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Cruel Elites (Nocturnal Academy book 2)
Cruel Elites (Nocturnal Academy book 2)
Holly Hook, Margo Ryerkerk | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
203 of 250
Kindle
Cruel Elites ( Nocturnal Academy book 2)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

I refuse to end up as a vampire's slave.

There's no escape out of Nocturnal Academy's prison school. Being here means I've lost my mother, my best friend, and my freedom.

Now, Nocturnal Academy plans to make me into a courtesan for the vampires. My only hope out is topping the Placement Tests and becoming the 1 out of 100 fae who gets to shape her own fate.

But between a mysterious vampire guard confusing my feelings, my nemesis circling in on me like a viper, and a teacher who hates my guts, all my plans are falling apart. If I'm not careful, I won't even end up as a courtesan, but as dead meat.


This is the second book and definitely a star more than I rated book 1. This was more settled and the story is picking up and getting interesting. It’s definitely a tough concept that these Young mainly female fae really have limited outcomes on their lives and can be a bit tough to read in places, but I’m finding it well written! Looking forward to reading the next one.
  
This Charming Man
This Charming Man
C. K. McDonnell | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Humor & Comedy, Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Are you feeling despondent? Need a little pick-me-up? Nothing too heavy? We all need (in this case) a book to make us feel happier and give us something to laugh at, and for me, that’s C. K. McDonnell’s job. I love these books. I really do laugh out loud.

The team at The Stranger Times have probably lost the will to laugh at their editor anymore. I mean, they see him every day, but his general bad attitude and shockingly bad work relations are hilarious.

Assistant Editor Hannah is back at work after her messy divorce, and Manchester is faced with what appears to be a bit of a vampire problem. But, you see, Vampires don’t exist. And everyone agrees on this.

Even when this book was being serious, it made me laugh. Banecroft’s interesting swearing system is workplace goals (although I work in Early Years, so still a no for me!), there’s a man on a canal boat who can’t lie and lives with a talking pug, the new journalist who lives in his van and lives on a diet of ice cream (and has terrible wind) - well. It’s just all delightfully wonky, funny and frankly genius!
I can’t wait for the next one!
  
182 of 230
Kindle
Isobel ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 9)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elsie has everything she could ever want - mated to the Vampire King, working at her dream job, surrounded by family and friends and expecting her first child. Her bliss quickly turns into a nightmare of epic proportions when her newborn daughter becomes the primary target of the nefarious archdemon. Seeking guidance from the Goddess, Elsie and Zander discover the only way to protect their fragile baby is to summon a Guardian Angel. When the enticing guardian appears, Elsie and Zander face far more challenges than merely keeping their daughter safe. As feelings ignite, jealousy threatens to tear them apart and for the first time, being Fated may not guarantee an eternity together.

I just loved this! We have been waiting so long for this baby and in one short book she makes her appearance and boy does she come into the world with a bang! Elsie has to deal with a hell of a lot In this book especially with Ramis showing up and knocking the wind from her, but she’s just such an inspiring female character she handles it well Zander not so much 😂. This series is just so much fun to read.
  
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Merissa (13800 KP) rated Blood King (Heart Stones #1) in Books

Mar 18, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)  
Blood King (Heart Stones #1)
Blood King (Heart Stones #1)
JP Sayle | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
BLOOD KING is the first in the Heart Stones series and we start the story with Aion and Shiesha. One is heir to the Vampire King's throne, and one has no memory prior to two weeks ago. But fated mates they are, and you know what that means... instant heat, sexual tension, and lots of banter/sniping.

There is so much to this book. It was a delight to read. Nothing is straightforward, and I take my hat off to Ms Sayle for being so goddamned cryptic with those monks! Absolutely brilliant.

Fast but perfectly paced, we see the story through both our main characters' eyes, giving a nicely-rounded view of what's going on. Just don't expect too many answers. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've got more questions than ever now, but I was warned so fair enough.

This was a great start and I'm really looking forward to getting some answers and seeing where Ms Sayle takes me next!

** 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!
Mar 10, 2022
  
82 of 220
Kindle
Savage Monarchs ( Nocturnal Academy 4)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holli Hook
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Escaping the academy was just the beginning.

I've made it out of Nocturnal Academy.

No longer do I exist to please the vamps. Now, as a member of the Winter Court, my job is to execute them. But maybe my new standing is no better than being a courtesan. Now I am to become an assassin for the King of the Winter Court. The rules of the game might've changed, but I'm still a pawn.

If the King of the Winter Court thinks that I'm going to turn into a mindless soldier after everything I've been through, he's in for a rude awakening. I'm going to do this on my terms while keeping a wall around my heart at all times.
I will not be vulnerable again.

Life, however, has other ideas. Like throwing in a friend from my past and worse, Thorsten, a handsome jerk of a vampire who has messed with my mind and feelings one too many times.

I might've left Nocturnal Academy, but I'm far from safe.

Best one yet I think. Onyx finally has some answers and revenge on her mind. Looking forward to what she does now.
  
Andalusia Dogs (Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witch)
Andalusia Dogs (Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witch)
Christian Baines | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
not sure this was for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I will be honest, I don't usually read other reviews before I write mine. But I did here. I wanted to see if anyone else was struggling with what I did. But it appears that what I struggled with, every one else loved and had expected it of this author, who I have not read before.

Let me try to explain.

I could not see where this was going, at all. And that is a good thing. I do like being kept on my toes.

BUT I'm still not sure what actually happened when it all went down! I'm confused by it all, I have no clue what it was about, apart from a witch moving from body to body? Maybe? I'm not entirely sure what Joanna was, either. A vampire maybe? I dunno.

I actually liked that only Alex had a say, I think putting Jago into the mix would have confused me even more. Especially when it becomes (somewhat) clear that Jago is not just Jago, you know??

So, I think, I just didn't get it! But I did finish it, so . .

3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Sweetest Blood
Sweetest Blood
Regitse Liljadorff | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
4 very good stars
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Felix signs up to be a donor for a year to enable him to save his sister, Astrea. Severin is his latest vampire. But Felix is changing the taste of his blood, to make it sweeter for the vampires. Severin, however, tastes something completely unexpected: his mate. But keeping his mate safe is becoming harder, as the coven who has Astrea is doing things totally against the rules.

I liked this, I liked it a lot. I've not read anything by this author before an I enjoyed the way the tale was spun.

Both Felix and Severin have a say, in the first person, so I liked that.

It's got some steam, and some danger. Some drama and some emotions. Not a lot of anything, but enough to make the book interesting.

I also liked that, besides Felix and Severin, we get two other romances! I'm not sayng who for spoilers, but I liked that we watch them fall along with these two.

I liked the two epilogues as well!

All in all, a good read, that made a wet Wednesday more enjoyable!

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere