Review: The Prison Healer

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years fighting for survival in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, working as the prison healer.

When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.

Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives, containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.” Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.

But no one has ever survived.

With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva’s heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can’t escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.

Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book! And I love discovering new series! This book was action packed from the start. There is so much going on it’s hard to believe the setting is in one place. I loved that the MC Kiva is a healer. I have a special place in my heart for “healers” 😉 One of the side characters Tipp was one of my favorites and there was a spot in the book with him that made me cry. What a cutie! And the ending!! What???? 🤯

Overall:

I really loved this story. This was a great start to the series and I’m so excited to read the next books!

Review: Blood & Honey

Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin

Serpent & Dove book 2

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To survive, they need allies. Strong ones. But as Lou becomes increasingly desperate to save those she loves, she turns to a darker side of magic that may cost Reid the one thing he can’t bear to lose. Bound to her always, his vows were clear: where Lou goes, he will go; and where she stays, he will stay.

Until death do they part.

Thoughts:

This one started out slow but picked up and had me not wanting to put down. I was really worried about second book syndrome for awhile! There was an addition of a few more characters which was enjoyable. Lou is coming into her powers in this book and it was a little scary- I didn’t want her to turn into her mother! And then Reid with his sweet self loving her unconditionally. Reid is also accepting what he is finally. There were some heartfelt moments along with edge of your seat ones which makes for a great read! And the ending is leaving me ready for more!

Overall:

Although the next book in the series Gods & Monsters is quite thick I am so excited to read it! This has been a great series so far!

Review: King of Scars

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Face your demons…or feed them. The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war―and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried―and some wounds aren’t meant to heal

Thoughts:

So I have read The Shadow and Bone series and The Six of Crows Duology. Both were ok to me. But I keep coming back to the Grishaverse. I don’t know why I just feel like one of these books is going to really wow me because of all the love I see for them. This book was good but not great. I loved Nikolai’s character so I was excited to read his story. But like all the other books they are told from multiple POV. So you get snippets of each. This book is long and honestly some parts drug on to me. I wasn’t invested in some of the POV. I think what keeps me coming back is I do enjoy this world and most of the characters. The cliffhanger at the end though clinched me into wanting to read the next book of course! Overall I am giving it 4 ⭐️ because I enjoy the world and some of the characters storylines.

Review: A Vow So Bold and Deadly

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Book 3 in The Cursebreaker series

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Face your fears, fight the battle.
Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone–even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace. 

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey’s deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

Thoughts:

This was a great ending to this series. I’ll be honest I almost didn’t pick this one up. I really enjoyed the first book A Curse So Dark and Lonely and then the second book A Heart So Fierce and Broken took a different turn and I didn’t enjoy that one very much. But this book brought those two together and it wrapped up in a nice little package. The action was great and I really was in suspense throughout how it would end. This book had 4 POV’s which did get a little confusing but I liked hearing from all these characters. There was a lot of filler in this that could have been removed. It felt like it drug on at times.

Overall:

Overall though a solid ending to the series. The first book was definitely my favorite of the three. I really love this author and look forward to reading more from her!

Review: A Court of Silver Flames

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Book number 4 in the A Court of Thorn and Roses series

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other. 

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.

Thoughts:

I hesitated picking this one up first due to its size and second because I’m not a huge fan of Nesta. And to be honest I struggled reading this because I disliked her so much! Sorry not sorry! I stuck through it though and she does redeem herself by the end but Im still not too sure about her. I could go on but I will move on! So aside from Nesta another main character in this one is Cassian and I do enjoy him! He is a great whitty and strong character and I loved learning more about him in the book! I think his character kept me going. Their relationship is very well developed although frustrating at times. Hello Nesta figure out how great he is!! 🙄 This is by far my least favorite of the series. I felt like it could have been way shorter. We already have the world built and yes I know we needed to dive into more of Nestas character and have her come to her senses I felt like it could have been more concise. One aspect of the book that I really did enjoy was Nesta’s friendship with Gwen and Emerie. They train together and form a badass fighting trio!

Overall:

So to sum it up I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love it. Still giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I do love SJM’s writing and I enjoyed the moments where Nesta wasn’t annoying me. So who do we think will be next? Elain and Lucien maybe? 🤞🏻

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.

Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.

Thoughts:

This book drew me in from the start and kept going. I love reading books about witches and this one delivers on witches and witch hunters! Lou the female lead was so strong and sassy. I loved it! Reid is the complete opposite but was just too sweet! I adored the love/hate relationship and all the banter between the two. The witches vs witch hunters was full of action and suspense. The tension really builds up between Lou and Reid’s relationship as well as the witch hunt! The ending was 💥 and I am so excited to read the next in the series!

Overall:

This was my favorite book in October. I’m excited for the next book but also a little worried it will fall flat! I know some second books in series can be let downs. Fingers crossed!!

Review: Defy the Night

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade is tired of seeing her people die. King Harristan and his cruel brother, Prince Corrick, ignore the suffering of their people and react mercilessly to any sign of rebellion, even as a sickness ravages the land. That’s why she and her best friend Wes risk their lives each night to steal the petals of the delicate Moonflower, the only known cure. But it’s not enough to keep everyone she loves safe―or alive.

When Prince Corrick commits an act of unspeakable cruelty, Tessa becomes desperate enough to try the impossible: sneaking into the palace. But what she finds there makes her wonder if it’s even possible to fix their world without destroying it first.

Thoughts:

This book was jammed packed with action and was so hard to put down. I love when books start off with a bang right away drawing you in. Brigid Kemmerer builds such amazing fantasy worlds and the kingdom of Kandala is not far from our own but so much more! Best friends Tessa and Wes start out the book trying to steal elixir to heal the sick. But when something happens to Wes, Tessa stops at nothing to sneak into the palace and get justice. Her life is then intertwined with the two Princes and the story takes an epic twist. I am so excited for more of this series!

Review: The Book of Accidents

The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Thriller

Synopsis:

Long ago, Nathan lived in a house in the country with his abusive father—and has never told his family what happened there. 

Long ago, Maddie was a little girl making dolls in her bedroom when she saw something she shouldn’t have—and is trying to remember that lost trauma by making haunting sculptures. 

Long ago, something sinister, something hungry, walked in the tunnels and the mountains and the coal mines of their hometown in rural Pennsylvania. 

Now, Nate and Maddie Graves are married, and they have moved back to their hometown with their son, Oliver. 

And now what happened long ago is happening again . . . and it is happening to Oliver. He meets a strange boy who becomes his best friend, a boy with secrets of his own and a taste for dark magic. 

This dark magic puts them at the heart of a battle of good versus evil and a fight for the soul of the family—and perhaps for all of the world. But the Graves family has a secret weapon in this battle: their love for one another.

Thoughts:

Nathan grew up with an abusive father and never spoke much about this time to his family. Maddie had her own childhood trauma to also deal with. They marry and move back home with their son Oliver. Oliver meets a new friend and strange things start happening. This book is creepy and dark. It leaves you uneasy with a sense of dread. It’s a pretty long book and most of it was gripping but the end just lost it for me. The story got pretty complex and confusing. It was just too much. That definitely lowered my rating.

Overall:

I know there are a lot of horror fans on Goodreads that loved this one so check it out if that’s your thing! This one to me just missed the mark.

Review: Once Upon A Broken Heart

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings…until she learns that the love of her life will marry another. 

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game ― and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…

Stephanie Garber has again captivated me into another one of her worlds. I loved Caraval and I felt like I was brought back into her lands of magic! I mean the magical details she incorporates are so amazing! I could not put this book down. So much intrigue and mystery. And Jacks! I am falling for his sneaky little tricks! Evangeline is a great new female character. She has a kind heart but isn’t a fool. I love the chemistry between her and Jacks. And oh the ending! I saw there were only a few pages left and was panicking thinking no don’t leave me like this!!

So excited for this series!!

Review: Grace and Glory

Grace and Glory by Jennifer L Armentrout Book 3 in The Harbinger trilogy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

Trinity Marrow has lost the battle and her beloved Protector. Even with both demons and Wardens on her side, Trin may not win the war against the Harbinger. 

Bringing Lucifer back to the world to fight the Harbinger is probably a really, really bad idea, but they’re out of options—and the world’s ultimate fallen angel is the only being powerful enough to impact the outcome. 

As Trin and Zayne form a new and more dangerous bond and Lucifer unleashes Hell on earth, the apocalypse looms and the world teeters on the end of forever. Win or lose, one thing is certain—nothing will ever be the same.

What a perfect ending to this series! Oh my heart in those last pages! 

I really enjoyed this series! I love how it was a bunch of different elements wrapped up into a great story. Like it’s now heavy on romance, not heavy on fighting or killing, not too much of anything but a really great series. Trinity is such a strong female lead especially in the face of diminishing vision. Zayne is just all around perfect- so sweet yet so fierce. And the side characters are so much fun too. I enjoyed the biblical elements wrapped in as well.

Overall I’m sad this series is over and this will be definitely be another series I will reread!