Posted on by bookreviews628

It is not a lesson, until we learn it. It is not a story, until we tell it. And every story serves someone: Reviewing The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. It always feels like I take too long between my reviews. I am sure no one else cares, except me. I, however, have a desperate need to share my book-related opinions with anyone willing to listen. With that being said, I want to thank you for perusing my little blog. I always appreciate your support. Before we talk about this book, feel free to check out my other reviews of Alix E. Harrow’s novels. Now, let’s talk about The Everlasting.

Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Sexual Content, Some Strong Language

Thousands of years ago, a legendary knight called Sir Una Everlasting freed the people of Dominion and helped her queen establish one of the most powerful countries that the world had ever seen. Thousands of years later, a young academic named Owen Mallory dedicates his life to studying her legacy. Just as he starts to give up on his research, Owen finds a mysterious book on his desk and a promise that will change his life forever. The book sends him back in time – and right into the path of Una Everlasting. His task is to ensure that Una meets her tragic fate. Owen, however, falls deeply in love with Una. He decides that he can rewrite history and save the woman he loves.

Oh my gosh, I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I was absolutely obsessed with The Everlasting from page one. It’s a sweeping tale of romance, realization, tragedy, and bravery. It’s hard to enjoy a “romantasy” when the market is flooded with so many copy-and-paste love stories. Alix E. Harrow throws all of those preconceived notions out the window and presents something significantly more compelling. The Everlasting explores themes of legacy, colonialism, and imperialism with a deft hand. Harrow does an amazing job balancing such heavy themes throughout the narrative. The story also reckons with questions about fate and destiny, and if it means anything in the end. At the heart of this novel, though, is a beautiful and tragic love story between two people who are displaced by the world at large. I simply could not get enough of this book. I was kicking my feet and giggling one moment, and the next moment I was deeply upset because I had no idea how everything was going to be resolved. The time travel/time loop portion of the novel is intergrated so cleverly and it made everything all the more interesting. All I want is something different and Harrow delievered that and then some. I simply cannot express how much I loved this book. Go read The Everlasting ASAP! You won’t regret it!

Posted on by bookreviews628

Love is a patient, exasperated emotion, and she knew it well: Reviewing Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

Hi everyone! Happy Fall! Well, it doesn’t feel like fall yet but that isn’t going to stop me from trying to participate in fall activities. I have my “spooky” book reviews coming soon and I know some of you are really looking forward to that. For now, I have some other things to talk about. This book will be my fifth review for a book by T. Kingfisher. I even have a sixth one ready to go. Feel free to check out my reviews of her other novels. Let’s talk about one of her latest: Swordheart.

Content Warning: Some Violence, Some Gore, Mild Sexual Content, Animal Death

Halla, a respectable widow, unexpectedly inherits her wealthy uncle’s estate. Unfortunately, she has to contend with her dead husband’s horrid family members who are determined to marry her off so they can have the estate. Halla decides the only sensible solution is to kill herself. The only tool she can find in her uncle’s estate that might do the trick is an ancient sword that was just laying around. When she unsheaths the sword, an immortal warrior named Sarkis appears and informs her that he is now her personal guard. Sarkis was not expecting his weilder to be a woman like Halla. He certainly wasn’t expecting to go on the run with her, fleeing from angry family members and murderous priests. As Sarkis and Hall grow closer, they must face dangers and figure out if there is a way to free him from the sword.

I’m going to be honest. I have often looked down upon “romantasy” as a genre because it always felt so formulaic and cliche. Leave it to T. Kingfisher to write a romantasy that I absolutely loved from beginning to end. The writing is earnest, humorous, and creative. I loved the world of this novel and the interesting fantasy elements. There were so many fun moments peppered throughout that made me smile. The romance, though, is the main feature of this novel and I loved every second of it. While there certainly were tropes, the novel didn’t rely on the tropes to make the romance happen. Sarkis and Halla had such great chemistry. I loved seeing them come closer together. I also loved that the relationship wasn’t perfect and they had to work through things to come together. They reminded me a lot of Wesley and Buttercup from The Princess Bride. The main reason why I liked this book is because it was very reminiscent of works like The Princess Bride. The romance was lovely, the humor was great, and I loved the world of this novel. Go read Swordheart immediately because there is going to be a sequel next year.