Tag: YA fantasy

Books on Sale: 99c books with FMCs!

There’s a sale on fantasy books you need to know about…

Scratch that…there are three sales!

Sale #1: 99c FMC-led books

Finding Her Story brings you fantasy, romantic fantasy, fantasy romance and YA fantasy reads led by FMCs (female main characters) for 99c!

Finding her Story 99c Fantasy Books March 7-12, 2023
Find a 99c read

A friend sent me the link to this promo and I had to join with Girl of Shadow and Glass. If you’ve already started the series, you’ll know that there are two female narrators at the heart of the story, Kith and Finchoa.

This is especially timely because *cough cough* book 3 *cough*. But you didn’t hear that from me 😉


Sale #2: Girl of Glass and Fury (Tara’s Necklace Book 2)

Because of the above coughing fit, I am also putting on a little sale of my own.

I’ve decided to make book 2, Girl of Glass and Fury, just 99c for the first time in a long time!

Get Book Two for 99c!
Smashwords Read an Ebook Week Sale through March 11

Sale #3: The Smashwords Read an Ebook Week Sale!

You can also find all my book marked down at the Smashwords Sale. (One of these books might even be free 50% off, spicy romantasy readers! Said book being Lord of the Hollow Court – click here for the direct link. Otherwise…)

Check out the Sale

That’s all for now! Cheers!

CKB

The Lily Gate review

A Review of The Lily Gate, by Hanna Sandvig

The Lily Gate, by Hanna Sandvig

(Fairy Tale Romances #1.75)

YA Short Story, Fairy Tale Retelling, Romantic Fantasy

The Frog Prince retelling, clean fantasy, clean romance

What a cute the The Frog Prince retelling! This story is sweet to its bones and has a classic YA feel, and features non-magical trials for the princess’s hand.

Part of the fun of this short read is how obvious the identity of the frog is…to everybody but the main character. I also appreciated that the couple in this romantic story get time to fall in love, plus all the magical details of the setting. Fans of baking competitions will appreciate all the choux pastries, too!

This was a fun, adorable lower YA read.

My rating:
5/5
The Lily Gate mockup with candles

Oathbound review

A review of Oathbound, by Victoria McCombs (an image of the book, a vivid red rose with a sword through it, on a background of choppy ocean waves)

Oathbound, by Victoria McCombs

(The Royal Rose Chronicles #1)

YA fantasy, pirate fantasy adventure, romantic fantasy

Favorite quote: “‘Do you see how he looks at her as if he’s found a priceless pearl inside an oyster?’ Heat flooded my cheeks. I had noticed that.”

Note: I received a copy and this is an honest, voluntary review.

This book just got better and better as it went along!

Early on, Oathbound feels like historical fiction more than fantasy. Though it was on the slower side, I felt like I was on the Royal Rose. But the magic was still missing for me. Then came the magical creatures (and one creepy ghost ship) on the high seas. This book became a page turner for me from that point on.

The romance subplot is woven throughout the story and in the “friendship” between narrators Emme and Arn. It’s so lovely and subtle, a true slow-burn that goes beyond two friends having that conversation. With Emme’s distrust of pirates, Royal Rose captain Arn has a lot to prove.

I loved all the side quests and intrusions by magic and ghosts. Emme is also dealing with a congenital degenerative disease, so we see her struggling with mobility. Note that this book ends on multiple wicked cliffhangers. I can’t wait to read book two!

My rating:
4.5/5
A mockup of Oathbound, with a vivid red rose with a sword through it, on a background of a fuzzy white blanket, a candy cane, a pillar candle, a sparkly fake poinsettia, a snowman, a Himalayan salt votive, some stones and mini Christmas lights

Beyond the Filigree Wall review

A review of Beyond the FIligree Wall, by Melissa Wright

Beyond the Filigree Wall, by Melissa Wright

(Rivenwilde #1)

December 6, 2022

romantic fantasy, interconnected standalone series, fae fantasy, clean romantic fantasy

Note: I received an ARC and this is an honest, voluntary review

Beyond the Filigree Wall is a fast-paced story with a kick-butt heroine—except her only usable weapon is her wits. I really enjoyed this story and its world.

MC Etta is up against her father, the new chancellor Gideon (cue enemies to lovers tension!) and, on top of all that, the fae. But she can’t do anything about the fae until she becomes marshal, a position Etta’s trained most of her life for. Gideon has his doubts about her, however, and single-handedly derails her appointment by the Council.

The romance in Beyond the Filigree Wall develops steadily from a semi-forced proximity situation, with a dash of Pride and Prejudice. I liked that Etta starts as a formidable warrior, but the focus is on her mind, plus she has a bookish love interest. Though the ending was not perfectly tidy (and very complex), expect plenty of fae-worthy secrets, twists and tricks!

Beyond the Filigree mockup with Christmas decorations

Warrior of Blade and Dusk review

A review of Warrior of Blade and Dusk

Warrior of Blade and Dusk, by Anastasis Blythe

(The Zheninghai Chronicles #2)

Other books in this series:
Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses (#0)
Guardian of Talons and Snares (#1)

romantic fantasy, Eastern-inspired fantasy, clean romantic fantasy

Note: I received an ARC and this is an honest, voluntary review.

If your favorite parts of Guardian of Talons and Snares were the pursuit on the road and the developing, complicated romance between Aranya and Kai, you will love book two, Warrior of Blade and Dusk, as much as I did.

This was such a fun, exciting and satisfying conclusion. Truly action-packed, it takes the best parts of book one and amplifies them. Kai, for one, has softened a lot, without losing too much of his sparky edge. (Though we do see him requesting snuggles!)

The romance also kicks into high gear on this one. Araya also stays her plucky self, but continues to strengthen mentally. I love that an action and romance-forward story focuses so much on its character’s psychological development.

Though the series continues with the story of Princess Meiling, there were some scenes suggesting interesting storylines to come. I’m really looking forward to it!

My rating:
5/5