Review: A Broken Blade (The Halfling Saga #1) by Melissa Blair

Rating: 4.25⭐️🌈

A Broken Blade, the first book in the completed The Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair, an indigenous writer from Canada, is a fascinating read.

It’s Blair’s first published novel and it’s a dark fantasy that features a bisexual woman protagonist, a Halfing, who’s as layered and realistic as I have read recently.

Starting from the very first paragraph, the reader is drawn into a dark narrative because Keera, the King’s Blade or assassin is also a drunk who is losing her edge.

She’s become a guilt ridden alcoholic, all the deaths of innocents she’s taken on the King’s orders, most her own people, Halflings who only wanted freedom from slavery haunting her in a very specific way. She’s self harming, a cutter.

She’s also in charge of the Shades, a group of assassins of Halfling women, stolen as children and raised to become the monsters they are.

In a dying fantasy world of humans who hate the Fae and Halfings (those who have Fae blood), all of the Halfings physically are owned by the King.

Blair creates a realistic world where the poor are starving, lining the streets with their corpses while the King and his sadistic son live extremely well, shored up by his powerful assassins.

Until an enemy known as the Shadow strikes against the King, and he sends his Blade to find him.

This is a enemy to lovers dark fantasy with the main character having a strong tragic sapphic romantic backstory. The main male character isn’t as well written as she is, and that impacts their dynamics. He’s always a lesser character and while he’s still a good one, this aspect of the story reduces the power of the relationship.

I found Keera a trapped and emotionally haunted character. She’s constantly trying to escape her surroundings only to find that those around her haven’t been truthful.

Whether you as a reader find that is a betrayal to her or not is up to you.

Who and what she actually is remains part of the series mystery. It seems that it isn’t really revealed until the end.

As the series is finished, I did skim over the descriptions of the next stories (I know, bad me), and Keera’s journey is anguished, filled with deep tragedy, and relapse. Some people weren’t happy with the ending.

Was it dark? That would make sense because Keera actually said she should pay for the deaths of the innocent victims.

I don’t know. But as tough a read as this might be, I’ll probably continue reading. The main character is real and damaged by her choices. I’ll see her out.

Is this a series for you? There’s trigger warnings plenty. SA, torture, self harm, violence, alcohol abuse, and other issues. So only you can make the decision.

The Halfling Saga:

A Broken Blade #1

A Shadow Crown #2

A Vicious Game #3

An Honored Vow #4

Buy link

Book 1 of 4: The Halfling Saga

Blurb

My body is made of scars,

some were done to me,

but most I did to myself.

Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the king’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure moves against the Crown, Keera is called upon to hunt down the so-called Shadow. She tracks her target into the magical lands of the Fae, but Faeland is not what it seems . . . and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she learns, and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is: the King that destroyed her people or the Shadow that threatens the peace?

As she searches for answers, Keera is haunted by a promise she made long ago, one that will test her in every way. To keep her word, Keera must not only save herself, but an entire kingdom.

Fans of fast-paced high fantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Inadequate Heir, and From Blood and Ash author Jennifer L. Armentrout, will enjoy the fierce female characters, sapphic representation, and fantasy romance of A Broken Blade.

Publisher

Union Square & Co.

Publication date

August 2, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

439 pages

Book 1 of 4

The Halfling Saga

Review: Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore #2) by Jasmine Mas

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Be warned of many Triggers: graphic violence, past childhood abuse/trauma, torture, and more.

The violently complex , and ultimately successful sequel to Blood of Hercules, Mas continues the bloodbath saga of the deeply damaged young woman, Alexis ,who discovered she was actually Hercules, daughter of Persephone and Hades, god of the Underworld.

Weaving mythology with a powerful new world vision of the Greek pantheon and humanity, Mas has been telling the tortured story of Alexis’ journey from abused orphan to Hercules, daughter of the Gods, one still fighting for her life and finding her own way towards destiny and new life.

This story picks up from the violence acts of the ending of the Blood of Hercules, where Alexis was trapped into marriage by both Augustus and Kharon. From the horror of waking up married to plans for revenge, and the hidden agenda that seeks her ruination, Alexis is fighting not just for survival but for her right as the daughter of Hades.

Achilles and Patro,her mentors are both equally responsible for her new battles and their own struggles.

A layered, enormously complex, violent and kinky tale, I enjoyed it immensely. There’s things that I wish were better explored or handled by the author in greater depth, but it’s a big story and it sets up the next book and chapter in this saga to come.

Alexis, Augustus and Kharon seem to have a resolution of sorts to their own relationship. Although the main “villain” isn’t necessarily held accountable. Mas has left several storylines hanging and I’m sure that’s because they carry over into the next book which features Achilles and Patro. And one more new character from this book to make another tormented third.

Mas has a thing for twisted dynamics and damaging relationships. And we’re definitely headed back in that territory next. Look for trigger warnings for this book as well.

If you enjoyed the Blood of Hercules, then you will love this sequel.

Villains of Lore:

Blood of Hercules

Bonds of Hercules #2

Buy link

Book 2 of 2: Villains of Lore

Blurb

I’m Hercules, but my powers are not what they seem.

I’m trapped in a marriage with my two enemies and I’ve accidentally joined a cult. To make matters worse, Augustus and Kharon are trying to seduce me. It doesn’t help that my mentors, Achilles and Patro, are acting really strange.

Now, a dangerous prisoner has escaped from the Underworld, and things are spiraling out of control.

Men are fighting over me.

Mysteries are unfolding left and right.

And I’ve had enough.

Everybody better beware because I’m fighting in the Gladiator Competition and seizing my power.

Things are about to get very messy.

For Sparta.

A Dark Romantasy for readers who love:

“Who did this to you?”
Kickass heroine
Extreme Enemies to Lovers
Morally Gray Alpha Heroes
Greek Myths and Gladiator competitions
Zodiac Academy, Quicksilver and Shield of Sparrows

Are you Team Professors or Team Mentors? Choose a side.

Publisher

Canary Street Press

Publication date

October 28, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

544 pages

Book 2 of 2

Villains of Lore

Review: Chameleon Assassin (Chameleon Assassin Series Book 1) By BR Kingsolver

Rating: 4⭐️

This is another engaging, interesting series by Kingsolver, an author who I automatically follow. I enjoyed this story and the character, a woman assassin/thief raised by her criminal parents in a dystopian world.

The world building is well established and the society is one that the reader can understand visualize.

Voted Best Urban Fantasy 2017, it’s very contemporary in its content with corporations ruling over the population, and the Chamber of Commerce at the top. The poor have become even more worse off and the rich elite are obsessed with staying there.

Kingsolver is best at portraying the lower classes, the castoffs of society, where her spare language is used to maximize the impact of their lack economic status and dire social conditions. The way that Libby, utilizes her mutations (a norm of this world) is fascinating. She’s a rare type, one being a chameleon, perfect in her many roles from assassin to thief.

Her parents, both great characters as well, are intriguing in their own roles and I look forward to learning more about them.

The storyline is suspense filled with plenty of action, mystery, and intriguing characters.

This introduces the reader to her and her world, setting the groundwork.

My few thoughts about her development was that a character so well trained, and established, especially from a young age, wouldn’t be telling a “friend “ details about a delicate highly confidential heist, one that could potentially cause her death and that of her father. That made no sense. She would have kept quiet.

This and a few other narrative “mis-steps” took some credibility away from her character.

Chameleon Assassin (Chameleon Assassin Series Book 1)

By BR Kingsolver was a fun read and another Kingsolver recommendation.

Cover art by Heather Hamilton-Senter

The Chameleon Assassin Series Chameleon Assassin Chameleon Uncovered Chameleon’s Challenge Chameleon’s Death Dance

Buy link

Book 1 of 5: Chameleon Assassin Series

Blurb

Voted Best Contemporary/Urban Fantasy of 2017 by eFestival of Words

I’m the best thief, hacker, and assassin money can buy. But even I know when a job is too dangerous.

In 2200, corporations rule what’s left of civilization, turning the world into a ruthless battlefield of wealth and survival. The elite live in their walled estates, indulging in luxury, while the mutants, the poor, and the criminals scramble to survive.

That’s where I come in. Need a corporate rival eliminated? A priceless artifact retrieved? A high-security system hacked? I’m your girl—if the price is right.

But even paradise has its problems. A deadly new drug is killing off the elite’s sons and daughters, and the

Chamber of Commerce wants me to find out who’s behind it. Millions are on the line. Bodies are piling up. And this time, there may be no clean way out.

They think I’m just another player in their game.

They’re wrong.

If you’re ready for a gritty, high-tech thrill ride with a heroine who never blinks, start here

Review: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying (Dark Lord Davi Book 1) by Django Wexler

Rating: 3⭐️

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying (Dark Lord Davi Book 1) by Django Wexler should be just my jam. But no matter how much I try to like it, I just can’t find it in myself to enjoy the story.

It’s got a clever concept. A princess is caught up in a tale where she is defending her world against the Dark Lord. Unfortunately, she never wins. She loses, is subjected to horrific acts and dies. Or dies quickly. But usually she’s caught, captured, and tortured by the Dark Lord for a long time (very descriptive), then dies. Then she’s revived via a Groundhog Day plot and so it goes. For hundreds or thousands of years.

It’s all very coldly narrated and factual. Let me say as a woman this was an aspect of the story I didn’t like.

Davi then switches over to become the Dark Lord herself. This should be an important, and emotional moment for her and the story. However, its treatment is just as deadpan and flat as everything that’s preceded it.

Her actions, and the events that follow are those that do little to connect the reader or celebrate her change in status.

Honestly, the biggest fight here was to complete the book.

The plot was clever but the characters are one dimensional. I didn’t have any problems putting the book down because I wasn’t interested in Davi or her future.

There’s other humorous fantasy stories. Matt Dinneman’s series if you’re interested in RPG lit gamer fiction.

You might want to check it out.

Buy link

Book 1 of 2: Dark Lord Davi

Blurb

Groundhog Day meets Deadpool in Django Wexler’s raunchy, hilarious, blood-splattered fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

“Takes the old saying ‘If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,’ to the next level. A sarcastic, action-packed, intrigue-filled (mis)adventure. One of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time.”–Matt Dinniman, author of Dungeon Crawler Carl

Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.

This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side.

A humorous western isekai featuring the reincarnation of an antihero female lead.

Burningblade & Silvereye

Ashes of the Sun

Blood of the Chosen

Emperor of Ruin

Review: The Things Gods Break (The Crucible Book 2) by Abigail Owens

Rating: 4.5🔥

The Things Gods Break , a follow up to The Games Gods Play, is the book in The Crucible series that will make a reader want to absolutely scream at the author at the end. Especially knowing they have to wait for the next book to be released.

Yes, major cliffhangers happen here.

No I’m not going to make any spoilers.

The Things Gods Break is excellently written, has so many fantastic twists and unexpected plot surprises that no one should spoil it for another reader.

At the end of the first book, our main female protagonist, Lyra and her best friend Boone are trapped behind locked doors in the underworld prison of Tartarus. That left Hades on the other side, threatening to burn the entire world to the ground to free her.

In Tartarus with Lyra and Boone? The Titans. And Lyra is the key to their success in leaving the prison. It’s a succession of seven ancient locks that are that major elements here. The key to freedom for both the Titans and Lyra and Boone.

So many great aspects of the story. Here Hades and Lyra are kept apart, so we get their development and storylines separated. It’s powerful and will contribute to that ending.

Owens’ use of Greek mythology and its gods within her series, tweaking it for her own narrative is imaginative and interesting. They continue to remain compelling figures.

Here the author really dives hard into the characters (and our emotions). As the events and heart wrenching experiences continue to unfold, and the characters become more complex, the unexpected twists pop up. That ending!

The Things Gods Break will read unlike the first, but it’s just as compelling. And now I can’t wait for the next one to come out.

Highly recommended.

Cover design by LJ Anderson and Bree Archer

Interior map design by Elizabeth Turner Stokes

Interior map images by Nadia Murash/Shutterstock,

The Crucible series

Book #1 The Games Gods Play

Book #2 The Things Gods Break

Buy link

Book 2 of 2: The Crucible

Blurb

The gods want her dead…Hades will bury them.

You’d think I’d have learned by now:

Don’t mouth off to deities.

Don’t fall for the King of the Underworld.

And definitely don’t get dragged into a divine death match where I’m the cursed mortal prize.

But here I am—trapped in Tartarus, humanity’s worst pit stop, squaring off against monsters who make the gods look merciful. Titans, twisted by centuries of rage and ruin, are sealed behind seven ancient locks.

And guess what?

I’m the key.

To escape, I’ll have to survive every horrifying trial they throw at me.

To win, I might have to become something the gods never saw coming.

Oh, and Hades?

He’s about to break every rule the gods ever wrote.

Because to save me…the god of death will burn the world.

But if I break free? So do the Titans.

And the world won’t just suffer—it’ll beg for the end.

The Crucible series is best enjoyed in order.

Reading Order:

Book #1 The Games Gods Play

Book #2 The Things Gods Break

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Publication date: October 21, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 673 pages
Book 2 of 2: The Crucible

Review: Unleashing Mayhem (Demon Bound Book 4) by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4.5🌈

While Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan) remains the highlight of this series for me, Unleashing Mayhem is a terrific way in which to wrap up the Demon Bound quartet.

As each book has had as its main focus one of the four demons sealed away together, repeatedly summoned until finally they find themselves getting with their mates who summoned them. From a book that ends up in the hands of a Russian American mafia family.

Here in the finale, it’s an emotionally and physically damaged Matty, a young man rescued by the Koslovs and their mates, escaping from his barbarically disturbed own criminal family. Matty has been living (hiding) in Sascha’s and Kai’s home.

But he’s plagued by his past , PTSD and nightmares. Until the demon Nightmare comes to view him. And makes plans of his own.

This was a wild, incredibly satisfying story and great way to end the series. By bringing the final demon into the world and giving him his own mate, Matty, in a highly unusual and unique manner, it gives Matty and the reader the resolution to the story we were waiting for. And in a way that’s emotionally powerful and satisfying.

Everyone gets their HEA, the real villains are foiled in a manner that is befitting their crimes, and we get to see Matty in a new perspective, and supported. By his demon, Nightmare.

And while, Ivan and Nix will remain my favorite characters here, this is a fantastic ending to a demonic quartet and their mates!

Definitely a winner.

Cover designed by MiblArt.

Demon Bound:

🔹Wrecking Havoc #1 (Kai and Sascha)

🔹Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan)

🔹Calling Chaos #3 (Chaos and Cooper)

🔹Unleashing Mayhem #4 – finale (Matty and Nightmare)

Buy link

Unleashing Mayhem (Demon Bound Book 4)

Blurb

Matteo’s been running scared for so long he’s forgotten what it’s like to feel safe. Or maybe he never knew in the first place. Raised by a cruel man, tormented by an even crueler one, and recently rescued by a demon, Matty’s still jumping at shadows around every corner. When he sees a familiar face from the past and realizes his ghosts really have come back to haunt him, Matty does the only reasonable thing he can think of.

He summons someone even worse.

Nightmare is a solitary demon by nature. He’s never needed a companion or a lover or a friend, and he’s never minded being feared by others of his kind. But one taste of Matteo’s sweet, terrified soul and Nightmare needs more. When he’s finally summoned to Matteo’s side, Nightmare finds himself exactly where he wants to be. Now it’s only a matter of patience, seduction, and convincing his little human that one contract isn’t enough.

What they really need is an eternity.

UNLEASHING MAYHEM IS A HEATED MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A SWEET HUMAN AFRAID OF EVERYONE BUT THE MONSTER AT HIS SIDE, A DEMON SO POSSESSIVE EVEN OTHER DEMONS RUN SCARED, A FOUND FAMILY MADE OF MOBSTERS AND MONSTERS, AND A SUMMONING GONE RIGHT (FOR ONCE). WHILE EACH BOOK FOCUSES ON A DIFFERENT COUPLE, THE SERIES IS BEST ENJOYED IN ORDER.

Publication date: July 17, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 249 pages
Book 4 of 4: Demon Bound

Review: Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

Rating: 5⭐️

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher reads like a the type of fairy tale that you would expect from the a grimmer or perhaps Grimm era of fantasy fiction. Dark, magical, full of secrets and royal kingdoms gone awry.

There’s a terrible prince, several sister princesses whose awful fate has been sealed by their small Kingdom’s geography, and their younger sister who finally decides on a journey of revenge.

Kingfisher’s incredible tale brings us bone dogs, fairy godmothers, ghosts and a journey full of unexpected adventures, overwhelming odds, and , at the end , love in a number of different forms.

I don’t think I’ve read anything by T. Kingfisher before but now I’m on a mission to discover everything this author has written. The imagery and beauty of this book, the fantastic characters and unsettling but gripping story just thrilled me as a reader.

Dark, magical, fabulous.

No real romance but ends on the promise of a potential romance in the future for the main character of Marra.

Winner of the Hugo award for Best novel of 2022 (a fact I wasn’t aware of before I read it) , this book absolutely deserved it.

Highly recommended!

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comNettle & Bone: Kingfisher, T. – Books

Blurb

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel

An Instant USA Today & Indie Bestseller

An Oprah Daily Top 25 Fantasy Book of 2022

A Vulture Best Fantasy Novel of 2022

An NPR Best Sci Fi, Fantasy, & Speculative Fiction Book of 2022

A Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee

From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive fantasy adventure.

*The very special hardcover edition features a gold foil stamp on the casing and custom endpapers illustrated by the author.*

This isn’t the kind of fairy tale where the princess marries a prince.

