Fantasy

KIng of Battle and Blood

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“All of the stars in the sky are not as bright as my love for you.”

While many brides find their wedding day to be their happiest day but not Isolde De Lara, she expected to wed the vampire king Adrian Alexksandr Vasiliev in order to end a decades long war. She is planning to kill him on their wedding night but things don’t go as planned as he catches her in the act and threatens to raise her as the undead, which is the thing that she hates the most. Isolde isn’t going to go down without a fight as she finds other ways to defy him and survive the brutal vampire court. But, the court isn’t what she fears most. It’s Adrian himself and despite their obvious electrifying chemistry, she wants to know why he would chose her as his consort.

Well, here have another predictable enemies to lovers vampire story that I found myself engrossed in even if the writing was choppy in some parts. From the reviews on this book, people either loved it or hated and I’m one of those people who is in the middle. I didn’t exactly love it as much as I wanted to love it but it was entertaining and I did like the smut. The second book isn’t coming out for awhile and I don’t even know if I’m gonna read it but let’s get started on the good with this book. As I mentioned, the smut was pretty good and I did enjoy that because sometimes either the smut is written poorly or there’s not enough. While I did find Isolde annoying, I did buy the chemistry between herself and Adrian so that’s one of the pluses. One reason why I didn’t completely like Isolde is because I got I’m not like most girls vibe and I hate that type of character because it’s over done so it made me enjoy the book even less.

But, overall I enjoyed it and maybe I’ll check out the second book when it comes out!

Lore Olympus by Rachel Symthe

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“I know it may seem overwhelming right now. If I were lucky enough to have somebody love me, I would try everything to make it work. You’re lucky to have that even if it hurts.”

Young goddess of the spring, Persephone, is new to Olympus but as the young woman who has promised to train as a sacred virgin is about to get more than she’s bargained for when she’s meets the mysterious, Hades during a night out with her new roommate and sister Artemis and her life is thrown into a chaos as she finds herself attracted to the older man who is charming yet very misunderstood ruler of the underworld. Now, Persephone must find her place among the world of Olympus all while navigating through the confusing politics and find her true power.

I know what you’re thinking! Great, another Persephone and Hades retelling? I hear ya I hear ya but this is one retelling that is guaranteed to keep you wanting more. Going into this, I thought it was going to be a similar retelling and it was the opposite and it did not disappoint as I loved everything about it especially the personalities of the gods especially Hades and Persephone. In addition to the fantastic characterization, the dynamics between the gods and chemistry between Hades and Persephone felt very real. They are so cute together and I can’t wait to read more of their adventures in the next book coming out this year but not until July, ugh that’s too long. Not only did it feel real but it was relatable at times especially with how Persephone was navigating through the political climate in Olympus while trying to figure who she is and what he wants to do with her life.

Definitely check this out if you love mythology but I think many people would actually enjoy this book as it was a wild, entertaining, and fun ride from beginning to end.

The Exiled Fleet

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“What’s our motto, friends?”
“Get it done fast and don’t die, sir.”

The crew of sentinels, led by courageous Adequin Drake are making a desperate preparations to return to the galaxy that abandoned them all before they all starve. Having stabilized the situation at the Divide, the immediate threat, the crew is now low on supplies and their is a impending mutiny brewing. With tensions building, the team must find a way to get through this or they may not make it out alive.

A thrilling and entertaining follow up to The Last Watch and I am so happy that I didn’t have to wait a long time to read this follow up or else I would’ve been unhappy. I was engrossed from beginning to end and while I did find the novel very entertaining there were a few things that didn’t make me love it as much as the first one. One plus was the continued developed fo the characters as I felt like it was very real and and relatable especially with Rake and her own self-doubt about whether she’s fit to be a leader. Out of all the characters, she’s probably my favorite. It’s hard not to root for her and the other members. I felt like this novel was a bit overcrowded with new characters, plot details, and a bit too much information that made me confused at times. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more it there wasn’t so much going on as it was hard to keep track of who was who especially with new characters being introduced in this book. But even with all of that, Dewes crafted a entertaining and fun follow up to the first book and I am excited for the third to come out even though it won’t be for a long time!

The Last Watch

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“One act doesn’t define someone, good or bad. I hate what you did. Not you.”

The Last Watch follows a band of criminal misfits who have been banished to the edge of space that have to their petty grievances aside to save the universe from certain destruction. Each character has their own agenda but if they want to save earth and find a way to redeem themselves, they must work together before it’s too late.

Wow! This book was truly enjoyable and I’m glad that I don’t have to wait for the second book. I’ve been reading a lot of Sci-Fi lately and I’m really glad that I have because I haven’t had a miss yet and will probably be my new favorite Sci-Fi series. The plot wasn’t something that I’d seen before with a band of misfits coming together to save the world but the way it was done here made it more unique and interesting and I believe the writing had a lot to do with that. It honestly felt like I was there and I could feel the tension between the characters in stressful situation. Another great aspect of the book were the characters as they each had their own flaws that made them very relatable and I felt invested not only with their personal journey but how they fit in with the rest of the group. Overall, this was a really good suspenseful Sci-Fi space opera filled with everything you would hope for a Sci-Fi series to have.

Things that Should STay Buried

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“As above, so below. Trouble a star, watch it explode. The harbinger soars, the earth is bowed. There is chaos in the heavens, there is chaos in the soil.”

Clawing their way from their long-forgotten tomb, the Zodia are emerging ravenous to claim everyone born under the star signs. They are plotting to resurrect kingdoms no human knew existed, they are driven by a hunger for vengeance against the one who buried them: Aries. Larken is a natural born sprinter, but even she can’t outrun the darkness closing in. As time passes, they find themselves in a shelter in place order where some are following it and others acting like nothing is happening. Left with no other option, Larken”s brother calls for Aries in order to save his sister’s life.

I had actually planned to read this book a few months back but didn’t get to it before the end of the month. I’m glad that I decided to pick up for this month cause I really enjoyed it. I love anything astrology so I was super into the premise of the book and found it engaging until the end. I found the concept truly unique and interesting and while I did find it a little slow, it did pick up so I was happy about that because there’s nothing worse than a cool and interesting concept and the rest of the book is a dud. Another thing that made me love the book were the characters especially Larken as she very relatable throughout the entire book and I loved seeing the character development. This book was truly enjoyable so if you’re into fantasy and astrology, I highly recommend this book.

Cytonic

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“I’m not exactly a “there are nuances to this situation” type of girl. I’m more of an “if it’s still moving, you didn’t use enough ammunition” type of girl.” 

Cytonic continues with the adventurous and brave, Spensa who has proved herself as one of the best star fighter pilots for the Defiant Defense Force in the human enclave of Detritus and she saved her people from death at the hand of the Krell, a mysterious alien species that has been holding them hostage for decades. Not only that, she has traveled light years as an undercover spy to infiltrate the superiority, where she learned of the galaxy beyond her small, desolate planet home.

But, now the superiority, the governing galactic alliance bent on dominating human life has started a galaxy wide war. And Spensa knows the weapons that they plan to use: The Delvers which are an ancient, mysterious alien forces that can wipe out entire planetary systems in an instant. But there is one thing that could saved them and it is Spensa herself, as she is cytonic and has faced and defeated a delver. She knows it’s not going to be easy but she is willing to do whatever is needed to keep her people from harm even if she risks losing her own life.

This was a truly enjoying book and I am looking forward to more even though it’s gonna be a long wai One of the best aspects of the book was the setting and character development as it was really well written as he really knows how to reel you in and make you beg for more. I have really enjoyed seeing the character development of Spensa because I think she’s a really great protagonist with relatable flaws and traits.This is a perfect set up for Defiant as it’s really the lull before the storm and while it had it’s downsides being slow paced at times, I think it does a good job of setting up what will happen. Go check it out if you haven’t!

Starsight by Brandon Sanderson

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“A hero does not choose her trials. She steps into the darkness, then she faces what comes next.”

All her life, Spensa dreamed of becoming a pilot. Dreamed of being able to help her people and being able to find the truth of what happened to her father. Now having f those dreams, she is left with the crushing truth with her father but she’s not willing to give up on him and she’s certain there is more to the story and she’s determined to find out. When she makes it out of her protective shell of a planet, she heard the stars and she heard terrified her as everything she had taught as a child turned out to be a lie. Her world shaken by the truth, Spensa must do what is necessary to help her people and if she must travel to end of the galaxy then that’s what she’ll do.

Another terrific story of this series! I absolutely loved this book probably even more so than the first book and a big part of why I enjoyed it so much is the excellent development of Spensa who is a champion of authenticity, courage, and determination which makes her very relatable. Sanderson really knows how to craft well written characters and with Spensa, she’s so real that you find yourself in her. One of the things that I have enjoyed about the series is how Sanderson doesn’t just throw in themes for the take of it. They were important and the way he writes them shows that as the themes in this series are very relevant to real life with personal biases, prejudice, and individualism vs collectivism. How people should hear and listen to others even if they are different from you and that is something that we all need a reminder about. It really added to the story line and made me enjoy this book even more.

Highly recommend this series! I’m checking out the third book now cause it just came out!! I’ll have a review up soon hopefully but until then happy reading!

Medusa

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People think your beauty is their possession. As if it’s there for their pleasure, as if they’ve got something invested in it. They think you owe them for their admiration.

This was such a beautiful retelling of Medusa that not only gives her a voice but really makes you feel for her. Medusa has been exiled with her two sisters, Stheno and Euyale to a remote island where the only company they have is each other and their dog. They have been on the island for four years and Medusa is feeling lonely and trapped but things change when a Perseus, arrives on the island and she believes he might be able to alleviate her problems but this will lead her on a journey of love, trust and betrayal.

While this is a beautifully written retelling of Medusa giving her a voice and sending her on a journey on self-acceptance with owning and acceptance the good and bad and being able to find peace with your past. I think this is something that many people need to see as we all have very different set of unique experiences that led us to where we are and that finding peace with your past is so essential for growth and acceptance of who you are. It’s a message that I myself crave and love and think many others feel the same.

It does delve into sexual harassment, in particular with rape culture, victim blaming and slut-shaming even by other women. Which I know that can be uncomfortable to read about especially as a woman myself, but it is very important to understand even though it hard seeing it come from other women. But, that is something that can and will happen even now in our current culture. The story along with the illustrations, which were absolutely stunning rewrote the narrative for Medusa and gave her a story that she could embrace and own. Highly recommend it!

Once upon A Broken Heart

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“Heroes don’t get happy endings. They give them to other people.”

Finding solace in her beloved father’s novelty shop, Evegeline Fox grew up on the legends of immortals such as the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him never end well. But, when Evegeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she is desperate to stop the wedding before it’s too late. She begs the Prince of Hearts to help and at first it seems like things are going her way but after their first kiss, she learns that the Prince has other plans for her and it will either end up with a happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy.

This book is pure magic from beginning to end. I knew I was going to be in for a real treat as I have enjoyed Stephanie Garber’s previous books. Caraval was one of my favorite series to read, it was such a treat so I was hoping this book would be just as good and thankfully it was. What I loved about this book is that none of it felt predictable or cliche, there were so many twists and turns and just when you thought you had things figured out, it turned in another direction. But, she really knows how to spin retelligns of fairy tales, I would love to read more books if she did retellings. But like Garber’s other books, the way she develops her characters is what really stands out as they are always unique, interesting, and incredibly flawed. If you like retellings and lush worldbuilding, then this book is just for you!