Book Review: King of Fools – Amanda Foody

May 14, 2020May 13, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

Series: The Shadow Game #2 (See my review of book one here!)
Release Date: April 30th 2019
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Pages: 602
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Indulge your vices in the City of Sin, where a sinister street war is brewing and fame is the deadliest killer of them all…

On the quest to find her missing mother, prim and proper Enne Salta became reluctant allies with Levi Glaisyer, the city’s most famous con man. Saving his life in the Shadow Game forced Enne to assume the identity of Seance, a mysterious underworld figure. Now, with the Chancellor of the Republic dead and bounties on both their heads, she and Levi must play a dangerous game of crime and politics…with the very fate of New Reynes at stake.

Thirsting for his freedom and the chance to build an empire, Levi enters an unlikely partnership with Vianca Augustine’s estranged son. Meanwhile, Enne remains trapped by the mafia donna’s binding oath, playing the roles of both darling lady and cunning street lord, unsure which side of herself reflects the truth.

As Enne and Levi walk a path of unimaginable wealth and opportunity, new relationships and deadly secrets could quickly lead them into ruin. And when unforeseen players enter the game, they must each make an impossible choice: To sacrifice everything they’ve earned in order to survive…

Or die as legends.

Review

King of Fools is the second instalment in Amanda Foody’s incredible Shadow Game series. The story follows a group of characters living in the City of Sins, attempting to navigate the world of crime, magic and excess. After surviving the Shadow Game in book one, Enne and Levi now have bounties on their heads and must do everything they can to survive in this cut-throat city.

Ace of Shades was one of my favourite books of 2018. I loved every second of it and I’m absolutely kicking myself that it took me so long to pick up King of Fools. This time the stakes are even higher, the story more intense, and I honestly did not want this book to end. Despite it being over six hundred pages, I raced through it at a ridiculous pace. King of Fools is a roller coaster ride of a read and it doesn’t let you go till the very last page.

Foody has created a vibrant and exciting world in this series. I loved getting the chance to learn more of the history of the city in this instalment and explore more of the talents that people possess. Foody has done an excellent job with the world building, it feels so detailed and full of life. The story is told in alternating chapters between Levi, Enne and Jac and I loved seeing each of the characters grow as they ventured out on their own.

King of Fools is a heart pounding read and one you definitely don’t want to miss. There are a few heart breaking moments and if this is how Foody ends book two, I’m equal parts excited and terrified to see what’s coming in Queen of Volts.

Book Review: Viper – Bex Hogan

May 12, 2020May 11, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 7 Comments

Series: Isles of Storm and Sorrow #1
Release Date: April 18th 2019
Publisher: Orion
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this from Waterstones
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

He will make me a killer. Or he will have me killed. That is my destiny.

Seventeen-year-old Marianne is fated to one day become the Viper, defender of the Twelve Isles.

But the reigning Viper stands in her way. Corrupt and merciless, he prowls the seas in his warship, killing with impunity, leaving only pain and suffering in his wake.

He’s the most dangerous man on the ocean . . . and he is Marianne’s father.

She was born to protect the islands. But can she fight for them if it means losing her family, her home, the boy she loves – and perhaps even her life?

Review

Viper is an epic pirate adventure that follows Marianne, the daughter of the infamous Viper – the most dangerous pirate in the ocean. He’s supposed to be the defender of the people and protector of the realm, but he has become corrupted and cares only about gaining power. He’ll stop at nothing, and remove everyone who gets in his way. But when his own daughter stands up to him, will she be able to stop him and protect the kingdom?

Honestly I loved this book. I really love pirate stories and this was just the perfect swashbuckling adventure. High stakes, fast paced action and a brilliant cast of characters. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. Bex Hogan has created a vivid and fascinating world in Viper, the islands were such interesting places and I loved the dash of magic added to the story too (the Sea Serpents were so cool). It was so easy just to get completely swept up in the story and I ended up racing though this book.

This is quite a dark tale and there was a bit more gore and violence that I would typically expect from a YA book. It fit well with the story though and made the atmosphere even more tense as Marianne fought to survive. The story does feature some romance and while I don’t particularly enjoy romances I thought it was a really nice addition to the story. It added another layer without detracting from the main plot.

Viper is the swashbuckling adventure you didn’t know you needed. It’s a heart pounding read and if you’re anything like me it’s going to have you running to pick up the sequel.

Book Review: Down Among the Sticks and Bones – Seanan McGuire

May 11, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Wayward Children #2 (Read my review of book one here)
Release Date: June 13th 2017
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 190
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I listened to this on Scribd.
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.

This is the story of what happened first…

Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.

Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you’ve got.

They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.

They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.

Review

Down Among the Sticks and Bones is the second instalment in the incredibly popular Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. This instalment follows two characters we met in book one – Jack and Jill – and gives the reader a chance to find out the story of the twin sisters and how they ended up at Eleanor West’s school. Travelling to the moors we see the sisters take extremely different paths, but the moors is a dangerous place and will they both survive?

Jack and Jill were the characters I was most intrigued by in Every Heart A Doorway so when I heard that book two was a prequel featuring them I immediately picked up book two. If possible I loved this book even more than the previous one, the moors is such a fascinating world and I didn’t want this stunning tale to end. Like the previous book the world building is excellent, giving the reader a chance to learn about the world as we delve further into the story.

I am in awe of how much McGuire manages to pack into such a small number of pages, and I found it difficult to put this one down. Jack and Jill are fascinating characters – twin sisters but different in so many ways. I also loved Doctor Bleak and the Master. McGuire is brilliant at creating complex characters you can’t help but adore.

Fast-paced and exciting, Down Among the Sticks and Bones was everything I wanted and more. It gives the reader a chance to get to see Jack and Jill before they go through their door, which I also really loved. I’m hopeful the sisters will return in later books. The Wayward Children series if fast becoming one of my favourites and I cannot wait to visit a nonsense world in Beneath the Sugar Sky!

Book Review: Every Heart A Doorway – Seanan McGuire

May 7, 2020May 18, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 3 Comments

Series: Wayward Children #1
Release Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 176
Find it on: Goodreads. Amazon.
Source: I listened to this book on Scribd.

Synopsis

Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children
No Solicitations
No Visitors
No Quests

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere… else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced… they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.

No matter the cost.

Review

The Wayward Children series is one that’s been on my radar for a while, and when I saw the audio books on Scribd I thought I would give them a go. I completely fell in love with this magical, fairy tale like story and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store.

The story is set at Eleanor West’s home for Wayward Children – a place where children who have come back from other worlds can stay as they attempt to find the door back to the magical land they went to. Nancy is one such child, determined to find her way back as soon as possible. But not everything is as it seems at the school, and Nancy and her friends must uncover the darkness lurking in the heart of the school.

This unique and engaging tale completely captured my attention and I ended up listening to it all in one go. It’s a beautifully written tale, full of magic and whimsy. It also has plenty of darkness and gory moments too and the detail and complexity of the world building really shines through in McGuire’s writing. I’m not normally a big fan of novellas because I always feel like I want more, but this 200 page story is the perfect length, giving you a glimpse of other worlds that we will hopefully get to see more of in the subsequent books.

The characters in this book were so fascinating. Jack and Jill were definitely my favourites but for such a short book there’s an immense amount of depth in the characters we meet. There is a wonderful amount of diversity in the characters and I can’t wait to see the characters grow as the series continues.

This is an incredible start to the series and I can only hope that the rest of the books are as gripping and addictive as this one. If you haven’t started this series yet, now is definitely the time to do it.

Book Review: Seeker – Cate Tiernan

May 2, 2020April 29, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Sweep #10
Release Date: April 1st 2002
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 172
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository.
Source: I still have my childhood copies!
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Synopsis

It’s a time of joy for Hunter as he is reunited with his father, who vanished mysteriously years before. Only Morgan senses that something is wrong, that Hunter’s father is hiding a dark secret that could threaten them all.

Review

Seeker is the tenth instalment in the Sweep/Wicca series, a set of books that I absolutely fell in love with as a child. I read them over and over and I thought it would be fun to revisit them as an adult. I’ve slowly been working my way through the series and on reaching book number ten I was looking forward to reading from Hunter’s perspective, rather than our main protagonist Morgan. This instalment follows Hunter as he continues the search and is reunited with his long lost Father. However their reunion is not all he was hoping and his father is hiding many things. Combining that with a mission he has been sent to do for the Witches Council, Hunter will need all his wits to unravel what is really going on.

The Sweep series is such a fun and quick paced series to read. The story of Morgan Rowlands is an engaging one and I find myself still falling in love with the story all these years later. While Seeker is an interesting addition to the story, I found myself missing reading from Morgan’s perspective and was more interesting in revisiting her story than the one of Hunter and his father. The characters are complex and fascinating and I love seeing them attempt to find balance between all powerful witches and everyday life as a high school student.

The series is a long one (fifteen books total) but they are all under the 250 page mark. On reading them as an adult I definitely think I would prefer them to be condensed into three or four books, as I often found the books bringing up something that had happened in previous books again and again. Of the books in the series this has probably been my least favourite so far, but it was fun to get to know Hunter a bit better. If you’re a fan of witchy books this is definitely one to check out, and I’m definitely looking forward to revisiting the final books in the series.

Book Review: The Devouring Gray – Christine Lynn Herman

April 27, 2020May 4, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 3 Comments

Series: The Devouring Gray #1
Release Date: April 16th 2019
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: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Branches and stones, daggers and bones,
They locked the Beast away.

After the death of her sister, seventeen-year-old Violet Saunders finds herself dragged to Four Paths, New York. Violet may be a newcomer, but she soon learns her mother isn’t: They belong to one of the revered founding families of the town, where stone bells hang above every doorway and danger lurks in the depths of the woods.

Justin Hawthorne’s bloodline has protected Four Paths for generations from the Gray—a lifeless dimension that imprisons a brutal monster. After Justin fails to inherit his family’s powers, his mother is determined to keep this humiliation a secret. But Justin can’t let go of the future he was promised and the town he swore to protect.

Ever since Harper Carlisle lost her hand to an accident that left her stranded in the Gray for days, she has vowed revenge on the person who abandoned her: Justin Hawthorne. There are ripples of dissent in Four Paths, and Harper seizes an opportunity to take down the Hawthornes and change her destiny-to what extent, even she doesn’t yet know.

The Gray is growing stronger every day, and its victims are piling up. When Violet accidentally unleashes the monster, all three must band together with the other Founders to unearth the dark truths behind their families’ abilities—before the Gray devours them all.

Review

The Devouring Gray is the dark and eerie tale of a small town called Four Paths and the founding families that strive to protect it from the mysterious beast known as The Gray. As newcomer Violet moves to town The Gray grows stronger, taking more and more people, but will the bickering families be able to work together to stop it from escaping its prison and destroying the town?

The Devouring Gray has pretty much everything I love in books. It has this gorgeous, atmospheric setting. I loved the quaint little town with this deep dark secret, steeped right into the towns history. The founding families with magical powers is another trope I just love and the whole book gave me serious Riverdale/The Vampire Diaries vibes.

The story is pretty quick paced and Herman has a really lovely writing style which I really enjoyed. She has created a diverse cast of characters that are full of depth and each is dealing with their own complex issues as they strive to safe the town from The Gray.

The story is mysterious and full of reveals that I didn’t see coming, and I definitely found myself turning the pages faster and faster to see how the story was going to end. This is a duology so I’m really looking forward to picking up The Deck of Omens to see what happens next. The Devouring Gray is certainly a book that’s received a lot of buzz, but if you’ve been hesitant about picking it up I’d absolutely recommend giving it a shot.

Book Review: Wicked As You Wish – Rin Chupeco

April 25, 2020 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

Series: A Hundred Names For Magic #1
Release Date: March 3rd 2020
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 432
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

When a hidden prince, a girl with secrets, a ragtag group of unlikely heroes, and a legendary firebird come together…something wicked is going down.

Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left encased in ice when the Snow Queen waged war. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona.

Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them.

A new hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala must unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it.

Review

Rin Chupeco is an author I’ve always wanted to read but haven’t yet had the chance to pick up yet. I have The Bone Witch on my TBR and I really want to read it but just haven’t gotten around to it. When I received an ARC of Wicked As You Wish I was so excited to dive in. This unique and spellbinding tale completely stole my heart, and I’m now desperate to read all of Rin Chupeco’s back catalogue.

The story follows Tala and her best friend Prince Alexei as they attempt to free their magical kingdom from the curse the ice Queen has laid upon it. With a ragtag group of warriors they escape Arizona to travel back to Avalon and save their homeland.

I loved everything about this book. The world building is incredible, with a wonderful world inspired by well known tales like the legend of King Arthur, Alice in Wonderland and the Snow Queen. It’s the kind of story you want to get completely lost in for hours on end, and I found myself thinking about this book even when I wasn’t reading it.

The characters were really fascinating, and the group made for unlikely heroes. They were a complex and diverse group and I loved seeing them come together to fight their enemy. I really enjoyed getting to know them and am looking forward to seeing how they develop in the rest of the series. Each of the characters had really interesting and unique talents, Tala has the ability to stop magic which I found fascinating.

I really enjoyed Chupeco’s writing style, it was so easy to sink into the story and the world and magic system felt well laid out and explained. I am absolutely desperate to find out what’s going to happen in book two, and The Bone Witch has shot right to the top of my TBR pile. If you’re looking for a unique and engaging new fantasy read, this one is worth picking up.

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!

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.

The Bibliophile Chronicles

Tag: fantasy

Book Review: King of Fools – Amanda Foody

Synopsis

Review

Book Review: Viper – Bex Hogan

Synopsis

Review

Book Review: Down Among the Sticks and Bones – Seanan McGuire

Synopsis

Review

Book Review: Every Heart A Doorway – Seanan McGuire

Synopsis

Review

Book Review: Seeker – Cate Tiernan

Synopsis

Review

Book Review: The Devouring Gray – Christine Lynn Herman

Synopsis

Review

Book Review: Wicked As You Wish – Rin Chupeco

Synopsis

Review

March Wrap Up!

February Wrap Up!

Book Review: All the Wandering Light – Heather Fawcett

Synopsis

Review