Audio Book Review: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book surprised me in the best way possible.

In the beginning I wasn't sure if it was for me. I struggle with characters in pain from loss of close family members. I know it's true, I just struggle to relate. And I felt like there were questions posed and events that happen and I felt lost without knowing what was happening. Well, hold on to you chair and keep going as you'll get answers and you'll then not want to stop as you learn with Bree so much more than we bargained for.

I didn't 100% believe how Bree got into the Legendborn society. But, okay, I guess I see with who Nick is. That was a hold up for me for a moment.

But man, I was glad she did get in. The things they see, do, know... Pretty cool.

Sel was getting on my nerves a little bit. Just like he was with Bree.

Bree's loss of her mother changed her. But in more ways than she could ever even imagine. And for us too. This sudden death has her on a new path and here at Carolina College she finds a direction to take those feels on. To try to learn what really happened. And who was at fault.

But what she learns exceeds what she even thought and drives her deeper into a secret society that's based around King Arthur and the Round Table. And Bree finds friends she didn't expect, along with enemies as well.

Yes, Bree is an amazing character of color. She faces difficulties and prejudice as well. She's an amazing young lady and stands tall as she should. She shouldn't have to face the prejudices that she does, but people are blind to what truly matters. We get to see her thoughts and feelings as we get to know her.

The author takes many different backgrounds and weaves them together in this story. I love the blend of magics and histories she's brought together in this story. There's pieces that the different histories don't know of the other and they come together here with someone who has an open mind to work it out and place it all.

There's demons that are summoned. Aaaand, there's demons in actions. Can you figure out which is which?

There's a surprising twist to the ending. I really didn't see that one coming. At. All. And I loved it! Totally awesome. And thank you for outlining the connection for it afterwards.

This story brings magic, action, feelings, growth, connection, and so much more together. Really a great book. I'm going to look into the next books in the series.

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Audio Book Review: Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa K. Roehrich

Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa K. Roehrich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The gods say they'll not interfere. But...Do they really? Sometimes a seed is planted and let to grow on it's own.

This book has a magnificent and complex structure to the world. It's of a current type setting with cities and technology. But the people who liver here are so much more. Legacy, Fae, and mortals. There's a hierarchy to them and a reason for them to exist. The Legacy are of a demi god blood line. Fae are created and here to serve as a source to the Legacy for power. And then there are mortals.

The world has different kingdoms based on different god bloodline. And as you can suspect, things are complicated between them all.

This story starts off reminding me of Crescent City (at this time I've only read the first book). It is one I would recommend to those who enjoy that book. From the way the world starts to Tessa as a character. Even the trama that Tessa goes through. The feel of the book resinates for me with the Crescent City world.

There's sexual tension in the book but I wouldn't say it's full on romance. There's a lot happening around Tessa. She's learning things she was never told about. But she's determined to be her own person as well. Tessa breaks and keeps breaking. She's damaged by the testing the fae go through to learn their power element and the lonely life she lived. She's head strong even though she's breaken and breaking more. Tessa is smart and crafty. She's bold and defiant. Just a little chaotic and wild that can't be controlled.

I will say after the first 5 hours, I was feeling like I was ready for more. I was tired of hearing about the pain and hints at some grand scheme. I wanted more and it felt like I wasn't getting to move forward. Then the book did take a turn and I got into the world and events unfolding. Trying to figure out Tessa's power, knowing by the hints she was more. And trying to figure out what Theon, Axel, and Luka are up to. I had a little inkling of what it could be, and I'm still not 100% sure where they are going.

In the end, I found I liked how Tessa has now found what she's fighting for. And she is going to play the games to learn all she can.

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Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book starts quick and keeps going forward with events and action.

We know where Alina and Mal are along with how long has passed, it's just weeks. They are tracked down just when they are starting to feel comfortable. The Darkling has them and we are heading to find the next amplifier.

That's how things keep getting more interesting. With the amplifier, tracking, the privateer (pirate of a sort). There's so much here and happening. Alina is clueless about what she's going to do as things happen around her. Then as the book goes, the Apparat and his pilgrims are growing and become something to be alarmed about.

Alina needs to learn to trust her feelings. First, her nerves when they are irritated. It's like a gut instinct. Then second is her shoulder, when you read you'll know what this is. She has never felt as she fits in anywhere growing up. And she still feels this way. She's different. One of a kind. She's trying to figure out her feelings and powers, while being drawn to the power she has and wanting more with using the amplifier. Things don't quite fit together for her at this time in life.

The Darkling feels undefeatable. He's lived for hundreds of years, though many don't know that. He's got control over his power and it's growing due to events that have happened too. He's a little voice in Alina's ear that has her second guessing relationships and herself.

I'm curious to see how this all plays out in the third book. It feels like there's not much that can be done at this point.

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Book Review: A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen

A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first half of the book is slow moving for me. The second half is what I wanted, battles, details, magic, more of the world, and the truth.

We start exactly where we ended in the first book. On a boat. Feelings are still strong. I feel as though Freya is more lost in the beginning. She's trying to figure out herself, her feelings, and her place in the world and how to live her unfated life differently than foreseen by the Seer. Bjorn had lied to her and that hurt her deeply.

At the half way point, the book takes off with a twist that I loved. Things get dire for characters and world and that's when we see something new. This was what I wanted to see.

It seems lying is a hot topic and popular in this world. And no one knows that's what's happening!

The second half is what I was waiting for and wanted with Freya and the world. With this half, I do recommend this book.

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Audio Book Review: Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fun run with Carl and Donut. There's some big bosses to go against and things are starting to get complicated with the businesses.

Carl has his enemy created in the previous book. Now it's Donut creating enemies. Donut sometimes speaks before she thinks...or does she know what she's doing? It would make for a great show. But, there could be one, maybe three, new allies made in this book. Or at least someone that could help once to return a favor.

I'm seeing how these attacks and bosses are getting harder already. I'm starting to wonder how Matt's going to elevate each book as I know there's many more to come. Although, I do think there's going to be something with Bea. And it seems as there's a chance of questioning loyalties to come in the future too. Which, both of these ideas, hurt my heart before they even come up.

And lets talk about Donut. I do love her. She's great for a show. And she is smart. Which is fitting for a cat, cunning. She's watched a lot of shows before the dungeon, so she has a lot to work with to know what people want to see and add to her craftiness.

I knew it was going to come into play, and this book has done it. Carl and his boxers. The power to them. That was a crafty thing, which I figured was coming to prevent him getting pants to cover them. lol And playing to getting him out of the boxers. lol.

This was another fun book with the great voice of Jeff Hays as the narrator. He's perfect for these fantasy settings.

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Audio Book Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had so much fun with this one! Jeff Hays does amazing vocal work with the characters and bringing them to life for us. Highly recommend audio!

There's so much more to this world than we know. I know there's more books, but there's lots of hints here for plot yet to come!

I really liked how the world has come to be in a dungeon setting, and a game scenario. This was a crafty way to get to it.

I had fun with Carl's relaxed personality. I love that he took on the foot! lol. And Donut. Oh Donut! Lol. She makes me laugh. Sharp cat there.

This was definitely an adventure as we get introduced to the dungeon with Carl. I look forward to the AI detailing achievements and explaining loot boxes. Such a quick wit that's fun. I do agree with Carl being a pet to the AI. Especially for the love of his feet. lol.

Carl's ways of taking care of bosses with items he comes across is great. He's got a great mind to adjust and use what's on hand.

Great adventure while fighting battles and so much world that's entertaining.

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Audio Book Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was first taken with the mystery of the boy and the girl. Then when the world opened up, I was drawn into the magic hierarchy. Very neat to see the details of the robe colors and the embroidery colors. 

This was not your typical school structure and story. That didn't come into play here as the focus of Alina's days. But she did have a focus to help her country. The Darkling had her drawn in and preparing.

She has had a dear friend all along growing up and he means more to her. I love this friendship and growth. That she kept this connection is something I loved seeing.

There's far more to the story and I liked the turns it took through the end. I'll be listening to the next two books too.

The narrator was good.

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