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Merissa (14100 KP) rated The Complete Grimm Chronicles (The Grimm Chronicles Box Set) in Books

Apr 12, 2023

I honestly don't know where to start with this book as there are so many good points. I guess a good place to start with what you actually get with this book. This book contains all 12 episodes of the series, as well as the bonus "Lost diaries" of previous heroes and all of the collected Grimm's Fairy Tales so it makes for a very long and satisfying read.

The best way I can describe this set of books is to tell you to imagine Buffy the Vampire Slayer but instead of the Scoobies and her Watcher, imagine a great big, talking, sometimes visible, white Rabbit called Briar to his friends, otherwise known as Br'er Rabbit.

The wit is fast and sharp and on pretty much every page. There is also exhaustion, pain, temptation, and even time for the usual teenage angst. There are no plot holes and the story continues with a smooth flow, making your reading of it completely and thoroughly enjoyable. Be prepared though, if you're anything like me, you will cry! And not just once, either. Characters that you don't like to start with insidiously get under your skin until you do like them and then, of course, you worry about their well-being. (Yes, I know it's a book but it's written that well that you do care!!)

These fairy tales stay true to the originals by the Brothers Grimm, they have not been Disney-fied in any way. You could even say that they are 'grim' as they involve people being eaten, violence, and self-mutilation. These are all things that actually happened in these stories before they were 'softened' for today's children.

If you want a change from Disney, if you like a butt-kicking, fast-witted but altogether relatable Hero, if you want the warmth that the friendship of the Hero's helper or if you just want to read about fairy tales, then I can definitely recommend this set of Chronicles. Seriously, I can't recommend it highly enough. Absolutely brilliant.

* 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!
Jun 08, 2015

Kudos

Merissa (14100 KP) rated The North Wind (The Four Winds #1) in Books

Jan 21, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)

The North Wind (The Four Winds #1)

Alexandria Warwick | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

THE NORTH WIND is the first in The Four Winds series, and we start off with Boreas. He is also known to the masses as The Frost King and has a reputation for being as cold and uncaring as what he is named after. Wren has given her life to look after her twin and gives the ultimate sacrifice when she goes as the Frost King's wife, instead of Elora.

This is a slow-burn romance, that changes from enemies-to-lovers. Nope, hold on. Let me rephrase that. Wren sees Boreas as her enemy, but he never thought the same way. To begin with, she was inconsequential to him apart from what he needed her for. But she wormed her way under his skin and that is where the story really comes into its own.

This is a long story, with steady pacing, that throws action and adventure into the mix before it returns the focus to Wren and Boreas. One thing I have to say is Wren - oh, my god. Although I really enjoyed her character, and I LOVED how she was spicy and sharp, instead of all sweetness and light. I also wanted to shake her. It took her WAY too long to figure out what was going on. Honestly, someone should have written it in large letters on a blackboard and put it in her room. She may have taken notice of things then.

Now, one of the other brothers shows up here and I have mixed feelings about him. I'm going to be honest and say I didn't like him AT ALL. So, do I want to read a complete novel with him as the main attraction? I'm not sure. One thing I am sure of though, is that whoever is his opposite will be more than up to the challenge.

This was thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to reading more by this author. 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!
Jan 21, 2022

Kudos

Debbiereadsbook (1788 KP) rated Blowing A Fuse (Redwood Fire #5) in Books

May 28, 2026

Blowing A Fuse (Redwood Fire #5)

HJ Welch | 2026 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

cant fault it!

I was gifted my copy of this book.

I said this at the end of my review for Up in Smoke. I take it back. I take it ALL back and switch to this one!!

To sum up, in case you didn't get it in the beginning, I bloody LOVED this book, and I loved it so much that I filed it on my Masterpiece shelf. Because I do think that this is quite possibly Ms Welch's best book so far!! (under either author name!!)

Ms Welch is the first author to find themselves on my Masterpiece shelf, with 2 books back-to-back! (There can be only one! so Up In Smoke has been disposed)

What this book is, right, is a master class in writing a book, about two men who do not see themselves as worthy of love. Romeo's pain is on full show, but he hides it. Julian's pain is deeper and he smoothers it so well, not even those who work with him can't see it.

But Julian sees Romeo, and Julian is smitten from that very first meeting. And Romeo? He digs his way under Julian's skin until he parks himself so deep, Julian won't never let him go.

The chemistry is scorching right from the start and it carries all the way through, but once they get that out the way, the emotions take over and this is heavy on the emotions for both men. Differently heavy, but still.

I loved that Romeo let Julian have his space, even after Romeo found himself homeless. Loved that Julian HATED that Romeo gave him the space he requested!

Loved the guys in the One-Thirteen could see Julian change after meeting Romeo, and loved that they loved that for Julian. The guys love their captain and they just want him to be happy.

What I loved most, though, was how little angst there was between these two, other than that needing space thing. Yes, there is the fact that Julian is dealing with the loss of a parent, and Romeo is dealing with homophobic parents, but between them? None, nothing at all and I just loved that!

I started reading this book for an hour before bed. I woke early, and couldn't sleep, so I jumped back in at 5am and finished the book at 630! And I cannot stress how much I loved it!

But now I'm sad. Cos it says at the end of this that there is only one, ONE more book for these guys and I don't want it to end!!

I've followed Ms Welch, as Helen Juliet, right from the beginning and it makes me so proud to have been part of her journey and to see just how far she will go.

Thank you, I love this book!!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere