Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Series: His Fair Assassin Book #1

Format: Hardcover

Pages:  549

Rating:  4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library

I did not expect to like this as much as I did or be so sucked in. And it had a little bit of a Mists of Avalon feel to it. (The mini-series).

I actually like stories with political intrigue and court politics. And I was happy it was such an important part of this story. But I wish it had been more developed or explained. I assume this is based on some true history, but I don’t know anything. I was confused for a while about who everyone was in relation to the other characters.

Ismae is an interesting character and I like her. It really breaks my heart to see her deal with affection because it’s so foreign. She’s also a physically strong character who is willing to make tough decisions. But I wish she would stop to think sometimes.

The romance was sweet and developed well. It’s a little predictable, but that doesn’t typically bother me. And I feel like Ms. LaFevers did a good job of blending the romance with the other aspects of the story. I could’ve used more romance because I’m a fan but the story doesn’t need it.

This was a great book, but I’m very eager to read the next book. I want to know how the larger plot is resolved and I’m very interested in the next main character. 

Thanks for reading!

~Holly

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles (Book 1)

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 330

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                This book is hard to describe. It’s an alternate history historical witch book that reads like a contemporary.

                I think there’s a lack of world-building, but it doesn’t bother me. To some extent I wish I knew more about the past and the rest of the world, but I don’t need it.

                And I like the characters. Cate is likeable and a good narrator. She could be a little more trusting, but her society explains it. And the story mainly focuses on women-powerful women. Plus, there are tons of different relationships between these women.

                I’m completely invested in Cate’s story and am excited to continue the series. Ms. Spotswood weaves the romance with the magic storyline with Cate’s personal journey. I care equally about each of these story points and want to know where they’ll go next. 

~Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Starling by Fiona Paul

Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose Trilogy (Book 3)
Format: Hardcover

Pages: 324
Rating: 2 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

               

                I basically had to force myself to read this. I really enjoyed Venom, the first book, but after the series went downhill. The romance has been bothering me since book two, but in this book the mystery plot was also weak and Cass started to get annoying.

                I’m still completely uninterested in the romance/love triangle. Belladonna clearly showed that Ms. Paul though Luca was end game and then had to take back everything she built in the first book. Honestly, there’s just no chemistry between Luca and Cass. I think I said this in my previous review: the series would have been better without the romance.

                The mystery plot with The Order was what redeemed Belladonna. But I thought this was book was slow and choppy. There would be an issue and then it got resolved in a chapter. This happened several times. I’m just used to bigger conflict in a final book. Plus some…ok a lot…of the conflicts were resolved quickly.

                And then there’s Cass. I actually liked her in the first two books. But in this book I felt like she got whiny. She was very woe is me. And I could tell Ms. Paul was trying to give her some strength or agency by teaching her to fight. But it was so brief (like many things in this book) that it fell flat. Personally, I felt like she was constantly talking herself into loving Luca.

                I did like some parts of the book. Mostly it had a lot of potential that wasn’t fully developed. We learned more about Cass’ aunt which was interesting and I wish there had been more. I did enjoy most of the ladies from the brothel. Those were the parts I liked the most and there definitely could have been more.

~Thanks for reading!

Holly