Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Book Review

3 stars

I gave the book 3 stars, but did not finish it due to struggling with the old English writing and dialogue. I found it demanding and not enjoyable for casual reading. The lack of connection to characters and plot influenced their neutral rating.

House of Flame and Shadow: Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas Book Review

3 stars / 3 spicy peppers

House of Flame and Shadows offers an entertaining ACOTAR cross-over with standout moments involving Nesta and Azriel. However, the plot suffers from abrupt character developments, unresolved storylines, and an unsatisfying ending. The central characters, Bryce and Hunt, lack depth in their relationship, and the overall narrative leans heavily into chaotic and less convincing elements.

House of Sky and Breath: Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas Book Review

2.5 stars / 3 spicy peppers

Honestly, I read House of Sky and Breath back in March and the only thing I remember from it are two things: 1) the major character plot twist, and 2) that it was dreadfully boring and long. I seriously cannot recall what happened in this book without looking up a summary, it was that mediocre.

However, through my years of writing reviews, I have discovered that the second book in the trilogy is usually a bridge to the final book. Meaning it is the weakest link in the series due to it linking the first and third book, and building up to the grand finale. So, this book fits the memo, but it still doesn’t mean I drug my feet to get through it.

House of Earth and Blood: Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas Book Review

4 stars / 3 spicy peppers

House of Earth and Blood, otherwise known as Crescent City, takes place in a modern city infused with magic and mystical beings. We follow Bryce as she uncovers the mystery behind her best friend’s death. This adventure is full of plot twists, sarcasm, and rebellion.

This book is not like Sarah J Maas’s other books. The world is bigger, more complex, and mature.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent Review

3.5 stars / 4 spicy peppers

Take The Hunger Games and make it vampires with more gore.

At least for half the premise of the book. The other half is filled with turbulent familial relationships, rebellion, and hidden motives.

Eclipse of the Crown by A.K. Caggiano Book Review

4 stars / 3 spicy peppers

This spectacular series about a silly romance has finally come to a dramatic end. The twists and turns, the romance, the prose, all of it was amazing (well for the most part).

Eclipse of the Crown is definitely weaker all around than the previous 2. Between the pacing and whiplash events, the book drug your around until the characters somehow ended up in the right spot.

Regardless, the ending was still heartbreaking and wonderful.

Summoned to the Wilds by A.K. Caggiano Book Review

5 stars / 2 spicy peppers

Amma becomes stronger and taps into her dark side while Damien becomes softer and gives accepts his goodness.

Summoned to the Wilds picks up right after the first book. After the reveal of Damien’s true end goal in book 1, Amma’s inter turmoil with her feelings towards Damien presides. The same can be said for Damien as well. Does he continue on his path to follow his destiny or does he just go home?

And honestly, we still don’t fully know the answer by the end.

The Umbra King by Jamie Applegate Hunter Book Review

4.5 stars / 3 spicy peppers

The Umbra King is about vengeance and retribution. Rory wants revenge for her sister who was killed. To what lengths will she go to exact that revenge? And at what cost to herself?

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton Book Review

2 stars / 5 spicy peppers

I probably should have read the synopsis of this book first. But, then again, I never read the backs of books. There was also so much hype around this book that I had to read it for myself. 

A Duel with the Vampire Lord by Elise Kova Book Review

3 stars / 2 spicy peppers

Elise Kova has finally released the third installment to her Married to Magic series: A Duel with the Vampire Lord! 

Floraine is the forge maiden of her village, Hunter’s Hamlet. Her role is vital in smithing and creating silver weapons for the hunters to fight the vampires that attack them every full moon. 

Ruvan is the current vampire lord that is searching for the curse anchor to free his people. 

Fate has it that these two collide. They help each other uncover the shocking and sad truth of the curse. All the while falling in love with each other.