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The Du Lac Chronicles (The Du Lac Chronicles #1) by Mary Anne Yarde
The Du Lac Chronicles (The Du Lac Chronicles #1) by Mary Anne Yarde
Mary Anne Yarde | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a young adult, historical romance, set after Arthur and Lancelot. Alden is Lancelot's son and, at eighteen years of age, is King of Cerniw. However, he is King in name only as he has just had his fortress and country razed by Cedric. The story starts with him tied to a whipping post, facing death and generally not in the best of health! Annis is Cedric's daughter and makes the decision to save him, for reasons that you learn about as the story progresses.

Full of action, chases, betrayal and mystery, this is a wonderful story that will keep you on your toes as you try to figure out just who will do what next.

If I had anything negative to say, it would be that Alden and Annis both change their minds so often, it gets both hard to follow and also a tad monotonous. Basically, both of them love each other, neither thinks they are good enough, and both try to do 'the right thing' - even to the detriment of their own feelings. This is just a small part of the larger story though, so it doesn't distract too much.

All in all, this was an epic historical saga with well-rounded characters and situations. Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, I would have no hesitation in recommending this.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 20, 2016
  
The Dragon's Rose (Grym Hollow #1)
The Dragon's Rose (Grym Hollow #1)
Tati B. Alvarez | 2023 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE DRAGON'S ROSE is the first book in the Grym Hollow series and I want all of them... now!

We start in a contemporary setting as Rose leaves the hospital where her sister has just given birth. Not long after, she is whisked away to another world and The Dragon's Keep. Not only is she there because of a bargain made, but also to marry the King - a little tidbit she doesn't know until just before the happy occasion!

Malix and Rose are a perfect pair. She is feisty and sassy. She has dealt with her own loss and so cares for others. She is also unafraid to go toe-to-toe with her husband when he's acting like a jerk! Malix is fighting to keep his kingdom safe but is intrigued by the human woman who stands up to him. He is protective and will always do his best.

This was an outstanding story that I devoured in one sitting. It is full of emotions that will draw you in and keep you turning the pages. My heart broke for Caliban, even as he found healing with Rose. It perfectly blends danger, humour, love, betrayal, romance, and steam.

The dragons' battle may be over but the war hasn't been won. We move on to the wolves next and I can't wait!!! HIGHLY recommended by me!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2024
  
Barrel Proof
Barrel Proof
Layla Reyne | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Barrel Proof (Agents Irish and Whiskey #3) by Layla Reyne
Barrel Proof is the emotional, high impact, AMAZING finale to the Agents Irish and Whiskey series, and it does need to be read in order to understand what is going on. Aidan decides that he needs some space from Jamie following his betrayal, not because he wants to end things with Jamie but the complete opposite reason. He wants Jamie, he loves him, but he knows that his anger will overshadow that. So he requests what should be a simple solo job, undercover at a financial company. What he doesn't know is that things are coming to a head and he is in deeper than he realised.

Oh my! This book, this series! I have loved every single book (even when Aidan was acting like a jerk). Nothing is said or done without reason, and they all become clear in this edition. Any loose ends are tied up, some in ways that I never envisaged. The story is fast-paced but very smooth. With both Jamie and Aidan at odds, plus Mel and Danny, there is lot angst in this book, so the sexy times are not as numerous. However, this didn't negatively impact the story in any way. In fact, it would have been odd to do it any other way.

Heart-breaking and heart-fulfilling, this book is the perfect finale to the series, and Layla Reyne now has a brand new reader completely addicted to her work. Without a doubt, absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Kyera (8 KP) rated Crown of Midnight in Books

Feb 1, 2018  
Crown of Midnight
Crown of Midnight
Sarah J. Maas | 2013 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
9.1 (48 Ratings)
Book Rating
Crown of Midnight is the second book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. Please don't read this review unless you've read Throne of Glass because you will be spoiled.

Having won the title of King's Champion, Celaena must do the King's bidding or risk the lives of her friends. Despite having trained at the Assassin's Keep and being called Adarlaine's Assassin, Celaena is reluctant to kill the King's enemies and instead comes up with a plan. She spends the majority of the book embroiled in a plot to end the King's rule, as she tries to obtain information that she can give to the King with the hopes of shortening her contract as his Champion.

This book takes you on a much more emotional journey with romance, betrayal, an unexpected (and brutal) character death, and a big reveal in its final pages. The characters are developed more in this novel and we also learn more about their histories. It was nice to see the development so that the characters felt more like real people with unique events that shaped them as people.

While there is continued mention of places other than Adarlaine, the story does not journey beyond the capital and continue to world-build, yet. The author mainly focuses on weaving in plot points that will later be incredibly important to the story.

Overall, the writing feels a little more mature than her previous book which at times came across as juvenile. The story ends in such a way that you immediately need to read the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this series to young adult/teen readers who enjoy fantasy books.
  
Here We Lie
Here We Lie
Paula Treick DeBoard | 2018 | Mystery
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Two Worlds Collide
Megan Mazeros and Lauren Mabrey are polar opposites. While Megan comes from a middle-class family in Kansas, Lauren hails from a wealthy Connecticut-based family. While Megan’s father slowly succumbed to mesothelioma which he referred to as the poor man’s cancer, Lauren’s father is a well-liked U.S. Senator with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. While Megan has to use her father’s life insurance money to pay for tuition and housing at Keale College (a prestigious, private, and all-girls school), Lauren is given a continual allowance that gets her through her college years with utmost ease. When they meet during their freshman year at Keale College, they unexpectedly become the best of friends. Sharing clothes, secrets, roommates, ambitions, and more, the pair goes through many ups and downs in their friendship during the following years. But one fateful night while they’re vacationing with Lauren's family on an island off the coast of Maine, something terrible happens to Megan and their friendship is irreparably damaged afterwards.

Told in an alternating first-person perspective between Megan and Lauren, Here We Lie is a powerful and relevant story about friendship, betrayal, political scandal, and abuse. I enjoyed everything about it, from the back-and-forth jumps between past and present to the incredible growth of both the main characters. The narrative is fast-paced and compelling, and the ending is beautiful and inspiring. With the rise of the #MeToo movement in the present-day world, Paula Treick DeBoard’s incredibly timely latest novel is sure to spark plenty of conversation about sexual abuse victims and perpetrators, motivation for reform and accountability, and at the very least food for thought.