Review: Scorn

 

Title: Scorn

Series: The Huntsmen

Author: P. Mulholland

Release Date: January 15, 2023

Like a good daughter, I'll wear my scar proudly on my mom's wedding day.

Hell, it's not like I can hide it. The red line runs from an inch under my left eye down my cheek to the corner of my mouth. It's a reminder of where I've been, how far I've come, and who I killed to get here.

My mom is marrying Robert Huntsman—rich, elitist, and handsome, if you close one eye. And soon I'll have two arrogant, attractive stepbrothers to avoid-Royce and Dalzell, and their sullen, mysterious cousin, Layne. Jock kings of Addington University. Perfect sons. Handsome devils who can do no wrong. That's what my mom says anyway.

The plan was to come for the ceremony and fly back home the following day. But that's before I stumbled across something sinister in the forest on the morning of the happiest day of my mom's life.

I saw what those boys did.

And now that I'm a witness to their crime, they won't let me leave.

The Huntsmen is a dark, gritty, enemies to lovers, reverse harem romance series, meaning the FMC will have more than one love interest. The Main Characters are in their early 20's. Single POV. Three book series set at Addington University.

Author's note: This series contains bullying, fighting, cussing, violence, murder, explicit sex scenes, and drug use. Ends on a cliffy.

So, I have been in a book funk off and on all year & struggling to find books to pull me out. And this time was no different. I must have picked up and put down a handful or two of books before I picked up Scorn. 

I added this book to my TBR a few months ago, not only because I love the cover, but because I love dark, why choose, and stepbrother romances. 

This book follows Charlotte, who was only supposed to be in town for her mom's wedding. But when she stumbles upon something she shouldn't have- her new step brothers refuse to let her leave. Now forced to keep her mouth shut, and her head down, she desperately is searching for a way to escape... But as she settles in to her new life, maybe it won't be so bad if she stays for awhile...

So Charlotte is strong. The story keeps hinting at something she has been through in her past- the reason why she left town to begin with all those years ago, and had the scars to prove it. She's a fighter, which is something I love in my fmcs. She also is always on the hunt for answers, and doesn't stop searching for them. 

Her step brothers are rich and powerful- sons of their father. But have no problem getting their hands dirty, and playing in the dark. 

There was a couple minor inconsistencies, and at times the relationships or dynamic between the fmc & mmcs felt a little rushed, but overall it was a fairly good, quick read at under 300 pages. Even though it wasn't my favorite stepbrothers or dark why choose romance, & I am unsure if I will be continuing the series or not, it was still a good read. 

3.5 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - multiple detailed scenes throughout. 

Tropes: 

→ dark romance

→ contemporary romance

→ why choose romance 

→ step brother romance 

→ enemies to lovers 

Trigger Warnings 

Review: Fate of a Faux

 

Title: Fate of a Faux

Series: Lords of Rathe

Authors: Meagan Brandy & Amo Jones

Release Date: October 6, 2023

The King of Darkness is dead.

It’s time for a new one to rise…

London Crow isn’t who I thought she was. 

She’s worse. 

My hate for her knows no bounds. 

My need for her has no end. 

But it’s my inability to have her that might just end us all, as the fates refuse to be ignored. 

Now, there’s a darkness sweeping the streets of Rathe, threatening to destroy the Kingdom we know and love, and it’s all because of her. 

The mate I can’t have. 

The bond I can’t let go. 

There is only one way to restore balance, and it begins and ends with her. 

The problem? I broke the girl into a thousand tiny pieces without a second thought. Earning her forgiveness won’t be easy, but that’s fine. 

If she won’t give it freely, I will take it. 

One mistake at a time.

First, this book picks up where Fate of a Royal leaves off, so you MUST read Fate first before diving into this book. 

London had been taking from her home, everything she had ever known and loved stolen from her. The one responsible? Knight. Her mate. And the Lord and future King of Rathe. Darkness sweeps through the streets of Rathe, and hate brews between London & Knight, but the Kingdom hangs in the balance between them. 

So, I absolutely love everything Meagan has ever put out. I greedily read it all, falling in love with every story, every character, every word. And Amo has this way about her stories- the mysteries and secrets won't be known until she is ready to reveal them. So these two authors coming together to write this dark and compelling story & series has been perfection. 

I loved Knight and London's story- the darkness and everything they had to face, not only against each other, but together was fascinating. I loved the dark and thrilling world of Rathe, and the side characters too. The story was gripping and action packed, digging its claws into you, and holding on, making you want more. To know more of what is going on, and salivating over the next installment. 

If you are a lover of fantasy romances, or new to the fantasy genre and want to dip your toes in, and if you love the dark and twisted, I recommend these books. 

4.5⭐ out of 5⭐. 

4🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - detailed scenes throughout including kinks, dirty talk, etc 

Tropes: 

→ dark romance 

→ fantasy romance 

→ romantasy 

→ paranormal romance 

→ enemies to lovers

→ fated mates 

→ bully vibes 

→ possessive/OTT hero 

Trigger Warnings

Review: Fourth Wing

 

Title: Fourth Wing

Series: The Empyrean

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Release Date: May 2023

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

I know, I know - what took me so long to read this book?! And I have no idea. Seriously, if you have been holding onto this book but haven't read it yet, READ IT! 

Violet was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant- something she was training for in all her twenty years- to record the war for future Basgaith residents to study, but her mother and commanding general pushed her into the Riders Quadrant - with only six months of training- to become a Dragon Rider, those on the front line of the war. And the only ways out of Basgaith War College, Rider Quadrant is graduate, or death. 

But when you're smaller than everyone else, and your body is more brittle, death is only a heartbeat away. Between dragons not wanting to bond to fragile humans, and her being on other cadets hit lists- not only for a better chance at getting a dragon to bond with, but just because of who her mother is, her being thrust into the Rider's Quadrant seems more like a death sentence than a blessing- can Violet beat all the odds and survive, or will she just become another name of the fallen Cadets? 

So, I have had this book on my shelf since May, but have put it off. I have been struggling with a reading slump off and on for months. I'm also a mood reader, and it being a high fantasy, I had to be in the right mood & mindset to read it. Not to mention,I was a little intimidated to start something that is so highly hyped. 

But, I picked it up, and immediately was transported to a world of magic and dragons, and fell in love with the characters, and world. 

Even though Violet may have been viewed as weaker by everyone around her, and a liability with her illness, she was still strong, and brave, and cunning. She may not have been as big, or physically strong as the other cadets, she may not have been able to wield a sword, or may have to deal with pain on the daily, but she still stood up for everything she believed in, still faced the challenges each day brought, and overcame the obstacles placed in front of her. 

Xaden was the most powerful wingleader in the Rider Quadrant Cadets - and he was one of the first in line to want her dead. Violet should stay far away, but fate has other things in store. 

This book was more than I expected, and I stayed up way too late finishing it. If you love worlds of fantasy, magic, and dragons then you will love this book. And I can't see what is next in store for these characters 

4.5⭐ out of 5⭐

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - Multiple scenes throughout in detail. 

Tropes: 
→ fantasy romance /romantasy
→ enemies to lovers 
→ forced Proximity 
→ academy (war college)
→ New Adult romance 
→ chronic illness (h) representation 
→ morally gray H 
→found family 
→ slow burn 
→ overcoming adversity/underdog 
→ dysfunctional family

Trigger Warnings

Review: A Curse of Blood And Wolves

 

Title: A Curse of Blood and Wolves

Series: Wolf Brothers 

Author: Melissa McTernan

Release Date: October 1, 2023

Blurb:

A dark and steamy fairytale re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood. Perfect for romantasy readers and lovers of smuttok

Is it possible to be drawn to someone you’ve never met?

When Ruby feels the eyes of a stranger in the woods, she knows she should be scared, that she should run away, but she can’t. Instead, she feels a thrill, feels drawn to this stranger who follows her in the woods. Yearns for his eyes on her every night as she walks home, hoping to hear the crunch of leaves under his feet that signals he’s there.

Will he ever reveal himself?

After all, fate doesn’t make mistakes . . .

Is it possible to be drawn to someone you have never met? For Ruby it is. Every night while walking home from work, she feels eyes on her, a silent stalker who follows her home. But instead of being afraid, or creeped out, or any other rational emotion, she feels a thrill, a pull towards the monster lurking in the shadows. And a monster he is, turns out her personal stalker is a werewolf.

So, I was immediately drawn into this cover, and I am a lover of dark romances, fairy tale retellings and fantasy and paranormal romances and couldn't wait to dive into this story. All those tropes made me feel like it was a perfect fall read. Stalkers, romantasy, and smut? Oh my.

Ruby is strong-willed, and feels like she can take care of herself, after all she has been taking care of others almost all her life. She doesn't need anyone else to protect her- not from her stalker, and certainly not from creatures that go bump in the night.

Rafe is more than he seems. He is immediately drawn to Ruby, and his need to protect her, even though he doesn't even know her, is running at an all time high- but what if the thing Ruby needs protection from, is him? He is a monster after all...

So, I did enjoy this book. It has it all- from a beautiful eye catching cover, to stalkers, paranormal creatures, mystery, insta-lust, and smut. It was a quick & easy fall read and perfect for those who love little red Riding hood. 

3.5⭐ out of 5⭐s. 

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️.- multiple detailed scenes throughout 

Tropes: 

→ paranormal romance 

→ romantasy

→ fantasy romance

→ fairy-tale retelling 

→ dark romance

→ touch her & 💀 

Trigger Warnings

Review: Kitten Ninja

 

Title: Kitten Ninja

Authors: Colleen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen 

Illustrator: Ellen Stubbings 

Release Date: February 27, 2024

Fans of comics, and heartwarming stories—not to mention cats!—will love Kitten Ninja, the origin story of the incredible Cat Ninja!

Before Cat Ninja grew up and became Metro City’s greatest defender, he was tiny, adorable Kitten Ninja and he battled...much tinier foes. (Hey, everybody has to start somewhere, right?)

In this spin-off prequel to the enormously popular Epic Original Cat Ninja series, our favorite feline hero takes on everything a kitten-size ninja has to battle on the way to his heroic destiny: a sun spot that won’t stay put, an irresistible ball of yarn, and—every cat’s archenemy—snow!

Kitten Ninja is a cute graphic novel for young readers, who love cats, and mischief. The Illustrations are adorable and well done, capturing Kitten Ninja battling it out against his enemies. The writing is easy to read and fun. Three short but entertaining stories about Kitten Ninja, as he faces off against his foes, the Spot, Ball of Yarn, and Snow.
Here is what my eight year old thought of Kitten Ninja:
"It was good. I liked it, and thought it was funny. The drawings were cute and funny. Kitten Ninja vs The Spot was my favorite."
Kitten Ninja is perfect for fans of "Pets Rule!" books, "Bad Guys" books, or "Bad Kitty" books; and is the prequel to the "Cat Ninja" books, in these cute but funny tales. 5 ⭐ out of 5⭐ definitely recommend.