blow � will they still have a future?


Queens of Mist and Madness is the thrilling conclusion to Em and Creon’s epic enemies to lovers romance.]]> 689 Lisette Marshall Jessica 0 to-read 4.35 Queens of Mist and Madness (Fae Isles, #4)
author: Lisette Marshall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.35
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Heart of Silk and Shadows (Fae Isles, #0.5)]]> 60728315 Stealing from a fae lord is a desperate plan�

As a human servant at the Crimson Court, Allie knows better than to anger the fae. Cunning and politics are her tools of survival. But when an unwanted suitor threatens her younger sister, Allie can think of only one way to protect her family�

Steal from the fae.

Agenor, Lord Protector of the Fae Isles and right hand of the Mother herself, doesn’t expect anything to still surprise him after twelve centuries of life. Finding a taunting note from an anonymous thief in his wardrobe is enough to rouse his curiosity, though. Enough to do the unthinkable � write back.

Then he finds out he’s been exchanging letters with a humble human. Worse, a human challenging him to his face.

A simple bargain is supposed to teach her a lesson. But the harder he tries to put her in her place, the harder she defies him� Soon their game sparks an unexpected romance � but will even love be enough when their loyalties collide?


Heart of Silk and Shadows is a prequel novel to the upcoming Fae Isles series. It can be read as a standalone, but the characters� journey continues in the main series.

Note: this adult fae romance contains a generous dose of smouldering glances, passionate longing, and midnight meetings of the illicit type. It is recommended for a mature audience.]]> 217 Lisette Marshall Jessica 0 to-read 4.10 2022 Heart of Silk and Shadows (Fae Isles, #0.5)
author: Lisette Marshall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Ruins of Sea and Souls (Fae Isles, #3)]]> 63103521
With war looming, Emelin's plan is simple: break the Mother's bindings while her more diplomacy-minded friends persuade the rest of the world to join their rebellion. Unfortunately, their would-be allies are far too concerned about Em’s exact connection to the feared and hated Silent Death.

They might risk their lives for the world’s only unbound mage, but they’ll never fight for a fae prince’s puppet.

Forced to hide the explosive secret of their love, Em and Creon journey to the plague-cursed continent to learn more about the bindings. But as they face dragons, ruins, and murderous forests in search of the vanished gods, distrust between Creon and their travel companions brings tensions to a boiling point.

And if their love may cost them the victory against the Mother � how will Em ever choose between her heart and her duty?]]> 510 Lisette Marshall Jessica 0 to-read 4.23 Ruins of Sea and Souls (Fae Isles, #3)
author: Lisette Marshall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.23
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Lord of Gold and Glory (Fae Isles, #2)]]> 61353319 “There’s no taming a fae like the Silent Death …�

Emelin has escaped the Crimson Court and saved Creon from the Mother’s chains. But her newfound allies bring dangers of their own. Thrown into a world of old feuds and thorny grudges, she needs all her ingenuity to keep the Silent Death safe from his friends-turned-enemies.

And the political games of the Alliance are the easy part �

Haunted by shadows of his past and magic he never wanted to wield, Creon is slowly losing control of his powers. The only solution may be found outside the buried halls of the Alliance’s stronghold � back within reach of the Mother and her armies hunting for him.

Soon Emelin can no longer hide from the war looming over the archipelago. And when her quest for Creon’s safety reveals glimpses of her own mysterious origins, she has no choice but to claim her place on the battlefield � or lose the male she loves forever.


Lord of Gold and Glory is book 2 of the Fae Isles series, an epic fae fantasy romance perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy.

Note: like the first book of the series, Lord of Gold and Glory is an adult fantasy romance and features plenty of scenes intended for a mature audience.]]> 579 Lisette Marshall Jessica 0 to-read 4.20 2022 Lord of Gold and Glory (Fae Isles, #2)
author: Lisette Marshall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Court of Blood and Bindings (Fae Isles, #1)]]> 61213995 They call him the Silent Death, because he kills without sound and leaves none capable of speaking in his wake�

When the empire’s deadliest fae murderer catches her wielding forbidden magic, twenty-year-old Emelin believes her hour has come. Instead, her inhumanly beautiful captor spares her life, but carries her off on his velvet wings � into the one place from which no human ever returns.

The heart of the Fae Isles. The treacherous Crimson Court, where the Mother of faekind has ruled unchallenged over fae and humans for decades.

The Silent Death is supposed to be the Mother’s loyal servant, her invincible warrior, her ruthless, soulless killer. But in the shadows he is playing a game of his own, and he needs Emelin’s magic to win it.

If she agrees to work with him, she could free all of humanity. But can she trust a fae male with so much blood on his hands? Worse, when his smouldering dark eyes and dangerous secrets reveal glimpses of the heart behind his murderer’s mask� can she trust herself?


Court of Blood and Bindings is the first book of the Fae Isles series, an enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring a strong-willed heroine and a broody, morally grey hero. This adult fae romance is perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy.

Note: Court of Blood and Bindings contains a generous dose of smouldering glances, angry yearning, and midnight meetings of the illicit type, as well as other mature themes.]]> 436 Lisette Marshall Jessica 0 to-read 4.04 2022 Court of Blood and Bindings (Fae Isles, #1)
author: Lisette Marshall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Blood & Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr, #1)]]> 63905241
Women are forbidden to wield blades, so she has trained in secret her entire life. Now racing against the clock, she fights to secure her place in the elite guild charged with the protection of the five kingdoms.

The sparring and hazing of the new trainees border on deadly, but even more dangerous is her growing attraction to Wilder Hawthorne, her unwilling warrior chaperone.

All around them, schemes are afoot and darkness looms.

Will Althea pass the perilous initiation test and take her place as a champion of Thezmarr � or will the invading evil snatch away her dream before it starts?]]> 550 Helen Scheuerer 1922903027 Jessica 5
Thea has one goal in life. That is to become a Legend of Thezmarr before her time is up at the ripe old age of 27, and to do that she has to become a Warsword - the land's ultimate warriors. The only problem - women aren't allowed to wield blades due to a prophecy (which doesn't really make sense since it's already happened? I digress). So this poor excuse for an Alchemist is on the warpath to make her mark.

I loved the true sisterly dynamic between Thea and Wren. I loved Malik and his silent knowledge. I loved the friendships Thea made along the way and of course the Warswords - but mostly Wilder Hawthorne!

I liked the world building with the different kingdoms, history, the veil, monsters and magic systems. They were just unlike most of what is out there at the moment.

All in all a great story and I will be continuing immediately!]]> 4.20 2023 Blood & Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr, #1)
author: Helen Scheuerer
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/27
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves:
review:
This was an action packed romantasy that I just devoured. I loved the characters and the world building.

Thea has one goal in life. That is to become a Legend of Thezmarr before her time is up at the ripe old age of 27, and to do that she has to become a Warsword - the land's ultimate warriors. The only problem - women aren't allowed to wield blades due to a prophecy (which doesn't really make sense since it's already happened? I digress). So this poor excuse for an Alchemist is on the warpath to make her mark.

I loved the true sisterly dynamic between Thea and Wren. I loved Malik and his silent knowledge. I loved the friendships Thea made along the way and of course the Warswords - but mostly Wilder Hawthorne!

I liked the world building with the different kingdoms, history, the veil, monsters and magic systems. They were just unlike most of what is out there at the moment.

All in all a great story and I will be continuing immediately!
]]> An Alchemist's Vow 63336756
With her death carved into a magic fate stone, Althea Zoltaire has always longed for one thing: to become a legendary warrior.

But in Thezmarr, women are forbidden to wield blades and Thea is confined to the rank of alchemist with her younger sister.

Trouble is never far though and as dark forces gather on the horizon, Thea begins to play a dangerous game of spying on training sessions and readying herself for battle, making enemies along the way.

If there’s one thing about knowing when you die, it’s that it teaches you how to live, and Thea is ready to risk everything for what she wants.

Get ready for flawed heroines, secret romance, epic worldbuilding, found family and a hint of magic to come.]]> 41 Helen Scheuerer Jessica 5


Spoiler: I did have an epiphany about what the Warsword said to Thea though!! ]]> 3.66 An Alchemist's Vow
author: Helen Scheuerer
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.66
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/25
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves:
review:
So I'm giving this five star but it was 100% unnecessary. It is just an expansion of what we already hear in Blood & Steel (As someone who is 60% through Blood & Steel and a friend told me that there was a prequel novella I had to smash it out before continuing). There is no new information. I would not say it was necessary to read this beforehand. I've heard it was written for people who needed it written explicitly but as a reader I don't think you would need it. There are literal paragraphs that are exactly the same in Blood & Steel.



Spoiler: I did have an epiphany about what the Warsword said to Thea though!!
]]> <![CDATA[City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, #1)]]> 59820919 Welcome to the city of Angelthene. We hope you survive.

Loren Calla has only ever been ordinary. As a human struggling to survive in a city that caters to the needs of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural creatures, she always assumed her life would remain simple, predictable, and as safe as her world would allow.

Until she barely escapes abduction at the hands of Darkslayers—supernatural bounty hunters that possess the Sight, a magical tracking ability that allows them to see a person’s aura—and one of her friends is taken in her place. The abductors are demanding a ransom: Loren's life in exchange for her friend's safe return. Loren will do whatever it takes to get her friend back—even if it means accepting help from Darien Cassel, the leader of the Seven Devils, the most feared Darkslaying circle in the city.

Darien specializes in tracking down demons and criminals that are better off dead than alive, so when he takes a job to track down Loren and finds out she is human—and couldn't hurt a fly if her life depended on it—he decides to protect her instead of turn her in for a reward. As much as Loren doesn't want to admit it, Darien is her best and only chance at finding her friend alive, if she can somehow manage to get along with him—and not fall head-over-heels in love with him in the process, which is far easier said than done.

When more women start disappearing, and some of them slowly turn up dead, Loren and Darien's search for answers takes them deep into Angelthene's corrupt underbelly, where they discover a dark secret that threatens to unravel their world. And when tragedy strikes, Loren learns that love can make an ordinary person do extraordinary things.

From the author of Dreams of Ice and Iron comes a new fantasy romance perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Ilona Andrews, and Cassandra Clare.

Please note: This book contains darker content that might be triggering for some readers, including violence, mature language, sexual content, drug abuse, death of an animal (with a HEA), sexual harassment, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and suicide. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.]]> 760 Kayla Edwards 1777880734 Jessica 0 to-read 3.68 2022 City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, #1)
author: Kayla Edwards
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Nocticadia 136470356 A dark, atmospheric tale of deadly secrets and forbidden love.

Mortui vivos docent.
The dead teach the living.

After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I’d find the cure for what ravaged her. And leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me.

Four years later, I receive an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest, most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it’s rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before. Those whose bones are said to make up the island’s white sandy shores.

And restless ghosts aren’t even its most daunting peculiarity.

Devryck Bramwell, known on campus as Doctor Death, is a brilliant pathologist in charge of the midnight lab. He’s also my devastatingly handsome professor, who seems to loathe tenacious first-years, like me. Except, his dark and enigmatic gaze tells me all the ways he’d devour me if given the chance, and his stolen kisses burn my lips with forbidden jealousy.

I crave his authority.
He aches for redemption.
Together, we’re toxic. Delicious fodder for the prying eyes hellbent on exhuming the rotted skeletons of our pasts.

For the dead have much to teach, and it’s only a matter of time before Dracadia’s most depraved secret is resurrected.

Nocticadia is a standalone dark academia gothic romance.]]> 682 Keri Lake Jessica 0 to-read 4.22 2023 Nocticadia
author: Keri Lake
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Ever King (The Ever Seas, #1)]]> 75384035 They stole his crown, so he stole their daughter�

For years Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

Welcome to the passionate world of the Ever Kingdom where pirates, sirens, and fae collide with Vikings in a dark fantasy romance between a villain and the innocent princess who holds his heart.

*Please note: This series is set in the same world as the bestselling Broken Kingdoms series, but can be read independently, and readers are encouraged to read the list of triggers inside*]]> 408 L.J. Andrews Jessica 0 to-read 4.14 2023 The Ever King (The Ever Seas, #1)
author: L.J. Andrews
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Skyshade (Lightlark, #3) 207003676 The pulse-pounding third novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Lightlark Saga, by acclaimed author and #BookTok sensation Alex Aster

Love kills kingdoms�

Back in Grim’s castle on Nightshade, Isla is reeling in the wake of a brutal battle and the devastating truths it exposed. Her future—and the fate of the world—now hinge on a heart split in two.

Past Isla, who fell in love with the ruler of Nightshade, fights to resist feelings she considers treasonous. The Isla of the present, who has seen the ruin her powers can cause, will do anything to save Lightlark and its king.

As the line between enemy and friend is tested, Isla is more desperate than ever to understand the oracle’s final prophecy and change her heartrending fate. But a storm is coming. And with it, a long-buried evil greater than anything the realms have faced before.

With the clock ticking on her destiny and the survival of two warring kingdoms hinging on her own shattered heart, Isla Crown will either save the world—or destroy it.]]> 384 Alex Aster 141977378X Jessica 4
Spoilery Gripes:
I am so annoyed at Isla. She goes with Grim even though she feels more for Oro. And her whole time with Grim feels forced. She says he has half her heart but it's like she's underwater with him. She doesn't feel things. She feels want sometimes. But then the minute she's back with Oro she can barely keep her hands off him, all lust and love. She has all these intense feelings. I just I'm so annoyed because she wanted Grim in the first book, and then she was halfheartedly with Oro in Book 2 even though she was intensely remembering her times with Grim. Then begrudgingly left with Grim. It's like she likes whoever she can't have more. I'm getting the scenes that I wanted with Grim but Isla is not feeling it - which wrecks the whole thing. Isla doesn't appreciate anything Grim's done for her or continues to do. Even the winter castle was a ploy to get to the library. Like I just hate her so much for not wanting Grim and for not punishing Oro in a similar fashion when he betrays her too.... Ugh.

I hate when authors do this. The plot was so good at the end. I did not expect any of that to happen. But I'm still hating Isla and all her boyfriend mascinations which is 80% of the book. She doesn't love Grim properly. She's just banging him. She really loves Oro and I hate that. Grim girly for life.]]> 3.62 2024 Skyshade (Lightlark, #3)
author: Alex Aster
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/25
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves:
review:
Skyshade felt a lot like when Feyre was forced to go back to the spring court. Isla is treating Grim like a Tamlin and for that, Isla is an ungrateful wretch. Isla spends all her time trolling the streets and doing secret things, basically ignoring Grim with some "communication could have solved all this" trope in there for good measure. Then at about 80% through weird things start happening but the plot starts plotting. It was not well foreshadowed though. Don't get me wrong. The book was still pretty well written. I just hate pretty much everything that the characters did.

Spoilery Gripes:
I am so annoyed at Isla. She goes with Grim even though she feels more for Oro. And her whole time with Grim feels forced. She says he has half her heart but it's like she's underwater with him. She doesn't feel things. She feels want sometimes. But then the minute she's back with Oro she can barely keep her hands off him, all lust and love. She has all these intense feelings. I just I'm so annoyed because she wanted Grim in the first book, and then she was halfheartedly with Oro in Book 2 even though she was intensely remembering her times with Grim. Then begrudgingly left with Grim. It's like she likes whoever she can't have more. I'm getting the scenes that I wanted with Grim but Isla is not feeling it - which wrecks the whole thing. Isla doesn't appreciate anything Grim's done for her or continues to do. Even the winter castle was a ploy to get to the library. Like I just hate her so much for not wanting Grim and for not punishing Oro in a similar fashion when he betrays her too.... Ugh.

I hate when authors do this. The plot was so good at the end. I did not expect any of that to happen. But I'm still hating Isla and all her boyfriend mascinations which is 80% of the book. She doesn't love Grim properly. She's just banging him. She really loves Oro and I hate that. Grim girly for life.
]]> Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) 209439446
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.]]> 527 Rebecca Yarros 1649374186 Jessica 5
Okay, I have sat with this book for about a week now. I continue to love the series and I definitely love this book. It is a continuation of our story, but it is clearly following a three-act arc, where although a lot happened in this book, the overall plot has not really moved far along.
Despite that, a lot happened in this book, we met a lot of new characters, old characters were fleshed out (Ridoc!), a lot of mysteries were solved and a lot more mysteries were opened. I have had lots of fun going through all the theories of what will happen next. I was giggling and kicking my feet at some of the mysteries being solved during this book (Violet's past ]]> 4.17 2025 Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/25
date added: 2025/01/30
shelves:
review:
At the moment, I have no words.

Okay, I have sat with this book for about a week now. I continue to love the series and I definitely love this book. It is a continuation of our story, but it is clearly following a three-act arc, where although a lot happened in this book, the overall plot has not really moved far along.
Despite that, a lot happened in this book, we met a lot of new characters, old characters were fleshed out (Ridoc!), a lot of mysteries were solved and a lot more mysteries were opened. I have had lots of fun going through all the theories of what will happen next. I was giggling and kicking my feet at some of the mysteries being solved during this book (Violet's past
]]> Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) 90202302 “The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.� —Xaden Riorson

Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders� capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.]]> 623 Rebecca Yarros 1649374178 Jessica 5
Second Read for Onyx Storm: I enjoyed this book much more on the re-read. I knew the mysteries and could look out for the foreshadowing. There was actually quite a lot of plot. I think there was only like 2 chapters that I must have gotten stuck in last time. I love the high stakes drama and that we are seeing more of the other characters. Loved it much more the second time around.]]> 4.33 2023 Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/21
date added: 2025/01/21
shelves:
review:
Don't get me wrong. I did love this book. However it felt very filler. Not a lot happened until the end and then the end happened very quickly. There was a fair bit to process at the end and obviously some mysteries that we get to think about but 90% of the book was just faffing about with Luminary, fliers and wards.

Second Read for Onyx Storm: I enjoyed this book much more on the re-read. I knew the mysteries and could look out for the foreshadowing. There was actually quite a lot of plot. I think there was only like 2 chapters that I must have gotten stuck in last time. I love the high stakes drama and that we are seeing more of the other characters. Loved it much more the second time around.
]]> The Wood at Midwinter 206101583 'A church is a sort of wood. A wood is a sort of church. They're the same thing really.'

Nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scott is an unusual girl. She can talk to animals and trees—and she is only ever happy when she is walking in the woods.

One snowy afternoon, out with her dogs and Apple the pig, Merowdis encounters a blackbird and a fox. As darkness falls, a strange figure enters in their midst—and the path of her life is changed forever.

From the internationally bestselling and prize-winning author of Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, an enchanting, beautifully illustrated short story set in the Strange universe. Featuring an introduction by Susanna Clarke and gorgeous illustrations from Victoria Sawdon truly worthy of the magic of this story, this is a mesmerising, must-have addition to any fantasy reader's bookshelf.]]> 64 Susanna Clarke 1639734481 Jessica 3 3.47 2024 The Wood at Midwinter
author: Susanna Clarke
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/12
date added: 2025/01/12
shelves:
review:
It was ok. It was ethereal, mystical, like a poem more than a book. It was short. I think the afterword was longer than the book. I am not the target audience as I haven't read anything else by Susanna Clarke.
]]> <![CDATA[Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)]]> 61431922 Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders...

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile� humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die]]> 528 Rebecca Yarros 1649374046 Jessica 5
Re-read for Onyx Storm: Definitely just as good the second time around, if not better. This book is filled with so many little hints that you pick up on now you know what to look for. The characters are still great, the plot is popping, and those dragons are still sassy as. Love it.]]> 4.56 2023 Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)
author: Rebecca Yarros
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/10
date added: 2025/01/10
shelves:
review:
Dragons. Boys. Magic. Betrayal. Bloody fantastic.

Re-read for Onyx Storm: Definitely just as good the second time around, if not better. This book is filled with so many little hints that you pick up on now you know what to look for. The characters are still great, the plot is popping, and those dragons are still sassy as. Love it.
]]> <![CDATA[Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal, #1)]]> 213309864
Neither is the encounter with an enemy soldier.

Returning home to Alaha, she’s confronted with the aftermath of the day’s events. The future is uncertain as the threat of hunger looms over the people. With rumors of a growing rebellion, Brynn and her closest friends promise to stick together.

When an unexpected visitor arrives, Brynn’s loyalty will be tested as she learns of a world of magic and treachery. Once her enemy, always her enemy, right? But the dark, knowing eyes of a stranger make her question everything�

…including her heart.]]> 497 Rachel Schneider Jessica 0 to-read 4.28 Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal, #1)
author: Rachel Schneider
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.28
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Queen of the Dawn (Shadows and Crowns, #5)]]> 61362342
Against all odds, Casia Greythorne has survived battles with gods and monsters alike, and the most powerful crown in the Kethran Empire is now securely in her grasp. Yet a seemingly impossible task still looms: finding a way to rid her world of its darkest god so she actually has a future to rule over.

The path to sealing that god away has been revealed, but to follow it will mean venturing into a deadly and strange new realm, facing old fears and enemies, and deciphering ancient magic that raises more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, chaos continues to spread throughout the empires. Armies rise and fall. The bonds between allies begin to fray—and hope along with it. And with every bloody battle, the final cost of saving their world becomes clearer.

Dawn is coming, but will Casia and her friends survive to see the new day?]]> 0 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.89 2023 The Queen of the Dawn (Shadows and Crowns, #5)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Call of the Void (Shadows and Crowns, #3)]]> 56880056 War is building. Blood is spilling. And the gods are not pleased.

Casia has survived her brother’s attempts to crush her and her growing army, but the battle for their empire is just beginning. Bitter and wounded, carrying the curse of a dark and dangerous upper-god, and desperate for more allies, she charges northward to seek the elves who once walked alongside the divine beings.

The elven Court of Moreth holds knowledge. Secrets. And power. The kind of power that could shift all of Casia's wars in her favor. If she can survive the dangerous politics and treacherous magic of the elf-kind.

While these outer battles rage, so too do the ones within. Elander is losing what remained of his divinity. His court. His powers. His grasp on what he once was and what he once knew. But he’s determined to keep fighting, gathering his own ancient allies and working to aid Casia in her wars. He lost her once. He won’t do it again.

But his devotion to her may be the very thing that destroys him.

And when that destruction comes, it comes with a twist—one that could change their entire world.]]> 578 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.84 2021 The Call of the Void (Shadows and Crowns, #3)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Crown of the Gods (Shadows and Crowns, #4)]]> 58114764
Casia Greythorne has finally come home to claim the throne that is rightfully hers—one that she hopes she can use to unite her empire and help it survive a war with the very gods themselves. But to take hold of her crown, she’ll have to wrestle it free of a past that she’s avoided for too long. One that is even more complicated than she realized.

The answers she needs to win her war—and save her world and the people she loves—all lie within that past...

But discovering them might destroy any hope she has of a future.]]> 642 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.87 2022 A Crown of the Gods (Shadows and Crowns, #4)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Twist of the Blade (Shadows and Crowns, #2)]]> 56768535 Mercenary. Survivor. Queen.

Who is Casia Greythorne?

Still reeling from an unimaginable loss and the revelation of an identity she isn’t sure she wants to embrace, Casia has one plan: Try to control something. Something like the strange magic awakening inside of her. Mastering that magic will take her and her friends on a quest through cursed lands, into the dwellings of old gods, and deep into a southern empire filled with deadly foes and unlikely allies.

Meanwhile, the foundations of the Kethran Empire continue to crumble. The king-emperor clings to his crown with increasingly bloodied hands. Monsters and soldiers alike stalk Casia's every step, determined not to let her return to claim a throne that is rightfully hers. Still, the greatest threat to her possible rule may not lie in the king-emperor, but in a former captain of his army—a man that she came dangerously close to falling in love with.

Elander Revenmar thought he knew who he was. He had a mission, a plan, a god he was content to serve. Then came Casia. A woman as mysterious as she is dangerous. One he should have stayed away from, and whose life he never should have saved.

Because salvation always comes with a cost.

And some debts can only be paid for in blood.]]> 622 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.88 2021 A Twist of the Blade (Shadows and Crowns, #2)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns, #1)]]> 53902073 The old gods are growing restless...

Mercenary Casia Greythorne cares about two things: completing her latest job and earning enough coin for the expensive medicine that's keeping her mentor alive.

So when the king commands her to investigate a strange plague devastating the empire, she can't resist the massive reward he offers - even if it does mean working with the arrogant and infuriating Captain Elander.

But as the death toll rises and strange monsters wreak havoc across the realms, Cas and Elander find themselves up against meddling gods and very old magic.

Because an ancient evil is stirring in the shadows.

And their empire will not survive its full unleashing.

The first book in the thrilling Shadows & Crowns series - perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass and Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows!]]> 437 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.91 2020 The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns, #1)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Ash and Feather (Flame and Sparrow Duology, #2)]]> 200757096 From the Ashes, a Goddess Must Rise�

After proving herself through a series of harrowing trials, Karys has found a home among the gods, alongside the Marr of Fire. Her new divine family and magic have allowed her to ascend from the rebellious, dangerous life she once led—yet the ghosts of past mistakes and betrayals linger.

Her once sworn enemy, Dravyn, understands the pain of lingering ghosts better than most. Haunted by the memories of the family he lost—and by the lives he took in retribution—the God of Fire now has one plan: Protecting the ones he has left at whatever the cost.

But the shadow of war is spreading across the realms. A war that will force both Karys and Dravyn to confront past demons. And when those demons collide, the resulting fires might burn everything to ash�

Forcing something new to rise if they want any hope of a future.]]> 580 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.91 2024 Ash and Feather (Flame and Sparrow Duology, #2)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Flame and Sparrow (Flame and Sparrow Duology, #1)]]> 63214317
Two weeks later, her sister disappeared, leaving nothing but a trail of blood in her wake.

Convinced the gods were responsible for the disappearance, Karys has spent the past five years plotting her revenge with the help of a cutthroat band of likeminded elven rebels. So when Dravyn—one of her world’s most powerful deities—descends upon her kingdom in search of humans worthy of serving him, Karys knows what she must do. Earning a place at the god’s side will allow her to find out what truly happened to her sister…and then destroy the gods from the inside out for what they did.

Thrown into the dazzling but deadly world of the divine courts, she must navigate complicated politics, strange magic, and dangerous trials to prove herself worthy of standing among the gods.

Among the most dangerous of these trials is Dravyn himself.

Karys knows better than to trust the enigmatic God of Fire. The flames of passion that stir between them are only divine trickery. And yet, the more she learns about him, the hotter the forbidden sparks burn. The more she begins to question all she thought she knew about the world of gods and mortals and everything in-between.

And the more she risks betraying her own secrets, which may be the most dangerous thing of all.

This is a romantic epic fantasy with some adult language and spicy content. Though it’s set in the same universe as the Shadows and Crowns series—in the distant past—it can be read and completely enjoyed without reading any previous books in this world. Book two will end with a HEA, but beware the cliffhanger at the end of this first book!]]> 662 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 3.89 2023 Flame and Sparrow (Flame and Sparrow Duology, #1)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Creatures of Chaos 204985194
Chaos, the vicious supernatural competition where heroes are born and riches are won.

To most, it's just an urban legend whispered in the darkest shadows, but that all changes when my best friend drags me into a savage world where vampires, shifters, and fae compete for glory and fame.

As a creature without magic, I’d be a fool to enter Chaos, but the prize—a dagger of untold power—could change my powerless existence. With that dagger, I could wield magic, earn respect, and maybe, just maybe, win the heart of the dragon heir� it’s a risk I have to take.

Now, I'm pitted against beasts in a ruthless battle with no powers, no plan, and an infuriatingly attractive ally who’s just as likely to slit my neck as save it. Every round of Chaos leads me closer to seizing my deepest desires or losing everything.

In Chaos, survival is the only rule. And winning is all that matters.]]> 456 Julie Hall Jessica 0 to-read 4.27 Creatures of Chaos
author: Julie Hall
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.27
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)]]> 204593559 A wicked prince determined to save his kingdom.

Gabriel Axton—infamous as the Prince of Gluttony, the self-proclaimed rake of rakes—has always lived for indulgence: in delicious food, in tantalizing women, and most of all, in the thrill of the hunt, where his love of danger can take over. But when his favorite adventure takes a deadly turn, he realizes something is very wrong in his demon court. With the clock ticking, he must turn to the only one who might uncover the truth: a journalist he has spent a decade avoiding�

A reporter hell-bent on finding the truth.

Adriana Saint Lucent has been on the hunt for years—if she could just report something damning enough about that no-good scoundrel Gabriel Axton, she knows others would finally see the demon as she does. But she never expected to turn up a rumor too terrifying to be believed: could the ice dragons to the north be growing restless? Drawn into the secrets of the Underworld, Adriana’s investigation leads her into the place she dreads most� Axton’s infamous court.

A dangerous rivalry—and deliciously twisted fairy tale.

To stop darkness from falling over their kingdom, Axton and Adriana will have to unite against an escalating danger. But with each holding tight to their own secrets, can they find the truth before it’s too late? And what will they do with an equally troubling rumor: that they might not actually hate one another, after all?

Two rivals torn apart by a dark memory reunite on a deadly hunt—and in an irresistibly twisted fairy tale—in the next steamy standalone fantasy romance from New York Times bestselling sensation Kerri Maniscalco.]]> 502 Kerri Maniscalco 0316557544 Jessica 0 to-read 3.88 2024 Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)
author: Kerri Maniscalco
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Lights Out 221521038 The viral TikTok stalker dark romance, burning with high heat, hilarious banter, and a love story like you’ve never seen before. Can you handle the ride?

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Alyssa Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality.


I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love.

Joshua Hammond has an infamous father—the kind of man that true-crime podcasts love talking about. Josh has spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer.


Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with.


Lights Out is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally gray male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.
]]> 338 Navessa Allen Jessica 0 to-read 4.25 2024 Lights Out
author: Navessa Allen
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy, #1)]]> 210428052 What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy.

I didn't sign up for this.

A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That's a recipe for torment.

I'm Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn't stopped the vampires from deciding I'm worth capturing. Now I'm stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We're just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.

But that's not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He's been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we're betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I'm not going down without a fight.

Bloodwing isn't just a school—it's a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you're weak? You're dead.

Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I'm starting to think the real danger isn't the academy—it's what I'm becoming in this twisted game of power.

And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.

They think they can control me. They think they can use me.

But they have no idea what they've awakened.


Bestselling epic fantasy author Briar Boleyn returns with a new series perfect for fans of hate to love romance, heart-pounding action, and dark magic.

On Wings of Blood is a dark academia fantasy romance featuring a bully villain with Draco Malfoy energy who (eventually) gets the girl, all the tension and banter, and a tantalizingly dangerous blend of court and school intrigue all set in an intricately crafted world with unique vampire and dragon lore. Bloodwing Academy may have crossover characters from the world of Blood of a Fae, but can be read completely independently. If you're a fan of original mythology, unique world-building, and character-driven romantasy books such as Crowns of Nyaxia, From Blood and Ash, and A Court of Thorns and Roses, you won't want to miss out on this riveting new saga. ]]> 523 Briar Boleyn Jessica 0 to-read 4.01 2024 On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy, #1)
author: Briar Boleyn
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Hooked (Never After #1) 58998671
James has always had one agenda: destroy his enemy, Peter Michaels. When Peter’s twenty-year-old daughter Wendy shows up in James’s bar, he sees his way in. Seduce the girl and use her for his revenge. It’s the perfect plan, until things in James’s organization begin to crumble. Suddenly, he has to find the traitor in his midst, and his plan for revenge gets murkier as James starts to see Wendy as more than just a pawn in his game.

Wendy has been cloistered away most of her life by her wealthy cold father, but a spontaneous night out with friends turns into an intense and addictive love affair with the dark and brooding James. As much as she knows James is dangerous, Wendy can’t seem to shake her desire for him. But as their relationship grows more heated and she learns more about the world he moves in, she finds herself unsure if she’s falling for the man known as James or the monster known as Hook.]]> 325 Emily McIntire 1737508370 Jessica 0 to-read 3.93 2021 Hooked (Never After #1)
author: Emily McIntire
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch, #1)]]> 30095464 A story of scorned witches, sinister curses, and resurrection, The Bone Witch is the start of a dark fantasy trilogy.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother, Fox, from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha—one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.


The Bone Witch Trilogy:

The Bone Witch (Book 1)

The Heart Forger (Book 2)

The Shadowglass (Book 3)

]]> 411 Rin Chupeco 1492635820 Jessica 0 currently-reading 3.67 2017 The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch, #1)
author: Rin Chupeco
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/03
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> Nightbane (Lightlark, #2) 58410355 The seductive and action-packed follow-up to Alex Aster’s instant #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and internationally bestselling novel, Lightlark

Isla Crown has secured the love of two powerful rulers and broken the curses that plagued the six realms for centuries, but few know the true origins of her powers.

Now, in the wake of a crushing betrayal, Isla finds herself struggling to win respect as the newly crowned leader of two separate realms. Worse, her fellow rulers haven’t ceded victory quietly, and there are others in Isla’s midst who don’t believe her ascent to power was earned.

As certain death races toward Lightlark and secrets from the past begin to unravel, Isla must weigh her responsibility to her people against the whims of the most dangerous traitor of all: her heart.

Alex Aster’s intricate world expands after the riveting culmination of the Centennial games, delving more deeply into Isla’s memories of her past, as her future hurtles toward two possible fates.]]> 432 Alex Aster Jessica 5 4.11 2023 Nightbane (Lightlark, #2)
author: Alex Aster
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/01
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves:
review:
She got me again. Balling at the end of this book. I am 100% a Grim girly. They say when you have split storyline that you end up loving one and hating one and that was true for me with this as well. I could not give a crap about present day. It wasn't as bad as the searching in book one. There are some interesting new characters and ancients and some training montage but preparing for a war against Grim made no sense. Despite his inability to use her magic at the end of Lightlark, I do think he loves her. I was thinking that she asked him to take her memories away and that when she remembered that, she would remember him. But this whole book was full of memories of him and she still didn't change her mind. I loved the memory storyline. And I think I kind of spoilt myself because I found an extra chapter which I think you were supposed to read after Lightlark, but it really spoilt this whole book. I don't like that it rushed at the end after the plot twist reveal. I would have liked to seen those memories in full form. But despite that five stars. I'm really worried about Skyshade because so many people are complaining about it. If this girl does not love Grim in the end, I'm going to be pissed.
]]> <![CDATA[The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England (Secret Projects, #2)]]> 60531410 399 Brandon Sanderson 1938570332 Jessica 2 3.75 2023 The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England (Secret Projects, #2)
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2025/01/01
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves:
review:
I seriously don't understand how anyone likes Brandon Sanderson books. This is like my fourth try on a different book and they just never get any better. The characters are shallow. The world building is lacking. The magic system is not well defined. Characters do not stay true to their previous characterisation. The main character was so boring and definitely not likable. It took me months to get through this book. Definitely not worth the effort. Sorry.
]]> <![CDATA[The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2)]]> 55559887 A budding dark sorceress determined not to use her formidable powers uncovers yet more secrets about the workings of her world in the stunning sequel to A Deadly Education, the start of Naomi Novik’s groundbreaking crossover series.

