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So you (still) want to be a half-blood?: Reviewing Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

Hello all! I’m back again sooner than expected with another review. I’ve mentioned a few times how I tend to avoid middle-grade and/or young adult books but I have a soft spot for the Percy Jackson series. I absolutely love the TV adaptation so far, so I started feeling nostalgic all over again. I don’t think anything is wrong with holding on to some childhood interests as an adult. Sometimes, it’s fun to look back at the things that inspired you in the first place. I also just love keeping up with Rick Riordan in general. Let’s talk about the latest entry in the Percy Jackson series, The Chalice of the Gods.

Percy Jackson, demigod extraordinaire, is about to face his greatest challenge: college. First things first, he needs three recommendation letters for New Rome University. These letters have to be from gods and, to earn these letters, Percy must complete quests. His first quest is to help Ganymede, Zeus’s cupbearer, who lost his magical chalice. With the help of his friends Grover and Annabeth, Percy must (for the millionth time) face down an array of creatures and gods who seem to have nothing better to do than to fight some (sort of) harmless demigods.

Despite the fact I know I am not the target audience for the Percy Jackson series, I can tell Rick Riordan is aware of how many of his readers are growing up and continuing to enjoy the world of Percy Jackson. I get a sense that he is aware that some of his readers are nostalgic adults. These books, though, can be for readers of all ages. I read so many heavy and dark books on my blog so it is nice to go back to some of the more light-hearted books I grew up with. (The Percy Jackson books can still be kind of dark. Don’t get it twisted.) I do love Riordan’s overall consistent quality with his books but you can still see where the world of the book has evolved to keep up with modern trends. This is certainly a book for all ages and I can see how reading this book would be a great family bonding experience, if you do have any little bookworms in your life looking for their next exciting literary adventure.

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To change any of this, we need to live: Reviewing The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller

Hello everyone! Happy New Year! I am wishing you all the best for 2024. Thank you for continuing to support my blog. I hope your TBR lists are ready to go. I am excited to bring you my first review of 2024. I fully meant to review this book last year but hit a bit of a reading slump. This book has been on my TBR list for a while now so I have been looking forward to reviewing it. Let’s talk about Sara A. Mueller’s debut novel, The Bone Orchard.

Content Warning: Depictions of Violence and Abuse, Depictions of Prostitution, Discussions of Child Abuse, Harsh Language, Some Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Lady Charm lives in the mysterious Orchard House, surrounded by a garden of bones and her beautiful boneghosts. All of the wealthy and powerful inhabitants of Borenguard go to Orchard House to indulge in their vices. Charm has the distinct advantage of belonging only to the Emperor. One day, Charm is summoned by the Emperor and finds out he is dying. His final request is that Charm find out which of the Emperor’s sons is behind their father’s death. With Borenguard thrown into chaos as the princes fight for the throne, Charm must find the Emperor’s killer before war breaks out in the kingdom.

I will not lie: this book was absolutely not what I thought it would be. Based on the plot synopsis of the book itself, I thought that this book was going to be more of a gothic fairy tale with a whodunnit element. Instead, this book is more of a dark steampunk fantasy with magic in parts. For the majority of this book, I was rather confused by the world-building, and differentiating the characters was a bit of a challenge at times. That isn’t to say that this book is badly written. Sara Mueller puts a lot of conviction and care into the narrative. I found plenty of redeeming qualities the further I got into the book but it took me longer than I would have liked to truly find the rhythm of this book. I was actually fully prepared to DNF this book at one point. I am glad I finished this but it might take another reading to fully understand this book. It certainly is unlike anything I have read in a while and, for that, I did appreciate Mueller’s unique novel. For this book, I am going to say to go ahead and give it a chance because there is certainly potential in this novel that I hope other people see.

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All we can do is make the best of the future: Reviewing One Desert Night by Ricky Hurlich

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the holidays. I promise I am still here. I am just slowing down a bit at the end of the year. My last post of the year will probably be my annual favorites list and then the new year will be a fresh start with plenty of books to read. This particular review, though, is very exciting because it is by another indie author. I want to give a huge shoutout to Ricky for reaching out to me and asking me to review his unpublished novella. I will list all of his socials at the end of this review so make sure to send him some love. Now, let’s talk about One Desert Night.

Content Warning: Semi-Graphic Depictions of a Car Accident, Some Discussion of Mental Health Issues and Self-Harm

Jack is on a journey. At the end of everything, in an impossible realm where time and space blur together, Jack is seeking answers to impossible questions. Along the way, he meets a stranger who serves as his guide through the universe. Despite the beauty of everything, there is also the one answer Jack never knew he wanted. Jack realizes, though, that he will have to face the truth and his impact on the lives of others.

One Desert Night was a wonderfully atmospheric story with plenty of introspection and philosophical musings. Ricky Hurlich has done an excellent job eloquently telling the story of one man’s journey to self-discovery. My personal favorite aspect of the story was how the different plot points with different characters became connected towards the end. I was guessing all the way to the end and wanted answers the entire time. It is easy to tell that a lot of care and love went into crafting the message of this story. I can’t wait to see more from Ricky in the future and hope that he’s able to share his work with all of you as he has done with me.

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Facebook: Ricky Hurlich

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The greatest glory that can ever be is to rise: Reviewing Shadows of the Dark Realm (ARC Review) by Tyler Edwards

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. If you are an American viewer, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. I am so excited to share my first ARC review with you! This is so exciting! First of all, I want to give a huge shoutout to Tyler Edwards for reaching out to me. I will list all of his social media links at the end of this review. Go send him some love and support. I’m all for boosting indie authors so feel free to reach out to me if you want a bit of a boost. Now without further ado, let’s discuss Shadows of the Dark Realm.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Graphic Death Scenes, Scenes of Major Bodily Injury, Some Disturbing Imagery

Long ago, the Dark Realm, Mortal Realm, and Spirit Realm were all connected. A fragile peace had been forged between them to respect the boundaries between the worlds. Praetor Rath, the Shadow King, broke that peace and invaded the Realms with his mighty army. The kings of Mortal Realm and Spirit Realm created the Dark Stone in order to seal away the Shadow Realm. Now, King Alistar of Parisia announces a quest to find the Dark Stone to protect his kingdom. A ragtag group of Seekers forms in order to find the magical artifact. Along the way, they realize that the danger is much greater than any of them could have anticipated. Secrets, betrayal, magic, and danger lurk around every corner as they journey to save the realms before dark powers threaten to destroy life as they know it.

As you all know, I am a huge fan of epic fantasy and Tyler Edwards certainly delivers a fantastic adventure. This was so action-packed and exciting. I truly had so much fun reading this book. I loved the world-building throughout the novel, in particular. It can be tricky to balance the two elements but it worked in this book. I also loved how unexpected the plot was as there were plenty of plot twists that made the book unputdownable. This book gave me major Dungeons and Dragons vibes with a nice hint of ’90s fantasy. Edwards does a great job taking traditional fantasy elements and making them unique to the world of his novel. Overall, I had such a fun time with this book and I am looking forward to you all being able to read it as well. Shadows of the Dark Realm comes out on 01/31/2024.

Thank you, Tyler!

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I swear myself to you and none other: Reviewing A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

Hello everyone! Two reviews in one weekend! I know, it’s a lot but I am feeling productive with my TBR pile. I have some sequels to books I have previously read that I have been just itching to get around to. Today’s particular novel was brought to you by “Book Tok.” I’ve been finding really great suggestions through some of the people I follow there and I have a fairly comprehensive list of books I intend to read in the future. Enough chit-chat, though. Let’s finally discuss A Taste of Gold and Iron.

Content Warning: Some Violence, Some Mildly Graphic Descriptions of Bodily Injuries, Some Harsh Language, Mild Sexual Content

Prince Kadou of Arast is typically shy and soft-spoken, preferring to keep away from the court and politics. An altercation, though, puts him under the scrutiny of the royal court, his sister, and the father of his niece. In order to put himself back in the good graces of the court, Kadou takes it upon himself to lead an investigation of a break in at one of their guilds. At his side is a new bodyguard, a handsome and proper man named Evemer who was personally assigned to him by his sister. Kadou uses his ability of touch-tasting, which allows him to discern precious metals. Soon, Kadou and Evemer uncover a conspiracy that threatens the entire royal court and it is up to them to stop it.

A Taste of Gold and Iron is an enjoyable fantasy that weaves together a lot of fun tropes into Rowland’s own intricately created world. While I am not a huge fan of royal court fantasy, I did find myself enjoying how Rowland uses that setting to create so much delicious tension. The romance between Kadou and Evemer was such a good slow burn that was equal parts steamy and romantic. I know some people really love the “bodyguard romance” subgenre and this fits squarely into that trope as well. Romance that relies on specific tropes can be very tricky as sometimes it just comes across as cliche. Alexandrea Rowland includes just enough cliche to satisfy the romance part of the novel while balancing it out with an intricate fantasy setting. A Taste of Gold and Iron was certainly a great fantasy read that you won’t want to put down.

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We lovers fear everything: Reviewing A Game of Gods (Book 3 of the Hades saga) by Scarlett St. Clair

Hello everyone! I hope y’all are holding up. I’m going out of town soon so that will be a nice change of scenery and I’ll definitely get some reading done during the car ride. My TBR stack is pretty hefty right now so I’ll have plenty of content coming soon. I am pretty set on only reading physical books. This isn’t me throwing shade at anyone who reads e-books. I just struggle to pay attention when the book is digital. The same goes for audiobooks. I prefer to have the physical book in my hands because it feels like I can absorb the content better. Now, let’s end my rambling and talk about A Game of Gods.

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Violence, Some Graphic Bodily Injury, Attempted Sexual Assault, Harsh Language, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Hades, the God of the Dead, has done everything to protect his beloved Persephone and guarantee their marriage. While they are both excited, they are also aware that Persephone’s mother Demeter will stop at nothing to tear them apart, even if it means hurting others. Demeter is not the only threat to Hades and the rest of the gods. Theseus, a son of Zeus, is gaining allies as his plan to overthrow the gods is starting to come to fruition. Despite the danger, Hades is determined to make Persephone his bride and is willing to play increasingly dangerous games where anyone can be an enemy and allies are far from guaranteed.

This book was by far the thickest addition to this series and had the most plot by far. I do appreciate the balance between the plot and the main point of this book: the adult content. I personally really enjoyed how “involved” this book was this multiple points of view and an interesting subplot that was a bit of a re-telling of the myth of Dionysus and Ariadne. I also appreciate that Scarlett St. Clair admits that this book is meant to be a bit of a soap opera because it delivers in the most enjoyable way. This series has been a fun and sexy time. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how this continues as this book ended on a cliff hanger and I need to know what happens next.

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We keep striking. We keep going. We keep fighting: Reviewing The Blood Gift (Book 2 of The Blood Gift Duology) by N.E. Davenport

Hi everyone! I am really speeding through my TBR much faster than I would like. I’ve been really wanting to finish this sequel, though. I try to stick to standalone reads, mostly because I don’t have enough shelf space for multiple series. I recently heard via the internet that it takes a thousand books to make a library. I am curious but I do not feel like counting my collection any time soon. Now, let’s talk about the highly anticipated sequel to The Blood Trials.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Graphic Bodily Injury, Explicit Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Harsh Language

After facing the ultimate betrayal at the hands of the Tribunal Council, Ikenna Amari finds herself on the run with her fellow “deserters” and hopes that one of her Grandfather’s allies might back their rebellion. Ikenna also must get her overwhelming powers under control and she is running out of time. The Blood Emperor has launched a full-scale attack against Mareen and nothing will stop him from killing everyone in his way. Ikenna and her must team must defeat the Blood Emperor to bring an end to his destruction, but that is not the only challenge they face. With war erupting and alliances falling apart, Ikenna must find where her loyalties lie in order to take out the greatest threat against her world.

I absolutely loved The Blood Trials (please check out that review) and The Blood Gift did not disappoint. It was just as intense as the first book but had a dash more political intrigue that helped flesh out the world that N.E. Davenport has so carefully crafted. Ikenna “Kenna” Amari is the perfect example of how to write a strong female character without reducing her to any one category. I actually appreciated how Davenport incorporated romance and other themes of love into the novel without taking away from the incredible battle scenes and a rather realistic look at warfare. This book is so well-balanced and well-paced. I did not want to look away, even when it got gruesome. For those of you who loved The Blood Trials, worry not because The Blood Gift lives up to the hype.

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Live like your head is on fire: Reviewing She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker – Chan

Hello everyone! I’m back much sooner than I thought I would be. I try to pace myself while reading but I read faster with the more invested I get. You know how it is: you get to a point in a book where you just have to know what happens next or how it ends. I’ve been pretty lucky and haven’t had any DNFs yet. It’s very rare I don’t finish a book because, even if I don’t like it, I probably still want to talk about it. Thankfully, that is not the case this time around so let’s talk about She Who Became the Sun.

Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Graphic Bodily Injury, Harsh Language, Graphic Sexual Content

In 1345, a girl learns that she has no notable fate. Her brother, on the other hand, is destined for greatness. When her brother and father die after bandits invade her home, the girl seizes an opportunity. She takes her on her brother’s identity, Zhu Chongba and becomes a monk. Under the guise of a man, Zhu finds her place at the abbot until one fateful day when it is destroyed by an infamous general who wants nothing but vengeance. Still seeking greatness and now revenge, Zhu joins a rebel army known as the Red Turbans and quickly rises up in the ranks. With her very fate at stake, Zhu Chongba must take the greatest risk of her life in order to secure her place in history.

I love an epic tale of heroism and She Who Became the Sun absolutely fulfills that genre. I love the mix of history, fantasy, and drama that Shelley Parker – Chan blends into this novels. It had a sweeping scope, while still moving a steady pace. I am no expert on Chinese history but I did a brief bit of research on this book because it is loosely based off of real events and found the real story just as fascinating as Parker – Chan’s take on history. I also loved how wonderfully complex all of the characters were and the intense emotions that flow through the writing. Zhu Chongba is a fantastic main character who you can’t help but root for throughout the story. I am so glad that I read She Who Became the Sun and you should read it too.

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Perhaps this story can have a happy ending: Reviewing Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid

Hello everyone! I hope your summer is still going well and that you are having fun when you can. I don’t have any exciting updates or preambles before this review. I’m just excited to share another review with you all. Now, it’s time to talk about Juniper and Thorn.

Content Warning: Graphic Imagery, Graphic Sexual Content, Violence, Sexual Assault, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Marlinchen is the third daughter of a wizard on the outskirts of Oblya, a city slowing changing from magic to industry. As one of the last witches in the city, Marlinchen and her sisters use their talents to help clients who still believe in magic. Her cruel and unforgiving father does everything within his power to keep his daughters under lock and key, but the Marlinchen and her sisters have found ways to sneak out and enjoy the ever-changing city of Oblya. While on one of these secret outings, Marlinchen becomes enthralled with a principle dancer in the ballet and she begins to think that one day she can be free from her father. Marlinchen’s freedom, however, comes with a price. When dark magic begins to invade the city, Marlinchen decides to take matters into her own hands and slay the monsters, even if it means facing an even darker truth.

You all know that I do love dark fairy tale retellings and Juniper and Thorn has everything that makes the genre so much fun. Inspired by eastern European fairytales, Juniper and Thorn does not shy away from the more gruesome aspects of fairy tales while also reinventing the traditional fairy tale structure. Ava Reid creates an atmospheric, enchanting, and harrowing story that balances nostalgia and modern themes of feminism. I also did particularly the enjoy how Reid included a romance that was indeed like a fairy tale. This was such a fun and immersive book to read, as well as creepy and unsettling. If you need a dark fairy tale adventure, then Juniper and Thorn should be at the top of your TBR pile.

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Go forth and find the one who calls your name: Reviewing The Sun and The Star: A Nico Di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Hello everyone! Happy Pride Month to all! I hope every single one of you feels loved and accepted for who you are! This is actually the perfect book to kick off Pride Month with. As you might know, I don’t read young adult books that often (if at all), but I have been invested in the Percy Jackson universe for a long time. You are more than welcome to check out my reviews for the Trials of Apollo series. I know another Percy Jackson book is coming out sometime this year, and I will obviously review that one when it comes out. In the meanwhile, let’s talk about the latest entry to this universe, The Sun and the Star.

Nico Di Angelo is no stranger to darkness or despair. As the son of Hades, Nico has been surrounded by death, has been to the Underworld more times than he’s cared for, and struggled with his identity. His wonderful boyfriend and son of Apollo, Will Solace, has been a ray of light (literally) in his life. The two can get through just about anything together. Nico,, though, has been plagued with nightmares lately. A prophecy from Camp Half Blood’s Oracle, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, confirms Nico’s worst fears: he must venture into Tartarus and free Bob, the reformed Titan. Will insists on coming along but has no idea what the deepest part of the Underworld holds for them. Together, Will and Nico must face dark forces that threaten to tear them apart and face their pasts once again.

The Sun and the Star is a great addition to the Percy Jackson universe and a great chance for some fan-favorite characters to shine. Rick Riordan has always done a great job with character development. Mark Oshiro brings sensitivity and understanding when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. Together, the two do a wonderful job balancing the adventure aspects of the novel and the more serious topics, like struggling with one’s identity and coping with trauma. I’m really glad that young adult audiences are getting well-written and in-depth representations nowadays. Nico Di Angelo is easily one of my favorite characters in this series and I am glad that both he and Will Solace (another fan favorite) were given the spotlight. Percy Jackson fans of all ages will love this thrilling adventure featuring everyone’s favorite demigods.