I have some conflicting feelings about this novel and whether I want to continue with the series. I think out of sheer curiosity I will, but the plot I have some conflicting feelings about this novel and whether I want to continue with the series. I think out of sheer curiosity I will, but the plot overall hasn't been my personal favorite. While I do love the very dark romance vibes in this omegaverse, with our characters all being moral shades of grey, there was a little too much military presence in the story for me to be able to relax into it. This sort of alpha male complex works well in an omegaverse, obviously, but we didn't get enough of the found family or comfort vibes I search for in this genre. I think I'm having trouble combining the dark romance aspects I enjoy in other series like The Lords, and having those mix with an omegaverse world where I've come to expect a lot of comfort running parallel to trauma and healing. I'm hoping these will evolve in book 2, and that it's just more of a slow build. ...more
Thank you so much to TheNerdFam for providing me with a gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was genuinely so excited when I submitted my apThank you so much to TheNerdFam for providing me with a gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was genuinely so excited when I submitted my application for an early copy of this novel. The premise of surviving in the desert, desert magic, and two sworn enemies learning that they might have more in common than they have differences, was enough to make me jump at this opportunity. It didn’t hurt that this cover is absolutely stunning, and made me want to dive into this story even more.
This story focuses a lot on the concept of ‘other’. We meet clans who live solely in the wild desert, surviving by any bloody means necessary, and attempting to thwart the desert’s cruel beasts and unpredictable nature. While on the edge of the desert a civilization has risen with crowned rulers who thrive on their relative safety from the elements and beasts, and who have little to no threat of scarcity. Each of our main characters, throughout the course of the story, comes to exist in both realities, allowing the reader to experience the turmoil of wanting to escape the desert’s harsh and unforgiving lifestyle, while realizing that it is ultimately the only place these characters truly feel at home.
Our main characters are both gifted with desert magic, and are understood to be the most powerful magical beings alive. Peripheral characters may exhibit a touch of magic that allows them to communicate (to an extent) with animals, or be more deadly in a battle. I really enjoyed getting to experience the different modalities of magic, and see how it manifested in each of our characters.
This story has a great focus on animal companions, which brought a lot of levity to situations that might have otherwise felt heavy and burdensome. While these companions are not always marked safe from survivable injuries, the author doesn’t intentionally harm them as a way to manipulate her characters or the audience, which I appreciated.
Despite enjoying so much of the overall plot, including the trials and twists regarding certain character’s lineage, the writing wasn’t a home run for me. Thinking back it’s hard to articulate why it didn’t work. I found myself skimming large portions of this book so I could fulfill my obligation of writing a review.
This had so many elements of things I would normally devour: animal companions, wild magic, slow burn enemies to lovers, war torn political landscapes. Unfortunately something fell flat, and perhaps felt a little too juvenile, when it came to the writing, pacing, and overall tone of the novel. Although it didn’t work for me I do think plenty of fantasy and romantasy readers will thoroughly enjoy this one. From the action sequences, slow burn romance, magic, unraveling history, and two very distinct settings, this story is undoubtedly an adventure....more
Please check trigger warnings before starting this novel.
I feel like I have been following this author since I discovered booktok and dark romance. WPlease check trigger warnings before starting this novel.
I feel like I have been following this author since I discovered booktok and dark romance. With my recent one month subscription to Kindle Unlimited I decided it was time to try out one of their newer releases. I’ll admit I was a little hesitant to start this one after realizing there were a lot of religious discussions and plot points, but once I got into this story there was no turning back.
The inspiration for this story centers around someone being trapped in a bell tower within a church. A tale as old as time, with a very dark and gothic twist. The setting and overall tone of this story were immediately palpable from the first few pages. While the wider scope of the setting takes place on a college campus, our main characters are living in the shell of an old abandoned, apparently haunted, church. If I had to describe this setting it would be a twisted, gothic, Wednesday Addams, paint it black rendition conjured up in your nightmares.
I’ve noticed a pattern with some dark romances, where in order for the dynamics to work the main female character needs to be a bit naive to the world around them. While that isn’t always the case, in this novel our FMC was leagues beyond just a sheltered soul who didn’t understand how to interact with other humans. She had no formal education or even a familial upbringing to acquaint herself with. Because of her past she relies heavily on the truths provided to her by our three male main characters, who all have some semblance of ulterior motives.
When it came to the dark romance aspect of this book the lines defining consent were a bit hazy in the beginning. Thankfully they weren’t so questionable that I wasn’t able to enjoy the relationships in this why choose adventure as they evolved. I think a big part of the consent issue stemmed from our FMC being so out of touch with human nature, and not knowing what is or is not appropriate. The question becomes does she understand what is happening to her, and does she have the mental capacity to say no in the beginning? I don’t have answers for that, but I did appreciate that as she developed as a character, and as these relationships continued, boundaries were drawn and respected by all parties.
While I was reading this it was very easy for me to define good, evil and morally gray characters based on their actions and their roles in society. Our three MMC’s were not good people. They were killers who would do whatever it took to stay at the top of their food chain. The author’s note in the beginning of the story even warns that we the reader shouldn’t necessarily be rooting for them, and the author even questioned if this book should exist for others to read.
I, for one, am glad there is a story out in the world that expresses some of my deepest fears and darkest desires. The commentary on separation of church and state, which naturally leads into a discussion on women’s autonomy, were difficult to read because of the very real threat that exists in our own society. In some ways, realizing I’m not alone in these fears was also a cathartic experience. I’m sure there will be a group of readers who vehemently oppose the premise of this novel, and if I had read this book before I began deconstructing in 2020, I probably would have put this book down relatively quickly in disgust from what I perceived as a warped view of religion.
There was one point around the 70% mark in the book where I did find myself extremely frustrated with the choices made to progress the plot. Do these choices ‘make sense’ for our character? Sure. But was I the reader groaning and rolling my eyes the entire time? Sure was. I had been enjoying the story with commentary on politics, religion, corruption, ways people were silently fighting back, and the downright wild sexy times, and felt like this section of the novel completely threw me out of the otherwise natural flow of events.
