A Court of Venus - Novel magical system and burning love

 If your mind races with new magical systems, and your inner scientist loves a mélange of astrology and magical abilities that wax and wane, if your heart chases for political intrigue, belied by an aging king and a cutthroat court waiting to take over, if prophecy and death light your fires and a sizzling undercurrent of past and present lovescapes frame your mood boards, then look no further!

Bel Banta builds an absolutely epic opener with a nest of vipers in the Court, where Biance Mortlake aka mouse, goes back to unravel the mystery of prince Hal, her best friend since childhood. Her powers come from the moon magic and include transformation and the ability to guide or remove emotions - her nemesis is the current Lord Chancellor - Roland, whose Venus magic allows him to read emotions and manipulate lust. 

While the larger arc spins about Hal's murder and its mystery, the trouble brewing with an aging and cruel king and his power plays and the general ambience at the royal chambers are fraught with danger and an undercurrent of coups. Roland and Bianca are coerced to join forces to ensure Alvion does not fall - with a magician tourney ongoing, they battle loyalties, emotions and ultimately face off their worst fears about themselves to rise above the tide.

The growth of Bianca from the fearful mouse to the moon blessed siren was nothin short of EPIC! Samantha Hydeson lends her tones to bring out the various magics and planetary systems at play. Her emoting of the scenes between Roland, Hal and Bianca were gutting and rivetting all at once! The audio production leaves nothing to be desired and lends support to a fascinating tale, which I cannot wait to hear more of...

My Venus infused thank yous to Macmillian audio and Netgalley for providing me with the ALC!

I would be remiss if I didn't call out the absolute cracker of the ending! It was unexpected, exhilarating and the perfect cliffhanger to jump to the next book in the series!

#Septemberreads #Thecourtofvenus #macmillianaudio #romantasy

Tradwife - hynpnotic, static and disturbing

 Hypnotic, disturbing and wildly addictive....

I know what you did last summer X Stepford wives

Michelle Brandon crafts a unique thriller, which focuses more on the traditional wife concept and the expectations to live upto in a small town where everybody knows everybody and being seen is being judged. With a picturesque, all knowing neighborhood, we meet the main group, who each harbor secrets and leverage that information. More than the thriller, the montage of bread, sandals next to the body and the chapter on the body itself were more riveting, in my opinion.

The tale is choppy and cuts in and out - like static affecting the storyline, it added to the psychotic overhang and i enjoyed it the same way... If you are interested in a proper mystery - this may not satisfy that itch but if you, like me, enjoy a book for what it offers, then this is an unapologetic look into modern day organic momhood, its demands, pitfalls and impact on all the tradwives, especially when facing a modern world and when their role is cancelled.

My sourdough thank yous to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the arc! this book is best enjoyed with homemade jam, or a clean mocktail...

#augustreads #avonharpervoyager #tradwife #thriller