ARC August Update 42 and Wrap Up

So I read my final book for ARC August, and it was If I Have to Be Haunted and I had a pretty great  time, read some really great books and I can't wait for the next ARC month reading month! 

My Reading Journey:

A Cursed Son by Day Leitao

Started On: August 1st

Finished On: August 1st, 3:30 PM

Pages Read: 462

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong

Started On: August 1st

Finished On: August 1st, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 352

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire

Started On: August 2nd

Finished On: August 2nd, 11:03 PM

Pages Read: 160

Tallulah's Back in Town by Brenda Novak

Started On: August 3rd

Finished On: August 3rd, 8:27 PM

Pages Read: 400

Stay Dead by April Henry

Started On: August 4th

Finished On: August 4th, 5:19 PM

Pages Read: 320

King of Flames by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Started On: August 5th

Finished On: August 5th, 9:48 PM

Pages Read: 370

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

Started On: August 6th

Finished On: August 6th, 2:39 PM

Pages Read: 432

Wordless by AdriAnne Strickland 

Started On: August 6th

Finished On: August 6th, 11:00 PM

Pages Read: 336

Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova 

Started On: August 7th

Finished On: August 7th, 3:37 PM

Pages Read: 359

Monstrous Nights by Genoveva Dimova 

Started On: August 7th

Finished On: August 7th, 11:01 PM

Pages Read: 352

The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong

Started On: August 8th

Finished On: August 8th, 8:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Illicit Temptations by Katee Robert

Started On: August 9th

Finished On: August 9th, 10:18 PM

Pages Read: 320

She Waits for You Beyond the Dark by Kristen Simmons

Started On: August 10th

Finished On: August 10th, 3:03 PM

Pages Read: 304

Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey

Started On: August 11th

Finished On: August 11th, 4:07 PM

Pages Read: 368

Worst in Show by Anna E. Collins

Started On: August 12th

Finished On: August 12th, 6:30 PM

Pages Read: 368

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan

Started On: August 13th

Finished On: August 13th, 9:18 AM

Pages Read: 421

The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs

Started On: August 14th

Finished On: August 14th, 9:01 PM

Pages Read: 336

Beautiful Villain by Rebecca Kenney

Started On: August 15th

Finished On: August 15th, 3:39 PM

Pages Read: 400

Curse of the Celts by Clara O'Connor

Started On: August 16th

Finished On: August 16th, 10:30 AM

Pages Read: 461

Lifeless by AdriAnne Strickland

Started On: August 17th

Finished On: August 17th, 7:32 PM

Pages Read: 312

A Touch of Scarlet by Eve Marie Mont

Started On: August 18th

Finished On: August 18th, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 319

The Lightness of Hands by Jeff Garvin

Started On: August 19th

Finished On: August 19th, 4:03 PM

Pages Read: 400

Bitter Is the Heart by Mina Hardy

Started On: August 20th

Finished On: August 20th, 2:04 PM

Pages Read: 304

Meet Me Here by Bryan Bliss

Started On: August 21st 

Finished On: August 21st, 4:03 PM

Pages Read: 272

Legend of the Lakes by Clara O'Connor

Started On: August 21st 

Finished On: August 22nd, 2:36 PM

Pages Read: 272

This Book Kills by Ravena Kaur Guron

Started On: August 22nd

Finished On: August 22nd, 4:39 PM

Pages Read: 384

Phantasm by Kaylie Smith

Started On: August 23rd

Finished On: August 23rd, 11:39 AM

Pages Read: 462

The Diminished by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson

Started On: August 23rd

Finished On: August 23rd, 3:18 PM

Pages Read: 464

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard

Started On: August 23rd

Finished On: August 23rd, 11:45 PM

Pages Read: 336

A Song of Ash and Moonlight by Claire Legrand

Started On: August 24th

Finished On: August 24th, 2:37 PM

Pages Read: 592

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

Started On: August 24th

Finished On: August 24th, 6:30 PM

Pages Read: 400

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

Started On: August 25th

Finished On: August 25th, 2:41 PM

Pages Read: 352

Never Fall for a Dragon by Lola Glass

Started On: August 25th

Finished On: August 25th, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 344

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning

Started On: August 26th

Finished On: August 265th, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 400

Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon

Started On: August 26th

Finished On: August 26th, 11:17 PM

Pages Read: 432

The Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk

Started On: August 27th

Finished On: August 27th, 10:36 AM

Pages Read: 288

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong

Started On: August 27th

Finished On: August 27th, 8:02 PM

Pages Read: 512

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

Started On: August 28th

Finished On: August 28th, 7:30 PM

Pages Read: 384

Neighborhood Girls by Jessie Ann Foley

Started On: August 29th

Finished On: August 29th, 6:04 PM

Pages Read: 384

The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing

Started On: August 30th

Finished On: August 30th, 10:38 AM

Pages Read: 336

Forbidden Games by Katee Robert

Started On: August 30th

Finished On: August 30th, 10:18 PM

Pages Read: 336

If I Have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun

Started On: August 31st

Finished On: August 31st, 10:40 PM

Pages Read: 368

Goals: 31

Read: 42
Pages Read: 13690

Week 35 Review: Forbidden Games

From Goodreads:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Neon Gods comes two spicy romances, here in one volume.

When you are drawn to someone you can't have, do you run away from the danger or toward it?

Make Me Want

Lucy Baudin's ex did a number on her self-esteem, but she's about to make partner at her law firm and it's time to get her groove back. So she hires Gideon Novak, cutthroat headhunter and her ex's best friend, to give her confidence lessons in the bedroom. Gideon has pined for her for years, and now, teaching her about touch, trust and letting go is opening up a world of risks. Is this a mistake for them both? Or will they each find something they never knew they wanted?

Make Me Crave

Of all the private islands in all the world, he kayaked into hers. Allie Landers just enjoyed the best vacation sex with an irresistible stranger—only to find out he's no stranger. Dealmaker Roman Bassani has been pressuring Allie into taking on investors for her women-focused fitness company. After that accidental encounter, they agree to put business aside for one week. Then it's back to the real world—and their real rivalry. What happens to their opposing interests when they return from paradise?

Previously published as Make Me Want and Make Me Crave.  

My Review:
I had such a blast reading this collection! I really love Katee Robert's writing, and I'm glad that these books are being republished, because honestly I don't think I would've read them otherwise, because I'm not much of a contemporary romance reader, but I love her stories, so this is the best!

I really enjoyed the first collection in this series, but I knew going in that the events in this collection happened first, since in Make Me Yours, it started with one of these couple's wedding. So while I read them out of order, I still really enjoyed these stories! 

The thing that Katee Roberts does really well, is making characters and romances that you just had to read more of! Lucy who wants to make partner, but has the understanding that it won't happen unless she's married, and Gideon, who's so very attracted to her and hates that his friend hurt her, yeah, it was complicated, and delicious to read! 

Allie and Roman's story, where they have a chance encounter, when it turns out they're clashing in their work lives? That was such a delight, and I was so excited to see how their personal dynamics would affect their work lives, I couldn't get enough! 

Loved reading these books and I can't wait to read more by Katee Robert! 

Author: Katee Robert 
Series: Make Me #1, 2
Read: August 30th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2024 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Harlequin
Expected Publication: January 14th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: The Irish Goodbye

From Goodreads:

It's hate-at-first-sight when a jilted Irish chef returns home to Inishmore and immediately clashes with a mouthy American tourist.

Cordelia James was once at the top of her game—a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. But after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely force herself to leave her apartment. That is, until she sees an ad for a summer gig at a cozy cottage on Ireland's picturesque Inishmore island. Cordelia is on a plane before she can talk herself out of it.

The moment she steps off the boat, she crashes—literally—into Niall O'Connor, a grumpy local who's just returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Niall is nursing a broken heart and trying to patch up a broken life, and he has no time for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia's and Niall's paths cross, the more they make each other's lives hell. But as with all rivalries, their hatred is about to reach a tipping point—and it's going to heat up their cool coastal nights.

Featuring a lovable band of quirky supporting characters, The Irish Goodbye is a steamy, emotionally gripping tale of love, passion, art, food, and finding where you belong.

My Review:
Oh, this was such a great read! I love her writing, and I was excited to see what her adult debut would bring, and I had such a great time reading Cordelia and Niall's story! The emotions that this story evoked, yeah, I just had to keep reading! 

Cordelia is grieving her dad. It's been about 2 years since her dad died, and grief is still hitting her hard. That she gets this opportunity to spend some time in Ireland, she knows her dad would want her to go. That her camera, the last thing that he gave her before he passed, is broken pretty much immediately when she gets there by bumping into Niall, yeah, not the best start! 

Niall, he's a whole jumble of emotions. He had his perfect future just starting to come to fruition, opening his own restaurant, and engaged,and then his fiance and his business partner stole the restaurant and the money and work that he'd put into it. (I don't know how that's legal, and how he couldn't get it back, but that's beside the point.) So they're both a little bit out of sorts this summer.

I absolutely loved watching them fall in love, with the animosity between them because of the camera, as they got to know each other, as they dealt with the various family pressures and expectations. That third act break up, tha hurt my heart, but I loved watching how it all wrapped up and they got their happy ending! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read more by Amy Ewing! 

Author: Amy Ewing 
Read: August 30th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Published: June 4th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: A Phantom Enchantment

From Goodreads:
Senior year in Paris means dazzling architecture, gorgeous cafés, and a hefty workload. But no matter how busy her days, Emma Townsend misses her Coast Guard boyfriend, Gray. That lonely ache might explain the unsettling whispers Emma hears in the school's empty corridors, and the flickering images in her room's antique mirror. Her foreboding only increases as she reads Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera and becomes lost in the Gothic masterpiece.

When Gray goes missing during a rescue at sea, Emma refuses to believe the worst. In her strange waking dreams, Gray is very much alive, drawing Emma into a mysterious otherworld beyond her mirror. Friends worry that she's losing her grip on reality. Emma half wonders if they're right...and if her own story will end in a way she never envisioned...

My Review:


Author: Eve Marie Mont
Series: Unbound #3
Read: August 29th, 2024
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Loved the first book, so rereading, and it's a 2024 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, End of Series 2024 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book!

Publisher: Kensington/KTeen
Published: March 25th 2014

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: Neighborhood Girls

From Goodreads:
When Wendy Boychuck's father, a Chicago cop, was escorted from their property in handcuffs for his shady criminal practices, she knew her life would never be the same. Her father gets a years-long jail sentence, her family falls on hard times, and the whispers around town are impossible to ignore. If that wasn't bad enough, she gets jumped walking home from a party one night. Wendy quickly realizes that in order to survive her father's reputation, she'll have to make one for herself.

Then Wendy meets Kenzie Quintana—a cigarette-smoking, Catholic-school-uniform-skirt-hiking alpha—and she knows that she's met her savior. Kenzie can provide Wendy with the kind of armor a girl needs when she's trying to outrun her father's past. Add two more mean girls to the mix—Sapphire and Emily—and Wendy has found herself in Academy of the Sacred Heart's most feared and revered clique. Makeover complete.

But complete is far from what Wendy feels. Instead, she faces the highs and lows of a vapid, toxic friendship, the exhaustion that comes with keeping up appearances, and the only loss that could hurt more than losing herself. 

My Review:


Author: Jessie Ann Foley
Read: August 29th, 2024
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2024 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: September 12th 2017

5/5 Hearts

1/5 Books

2/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: The Love of My Afterlife

From Goodreads:

A recently deceased woman meets "the one" in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up…

If she wasn't dead already, Delphie would be dying of embarrassment. Not only did she just die by choking on a microwaveable burger, but now she's standing in her 'shine like a star' nightie in front of the hottest man she's ever seen. And he’s smiling at her.

As they start to chat, everything else becomes background noise. That is until someone comes running out of a door, yelling something about a huge mistake, and sends the dreamy stranger back down to earth. And here Delphie was thinking her luck might be different in the afterlife.

When Delphie is offered a deal in which she can return to earth and reconnect with the mysterious stranger, she jumps at the opportunity to find her possible soulmate and a fresh start at life. But in a city of millions, Delphie is going to have to listen to her heart, learn to ask for help, and perhaps even see the magic in the life she's leaving behind…

My Review:


Author: Kirsty Greenwood 
Read: August  28th, 2024
Source: Bought/NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Viking
Published: July 2nd 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: Nightbirds

From Goodreads:

In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all. Now in paperback.

The Nightbirds are Simta’s best-kept Girls with a unique and powerful magic they can gift with just a kiss. Some would kill to possess them; the church would kill them outright. But protected by the Great Houses, the Nightbirds are well-guarded treasures.

As this Season’s Nightbirds, Matilde, Æsa, and Sayer will spend their nights bestowing their gifts to well-paying clients. Once their season is through, they’re each expected to marry a Great House lord and become mothers to the next generation of Nightbirds before their powers fade away. But as they find themselves at the heart of a political scheme that threatens not only their secrets, but their very lives, their future suddenly becomes uncertain.

When they discover that there are other girls like them and that their magic is far more than they were told, they see the Nightbird system for what it a gilded cage. Now they must make a choice—to remain kept birds or take control, remaking the city that dared to clip their wings.

My Review:


Author: Kate J. Armstrong
Series: Nightbirds #1
Read: August 27th, 2024 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Published: February 28th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: That Night in the Library

From Goodreads:

One night locked in the library. What could go wrong?

On the night before graduation, seven students gather in the basement of their university's rare books library. They're not allowed in the library after closing time, but it's the perfect place for the ritual they want to perform—one borrowed from the Greeks, said to free those who take part in it from the fear of death. And what better time to seek the wisdom of ancient gods than in the hours before they'll scatter in different directions to start their real lives?

But just a few minutes into their celebration, the lights go out—and one of them drops dead. As the body count rises, with nothing but the books to protect them, the group must figure out how to survive the night while trapped with a murderer. That Night in the Library is a chilling literary mystery that transports readers to a world where secrets live in the dark, books breathe fears to life, and the only way out is to wait until morning.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! The idea of doing a ritual in a university library, and to have someone die shortly after they start, I had to know what was going on and what was going to happen next! That was this just a mystery, or was there something to the ritual? 

One thing that was interesting to me, was that before a character would die, we would be in their perspective. Which wasn't nessicarlyy the first time we'd been in their head, espcailly as the bodies started dropping like flies, there were fewer perspectives. But that meant that we saw most of these characters final thoughts, though not all of them.

Sometimes I wanted to shake them. They had fasted, and then they took acid-they were not in their right minds, they weren't thinking clearly. Like, just wait until morning, and you'll be let out. Instead, they let paranoia and fears get to them, acting wildly and erratic. Almost all of them could have walked out there, but no, they just couldn't wait.

That end, that reveal? That was shocking, at how stupid some people are. And gross! But to have all things kicked off because of that, of this whole night could've been prevented if that hadn't have happened? Some people are just eye roll worthy! 

Loved reading this book and I'd love to read more by Eva Jurczyk! 

Author: Eva Jurczyk
Read: August 27th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2024 Book and a Sophore Challenge Book! 
Publisher: Recorded Books
Published: June 11th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: Bull Moon Rising

From Goodreads:

In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner in this captivating special hardcover edition of USA Today bestselling Ruby Dixon's new steamy romantasy. 

