Review: Tear Down the Throne

 

* Book 2 in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy *

Gemma is still trying to understand the game of Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta - but she never imagines this. At the Summit for negotiations, Queen Mavel invokes an ancient tradition. Where her son, Leo, will take on three challenges in order to win Princess Gemma's hand. 

 Everyone is in an uproar over this challenge. If Leo fails any of the challenges, he could die. He doesn't seem to mind the challenge. Gemma doesn't want to be tied to the Mortans. 

She doesn't trust any of them including Leo. Maven always plays the long game - Gemma's desperate to figure out what her game is this time. And why she's playing with Gemma's future. 

 One wrong move at the Summit could spell trouble for her whole country.

 My Thoughts: I loved this one - for the politics, the spies, the food descriptions, the friendships, and the romance. Mave n is so terrible and yet part of me admires her. She's a great character. I felt horrible for Leo and for all that he has to endure in these trials. Lots of action, drama, and danger in this one. I can't wait to see how everything shakes out! 

Cover Thoughts: Awesome

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your adult fantasy collection. Give Jennifer Estep's books to readers of Sarah J Maas. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels

 This week's topic is all about books we wish has a sequel. There's nothing like spending more time with favorite characters and getting to know new characters in the same world.

Straight Sequels:

I heard a rumor, if this does well, more could be coming. Fingers Crossed!

I had a hard time saying Goodbye to these Characters - wouldn't find a companion novel

So many of these DC origin story graphic novels only have one volume. But I would like more books! 

Books That Are Sequels That Need More:

 

There were still some questions left unanswered. I want more.

On a related note, I'm still dying for more Heist Society Books by this author too

This family is fantastic! 

Did the third book ever get published? I can't find it!

I loved these ladies helping ladies and I want SO many more of them!

Review: Capture the Crown

 

* first in a new spin-off trilogy *

Princess Gemma is known for her lovely of jewels and pretty dresses. She isn't known for her work as a spy. But someone is stealing large amounts of tearstone from the mines. Gemma believes someone is planning to start a war and will be using the tearstone to make weapons. But first she has to uncover who's behind the thefts.

While undercover as a mine worker, she befriends another woman. But this woman has secrets and soon she tugs Gemma along into the conspiracy. There Gemma learns that a foreign prince is behind the theft, but not the foreign prince's brother who is being held against his will. Leo is Gemma's mortal enemy, but she's quick to realize that the enemy of my enemy might just be a friend.

But how does one trust your nemesis? 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. Jennifer Estep is a favorite author of mine. I loved the princess becoming a spy. No one would ever suspect her, which makes it perfect. But she does hear some interesting opinions about herself. I felt badly for her as the book weaves in her emotional turmoil from her childhood and how that has impacted her and her magic. I did love reading about Gemma (you see her in Kill the Queen). I loved Grimley the gargoyle and Gemma's new spy friend (I've forgotten her name, but she made me laugh). I loved the banter between Gemma and Leo. I loved Leo's sister. I even might admire Queen Maven - just a little bit. She's definitely playing the long game now and it makes me very curious to see what happens next!

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your adult fantasy collection - as well as the previous trilogy if you don't own it.

* Hand this book to readers of Sarah Beth Durst and Sarah J Maas adult novels.

Top Ten Tuesday: Under the Tree

 This week's topic is books we wish were under the tree.

 I know that the pandemic has changed everything for the publishing world.

But I'm such a print girl (Librarian) and I would be thrilled to have any of these ARCs in no particular order. 

Are you excited to read any of these too?

Review: Kill the Queen

* First in a new series *

Lady Everleigh learned the hard way never to trust anyone royal. She's been living in the palace ever since her parents died. While everyone has some form a magic, Lady Everleigh's hidden her secret immunity to magic - which helps her escape the palace.

Afterwards, she's forced to hide; she goes to the gladiator troupe that's been making headlines. The woman who leads it is a former palace guard. There she lies low until she can plot her next move.

But the Queen's leading the country towards unnecessary war and Lady Everleigh is the only person who might have a chance at stopping her - if she reveals her true identity

My Thoughts: I adored this book, I didn't want it to end. I loved Jennifer Estep's YA series Mythos Academy. When I saw this cover, I knew I had to read it. And it was just as amazing as I suspected. I loved the characters - both fierce and vulnerable. I loved the banter between them. I loved watching the friendships grow. I loved Lady Everleigh finding her footing and her place. But I also love how she stepped up when she was needed. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series!

Cover Thoughts: Loved it - it's perfect and magical!
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this for your adult fantasy collection 

Review: Cold Burn of Magic

 * First in a new series *

Lila lives in a tourist trap - the most magical place in America. It's a place where monsters and founding families rule the town. She tries to keep her head down, especially after her mother was murdered protecting one of the families.

Then, one day, Lila steps up to protect a boy and her life changes. She's blackmailed into a new job - a job she's trained for her entire life and the job that left her mother dead. Lila isn't thrilled about the new job, but she's not about to let Devon die on her watch.

My Thoughts: I really loved Mythos Academy, so I was excited to hear about a new series coming from this author. I had high expectations and this book didn't disappoint. 

I loved this book. I loved the magic - both the monsters and the heightened abilities. Lila's skills were useful and entertaining. I enjoyed the pixie in her room who wasn't interested in her. HIs insults added humor to the book. I liked finding about more about the death of Lila's mom and how it changed her life. I loved that Lila found comfort in the library - among the books. I liked the relationship between Devon and Lila. She felt torn between her anger and her need to protect him too. So looking forward to the next book in this series!

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: my Library

Final Thoughts: If you're looking for a wonderful read with fantastic and romantic elements - look no further. 

Books I'm Dying to Read: April edition

So many good books are coming out in April - here are the ones I can't wait to get my hands on!

Cold Burn of Magic: Magic, murder, family feud, monsters, and a library - sounds awesome in a new series from Jennifer Estep!
Ember in the Ashes: Undercover trying to save her brother from death - spies, love, and revolution

Boyfriend Project and Trouble From the Start: 2 companion novels from Rachel Hawthorne who I LOVE! Romance, friendship, bad boys, and makeovers

Mussled Out: 3rd book in this cozy series set in small town Maine with great food and nosy neighbors
Dark Chocolate Demise: Zombie walks, the mob, and murder - all with a side of cupcakes

Drive Me Crazy: Road tripping into friendship
99 Days: 99 days to live in a town where almost everyone hates you - how much longer until you can escape?

Rook: Secrets, games, and a revolution set in the city that once was Paris
Miss Mayhem: LOVED the first book - so looking forward to the next one

Wrong About the Guy: Modernized Emma
Things we Know By Heart: Quinn loses her boyfriend - but someone else gains his organs, especially his heart. Can lightning strike twice?

Sophomore Year is Greek to Me: Travel to Greece - family feuds - and an aspiring journal
City Love: Summer in the city before college begins - 3 friends, 3 POV, 3 romances

Kissing Ted Callahan: A pact made between friends for more - KISSING
Play On: Small town, baseball, and chemistry - sounds like a slow burn romance

Revelation of Louisa May: I LOVE Little Women and I'm excited about this fictional account of the author
Lies I Told: Heist book (enough said)

Still the One: Book 6 in the series - small town, smart women, hot guys, and animals that need help

What books are you waiting for?

Top Ten Tuesday: At the Lunch Table

This week's topic is Top Ten Book Characters That Would Be Sitting At My Lunch Table. This one is really hard...even though lunch was always my favorite time of the school day.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Tina from the Princess Diaries - would love to talk Romance books with her

And the rest of the characters from books I read this year...
1. Bird from Wildflower - would love to co-write one song with her
2. Gwen Frost from the Mythos Academy series - she kicks major butt.
3. and 4. Marijke  and Lily from Just Like the Movies - so we could talk about girly movies
5. Emi from Everything Leads to You - so we could talk about set design
6. Cricket from Nantucket Blue and Nantucket Red because she's a warrior and fun!
7, 8, and 9. Reagan, Lilah, and Matt from Open Road Summer, so we could talk about the tour and being super stars (like normal people - not stalkers)

Bonus:
Isla and Josh from Isla and the Happily Ever After because I didn't want to leave them

Who would be sitting at your lunch table?

Mini Review: Killer Frost

* Last book in the Mythos Acedemy series #6 *

Gwen Frost knows the end is near and she still hasn't a clue how she's supposed to stop Loki. Will she figures it out as Nike's Champion or will Loki destroy her and everything she holds dear?

The Good: Where do I start? I love this series - for the action, the danger, the friendship, the loyalty, the romance, and of course that awesome library. I had a feeling this was going to be the last one in the series, so I admit to savoring it and I'm glad that I did. I loved the plot twists, which kept me on the edge of my seat guessing what was going to happen next. The ending was amazing; a fantastic end to an awesome series.

The Bad: While I know the series had to end sometime, I will miss it!

Overall Thoughts: If you haven't read this series and your a fan of mythology or fantasy - get yourself to a library or bookstore immediately! 

Source: Sent for Review