ARC Review: The Unbreakable Bladesong Druid ~ Annette Marie

 Click on this image to learn more about this book on Goodreads
 
 
Format I Used: Digital ARC
Pages: 284
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: September 23, 2022

 

 

 

Listen y'all. As per usual, this review will be rambly and have spoilers so

READ

WITH

CAUTION

I had so much anxiety while reading this book. So many things had happened in the last book and there were so many things that COULD be happening in this to tie everything up. Like, I was so incredibly nervous.

There was so much action and so many twists and turns, and my brain loved all of them (despite the fact that I was also super nervous.) I adored the cameos that we get from the other characters in the guild codex world, especially the ones that involve Kit because dude is still effortlessly hilarious.

And like, can we pleeeeaaase talk about character development? Because  Annette Marie knows how to grow her characters. I'm not even talking about Zak and Saber, although they both grow and learn a lot too... no man, I am talking about Rikr. I would love love love to get his story next. I don't know if that's actually ever going to happen, but hot dang, I would be so happy.

I have to say that I was unsure of the whole Saber being pregnant thing. It felt a little too cliche for me, especially since she is the one that seems least likely to want to be a parent considering all the issues she has with people and commitment... although maybe that's why. It's giving her anther reason to see how important it is to learn how to trust others and whatnot (IDK, I'm just not the biggest fan of the surprise pregnancy as a plot point and everyone who knows me knows that. Although it makes it a little better since it happened at the very end of their story.) 

There is also a bonus story you can read!

Love love loved getting to see all the characters together, but I really really wanted to see Zylas get to hold the baby. Like, he was so curious about them, and it literally would have melted my cold cold heart if he could have had a cute little moment with the babies.... you know, besides from literally helping save them.

That's it. That's all I have for now. But as I continue to process I will probably edit it to match.... And you know, when I do my re-read and notice things I didn't before.

And thank you to Annette Marie And Dark Owl Fantasy Inc for allowing me access to an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

ARC Review: The Twice-Scorned Lady Of Shadow ~ Annette Marie

Format I Used: Digital ARC
Pages: 272
My Rating: 5 Stars
Publication Date: May 6, 2022

Not so sure how much sense this review is going to make because my brain still feels like it exploded. There's so much I want to say, but I don't even know if I have the proper words to use to describe it all.

There was a lot that happened in this book. A LOT. And I'm super obsessed with literally everything about it. We got to learn even more about Zak and (I want to write Tori even though I KNOW that's not right lol) SABER'S history and what really happened. They finally got past all the senseless blaming for things that were out of their control and worked out the majority of the miscommunication issues that were causing them to hate each other.

This one was even grittier than the others (which were already pretty gritty) but it works, because it fits the characters SO well.

Saber finally got an official introduction to The Crow & Hammer, and I was wishing there was a bit more from that aspect, but I'm hoping that there will be more interaction in the next book.

The ending. THE ENDING!

While I'm not exactly surprised at what happened at the ending (because I've been very suspicious of Lallakai from the very beginning when TORI was expressing her concern about how sus Lallakai was... But I wasn't expecting that specific kind of betrayal. I think my brain exploded. 

I'm also real concerned that something bad is going to happen to Rikr... and if that does happen I will cry oceans and oceans of tears, because I've grown rather fond of The Winter King. I'm just... so worried right now, especially with the way things have been going. Although Annette Marie hasn't hurt me too terribly in any of her previous books, so maybe that's a good sign? 

I guess I'll have to wait until September to see...

Yikes.

Thank you so much to Annette Marie and Dark Owl Fantasy for allowing me to read an ARC

Did It Make Me Cry? No, but I came reeeeally close a time or two.

ARC Review: The Long Forgotten Winter King ~ Annette Marie

 

                                     Image from Goodreads. Click on cover to read more about the book.

 

Format I Used: Digital Arc
Pages: 647
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: January 14, 2022

 

Possible spoilers so read on with caution.......

I literally don't even know what to do with myself right now. I'm so hyped up on this book, and I just........eeeeepppppppp.

I love getting to learn more about Saber, and Zak, and Rikr, and so many of the other characters. It feels like there's a lot more... There were so many twists and turns in this series. And I'm kind of enjoying how Saber and Zak aren't as... straitlaced as previous characters. They're... morally grey, and I think that they're absolutely fascinating to read about.

I will say, that I thought this one moved a smidge slower when it first started, but OH BOY! When it hit its groove I was sad because I finished it so fast.

As always, I loved the intermixing of all the characters from other Guild Codex books. And I totally called the twist where

 

 

******SPOILER******

Kit got the Crow and Hammer to be Saber's... uh... parole guild. All those interactions are going to be INTERESTING... Especially if my darling Zak-y poo is going to make more appearances, and you know he's going to

******END SPOILER****** 

This book had me on the edge of my seat, and I CANNOT wait to see what is going to happen next.

Thank you SO! MUCH! to Annette Marie and Dark Owl Fantasy for giving me a chance to read this book! 

 

Did It Make Me Cry? I got misty eyed a time or two, especially when they done tried to kill RIKR off multiple times... seriously, my heart can't handle that kind of stresssss