As a Holder's daughter, Aspeth Honori knows the importance of magical artifacts . . . which is why it's a disaster that her father has gambled all of theirs away. Now in danger of losing their hold—and their heads—if anyone finds out the truth, Aspeth decides to do something about it. She'll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and the adventurers who explore ancient underground ruins to retrieve the coveted arcane items. 

It's a great plan—with one big problem. The guild won't let her train because she's a woman. Aspeth needs a chaperone of some kind. The best way to get around this problem? Marry someone who will let her become an apprentice. Who better than a surly guild member who needs a favor of his own? 

He's a minotaur (it's fine) who is her teacher (also fine) . . . and he's about to go into rut (which is where it gets tricky). He also has no idea she's a noble (oops) and will want nothing to do with her if he finds out the truth. Now Aspeth just needs to pass the guild tests, thwart a fortune hunter, and save her hold. Oh, and survive a rut with her monstrous, horned husband, who she might be falling in love with. It's time to dig deep. Literally.

My Review:


Author: Ruby Dixon 
Series: Royal Artifactual Guild #1
Read: August 26th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Ace
Expected Publication: October 15th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: Between You, Me, and the Honeybees

From Goodreads:

This novel follows a teen girl during her California summer of beekeeping, secrets, and stolen kisses.

Josie Hazeldine has just graduated from high school, and she's ready for a summer full of sunshine, beekeeping, and…lying to her mom.

Josie's mom couldn't be more proud of her daughter going to college, something she never got to do. But Josie wants to stay in her California hometown and take over the family business, Hazeldine Honey. So that college acceptance her mom is thrilled about? Yeah, Josie turned it down. But she's going to come clean—just not yet.

The neighbor's artsy, adorable grandson who's in town for the summer makes Josie's web of lies even more tangled. He's into Josie and the feeling is very mutual, but he's a Blumstein—the sworn enemy of the Hazeldines and their number one competition in the annual Honey Show at the end of July. As their secret fling goes on, Josie knows she’s getting in way too deep to leave him behind when summer's over.

Can Josie keep the boy she can't stop thinking about without the secrets she's juggling crashing down around her?

My Review:


Author: Amelia Diane Coombs 
Read: August 26th, 2024 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: June 22nd 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: The Lies We Conjure

From Goodreads:

Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly game of Clue

Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.

So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand―each―for a single night… Wren insists it's a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.

But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this.

My Review:
I loved reading this book! I've really enjoyed Sarah Henning's other books, but this is the first that's been set solidly, easily recognizable as our world, but with magic. That it's a locked room mystery just added a wonderful element to the story!

Ruby is from a normal family, she's working to build up her college fund. So when she and her sister are hired to pretend to be this lady's granddaughters, well, she's sceptical, but it seems like easy money. Until the host of the gathering is murdered, and her pretend grandmother is the main suspect.

We got Ruby's perspective as an outsider, and we also got Auden's perspective, one of the Hegemony grandchildren, heir to this magic, grown up in it, and part of the reason why there's no adults from the parents generation around. A point that was pretty important to the story! 

Watching as they searching for these relics, while Ruby and Wren were keeping their secret, and Auden kept thinking about Ursula's instructions to him, as things were revealed, and their time was ticking...yeah it was tense and I had such a blast reading it! And oh, that end was phenomenal! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Sarah Henning! 

Author: Sarah Henning 
Read: August 26th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Tor Teen
Expected Publication: September 17th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Review: Never Fall for a Dragon

From Goodreads:

I'm trapped in a cabin with a gorgeous dragon shifter.

Granted, I was the one who accidentally ignited his heat, an intense mating process.

So, it's kind of my fault. Whoops.

If we can resist sealing the bond by avoiding, uh, sealing the deal, we'll both be free to go.

If we can't, we'll be stuck together.

Forever.

Which wouldn't be that bad, if he wasn't about to be thrown in jail for doing some illegal crap to protect his sister.

But he is.

And if we become mates?

We'll both be forced into prison.

