Step into a sanctuary of Wicked Tales & Wild Romances, where we explore the most captivating corners of dark fantasy and heart-tugging rom-coms. This is more than just a reading log; it’s a collection of Curated Chronicles for the Modern She-Wolf who isn’t afraid to get lost in the shadows or fall for the monster.
Whether it’s a slow-burn magic system or a spicy contemporary trope, every story here is chosen to be Wildly Devoured.
With my life how it’s been going lately, I’ve been WAY behind on my reviews. I have a wonderful full time job and am getting my second bachelor’s (my first is in History, this one is accounting, which has been my actual career for awhile), along with running my own mini business making and selling bookmarks on the side (a huge stress reliever for me, but if you’re interested feel free to pop over to Always Lost in Words Etsy shop). I’ve also had a lot of loss recently and lost most of my drive due to grief, which I am now starting to get back. It hasn’t stopped me from my escapist reading, but it’s been a real dagger in the side of my reviews, which were to keep my research/report skills sharp.
However, there’s nothing like grief to show you what is important, and I want this to be fun for you and I. This is obviously a hobby/passion for me so I don’t want it to turn into job and it’s been feeling that way. I am going to be changing how I review. I will be providing the publisher-provided snapshot of the book and will be doing a review of the things I love about it rather than my own synopsis. I’ve been experimenting with this the last few posts, and I really enjoy telling readers the best parts/parts that could be better. I’d rather be positive and come with a good ole compliment sandwich than try to rehash the entire book and worry about letting loose some major spoilers. I am going to work on honing my entertainment skills and cut down on the perfunctory reporting. I want you to read the book, not my homework.
I’m super excited to make this happen. I will also provide some similar book titles after the review in case you want to explore more like it. I’ll be pulling some suggestions from other sites. I will also do some categorical lists of books I’ve read in a certain genre that I really enjoyed and some books I have my eye on that are similar. Right now, I’m reading some lovely, light-hearted witchy contemporary romances in honor of spooky season! I think that will be a fun way to spread the reading love. I also would ADORE suggestions. I’m always up for recommendations. Some future lists will also include survival thrillers (I love the ones where a teenager is lost in the woods with zero knowledge and has to survive), books that shaped my reading, favorite high fantasy, contemporary romances featuring luscious ladies, historical spy romance, favorite YA horror, favorite 90s/00s horror, dystopia, etc. Lots of exciting things coming that I can’t wait to share!
I’ve really appreciated the support I’ve received so far. There are only a few of you, but every person person who follows and like button pressed has been a “keep going” sign to me, and I seriously love all of you for it! I hope I can continue to provide useful reader-based content and can be a blog you want to share.
ONE PRINCESS. Merida of DunBroch needs a change. She loves her family—jovial King Fergus, proper Queen Elinor, the mischievous triplets— and her peaceful kingdom. But she’s frustrated by its sluggishness; each day, the same. Merida longs for adventure, purpose, challenge – maybe even, someday, love.
TWO GODS. But the fiery Princess never expects her disquiet to manifest by way of Feradach, an uncanny supernatural being tasked with rooting out rot and stagnation, who appears in DunBroch on Christmas Eve with the intent to demolish the realm – and everyone within. Only the intervention of the Cailleach, an ancient entity of creation, gives Merida a shred of hope: convince her family to change within the year – or suffer the eternal consequences.
THREE VOYAGES. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Merida leads a series of epic journeys to kingdoms near and far in an attempt to inspire revolution within her family. But in her efforts to save those she loves from ruin, has Merida lost sight of the Clan member grown most stagnant of all – herself?
FOUR SEASONS TO SAVE DUNBROCH – OR SEE IT DESTROYED, FOREVER.”
My Review Synopsis:
I’ve always been a lover of the Disney/Pixar movie Brave. This novel by Maggie Stiefvater follows Merida’s journey home from abroad after the events of the movie.
Merida returns to Dunbroch to find that nothing much has changed about her home. The people, the comfortable wear and tear, the broken down parts and pieces that all have stories with no resolution. The only thing that has seemed to be an actual change is her. Little does she know that she’s not alone in noticing that Castle Dunbroch and its occupants have resisted the flow of time.
