Author: Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

30ish mom, wife, nurse, avid reader, gamer, and Swiftie. Want to join my Taylor Swift Readathon? It's called Books Beside Your Bed and the link is in my linktree! https://linktr.ee/Enchanted.to.read.you
fantasy, Romance, three star book, ya

⚓ All The Stars and Teeth Review ⚓

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

⚓ Title: All the Stars and Teeth
⚓ Author: Adalyn Grace
⚓ Publisher: Imprint
⚓ Publish Date: February 4, 2020
⚓ Book Form: Ebook
⚓ Pages: 384
⚓ Genre: YA, Fantasy, Pirates
⚓ Dates Read: Mar 11 – Mar 20
⚓Rating: ⚓⚓⚓.5

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.

She will reign.

As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.

When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.

But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.

I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

– Goodreads

I first featured this book on First Impression Friday. I predicted it to be a 4-5 star read. I wasn’t too far off, but I was a little disappointed.

There were tons of magic systems in the novel, but surprisingly, I didn’t have trouble following. It was laid out in a way that’s easy to remember what magic does what. This is super important since magic is the focus of the story! To use the magic, you have to give something whether it be blood, hair, bones, etc. I loved all the systems! My favorite was Zudoh. I’d love to work with curse magic!

There was a love triangle, like in every great ya fantasy. I was rooting for Bastian from teh beginning. He’s the perfect bad(?) boy. Ferrick seemed to have a little bit of Tamlin from ACOTAR-esque feels to him. Like, I kind of hated him. Through the book he got better and maybe even found a love of his own!

I really liked Amora, too. She seemed down to earth and just wanted to be the best leader she could be. She got thrown a lot of set-backs, but she got up fighting every time. While she did have a love interest, her main goal was not overshadowed by cute boys 1&2 so that was really nice to see.

What brought the rating down was the fact that it took me 10 days to read this. I mean, this is short for a fantasy. Part of that was probably me. Work has sucked the life out of me and I don’t see it getting any better soon. Yay healthcare… But by the end I was just ready for it to be over. I’ll definitely read book 2. I’m excited to see what comes next. Maybe I will be in a better headspace and won’t feel like the book is taking years to read!

Have you read All the Stars and Teeth? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, fantasy, Romance, ya

📚 Down the TBR Part 16! 📚

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Happy Sunday guys! I hope we are all social distancing and staying healthy!

I had planned to do a couple bonus posts last week, but work was crazy, I was tired, and it just didn’t happen. So today we will tackle the next 20 books from July 15, 2015.

We are starting at 1854, two more than last week. Not as bad as I thought! Let’s dive right in!

✔ What I Kept ✔

Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally

I feel like this is a classic and I’m not sure how I didn’t read it in school.

Day of the Dragon by Richard A. Knaak

I played WoW for so many years. I’d love to give the books a chance and learn more lore.

A Rose for Her Grave by Ann Rule

Ann, my queen. I love her and her true crime.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

I’m a sucker for historical fiction set in Paris. I gotta have it!

A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris

Book 2 in the series. It’ll stay if I like book 1!

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

I swear I’ve read this before, but I don’t really remember. Plus, it’s part of a series and I know I didn’t read the others.

You’ve Been Warned by James Patterson

I’ve never read a Patterson book before. This sounds interesting so I think I’ll give it a try!

The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie

I love Hugh Laurie. Love. It’s only right that I read his book.

Hot Number by Carly Phillips

Doesn’t look like a book I’d normally read, but I can get behind a sporty romance. This is also book #2, so I added book #1

✘ What I Deleted ✘

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson

I’ve deleted the rest of the series that was on my tbr. Just not the chick lit for me.

Gone by Lisa McMann

This is book 3 in a series. I read the synopsis for book 1 and it didn’t seem like something I would enjoy.

One Door Away from Heaven by Dean Koontz

I’m not a huge horror reader, and the synopsis didn’t grab me.

Damaged by Cathy Glass

I probably could have read this earlier in life. But I just can’t really read child abuse stories anymore – especially if they are true. It breaks my heart.

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

It’s Nicholas Sparks. Need I say more?

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

Another child abuse story. I just can’t.

The Covenant by Beverly Lewis

Another Amish fic.

The Betrayl by Beverly Lewis

Book two to The Covenant

Demon Seed by Dean Koontz

Another horror that I just don’t think I’d be a fan of.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes

Honestly, this seems like a movie I’d watch, but I don’t think I’d enjoy reading it.

Jake, Reinvented by Gordon Korman

A Great Gatsby retelling. It didn’t pique my interest.

Okay, I deleted 11, so that brings my tbr to 1844 since I added 1. I’m pretty happy with my results this week!

Did I make any mistakes? Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, Erotica, LGBT, ya

⏲️ 24 in 48 Readathon ⏲️

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Hey guys! Normally I’d do stacking the shelves today, but I learned the 24 in 48 readathon was this weekend so I thought I’d join in!

This is hosted by 24in48. You can sign up here and follow their twitter here!

So far I have clocked only 2 hours and 42 minutes of reading. I had an author chat today, so that took up a bit of time. It was worth it though! Talking to Eric Smith was SO FUN! I also started late like at 8AM.

Here’s my TBR for this weekend!

I’m about 70% through We Are the Wildcats and I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would, which is a shame. Apparently the author was involved in a lot of drama that I didn’t know about so that’s awkward. I should finish today and start on Music From Another World! That is for a blogpost this week! It also has a lot better ratings and is written in epistolary style, which is my favorite! Last, I’ll read Hungry For Your Love, which has been on my TBR longest!

Are you participating in 24in48? What’s your tbr? How much have you read? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, ya

🤔 First Impression Friday 🤔

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I am so excited about this first impression! I’m still not quite done with All the Stars and Teeth. But it should be soon! I’m at 75%. I wanted to do this post though, so I went on and read the first two chapters of We Are the Wildcats. It’s my most anticipated book this month and I think I’m going to love it!

“Tomorrow, the Wildcat varsity field hockey squad will play the first game of their new season. But at tonight’s team sleepover, the girls are all about forging the bonds of trust, loyalty, and friendship necessary to win.
Everything hinges on the midnight initiation ceremony—a beloved tradition and the only facet of being a Wildcat that the girls control. Until now.
Coach—a handsome former college player revered and feared in equal measure—changes the plan and spins his team on a new adventure. One where they take a rival team’s mascot for a joyride, crash a party in their pajamas, break into the high school for the perfect picture.
But as the girls slip out of their comfort zone, so do some long-held secrets. And just how far they’re willing to go for their team takes them all—especially Coach—by surprise.”
– Goodreads

The first chapter goes through the girl’s last day of field hockey try-outs. It’s always the hardest day.

And so, on this day on girl always pukes.
One girl always cries.
One girl always falls.
But they all keep going.

– We Are the Wildcats

At the end of the day, they find out who made it. They get custom mouth guards for free. Then, at the end, they have a mandatory team sleepover.

Luckily, there’s a tradition for this, too. A secret celebration that will take place tonight on this very field. It is the single facet of being a Wildcat that belongs entirely to the girls.
At least, that’s how it used to be.

– We Are the Wildcats

I mean, that last paragraph! I instantly wanted to know what was going to happen. Why is the tradition changing? What are they gonna do? So, I kept reading even though I knew I should finish my other book.

The second chapter we meet Luci. She is about to enter 9th grade, she’s the youngest on the team, and she’s shy. She is taking in the team’s celebrations and learning about their traditions.

This book is told in alternating POV’s from six of the girl’s on the team. I can’t wait to meet the rest and see what the future holds for them. I feel like it’s gonna be a wild ride!

I predict that I’ll finish this in just a couple days – no more reading the same book for a week! I also think it’s going to be 4.5-5 stars. I can’t wait to see what happens!

Have you read We Are the Wildcats? Is it on your tbr? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

contemporary, fantasy, Five Star Book, ya

💉 A to Z Book Tag 💉

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Okay guys, this week and last week has been insane. I’m a nurse, so you can only imagine what work has been like. I’ve been reading All the Stars and Teeth for daysssss. It’s so good, I just haven’t had time to read, let alone blog!

So when I don’t have a post, I love finding book tags! I found this one over at Lynn’s Books, but I think it originated at The Perpetual Page Turner.

💉 Author You’ve Read the Most Books By:
I’ll have to say Leigh Bardugo! I’ve read all her books and loved them. She’s also my favorite.

💉 Best Sequel Ever:
Ooo I’m gonna say A Court Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. I love Rhys, like everyone else, so I loved seeing that relationship develop!

💉 Currently Reading:
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace. I swear I’ll finish soon!

💉 Drink of Choice While Reading:
Coffee 100%. I fall asleep way too easily.

💉 E-Reader or Physical Book:
I like to collect physical books, but I read exclusively on my kindle. I can read on my phone while out and about, I always have a book with me, and I’m able to dim the light when I’m putting my kid to bed or my husband is sleeping.

💉 Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Dated in School:
Kaz Brekker. I always had a thing for the bad boys.

💉 Glad You Gave This Book a Chance:
Wilder Girls by Rory Power. I hated the ending, but the rest of the book was amazing.

💉 Hidden Gem:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson! It was amazing!

💉 Important Moment in Your Reading Life:
Reading The Hunger Games when it came out. I hadn’t read a book for years. YEARS. This book reignited by love for reading and for YA!

💉 Just Finished:
The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz. 4 stars!

💉 Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:
If you follow my Down the TBR posts, you know I don’t like adult chick lit or Amish Christmas stories!

💉 Longest Book You’ve Read:
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin. It took me over a month to read.

💉 Major Book Hangover:
My last one was from Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith!

💉 Number of Bookcases You Own:
Just one. But I need more because I have books EVERYWHERE.

💉 One Book You’ve Reread Lots:
I’ve really only reread A Court of Thorns and Roses.

💉 Preferred Place to Read:
On the couch with a blanket, window open, rain outside, and a cup of coffee.

💉 Quote that Inspires You/Gives You All the Feels from A Book You’ve Read:
I’ll choose the one from All the Stars and Teeth: “I’ve a collection of men who I intend to repay for how generous they were to me. Dismemberment for anyone who ever tried to touch me. The tongue flayed from those with wicked mouths. And the hearts eaten from any man who’s ever told me to smile.” YAAASSS QUEEN. I mean, haven’t we all felt this way?

💉 Reading Regret:
Not reading for all those years. I missed out on so many great books. Now I have to catch up and try to keep up! Too many books, so little time.

💉 Series You Started and Need to Finish (All Books Are Out):
Oh gosh. I guess The Young Elites by Marie Lu or Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas!

💉 Three All-Time Favorite Books:
1. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith

💉 Unapologetic Fangirl For:
The older YA dystopians – Matched, The Hunger Games, Delirium. All of those. You know the ones. I want more!

💉 Very Excited for This Release:
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson! I loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and can’t wait for the next installment!

💉 Worst Bookish Habit:
Falling asleep reading. I do it literally every night. And I’m not talking about late. I’m talking about at like, 7:30 pm.

💉 X Marks the Spot – Start at the Top Left and Pick the 27th Book:
Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton

💉 Your Latest Book Purchase:
Oof. I think it was Good Girl, Bad Blood.

💉 ZZZ- Snatcher – Last Book that Kept You Up Way Too Late:
The one that kept me up latest was Verity by Colleen Hoover. But the last one to do it was A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

I loved doing this tag! It made me want to reread all my favorites! I am going to tag Sarah @ Bookish Bug and Erin @ Eager Beaver Reader to join in on the fun! And you! If you end up doing it I’d love a tag so I can see your answers!

What was your last ZZZ-Snatcher? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, fantasy, Five Star Book, LGBT, Romance, ya

🌹 Beauty and the Beast Book Tag 🌹

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Tags are so fun and I am so glad my friend Erin tagged me in this! She’s a baby blogger. You should all go give her a like or follow over at EagerBeaverReader!

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and has been since I was a child. I mean, who doesn’t want Belle’s library?! This tag was found at The Book Nut. Let’s dive in!

🌹 “Oh what a guy, Gaston!” A villain you can’t help but love 🌹

The Darkling from Shadow and Bone for sure. He’s a love/hate kinda guy and I think we all secretly wish for him and Alina to be together.

🌹 “Here’s where she meets Prince Charming” Your OTP 🌹

Kaz and Inej 10000%. I will ship them until I die.

🌹 “I want so much more than this provincial life” A character destined for greater things 🌹

Alex and Henry are going to rule the world with so much love and inclusion. I want to live in this universe!

🌹 “Be our guest!” A book that made you hungry. 🌹

Between the baking and the grilled cheese wars, I just wanted to eat the most unhealthy things while reading this book.

🌹 “Beauty and the Beast” Opposites attract. 🌹

Ok, hear me out. There was a mild love interest in this, and they are definitely opposites.

🌹 “But there’s something in him that I simply didn’t see” A character who is more than they appear 🌹

Who is good? Who is bad? No one is who you think they are. This is the book all other thrillers have to live up to now.

🌹 “I was innocent and certain, now I’m wiser but unsure” A book that changed you in some way 🌹

D1V is more than just a gamer. She stands up for what she believes in and tries to make a stand against cyber bulling, especially in the cruel world of online games. I want to be more like her.

🌹 “Kill the Beast!” A book you picked up because of hype. 🌹

And did I love it as much as everyone else did? Of course I did!

🌹 “I’ll never shake away the pain” A book or moment that always makes you cry 🌹

My sweet JVN has been though some shit. My heart hurt for him the whole time I was listening. I’m so amazed that he could come out on top and be the beautiful human that he is.

🌹 “How does a moment last forever” A book that you’ve loved since you were little. 🌹

When I was three my Nana thought I was reading this book. She called my mom in a panic/surprise. They then realized I was holding the book upside down and had just memorized it.

I loved this tag! Some of the prompts really made me think!

What would your answers be for the prompts? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, Erotica, Historical Fiction, mystery, Sci-Fi, ya

Down the TBR Part 15

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

This book meme is currently active over at Zezee with Books. Here’s what you do:

“A meme where we decide whether to keep or remove books on our TBR. The rules: Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf. Order on ascending date added. Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books. Read the synopses of the books. Decide: keep it or should it go?”

I’ve started doing this a little different. Same concept, but to cover more ground I’m going through one day at a time. Today we’ll examine all the books I added on July 15, 2015.

….Oof. Maybe not. So, I started getting all the books in a tab and it just kept going and going. Guys. I added 156 books that day! Whaaaat. That’s too many for one post. Cause I wouldn’t even want to read that. Let’s divide this up into a few posts. I’ll do 20 books this post, which is still kind of a lot, but I need to clear out this day! What was I thinking or doing? Lord.

Okay, so we’re starting at 1867. I’ve added a lot of arcs and books I found on other blogs. But maybe we can cut that number down!

✔ What I Kept ✔

✔ Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

I have almost picked this book up many times. I need to get to it soon!

✔ Creation in Death by JD Robb

This is #25 in the series, but it sounds so good. Do I need to read these in order? Can I commit to a 25+ book series?!

✔ Salvation in Death by JD Robb

This one sounds good too! Please let me know if I need to read these in order.

✔ The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day

I love a good historical romance. This one sounds great!

✔ Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

I love Charlaine, and I love a good cozy mystery.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

✘ Night Terror by John Passarella

I’m gonna get flack for this, I know. But I’m just not that into Supernatural anymore? Sorry, fandom!

✘ Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer

Just seems like typical chick-lit love story. Nothing jumps out at me.

✘ The Final Kill by Meg O’Brien

This one started off sounding great, but then it kind of turned into a political thriller so it kind of lost me.

✘ Free Spirit by Fern Michaels

Another chick-lit that isn’t sparking my interest.

✘ Wish List by Fern Michaels

Another chick lit. Honestly, these seem like something my grandma would read, which isn’t bad. We just don’t have the same taste.

✘ Dear Emily by Fern Michaels

Same as above.

✘ The Vampire Diaries books 1 & 2

I loved the tv show. The books? Not so much. One of the rare instances where TV was better than the original. I DNF’d book 1.

✘ The Vampire Diaries books 3 & 4

I couldn’t get through the first two soo…

✘ Irish Trilogy Collection by Nora Roberts

They all just seem typical love stories. Nothing sticks out at me.

✘ Birthright by Nora Roberts

It just sounded… eh.

✘ Born in.. Series by Nora Roberts

These all take place in Ireland, which is cool, but they’re all just romances. I usually need a little more than just a typical romance.

✘ Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts

Like the ones before, I guess. This sounded like it had more action, but it still didn’t really catch my attention.

✘ The Dark City by Catherine Fisher

This is a YA series, but I’m just not really into secret relics and like, kind of historical science fiction? It’s kind of hard to explain, I just know this isn’t for me.

Horde by Ann Aguirre

Number 3 in the series, but the synopsis of the first didn’t really sound great.

Sara’s Song by Fern Michaels

This has a doctor MC, which is usually an automatic keep, but its just a weird love triangle. Which usually I like, but this one seems super weird.

So, here’s where we stand. I am ending the TBR at 1852. I deleted 15/20, so that’s not bad! I’m excited to do my next post! From what I have just glanced at, I’ll be deleting a lot from this day.

What do you think about what I kept and deleted? Did I make any mistakes? Do I have to read the JD Robb series in order? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, fantasy, ya

Stacking the Shelves!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

So it’s been a couple weeks since I’ve done this post! With the way the Saturdays fell I did my wrap up for February and my top 5 March releases.

Since February 22, I have been approved for 15 ARCs. Wow, I didn’t realize it was that many. Today I’ll show you the 6 I am currently most excited for!

Stacking the Shelves meme is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. Here’s how it works:

“Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!”

Admission by Julie Buxbaum

“From the New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things comes an of-the-moment novel that peeks inside the private lives of the hypercompetitive and the hyperprivileged and takes on the college admissions bribery scandal that rocked the country.“

The college bribery was so interesting to me. I cannot wait to read this novel!

Release date: May 5, 2020

We are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

“A toxic coach finds himself outplayed by the high school girls on his team in this deeply suspenseful novel, which unspools over twenty-four hours through six diverse perspectives.“

I am reading this after I finish All the Stars and Teeth (hopefully this weekend!) I CANNOT WAIT

Release date: March 31, 2020

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

“A desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial daughter find a connection on the high seas in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.“

Magic and pirates. I didn’t think I liked pirate books, but I’ve been real into them recently.

Release date: May 5, 2020

Spindle and Dagger by J. Anderson Coats

“This rich literary novel follows Elen, who must live a precarious lie in order to survive among the medieval Welsh warband that killed her family.“

I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel set in Wales, so I’m excited about that. It sounds like a super interesting read!

Release date: March 10, 2020

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

“Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.“

This cover is gorgeous. It sounds amazing. I can’t wait! Thanks Steph for getting this one for me!

Release date: May 26, 2020

The Ballad of Ami Miles

“Raised in isolation at Heavenly Shepherd, her family’s trailer-dealership-turned-survival compound, Ami Miles knows that she was lucky to be born into a place of safety after the old world ended and the chaos began. But when her grandfather arranges a marriage to a cold-eyed stranger, she realizes that her “destiny” as one of the few females capable of still bearing children isn’t something she’s ready to face.“

This sounds so good. I love cult-y stories. I can’t wait to dive in!

Release date: May 26, 2020

So these are all releasing this month or May.. ha! I will definitely get to We Are the Wildcats this month, and maybe even Spindle and Dagger.

Are any of these on your radar? What are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

fantasy, Romance, ya

⚓ First Impression Friday ⚓

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Normally when I do First Impression Friday, I read the first chapter and review it, give my thoughts and predictions. Yeah. That did not happen. I started and I.couldn’t.stop. I’m on chapter 6 now.

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice.
She will reign.
As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.
When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.
But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.
I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.
-Goodreads

So, like I said, when I started this book I couldn’t stop. I’m usually not super into pirates and sea adventures, but this cover was gorgeous so I knew I had to try. I’m so glad I did.

It starts out with lying, people disguised as others, and magic that goes awry. Plus there’s so many different kinds of magic and rules. It’s so interesting!

I was immediately drawn to Amora. She just seemed so likeable and a heroine I can root for. I’m already shipping her and the love interest! Ahhhh!

I think this will be a 4-5 star read. Too soon to tell, but I know it’ll be a great fantasy!

Plus: we are discussing this book over at Words & Whimsy! Join us here!

Have you read All The Stars and Teeth? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Romance, ya

🗡️ The Queen’s Assassin ARC Review 🗡️

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🗡️ Title: The Queen’s Assassin
🗡️ Author: Melissa de la Cruz
🗡️ Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
🗡️ Publish Date: Feb 4, 2020
🗡️ Book Form: Physical ARC
🗡️ Pages: 384
🗡️ Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance
🗡️ Dates Read: Mar 7 – Mar 11
🗡️ Rating: 🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️

Thank you to GP Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Caledon Holt is the kingdom’s deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in speed, strength, or brains, which is why he’s the Hearthstone Guild’s most dangerous member. Cal is also the Queen’s Assassin, bound to her by magic and unable to leave her service until the task she’s set for him is fulfilled.
Shadow of the Honey Glade has been training all her life to join the Guild, hoping that one day she’ll become an assassin as feared and revered as Cal. But Shadow’s mother and aunts expect her to serve the crown as a lady of the Renovian Court.
When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they’re forced to team up as assassin and apprentice. Even though Shadow’s life belongs to the court and Cal’s belongs to the queen, they cannot deny their attraction to each other. But now, with war on the horizon and true love at risk, Shadow and Cal will uncover a shocking web of lies that will change their paths forever.

– Goodreads

I received a beautiful arc of this in the mail and could not wait to dive in. We all know how much I love assassins. This book was good, but there was not enough assassin action for me!

The Queen’s Assassin is told from two POV’s – Shadow and Cal. Cal is the Queen’s Assassin. He saved Shadow’s life one day. As she ran to tell the Queen of his heroics, he was put into jail. Shadow knew she had to rescue him, along with convincing him to let her be his apprentice.

Cal agrees begrudgingly. Then, friendship forms. And also love, because why wouldn’t it?

I loved the growth of the relationship between Cal and Shadow. I was rooting for them the whole time. I mean, what ya fantasy couple do I not root for? I was so glad when feelings started forming. I wish there would have been more romance, but I liked the slow burn, will-they-won’t-they. I feel like there will be plenty of room for romance in book two!

The mystery of who was trying to kill the princess was great. I didn’t guess who the villain was. I loved all the espionage they had to go through to get to the answers.

My only complaint was for a book with assassin in the title, there wasn’t a lot of killing. Does that sound morbid? Probably. But if there’s assassin the title, I want assassin work! Hopefully there will be more of that in book two as well.

If you love ya fantasy, assassins, and slow burn romance, this book is definitely for you!

Is The Queen’s Assassin on your tbr? Have you read it? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…