Search

Search only in certain items:

A Heart of Gold and Glass (Secret Fairy Tales #1)
A Heart of Gold and Glass (Secret Fairy Tales #1)
Jocelynn Drake | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A HEART OF GOLD AND GLASS is the start of a fantastic new series called Secret Fairy Tales, and we begin with a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.

In a kingdom where magic is an everyday occurrence, some magic is more highbrow than others. Hugo can create anything with glass, which is wonderful, but not so highly placed. His mother is desperate for him to marry well, so tells people he can spin straw into gold. This gets him locked up, where a strange man saves him. Prince Everand is the heir to the throne, and fed up with his mother's matchmaking. Together, these two have adventures, find love, stop a war, and reunite families. All in a day's work.

I loved these two. Hugo is humble without being too self-deprecating. Ev is charming and funny, especially when he is head over heels for Hugo. I thoroughly enjoyed all the scenes with Hugo's brothers, and I even liked his mother. She reminded me of Mrs Bennett.

I thought this was a brilliant start to the series. It is sweet and sexy, with great world-building, and plenty of characters I want to see more of. It is Dorian's turn 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!
Mar 13, 2026
  
40x40

Merissa (14175 KP) rated Gobin Heart in Books

Mar 24, 2026  
Gobin Heart
Gobin Heart
Fae Loxley | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
GOBLIN HEART is a fantastic LGBTQ+ story that retells Cinderella, but not as the main story, rather the supporting one.

The human and goblin kingdoms were at war for a long time before peace finally became possible. As part of the peace process, Prince Luc of Brightwood was sent to the human court. His heart was taken from him, replaced by a magic one, and his will was no longer his own. This is how it stays for a long time, until Prince Ramon and Luc meet with Will, a smith who finds out he has magic too.

The world-building here is fantastic, giving clear details of Luc and his family, together with the human side of it. I loved Ella and was thankful when she and Will broke the family mould and actually formed a relationship.

The characters, whether main or supporting, are all well described and add to the story, which is itself well paced and flows smoothly. Steamy in places, but nothing over the top or out of place, this story was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. It was a page-turner for me, and I have no hesitation in recommending it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

** 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!
Mar 24, 2026
  
26 of 230
Kindle
Witch’s Curse (The Bone Coven Chronicles book 1)
By Jenna Wolfheart
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wanted: Magically Armed and Dangerous.

Ever since my parents died in the demon war, I’ve paid my way through life by using magic to con people. It’s not right, but a girl’s gotta do what she can to survive.

Unfortunately, my latest con has left me smack dab in the middle of a murder scene. Now, a coven of angry mages thinks I’m the killer. In order to clear my name, I have to team up with an infuriatingly sexy warlock whose powers are far darker than he admits. Throw in a string of related murders and a vexed vampire clan, and I’m up to my eyeballs in danger.

But that's not even the worst of it. When I get too close to the real killer, he casts a life-threatening curse on my grandmother. Before, I just wanted to save my own butt, but now I’ll do whatever it takes to track him down—even if it means following him through monstrous dimensions.

Because I don’t play nice with magic. And when you mess with Grandma, you become #1 on my sh*t list.


Ok so it was good I’m struggling between a 3 & 4 star so I eventually decided on a 3! I liked the concept and structure of the supernatural and the storyline line was good but it didn’t wow me. I’m hoping as the series develops it will be more gripping. Also a new author for me so that’s a plus.
  
A Day of Fallen Night
A Day of Fallen Night
Samantha Shannon | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Phenomenal. Breath-taking. Complex, and well worth both the wait and the work - well, it’s not really work to read this. It was all pleasure.

To say this book is wide-sweeping would be an understatement. Set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Night encompasses a whole world, with different religions, traditions and cultures. The complexity of this book! And then there’s the fact that I didn’t for one moment feel confused. The style of writing in each Kingdom was so distinct, that I knew immediately where I was (no reading ahead and then back again to figure out where I was!).

Matriarchal societies, societies where homosexuality is accepted (and in fact is nothing extraordinary), dragons, magic, did I say dragons? Yes, OK, I did, but I cannot stress enough how much I loved the dragons.

There’s over 800 pages of action, fighting, adventure, romance, politics, love, betrayal, religion, dragons (have I mentioned the dragons?), magic, strong women, noble men. Ah, I could go on - I won’t.

If fantasy is your thing, you’ll love this. If you’ve read and enjoyed Priory, you’ll love this. I don’t think it matters which order you read the two books in, they’ve been written as standalones in the same world. And, if rumours are true, there will be more - AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my ebook copy. And you’d better bet your life that I’ve bought a hardback copy. I mean, look at that cover! It’s glorious - beautiful!!
  
Magic Dark, Magic Divine (Warrior of the Divine Sword #1)
Magic Dark, Magic Divine (Warrior of the Divine Sword #1)
A.J. Locke | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MAGIC DARK, MAGIC DIVINE is the first book in the Warrior of the Divine Sword series and, in it, we meet Pennrae who was first alive 300 years ago before she was put into a magical sleep because she broke a contract with a Diviner. She wakes up in a contemporary world, where things have definitely moved on. We meet her eight years down the line when she has managed to get a life put together for herself.

This is a fast-paced story that will keep you on tenterhooks as Pennrae goes from one explosion to another. She finds love and adventure, as well as allies she never expected. It is intricate and twisted which kept my attention from the very start.

Fair warning though - there is one part that had my f'ugly crying! I won't say more, but prepare yourself!

As it is the first book, you get the usual world-building but it is done in a way that is explanatory rather than just an info dump. I found this to be an excellent start of a new series, with a new-to-me author. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see where it goes next. Absolutely 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!
Nov 5, 2021