Review: Three Dark Crowns

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

I have seen a lot of reviews about this book, most seem to have struggled with the first 80% of this book. As did I. It has such a great premise I cannot help but get drawn in. But the story falls a little flat, there isn’t too much to it and it’s easy to put down and not want to pick up again. Since each of the queens had their own POV and they each had similar people in their lives it was quite easy to get mixed up at times. Especially between Luke and Luca, although Luca is female, I felt her character was very interchangeable with Luke’s.

I felt like we did not get to know enough about the island and the mainland, there were a few references, but I often felt like I only knew half the story, half the history that I should have to make sense of it.

I also thought that the first book would cover the whole fight to the death but it barely scratched the surface. I am hoping the next book in the series will be much quicker paced and full of action.

The last 20% was amazing, if the whole book was the same pace, it would have been one of the best books I have ever read. If the last part had not been so good I am not sure I would ahve even given it 3 stars, but as it is, I gave it 4.

I do recommend this book, it does have it’s good points and hopefully the series will pick up.

4 out of 5 stars

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ARC Review: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

Tags

historical fiction

Willowgrove Hall is full of secrets, but soon everything hidden is brought to light.

Cecily Faire has a secret—and she intends to keep it. But when she arrives at Willowgrove Hall to serve as a lady’s companion, she comes face-to-face with the only person who knows the truth about her past.

As the steward of Willowgrove Hall, Nathaniel Stanton is dedicated to serving those around him. Nothing escapes his notice—including the beautiful new lady’s companion. He is certain the lovely Miss Faire is hiding something, and he determines to uncover it. But Nathaniel has a secret of his own: he is the illegitimate son of Willowgrove’s former master. Falling in love was not part of his plans . . . until he meets Cecily Faire.

When Willowgrove’s mistress dies, everything changes. Fear of exposure forces Cecily to leave under the cover of darkness, embarking on a journey to finally find her long-lost sister. When the will is read, Nathaniel’s inheritance makes him question his future plans. Cecily and Nathaniel are forced to make decisions that will change the course of their lives. Is their love strong enough to survive?

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although this book is the third in a series, it can be read perfectly well as a stand alone. It is listed as historical fiction and although it is set at least 100 years ago, there wasn’t much history in it. It was much more about the romance, usually I am not a fan, but this was quite enjoyable.

The story was sweet and full of secrets, although some were pretty predictable. I liked getting to the characters, it was done in a very clever way, we got to see all sides of the characters by getting to know them through how other characters saw them. It’s a very clever way of knowing characters in all ways possible.

Cecily was a good main character, she had her regrets but she grew and eventually let herself have fun and fall in love. Nathanial, had a great life, he worked hard, had his problems but he had his family who supported him in everything. I loved how his character grew and gave into the prospect that there was more to life than work.

I wish there was a little more history in it. I wasn’t even sure of when it was set, just more references to historical events, who was on the throne etc.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I would read more by this author.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: Pretty Wicked

The daughter of a local police detective, fifteen-year-old Ryann has spent most of her life studying how to pull off the most gruesome murders her small Colorado town has ever seen.

But killing is only part of it. Ryann enjoys being the reason the cops are frenzied. The one who makes the neighbors lock their doors and windows on a hot summer’s day. The one everyone fears but no one suspects.

Carving out her own murderous legacy proves harder than she predicted. Mistakes start adding up. And with the police getting closer, and her own father becoming suspicious, Ryann has to prove once and for all that she’s smarter than anyone else—or she’ll pay the ultimate price.

Written in a mature YA voice. Some graphic content.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was unlike anything I had read before. The book was told mainly from Ryann’s POV, who was trying to make herself into one the most infamous names in history. The story follows her escapades and her trying not to get caught. She tries to juggle her school work, keep her family and friends from finding out what she was doing and trying to work out who she was going to kill next and putting it into action.

It was interesting because in most crime and thriller novels the killer is not revealed until the end, in this one it’s on the very first page where we become acquainted with the murderer. You got to know her and her relationships.

I enjoyed the story and seeing if she was going to get caught or not and by who. It was interesting to see all the lies she came up with to cover her tracks, sometimes I do think her family and friends believed them too easily though.

This book is YA and deals with serious issues, the main one being murder. For such a book I think Ryann was portrayed too young and immature at times. Her character was very blase about the situation.

All in all it was a good book but the character would have been a little better more mature and acting smarter.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: The Escape of Princess Madeline

The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things: its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom… a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength, and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms.

But freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. The kingdom is in turmoil over her capture—her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards joining forces in the hunt to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure to find freedom and love.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was sweet and a good coming of age story. The characters were fun and very well thought out. I like the champion, he never gave up on her. It took a lot of courage and worked well with his character. Madeline was a little selfish to begin with but then she grew well through the book and turned into a decent young woman.

The setting was exciting and seemed like a very beautiful place, minus the bandits of course. It was a short book but well worth the read.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: Rise of the Flame

Six races. Four realms. One human girl who can bring them together in peace… or war.
Lilae has been hunted since the night of her birth, for she is heir to a god’s throne. But everything that her surrogate family has done to protect her may have been for nothing. After Lilae is stripped of her powers and enslaved by the emperor of the Mithrani, she finds herself desperate to survive in a strange new world.

On the other side of the world, Liam leads his army across the realm to protect the Tryans and the fairies from those who would do them harm. But when their odds of survival become next to impossible, he must set out on a journey to find a dragon, a child, and the blessing of a fallen god to aid him in the inevitable realm war.

The path forward for both Liam and Lilae seems clear, until their dreamscapes collide. But while they draw strength from their connection, Lilae may be falling for the emperor who should be her greatest enemy.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a long time to read, about a month but I have been very busy so it has felt a little bit like a marathon. A very enjoyable marathon though.

I like Lilae, she was clever but she’s a little naive. It gave her depth and showed her young years, so it worked very well. I liked her relationships, she had some good ones but some bad ones too, which made it more realistic.

Liam was fun and sounded like a really good leader. I can see many girls swooning over him.

The good. The characters were interesting and all very different. The story line was clever and kept me going back for more. I liked the different powers people had and it was interesting to find out who had what. There were lots of twists, most I didn’t guess.

The bad. At time it felt a little all over the place, there was too many POV’s, there were a few main ones but I didn’t really like how they slipped other ones in here and there. Especially when they are only there for one small chapter then go back to being a back ground character. I sometimes found it hard to tell who was the main POV. I would have preferred a little more about each of the races. The names were just thrown out and not explained.

This book is already published yet there was quite a bit of grammatical  errors. I don’t normally comment on such for reviews books but since it has been out for at least 9 months, I think that is something that should be sorted.

Overall a very enjoyable book, full of lots of wonder and exciting quests.

4 out of 5 stars

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ARC Review: The Academy Alignment

Tags

fantasy, YA, young adult

Who decides what music defines a generation or which war gets funded? Who determines high fashion? Who gets to choose which dusty African village thrives and which suffers famine and genocide?

For centuries, the world’s wealthiest have sent their children to an elite boarding school known as The Academy to ensure continued control over global events. This year, The Academy offered its first scholarship to Peter Foster, a 17 year old from the blue-collar town nearby. Before Peter can get his bearings in this world of unimaginable wealth, sexual gamesmanship and obscene entitlement, he uncovers information about the mysterious and violent disappearance of a recent student — information everyone, even the teachers, is desperate to cover up. As the forces of Light and Dark continue their age-old dance of influence and manipulation, The Academy students fight to run their parents’ empires, and to consolidate wealth and influence at any cost. Peter soon realizes he is up against forces that operate far outside his reality, and he’ll have to risk everything, even his life, to expose the truth … even if his discoveries upend the fragile balance of global power.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little unsure of this book when I started it. It had an interesting premise but I had no idea where it was going. I know you do not know everything at the start, but I think a little more would have been better.

The characters were interesting, there was a lot of drama which was unexpected but fun in this type of book. I liked Peter, his inquisitiveness was a really good quality in him. His manner never really changed, he was a good guy through and through, matter what was thrown at him.

Dr Linden and Dr Brown were unique characters, at times it was hard to tell which side they were on at times, which made it a good read. It was the same of the other characters, they seem to switch sides all the time. I would have liked to see more of some if the other characters, some seemed to less of a presence than was necessary and just come in at the important points and I was left thinking “what do they have to do with this?”

Overall an interesting book and well worth the read but not sure if I will read the second one in the series.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2)

Something Wicked This Way Comes…

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there’s no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he’s my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what’s supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious “accidents,” it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn’t have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone’s going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing’s for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else…

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I got into this book much quicker than the first, I already loved the characters and the setting, but I was a little unsure as to where this could go at the beginning but ended up loving it. I loved how there was a couple of new characters but not too many and we got to see the older ones that I knew and loved. Vance was an interesting character, he was on the good side (or what I like to think of as the good side) yet he was still an ass.

I loved how the Victor Draconi issue was there but it wasn’t the focus of the story, the tournament took center stage, it gave the book more depth which I love in books.

The storyline was great and kept me guessing as to how it was all going to turn out, I did guess what was happening to the monsters pretty early on but I wouldn’t exactly say it was predictable. There was still parts I couldn’t guess at.

I didn’t really like how Lila, Devon and Felix always seemed to be there where trouble started or had just been, seems a little to coincidental.

I am very much looking forward to the third book, I think it’s going to be super exciting and full of action.

4 out of 5 stars

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ARC Review: Cold Burn of Magic

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call–get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her. . .

I received this book via netgalley in exchange for honest review.

It took me a little while to get in to, I actually started it once a while a back but stopped after the first chapter, this time I decided to persevere and try to get to at least chapter 3, but after I got to that I was hooked.

The good

I liked the unique magic or talents, they were clever and well thought out. The idea of the most magical town in America, the mythical creatures although you didn’t get to read much about them, they were a nice addition, it gave the book a good atmosphere. The setting was beautifully crafted. I liked how it was woven in to the characters perfectly.

Lila was a great main character, she had access to the poor and rich sides of this magic enriched world, which made the reader gain lots of insight into the whole of the setting. Devon was cute, I wish he was real. I liked he was not typical male lead in power, he wasn’t rude to everyone but sweet on the inside or sweet to everyone and really a piece of work, he was sweet to everyone and truly cared, it makes a change for the usual. Felix was nice, he did put on a bit of a facade but for good reason. But he was loyal and good to read about, if this is ever made into a film I think the guy who plays him will be a heartbreaker.

The families were great like a fantasy version of mobsters. It was great part of the story.

The Bad

I didn’t like the lochness, yes that’s how it was spelled no spaces. It’s like the author didn’t understand that the Loch Ness Monster is named after the Loch (Lake) Ness, near the city Inverness, which I am from so I take pride in it. Maybe it was on purpose but when it turned out to be something completely different than the myth of the Loch Ness Monster, it just seemed like bad research. That was my only real problem with the book and it’s a fairly personal one, so the book was a big hit with me.

Overall

A great book with new ways of magic and I just lived the magical Families, was a great edition. I am very much looking forward to reading the second book soon.

4 stars out of 5.

ARC Review: The Silver Witch

A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everything I wanted from it and more. It had history explained in an interesting not boring way yet still feeling fully explained for the story purposes. The history kept me hooked, I liked learning with the characters, snippets of information were released like little nuggets of gold, each more adding a little more sense to the story until you have a full golden wonder.

I sometimes struggle with adult paranormal books in our world where the main character has no previous interaction with the paranormal element since most adults would freak if something like that really happens and characters often accept it too readily for my liking. But Tilda and the characters handled it just well enough for me cope, they freaked out a little, but dealt with the issues like adults and tried to put logic to it.

The setting was beautiful, a secluded lake in Wales, it sounded almost mystical. The contrast between the present and the past, it made the setting even more realistic. There is something so serene about a small lake with cottages round about, just makes the setting so idyllic.

The parts about making pots and archeology were really interesting. I loved how it was woven in to the story, not just to fill out the story a little but as integral plot points.

The main thing I didn’t like was how sometimes Tilda would suddenly know a fact or a name that I had no recollection of her finding out, especially where there was no possible way for her to have done so, happened a few times, which did get on my nerves a little.

But with only really one fairly small issue with this book, I think it was a beautifully crafted masterpiece that I recommend anyone who likes historical fiction try.

4 out of 5 stars

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ARC Review: First Year

Before the age of seventeen, the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice-follow tradition, or pursue a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight or mage…

For 15-year-old Ryiah, the choice has always been easy. Become a warrior and leave the boring confines of her lowborn life behind. Set to enroll in the School of Knighthood on the eve of her next birthday, plans suddenly shift when her twin brother discovers powers. Hoping that hers will soon follow, she enrolls with Alex at the Academy instead -the realm’s most notorious war school for those with magic.

Yet when she arrives, Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Every “first-year” is given a trial year to prove their worth -and no amount of hard work and drive will guarantee them a spot. It seems like everyone is rooting for her to fail -and first and foremost among them Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived.

When an accidental encounter leads Ryiah and Darren to an unlikely friendship, she is convinced nothing good will come of it. But the lines become blurred when she begins to improve -and soon she is a key competitor for the faction of Combat… Still, nothing is ever as it seems -and when the world comes crashing down around her, Ry is forced to place faith in the one thing she can believe in -herself. Will it be enough?

I really enjoyed this book, it was fun and quirky, it did have some points that all YA fantasy has but that doesn’t bother me, it makes it familiar.

Ry was a great first character, she was determined and never let anything get in her way. I like the relationship between Ry and her brother, it was fun and realistic. The trials were great to read about, very exciting and made me smile.

Darren is a very complex and vain character, he often had mood swings, it was easy to tell he really cared what people thought of him and he put on a front with the people he thought he should be spending time with rather than the ones he actually seemed to like.

The story was mainly focused on combat rather than the other types of magic, but it never got boring. I raced through the book and still wanted more. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

4 out of 5 stars