Book Review: Always Here For You – Miriam Halahmy

April 16, 2020April 15, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: February 11th 2020
Publisher: ZunTold Publishing
Pages: 280
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

14-year-old Holly is lonely. Her parents are never around after Gran’s Crisis and best friend Amy to Canada, loved-up with her new boyfriend, Gabe. Holly has no-one to hang out with at school apart from moody Ellen and misfit Tim.

Home alone in Brighton with no-one to talk to, Holly is at rock bottom. That is, until she finds Jay. Caring, funny and with so much in common, Jay is the perfect guy. They chat online, but Holly knows to be careful, she’s heard the horror stories. As they grow closer and closer, chatting with Jay is all that makes Holly happy. Mum and Dad’s rows get more intense and Amy’s radio silence continues; the only one who understands is Jay. As Holly lets her guard down, is Jay all he seems? Is Holly in too deep? And is it too late?

Review

Copy of book cover - 2020-03-15T174939.477 Always Here For You is the tense and gripping tale of a young girl named Holly who is struggling with being lonely. Only fifteen, her best friend has moved to Canada and is having the best time without her, and her parents are preoccupied with Holly’s ailing grandmother. Looking for companionship she begins talking to a stranger online. She knows not everyone is who they say they are online but as she begins to feel more and more isolated, Holly feels like she only has Jay to turn too. When they decide to meet face to face Holly begins to wonder if she’s made a mistake, and if Jay is all that he seems.

Miriam Halahmy has created a fast-paced and timely tale about how easy it is to fall victim to someone on the internet. The brilliantly depicted characters highlight the unnerving realty of how chatting to a stranger for a few minutes can change your whole life. The story is a tense one, with the tension ramping up the closer Holly gets to meeting Jay face to face. I thought Holly was a really fascinating protagonist, she’s aware of the dangers of the internet, but it doesn’t stop her from being unknowingly groomed.

Always Here For You does a fantastic job of raising awareness for something that occurs all too frequently. A well written contemporary story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It’s a pretty quick read too, so definitely one to recommend if you’re looking for a story to get lost in for an afternoon.
4 Stars

March Wrap Up!

April 15, 2020April 14, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

July 23, 2019 (13)
March was a bit of an odd month for me, I ended up in hospital towards the end of the month and have been ill ever since so I didn’t do as much reading as I’d hoped. I did however manage to get through eight of the books on my TBR – so here they are!

1. In the Tall Grass – Stephen King & Joe Hill
After struggling to find something to watch on Netflix I ended up watching the movie adaptation of this novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill. Like pretty much everything by these authors it was strange and eerie and I wasn’t really sure what was going on. I decided to have a go at the novella and it was a fun and quick read, although not something I’d be likely to pick up again. I definitely preferred it to the film adaptation though. (2.5/5 stars)

2. Last Ones Left Alive – Sarah Davis-Goff
Last Ones Left Alive follows the story of three women fighting to survive in a zombie infested Ireland. Last Ones Left Alive is a fierce and feminist tale of friendship, love and survival. I read it in a single afternoon and I still think about what a strong and powerful story it was. I really enjoyed the simple, raw writing style and I’m keen to try more from Sarah Davis-Goff in the future. (3/5 stars)

3. Of Curses and Kisses – Sandhya Menon
I love retellings so when I heard about a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast I was sold. This is my first time reading a book by Sandhya Menon and I enjoyed the fun and fast paced story of boarding school romance. It was a light and fluffy read, and it was the perfect story to get lost in when you need a pick me up. It was a fresh and interesting take on such a well known tale and I absolutely flew through this one. (3.5/5 stars)

4. Frozen Beauty – Lexa Hillyer
I really enjoyed Lexa Hillyer’s Spindle Fire so was really interested to see what she would do with a contemporary novel. The story follows three sisters in a small town full of secrets. When one mysteriously dies, the remaining two sisters must figure out the truth behind her death as well as find a way to live with their grief. A twisty tale that deals with family, sisterhood and grief, I found this one hard to put down. (4/5 stars)

