Tag: fantasy

Book Review | The City of New Aphros, L. B. Benson

Anna BratchfordLeave a comment

Goodreads Blurb:

After eight years in hiding as a prostitute, former priestess Andromeda never thought she would find love. Now she has, in Captain William Lennox, a brash pirate who uncovered more than a few secrets on their journey aboard the Bartered Soul.

Deciding to wait out the winter storms in the mild climate of New Aphros, a little serenity is just what Andromeda is hoping to find. Never having ventured far from her home in Selennia, she is looking forward to exploring a new city and, with any luck, settling into a new life with Lennox at her side.

When she meets the cunning Madame Salome, who holds more knowledge about the Old Ways than Andromeda could have ever imagined, it becomes clear this winter will bring much more than whiskeys by the fire as a respite from the storms. 

When the threat of King Dargan Blackwell and his priests comes knocking even across the sea, Andromeda must choose — live the life of freedom she so craves, even if it means continuing to live in hiding, or face her past and step into the full extent of her power.

The City of New Aphros is the second book in Andromeda’s Account. Fans of fantasy, historical fiction, romance, pirates, and magic will enjoy this sequel to The Bartered Soul.

Content Warning:
The City of New Aphros is an adult fantasy/romance is intended for readers over the age of 18. Please visit the author’s website for detailed content warnings.

My Thoughts:

It has been so good to dive back into L. B. Benson’s ‘Andromeda’s Account’ series with ‘The City of New Aphros’. I really enjoyed this as a sequel, and it brought just as much excitement, heartache, and steamy romance as ‘The Bartered Soul’ (if not more). I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, and it didn’t disappoint.

I really love this world that Benson has created, it has heart but can be cruel, it nurtures it’s characters as much as it challenges them. There is so much support and love between the main characters of this story that it is almost tangible. It makes it so much easier to sink into this world. In a similar train of thought, that romance, so beautiful, and so steamy! I love the support that Lennox and Andromeda give each other, it is so beautiful to read.

It was so lovely to catch up with Andromeda and see how her journey continues. Some pretty big things are revealed for her which further her journey and it was so exciting to see the results of said revelation as her power grows. Especially with that ending! It was wonderfully intense and heart breaking in equal measure. I am really looking forward to book 3!

Pick up this book if you are looking for something action packed with equal amounts of tender and emotional moments, a sweet found family and rich world building you can really sink into.

*Keep in mind there are some content warnings for this novel. You can find them on the author’s website if you want.

Thank you to the author for gifting me this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title was published 20th December 2022.

Book Review | The Syren’s Mutiny, Jessica. S. Taylor

Anna BratchfordLeave a comment

Goodreads Blurb:

“It’s frightful bad luck to have a woman aboard.”

Brigid knew the superstition, but when her father tried to marry her off, she had no choice but to stowaway on a ship bound for Bhodheas. When she’s discovered and discarded, her fate seems sealed…until she’s saved by the ocean and its queen.

Transformed into a syren and given new life, Brigid now has the power to seek revenge on those who wronged her.

Caelum has spent his entire life trying to help those who couldn’t help themselves. After years suffering the cruelty of his pirate father, saving others from a similar fate was ingrained in him. But when he’s unable to save a young girl from being thrown overboard for hiding away, he’s devastated.

Until one day, when he’s thrown into the water by unforeseen forces, he comes face to face with the past, and maybe, with his future.

But there’s a darkness lurking on the seas they both call home. And Caelum and Brigid have no idea just how intertwined their stories really are.

My Thoughts:

I was very easily drawn into this book by the cover and great blurb and I am so glad I was. This novel gripped my right from the first few pages. It was intense and gruesome, and a great introduction to the novel.

I think the thing I loved most about this novel was the characters. ed They all shone through on the page, making me want to read more of their story. My favourite I think had to be Sorcha, she really was so sweet, bless her. I really enjoyed reading the relationship develop between Brigid and Caelum, I found that with the dual POV story I was really able to delve into the minds of the characters. It was a nice change to read from the POV of both romantic leads too.

In saying that, I did feel that while the novel was off to a strong start, I found that there was a little repetitiveness within the narration of certain phrases that made the beginning quite a slow read after the first few more action filled chapters. I found though once the rest of Caelum’s crew was introduced and had more ‘page time’ the pace picked up for me.

I really enjoyed the lore of the world this is based in with the vengeful Syren’s and how they are so fierce. Their sisterhood was one of the main things I loved about this novel and how they worked together to meet their goals, and (for the most part) stuck by them.

I also really loved how the author put an ‘author’s note’ at the beginning with name and place pronunciations, as well as trigger warnings and a map (yes, a map! This gal loves a map!). I really enjoyed this one, and how it didn’t shy away from the violence of the Syren’s, painting them as rather terrifying beings (I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side!), while still showing their grace and compassion. That ending had me in tears, my gosh, that cliff-hanger too. I am so excited for book two!

Thank you to the author, Jessica. S. Taylor for gifting me this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title will be published 8th November 2022.

Book Review | Felix Silver, Teaspoons, and Witches, Harry Cook

Anna BratchfordLeave a comment

Goodreads Blurb:

After his parents announce that his bizarre, emerging abilities are getting in the way of their divorce, Felix Silver relocates to Dorset Harbour and becomes the charge of his Grandma Aggie. As Felix adjusts to life in a new school, Aggie decides that it’s time he learn The Silver Way, and teaches him all she knows about sorcery and magical arts. When Felix and his new friends decide to solve the mystery of local teenagers who have gone missing, Felix learns that his crush, Aero, has a big secret. Is dark magic creeping into the town, and can Felix learn enough from Aggie and the witches of Dorset Harbour to combat it?

My Thoughts:

‘Felix Silver, Teaspoons & Witches’ was a really fun, easy read, with likeable characters. The plot was fairly straightforward, but engaging, which kept me reading right until the end. This book had some interesting friendships/relationships in it too!

There were a few things I found that lessened my enjoyment though. On the whole I found that the novel didn’t feel quite as polished as it potentially could have been. Grammatically I didn’t find any issues, but the story felt quite rushed to me. This meant that the characters felt underdeveloped, and as a result, less easy to connect with as I read. The romance was sweet but to me it felt a little rushed as well, or even rather instantaneous after the first meeting. This made it something I couldn’t happily invest myself in.

The last thing I found was that it was difficult to tell who was narrating a chapter until a couple of paragraphs in. This made it hard to follow the story once there were multiple narrators. This could easily be helped with name of the PoV character with the title of each chapter.

The plot itself I found really interesting, and especially with the fun magic system. I loved how magic seemed to be integrated with the town it was set in. I would have loved to have seen more of the limitations of the magic, and more learning about how it works as Felix is still learning. I loved how the magic of each person was channelled through a teaspoon, such a fun idea, but I feel it could have been explored further.

Overall I really did enjoy reading this but I feel that there were a few things that could really improve the way the story is told and make it more impactful. I do not hate it in the slightest, and am interested to see if the final publication has been edited further. I will be getting myself a copy to see if the issues I found were just part of the early reader version. Especially as I think this story is such a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for gifting me this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title will be published 30th August 2022.

Book Review | The Octagon’s Eight, Mairon Oakley

Anna BratchfordLeave a comment

Goodreads Blurb:

Every year the city of Hanging Hold hosts an event.

Eight prisoners condemned to death are sent out to sea – none are expected to return but if they do, they win their freedom.

The dark-elf Dirian has grown up Below, the brand on his face testament to his place as a scout and skills as a warrior. Now he finds himself on a mission gone wrong, abandoned in a foreign Surface world and forced on an adventure bound to end in his demise.

Follow Dirian and his companions of varying enthusiasm as they set sail and face the harsh forces of nature, impossible creatures and magical wonders all to unlock the mysteries of the Octagon and escape with their lives in this perilous tale of discovery.

My Thoughts:

My gosh. This was one of those books where once I picked it up I just couldn’t stop reading. No, really, I had a few days off last week and with the cold weather I don’t think I did much else! There is so much to love about Oakley’s debut novel that I am not sure where to start, but I do need to start somewhere.

I found the world building for this novel truly wonderful. It was recognisable as classic fantasy, with all the familiar species, class division, magic, and belief systems, but with Oakley’s own twist on them. It also feels very full bodied without trying too hard, or making the reader feel bogged down with information. Making this world a new favourite of mine to read about. Especially with the rather straightforward plot which encouraged the characters and their growth to shine.

Though at face value, the plot was rather simple, it was engaging and exciting. It left room for the characters to really shine! I found that every time I had to put the book down, I needed to know what happened next. Especially with the high stakes of the quest – life and death. Something which manages to bring the unlikely group of characters together (and working together too, despite their differences).

It didn’t take long for the group of main characters to completely steal my heart! I was invested from very early on, and loved seeing their growth throughout the novel. They were all beautifully complex, and so interesting to follow. I found myself holding my breath in really intense scenes, needing them to be okay! I also really love how there was a little romance, but it is so subtly brought into the story, and in such a clever way at it felt so natural for those characters, and not out of place.

I highly recommend this book to other fantasy readers who are looking for an exciting read with high stakes and wonderful characters!

Thank you to the publisher, Tebreus Press and the author, Mairon Oakley for gifting me this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title will be published 12th July 2022.

Book Review | The Bartered Soul, L. B. Benson

Anna BratchfordLeave a comment

Goodreads Blurb:

Andromeda is a priestess without a temple.
She escaped the horrific fate her sister priestesses faced at the hand of the usurper king’s men years ago and has resigned herself to a life in a brothel, hiding from her past and those who would wipe the priestesses and their Goddess from memory.

Captain William Lennox is a pirate with an unsavory and violent reputation.
After years of avoiding the notorious Captain Lennox, Andromeda finds herself ensnared by the rogue. She begrudgingly accepts her fate – to accompany the handsome, yet dangerous, pirate on his latest voyage across the sea; both as entertainment for him and his crew and to keep watch over a younger girl trapped in the same bargain. It’s the only sure way to earn their way to a new life across the ocean, safe from the king’s bigotry.

Despite her best efforts, Andromeda finds herself surrounded by reminders of who she was before her future was taken from her.
Can she continue to wear the mask she has donned for almost a decade and escape her past for good? Or will her traitorous heart push her toward a new future solidly entwined with the painful secrets she has tried so hard to forget and the Captain who harbors secrets of his own?

My Thoughts:

This one hooked me in right from the start! Amazing characters, amazing world building, exciting plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

I really enjoyed reading about the world this novel is set in. I loved the way this novel navigates exploring the history of this world as well as the characters past. And oohmygosh, the secrets upon secrets that are all revealed in the most awesome way. Also pirates!!? They are everything I wanted and more, plus the crew is just plain awesome. Especially with the twist.

One thing with this novel though, is that I found a lot of the epic action happened much earlier than I was expecting it. This left the latter part of the novel to be a little slow. But I really enjoyed it all the same, as the relationship kept me hooked, along with my emotional investment in the characters.

Speaking of characters, I think one of my favourite aspects of the novel is the amazing cast of characters. Especially the MC Andomeda – simply put, she’s a badass. Especially in the way she manages with the hand she is dealt. She is strong, and fierce, but she is vulnerable. I loved her friendship with Lyra too. As well as this, just all the pirates! They all bound together in a beautiful found family, it just made me so happy to read about them all.

Overall this was such a fun read, with awesome plot and amazing characters. Highly recommended! I’m looking forward to reading more from this wonderful author!

*Keep in mind there are some content warnings for this novel. You can find them on the novel’s Goodreads page if you want to read them.

Thank you to the author, L. B. Benson for sending me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy). I am leaving this review voluntarily. This title was published 21st June 2022.