I think part of me likes this book so much because I know a much younger version of myself would have hated it. And I think this reading experience is a concrete way to prove to myself that I am capable of change and growth in my thoughts and ideas of the world around me in ways that are positive not only for myself, but for my community. I think this is a very polarizing subject that you’re either going to love, hate, or fall somewhere in the gray zone. Which very well might be the point all along....more
I’m now two for two on enjoying omegaverse standalones over duologies, a thing I never thought I’d say. There’s something about getting the full storyI’m now two for two on enjoying omegaverse standalones over duologies, a thing I never thought I’d say. There’s something about getting the full story out in one book that keeps me flipping page after page with anticipation, enjoying all the highs and lows with the characters as they meet one another and begin their forever together.
In this story our omega is chronically ill. Her illness has been getting worse year after year, with medical professionals, and the alphas who were forced into guardianship after her aunt’s death, not believing her symptoms. After the death of her aunt and her only surviving family member, our omega begins to slowly open up to her friends about her symptoms, and one by one we meet her future pack.
Unlike some previous omegaverse stories I’ve read, this omega doesn’t find herself a pack of already bonded alphas and betas. Instead she meets these guys one at a time through various different circumstances. The tension and excitement of when she would bump into these men and wondering how their paths might cross was exhilarating. Getting to see so many firsts like their first time meeting her, their first time meeting each other, and leading up to their first spicy encounters together left me giggling and kicking my feet.
These guys come from very different walks of life, which is another element of the story I absolutely loved. Each alpha or beta has a unique quality that makes them a perfect match for our omega, who is truly a combination of all these men in her own right. I loved seeing her slowly open up and allow herself to be cared for.
So much of this novel is learning to trust, including our omega allowing herself the care she has been deprived of for her entire life. As someone with a chronic illness this was incredibly relatable and impactful, and something I hope I can find one day with a future partner.
There is a lot regarding the medical aspect of this book that readers could find triggering. I found myself getting antsy, unable to sit still, and short of breath when our omega had to go in for her first MRI. Despite having had over ten MRI’s myself I still felt the visceral sheer panic as our omega was loaded into the claustrophobic-EDM-clankity-clank machine.
This novel is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. The added element of the tarot reading, with tarot cards separating sections of the book, was such a fun surprise that held a sense of rightness and reassurance I found incredibly unexpected as I was reading. I would love to have a physical copy of this novel to reread whenever I’m struggling with my own chronic issues (like right now, five months after a surgery that I’m still experiencing daily complications from). I just want to live in a world where I can find comfort and peace in another person, and share my deepest worries and fears with someone who will not judge me for them, but feel them as harshly and thoroughly as I do. Thank you to Emilia Emerson/Rossi for writing such a deeply personal story. ...more
After reading, more like devouring, Eliana Lee’s omegaverse duology and standalone I started following her on social media. I saw that she was workingAfter reading, more like devouring, Eliana Lee’s omegaverse duology and standalone I started following her on social media. I saw that she was working on an upcoming project with another author and wanted to check out their work so I could support them both in the upcoming months. Similar to Lee’s omegaverse, Emilia Emerson/Rossi has a duology and a standalone set in the same world with overlapping characters. For the purpose of this review I’ll be discussing both books in the duology: Forbidden Part One and Forbidden Part Two.
In Forbidden Part One we are introduced to our characters and a very tumultuous political system where alphas have stripped omegas of almost all their rights. There are many aspects of the politics and governing body that were very triggering to read due to our real world political climate, but thankfully all of our main characters are part of the rebellious alliance that is trying to dismantle this system and bring justice to omega’s.
Our FMC omega has experienced a lot of trauma, and so have her future alphas. It was hard to watch as she relived some of these experiences in dreams or flashbacks while her new alphas sat by helplessly until she was able to trust them. They gained her trust slowly and through repetitive positive actions that reinforced their genuine intentions. Each alpha was able to break down his own walls and explore their own trauma through the comforting connection they shared with their omega.
Our omega deals with body image issues, food issues, and initially has an aversion to sex or pleasuring themselves. While not all of these issues are resolved (because that would be unrealistic to how working through trauma looks in real life) we do see our omega progress throughout the story. This book does end on a cliffhanger that threads into part two, but don’t worry. Part two does deliver a happily ever after. Eventually.
Unfortunately in order to arrive at that happy place in Forbidden Part Two, we the reader and our newly beloved characters have to go through absolute hell on earth first. I cried my way through most of the chapters in this book. The trauma and emotional turmoil was a physical presence in the room with me, hovering possessively (and not in the hot way) while I made my way through this story. I had to push through and remind myself I was promised a HEA, but holy moly was it a rough book to read.
I should also note that these books were long in addition to being slightly triggering. I did find myself skimming a lot of this book and just reading dialogue sections at times so that I could avoid some of the inner monologues of the pain and confusion while our characters were suffering.
Thankfully this book wraps up by piecing our characters back together, and I attempted to piece myself together right along with them. I’m not sure how well I accomplished that task on my own, but I am excited to start the third book in this series, which is a standalone that features an omega we met in this duology.
This story was a wild emotional ride, and while I do really love seeing characters cared for after a traumatic event, this novel definitely pushed closer and closer to my personal reading boundaries. I’m tempted to classify this story as a dark omegaverse romance due to some of the themes that were present, and extremely challenging to get through. On the positive side there was great representation for Dom/sub and BDSM dynamics, excellent cooking and baking scenes, and a fearsome alpha who has a wicked collection of romance novels.
I wouldn’t recommend this particular omegaverse duology to anyone who is new to this genre, but if you want something that will pull at your heart strings, make you equal parts horrified, pissed off, and cheering for the ending then definitely consider picking these books up....more
**spoiler alert** After reading, more like devouring, Eliana Lee’s omegaverse duology and standalone I started following her on social media. I saw th**spoiler alert** After reading, more like devouring, Eliana Lee’s omegaverse duology and standalone I started following her on social media. I saw that she was working on an upcoming project with another author and wanted to check out their work so I could support them both in the upcoming months. Similar to Lee’s omegaverse, Emilia Emerson/Rossi has a duology and a standalone set in the same world with overlapping characters. For the purpose of this review I’ll be discussing both books in the duology: Forbidden Part One and Forbidden Part Two.
