kmart

Super fun!

Revisado: 07-04-24

Vesper Quill is a middling seer working as a lowly lab rat at Kent Corp. When she identifies a major flaw in the company’s starcruisers, she suddenly finds herself in the crosshairs of some very powerful enemies. Kyrion is an imposing Regal lord and leader of the elite fighting force, the Arrows. Bound by an incredibly unwanted psionic bond, Vesper and Kyrion must team up to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and survive the powerful forces arrayed against them.

I really liked the aspect of magical bonds in this series. Unlike the typical 'mating bonds' in fantasy, these bonds can be platonic, though the one in this book does flirt with romance. The shared injuries, visions, and emotions between bonded individuals are fascinating and add a fascinating depth to the characters’ interactions. I also like how these rare bonds are equally beneficial and risky to those who form them.

Vesper and Kyrion are both complex characters with distinct strengths. Their past traumas make them even more compelling, and their dynamic is engaging; love the banted so much! The magic system that blends with the science fiction tech and the regal/royal elements make this a great science fantasy story. The world-building is intriguing, and I can't wait to learn more about this universe.

The pacing is excellent, keeping the tension high and the story moving at a brisk pace. With great characters, an engaging story, and a fascinating setting, this is a fantastic start to a promising series. I really enjoyed it!

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AMAZING

Revisado: 07-04-24

The steam-powered city of Chime is ruled by incredibly cruel gods who demand unwavering worship and tribute from their mortal subjects. Kayl and her rebel group - called The Godless - have lost their faith in the gods. They dedicate themselves to protecting the city's vulnerable and lower social caste from the Gods' (and their police force) capricious whims. Kayl soon becomes the city's most wanted criminal. Quen, a sympathetic Warden, soon makes Kayl his primary target and reluctant partner to solve a rash of murders in the city.

I absolutely adored this book. Who doesn't love a plucky revolutionary teaming up with a sympathetic peacekeeper to forge a bond that transcends all expectations? I love gaslamp and steampunk fantasy and I thoroughly enjoyed the darker themes it explored. I love when the world-building is dark and the characters are complex and just doing their best. I also always enjoy when there are dark and meddling gods and when people hide behind piety and use it for manipulation of others.

The characters are exceptional and the found family aspect is wonderful. Kayl and Quen's dynamic is compelling (I LOVE these broken people) and their journey to uncover the truth is thrilling and emotional. The world-building is phenomenal and the plot has incredible stakes. I cannot wait to continue this series and see what happens next. This book is a must-read for fans of complex characters and intricate world-building.

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So good!

Revisado: 06-29-24

This incredible standout debut expertly blends tense, military and dystopian sci-fi with action and deeply human relationships. This involves a high-stakes operation where Sam "Valkyrie" Ryan, her brother, and her temporary squad must protect a reconciliation summit from genetic-supremacist terrorists. This mission becomes a battleground of intense emotions and explosive action. How is this a debut?!?

Sam’s internal struggles and sibling conflict are the highlights of the story. This is a testament to Lee’s ability to weave complex character arcs with action-packed plotlines. The familial bond between Sam and her brother is one of the most compelling aspects of the story and bonds us deeply to these two. This reminds me so much of Mass Effect with the found family/squad aspect - despite the lack of aliens. The diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstories and motivations, brings incredible depth to the story. The "found family" trope is beautifully executed here, with relationships that feel authentic. The addition of our charming female medic introduces a subtle, slow-burn sapphic romance that adds yet another layer of complexity to Sam's character.

Action scenes in Of Friction are nothing short of exhilarating. Lee crafts battles that are not just physically intense but also emotionally charged, making each confrontation feel like a crucial turning point. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the intricacies of a tenuous peace on the brink of collapse. I was so, so stressed - in the best of ways. The ending is a masterstroke of emotional storytelling. It delivers a gut punch that is as brutal as it is brilliant. The shift to another POV at the end is a clever move that broadens the scope and hints at even more layers to uncover in future books.

Overall, this is an impressive debut that signals the arrival of a talented new voice in the genre. S.J. Lee's ability to blend intense military action with nuanced character development and social commentary is remarkable. This is a must-read for fans of dystopian, military sci-fi, and those who appreciate strong, multifaceted characters. Highly recommended!

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Wonderful!

Revisado: 06-29-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is a slow-burning, richly woven fantasy that combines gaslamp elements with a traditional magic system. Astrea is a junior librarian who has hidden her magic following her uncle’s vision that foretold her death in battle. Mages are conscripted to the military in this world. However, her quiet life is upended when she is reassigned to a diplomatic project, forcing her to confront her past with her former best friend and returned war hero, Prince Jin.

Bauman takes her time in building the world, explaining the magic system and setting the stage for the unfolding drama. The pacing is deliberate, gradually escalating the tension and drawing readers into the complex political landscape. For those who enjoy a story that allows them to fully immerse themselves in the setting and get to know the characters, this approach is a welcome one, though it might be slower for readers seeking immediate action.

The characters are the best part. The slow-burn romance and the estranged friends-to-lovers trope are handled well. The relationship feels earned and satisfying. Bauman excels in character development, not just for the leads but also for the supporting cast. Each character feels well-rounded and integral to the plot.

The mystery aspect is equally compelling. The shadows stalking the city and the trail of murder victims add a layer of suspense. As Astrea and Jin delve into the investigation, the slowly evolving mystery made me eager for them to piece together the clues.

If you enjoy a story that gradually builds its intrigue and has a lot of emotional depth, this book is definitely worth a read. And the audiobook is beautifully done! HIGHLY recommend the audio version.

Thanks to R&R Booktours and the author for the copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.

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Loved this one

Revisado: 06-29-24

I've been reading a lot of fantasy novels rooted in Slavic folklore and I am LOVING the gothic vibes. This is a fast-paced, richly imagined story that delves into themes of abandonment, grief, poverty, and toxic relationships. And it is amazing.

Long ago, when monsters emerged, mages erected a wall between the richer and poorer aspects of a city. Kosara, a fire witch, is an expert in dealing with various supernatural creatures in her city of Chernograd. Her skills are formidable, but she is always wary of the Tsar of Monsters, who feeds on the love of young women. He is well aware of her power and is furious that she managed to escape his clutches in the past. Fearful and desperate, she sacrifices her shadow—the source of her powers—for illegal passage to Belograd, the city free of monsters on the other side of the wall.

Kosara soon realizes that she is showing signs of the deadly wasting sickness that afflicts shadowless witches, and her only hope for survival lies in reclaiming her lost magic. Her quest forces her to team up with a detective - and she's not a huge fan of coppers. The dynamics between Kosara and the detective are fraught with tension and suspicion and their bond grows into such a beautiful one over the course of the story. Kosara is a deeply flawed yet relatable character. Her struggles with abandonment, trust, guilt, and grief resonated so strongly with me, making her journey all the more engaging.

There is excellent world-building, seamlessly integrating Slavic folklore into the fabric of the story. The depiction of mythical creatures like rusalkas and kikimoras adds a unique flavor. The exploration of poverty and wealth in a fantastical setting is a welcome one - though it could have been stronger. I suspect this will return in the next book. The biggest highlight of the story was the relationship between Kosara and the toxic Tasr of Monsters compared to her relationship with the detective. Her former toxic relationship is the driving force of the plot and echoes similar predatory relationships in our own world. It's chilling how the effects echo in her own head and drive so many of her actions.

The plot is richly layered, with each twist and turn revealing more about the characters and the world they inhabit. The book’s exploration of complex themes is handled with nuance and respect.
This is a phenomenal story that combines incredible world-building, rich folklore, and finely drawn characters with a big dose of humor and heart. I cannot wait to see what is coming next.

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SO much fun!!!

Revisado: 05-14-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is an amazing seafaring adventure filled with romance, pirates, and danger. This is a series of standalones, but they're interconnected. Not my FAVORITE type of stories, but these have all been amazing and I love a good pirate tale! I love how the overlying story carries through the series of interconnected standalones. I actually read the second in the series first, so this was extra fun because it explained a few little things.

I love, love, love pirates but I'm also obsessed with all of Sadie Hewitt's books, to be honest. Her writing shines - as always - in this action-packed story, with vivid settings and incredibly engaging main characters. The chemistry between Fenna and Devlin is the BEST - it crackles with tension and heat. The banter between the two is particularly delightful and the yearning is wonderful. The bath tub scene was AMAZING. If you know, you know. They're two characters who are easy to love.

Fenna is a quiet and kind-hearted bookshop worker that unexpectedly finds herself drawn into a world of piracy and curses when her brother seeks her help to evade a pursuing pirate captain. Enter Devlin - CAPTAIN Cato - the broody captain of a cursed ship, who strikes a deal with Fenna to settle her brother's debt if she agrees to take it on herself.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's accent really added an immersive layer to the experience.

However, despite how much I enjoyed this, I did yearn for a bit more world-building and more in depth secondary characters. Thank you to the author and R&R Booktours for the chance to listen and review. This review is honest and voluntary. This was fun and heck and I deeply enjoyed it! Delightful and very quick read. Plus - these COVERS are everything!!

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Such a great book!

Revisado: 02-24-24

This offers a brilliant blend of fantasy and murder mystery. An Imperial officer is murdered and the weapon is a tree erupting from his body. This sets the stage for an intriguing investigation. Enter Ana Dolabra, an eccentric yet brilliant investigator known for her unorthodox methods. Actually, enter Din, because Ana can't be bothered to show up to the scene herself. Din is her newly appointed assistant, an engraver augmented to have a perfect memory using scents as triggers to recall them.

As the duo delves into the case, they uncover a scheme that poses a threat to the Empire itself. The dynamic between Ana and Din is a highlight in the story. I also just adore the representation in the novel, heavily hinting at dyslexia and sensory issues in our main characters. Not to mention that Din appears to be bisexual.

This book really shines when Anna is on the page. She's irreverent and brilliant and hilarious. She's balanced well with her typically straight-laced assistant Din who is incredibly new to all of this detective stuff. This book draws to mind classic detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Benoit Blanc, and Miss Marple. I barked out a laugh several times during this book. Ana's character pays homage to classic detectives, featuring a gloriously labyrinthine plot and a haunting fantasy world.

The world-building is exceptional, especially with the inclusion of Leviathans (kudos on the horror elements!) lurking outside the walls. Did I mention that they sometimes have faces and those faces appear to be saying things? Creepy! I can't wait to discover more about them in the subsequent books. The world hits some similar notes and has some similar vibes to one of my favorite but lesser-known books (The Five Penalties series by Marina J. Lostetter). Humanity is surrounded by terrible things and they're just trying to avert their eyes while power corrupts in their midst.

While the story excels in capturing the essence of classic (kind of unpleasant) detectives, the characters beyond Ana and Din felt somewhat flat to me. Nevertheless, "The Tainted Cup" offers a captivating and entertaining experience, combining the best elements of mystery and fantasy.

I had a GREAT time. I highly recommend the audiobook.

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Excellent!!!

Revisado: 02-06-24

Tropes:
⭐ Morally Black Shadow Daddy
⭐ Stabby Hero FMC
⭐ Gods with Vampire Tendencies
⭐ Enemies to Lovers
⭐ Touch her and 💀
⭐ Fated Mates
⭐ Found Family
⭐ Hidden Identity
⭐ "Kitten" pet name

"Between Life and Death" by Jaclyn Kot is a captivating fantasy romance set in a world where being born with magic (or 'cursed') is a crime punishable by death. The vicious king's decree mandates the cleansing of those with magical abilities, subjecting them to a gruesome fate via pyres and iron collars to block said magic. In the face of this tyrannical rule, a group of rebels known as the Cursed stands defiant. Sage, one of the cursed, finds the rebellion when her brother is conscripted for the war. She is compelled to abandon her peaceful life and join the Cursed rebels to rescue him. The mission, seemingly straightforward, takes an unexpected turn as Sage encounters Von, the enigmatic leader of the rebels, whose dark secrets and otherworldly presence make him both intriguing and dangerous. There is a pull between them that just won't leave her alone.

This is the perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. I have to admit that the romance is the best part. Sage and Von's chemistry is palpable, adding a layer of tension and passion to every scene they're in together. The secondary characters are also easy to like and I eagerly anticipate the potential development of them in the next book.

Kot's world-building is commendable, revealing a rich tapestry of history and intrigue lurking in the background. The information about these mysterious rebels and Von slowly trickles out as Sage learns more. The plot's twists and turns kept me engaged and eager for more. The seamless blend of romance and fantasy elements, coupled with well-drawn characters, makes "Between Life and Death" a delightful and immersive read. I cried, and that's the highest recommendation that I can make because it means that I care deeply about these characters.

I am quite eagerly anticipating the next installment to delve deeper into the captivating world Kot has crafted. I am sure that I will devour the next as quickly as I did this one. I do want to note that I also purchased the audiobook and DEEPLY enjoyed the dual narration. Highly recommend the audio; the narrators are top-notch.

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Exceptional story and narration

Revisado: 01-11-24

"The Star and the Strange Moon" by Constance Sayers presents a story that transcends genres, weaving together elements of horror, historical fiction, gothic, thriller, romance, old Hollywood charm, and the paranormal. Sayers crafts a story that immerses readers in the haunting tale of ambition, obsession, and the eternal magic of film.

The novel has two POVs. The first is actress Gemma Turner, who once dreamed of stardom and finds herself on the verge of slipping into obscurity. Her chance for a comeback appears when she's offered the lead in a radical new French horror film, L’Etrange Lune. However, the movie proves to be unconventional, with an eccentric director and a perplexing script. As Gemma attempts to make her last shot at stardom work, she mysteriously disappears on set, transported into the film itself.

Gemma Turner's vanishing act becomes one of film history's greatest mysteries. Film student Christopher Kent, captivated by the enigma, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. The screenings of L’Etrange Lune, occurring once a decade, reveal new and impossible footage of Gemma long after her disappearance. Christopher becomes entangled in the cursed legacy of the film

Sayers masterfully builds tension throughout the narrative, slowly unraveling the plot and keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, each contributing to the complexity of the story. The novel not only explores the intrigue of the film industry but delves into other themes of obsession and identity

The author's ability to blend various genres seamlessly creates a unique reading experience. The historical backdrop, the allure of old Hollywood, and the supernatural elements contribute to the richness of the narrative. "The Star and the Strange Moon" stands out as an exceptional book, offering a spellbinding and immersive journey into the mysterious and magical realms of film.

Adored the narration. Dual-narrator POVs is my favorite of all time. All were very talented.

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This is delightful and funny and I devoured it

Revisado: 01-05-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Listen. I could not put this down. I kept insisting to myself that I would stop listening and go to bed, but I kept 'Oh, well, One more Chapter, then' if I was even 1 second too slow to pause it.

While I do not usually love the miscommunication trope, which this has in spades, it is for a good reason. They've both been hurt and they have a hard time trusting one another. They make assumptions about their own worth and often make decisions based on what they think is better for the other person even if it is incorrect. Somehow, it's not annoying. Somehow, these two dummies not talking to one another is thoroughly delightful.

I enjoyed the world-building, though it's not particularly deep. The spice was great. The characters were incredible. Highly recommend and SO EXCITED to see that this book has a follow-up about Corin and Eliana!!!

As a final note, this is an amazing narrator and I will absolutely be seeking out more of her.

I received an ALC for audible from storyorigin and this is an honest review.

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