Book Review: Court of Claws (Blood of a Fae #2) by Briar Boleyn

About the Book:

Bound to a man she hates more than she ever thought possible…

Everything Morgan Pendragon knows and loves is gone as she wakes in the dangerous court of the Siabra. The man she was falling in love with is dead, and in his place is a man she barely knows. Surrounded by liars and knives in the dark, all Morgan wants to do is run the other way but Kairos Draven is determined to keep her by his side.

As Morgan and Draven’s lives become even more irrevocably entwined, little do they know the sins of the past are coming for them both…

My Thoughts:

Court of Claws, the second book in the Blood of a Fae series, starts off where the first ends and plunges right in, bringing us the story from the side of the Siabra. The title refers to Draven’s title of Prince and his place back at the kingdom of the Siabra.

In this part of the story, the focus is once again on Morgan and Draven as they navigate the new bonds forged and the court of the Siabra. For Morgan, this is a whole new experience and considering her limited exposure to the fae, the Siabra court and people are a revelation. Their customs, culture and rules are ones she doesn’t understand or agree with.

It is wonderful to read and know more about Draven in this book, who he is, how he becomes an assassin, why he leaves the kingdom of the Siabra and so on. I loved reading about Morgan and Draven’s interactions and Morgan’s eventual acceptance of their bond. The main question that arises is whether what they have is real or just something made up and forced.

Morgan grows as a person and character in this book, becoming more strong and learning to accept and use her powers. I loved reading about Draven’s sister Rychel, Crimson and the others in the court. They are endearing and play such important roles in this book, bringing the story together.

A wonderful continuation, Court of Claws adds a new dimension to the series, setting in motion events that forge the path towards the final battles and a conclusion to the story in the upcoming books.

Book Review: Such a Good Liar by Sue Wallman

About the Book:

She’s faking her way into the most exclusive social circles for revenge. But how long can her lies hold up? Seventeen-year-old Lydia Cornwallis has arrived on an exclusive Caribbean island populated only by the ultra-rich and their staff. The Harrington sisters rule the island, throwing lavish parties and treating everyone around them like toys for their amusement, and Lydia simply can’t wait to meet them. Because she’s not Lydia Cornwallis. And the Harringtons have hell to pay for what they’ve done. When a storm hits the island and all routes to the mainland are cut off, Lydia is given the perfect opportunity to exact her murderous revenge. With time running out and her identity about to be exposed, Lydia will need to draw on epic nerve, quicksilver adaptability, and sly cunning to carry out her deadly plans.

My Thoughts:

The story follows Lydia as she arrives on an island to spend time with an exclusively elite crowd. Little does anyone know that Lydia is not who she says she is and her main motive for all the lies is to take revenge on those responsible for her mother’s death. She has hatched a plan of revenge and she plans to execute the same.

The premise of the book was interesting enough for me to pick it up to read. However, I felt that the story was rushed and the suspense did not hold my attention as much as I had hoped. There was not enough of a development in the plot to ensure that the reader was invested in the plot or that they empathized with Lydia in any way.

Some parts of the story were good and this helped push the story along. However, the ending was also a bit of a let down and in the end, I felt that the purpose of Lydia’s plans and her need for revenge seemed childish and downright petty. This is a one time read for fans of YA mysteries and thrillers.

Book Review: The Perfect Hoax (The Reed Files 2) by Susanna Shore

About the Book:

The second most important rule of leaving the life of crime: don’t get attached.

Eliot Reed has one plan: he’ll go after Salvatore Bosco, the crime lord who tried to kill him in Monaco. Then he’ll ditch his current identity and disappear. His bags are already packed, and Macao sounds like a good destination. But when he learns that Ada has gone missing, he doesn’t hesitate to change his plans. He needs to find her first.

Ada Reed knows exactly where she is: held captive by her so called late husband she’s tried to find ever since he faked his death. Danny is blackmailing Ada into robbing a bank with him. When Eliot shows up, there’s only one choice for him: becoming a criminal again to get her out of the bad situation.

But it turns out Danny isn’t working for himself. Eliot and Ada find themselves in the middle of a deeply personal mafia feud. One of the players is Salvatore Bosco—and suddenly it’s personal for Eliot too.

From Rome to Venice and Milan, the pair tries to keep one step ahead of very dangerous players. If they want to escape with their lives, they’ll have to deliver the perfect hoax.

My Thoughts:

I read this book without having read the first one, but it was easy to understand and follow. This can be read as a standalone story as well in my opinion. The story follows Eliot and Ada, each in adventures of their own until they end up in the same place with Eliot trying to save Ada.