In Forbidden Part One we are introduced to our characters and a very tumultuous political system where alphas have stripped omegas of almost all their rights. There are many aspects of the politics and governing body that were very triggering to read due to our real world political climate, but thankfully all of our main characters are part of the rebellious alliance that is trying to dismantle this system and bring justice to omega’s.
Our FMC omega has experienced a lot of trauma, and so have her future alphas. It was hard to watch as she relived some of these experiences in dreams or flashbacks while her new alphas sat by helplessly until she was able to trust them. They gained her trust slowly and through repetitive positive actions that reinforced their genuine intentions. Each alpha was able to break down his own walls and explore their own trauma through the comforting connection they shared with their omega.
Our omega deals with body image issues, food issues, and initially has an aversion to sex or pleasuring themselves. While not all of these issues are resolved (because that would be unrealistic to how working through trauma looks in real life) we do see our omega progress throughout the story. This book does end on a cliffhanger that threads into part two, but don’t worry. Part two does deliver a happily ever after. Eventually.
Unfortunately in order to arrive at that happy place in Forbidden Part Two, we the reader and our newly beloved characters have to go through absolute hell on earth first. I cried my way through most of the chapters in this book. The trauma and emotional turmoil was a physical presence in the room with me, hovering possessively (and not in the hot way) while I made my way through this story. I had to push through and remind myself I was promised a HEA, but holy moly was it a rough book to read.
I should also note that these books were long in addition to being slightly triggering. I did find myself skimming a lot of this book and just reading dialogue sections at times so that I could avoid some of the inner monologues of the pain and confusion while our characters were suffering.
Thankfully this book wraps up by piecing our characters back together, and I attempted to piece myself together right along with them. I’m not sure how well I accomplished that task on my own, but I am excited to start the third book in this series, which is a standalone that features an omega we met in this duology.
This story was a wild emotional ride, and while I do really love seeing characters cared for after a traumatic event, this novel definitely pushed closer and closer to my personal reading boundaries. I’m tempted to classify this story as a dark omegaverse romance due to some of the themes that were present, and extremely challenging to get through. On the positive side there was great representation for Dom/sub and BDSM dynamics, excellent cooking and baking scenes, and a fearsome alpha who has a wicked collection of romance novels.
I wouldn’t recommend this particular omegaverse duology to anyone who is new to this genre, but if you want something that will pull at your heart strings, make you equal parts horrified, pissed off, and cheering for the ending then definitely consider picking these books up....more
I will try my best to include as few spoilers for this series or the From Blood and Ash series as possible, but please proceed with caution. This reviI will try my best to include as few spoilers for this series or the From Blood and Ash series as possible, but please proceed with caution. This review is mostly an emotional overview from a fan who has been with these characters since their debut.
We have reached the finale to a prequel series, which means it hardly feels like a finale at all, but it is no less bittersweet. Since the very first book with Sera and Ash I knew I felt a special connection to them. This story quickly rose in the ranks as a favorite with the introduction of Daddy Nyktos, drakens, and a mortal woman who wasn’t afraid to stab death in the chest. Repeatedly.
I have been a fan of JLA and her work for so long that I have trouble recalling which books I’ve reviewed, and which I have not. I remember reading JLA books as early as 2011 (Obsidian, I’m looking at you). I think it’s only fair that I try to do my due diligence with this review, and give my honest thoughts overall.
No writer is perfect, though as readers we may wish them to be. When it comes to JLA I often struggled with certain aspects of her writing. On one hand the parallels between Sere and Ash and Poppy and Cas helped ease my anxiety while reading. The flow and plot beat of the first novels in each series was so strikingly similar it was not a struggle to guess what might happen on the next page. I think after finishing this finale JLA managed to tie things up in a way that made this repetition appear intentional, based on who Sera and Poppy are to one another.
There are also moments while reading where I might cringe a bit internally. Whether it was from naming an important location Lasania and then having a character joke about said name reminding them of pasta, or Sera and Ash’s occasionally cringe worthy dialogue during their more steamy, intimate scenes together. This series is by no means perfect, but it will always be one of my favorites despite some of its flaws.
All of these novels are long, and after the torturous events of the previous novel that left me flayed open like a bundle of raw, exposed nerves, this story felt like it went on forever. And not in a bad way. We got to watch as these characters worked through years worth of trauma together, as they began plotting how to build a stable life together, and we watched as Sera grew into the Primal she was always meant to become.
Every time I felt like we were finally getting a moment of peace in this novel it would be interrupted in savage and heartbreaking ways. Because of this I think the final battle fell a little flat. It happened so fast, with at least one good twist with Sera using her powers in a way I hadn’t anticipated but probably should have, and before I knew it everything was over. There had been such a huge, devastating moment a few chapters before when Sera lost control that the final battle felt almost insignificant, despite it being the entire goal of the book.
It was wild as a reader knowing how their story would end, and waiting to see how time would play a role in the events of this novel. Would we skip years into the future, or weeks, or months, and see what we knew would inevitably play out? Or would we be stuck in the present day with Sera and Ash, having to piece the puzzle together ourselves and fill in the gaps until we catch up with Poppy.
In this finale we eventually got a mix of both. A majority of the novel takes place in the here and now, but we do get a few flashes forward in the last two to three chapters. They were nowhere near what I would have loved to see in this novel. I am yearning to see Sera and Ash as parents. To watch them dote over their twin boys, to see how those boys’ powers grow as they do, and to watch their friends embrace their new family. I’m hopeful that in the future, once JLA is finished with Poppy and Cas’ story, which should eventually meet back up with Sera and Ash, that JLA will go back and give us a few snippets of the twins growing up with their parents before Poppy’s story truly begins again.
Finishing this series set so many things in motion within my own mind. It left me whirling, wanting to immediately pick up the original series and find all the easter eggs hidden throughout. So much more of the original series makes sense now, and so much will be even more heartbreaking to reread. Having now seen some of those characters as children, or having spent time with their parents before their birth, and knowing the eventual outcome of their lives is probably the closest I”ll ever come to feeling like a god (or a Fate) myself.
