geethr75's reviews
1361 reviews

midwinter marriage by K.L. Noone

5.0

I started this as soon as I finished Midwinter Firelight and this was even more of a rollercoaster where emotions are concerned. This is connected to the earlier one, but I found out there is one book between these two which I missed, so I need to do that asap!

This one deals with Edmund Rookwood, the son of a Viscount, who is also the elder brother of Sam, who we meet in Midwinter Firelight. Edmund is given an ultimatum by his dying father: he has to get married by Midwinter which is in 7 days or he stands the risk of being disinherited. Edmund has always been the proper one, the one who adhered to rules, who studied hard, worked hard and selflessly for his estates and the people, who has been the obedient son unlike Sam who left home and chose a career which is frowned upon by the ton. To be disinherited was, to Edmund, worse than death. But he's also into men and very demisexual, so he can't obviously marry a stranger within the timeframe his father stipulated. Enter Sebastian, Edmund's best friend from childhood, a Duke who is also a mathematical genius. Sebastian suggests they marry each other to solve Edmund's problem. 

Let me say that I was prepared to dislike Edmund at the start. I liked Sam and Edmund is strongly disapproving of his brother and his choices. But over the course of the book, I changed my mind and gods, I love Edmund so much that if so much as a hair is hurt, I will burn down the world. I loved Edmund and Sebastian's dynamics and how they became friends through mathematical arguments when they were children.

Edmund is a genius no less than Sebastian, but his has been muted by his father's constant recriminations and abuse both physical and emotional. He has been gaslit into thinking he's not good enough and struggles with seeing his own worth. He is at his element, free to be himself only when he's with Sebastian but even then it takes desperation for him to ask Sebastian for help with what he sees as a personal issue.

For those needing warnings, domestic abuse, especially that of children. It's not described as such, but it's mentioned and very much present. Also gaslighting, verbal abuse and whatnot. That there is no reconciliation between Edmund and his abusive father is something I liked about this book. The abusive father is left alone as he deserves to be.

This one made me cry, like full on ugly cry, with all the emotions I felt. Edmund is one of the most relatable characters in the series for me, and I just want to wrap him up and keep him safe from the world, except Sebastian maybe. 

Some of the characters from the previous book makes their appearance here as well, and I loved the way it all tied together and ended.

Recommended for those who like romantic fantasy, fantasy romance, historical fantasy and historical romance and all things queer. Also angst with happy endings.

Knights of the Alliance by Stefanie Chu

3.0

 

I have to say, this wasn't my cup of tea at all. 

It revolves around Mirari, who has a magic she can't control and is a warrior who tries to save her childhood friend, Gaven, who has started a rebellion while under the influence of some force. The forces against him are led by Fangbane who can read minds. After the war, he forms a group of Knights with the intended purpose of breaking down class divisions and recruits Mirari who is initially reluctant but agrees on the condition that he save Gaven from execution. 

The blurb makes it more interesting than it is, at least for me. Most of the world building was long passages of exposition. Add in the head hops and the convoluted dialogues and well, you have this. Most things went over my head and there isn't a single memorable character or event. 

Half the book is the Knights just training and living together with nothing happening for pages on end. 

Just not the book for me. The cover is gorgeous. All the stars for it. 

The Heart of the Mummy by Shane Carrow

5.0

 

This is the third, and I think last, book of Avery & Carter series, and this time they have to deal with a Mummy in Egypt. The war is over, and Carter now works as a guide in Egypt while Avery is there to look for his sister who's an assistant at the British Museum there. An expedition to Nekharis, the City of the Damned is planned with the help of Carter who has got a map from one of his fellows. Unknown to them, an ancient entity is stalking them, having killed the previous expedition and taken over the body of one of the members. Its purpose is to stop anyone from awakening whatever is buried in the lost city. However, it senses Avery's vampire abilities and hence hesitates to attack, despite getting Bedouin warriors to help. 

The evil that is interred in the city is awoken by the leader of the expedition, and the unknown entity attacks the party as well. Carter, Avery and Avery's sister, Emily manage to escape with a few others. The Bedouin take them in and they meet the entity named Braxis who tells them they've awakened an ancient evil and that they must help him in destroying it. It will be going to Cairo to get its heart and once that happens, nothing can stop it. The evil is an ancient royal named Usarhet who led a rebellion against the Pharoah and learned forbidden dark arts. Braxis is a medjai who chose to be buried with Usarhet to keep him from rising. 

In Cairo, Emily learns that the heart is in England and Avery and Braxis track down Usarhet only for the mummy to destroy Braxis' soul. Avery escapes and meets up with Emily and Carter and the three make their way to England while Avery apprises his bosses about the mummy and its purpose. In the meantime, Sam and Emily strike up a romance which Avery approves of. 

There are parallels to the mummy movie, but for all that, this one stands on its own. It's considerably longer than the other two, but no less interesting. I was at the edge of my seat throughout. I'm sad the series is at an end, but I hope that perhaps more are in the making? 

If you loved fast paced, thrilling books with a darker shade of fantasy, flawed characters who try to do the right thing, ancient evil curses and historical setting, this book is perfect for you! 

Werewolf on the Western Front by Shane Carrow

5.0

 

The second book of Avery & Carter series, this one happens a few years after the first. In this we have a werewolf who slaughters a whole German platoon and goes after its sole survivor, a private called Otto who is saved by Carter and his troop since they mistook him for a French deserter. Yes, Carter rejoined the legion during the war. Fun times. 

Avery is on a diplomatic mission to the base while all this goes down, and he gets to question Carter and Otto whose words he believes. But the Colonel in charge of the base isn't so open minded. Avery's friend, Felix Leroux tells him that Carter will probably go free. But Otto as a German may not get the same treatment. 

In a fit of very foolish bravado, Carter frees Otto and they try to escape the chateau where they're incarcerated but are caught. The colonel orders them to be shot in the morning. But during the night, just as Avery tries to break them out, the werewolf attacks. The three get away in a car, but they have to find a safe place for Otto to heal since he's been shot and a way to get rid of the monster that stalks them. 

This one was just as fast paced and dark as the first. Avery and Carter make a good team and I enjoyed how innocent Otto is, and how they're both committed to protecting him despite the war that makes him an enemy. 

If you love fast paced books, fantasy on the darker side and flawed characters who make bad decisions while trying to do the right thing, this is perfect for you. 

I'm off to read the third book now! 

Vampire on the Orient Express by Shane Carrow

5.0

 

This was my first book by this author, and I wasn't expecting much, but it was so good! It's dark, almost horror vibes, and while I'm normally not a horror fan since I scare easily, I loved the atmosphere and the descriptions in this one. 

Sam Carter, American has deserted from the legion and stolen the pay packets of his fellow soldiers. Now he's taken a first class ticket on the Orient Express, trying to get as far away from France as possible, to Constantinople. 

Lucas Avery who works for the British secret service is upset at his transfer from Paris to Constantinople, but he has no choice but to accept it. On surface, he's either a banker or part of the diplomatic staff, whichever suits the moment. He's also gay which is a crime in those days. 

When Avery and Carter run to the aid of a young girl who was attacked, they see a vampire, but they cannot understand what it is they saw or if it even was real. Their minds were affected by the creature compelling them to look away, to not see. Though the authorities chalk the attack to some unauthorised passenger who has attacked the girl and escaped when Avery and Carter arrived, the two men know differently. 

With their own secrets and worries already, they have to team up if they're to destroy the creature. But they don't know how, and they don't have any resources. 

Apart from the religious angle, which I don't really believe in, and the fact that Sam is straight—lol, okay, I would have loved for them to end up together, but it's a nice team up too—I liked everything about this. It's a very short read but packed a punch. The whole atmosphere from the train to the snowy wastes where they chase the vampire to the cellar where Avery confronts it is very dark and spooky. 

If you love fast paced books with no let up on the action, dark fantasy (the genre not the biscuit), vampires who are as evil as they were originally intended (no sparkling), flawed characters who are struggling to do the right thing even when they're afraid, this is the book for you. 

The Carnation Murder by Tam May

5.0

 

This was an extremely entertaining read. I do love myself a progressive woman who fights for justice! I love how smart and observant Adele is, and the cast of characters including the old hens and Mrs. Hatfield. I feel like Nin wasn't given much room to grow, being in Adele's shade and I'm so sad for Lucy who was an amazing young woman and whose life was cut so short. 

 

Adele Gossling is a young, independent woman, who has lived in San Fransisco all her life and who has moved to the small town of Arrojo following her father's death. She had a very close relationship with her father and wants to live some place without the memories. She has bought a house of her own and has hired people to cook and clean for her and is starting a stationery shop. The conservative women of Arrojo have difficulty accepting her, but Lucy, her neighbour, is also a progressive woman despite having a despotic father. Lucy strikes up a friendship with Adele, and even throws a welcome party for her. But the morning after the party, Lucy's dead body is found in Adele's gazebo. 

 

Adele's brother Jackson used to be a private detective and the local sheriff, Horatio Hatfield is more than happy to have his—and by extension, Adele's—assistance. Adele has also struck up a friendship with Nin Branch, who runs the shop next to hers, and who's a pariah in the town. Together, the four investigate the murder, and discovers truths that should have remained hidden in the process. 

 

I do love Adele, her sass and her sharpness as also her initiative. Nin is more of a passive character, but she does come through when needed. Jackson is struggling with his own demons and his conservative nature, but he mostly lets Adele have her way. Not that he could have stopped her. Hatfield and his formidable mother are both very progressive and are happy to let Adele help with the investigation. 

 

The one thing I didn't like about Adele is how blind she is to Jackson's trauma regarding their father. It's very evident that his relationship with their father was far different from Adele's but she refuses to see it or pay attention to it. I hope that the author explores that dynamic further in the remaining books because my heart literally hurt for poor Jackson who have no one to talk to about it since his sister will only invalidate his feelings. 

 

On the whole, this was a well written, well presented, and thrilling mystery with a very satisfying conclusion and a host of very likeable, though flawed, characters. 

 

This will appeal to fans of mystery books with women sleuths and historical settings. 

The Bachelor's Valet by Arden Powell

5.0

 

This is the first novel of the Flos Magicae series which I had been planning to read for a while. I've already read two books in the series which I enjoyed immensely, and this was no different. 

 

Alphonse Hollyhock is a rich and handsome airhead. He knows he's dumb and has no fashion sense, so he's perfectly happy to let Jacobi, his valet take all decisions regarding his wardrobe and life in general. Jacobi is good looking, smart and efficient. 

 

When his mother decrees that Alphonse should propose to and marry Aaliyah Kaddour, a woman who's helping her father run his business enterprise, Alphonse comes to the realisation that he has no attraction to the fairer sex. His mother has threatened to cut him off without a penny if he bungles this arrangement, however. In desperation, Alphonse can only turn to Jacobi to find a way out. When Jacobi advises him to go ahead with it, Alphonse has no other options. 

 

Till a conversation with Aaliyah makes him realise that she's in the same boat regarding attraction to the opposite sex. However, talking with her has also made him realise his feelings for Jacobi and now Alphonse has to do everything in his power to pretend he isn't love with Jacobi because he doesn't want Jacobi to leave. 

 

This was as funny as the others, and Alphonse is an endearing character, despite being so stupid that Aaliyah has to all but spell out his own feelings for him. For all that, he has a good understanding and can make connections when needed. The unflappable Jacobi with his dry wit, the domineering mother, the scheming Aaliyah and her paramour, Jasmine complete the cast of this very engaging book. 

 

If you love romantic fantasy, queer characters, humour and lots of magic, this is the perfect book for you. 

 

 

The Adventures of the Legendary Heroes by Flynn Bryan

5.0

 

In the interest of full disclosure, this was written by a friend's son who is 12. It's awesome. 

