Mini Review Collection { 6 }
It's been like 3 years since my last MRC, but I'm back with mini reviews in this 6th volume!
Scroll down for my thoughts on 3 upcoming fantasy titles: Kiss of the Royal, Bring Me Their Hearts, and Heart of Thorns!
Scroll down for my thoughts on 3 upcoming fantasy titles: Kiss of the Royal, Bring Me Their Hearts, and Heart of Thorns!
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Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Dugastandalone novel
publishes July 3rd 2018 by Entangled Teen
e-ARC provided by netgalley
goodreads
In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.
Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.
With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.
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Well, colour me surprised, I didn't expect to enjoy this so much! I found the idea of Kiss very interesting, if a bit odd—the whole Royals having powers because of a kiss is very unique to me. In hindsight, it seems very unfortunate because royals can't technically make an army, not in numbers like commoners, at least.
Still! I liked the writing and I liked Ivy! She was a very dedicated character, hella intent on ending this war, even after pairing with someone who didn't believe in her ideologies.
That was part of why I liked this book so much! I'm a sucker for books where the main couple-to-be start off on opposite ends and don't see eye to eye at first. Gradually reading about them understanding the other's point of view is my favourite part.
I'll admit, it was a bit slow in the opening chapters, but after Zach was introduced, the plot really picked up. The more I read, the more I was intrigued by the whole concept of Love in this book. Ivy doesn't believe in it! Normally this kind of thing would annoy me—I hate exploring so much into love, but this wasn't about feelings... more like the whole concept of it. It's why it reminded me so much of the show Once Upon A Time.
In the end, I was sold on this book. Ivy had a great voice, and the plot was—well, not wholly unique, but fun nonetheless. The romance was great, and the whole Royal Kiss thing was intriguing. So, easy 4 stars from me and I'd recommend it!
Still! I liked the writing and I liked Ivy! She was a very dedicated character, hella intent on ending this war, even after pairing with someone who didn't believe in her ideologies.
That was part of why I liked this book so much! I'm a sucker for books where the main couple-to-be start off on opposite ends and don't see eye to eye at first. Gradually reading about them understanding the other's point of view is my favourite part.
I'll admit, it was a bit slow in the opening chapters, but after Zach was introduced, the plot really picked up. The more I read, the more I was intrigued by the whole concept of Love in this book. Ivy doesn't believe in it! Normally this kind of thing would annoy me—I hate exploring so much into love, but this wasn't about feelings... more like the whole concept of it. It's why it reminded me so much of the show Once Upon A Time.
In the end, I was sold on this book. Ivy had a great voice, and the plot was—well, not wholly unique, but fun nonetheless. The romance was great, and the whole Royal Kiss thing was intriguing. So, easy 4 stars from me and I'd recommend it!
Buy links!
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Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara WolfBring Me Their Hearts, book 1
publishes June 5, 2018 by Entangled: Teen
e-ARC provided by netgalley
e-ARC provided by netgalley
Zera is a Heartless—the immortal, unageing soldier of a witch. Bound to the witch Nightsinger ever since she saved her from the bandits who murdered her family, Zera longs for freedom from the woods they hide in. With her heart in a jar under Nightsinger’s control, she serves the witch unquestioningly.
Until Nightsinger asks Zera for a Prince’s heart in exchange for her own, with one addendum; if she’s discovered infiltrating the court, Nightsinger will destroy her heart rather than see her tortured by the witch-hating nobles.
Crown Prince Lucien d’Malvane hates the royal court as much as it loves him—every tutor too afraid to correct him and every girl jockeying for a place at his darkly handsome side. No one can challenge him—until the arrival of Lady Zera. She’s inelegant, smart-mouthed, carefree, and out for his blood. The Prince’s honor has him quickly aiming for her throat.
So begins a game of cat and mouse between a girl with nothing to lose and a boy who has it all.
Winner takes the loser’s heart.
Literally.
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To be completely honest, I'm very middle-of-the-scale here. (I don't think that's even a saying lol)
See, on the one hand, I really did enjoy Zera's voice. I enjoyed the relationship between her and the Lady Y'shennria, which had gone from deep displeasure to something similar to a mother-daughter connection. I even liked how the romance was done—no one fell in lust or love instantly, but rather realised their feelings over a long period of time, and even then, didn't succumb to them. In a lot of ways, Bring Me Their Hearts was a good novel.
But reading it at times, it felt like Wolf tried too hard. Especially with Zera and her sense of humour. Some of Zera's comments felt way too colloquial for a fantasy novel. Most of her other comments just seemed too forced to me. I did like her, for the most part, but I wasn't completely into all her remarks.
Otherwise, I really loved the concept of Heartless! Wolf did a good job with getting readers to understand why Zera is going through such a dangerous plot to become human again. I liked that her need to accomplish this was always a priority... which isn't always the case with similar plots.
Overall, I would recommend this! I was a little surprised with how it ended so I'm excited for the second book!
See, on the one hand, I really did enjoy Zera's voice. I enjoyed the relationship between her and the Lady Y'shennria, which had gone from deep displeasure to something similar to a mother-daughter connection. I even liked how the romance was done—no one fell in lust or love instantly, but rather realised their feelings over a long period of time, and even then, didn't succumb to them. In a lot of ways, Bring Me Their Hearts was a good novel.
But reading it at times, it felt like Wolf tried too hard. Especially with Zera and her sense of humour. Some of Zera's comments felt way too colloquial for a fantasy novel. Most of her other comments just seemed too forced to me. I did like her, for the most part, but I wasn't completely into all her remarks.
Otherwise, I really loved the concept of Heartless! Wolf did a good job with getting readers to understand why Zera is going through such a dangerous plot to become human again. I liked that her need to accomplish this was always a priority... which isn't always the case with similar plots.
Overall, I would recommend this! I was a little surprised with how it ended so I'm excited for the second book!
Buy links!
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Heart of Thorns, book 1
In the ancient river kingdom, touch is a battlefield, bodies the instruments of war. Seventeen-year-old Mia Rose has pledged her life to hunting Gwyrach: women who can manipulate flesh, bones, breath, and blood.
Not women. Demons. The same demons who killed her mother without a single scratch.
But when Mia's father suddenly announces her marriage to the prince, she is forced to trade in her knives and trousers for a sumptuous silk gown. Only after the wedding goes disastrously wrong does she discover she has dark, forbidden magic—the very magic she has sworn to destroy.
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I loved this book! Though, frankly, it might have to do with Quin, but I'll get there.
In the grand scheme of things, Heart of Thorns isn't entirely different from most other fantasy books. What does make it stand out is that only women have magic! And they're seen as demons. (Figures lmao) So of course our main character, Mia, is such a "creature"!
I loved Mia, though. Throughout the book, it was easy to sympathise with her, in more ways than one. Being forced into an arranged marriage, dealing with the loss of her mother, finding out she's one of the Gwyrach that killed her mother, all while giving up her goals and getting her sister to safety. It's a lot and it was heartening to see Mia push through whatever obstacle came her way the best she could. I had a lot of respect for her!
I really, really liked Quin! He's the love interest and he was introduced as a cold, detatched prince at first, BUT OH. HE WAS SO SWEET LATER ON, I'm emo. He's also bisexual! I haven't read any reviews of the book where that's mentioned but Quin is bi!!
I'm looking forward to future books because a) I'm so sold on this ship; b) the ending was both unexpected and slightly expected; and c) I really want to know more about the world. (I could do without the random scientific terms placed in, though.)
So! Overall, I would definitely recommend this!
In the grand scheme of things, Heart of Thorns isn't entirely different from most other fantasy books. What does make it stand out is that only women have magic! And they're seen as demons. (Figures lmao) So of course our main character, Mia, is such a "creature"!
I loved Mia, though. Throughout the book, it was easy to sympathise with her, in more ways than one. Being forced into an arranged marriage, dealing with the loss of her mother, finding out she's one of the Gwyrach that killed her mother, all while giving up her goals and getting her sister to safety. It's a lot and it was heartening to see Mia push through whatever obstacle came her way the best she could. I had a lot of respect for her!
I really, really liked Quin! He's the love interest and he was introduced as a cold, detatched prince at first, BUT OH. HE WAS SO SWEET LATER ON, I'm emo. He's also bisexual! I haven't read any reviews of the book where that's mentioned but Quin is bi!!
I'm looking forward to future books because a) I'm so sold on this ship; b) the ending was both unexpected and slightly expected; and c) I really want to know more about the world. (I could do without the random scientific terms placed in, though.)
So! Overall, I would definitely recommend this!
Buy links!
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