As a writer I wonder how JLA crafted these two stories? Did she know about Sera and Ash before she created Poppy and Cas? I have so many questions I’d want to ask from a writing standpoint, but that’s definitely not the point of this review. How does one review the finale to a prequel series without completely spoiling both stories in the process? Finishing a series is such a bittersweet moment. I hope I’ve conveyed all the churning emotions I’m feeling. I’m even more excited to reread Poppy and Cas, while looking for hints of beloved characters who were influenced and created by Sera and Ash....more
I enjoyed the first one more, but this had some interesting alien technology. Another quick, lunch break alien romance read.
Official Review From Blog
TI enjoyed the first one more, but this had some interesting alien technology. Another quick, lunch break alien romance read.
Official Review From Blog
This is the second novella in this series, following another sister and her alien counterpart.
This book delved deeper into alien technologies, culture, and way of life. While I did like the banter and chemistry between characters (and some of the side characters) I just couldn’t get invested into this story.
I do think alien romances will be a fun subcategory to explore further, but I might not continue with this specific author. I’m glad I gave their work a try.
Merged review:
I enjoyed the first one more, but this had some interesting alien technology. Another quick, lunch break alien romance read.
Official Review From Blog
This is the second novella in this series, following another sister and her alien counterpart.
This book delved deeper into alien technologies, culture, and way of life. While I did like the banter and chemistry between characters (and some of the side characters) I just couldn’t get invested into this story.
I do think alien romances will be a fun subcategory to explore further, but I might not continue with this specific author. I’m glad I gave their work a try....more
I couldn’t resist diving into Eliana Lee’s third omegaverse novel aftering finishing The Scent of Us Part One & Part Two. This third novel featured a I couldn’t resist diving into Eliana Lee’s third omegaverse novel aftering finishing The Scent of Us Part One & Part Two. This third novel featured a brand new pack with characters who carried over from the original duology.
Both the omega and one of her alphas were two prominent characters in the duology, meaning we had some familiarity with them as this third standalone novel began. This novel shifts from different POVs from all the pack mates giving us great insights into their personal lives, and struggles, outside of the pack.
This story deals with the death of a partner, religious trauma, sick/aging family members, and abusive relationships. That sentence alone feels overwhelming and oppressive, but the characters banter and the story itself is one of comfort and hope. While there are many tough themes throughout this story it never felt dark or constricting. We watch each character come to terms with their individual struggles, and learn to lean on one another so that they no longer face those tough challenges alone.
Another thing I loved about this book was how sex positive it was. While most omegaverse novels in my experience are inherently sex positive, this novel featured two characters who were sex workers. We got a peak into their routine and the reality of being a sex worker. I thought this shed a very realistic and positive light on their jobs, and appreciated how the other characters responded to this information once it was brought to light.
Similarly to the duology that pack dynamics were once again incredible to read. There was spice, smut, but also tender, healing, and comforting moments. Everything a healthy dynamic should display and cultivate was included in this pack. I’m so happy I discovered this author and her characters, and through them was able to reignite my love for omegaverse. This genre is just what I need when I’ve been dealing with a lot personally, physically, and mentally. I need the comfort of these packs just as much as the characters do, and it truly has been a cathartic reading experience. ...more
I was minding my business, scrolling the Instagram explore page (as one does) when I came across art of a woman and three men sleeping peacefully in aI was minding my business, scrolling the Instagram explore page (as one does) when I came across art of a woman and three men sleeping peacefully in a cozy bed. There were piles of pillows, an assortment of plants along the edges of the image, and my interest was instantly piqued. I realized the person who posted the art was an author, and that these must be her characters. I had unknowingly stumbled upon a new-to-me omegaverse, the very thing I’d been craving since finishing Bride by Ali Hazelwood.
The first book in this series is part of a duology, where we meet a female Omega who was sold by her family as a teenager into a dangerous pack of Alphas. These alphas were part of an illegal crime ring, and were extremely abusive to our FMC. Through the first few chapters we get a glimpse into her daily life and the abuse she had to endure at the hands (and rope, and teeth) of these dangerous men. We also witnessed her many failed attempts to escape, as well as her final successful attempt.
While this is not a shifter romance, meaning our characters do not at any point become wolves, it still has all your favorite omegaverse tropes. Pheromones, bonds, bites, knots, and other pack dynamics are littered throughout this novel and satiated my need for stories that feel like home. Our characters are also POC who share many aspects of their different cultures throughout scenes in the kitchen and in sharing stories about their upbringings.
As our FMC finds and builds her new pack we get to meet so many new characters. Some relationships blossom immediately. The mutual attraction and trust is indescribable, while others linger and cultivate into a slower burn. The will-they-won’t-they carries through the first novel into the second, leaving readers (aka me) chasing the high of this pack and their ever changing dynamics.
If you’re a fan of reverse harem, mild bdsm elements, or poly dynamics you’re going to have a great time with this one. There were so many different partner units within this pack, and we got a special peek inside each one. Learning more and more about personalities, hierarchy, and what makes each character tick was definitely a highlight of this story.
This novel is cozy, healing, and spicy once our FMC escaped her original alpha pack. Page after page of lust, need, and love was the foundation for a slice of life setting. Our FMC is back in college, an artist, and determined to make her own way in the world. She never wants to be dependent on men again, and wants to have resources to stand on her own feet should the need ever arise again.
Her new packmates are obscenely wealthy, and also completely respectful of her ambitions. They all challenge her in different ways, while supporting her goals and desires for herself. For each one of them, her needs always come first, and they use their own personal strengths to help her overcome (and come to terms with) her past.
If you’re new to omegaverse this might feel like diving into the deep end. This book is probably 60-70% smut and spice, while the rest is a mixture of cozy and healing. If you’re an avid omegaverse reader, and looking for something that isn’t too dark or heavy, I think this book could provide space for a peaceful reading experience. I was able to sit with these characters and get lost in their story. I could leave all my anxious, depressed thoughts about the real world behind and immerse myself into the safety and security of their nest.
I’m officially an Eliana Lee stan, and cannot wait for the day I can get not just physical copies of these books, but all the artwork she has available on her website. I’m her reader for life. ...more
**spoiler alert** Y’all. I have no idea how to rate this book or start this review. I ranted a bit on Tiktok in a video I haven’t posted yet, in the h**spoiler alert** Y’all. I have no idea how to rate this book or start this review. I ranted a bit on Tiktok in a video I haven’t posted yet, in the hopes that someone will come into the comments and help me understand how I’m feeling.
Another creator on TikTok made a video recommending this series. She sold me by saying the MMC cooks food for the FMC because she doesn’t take care of herself or know how to cook. That is so freaking adorable and an absolute dream come true for me personally. I’ve also been reading so many strictly fantasy novels for the past two months that I needed to get some romance back in the mix. I checked my library and they had an audiobook available, so I checked it out and listened to the entire thing in one day.
Beyond this point there will be spoilers, because I just need to voice complaints, and confusion, about what I read. Read on with caution.
In the very first chapter our MMC saves our FMC and in return he demands a sexual favor. To be totally honest at this point I had no idea if this was a fantasy dark romance or not, so I was waiting to see if he had special powers or something.
So. Yeah. He won’t let her leave, and he threatens to kill her if she doesn’t follow his commands. Are we all on the same page? That’s assault right? Obviously when it comes to dark romance there are a lot of things we the reader let slide, but even in other dark romances I’ve read consent (or even consensual non consent) has been a topic between the characters, and something understood by those reading.
This did not give CNC vibes. Maybe it did as the story progressed…but that initial meeting was assault. Our FMC let’s our MMC know she feels that way too as he begins to pursue her in the next few chapters. She fights him verbally and physically every step of the way, until she begins to fall for him. She questions her positive reactions to him, noting how messed up it is to be having these feelings after what happened, which I guess is a redeeming quality for the book but the bar is in hell (that's a tad dramatic, but I didn't know where else to place the bar).
The novel is written in multi POV, focusing on our MMC and FMC, but including additional characters towards the end. We learn from the MMC POV chapters that he knows he’s messed up (and that’s putting it lightly). He admits to being a serial killer in the making, with all the telltale signs from early childhood that his parents and brother have had to deal with. Again, I found this to be a redeeming quality that although he is an absolute psychopath (possibly sociopath or some other personality disorder; I’m not a psychologist so I don’t know the best term) he acknowledges his violent tendencies and his threat to society.
Readers come to the genre of dark romance for plenty of reasons. Taboo fantasies are a cornerstone to this genre. I understand the desire to be with a guy who on paper is dangerous. A guy who pushes you past your boundaries and limits in a way that you crave deep down. I think the sticking point for me in this novel was the initial meeting that resulted in blatant SA.
It also bothered me that our MMC was contradictory in how he reacted. He tells our FMC in the beginning that there is no ‘no’, that he can take what he wants when he wants it. But towards the end of the book he changes his tune and says he knew she actually wanted him that first night, and that’s the only reason he pushed her. Um? Pick a lane. Either there is no ‘no’, or you already had her consent (including consent for CNC).
Without that aspect I could see myself really, thoroughly enjoying this story. An artist falling in love with a potential mafia serial killer? Her seeing him for the killer he is and not shying away but staying by his side? I loved the psychological side of the story, but there was a lot that got in the way of this being a win overall. There was a lot of repetition with words or phrases. There was little to no plot, and almost no stakes, which was bizarre when one character literally wants to kill people for fun. I don’t know how I feel about this book. I don’t know if I should give another one from this author a shot. I just don’t know, and my head hurts, so I’m not going to put any more effort into this review. I’m just going to post it and try to move on to the next. ...more
Before we start this review I want to put in a few reminders. This is a dark romance. This review will be a little more unhinged than my usual contentBefore we start this review I want to put in a few reminders. This is a dark romance. This review will be a little more unhinged than my usual content. This is a standalone novel set in a made-up world where the side characters, and their books’ plot lines, intersect in each standalone novel. While it is not required it would be extremely helpful to have read all the previous books in this series to have full context and understanding going into Madness.
Let’s talk about Haidyn. When we met him in the previous novel I honestly thought he was the craziest out of the three Spade brothers. And maybe he is. This fictional man scared me. But seeing Saint through Haidyn’s eyes this time around completely changed my opinion on who the scariest Spade brother might actually be. I’m holding out on making a final opinion until we get both Kash and Adam’s books, but so far Haidyn has taken the lead as my favorite.
Oddly enough there was something that felt toned down about this novel compared to the others. Or it could be that we’re six novels in and the shock of entering The Lords world has finally worn off. I think it could be a little bit of both, but I’m very thankful for the change in this reading experience. In the previous novels we more often than not saw on-the-page rape and torture of our main female characters. Those scenes were, needless to say, horrific to read, and it was a stark relief to not have to read about it with regards to our FMC this time around.
Though this book is still more dark and taboo than any typical romance so please don’t let my above statement fool you into a false sense of security. Haidyn and his girl do some messed up shit to survive, and just for fun in their free time. I think Haidyn is my kind of crazy because I didn’t even bat an eye at some of the stuff he had his girl doing. Minor spoiler ahead: one of my favorite scenes had to be him tying her up in his home gym. Hasn’t everyone fantasized about this at least once? No? Just me and Shantel Tessier? Cool, cool, cool.
The spice and the smut, as always with The Lords, was off the mother fucking charts, but I was equally invested in the plot. Tessier doesn’t just give us good smut. She makes us think in between those scenes to try and connect the dots before it’s all laid out for us at the end. It was not a shock to me when we discovered who the puppet master in this novel was after they were revealed, but there were a few other moments that took me by surprise. I’ve learned to never trust a death when it comes to these books, and so far I’ve been right every time. Does that mean I made it through this story without crying? Absolutely not.
I was so sold on Haidyn and his girl that there simply could be no other outcome. I loved that they matched each other's freak, and chose one another through it all. I sadly rented this book off kindle unlimited two days before my subscription expired, so I didn’t get a chance to soak this story in like I wanted to. I literally finished with seven minutes to go before it automatically returned, so I definitely will be partaking in a reread when I am able to get a physical copy. I cannot wait to build my LORDS collection and dive deeper into this world with every new book....more
I went into this novel knowing there were many mixed opinions from reviewers and readers alike. This book seems to have gone viral, judging by the facI went into this novel knowing there were many mixed opinions from reviewers and readers alike. This book seems to have gone viral, judging by the fact that I had to wait almost a month on hold and when I did finally get a copy my library gave me a very strict two-week-only check out period. Not that I needed it considering I finished the book in two days, but I digress. I was excited to find out which side of the fence I’d be on: the side who loved this paranormal romance, or the side who loathed it.
This story takes place in a relatively urban setting, which is pretty par for the course with paranormal, vampire or wolf shifter, romances. We learn that this world is separated into three factions: humans, werewolves, and vampires. Tensions are high, and casualties from skirmishes seem to be relatively stable for the time being (thanks to a system put in place where one person from each faction is sent into enemy territory in an effort to keep the peace).
That’s how we meet our FMC. As a child she was sent into human territory, and now as an adult she’s being married off to a Were, while she herself is a vampire. Due to her upbringing she’s never really fit in with her kind. She didn’t grow up as a vampire, but she was simultaneously outcast by humans. Now she’s being sent to live among Were’s, and her newly wedded Were husband.
I’ve heard other reviewers talk about Ali Hazelwood’s writing and characterizations, alluding to their quirkier qualities that have about a fifty fifty chance of working for the reader. I thought our FMC’s quirks, banter, and inner monologues were fun and easy to follow along in this book. This kind of light, quick, back and forth between characters had me smiling through most of the story, and helped me settle into our main character’s overall vibe.
There are many aspects to this romance that make it feel forbidden. The biggest and most obvious being that he’s a were and she’s a vampire (“he was a boy, she was a girl, can I make it any more obvious” - Avril Lavigne), and the runner up being the selective discussions about mates. I won’t go into too much detail on the latter for the risk of spoilers, but overall the sense of we-shouldn’t-be-doing-this was a strong selling point for their romantic suspense.
If you’ve been a patron of my reviews for any number of years you might have noticed that I tend to review a handful of shifter romances every year. It’s one of my favorite genres, and I use them as palate cleansers when I need something that feels like home. Shifter romances have held my heart since I was a teenager watching Teen Wolf and writing word salad fanfiction for the show. Bride reads like baby’s first shifter romance, and I honestly love that a new generation of readers (no matter their age - although hopefully age appropriate for the level of smut in this book) will get a glimpse into paranormal/shifter romances and want to explore the genre further.
I can see why this aspect would be a turn off to many readers and reviewers who are more experienced in this genre if they were expecting a more developed shifter romance. This novel holds your hand as it walks you through what it means to be a werewolf, what it means to have a mate, and what it means to experience knotting. It’s truly an introductory course that sets the stage for what’s to come when you advance deeper into the lexicon.
If you’re a seasoned paranormal romance reader this book might feel too juvenile for you. Aside from the few spicy scenes this reads like a Young Adult novel most of the time. As a seasoned paranormal romance reader myself I did enjoy the experience of stepping back into the foundations of shifter romances. I genuinely enjoyed watching these characters orbit one another, and solving a mystery together, through the course of this novel. My hope is that this book will be a gateway drug for more readers to explore paranormal/shifter romances, and to discover a genre that has held my own heart captive for well over two decades. Buckle up though, because this is just the beginning. ...more
**spoiler alert** (I hate trying to rate books I'm not 100% sure about. I can see why other people would like this, and if I was the right audience wh**spoiler alert** (I hate trying to rate books I'm not 100% sure about. I can see why other people would like this, and if I was the right audience why I might have liked this more, so that's why I gave it a 2.5/3 stars)
I found this book when I was searching through newly released fantasy novels trying to find comp titles for my future book. I loved how unique the premise was, and how this story would use magic in a totally new-to-me way. I couldn’t wait to explore these elements with our characters, even predicting in a reading vlog that this would end up being a five star read. Sadly, it didn’t quite hit that mark for me, and I even contemplated DNFing this novel towards the last 50 pages. Let’s find out why.
This story is set in a college campus, which is normally a positive point towards the story for me as a reader. I love fantastical academic books revolving around students, studies, and campus life in general. In this story there is a mix of mundane students who cannot do magic, and students who can. There are three types of magical students, and their distinction is important in the novel. The mages of the story can perform magic, but their magic produces a waste product called dross. If dross is left unchecked it can break on someone and cause them instant bad luck.
That alone was enough to hook me into the story. I’d never been invited into a world where magic created luck, good or bad, via waste or residue from spell work. I thought it was a fascinating premise, and I couldn’t wait to dive deeper and figure out how luck would play out in our character’s lives.
What I didn’t expect was that the approach to this waste would come in the form of scientific understanding, rather than a fantasy twist. I’m all about science fiction. I can get on board with characters in space or on other planets. I can look past them growing food and developing technology in ways I’ll never fully comprehend, as long as I can keep up with an entertaining plot and exciting characters, I can skim over the scientific parts of the story and still have a great time.
This story became all about the science of dross: what happened when it became inert, what happened when they changed its temperature, what happened if it interacted with other magical elements? Our characters at one point were literally in a lab running experiments on rats, talking about dross, matter, mass, weight, and temperature so much that the fantasy element of the novel barely existed anymore.
The extent that science, and the scientific approach to magic, was woven into the novel made it a chore at times to read. I notoriously didn’t love science classes because I wasn’t good at them. Having to read about theory and experimentation in the middle of what I thought would be a story based around magic was not at all what I had signed up for.
Like I had mentioned earlier, I can normally get on board with science fiction if the characters and the plot are entertaining enough. This was not the case here. I checked out of the story, drowning under the science of it all and the bland character interactions. I kept reading just to get to the end, but no longer connected with the characters emotionally (if I ever truly had). I didn’t care when a main character turned out to be an obvious villain, or whether our main characters ended up together or both ended up dead.
The only part of the story that made me emotional (major spoiler) was when the FMC’s dog was murdered to advance the plot. I really dislike when animals are injured or killed in stories just to advance a character arc or plot device, and this really frustrated me as the reader. At this point I was ready to call it quits.
I think overall this book would be received better if the reader has a passion for science and an appreciation for magic. I can see why this author is so beloved, and why people flock to their work. Unfortunately, this type of story just did not work for me and that’s okay. The more books I read to try and find comp titles, the more I’m learning about myself as a reader and writer.
