She who was once the Sea: Undulating novella around mermaid lore

 If you are looking for a quickie bookie that enmeshes modern and age old legends, kotowing a fine line of curses and cycles, if the prospect of curse breaking, enemies to lovers and fall hard, fall fast, appeals to your inner romantic, then pick up this one from Dana Shea.

Being a novella, this does miss the coup in terms of explaining the nature of the curse breaking and i felt the technological aspects could have been more pulled out in research instead of libraries - i mean I love google and am spoilt by it... 

Marella and Garett are poles apart on the power scale and yet come together in an effusive, effervescent and refreshing take on siren lore. the lyrical aspects of the ocean being her home, the waters speeding fast and dark while also comforting, are all brilliantly played! I also enjoyed the moral code followed by the trapped sisters, although one wonders why they didn't band together and went separately instead, as if they could not stand each others downfall...

All in all it was a happy, fast paced and completed 3 hour session with this book! My effusive thank yous to the author and Netgalley for sharing the work!

#Septemberreads #sirenlore #enemiestolovers #novella

Hawk & Sparrow - Old fashioned detective work meets magical mayhem

 If you love a good old fashioned detective story with more of hitting the pavement than google, if magical mysteries and slow, bumbling misunderstood feelings play well with you romantic inclinations, if class divides, rich vs poor and not too many backfills also turn your pages, then this book will be an absolute delight to read!

I loved Ayana Gray since I had the pleasure of I, Medusa - this book is a completely different genre - think back and white detective spiels with magicians and a convoluted plot. I think a star was lost as I felt the gaps could have been filled better, but for the offered storyline, it certainly merits a breezy read, which I completed in 2 days.

Vesper and Max are unique characters driven by prejudice and fearful to trust, the way they build their bonds, uncover each others secrets and work around the societal mores and the challenges thrown their way by the enigmatic mastermind are great to follow. I loved the twists in the storyline, when they take 2 steps in deduction, they are set back and reset and restart, which i quite enjoyed!

My thank yous to Macmillian Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for this opportunity to read!

#Septemberreads #Hawk&Sparrow #Retrodetectives #Murdermystery

The Wolf Queen's Curse - Pack Dynamics and Political intrigue

 Kaylee Archer follows her series opener with a sequel that doesn't disappoint in the least. This book boasts of Cordelia Levine coming into her own as the Alpha's mate, and watches Bishop and Julius rally support and navigate the complicated machinations of the other London werewolf packs. The threat of Beryl Levine hangs over the reduced Albion group and the newly freed wolves and maidens have to work together to pilfer errmmm, make do until they are able to return to their homestead.

Along the way, they gather allies, old, exiled, forgotten, but potent, as Cordelia learns the more salacious details of Bishop's past. The introduction of Rufus, the progression in Ann's status within the pack and her coming into her power, Bishop and Delia finally bringing their sizzling interactions to a full blown forest fire and the mechanics of pack politics and the various mores and norms in various packs are explored brilliantly.

I feel this book has its fair measure of gotcha's and the ending is, of course, brilliant - looking forward to the third installment to be akin to the ACOTAR, third book - sooo exciting!!!

My wolfish thank yous to St Martins Press and Netgalley for keeping me part of the pack!

#Septemberreleases #thewolfqueenscurse #stmartinspress #packsandpolitics #magicalwerewolves

Immortal Rose - Masterful opening to a thrilling series

 Hands down THE BEST series I have kickstarted this year!! The art of romantasy is that exquisitely fine line between magical systems, slow burn, plot twists, reveals and a villain everyone would love to hate, with a hint of Bridgerton - Alexandra Bracken brings EVERYTHING!! 

If you lived the high stakes heists of Locke Lamora, the thrill a minute from Quicksilver and also adore the art of lyrical storytelling from Wherl of Time, then this book is an absolute must read!!! The perfumery is explored as a source of banned fairy magic, in a kingdom where patricians access it, without qualms and the common folk are incarcerated, the illegal heir to the Rosenbaum estate, Viola, finds herself caught in the crossfire..

Between developing a perfume to save the King, retaining her freedom, and escaping assassins and finding peace with who she is, we are drawn into a beautiful tale - lush in description, rich in history and winsome with its neck breaking turns!!

Hugh Thornton is her brilliant counterfoil, who deals with his demons and each of the supporting characters are unique and masterful in their abilities and their contribution to the unfolding chapter. I found myself holding my breath plenty of times! And the villain - the Duke of Glenmoor is a gorgeous villain - evil, soulless and one step ahead,  bringing a constant near panic to each chapter!! Loved every minute of the agonizing suspense!

I paced myself to relish this and found myself constantly re reading chapters abd gave ordered the physical copy as well!

My incandescent gratitude to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for granting me this opportunity! And my essence of old paper, ink and faded pressed lavender to Alexandra to hasten her next!

#Augustreleases #theimmortalrose #foundfamily #heistbased #forbiddenattraction

Rider of Dragons - Girl power meets illegal dragon races

 Does the rash racing with dragons, flames and a no holds barred contest thrill your senses? Does women representation in a male dominated sport appeal to your sense of justice? Would you love mixed signals, complicated family dynamics and a sizzling romance? Then this offering from A.T. Qureshi would be right up your alley!

Ginny Sterling has longed to join the illegal dragon races, but since the death of her brother Danny, her family have become over protective and refuse to support her training or indulge in her ambition to follow in her brother's footsteps. She reaches out to the black market for a trainer - the enigmatic Qais, who promises her a win, as long as she parts with the prize money.

Fraught with angst, painful memories and complicated relations, the emotional pull on this one is off the charts! The challenges and the entire racing calendar is laid bare - ruthless and painful in each phase as Ginny learns to use her daggers and gains lessons in pain! With the other riders and the schemes and interplay to funnel through a no rules contest - absolutely brilliant!! and the ending is like a sucker punch to the gut - aaargghhh - how COULD you???

My heartfelt thank yous to Harper360 and Netgalley for allowing me to soar with the dragons and bleed with the certainty that completing the race to finish the book was glory! My doffed hat and curtsy to the infernal A.T. Qureshi for vexing me with this ending and causing my nails irrevocable damage with the tumult of emotions in this book - you better be hard at work on the next!

#Sepetemberstellars #RiderofDragons #Illegalracingdragon #emotionalrollercoaster

The Golden Citadel - Dystopian YA thrill seeker

 This is a novel take on a dystopian society ruled by classes of magic with the undefined relegated to the lowest for maintenance. After a destructive world war, individual colonies are ruled by AI entities who have written up their peace treaties. The setting was uniquely poised in an era where AI is having an onslaught in all fields - melding AI and magic systems seems rudimentary, if you consider it

Lily Inkwood pours her love for the underdog, the never say die attitude and the abject humiliation of Ellie, who treats the AI, Stella,as her personal bestie - the use of technology, magic and the dystopian vibes are all grey and all consuming. The bonding of the top Warrior team and the history, interplays between them is also very well wrought. The quests, the team rankings - this is like hunger games on AI mode with a whiff of the matrix - what is not to love?

I enjoyed the book and look forward to more!

Thank yous to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for the ARC!

#Augustreleases #hungergamesxmatrix #thegoldencitadel #dytopianYA

The Queen's Bodyguard - Racy slow burn built of respect

 If you love a slow burn with plenty of power play, if rituals and social classes fan your flames and if political gimmicks and a glimpse of normality instigate your imagination, then this racy novel is a perfect companion!

Lauren Blackwood introduces us to Theora, the new queen, who has had to rule the kingdom or colony after a ruthless attack from their neighbors. That she is magicless is a well kept secret. Invited to peace talks with their violent neighbor, Queen Pyre, Theora enters into a marriage of convenience with Argos, a warrior of renown, to protect her during the meetings in a neutral territory.

What follows is a slew of dominant behaviors, adjusting to trust and accepting all of one's aspects, not just what the royal decorum demands. Drawn from their respective circles, Theora and Argos, claw, fight and snipe their way to build understanding of what constitutes respect and honor and above all, be of service to the Arneans.

My battle paint filled salutes to Ballentine, Delacorte Press and Netgalley for this opportunity!

#Augustreleases #multiculturalinterest #powerplay #slowburn