Week 1 Review: Covet

From Goodreads:

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. This is the first battle between a savior who doesn't believe and a demon with nothing to lose!

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about—his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option.

Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. And then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart—and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

My Review:


Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Fallen Angels #1
Read: December 31st, 2025 
Source: Own 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, RR Book and a WTC Book!
Publisher: Signet
Published: September 29th 2009

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 1 Review: Split Second

From Goodreads:

They dubbed him the Collector, so named for his ritual of collecting victims before disposing of them in the most heinous ways possible.

FBI special agent Maggie O'Dell tracked him for two years, finally ending their game of cate and mouse. Now Albert Stucky has escaped from prison…and he is setting up a new game for Maggie O'Dell.

Some say Maggie O'Dell has lost her edge as one of the FBI's best profilers. Since capturing Stucky, she has been walking a tightwire, battling nightmares and guilt over the victims she couldn't save. Now that Stucky is loose again, she's been pulled out of the field. But as Stucky's trail of victims leads closer and closer to Maggie, she is put back on the case under the supervision of Special Agent R. J. Tully. Together they race against the clock to hunt the killer, and Maggie finds herself pushed to the very edge. Has her desire to stop Albert Stucky become a matter of personal vengeance? Has she crossed the line? And has that been Stucky's goal all along--to make her into a monster?

My Review:


Author: Alex Kava
Series: Maggie O'Dell #2
Read: December 30th, 2025
Source: Own
Reason Why: Love her writing and the series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!  
Publisher: MIRA
Published: July 1st 2002

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 50 Reviews: I Am a Zombie Filled With Love, Boarded Window, The New Hunger, Warm Bodies, The Burning World, The Living

From Goodreads:

This very short story was the spore that eventually grew into WARM BODIES. Presented here for historical value.

From Goodreads:

I wrote a short story for City Arts magazine about R's first winter as a walking corpse. It's significantly less heartwarming than most holiday specials.

From Goodreads:

The end of the world didn't happen overnight.

After years of societal breakdowns, wars and quakes and rising tides, humanity was already near the edge. Then came a final blow no one could have expected: all the world's corpses rising up to make more.

Born into this bleak and bloody landscape, twelve-year-old Julie struggles to hold on to hope as she and her parents drive across the wastelands of America, a nightmarish road trip in search of a new home.

Hungry, lost, and scared, sixteen-year-old Nora finds herself her brother's sole guardian after her parents abandon them in the not-quite-empty ruins of Seattle.

And in the darkness of a forest, a dead man opens his eyes. Who is he? What is he? With no clues beyond a red tie and the letter "R," he must unravel the grim mystery of his existence—right after he learns how to think, how to walk, and how to satisfy the monster howling in his belly. The New Hunger is a glimpse of the past and a path to an astonishing future… 

From Goodreads:

In Warm Bodies, Isaac Marion's New York Times bestselling novel that inspired a major film, a zombie returns to humanity through an unlikely encounter with love.

"R" is having a no-life crisis—he is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he is a little different from his fellow Dead. He may occasionally eat people, but he'd rather be riding abandoned airport escalators, listening to Sinatra in the cozy 747 he calls home, or collecting souvenirs from the ruins of civilization.

And then he meets a girl.

First as his captive, then his reluctant house guest, Julie is a blast of living color in R's gray landscape, and something inside him begins to bloom. He doesn't want to eat this girl—although she looks delicious—he wants to protect her. But their unlikely bond will cause ripples they can't imagine, and their hopeless world won't change without a fight.

From Goodreads:

Bestseller Warm Bodies captured hearts worldwide in twenty-five languages, inspiring a major film and a cult fandom. Now R the reluctant zombie continues his journey in this much-anticipated sequel.

Being alive is hard. Being human is harder. But since his recent recovery from death, R is making progress. He's learning how to read, how to speak, maybe even how to love, and the city's undead population is showing signs of life. R can almost imagine a future with Julie, this girl who restarted his heart—building a new world from the ashes of the old one.

And then helicopters appear on the horizon. Someone is coming to restore order. To silence all this noise. To return things to the way they were, the good old days of stability and control and the strong eating the weak. The plague is ancient and ambitious, and the Dead were never its only weapon.

How do you fight an enemy that's in everyone? Can the world ever really change? With their home overrun by madmen, R, Julie, and their ragged group of refugees plunge into the otherworldly wastelands of America in search of answers. But there are some answers R doesn't want to find. A past life, an old shadow, crawling up from the basement.

From Goodreads:

The New York Times bestselling Warm Bodies Series has captivated readers in twenty-five languages, inspiring a major film and transcending the zombie genre to become something "poetic" ( Library Journal ) "highly original" ( Seattle Times ) and "ultimately moving" ( Time Out London ). Now the story of a dead man's search for life reaches its conclusion on a scale both epic and intimate.

Before he was a flesh-eating corpse, R was something worse. He remembers it all now, a life of greed and apathy more destructive than any virus, and he sees only one path to redemption: he must fight the forces he helped create. But what can R, Julie, and their tiny gang of fugitives do against the creeping might of the Axiom Group, the bizarre undead corporation that's devouring what's left of America?

It's time for a road trip.

No more flyover country. This time they'll face the madness on the ground, racing their RV across the wastelands as tensions rise and bonds unravel—because R isn't the only one hiding painful secrets. Everyone is on their own desperate search: for a kidnapped daughter, a suicidal mother, and an abused little boy with a gift that could save humanity... if humanity can convince him it's worth saving.

All roads lead home, to a final confrontation with the plague and its shareholders. But this is a monster that guns can't kill. A battle only one weapon can win...

My first review of Warm Bodies

My Review:

Author: Isaac Marion
Series: Warm Bodies #0.25, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 2, 3

First Read: January 31st, 2013, December 11th, 2012
Read: December 11th, 11th, 11th, 11th, 11th, 12th, 2025
Source: Online, Own, Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and they're 2025 Dystopia Books and Prequel & Sequel CHallenge 2023 Books! And The Burning World and The Living are WTC Books, and The Burning World is a RR Book and a WoW Book, and The Living is a End of Series 2025 Book! 
Publisher: City Arts, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, Zola Books
Published: 2005, November 28th 2011, January 28th 2013, October 28th 2010, February 2nd 2017, November 13th 2018

I Am a Zombie Filled With Love: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Boarded Window: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The New Hunger: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Warm Bodies: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The Burning World:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The Living:

/5 Hearts

/5 Books

/5 Stars

Week 39 Review: Season of Chaos

From Goodreads:

This enthralling duology follows Jack and Fleur, star-crossed lovers trapped in an endless cycle of death.

As immortal Seasons, Jack and Fleur wielded powerful magic in their roles as a Winter and a Spring. Yet there wasn't magic strong enough to keep them apart, and they risked everything for their love, for the freedom to live their lives as they choose—together.

That choice came at a cost. Jack sacrificed his Winter magic—and his immortality—to ensure their survival. Although he'd do anything for Fleur, he can't deny the emptiness he's felt since. Or the fear that his choice to give up his magic may have doomed them after all.

The world they thought they left behind is still dealing with the fallout of the rebellion they started. With Professor Lyon as the new Chronos, Seasons are free to do as they please. But not everyone is happy with the change in leadership. When an old enemy seeks revenge, the world's most powerful magic runs wild and unchecked, creating global chaos.

Thrust into the middle of a new war, Jack and Fleur are faced with the aftermath of their choices. But are they strong enough to save the world from a storm that's spinning out of control.

My Review:


Author: Elle Cosimano 
Series: Seasons of the Storm #2 
Read: September 20th, 2025 
Source: Own 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2025 Book, RR Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, WoW Book and a WTC Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: June 8th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 30 Review: The Countess

From Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan kicks off her amazing new high concept series, The Scandalous Ladies of London, which chronicles the lives of a group of affluent ladies reigning over glittering, Regency-era London, vying for position in the hierarchy of the ton. They are the young wives, widows, and daughters of London's wealthiest families. The drama is big, the money runs deep, and the shade is real. Life is different in the ton.

"My husband is a good man... just ask all the women he has bedded."

Wealthy society maven Lady Gertrude knows how the world works. If her husband is less than faithful, it's an acceptable price to pay for her coveted position at the apex of London's most fashionable set. No exclusive soiree or lavish ball is complete without her and her group of decadent, well-connected friends. And this Season promises more excitement than usual: Tru is launching her daughter into Society, helping her navigate the cutthroat Marriage Mart, complete with fortune hunters, jealous debutantes, and malicious gossips.

As skilled as Tru is at playing the high-stakes games of the ton, she never expects to meet her match--until Jasper Thorne begins to court her daughter. Jasper needs a titled bride, but when he meets Tru, all his carefully laid plans go up in smoke. The attraction between Tru and Jasper is undeniable...and unacceptable. To indulge in an affair with her daughter's suitor would be ruinous. If it becomes public, she'll never survive the scandal. Especially as it becomes clear that he wants more than one night...he wants the impossible. He wants forever.

A sizzling story of scandalous ladies, irresistible temptation, and the dangers--and joys--of being true to yourself.

My Review:


Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: The Scandalous Ladies of London #1
Read: July 25th, 2025  
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a Historical Fiction 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, WoW Book and WTC Book!
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: March 28th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 28 Review: The Mercy Makers

From Goodreads:

A talented heretic must decide between the pursuit of forbidden magic, or the ecstasy of forbidden love, in the start of a sweeping, romantic epic fantasy trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Gratton.

Can an empire trip and fall on a mere strand of silk? 

Iriset is a prodigy and an outlaw. The daughter of a powerful criminal, she dons her alter ego Silk to create magical disguises for those in her father's organization, but she longs to do more with her to enhance what it means to be human by giving people wings, night-sight, and other abilities; to unlock the possibilities of gender and parenthood; to cure disease and even to end mortality itself.

 

Everything changes when her father is captured and sentenced to death. To save him, Iriset must infiltrate the palace and the empire's fanatical ruling family. There, she realizes she has a chance—and an obligation—to bring down the entire corrupt system. She'll have to entangle herself in the lives of the emperor and his sister, getting them to trust and even to love her. But love is a two-way street, and Iriset's own heart holds the most mysterious and impenetrable magic of all.

My Review:


Author: Tessa Gratton 
Series: The Moon Heresies #1
Read: July 5th, 2025 
Source: NetGalley  
Reason Why: Love her writing and ti sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, WoW Book and a WTC Book! 
Publisher: Orbit
Published: June 17th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 20 Review: The Jasad Heir

From Goodreads:

In this Egyptian-inspired fantasy, a fugitive queen strikes a deadly bargain with her greatest enemy and finds herself embroiled in a complex game that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever.

Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic outlawed; its royal family murdered down to the last child. At least, that's what Sylvia wants people to believe. 

 

The lost Heir of Jasad, Sylvia never wants to be found. She can't think about how Nizahl's armies laid waste to her kingdom and continue to hunt its people—not if she wants to stay alive. But when Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, staying one step ahead of death gets trickier.

 

In a moment of anger Sylvia's magic is exposed, capturing Arin's attention. Now, to save her life, Sylvia will have to make a deal with her greatest enemy. If she helps him lure the rebels, she'll escape persecution. 

 

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can't let Arin discover her identity even as hatred shifts into something more. Soon, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

My Review:
I absolutely loved reading this book! I've been interested in reading it for a while, but just didn't have a chance to pick it up. And then book 2 was on NetGalley, and I got it, so I had to read this one first. I'm so glad that I picked it up, because it was fantastic to read!

The writing was wonderful, beautiful with a flair for the dramatic which was so entertaining to read. The way things were said was eloquent, and I wish I could write these reviews with such a mastery of prose, but alas, my reviews are simple and repetitive. 

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. Sylvia is hot-headed and chaos incarnate. Arin is straightlaced and a mastermind. Their interactions were so much fun to read, with the power that he has over her with the knowledge that she's a Jasadi. But she doesn't let that discourage her, which was so much fun to read! 

That this has a competition, yeah, that's a big draw for this book. That it took place all over the place, after her training completed, and we got to see more of the world and these characters, was just great. I was worried how it was going to turn out, especially since she was the champion of the country that destroyed hers. Which makes what happened in the climax understandable, and so epic! Now I'm itching for book 2, and I'm glad that I can dive right into it! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read the sequel now! 

Author: Sara Hashem
Series: The Scorched Throne #1
Read: May 16th, 2025 
Source: Library 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WTC Book! 
Publisher: Orbit 
Published: July 18th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 19 Review: Mistwood

From Goodreads:

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

My Review:


Author: Leah Cypress
Series: Mistwood #1
Read: May 3rd, 2025 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WTC Book! 
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Published: July 14th 2009

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars