Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lapidius is the first book in the Nation Found series. It follows a group of 4 young boys/teens as they are sent away to a military esq setting in a castle. It is a little slow in the beginning, lots of detail and good world building. Sort of dystopian meets Hunger Games meets fantasy fiction. Good all around.
The Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Veil by Karli Rush was really good! When it started off, I actually forgot for a second what genre of book I was reading and was a little thrown when the invasion started! So, that was a fun little twist. The world building was really cool, the characters were really well written and very relatable. The ending was not what I expected to be. Still a HEA, but not in the way I was expecting. Really enjoyed and would def recommend.
A Patriot’s Tale by Nicole Pierman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Patriot’s Tale: An American Revolutionary War Novel by Nicole Pierman was a really good book! Very easy to read and a page turner.
This book focuses on Lily, a orphan with a thirst for revenge against the redcoats who m*rdered her family. It follows her along as she meets a family who is able to help her reach a rebel settlement. From there, the storyline takes a surprising twist as the enemy commander at a nearby town is completely taken with her (no spoilers!). I definitely recommend this book!
Strong female character, good for mature teens (some war content) and YA. I also read that this was written when the author was 12! You can tell that it was written with a younger narative in mind, but I still really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to see what else this author publishes.
War in Sorcery’s Shadow by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
War in Sorcery’s Shadow by Elise Carlson is the 3rd and final book in the series. Although geared towards YA, it definitely appeals to an older audience as well. LGBTQ+
The 3rd book is a little slow to start off and it did take me a bit to get into it, more so than the others. Once it did pick up, however, it was hard to put down! Multiple POVs provide an interesting view point on a scene, which was really cool to see. Several chapters were technically the same event or part of the timeline, but different POV . Without spoilers, there were some twists that I did not expect (which I always enjoy) and I absolutely recommend it.
The Uncrowned King by Ayla Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Uncrowned King was SOO INCREDIBLE! I finished the Blood Prince and immediately dove into the Uncrowned King, and it only got better. I could not stop reading. The world building is just as great in the 2nd as the first, the characters are just as loveable or hateable. The hateable ones? Yeah. REALLY hate them. So much passion and emotion in this book, I was literally in tears at the end. I cannot wait for the next one! Great job by Ayla Marie! Will definitely be on the lookout for more from her!
The Blood Prince by Ayla Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVED the Blood Prince by Ayla Marie! The majority of the book is from Leo’s POV as he struggles to keep his family safe in a world where none of them are wanted or allowed to be. The very first chapter hooks you in and is a page turner. The world building is great and the characters pull you in. I dove into the second book literally as soon as I finished the first. Cannot wait for the next! 10/10, would definitely recommend and will be reading it again!
Song of Earth and Claws by Lena Abram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Song of Earth and Claws by Lena Abram was really a great read. It was my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The world building was really awesome and I loved the character development. I’ve read a lot of fae-universe books and I really loved the unique twist this one had and the mystery surrounding the two main characters. I did feel a couple times that there could have been a little more information given to the readers, like about the games in general, but I also feel like not having the info did not detract from the overall read and storyline. Would definitely recommend this book and will read more by Abram!
The Befallen by Cambria Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Befallen by Cambria Williams was great! Not what I expected and I really enjoyed it. No spoilers, but I did love how the romance was not the typical kind you get in books. Great character development and world building, main character growth throughout, and very hard book to put down. Absolutely would recommend if you’re looking for something different and don’t want to get caught up in a series.
Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Woman Unbroken: A Novel by Alexandra Fleder was such a good read! It was my first time reading anything by this author and would definitely do so again.
This book follows the story of Devorah, who had what seemed like an envious upbringing on the surface; however, recent tragic events causes her to reevaluate much of her life. I love that the main character is allowed to “wallow” in some borderline depression filled days. The story did not bog down, it wasn’t depressing to read, but it was incredibly realistic to see a character that had gone through so much be allowed to have a real world response. Being able to hide away, forget the world and just rest and recoup as much as possible. In the end, Devorah does find her will again and the rest of the story follows her path and she grows stronger and into her own person. A happy ever after that isn’t dependent on someone else!
Rise of the Y by Angela D. Shelton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Rise of the Y: A YA Post Apocalyptic Dystopian was awesome! Shelton does a great job world building and describing the situation of Lexi and Reeves, and those around them. The book is kind of like Hunger Games meets Divergent, but also unique in itself at the same time. The characters emotions are conveyed perfectly and there were a few small twists that I was not expecting. Overall really enjoyed it and definitely recommend!
The Earl, Her Reluctant Guardian by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely love period pieces so I was looking forward to this one! It is also my first book by Wareeze Woodson, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The world building is really good, the characters are relatable and I do love how the main character, Vanessa, has so much more sass than most authors give ladies of the time! I really could feel her frustrations and could not imagine living in such a time. Without giving too much away, the author does an amazing job of making you feel empathy for the lovable characters, while also intense annoyance bordering loathing for the “villains”! It moved fast throughout and i was captivated the entire time. Some twists that I definitely did not see coming and wrapped up in a believable ending. Very good read!
The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed Wandering Isles! The main characters had their own series in the Crown of Stones. I haven’t read that one, and this one really does well standing alone. I wish I would have anyway, but Schneider does an amazing job of filling in the gaps and history from the previous series without it taking away from the current one. I really did love that.
I say that it was a little bit of a slow start, which it was and it wasn’t. While the “trouble” on the island did happen pretty soon into the book, it still felt like it took a bit to get to it. Maybe because of the backstory, I’m not sure I’m explaining that right! Without giving away any spoilers, once I dived a little deeper in the book with Ian and Jarryd, I was well and truly hooked! I love the world building, how amazing and rich the characters are but both different and unique in their own ways. I immediately jumped to Fortune’s Favorite as soon as I finished Wandering Isles and loved that one even more! Can’t wait for more!
