Book Review: The Sinner by Shantel Tessier

Title: The Sinner

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: The L.O.R.D.S (Book #2)

Genre: Dark Romance, Adult Fiction, 

Pages: 640

Publisher: Self-Published 

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"LITTLE DEMON

I was raised in a world where money and power are at your fingertips. My father is a LORD, a very respected member of a secret society that knows no bounds. When tragedy struck my family, we discovered we weren't untouchable. Just when I thought life couldn't get any worse, I was shown what hell is really like. Then he came and saved me. The devil disguised as my personal hero. But of course, nothing is for free. Not when a soul is up for grabs.

I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW.

Easton Bardley Sinnett- Sin- uses his power for his own sick pleasure. Like a typical Lord, he never thought about the consequences of his actions. I grew up with him, obsessed over him, craved him. He was who I pictured when I imagined doing things my body shouldn't want.

One day, I realized he was not who I thought he was. It didn't change anything, though, because I was already too far gone. If anything, I fell for him harder.

Every now and then, someone enters your life who flips it upside down. Sin wrecked me in the worst way, and I thanked him for it by serving on my knees.

As they say, nothing lasts forever. Men like him never stay with a woman like me. I'm what they use, not keep. So when he threw me away, I shouldn't have been all that surprised.

My body had always craved the darker side of love. The kind that left bruises and scars. I was what most would call unholy. And when the devil whispered in my ear that he loved me, I was more than determined to show him just how devoted I could be.

My Rating: 4/5

These books are not for the faint of heart. You definitely have to know what you're getting into if you're picking up a dark romance of any kind please check the trigger warnings. For me, this was fun and shocking but it did what it set out to do. The plot twists were outrageous in the best way and I can't even count how many times I said, "What the fuck?" I am excited to see where the series goes from here, now that the author has expanded the universe. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Lore Olympus Volume 2

Title: Lore Olympus Vol. 2

Author: Rachel Smythe

Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus (Volume 2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, 

Pages:368

Publisher: Inklore

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Persephone was ready to start a new life when she left the mortal realm for Olympus. However, she quickly discovered the dark side of her glamorous new home- from the relatively minor gossip threatening her reputation to a realm-shattering violation of her safety by the conceited Apollo- and she's struggling to find her footing in the fast moving realm of the gods. Hades is also off-balance, fighting against his burgeoning feelings for the young goddess of spring while maintaining his lonely rule of the Underworld. As the pair are drawn even closer, they must untangle the twisted webs of their past and present to build toward a new future."

My Rating: 5/5

I want to preface this by saying that I had read some of this series through webtoons before the physical copies had started to be published. And I loved them then, and I continue to love them now. Rachel Smythe's merging of mythology and current world technology leads to fun story telling and excellent art. I loved this instalment and look forward to reading more soon. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Title: Bookshops & Bonedust

Author: Travis Baldree

Series/Standalone: Legends & Lattes (Prequel)

Genre: Adult, Cozy, Fantasy

Pages: 352

Publisher: Tor

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek.

In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & Lattes, New York Times bestselling author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned.
Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it.
What's a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?
Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine.
Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was such a fun read, it was so perfect and blended so well with the original book. I think that Travis Baldree has an incredible talent in world and character-building. If you are a dnd player or someone who watches any streaming RPGs, this may be for you. The audiobook was excellent and I look forward to taking time to reread them once more.

Thanks for reading,

Sdiny

Book Review: Lore Olympus: Volume 1

Title: Lore Olympus Volume 1

Author: Rachel Smythe

Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus Series (Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Mythology,

Pages: 384

Publisher: 2021

Year Published: Del Rey

Format: Hardcover (Own It)

"Experience the propulsive love story of two Greek gods- Hades and Persephone- brought to life with lavish artwork and an irresistible contemporary voice.

Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love- witness what the gods do after dark in this stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of mythology's most well-known stories about creator Rachel Smythe. Featuring a brand-new, exclusive short story. Smythe's original Eisner-nominated web-comic Lore Olympus brings the Greek Pantheon into the modern age with this sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel."

My Rating: 5/5

I had originally read most of the comics through webtoons as they were published weekly and once they were traditionally published I was quick to buy the first volume. This series has an amazing art style, an addicting storyline and great character changes. I look forward to continuing the series and reading the physical additions. I highly recommend it, it's worth the hype.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny