Category: 5 star Rating

Review:  Night Shift Dragons  (DFZ Book 3) by Rachel Aarons

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Rachel Aarons does her complex characters splendid in the finale story, Night Shift Dragons  (DFZ Book 3) by Rachel Aarons. 

One of the most compelling themes in the series has been the father/daughter relationship between Opal Yong-ae and her father, Yong, the Dragon of Korea. 

Btw, that’s them on the cover. Fabulous. 

Once a loving dynamic when she was very young, as she grew up, the relationship became a constant struggle for independence and freedom, to be seen as a individual, not as a Dragon’s gem, literally her name. The narrative, at first sees this dynamic from Opal’s perspective, changing over gradually to that of the ancient dragon’s view of his daughter. 

Night Shift Dragons is all about the young and old growing into their relationships, developing their personalities and abilities in the process.  This is a highly emotional story that still action packed , full of magically imaginative moments. Scary ones. 

 Whether they’re a young powerful shaman like Opal learning to control her abilities, the ancient dragon Yong finally recognizing he’s repeating patterns from his despised father and changing, to astonishingly a young god like DFZ who wants to be a different type of city if her people will let her , this book is full of the storylines and elements that bring us with all of them through their harrowing journey and the wildly different paths each takes to get to the ending. 

I love how maniacal this city feels in its very being. A place Timothy Leary or an acid trip would envision and maybe still not be wild enough. Then make it sentient but dependent upon the will and desire of those in it. Amazing.

All the side characters are equally incredible. Nik , Opal’s mom, White Snake, the Dragon of Detroit. On and on. 

There are parts where it was a bit dense but there’s so much to the city and magical systems that I get it. 

But as someone new to this universe and author, what an amazing world and fantastic series. 

I’m going back to pick up the first series. 

Highly recommended! Love the covers!

Cover Illustration by Tia Rambaran, Cover Design by Rachel Aaron

The DFZ Trilogy (2nd of 3 series)

Minimum Wage Magic 

Part-Time Gods 

Night Shift Dragons 

Buy link

        Night Shift Dragons (DFZ Book 3)

    

Blurb 

They say family always sticks together, but when the whole world—humans, dragons, and gods—wants your dad dead, “filial responsibility” takes on a whole new meaning.

My name is Opal Yong-ae, and I’m in way over my head. I thought getting rid of my dad’s bad luck curse would put things back to normal. Instead, I’m stuck playing caretaker to the Great Dragon of Korea. That wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t such a jerk, or if every dragon on the planet wasn’t out to kill him, or if he were my only problem.

Turns out, things can always get worse in the DFZ. When a rival spirit attacks my god/boss to turn the famously safety-optional city into a literal death arena with Nik as his bloody champion, I’m thrust onto the front lines and way out of my comfort zone. When gods fight, mortals don’t usually survive, but I’m not alone this time. Even proud old dragons can learn new tricks, and with everything I love falling to pieces, the father I’ve always run from might just be the only force in the universe stubborn enough to pull us back together.

The final book in the DFZ trilogy featuring dysfunctional dragon families, magic gone haywire, and a city on the brink of apocalypse. Again.

  • Publisher: Aaron/Bach (May 5, 2020)
  • Publication date: May 5, 2020
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 460 pages

Review:  A Forgotten Mistake (Deadly Mistakes #2) by Alice Winters 

Rating: 4.75🌈

The past comes rushing back for Homicide Det Liam Paige, the murderous psychopath who’s one delicious side of this two POV narrative in A Forgotten Mistake, the second story in the Deadly Mistakes series from Alice Winters. 

The other voice belongs to cat loving Detective Gabriel Hyde, partner , voice of reason and stability, as well as the beloved of the hilariously acerbic Liam. 

Winters uses the cases and investigations here to further the inter-departmental relationships Liam is reluctantly building with various team members he’s established barriers with previously and to reaffirm his commitment to the other romantic relationship he’s made with Gabriel.   It’s a layered story, shockingly emotional and compellingly told. 

Many details about Liam’s past life become hugely relevant to the cases and storylines here, impacting the investigations but Liam’s mental and emotional state. And that of Gabriel’s.

While there’s deeply disturbing and shocking elements in the scenes and storylines, there’s an equal amount of genuine hilarious moments. Gabriel,his cat,Lucille Pawl helps , in spectacular fashion, a new family member get added. 

A Forgotten Mistake (Deadly Mistakes #2) by Alice Winters is a fantastic book.  The author creates a compelling narrative that allows for the characters to explore their relationships and deepen their friendships, or in Liam’s case, actually start to develop some.  Their characters show genuine growth through dramatic, tragic moments but we still have the comedy to lighten the load.

Highly recommended. A must read for lovers of this trope, author and amazing series. 

Deadly Mistakes:

  • A Simple Mistake #1
  • A Forgotten Mistake #2 

Buy link

        A Forgotten Mistake (Deadly Mistakes Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Liam

Despite winning Gabriel’s heart, my trials are not yet over when I’m stuck competing with Gabriel’s cat for his affection (why is she only evil when he’s not looking?), dealing with coworkers trying to befriend me (I should have blackmailed more of them), and worst of all… meeting Gabriel’s parents (whose affection I will win with lavish presents).

Oh, and hunting down another killer. Though that’s the easy part.

But when a crime scene brings me face-to-face with someone from my past, I realize I might have to fight to keep my secrets hidden from those who would tear me away from Gabriel forever.

Gabriel

Tackling Liam’s foster sister to the ground outside of a crime scene is the last thing I expected to do. It’s clear she needs help, and Liam might be the only person who can assist her. People are turning up dead, but if we fail to find the connection between them before it’s too late, innocent people might end up taking the fall or piquing the serial killer’s interest.

Thankfully, Liam’s no stranger to challenges as he draws me further into his secretive world where the vilest of humanity reside around every corner. He’s opening my eyes and making me fall even deeper in love with every breath as I realize that his darkness isn’t driving me away but pulling me even closer.

This man who is willing to burn the world down for me doesn’t realize just how far I’d go for him.

  • Publication date: March 18, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 395 pages

Review: A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen Book 1) by Helen Scheuerer

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Sheer utter cruel fantasy and I’m here for it.  With A Lair of Bones, Helen Scheuerer really cemented herself as one of my top authors of favorite fantasy novels. 

With top tier world building, hauntingly vivid imagery, as well as the ability to create characters that start as raw flawed beings that shift and develop emotionally as this story and their journey begins , A Lair of Bones by Helen Scheuerer is a classic of epic fantasy.

This isn’t a romance, but truly a fantasy epic adventure told from the perspective of a young female cyren. We see her born to a prisoner, Cerys, a cyren who’s been imprisoned for centuries having committed the ultimate crime of using her death song against her own kind. 

This parentage makes Rohesia, our main character a Isruhe , a deeply injurious slur, “vermin of the deep” and those beings are marked by a golden circlet about their heads.  She and those of the lower depths of the Cyren island of Saddorial have the most disgusting and dangerous jobs. In her case, she and her friends are bone cleaners. 

The author has created a cruel, proud race of creatures we’ve known from mythology, expanding and evolving them into a evolved, highly predatory water dwelling species that lives in architecturally beautiful structures made entirely of the bones of those they’ve killed, mostly humans.  These aren’t a kind or forgiving race. 

Their main mantra is no Cyren is to be trusted. Everyone wears a mask. 

This is the world that our bone cleaners are born into and the one in which Rohesia, aka Roh will undertake the biggest challenge and transformation. To become the next Queen of the Cyrens.

This story will focus on Roh’s schemes to become a participant in the royal Queen’s Tournament and the surprise addition of a human being as a partner to keep alive and in good condition to compete the trials. 

Scheuerer has added so many fantastic aspects to this Tournament as well as characters that are ones that will have impactful roles to Roh in the series.  

Throughout the story, more of the history and magical systems, Cyren and mages, are incorporated into the narrative in dramatic moments and highly emotional scenes.

Roh is a very driven personality, scarred, ambitious and determined to rise above the scorned vermin she’s seen as. Her character is shown to evolve along with her perspective on her species and history as she undergoes the brutal challenges and has to interact with those around her. 

A Lair of Bones is such a compelling story with Roh and her companion’s’ journey a gripping suspense-filled tale, that I read it in one evening. And went immediately onto the next. 

I highly recommend reading A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen Book 1) by Helen Scheuerer. It’s top of my book list of favorite reads.

Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design

Curse of the Cyren Queen finished series:

A Lair of Bones #1

With Dagger and Song #2

The Fabric of Chaos #3

To Wield a Crown #4 – finale 

Buy link

        A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen Book 1)

    

Blurb 

As the daughter of an infamous criminal, Roh only cares about three things: her friends, finding her deathsong, and the upcoming royal Queen’s Tournament. 

A treacherous competition determines the ruler of magic every fifty years. This is Roh’s chance to change her life. Change her destiny. 

But she’s not the only one who wants to win. Champions from every land will fight to the death for a chance to wield unimaginable power.

The challenging part of the Queen’s Tournament for Roh is keeping her human partner alive. She can’t win or survive without him. Together they’ll have to face the most cunning, and dangerous warriors magic can throw at them. Together they’ll face more than enemies. Together, they’ll learn the meaning of true friendship.

Get ready for flawed heroines, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, epic worldbuilding, stunning magic and found family. Readers will love this fast-paced exhilarating fantasy.

  • Publisher: Alchemy; 1st edition (July 13, 2021)
  • Publication date: July 13, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 476 pages

 

 

Review:  Assistant to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain Book 1) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Fantastic! Laughed, cried a bit, and loved these characters and their stories so so much.  

It’s ridiculous how much I adore Eve Sage. And her Villain. 

Hannah Nicole Maehrer has written a  comedic fantasy series with surprisingly deep emotional layers, all due to the absolutely incredible characters and the weirdly complex dynamics that the author had created between them. 

This applies not only to the main characters of Evie Sage, the Assistant and The Villain, but all the many intriguing characters that inhabit the Mansion and story. 

How Evie, a young woman struggling with running a poor household with a sick father and younger sister, gets her job as the Assistant to The Villain, is just the opening of this fabulous story.  There’s so much heart and scope to Evie , the Villain, his staff and the strangeness that’s the Kingdom.  Maeher is constantly building out upon the world she’s steadily creating.  

There’s magical systems to learn about, otherworldly creatures, a Kingdom wide incurable disease, twists and plots turns a plenty. 

And Evie to absolutely fall in love with, along with a mysterious staff who are weird, curmudgeonly, including a crowned frog, who start to grow into a surprisingly beautiful found family of evil. Sort of. 

It ends on a cliffhanger. But one I like. Another great element. 

Onto Apprentice to the Villain!

I have a feeling I may be buying the paper version of these books. 

Highly recommended. 

Right now it’s action,  hint of romance, lots of magic, murder, and mayhem. And great characters and dialogue. 

Cover art and design by Elizabeth Turner Stokes 

Interior map art by Elizabeth Turner Stokes

Assistant and the Villain :

Assistant to the Villain #1

Apprentice to the Villain #2

Accomplice to the Villain #3   –  Aug, 5,2025

Buy link:

        Assistant to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

The Assistant and the Villain series is best enjoyed in order.

Reading Order:

Book #1 Assistant to the Villain

Book #2 Apprentice to the Villain

Book #3 Accomplice to the Villain

  • Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books (August 29, 2023)
  • Publication date: August 29, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 425 pages

Review:  Weyward: A Novel by Emilia Hart

Rating: 5⭐️

“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.—Adrienne Rich”

That’s the quote that ends this extraordinary story but just as easily could be the one that begins it. 

This is one of my most favored books. 

Emilia Hart’s story of three women, related to each other by blood and by the horrific abuse they are experiencing, and the cottage named Weyward that’s their home and finally their sanctuary. 

The author relates their stories simultaneously in three different time frames , managing to emotionally and historically connect them and us as a whole rich tapestry. 

Kate is the first voice, so fearful and utterly desperate. It’s 2019 and she’s got one chance to flee her abusive husband.  The scene is chilling and the terror palpable. 

Altha, a healer, is equally terrified, afraid for her life when we first meet. She’s on trial for witchcraft. The year is 1619. 

Violet is the third voice heard, an innocent in 1942, one who listens to her bees and mayflies in the gardens, and crows in the trees. She’s a wild child hidden away from the world by a harsh father , a woman, damaged by those close, who will be an unlikely bridge to the other two women and their worlds. 

The writing is remarkable, Hart is able to create a wild magic in her descriptions of the natural beauty and sounds of a garden. She brings alive the power of winds blowing through the woods, a dark threat imminent, on a dark, scary night, making the reader feel the fears for ourselves. 

The basics of the book is the women come from a long line of witches, which make them in tune with the power of the natural world , the insects and animals, as well as the environment around them.  But it’s  also about each of them finding their inner strength,  their acceptance of themselves and their past experiences. And these women have had some truly traumatic past histories and experiences occur to them.  Every possible thing you can think of. 

They survive, are courageous and resilient and beyond brave in going forward with their lives in the end. 

This is one of my favorite books besides The Women by Kristen Hannah .  Such a remarkably crafted story and memorably well written women. 

Highly recommended. Read the trigger warnings. 

I love the cover. Morg the crow and possibly his descendants play an important role in their lives. 

Cover art by Michael Storrings

Buy link

SponsoredAmazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comWeyward: A Novel: Hart, Emilia: 9781250280800: Amazon.com: Books

I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great-aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she suspects that her great-aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. When Altha was a girl, her mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence of witchcraft is laid out against Altha, she knows it will take all her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family’s grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weywardscratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an astonishing debut, and an enthralling novel of female resilience.

  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (March 7, 2023)
  • Publication date: March 7, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 408 pages

Review:  Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King Book 2) by Rachel Gillig

Rating: 5⭐️

“The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”

That whispered haunting refrain still has a hold on me. So does that ending and Gillig’s memorable cast of characters. 

Two Twisted Crowns brings Rachel Gillig’s  dark fantasy duology, The Shepherd King,  to a heartbreaking emotional (in certain ways), and fabulously dramatic conclusion.  Gillig began creating her compelling dark gothic immersive world in One Dark Window, with Elspeth Spindle and her Nightmare , the dark magical being that’s sharing her mind, Rayvn Yew who’s out to save his infected brother from being sacrificed , as well as a internal conflict between royals against the evil King .  Gillig ‘s then gave us an ending that left everyone emotionally shattered, including the reader. Sobbing.  And wondering how Two Twisted Crowns could possibly make things right. 

Two Twisted Crowns is everything I want in a sequel and finale.  It’s darker, it’s richly textured in scope as when the author is developing her storytelling, and the magic is more complex, more powerful than previously understood.  And the back stories coming to light far more tragic.  

Gillig adds another powerful story, that of Ione and Elm, each one a complex character with intimate connections to Elspeth and Ravyn. The multiple POV’s are skillfully executed, depicting the evolution of relationships and developments in events in the story as to enhance the forward dramatic moments and our emotional connection to all of them and the horrors that’s happening.

Gillig’s writing is poetic, the imagery haunting, and her storytelling so strong and compelling that this duology made me go buy hardcover copies for my already groaning bookshelves. These novels are must reads.

I’ll save my last words for the Nightmare. How I love him. 

ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴀᴍ sᴏʀʀʏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ᴛᴏᴏ. ғᴏʀ ɪ ᴅʀᴀɢɢᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ

Don’t miss out on him and this beautifully written series, The Shepherd King.  

A new auto recommend and thrilled to have found another auto buy author.

Love these covers.

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

The Shepherd King Duology-complete:

🔹One Dark Window #1

🔹Two Twisted Crowns #2

Buy link:

        Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King Book 2)

    

Blurb 

In the New York Times bestselling sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must confront the weight of her actions as she and Ravyn embark on a perilous quest to save the kingdom—perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching.

Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last—and most important—one remains to be found: the Twin Alders. If they’re going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head: the Nightmare.

And he’s not eager to share any longer.

Praise for One Dark Window:

“Enthralling from beginning to shocking end.” —Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

“Pulse pounding, darkly whimsical, and aglow with treacherous magic.” —Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

The Shepherd King 

One Dark Window 

Two Twisted Crowns

  • Publication date: October 17, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 458 pages

Dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, dark gothic, Gothic horror, dark fantasy fiction,

Review:  One Dark Window (The Shepherd King Book 1) by Rachel Gillig

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Another new author, another absolutely amazing novel.  This one actually had me sobbing, shattered at the end, even though the author’s story and characters said it was coming. 

I’m was and am so immersed in this dark world that Rachel Gillig has created, full of mystical elements, mythical beings, and sheer terror lurking in the shadows.  Literally a magical vindictive mist that’s slowly enveloping all the woods around the town and its people , able to infect them with an  sickness that turns their blood black with a magic that will eventually kill them. By immediate discovery by the cruel King’ magic hunters or by a slow disintegration by the magic itself.

Our main protagonist is young Elspeth Spindle. Infected and hidden from the hunters by her ex hunter Father himself in his brother’s house and raised with her uncle’s family, Elspeth immediately grabs our minds and hearts. One of my favorite characters of late. 

She’s got plenty of secrets, reason to keep them and herself hidden and emotionally isolated, resourceful and, naturally mistrusting.  In Elspeth, Gilleg has crafted a stunning character. She’s quietly brilliant in her unexpected qualities, so vastly multi dimensional in the depths of her needs , that an accompanying darkness feels even more terrifying. And shattering. 

The highly complex and imaginative use of a magical Deck of Cards as a base element in the series arc and storyline is so satisfying and powerful. There’s a number of interesting aspects to this facet of the series and it’s beautifully written. 

So is the many “historical poems “ or repeated quotes from the important texts that appear throughout this book and, I imagine the next.  They contain the clues to the story and the characters dramatic moments and quests. 

That said, it in no way lessens the impact of each scene and moment as it occurs.

These are fantastic characters and impactful storylines. They are filled with pain, horror, tragedy, and death.  While Gillig has included some very funny bits of conversation and humorous moments to lighten the tone, the main themes and plots are consistently dark and gothic.

The names the author has chosen are intriguing and greatly tied into the story. I always wonder what the author is thinking when creating the characters names and towns like Blunder. The main character of Ravyn Yew, a layered well defined character and great balance for Elspeth, is one who has a meaningful name that makes sense the more the story unfolds. I love this aspect of this book. 

There’s multiple points of view but it’s absolutely necessary and well written.  Three main ones to be exact.  Instead of being distracting, it becomes an integral component of the characters and their journey. 

I absolutely adore this cover and would have been drawn to it even if I didn’t love the description already. 

I love One Dark Window (The Shepherd King Book 1) by Rachel Gillig even if it left me sobbing at the end of the book. Now I’m on to see how this aspect of the story is handled in Two Twisted Crowns, the finale. 

Highly recommended and thrilled to have found this author. 

Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio.

The Shepherd King Duology-complete:

🔹One Dark Window #1

🔹Two Twisted Crowns #2

Buy link:

        One Dark Window (The Shepherd King Book 1)

    

Blurb 

For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom—but the monster in her head isn’t the only threat lurking.

Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. 

But nothing comes for free, especially magic. 

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the Destriers…and guilty of high treason. 

He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

  • Publication date: September 27, 2022
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 423 pages

Review:  Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts, #1) by Carissa Broadbent

Rating: 5⭐️

I’ve recently started reading what’s called romantasy, a broad term that covers a range of tropes that, honestly, don’t involve my interpretation of romanticism. 

The War of Lost Hearts, a fantastically well written complete fantasy trilogy, is an excellent example of a that. 

Daughter of No Worlds is the first novel in the series and introduces Carissa Broadbent’s fantasy world and incredible characters.  The author dumps the reader immediately into chaos, a war torn world and the most horrifying of choices forced upon the two main characters at moments that inflicts severe pain, deep damage, and forever changes the course of their lives. 

For Tisaanah, a child who becomes a slave, her distinctive appearance and “touch of magic “ identifying her to the slavers as a Fragmented one, not a true Valtain

Too young for to be sold as a prostitute, her ability to use magic,  be a Wielder, sees her sold away from the mines and as a slave to a Master in a city. 

