contains sensitivities such as suicide, famine, wartime, neglect and emotional abuse.
V. E. Schwab
Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Adult
560 Pages
Published October 2020
Thank you to New South Books
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★★★★★
When Addie LaRue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there's always a price, the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.
Addie flees her tiny hometown in 18th Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.
Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.
Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realises she can't escape her fate forever.
Adeline Larue leaves her legacy upon the world in glimpses, the twenty three year old woman defined by the constellations bestrewn across her nose. Her life begun at eventide of the seventeenth century in a small riverside community in France. Adeline dreams of the freedoms beyond the confines placed upon young women, choosing adventure, freedom and independence.
Adeline is betrothed to a widower within the small town, losing his wife and now searching for a woman to care for his four children. Adeline's friends have long since married and created families of their own while Adeline discovered the beauty of her world. On the eve of her arranged marriage, Adeline prays to a higher being for escape, to abscond her small community and chase freedom into the wide unknown. Darkness responds to her distress, bargaining an agreement. Her freedom in exchange for her soul. Lucifer, the handsome stranger with piercing green eyes has granted Adeline with immortality, ensuring only he will remember her.
The nonlinear narration fluctuates between Adeline's life as a young woman throughout Europe, enduring conflict, wartime, revolutions, lovers both male and female and famine and present New York City. Traversing three hundred years. Adeline is a remarkable young woman, the devastation and heartbreak she's endured throughout the centuries is entirely distressing. A lonely, isolated existence and although Adeline has influenced artists over various generations, no one will remember her beyond her immortalised constellation of freckles.
The essence of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is human interaction and the ability to leave our legacy upon the world. Throughout our lives, we imprint on one another and for the immortalised twenty three year old, her imprint remains in the creations of former lovers in galleries all over the world until she happens across Henry Strauss managing a small, independent bookstore in New York City. Henry lives on the fringe of society, preferring his own company although feeling thoroughly alone.
Twenty eight year old Henry Strauss has endured addiction, loneliness, relationships and heartache, feeling directionless and unmotivated. Identifying as pansexual, both of Henry's long term relationships have ended in heartbreak and a series of unsatisfying sexual encounters followed. Henry's feelings of worthlessness is palpable. He experiences the world profoundly and throughout his narration, we discover the source of Henry's loneliness and distress, until he happens across Adeline.
Adeline and Henry's relationship is one of companionship rather than a consuming romance, providing one another with a sense of solace and intimacy. They found one another through circumstance and become an aspect of their respective journeys.
The writing is absolutely immaculate and breathtakingly envisioned. From the desperation of Adeline as a young woman burying her meagre possessions along the riverbank and praying to a higher power to rescue her from the small town monotony, the Seine during the revolution, wartime, Venice and London to present New York City. It's wonderfully atmospheric with a beauty and breadth rarely seen in literature, infatuating and categorically enchanting.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is phenomenal, a masterpiece of modern literature.
Written by Claire Christian
Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Adult
Expected Publication September 29th 2020
288 Pages
Thank you to Text Publishing and Netgalley
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★★★★
Noni didn’t expect to be starting over again at the age of thirty six. But eighteen months after the end of her long term relationship, she knows it’s time to find out what’s next.
While an encounter with a sexy blonde firefighter is a welcome entry back into the dating world, Noni soon realises she’s looking for more than just a series of brief, if pleasurable, encounters.
That’s how she finds herself travelling to Europe to track down the one that got away: the alluring, elusive Molly. But Europe has other surprises in store, not least of which is Beau, a tall, sexy, tattooist from Edinburgh...
The Viking was delightfully unexpected. On a whim, Noni decides to get herself inked while in London, walking in off the street into small tattoo studio where she meets artist Beau, bearded, burly and gentle and as he marks her skin, she's fantasising about getting on on the table and girl, merry orgasm to you my friend. Beau isn't just a conquest, he could very well be the love of Noni's life but beyond her pleasure quest, her new life of saying yes, of friends and parties and painting the town not quite red because she's still a responsible adult, Noni has her friends, family and career in Australia and Beau seems content to enjoy their fling while it lasts.
