Children of Blood and Bone

****

4/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me this book to review

Children of Blood and Bone is a very good fantasy book which lives up to the hype. It is dark with adventure, magic, and romance, with just enough world building that I want to discover more. The characters are so complex, and the writing was fantastic and well-paced.

Zelie is a strong character, who follows her heart and fights against injustice, but is also afraid and is her own worst enemy as she feels she can do nothing right. When we first see Amara she is an emotionally abused princess who has no self-esteem and is pushed around, but her inner strength starts to grow. I’m not sure how I feel about Inan but he is indecisive, loyal and intense. Tzain as a character was a bit hit or miss for me but I hope in future books we get to see his POV because I feel like we would understand him more.

I really enjoed this book and with that cliffhanger I cannot wait to read the next book in the Legacy of Orisha series. I would recommend Children of Blood and Bone to fans of the Black Mage series and the Sin Eaters Daughter series.

Our Dark Stars

**

2/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Blaze Publishing for giving me this book to review

Our Dark Stars is an OK sci-fi story which was fun, but it was predictable and not really that unique. Will is reckless and ambitious but also the most complex character as his mock side fights with his human half. Talia in the past was obviously caring and kind but for the majority of the book she acts so privileged and unlikeable. While not a bad book and certainly fun, it didn’t click with me, but I would recommend Our Dark Stars to fans of YA sci-fi novels.

To Kill a Kingdom

****

4/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for giving me this book to review

To Kill a Kingdom is a really enjoyable dark fantasy book which is kind of a retelling of little mermaid. If you love action, morally grey characters, witty banter and a complex and slow burn romance then this is the book for you. It had really good world building and an imaginative world on which I would like to explore.

Lira is a badass character who can come across as emotionless and cold-hearted, but this is because of the Siren culture and her mother’s emotional abuse. Elian is an adventurous spirit, who is sassy and scheming, and while he is not that innocent, he does have a strong moral compass.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to seeing what Christo does next. I would recommend To Kill a Kingdom to fans of the Shades of Magic series and the Grishaverse series.

Dwarves of Calcus

***

3/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Curiosity Quills Press for giving me this book to review.

Dwarves of Calcus is the third book in the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles, based of Snow White, but it is my least favourite so far. It was fast paced and really well written, but the story did not grab me, and the romance was way to fast, as one second they meet, the next they feel in love.

Snow is a good character and I liked how confident and smart she is but with normal faults like body image issues. My favourite character is Timothy as he was so sweet and awkward which made him so endearing, but I did not like it when he started to change and grow more confident about a third of the way into the book, firstly because it pushed the idea that the only way people can gain self-confidence is though a relationship, and secondly, it made him into another forgettable YA hero do doesn’t have any unique qualities.

While this is not my favourite in the series I am still looking forward to reading the next book, Sisters of Mahkba, when it comes out. I would recommend Dwarves of Calcus to fans of the first two books in the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles.

Myths of Mish

****

4/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Curiosity Quills Press for giving me this book to review.

Myths of Mish is a very enjoyable sci-fi fairytale retelling of Hansel and Gretel. It is fast paced, fun and I didn’t want to put it down. The book was full of adventure, romance and good chemistry between the three characters but it was predictable.

Hansel is paranoid, protective and stubborn but I was not a fan of him in the first half of the book as he was so rude and cruel but he grows out of it and shows he is passionate and smart. Gretel is naïve, kind and wants what is best for everyone. My favourite character is Minna as she is clever, resilient and gracious.

I really liked this book and am looking to reading the next book, Dwarves of Calcus. I would recommend Myths of Mish to fans of the first book, Princess of Tyrone, and those who liked The Lunar Chronicles.