5. Wicked As You Wish – Rin Chupeco
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to pick up a book by Rin Chupeco. I’ve had The Bone Witch on my TBR for ages but haven’t gotten around to it, and when an ARC of this arrived through the post I decided to have a go. I completely adored this wonderful tale of magic, friendship and battle. It was completely unputdownable and I cannot wait to read the next instalment. I’ve also now bumped The Bone Witch to the very top of my TBR because I cannot get enough of her writing. (5/5 stars)

6. The Devouring Gray – Christine Lynn Herman
The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman has been on my TBR for absolutely ages and it was one of those books I was really excited to read and somehow it just slipped through the cracks. I finally picked it up and I totally loved it. It has pretty much everything I love – creepy little town, weird cult like families with mysterious powers and tons of secrets. I read the last hundred pages or so on the edge of my seat and my next read is definitely going to be The Deck of Omens because I just can’t wait to find out what happens next. (4.5/5 stars)

7. Liquid Crystal Nightingale – Eeleen Lee
This space opera meets political thriller is an intense and clever debut, following the story of Pleo Tanza as she survives life on Chatoyance. With her father the only survivor in a mining tragedy and her sister dead, Pleo finds herself framed for the murder of one of her classmates, and wrapped up in a series of events that could change life on Chatoyance forever. Quick paced and exciting, this was a really enjoyable read. (3/5 stars)

8. Mortmain Hall – Martin Edwards
Mortmain Hall is the second instalment in the Rachel Savernake series. The story follows Rachel, an amateur sleuth as she attempts to uncover the mystery of a tragic death at her estate during a dinner party. Set in the 1930s, this tale is gripping and intense and gave me serious Agatha Christie vibes. If you’re looking for a beautifully told story to capture your attention this is definitely it. I haven’t read the first book so this can definitely be read as a standalone, but I’m looking forward to picking up book one too. (4/5 stars)

So those are the books I read in March! I’d love to know which books you read in March and if you’ve read any of these what you thought!

Book Review: The Stars We Steal – Alexa Donne

April 14, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: February 4th 2020
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin?

But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, the boy Leo’s family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now, he’s the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo’s life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself failing for her first love in a game of love, lies, and past regrets.

Review

This book captured my interest when I learned it was a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, but set in space. The story follows Leo, a Princess and heir whose family are on the verge of financial ruin. When the Valg season begins, Leo must do whatever she can to find herself a suitable husband to save her family – but at what cost? And when her ex Elliot returns to the ship Leo finds herself struggling to survive the secrets and lies of the Valg.

The Stars We Steal is a fun and engaging tale, full of beautiful ballgowns, secrets and drama. It definitely felt reminiscent of The Selection, but with a dash of science fiction thrown in. It is quite light on the science fiction scale and makes for a quick and enjoyable read. It’s been dubbed ‘The Bachelor in space’ and I think that sums this story up pretty well.

The characters are interesting ones, Leonie is an inventor and I was really intrigued by her water filtration system. I thought Leonie made for an interesting protagonist and I also liked her sister too. I wasn’t so keen on some of the secondary characters who I felt were a little one dimensional, and could have been explored in a bit more depth.

The Stars We Steal is a light and fluffy read, one you’ll whizz through because the glitz and drama will have you turning pages faster and faster. It’s a great story to get completely absorbed in and one I think lots of readers will enjoy. It also has a completely stunning cover that I can’t stop staring at. If you love retellings this is a fresh take on a well known tale, and definitely one to pick up.

Blog Tour: The Night Dragon – Julie Kagawa

April 11, 2020April 10, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

Series: Shadow of the Fox #3
Release Date: March 31st 2020
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Pages: 384
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review.
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Master storyteller Julie Kagawa concludes the enthralling journey into the heart of the fantastical Empire of Iwagoto in the third book of the Shadow of the Fox trilogy. As darkness rises and chaos reigns, a fierce kitsune and her shadowy protector will face down the greatest evil of all. A captivating fantasy for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas and Marie Lu.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko and their companions to stop a madman and separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that had trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.

Review

Night of the Dragon is the third and final instalment in Julie Kagawa’s Shadow of the Fox series. This fast-paced fantasy tale follows a young shapeshifter named Yumeko as she and her ragtag group of friends attempt to save the world from being destroyed by use of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. This epic tale is full to the brim with magic, action and friendship and book three is no exception – if you’ve read and loved the first two in the series, you are not going to be disappointed.

I won’t say too much about the plot as I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone – it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible. The whole series has an anime feel to it, there’s ton of action to keep you gripped and a brilliant cast of characters to root for. After following Yumeko and her gang from the beginning you become very attached and each character is well written and I must be honest I felt quite sad to see the characters go. The conclusion to the story is executed really well, but I would have loved to see more of this wonderful cast of characters.

The series started out incredibly strong and with each book the stakes have become higher and the cliffhangers even bigger. Julie Kagawa writes a compelling and addictive tale and I found myself turning pages faster and faster, desperate to know how it was all going to end. The world building in this series is also competely superb, steeped in Japanese mythology, I honestly couldn’t get enough.

If you’ve read the first two books in this series, prepare to be completely sucked into Night of the Dragon. If you haven’t yet had the chance to try the series out, now is the perfect time to get binging – I definitely recommend picking up all these because you’re going to want to dive back into this world immediately – I know I did!

Blog Tour: Strangers – C. L. Taylor

April 8, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: April 2nd 2020
Publisher: Avon Books
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before.

Ursula thinks she killed the love of her life.
Gareth’s been receiving strange postcards.
And Alice is being stalked.

None of them are used to relying on others – but when the three strangers’ lives unexpectedly collide, there’s only one thing for it: they have to stick together. Otherwise, one of them will die.

Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.

The million-copy bestseller returns with a gripping new novel that will keep you guessing until the end.

Review

C. L. Taylor is one of my favourite thriller writers and I was incredibly excited to pick up her latest release, Strangers. The story follows three strangers – Ursula, Gareth and Alice. They each have secrets, but when their worlds collide they have to stick together to survive. Strangers is an addictive and gripping tale full of twists you absolutely won’t see coming.

The story is told in alternating view points between the three characters. It was so fascinating seeing how these three seemingly unrelated people were intertwined. The differing points of view also give you the chance to get to know the three main characters in more depth, and discover their secrets. C. L. Taylor always creates really vivid and realistic characters and our three protagonists in Strangers are no exception.

When I picked up Strangers I planned to read a few chapters before bedtime – really I should have known better – I ended up staying up until the wee hours of the morning and I read the majority of the book practically in a single sitting. Strangers is full to the brim with tense atmosphere, which ramps up more and more towards the end. It is an addictive, heart pounding read and definitely one you won’t want to miss.

While I’ve loved every book by C. L. Taylor, this one is my favourite. A cleverly woven tale that you won’t be able to put down, this is one you need to get your hands on right away.

Blog Tour: Mortmain Hall – Martin Edwards

March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Rachel Savernake #2
Release Date: April 2nd 2020
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 416
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

“You died once,” Rachel Savernake whispered. “Tell me who arranged your resurrection, or before the day’s out, you’ll be dead forever.”

1930. At her remote coastal estate of Mortmain Hall, enigmatic heiress and amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake is hosting a gathering – at the bequest of an eccentric criminologist – of people who have cheated the gallows. But the house party culminates in tragedy when a body is found beneath the crumbling cliffs.

The verdict is accidental death, but Rachel determines to foil an ingenious plot to get away with murder. She encounters an eclectic mix of suspects and victims, including a radical publisher risen from the grave, a fake medium with a sinister past, and a cricketer mauled to death by an escaped lion.

Rachel sets out to uncover the labyrinthine secrets of Mortmain Hall, but her relentless quest might just bring down the British establishment…

Who can we turn to, if justice betrays us?

Review

Mortmain Hall is the second instalment in the Rachel Savernake series, following amateur crime solver Rachel Savernake. This time Rachel is hosting a gathering at her estate, however the party culminates in a death. The death is ruled to be accidental, but Rachel soon uncovers there is much more going on under the surface – but who can she trust?

I really enjoyed this fun and exciting tale of murder and mystery. Set in the 1930s, I loved the vivid characters and gorgeous setting of Mortmain Hall. The story has a really interesting cast of characters and offers multiple points of view to allow you to get to know the different characters and their motivations. I really liked our main protagonist Rachel, she’s a well fleshed out and complex character and I enjoyed seeing her attempt to unravel the mystery.

Set in the Golden Era of crime, Mortmain Hall is full to the brim with atmosphere and mystery. It very much gave me Agatha Christie vibes and had plenty of surprise twists that I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed Edwards’ writing style, the story is beautifully told and definitely makes you want to turn pages faster and faster to find out how it’s going to end. Although this is the second instalment in the series it can definitely be read as a standalone – I haven’t yet had the chance to read Gallows Court but I am absolutely planning on picking it up.

Mortmain Hall is an exciting tale of suspense, that will have you up past bedtime reading. If you’re a fan of historical crime fiction, Mortmain Hall is a must read.

Magical Readathon OWLS TBR!

March 30, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

The Magical Readathon is a readathon I look forward to every year and I’m so excited for it to start on April 1st. Since I’m stuck in the house I thought I would make a TBR for all the prompts and see how many I could get through. I’ll pick my chosen career at the end based on how many of these I manage to get through – so let’s dive in!

Ancient Runes: Heart on the cover
Weirdly I couldn’t seem to find any books with a heart on the cover on my shelves so I’m going with Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton for this one.

Arithmancy: Something outside your favourite genre
I tend to read fantasy and science fiction, so for this I’m going with Karen M. McManus’ latest contemporary thriller with One Of Us Is Next.

Astronomy: Read the majority of this book at night
For this I picked a book I’ve been wanting to pick up for ages – Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson.

Care of Magical Creatures: Creature with a beak on the cover
It took me absolutely ages to find a book with a creature that has a beak, but then I remembered I still haven’t gotten around to Crowfall by Ed McDonald, this was a really anticipated release for me so I’m super excited to read it.

Charms: White cover
One of my most anticipated releases for 2020 is the sequel to Shadowscent: The Darkest Bloom by P. M. Freestone. Crown of Smoke has a gorgeous white cover so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to read it.

Defence Against the Dark Arts: Book set at sea
So I’m not entirely sure if this book is set at sea but it’s called Stormtide and the paperback has a boat on the cover, so fingers crossed.

Divination: assign numbers to your TBR and use number generator
I assigned numbers to my review books tbr and it gave me number 58, which is The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso, which I’m so excited to read.

Herbology: Title that starts with an M
For this I’m going to read Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey, which is one of the few books I could find on my shelf that started with an M.

History of magic: book featuring witches
Serpent and Dove has been on my must read list for absolutely ages and I still haven’t gotten around to it so I thought this was the perfect time to pick it up.

Muggle studies: Read a contemporary
Another one I’m super excited to read, the third instalment in Ashley Poston’s Once Upon a Con series. I love these books so much so I can’t wait to dive in.

Potions: Book under 150 pages
I really struggled to find a book under 150 pages so I’ve gone with Seeker by Cate Tiernan, which is book ten in the Sweep series and is 172 pages, so pretty close!

Transfiguration: book that includes shape-shifting
This is another one I’ve been meaning to get around to for ages. I’m not sure how much shapeshifting is actually in the book but seeing as it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling I figured it would fit the bill!

So those are the books I’m hoping to get to for the Magical Readathon – even if I only get to some of them I’m so excited to read all of these. I’d love to know if you’re participating what you’re planning to read and if you’ve read any of these what you thought!

Blog Tour: Frozen Beauty – Lexa Hillyer

March 29, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: March 17th 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository
Source: I received an E-ARC of this book through the Fantastic Flying Book Club
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Everyone in Devil’s Lake knows the three golden Malloy sisters—but one of them is keeping a secret that will turn their little world inside out….

No one knows exactly what happened to Kit in the woods that night—all they have are a constellation of facts: icy blue lips and fingers cold to the touch, a lacy bra, an abandoned pick-up truck with keys still in the ignition. Still, Tessa, even in her fog of grief, is certain that her sister’s killer wasn’t Boyd, the boy next door whom they’ve all loved in their own way. There are too many details that don’t add up, too many secrets still tucked away.

But no matter how fiercely she searches for answers, at the core of that complicated night is a truth that’s heartbreakingly simple.

Told in lush, haunting prose, Frozen Beauty is a story of the intoxicating power of first love, the deep bonds of sisterhood, and a shocking death that will forever change the living.

Review

This book captured my attention because I read and really enjoyed Lexa Hillyer’s Spindle Fire duology and this sounded like such an intriguing premise. Following three sisters – the Malloy’s and their life in Devil’s Lake, a small town where they live with their Mum. When one tragically dies the story follows sisters Tessa and Lilly as they process the death of their sister, and uncover the secrets that have been surrounding the family.

Frozen Beauty is a beautifully told tale of family, friendship, love and loss. I loved the setting of Devil’s Lake, this quaint little town that has something more sinister going on underneath. Hillyer has a really gorgeous writing style and it’s so easy to just become completely wrapped up in the tale she is weaving. The story jumps around in time and perspective as we uncover the secrets in this town and I enjoyed getting to know all three Malloy sisters as well as Patrick and Boyd too. Hillyer has creating a really interesting cast of characters, each dealing with difficult issues. The characters were well fleshed out and I liked that they were flawed, made mistakes and very much felt like real people.

The mystery of Kit’s death is a really interesting story, there are plenty of twists and turns in this tale that surprised me, and it had an ending I did not see coming. The story also contains some of Kit’s poetry which was a fascinating insight into the character and a nice addition to the story. If you’re looking for a tense, atmospheric read that you definitely won’t want to put down, I highly recommend picking this one up.

February Wrap Up!

March 15, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

February was a pretty great reading month and I managed to read nine books and most of them were four or five stars – which is a massive win! So let’s dive into the books I read in February.

1. The Foundling – Stacey Halls
I absolutely adored The Familiars by Stacey Halls so I was super excited about this one. The story of a young woman who has to give up her child to the foundling hospital and when she goes to collect her, they tell her the child was already collected years ago. A beautifully told story that I just couldn’t put down. (5/5 stars)

2. Belle Revolte – Lindsay Miller
A magical tale of two young women switching places to get the life they’ve always dreamed of. I really love the switch lives trope and it’s incredibly well executed in this story. Full to the brim with magic and adventure, this French inspired fantasy was such a fun read and has definitely made me want to read more from Lindsay Miller. (4/5 stars)

3. The Golden Key – Marion Womack
A really fascinating historical fiction about a young man who, reeling from the death of a loved one gets caught up in an age old disappearance on the Norfolk fens. Set during the Victorian era with seances and this story has really beautiful writing and a vivid setting. It also had a surprise ending that I absolutely did not see coming. (3.5/5 stars)

4. Havenfall – Sara Holland
The new series from Everless author Sara Holland, I really liked the idea behind this but found the story a bit on the slower side. The story of a young girl who works at an inn between realms and what happens when her uncle the owner becomes ill and she has to save the inn from falling into ruin. I’m interested in seeing where Sara Holland takes this story next. (3/5 stars)

5. This is Going to Hurt – Adam Kay
This is absolutely not something I would normally read but I was recommended this book at an event I was at recently and decided to try it. Equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious, this is the diaries of a young doctor in the NHS. It’s a must read and definitely gave me plenty to think about. (4.25/5 stars)

6. The Stars We Steal – Alexa Donne
A retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion in space, I loved the glitz and glamour behind this story. It was a really fast paced tale that I just devoured and it has definitely made me want to pick up more from this author. I also think that’s got to be one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. (4/5 stars)

7. The Unspoken Name – A. K. Larkwood
This was one of my most anticipated releases and my god it was such a brilliant read. The story of a young orc girl who is set to be sacrificed to the unspoken god when she comes of age. On the day of the ritual she escapes with a mysterious man who offers her the chance to travel the realms and help him get revenge on those who wronged him. A fascinating story with an amazing cast of complex characters, this one is a must read. (5/5 stars)

8. Witness X – S. E. Moorhead
I thought this debut thriller was a fascinating read and definitely one of my favourites of the month. The story of a young woman who invents technology that allows you to view the memories of another person. When the man who murdered her sister escapes prison, Kyra has doubts if he’s guilty, but will using the technology prove his guilt or drive her over the edge? A brilliant blend of science fiction and crime thriller, this was one of my favourite of the month. (4.5/5 stars)

9. Always Here For You – Miriam Halahmy
This thought provoking read focuses on a young teenager who, feeling isolated at home makes friends with a stranger online. She spends all her time interacting with this person she believes is the same age as her but when she goes to meet him she discovers Jay isn’t exactly who he said he is. A really timely and important story on the importance of staying safe online. (4/5 stars)

So those are the books I picked up in February! If you’ve read any of these I’d love to know what you thought and I’d love to know what your favourite reads in February were!

Book Review: All the Wandering Light – Heather Fawcett

March 7, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Even the Darkest Stars #2 (Review of book one can be found here!)
Release Date: December 4th 2018
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 448
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this online
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

After the terrifying events on Mount Raksha, the witches have returned, and River has betrayed Kamzin to regain his dark powers. The witches’ next step: march on the Three Cities and take over the Empire—led by River’s brother, Esha.

If Kamzin is to save Azmiri and prevent the fall of the Empire, she must find a star that fell in the Ash Mountains to the north. Fallen stars have immense power, and if Kamzin and Lusha can find the star, they can use its magic to protect the Empire. To get there, Kamzin has allied with Azar-at, the dangerous and deceptive fire demon, who can grant her great power—in exchange for pieces of her soul. But River wants the star too, and as their paths collide in dangerous and unexpected ways, Kamzin must wrestle with both her guilt and her conflicted feelings for the person who betrayed her.

Facing dark magic, a perilous journey, and a standoff against the witches, can Kamzin, Lusha, and Tem find the star and save their Empire?

Review

Even the Darkest Stars was one of my favourite reads of 2017. I loved the beautiful world Fawcett created as well as the action packed plot and slow burn romance. I’ve been meaning to get around to the second book in the duology for a while and I finally picked it up this month.

The story picks up right after the events of book one, following Kamzin as she attempts to stop the witches from attacking the Emperor and destroying the world. Like book one the story is pretty faced paced, following both Kamzin and River in alternating POVs as we see them fighting for what they believe is right.

River is my favourite character in the series and I really enjoyed seeing him with the other witches, getting a chance to know more of his back story as well as getting to meet his brothers. The witches are really fascinating and I loved the dynamics between the characters in this book. Kamzin is also a brilliant character. She’s strong willed, fearless and determined to do what’s right. I was particularly fascinating with seeing Kamzin use Azar-at’s power, and the slippery slope of the demon’s power.

While I really enjoyed All the Wandering Light, I do think book one is a stronger story. All the Wandering Light has a bit more of a romance focus and I was more interested in how they were going to stop the witches than everyone pairing off. The story has a pretty satisfying ending however it did leave the reader with quite a few questions and I would really love for there to be a third book, giving us a chance to see the characters after the events in this duology.

All the Wandering Light is a wonderful story of magic, revenge and saving the world. If you’ve read Even the Darkest Stars you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking for a new fantasy to binge read, this one is exactly what you need.