booksthrilljessica's reviews
401 reviews

Do not enter Phantasma unless you want to enter into a contract with the devil. At Phantasma one will encounter a devil game that will put you through the nine circles of hell in an ultimate battle for your life. But would you be willing to strike a deal with the devil if you could come out at the top with all that your heart desires?

When Ophelia’s Grimm’s mother dies she knows that it is her fate to burden her family's gift….or curse. Coming from a long line of necromancers she has always conversed with those that have passed even those that haunt her. Soon Ophelia and her sister, Genevieve, learn that their mother left them with a mound of debt; they must find a way to repay it if they want to keep their family home. But when Genevieve goes missing Ophelia discovers that she has entered Phantasma. It is now up to Ophelia to enter hell knowing that she might not ever make it out if she hopes to save her sister's life. Luckily Ophelia joins forces with the devilishly handsome Blackwell. The end goal is to stay alive, find her sister, and help Blackwell break free from his hellish prison. 

I was not prepared for how much I fell in love with this book and its characters. The ever moody Ophelia and cheerful Genevieve have stolen my heart. Not to mention the ever desirable and morally gray Blackwell. This gritty, gothic, dark and spicy romantasy is brilliantly written from beginning to end. Filled with equal amounts of adventure and passion I can not stop thinking about this book and am desperately waiting for book 2!

*Thank you to Kaylie Smith, Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Freida you did it again! Told in a dual timeline, this thriller grabs the reader from the beginning. As you read you wonder when and how the two timelines will eventually collide. And as always just when you think you have figured out the twist….you haven’t. I was convinced I knew who the “boyfriend” was but keeping a wary eye on every convoluted male character. A fast paced suspenseful read that had me gripped until the very end.

Margot has finally escaped the physical clutches of her captors. Safe back with her fellow rebels, Margot will do whatever it takes to make them pay for what they have done to her. However, she can not seem to escape the mental torture that they still inflict upon her nightly. Knox has woven his crows inside her brain that she cannot keep quiet. Feeding off of Margot’s pain and fears the crows will not relent until they get what they want….blood. 

Meanwhile, Milo will stop at nothing to get Margot back. He wants her in more ways than he is willing to admit. What will happen when they meet again? Will Margot let her crows win and seek her retribution or will the two lovers realize they are better together?

Sumpter can weave a story together with such grace and intrigue that holds the reader captive until the very end.  With a strong MFC and an equally challenging MMC the slow burn is well worth the wait. We not only get a deliciously steamy build up to Margot and Milo’s passion but also the palpable tension between Knox and Margot. I am so excited to see what book 3 will bring with the new dynamic and power shift between the characters. 

*Thank you to Abelia Sumpter for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Sarah has been dealing with the recent loss of both her parents. Feeling alone and disconnected from her sister Sarah just cannot seem to catch a break. But when she is attacked one night her life changes forever. 

Reeling from the effects of her attack, Sarah can not seem to control her thirst for blood. Thankfully a devilishly handsome Vampire, Adam, swoops in to help her. However, he is keeping secrets from her. Secrets that could ultimately end their lives. 

Such an entertaining, quick and spicy read. I fell in love with these characters and wanted to run away with Adam….no wait Julian…no wait Adam. My heart broke for Sarah during the “trial” and would have loved to see more of the vampire world. I hope that we can see more of that in book 2. And what a cliffhanger…I am secretly hoping that Sarah has some witch ancestry. 

*Thank you to Amy Atley and Booksprout for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

One house….two timelines….two young women….one mystery, can it be solved?

Marlowe Wexler is struggling to find her way in the world. After accidentally setting a house fire while house-setting, Marlowe decides she needs to escape from the embarrassment of her actions. Landing a summer job at Morning House is just the thing she needs. However, there is something sinister going on at Morning House. Marlowe must find out what happened to the eccentric family who suddenly abandoned the home years ago after a tragic accident and an devastating unaliving. 

Clara Ralston's family are kept on a tight leash. Her father controls everything from what they eat to their daily workout regime.  Struggling with her daily routines and family structure, Clara soon finds release from her father’s clutches. Just not in the way she hopes. 

Overall rating 3/5

I am usually drawn to the abandoned and haunted house tropes, but this book fell flat for me. I was expecting this book to be more of a YA horror book however it was more along the lines of a YA drama. The dual POV timelines gave an interesting perspective into each of the young girls lives and how they dealt with the stress and difficulties of becoming young women. If you like reading about the struggles of young adults and family angst then this book is for you. 

*Thank you to Maureen Johnson, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperTeen and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Briar Lennox is different…living amongst shapeshifters she has had to prove herself worthy time and time again. She is not able to shift like the rest of her pack because she is something entirely different which makes her stronger and faster than all of them. But they must not find out what she truly is, a demon. 

Fighting her way to the top ranks of her pack, Briar must now attend the prestigious Iolite Academy to claim her rightful spot as an elite in the Hidden Realms. However, when she arrives Briar is only met with animosity and hatred especially from the one person who should have her back, Grayson. 

Grayson, the boy that she loved so long ago is now demanding that she denounce her rightful claim as Luna. This is the ultimate betrayal that she will not take lying down. She must form an unlikely alliance with the feisty Kenna in order to prove that she is the Luna of their pack or die trying.

Overall rating 5/5

Strap in and get ready for an extraordinary roller coaster of a ride. This gave me a mature Twilight or Divergent vibe….but better. I found myself quickly enthralled in this page turner laughing and fighting along with these ingenious characters in just one setting. This book is filled with so many incredible characters from the misunderstood villain, good guy who will give you whiplash so many times you will hate him (ahem Tamlin style), and the quirky loveable sidekick. And that ending…….

Favorite quotes:

“Someone who sees their friend under attack and does nothing is the very worst kind of person. if the threat of defeat or failure stops you from taking action in service of the people you care about, you’re nothing but a coward.”

-Briar

“On a scale of dry bread to custard tart, how tempted are you to punch him?” -Kenna

“Strawberry pie” -Briar

“For I look into your eyes and see all you are, my ember.” 

 

*Thank you to Kathryn Covens for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Now a queen, Tressya must face what she has so reluctantly avoided. Confronted with the truth that Tressya is a true descendant of the House of Tannard, she must now become the Bone Queen and control the Etherweave. But she is not the only one that has Tannard blood and wants control over the Etherweave. Tamas, a shape shifter, is not only bound to Tressya but bound by honor to take over the Bone Throne. 

Even though in this installment we find the two star crossed lovers at odds, they must fight to find their way back to each other if they hope to succeed and survive. Together they must endure an epic journey to save their realm and find the Etherweave before anyone else can. Tamas and Tressya must not only battle outside forces but they must also combat their inward struggles. Can they conquer their inner demons in time? Will Tressya and Tamas finally realize that together they are stronger?

Overall rating 5/5

Adams does it again! I am astounded by the level of world building that intrances the reader and makes them feel as if they are a part of Tressya’s life. I love these characters as if I know them personally. The way Adams writes and evolves these characters makes me so invested in them and crave for them to succeed through every obstacle or bad decision. I am so glad that this is not the final installment of The Seven Realms Saga, I don’t think I could say goodbye to Tressya nor Tamas. If you love ACOTAR then please do yourself a favor and read this book you will not regret it! 

*Thank you to Terina Adams for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

One night clouded with darkness changed three sisters' lives forever. A decrepit home awaits them calling them home, to finish what they started years ago.

When Meg Finch receives a distraught call from her sister, Claire she knows she must stop her from returning to the house. But she is too late…. 

Reeling from the devastating death of Claire the remaining two sisters Meg and Esther can not shake the visions that follow them making the need to return to their childhood nightmare inevitable. Is the house alive? Who or what is responsible for Claire’s death and can they find out before they are next?

Overall rating 4/5

This book had many tropes that I love - a dilapidated house, things that go bump in the night, mysterious past and big reveal. I was hooked from the beginning and was hanging on the edge of my seat. I was however, a little let down by the twist at the ending, I was hoping that it would end with a spooky unhappy ending. But do appreciate the realistic outcome. 

*Thank you to Katrina Monroe, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Ross Quest comes from a long line of well renowned thieves. At only seventeen Ross is ready to strike her own path in life, to live like an ordinary teenager. However, fate has intervened when Ross’ mother is taken hostage during a heist gone wrong. Now Ross has no other choice but to join the Thieves’ Gambit, an ultimate heist game with a grand prize awarded to only one winner. The prize…….one wish….any wish. 

As a thief Ross has been taught to never trust anyone no matter what. But Ross realizes in order to win this game and get her mother back she must learn to trust others in order to survive. Can she save her mother in time? Will she have to betray her friends in order to win?

Overall rating 4/5

For younger fans who like high stakes, found family and enemies to lovers. I enjoyed an Ocean's Eleven type plot line that was geared towards a new age audience. The family and friendship struggles that Ross has to go through is relatable with younger readers. A refreshing coming of age drama laced with romance and thrilling adventures. 

*Thank you to Kayvion Lewis, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.