Oh how I loved It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake! It's fun, flirty and outrageously funny but beneath the surface lies a book about falling in love with yourself. There's a little bit of Noni in all of us.
Written by Samantha Shannon
Adult, Fantasy, Dragons
848 Pages
Gifted by Bloomsbury Australia
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A world divided.
A queendom without an heir.
An ancient enemy awakens.
The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction but assassins are getting closer to her door.
Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady in waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.
Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.
Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.
Eadaz Duryan
Queen Sabran Berethnet
Tané Miduchi
Females Of The Queendom
Who run the world
No woman should be made to fear that she was not enough.
See my review for book one Paradise City
The Road to Paradise is never easy
After a year on the coast, Lexie Atkinson can't settle back into country life. She’s missing the glitzy, gritty nightlife of the big city and the group of misfit friends she’d loved to hate. She knows to move forward she has to go back, back to face the guy who stole her heart.
But when Lexie arrives in Paradise City to work out if her future includes bad boy surfer, Luke Ballantine, he is nowhere to be found.
With no home, no money and no Luke, Lexie gets a job slinging drinks at the wild Wipe Out Bar. Soon her heartache is eased when broody bar owner, Dean Saville, starts taking an interest and stirs more than just her drinks. But nothing is ever as it seems in Paradise City and when Luke barrels back into town, Lexie has a choice to make. But who will end up with the broken heart. Luke, Dean... Or Lexie?
Heart Of The City Book One
Written by C. J. Duggan
Adult, Contemporary, Romance
251 Pages
Published November 2016
Thank you to Hachette Australia
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★★★★
Twenty five year old Claire Shorten had looked forward to spending a romantic weekend in Paris for as long as she could remember, and now it was here, three blissful days of strolling through cobbled streets arm in arm with her beloved, eating copious amounts of baked goods and soaking up the culture through each and every pore of her body. Well, at least, that was how she'd pictured it.
Even after her boyfriend dumps her rather unceremoniously in the most romantic place on earth, Claire is determined not to give up on her dream altogether, with or without a boyfriend. She finds herself a job in the kitchen of a small hotel. Michelin starred it most certainly is not, but somehow Claire makes a place for herself amidst the dirty dishes and the foreign misfits who run the place.
When the restaurant attracts the attention of the enigmatic, if not slightly terrifying, tycoon Louis Delarue and Claire manages to survive his high powered business luncheon from hell, she knows that she can survive anything, surely. But all bets are off when Louis makes a game changing decision, he's coming back for a second course...
Claire is a passive, passionate girl who departed her home town of Melbourne for London to ensure her partner Liam achieved his aspirations. As their relationship evolved, Claire relinquished her sense of identity and Liam isn't manipulative or abusive, despite the circumstances surrounding their relationship seperation. On their final day sightseeing, Liam returns to London as a bachelor while Claire remains in Paris, grieving from the loss of her disproportional relationship.My Thoughts
Single. In Paris. Hello Pierre.
Sexual tension y'all.
Paris Lights is mischievous, enticing and one young woman who is determined to embrace life. A brisk, pleasant read for an afternoon on the couch.
The Nevernight Chronicle Book One
Written by Jay Kristoff
Fantasy, Mature Themes, Sexy Sexy Times
July 25th 2016
496 Pages
Thank you to Harper Collins
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★★★★☆
Destined to destroy empires, Mia Covere is only ten years old when she is given her first lesson in death.
Six years later, the child raised in shadows takes her first steps towards keeping the promise she made on the day that she lost everything.
But the chance to strike against such powerful enemies will be fleeting, so if she is to have her revenge, Mia must become a weapon without equal. She must prove herself against the deadliest of friends and enemies, and survive the tutelage of murderers, liars and demons at the heart of a murder cult.
The Red Church is no Hogwarts, but Mia is no ordinary student. The shadows love her. And they drink her fear.
My Thoughts
Written by Jojo Moyes
Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Published December 31st 2012 by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking
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★★★★★ + tears for days
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.Will Traynor used to be a man of adventures - climbing the highest mountain to jumping from the most jagged cliffs. He lived a life full of meaning - until he didn't. One day, Will's adventurous life was stolen from him in a freak accident which left him paralyzed. From that day onwards, Will lost his desire to live, relinquishing to the idea that with no movement to his limbs that there was no point to living. There was no longer a point to his existence if he could not be free.What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.
Louisa Clark is a peculiar girl. At the ripe age of twenty-six she still lives at home with her parents, grandpa, sister and nephew. She's worked the same job for nearly seven years, unfortunately for her that ends when the cafe is shut down. Louisa is jobless with little no experience to her name. With the stress of having to provide for her low-income family, she's willing to take just about any job that comes her way - including the care and companionship of a disabled man. Little does Lou know, Will is about to change her life forever - and may even she his.
Kynndra's Thoughts
Let it be known that no book has ever made me full on bawl until Me Before You. Some have made me a little misty eyed, some a bit sad - but never the weeping puddle I found myself in at nearly 3 AM on a Monday morning. I loved this book with as much love any bookworm can bestow upon a book. This is one of those books where if someone dislikes it, you can't possibly see eye to eye with that person (but you remain silent because opinions shall be opinions). I don't know where this book has been my entire life, it's been out since 2012 and I'm just hearing about it now.
Me Before You was unbelievably human. That's what got to me the most. Everything was so palpable - understandable. I could feel the emotions as if they were my very own. With romance novels involving illness, you usually get a fluffy, ridiculous bullshit lie. Illness is not cute. It is not some sympathy ploy. It is not some card one should play to get another to love them. Me Before You took a stance in a way that showed the ugly, debilitating emotions that follows someone who was robbed of their ability to walk - to even reach for his own glass of water. Jojo Moyes portrayed such things in a way that I envision real life disabled folks feeling too.“You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”
It came to my realization while reading how much I, and much of the human population take the mere ability to walk - to even wipe our own bums for granted. The freedom to handle my own body is one thing I will never take for granted again as that seemingly simple ability could honestly change on a dime. Me Before You is an eye opener in so many ways. I was hit from all sides when it came to my feels. It left me feeling raw and shredded afterwards. This will truly be one of those books you'll ponder about time to time. One that you'll push on anyone who desires a impactful read.
Jojo Moyes wrote in such a precarious manner. While the book was slow moving, I found I didn't care. I loved the sensual way Will and Lou's story made me feel. It budded from something small into something beautiful and alive. Never did I want the story to go faster, as I never wanted it to actually end. I would have been happy reading the lives of Lou and Will forever. The characters chemistry was indeed that good. It sounds silly, but I became comfortable and familiar with the characters. Their voices so honest - so authentic. I'll miss those two like dear old friends.
In Conclusion
I've decided not to analize this book. This review is short because it's quite plain and simple: If I could describe any novel I've ever read as perfect, it would be this one. I've liked a lot of books, loved even. But I can without hesitancy say that Me Before You is an irreplaceable favorite. It has touched my life forever, as it has thousands across the world. I think Jojo Moyes brought to life a instant classic, a treasure to the fictional realm. Before the movie comes out in June, please read this book. And, as always - if you need someone to cry about it to, message me. DM me, anywhere at anytime.
I'm still crying over this book tbh. read it you hooligans, cry with me. Also the movie looks like an AMAZING ADAPTION. The gif above. Ugh. The actors portray the characters better than I ever thought was possible.
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Contains spoilers for Captive Prince. See my book one review here.
Captive Prince: Book Two
Written by C.S. Pacat
Fantasy, Adult, LGBT
Published July 1st 2015 by Viking: Penguin (org 2012)
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★★★★★
With their countries on the brink of war, Damen and his new master Prince Laurent must exchange the intrigues of the palace for the sweeping might of the battlefield as they travel to the border to avert a lethal plot.Forced to hide his identity, Damen finds himself drawn to the dangerous, charismatic Laurent. But as the fledgeling trust between the two men deepens, the truth of secrets from both their pasts is poised to deal them the crowning death blow...
Damen is Prince Laurent's slave. He has fallen into the duty, waiting for the perfect time to escape and retake his throne that was taken from him by his traitorous brother, Kastor. Meanwhile, Damen must hide who he truly is - Damiano, Prince Killer - the very same man who struck down Laurent's brother six years prior. In order to keep his identity hidden, Damen must bow to the golden prince of Vere.
In order to prove himself ready to take the throne, Laurent must set off to the battlefields. Behind the scenes there is a bigger plot at play. Laurent's uncle, the Regent, has concocted a plan to kill his nephew before he can become King of Vere. Damen and Laurent must come together if either are to survive the battle that is coming their way. Their journey to the Akielon border is writhe with traps and betrayal which undoubtedly pushes the two closer.
OH. MY. GOD. That was incredible. I could not have asked for a better sequel than what Prince's Gambit offered. I could not picture anything better than this. You'll have to forgive me for the disgusting amount of gushing that is about to take place - because believe me when I say this: I have never experienced the emotions that this book has put me through. Never in my entire life have I loved a book as much as I did this. It's hard to say that, as I've read some impeccable stories in my life but nothing such as this. These are books that will remain with me forever.Kynndra's Thoughts
The characters are what make this story even half as great as it was. I've never felt myself so enamoured by two characters before. The depth both individuals have is astounding, compelling and all around desirable. Damen has evolved from a resisting slave to a person that Laurent can confide and trust in. Laurent has evolved from a vile snake to something entirely different - a man with his own demons. But this all takes time, none of it comes easy. Pacat was able to master the art of character growth, making the story betwixt our characters fascinating and heart wrenching.
“Laurent wasn't loved. Laurent wasn't liked. Even among his own men, who would follow him off a cliff, there was the unequivocal consensus that Laurent was, as Orlant had once described him, a cast iron bitch, that it was a very bad idea to get on his bad side, and that as for his good side, he didn't have one.”
I loved every moment of Damen and Laurent's interactions. Ack, I wish I could explain just how much, but it is one of those things that the reader must experience on their own. Others, I think perceive every situation within these books differently. Every moment, every glace between Laurent and Damen means something. It was honestly just such a pleasure to see and experience so many different emotions throughout these 380 pages. I felt everything from sadness, girly glee, anxiety to anger - which is what I need from a book. I need to feel something, or the book means almost nothing to me.
The plot was much more prevalent in the Prince's Gambit than in Captive Prince. It's still a character driven story, but the plot has definitely surfaced full force. Damen and Laurent are no longer in the palace; therefore, so much more can happen to them while the men ride out towards battle. Together, they must beat the Regent at his own wicked game. It was so stressful reading some of the parts due to the sheer amount of backstabbing that goes down. I shall say no more on this matter, but mark me damned and fooled. I was blindsided every step of the way.
'He needs me' said Damen. 'I don't care if you tell the world.'
One thing I noticed that Pacat does exceedingly well (other than the obvious) is that she can write politics in a way that actually has me holding on to every sentence. The Vere kingdom is completely off kilter - it goes by its own rules which was made clear in book one. Seeing the political side of this well drawn out world quickly became a treat. It feels weird saying it, but the political side of the story is one I anticipate seeing where it goes in book three.
Finally, as this is a M/M novel - there is obviously some romance to be mentioned. Albeit, I don't quite know if I can call it a romance (not yet). When I say this book has a slow burning romance going on, I mean slow. This is not in any way shape or form a quick process. But I wouldn't have it any other way. This book made me realise I totally have a thing for the hate turning into love trope. I swooned. I cried. Damen and Laurent are the definition of an OTP (One True Pair).
In Conclusion
Kynndra is dying from the end of this book and would trade all her books to get ahold of Kings Rising (book three).
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Trigger Warning: this book contains mentions/depictions of sexual violence.
Captive PrinceCaptive Prince: Book One
Written by C.S. Pacat
Fantasy, Adult, LGBT
Published April 7th 2015 by Viking: Penguin (org Feb 4th 2012)
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★★★★½
Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomises the worst of the decadent court at Vere. But in the lethal web of Veretian politics, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen is caught up in a dangerous play for the throne, he must form an alliance with Laurent to survive and save his country.
