Review: Empire of Dreams

Title: Empire of Dreams

Author: Rae Carson

Narrator: Kyla Garcia

Page Count:448

Audio Length: 13hr 42min

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Even though Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name and a

veiled past, she's about to be adopted into the royal family—by

Empress Elisa herself.

Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck.

Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress's greatest rival

blocks the adoption,

and Red is left with no family and no future.

Thoughts: 

Red`s story is one I remember wanting when she first appeared in the original trilogy.

I`m glad to finally get her story. Some of the chapters were flashbacks to Red`s

childhood prior to Elisa rescuing her. Those were hard to read even knowing it

was just a story.

Rosario plays a huge role in this book and it was so nice to see how far he has come

since The Bitter Kingdom. The fact that after seven years we get more of this amazing

world is just unthinkable. The moment I heard about this book deal I jumped with glee.

Red has her work cut out for her but she is worth so much more than she knows.

She is strong and fierce, all of her past grievances have taught her to keep her

head high and ears open.

I will always want more of this world and anything Rae Carson writes. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Into the Crooked Place

Title: Into the Crooked PLace

Author: Alexandra Christo

Page Count: 384

Rating: 2.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

The streets of Creije are for the deadly and the dreamers, and four crooks in

particular know just how much magic they need up their sleeve to survive.

Tavia, a busker ready to pack up her dark-magic wares and

turn her back on Creije for good. 

Thoughts:

Cram all the F/F and M/M relationships with an evil moody bad guy and you

get this novel. This dragged forever (those that follow on me GR know I

started this back when it released). This felt like a cheap version of Six of Crows,

Ace of Shades and The Gilded Ones all crammed into one. Criminal gangs

should not be a cliche but it seems to be one now sadly. 

To say I was expecting more is an understatement since I loved her debut novel

To Kill a Kingdom so much. Who knows maybe I'm just being too critical and

others will love this book. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Kingdom of Back

Title: The Kingdom of Back

Author: Marie Lu

Narrator: Lauren Ezzo

Audio Length: 10hr 31min

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.

Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish—

to be remembered forever.

But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little

hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be.

She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing

is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age

Thoughts:

Mozart has a sister who is a talented girl with a vivid imagination. The time passes

quickly and is hard to keep track of how many months and years go by. The story

would have been better without the creepy magic parts with Hyacinth. It felt forced

and like he was a twisted version of Puck.

The Kingdom of Back left me wondering if the Mozart I grew up loving was really

written by the sister time has forgotten. I enjoyed the writing style and this was

my first book by Marie Lu. If anything this book made me listen to some classical

music and look into the life of composers.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Warrior`s Curse

Title: The Warrior`s Curse

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Narrator: Michael Curran-Dorsano, Jesse Vilinsky

Audio Length: 9hr 56min

Rating:3.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):Spoilers Ahead!!!

Simon and Kestra are hurtling down paths ever farther from each other as the battle

for control of Antora rages.

Simon, newly king of the Halderians, is pressed on all sides by royal duties. Harlyn

Mindell is his betrothed and intended queen, but Simon can't give up hope for a life with Kestra.

Thoughts:

Slow build up to the final-ish confrontation but I am glad to have stuck with it.

Kestra truly steps up her evil games of corruption. Simon is just as lovesick as

ever which tends to be a bit frustrating. 

Adding Joth to the mix was a little mixed feeling but I understand there has to be

some sort of enemy to defeat. He plays well but at the same time I was kind of

over it after the battle of Lord Endrick.

Book one will continue to be my favorite of the trilogy but I am happy with this

ending.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Gravemaidens

Title: Gravemaidens

Author: Kelly Coon

Narrator: Bahni Turpin

Audio Length: 12hr 8min

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen

for their land's greatest honor...and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave.

In the walled city-state of Alu, Kammani wants nothing more than to become

the accomplished healer her father used to be before her family was cast out of

their privileged life in shame.

Thoughts:

Little Hunger Games tribute feeling in the beginning and I swear I have read a book

about girls being buried with a dead ruler before. After two hours into the book I

was hooked though. I really enjoyed the dynamic of family and sisterhood. Might

need to set aside fantasy for a while though because I find myself drifting my

attention. 

After the initial drama settled down the ending became clearer and I don`t know

if I`ll be continuing the series. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Infinity Son

Title: Infinity Son

Author: Adam Silvera

Narrator: Robbie Daymond, Kirby Hayborne

Audio Length: 8hr 39min

Rating: 2.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the

Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the

Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them,

violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Thoughts:

Disappointed, trying hard to blend fantasy with contemporary and it didn't work

as intended. Although the idea of a human reincarnated phoenix sounded

pretty intriguing I hoped for more. The characters and their personalities were

interesting and I enjoyed the brother/twin dynamic. The contemporary aspect

with the political corruption and drama could have been a great read on its own. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Midnight Lie

Title: The Midnight Lie

Author: Marie Rutkoski

Narrator: Justine Eyre 

Audio Length: 9hr 27min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Where Nirrim lives, crime abounds, a harsh tribunal rules, and societys pleasures are

reserved for the High Kith. Life in the Ward is grim and punishing. People of her low status

are forbidden from sampling sweets or wearing colors. You either follow the rules, or pay a

tithe and suffer the consequences.

Thoughts:

A little confusing but that could be I haven`t read the original trilogy. Niirim is something special

with a photographic memory of sorts. She has the potential to grow but for now her naivety is

what drove me crazy. What she believes makes a mother or family is thrown into chaos when the

realities of her actions come to fruition. 

This story does have some steamy romance but it's well written. The world building and caste rules

made this hard to pause. I'm hoping to pick up the trilogy and see more in this world. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: OtherLife

Title: OtherLife

Author: Jason Segal & Kerstin Miller

Narrator: Jason Segal

Audio Length: 7hr 40min

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Spoiler!!!!!

Simon, Kat, Busara, and Elvis are on the run with the tech super-villains at the Company

hot on their heels. 

Thoughts:

The end of the company is a twisty road that Simon and friends meet head on.

Taking them down was simple but the tasks thrown at them made the story last.

The most difficult task was fixing the damage the humans did to the Children of

OtherEarth. Those chapters were my favorite part to listen to. Time passes differently

in the game and the Children are discovering technology at an alarming rate.

I do wish this was a bit longer but at the same time everything wrapped up perfectly.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: All the Stars and Teeth

Title: All the Stars and Teeth 

Author: Adalyn Grace

Narrator: Shayna Small

Page Count: 384

Audio Length: 12hr 24min

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek

vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire

life training to be High Animancerthe master of souls. The rest of the realm can

choose their magic, but for Amora, its never been a choice.

Thoughts:

Started on Audio and finished with physical. Really hope book two “All the Tides of Fate"

dives into the magic systems of all the islands. Also mermaids are totally a thing again,

hopefully there can be more adventures focused on her. 

Some complaints I`ve seen is how the whole book was a big trope fest. Yes a naive

princess who must fight for her throne has been done before but fantasy is filled

with adventures and this does not fail.

I enjoyed the writing style and characters. I will say Finnick stole my heart as his

hufflepuff loyalty sprang into action. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Night Spinner

Title: Night Spinner

Author: Addie Thorley

Narrator: Natalie Naudus

Audio Length: 10hr 41min

Rating:4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Before the massacre at Nariin, Enebish was one of the greatest warriors in

the Sky King’s Imperial Army: a rare and dangerous Night Spinner, blessed with the

ability to control the threads of darkness. Now, she is known as

Enebish the Destroyer―

a monster and murderer, banished to a monastery

Thoughts:

Enebish is a version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame I never knew I wanted.

She`s a fighter who has been kicked into submission. There is a lot of Robin

Hood feels as well. Rob the rich to feed the poor. With a war at its tipping

point Enebish the Destroyer has a chance to become Enebish the Savior.

The biggest hurdle is believing she isn`t the monster they want her to be.

I look forward to where book two takes us in Nariin. These magic systems

lately in YA novels have been very well laid out and I always love how they

each have little twists. 

TTFN,

Ashley