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Merissa (14100 KP) rated Eira in Books

Aug 5, 2021  
Eira
Eira
Adrian J. Smith | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.

The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.

What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.

The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.

Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for 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!
  
*I received a copy of this books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is my first contemporary romance by the author where the characters weren't NA age.

I did enjoy this story. It took me a while to get into it at the start but by the end I think I loved pretty much all the Wellington family. It's a retelling of Cinderella in parts; evil sisters, glass slippers... but much more modern with manwhore brothers and some swearing

 liked the characters. The twins grew on me so much throughout this book. They seemed so annoying at the beginning but by the end... *sigh* If their stories are going to be the next books in this series, then sign me up please because I am so intrigued after the auction.

Brock was a bit of a mystery when he was at the house, I couldn't really figure him out until he'd sorted out his demons and then I really started to like him.

Jane, I felt sorry for at the start. She was trying to uphold her fathers wishes and being treated like dirt in the process. She grew a lot in the book.

The ending was great. Everyone but the twins ended up happy, though I'm sure the twins' issues will be resolved in their own stories.
  
Song of the Huntress
Song of the Huntress
Lucy Holland | 2024 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Song of the Huntress was a really enjoyable listen, narrated well by Kristin Atherton. It felt like I was in 60AD with them: the descriptions of the land, the court, the battles and the Wild Hunt; the inner thoughts and motivations of Herla, Queen Æthelburg of Wessex and her husband King Ine were all described and narrated in such a way that I wanted to keep listening.

This had just the right amount of history, myth and magic for me - well, anything with those three things in is a winner, in my opinion!

With the resurgence of Greek Myth (yes, I’m a fan), it has been really heartening to see the odd Norse and Celtic myth and folklore book coming out. I enjoy a good retelling, and 5is is a good read. Yes, there are some seemingly modern themes: Æthelburg and Herla’s attraction and Ine’s asexuality in particular, but who’s to say these weren’t appropriate in 60AD? I’m sure homosexuality and asexuality have been a ‘thing’ for as long as there’s been humans (there probably is someone who could say - this is the internet, after all).

To me, as a listener/ reader, this just felt really genuine and well researched. I loved learning about the characters and their world.

Just as Sistersong left me eagerly awaiting Song of the Huntress, I’m really looking forward to whatever comes next from Lucy Holland.
  
White Roses : A Fairytale Retold
White Roses : A Fairytale Retold
Alodia Thaliel | 2023 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WHITE ROSES is a fairytale retelling set in a fantasy omegaverse. Briar is the omega, cursed to sleep for 5,000 years. Landon is the alpha who wakes her. Briar finds the world has changed just a little in the time she's been asleep.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. I love omegaverse stories and fantasy, so combining the two sounded perfect. In reality, I can't say as I did. Let me explain...

I found both characters to be rather bland, apart from Landon's alphahole qualities, which were there in abundance. If this is how mates are treated in this world, I'd sooner stay in mine. Prepare yourself for whiplash as the two of them go back and forth between s3x and not talking. I found the writing style to be quite disjointed and chunky, making my reading experience jarring. The best character in here was Elias, an 800-year-old fae, but he's only a supporting character. While the curse, the witch, and the dragons were all easily sorted.

The thought of putting Sleeping Beauty in a fantasy omegaverse is a good one, but for this book to shine, I think a lot more work needs to go into character development.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oct 16, 2025