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

ARC Review: Moonscript

“It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me.”

Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.

And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those willing to help him come from the unlikeliest of worlds.

The orphan girl, yearning for a loving family, and the boy who won’t leave her side. A healer maiden given an unexpected chance for a life beyond narrowed expectations. A grieving creature flown far from home.

They all search for something and now their fates are tied to his. If their quest for life can pull him from the dark mire in which his soul drowns, then perhaps he can be saved.

Or else he will drag them all down to a fate worse than death.

Review

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

There was alot to this book. I felt it was quite long and not all of it needed, some of it dragged. It felt like it went back and forth between characters too much, some only getting a paragragh before being changed again. There also was no indication that it was goign to change character, which made it confusing at times.

But there was alot I liked about this book too. Tellie was an amazing character, seemed a little older than 13 but since she had gone through alot it made sense. Kelm was a little of an unknown, there wasn’t much to his character other than he was there.

The setting was good. I enjoyed the different places but a little more description would have been better. I really did enjoy the story it was full of surprises and lots exciting new creatures and races. I am not sure if they are from legends or not, but they were very creative and really fun to read about.

The story ended really well, everything was wrapped up. I do not know what will happen in book two. If I happen to see it I might buy it and read it but I won’t be keeping an eye out for it.

Overall an exciting read.

3 out of 5 stars

The Shadows Between Us

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen.

Review

I was a little unsure if I would like this book when I started it. I only read it because it was a fairyloot book. But I was pleasantly surprised. It found it unlike anything else I have ever read. I like the idea of a Shadow King, but I would have liked a little more fantasy elements into it. I am not too fond of books that just hint at fantasy usually. This was much more a murder mystery-ish with lots of court politics, which in this book was really good.

I loved Allesandra, she really was a piece of work, but she did everything with such sass that I loved it! She thought the world and everyone in it, should treat her with respect that she showed no-one. I really enjoyed her evolution into an almost caring person, well caring for one person.

The plot twists came out of no-where but they were not so random that they annoyed me. Alessandra did luck out of a few situations which is a pet peeve of mine. I did love how random some situations were though.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and will most likley read it again.

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

Death Warden

A teenage assassin. An impossible choice. The fate of everything hangs in the balance…

Sixteen-year-old Reen swore she’d never take another life. Divinely selected to assassinate a few in order to save many, she learned to jump from shadow to shadow and claim her victims without question… until she was ordered to kill the boy she loved. But when an ancient plague returns threatening to infect everyone she knows, she is forced to resume her deadly duties.

Battling a disease that turns people into nightmarish monsters, Reen must track down and terminate those responsible before the city falls, and the evil spreads beyond its borders. But the closer she gets to the source, the more she uncovers sinister secrets that will shake the foundations of her world and everything she believes.

Can Reen defend her realm without losing her soul?

Review

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

This book was very unique, yes assassins are nothing new but they way the victims were chosen was very different and very interesting. I loved Reen, she was a great main character, I loved seeing the story through her eyes. The different time lines were interesting. I liked learning how Reen got to where she was in the present timeline of the story.

I actullay did like knowing Erend was going to die before we were really introduced to him, I had fun guessing how and why he was going to die. I did find him too similar to Bastien though, it just seemed a little lazy to me.

I liked how the monsters were kinda zombies but never described as such, which was good for me since I don’t really like zombie books. Also they were not the main point of the story. There was a lot more too it. Cron was Kronk from the Emporers new Groove (in my head anyway).

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would read more from this author.

4 out of 5 stars

Long May She Reign

Freya was never meant be queen. Twenty third in line to the throne, she never dreamed of a life in the palace, and would much rather research in her laboratory than participate in the intrigues of court. However, when an extravagant banquet turns deadly and the king and those closest to him are poisoned, Freya suddenly finds herself on the throne.

Freya may have escaped the massacre, but she is far from safe. The nobles don’t respect her, her councillors want to control her, and with the mystery of who killed the king still unsolved, Freya knows that a single mistake could cost her the kingdom – and her life.

Freya is determined to survive, and that means uncovering the murderers herself. Until then, she can’t trust anyone. Not her advisors. Not the king’s dashing and enigmatic illegitimate son. Not even her own father, who always wanted the best for her, but also wanted more power for himself.

As Freya’s enemies close in and her loyalties are tested, she must decide if she is ready to rule and, if so, how far she is willing to go to keep the crown.

Review

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mix of fantasy and science, although there was a few science parts that were wrong. I liked Freya and how she stood up for herself and her Kingdom even though it would have been an easier option to bow out and save herself.

Fitzroy was an interesting character. I would have liked a little more character development but other than that I loved when he showed up. He kept things interesting. The romance was sweet but not full on, which is the way I like it.

Freya made a great Queen and I loved her progression. How she started shy and just going along with what her advisors say and she slowly realises she is the one who has to make any changes for the kingdom.

The ending was amazing in some ways but lack lustre in others. The final battle sounded amazing. But the ending of how the poisonings happened were a little lack lustre. I would read more books in this setting for sure. It’s be nice to see what becomes of Fitzroy.

4 out of 5 stars

Crowns of Croswald

In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret…

For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic––and her life––is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever.

Review

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

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, full of magic, full of lots of exciting stories. The detail was fantastic, really well put together. Although I did feel Ivy acted like she was 12 rather than 16. The school sounded really fun and a place I would love to study. The story was a little full on at times but I loved how there wasn’t a boring moment, always something new to learn and fall in love with. Although the pace could do with a little slowing.

Fyn was a great character, would like to see more him and to see what he is hiding. He seems to be turning up to often for it to be random. As is often with magic school books, rules are often gotten around easily for the sake of the story.

Ivy was an interesting main character, we got to learn with her, which is my favourite type of story. She did get a little obsessive with Derwin Edgar Night but I liked how she was the only person who could remember him. Theories were swimming around my head as to what was going.

The ending scene in the ballroom was the best scene in the whole book for me. I loved it.

Overall a really good introduction to a new series.

4 out of 5 stars

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

After battling the impossible, Zélie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha. But the ritual was more powerful than they could’ve imagined, reigniting the powers of not only the maji, but of nobles with magic ancestry, too.

Now, Zélie struggles to unite the maji in an Orïsha where the enemy is just as powerful as they are. But when the monarchy and military unite to keep control of Orïsha, Zélie must fight to secure Amari’s right to the throne and protect the new maji from the monarchy’s wrath.

With civil war looming on the horizon, Zélie finds herself at a breaking point: she must discover a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart.

Review

I enjoyed this book, but it did feel a little bit like it was taking us from one battle to another. There wasn’t as much story development as the first one. It was mostly Zelia and Amari having power struggles.With Inan and his mother having agruements popped in every so often.

It was well written and I loved all the new characters. I really wasn’t a big fan of Zelie’s whining, it didn’t fit with her character in the previous book. I did love the developments in magic, I thought they were really unique and well thought out. I would love to see more of the unique magic the Titans and Centers can weild.

I am very intrigued to see what happens in the next book. Will Tzain have more of an influence in the story? Will people realise they are all on the same side?

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