Terror's Temptress: Archangel's Warriors MC Novel by Ciara St. James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"In all fairness, this type of book just isn't my thing anymore," I realize and say to myself as I end up skipping over the next 30 pages or so to read (disappointingly) the last 4-5.

I'm breaking away from the usual format that I've been using for a few years (that I borrowed and adapted by awesome amazon reviewer, DeeArr1- amazing person & friend, btw), to just speak on why I didn't care for this book... at all.

But first... a quick story... I LOVED the late Bertrice Small. I own ALL of her books. (She) wrote romance novels (mostly historical, but she did also have a fantasy series "Hetar"). In her books, there were kidnappings, r*pes, attempted r*pes, and on the 'non-trigger-side'- REALLY EXPLICIT sex scenes. But there was also a well-laid plot behind almost every book of the 50+ she wrote. The exception being "Bedazzled". THAT BOOK, while yes, plot-full, was also SO FULL of sex scenes that I was skipping pages and pages and pages because I was like, "Oh, they're doing it again?" and then... read some more and then they're at it again? and again? and again? and "DUDE, do they EVER STOP?" Don't get me wrong- I am FAR FROM A PRUDE, very much the opposite, but if I wanted THAT MUCH SEX in a book, I'd get a 20/30 page (or less) Smut novella & get my rocks off that way. I do NOT NEED 6-7 pages of sex scenes with 6-7 pages of "plot" in between another 6-7 pages of explicit sex, again. Seriously.

Also, I AM SO SICK of the "perfect girl" with the "perfect" body that can beat ANY GUY at anything who is also (conveniently) a f***ing virgin turned SUPER FREAK once the "perfect guy" with the "perfect" body (who NEVER in the whole book hits the gym, btw)- deflowers her/claims her. I'm just over this trope.

3 out of 5 stars because I'm nice and can appreciate the fact that the author was able to write a "full-length" story- no matter how very (dirty)cookie cutter and too full of sex and not enough plot it might have been.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Cynetic Wolf by Matt Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In a dystopian future where science has created enhanced, hybrid, and animal-like humans (wolfish, apish, etc.), a young man discovers his uniqueness after he's lost everything he's ever known. I'm giving this story a 3.5, maybe a four... and here's why.

Plot: Immediately you're thrown into this version of our future where terms and labels are thrust into the story that only as you read further, do you begin to understand what "they" are talking about. It took me a minute to catch on, and even then, there were still bits of the world that didn't make sense as far as history/backstory & just how stuff worked, in general. But, the main plot- was very Divergent-esque (finding out you're different in a pretty much illegal kind of way) and Mockingjay-ish (being the rallying point for an oppressed group of people), only the M.C. is a boy (16y/o), not a girl. Putting aside the basics of exactly how the biology worked, the plot/story was enjoyable to read.

Characters: Raek (M.C.) tells the story from his 1st person POV. The author didn't go easy on him as far as problems go, however, he (Raek) is also armed with some pretty convenient genetic quirks that make it possible for him to rise to a leadership role in the span of just a few short months. That's not to say he isn't clever in his own right- he is, I think at this point though (in my life) I would've liked to see the main character REALLY fail at something... rather than a "circumstance" that was unavoidable being what ends up causing him "pain".

The Writing: After I got past the terms etc. that I wasn't familiar with, the writing style of this author made the story flow well and I was able to read it in a day.

In case you wanted to know/overall: There is violence and language, and also implied sex, but nothing too graphic. I enjoyed this novel enough that I'd be interested in reading what comes next. Especially if the "how they became this way" in the 1st place is more elaborated upon.

**I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion.

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The Unbroken Line of the Moon by Johanne Hildebrandt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel was slow to start and (for me, at the time I chose to read it) hard to follow in the beginning. But after the first few chapters, I was following along just fine and had stayed with it anyways because what was actually happening was interesting.

Plot: The author took artistic & creative liberties to tell the story of Sigrid the Haughty and let me just say-YES. Yes, the story was believable and full of rich details and imaginings of tenth-century Scandinavia. The novel follows young Sigrid as she faithfully follows her belief in the Norse Gods and their plans for her destiny.

Characters: There were quite a few main and supporting characters that were (at first) hard to keep straight; mostly because of their Scandinavian names which I’m not used to reading/familiar with. However, moving past that. The MC, Sigrid… she was a delight in every way; although personally, I loved Emma, way more (Yeah, probably the only name in the book that was a “common” name). Sweyn’s story & character arc were far more plot-driven with action sequences and stuff so I didn’t really feel too invested in him.

The Writing: If it hadn’t said it on the cover I would’ve never known this was a translated book. There is a lot of detail included, the dialogue is sensible… it’s told in 3rd person POV, alternating between Sigrid, Emma, and Sweyn. There’s even a glossary at the back to help with the “foreign” words.

In Case You Wanted to Know: This is a decent-sized book and the only thing I disliked was that the main part, her destiny basically, isn’t fully realized in this part of the two-book set; it’ll be revealed (I’m assuming) in Book #2. Instead, this story is the back-story in a way to how Sigrid positioned herself to become the woman history remembers her for, but not the after-effects of her actions.

Trigger Warnings: There are some pretty gory violence scenes, as well as rape and incest.

Overall: Omg… I just have to say it… One of my favorite authors that really got me into reading again as an adult is/was Bertrice Small (RIP) and damnit, this reads like one of her earlier books; think “Enchantress Mine” or “Beloved”. Just like how I had to read “All the Sweet Tomorrows” and the rest of the books following Skye O’Malley and her legacy; so too will I read the story of Estrid (Book #2, this duet/series) because I simply fell in love with this version of the legendary, strong & bold, 10th century Viking Queen.


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The First by Dylan S. Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, so if this novella had been longer, I’m not sure if I’d have gone higher with my rating or lowered it to a three? But, because of its short length and the fact that I liked the premise, I’m going to be generous and give it a 4; here’s why…

Plot: The plot is intriguing; a time-traveling witch, the first of her kind, who finds she has an important role to play in the shaping of the future of womankind. YES!! Great idea for a story! Was it executed in a believable fashion within the confines of 152 pages? Eh… I guess so. However, a longer book would’ve done this story justice since so much was glossed over & opportunities to enrich the tale weren’t taken.

Characters: Here’s where a longer book could have helped for sure. Margaret’s husband and how his arc finishes out at the end is just- no. I mean, in an HEA, he’s great, but so no believable. But again, there weren’t enough pages to show how he’d evolved. Margaret as well (the MC), I would’ve liked to read more about her experiences to see how they shaped her, rather than seeing her ALREADY shaped by the next chapter.

Overall: Short story: short review. Again, it could have been so much more, but for what it was- I liked it enough to recommend as a quick & thought-inspiring, wishful, read.


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Irving Wishbutton and the Questing Academy by Brian Clopper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this book… until I got to the end and realized it was a cliffhanger and there was no resolution. It was SO GOOD. Now, I’m super upset & here’s why…

Plot: What a unique and fascinating story premise: a school for W.I.P. characters. Sure, the boarding school idea has been used plenty of times (H.P. anyone?), but that’s pretty much the only obvious similarity. The rest is (for me, at least) refreshing and exciting and believable and new.

Characters: I loved Irving- really. I loved seeing him develop as his writer tries to create Irving’s story. He’s supposed to be a hero but he’s kind of a putz and only accidentally does he occasionally do something heroic/get things “right”. He’s flawed, but hey, that’s cause he’s not fully developed yet; just like the rest of the characters at the Questing Academy… clever really, of the Real Author (Clopper) to have this “excuse” for flawed and/or under-developed characters. I personally think it’s genius and wish I’d thought of it.

The Writing: Switches from 3rd person POV (Irving’s author, present-day, real-world with real-world situations that inspire his creative experience) and 1st person POV (Irving Wishbutton, a student newly arrived at the “mysterious” Questing Academy) seamlessly and reads like butter. Writing style alone would merit 5 stars.

In Case You Wanted to Know: There’s nothing extreme or unfriendly in this book that needs any forewarning, with the one exception THAT THE ONLY (SUB) PLOT RESOLVED is Irving getting fleshed out!!! Everything else you “think” you’ll get an answer to- you don’t. Sorry, that should’ve come with a “spoiler alert”, but see how mad you are now? Glad I could share my ire.

Overall: 50-100 more pages and this book would’ve gone from exposition/world building to an actual finished product. But, at 290 pages, all of the beautiful & imaginative details of Irving’s world are for nothing because I’m too disappointed at being left hanging to even bother reading the next three books in the series, regardless of how much I LOVED the whole damn thing up 'til the “end”.


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