Audio Book Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I get the feel there's a blend of elements from Harry Potter series, Divergent series, and Hunger Games series in this story, with dragons added of course. Lots of danger, secrets, and groups.

This series has become a guilty pleasure for me. It's not ground breaking in it's storyline, plots, or twists, but I can relax and listen to the story with ease.

Violet is one I can see people getting tired of. What she tells Xaden to stop doing, she's doing to her friends. Eventually, she catches on. I understand that she doesn't want secrets, but with a revolution there will always be something that can't be shared. Things are happening so fast for them. And I love Rhiannon, Violet's best friend. She's an awesome friend and kicks butt. All those in Violet's group in Fourth Wing are pretty cool. Their interaction and responses to each other are fun. I do give Violet and her friends that credit, they have great quips back for things. They are learning to work as a team.

I found I liked this book a little more than the first because we get more details about the wards and world building is expanded here. I am one who loves seeing more world details and magic details. Although, there is one magic I am looking forward to learning more about.

Violet goes through a lot while still at the academy. There's teachers that are not on her side, and want to know what she knows. There's friendships and new enemies made through this book.

The ending... when it was all over and done, I felt like it was too quick with the ending. (If you've read or listened to the book, you'll know the part with Violet.) It was confusing when listening to it. I actually replayed it a few times to try to catch what happened. It felt way too fast. So I'm guessing the next book will spend time on sharing what happened and we'll learn about that. (trying to not spoil it for you.)

I still wonder about the War Academy. Like, what the heck did they think they were training for? What they were training and how was not going to help with the problem they knew was out there. They just thought they were safe and no worries. Arrogant, for sure.

We have family drama, war, love, magic, and dragons. Secrets are shared and things are learned.

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Audio Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can see why many are loving this book.

I enjoyed the war school. It's dangerous and deadly for the students. The way events unfold and Violet is creative with how she does things is neat. And there's the steam burn to a romance.

The book is interesting and flows. I found the events were predictive, which the writing leads to right to what will happen. That's okay for me. It's a fun light read for me.

I enjoyed the characters. They stay to their character. And dragons. I do love me my dragons.

The school is a dangerous place. It's interesting how they teach the young adults coming in. This is breaking them down and building them into who the country wants them to be. Maybe a few will remain who they are at their core, but they will be more too.

Violet is one who thought she'd be a scribe, working in the library with the tombs she loves. She has the scribe background thanks to her father. But now she's learning to be a dragon rider. And maybe she's one to make changes as well. Violet's father...with the book he left her, I've wondered if he was with the revolutionary side as well... Will we find out in the future?

I listened to the audiobook. It worked great for me at work. Though, I will say I struggled figuring out when things were thought, spoken, and mentally spoken to another. At times this was something I couldn't differentiate.

I will carry on with the series as I'm curious to see how things go with everyone from here. At the end of this book, I have my predictions. We'll see how events go on if it'll change for me or now. :)

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Book Review: The Killing Beach by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Killing Beach by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm not usually a fiction reader. But I couldn't pass this one up. I'm so glad I read it!

Waverly has a past that was in the spotlight... when her sister went missing with a serial killer in her home town. It's something she's not really gotten over. Especially when the Detective working the cases, and one that Waverly was attracted to, went missing as well.

Waverly became a private investigator and has never forgotten her sister or the detective.

When dead mean start washing up on the coast of her home town lake, Waverly is drawn home. Even to just make sure the detective she was drawn to all those years ago wasn't one of them. Or was, to close out that mystery. Then, when she stumbles across a body on the beach...

Waverly places her cards and information where it's to be seen and hopes to be hired to investigate the cases. Waverly gets drawn into the case more than she expected. Can she solve the case or will more men wash up on the beach?

I have a main character type, and Waverly hits all the points. She's damaged, determined, and independent. Strong woman on her own. Even though she won't admit it, she does care.

I enjoyed Waverly's interaction with her family. Families aren't perfect and when there's a tragedy as big as theirs, it's hard to continue as things were. The dog was a nice touch. That was a little fun.

I'm looking forward to reading this series. I've already received the next two books! :D

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Audio Book Review: Dungeon Lord: Otherworldly Powers by Hugo Huesca

Dungeon Lord: Otherworldly Powers by Hugo Huesca
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There's always something new to do in games, especially if you're a Dungeon Lord. And Kharon has deals with others you can help with...

Ed is working on upgrading his haunt when Kharon asks...throws him through a portal to help a female thief. And comes face to face with undead and a wraith along with other thieves that now want him dead. This side excursion will bring bigger troubles to Ed's doorstep, and threaten those that have become his friends.

Everyone thinks that Dungeon Lords are bad people. But Ed is one of the exceptions, most of the time. Ed's creating new bonds with creatures and people that aren't usually associated together, and more than not are enemies. This is interesting to see how they can work together and become stronger.

It's something to see how Ed, unlike other Dungeon Lords, is showing his people how to grow and be better and even defend themselves. It all comes to fruit in the end too.

Kharon returns in the epilogue to give us the breakdown on a few things that happened. This is interesting.

I enjoy the adventures Ed and his minions go on and what they've created. Ed has a creative mind and does things a little differently. In listening to the audiobook I feel like I get a feel for Ed's personality along with all the characters. I look forward to listening to more books in this series. I'm looking forward to more of Ed's craftiness.

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