A Valiant Novel Book 3: The Triumphant by Lesley Livingston

A Valiant Novel Book 3

The final book in the Valiant series takes Fallon and her warrior sisters on an epic journey from the corrupt Roman Republic to the wonder of the ancient world: Alexandria, Egypt.

“You are from a world, Fallon, that values honor over everything else. Rome is not that world.”

In the wake of their victorious fight to win back the Ludus Achillea, Fallon and her gladiatrix sisters have become the toast of the Republic. Only for Fallon, glory turns to ashes when she learns that Cai has been stripped of his Decurion rank and declared infamia, cast down to serve as one of Caesar’s gladiators. All because he chose his love for her over the life of his treacherous father during the ludus uprising.

But treachery in Rome runs far deeper than Fallon ever suspected. While she is fighting for Cai’s freedom, the unthinkable happens and the Republic begins to tear itself apart at the seams. In the chaos that follows, the Achillea gladiatrices lose any protection they might have had once and for all. They’re not the only ones. 

When Fallon discovers that Cleopatra is in grave danger, she and her sister Sorcha rally their war band in an attempt to spirit the Queen of Aegypt out of Rome, embarking on a remarkable journey that will take them to Alexandria—the wonder of the ancient world—and beyond. Far beyond. Along the way, Fallon will have to decide where her heart truly lies, as well as what—and who—she is willing to sacrifice to get there.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40192705-the-triumphant 

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

The conclusion of a a wonderful trilogy. The Triumphant brings us full circle. Rome's fall of Caesar is brought into the story, as Fallon watches Caesar brutally murdered by Brutus and the senate. As chaos erupts in Rome, Fallon grabs Cai and the rest of Ludus Achillea and they flee Italia with a new purpose: to bring Cleopatra safely home. Though their story does not end in Aegypt. Fallon learns that her birth home is in danger by those who have caused Caesar's death, has caused them grief all the way back when she was first brought to Rome. After returning Cleopatra home, she realizes that she must save her father and her people. And lucky for her she is not alone. I think this was my favorite of the series. Like I said, everything comes full circle. Fallon struggled to find a place to really call home. She may have found love with Cai and a sisterhood with the Ludus Achillea, but never a physical place for all of them to really live. Their fights and journey have finally brought them back to her land. Though there are losses along the way, some more painful than others, in the end Fallon finds what she is looking for and a future to look forward to. A great conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. 

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

Fall in love, break the curse. 

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she's instead somehow sucked into Rhen's cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom. 

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38714357-a-curse-so-dark-and-lonely

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I did not think I would love this book as much as I did, but wow! It was really fantastic. A type of Beauty and the Beast retelling, A Curse So Dark and Lonely is filled with so many twists and turns. You may think you know the story, but Kemmerer brings something new to the table. First off, she combines two worlds. Harper is transported to a new world, to the land of Emberfall. Emberfall's Crown Prince is cursed. He repeats the autumn of his eighteenth birthday over and over again, failing to make a girl fall in love with him. By the end of each season, he is transformed into a vicious beast that kills everyone in its path. When Harper lands in this strange new land, or more like accidentally kidnapped, she struggles with her new reality. Another land? Magic? Though it doesn't take her too long to realize she isn't crazy and everything is very much real. Meanwhile, Rhen is tired. He wants to break the curse and save his people. He has given up hope, that is until Harper comes. And it isn't because he believes she will fall in love with him. In fact, he is pretty sure that won't happen. How can he blame her for hating him when she was kidnapped? But Harper brings him hope nonetheless because she inspires him to help his people and fight for them. Threats are coming and he may be cursed, but that doesn't mean he can't help his people in other ways. The form a shaky alliance. I really loved this story. Their romance isn't this rushed, automatic happy ending. It's a building of trust and it is one that will have to continue because this isn't the end of the story. Many things get resolved by the end of the book, but there is much, much more left unsaid and unresolved. I loved the characters and world Kemmerer created. And I seriously cannot wait to see where the next book takes us. 

Nikolai Duology Book 1: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Nikolai Duology Book 1

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39804936-king-of-scars

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Back in the Grishaverse and I have sure missed it. Regretted not doing a re-read, but my memory of all the other books slowly came back to me. We are 3 years after Ruin and Rising, and a short time after The Crooked Kingdom. King Nikolai struggles to find a way to keep his country safe and make peace with the other countries that surround him. And if being king wasn't hard enough, the demon that had once taken over him during the war, thanks to the Darkling, has made a re-appearance. He battles his inner monster, desperate to rid the beast. He and Zoya, along with a priest who worships the Darkling, travel to where the Fold had once dwelled. With weird occurrences spread throughout the country, everything  (including the monster within) is pointing to The Unsea. Meanwhile, Nina is pushing through her grief after losing Matthias. On a mission with two others for her king, she finds herself in Fjerda taking on more than just the required mission. She cannot rest until Matthias is and she will not stand aside while others are in danger. It's a dangerous time but our heroes know that sometimes sacrifice is the only option to save their home and those they love.

Endeavor Book 1: Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet

Endeavor Book 1

Tess Bailey: the galaxy's Most Wanted.

Captain Tess Bailey is in deep trouble. She and her crew are on the run, pursued by a tyrant who'll take them dead or alive. Tess's best hope is a tall, dark, and much-too-appealing stranger, Shade Ganavan, who says he can help her. But his motivations are far from clear...

Shade Ganavan: arrogance, charm...and that special something that makes you want to kick him.

With the dreaded Dark Watch closing in, what Tess and Shade don't know about each other might get them killed...unless they can set aside their differences and learn to trust each other before it's too late. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35712606-nightchaser

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I loved Amanda Bouchet's The Kingmaker's Chronicles, so I of course had to pick up her newest book. And I'm so glad I did! Bouchet takes us to space and where Tess Bailey and her crew are on the run. After stealing cargo with an enhancer that would turn people into super soldiers, Tess is determined to keep it away from the Overseer. A tyrant hell-bent on getting the cargo back. After a narrow escape, they find themselves on a planet where they can rest and fix their ship. Shade Ganavan is the man for the job. The chemistry between Shade and Tess is off the charts, that is until he realizes that Tess is number one on the bounty list and she is worth quite a lot of money if taken in. Shade has been trying to earn back his family's empire and bringing in Tess will finally allow him to do so. But the more he spends time with her, the hard that decision becomes for him to betray her. Can he betray the one person he actually feels a connection to after losing everyone he loved? And Tess has her own secrets. The lies and secrets between them, threaten to spill. Action packed, awesome characters, and a story line that has you wanting more, Nightchaser was a great sci-fi book and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Briar U Book 2: The Risk by Elle Kennedy

Briar U Book 2

A sexy standalone novel from New York Times and international bestselling author Elle Kennedy. THE RISK takes you back to the world of hot hockey players, feisty heroines, bro banter, and steamy scenes... 

Everyone says I’m a bad girl. They’re only partly right—I don’t let fear rule me, and I certainly don’t care what people think. But I draw the line at sleeping with the enemy. As the daughter of Briar’s head hockey coach, I’d be vilified if I hooked up with a player from a rival team.

And that’s who Jake Connelly is. Harvard’s star forward is arrogant, annoying, and too attractive for his own good. But fate is cruel—I require his help to secure a much-coveted internship, and the sexy jerk isn’t making it easy for me.

I need Connelly to be my fake boyfriend.

For every fake date…he wants a real one.

Which means this bad girl is in big trouble. Nothing good can come from sneaking around with Jake Connelly. My father would kill me, my friends will revolt, and my post-college career is on the line. But while it’s getting harder and harder to resist Jake’s oozing sex appeal and cocky grin, I refuse to fall for him.

That’s the one risk I’m not willing to take.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41032121-the-risk

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I love this series! Briar U and the prequel series Off-Campus. Every single one of the books are so good, and I have to say, The Risk, may have become one of my favorites. The Chase, the book before this one was fantastic as well and I hope Elle Kennedy keeps it up. Brenna and Jake's story was so heartwarming and sweet and fun. We saw a sneak peek of them in The Chase and right then I knew that something was going to happen between them. Their chemistry and banter are both great and hilarious. In this story, Brenna finds herself needing Jake to go on a fake date with her and in return he asks for a real one in return. They may have been fighting the spark between them seeing their hockey teams are rivals, but Jake decides to say the hell with it. He feels something for Brenna and he wants to see it through. Their real date, the cutest thing ever by the way, opens up the real possibility that they could be something more. They are perfect for one another, challenging and respecting at every turn. It's hard not to root for them.  All around great book. With the return of favorite characters, the hilarious and unexpected side stories, and the romance that builds up between Brenna and Jake, I could not put it down. I don't know who's story is next, but I cannot wait to find out. If you liked the previous books, this one does not disappoint!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 3: Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet

The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 3

The riveting conclusion to the Kingmaker Chronicles, available January 2018!

Who is Catalia Fisa?

With the help of pivotal figures from her past, Cat begins to understand the root of her exceptional magic, her fated union with Griffin Sinta, and Griffin's role in shaping her destiny.

Only Cat holds the key to unlocking her own power, and that means finally accepting herself, her past, and her future in order to protect her loved ones, confront her murderous mother, and taking a final, terrifying step--reuniting all three realms and taking her place as the Queen of Thalyria.

What doesn't kill her will only make her stronger...we hope.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33607186-heart-on-fire

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A kickass ending to a fantastic trilogy! The end of the fight is finally here for Cat and her long journey will find come to an end. But that only means a new beginning for Cat and Griffin. Cat has always struggled with who she is and understanding her magic. In this conclusion, there is no more time to second guess. In Cat's final journey she must accept who she is and find the key to her magic. Is it easy? Not at all. This book is once again filled with action, lots of myth, romance, and lots of plot twists. I will admit there was some stuff I wished would have happened and that didn't appear in the book. Even some things that did happen and I wish didn't. Though the book ended where I thought it would, what I really wished for was an epilogue, but sadly there was none. It didn't mean I liked the book any less, I just wished it tied everything up. I still had some questions, but mostly they  were questions about what happens next for these characters that I grew to love. Still, great series. If you love Greek mythology, a heart-stopping romance, and kickass characters, definitely check this series out! 

The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 2: Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 2

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD... 

"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29895106-breath-of-fire

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Book 2 and the story just keeps getting better! Cat is on her way to her destiny and the road is not an easy one. Then again, when is fulfilling your destiny ever easy? Cat realizes she cannot hide the truth from Griffin anymore. She tells him exactly who she is and the destiny she was given when she ran away from Fisa. And though Cat has always feared she would destroy the world, Griffin doesn't see her future as destructive. He sees it as a new beginning. For them and the realms. Together with their trusted friends and family, they take the next steps of securing their home and getting ready to take back another piece of the realm. This book in the series was really awesome! Lots more myths, magical creatures, gods, and goddesses. There is never a boring moment. Every battle and every new challenge gets more dangerous and even exciting. Such fantastic characters in these books and I cannot wait to open the final book and see everyone fulfill their destinies. With many twists and turns, whatever comes next is going to be something crazy and intense. And I cannot wait to find out what comes next.

The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 1: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

The Kingmaker Chronicles Book 1

KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER...

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Catalia "Cat" Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods-and her homicidal mother-have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.

Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm-until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin's fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27015399-a-promise-of-fire

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I was super surprised by how much I ended up really liking this book! I mean it already had an advantage of being fantasy, romance, kick ass heroine, lots of magic, and being based off Greek mythology (which is my kryptonite of story telling). But Cat's story and mysterious past and abilities kicked the story up to a new level. Not to mention the world that Amanda Bouchet created to go along with it. I was immediately captured in her story and the myths. I wanted to understand the world she created. Her characters were also fantastic. Our lead heroine Cat is hilarious. Her strong personality and endless sarcasm challenges Griffin in the best way. Their interactions and chemistry are fantastic. Not to mention their slow burning romance. This was only the beginning of what I think will be a very good series and I am eager to find out where the story goes.