fantasy – Page 2 – Sydney Winward

Book Review of Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie

My Review

“Believe every story you hear.”

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, Bone Crier’s Moon was SO GOOD. I loved the characters. The descriptions were incredible. The story idea was super unique and interesting. It was easy to lose myself in the story and the awesome action scenes.

On the other hand, it was SO repetitive. The book could have been cut in half and still come out the same by the end. The book not only ended on a cliffhanger, but it was a frustrating cliffhanger. It would have been nice to have at least some sort of resolution by the end of the story.

The themes of love and friendship were present throughout the entire book. What does love really mean? What does it look like? Is love really predicted by the gods? Or is it only just a game? This book is great for those looking for a unique fantasy romance with a darker edge.

My rating: 4 stars

April 3, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

My Review

A Deal with the Elf King is a very unique retelling of Hades and Persephone. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Eldas and Luella. Their constant fighting and banter often had me laughing or cheering. They are one of those couples who are so good for each other, but you have to peel back every single rose petal to get to the center of the flower.

I loved all the characters, though Willow and, surprisingly Harrow, both became my favorites. Willow is so down to earth and I loved his sweet and caring personality. As for Harrow, his outer shell is hard to crack, but once you weaken it, you find something much softer beneath. Much like his brother, Eldas. They are more alike than they realize.

The book was a great mix of romance, tension, danger, magic, and humor. The pacing was very slow, but overall, I really enjoyed the story, the unique world building, and the loveable characters.

My rating: 4.5 stars

March 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

My review

I really expected to fall in love with this book. I’m disappointed that I didn’t.

First of all, this book should have been written in third person to allow for more than one point of view. Without Cardan’s point of view, I felt like I was missing half the story. I got more of it in How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, but it didn’t show up in this book. I loved Cardan in that spin-off, especially because I was able to get inside his head. But I wasn’t able to get that in The Cruel Prince.

Second, the book was really hard to get into. The story was interesting. The world-building was intriguing with an Alice in Wonderland type of feel. But I didn’t find myself liking Jude or the way the story often dragged forward. I’m not sure if I want to read the second book in the series, but I might consider it because I liked How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories.

My rating: 3 stars

March 23, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Review of When Hunting a Chimera by J.D.L. Rosell

My Review

A cover of an ominous man in a cloak holding a sword? Yep, that’s right up my alley. Even better was the detailed writing that pulled me into the story and made me long to learn more about this character and the world he lives in. J.D.L Rosell did an incredible job at capturing the essence of Tal in such a short story, not only enthralling his readers with hilarious, cocky behavior, but demonstrating the level of knowledge and skill this character has as he hunts and fights a chimera.

Just this little glimpse into the world of Legend of Tal makes me want to read more, and I’m looking forward to finding out what the next book in the series has to offer.

My rating: 5 stars

March 13, 2021March 12, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Betrayed by Kiera Cass

My Review

“You will never catch me as a groom.” -Etan Northcott’s famous last words

This book started right where the first ended. After losing everything, Hollis chooses to accompany her family to Isolte, but she can’t help but think she’s walking straight to her death.

After how The Betrothed absolutely shattered my heart, I didn’t have high hopes for The Betrayed. To my pleasant surprise, I found that I liked this book better than the last, and I especially liked Etan as a love interest. Hollis suffered a few growing pains in the last book, and in this, she grew up a little and did what needed to be done, no matter what it was.

Unfortunately, just like in book #1, I feel as if Kiera Cass just didn’t stick the landing. In the last two paragraphs, they find their happily ever after, and then it was just done. Nothing to drag it out, especially after how well the romance was built up until this point. Although the ending wasn’t satisfying for me as a reader, I still enjoyed the rest of the book.

My rating: 3.5 stars

March 4, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Unseen Heir by Kenley Davidson

My Review

“I will always recognize you. No matter what face you wear.”

Wow!

This book was a mix of awesomeness, heartache, action, frustration, and love. From beginning to end, the characters are thrown into life and death situations, and I loved watching how it brought Leisa and Kyrion together. They understand each other so deeply, and even when they frustrate or hurt each other, they wouldn’t change a thing.

Kenley Davidson excels in writing sweet romance that builds up slowly and makes every moment of waiting worth it. The author’s action scenes are awe inspiring, and the sacrifices each character makes for the other will both warm your heart and bring you to tears.

Lovers of fantasy and romance will love the intricate world and unique magic in this series. Can’t wait for the third!

My rating: 5 stars

February 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Tangled Souls by Denise D. Young

My Review

There’s a reason for everything under the sun and moon. In a witch’s life, there are no coincidences.

Tangled Souls is a great addition to the Tangled Magic series. We get different characters, but the same world filled with danger, secrets, and magic. Denise D. Young excels in writing vivid, descriptive imagery that leaves the reader feeling like they’re walking through the book themselves, hearing, tasting, seeing, and touching as if they were a character in the story.

I found myself really liking Evan and Bailee, as they both had great talents and personalities to bring to the coven table. Although we only get a glimpse into Nick and Evan’s brotherly relationship, I loved the dynamic between them.

The author leaves off in an interesting place, making the reader wonder what will happen in the next book. If you like witches, shifters, fae, and magic, Tangled Souls is a great read for you.

My rating: 4.5 stars

February 2, 2021February 2, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars by Susan Hanniford Crowley

My Review

Despite this book being in the paranormal genre, it was very realistic to me. The way certain people acted in certain situations made sense, and the build up to the ending was done well. The author did a great job at pulling the reader inside the book with an interesting tale and great characters.

Although this is the first book I have read in this series, I was able to understand what was going on and how the other characters fit into the story. If you like historical mixed with modern traditional vampires, then you would love this book.

My rating: 4 stars

January 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

My Review

At first I thought the book was missing a lot of information in between scenes, but then I realized this book is part of The Cruel Prince series, which I have not read. However, the characters and the world in this illustrated book has definitely intrigued me to start reading them.

Despite not having read the other books in the series, I loved this book. I loved the characters. The drawings were beautiful. There were some really great morals in each chapter. I enjoyed reading a book about the villain’s story, and how he comes to change overtime, and not change in some instances. I’m looking forward to reading the first in the series soon!

My rating: 5 stars

January 10, 2021January 10, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Finale by Stephanie Garber

My Review

Wow! This series has left me speechless. When I finished reading Finale, I wished it never had to end. I wanted the story to keep going and going and going. I was so caught up in all the twists and turns and surprises. Just when I thought the story was headed in one direction, it did a complete flip and managed to surprise me again.

This was a book where I fell in love with ALL the main characters, and then some. If I could live inside this series permanently, I definitely would.

If you like magic, secrets, loveable characters, and excitement that drags you along with no way to stop it, you would love this series. I highly recommend, and I definitely look forward to whatever Stephanie Garber writes next.

My rating: 5 stars

January 6, 2021March 6, 2021 by Sydney Winward