Tag Archive for: Fantasy

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The Undertaking Of Hart And Mercy

The Undertaking Of Hart And MercyTitle: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
Author: Megan Bannen
Series: Hart & Mercy #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Spice: 3 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 439
Length: 12h 15m
Narrator: Rachanee Lumayno, Michael Gallagher
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved reading THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY. I thought it was a fun Halloween-y You’ve Got Mail-esque romantasy. I loved the world building and all the fantastical elements. I also loved that the story was told in the POV’s of both Hart and Mercy. Their chemistry, sexual tension, and banter kept me reading. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book. I also loved the audio. The narrators were perfect as Hart and Mercy.

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Tress Of The Emerald Sea

Tress Of The Emerald SeaTitle: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Audio
Pages: 369
Length: 12h 27m
Narrator: Michael Kramer
Reason Read: 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.

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Phantasma

PhantasmaTitle: Phantasma
Author: Kaylie Smith
Series: Wicked Games #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Spice: 4 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 497
Length: 13h 14m
Narrator: Laura Horowitz
Reason Read: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely adored PHANTASMA. It read as a dark gothic romantasy. Yum! I thought the levels of Phantasma were a creative nod to Dante’s Inferno and the nine circles of Hell.

I loved the characters, especially Blackwell and Poe (even though Poe’s just a cat). I thought Smith’s depiction of Ophelia’s struggle with OCD was very realistic and enlightening of how true OCD affects its victims.

While some of the spicier scenes made me roll my eyes, I really adored the banter and tension between Ophelia and Blackwell. (I’m sorry but no guy’s penis is so big around that a 5’9” woman can’t grab it without encircling it completely. Well, unless she has such small hands that that’s all people would notice about her.)

Anyway, I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment.

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Onyx Storm

Onyx StormTitle: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #3
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Spice: 3.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 527
Length: 23h 52m
Narrator: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding, Jasmin Walker
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame
My Thoughts

Holy crap! That ending! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! It’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. I feel like I did after watching Avengers: Infinity War for the first time–numb, sad, and trying to be hopeful despite the crushing weight of grief. So many tears! So many! Rebecca Yarros certainly knows how to hook her readers and stomp all over their hearts.

From the instant I started reading ONYX STORM, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything and make sure my favorite characters made it out of the story alive. I loved learning more about Andarna and seeing more of the world than in previous books.

I’m excited to see where this series goes next and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.

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Ruthless Vows

Ruthless VowsTitle: Ruthless Vows
Author: Rebecca Ross
Series: Letters of Enchantment #2
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 1.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 420
Length: 14h 6m
Narrator: Rebecca Norfolk, Alex Wingfield
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Divine Rivals, Wild Reverence
My Thoughts

RUTHLESS VOWS was everything I wanted in a sequel to DIVINE RIVALS and more. I was hooked on page one and despite the bittersweet ending, I loved this story immensely. I loved seeing more of the magic in this installment and learning more about Enva and Dacre and even getting their perspective every now and then. I really enjoyed seeing the contrast between Enva and Dacre’s relationship and Iris and Roman’s as the story progressed. I’m so glad I decided to read this series.