Review: Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  

Here's a little about Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening, #1)

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Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian―royalty who feed on mortal pleasure.

Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.

When her intuition leads her to save a travelling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning―and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he'll be her doom.

When the Baron takes an interest in the travelling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.

Calista must choose: follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.

Finished reading on: August 16, 2023

Read on: eARC

Review

This first book in the Awakening series was not what I first expected. If you are in the author's Facebook group, you will know that she likes to share snippets of her writing in progress and when she posted those about this book, I had started to imagine many possible scenarios around these snippets, and it looks like I wasn't good at guessing. 

I will start by saying that Jennifer L. Armentrout knows how to write an amazing heroine who can be both vulnerable and strong. Calista (or Lis) is no exception to this rule. I really liked how she is portrayed in this and I'm looking forward to seeing her character evolve in the next books.

Thorne is a character that many will love and add to the fictional boyfriends list, but as much as I do like his intensity and honesty; I still have problems liking him as much as I feel like I should or could. Perhaps in the next book, something will happen that will change my mind about him. But he is an interesting character and I'm looking forward to seeing what else we will discover about him.

Lis and Thorne are, like most of JLA’s couples, a good fit for one another. One example coming to my mind would be like I feel that even though he doesn’t deal with emotions the same way most people do; she does bring a softer side (not sure if it’s the right word, but it’s the only one coming to my mind). He's more rational and she's more intwined with her emotions. And the chemistry between is off the charts. Honestly, if it’s like this in the first book, I’m intrigued to see how far it will go in the future ;)

So many secondary characters in this book that I'm hoping that we'll see again or more in the next books. Either because I like them or because I need to know how I need to feel about them because there is always one or two characters you want to like but you feel like you might just hate them and vice-versa.

I need more Grady, if only for his friendship with Lis. They are there for each other and are protective of one another. I really feel like their friendship is genuine with their ups and downs.

Overall, the first book of this new series pretty much sets the world building, and I will admit it took a while before I felt something was really happening, but once it did, I knew that I would be hooked on a new series of hers.

The end will make you want to know what happens next and you’ll need it with everything you learn and everything that will be added through the rest of the series.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Review: The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash, #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Here's a little about The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash, #4)

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War is only the beginning…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book four in her Blood and Ash series.

From the desperation of golden crowns…

Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh…

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises…

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.

Read from: Marc 10th to March 15th, 2022

Read on: eARC

Review

I have no words for this book. It was such a rollercoaster of feels throughout the whole book. I apologize in advance if my review does not make any sense.

Also, be sure to have read all of the other books before reading my review because it might contain spoilers from the previous books.

So the book continues more or less where the last book left us; Casteel imprisoned by Isbeth and Poppy trying to get him back. It was a hard to wait to see what was going to happen next because as much as Jen is all for Happily Ever Afters, we all know that what happens between the start and the end is fair game and she will for sure play with our feels throughout it.

This series is no exception to that and my god do you go through every possible feels. I honestly do not know where to start my review.

So let’s start with just how the bond between Poppy and Kieran grew throughout this book; the way they interacted and the way they anchor each other in Casteel’s absence. I really feel like that since the beginning, they always had a special bond even when they didn’t seem to really know it and I felt like that goes beyond the bond she has with the wolvens.

Poppy is just as fierce as before and she has so much more confidence in herself and she won’t back down from what she believes is right. Honestly, the way she held herself we sometimes we forget that she is young and that not long ago, she was sheltered and was mostly oblivious to the truth.

Having Casteel’s point of view was also just an added bonus to the story. I love being in Poppy’s mind, but I am not going to lie, I wanted to be in Casteel’s head too. I really felt it added to the story and it got us to feel just how intensely he felt about Poppy and all the thoughts and memories that could through his mind. In addition, I really felt like having both point of views just gave place to have more information thrown at us.

Poppy and Casteel. These two together are just almost perfect; they loved each other with something fierce and they are ready to do just about anything for one another.

And what can I say about the newest addition to this group… Reaver (or since the book A Shadow in the Ember in the Flesh and Fire series (aka ASITE), Reaver-Butt). I seriously love him. His banters with Kieran were quite entertaining and I loved just how nonchalant he seems to be most of the time.

So much is learned throughout this book and a lot is answered from things were wondered in the previous books. I swear, I felt like every other chapter, we learned something new and I loved it because sometimes I felt like it made some stuff from the previous books make more sense.

