(3/5 rating) – Author Gail Marie

Book Review – Savage As Hell (The Demon Academy 3) by G. Bailey

This was my first series by G. Bailey. I liked the first book of this trilogy even if the ending was unexpected. Everything seemed to go downhill from there. The love interests never felt well established, even with the epilogue. I enjoyed the entry into this world and Alexandria discovering about her heritage at the Academy, but the addition of Lucifer’s story arc introduced so soon kind of ruined this for me. I also wasn’t a fan of how he was defeated with the plot mechanics. I was disappointed with this ending since the premise and book 1 had so much promise. (3/5 rating)

GoodReads

Book Review – For The Throne (Wilderwood 2) by Hannah F. Whitten

I had high expectations for this since the first book was one of my favorite reads of 2021. Since I don’t read nearly as much young adult anymore, that means it must be exceptional. I’m sure I’ll be in the minority when I say I didn’t like this one as much. I was excited to read about Neve’s side of the story after she is trapped in the Shadowlands. I loved the lore side of this story that expounded on many of the plot points of book one and two. The worldbuilding remained exceptional but the pace felt much slower to me. I had to keep coming back to finish it a few chapters at a time. I felt like Neve and Solmir don’t get time to form the same connection that Red and her Wolf created in book one. I loved Red in book one, but her actions while attempting to rescue Neve were frustrating. I didn’t enjoy Neve in book one, but I found a way to like her is this one, especially with her seemingly insurmountable task of defeating the Kings with Solmir‘s help. Raffe, the Wolf, and Solmir were the characters that remained the same for me in both. This wasn’t for me, but I am sure plenty of other people will love it. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter 1) by Nalini Singh

This was my second series by Nalini Singh. Vampire hunter, Elena Deveraux, calls New York City her home. That home also belongs to Archangel Raphael. Forced to work with him to bring a rogue Archangel to heel, Elena must remain on guard as her list of enemies grows rapidly and includes her traitorous heart. I struggled to rate this one, since my expectations were high, and this fell a bit flat for me in places. Singh created a suspenseful but stunning atmosphere in this version of New York. I enjoyed Elena as a strong, fighting female. Raphael was a beautifully flawed character, but I was frustrated with how much information he withheld from Elena until the end. I also struggled with Dimitri’s character arc and where it stands at the end. I liked this book’s version of how vampires are created. The plot moved quickly, but the romance aspect felt stalled. I likely need to read book 2 to see how some of these issues are resolved. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Embrace Me Darkly (Dark Alliance 1) by Kira James

Checked out with kindle unlimited, February 2023 to test this debut series by Kira James. Sara is out celebrating a huge win at her prosecutor’s office when she meets a beautiful, mysterious stranger at her favorite bar. After one passionate night together, Sara discovers he is a vampire named Luke and implicated in the murder of a local retired judge. As a prosecutor for a supernatural judicial system, Sara and Luke will be forced to work together to overcome a much bigger threat to their city than Luke. This was the first in a six-book series. This was an engaging mix of supernatural crime and romance. This world is also rife with political alliances, betrayal, and webs of deceit. I liked James’s take on Vampires and the laws governing them. The pace remains blinding from the first page to the last. I struggled to rate this book since there were aspects that I loved and hated. I know I will read book 2 eventually to see how this plot progresses. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air 1) by Holly Black

This book centers around twin human sisters (Jude and Taryn) and one Fae sister (Vivienne), growing up alongside Fae children after their mother is killed. The only way for Jude to find a future among them will force her to compete at a famous yearly fighting competition. If she does well enough, she would be granted knight status. But one bloody night will change life as they know it and throw the realm into chaos. I feel like I read this at a bad time, or maybe my expectations were way too high, but I struggle to connect with some aspects of the story. I liked Jude and her desire to find her place. I liked this world and the political plot points that set up the ending. Given the circumstances that bring the sisters into Fae, I struggle with Madoc’s behavior. I feel like I would have enjoyed this more from the viewpoint of Vivienne. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Untamed (House of Berserkers 1) by Lacey Carter Andersen

Checked out with Kindle unlimited in January 2023. My first novel by Lacey Carter Andersen is centered around the House of Berserkers within the Wicked Reform School. Kiera is a female berserker sentenced to the school after berserking to avenge a fallen friend. As one of the only female berserkers that can, she finds a huge target on her back but also help in unexpected places. The world that this school is in was intriguing and I’m interested to learn about the other author series for the Houses. The plot and pacing were effective in building suspense. The cliffhanger has me ready to continue the series. Kiera was a strong female lead, and the subplots for the male leads were interesting but I struggled with how fast those relationships progressed. Even though there was discussion of the mate factor, it felt a bit rushed but that’s my issue and not the authors. Adam and his cat, Princess, were my favorites from this. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Feather (Angels of Elysium 1) by Olivia Wildenstein

Checked out with my kindle unlimited membership in January 2023 to try this angel book by Wildenstein. Leigh is a fletching angel trying to finish her wings. She takes on Jarod Adler because is she saves him; she could complete her set and ascend to Elysium. After she meets him though, he puts all her angelic rules to the test. I am really torn about how to rate this book. I loved Leigh and Jarod and Leigh choosing herself for once. I loved the world and the angel rating system much better than other angel tales I’ve read so far, BUT I HATED the ending. I’m sure I’ll work up to reading book 2, but it won’t be today. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game 1) by Amanda Foody

Checked out with my kindle unlimited membership to try this high fantasy tale by Amanda Foody. Enne Salta is forced to follow clues of her mother to the city of New Reynes after she goes missing. Raised a lady, Enne is not prepared for the debauchery that coats her new location. Her mother’s note connects her with Levi Glaisyer as a possible ally but what she finds is the kids here surviving on the street. Together they set out to find her mother, even though Levi suspects she’s already dead. I liked this world and the plot. The pacing is swift, and her characters were well developed. Foody created good suspense between the ending of this book and the foreshadowing for the next book. This was a good book so I’m not sure why I feel like something was missing and I’m not sure I’m going to read the next one. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Blitz (The Storm Dragons Mate 1) by M. Sinclair

I discovered this author last year and enjoyed her hell trilogy. This series had me excited with dragon shifters attending a paranormal academy for various other species: Dark Imaginarium Academy. After the most prestigious dragon shifter clan takes her in off the street, Bexley is a shifter and raised within the Bronzeheart estate. Bexley doesn’t expect to get into the Academy since she has never shifted, but her invitation arrives allowing her to join her childhood friend, Gage, at school.

**Spoiler Alert**

I love the Academy and the world Sinclair has built around it. I was a bit frustrated at Bexley at times, but I wanted to know what she shifted into, so I kept reading. I’m also invested in the aspect of who stole her memories and why. Gage was overbearing at times but overall, I liked Bexley’s mates. The pacing felt a bit slow at times, or maybe I was simply impatient to fill in the holes around Bexley. I’ll be continuing this series as well as Sinclair’s other series for Dark Imaginarium Academy. (3/5 rating)

Book Review – Heart of Malice (Alice Worth 1) by Lisa Edmonds

As my first by Lisa Edmonds, this urban fantasy world was set with betrayal, murder, and exposed dark secrets. Alice fakes her own death to escape her abusive and murderous family. Under a new name and face, she works as a magical private investigator. She manages to keep a little profile until hired to retrieve a powerful magical artifact that will could bring the city to its knees. I liked what Edmonds achieves with this gritty mage society and Alice’s attempt to save her world. I liked her characters, and the werewolf gets my favorite vote. Though, I think her writing style fell a bit flat for me since I felt like something was missing. I’m torn on whether I should read book 2 and give this series another try… (3/5 rating)