That’s just the end of the Prologue. And where our story begins. Tisaanah is a character so beautifully written with complex layers that slowly reveal themselves throughout the storyline. We able to feel her rage, her endless well of determination and endurance as she struggles through unbelievable humiliation and crushing cruelty to obtain her goals. 

Broadbent doesn’t shy away from the violence but while the storyline and Tisaanah refer to her own life as a woman who was assaulted by her master and as a part of her life as a slave, it’s not a on page act or memory. She very clearly has taken charge of how she’s views the path she’d having to take, and vocal about how her actions have impacted it. 

The other main character is Max, a former member of The Order and a person who, unwillingly at first, becomes Tisaanah’s teacher and mentor.   He’s not as compelling as Tisaanah at first because she’s so powerful and magnetic a personality that it takes a little bit to find the balance between them.

But the author’s writing, vividly capturing Tisaanah’s learning process when it comes to languages as well as magic, and both of them awkward in their respective roles, it just works. 

This is an epic fantasy story, one of revenge, monsters, magic and triumph over extreme tragedy.  It really doesn’t need romance, and here the slow burn romance barely gets under way. 

The potential for greatness and for even greater evil is built in every where here. That’s a fantastic element of the story and series. A character that appears to be a true friend could easily become a force for the villain. Or the villain itself.  

Broadbent is building an imaginative immersive world, one that continues to expand and evolve as the story develops.   I couldn’t put this book down. 

The cast of characters is just as powerful and fascinating as the main characters they surround. It helps sustain the beliefs that this universe exists and that our connection to it has deep believability. 

I’m immediately onto the next book . But I highly recommend reading this. BookTok has jumped all over this and I absolutely agree. I love it. 

Now a word about that cover . If I was going on covers alone, I wouldn’t have picked up the book.  It’s not as good portrayal of the character, imo, based on the author’s description. Tisaanah is a striking character. A Fragmented person, whose appearance reflects that:

“her skin and hair that was totally white, completely sapped of color, while splotches of what would have been her natural deeper coloring crawled across her skin. One green eye, one white. Streaks of dark mingling in silver hair.”

Her body is also heavily covered in scars, front and back.  That’s a person who has many unique features.The cover just doesn’t do her justice. My opinion.

Cover art by Ina Wong doesn’t work for me for very specific reasons. 

The War of Lost Hearts:

Daughter of No Worlds #1

Children of Fallen Gods #2

Mother of Death and Dawn #3

Buy link

        Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts Book 1)

    

Blurb 

A former slave fighting for justice. A reclusive warrior who no longer believes it exists. And a dark magic that will entangle their fates.

Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life.

Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione, a handsome and reclusive fire wielder who despises the Orders.

The Orders’ intentions are cryptic, and Tisaanah must prove herself under the threat of looming war. But even more dangerous are her growing feelings for Maxantarius. The bloody past he wants to forget may be the key to her future… or the downfall of them both.

But Tisaanah will stop at nothing to save those she abandoned. Even if it means gambling in the Orders’ deadly games. Even if it means sacrificing her heart.

Even if it means wielding death itself.

Fans of epic romantic fantasy like Sarah J. Maas and Raven Kennedy will devour this tale of dark magic, passionate romance, vengeance, and redemption.

(Note: This book contains adult material.)

  • Publisher: (January 7, 2020)
  • Publication date: January 7, 2020
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 520 pages

Review:  Blood of Hercules: Villains of Lore Book 1) by Jasmine Mas 

Rating: 5

While this is found under the popular label romantasy, in my mind, Blood of Hercules: Villains of Lore Book 1) by Jasmine Mas represents the finest aspects of dark fantasy fiction.

I haven’t read this author’s work before but found myself unable to put this book down once I started reading.  Mas has created many imaginative, thrilling and, yes, startlingly twisted ways of looking at Greek mythology and the Greek pantheon, both of which serve as foundation and universal elements of the series. 

Using this as a foundation to establish a dystopian world where Fate still meddles in the internecine politics of the gods , and humans who have borne the brunt of both the actions of themselves and the gods. And not fared well for it. 

Mas’ main character is a girl. Alexis, a incredibly detailed, believable, and heart wrenching character. She’s also when we meet her a very young, damaged one, currently in an extremely abusive foster home, if you could call a broken trailer that. A younger boy, a toddler, will be added to this group. 

This story is full of trauma and triggers. Read them and take note. Among them child abuse. Starvation, physical abuse, violence, and death. And once Alexis is taken, there’s more for her to endure. This is dark, dark, fiction. She’s considered a mutt, along with others. 

Romance? Mas actually refers to the fact that the Greek gods don’t have much in the way of real romance. Or monogamous pairs. Hades and Persephone being the outliers. It’s a free for all in terms of gender and sexuality and numbers.  The love seen here is saved for brutality and violence. Death and destruction.

There’s obsession, acquisition, and power. Romance? Not so much. So don’t expect any.

This is a brilliantly written piece about a young woman’s ability for to survive. To be betrayed, torn down to near death , and forced into new plans for her future. 

There’s multiple POV’s (importantly placed) but luckily, Mas keeps the primary voice to Alexis’, our strong hero of the story. She’s funny, acerbic , brilliant, deeply traumatized, scarred, violent about not being touched. And has a hidden goal of her own. She’s mesmerizing, tragic, persistent. And constantly on the brink of either utter success or failure. The reader is never sure which. 

I found it impossible to remove myself from her horrifying journey to the Spartan War Academy where she struggles through the terrifying physical and mental challenges and courses that the gods have given her and the rest of the applicants. 

Its layer upon layer of excellently constructed vividly described world building and intensely complex relationship dynamics. The characters involved, mostly her god mentors and Professors, present hidden dangers and dangerous narrative twists. 

Like Alexis, the reader learns quickly that any scene that’s seemingly funny or perilously entertaining is very temporary. That’s not a world where easy, casual or enjoyable is to be trusted.  

It ends on a note that’s just shy of being called a cliffhanger. If so, it’s ending that makes that next book even more greatly anticipated and thrilling. 

I’m headed back to reread this immediately.  I’m certain I missed key elements as layered with images and important information as it relates to the gods and history.

I highly recommend reading this but keep in mind that it’s dark fantasy fiction. If you’re looking for romance and high fantasy, this isn’t for you. 

Villains of Lore:

Blood of Hercules #1

Bonds of Hercules #2 – October 28,2025

Buy link

        Blood of Hercules: A Dark Romantasy of Myth and Power, Perfect for Fans of Greek Mythology and Spicy BookTok Reads: The Best Fantasy Romance of 2024 (Villains of Lore Book 1)

    

Blurb 

The overnight viral sensation everyone is talking about, Blood of Hercules, is a sarcastically funny, dark fantasy romance reimagining of Hercules from bestselling author Jasmine Mas—now available in paperback with full color character art, bonus content, and embossed lettering.

I’m just a girl. And it turns out, I’m Hercules.

I’m struggling to survive in a Titan infested world where Spartans, immortals from twelve royal families who have god-like powers and obscene wealth, rule over all. A shy-stammering foster child with nothing, I keep my head down, cover my scars, and focus on excelling in school. At least, I try to. Then it happens.

My blood test reveals I’m part of the powerful elite. I’m one of them. A Spartan.

Forced to attend the Spartan War Academy, I undergo the most harrowing test of all time to see if I have what it takes to be an immortal. There’s just a few problems. Achilles and Patro are my scary mentors. Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, the son of war, are my terrifying professors. Also, I’m pretty sure either someone’s stalking me everywhere I go, or my sanity’s slipping––I have a bad feeling both are true.

I’m surrounded by Villains and they’re smothering me with their hate, obsession, and dark possessiveness. Too bad for them, they have no clue just who they’re messing with.

A Dark Romantasy for readers who love:

  • “Who did this to you?”
  • Why Choose Romance
  • Extreme Enemies to Lovers
  • Morally Gray Alpha Heroes
  • Zodiac Academy, Quicksilver and When the Moon Hatched
  • Publisher: Canary Street Press (October 1, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 1, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 498 pages

Review:  Deadly Deception : Necromancer Tales Book 2 by MJ May

Rating: 5🌈

Superlative. Once again May is building a suspenseful, dynamic, thrilling new series by introducing a villain that’s truly horrifying by its  truly threatening but yet unknown nature.  But first, a fantastic well crafted, compelling murder mystery, full of secrets, bodies, ghosts, another necromancer , more world building, and just a outstanding story. 

Have to wait until the end but by the scenes described, the reader can imagine the scope of its plotting. One so immense that’s been unknown,  whose power and potential to harm this series’  world and characters will hang over each story.

Fabulous.

It starts with May taking her Erasmus Boone and Franklin O’Hare out of their homes and comfort zone, away from their jobs, family, friends and the warmth of the Mississippi , back to Chicago and the Midwest where Detective Franklin O’Hare came from and still has ties. 

It’s a great way to start. It’s cold. The Chicago PD murder case is fraught with danger, both in terms of emotional distress and the likelihood of prejudice against Boone. And then there’s the question of Franklin’s family who wants to meet Boone for the first time as well since they became a couple. 

The characters May creates for the Chicago PD and at every other aspect of the story are just as well defined, beautifully executed as any that’s come before. Their personalities develop and grow as the cases and investigations become more complex, just as you would imagine. 

Series characters are also evolving. Aurelia the djinn is finding new facets to her personality, possible emotions to figure out, and those are her struggle with her increasing unpredictability.  May’s strength in writing otherworldly beings that are absolutely at their core non human make her books magical, powerful, and often terrifying.  For the reader and the characters in the stories.

I can’t wait for this series to continue. What an amazing, scary journey lies ahead.  Highly recommended!  And I love seeing crossover characters from the Pixie series make connections here!

This is a must read, as it the series before it. 

Another excellent cover design by cheriefox

Related/Preceding Series:

Perfect Pixie Series 

🔹Perfectly Imperfect Pixie 

🔹Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story 

🔹Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story 

🔹Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story 

🔹Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story—End

Necromancer Tales:

Deadly Lineage #1

Deadly Deception #2

Buy Link:

        Deadly Deception: Necromancer Tales Book II

    

Blurb 

Necromancer Erasmus Boone’s life is better than he ever imagined. Bucking the typical necromancer storyline, Erasmus has managed to carve out a life filled with love and purpose. With Halloween fast approaching, Erasmus is ready to enjoy his favorite time of year. Unfortunately, Detective Franklin O’Hare’s Midwestern past has other ideas.

Covered in blood and found wandering the streets surrounding Chicago, a necromancer is being accused of murder—the victim and circumstances unknown. Mentally unstable, this unfortunate necromancer is in jeopardy of being railroaded for a crime he may or may not have been involved in. Franklin O’Hare’s former captain doesn’t want to witness another victimized necromancer. Aware of Franklin’s association with Erasmus, he calls on them for help.

Now headed for chillier climes, Erasmus and Franklin need to figure out if a crime has been committed, and if there’s one thing Erasmus excels at, it’s finding where the bodies are buried. Only Erasmus doesn’t just fine one victim; he finds several. When the souls of the departed blame their deaths on a long dead bogeyman, it becomes clear the local sheriff has a problem and a necromancer accused of murder is just the tip of the iceberg.

Between bringing back the dead, dealing with local prejudices, and meeting Franklin’s family, Erasmus has his plate full. Add on a worried warlock father and more than one attempted assassination, and Erasmus is more than ready to pack it up and head back to the warm Mississippi breeze. 

Deadly Deception is the second book in the Necromancer Tales series and should be read in order. This series is a spin-off of the Perfect Pixie series and takes place in the same world but can be read as a stand-alone series. Deadly Deception is a m/m romantic fantasy mystery with an unusually sane necromancer just trying to make a living, a humble human detective attempting to keep his necromancer boyfriend alive, an arrogant but redeemably overprotective warlock father, a deceptive killer, a questionably moral all-powerful djinn, a kitten who can’t figure out how it wound up in a backpack, let alone staring through a plastic bubble, humans—some redeemable and some not, a chilly Chicago fall, and a playfully bloodthirsty vampire. Deadly Deception has a HFN ending as it is part of an ongoing series. 

Mentions of violence, murder, souls brought back from the beyond, spaciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.

  • Publication date: January 21, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 335 pages