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hellobookbird's reviews
938 reviews
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
2.0
DNF @ 27%. Wasn't invested in the male lead and things were moving too slowly for me.
Nothing has happened except her mother going missing, an old lady telling her to stop taking the powder, her mood being more irritable now that she's not taking the powder, and suddenly a trip to save some Descended kids that have finally kicked off...something. But I'm just not interested in learning more.
Nothing has happened except her mother going missing, an old lady telling her to stop taking the powder, her mood being more irritable now that she's not taking the powder, and suddenly a trip to save some Descended kids that have finally kicked off...something. But I'm just not interested in learning more.
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
1.0
DNF @ 8%.
She has a wreck of a date. He happens to see her there and talk to her for the first time. He's so distracted by her that he decides to skip following through for his gorgeous booty call of a dinner partner.
............................................WHERE IS MY DEVELOPMENT? No. Just no.
She has a wreck of a date. He happens to see her there and talk to her for the first time. He's so distracted by her that he decides to skip following through for his gorgeous booty call of a dinner partner.
............................................WHERE IS MY DEVELOPMENT? No. Just no.
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around?
4 solid stars. I think Abby Jimenez might be becoming a favorite. The two I've read thus far have been winners.
With this one, there was a lot to love between Sloan and Kristen (who are two extremely amazing friends), Sloan and Tucker (I mean...puppy), Sloan and Jason (who are so sweet together it's almost a toothache of envy), and Sloan and Jason's family (who remind me a lot of my partner's family), and Zane (I want a personal assistant and I want it to be Zane). Essentially, we got a LOT OF LOVING and I am absolutely here for all the support that this portrays.
The beginning of the novel is sweet, entertaining, and swoony. It's literally unreal how great they are and how attentive that Jason is (like...really unreal...but it's so unreal that you want him to be a real book boyfriend, ya know?).
The middle is when we get to the start of the challenges as Sloan and Jason try tackling the over consuming and challenging tour plan. I loved what felt like a totally realistic set of problems. I also really enjoyed the struggle that Sloan went through, the break to recover, and the perspective change to create new opportunities that Sloan came up with.
The reason this book didn't quite make it to 5 stars is because of the angst and melodrama at the end. I do think it was a little much and the resolution could have happened much sooner but it did resolve well.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the coolest playlist presented at the beginning of each chapter. The amazing songs connected perfectly with the chapter’s contents.
Recommended for the rom-com lovers. Everyone needs a Jason.
4.0
This was why I didn’t leave the house. Too many people and things. I wanted to hiss at the sun and go back to sleep.
Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around?
"But my job is to help you with your crazy. Make you the best, most magnificent crazy you can be."
4 solid stars. I think Abby Jimenez might be becoming a favorite. The two I've read thus far have been winners.
With this one, there was a lot to love between Sloan and Kristen (who are two extremely amazing friends), Sloan and Tucker (I mean...puppy), Sloan and Jason (who are so sweet together it's almost a toothache of envy), and Sloan and Jason's family (who remind me a lot of my partner's family), and Zane (I want a personal assistant and I want it to be Zane). Essentially, we got a LOT OF LOVING and I am absolutely here for all the support that this portrays.
This was just a season, and there’s beauty in all seasons. Even if you are looking forward to the next one.
The beginning of the novel is sweet, entertaining, and swoony. It's literally unreal how great they are and how attentive that Jason is (like...really unreal...but it's so unreal that you want him to be a real book boyfriend, ya know?).
You can’t control the bad things that happen to you. All you can do is decide how much of you you’re going to let them take.
The middle is when we get to the start of the challenges as Sloan and Jason try tackling the over consuming and challenging tour plan. I loved what felt like a totally realistic set of problems. I also really enjoyed the struggle that Sloan went through, the break to recover, and the perspective change to create new opportunities that Sloan came up with.
"I want everything with you."
The reason this book didn't quite make it to 5 stars is because of the angst and melodrama at the end. I do think it was a little much and the resolution could have happened much sooner but it did resolve well.
"You think you know what love looks like. You think the fairy tales and the romantic movies prepare you. And then you finally, really truly find it and you realize you never knew a thing about it until her. She was every love song I’ve never been good enough to write."
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the coolest playlist presented at the beginning of each chapter. The amazing songs connected perfectly with the chapter’s contents.
Recommended for the rom-com lovers. Everyone needs a Jason.
This Spells Love by Kate Robb
3.5 stars. I'm sick and this was the perfect light and whimsical read I needed.
I'm not even usually one for parallel universes but the premise sounded completely up my ally and I've had the Fairyloot version (gorgeous) gracing my shelves. Since I'm too sick to concentrate on my TBR ebooks, I turned to my physicals that I've been overlooking.
I loved a lot about this book:
- It truly considers how different life choices would net different results in different lives
- Childhood trauma and how that informs some of the approach you have on life (as well as family dynamics)
- Frank the Spider
- Dax
- Strong family relationships
- The comfort of coffee and donuts
- Steamy romance
- Gemma's personal growth as she experienced the dreams she'd ignored
- Most beautifully: that maybe the choices you think are less than desirable are actually what made the best choices possible
Few things I didn't like:
- There was too much alt Dax; I really wish we would have spent more time on BFF Dax because they felt like two different people rather than alternative versions of themselves
- I wanted more reality after alt reality; I felt the shift was too abrupt
Also, does anyone else wonder what happens to the other timeline??? Like, she mucks it up and leaves and I know that isn't the point of the story but I can't help but wonder about it also...because otherwise I would have preferred it to be a vision or something where you know it wasn't actually real (like The Christmas Sweater or A Christmas Carol).
Recommended as a light and whimsical afternoon read.
3.0
What if one little wish changed everything?
3.5 stars. I'm sick and this was the perfect light and whimsical read I needed.
I'm not even usually one for parallel universes but the premise sounded completely up my ally and I've had the Fairyloot version (gorgeous) gracing my shelves. Since I'm too sick to concentrate on my TBR ebooks, I turned to my physicals that I've been overlooking.
I loved a lot about this book:
- It truly considers how different life choices would net different results in different lives
- Childhood trauma and how that informs some of the approach you have on life (as well as family dynamics)
- Frank the Spider
- Dax
- Strong family relationships
- The comfort of coffee and donuts
- Steamy romance
- Gemma's personal growth as she experienced the dreams she'd ignored
- Most beautifully: that maybe the choices you think are less than desirable are actually what made the best choices possible
Few things I didn't like:
- There was too much alt Dax; I really wish we would have spent more time on BFF Dax because they felt like two different people rather than alternative versions of themselves
- I wanted more reality after alt reality; I felt the shift was too abrupt
Also, does anyone else wonder what happens to the other timeline??? Like, she mucks it up and leaves and I know that isn't the point of the story but I can't help but wonder about it also...because otherwise I would have preferred it to be a vision or something where you know it wasn't actually real (like The Christmas Sweater or A Christmas Carol).
Recommended as a light and whimsical afternoon read.
Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong.
Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign, Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time - hope. But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And there is another danger they cannot escape…that of the dragonfruit itself.
I'm extremely burned out from a new temporary job so while I think I would have normally rated this a 4 because the pacing didn't really feel urgent, calm but engaging was exactly what I needed and thus gets a 5.
The island setting was lush and descriptive...a perfect backdrop for a seafaring islander adventure involving pirates and seadragons. I loved the Pacific Island naming and elements. The magic was light (though I do feel it shouldn't have been island-specific). The characters were well developed as well as the theme of greed, sacrifice, and cost. I really liked that the story didn't focus on the marriage aspect or even the budding affection between Hanalei and Sam. It was very much an undercurrent that gave it flavor without being overwhelming.
To the seadragons and magic tattoos!
Recommended for peeps that like a sleepier fantasy with dragons.
5.0
Every wish demands a price.
Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong.
Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign, Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time - hope. But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And there is another danger they cannot escape…that of the dragonfruit itself.
But as with all things that promise the moon and the stars and offer hope when hope has gone, the tale comes with a warning.
I'm extremely burned out from a new temporary job so while I think I would have normally rated this a 4 because the pacing didn't really feel urgent, calm but engaging was exactly what I needed and thus gets a 5.
The island setting was lush and descriptive...a perfect backdrop for a seafaring islander adventure involving pirates and seadragons. I loved the Pacific Island naming and elements. The magic was light (though I do feel it shouldn't have been island-specific). The characters were well developed as well as the theme of greed, sacrifice, and cost. I really liked that the story didn't focus on the marriage aspect or even the budding affection between Hanalei and Sam. It was very much an undercurrent that gave it flavor without being overwhelming.
To the seadragons and magic tattoos!
Recommended for peeps that like a sleepier fantasy with dragons.
Lightlark by Alex Aster
These lands have been cursed for 500 years. They're losing magic and therefore their people are dying. The Wildlings, in particular, are cursed so that they have to eat a human heart every month to survive and they kill whoever they fall in love with.
Where do they get that many human hearts? Literally how is this sustainable when you're sequestered on an island with only your people? Aster tries to explain this away by thieves because their land is rich in precious stones...but THAT WOULD REQUIRE A LOT OF THIEVES. Also, maybe trade your diamonds for hearts instead of just thinking of them as useless baubles??? And give me some sort of idea to the struggles this has caused your people.
But fine. I could have ignored that if it was all. But no.
We're repeatedly told (at least five times) that the land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial.
Do you see how annoying this would get? Reminder: this is the first 10% people.
But then! The six rulers get to the Centennial and you find out that in the first time the rulers tried to kill each other (because one of the rulers has to die to break the curse so that would make sense right?) but were so good nobody could manage to kill anyone else other than the island inhabitants. And that was apparently so uncouth that now the rulers can't spend HALF THE TIME EVERY 100 YEARS THEY HAVE TO BREAK THE CURSE from killing anyone.
Excuse me??? Your people are dying and you're just going to say, "okay, first fifty days is parlay," rather than...I don't know...maybe, "any ruler that kills someone other than another ruler forfeits their life?" Just...what?
And then you find out the MC doesn't have magic because her mother didn't kill her love...except, excuse me. Isn't the curse supposed to kill those you love? What's that? Apparently it just makes your kid magicless? Oh, that's a shame. THEN DON'T SAY YOU'RE CURSED TO KILL THE ONES YOU LOVE.
Last but not least I'm calling it right now: love triangle with Grim (dark and handsome) vs Oro (blonde and beautiful).
Just based on Grim's dialogue alone, I would rather have my nails ripped to the beds than finish this book. I am gobsmacked it has so many positive reviews.
I just literally cannot with this book and you shouldn't either.
1.0
DNF @ 10%. I wasn't even going to rate this but then decided it would be a disservice not to.
This book does not make sense. We'll start with the history:
This book does not make sense. We'll start with the history:
Five hundred years before, each of the six realms—Wildling, Starling, Moonling, Skyling, Sunling, and Nightshade—were cursed, their strengths turned into their own personal poisons.
These lands have been cursed for 500 years. They're losing magic and therefore their people are dying. The Wildlings, in particular, are cursed so that they have to eat a human heart every month to survive and they kill whoever they fall in love with.
Where do they get that many human hearts? Literally how is this sustainable when you're sequestered on an island with only your people? Aster tries to explain this away by thieves because their land is rich in precious stones...but THAT WOULD REQUIRE A LOT OF THIEVES. Also, maybe trade your diamonds for hearts instead of just thinking of them as useless baubles??? And give me some sort of idea to the struggles this has caused your people.
But fine. I could have ignored that if it was all. But no.
We're repeatedly told (at least five times) that the land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial. The land is cursed. It can only be lifted by the Centennial.
Do you see how annoying this would get? Reminder: this is the first 10% people.
But then! The six rulers get to the Centennial and you find out that in the first time the rulers tried to kill each other (because one of the rulers has to die to break the curse so that would make sense right?) but were so good nobody could manage to kill anyone else other than the island inhabitants. And that was apparently so uncouth that now the rulers can't spend HALF THE TIME EVERY 100 YEARS THEY HAVE TO BREAK THE CURSE from killing anyone.
Excuse me??? Your people are dying and you're just going to say, "okay, first fifty days is parlay," rather than...I don't know...maybe, "any ruler that kills someone other than another ruler forfeits their life?" Just...what?
And then you find out the MC doesn't have magic because her mother didn't kill her love...except, excuse me. Isn't the curse supposed to kill those you love? What's that? Apparently it just makes your kid magicless? Oh, that's a shame. THEN DON'T SAY YOU'RE CURSED TO KILL THE ONES YOU LOVE.
Last but not least I'm calling it right now: love triangle with Grim (dark and handsome) vs Oro (blonde and beautiful).
Just based on Grim's dialogue alone, I would rather have my nails ripped to the beds than finish this book. I am gobsmacked it has so many positive reviews.
I just literally cannot with this book and you shouldn't either.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Misery Lark is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres.
Weres are ruthless and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….
Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory.
I put off reading this forever because a couple of my friends disliked it and I'm so upset that I did! This is a solid 5 star read for me...and I'm hoping with that singular sentence at the end we get an offshoot for Serena in the future. As I will it, so mote it be.
Some didn't like the book because they felt Misery was a horrible vampire. I argue this is the same as saying someone isn't "[race] enough" just because they didn't grow up in the culture of their heritage. I would also argue it's one of Misery's strengths and why she was the perfect liaison in the first place. While she understands the overall hatred of weres, she is also not too stuck on them herself.
I know some reviewers weren't her biggest fan but I actually love how snarky she is. While it seems a little crazy marrying someone in order to find out what they know about your missing best friend, it also makes a lot of sense when you know that she's literally been the ONLY positive and constant in Misery's life. Like...Misery's and Serena's friendship is so REAL when this was Misery's daily existence:
I also liked the inclusion of her tech-savvy background...and it made for a nicely steamy event. She's also extremely considerate of her "stench" (read: she smells so tasty, Lowe definitely doesn't want to let that on) and is so supremely cute with Ana that I fully believe that alone would have endeared her enough to make the marriage official-official.
While we're speaking of not meeting species expectations...there wasn't much that screamed "werewolf" for Lowe other than smell, the word Alpha, a reference to mate, and a very brief wolf fight. And you know what? He was still perfect. Lowe, like all of Hazelwood's beaus, is helplessly in love with Misery and just doesn't know how to properly show it.
While the denial of Misery's discovery was stupid, it didn't last more than a page and provided the much-needed circumstance to move the plot to the finale. So while I wish there had been a better way of doing it, I wasn't too annoyed over it. I just found it a bit unbelievable that Lowe would decide THAT was the proper way to protect her freedom after all the other things he'd done to care for her.
I'd also be remiss not to mention Misery's brother. That ending and the reason for it? Chef kiss.
Recommended for the romance lovers with flavors of marriage of convenience, found family, and he's head over heels.
5.0
One venue, three species, five centuries of conflict, and zero good faith.
Misery Lark is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres.
Weres are ruthless and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….
Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory.
Two things can be true at once. For instance: I like Alex, because he’s an intelligent, pleasant young man. And: spending time together and watching him be terrified of me sparks joy.
I put off reading this forever because a couple of my friends disliked it and I'm so upset that I did! This is a solid 5 star read for me...and I'm hoping with that singular sentence at the end we get an offshoot for Serena in the future. As I will it, so mote it be.
Some didn't like the book because they felt Misery was a horrible vampire. I argue this is the same as saying someone isn't "[race] enough" just because they didn't grow up in the culture of their heritage. I would also argue it's one of Misery's strengths and why she was the perfect liaison in the first place. While she understands the overall hatred of weres, she is also not too stuck on them herself.
"I might stab her. But I’m not going to sass her."
I know some reviewers weren't her biggest fan but I actually love how snarky she is. While it seems a little crazy marrying someone in order to find out what they know about your missing best friend, it also makes a lot of sense when you know that she's literally been the ONLY positive and constant in Misery's life. Like...Misery's and Serena's friendship is so REAL when this was Misery's daily existence:
There was little fight left in me, and I simply couldn’t afford to spend it on something hopeless and unchangeable when waking up every morning in a hostile world was already so exhausting.
I also liked the inclusion of her tech-savvy background...and it made for a nicely steamy event. She's also extremely considerate of her "stench" (read: she smells so tasty, Lowe definitely doesn't want to let that on) and is so supremely cute with Ana that I fully believe that alone would have endeared her enough to make the marriage official-official.
While we're speaking of not meeting species expectations...there wasn't much that screamed "werewolf" for Lowe other than smell, the word Alpha, a reference to mate, and a very brief wolf fight. And you know what? He was still perfect. Lowe, like all of Hazelwood's beaus, is helplessly in love with Misery and just doesn't know how to properly show it.
Above all, I won’t take her freedom. Not when so many others have already done so.
While the denial of Misery's discovery was stupid, it didn't last more than a page and provided the much-needed circumstance to move the plot to the finale. So while I wish there had been a better way of doing it, I wasn't too annoyed over it. I just found it a bit unbelievable that Lowe would decide THAT was the proper way to protect her freedom after all the other things he'd done to care for her.
I'd also be remiss not to mention Misery's brother. That ending and the reason for it? Chef kiss.
Recommended for the romance lovers with flavors of marriage of convenience, found family, and he's head over heels.
The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty
With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.
As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. Amid secret identities and a tempestuous romance, Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.
I've been aggressively focused on reducing my TBR pile this year. The Traitor's Kiss has been on the list for quite some time and I had been coming off of two books that just couldn't capture my interest (enough to delete them from my shelves without a rate). I was wondering if it was me...and then I got sucked in and finished this in a day.
NOTE: I'm so sad this book wasn't a standalone (it was literally perfect for one). I'm mentally rewriting the last couple of pages and pretending that the next two books don't exist.
The novel starts with Sage having to attend the matchmaker. She tries her best to do right by her family and still gets disgraced by being herself. That said, it's little wonder she lost her temper when the entire appointment was the antithesis to the value her much loved and deceased father instilled in her. To Sage's shock, it was actually the matchmaker's plan all along. She knew that Sage was not one for marriage and used it to make her more pliable to what she really wanted: Sage as an apprentice. And she's actually a darn good apprentice.
Too often in these time periods it's all too clear what women can't do (or control) in their own lives, the rampant classism, and their petty squabbles—certainly present here—but what I loved was also how it highlighted some of the ways in which women are powerful despite their circumstances. It's not necessarily so different from some of the subtle manipulations that women have to do in modern day society but it's still a highlight that makes a huge impact on the story. Through astute observations, sharp intelligence, and her ability to read people and their motivations, Sage is an integral part of the plot...in the most subtle of ways.
Quinn is an up-and-coming captain of a military unit. The closeness his unit displays really communicates that they've been through it together...and I actually like ALL of them. When Quinn's unit is assigned to guard the important group of brides—part in punishment, part in trust—he assigns a member (Ash) to go undercover.
Sage is slightly awkward when left to her own devices and happens to irritate Ash when conversing together in the library. Trying to cover for the flash of temper, Ash lets Sage believe he can't read. Wanting to make up for her overstep, she offers to teach him...and thus starts an intriguing relationship wherein Sage starts noticing inconsistencies and Ash suspects she may be a spy for the enemy. As they each try to sus each other out, we're teased with more and more details behind the political threat. When they finally join forces, Ash and Sage grow closer through mutual admiration. It's a perfect blend of military tactics with secrets and spying.
And when Sage figures out the political threat...battle commences and I was enthralled until the end. I cannot praise Beaty more for her intriguing characters and a great plot. No lags, no fluff, all greatness.
Recommended for lovers of smart female leads with men that appreciate them for it.
5.0
Anger was a cloak she wore out of habit, even though it never brought lasting warmth.
With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.
As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. Amid secret identities and a tempestuous romance, Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.
"My father once told me there are some animals that can’t be controlled. It doesn’t make them bad, just wild beyond taming."
I've been aggressively focused on reducing my TBR pile this year. The Traitor's Kiss has been on the list for quite some time and I had been coming off of two books that just couldn't capture my interest (enough to delete them from my shelves without a rate). I was wondering if it was me...and then I got sucked in and finished this in a day.
NOTE: I'm so sad this book wasn't a standalone (it was literally perfect for one). I'm mentally rewriting the last couple of pages and pretending that the next two books don't exist.
The novel starts with Sage having to attend the matchmaker. She tries her best to do right by her family and still gets disgraced by being herself. That said, it's little wonder she lost her temper when the entire appointment was the antithesis to the value her much loved and deceased father instilled in her. To Sage's shock, it was actually the matchmaker's plan all along. She knew that Sage was not one for marriage and used it to make her more pliable to what she really wanted: Sage as an apprentice. And she's actually a darn good apprentice.
While blacksmiths bend iron to their will, matchmakers bend people to theirs.
Too often in these time periods it's all too clear what women can't do (or control) in their own lives, the rampant classism, and their petty squabbles—certainly present here—but what I loved was also how it highlighted some of the ways in which women are powerful despite their circumstances. It's not necessarily so different from some of the subtle manipulations that women have to do in modern day society but it's still a highlight that makes a huge impact on the story. Through astute observations, sharp intelligence, and her ability to read people and their motivations, Sage is an integral part of the plot...in the most subtle of ways.
We each play several roles in life—that doesn’t make them all lies.
Quinn is an up-and-coming captain of a military unit. The closeness his unit displays really communicates that they've been through it together...and I actually like ALL of them. When Quinn's unit is assigned to guard the important group of brides—part in punishment, part in trust—he assigns a member (Ash) to go undercover.
Sage is slightly awkward when left to her own devices and happens to irritate Ash when conversing together in the library. Trying to cover for the flash of temper, Ash lets Sage believe he can't read. Wanting to make up for her overstep, she offers to teach him...and thus starts an intriguing relationship wherein Sage starts noticing inconsistencies and Ash suspects she may be a spy for the enemy. As they each try to sus each other out, we're teased with more and more details behind the political threat. When they finally join forces, Ash and Sage grow closer through mutual admiration. It's a perfect blend of military tactics with secrets and spying.
And when Sage figures out the political threat...battle commences and I was enthralled until the end. I cannot praise Beaty more for her intriguing characters and a great plot. No lags, no fluff, all greatness.
Recommended for lovers of smart female leads with men that appreciate them for it.
The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen
1.0
Originally I wasn't going to rate this but with seeing all the high rates...I wish I'd had someone mention these things before I tried to read it myself. If you couldn't tell, I DNFed this book and I seem to be in the vast minority.
Things I disliked:
- The setting from in the past (first time meeting boy), to present (trying to stop boy from essentially suiciding by riddle), to past (to catch up to present) was jarring af
- Not only was it jarring, it severely disengaged me from even WANTING to know how we got to present day because we already know she loves the guy and you can probably guess that throughout the journey is when she falls, blah blah blah
- I skipped ahead. I never skip ahead. But literally nothing that happened during the journey (that I skipped over) mattered because the ending doesn't even reference it except for one tinsy part...it pretty much picks up right after it stopped so I ASK YOU WHY THE JOURNEY NEEDED TO HAPPEN AT ALL
- The ending is unsatisfying af. No, I didn't know this was based off an opera and the ending is how it is but it's still unsatisfying af and I stand by that
Things I liked:
- It was well-written and would have been engaging had it been an entirely different plot.
I'm undecided if I'll try another book by her in the future.
Things I disliked:
- The setting from in the past (first time meeting boy), to present (trying to stop boy from essentially suiciding by riddle), to past (to catch up to present) was jarring af
- Not only was it jarring, it severely disengaged me from even WANTING to know how we got to present day because we already know she loves the guy and you can probably guess that throughout the journey is when she falls, blah blah blah
- I skipped ahead. I never skip ahead. But literally nothing that happened during the journey (that I skipped over) mattered because the ending doesn't even reference it except for one tinsy part...it pretty much picks up right after it stopped so I ASK YOU WHY THE JOURNEY NEEDED TO HAPPEN AT ALL
- The ending is unsatisfying af. No, I didn't know this was based off an opera and the ending is how it is but it's still unsatisfying af and I stand by that
Things I liked:
- It was well-written and would have been engaging had it been an entirely different plot.
I'm undecided if I'll try another book by her in the future.
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
The dead of Loraille do not rest. Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands and troubled past.
When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic. Wielding its extraordinary power almost consumes her—but with all knowledge of vespertines (priestesses trained to wield high relics) lost to time, Artemisia turns to the last remaining expert for help: the revenant itself.
As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. And when a hidden evil begins to surface, she discovers that facing this enemy might require her to betray everything she has been taught to believe—if the revenant doesn’t betray her first.
I wasn't sure if I'd end up liking this before I picked it up...but I was pleasantly surprised! There was enough mystery surrounding why the spirits were suddenly restless and attacking everyone that it kept you on your toes throughout the whole novel...and the twist at the end!!
While the revenant's and Artemisia's relationship wasn't quite as much enemies-to-allies that I wanted, it was still very well portrayed. I think my favorite parts were when they were reluctant allies and the revenant was bullying Artemisia into taking care of her body. Learning about her traumatic past and how that effects her approach to life and how the revenant just automatically adjusted was *chef kiss.* Imagining Artemisia blazing with her revenants power at The Battle is something I'd absolutely love to see on film.
The only thing keeping this from five stars is the lack of origin of the Revenants, and the whole Raven King story. Both needed to be expanded. However, given the almost openness of the ending that hints there could be more the author may decide to explore this more in future.
Recommended for warrior nun fans.
4.0
The revenant had devoured the populations of entire cities; it was also the entity who ordered me to eat my pottage.
The dead of Loraille do not rest. Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands and troubled past.
When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic. Wielding its extraordinary power almost consumes her—but with all knowledge of vespertines (priestesses trained to wield high relics) lost to time, Artemisia turns to the last remaining expert for help: the revenant itself.
As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. And when a hidden evil begins to surface, she discovers that facing this enemy might require her to betray everything she has been taught to believe—if the revenant doesn’t betray her first.
"I fear that an age of saints and miracles isn’t something to celebrate, Sister Marie. The Lady sends us such gifts only in times of darkness."
I wasn't sure if I'd end up liking this before I picked it up...but I was pleasantly surprised! There was enough mystery surrounding why the spirits were suddenly restless and attacking everyone that it kept you on your toes throughout the whole novel...and the twist at the end!!
While the revenant's and Artemisia's relationship wasn't quite as much enemies-to-allies that I wanted, it was still very well portrayed. I think my favorite parts were when they were reluctant allies and the revenant was bullying Artemisia into taking care of her body. Learning about her traumatic past and how that effects her approach to life and how the revenant just automatically adjusted was *chef kiss.* Imagining Artemisia blazing with her revenants power at The Battle is something I'd absolutely love to see on film.
The only thing keeping this from five stars is the lack of origin of the Revenants, and the whole Raven King story. Both needed to be expanded. However, given the almost openness of the ending that hints there could be more the author may decide to explore this more in future.
Recommended for warrior nun fans.