Friday Book Snippets: Kings of Dawn & Dusk (Chronicles of Twinsbane Book 2) by Mariposa Aristeo

Friday Book Snippets is a weekly blogging event co-hosted by Anne@HeadFullofBooks and Olivia at Bemused and Bookish. Directions: Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a. the book's beginning and b. page 56 (or another page) in the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

This week I'm featuring Kings of Dawn & Dusk (Chronicles of Twinsbane Book 2) by Mariposa Aristeo.

SYNOPSIS

Not even their connection can stop fate.

The giant cracks fissuring the kingdom of Twinsbane threaten to divide the world into eternal day and night. Many believe the rift is a divine sign to sever the last connection between every twin, but the truth is far darker than anyone could imagine.

With no one left to trust, King Daccias turns to his twin, Waruu, in hopes of vanquishing the Separator's power over the land. Daccias seeks to uncover the lost history of the first two kings and resurrect the connection doubles once shared. But regaining that ancient bond may not be as easy as it seems, especially when the only way to fix his fractured world is to face the hidden nightmares from his childhood.

Joining forces with Daccias, Waruu is torn between his devotion to his family and the strange and annoying connection that allows him to feel Daccias's thoughts and emotions. But Waruu is willing to do anything to save what's left of his broken family—even if it means turning against the man who raised him.

To restore the kingdom and right the wrongs of the past, both boys must be willing to sacrifice the one person who has become like a brother—each other.

First Line

This would be recorded as the year the world broke.

Snippet from 54%

For the first time in my life, I've succeeded.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Burning Tree by Helen Dent

SYNOPSIS

There’s a secret growing in the woods.

In Ellie Caster’s town of Bishop’s Gap, the Casters and the powerful Levy family have been feuding for generations. The families share just one thing in common—they both dread the mark, a scorch that appears at random on their doors, bringing a curse from the Burning Tree.

When the mark hits Ellie’s door, her sister Jean falls into a coma. Ellie knows the Burning Tree is to blame, and desperate to save her sister, she braves the forbidden woods to confront it. But this choice ignites a chain of unintended consequences, forcing her to work with her nemesis, Charlotte Levy.

Together, they must complete an impossible task, uncover the ancient secret of Bishop’s Gap, and end the curse before time runs out for their entire town.

Amazon / Enclave Publishing / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was so good! The premise sounded awesome, but the book itself exceeded all of my expectations. It had all the haunting and atmospheric vibes I love. It’s the perfect spooky season read.

The intrigue surrounding the tree and the mystery of what was going to happen next made for a really exciting read. It was a race against time to fix things, and the suspense just kept building. I finished this book in record time. I couldn’t read it fast enough. It reminded me a bit of some older YA books, but it was also very unique in its own way. I loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys lightly spooky YA books.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Friday Book Snippets: The Burning Tree by Helen Dent

Friday Book Snippets is a weekly blogging event co-hosted by Anne@HeadFullofBooks and Olivia at Bemused and Bookish. Directions: Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a. the book's beginning and b. page 56 (or another page) in the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

This week I'm featuring The Burning Tree by Helen Dent. This was a really great, lightly spooky read. I loved it!

SYNOPSIS

There’s a secret growing in the woods.

In Ellie Caster’s town of Bishop’s Gap, the Casters and the powerful Levy family have been feuding for generations. The families share just one thing in common—they both dread the mark, a scorch that appears at random on their doors, bringing a curse from the Burning Tree.

When the mark hits Ellie’s door, her sister Jean falls into a coma. Ellie knows the Burning Tree is to blame, and desperate to save her sister, she braves the forbidden woods to confront it. But this choice ignites a chain of unintended consequences, forcing her to work with her nemesis, Charlotte Levy.

Together, they must complete an impossible task, uncover the ancient secret of Bishop’s Gap, and end the curse before time runs out for their entire town.

Book Beginning / First Line

It was almost a perfect afternoon.

Snippet from 56%

Aunt Ruby opened her front door with its faded mark, eyes tired. “So, are you here for the night or just a change of clothes?”

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen

SYNOPSIS

Enter a dangerous game of magic beetles, buried secrets, and shifting time.

Winslet Nubek knows bugs better than she knows people. The sixteen-year-old, homeschooled entomologist is determined to earn her place among the ancient and dangerous ranks of magical insect hunters. With her father’s failing mines pushing them toward bankruptcy, winning the Tournament of Scarabs becomes her only shot at securing her dream and saving her family from ruin. But when she touches a forbidden time scarab before the competition begins, she’s left with a mark she can’t explain and trips into the past she can’t control. Forced to hide her mistake, Winslet enters the tournament with a growing fear of being discovered. As her secrets grow, so do her slips through time.

Rafe Stormholt charts maps like other people write diaries, but his own future isn’t his to navigate. He needs the tournament prize to keep his grandfather’s company out of treacherous hands. After the preliminaries go awry, Rafe ends up on a team of academic misfits, including the bug girl he’s already judged as a liability. But when he’s dragged into the past alongside her, Rafe uncovers truths that shatter the faith his family has held for generations.

Bound by a time-slipping curse, Winslet and Rafe must navigate the tournament’s perilous trials while unraveling a conspiracy buried centuries deep. As enemies close in and the past begins to bleed into the present, they’ll have to decide what they’re really fighting for and what they’re willing to lose to win.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Karabos was such a unique, compelling, and unputdownable read. I loved it so much! It was fast-paced and has one of the best opening lines I’ve read in a while. I was hooked immediately.

The worldbuilding was fantastic. It felt familiar yet was unique too. It was never overwhelming, which I appreciated. I was able to slip right in and feel at home. I loved the Indiana Jones and Mummy vibes.

I really liked Winslet and Rafe. They had a bit of a grumpy-sunshine thing going on, which was a lot of fun. I loved seeing them get to know each other and understand each other better. I thought it was really cool that Winslet was homeschooled. I loved seeing her supportive family. I also really liked Rafe and Winslet’s teammates. They were a great group.

I really appreciated seeing how strong Winslet’s faith was in the face of so much adversity. It was really inspiring! It had me thinking about what I would do in her situation.

This book took some turns that I didn’t see coming, and with that ending, I’m so looking forward to the next installment! It can’t come out soon enough. I’ve read some really great books this year and this one is near the top. I can’t say enough good things about it. I highly, highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Friday Book Snippets: Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen

Friday Book Snippets is a weekly blogging event co-hosted by Anne@HeadFullofBooks and Olivia at Bemused and Bookish. Directions: Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a. the book's beginning and b. page 56 (or another page) in the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

This week I'm featuring Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen. This was such a fun and unique story. It's a fun mix of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and Pokemon. I loved it!

SYNOPSIS

Enter a dangerous game of magic beetles, buried secrets, and shifting time.

Winslet Nubek knows bugs better than she knows people. The sixteen-year-old, homeschooled entomologist is determined to earn her place among the ancient and dangerous ranks of magical insect hunters. With her father’s failing mines pushing them toward bankruptcy, winning the Tournament of Scarabs becomes her only shot at securing her dream and saving her family from ruin. But when she touches a forbidden time scarab before the competition begins, she’s left with a mark she can’t explain and trips into the past she can’t control. Forced to hide her mistake, Winslet enters the tournament with a growing fear of being discovered. As her secrets grow, so do her slips through time.

Rafe Stormholt charts maps like other people write diaries, but his own future isn’t his to navigate. He needs the tournament prize to keep his grandfather’s company out of treacherous hands. After the preliminaries go awry, Rafe ends up on a team of academic misfits, including the bug girl he’s already judged as a liability. But when he’s dragged into the past alongside her, Rafe uncovers truths that shatter the faith his family has held for generations.

Bound by a time-slipping curse, Winslet and Rafe must navigate the tournament’s perilous trials while unraveling a conspiracy buried centuries deep. As enemies close in and the past begins to bleed into the present, they’ll have to decide what they’re really fighting for and what they’re willing to lose to win.

Book Beginnings / First Line

When magic came into our world, it wore the shell of a beetle.

Snippet from 55%

Sleeping on a bed of rocks wasn't my first choice, but it should have been.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Once Upon A Bear (The Galamere Chronicles) by Gabrielle Landi

SYNOPSIS
An illegal herbwitch, a man turned bear, and the curse keeping them apart.

Guinevere has spent years hiding her illegal magic, healing on the sly with enhanced salves and tonics. Life in her tiny cottage making potions by firelight is quiet and lonely, but it keeps her safe…even if it’s hard to buy food sometimes.

Gideon Rendon is tired of being a bear, but with silence woven into his curse and anyone who sees him trying to kill him, he’s run out of hope. When Guinevere discovers his secret, he begins to feel hope for the first time in years–but the curse is taking over, and he’s spending more and more time as a bear.

As Guinevere stitches his wounds, helps with his brother’s injury, and attempts to break his curse before he loses his humanity, the line between healer and patient begins to blur. But with Gideon’s noble family and Guinevere’s dangerous secret between them, falling in love might be a risk neither of them can afford.

Once Upon A Bear is a cozy fantasy romance inspired by the Goldilocks fairy tale, full of grumpy sunshine vibes and wound tending, and the fifth book in the Galamere Chronicles. Each standalone, young adult romance is a clean and wholesome retelling of a beloved story or fairytale, with the swoon-worthy sweet romance of a Hallmark movie, the wholesome and heartwarming feeling of cozy fantasy, and the comfort of a found family of friends, with a sprinkling of danger and a dash of magic.

While Once Upon A Bear is the fifth book in the Galamere Chronicles series, each couple has their own romance with a happily ever after that can be read in any order.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Once Upon a Bear was another sweet and cozy addition to this series! Don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the other books yet, this stands alone just fine. It’s my favorite book from Gabrielle Landi yet.

Guinevere and Gideon were wonderful characters. I loved the grumpy sunshine vibe between them. I liked seeing Guinevere grow in her confidence and skills. I really felt for Gideon with his curse. I was really hoping they’d find a cure for it.

This story was a really fun Goldilocks retelling. I don’t see that story retold often, so I loved that. It was fun seeing the callbacks to the original tale, but I also liked how unique it was too. If you’re a fan of sweet fairytale retellings, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy! You’ll love it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen releasing October 13. 

SYNOPSIS

Enter a dangerous game of magic beetles, buried secrets, and shifting time.

Winslet Nubek knows bugs better than she knows people. The sixteen-year-old, homeschooled entomologist is determined to earn her place among the ancient and dangerous ranks of magical insect hunters. With her father’s failing mines pushing them toward bankruptcy, winning the Tournament of Scarabs becomes her only shot at securing her dream and saving her family from ruin. But when she touches a forbidden time scarab before the competition begins, she’s left with a mark she can’t explain and trips into the past she can’t control. Forced to hide her mistake, Winslet enters the tournament with a growing fear of being discovered. As her secrets grow, so do her slips through time.

Rafe Stormholt charts maps like other people write diaries, but his own future isn’t his to navigate. He needs the tournament prize to keep his grandfather’s company out of treacherous hands. After the preliminaries go awry, Rafe ends up on a team of academic misfits, including the bug girl he’s already judged as a liability. But when he’s dragged into the past alongside her, Rafe uncovers truths that shatter the faith his family has held for generations.

Bound by a time-slipping curse, Winslet and Rafe must navigate the tournament’s perilous trials while unraveling a conspiracy buried centuries deep. As enemies close in and the past begins to bleed into the present, they’ll have to decide what they’re really fighting for and what they’re willing to lose to win.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Stargazers by Ava Lauren Grayson

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Stargazers by Ava Lauren Grayson releasing September 15.

SYNOPSIS

THE ASTRONAUT. Sixteen-year-old blue-haired JULIA MASTROFF fears nothing, except not living up to the memory of her heroic astronaut father.

THE MECHANIC. KY NOLAN wants nothing more than to escape his criminal past, but to do that, he has to betray the one he loves most.

THE AEROSPACE ENGINEER. Daughter of a decorated military officer, NATALIE DÍAZ, might be a genius when it comes to engineering, but even better, she’s a survivor.

THE ASTRONOMER. MILO FRY has one goal in life…okay maybe two: 1) to stay alive, and 2) to become the greatest young scientist of his time. From the safety of Earth.

Attending an elite NASA training program, the American Space Academy, Julia Mastroff, Ky Nolan, Natalie Díaz, and Milo Fry are invited to be the newest members of The Stargazers Project, a top secret program that creates working teenage astronauts.

On a test mission, The Stargazers’s space shuttle is sucked into a portal and they crash on a magical planet with a past of its own. Now stranded somewhere in the universe and threatened by fae hunters, unidentified creatures, and secrets beyond their imagination, they must find a way to survive or a way to get back home.

But it gets even more complicated when Julia is saved by a Luarian hunter and she discovers she has magical abilities she did not possess before. With love entanglements and betrayals, The Stargazers must survive the creatures hunting them and unravel the mystery of the truth behind The Stargazers Project. Julia can’t and won’t leave Luella until she finds out exactly what her destiny is.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Hungry is the Hollow (Tales from the Hollow Book 2) by K.E. Ganshert

SYNOPSIS
MISSING TEENS. A TOWN ON EDGE. SOMETHING IS HUNTING.

On Halloween night, two girls vanished and the town of Foggy Hollow has been holding its breath ever since, praying for their safe return. So when one of them comes home unharmed, fear gives way to hope.

Selah Whitlock and Jude Vandenberg aren’t so relieved. They know the truth. The girl shouldn’t be alive. They watched her die.

Whatever happened in the cemetery on Halloween didn’t stay buried.

Darkness has its claws in Jude. Selah’s classmates are disappearing. Something sinister is stalking the local teens. And it has an appetite.

With panic spreading and the Appalachian winter deepening, Selah and her friends must stop whatever is feeding on Foggy Hollow before the entire town is swallowed whole.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This sequel was just as good as the first book. Maybe even better, which is saying something since it was one of my favorite reads last year. It starts right after the events of Wicked is the Hollow and follows the same characters.

This book was spooky, mysterious, and just downright awesome. There were so many twists and turns and surprises. My jaw was on the floor quite a few times. And I got goosebumps several times.

It was really interesting learning more of the town lore and about the rifts. And it was great spending more time with these characters. Although they did stress me out, lol!

I had a blast reading this book and am so eager for the next one! It ends on a cliffhanger, so book three can’t come out soon enough! This series is perfect for fans of Stranger Things. I can't recommend it highly enough!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Hungry is the Hollow (Tales from the Hollow Book 2) by K.E. Ganshert

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Hungry is the Hollow (Tales from the Hollow Book 2) by K.E. Ganshert. I haven't started this one yet, but it'll be next read. I'm really excited for it! I loved the first book in the series. 

SYNOPSIS

MISSING TEENS. A TOWN ON EDGE. SOMETHING IS HUNTING.

On Halloween night, two girls vanished and the town of Foggy Hollow has been holding its breath ever since, praying for their safe return. So when one of them comes home unharmed, fear gives way to hope.

Selah Whitlock and Jude Vandenberg aren’t so relieved. They know the truth. The girl shouldn’t be alive. They watched her die.

Whatever happened in the cemetery on Halloween didn’t stay buried.

Darkness has its claws in Jude. Selah’s classmates are disappearing. Something sinister is stalking the local teens. And it has an appetite.

With panic spreading and the Appalachian winter deepening, Selah and her friends must stop whatever is feeding on Foggy Hollow before the entire town is swallowed whole.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I thought the story was over.

Friday 56

I pull to a stop in front of the carriage house and stare at the sprawling manor.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: All That Glows by Lauren Smyth

SYNOPSIS

The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.

Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.

Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask.

He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts.

She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

"On the night the world ended, raindrops stained our roof tiles green."

All that Glows was a truly unique and captivating dystopia. I was invested in the story from the very beginning. The compelling first chapter gripped me and didn’t let go. I was so curious to learn more about the world, the characters, and the virus.

I enjoyed how the story unfolded piece by piece. There were clues about what had really happened, and when I finally figured it out, my mind was blown. The second half of this story flew by. There was nonstop action, and I had a hard time setting it down. I finished it in record time.

I was a big fan of Smyth’s previous book Warsafe, so I was really looking forward to this new release. It did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it even more! I can’t say enough good things about All that Glows. I know I’ll want to read it again and again. If you’re a fan of young adult dystopia or post-apocalyptic fiction, you’ll love this book! I really hope there’s a sequel.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Perplexity (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book 2) by Chawna Schroeder

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Perplexity (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book 2) by Chawna Schroeder releasing April 7.

SYNOPSIS

Assemble the clues, dismantle the danger.

Yosarai Patican never wanted to finish her schooling in the Indeli capital, but after several months, she is finally finding her footing . . . until her world is shattered by the unthinkable. Facing loss after loss, she struggles to adjust to a new position and new responsibilities, including the repayment of a massive debt. A debt more easily managed if she can qualify for the elite politico sphere on the upcoming placement exam. Some, however, would do anything to prevent Yosarai from earning one of the coveted positions.

Meanwhile, in the northern realm of Egdon, Crown Prince Xander faces an increasingly hostile Parliament. Not only are they questioning the necessity of the monarchy, but they are also demanding an accounting of some mysterious expenditures by the former king. Unless Xander can unearth a reasonable explanation, his coronation may be more than postponed. It may be cancelled—permanently.

As old rivalries escalate and hidden threats emerge, both Xander and Yosi must choose their paths wisely, before evil eliminates everyone in its way.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Miss Fortune by Ashley Bustamante

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Miss Fortune by Ashley Bustamante. I just finished this ARC and really enjoyed this whimsical tale! 

SYNOPSIS

The moonlight gave her luck...love might take it away.

Since childhood, eighteen-year-old Nia has relied on the fortune stone—a gift from a boy who once saved her from drowning. Its magic, tied to the phases of the moon, brings her extraordinary luck…at the cost of a life spent in hiding from those who would exploit her.

But on the night of the dark moon, Nia is attacked by a nightmare creature and left for dead—only to awaken in an enchanted castle ruled by the enigmatic Neilos. He offers her a bargain: he’ll heal her damaged lungs, but only if she remains within the castle’s walls until the next dark moon.

There, Nia discovers the boy from her past, Enitan, now serves as Neilos’s guard. In stolen moments with Enitan, Nia uncovers a devastating truth: whenever he is near, her fortune stone falls silent. She can have her luck or Enitan…never both.

As Nia uncovers the castle's twisted secrets, she realizes the cost of staying may be more than she's willing to pay. Nia must choose: keep the magic that has protected her, or risk everything for love.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Nia was desperate for air, but her garbled efforts rewarded her with nothing but water. Liquid pulled into her lungs. Each futile attempt to breathe struck like a blazing knife in her chest.

Friday 56

Antonia came into Nia's room early, her mouth stretched into a tight frown. "He's insisting you join him for breakfast today."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson

About the Book

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I always love a good fairytale retelling and I really enjoyed this one. This story reimagines Rumpelstiltskin and Catskin. I’m not familiar with Catskin, but Rumpelstiltskin is a favorite. I enjoyed seeing the nods to it.

I instantly felt for Seren. She was put in a new and stressful position. I thought she handled herself well, and I admired her strength and courage in the face of such daunting situations. I loved seeing her character growth throughout the story.

I was intrigued by Corin. There was a mysterious air about him, and I couldn’t figure out what to think of him at first. But I enjoyed getting to know him better.

There were some parts of the book that were unsettling and dark, but I thought it showed that Light will always overcome the darkness.

I became completely immersed in this story world. There were a few massive twists that I never saw coming. I was shocked! I look forward to reading more from Angie Dickinson. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it! It does get a little dark in places, but it ended up being really good! 

About the Book

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

When my father puts his mind to something, it would be done.

Friday 56

I fell against the stone, gasping and staring at the pool.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Miss Fortune by Ashley Bustamante

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Miss Fortune by Ashley Bustamante releasing March 31

About the Book

The moonlight gave her luck...love might take it away.

Since childhood, eighteen-year-old Nia has relied on the fortune stone—a gift from a boy who once saved her from drowning. Its magic, tied to the phases of the moon, brings her extraordinary luck…at the cost of a life spent in hiding from those who would exploit her.

But on the night of the dark moon, Nia is attacked by a nightmare creature and left for dead—only to awaken in an enchanted castle ruled by the enigmatic Neilos. He offers her a bargain: he’ll heal her damaged lungs, but only if she remains within the castle’s walls until the next dark moon.

There, Nia discovers the boy from her past, Enitan, now serves as Neilos’s guard. In stolen moments with Enitan, Nia uncovers a devastating truth: whenever he is near, her fortune stone falls silent. She can have her luck or Enitan…never both.

As Nia uncovers the castle's twisted secrets, she realizes the cost of staying may be more than she's willing to pay. Nia must choose: keep the magic that has protected her, or risk everything for love.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere Book 2) by Lindsay A. Franklin

About the Book

A splintered world, a heart gone cold. Hope reborn in threads of gold.

After accidentally bridging the storyworlds together, Emlyn DuLaine faces an impossible task: sever the connections without destroying the stories themselves. If she fails, the characters will be trapped in twisted versions of their tales, forced to relive their worst moments forever.

But undoing the bridges is only the beginning. To truly fix what’s unraveling, Emlyn must uncover the secret flaw buried deep in Rivenlea's foundation, something that's been wrong since the very start.

And the danger has never been closer to home. The clock is ticking for the injured wyvern who needs Rivenlite air to survive and the story boy Emlyn swore she’d never fall for. Emlyn and her team must rescue Frank and Laramie from chaotic, shifting story spheres before they’re gone for good.

But Frank and Laramie aren’t the only ones lost to the spheres. Camille DuLaine is a prisoner, held as bait by someone who knows exactly how to lure her sister in. After seven years of sleep, Camille wakes to find herself trapped in a storybook and sure of only one thing: Emlyn must stay far, far away.

Racing to solve one mind-bending puzzle after the next, Emlyn uncovers a plan seventeen years in the making. She stands at the center of a fractured universe—and she might be too late to save it.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a fantastic conclusion to this duology! Enchanting, whimsical, full of humor and heart, I couldn’t read fast enough. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this sequel, and it did not disappoint. It was so much more than I ever could’ve imagined.

This is a book lover’s dream! I loved seeing all the classic tales mixed up. I won’t mention which ones, though. Part of the fun, for me at least, was trying to figure out which ones they were.

This was action-packed right from the start and full of twists and turns I never saw coming. There were several times I literally gasped out loud at the turn of events.

I didn’t know how everything could possibly wrap up, but it was an absolutely masterful conclusion. It exceeded all of my very high expectations. I know I’m gonna want to reread it again and again! I can’t recommend it highly enough! This is not a standalone, so be sure to pick up book one before starting this one.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere Book 2) by Lindsay A. Franklin

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Sphere Book 2) by Lindsay A. Franklin. This book releases Tuesday and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. Y'all! It's so good! The perfect conclusion to this duology!

About the Book

A splintered world, a heart gone cold. Hope reborn in threads of gold.

After accidentally bridging the storyworlds together, Emlyn DuLaine faces an impossible task: sever the connections without destroying the stories themselves. If she fails, the characters will be trapped in twisted versions of their tales, forced to relive their worst moments forever.

But undoing the bridges is only the beginning. To truly fix what’s unraveling, Emlyn must uncover the secret flaw buried deep in Rivenlea's foundation, something that's been wrong since the very start.

And the danger has never been closer to home. The clock is ticking for the injured wyvern who needs Rivenlite air to survive and the story boy Emlyn swore she’d never fall for. Emlyn and her team must rescue Frank and Laramie from chaotic, shifting story spheres before they’re gone for good.

But Frank and Laramie aren’t the only ones lost to the spheres. Camille DuLaine is a prisoner, held as bait by someone who knows exactly how to lure her sister in. After seven years of sleep, Camille wakes to find herself trapped in a storybook and sure of only one thing: Emlyn must stay far, far away.

Racing to solve one mind-bending puzzle after the next, Emlyn uncovers a plan seventeen years in the making. She stands at the center of a fractured universe—and she might be too late to save it.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I think I'm dead.

Friday 56

"Emlyn." It sounds almost like a relieved sigh. "You have finally come."

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson releasing March 17.

About the Book

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Sons of Day and Night (Chronicles of Twinsbane Book 1) by Mariposa Aristeo

About the Book

Not even death can tell them apart.

In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.

Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.

King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.

To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.

Amazon / Goodreads / Enclave Publishing Store

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This book was an absolute blast to read! It had me laughing out loud in several places, trying to hold back tears in others, and on the edge of my seat. It held my full and undivided attention from beginning to end. I loved it so much!

The worldbuilding was fantastic. Inspired by Australia, it was rich, detailed, and fully immersive. I thought the premise was really interesting. The fact that everyone had a double had me so intrigued.

While neither Daccias nor Waruu was very likable in the beginning, I couldn’t get enough of them. They were interesting and flawed characters who I ended up loving so much.

I didn’t want this book to end. I tried to slow down and savor the last little bit, but I couldn’t. I had to find out what happened! It was so good! I highly, highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this talented author.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS