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Prophecy (Destine Academy book 4)
Sara Snow | 2022
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
127 of 230
Kindle
Prophecy ( Destine Academy book 4)
By Sara Snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Caroline and her friends are running out of time in their quest to find answers - and her family - in the shocking fourth installment of the exciting new Destine Academy series.

Sixteen-year-old Caroline and her magically talented friends are racing against the clock to find answers that will lead her to her missing mother and brother. As Caroline’s powers escalate, they find help from an unexpected ally,

...and Caroline is confronted with the possibility that her mother and brother are better off without her.

Between her friends wanting to protect her, and her aunt wanting to control her, Caroline is feeling increasingly out of control of her own life.

Her growing relationships with Aldrick and Corbin complicate matters further as she continues to feel TORN between the two. Caroline and her friends uncover more about Tempeste and The Entiere

...but nothing could have prepared them for what they reveal—and what it means for Caroline.

So we now know the phrophecy and Caroline has unlocked another power! She’s also found and lost all her friends in less than 24 hours! What is her aunt up to? I really like this little series. I like Sara Snow!
  
Hephaestus (Mythologay #5)
Hephaestus (Mythologay #5)
B.J. Irons | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HEPHAESTUS is the fifth book in the Mythologay series but the first one I have read.

If you are anyone who knows anything about the Greek Gods, then you will have some idea who Hephaestus is. In this story, you learn more about his birth, upbringing, and relationship with Hera. And then there is his relationship Hestio, the God of Family and Hearth, to name just a couple of his titles.

The pacing of this book is fairly fast, involving a bit of telling and now showing. This meant I was unable to have as much connection with the characters as I like, especially the main ones. I found this to be a rather gentle read that didn't require too much from me.

One thing I did find a little odd - Priapus. If he was indeed cursed to have an erection at all times but when he actually wanted one, then Hestio was never really in any danger, now was he?!

Anyway, an enjoyable read.

** 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!
Jul 5, 2023
  
Red Wolf Hunting (Wolves Ever After #2)
Red Wolf Hunting (Wolves Ever After #2)
Amberlyn Holland | 2020 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
RED WOLF HUNTING is the second book in the Wolves Ever After series. You don't need to have read book one, although the characters are mentioned in passing.

Aileen is prepared to partner with Rory in search of the Golden Shield. Rory wants to destroy it as it could control him and the rest of his wolf-kin. Aileen wants to protect it and hide it from sight, as it is a family relic. Together, they need to retrieve it from those who stole it.

Aileen and Rory didn't quite grab me as much as Sterling and Myra did in Book One, but I still enjoyed their story. What I've found with Amberlyn Holland books is that the story revolves around the main characters getting to know each other - usually through trying times - and leading up to their relationship together, not the relationship itself.

It is Aileen's sister and Rory's partner next up so who knows where their story will take us?

An enjoyable addition to the series and 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!
Jul 12, 2023
  
In the Lives of Puppets
In the Lives of Puppets
TJ Klune | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don’t know about just Pinocchio, I got some Wizard of Oz vibes as well from this wondrous book. I love a retelling, I’ve read quite a lot of them, and I’m fully prepared to read more, especially if the imagination and emotions are anything like those in In The Lives of Puppets. The ‘Found Family’ theme that runs through TJ Kline’s books is so beautiful: if people, for whatever reason, are rejected by or have lost their families, it’s reassuring to know that there are people, families, like this out there (but not necessarily robots…).

Even after discovering the truth of his origins, Victor still wants to save his father, Giovanni, and his friends want to help him and keep him safe. He is probably the last human alive. Robot society is very interesting, especially as they seem to want to mimic humans, even though they seem to be the ones responsible for their demise (although I think the humans were more than capable of destroying themselves).

Actually, I don’t want to say too much more, other than the fact that I loved reading this and I was sad to see it come to an end - it was perfect!
  
The Sworn Virgin
The Sworn Virgin
Kristopher Dukes | 2017 | Romance
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great historical detail, but falls short
So what I really liked the most about the book is the historical background and aspect. It’s rich in detail and sheds a light on the customs in Albania. I loved the descriptions of the setting, the clothing especially and how family life was at the time. Despite that Eleanora lived differently from others in the village, traditions are deep rooted, strong and followed to the exact detail. It’s all about maintaining family honor and if disgraced, the way to gain it back is likely with someone killing the other from the rival family that did you wrong. It’s pretty harsh and during that time doesn’t give much voice to women in general, but Eleanora’s personality is strong and admirable even though she’s pretty much a daddy’s girl (which helps her let her be who she wants to be).

The first half of the book was great and got the reading going pretty quickly. It wasn’t until the last third of the novel where things bog down and I was afraid of this: the moment the ‘man of the her dreams’ came into the story. Then I was instantly reminded as to why I hated “Memoirs of a Geisha” so much and this mirrors it. Holy mother. The guy was the sun, moon and stars for Eleanora. I kind of get it after what happened to her dad but for crying out loud I was rooting for Eleanora for taking the vow and being strong. All it takes is an Adonis to break that all down. Eleanora then takes a complete 360 and becomes a mooncalf.

I lost admiration after her treatment of Meria. I get it. Meria shouldn’t have done that nonsense because she’s all obsessed with family honor and had Eleanora’s best interest even though it was far from beneficial. I thought her treatment was excessive to the point of abuse and cruelty and I felt like jumping in and giving Eleanora the beat down for her stupidities.

Then Eleanora’s mood swings go from pity party to guilt and goes back and forth for what seemed like the entire last third of the novel and it got tiresome to read. You know Eleanora, you could have solved all this if you JUST. TELL. HIM.

And when she does. Your patience is done with the book and depending how you found the book you either breathe a sigh in relief or roll your eyes because it took about 50 pages to get Eleanora to smarten up and the book would have ended sooner than later.

I liked the book at first, but it just didn’t hold it for me. The pity trips, and the self torment Eleanora goes through is just too much and made up a good half of the novel. I wish it could have been better because the historical aspect was excellent.