REVIEW OF THE DEMON TIDE BY LAURIE FOREST

SYNOPSIS:

Nothing can stop the demon tide…

Newly exposed as the Black Witch of Prophecy, Elloren Gardner Grey is on the run, not knowing if she’ll find friends or foes. With her fastmate, Lukas Grey, either dead or in the hands of High Mage Marcus Vogel, Elloren knows the only chance of turning the tide of the coming war is to seek allies who will listen long enough not to kill her on sight.

In the Eastern Realm, Water Fae Tierney Calix and Elloren’s brother Trystan have joined the Wyvernguard to prepare for Vogel’s attack. But Trystan is fighting on two fronts, as the most despised and least trusted member of the guard. And Tierney’s bond with Erthia’s most powerful river has exposed a danger even more terrifying than the looming war.

The Black Witch is back, and the Prophecy is at hand. It’s time to fight. But Vogel has one more earth-shattering revelation for them all.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

REVIEW:

So. Many. Feels.

The Demon Tide made me scream in joy, frustration, and horror. I shed tears of happiness and heartbreak.

The stakes just get impossibly higher, and the romance is the swooniest I've ever had the pleasure of reading. New couples and heart-stopping reunions. The kissing scenes killed me with the hotness. All this beautiful romance is woven with a deep, complex, and gripping plot that left me at the edge of my seat.

A terrifyingly accurate parallel is drawn between Erthia and our world. How prejudice corrupts and blinds even the smartest people. How fear can turn common people into monsters. The emotional trauma that comes with losing faith and discovering the lies imposed on someone since childhood. So many layers create a society that feels entirely real, and it's as magical as it is flawed.

There is, however, some light at the end of the tunnel, a message of hope, and an invitation to defend what's right.

Laurie Forest has become my favorite author and I can't wait for the conclusion of this mind-blowing series.

I wish I could give this magical, purple book a million stars.

Grad THE DEMON TIDE by tapping the cover:

REVIEW OF THE SHADOW WAND BY LAURIE FOREST

THE SHADOW WAND BY LAURIE FOREST: REVIEW

SYNOPSIS

HER WORLD-ALTERING SECRET CAN’T BE HIDDEN MUCH LONGER

Elloren Gardner hides the most powerful secret in all Erthia—she is the Black Witch of Prophecy, and destined to triumph…or be used as the ultimate weapon of destruction.

Separated from everyone she loves, isolated and hunted, Elloren must turn to the last person she can trust—her fastmate, Commander Lukas Grey. With the Mage forces of Gardneria poised to conquer all of Erthia, Elloren has no choice but to ally with Lukas and combine their power to keep herself out of the hands of Gardnerian leader Marcus Vogel…the holder of the all-consuming Shadow Wand.

With just weeks to train to become a warrior, and no control over her magic, Elloren finds unexpected allies among those under orders to kill her. It’s time to step up. To fight back. And to forge onward through the most devastating loss yet.

REVIEW

Life never goes the way we want or imagine, and Elloren sure learns that. Hunted by the Vu Trin because she's too powerful and forced to go back to Gardneria to gather information and hide, she reunites with Lukas and learns of the death of someone precious to her. A lot happens in a short time and Elloren loses loved ones, and gains allies, sacrifices parts of herself, and also acquires new skills.

There are multiple POVs that widen the scope of the story. I enjoyed them a great deal. I'm usually not a fan. I'm usually mentally screaming "gimme my MC!!!" but Laurie knows how to trap you with new characters and also new ones that have interesting stories to tell. From a highly powerful mage who has his beliefs torn to pieces in front of him, to a brave, reckless young woman who would do anything for her small sibling, to a powerful fae, and Elloren's brother Trystan. I so love Trystan; his side of the story is heartbreaking and also full of self-discovery with a dash of steamy romantic potential.

If there's something Laurie excels at, is conveying emotion in such a raw way that I teared up several times. And romance. Complex, maddening, delirious romantic liaisons that are positively addictive.

The war has begun, and it's terrifying. Just when I thought I couldn't hate Marcus Vogel more than I did he got worse. Like 100 times worse. And Vyvian, that crazy bitch reached extra levels of wickedness.