For Damen, there is just one rule: he must never reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else . . .
Damen, prince of Akielos is betrayed by his brother Kastor. Kastor in a act of treason fakes the death of his brother in order to gain the crown - he does this by sending Damen to Vere, enemy territory as a gift to the prince. Upon the arrival to the strange country, Damen learns that nobody is aware of his identity. He's also made aware that in Vere he no longer holds the rank of a prince - but the rank of a prince's slave. Damen must act the part of a slave if he ever hopes to escape and take back his rightful place as Akielos's king. Along the way, Damen makes many enemies - other slaves who would do anything to be in his position as a pleasure slave to the young Veretian prince, Laurent.
Through the stretch of the story, Damen will find that his only chance of escaping is to join an alliance with Laurent. Laurent has his own issues; within ten months he is due to become King of Vere. All relies on proving himself to his uncle, the Regent. The two men discover that just maybe they both need each other to survive this political game of cat and mouse. Unbeknownst to Laurent, his slave is the very same man that killed his eldest brother.
Kynndra's Thoughts
After a few of my friends suggested on tumblr that I should read Captive Prince, I finally caved. First and foremost, I want to get the elephant out of the room. This book has some depictions of rape/sexual violence and physical punishments (floggings). This is a book marketed for adults, or mature young adults. If you're bothered or sensitive towards such subject matter I would not go forth and pick this book up. The book is set in a country that has a strong emphasis on pleasure slaves and frolicking with one another. Although, it's important for me to remark that these acts are viewed as barbaric by our MC, Damen. With that being said, if you're able to surpass such events, then I think you'll discover this book is very good and has a unique way of being told. I promise it is well worth reading.
Captive Prince is extremely character driven. While it's told in only one POV, we see a wide berth given to multiple other characters. If you know me, you know I need a book with a strong cast of characters - Pacat absolutely nailed the characters she created. Damen (25) and Laurent (20) are two very interesting characters. Out of the two, Laurent was absolutely my favorite. Don't get me wrong - he is a vile snake, but there is so much depth to him that I wonder if he ever ends. The two of them evolve greatly from start to end. Something I love seeing and reading.
"A golden prince was easy to love if you did not have to watch him picking wings off flies."
As it is a character based story, the plot does not take center stage. It's still there, lurking in the background but the main focus is the interactions and happenings between the two princes. Honestly, even though the story was a little slow due to there not being a whole lot of action it was forgiven. The reader knows that something is going to happen. Will Damen escape? Will Laurent discover that Damen is the man responsible for the death of his brother? Will there be war between both countries? It's all up in the air, all very unpredictable. It keeps you on your toes.
Pacat has set up book one as a direction for the potential romance that could happen between Damen and Laurent. There wasn't much for romance per say (at least not yet) but you can definitely see little sparks here and there. AND LET ME TELL YOU PEOPLE, I SHIP IT TO THE MOON AND BACK. Near the end they had moments where I was hardcore fangirling because it was such a slow burn, but a good burn. Plus Laurent's occasional quips either break my heart or make me smirk.
Pacat's writing was also beautiful and engrossing. It has a simple yet complete feel to it that was not only easy to read but had me completely immersed in the story being told. Dare I say, that Captive Prince pushes the boundaries that could have easily been done poorly; however, Pacat is an amazing weaver of words and did an exemplary job. This is probably my new favorite series to date without a doubt. Amazing in all aspects.
If you want a different and entertaining adult fantasy then this is a good place to start. Aside from the depictions of rape and violence, this book was phenomenal and had me itching to read more every night. Pacat's writing style is also quite desirable. It was descriptive and curt where it needed be. She fleshed out her characters and was never afraid to take a risk. I see so much potential for this series, and I cannot wait to begin book two. Such a great way to begin my 2016 year in reading.In Conclusion
Kynndra is currently eating some delightful goldfish crackers and trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life.
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