It’s the one where she kills him.

Marra ― a shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter ― is relieved not to be married off for the sake of her parents’ throne. Her older sister wasn’t so fortunate though, and her royal husband is as abusive as he is powerful. From the safety of the convent, Marra wonders who will come to her sister’s rescue and put a stop to this. But after years of watching their families and kingdoms pretend all is well, Marra realizes if any hero is coming, it will have to be Marra herself.

If Marra can complete three impossible tasks, a witch will grant her the tools she needs. But, as is the way in stories of princes and the impossible, these tasks are only the beginning of Marra’s strange and enchanting journey to save her sister and topple a throne.

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 by Matt Dinniman

Rating: 4.75⭐️

What inspired, insane fiction! Dungeon Crawler Carl: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1 by Matt Dinniman just about defies being categorized into a trope. It’s too wild, too murderously funny, thrilling, outrageous, and alien to be put into a box.

Coast Guard veteran, Carl, is living in an apartment with his ex-girlfriend’s Champion Persian cat, Princess Donut, when she takes a runner out his window. It’s late, so he follows in only his boxers, pink crocs, and a coat to capture her from the tree.

Then the aliens arrive.

What happens next is bedlam. Death, destruction, and alien gamers galore as a galactic corporation sets up a massive network game called Dungeon Crawler on what is left of Earth.

If you have played any type of game, then you will be familiar with the main elements of the story. Leveling up, winning points, getting gift boxes, fighting bosses etc, that you would in most games. If you haven’t, you can pick it up.

But the characters, the monsters, the interactions and sheer intensity of the game and situations are believable and gripping. It’s fast paced and over the top murderous lunacy at times. And just when it’s veering off into the ultimate craziness, author Dinniman brings us and Carl back into the terrifying, devastating reality of what happened to the world Carl knew. Everything’s occurring so quickly, he’s having to react to survive, crisis after crisis, that he’s not been able to properly process his emotions or the reality of his own situation. Or Princess Donut’s.

The shattering heartbreak of the callousness of this situation will fleetingly make it known but, at least in this story, they can’t stop and reflect on what happened. They must keep moving.

There’s so many great moments and inventive characters. Carl and Donut, who both acts like a cat and a highly intelligent leader, are incredibly believable and relatable personalities.

I’m quickly headed to the next book, there’s seven released at the moment, and it’s not completely finished yet.

Can’t imagine not wanting to read such a well written, highly entertaining, imaginative novel. Yes, it’s extremely violent, tons of deaths, heartbreaking but also funny. Fascinating, and thoughtful. Great for those who like to game and those who don’t.

A urban fantasy adventure/science fiction alien crossover? Either way, highly recommended.

These are, book by book, the most incredible, on point illustrations for covers. Colors are popping, the characters are spot on! Amazing artwork!

Cover Illustration by Luciano Fleitas

Cover Design by Toby Dinniman

Interior Illustrations by Erik Wilson

Series not complete/Dungeon Crawler Carl:

Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario #2

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook #3

The Gate of the Feral Gods #4

The Butcher’s Masquerade #5

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride #6

This Inevitable Ruin #7

Buy link

Dungeon Crawler Carl: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1

Blurb

The apocalypse will be televised!

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Publication date: October 2, 2020
Language: English
Print length: 446 pages

Review: Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1) by Sable Sorensen

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Direbound is the debut fantasy novel by Sable Sorensen, a pen name of two co-authors and friends creating their first fantasy/paranormal series.

Direbound is, for the most part, a very successful romance fantasy thriller. Direbounds narrative is full of giant dire wolves, a horrific physically demanding mountain trial the main characters have to undergo. And for those that survive? They become part of a terrifying murderous academy of bonded pairs ,in a story that includes an enemies to lovers potential love story, missing children, and terror everywhere.

There are many elements I found absolutely fascinating, things that held my attention and kept me riveted to this world and ongoing drama.

I found I was totally involved in the main character of Meryn Cooper, alley cat street fighter of the Eastern Quarter who turns to the army when a family tragedy strikes. Her unexpected journey into a new path than the one she envisioned for herself. She’s tough, well rounded, and credible in every aspect of her journey. Well, except one.

Her character, that of the twins, Isabel and Venna, one of the sisters is hearing impaired being a factor and the use of sign language in their stories, and the Rawbonded brutality of this story is a very well written aspect of Direbound.

Another important aspect of the story is the bonding between the wolves and their human bondmates. It’s unlike other stories, it’s far more complex, pack like and brutal than other similar tales. The raw energy, high emotional intelligence of the wolves and constant tension and conflict between them is a great way to keep the reader engaged and guessing here.

Survival isn’t guaranteed, and some of the characters are more relatable than others.

There’s plenty of mystery and chaos and drama mixed in with the murderous conflicts and bonding events.

The relationships between characters make and break the story for me. Yes to all the wolf/human dynamics. And those relationships between the humans fighting for survival and final bond rights. Those are believable.

But outside of those? It’s that boyfriend aspect that drags everything down.

Things that absolutely irritates me as a reader? A nickname of endearment like Kitten. One it’s has a displaced terminology aspect associated with it for the type of the locations and world foundation the author is creating here. However, more importantly, its usage indicates a different issue for the character, one I believe is telegraphed too soon. See boyfriend that bothers me above. That entire element just isn’t as well written.

But the story is a gripping tale and it keeps me invested in its journey. Especially when the ending is so dramatically shocking.

That’s a great way to end.

Now quickly let’s talk about why I think this book deserves a better reading. The PR should let it stand on its own merits.

What this isn’t is what the PR releases desperately wants it to be “Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games in dark action-packed fantasy series!” No, and I wish every heavy handed PR group would stop this kind of release approach. It does a disservice to the authors, readers and actually the book by not letting them see it on its own without a preconceived notion.

Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1) by Sable Sorensen is a terrific debut novel. It has some fantastic elements that make it stand out on its own right as a paranormal/fantasy thriller. This includes that great wolf bond aspect of the book.

And a woman character that is strong and well developed in Meryn Cooper.

I’m definitely recommending this book and looking forward to reading more in the series.

Cover design by Ivy at Beautiful Covers

The Wolves of Ruin trilogy :

Direbound #1

Furybound #2 – July 30,2025

Direbound 3 – November 25,2025

Buy link

Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1)

Blurb

Only the worthy survive the Bonding Trials. She’ll risk her life—and her heart—to be one of them…

Meryn Cooper has never dreamed of being one of the Bonded, the King’s elite warriors who form mental links with massive, vicious direwolves. She’s made peace with her life scraping by in poverty in the shadows of the castle. But then her younger sister Saela is kidnapped, stolen across the border by the immortal monsters her country has spent centuries fighting.

And Meryn’s world falls apart.

Desperate to cross the front and save her sister, Meryn enlists in the army—only to discover that there are Bonding Trials this year, where all soldiers are forced to risk their lives in an attempt to connect with a direwolf. It’s too late to turn back; Meryn is thrown into the deadly competition against her will.

Now, she’ll need to survive the next four months of training at the castle if she wants a chance of finding Saela. Everything here is a test, from the brutal classes where one mistake means death, to the glittering court parties where every smile hides a knife.

To make things worse, Meryn is bound to a feral direwolf who refuses to communicate. The other trainees would love to spill her common blood. And her gorgeous instructor, Stark Therion, is as malicious as the wolves himself.

Everyone is out to get her—everyone but the dangerously handsome crown prince, Killian Valtiere. But if she loses her heart to him, she may also lose her life.

And the castle is hiding dark secrets…

— Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1) by Sable Sorensen

Direbound is set in a dark fantasy world and contains dark subject matter and adult romance. Content warnings for this book include gruesome, explicit on-page violence; self harm; mental health issues including anxiety, depression and psychosis; domestic abuse; parental death; and explicit sexual content including elements of dubcon.

Review: Midnight Auto Parts (The Body Shop Book 3) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.75⭐️

It’s hard to say no spoilers when the blurb just goes ahead with the most shocking element of this book as well as the ending of the last.

But where most novels would have a hard time finding a storyline that then raises the narrative bar for the characters and series arc, Hailey Edwards has no problem moving forward with another great book that’s thrilling, emotionally compelling and plot wise extremely complex.

This is a fantastic story that I had to read twice, and then immediately regretted it because the next in the series isn’t released yet. It’s that incredible a series that I need to go straight into the next book.

Frankie’s development goes into areas I hadn’t even considered, making me even more excited about the future. There’s new mythology, new gods and powers but even greater depth to the relationships and family dynamics.

Hailey Edwards is writing an excellent series and an amazing character arc with Frankie.

A must read.

Great cover art both for storytelling and characters.

Cover by Damonza

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop series:

Fair Market Value #1

Amber Gambler #2

Midnight Auto Parts #3

Cheater Slicks #4 – Dec 25,2025

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