Jeffe Kennedy

Fire of the Frost

Source: B & N
Dates Read: 1/2/24 - 1/6/24
Average Stars: DNF - No Rating

A Wynter Fyre - Darynda Jones - 4 Stars - Wynter, Gareth - Dare I say there is a Darynda Jones book I don’t like? The back story is boring me and the lack of consent in the first smex scenes makes me want to turn away. It is missing the humor I usually get from Ms. Jones’ wor. All of this together makes me uninterested and therefore I am DNFing.

**** I picked this book for Darynda Jones but considering my disappointment with the story I’m not going to stick around for more, shame on me. I may revisit one day but who knows when.

Of Fate and Fire - Kingmaker Chronicles, Book 3.5 - Amanda Bouchet - Stars - Piers, Sophie -

The King of Hel - Grace Draven - Stars - Castil, Doranis -
Jeffe Kennedy - Stars - Hans, Illiana -… (meer)

I read this after getting into a heated discussion with my coworker over what qualifies as romantasy. I was saying that [b:Fourth Wing|61431922|Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1)|Rebecca Yarros|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701980900l/61431922._SY75_.jpg|96945623] and [b:A Court of Thorns and Roses|50659467|A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1620324329l/50659467._SY75_.jpg|21905102] are the most popular examples of romantasy right now, but they are more of the fantasy genre than the romance genre because they don't end with HEAs (at least, not as standalones). My coworker was saying that she hates the category of romantasy full stop. Just say "romantic fantasy" or "fantasy romance," there is no need for cutesy/confusing portmanteaus!

I asked my coworker to suggest a fantasy romance that has a happy ending. I wanted something that was high fantasy and not paranormal. Obviously, she suggested The Mark of Tala. I think it was a great suggestion because it checked the boxes: satisfying romance, classic high fantasy setting, some fun, some angst. I enjoyed it, but I didn't didn't love it because the hero was a bit too cliche for me (he was a big, strong protector type, bleh). And I should have said I was hoping for something more funny/cozy.… (meer)

This was another one of those books that is out of my usual genres of books I read: fantasy and romance. Add in royalty, and I was for sure I would be quitting this book. The first part was slow, as other reviewers have stated, but it worth reading it SLOWLY over a few days, because once you understand the plot and characters, this story is amazing, and I feel most will be reluctant to put the book down. I love the adjectives to describe the area of Calanthe, and the scientific explanation about a fictional weapon called vurgsten. The way the story ended felt like a cliffhanger with so many options for an ending. Also, a main character acting out of character giving off bad vibes was very interesting to me, and I wanted to know her fate or what she might have been plotting. I usually read at night to relax me to go to sleep, but WHEW, THAT ending is one I should have read in the daytime, because I was definitely wide awake after that! I love the way the characters tend not to be typical characters in other similar books, as well. The wizard, Ambrose, reminded me of the wise old monkey in The Lion King. He had a lot of knowledge, but a lot of prankster in him, and he made me laugh A LOT, which is not that easy, because I have an intellectual humor that is not easily provoked. Read this book if you love to read how others conquer others in war, but in a fantasy realm. Read this book if you think love conquers all. Read this book if you love to be left hanging at the end, wanting to read more.… (meer)