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pagesandpothos · 1 month

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The Sins On Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin

I had no idea what to expect when I started The Sins On Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin. I saw that it was blurbed by several queer romantasy authors that I like, so I requested it from NetGalley on a whim and was happy to dive in. I'm so glad I did. It was not what I was expecting but it is an interesting and dark fantasy that I enjoyed discovering.

First of all, if there are things that could trigger you, be sure to read the content warnings before you start this book! This novel deals with some very heavy topics and the author has kindly included detailed warnings on her website (there's also some stunning character art for you to seek out while you're there).

The Sins On Their Bones is inspired by Jewish mysticism and folklore and is a high fantasy set in a world similar to Eastern Europe in the 19th century. Dimitri Alexeyev, one of the main POV characters and a former Tszar, has recently lost a brutal civil war to his vicious and newly immortal ex-husband, Alexey Balakin.

At the story's start, Dimitri is in hiding in the Free States with his closest friends and former members of his royal court: Vasily, his most trusted spy; Annika, who once led his army; Ladushka, his political advisor, and Mischa, his royal physician. Dimitri still harbors a lot of guilt (and other complicated feelings) about Alexey, the war, and the consequences of it. When Vasily brings word that Alexey is building an army to invade the Free States the group hatches a dangerous plan to finally defeat Dimitri's monstrous ex.

The novel cycles through three POVs. Along with Dimitri, we also get chapters from Alexey and Vasily. All three POVs are engaging and each adds different things to the story. Jumping back and forth through their parts of the story moved the plot along steadily while also filling in the needed backstory. Vasily's chapters, in particular, give a lot of clarity to the backstory which was one of the many reasons that his chapters quickly became my favorite.

The plot of this is fast-paced, dark, and full of religious and political themes. I also found it surprising and not predictable at all. Multiple moments shocked me and had me frantically flipping pages to see what would happen next.

The characters are also likable. Vasily, as I've already mentioned, is a fantastic character. Dimitri is sympathetic and has a nice arc of growth and healing. Alexey is a terrifying and well-written villain. Annika, Ladushka, and Mischa round out the main cast as dynamic characters with a lovely "found family" relationship (together with Dimitri and Vasily).

The Sins On Their Bones is a unique and very queer dark fantasy. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic tales of good versus evil in their fantasy!

Other Points:

Alexey reminds me of The Darkling from the Shadow and Bone trilogy.

There may be a Doctor Who reference?

There is an asexual character and a non-binary character along with the many same-sex relationships that the book features.

The whole book is delightfully queer normative with most of the main characters and several side characters being casually queer. There's no drama or trauma around their identities.

I also liked how the author wove Judaism into the world.

Did I mention how much I love Vasily?

The last 25% of the book is tense, action-packed, emotional, and surprising. It is almost impossible to put down!

The ending is satisfying while also setting up issues for a future sequel.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes/Tags: achillean, queer, Jewish fantasy, dark fantasy, Hurt/Comfort, found family

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/5. There are multiple sex scenes (various m/m pairings) that are "Open Door" and mildly descriptive.

Content Warnings: Full list from the author

If you liked this I think you will like The Sins On Their Bones: The Shadow and Bone series for the Eastern European inspiration. This is a much more gory and adult version though!

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | LauraRSamotin.com

The Sins On Their Bones will be released on May 7, 2024, and is available for pre-order!

This book was made available to me in advance thanks to NetGalley! I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for this review. The above are my honest feelings on the provided book.

#The Sins On Their Bones #Laura R Samotin #queer books #book review #netgalley #arc review #books #best of 2024

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a-painful-ordeal · 10 months

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Hi all!!

Call my Skyhawk (my main blog is Skyhawkwolf). I'm another they/them with an interest in whump!

And I finally got around to making a blog/introduction!!

I've been hanging around the whump community lurking for ~3 years now so this is probably about time.

I am planning on producing some writing and potentially some art too!

I guess I should mention what I'm interested in and what I'm not:

Tropes I like:

-Defiant Whumpees

-Emotional Whump

-misunderstandings between caretakers and whumpees

-Hurt and Comfort

-protective Morally dubious Caretakers

- parental caretakers

-Creepy/cruel Whumpers

-Kidnapped Narratives

- Fantasy whump

-ladywhump

Squicks:

-Romantasied kidnapping/whump

-ex whumper caretakers

- fully conditioned whumpees/Stockholm syndrome

Some authors who I love are:

@peachy-panic @hold-him-down @whump-cravings @redwingedwhump @pumpkin-spice-whump

If you haven't read their stuff, I seriously recommend!!

My writing plans are currently consisting of writing up my dnd character's backstory because I have the brainrot at the moment!

(also if anyone in my actual dnd group stumbles onto this - Cause I know you exist on Tumblr. Hi and also. I am so so sorry. This is where the brainrot led)

#whump blog #whump writing #whumpblr #whump tropes #get to know me #dnd whump

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belle-keys · 7 months

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A lot of the “spicy” romansce fantasy authors that kind of pioneered the sub genre (SJM, Jennifer l armentrout, laura thalassa etc) all started in YA, and then in mid series, they shifted and grew with their audience to go more adult in themes.

Do you think Cassandra Clare should have done the same thing and missed this opportunity? Would you have preferred if she reflected this? I personally feel like her fandom would still be as strong as ever if she followed her colleagues suit.

Or do you think that she stayed good sticking to her roots and her writing voice lends itself to not have more adult type of romances and benefits from a fade to black shall we say.

In her latest kickstarter, one of the four novels that are in it, will feature 10 spicy romantic couples from shadow hunters universe. Given this is crowd funded it makes me wonder if, if it were up to her, she would have gone more adult themed but her publishing contract held her back from it. But then from a publishers pov, isn’t that shooting yourself in the foot? All the authors I mentioned above changed their contracts I feel to reflect the direction the audience knew would give the most captain gain.

I would love to know your thoughts on this 🤭.

I don't think Cassie ever wanted to write romantasy or spicy romance-fantasy as her main "vocation".

I think I picked up on this when she deleted a lot of Julian and Emma smut scenes from The Dark Artifices because they didn't serve the progress of the story. Cassie has her indulgences, but she tends to not be overly focused on writing romance or smut in the grander scheme of the fantasy story. Cassie's guilty pleasure in writing seems to be writing semi-unnecessary angst and fluff between close friends more than anything, not spice.

I'm quite glad we're getting some spice from the Kickstarter project, and I think the reason she's making this an additional, optional project and not part of the main series is because she knows it's just for fun; it's not her main "thing", just an additional treat.

So all in all I'm quite happy she didn't follow with the Sarah J. Maas and company trend. And frankly, neither did Cassie's close writer besties either. Neither Holly Black nor Maureen Johnson nor Sarah Rees Brennan have gone into smutty adult fantasy either, so I get why it's not Cassie's preference. Cassie seems more set on establishing herself as a "serious" high fantasy writer now, hence rubbing elbows with George RR Martin.

#cassandra clare #cassie clare #tsc #the shadowhunter chronicles #sword catcher #sjm #sarah j maas #bookish opinions #bookish asks

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mecharose · 1 month

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literally a thought I just had: I think im gonna go fade to black in this book I mean who wants to read about fairy spice thats kind of weir-- *remembers that romantasy is the most popular genre right now* --normal

#🤡#rando cinematic universe #liv shouts into the void

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vancruejovi · 1 month

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The Forgotten Victims of Booktok

(AKA, How Booktok can actually discourage women from reading, and how we can encourage them)

The big thing on booktok is smut. People will even say ‘what’s the point if it doesn’t have smut?’ or ‘where’s the spice??’. This makes me really sad, as a writer and a reader. I know many books about love and relationships that have little to no shagging and are fantastic and moving, and I’m not even a romance reader! But of course, they don’t fit tiktok’s fast paced mindless scroll. Now some people on booktok only read for the aesthetic of reading, or only care about the sex and that’s it, and those aren’t the people I’m talking about. Many people don’t realise that there are forgotten victims of Booktok. Young women and girls who were taught that books have this imaginary intelligence quota, that books are boring, and find solace in these repackaged fanfics with different character names.

