Tag: fantasy

Reviews

The Butcher’s Masquerade Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Butcher’s Masquerade Review

The Butcher’s Masquerade has easily become my favourite instalment in the series so far. I’ve loved every book, even when things got a bit chaotic along the way, but this one reminded me exactly why I’m so obsessed with this wild world. As soon as we hit the Hunting Grounds something shifted. It felt sharper, more emotional and way more gripping than I expected. I tore through it.

Donut absolutely steals the show here. She always does, but this time she’s on another level. She’s clever, dramatic, mouthy in the best way and so full of heart. I was laughing at her one second then wanting to cry with her the next. Carl’s great too, but Donut owns this whole book and I’m not sorry about it.

What surprised me most was how much heart sits under all the madness. There are some big emotional punches in this one and a few scenes that got me tearing up when I least expected it. The reunion with a certain someone had me holding my breath and it paid off in such a satisfying way. And then there were the moments that came out of nowhere and left me crushed. Prepotente and Miriam had me feeling things I was not prepared for.

Level six itself is such a fun setting. A fantasy world full of dinosaurs, hunters chasing crawlers, strange politics and that menacing masquerade hanging over everything. I loved seeing Carl and Donut take on new specialties, fail and succeed in the funniest ways and get tangled up in all the drama the dungeon throws at them. Even the side characters shine. People you barely know end up hurting to lose because Dinniman is annoyingly good at making them feel real.

The humour is still perfect. Between Donut’s diva era, Mongo’s dinosaur adventures, the comic con scenes and the absolute trainwreck of the masquerade party, I laughed more than I expected to. This series balances heartbreak and pure silliness better than anything else I’ve read and it never loses its heart.

The ending was brutal in that classic Dinniman way and left me stressed but keen for whatever happens next. This series isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who love it, The Butcher’s Masquerade is a standout. It’s emotional, funny, clever and packed with characters you can’t help but root for. I finished it and still don’t feel done with it.

⭐️4/5 stars Bring on the next level!!

Reviews

Hex Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Hex Review

Hex might be short, but it really packs a punch. Set in 16th century Scotland, it follows Geillis, a young woman accused of witchcraft and locked in a cold prison cell on the night before she’s executed. With her is Iris, a woman from the present day who somehow finds herself drawn back through time to be with her. It’s a strange but powerful connection that shows how little has changed for women across the centuries… the same fear, judgement and control still exist, just in different forms.

Fagan’s writing is raw and poetic, filled with emotion and quiet fury. Through Geillis’s story you feel the weight of injustice and the cruelty of those who twisted fear into power. Iris brings a more modern voice, one that reminds us that these stories aren’t as distant as we’d like to think. The blend of history and magic works beautifully, even if it sometimes makes you question where the line between truth and myth really sits.

The phrase “as they say, as they say” repeats throughout, and it’s one that lingers long after you finish reading. It captures how easily people accept things without question, how gossip and fear can become truth when repeated often enough. There were a few slower moments that didn’t add much, but they don’t take away from the overall impact. The story still hits with force, leaving behind a mix of sadness, rage and admiration for the women who refused to stay silent.

Hex is unsettling, powerful and unforgettable. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin and sits with you long after you’ve closed it.

⭐️3/5 stars A small book with a big impact!

Reviews

Bride Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Bride Review

Bride is a fast paced, easy to binge paranormal romance with just the right mix of gothic atmosphere, humour and heart. The whole setting feels moody and cinematic, with enough bite to keep it interesting without ever feeling too heavy. If you’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, this is the kind of book that can pull you out of it.

Misery and Lowe are such a great pairing. Misery isn’t your usual brooding vampire, she’s witty, sharp and has a warmth about her that makes her easy to root for. Lowe, on the other hand, is calm, grounded and genuinely kind in a way that feels refreshing for a werewolf character. Their connection builds slowly but with purpose, and the banter between them had me smiling the whole way through. The slow burn was perfection, though I’ll be honest, the spice wasn’t my favourite.

The side characters really added something special. Serena, Ana and Alex all had strong personalities and I loved the friendship dynamic that surrounded Misery. It made the story feel more alive and balanced out the romance nicely.

The plot itself is engaging and emotional, full of small twists and tender moments that kept me invested from start to finish. I do wish there’d been more world building, because the Vampyre Were alliance had so much potential. I wanted to know more about their history and how their politics worked, but it sometimes sat in the background while the romance took centre stage. Still, the writing is easy to follow and Hazelwood’s humour shines through in just the right places. It’s great seeing her step away from her usual academic rom com setup and try something new.

The ending felt a little rushed but it wrapped things up well enough to leave me satisfied. I really enjoyed the emotional payoff and the way Misery and Lowe’s relationship evolved into something strong and genuine. It’s got that signature Hazelwood chemistry, just in a darker and more supernatural setting.

Overall, this is a fun, addictive romantasy that blends humour, heart and a touch of chaos. It’s fast, funny, and full of character and even though a few things didn’t completely land for me, I couldn’t put it down.

⭐️4/5 stars This one really surprised me. It’s not perfect but it’s definitely one of Ali Hazelwood’s stronger books.

Reviews

A Sorceress Comes to Call Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on A Sorceress Comes to Call Review

I went into this one with high hopes because I usually love T. Kingfisher’s fairy tale retellings and low-romance fantasy, but this didn’t quite land the same way.

The premise is strong. Cordelia is a sympathetic character, trapped under the control of her cruel sorceress mother, Evangeline. Her inner thoughts feel real and painful, while on the outside she’s forced into obedience. When they move on to their next victim, a kind squire, Cordelia meets his sister Hester who sees through Evangeline’s schemes and tries to help. The dynamic between the three women had a lot of promise and there are some really powerful darker moments that worked well.

But once the story shifts to the squire’s estate, the pace slows right down. The middle section drags with endless conversations, house parties and glares across the room. Some of the tension is there but it lingers too long and the action stalls. The fairytale angle also felt pretty thin.. apart from the horse Falada and Hester looking after geese, it didn’t really tie back to The Goose Girl in a meaningful way. I think it stands better as its own story.

Hester herself is likeable, but her subplot with Lord Evermore didn’t fully make sense to me. She refuses to marry him because of appearances, yet later on suggests he should be engaged to Cordelia despite it being just as scandalous. It felt a bit inconsistent. I also thought Cordelia’s voice blurred into Hester’s at times, losing some of the unique character work from the start.

The last part of the book picks up with more creepy and horror-leaning elements, and the climax is exciting if a bit convenient. By then though, it felt like a long wait to get there.

Overall, compared to other fantasy books out there this is still solid, but against Kingfisher’s usual work it fell short for me. I missed her trademark humour and sharper pacing. It’s not a bad book by any means, but not one of my favourites from her.

⭐️3/5 stars Strong characters and a dark edge but it drags a bit too much!

Reviews

The Gate of the Feral Gods Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Gate of the Feral Gods Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Gate of the Feral Gods is probably the messiest entry in the series so far, but it still had plenty of moments that kept me turning the pages. The fifth floor comes with a whole new set of challenges, with everyone split into their own little fortresses to fight their way out of. It’s a clever idea, but at times it did feel like box-ticking rather than real adventure. The pacing dragged in parts and some of the tension from earlier books wasn’t quite there.

That said, I still really enjoyed it. The world continues to evolve in ways I don’t expect and the creativity is what makes this series so addictive. There were a few frustrating bits, like Carl hiding things from the reader for no clear reason or characters levelling up off-page with little explanation. But those quirks aside, the planning, the battles and the talk show appearances were as entertaining as ever. The AI’s obsession with Carl just gets funnier each book, adding a weird but perfect layer of comedy.

Character-wise, there were some great little moments. Katia’s absence is going to leave a hole, but it also opens up space for new dynamics. I loved the glimpse of Bea finally getting into the game, and I’m keen to see how she’ll shake things up. Some of the new faces introduced on this floor also feel like they’re going to stick around, which could make things even more interesting.

Overall, The Gate of the Feral Gods isn’t the strongest in the series, but it’s far from a disappointment. It’s another step deeper into the dungeon and closer to uncovering the bigger story behind it all. I’m still hooked, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.

⭐️3/5 stars Again not the strongest floor, but I’m still all in for the crawl