At the Scholomance, El, Orion, and the other students are faced with their final year—and the looming specter of graduation, a deadly ritual that leaves few students alive in its wake. El is determined that her chosen group will survive, but it is a prospect that is looking harder by the day as the savagery of the school ramps up. Until El realizes that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules . . .]]> 388 Naomi Novik 0593128869 Jessica 0 to-read 4.20 2021 The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2)
author: Naomi Novik
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)]]> 196864520

The viral TikTok friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and spice—unlike anything you’ve read before—now available in all bookstores.


When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of like-minded, pitch-black souls. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.


But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

]]> 360 Brynne Weaver Jessica 0 to-read 3.99 2023 Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Assistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #1)]]> 123257687
ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain―and his entire nefarious empire―out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.]]> 342 Hannah Nicole Maehrer 1649375808 Jessica 0 to-read 3.88 2023 Assistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #1)
author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)]]> 214331246 When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.]]> 387 Suzanne Collins 1546171460 Jessica 0 to-read 4.62 2025 Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Our Infinite Fates 210395729 They've loved each other in a thousand lifetimes. They've killed each other in every one.

Evelyn remembers all her past lives. She also remembers that in every single one, she’s been murdered before her eighteenth birthday by Arden, a supernatural being whose soul―and survival―is tethered to hers.

The problem is that she’s quite fond of the life she’s in now, and her little sister needs her for bone marrow transplants in order to stay alive. If Evelyn wants to save her sister, she’ll have to:

1. Find the centuries-old devil who hunts her through each life―before they find her first.
2. Figure out why she’s being hunted and finally break their curse.
3. Try not to fall in love.

The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue meets This is How You Lose The Time War in this fantastical love story that defies death as two souls reincarnate through the centuries.]]> 352 Laura Steven 1250333881 Jessica 0 to-read 3.76 2025 Our Infinite Fates
author: Laura Steven
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth, #2)]]> 60217777 The stakes are even higher in this epic, romantic conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Crimson Moth duology.

A WITCH...
Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.

A WITCH HUNTER...
Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE...
When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

In Kristen Ciccarelli's Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.]]> 464 Kristen Ciccarelli Jessica 0 to-read 4.23 2025 Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth, #2)
author: Kristen Ciccarelli
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)]]> 58340706
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.]]> 399 Rachel Gillig 0316312487 Jessica 0 to-read 4.25 2022 One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)]]> 205335957
Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum's windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil's visions. But when Sybil's fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral's cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she'd rather avoid Rodrick's dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.]]> 400 Rachel Gillig 0356522962 Jessica 0 to-read 4.61 2025 The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.61
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)]]> 126062562
When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes—and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn’s orders, Celaena risks unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn’s clutches—and if they fail, they’ll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives . . .

A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers readers a deeper look into the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling—and deadly—world.

Included in this volume:
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire]]> 451 Sarah J. Maas 1619632217 Jessica 3
Book 1: Pirate Lord: Captain Rolfe and the ban on slavery she made him sign. Maybe the main slave?
Book 2: Healer Yrene, paid for her uni, taught self defence.
Book 3: Desert: Ansel whom she let go from the western wastes and maybe Ilias (master's son).
Book 4: Underworld: maybe Leighfer who tricked her into killing Doneval and got a slave trade set up between Rifthold and Melisande, she sold her Asterion horse Kasida (Hisli was Ansels), to her too. Also the master tinkerer who put spider silk in Sam's heart area of his special suit. Also Celaena's special suit.
Book 5: Empire: killing Farran, finding out Arobynn betrayed her the whole time and never got to "win her back".

Also I have a theory that Arobynn was the assassin that killed her parents and has raised her for his own reasons.]]> 4.16 2014 The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/10
date added: 2024/12/10
shelves:
review:
I have read this book before so this won't be a proper review but more a list of spoilers I have to remember. I still don't love these mini stories. They are all a bit long winded with action only at the end. They are also not as interesting as made to be in the other books. I also don't understand how Celaena can go 2 years in Rifthold without acting on anything from this book.

Book 1: Pirate Lord: Captain Rolfe and the ban on slavery she made him sign. Maybe the main slave?
Book 2: Healer Yrene, paid for her uni, taught self defence.
Book 3: Desert: Ansel whom she let go from the western wastes and maybe Ilias (master's son).
Book 4: Underworld: maybe Leighfer who tricked her into killing Doneval and got a slave trade set up between Rifthold and Melisande, she sold her Asterion horse Kasida (Hisli was Ansels), to her too. Also the master tinkerer who put spider silk in Sam's heart area of his special suit. Also Celaena's special suit.
Book 5: Empire: killing Farran, finding out Arobynn betrayed her the whole time and never got to "win her back".

Also I have a theory that Arobynn was the assassin that killed her parents and has raised her for his own reasons.
]]> <![CDATA[The Grandest Game (The Grandest Game, #1)]]> 197392670 Get caught up in the puzzles, games, danger, romance, and riches of this lush new chapter in the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games saga—set a year after we last saw Avery and the Hawthornes.

Seven tickets. An island of dreams. The chance of a lifetime.

Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited. Designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune, this year’s game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, those seven players will do whatever it takes to win.

Some of the players are in it for the money. Some for power. Some for reasons all their own. Every single one of them has secrets. Amidst it all is Grayson Hawthorne, tasked with a vital role in this year’s game. But as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push the players to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it soon becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes delivers a new series in the world of The Inheritance Games, where fan-favorite and new characters collide in a game you’ll never forget.

Do you have what it takes to play?]]> 384 Jennifer Lynn Barnes 0316481017 Jessica 0 to-read 3.93 2024 The Grandest Game (The Grandest Game, #1)
author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)]]> 188563943
Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat� er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs—Kingsley’s included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies� including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so� so� delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?]]> 336 Hannah Nicole Maehrer 152991776X Jessica 0 to-read 4.14 2024 Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)
author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Leather & Lark (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2)]]> 127611580 Ěý
And they can’t stand each other.Ěý
Ěý
Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.Ěý

As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomesĚýimpossible to discernĚýtheirĚýfake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them.Ěý
There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep.Ěý

And this one has come for blood.]]> 416 Brynne Weaver 0349441588 Jessica 0 to-read 3.98 2024 Leather & Lark (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Lightlark (Lightlark, #1) 60310757 Welcome to the Centennial.

Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.

Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.]]> 416 Alex Aster 1419760866 Jessica 5
I will say there are things that I didn't love: That Isla spends ages just looking for stuff. Searching and searching. She makes some pretty strong decisions on some very scant information - about people and who to trust, etc. The 'flashbacks' were a bit rough at times. Like not integrated smoothly. I would have liked some more information on the origin of the curses, original rulers and the Centennial at the start to tie in more with the end.

I also dislike that this is YA. So I'm never going to get those spicy romance scenes I am after but there is some pretty explicit steamy implications if you know what they're talking about.

But overall, absolutely adored this. Haven't read anything this good in years.]]> 3.84 2022 Lightlark (Lightlark, #1)
author: Alex Aster
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/06
date added: 2024/12/06
shelves:
review:
I loved this book. It was fast from the very first moment. The plot twists absolutely shocked me. I cried in the airport, and that was only at the first one. This is one of the best books I've read in years. It's fast, there's loads of action, plot and mystery that actually gets solved.

I will say there are things that I didn't love: That Isla spends ages just looking for stuff. Searching and searching. She makes some pretty strong decisions on some very scant information - about people and who to trust, etc. The 'flashbacks' were a bit rough at times. Like not integrated smoothly. I would have liked some more information on the origin of the curses, original rulers and the Centennial at the start to tie in more with the end.

I also dislike that this is YA. So I'm never going to get those spicy romance scenes I am after but there is some pretty explicit steamy implications if you know what they're talking about.

But overall, absolutely adored this. Haven't read anything this good in years.
]]> <![CDATA[The Darkness Within Us (The Shadows Between Us, #2)]]> 201126787
By hiding her intelligence and ambition behind the mask of a beautiful air-headed girl, she has gathered important secrets, earned her father’s constant care, and become a wealthy duchess—all by age nineteen. Now, she is only one elderly, dying duke away from having all the freedom, money, and safety she’s ever wanted.

Or so she thought.

Turns out her little sister somehow snatched the true victory away from her: Alessandra is wedding the Shadow King, the most powerful man in the world. Meanwhile, after the death of Chrysantha’s no-good, lecherous husband, a man claiming to be the duke’s estranged grandson turns up to inherit everything that should be hers.

Chrysantha is enraged. There is no way that she’s going to let some man take everything from her. Never mind that he’s extremely handsome and secretive and alluring with mysterious powers� No, Chrysantha wants Eryx Demos dead, and in the end, a Stathos girl always gets what she wants.]]> 336 Tricia Levenseller 1250840775 Jessica 4 3.91 2024 The Darkness Within Us (The Shadows Between Us, #2)
author: Tricia Levenseller
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/30
date added: 2024/11/30
shelves:
review:
It's a quick, easy bit of fun YA to read. This book follows Alessandra's sister who follows a bit more of a traditional pathway in life. She gets married to a rich, old, dying Duke to get the freedom a wealthy widowhood will offer her. Then a few months in, it is all snatched away by a surprise grandson who inherits everything. Chrysantha then has to work with the new Duke on his manners etc to get the money she needs to investigate how this fake Duke got everything, and what other secrets he's hiding. A bit of the beauty and beast vibes. We also get to see some more of Alessandra and the King.
]]> <![CDATA[The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology, #2)]]> 75673879 An imprisoned prince. A vengeful queen. And a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame.
Ěý
Prince Oak is paying for his betrayal. Imprisoned in the icy north and bound to the will of a monstrous new queen, he must rely on charm and calculation to survive. With High King Cardan and High Queen Jude willing to use any means necessary to retrieve their stolen heir, Oak will have to decide whether to attempt regaining the trust of the girl he’s always loved or to remain loyal to Elfhame and hand over the means to end her reign—even if it means ending Wren, too.
�
Ěý
With a new war looming on the horizon and treachery lurking in every corner, neither Oak’s guile nor his wit will be enough to keep everyone he loves alive. It’s just a question of whom he will doom.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes the stunning blood-soaked conclusion to the Stolen Heir duology.
Ěý]]> 356 Holly Black 0316592714 Jessica 0 to-read 3.84 2024 The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology, #2)
author: Holly Black
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[All This Twisted Glory (This Woven Kingdom, #3)]]> 127823371 The highly anticipated third novel in the This Woven Kingdom series, full of explosive magic, searing romance, and heartbreaking betrayal, from the award-winning and bestselling author of the Shatter Me series. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sabaa Tahir, and Tomi Adeyemi.

As the long-lost heir to the Jinn throne, Alizeh has finally found her people—and she might’ve found her crown. Cyrus, the mercurial ruler of Tulan, has offered her his kingdom in a twisted exchange: one that would begin with their marriage and end with his murder.

Cyrus’s dark reputation precedes him; all the world knows of his blood-soaked past. Killing him should be easy—and accepting his offer might be the only way to fulfill her destiny and save her people. But the more Alizeh learns of him, the more she questions whether the terrible stories about him are true.

Ensnared by secrets, Cyrus has ached for Alizeh since she first appeared in his dreams many months ago. Now that he knows those visions were planted by the devil, he can hardly bear to look at her—much less endure her company. But despite their best efforts to despise each other, Alizeh and Cyrus are drawn together over and over with an all-consuming thirst that threatens to destroy them both.

Meanwhile, Prince Kamran has arrived in Tulan, ready to exact revenge. . . .

Layered with exquisite tension and heart-stopping romance, All This Twisted Glory is the explosive third book in the captivating, bestselling Woven Kingdom series.]]> 397 Tahereh Mafi 0062972502 Jessica 0 to-read 4.07 2024 All This Twisted Glory (This Woven Kingdom, #3)
author: Tahereh Mafi
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Heir (Heir Duology, #1) 206780522 An orphan.
An outcast.
A prince.

And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees.

Growing up in the Kegari slums, AIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeance, but it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prison, where the embers of her wrath ignite.

Banished from her people for an unforgivable crime, SIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destitute, she agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attraction, Sirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than she's willing to give up.

QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empress, but he’s loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperor, he, better than anyone, understands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the Empire, Quil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need.

Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives―and their hearts. Literally.]]> 484 Sabaa Tahir 0593616944 Jessica 0 to-read 4.24 2024 Heir (Heir Duology, #1)
author: Sabaa Tahir
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
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]]> Wisteria (Belladonna, #3) 195820745 #1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers' hearts ablaze.

Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.]]> 419 Adalyn Grace 0316569380 Jessica 0 to-read 4.25 2024 Wisteria (Belladonna, #3)
author: Adalyn Grace
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)]]> 199347538 Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the hugely anticipated sequel to TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea, one of the best-loved and best-selling fantasy novels of the past decade. Featuring gorgeous orange sprayed edges!

A magical house. A secret past. A summons that could change everything.

Arthur Parnassus lives a good life built on the ashes of a bad one.

He’s the master of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six dangerous and magical children who live there.

Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. He is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. And there’s the island’s sprite, Zoe Chapelwhite, and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.

But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.

And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home—one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name that Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from—Arthur knows they’re at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.

Welcome back to Marsyas Island. This is Arthur’s story.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it.]]> 416 T.J. Klune 125088120X Jessica 0 to-read 4.17 2024 Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)
author: T.J. Klune
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Empire of the Damned (Empire of the Vampire, #2)]]> 126918599
From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs� sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

Gabriel de LeĂłn has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. Drawn into an uneasy alliance with the mysterious vampire Liathe, Gabriel must now deliver the Grail to ancients of the Blood Esani, and learn the truth of how Daysdeath might be finally undone.

But the Last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by terrors of the Blood Voss, drawn into warfare between the Blood Dyvok and duskdancers of the frozen Highlands, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the Grail learn her truth.

And that truth may be too awful for any to imagine.]]> 709 Jay Kristoff 1250245338 Jessica 0 to-read 4.55 2024 Empire of the Damned (Empire of the Vampire, #2)
author: Jay Kristoff
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde, #2)]]> 134119076 When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late, in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.

Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore who just wrote the world’s first comprehensive encyclopaedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Ones on her adventures . . . and also from her fellow scholar and former rival Wendell Bambleby.

Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother and in search of a door back to his realm. And despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of marriage: Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and dangers.

She also has a new project to focus on: a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by his mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambleby’s realm and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans.

But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors and of her own heart.]]> 370 Heather Fawcett 0593500202 Jessica 0 to-read 4.28 2024 Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde, #2)
author: Heather Fawcett
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Faebound (Faebound, #1) 157981739
When a fatal mistake leads to Yeeran’s exile from the Elven lands, they are both forced into the terrifying wilderness beyond their borders. There they encounter the the fae court.

The fae haven’t been seen for a millennium. But now Yeeran and Lettle are thrust into their seductive world � torn between their loyalty to each other, their elven homeland, and their hearts. . .]]> 386 Saara El-Arifi 0593723007 Jessica 0 to-read 3.53 2024 Faebound (Faebound, #1)
author: Saara El-Arifi
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies, #1)]]> 122779502
The day I meet him, the ruthless mercenary leaves me for dead.

Just hours after humans are born, the gods take what little power we have. In return, they protect our borders from the vicious, merciless fae.

The humans who manage to keep their power are known as the corrupt.
And they are burned.

When my forbidden power is discovered, I’m forced to flee my tiny village and the life I adore.

To survive, I make a desperate bargain with the mercenary who abandoned me at my weakest.

Our deal is simple: I’ll help him and his mysterious friends sneak into the city. And he’ll help me learn to wield the strange, dark power I’ve always kept hidden. The power that may just be the key to my survival.

But the ruthless mercenary is hiding secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten the safety of everyone I love. Secrets that could tear this kingdom—and perhaps even this world—apart.

Please note: A Court This Cruel and Lovely is an NA/adult romantasy book with steam. While this series is slow burn, the chili pepper rating will increase for each book.]]> 562 Stacia Stark Jessica 0 to-read 4.09 2023 A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies, #1)
author: Stacia Stark
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Veiled Kingdom (The Veiled Kingdom, #1)]]> 209779568 A scorching new fantasy romance that ignites the pages with relentless danger, forbidden passion, and the intoxicating allure of enemies to lovers.

Fleeing my father's cruelty, the wicked king who robbed me of a future, I face death in the streets, caught between a rebellion and a tyrant's reign.

Captured by those sworn to kill me, the rebels remain blind to my true identity—the missing daughter of the despised king. Faced with an impossible choice, I stand before them: join the rebels or face their blades.

Yet, Dacre, the son of the ruthless rebellion commander, becomes torn between suspicion and a desire that mirrors my own. He allows no one to touch me, tries to protect me, yet threatens me at every turn.

As secrets are weaved beyond our hidden realm, a fierce battle unfolds within me. As I get closer to the rebels, and their cause, my loyalty to my kingdom clashes with my undeniable devotion to Dacre and the burning connection between us.

In a world where love and hate are two edges of the same blade, I find myself caught in a delicate dance between forbidden desire and my looming destiny.]]> 368 Holly Renee 1957514434 Jessica 0 to-read 3.53 2024 The Veiled Kingdom (The Veiled Kingdom, #1)
author: Holly Renee
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Reign of Rose (The Sacred Stones, #3)]]> 205064757
They must save the world—but can they also save each other?

Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, would go to the ends of the continent for Arwen Valondale, but what if she’s beyond even that? Broken in ways he never imagined he could be, Kane must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. And after what he’s endured, he’s willing to save Evendell by whatever means necessary—even if that spells his own death.

Little does Kane know, he’s not the only one fighting for revenge. Arwen is no longer afraid to fight—no sacrifice is too great, no enemy too daunting. Now, nothing will stop her from destroying Lazarus and his allies, because she knows if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.]]> 496 Kate Golden 0593641949 Jessica 0 to-read 3.90 2024 A Reign of Rose (The Sacred Stones, #3)
author: Kate Golden
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)]]> 195775182 Captured by a king of darkness. Forced to find the light within.

Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.

Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twisted pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.

But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

To make it out of enemy territory, she'll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.]]> 432 Kate Golden Jessica 0 to-read 3.86 2022 A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)
author: Kate Golden
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Promise of Peridot (The Sacred Stones, #2)]]> 198797574 A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.

Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren's Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane's presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.

As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.]]> 464 Kate Golden 0593641922 Jessica 0 to-read 4.16 2024 A Promise of Peridot (The Sacred Stones, #2)
author: Kate Golden
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Phantasma (Wicked Games, #1) 204593914 Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don’t fall in love.

When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.

Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals.

Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.

Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life.

Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.

Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart . . .]]> 497 Kaylie Smith 1538769255 Jessica 0 to-read 4.05 2024 Phantasma (Wicked Games, #1)
author: Kaylie Smith
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[When the Moon Hatched (Moonfall, #1)]]> 210714656
�'An absolutely stunning fantasy world� Raven Kennedy, author of international bestseller, The Plated Prisoner Series

â€A wild ride that thrills as much as it enchants â€� An instant classicâ€� Thea Guanzon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars

He's fire and brimstone.
I'm shattered ice �
I'll gladly burn beneath him until the world comes crumbling down.
As an assassin for the rebellion, Raeve’s job is to complete orders and never get caught. When a rival bounty hunter shatters her world, Raeve finds herself captured by the Guild of Nobles � a group of powerful fae.

Crushed by the loss of his great love, dragon rider Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to quell the never-ebbing ache in his chest, a clue lures him into the capital’s high-security prison where he stumbles upon the imprisoned Raeve �

Together, they seek truths that threaten to unravel everything they knew about their world � and each other.

Bestselling sensation When the Moon Hatched will transport you into a world filled with magic, dragons and a love that blazes through the ages…]]> 576 Sarah A. Parker 0008710228 Jessica 0 to-read 3.91 2024 When the Moon Hatched (Moonfall, #1)
author: Sarah A. Parker
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1)]]> 212127083
In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn't much a girl wouldn't do for a glass of water.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen's reservoirs for as long as she can remember.

But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently re-opens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares... but it turns out they're real, and Saeris has landed herself in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist's magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him . . . or her.

Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he's the only way Saeris is going to make it home.]]> 588 Callie Hart Jessica 0 to-read 4.35 2024 Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1)
author: Callie Hart
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Brightest Night (Wings of Fire, #5)]]> 18527497
It all comes down to this: The Dragonets of Destiny must finally bring the epic war to an end, reconcile the seven tribes, and choose the next queen of Pyrrhia... and make it out alive.]]> 336 Tui T. Sutherland 0545349222 Jessica 4 4.53 2014 The Brightest Night (Wings of Fire, #5)
author: Tui T. Sutherland
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.53
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/18
date added: 2024/11/18
shelves:
review:
So this was another good dragon book where one of our young heroes, this time Sunny the small Sandwing, goes off to find their parents basically on their own. A lot happens in this book as it is not just Sunny's book, but also the ending to the Last Prophecy section of the Wings of Fire. Sunny gets kidnapped, travels vast distances, meets the OutClaws, finds out about her parents, makes friends with Scavengers, gets trapped, works out what happened to Oasis the Sandwing Queen before the war and ends the war! A lot for the smallest Prophecy dragon! I will say I'm not a fan of the magical quick endings - but I saw that choice coming from the moment we met the new Queen! Can't wait for what else is in store in the world of Pyrrhia!
]]> <![CDATA[A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire, #3)]]> 61150440 The only thing that can save the realms now is the one thing more powerful than the Fates.

After a startling betrayal ends with both Sera and the dangerously seductive ruler of the Shadowlands she has fallen madly in love with being held captive by the false King of the Gods, there is only one thing that can free Nyktos and prevent the forces of the Shadowlands from invading Dalos and igniting a War of Primals.

Convincing Kolis won’t be easy, though � not even with a lifetime of training. While his most favored Revenant is insistent that she is nothing more than a lie, Kolis’s erratic nature and twisted sense of honor leave her shaken to the core, and nothing could’ve prepared her for the cruelty of his Court or the shocking truths revealed. The revelations not only upend what she has understood about her duty and the very creation of the realms but also draw into question exactly what the true threat is. However, surviving Kolis is only one part of the battle. The Ascension is upon her, and Sera is out of time.

But Nyktos will do anything to keep Sera alive and give her the life she deserves. He’ll even risk the utter destruction of the realms, and that’s exactly what will happen if he doesn’t Ascend as the Primal of Life. Yet despite his desperate determination, their destinies may be out of their hands.

But there is that foreseen unexpected thread—the unpredictable, unknown, and unwritten. The only thing more powerful than the Fates…]]> 632 Jennifer L. Armentrout 1957568496 Jessica 4
Also below are my plot holes/ alternative plot paths options/questions at 80%:
1. Why can't Kolis ascend Sera (To Primal of Life)? Sotoria is in there and he loves Sotoria. Close enough right? That would have been hectic.
2. How is Ascending a primal so different to anything else? Does love really have to be a factor? It's standard vampire blood exchange?
3. Why hasn't Ash gone and got his Cartia back?
4. Clearly he loves her regardless so his Cartia has grown back??
5. When does Ash hurry up and ascend Sera? We know it happens because she's still alive in FBAA!
6. SPOILER: Sotoria is in FBAA! That's why Nyktos was not very nice to right!?
7. Why is Callum such a dick to , if that's his sister reincarnated again.
8. Why do we not use the star diamond to steal the death embers from Kolis while he's out for the count? Give them to Ash to be true primal Of death once Sera has ascended into the true Primal of life which I know has to happen at the end of this book. Then why is Kolis still even alive in FBAA?!!! Why must Sotoria kill him? Poetic justice? Just let her live her life. Because Ash killed a Primal so it's not impossible. Balance be damned!]]> 4.11 2023 A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire, #3)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/18
date added: 2024/11/18
shelves:
review:
So I really liked the first 3/4 of this book. I liked the twists and the turns regarding some points (Sotoria), the epiphany I had about FBAA, and I liked that we left Sera with Kolis for quite a long time because that's not something that JLA often does. She normally fixes things quite quickly - kidnappings etc especially with Poppy and Casteel. however, what I did not like was the last quarter of this book which went the way of her Titan series, if you've read that. Basically a magical ending where love fixes all, that you can guess right from the start, rather than the numerous other more interesting plotlines that could have happened (see below!). And then lots and lots of spice like that's all there is. Nothing else is resolved. So like the first 3/4 of the book I would give five stars but because of that ending I'm probably going to drop it down to four. And I'm so glad that I'm so slow at reading that the next and last F&F book has come out because I probably wouldn't have continued if it wasn't already there.

Also below are my plot holes/ alternative plot paths options/questions at 80%:
1. Why can't Kolis ascend Sera (To Primal of Life)? Sotoria is in there and he loves Sotoria. Close enough right? That would have been hectic.
2. How is Ascending a primal so different to anything else? Does love really have to be a factor? It's standard vampire blood exchange?
3. Why hasn't Ash gone and got his Cartia back?
4. Clearly he loves her regardless so his Cartia has grown back??
5. When does Ash hurry up and ascend Sera? We know it happens because she's still alive in FBAA!
6. SPOILER: Sotoria is in FBAA! That's why Nyktos was not very nice to right!?
7. Why is Callum such a dick to , if that's his sister reincarnated again.
8. Why do we not use the star diamond to steal the death embers from Kolis while he's out for the count? Give them to Ash to be true primal Of death once Sera has ascended into the true Primal of life which I know has to happen at the end of this book. Then why is Kolis still even alive in FBAA?!!! Why must Sotoria kill him? Poetic justice? Just let her live her life. Because Ash killed a Primal so it's not impossible. Balance be damned!
]]> <![CDATA[Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)]]> 76706470 576 Sarah J. Maas Jessica 4
Rowan and Celaena/Aelin: yet again, we get this sense of people flocking to Celaena without any effort on her part. She doesn't try to be a good person. She doesn't even try to talk to people and yet somehow they're all her friends. They're falling in love with her etc. I didn't see how the ending comes because Rowan shows no affection towards her and yet is about to give up his life for her. I didn't see any sexual tension or like reason to love her. They just automatically became magic partners through no effort and that apparently means he loves her I guess. This read through around, I did see a lot more action in this storyline and I do appreciate that. I do appreciate the kind of scary storyline as well.

Dorian and Chaol: So far they are just as interesting as kale. Dorian has gone back to his womanising ways although he doesn't see it like that. That betrayal was a shocker though. Chaol is just faffing about with Aedion and some poor Terrason lord that just keep having meetings, and get followed but really not much happens except people have feelings. Ugh.

Manon and Abraxos: My heart ]]> 4.44 2014 Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/12
date added: 2024/11/12
shelves:
review:
This is my second time reading this but it hasn't been for like a decade. It wasn't as bad as I remember. Last time I remember struggling through Rowan and Celaena, Chaol and Dorian just to read Manon. This time I appreciated that there was some action in the other storylines. So let's go through them one by one.

Rowan and Celaena/Aelin: yet again, we get this sense of people flocking to Celaena without any effort on her part. She doesn't try to be a good person. She doesn't even try to talk to people and yet somehow they're all her friends. They're falling in love with her etc. I didn't see how the ending comes because Rowan shows no affection towards her and yet is about to give up his life for her. I didn't see any sexual tension or like reason to love her. They just automatically became magic partners through no effort and that apparently means he loves her I guess. This read through around, I did see a lot more action in this storyline and I do appreciate that. I do appreciate the kind of scary storyline as well.

Dorian and Chaol: So far they are just as interesting as kale. Dorian has gone back to his womanising ways although he doesn't see it like that. That betrayal was a shocker though. Chaol is just faffing about with Aedion and some poor Terrason lord that just keep having meetings, and get followed but really not much happens except people have feelings. Ugh.

Manon and Abraxos: My heart
]]> Wolf Girl (Wolf Girl, #1) 55939799
Then I met him.

Sawyer Hudson.

The Alpha's son was visiting Delphi Witches' College and spotted me. He took one look at me, and an hour later, I was being pulled out of school, taken into Wolf City and leaving my parents and everything I knew behind.

It's the Alpha's son's selection year, the year he must pick a mate, and every female aged 18-22 must be in attendance.

I've landed myself in the middle of Werewolf Bachelor, and just when I think I've got a handle on things, Sawyer releases my cuffs, unbinds my magic, and sees what I really am.

The problem is, I don't know what this creature is that I transform into. It's not an ordinary werewolf, that's for damn sure.]]> 302 Leia Stone Jessica 0 to-read 4.08 2020 Wolf Girl (Wolf Girl, #1)
author: Leia Stone
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[What Blooms From Death (What Blooms From Death, #1)]]> 212534963 In order to save her world, a necromancer princess teams up with a bloodthirsty, not-exactly-dead king to navigate her empire’s afterlife in search of an object that will break a curse that's been put on her family.

First in a new epic romantic fantasy trilogy with heart, humor, and spice. Full blurb and cover coming soon!]]> 0 S.M. Gaither Jessica 0 to-read 0.0 What Blooms From Death (What Blooms From Death, #1)
author: S.M. Gaither
name: Jessica
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Cursed (Coven of Bones, #2)]]> 123219460 Betrayal.

He was the deception waiting in the night; the truth I never saw coming. After a lifetime of manipulation, I finally learned the truth. I was his puppet—even if I never saw my strings.

Even knowing how deep his betrayal runs, I can’t shake the undeniable connection between Gray and I—the way a single glance from him sets my soul on fire. We are not the same. We’re enemies, poised to battle for the future of the very thing I’d wanted to destroy.

With the Covenant gone, the revenge I thought I wanted is no longer my priority. The witches that remain played no role in my aunt’s death, and the only person standing in the way of righting those wrongs is the very man determined to keep me in his bed.

But the remaining members of the Coven will never forgive me for the role I played in their demise and subjugation, and the worst part of all is that I can’t even blame them for it. I’d been naive, believing my own delusions of grandeur when destiny clearly had other plans for me. Plans that had been set in motion centuries before my birth.

But even that had been a lie, and now it is my duty to do everything in my power to undo it.

To protect my Coven from my husband’s hatred—no matter what the cost.]]> 324 Harper L. Woods Jessica 3
There's not a lot going on in this book until the end. A lot of smut that doesn't feel the same. The characters change their whole mindset in a couple of hours. The ending felt like it was missing chapters. I think the loss of the mystery and the intrigue really hurt this series. The incorporation of established religion and law, I think at the end of The Coven also really ruined this book.

Harper L Woods put in so much effort into making the magic system, a school, secrets, ancestors, the Covenant, and the Cursed loosely based on Salem but something that we haven't really seen before and yet kind of ruined it by leaning on well established Lucifer/God/angels/demons lore rather than establishing a unique plot/story.

I can see the setup for the next books being about her witch friends and their demons, kind of like those long paranormal romance group books (Black Dagger brotherhood/ Psy-Changeling series). But I just don't like where the overall story line is headed and I'm disappointed in this book.

Spoilers/ Gripes:
Like why are we supposed to plot the downfall of God? Just because all witches go to hell? The Source said so? I mean that's a lot of effort to put in to get rid of a guy that has no impact on our storyline considering our witches would end up with their demon lovers anyway.

Also a lot of the characters backflipped on their character arcs. Gray went from planning to use her to just loving her unconditionally regardless of what she did or felt. Willow went from hating him, and doing things to annoy him to loving him in like a few hours because of a prophecy?

Willow apparently cared a lot about some of the side characters, but we never saw that. She never really interacted with them enough to care about them. I'm sorry but someone tying me up to be fed on and having one afternoon chat is not enough to become best friends with them. Willow has been at this school like a month? She doesn't even go to class!! It just felt very insta friends and that doesn't fit with her "outcast/hated by the Coven" vibes.

I also feel like there were just a couple of chapters that went missing near the end of the book. The Coven apparently got over their hate of Willow and Gray pretty fast. Willow flipped on her feelings of hate, murder and escape in a day or so. I just felt that this wrapped up too quickly and too conveniently.

Overall I just didn't love this book like The Coven and it's devastating.]]> 3.57 2023 The Cursed (Coven of Bones, #2)
author: Harper L. Woods
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/14
date added: 2024/10/14
shelves:
review:
Unfortunately this book did not hit the mark after the first one. It was frankly disappointing. Still a good read but you have to compare it to Book 1 and there is a drastic difference.

There's not a lot going on in this book until the end. A lot of smut that doesn't feel the same. The characters change their whole mindset in a couple of hours. The ending felt like it was missing chapters. I think the loss of the mystery and the intrigue really hurt this series. The incorporation of established religion and law, I think at the end of The Coven also really ruined this book.

Harper L Woods put in so much effort into making the magic system, a school, secrets, ancestors, the Covenant, and the Cursed loosely based on Salem but something that we haven't really seen before and yet kind of ruined it by leaning on well established Lucifer/God/angels/demons lore rather than establishing a unique plot/story.

I can see the setup for the next books being about her witch friends and their demons, kind of like those long paranormal romance group books (Black Dagger brotherhood/ Psy-Changeling series). But I just don't like where the overall story line is headed and I'm disappointed in this book.

Spoilers/ Gripes:
Like why are we supposed to plot the downfall of God? Just because all witches go to hell? The Source said so? I mean that's a lot of effort to put in to get rid of a guy that has no impact on our storyline considering our witches would end up with their demon lovers anyway.

Also a lot of the characters backflipped on their character arcs. Gray went from planning to use her to just loving her unconditionally regardless of what she did or felt. Willow went from hating him, and doing things to annoy him to loving him in like a few hours because of a prophecy?

Willow apparently cared a lot about some of the side characters, but we never saw that. She never really interacted with them enough to care about them. I'm sorry but someone tying me up to be fed on and having one afternoon chat is not enough to become best friends with them. Willow has been at this school like a month? She doesn't even go to class!! It just felt very insta friends and that doesn't fit with her "outcast/hated by the Coven" vibes.

I also feel like there were just a couple of chapters that went missing near the end of the book. The Coven apparently got over their hate of Willow and Gray pretty fast. Willow flipped on her feelings of hate, murder and escape in a day or so. I just felt that this wrapped up too quickly and too conveniently.

Overall I just didn't love this book like The Coven and it's devastating.
]]> <![CDATA[Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)]]> 76705490 An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.]]> 420 Sarah J. Maas 1639730966 Jessica 3 4.34 2013 Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/13
date added: 2024/10/13
shelves:
review:
This book follows Celaena as she fakes her way through being the king's champion. Most of this book feels like filler. There is a lot of training, stalking her targets and just hanging out really. There is some lacklustre romance that no one really commits to. Although I've never really been a fan of friends to lovers. Although so far it seems like Celaena gets a new love interest every book. I guess what we see is a lot of character building and world building but it feels slow. We go back and forth a lot with no real progress. I also really hate that she falls for the manipulations in this book, and wastes a lot of energy hating on the wrong people, and believing dodgy people with agendas over her friends. The only real action happens in the last 10 chapters, and I'm starting to hate that gimmick to get you interested in the next one, because so much happens, but it doesn't counterman the whole book through which I struggled.
]]> Allegiance (Betrothed #2) 21943097 Book 2 of the Betrothed Series

Harry Potter’s magic, Twilight’s heartache... with a message that love and confidence make everything possible � a faery fantasy with a reality check.

“The twist and turns will have you turning pages and say 'just one more chapter'. But once you start Allegiance you will be hooked until the end. Not to mention that will leave you counting down the days until the next book on the beautiful series flies onto our shelf.�
- Kylie Kniess

“While people could mistake this book in being a purely romance novel, the thing I like about it is it highlights the importance of all kinds of love and bonds � with family, friends and romantic partners. I loved the fact all the characters are flawed and because of this, so too are their relationships. This book highlighted that just because you are meant to be in someone’s life doesn’t make it easy � you have to keep an open mind, be able to compromise and all the while stick up for yourself and what you believe in � tough work � no wonder all the characters fumble!

