Audio Book Review: The House of Saphir by Marissa Meyer

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Con-artist and "fake" witches, Mallory and her sister Anaise, are about to be arrested. But Count Armand Saphir knows Mallory can speak to ghosts and needs her help with his ancestor who's grown violent over the last year in Armand's home. So, in order to get away from the detectives determined to arrest the sisters, and seeing the place that the Saphir lord passed away at and the famous fountain is a bonus for Mallory.

Feels like a light, fun feel to the story even though Mallory doesn't trust others.

There wasn't much in the way of action for me. Kind of slow, with getting to know characters and putting them together as needed. I'm not really drawn to Mallory. She just doesn't seem to grow for me through most of the book and there's not really any history on her, or at least referenced.

This was fun with magical beings in the world. The ending was good as the last third kept my interest and was moving well. A light story that seems to be a standalone.

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Audiobook Review: Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling

Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How can Cayden get anything done or see trouble? He's busy pining over and watching Elowen! lol.

I'm glad he isn't over protective and not let her fight battles and do things. He tries at times, but he sees her as she is and that she can handle herself.

In the end it reminded me of Carissa Broadbents Nyaxia series. We get to the war, and not everyone makes it out. We do travel and make plans with other kings and queens....or kings to be. So I'm curious how these things play out in the world.

We learn more of magic with Elowen and dragons, along with more insight to the gods too.

Also, if you like brooding, shadow guys, then Cayden may be one you'd enjoy. As we do get some of the POV from his eyes this time. Along with Elowen.

I don't want to give too much away as there's some here that will spoil the first book or even this one.

I enjoyed it. And will be looking for the next book.

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Wings Once Cursed & Bound by Piper J. Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a nice read. This book has roots to Thailand with the supernatural. I love reading a book with ties to other cultures.

Punch is such a pleasant character. Sometimes I struggle when characters are so nice, but this book flowed smoothly with the external complications to stumble over.

The book has a Librarian or Warehouse 13 feel with the Consortium. We don't search for a lot of items in this book but there is one they are focused on, which brings us Punch. We meet a great group of people at the Consortium. This grows into a new friendship and possibly found family. There's a few different cultures here and seeing them com alive together is wonderful.

Punch is the main character and, not realizing it, is on a path to discover her true self. How things happen bring her to face who she is and what she wants. It could free her in more ways than one.

There's vampires, a werewolf, and more.

There is a blooming romance in the book as well. There's more happening around the romance.

The book is such a sweet read. I'm glad I picked up the second book too. I'm looking forward to returning to the world.

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Book Review: Silent All These Years by Skyla Dawn Cameron

Silent All These Years by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery series is an addiction for me. I can't get enough of it and love making notes to see what I can learn of who The Crossroads Butcher is along with what happened to Sebastian.

It has my strategizing mind working overtime to place the pieces in place and come up with the answer. This book unearths many new pieces to what happened to Detective Sebastian Kyle. And even new clues to Meadow's murder and The Crossroads Butcher.

It's the 12th anniversary of Meadow's murder and the town is attracting people who are here to do podcasts and try to solve the mystery. It's a rough time to be a Milton in town. With having a little opening in her schedule, Waverly thinks it's time to take on Sebastian's case.

Part of Sebastian's case is going to his home town and working to get to know Sebastian before he followed The Crossroads Butcher to Port Milton, and the cases and people he worked with during the case. This finds Sebastian here doing research and Waverly doing her thing with annoying people and picking to get pieces to place.

Waverly does solve a few things that were kept under wraps from others with those she speaks to. Maybe upsetting a few people along the way, which means she's doing her job and being herself. There's new pieces to our puzzle as well.

I love that I have the Murder Journal that is Waverly themed to write my thoughts, notes, and ideas in as I follow along in this series.

If you love a book and series that will keep you mind twisting and turning to solve it, this series is the one for you.

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Book Review: Of Scale and Blood by Keri Arthur

Of Scale and Blood by Keri Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bryn and all are fighting the new enemy that fly the birds with deadly feathers and dung. What if there could be other dragon riders and if they could give the dragons flames. That could really come in handy with the battle to save their land and lives.

Bryn is a strong lead woman. She knows what to do in battle and has ideas that could really help. She also has great people around her to help and make suggestions. She appreciates these amazing people.

We venture to see how things are and find Bryn in battle. BattleS. Yes, with an S. These pages don't stop flipping as I keep reading to see what will happen.

In this middle book of the trilogy we learn more about the enemy and the enemy of long time. There's more about the dragons and something new with magic. I do enjoy fast pace as Bryn keeps moving forward with learning and finding her way to get wounded.

I have the third book ordered and look forward to reading the finally of this trilogy. I have questions and thoughts on Damon, Bryn's husband. There's more to that man than meets the eye. And how will Bryn pick up the pieces of where this book ends? I'm hooked on this series!

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Book Review: The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would recommend this to those starting to dip their toes into fantasy worlds.

This one starts fast on Vaasa's wedding night. And it doesn't go as you'd think. I enjoyed this little rouge Vaasa.

We quickly learn Vaasa's cursed. She's looking for a way to break the curse, and we learn why. But there's more to this curse than she realizes. She's on the path to learn what she can. And Reid is here to help her.

Reid makes a deal with Vaasa. He'll help her if she helps him. Yes, Reid is the man from the beginning. lol. He's not going to let that night down. But Vaasa has her reasons to fight him. Enemies in so many words and actions.

There's a slow burning tease between the two characters, an enemies to lovers undertone to the story. Reid has been a gentleman since the beginning. Kind and respectful to her, yet fun. I did have fun with their banter.

There's a few turns in what they learn and unexpected events and people. Vaasa learns through the book about her curse and grew relationships with new friends through the book. I liked the character connections here with the growth. The world was easy to follow as reading.

The ending had me. I was ready for book two when I finished but have to wait for release. I can't wait to pick this one up when it releases.

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Book Review: Guardian of Wrath by Michelle Manus

Guardian of Wrath: A Nyx Fortuna Novel by Michelle Manus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book starts six months after the previous in the series. I will admit, I was worried coming into this one yet I wanted to see what Nyx did next. (If you read -- which you should read this series if you love traditional Urban Fantasy -- then you know why I was worried yet needed to get this.)

After reading this book and all I've read by Michelle so far, she has my total faith in her characters path in life. Her writing keeps things emotionally invested and moving along, keeping me flipping pages.

So much talent in this woman's writing. She builds the world and works it, expanding the limits as we learn things that are experienced. I think this is a great way to share magic and worlds. It elevates the investment for us the readers as we experience and learn with the characters.

I teared up a few times. I'm so glad someone's not forgotten. Nyx struggles to move one, which is hard to see. She needs something to focus on, to work on, to try to bring her around to her friends again. In this mission she's made, to punish the one who did this, Nyx is reminded of who we've lost. It's heartbreaking to move forward with life after such a dear lose. And when you start to smile... if feels wrong. This is part of carrying that heavy heart on. But when with friends, they are there with you. Everyone feels lose differently and sees it differently in life, but they are needed to help you. It's okay to hurt.

This book's theme for me is friends. Friends and found family are so important. They can be the ones that are the closest to you in the most difficult times and the best times in your life. So much love for this book.

Nyx. We see Nyx start to come out of her shell. We get to see more of Jevryn, which I love him! There are so many parallels between Nyx and Jevryn. It was a rough start with Jevryn in the previous book, and there's still bumps in the road here. And I'm sure many bumps to come knowing Nyx's personality, but I can't wait to see the interactions.

As I get into this series, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. This is a series I love. I'm looking forward to the next book and the series as Michelle writes these.

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