About the Book:
The Brothers Finn are back, and this time, they’re going to college.
Someone is turning college coeds into creatures of the night. Even though Gage and Cooper Finn are still on the run—evading both the Roamers and the police—that won’t stop them from going undercover on a college campus to unravel the mystery.
It’s up to the Finn brothers to put an end to this before it’s too late. With their trademark charm and razor-sharp wit, they’ll be sure to make plenty of friends and enemies along the way.
The stakes have never been higher. Get ready for the ultimate college experience—with a supernatural twist.
My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the series and follows the Brothers Finn as they hide from both The Roamers and other supernaturals. The brothers are now dealing with some hard truths and strike out on their own to save others. This leads them to enroll in a college, reaching out to old friends and making new ones.
The showdown from the end of the previous book leads to new enemies and old truths in this new book. We meet a lot of new characters, and the brothers once again face new challenges as they race against the clock to save humans and supernaturals alike.
This book is fast-paced and to the point, a quick read that will ensure the reader is hooked until the very end. This book once again ends on a cliff hanger, setting the context for the next book which I am most definitely looking forward to reading!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About the Book:
A mysterious murder. A family torn apart. A hunt for answers.
Arrested for their parents’ murder and on the verge of being found guilty, Gage and Cooper Finn, two high school basketball standouts, are aided in a jailbreak. A shadowy organization known as The Roamers recruits the boys to track and hunt down vampires under deep cover so other humans remain as much in the dark about the existence of supernatural beings. Their orders on a new case lead them to an abandoned warehouse and a clue, a young newly-formed female vampire named Jamie, who opens the door to discovering what happened to their parents. It’s a shaky lead, and they don’t know if they should trust the vampire. Things become more dangerous as Gage catches the attention of Sela Winters, the daughter of the leader of The Roamers. Sela’s connections give them access to files that threaten to divide Gage and Cooper as they split up to solve this mystery – if betrayal doesn’t sink its fangs into them first.
Will the brothers find answers before they turn on each other?
My Thoughts:
The Brothers Finn is the first book in the series that follows Gage and Cooper as they navigate being the main suspects in their parents’ murders. Though the story starts abruptly with a sudden shift in timeline after the first chapter, the rest of the story keeps pace and draws the reader right in.
There are hunters on one side, known as The Roamers, who secretly hunt down vampires, thus keeping their existence a secret from the humans. As Gage and Cooper navigate this world, they also try to find out who was responsible for the murder of their parents.
Readers are drawn into a world where the supernatural live among humans but are not known. The relationship between the brothers is strong despite their clear character differences and this makes it all the more interesting to read about their journey. Each one has their own opinion and approaches things differently. The other characters in the story only add to the main plot and thus we have a fast-paced engaging read, with the main characters being forced to re-think all they have known and perhaps even make friends with a vampire.
I really enjoyed reading this book and meeting all the characters and am definitely looking forward to more of their adventures!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About the Book:
All his life, twelve-year-old Ben Grishop has been practically nonexistent. Hardly anyone knows who he is, he’s not good at anything no matter how hard he tries, and he blends into all chairs and benches. But when he and his friends Joe and Dana are abducted by aliens one fateful summer night, they have the chance to become famous for saving the universe. That is, if they can survive a planet full of giant, man-eating, French-speaking crabs, a pair of tuxedoed, gibberish-spouting men with handlebar mustaches, and the mysterious “immensely powerful, evil force from The Realm Beyond.”
Jampacked with action, humor, and heart, How We Became Intergalactic Superheroes will have middle-schoolers and the young at heart alike hopping the closest spaceship to their own next cosmic adventure.
My Thoughts:
How We Became Intergalactic Superheroes is a quick, fun read for middle-schoolers that will keep them on their toes as they try to find out what happens next. Getting abducted by aliens is one thing, but having to interact with them and outsmart them is a whole different experience.
This is what happens to Ben, Joe, and Dana, three friends who are generally considered normal and boring, but who end up on an unexpected adventure. Though a little confusing at times, there are definitely moments of laughter in the story. Through this, readers will learn simple lessons of friendship, leadership, getting over one’s fears and even standing up for oneself.
I enjoyed reading this book and exploring the galaxies with Ben and his friends! I hope you all do too!
About the Book:
Can the power of friendship save the day?
Get ready for a whirlwind adventure like no other in The Chambered Nautilus, the thrilling conclusion to Laura Segal Stegman’s enchanting Summer of L.U.C.K. trilogy. Best friends Darby, Justin, and Naz are facing their biggest challenge yet. After a year apart, they find themselves drifting away from each other at summer camp. But when the ghostly Leroy Usher’s carnival falls under mysterious turmoil, the trio reunites to answer his desperate call for help. The camp’s new attraction, the Chambered Nautilus ride, hides a magical secret that could change everything. As pieces of the Ferris wheel vanish, Darby, Justin, and Naz must rely on their wits and teamwork to locate Leroy Usher before it’s too late. Their unique bond is put to the ultimate test as they encounter one crisis after another. With expulsion from camp and the carnival’s existence on the line, the friends must persevere and unravel the mysteries surrounding Leroy Usher’s plea. Join them in a heart-pounding journey filled with friendship, courage, and the power of never giving up. Will they save the carnival and their cherished memories? Find out in this tale of adventure, discovery, and the true meaning of loyalty.
My Thoughts:
The Summer of L.U.C.K trilogy takes us through various adventures of Darby, Naz and Justin as they navigate summer camp, friendship and growth. Each of them learn more about themselves, learning lessons that help them be better.
This is trio’s last adventure together and they are against the clock to save Mr. Usher and the carnival, while learning the importance of friendship and trust in one another. Our main characters are almost teenagers, their interests have started to diversify, their priorities are changing and, while making new friends, they are on the verge of moving away from those that were there.
This book focuses on the thoughts that permeate the minds of each of our main characters and finally the bonds of friendship that remain in the end, no matter how different they all grow to be. They learn to accept each other as they are and also to allow more people into their group. Things can only be more fun with more people, and it is okay to share! I think Mr. Usher has some good messages for us in this book and the journey of discovering them, learning what a chambered nautilus is and finding out the secrets of the ride are what makes this story more exciting!
I loved the entire trilogy and watching the trio grow into who they are today. It’s a wonderful journey and with each finding their own space, either at camp or outside, it’s easy to trust that they will always be friends!
About the Book:
The fourth and final book in the bestselling Blood of a Fae series…
“I see forever with you by my side. Because long after these scars have faded away to nothing, I’ll still be standing beside you. You and I? We’re eternal.”
Beware the dread curse of Three…
In the aftermath of the war between Pendrath and its neighbors, peace has finally come to Camelot. But for Morgan Le Fay and her friends, the calm is short-lived. A storm grows on the horizon. As a terrible evil that has been waiting hundreds of years begins to sweep through the land, Morgan and Draven must race to the aid of their allies, leaving their youngest and most vulnerable new family member in the care of trusted friends.
The sword, the spear, the grail’s mystery…
As the tide of war takes them across kingdoms and into greater peril, Morgan and Draven embark on a quest to destroy the three objects of untold power–the grail, the sword, and the spear. Together, the pair will find answers to questions lost in the mists of time. Answers to questions so terrible, they never even thought to ask.
Blood calls to blood, the dark shall rise,
Forged by the gods under sacred skies.
For the love between these bonded mates is not just an everlasting one forged in blood.
You might even call it divine.
My Thoughts:
This is the final book in the series and honestly, I did not want the story to end. I couldn’t imagine a world without Morgan, Draven, the Exmoors and everyone else in their circle.
“There is darkness in all of our souls. But there is also light. Just because the darkness threatens doesn’t mean the light won’t win out in the end.”
The author makes realistic, though heart-breaking, decisions when it comes to character deaths which play important roles in the plot advancement as well as development of the central characters. Their grief, trauma, heart-break, love for one another all drive their actions as well as the need to save the people of Camelot and it’s neighboring places.
This book sets the stage for Morgan’s final quest to destroy the grail, the sword and the spear through which she discovers truths not only about herself, but her family and her origins. As she moves to confront this truth, it’s a race against time to save the people she loves. The finale though slightly predictable, is very well executed and provides the much needed closure to this beautiful series!
We all need the kind of love Morgan and Draven have. This can be felt from this one quote: “Be everything you truly are. That’s all I’ll ever ask of you, my silver one.”
With this concludes my journey through Blood of a Fae, a series that I highly recommend for fans of retellings of legends with magic, romance and adventure all wrapped up in one!
About the Book:
Bound to a man she hates more than she ever thought possible…
Everything Morgan Pendragon knows and loves is gone as she wakes in the dangerous court of the Siabra. The man she was falling in love with is dead, and in his place is a man she barely knows. Surrounded by liars and knives in the dark, all Morgan wants to do is run the other way but Kairos Draven is determined to keep her by his side.
As Morgan and Draven’s lives become even more irrevocably entwined, little do they know the sins of the past are coming for them both…
My Thoughts:
Court of Claws, the second book in the Blood of a Fae series, starts off where the first ends and plunges right in, bringing us the story from the side of the Siabra. The title refers to Draven’s title of Prince and his place back at the kingdom of the Siabra.
In this part of the story, the focus is once again on Morgan and Draven as they navigate the new bonds forged and the court of the Siabra. For Morgan, this is a whole new experience and considering her limited exposure to the fae, the Siabra court and people are a revelation. Their customs, culture and rules are ones she doesn’t understand or agree with.
It is wonderful to read and know more about Draven in this book, who he is, how he becomes an assassin, why he leaves the kingdom of the Siabra and so on. I loved reading about Morgan and Draven’s interactions and Morgan’s eventual acceptance of their bond. The main question that arises is whether what they have is real or just something made up and forced.
Morgan grows as a person and character in this book, becoming more strong and learning to accept and use her powers. I loved reading about Draven’s sister Rychel, Crimson and the others in the court. They are endearing and play such important roles in this book, bringing the story together.
A wonderful continuation, Court of Claws adds a new dimension to the series, setting in motion events that forge the path towards the final battles and a conclusion to the story in the upcoming books.
About the Book:
The second most important rule of leaving the life of crime: don’t get attached.
Eliot Reed has one plan: he’ll go after Salvatore Bosco, the crime lord who tried to kill him in Monaco. Then he’ll ditch his current identity and disappear. His bags are already packed, and Macao sounds like a good destination. But when he learns that Ada has gone missing, he doesn’t hesitate to change his plans. He needs to find her first.
Ada Reed knows exactly where she is: held captive by her so called late husband she’s tried to find ever since he faked his death. Danny is blackmailing Ada into robbing a bank with him. When Eliot shows up, there’s only one choice for him: becoming a criminal again to get her out of the bad situation.
But it turns out Danny isn’t working for himself. Eliot and Ada find themselves in the middle of a deeply personal mafia feud. One of the players is Salvatore Bosco—and suddenly it’s personal for Eliot too.
From Rome to Venice and Milan, the pair tries to keep one step ahead of very dangerous players. If they want to escape with their lives, they’ll have to deliver the perfect hoax.
My Thoughts:
I read this book without having read the first one, but it was easy to understand and follow. This can be read as a standalone story as well in my opinion. The story follows Eliot and Ada, each in adventures of their own until they end up in the same place with Eliot trying to save Ada.
Each of the characters have secrets that they are hiding and soon these secrets will come out. Once again (as per the blurb and later while reading the book), the characters are forced to steal something to truly save themselves.
I liked the characters of Ada and Eliot though I am not sure that I connected very well with them. At first, the story did not resonate with me and it took me some time to really get into it. Towards the middle, everything started to make sense and it was quite fun to read this story. I like the banter and rapport that Eliot and Ada have and the plans they come up with to save themselves in the end.
This was an enjoyable, one time read and is perfect for fans of mysteries and thrillers!
About the Book:
Sometimes destiny is written. Hers was concealed.
When Cate travels from Oregon to university in England, she expects her gravest dilemma to be finding coffee instead of tea, but she’s got bigger problems—much bigger. At Staton University, nothing is quite what it seems. Even her own identity. Unbeknownst to Cate, a prophecy deems her as destined to defeat a ruthless enemy in a magical land, placing a target squarely on her back. Now, someone on campus is stalking her, and a narrow escape sends her through a mysterious portal, assisted by two irresistible boys. Yet the fantastical new world is even more treacherous with rival kingdoms and imminent war. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan, but what’s a girl to do? A fresh start was all she wanted—a few new friends in the dorms with a trusty latte in hand—not war, an estranged biological father who is king, or a star-crossed love straight out of Romeo and Juliet (hopefully without the dying part). As the battle looms, Cate must solve the mystery of the prophecy and decide who in her circle is trustworthy before the place she now calls home is destroyed.
Don’t miss this new Young Adult Romantic Fantasy from debut author SK Horton that’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Love and Gelato. Featuring swoon-worthy romance, court intrigue, backstabbing villains and so much mor, it’s perfect for fans of Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood, Lauren Roberts’ Powerless, and lovers of all things romantasy!
My Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A huge thanks to BookSirens and the author for the advance copy!
Book Release Date: June 11, 2024
The story follows Cate as she travels to London to attend university. She hopes to settle down and make friends and have a typical university experience. Little does she know that not everything is as it seems and things are going to change for her, very quickly.
It took me some time to get into the story as it was confusing at the start. It was not very clear what the author wanted to show and how the characters fit into the story. The character development is slow and at times it felt as though they did not have any depth. However, as the story progresses, we come to know more about the characters, how they fit into the story and then it all makes sense.
AS Cate discovers her powers and tries to learn how to use them, she is also in the middle of an unexpected love triangle and hiding from her father (someone she did not know existed until then) for as long as she can manage. At times, her every thought is of her foster family and the love she has for them, which is something I really liked.
The story then progresses well and the plot, though a little predictable, is quite enjoyable to read. I enjoyed reading this book in the end and, though it is a one time read for me, I think it was worth it. I do look forward to reading more books by the author.
About the Book:
A kingdom on the brink of collapse. A dynasty under threat. A legacy in peril.
Having taken on the responsibility of governing Kosala in place of his exiled brother Rama, Bharat has had to deal with multiple setbacks – a rakshasa attack on Ayodhya, a drought, a mysterious epidemic of people vanishing, and a waning of the magic that keeps the kingdom protected.
Desperate to bring the magic back and give his people a reprieve, Bharat takes a risky decision… but the gamble puts his son Taksha’s life in danger.
Meanwhile, Kosala’s rakshasa and human enemies move relentlessly closer to destroying the kingdom. And Sudhanva’s rebellion against Bharat erupts when developments in faraway Kekeya cast a shadow of war over Kosala.
At the centre of all this is Bharat, unaware of the dangers that besiege his kingdom and threaten to cause the downfall of the Ikshvakus…
Crackling with characters overlooked and forgotten by the Ramayana, The Warlord of Ayodhya is a thrilling spinoff by bestselling fantasy author Shatrujeet Nath.
My Thoughts:
“Everyday is a battle between who you are, who you want to be, and who you can be.” This is one of my favourite quotes from the book, said by Mandavi to Bharat.
Resurrection picks up where Rebellion ended with Ayodhya thrown into chaos and Bharat stepping further into his role as King on behalf of his brother. This book slows down a little and focuses on the development of various plot lines, some that were introduced in the first book and some which take form directly in this one.
This book further explores Bharat’s resentment towards his mother, his love and respect for his brother, drawing on the information of the first book, and brings out his insecurities at being thrust into a role he was unprepared for. When compared to Rebellion, in this book, we see Bharat grow into his position as King, become more decisive and even assertive at times.
With so many people working against him either, it is not so easy to know whom to trust. What truly stood out to me was the strength, support and wisdom Mandavi provided in a quiet manner, not hesitating to call him out on his thoughts and insecurities, thus contributing to his strength in the end. There are also many subplots that come to light with some other characters central to these plots. Each of the characters introduced and each of these plots have something to contribute to the main storyline. How they all come together is what makes this book more interesting.
This book also places a strong focus on character growth, setting a strong direction and tone for the finale in the last book. The climax is perhaps the most unexpected, written in a way that demonstrates masterful storytelling by the author. The art of storytelling is in the nuances and the things unsaid, in the world building and description of the scenes, than just the dialogues. All this and more are captured in the way the author writes, not just in this book but in all his books.
This story is well thought out and in the end leaves the reader wanting more! I admit that I absolutely loved it! I leave you all with another quote (once again said by Mandavi to Bharat) from the book that I hope will resonate with everyone and perhaps encourage us all to embrace our individuality:
“You have to realize that you are different from your father and your brother, and you must let that difference define you.”
About the Book:
A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war…
A cast-off princess…
Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.
A dangerous temptation…
As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.
A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…
Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined.
The first in an action-packed new series brimming with magic, danger, morally gray characters, and spellbinding slow-burn romance, Queen of Roses is perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas.
My Thoughts:
Queen of Roses is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series, a retelling of the story of King Arthur, his knights, and all the others in the legend, in a magical context with many of the characters re-imagined.
At first I was a little confused with the different re-imaginings of the characters but once I looked past it, I was pulled into the world. I love the way the author has developed the plot, the world and the characters, bringing in so many different adventures and dynamics among the characters. Honestly, I was not a fan of Arthur as a character in this book and found Morgan to be a little annoying at first. I loved how Lancelet and Galahad are depicted and their relationship with Morgan.
I started to enjoy the book a few chapters in and could not stop reading until the very end. The ending of the book with the most unexpected twists and turns culminated in an amazing climax, setting up the tone and direction of the next book. At this point, I knew that I was truly hooked and would definitely find my way through the series, following Morgan as she discovered herself, the extent of her powers, and becomes the leader she was born to be (I hope!)