fantasybooks – Page 4 – tata.lifepages

Book review: The Straight Crimes, by M. Juhl

| Gifted | romance suspense |

This novel reads like a romance suspense, and it follows the life of Harper and Nik; 2 teenagers that as soon as Harper arrived in town they immediately fall in love, high school sweethearts. Now the twist to this novel is the society, which has as a way of life homosexual relationships. Therefore, the straight romance between Nik and Harper opposes the norm.

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This was a very enlightening read, where the author brings to the surface this alternate reality in a way that we can place ourselves in someone else’s shoes, to better understand and comprehend their experience. This novel has touched me deeply, it is such an eye-opener. I could feel immensely the love between the two characters and all the difficulties they had to endure, and most importantly I was able to visualize the pressure from society and understand their struggle to fight just to be together.

The plot is amplified with crime and suspense all alongside the romance, where society fights to destroy their love at all costs, thus the amazing title: The Straight Crimes. It is a fast-paced book, where you will find yourself rooting for these two lovers who must go against society to fight for their love. The story has a bitter-sweet realistic touch. I was heartbroken at certain moments, which portray masterfully a devastating emotional effect. I really congratulate the author for this brilliant heartbreaking work. Love is love.

Book review: The Summoning, by SV Filice

| Gifted | YA fantasy |

The Summoning presents an entirely unique view to angels & demons, and I found myself completely intrigued by the magic system in the novel and how each person needs to find a proper balance in their Senses in order to keep darkness at bay. Isabelle attends a psychic with her sister and boyfriend in hopes to lighten her sister’s suffering after their mother’s death.

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Upon discovering that she lacks balance in the sense of Sight, the psychic sends Isabelle (completely unaware and separated from her sister and her boyfriend) to a camp to train to strengthen her senses. Isabelle is immediately a very likeable character; she questions everything that she is going through and is very suspicious of the psychic at first, which made her relatable (I love it when characters are not naïve). The storyline is very intriguing and fast paced! Once she is headed to camp, I found myself rereading paragraphs to better understand the Senses and the purpose of the balance. It becomes clearer as the story progresses.

The best part of the novel is Calix, you guys KNOW how much I love a mysterious love interest, specially a brooding one. The tension and angst between these too are overwhelmingly addicting, I found myself rooting for her to leave boring Jeremy for him! The Summoning is definitely a great debut fantasy novel and I am super excited for the sequel!

Book review: Winterly, by Jeanine Croft

| Gifted | gothic romance |

I was hesitant at first due to the sheer size of this novel, but the pages will fly in your hands, trust me. The writing is eloquent and beautiful and takes you into the Victorian Era. A gothic romance that will pull you in! I love Emma’s character. She is a clever woman with witty remarks, determined to uncover the truth. I love her friendship with her sister, they bicker and laugh together, and are very protective of each other.

“I see you are trying to make out my character,” he said.
“Yes, but it is hard to do so in the dark.”
“Some things are best done in the dark, Miss Rose.”
“That is just what a wicked monk would say.”

Once they meet Lord Winterly and his family, they are both fascinated by them. The dialogues are amazing, specially between Emma and Lord Winterly. Emma senses something dark within the Winterly family, but like calls to like and she can’t seem to pull away from them. Lord Winterly is seductive, charming, dark and mysterious. Their romance is amazingly done and I was rooting for them from the start. I am in love with how Jeanine Croft writes and absolutely need to check out more books from this author!

Book review: The Silvered Serpents, by Roshani Chokshi

| Gifted | YA fantasy |

The Silvered Serpents was the perfect sequel for the Gilded Wolves. It was very emotional and added many new layers to the story. We get to learn more about the magic and world-building of the story, and everything felt a lot darker than the first book.

“Love does not always wear the face we wish,” she said. “I wish my love had been more beautiful. I wish … I wish we had more time.”
― Roshani Chokshi, The Silvered Serpents

However, the true delight of the story are the characters and their relationships. Every character evolves from the first book. Each of them has to elaborate Tristan’s death and it changes the dynamics of the gang. Specifically, the biggest rift is that between Séverin and Laila. Séverin has distanced himself from everyone he loved to spare himself more heartbreak and Laila tries to push him away to protect herself. The tension between them was off the charts! Lots of angst and longing. The writing is beautiful. It’s very lyrical and poetic. Also, the book ends on an incredible cliffhanger that I did not see coming!

Book review: Forever Eve, by JB Lexington

| Gifted | romance |

I was not expecting how much I enjoyed this novel, it was a delightful surprise. It is full of steamy romance, sizzling hot sexy scenes, real strong friendships, the hardships of marriage and the behind the scenes of a woman dealing with physical and emotional abuse. The story follows Izabel, who is recently married to Bo, who is following his fathers steps into politics. Although it seems like Bo really cares about Izabel, he is very possessive of her and can’t control his anger.

“Her past collides with her present when she runs into a familiar stranger, and it turns her world upside down. She is forced to accept her suppressed emotions and open her heart to an unexpected love.”

After much convincing from her bestfriend Nat, she goes to a Past Life Regression session and discovers this entirely different woman, Eve, who had a life of seduction and fell in Love with the charming Charlie. She couldn’t get their story off her mind. I personally related so much with Izabel, I also went through a difficult marriage in the past, it took me years to finally get the courage to leave him. In the beginning I was furious at Izabel for being with a person like Bo, and having to deal with his horrible father. However I know how hard it is to see what an abusive relationship looks like. It really hit home for me.

Then she meets Henry, who is connected to her past life and Charlie in a way. Meeting him is like filling your lungs with fresh air after being submerged for so long. I could connect so well with Izabel and her feelings towards him. I loved their romance, and the ending was entirely satisfying. Will definitely keep an eye out for more books from the author

Book review: Sword of the Seven Sins, by Emily Colin

| Gifted | YA fantasy|

Sword of the Seven Sins started off eerie and dark and I was hooked right away as the main character kills her first man. Eva has to become the one thing she despises: a Bellator. The pace only picks up from there, and the suspense killed me, I couldn’t stop reading!

Her mentor Ari is introduced and a steamy romance is born. I was rooting for them from the start, and the enemies-to-lovers scenes were literally everything. I am so addicted to this trope as you guys know. But how could they be together when love is forbidden?

“But if I have already sinned by wanting her,

then perhaps what happens between us now doesn’t matter.

Perhaps we are already damned.”

The plot was fast-paced, which is something I enjoy. I love the entire concept behind the society which bases its rules on virtues and sins. The character development is very well played out, specially their chemistry. The ending had me reeling and I was left a mess after finishing it. Such an intense and addicting read, I am so eager for the sequel!

Book review: A Bradford Academy Novel, by Rowdy Rooksy

| Gifted | academy romance|

I went into this novel blindly, so when I discovered while reading that this was a super sexy and sizzling hot read I was so excited! This reads more like a reverse harem but filled with mystery and intrigue about the Bradford Elite. The Bradford academy is one of the most exclusive and rich private academies. Only billionaires and powerful families attend. It is like a completely different reality, in a way it reminds me of gossip girl. We follow the story of teenage heirs to this immense heritage, who act like they own the world, spending thousands and thousands on superfluous things, and family name is the most important thing.

A Bradford Academy Novel

Dare 1#

The two best things about this novel are the characters and the chemistry. If you enjoyed Gossip Girl, you will understand what I’m talking about. Everyone is hot, charming, seductive, the characters all have an amazing backstory, they all have motives and desires. Just like Fallon, our main character, I was completely hooked to these glorious human beings. This novel reads like a game of seduction and power. Fallon is new to the academy and has not lived this life of fortune, since she only recently discovered to be the heir of one of the richest families. We dive into this world with Fallon and fall for all these gorgeously charming and sexy academy boys. I am so so eager for book 2!

Book review: Murderer of Dreams, by Paul Taffinder

| Gifted | fantasy|

Murderer of dreams was a very enjoyable and fast paced read. What really surprised me was how action-packed it was, the action scenes are so well depicted that it reads like an action movie.
The story follows Eslin, who is not only a survivor of the world’s horrible demise, but also one of the last Immortals. She is head-strong and fierce and the perfect morally-grey protagonist, you guys know how much I enjoy anti-heros.

The Stars fell.
The Oceans boiled and flooded the land.
A darkness descended.
ECHREXAR murdered our dreams

The world building is amazing, so much detail and yet it is not hard to grasp. The story is very well written, and it feels like a mix of an epic fantasy with thriller and dystopian, it’s a little of everything. The pages flew in my hands even though the book is over 500 pages I found myself reading in a good pace. I am eager for the next book in the series!

Book review: Space Between us, by Jamaal Aflatooni

| Gifted | Sci-fi |

The space between us begins with Darwin, who is getting ready for his first day of school. Darwin has a skin condition where white spots mark his skin. Because of this, he feels a bit out of place and gets bullied quite a lot by one particularly nasty boy. Soon he discovers a new ally: Tyler. He has moved here from Washington DC, and they quickly become friends. I loved their witty remarks and funny conversations, you can really see their friendship bloom.

I enjoyed the plot twists at the end and I am very curious for the sequel!

Darwin has had these dreams in which he finds himself in an alternate universe, but he finds it difficult to know what to do with them. The inner struggle is put onto page beautifully, and you immediately wish you could help him figure it out.

The story really starts to become mysterious when a man keeps popping up at Darwin’s school, and starts to follow him. You do not want to put the book down, trust me, you will want to keep reading this alluring story. I can highly recommend this book, even if you’re not a fan of sci-fi.

Book review: The Diseased Ones, by Danielle Harrington

| Gifted | YA dystopian |

The Diseased ones tells the story of Hollis set in a dystopian world in the year 2647. The world-building is captivating! I love the entire concept of the “diseased ones”; a mutation of the blood that gives whoever possesses it unique abilities. I also find greatly intriguing how society established what is the norm for behavior of its citizens, who are not allowed to show emotions or any type of feelings, which are characteristics of the Diseased Ones. Hollis never imagined she would carry the gene of the Diseased Ones. She wants nothing else then to be a perfect obedient member of society.

I enjoyed the plot twists at the end and I am very curious for the sequel!

Her life is turned completely upside down, the government is after her and who she thought was the enemy has taken her in. Worst is, she has a very dangerous and rare ability, which makes her one of the most powerful Diseased Ones. Can she control herself or will she give in to this dark power that calls to her? The story reads fast paced, I practically binged it! The plot has so much potential, I really love the side characters, they are all very well developed. Hollis however makes so many decisions that frustrated me that drove me to not like her. Although I understand her reasons, she is dragged away from home and is told that everything she knew up to that point is a lie, she was still very naive.