Tag: Fantasy Romance

Reviews

Rebel Witch Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Rebel Witch Review

I enjoyed Rebel Witch, even though it didn’t quite live up to Heartless Hunter for me. It was still a fun read overall, especially getting to see more of Rune and Gideon.

Rune came across a lot less confident in this one, though she’s still quite brave and fiercely loyal. I appreciated how determined she was even when things got tough. That said, she did spend a lot of time in her own head, overthinking everything. There were definitely moments where I wished she’d just speak up instead of thinking in circles.

Gideon had his moments too. He’s still the closed-off, broody type, but you can see how much he cares about Rune. I didn’t feel quite as drawn to him this time though, some of his choices were a bit confusing and it didn’t always feel consistent. Still, I liked seeing more of his softer side.

The romance was a bit rocky early on, there was a LOT of miscommunication and going back and forth but it settled more towards the end and felt a lot stronger. When they finally let their guards down, it was nice to see their connection come through.

The first half of the book felt quite slow and a bit scattered. I found myself waiting for things to really click into place. But the second half was much more engaging when the pacing picked up, the stakes felt higher and I was more invested in what was happening. I just wish we’d seen more of Cressida and felt a bit more immersed in the wider conflict, especially considering the setup from book one.

Even with its flaws, I’m glad I finished it. It wrapped things up in a mostly satisfying way, and I did enjoy being back in this world.

⭐️ 3/5 not perfect, but still an entertaining follow-up with characters I enjoyed spending time with.

Reviews

The Crimson Moth Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Crimson Moth Review

*SPOILERERY SCENES AHEAD*

This book had me hooked right from the first page. The world was easy to fall into and the tension just kept building. Rune is a witch in hiding, living in a brutal society where people like her are killed without mercy. She’s already seen what happens when witches are exposed and she’s not about to let that happen again. But standing in her way is Gideon, the captain of the Blood Guard and one of the most dangerous witch hunters around. It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers setup, but one that actually feels real. They genuinely hate each other at the start and both have strong reasons to.

The slow burn between Rune and Gideon had me absolutely stressed in the best way. They’re constantly outsmarting each other and trying to stay one step ahead. The stakes are high, the danger is real and the tension is delicious. Every time they were on the page together, I was holding my breath. There’s a real push and pull between them that kept me guessing. And when things take a turn… yeah, I wasn’t okay. That betrayal scene ruined me.

I also really loved the way the magic system worked. It wasn’t just there for convenience. There were rules, limits and consequences, which made it all feel more believable. It’s rare to see a hard magic system in fantasy romance, especially in YA, but it was done really well here. The whole story had this tight structure and clear boundaries that just made the plot and characters shine even more.

Rune herself was such a standout. She’s strong, clever and has so much heart. Even when things were falling apart, she never gave up. And Gideon, as frustrating as he was, had so much depth. I couldn’t decide whether to trust him or scream at him and that made him so interesting to read. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did, but it delivered on every front.

⭐️4/5 stars I need to pick up the sequel ASAP!

Reviews

Gild Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Gild Review

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe. Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck. Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.

Auren definitely has some form of Stockholm syndrome because King Midas really has done a number on her. I can understand her being happy as his favoured one had she been fully aware and ‘in’ on everything that King Midas was doing. But as the story has unfolded and she’s found out there is a whole lot of information that she hasn’t been made privvy to she has to realise that she can’t keep living like this. I have a feeling she isn’t going to happily go back to her cage after everything now.

All the men that have been introduced so far in this series are all quite horrible. Not only to Auren but the other saddles and women as well. Even the guard who she befriends on the trip is still more loyal to Midas than he is to Auren. I can’t see how any of them can be redeemed as far as I’m concerned so it will be interesting to see how the rest of the series play out.

Being first a self published romantasy book I feel as though Raven Kennedy was gearing the book towards those types of readers. At the time reading this I wasn’t personally offended by the language or any of the abusive scenes that take place but I can definitely see how a lot of people would. Be that as it may I was still very engaged and intrigued by the plot of this book, I finished it in basically one sitting. It was a slower start but the pace definitely picked up the story progressed and there was definitely plenty of twists and turns that were quite entertaining.

⭐️3/5 stars quite an addictive read

Reviews

Fourth Wing Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Fourth Wing Review


*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general – also known as her tough-as-talons mother – has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter – like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Violet as our main protagonist was just a little bit annoying to me. The book really just overemphasized how she’s ‘not like every other girl’ at Basgiath. She’s so tiny and breakable yet she ends up being the most powerful, it was just a bit predictable in that manner. But I was definitely able to overlook this easily and just enjoy the book for what it was. I do enjoy the fact that it shows us various time that she does have to take measures (like wrapping her knees) so she can keep up with everyone else.

Xaden was very well written. He definitely is one of my favourite male main characters I’ve read in a while. Again though it’s just following that same fantasy formula where we have the sexy antagonist who is just misunderstood. There are a few instances where he does live up to his name and is quite ruthless and I like the fact that he doesn’t baby Violet and calls out Dain for holding her back. Speaking of Dain, again very very predictable what was going to happen with him. I knew from the first couple chapters that he was going to end up betraying Violet and it was a bit frustrating that she didn’t see that until the very end.

What saved this for me was the dragons and the plot twists for sure! I love the fact that the dragons are still shown as being quite wild even though they are bonded with humans. They will kill other riders and the cadets with no qualms and we’re not afraid to let everyone know it. The stakes were always high because of this and kept me on the edge of my seat for sure. I love that they are have such different personalities and they corresponded so well with their riders.

⭐️4/5 stars I can thankfully say this did live up to the hype for me!

Updates

Quicksilver Review

by amyleighreads2 Comments on Quicksilver Review

*MILD SPOILERS AHEAD*

I had to see what all the hype was about with this book and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed herself right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

Saeris came across a little juvenile at times. For the amount of hardship she’s had to face I thought she would act a little more mature rather than a petulant teenager but that’s how she came across the majority of the time. If I was in her shoes sure I would be frustrated with the amount of information everyone wasn’t telling me but she got on my little with all her tantrums.

Kingfisher was so much fun! A tad convenient how he couldn’t reveal any information due to his oath but his overall attitude and charisma made up for it for sure. The witty banter he has with not only Saeris but everyone was very entertaining and I was definitely waiting to see what he was going to do next. Also, he has a filthy mouth and I was here for it!

I really liked the contrast of the two settings and the plot was evenly paced which kept me engaged the whole time. Overall I think there was just enough spice sprinkled onto this pretty typical fae storyline with some fun twists and turns along the way!

⭐️4/5 stars the quotes were quoting with this one!!!