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Audiobook Review – Heir of Storms

This was an engaging YA high fantasy that feels like Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Hunger Games in an interesting world with a likable MC and a fabulous audiobook narrator. I’ve been in a reading slump for SO long, but this one grabbed me right out of the gate and kept my attention throughout. Definitely recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What can I say? I’m a sucker for some good elemental magic.

(Full disclosure, I did try to read book 2 this summer, and while I enjoyed the multi-POV, the characters and plot progress didn’t grab me in quite the same way, and I didn’t finish.)

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Stay for a Spell

The was a sweet, super cozy fantasy with a relatable princess; a saucy, unserious pirate; fun, quirky world building; and pops of humor. The midst of a book slump, I definitely enjoyed the read, but I did wish the romance had a little more oomph.

Since I’m writing this in public, we’re going to doodle review mode!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Hopeless Necromantic

As a big Shiloh Briar fan, I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while and was super stoked when it made the transition from indie to Orbit! I got a book box from the author and then was even be able to convince our book club to make it the read of the month! Though I love the new cover, I do think it puts more emphasis on the romance than the indie versions (which honestly, we agreed as a book club, might match the story a little better.) Personally, I wouldn’t call this a “romantasy” and more of a quirky-dark fantasy with a strong side of slowburn, closed-door romance. The characters totally pop, and I highly recommend for the unique adventure with tons of banter and solid heart.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Highly recommend!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Howl’s Moving Castle

Wow, I don’t think I ever realized how different the movie was from the book! I definitely still enjoyed the book and all its magical chaos and bizarre sort of silliness, but I think on the whole, I prefer the movie better. Totally recommend this for any fans of the movie though with the understanding that it is an extremely different story with characters that are also quite different but with similar elements. (Also, very light on the romantic arc, so if you’re coming for that, just know it’s incredibly minor here.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼

Howl’s man-cold situation still has me giggling. I mean, he’s still an icon, but definitely bizarre.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Fortune of Emerald and Salt

Great narration, the pirate adventure vibes were definitely here in force, and I enjoyed the idea of sibling captains, but the characters didn’t quite grab me. Recommended for those looking for a plot-driven pirate adventure.

⭐⭐⭐½

It’s been a long time since I’ve fallen in love with a pirate adventure. I think those might be a tough sell for me.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

Really enjoyed the characters, the writing, and this world. In general, it’s all so fun and light and unique, and it really just feels like a comfort-read. I also really thought the friends dynamic between the two main leads was well done. I feel like friends-to-lovers is a hard dynamic to pull off but you could definitely feel the tension between them (as well as a believable barrier) from the beginning. However, the ending resolution between the two of them felt a bit rushed though, and there was some miscommunication trope use which didn’t sit super well for me in the end. Otherwise, definitely an enjoyable read, and the narration is fantastic. I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a light fantasy that read likes a quirky romcom (Honestly I need WAY more books like this in my life.) I’ve got book 3 on my TBR as well and I’m excited to read it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐¼

Enjoyed the journey, but honestly, I’m still thinking about how I wish the ending would’ve gone just a little differently.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Hemlock & Silver

Loved this one. I’m such a huge T. Kingfisher fan. The voice, characters, and world all just seamlessly pop off the page in a way that’s such a joy to read. Though I’m not usually a huge fairytale retelling fan, this one is so original it works super well and the narration was fantastic. There was a moment in the middle where I thought we lagged just a little, but the resolution hit just the right spot. Though Swordheart & A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking are still my top 2 Kingfisher books, I think this one’s swooping in for a solid third. Definitely will be recommending to anyone who loves voicey fantasy with a hint of darkness and the warm fuzzies of a happy ending.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love me some T. Kingfisher!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Tales from the Half-Continent (Monster Blood Tattoo #3.5)

So this was an interesting find! For reference, I did not read the previous books in this series, so I read the two stories here as stand-alones. These books are well-written, with a classical fantasy feel, a nicely macabre vibe, and an impressive amount of world-building tucked into a small story. The audiobook narrator has pleasant voice that I definitely think adds to the stories, and the narrative takes its time unfolding the adventures. With the larger focus on the world and background in a small tale, I didn’t quite connect with the characters as much as I would’ve liked, but I would recommend this for anyone looking for a couple short grim, monster-y reads told in a descriptive, atmospheric writing style. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the review copy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m just a monster girl, living in a monster world.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Half a Soul

This was a cute, light read that I enjoyed, it just didn’t go quite as deep into the romance or fae elements as I was hoping, and I think it’s brought me to the realization that probably most regency era books aren’t really my thing. However, if you’re looking for a light, regency-era fae story with a light, sweet romance and solid audiobook narration, this may be for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Year 36: In which Hayley finds with some certainty that she’s not a fae person. And neither is she a regency person. The self-discovery continues.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy

Okay. This book was totally right up my alley. In some ways this almost felt like a straight-up retelling of “You’ve Got Mail” in a quirky magical setting with undertakers and zombies, but at about the 50% mark it veers firmly into its own territory. Enjoyed the setting, enjoyed the main characters, the lovable side characters, and You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite movies of all time, so I was totally here for the parallels. Solid five stars with a cozy vibe, an interesting world, great narration, and a unique flavor.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fantasy that feels like a romcom?! These are my grabby hands

Thanks for reading!