Overall, I loved that book. It kept me diving back in-between whenever I had a minute to be able to read. I once again highly recommend this book series. I can’t wait for the next books in this series and see where she’s going to make us go through next.

I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Review: Grace and Glory by Jennifer L. Armentrout (The Harbinger, #3)

 

Here's a little bit about Grace & Glory

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Out June 1, 2021

Danger, betrayal, and enticing forbidden love clash in book three of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Harbinger trilogy!

When Angels Fall

Trinity Marrow has lost the battle and her beloved Protector. Even with both demons and Wardens on her side, Trin may not win the war against the Harbinger.

Bringing Lucifer back to the world to fight the Harbinger is probably a really, really bad idea, but they’re out of options—and the world’s ultimate fallen angel is the only being powerful enough to impact the outcome.

As Trin and Zayne form a new and more dangerous bond and Lucifer unleashes Hell on earth, the apocalypse looms and the world teeters on the end of forever. Win or lose, one thing is certain—nothing will ever be the same.

Read from: May 7th to May 8th, 2021

Read on: eARC

Review:

IMPORTANT: If you haven’t read Storm and Fury and Rage and Ruin, do not read this review since it might contain some spoilers from the first two books of this series.

ADVICE: You should also check out The Dark Elements series from what The Harbinger series is a spinoff of. It gives you a background and plus it’s an amazing series.

I’m trying really hard to write a review that is without spoiler, for the most part, so I don’t ruin anything for anyone, so if it seems vague, I apologize in advance.

Onto the review… The events of Grace and Glory continue where we were left stranding in Rage in Ruin. I have to say that when that end came in the second book of the trilogy, I was like… I need the next book now because how could Jen do this to us? She can’t leave us hanging like that.

Of course, Jen knows how to keep us hooked and from the first pages of Grace and Glory, I had trouble letting go of my book.

Honestly, I feel like this book gave us a lot of answers to some of the questions we have been wondering and quite a few times, I was surprised when something was revealed because my brain hadn’t anticipated them.

Trinity in this book is still a kickass heroine. I really felt like she was more in charge of her actions even if she had never really been one to just bow down to anyone before. I just felt like she was more in tune with who she was and what she had to do.

Trinity and Zayne together were quite the team and I just love them together. I really feel like they bring the best out of each other.

I will also like to say that I really love Trinity and Cayman’s blossoming friendship in this book. Cayman has always been one of my favourite characters... he just has that something…

Old and new characters make their appearance in this book, and some will leave a long-lasting impression on you that’s for sure. Lucifer being one of them. I liked the way he was portrayed in this book.

Overall, I really loved that series and as much as there is drama and action happening in it, Jen knows just how to add perfectly timed funny moments into the mix.

So what is my final thought of this book? I LOVED IT!! You will go through a rollercoaster of emotions through this book that’s for sure. I just loved the story, the characters, etc. I just feel like it was the perfect way to wrap up Trinity and Zayne’s story.

Though can I just say how I am so sad to say goodbye to this world? I was really happy that Jen has decided to write to spin-off to the Dark Elements series and now that it’s over, I just want another one. I am sure that if one day, the inspiration comes to her, she could find a way back to this world… the possibilities are endless…

So do I recommend this series? Definitely.

I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Review: The Brightest Night by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Origin, #3)

Here's a little bit about The Brightest Night

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The thrills, drama, and intrigue continue in the third installment of the Origin series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

He is the darkest star.

You are the burning shadow.

And together, you will bring about the brightest night.

Less than a year ago, Evelyn Dasher was a normal girl, living an unremarkable life.

Now, she's on the run, under the protection of the beautiful, deadly inhuman Luc. She's been betrayed by those who were closest to her. And she's learned truths about herself that she never saw coming--things she once knew, and was made to forget. Truths with devastating consequences. She's caught in the eye of the storm.

She is the eye of the storm.

Read from: October 16 to October 18, 2020

Read on: eARC

Review

There is a reason Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of my favourite authors and she proved it again with this book because she knows how to keep us on our toes. What we thought we knew in the Origin series so far? Forget it; she always finds new twists to add to her series that will make you rethink all of the theories you could have established throughout her books.

The Brightest Night continues where The Burning Shadow ended. As Evie and Luc process with everything they have learned, the two of them and their friends are still trying to deal with the Daedalus and staying alive. As Evie and Luc insert themselves into this community of humans, hybrids, origins and Luxens, you get to see a few familiar faces from the past also.

