New Official Reviews
Serpent & Dove Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By Shelby Mahurin
By Shelby Mahurin
Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.
Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.
The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.
And love makes fools of us all
Don’t sleep in this series--Okay, I have had this book in my library for at least a year and I’m so mad at myself I didn’t dedicate the time to it until now. WOW, great job Shelby! This book is awesome. The originality and the world building is freaking phenomenal. I loved Lou and I loved Reid. Coco is the best friend anyone would kill for. I did pick up on some foreshadowing but not all. I enjoyed the twists and learning about all the different witch cultures and that twist at the end was mind blowing 😉 If you’re on the fence about this series, don’t be. I can’t wait to start book #2.
Book #2 Blood & Honey
About Blood & Honey:
After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.
To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.
The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove—packed with even steamier romance and darker magic—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.
After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.
To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.
The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove—packed with even steamier romance and darker magic—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.
From Blood and Ash Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Maiden…
Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.
A Duty…
The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.
A Kingdom…
Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.
Woah, push through guys it’s worth it.-- Forewarning, this book gets steamyyyyy and I mean STEAMY at the end. Okay, not gonna lie this was a tough book for me to get into. I kept seeing great reviews and MUST read recommendations but it didn’t really pick you for me until about 68% through. Boy am I glad I pushed through! This book ended up being awesome! I saw the few twists coming but not that cliff hanger! I’m so glad the second book is out already because I’d be livid if I had to wait. Poppy is clearly a confusion girl and I’m so glad she had Victor and Hawke to help her out but boy oh boy does it take a turn. Be prepared because when this storyline picks up it gets GOOD quickly.
Book #2 A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
A Betrayal…
Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.
A Choice...
Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.
A Secret…
But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.
Twisted Kingdoms Reviews
The Hunt (Book #1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
By: Frost Kay
Being sired by a Madrid is supposed to be a blessing, but for Tempest, it's a curse that leaves her orphaned, penniless, and enslaved to a blood thirsty crown on the brink of war.
Found too unruly to become a ward of the court, she's thrust into the care of the King's Hounds - the assassins and warriors responsible for protecting the kingdom. Driven by rage and an oath to avenge her mother's memory, Tempest throws herself into training.
But becoming the first ever female assassin isn't enough. Now, she must obtain the heart of her kingdom's most feared enemy - the jester - a deadly shapeshifter hidden in a land twisted by myth and darkness.
Revenge is never easy or cheap. Tempest is willing to sacrifice everything to see justice served. Even her own soul and freedom.
Enter the world of the Twisted Kingdoms at your own risk where monsters wear pretty masks, good and evil are at war, and fairy tales don't exist. If you love fiery heroines, sexy villains, enemies-to-lovers romance, pulse-pounding action, mafia undertones, and dark fairy tales, you need to discover the new series readers are comparing to Holly Blacks's Cruel Prince and Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows.
The Rook (Book #2) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By: Frost Kay
The Dark Court is no place for a lady.
After tricking the king, Tempest has finally won her prize - a place on the king's council - but it comes with a steep price. The monarch wishes for her to once again infiltrate the Jester's Dark Court and crush the remaining rebellion.
Trapped between her kingdom and her honor, she throws herself into the task, determined to discover her true enemies. Slipping into her role as the Jester's fiery plaything and personal assassin comes with an ease that terrifies her.
The charming and dangerous shapeshifter and his world of eternal night tempts her to forget her purpose. But Tempest is no man's pawn. Her destiny was never to sit back passively.
She makes her own path. Even if it's painted with blood, strewn with bodies, and scattered with the pieces of her broken heart.
Enter the world of the Twisted Kingdoms at your own risk where monsters wear pretty masks, good and evil are at war, and fairy tales don't exist. If you love fiery heroines, sexy villains, enemies-to-lovers romance, pulse-pounding action, mafia undertones, and dark fairy tale retellings, you need to discover the new series readers are comparing to books by Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, Meagan Spooner, Sarah J Maas, Emma Hamm, Brandon Sanderson, Melanie Cellier, and Audrey Grey.
Better a Second Time--If you loved the first book in the series, you'll be even more impressed with The Rook. I loved Temp & Pyre. They go together so well & their banter is always entertaining. I won't post any spoilers here, but this book has twists and it leaves you craving the third book. Why is the next release so far away???
Links to Other Reviews:
Queen of Shadows & A Court Of Mist & Fury: Official Review: For All of Sarah J. Maas Books
The Shadows Between Us: New Author Alert: Tricia Levenseller
Damaged Like Us & Lovers Like Us: Official Review: The Like Us Series
Ninth House: Official Ninth House Review: Book & Tour