Flynn is not the hero of the book though it may seem so. I loved all the shenanigans with Flynn and his friends and the evil Team Sparkle led by Juniper which is the name of real life Flynn's sister. I'm assuming all the characters are either his or Juniper's friends and relatives! 

When I saw Crystalyn, I shrieked, lol. Shaun was the only one missing and he appears in the last chapter too! 

If you love a fun romp with magic and sparkles, lots of glitter, laser fights and glue guns, not to speak of swamps that eat everything and magic guns to cover everything with glitter, give this one a go! Support the 12 year old author so he can be inspired to write more! 

Great fun to read and short, and extremely obviously written by a child! Immensely enjoyable!! 

imPerfect Gods by C.N. Rowan

5.0

 

The sixth and last book of the first arc of the imPerfect Cathar series, this one was an absolute banger. 

We open the book where we left it off in the last book. Demon Fart has stolen the rib cage which means the only bone left is the skull in Isakob's custody. Isakob has managed to create a robot made of titanium and put the skull, with Jakob and his angel-inside. No offence, but I keep forgetting whose angel is which, like I know they're called Nith and Nan, but I can't keep straight who is bonded to Nith and who to Nan. 

They're attacked while there by a group of people whose minds have been taken over by Demon Fart. Since they're innocent, Nith and Nan lets them in through the wards, but when they try to break the mind control, they realise that a bomb is implanted in them which detonates if the mind control is lifted. One of the attackers is Otto, and Paul tries to save him which makes Demon Fart activate all the bombs and kill all of the attackers. 

They also realise that all the bones belonged to Almeira, whose latest iteration is as another zealot who's flying to Bordeaux. They go to the Mother but their quarry is abducted straight from under their nose. They form alliances with all others, since they believe that whatever Demon Fart is going for can affect the whole universe. 

In a twist, as soon as they reach Toulouse, a dark magic ward springs up, neutralising their own wards and ensuring their allies can't reach them. So, Paul, Aicha, Isaac and Jakob in his new robot body make their way to Bogarach which is where Demon Fart is. 

The final battle was thrilling, but I had a feeling it dragged on too much. Like I was ready to yell and tear my hair because LET THE GOOD GUYS CATCH A BREAK! PLEASE! 

If you love books that keep you on the edge of the seat, urban fantasy, dark humour, friendship and found family feels, this is the book for you! 

imPerfect Hunt by C.N. Rowan

5.0

 

The 5th book of the imPerfect Cathar, this one continues the hunt for De Montfort who has now been rechristened as Demon fart, which, appropriate. Isakob is doing research, Paul has to get used to a female body and heal from his trauma, and Aicha is being Aicha. 

When they discover a possible location for De Montfort, Paul and Aicha skip across the channel to England. On a plane. With Aicha complaining all the time. There, they meet Craig, a half fae who is also the king of the Hobs and who's high out of his mind, but stupid powerful. Demon Fart has made an alliance with vampires but with Craig's help, Aicha and Paul are able to enter his lair undetected. Still, Demon Fart hasn't spent all these years and centuries plotting for nothing, and he's able to use the bones he already has to fire a spell at Paul, which Aicha jumps in the way of and which disintegrates her instantly. Paul slaughters the vampires in a haze of grief and rage, but Aicha does manage to reform. 

They return to France after exchanging numbers with Craig who shamelessly flirts with Paul who's still in Maeve's body because he doesn't want to lose his talent. They realise that the only bones left are the skull in Isakob's possession and the rib cage with the stupid powerful fae, Leandre, who's ruling Paris. On their way to him, they're double crossed and there's a hit out for Aicha and Paul. 

This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I had to stop frequently because I was so anxious for the characters. I was screaming bloody murder when I thought Aicha was dead. About to hop on a plane to England to gut the author murder. Fortunately, it wasn't needed. 

I'm so anxious about the next book now and have a feeling that nothing good isn't going to come of it. 

If you love supernatural entities, urban fantasy, dark humour, badass female characters who constantly save the day, villains who you love to hate, friendship and found family feels, this is the book for you!