SilverBlood by Jamie Foley

I am so fortunate to be one of the people who got to be a beta reader for SilverBlood by Jamie Foley. That being said there will be two reviews for this book as the author did make changes to the book that I'm excited about. All spoilers are from the previous edition of this book.

First off, thank you so much to Jamie Foley for letting me beta read SilverBlood to say I was psyched about finding out there was a second book would be an understatement. I am all here for this series, and SilverBlood does not disappoint.

I fell in love with the characters all over again and Lysander 😍 (I am glad that the book had his POV because I fell in love with him). I am an absolute sucker for a man who will sacrifice himself for the woman he loves but feels he does not deserve because of his past. Oh man, the chemistry between Lysander and Brooke is *chef's kiss* I will reread the book over and over again just for the journey that their relationship went through.

I love how the book starts right after the aftermath of the siege on Brooke's treetop city (I decided not to embarrass myself by trying to spell the name of the city). And the characters dealt with it 👏 were they okay 👌? Not even by a long shot. 😂

Brooke -poor dear Brooke- had to deal with trying to lead her people after the devastation and she does it the only way she knows how. By trying to keep Lysander safe and agreeing to marry a man from another tribe *boo*. Honestly, I was chanting for the guy to die so that Brooke will realize her mistake and be with Lysander (yes, I am shameless, but when you meet him you will probably do the same thing. he is not likeable and yes, I am deliberately not saying who it is because I want you to read the book). Oh Lysander, he finds himself alive and in a strange place where Felix (bleed him 😏) left him to fend for himself but not before giving him something to defend himself. It does not go as planned *evil laughter followed by a cough* and Lysander gets captured. My heart broke when Lysander heard Brooke also known as the Jade Witch spoke into his head and he could hear again. Yes, be prepared to have all the feels with Lysander because he is too tricking cute.

Ryon and Kira have a bit of competition now with Brooke and Lysander but they will always have my heart and ugh, I love how we still got their POVs again in this book. I think I died happy when reading this book because the ending had me melting into a puddle.

Please buy this book and read the first one Emberhawk if you have not because the world building is phenomenal and the characters will give you all the feels. You will not regret it.

I will give another review when I have the physical copy and read all the changes put into the book.

I cannot wait to see what happens next. And hopefully Lysander and Brooke make it out okay in the trilogy 😰😧

50 out of 5 stars. (Subject to change depending on the new version).

Burning Shadows (Odriel's Heirs 1.5) by Hayley Reese Chow

I received a free copy Burning Shadows by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Warning: review will contain spoilers as this book is a novella that takes place after Odriel's Heirs and before Idriel's Children.

Thank you Hayley for writing this novella and for writing more of Klaus and Kaia 😘

If anybody has read my reviews, they will know by now how much I adore Klaus and Kaia and in case it is not obvious they are like my loves and I ship them so hard. I will ugly cry the day that they die and quite possibly riot 😭😏.

Klaus is *chef's kiss* because he does make a huge transformation throughout the series (but I guess having someone almost die will do that for you). He is so freaking adorable when it comes to Kaia and I melt whenever those two are together because the chemistry between them is perfection.  Klaus will do anything to keep Kaia safe even go alone on a scouting on a mission to a land full of barbarians because they want his love (and that kiss at the end is 🔥).

Kaia is an absolute sweetheart and I want to protect her as much as Klaus does because she has such a big heart and like Klaus will go to the end of the world for him. Which is why she finds herself going across to the barbarian filled land to search for Klaus who did not come back with the sun like he had promised. (You will have to read the book to find out the reason why, but I laughed upon reading the reason why even though it is not funny, but it makes sense when you know Klaus's background. 😂😏) Kaia still has this sweet innocent air to her even after all the things she was put through and the stitching scene reminded me so much of myself. I was laughing because I don't blame Kaia one bit for trying to prolong it. No matter how much love is between a couple I would be skeptic about an assassin stitching up your head.

The world building is incredible in this novella as it is just enough to get the readers to be like oh hey this is where we are while also giving the readers a chance to use their imagination. The barbarians freak me out because they wear the tally marks of their kills on their skin, so yeah, avoid the ones that have a lot and the ones that have very little because they will be the ones with the most to prove.

Gus deserves his own paragraph because that rage hound is so sweet and when he jumped into the river to go meet up with Kaia and Klaus I wanted to cry because poor Kaia was so worried that he wouldn't make it and Klaus had to hold her back. I just 😭

I love how it still talks about things like Mack's death instead of glossing over it like some novellas do because it is something that will still be fresh in their minds and something that will affect them. 

This novella makes me want to dive back into Odriel's Heirs again after reading it because it gives me all the feels.

Highly recommend this novella. Support indie authors.

500 out of 5 stars.

Idriel's Children by Hayley Reese Chow

 I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review contains spoilers and my attempt at being fun, so please read at your own discretion.

First off, thank you Hayley for writing this brilliant sequel to Odriel's Heirs.

Idriel's Children takes place 28 years after Odriel's Heirs (but the beauty is that it's okay if you have not read the first book. Although, I would highly recommend it.) and follows Klaus' and Kaia's youngest Aza, the next Shadow Heir. She hears a voice calling her in a world called the Shadow Plane and like any normal person would do decides to investigate, but her trips end up bringing danger back to the ones she loves (ooo 👀). The parents are called away to go battle what they think is the Lost (creepy corpses that are controlled by necromancers 😱). The children are told to stay at the school and continue teaching the classes (much to Aza's chagrin and Zephyr's, -probably spelled that wrong- her older brother and the next Dragon Heir, delight.)

The children are then visited by the Malbador (again probably spelled it wrong and I'm going to be evil and not tell you what they are. Read the book if you want to find out you are not getting all the secrets out of me 😉) who have trouble in their home. Aza realizes that this would be an excellent opportunity to get away and her older brother agrees to help for his own reasons (is it for love 😘 or glory 😏? Read the book to find out.) On the road, Aza decides to leave and strike out on her own for answers, but of course that does not go as planned. She finds herself accompanied by Makeo (her childhood friend and a Malbador), Witt (Zephyr's friend and he reminds me so much of another character, but you will have to read it and make your own conclusions, but food 😏) and Shad the poor person who is cursed into servitude by a magi who turned Shad into a cat (he's been a cat for a century guys, he is tired and just wants the world to stop going to hell. It's not too much to ask is it? 😾). She goes on an epic journey to the Tazgar Marsh with her fellow companions, but the things that are like the Lost, but not are following them and not everyone might make it to their destination... (intrigued yet (:-)? Well, then ignore the rest of this raving review and pick up a copy of this book and read it. Even if you don't find this intriguing that is too bad because you are missing out.)

What didn't I love about this book? The characters were flawed and had struggles to deal with while Aza tried to push everyone away because "the Shadow walks alone" and how the characters tried to prove her wrong by being there with her every step of the way. The creatures in the world were terrifying for the most part because damn the dolabora is 😱, but the rage hounds are *chef's kiss* (Gus 😭).

I started ugly crying when everyone kept telling Aza that her parents were dead and she tried so hard to prove them wrong (Kaia and Klaus are my loves and OTP for this series so yeah there was a lot of 😭 going on from me). 

Ugh, Keo he reminds me so much of Klaus and anyone who sticks by Aza even when she tries to push them away (and he almost died for her y'all) Keo deserves all the love and respect because damn Aza did not make it easy. 

The world building is perfection and I loved Aza's journey of being able to go through the Shadow Plane in a way that is not taxing and meeting her ancestor. It is absolute love.

I will not say more because you all should support indie authors because you will miss out on gems like this. (Also, I find myself unable to say more without giving away crucial plot points).

500 out of 5 stars.

The Echoed Realm by A J Vrana

 I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Thank you A J for writing this book and bringing Kai, Miya and Mason into my life. (What am I going to do now that it's over? 😭) and thank you to The Parliament House Press for publishing this book 😘

The Echoed Realm slayed me and I hold Kai partly responsible because damn he's the boy you shouldn't want, but any guy who does half the things he does for Miya deserves all the love in the world. He pretends not to give a shit, but he has too many with Miya and it is absolute gold. I want a guy like Kai now especially since he grows as a character. Yes, he attracts all the demons and monsters but it is his weakness that the monsters perceive that gives him his strength. He is a better person/wolf/god because of it (and Kai will deny all of it). I especially loved getting to hear their story and knowing that their love was that strong and stood the test of time because star crossed lovers be my kryptonite y'all.

Miya will hold a place in my heart and I want to give her a great big hug for all the shit she was put through. I love how she found her own way and how yes, Kai is part of why she finds her back, but the distorted portrait was not her way back to herself and her truth because Kai is only a small portion of her truth. There is so much more to her, but it is their love for each other that anchor each other. (I could go all English class on you poor souls but I will save you the confusion). She is the Dreamwalker but she is also more.

Mason, you great big lovable truth seeking oaf, I kind of feel bad for the poor guy because he always winds up being the damsel in distress every single time and he somehow thinks he is being the hero every time. I love how he stuck up for himself to Miya's parents (and I don't blame him for wanting to sic Kai on her father because I wanted to claw at him myself.)

I adore the myths that went into this story and it has turned me into a feral addict (do not take away my myths otherwise I will fight you for it, I have bad influences *cough* Kai *cough*. I think the only thing I did not love that much in the book was that in the real world it took place in the States (one of the reasons I loved the first book is because it finally felt like BC was being given a voice because it always gets overpowered by the States or Ontario/Quebec.) I know why the author did it (because Canada is more like the lioness stalking its prey in the grasslands when it comes to superstitions or anything that reflects badly on the country while the States is a herd of elephants crashing loudly through the jungle. I'm sorry, but it is true, if you don't believe me try comparing similar topics between the States and Canada if you think you will learn a lot from Canada you will be sadly mistaken. We keep our secrets tighter than a deadman's necklace.)

Moving on, I bloody well cried when I thought the raven had died because I was going to miss his overprotectiveness and upon learning why he kept referring to himself as Miya's father. It broke me, I have no chance of survival. And on top of that the thing with Kai like I was on the edge of my seat if I could gnaw my fingernails I would have. I feel like I've been through the wringer. My heart has been ripped viciously out and stomped on and slushed into my cupped hands, but in true bookworm fashion I am offering my mailed heart out again to be trodden and eaten and spat upon and whatever damage wants to be inflicted upon it I so humbly accept.

A J Vrana is on my list of authors to keep buying. Try and stop me I will be like Oliver in Oliver Twist holding out my hands and being all "Please Sir, I'd like some more".

Preorder a copy of this book right now if you can.

Here are some links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55059396-the-echoed-realm?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=x0x5vZPPoo&rank=2

https://www.amazon.ca/Echoed-Realm-Chaos-Cycle-Book-ebook/dp/B08KYMZVJF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Echoed+Realm&qid=1623994082&sr=8-1

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=The%20Echoed%20Realm#internal=1

You can also preorder it from the author on her website at https://thechaoscycle.com.

Now go preorder it and if you have not picked up her first book The Hollow Gods then what are you waiting for?

500 out of 5 stars.

Last Girl Lied to by L. E. Flynn

 This book is so twisty and it is everything I look for in a mystery/thriller. I even started to believe Fiona that Trixie was still alive and living it up with Beau's (do you pronounce it Boo or Bow? I kept switching throughout the novel, so I'd really would love to know.) older brother who had also committed suicide.

I loved the whole scavenger hunt for Trixie and how everyone she met revealed something new about Trixie.

I won't say much because I don't want to ruin the first time magic for anyone wanting to read this book, but oh Lord, that ending was insane and one of the character's needs serious help.

This book is messed up but I devoured every page and I could not get enough of it.

Highly recommend this book.

50 out of 5 stars.

The Frostblood Trilogy by Elly Blake

 Frostblood Book 1: 

This book went so much better than I expected it to which might sound cruel, but I've picked up many books that deal with the elements of fire and ice.

This managed to surprise me and I loved how the author incorporated the fire and ice throughout the novel. Kudos to Arcus (definitely been added to my book boyfriend list) and Brother Thistle for having to deal with Ruby's temper.

My only issue with the book is how the mother died, because either the pommel of the sword is extremely heavy or her mother's skull is really weak to have the mother die upon being hit on the head by a guy lazily swinging the pommel of his sword down. Lazily to me implies slowly and I might not be great at physics, but even I was like wait shouldn't he have brought more force down for her neck to be bent?

That is my only issue throughout the entire trilogy, so it's not that bad.

I loved the training scenes especially the pond because I could see myself doing that and having a guy like Arcus just watch while laughing at your struggles to get out.

I loved the world building as it was just enough for readers to understand what is going on without being bombarded by information and details.

50 out of 5 stars

Fireblood Book 2:

I almost did not want to read this book because I hate the trope of let's add another love interest into the mix after establishing that the two main love interests are a thing. I cannot stand it and it was written in the blurb at the back, but I bit the bullet and read it.

While I might not like how Kai was introduced I did grow to love him as a character, but if he got in the way of Arcus and Ruby (I make no promises). I loved the book because now we delve more into the world, but it is the world Ruby should have grown up in. I loved learning about the different culture of Sudesia and how not only are the elements different but so is everything else. The only thing that has not changed is that the people are still jerks.

I also feel sorry for Prince Eiko because he was trying to fix things but along comes Ruby and makes his life miserable (this is as close as I can say it without revealing what happens in the book. Although if you want to learn the major things that happen in the book read the blurb at the end of the next book it gives everything away).

I loved the banter between Arcus (now even more forbidden for Ruby), Ruby, Kai, and Marella. (especially near the end of the book). The twists were surprising and I thought they couldn't surprise me anymore, but... (read review for book 3: Nightblood).

49 out of 5 stars. (It could have been 50 except I despise how she tried to place conflict for the love interest with another one).

Nightblood Book 3:

Holy smokes, I did not see any of this coming from Brother Thistle's secret to the story of the deities. Even Ruby's birthright threw me for a loop because I did not see the whole thing playing out the way that it did. 

And I bawled my eyes out at the last half of the book because of something I cannot say. It's too horrible.

what I love most is how consistent the world building and character growth have been throughout the trilogy. Kudos to the author because we get to spend so much time with the characters and yet there is still the element of surprise. 

The deities were epic and Eurus reminded me of Loki with his mischief, but he is also like Hades. I also enjoyed the concept of the deities not being able to interfere with mortals unless one of them interferes on the mortal plane in their own form.

I love this trilogy so much and highly recommend for anyone looking for an elemental fantasy with twists you won't see coming.

50 out of 5 stars.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

 This is one of the first classics that I have enjoyed and I want to reread it again because it has given me all of the feels.

I'm still a little confused about the ending, but this book made me feel so much that I don't even care that much.

My only main issue is the Persian. I wished he had an actual name besides that because I feel like it could make him more into a character instead of a caricature. But that was also what they did back then because they did not have the sources that we do today, so the Persian was mostly a bunch of cliches instead of anything of real substance.

5 out of 5 stars.