”…sometimes strength isn’t swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it’s found in quiet, gentle places. The way you ho”…sometimes strength isn’t swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it’s found in quiet, gentle places. The way you hold someone’s hand as they grieve. The way you listen to others. The way you show up, day after day, even when you are weary or afraid or simply uncertain.”
It’s funny how I’m completing fewer books this year than I have in all the previous years over the past decade, but I’m having more success at finding ones that are going to stick with me for the long haul. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m slowing down and savoring what I’m choosing to read, unashamedly tossing aside the ones that don’t grab me, but I’d like to think that part of the reason Divine Rivals resonated so deeply with me is because it is a book to be savored. That’s not to say you couldn’t binge it, I just felt that by slowing down and taking my time with it, I was able to fawn over the gorgeous writing and tangible atmosphere and the VIBES. However you choose to consume this story (shameless plug for the brilliantly narrated audiobook), I hope it provides as much of an escape in its pages for you as it did for me.
[image]
As strange as it sounds, it’s tough to put to words what all this story entails. It’s a story about enemies and lovers, divine beings and mortals, war and the pursuit of peace, and magical typewriters. It’s a tale of the triumphs and struggles of two beings who come from two very different walks of life, yet join as one in body, mind, and spirit once they find each other. It’s a slow burn, until it isn’t. And it certainly packs a few plot twists in the final 15% of the book that leave the reader, jaw hanging and eyes blinking, wondering just how you’re supposed to wait until 2024 to read the conclusion to this epic tale.
Objectively, I had to think a bit on how I wanted to rate this book. Overall, books that contain fantasy and romance tend to lean heavier on one than the other, and this historical fantasy is definitely best defined as a romance novel, first and foremost, within a historical fantasy plot. This works well for me, an avid romance reader, but diehard fantasy fans could take issue with the spotty, almost lacking world building and construction of the magic systems. I do believe some of this will be resolved in the second installment, but suffice it to say we do not get much insight into these “Divine rivals” other than a brief mythic overview and a few battle scenes at the conclusion. The romance, however, is delightfully developed and swoon worthy.
If you’re looking for a novel with a delicate, tender, enemies-to-lovers plot that contains simultaneous ethereal romantic qualities and the gritty realities of war, look no further. I am absolutely ravenous for the conclusion to this duet, and will ravage Rebecca Ross’s backlist in the meantime.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
This is not my favorite book by the author, but I'll admit that no one does a shocking twist like Joan He. Part of my struggle might have been that I This is not my favorite book by the author, but I'll admit that no one does a shocking twist like Joan He. Part of my struggle might have been that I had a difficult time connecting with the audiobook due to the narrator's style, which was completely personal preference and not in the least bit objective on my part. The beginning of the novel begins with lots going on; action, excitement, and a bit of confusion with the massive cast from the first page. The hardcover has character art and maps and such which would have been so helpful for me while reading, and are truly just a gorgeous addition to the material.
The pacing continues for the first half at a breakneck speed, and then The Twist™ occurs, which blew my mind, but the story then did not follow the arc I thought it might. Instead of taking full advantage of this new information after catching the reader off guard, it just sort of... continues the way its been going in a generic form. Everything is set up nicely for book 2, so please note that things are not completely wrapped up in this installment. I'm still trying to work through if I buy the budding romance, and will look forward to seeing how things play out in the sequel.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my audio review copy....more
The perfect, one sitting read for a snowy day! I definitely want to check out the rest of the series now. Highly recommend for a bit of steam and a goThe perfect, one sitting read for a snowy day! I definitely want to check out the rest of the series now. Highly recommend for a bit of steam and a good laugh....more
"Hello Niveus High. It's me. Who am I? That's not important. All you need to know is... I'm here to divide and conquer. Like all great tyrants do. -Ac"Hello Niveus High. It's me. Who am I? That's not important. All you need to know is... I'm here to divide and conquer. Like all great tyrants do. -Aces"
Binge-worthy. Timely. Thought provoking. These are all phrases that come to mind when I look back at this story. I've been salivating over the teasers and early reviews of Ace of Spades, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't my most anticipated release of 2021. A YA mystery with shades of Gossip Girl and Get Out? Yes, please! I'm pleased to report that this story holds up to the hype, as I found it to be equal parts entertaining and informative.
It's a really tough story to review, because the entire plot is wrapped up in figuring out who exactly Aces is and why they’re targeting our two main characters, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo. Both of our POVs are Black teenagers that come from vastly different backgrounds. Devon has lived his entire life trying to claw his way out of his neighborhood; his single mom has sacrificed everything to get Devon through Niveus Private Academy so that they can have a better life when he goes off to Juilliard as a music prodigy. Chi has grown up in the lap of luxury, but still faces racial discrimination on a daily basis as a biracial young woman, as her mother is Nigerian and her father is Italian. The complex comparison to Chi and Devon's daily life is profound, and seeing how racism can rear its ugly head in many ways is a theme that needs continual discussion.
Obviously one of the driving factors of this story is the mystery behind who is Aces? Why are they targeting these particular students? And how will this mysterious entity be stopped? To tell you anymore would be rude, so you should definitely pick this one up for yourself, but I will say that this was *almost* a 5 star read for me. My only issue is the fact that we spend a good bit of the book with a slow build up to what exactly is going on, which I loved, but once the big reveal happens, things are glossed over rather quickly and wrapped up without touching on some major questions that I had. I just needed a little more explanation on a few bombs being dropped that weren't addressed again, and there's something that happens at the very end that jarred me a little and made me wish we could go back and get some answers before that happened.
Regardless of my personal wishes, this is a fabulous debut novel by a young woman who put so much of her own experience into this story, and I applaud her for doing so in a way that draws the reader in with entertainment but doesn't shy away from discussing uncomfortable topics. The author's note at the end is a must read, along with the acknowledgements (big shout out to the tea kettle that helped bring us this novel), so please do not skip them!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my ALC, and to Shelly for sending me her bonus hardcover!...more
If the title looks familiar, this is an updated version of a previously released novel by the author. This edition Me, while reading this book:
[image]
If the title looks familiar, this is an updated version of a previously released novel by the author. This edition features tighter editing and updated content, so if you've read the original version, you might still be interested in seeing how far the story has come.
Hunter is a renown poker player and a bit of a play boy, and is the object of Elizabeth/Libby's unrequited affection. Libby finds herself in a bit of a pickle when she feels responsible for helping her friend Carter pay for his impending medical treatments, so Libby finds a creative way to help cover those expenses. The story that follows is full of mystery, suspense, and straight up fire level steam. I don't want to say too much, because most of the fun is letting that suspense build and wondering what the outcome of Hunter and Libby's investigation unfurls, but know that this is a fast paced novel of romantic suspense that will be tough to put down once it gets going. There are quite a few characters, but the beauty of the large cast is that there are three more books in the series that we get to explore while featuring some of the minor characters as well. A truly fun read!
*Many thanks to the author for providing my review copy....more
"The story idea came in 2015. The cover was purchased in 2017. The story was written and published in 2020. This is dedicated to that journey."
What a pow"The story idea came in 2015. The cover was purchased in 2017. The story was written and published in 2020. This is dedicated to that journey."
What a powerful dedication! I love it when a story that took the less easy path becomes an incredibly special one, and was this book ever worth the time Ms. Allen put into perfecting it. This is a really tough book to review, because it's best for you to go in blind, as I've seen multiple reviews here that contain big spoilers without being marked as such. Just know it's a fast paced novel of suspense with a tender friends-to-lovers romance crafted in between, and the writing is poetic and provokes a deep sensory experience. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and it's available to read via Kindle Unlimited for free!
Thank you Shelly for gifting me this copy. ❤️...more
My first Lily White, and what better way to jump in than with a gifted, signed paperback complete with limited edition cover. (Seriously, whoever sentMy first Lily White, and what better way to jump in than with a gifted, signed paperback complete with limited edition cover. (Seriously, whoever sent this, THANK YOU! <3) You can see it HERE.
The Sin In The Steel is a fantastic debut, full of twists and turns and excellent world building. "A Sherlockian teenager determined to upend her sociThe Sin In The Steel is a fantastic debut, full of twists and turns and excellent world building. "A Sherlockian teenager determined to upend her society"? Sign me up! I absolutely adore when authors blend classic mystery elements with a deeply engaging fantasy world, and Ryan Van Loan didn't disappoint in either department. As a huge sucker for any book that features pirates and unique fantastical religious entities, TSITS was right up my alley. The only thing that kept me from giving this the full 5 stars is that the pacing in the second half of the book is noticeably slower than in the first, but there is a banging ending that left me incredibly hungry for the next installment in the series.
What a fun apocalyptic romp! I'm new to team Kit Rocha's books, but I'm definitely invested in not New US Pub Date: July 28, 2020
*********************
What a fun apocalyptic romp! I'm new to team Kit Rocha's books, but I'm definitely invested in not only continuing the series, but checking out their previous novels as well. Reading this was curious timing, with the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world, but I didn't feel that it added to the anxiety I feel by our unknown reality. How these authors were able to take the ramped up action scenes and blend them flawlessly with the steamy romance is beyond me, but I'm certainly glad that they achieved that state of bookish nirvana. I did find one of the twists to be a bit predictable, but otherwise this was an excellent read. Who knew that the apocalypse would be so sexy? I'm looking forward to the next installment!
