This is the first of a duology by the amazing author Adrienne Young. It is a fantasy novel set in a Greece-like city where the “Lower City” (area on tThis is the first of a duology by the amazing author Adrienne Young. It is a fantasy novel set in a Greece-like city where the “Lower City” (area on the other side of the river before the gates) and the Citadel (where the rich people live) are at war with one another. When the war breaks out our two MCs - Luca and Maris - are separated.
The story is told in each of their POVs and is also told in a before/after timeline.
For me, this was a tough one to get into at first. You’re pretty much flung into the world and there’s a lot of characters and words that aren’t easily known (mostly for clothing items). I *hated* greek mythology/history so I retained nothing, if that’s your thing you will probably be better off as this seems to lean heavily on Ancient Greece. Once the story started rolling I got into it more but I ultimately felt that the romance was more told than shown, especially in the before segment of the novel, for me to be as invested in the current timeline of the story.
I will be picking up the sequel to see where it all leads but ultimately it was not a love for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. ...more
This novel is told in two POVs - Margot and Forrest. Margot is a best selling romance author who secretly has been writing happily never after endingsThis novel is told in two POVs - Margot and Forrest. Margot is a best selling romance author who secretly has been writing happily never after endings for her books and the file gets hacked and leaked and she’s cancelled during a podcast interview when the papers are leaked. Forrest is a doctor leading the industry in research but moves home to help his father after he suffers an injury and is wheelchair bound. Every romance trope is thrown in but it’s so delightfully tongue-in-cheek that you can’t help but smile and laugh along with the book.
If you enjoy sharp witty romances that will still make you swoon (this reminded me of Abby Jimenez in the best ways) then add this to your TBR pronto!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. ...more
I finally am on my ARC March journey and I kicked things off with this fast-paced thriller by Scott Carson, who is a pen name of Michael Kor⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I finally am on my ARC March journey and I kicked things off with this fast-paced thriller by Scott Carson, who is a pen name of Michael Koryta, who wrote one of my favorite reads of 2024 (Those Who Wish Me Dead). When I saw this pop up on @netgalley I knew I had to give it a whirl because I really loved that book.
This book starts off SO strong: pilots across the country are called by their mothers in the middle of the night and they are begged by them to not fly the next day or otherwise they will die and be responsible for the death of the souls they carry onboard. The kicker is none of these mothers remember making the call... and some of them are dead. If that premise alone doesn't grab you, I don't know what would!
This is told in multiple POVs from two different timelines - one is modern day, one is in the 1960s during the height of the nuclear arms race. My grandfather played a small part in the atomic bomb so this kind of thing has always fascinated me so this book was straight up my alley.
I will say that this book gets into the science-y weeds a bit, if those kind of details aren’t your thing just skim it - you won’t miss out really by doing so.
I flew through this book and while some things I could see coming others I definitely didn’t. It was a good balance of twists and turns and the pacing is solid.
Highly recommend this book to anyone that likes mystery/suspense and wants a thriller pacing without gore.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review....more
If coming off a fresh reread of Fourth Wing/Iron Flame I couldn't follow who was who anyone who isn't Lexie Grey is going to be fucked keeping anyone If coming off a fresh reread of Fourth Wing/Iron Flame I couldn't follow who was who anyone who isn't Lexie Grey is going to be fucked keeping anyone straight in this book beyond Violet/Xaden.