young adult – Author Gail Marie

Book Review – The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves 1) by Roshani Chokshi

I feel like this was another instance of walking into reading a book based on high expectations. This book won an award and I had this recommended to me by many other readers. At least for me, I was disappointed with most of this book. I didn’t love her characters and their dialogue had me questioning where the historical aspects were meant to be since they didn’t seem to match. Her writing style didn’t draw me in or build any suspense throughout the plot. The pace was awkward since it didn’t seem to always line up with the plot. This was an all-right road but I’m glad I checked this out with kindle unlimited before purchasing it. (2/5 rating)
Checked out with kindle unlimited, August 2023.

Book Review – Starless by Jacqueline Carey

This was my first stand alone, young adult book by Jacqueline Carey. Khai, is raised as a warrior within the desert and chosen to be the sworn protector of princess Zariya. Khai and Zariya embark upon a journey that spans countries and oceans to stop an ancient evil, Miasmu. I know my tastes as a reader have changed much since I purchased this book in 2020 and this book is a case of,’ it’s me, not you’. Carey created a vivid world of potential with absorbing characters. I loved the concept of this book, and the gender fluidity of the characters. I was intrigued by the story of gods and prophecies, but the pace felt slow until the end. I struggled to stay engaged in the story. I know I’m too old for this genre, but you might enjoy this novel. (2/5 rating)

Book Review – Girl of Nightmares (Anna 2) by Kendare Blake

In the series finale, our protagonist, ghost hunter Cas Lowood, is trying to move on after Anna Dressed in Blood sacrificed herself for him. After Anna begins to show up in his nightmares and haunting him by day, he realizes something is very wrong with Anna’s disappearance into hell. He will stop at nothing to find a way to save her. Cas continued to be an enigmatic character and quickly became one of my favorite characters. I was grateful Anna got some semblance of a happy ending. The atmosphere continued to be suspenseful and f I felt like the pace was quicker this time. I really loved the different types of witch magic and how the voodoo was portrayed. The ending was chaos but it’s fitting for this Halloween read of mine for them to have to go to hell. (4/5 rating)

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 – 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 – The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

As a tale of jilted ghosts and witches set in the unfortunate town of Sparrow, I was excited to read my first by Shea Ernshaw. Penny Talbot has lived in Sparrow her entire life, even though every summer boys are drowned by 3 sisters killed for witchcraft two centuries ago. Bo is an outsider looking for work but unfortunately stumbles into Sparrow the night before the killing is scheduled to start. I thought Ernshaw created a wonderful atmosphere of the sea and the life of living on an island. I liked the first half of this story, but the second half just fell flat for me. I also struggled to connect with Penny or Bo as characters. I enjoyed the secondary characters more. I also struggled with aspects of the plot, particularly regarding Penny. I just didn’t enjoy this one. (2/5 rating)

Book Review – Taming Demons for Beginners (The Guild Codex Demonized 1) by Annette Marie

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)

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)

Book Review – Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna 1) by Kendare Blake

This was my first story by Kendare Blake. Cas Lowood is our right enchanting male MC. The blood in his veins allows him to hunt and kill ghosts that learn a penchant for killing. He has considered himself in training since his father passed away on his last ghost hunt. He travels with his witch mother and irreplaceable Siamese cat. When his path converges into a ghost called Anna Dressed in Blood, he meets more than his match for a typical ghost hunt. This has been on my TBR for a few years, so I am grateful, that I finally got to reading it. I felt for Cas and his mother on their attempt to find a new normal after such loss. Anna was a clever hook that quickly enveloped me. The pacing was slightly slow to set the second half of the book, but this was still a strong story. Blake created a host of in-depth characters within this Canadian high school and the ending was perfection. On to book 2. (4/5 rating)

Book Review – A Deal with the Elf King (Married to Magic 1) by Elise Kova

This was my first novel by Elise Kova. Each novel is a standalone book within the series, so they can be read in any order. This story is set between the Elven world, the Kingdom of Midscape, and the human world, particularly the town of Capton. The female MC, a human named Luella, discovers she has Elven magic and must leave with the Elven King, Eldas to save both worlds. I loved the magic system and watching Luella grow into herself. Midscape is bold and vivid, set with political intrigue, and Kova creates a deeply addicting world. I fell into the pages and into and her writing style so it’s only fair that I continue with this series. I also have her “Air Awakens’ series on my TBR. I recommend this to anyone looking for a great retelling of The Beauty and the Beast. (3/5 rating)