Ridley Aris

I'm 3 books into the TOG series and have been loving it. Everything about this series has started off strong and amazing...until now. Heir of Fire was entirely too long. So many words to say nothing or to be used as filler. I felt like I was re-reading ACOTAR for the first time.

I love where the story is going, I love the character development, but why for the love does SJM crank out several amazing books and then one curveball that could have been 40% shorter and still got you there.

A very enjoyable detour from my typical fae smut. Erin has an incredible knack for storytelling that is supported by an intriguing magic system and great world building. This slow burn enemies to lovers has captivating FMC & MMC whose relationship makes you crave the drama and spice

This book was a welcomed detour from my normal fae smut and sci-fi/fantasy. I was lucky enough to be an ARC for this debut novel by Pamela Floyd and I can say I would happily sign on for additional titles by this author. Immortals has a little something for every interest. As the title suggests, immortality is absolutely a focal point, but the age-old “everything comes with a price” puts a unique spin on this story. The characters are diverse, especially featuring a non-binary MC, but are well written to have a cohesive feel which lends to the “found family” trope. The supernatural/magic tie in keeps the story fresh and the writing gives you a fair amount of roller coaster emotions leading up to some unexpected twists and turns while having. I would highly recommend this book and author to anyone looking for something familiar but also outside their comfort zone.

Merged review:

This book was a welcomed detour from my normal fae smut and sci-fi/fantasy. I was lucky enough to be an ARC for this debut novel by Pamela Floyd and I can say I would happily sign on for additional titles by this author. Immortals has a little something for every interest. As the title suggests, immortality is absolutely a focal point, but the age-old “everything comes with a price” puts a unique spin on this story. The characters are diverse, especially featuring a non-binary MC, but are well written to have a cohesive feel which lends to the “found family” trope. The supernatural/magic tie in keeps the story fresh and the writing gives you a fair amount of roller coaster emotions leading up to some unexpected twists and turns while having. I would highly recommend this book and author to anyone looking for something familiar but also outside their comfort zone.

This was my first book my C.G. Drews, but I requested an ARC from NetGalley bc of the anticipation and feedback I'd seen on TikTok. Needless to say, it did not disappoint.

I don't read too many paranormal/monster stories, but this one was told just right with the perfect amount of suspense and coupled with a slow burn love story. This book was an easy read, which I devoured in one sitting.

I will definitely be checking out more titles from this author in the future.

First, let me say that this was an ARC and my first book by the author. I have read other MM stories, so I was pleasantly surprised that this book didn't have many of the familiar plot holes and typical content you find within the space.

The story is enjoyable, the characters are relatable (and likable) without trying too hard, and it brings freshness to MM characters/storylines. It is nice to see another side of the MM writing world and one that I would happily delve into again in future stories/series.

I also love the undertones of gaming (regardless of platform/avenue) as it is not something widely represented within the community, nor is the sugar and

I have mixed feelings about this origin story. I love Storm, but reading this was very similar to watching X-Men: Apocalypse. While I understand origin stories have similarities, I felt like there were several liberties in this version that painted a very different picture and deviated. I wasn't looking for an exact retelling, but some of our heroine's demeanor didn't feel right. Overall, enjoyable and I would recommend for an entertaining read.

I was given an ARC of Kingdom of Ash and Bones in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for the sequel and was intrigued how it would fare compared to the first book, however; I agree with the other ARC reviews that this story is lacking.

First, let's talk length. Kingdom of Ash and Bones is 55 pages shorter in length than the first book. While that wouldn't necessarily be a huge issue and sequels tend to either be shorter or longer than the flagship novel, there is entirely too many plots/storylines crammed into this book to sufficiently tie them all up considering the majority of the fight, etc., starts about 50-60% in. The pace of the entire book feels very rushed and just jumps from thought to thought without really answering any of the existing questions, but whilst also introducing more. When you do get closure on a storyline, it is overly simplistic. There is this looming build up and then very simply “they died, we buried them. Next.”

Secondly, this book clocks in at 209 pages but the author's use of repetitive words/phrases and dialogue does nothing for the story/context. This isn't limited to a certain part of the book, but rather is in every chapter, on most pages which seems more like filler text than anything else.

Third, the building conflict from book 1 through book two, leading to the final battle, is entirely anticlimactic. Spoiler: Our MFC basically wins the battle based on a technicality by “booping the snoot” of the queen. From there, everything literally just solves itself. Our Main Characters move on to allow the kingdom to heal, then there's Drakens, and finally the story ends on basically an announcement of the Draken Rising series.

Due to the aforementioned items, and also some other ones I haven't shared, this book falls flat as a highly anticipated sequel and reads more as a feral novella that hasn't quite decided what it wants to be when it grows up.

I had such high hopes...

Let me start by saying I read and listened to this book. I wanted to like it, but it is trying entirely too hard. The writing style seems to be all over, the dialogue was kind of cringy jumping from one extreme of a Lara Croft type FMC character to a love sick heroine calling the MMC “baby.” The spice? About as spicy as mayo. At one point I actually realized I rolled my eyes as our FMC is saying she is barely familiar with Aramaic and then in the next sentence has miraculously translated an entire paragraph of scripture she didn't know and also miraculously just remembered perfectly. This story had a lot of build up for what seemed to be a rushed delivery to end on a cliffhanger.