Book Review of 'Little Demon in the Details'

 

Holy spicy and sassy. 

Mercer is everything I didn't know I wanted to read about. Not necessarily his trauma, though his backstory is well-written and gives him a very good reason to be the way he is. Even if he does put himself down because he doesn't think it is. BUT ANYWAYS. This man is NOT a cinnamon roll of a boy, but a sassy, will slice your neck in the heat of the moment twink that you will be rolling on the floor laughing at. His antics will keep you wanting more, that's for sure.

And where do I start with Blake? This eye-candy of a he-man is the silent yet strong type that will muscle Mercer around to his hearts content. The best thing, though, is how he lets Mercer in so that he can also get into Mercer's inner circle. He's just as vulnerable for Mercer as Mercer is for Blake. If that isn't adorable...

Anyways, these two make quite the pair and this book is 100% worth reading. There is some death of people who may or may not deserve it, and a little bit of blood talk, but it all works out in the end. 

Spice scale I'd say a 2/3 out of 5. 

10/10 recommend. 

Book Review of 'Elphame's Choice'

Oh, boy, do I have a review for you!

Now, real quick, who loves P.C. Cast? She also wrote the House of Night series (AMAZING. I'll get a review on those later) and her writing just pulls. You. In!

There is just so much in this story that I was able to connect with, such as the desire to be liked for my personality, not my looks. The main character, Elphame, is actually a satyr. She has the legs of an animal, such as goat, because her mother is human and her father is a centaur shaman who can transform into a human. The deity they all worship, the Goddess Epona, chose Elphame's mother as the Chosen One, and therefore Elphame is a special being as well with a chosen path designed for her.

But here's the thing. Everyone looks at Elphame as if she is the goddess herself, and that bothers her a lot. She wants to be seen and accepted as her own person, for people to see past the touch of Epona that she will live with her whole life. So she goes out on her own, on a path that Epona knew she would choose, but don't let Elphame know that.

Elphame is going to rebuild MacCallen castle. She will set up a new home, building it back up from the rubble that it fell into after the war the fighters of old had there with the Formorians. It becomes a beautiful place, somewhere Elphame finds close friends - as well as love?

Yes, she finds love! In a very unexpected place. This new found love will bring with him danger, a danger that will fall onto Cu's, Elphame's brother, betrothed. P.C. Cast does a great job of bringing in that romance that could disappear on the turn of a dime.

I am actually leaving quite a bit out. I don't want to offer too much information about the book that you don't want to read it. I will say this: a new species appears and it's Elphame's choice on whether or not she will save them. AKA "Elphame's Choice".

Rated: 10/10
Would definitely read again and I recommend to anyone!

Originally reviewed November 21, 2017

ARC Review of 'Draco: An Alien Warrior Romance'

 

Oh. My. God.

Holy sexy dragons and strong women. This is my new favorite book from Hattie for sure. I love the pull between them but also how they had time to get to know each other before they actually did anything. Of course, being stuck in a dungeon like place is disconcerting, but hey, you make do with what you have!

The storyline is amazeballs and will keep you on the edge of your seat with how action packed it is. Our favorite alien-dragon lord is kind of egotistical and stubborn but Draco is a perfect fit for Amber. I love how strong and resilient Amber is, too, because it makes her able to stand Draco's nonsense lol.

Original review published on Goodreads on August 17, 2023.

Book Review of 'A Soul to Heal'

 

The story is beautiful! An amazing continuation from the first Duskwalker book with Reia and Orpheus. I definitely live Delora and Magner. And that name is definitely perfect for him! I hope that we'll continue getting glimpses of this couple and R&O in future Duskwalker books!

The depth of healing in this book, though, especially for Delora, is just phenomenal. The name of the book is just so accurate. But it also goes beyond that, as the author has included a different body type and is showing a totally different mental space for both of the main characters versus the first book characters. Delora is also very easy to bond with, at least for me since I've struggled with my own depression.
Sometimes, books can be repetitive in how characters react/behave. But Opal has an amazing touch that makes it obvious that these characters are absolutely unique and you won't find them elsewhere. This book in the series focuses more on the mental/emotional/spiritual healing a person (or demon) may need to go through in order to fully live their life.

Fabulous book and looking forward to the third!

Original review on Goodreads.

Book Review of 'A Soul to Keep'

 

If you watch anime and enjoyed watching The Ancient Magus' Bride, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!! It's a bit smutty, has a great storyline, and the second book comes out in a week. It's going to be an amazing series!

I literally didn't have any hang ups on this book and I flew through it (obviously, since I read it in like a day). The development of their relationship is slow, and it doesn't feel like a possible Beauty and the Beast remake because of how it's written. You fall in love with both of these amazing characters, and look forward to meeting more Duskwalkers.

Reia is definitely the type of heroine I feel like women want. She has moments of weakness, but her strength is really what makes her unique and easy to love.

Orpheus is unique and fun to get to know, especially as you work out how differently he may think or feel from how a human does. Getting to know him was 100% the most interesting and unique part of this book, I think. And just how freaking sweet he is!!!!

This book also hides more than what you may expect. The last few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat, barely breathing, as you wait to see what happens next.

Original review on Goodreads.

ARC Review of 'A Soul to Touch'

 

*There are spoilers!*

Opal does it again with another heartfelt book that left me on the edge of my seat.

Kitty is no doubt now my favorite Duskwalker and I think Mayumi may be my favorite bride. Together, they fight against a crazy, dark world that has danger in every corner for the both of them, as individuals and as a couple. This adventure starts with a toddling Mayumi, but ends with pure love. You will laugh, you will cry, you will rage and hate Opal (I still love you!), and you will enjoy the HEA that doesn't feel possible.

I love that Mayumi was quick on her feet with making sure Kitty wasn't obliterated. Yes, he almost was gone for good, and you would have had a whole fandom of readers around the world crying their eyes out. BUT! The amazing, quick witted woman who fears nothing, was able to find a way to make sure her bone daddy didn't die. This is the part that will absolutely tear you apart and put you back together. 

The development of the fight with the Demon King is amazing from book one to book three. It's like the more the Mavkas ignore Jabez, the more the male wants to destroy them. It's a little funny, but so very unhinged. It makes me hope that if Opal writes a female Mavka that she'll end up with him and straightens him out. At the same time, my brain tells me that may not be a good thing either though. 

The biggest reason I love Reyne's books is because I feel like I get to know both main characters very well. The switch in who's brain you get to see is awesome and not overwhelming like other books I've read. The pace of the story is great, even if it does feel a little slow at some points - trust me, you need those.

Thank you for another amazing Duskwalker book Reyne! Now to sit on my hands until the 4th book is out haha.

Original review posted on Goodreads February 2023.

ARC Review of 'A Soul to Guide'

 

My heart is so full with love for this book that I'm almost at a loss for what I should say.
The previous 3 books were absolutely amazing, but something about this one tugs a little more on the heart.

Maybe it's Merikh's struggles in life that have made him so down, not only on the world but on himself. He's so quietly kind that you wouldn't notice unless you spent hours or days with him. Honestly, there were times I wanted to smack him and tell him to just speak his mind or to be quiet, but just as often I wanted to hug him and tell him he's amazing. Being the oldest Duskwalker has been a very rough ride for him.

Raewyn. Oh, Raewyn. This kind, amazing, brilliant woman is exactly what the doctor ordered for Merikh. She's not afraid to stand up to him and is very patient with him when she needs to be. There were times when I really wanted to tell her to just talk to Merikh, though, too. However, she is struggling with being in a new environment, around people and beings who are like the opposite side of a coin to her people.

Their relationship is definitely not as sexually focused as some of the others were, I think, and it probably comes down to how old and mature Merikh is along with Raewyn being unsure of how to approach him that way. This is more than okay, though, because it gives them a foundation of friendship, or at least a mutual goal, that helps lead them to becoming more. Even if it makes you start panicking at 80% through the book and they STILL HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THEIR EMOTIONS FOR EACH OTHER NOR DOES RAEWYN KNOW WHAT A BRIDE IS AT ALL. 😬

Anyways.

