bookworm_jem's reviews
27 reviews

First of all, the cover of this book is stunning, and it got my attention straight away!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Azaela Press for this ARC.

I found this book to be full of everything that I love in fantasy with some modern and unique twists that offered a refreshing change - be warned though, there is a brutal cliffhanger that has definitely left me needing the next part of the story!

Asherah is about to leave home and start her dream job when she is thrust into a world she never knew existed and soon discovers that she is heir to their throne. While adjusting to the unknown and navigating her new life, she quickly finds herself under threat and must fight to prove herself worthy of her new title. 

With fae, magic, court intrigue, and romance, this will make a great holiday read when it publishes on 23rd July 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this e-arc...

This book took me by surprise - I devoured it in less than 48 hours!!

Like many, I only know of the Mulan story thanks to Disney, but this retelling takes away the Disney sparkle, mixes Chinese mythology with dark magic, and is definitely more for the grown-ups.

Escaping her father's addiction and a forced betrothal, Meilin enlists in the oncoming war, disguised as a boy. Unlike the Disney Princess fighting for her family's honour, this FMC is driven by ambition and the desire to be more than what is expected of women in that time...

What follows is an epic journey into war where forbidden magic is in play, and Meilin has to not only keep her identity secret but also become the warrior she feels she's destined to become.

This is due to be released on the 2nd July, and the second book honestly can't come soon enough for me!

Thank you to the author for giving me this ARC! 

If you love The Little Mermaid & Moana, then you are going to love this book, as it is a mixture of the two, but for adults! 

As expected in the first book of a series, there was a lot of world building to be done, and the author has done this beautifully - adding in plenty of backstory and history along the way. I could definitely imagine myself being right there with the characters in the various locations. 

The story starts when FMC Maren saves a man from drowning in the sea close to her island home. However, the mysterious man's appearance on the island sparks a chain of events that nobody could see coming. 

Taken far from home and dealing with revelations about her heritage, Maren has to make a deadly deal to stay alive - but all is not what it seems... 

♡ Adult romantasy
♡ Slow burn romance 
♡ Enemies to lovers
♡ Found family
♡ Arranged marriage 
♡ Hidden identities
♡ Sirens/mermaids 

Believe me when I say there are plot twists in this one - just when I thought I guessed where the story was going, it took another turn! 

Overall the author has done a fantastic job - I honestly can't wait to see where she takes this story next - with an ending like that, I need more ASAP!!

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin for allowing me this eARC... 

This was an enjoyable, quick read for me - one that I can imagine packing in my suitcase to read on holiday. It was my first read from this author, but it definitely won't be my last!

It is a modern-day thriller, where we follow a family of three from the UK on their luxury holiday to The Maldives. 

We quickly learn however, that the Hamiltons are not the perfect family that they appear to be - with secrets and lies between them threatening to be exposed, and even fellow guests not being as they seemingly appear.

With plenty of twists, turns & surprises throughout to keep you guessing, this is a good holiday read for the summer.

Magical, mysterious & adventurous...

Wow! If it wasn't for work & other
responsibilities I would have easily devoured this in a day - I LOVED it!

I really enjoyed Briar's style of writing and all of the characters & places that she has brought to life.

I adored the fact that there was a pronunciation guide!! Immediately bookmarked it to come back to, as it drives me mad when i don't know the correct way to pronounce a name or place!!

Camelot with a fae twist was just brilliant, along with discovering the lands beyond with their strange creatures & magic - I was hooked & intrigued from the very beginning.

Then there were plenty of unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout - I definitely was not expecting some of the events toward the end of the book, although I did guess some!

I really enjoyed this first installment, there is clearly much more to be uncovered & explored. I am so glad I have book two ready to dive into!!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing access to this & the other books ahead of the newest release, in exchange for my review.

"When light and dark collide, your fate will be split in two".

I couldn't believe this was a debut - the writing & world building were both amazing!

A strong FMC who we see go from prisoner to an absolute bad ass, and a dark, mysterious MMC who is to die for - especially with quotes like this 😍

“Truths, little demon. I don’t want you to feel alone when you’re with me, because for some reason, I don’t feel so lonely when you’re here. I can’t explain why, but you’re consuming my thoughts. Like the sweetest poison that will kill me if I don’t come back for more.”

I enjoyed the multiple POVs throughout the book, along the mixture of characters - Cora being one of my favourites!!

Overall, I loved this dark, fae romantasy, and after that cliffhanger, I can't wait to dive into book 2! 

I am so glad that the author is planning future books, because after that ending, I need more!!

Written in multiple POVs, this is an epic romantasy with adventure, arranged marriage, spice, dragons, and witches. 

I finished this within 24 hours because I honestly couldn't put it down - I was intrigued from the very start, and even though I guessed some of what was going to happen, it didn't make it any less of a surprise!

I am really looking forward to where the author takes this story and these characters. 

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Stories for the opportunity to read this ARC. 

"To anyone trapped in a cage. Break free, spread your wings. May your flight be long."

I finished this beautiful book earlier this week, and I loved it so much that I immediately messaged Braidee to tell her!

Straight away, you have a map, followed by trigger warnings (definitely read these) along with a pronunciation guide & and glossary, both of which I love to see in fantasy books. Braidee has even included a playlist that you can listen to while you read ❤️

The writing in this book is so beautiful & lyrical. It sweeps you straight in, and you can absolutely imagine being right there with the characters.

The world building is perfection, with plenty of references to Greek mythology - there's also magic, a network of spies, an FMC with secrets, forbidden romance, and a deceptive mission to be completed... this is the first in a series, and thanks to the cliffhanger, I need book 2 ASAP!!

🕊 Single POV
🕊 Fast Paced
🕊 Romantasy
🕊 Found Family
🕊 Forbidden Romance
🕊 Magic
🕊 Trials 
🕊 Spice

Overall, this was simply amazing, an instant 5⭐️ read for me.

Thank you to Braidee for allowing me to have this ARC. I honestly can't wait to see where you take this next! 

“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.”

This was such a fantastic finish to the series! 

Morgan, Draven, and their counterparts embark on a journey where they must face the evil that has been threatening all of their kingdoms and destroy three legendary objects of great power...

I honestly didn't know where the story was going to go from one chapter to the next - it kept me on my toes the entire way through!

Full of many surprises, like throughout the others in the series, this was a thrilling final adventure with Morgan and Draven, and I have loved every last bit!

A huge thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to this amazing series!

“You're all I think about. You're all I see. I'm so tied to you, I barely know who I am anymore.”

Again, I have completely devoured this book - I could not put it down!!

With this being the 3rd in the series, I didn't know if it would be as good as the others, and I'm so happy to be proven wrong.

I really enjoyed the multiple POVs in this one, and they were necessary, following on from how the last book ended... 

This picks up where the 2nd book ended, with Morgan returning to Camelot and finding out what has happened since she left.  She reunites with past characters and learns even more about those closest to her & even herself.

Meanwhile, you get to follow Draven and members of his court on a journey across the kingdoms to find his lost mate. 

Another thrilling page turner for me & I'm not sure I'm ready for it all to end in book 4!