ARC Review: Ignite the Sun

Once upon a time, there was something called the sun… In a kingdom ruled by an evil witch, the sun is just part of a legend about light-filled days of old. Luckily for everybody in the kingdom, Siria Nightingale is headed to the heart of the darkness to try and restore the light–or she will lose everything trying.

Sixteen year-old Siria Nightingale has never seen the sun. The light is dangerous, according to Queen Iyzabel, an evil witch who has shrouded the kingdom in shadow.

Siria has always hated the darkness and revels in the stories of the light-filled old days that she hears from her best friend and his grandfather. Besides them, nobody else understands her fascination with the sun, especially not her strict and demanding parents. Siria’s need to please them is greater even than her fear of the dark. So she heads to the royal city–the very center of the darkness–for a chance at a place in Queen Iyzabel’s court.

But what Siria discovers at the Choosing Ball sends her on a quest toward the last vestiges of the sun with a ragtag group of rebels who could help her bring back the Light … or doom the kingdom to shadow forever.

Review

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

This book was amazing. It was full wonder, magic and love. With lots of danger, friendship, backstabbing and even a little romance. I loved Siria as a main character, she was different and learned all about magic and the sun children as the book went on. I loved how the history was revealed bit by bit.

I loved the suporting characters. They added a lot to the book, I felt as much for them as I did for Siria. The setting was amazing, it was well described and felt very real. The pacing was great and the ending was well planned and good. There was enough explanation about what happened after to leave me satisfied.

Overall it was a great fantasy book, that I would be happy to read again and again.

5 out 5 stars

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ARC Review: A Curse of Ash and Embers

A dead witch. A bitter curse. A battle of magic.

Some people knit socks by the fire at night. Gyssha Blackbone made monsters.

But the old witch is dead now, and somehow it’s Elodie’s job to clean up the mess.

When she was hired at Black Oak Cottage, Elodie had no idea she’d find herself working for a witch; and her acid-tongued new mistress, Aleida, was not expecting a housemaid to turn up on her doorstep.

Gyssha’s final curse left Aleida practically dead on her feet, and now, with huge monsters roaming the woods, a demonic tree lurking in the orchard and an angry warlock demanding repayment of a debt, Aleida needs Elodie’s help, whether she likes it or not.

And no matter what the old witch throws at her, to Elodie it’s still better than going back home.

Review

I recieved a free copy of this book vie edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I love any book that has a curse in it, so the title grabbed me straight away and I couldn’t wait to read it. It did not disappoint. It was fun, lots of magic and curses, with friendship and mystery thrown in for free. Dee was a great main character, her instincts served her well, she didn’t let poeple cloud her judgements, she made her own mind up.

I loved the idea of the witches, the way we learned about Gyssha was very unique and clever. I would have liked a little more on her, but you never know there might be more in the next book, which I have already bought and cannot wait to read. There were a couple of characters at the start that I would to be reintroduced to, I feel like they were to big to only appear for a chapter then never again.

If you like books with magic and wonder then this book is for you, the pacing is good and there is always something excting going on.

4 out of 5 stars

The Apprentice Sorceress

A lady does not raise her voice.
A lady does not tear her gowns.
A lady does not contradict a gentleman.
A lady does not practice magic…
Until now.

Lady Violette has done everything she can to be a perfect lady in waiting to the royal princess of Jerdun. She’s followed the princess halfway across the world and lived through a war. Now the princess is stranded in a foreign city as an enemy army draws near, and Violette is stranded with her.

As more refugees from the conflict pour into their city every day, tension mounts between various factions, and a strange powers begin to stir inside Violette. A magic that protects her, but also seems impossible to control. Magic is not a womanly art, after all, and if anyone should learn of Violette’s powers she could lose her standing in society, her reputation, perhaps even her place at the princess’s side.

The only one she trusts with her secret is Ned, an impish squire and fellow refugee from the war. Instead of being repulsed by her powers, Ned admires Violette. For her part, she can’t deny the attraction she feels for Ned, but he has secrets he refuses to share, a wall that he keeps up between them.

Still, Ned helps Violette finally master her powers, but even mastery has its price when an unscrupulous nobleman looks to use Violette for his own purposes. Torn between serving her princess and saving herself, Violette will have to decide how deep the bonds of loyalty run, and just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for her own happiness.

Review

I recieved a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was well thought out, it was a sweet story about magic and lady who is bound to do what she is told rather than what she knows is right. I found the whole book very intrigueing although I would have liked a little more magic.

I liked Violette although I was a bit confused about her age, she was meant to be 16 I think but had already been married and widowed? She was a little rash at times but it made an interesting read.

The setting was good but I would have liked a little more description. Also the war, I am not sure if it was described in the previous book in the series, since as far as I am aware it’s a series but they are all stand alones. I would have liked a little more insight into the war.

Overall I found it a very interesting read.

4 out of 5 stars

A River of Royal Blood

Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of marrow and blood–a dark and terrible magick that hasn’t been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina’s long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne–because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive.

When Eva is attacked by an assassin just weeks before the battle with her sister, she discovers there is more to the attempt on her life than meets the eye–and it isn’t just her sister who wants to see her dead. As tensions escalate, Eva is forced to turn to a fey instructor of mythic proportions and a mysterious and handsome khimaer prince for help in growing her magick into something to fear. Because despite the love she still has for her sister, Eva will have to choose: Isa’s death or her own.

A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, history, and identity.

Review

I loved the premise of this book. It started off well. I did take a while to read this but with everything that’s going on, that’s not surprising. I liked the idea of how a princess becomes a queen. Does seem cruel but it makes sense for a world full of cruel magics. I did like how Eva had people who clearly cared for her a lot. I was worried it was goign to be a book where the MC is completly alone.

I didn’t like how there a lot sexualised for no reason. I know you get romance but it seemed like every character looked at every other character in a sexual way. It just got in the way of really good scenes in my opinion.

I loved the fantasy side, would have liked a little more description on the different races in the book and their individual magicks. The history was exciting and well delivered, but I do still feel I don’t know enough about the history.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and am I looking forward to the next one.

4 out of 5 stars

Children of Blood and Bone

They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

Review

I thought I had reviewed this when I read it a few months ago, so it won’t be the most detailed review.

I loved the setting, it was full magic and lots going on. The characters were fun and exciting. I loved seeing characters from all sides. The journey was fascinating, it was not an easy journey by any means but the characters had to fight rather than be lucked out of situations which I loved. I was so impressed I pre-ordered the second one.

4 out of 5 stars

All the King’s Traitors

Over a thousand years have passed since the first Godstones ripped through the skies and mangled the earth. With their fall came centuries of chaos and destruction, but also immense power.

Power that separates humans from Gods.

Now, in the Kingdom of Azanthea, two adoptive brothers flee from unjust conscription.

A fugitive struggles to truly be free.

A double-crossing warrior must choose where his allegiances lie: with his wife or with his daughter.

A traitorous heir to the Kingdom’s throne roams the lands in search of an army to call his own.

A prodigy in the House of Historian competes in a grueling trial to prove her loyalty.

And one God-King rules over them all.

Review

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

I wasn’t sure of this book when I first started. But after a couple of chapters in I was hooked. The idea of the godstones was a fantastic concept. I found it very interesting and loved the setting. It was well thought out and I found myself wanting to visit there ( a sign of a great world for me).

The characters were great, I found that each one brought somethign new and exciting to the story, but I thought there was too many POV’s. I found a little disorrianted at times. I would have also liked an indication at the beginning of chapters which character was the MC, especially since they sometimes travelled together. I loved the varied backgrounds and personalities.

The God-King was a character I would like to know more about, he obviously spread fear throughout the kingdom but since he hadn’t been seen in a few years in seemed a little odd to me. I am hoping for more in the next book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and read it quite quickly. I am very much looking forward to the second one andhoping it’s out soon. The ending shocked me, me it’s not very often there’s a twist that I did not see coming (without out making me angry) This was a small but very interesting twist.

4 out of 5 stars

 

First Prize for the Worst Witch (Worst witch #8)

“I am a hopeless case – everything I do always does go wrong in the end.”

Mildred Hubble may be the worst witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, but she’s the best friend you’ll ever have.

—–

Summer term has started at Miss Cackle’s Academy, and somehow the disaster-prone Mildred has made it to Year Four.

Even though everyone knows her as the Worst Witch in the School, she’s secretly set her sights on winning the school’s highest honour.

Yes, Mildred wants to be Head Girl!

Can she stay out of trouble and prove to everyone that even the worst witch can turn her fortunes around?
Not if her arch-enemy Ethel Hallow has anything to do with it…

‘The Worst Witch is back – and it’s as subtly feminist as ever’ – New Statesman

Read the rest of Mildred’s (mis)adventures: The Worst Witch, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, The Worst Witch All at Sea, The Worst Witch Saves the Day, The Worst Witch to the Rescue and The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star.

Review

I love the worst witch books. I grew up watching the original series, I love reading these to relive the memories of going home from school and getting engrossed in Cackles Academy.

This one did not disappoint. Mildred was up to her old tricks, she always has the best intentions, just something always goes wrong. Her friends always try to talk her out of her mad plans but never manage. I love how her charm is even growing on Hardbroom.

I do sometimes feel a little sorry for Ethel, is often mean and cruel but she is just trying to live up to her family’s name.

I think the next enstallment is the last and I cannot wait.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: Spooky Magic

Being the only witch at my school is the best thing ever! So when the new girl turns out to be a witch too, someone awful and horrid from my old life, you know there’s going to be trouble. 

My name is Evie Everyday, and I go to Wyndemere Elementary, a strictly no-witch zone. It’s hard enough keeping my witchiness a secret without Veronica showing up to ruin my wonderful new life. Worst of all, she’s better than me at everything too.

That is, until the spooky Halloween Competition. I finally have the chance to prove, once and for all, that I’m better than Veronica.

Winning should be easy. All I have to do is:

Stop myself from turning green with envy. Come up with the spookiest magic ever. Not listen to my friends. And beat Veronica.

But when everything starts to go wrong, the only way to win the competition is to make it spookier than ever. And only one person can help me… the one and only Jack-o-lantern.

Review

I recieved a free copy of this book via booksirens

I really enjoyed the first one in the series. I thought it was refreshing and really clever. The second one did not live up to expectations. It felt very rushed and very jumbled in the beginning. A lot of it didn’t make sense to me without reading it couple of times to understand what was going on.

Overall I did enjoy the story but I think it could have been slowed down a  little and explained better. The intoduction of new characters was good, it shook things up a little. It showed different sides to characters which I really liked.

3 out of 5 stars

 

Review: Eight Will Fall

In a land where magic is outlawed, eight criminals led by seventeen-year-old Larkin are sent on a mission to kill an ancient evil that plagues their kingdom. Descending into an underground realm full of unspeakable horrors, Larkin and her party must use their forbidden magic to survive what lies in wait, teeth sharp and jaws deadly.

As she fights for her life, Larkin finds a light in Amias, a fellow outlaw with a notorious past. Soon Larkin and Amias realize their fates are entwined. The eight of them were chosen for a reason.

But as the dangers multiply and her band of felons are picked off one by one, Larkin must confront a terrible truth: They were never meant to return.

Review

I recieved this from fairyloot. I am not sure I would have picked it up otherwise, but I am glad I did. It was unlike anything else I have ever read. In a good way. I liked how the empaths could gather emotions and use them as magic, it’s a clever idea and was portrayed well.

The story was easy to follow and very entertaining. I honestly had no clue where we were being led, which is very unusual. I thought the characters were interesting and I liked hearing their stories.

Larkin was a great MC, she was often centre of the action which suited her charcter and I really enjoyed seeing things from her perspective.

Most of the story took places in one place (it was a big place , but still) since there was always something to discover it was very interesting.

I would highly recommend this book.

4 out of 5 stars

Review: Protect the Prince (Crown of Shards #2)

Magic, murder, adventure, and romance combine in this second novel in the exciting Crown of Shards saga from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep.

Everleigh Blair might be the new gladiator queen of Bellona, but her problems are far from over.

First, Evie has to deal with a court full of arrogant, demanding nobles, all of whom want to get their greedy hands on her crown. As if that wasn’t bad enough, an assassin tries to kill Evie in her own throne room.

Despite the dangers, Evie goes ahead with a scheduled trip to the neighboring kingdom of Andvari in order to secure a desperately needed alliance. But complicating matters is the stubborn Andvarian king, who wants to punish Evie for the deaths of his countrymen during the Seven Spire massacre.

But dark forces are at work inside the Andvarian palace, and Evie soon realizes that no one is safe. Worse, Evie’s immunity to magic starts acting in strange, unexpected ways, which makes her wonder whether she is truly strong enough to be a Winter Queen.

But Evie’s magic, life, and crown aren’t the only things in danger—so is her heart, thanks to Lucas Sullivan, the Andvarian king’s bastard son and Evie’s . . . well, Evie isn’t quite sure what Sullivan is to her.

Only one thing is certain—protecting a prince might be even harder than killing a queen…

Review

I loved this almost as much as the first one in the series. It took a chapter or two to feel that way, but once I was there I couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go after the events of the last book, I was pleasantly surprised. It felt well planned out with lots of direction, nothing felt out of place.

I loved that lots of the old characters returned but we still got to meet lots of new ones, I could have done with more conversations from Serilda and Cho, I felt they were more in the background rather than being proper characters like they were in the first book.

I liked how you got to see into Lucas’s past, I found it very interesting and suits his character well. I liked meeting his family but I would have liked a little more interaction between Lucas and his family.

The action was good , very full. I do think the Mortan assassins could have planned a little better, their plans fell apart a little too easy. I think Evie makes an amazing Queen and I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens in book two.

4 out 5 stars