I've always had mixed feelings about Jabez, feeling like he definitely has something to be mad about, but after learning more about him, I'm not so sure anymore. Its a struggle to really understand where he's coming from when we don't necessarily have his viewpoint. I'd have to agree with Merikh, though, that Jabez's become half-mad and unstable.

I'm also a little mad at Lindiwe, but at the same time I feel that I can't be because that's a tough situation.

But I don't want to spoil anything, so you better just get the book and read it yourself! 20/10 recommend, and I know you'll love it. ❤️

Also - thought. Each Duskwalker so far has had a different main eye color. I wonder if this color is somehow connected to them through the main emotions they've felt as they grew? Or the main experiences that they had as they became more human? Or maybe I'm just looking far too much into things and coming up with crazy ideas lol.

Also - excited for yet dreading the 5th book after reading the authors end note. 😳

Original review published on Goodreads June 2023.

Book Review of 'Reaper's Touch'

Alrighty! So this is my first book critique/review. This is actually the second time that I've read the Reaper's Touch by Eleri Stone.

It's... unique, I think, partly due to the story line but also the way that Stone writes. It's really hard to put the book down to do anything else.

What is it about?
It's similar to a zombie apocalypse, like "The Walking Dead", but also kind of mixed with a sci-fi feel to it. Only, the zombie, or Reaper as Stone calls them, is like a separate entity within the human body. It's a parasite that takes complete control after it's gestation period in your body, making it so you don't really remember what the heck you're doing - or who you're eating.

Reaper's can become sentient, though, meaning that the human part can control the parasite.

Now, remember how I said that the parasite completely takes over the mind? Well, there is a special group of people who are basically unable to become a Reaper. They're marked by a star somewhere on their body. They hunt and kill Reapers, especially the ones who are newly turned and are totally cray-cray for human blood and meat.

In the Reaper's Touch, Abby, a Ranger, finds a sentient Reaper, Jake. They had an attraction to each other, one that Abby wanted - until she found out Jake was a Reaper. They go on a long journey, almost get killed a couple times because Abby is like a danger magnet, and eventually they end up together. But... Between all that, Jake has saved scientists who have found a cure to the parasite. A cure that was being hidden from people by the Scraper's, the people who lived in the mountains, some in luxury, while the Rangers killed Reapers. It's thought that the old Secretary of Defense was trying to make sure that the cure never got out... Why?

You'll have to read to find that out.

Now, Eleri Stone's writing style is just amazing. She's able to pull you in, giving you enough information to keep you hooked until the very end of the book. Plus, she does give a couple steamy scenes to emphasize the unnatural attraction between the Reaper and Ranger. It's an adventure, a romance, and a mystery all kind of rolled up into one, and I absolutely loved it.

I give it a 9/10, because it was amazing. But left me hanging with a few questions...

Why is the old Secretary of Defense trying to work with Reapers?
Will Tomas ever be killed? (read to find out who he is!)
Do Jake and Abby ever have kids? If so, what are they like? Are they star-marked kids because Abby is? Or does something in Jake make it so they aren't?

When your left with questions, you know you read a good book!

Originally reviewed in 2017.

Book Review of 'Turtle's All the Way Down'

 

John Green is an amazing writer. I have read two of his other novels, and definitely plan on reading the rest as soon as I acquire them.

Now, this book is definitely a Green book. Simply with the words he uses and of course with the plotline. Overall, this book was an amazing story. It follows the main character, Holmsey, through the adventure of a man disappearing off the face of earth simply to get away from his problems even though he has children he should stay and take care of. Anyways! Holmsey knew one of the man's boys from a camp when she was younger, and she and another friend decide to go to the estate to see if they can find anything. They end up getting caught, but nothing bad happens.

The biggest thing in this book that may confuse people, since it did confuse me a little bit in the first couple chapters, is how Holmsey is fighting some strong mental disorder. I don't know what exactly to call it, actually, but it's like she's one of the biggest germ-phobes, but it goes deeper than that. Yes, she does get counciling. But I don't want to say too much on this because of just how big it is. It affects her ability to be in a relationship, and to be able to focus clearly on things, that's as much as I'll give on this topic.

I did get a bit sad at the ending, simply because it didn't end like the typical love stories I read. It's up to you to read this and find out what your own opinion is!

All in all, I would give this book a 9/10. Great plot line, build up, and character growth.

Originally reviewed March 3, 2019.

ARC Review of 'Draxx'

*Draxx by Hattie Jacks releases on Amazon October 12, 2023.*

Draxx and Jem, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g...

It probably wouldn't be a tree, but they would definitely be kissing.

Draxx would be in the dictionary next to 'alpha male' if the dictionary had pictures. He's very go-get-them and doesn't hesitate to do exactly what he wants to do, damn the consequences. He's really struggled with the loss of his family and friends, to the point that he doesn't even want to hope that some made it. 

Jem. Oh, Jem. She is very strong and stubborn. She's a fighter, too, which is perfect for being Draxx's match. I love that she continues to fight for going back for the other humans too. She's very 'no woman left behind', and I just love it.

The storyline with this series is amazing. I enjoyed Amber and Draco's story a lot, and the way it led to Draxx and Jem's story. Now I'm waiting for our last brother, the healing fighter, to find his mate. But first! He needs a little bit of saving himself. Maybe his mate will be the one to save him? 

ARC Review of 'A Soul to Revive'

*A Soul to Revive by Opal Reyne, releases on Amazon on October 19, 2023.*

Have you ever started a book and immediately knew it was going to absolutely tear you apart? That you would be emotionally massacred before being put back together?

This book will 100% do that.

It ends up mending you, but it also takes you completely apart one more time before leaving you put back together as an emotional mess waiting for the next book because obviously you have to know what happens with the other characters.

I knew as soon as I read the first book of this series, 'A Soul to Keep', that I was going to be hooked on the series. Opal's writing pulls you in, fulfills all of your book emotion needs, and keeps you wanting more. 

I also knew before starting Ingram's book that she was going to wreck me - she warned us in the previous book. But man, Ingram may just be my new favorite Duskwalker. Sweet, sincere, heartfelt, and so, so curious, I couldn't help but want to cuddle him. Emerie is so logical, patient, and brave, especially with her himbo of a bone boy. She also feels very deeply but hides it as much as she can until she literally can't anymore. Anyone else do that?

**Spoilers Incoming**

Despite the fact that I did have to stop reading for a bit after the first chapter to cry my eyes out, it was 100% worth going back in and reading it. I will be honest - Aleron dies. It is absolutely heartbreaking, just as Ingram's innocent search for a way to bring him back through the death of the Demon King. I would 100% be in the same shoes as Emerie in this case too, once she finds out why he came to the demonslayer keep in the first place. She couldn't stand by and watch the way the doctors sliced him open while he was awake or the way they literally took his beating heart out of his chest.

I feel that Emerie is a deeply emotional woman with the strength to hide the majority of those feelings behind a mask. She's had to be so strong for the last few years that she's not quite sure how to be weak. But once she's freed Ingram and goes into hiding while on the run with him, it changes her, I think. It helps her grow behind that sturdy mask and she's able to be weak with Ingram. Her choice to become infertile and her struggles with that choice is hard to read too. It's something that a lot of people can identify with, though it may not necessarily be because a person chose to not be able to reproduce. I could go on, but simply it's easy to feel like you're in her shoes if you've had trouble making a baby.

The two of them make the sweetest pair though. Ingram is a bit of a himbo, and Emerie ends up being a bossy bottom (ha-ha) but in a way that will also make you shiver. (Like, who knew reading 'good boy' could make a girl shiver?) I enjoy the way their relationship develops, as it's very realistic and overall sweet. However, something to note, is that their relationship isn't nearly as sexual as others, or it isn't as focused on as other parts of their relationship. 

Another just fantastic read, Opal. Thank you for your hard work!