Tag Archive for: Fantasy

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

This Kingdom Will Not Kill MeTitle: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Maggie the Undying #1
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 470
Length: 21h 34m
Narrator: Kristen Sieh
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

Oh, wow! THIS KINGDOM WILL NOT KILL ME gripped me from page 1. It was non-stop adventure and suspense. I adored this book so much! I need book 2 now!!! I’m so emotionally invested in this story and in these characters. I have so much anxiety wondering how this is going to play out! Everard is my new favorite literary crush! I hope Maggie realizes that he loves her sooner rather than later.

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The Stardust Thief

The Stardust ThiefTitle: The Stardust Thief
Author: Chelsea Abdullah
Series: Sandsea Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 480
Length: 15h 38m
Narrator: Nikki Massoud, and more
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’ve always been fascinated by stories of genies, magical lamps, and wishes. It wasn’t until I read THE GOLEM AND THE DJINNI by Helene Wecker that I realized genies were a misappropriation of Middle Eastern folklore and mythology. Since then, I’ve tried to learn more about the actual mythology. So when THE STARDUST THIEF was a Book of the Month option, I snatched it right up. 

THE STARDUST THIEF was everything I wanted it to me and more. I love that the story took inspiration from ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS so that parts of it were familiar. The characters, the world, and the djinn’s magic system were amazing! I loved Loulie and Qadir so much. I loved their connection and how much they rely on each other. At first I thought Mazen was kind of a sissy, but I’m glad he grew into his strengths and stood up for what he believed. I loved that it was told from different POVs so we could witness more of the whole picture. I’m excited how this one ended and I’m looking forward to how the story continues.

Additional Narrators: Rasha Zamamiri, Sean Rohani

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueTitle: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 444
Length: 17h 10m
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month, Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved reading THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. It was such a fun, unique story. I adored the characters, setting, and history. I loved being a part of Addie’s story. I especially loved the cat-and-mouse game between her and Luc. I thought their relationship was intriguing and delicious. I also loved her relationship with Henry and wished they could’ve had more time together. I felt for and related to Henry the most. I understood why he felt the way he did and made the decisions he did. I’m glad he found Addie and that she could help him in the end. I also enjoyed the bittersweet ambiguous ending. It felt right for this type of story.

The Wild Huntress

The Wild HuntressTitle: The Wild Huntress
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 432
Length: 11h 49m
Narrator: Moira Quirk
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE WILD HUNTRESS was awesome. I loved the story and the characters so much, especially Palug. He reminded me of my cats, Cassie and Izzy. (I’m so glad the dedication let me know he survives so I didn’t have to worry about him.) I also loved the mythology. The author’s twist on the Welsh folklore was so intriguing and the magical elements were fun to read and experience. I also really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. As an American not accustomed to Celtic languages, it was awesome to hear all the correct pronunciations of the Welsh words and names. My only hangup is that I wish the last chapter didn’t feel as rushed as it did. I would’ve preferred an epilogue instead of an overview of future happenings.

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Tress of the Emerald SeaTitle: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 369
Length: 12h 27m
Narrator: Michael Kramer
Source: Owned
Reason: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m glad I had a chance to read TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it. Part of the issue for me was Hoid, the narrator. I didn’t like his way of telling the story. I’m not a huge fan of 4th-wall-breaking, unless it’s in movies or TV shows, because it usually takes me out of the story and I want to be immersed.

I did like Tress and most of the other characters. I also liked the overall story of her defying the king’s order to not leave her little island to search for her lost love and travel through the dangerous spore oceans. I also liked the ending and the fact that Sanderson left it open so he can write more stories about Tress and her planet.

After doing some research, I’ve now realized that this book is part of Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. While TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA is a standalone novel, it has connections and some shared characters to his other series and books.