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Merissa (13956 KP) rated Green Hills and Daffodils (The Green Hills #1) in Books

Oct 24, 2023 (Updated Oct 24, 2023)  
Green Hills and Daffodils (The Green Hills #1)
Green Hills and Daffodils (The Green Hills #1)
Celyn Kendrick | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A book involving red and white dragons, set in Wales? Sign me up. Well, I did and what I got was different, very different from what I expected.

GREEN HILLS AND DAFFODILS starts with an American moving to a small village in Wales, wanting to put down roots. Jane is neurodivergent and has zero social filter. This leads to situations where she puts her foot in it. But honestly? I'm not surprised. That little village is a stirring pot of goodness knows what!

The main characters - Rhys, Jane, and Stewart - were all interesting. I did, however, get lost multiple times with just who was married to whom, and when, and who was who's father/mother. Honestly, talk about family saga! And, to be fair, I'm not even sure if it is relevant to the storyline yet!

This was a long book, giving plenty of background information on the characters, and their interactions with each other, being told by multiple perspectives on the same page. I now know more about sheep farming and ewes being in labour than I ever knew before. And once again, I'm not sure just how much was relevant.

There are a lot of stereotypes in here that I wish weren't. Wales is such a beautiful country and I hate to see it made fun of, even in a gentle way. I don't know if it was meant, or if it was a way of showing how Jane would put her foot in it, but still. Too much.

Saying that though, I found myself being hooked by the story. The whole book is slow, slow burn with our main 'love interests' not even meeting for the majority of the book. (It's literally in the epilogue for about two minutes!) I do feel involved in their story though, and want to see where it goes from here.

Definitely not what I expected and not really a romance, this is still a gripping story and 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!
Oct 24, 2023
  
Ascendant (The Made Ones Sage #3) by Vicki Stiefel
Ascendant (The Made Ones Sage #3) by Vicki Stiefel
Vicki Stiefel | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
ASCENDANT is the final in The Made Ones Saga and we have an action-filled climax. And I'm not talking about steamy times, either!

We start where book two finished - Sybi waking up in a glass casket and being rescued by Kes. She has some recovery time during which her sisters visit and talk to her, hoping that will help her come back to them. The overall story arc is also coming to a head, with the Alchemics working hard to destroy Eleutia. The Clans and CastOuts, obviously, don't want this, so they're working just as hard to ensure that doesn't happen.

I liked Sybi and Kes but I didn't feel the connection like I wanted to. There are some pretty big obstacles in their path that seem to 'magically' disappear without much (if any) communication. For me, I felt their relationship got lost slightly in the dramatic conclusion. Most of the time they were together, they were talking or planning what to do next in the war. I'm sure most won't agree with me here, but that is how I felt.

This book also doesn't feel like the ending!!! I was left with multiple questions, so I'm really hoping there is more to come in this world! It would be fantastic to see how they all cope now the Alchemics have been defeated, how they change their world, and what the new generation gets up to. Hints are also given about other pairings, including Alrina, so I would love to know more.

I did think this was a fitting end to the sisters' trilogy, and meeting Mother and Father Tree was brilliant. I found those meetings to be so full of feeling and humour, it brought a huge smile to my face every time!

A great series that I have no hesitation in recommending.

** 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!
May 16, 2022
  
First Snow (Northbound #2)
First Snow (Northbound #2)
Saga Nansen | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If Arttu has to get on his knees for a murderer, so be it.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Northbound series, but it can be read as a stand alone. There is a minor on-going story arc that can be quickly picked, with most being recapped in this book.

I loved book one, Midnight Sun, and while I really REALLY enjoyed this one, it doesn't quite meet up to book one's grab-you-and-not-let-go kinda vibe, and it pains me, deeply, to say so!

I liked Arttu, I really did. He wants to find out what happened to his friend in London and if he has to get on his knees for a murderer, so be it. But Jareth is so much than the skin he wears. Yes, he has killed beings and people that break the rules, but never in cold blood. He is Half-Fae, a Lord of his people, and as such wears a glamour most of the time. When Arttu finally sees Jareth true form, he isn't quite sure what he is seeing, but he knows he needs Jareth, in any form.

Jareth, not so much. I don't know why, but my overwhelming feeling about Jareth is "I don't like you!" That said, I did like how drawn he was to Arttu. He knows Arttu is keeping secrets, he is a master at that himself, but still. He wants Arttu in a way he never wanted anyone before.

I liked that Jamie and Finn pop up (from book one) I liked the supporting cast, both the support for Arttu and Jareth is great in very different ways.

I'm still not sure quite what happened with Lord Briar and his wife though!

And I thank you, Saga Nansen, for the glossary at the end!! I found in immensely helpful!

I'm sorry I couldn't love it as much as Midnight Sun, but I did thoroughly enjoy it.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere