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ClareR (5864 KP) rated Soul Sisters in Books
Feb 25, 2022
Soul Sisters by Lesley Lokko is the story of Jen and Kemi. Jen is from a wealthy Sottish family, and Kemi comes to live with them as a child. She is from a political, black South African family, at a time when it was dangerous to be. Kemi has been sent to Edinburgh for her own safety.
Jen and Kemi become ‘soul sisters’, perhaps closer than real sisters would be. Even thought their lives are very different (Kemi becomes a surgeon, Jen works in the art world), they never lose that bond. Until, that is, a man comes between them.
Solam Rhoyi. He’s a black South African financier who wants to go into politics - and he wants to be really successful.
The feelings of Kemi and Solam were conveyed really well, and their need for identity as ‘exile kids’; the political aspect was interesting and it didn’t have too much romance (which is just how I like it: some, but not an overwhelming amount!). Other themes were family, secrets, race and power.
I really enjoyed the background to this story, and the hints as to why Kemi and Jen’s family had such a close bond. I loved the South African setting, and how, as the reader, I got to see a little of what goes on in hospitals and in politics. I wish we’d got to see a little more of the consequences of some of the huge events, both personal and political. There was a bit too much of jumping years ahead for me. Perhaps it would have been better as a duology (as some other reviewers have said). I absolutely would have read it!
Jen and Kemi become ‘soul sisters’, perhaps closer than real sisters would be. Even thought their lives are very different (Kemi becomes a surgeon, Jen works in the art world), they never lose that bond. Until, that is, a man comes between them.
Solam Rhoyi. He’s a black South African financier who wants to go into politics - and he wants to be really successful.
The feelings of Kemi and Solam were conveyed really well, and their need for identity as ‘exile kids’; the political aspect was interesting and it didn’t have too much romance (which is just how I like it: some, but not an overwhelming amount!). Other themes were family, secrets, race and power.
I really enjoyed the background to this story, and the hints as to why Kemi and Jen’s family had such a close bond. I loved the South African setting, and how, as the reader, I got to see a little of what goes on in hospitals and in politics. I wish we’d got to see a little more of the consequences of some of the huge events, both personal and political. There was a bit too much of jumping years ahead for me. Perhaps it would have been better as a duology (as some other reviewers have said). I absolutely would have read it!
ClareR (5864 KP) rated The Queens Lady in Books
Dec 8, 2022
The Queens Lady is the second in the Queens of the Tower series, and picks up the Joan Vaux story where it left off in the last book. She’s now Lady Joan Guildford, and is Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth, the wife of Henry VII. It’s a privileged position and means that Joan is at Court when Prince Arthur dies and Prince Henry is named as heir. Joan acts as something of a go between with the King and Queen, but King Henry is a serious, dour man - and this isn’t improved when the Queen dies shortly after her son.
Joan no longer has a place at court, and her husband falls out of favour when his enemies gain considerable influence with the King.
It was really interesting to learn about the inner workings of the English court and the precarious line that courtiers had to tread. Joan also gave some insight into some significant historical events: the Field of the Cloth of Gold in France, Princess Margaret’s marriage to King James, the arrival of Catherine of Aragon, and accompanying Princess Mary to Paris when she marries King Louis.
I’m an absolute sucker for historical fiction, and I loved the details and the very human, realistic style this book was written in. And I really liked Joan.
The ravens are a constant - after all, Joan is the Lady of the Ravens. Bu they’re not as central to the storyline this time.
I don’t know whether this will just be a duology, or if there’s more to come, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Highly recommended.
Joan no longer has a place at court, and her husband falls out of favour when his enemies gain considerable influence with the King.
It was really interesting to learn about the inner workings of the English court and the precarious line that courtiers had to tread. Joan also gave some insight into some significant historical events: the Field of the Cloth of Gold in France, Princess Margaret’s marriage to King James, the arrival of Catherine of Aragon, and accompanying Princess Mary to Paris when she marries King Louis.
I’m an absolute sucker for historical fiction, and I loved the details and the very human, realistic style this book was written in. And I really liked Joan.
The ravens are a constant - after all, Joan is the Lady of the Ravens. Bu they’re not as central to the storyline this time.
I don’t know whether this will just be a duology, or if there’s more to come, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Highly recommended.
Merissa (12781 KP) rated Code Blue (Atrous Series #2) in Books
Feb 23, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)
CODE BLUE is a follow-up to Code Red, the first in this duo. Now, I LOVED Code Red, so this one can't possibly be as good, can it? It's an N.R. Walker book - OF COURSE, it can!!!
I got my wish - I got more of Steve and Jeremy. What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would fall in love with both of them as they struggle with certain feelings, situations, and people.
Told completely from Steve's point of view, we see him struggle with his love for Jeremy when a stalker becomes apparent. He also has secrets from his past that come back to bite him in the butt, but which help to explain his feelings. Jeremy is also struggling with his health, which doesn't help matters. Code Red was on tour, this one is mainly at Jeremy's home for reasons that become apparent. And, yes, the name of the book means something!
I was so happy to see Moscoe here and the support they provided. The epilogue had me in tears for both couples, but then I'm sappy that way.
This was an amazing sequel and I'm delighted N.R. Walker wrote it. This is definitely a duology for me to buy in paperback, so I can look at them on my shelves, and fall in love with them all over again.
Absolutely fantastic and completely and utterly 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 23, 2022
I got my wish - I got more of Steve and Jeremy. What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would fall in love with both of them as they struggle with certain feelings, situations, and people.
Told completely from Steve's point of view, we see him struggle with his love for Jeremy when a stalker becomes apparent. He also has secrets from his past that come back to bite him in the butt, but which help to explain his feelings. Jeremy is also struggling with his health, which doesn't help matters. Code Red was on tour, this one is mainly at Jeremy's home for reasons that become apparent. And, yes, the name of the book means something!
I was so happy to see Moscoe here and the support they provided. The epilogue had me in tears for both couples, but then I'm sappy that way.
This was an amazing sequel and I'm delighted N.R. Walker wrote it. This is definitely a duology for me to buy in paperback, so I can look at them on my shelves, and fall in love with them all over again.
Absolutely fantastic and completely and utterly 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 23, 2022
A Code of Knights and Deception (Swords of Time #1)
Book
She thought it was real. She was wrong. When Sophia wakes up in 15th-century England, she expects...
Historical Time Travel Romance
Merissa (12781 KP) rated A Vision of Lights (The Elemental Realm Duology #2) in Books
May 28, 2025
A VISION OF LIGHTS is the second part of the Elemental Realm Duology and gives you Enzo's story after the events of The Grey Prophecy. We have all the same characters, so I absolutely recommend you read Cori's story first, otherwise it won't make much sense!
Prudence and Enzo both care for Cori, but with the events of the first book plus a misunderstanding, they are off to a rocky... start? Continuation? Whatever! Enzo wants to make up for all the wrongs he has done, and does that by avoiding magic. When Zion comes up with a plan to return magic to the Charms covens in a ritual involving Enzo, he takes some time to think about it before agreeing. Prudence, in the meantime, is in a never-ending situation of no communication with her father, even though she is supposed to take over from him.
This book is all about the connections between all of them in Maine. There is no big bad, just a big task that needs doing. New characters are also introduced, and Gertie got under my skin. I loved her character!!!
The story has come to a very satisfactory ending, but I would absolutely go back to this world given the chance. I should mention that it should have a Kleenex warning! I needed one anyway. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely 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!
Apr 1, 2025
Prudence and Enzo both care for Cori, but with the events of the first book plus a misunderstanding, they are off to a rocky... start? Continuation? Whatever! Enzo wants to make up for all the wrongs he has done, and does that by avoiding magic. When Zion comes up with a plan to return magic to the Charms covens in a ritual involving Enzo, he takes some time to think about it before agreeing. Prudence, in the meantime, is in a never-ending situation of no communication with her father, even though she is supposed to take over from him.
This book is all about the connections between all of them in Maine. There is no big bad, just a big task that needs doing. New characters are also introduced, and Gertie got under my skin. I loved her character!!!
The story has come to a very satisfactory ending, but I would absolutely go back to this world given the chance. I should mention that it should have a Kleenex warning! I needed one anyway. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely 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!
Apr 1, 2025
Markswoman: Asiana Book 1
Book
An order of magical-knife wielding female assassins brings both peace and chaos to their...
science fiction
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Resilience (The Demon and Shadows Duology #1) in Books
Jul 26, 2020
132 of 200
Kindle
Resilience ( The Demon and Shadows Duology book1)
ARC copy
By Kandi Vale
Ok folks strap in it’s a bit of a long one!!
*** The books do include scenes of BDSM and scenes of a sexual nature. Adults only ***
I was extremely lucky and privileged to be given the chance to read the ARC of Kandi vales new book Resilience which is the first book in a Duologly featuring Joro and Mattheus from the slivered souls trilogy. I was first introduced to this author in February 2019 and I absolutely fell in love with the world she has created. This new book tells the story of Joro and Mattheus, we get to see how Joro came to be the person she is now. It is full of action and some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read, now don’t let me mislead you with the sex scenes they are also some of the best I’ve seen written. If BDSM is not to your taste I’d still recommend reading this book as they are done so well in my opinion (and I can only write from my opinion so don’t shoot me). This book had me hooked from the prologue and it was one of those books that kept you hooked! It answered so many questions and brought every emotion you can think of.
I can not wait for book 2 to see how this ends! I’m a huge fan of supporting authors like Kandi these writers put their heart and soul into the worlds they build and you can definitely see it in her work!
So I highly recommend you check this book out when it officially releases Tuesday 28th July!!
In the meantime go find slivered book 1 of the slivered souls trilogy
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40901021
Kindle
Resilience ( The Demon and Shadows Duology book1)
ARC copy
By Kandi Vale
Ok folks strap in it’s a bit of a long one!!
*** The books do include scenes of BDSM and scenes of a sexual nature. Adults only ***
I was extremely lucky and privileged to be given the chance to read the ARC of Kandi vales new book Resilience which is the first book in a Duologly featuring Joro and Mattheus from the slivered souls trilogy. I was first introduced to this author in February 2019 and I absolutely fell in love with the world she has created. This new book tells the story of Joro and Mattheus, we get to see how Joro came to be the person she is now. It is full of action and some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read, now don’t let me mislead you with the sex scenes they are also some of the best I’ve seen written. If BDSM is not to your taste I’d still recommend reading this book as they are done so well in my opinion (and I can only write from my opinion so don’t shoot me). This book had me hooked from the prologue and it was one of those books that kept you hooked! It answered so many questions and brought every emotion you can think of.
I can not wait for book 2 to see how this ends! I’m a huge fan of supporting authors like Kandi these writers put their heart and soul into the worlds they build and you can definitely see it in her work!
So I highly recommend you check this book out when it officially releases Tuesday 28th July!!
In the meantime go find slivered book 1 of the slivered souls trilogy
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40901021
Merissa (12781 KP) rated Climax (Double Alchemy #2) in Books
Mar 20, 2018
Climax (Double Alchemy #2) by Susan Mac Nicol
Climax is the second part of the Double Alchemy duology, and as such I would recommend reading them in order. We rejoin Quinn and Cade as they continue their search for Jeremy. Through the search, we find new characters to find out about, including Misty and Valensia. The first half of this book is mainly about that as Quinn continues to do his best for his Warlocks as Grand Master. Cade is by his side throughout, although I'm not sure I would be. I understand Quinn has his secrets, but it would drive me insane! The second part of the book is more about the various schemes and events that Quinn is organising, trying to do what is best, even when opposed by members of his own council.
Whilst I was totally engrossed with this story, there were parts where I wanted more - Misty, for example. There's a whole story there just waiting to be told, but we didn't get any of it but the bare bones. Also, Cade. I want more!!! Seriously, my kindle nearly went for a burton when I realised I had reached the end of the book, and there was simply no more. Yep, this is one of those books - where you have no idea about where the ending is until you trip over it!
With the same high quality of writing as in the first book, this fits seamlessly and snugly with the first book. I read these back to back and am thankful for that. With an amazing cast of characters, this is one story I am going to miss, and will be keeping to re-read in the future. 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!
Whilst I was totally engrossed with this story, there were parts where I wanted more - Misty, for example. There's a whole story there just waiting to be told, but we didn't get any of it but the bare bones. Also, Cade. I want more!!! Seriously, my kindle nearly went for a burton when I realised I had reached the end of the book, and there was simply no more. Yep, this is one of those books - where you have no idea about where the ending is until you trip over it!
With the same high quality of writing as in the first book, this fits seamlessly and snugly with the first book. I read these back to back and am thankful for that. With an amazing cast of characters, this is one story I am going to miss, and will be keeping to re-read in the future. 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!
A few years ago, there was an accident in Seelie and Isolde’s home village and ever since, they’ve been on the run. Seelie is an autistic changeling trying to understand and control her unpredictable magic - it doesn’t help that she finds it almost as difficult to fit in with the humans around her. Her sister Isolde, is an amazing pickpocketer and uses her skills to keep them alive. When a heist goes wrong, the twins find themselves in a larger mystery than they expected and discover secrets of the history of both faeries and humans. With new companions on their adventure can Seelie get control of her magic in time to protect her sister.
“The perfect start to any morning. Who needs coffee when you have the icy shock of mortal terror?”
I was pretty excited to read this book portraying an autistic main character written by someone who is on the spectrum themselves. It is a wonderful portrayal for children and young adults to see themselves represented, especially in a fantasy, magic filled world like we see in Unseelie. Seelie’s character is honest and true, and you see this world through her eyes - with and without overstimulating events.
Each of the four main characters were fun to meet and learn about - though I am hoping we get to see more flushed out history of both Raze and Olani in the next book.
The pacing of this novel was a bit slow in places, especially in the middle and then the ending kind of hit you fiercely. I didn’t realize this would be a duology until the last few pages, especially since nothing really wrapped up and you were kind of left with unexplained events and a cliffhanger. That being said though, I am super excited for the next book in the series and will for sure be waiting for that to hit the shelves.
*Thank you Inkyard Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
“The perfect start to any morning. Who needs coffee when you have the icy shock of mortal terror?”
I was pretty excited to read this book portraying an autistic main character written by someone who is on the spectrum themselves. It is a wonderful portrayal for children and young adults to see themselves represented, especially in a fantasy, magic filled world like we see in Unseelie. Seelie’s character is honest and true, and you see this world through her eyes - with and without overstimulating events.
Each of the four main characters were fun to meet and learn about - though I am hoping we get to see more flushed out history of both Raze and Olani in the next book.
The pacing of this novel was a bit slow in places, especially in the middle and then the ending kind of hit you fiercely. I didn’t realize this would be a duology until the last few pages, especially since nothing really wrapped up and you were kind of left with unexplained events and a cliffhanger. That being said though, I am super excited for the next book in the series and will for sure be waiting for that to hit the shelves.
*Thank you Inkyard Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Ali A (82 KP) rated Chaos & Flame in Books
Jun 7, 2023
Trigger Warnings: Misgendering, genocide (off page, but discussed), poison, knife violence, blood & gore, graphic violence, war, death
Written in the alternating points of views of Darling Seabreak and Talon Goldhoard, Chaos & Flame tells the story of the two navigating House politics while also being caught up in the High Prince Regent’s unknown scheme as they tour around the kingdom to the other Houses.
This book took me a while to get into it - it’s slow to start, but by the end of it, I was invested in what was happening with the characters, so I will be picking up the second book in this duology. I'm very curious to see how the authors are planning on bringing out more with the boons and if those will change with what could be happening in the second book.
I was really interested in Caspian’s character and wish I knew more about what was going on in his head since everyone just marked him as “being mad” when in fact, he just had a whole other agenda.
I do wish we had more history of the world. The world building was fantastic but I felt like 100 years isn’t a whole lot to have passed since the last phoenix was alive and that even with that, there should still be people around who were alive back then - wouldn’t they know more and have maybe some insight?
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the insta-love between Darling and Talon, but it is YA and that’s typical YA romance so I’m not complaining all too much to be honest with you.
Overall, it was a slow build up to a good read and that I’m excited to continue reading when the next book in the series comes out (please don’t be too long!).
*Thank you Razorbill and BookishFirst for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Written in the alternating points of views of Darling Seabreak and Talon Goldhoard, Chaos & Flame tells the story of the two navigating House politics while also being caught up in the High Prince Regent’s unknown scheme as they tour around the kingdom to the other Houses.
This book took me a while to get into it - it’s slow to start, but by the end of it, I was invested in what was happening with the characters, so I will be picking up the second book in this duology. I'm very curious to see how the authors are planning on bringing out more with the boons and if those will change with what could be happening in the second book.
I was really interested in Caspian’s character and wish I knew more about what was going on in his head since everyone just marked him as “being mad” when in fact, he just had a whole other agenda.
I do wish we had more history of the world. The world building was fantastic but I felt like 100 years isn’t a whole lot to have passed since the last phoenix was alive and that even with that, there should still be people around who were alive back then - wouldn’t they know more and have maybe some insight?
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the insta-love between Darling and Talon, but it is YA and that’s typical YA romance so I’m not complaining all too much to be honest with you.
Overall, it was a slow build up to a good read and that I’m excited to continue reading when the next book in the series comes out (please don’t be too long!).
*Thank you Razorbill and BookishFirst for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review