Book Review: Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin

Title: Blood & Honey

Author: Shelby Mahurin

Series/Standalone: Serpent & Dove (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 536

Publisher: HarperTeen

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from the coven, kingdom, and church- fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lous and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.

The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove- packed with even steamier romance and darker magic- is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas."

My Rating: 3/5

This was not the sequel I need from this series. I was really hoping that it wouldn't get too extreme in the mythology but it really went all in and I just didn't enjoy that. I felt that the world wasn't well built and we were relying on a relationship that appeared to be falling apart. The joking and fun that happened in the first book just weren't as great as I hoped. Overall just ok, fun but not great.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Fangs by Sarah Andersen

Title: Fangs

Author/Artist: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Comics, Humor, Coffee Table Book

Pages: 115

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2020

Format: Hardcover Copy (Library)

"Elsie the vampire is three hundred years old, but in all that time, she has never met her match. This all changes one night in a bar when she meets Jimmy, a charming werewolf with a wry sense of humor and a fondness for running wild during the full moon. Together they enjoy horror films and scary novels, shady strolls, fine dining (though never with garlic), and a genuine fondness for each other's unusual habits, macabre lifestyle and monstrous appetites."

My Rating: 5/5

For what this is it's such a fun little set of comics. It shows so many elements to the characters and is a quick, fun-filled read. I thought it was a perfect little coffee table comic collection. I plan on purchasing a copy to add to my library. Would strongly recommend for someone looking for a fun, short, humor filled coffee table book.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Title: Ice Planet Barbarians

Author: Ruby Dixon

Series/Standalone: Ice Planet Barbarians Series ( Book #1)

Genre: Smut, Romance, New Adult

Pages: 188

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2015

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women- including me- on an ice planet.

And the only native inhabitant I've met? He's big, horned, blue and really, really has a thing for me..."

General Rating: 2.5/5

Smut Rating: 4/5

I finally gave in and read this. Wow was it fun! If you've heard anything about this series you know that this isn't a series to be taken seriously. It's for smut, for jokes and for having a fun time. The plot was predictable, the aliens were hot, but also still very much aliens, and the smut was fun. Not super well written, but I'm not that picky. I think I'll continue with this series when I feel that my reading has gotten a little tedious, a nice little pick me up.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny.

Review: The King is Undead

Title: The King is Undead

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Dan Mora & Tamra Bonvillain

Series/Standalone: Once & Future (Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Retelling, Fantasy

Pages: 160

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"When a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead to gain power, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to combat the deadly secrets of England's past that threaten its very future."

My Rating: 5/5

This did what I love about graphic novels. You are thrown into the story and have characters that are so eye-catching it dares you to not read it. It's so well written and so enjoyable. While we don't know everything going on in the world (which adds to the intrigue), we get an idea of where we are going in the plot and begin to understand our characters' place in their worlds. I loved the characters and the start of this plot. The art style is so fun and I can't wait to continue with the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Title: Where the Crawdads Sing

Author: Delia Owens

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Pages: 384

Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"For years, rumors of the 'Marsh Girl' haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village, Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.

But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life's lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world- until the unthinkable happens.

In Where The Crawdads Sing, Owens juxtaposes an exquisite ode to the natural world against a profound coming of age story and haunting mystery. "

My Rating: 2.5/5

I don't know if I'm interested enough in literary fiction. This just wasn't it for me. It was depressing, it was hard to get through, and while I enjoyed the mystery aspect. The back and forth between the timelines was interesting. The characters were intriguing but overall this story was just ok. It was fine. I wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't say to read it either. Just because it's not for me doesn't mean it's not for anyone.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Blackout by Dhoneille Clayton

Title: Blackout

Author(s): Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Anthologies, Contemporary, Young Adult

Pages: 256

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook

"Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.

A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks...

A first meeting.

Long-time friends.

Bitter exes.

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truth. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was fine, I thought I'd try out anthologies, but I don't think they're for me. I was far more interested in the consistent story throughout the book as a whole. I like to get to know my characters and love them before we do follow through with their stories or who they are interested in. Just ok, but not really for me. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Reagan Youth by Rick Remender

Title: Reagan Youth

Author: Rick Remender

Artist(s): Wes Craig, Lee Loughridge

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fiction, Crime

Pages: 160

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy

"It's 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grade sucks. The jocks are hassling his friends. he can't focus in class. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he's failing is 'Dismemberment 101' and his crush has a double-digit body count. Welcome to the most brutal high school on earth, where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At Kings Dominion School for the Deady Arts, the dagger in your back isn't always metaphorical."

My Rating: 1/5

I love trying different graphic novels on a whim. Sometimes those graphic novels are winners and other times, they just aren't for you. This one fell into the latter category. It just wasn't what I expected it to be. It was a lot of drugs, and a bit of killing. I was hoping for those two things to be switched. I doubt I'll continue the series, but I may be persuaded if someone can tell me it gets a lot better. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Glint by Raven Kennedy

Title: Glint

Author: Raven Kennedy

Series/Standalone: The Plated Prisoner (Book #2)

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 441 

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Kindle Unlimited

First Line: "Gold, as far as the eye can see."

"For ten years, I've lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas's golden castle. But one night changed everything. 

Now I'm here, a prisoner of Fourth Kingdom's army, and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it out of this in one piece. They're marching to battle, and I'm the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war.  

At the heart of my fear, my worry, there's him- Commander Rip.

Known for his brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is unsurpassed. But I know the truth about what he is.

Fae.

The betrayers. The murderers. The ones who nearly destroyed Orea, wiping out Seventh Kingdom in the process. Rip has power sizzling beneath this skin and glinting spikes down his spine. But his eyes- his eyes are the most compelling of all. 

When he turns those black eyes on me, I feel captive for an entirely different reason.

I may be out of my cage, but I"m not free, not even close. In the game of kings and armies, I'm the gilded pawn. The question is, can I out maneuver them?"

My Rating: 4/5

This was almost as enjoyable as the first one, especially because there was no Midas throughout most of this story. I also loved that this book did a lot of flashbacks and different points of view. I liked that we spent time with our main character changing and evolving as a person. I also enjoyed learning more about the world and how the magic system works. All and all it was really entertaining but not everything I wanted. I plan to continue the series, but I will be taking a quick break because the next book is 600+ pages.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny