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Under a Wicked Moon (The Crown's Wolves #2)
8.0
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They are the ultimate weapon. The ultimate secret. They are the Crown’s wolves. Lycan Ky Lanzo...
Paranormal Romance Series
Tall Tales
10.0
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The second book in a new trilogy of twisted fairy tales from New York Times bestselling author James...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Soulless ( The Privileged of Pembroke high book 2) in Books
Dec 9, 2021
205 of 250
Kindle
Soulless (The Privileged of Pembroke High boo 2)
By Ivy Fox
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Nothing is ever as it seems.
In a world where lies and deceit rule, my carefully hidden secrets weren’t an exception.
The privileged hide behind masks that only elitism and power can provide.
Yet, I’m still learning just how vile and ruthless you need to become to play their twisted game.
In my naiveté, I thought my heart would always be safe in their hands.
But I was wrong.
So very wrong.
And now I have to live with the tangled mess my actions have created.
There are no winners in the war of treachery and hate.
But if you’re soulless enough, you might just survive.
Soulless is the second book in The Privileged of Pembroke High series which ends in a cliffhanger.
I love Ivy Fox and this didn’t disappoint! There are some possible trigger warnings in this book, I thought it was handled well. I enjoyed getting to know more about the boys situation also get to know Rome too he’s become my favourite! Highly recommend for those reverse harem with some spice.
Kindle
Soulless (The Privileged of Pembroke High boo 2)
By Ivy Fox
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Nothing is ever as it seems.
In a world where lies and deceit rule, my carefully hidden secrets weren’t an exception.
The privileged hide behind masks that only elitism and power can provide.
Yet, I’m still learning just how vile and ruthless you need to become to play their twisted game.
In my naiveté, I thought my heart would always be safe in their hands.
But I was wrong.
So very wrong.
And now I have to live with the tangled mess my actions have created.
There are no winners in the war of treachery and hate.
But if you’re soulless enough, you might just survive.
Soulless is the second book in The Privileged of Pembroke High series which ends in a cliffhanger.
I love Ivy Fox and this didn’t disappoint! There are some possible trigger warnings in this book, I thought it was handled well. I enjoyed getting to know more about the boys situation also get to know Rome too he’s become my favourite! Highly recommend for those reverse harem with some spice.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Three Shots to the Wind in Books
Apr 1, 2022 (Updated Apr 1, 2022)
Cozy Trope Twisted by Murder
Chloe thinks she is settling into her new life in Emerald Cove, Florida, when she starts to receive a series of mysterious gifts. While she knows they aren’t from her new boyfriend, she isn’t prepared to learn they are from her ex-fiance, Perry Franklin, who is in town for an accounting conference. Unfortunately, she learns this when she stumbles on his dead body at a crime scene. When they were together, Chloe thought Perry was boring. Had she misjudged him? What could have led to his murder?
I love how this book put a twist on the familiar cozy trope of the main character’s ex coming to town to try to win her back. Of course, Perry also wasn’t who Chloe thought he was, and exploring that gives us suspects and motives. I enjoyed following Chloe as she solved the case, and the climax wraps things up nicely. This story also gives Chloe a real chance for growth, which I enjoyed seeing. Additionally, a sub-plot gives some of the supporting characters a chance to grow as well. Sherry Harris is one of my favorite authors, and this book once again shows why.
I love how this book put a twist on the familiar cozy trope of the main character’s ex coming to town to try to win her back. Of course, Perry also wasn’t who Chloe thought he was, and exploring that gives us suspects and motives. I enjoyed following Chloe as she solved the case, and the climax wraps things up nicely. This story also gives Chloe a real chance for growth, which I enjoyed seeing. Additionally, a sub-plot gives some of the supporting characters a chance to grow as well. Sherry Harris is one of my favorite authors, and this book once again shows why.
The Shifter (Legends of Pern Coen: Fated #1)
10.0
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Saving her could cost him everything. Bran has spent his life being hunted for what he is. Born...
Romance Fantasy Fade-to-Black Celtic/Roman
Merissa (12699 KP) rated Ally and her Mad Hatter (The Madness of Wonderland #2) in Books
May 31, 2023
ALLY AND HER MAD HATTER is a dark and twisted re-telling of Alice in Wonderland that comes with a variety of trigger warnings. Please take heed of them!
I found this to be extremely graphic in places as Ally learns more about herself - including the parts she has tried to keep hidden or denied. The characters are easily recognisable and there is a touch of madness throughout - just as it should be in Wonderland.
The ending was perfectly paced and gripping. I'm not sure if it was completely believable with Ally leaving everything behind without a murmur (and, yes, I know how that sounds considering the story! 😂) but it certainly fits with the rest of the story and gave me the ending I wanted.
There were a few slight errors in the editing with words missing and spelling mistakes but nothing too severe that affected my enjoyment of the story.
A dark read that I enjoyed and definitely recommend.
** 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!
Jan 8, 2023
I found this to be extremely graphic in places as Ally learns more about herself - including the parts she has tried to keep hidden or denied. The characters are easily recognisable and there is a touch of madness throughout - just as it should be in Wonderland.
The ending was perfectly paced and gripping. I'm not sure if it was completely believable with Ally leaving everything behind without a murmur (and, yes, I know how that sounds considering the story! 😂) but it certainly fits with the rest of the story and gave me the ending I wanted.
There were a few slight errors in the editing with words missing and spelling mistakes but nothing too severe that affected my enjoyment of the story.
A dark read that I enjoyed and definitely recommend.
** 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!
Jan 8, 2023
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated His Game: The First Time in Books
Feb 5, 2024
🔞🔞🔞🔞
23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger warning and crap content
Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.
However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.
John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.
So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and it’s a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone it’s graphic and dark. It’s always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger warning and crap content
Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.
However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.
John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.
So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and it’s a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone it’s graphic and dark. It’s always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Unraveling of Luna Forester in Books
May 7, 2024
87 of 220
Kindle
The Unraveling of Luna Forester
By Marisa Noelle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When his best friend Luna is found catatonic after a devastating house fire, Matthew begins to fall apart.
“Take care of them, Matthew.”
“Always.”
“Protect my secret.”
“Of course.”
That’s the promise he made to her only three nights ago. A solemn vow to protect their large found family of humans and supernatural creatures alike.
Fated to love her for the rest of his life, and unwilling to break his solemn vow, Matthew knows the only person who can help Luna is her grandmother. Through the woods they must go, just like a fairytale. But the forest is filled with deadly peril: poisonous black moss, chimeras, and worst of all, members of their family who don't want them to continue.
As they are picked off one by one, Matthew races to get Luna to safety, all the time doubting everything he thought was true.
Can Matthew untangle the twisted threads of Luna’s secret before he himself unravels?
Well this was a little bit of a special read. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it before. So well written it was a truly haunting journey through a young girls mind helped along by some special friends.
Kindle
The Unraveling of Luna Forester
By Marisa Noelle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When his best friend Luna is found catatonic after a devastating house fire, Matthew begins to fall apart.
“Take care of them, Matthew.”
“Always.”
“Protect my secret.”
“Of course.”
That’s the promise he made to her only three nights ago. A solemn vow to protect their large found family of humans and supernatural creatures alike.
Fated to love her for the rest of his life, and unwilling to break his solemn vow, Matthew knows the only person who can help Luna is her grandmother. Through the woods they must go, just like a fairytale. But the forest is filled with deadly peril: poisonous black moss, chimeras, and worst of all, members of their family who don't want them to continue.
As they are picked off one by one, Matthew races to get Luna to safety, all the time doubting everything he thought was true.
Can Matthew untangle the twisted threads of Luna’s secret before he himself unravels?
Well this was a little bit of a special read. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it before. So well written it was a truly haunting journey through a young girls mind helped along by some special friends.
Under Your Care
9.0
Rate It
Book
Lane Bennett has struggled for years due to his childhood trauma. He's tired of feeling broken...
Dark Contemporary MM Romance Trigger Warnings Daddy/boy
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated A Whole New World in Books
Aug 16, 2019
Review by Disney Bookworm
“What if Aladdin had never found the lamp?”
OK so I am going to start off this review with a really pedantic comment and I know I am being petty and that this will almost definitely end in a rant but… he does find the lamp! Of course he does! Aladdin is the diamond in the rough! He is literally the only one who can find the lamp. If he didn’t find the lamp nothing would happen: Jasmine would probably grow old with her tiger; Jafar would carry on hypnotising the Sultan; Aladdin would probably wind up arrested and this would be the shortest twisted tale in history.
*Ahem*
So, Aladdin finds the lamp. Let’s move past it, because if you have read my other reviews, you will know I love Liz Braswell: her twisted tales always wind up being my favourites as she always brings something completely unexpected to the novels. In the circumstances, I can forgive the tagline.
This review of “A Whole New World” comes at a time where Aladdin is everywhere: the live action movie was released in the UK just over a month ago and, I for one, loved it! With this in mind, I just had to re-read this twisted tale and shout about the wholly different Agrabah that it presents to the reader.
Braswell’s Agrabah is a raw, dirty, troubled cousin of the Agrabah we all know and love. I struggle to comprehend exactly how the movies did it, because both showed starving children, but we found ourselves simultaneously accepting and glossing over the poverty of the street rats. We have no such option in “A Whole New World”.
From starving infants; old men shovelling camel dung for coins; to Aladdin’s own mother dying of a wasting disease: this novel takes no prisoners in the Quarter of the Street Rats. However, those in the Palace remain blind to the struggles of the poor, with the Sultan playing with his golden toys whilst some of his citizens have no food or clean water.
The plight of the Agrabah people creates an undercurrent of resentment that runs all the way through Aladdin and Jasmine’s story. It is also a clear indicator of the identity of this novel: Braswell has taken all the romanticism of the familiar story and buried it in her own cave of wonders, leaving behind a highly political but incredibly powerful story.
The twisted tale starts off on a similar vein to both movies, boy meets girl, boy rescues girl from hand severing businessman, boy winds up arrested and transported to a creepy cave where he finds an old lamp, boy’s monkey can’t keep his hands to himself and boy is left clinging on for his life at the entrance to said creepy cave. However, in this version, when Jafar steps on Aladdin’s fingers to prevent his escape, Abu doesn’t grab the lamp! How will Aladdin escape now?
As is to be expected from Braswell’s novels, the characters are phenomenal. Aladdin is the proud, eternal optimist that we recognise but with a strong ethical viewpoint that is introduced by the inclusion of his mother as a character.
Creating a new character, particularly Aladdin’s mother, could simply be a tactic to give some history to the charming thief. However, Braswell uses the matriarch to add depth to Aladdin: she tells him “don’t let how poor you are, decide who you are…you can choose to be something more”.
This is ultimately the lesson the genie would teach Aladdin if they were to meet and so I think it is very clever of Braswell to keep this element of Aladdin’s character. It allows us to witness Aladdin’s pride and strength through these instilled virtues: he has even lost friends over his views of when he considers it acceptable to be a thief.
Although I wouldn’t consider the genie a main character in this tale (he doesn’t get as much airtime as in the films): he remains a funny and flippant sidekick for the most part. However, in keeping with the tone of “A Whole New World”, he does use this humour to provoke our thoughts. The genie and Braswell divulge that there was once a whole race of djinn who have since died out. The genie has lost his home, his wife and his freedom and so, he rightly asks, who would stay sane under those conditions?
Jafar; Mr dark and twisty himself, is a whole other level of evil in this twisted tale. He does present some of the characteristics of the movie villain: power mad, desperate for everyone to love him and all that jazz; however, he also tortures the genie and plans to break the laws of magic in order to create an army of the dead. It’s all very game of thrones all of a sudden!
I know what you’re thinking: what about Jasmine? Surely, she isn’t all dark and twisty as well? The girl looks good in turquoise baggy trousers for goodness sakes!
Jasmine begins her journey as the typical naïve, sheltered princess she is always portrayed as: possessing no knowledge of the price of food or the struggles of her own people. However, Braswell manages to make even the live-action Jasmine appear over-dramatic and petty: she isn’t resisting marriage just because she doesn’t fancy random foreign prince number 3; she is resisting becoming a “baby making machine” and signing herself up to an early grave.
“A princess among men”, Jasmine and the reader soon realise that she has to step forward and become the hero of this tale. This is no small ask for someone who has never led an army or witnessed death before. Nonetheless, Jasmine is clearly up to the task: this is no weak princess trapped in an hourglass of sand, waiting to be rescued by a man. This is a Sultana!
The story of Aladdin typically conjures up images of love, magic carpets and romantic duets. Liz Braswell’s story of Agrabah does orbit around love, how could it not? However, “A Whole New World” explores the shades of grey in life: Street rats are not always bad, Princesses are not always good and magic is not always the solution. This is not a tale of love; it is a tale of finding strength in unlikely places; it is a tale that teaches us you don’t need magic to have a happy ending.
OK so I am going to start off this review with a really pedantic comment and I know I am being petty and that this will almost definitely end in a rant but… he does find the lamp! Of course he does! Aladdin is the diamond in the rough! He is literally the only one who can find the lamp. If he didn’t find the lamp nothing would happen: Jasmine would probably grow old with her tiger; Jafar would carry on hypnotising the Sultan; Aladdin would probably wind up arrested and this would be the shortest twisted tale in history.
*Ahem*
So, Aladdin finds the lamp. Let’s move past it, because if you have read my other reviews, you will know I love Liz Braswell: her twisted tales always wind up being my favourites as she always brings something completely unexpected to the novels. In the circumstances, I can forgive the tagline.
This review of “A Whole New World” comes at a time where Aladdin is everywhere: the live action movie was released in the UK just over a month ago and, I for one, loved it! With this in mind, I just had to re-read this twisted tale and shout about the wholly different Agrabah that it presents to the reader.
Braswell’s Agrabah is a raw, dirty, troubled cousin of the Agrabah we all know and love. I struggle to comprehend exactly how the movies did it, because both showed starving children, but we found ourselves simultaneously accepting and glossing over the poverty of the street rats. We have no such option in “A Whole New World”.
From starving infants; old men shovelling camel dung for coins; to Aladdin’s own mother dying of a wasting disease: this novel takes no prisoners in the Quarter of the Street Rats. However, those in the Palace remain blind to the struggles of the poor, with the Sultan playing with his golden toys whilst some of his citizens have no food or clean water.
The plight of the Agrabah people creates an undercurrent of resentment that runs all the way through Aladdin and Jasmine’s story. It is also a clear indicator of the identity of this novel: Braswell has taken all the romanticism of the familiar story and buried it in her own cave of wonders, leaving behind a highly political but incredibly powerful story.
The twisted tale starts off on a similar vein to both movies, boy meets girl, boy rescues girl from hand severing businessman, boy winds up arrested and transported to a creepy cave where he finds an old lamp, boy’s monkey can’t keep his hands to himself and boy is left clinging on for his life at the entrance to said creepy cave. However, in this version, when Jafar steps on Aladdin’s fingers to prevent his escape, Abu doesn’t grab the lamp! How will Aladdin escape now?
As is to be expected from Braswell’s novels, the characters are phenomenal. Aladdin is the proud, eternal optimist that we recognise but with a strong ethical viewpoint that is introduced by the inclusion of his mother as a character.
Creating a new character, particularly Aladdin’s mother, could simply be a tactic to give some history to the charming thief. However, Braswell uses the matriarch to add depth to Aladdin: she tells him “don’t let how poor you are, decide who you are…you can choose to be something more”.
This is ultimately the lesson the genie would teach Aladdin if they were to meet and so I think it is very clever of Braswell to keep this element of Aladdin’s character. It allows us to witness Aladdin’s pride and strength through these instilled virtues: he has even lost friends over his views of when he considers it acceptable to be a thief.
Although I wouldn’t consider the genie a main character in this tale (he doesn’t get as much airtime as in the films): he remains a funny and flippant sidekick for the most part. However, in keeping with the tone of “A Whole New World”, he does use this humour to provoke our thoughts. The genie and Braswell divulge that there was once a whole race of djinn who have since died out. The genie has lost his home, his wife and his freedom and so, he rightly asks, who would stay sane under those conditions?
Jafar; Mr dark and twisty himself, is a whole other level of evil in this twisted tale. He does present some of the characteristics of the movie villain: power mad, desperate for everyone to love him and all that jazz; however, he also tortures the genie and plans to break the laws of magic in order to create an army of the dead. It’s all very game of thrones all of a sudden!
I know what you’re thinking: what about Jasmine? Surely, she isn’t all dark and twisty as well? The girl looks good in turquoise baggy trousers for goodness sakes!
Jasmine begins her journey as the typical naïve, sheltered princess she is always portrayed as: possessing no knowledge of the price of food or the struggles of her own people. However, Braswell manages to make even the live-action Jasmine appear over-dramatic and petty: she isn’t resisting marriage just because she doesn’t fancy random foreign prince number 3; she is resisting becoming a “baby making machine” and signing herself up to an early grave.
“A princess among men”, Jasmine and the reader soon realise that she has to step forward and become the hero of this tale. This is no small ask for someone who has never led an army or witnessed death before. Nonetheless, Jasmine is clearly up to the task: this is no weak princess trapped in an hourglass of sand, waiting to be rescued by a man. This is a Sultana!
The story of Aladdin typically conjures up images of love, magic carpets and romantic duets. Liz Braswell’s story of Agrabah does orbit around love, how could it not? However, “A Whole New World” explores the shades of grey in life: Street rats are not always bad, Princesses are not always good and magic is not always the solution. This is not a tale of love; it is a tale of finding strength in unlikely places; it is a tale that teaches us you don’t need magic to have a happy ending.
