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EXSILIUM (Roma Nova Thriller #11)
EXSILIUM (Roma Nova Thriller #11)
Alison Morton | 2024 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EXSILIUM is part of the Roma Nova series. I have read Inceptio but none of the others. I don't feel this impacted my enjoyment of the story or the characters.

Told in three separate parts by Maelia, Lucius, and Galla, this was a brilliant insight into how Rome could have been at the time when the old Gods were disappearing and the new Christos was taking over. I think the only thing that confused me was Maelia's story. The majority of it was incredibly well-written, but in the blurb, it says about him being a pagan traitor. It took me a while to understand that his backing the wrong emperor was also a fight between the two religions.

Full of hard times and sorrow, it is a story also full of hope, of working together to make things better - or at least, most of them did! The characters, whether you like them or not, are all relatable, especially considering the circumstances of their exile.

I found the epilogue to be perfect, giving me an update on all the characters I'd grown to love, while also jumping to the future to mention Inceptio. That was a surprise for me and made me want to read that story again, with the knowledge gained from this story.

A smooth pace and a full and well-rounded story and characters. Alison Merton is an author I never have a problem reading. 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!
Mar 14, 2024
  
40x40

Merissa (14003 KP) rated Spring Melt in Books

Feb 11, 2026  
Spring Melt
Spring Melt
Lori Duffy Foster | 2026 | Crime, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SPRING MELT is a standalone historical crime story that tells you about Ella and the horrific act forced upon her at 9-years-old. Nineteen years later, three men are being held accountable for the murder of her r@pist. Was it really planned, or did fate play a part?

This was an amazing story that drew me in and kept my attention from the very first chapter. Normally, I wouldn't say anything about being happy with a divorce/separation in the first few pages, but this one I celebrated! Not only that, but I was with Ella every step of the way as she found herself and the peace needed to move on with her life.

The glimpse into the 1920s social system, the job of a lumberjack, plus how if you had money, you could even buy a Not Guilty verdict (if it even got that far!) was so incredibly written, I was completely engrossed.

Ella is surrounded by an amazing supporting cast of characters, including but not limited to the wonderful Will. Hooper, although not around too much, was also a firm favourite. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes with Maddox, as he made me question what was right and wrong, both morally and legally. The epilogue at the end made my eyes leak in the best way.

Told from multiple perspectives, this was outstanding in every way. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, and although I have no personal knowledge of the Adirondacks, I can honestly say I feel as though I've now been there.

** 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!
Feb 11, 2026
  
Ghosting Academy (The Limerent Series #4)
Ghosting Academy (The Limerent Series #4)
LS Delorme | 2024 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
GHOSTING ACADEMY is the fourth book in The Limerent Series. While the others have mostly stood on their own, I definitely recommend you at least read Bright Midnights before this one, as Amelie once again has a leading role to play.

Her life has changed a lot since her time with Clovis. She now works for the Academy as an operative, using her abilities on their behalf. She lives with other operatives, called a Pod, who are as close as a family, although they are not allowed to talk about their abilities or to ask too many questions.

I was enjoying the book immensely and was overjoyed when Caio made an appearance, but it didn't quite hit the same mark as the others for me, once they were on the island.

Don't get me wrong - the story is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, with old characters playing cameo roles. I loved the mentions of Sarah and seeing Lazlo and Victoria again, BUT it was the Academy itself that lost my interest. It became the Big Bad in such a way as to become almost ridiculous.

Another thing that is different about this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger, so consider yourself warned! There are many threads still loose, and I am desperate to know what happens next.

Ms Delorme is an amazing writer, and I love losing myself in her worlds. I look forward to continuing with this series to find out what happens 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 12, 2026
  
A Tale of Two Kingdoms (Knights of Black Swan #6)
A Tale of Two Kingdoms (Knights of Black Swan #6)
Victoria Danann | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story of star-crossed lovers has been around for a while and if asked, most people would say that Romeo & Juliet is the most famous one. Well think again because Duff and Aelsong are about to take that crown! This story has been a long time coming as we met Duff and Aelsong in Book 2 (The Witch's Dream) but it is well worth the wait. Duff has decided that he has waited long enough and makes a plan to ensure that he and Aelsong are together. He enlists the help of some friends, new and old and along the way you get a glimpse of what the royal lives are like for both the Fae and the Elves. Are they really that different? How do you fight prejudice that is so ingrained no one can actually remember why it all started in the first place?

This is a romance primarily but it also deals with issues like prejudice, history, war and even all of the above in one family! This book does not disappoint on any level and the standard of Victoria Danann's writing just keeps on getting better. No, this isn't as long as the others and NO this definitely doesn't affect the quality. It just meant that I was able to sit and read this in one sitting with no interfering habits, like sleeping, getting in the way!

This is part of a series and I would highly recommend that you read them in order. As a taster, the first book - The Familiar Stranger - is FREE. Get this one, take a deep breath, enter another dimension and never look back.
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 10, 2021