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Merissa (13668 KP) rated Surface Scratch (Neon Scars #1) in Books
May 5, 2023
SURFACE SCRATCH is the first book in the Neon Scars series, and also the first book published by this author. If you're looking for a light and fluffy romance then you've got the wrong book. This one is quite dark so be prepared.
Caleb has had a hard time of it recently. He and his family were in a car accident, leaving him with some major scars. His brother walks out and his mom dies. But then he gets a job at a nightclub and is intrigued by his boss, Marcus. He gets drawn into a world of vampires where, just as with humans, some are "good" and some not so much. There are also hunters who come across more as the bad guys than anything else.
As I said, this is dark. The loving is rough and almost violent (although written incredibly well.) I enjoyed Caleb and Marcus' story but am also looking forward to finding out more from the other characters. Vincent especially made me laugh as every time he called Caleb "Buttercup", I was hearing it said by different characters from The Princess Bride movie!
A great beginning to a series with a fantastic group of characters. 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!
May 5, 2023
Caleb has had a hard time of it recently. He and his family were in a car accident, leaving him with some major scars. His brother walks out and his mom dies. But then he gets a job at a nightclub and is intrigued by his boss, Marcus. He gets drawn into a world of vampires where, just as with humans, some are "good" and some not so much. There are also hunters who come across more as the bad guys than anything else.
As I said, this is dark. The loving is rough and almost violent (although written incredibly well.) I enjoyed Caleb and Marcus' story but am also looking forward to finding out more from the other characters. Vincent especially made me laugh as every time he called Caleb "Buttercup", I was hearing it said by different characters from The Princess Bride movie!
A great beginning to a series with a fantastic group of characters. 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!
May 5, 2023
Honeycomb
10.0
Rate It
Book
An astonishing, richly interwoven story from #1 bestselling author Joanne M. Harris (The Gospel of...
Short stories Fairy Tales Adult fiction Art Mythology Fae
Merissa (13668 KP) rated The Fae King (Beyond The Mist, #4) in Books
Aug 17, 2022
Fast-paced and full of action
THE FAE KING is the fourth book in the Beyond The Mist series and we have a prophecy, a light fae King, a dark fae princess, and a mad elf prince!
This is an action-packed story that goes from enemies to lovers, sort of. Trevan and Amber don't actually hate each other - or at least, not until Trevan acts like a jerk as he allows his fears to reign. Their families have a bad history, with both sides at fault. They hate the thought of each other, and their actions out of fear only seem to compound that. It takes the mad elf prince and the prophecy to turn their hate to love and, once it does, they are unstoppable.
Fast-paced and smoothly flowing, this story skims across the surface, leaving me wanting more. I loved seeing the brothers, Storm, and Harper and want to see how the kingdom fares going forward.
I enjoyed this read and think it certainly adds to the series. It can be read as a standalone, but it makes more sense to have read them in order. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an action-packed story that goes from enemies to lovers, sort of. Trevan and Amber don't actually hate each other - or at least, not until Trevan acts like a jerk as he allows his fears to reign. Their families have a bad history, with both sides at fault. They hate the thought of each other, and their actions out of fear only seem to compound that. It takes the mad elf prince and the prophecy to turn their hate to love and, once it does, they are unstoppable.
Fast-paced and smoothly flowing, this story skims across the surface, leaving me wanting more. I loved seeing the brothers, Storm, and Harper and want to see how the kingdom fares going forward.
I enjoyed this read and think it certainly adds to the series. It can be read as a standalone, but it makes more sense to have read them in order. 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
A Siren's Finale: Part Three (Aria & the Seven Seas #3)
10.0
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Book
Am I a princess of the waters or is this my final siren’s song? As death and betrayal sweep...
Fantasy Mythology Multi-Partner Reverse Harem Romance Erotic
RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated A magic steeped in poison in Books
Jun 23, 2022
Title: A Magic Steeped in Poison
Author: Judy I Lin
I love the cover it's so pretty. It's so sad the main characters sister is dying and if she wins the contest saving her sister would be a good prize like she wants. The fact she accidentally poisoned her and her mom must be hard to live with. I loved the quote that explained their beliefs in death: "Three souls contained within each of us separated from our bodies when we die. One returning to Earth, one to the air, and the final soul descending into the wheel of life." It's a nice way of putting how death works around this point is where I got hooked on the book. When she sold her only memory of her mom she had left in Nánjiāng was very sad. I agree with the makers of the game that they had to take a test to be let into the competition it'll help keep the cheaters out. I also loved how they gave them a price limit for the tea ingredients so make it more fair. The boy she met while shopping for ingredients my gut said don't trust him but later on he helped save the Princess from an assassin attempt. I don't want to go into more detail so I don't spoil the rest of the story for others but all around I loved this book and I would 100% reread it.
Author: Judy I Lin
I love the cover it's so pretty. It's so sad the main characters sister is dying and if she wins the contest saving her sister would be a good prize like she wants. The fact she accidentally poisoned her and her mom must be hard to live with. I loved the quote that explained their beliefs in death: "Three souls contained within each of us separated from our bodies when we die. One returning to Earth, one to the air, and the final soul descending into the wheel of life." It's a nice way of putting how death works around this point is where I got hooked on the book. When she sold her only memory of her mom she had left in Nánjiāng was very sad. I agree with the makers of the game that they had to take a test to be let into the competition it'll help keep the cheaters out. I also loved how they gave them a price limit for the tea ingredients so make it more fair. The boy she met while shopping for ingredients my gut said don't trust him but later on he helped save the Princess from an assassin attempt. I don't want to go into more detail so I don't spoil the rest of the story for others but all around I loved this book and I would 100% reread it.
Merissa (13668 KP) rated Mandatory Repairs (Collier's Creek) in Books
Sep 29, 2023
MANDATORY REPAIRS is part of the multi-author Collier's Creek series. In this story, we meet Max and Nash. Nash lives and works on Twisted Pines Ranch. Max is the half-brother of the owner of Twisted Pines. They first meet when Max is drunk (beer, lack of food, and high altitude!) and doesn't remember Nash at all. Nash likes Max until he finds out who he is.
Although I enjoyed this story, it felt jerky and uneven with its pace. I would also have liked more character development. I mean, Nash doesn't like Max once he finds out who he is. But what are the exact reasons, because what we get told is rubbish. And then, Robin (the half-sister) tells him to apologise. He goes to the bar, and then they're in bed! This happens on a couple of occasions.
Saying that, I did love the scene in the bookshop, and also when Max is trying to get out of a sticky situation. He kept his head and did what he could, instead of whimpering and playing the poor princess.
I enjoyed this addition to the series and look forward to reading stories set in Collier's Creek.
** 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!
Sep 29, 2023
Although I enjoyed this story, it felt jerky and uneven with its pace. I would also have liked more character development. I mean, Nash doesn't like Max once he finds out who he is. But what are the exact reasons, because what we get told is rubbish. And then, Robin (the half-sister) tells him to apologise. He goes to the bar, and then they're in bed! This happens on a couple of occasions.
Saying that, I did love the scene in the bookshop, and also when Max is trying to get out of a sticky situation. He kept his head and did what he could, instead of whimpering and playing the poor princess.
I enjoyed this addition to the series and look forward to reading stories set in Collier's Creek.
** 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!
Sep 29, 2023
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Ariadne in Books
May 31, 2022
95 of 230
Book
Ariadne
By Jennifer Saint
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up greeting the dawn from her beautiful dancing floor and listening to her nursemaid’s stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice.
When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape. Defying the gods, betraying her family and country, and risking everything for love, Ariadne helps Theseus kill the Minotaur. But will Ariadne’s decision ensure her happy ending? And what of Phaedra, the beloved younger sister she leaves behind?
Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint's Ariadne forges a new epic, one that puts the forgotten women of Greek mythology back at the heart of the story, as they strive for a better world.
I love Greek Mythology and I liked this I was expecting to love it as everyone is raving about it and although it was good and well written I didn’t love it like I would! It possibly deserves a 3.5 almost 4 star but I don’t know I felt a little flat about it. I would recommend it but I would advise possibly not to read the hype on TikTok then you will have a more balanced read and opinion I think.
Book
Ariadne
By Jennifer Saint
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up greeting the dawn from her beautiful dancing floor and listening to her nursemaid’s stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice.
When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape. Defying the gods, betraying her family and country, and risking everything for love, Ariadne helps Theseus kill the Minotaur. But will Ariadne’s decision ensure her happy ending? And what of Phaedra, the beloved younger sister she leaves behind?
Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint's Ariadne forges a new epic, one that puts the forgotten women of Greek mythology back at the heart of the story, as they strive for a better world.
I love Greek Mythology and I liked this I was expecting to love it as everyone is raving about it and although it was good and well written I didn’t love it like I would! It possibly deserves a 3.5 almost 4 star but I don’t know I felt a little flat about it. I would recommend it but I would advise possibly not to read the hype on TikTok then you will have a more balanced read and opinion I think.
ClareR (6054 KP) rated Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen in Books
Jun 3, 2024
Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen by Nicola Tallis is such an interesting non-fiction account of Elizabeth’s life: from her mother, Anne Boleyn meeting Henry VIII, to the day she succeeds to the throne. In those intervening years, Elizabeth is pronounced a bastard after the execution of her mother, is predated on by her stepmothers husband, is accused of trying to topple her sister Mary from the throne, is imprisoned in the Tower and other great houses - as long as she is out of Mary’s way. She is spied on and may well have really been involved in plots against her sister.
Elizabeth was far too clever to be caught, and that comes across really clearly. She was her parent’s daughter: clever, resilient and she knew the best people to have around her. These personality traits and the things that happened to her, formed the young woman and queen she would later be.
Nicola Tallis read through, and included, a lot of Elizabeth’s personal correspondence. It must have been exhausting for Elizabeth. She was constantly under suspicion of treason. She may well have been though, and she certainly didn’t conform wholeheartedly to Catholicism as Mary wanted her to.
This was such a fascinating read - and I’m notoriously picky with non-fiction. I often find it dry and hard to concentrate on, but not with Young Elizabeth. It was riveting, and held my attention from start to finish!
Elizabeth was far too clever to be caught, and that comes across really clearly. She was her parent’s daughter: clever, resilient and she knew the best people to have around her. These personality traits and the things that happened to her, formed the young woman and queen she would later be.
Nicola Tallis read through, and included, a lot of Elizabeth’s personal correspondence. It must have been exhausting for Elizabeth. She was constantly under suspicion of treason. She may well have been though, and she certainly didn’t conform wholeheartedly to Catholicism as Mary wanted her to.
This was such a fascinating read - and I’m notoriously picky with non-fiction. I often find it dry and hard to concentrate on, but not with Young Elizabeth. It was riveting, and held my attention from start to finish!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Crown of Midnight in Books
Aug 25, 2019 (Updated Apr 21, 2024)
73 of 220
Book
Reread
Crown of Midnight ( Throne of Glass 2)
By Sarah J Maas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Never trust an assassin.
Celaena's story continues in this second book in the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become the King's Champion. But she is far from loyal to the crown. Though she goes to great lengths to hide her secret, her deadly charade becomes more difficult when she realises she is not the only one seeking justice. Her search for answers ensnares those closest to her, and no one is safe from suspicion - not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a princess with a rebel heart.
Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie ... and what she is willing to fight for.
This is a reread for me and I loved it more the second time round if that’s at all possible. When rereading a book you see all the bits and think well crap I missed that the first time, also this time despite knowing a certain part was coming it was still emotional. Absolutely love this series.
Book
Reread
Crown of Midnight ( Throne of Glass 2)
By Sarah J Maas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Never trust an assassin.
Celaena's story continues in this second book in the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become the King's Champion. But she is far from loyal to the crown. Though she goes to great lengths to hide her secret, her deadly charade becomes more difficult when she realises she is not the only one seeking justice. Her search for answers ensnares those closest to her, and no one is safe from suspicion - not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a princess with a rebel heart.
Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie ... and what she is willing to fight for.
This is a reread for me and I loved it more the second time round if that’s at all possible. When rereading a book you see all the bits and think well crap I missed that the first time, also this time despite knowing a certain part was coming it was still emotional. Absolutely love this series.
The Dream Collector (Sabrine & Sigmund Freud #1)
Book
The Dream Collector immerses the reader into the exciting milieu of late 19th Century Paris when art...
Literary Fiction Historical Fiction