An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Introduction

This was a cute book and I enjoyed the idea and world-building of it. The only thing was is that it lacked in the plot. We didn’t really get to experience the characters growing together at the beginning to support them throughout the rest of the book. Also, if Rook is a prince, then it was a missed opportunity to introduce his kingdom to the reader. There was a lot missing and the flow didn’t always make sense, but nonetheless, it was still a good book! I just think it could have been fleshed out a bit more. 

Pros

  • Whimsical fae world
  • The Craft
  • Quick read

Cons

  • No map

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

Honestly, not much of a plot to be found here. It was all over the place in the middle and finally tidied up at the end. There were too many plot points crammed into the book that it muddied the experience. I would have either liked a longer, more fleshed out book, or less plot points. It was also face paced and kind of jerked you around from one event to the next.

For example, the raven enchantment could have been utilized more. We didn’t really get to see it except right after the enchantment was granted. And quite frankly, I couldn’t remember how many ravens equaled what. It was easily forgotten.

Also, the romance of the book felt a bit forced and came across as “instant love.” We don’t see the relationship develop; instead we’re told about it. I wasn’t convinced of Isobel and Rook’s love really at all in the book. But I do love their connection and dynamic. So, I’m a bit torn on how to feel towards them.

The ending was good, though! If lsobel and Rook’s romance is to be believed, then damn, what an ending. It was powerful and dramatic. I loved it. And it was at the very end that we see Rook’s affection towards Isobel when he called her “my love.” I wish we saw more of that kind of language throughout.

Characters

Isobel

Isobel is strong female protagonist. Her passion for art and her ability to defend her family is admirable. however, not long after she’s taken its like she goes into a trance with Rook. Like her brain turns to mush and we’re all just swooning over Rook with her. 

Rook

Rook was…interesting, to say the least. At the beginning, I didn’t necessarily like him, but he grew on me once they entered the spring lands. He was arrogant and full of himself, but that seems fitting for fae prince. So, I’ll let it slide. Towards the end we got to see more of his softer side, especially when trying to learn about humans. So, I guess he was redeemed? 

Side Characters

Honestly, none of the side characters were memorable besides Emma and May. I love those goat kids!

Writing

The world-building is fantastic, from the human-fae relaltionship, to the Craft. It was so immersive. The writing was beautiful and truly created a magical experience. Which covered a lot of the flaws of the book, initially. Rogerson’s writing helps distract from those flaws and, boy, could I read her work all day because her words take you away to a better place.

Conclusion

An Echantment of Ravens whisked me away on a fantasy romance adventure for a few hours and I enjoyed the experience. I enjoyed the world and the characters, even if the plot was lacking. I just wish there was more. It had so much potential. 

I would still recommend the book solely for the experience, just not so much for the plot.

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Content Warning: Minor/Brief Self-Injury , Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Children Disciplined Using Corporal Punishment

Introduction

Absolutely loved this book! The writing and build-up to the end was fantastic! Margret Rogerson is now one of my favorite authors. I adore the characters and the story. It flowed nicely and was uniquely beautiful. The premise was different from most other books I’ve read and I loved it. It was honestly refreshing to read something so original with lovable characters and a strong plot twist. I wish there was a sequel because I would love to experience this world again!

Pros

  •  A map!
  • World-building
  • Lovable characters
  • Strong plot
  • Grimoires

Cons

  • No explanation of Elisabeth’s powers
Sorcery of Thorns map

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

The plot of the story and its execution was wonderful! It kept me on the edge of my seat  and I did not see the plot twist coming! I didn’t think the goal was to unleash higher demons. Speaking of demons, the magic/sorcery system here was brilliant. Such a unique take that I was truly blown away. I mean, who would think to combine demon magic and living books?

The pace was balanced and gave me enough time to re-cooperate between each major event. The only thing I was more time was spent on was Elisabeth’s powers, how she got them, and why. I would have loved a better explanation. 

Characters

Elisabeth

Elisabeth was a strong, badass character. She handled everything thrown at her with pose and a clear head. Can’t say I’d do the same in these situations. She was fun and smart and a joy to read. I related to Elisabeth and her love of books. I’d much rather be with books myself than with people, too. 

Nathanael

The mysterious “bad boy” who is actually adorable. And can we talk about how he casually admitted to being bi?! I love how this scene was handled and how it was no big deal to any of them. It was also refreshing to see the male protagonist deal with nightmares or some type of tragic past instead of the female protagonist. He was truly a strong and caring character.

Silas

Silas is precious and should be protected at all costs! (regardless if he’s a demon). He was so loyal and protective for both Nathanael and Elisabeth through it all. He went above and beyond for Nathanael and truly became his friend.

Side Characters

Ashcroft was a cool villain because he really did feel like the hero and good guy that just cared about his image a bit too much. When first introduced to him, I liked him, but definitely felt like something was off. His character arc was great and I loved seeing him succumb to his own plan.

Writing

The writing style was beautiful and lyrical. I didn’t struggle deciphering scenes or awkward dialog. Everything was written so well. And the banter! It felt real and I loved it. It’s hard to writer good, witty banter, but Rogerson did it! 

Conclusion

Sorcery of Thorns is a unique and breath taking YA fantasy book. The imagination and creativity put into this book is beautiful. I love it so much. I want more of Elisabeth, Silas, and Nathanael. Their relationship is so cute and soft. It was nice to experience a different relationship trope than the typically dark haired, bad boy type and “I’m special” girl type. They felt real.

And not to mention the living books! I would love to work in a library with grimoires and interact with them. Overall, the world-building and characters were beautiful. I’m not typically a fan of YA books now that I’m older, but the slow-burn in this one was sweet and one I swooned hard over. Sorcery of Thorns will truly hold a special place in my heart.

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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The Traitor Queen by Danielle Jensen Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Content Warning: Blood, Violence

Introduction

The second book is better than the first. Still feels like I’m pushed out of the story instead of pulled in, like arm-lengths away. I actually fell in love with two side characters, Zarrah and Lara’s brother, Keris, whom I believe are the main characters of the third book, more so than I did with any of the main characters. It was all kind of bland and the ending felt like a cop-out. 

Pros

  • A map!
  • Keris and Zarrah

Cons

  • Dry and political plot
  • The ending was cheesy

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

 I cannot believe the ending. I wanted Lara to be redeemed but she was redeemed by the second half of an old wives tale that we haven’t heard until now? It seems like a cop-out. I wouldn’t trust a queen who betrayed her kingdom. i don’t need to know the inner workings of what happened. It’s enough for me to know that she is capable of damming the people. However, it was a good redemption arc for Lara and an easy way for Aren to have her back.

I will say that the book was action packed and covered a lot of ground. I enjoyed the journey more in this installment. Each action/reaction made sense and was well thought out, but the characters did it in for me. The same conflict/conversation was rehashed through the entire book and it got tiring. Give me something new to talk about instead of your shame and indecisiveness. Talk. It. Out! Communicate! Lara and Aren could have come up with a plan or something and worked together instead of against each other. 

Characters

Lara

Lara was more likable in this book now that she isn’t a “one track mind” character. She tried her damnest to redeem herself, which is admirable, and she had a pretty good redemption arc. I just wish it was justified in a different way. She went through hell in this book, and that was oddly satisfying, especially since all of Ithicana could have been killed because of her, their Queen.

Aren

I enjoyed his internal conflict between loving Lara and leading/protecting his kingdom. It’s a tough sacrifice and it was portrayed well. He felt more whinny in this installment though because he couldn’t have it both ways, which got old. He was indecisive and so not like a king. Like get a hold of yourself and protect your kingdom.

Side Characters

I liked Lara’s sisters, but they felt over powered in a sense. Like they were too much. Maybe that was the point because they were raised that way, but they had a superior air about them that I didn’t particularly care about.

I loved Keris and Zarrah the most. They had a chemistry about them and I wanted to see more of them in this book. I also surprisingly liked the grandma and her badassery in this installment versus the first book. She wasn’t taking shit from Lara and she was making it known.

Writing

Again, I felt like I was worlds away from the characters/action versus right up there with them. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t connect with them well. There was also a lot of time skips, like when Aren and Lara were in the desert. I would have loved to know more about their conversations, them making camp, etc. 

