Vicious Princess

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love Divergent, Vampire Academy, and all things fae, you will love this!

I was taken by surprise by this book and read it in one sitting! 

After Phoenix's entire family is slaughtered, she sets out on a mission of revenge in a new land, using her training to help her infiltrate the elite academy for fae fighters (Ezkai). The catch? She's the only human in the school, is in denial that she loves her instructor after a pre-enrolment tryst, and she's one of the coveted Phantom Rangers, a Decarios born with a rare affinity for the bow. The pace of this new story was fast and never dull. The author pulls you in and satisfies the immediate problems the characters face while making you want to find out what happens next for Phoenix in Blood Queen! 

Worldbuilding: There was just enough to give the reader a sense of why Phoenix went to the new world to climb the ranks to take revenge on her homeland, whose royalty is responsible for the death of her entire family. The similarities and differences between where Phoenix grew up and trained to be a warrior, and where she escapes to, is sprinkled throughout the story in just enough snippets to avoid info-dumping and create a full picture of how harsh the land Phoenix escaped is. At the same time, her new world is shown as just as vicious, albeit in different ways. While one wants you to prove yourself with what pain you are willing to withstand to join, the other wants you to prove yourself in what you're willing to do to others for the cause.

Characters: OMG. I love, love, love Daegal and Phoenix! The forbidden nature of their relationship (student x instructor) heightens the stakes and somehow made me root for them like I did Dimitri and Rose! They both have ulterior motives and histories that they don't immediately share--always holding back! But they root for each other, and Daegel helps her connect to her bow to become the Phantom Ranger she's meant to be. And as much as she finds herself wanting him, her mission remains her focus, and that makes her a beast FMC!

Honestly, if you like:

🏹Fighting 

💘Forbidden Romance

💣Revenge

🧚Fae

🌍New World

You will love Vicious Princess and mark the release for the sequel, Blood Queen!

Thank you @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Crown of Thorns and Magic

A Crown of Thorns and Magic

by E. Evans

A Crown of Thorns and Magic is the first book in a series. It is fast-paced and never slows down, but the stakes never quite have the chance to hit home as we are thrown in after the FMC kills her uncle to take the throne when her father dies.

It's a great premise--I love the adventure--but I wish the worldbuilding and character development had been explored more thoroughly. At least enough to get us to 'care' before throwing all of the twists at the reader. I didn't quite believe that Astar, the 16-year-old FMC, was as mature and skilled as a warrior and queen as portrayed. I do like the adventures that brought her to Hathan, as well as the set up for a new world in subsequent instalments of the series, but there wasn't enough development to make me feel for the characters.

For me, this book has a lot of potential to be great, and I would read the next in the series to find out what happens.

Thank you @NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐

Desolate

 

At the heart of this enchanting novel is Mia, a gay teenager grappling with feelings of isolation and rejection after being shunned by her friends. Her struggle is not only social but also internal, as she wrestles with magical powers that feel both unpredictable and unwieldy. Mia’s character is written with nuance and empathy, revealing layers of vulnerability, courage, and a sharp, searching intelligence. Her journey toward self-acceptance is marked by moments of doubt and triumph, making her growth compelling and authentic.

When Mia’s search for a missing friend draws her into the world of magic, she is unexpectedly transported to 1992, a time and place steeped in secrets and supernatural intrigue. The plot deepens as Mia discovers her family’s hidden past, the mysteries surrounding a haunted house, and the possibility of rewriting fate for someone she loves. Each twist is carefully woven, keeping readers on edge with genuine stakes and an ever-shifting sense of mystery.

Supporting characters enrich the narrative, especially Mia’s grandparents, whose warmth and wisdom help anchor her in the unfamiliar past. Tilly, Mia’s aunt and adoptive mother, stands out as a figure of unconditional love and quiet sacrifice; her relationship with Mia evolves from tense uncertainty to one of deep understanding and mutual respect. These familial bonds are crucial to Mia’s journey and serve as emotional touchstones throughout the story.

The novel’s plot is unpredictable, with skillfully layered revelations that explore themes of identity, belonging, and the courage to embrace one's differences. Magic here is not just a tool, but a metaphor for self-discovery. As Mia learns that her powers are unique, she begins to accept and celebrate her own singularity.

In sum, this is a well-crafted magical mystery that delivers not only surprises and suspense, but also richly developed characters and heartfelt relationships. Readers seeking stories that intertwine queer identity, time-travel adventure, and the pain and beauty of self-discovery will find much to cherish within these pages.

4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars! Can't wait for book 2!

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Persephone's Curse

 

Persephone's Curse

by Katrina Leno

Publication Date: December 2, 2025

Thank you @NetGalley and St. Martin Press/Wednesday Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this novel pulled me in from the synopsis. I'm a sucker for stories about mythology, so I was eager to read about four sisters descended from Persephone who can see ghosts. When one falls in love with the ghost and another banishes it, I thought this was going to be an amazing, one-sitting read for me.

In truth, getting into the story was difficult. The first 50% was riddled with more prose than dialogue, which dragged it down (for me). The author did a good job setting up the problems and creating backstory for the four sisters: Winnie, Evelyn, Clara, and Bernadette; however, it read more like an information dump at times, and there was more telling than showing. I'm also not sure what the character motivators were throughout, and I didn't connect with Henry at all. Aside from being a creep Evelyn couldn't outrun in her own bedroom, what quality about him made her love him? It was clear how much the sisters cared for each other and that each had their own 'quirk' that added to the storyline, but I felt that I was told this to set my expectations for the end, versus discovering it as the story unfolded.

I'm glad I kept coming back to the story, hoping that the next chapter would be the aha moment, which finally happened when Henry is sent to the Underworld (or so one assumes) and the sisters hide it from Evelyn, the sister who loves him. The second half of the book picks up; however, I would have liked to have more of the front half description evened out so there was more in the backend for consistency.

Overall, I rate it 3 Stars. The idea is great and that ending... I <3 that!

The Frost Witch Book Review

 

The Frost Witch by Emberly Ash

4.5 Star Review

Available August 5, 2025!!

Thank you @NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

The first book in this new series by Ash follows a 400-year-old witch, Koryn, as she tries to save her world from a curse from the gods. She enters the trials of The Seven Gates to save another and soon finds herself life bound to a notorious bounty hunter, gaining a familiar, and learning to defend herself when magic is no longer available to help her. Each gate presents a new trial by a different god, increasing in danger.

If you love…

Ø Enemies to Love

Ø  Slow Burn

Ø  Forced Proximity

Ø  Gods

Ø  Dragons

Ø  Betrayal

Ø  Fae

Ø  Witches

…this is for you!

This story will pull you in like it did for me. Koryn is intent on being a witch – they have no heart and kill without remorse – but her true nature betrays every choice she makes. When she saves Garrick, the bounty hunter who should want to kill her instead of protect her, she forms a life bound between them. As they go through the trials together, he not only protects her but teaches her to protect herself. It is a slow burn that has you turning pages to see if – or when 😊 – they will finally make their move.

The writing is phenomenal, the pacing perfect, and the entire premises refreshing and EXACTLY my cup of tea. The only reason I gave 4.5 stars instead of 5 was personal preference. There was too much description and prose over dialogue (for me) to start, and I didn’t really get into it until about 50% of the way through when the ‘baby’ dragon was introduced and the dialogue picked up. If you get past that, though, it’s worthwhile. By the end, all the character development that took time to start makes you connect with Garrick and Koryn, and the ending… It broke me!

If you haven’t picked this one up, I 1000% recommend adding it to your TBR! I can’t wait to read the next book! I’ve already started Crown of Earth and Sky!

Flutter Book Review

Flutter

by Melody Percario 

⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Netgalley and OCS Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Flutter” begins with the promise of a classic whodunit and quickly moves into territory far more complex than the synopsis suggests; however, the execution often falters. While the concept is intriguing, hinting at a world that would be an amazing series, the characters and narrative is difficult to connect with.

Despite the high stakes and the novel’s somber undercurrent, the protagonists are never quite believable. Their reactions to traumatic events are not at all how someone would respond e.g. finding people shot and then having a conversation with the killer like she met him on the street and isn’t scared? This tendency saps the tension from moments that should be gripping and immersive. That said, the villain of the story was intriguing and grew throughout the novel enough that I felt empathy for him, and I'd like to see how that is further developed.

The narrative, too, is bogged down. Rather than letting scenes unfold organically, the story frequently opts to tell rather than show, diminishing reader engagement and slowing the pace. This is made worse by the plot’s unlikely scenarios, such as a teenager being assigned an eighteen-year-old bodyguard who repeatedly leaves her unprotected—especially when a parent seems unfazed by these lapses. The romance between this so-called protector and Daphne also falls flat (for me).

The connections between events can feel illogical, with “A” not always leading convincingly to “B.” Greater attention to the logic of character motivations and reactions would lend the story a much-needed sense of realism and emotional depth. The last 20% or so leads me to believe that the sequel is one I would want to read, if only to see how Sebastian is developed.

Nevertheless, “Flutter” is not without merit. Its premise is promising, and the concluding chapters hint at a richer, more dynamic sequel. With more character development that focuses on emotional depth and believability, this could become the strong start to a series that its concept deserves.

Crown of Briars

 

Crown of Briars Book Review

Slow-Burn Dark Fantasy That Surpasses Expectations

If you love fairy tale retellings with a bit of bite, you’ll probably be hooked by this one just like I was. From the description alone, I was eager to dive in—a Beauty and the Beast story with some darkness and spice? Yes, please!

I’ll admit, dual POVs usually aren’t my thing. At first, it threw me off, but pretty soon I was looking forward to seeing both sides of the story. The author does a great job making each character’s perspective unique and interesting, so it didn’t take long for me to get invested in both of them.

One thing I worried about was that the plot might fall into the whole Stockholm Syndrome trap, but I’m happy to say it really doesn’t. The relationship between Sybelle and Varius actually felt honest and slow-burning. I found myself rooting for them more and more as their connection grew.

What really makes this book stand out is Sybelle’s inner struggle. She has to choose between holding on to a lie she grew up believing—a lie meant to protect her people, and the whole reason she agreed to marry Varius, the enemy Wraith King—or following her own instincts when she discovers his kingdom is cursed, and she just might be the one who can break it. It definitely kept me turning pages!

The chemistry between Sybelle and Varius is off the charts. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the “spice,” but honestly, the romance was way more swoon-worthy than cringey. In fact, I ended up wanting a Varius of my own by the end!

There’s also a great message here: that love isn’t about what you look like or where you come from, but about who you are. The author gets that across without being heavy-handed, which I really appreciated.

This was my first book by R.L. Perez, and I was so hooked I immediately picked up "Crown of Slumber" to see what else they’ve got. This is the first book in the series, but both can be read as a stand-alone novel; however, the dragon companion we fall in love with in Crown of Briars is first introduced in Crown of Slumber, and I love, love, love Azure! The writing pulls you right in, and the characters just stick with you.

All in all, if you want a romantic fantasy with real depth, some edge, and a love story you can truly root for, definitely check this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for an e-arc of this book.

Just devoured #CrownOfBriars by @rlperezbooks and I’m obsessed! This dark fantasy #mustreadbook is a #fairytale retelling of #beautyandthebeast, spiced up with romance and danger. Out August 4, 2025!

Book Review - Bait by Kasi Blake

Bait by K.C. Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an incredible read - I literally downloaded Kindle just to finish. I can't wait to start the second in this series!

Bay-Lee and Nick (sometimes Tyler) have such great chemistry, and the plot is so well written, it keeps you up well past your bedtime. Reapers (who knew they were ghosts?), monsters, fighting, and oh, the romance. I don't want to say anything to give it away . . . simply read it.

K.C. Blake is the perfect choice if you are looking for the next great series that makes you want to do a toe dance of anticipation waiting for the next installment.

Sasha Leigh



View all my reviews

5 Ways to Get Book Reviews

Let's assume that you have the next great novel that has the potential to become an overnight success for the purposes of this post. Negative reviews can and will reflect upon other novels under your name, so when asking for reviews, make sure that the content you are providing is the best you are capable of producing - your reputation will thank you for it. Use editors, beta readers, proof-readers, and cover designers when necessary. Just because we "can" self-publish doesn't mean we can't be as good as authors who are traditionally published - or better.

Book reviews are a HUGE part of a self-publishing/indie author's marketability and internet presence. Reviews posted to sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, Smashwords, etc., are essential to building a rapport with readers you are propositioning, which is what happens whenever you publish - a reader clicks on it (thumbnail picture, link, etc.), studies the cover, reads the blurb, and if you're lucky, checks out excerpts, if available. Is it important that your book looks good? Edited thoroughly? YES.

But good content aside, how is a reader going to know they should buy a book when they don't know the author enough to compare previously read books against?

Vampire Academy Series

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a great series to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the problems they faced, and was happy to have waited to read it - when I finished the fifth installment, I took my daughter to the grocery store and saw "Last Sacrifice" on display, so it was the perfect timing! I didn't have to wait.

For me, the best part about this was that the characters - Rose, Lissa, Dimitri, and Christian - weren't "fake". They face real problems that teens and young adults (NA?) would face, human or night creature, and while sex wasn't glorified, it wasn't skipped over, either. You can really immerse yourself in the storyline, which I found to be believable, and not just "another vampire" novel. And while it definitely is about vampires and dhampirs (a half-breed guardian), it focuses more on the magics than the blood, and has multiple storylines running through each book. I loved all six, but the last novel is my favourite.

Bloodlines, the spin-off series, is also pretty great. I would recommend both to anyone who enjoys YA Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance with kiss-ass heroines.

Sasha Leigh



View all my reviews

FREE - August 25-29th!

 

FREE!!

 

 

From August 25-29th Fate's Exchange will be free for downloading from Amazon! Get your copy this week, before school starts and the long weekend.

 

 

Fate's Return, Book Two in Twisted Fate, will be published in October, and Fate's Demand a couple months after that (approx. December 2014). But why wait? Join Alyssa as the journey begins now!