All in all I’ve loved getting lost in the glorious dream world that is Faera. Now bring on the next book in the series, â€Confusedâ€�!â€�
- Krystina, Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ

THE BEAUTIFUL BETROTHED SERIES RETURNS � AS DARKNESS APPROACHES

Allegiance is the second novel in Wanda Wiltshire’s spellbinding six-part Betrothed series, inviting readers on an astonishing journey of dreamy landscapes and beguiling characters, with a racy love triangle.

Wanda Wiltshire traps key character Marla between two worlds � Earth and the enchanting land of Faera.

Hidden on Earth for her own protection, Marla discovers she is a faery and is betrothed to the drop-dead gorgeous Leif � prince of the Faery Kingdom of Telophy - a world where nothing is as perfect as it seems. But a shocking deal she strikes with the King of Telophy forces her to abandon her new Faery home.

Allegiance begins with Marla returning to Australia, consumed with sadness and conflict, eroding the little self-confidence she has left. Her family, terrified for her health are taken aback when all of a sudden Marla seems to forget her passion for the faery Prince Leif... and develops a love for her human best friend, Jack, that seems to magically jolt her out of her pit of despair.

But Leif journeys to Earth to win Marla back, and everything changes.
Marla discovers she is not alone � with other fae also hidden on Earth � and when Leif learns a dark, sinister force threatens Faera � the Shadow King � he insists that Marla and Jack return to Faera with him to help vanquish the deadly threat.

As the evil Shadow Fae challenge Leif’s father, King Telophy, by enslaving many of his subjects, Jack conceives a way to stop them � by risking everything and drawing Marla and Leif into the shadows.
Can they save Faera in time?

Who will Marla choose? Jack or Prince Leif?

By taking her Earth-born characters back into the magical faery kingdom, Wiltshire skilfully speaks to the angst and turmoil many young people will relate to � a path of self discovery and finding one’s place in the world.
Wiltshire places Marla in great jeopardy, facing choices with far-reaching consequences that affect her adopted Earth family, her best friend Jack and a lost twin brother.]]> 400 Wanda Wiltshire 1921997389 Jessica 0 to-read 4.00 2014 Allegiance (Betrothed #2)
author: Wanda Wiltshire
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/24
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Flow (Flow #1) 36101980 The gripping story of one young woman's fight for survival in a hostile world.A world in tatters. A society where rebellion is not tolerated. A girl desperate to discover the truth.Sixteen year old Quin lives in The Beck, a saviour society. Her community has risen from the ruins of a land shattered by Mother Nature. But Beck law is tough. Quin knows that the rules must be followed in order to sustain life in a place where floodwaters constantly threaten existence. A single violation could land her in Clearance.But some laws are harder to follow than others. And as Quin discovers the horrifying truth, she knows she cannot stay silent forever.Flow is the first in a series of books about a group of people struggling to survive after their world has been annihilated by devastating floods. Packed with intriguing characters, thrilling action and slow-burn romance, this gripping story will keep you up all night. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Giver.]]> 286 Clare Littlemore Jessica 0 to-read 4.12 Flow (Flow #1)
author: Clare Littlemore
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.12
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Compulsory (The Murderbot Diaries, #0.5)]]> 195264190
While trying to watch episode 44 of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, Murderbot is—again, what is it with humans?—distracted by something that is technically outside its purview. A miner is suddenly in danger following a pointless (to Murderbot’s way of thinking) argument, and the choice is to risk discovery and leap into action, which would require hitting the pause button during a very exciting part of SanctuaryMoon, or to follow orders and stay still.

This is a tougher choice than it seems. But then, when has Murderbot ever been faced with an easy choice?

A shorter version of this story originally appeared in Wired magazine.]]> 8 Martha Wells 1645241726 Jessica 5 4.32 2018 Compulsory (The Murderbot Diaries, #0.5)
author: Martha Wells
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/09/22
shelves:
review:
A little scene where Murderbot saves a human against its protocols.
]]> <![CDATA[Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (The Murderbot Diaries, #4.5)]]> 57623348 Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory was originally given free to readers who pre-ordered Martha’s Murderbot novel, Network Effect, the fifth entry in the series. The events occur just after the fourth novella, Exit Strategy.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]> 19 Martha Wells 125083886X Jessica 4 4.03 2020 Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (The Murderbot Diaries, #4.5)
author: Martha Wells
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/09/22
shelves:
review:
A few scenes from Dr Mensah's point of view and how she interacts with Murderbot.
]]> <![CDATA[The Coven (Coven of Bones, #1)]]> 75396525
There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.

But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.

Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen: thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

If the ghosts of Hollow’s Groves� victims don’t kill them first...

The Coven is book one in the Coven of Bones series and ends on a cliffhanger. This is a gothic, dark-academia, paranormal romance and includes elements that may be triggering to some listeners.]]> 298 Harper L. Woods Jessica 5

Willow, a 16-yr-old girl in a witch university for 20-yr-olds, is on a mission from her parents, or maybe just her absent father. We don't get much background but when Willow's mother dies, and the wards protecting her from detection by the Coven are lost. But they knew this day was coming and she is prepared. She has to find the magic bones from her father's family to restore her family magic which somehow requires her to seduce the Headmaster vessel (vampire). It's not made clear why the vessels have anything to do with hiding her family's magic bones or what happens once she has her father's family magic. All the while the school, which has just reopened to 13 external students after a 50-yr hiatus due to a massacre is starting to lose those students again in the same way. The Coven, run by the Covenant, are shiftier than any of the vessels and are keeping secrets that are likely getting people killed.

The cringe:
Willow makes some odd decisions in the start just to be forced to make the same decisions for a worse outcome for her later (i.e. when the Coven comes for her). She teeters from sassy, prepared 16-yr-old witch to hyper sexualised temptress at very random times. The sexualised content is almost jarring me out of the story, but I am also loving it despite how inauthentic it feels. There is just some wording that makes me cringe.

But other than that, I am 100% invested in this. I loved almost every minute. The twists and turns, the mystery, the secrets and the seduction. I breathe for this story. I just can't get enough.]]> 3.73 2023 The Coven (Coven of Bones, #1)
author: Harper L. Woods
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/17
date added: 2024/09/17
shelves:
review:
This book is consuming my life. I am dreaming about it. I want to read it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It has been a long time since I have had such a passion for a book. And it is surprising because I'm finding the super sexualised content a bit cringy.Ěý


Willow, a 16-yr-old girl in a witch university for 20-yr-olds, is on a mission from her parents, or maybe just her absent father. We don't get much background but when Willow's mother dies, and the wards protecting her from detection by the Coven are lost. But they knew this day was coming and she is prepared. She has to find the magic bones from her father's family to restore her family magic which somehow requires her to seduce the Headmaster vessel (vampire). It's not made clear why the vessels have anything to do with hiding her family's magic bones or what happens once she has her father's family magic. All the while the school, which has just reopened to 13 external students after a 50-yr hiatus due to a massacre is starting to lose those students again in the same way. The Coven, run by the Covenant, are shiftier than any of the vessels and are keeping secrets that are likely getting people killed.

The cringe:
Willow makes some odd decisions in the start just to be forced to make the same decisions for a worse outcome for her later (i.e. when the Coven comes for her). She teeters from sassy, prepared 16-yr-old witch to hyper sexualised temptress at very random times. The sexualised content is almost jarring me out of the story, but I am also loving it despite how inauthentic it feels. There is just some wording that makes me cringe.

But other than that, I am 100% invested in this. I loved almost every minute. The twists and turns, the mystery, the secrets and the seduction. I breathe for this story. I just can't get enough.
]]> <![CDATA[System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries, #7)]]> 65211701 Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse.

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast.

Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.]]> 245 Martha Wells 1250826977 Jessica 5
I will say this is probably not my favourite one in the series. There didn't seem to be as much action as previous ones and there was more focus on emotional trauma and human connection rather than murderbot doing murderbot things. Yes there was still some action, just not as much of a focus as previously. Yes this shows Murderbot is evolving but I liked the action and mayhem.

Still a great read!]]> 4.19 2023 System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries, #7)
author: Martha Wells
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves:
review:
It was great to return to the life of Murderbot. However, it was a bit jarring since I read the other books so long ago that I didn't really remember where we left off and we had jumped straight back into the storyline. It took me a while to remember the characters and what they were doing and why they were there. This story follows murderbot, ART-drone and it's humans as they race with a corporate company to reach and win over another potential human colony on the planet with alien contamination while there is a legal battle over who owns it and all its inhabitants.

I will say this is probably not my favourite one in the series. There didn't seem to be as much action as previous ones and there was more focus on emotional trauma and human connection rather than murderbot doing murderbot things. Yes there was still some action, just not as much of a focus as previously. Yes this shows Murderbot is evolving but I liked the action and mayhem.

Still a great read!
]]> <![CDATA[A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash, #5)]]> 63847274 Only his memories can save her�

A great primal power has risen. The Queen of Flesh and Fire has become the Primal of Blood and Bone—the true Primal of Life and Death. And the battle Casteel, Poppy, and their allies have been fighting has only just begun. Gods are awakening across Iliseeum and the mortal realm, readying for the war to come.

But when Poppy falls into stasis, Cas faces the very real possibility that the dire, unexpected consequences of what she is becoming could take her away from him. Cas is given some advice, though—something he plans to cling to as he waits to see her beautiful eyes open once more: Talk to her.

And so, he does. He reminds Poppy how their journey began, revealing things about himself that only Kieran knows in the process. But it’s anybody’s guess what she’ll wake to or exactly how much of the realm and Cas will have changed when she does.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout revisits Poppy and Casteel’s epic love story in the next installment of the Blood and Ash series. But this time, Hawke gets to tell the tale.]]> 712 Jennifer L. Armentrout 1957568461 Jessica 5
Now I say that I was surprised I liked this book because by the end of the fourth book I was well and truly over Poppy and Cas. I think I live for the tension and the build-up, and this took me back to that. I think that's why I'm still enjoying Fire and Flesh - there is still the "will they- won't they". Where as Poppy and Cas are set in stone, and there's nothing that can really undo that now for long (as we saw in WOTQ), so the storyline is limited.

I will be quite surprised if Casteel's fears from this book are realised in the next one. It would open the storyline up a little bit but it probably wouldn't last.

Overall a surprisingly good story that definitely filled the void while I waited to read Flesh and Fire.]]> 3.88 2023 A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash, #5)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves:
review:
I was surprised that I liked this book so much. It is essentially a retelling of book 1: From Blood and Ash from Casteel's point of view interspersed with snippets from events after A War of Two Queens. Poppy enters stasis and Casteel tells her his story from basically the same time. There is not much extra information about his past, or what happened before Poppy (other than how he was traumatized by being kept by the Ascended and not dealing with it). But there are snippets of "present time" which deal with Malik and Millie near the end which are probably important. I just liked hearing his thoughts and Kieran's, what he was doing when he wasn't around Poppy and how fun they all were.

Now I say that I was surprised I liked this book because by the end of the fourth book I was well and truly over Poppy and Cas. I think I live for the tension and the build-up, and this took me back to that. I think that's why I'm still enjoying Fire and Flesh - there is still the "will they- won't they". Where as Poppy and Cas are set in stone, and there's nothing that can really undo that now for long (as we saw in WOTQ), so the storyline is limited.

I will be quite surprised if Casteel's fears from this book are realised in the next one. It would open the storyline up a little bit but it probably wouldn't last.

Overall a surprisingly good story that definitely filled the void while I waited to read Flesh and Fire.
]]> <![CDATA[Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)]]> 76703559 An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.]]> 406 Sarah J. Maas 163973094X Jessica 4
SPOILERS

Onto the story in general, I do see now the "tell not show" that a lot of people complained about over the years. They often say that she's a badass and she's good at all this stuff. She has her scary reputation but you we really only see her train and "hold back" and nothing to really back the reputation. Yes I know she's been in a slavery encampment for a year but I don't understand how everyone else dies in the month and she lived for a year. Maybe because she was so young? But it definitely wasn't because she was so "badass".

