Showing posts with label Carissa Broadbent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carissa Broadbent. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Waiting on Wednesday #791, July 8th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
From Goodreads:
Brilliant detective Ana Dolabra must prove a man's innocence to stop a civil war in the third book of the series that began with The Tainted Cup, named an Edgar, Hugo, and World Fantasy Award Finalist and one of the best books of the year (New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle)—from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.

In the canton of Sapirdad, two of the Empire’s most powerful families are moments away from going to war with each other, their hundreds of retainers gathered with swords drawn. If blood is spilt, the whole of the empire may be plunged into starvation and chaos.

To de-escalate matters, someone must do the impossible: prove that one family’s eldest son is innocent of a gruesome and unforgivable murder, despite the incontrovertible evidence against him.

It is with this undertaking that the great detective Ana Dolabra is tasked, her assistant Din at her side—and the two find themselves racing with great speed and little dignity to the scene.

As ever, the impossible proves little obstacle for the deadly combination of Ana’s intellect and Din’s keen eye, and mere hours after riding into the dusty town, Ana glimpses the greater pattern behind the crime. A deeper, subtler web of death is being woven in plain sight, by a mastermind with an ancient magical technology at his disposal.

But even Ana's uncanny insight is of little use when each new suspect she uncovers ends up dead--with each new killing calculated to bring tensions between the two rival clans past the boiling point. And as Din pursues their adversary through the canton's wild ranges, sprawling ranches, and reeking slaughterhouses, he finds his loyalties divided in unexpected ways.

Sunsplitter by S.A. Maclean
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
From Goodreads:
Fi has toppled immortal beasts. Antal welcomes being conquered.

After helping the Lord Daeyari reclaim his territory, semi-reformed smuggler Fi dons a daunting new role: rebuilding a city alongside her monstrous partner, a haven free from bloody sacrifice. So when Antal’s father unexpectedly summons him home, Fi’s first instinct is to ready her claws.

Only, claws won’t be enough for this adversary.

Antal faces his first homecoming in five decades, dreading two truths. From his father’s seat on the governing council, he could undo everything Antal has built. And their last argument ended with Antal’s lover dead on the floor.

But a greater danger lurks: the appearance of a creature that even the daeyari fear, burning its way through the Planes. With Antal’s father leading the hunt, he and Fi must ally with a team of immortals who could turn fangs on them at any moment.

Or worse, strain their still-fresh love until it snaps.

From the author of Voidwalker comes the conclusion to the Beasts of the Void duology where spicy monster romance meets the epic fantasy of the Cosmere.

The Lion & the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
#1 New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Lion & the Deathless Dark – the first book in the Bloodborn Duet.

Some blood tastes like vengeance. Some blood tastes like grief. Some blood tastes like nothing at all.

Under an eternal night, the world has been ravaged by ten years of war between humans and vampires. Kyrene scrapes by as a bounty hunter, bearing a blessed sword from the goddess of justice. But in the wake of a devastating loss, Kyrene commits a crime that makes her a target for mortals and gods alike – and she is still desperate for vengeance.

Her only chance at survival – and revenge – is making a deal with her enemy, the silver-tongue vampire prince, Septimus, who offers her one final to slay the gods themselves.

Together, Kyrene and Septimus must hunt the ultimate marks, all while navigating a web of prophecies and curses. Septimus is calculating and mysterious, masking secrets bloodthirsty enough to consume them both. Yet, most dangerous of all, Kyrene finds an unexpected kinship in him.

But their growing attraction is deadly in a world where the only currency is blood. And Kyrene will stop at nothing to fulfill her ultimate goal: to kill the goddess of vampires, even if it means sacrificing love for revenge.

Every kingdom breaks...Every ruler kneels...This is how a pantheon falls.

Cursed by the Dawn by Logan Karlie
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, this captivating sequel to the New York Times-bestselling Dream by the Shadows is filled with revenge, romance, and redemption.

Esmer Havenfall thought freeing Erebus from his five-hundred-year imprisonment would end her nightmare. Instead, it has only just begun. Now bound by fate and darkness, Esmer and Erebus are no longer just dreamers—they are Shadow Weavers, wielders of a power both divine and damning. And something is already clawing its way through the Dream Realm’s cracks.

Raelion, the demon king lurking within Mithras, is poised to destroy the world. His corruptive curse spreads like a plague, twisting dreams into nightmares and turning humans into monsters. If Esmer and Erebus are to survive, they must achieve the forge an army from the broken and unravel ancient horrors before it’s too late. But when Esmer and Erebus are abruptly cast from the Dream Realm into a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin, they quickly learn that something monstrous has already slipped through—and their love might be the first thing it devours.

The Killing Rules by Bree Despain
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Harper Westbrook isn’t afraid of monsters…she is one.

For the past three years, she’s been one of the Blood Bound―girls and women cursed with a bloodlust only satisfied by killing terrible men. Once every three months, she trades in her pom-poms for a lethal throwing axe. Her life is led by a strict set of rules to keep her dark secret as hidden as the bodies she buries.

And her number one rule? Stay away from Grayson Jones.

The boy she was totally falling for until the night her curse manifested, everything went horribly wrong, and she killed his father. It was self-defense. Or at least that’s what she keeps telling herself.

Grayson is an investigative reporter for their school paper, and he’ll stop at nothing to find the truth behind his father’s gruesome death.

As he follows new clues down darker and darker paths―to an unbelievable world of mythical beasts and the men who hunt them―Grayson doesn’t realize he’s on a collision course with Harper’s biggest secrets. Now, she must stop him before he exposes her family to the Hunters, even if it means risking her life and heart.

Because who could ever love a monster like her?

Eyes of Kings by Chloe Gong
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
The action-packed finale to Chloe Gong’s New York Times bestselling Flesh & False Gods trilogy—inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra—brings readers the ultimate showdown for power among gods and men.

War beckons in the kingdom of Talin. On one side sits Calla Tuoleimi and Anton Makusa, and on the other, the recently dethroned August Shenzhi and Calla's own predecessor Sinoa Tuoleimi. Neither will rest until the opposition is buried.

Calla assumed victory would be easy. She wears the divine crown after a violent coup, wielding the most powerful weapon in the kingdom. Then the provinces start to whisper of the old gods returning to earth, and suddenly the game board is flipped upside-down.

Anton thought he aligned himself with victory. When he swore to serve as Calla’s general, he understood the battle they were waging. But he fears Calla is no longer herself with the crown. Rather, he fears that Calla is returning to who she once was.

August would sacrifice anything for victory. He has waited his entire life for the throne, and surrender is not an option. In the face of age-old immortals challenging his terrain and the possibility of betrayal from his closest and most cherished guard, he must be careful who he trusts.

Because when the war ends, there can only be one king.

Chaotic Orbits by Beth Revis
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
Now collected into a beautiful omnibus edition, this romantic sci-fi trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis is perfect for fans of Martha Wells

When Ada, a charming grifter, crosses paths with Rian, a no-nonsense government agent, the ensuing chaos will lead them across the stars—and into each other’s arms

Ada Lamarr has a very good reason for being the first at the wreckage of an intergalactic ship. If Rian White, leader of the government ship sent to examine the remains, can't tell truth from lie when it comes to her excuses, well, that's his problem. And Ada has absolutely no issue whatsoever being his problem—in fact, when Rian's in the picture, she's determined to do the wrong thing. Whether looting an "off limits" shipwreck, stealing something from a high-security museum at an intergalactic gala, or pulling off the heist of the millennia at a trillionaire's home base, Ada always has a plan.

Even when Rian corners her.

In this collection of all three of the original Chaotic Orbits novellas, readers can follow Ada's elaborate cat-and-mouse schemes and the will-they-won't-they temptation of a romance with Rian. Featuring a new, exclusive short story told from Rian's point of view, fans will love this epic spacemance from the reigning queen of romantic science fiction!

Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
The fourth book in the bestselling fantasy rom-com series from the TikTok sensation about the sunshine assistant to the grumpy evil villain and their unexpected romance…

HR Update: The position of "adversary to the villain" has been filled. Evie Sage does not recall applying.

Evie has always tried to be helpful, loyal, and only mildly involved in treason. But with a dangerous prophecy threatening the very magic of Rennedawn – not to mention the race to claim its necessary artifacts before King Benedict does – things are starting to feel… less like a career path and more like a serious problem.

The prophecy won't stop pointing in Evie's direction. The Villain's magic keeps choosing her. And honestly, if you're going to be accused of evil anyway, you might as well commit.

Unfortunately, the more Evie leans into her alleged villain era, the more her boss starts acting like the hero of a completely different story. Trystan is getting closer – closer than is wise, advisable, or even remotely professional – and looking at her like she's already chosen a side. His.

Which is deeply inconvenient, because if Evie can't save the kingdom's magic, she might just become its greatest threat.

The Castle and the Cloister by Laura E. Weymouth
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
The kingdom of Honoria is a difficult pawn to move. To change it for the better, one young woman will have to risk everything she holds dear.

Brought up in poverty and abuse, Fia left her old existence for her infant daughter Miriel’s sake and hopes to be granted refuge at Raea’s cloister, the last stronghold of a matriarchal religion which forbids bloodshed of any kind. But Matria Dolenza, the cloister’s overseer, insists that to gain the cloister’s protection, Fia must leave Miriel behind and travel to their country’s capital, where Fia must take on the role of wet nurse to the conquerors’ heretic queen. Dolenza lays out a single, nebulous term for Fia’s service: before returning, she must prove herself capable of striving for something larger than her own wellbeing and that of her child.

With no choice but to comply, Fia goes to the capital, where a dynasty of warriors have held the reins of power for two centuries, subjugating the great nation of Honoria and threatening the continued existence of Raea’s cloister. But the nature of her errand is further complicated by what she finds—a queen covertly bound to Honoria's old pacifist ways and struggling for peace, and a blind priest serving as the head of his court’s brutal new religion while harboring a bitter grudge against the king.

It is a treacherous landscape of enemies, allies, and intrigue. Fulfilling Dolenza’s orders will require Fia to undermine established powers, confront the best and worst in herself, and alter the course of a nation.

Devour Me by Emily Rath
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
From New York Times bestselling author Emily Rath comes a dark, spicy MMF paranormal romance series set on a New England island about the entangled fates of a witch, wraith, and mortal . . .

Dáinn the Devourer has spent the last two hundred years of his undead life reluctantly bonded to a dark witch, doing her dirtiest work. Devouring corrupt souls may not be satisfying for a wraith, but it keeps him fed.

Sent on a job to Burr Island, Dáinn is forced by his mistress to devour the soul of a powerful rival witch, Jasper Prescott. Dáinn is busy devouring the witch when he’s interrupted by a human. With one word, this human does what no being has ever done…she takes his breath away.

Forced to stop feeding, Dáinn is shattered as the soul he was devouring slips back inside the dying witch. Who is this human? And what dark magic must she possess to stop a wraith? The more Dáinn learns about Birdie Rhodes, hapless historian and sometimes shop girl, the more determined he is to become part of her world.

Birdie works for the witch Dáinn was ordered to devour. Now Jasper Prescott is on the hunt too. For answers. As a powerful witch, with a coven at his command, Jasper will stop at nothing to find out what magical mischief is happening on his island. Why is a wraith haunting his tea shop? Which fellow witch wants him dead? And who the hell is Birdie Rhodes?

Dáinn, Jasper, and Birdie become entangled in a magical love affair which could lead to their ruin.

The Witch Queen by Heather Walter
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
Pay the price of blood and Snow White’s wicked queen rises to her destiny in the second book of a queer, witchy duology that's hailed as"an alluring, vengeful origin story that brings tremendous dimension to the classic fairy tale" (Chloe Gong)— from the author of Malice.

The wicked queen's story did not end with a happily ever after. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the king bound to her magic mirror and his daughter, the rightful heir, hidden away in the countryside, Queen Ayleth has the kingdom entirely at her command.

Despite her ultimate power, Ayleth finds herself With fears that the witches from her former coven will return to depose her. With the dread that someone at the palace will discover her secret. With her own deepening dark magic.

And with thoughts of her lost love, Jacquetta—the witch whose betrayal still haunts Ayleth as stubbornly as the lingering scent of juniper.

But Ayleth’s carefully-built world begins to unravel when Princess Blodwyn returns from exile in the company of Margaret, the king's scheming sister, and reveals a plan of her To invoke Braxos Trials, a contest of bravery, wisdom, and justice that will allow Blodwyn to retake the throne. Ayleth suddenly discovers herself in danger of losing the crown she sacrificed everything to win—and she will do anything to retain control.

And Ayleth isn't the only one struggling with her altered position. Blodwyn’s homecoming soon proves more difficult than she imagined. Embroiled in Ayleth’s viperous court, Blodwyn is surrounded by enemies and plagued by rumors of a long-buried curse come to life. As family secrets resurface, the princess isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Especially when she may be falling for one of her rivals in the trials.

As the battle for the realm intensifies, both Ayleth and Blodwyn find themselves fighting not only for the throne, but for the truth of their own souls. Soon, they must each What price are they willing to pay to wear the crown?

A Clash of Carnivores by Liselle Sambury
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
The thrilling sequel to A Mastery of Monsters, following the fiercely determined eighteen-year-old August Black as she infiltrates a secret society hiding the frightening reality that monsters are real, while unraveling the mystery behind her brother’s disappearance.

August risked everything to find her brother, joining a deadly secret society protecting the chilling truth that monsters are very, very real. She thought when she found him that she would leave the society behind.

Instead, she fought and bled to bond herself to a Monster for life.

Now, despite her efforts to stay unattached, her connection to her Monster partner, Virgil, continues to grow. She can’t stop replaying the memory of their forbidden kiss that Virgil wants to pretend never happened.

Their strained bond is put to the test as they prepare for the Monster’s Ball, a brutal tournament where pairs battle for the coveted title of Master. But despite the danger of the contest, August is consumed with finding her mom’s killer and getting revenge. Her vendetta leads to her accidentally form a rare second bond with Nolan, a Wild Monster who wants nothing to do with her. And if the three of them can’t work together, they’ll be kicked out of the tournament before it even begins.

But August can’t pull her focus away from revenge—even if it means becoming the worst sort of monster herself. She believes that vengeance will cure her grief, but it may just be the thing that breaks her bonds for good.

Immortal Game by Allison Saft
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
In #1 New York Times bestseller Allison Saft’s enthralling new romantic fantasy, a chess grandmaster will go to any length to save the person she loves the most.

Six years ago, Shea Fury’s sister was whisked away by the High King of the Otherworld, the ruler of the treacherous land of fae. Although Shea has spent the years since dreaming of rescuing her sister from captivity, the Iron Veil that separates the human world from that of the fae has made it only a wish. That is, until an invitation to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime chess tournament in the Otherworld arrives on Shea’s doorstep. The winner of the tournament may ask the High King to grant one wish, and Shea is finally within reach of hers.

But entering the tournament and winning it are two different matters. Dark magic lurks around every corner in the Otherworld, and Shea’s cutthroat opponents are willing to bend the rules to make their own wishes come true. To make it to the end—and to find her sister—she is forced to strike an alliance with her longtime rival, the sharply beautiful fae princess, Ciara of Bri Leith. One wrong move, though, and Shea could lose more than just the competition: She’d lose her sister, her dignity, and maybe even her life.

In Immortal Game, Allison Saft has written a high-stakes sapphic love story brimming with competitive tension set against a lush, Irish folklore-inspired fantasy world.

The Hardest Ones to Fool by Christina Li
Expected Publication: August 4th, 2026
For fans of the hit Netflix series Inventing Anna and The Girls I've Been comes a bold young adult thriller about a teen scammer who won't let boys, friends, or even murder get in her way.

Amelia Wu is great at relationships. So great, in fact, that she’s in three of them. Why choose between the suave debate team captain, the charming indie filmmaker, and the tennis star when she can be with them all?

The catch? None of them know about each other. It works perfectly. They’re in love with her—or the versions of her that they get. Amy. Ellie. Mia. And she’s in love with the lavish dinners, fancy yacht trips, and expensive gifts. Times three.

But schemes always get complicated, don’t they? When Amelia's best friend ends up dead, her alleged murder shocks their placid beachside city. And soon, Amelia's carefully planned relationships start to dangerously unravel.

In a fit of desperation, Amelia teams up with her academic nemesis Jackie, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and a self-proclaimed true crime junkie, to get to the bottom of this.

After all, Amelia needs to keep her boyfriends close and her enemies closer if she wants to keep her scam—and herself—afloat.

Oh, there's some pretty fantastic books, authors, and series being continued, and there's so many of them, August is starting off with a bang! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Monday, August 11, 2025

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #740, August 11th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!
What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #739
Teaser Tuesday #747
WWW Wednesday #747
WOW #743
Will the Time Come #740
Third Sentence Thursday #730
Random Reads #716
First Lines Friday #743
Book Blogger Hop #409
Monthly ARC's Update 126
The Reward Challenge Update #725
Wheel of TBR #272
How Well I Stuck to It #577
Wrote that Review Update #574

Week 32 Reviews:
You Belong Here


OK, so I got 35 posts in 7 days, and that was about what I expected. It was hard, putting Jax down, and I miss him so much, but he's not in pain anymore. I have been reading a bit slower since then, but I needed that, and we'll see what this week brings. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want!

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Week 32 Review: The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk

From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk.

Mische made the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves – and plunged the world into an eternal night. Now, imprisoned by the gods and obsessed with revenge, Asar is desperate to find her again.

When a goddess offers them a final path to redemption – and back to each other – Asar and Mische embark on an extraordinary mission. Together, they must seize the power of the god of death so Asar may do the impossible: ascend to true divinity.

Their journey will take them through mortal and immortal realms, alongside both old friends and ruthless enemies. But as the underworld teeters on the brink of collapse and the gods prepare for a war, Asar and Mische must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for the power to defy death. In a game of vengeful gods and ancient betrayals, there are some debts that even love may not be able to repay.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! It's going to hold a special place in my heart, for being the last book that Jax picked for me to read, as well as being the one that I read on the day that he passed. I'm glad that it's a great book, and one that I enjoyed. Not that I thought I wouldn't since I love her writing and this world, and the first book in this duology, but you never know. But this lived up to what I wanted it to be and I enjoyed it so much, and I needed that.

After the events of the previous book, I needed to know what was going to happen next, how they were going to get out of that situation. I mean, being killed is something of a game-changer. Being ascended to a god, ditto. So I was on the edge of my seat, watching as they dealt with all of that.

I had no idea where this book was going to go. That it went on this quest, I happily followed along, as they gathered artifacts from the past, while both were struggling with their situations, her with being dead, and him with the voices in his head. 

Each book in this series builds the world, and the stakes. The whole thing with Nyaxia vs. the White Pantheon, and the new developments there...yeah, I can't wait for the Bloodborn Duet, see what affect that's going to have on the world! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to see where this world goes from here! 

Author: Carissa Broadbent 
Series: The Shadowborn Duet #2, Crowns of Nyaxia #4
Read: August 6th, 2025
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this world, and it's a End of Series 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Bramble
Published: August 5th 2025
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

WWW Wednesday #747, August 6th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it! 

I'm currently reading The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk, and it's so good!


I read Accomplice to the Villain it was such a good sequel! 






I'm going to be reading A Mouthful of Dust, and I can't wat, it sounds terrific! And I'm going to need it, because today, we're putting down Jax, so I'll definitely need the distraction. 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Teaser Tuesday #747, August 5th

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Today's teaser comes from The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent, page 26.

"I  pressed my hand to my chest. I felt as if my heart should have been pounding against my ribs, my lungs gasping for air, but instead, all that panic manifested as . . . silence. As if nothing existed beneath my skin at all."

Yeah that doesn't sound good! Must read more now! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Waiting on Wednesday #741, July 23rd

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

Kingdom of Tomorrow by Gena Showalter
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a fusion of modern and fantastical worlds, where a young woman must navigate a secret society, uncover a shocking enemy…and resist an undeniable attraction.

Twenty-year-old Arden Roosa knows only Ourland. Two worlds split and stitched together, with broken pieces from each, statues of fallen gods, and heavenly artifacts that are worshipped…or feared.

But nothing is more fearsome than the night.

A strange madness haunts the darkest hours, turning innocents into gleeful killers. Arden does her best to stay safe, until she reads a book written about her life―The Book of Arden―and everything changes.

Forced to join Fort Bala Royal Academy, Arden is paired with the ruthless High Prince Cyrus Dolion. But while he trains her for combat against a mystical adversary, she can’t deny the sparks burning between them.

If her panic attacks and war games aren’t enough, Arden is also tapped to join the Tome Society, rumored guardians of an invisible library with books that foretell the future. But the more she learns about the society, the less she understands about Ourland, the gods…and the person she’s destined to be.

Scorched Earth by Danielle L. Jensen
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
The thrilling finale in Danielle L. Jensen's Dark Shores series, which Sarah J. Maas calls "everything I look for in a fantasy novel."

Lydia and Killian escaped their enemy’s grasp, but not without consequences. While they race to destroy the blight, Lydia fights an internal war against the Corrupter’s influence knowing defeat means death for those she loves. Tormented by a battle that can’t be won with blades, Killian must find the queen they risked everything to rescue without falling prey to Corrupter’s weapons, both living and dead.

Teriana and Marcus thwarted assassination, but now must live with the dark truths that have been revealed. As Teriana hunts for allies, she must face the dire circumstances of her imprisoned people, driving her to strike a dangerous deal with the Empire. Consumed by guilt over his crimes, Marcus embarks on an ambitious campaign to save those he condemned, which risks him becoming the conqueror the Empire desires him to be.

With the blight consuming everything in its path and the Empire crushing everyone who stands before it, Reath is falling beneath the tide of evil. Secrets will be revealed that break hearts even as they forge new alliances, but only the greatest sacrifices of all will turn the tide in the battle for the liberty of every nation on Reath.

Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk.

Mische made the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves – and plunged the world into an eternal night. Now, imprisoned by the gods and obsessed with revenge, Asar is desperate to find her again.

When a goddess offers them a final path to redemption – and back to each other – Asar and Mische embark on an extraordinary mission. Together, they must seize the power of the god of death so Asar may do the impossible: ascend to true divinity.

Their journey will take them through mortal and immortal realms, alongside both old friends and ruthless enemies. But as the underworld teeters on the brink of collapse and the gods prepare for a war, Asar and Mische must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for the power to defy death. In a game of vengeful gods and ancient betrayals, there are some debts that even love may not be able to repay.


The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Ten years ago, they joined the CIA.

Six years ago, he left the game.

Five years ago, they fell in love.

One year ago, she ran out into the cold with absolutely no intention of ever coming back.

And two minutes ago, they woke up, bloody and bruised and handcuffed together in the dark.

They don’t know where they are. They don’t know how they got there. And they have absolutely no idea who is after them or what this nameless, faceless villain wants.

The only thing that’s clear is that, after ten years of covers and chemistry, secrets and lies, these two rival spies have been sucked into their greatest mission yet, and now they’re going to have to team up to stay alive. (If they don’t kill each other first.)

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
Teaming up with your neighbor during a zombie outbreak is a no-brainer, but if it turns out he’s a vampire . . . the stakes couldn’t be higher, in this infectious new paranormal romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Spoiler Alert.

When Edie Brandstrup attempts to save her sweet, seemingly harmless human neighbor from the first major zombie breach in two decades, she’s stunned to be saved by him—and his ridiculously large sword—instead. As it turns out, he's actually a super-old, super-surly vampire. But for all her neighbor's newly revealed cynicism and lethality, Gaston "Max" Boucher (yes, Gaston) is unexpectedly protective. He wants her to stay in his safety bunker until the breach is resolved. Edie can’t risk more innocent people getting killed, though—and Max won’t let her save them alone.

As they unravel a sinister conspiracy to set zombies loose on the world (again), the duo meet a host of lovable allies and discover they're not the only ones willing to fight for the future of humanity. Despite the awful timing, Edie finds herself falling for the vampire who’s helping her save the world . . . but all their dangerous plans could end their future before it even begins. As she and Max battle side by side, Edie must decide whether having a love worth living for also means having a love you'd die for—and, in a world that grows deadlier by the minute, whether that’s a risk she’s willing to take.

Mistress of Bones by Maria Z. Medina 
Expected Publication: August 5th, 2025
From Goodreads:
"Like stepping into one of my favorite RPGs." - Susan Dennard, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series

An epic, multi-POV debut fantasy perfect for fans of The Bone Shard Daughter and Six of Crows, where a necromancer trying to resurrect her sister gets embroiled in bigger, world-ending plans instead.

Necromancer Azul del Arroyo only wants one thing: to steal her sister back from Death by reclaiming her sister’s bones. But the Emissary of the Lord Death will do anything to stop her, no matter how alluring he finds her . . .

As their paths collide, they’re drawn into a deadly game of pawns and power with a count who begrudgingly works for a child king, a faceless witch who transforms the bones of gods into dreams she can peddle, and a long-lost half-brother with a secret of his own—and soon realize the fate of the lands is hanging in the balance.

For long ago the gods raised the continents, binding them with their own bones to keep humanity alive. But in an era when the gods’ sacrifice has been forgotten, Death might not be the only resentful god Azul must defy.

Swashbuckling, grand, and tragically romantic, Mistress of Bones is a can't-miss start to a duology about love, loss, and, of course, death.

August is kicking things off with some pretty excellent books! I've read a few and they were so good, and I love these authors and series, and I can't wait for them all to be out in the world! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Monday, May 5, 2025

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #726, May 5th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!
What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #725
Teaser Tuesday #733
WWW Wednesday #733
WOW #729
Will the Time Come #726
Third Sentence Thursday #716
Random Reads #702
First Lines Friday #729
Book Blogger Hop #395
Monthly Series May Round Up
Monthly ARC's Update 113
The Reward Challenge Update #711
Wheel of TBR #258
How Well I Stuck to It #563
Wrote that Review Update #560

Week 18 Reviews:
Reluctant Witch

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge: 

Random:

OK, so I got 60 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty busy week, with the end of the Spring Equinox for Magical Readathon, I read a lot of that, so I'm going to be taking May a bit slower, though I do still want to read all the ARC's in May! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Week 18 Reviews: Children of Fallen Gods, Mother of Death & Dawn


From Goodreads:
No war can be fought with clean hands. Not even the ones waged for the right reasons. Not even the ones you win.

Tisaanah bargained away her own freedom to save those she left behind in slavery. Now, bound by her blood pact, she must fight the Orders' war -- and Max is determined to protect her at all costs.

But when a betrayal tears apart Ara, Max and Tisaanah are pushed into an even bloodier conflict. Tisaanah must gamble with Reshaye's power to claim an impossible victory. And Max, forced into leadership, must confront everything he hoped to forget: his past, and his own mysterious magic.

All the while, darker forces loom -- far darker, even, than the Orders' secrets.

As Tisaanah and Max are ensnared in a web of ancient magic and twisted secrets, one question remains: what are they willing to sacrifice for victory? For power? For love?

From Goodreads:
Tell me, little butterfly, what would you do for love?

In the wake of a crushing defeat, Tisaanah and Maxatarius have been ripped apart. Tisaanah is desperate to rescue Max from his imprisonment, even as her people's fight for freedom grows more treacherous. But within the walls of Ilyzath, Max's mind is a shadow of what it once was… leaving his past a mystery and his future at the mercy of Ara's new, ruthless queen.

Meanwhile, in the Fey lands, Aefe has been dragged back into this world by a king who vows to destroy civilizations in her name. But even as her past returns to claim her, her former self is a stranger.

Tisaanah, Max, and Aefe are thrust into the center of a cataclysm between the human and Fey worlds. The unique magic they share is key to either winning the war, or ending it.

But that power demands sacrifice. Tisaanah may be forced to choose between love and duty. Max cannot forge his future without confronting his past. And Aefe must decide between reclaiming who she was, or embracing who she has become.

The choices they make will either reshape this world forever…or end it..

In the harrowing finale of the War of Lost Hearts trilogy, a tale of romance, magic, vengeance, and redemption comes to a close -- perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Miranda Honfleur, and Danielle Jenson.

My Review:


Author: Carissa Broadbent
Series: The War of Lost Hearts #2, 3
Read: April 27th, 27th, 2025
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books, and Mother of Death & Dawn is a End of Series 2025 Book! 
Publisher: Carissa Broadbent
Published: March 30th 2021, February 10th 2022

Children of Fallen Gods:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Mother of Death & Dawn:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 71

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was Mother of Death and Darkness which was for the prompt Animal Studies and I'll be reading Sweet Sin next!

My Reading Journey:

The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration
Started On: April 1st
Finished On: April 1st, 10:28 AM
Pages Read: 400

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy 
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 1st
Finished On: April 1st, 7:29 PM
Pages Read: 496

My Stolen Crown by Steffanie Holmes 
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 2nd
Finished On: April 2nd, 2:04 PM 
Pages Read: 384

My Secret Heart by Steffanie Holmes 
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 2nd
Finished On: April 2nd, 6:27 PM
Page Read: 386

My Broken Crown by Steffanie Holmes 
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 2nd
Finished On: April 2nd, 10:03 PM
Pages Read: 376

My Savage Empire by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 3rd
Finished On: April 3rd, 3:04 PM
Pages Read: 398

Mistress of Bones by Maria Z. Medina 
Prompt Fulfilled: Demonology
Started On: April 3rd
Finished On: April 3rd, 8:34 PM
Pages Read: 336

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally
Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 1
Started On: April 4th
Finished On: April 4th, 10:46 AM
Pages Read: 264

The Nightshade God by Hannah Whitten
Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination
Started On: April 4th
Finished On: April 4th, 8:39 PM
Pages Read: 480

Of Mice and Murder by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 5th
Finished On: April 5th, 1:47 PM
Pages Read: 266

Pride and Premeditation by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 5th
Finished On: April 5th, 7:17 PM
Pages Read: 308

Memoirs of a Garroter by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 6th
Finished On: April 6th, 2:52 PM
Pages Read: 278

Prose and Cons by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 6th
Finished On: April 6th, 6:19 PM
Pages Read: 288

A Novel Way to Die by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 6th
Finished On: April 6th, 10:35 PM
Pages Read: 286

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription
Started On: April 7th
Finished On: April 7th, 10:48 AM
Pages Read: 351

XOXO by Axie Oh
Prompt Fulfilled: Lore
Started On: April 7th
Finished On: April 7th, 7:43 PM
Pages Read: 352

ASAP by Axie Oh
Prompt Fulfilled: Lore
Started On: April 8th
Finished On: April 8th, 8:25 PM
Pages Read: 352

Fearless by Lauren Roberts
Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 2
Started On: April 9th
Finished On: April 9th, 12:28 PM
Pages Read: 608

She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick 
Prompt Fulfilled: Demonology
Started On: April 9th
Finished On: April 9th, 2:18 PM
Pages Read: 354

Dead River by Cyn Balog
Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription
Started On: April 9th
Finished On: April 9th, 8:38 PM
Pages Read: 256

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies
Started On: April 10th
Finished On: April 10th, 8:03 AM
Pages Read: 112

The Stolen Bride by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe 
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 10th
Finished On: April 10th, 2:03 PM
Pages Read: 282

Nightingale by Amy Lukavics
Prompt Fulfilled: Lore
Started On: April 10th
Finished On: April 10th, 9:36 PM
Pages Read: 352

Alchemy and a Cup of Tea by Rebecca Thorne
Prompt Fulfilled: Shapeshifting
Started On: April 11th
Finished On: April 11th, 10:49 AM
Pages Read: 320

Pretty Girls Make Graves by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 11th
Finished On: April 11th, 4:38 PM
Pages Read: 370

Brutal Boys Cry Blood by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 11th
Finished On: April 11th, 11:47 PM
Pages Read: 424

Petals on the River by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Prompt Fulfilled: Bog Cataloger
Started On: April 12th
Finished On: April 12th, 3:03 PM
Pages Read: 560

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 1
Started On: April 12th
Finished On: April 12th, 11:08 PM
Pages Read: 384

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
Prompt Fulfilled: Shapeshifting
Started On: April 13th
Finished On: April 13th, 12:04 PM
Pages Read: 400

Fireworks by Katie Cotugno 
Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription
Started On: April 13th
Finished On: April 13th, 10:11 PM
Pages Read: 336

Seoulmates by Susan Lee
Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration
Started On: April 14th
Finished On: April 14th, 10:28 AM
Pages Read: 320

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination
Started On: April 14th
Finished On: April 14th, 3:48 PM
Pages Read: 576

The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 14th
Finished On: April 14th, 11:03 PM
Pages Read: 624

My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner
Prompt Fulfilled: Bog Cataloger
Started On: April 15th
Finished On: April 15th, 10:39 AM
Pages Read: 304

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination
Started On: April 15th
Finished On: April 15th, 2:39 PM
Pages Read: 384

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade
Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy
Started On: April 15th
Finished On: April 15th, 9:54 PM
Pages R3ad: 416

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 16th
Finished On: April 16th, 11:04 AM
Pages Read: 464

Poison Flower by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration
Started On: April 16th
Finished On: April 16th, 4:17 PM
Pages Read: 620

Poison Kiss by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations
Started On: April 16th
Finished On: April 16th, 11:27 PM
Pages Read: 474

Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy
Started On: April 17th
Finished On: April 17th, 11:17 AM
Pages Read: 550

Express Male by Elizabeth Bevarly
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 17th
Finished On: April 17th, 6:48 PM
Pages Read: 376

Overnight Male by Elizabeth Bevarly
Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations
Started On: April 17th
Finished On: April 17th, 10:53 PM
Pages Read: 340

Much Ado About Murder by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 18th
Finished On: April 18th, 12:28 PM
Pages Read: 230

Crime and Publishing by Steffanie Holmes
Prompt Fulfilled: Art of Illusion
Started On: April 18th
Finished On: April 18th, 3:51 PM
Pages Read: 238

The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies
Started On: April 19th
Finished On: April 19th, 5:58 PM
Pages Read: 528

The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak
Prompt Fulfilled: Bog Cataloger
Started On: April 20th
Finished On: April 20th, 1:17 PM
Pages Read: 400

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown
Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies
Started On: April 20th
Finished On: April 20th, 6:07 PM
Pages Read: 437

Eliza, from Scratch by Sophia Lee
Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies
Started On: April 20th
Finished On: April 20th, 10:21 PM
Pages Read: 320

Exquisite Ruin by AdriAnne May
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 21st
Finished On: April 21st, 4:03 PM 
Pages Read: 384

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn
Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 2
Started On: April 21st
Finished On: April 21st, 11:18 PM
Pages Read: 384

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration
Started On: April 22nd
Finished On: April 22nd, 10:41 AM
Pages Read: 338

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination
Started On: April 22nd
Finished On: April 22nd, 2:51 PM
Pages Read: 416

Here for a Good Time by Pyae Moe Thet War
Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy
Started On: April 22nd
Finished On: April 22nd, 6:23 PM
Pages Read: 320

Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau
Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy
Started On: April 22nd
Finished On: April 22nd, 10:27 PM
Pages Read: 352

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck 
Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantation
Started On: April 23rd
Finished On: April 23rd, 2:08 PM
Pages Read: 403

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription
Started On: April 23rd
Finished On: April 23rd, 6:11 PM
Pages Read: 450

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Prompt Fulfilled: Artificery
Started On: April 23rd
Finished On: April 23rd, 11:08 PM
Pages Read: 465

Behooved by M. Stevenson
Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 1
Started On: April 24th
Finished On: April 24th, 11:03 AM
Pages Read: 352

The Romance Rivalry by Susan Lee
Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription
Started On: April 24th
Finished On: April 24th, 1:48 PM
Pages Read: 368

Beauty and the Professor by Skye Warren
Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy
Started On: April 24th
Finished On: April 24th, 5:38 PM
Pages Read: 274

Falling for the Beast by Skye Warren
Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy
Started On: April 24th
Finished On: April 24th, 9:32 PM
Pages Read: 266

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee
Prompt Fulfilled: Bog Cataloger
Started On: April 25th
Finished On: April 25th, 9:48 AM 
Pages Read: 320

I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang
Prompt Fulfilled: Artificery
Started On: April 25th
Finished On: April 25th, 2:37 PM
Pages Read: 320

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao
Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination
Started On: April 25th
Finished On: April 25th, 6:07 PM
Pages Read: 416

On Screen & Off Again by Caitlin Cross
Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy
Started On: April 25th
Finished On: April 25th, 11:47 PM
Pages Read: 364

Reluctant Witch by Melissa Marr
Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 2
Started On: April 26th
Finished On: April 26th, 1:28 PM
Pages Read: 320

The Enemy's Daughter by Melissa Poett
Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration
Started On: April 26th
Finished On: April 26th, 4:37 PM
Pages Read: 368

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao
Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription
Started On: April 26th
Finished On: April 26th, 8:03 PM
Pages Read: 352

Summer in the City by Alex Aster
Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies
Started On: April 26th
Finished On: April 26th, 11:21 PM
Pages Read: 304

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies
Started On: April 27th
Currently On: April 27th, 1:24 AM
Pages Read: 156

Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies
Started On: April 27th
Finished On: April 27th, 3:38 PM
Pages Read: 636

Mother of Death and Dawn by Carissa Broadbent 
Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies
Started On: April 27th
Finished On: April 27th, 8:51 PM
Pages Read: 722

Sweet Sin by Sav R. Miller
Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies
Started On: April 27th
Currently On: Page 0 of 86

Prompts Left: Demonology, Spells & Incantations, Conjuration, Elemental Studies, Shapeshifting
Read: 71
Pages Read: 25210