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A SHADOW OF WHAT WAS LOST
By James Islington
This book pleasantly surprised me with how much I actually ended up liking it. I’m not the biggest fan of High Fantasy. A lot of the conceptual, complicated world is too much for me and I get lost in all the detail. But TSOWWL balanced the detail with the storyline brilliantly. The slow exposure to the elements of the world made them far easier to grasp and it had a lot of what I admire most in the fantasy genre.
TWISTS.
Oh, so deliciously twisty. Islington has a wonderful way of letting you feel just comfortable enough, just confident enough, to completely rip the rug out from under you and leave you going “WHAT?!”
The characters are intriguing, the plot is thickening, and the world is immersive. The only issue I have with it is the pacing. Sometimes it feels like it drags a bit and then BAM. Something hugely important happens out of the blue. Then we’re back to the monotonous…
But if you’re a fan of Fantasy, particularly coming of age tales, I highly recommend TSOWWL.
AN ECHO OF THINGS TO COME
By James Islington
This is the second book in the Licanius trilogy and man oh man do the hits keep coming. An Echo of Things to Come had every bit the drama, the twists, and the jaw dropping that it’s prequel The Shadow of What Was Lost did. In fact, I liked Echo even more.
The more I’m learning about the world of Andarra, the more I’m loving this high fantasy epic. The characters are becoming more likeable, more intense. The story is becoming more engrossing. Overall, it’s one of the better 2nd books I’ve read in a series.
Highly, HIGHLY, recommend this series for ANYONE interested in fantasy.
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES
By Sarah J. Maas
So I’ve been told, on several occasions, to give this book a read given my being not so impressed with the Throne of Glass series. Finally, I’ve read the first book of #acotar by @therealsjmaas and here’s my review:
What I liked:
👍 The pace was good, quick but not too quick
👍 The world building was immaculate, we really get some good immersion from a human perspective
👍 The characters were well-crafted and overall believable (I like a nicely flawed character and this book is full of them)
What I did NOT like:
👎 Inconsistency with the magic. This is an issue I have with a lot of fantasy. In this story, the healing ability of the fae has confusing levels of potency and I still can’t figure out if Tamlin’s “claws” are there all the time or only on occasion.
👎 Rhysand’s character. I know I’m going to get some pushback here but hear me out. First, I’ll start with saying that I’ve only read the first book so I’m sure there will be more of him but I really didn’t feel like we got deep enough into Rhysand’s character. Yes, I get why he turned against his master but I wanted to feel that pain more. Other actions of his were never explained and that cryptic ending felt a bit cringy and unresolved. I’m sure we will be seeing more of him in the rest of the series but for now I’m left feeling unsatisfied with his development.
THE 7 1/2 DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE
By Stuart Turton
I was pleasantly surprised by The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. This isn’t a book that I’ve heard anyone talking about on #booktok or #bookstagram . I just stumbled across it and thought it sounded interesting.
The best part about this mystery/thriller, to me, is that you never really know completely what’s going on. Because neither does the main character.
I love mysteries that are truly mysterious. This one plays with the bounds between heaven and hell, a prison made of one’s own sins, and a choice to be there. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
The only reason I’ve given it a 4 stars instead of 5 is that I think Mr. Turton could have hired a better editor.
GREEN CARD
By Alexandra Hope
Today, I’ve got a super special book review! Because this one is the debut published novel of my friend @authoralexhope ! Green Card has over 120,000 reads on @wattpad already but now it’s published as an eBook (and paperback coming this week!) for EVERYONE to enjoy! And if you’ve already read the #wattpad version, no worries. The published one comes with SO MANY BONUS CHAPTERS!
So if you’re looking for an adorable and, admittedly pretty spicy, romcom about a pair of best friends that get married so the guy can stay in the country and then forget they’re married and live their own lives only to be pulled back together 6 years late by an ICE investigation so that they have to give the performance of their lives to keep him in the country (again)! And yes, of course they blur the lines between acting and reality…
Check it out on Amazon today via Alexandra’s LinkTree link on her profile and here: https://linktr.ee/AuthorAlexHope
THE WATCHMAKER'S DAUGHTER
By C. J. Archer
The Watchmaker’s Daughter by @authorcjarcher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“Things tend to fall into perspective when your life hangs in the balance.”
It follows a girl named India whose father has just died and has been cheated out of her inheritance in a world where women are undervalued. The story itself has a sort of historical/steampunk vibe. She meets a man named Matt who she can’t quite figure out. Is he an American outlaw? An English gentleman? Some unholy combination of the two? She bounces back and forth on her answer to this question. And yet, finds herself in his employ. He’s seeking a man he met a long time ago, the only one who can fix his special, glowing watch… and he believes India, with her longstanding knowledge of London watchmakers, can be of use. But India soon realizes she’s bit off more than she can chew. Because this watch isn’t just a watch and this man may just be more trouble than he’s worth.
Blending together an almost ordinary, almost familiar world with a hint of magic and steampunk, it’s got an almost Golden Compass/His Dark Materials sort of vibe which is different from your typical medieval fantasy so I can appreciate the originality.
The characters are intriguing with secrets that keep you guessing. My only issue with it is that there are portions in which the writing feels a bit rushed. The pacing is only slightly off for me. And some of the words choices feel a bit redundant. But for anyone looking for an interesting adventure in a strange new world, I would highly recommend The Watchmaker’s Daughter.
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