Labyrinth of Lies and Sacrifice by C.F.E. Black

                                           Madness comes to all who enter the Labyrinth.

Review: Who can help but read a book with a cover like this one? Exactly. Me neither. My favourite aspect of this book was 100% the labrinth. It was brilliantly done, and I loved the dark, edgy feel to this character. Yes. I know I called it a character. It was. The labrinth was a living, feeling, reacting dark entity. 

The teamwork and discoveries within the labrynth were wonderful, and the revelations revealed within really pulled the story together. I'll admit, I felt like the romance could have delivered a touch more (but we all know I'm a romance lover at heart, and I want all the swoon) so I was left wanting a bit more. However, If you like dark fantasy with strong Maze Runner vibes, then you should give this book a try.

Back Cover: All Vera wants is to survive her wedding day and fade into the rhythms of a normal life, no easy task for a quarter-mage like her. But her worst fears come to pass when her faulty magic once again lets her down—only this time, she’s branded a criminal.

Tossed into the kingdom’s enchanted prison known as the Labyrinth, Vera must keep her wits about her as she navigates this deadly place full of monsters and a wicked force that feeds on fear.

When she encounters another mortal trapped within, she doesn’t know if she can trust him. But as their paths continue to cross, it seems as if the maze is forcing them to work together. Can they help each other defeat the monsters and survive in this nightmare world? Or is the Labyrinth deceiving them all?

Perfect for readers looking for no-spice romance, Labyrinth of Lies and Sacrifice delivers plenty of heart-pounding action and swoon-worthy moments. If you loved the survival aspect of The Hunger Games and the forbidden romance of Shadow and Bone, try Labyrinth of Lies and Sacrifice today!

Labyrinth of Lies and Sacrifice is book 6 in the Sacrificed Hearts multi-author series, a collection of stand-alone fantasy romance short novels inspired by monsters of legend, each tale packed with strong heroines, swoony heroes, and sacrificial themes.

Hunting Sirens by Mary Mecham

Review: Another new author for me! This is my first book by Mary Mecham; I kept seeing her name in my Instagram feed and decided to give her novels a try. I’m glad I did.

 

This is book two in the series, but it read perfectly fine as a stand alone. I loved that Treva, our heroine, was deaf. It was fascinating read a story from her perspective... you don't realize how much you, as a reader, use audio cues until they are gone. Mary Mecham did an admirable job of helping the reader understand and navigate Teva's  silent world by leaning into her other senses. Her use of different fonts and italicise to show sign language communication and other cues was brilliant. For this reason alone, every author should read this book. It is a real study on how to adapt to a character that is missing a key sense. I've written a blind character before, but I think that is a lot easier than a deaf one. I’m was impressed.

 

The story itself was engaging… I loved the flip gender role of the siren vs warrior. This book is definitely a one-sit read. By chapter three I was invested and needed to know what was going to happen. The interactions between Teva and the siren are fascinating. I really enjoyed this story.

 

Back Cover: She was destined to hunt sirens to extinction… but can she complete her mission before one of them captures her heart?

Trapped on an island nation and surrounded by bloodthirsty sirens, the starving people of Haven Harbor are losing hope. Treva, a Deaf blacksmith immune to the tempting call of the sirens lurking in the deep, steps into the perilous role of Siren Hunter. If she can rid the waters of enough sirens, her people could be free at last.

Unbeknownst to her, another creature dwells in the sea, even more ferocious than the dreaded sirens. When Treva faces the monster and loses, her life is saved by a handsome siren who has no voice. Can mortal enemies set their differences aside long enough to unite their nations? Or will Treva ignore her growing feelings and finish what she started?

Treva is certain of one thing—that the famed Siren Hunter of Haven Harbor would never fall for one of her prey.

Dragon Isle Wars Trilogy by Frost Kay

Review:
Well, I binge read this entire series last night. I finally turned the last 'page' of my kindle around 4 am. I will admit, there was a decent amount of skimming through the last book— not because it wasn't good, but because I was tired and wanted to know how the story ended. Oops.
Dragon Isle Wars Series:
Court of Dragons
Queen of Legends
Throne of Serpents

 As a full disclosure, I've never read anything by Frost Kay before, but she popped up on my kindle recommendation list, and I liked the covers so I decided to give this trilogy a go. I'll keep my review brief, as I'm tired (haha), but I liked this series. Two things really stood out to me as excellent. First, this was a true enemies-to-lovers. I was suitably impressed with how strong and believable their mutual hatred was (for good reason), how their relationship was portrayed, and how cautious the ebb and flow of their trust was. Second, the sea dragons were incredible. I was not expecting this twist in a non-mermaid/Atlantas type setting and I loved it. What a neat twist on dragon riders! The court setting of the Dark Elves was intriguing; it suited their name perfectly. If you like intrigue — this book is for you.

 

Content warnings (slight spoilers): There was a fair share of sexual innuendos throughout. A scene in the third book told of child sexual abuse, but it was done in a conversation and nothing was explained. Thankfully. There was marital sex... it was consensual and it was kept to the PG13 level. Not closed door, but fade to black (though it went a touch further than what I normally read, I would still throw it in the PG 13). The violence was definitely up there but not the point of being too much. There were murders, betrayals, executions, torture... you name it. Overall, I wouldn't throw this book in the YA category but into NA.

Back Cover of Book ONE: 

As a daughter of the Dragon Court, Wren knows three truths: never show weakness, pay the tithe, and never trust the elves.

When the enemy strikes on the eve of her wedding, Wren has no choice but to fight. Captured, she's dragged before the elvish king and given two choices.

Death or marriage.

She submits, biding her time as she plots and spies, determined to strike at the heart of the elvish royalty and take back her family's throne once more. But the more time she spends with her dangerous and achingly handsome husband, she finds herself wavering.

Only the strong survive the hash moors of the Dragon Isles, and she can't afford to question her loyalties, leaving only one final choice.

Strike hard and fast. Never waver. It's his heart or hers.

A Court of Dragons is the first book in a new fantasy romance series, inspired by the tales of Beauty and the Beast with Reylo viking vibes. It's perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash, A Deal with The Elf King, and The Bridge Kingdom. If you're looking for enemies to lovers with a delicious slow burn romance, scroll up and read now!

 

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell

 

Review: 

    Clara has a lot to do. But first, she needs to coax her mother away from the storefront where she is ardently and poetically protesting the use of animal furs in fashion... while wearing a very real and very much alive ermine around her neck.
 
    It’s honestly no small wonder that society has gobbled up the sinister gossip Clara's ex-fiancé has poisoned the town with, declaring that madness runs in her family.

    Correcting said rumors would be a lot simpler if her grandfather hadn't hired an unknown war veteran with a secretive past on a feeling, if her mother would stop bringing wild critters into their home, and if whimsical inventions didn't flutter around their rafters.

    All Clara needs is for everyone to act normal, and maybe she can put it all to right. Maybe, just maybe, she can protect her family against the scandalous rumors that they seem to care so little about.
 
    If only grandfather would keep his flying machine out of the sky...How is this her life?

    Honestly... loved this book. It was a delightfully fun romp that swept me away from life for several blissful hours. It was perfect.

*Book purchased by myself, no biasis to announce
 
Back Cover: London, England, 1860
    When Clara's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society's prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

    Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.

Seaspoken by Sarah Delena White

 

An ocean consumed by rage. A challenge that demands blood. A love that defies everything.

Battle-hardened mermaid warrior Evya Atathari longs for a truce between her sea-dwelling tribe and the elven invaders. But her mother, the powerful and vengeful Seamother, will stop at nothing to see the elves destroyed.

Then the Seamother enacts a brutal rite of challenge for Evya’s hand to gain a powerful ally in the war. But even as the greatest warriors of the sea vie for her favor, her heart is captured by a man who should be her mortal enemy.

Keliveth Dalzana is a failed prophet of the elven king’s court—until a vision leads him to Evya and a chance at ending the war. Drawn to Keliveth’s idealism, Evya agrees to help him win the deadly contest for her hand and establish a peace treaty through their marriage. Together, they dare to dream of a better future.

But when their own peoples turn against them, Keliveth and Evya must find the courage to embrace their true destinies—and decide how great a price they can pay for their love.

Seaspoken is a standalone fade-to-black fantasy romance perfect for fans of star-crossed love, epic stakes, and atmospheric world building.

Back Cover: Evya doe not need love. She does not need kisses or words of wooing. She does not need a husband. What she needs more than anything, is peace. Battle weary, she has nearly forgotten what it feels like to drift in a calm ocean or to taste the salty sea without the tang of blood souring her tongue. Her soul is heavy.

Then a song from across the ocean's angry surface reaches her ears... a song of forbidden hope and peace. A song that seems to know her innermost desires and hopes.

Through the crashing waves, Evya finds the giver of the song. An elf. The sworn enemy of the Seamother. Keliveth, a prophet of the elves, already knows Evya's heart... and by some wild hope, gambles his very life in a desperate bid to win peace... and her.

I really loved this story. Seaspoken is sweet, insta-love, heroic. honorable, and creative adventure. It is a perfect YA book. Content: there is magic (ruins for strength and such, power over the seas...) and there is a fade-to-black marriage night scene. The violence is minimal.

 

A Curse of Gold and Beauty by Mary Mecham

 

What if Rumpelstiltskin and the miller’s daughter fell for each other?

    Meg is cursed, bewitched with breath taking beauty at the cost of absolute obedience to her father. Rhys, her best friend, is also cursed. He is able to spin straw into gold, but each pump of the treadle exacts a terrible price. Two souls were never so perfect for each other, but fate seems determined to pull them apart.

    When the King holds Meg hostage and demands gold, she must decide… Is she willing to let Rhys suffer if it saves her own life or will she accept the King's punishment and let Rhys go free?

    A YA clean romance, fairytale retelling.

Review: "A Curse of Gold and Beauty" is a wonderful spinoff (sorry, couldn't help it) of the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin. While it is a unique tale all on its own, "A Curse of Gold and Beauty" is sprinkled with glimmering tidbits and nods to the original story. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt, and every time I noticed an aspect of Rumpelstiltskin, I was all “I found another one!”.

    I really liked both Meg and Rhys. Physically, they are exact opposites of each other and one could say, not a good match. However, neither of them cares about Meg's otherworldly good looks or Rhys' ability to spin straw into gold. Together, they could be fabulously rich and famous, but all they want is freedom and the ability to quietly love each other. Their souls are so sweet, and I loved reading their story. 

    I can also confirm that this is a perfect young adult book. It is a clean, safe read but filled with all the sweet romance that one could ever want. 

 

My Fair Mermaid by Sarah Beran

 

The Little Mermaid meets Pygmalion… 

Maribel has learned to stay quiet. 

As an orphan relying on the generosity of family, and with six outspoken and energetic cousins, silencing her own voice is often the easiest way to keep the peace and ensure her own acceptance. After helping her cousin rescue Prince Frederick from a shipwreck, Maribel finds herself as the unwitting accomplice in her cousin’s plot to marry the human prince. The plan is simple: Maribel will distract Frederick’s grumpy best friend, Professor Hadrian Higsley, so that the scheming mermaid can cozy up to the prince.

Between a friendly wager over slippers, her growing attraction to a certain translator, the appearance of a foreign fiancée, and an increasingly desperate cousin, Maribel finds it harder and harder to remain a silent observer. Will she finally find the courage to speak? Or will the little mermaid choose once again to give up her voice?

Review: A blend of My Fair Lady and Little Mermaid. Full disclosure: not a book I wanted to like. Do you ever start a story and are like, "Meh... Not my thing?" Little Mermaid was never my favourite and neither was My Fair Lady, but somehow, I really liked this story. It drew me in and forced me to be invested in the characters and to care about what happened to them. I loved Maribel's character arc. Her growth is so well done, and despite my reluctance, I was completely cheering her on for her happy ending. 

 

Some of my favourite parts of this book were the fantastic linguistic details. The author spent a lot of time and effort on the scenes where Maribel is learning to speak so the humans can understand her. Sounds boring, right? It should have been. It wasn't. At all. These were some of my favourite pieces of the whole book.

Overall, loved this little story, and I wanted to high-five Maribel at the end.