Fantasy

All posts in the Fantasy category

A Shadow In The Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published September 6, 2021 by bookbesties

A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire, #1)

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Make him fall in love with you, then end him…..

A Shadow In the Ember is I guess you could say a spinoff prequel to Jennifer Armentrout’s widely successful From Blood and Ash series. It takes place in the same world, just a reeeeeally long time before the events in FB&A. In this we meet Seraphena(Sera) who has been chosen and trined for one thing and one thing only. Make the primal of death fall in love with her, then end him. Its the only way she knows how to save her kingdom. But When that time comes, things don’t go as planned and now Sera has to face a new reality, Or so she thought. When the primal does come, he is like nothing she was expecting. The slow burn of Sera and Nyktos was one of the best ones I have read in a really long time.
I thought no one could beat out Poppy and Casteele(from Blood and Ash) for my fav couple, but I’m telling you now, SERA & NYKTOS have surpassed them so much and this only the first book in this series! Sera is everything you want in a strong female lead. Cunning, smart, fierce, strong and yet, vulnerable and loyal. And Nyktos is…he’s…well he’s Nyktos. He’s a Primal, THE Primal of death and gives of BDE(Big D Energy) BIG TIME! The book answers a few questions we may have from the Blood and Ash world, and tied in some key elements that we will need for the next book in the Blood and Ash world. It also left me with my pulse literally racing by the end and my mind blown.

I have been a long time reader of Jennifer’s and the way she wove this story into all the elements from the past and what I hope will come in later books is simply amazing.
I feel like I say this with every book she puts out lately, but this book was amazing! I’m speechless at how much this world has grown and how it keeps growing! I can’t wait for the next book!

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Grace & Glory by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review Post)

Published June 3, 2021 by bookbesties

Danger, betrayal, and enticing forbidden love clash in book three of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Harbinger trilogy!

When Angels Fall

Trinity Marrow has lost the battle and her beloved Protector. Even with both demons and Wardens on her side, Trin may not win the war against the Harbinger.

Bringing Lucifer back to the world to fight the Harbinger is probably a really, really bad idea, but they’re out of options—and the world’s ultimate fallen angel is the only being powerful enough to impact the outcome.

As Trin and Zayne form a new and more dangerous bond and Lucifer unleashes Hell on earth, the apocalypse looms and the world teeters on the end of forever. Win or lose, one thing is certain—nothing will ever be the same.

I was really sad to start Grace and Glory because I knew it was the last and I didn’t want it to end but I was super excited to see what happened to Zyne, Trinity and crew so I dove right in.

I was so nervous reading this book because I was super anxious for something to happen(If you know, you know) and it was so satisfying when it did! Trinity and Zayne have new things in their life to navigate but on top of that Trinity has so much more to do. She has to prepare for an epic fight, she has to figure out what’s going on with her lovable ghost buddy, she has to get the love of her life back AND pray she gets the help of the one being who is known for NOT helping.

That’s enough problems for 10 people let alone one. But Trinity handles that, plus a few added extra issues along the way with humor, sweet moments and fighting, lots of fighting.

I was very happy with the pace and progression of the ending. Sometimes a final book can be a mixture of too much info or feeling like it was rushed or questions left kinda open. I’m glad that Jen doesn’t do that and this book couldn’t have ended on a more perfect chefs kiss and a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming(and I can usually guess the endings of books).

Jen has managed to turn a person (me) who didnt like Zyne since his DE days into loving the mess out of him in is own series and be happy that he finally got his HEA. I’m going to miss Trin and the gang 😦

The Crown Of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published April 21, 2021 by bookbesties

Bow Before Your Queen Or Bleed Before Her…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series.

She’s been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

OH MY GOD

Where do I really even start? This book blew me away!

I am going to try and do this without soiling anything, which is so hard because it all was amazing. I sat on this review because I had to process everything and I still don’t know if this review will adequately relay all of my feelings.

After all the ups and downs from A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire I thought Jennifer couldn’t top it, it was seriously my fav book this far. how could she make me love Poppy, Cas and the gang more? Oh, but I was wrong, so, so wrong. This book starts with so much happening it left me screaming,

“That’s how you start a book!”

This book started on 100 and ended on 100000! The excitement doesn’t end there. This book picks up exactly where the last book left off with Poppy, Cas and crew thrown into a new deadly situation. I was on the edge of my seat for the first 100 pages and couldn’t put the book down enough to even sleep.

New revelations leave Poppy to question who she is and what really happened the night of her attack and her and Cas have to navigate a new life, new rolls and new feelings. So many feelings.

The twist and turns this book took me on were heartbreaking,emotional and phenomenal! I laughed, I felt things, and I cried, man did I cry! New characters were introduced and old side characters were showcased( Shoutout to Delano and Vonetta, my personal fav ;-)) more and I loved it! I was happy that a few of the theories that I guessed were correct and others were not. And the steam?

The steam was steamier, the swoon was swoon-er and everything was just so much more. I have been a JLA fan for a long time, since her first book back in 2011 and this was by far the best book Jen has ever written(so far) and defiantly my 2021 top read(so far).

Bravo Jen, BRAVO!

Emerald Blaze : A Hidden Legacy Novel by Ilona Andrews(Review Post)

Published August 25, 2020 by bookbesties

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Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything—except the hearts of those who wield it.

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart.

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won’t rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that’s tearing their world apart.

Grab your copy Here

Grab Hidden Legacy’s 1-5 Here

I have long since been a huge fan of the hidden legacies novels and when I read the fist book in this some-what spin off with Catalina’s story I was all in. The first book had me wanting more and was ready for the adventure and see Cat stumble gracefully through her newfound head of hour role and also maybe fall in love. This book picks up around six months or so after Alessandro, the man she decided to give her heart to, left her and she is picking up the pieces of her life the best way she knows how; by doing all the work.

The things that I loved about this book and always is there is never a real long slow down, there is always action or something interesting happening on paper which kept me interested. The banter between her and Alessandro, yes he’s back, is nice and they play off each other nicely. With that being said, what I didn’t like about this story is that the relationship seemed strained. To a certain degree it was, for reasons, but I also didn’t “feel’ the emotional connection to their relationship until the end, literally the last few pages. I also felt at time that Catalina’s thoughts and words were jumbled. Like she would be saying something and then reveal something that came out of left field seemingly, but tied in at some point to the story. I found myself feeling closer to Alessandro than Cat, which is a rarity, but still it kinda of threw me. The story was still enjoyable and I will continue with the series.

stars 4

BookBesties.com vonetta

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A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire: A Blood and Ash Novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published August 12, 2020 by bookbesties

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a new novel in her Blood and Ash series…

Is Love Stronger Than Vengeance?

A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice….

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

Pre-OrderHere

Grab the fist book, From Blood and Ash Here

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In this highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer Armentrout’s successful fantasy series, From Blood and Ash, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire picks up right where it left off.

This is probably going to be one of those reviews where I can’t say too much so as not to spoil anything but also where I want to just SCREAM how excellent this book was.

We find Poppy left dealing with a wide range of emotions left from a betrayal that cut her deep. Not really a reader of fantasy(I think I read, maybe three before this) This sequel had it all. Action, suspense, drama and romance. It had all the romance.

“There is no side of you that is not as beautiful as the other half. Not a single inch isn’t stunning.”

I don’t usually watch much fantasy shows, I mean, I’ve never seen one episode of GOT and I’m okay with that, but if it’s anything like AKoF&F then sign me up! The action was off the charts, suspenseful and entertaining to where it was playing out in my head like a movie scene.

What I loved most about this sequel is the journey that BOTH Hawke and Poppy take, individually and together as they both work toward a common goal.

I didn’t think that Jen could outdo From Blood and Ash as being my top read of 2020, but she did! I immediately started rereading AKoF&F(even though I have about 4 more reviews to read and do) and it is easily, EASILY my top read of 2020!

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BookBesties.com vonetta

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About Jennifer L. Armentrout

Join JLA’s mailing list for exclusive material and giveaways http://bit.ly/JLANews
Reader Group http://bit.ly/JLAnders
Or text JLABooks to 21000 to get new release and sales alerts (US ONLY)

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES, # 1 International, and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in West Virginia. She also writes under the name J. Lynn. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K-9 partner named Diesel and her hyper Border Jack Apollo, and a slew of farm animals that include alpacas, goats, and sheep.

From Blood And Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review Post)

Published March 31, 2020 by bookbesties

from blood and ash

A Maiden

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A duty

The entire kingdom’s future rest on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And a longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden

A Kingdom

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked threat that holds her together begins to unravel.

OUT NOW!

In this exciting new novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout, she introduces a fantastical world filled with immense detail, and characters who are poignant and fierce, Jennifer truly has out done herself!

I have been a long time avid reader of Jennifer and I can say that as her debut high fantasy novel she KILLED IT! Whenever I see ‘high fantasy’ I don’t really know what to expect because it’s always the authors take on what high fantasy is to them and you just never know. Poppy has been hidden away her whole life, and has a duty to her people and kingdom but has always longed for more…more than just sitting in her room, more than just the few people who are allowed to speak to her and def more than no one ever looking at her fully without her veil in place. And that longing only grew since Hawke came to the castle. There is much that Poppy is unsure of, so question, but the one thing she does know is that she is drawn to Hawke and she is not sure why. But then things start to happen and Poppy’s world is turned on its axes leaving her with even more questions and uncertainties.

This story gripped me from the beginning to end. This is a different take on Vampires and I loved every second of this high paced, fun witty and surprising plot twisting story.

As always Jennifer has a way with making readers fall in love with her Hero’s and Hawke is no exception…..

“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe… from this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”

That’s not to say that her Heroien is anything less than amazing..Poppy is strong minded and an all around BAD A!

This book is at my top read for 2020 and Jennifer captured perfectly all the aspects of a first book in a series to keep you wanting more. Action, suspense comedy and romance. I can’t wait to see where this world and these characters lead us next!

Vonetta

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A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane (Review Post)

Published February 4, 2020 by bookbesties

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A generation past, the western realms were embroiled in endless war. Then the Destroyer came. From the blood and ashes he left behind, a tenuous alliance rose between the barbarian riders of Parsathe and the walled kingdoms of the south. That alliance is all that stands against the return of an ancient evil—until the barbarian king and queen are slain in an act of bloody betrayal.

Though forbidden by the alliance council to kill the corrupt king responsible for his parents’ murders, Maddek vows to avenge them, even if it costs him the Parsathean crown. But when he learns it was the king’s daughter who lured his parents to their deaths, the barbarian warrior is determined to make her pay.

Yet the woman Maddek captures is not what he expected. Though the last in a line of legendary warrior-queens, Yvenne is small and weak, and the sharpest weapons she wields are her mind and her tongue. Even more surprising is the marriage she proposes to unite them in their goals and to claim their thrones—because her desire for vengeance against her father burns even hotter than his own…

A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, here it is, fair warning that this book is NO WHERE NEAR what I typically read and review for y’all. Originally this book was presented as a Viking story, so as your Historical Romance Book Bestie I took it on. After reading this book I will tell you that this is not a Viking book at all but rather it is a barbarian book full of warriors, battle, sex, enemies turned lovers, and sweet revenge. While this is wildly different from my normal reading material that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this book and the adventure it took me on. This is book number one of the series: A Gathering of Dragons. It is also the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed how this author made both men and women equals. Both sexes were represented with matching strength, intelligence, and value to their people. This was done with such skill that unless a description or the pronoun of a character specifically designated a gender I wouldn’t have been able to distinguish one from the other. To me that shows the author’s close attention to detail as well as her creativity and ability to create and maintain a world and society different than the norm. I am truly impressed with this author in that regard. Again, while this book is very different from what I primarily read I enjoyed it very much and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Upon learning of the murders of his parents, Ran Ashev and Ran Marek, the Parsathean queen and king, Maddek wanted nothing more than vengeance upon those responsible. While the alliance council has forbade him to take up arms against Zhalen, King of Syssia and his son’s, no one has said he cannot find his vengeance through Zhalen’s own daughter.

Yvenne is the direct descendant of Syssia’s most revered warrior queens, and as such upon reaching a queen’s age or delivering a child she may claim the Syssian throne and save her people from her evil father and brothers. It is with this knowledge that she risks her life to offer an alliance through marriage to a warrior who would see her dead before he heard her words.

Will he help her become the warrior queen her people need? Will her lessons give him the heart of a king? Will their alliance built on a foundation of mutual hate turn them from enemies to more?

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.

stars 4

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