Evie continues to grow in this book; she becomes more and more aware of whom she is and I feel like in this book, she is more open to it also. I really loved how she is starting to take control more too and not just going with the flow. She is such a badass character and I really feel this book brought it even more out of her.

Evie and Luc’s relationship is only getting stronger and even if they aren’t always seeing eye to eye on everything, one thing is clear; they will both do whatever it takes to protect one another. As they work on helping Evie getting control of her powers, they will both be aware she has to learn to trust herself more as much as Luc has to learn that he can’t always protect her from everything. But they are such couple goals because no matter what, they have each other’s back.

Truthfully, there is so much that happens in this book and in a short period of time too. I honestly had trouble putting down the book when I had to work or sleep because I needed to know what was going to happen next and I didn’t want to wait before finding out. From learning more about Evie’s powers to more bits of the past and why and how everything happens, you will be transported into a world where answers aren’t the ones you expected and new questions will demand more answers.

Trying to make this review spoiler free, I can only say that you won’t be able to just read a chapter or two. Be sure to keep in mind they are quite a few jaw-dropping moments in this book and I swear some of them I am still not over as of yet.

Jennifer has once again made a book where you just can’t get enough. Reading her books always get me out of my reading slumps.

My final verdict of this book is that it was one amazing read and I can’t wait for the next one. Actually, I really need it like yesterday because the ending of this book was mind blowing and I can’t even begin to imagine what she will do next. I really need to know. 

I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Review: The Queen by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Wicked, #3.7)

Here's a little bit about The Queen (#3.7)

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Out NOW!!

From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes the next installment in her Wicked series.

The King must have his Queen....

Bestowed the forbidden Summer’s Kiss by the King of the Summer fae, Brighton Jussier is no longer just human. What she is, what she will become, no one knows for sure, but that isn’t her biggest concern at the moment. Now Caden, the King, refuses to let her go, even at the cost of his Court. When the doorway to the Otherworld is breached, both Brighton and Caden must do the unthinkable—not just to survive themselves, but also to save mankind from the evil that threatens the world.


**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.

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THE SUMMER KING BUNDLE (all three novellas) ➜ http://amzn.to/2DDOI29

Read from: June 20, 2020

Read on: eARC

Review:

Following the last novella, The Queen continues as Brighton struggles with the news of her pregnancy and has to find a way to get Caden to do what’s right for the Court.

This novella was not as packed in action as the rest of the series, but it was still a really good read. I think that as usual, communication was a work in progress, but let’s be honest, if characters communicated perfectly, it would probably be boring.

I like how strong Brighton is and how far she has come from the moment she was first introduced. I feel like there are still a lot of things she needs to work on, but you can’t deny just how much growth she has done on herself.

Caden is always has protective as ever of Brighton and this makes things harder for Brighton to do the right thing. You can tell just how much he’s willing to do to keep her with him and everyone deserves someone to love them just like that.

And even if the story revolves around the couple, I think we can’t forget about Tink who is definitely one of my favourite characters ever. He is such an amazing friend and he’s so entertaining in this.

So there isn’t as much action in this book as previously said, but we can’t say that nothing happens. Honestly, I was surprised a few times in it as events unfold and honestly, I couldn’t put it down; I just needed to know what was going to happen next.

Overall, I enjoyed a lot reading the conclusion of the novellas and even if it wrapped Brighton and Caden’s story, I think that if the inspiration came, there could be a lot of stories that could come out of this world the author created since there are some questions that have not be answered in this conclusion. 

I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Review: Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout (The Harbinger, #2)

Here's a little bit about Rage and Ruin

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Out June 9, 2020

Dangerous secrets and forbidden desires lead to shocking consequences… Don’t miss book two of the fantastical Harbinger trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

“Jennifer L. Armentrout’s intoxicating new fantasy is her best yet!” —New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter on Storm and Fury

Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.

As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.

Read from: May 29 to June 1st, 2020

Read on: eARC

Review:

IMPORTANT: If you haven’t read Storm and Fury, do not read this review since it might contain some spoilers from the first book of this series.

ADVICE: You should also check out The Dark Elements series from what The Harbinger series is a spinoff of. It gives you a background and plus it’s an amazing series.

Oh my God! I have no idea where to start this review because my mind is still trying to focus on everything that happened in it. Rage and Ruin continues where Storm and Fury ended and Trinity and Zayne are determined to find the Harbinger. Of course, they have no sure way or knowing how to find it or any idea who it might be.

I still love Trinity. She’s far from being perfect and sometimes, I wanted to give her a little slap behind the head, but still, she’s just such a refreshing character. Trinity will learn a lot about herself in this book. I really enjoyed the process she goes through in this book as events unfold and actions are taken that makes her doubt who she was sometimes. Personally, I feel like she had done a lot of personal growth in this book and was more aware of whom she was too.

Trinity and Zayne are obviously both trying to resist the pull they have towards one another while also not being able to stay away from it either which will cause a lot of frictions throughout the book, not counting how they are both dealing with it differently and making it even more difficult for them. I really liked how their relationship evolved in this book because you see both ups and downs of it and you see them work through those slowly but surely.

And Zayne. What can I say about him? I really loved him in this book as well. If sometimes I felt like hitting him too, I really loved his personality and I’m really enjoying seeing a new side of Zayne that we didn’t experience in the first series, The Dark Elements.

Also, old characters from The Dark Elements also make an appearance in this book and it brought a whole new twist to this series. I really enjoyed seeing them again and not to spoil anything, I will leave it at that.

So much happens in this book as well. It’s hard to go into details about it without trying to spoil the book, but just be ready that you might be going through a long range of emotions with this book. Trinity, Zayne, Roth, Layla and company have a lot to deal with in this book and each time they unfolded some more information about what they might have to face, there always seem to have a new twist that was added to complicate their situation.

Overall, this was another awesome addition to this series. Honestly, I feel this review is short, but I was sort of left without words after I was done reading. I loved this book so much and it got me through so many emotions that I’m not sure I’m over it yet so be prepare that you might feel like me after you’re done reading it. Jennifer L. Armentrout once again showed her amazing talent to keep us unable to close a book and to always demand more. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for the next book especially with everything that we learned in this one.

I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Review: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Blood and Ash, #1)

Here's a little bit about From Blood and Ash

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Out March 31, 2020

Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

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Read from: March 9 to  11, 2020

Read on: eARC

Review:

If you know me, than you know that Jennifer L. Armentrout’s books are always a must buy. I have never been disappointed and when I got the chance to get my hands on From Blood and Ash, I swear I jumped on the occasion to find out how I was going to enjoy her writing into this genre.

Let me tell you that this author comes through once again with From Blood and Ash as it kept me enthralled throughout the whole book. You won't be able to put down this epic story once you start. This book has everything you didn’t know you needed in a book. I swear I had difficulties to put it down when I needed to work. I needed to know more and more.

Poppy is an incredible character. She is the Maiden; the Chosen. All of her life, she has been treated differently because of it by the few people who get to see her. She has a long list of things she can’t do, but Poppy is also kind of like a rule breaker which makes her more interesting. Throughout the book, you see how she’s fighting to find herself, but still trying to remain true to what people are expecting from her, but as the book progress so many events will be putting her faith to the test. She has a strong personality and she has such endurance to everything she had to go through. I loved how she was portrayed in this book and I’m looking forward to see how much growth she will do in the next books to come.

Next is Hawke who is an intriguing character from the moment you are first introduced to him. He is cocky and sure of himself, but he also has a way that makes him seem like he connects with the people he talks to. There is an aura of mystery around him which only wants you to get to know him more. His character pulls you in and you just take anything that he’s giving you. 

Poppy and Hawke’s chemistry is over the chart and when they are together, you just feel it in everything they do or say. Throughout the book, the two will banter and he really likes to tease her and this just adds more to the chemistry between them. Hawke will be a major factor in Poppy’s search to find herself. He will bring a lot of feelings she hadn’t really had the chance to feel before and it will bring so much more question about what she is expected to do and what she actually wants.

So many characters in this book that you will either love, hate or perhaps be confuse about them, but one thing is for sure; none of them will leave you indifferent. Whether you care for them or simply want them gone, they will all make you feel something.

The story itself is filled with a lot of this world’s history, its secrets and as truths start to be revealed, the characters will have to debate about where they actually stand in this battle between two clans and whether or not they had been right or wrong about what they knew.

I swear this review is hard to write because I could say so much, but spoilers will be said and I want you guys to see for yourself just how awesome this book was. I wanted to re-read this book over and over again once I was done with it. Jennifer L. Armentrout knows what her readers love and she has put up an interesting list of characters, of events and secrets that will captivate you throughout the whole book.

Honestly, you need to grab that book right now because it is one amazing read and I can't contain my excitement for the next book to come.

I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.