Book Review: The Merge by Grace Walker

The Merge by Grace Walker


I DNF-ed this book. I just couldn't get into their lives. I made it to page 88 and had no interest, so stopped.

It's a scifi about merging spirits or minds between people. They didn't give me anything to go on with what was to happen with the characters in the process. I had no connection to the world in why it was doing what it was doing and pushing this process. The story felt very one dimensional for me. No depth to it. It was just the characters and I felt I wasn't connecting with them or their personal lives.

The main character's mother's story felt more interesting than our FMC. I'm sorry. I know they are the same story, but experiences and views were more interesting from the mom for me.

There were memories they did together and the writing style didn't seem to separate them out from the current story for me, so left me a little unsure where we were and what doing.

Even though this isn't for me, I did read this with the book club and many of them did enjoy this book. A couple wanted more from the ending, but enjoyed the book.

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Book Review: Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber

Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've had this on the shelf for a little while and finally got to reading it.

I really did enjoy it.

It had a more noir, old time magic feel to the story told.

Holland figures out there's a secret society and it's full of magic! She is take with the legends and stories that are told. With these in mind, she searches through Los Angelos to find and learn more and more and prove that these stories are true. And there's a deeper reason for this search with her family history.

As she's looking for the truth and proof, Holland gets tied up into something she never imagined and dangerous.

The ending had me curious and interested as I wanted to see how it all ended.

I found it neat in how the circle comes back around to explain how and why things happened as they did in the story. I was thinking there were hazy pieces in the story or a plot hole. The ending explains why these events happened with this hazy and holes.

A bit of mystery with magic with what's happening and figuring out who to trust. I was flip flopping back and forth on who was the "bad" guy and I'm still not 100% sure. lol. The way the story ended, I'm hoping there will be book two with these characters. I want to see more with her sister and I'm interested in hearing more about who we meet in the end.

So pretty good book with secret magic and legends.

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Audio Book Review: Merged With Him by Kylie Kent

Merged With Him by Kylie Kent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is out of my normal wheelhouse of reads. It was recommended for a book challenge. So nothing Fantasy or magical about this book. :)

It's set in the real world. I feel the focus of this story is the romance. It is a little...okay a lot steamier than what I normally read.

There's a plot that comes through as the story gets going and the characters get to know each other. You don't see it at the beginning as much, but it will be there. I recommend this book for those who like their romance and steamy moments before plot. Very character driven book.

It didn't feel like it was really deep into things, so a little fluff to enjoy the character connection.

I was curious as Alyssa doesn't know all that Zach is connected to or what he does. So I'm curious how that will come out as they are together longer. Is she going to be okay with it all as the series goes?

There's a "Mine" trope to the story. And get the feel of a mafia trope, without the full mafia.

Going in with an open mind and it was okay for me. I do like thicker plots but okay for a quick listen.

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Audio Book Review: Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was more of wanted after the ending of the first book. Especially the audiobook version. I was taken with the three narrators. I love when the male part and female parts are spoked by male and female narrators.

We get the book 50/50 with Odessa and Caspia's POV.
I loved the things Odessa saw. However I was frustrated with the Voster not explaining anything. I know they are bound not to speak it. But something would have been good to let Odessa know. It seems no one trusts Odessa's ability to keep silent. Except Ransom. If more was shared with her she could have put things together easier or found things for them. This goes for the Voster and her father. And a little bit for Ransom too, though he's coming to understand she needs to know and trusts her.

As we grow closer to the end of the book we learn why everyone holds back and doesn't tell their secrets.

Caspia looks a lot like Odessa. Following her story was a struggle for me at first. I wasn't feeling her tale. But somewhere along the way I became drawn to her story when she finally found a mission in her life. I had questions and suspicions which came to what I thought it would be in the end. Her story is ultimately very important with Odessa's.

Odessa gets answers to things she's been searching for. The connection and a few secrets of her family. And herself. In the end we get more answers from the Voster as well.

I found there was much more plot and story growth in this book, which is what I love. That's what held me to the story this time. I even kept the speed at 1.2 so I could catch the details of different things. I wanted to listen to get these details.

There is romance here. Both Caspia and Odessa have their moments. It's not heavy into the romance side, but there as they fight for what they want and each other.

Where Ransom was the one to have secrets from Odessa. Now Odessa has her own secret to keep. And could be dangerous to her, and maybe him.

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Book Review: Dragon's Heart by S.M. Shadow

Dragon's Heart by S.M. Shadow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm in love with this series. I love that the female characters are strong in that they carry on. They move forward and get things done.

Beryl is my favorite female lead so far in this series. Oh I've loved them all, but she pulls no punches and this is what I love. She knows she's rough and she's excellent with being this way.

She's a dragon, for goodness sakes. And you wouldn't have a dragon any other way.

We see another side of the Elysium world, the Faerie realm. Things are complicated here with how they treat their woman and how Faerie feels about it. And the person to rule... is male. This is a whole story of it's own in this book.

Then we learn pieces to go with the over all arc of what's happening in Elysium with Darkness, along with the closed off sections now.

Then we have the romance story for Beryl. There's a history with her and Mavrien. And it's not as pretty as one would like to think. She did scar him. But! There's a reason for it! And I found this reason interesting as it adds to the world and magic of dragons. I love that there's a connection to them to have a foundation for the romance.

There's a lot to juggle in this series, and it's extremely well done to balance out the books. I love the overall arc and the shorter stories in each book for each part of Elysium and the couples that come together.

The world is what's driving the reason these characters are going through what they are. The women are strong, and I do love strong women, who make changes in the world.

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Audio Book Review: Death and Devotion by K.M. Merritt

Death and Devotion by K.M. Merritt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a fantasy adventure of heroes that aren't your normal heroes. They are a little... clumsy. lol. And I love that about them. Which is what brings us to the series name, Mishap's Heroes.

They don't have it all together yet. They're still learning. But they are becoming their own family and learning to trust each other.

We learn more about the group through this book. We get to see what Sorrel's history is and what she's running from. Also, we learn what Talon is hiding from too.

This group makes me feel comfortable. It's nice to see a group of what others would call misfits coming together and finding the friendships they didn't know they needed.

In thinking back, I realize the adventure is more than what I realized while listening. The story is tightly woven with their life stories that it's not always easy to see there's more happening. There's a great balance of personal for the characters along with the adventure/mission they are on.

I do enjoy when the mistakes happen and how they come out of them still gleening information and more.

A nice relaxing listen for me. I'll be listening to the rest when I need a book that's not heavy and looking for a little light fantasy fun.

Kristin is the narrator and I always love her work.

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Audio Book Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was nervous through this whole book. I didn't know if anyone was going to make it. Or what to expect with everyone.

I knew what I wanted. But so, so much doom and gloom. It didn't look like Alina and her friends would come into the power needed to defeat the Darkling.

I couldn't stop listening to this to see what would happen next. So much action and reveals here. We learn what the third amplifier is! I wasn't overly surprised in this, yet I was as it was nice to have that feeling that I just wasn't sure of confirmed.

This book tied the trilogy up nice. It brought Alina, who started the trilogy with no friends to finding friends. Friendships aren't easy, and Alina starts to see how this goes. There are people who do believe in her and will follow her. Alina has become a leader. Alina learns the history of others as well. This history is a huge part of the story and explains so much as well.

This was full of fantasy with adventure and danger, so if those are something you'd like, I recommend this series.

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