"Blood Beneath the Snow" by Alexandra Kennington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Blood Beneath the Snow" by Alexandra Kennington is an enthralling romantasy about a rebellious princess seeking equality for all. I'm a sucker for these kinds of books, so I happily dived in.

"Fate is thicker than blood" perfectly sums up this story. The book follows Revna, the only member of the royal family without magical abilities. In this kingdom, there are seven deities, and the people are divided between the godtouched (those with magical abilities) and the godforsaken (those without). The kingdom has been at holy war with its neighbor for the past seven years. The godtouched look down on the godforsaken and treat them cruelly. Revna is abused by her family and the priests due to her lack of powers, and she seeks justice for the godforsaken.

Revna is set to be used as a pawn, forced into marriage with a prince from another country. The book begins with her staging a mini rebellion (preventing the sacrifice of a baby) and then continues with an even bigger one. She refuses to marry the prince and demands to participate in the Bloodshed Trials - a competition where the last remaining royal sibling standing takes the throne. The plot thickens when Revna is kidnapped by the Hellbringer, the enemy's terrifying general who can kill with a flick of his wrist.

The book started strong, dragged a bit in the middle, and picked up the pace again toward the end. That said, there was never a dull moment, and I was invested throughout. I loved the blend of fantasy and romance. However, there was too much focus on the relationship between Revna and the Hellbringer, and not enough on the gods and magic. I adored Revna's determination, grit, and perseverance despite all obstacles, and I enjoyed the interactions between her and the Hellbringer.

While the book features a fair amount of blood and swordplay, it is much more than that. Its world-building, characters, magic systems, themes, and suspenseful plot make it an enjoyable and engaging read. It explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, abuse, homophobia, moderation, acceptance, and balance. Content warning: the book contains references to alcoholism, blood and mild gore, suicidal ideation, the death of loved ones, explicit sex scenes, murder, self-harm, war, violence, and domestic and religious abuse.

My only complaints are minor. The book is set in a medieval world, so the use of modern curse words, like the F-word, felt out of place. Also, the Bloodshed Trials seemed too cruel and a bit unoriginal (The Hunger Games, anyone?). As a parent, I found it hard to understand the King and Queen’s eagerness to see their children fight to the death in such a bloody contest - it felt unnatural. Lastly, it seemed unrealistic that a kingdom that despises the godforsaken would accept those who are gay. Because of these issues, I decided to deduct a point from my rating.

I liked the twist at the end, although I had my suspicions. The author ties up most loose ends, but a few questions remain unanswered - hopefully, they will be addressed in the next book (if there is one). Overall, I loved the story and would recommend it. Lovers of dark fantasy novels would be well advised to immerse themselves in this story! If you love flawed characters and don’t mind a bit of violent action, then this is definitely for you. I’m already looking forward to the next book!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Blood Beneath the Snow" by Alexandra Kennington

"The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor

 

I read and loved "Hotel Magnifique" by this author, so I had great expectations for this one. Let me tell you, "The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor is even better than the former. This dark fantasy is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest for the truth.

The story follows 19-year-old Maeve Abenthy, whose father was condemned as a traitor and murderer seven years ago. Maeve believes those charges and keeps a low profile by assuming a fake name and constantly moving. But when a mysterious letter arrives, claiming her father is innocent, it shakes her world. To uncover the truth, she poses as a courier apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, where she’ll be trained in the art of scriptomancy. 

Scriptomancy is the magic that allows couriers to travel between worlds and deliver enchanted letters. Once, people could move freely between the three known worlds via the Written Doors, but after one world was destroyed and the doors burned, there’s no other access between the two remaining worlds. Tristan, the son of Postmaster Bryne, is appointed as her mentor. Between him, her friends Nan and Shea, and threatening letters warning her to back off, Maeve’s got her work cut out for her. Time is running out, and her life is on the line.

I loved this book! Emily J. Taylor has woven a dark fantasy that held me spellbound till the end. The world-building is impeccable, with its vivid portrayal of a divided multiverse and a magical postal system that feels wholly unique. The concept of Written Doors, once used for travel between worlds, adds a mysterious layer to the setting.

The magic system is intricate, and the idea of scriptomancy—where magic is tied to writing—feels fresh and fascinating. The detail in how the magic works, along with the sense of isolation between worlds, makes the world itself feel complex.  The plot is original and compelling. I loved the different types of scribing, such as form, sense, and travel magic. I wish we had seen more of the magic system and the teaching at the school - there were fewer lessons than I expected (I would enjoy reading more about it).

The story is well-written, with engaging characters, though it could use another round of editing to iron out a few typos. The pacing was a bit off in the middle, but not enough to lose my interest. The author does a great job of making Maeve someone you want to root for. I loved her spirit, guts, and determination in the face of danger. She did irritate me at times by keeping things too close to her chest, but that just made her feel more real. She cares deeply for others, and I admired that quality in her and that she never gave up (even though she was on the verge several times).

I also enjoyed the character interactions, and the dark atmosphere was wonderfully sketched. The book has everything I love about dark academia: complex characters, an original premise, intrigue, and even a slow-burn romance. Additionally, it explores themes of friendship, loyalty, honor, love, and empathy. This is a perfect read for fans of dark fantasy, especially those who love dark academia vibes and an intricate plot full of twists. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor

"Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" by Lisa Unger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" by Lisa Unger is a twisty thriller inspired by the childhood game of hide-and-seek. Many of us played this game growing up, and the book’s premise draws from that. As a fan of the author, I was eager to dive into her latest work, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

The story follows a group of social media influencers who enter an extreme game of hide-and-seek on Falcao Island. The game is hosted by the adventurer and influencer Maverick Dillan, along with his partners Angeline, Hector, Alex, and Gustavo. Among the participants is Adele, a single mom in desperate need of the $1 million prize after her husband ran off with money embezzled from his company. The other contestants include Wild Cody, a survivalist who has fallen on hard times, and Malinka, the first woman to climb all seven summits, who is also the founder of the "Yes I Can" clothing line and an influencer.
 
The rules are simple: hide in the area of the abandoned house overnight, and the last one found wins the game. Despite repeated warnings from the locals about the island’s curse and worsening weather, everyone chooses to stay. But when the storm hits and secrets are revealed, the game turns deadly as their chances of survival dwindle.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t completely win me over. It was well-written, cleverly plotted, and packed with twists (some of which I managed to predict). However, the pace was very slow due to the multiple POVs, over-introspection, and extensive backstories. On one hand, these backstories enriched the narrative, but on the other, they slowed it down. The pace and action only picked up once the actual game begins.

The book shifts between characters and timelines (before and during the game). Although the cast is quite large, it’s surprisingly easy to keep track of everyone. The main characters are well-developed with interesting histories, albeit sometimes overly detailed. I found myself rooting for Adele and admired her determination and courage. Her relationship with her two kids was heartfelt, and I appreciated the risks she was willing to take for their sake. The lessons she learned during the game are ones we could all stand to embrace.

The book also delves into themes of social media, influencer culture, and the lengths people go to for fame and followers - living their lives on display, seeking approval, and blurring the lines between the real and virtual worlds. Unger offers a scathing critique of skewed morality and the impact of social media on society. Other themes, such as greed, bullying, social status, family, and ethics, are woven into the narrative as well.

While the writing is generally easy to follow, it can feel a bit erratic at times and could benefit from some smoothing out. There were also a few typos and formatting issues (like extra spaces after certain letters), so another round of editing would help. Despite these flaws, I loved the atmospheric setting, the sense of impending danger, and the inclusion of the True Crime podcast element.

Considering the pros and cons, I’m giving this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4. With some refining and trimming, it could be a more engaging read. I recommend it to fans of Lisa Unger and those who enjoy slow-burn, locked-room mysteries mixed with reality TV vibes - just don’t come in with overly high expectations.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" by Lisa Unger

"The Rose Bargain" by Sasha Peyton Smith

 

"The Rose Bargain" by Sasha Peyton Smith is an enchanting romantasy set in an alternate 1840s England, where a faerie queen reigns supreme. It's a perfect blend of The Cruel Prince and The Selection, making for an entertaining start to the duology.

In this alternate history, England is isolated from its neighbors - no one leaves, and no one arrives. Each citizen is granted one bargain from the immortal fae queen, though it always comes at a cost, whether it's a cherished childhood memory, a nail, or even a toe. High-society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will secure them a husband.

The story follows Ivy Benton, a young woman whose prospects of marriage are ruined due to a family scandal involving her sister. During her debut season, the queen announces a competition to win the hand of her son, Prince Bram. Ivy is the first to sign up, hoping to win and restore her family’s standing. Soon, 23 more girls join, but there can only be one winner.

The competition features maypole dances, balls, and dark challenges to weed out the weak. Meanwhile, Prince Emmett, Bram's stepbrother, has his own agenda. The stakes are high, and Ivy must use all her wits to stay ahead of the others.

The book is primarily told from Ivy’s perspective, with occasional chapters from other characters' points of view. The author does a great job of blending real-world elements with fantasy. The main characters are engaging, each with their own distinct backstories. Ivy Benton, in particular, stands out for her lively spirit and devotion to her family.

The tale depicts a tale of love, conspiracy, and Otherworldly courtly intrigue. I liked the way the author weaves the fae elements into the real England. The author’s integration of the War of Roses and its aftermath adds depth to the story. The characters, settings, and dialogue maintain a genuine Victorian feel. While the pacing starts slow, it picks up as the plot unfolds, and the writing is engaging enough to keep you hooked.

I especially enjoyed the character interactions and budding romances, which, though quick, held my attention. The blend of magic, mystery, and unexpected twists kept the story fresh. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m eager for the second part of this duology. With themes of friendship, family, sisterly bonds, and moral dilemmas, "The Rose Bargain" is a captivating read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers who enjoy stories about fae in a Bridgerton-like world.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Rose Bargain" by Sasha Peyton Smith