Review: Crown of Frost

Crown of Frost by Isabella August
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As soon as I read the summary as saw this sentence "Wicked faeries, missing memories... and a dream that just won't die" I was intrigued. The concept of the story I was soon to find was actually a new take on the standard 'Fae' fantasy romance. I enjoyed the urban elements, it made it feel as if this could happen to anyone.

We meet Elaine, five years after her escape from the darkest realm in Arcadia. But she keeps having dream/nightmares but can't remember everything that happened whilst she was trapped in Arcadia. What she can remember is the blue eyes of a mysterious man. She is a witch but is trying to stay hidden so as not to be dragged back into the games of the Fae lords who rule Arcadia.

Enter Liam and his beautiful cold blue eyes who needs help from Elaine but has also come to protect her.... You see where this is going...

The trope for the romance in this is pretty standard, but very well done. Side character where very well fleshed out and actually had important roles to play. I have read many books like this that just insert characters to make it seem well rounded but fail to actually flesh these characters out. I feel any of the characters introduced (Simon, Jenna or Pallid Valentine) could go on to have books of their own and they would be just as interesting as this one. The world was instantly interesting and actually a relatively new concept. I enjoyed the book and would be very happy to continue to read on and see what happens with the other Fae Lords in Arcadia. It was a high, solid 3* from me, I thought about 4* but there were some elements that just needed a bit more fine tuning.

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Review: Rose Petal Graves

Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked this book as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription. It was advertised as being a romantic fantasy that would appeal to those who liked Twilight and The vampire Diaries as well as for people who are "Fans of Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, and Stephenie Meyer..."

So as that seems right up my street I thought I would give it ago...

So first up, it isn't a really bad book. It just seemed to have a lot of issues early on. Love interest wise, I'm still slightly confused but it did pick up towards the end. In fact the whole things seems to have found it's feet by the end. I thought the hunter / fae supernatural element was overall interesting but needed some work. Same with the writing style. I tend to be a character driven reader and I found this book just took a long time to really build any character. Like, any of them.

The issues is I don't honestly know if I want to invest more time in the rest of the series. I found the magic system interesting, but nothing spectacular. For the type of book it was, I kind of wanted more 'heat' in the relationships. everything overall just felt a bit passive and not quite fleshed out.

It was not the worst book I have ever read hence the 3*, but it was only just 3*. it was very nearly 2*. So will I continue the series... even though the series is technically free.... probably not unfortunately.

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Review: In Bed with the Earl

In Bed with the Earl by Christi Caldwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this book as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I had never read anything by this author but wanted a quick romance book to go after some heavier going books.

I didn't really have any expectations going into this book. But, boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The story actually starts out quite dark, you we see a small boy, Malcolm, obviously being stolen away from all he has ever known after the death of his parents. He then has to grown up on the streets and survive and eek out an existence.

We later find out 'shock' 'horror' that he is in fact an Earl. Malcolm doesn't particularly want back into this world of riches and pomp. But ends up drawn back in due to his growing connection to a female journalist who is trying her hardest to provide for herself and her sister after the death of their mother and father. Being bastard daughters has made it difficult for the girls to find their way. But when our heroine brakes the story of the Lost Earl and makes a deal with Malcolm. Everything changes.

I really enjoyed the relationship building in the book. Yes it followed standard tropes for, women fighting the time, marriage of convenience, a partial enemies to lovers theme. It's all in there. But i was genuinely interested in how the characters would develop and it was a very satisfying read overall.

I would happily read more books by this author!

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Review: The Assassin's Blade

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read the main series in it's entirety just over a year ago, i found it quite easy to slip back into a world I am very familiar with. These 5 novellas cover a series of mini installments all based before the beginning of the first Throne of Glass book.

I'd say you could read them at any point within the series, but may be most impactful after you have built up a relationship with Celeana the heroine.

Now it may get a little spoilery, because honestly their is no way to talk about this book without the main spoiler. Because all the stories build to this one main devastating point.


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Sam Cortland....

Oh my aching heart! I have never been quite as devastated about a character, even though I knew the outcome. It isn't even truly a spoiler as what happens to him is discussed early in the first book.

So knew he wouldn't make. I knew it led to Celeana ending up In Endovier. But it still completely took the wind out of my sails. The few brief moments Sam and Celeana share where even more upsetting for me knowing it would last. It was written beautifully. I can't even count the amount of times I had to stop reading, to breathe through the pain I knew was coming.

"My name is Sam Cortland, and I will not be afraid."
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Sam Cortland....

Oh my aching heart! I have never been quite as devastated about a character, even though I knew the outcome. It isn't even truly a spoiler as what happens to him is discussed early in the first book.

So knew he wouldn't make. I knew it led to Celeana ending up In Endovier. But it still completely took the wind out of my sails. The few brief moments Sam and Celeana share where even more upsetting for me knowing it would last. It was written beautifully. I can't even count the amount of times I had to stop reading, to breathe through the pain I knew was coming.

"My name is Sam Cortland, and I will not be afraid." 

Overall a brilliant set of novellas that really do add something to the main story. I feel like if I was to reread the series again now, I would take away different things from it. It was an easy 4* for me. Although if I was rating the final story in the book on its on it would be 5*.

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