Monday, February 17

Blodeuedd's Monday: In the Shadow of Lightning by Brian McClellan

Series: Glass Immortals (#1)

576 pages, Paperback

Published: May 9, 2023 by Tor Trade

Genre: Fantasy, Own





It took some time to finish this one. It has a lot of story, characters, and maybe not the easiest book to pick one of the first of the year. I really wanted to follow one person and see where that took us. Well, isn't that always the case. Always that one that is more interesting.

So, politics. A country hungry for war. The thing that makes them special running out.

An estranged son returning home. A woman searching for a killer. A glassworker in the middle of war.

I am horrible at writing a review today....honestly that ending blew me away. Damn. Now you are talking! And there is not even a new book on the horizon!



Demir Grappo is an outcast―he fled a life of wealth and power, abandoning his responsibilities as a general, a governor, and a son. Now he will live out his days as a grifter, rootless, and alone. But when his mother is brutally murdered, Demir must return from exile to claim his seat at the head of the family and uncover the truth that got her the very power that keeps civilization turning, godglass, is running out.

Now, Demir must find allies, old friends and rivals alike, confront the powerful guild-families who are only interested in making the most of the scraps left at the table and uncover the invisible hand that threatens the Empire. A war is coming, a war unlike any other. And Demir and his ragtag group of outcasts are the only thing that stands in the way of the end of life as the world knows it.

Saturday, February 15

Audiobook Review: Sprinkles and Sea Serpents by Danielle Garrett




Author: Danielle Garrett
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Title: Sprinkles and Sea Serpents
Series: Sugar Shack Witch Mysteries #1
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: September 23, 2020
Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 
They say you can't go home again. . .oh, if only that were true.

Thanks to a series of unfortunate events - and one backstabbing frenemy - home is exactly where I'm headed. back to Winterspell Lake, the small community in Eastern Washington where magic runs rampant and humans are outlawed.

Faster than you can say hocus pocus I'm unpacking my bags and settling into the guest room of my parents' house, trying to ignore the creeping sensation that I'll never break free again.

The one thing Winterspell has going for it is the sweets shop in the center of town, a bakery filled with magical creations designed to enchant the taste buds and charm even the pickiest of connoisseurs. Luckily for me, I get the friends and family discount since my parents own the famous Sugar Shack. If I want room and board, I have to frost cupcakes and sling macaroons with the rest of the fam.

Unfortunately, things in Winterspell aren't all sugar cookies and rainbows. According to the local news, a dangerous sea serpent has claimed the lives to three missing girls. The journalist in me has to have a look for myself, and what I find is something far more deadly.

Something that makes me wish I'd stayed in the bakery.

Review:
Been meaning to read this series for a bit...especially after I read a crossover in this world. 

Thanks to some unfortunate events Ella is forced to go back home and stay with her family while she picks herself back up. The one thing Winterspell has going for it is the sweets shop in the center of town and her parent's need help at their store Sugar Shack. However, the town is in an uproar about a dangerous sea serpent who supposedly claimed the lives of three girls. Ella, as a previous journalist, can't help herself as she goes digging for answers. 

I was pleasantly surprised when we learn that there is more to Ella than what she describes in the summary. She has a power (which everyone in Winterspell and the magic world has SOME sort of power) that is so cool. People are mean and some have shunned her because of it. I'll leave it as a surprise for people who haven't read the book yet especially since it isn't called out in the summary. But it's cool and I want that power. 

I have a sneaking fear that there will be a love triangle in our future. Maybe not? She is freshly back in town and romance isn't the first thing on her brain, but the heart wants what the heart wants. If there is to be a love triangle that it only lasts for a bit and is realistic. *fingers crossed* Here's to hoping!! 

Originally I had this going on my romance bingo sheet, but I really feel that there wasn't enough romance for that to happen. Maybe book 2 will have more of the romance element. This seems to be building up for more. Soooooooooooo, I'll leave it off my bingo sheet. 

I liked Ella and I like her granny. I hope to learn more about her family in future books. 

Ryan was sweet. So was Jake. 

I loved the sea serpent! I wish we got to see it more.

There is something brewing and I need to know what is going to happen! EEEE. So yes, I have the next book ready to go already. Hehe. 

The narrator is a personal favorite of mine so I am super biased. She is great and does justice to the characters. 

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this. I do fear for a love triangle, but if it is done right I'll be happy. Fun, good mystery, nice characters, cool powers.....5 stars.  


- Favorite Character(s): Ella, Grandma Rose
- Least Favorite Character(s): The sheriff. Boo







 Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #7
- Cloak & Dagger #2

Friday, February 14

Movie Review: Downton Abbey (2019)


Title:
Downton Abbey
Length: 2h 2m
Released: 2019
Genre: Historical, Romance, Drama
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Amazon



SUMMARY:
The Crawleys and their servants prepare to host King George V and Queen Mary at Downton Abbey.



REVIEW:
I finished the show and had to watch the movie!

The Crawleys and their servants are called to host the king and queen. What an honor! What an adventure! Nothing can ever be simple though for Downton Abbey though. 

As I mentioned above, I finished the show and I'm not ready to say goodbye to these characters, this world, and the story. I'm SO glad we have two movies. I watched this one literally the moment I watched the last episode. 

One can't help but love a good drama sprinkled with some romance and comedy. I love that we get to see the rich people and the servants. I love their relationship with each other. When you see each other every day you can't help but become friends. It's a tough friendship due to rank. It's pretty much boss and employee friendships. There is a lot of lines you have to be careful of.

OoooOooo the twist was good! I seen it coming a mile away, but I don't think the writer's tried hard to hide it. But it was lovely to see it come true. 

Poor Thomas. I want him to find love. 

What else can I say? This was great. It had all the charms of the TV show but just longer. We got to see our favorite characters running amuck. 

I can't wait to watch movie 2! I promised my friend I would watch it with him. UGH!!! Patience is not my virture ;) 

All-in-all, if you liked the show, you'll like the movie. 5 stars. 






Thursday, February 13

Book Review: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh



Author: Nalini Singh
Title: Kiss of Snow
Series: Psy-Changeling #10
Genre: PNR, Fantasy, UF
Format: ebook
Pages: 433
Published: May 31, 2011
Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 
Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight . . .

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home . . . and the alpha who is its heartbeat . . .


Review:
Slowly getting my way through this series. :D

Sienna left the PsyNet and joined the SnowDancer pack. She can't get Hawke out of her mind and he is driving her insane. Hawke is used to being alone at the top. He loves his pack, but he doesn't want anyone too close to his heart. Sienna fascinates him but she is too naive. At the same time there is a deadly enemy out to destroy SnowDancer once and for all. Sienna has a secret that could be everyone's undoing. 

Is it wrong that I did not like Hawke or Sienna? I didn't hate them, but they drove me insane. Sienna is too wild and rakeless. Hawke is too cold. They do tear down the walls they both have but it took a while and I wanted to shake them. I also wasn't a huge fan of the age difference. She is like 19/20 and he is in 30s. Maybe if she was more mature? She acted her age most of the time so I just didn't vibe at first. By the end I did warm up to them. 

Now....my feelings toward the couple didn't ruin the story fully. I did enjoy watching them change and finally give in to love. I also am loving the background story. PLUS we got to see a lot of past characters and that made me happyyyy!!!

The last big scene??!!! I couldn't go to bed! I stayed up WAY too late finishing the book. I had to know how it was all going to be resolved. 

All-in-all, I had some issues with our main two, but I seem to be in the minority. I did warm up to them by the very end. Even with my issues, I still enjoyed this overall. The background story, the side characters, the big battle at the end? So fun. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 



- Favorite Character(s): Brenna, Sascha
- Least Favorite Character(s): Sienna and Hawke 



 
Challenge(s):
- Romance Reading Challenge #6 (Non-US author)
- Library Love #4