Each of the characters have secrets that they are hiding and soon these secrets will come out. Once again (as per the blurb and later while reading the book), the characters are forced to steal something to truly save themselves.

I liked the characters of Ada and Eliot though I am not sure that I connected very well with them. At first, the story did not resonate with me and it took me some time to really get into it. Towards the middle, everything started to make sense and it was quite fun to read this story. I like the banter and rapport that Eliot and Ada have and the plans they come up with to save themselves in the end.

This was an enjoyable, one time read and is perfect for fans of mysteries and thrillers!

Book Review: The Concealed (Heir of Earth and Sky: Book 1) by SK Horton

About the Book:

Sometimes destiny is written. Hers was concealed.

When Cate travels from Oregon to university in England, she expects her gravest dilemma to be finding coffee instead of tea, but she’s got bigger problems—much bigger. At Staton University, nothing is quite what it seems. Even her own identity. Unbeknownst to Cate, a prophecy deems her as destined to defeat a ruthless enemy in a magical land, placing a target squarely on her back. Now, someone on campus is stalking her, and a narrow escape sends her through a mysterious portal, assisted by two irresistible boys. Yet the fantastical new world is even more treacherous with rival kingdoms and imminent war. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan, but what’s a girl to do? A fresh start was all she wanted—a few new friends in the dorms with a trusty latte in hand—not war, an estranged biological father who is king, or a star-crossed love straight out of Romeo and Juliet (hopefully without the dying part). As the battle looms, Cate must solve the mystery of the prophecy and decide who in her circle is trustworthy before the place she now calls home is destroyed.

Don’t miss this new Young Adult Romantic Fantasy from debut author SK Horton that’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Love and Gelato. Featuring swoon-worthy romance, court intrigue, backstabbing villains and so much mor, it’s perfect for fans of Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood, Lauren Roberts’ Powerless, and lovers of all things romantasy!

My Thoughts:

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

A huge thanks to BookSirens and the author for the advance copy!

Book Release Date: June 11, 2024

The story follows Cate as she travels to London to attend university. She hopes to settle down and make friends and have a typical university experience. Little does she know that not everything is as it seems and things are going to change for her, very quickly.

It took me some time to get into the story as it was confusing at the start. It was not very clear what the author wanted to show and how the characters fit into the story. The character development is slow and at times it felt as though they did not have any depth. However, as the story progresses, we come to know more about the characters, how they fit into the story and then it all makes sense.

AS Cate discovers her powers and tries to learn how to use them, she is also in the middle of an unexpected love triangle and hiding from her father (someone she did not know existed until then) for as long as she can manage. At times, her every thought is of her foster family and the love she has for them, which is something I really liked.

The story then progresses well and the plot, though a little predictable, is quite enjoyable to read. I enjoyed reading this book in the end and, though it is a one time read for me, I think it was worth it. I do look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review: Resurrection (Warlord of Ayodhya #2) by Shatrujeet Nath

About the Book:

A kingdom on the brink of collapse. A dynasty under threat. A legacy in peril.

Having taken on the responsibility of governing Kosala in place of his exiled brother Rama, Bharat has had to deal with multiple setbacks – a rakshasa attack on Ayodhya, a drought, a mysterious epidemic of people vanishing, and a waning of the magic that keeps the kingdom protected.

Desperate to bring the magic back and give his people a reprieve, Bharat takes a risky decision… but the gamble puts his son Taksha’s life in danger.

Meanwhile, Kosala’s rakshasa and human enemies move relentlessly closer to destroying the kingdom. And Sudhanva’s rebellion against Bharat erupts when developments in faraway Kekeya cast a shadow of war over Kosala.

At the centre of all this is Bharat, unaware of the dangers that besiege his kingdom and threaten to cause the downfall of the Ikshvakus…

Crackling with characters overlooked and forgotten by the Ramayana,
The Warlord of Ayodhya is a thrilling spinoff by bestselling fantasy author Shatrujeet Nath.

My Thoughts:

“Everyday is a battle between who you are, who you want to be, and who you can be.” This is one of my favourite quotes from the book, said by Mandavi to Bharat.

Resurrection picks up where Rebellion ended with Ayodhya thrown into chaos and Bharat stepping further into his role as King on behalf of his brother. This book slows down a little and focuses on the development of various plot lines, some that were introduced in the first book and some which take form directly in this one.

This book further explores Bharat’s resentment towards his mother, his love and respect for his brother, drawing on the information of the first book, and brings out his insecurities at being thrust into a role he was unprepared for. When compared to Rebellion, in this book, we see Bharat grow into his position as King, become more decisive and even assertive at times.

With so many people working against him either, it is not so easy to know whom to trust. What truly stood out to me was the strength, support and wisdom Mandavi provided in a quiet manner, not hesitating to call him out on his thoughts and insecurities, thus contributing to his strength in the end. There are also many subplots that come to light with some other characters central to these plots. Each of the characters introduced and each of these plots have something to contribute to the main storyline. How they all come together is what makes this book more interesting.

This book also places a strong focus on character growth, setting a strong direction and tone for the finale in the last book. The climax is perhaps the most unexpected, written in a way that demonstrates masterful storytelling by the author. The art of storytelling is in the nuances and the things unsaid, in the world building and description of the scenes, than just the dialogues. All this and more are captured in the way the author writes, not just in this book but in all his books.

This story is well thought out and in the end leaves the reader wanting more! I admit that I absolutely loved it! I leave you all with another quote (once again said by Mandavi to Bharat) from the book that I hope will resonate with everyone and perhaps encourage us all to embrace our individuality:

“You have to realize that you are different from your father and your brother, and you must let that difference define you.”

Book Review: Of Blood and Crowns by Raven More

About the Book:

On my sixteenth birthday, I’ll become a murderer.

I don’t want to kill anyone but it’s my duty as princess.

To stop the threat of the Cursed. The ones who destroyed our planet and most life.

If I don’t participate in the ritual to seal my initiation into the ruling council and solidify my mother’s empire, everyone will figure out the truth.

My truth.

That I’m a Cursed.

It gets worse.

My only hope rests in the hands of Ryker, whose sister I sentenced to death.

My Thoughts:

I was provided with an eARC from Netgalley, Author Collective 20 and the author. This is my honest review. The book is now released and available.

The story follows Valencia as she struggles to accept her fate and the truth of her existence. Everything is about to change for her and she has a decision to make. Just as she turns sixteen, she is rescued from her mother’s side by Ryker, her best friend’s brother and thrust into the other side of the world, a world she is wholly unprepared for.

As Valencia tries to fit in, finds out the truth behind Emery’s so called death and helps the plot to bring her mother down, the reader is introduced to a world of airships, advanced technology, human enhancements and so on. The story felt a little disconnected to me due to the limited world building. The character development could also have been better to help readers connect with the characters, their suffering and their hopes for a better future.

However, I did enjoy the attempt the author made to create this world, the characters, and story, and I hope to read more of the books in the series!

Book Review: Queen of Roses (Blood of a Fae – Book 1)by Briar Boleyn

About the Book:

A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war…

A cast-off princess…

Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.

A dangerous temptation…

As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.

A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…

Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined.

The first in an action-packed new series brimming with magic, danger, morally gray characters, and spellbinding slow-burn romance, Queen of Roses is perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas.

My Thoughts:

Queen of Roses is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series, a retelling of the story of King Arthur, his knights, and all the others in the legend, in a magical context with many of the characters re-imagined.

At first I was a little confused with the different re-imaginings of the characters but once I looked past it, I was pulled into the world. I love the way the author has developed the plot, the world and the characters, bringing in so many different adventures and dynamics among the characters. Honestly, I was not a fan of Arthur as a character in this book and found Morgan to be a little annoying at first. I loved how Lancelet and Galahad are depicted and their relationship with Morgan.

I started to enjoy the book a few chapters in and could not stop reading until the very end. The ending of the book with the most unexpected twists and turns culminated in an amazing climax, setting up the tone and direction of the next book. At this point, I knew that I was truly hooked and would definitely find my way through the series, following Morgan as she discovered herself, the extent of her powers, and becomes the leader she was born to be (I hope!)

Book Review: The Rome Apartment by Kerry Fisher

About the Book:

As I stood on the terrace and gazed out over the most glorious view, he studied my face and said to me ‘Why do you look sad? No-one should be sad in Rome. We only have this one life, you know. Don’t waste it.’

Beth stands in the sunshine outside the magnificent wrought-iron gates of Villa Alba holding her suitcase. Only a few short months ago, she dropped her beloved only daughter off at college, holding back tears at the thought of an empty nest… clinging to the thought of the new chapter that she and her husband Joel could now begin together. But that same day, Joel dropped a bombshell. He thinks their marriage is stale, and wants a break; he says that Beth is no longer the same woman he fell in love with…

Searching for an escape, Beth spots an ad in a magazine for an apartment in Rome that is available for three months rental only to ‘an English woman of a certain age’. She reads on… Veronica , the 75-year-old owner, challenges her guests to rediscover themselves, find joy, and live life to the full – and there is no better place to do these things than in Rome, the most beautiful city in the world.

Ronnie sets Beth a list of tasks, forcing her to slow down and find beauty in every corner of the the sun on a stained glass window, a fragrant bunch of the freshest basil, a painting in a hidden courtyard. But her final task is the most challenging of to go out on a date with an unsuitable man.

But handsome and adventurous musician Rico, unsuitable in almost every way, may turn out to be just the right man to bring Beth back to life. With her break from Joel coming to an end, can Beth risk embracing the new life of exciting possibilities that Rome has opened up to her, even if it means losing everything?

Get swept away to the sunny streets of the most beautiful city in the world with this heartwarming novel about love and second chances. Perfect for fans of Faith Hogan, Elin Hilderbrand and Sheila O’Flanagan.

My Thoughts:

The Rome Apartment is a story of self-discovery, growth and strength. This is a story that stayed with me well after having finished reading it. Beth takes a chance with an ad in a magazine about an apartment in Rome available for rent. There are some conditions to this which we come to realize, much later on, had specific purposes. Seeking an escape and time to think, Beth jumps at the chance once she is approved for the stay.

The author brings out Beth’s fears, insecurities, hopes and dreams through her three month journey and adventure in Rome. She meets some amazing people and forms the kind of bonds and relationships that she has always dreamt of. In the midst of dealing with her husband’s request for a break, Beth is forced to re-evaluate her life, her options and reconcile with herself who she wants to be. She also learns how to deal with her daughter and eventually to have open and honest conversations to strengthen their relationship.

Ronnie is the kind of person I’d love to meet and spend time with. She adds the most flavour to this story while steering Beth in a direction of healing. Her story is unique though we only get glimpses and in the end, I would love to know more about her! After all, she owns this delightful apartment and is responsible for changing the lives of so many others.

I loved reading about her exploration and her journey of discovery. Each moment is magical and filled with wonder while support and encouragement comes in the most unexpected ways. This is truly a wonderful story and I look forward to reading the next book in The Italian Escape series by the author.

Cover Reveal: The Underground Heroes by Adrian So

Blurb:

“An original voice and a fun, funny adventure underground.”

Adam Rex, NYT Bestselling Author of THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY

When Groundworld is on the brink of extinction, it takes one mole with courage to save the day.

When Benjamin, a junior mole digger, witnesses a human invasion of his homeland, he must find his long-lost courage and unite two culturally distinct realms to fight the intruders and save his kind from extinction. What perils lie before him as he ventures into the unknown? Can Benjamin go up against a rough bunch of illegal animal trappers before it’s too late?

Meet the Groundworld heroes as they defend their country’s sovereignty and save their fellow citizens from capture and extinction.

For fans of Kate Dicamillo and Roald Dahl, you’ll love the heart and storytelling as you dig deep into Adrian So’s underground adventure.

Book Review – Death in the Offing: An Accidental Psychic Mystery by Alisha K

About the Book:

Sitara Singhal has a new dream. When a backfiring spell turns her into an accidental psychic, she realizes that communicating with spirits is her calling. After her last success at solving a murder with the help of a ghostly gang of misfits, she tries to set up a paranormal detective agency, where she solves crimes with the help of the spirit world. The only fly in the ointment is the very bossy DI Richard Collins, who thinks she should stay out of all things murder and mayhem, and stick to making coffee. Will Sitara succeed? To find out, read Death In The Offing, the second book in The Accidental Psychic series.

My Thoughts:

Death in the Offing is the second book in The Accidental Psychic series. I quite enjoyed the first book and thus decided to try out the second.

The book is a quick read, following Sitara and her band of ghostly misfits as they try to help uncover the mystery behind the death of a young teenage girl. Sitara and her friends are also working to set up a paranormal detective agency through which she can try to help ghosts find their truth and find peace. However, it is not as simple as it seems.

This book has the vibes of Meg Cabot’s The Mediator series, and I absolutely loved reading it. The characters are fun and quirky, and of course, we cannot forget Sitara’s equation with DI Richard Collins. Sparks are flying, a killer is on the loose, a teenage ghost is haunting her step-mother and Sitara is just getting started and finding her groove!

Though short, this book was worth the read and I am definitely looking forward to reading about more of Sitara’s adventures as she takes her detective agency forward!