Showing posts with label Heat 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heat 2. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2024

REVIEW: "Ruthless Vows" by Rebecca Ross (Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult)

RUTHLESS VOWS
by Rebecca Ross

Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Publication Date: April 4th, 2023

Series: Letters of Enchantment, #2
Standalone: No, Cliffhanger ending



Categories/Tropes:
Strong Heroine, Fantasy (Gods, Mythical Beings, Enchanted Objects), Creatives (Writers)
Other Books By Rebecca Ross:
#1

Goodreads
Description from Publisher:
The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.

Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign.

Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together…the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

My Rating:
Heat Rating:

This was certainly a very exciting book, as much or possibly moreso than the first!

My favorite thing about this is the way that we get to see Iris and Roman fall in love through letters once again, this time with Roman being unaware of who was really on the other end. Iris had to wrestle with what to say and how to say it, like Roman did before, but with the added weight of the world to worry about.

The way that alliances came about, many unexpected, felt authentic to a world being taken over by a tyrant. There were multiple times where I felt the descriptions of how people acted during a potentially divisive experience were so poignant it squeezed at my heart. The things most would say they would do versus the things that they actually do, and the reactions to those whose actions match their declarations. It hit home after the last few years, that's for sure.

The way that the god 'romance' hit was a bit jarring at times, though it certainly made it easy enough to figure that Dacre was the villain, through and through. The way that he was annhiliating basically every city until the capital, Oath, until his unwilling bride came out of hiding was pretty extreme!

This was a fantastic conclusion to Iris and Roman's story!


My Source: I purchased a hardcover copy to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and 100% my own.

About the Author: Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross is the #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy books for teens and adults.

She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.

When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog.
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Monday, March 18, 2024

REVIEW: "Legendary" by Stephanie Garber (Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult)

LEGENDARY
by Stephanie Garber

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Publication Date: May 29th, 2018

Series: Caraval, #2
Standalone: Could be, yes, but first book is highly recommended



Categories:
A Whole New World, Alter Ego, Enemies to Lovers, Love Triangle? (Not really, but sort of), Strong Heroine, Not Your Hero/Anti-Hero, Magic
Other Books by Stephanie Garber:
#1

Goodreads
#3

Goodreads
#3.5

Goodreads
Spin-Off

Goodreads
Description from Publisher:
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun.

My Rating:
Heat Rating:

I was so blown away by the first book, Caraval, I started this immediately afterwards. Which was great, as this picks up just after that first book.

This is Donatella("Tella")'s book. Tella is vivacious and up for adventure, though also prone to bouts of recklessness. She and Scarlett go with the Caraval crew to a special version of the game, off of the usual island, to the empress's birthday party at the capitol. I wasn't necessarily the biggest fan of her character in the first book (I'm more of a Scarlett myself), but it didn't take long for her to grow on me once I got inside of her head.

Stephanie Garber continues to enthrall with the magic and vibrancy, though this book is a little darker than the first. It's still very much Young Adult, but just has a bit more edge. Tella finds herself wrapped up in a love triangle of sorts, being involved with both Dante and The Prince of Hearts (Jacks), and there are definitely a lot of questions about who the real villain is.

I absolutely love this book, possibly even more than Caraval!


My Source: I rented this in both eBook and audiobook from a public library. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and 100% my own.

About the Author: Stephanie Garber
#1 NYT & international bestselling author of the Caraval series and the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy.
GoodReads Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Amazon

Saturday, February 24, 2024

REVIEW: "Caraval" by Stephanie Garber (Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult)

CARAVAL
by Stephanie Garber

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult
Publication Date: January 31st, 2017

Series: Caraval, #1
Standalone: Yes




Categories:
Enemies to Lovers, Finding Yourself, Stuck With You (Forced Proximity), Magic, A Whole New World
Other Books by Stephanie Garber:
#2

Goodreads
#3

Goodreads
#3.5

Goodreads
Spin-Off

Goodreads
Description from Publisher:
A legendary competition.
A mesmerizing romance.
An unbreakable bond
between two sisters.


Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.

My Rating:
Heat Rating:

My year started out with me in a terrible book slump. I DNF'd no less than 6 books, and was struggling to find something new.

Then, my sister sent me this for Christmas. I typically have loved Fantasy (The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind is a big favorite!), but hadn't ventured too far into "Romantasy" as most seemed to be more instalust/erotica, which just isn't my cup of tea. The cover of Caraval was gorgeous, and it sounded like a fun story, so I gave it a shot.

Holy hell, this book cured me of my book slump and just blew me away! From the first pages, I was intrigued and curious about Caraval and our heroine Scarlett. As the pace really picked up, I grew to adore Julian (hero), and absolutely fell in love with Stephanie Garber's writing style. Her descriptions of everything, and her world-building, were incredible. I especially enjoyed how she had Scarlett describe feelings using colors! The magic, mystery, and vibrant colors of the Caraval world were a real joy for my imagination.

Scarlett starts off as a dutiful daughter and loyal sister, preparing to marry a man she has never met. She hopes to get both herself and her younger sister away from their abusive father. For years, she has written the mysterious "Master Legend" who hosts a magical experience for people on a private island, hoping to get an invitation. Just before she is to be married, her writes back and gives her three tickets. Her sister, Donatella ("Tella"), conspires with a sailor who is passing through to get all three of them to Caraval, despite Scarlett's protestations. Once they arrive, Tella disappears. Which leaves Scarlett alone, with little choice but to team up with Julian, who she barely trusts, as they try to win the game.

I loved seeing Scarlett grow more into herself throughout the book! The arc was a very natural progression for Pre-Caraval Scarlett, which has you rooting for her to succeed.

There were many twists I expected, but they all kept me guessing and finding myself to be wrong!


My Source: I received this as a gift from my sister. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Stephanie Garber
#1 NYT & international bestselling author of the Caraval series and the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy.
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