Tag: romantasy

This Chick Read: Alchemised by SenLinYu

I do not keep up with fanfiction writing but I am aware that it’s out there and some readers obsess over certain subjects. Harry Potter is a favorite and for some reason a Hermione and Draco romantic relationship is featured in a ton. I was about halfway through Part 1 of Alchemised when it struck me that I might be reading a novel that possibly might be about those two characters. I stopped and Googled. Sure enough, Alchemised was originally written as fanfiction and was uber popular. I must’ve been the only person in the universe who hadn’t heard or read the first iteration. SenLinYu, prior to publishing this novel removed all of those references but there were still enough that even I figured it out. Despite, or maybe even because of those similarities I was struggling through the first act. I couldn’t figure out the world, the bond these Helena had for Kaine despite his evil nature, and truly how desperately weak Helena seemed to be portrayed. She did not fit my vision of Hermione and I hate weak female protagonists. There were so many five star reviews for this book that I pushed through my dislike and kept on reading. Boy, am I glad I did.

It was during Part 2 that I was caught like a fish on a hook. Through flashbacks I got a more complete vision of the world this author was building, but also saw that the Helena I saw in Part 1 was a result of mind manipulation. In the past, she had a stronger nature and her magic was interesting and different than everyone around her. Part 2 was where her relationship with Kaine was explained as well. That push and pull of emotions between she and Kaine in Part 1 were explained. I found myself re-thinking each of those scenes from that first act through eyes that saw the true nature of their relationship. It all kind of made sense now! Helena’s weak character in Part 1 was explained through her strong actions in Part 2. Kaine, too, had his nature explained. Yes he was and is more evil and doesn’t regret too many of his actions, his feelings for Helena become his redemption. Their love story was intricately written and very emotional. If you can get through Part 1 the rest of the book totally makes up for having to make yourself read a million pages to get through it.

I’ll leave you with one last note. Why do author’s think that the longer a book the better it will be? This book, in paper, is 1029 pages. On my kindle it was interminable. I truly believe that the story could’ve been written in 1/3 of the finished length. The characters development wouldn’t be affected and the story arc’s could’ve been tightened up making each written page add to the story. Despite that, I enjoyed the book. It was one of those where you finish reading it but it lingers in your mind for a few days as you’re mulling over each small action. I love those types of novels, but because of the length of this one I probably will not go back for a revisit. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Alchemised

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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: Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology #1) by Maggie Rapier

Saoirse is cursed with a volatile magic. When she loses control her father offers her in marriage to the ruthless and cold Stone King. Knowing she’s being sent to her death, she’s determined to break her curse. On the eve of her wedding she seeks out the Wolf of the Wild, Faolan, the Pirate King. He’s in search of a mystical isle and swears he’ll help her break the curse if she’ll find this magical isle for him first. Saoirse knows better than to trust a pirate, and if he wants her help, he’s going to have to marry her first.

A debut novel by author Maggie Rapier, Soulgazer delivers on all fronts for this fantastical romantasy. A magic curse- check! A devilishly handsome hero- check! A heroine who has sass, strength of character, and a hopeful heart – check! This novel held my interest from the very first page, which is really hard to do when you’re introducing your reader to a brand new world. It may have been tons of work on her end, but for me, the reader, it seemed effortless.

With strong Gaelic references, the author very kindly gave us a preface to the story that told us how to pronounce everyone’s names. Of course, once I got into the book (I read this as an ebook), I never went back to the preface and my inner voice still butchered all their names. I did remember our heroine’s, pronounce SEER-SHA, or at least that’s why my Irish husband told me and that’s what I went with as I read her story. Saoirse (Seersha) was a most excellent character. What I liked about her the most is that despite being treated like “shite” her whole life, she has retained this inner strength that carries her forward with her mission to help Faolan find his magical island even though she has probably wanted to give in to her fate numerous times.

Faolan is the gorgeous hero pirate. He’s 70% song and swagger, and 30% alpha hero. Once he marries our Saoirse, he is a sworn protector. Is it all because he needs her to find this island? Or does he have true feelings for our girl? His journey with Saoirse and the pirate crew takes the reader on an epic journey that feels very mythological and Sisyphean in nature. I totally dug the tasks and tales as well as the building romance between Faolan and Saoirse. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I hope this author has the majority of book two in the can because I’m ready to keep on reading!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Soulgazer

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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: Night’s Fall ( The Four Realms #1) by Kristen Ashley

Prince Aleksei of Nightfall is the True Heir. The next king, the fiercest warrior, and the mightiest beast in all the realm. Laura Makepeace is a talented costume designer who is recovering from a vicious attack where she lost something vital. Out for a night with the girl’s Laura is determined to put on a pretty frock and celebrate the evening with her friends. What she doesn’t expect is to be brought over to the Prince’s table in the VIP section of the club. Suddenly, Laura finds herself being courted by a prince and thrown into the limelight and politics of the realm, and royal family dysfunction. The Fall only brings forth a True Heir during times of war, and Aleksei is worried what this means for his family, Laura, and the kingdom of Nightfall.

Surprise! A new Kristen Ashley novel was just released. She’s a much beloved, prolific writer, but this one took me by surprise because she doesn’t often start a new fantasy series. Set in the future where shifters mingle with humans, this love story between a prince and his true mate starts fast and never stops until the last page is turned. I don’t always love KA’s fantasies, but this one was appealing. Why? I loved the futuristic world of flying cars mixing with a ruling class of flying dragons. A dichotomy of beastly and mechanical, love and passion, and peace with war. There was a lot about this world to learn, but the plot is fast moving, and the characters easy to like and love.

At first Aleksei came off as kind of elitist, but get him out of the public eye and he was tender, moody, and shocking for a KA novel, a bit of a dragonic alpha. Laura was old-fashioned, but clever, creative, lovely (of course!), and had a backbone. This heroine was no simpering miss. She was ready for battle if needed. The two of them together had tons of chemistry, but even more importantly, they really seemed to “like” each other. I enjoyed their chapters where they got to know each other and felt that build up to love with each reveal about themselves.

I’m a fan of this author’s and read every book she releases. I don’t always love them, but this story was easy to like, fun to read, and left me with an I can’t wait for the next in the series to come out. Addictive reading at it’s finest.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Night’s Fall

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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 Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

When Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, falls ill, he realizes he needs the expertise of a very specific healer. As fate would have it, that healer belongs to an enemy faction, the Haelan Order. Aurienne Fairhrim and her fellow Haelan are inundated by sick children suffering from an outbreak of a long-forgotten Pox. Unable to get the funding needed to launch an immunization program, the Haelan Order is desperate for money – so desperate that when Osric breaks into their headquarters to bribe Aurienne to heal him, she is forced to accept. As Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness but the mysterious reoccurrence of the Pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction which only fuels the tension between them.

There were quite a few surprises in this novel. The first was that even though I expected it to be a slow burn romance, as noted on the synopsis, I didn’t expect my own ambivalence to both characters and whether their romance ever achieved that status. Osric, had a laissez-faire towards killing and in fact, went about it on a daily basis. Whereas Aurienne was a healer and saved lives, also daily. Their two life callings were at complete opposite ends of the spectrum and the thought that they would fall in love seemed pretty unlikely. The second surprise was that she was a cold priss and Osric was an egomaniac with delusions of being a supermodel. Neither was likable at all. Why would they ever even get together? I was curious how the author was going to make things work for them so I did finish the novel, but I will say that I thought several times about putting it down and starting something else. This was a slow burn that was a slooowwww buuuurrrrnnnnn. It took a long time to get to the point.

Needless to say, I really didn’t enjoy these characters. I really don’t enjoy writing negative reviews but thanks to receiving an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review, I honestly felt I needed to give one. I will say that I’ve seen some reviews for this novel where those reviewers really enjoyed it so it could be that this one just wasn’t my jam. If it intrigues you, try it out for yourself and give it a go! ❤️❤️❤️

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 Irresistible Urge to Fall for your Enemy

Copyright 2025 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 Reads2 Comments