Reign Breaker Review

About the Book

 In a world of shape-shifting monsters, who can be trusted?

Despite the prophecy that changed her life forever, former gravedigger Rigan North has found love with the man of her dreams. But a peaceful future isn’t yet within reach. Hunted by two rival kings and sought by Jardians and Calidorians alike as the symbol of a new rebellion, Rigan struggles to find her place, increasingly drawn to the Shro Khan’s siren song. How will her child save the world if Rigan cannot resist the monsters’ call?

Leagues away, Isel has grown up in a sheltered monastery as the daughter of a monk. All she desires is to live an ordinary life with her books, but her uncanny resemblance to the so-called Reign Breaker and her unusual ability to detect the Shro Khan’s presence tears her from her home and thrusts her into a world of intrigue, power struggles, and deadly secrets. Kept captive by Jardia’s king, her only true ally is melancholy, wheelchair-bound Crown Prince Soren, the Reign Breaker’s brother-in-law and a brilliant, dangerous man. But Soren’s destiny is not his own, either, and with ambiguous prophecies linking his name to hers, the path to save the Twin Kingdoms may forever diverge from the path that sets Isel free.(Goodreads)

Purchase Here

My Thoughts

Wow, this book continues the epic adventure of the Painted Wind series! You have to read the first book (in my opinion) to have any idea what is fully happening. This story gives us more perspectives from the lead characters. I LOVE that the author is continuing to dive into the lives of Rigan and Corcoran and setting up the plot to continue with Soren. Isel is my favorite out of every single person in this series so far. She is like a breath of fresh air and light to a pretty dark kingdom. There is swoony romance and humor, battles and new relationship issues, and of course the darkness of the Khan that is seeping further into the kingdom. I simply couldn't put this story down and even with the extra plot lines and perspectives it flowed wonderfully. The ending leaves you on one heck of a cliffhanger and now we have to wait for book three! I love this series and I highly recommend if you enjoy fantasy fiction!

Five Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own."

Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books That Have Surprised Me

For my Top Ten Tuesday here are some of the fantasy and sci-fi books that have surprised me-in a good way! I typically have not read a lot of fantasy or sci-fi. It is increasingly difficult to find any in those genres that don't have explicit content unfortunately. But the last couple of years I wanted to read something out of my comfort zone and broaden my imagination. Here are some that I really enjoyed!  

This one is darker and general market. I did enjoy it a lot though!

I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

LOVED. 

Five star series. One of my all time favorites!

Rogue Secreto Review

About the Book

From the author of Mortal Queens and Oathbound comes a fast-paced standalone in a roman empire world, filled with danger, catacombs, secret identities, and a forbidden romance.

Marsella has the unique ability to steal secrets with one glance. She keeps her identity hidden, while going under the name Rogue Secreto. The emperor hires her to read secrets of his enemies, all without realizing this masked figure who can bring empires to heel is his beloved daughter.

He lures enemies to his doorstep by promising Marsella’s hand in marriage, while the Rogue Secreto uncovers their secrets.

But Marsella has another secret. A boy she’s found, trapped behind a wall of water deep within forgotten ruins. As she seeks respite from the demands of her father, she’s drawn to the ruins and to the boy. He becomes her escape, her most treasured secret, and she shares everything she hears with him. When Marsella gleans a secret about someone trapped behind water, she thinks she’s found how to set him free. But he’s been waiting a hundred years to be released, and thanks to the secrets Marsella has been feeding him, he has the chance.

Too late, Marsella learns why he was trapped in the first place.

“I can hold them,” he said softly. “Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”

ROGUE SECRETO is perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter or One Dark Window. It sits at the upper end of the YA genre. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

I really enjoy McCombs writing so I am always eager to read her next story! This one is very different from her others. They actually are all very unique and I love that! This one is so interesting because Marsella is living two different lives. One that is behind a mask and one as the emperor's daughter. It has a few One Dark Window vibes for certain but it has it's own unique twists. It held my attention the entire time and I was so curious about the boy trapped in the wall of water. This book really gets your imagination going! I do wish there was a little bit more on character development with the main characters and the ending seemed a little bit rushed. But I still really enjoyed this story! There is a little romance but not much and there are some darker themes but I still consider this to be a pretty clean read. 

I recommend! 

Four Stars. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rune Review

About the Book

 Rune wants only one thing from the gods: the heart of a boy who already claims to love her. She wants it enough that she’s willing to make a deal with a god to keep it.

The deal is simple: the heart of the boy, and in return, Rune will make this god revered among the clan.

Then, out of nowhere, the boy proposes to Rune’s sister instead.

In her anger, she renounces the gods. But the gods have plans of their own. They snatch Rune from earth and throw her in Asgard, claiming her as their lost goddess and drowning her in a world of dangerous power. It’s clear a god is pulling the strings here, but Rune can’t guess who, or what her role is in their games. Desperate, she strikes a second deal with a god—one who might be as broken and twisted as she, and quite possibly more capable of breaking her heart than anyone. As her Viking past finds a way into Asgard, it’s clear that someone’s heart will be slaughtered. She can only hope to be long gone before it all crashes down.

A standalone fantasy for lovers of the fake engagement trope, shields and axes, or poison in teacups. (Goodreads)

Pre-Order HERE

My Thoughts

I have really been enjoying books by this new-to-me author. I have been looking for clean fantasty and McCombs delivers just that!! This story was a lot different than I was expecting but I ended up really enjoying it! The characters are strong and while Rune sometimes got on my nerves I also had to think of life from her perspective. There is a lot of physical fighting (with axes etc.) and while those scenes were important I wanted more story and less fighting by the final chapters. BUT the ending came together in a very Hunger Games type of way and it left me a satisfied reader. I wanted there to be more actually and I wouldn't mind another book in this world. The romance is sweet and clean and fit in perfectly with the rest of the story. 

I couldn't put this book down and I really enjoyed it! I recommend if you are wanting something new in the fantasy genre! 

Four Stars. 

"I received and ARC from the author. I am not required to write a positive review."