its_justine's reviews
274 reviews

I feel like a thousand songs. I know I can conquer the world.

Korrigan is a compelling introduction into the Secrets of the Fae series, a contemporary world with a modern, familiar setting, yet deeply infused with Irish mythology of old. It is a tale of choice and seeking freedom and the repercussions of discovering the truth. It is about good and evil and how easily the line between can blur, breaking the balance. It is about the fragility and complex nature of both love and life. An absorbing and captivating debut.

Kenney has created an exceptionally complex protagonist and a story that serves as the perfect backdrop for Aislinn’s progression throughout. In the beginning, Aislinn understands her needs as a fae, but struggles with her human emotions and morals, wanting to do what’s right, even if the cost to her is great. Once she gets a taste of power that can finally give her the control she so desperately seeks, we again witness her internal struggle. That addition of Zane and the Far Darrig, as well as the impending love triangle is the perfect metaphor for her conflict. Zane - teenage human, innocent, loving, strong family values. The Far Darrig - god-race fae, seductive, alluring, powerful. In each, she sees pieces of herself. In each, she sees a world she wishes to fit into.

We’re introduced to a variety of mythological creatures that all serve a purpose in the grand scheme of the plot. The author definitely demonstrates her knowledge and passion for this area of study, as the pages are brimming with lore and Gaelic adages, easily drawing in the reader. The story itself is pretty straightforward, easy to follow, and flows nicely, the author’s writing style accurately and authentically portraying the life of a teenage girl witnessing the world for the first time.

I really enjoyed this book and was completely absorbed from the start. I’m really looking forward to more in this universe and have already picked up book two to continue my journey with Aislinn. If you’re looking for a fresh and clean YA urban fantasy, I recommend you give this one a try.

The tale of Aislinn and her journey of self-discovery continues in Druid, book two of Kenney’s highly addictive Secrets of the Fae series. While Aislinn believes she is content in her “normal” teenage romance with Zane, her mind and heart always seem to wander back to the Far Darrig. These two could not be more different from each other, again she’s torn between two worlds, but things become clear for Aislinn as she begins to learn who she truly is. This darker second volume brings with it a whole new faction of magic wielding druids into the mix along with a cryptic prophecy that will inevitably change the world no matter the final outcome.

Well, I enjoyed the first book so much, I dove right into book two because I wasn’t ready to end my adventure with Aislinn…and let’s be honest here, the Red One. Kenney has taken everything I loved from Korrigan and made it even better. Relationships deepen and are more relatable, the cast widens with the introduction of a variety of interesting fae, mysteries and secrets of the world are unveiled and brought to light, the scope broadens and it’s beautiful. More lore, more action, more tension. Our heroine’s progression and development are breathtaking throughout and without giving away any spoilers…she is a badass - stronger than she could have ever imagined.

All I can say is I really enjoyed this one. The story is reaching a boiling point and I can’t wait to see how everything concludes. It’s been impossible for me to put this series down…onto the next.

Oh, and:
"Look at me, cuisle mo chroidhe."

War is on the horizon and the lives of all lies in the hands of a girl who has finally found where she belongs. Aislinn, along with the friends and family she has gained since first seeing the sun rise those few months ago, must devise a plan to forestall the opening of the Second Gate, preventing the incursion of those from the Otherworld. Aislinn’s and Kieran’s threads are woven together after bargaining with the Fates, the Morrigna - they must either succeed in their endeavor or they will perish together.

This is a story of transformation and discovery. Those we’re introduced to in book one bloom into something more, something new. With the fate of the world on the line, we see each character come into their own and play a crucial role in thwarting the harrowing plans of the druids. After traveling this road with Aislinn, witnessing the respect she commands amongst humans and fae alike is truly a rewarding experience. Zane grudgingly places his aversion to the magical realm aside and becomes one of the most important players in this game of balance. The Far Darrig, while always trying to uphold his reputation of trickery and deceit, finally allows everyone to see his true self, a protector.

Samhain is a beautiful and heartbreaking conclusion to Kenney’s Secrets of the Fae, a striking series that was impossible for me to put down. We’ve climbed the sheer slope of the mountainside and have reached the summit in this ultimate chapter in Aislinn’s journey. The pacing is well-planned and perfect, the action intense with tangible consequence, the romance is felt within the soul, the loss is tragic and agonizing. It’s alluring and dangerous and somber, a superb combination to perfectly close the cover on this charming tale.

I found this story to be a genuinely amazing read and me blowing through the series in three days is a true testament to how much fun I’ve had on this adventure. I’m excited to see where Kenney takes us next, and hope that some day I’ll be able to return to this fascinating world she has created. I highly recommend you let yourself wander in through the forests in the Secrets of the Fae universe.

I may be a girl, Papa, she thought fiercely at him, as if the intensity of it could make him hear and understand, but I am the one they’ve chosen to follow.

Well, this was a violent rollercoaster ride of emotions. As with The Armored Saint, I’m completely astounded by the complexity and  sentimentality and sheer amount of action packed into this series’ second novella, The Queen of Crows. Fierce conviction, empowerment, humility and, hope are carefully balanced with brutal battles, tragic loss, and horrific betrayal.

We begin right where we left off: Heloise Factor finding comfort in her second skin - a huge, tinker-forged war-machine, which separates her from the cruelties of the surrounding world. From within she has the strength to destroy demons, the confidence to challenge the Order, and the bravery to protect those she holds dear. With the threat of reprisal from the Order, Heloise must do whatever it takes to keep those from her village alive and devise a plan to put a stop to the crushing oppression caused by a group of powerful religious zealots. Her path is long and arduous, it’s seemingly impossible to grasp victory, but her determination propels her forward. She means to seize the freedom entitled to all.

Heloise may very well be one of the most iconic, intricately-developed female protagonists in modern fantasy. Exquisitely crafted, she’s unsure of her own capabilities, but steadfast in her beliefs and her intent to mold the world into something ideal, something to protect every walk of life encompassed within. With the weight that has been placed on her shoulders, it’s oftentimes difficult to keep in mind she’s a teenage girl, but Cole does a wonderful job of reminding us by allowing us to witness a charm only a child can possess. Her progression throughout is truly remarkable, as she transforms from an idealistic village girl into the figurehead of a revolution, a tactician with the fate of many in her hands.

Cole’s characterization is impeccable, introducing a large cast for the size and scope of the story, yet finely breathing life into each and every one of them. Something we don’t often see is a focus on the harrowing decisions, and their effects, all leaders face - compromise, sacrifice, the few versus the many. Throughout this book, we observe the struggles and difficulties faced by several key characters in leadership positions on the inevitable road to war, demanding we realize them as flawed humans and not something more.

This story is told with such flowing, beautiful prose, and precise detail, clearly painting the conflict that practically drips from the pages. Emotions are portrayed in such a way that that cause you to feel them deep within. Battles are described with such vivid imagery, accurately depicting the true horrors of warfare. Hope consistently radiates throughout the darkness and there certainly isn't a shortage of shocking occurrences to draw you further in.

The Queen of Crows is a gripping, emotional tale of perseverance, of love and acceptance, and of finding one's true purpose. It's a superb addition to The Sacred Throne series and I'm really looking forward to continuing the fight for justice in The Killing Light.

The arrow wants to fly, her instructor said all those years ago. It is only waiting for the right moment and the right warrior to fly from.

I always find it exciting to begin reading the works of an author I'm unfamiliar with. There’s the thrill of not knowing what to expect and the hope of thumbing through the final pages with a sense of satisfaction in finding a treasure in a vast sea of wonderful adventures. When I first read the blurb for this book, I knew instantly it was something I needed to read and now that I’ve closed the back cover, I can say with all honesty I’ve found a priceless trinket and Jesse Teller has has gained a loyal reader.

Legends of the Exiles is an exquisitely beautiful and poignant narrative that follows the lives of four women from different clans as they venture to find love, but in the end find their true selves. Each of the four original with an independent voice, and a warrior in her own way, whether it be in the traditional sense of a trained fighter, a survivor of abuse and loss, one who sacrifices all in the name of duty, or one who is willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto true love. All four the living embodiment of fortitude, driven by strength and conviction regardless of how dark and hopeless things may seem. Their ability to stand in the wake of adversity and overcome what life forcefully hurls at them is truly inspiring. It seems as though, despite their differing backgrounds and upbringings, these women have more in common than they may think.

The format of this book is brilliant and something I have yet to encounter. Each woman is the focus of her own novella - four separate novellas, knitted together with the use of similar timelines and familiar faces, adding a whole new depth and understanding of the world that surrounds us as we journey from the mountain to the City of Exiles and back again. Reading this was akin to putting together a magnificent jigsaw puzzle, each page another piece in the grand scheme. Once I began the second novella and witnessed the threads from the first seeping in, I was blown away and completely committed.

What I appreciate most about this story is its ability to tackle issues that many face - regardless of gender - in an authentic and unwavering way, never hiding the grisly aspects that, unfortunately, oftentimes remain behind closed doors. The effects of sexual assault, bullying, shame, death, and all the ghastly pain that follows. Although set in a fantasy setting, it feels real and relatable, and done in a strikingly tasteful way.

I went into this with high hopes and am more than pleased that Teller has exceeded my expectations. Legends of the Exiles is an intelligent exposition of human emotion and behavior deep in its bones. It’s charming and tragic and eloquent and I absolutely adore it. Please please please, give this one a try, I cannot recommend it enough.

I want to thank the author for providing me a complimentary ARC of this wonderful story!

He was dead.
Gone.
A memory. A ghost bound in ethereal chains within her head and heart.

And our journey for vengeance continues in Duel at Grimwood Creek. Nysta races across the unrelenting Deadlands to intercept Raste and rest of the Bloody Nine before they slip away without giving her the satisfaction of wetting her blades. With Chukshene in tow, there’s a whole new multitude of nightmarish encounters barring the way, but her resolve is stronger than the thickest and heaviest of chains. With monsters nipping at her heels and something alien lying in wait within, will Nysta make it to Grimwood Creek before it’s too late?

Grim's balls, I love these books! So visceral, so cynical, and just completely saturated with black humor, yet when you peel away the skin and bone, there’s an unexpected beating heart brimming with raw emotion. Book two continues with focus on the sacrifices that must be made on the path to revenge and the hollow, insatiable emptiness that remains in the aftermath. We learn more of Nysta's history and begin to fully understand why it's so difficult for her to place her trust in others. Deep down she’s consumed by fear, but decides to use that fear as a weapon and refuses to let herself become a victim. This mindset forcefully propels her forward, often into situations where she must stare deep into the cold eyes of death and persevere.

Thorn's writing style perfectly accentuates the genuine urgency of the current status of the world and all the horrors that are a result of a war between gods. The frequent choppy fragments are as sharp as a honed knife point (yes, I said it), building up the conflict to where you know chaos is about to erupt. And make no mistake, it surely does. The action is described in such brutal, minute detail, vividly painting a picture drenched in blood, to a point where you can almost taste the violence. It's bold and unforgiving and there are no restraints on the stunning heights he's willing to take his readers.

I don't believe I can truly begin to convey how much fun this book is. The puns, the sass, the witty dialogue, the pop culture references. Not to mention the satisfaction when Nysta buries A Flaw in the Glass or Go With My Blessing into the throat of one those unsuspecting, smug bastards. But I digress. We partake in a dungeon crawl with a big baddie at the end of the line, witness the summoning of some pretty awe-inspiring demons, and find ourselves in conflicts with marauders, draug, and wisps, oh my. Jaw-dropping revelations and hidden secrets keep you fully invested and there is never a dull moment.

While Duel at Grimwood Creek concludes the original tale of Nysta's vengeance, a larger story has begun to come into focus, perfectly leaving some threads to pick up in the next installment, which I plan to do very soon. I know I'll have a blast diving into When Goblins Rage, as I've had with both books one and two, and I’m excited to see where Nysta and Chukshene take us next. If you're in the mood for a merciless, bloody adventure, look no further, this series is what you want.

“You have to see its heart, love. Look past the flaws.”

Once upon a time there was a girl with a great heart who came upon a white wolf captured in a tinker’s trap. It was her great heart that led her to free the wolf, but in return, he left her with only pain and scars. While the girl doesn’t blame the wolf for her life of loneliness, she sees his golden eyes and white fur in the darkness of sleep. The years go on, yet the white wolf remains in her thoughts and dreams. One day while searching for her missing father in the forest, those same golden eyes stare at her from beyond the show-covered trees. Their fates entwined, he offers to save her father in exchange for a promise. Will the girl sacrifice herself for the life of her father and future of her family?

Echo North is an enchanting tale of second chances and the profound power of love, the oldest magic. Of finding the strength to expose both your heart and soul, regardless of the pain and suffering that may slither their way in. Of perseverance and how the scars, both physical and emotional, gained from life’s trials should never be considered ugly, as they can only add beauty. Echo, misunderstood because of something she had no control over, selflessly sacrifices herself for the betterment of those around her, blindly throwing herself into a world of unknowns. While there is a chance this faith may be unfounded, she refuses to accept failure without even trying.

“Everyone is searching for their true selves. But everyone hides their true selves from each other. Look for the truth.”

Pulling from Scandinavian and Scottish folk tales with aspects from commonly known fairytales weaved throughout, you’ll want to think this is a story you’ve heard before, but it remains fresh and captivating throughout. Threads of inspiration are prevalent, but Meyer has created a unique and touching tale, and her straightforward, yet charming writing style easily draws in the reader, keeping the pages turning quickly. The story is broken up into three parts; the first is a bit of set-up, the second about exploration, and the third a wonderful adventure rife with magic and danger, each part bringing new depth to the tale.

The setting is alluring, whether you’re racing through a snow-blanketed forest, ascending an ancient, enchanted mountain that scrapes the sky, or exploring the mysterious rooms of collected wonders in the house under the mountain, there is always something to discover. The characters are complex and intricately built, often portraying themselves one way to others, while their true selves lie beneath the surface wrapped in secrets. The twists and turns are plentiful throughout, and although it can be easy to decipher the big reveals, the revelations are still satisfying.

I found Echo North to be a quite enjoyable standalone and will be keeping my eye out for Meyer’s future projects. If you’re looking for a fairytale that gets more complex as the story continues or a story of love and sacrifice, this is one that fits the bill. I recommend giving it a try.

“Stay flexible like the reed, bending in the wind of life; continually question your destination.”

Tales of Kingshold is a beautifully crafted series of novelettes and short stories that are both a blast to read and also the perfect way to add rich depth to The Wildfire Cycle series we've all come to know and love. Short journal entries and letters brilliantly and concisely explain some of the finer points of the world that were touched upon in book one, such as the inner workings of magic, or the current status of the relationships between people and countries. Longer novelettes and short stories further develop characters, describe the behind-the-scenes aspects of the plot we’re familiar with from Kingshold, and introduce new players into the game, whom I believe will have a great impact on the future of Edland and beyond.

I usually go into anthologies and collections with an open mind, because there's bound to be parts that I love, and others not so much, but I didn't run into that issue at all with Woolliscroft's intermediate installment in his debut series. I will admit, that while I enjoyed all the stories, some stood out to me more than others, but each of the tales feels vital, as if, no matter how small, there is a significant piece of the puzzle buried within. The unexpected histories are entertaining, the adventures are exciting, and the revelations and stellar foreshadowing are executed flawlessly.

Woolliscroft continues to deliver well-written stories with a perfect blend of humor and sincere gravity - the slapstick comedy in The Working Dead in contrast with the darker elements of Circles makes for an enjoyable read of a highly aggregate collection. I don't want to get into each tale for fear of spoiling, but I’ve read a few of the reviews posted by other readers and it's exciting to see that everyone has their own opinions on their favorite story, proving there's a little something for anyone who decides to dive in.

Tales of Kingshold is a wonderful distraction if you're like me and anxiously awaiting book two of the series. There's certainly no shortage of the fantastical to intrigue and keep the pages turning, and the character-centric stories allow for better understanding of those we've been previously introduced to. The final story wrapped up so magnificently with such a feeling of urgency, I can't wait to get my hands on Ioth, City of Light for more! If you haven't yet given Kingshold a try, I highly recommend you do, then promptly crack this one open.