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Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Magelight in Books

Jul 10, 2025  
Magelight
Magelight
Kacey Ezell | 2025 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
high octane fantasy at its very best!
Independent reviewer for archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Ok so. You know when you read a blurb, and your mind automatically plans out how it's gonna go? No?? Just me then! Well my mind went one way with this blurb, and the book went the other and I thoroughly enjoyed it BECAUSE it went the opposite way!

Aelys bonds with Vil, Romik and Daen, albeit while trying to save them. They are then bonded in ways long since outlawed in this world. What I especially liked about this, was the fact that all four of them were fighting the bond, right almost til the end. There was none of that *MINE* thing, and, also, no smex! Some reference to it, and there is an amusing scene or two when Aelys is doing something with her power and the power of the guys, but absolutely no smex and this was where I was surprised. I thought, when I read this blurb, it was gonna be all about the smex and the reverse harem thing. And it really isn't and I loved that it surprised me!

What I am left with though, are questions. And for once, I can voice them!

Is there a next book? I felt the ending was kinda meh, and then there was the epilogue that kinda threw me.

The aunt issue?? What happened there?? I was sideswiped by that and I did not see it coming!

Why have I not come across Ezell and her work before?? She has a massive backlist! I would love to read more, especially about this group!

High octane fantasy, at its very best.

4 very VERY good stars.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere.
  
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Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated The Amphitheater of Souls in Books

Aug 9, 2024  
The Amphitheater of Souls
The Amphitheater of Souls
Patrick Bryce Wright | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A step out my comfort zone but a very good one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Cian is sent on a journey to find out who or what is causing all the deaths in his village.

I really enjoyed this! It's a step out my comfort zone, and a very good one at that.

I'd class it as high fantasy. Very Tolkien-esque, with an epic journey, lives at stake, elves, dwarves, centsaurs, sea serpents on the rampage and a madman, messing with dark blood magic.

Throw in a slow burn sweet romance, between Cian and his guide, Thanyon, and you've got a near perfect book!

Only Cian gets a say, though, and at points, he had a lot to say.

But a fabulous read.

4 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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ClareR (5955 KP) rated The Final Strife in Books

Sep 13, 2025  
The Final Strife
The Final Strife
Saara El-Arifi | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Final Strife was a High Fantasy novel that I couldn’t put down!

The main character, a Chosen One, misses out on her calling because of a drug addiction. There’s also great deprivation because of the social hierarchy in this world. It’s a caste system based on the colour of a persons blood.

There are themes of oppression, class, division, poverty and addiction. There’s a Trans main character (and others besides), and this isn’t a society that is prejudiced against LGBTQ+ people, in fact there’s support for those who want to transition. Women hold positions of great power in government and on the battlefield - and they’re just as able as their male counterparts. Often better.

This is a chunky book and a fast read regardless of that. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.