I can understand and appreciate the work this book did to develop the magic system in such a detail oriented and scientific way. I can appreciate that the author made it digestible even for someone like me who barely scraped by science classes in high school and college. And I can also appreciate that there is an audience for this type of story that just isn’t me....more
This might be the best book I read all year. There is no way for me to write an unbiased review at this point. I loved everything about this book: theThis might be the best book I read all year. There is no way for me to write an unbiased review at this point. I loved everything about this book: the story, the characters, the pacing, the romance, the writing. Prepare for this book to become my personality for the foreseeable future.
Our story begins with two sisters, and about fifty pages of world building. The world building wasn’t info dumpy, or frustrating to get through, but I did really struggle to remember names of people, places, things, and figure out who was on the good side or bad side politically. As I kept reading my understanding of my surroundings solidified and I was quickly able to let the story consume me.
In this world the elite have learned, and hidden the information on, how to cage gods (aka dragons) inside their human flesh bags. I honestly couldn’t think of a nicer way to phrase that, and I’m sure the dragons would agree with the sentiment. We learn early on that our two main characters are commoners who also happen to secretly have gods caged inside of them as well.
The book begins with POV’s for each sister, but as more characters are introduced our POV chapters begin to expand. By the middle of the novel our POV’s include about five different characters. We’re first introduced to these characters from the viewpoint of the two sisters, with enough introductions and time spent with these characters that when they are given their own chapters, we the reader are comfortable identifying them.
Each character felt so distinct. Their voice, purpose, and personality soaked through the pages. Even the villain, who was easy to hate, was humanized with reminders of their innocence before they began committing atrocities and murdering innocent citizens in droves.
Both love stories, including a sapphic pairing, were taut with forbidden longing. Each sister held back their true feelings to protect one another, knowing these secrets would unravel their tenuous relationships with their would-be partners. These torturous meetings full of flirtations and angst left me weeping towards the end of the novel. The declarations of devotion and love were breathtaking to read, and had me rooting for our characters' infinite happiness.
If you thought everything so far was great, the final selling point for this novel was how deftly it handled chronic illness and disability. It took me until the last 25% of the book to even realize what I was reading, because the character’s daily struggles were a mirror to my own. I didn’t realize they were chronically ill or disabled because it felt like I was simply reading about myself. They were just another character in the mix going about their daily life. Their story fit so seamlessly that it shocked me when I finally made the connection that oh, this is representation. This is what it feels like to see yourself on the page for the first time. Cue the waterworks.
I’m not sure if this is the first in a series. The ending could imply a standalone, but it was left open just enough that I could see a potential additional story in this world and with these characters. As it stands now it is a happily ever after with a minor cliff hanger. I’m not sure what else I have to do or say to convince you to read this. Here are some keywords to help you decide: sapphic, forbidden romance, political uprising, dragons, powerful magic, survival, cruel childhood, medicinal greenhouse, portals, overthrowing the corrupt governing class, disability rep....more
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited when I got the email promoting this ARC. A story tThank you to The Nerd Fam for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited when I got the email promoting this ARC. A story that revolves around a fae and a human, both writers vying for the same publishing contract at the conclusion of a book tour: a story that is whimsical, romantic, funny, and relatively low stakes, was just what I needed.
Like with any new book you pick up you never truly know what you’re going to get. Will it be well written, will you enjoy the characters or the setting or the plot devices? Will the pacing feel rushed, cut off, or too all over the place for a cohesive story line? These questions are especially at the forefront of my mind when I’m starting a new ARC. Thankfully I had nothing to fear with A Rivalry of Hearts, and I was able to turn off my critical eye, sit back, and relax while the story unfolds.
Our female MC Edwina is a human who travels to the fae world to attend her own book tour. While her romance novels haven’t gained much traction amongst the humans, over in the fae lands even one of the fae queens has taken a special interest in her series. Our male MC William is a fae male who is promoting his poetry book, along with his dashing good looks and pompous, pretentious attitude.
Despite there being an immediate fire between these two characters, they don’t start off on great terms. This polarizing introduction made watching them unravel bit by bit through the course of their book tour that much sweeter and swoon worthy.
I think what surprised me the most about this novel is the time period. Fans of Bridgerton and Pride and Prejudice will fit right in with the atmosphere, clothing options, and vernacular, while fans of modern fae fantasy novels will settle into the opulent descriptions of magic, fae omissions and bets.
This was my first novel set in this specific fae world, and I thought it was genius that the setting revolved around a book tour. Not only is Edwina getting to experience new cities and types of fae at every stop, but so are we as the reader! I loved getting to explore the different landscapes and see what made each fae city unique along each tour stop.
This story was a bit of a revolving door of characters, with a core group at the center. Edwina and William are accompanied on the tour by two employees of their publisher, but fans, and old friends, tend to tag along on different tour stops. We get to watch as the characters interact with one another through varying levels of friendship, performance, and familiarity.
It would be extremely remiss of me to not mention that this novel left me smiling, snorting out loud (I wish I was joking), and giggling under my covers page after page. This definitely lives up to the fantasy rom-com label, and delivered on all aspects. The banter was witty, the circumstances downright hilarious at times, while the setting was magical, whimsical, and breathtaking.
Edwina and William take their time exploring one another more intimately as the novel progresses in extremely spicy, and explicit, detail. All in the name of research for Edwina’s next romance novel, until it evolves into something…else.
I’ll admit, I didn’t love William’s character initially, but he won me over in the same ways he won Edwina’s heart. I absolutely loved reading their story. I enjoyed the writing, and the fantasy world, and am really excited to have discovered this author. If you’re looking for a cozy, funny, sizzling novel to relax with, A Rivalry of Hearts was made for you to try. ...more
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC of this novel in 2020 in exchange for an honest review. My deepest apologies for my review being so egregThank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC of this novel in 2020 in exchange for an honest review. My deepest apologies for my review being so egregiously late.
Writing reviews for anything after the first book in a series is always challenging for me. I’m not sure how much I should say or keep hidden. The announcement of new characters can be as much of a spoiler as the silence of an old character. I teeter on the edge with these reviews and hope that I can still do the book, and future readers, justice.
The first book ended in heartbreak, and I was so hoping the second would set its sights on mending it. While that may have happened through the course of the novel, the first quarter was even more devastating than I could have imagined or planned for.
A major difference in book two is that we now have multiple points of view as the story progresses. I loved this choice because our main characters are varied and no longer within a day’s ride of one another. In book one it was easy to follow Languoreth and those who orbited her, making multiple points of view unnecessary.
Another major difference was the duration of time for book two. Instead of following a character from childhood to her early thirties, we followed the span of about seven years. While a lot can happen in that time period, I did feel slightly less emotionally connected to some of our new points of view. Languoreth’s story in book one intertwined within my own soul as I was reading. I watched her grow and learn and overcome. Though I enjoyed the multiple POV’s, and it was necessary to help the story to progress, it did mean that my connection with the characters was split. Instead of one character having my full attention we jumped not only from person to person, but also location and place in time.
This story is masterfully written. Switching forward and backward years or months from character to character cannot be easy as an author, and yet the story flowed effortlessly from page to page. I never felt out of place or confused as the reader, and often found myself mentally calculating if this character is here on this date what were the other’s doing at the same time? This is definitely not a light novel that can be read with little brain power on the reader’s part. This novel requires time and attention to detail, and empathy to love, loss, madness, and war.
I felt like I was on the edge of my seat for the entire novel. I had so many questions about the character’s mindsets, locations, well being, and outcomes. Where book one ended in heartache, book two ended in hope for the future. I’m so looking forward to seeing what will befall our main characters next time, and selfishly hope that for some they might find a happy ending even if their people might never find peace. ...more
Danielle L. Jensen has been one of my favorite authors, and one I recommend regularly, since I read Dark Shores many years ago. Having fallen in love Danielle L. Jensen has been one of my favorite authors, and one I recommend regularly, since I read Dark Shores many years ago. Having fallen in love with her characters, their arcs and chemistry, and the plots inspired by fantastical worlds, I couldn’t wait to see what new world Jensen had weaved for us this time.
This story sucked me into its depths so quickly I ended up reading 246 pages in one sitting before taking my first break. Truth be told I only stopped because the words blurred on the page and my eyes were closing of their own accord. If my body had possessed the strength I would have gladly devoured this book in one sitting.
From the moment we meet our main character we are swept up in ever changing and perilous situations. What I loved most about the pacing of this novel was that I never once felt bored, or like the characters were being unceremoniously beaten down at every turn. There was a satisfying mix of peril, recovery, witty banter, yearning, self reflection, and exploration of the world.
It was relatively easy early on to decipher the lies characters told from the truth. However I did struggle to discover exactly what some of those truths were up until the last few pages. I was really pleased to see that my instincts had been correct, but even I had missed some of the hints that might have been breadcrumbed throughout the story. As soon as I read the last line I was dying to go back and reread this story to see just how much I had missed in my anxious fervor to inhale every sentence.
To me this story reads like a slow burn, especially now that I’ve been indoctrinated into the world of dark romance. I loved all the lingering touches, stolen glances, innuendos, and constantly questioning what the other character felt. The build up and tension between these two characters was equally hot and sweet, while they struggled to keep their attraction a secret. The lurking sense that their love was forbidden made their stolen moments together even more magical.
There were a lot of wonderful uses of magical, mythical elements that I’m not entirely familiar with. I believe the story is Norse inspired, and loved getting a glimpse into Jensen’s interpretation of those gods, goddesses, and the influence they held over their people. The viking spirit was strong within these characters as they bravely battled their way chapter by chapter to their fate.
While our main male character was protective and [redacted for spoilers], our female main character is undergoing some major changes. It seems now that she’s awoken her magic the more she uses it the less autonomy and control she wields over herself. I cannot wait to see how her story plays out in the rest of the series, as we the readers try to suss out new lies from new truths while we are introduced to a new cast of characters. Once again Jensen has left me wanting more, and I can’t wait to read whatever comes next....more
I decided to pick up this novel after hearing nothing but great things about it on TikTok. I’m also researching comp titles for my own work in progresI decided to pick up this novel after hearing nothing but great things about it on TikTok. I’m also researching comp titles for my own work in progress, and this novel was said to include fae, fantasy, dual POV, prophecies, and romance. I couldn’t wait to explore the author’s unique take on their world and meet their characters.
The novel opens with scenes of children preparing for war. Whether they are practicing in battle formations, or described going onto the battlefield to collect treasures from the dead, these first scenes really set the tone for the harsh realities our characters are forced to live in. While some of the descriptions can be graphic, there were also mentions of killing magical creatures and using their furs and organs for their magical properties. If you are squeamish, or just love all creatures (even fantasy ones) this might be something you’d need to skip.
Our two main characters whose POV’s we follow are sisters: one is a soldier leading troops into battle, and the other has studied the art of prophecies. I appreciated having their narrative spaces to travel back and forth between, but they aren’t written in first person, and I did occasionally get confused about whose POV we were supposed to be in.
The descriptive language this author used was the strongest part of the book. It was so stunning that there were times I found myself rereading sentences just so I could fully take in the poetic prose, and see how it was interwoven into the mundane. Descriptions of eyes, skin, plant life, and magic were lush and full of metaphors and similes.
Unfortunately the writing was my favorite part of this novel. While I appreciated the diverse cast of characters, and respectfully crafted representation, despite the high stakes created throughout the novel I just didn’t care what happened to our characters. At one point they discover a secret and become trapped in a new location, and the entire rest of the novel is them trying to find a way out. Whether they managed to escape or stayed trapped forever didn’t matter to me.
I wasn’t drawn into the story or the fantasy/magical elements enough to hold my interest. While I appreciated that the romantic elements included sapphic representation, the romance in the novel didn’t leave me rooting for any of the characters to end up together. As I was reading I kept trying to ask myself why I felt this way? What was I missing, or what could have been added to hold my attention? What could have made me more emotionally invested?
After briefly skimming a few reviews it seems I’m not the only reader who felt this story was lacking…something. Though this appears to be the less popular take on this novel, and many people did seem to enjoy the writing and the world building overall. There were a few twists that might excite readers, but were things I had already seen coming well before they were revealed. Ultimately I’m happy I read this novel so that I could sit with the descriptive language for a few days, but the story overall fell a little flat for me. ...more
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