Phantasma starts off with promise, drawing you into its intriguing world and setting the stage for what seems like a captivating dark romance. However, as the story unfolds, the plot twists become painfully predictable, and the narrative takes on the vibe of an underdeveloped Wattpad story. While the smut is present, it feels lackluster compared to the vivid and engaging scenes you’d find in more popular BookTok recommendations. The pacing falters toward the end, and the characters lose some of their earlier appeal. Overall, it’s a decent read, but it doesn’t live up to its initial potential or stand out among its competitors.
Phantasma starts off with promise, drawing you into its intriguing world and setting the stage for what seems like a captivating dark romance. However, as the story unfolds, the plot twists become painfully predictable, and the narrative takes on the vibe of an underdeveloped Wattpad story. While the smut is present, it feels lackluster compared to the vivid and engaging scenes you’d find in more popular BookTok recommendations. The pacing falters toward the end, and the characters lose some of their earlier appeal. Overall, it’s a decent read, but it doesn’t live up to its initial potential or stand out among its competitors.
I’m having a hard time rating The Night Ends with Fire. It wasn’t quite a 3-star or a 4-star read for me—it’s somewhere in between. There were parts I genuinely liked, but I found myself getting bored in the middle and kept checking how much I had left. Then, just as I was ready to give up, I got reabsorbed, and suddenly, it was over.
As a historical romantasy retelling of Mulan, it has some nice elements—the setting, the blend of romance and fantasy, and the familiar yet fresh storyline. But the violence and misogynistic society felt predictable and didn’t offer much in terms of surprise. In fact, the most surprising aspect was how absolutely idiotic the main character could be at times, making decisions that had me shaking my head.
The pacing probably would have benefited from splitting this into two books, allowing more room for the story to breathe, or by adding some spicy scenes to break up the slow middle sections. Despite its flaws, though, I’m still intrigued. The world is interesting enough to keep me curious, and I’ll likely continue with the rest of the series, hoping for more depth and better pacing ahead.
I’m having a hard time rating The Night Ends with Fire. It wasn’t quite a 3-star or a 4-star read for me—it’s somewhere in between. There were parts I genuinely liked, but I found myself getting bored in the middle and kept checking how much I had left. Then, just as I was ready to give up, I got reabsorbed, and suddenly, it was over.
As a historical romantasy retelling of Mulan, it has some nice elements—the setting, the blend of romance and fantasy, and the familiar yet fresh storyline. But the violence and misogynistic society felt predictable and didn’t offer much in terms of surprise. In fact, the most surprising aspect was how absolutely idiotic the main character could be at times, making decisions that had me shaking my head.
The pacing probably would have benefited from splitting this into two books, allowing more room for the story to breathe, or by adding some spicy scenes to break up the slow middle sections. Despite its flaws, though, I’m still intrigued. The world is interesting enough to keep me curious, and I’ll likely continue with the rest of the series, hoping for more depth and better pacing ahead.
The Widow and the Orcs is my favorite installment in the Orc Sworn series so far. What truly stands out in this book is the author’s brilliant portrayal of guilt, depression, and the long, painful journey of healing. The main character’s emotional depth is captured so well that her struggles feel incredibly raw and real. It’s rare to see mental health handled with such care in fantasy, and this aspect adds a powerful layer to the story.
As always, Finley Fenn nails the relationship dynamics, crafting captivating banter and genuine emotional connections between the characters. The chemistry between the widow and her orc is perfect—intense, full of tension, yet tender where it counts. And let’s not forget the spice. The steamy moments are flawlessly written, adding to the connection rather than overshadowing it.
If you’re looking for a romantasy with heart, emotional depth, and a healthy dose of spice, The Widow and the Orcs is a must-read!
The Widow and the Orcs is my favorite installment in the Orc Sworn series so far. What truly stands out in this book is the author’s brilliant portrayal of guilt, depression, and the long, painful journey of healing. The main character’s emotional depth is captured so well that her struggles feel incredibly raw and real. It’s rare to see mental health handled with such care in fantasy, and this aspect adds a powerful layer to the story.
As always, Finley Fenn nails the relationship dynamics, crafting captivating banter and genuine emotional connections between the characters. The chemistry between the widow and her orc is perfect—intense, full of tension, yet tender where it counts. And let’s not forget the spice. The steamy moments are flawlessly written, adding to the connection rather than overshadowing it.
If you’re looking for a romantasy with heart, emotional depth, and a healthy dose of spice, The Widow and the Orcs is a must-read!
Gleam is by far the best book in the series so far. Everything in the first and second books feels like a build-up for what finally unfolds in the third installment. The pacing is spot on, with all the tension and mystery from the previous books coming to a head. The world expands in fascinating ways, and the characters experience real growth, especially Auren, who finally starts stepping into her own power.
And let’s talk about the smut—it’s absolutely amazing. Kennedy really knows how to write steamy scenes that feel earned and add depth to the characters’ relationships, while still fitting into the plot seamlessly. The chemistry is off the charts, and those moments don’t just serve to spice up the story, they also play a role in the emotional and personal development of the characters.
Gleam strikes the perfect balance between action, world-building, and romance. It’s gripping, sexy, and satisfying in all the ways you’d want from a romantasy series. It leaves you eager to see what comes next in the journey.
Gleam is by far the best book in the series so far. Everything in the first and second books feels like a build-up for what finally unfolds in the third installment. The pacing is spot on, with all the tension and mystery from the previous books coming to a head. The world expands in fascinating ways, and the characters experience real growth, especially Auren, who finally starts stepping into her own power.
And let’s talk about the smut—it’s absolutely amazing. Kennedy really knows how to write steamy scenes that feel earned and add depth to the characters’ relationships, while still fitting into the plot seamlessly. The chemistry is off the charts, and those moments don’t just serve to spice up the story, they also play a role in the emotional and personal development of the characters.
Gleam strikes the perfect balance between action, world-building, and romance. It’s gripping, sexy, and satisfying in all the ways you’d want from a romantasy series. It leaves you eager to see what comes next in the journey.
Gleam is by far the best book in the series so far. Everything in the first and second books feels like a build-up for what finally unfolds in the third installment. The pacing is spot on, with all the tension and mystery from the previous books coming to a head. The world expands in fascinating ways, and the characters experience real growth, especially Auren, who finally starts stepping into her own power.
And let’s talk about the smut—it’s absolutely amazing. Kennedy really knows how to write steamy scenes that feel earned and add depth to the characters’ relationships, while still fitting into the plot seamlessly. The chemistry is off the charts, and those moments don’t just serve to spice up the story, they also play a role in the emotional and personal development of the characters.
Gleam strikes the perfect balance between action, world-building, and romance. It’s gripping, sexy, and satisfying in all the ways you’d want from a romantasy series. It leaves you eager to see what comes next in the journey.
Gleam is by far the best book in the series so far. Everything in the first and second books feels like a build-up for what finally unfolds in the third installment. The pacing is spot on, with all the tension and mystery from the previous books coming to a head. The world expands in fascinating ways, and the characters experience real growth, especially Auren, who finally starts stepping into her own power.
And let’s talk about the smut—it’s absolutely amazing. Kennedy really knows how to write steamy scenes that feel earned and add depth to the characters’ relationships, while still fitting into the plot seamlessly. The chemistry is off the charts, and those moments don’t just serve to spice up the story, they also play a role in the emotional and personal development of the characters.
Gleam strikes the perfect balance between action, world-building, and romance. It’s gripping, sexy, and satisfying in all the ways you’d want from a romantasy series. It leaves you eager to see what comes next in the journey.
Updated a reading goal:
Read 50 books by December 31, 2024
Progress so far: 100 / 50 200%
A Reaper at the Gates, and it’s just as fantastic as the first two books. The stakes are higher than ever, and the characters continue to evolve in compelling ways. The world-building and political intrigue are on point, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. The romance and tension between the characters are still beautifully done, and every interaction feels meaningful.
However, my only qualm with this installment is the sheer number of cliffhangers at the end of nearly every chapter. It induces a bit of anxiety exhaustion because you’re constantly left hanging, desperate to know what happens next. While it keeps the intensity high, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. That said, it doesn’t take away from the overall greatness of the book. The emotional depth, complex relationships, and powerful storytelling still make this a must-read. If you loved the first two, this one won’t disappoint—you just might need to take a breather now and then!
A Reaper at the Gates, and it’s just as fantastic as the first two books. The stakes are higher than ever, and the characters continue to evolve in compelling ways. The world-building and political intrigue are on point, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. The romance and tension between the characters are still beautifully done, and every interaction feels meaningful.
However, my only qualm with this installment is the sheer number of cliffhangers at the end of nearly every chapter. It induces a bit of anxiety exhaustion because you’re constantly left hanging, desperate to know what happens next. While it keeps the intensity high, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. That said, it doesn’t take away from the overall greatness of the book. The emotional depth, complex relationships, and powerful storytelling still make this a must-read. If you loved the first two, this one won’t disappoint—you just might need to take a breather now and then!
Glint, doesn’t add or improve much on the first book. While the plot does progress, I’m still not quite understanding the massive popularity surrounding this series. The world-building remains interesting, and the magic system continues to be unique, but the pacing and overall depth of the story feel lacking.
That being said, Kennedy’s writing style is undeniably engaging. Even though these books are over 500 pages, they feel like fast reads. The way she writes makes it easy to absorb, and the flow of the story keeps you turning the pages. It’s easy to get caught up in the world, but at the same time, I’m left wondering when the true payoff will happen.
If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining read with some intriguing elements, Glint delivers, but if you’re hoping for significant improvements or deeper character and plot development, this sequel may leave you wanting more. Still, Kennedy’s style keeps you hooked enough to see where it all goes next.
Glint, doesn’t add or improve much on the first book. While the plot does progress, I’m still not quite understanding the massive popularity surrounding this series. The world-building remains interesting, and the magic system continues to be unique, but the pacing and overall depth of the story feel lacking.
That being said, Kennedy’s writing style is undeniably engaging. Even though these books are over 500 pages, they feel like fast reads. The way she writes makes it easy to absorb, and the flow of the story keeps you turning the pages. It’s easy to get caught up in the world, but at the same time, I’m left wondering when the true payoff will happen.
If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining read with some intriguing elements, Glint delivers, but if you’re hoping for significant improvements or deeper character and plot development, this sequel may leave you wanting more. Still, Kennedy’s style keeps you hooked enough to see where it all goes next.
I don’t know how I feel about Gild. The author writes in a unique and interesting style, and the fantasy world they create, along with the magic system, is definitely one of a kind. However, that world is absolutely drenched in some of the most disgusting representations of patriarchy I’ve ever seen. Luckily, it’s not romanticized, otherwise I would have DNF’d the series immediately.
It does end on an intriguing cliffhanger, but I’m still not seeing what makes this book so addicting or enthralling to justify the amount of hype it’s received, let alone warrant five more books. While it has some great aspects, I’m not entirely sold on the overall appeal yet.
I don’t know how I feel about Gild. The author writes in a unique and interesting style, and the fantasy world they create, along with the magic system, is definitely one of a kind. However, that world is absolutely drenched in some of the most disgusting representations of patriarchy I’ve ever seen. Luckily, it’s not romanticized, otherwise I would have DNF’d the series immediately.
It does end on an intriguing cliffhanger, but I’m still not seeing what makes this book so addicting or enthralling to justify the amount of hype it’s received, let alone warrant five more books. While it has some great aspects, I’m not entirely sold on the overall appeal yet.
Let’s be honest, nobody’s picking up this series solely for the plot. We’re here for the spice. Was it mind-blowing? Not really. Did it get the job done? Absolutely. It delivered what it promised and served its purpose.
Let’s be honest, nobody’s picking up this series solely for the plot. We’re here for the spice. Was it mind-blowing? Not really. Did it get the job done? Absolutely. It delivered what it promised and served its purpose.