Tag: YA series

Royal Blood by Aimee Carter 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

OracleLeave a comment

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

I loved this book! It was exciting. Just the right amount of emotion, romance, and the ending left me hoping I get to read the sequel soon!

Evan has a tumultuous past, but when she’s caught starting a fire at her boarding school, she is left without too many choices. Jenkins (love this guy) makes the decision to take to her father, the king of England. But when she arrives, she is faced with the brutality of the press, living openly as King Alexander’s illegitimate daughter, and worst of all, being almost completely sexually assaulted and then wrongfully accused of murdering her attacker.

This is a busy and torturous time for her. But, I loved seeing her strength and her character overcome these hard hits, even when it all felt like a lost cause. I loved the attention of what it’s like for a person to recover from sexual assault. More than anything, I loved learning more about her father and her mother’s relationship.

This got me in all my soft spots, and I can’t wait for more! I love Evan’s character and can’t wait to see more of her royal journey!

Out March 7, 2023!

City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

OracleLeave a comment

Ness lives in Newham, a city full of the monsters people change into if they have a nightmare.  Newham is really interesting,  it’s has a 1920s feeling and also practices prohibition and has many gangsters throughout the streets.  In other words,  it’s a perfect vibe for the city of nightmares. 

This book has a surprising amount of depth to it. At least it was surprising to me.  Ness is terrified of nightmares, which,  unfortunately,  walk the streets here.  They are living with a cult like group so they can keep their tiny room and sense of safety.  However, when the lizard director threatens to kick them out, they wind up with a whole new set of problems.  

I loved the whole vibe of this book.  Ness’s character is so relatable as are the side characters that are their friends.   I loved this read and can’t wait for the sequel!

Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

OracleLeave a comment

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

Magic tea, a magic city and a book written so beautifully, it’s, guess what? MAGIC!!¡!

Imira is a soldier, a Shield, in her kingdom of Sahir. Her brother has been presumed dead after having gone missing for a year. However, when Imira and her little sister chase their brothers’ horse to a cave one day, they find information and a Djinni that can lead them to their brother across the sands. This would be perfect, but when Imani brings this news and information to the council, she is paired with her arch-rival Taha and his fellow scouts.

I loved the author’s writing style, completely drawing me in and holding my interest from beginning to end. The magic system complimented the story and characters perfectly and seemed flawless. I am so excited that there will be a sequel!

Out January 24, 2023!

Swift the Storm, Fierce the Flame by Meg Long 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

OracleLeave a comment

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

This is the sequel I have been waiting for!! And, everything about this story and its characters lived up to my expectations.

Remy is heading back to Maraas, with Sena and Iska in tow, to find her friend Alora. What she finds instead is her ex-partner, Kiram, and a world at the cusp of revolution!

The details about this planet are spectacular! I loved the jungle and stormy, muddy vibes, especially during the action scenes. Just like how on Tundra, the environment played a huge role in the character’s struggles.

All the characters were equally well formed and likeable (mostly). I loved seeing Iska in action on this world and getting a chance to meet more scavvers. However, Remy was everything in this book. She slowly learned more about herself and friendship while simultaneously fighting against the Corpos and taking every risk imaginable!

I highly recommend this series!

Out January 17, 2023!

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

OracleLeave a comment

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This is my new favorite book and I’m so excited because it’s a series!!! The writing, Winnie’s character and the amazing depictions of monsters (Nightmares) left me wanting more. As soon as possible, please!!!

Winnie Wednesday is a Luminary. She is part of a large group that keeps the rest of the world safe from Nightmares. However, Winnie and her family are outcasts because her father was caught as a witch (a Diana). So, Winnie feels like she has one shot to get her and her family welcomed back to the Luminary’s… and, that is to attempt the Hunter trials when she turns 16.

I loved everything about this book. Winnie is a great character to follow and there is no lack of imagination and excitement throughout this whole story. I cannot wait for book 2 because the ending left me with some major theories!

Highly recommend!

Out November 1, 2022!

🌟 Arc Book 🌟 The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

OracleLeave a comment

Thank you Netgalley for this arc!!

Iris is an African tightrope dancer in a circus and the setting of Victorian London (which is so cool!). And, Iris has a secret she holds very close… she cannot die! However, she has absolutely no memory of who she is exactly and this search for her past becomes a big part of the plot. But when she meets Adam Temple everything begins to get more complicated and she is pulled into a tournament with many other characters that have really cool powers and abilities.

This book was so interesting and I’m curious to know where the next book will take me. However, I did not love the characters and the way they interacted. I feel like they just weren’t as complete feeling to me so I didn’t feel a strong connection and that made the dialog feel slightly forced at times.

I loved this world, especially at the time period, and do recommend this as a unique look at dark historical fantasy that is heaped in magic!

I’d like to add a trigger warning for racism that is taking place in the Victorian London setting, definitely part of this time period but I want anyone reading this to be aware of it.

Look for this coming out on Sept. 1st!

ARC Review, Spells Trouble by P.C and Kristin Cast

OracleLeave a comment

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this arc!

I loved this book! Centering on twins that are turning 16 in a small town. Hunter and Mercy may look alike but that is where their similarities mostly end. Hunter is an aspiring writer and quite introverted while her sister, Mercy, is the life of the party and always outspoken. Both, however, do have one thing in common: they are witches!

Turning 16 is always important for any teenager, but for a witch it can be defining. Mercy, Hunter and their mother, Abigail, have generations of witchy history to uphold and the twins 16th birthday is part of that. However, things are not what they seem and the ancient trees that hold the five gates to different worlds closed while also serving as points of power for this magical family may be falling apart already when the Goode family gathers on this cataclysmic night.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I loved the feelings of love and magic that simply radiated from these characters. Also, the connection of sisterhood and friendship mixed in with spells, tarot decks, ley lines and an action-packed story made me keep reading till the end! And I cannot wait for book 2!

Dark Shores by Danielle L Jenson, A Quick Review

OracleLeave a comment

Teriana is part of the crew of her mother’s Maarin ship, The Quicense.  But when the land they are currently trading with gets a new leader and finds out there is more to this world than the Cel, Teriana and her people are in a world of trouble.  
Marcus, a commander of one of the most dangerous legionnaire armies, is tasked with going with Teriana and travelling from the shores of the East to the dark shores of the West. 
This book includes an awesome trip by sea with a sea serpent and battles between the gods and more magic.   Not to mention… romance!
Can’t wait to read book two!

Ghosts of the Shadowmarket by Cassandra Clare, A Quick Review

OracleLeave a comment

“We have to trust people,  right? Like you were saying.  Not just people we love.  We have to believe in people,  and we have to defend them.  As many people as possible, so we can be stronger. “

This is an amazing anthology centering on Jem while also being a must-read addition to the Shadowhunter World of Cassandra Clare.
These stories are full of heart and sometimes,  heartbreak.  But love shines through.
Not to leave out the ending that is what carries this story onward.  It ends happily enough but overshadowed by potential evil that I do not yet know how this edge will carry on.
And so, I will gladly continue on my journey through the Shadowhunter World with great expectations and perhaps,  a little fear of what may come.

Isoldesse by Kimberley Grymes, A Quick Review

Oracle2 Comments

Isoldesse is a light science fiction read. The cover of the book is stunning, depicting four of the main characters. However, there were so many characters by the end that it honestly left me confused. So much happens in this story. Kenna, a young college aged Earthen, is given an Arcstone that is just the beginning of changing her life. Not to mention all the other storylines that flip her world and her friends, completely upside down. I would recommend this to fans of an interesting scifi for young adults, however I must reiterate that by the end of this book I felt that too many different things were going on and it was hard for me to focus. And thank you Netgalley for this ARC!