What I'm Currently Reading

What I'm Currently Reading - End of August and Beginning of September TBR

The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1)

Synopsis

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love. 

The Winners Curse (The Winners Trilogy #1)

Synopsis

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love... 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Rhapsodic (The Bargainer #1)

Synopsis

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)

Synopsis

"There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year."

Harry Potter's summer has included the worst birthday ever, doomy warnings from a house-elf called Dobby, and rescue from the Dursleys by his friend Ron Weasley in a magical flying car! Back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his second year, Harry hears strange whispers echo through empty corridors - and then the attacks start. Students are found as though turned to stone... Dobby's sinister predictions seem to be coming true.
--back cover

Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and The Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan

Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and The Olympians #4) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Percy Jackson isn't expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears at his potential new school, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse.

In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth - a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.

Review

Won't say much due to spoilers but I loved this one. Would highly recommend the series as a whole.

Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.

Review

I cannot believe how long it has taken me to pick up this series. Like many others the mixed reviews had put me off. Also the rave reviews for the Six of Crows Duology put me off. I don’t always do well with hyped series but this was a breath of fresh air. Our lead characters’ tale from rags to riches and the intrigue around court life had me hooked and I now want to read all of this series and the next. The authors writing in engaging and well written. If you are looking for a solid, well written fantasy than I highly recommend this book and series.

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Sea Witch - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Everyone knows what happens in the end. A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss. But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends. One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

Review

This is an original take on the origin story of the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid. I loved that story follows the Sea Witch from her origins and what made her the Sea Witch she was destined to be. There have been multiple Little Mermaid inspired tales but this was by far the best for me. The others lacked the depth that this beautiful novel does. I loved that this took place in Demark where the tales of the Little Mermaid first written. If you love retellings, villain origin stories and well written fantasies then I would highly recommend this book.

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

For weeks, seventeen-year-old Mariko pretended to be a boy to infiltrate the notorious Black Clan and bring her would-be murderer to justice. She didn't expect to find a place for herself among the group of fighters—a life of usefulness—and she certainly didn't expect to fall in love. Now she heads to the imperial castle to resume a life she never wanted to save the boy she loves.

Ōkami has been captured, and his execution is a certainty. Mariko will do what she must to ensure his survival—even marry the sovereign's brother, saying goodbye to a life with Ōkami forever.

As Mariko settles into her days at court—making both friends and enemies—and attempting Ōkami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide. One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Ōkami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.

Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Smoke in the Sun is the breathless, romantic, not-to-be-missed fiery conclusion to a spell-binding adventure.

Review

Once again Renee has taken back to the fantasy realm of feudal Japan to continue with Mariko’s story. This was just as exciting as the previous novel. The author manages to infuse tales and myths of old Japan and mould them into a rich and fascinating fantasy world. This had lots of plot twists and turns, which made for an engaging read. If you enjoyed book one, then then you will love this exciting conclusion to this fantasy story.

Open Earth by Sarah Mirk, etc

Open Earth - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Rigo is a young woman of her time: specifically, the time just after the collapse of Earth. After living her whole life on a small space station orbiting the planet, the cultural norms and rules of her Californian parents are just history to her. In between work shifts at the station air farm, Rigo explores her own desires, developing openly polyamorous relationships with her friends and crewmates. When she starts to feel one of those relationships change, however, Rigo must balance her new feelings with the stability of her other relationships, as well as the hard-earned camaraderie of a small crew floating in the vastness of space. But, as the ship motto goes, "Honesty keeps us alive."

A heartfelt, positive, and erotic look at one woman's adventure in love and sex, as a new generation learns to make their own rules and follow their own hearts 

Review

An adult sexy time graphic novel that features polyamory. This was done well The characters were interesting and I was invested in their story. I adored the addition of the Spanglish language that is used throughout the novel. Would recommend this graphic novel.

Abandon (Abandon #1) by Meg Cabot

Abandon (Abandon #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.

There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . . .

Review

I've had these books on my TBR for many years, just never got around to reading them. The storyline loosely centres around the tales of Hades and Persephone.

This story follows Pierce a teenage girl who died just over one year ago after an accident that caused her to drown. While in the realm of the dead she meets John who looks like a teenage boy. Pierce had met John years before during her grandfathers funeral 7 years before. John had not aged a day since she last met him. Pierce manages to return home and tries to continue on with her life. But John seems to not want to leave her be. Trying to adjust to her new life with her mum, Pierce learns more about the mysterious young man and why she is important to him.

I have always adored Meg Cabot's writing style they are quick easy reads.

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time by Kylie Scott

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time - 5 Stars

Synopsis

Returning home for her father’s wedding was never going to be easy for Adele. If being sent away at eighteen hadn’t been bad enough, the mess she left behind when she made a pass at her dad’s business partner sure was.

Fifteen years older than her, Pete had been her crush for as long as she could remember. But she’d misread the situation—confusing friendliness for undying love. Awkward. Add her father to the misunderstanding, and Pete had been left with a broken nose and a business on the edge of ruin. The man had to be just as glad as everyone else when she left town.

Seven years on, things are different. Adele is no longer a kid, but a fully grown adult more than capable of getting through the wedding and being polite. But all it takes is seeing him again to bring back all those old feelings.

Sometimes first loves are the truest.

Review

Another 5-star book from Kylie Scott.

This book for me is well written and does not hold back in relation to the forbidden romance storyline. I could not put this down and I was enthralled from the 1^st few pages and my love for this book continued to grow from there. I enjoyed the way the author does not sugar coat truths that are interwoven within the story. For me, this was a forbidden love story done well. I loved Adele and Pete and the forbidden love that grows between them. Adele, Pete and her family at the beginning are trying to mend old wounds that were created by Adele. I love Adele’s family dynamic and her relationship with her soon be a mother in law Shanti. Shanti and Adele’s best friend Hazel throughout the story is the only help keep the other adults level headed when they struggled to remain calm. This also had for me had great smutty scenes.

If you are a fan of Kylie Scott’s Stage Series and the standalone novel Trust, then you are going to love this one.

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
Review

This was an interesting sequel and was a quick and engaging as the last.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. One for every boy she's ever loved. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control... 

Review

With the Netflix movie coming out soon, I wanted to give this a go. I am glad I did. This was an interesting read. Lara Jean can be a little bratty at times but I soon got used to it. Will definitely be carrying on with the series.