But here’s the thing…you can’t blame them.

We have to remember that these women are basically reading books for fun for the first time (or at least since they were young). And when you look up ‘books’ on the internet, what do you get? Booktok favourites, smutty romances, cheap-feeling crime fiction. These young girls who could fall in love with Sylvia Plath or Isaac Asimov, or Harlan Ellison or Ursula K. le Guin, or even people like Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams, don’t have the chance because - how the hell are they going to know they exist?? We know they exist, because we love reading! We love the community of reading, talking about reading, sharing our favourite stories. But Booktok doesn’t talk about books the way we do. We talk about character arcs and relationships, parts we found good or bad. Booktok talks about the covers and the tropes, the way that fan fiction does. And when you make something into a trope, it loses all the parts that made it special. And I’m not sure what kind of tropes The Colour of Magic fits into.

Also, a lot of these girls never had experience with fandom before now, ergo why they don’t immediately see the ‘fanficy’ nature of these books, and why the communities surrounding them can become so toxic. They’ve never HAD a fan community before. So all the unspoken rules of fandom aren’t in place, leading to a toxic environment. They’ve built up this ‘booktok’ space to the point where they don’t realise other communities exist. So what do you do when women and girls feel like they’re excluded from a hobby or a larger community?

You make them feel welcome! And you show them that something that should be fun, shouldn’t feel intimidating, and that there’s more to books than what greedy publishers want to spoonfeed them. And how do we do that? Well I’ve made a tiny list of things below of books that can maybe get a booktok reader onto stuff that they’d enjoy, but don’t know how to put into words. Please add onto this yourself if you want! We want to break down the gates and make reading and literacy open for everyone! And remember, these recommendations aren’t just for booktok people, they’re for everyone who never really felt ‘allowed’ to read.

-First of all, if you’re a romantasy reader, I can’t stress enough how much you’d like Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It’s still got a bit of romance, and a tiny bit of sex, even if it’s more fantasy than romance, but I feel like the writing is accessible and incredibly engaging, especially for people who aren’t used to reading for fun. Another series to recommend is the Dragonlance series, this has more of the high fantasy thing going on, but I think the characters relationships and personalities would scratch a bit of that itch for people. And obviously Lord of the Rings, for very similar reasons. All these books are very accessible for people not used to reading for fun.

- You all know who I’m gonna say for paranormal romance. Anne Rice, the one and only!! Her character drama and relationships, her settings are so vivid you could chew on them, the battle of morality. I love her stuff to death, and if anyone’s going to get you into classic gothic literature, it’s her. Also, Dracula! It may be old and grey now, but Dracula is still very readable, with very modern feeling characters, and the settings and the action, agh they are amazing!

So yeah, love the players, hate the game, hate those who exploit the game, and hate those who convince the players that they can’t do any better.

#booktok #anne rice #harlan ellison #neil gaiman #douglas adams #please add more!!

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natreviewsbooks · 6 months

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I've been in the mood to read some darker/paranormal romances. Although I have already read this, sometimes there's comfort in the familiar. If you enjoy a little more *spice* in your romantasy than the average with paranormal/monster elements thrown in too, then you might add this to your tbr.

#bookshelf #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookish #ilovereading #bookcommunity #booklover #books and libraries #reader #currentlyreading #fallreading #fallbooks #sunday #booklovers

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like-rain-or-confetti · 5 months

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5 ⭐️ Recommendations!

Okay, so PLEASE do your research for these because im not taking responsibility. In the same way, i have a look at what i get before i read, i ask you to do the same. I am guilty of not doing enough research, but I have seen people in the past get hate because of the 'why didn't you tell me ___' factor. So... Warning! Some of these books may have smut or generally 18+ content. PLEASE do you research before you read!💙

Self-Help

The Happiness Trap pocketbook by Russ Harris. - this is the condensed illustrative version of the Happiness Trap textbook. There are another two. If you want a smaller easy to read version of these, go for the pocketbook. I was recommended this by my therapist.

