The finale in the Plated Prisoner series was an emotional journey. I was so anxious to be back with Auren and see how her journey ended, and I am glad I got to read her story.

Two worlds collide and our characters are left to contend with what that means for them. For those in Orea, they must deal with the consequences of the Fae invading their world. For those in Anywyn, they must figure out what freedom truly means and what it costs to achieve it. And when it comes to love, what will we do to be with the person we love the most?

The epic conclusion had me enthralled; I couldn’t put the book down! I had to see how the battles and relationships ended. And while I loved most of the endings for our cast of characters, there were a few I wish ended differently and there was more closure I wish I got about certain situations.

Ryatt, the Stone King, and Orea in particular. Ryatt gave so much for Orea and was finally in a place he loved as Commander of Fourth’s Army. After they go to Anywyn he’s just stuck there forever. I wish there would have been a way only they knew to travel between the two realms so Ryatt could have stayed and maybe even become the King of Fourth or stayed the Commander, and let Slade make his peace with his kingdom and his people. Orea and the brothers conclusion felt incomplete. And then Ryatt being the one to kill the Stone King and not Malina or one of the Fae felt unsatisfying. Not that I don’t love Ryatt and what he did to save his land, it just wasn’t as cathartic. Then I love that Auren chose peace and life for herself. I do wish she would have been able to comfort Kaila, Manu, and Malina and then have some last time in Orea.

Those were my biggest misgivings about the ending, and I think it’s a testament of author Raven Kennedy in creating characters and a story I loved so much that I was invested in and thought about what I wanted for them.

Content Warnings

A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St. Clair

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I did read this in tandem with A Touch of Ruin, which I felt like enhanced the story overall. I think if I would have read this on its own, I would have rated this a bit lower. I really enjoy the story of Hades and Persephone across this series so far, and I’m excited for what comes next. I do find Hades POV to be the more compelling between the two. I just wish we got more than surface level emotional conversations both for their personal growth and the growth in their relationship. This is I think why I enjoyed reading these two in tandem, because I at least got more adventure and emotional outlook into a situation this way.

Content Warnings

A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I did read this in tandem with A Game of Retribution, which I felt like enhanced the story overall. I think if I would have read this on its own, I would have rated this a bit lower. I really enjoy the story of Hades and Persephone across this series so far, and I’m excited for what comes next. I just wish we got more than surface level emotional conversations both for their personal growth and the growth in their relationship. This is I think why I enjoyed reading these two in tandem, because I at least got more adventure and emotional outlook into a situation this way.

Content Warnings

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

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adventurous emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The first book in the Saga of the Unfated series is a delight for romantasy readers. The combination of norse mythology and culture and a journey of personal discovery for our main character, Freya, had me enthralled from beginning to end.

Freya's life is anything but happy. She's married to a cruel fish Lord and spends her days dreaming of becoming a warrior. She's suddenly thrust into that life when her husband betrays her to the region'a jarl and her long-kept secret revealing she is a shield maiden comes to light. She discovers she is a main character in a prophecy told long ago and becomes an object for the power-hungry jarl. To save her people, she must learn more about her powers and how to fight. But most of all, she has to stay away from the Jarl's son.

As a reader, I enjoyed the detail author Danielle L. Jensen about the setting, the Gods, and the children of the Gods powers. The story was immersive and allowed readers to make sense of things happening later on. There is a twist at the end that was semi-predictable, but I will say I questioned it until it was revealed and confirmed. And, for me, predictability doesn't stop me from enjoying a story!

All in all, great read and can't wait for the next one!

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book, from beginning to end, was filled with so much palpable tension and yearning. You could feel how much the two main love interests felt connected to one another but didn't know how to express it. The other love story here is the friendship between the two women, and how sometimes your best friend is the thing you need most when you least expect it. I appreciated the friendship being complex and full of love between the two women throughout the story.

The setting feels real, both in Prince Edward Island and when we're in certain places in Toronto. The writing is descriptive, but not too over the top.

All in all, this is such a good time for romance readers.

Forgotten Ashes by Kathryn Covens

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Kathryn Coven's book Forgotten Ashes is a thrilling, fast-paced novel filled with mystery, intrigue, and action. This book is perfect for those who enjoy fantasy, dark academia, and strong female characters.

Briar Lennox has never been a normal member of the shifter pack. Despite her strength and leadership abilities, many in her pack question her place. She hopes her start at Iolate Academy as the Academy Pack’s Luna will help quell the descension and prove her abilities once and for all. Unfortunately, upon arriving at the academy, dissension greets her. Her need to prove herself once again amidst old scars, growing danger, and a rapidly unfolding mystery becomes more and more difficult. Who is friend and who is foe at Iolate Academy? I guess time will tell.

Dark academia as a genre can be a bit of a hit or miss for me, so when I’m choosing to read a dark academia book the characters really have to sell me for me to stay intrigued. The tension of Briar’s circumstances and her overall characterization won me over at the beginning. Here is a woman who has seen some sh*t and has to keep on fighting to be seen. Her arc in this book was interesting and, at times, relatable.

The other reason I enjoyed this book was the plot twists! I genuinely did not predict what happens at the end of this book, I thought it was going to go a different way, and was pleasantly surprised at the reveals and the set up for the next book in this series.

This is a solid first installment, and I’m excited to read moee by Kathryn Covens! Thank you to the author for providing me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

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adventurous emotional slow-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? Yes

4.5

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rachelisathomas22's reviews 312 reviews

rachelisathomas22's reviews
312 reviews