Conclusion

I don’t think I’ll finish this series even though I adored Zarrah and Keris more than the rest of the characters. I just don’t think I can take being in this world again. The idea and premise were good, I wish it was executed a bit better and had a more personal writing style. It is what it is, though. 

Previous:

Book #1: The Bridge Kingdom

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Content Warning: Blood, Violence

Introduction

This book was a little dry. But the premise and most of the other characters were interesting. I’ve heard such good things about it, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me. I was expecting for sexual tension and enemies-to-lovers, but we didn’t get much of that. We got some bonding and trust issues, but that was it.

Pros

  • A map!
  • Interesting premise

Cons

  • Dry main character
  • Too political of a plot
Bridge Kingdom map

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

 It leans heavily on the political side of things and there’s almost no romance. I found it to be quite dull and I was hoping there would be more of something the further I read into it. I was wrong. I was expecting more ruthlessness, blood, fighting, not idly standing by, miscommunication, lies even after being on the same side, etc. There was none of that. 

Also the whole premise of taking a bridge kingdom was odd. Like, okay? It just seemed rather odd that the Ithicanan people were monopolizing the waters/bridge. And the lands/waters were so uninhabitable it was almost ridiculous that the people even stayed there. Like I get that it was their home, but if it’s causing such big issues then they could find another place to live. And who even built the bridge anyways? That is a huge architectural defeat that it doesn’t seem possible without the help of magic or aliens.

The ending tore at my heartstrings and is the only reason why I read the second book. However, it could have been avoided if Lara just told Aren about the letters! Something could have been done and all would have been dandy (except for maybe Lara).

Characters

Lara

Lara is a flat character throughout most of it, which made it hard to read.  I will say, by the end of the book I did like Laura more. She felt more dynamic than in the beginning. But I wouldn’t call her a “badass” or “strong.” Yeah, maybe physically, but she didn’t stand up for herself or her own people. She didn’t even question the information she was given! She just accepted it and rolled with it.

Aren

Aren was actually okay. I didn’t mind him as much, but he fell for bland ole Lara too fast. For a protective king, he gave his secrets up to Lara quickly and without questioning her.

Side Characters

The side characters were more interesting than the main characters. They had more personality, more history to them, but they weren’t in the story enough to balance out the blandness. 

Writing

Throughout this book, it felt as if I was super far away from the actions and characters and just looking in. I’ve read many 3rd person books, but this one pushed me out instead of pulling me in.

Conclusion

I had such high hopes for this book, but it let me down. While the book overall was dry and flat for me, the ending did entice me to buy the second book. I ended up liking Lara and the world a bit more towards the end when we were given some depth to the characters. Maybe the second book will provide what I need to be satisfied with the series. 

Next:

Book #2: The Traitor Queen

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Content Warning: Sexual Scenes, Language

Introduction

This was a fun book! I enjoyed it. It was definitely outside my genre of reading material. However, if you’re into the more modern-day, witchy things, then this book is perfect for you! I loved the characters and the little town. I even loved how Vivi’s work day was included instead of just tossing it to the wayside. I’ve always wanted that out of a book, and it delivered! 

Also just found out that the author Rachel Hawkins is Erin Sterling. She writes under a different name sometimes, but her website covers all books from both names. 

Pros

  • Lovable characters
  • Strong plot

Cons

  • No map

Plot

The plot was solid and the way they came about solving it evolved naturally, but I definitely didn’t see them getting answers from a ghost, though. The plot was well paced and not too suspenseful or dramatic. The whole thing was rather calm and light-hearted. Which was refreshing, but I felt there needed to be more urgency.

I love how Vivi’s and everyone else’s work day was included. Typically characters abandon their jobs for an adventure, but not them! They worked around it, which felt realistic and practical. It just added to the character’s overall relatability. (Although I’m typically laid up in my pjs right after work. Not out and about!)

The only thing that threw me off a bit was that we never found out why Rhys left his betrothed. Although we can speculate it was because of Vivi. But I wanted either Rhys to tell her or Vivi ask him, and we didn’t get it! 

