Adult Fantasy, NA Fantasy, New Adult Fantasy, Reviews, Special Review

Book Review: Till Death by Miranda Lyn (#1 in The Ever Sky Series)

Veronica Porras (TTB)

About Book:

Till Death by Miranda Lyn is the first book in The Ever Sky Series. Till Death is a standalone novel but will be a part of a series of standalone novels that are connected.

Goodreads Summary:

Long ago, Requiem was plagued by war and abandoned by the gods but Death saved the suffering people, giving each soul a hundred years of immortality. With that grace, he also sent two Maidens. One of Life, for healing and comfort, and one of Death, the only person in the world with the ability to kill.

Generations later, the Life Maiden is missing and Princess Deyanira is nothing more than a trained weapon. A hunter. A murderer wrenched into Death’s dark court to have the name of her next victim seared onto her palm.

She is the enemy of this land. But, when she’s given the chance to bring peace through marriage and finally show her father’s kingdom her worth, she is viciously tricked into marrying the wrong man, ruining the future of the damaged realm. Her only hope to give something back to the world is to find the missing Life Maiden.

Now, eternally bound to her enemy and dragged into the dark burlesque show her new husband is bound to, she must fight to keep herself free. And her heart. Especially when she becomes the hunted.

Review:

Where do I even begin. This book took me for a whirlwind of a ride and I have been dying to give you all my thoughts! I am going to try my best to keep this as spoiler free as possible, but just in case my vagueness doesn’t feel so vague, you have been warned.

Deyanira is the MC we wanted… and needed! The beginning of her journey is tough as she is born to be the death maiden. Her first kill was her mother’s life and her father, the king, has never let her forget it. Her life’s duty is not just to kill those Death tells her too, but she is also the first Death Maiden to be royalty. Her duties as princess and death maiden have been at odds several times, for which she ultimately pays the price for. Her desire to do her duty as both leads her down a path that unravels everything she has ever known and begins on a journey of self discovery and growth.

We, of course, have a male main character that plays his part very well in the enemies to lovers arc. The tension between them is so palpable, even those around them can clearly see it, and we can feel it too! The delicious tension between the two characters builds in such a way that makes the “lovers” party oh so satisfying to see happen!

I have not enjoyed a standalone novel as much as this one in a while. I was a little skeptical at first, but it did its job well and Miranda broke it apart in many acts that it felt like I was reading a series of books and not a standalone novel. Nothing felt rushed and the pace was great! At one point in the story, I personally felt it dragged a little but that is the only “fault” I found. This is the only reason I knocked it down half a point.

I hope you pick up this book today. I can guarantee you won’t regret it!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Disclaimer: I want to thank Miranda Lyn and The Realm Studios for an advanced reading copy. My review is 100% honest and my own thoughts.

Adult Fantasy, NA Romance, New Adult Fantasy, Reviews, Smutty

Book Review: A Light in the Flame (Flesh & Fire #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Goodreads Summary:

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.

Review:

The cliffhanger at the end of A Shadow in the Ember (ASITE) had me reeling, trying to connect all of the dots between what we learned in that book and what we have learned so far in the Blood & Ash series. Some of you (or most likely most of you) will know that the Flesh & Fire series is a prequel to the Blood & Ash Series. That saying, this has definitely filled in some knowledge gaps, but at the same time brought up a lot of questions that remain unanswered.

A Light in the Flame (ALITF) starts off right where we were left off at the end of ASITE. We learn more about the prophecy and the consequences of both Sera’s and Nyktos’ actions. To be truthful, this entire book had me holding my breath, waiting for the next big reveal to drop. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and seemed to not give me a moment of rest. There were some moments when things slowed down a bit, but overall it was an anxiety-ridden ride that I loved.

I do want to address that some have an issue with JLA’s writing style and her storytelling. If you are that person who has not liked her past books and are holding out to see if this will be the one that gets you to love her, then I suggest not to read this one either. I myself am a fan and do acknowledge a few issues with her writing style at times, but overall I enjoy her stories and the way she writes them. I throughly enjoy her novels and this is one I devoured within a span of a few days.

ALITF did not disappoint and was a solid second book in the Flesh & Fire prequel series of the FBAA universe. If you’ve enjoyed the FBAA series, I believe you will also enjoy this book. You may even be like me and be more Team Daddy Nyktos than Team Casteel (but we still love him dearly).

Rating: 5 out of 5

Editor Letter, Random

End of the New Year, But Same Old Me

Veronica Porras (TTB)

The last time I wrote to you was at the start of the year 2021 and we are less than a month away from the end of 2022 and the start of 2023.

As you last checked in on me, I was re-reading ACOWAR because ACOSF was going to come out in February… I laugh at that Veronica since I have not only read ACOSF but read HOEAB and HOSAB (aka Crescent City series). Yes, the Sarah J. Maas addiction is alive and thriving.

I am currently partaking in Rosebud’s Realm Maas-Read-Along. We just finished re-reading the TOG series and are onto ACOTAR in the new year.

I am also in the middle of reading A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I am utterly amused that she used the phrase ‘Daddy Nyktos‘ in the book. She definitely follows the fandom closely.

I hope to make my review of ALINF my first comeback review after not actively reviewing books on here since 2018.

Until the next time…

Editor Letter

New Year, Same Me

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello. Veronica Here.

Did your jaw drop to see a post from The Talking Bookworm? Mine did as well and I am the one writing this.

I am the classic example of letting life get too busy, but in the stillness that we inherited in 2020 and now that has come with us into 2021, I’ve decided to start posting again.

Yes, I still read on my spare time, but it is nowhere in the numbers it used to be. I don’t read 100+ books a year. More like 15-20 on average in the last couple of years. Lots of rereads which is now leading me into discovering lots of new gems that were published in the last couple of years that I have been MIA.

I started the year with a ACOTAR re-read as “A Court of Silver Flames” comes out in February. I am currently on ACOWAR, a hundred pages from the end.

I guess a new thing about me is that I’ve gotten into video games. While I can’t call myself a gamer since I only play on the Nintendo Switch, Animal Crossing and Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild were my top games for 2020. I am currently playing Octopath Traveler.

2021 was supposed to be my big 3-0 year. I had plans to do a lot of things… but alas… the world had other plans.

You can expect to start seeing more from me in the coming months. I may review some old favorites again, or some new stuff. We shall see.

I hope everyone is being safe and well. It is important to be mind and body healthy during these trying times.

Reviews

Book Review: Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas

Liz Brooks

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)

Goodreads Summary:

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica-the stronghold of the southern continent’s mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both-and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Liz’s Review

Hi everyone! It has quite a while since I posted a review. Well I. AM. BACK! Life has been really busy for me for a long time, so I haven’t read much. But I now have found time to read not just one book, but FOUR BOOKS! I am very excited to be jumping back into reading and reviewing… Starting with Tower of Dawn.

It took me a year to read this. I got about half way through when it was first published in 2017. It was droll. I was bored. However, my best friend asked if I had finished it back in August 2018. I said no, for the reasons list above. She told me to give it a second chance, “You love SJM! Just push through. It’s worth it.”

So I did.

And it did not disappoint. The first half of the book is your basic intro to new characters, get their background, etc. But the second half was a fast-paced story culminating in so much new information about people and animals and things we didn’t have before.

There are new ships to consider, which is always fun. New adventures for Chaol, which I actually enjoyed having a solo book surrounding his quest to the Antica. I truly think it helped with the last book of the series. Instead of getting a quick recap of what he did, the audience gets the full back story. And I don’t think Kingdom of Ash would’ve been as good had Tower of Dawn not been written.

Rating: 4 stars

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Editor Letter

Update

Veronica Porras (TTB)

Hello Everyone.

It has been some time since Liz or I posted something on the blog. Both of us have gone through major life events and needed to take a hiatus.

For many that do not know, I am now married and my one year anniversary is coming up on the 24th of this month. I can say that so far it’s been great being married. I was lucky enough to marry someone who is my other half, my Étienne. Yes, very corny but it is the truth.

Now, onto the blog. I will be planning on restarting doing reviews again, but I will be much slower than before. Please only except a few reviews a month at most.

Thank you to everyone who still follows us, you guys are the real MVP. I wish everyone a Happy Belated New Year.

Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say by Leila Sales

Veronica Porras (TTB)

 

Goodreads Summary:

Before we go any further, I want you to understand this: I am not a good person.

We all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. But what happens when we’re seen and heard saying or doing the wrong things? What then?

When Winter Halperin—former spelling bee champion, aspiring writer, and daughter of a parenting expert—gets caught saying the wrong thing online, her life explodes. All across the world, people knows what she’s done, and none of them will forgive her.

With her friends gone, her future plans cut short, and her identity in shambles, Winter is just trying to pick up the pieces without hurting anyone else. She knows she messed up, but does that mean it’s okay for people to send her hate mail and death threats? Does she deserve to lose all that she’s lost? And is “I’m sorry” ever good enough?

First and foremost a novel about public shaming in the internet age, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say is also an exploration of the power of words, the cumulative destructiveness of microaggressions, and the pressing need for empathy.

Review:

Let’s get started.

I’m not sure if I liked how cyberbullying and racism was dealt with in this book. Maybe my perspective is different because I am a part of the minority, but in my eyes the main character didn’t fully realize the wrongness in her comment, but then I also don’t think cyber-bullying people is the key to making a person realize their wrong doing. That just leads to them becoming a victim too. Most of the book dealt with Winter being a victim, than about racism. I wish more had come out of the severed friendship with one of her friends. Then we could have really talked about racism. It was nice though that she realized that it is not easy for those that don’t look a certain way. That scene at the gas station I applaud.

Overall, I think it was a good attempt at raising awareness, but it felt short. This won’t stop me from reading future books by Leila as I like some of her past novels, I just don’t like how she handled the sensitive topics in this one.

Rating: 2.5 of out 5

Note: I received this ARC as part of Miss Print’s ARC Adoption Program.

Reviews, YA Fantasy

Book Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas

Liz Brooks

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1)

GoodReads Summary:

Months after the explosive events in A Court of Wings and Ruin, Feyre, Rhys, and their companions are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated–scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

Liz’s Review:

I’ve always really loved Sarah J. Maas’ books. She’s a good writer, provides good backstory, gives characters depth and meaning. HOWEVER, A Court of Frost and Starlight fell short for me. It doesn’t surprise me that these characters are having a difficult time adjusting to life post-war. Its a very real thing, PTSD. And I felt like this “mini-novel”- because it isn’t a novella and it isn’t a novel either- didn’t take us anywhere, didn’t help the characters.

We, again, saw most of the events through Rhys and Feyre’s perspective, and we still learned nothing new. The others were there, but it didn’t build upon their story. Their chapters also didn’t bring us any closer to understanding their PTSD. I felt like this was fluff, but a fluff I didn’t need. A fluff that could have been inserted in the true 4th novel with flashbacks, or some other story driving force. Sadly, this just felt like a waste of my time.

On Goodreads, I gave it three stars, and that was generous.

Rating: 2 stars

Veronica’s Review:

This is what I wanted and what I did not want. Let me explain. My heart hurt to see them so… broken.

The book was told through four POV’s, Rhys & Feyre (not surprising) and Cass & Nesta (Interesting). I assume Sarah did it this way to start getting us familiarized with Cass and Nesta being the main POV’s from here on out. Now onto the good stuff.

I really thought the book would be more happy, but who am I kidding? I should have known how broken and sad the characters were going to be. I was surprised with Nesta’s actions. I always thought her rebellion would be manifested a different way, but alas I was wrong.

Overall, I expected more from this book, yet I was pleased with how she managed to wrap up Rhys & Feyre’s story in order for us to move onto Cass and Nesta’s. I wish we could have seen more of Az or the other characters of the inner circle and seen their struggle after the war, but I do understand that the focus was Rhys and Feyre. All the past books in the series had weight to them while this one was just a transition book which is why I am not being so hard on it.

My fangirl heart gave this book a 5 on Goodreads, but really…

Rating: 4 stars

WWW

WWW (March 28th)

Veronica Porras (TTB)

www_wednesdays4

W.W.W. Wednesday’s used to be hosted by Should Be Reading. She’s stopped hosting it since 2014, but I thought I would give it a go again. To play along all you have to do is answer three simple questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish? What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish?

I feel like re-reading ACOWAR doesn’t count, but I will mention it nonetheless.

What do you think you’ll read next?

I’m thinking of reading Ally Carter’s new book.

What are you currently reading?

Editor Letter

Happy 5th Anniversary

Veronica Porras (TTB)

I have no words to describe the milestone The Talking Bookworm has hit. Even though this last year was slower than normal, life made both Liz and I very busy, but we are still here. I’m finally back in the states and settled. I’ve been doing lots of re-reading in the past few months which is why there have been no new reviews from me. Either way, I wanted to acknowledge that TTB has hit 5 years… and counting. Thank you all who have been with us. We wish you all Happy Reading (and a Happy New Year)!

 

Vero Signature copy