Avalon Tower

Alright, book lovers, let's talk about Avalon Tower! This gem took my breath away with its wild mix of fantasy, intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance!

So, here’s the scoop: our main character, a bookseller and caregiver who’s finally treating herself to a dream vacation, ends up getting kidnapped by none other than Raphael, a ridiculously hot fey with tattoos that could probably tell their own story. 😍 Talk about a major plot twist! Instead of sipping champagne on a beach, she’s thrust into the treacherous world of Avalon Academy, where the rules are as dangerous as they are captivating: spy on your enemies, resist temptation, and, oh yeah, try not to die!

What I loved most is how relatable she is—imagine being asthmatic and thrown into spy training when you’re way out of shape! It’s a total underdog journey and watching her navigate this gothic labyrinth of competition and bullying had me rooting for her every step of the way.

And let’s not forget Raphael! He’s a complex character—intense, driven, and oh-so-watchful. The tension between them? 🔥 I was practically fanning myself! The more she learns about his tragic past and their intertwined fates, the more the stakes rise. But getting close to him is seriously risky touching a fey like him is like playing with fire!

Crawford and Rivers have created such a rich, atmospheric world that feels both haunting and exhilarating. If you adore the vibes of *Fourth Wing* and *Throne of Glass*, you’re in for a treat! This book has everything: suspense, fierce competition, and that delicious slow-burn romance that will leave you craving more.

So do yourself a favor and grab a copy—you won’t want to miss this epic adventure! 📚✨

Even though it’s not something I’d typically choose for myself, I had so much fun reading this book with my book besties (highly recommend getting yourself a set of those if you haven’t any) and I’m looking forward to reading the next one with them in September!

I liked the idea of bringing Camelot and the story of King Arthur’s Court into it a bit as I love retellings/reimaginings of tales I am even only somewhat already familiar with. The enemies-to-lovers trope wasn’t done exactly to my liking as I was more annoyed by Raphael and Nia’s constant misunderstandings that could have been easily avoided. There was another common trope I won’t spoil that I did like! I don’t read many spicy books and I used this one to confirm I’m not the biggest fan of M/F spice (especially when their attraction doesn’t have a whole lot of depth – it was extremely shallow for most of the book and even once Nia expressed attraction beyond the physical, there wasn’t much said), so I won’t comment on that other than to say that I think it was probably well done if you like it. I also have to say that I will never, in life or in death, forget how muscular Raphael is.

There were a few details that didn’t make a lot of sense when I thought about it and the last chapter was a bit rushed but when I just let it go and went with the flow, it was an enjoyable experience and I expect I’ll have a similar time with the next book.