Friday 30 August 2019

Early Review: Brightfall by Jamie Lee Moyer


Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: September 5th 2019 by Jo Fletcher Books
Historical fantasy
I got this in exchange for an honest review

I can't believe I am saying this, but Robin was such an asshat! Ugh, I wanted to kick him in the nuts! But luckily this is not his book.

It is not your usual kind of Robin Hood. There is magic, dragons and Fae. But the Church is winning ground, men are turning to logic and magic is dying and will be forgotten. So maybe this is what really happened then.

Marian is a witch, she lives with her twins in Sherwood since Robin annulled their marriage 12 years ago and went to live in a monastery. Luckily she does have Will who came into her life more and more to help out. Grr Robin! Asshat! And I liked this Marian, sure she had Will, but she does not need a man, she does fine on her own. She is strong, she knows her craft and she takes no bs.

But someone is killing the merry men and Tuck asks Marian to investigate as dark magic is a foot.

The Fae show up, I liked it without saying more, there was a fool that amused me.

Robin is being more asshattery than usual (swift nutkick). He was a zealot.

Dark magic, death, Fae, a dragon! Two new nice sidekicks too, without saying more.

I enjoyed this continuation of the story you thought you new. As the story progressed I did understand why Robin turned into a zealot too, still, I can not forgive him. All I wanted was Marian's happiness and that I got.

It's been a mostly quiet life since Robin Hood denounced Marian, his pregnant wife, and his former life and retreated to a monastery to repent his sins . . . although no one knows what he did that was so heinous he would leave behind Sherwood Forest and those he loved most.

But when friends from their outlaw days start dying, Father Tuck, now the Abbott of St. Mary's, suspects a curse and begs Marian to use her magic to break it. A grieving Marian bargains for protection for her children before she sets out with a soldier who's lost his faith, a trickster Fey lord and a sullen Robin Hood, angry at being drawn back into the real world.

Marian soon finds herself enmeshed in a maze of betrayals, tangled relationships and a vicious struggle for the Fey throne . . . and if she can't find and stop the spell-caster, no protection in Sherwood Forest will be enough to save her children.

Thursday 29 August 2019

Audio: The rogue to ruin by Vivienne Lorret

The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule: Never fall in love with a client, which shouldn't be a problem when one’s faking an engagement to the rogue across the street . . .

Ainsley Bourne needs the family business to succeed. But one obstacle stands in her way—Reed Sterling, the huge, handsome, former prize fighter and owner of the gaming hell across the street. His scandalous customers scare off all her marriage-minded patrons and since the devilish brute has no intention of relocating, she sets out to ruin his unsavory establishment. Yet when a vile suitor from her past reappears, Ainsley hastily claims an attachment to the first man who comes to mind . . . Mr. Sterling, to be exact.

Reed doesn’t know who is more surprised by Miss Bourne’s declaration. She clearly hates him, and he’d never admit their arguments simmer with unrequited attraction. Something about the pleading look in her eyes calls to Reed, and against his better judgment, he quickly plays the part of the besotted fiancé.

Pretending to be in love requires a convincing charade. But with each tantalizing touch and every scandalous kiss, Ainsley starts to wonder if Reed was ever really the enemy at all

I wanted to read about Ainsley and Reed after seeing them go at each other in a previous book. They did not like each other ;)

Ainsley is running her matrimonial agency. Across the street Reed is running his gambling hell. These two things to not go together.

Awww banter. Ainsley is the one being mad, Reed just goes along for the ride. And then she declares war. All good things, and they So belong together.

There is a darker side to the story too, but that might come in as a spoiler, so yes there is some drama danger too. But fear not, she has Reed near.

I enjoyed it. Drama, romance and banter. WHat is there not to like!

Narrator
It is Justine Eyre! She is great when it comes to historical romance!

Narrated by: Justine Eyre
Series: Misadventures in Matchmaking, Book 3
Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-30-19
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Historical romance
In exchange for an honest review

Wednesday 28 August 2019

Movie: Aquaman

Arthur Curry, the human-born heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, goes on a quest to prevent a war between the worlds of ocean and land.

Director: James Wan
Writers: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (screenplay by), Will Beall (screenplay by) 
Stars: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe

Ok so this took me a month, not that it was bad, but eh, it was not great either. It was like most superhero movies to be honest. Except this took place under water.

Is Momoa a good actor? Eh, who knows. I did like Dafoe though, he is strange.

Ok so some manboobs, swimming and talking to animals. It was entertaining, but when we came to that end and there is that usual there will be more, I was all, will there? Eh, who cares. Though I might still watch more.



Tuesday 27 August 2019

TMST


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

August 27th: Why do you read blog posts?

Because I could not see myself blogging into emptiness about books. That is how it would be.

I read blog posts because I like to see what everyone else is reading. Just for the fun of it. Or to get a few new books to put on my wishlist. Or to get a yet another opinion on that book I really want but can't make my mind up about.

And like I said before, what is the fun of writing about books if I do not read other blogs too. I like out book community.

Monday 26 August 2019

Joint Discussion: Murder of Crows






Hello all! Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "Murder of Crows" by Anne Bishop. I am in red and Carole is in black. 



Murder of Crows (The Others, #2)
Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Title: Murder of Crows
(The Others #2)
Genre: Paranormal, UF, Fantasy, & romance
Published: March 4th 2014
Pages: Audiobook


After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.



The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.



As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.



SO so so!! Did it get better? :D

Yesss, it did. Much, much better! Not sure if it was the story, the audio aspect, or both. But I enjoyed it much more. Still some issues especially with having some more questions about this world. BUT I got a lot answered in this one. 

Let’s say audio. I mean yes I know the world now, but when I looked back at my old review I had issues, while now I seem to like the characters more. Alexandra Harris is just that good.

I adore that narrator! She has voices for everyone and she sticks to it. I never get confused. There are a LOT of characters running around and she made it easy to follow. 

Yes, I never have to wonder who is speaking, I love her voices for everyone. She is fantastic! I am a total Harris fangirl.

I want more by the narrator! And the author is getting better and I’m warming up to the author! LOL

I have only listened to her with these books, but yes I want more too! And good that Bishop is growing on you ;D SO I guess I should ask about issues that you still have

The ending made me mad. I also am not a huge fan of Simon...but I’m warming up to him. Meg still annoys me. Again...I warmed up a tiny, tiny bit to her. And this world confuses me. Just kill the humans and call it good. Little rats. 

I have grown to like Meg now. I feel like I get her now and then she does not annoy me anymore. I am also in love with Simon *cough cough* I freaking love him, there I said it.
And yes, DEATH to most humans. DEATH! Let them be eaten those mofos.

There is something so grating about Meg. She is still adjusting...I know...so I don’t hate her. Just annoyed. And Simon is getting under my wall. LOL He was very sweet in this. I like that Henry guy and the vamp. They are fun. UGGHHH HATE THE HUMANS! Just get rid of them and be done with it. 

 Simon!!!! And I love Vlad and Henry too. Tess is awesome, let her take everyone down. So many great characters that you just have to care about.

Yesss, there are a couple that I do have my worries about. I feel like someone is going to betray someone. Just a feeling I’m having. LOL

Can you spoil it? I want to know *wiggles eyebrows*

Sorry..you shoulda been here when I did my psychic reading ;) hehehehe. 

Oh you are EVIL! Lol. But I am glad that the series won you over. Aren’t you curious to see if the world will burn and humans will be burnt meat`?

I am cheering for the humans to be taken down. Sure there are a few good ones...but they are so dumb. SOOOOO dumb. C’mon. There are more of these supernatural creatures and they rule the roost. Just be thankful they are not eating you. 

I do like that she made it like that, cos humans are fucking stupid. SO effing stupid. We get slapped in the face with the truth time after time and still when something happens we are so what happened?!?! HOW!?!?

WHY ARE YOU KILLING US!? Well...idiots...you killed innocents sooooo. *shrugs* SMH. Those poor dumb crow shifters. I would hate to be a crow shifter. I would wanna be a wolf or bear or tiger. 

Hey, do not call them dumb! I love Jenny :/ They can’t help that they love the shiny. And I would be an elemental. All the way

LOLL i say dumb with affection ;) But I wanted to smack ‘em! Like you are being targeted bros! RESIST TEMPTATION OF THE TRASH! RESIST!

Shinies!!!!!

BAD SHINIES! BAD! *shakes fist* And being an elemental would be cool. But I want to be something fuzzy. 

I am sure you would make a great, hmm, what are you, sorry Carole, not a wolf, not a bear, maybe a cat of a sort? What do you guys have there? Pumas, cougars,...tricky. Lol, what are you

If we’re going based on the location I would be a bobcat...short and stubby. BAHAHAHA

Awww you look adorable, and fierce.

Little and fierce. Sounds like me. Haha

I do not know if I have the actual temper of an elemental, I am sure to be an animal too.

Mhmmmm. If not an elemental….what furry thing would you be? Maybe a lynx?

I’d love to be a cat, but you know what, I am a wolverine, elusive, but fierce. No one minds me and then boom. Though lynxes are So much cuter. Scratch that I wanna be a fox

We would be great. Grr Humans! Ok so we got so out of track. Anything more to add?

 I say they should have said f all humans and done more. They are being too nice, and nice gets you killed.


Yep. Especially with dealing with idiots like humans. 

On to the next on then! YAY

Onward! :D 

About the Authors
Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.



Friday 23 August 2019

Friday Night Movie: Book Club

Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading 50 Shades of Grey in their monthly book club.

Director: Bill Holderman
Writers: Bill Holderman, Erin Simms
Stars: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen

I did enjoy it, but yes there are some issues.
Like how the book club is only about high lit. And they all looked down on 50 (ok so who doesn't ;), but that is not the point. The thing is that I guess romance is trash so why even have that in their book club. *eyeroll*

But I did like how the book made them look at things in a different light. 

Like how one wants more fire in her relationship
One has not dated for 18 years.
One of them is a widow, but maybe she can date again.
And of course the serial dater who never gave love a chance.

So there are fun times to be had, a few laughs, and they really like 50, ok then.

Plus it had Andy Garcia and he is so hot. He still has it

Thursday 22 August 2019

The waking land by Callie Bates

Lady Elanna Valtai is fiercely devoted to the King who raised her like a daughter. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Elanna is accused of his murder and must flee for her life. 

Returning to the homeland of magical legends she has forsaken, Elanna is forced to reckon with her despised, estranged father, branded a traitor long ago. Feeling a strange, deep connection to the natural world, she also must face the truth about the forces she has always denied or disdained as superstition powers that suddenly stir within her. 

But an all-too-human threat is drawing near, determined to exact vengeance. Now Elanna has no choice but to lead a rebellion against the kingdom to which she once gave her allegiance. Trapped between divided loyalties, she must summon the courage to confront a destiny that could tear her apart. 

Hardcover, 400 pages
Published June 27th 2017 by Del Rey Books
Fantasy
Own

I did feel it started of fairly good (sure she annoyed me at the start, but I could work with it.)

But at the middle I was just...meh. Everything that had annoyed me still did and I just do not know.

When she is 5 her nurse is killed, she is helt at gunpoint and she is taken as a hostage.
14 years later she loves the man who took her hostage as a father.
She hates her parents for abandoning her.
She hates her people and think they are filthy peasants.
I get Stockholm syndrome, but still.

She continues to feel this way, you are a grown woman! What could your parents have done?!

The whole deal with the declaring war was over and with too easily.

I want more of her magic. And stop her whining.
She sure did not care for her friends.

OK I am changing this to not like, sigh. Just so YA in the end

Wednesday 21 August 2019

Audio: Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie



Narrated by: Alison Larkin
Series: Marriage of Convenience Series, Book 3
Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-30-19
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Historical romance
I received this in exchange for an honest review

Honestly I felt this one got worse and worse and I do not know why I did not dnf.

Rose is about to marry a Duke, but then he long lost hubbie shows up. The one she never told anyone about, the one she married at 16. 

First the drama is about her family not wanting him around.

Then when there is happiness, the drama changes to this other thing. That just felt weird.

I honestly lost interest and it felt like a chore. I know I know, DNF! But I need to dnf audio in the first hour, when I am half way through I push on which I know realise is a mistake.

Very disappointed

Lady Rose Rutherford - rebel, heiress, and exasperated target of the town's hungry bachelors - has a plan to gain the freedom she so desperately desires: She will enter into a marriage of convenience with the biggest prize on the London marriage mart.  

There's just one problem: the fierce-looking man who crashes her wedding to the Duke of Everingham - Thomas Beresford, the young naval officer she fell in love with and secretly married when she was still a schoolgirl. Thought to have died four years ago he's returned, a cold, hard stranger with one driving purpose - revenge.   

Embittered by betrayal and hungry for vengeance, Thomas will stop at nothing to reclaim his rightful place, even if that means using Rose - and her fortune - to do it. But Rose never did follow the rules, and as she takes matters into her own unpredictable hands, Thomas finds himself in an unexpected and infuriating predicament: He's falling in love with his wife....  

Tuesday 20 August 2019

TMST


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

August 20th: Have you found a way to cut back significantly on your TBR pile?

With TBR I mean those I own (I know some include books they want to read, but how could I read books I might never own?).

DNF!

Yes that is way I found works the best. IF it doesn't catch my attention I will dnf within a few pages.

Honestly that is my best advice ;)

What more does one need, I do make mistakes and finish ok books, but for the most part, just give up, just give them away.

Monday 19 August 2019

Beneath the Crimson Cloak by Jill Ramsower


Beneath the Crimson Cloak (The Fae Games, #4.5)
Author: Jill Ramsower

Title: Beneath the Crimson Cloak
(Fae Games #4.5)
Genre: Fantasy & short story
Pages: ebook
Published: August 3, 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon freebie)




Morgan Le Fay awakes from her capture in the one place she doubted she’d ever see again—Seelie Lands. Only problem? She’s a prisoner on a vast forested estate. After a month of isolation and frustration, she makes an uneasy alliance with a new furry friend only to discover her canine bed-mate is much more than he seems. The classic tale of Little Red and her Big Bad told with a delightfully wicked Fae twist in this Fae Games short story!

A random pick up from Amazon. Ya'll know how much I love my freebies ;) But yes, a freebie but an intriguing one. 


This is a short tale about Morgan who was kidnapped and taken to the Seelie Lands. After a month of isolation and a burning hatred she decides to make an uneasy relationship. 



This is book 4.5 but it was for sure good as a standalone. I believe it is a prequel to this character in the next book. Not 100% sure there. However, it did make me curious about book 1 now. This short did it's job alright! I want more from Morgan and I want more from this world. 



This cover is beauttttiffuuuullllllllllllllllllllll! SO striking. 



I felt so bad for Morgan especially when we get the backstory and her kidnapping tale. Her poor mom. 



This was merely a sip and I want more. I recommend this if you want to get your toe wet before trying the first book in the series . 5 stars for me. Intriguing world!









Friday 16 August 2019

Audio: Say no to the Duke - Eloisa James



Narrated by: Susan Duerden
Series: Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 4
Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-25-19
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Historical romance
I got this book in exchange for an honest review


I tried not to picture them too much, I did like that it was 1780s, but the wigs, ugh, the wigs, lol.

Betsy has done her best to put on the persona of the good girl persona, the perfect society girl, the perfect bride to be. All to wash away the stigma of her mother running away with a Prussian (also her sister's book looks to be really interesting as she is blonde and obviously not a Wilde.)

But yes, Betsy is not really the quiet demure one, she is a Wilde, she rides horse standing up shooting arrows. She plays billiard and she wants to wear breeches. But she also wants to show everyone that she can catch a Duke. She is also really scared that showing passion means that she will run away and leave her kids. She carry her mother's shame in her heart.

Jeremy has ptsd from the revolutionary war. He drinks (and not) and tries to continue a normal life.

They banter, a lot! The things they say, wow, this is not regency. They do say the naughtiest things.

One problem I had was that they talk, a lot! Honestly a bit too much, the whole book was these two talking.

I also wanted more of aunt know? I have no idea how to spell that. But she fun! And the brother's books do sound fun, as those her sisters that will come.

I also felt that she should totally have gone for the Duke. Sure he was stuffy, but I think he would have been great. But then she was wild and he was too. So Betsy and Jeremy will surely continue to banter the rest of their lives.

I did want more of the supportive cast cos they sounded fun!

Narrator
She was great with all voices, she really got Betsy's voice right, the perfect blend of demure and wild.

Lady Betsy Wilde’s first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed - but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure.

No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan - but Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman. He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he’ll provide the breeches.

If he wins...she is his, for one wild night.

But what happens when Jeremy realizes that one night will never be enough? 

In the most important battle of his life, he’ll have to convince Betsy to say no to the duke.

Thursday 15 August 2019

Audio: The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings by Nicole Helm


Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
Series: Mile High Romance [Helm], Book 5
Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-25-19
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Contemporary romance
In exchange for an honest review

At the moment I can not remember Gavin at all from his brother's book, I do remember Louisa though, at least the fact that her ranch had burned. But anyway this is now their book.

Lou was in a fire and is now scarred. She does hide away her scars, and it seems her ex was a real piece of work. Her grandmother is also talking about getting Lou's father to come and help out, and who knows, take over. This has to be stopped.

Gavin wants more, and not just to be a ranch hand under his brother. Which I get, but at the same time, what's your deal man? Just leave then.

These two will pretend to be married so that Lou can get her ranch and so that Gavin can get away too.

Of course he always fancied her, and she has those scars that she can not forget.

I did feel that more should have happened, I usually like drama free books, but here there could have been some cos nothing really stood in their way. It was their pretend courtship that turned real and then they lived happily ever after. That is really the whole story.

Narrator
I am so used to narrators having a drawl and he did not. Though maybe you are not supposed to in Colorado? But I miss it! Cowboys should have one.

But he does have a nice female and male range.

In Colorado's glorious big-sky country, everything is done with cowboy flair - even boot-stomping, hat-tipping cowboy weddings....   

As the middle Tyler brother, Gavin doesn't always have much say in ranch decisions, but when it comes to his heart, he's the only authority. He's loved Louisa "Lou" Fairchild for longer than he can remember, even though they've never been more than friends. But with Lou stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place, Gavin is going to help the way any true friend would - with a proposal of a strictly business-like, in-name-only marriage...at least to start.     

Lou can't believe her beloved grandmother has backed her up against the wall. The choice between finding a man to marry and letting her no-good father back into the family to run the ranch isn't a choice at all! But when her sister counters with an even less savory idea, Lou knows what she must do - say yes to the only man she's ever trusted. But somehow pretending to be in love with good-natured Gavin suddenly begins to feel alarmingly real - and she downright likes it.      

Can a sham marriage become the truest kind of love?   


Wednesday 14 August 2019

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima


Paperback, 506 pages
Published September 7th 2010 by Disney-Hyperion (first published October 6th 2009)
Series: Seven Realms #1
YA fantasy
Own

I should just stop reading YA fantasy. I thought it would be good, but then it just got worse and worse, and boring and then I skimmed.

The thing is, it had lots of promise, interesting world, but the characters!

Raisa is all why do I have to wear a dress and sit still?! She has been away for 3 years, relax girl, you can sit still for a dinner. She is supposed to become queen one day and I fear for the Queendom.

There seems to be a lot if wars at the border, she knows nothing about that.

I am not slutshaming, but why these hookups? And then we get told oh no you can't be in the presence of a boy your rep will be ruined...right, and no one else has noticed her sneaking around? What are her guards doing?! Aren't they you know, supposed to keep an eye on her?

Her chapters were so dull. And she was TSTL, I do not know how she was not murdered and raped, the things she thought of, mindboggling.

Han, he had promise, but sigh, he was the stereotypical YA Character. Super awesome! *eyeroll* AT 17 he has retired from a life of crime. He was the best, he was a gangleader, he is talked about, and sure if you were ruthless and smart I could believe it, but that this 17 year old has been a boss I do not believe. He also does not have a single cent to his name.

Evil wizards cackling in the background.

I did like her dad! The 5 pages he was in it, lol.

ALso the queen, srsly, does she know anything about her country?

It was close to ok, if it had not become boring, and yeah I just do not like Raisa. It needed stronger characters, not so obvious cliches and better world building.

One day Han Alister catches three young wizard setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet away from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against him. The amulet once belonged to the Demon King, who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece so powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna has her own battle to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of riding and hunting with her father's family. Raia aspires to be like Hanalea, the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems that her mother has other plans for her-plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.


Tuesday 13 August 2019

TMST


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

August 13th: What mistakes have you learned to stop repeating when it comes to reading and blogging?

To read on...I do make that mistake now again, but for the most I have learned to actually STOP when a book is not for me. I just do not have time to read books that do not interest me, that are boring or that I want to throw at the wall.

To stop responding to everything. I guess some authors do assume that when I do not respond I have not received their email. But no, I just do not want to waste time sending a thanks no thanks to every review request I get. Time is precious, I'd rather be reading.

Early on I learned to say no to review books. I said yes to everything at first, haha, what a mistake. I also read everything, even though it was crap, and I was to afraid to say so too. I am so glad I learned early on to say no, and to say the truth.

Monday 12 August 2019

Carole's Monday: The King's Trial by ML Farb


The King's Trial
Author: M. L. Farb 

Title: The King's Trial
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: ebook
Published:   June 27th 2019 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)


In a land where stories of the Shadow Demon keep children shivering in bed and tales of the Yorel bring hope to the commoner, Yosyph is both the reason for their fear and their hope. 


By day Yosyph appears nothing more than a mute tavern-hand. By night he plans a revolution and slips through shadow, rescuing those marked for death by the xenophobic queen.


When he learns that thousands of his people will be sent as slaves to the mines, he must choose—fight the royal army with an ill-prepared rebellion or journey to the land of his ancestors through the deadly King's Trial. If he succeeds, he'll win his kins' loyalty and their help.



His journey grows complicated when he rescues a maiden and enrages a prince, but if he doesn't return with help in time, the people he's loved and secretly served will be gone. 

I was a little iffy going into this one since I've had such meh luck with YA fantasies lately. I was worried for sure. But this gave me hope for the genre!



The story follows Yosyph who seems to be just a mute tavern-hand that people do not notice. However, he is planning the revolt against the evil, xenophobic queen. Things get a touch complicated as his journey goes on. Should he fight head on with his ill-prepared rebellion or attempt the deadly King's Trial and earn his kins' loyalty and their aid in his rebellion. 



I was hooked from page one. I finished this in two sittings! I simply could not put this down. Sooooo good. 



Yosyph was a fun character even though there were times I wanted to shake him. His POV was the best. The rest were okay and necessary to moving the plot along, but eh. I want more of him! 



The world building was okay. I wanted more of this too. I still have some questions about the world. Hopefully more will be answered in the upcoming book. This was a lot of character-building and getting the story going. A lot more story to come, so hopefully we get more world-building in the next. 



Oooooo that ending! AAAAH! I need to know what is going to happen next. I have some worries that I won't share since I don't wanna give away spoilers. But I am a touch worried especially with that twist there. We shall have to wait and see I suppose. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. 



Overall, a good story and good characters. I liked Yosyph a lot. The world-building was lacking a touch for me. I am hopeful we'll get more in the next book. If you need a breath of fresh air of the YA fantasy genre, this is the book for you. It gave me hope for the series. A quick read for sure, but I was so invested in everyone here. I can't wait for book 2! Soon I hope! I'll give this 4 stars. 












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