Tag: fantasy

This Chick’s Audio Review: The Road of Bones (The Ashen #1) by Demi Winters

Synopsis: Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The Queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones—a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer—and go to Kopa, where a shield house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. But the queen’s ruthless assassin has other plans and hunts Silla obsessively.Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

Narrated by Islay Jacobs in a charming English accent, The Road of Bones follows Silla on her journey to get to Kopa with the help of the Blood Axe Crew, led by Reynir, or as she refers to him, Axe eyes. He is a viking-esque warrior who slightly terrifies Silla when she hides away in their wagon as they start their journey on the Road of Bones. When she’s found out, her life is threatened, but it’s her charming nature, and the fact that she can cook that lands her a semi-permanent position with their crew at least to the next town. All the while she has the Queen’s warriors hunting throughout the countryside for her as well as an agent of the queen who has a magical ability that is frankly terrifying but also really useful in getting information out of the people she questions.

This novel is filled with loads of adventure, lots of killing, comradery, and a side of romance. Things that are common in epic tales of heroism and adventure. Silla herself starts off as a young 20 year old girl, but ends the novel a slightly stronger woman who has learned a lot about life’s lessons, evil, and heartbreak. I’ll admit to finding her younger self slightly annoying because she was so naive, and still kind of annoying when she lost that naivete yet still refused to embrace her true self. However, I loved the camaraderie, and tales of adventure. I’ve never read a book by this author but I’ve already checked out the second novel in the series because after 25 hours of listening (truth!) I need to know that Silla is going to embrace her future and become the woman I know she can become.

If you are a fan of epic fantasy novels you may like this series. This first novel has given me hope that a female author can write an epic tale that has a strong female lead that can conquer, kick butt, fall in love and remain someone that I can root for until the end. Fingers crossed that book #2 delivers! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Road of Bones

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On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: The House at Watch Hill (The Watch Hill Trilogy #1) by Karen Marie Moning

Zo Grey is mourning the death of her beloved mother when she receives a call from a lawyer stating that she’s the soul beneficiary of a relative in Divinity, Louisiana. Dead broke and no where to call home Zo figures she doesn’t have anything to lose and flies out to Louisiana to hear the details of her inheritance. What she finds is that she has inherited a very large manor on a hill, but she must live in that house for three years before officially becoming the heir. Putting aside her foreboding she moves into this Gothic mansion where she is faced with riddles, secrets, and faces sinister forces that are impossible to comprehend. In order to discover her true identity she must awaken her hidden powers.

I’m a fan of this author’s and really enjoyed both the Fever and Highlander series. I was surprised to receive an ARC for this novel and relished digging into this brand new series. The synopsis sounds eerie and interesting I just knew that I was going to love the main character, Zo, and her story. For some reason though, I had difficulty falling into the story and really had trouble caring for Zo. She was impressively whiny and her character was very dark. Granted, she was going through some tough times, and I tried to give her some slack, but as the book went on she became more unlikable. The characters around her were interesting and ultimately my curiosity about those characters was the reason why I did keep reading. Also, I kept thinking there would be a shift and Zo would evolve into a character I could come to care about but she just never got there. It wasn’t until the final chapter that I became more interested, wondering where the author would take us in the next novel.

If your a fan of this author’s your either going to love or hate this book. I kind of fell in between, but I will admit it was a tough story to love. If it wasn’t for the cliffhanger ending (yes, there is one!) I probably wouldn’t be invested enough to pick up the second novel. However, she made me just curious enough that I know I’ll give it a try. I have hope that Zo becomes more interesting, less self-serving, and a bit more about her background is explained! ❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* The House on Watch Hill

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Storm of Secrets and Sorrow (Legacy Series #2) by Melissa K. Roehrich

Control has slipped through Theon St. Orcas’s fingers. He’s been given a task by the rulers of the realm and he’s racing against the clock to get his plans back on track. Everyone wants something from Tessa and she trusts no one, including the one she is still tied to, Theon. She has plenty of secrets and is busy navigating this realm full of villains.

Tessa and Theon have two marks now and are tied closer than before. He’s responsible for keeping her safe but a mysterious group thinks they’d save the world if they ended her life. Lucky for Tessa her powers keep getting stronger and she learns she doesn’t need Theon to determine her fate. She is going to determine her own.

I didn’t think this series could get any darker, but whoah! It certainly can! In the first novel we learn a bit about Tessa’s background and why she always vacillates between giving up and fighting back. Thank goodness about half way through this novel she gets her fight on and some of the old Tessa reappears. We have also learned Theon’s plans to save the world which turns him from questionably a bad guy to possibly a good guy? Despite this change in status he still makes bad decisions which again causes a certain someone from mistrusting him. Will they or won’t they ever choose the same side? On to book #3 which comes out in October!

Again, if you have triggers regarding death, small places, destruction, violence and end of the world prophecies, this may not be the series for you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Rain of Shadows and Beginnings (Legacy Series #1) by Melissa K. Roehrich

Every five years eligible Fae are gathered for the Selection and are required to serve one of the six Kingdoms. To be chosen to serve as the Source for a chosen Heir of one of those kingdoms is seen as a huge honor and at this year’s Selection there are six heirs looking for a source. Tessalyn Asura is at the Selection and has not interest in being one of the chosen but finds herself serving as the source for the heir of the mysterious Arius Kingdom. Theon is the heir of death and Tessa is going to do everything possible to escape his control.

I came across this series by chance and am so glad to have discovered a new and really talented author. Rain of Shadows and Beginnings reminds me quite a bit of ACOTAR but unfortunately I don’t think Tessa is going to be able to escape her fate as easily as Feyre did in her series. Tessa is tied to Theon magically and each time she is marked they grow closer needing that physical closeness of touch in order to calm their magic. What is the purpose of being someone’s source you ask? Well, good question! In this magical world of Devram, the Legacy (Theon and his pals) are descendents of gods and the Fae who serve them have elemental powers that are revealed. As a Source, the Legacy would have access to Tessa’s powers, making his own so much stronger. So the heir’s search for the strongest Fae available and Tessa seems to be one of the strongest.

As with a lot of romantic fantasy novels, Rain of Shadows and Beginnings is pretty darn dark. Theon is not the kindest Legacy Tessa could’ve found herself tied to. He has been taught from a very young age a lack of trust and because he doesn’t trust easily he handles Tessa, who is described as uncontrollable, in a manner that is abusive. I would be bothered by this a lot more if Tessa wasn’t such a strong character and fought back as hard as she does. Theon never knows what is coming next. This Fae that he’s chosen is not malleable as he’s seen other Sources be, she argues every point and doesn’t want anything to do with this life that she now lives. Who could blame her! As I found out more about each of their backgrounds I could understand better why they were both reactionary and dark. It didn’t excuse the abuse but it did explain it. It also gave me a reason to root for Tessa, who was a hard character to like.

There were some great side characters in this book as well. I loved Tristyn, Luka, and Axel. Without their involvement this book would’ve just been one dark, hot mess. These guys lightened up the mood and created reasons to see both of our main characters in a different way other than snarky and off putting. Gosh, reading all of the above you might think I disliked this book but I actually liked it a lot! I’m looking forward to book #2!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Rain of Shadows and Endings

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchased this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: A Usual Suspect (Fractured Conclave #1) by Vanessa Nelson

When a friend calls Hallie in a panic, she races to her side to investigate. As a skip tracer, she is used to finding the lost who don’t want to be found. What she finds in Rosalie’s house is a murdered member of the elite and some assassins who try to finish the job by killing them too. Hallie needs to use all of her skills to remove she and her friend from the suspect list and find the killers before they find her.

I can always count on Vanessa Nelson to deliver some great world-building, a strong female lead, and a mystery that hooks the reader into the story and doesn’t let them go until the story is finished. A Usual Suspect delivers on all of these things but is also delivers the promise of more great books to come.

Hallie was a big mystery herself. Being of mixed race, she is not considered human after a near fatal attack in her childhood. She was saved by a mysterious person and has gained inhuman strength, quickness, and healing abilities that are more common among the elite. She also has a truth sense which helps her succeed as a skip tracer with a 100% close rate. As the reader quickly finds out, this is one woman you don’t want on your trail! Not only is Hallie interesting, but this world she lives in as well as the characters we’ve been introduced to are ones I’d like to explore more, but will have to wait a few months for the second novel to be released. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Usual Suspect

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Audio Review: Sanctuary (Roman’s Chronicles #1) by Ilona Andrews

When a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and requests sanctuary, Roman takes him in despite knowing he was bringing trouble to his door. As the Black Volvh to Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death, Roman was looking forward to his three days off drinking egg nog and cookies. Now he has mercenaries surrounding his home and combat mages dousing his house with fire.

Roman is a character in the Kate Daniel’s universe and if you’re a fan of that series, like I am, you are saying to yourself “FINALLY” Roman gets his own story! Roman is a particular favorite because despite his serving Chernobog, he is a man who acts with kindness and has always stood at Kate and Curran’s side in a crisis. In fact, they asked the Black Volvh to marry them! In this book more of Roman’s back story was revealed. How he was called to his position from a small child, how that calling affected his family, and how it shaped him into the man he is today. All while kicking mercenary butt and teaching this young man Finn how to survive his own call of duty. It was a special tale, and it is not down being told. Yay!

Chris Brinkley does a solid job as narrator on this novel. I’ll admit that I had a bit of a stumble when I first heard his voice because I’m a big fan of Penny Reid’s Winston Series and he voices all of those Winston brothers. However, this is not a rom-com and Chris Brinkley lived up to the character he was voicing. His slight southern dialect fits the location for the Kate Daniel’s universe, which is in the Atlanta area, and as far as I know (because I’m not Russian) he did a great job with the pronunciation of all of the characters from that countries mythology. Honestly, anyone could voice an Ilona Andrews novel and I’d fall in line and learn to love it, I like them that much.

In an author’s note at the end is a woman’s voice with what sounds like a Russian accent describing Ilona Andrews use of mythology in their stories. This was an interesting addendum to an already great story and provided more insight into this author duo that I love so much. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this ARC through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this audiobook!* Sanctuary

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Winter Lost (Mercy Thompson #14) by Patricia Briggs

When Mercy’s brother turns up at her home unable to see or speak she and her husband Adam travel to Montana to investigate the origination of the spell he is under. When they arrive they are trapped in a Lodge in a magical winter storm with the family and guests for a wedding that must happen or the world as they know it will come to an end.

This series is one of my all-time favorite urban fantasy novels. I have read each novel, some multiple times, including listening to the audiobooks and I am truly invested in Mercy, Adam, and the Tri-Cities pack. As Coyote’s daughter, readers have seen Mercy grow from a woman living on her own to a woman connected to a pack, Fae leaders, and her own magic growing at a pace where she is viewed as a threat. She is all of these things but it is her humanity and instinct to protect others that draws me to these books. She is tough, yes, but she is the weakest of all of these “beings” living around her and somehow she, like the being she is related to “Coyote”, she outwits everyone and somehow survives attacks that would kill a normal human. Her heart is her greatest asset and her biggest weakness and each novel showcases that humanity in a way that makes me love her even more.

This story does an amazing job of introducing the reader to new mythology in a way that is interesting and somewhat easy to understand. If you are a reader of the entire series you are used to learning as you read, and dissecting this new information and parsing it into whether what you are reading will hurt or help Mercy. How will she get herself, and in this case her brother, out of this mess, and if Mercy will come out of this investigation whole, or at least in the same shape she was in when she started. In this case Mercy carries a hole in her magic from the previous novel. She starts from a position of weakness. How will she possibly come out of this without being hurt more? It’s worth the read to find out! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Winter Lost

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Rift in the Soul (Soulwood #6) by Faith Hunter

Nell Ingram draws her powers from deep in the earth, and uses them to help Psy-LED, the Psychometric Law Enforcement Division, which solves paranormal crimes. When a local vampire calls to report a dead body on her compound, Nell knows she and her team have to be ready for anything.

But the dead body is just the beginning of a mystery that involves supernaturals of all kinds, including some of the most powerful vampires in the country. As Nell gets closer to the truth, she begins to understand that the perpetrator is tracking her too—and that there is something personal about this crime. Something with roots that go almost as deep as those in Soulwood.

By book six I am totally invested in Nell and the Psy-LED crew. The mystery is always so interesting and the romance between she and Occam, so, so sweet! Does it matter that Nell comes from a line that has an affinity with plants and the Earth? A kind of brownie or sprite, which sounds kind of cute and sweet, but her powers are tied to her land which can be hungry. I find the personification of her “Vampire tree” as a Green Knight who will protect she and her family very interesting. Especially since that Knight seems to be evolving, now able to communicate in a very humanistic way. I’m curious to see where Faith Hunter is taking that character and if it/he can evolve into reality. In fact, when you look at Nell and the Green Knight’s evolution, it seems like it’s Nell that is becoming more plant-like and the Knight more human. Like I said, interesting!

When the Angel in the latest Jane Yellowrock book gave the Vampire’s their soul’s back, a kind gesture I’m sure, but causing all sorts of havoc in the vamp community. They now have “feelings” which are damned inconvenient for a bunch of bloodsuckers. When an ancient vampire from the Spanish Inquisition comes to town his intentions seem to be connected to Soulwood and Nell’s family, so as expected, Nell goes all twigs and twines in defending her territory. Sweet and salty Nell is now coming into her own as a threat and I love that evolution!

Amidst all the doom, gloom, and interspecies fighting, Nell and Occam are planning their wedding. These brief moments are such a contrast to all the darkness in the story and really create that impact of blinding love conquering all that makes their union so wonderful. I really enjoy this plant woman and her cat man. They are a fun couple to root for! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Rift in the Soul

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: The Last Dragon King (Kings of Avalier #1) by Leia Stone

The Dragon King is looking for a wife. He must produce a child in order for his people to retain their magic and his sniffers are sweeping the kingdom for women of childbearing age who have enough magic to bear his children. Arwen lives in one of the smallest villages in the kingdom and when the Kings guards arrive in town the eligible ladies are excited. Arwen’s mother packs a bag and urges Arwen to leave, telling her a secret about her heritage. No surprise that she’s caught at the gate and found to bear magic and is hustled off to the Dragon King.

The Last Dragon King was a refreshing, easy to read, romantic fantasy novel with an interesting plot and some great world building. Drae and Arwen had great chemistry, fun dialog, and there were plenty of action sequences to hold my interest. It felt like reading a fairy tale story with a curse of sorts put on the kingdom that only the right girl/woman could cure. Arwen doesn’t want anything to do with saving the world. She only wants to get back to her small village and her mom and sister.

Drae’s “curse” is actually the really interesting part of this tale. Imagine having to procreate to keep your kingdom healthy and magical. It’s an interesting twist on the poisoned apple in snow white. Drae, of course, is the handsome, physically fit hero and is pretty tempting to our heroine, but it’s the sword fighting and saving the kingdom bits that really draw Arwen. A fun story to while away a weekend afternoon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Last Dragon King

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros

A much anticipated sequel to the bestseller Fourth Wing, I chose to listen to the sequel as I did the first book despite it’s length at 808 pages. The first novel caught me by surprise. I love fantasy novels, especially if there be dragons, so was immediately swept up in the fervor for Fourth Wing. Because I was late to the party, I didn’t have to wait too long for the second book, Iron Flame, to come out. I was eager to see how it would start as the preceding book left us hanging on a huge plot point. Luckily it started off right where we left all the characters and I anticipated immediate action sequences and lots of romance. I got a bit of one and not much of the other for a good length of the book.

Violet and Xaden had to regain trust in each other and it took a really long time for Violet to forgive him. A long, long time. Now, if I had been reading this book I could’ve skimmed through a hundred, or two hundred pages, and still got the set-up to the main plot for Iron Flame. However, I was listening to this novel and I don’t really know why but the story wasn’t grabbing me without that love interest side plot. When looking at it, I think my emotions followed what was happening with Violet. She was protecting her friends so she became a bit of loner and that lack of camaraderie which was so fun in the first novel was not around to carry chapters in Iron Flame. At least not for a while. Xaden, was also absent as he was of a different rank and was now on active duty. It wasn’t until a key pivotal plot where Violet has to come clean with her friends and that core group is back together that I started to enjoy Iron Flame. I’m unsure how far into the book that was but it felt like 50%. It just took too long for the momentum to start building.

Needless to say, I thought this story wasn’t as solid as the first, but there were still some great action sequences, Violet was still a worthwhile and interesting heroine, and Xaden was still the flawed hero who will do anything to keep her alive. Plus the friend group expanded, more interesting characters were brought into the story and Violet was put to the test in different ways. I guess I just preferred the quickness of the first novel. For that reason I’m not giving this a five rating but it still gets a solid four from this lover of fantasy novels. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Iron Flame

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads