breabooks's reviews
172 reviews

What a sweet, witchy, cozy read! A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney is reminiscent of practical magic with strong themes of family, magic, and a sense is belonging. 

This is the first witchy book I’ve read that delves deep into actually explaining different types of witchcraft. While I may not know if it’s accurate, the descriptions of the different types of witches - hedge, shadow, kitchen, etc - were fascinating. The “world building” in this modern setting was excellent. 

The story was cute with a few high stakes moments, but overall a perfect cozy fall read. Hecate is 30 year old hedge witch who is set her routine until a hexan from the notorious Pacific Gate coven, Matthew, shows up seeking sanctuary. Hecate is charming. Matthew is mysterious and precious. The overall story explores the idea of how the choices we make us who we are meant to be. The story wraps up nicely after some pretty tense moments. 

The author uses the same descriptive words often, especially the word “bemused.” That’s really the biggest issue I had. It was a fun book and I will recommend it all October!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for the eARC!

I’m not sure where to begin with this review other than I wish I had some warning as to the amount of tragedy that occurs. I have zero knowledge of Chinese mythology, so I went into this book with only the knowledge that it is a historical fantasy(ish). 

Xishi is an otherworldly beauty who, like everyone else, suffers from the side effects of war. Her sister was killed and her village suffers. She hates the Wu people. Xishi is able to potential enact her revenge when Fanli, the advisor of the Yue Kingdom, recruits her to become a spy disguised as a concubine for the King of the Wu. Xishi and her best friend, Zhengdan, train with Fanli to become a concubine and palace lady respectively. When Xishi finally arrives in the palace she must question her feelings of affection, play the games of the court, and win over King Fuchai in order to bring down his kingdom. 

Ok, so… the story itself is great. Beautiful and heart wrenching, Liang explored what the true idea of freedom is among a monarchy. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings in addition to making you question your beliefs. It reads like a K-drama, which I assume is the point. The prose was beautiful if not overdone. I thought the pacing all over the place. The action would be nonstop only to lull with page after page of prose and inner monologue. I skimmed over a lot that did not advance the plot. 

The characters were all incredibly tragic. I feel like Liang did all of the characters justice in terms of development. The development between characters was lacking. There was so much potential to build the connection between (to avoid spoilers) both sets of couples, but instead it’s assumed that they just grew closer. I also found it weird that Xishi’s illness basically goes away even though it was prominent at the start. 

Overall, it was a solid 3. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t see myself buying a copy or rereading it. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC

Gosh dang it a monster romance is not supposed to explore themes of acceptance, found family, self-love, and trauma so well. It’s just supposed to be brain rot, not cinematic and heart wrenching!! 

This story was cute! A 36 year old widow falls through a mysterious mirror into the world of the fae. The tale was first person and very self-aware, especially with lines like, “What in the romantasy novel is going on right now?” It may have been a little too on the nose for my liking. It didn’t find the right balance between serious and silly; however, it was a cute, fun, and quick read. I felt very connected to Daphne. With ADHD, kids, and a general feeling of overwhelm she will probably be someone in whom most millennial moms can relate. 

I really enjoyed the pacing and plot, even if I predicted the ending (which is something I tend to not be able to do). It was fast paced with tons of world building. The ending left my dying for the next book. For a debut novel, this was wonderful. I will be recommending it to all my romantasy loving friends. 

No explicit scenes, but some raging tension. 

Thank you Elle Kish for the eARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️

“You don’t need to be fixed. You need to be loved.”

Wow. Just wow. I know just enough about Star Wars to know this is basically a reylo fic, but that does not detract from the perfection that is this story. 

Keera is an exile in a harsh world where “the desert gives and the desert takes away.” Barely surviving on her little oasis, she decides to steal supplies from a man who stumbled upon her lonely oasis to camp for the night. 
The Viper is burdened with the magic of the Ballan desert. He is also the sword of Lord Alasdar. The Viper, under Alasdar’s orders, travels the desert to unite all the clans under his Lord so that they may restore the dying desert. He catches a Keera stealing from him at night, but can’t bring himself to do what he must- kill her. Keera is able to eventually get away from The Viper, but that is only the beginning of this epic story. 

The world building is beautiful. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been immersed in a fantasy world based on a desert. The magic is interesting and the beasts of this world are so wildly different from anything I’ve read. The writing is stellar. The plot is fast paced with no lulls. Grayson eloquently paints a picture of a harsh world where only the strong survive. The characters have an incredible amount of depth. From acknowledging deep-seated feelings of anger and resentment, to tearing away walls and allowing oneself to be loved, Blood of the Sands has an epic plot that explores some really tough themes. 

I have to say I did see a lot of Star Wars parallels, but if I wasn’t looking for them I wouldn’t have noticed. Do not fret if you’re not a Star Wars fan - it doesn’t detract from the book. …. But the Darth Vader death choke did make an appearance.

Overall, I freaking loved it. The sequel is at the top of my list. I’ll be devouring it the minute it releases. 

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review. 

Ok hear me out. This was a very tropey, typical romantasy. It hit all the notes and was kind of predictable. The ending really threw me for a loop with the nonstop action tangled with some crazy twists. But. It. Was. So. GOOD!!! I couldn’t put it down once I picked it up. If I had more time in the day I would have flown through it. The authors did an excellent job of sucking me in immediately. 

I loved the characters. Iliana was the perfect strong princess with a devastating secret who didn’t take shit from no one. Kade was the sasshole shadow daddy everyone loves. Ian and Kalliah were the fun sidekicks. The plot REALLY picked up the last 30% of the book; however, it was fast paced throughout. 

This is a book I highly recommend you pick up when you’ve finished reading something really heavy. Does this deal with heavy themes? Yes- death, torture, ptsd, anxiety attacks, and other things. Are these themes dealt with sensitivity, levity, and in a realistic way? Yes. It’s also spicy. In the best way. 

I need these two to write the next book faster. That ending had me reeling. 

Thank you to Anna Applegate and Helen Domico for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review. I loved it 🥰

This was cozy, quick romantasy. Merrow is a mermaid burdened with saving the magic of her tribe by using her siren song to lure a man into the ocean to die. Owen is a quiet artist who works at a coffee shop near the ocean. He often dreams of the ocean and a specific mermaid, which he memorializes in his artwork.

This book was just so cute and cozy- perfect for a summer read. Merrow and Owen were made for each other. I got a kick out of how Merrow adjusted to life above water. You never really think about how confusing literally everything would be, from phones to tvs to reading!!

As an art teacher I really appreciated the peak into the working artist’s world with Owen. Art is a nice little side job but rarely does anyone ever make it big. Owen’s messy apartment, gazillion sketchbooks, and desire to paint by the ocean are so real. The muse will catch you at any moment!

The found family theme was beautiful. There’s nothing like knowing someone loves you. I *do* wish I could see more of Caspain’s story. He was a super interesting side character.

“I do so adore your rage, little deathless thing.” Holy crap, what an epic story. 4.75 rounded up because of the ending. 

Meir’s writing is once again beautiful- lyrical and fit to make a perfect picture without being too flowery. The story was more complex than the first book- not sure how that’s even possible. The fantastical creatures and places she’s makes are truly astounding and original. Grandfather clocks will forever live in my nightmares.

I thoroughly enjoyed each character’s story. I ate up Raegan’s rage, lack of tact, and just realness as a depressed 30-something-year-old fighting to heal the centuries old ache in her heart. I loved watching her become more comfortable with herself- with her confidence (in body and mind), with her love for the King, and her absolute defiance of fate. Oberon was a perfect Unseelie King- seemingly unfeeling on the outside but filled with so much rage, ache, and love that he’s not afraid to show his emotions around Raegan (even though he usually only shows them in little tells). The secondary characters were great. I wish I could have known a little more about Maelona, but she was a perfect grumpy cigarette aunt. 

The unexpected bits of humor were much needed. For example, “The King took a deep breath, and she had the distinct feeling he was counting to ten.”

The ending. Wow. 
Potential spoilers, so stop reading this if you haven’t read it: It wasn’t perfect, but I wasn’t left with a sour taste in my mouth like others. I thought it was real. Raegan was right- the King needed more time to process. Raegan also wanted to spend time with her father. We have no idea what that looks like, but she left the coming back to Fate. Fate waiting 15 years, not Raegan. There were a LOT of things unanswered, but this already slow book would have been waaaay too long if everything was tied up with a bow. Meir could have ended it without the epilogue, but I felt like it was *just* enough information to tie it up. Did I like it? No. Did it make sense to me? Yes. I don’t know how else to describe it other than the ending was ok, but not the worst? Please know that this is my opinion and I by no means wish to make anyone else’s opinion invalid. 

Anyway, I loved this duology. I wish I could erase my memory and read it again. I will recommend this to literally everyone.