*This review copy was won in a raffle via Bookish First and supplied by the publisher....more
"The horrors Perla left behind when she came to this country darken her glassy gaze, and I realize she never got away. No matter how many borders we "The horrors Perla left behind when she came to this country darken her glassy gaze, and I realize she never got away. No matter how many borders we cross, we can't seem to outrun the fear of not feeling safe in our own house."
I think it's fair to note that, while this is definitely YA fantasy, it reads more like contemporary fiction sprinkled with magical realism. Those looking for high fantasy involving werewolf folklore might be disappointed in this slow burning tale, because it feels as if the purpose of this story is to serve the reader with a unique book about the immigrant's life in America. Garber has provided a call to action with Lobizona, and I love that she holds back nothing in her attempt to educate the average reader on many horrors of modern society.
The prologue immediately gripped me and set the tone for the remainder of the book, and as a privileged white woman, I found myself choking back tears and grieving for those who aren't treated equally in this country. The author also ties in menstrual cycles as an important part of Manu's transformation, and it was so refreshing to see a YA author normalize something that is, well, NORMAL. Even though this was not an own voices read for me, I wholly appreciated diving into someone else's culture and heritage and learning more about their folklore.
The pacing is steady in this book, and it felt like a solid set up for the next installment, which I am very much anticipating to read. If you are looking for a YA fantasy that stands apart from the regular humdrum, and you're interested in current events and educating yourself on some of the injustices that Latinx immigrants face on a daily basis, do yourself a favor and pick this title up on August 4th.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
Debating between a 4-5 star rating, so I'll go with a 4.5 rounded up to 5! Review to come.
******************
I'm really excited to dig into my ARC of Debating between a 4-5 star rating, so I'll go with a 4.5 rounded up to 5! Review to come.
******************
I'm really excited to dig into my ARC of this one, and since there is no synopsis listed on Goodreads other than on the giveaway page, I'm including it below:
"One man knows the connection between two extraordinary acts of arson, fifteen years apart, in his Montana hometown--if only he could remember it.
Having lost much of his memory from a traumatic brain injury sustained in Iraq, army veteran Matthew Rose is called back to Montana after his father's death to settle his affairs, and hopefully to settle the past as well. It's not only a blank to him, but a mystery. Why as a teen did he suddenly become sullen and vacant, abandoning the activities and people that had meant most to him? How did he, the son of hippy activists, wind up enlisting in the first place?
Then on his first night back, Matthew sees a house go up in flames, and it turns out a local college student has died inside. And this event sparks a memory of a different fire, an unsolved crime from long ago, a part of Matthew's past that might lead to all the answers he's been searching for. What he finds will connect the old fire and the new, a series of long-unsolved mysteries, and a ruthless act of murder."
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
"Two hours later, Severin poured sealing wax onto several envelopes-one to be sent out immediately, the others to be sent out in two days. A small par"Two hours later, Severin poured sealing wax onto several envelopes-one to be sent out immediately, the others to be sent out in two days. A small part of him hesitated, but he steeled himself. He was doing this for them. For his friends. The more he cared about their feelings, the harder his task became. And so he endeavored to feel nothing at all."
After reading The Gilded Wolves last year and adoring it, I discovered a new favorite series to follow obsessively. When I turned the final page, I was full of general questions, feelings on whether a certain ship would take off, and wondering where Chokshi would take us next. The Silvered Serpents is an excellent follow-up to TGW, and this installment is much darker than the first, which will appeal to YA fantasy readers who appreciate characters grappling with their morality and sanity.
In an attempt to keep this review spoiler free, I'll be vague on the plot, but we pick up right where we left off in TGW. The cast is dealing with the loss from the previous book, along with the bombshell dropped at the end, and Severin has decided to get the gang together for one more heist, the one that will give him everything he thinks his heart desires. The main thread of the book focuses on Severin and his internal turmoil, while also furthering one of the romance plots that was set up in the end of book one. I'll be honest, my ship didn't take off, but that's ok. What matters is that we get to see one of the main characters delve into full on villain mode, which I am ALWAYS here for.
If you enjoyed The Gilded Wolves, I can't imagine you not taking a shine to The Silvered Serpents as well, and I think I speak for a few other people when I say that we'll be twiddling our thumbs wondering how to pass the time until book 3 is published. I highly recommend this series to fans of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows, as it gives you a new setting with some of the same feels.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
Obviously I'm the worst at coming back to review those pesky RTC placeholders, but I felt the need to say a few words regarding this one. Even though Obviously I'm the worst at coming back to review those pesky RTC placeholders, but I felt the need to say a few words regarding this one. Even though I can't remember any specific quotes this far removed, I will always remember how moving the narrative is, how engaging the writing was, and how necessary, important, and timely this story will continue to be. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up! ...more
Loading...
