My World...in words and pages

Book Review: Faerie's Heart by S.M. Shadow

2026-04-13T07:00:00.001-04:00

Faerie's Heart by S.M. Shadow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brialyn was one of six girls sent away from their home in Elysium when only 12 years old. Brialyn was willing to leave to escape what happens to the faerie females. Especially one of the power she has. But she misses her home.

Brialyn has been running from many things through her life. So when Devryn shows up and offers to bring her home and protect her with a partnership, she is tempted. But she wants to protect herself from what Faerie do to their females too. Brialyn grows through this book. She has her doubts and desires, but she also knows she should protect the females she left behind. However, she realizes she's been running from things her life and is determined not to run again. So where will she make her stay to be her home?

Devryn was a character we met in the previous book. He was one that caught my eye as he was different from the other Hunters. In this book we see he is different, and he cares. As they return to Hunter Territory in Elysium, we see he wants to do more. And he is glad to have Brialyn by his side, but he just has to get Hunters to accept a Faerie as his mate and leader. But she can be so much more.

I really like the connection Devryn and Brialyn have. There was a moment that meant a lot to them both as they both felt seen in a moment when they were at a low.

I love how the characters are straight forward with each other from the beginning. They both internally want more, but they know it's too soon to think there could be more. They have their heads about them, but it leads to doubt too with emotions. When their heads clear, they do think clearly and do talk.

We learn more about the Darkness in this book. Brialyn and Devryn see a different side to the Darkness. I'm intrigued by the Darkness and come to a few thoughts I've had on it and the Light. In the end, I love what I've seen of the Darkness and the thoughts that go with it. I want to know more and see how things progress with the other territories.

This book is a romance story with a great plot arc for a series with the Darkness and Elysium. So there are steamy scenes. I do like how these characters build their relationship and how the world brings them together. Great writing in bringing it all together.

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Book Review: Of Blood and Fire by Keri Arthur

2026-04-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

Of Blood and Fire by Keri Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been loving this trilogy. This is the third book and it doesn't let me down. Keri Arthur keeps the story moving forward with lots of happenings. We return to the world with Bryn and everyone with a lot of chaos that we left it in after the last book. I was worried about how the book would end as there was so much happening. I did get an ending that completes the story and has the world left to go on as it does.

I love the plot. I was waiting to get resolve to the people and gold birds. We also have the things around Damon. That's all interesting. It was not what I was expecting, yet it totally fit. Which then leads to a whole thing with his father.

The world building is great. We have magic and different regions to the world and land. This is fleshed out and feels like a real world with how things are divided and working together.

I love the connection that's created with the dragons. To read Raia and her view and reactions with Bryn is great. She's a strong queen dragon. We see Bryn and Kaia in action with flames.

The ending was just as packed as the lead up to it. Lots happens and we get an overview of how the world is left. I know there's another trilogy set in the same world in the future. I'm looking forward to reading it. I love what's been created in this world.

The romance in the story is low. We get romantic scenes and there's a connection between Bryn and Damon when they are together. But they aren't always together, which I love how independent Bryn is.

The battles are unstoppable. I couldn't put the book down and wanted to see how it ends. There's danger and it gets really hairy for a number of characters. I do love Raia and wanting to flame everyone.

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Audio Book Review: Beta's Heart by S.M. Shadow

2026-04-06T07:00:00.001-04:00

Beta's Heart by S.M. Shadow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm going to be honest. Going into the book, I wasn't really a fan of Kiera's after the previous book. We hadn't meet her much. But I did love Gareth. So I was curious about how this novella was going to go.

In the end, I absolutely loved Kiera! And still loved Gareth.

This story is one from hints of attraction from Gareth and his wolf for Kiera. It takes things we learned of Kiera's father, who is beta in Hunter's Heart. We know he's not an honorable man, or at least suspect. And what we learn of the man here... wow, so much worse than I had expected.

And with Kiera's father, we see Kiera is a stronger person than I gave her credit for. People are working through tough things in ways they think will work.

These characters are upfront with their feelings and they respect each other for them. They also have a connection in the past that gives them something to build on. Thankfully. They once again work through their personal doubts along with struggles together. Learning what they want and how to let friends help and others in closer.

I love how S.M. Shadow takes a character I'm not sure about and has me love her in such a short story! Well written to draw me to the characters with their life circumstances.

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Audio Book Review: Hunter's Heart by S.M. Shadow

2026-04-02T07:00:00.001-04:00

Hunter's Heart by S.M. Shadow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Six girls were exiled from Elysium when they were twelve years old, all because the Oracle said it would help with the Darkness. Separated and sent to the human realm to live. Twelve years later it's time they come home to save Elysium from the growing danger of the Darkness.

This book is the one where Luca is sent to bring Ashlynn home.

Ashlynn is a strong independent woman. She has taken the initiative to try to find the other girls, with no avail. She knows who she is and even though she doesn't fit in with the human world, she's living her life.

I love when we meet Ashlynn as she's tending bar. Perfect for her personality.

Luca is a wolf who's had a strong history with Ashlynn. They were thick as thieves, until the day she was exiled. So there's hard feelings there.

I'm a fan of story being the focus with romance that fits with the story. This book gives me exactly that.

There's more going on in Elysium with the Darkness. People are getting sick and not making it. The center hexagon star is shot through with black veins. The oracle is vague, so is it really true or just a con to protect his own skin?

Ashlynn faces the darkness along with her feelings with her family and old friend. This all fits together to tell of what is happening in Elysium. We start to see what's happening. In the end we learn a few things and have a few questions.

This is a story with a steamy romance element to it. I'm a fan of when couples have a connection that can be a base and grown. Luca and Ashlynn have that in spades. They have personal struggles to get over. I love that they are smart characters. They take the cues and even though they have self doubts, they figure things out past their person feelings. Well created and written characters.

We get to see who the next is to be brought home from the six. And who's to find her.

I was taken with what we learned of the Darkness and how it acts. I want to continue with the series to see how it comes together and what happens with the Darkness.

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Audio Book Review: The Awakening of Joel Singer: the Evolution Within by Scott McCaffrey

2026-03-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

The Awakening of Joel Singer: The Evolution Within by Scott McCaffrey
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This story had elements I liked. It's a science fiction story with someone who's created with abilities. I like the exploration of abilities and how far they can go through the story.

The first portion of the book is done in glimpses of moments in time for Joel, Doctor Harrington, and a few others. I know this is a setup process and important moments in Joel's life in finding his ability again, but it didn't let me connect with the characters to care or be drawn into what they are doing and who they are. A consistent flowing story would have made it easier to connect with the story, but I know abilities don't surface overnight.

We do smooth out to a story. It has multiple POV's so we see all the actions and corruption and movements of the story. This keeps the story moving forward and us filled in to see how it comes together. Then we get to a part of the book that I think fans of Science Fiction military may enjoy this book with how things go in the last portion of the book.

We see Joel uses his shifting and knowledge to help people. He does have a kind heart.

Joel grows into a rather smart man and creates medicine that can help with illnesses. I'm curious as to what the connection was with his first medication and why he was so determined to create it. It didn't feel to connect to him or the story, at first. Later it does come back into play in a different way.

This is a science fiction story so there's scientific talk. It uses common things as examples to relate and explain. This could bring up things to think on and discuss. But it can be a lot. Some was interesting but I lost track and phased out after a while in one conversation because I wasn't involved in that discussion to absorb all that was talked about.

The Audio had sections that sound different, like they were rerecorded and cut in. There's no chapter separation voiced in the audiobook version. It is broken down into the parts of the books, but all the chapters in those parts are together.

The story was a slow start for me but it does smooth out and flow as a science fiction story with battles of learning self and what's good.

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Book Review: A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

2026-03-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was one that I wanted to keep going and not go to sleep. The mystery behind Freya and her godly blood...I had a feeling about her, but wasn't sure. Will she change course? Or make sure her family is safe.

How will she bring everyone together? I really like the way the world and gods are created and laid out for us.

I love the stubbornness of Freya. She's determined and stands up to me (the crappy men, and really any man) that think they're going to boss her around. She's lived a life that's not an easy one and she fights. She wants to fight. But she wants her family safe too. (And yes, I'm not sure what I think of her family.)

I loved meeting her and Bjorn right away. There was twist to Freya that I was curious about and was hoping.... well, that turned out. And seeing these two grow closer over their battles and journeys.

I'm invested in Freya. She's a damaged character like I love. She takes a turn in her actions that aren't what she's think she'd do. And has some feelings about it when she sees it from other's view. But Bjorn is there for her. He keeps trying to help her without pushing her in a direction. I really liked this.

I'll be picking up the second book as I have it here. I really loved the creation of the world and battles along with the magic with godly blood.

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Audio Book Review: Scythe by Neal Shusterman

2026-03-23T07:00:00.001-04:00

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this read more than I expected to. This book raises questions for me in how society is here in the book. Is this process any better than the old system? It really gets one thinking of mortality and living.

I like Faraday's view on things. It sounds like he's more fair. Yet, I see he's kind of one sided in his selection process. Then we get to see Curry's view and her process. They do seem to balance each other out.

What if you were the grim reaper? Scythe is what they are called, but it's kind of what they do.

There's a group of scythes we see in action and they feel as to walk a line of the rules. Or is it Faraday is more reserved in what he does? Seems to have a little more heart and care, along with Curry.

This book feels to be a heavy subject for Young Adults. But it's put together in a classy way. The words and actions bring me to thoughts and questions, then later in the book we get the answer to the question that was not actually worded. I love this! It sets us up to think something and answer it later for us.

The beginning of the book pecked my interest as had me thinking on the systems and mortality. Then the story took off and I was drawn into the lives of Citra and Rowan. I wanted to know how it worked out for them and all. I still saw that no matter the system, there will still be corruption that grows. Some systems run their course and life changes them. Do they need revamped or replaced? Great thinking topics for this book.

I will be listening to the rest of this trilogy!

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Audio Book Review: The House of Saphir by Marissa Meyer

2026-03-19T07:00:00.001-04:00

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Con-artist and "fake" witches, Mallory and her sister Anaise, are about to be arrested. But Count Armand Saphir knows Mallory can speak to ghosts and needs her help with his ancestor who's grown violent over the last year in Armand's home. So, in order to get away from the detectives determined to arrest the sisters, and seeing the place that the Saphir lord passed away at and the famous fountain is a bonus for Mallory.

Feels like a light, fun feel to the story even though Mallory doesn't trust others.

There wasn't much in the way of action for me. Kind of slow, with getting to know characters and putting them together as needed. I'm not really drawn to Mallory. She just doesn't seem to grow for me through most of the book and there's not really any history on her, or at least referenced.

This was fun with magical beings in the world. The ending was good as the last third kept my interest and was moving well. A light story that seems to be a standalone.

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Audiobook Review: Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling

2026-03-16T07:00:00.001-04:00

Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How can Cayden get anything done or see trouble? He's busy pining over and watching Elowen! lol.

I'm glad he isn't over protective and not let her fight battles and do things. He tries at times, but he sees her as she is and that she can handle herself.

In the end it reminded me of Carissa Broadbents Nyaxia series. We get to the war, and not everyone makes it out. We do travel and make plans with other kings and queens....or kings to be. So I'm curious how these things play out in the world.

We learn more of magic with Elowen and dragons, along with more insight to the gods too.

Also, if you like brooding, shadow guys, then Cayden may be one you'd enjoy. As we do get some of the POV from his eyes this time. Along with Elowen.

I don't want to give too much away as there's some here that will spoil the first book or even this one.

I enjoyed it. And will be looking for the next book.

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2026-03-12T07:00:00.004-04:00

Wings Once Cursed & Bound by Piper J. Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a nice read. This book has roots to Thailand with the supernatural. I love reading a book with ties to other cultures.

Punch is such a pleasant character. Sometimes I struggle when characters are so nice, but this book flowed smoothly with the external complications to stumble over.

The book has a Librarian or Warehouse 13 feel with the Consortium. We don't search for a lot of items in this book but there is one they are focused on, which brings us Punch. We meet a great group of people at the Consortium. This grows into a new friendship and possibly found family. There's a few different cultures here and seeing them com alive together is wonderful.

Punch is the main character and, not realizing it, is on a path to discover her true self. How things happen bring her to face who she is and what she wants. It could free her in more ways than one.

There's vampires, a werewolf, and more.

There is a blooming romance in the book as well. There's more happening around the romance.

The book is such a sweet read. I'm glad I picked up the second book too. I'm looking forward to returning to the world.

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Book Review: Silent All These Years by Skyla Dawn Cameron

2026-03-09T07:00:00.005-04:00

Silent All These Years by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery series is an addiction for me. I can't get enough of it and love making notes to see what I can learn of who The Crossroads Butcher is along with what happened to Sebastian.

It has my strategizing mind working overtime to place the pieces in place and come up with the answer. This book unearths many new pieces to what happened to Detective Sebastian Kyle. And even new clues to Meadow's murder and The Crossroads Butcher.

It's the 12th anniversary of Meadow's murder and the town is attracting people who are here to do podcasts and try to solve the mystery. It's a rough time to be a Milton in town. With having a little opening in her schedule, Waverly thinks it's time to take on Sebastian's case.

Part of Sebastian's case is going to his home town and working to get to know Sebastian before he followed The Crossroads Butcher to Port Milton, and the cases and people he worked with during the case. This finds Sebastian here doing research and Waverly doing her thing with annoying people and picking to get pieces to place.

Waverly does solve a few things that were kept under wraps from others with those she speaks to. Maybe upsetting a few people along the way, which means she's doing her job and being herself. There's new pieces to our puzzle as well.

I love that I have the Murder Journal that is Waverly themed to write my thoughts, notes, and ideas in as I follow along in this series.

If you love a book and series that will keep you mind twisting and turning to solve it, this series is the one for you.

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Book Review: Of Scale and Blood by Keri Arthur

2026-03-05T07:00:00.005-05:00

Of Scale and Blood by Keri Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bryn and all are fighting the new enemy that fly the birds with deadly feathers and dung. What if there could be other dragon riders and if they could give the dragons flames. That could really come in handy with the battle to save their land and lives.

Bryn is a strong lead woman. She knows what to do in battle and has ideas that could really help. She also has great people around her to help and make suggestions. She appreciates these amazing people.

We venture to see how things are and find Bryn in battle. BattleS. Yes, with an S. These pages don't stop flipping as I keep reading to see what will happen.

In this middle book of the trilogy we learn more about the enemy and the enemy of long time. There's more about the dragons and something new with magic. I do enjoy fast pace as Bryn keeps moving forward with learning and finding her way to get wounded.

I have the third book ordered and look forward to reading the finally of this trilogy. I have questions and thoughts on Damon, Bryn's husband. There's more to that man than meets the eye. And how will Bryn pick up the pieces of where this book ends? I'm hooked on this series!

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Book Review: The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

2026-03-02T07:00:00.009-05:00

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would recommend this to those starting to dip their toes into fantasy worlds.

This one starts fast on Vaasa's wedding night. And it doesn't go as you'd think. I enjoyed this little rouge Vaasa.

We quickly learn Vaasa's cursed. She's looking for a way to break the curse, and we learn why. But there's more to this curse than she realizes. She's on the path to learn what she can. And Reid is here to help her.

Reid makes a deal with Vaasa. He'll help her if she helps him. Yes, Reid is the man from the beginning. lol. He's not going to let that night down. But Vaasa has her reasons to fight him. Enemies in so many words and actions.

There's a slow burning tease between the two characters, an enemies to lovers undertone to the story. Reid has been a gentleman since the beginning. Kind and respectful to her, yet fun. I did have fun with their banter.

There's a few turns in what they learn and unexpected events and people. Vaasa learns through the book about her curse and grew relationships with new friends through the book. I liked the character connections here with the growth. The world was easy to follow as reading.

The ending had me. I was ready for book two when I finished but have to wait for release. I can't wait to pick this one up when it releases.

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Book Review: Guardian of Wrath by Michelle Manus

2026-02-26T07:00:00.007-05:00

Guardian of Wrath: A Nyx Fortuna Novel by Michelle Manus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book starts six months after the previous in the series. I will admit, I was worried coming into this one yet I wanted to see what Nyx did next. (If you read -- which you should read this series if you love traditional Urban Fantasy -- then you know why I was worried yet needed to get this.)

After reading this book and all I've read by Michelle so far, she has my total faith in her characters path in life. Her writing keeps things emotionally invested and moving along, keeping me flipping pages.

So much talent in this woman's writing. She builds the world and works it, expanding the limits as we learn things that are experienced. I think this is a great way to share magic and worlds. It elevates the investment for us the readers as we experience and learn with the characters.

I teared up a few times. I'm so glad someone's not forgotten. Nyx struggles to move one, which is hard to see. She needs something to focus on, to work on, to try to bring her around to her friends again. In this mission she's made, to punish the one who did this, Nyx is reminded of who we've lost. It's heartbreaking to move forward with life after such a dear lose. And when you start to smile... if feels wrong. This is part of carrying that heavy heart on. But when with friends, they are there with you. Everyone feels lose differently and sees it differently in life, but they are needed to help you. It's okay to hurt.

This book's theme for me is friends. Friends and found family are so important. They can be the ones that are the closest to you in the most difficult times and the best times in your life. So much love for this book.

Nyx. We see Nyx start to come out of her shell. We get to see more of Jevryn, which I love him! There are so many parallels between Nyx and Jevryn. It was a rough start with Jevryn in the previous book, and there's still bumps in the road here. And I'm sure many bumps to come knowing Nyx's personality, but I can't wait to see the interactions.

As I get into this series, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. This is a series I love. I'm looking forward to the next book and the series as Michelle writes these.

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Audio Book Review: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

2026-02-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sarah has all the great elements layered together in this book that make it wonderful. She has a great cast of characters to love and hate, the world building that's layered in with actions and events in the character's lives, and there's great history here. World and character driven is amazing.

There's more to the characters than what we see at face value. I love this. The characters come alive for us as we go through the book (especially if you listen to the audio book).

There are brutal moments for the characters, but that's what brings the story to life. Hurt and heartache is what forms people, and the characters fall in the same category.

There's a great mystery to the story too. We are searching with Bryce in one mystery, but there's another hidden in that first question. I had wondered about this, or a part of this, through the book.

I love we have strong woman in the book. They are in control of themselves and do as they want to do, not as expected. They also support each other, even when they are involved in things that might be a bit too much.

There's so much more to the world. We get to scratch the surface of the area we are in and the history here. I know there's much more to come. The magic that's present is weaved into the living of the people here and works great with the story.

I will say, Bryce with the vacuum. If you've listened you know. I laughed and loved this moment.

There is a romance in this story as well. This book is far more than one element but Sarah has layered it all in to create the full package.

I do highly recommend this book. I'll be listening to the next book in the new year as they are long books. And so worth it. You'll get your money's worth with this one.

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Book Review: Throne of Ash and Flame by M.C. Harden

2026-02-19T07:00:00.004-05:00

Throne of ash and flame by M.C Harden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've put off reviewing this book as I don't know how to rate it.

I've enjoyed the idea and the story idea created. I just feel as though it could use some work to expand the story line. There were sections that I felt like I missed a whole story with what happened.

I'm not one for instant attraction. I would have liked more interaction and banter to connect them and then something to have them work on to build up to more. We have the mission that they are sent on, but I would have liked to see more of them together training before hand and on the way that they could build on their trust.

I do like the world idea we see and the magic here. I'm always a sucker for dragons too. This all could work nicely together.

I'm sorry I didn't love this more than I did. I felt like a good content editor could help with the holes I felt in the story and growth of romance. I do love the idea all around here.

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Audio Book Review: To Sift Through Bitter Ashes by David Niall Wilson

2026-02-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

To Sift Through Bitter Ashes by David Niall Wilson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The vampire clans could use help. Montrovant has a plan, one he's worked on for ages. It's to find the Holy Grail. To find and drink from to to stop the petty struggles between the clans. Montrovant is told he can go on this mission, but to not return unless he succeeds.

Montrovant collects those who can help him on this mission. The humans who are selected are very religious.

I found the story had many details but they are shared with inner dialog, not conversations with others or through actions. There's a lot of Self reflection used to tell these details. For me, this process feels slow to me.

There's another taking up residence in the temple they need to be in. Where the religious items are hidden below. The demon here is a battle to be fought with help of another. Which then shows us there's three agendas at work here. Different people and groups with different goals. There's a lot of religious talk, which felt overdone to me. I know it's an important piece of the puzzle here though.

This book felt as though it was giving us a base of the history and placing people where they need to be for future events. For more to come. There was more action in the end of the book. I think there's more to it and behind the grail and actions.

I know there's many who love this style of fantasy reads. I hope you enjoy this one.

I listened to the audio book. I know the narrator's style is one that many use for fantasy books, but it feels more monotone to me and hard for me to listen to.

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Book Review: The Fix by Mia Sheridan

2026-02-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Fix by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm starting to enjoy mystery and thriller reads. This is one of the top I've read.

I'll admit the beginning was hard. The kids are awkward as teens in high school and we feel that. But what was hard for me was when Cami returns home. It's hard to read. There are triggers here. If you can't do rape, don't read this.

The story then jumps ahead a short time where we see who they are looking at as one of the guilty party. Then we end up in the story 11 years later. This is when things really take place.

Cami bumps into the nice boy she talked to once as a teen. Rex has always admired Cami.

Rex is so understanding for all Cami went through. And such a great help for her now. He has the skills she needs and his soft heart where she's concerned, he agrees to help her with her "Do Over".

I really like the way things fit together to find the area they need to be. Interesting to see how it works out.

There's action and danger in this story with the suspense.

There's sections added in of another. It took me some time to figure out that the story is in a different time than we were in. But all comes together in the time frame at the end.

When I thought the story would be over, we got more. Which I'm glad we did! This ending tied up all the remaining things I wanted to see through.

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Audio Book Review: The Return of Supervillainy by C. T. Phipps

2026-02-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Return of Supervillainy by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

And we are back with Gary and the gang!

This time Gary is asked to join a group to find and save Mandy, thinking she's held hostage. Once things get going, there's more to it all. Helios maybe involved... or the problem.

I always look forward to the fun clips, the music references, the pop culture references, and so much more.

This is book 10 in the series, so there's many details given through the book of previous events, people, and more. Are they all important? Well, they maybe down a rabbit hole in a discussion but it really keeps everything interesting and makes me smile.

Some of the conversations take work to remember where we started. I feel like it's an ADHD conversation. lol. Goodness, the trips in conversations make me laugh and wonder, how did we get here? lol.

We get to see all those we have grown to love in this book, again. We even have those that have arrived in this world in a previous book. So much history between all these members.

These are always fun stories for me. The action, how Gary ends up in situations, and the references I grew up with. Fun!

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Audio Book Review: Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling

2026-02-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the character Elowen. She's not your traditional princess. She's broken, crafty, and she sees things with a wider mind. When she's faced with how things happen and not shared, she sees how it fits and why. She still reacts but it's reasonable and not just overreacting.

Oh Elowen's first birthday she's gifted dragon eggs, and a seers vision of her with the dragons. She grows up with her dragons, and loves them as family. But, there comes a time when her father, the king, sees they are a problem. They are locked away and eventually her too.

The book starts years later, after she's been broken out of the prison and grown. Elowen is kind of a female Robin Hood to her small hidden town. She's a little bit of a spy, fighter, and thief. All rolled into one and I like this blend.

I love how she met Cayden the first time. Cayden would like her help, to side with the kingdom he's a commander for and fight against her father. He'll help her get her dragons back.

This book has many pieces I like. There's growing trust, betrayal, fighting, and more. I love how Elowen handles it all. She seems to have a mind about her to view it all with an open mind.

This book left me wanting the next book. I love the characters and want to see how things ended here and where they'll go in the next book. I'm waiting for the library audiobook loan to come through.

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Audio Book Review: The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent

2026-02-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like the way Carissa writes her books with levels to work through. She did that in each book in different ways. This book has levels to work through in it's own way. She works emotions and feelings into her words.

This book picks up exactly where the previous one ends. Mische is in the Underworld, as a soul after her passing with the end of the last book.

I'm surprised who appears to help Mische along the path she still has to travel. Her guide along the way is Vincent. Mische will need to climb back up, out of the underworld to help Asar. She's a soul that will have a form when she rises, but souls are to return to where they are from in time. So there's a lot to accomplish and maybe find a way to stay in the world of the living.

I wanted to be in Asar's head in the previous book. I get that HERE! We get to see through Asar's eyes in this book as well.

Asar can't forget the vision of what the other gods did at the end of the previous book. He feels the pain. He feels her.

There's something they need to do. Find pieces that could lead them through different places they've been and back to friends. Where they see how much the world is in trouble from what happened and what's happening to the Underworld.

This is a romance read. There's reconnecting and figuring new ways to be together.

The Epilogue leaves us ready for the next duo that we'll read about. And there's a huge change in the world.

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Audio Book Review: The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day

2026-01-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a suspense read set in the real world.

The story starts at a turning point in Mary's life. She's lived with Cal for 10 years and she's feeling the isolation and see's he's noticing she's starting to get wrinkles. We see how the routine day goes for them. And there are read flags.

As you can guess, things are not as they seem. Things start to unfold as the story goes and Mary finds journals of another woman.

I don't want to give the story away. Mary is one strong lady. She's creative as well. There's a lot that she will go through. Her strength will push through it all.

We do get a full closure in the end of the book to what happens in everyone's lives. There is abuse in this story, but also about overcoming it.

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Audio Book Review: The Tree of Azathoth by C.T. Phipps

2026-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

The Tree of Azathoth by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back into the world with John Henry Booth. The world is coming to an end. But there's another he can go to.

To The Dreaming City. Life is different here. Kinda has the feel of gangster time with tech. It's an interesting blend here and how people live or pass here. They are all from different parallel universes. But how it's all run is the interesting thing. You have to see how it's crafted and held together.

We've seen John as the one of action, especially when he needs to be. But he can be the overthinker and thoughtful on events and life too. He has philosophical things to say and thoughts on things.

John is on the case. As John digs deeper I see that this story is definitely set in a fantasy world. Some of the items are out there in the thought process. The thought process is shared and I'm impressed with how we get there. That's what you get with blending Cthulhu and Dreams. Hold on while you take this adventure and keep an open mind.

As I love with C.T. Phipps's books, we touch on a few books and themes. It's interesting how it all ties together with the Dream world concept.

I listened to the audiobook and Cary Hite does a nice job here.

There's also a bonus short story at the end of this one. It's a case that John takes. A sorority needs his help.

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Book Review: Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade

2026-01-22T07:00:00.006-05:00

Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm all for books where there's an underdog and even where people fail. That could be so interesting!

However I was expecting more from this book than what I got.

When the prophesized hero dies I was all here for the story that was to come. This book had many elements I would enjoy.

But when the person who raised him told his closest friend, like a brother in life, to cut his head off to prove to the king the hero is deceased... I was shocked. And then he does it! There was no previous setting to have this fit the world. And the characters do things that just don't fit them or act like they know where they are when never left home.

I wanted to DNF this book with the events with the character that just does as told. The one decision I thought would be the hardest for him to do wasn't. But, Aaslo does seem to have his own obstacle since doing it. He talks to the spirit of Mathias but I don't think it's really the spirit as it's him mentally struggling with what he did.

The author's writing style isn't my style. I felt the world building could have been preempted a little bit in the beginning of events and what people were doing. Kind of setting us up for what was to come. I felt like the author had a few things they wanted to write and added them into the book, which didn't fit with the story or character.

I did push through and finish the book where I did enjoy the last two chapters. Maybe the last quarter of the book was good for me but it isn't enough for me to pick up the next book.

I do enjoy the magic struggles. I really liked that the gods are playing games of their own with the people. That's a big thing in fantasy and it's always something interesting to see on how they twist things too their benefit.

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Audio Book Review: The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic by Linsey Hall

2026-01-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic by Linsey Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an audio book listen I did with the book club.

This book was a quick, easy listen. The story was of Aria and Callan, both having times that are their point of view. They met when younger, Aria was just under age. Aria is asked to return to her home town to compete for the special garden, her family feels she'd be perfect for winning it when Lionel Sparrow retires. This could also save Aria's family magic shop.

Aria doesn't have magic like others. But can still compete. She just doesn't know if she'll win with Callan competing too.

Aria and Callan are a slow growing romance through the book. They learn to like and trust each other. Even help each other. And the secrets that each have.

The narrator felt slow so I had the audio book on double time. Early on I felt like the author was working too hard to create a moment. Too many words to describe where feelings would be enough.

If you enjoy a book that has neat challenges in a magical way with a cute romance growing, this might be a book for you to try.

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