Characters

Vivienne

Vivi was a strong and independent character who was dedicated to her job. She really didn’t take shit throughout the whole book and constantly battled herself if she liked Rhys or not. Vivi was comically and confident in herself, and didn’t mind that she hardly used magic like her cousin and aunt. I adored her and could relate to most of what she went through (minus the whole magic and witch thing).

Rhys

Rhys was a cute character, but I couldn’t help but think of Rhys from ACOTAR because of the name. Regardless, I loved his family history and family dynamic. He’s definitely a black sheep of sorts but still a little entitled. 

Side Characters

The cat! I loved the talking cat! I have a black cat myself and could so see him yelling “TREEEATS” all the time, along with a few other choice words. Gwyn and Elaine were wonderful and hilarious. I loved how blatant they were about being witches, but no one took them seriously. 

Writing

The writing was amazing in this book! I genuinely felt like I was in a small town dealing with secret witchy things. It was light-hearted, comical, and spooky. 

Conclusion

Overall, just a fun, modern, witchy book with lovable characters. I might read Sterling’s other witchy book, but I’m not sure since it was out of the norm for me to read this one. I enjoyed it, though. It was a lot of fun and a quick read.

What did you think of the book? Do you have anything to add, good or bad? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Facebook Page  |  Goodreads TBR  |  Spicy Rating Scale | Erin Sterling’s Website 

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Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Content Warning: Gore, Violence, Self-harm, Grief, Death, Sexual Content

Introduction

Much like the first book, this one did not disappoint! The plot twists, the foreshadowing, the romance, it was wonderful! I literally cannot wait until the third book. I pre-ordered it right when I finished this one. I thoroughly enjoy this world and can’t wait to be immersed in it again.

Pros

  • A map!
  • The romance
  • Characters

Cons

  • Rushed plot
  • Confusing scenes
The Seven Circles map (Kingdom of the Wicked)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

That ending should be illegal! How can Maniscalco tease us with Vittoria still being alive and in hell AND JUST END IT?! I need the third book now but it doesn’t come out until September! I’m going to go crazy waiting to find out what happens next.

The fact that the old woman in the tower was the Crone was *chef’s  kiss.* I knew she was someone, but I did not see that coming! Nor did I see Wrath being the devil and the necklaces being his wings! I want to know what happens when he puts them together. will he get his wings back? Will all hell break loose? (Pun intended).

Now, the sexual tension in this installment was spot on! It was crafted beautifully and I enjoyed every second between Emilia and Wrath. This book was definitely more new adult than young adult, and I am here for it! Give me more of this in the next book!

However, the plot felt more rushed in this book and a little scattered. Outside of the romance (which was amazing~), events were flying by and the plot devices were convenient. So, it was a bit lackluster. Instead, the character’s are what held my attention through most the book.

Example, I want to talk about the even at Gluttony’s house with the horse and the nightshade. What the fuck was that all about? It felt like an and put in out of convince. I could not for the life of me figure out why it was happening or what the point of it was. And then Emilia just comes back to the house like nothing happened? I feel the scene or gaining knowledge about the nightshade could have been done differently.

Characters

Emilia

Okay, so I understand that hell is affecting and exaggerating the main sin, but damn, Emilia is very violent in this book. I don’t particularly like it, but I understand it.

Emilia also came into Hell with the mind set to gaslight, gate keep, kick ass, and take names later. She wanted answers and she wasn’t playing around! I gotta give it to her for keeping her head about her and focused on solving her sister’s murder.

Wrath

Wrath has softened quite a bit in this book, but I love how threatening he is to everyone but Emilia. And the fact that he was willing to give up a truth in Emilia’s place says a thousand words! But, there were also a few scenes that were red flags in the way he treated Emilia. Then again, he is the devil, so he kind of has an excuse? I don’t know. Wrath falls into a bit of a gray area for me as his character develops. 

Side Characters

Being able to see the other sins interact with each other and Emilia traveling to different houses was awesome. They’re characters are what I expected and more. I just wish we had a bit more interaction with the other sins/houses besides the event at the end. I mean, Emilia is in HELL for gods sake. Why wouldn’t we see more of them? 

