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bookwyrms_shelf's reviews
312 reviews
The First Stone (The First Dryad) by Teshelle Combs
4.0
This one was amazing in the journey that we are taken on in terms of Sanaa finding herself. She is brought up in a rigid, unforgiving way, but when she is sent to marry the Prince of a distant country, she is a fish out of water. While being completely out of sorts, embarrassed, and hopeless, Sanaa is ready to be done. Then, she and Taeyo finally begin to understand one another, and she is able to discover more about herself than she ever thought could exist. The Caramian culture is exactly what Sanaa needed. With high stakes choices and dangerous decisions, will she usher in a new Era for both Rote and Caram, or will she grow cold trying?
All or Nothing by Lo Everett
4.0
So happy to get Delilah and Cruz's story in this one! Best friends to lovers has never been so sweet. This one is full of heartbreaking loss, but also love and support, as Cruz and Delilah help put each other back together. Life keeps happening, and after a scary incident and a lead on Cruz's brother's case, they both need to decide whether or not they're all in.
A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've been waiting for this one for a long time, and I'm happy to say that it was one of the most moving books I've read in quite a while. Calla's true identity has been hidden since birth, and she's spent her entire life protecting her twin sister Briar, so that she can marry their childhood friend Grae....the heir to another kingdom that will take the crown of Olmdere back from an evil sorceress.
When Briar and Calla arrive for the arranged marriage, it's like everything is great until it completely falls apart. With Briar in an enchanted sleep and her mate in the hands of the sorceress, Calla decides to rescue them both by going after her twin's mate. If she can just break the curse, then they can fight for the crown together.
Calla embarks on a journey of discovery, both within herself and of the world around her. Traveling with a group of mismatched humans in a musical troupe, Calla hides her true self, the Golden Wolf, and is discovered by both the troupe and none other than Grae himself! Through their journey to Olmdere they grow closer and realize what they could be to each other, Calla also realizes more about who she is now that she's out of Briar's shadow.
I really, really liked the way that gender fluidity was explained and addressed within Calla's story. I thought that the example of someone else who was completely comfortable with who they were, what they looked like and how they presented was a really powerful thing. The realization for Calla was such a relief, and the opportunity to come to terms with it before it's inevitably used as a weapon was crucial. Really, really beautifully done!
When Briar and Calla arrive for the arranged marriage, it's like everything is great until it completely falls apart. With Briar in an enchanted sleep and her mate in the hands of the sorceress, Calla decides to rescue them both by going after her twin's mate. If she can just break the curse, then they can fight for the crown together.
Calla embarks on a journey of discovery, both within herself and of the world around her. Traveling with a group of mismatched humans in a musical troupe, Calla hides her true self, the Golden Wolf, and is discovered by both the troupe and none other than Grae himself! Through their journey to Olmdere they grow closer and realize what they could be to each other, Calla also realizes more about who she is now that she's out of Briar's shadow.
I really, really liked the way that gender fluidity was explained and addressed within Calla's story. I thought that the example of someone else who was completely comfortable with who they were, what they looked like and how they presented was a really powerful thing. The realization for Calla was such a relief, and the opportunity to come to terms with it before it's inevitably used as a weapon was crucial. Really, really beautifully done!
The Legend of Gasparilla: A Historical Pirate Romance by S.T. Fernandez
4.0
A sweeping tale of betrayal and survival on the high seas, this is the story of the infamous José Gaspar. Separated from his fiancé Josefa shortly after their engagement, José is forced into an impossible situation at the hands of a woman who couldn't take no for an answer. To avoid his death, he ends up on a ship with Rodrigo, and finds himself under the employ of Captian Rodgers, a despicable pirate.
Josefa and her brother Armando head to meet up with Gaspar, only to find that he isn't there. For years, they search the sea for him, trying to get a pardon from the King, as he was innocent all along. This is the story about how Josefa never stopped searching for her love, and how José held an iron will to keep hoping one day he'd be reunited with her. This was wonderful, romantic, and adventurous the whole way through!
Josefa and her brother Armando head to meet up with Gaspar, only to find that he isn't there. For years, they search the sea for him, trying to get a pardon from the King, as he was innocent all along. This is the story about how Josefa never stopped searching for her love, and how José held an iron will to keep hoping one day he'd be reunited with her. This was wonderful, romantic, and adventurous the whole way through!
Broken Lands by Roxy Leigh
4.0
A world where the fae have been trapped in the Earth realm, and the Earth has been dying. They're supposed to be saving it, but are failing. Each year a human is allowed entrance to the Dannan academy, to become a part of the magic inside. And Riley wants nothing more than to go there to find her brother James, who she hasn't heard of for far too long.
As Riley learns about her power she experiences many new powers and feelings. Elemental powers, mate bonds...more than one of them. Is that even possible? She feels very strongly about three different fae males, and she isn't sure what's going on. They all want to protect her, and it seems like she's in more danger than she ever knew was possible.
The ending was so unexpected. I need to know what happens next!
As Riley learns about her power she experiences many new powers and feelings. Elemental powers, mate bonds...more than one of them. Is that even possible? She feels very strongly about three different fae males, and she isn't sure what's going on. They all want to protect her, and it seems like she's in more danger than she ever knew was possible.
The ending was so unexpected. I need to know what happens next!
Sky of Thorns by Fleur DeVillainy
4.0
I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. Sybil is a unicorn shifter, captured from her home and taken to the queen on charges of leading a rebellion....but that couldn't be further from the truth. As she's taken to the queen, she begins to see her kidnapper, Aramis...the freaking PRINCE...differently. Does she dare hope he could see her differently, too? For him to not hate her because of what she is, and to believe that she has nothing to do with the rebel shifters wreaking havoc on villages....it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Nero is the prince's closest friend and comrade. But he also has huge secrets he's been keeping from Aramis. He may be out of time to break the truth to him gently, with Sybil escaping and the queen sending the two of them after her - again. Will Aramis believe Sybil about what the queen is really doing, or will he bring her back to her death? Will Nero finally reveal his truth, and the truth of the kingdom, to Aramis in the hopes that he can make things right?
I cannot wait for the next book in this series, the end was a cliffhanger, and I need to know if they make it to their destination!
Nero is the prince's closest friend and comrade. But he also has huge secrets he's been keeping from Aramis. He may be out of time to break the truth to him gently, with Sybil escaping and the queen sending the two of them after her - again. Will Aramis believe Sybil about what the queen is really doing, or will he bring her back to her death? Will Nero finally reveal his truth, and the truth of the kingdom, to Aramis in the hopes that he can make things right?
I cannot wait for the next book in this series, the end was a cliffhanger, and I need to know if they make it to their destination!
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
4.0
This book was really good, but really hard to read. The thing about historical fiction is that it's fiction, but it's also history. Slavery wasn't all that long ago, and there are still major issues with the way anyone who isn't white is treated by a not insignificant part of the country, and the world as a whole. Octavia Butler has brought the antebellum south to life in this novel, and while I'm glad for how far we've come as a nation, I'm frustrated and heartbroken that that was where we'd been.
Dana keeps betting transported back to Maryland in the 1800s to save a young boy, who continues to grow between her visits. Her husband, Kevin comes with her on one of the trips to the past, and sees for himself what his black wife has been contending with. Kevin, being white, doesn't have as bad of a time as she has, but their separation has been one of the worst parts of the entire ordeal. Through sheer will and perseverance, fear, and determination, Dana tries her best to make Rufus into a better man. Only time will tell the impact of her journey.
Dana keeps betting transported back to Maryland in the 1800s to save a young boy, who continues to grow between her visits. Her husband, Kevin comes with her on one of the trips to the past, and sees for himself what his black wife has been contending with. Kevin, being white, doesn't have as bad of a time as she has, but their separation has been one of the worst parts of the entire ordeal. Through sheer will and perseverance, fear, and determination, Dana tries her best to make Rufus into a better man. Only time will tell the impact of her journey.
The First Dryad by Teshelle Combs
4.0
An immersive fantasy experience! Aia is a Tree, but she's been kept from learning anything about who or what she is for her whole life. Trying to survive in a backwards society with laws that are more harmful than helpful, she does the best she can with the information and connections she has. Her designer is amazing. The Second Prince could be an ally...or maybe more?
Watching Aia find herself and learn how to save herself, along with saving those she cares about, was a wonderful part of this story. Willem is what we'd expect from a second prince, except he gradually becomes so much more as the story goes on.
Watching Aia find herself and learn how to save herself, along with saving those she cares about, was a wonderful part of this story. Willem is what we'd expect from a second prince, except he gradually becomes so much more as the story goes on.
Just Call Me Confidence by Stella Grae
4.0
Sexy and fun, this story follows Jenna and her post-divorce search for companionship, but not commitment. Perfect summer romance!
Treasured by Elayna R. Gallea
4.0
A stunning conclusion to the Binding Chronicles, Luna and Sebastian work together avoid the Queen, find a cure for the Wasting Sickness, help restore the Balance and then Kill the Queen. No big deal!
Sebastian is being summoned by his maker, quite painfunny, and he and Luna search for something to break that bond, which of course ends up being difficult ans dangerous. Ok, cool - sounds like a Tuesday. Then, curing the wasting sickness and hopefully saving Luna's brother Marius. They race time and magic to find all of the necessary components, still fighting the call of Sebastian's maker.
Once they return to the Abbey and solve some of their problems, they have yet to restore the Balance. But how? They'll meet up with a dragon and an Earth elf and their friends in order to attempt to save them all.
Sebastian is being summoned by his maker, quite painfunny, and he and Luna search for something to break that bond, which of course ends up being difficult ans dangerous. Ok, cool - sounds like a Tuesday. Then, curing the wasting sickness and hopefully saving Luna's brother Marius. They race time and magic to find all of the necessary components, still fighting the call of Sebastian's maker.
Once they return to the Abbey and solve some of their problems, they have yet to restore the Balance. But how? They'll meet up with a dragon and an Earth elf and their friends in order to attempt to save them all.