Late one night in the dead of winter, Merida is in the kitchen when she hears three distinct knocks on the door. She sees a figure in the courtyard that shouldn’t be there and she decides to give chase, only to discover it is Feradach, a lesser god of destruction and renewal who has his hand set on destroying Dunbroch. Luckily for Merida, the ancient goddess of creation, Cailleach, has a special interest in Dunbroch and interferes on its behalf. The princess and the god decide to strike a bargain: in one year, if Dunbroch has not experienced a significant change, he will set forth and do his work. The Cailleach requires the two of them to check in on one another’s work throughout the year, an extra task that neither wants to partake in. How are the god of destruction and the princess of Dunbroch to make this work?
Maggie Stiefvater’s Rendering of “Feradach”
Feradach is not the only one who wishes to see change at Castle Dunbroch, and a third player also makes themselves known, a slowly encroaching warrior King who is bent on Dunbroch bending the knee. Merida and her family also make a bargain with him to make inroads toward uniting Dunbroch and the surrounding lands. Merida also makes the deal to take three journeys to neighboring castles in allyship and must complete her tasks in this within the next year as well.
As Merida sets off to create change amongst her family and the castle, with Feradach showing up as both a warden to her tasks and a thorn in her side, she pushes to find ways to enact change in her family. But is Merida ready for change? And is Feradach the enemy she wishes to make of him, or is there a greater enemy that will intertwine their fates like they never thought possible?
I honestly adored this entire novel. Merida is just as tough as a woman in her twenties as she was in her teens. A hugely enjoyable part of the book is getting to explore her character’s depths and to watching her grow into a new form of herself as she in turn watches the things around her change, whether it’s in ways she hoped or not. It’s an interesting exploration into life and becoming who we are meant to be. There is also a chaste and sweet growing of hearts that wasn’t the main plot, but was well-placed and heartfelt.
There are so many lessons to be learned and taught through this book. I think it would be an excellent book club read for young adults and older adults alike.
Thank you Netgalley and Disney Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for this fair and honest review.
“A fae girl with a human heart. A Seelie Queen with a penchant for stealing mortals. And an Unseelie King who must surrender his throne.
On the coast of Georgia rests a small town where faeries still take changelings. Faye lost her mother to the Folk but has spent her whole life longing for a glimpse behind the veil.
When Faye finally finds her way in, she also discovers why the dark and alluring world of the Folk has always called to her: she’s half faerie, and heiress to the Dark Court’s throne.
When the rival court steals her best friend, Faye must claim the crown to save her. That means learning how to use her glamour so she can face three deadly trials and ensuring she doesn’t fall for the dark. brooding king she’s meant to replace…or the nymph-turned-knight teaching her to fight.”
My Reviewer Synopsis:
Review:
Faye and her cousin, Ellie, live with Gran in a little town in Georgia full of superstition surrounding mythical stories of the fae. But these stories aren’t the kind that you tell your children to lull them to sleep. These are stories told to children to warn them. Faye and Ellie have long thought that these are just childhood stories meant to make the offspring of the town’s residents behave, but when Faye goes to a party at her best friend’s and her best friend follows two handsome but mysterious boys into the woods, Faye realizes that the frightening stories whispered into the ears of children are more than just cautionary tales. When her cousin, Ellie, is taken by the Seelie Queen, Faye is desperate to find any way to save her. However, unbeknownst to Faye, she is the missing heir to the Unseelie Court, one that has been ruled by the Goblin King since the death of her mother and her father. And the Goblin King? One of the very “boys” her best friend followed into the woods.
The last thing that Faye wants to do is take her place in the Unseelie Throne, and the last person she expects would want to help her is Gage, the Goblin King who sits on it. His grumpy demeanor and abrasive nature hide a fierce protector who wants the best for his people. Although his magic is strong, hers has the potential to be stronger—if only she could learn to properly wield her glamour.
With the help of Isla, Gage’s right hand, Faye begins the arduous training of both her courtly expectations and her glamour that will be required if she ever expects to be able to take the throne through the trials and get her cousin Ellie back from the Unseelie queen. But there are plots in play that none of the will see coming, creepy into their lives like a low lying fog. The stakes are high but so are the possibilities for budding romance. Will Faye be victorious, or will new friendships end in the ultimate betrayal?
I liked this story. It wasn’t my absolute favorite fae tale of all time, but Kicklighter has stiff competition. I would have like a little more from it. Some more plot, a more even pace, and some deeper dives into the characters’ personalities and development, but this is definitely a quick and intriguing read if you love fae lore.
Thanks to Netgalley and The Parliment House for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.
*s. Best Enjoyed as a beach read–published just in time!
I’m going to preface this by saying that I’m a little biased about this. I loved the first two books in the series and liked the third a lot (not as much, it had a lot to live up to in all fairness). This one interweaves not only Caro and Maxim’s story, but also Fanny Drummond and ‘s, and I’ve always wanted Mrs. Drummond to find love since the first book we met her in. ❤
Publisher’s Synopsis (Kensington Books):
“Caroline, Marchioness of Chesleigh, has been married for six years—at least in name. In fact, Caro has hardly seen her husband since the early days of their union. Scarred and reclusive, Maxim wasn’t ready to trust his wife with his secrets—or his heart. Instead, he quickly resumed his life of espionage in France, believing Caro was better off alone.
When the spy who left her returns upon inheriting the Dukedom, he finds his wife is not the girl she once was. Her heart is a little harder. She’s learned to stand on her own. Yet the desire that once ignited between them burns as hotly as ever . . .
Now, the more Caro learns about the past Maxim tried to hide from her, the deeper their bond grows. But danger haunts her husband’s every move, jeopardizing their passionate reunion . . .“
Reader Synopsis/Review:
Maxim and Caro’s story was especially intriguing in Every Rogue Has His Charm, but what the synopsis does not mention is the extra romance that we finally get to see in the Love and Let Spy series that we have been waiting for, which is that between Fanny Drummond and officer Fitzsimmons. Fanny and Fitz’s story is definitely a major plot point in this and intertwines beautifully with Caro and Maxim’s.
Maxim and Caro are found in a compromising position when Caro goes to visit the library in the middle of the night to borrow a book from their mutual host. Maxim, an enigmatic man with beastly scars on his body from an accident when he was a lad, is on a mission at the time and happens to also be in the library when they are both caught by Caro’s father and mother. Maxim has a lowly opinion of Caro’s father and chooses to do right by the smart, bright eyed young Caro. When he marries her, he makes it very plain to her family that he will care of Caro but her relations will not get a single cent from him. However, Maxim soon after departs for France to spy for the crown (unbeknownst to his wife), Caro is left on her own to fight the vultures that are the members of her family. Caro is also left entirely alone for six years (with the exception of her loyal staff), at which point she moves to Brighton to create distance from her money grubbing relations who have slowly guilted her into sending all of her pin money to them over the years and to also find solace in the vast ocean and small house, which makes her feel less alone.
When Maxim’s grandfather, who was also quite the piece of work, dies and leaves Maxim a title, he makes haste to England to both report back to General Scott and to check on his wife. What Caro also doesn’t know about Maxim is that is deeply self-conscious about his scars and the treatment he received from his grandfather when he was a boy. He has convinced himself over the years that he is undesirable aside from his abilities as a spy for the crown. However, in his own struggles within himself, he does not realize that Caro feels just as undesirable as he does. This is definitely a story where the characters should have discussed their feelings to begin with, but that doesn’t make the best story, does it?
General Scott has become less sure of Maxim’s loyalties over the years he has spent in France and decides to send Fanny Drummond to play companion to Caro both as protection and as a spy in her own right. Naturally, ever the matchmake, General Scott also sends Fitz.
As Maxim is reunited with a distant Caro, dangerous things begin to happen. Maxim is concerned that someone has found out who he is and has followed him to Brighton, putting his wife in danger, while Fanny and Fitz believe it’s him. When Caro’s family shows up gripping about their money issues and insisting they stay for the next month, it’s the last thing they could possibly need. But through all of these issues, Caro and Maxim find that the passion that was held on both ends of their relationship has not died and that even though they have been far apart from one another for years, neither one wants to experience that again.
I really loved this closing to the amazing Love and Let Spy series. I wanted so badly for Mrs. Fanny Drummond and Fitz to find loves of their own. I definitely enjoyed watching Fitz break down her icy walls. The book closes in such a beautiful way and I may have shed a few tears. I can’t wait to see what Susanna Craig has for us next!
Thanks to Kensington books and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.
By Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone. Pub Date 9/20/2022
5*s. Best Enjoyed whenever you want something spicy with a strong BBW heroine and a bad boy former superstar who loves him some of that thick honey (yeah, I went there).
Publisher’s Synopsis (Avon & Harper Voyager):
Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn’t ask for more. But when Bee’s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he’s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee’s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.
Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhilewhen she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan’s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he’ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.
But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he’s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel’s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan’s singing career comes snooping around—and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.
And if Bee and Nolan can’t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.
My Reviewer Synopsis:
EVERY. CHARACTER. IN. THIS. STORY. IS. A. DELIGHT.
Bianca ‘Bee’ Hobbes is a plus-size adult film star who started her career on ClosedDoors under the pseudonym ‘Bianca Von Honey’. She is very body-positive about herself and her fan base only further validates her. She also works for Uncle Ray Ray’s, a porn production company. Teddy aka “Uncle Ray Ray” is actually a pretty decent guy for being part of the porn industry and is starting to get concerned about diversifying his portfolio into other areas outside of just the skin on skin set. After all, he wants to make sure he can pay his son’s tuition and help his daughter with her sustainably sourced sex toy business.
When Teddy decides to get into the world of romantic Christmas movies for the Hope Channel (think Hallmark—yeah, I know), Bee begs him to find her a place. She’s been wanting to act her entire life in something more than just the bump and grind. Little does she expect that she would be chosen for the lead when Teddy accidentally puts her porn headshot into the pile of replacement actresses for the film “Duke the Halls”. The director, a former actor herself, is instantly taken in by her and demands her for the role. Teddy and Bee know this will be a tightrope walk—neither of them want to be ousted and ruin their new chances for growth. That may be harder than anticipated when Bee finds out that she will be working opposite her teenage celebrity crush, Nolan Shaw.
Nolan Shaw is the former bad-boy member of boyband. Much like Bee, Nolan is looking for a career refresh after some Olympic-level follies left him with a black mark on his reputation. Not that it was surprising given his bad-boy image. Nolan has more to worry about now that he’s out of money and also helping support his sister and their mother, who has been struggling with bipolar disorder. This absolutely has to work, and his agent is snapping at his heels to keep it clean. That’s also going to be hard for Nolan when he finds out that the woman replacing his costar is none other than the luscious Bianca Von Honey, the girl of his dirtiest and most delightful fantasies. Not only does he subscribe to her ClosedDoors account, but he’s superfan level. Knowing who she is and that he will be so close to her every day is going to be hard, figuratively and literally. But he cannot let on that he knows who she is in front of everyone. That would risk this production—his one chance at a fresh start. As they spend more time together day in and day out, Bee and Nolan’s feelings begin to get in the way of their work and it seems that the only way to quell the heat is to give into it. Unfortunately, one time is not enough. Is it ever?
With each passing day of the two-week shoot, Bee and Nolan find themselves not only falling into bed but also in love. But when a nosy gossip rag reporter—and the reason for Nolan’s career detour–comes skulking into town, disaster doesn’t feel like it’s far behind. And his interest in Bee could spell disaster for the entire production.
Murphy and Simone. Holy moly for the love of all things under the sun. This was a SCORCHER. BBW romances have always been a weakness, but this latest push for more size-inclusive contemporaries is my new found kryptonite. Olivia Dade is another author who turned me onto these romances, and Murphy and Simone have solidified and expanded my appetite.
I absolutely LOVED this book. Nolan and Bee are well thought out and every character can stand on their own. There are so many personalities in this book that it truly feels like there are more than two authors. Diverse backgrounds, super hilarious writing, and some super hot, spicy scenes really made me into a huge fan. I cannot wait for more of these—because there has to be more. There absolutely has to be!
Thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and Avon & Harper Voyager, for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest and all-my-own review!
4*s. Best Enjoyed when you need a proper scoundrel in your smithy.
Publisher’s Synopsis (Avon & Harper Voyager):
“A devil’s bargain burns the hottest….
For years, fiercely independent Gwen Cully has worked as the village blacksmith, keeping her family’s business going. But when a local rival threatens her livelihood, Gwen has nowhere to turn … until a devastatingly handsome fugitive takes shelter in her shop and sparks fly.
Unrepentant rogue Kellan Fox’s entire existence has been a dangerous game of deception that leads him into a fight for survival—and straight into the arms of a tall, fiery beauty. When Gwen protects him from an angry mob of villagers, Kellan sees the perfect solution to both their troubles. A marriage—in name only—that will last a single year.
Only a marriage of convenience can’t hide their searing attraction. It glows hotter than Gwen’s forge and reaches deep below the tempting mask Kellan wears for the world. With every sizzling glance and scorching kiss, Gwen surrenders more of herself to the molten passion she finds in Kellan’s strong embrace. But can she ever truly trust her heart to a scoundrel?”
My Review/Synopsis:
Yes! Another amazing book in the Duke Hunt series. Here we go:
Gwen Cully (I’ve been waiting for this one—I love Gwen!) is the village blacksmith. She’s spent her entire life living in the twilight gray between womanhood and men’s work, having learned the smithing trade from her father and uncle growing up. She’s talented and has been able to make a living until her uncle grew ill and she had to spend more of her time caring for him and less at the forge. It was the perfect opportunity for another family of smiths to waltz into town and begin taking her clients. With the unfortunate passing of her uncle, however, she is ready to start building her business up again. But can she? Or as her boorish rival and his neanderthal sons—who like to stare at her openly like they own her–taken all of her work (Seriously, dudes are gross. They drool and fight over who she ‘belongs to’. Then the father makes some very inappropriate overtures. It adds to the high-stakes feeling)?
Kellan Fox has been posing as the Duke’s son for a few months, causing the ladies of Stanhope to be all aflutter at his rakish good looks. Although he is the son of the ‘Duke’, the ‘Duke’ is his conman father (a true POS). One day, Kellan wakes up not only to the knowledge that the real Duke is on his way to take over his seat, but also that his father has left and absconded with some of the royal jewels, leaving Kellan to take the fall (See?). In his escape from a ragtag mob of villagers, he finds his way into hiding in Gwen’s smithy and begs her not to tell them he’s there. Although she tries, the villagers eventually drag him out (rudely trespassing in her space, btw). Gwen, seeing a mob of people who would rather met out punishment than true justice, yells the one thing no one is expecting—not even her. “I LOVE HIM!”
It has the desired affect and after a little bit of role playing, she is able to spare him—for now. However, the true duke has caught on and insists that he cannot wait for them to marry. Now Gwen’s reputation—and Kellan’s life—are on the line. They make a pact to marry for one year, just long enough to keep most of Gwen’s reputation intact and for the heat to be off of Kellan (yeah, ‘cuz that always works).
What Gwen and Kellan didn’t expect (really? You’re both hotties) was the sparks that would fly between them and the molten-metal heat that would sear them with every glance and touch. As Gwen’s defenses fall and Kellan’s true face begins to show through his mask, their declarations of love begin to seem less and less faked. However, can Gwen really trust Kellan? And can Kellan trust himself?
This one was tasty. They’re all really tasty, but this one felt especially so as it’s one of those almost enemies to lovers/one bed/found family/good boy raised bad/bad boy goes good romances. There’s a lot of depth to it. I really like the Duke Hunt series, and Gwen’s story is definitely high up there for me. She lives much differently than other women of her time, and she meets those challenges head-on. Plus, Kellan is totally into her Amazonian vibe and he’s also freakishly tall and handsome himself. And the spice is (3.5 fire emojis).
I would recommend the entire Duke Hunt series to anyone who loves a somewhat spicy historical romance. It’s honestly so great and I love me some Sophie Jordan!
Thank you to Sophie Jordan, NetGalley, and Avon Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!
4*s, Best enjoyed when you want a story of star crossed lovers who make eyes over bodies (If you do, you’re my people).
Publisher’s synopsis (St. Martin’s Press):
“Hazel Sinnett is a lady who wants to be a surgeon more than she wants to marry.
Jack Currer is a resurrection man who’s just trying to survive in a city where it’s too easy to die.
When the two of them have a chance encounter outside the Edinburgh Anatomist’s Society, Hazel thinks nothing of it at first. But after she gets kicked out of renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham’s lectures for being the wrong gender, she realizes that her new acquaintance might be more helpful than she first thought. Because Hazel has made a deal with Dr. Beecham: if she can pass the medical examination on her own, Beecham will allow her to continue her medical career. Without official lessons, though, Hazel will need more than just her books—she’ll need corpses to study.
Lucky that she’s made the acquaintance of someone who digs them up for a living.
But Jack has his own problems: strange men have been seen skulking around cemeteries, his friends are disappearing off the streets, and the dreaded Roman Fever, which wiped out thousands a few years ago, is back with a vengeance. Nobody important cares—until Hazel.
Now, Hazel and Jack must work together to uncover the secrets buried not just in unmarked graves, but in the very heart of Edinburgh society.” – Synopsis provided by St. Martin’s Press.
Review/My Synopsis
Anatomy: A Love Story was a delightful gothic murder mystery set amongst the cemeteries and city alleys of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the early nineteenth century. Hazel is a headstrong girl who wants more than anything to be a surgeon, but though her breeding and status open a lot of doors for her, they are still a golden handcuff tying her to the traditional roles of a Lady in British society. She is to marry her cousin Bernard. Though her cousin and her have long been friends in addition to their betrothed status, Bernard seems less and less keen to allow his future wife to do such scandalous things as surgery, despite knowing it is her driving passion. Note: Bernard seems like such a great guy until she actually starts pursuing that passion, then he admits he thinks it was just a flight of fancy for her which left me so bothered. In my opinion, he’s a bit of a wanker who deserves some syphilis. Anyways…
When she does get the opportunity to see a lecture and demonstration by Dr. Beecham, the grandson of the scientist who wrote the veritable anatomist’s bible, she jumps at the chance. But women aren’t allowed through the main doors of the establishment. That’s when she runs into Jack Currer, who is able to sneak her in under the bleachers. Of course Jack knows of this little hidey-hole. He’s a resurrection man. A body snatcher—but not a grave robber. He makes that quite clear. He steals nothing but the bodies (semantics if you ask me—and you kind of did).
When Beecham announces that he will be teaching the newest surgery courses, Hazel feels compelled to find a way to attend and get her license in the surgical arts. By dressing as her deceased brother, George, she is able to disguise herself as a lad long enough to attend these lectures (This is somewhat ironic. Here’s some background: George and Hazel both had the Roman Fever, a highly contagious decease that seems to have reemerged in Edinburgh. George, the heir to their family, died. Hazel did not. This caused obvious distress for her family and her mother and her relationship has been strained ever since. Not only that, but the death triggered two more things. Her younger brother, now being the heir, is basically a helipad to her mother’s helicopter parenting, while Hazel–who has become largely ignored by her mother–is hell bent on finding a cure. The reason I say ironic (maybe ‘poetic’ is a better term?) is that she is ‘resurrecting’ the very person who died and created this passion for surgery in her. Good job on that one, Schwartz.)
However, when Hazel is caught posing as a lad, she is told she can no longer attend the lectures put on by Beecham or Straine—a practicing surgeon in Edinburgh who knows Hazel from his associations with her uncle and future father in law. (Do you think that will stop Hazel? Of course not. She’s a girl of means, independence and fortitude.) Instead of giving up, Hazel tracks down Dr. Beecham and strikes a deal with him. She will study and he will allow her to sit for the surgeon’s exam. If she passes, the school will open its doors to other women. If she does not, she will turn away from surgery and into the arms of her betrothed to do as all the other Ladies of means do for the rest of her life. What’s a girl to do? (Are you kidding? She has all of woman kind to think about now—she is the potential harbinger of change. Of course she takes the deal!)
But there’s one problem. She will need to study human corpses. Fortunately, she has a connection: handsome and charming Jack Currer, who lives and works in a recently closed theatre, only closed due to the new spread of Roman Fever. The downside is his partner has recently gone missing. Hazel must team up with Jack to not only keep her secrets, but also to help him procure bodies. During her ‘adventures’ with Jack, she finds out that there are people suddenly showing up without body parts in the poor hospitals of London, and some of the bodies they are pulling out of the ground that are marked as deaths due to Roman Fever are decidedly not.
Not only does Hazel need to study for the most important exam of her life, but she and Jack are now embroiled in what appears to be a murder investigation where they seem to be the sole investigators. And the conclusion that they come to is something that neither they—nor the reader—will ever expect.
Thoughts:
I really loved the setting. I’ve always wanted to go to Edinburgh and if it’s even half as atmospheric as the author describes, it would be worth every penny. I also adored Hazel. She had a goal and she did everything to pursue that goal while trying so hard not to fall in love with Jack over dead bodies. I’m sure there’s a joke in there, I just can’t sus it out right this second. The villain at the end was truly diabolical and I never expected it. Them, yes. But the why? Never. There were so many suspects and possibilities and the conclusion…just…(insert mind blown emoji here).
If you’re looking for a gothic fiction book, this is the one that you need to pick up. There’s honestly no better description than that. It’s a gothic love story. Classically done. I’m surprised that fog doesn’t roll out of the pages when you open in, almost equally surprising is that ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advance copy in exchange for this honest review.
5*s. Best Enjoyed after Spin the Dawn…like, immediately.
Pardon me, E. Lim, but what exactly have you done to me? You truly must have enchanted me because the stories you write are so full of emotion and crackling with energy and the plots are thicker than a snicker. If your books were walking down the street, I’d definitely do a double check.
The first Elizabeth Lim book I read was Six Crimson Cranes. I received it is a Galley and it was so much more wonderful than I had expected, so I decided to give Spin the Dawn a try. Thank goodness Unravel the Dusk was out because as soon as I finished Spin the Dawn I had to jump into this one (and now I’m practically going full on Elementary School making paper chains counting down the days until The Dragon’s Promise comes out).
At the end of Spin the Dawn, we are in a full crush of emotions surrounding the future for Edan and our amazing Maia, who appears to becoming a full-on demon in secret if she can’t find a way to save herself. Not to mention, there’s Shansen’s army right outside the gates of the Winter Palace. It’s crazy how loyal Maia remains to her sovereign even after finding out what a jerk he is. But Maia is loyal to A’landi first because it’s her home and she will do anything to protect it–and her loved ones–even if it means she must take Bandur’s place in Lapzur and sacrifice all of herself for her country and family.
The problem comes when her Weaver magic is not enough to save A’landi, but her demon magic and the magic that is held within Amana’s dresses–what she sacrificed almost everything to make–would be enough if she chose to wield it. But using it means that her decent into demonhood is all the faster. What is a girl to do when she’s the hope of everything she holds dear?
I don’t know if you already realize, but I absolutely LOVED this book. The entire Blood of Stars series is amazing and worth every last little moment of time it takes to read it. The characters from Ammi to Xina feel like they are right next to you, the settings from forest to dungeon pop into your mind with clarity, and you can practically feel the heat–or cold, in most cases– of the battles and wind from the swords that slash at you through the pages.
Ever since her mother died when she was only an infant, Signa Farrow has been passed from guardian to guardian, each progressively worse and only interested in her eventual fortune. Death has been a frequent companion in her life and somewhat of a rival. After all, what kind of cruel force would continue to eliminate her guardians and leave her alone again and again? Yet, she has her own secret and strange relationship with it as she has approached it many times but has never succumbed. Not only can Signa see spirits, but she’s broken her neck falling down the stairs, has ingested the poisonous fruits from the belladonna plant, and has had accidents she should not have come back from, but she remains alive, healing quickly each time. To Death, Signa herself is intriguing, especially when she begins to exhibit powers that only he shares.
Signa doesn’t want these strange abilities, however. Her only goal is to be the socialite her mother was with hopes for good marriage prospects that would allow her a husband she loved and a life of parties and companionship.
At the death of her latest guardian, Signa is sent to live with her wealthy relatives, the Hawthornes. When Signa arrives to Thorn Grove manor, she finds grief and chaos running rampant. Her mother’s cousin, Lillian, recently died of a mysterious illness, leaving behind a deeply grieving husband, a solemn son, and her daughter, Blythe, who is now suffering the same illness that killed her mother. However, Signa knows these symptoms and also the taste of the ‘medicine’ that is in her cousin’s tea. This is not a regular illness. Someone slowly and methodically poisoned Lillian to death and she can only assume that the same person is responsible for Blythe’s current condition.
When Death approaches her cousin, Signa begs him to spare Blythe for a time while she tries to find the killer. As she races against the clock to find who did this, Signa enlists the help of the handsome and brooding stable boy, Sylas Thorley, her cousin Percy, and even Death himself. As they race against the clock to find the person responsible, she finds herself wanting things she never knew she desired. Then again, Death has an incredible ability to change your perception on what you crave most in life, and Signa finds herself learning that lesson all too well.
Belladonna is one of those books that has an absolutely incredible cover and you just hope the book inside is just as beautiful. Spoiler alert? It is. I loved Thorn Grove and its inhabitants, and the plot was actually two interwoven, one a mystery and the other a romance. The romance I was somewhat expecting and, if I’m honest, hoping for. The murder plot? Never. Not in the way it was presented.
The book was dark, but not as dark as I had expected at first. I also LOVE Signa. And Death. And Sylas. And Blythe’s fiery and independent spirit. I even enjoyed Elijah, the husband lost in grief. The spirits that featured were also very interesting and the concepts for life beyond were something I’d never really thought about, and I think about death a lot (I’m delightfully morbid).
There are a lot of books coming out with the same concept of death or Hades as an option for romance, but Grace’s Belladonna stands out. I am very excited for Foxglove to come out next year as the twist ending in the Epilogue left me practically salivating. Please add this to your “To Read” pile if you love historical paranormal mystery/fantasy/romance stories. This one is going to be worth the wait, and I cannot wait to fangirl with you all!
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown books for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review!
4.5 Stars. Best Enjoyed when you need a fast paced ya thriller set during a snowstorm that has a lot going on–like, a lot.
The Synopsis:
Nell and her drama club classmates are on their way to a national drama competition that they have been working very hard for. This competition could lead to awards, scholarships, and opportunities for them and they are excited and confident. What they were not prepared for was the winter storm of the century catching the California teens and their teacher to be stranded a strange, worn-out hotel far from their intended destination. As they hunker down for the night, they meet other storm-bound people who have found themselves equally stuck at the Travel Inn & Out, including another group of teens who had a competition of their own to attend.
Dark Road During Blizzard
As the storm rages on outside, the teens decide to meet in the common room to socialize in front of the fire. However, their gathering begins to take on a sinister tone as a creepy message appears in the slips of paper they are using to play a seemingly innocent game of Two Truths and a Lie. As a sense of unease settles on the group, they also find out that the hotel is the sight of a 20 year-old unsolved double murder, one that took place in room 238. They decide to do a séance and it goes about as well as one can expect a séance to go in a creepy hotel. And then the power goes out.
Stanley Hotel, fourth floor
The next morning, Nell and a few others in their party group stumble upon the body of one of the girls they had hung out with the night before, apparently hung sometime in the night, a sign pinned to her chest saying “THIS IS THE FIRST.” Was it suicide or something more sinister? As another girl disappears and they find her room splattered in more blood than one could survive losing, with another sign scrawled in blood on the bathroom mirror reading “THIS IS THE SECOND,” all hell breaks loose. Not only are they stranded far away from home and safety without heat, phone service, and power, but they also may be stuck in a hotel in the middle of nowhere with a murderer. Is this the same killer who 20 years ago killed the couple in 238, or is this someone new who has only just begun?
The Review:
I definitely finished this one quickly. The plot throughout is fast-paced and it had everything in it. Suspicious hotel guests, possible supernatural phenomena, unsolved murders, and teenage hormones run rampant. The setting was well described and plays a huge roll throughout the entire book. It’s like the setting is another character entirely, moaning and creaking around its inhabitants.
Cougar
The storm also adds a ton to the overall atmosphere of the book and if you have ever experienced a blizzard, you know exactly the feelings they have. The isolation, the disorientation when you find yourself in a world that has turned the outside into a black and white alien landscape where the white and fluffy snow becomes an icy desert of drifts and plains, some which may even hide other dangerous creatures. It creates a stark and unforgiving backdrop for a story of people desperately clawing their way to the truth.
There is a cadre of red herrings and strange happenings that make you question the evidence and what might be true verses what might be coincidental. Many of the characters show their true colors throughout the book, which makes them seem all the more real. It’s also always fun to read about people who are tied intrinsically to technology go through an experience where they don’t have any available and have to find ways to survive varying circumstances, like how to unmask a killer while trying to stay warm and fed in a place not meant to be run without electricity. It’s one reason I absolutely love fictional survival stories set far in the wilderness, especially ones where dumb mistakes are made that the protagonist has to survive. Although there aren’t many of those in Two Truths and a Lie, there is still plenty of unpreparedness to keep a reader feeling like this book is both a survival story and a mystery-thriller.
If you’re in the mood for a quick and thrilling read, I would advise picking up a copy of Two Truths and a Lie.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown books for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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