Writing

Again, the writing was beautifully done and the characters were solid; the gore and smut scenes were on point, and it truly felt like a magical, devilish world. I love how the characters of each house were written. Generally, they seem pleasant and then their favored sin comes out. It just puts an unsettling feeling in my chest, but damn I loved it. 

Conclusion

Love, love, love this book and series! This book was better than the first, but I took it down a start because of the confusing scenes at Gluttony’s house. I’m slowly warming up to cliff hangers at the end of books, but only if I can get the next one right away. And this ending is no exception. It was wonderful and heart wrenching and I was caught in disbelief. I had to take a day to sort my feelings out after this ending. 

Previous:

Book #1: Kingdom of the Wicked

Next:

Book #3: Kingdom of the Feared

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Facebook Page  |  Goodreads TBR  |  Spicy Rating Scale. | Kerri Maniscalco’s Website

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Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Content Warning: Gore, Violence, Self-harm, Grief, Death

Introduction

Kingdom of the Wicked is an urban fantasy murder mystery. Of which I am pleasantly surprised. I did not know what to expect from a James Patterson-sponsored book. I grew up on his Daniel X and Maximum Ride books and they were clean. Not much gore, not really any cussing, and certainly nothing more than a kiss. But Kingdom of the Wicked opened my eyes to new authors that I avoided before because I was weary of the character’s ages, plot, etc.

Pros

  • World-building
  • Solid characters
  • Plot

Cons

  • No map
  • Time period not clear
  • Little to no setting descriptions

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

I’ve never actually read a murder mystery, much less a fantasy murder mystery, but let me tell you I dig this! The plot progressed naturally with realistic and reasonable explanations for it all; from Emilia moving out of her home and her parents thinking she needed space, to some witches losing their minds in dark magic. The atmosphere and premise are phenomenal! Who doesn’t enjoy a spooky murder mystery with demons, witches, and good cooking?

I’m not good with picking out plot twists, so the one here caught me off guard and I was all for it. Not to mention the perfect cliffhanger at the end! It was a solid way to set up the next book (which luckily I had on hand otherwise I would have lost my mind!).

Characters

Emilia

Boy, is Emilia smart and logical. I love it! She’s a strong female protagonist that is confident in her abilities and trusts her instincts. There are not many characters like her and it’s so refreshing to see. I love her drive, her determination, and seeing her thought process throughout the book. She doesn’t trust Wraith as far as she can throw him, but she understands that if she wants to save her sister, he’s the only one who can help.

I enjoyed her passion for cooking, which is not something I like myself. The way she described dishes and plans throughout seemed realistic because if it’s something you love you’ll always be thinking about it (like a passion for painting and wanting to paint a sunset while out).

Wrath

What a dick. I love him. He’s kind of the stereotypical bad boy with a soft side. I mean, did you read the scene where he left Emilia her favorite flowers, or is pretty protective of her regardless of the spell? I swooned so hard. But he definitely lives up to his namesake. There was so much gore involved with him and I wouldn’t expect anything less than an entitled, violent prince of hell.

Side Characters

I could have throttled Nonna through most of the book.  You can’t be so secretive about the girl’s necklaces and witchcraft history and not expect them to explore the concepts. Just tell them! I believe she had good intentions on protecting the girls, but she did not go about it the right way.

Writing

The only issue I had was deciphering the time period by the surroundings. There wasn’t much detail on if there were cars, what the buildings were like, etc. I definitely could have used more setting descriptions. With it, this would have been the absolute perfect book (though I still gave it 5 stars because I loved it).

Conclusion

I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the world, the magic, the secrets.I instantly picked up the second book after this one! I couldn’t wait to get back into the world. This book is so well written and captivating. I’ve never really read a mystery/fantasy book, but I loved it. The detail in the characters, their antics, and their thought process, all felt so natural. The book took its time and laid everything out perfectly. Even the cliffhanger at the end was well deserved and thought out! 

Next:

Book #2: Kingdom of the Cursed

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Facebook Page  |  Goodreads TBR  |  Spicy Rating Scale. | Kerri Maniscalco’s Website

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These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Content Warning: Sexual Scenes, Death, Violence, War Themes, Drugged

Synopsis

Abriella (Brie) lives with her step-mother, step-sisters, and biological sister. However, her step family uses both her and Jas as labor to pay off an never ending debt. To pay that debt, after many years, Brie’s step-mother sells her sister to a fae king. Brie is now on a mission to save her sister from the horrid fae she hates so much. 

However, rescuing her sister might not be as hard as it seems. Along the way she partners with the Seelie Prince Ronan and the exiled Unseelie Prince Finn; and falls for both. But who will she trust to help her find her sister and who will she fall in love with? Is her decision the right choice?

Pros

  • A map!
  • World-building
  • The ending

Cons

  • Choppy transitions/explanations
  • Flat-ish characters

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

The betrayals in this book is what sold me. At first you think the plot is innocent enough with Brie trying to free her sister, but oh boy does it take some twists and turns! It’s not your usual love triangle book. And quite frankly, the betrayal at the end is what got me hooked and wanting to read the second book. 

When Brie finds out Sebastien used her to gain the crown of the Unseelie kingdom and she flies out in a fury– oh man! I haven’t read a twist like that and it was executed so damn well that it had me itching for the next book (which wasn’t out at the time). What will happen next? Does Sebastien really love Brie and he didn’t expect to when first setting his sights on gaining the crown? What of Finn? So many questions!

The rest of the plot was okay. It was jumpy from scene to scene and how Brie traveled between Sebastien and Finn, though. It came across as Lexi Ryan not knowing how to transition from one idea to the next, so it felt choppy and not smoothly planned. For example, when Brie looks into the  mirror and sees her mom, and then goes chasing after her across the kingdom. Like she should not have been able to get to the graveyard that fast. We would have been shown how she snuck out, maybe she stole a horse, etc. But she literally just ran and it seemed unrealistic. 

I would have loved to see more explanations about Brie’s powers besides her just finding out she can blend in with shadows! Also a scene with the other candidates instead of her running around the entire time would have been fun. She had to play the part like she was interested, right? Well, it really didn’t seem like she participated in anything throughout the book. 

Also, Finn’s involvement was just random. I understand he wants the Unseelie crown from Brie, but it was abrupt and the characters didn’t provide a good enough reason for why they were training her, etc. However, Brie using Finn as a rebound was kind of neat to see. I liked the idea of Brie liking Sebastien, but dealing with his initial betrayal, and then using Finn to cope. 

Characters

The three main characters, Brie, Finn, and Sebastien are all morally gray. They want what’s best for their kingdom, their sister, and their cause, which causes all three to commit some questionable acts. However, all have good intentions at heart. 

There was also a lack of character development throughout the entire book. Though morally gray, they still fell a bit flat. 

Abriella (Brie)

Abriella is stubborn and determined throughout the book, but definitely oozed “I’m-not-like-the-other-girls” vibes. She was in fact very ordinary (and her thieving skills were not the best), until half/the end of the book. She is also very naive and lacks a bit of perception, especially for a “thief.” A lot of the answers were right there in front of her and she didn’t catch on. She seems to stumble into answers and conflict without thinking things through properly, which was a bit annoying. 

She was also very much influenced by the men (Ronan and Finn) that she dropped her beliefs and accepted apologies quickly, which seemed out of character. I liked her character at the end; filled with rage and fury and darkness. I want to see more of that and how this betrayal effects her.

Sebastien/Ronan

Sebastien was probably my favorite of the three main characters. He was sweet and came across as a love-bug of sorts, besides the whole back-stabbing bit. He also had the most depth compared to all the other characters. Sebastien’s development and ultimate plot twist, for me, made the book. From this, you can obviously tell that Brie and Sebastien were endgame for the first book. We saw so much of him, and so little of Finn. (Prediction– it’ll change in the second book).

However, if he was the damn Seelie prince, he could have easily helped Brie and Jas out of their financial situation. Especially if he liked her so much. But nooo! He doesn’t dare because he didn’t want to explain where he got it. (Okay I get that, but c’mon). He also started to become manipulative towards the end and pushing for the bond, which was a big red flag!

Finn

Finn was so bland and stereotypically up until the end. He felt so inauthentic to me the entire book and I knew something was up from the moment he was introduced. We also didn’t get to see enough of him as the story kept jumping around and was too fast-paced, so he didn’t really have time to develop. 

Writing

The writing style of the book makes it an easy read (literally finished the book in 12 hours). It’s simple to read, easy to understand, and surprisingly entertaining. I wasn’t expected to be dragged into such a mundane yet exciting story. 

Conclusion

These Hollow Vows had a lot of potential, but it fell short. It had me skeptical in the beginning, but held my attention until the end. However, it did lack a strong plot and the scenes were a little weak. Although, the love triangle and ending were amazing! It has me wondering what will happen in the next book and who Brie will end up with (even though she’s married to Sebastien). 

I also wouldn’t market this book for A Court of Thorns and Roses fans nor The Cruel Prince fans. I didn’t see any similarities, nor was it a high-fantasy book like ACOTAR.

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Content Warning: Death, Blood, Violence, Language, Depression, War

Introduction

  Gods, I wish there was another book! I have so many questions! I love the overarching plot. It’s something I never saw coming, but I love it. It’s the right blend of magic, science, and realism that I crave more of. Everything came together perfectly in the first two books. I was not disappointed, but I do want more of this world.

This series got me back into reading again and I will forever be grateful for it. I do wish there was a bit more romance in this book, though. Most of it was just a communication issue, which isn’t my favorite trope, but it did work out here. I just personally wanted to see more of Karou and Akiva. 

Pros:

  •  A map!
  • The story & world-building
  • Eliza/Zuzanna
  • Multiple POVs

Cons:

  •  Uncertain about another book
  • Teasing romance but always ripped away too soon
  • Not a lot of romance
Eretz Map

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

 WTF. This world blew up. The past 3 books have only been a lead up to the big bad and even then we don’t know how everything will play out. I need another book delving into the multiple realms. I’m obsessed with the direction this book went and I need more!

Characters

Karou

My girl was such a badass in this book. She stood up for herself, went after what she wanted, and planned the demise of the damn Empire. Atta girl! I adore Karou and feel for everything she has been through.

She didn’t deserve the hand she was dealt, but dammit she took it and ran with it. She continued Brimestone’s legacy and found an end to the war, bringing Serphim and Chimera together. Of course, she had help, but she was like the puppet master behind it all along with Akiva.

Karou
Akiva

Akiva

Akiva did it. He made his and Karou’s dream come true. He fought so hard for this war to end and dammit it did. However, I wish his ending was a bit happier. Akiva has a heavy burden to bare. He just kept getting kicked in the ass, all the way until the end, but that’s what makes his story (and Karou’s) beautiful and heart-wrenching. 

Side Characters

My strong and lovely Ziri has been through hell. I’m happy he didn’t lose himself to Thiago’s facade, but I hate that he struggled with it. He deserves the world and I’m glad he found Liraz. I adore those two together. He took on more than he needed to, but because of Ziri the Chimera survived and banded together with the Serphim. Without him, the war wouldn’t have been won. It would have crumbled before Karou could fix it.

Liraz’s character development is beautiful. I hate she had to lose Hazael in Days of Blood and Starlight, but it changed her for the better, I think. She grew to care for the Chimera, especially Ziri. She no longer considered them an enemy after a while and fought for what Hazael would do. Liraz is a beautiful character who deserved a happy ending, which she got.

Mik and Zuzu were the light of the book. They provided muchneeded relief and their humor was timely. It was also, as bad as this will sound, refreshing to see them cope with the horrors of war instead of Taylor glossing over it. It was a powerful scene and I appreciate it.

I was unsure about Eliza’s role in the whole scheme of things at first. Taylor had me guessing what she was and boy was I not expecting it! She may not be the original, but the fact Eliza remembers what’s beyond the tear in the realms is terrifying. No wonder she had nightmares. I also love her free spirit after she figures out who she is. And I love her interactions with Zuzu and Mik.

Writing

The strategic planning, the conflicts, and the realities of war were all so well written and portrayed in this book. The different POVs really helped build and form this world and the overarching plot. Taylor’s writing is beautiful and fascinating. I couldn’t stop reading, it just dragged me into the pages and engulfed me with story. She could write a textbook and I’d read the whole thing– maybe then I’d actually learn something!

Final Thoughts

This entire series will hold a special place in my soul. Dreams of Gods and Monsters was the perfect ending to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. Every loose end was tied up or explained, characters got a somewhat happy ending, and the book didn’t hold back on the reality dose it served up about the effects of war. Truly a masterpiece. 

I loved all the main characters, even if they made questionable decisions. They felt real and experienced real events. They grew and loved and just wanted a better life. How could you fall in love with such well-developed, gray characters?

I would love a prequel about the godstars and traveling realms before this series started. I want to go back to the beginning and truly see what happened. I hope Taylor gives us that or another book about how the crew handles the endless monster.

Previous:

Book #2: Days of Blood and Starlight

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Check out the links below to see my “to-read” list, my spicy rating scale, the author’s website, and a chance to recommend a book for me.

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Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor Book Review

Ratings

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Content Warnings: Depression, Attempted Sexual Assualt, Violence, War, Blood, Manipulation, Trauma, Death

Introduction

  In this installment, that dreamy romance we witnessed in Daughter of Smoke and Bone has been ripped away and replaced with the true reality of war. It is a bit slower than the first, but the first was more set up for this book here. This is the meat of the overarching plot.

Pros

  •  A map!
  • Strong character development and world-building
  • Heart-wrenching plot
  • Multiple POVs

Cons

  •  Starts much later than book 1 ended
  • A bit slower in plot/stationary location
  • Hard to imagine some of the chimera concoctions 
Map of Eretz

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Plot

The plot. THE PLOT! Where do I begin? It was so thought out and meticulously planned. The twists and turns this book takes will make you choke (in a good way) on emotions. Your heartstrings will be played and your mind will be blown, but it’s a beautiful ride. 

We also got different POVs in this book! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I enjoyed every POV, until now. They were expertly placed throughout the novel that you were able to make connections between the story and characters.

Taylor really shows you an unbiased point-of-view about war. There are morally gray areas on both sides and both sides are negatively affected, so you kind of feel for everyone. 

The whole plot twist was Ziri was *chef’s kiss* Absolutely cunning and brilliant. I felt so bad for Ziri the whole time, but he made a sacrifice to save his people. One he should be admired and acknowledged for in the books.

Characters

The emotions and strained relationships at happened in this book were so well developed and executed. For example, with Karou and Thiago, you can clearly see they hate each other and that Thiago is manipulating Karou. However, there’s a mutual understanding that they need each other to bring back the chimera, so they’re forced to work together. 

And let’s face it. Thiago is a toxic ex we all had and cheered when he was killed and got what was coming for him.

Zuzanna is a breath of fresh air, but not in an annoying way. She’s funny and witty when it calls for it, and a total badass of a friend/girlfriend the rest of the time. And Mik, dear gods he’s precious and such an amazing guy for sticking through all of this craziness. A real trooper that needs a standing ovation. 

Liraz and Hazael were not the villains I thought they would be. They were supportive friends of Akiva and wanted what was best for him. They have easily become some of my favorite characters in this book. And my heart was utterly destroyed when Hazael was killed. But the impact it had on Akiva and Liraz throughout the rest of the book (and into the third) was masterfully done.

And my poor Ziri! He got the raw end of the deal. He deserves so much more than facading as Thiago. But he killed it. He took that role on like a champ and didn’t back down.

Final Thoughts

Even though this book was slower, it was still as powerful as the first, if not, more so. This book took it to a whole new level of world-building, character development and relationships, and a more urgent and painful plot. Be prepared to cry, cheer, laugh, and experience everything in between, because Laini Taylor does NOT hold back; and I love her all the more for it. 

Previous:

Book #1: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Next:

Book #3: Dreams of Gods and Monsters

What did you think of the book? Did you like it or could you have done without it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Facebook Page  |  Goodreads TBR  |  Spicy Rating Scale  |  Laini Taylor’s Website

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