Again, the parallels to some of the most chauvinistic ways of the Gardnerians with our world's bullshit ways are masterful. The way Gardnerians feel like they own the world, and want to set it on fire, and dominate other species because it says they are the superior beings in their little deranged book was eerily familiar.

There are also lots of action scenes. I looooooooooove me some actions scenes. And have I mentioned the kissing? There are lots of swoon-worthy scenes, too. I love how Laurie balances the horrors of a world divided and at war with very personal stories full of complex feelings and hard decisions.

Overall a sexy, action-packed, diverse adventure that makes one think about the injustices in our pseudo-modern prejudiced world while diving into a world ripe with magic, dragons, and powerful beings.

GRAB THE SHADOW WAND BY TAPPING THE COVER!

Peter Green and the Unliving Academy by Angelina Allsop

Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Peter Green can’t remember how he died.

All he has are his pajamas, a silk tie, and a one-way bus ticket to Mrs. Battisworth’s Academy and Haven for Unliving Boys and Girls, a strange and spooky school for dead orphans like himself. But that’s all he needs: the Unliving Academy has everything, from vampires in the hallways, to monsters in the cafeteria, to ghosts in the basement.

And that’s just the teachers; the students are far stranger.

As Pete learns to fit in with his new supernatural schoolmates, he starts to discover his own uniquely undead abilities, and even begins enjoying his life after death…but he just can’t shake the feeling that he’s forgotten something (or somebody!) important. 

Somebody he left behind in the land of the living.

Somebody he loved very much.

Somebody who’s in terrible danger. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

So I was looking for something different, something to get me out of a funk and this book has most definitely achieved that. With the Academy feel of Harry Potter and the crazy action of Percy Jackson, Peter Green and the Unliving Academy has earned its rightful place among my favorite books.

Pete is easy to relate to, bit awkward and can't talk to girls without forgetting his name. And memory is one of his main issues, he's forgotten something important but doesn't know why. The clues are scarce and he has to rely on instinct and the sporadic visions of a girl with brown eyes he wants to keep safe.

Fortunately, he makes friends with unique skills who help him navigate this new life, and he starts feeling more alive than ever even though he's technically dead. 

A charming book with a unique world and endearing characters that made me laugh and cry. I can't wait to see what comes next for Pete and company.

Take a peek here: https://amzn.to/2HT0zZB

Thanks to Maria Inot from TCK Publishing for the ARC! 

http://www.tckpublishing.com/

Phoenyx in Flames by Daisy St. James

Synopsis

As a child, Jane heard voices. Felt what others could feel. 

She was witness to the things that went bump in the night and could tell a person's deepest, darkest thoughts with only a touch. Until tragedy changed her life completely, thrusting her into the care of Hutton Grimshaw.

Esteemed chair member of The Order of the Flame, Hutton does what he must. Training young Jane to be the one thing the shadows feared. Now, at the age of twenty-five, she is known as Phoenyx, the world's deadliest supernatural assassin. 

The hard and fast rules change when she finds Judas, a vampire, suffering in a back alley with no memory of who he is, or why he's becoming more and more human every day. With a price on her head and the survival of humanity at stake, Phoenyx finds herself . . . Changing. Her true nature is slowly beginning to reveal itself and mysteriously, Hutton is the only one who seems to know why. 

After years of taking down the supernatural beings that plague her hometown of Crystal Haven, Phoenyx finds herself teetering on the fine line between good and evil. While her attraction to Judas begins to consume her, growing like a fire out of control, one thing becomes undeniably clear . . . 

If you play with fire, you’re going to get burned.

***Contains mature subject matter, sexual content, 18+ readers only.*** 

Rating 4 stars

Review

Don't you just love an unapologetically badass female MC? I do, and Phoenix is just that. 
The secondary characters were great too, I love Cortez (demon) and I'm intrigued by Monroe (succubus).
There is no shortage of hot guys and steamy moments, and despite being fast-paced there was just enough description for me to fully imagine all the scenarios and characters.
There was enough action and mystery to keep me reading, I finished it in only two reading sessions.
Must confess I had a pretty good idea of what Phoenix would become near the end, but maybe that's because I have a similar character.
I'm intrigued by what comes next.

Take a look at Phoenix in Flames here: https://amzn.to/2LWPieL

Review of The Rebel Mages by Laurie Forest

Rebel Mages encompasses the two novellas in The Black Witch Chronicles: Wandfasted and Light Mage.

Synopsis of Wandfasted

Twenty years before Elloren Gardner enrolled at the illustrious Verpax University, Erthia was rent asunder during the devastating Realm War. When Tessla Harrow is driven from her home by the fighting, she discovers a depth of power she never knew she had…and an irresistible draw toward Vale Gardner, the son of the most powerful mage her people have ever known—the Black Witch.

Review

I'm having a seriously bad fangirling case. Wandfasted is amazing! I enjoyed it as much as The Black Witch.

Wandfasted tells the story of how Tessla and Vale (Elloren's parents) knew each other. It also shows why Carnissa Gardner became a legend, and believe me you don't want to miss that. With a fast pace and beautiful world-building, this book is simply impossible to put down once you start.

I absolutely loved getting to know Tessla, she's a badass, the kind of MC that I can't get enough of: intelligent, brave, selfless, strong and mature. Vale I had to warm up to, but once you get to know him better he's easy to love. 

Is also quite the experience getting to know the parents of other characters from The Black Witch. You get a lot of: "now I get it".

I completely recommend this book for anyone who knows how to read, and if you don't, here's a good reason.

Synopsis of Light Mage

Before Elloren came to possess the White Wand of myth, the Wand was drawn to another bearer: Sagellyn Gaffney. Sage’s affinity for light magery, a rare skill among Gardnerians, makes her the perfect protector for the one tool that can combat the shadows spreading across Erthia. But in order to keep the Wand safe from the dark forces hunting for it, Sage must abandon everything she once knew and forge a new path for herself…a dangerous course that could lead to either triumph or utter ruin.

Review

Imagine living in a world where people are segregated based on their race. Where religion has been twisted and turned into a weapon, aimed against other's beliefs. Where fear of the unknown leads to hate and cruelty. Where little girls have no right over their own bodies and are forced into marriage. 

Not difficult to do, right?

Sage Gaffney comes from an extremely religious family, even for a Gardnerian. She has been taught that being obedient and following the teachings of the Ancient One will keep her safe. Safe from the demons that want to corrupt her people, safe from the vile men that hurt innocent girls like her. Her bubble shatters when she learns -in the worse way possible- that evil thrives within her own people; hidden behind mountains of lies.

She is thrust into the cruel reality of being shunned by her family, her kind, and all the other races the Gardnerians have hurt. But she is not alone, she finds allies from where she least expects, compassion from those who she thought were evil, patient teaching from the shunned; unconditional love from a man she “should” fear. There is a lot of pain and heartbreak for her, but also a lot of friendship and love. 

Sage is brave, compassionate, kind, and she learns fast. The kind of heroine I can root for easily; she makes mistakes, but learns from them and comes out stronger in the end. 

The love interest, Ciaran, is one of my fave male MCs. He is different from many others, and I loved that. There are a lot of lovable secondary characters, my absolute favorite is Rivyr, I need more of him and his antics. 

A must-read by an author that has quickly become one of my favorite. 

Tap on the image to grab your copy of The Rebel Mages right here: 

The OCD Games by Kayla Krantz

The OCD Games: A Christmas Romance Novella by Kayla Krantz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Erica has OCD, and because of it, she has issues keeping jobs despite being a competent person, sometimes her compulsions get the best of her. She has a crazy best friend -Kara- that encourages her and pushes her to be a bit more adventurous. Her life is rather monotonous until she meets someone in her new job at a small store.

Blaine is mysterious, he's rather quiet but he's charming nevertheless, and...

Nah, you have to read this by yourself to find out.

I found myself feeling related to Erica more than once, and overall enjoyed The OCD games a lot.

A sweet, lovely novella. Totally recommend.

View all my reviews

Grab the OCD Games here: https://amzn.to/2EDQT3E

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass

Throne of Glass

Synopsis:

"Nothing is a coincidence. Everything has a purpose. You were meant to come to this castle, just as you were meant to be an assassin."

When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King's Champion and be released from prison.

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she'd have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle—and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival—and a desperate quest to root out the source of the evil before it destroys her world.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review

I'd stalled reading Throne of Glass. Whenever a book is over-hyped I always approach it with some foreboding. But it turned out my fears were unfounded. I had seen a lot of bad reviews hating on Celeana and the book in general. And I have to ask, what the hell? 

Celeana Sardothien is a refreshing female lead. She is cocky, she knows she is dangerous, strong and beautiful, a nice change from the I-don't-know-I'm-awesome-but-everyone-drools-for-me trope. The girl can fight, and she is not clumsy, I'm so done with clumsy MCs. 
Not a fan Chaol, his way of seeing Celeana for most of the book thoroughly annoyed me.
Not really a fan of Dorian either, he lacks nerve.
I LOVE Princess Nehemia! 
I wasn't surprised by most of the plot twists, but they were nicely delivered. 

Action, sass, mystery, I loved it.

Fave quote: “Libraries were full of ideas—perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.”

Get it here: https://amzn.to/2EyunJp

Review of Everless by Sara Holland

Everless by Sara Holland

IN THE KINGDOM OF SEMPERA, TIME IS CURRENCY—EXTRACTED FROM BLOOD, BOUND TO IRON, AND CONSUMED TO ADD TIME TO ONE’S OWN LIFESPAN. THE RICH ARISTOCRACY TAX THE POOR TO THE HILT, EXTENDING THEIR OWN LIVES BY CENTURIES.

And no one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Rating: 4 stars
Review

So I'd been on a huge reading slump regarding YA fantasy, finding several books either boring or plain awful. Everless got me out of it. 
Jules is headstrong, but not on the maddening sense. She had a good reason to do all the crazy things she did. I like her, she feels real, I would've done exactly what she did on many occasions. 
The love interest didn't interest me at all, I could see through him long before Jules did. I can see why she was so infatuated, she was clinging to the past.
Now the mean and mysterious Lord, hell yeah. I was certain that there was more to him than met the eye and immediately liked him. Maybe I have a thing for grumpy characters who hide who they really are to protects others, and themselves.
I like Sara Holland's writing style, the descriptions are perfect for visualizing but don't drag on. And the mysteries actually had me thinking. That plot twist by the end... I loved it! A nice respite from books where I can see things coming from page 20.
Totally recommend.

Get Everless here: https://amzn.to/2EwQVKI

The Chronicles of Jaydür by L.F Oake

The Lost Voice

Synopsis

The Voices of Jaydür have been murdered. When an immortal bodyguard named Archai brings news of their deaths, Caia Foriei is summoned to leave everyone she loves behind and assume the heavy mantle of her divine ancestor. But it’s not so easy. The sinstarians want the young soon-to-be Voices dead, and they’ll murder anyone in their path to get their way. To protect her from the growing threat to the Voices, Caia’s memories are shielded and she is hurled into another realm. In short time, Jaydür’s godless land and people plunge into decay and despair as Caia tries to recall who she once was and who she was 

Review

A fun, action-packed read. 
Caia is one of the next voices of Jaydur, a keeper of balance. She and the other voices are being chased by Goblins and sinistarians, the enemies of the Elves. 
To ensure Caia's safety a guardian is sent, Archai. He's got a ticket to the book crush list faaast. There is humour, heartbreak, love and fun. 
A must read for those who love fantasy. 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Xxu6Ou

Rise of The Elders

Synopsis

The Voices of Jaydür are alive and well, but the Elders have assumed power—and they aren’t willing to give it up just yet. For two years, Caia has been hidden away on Terra in an attempt to keep her safe from the ruthless sinstarians, who will stop at nothing to capture the next Voice of Apan. But when Caia’s protective Sapient, Archai, tries to return her to her world, the unexpected happens, and an unfamiliar Sapient ushers her back to Jaydür instead. Where is Archai, the ascribed bodyguard Caia has come to trust? Could those who call themselves friends actually be plotting against her? Now, as the Voices enter the next terrifying phase, Caia must learn to cope with her newfound power or lose her sanity—and Jaydür.

Review

I had missed Archai! Give me a cold bastard with sass that deep down cares too much and I am in love. 
Caia is an easily likable character, she is brave and learns from her mistakes. We see her turn into a more mature woman as the plot develops and it is beautiful.
But just right before that, there's a memorable episode I re-read and laughed out loud with. 
A new character makes an appearance, Tanis, another Sapient, and good gods I loved to hate him or hate to love him, not sure. All I know is I want more of him.
A fast-paced, action-packed fantasy with refreshing lore and a good dose of humour I most definitely recommend.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2U8BRrY

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Review

This book was a recommendation of JamsuDreams, and I am soooooo happy I listened!
How the hell had I never heard of this awesome saga?
I love the mythology, gargoyles, angels, and demons together were something I've never read before. And I do love some good VS evil, even better darkness disguising as light.
I like Layla, she is feisty and sarcastic and made roll my eyes few times, something I much appreciate in an MC.
The love triangle was well done, it is actually hard to choose a fave. I love Roth, he's a sassy, sexy, and caring guy, but I can't help to like Zayne too. He can be a bit of an overprotective pain sometimes, but his intentions are good. 
The action/romance balance was perfect, coupled with tons of sass and innuendos, something JLA excels at in the Paranormal/Urban genre. 
And Bambi! I am terrified of snakes, but would totally pet Bambi.
I am definitely continuing with the saga, can't wait to see what happens next! 

You can grab it here: https://amzn.to/2EwfqaC

Don't forget to share and comment!

My review of White Hot Kiss by @JLArmentrout Recommended to me by @jamsudreams https://t.co/ixOZljbKV5#bookreview #BookRecommendations #amreading #Reviewers #mustreads #paranormalromance pic.twitter.com/aWbnUDEt76

— Selene Kallan (@SeleneKWriter) October 23, 2018

Review: Light Mage by Laurie Forest

Synopsis

Before Elloren Gardner came to possess the White Wand of myth, the Wand was drawn to another bearer: Sagellyn Gaffney. 

Sage’s affinity for light magery, a rare skill among Gardnerians, makes her the perfect protector for the one tool that can combat the shadows spreading across Erthia. But in order to keep the Wand safe from the dark forces hunting for it, Sage must abandon everything she once knew and forge a new path for herself…a dangerous course that could lead to either triumph or utter ruin.

Rating: 5 Supernovas
Review

Imagine living in a world where people are segregated based on their race. Where religion has been twisted and turned into a weapon, aimed against other's beliefs. Where fear of the unknown leads to hate and cruelty. Where little girls have no right over their own bodies and are forced into marriage. 

Not difficult to do, right?

Sage Gaffney comes from an extremely religious family, even for a Gardnerian. She has been taught that being obedient and following the teachings of the Ancient One will keep her safe. Safe from the demons that want to corrupt her people, safe from the vile men that hurt innocent girls like her. Her bubble shatters when she learns -in the worse way possible- that evil thrives within her own people; hidden behind mountains of lies.

She is thrust into the cruel reality of being shunned by her family, her kind and all the other races the Gardnerians have hurt. But she is not alone, she finds allies from where she least expects, compassion from those who she thought were evil, patient teaching from the shunned; unconditional love from a man she “should” fear. There is a lot of pain and heartbreak for her, but also a lot of friendship and love. 

Sage is brave, compassionate, kind and she learns fast. The kind of heroine I can root for easily; she makes mistakes, but learns from them and comes out stronger in the end. 

The love interest, Ciaran, is one of my fave male MCs. He is different from many others, and I loved that. There are a lot of lovable secondary characters, my absolute favorite is Rivyr, I need more him and his antics. 

A must read by an author that has quickly become one of my favorite. 

Get Light Mage
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2EylqA0
Universal link: books2read.com/LightMage

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Review: The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest

Synopsis

Dark forces are on the rise in this sweeping sequel to The Black Witch by critically acclaimed author Laurie Forest.