So I have to resist throwing myself at the gigantic dragon that my body is literally burning for… no matter how much I want him.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic book! The synopsis sounded really entertaining, and oh, it was, I had a blast listening to this audiobook-and given that it's under 7 hours, means that it was a quick listen, and I adored every minute of it, I really enjoyed getting to know Elody and August! 

I didn't know going in, that this was a spin off series. So I do think that I'm going to have to go back and read the previous books in this world, so I have a broader understanding of the world and these characters! Because oh, I had a great time reading this book and I want more!

I recently saw a video by Elizabeth Wheatley, about fantasy age gaps, and it's about the fantasy of a man who can take care of himself. And that idea is the fantasy in this relationship, that he's hot, rich, and he cooks and cleans-and wants to give foot rubs? What of that doesn't sound great? 

Reading about these two dealing with heat-trying to reject trying to be mates, because he's going to prison for 6 months shortly, yeah, loved getting to know them as characters, and the world. They were a team, and I enjoyed watching them work together! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more, to see these Dragons who don't want to find mates, fall in love! 

Author: Lola Glass
Series: Mate Mountain #1
Read: August 25th, 2024 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Published: August 6th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 35 Reviews: The Night of Knives, The Rebel Army

From Goodreads:

Written by New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab and torn from the universe of the Shades of Magic sequence, this all-original comic book adventure continues the story begun in The Steel Prince – perfect for fans of bloody, swashbuckling adventure and gritty fantasy.

The young and arrogant prince Maxim Maresh, having faced the terror of the Pirate Queen, now aims to capture the respect of the combative port town of Verose – by taking the impossible challenges of the Night of Knives… and surviving, where none has survived before.

These are the hidden, secret adventures of Maxim, from long before he became the king of Red London and adoptive father to Kell, the lead of A Darker Shade of Magic!

Collects Shades of Magic #2.1 – 2.4

From Goodreads:

Written by New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab and torn from the universe of the Shades of Magic sequence, this third volume in the all-original comic book adventure series sees the saga of the story begun in The Steel Prince – perfect for fans of bloody, swashbuckling adventure and gritty fantasy.

Once just a single ship, now the pirate fleet of the Rebel Army numbers in its thousands. Made up of traitors from each of the three empires, the fleet, who once made the open waters of the Blood Coast their home, have set their sights on establishing their own land based empire with London as their capital.

The Rebel Army is a battalion made up of traitors to each of the three empires, who've claimed the open waters of the Blood Coast as their territory. Led by a Faroan, a Veskan, and an Arnesian (Rowan, the Antari from the Night of Knives), the Rebel Army started as a rag-tag gang, a single ship, but in the last few months, they've gained momentum. Once content to claim the open water as their empire, they've grown in ambition and scope, and now they're claiming ports, creeping toward a full-on land assault. Their goal? London. But first, they'll have to cross Versoe, where Maxim, Isra, and the royal guard are waiting.

My Review:
These were really great to read! I really enjoyed the first one, and continuing to see how Maxim became who he was in the main series. He got a reality check in The Steel Prince, and now he's learning from that, to be an effective leader!

Graphic novels aren't really my thing, I prefer prose. I did have a bit of a difficult time figuring out what was going on in the fight and action scenes, like the challenges from the Night of Knives, I'm not sure what he did to get through them. 

One thing that these deal with, is truth vs. legend, and how because he's the Prince, he gets the credit for those under him, as well as the benefit of the doubt. So that was an interesting idea to read about. Because while he's getting better at being a leader, gaining respect, it's not fair that credit doesn't go where it's due. 

That the bad guy revealed in the 2nd book, an Atari, was the leading force in the 3rd, worked really well, for Maxim to face some consequences for his actions. I don't know why he did what he did in the end but it was really great to read!

Loved reading these stories and I can't wait to read more by V.E. Schwab!

Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic #5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Read: August 25th, 25th, 2024  
Source: Online 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this world, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Books, and The Rebel Army is a End of Series 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Titan
Published: October 16th 2019, April 21st 2020

The Night of Knives:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The Rebel Army:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars