The Oracle series by Mell Eight

The Oracle's Flame

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

There is something I really like about Mell Eight's books. There's a sweetness to her fantasy that's endearing rather than annoying, and I liked that as sweet as it can be the stories aren't without real danger, and consequences. I liked the characters, and I liked seeing them grow closer together. The plot had a nice arc to it, and even thought I thought some of the ending was a little out of left field I could still enjoy the story. A nice start to a new series.


art credit - Dragon Tea by freeminds

The Oracle's Hatchling

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. I found Ling to be a relatable character, and I liked that the cruel way in which he was treated didn't make him a hard or a cold person. I liked how he reached out to the Prince, and how the two men learned to trust in each other. The plot was well done, and I liked that it was about more than brute force, but about trust, and openness, and learning to have faith in others. The ending was well done, and fit the mood of the story, and the characters well.


art credit - Element Butterfly by GrafixGirlIreland

The Oracle's Golem

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favorite of the series so far. I liked the story of what happened to Golem, and the choices that the Oracle was forced to make. It added a touch of darkness to an otherwise sweet series, and gave it a nice balance. I liked how things weren't as simple as they first appeared, and sometimes bad things have to happen in order for better things to come. I liked that the story wasn't simply about Marl and Golem, but about Lichen and the Oracle as well. I really liked Marl, and how he didn't let not being the strongest stop him from learning his element to the best of his ability. The plot to this story was nicely paced, and I really liked how things turned out. Can't wait to read the next one.


art credit - Earth Dragon by koneko no arashi

The Oracle's Sprite

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. The characters were well drawn, and interesting, and I liked how Keir always knew that there was something special about Sprite. I liked seeing Sprite grow, and just how much Keir gives him strength. The plot was well done, and I appreciate that Sprite's home is far from perfect, and that the series has been tackling the problems there more and more. The ending was well done, and I'm really looking forward to the next book. I can't wait for Lichen to have his own story.


art credit - Blue Cloud Dragon by John Avon

mle

Visitor

Pebbles came for a visit today.

Level Hands (Bend or Break, #4) by Amy Jo Cousins

I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really disappointed by this book. I liked what I saw of Rafi and Denny in the last book, and I thought that their budding relationship was sweet. I was very excited to read this book, but Rafi drove me nuts in this book. I understand his frustrations, and his fears, but I did not like the way he took them out on the people around him, especially Denny. He blew so hot and cold throughout the course of this book. One minute he loved Denny and the next minute he knew that they didn't fit, and it would never work. It frustrated me especially because it was all Rafi making decisions for Denny, and never sitting down, and talking it out like adults. I liked that Denny got mad, and Denny pushed back, but he seemed a bit too good to be true, and he was always waiting not matter how much Rafi hurt him. He was almost a bit too much of a martyr.



I also didn't appreciate Rafi's attitude towards his new home. It seems like he never really tried to understand the area where his college was located, and took for granted that the white kids around him were just as well off as Denny. I didn't like all of his comments about "New England white boys" kind of drove me crazy. You want to be treated as an individual and not a stereotype, and I appreciate that, but maybe you should extend the same courtesy to others. That and maybe learn a little more about New England. Just a bit.



The plot was a bit slow, and so much of it felt like Rafi's own self created drama that I had a hard time really feeling badly for him. Things started to change towards the ending, but by that time it felt like too little too late, and I just didn't care enough.



mle        

The Possession of Lawrence Eugene Davis by E.E. Ottoman

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. The Depression era setting was well drawn, and it really made me feel like I was there. I liked how Lawrence's experiences, and injuries from the war played into the story. I think this setting also added to the atmosphere of the story, and the dust, and the war added to the horror of the supernatural elements. I loved the ghost story, and the possession. It was dark, and creepy, and just the sort of story I like. The characters were well drawn, and I was glad it was more a story of attraction than any sort of destined love. I think love is in their future, but it didn't feel forced, or unnatural, and I appreciate that. The ending was well done, and fit this story very nicely. Overall I really enjoyed it.
mle

Wolf, WY (Wolf #1) by A.F. Henley

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be interesting, and well developed. I liked Randy very much. He was far from a perfect character, and I really enjoyed seeing him grow over the course of the story. I took a little while longer to warm up to Vaughn. He came across as more than a bit of a controlling jerk at first, but I learned to see beyond that, and it helped that Randy never let Vaughn push him too far, and he wasn't afraid to push back either. I liked the different take on werewolves, and it was interesting seeing the challenges of Vaughn and Lyle's relationship, and how Randy's presence played into that. I liked that Randy was far from a pawn, and he was able to stand for himself, and didn't need anyone to save him. I liked the secondary cast. Vaughn's kids were cute, but not obnoxiously so. I really enjoyed Randy's dad as well, and how much he supported Randy. It was nice to see the father as the nurturing one for a change. The plot was well paced, and interesting. I liked how the relationship developed at a natural pace, and there was no real talk of destined mates, or anything silly like that. I'm really looking forward to reading more.

mle

The Girl Next Door by Amy Jo Cousins

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit I was a little leery when I saw that the third book in this series was going to be a het romance. I have nothing against het romance, but I've been reading them for over 20 years, and I'm more than a little burned out on the genre. I was pleasantly surprised that this was far from the same old same old het romance.



I really loved Cash. I loved how much he cared about his friends, and how respectful he was of those around him. I liked how secure he was in his own sexuality, and how open minded his was when it came to his own pleasure, and other people's sexuality. I liked how he took ownership of his own feelings, and didn't hold Steph responsible for his jealousy. I also liked that he wasn't perfect, and how deeply insecure he was about what he saw as his own limits. I liked how those insecurities made him more sensitive to other people, and more willing to ask for help. He was far from the typical alpha male douche that populates a lot of het romance.



I liked Steph as well. It was nice to have such a strong, confident female that wasn't a complete bitch. I don't know why so many authors seem to equate female strength with bitchiness, but they do. I liked that she was bisexual, and I loved that she was sexually confident, and adventurous. No shy stereotypical virgin trope either. I appreciated that she was the character who had the most trouble committing to a relationship, with understandable reasons, and it was nice to see it was more Cash pining for Steph than the other way around. I love it when a trope gets turned on its head. I loved their banter, and the balance of the relationship felt very equal to me, which I also appreciated.



The plot of the book was nicely paced, and I loved how the entire book wasn't focused on the relationship. It was nice to see Cash come into his own, and see how much he changed over the course of story. I loved the secondary cast, and how they played into the main narrative. The resolution felt well done, and I loved the pacing of the romance. One of the best romance novels I've read hands down.

 

 

mle

Yes please

Oh okay