Antonia Hodgson: The Raven Scholar

 

In the first in a series, Antonia Hodgson brings a story where one woman fights to discover the truth of herself, murder and the empire:

I don't think there are enough words to express how much I enjoyed The Raven Scholar. and right now it is going to be one of my favourite reads for the past year. I was lucky to have a physical copy and get access to the audiobook via my library that I never had to put this book down.

When the book starts, I totally had an idea of where Hodgson was going to take the story and man was i completely wrong. Hodgson has created a fantasy world that is easy to understand (there is not too much info dumping). The empire is divided between different groups that worship a different animal god, each of which has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Whichever animal sits on the throne dictates how the empire will be won. When it is time for a new leader to steps down (24 year cycle) a tournament is held to determine who the next successor will be (there is no birth right succession in this empire). The top candidate from each animal house will compete. Cue in not only a tournament with trial but also so much political intrigue that I was kicking my feet throughout (I love political intrigue books). The mystery and intrigue are so well done, that you will be questioning everything and everyone till the very end and what an ending it is.

I loved Neema as a character and the amazing mind that she has. The Raven's don't understand what they have with her. As with many court, she is looked down upon as she is not from the high class but she takes this to be the best Raven that she can be. When she is thrust into the tournament to be the neI will say that Neema did seem younger than the 30 years that she is supposed to be, especially in social interactions, she is all book smart and full of facts. I think this immaturity is due to that fact that she is the loner, she has no friend and the one she did have was gone near the beginning of the book..

This book does have multiple POV throughout but Neema is the main POV and the main character. I also adored the loan crow. And that we do get it's POV from time to time in short bursts, which is the perfect amount.

My main quip is I now have to wait till October 2027 to get my hands on the next book, so I would personally wait if i were you till closer to that date, as you are going to want to jump in from this book till the next. Great Fantasy read and I cannot wait for more.

Enjoy!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too:

    

Bal Khabra: Spiral

 

In the second book in a series, Bal Khabra show's how a fake date may just lead to something real:

This may be the second book in a series but I found that I was still able to follow the relationships and story. You do have a bit of intersection with the first couple in this series but not enough that you need to read the first book before this one.

I'm not sure if it is just me, but I seem to keep finding sports romances where the FMC is a ballerina and I don’t mind it. I love the juxtaposition of ballet to more “traditional” sports and for the MMC to acknowledge how hard ballet actually is.

I enjoyed  Khabra did not just have them jumping into a relationship and bed together right after they meet each other and Khabra takes the time for the relationship between Sage and Elias to grow.

Sage is such a determined character to the point that she will not accept any help for herself from her wealthy uncle, but if it something for her brother she has no problem. You can tell that Sage does not want to be in anyone's debt or have to rely on anyone else because of her past and it is a tragic one. This is a big thing that she needs to work on in this story and you get to watch her grow albeit slowly. I really loved that Sage would just speak what was on her mind, even when it was something dirty to try and set Elias off.

Elias was a good character but really not a memorable as Sage and really his backstory was not as interesting and I find it hard to believe his choices after one incident plus his inability to score goals should not be made into a big of a deal as it is. I mean he leads with assists and that is just as important. I do love how much Elias put Sage first and that it was okay for someone to take care of her for once. He really is a golden retriever. 

This book is very much about the characters and their relationship, but I wish there would have been more to the ballet drama as well as Elias' past as well. They are big parts of both of them and it felt like the surface is barely scratched with them especially with the ballet drama

Overall this is a cute and spicy (at times) read and I enjoyed it. I would read another one by Khabra and would continue on with the characters in this series.

Enjoy!!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Books Out:

    

Kelley Armstrong: An Ordinary Sort of Evil

 

In the Fifth book in Kelley Armstrong's A Rip Through Time series, things are are getting ghostly:

This series has gotten the better and better with each book. I have loved the overall arc of the story and the relationship between the characters. You can tell that Armstrong has done some research of what was hot and popular with the wealthier class at that time and I always find it interesting when she incorporates them into her story. From the Mummy unwrapping a few books back to now the introduction of seances. It is also fun when she has actual historical figures making their appearance known and maybe that is why she chose this point in time.

I think the aspect of the seance was done really well. Mallory knows that they are fake, but even with them just starting to happen, it is not entirely clear how they are making all the noises or maybe there truly is a spirit contacting them from the other side. The introduction of this spirit and the way the plot unfolds is done really well. There are a few suspects along the way and Armstrong does a great job of keeping you guessing of who the murder is.

Now normally I am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope, though in this setting (and that of the previous book) it is fitting. Since Gray and Mallory are from different times, how things are interpreted are going to be different as well as you have Mallory trying to adapt to how things are done in the 1800 there is going to be some confusion and miscommunication along the way. I think it is cute as they bumble around their feelings for each other and very mush everyone else can see it but them. 

Am I the only one who thinks that Jack needs her own spin off novella or something like that? 

Once again Armstrong has written an interesting story by showing that one can weave together character development, atmosphere and an engaging plot. It are these aspects that have me coming back not only to this series but the other books and series that she writes.

Enjoy!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too:

    

Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti: Savage Fae

 

In the second book of the Ruthless Boy series, Elise needs to guard her heart as she maybe falling for a killer;

I really appreciated that Peckham and Valenti did not waste any time between book one and book two. I enjoy that we jump right back into the story, world and relationship and we don't need figure out if anything has happened between the books.

I appreciate that Elise knows what she wants out of her relationship life and she does not make it a secret to the men in this book. It is them that have more of a problem with it than her and you can't fault the way that she thinks based upon her past and what happened with her mom. I will say that it does seem that Elise, seems to forget why she is at the school for quite a bit of the book and honestly I do too sometimes, as that plot seems secondary until we get Gareth's POV. I love the glimpses of the school and people that Gareth interacts with and now Elise does too. I really want to know what changed in his and Cindy Lou’s relationship.

Ryder is still my favourite and I love his secret love of the Lion King and every time he brings it up around Leon, I found myself at least smiling if not laughing as well. And also who does not love the Lion King and the trauma it caused all of us as kids. 

Where this book struggles is really Elise trying to find out who murdered her brother and why. While we get a bit of insight, the majority of the book is about Elise getting closer to the guys around her and really treading the line with them, especially Ryder and Dante. I hope the next book in the series has more of the mystery aspect to it, as that plot point only seems like a tease right now.

I’m enjoying this series so far. I know when I am reading the books I’m Turing the pages as fast as I can to see where Peckham and Valenti are going to take the relationships, I just want a bit more from to murder plot.

Enjoy!!!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too:

    

Katherine Center: How to Walk Away

 

Katherine Center shows the resilience of one woman when the life as she knows it goes up in flames.

I have read almost all of Center's books and this one would be near the top of my list (my favourite is still Things You Save in a Fire). This book is not a romance book, yes it has a romance subplot but the main plot of this book is rediscovering yourself and healing from a tragedy. It is about finding a new strength and the will to carry on or how to walk away if you will.

You will like Maggie right from the first moment that you meet her. She is bubbly, happy and wanting to please everyone around her. Her strength is remarkable when everything happens to her from the accident itself and everything that follow after is truly amazing. Does she struggle? Yes, any person would, but I think it is a testament to Center that she does not shy away from the harder aspects.

I can’t help but love Ian more for the decisions that he makes in this book. You can tell how much he loves and wants to be with Maggie but he know he has to do it right.

Now was this book predictable, totally, but it is a testament to Center's ability to write a story and compelling characters that had me engrossed in the book and turning the pages. I also think that Center portrayed pretty accurate of how people react in the face of tragedy. People really show who they are and you really discover quickly who you want in your life.

Anyone else find the title ironic? If you have read the book you get it.

I really enjoyed this book and her showing how resilient a woman can be. Center is one of the authors that if she writes it I will read it.

Enjoy!!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Books Out:

    

Ellis Hunter: Blood Bound

 

In the first in a new series and their debut novel Hunter has the ultimate clash of Witches vs Dragon Riders, to the death:

I won't lie I struggled with the first 50% of the book. I found it to be slow and I wasn't fully invested in the characters or story. However, after certain events that happen at that point I became fully invested in the characters and story. When I first started reading the book, I made three predictions around the 12% mark about where the story was going to go and what reveals Hunter was going to make along the way and I was right of two out of the three predictions. So there wasn't as many surprises along the way as I would have liked. This very much follows some of the typical Romantasy tropes out there (insta-love, fated mates, rivals to lovers, rebellion and more). Though I will say I did not expect where Hunter too the book at the end.

I appreciated the Dual POVs and loved the two magic systems that has been presented. The difference from the Dragon riders and the Witches is quite pronounced in the book, with the Dragon riders being on top. I loved that although Astrid is unable to wield magic she has found other ways to use it through her potions. I also loved the familiars (and that not all of them were cats) and Dragons and that Hunter allows the reader to know what is being communicated between them. I especially loved Bastet and his dry sense of humour.

One thing I wasn't the greatest fan of was everyone wanting to protect Astrid, like she was some delicate flower that need protection Constantly. No, she is actually a badass witch in her own right and I think people should have respected that more. Especially as she has basically been preparing to die her entire life, and the strength and pose she shows with that aspect is commendable. This also made me feel bad for Skylar as it always appears that she has no one in her corner.

Also it seemed like we were waiting for the dual FOREVER. Like Hunter found every possible thing to do before the actual dual and then we the dual gets here, well, it was a little lack luster in my opinion.

This was a good start to the series, but the more I think about it, the more I think that Hunter tried to do too much in the first book, that it came off at slow at the start and then had a complete 180 by the end of where they were going to take the story. I think the overall flow of the book was off. Now would i continue the series, yes. I did like where they eventually took the book and was able to get invested by the character and I want to see where they take it next.

Enjoy!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too: