Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Shadow Wizard by Jeffe Kennedy

By: Jeffe Kennedy

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

Series: Renegades of Magic, Book 1

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Release date: 10-26-22

Publisher: Brightlynx Publishing

Fantasy romance

Borrow: Nexttory

A new series, but also a direct continuation on the previous series. So def read that one first.

In that one Jedren and Seliah was left behind to protect Gabriel´s and Nic´s escape. But things went south and Jedren needs to save Seliah. Which makes things go south even further. And then they end up in hell, not literally hell, but close enough. At his mother´s house. And that house is Hell.

This world is also hell, if you are a familliar. And in the last series we saw that Seliah had gone mad from not being bonded to a wizard. Jedren is a spy (and everyone knows it), he is also an arrogant asshole, but sometimes something shines through and it shows that he has built up a tough shell.

They have an adventure together, they go through fire together, and they totally get the hots for each other.

Great narration. This is my second audio by this narrator and it works really well. I wish I had done all the books by her

Spy, manipulator, traitor… He might be her only salvation.

Lady Seliah Phel can’t escape feeling like she’s one of those fairytale princesses awakened from a long slumber—except that her life is no romantic story and there’s no happy ending in sight. Though she has her magic and she’s been rescued from the depths of madness that consumed her since adolescence, Selly finds that the years she lost aren’t so easily recovered. Everyone treats her like the child they remember. To prove something—perhaps only to herself—she’s recklessly volunteered to stave off a host of monsters with only the enigmatically alluring, cuttingly sarcastic, and probably deceitful wizard Jadren El-Adrel for company.

Jadren isn’t the heroic type. In fact, he’s not much of anything. Relentlessly groomed into a shadow of a man by his sadistic mother, he’s the perfect spy and tool, with no real will of his own. When he’s stranded in the wilderness with Seliah Phel, he figures the outcome is immaterial. Live or die, it’s all the same to him. But Seliah is a different story and she isn’t like anyone else. Though he reminds himself she’s basically a child in a woman’s body, he finds it increasingly difficult to resist her artless charms and relentless curiosity.

As their predicament goes from dire to disastrous, Jadren realizes his many failures have jeopardized Selly’s future, perhaps her very life. Far from home and trapped without resources, Selly has only Jadren to rely upon—the one person she can’t possibly trust. There seems no possibility of rescue from their friends and family back home at House Phel, so Jadren and Selly must work together to survive… if they can.

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: Grey Magic by Jeffe Kennedy

By: Jeffe Kennedy

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

Series: Bonds of Magic, Book 3

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Release date: 05-11-22

Publisher: Brightlynx Publishing

Fantasy romance /nextory

This world is so evil. I just want to shake some sense into everyone. Like omg Familiars should be cherished and not slaves!

Gabriel and Veronica are together and happy. But the world around still sucks and there are so many dangers. Their bond is not real. He treats her too well, like wtf people, she is still his wife and carries his child! Ugh this world. It is very dark and someone needs to shake it up. Viva la revolution!

Then it got intense. So very intense. I wanted to bring the speed up on my audio, but for some reson 2x was the highest. I just could not sit still and listen because it was so suspenseful.

It was a good conclusion to this trilogy. But their story is not over, I already started on a new series as there is still a lot of things that needs to get done for everyone to be safe.

Good narration. she sure kept me on my seat.

Lord Gabriel Phel at last holds his dream in his grasp—and faces losing everything. He’s finally won the love of his wife, familiar, and mother of his child, and she offers him a heartfelt commitment he can truly believe in. Together they’re building a true house, one with a growing family of friends and allies that can help them stand against their enemies. And he’s learning to master his magic, to use it as the powerful tool and weapon it should be. But old and new enemies array themselves to take it all away.

Lady Veronica, now fully of House Phel, is doing her best to embrace happiness. After all, she has her hands full managing her mercurial and powerful wizard as he navigates taking his place as the head of their house, and with learning her own extraordinary ability. But she fears whatever peace they win won’t last long. When their enemies inevitably strike—including, perhaps, her own father—they must be ready to defend all they hold precious. It doesn’t help that her idealistic husband insists on making foolishly noble decisions that put them at even greater risk, nor that she loves him all the more for it.

As Nic and Gabriel struggle to put their household in order, giving ill-advised safe harbor to Nic’s runaway sister and risking their lives to save Gabriel’s sister’s sanity, their enemies draw the noose tighter on their well laid plans. When the unthinkable occurs, it’s up to both of them to trust in the nascent, unknown magic they’ve woven together.

Book Review: The Golden Gryphon and the Bear Prince by Jeffe Kennedy

Author: Jeffe Kennedy

Title: The Golden Gryphon and the Bear Prince

(Heirs of Magic #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 278 

Published: January 25th 2021

Where I Got It: My shelf (gift)

Summary: 

A Legacy of Honor

Crown Prince Astar has only ever wanted to do the right thing: be a credit to his late-father’s legacy, live up to his duties as heir to the High Throne of the Thirteen Kingdoms, and cleave to the principles of honor and integrity that give his life structure—and that contain the ferocious grizzly bear inside. Nowhere in those guiding principles is there room for the fierce-hearted, wildly free-spirited, and dizzyingly beautiful shapeshifter, Zephyr. Still, even though they’ve been friends most of their lives, Astar is able to keep Zephyr safely at arm’s length. He’s already received a list of potential princess brides who will make a suitable queen, and Zephyr is not on it.

A Longtime Obsession

Zeph has wanted the gorgeous, charming, and too-good-for-his-own-good Astar for as long as she can remember. Not that her longing for him—and his perfectly sculpted and muscular body—has stopped her from enjoying any number of lovers. Astar might be honorably (and foolishly) intent on remaining chaste until marriage, but Zeph is Tala and they have no such rules. Still, she loves Astar—as a friend—and she wants him to at least taste life before he chains himself to a wife he didn’t choose. There’s no harm in him having a bit of fun with her. But the man remains stubbornly elusive, staving off all of her advances with infuriatingly noble refusals.

A Quest to Save the World

But things change when a new terror threatens the Thirteen Kingdoms. Following prophecy, Astar and Zeph—along with a mismatched group of shapeshifter, warrior, and sorceress friends—go on a quest to stop a magic rift before it grows beyond anyone’s ability to stop. Thrust together with Zephyr, Astar finds himself increasingly unable to resist her seductive invitations. And, in the face of life and death battles with lethal monsters, he begins to lose sight of why having her, just once, is such a terrible idea 

Review:

I feel like I have read something by this author but it has been a long time. And honestly...I think I have only read some short stories. Mmm. I can't remember. But yes - I was drawn in by this book especially because of that cover. I lovvvvvveeeee that cover!

We follow Astar and Zeph. Astar is the Crown Prince and he always wants to do the right thing and live up to his father's legacy. Zeph has loved Astar for as long as she can remember, but they are just friends. However, she wants him to have a taste of freedom and life before he chains himself to a wife he didn't choose, but he is stubbornly elusive. Things change when a new terror threatens the Thirteen Kingdoms. Following prophecy, Astar, Zeph, and a mismatched group go on a quest to stop the magic rift. 

This started off sooooo slow. Like super slow. I had such a rough time at first. I nearly gave up. BUT things did get better at the halfway point.

After a certain event, I did get invested. I was still meh about Astar and Zeph, but I was curious to see what was going to happen. 

Honestly...I liked our side characters more than our main characters. They were more entertaining. Don't get me wrong...I didn't loath Astar or Zeph...but I didn't like them as a possible item. Zeph is pushy and Astar is too stubborn. They need to be with other people. 

Not sure if I'm going to continue with the series. I am curious. We shall see. 

Again....I love the cover! The colors are so bold and pretty!

In the end, this started off super slow, but I'm glad I didn't quit. The ending was fun and I did enjoy following our crew during their quest. I also loved our side characters more than our hero/heroine. Overall, I'll give this 2 stars. Some good parts, but I do not think I would continue the series. 

Challenge(s):

- #11 for Romance Bingo - Water on the cover (looks like an ocean)

B's Monday Review: The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy

Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages

Published May 26th 2020 by St. Martin's Press

Series: Forgotten Empires #2

Fantasy

To review

I know my example might sound like a cliffhanger, but hear me out;

The end, omg so intense. It was like the author took the characters, took them to a cliff, laughed manically and then pushed them all over, and made them hit everything on the way down. "Luckily" they did land before the ground, and they did break everything. So it was not a total freefall, and for now they are safe on a tiny tree sticking out from that cliff and it might break any second.

Poor Lia. How could you be so cruel to Lia! In the first book I was a bit blaze about everyone, but here, Lia is not truly human, I do not get the whole thing. I wonder about so much since well queen of something that might waken, that will be intense too.

Conri, I was not impressed by him either in book 1, frankly he deserved to be pushed from that cliff and not saved. But he saves himself here, and I will not push him. I get that his life has been hell and all he wants is revenge.

Oh and the evil emperor must die a really painful slow, like really slow, like brought to death, nursed back, brought to death, nursed back and then have every piece of him..oh oh bloody eagle. Yes let's eagle that sucker!

Two people dancing around each other because they both want to save the world. Then darkness, so much darkness. Romance, no, this is not a romance. But it might be. One day.

Omg Lia! I am still in freefall from that cliff.

Book 3 will be something else 

Conri and Lia’s marriage of convenience has turned into an uneasy alliance. If only the two leaders could agree on something. Driven by revenge, Conri wants to attack Emperor Anure before the tyrant gets to them first. But Lia needs to keep Calanthe safe, and refuses to sacrifice her kingdom. Their ongoing battle for control has built up tension they’re both more than happy to release in bed, the only place where they find common ground. But Conri and Lia are developing deeper feelings for each other that are complicating matters. In the second book in the Forgotten Empires trilogy, Conri and Lia find their loyalties torn, and with Emperor Anure’s threat growing, will they be able to risk everything with each other before it’s too late?

--

Blodeuedd's Monday Review - The Arrows of the Heart by Jeffe Kennedy

Ebook, 280 p

Published October 2018

The Uncharted Realms #4, The Twelve Kingdoms Complete Universe [publication order] #8

Fantasy romance

For review

MY thoughts:

This series is my favorite Kennedy series. I know I know, yes an author can have different voices, and she so has! Lately I have read one set in the same world, but before The Twelve Kingdoms, and that is not a romance one, but fantasy. And the voice is a whole other authors. Then there was this fantasy romance set in yet another world, and again, totally different voice. But hey, that is why she is the author! But my heart belongs to the first trilogy, and the this new series. This is my favorite voice.

Ok so when I am done rambling about that...

Karyn was married, she was told she had to be a virgin for the rest of her life. Then her husband fell in love and said they could divorce so that he could leave that stinking kingdom behind. But, what about her!? She is not prepared for this world. She was raised to be a princess. She knows nothing else. She tries to become a fighter since Jepp showed her some moves (Jepp who fell in love with her husband who was not allowed to touch her omg just read the previous books.) But Karyn is not really a fighter. And she wants more from life. Sure, being a princess could have been nice. But she would never have been allowed to be a mother. And now she is with the Tala...

Zyr is, oh he is a bit too much, but then he is Tala! They are flirty, they do not care about silly things, sex is not big deal and they are free. Though, now when I start to think about it, that is not the best thing. I mean if you are not sure who your baby daddy is then what stops your kid falling for his half sister! I mean they are inbred enough already. These people need some new boundaries and to start writing down who fathered who. Anyhow, he is a good guy. He is just...a surfer dude! Ha, but yes, I could see that. Carefree, loving and kind.

And he sure flirts with her and tries to get under her skin, and clothes. And she might just need it so that she can learn that women are not tools, women have a voice too. They can be strong on their own (and fall in love too.)

But before the love falling part, they will banterm become closer and fight monsters as they set out on an adventure. And dang! Now I want to know what happens in the next book!? Who is the next book about?

Great series :)

Cover
Pretty

Blurb:

Karyn af Hardie is on her own, for the first time in her life. While all around her brace for war with Karyn’s former homeland, the Empire of Dasnaria, all Karyn really wants is to find a husband who will care for her. After all, she gave up everything for the chance at a normal family life with love and children. She has no way of supporting herself and the only thing of value she has to offer is her virginity. The last thing she’ll do is squander that on the flirtatious shapeshifter Zyr.

Zyr is fascinated by the golden-haired and exotic Karyn—but not enough to put up with all of her mossback rules. She’d be considerably happier, in his opinion for some good bouts of healthy sex. Still, that’s not his problem and he has plenty that is. His sister Zynda has disappeared, possibly never to return, leaving him with a mission to use the mysterious map-sticks to find ancient n’Andana and recruit help for a war they seem doomed to lose to otherwise.

Suspected as a Dasnarian spy, Karyn can’t stay in Annfwn while the defense is planned—so she’s sent with Zyr to assist on his desperate quest. If they can keep from killing each other, Karyn and Zyr might just discover they hold more than a map to saving the world.

B's Monday Review: Lonen's War by Jeffe Kennedy

Alone in her tower, Princess Oria has spent too long studying her people’s barbarian enemies, the Destrye—and neglected the search for calm that will control her magic and release her to society. Her restlessness makes meditation hopeless and her fragility renders human companionship unbearable. Oria is near giving up. Then the Destrye attack, and her people’s lives depend on her handling of their prince…

When the cornered Destrye decided to strike back, Lonen never thought he’d live through the battle, let alone demand justice as a conqueror. And yet he must keep up his guard against the sorceress who speaks for the city. Oria’s people are devious, her claims of ignorance absurd. The frank honesty her eyes promise could be just one more layer of deception.

Fighting for time and trust, Oria and Lonen have one final sacrifice to choose… before an even greater threat consumes them all. 

My thoughts:

I did not really know who to root for at first. The Barbarian Horde was all kill them all! BUT they claimed that they had been attacked first. As for the people of Dara I only had Oria's opinion and she had no idea why they were attacking. Except for them being barbarians. So I was not too happy about the Destrye to be honest. And not at all when things comes to pass later on.

It's not a fantasy romance, there is not an inch of romance in it. But I guess there will be in coming books. Cos duh, you read the blurb and think that they will hook up. But he keeps thinking of someone else and I am so not down with that. But then he thinks of Oria too, and I am all no you didn't! It did not really make me love Lonen. He has to prove himself in book 2 if he is gonna win me over. He does better himself, but in another way it just makes it all worse.

Oh and you should see him go all but she said! Oh man, she is not the ruler of this place. Silly little Destrye. You will see.

As for Oria's family, they do not show that much redeeming traits. Maybe the city really should burn.

I have no idea where I am , let me see. Oria aka stuck in a cover, can't use the magic she should, never leaves said tower. And Lonen the barbarian who goes all I trust her.

Fighting. Trying to make peace. Inviting trouble. The foundation for the whole city cracking...

Conclusion:

It was an interesting story, there are some...things I would like to learn more of. The romance part seemed utterly doomed and hope not. I'd like some romance, maybe some happy banter too.

ebook, 233 pages
Expected publication: July 19th 2016 by Brightlynx Publishing
Romantic fantasy
For a review

B's Monday Review: The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy

Magic has broken free over the Twelve Kingdoms. The population is beset by shapeshifters and portents, landscapes that migrate, uncanny allies who are not quite human…and enemies eager to take advantage of the chaos. 

Dafne Mailloux is no adventurer--she's a librarian. But the High Queen trusts Dafne's ability with languages, her way of winnowing the useful facts from a dusty scroll, and even more important, the subtlety and guile that three decades under the thumb of a tyrant taught her. 

Dafne never thought to need those skills again. But she accepts her duty. Until her journey drops her into the arms of a barbarian king. He speaks no tongue she knows but that of power, yet he recognizes his captive as a valuable pawn. Dafne must submit to a wedding of alliance, becoming a prisoner-queen in a court she does not understand. If she is to save herself and her country, she will have to learn to read the heart of a wild stranger. And there are more secrets written there than even Dafne could suspect…

My thoughts:

It's Lucky for Dafne that she is a smart cookie because she sure needs it here, all alone on an island with strange people and a man making bedroom eyes at her.

Dafne is sent an a diplomatic mission to a chain of islands. But all things are not as they seem, and suddenly she is married, or is she? So hard to figure out what people are saying when you do not speak the language. And the people are strange, their king is strange. An Dafne, well I was all go for it woman! She has never loved, this is a great chance, you know a hot king wants you. But she is all, I have a duty to my queen! Silly woman.

And as I said all is not as it seems. There is magic on this island, and mysteries. Ones that can be solved by a librarian. Woot! Librarian powers to the rescue!

As for their dance, it was quite the dance. He wants her, but he also seems to need her..in another way too. She does find him hot (who wouldn't), but this is so so wrong. So they do their little dance, have difficulties understanding each other, grow closer and insert a bit of drama and hot headed idiots and you have your story.

By the way, the next book is Jepp's and Kral's and I can not wait. She has quite the mouth on her, how he could ever rein her in I do not know.

Back to these lovers. I am intrigued by the secrets revealed and can not wait to learn more.

Again, Ursula and A should totally be able to have babies! That still makes me sad, I hope it changes.

And one again back to the book.

Conclusion;

A lovely fantasy romance. 

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 432 pages
Expected publication: May 31st 2016 by Kensington
The Uncharted Realms #1, The Twelve Kingdoms #4
Fantasy romance
For review

B's Monday Review: Hearts Blood by & The Crown of the Queen by Jeffe Kennedy

A Story of The Twelve Kingdoms

Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix.

With broken vows, anguish and dark secrets between them, Cavan and Nix struggle to find the magic to restore what’s gone terribly wrong… if it ever can be. 

My thoughts:

First, I read this in an anthology so this review is short! Cos I had a lot of other books to talk about.

It was really good and all, but I just read another retelling of the goose girl (like last week), so I was never surprised.

But Natilde is a bitch! And go Nyx!

This takes place in the twelve kingdoms world, but has nothing to do with that trilogy.

ebook

Published March 7th 2016 by Brightlynx Publishing

The Twelve Kingdoms #3.5

Fantasy

Own

Dafne Mailloux, librarian and temporary babysitter to the heirs to the High Throne of the Twelve – now Thirteen – Kingdoms, finds it difficult to leave the paradise of Annfwn behind. Particularly that trove of rare books in temptingly unfamiliar languages. But duty calls, and hers is to the crown. It’s not like her heart belongs elsewhere. But how can she crown a queen who hesitates to take the throne? 

My thoughts:

I know this was your story Dafne, but I was all about the rest and the whole omg, will they never be able to marry? No one is having babies!

Saaaaaaaaaaaaaadness! And since the next book is about Dafne, that is just, sad you know. No one gets to share their love, well except for Andi. No one is having babies, except for Ami. Now I am sad. 

Now when I have that off my chest. This is about Ursula having doubts, others having doubts about her taking the High Crown (to me it would be better if everyone took care of their own business and cut the high stuff.) And it's about who will take over after her.

And it is about seers making hints that maybe Dafne has a future too. Yay, I can not wait. Especially since book 4s blurb sure seems interesting. No, it has nothing to do with that premise that I love, fine, yes it has everything to do with that premise.

(edit, reading this later and I have NO idea what I am talking about)

This is mostly a talking and thinking story. Trying to put the kingdom back together. I just want everyone to be happy though.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: May 31st 2016

The Twelve Kingdoms #3.6

Fantasy

For review

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Tears of the Rose

Blurb:
Three sisters. Motherless daughters of the high king. The eldest is the warrior-woman heir; the middle child is shy and full of witchy intuition; and the youngest, Princess Amelia, she is as beautiful as the sun and just as generous.

Ami met her Prince Charming and went away to his castle on the stormy sea-cliffs—and that should have been her happily ever after. Instead, her husband lies dead and a war rages. Her middle sister has been taken into a demon land, turned into a stranger. The priests and her father are revealing secrets and telling lies. And a power is rising in Ami, too, a power she hardly recognizes, to wield her beauty as a weapon, and her charm as a tool to deceive…

Amelia has never had to be anything but good and sweet and kind and lovely. But the chess game for the Twelve Kingdoms has swept her up in it, and she must make a gambit of her own. Can the prettiest princess become a pawn—or a queen? 

Paperback, 352 pages
Published November 25th 2014 by Kensington
The Twelve Kingdoms #2
Fantasy
Own

My thoughts:
The adventure continues! This book is about the youngest princess Amelia. The spoiled and beautiful one. The one who liked to party, who married her prince charming at 16. The one people assumes has no brain cos she is so pretty. The one who is told to be an avatar of their Goddess, cos she is so pretty...

But that is not now. Now she is a widow. She is told her husband was killed by her kidnapped sister. Who now lives with demons. She is told a lot of things. And not all things true. She is a pawn but slowly she starts to realise things, that she does not need to be a pawn. That she can find out the truth herself, and that, yes people could be lying to her. But the road there is long.

At first I did want to shout at her, ok so that was not her fault. She is lied to and of course she believes those lies. Why wouldn't she? I just wanted her to find out the truth and to be herself. But it's a dangerous game. Her father wants destruction, the church wants obedience. These countries are going to hell.

The end is pretty brutal, sometimes a cliffie is all ok, I can live with it. But here, omg, omg, no! I can't live with that, I want the next book to see what happens! The 3rd book, that is about the 3rd sister, but stuff is still going on with Amelia..ok calm down, things will be resolved...hopefully. And people will live happily ever after.

This is light fantasy/fantasy romance. I enjoyed it and duh, I want more. There is cliffie! after all. I can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Recommended.