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna West. I bought a physical copy of this book, I loved it so much. Let me paint you a picture. Like I've said before, my mental health tanked after 2020 covid. My life went on hold completely, and there was nothing left. I needed a change of perspective desperately because I'm now 26 years old and I was using an old mental system that protected me when I was a teenager. That doesn't work when you're in your 20s. This book blew my mind and I bought a physical copy that I practically use as a bible. So if you're feeling lost, like life is too hard or simply don't know what you want to do with your life- this book is what you want. It helped me a bunch through therapy and I recommended it to all my friends. It's written by various people, some of which was heartfelt "I wish someone told me this before so I'm telling you now." It's very comforting to me. Like a honest friend giving some honesty as well as not leaving you feeling helpess. Absolutely brilliant. I have mine annotated and still am annotating it to continue creating that new mental system I want to have.

Romance

Flowers for the Devil by Vlad Kahany. - A 18+ historical romance for my peeps! We follow a countess and her forbidden love with the villain of society itself. Set in 1851, making it victorian era romanceeeee! This is one of the most spiciest books I've ever read. Like I was taken aback. I'm not sure if it really counts as 'dark romance' as the sub-genre because it's not the same as other books I've heard of but it's a dark book in itself...and there's romance and an ungodly amount of spice but a very good take on the 'falling for the villain' but I would say do the research first because I did not and I was taken aback by the very veeeery descriptive smut with the borderline stalkery villain.

Beach Read by Emily Henry. Contradictory to my story graph, I am not a big romance girlie... but I want to be. Sometimes, I need a break from the doom and gloom and need an easy, simple book about the wonderous world of love and this one was a hit. Two writers, two different genres, switch genres to get out of their slumps. I give thee grumpyxsunshine trope. Which I have a major soft spot for. A very easy book to read!

Romantasy

Heartless by Marissa Meyer. - Any Alice in Wonderland fans? I love it, and I have so much love for this book that in my brain, it's practically canon. This book follows the journey of the Red Queen before she became Queen of Hearts and how expectations and love can descend someone into madness. It's heartbreaking in the sweetest way and a love story that I still think about on a regular basis. What a prequel take to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson. -Oh dracula fans in the house! Well, it never explicitly states its Dracula but...it's Dracula. This book follows the first wife of an unnamed vampire and his downfall. This is definitely 18+ as far as I remember. There are LGBTQ+ themes and polygamy and themes of having multiple sexual partners. Definitely something you'd enjoy if you enjoy a take of a woman taking back her power. As a vampire lover myself, I ate this book upppp! Old school vampires. ABSOLUTELY CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS. There are some heavy themes that will likely trigger some people so definitely do your research!

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. I'VE FOUND A CLASSIC THAT I BELIEVE DESERVES THE TITLE OF A CLASSIC. This is a sapphic love affair between a vampire and a human. It's classic vampire description written in the 1800s and its brilliant. I will die on this hill that its a love story. I can't express why without giving it away but this is the OG forbidden love story. It's super short and absolutely amazing.

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion At a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming. So I did an oops and read book 2 before book 1 one the series which I won't lie, didn't do too much damage so no harm really done but this series is HILARIOUS. Book 1 and 2 follow two POC females who just so happen to be besties. (If anyone is looking for more poc books) Each one got drunk and ended up finding their mate. This writers humour is excellent, very modern day and not forced. These books are SPICY just as much as they are funny. So definitely 18+.

Horror

Hide by Kiersten White. Would you like to play a game? So it isn't Saw by any means, Amanda or Jigsaw aren't here and neither is the spooky doll on a trike...but there is a game. This is a deadly game of hide and seek in an abandoned theme park. One week, don't get caught and you'll get life changing money...but they didn't exactly mention what would happen if you did get caught. Mack is one of fourteen competitors, our main girl with a dark past and there's a whole new level of horror to discover the reasons people would ever create such a game. There is some LGBTQ+ themes and I can't say anything more without spoiling. Just know I'm very pleased. There are some triggering themes like death and murder so as usual check this is okay for you to read.

The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp. -What does the dumb dumb skeptic do? Provoke a demon of course and demons never back down. Jack Sparks is a writer and paranormal skeptic. Working on his new book, he is invited to witness an exorcism (which hell to the no) and his life is never the same as an unknown entity ruins his life one piece at a time using those around him. This is the book for you if you want a read where the main character is not loveable at all. He makes bad decisions and a terrible person to everyone he loves. I'd say there are also found footage vibes as this book is pieced together by Jack's estranged brother who is trying to understand just what happened to his brother. I personally found the story so good that it didn't take away from the plot. I didn't rage read this and hate the story because I didn't like the main character. It was oddly fitting and I definitely intend to read more of Arnopp's work.

Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. -I'll start with this, it's definitely horror/thriller. There's a dash, a pinch, a smidge of mystery in the background but this is no doubt horror. Now, this book made me uncomfortable. This book is my answer to 'can you really get scared of books like you can movies?' Yes, the fuck, you CAN. Our adult main character looks back on the strange happenings in his childhood. It all started with the class of 5 year olds writing letters to strangers and it all just went wrong. So I can remember some trigger warnings that I know will upset people as some of them were a shock. There are mentions of animal cruelty and death, death, stalking and implied pedophilia. Also major spoiler (SPOILER) death of a child. SPOILER #2: Grown man is obsessed with child for years whilst the child has no idea. There's also a mystery to solve. Now you may ask why would I spoil this one and not others...because whilst I could stomach it (much to my surprise) it's a shock and I don't feel right recommending this book, as crazy good as it is, without you being aware that I'm not just hyping it up. These are sensitive topics and whether you know it or not, it'll still be a shocking read.

The Vessel by Adam L.G. Nevill. Another short read and listen I thought this was spooky. It won me over for being spooky. THEN THE TWIST HAPPENED and GUYS...this is a masterpiece. We follow a single mother who has taken up a job as a carer as she tries to support herself and her child after escaping an abusive relationship. The old woman she looks after is brutally mean, like you're-lucky-you-dont-have-family-because-your-ass-would-go-to-a-care-home-otherwise. Her house is old and weird with strange happenings. She's a crabbit, violent old bitch and she...happens to get attached to the main characters daughter. Terrific. This book isn't a regular old haunting. Infact, the living are more terrifying than the dead in this book and the mystery is amazing. I ended up not hating the old lady in the end as you get her back story. And I can't express enough just WTF?

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. - A historical horror! So I finished watching the Fall of the House of Usher just before starting this, completely unaware that I once again would be returned to The Madeline and Roderick Usher. This book is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's stories on the Usher family with a unique twist. A family friend (our main character) has received word Madeline Usher is sick and has come to visit to find things aren't great with the isolated Usher's and their home. Something has taken up residence. What was originally considered a haunting or the results of age is discovered to be a fungus taking over. No, that isn't a spoiler. The description tells you, hehe. It's a short read that's definitely creepy and a lovely mix of seemingly paranormal and zombie vibes.

Found: An anthology of found footage horror stories by Andrew Cull and Gabino Iglesias. - Calling all found footage fans! Same here! So I wasn't sure how this would work as a book. It works. Just as brilliantly. I read this for the Halloween spirit and this is an easy would reread any time of the year. Its a bunch of short stories from various writers and some of the stories are still stuck with me now.

Mystery

If We Were Villains by M.L Rio. Trust the theatre kids to take things too far, eh? This is dark academia aesthetic at full blast. A group of friends, one ends up dead and only the friends know the truth about what happened. They love their Shakespeare as far as I remember. I got recommended this and when I tell you this book takes you on a JOURNEY. It's very poetic and reminds me a lot of 'The Secret History' which is very much in the same genre. If this doesn't convince you- I grew up watching pretty little liars and this was so refreshing. It draws you in the same way but doesn't over do it. Plus you're in on the secrets this time! The twist was exceptional and I remember needing to take a breather before I went to even consider another book. It was perfect.

Thriller

The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James.- I think this was the first book that I read that got me back into reading. It could go in thriller or mystery if I'm honest, but I'm putting it here. You follow two characters. A girl who's Aunt disappeared decades prior, takes the same job in the same Motel her aunt disappeared in hoping to find out just what happened to her aunt. The second being the Aunt and what happened before she went missing. So there are some time jumps but it's rather easy to follow along. I wasn't so intimidated by that format as I usually am. There is an element of paranormal in this book! And I love itttt! A very easy read but did suspect one of the twists...definitely didn't suspect the main twist though.

Fiction

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. This book is now one of a series. This book stabbed me in the heart and twisted in my chest...and I ended up thanking it. It's multiple stories. There is a simple, quiet coffee shop with a rumour attached to it. One of the chairs has the ability to make a person travel in time. The book follows a woman who wants to timetravel for reasons you'll find out in her turn and the coffee shops regulars. A definite tear jerker for me that helps you see the beauty of life even in the most painful of times. If you have the ability to go back in time but can't change the past, what exactly is the point? Well, the book will tell you why. So beautiful and an easy read. Again, check for any trigger warnings. There are sensitive themes in this book.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar. So I gave this a five star because the ending was magnificent and I can see why it was hyped up BUT I wouldn't classify this as an easy read. I got confused a lot with the Science fiction elements but I might just be dumb af. So if you're interested, you have to really focus on the book. If you skim read or anything like that. You'll have no idea what's going on. Red and Blue. That's their names. They're spies -I think female if I remember?- and their fighting in the war between the more natural world and the industrial world. Or atleast that's how I perceived it. The book is following Red and Blue's taunting notes they leave to one another in various eras and places but gradually turn into something else. Forbidden love. What I'm pretty sure is LGBTQ+. The ending decked me and so even though I found it complicated to wrap my head around some times, I loved it.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Where... do I even start? So I think if I were ever to get a tattoo. It'd be something from this book. It is an historical fiction/romance about a woman who has been cursed by an entity. No one can remember her. She can't even utter her own name. Yet a few hundred years down the line, someone remembers her. This book is just beautiful. There's nothing else to say. AND THATS ALL IM SAYING BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS SO DEEP TO ME.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A historical fiction following a celebrities lifestory. Evelyn Hugo gives me Marilyn Monroe vibes and how Hollywood was back in the 1950's. A young woman is given an unexpected opportunity to write this timeless actress biography...the truth. Something the public never heard before.

Non-Fiction

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. A book Mitch wrote about his old mentor and the advice he had to give on how to live life. It's a short read and incredibly emotional to have the perspectives of life by someone half way or younger through their life and someone who's life is coming to an end.

#vanitytalksbookish #book recommendations

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delliomellidom · 3 months

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What's worse than trying to aid the return of dragon kind when your husband gambles with your life to further his agenda?

Having to work with said husband to avoid combat a living deity who'd gleefully watch you both fall.

To Conquer Iron is a standalone romantasy that is available in ebook and paperback.

If you enjoy Demi-Fae and dragons with dashes of spice, this is a book you should check out!

#romantasy #books #my book #fantasy romance #booklr

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ataurusinabookshop · 5 months

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I can not express how much I love Sarah kl Wilson’s fae/whittenbran series

Like with how much the online book communities love acotar/tog and other fae romantasies I genuinely don’t understand how these book series went under the radar? Is it the lack of spice? I get that but the chemistry and sheer yearning between the love interests make up for it, imo

Please read them! The fae are actual assholes and the mfc doesn’t just think she’s unattractive when she’s actually beautiful, she know’s she’s not beautiful and nearly everyone calls her ugly which is is a bit refreshing

#booklr #booktok #bookish #books #bookworm #booknerd #book nerd #bibliophile #book recommendations #Sarah k l Wilson #fairytale retelling

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fairysbookshelf · 3 months

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This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Book Stats:

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

Spice Rating: ❤️YA❤️

Tropes: Love at First Sight, Knife to Throat, Long Lost Princess

Publisher: Harper Collins

Review:

Alizeh is a long lost Jinn princess just trying to make it to the next day. Serving as a "Snoda"(The lowest class in this society) in a Duchess's home, Alizeh is trying to make a living as well as a seamstress. While out one morning trying to sell her clothing but she gets cornered by a hungry orphan boy. This one interaction leads to Alizeh meeting the prince, and setting in the motion the steps for Alizeh to start to claim her crown, what she was raised to do.

First off, this is written in dual p.o.v. Typically I don't like books with dual p.o.v, but I believe the author uses it very well in this case. While were on it, I think the dual p.o.v. allows for the characterization of the prince. I loved that he had some real depth to him.

The banter and tension? *Chefs Kiss* hats off to the author for perfecting it!

This book is advised as mostly a romance novel. While I do agree, I think it's more of a secondary plot. Not insignificant enough to be viewed as a subplot, but not enough of it to be on a bright red banner on the book. This first book is mostly tension of the fantasy world itself I feel.

I will say though the romance gives me "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman vibes.

The plot had me on the edge of my seat, it carries a very adventurous pacing.

Also, the diction is absolutely amazing. I feel analyzing some of these paragraphs would be more beneficial to my English class than some of the other novels we read.

If you are a romantasy girl and you haven't pick this up, your missing out! Go now! The third book just came out so what are you waiting for?

#book of the month #book quotes #book review #bookish #booklr #books #books & libraries #books and reading #bookstagram #bookworm

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battyaboutbooksreviews · 6 months

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🦇 Forged by Magic Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❝ Someone with edges rough enough to understand me but soft enough to bring a little brightness into my ‘dreary hermit life.’ ❞

❓ #QOTD If you could make one wish to make your daily life a little easier, what would you wish for? ❓ 🦇 After she's trapped in a tower by the emperor who conquered her home, Daella is eager to escape, even if it means making a deal with her capture. In exchange for her freedom, she must journey to the mysterious Isle of Fable to track down dragons and the dangerous beings that wield their magic. After a storm separates her from the ship and crew, Daella finds herself on the wrong island. Rivelin, a grumpy, handsome elven blacksmith, gives her shelter in exchange for a favor. Though they clash heads over the flames of his forge, Daella begins to experience something she hasn't in too long: a sense of belonging. Can she find a new home on the Isles, or will Rivelin's secrets tear them apart?

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💜 Daella is a fierce, snarky, yet entirely misunderstood half-orc mercenary with a reputation that far precedes her. Rivelin is just as fierce, namely, when it comes to protecting the island he now calls home. The witty banter and snark in their initial interactions add to the rising tension between them. The fantasy elements (the magic of the Isles, emperor's cursed ice that allows him to manipulate Daella, and the varying fae creatures) are never heavy components in the story. More than once, I forget it was a romantasy (which is a good thing, as it allows us to focus on the characters, their flaws, and motivations). The prose is vivid, inviting readers into a beautiful, welcoming community. The story is heartwarming, presents minimal danger, and is a cozy read perfect for all.

🦇 The story ends with a HEA that feels rushed and out of place. Most disappointing was the lack of worldbuilding. It sounds like Daella's people had a lot of culture and history, but since it was mostly wiped out, we learn little about it. Dragon magic plays a big part in the story, too, but again, the details are lacking. Even the villain is distant, though their threat to kill Daella hangs over her head. The spice also felt like it came out of nowhere after chapters of snark and sass. The romance IS a slow burn, but the transition to smut (and I say smut, not romance, on purpose) is abrupt. That being said, Daella and Rivelin are adorable together (once they get their nonsense together), but that third act is disappointing and lacking.

🦇 Recommended for anyone looking for a cozy yet spice romantasy. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes (there's a bit more action in this one).

✨ The Vibes ✨ ⚒️ Forced Proximity/Reluctant Allies 🗡️ Dragons ⚒️ Spice 🗡️ Cozy Fantasy Romance ⚒️ First in a Series 🗡️ Dual POV

#book review #books #romantasy books #romantasy #romantic fantasy #book: forged by magic #author: jenna wolfhart #book lover #book blog #fantasy romance books #fantasy romance #fantasy fiction #fantasy books #fantasy #batty about books #battyaboutbooks

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