A Light in the Sky by Shina Reynolds Book Review!

 

Title: A Light in the Sky (Clashing Skies #1)
Author: Shina Reynolds
Publish Date: November 9th, 2021
Publisher: Wink Road Press
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

Seventeen-year-old Aluma Banks has always dreamed of soaring freely through the skies astride a powerful winged steed of her own. But flying is a privilege granted only to the Riders of the king’s Empyrean Cavalry, the aerial warriors who defend the borders of their land from the fallen Kingdom of Laithlann.

Each year, Rider hopefuls across Eirelannia compete in the Autumn Tournament for the honor of joining the Cavalry. Aluma, trained to ride and fight by her retired Empyrean Rider father, knows she has what it takes to prove herself worthy—if only her father hadn’t forbidden her from joining their ranks, in the hope of protecting his only daughter from the perils of war. To make matters worse, Thayer, Aluma’s best friend who could be becoming something more, is competing—and if he wins, he’ll leave her behind.

When Aluma’s father is tragically injured just before the Tournament, she finds herself unexpectedly thrust into this year’s competition. But as Aluma begins to pursue her dreams, she learns devastating secrets about the king and his never-ending war with Laithlann. In her quest for the truth, Aluma discovers a power deep within herself that may be the only way to save Eirelannia and the people she loves from the darkness that threatens to consume them all.

Penelope's Review

This book has a pretty neat concept overall, but it does read like a debut. The characters are ok, some are better than others. I am one of the seemingly few who actually really like love triangles when they are well done, so I was excited to see that element come out in this book. But I feel like it was very back and forth, and I wasn't really sure which guy I was pulling for. 

The world itself was exciting, and I really liked the concept of the different kingdoms fighting against each other in a good vs. evil type vibe. I also love horses, so to have a book filled not just with horses, but with flying horses! I really liked that aspect of the book. 

Overall, I think this was promising as a debut, and I'm curious to see how the author's writing evolves over the years. I think this will still be a hit with some younger readers though!

Rating: 3/5 Devils!

Blush by Helen Hardt ARC Review!

 

Title: Blush 
Author: Helen Hardt
Publish Date: January 24th, 2023
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

What he wants from you will make you…Blush.

Amanda Thomas is hopelessly in love with Jackson Paris, but he will never see her as anything more than his sweet and innocent bestie. After being virgin-adjacent for too long, Mandy is officially ready to move on. She wants to learn about hot, dirty sex, so she joins an online dating app where the enigmatic Mr. Dark promises to fulfill all of her wicked fantasies...

Jackson Paris has been keeping secrets from his stunning, too-innocent best friend—like forbidden sexual proclivities and his membership at the exclusive Black Rose Underground club. But Mandy has decided she needs an education—the filthy kind. As Mr. Dark, Jackson can safely give her a taste of what she wants—and deter her from pursuing more—without revealing his identity.

But in the dim, provocative atmosphere of Black Rose Underground, there are no secrets. Here, every wicked appetite is satisfied. And for the first time, Mandy will discover who her best friend really is...just in time to shock him with a secret of her own.

Penelope's Review

This was such a steamy, sexy read! Surprisingly enough, this is my first Helen Hardt book and I can't believe I've been missing out on such a great author all this time. Definitely looking forward to delving more into her books. In Blush, we have Amanda and Jackson - best friends who know almost everything about each other... except the more intimate aspects of their lives. Jackson thinks Amanda is sweet and innocent, and much to naïve for his sexual proclivities. Amanda knows that Jackson is a serial dater but has no idea about his membership to the Black Rose Underground and his darker urges. 

This is a friends-to-lovers story which isn't usually my favorite trope, but I thought it was really well done here! I loved the contrast between the characters and felt like bringing them together only made them stronger. Despite the hot erotic scenes, this book remains a really sweet story, and I loved that contrast. Jackson could be a bit annoying with his back and forth inner mantra on whether or not to get with Mandy, but by the end of the book I was happy with where the two ended up.

Overall, a good read with great writing style. Looking forward to checking out this author's many, many other books!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!