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Fantasy

The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood

Rating: 4 out of 5.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a YA Fantasy/Romance vampire book and it’s great to get back to the genre. This book is a new twist, combining the Civil War and supernatural beings. I listened to the audio of the book and the narrators did a fantastic job portraying the numerous characters and instilling the danger they went through and the anger, desperation, grief, and determination of then during the story. Jerusalem is a black woman that spent years on a plantation as a slave with her family under the rule of a cruel and vicious vampire. After gaining her freedom she joins the military fighting the Confederate Army. She discovers she’s a Saint, people with enormous strength and incredible reflexes, and is paired with an ancient vampire, Alexei, and other Saint allies. The Saints often have special weapons that help them harness their power and Jerusalem’s is an ancient spear.

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Songlight (The Torch Trilogy #1) by Moira Buffini

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.5 stars

Wow! This is a fantastic first book in a new YA Fantasy series. I can’t believe it’s the author’s debut novel. This book immediately grabbed my attention and I read late into the night because I just could not put it down. It’s full of cruel rulers, a unique magic system, a fierce FMC, and a world weary of war with their neighbor.

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Kissed by the Gods (Eternal Wars #1) by Caty Rogan

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This book is so good!! It starts out with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. The FMC Leina is a total bada** and I was behind her the whole time. After a horrific event Leina’s warrior ability comes out in full force and she has to go on the run. Turns out she’s an Altor, which is forbidden in the kingdom. She’s “recruited” (against her will) to train at an academy for Altor’s. I love books that include warrior training. The grueling tests, competitions, villains and rivalries are always fun to read. Add in found family vibes and I’m hooked.

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The Ever Queen (The Ever Seas #2) by L. J. Andrews

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.5 stars

This is the conclusion of Erik and Livia’s story and a fitting finale to the duology. The book finds the duo separated for much of the story, which gives both characters ample room to grow and shine. Livia, in particular, grows into her power and strength. She finds her confidence and is determined to thwart the people that betrayed Erik and their kingdom for their own gain. We find out who the traitors are and who is working with them. We also find out more about Livia’s past.

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The Law of the Elementari (Elementari, #1) by Vera Cavalieri

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a great debut and the first in a new fantasy series. The world has really interesting magic and those blessed with magic typically wield one of the four elements – air, earth, wind, or fire. Annabelle is one of the rare omniwalkers that can wield all four elements. They are feared because they are often volatile, which is why Annabelle has been forced to live and train at an academy that trains young people to control their power. Annabelle has a chip on her shoulder, rightfully so, and does not care what others think of her. Although, deep down she actually does care, if even just a little. She has only a couple friends, cousins Delia and Nico, and Iris and I love the found family vibes. Delia and Nico are fierce and loyal. Iris is as well, although she’s a bit odd.

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Jeweler to the Blessed (Champions of Chaos #1) by Jillian Witt

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.5 stars

What a fantastic first book in a new, creative fantasy romance. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but definitely want to read her backlog of books while I wait for book 2 of this series to come out. I’m a little distressed that I can’t find out anything about book 2 or an anticipated release date, but considering this book just came out on August 19, I guess my impatience is showing. 🙂

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The Ever King (The Ever Seas #1) by L.J. Andrews

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.5 stars

Wow. What a ride! I devoured this book in two days and can’t wait to start reading the next book The Ever Queen. This book is set in the same world as the Broken Kingdom series, which I haven’t read, but can be read without having read that series first. I, however, will be adding that series onto my TBR immediately. This book was first published in 2023 but somehow I missed it. It was just re-released on August 5, 2025 in hardcover format by Ace Books with exclusive bonus content.

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Zomromcom by Olivia Dade

Rating: 4 out of 5.

3.5 stars rounded up

This is a cute paranormal rom com about an independent woman teaming up with her vampire neighbor to get to the bottom of a zombie outbreak conspiracy. Edie tries to save her bumbling “bro” neighbor Max from a zombie attack, but he’s not what he seems and ends up saving her instead. This starts them down a long journey to not only survive a zombie outbreak, but help to protect her neighbors and get to the bottom of a government conspiracy.

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Kingdoms of Death (Sun Eater #4) by Christopher Ruocchio

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book four in this space opera saga finds Hadrian exiled once again. The war with the Cielcin is not going well, so he’s tasked with yet another impossible task by the Emperor. He’s asked to be an emissary to the Lothrian Commonwealth to try to convince them to join the war. The Lothrian are a somber people with regimented rules that basical quash any individuality or free choice. Hadrian knows it’s an almost impossible task, but he had no idea it could be so dangerous. Where ever Hadrian goes, trouble and danger follows, and this time is no different.

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