Audio Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book. There are many things touched on in it. The fae world building is beautiful here, and I know it's just started with there being numerous courts here. I feel there's a solid theme, there's so much more to love.

Why do I feel that theme?
Because we see Tamlin stifling Feyre. He's trying to change her into a person she's not. I know, they both dealt with some serious trauma under the mountain. But, sometimes two that are so damaged aren't good together. They aren't helping each other. And even when Feyre tried, Tamlin stepped back further. Please don't let love stifle you. Even if someone loves you, it might not be the right kind of love for you. That's important too.

Sarah's writing along with the narrators voice both work amazing together to grow the dynamic and difference in how Feyre feels when with Tamlin then with Rhysand. This is amazing to get that feel from them both. There's such a growth in the dynamic and difference between Tamlin and Rhysand and the situation with them and Feyre.

Rhysand... His court is like the land of misfit toys. lol. I love his close and personal court and friends. The personality that bursts from each of them. He lets his people be themselves. He's so very different than what he lets other courts see. And I really enjoyed this and seeing the hidden places. He's great for pushing Feyre to be herself and what she can be.

I have a few things I'm hung up on, questions in a way. The Surial. Why is it so easy for Feyre to catch and get information out of? There just seems to be more to this. And her sisters, at the end... Why keep creating allies? The terrible king knows it works, so why two times? A gift? I feel like there's more here too.

So, I'll be carrying on with the series. :)

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Audio Book Review: Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge

Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 left me worried for so many of Jade's friends. I found out about all I was worried about in this book.

Jade sneaks out from training on a rest day and the whole mission takes on a life of it's own from there. We bump into friends and find out who needs saving and where.

After the ending of book 2 and where we go in this book, I'd feel emotionally beat up if I was Jade. What she sees from Sienna (that girl should not be as strong as she is! Dang! I totally get the draw to the dark side) in what she does to people, and Jade's friends. It's looking like there's no getting ahead of Sienna or defeating her. But I'm glad Jade compartmentalizes and keeps going to do her best to get to Sienna. There's a lot to the dark magic side that we get to see.

Jade is still learning about her abilities and herself too. Her heritage is unique and I love the characters we meet with that heritage.

The arc of Sienna does come to a close here and how they deal with the debt bond between Jade and Desmond.

Where will things go from here? I feel Jade has some trauma healing to do along with figuring out what she wants to do, of course bake cupcakes but more too. We have a few spin off series with characters that come into contact with Jade and Jade has more in her future too. I look forward to listening to them all.

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Audio Book Review: The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Now that we have the answers to Oraya that I needed, this story is what I wanted. There's fighting for their lives, scheming, betrayal, connection, and love. A nice blend of it all.

Oraya really tortures Raihn, holding him responsible for what he did at the end of the previous book. But, his actions...seems to me were for the good. Oraya's just not seeing it as her heart's broken. The heart is a strong emotion. These two have ideas that are similar about what needs done with the citizens, they just aren't at the same page yet. And they don't know what the other's thinking or doing because there's something going on with the different fractions. Are either one even save in the castle?

I loved the way we got insight on Vincent's past and thoughts on Oraya. This was a nice touch with magics. And on her mother too. This fills in gaps for Oraya and for us too.

Will Oraya and Raihn find their way back to each other, alive? Or will the other vampire houses destroy them both? There's a lot mentally to work through for them both. We see passing of time as they do with the book broken in parts and the moon phases.

This feels to be nicely written for me. The blend of internal torment and heartache along with external dangers. There are many pieces moving and changing and different people with their own agendas. It all works together nicely for the characters to find friendships, loyalty, betrayal, and love.

I know this is Oraya and Raihn's stories, but I have questions about other characters. I'm looking forward to continuing the series and getting those stories through their eyes.

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Book Review: Antiphon by Ken Scholes

Antiphon by Ken Scholes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

REREAD THOUGHTS:
How did I forget some of these amazing things since I read this 15 years ago? And how has it been that long ago???

Wow. I'm blown away by this book once again. Definitely still a 5 star read. We see how deep the beliefs go, the prophecies and gospel. We dive deeper into everyone's lives as they travel through their part of events to accomplish goals. Goals they aren't even sure of yet.

This is a middle child book, book 3 of 5. We get answers and learn more as things get serious and close. I'm invested for the results. Who will pull through? Who are they? I'm looking forward to see how things come together.
~~~~~
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Oh, where do I start with this one. Ken has to have a metal mans memory for the wondrous things he does here. To remember all the little threads he starts, then we get to the new things created here. This book takes Fantasy to a whole new level with the old fantasy feel and mechanicals mixed in, then there are magicks in the mix and hints of gods and different worlds. This series is truly one of the most in depth mesmerizing epic fantasy reads I have been captivated by. The author is really talented.


So much is happening and every word is important to the story. The words could have so many different meanings to them when you start putting them together.

The story continues on in the lives of the characters as we go through the changes in the world. The chapters are broken in to separate Point of Views as in the previous two books, which helps greatly in getting all the information to you. And very well broken apart to understand each character.

Rafe - The captain of the ship was porting Gypsies to the Sanctorum Lux until he is visited by the Moon Sparrow used by the Francines in the past, to stop by an island. And is hijacked by metal men.

Rudolfo - Once certain of what his place was and what to do, now is unsure what he is to do with the world that is crumbling around him. He still works hard to help the refugees showing up at his lands and save the light, but at what cost to the Ninefold Forest. How much help can Rudolfo spare in this drastically changing world.

Jin Li Tam - is still having the dark horrible dreams, but not as often now with Jakob better. She finds a small silver mecroservitor sparrow trapped while she is walking in the woods. The mechanical sparrow is looking for Isaak.

Petronus - now living with the scars on his neck and over his heart is having dreams wanting to be heard and understood, but he just can't grasp them. Instead he wakes in cold sweats.

Winters - now living in a city for refugees by the library the mechoservitors are creating. She does paperwork but it seems as she has lost her faith, the old faith of her people. Waiting in this new life she is making, in the Ninefold forest, for Neb to return to her.

Vlad Li Tam - He and his few sons and daughters who where fortunate enough to be rescued have returned to they dreaded island, for six months now, to seek what they can of the Machtvolk who tortured them and have lived here. Vlad Li Tam still watches for the light he had seen in the water that day six months ago.

Neb - He is deep in the Churning Wastes with Renard, his guide. He has learned to survive and thrive here. But now he sees new visitors, to fast to be scouts of the Gypsies or even users of the black roots. But he still tries to decipher the response needed to the canticle of the silver crescent. Neb and Renard separate to carry out different deeds with the new visitors only to find trouble lays in front of him.

All these characters are shaken up and a little lost with how to respond to the whole situation and happenings of the last six months. And things are not getting better.

I did find myself getting lost in some of the story depth. It is amazing the depth of the manipulation of the characters. To try and piece it all together at times is hard to do, but I love trying to get there before Mr. Scholes.

There is a mixture of wizards and magics with science and technology in these books. Even the hints of Gods and different worlds. I would definitely suggest this captivating series to any fantasy reader who likes to get lost in the tangled webs of manipulation.

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Audio Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay. Can I just sit right here, after this book and enjoy the peace? I listened to Throne of Glass series and I know what Sarah can do to her characters. And it hurts my heart.

Very much a Beauty and the Beast theme to the story with Feyre. The way she gets to Prythian, how Tamlin is, how they react to each other, and things aren't as they seem. Even through to the end. Now, there is some faery twists to the story, but the theme is strongly there.

The beginning was slower moving. Had I been reading instead of listening, it probably would have taken me a little longer to get through it.

Now, when Feyre gets a grip on herself and opens her eyes to what's going on around her and returns to help. Now, this is what I really loved. She gets in deep with the fae and makes a deal she's probably not up to par for. We see new deals made and how she gets through her three deadly tasks. It's tough and political games in play as we meet new people. And with fae, there's always a riddle. Did you know the answer to the riddle? I had a strong feeling that was the answer but wasn't 100% sure at the time.

The ending...I could comfortable have the ending right here. There are deals made and things that are yet to be answered, but it's NOT a cliffhanger ending. It's a nice ending that completes the story here. Now, onto the next books!

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Audio Book Review: Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge

Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book started right into action. I really liked this, though I thought the book was going to go another direction with this beginning. And we ended up somewhere else. So I hope these people we meet at the beginning will return (likely since we met them) in the future.

I love the interaction Jade has with everyone. We have our returning friends, Scarlett, Kett, Kandy, Desmond, and Gran. Along with a few others. ;) And we have a new face that I'm surprised at how she interacts with Jade. I actually love it because they both need someone who understands where they are emotionally at this time. (I'm going to reference the ending of book 1 here so you know, but if you haven't read, you don't get a spoiler.)

There's more going on with that debt bond....and will there be troubles with others? Oh this is interesting.

THE ENDING!! Gaaaaaaahh! Really!?!?! Why do this to me? Us? lol. I'm just so so glad that the next book is available because I am diving in as soon as I'm done typing this up. I knew there was something big with Jade's father. I did not think that. I loooooooove this! But, how we end. What about everyone?!?!

These books flow nicely in the writing and events. However, there was a distraction that I didn't understand happening. It didn't seem to fit for me. And then later everyone wants Jade to do something though she really doesn't want to. Then she finally decides to go. I didn't care for everyone fluffing her thoughts off here. Jade usually stands up for herself, but in these moments she isn't heard by others. I'm hoping others will start to listen to her more as she learns more about her magic in time.

Okay. Off to book 3. Because of reasons. (When you get here, you'll understand. So have book 3 sitting there waiting for you.)

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Book Review: A Wild Kind of Darkness by Skyla Dawn Cameron

A Wild Kind of Darkness by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Skyla has turned this fantasy reader into a mystery, fiction reader.

Wow. I was super invested in this book for the characters and the cold case.

The books first draw for me was Waverly trying to get in to see the person she found at the end of the last book. (I don't want to give anything away!) She's as patient as she can be. I love Waverly because she's a damaged character with her own baggage, and trying to not sound like a creepy stalker. As we get to see this person, I am completely invested in what they have to share, offer, and how they are doing. Will they make it?

While we are waiting for hospital visitation times, we have a person who comes to Waverly with a cold case of a family member. The family was never allowed to speak of an aunt that was murdered with her boyfriend. It was too hard on the father. So, now that the father's passed away (of natural causes) the family would like to get some information on the case. Waverly accepts it, expecting to not really find anything with the age of the case.

I really enjoyed how Waverly found who she wanted to talk with and the "chats" they had. Waverly has a direct fashion about her and this makes for fun interactions. But, things start happening around Waverly. She finds another dead body. She's attacked. She puts it all together in the end. Great ending for this cold case! I had the twinges of thoughts, but didn't go that path so it was a nice surprise to see the ending. And the details are in the book, a couple of times, to fit with this ending.

There is also the over all elephant in the room... What happened to Meadow's body? Where's the murderer? This book doesn't give many details on it but we all have it in the back of our minds. We are waiting for our newest character to remember anything that happened to them...and maybe what could lead to Meadow's body. This is the mystery of the series arc, and I am looking forward to learning more as Waverly shares thoughts and bounces ideas off our new secondary character. I can't wait!

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