stxrlight's reviews
136 reviews

Once Upon a Broken Heart is a YA Fantasy that reminded me a lot of (dark) fairytales. I absolutely loved the fairytale vibes, the magic, spells, curses and betrayals. I love how it's lighthearted and dark at the same time. 

The book reads smoothly and had some expected and unexpected twists. Unexpected twists really tend to give me a thrill, I love being taken by surprise. 

I could have done without the vampire aspect in the book though, it takes away from the fairytale vibes and world in my opinion. 

If you like YA Fantasy or fairytale retellings, then you'll definitely love this book. 

Deep is a YA dystopian book, the first of the Deep Blue Colony series, and one I definitely recommend. The writing is smooth and pulls you in from the start till finish. It's got a good pace and two POV'S. 

Aside the two main characters there's also a good diversity of other characters, a thrilling storyline, dystopian world, interesting and advanced technology and a lot of secrets, betrayals and mysteries. The book had some twists I expected but also some I didn't see coming, which made it all the more fun to read. 

Any YA dystopian lovers will adore this book and should definitely check it out! 

Echoes of Dragons is a high fantasy with a slow-pace, multiple POV'S and many creatures/species, both good and evil: dwarves, trolls, dragons, elves, humans, half elf-humans, mages, merpeople, drow, pixies and more! 

Personally, the unique way the magic is described in different species and the creatures/species themselves is what excited me about this book the most. The prologue, while very dark, excited me a lot too because of the dragon egg. The way the dragons are described so far is just so unique and exciting to me, and I remain curious to the dragon lore as well as the elves, dwarves, other species and the magic in general.

I must say the first few chapters after the prologue felt a tad too descriptive and rushed, but lacking depth in terms of thoughts, motivations and actual dialogue interactions. It felt chaotic and could have been structured better, but the potential of the book, the magical intrique, secrets and looming threat is what kept me going. 

Also the book should have had some trigger warnings mentioned up front:  torture, gore, mention/memory of cannibalism, rape (not described in detail, but it happened in the past for one of the characters), wars, cruelty, death, manipulation. 
While I don't have many trigger warnings, mention/descriptions of cannibalism isn't for me and I nearly quit reading because of it. It wasn't too descriptive so I gave it a shot, but if it had been addressed again I wouldn't have continued.  

What also bothered me is that the main storyline is only clear through the POV of the enemy, the other travelers have their own missions that had nothing to do with the impending danger but was just a way to get all of them together. Their almost instant loyalty towards each other is also rushed. They barely know each other, to have that kind of trust and loyalty already in others you met on your journey only recently is unrealistic. 

So while aspects regarding relations are rushed over, sometimes lacking some depth, the storyline is the opposite and drawn out in the slow pace. It feels out of tune and could have been executed better. 

The entirety of the first book is only of how these characters met through their different missions that eventually find overlap, and then the looming threat. There is no actual progress otherwise (other then for the dragons perhaps), I'm assuming that will happen in the next book of the series.

That said, the depth and creativity as well as uniqueness regarding the magic, creatures, species and their different customs are very lovely! So it has both good aspects and lesser ones that'll hopefully improve in the next book.

Iron Flame is absolutely amazing, just as adventurous and unique as Fourth Wing. I love how it was medium-paced and at the same time, something was always happening. I was unable to put the book down, all I wanted to do was keep reading and whenever I couldn't I was thinking about it. This book is such a reminder of why I love reading so much. It's exciting me in the ways books are supposed to do, and I can't wait for Onyx Storm! 

Moonkissed is a YA fantasy book with very unique concepts that make it such an interesting and fun read. Furthermore it has: the moon god, the sun goddess, magic, animals, romance, family dynamics, friendships and so much more! 

If you're a YA fantasy lover who loves some good twists then this is definitely for you. I was quite sad at the end of the book merely because of finishing it. I already miss them!

I really adore the characters, the magic and I'm still intriqued about the gods and their customs and rules. Also the animals in this book are so fun to read about, it's quite the magical read. Definitely recommend! 📖✨

Blessed by the Fae is a YA fantasy book with a lot of great aspects: magic, romance, mysteries, secrets, betrayals, fae, elves, humans, (good and evil) creatures, interesting world and so much more. 

The first half of the book was fast-paced, it made some things lack certain depth and feel a tad rushed. This could have been executed better. The plot, characters, the world and the potential of the book is what kept me going. The second half of the book however significantly improved in pace and depth, so I'd definitely suggest to keep going if you're struggling in the first half because it's definitely worth it. 

Waking up the Giants is a standalone short novella with very unique and magical aspects. There is a war going on between the Amau from the North and the people of Lujor, Nora and Eoghan were send on a last resort type of mission to find the clarion the myths speak of and bring it to the peak of the mountain to raise the giants, the Giants in the stories are loyal to Lujor because it is their home. As such, they would fight for it. 

But what is true, what is make-belief and what is pure magic? This novella is very beautifully written, very magical and inspirational. I would have actually loved this to be a book instead of a novella or even a series! For any fantasy lovers who enjoy a good, short novella this is for you. Definitely recommend it!  💛💛

The Glass Wheel is a standalone novella that feels like a fairytale retelling but then set into the Sibylline saga world. It was darker then expected but beautifully written. I love how it has plenty of depth and describes loss and mourning, depression and such feelings after losing a loved one. 

If you enjoy fairytale retellings then you'll love this novella! 🖤🖤

Conspirator's kingdom is a NA fantasy book about a villain and villainess and their ambitions, schemes and enemies. To think I thought I'd been introduced to everything in this series in the first book, and yet, this book brought so many new aspects to live. Magic, fae, shapeshifters, political schemes, found family, romance and one of my favorite quote from this book sums it up pretty well:  “Gods help our enemies. They’ll need it more.” 

The book is one of a kind and for any dark romantasy lovers, you'll definitely love this! While Conspirator Kingdom is book two in the Mages of Oblivion series, the books can easily be read as standalones! 

Bluewater is a standalone novella, a fantasy romance based in The Sibyline Saga world. The pace, smooth writing and story kept me at the edge of my seat and unable to put it down. I'm not going to say much, this is the kind of tale you have to read for yourself (much like Starsong from the same author, actually!), all I can say is that it's one of a kind! If you like a fantasy tale about Merfolk and humans, then this is definitely something you'll enjoy!