Elloren Gardner and her friends were only seeking to right a few wrongs when they rescued a Selkie and freed a military dragon. The last thing they expected was to be thrust into a realm-wide underground resistance against Gardnerian conquest.

While the Resistance struggles to fight back against the harsh rulings of the Mage Council, more and more Gardnerian soldiers descend upon the University…led by none other than Lukas Grey, now commander of the nearby military base. Though Elloren tries to keep him at arm's length, Lukas is determined to tie himself to her, still convinced that she is the heir to the power of the Black Witch, a legacy of magic that will decide the future of all Erthia. As his own magic calls out to her, seeking to awaken a dark force within, Elloren finds it more and more difficult to believe that she's truly powerless, as her uncle always claimed.

Caught between her growing feelings for the rebellious Yvan Guriel and the seductive power offered by Lukas, Elloren must find a way to stay true to what she knows is right and protect everyone she loves…even if that means protecting them from herself.

Rating: 5 stars (Because unfortunately, I can't give it 10)

Review

“Welcome to the resistance.”
The final line of The Black Witch. Enough to keep me on edge for months while I counted the days to read The Iron Flower. The wait was more than well worth it.

Laurie Forest exceeded my expectations tenfold with an action-packed epic sequel. The Iron Flower is an emotional rollercoaster full of adventure and romance that won't let you go until you finish, and maybe even after. It has taken me days to organize my thoughts, there is a lot going on.

Gardneria has become the most dangerous place on Erthia for those who are not Gardnerian. The mage council's rulings becoming more and more repressive, and brutal than ever under the leadership of  Marcus Vogel. 
Elloren and her friends, the lupines, the selkie, the Fae, a Kelt, elves, and Icarals, are more in danger than ever before. But that doesn't stop them from creating even deeper bonds and fighting for what's right.

During the first half of The Black Witch, I wanted to slap Elloren a few times. Not anymore, she has become the kind of heroine I root for in The Iron Flower, defying old age prejudgements and breaking the rules; risking her life to protect those she loves. Fighting with everything she has not to fall into the dark temptation that the dark power coursing through her veins carries.
Lukas Grey, one of Elloren's love interests is back with a vengeance. His power call's to her and creates a dangerous temptation hard to resist. I didn't much like him before, I definitely don't like him one bit now. 

My ship has been one since The Black Witch, Yvan and Elloren. Yvan, the mysterious kelt with incredible powers that helped with Elloren's wake up call. He is without a doubt one of my biggest book crushes. And the level of chemistry he shares with Elloren reaches new burning levels in The Iron Flower. 

There are a lot of tear-jerking moments, so be warned and prepared. The plot twists left my head spinning more than once. The character development was on point; new characters enrich the plot giving you more people to love and hate. 

The Iron Flower is a heartbreakingly beautiful book. I can't wait to read it again and dive into the rich world Laurie Forest has created.

Get The Iron Flower here:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2XmO5iy
Universal link: books2read.com/TheIronFlower

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

RATING: 4 stars.

GENRE: Fantasy

This is not my kind of book. And by that, I don't mean there's something wrong with it, quite the opposite, it's a really good book.

The world Holly Black created is mesmerizing. It feels real and complex.

There was action from beginning to end, and most chapters end in a cliffhanger, so I was engaged all the time.

The writing style is beautiful, painting a perfect picture of what's happening without affecting the flow. The plot was steadily strong, something was always happening so I couldn't stop reading, hence why I finished it in one day.

The plot twist at the end was perfectly executed, and left me stunned for a while, having to re-read it to believe it.

With that being said, here come the SPOILERS, the reason why I can't love The Cruel Prince. If you have not read it and want to discover everything by yourself, it's time to STOP READING. 

Seriously.

LOTS OF SPOILERS ahead.

Don't say I didn't warn you. 

I don't like Jude, the protagonist of the story. In fact, if she had been killed, I wouldn't have cared, not one bit. Why? Because she gave me no reasons to feel connected to her.

She cares for nothing more than herself and what she wants. She wants to be respected by the Fae, she wants to have power, she wants revenge on her evil classmates...

The only good thing she tries to do backfires horribly, and partly thanks to her lack of empathy. 

For all she talks about how the faeries are monstrous to humans, she can be just as bad, if not worse. There were options for her, she could have left the world of the Fae behind, tried to be different; but the truth is that she was born in the wrong body, the wrong kind. She is like one of the Fae, and one of the crueler ones. 

And Taryn, her twin is no different. In fact, I disliked Taryn even more, selfish, capricious, conceited, and plays the victim.

Vivi, Jude's half-fae sister is far more likable, and I would've preferred to see more of her. She's a rebel and she hates her Fae father, with a fair reason since he killed her mother and adoptive father. Her intentions are actually good most of the time, her rough exterior a mask to keep herself and those she loves safe. 

I can hardly believe it myself, but I ended up feeling more connected to Cardan, the cruel Prince. Don't get me wrong, I don't like him, but he actually does have a good reason to be broken and rotten. His life has been constant torture, so he hurts others not to feel like a victim. Makes sense.

So, you might wonder why the 4 stars. For the same reason I can't say the Godfather is a bad movie despite the fact I'd like to see all the Corleone family wearing matching orange suits. Just because something is not my style, doesn't mean I can't recognize it's brilliantly made.

The Cruel Prince is entertaining, full of schemes and twists that don't let you go, and well written. 

So, as the last statement, if you like an intelligent and strong, but cunning and cruel female MC, this book is for you.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XlXtTD

Endeavours of the Unsung (Aeldynn Lore) by Melissa A. Joy

From Armaran in the west to Icetaihn in the north and Zaern’Kairnell in the east, 

there are 10 unsung tales to be told. 

A crystalline fortress in the farthest reaches of a treacherous glacier. A demonic fissure in the depths of a formidable gorge. 

Long kept secrets in a forest cloaked in fog. One pint-sized bookworm with a penchant for adventure. Covert operations at a vampire soirée. 

Many are the tales of Aeldynn. 

Here are the Endeavours of the Unsung 

Rating: 5 stars
Review 
If you're not familiar with Melissa Joy's work, this the perfect introduction.
If you are currently craving for her next book, as I am, then Endeavours is for you too.
The stories are perfectly paced and show a glimpse of the lore of my favorite fantasy world, Aeldynn. 
A love story with a heartbreaking background. 
The tale of an unorthodox bookworm.
An ancient forest with a magical secret.
And much more.
I can't choose a favorite, each story is unique on its own. Love, loss, mystery, action; I devoured it in no time.
Some stories tie to the plot of The Scions of Balance Saga, it's first book Keys of the Origin has been published and I highly recommend it.

Read the spoiler free review of Keys of the Origin: 
https://selenekallanfantasywriter.blogspot.com/2017/10/keys-of-origin-book-1-scions-of-balance.html

Read an excerpt of Endeavours of the Unsung:
https://amzn.to/2VklUz6

Distant Memories (The Shadow Realm, #1) by J.L. Keathley

Distant Memories by J.L. Keathley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

About to turn sixteen, Jade was looking forward to getting her first car and a little more freedom. Life, however, had a different path in mind. A thirst for blood and newfound fangs exposed a secret world to her... a world hidden from humanity. To leave behind everything she knew and enter The Shadow Realm, she must embark on a fateful journey to uncover the truth about the past, and understand her strange dreams. Daring efforts to unravel her destiny will reveal new powers, new friends, and very real enemies.

Review:
So, I'm a sucker for fanged creatures, and J.L. Keathley has done them beautifully.
Jade is a good MC, easily likable and interesting, her journey to discover her true identity one that you'll want to follow.
The plot is paced nicely, with a good dose of action to keep you entertained, and mysteries to unravel. The romantic interest is very well done, not feeling forced at any moment.
I really liked the mythology, it's unique and beautiful.
And that end, damn, talking about cliffhangers.
I can't wait for book 2.

Get Distant Memories right here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B2GYGKT/

Follow the author here: https://www.facebook.com/J.L.Keathley/

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The Change (Unbounded, #1) by Teyla Branton

The Change by Teyla Branton

Synopsis:

There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities. 

Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene. Worse, a new identification software could mean death for all Unbounded—or enslavement for the entire mortal world. 

As Erin plunges into this dangerous new life, she must carve out her own place in the madness, protect her mortal family, and decide which group she should join. Her powerful attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps. 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I kinda want to be Unbounded. I say kinda because I'm not much of a fighter and you need to be one if you are Unbounded.

Erin is badass, she's thrown into this amazing, yet dangerous new world and she faces the threats head on. She slowly discovers her new abilities and makes the best of it.

I liked how the advantages and disadvantages of near immortality were addressed. And also how envy and fear to the unknown can make people commit the most heinous acts.

There's non-stop action and lots of sexual tension throughout the book, balanced with details of what implies being Unbounded.

Fast-paced, an interesting mythology and a lot of twists and turns.

You can get The Change here: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Unbounded-1-Teyla-Branton/dp/1939203287/

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Spin by Genevieve Raas

Spin: A Fairy Tale Retelling by Genevieve Raas

Synopsis:

Laila sees her impending death in the mountains of straw waiting to be spun into gold. Faced with the impossible, she makes the impossible decision to survive, no matter what the cost. 

A shadowy stranger sees an opportunity for vengeance. 

Born to a nightmarish destiny that crushed and embittered his faith in humanity, he devotes himself to dealing in dark desires and desperate souls, and Laila's is ripe for the trade. 

When the stranger asks his price, Laila is bound by blood and magic to pay. 

His own heart was never supposed to be part of the deal, but when honor drives Laila to break their bargain, he ends up tangled in his own web of deceit and destruction in a desperate attempt to save her life. In the black of night, there are no fairytales, only choices. 

One choice makes a queen. One choice consumes a soul. It's a roll of the dice in a game where love is everyone's undoing. 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great fairytale retelling.
Laila is taken to the King, he demands her to turn straw into gold. Something her father made up while drunk in a tavern. Her life now depends on completing the impossible task. A stranger offers his help for a price and she accepts to save her life. Only after the deal is done she realizes she's offered to much.
We get visions from the past of the stranger, how he acquired his magic, what moves him. His backstory is quite interesting. Laila is a good MC, she learns fast and has goodness in her wounded heart.
A must read for those who like a twist, or shall I say a spin on fairy tales.

You can get Spin here: https://www.amazon.com/Spin-Fairy-Retelling-Spindlewind-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0748HSWB7/

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Reign of Ash (The Chosen #2) by Meg Anne

Synopsis:

“You will damn us all.”

Kiri Helena Solene thought her trial was over. She was wrong. Prophesied to be the strongest of her kind, Helena is still coming to terms with the depth of her power and what it means to rule. 

Unfortunately, there’s little time to learn. 

“Without the tether you will fracture.”

As her soul mate, Von is Helena’s balance. Too bad he’s missing. When he disappears, her tenuous hold on her magic begins to slip. Helena must find Von, and soon, or risk losing control completely. 

If only she knew where to look. 

“You have a choice before you.”

A malevolent force has risen; threatening the lives of Helena and those in her Circle. What they don’t realize is that without Von she will become the thing they most fear. How do you choose between the people you’ve vowed to protect and the one person you can’t live without?

How do you choose when there’s no choice at all?

Review:

This is a sequel I was looking forward to, and I was definitely not disappointed. Reign of Ash is as good, if not beer than Mother of Shadows.

The character development was on point, Helena is no longer a scared girl, she is a powerful queen. And Von has to learn to trust in the vast power of his more than capable Mate.

I liked the new characters, especially Nial, Von's brother. Bright and charismatic despite his difficult situation. 

The plot was fast-paced and gripping, with good amounts of all that composes a good book: epic battles, new discoveries, humor, and romance.

I enjoyed the lore Meg Anne has created. Reign of Ash delves deeper into the prophecy of The Chosen, answering questions, and leaving more to be answered; along with a warning Helena cannot ignore. 

Overall, a perfect sequel that you can't put down and leaves you waiting impatiently for what comes next.

You can grab your copy of Reign of Ash:
 https://amzn.to/2SmYNlC