Tag: book blog

eARC Review – Dark Skies

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Title: Dark Skies (Dark Shores #2)

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication date: May 5th, 2020

464 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

A RUNAWAY WITH A HIDDEN PAST
Lydia is a scholar, but books are her downfall when she meddles in the plots of the most powerful man in the Celendor Empire. Her life in danger, she flees west to the far side of the Endless Seas and finds herself entangled in a foreign war where her burgeoning powers are sought by both sides.

A COMMANDER IN DISGRACE
Killian is Marked by the God of War, but his gifts fail him when the realm under the dominion of the Corrupter invades Mudamora. Disgraced, he swears his sword to the kingdom’s only hope: the crown princess. But the choice sees him caught up in a web of political intrigue that will put his oath – and his heart – to the test.

A KINGDOM UNDER SIEGE
With Mudamora falling beneath the armies of the Corrupter, Lydia and Killian strike a bargain to save those they love most—but it is a bargain with unintended and disastrous consequences. Truths are revealed, birthrights claimed, and loyalties questioned—all while a menace deadlier and more far-reaching than they realize sweeps across the world.

Review

**Thank you to Tor Teen, Netgalley, and Danielle L. Jensen for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

WOW I am just blown away. I want to start by saying that even though this is the second book, you do NOT need to read the first book to understand what is happening. I have not read Dark Shores but still feel that the world building and characters were enough to support this book. After reading Dark Skies, I am even more excited to read Dark Shores!

Dark Skies follows Lydia and Killian, worlds apart but forced together to try and respectively save the people they care about. The Gods seem to be up to their ears in problems, and it’s being taken out on the humans that have faith in them. Worlds are coming apart at the seems, and these two are so caught up in it that there is no telling how this will end up.

I adore the characters. Lydia and Killian are so different, yet so similar in so many ways. They are both such tragic humans, bent on saving each other, their loved ones, and the world – even when they can’t do it all. This doesn’t mean they don’t spend the whole book trying to in spite of that! The side characters are okay. there are definitely some interesting characters but Lydia and Killian really steal the show.

The magic system is super interesting, with Gods “marking” certain humans with powers at some point in their lives. Each God has different reasons for marking and different types of people to give marks too. Also, the Gods are only as powerful as their people’s faith in them, which I think is a very interesting subplot and calls into question the inherent “all powerful” archetype for deities.

Overall, if you love YA Fantasy and magic and Gods interfering in humans lives, PLEASE read this book because you will not regret it.

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – Chain of Gold

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“The most interesting women are always the most whispered about.”

Title: Chain of Gold (The Last Hour #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication date: March 3rd, 2020

624 pages

3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love.

Review

We don’t always love people who deserve it.

cassandra clare, chain of gold

I spent a good amount of time DYING for this book to come out because I mean, look at it. I had just caught up in the Shadowhunter world (the main books, not the novella collections) and was READY for more and especially more Will and Tessa!!! But… I ended up being kind of disappointed with this book.

Let’s start here. The action was great as it always is. I love the Shadowhunter world and the characters. There is just something about returning to this world that makes me happy. I felt like this trilogy started off very differently than the others mainly because there was very little Downworlder involvement like in the other books, virtually no vampires, werewolves, faeries, or warlocks (save Magnus and Tessa of course). This was strictly Shadowhunter plot, and I didn’t mind this at all. There certainly was plenty of intrigue, and I love the juxtaposition of 20th century treatment of women and Shadowhunter bad-assery.

Cordelia and James were my favorite characters, except when James was being a total dillweed, but we’ll give him a pass because I believe we will find out it’s not entirely his fault. Lucy is perfectly lovely and I really enjoyed her side expeditions with the Blackthorn boy/ghost. Also, I am here for the LGBTQIA characters, the further CC gets into her series’ the more she incorporate human rights issues, modern day sexual identity issues, and just current societal issues and I think it’s great.

However. And there are a few howevers here. I had several issues with the overall book. First – it was slow. I slogged through the first, say, 400 pages. Sure there was stuff happening, but it had a weird flow and I couldn’t get into it. Second – there are too. many. characters. I STILL don’t have everyone straight. I spent the whole time trying to remember who was related to who, because there were 6 “main characters” and like 20 other side characters who were also important. I couldn’t do it. It’s way too much. Third. I hate Grace Blackthorn. I don’t like reading about her, and I want her to leave the book entirely!

I don’t hate this book, don’t get me wrong. I have high hopes for the next book, and OF COURSE I will continue to read. I just almost expected… better? It’s truly possible I overhyped this in my head and for the first time I don’t have the next book to dive into immediately.

Happy reading, folks!

May TBR!

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Happy May!! Yesterday, I scheduled a time to go donate blood plasma in Delaware to help those sick with COVID-19 since I am already recovered! I’m not necessarily looking forward to it, but at least I know I will be helping people!

My May TBR is going to look a little different than normal, I’m trying something new out! I will only be planning my ebook and eARC reads because I had such a hard time getting into physical books last month. So instead of stressing myself, I will plan my library and Netgalley books and just leisurely read physical books without the pressure to read all of them! It’s just a test for this month, so we’ll see how this goes in like 31 days!

EBOOKS (from the library)

  1. Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1), Robin LaFevers
  2. Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2), Robin LaFevers
  3. Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin #3), Robin LaFevers
  4. Courting Darkness (Courting Darkness #1), Robin LaFevers
  5. Get a Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters #1), Talia Hibbert
  6. The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club #1), Lyssy Kay Adams
  7. The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

EARC’S

  1. The Bride, Wendy Clarke
  2. The Plus One Pact, Portia MacIntosh
  3. Dark Skies (Dark Shores #2), Danielle L. Jensen
  4. The Trouble With Hating You, Sajni Patel
  5. Set Fire to the Gods (Set Fire to the Gods #1), Sara Raasch
  6. More Than Maybe, Erin Hahn
  7. Love Sold Separately, Ellen Meister
  8. Queen of the Unwanted (The Women’s War #2), Jenna Glass
  9. Where Dreams Descend, Janella Angeles
  10. Dear Emmie Blue, Lia Louis
  11. Keep My Heart in San Francisco, Amelia Diane Coombs
  12. The House Guest, Mark Andrews
  13. Igniting Darkness (Sampler) (Courting Darkness #2), Robin LaFevers

So, this is pretty adventurous, but we’re going to try to get through it all! My Netgalley ratio will love me!

How do you plan your TBR’s?

Happy reading, folks!

eARC Review – Girl Gone Viral

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Title: Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love #2)

Author: Alisha Rai

Publisher: Avon

Publication date: April 21st, 2020

400 pages

3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.

OMG! Wouldn’t it be adorable if he’s her soulmate???

I don’t see any wedding rings [eyes emoji]

Breaking: #CafeBae and #CuteCafeGirl went to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME!!!

One minute, Katrina King’s enjoying an innocent conversation with a hot guy at a coffee shop; the next, a stranger has live-tweeted the entire episode with a romantic meet-cute spin and #CafeBae is the new hashtag-du-jour. The problem? Katrina craves a low-profile life, and going viral threatens the peaceful world she’s painstakingly built. Besides, #CafeBae isn’t the man she’s hungry for…

He’s got a [peach emoji] to die for.

With the internet on the hunt for the identity of #CuteCafeGirl, Jas Singh, bodyguard, friend, and possessor of the most beautiful eyebrows Katrina’s ever seen, comes to the rescue and whisks her away to his family’s home. Alone in a remote setting with the object of her affections? It’s a recipe for romance. But after a long dating dry spell, Katrina isn’t sure she can trust her instincts when it comes to love—even if Jas’ every look says he wants to be more than just her bodyguard…

Review

**Thank you to Edelweiss, Avon, and Alisha Rai for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

Companion novel to The Right Swipe, Girl Gone Viral follows Katrina King as she struggles with her anxiety disorder and finding herself going viral on the internet for a fake relationship with a man she encountered briefly at a coffee shop. Katrina copes with the unwanted attention, and possible increased attention from people in her past, by heading to Northern California with her super hot bodyguard Jas who she just happens to have been panting over for years now…

I found Girl Gone Viral to be a decent adult rom com. I appreciate the mental health representation with Katrina, and the fact that information is shared about her past but the story isn’t completely focused on her trauma. It allows a different perspective than normal because it focuses on dealing with the mental health triggers in her normal life years later.

I enjoyed the relationship progression of Katrina and Jas. It was interesting to read how they were able to go from employer/employee and long time friends to a romantic relationship. They had some serious issues but could talk about them and come to a solution or conclusion. Sometimes it’s nice to just read about functional relationships instead of two people who don’t know how to talk to each other or sort through normal relationship struggles.

One criticism I have is about the romantic, sex scenes. They were, frankly, unrealistic. I have never come across a book that was this unrealistic with how people have sex. It didn’t stop me from reading it, but I got to the first scene and literally stopped, read it to my fiance, and laughed about how that’s not an average take on how sexual experiences look. I think sex scenes are important to adult romance stories and at times it’s hard to create unique scenes – but this was not the solution.

Overall, I’m glad I was able to read Girl Gone Viral early, courtesy of Edelweiss. I read it all in one sitting, and it was an easy and light read. I hope you will check it out when it releases, especially if you enjoyed The Right Swipe!

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – Ember Queen

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“There’s no shame in breaking…You just have to put yourself back together again.”

Title: Ember Queen (Ash Princess #3)

Author: Laura Sebastian

Publisher: Delacourte Books for Young Readers

Publication date: February 4th, 2020

512 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

The thrilling conclusion to the series that began with the instant New York Times bestseller “made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir” (Bustle), Ember Queen is an epic fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.

Princess Theodosia was a prisoner in her own country for a decade. Renamed the Ash Princess, she endured relentless abuse and ridicule from the Kaiser and his court. But though she wore a crown of ashes, there is fire in Theo’s blood. As the rightful heir to the Astrean crown, it runs in her veins. And if she learned nothing else from her mother, she learned that a Queen never cowers. 

Now free, with a misfit army of rebels to back her, Theo must liberate her enslaved people and face a terrifying new enemy: the new Kaiserin. Imbued with a magic no one understands, the Kaiserin is determined to burn down anyone and everything in her way. 

The Kaiserin’s strange power is growing stronger, and with Prinz Søren as her hostage, there is more at stake than ever. Theo must learn to embrace her own power if she has any hope of standing against the girl she once called her heart’s sister.

Review

You aren’t useless. You have your mind, you have your determination. 

ember queen, laura sebastian

I have waited for the conclusion of the Ash Princess series since 2018, ever since I first read Ash Princess and fell in love. Theo is one of my fave characters all time, and I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion to the trilogy. Ember Queen is a great conclusion that wraps up the story line but still throws some fun twists in for the readers along with extending the plot line from Lady Smoke.

Ember Queen continues Theo’s story of trying to regain her family’s throne in Astrea, that was overtaken by the Kalovaxian Kaiser many years ago. Theo is strong and capable, while trying to be a fair and just ruler. Her rebellion is going strong, but there are some kinks that need to be worked out. The real issue is of the Kaiserin, who has some new powers that no one really understands. Theo must use all of her wits and powers to make her rebellion a success.

It’s hard to write a review for an end book without giving away and spoilers! So, this is the best I can do. I enjoy where Theo’s romantic relationship ended up. It seemed like a fitting end for her romance throughout the books, and is something that isn’t too easy. The writing is as wonderful as the others, and this series will just continue to be one of my favorites.

I am very excited to read more of Laura’s work, both adult and YA. Can’t wait!

Happy reading, folks!

Book Review – The Girl with the Whispering Shadow

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Title: The Girl with the Whispering Shadow (The Crowns of Croswald #2)

Author: D. E. Night

Publisher: Stories Untold LLC

Publication date: January 23rd, 2019

384 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Even a secret town cannot protect Ivy from a mysterious darkness…

Only hours after Ivy Lovely discovers that she is the fulfillment of the Moonsday promise, she is whisked away from her beloved school to Belzebuthe, a secret town for only those with magical blood.

Ivy sets out on a mission to uncover the second facet of the Kindred Stone while eluding the Dark Queen’s wrath. But even when she’s supposed to be safe, something is shadowing Ivy. She will need all her natural-born magic and more as she battles to find the rest of the Kindred Stone and return to the Halls of Ivy.

Before it’s too late…

Review

**Thank you to Netgalley, Stories Untold LLC, and D. E. Night for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

Sequel to The Crowns of Croswald, The Girl with the Whispering Shadow picks up right where the first left off with Ivy and friends. The school year is over and everyone is looking forward to summer break, but the Dark Queen being on the hunt for Ivy puts a damper on everything. But Ivy knows what her mission is, and will fulfill it no matter what the consequences.

Truly, this series is so magical and whimsical. If you are looking for a more light-hearted, genderbent Harry Potter than this is the story for you. The magical creatures and magic system are so much fun and the characters are just adorable. Ivy, Fyn, and Rebecca are are great friends and each bring something different to the table. It’s an easy read and worth the time.

One thing I will say is that is is VERY close to Harry Potter and the dialogue isn’t the best. The descriptions and writing are beautiful, but the dialogue is very stilted and has far too many !’s. However, this is more of a middle grade book so this could make sense. I also think the similarities to Harry Potter are just a bit much, almost too close for comfort.

Overall, I find this series to be very good and am excited to continue it with The Words of the Wandering, releasing in May 2020!

Happy reading, folks!

eARC Review – You Deserve Each Other

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Title: You Deserve Each Other

Author: Sarah Hogle

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Publication date: April 7th, 2020

368 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

When your nemesis also happens to be your fiancé, happily ever after becomes a lot more complicated in this wickedly funny, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy debut.

Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiancé: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family any bride would love to be a part of. They never fight. They’re preparing for their lavish wedding that’s three months away. And she is miserably and utterly sick of him.

Naomi wants out, but there’s a catch: whoever ends the engagement will have to foot the nonrefundable wedding bill. When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.

But with the countdown looming to the wedding that may or may not come to pass, Naomi finds her resolve slipping. Because now that they have nothing to lose, they’re finally being themselves–and having fun with the last person they expect: each other.

Review

Thank you to Edelweiss, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and Sarah Hogle for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

You Deserve Each Other is a refreshingly new take on romance. Nicholas and Naomi are engaged, but seriously hate each other. Resentment has built silently on both sides for a year and their pride is too strong to be the first to break. But in love, there’s no room for mistrust or selfishness. They need to make a choice, but with a manipulative and conniving future MIL and Naomi’s unstable employment status – no decision is easy.

I’m here for this lovers to enemies to lovers action. Told from Naomi’s POV, the reader gets a firsthand look into how dysfunctional the relationship has gotten. It’s clear Nicholas and Naomi have both given up, but when Naomi realizes Nicholas is just as unhappy, they both snap into being petty and trying to make each other miserable enough to end the engagement. I loved the petty drama and it was LOL funny to see what pranks they would pull next.

Nicholas’ mother was a delightfully evil character. The drama she added to the story line was perfect and helped push Naomi and Nicholas along.

I adored that this book, more than anything, was about Naomi and Nicholas becoming friends again. It’s important for relationships to not just be about the romance, but also enjoying each other’s company and hobbies.

I absolutely adored this book and you should all read this pronto.

Happy reading, folks!

March Wrap Up!

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Welcome back to my monthly post about all the books I read (and all the one’s I didn’t read) as planned! I initially planned to be super ambitious and read 20 books in March. Spoiler alert: this did NOT happen! But really, who is surprised by this?

I want to say I did well with my reading… but I really didn’t. In total I read 15 books, which is great don’t get me wrong, but it was HARD to read in March. Especially by the end. And still is as I’m writing this frankly. The nonsense with COVID-19 has got me in more of a depressed state, so reading doesn’t hold quite the same stress relief as it normally does. I’m working through it though!

Without further ado, below are the books I read in March, and even further below are the books I meant to read in March but didn’t.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

  1. The Shadows Between Us, Tricia Levenseller – 5/5 stars
  2. Girls with Sharp Sticks (Girls with Sharp Sticks #1), Suzanne Young – 3/5 stars
  3. Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1), Kat Cho – 3.5/5 stars
  4. Ember Queen (Ash Princess #3), Laura K. Sebastian – 5/5 stars
  5. Tigers, Not Daughters, Samantha Mabry – 4/5 stars (ARC)
  6. Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1), Cassandra Clare – 3.5/5 stars
  7. Sky Without Stars (System Divine #1), Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell – 4/5 stars

EARCS

  1. What I Like About Me, Jenna Guillame – 4.5/5 stars
  2. Girls with Razor Hearts (Girls with Sharp Sticks #2), Suzanne Young – 4/5 stars
  3. Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love #2), Alisha Rai – 3/5 stars
  4. What I Like About You, Marisa Kanter – 5/5 stars
  5. You Deserve Each Other, Sarah Hogle – 5/5 stars
  6. Between Burning Worlds (System Divine #2), Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell – 4.5/5 stars
  7. Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3), Julie Kagawa – 4.5/5 stars

AUDIOBOOKS

  1. Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1), Renee Ahdieh – 3.5/5 stars

BOOKS I DID NOT GET TO AS PLANNED

Continuing the theme from February by having 8 books that I did not read from the TBR.

  1. The Beckoning Shadow (The Beckoning Shadow #1), Katharyn Blair
  2. Diamond & Dawn (Amber & Dusk #2), Lyra Selene
  3. Magic For Liars, Sarah Gailey
  4. Defy Me (Shatter Me #5), Tahereh Mafi
  5. Imagine Me (Shatter Me #6), Tahereh Mafi
  6. Well Met (Well Met #1), Jen DeLuca
  7. The Beautiful (The Beautiful #1), Renee Ahdieh
  8. Infinity Son (Infinity Cycle #1), Adam Silvera

I plan to read all of these, minus The Beautiful and Infinity Son in April. I planned to read those two via audiobook, but with the statewide shut downs and working from home mostly – I’ve given up on audiobooks for the time being. I hope to get back to them once the world is in a better place.

Tune in tomorrow for my April TBR post! Quick, sneak peak… I plan to read a ridiculous amount of books again!

Happy reading, folks!

March Haul!

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Anyone else feel like March took exactly 93 days?? I swear March was so ridiculously long, mostly because of all this COVID-19 nonsense. In fact, I spent a week sick because I tested positive for the virus myself!! Unfortunately, April doesn’t seem like it’s going to be any better, so it’s time to hunker down with books and snacks and try to remember what it was like to go outside.

I acquired several books this month, mostly thanks to subscription boxes. Below is a full itemization of my acquisitions!

SUBSCRIPTION BOX BOOKS

This month I got both my Owlcrate and BOTM hauls!

  1. Kingdom of Back, Marie Lu
  2. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, Josie Silver
  3. Bringing Down the Duke, Evie Dunmore

BARNES & NOBLE

I put in some preorders at Christmas time for two books that released in March.

  1. Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1), Cassandra Clare
  2. The Midnight Lie (The Midnight Lie #1), Marie Rutkoski

How many books did y’all haul this month? What are you looking forward to in April? Check back tomorrow for my March Wrap Up!

Happy reading, folks!

eARC Review – The Night of the Dragon

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Title: Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3)

Author: Julia Kagawa

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Publication date: March 31st, 2020

384 pages

4.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Master storyteller Julie Kagawa concludes the enthralling journey into the heart of the fantastical Empire of Iwagoto in the third book of the Shadow of the Fox trilogy. As darkness rises and chaos reigns, a fierce kitsune and her shadowy protector will face down the greatest evil of all. A captivating fantasy for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas and Marie Lu.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko and their companions to stop a madman and separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that had trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.

Review

**Thank you to Netgalley, Inkyard Press, and Julie Kagawa for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

In the thrilling finale of the Shadow of the Fox trilogy, Yumeko and the gang are still working on stopping the Wish from being made to the Great Kami Dragon by the evil Master of Demons. Night of the Dragon is action-packed, more so than other books. The action really started at the halfway mark and did not stop until the very end. I finished this book all in one day and it just flowed so easily.

By this point, I love all the characters. This group of fighters mesh so well and each bring something different to the table. They all have their own skills and abilities, while working together seamlessly to achieve their goals. I also love the ships that sail during this book, but no spoilers as to which ones!

The plot of this series was really top level, and it culminated in a very well scripted final action scene… which basically was the last half of the book. The ending made me feel so many emotions, all at the same time. I even cycled through several emotions a few times. It was back and forth, give and take, with so many twist and turns. The epilogue was SO needed and continued the emotions.

Seriously, read this series if you love Asian inspired fantasies such as Wicked Fox and Descendant of the Crane.

Happy reading, folks!