Don't get me started on the not love triangle. I have to remember she's supposed to be 17.

I didn't mind the trial of the Champions but we skipped a lot of tests which I would have preferred to see over her playing chess with Dorian.

I did pick up on some of the clues this time around. And there were some things I marked as needing to remember: Celaena is magic (first chapter and wyrdmark), Dorian is probably not the King's son, etc.

Overall, I really liked this book. It has good characters, a plot and a good pace.]]> 4.18 2012 Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/29
date added: 2024/08/29
shelves:
review:
This is my first reread of Throne of Glass. I didn't do a review last time. I think I'm going to drop it down to four stars. Don't get me wrong. I did really like it. And it wasn't as bad as some of the other YA series that I've been reading. I think maybe I liked it a bit less because I'm kind of doing a book club with a friend so I can get past book 4, but she often blasts past our reading goal and then I feel like I'm forced to continue at a quicker pace than what I would normally read. The last five chapters really dragged because she'd finished 2 days earlier and kept bugging me.

SPOILERS

Onto the story in general, I do see now the "tell not show" that a lot of people complained about over the years. They often say that she's a badass and she's good at all this stuff. She has her scary reputation but you we really only see her train and "hold back" and nothing to really back the reputation. Yes I know she's been in a slavery encampment for a year but I don't understand how everyone else dies in the month and she lived for a year. Maybe because she was so young? But it definitely wasn't because she was so "badass".

Don't get me started on the not love triangle. I have to remember she's supposed to be 17.

I didn't mind the trial of the Champions but we skipped a lot of tests which I would have preferred to see over her playing chess with Dorian.

I did pick up on some of the clues this time around. And there were some things I marked as needing to remember: Celaena is magic (first chapter and wyrdmark), Dorian is probably not the King's son, etc.

Overall, I really liked this book. It has good characters, a plot and a good pace.
]]> <![CDATA[The Brothers Hawthorne (The Inheritance Games, #4)]]> 62804258 Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher. Ěý
Ěý
Grayson Hawthorne was raised as the heir apparent to his billionaire grandfather, taught from the cradle to put family first. Now the great Tobias Hawthorne is dead and his family disinherited, but some lessons linger. When Grayson’s half-sisters find themselves in trouble, he swoops in to do what he does best: take care of the problem—efficiently, effectively, mercilessly. And without getting bogged down in emotional entanglements.
Ěý
Jameson Hawthorne is a risk-taker, a sensation-seeker, a player of games. When his mysterious father appears and asks for a favor, Jameson can’t resist the challenge. Now he must infiltrate London’s most exclusive underground gambling club, which caters to the rich, the powerful, and the aristocratic, and win an impossible game of greatest stakes. Luckily, Jameson Hawthorne lives for impossible.
Ěý
Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, Grayson and Jameson—with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.]]> 480 Jennifer Lynn Barnes 0316480770 Jessica 3 3.90 2023 The Brothers Hawthorne (The Inheritance Games, #4)
author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/29
date added: 2024/08/29
shelves:
review:
Another drawn out story. Thankfully the repetition is getting editing. This one is a bit more split point of view between Jameson and Grayson. Jameson's game is ok, but not great. A lot of allusions to Prague that aren't explained, and let me tell you, I do not really care because it's probably not that interesting. It was not as puzzling as it could have been. I did like Grayson's sister Gigi as a character but the stuff with Eve was not interesting. It took Grayson forever to work out the clues and the actual person behind it all, even though they were pretty obvious.
]]> Bewitched (Bewitched, #1) 60225993 Come to me, Empress �

At age twenty, Selene Bowers desperately hopes to be accepted into Henbane Coven, an academy for young witches. Since one of the requirements for entry is to connect with her powers via a quest through the wilderness, Selene books a trip to South America. When a nefarious supernatural force tries to drag her plane from the sky, Selene's magic awakens to save her life―at a cost. Using her powers devours her memories, one by one.

Worse, when Selene braves the jungle and discovers the source of the attack, she finds herself awakening an ancient evil, Memnon the Cursed, who mistakes Selene for his long-dead wife. The wife who betrayed him. Selene manages to escape and begin her studies at Henbane, but when Memnon turns up at the coven and witches are found dead across campus, Selene becomes entangled in a dangerous plot. Accused of the murders on the basis of her memory loss, Selene must rely on Memnon's help for answers―and his plans for her will change everything.]]> 443 Laura Thalassa Jessica 0 to-read 3.83 2023 Bewitched (Bewitched, #1)
author: Laura Thalassa
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/08/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2)]]> 172133046 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book two in her Flesh and Fire series�

The only one who can save Sera now is the one she spent her life planning to kill.

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.]]> 615 Jennifer L. Armentrout 195756816X Jessica 5
So this book is all about Sera and the embers and what will happen if she goes through the Culling. But it's also about all the fun little issues she causes along the way by trying to live her life, save lives and fulfil her duty to save her kingdom. I like that the plot is planned but then has twists. I like the emotion of the book and her relationships with everyone. This book does end in a cliffhanger but I hope it lasts longer than FBAA cliffhangers.

Unfortunately in the reading order we go back to A Soul of Ash and Blood (FBAA), but I am currently cackling at all the Easter eggs!

Spoiler: I like that this book answers my pet peeve about her ascension. If Ash can't do it, and because of who she is and what she was trained for, why doesn't she do her duty with Kolis? I mean it always seemed like the answer to all of her problems. But the answer of why that wouldn't work is touched upon in this book. I don't super accept it but we'll see what happens.]]> 4.45 2022 A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/14
date added: 2024/08/14
shelves:
review:
It is official. I love F&F more than FBAA. I find Sera and Ash/Nyktos way more interesting. They are a breath of fresh air. I think it has to do with the pacing of F&F? They always have 2 steps ahead planned and then extra stuff gets in the way. Where in FBAA, things just happen and we deal with repercussions.

So this book is all about Sera and the embers and what will happen if she goes through the Culling. But it's also about all the fun little issues she causes along the way by trying to live her life, save lives and fulfil her duty to save her kingdom. I like that the plot is planned but then has twists. I like the emotion of the book and her relationships with everyone. This book does end in a cliffhanger but I hope it lasts longer than FBAA cliffhangers.

Unfortunately in the reading order we go back to A Soul of Ash and Blood (FBAA), but I am currently cackling at all the Easter eggs!

Spoiler: I like that this book answers my pet peeve about her ascension. If Ash can't do it, and because of who she is and what she was trained for, why doesn't she do her duty with Kolis? I mean it always seemed like the answer to all of her problems. But the answer of why that wouldn't work is touched upon in this book. I don't super accept it but we'll see what happens.
]]> <![CDATA[Powerful (The Powerless Trilogy, #1.5)]]> 203840597
Adena and Paedyn have always been inseparable. Fate brought them together when they were young, but friendship ensured they would always protect each other and the home they built in the slums of Loot. But now Paedyn—an Ordinary—has been selected for the Purging Trials, which means almost certain death.

Now alone in Loot, Adena must fend for herself. After attempting to steal, she's rescued by a mysterious man from the market. Mak's shadowy past and secretive power set him apart from the other low-level Elites of Loot. And as the pair team up to see their loved ones before the Trials, the quest tests their loyalty, their love, and their lives.]]> 272 Lauren Roberts Jessica 0 currently-reading 4.12 2024 Powerful (The Powerless Trilogy, #1.5)
author: Lauren Roberts
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/08/02
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos, #1)]]> 40275288
The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction � but assassins are getting closer to her door.

Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.]]> 845 Samantha Shannon 1408883457 Jessica 4 4.18 2019 The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos, #1)
author: Samantha Shannon
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/02
date added: 2024/08/02
shelves:
review:
Look, I don't know how I feel about this book. Possibly one thing is that the pay off was not as satisfying as I would need to read an 800 page book again. There are aspects to this story that I love. I love the characters, Tané, Ead, and Loth. I loved the magic in the world, dragons and whatnot. I thought the forming of a religion based on lies was really well done. I thought the Priory of the orange tree was a bit dodgy - they had no loyalty and for supposedly super smart women blindly followed questionable orders. Tané also really annoyed me - who ditches their dragon at every opportunity, and never goes back for it? I liked how all the storylines intertwined, in saying that we definitely spent too long on some boring parts and blasted through the interesting *cough* the ending *cough*. Look it's a complex book, and a long one. It's a good well thought out story and world. I just don't think the ending was satisfying.
]]> <![CDATA[A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.5)]]> 31076583 229 Sarah J. Maas 168119631X Jessica 5 3.77 2019 A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.5)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Jessica
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2018/11/28
date added: 2024/07/02
shelves:
review:
Nice getting back to normal life book following the big trilogy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Dark Secret (Wings of Fire, #4)]]> 17675467
Like all the dragonets of destiny, Starflight has always wanted to see his home -- but he's also been afraid of his fellow NightWings. Starflight doesn't have mindreading powers like his tribe, and he doesn't understand why they're so secretive. No one has ever even seen the NightWing queen.

But now Starflight is the dragonets' only hope -- he must find a way to negotiate with his fellow NightWings to free the RainWing dragons they've captured, and perhaps end the war in Pyrrhia altogether. Starflight is the smartest of the dragonets... but is he brave enough to speak up? Or will he falter in his mission, and accidentally betray them all?]]> 336 Tui T. Sutherland 0545349214 Jessica 5 4.37 2013 The Dark Secret (Wings of Fire, #4)
author: Tui T. Sutherland
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/25
date added: 2024/06/25
shelves:
review:
I think I enjoyed this story more than the previous. I think the addition of the fake prophecy dragonets really added something to the story. Yes the focus was on Starlight who was captured and taken to the Night Wing home, and got to meet his father - who was surprisingly proud and loving, but wasn't a good dragon morally. We also met a special friend who could've joined the gang just like each other book (Fatespeaker) but we also delved into the other dragonets a bit more. Morrowseer has decided to try and mould the dragonets into what he needs with some pretty dubious methods, considering he only has 6 at his disposal, not 9/10. He also doesn't have them supervised very well, with Starlight and Fatespeaker sneaking off to explore every night. The most superior Night Wings are also not really living the high life - a hidden queen, diminishing prey, eating rotting carrion as opposed to live prey, and only every 5 days or so. I suspect that the Night Wings don't particularly have a venomous bite, but rather an infectious one like Tasmanian Devils/ lizards from eating rotten meat (it's not explained) and I'm also not sure they have any special mind abilities at all - I think it's all lies to trick the other dragons, and Fatespeaker just makes things up. These are just my inferences from the story and nothing is really explained. Hopefully I will get some questions answered in the last book! I am however astounded at the rate that dragons die in this series. It's like Game of Thrones for children. I can't get attached to anybody.
]]> <![CDATA[The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash, #4)]]> 57815107 From the desperation of golden crowns�

Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh�

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises�

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.]]> 628 Jennifer L. Armentrout 1952457726 Jessica 5 4.02 2022 The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash, #4)
author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
name: Jessica
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/24
date added: 2024/06/24
shelves:
review:
Spoilers- I loved this book just as much as the others, but this review will most contain my negative comments. I do recommend reading a Shadow in the Ember first for super helpful context on primals, draken and revenants etc. To be honest I'm not loving each overall book arc. The books often feel so long that there's a big dip in the middle, like a 2 humped camel. I know it would put a damper on the romance aspect but I think we could have gone longer before rescuing Casteel. I was really loving the split POV. I thought the ending was really anticlimactic in the "war of two queens" aspect. It was more of an emotional war, there wasn't really any battle per se. The ending felt a lot like Breaking Dawn Part 2 - the movie. That's probably not a good thing. Also the joining was very vague compared to some of the other scenes we've had. Also I don't really understand how the prophecy applied. But otherwise I really liked this book.
]]>