A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand

 

Title: A Crown of Ivy and Glass
Author: Claire Legrand
Publish Date: May 9, 2023
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review.

Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She's young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.

Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.

Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d'Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She'll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families' blood feud—slay the demon, end the feud.

But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.

Penelope's Review

I wanted to love this book so much more, but unfortunately it just didn't hit the mark for me. I felt like it was really long but didn't need to be? Don't get me wrong, I love a good, long book when it's well done and holds my attention, but I found myself able to put this book down and wasn't really overjoyed at the prospect of picking it back up again.

The book starts off good - we get a little bit of background, we meet the characters, we get a good story set up. Gemma seemed like she was going to be a really interesting character to follow through this book (and she was!), but I didn't really like Talan. Unfortunately, disliking the main male lead does not bode well for a romance. I was actually more interested in Farrin's love life than I was Gemma's lol. And we only get VERY TINY glimpses and hints at that aspect of Farrin but it seems like it could be an EPIC story. 

Anyway. After the beginning, things sort of seemed to just spiral out of control. The story seemed all over the place, and I was sort of confused and little bit bored for a lot of it. It felt very stop and go, and I just couldn't get into a flow with this book. The romance didn't work for me, not just because I didn't like Talan, but because there was no substance to it. It was very insta-love, and then the relationship was just all over the place, and not in a good way.

I think there are definitely people who are going to like this book, but it just wasn't for me unfortunately. If there was another book from Farrin's POV, I think I would definitely read that. Very curious to see what happens with her and Ryder. But in terms of Gemma's story, I don't really feel like I need to know more. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Devils

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!

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford Book Review!

 

Title: The Poison Season   
Author: Mara Rutherford
Publish Date: December 6th, 2022
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review! 

Leelo has spent her whole life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles with the knowledge that her brother will be exiled and forced to live with the outsiders unless he gains enchantment powers before his next birthday.

Then comes the day that Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake. She knows she is supposed to leave him to his fate, but, instead, she betrays her family, her best friend, and her whole community by helping nurse the young man, Jaren, back to health, understanding that discovery could lead to unthinkable consequences for both of them.

As they grow closer, Leelo and Jaren discover that not all danger comes from beyond the lake—and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.

Penelope's Review

This was such a fun, magical fantasy that I think a lot of different age groups will be able to enjoy. It has a unique magic system, an enchanted forest and poisonous lake, and some great characters. There's also the matter of a budding, forbidden romance. Definitely something for everyone. 

Leelo is our main female lead and she lives on a secluded island with her people, surrounded by a poisonous lake to protect them from outsiders. There's also a creepy, enchanted forest that must be fed animals in order to keep protecting the inhabitants. The people use magic in their song to lure animals to the forest for it to devour. 

Jaren is a young man who lives in the small town across the lake with his family. He has heard stories about the island and it's people but is skeptical of how truthful these stories are. Until one night, he finds himself in an impossible situation and Leelo is the one who comes to his aid. Now Jaren is hiding on the island with Leelo his only source for food and companionship, and his only hope of getting home alive. 

I really liked the writing style in this book - it flows really well and the characters are full of layered intricacies that make unravelling them something to look forward to. I really liked all of the different family bonds throughout the story, and the romance was also nice to watch unfold.

I will say that the flow of the storyline is somewhat predictable, but honestly that's not necessarily a bad thing. All depends on your preference - it really is a great book overall. The ending ties things up nicely though I have heard the author might have some bonus content about one of Jaren's sisters which I would be VERY excited to read lol. Overall, I'm glad I picked this one up and think it will appeal to a wide audience!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Blame it on the Mistletoe by Beth Garrod Book Review!

 

Title: Blame it on the Mistletoe
Author: Beth Garrod   
Publish Date: November 2nd, 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

Tweet Cute meets the movie The Holiday in this funny holiday rom-com where two very different girls swap lives for a Christmas adventure.

Elle is a social medial star with the #DreamLife...or so it seems. Determined to shake up her content and gain new followers, she's on a mission: can she find a British fan to swap with for Christmas?

Holly loves everything about Christmas. But after a mortifying mistletoe disaster with her ex, her perfect plans unravel like a bad Christmas sweater. Can Holly save the holidays when she switches places with favorite social media influencer?

Elle gets more than she bargained for when she meets the cute boy from across the street. And Holly wasn't expecting Elle to have a handsome twin brother. This holiday is full of surprises.

Penelope's Review

I am always down for a Christmas book, especially one that involves a super cute romance so I was super excited to delve into this one at last! Elle and Holly have decided to switch houses for the holidays, and each have their own reasons for doing so.

Elle is a popular influencer on social media who has joined a competition that could make or break her account - in a bid for more followers, she decides to switch houses with one of her followers. Holly is a Christmas fanatic but big changes at home combined with a need to show her ex just how spontaneous she can be leads to her decision to head to America for Christmas. The fact that she's switching houses with her favorite social media star? BONUS! And our story continues from there...

I loved how festive this book was! It was all about Christmas which is my favourite time of the year, so that really helped me get invested in the story. But, I didn't love the writing style - it felt a little juvenile and chaotic. There were enough good moments throughout to keep my attention though, and I'm glad I finished the book!

In terms of romance, I preferred Holly's story to Elle's - I didn't feel as invested in Elle's romance, it kind of felt thrown in out of necessity and there wasn't enough interaction/build up to make it believable. Holly and Nick, however, had a bit more going for them. I definitely enjoyed their arc a lot more! 

Overall, this is a cute story with some really sweet moments, but I wouldn't say it's a must-read. Great for a quick, light read to get you in the holiday spirit though! It has some good take-home messages throughout as well, which is great for the younger groups who may read this.

Rating: 3/5 Devils!