This was my second series by Annette Marie from the Guild Codex world. Robin is stuck in her uncle’s house where she expects her newfound family to be like her and her mother who never used their magic. What she finds is a shady atmosphere of illicit contracts with beings summoned from another realm. When she stumbles upon a summoning circle in the basement, she comes face to face with a demon and learns the hard way how horribly wrong breaking the rules can go. I loved this Codex world, and my favorite character was the demon Robin accidentally summons. He is a compelling character learning how to survive in his new world. Robin also has her own crash course since her deceased mother kept so much of her heritage from her. This was an exiting new series beginner with a quick pace, slow burn romance, and forces trying to upset their world balance, I’m anxious for the next book. (3/5 rating)
Tag: 2022
Book Review – A Touch of Brimstone (Magic of the Damned 1) by McKenzie Hunter
Checked out with Kindle Unlimited in February 2022. This is my first book by McKenzie Hunter. This story follows an unsuspecting human who is used to release the deadliest monsters within underworld’s dungeons. The prince of the underworld forces her to work with him to undo the damage and return the prisoners. They must also track down the real dark caster behind the spell that has thrown the underworld into chaos. There were aspects of this that I liked like the urban fantasy atmosphere Hunter created, the monsters of the underworld, and the way we find out about the magic systems. Unfortunately, there were many aspects of this that just didn’t work for me. Luna was the human of this story and she fell flat for me. Dominic was our prince of hell, but he also missed the mark with his dialogue in many scenes. The plot was slow and the romance even slower. I feel like this needed more work. (2/5 rating)
Book Review – Dragon Mage (Rivenworld 1) by M.L. Spencer
Checked out with Kindle Unlimited 10/28/2021 and on my TBR for almost a year. I’m grateful I finally got to this since this epic fantasy was an addicting read. This featured the always majestic Dragons, world ending magic systems, and the ultimate evil villain we all love to hate. Spencer’s writing style had me living in Rivenworld without seeing her words on the page. This story was equal parts heartbreaking and compelling. Of course, I had to add this to my permanent collection. (4/5 rating)
Book Review – Love & Monsters by Raven Flanagan
My first of Raven Flanagan was a story of, you guessed it: love and monsters. Mina is a human that falls through a portal into another world. After capture, she is sold at a market to the Lord of the City. She never gets to meet this Lord before she is forced into the dungeons and out of sight. Her only company is the enigmatic prisoner, Vadric, who is more mysterious than her reason for being there. I loved the story and interplay between Mina and Vadric, even if Mina and some off her actions annoyed the hell out of me. The world was compelling, and I enjoyed the beasts that created it. We know we are here for the steamy scenes, and I don’t always need a plot to enjoy a romance book. So, if you need a more complex plot, this likely won’t be for you. (3.5/5 rating)
Book Review – Wings of the Walker (The Walker 1) by Coralee June
This was my first by Coralee June. Ashleigh is our female MC and raised as a Walker slave in the governor’s household. Ashleigh falls impossibly in love with her holder, Josiah Stonewell. He is also the son of the powerful man in the house and their love for each other could never be realized. After Ashleigh finds out that Josiah is to be wed, she finds her heartbroken self traded to a foreign land with Cyler Black and his other realm leaders. Ashleigh finds freedom in an unexpected place. June created a convincing dystopia atmosphere with all the intrigue and betrayal between provinces and one evil emperor. Ashleigh was my favorite character and I enjoyed getting to watch her find herself after she lost her slave cuff. Her surrounding characters were beautifully flawed but encouraging as they began to care for each other. This book sets up the rest of the series well and that cliffhanger will force me to keep reading this series. (3/5 rating)
Top 11 Reads of 2022
I had to put 11 on my favorites this year, since I couldn’t cut it down to 10.
1 – At the tope of my list has to be the Blood And Ash Series from Jennifer L. Armentrout. I am impatiently waiting for the final book of this series do out next year.
2: The Hell Of It from the Razing Hell Series by Cate Corvin
3: Gild from the Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy
4: Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
5: The Shadowspell Academy from the Culling Trials Series by K.F. Breene and Shannon Mayor
6: The Demon’s Pet from the Demon’s Pet Series
7: Burn from the Dark In You Series by Suzanne Wright
8: Halfway To the Grave Series by Jeanine Frost
9: Wolf Gone Wild Series by Juliette Cross
10: Gypsy Blood Series by Kristy Cunning
11: Wolf’s Bane from the Wolves Next Door Series by Auryn Hadley
What were your top reads of 2022?
Book Review – Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
I checked this out with my kindle unlimited subscription as my first book by Katee Robert. Half human, and half vampire, Mina lives a sheltered life under her father’s rule. After her father promises her to another powerful vampire, Malachi Zion, she vows to bide her time until she can escape this new monster with power over her. What Malachi shows is a whole new world, and she begins to understand her true heritage as her father’s daughter. This lacked in the plot side of the story so if you need a strong plot with your romance, this likely won’t be for you. I enjoyed Mina and the fact that she remained open minded with her destiny. Her three vampire mates were also fun to watch as they found their rhythm together. I liked the world Robert created. I was pleasantly surprised to find there’s a sequel following events near the end that doesn’t include these main characters. (3/5 rating)
Weekly Photo Prompt – December 28th
This is my photo prompt for the week. I hope we both find some inspiration within it.
Word of the Week – December 26th –Caelum
Here is my ‘word of the week’, to learn new words and give myself writing prompt opportunities. This week it is: ‘Caelum’.
Book Review – The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner
This was a retelling inspired by folklore that caught Rossner’s eye. I’m not gonna lie, I chose this one by the cover alone. This was my first written by this author. I enjoyed the magical atmosphere Rossner created. I liked the Jewish portion of the story as well as the shifter aspect. I’ve decided I want to be a swan shifter when I grew up. I struggled to rate this book since it felt a bit too YA for me but that is just my standard for reading nowadays. I also felt like the pace was slow for me and I struggled with aspects of the sister’s relationship. (3/5 rating)
