Abbie Lynn Smith's Blog, page 7

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I've been dying to get my hands on this one for months. I enjoyed the From Blood & Ash series, but I'd been hearing rave reviews of this one!

So let me say first: I did enjoy FBAA. However, it had some glaring issues for me early on. I give JLA a lot of credit for creating such a fun world, but FBAA is mostly world building. As an author, it's difficult to balance action and backstory, so I get it. I was excited for this one, but hoping it wasn't just a replay of FBAA.

Spoiler Alert: It wasn't.

Sera, the main character, is similar to Poppy in FBAA, but I liked her so much better. She was so much more cynical, and I really love that we saw what happened when she was supposed to become Nyktos's consort, instead of it being a build up TO that.

Sera's life was basically taken from her as a result of a deal made between her father and the Primal of Death. The Primal would take her as his Consort when she came of age and it would heal whatever is cursing the land. When the time comes, however, the Primal refuses Sera and states he has no need for a Consort.

Fast forward three years and Sera feels like a failure. Her mother, the queen, never treats her like a daughter. Her father died when she was very small, so all she has ever known is her mother's coldness, her step-father's aloofness, her a**hole step-brother (and in line for the throne) and her step sister. Only her step sister has ever treated her like family.

I love a character jaded by the world.

After three years, Sera is basically regarded as a handmaiden to the queen. But! She's also an assassin. While in town one night, she spies something curious: Gods wandering through the city and hurting people.

Enter: Ash. Yall. I can't even begin to tell you what it was, but Ash had me hooked from the START.

Now, it wouldn't be a JLA novel without the MC stabbing the LI right? Right! We love stabby heroines!

I don't want to go too far into detail because I'd really encourage you to read this, but let me say, when the Primal comes for her, everything changes. This one was so good, and I am dying for the next book!

Abbie

Book Review: Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

I picked this one up as genre research to find comp titles for Guns & Smoke. I knew little about it, but I picked it up, anyway.

I saw a video on TikTok of someone raving about how this was an LGBTQ+ feminist novel set in a dystopian/western world. Of course, I was so excited to pick it up!

When the story starts, the main character is a stowaway. She's hidden herself in the cart of the Librarians--women who are permitted to travel the country distributing Approved materials. Immediately, I was interested. I am a huge dystopian fan, so I was curious to see what America looked like in this new world.

Sadly, I was a little disappointed. This story was only a novella. I understand that when publishing shorter works, there is only so much world building that can take place. But it really felt like the author missed out on some key opportunities to make the world into something bigger than just these few characters.

The romance was honestly lackluster for me. Given that this wasn't marketed as a romance, I am totally okay with it. I truly want to feel my character's heart pounding when they're interacting with the love interest, and I didn't quite get that here.

One of my favorite things is that the love interested is a Non-Binary character. Early on, they tell the main character something to the effect of "when we're on the road, I'm they. When we're in town, I'm she." I really enjoyed reading this character. Not only were they funny and well written, I feel like this was a perfect example of seamlessly including diverse characters.

What ended up being the climax of the story felt lackluster as well. I didn't feel a build to this inevitable ending, which really left a lot open ended.

Honestly, I would have liked to see this story as a full length novel with a little more spice. While I wouldn't specifically say this is a good comparison title to Guns & Smoke, it's probably the closest thing I've found to it.

Thanks,Abbie

Book Review: The Fires Still Burn by Heather Carson

The finale of the City On the Sea series released!

At the end of book four, one of the key advisors of Brooke, the main character, was killed by one of the watchman when the "savages" from the sea cities attacked the settlement. With everything that happened, I really wasn't sure where Carson was going with the finale.

As much as I liked the first book in this series, the premise of this dystopian world, the finale fell flat for me.

Brooke is a strong, active character, but I really feel like the world wasn't developed enough to give her story this many novels. While I respect that this is an independently published work, I didn't really enjoy it. There was a lot of back and forth that made little sense in the romance, and I wasn't even really sure what that ending was.

That said, you might enjoy it. One thing I love about these novels is that they're relatively short, so you can enjoy them in one or two sittings.

Thanks,Abbie

Book Review: Air Awakens by Elise Kova

I've heard about this series for a while. A lot of folks suggest reading it if you like or are looking for something instead of ACOTAR.

I did not expect to like this book, I'll be honest. Typically, I don't like the over-hyped books I find on social media.

I was pleasantly surprised.

While Air Awakens felt way more YA than adult, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character works in the library--a dream, honestly--and is responsible for saving the life of the crown prince. There's just one thing: he's a sorcerer, and Vhalla is, too, though she doesn't know it.

What follows is a charming story of grumpy and sunshine, full of witty banter, changing opinions, longing glances, and lots of secrets.

Magic is something to be feared in this world, so Vhalla keeps hers a secret, especially because she is the first known Windwalker in a hundred and fifty years. She manages to put off having to decide whether to give up her magic or join the tower--a mysterious order of sorcerers that she's only heard scary stories about.

A mysterious stranger leaves notes for her in the library. Through those notes, the two of them banter and Vhalla learns more about her magic and its history. When the reveal comes that she's been corresponding with the crown prince--my heart melted. I have a thing for dark, sad, murder boys, and Aldrick almost perfectly fits the bill (he's missing the chaotic bisexual part, but that's fine, not everyone can be perfect!)

While the novel really felt YA and there was very little spice, I have hope that the rest of the series will make up for it. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series by Kova. She is a wonderful writer and every scene felt intentional and like I was watching a movie behind my eyelids.

Thanks,Abbie

A Spell of Rowans by Nash Bird

I recently signed up for NetGalley so I could access books early. I didn't expect to get approved for many, but this one sounded super witchy, which is right up my alley!

What a surprisingly fun read! I didn't think I'd like the main character, Vic. Her voice in the early chapters sort of turned me off but I realize it's because I see a lot of myself in her. Vic escaped childhood trauma and has to return to the place it all took place. As a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, Nash's portrayal of Rachel Rowan through the perspective of her daughter was very realistic. So realistic at times it made me uncomfortable.I am a huge fan of all things witchy. While I usually like to get more of a background to the magic system, I kind of liked not knowing it here. Vic and her siblings have gifts, talents. And they use them to find out the truth behind their mothers nefarious deeds before and after death.I'd give an arm for a guy like Reed Easton. ❤All in all, my only wish would have been to see more descriptive details-sights, sounds, feelings-and not being told so much. This was a fun read and the ending made me chuckle.

My only complaint is the genre was listed as Magical Realism, and this was more urban fantasy/women's fiction.

Abbie

Book Review: The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford

I am friends with A.K. Mulford on TikTok. I kept seeing rave reviews for The High Mountain Court, so I decided to check it out!

I have to say, this was probably one of the best indie books I've read. From the start, you get sucked into Remy's world. You learn early on that she's been in hiding most of her life because of her magic: she's a red witch. Red witches are persecuted, known to be uncontrollable, and are typically dangerous.

When a fae prince from a neighboring kingdom seeks her aid, the stakes are upped because they are fighting against a common enemy: the man who slaughtered Remy's entire family.

While some of this felt reminiscent of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, I actually felt like Mulford did a better job of this story. The romance between Remy and Hale felt a little pushed at first, but once we were hooked, we. were. hooked. There was a slight appearance of my favorite "just one bed" trope, but even better was the fake dating scene where Hale basically treated Remy like she was his plaything. It was masterfully done.

Woven in between the spice is a scavenger hunt for mystical items that only Remy's bloodline

can wield.

All in all, this was my kind of story. I like to read books with spice, not necessarily spicy books. The second novel in this series is already out, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Thanks,

Abbie

Book Review: The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen

A close friend recommended this series. She did warn me that the first book ended on a cliffhanger, and that she didn't like the second book as much, but encouraged me to read it.

From the first chapter, I was really hooked. It had everything: murder (seemingly), political gain, and a badass female main character.

Lara and a bunch of her sisters were raised in relatively solitary confinement. They were taken from the harem as small children and trained in the art of combat, politics, and seduction. They were also raised to believe that the kingdom of Ithicana was ruled by a demon.

When we first meet Lara, she knows something the rest of her sisters don't: her father doesn't intend for any of them except one (his chosen) to leave the compound alive. Because Lara uncovered this, she "poisoned" her sisters. She put them to sleep, making it look like she'd killed them so she could take on the responsibility of taking down the king of the "Bridge Kingdom."

That's a pretty intense start, but I was totally in.

Because I really don't want to spoil any more of the story, I will keep the rest of this brief. Jensen created a lush and fantastic world. While there wasn't magic like I normally like in my fantasies, there was plenty of scheming, romance, and fun games. Aren, the king of Ithicana, is a well written male character. One thing that's hard in romance is to have a well-rounded protagonist and a well-rounded love interest. Jensen did this very well.

I have already started the sequel--The Traitor Queen--and a third novel comes out this year. Based on her writing style, I fully intend on reading everything in Jensen's back list!

Thanks,Abbie

Book Review: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

This has been one of the more popular books out in the world this year. A friend gifted this to me, saying that she was on her third read of the book. Knowing that this was originally written as Reylo fanfiction, I dove in.

I wasn't sure what to think of this one going into it. I'd seen some people who loved it and others who absolutely hated it. I reserved judgement until I got further into it.

It was difficult for me to put aside the Reylo aspect at first. Not necessarily that I couldn't separate it, but I was curious to know how it was translated from the fanfiction to its final form.

Once I got past that, I was able to enjoy the romance. Some of it was cringey, as I'd been warned, but I tried to keep in mind that this is a story set between scientists in academia. It had a very common trope I see in contemporary romance: fake dating. Initially, I thought the reasoning behind the fake dating was a little... forced. I'm not sure that it was solid enough to be a believable plot, but I went with it.

As is the case in a lot of romance that I read, I felt like the love interest wasn't fully formed. He was intriguing, sure, but I felt like we didn't get enough about him for me to completely buy into her falling in love with him. I did enjoy the cringey moments where she had to rub sunscreen all over him, but I didn't feel like I was totally invested in the romance between them.

Some of the overall plot was a little predictable, but I didn't hate it.

Overall, I did like it, but it wasn't one that I would rave about. If you're looking for a formulaic contemporary romance, you might enjoy this one!

Thanks,Abbie

Book Review: The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

This one has been on my TBR for a really long time. I finally got the chance to read it. I'd seen reviewers raving about the LGBTQ+ representation, so I definitely wanted to check it out.

It hooked me from the start. The story opens with the main character witnessing his fiance being stabbed by a seemingly harmless woman.

What a way to start a story.

I loved that it started in the middle of the drama. It definitely hooked me from the start. I had a lot of questions about what happened in the past between Wyatt and Emyr. From the beginning, we learn Wyatt is not only trans, but a witch. I love a good urban fantasy. Emyr is a fae, and Wyatt's betrothed, and has come to bring him back to their home territory.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It had amazing LGBTQ+ representation. You had gay characters, trans characters, non-binary characters. To see these characters written by someone who is a part of the community was great.

This story has political fae intrigue, magic, and mysteries. All elements that I really enjoy. Not to mention my favorite trope: JUST. ONE. BED. Yep. Here for it.

Probably my favorite thing was the relationship Wyatt had with his best friend. I have never seen a friendship portrayed so closely to mine with my best friend. It really made me feel super happy and gave me inspiration about how to write it into my own works.

I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this novel. It was resolved, but left just open enough for a sequel, which comes out in 2022.

Thanks,Abbie

Book Review: Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

This is another LGBTQ+ novel that has been on my TBR for a while. I am always on the lookout for good LGBTQ+ romance novels, especially.

Arranged marriages aren't really a trop that I'm fond of, so when this one started out, I was already on the meh side. However, since I am trying to expand my reading horizons, I kept with it.

Winter's Orbit is a sci-fi story set in the future on a planet that isn't in any way, shape, or form connected to earth. I'll admit that I'm not a huge sci-fi fan. I do enjoy a good space tale, but mainly if the characters are super intriguing. This was a plot-driven story, not character driven.

Even still, I felt for Jainan, who was being married off to one of the other many princes in order to maintain a galactic treaty. Kiem was pretty great from the start. He's the prince. Anyway, Jainan's first partner died in an accident. To maintain the treaty, they had to reestablish the connection through the use of Jainan.

It was an interesting premise. I really liked Jainan. He was smart, but you could absolutely tell he'd been through some stuff. He had trauma response written all over him.

Kiem, on the other hand, was charming. He was the one who got away with doing lots of stuff that was bad for his image (think Prince Harry), but managed to turn it around and at least appear more responsible.

The two get off to a rocky start. Because they don't communicate.

I feel like a lot of the issues in this novel might have been resolved if the characters acted like the adults they were supposed to be and discussed things. This really felt more YA in that the characters just skirted around everything. Look, I get that you don't know what you're doing in your twenties, but it just felt a little childish to me.

This was not a romance. There was no heat whatsoever, so that kind of made me sad.

All in all, it felt like the plot was forced for me. I didn't really enjoy it. I liked Jainan's development and how he and Kiem were with each other toward the end, but this isn't something that I would give a glowing recommendation to.

Consider that sci-fi is not my normal genre. If it is for you, you might like it.

Abbie