Book Review: For the Throne by Hannah F. Whitten

*See my review for the first book, For the Wolf

Let's just get this out of the way first: I love this book just as much as I love the first one, which is a lot. This duology is fantastic. Hannah Whitten has written some of my favorite characters in fantasy and woven a fascinating world around them. The way she built the magic, the way she talks about monsters and gods, it all really works for me on a deep level. 

For the Wolf was about the Wilderwood. For the Throne is about the Shadowlands. Both are about sisterhood and the lengths that Neve and Red will go to save each other and how those actions affect the people who love them. If you loved For the Wolf, no worries, this book holds up to it. 

Summary:

Neve is pulled into the Shadowlands and her only help is Solmir, the once-king who tricked and betrayed her. The plan: to pull the kings out of the Shadowlands before they collapse, and kill them before they can reign havoc in the world again. But things are bigger than they seem and it's harder to hate Solmir than Neve would like. This is not just about Neve though, her and Red's stories are mirrors to each other, so while Neve hunts down gods, Red seeks answers where she can find them.

I highlighted a lot in this book, lines about monsters and divinity, emotional confessions, there were so many things that tugged at my chest. Including of course, every sweet moment between Red and Eammon, who fought so hard for their love in book one. The romantic relationships in this book are so well done and even if I didn't know that Hannah Whitten read romance, you can tell from her writing. The relationships feel real, she doesn't shy away from the intimacy piece of romance, and they're overall satisfying.

If you're reading this review and you haven't picked up the first book yet, you should. If you like magic forests, ancient gods, myths made real, and stories of deep love in all forms, these books deliver. I cannot wait to see and read more from Hannah, she's truly a fantastic writer and her storytelling has really resonated with me. I will come back to both of these books again and again.

5/5 Stars  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 *Digital ARC provided through NetGalley

Available June 7, 2022!

Buy: AMZ | B&N | Kobo | Bookshop

Book Review: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes

 *Digital ARC provided through NetGalley

Every time I think I can't possibly love Cat Sebastian's writing even more she has to go and prove me wrong. The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the much anticipated follow-up to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, and it lives up to and transcends expectations. That said, I would recommend reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb before diving into this book because I think you will understand the story and get the most out of it that way. Trust me, it's no hardship to read the first book. It's excellent. And if you have read it, don't worry, there's plenty of Percy and Kit in this book and they are, of course, delightful.

Book Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

 

*ARC provided via NetGalley

Let's just get right to it: I loved this book a whole lot. Emily Henry really know how to deliver on beautiful writing, emotional depth, realistic characters, and bright/witty dialogue. Her books always feel so immersive and this one is no different. 

Summary

Nora Stephens is the high-maintenance city girlfriend in every guy-goes-to-a-small-town-and-falls-in-love romance book. She loves her Peloton and her impractical shoes and fancy skincare, and she loves her sister Libby and her agenting job even more. So when her sister drags her to a small North Carolina town, Sunshine Falls, that's the setting of one of her client's books, she's not feeling the need for her own small town romance. And the best part? That's not what this book is! Oh, there's definitely love, but it's with sharp-eyed editor, Charlie Lastra, who's visiting home from NYC to help his parents out. Both of them are city-people who don't quite fit into small town life and they can't help but be drawn together again and again.