Tag: Fantasy

Spellcaster (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

Spellcaster was one of those “Bookstagram made me do it” books. The blurb made me think of Fourth Wing, Stealing Embers and other magical academia books.

The pacing was so slow with a lot of set up and world building. A lot about the magic system. The dialogue, especially between the siblings, is so strange. For example, Paisley is the youngest of five siblings, and they all call each other “little sis” or “big sis” throughout the book. I have never once called my younger sister “little sis.”

There wasn’t really a problem/resolution while reading this, either. In fact, if it weren’t for the smut stuffed in here, I would say this should be YA book.

Thank you to Harlequin Tree Publishing and NetGalley for the #gifted audiobook.

Assistant to the Villain

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

Assistant to the Villain was one of my most anticipated reads from my TBR pile. This is such a fun read – lots of banter and unique characters. It had a very Robin Hood feel to it.

I read one review call it like Shrek, which was the best description I can think of for this book!

There was just a little romance, but a lot of chemistry and romantic tension that I hope is setting up a relationship in the next books.

Shield of Sparrows (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

After about 150 pages that were so slow I almost considered DNF-ing Shield of Sparrows. There was a lot of world building and at first it felt like Odessa wasn’t the right character to be following. By about the 200 age mark, though, I was hooked and couldn’t put this down. And the final few chapters had be flipping pages so fast!

There were a lot of monsters described that I almost wish there had been character art included. And the different towns Odessa spend time in, they were so lushly described that I felt like I was there.

I was not swayed by the romance aspect in Shield of Sparrows, I just didn’t believe the enemies to lovers vibes that I think the author was going for.

Shield of Sparrows is book one in a new series, and I am hesitant to say I’ll continue reading this series.

Thank you to Entangled Books/Red Tower Books for the #gifted ARC of Shield of Sparrows.

Forging Darkness (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I am super duper excited to meet Julie Hall at Rocky Mountain Readers Retreat this September, especially after finishing Forging Darkness, book two in the Fallen Legacies series. 

I loved the first book in the series, Stealing Embers, and this was also a great read. I found the first about 40 percent a little slow, but after that, it picks up. 

This is a fabulous fantasy with a clean romance (just some searing kisses). There’s action, adventure, and betrayal. There’s some epic battles, too. 

Blood of Hercules (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I loved Blood of Hercules – I listened to this as an audiobook. I think that made a huge difference between finishing this book and getting distracted by other books on my TBR. The main narrator was charming and glib, and the full cast narration helped move along the plot (especially in a 16-hour audiobook).

I did find there to be some humor from Alexis’s inner monologue. I found myself chuckling more than I typically do while reading a fantasy book.

I did want more depth to the characters, especially Alexis and her mentors and her brother. As this is book one in a series, I am optimistic that more character building will occur in future books.

There is some steamy parts at the very end. I’m still not sure how Alexis went from “don’t touch me” to being okay with that steamy-touchy-multiple men situation.

The blurb says this is a dark romantasy for reader who loved Zodiac Academy or When the Moon Hatched, but to me it felt like Greek Gods meets Hunger Games.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and htp Hive for the  audiobook!

The Red Woman and the White Bear

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

While I enjoyed The Red Woman and the White Bear, it did take me a while to get into this story; and it is not a unique enough story that it will stay with me for a long time without muddling into a mix of others like it.

Aisling is prophesied to be the chosen one who will turn the tides of war between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts but where everyone is morally grey.

This was a slow (slow) burn, shadow magic, enemies to lovers and a lovely debut fantasy romance from Fern A Ellis.

Thank you to the author and Book of Matches Media for the digital copy!

Tin (The Faeries of Oz) (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I truly enjoyed Tin – the first in the Faeries of Oz series by Candace Robinson and Amber R. Duell. This series takes place 10 years after Dorothy leaves Oz, and things have changed. Tin’s heart has returned to stone, Crow has not been seen around Oz, and Lion is on a mission to get Dorothy’s head.

There are new monsters from the original and all the favorites are back – but with some twists. It wouldn’t be a retelling without some twists, of course. I really liked that the Oz characters are fae, as opposed to Dorothy who’s human from Kansas. The ending especially makes me want to continue to read this series. Dorothy is definitely grown up in this series, although I did expect this book to be a little steamier. 

Explosive Chemistry (review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I love the cover of Explosive Chemistry, there is so much detail in there! However, I didn’t realize that this is the second in a series, and was not a stand alone. I struggled a little in the beginning to catch up and throughout felt like I was missing important backstory (although, again, that was 100% my fault!).

That said, this definitely felt like it was setting up for an epic book 3, and this was bridging the story between the first book and what is going to happen in the next book.

I didn’t always care for our MC, Liliana. She felt very naive and innocent at times, but then other times she was independent and experienced. I also wanted to know more about some of the side characters, but I’m thinking maybe there was more to them in the first book.

Thank you to author Paige E. Ewing and PR by the Book for the #gifted copy!

The Spellshop (Review)

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

I’ve been loving the cozy fantasy genre – these are such nice stories in between heavier or steamier reads that just feel like a warm blanket and hot cup of tea.

I chose The Spellshop on NetGalley 1000 percent because of the cover (how cozy is this cover), but I wound upon loving this book so much. There is just enough world building to draw you into the story, but I still wanted more because I loved Kiela’s small town.

I do wish there had been more depth to some of the side characters. That said, set me up with some toast, jam, tea, and books at Kiela’s cottage.

I listened to this as an audiobook thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, but loved it enough to buy a trophy shelf copy.

A Fate Inked in Blood

by Leann Pettit, posted in Book Reviews

It took me a little bit to get into A Fate Inked in Blood, but once I was hooked, I was HOOKED. Absolutely sucked in to this absolute page turner.

There was slow burn romance, marriage of convenience, adventure, action. I was frustrated by the prophecy that kept being mentioned but the reader was’t told much about it. At the same time, it felt like we were learning bits and pieces about the prophecy right along with Freya.

And that ending – sheesh! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.