ARC Review: Stolen Sorcery & Other Misadventures ~ Annette Marie

 

 Image from Goodreads. Click on the image to learn more about this book.

Format I Used:Digital ARC E-book

My Rating: 5 stars

Publication Date: April 7, 2023

 

I can always count on Annette Marie (and in this case Rob Jacobsen too) to bring me a book that is filled with so much action and adventure that keeps me obsessed and wanting more.

I'm so in love with Kit and Lienna, and I've enjoyed watching their characters grow. There's still so much that they're learning not only about themselves, but each other too. I like how opposite they are and how they balance each other out.

Kit is so so funny, and I'm a big fan of his POV.

And, as always, I love love love getting to see my dearly beloved characters from the rest of the Guild Codex Books, because the interactions are so fun. I ESPECIALLY enjoyed watching Kit's interactions with Zylas, it had me lol-ing the whole time, and I would like an entire book with just them together.

I'm curious to see how things are going to go for Kit and Lienna, especially with how the book ended with a few surprises.

Thank you SO SO much to Annette Marie for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Did It Make Me Cry? No. But There was a point where I gasped out loud, even though I had already guessed what was going to happen.

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: Hunting Fiends For The Ill-Equipped ~ Annette Marie

 

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

 

Format I Used: Digital ARC
Pages: 318
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: April 3, 2020

 

**This was posted as an ARC review over on Goodreads, so I'm sticking with ARC review as the title**

 

*DEEP BREATH IN*

Holy.

Moly.

Guacamole.

I think this is the best Demonized book yet, you guys. I  S W E A R.

I don't know how long it has been since I've read a book that I've just absolutely been in love with. I also don't know how Annette Marie manages to consistently write amazing books. The sizzle definitely ramps up in this book (F I N A L L Y) and I laughed, I cried, I got angry. I just. It was amazing.

The characters all have so much depth, and I love to be able to read this book and have it intertwine with The Guild Codex and characters from the new, not yet released series, but at the same time, you don't HAVE to read the others to understand what is going on.

Zylas is so precious. I will admit, even though I loved him from the start, I had my doubts about his intentions and was very suspicious of him, but after this book, I am looking at him in a whole new light.

Robin is growing and figuring things out oh so slowly. And sometimes it actually hurts me how timid she still is, but I like what is happening to her, and the friendships that she has found.

EZRA my smol bean. I love that we get to see more of him in this book, and how he's kind of making friends with Robin and Zylas and Amalia. I love it so much, I don't even have the words to describe it.

I'm so excited to see what is going to happen in the next book after all of the revelations that this book unearthed. And I'm also kind of scared because of what happened when... well, I won't spoil it for you.

Thank you SO much to Annette Marie and Dark Owl Fantasy Inc for allowing me to be on your ARC team!

Initial response when I finished this book in the middle of the night:

Oh my lord. This book. I think it's my fave so far. Better review when it's NOT 2:30 in the morning.

ARC Review: Slaying Monsters For The Feeble ~ Annette Marie

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

Format I Used: Digital Kindle ARC
Pages: 358
Running Time: 8h:27m
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: November 1, 2019

*This was posted as an ARC review on Goodreads*

Y'all. I just. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I need more of my smol bean, okay?

I love how Tori and Robin's worlds crossover and I can make connections when things are mentioned. It is the BEST. I am dying to see what is going to happen in the next book, that doesn't come out until APRIL *SOBS* was whatshisface talking about about my Zak-y poo when he mentioned that he was looking for a Druid?

I love the relationship with Robin and Zylas, how it has grown and it is evolving, although I am dying to see how everything is going to work out. My mind is spinning a mile a minute and it is killing me that the next book is going to be the last one for Robin and Zylas. *Edited to add* Thank you Annette for correcting me and letting me know I get TWO more books in this wonderful series!! *HEART EYES*

*Deep breath in*

I better stop now before I start going on a spoiler rant.

10 out 0f 10 would recommend for the snark and the tension and the cute baby kitty.

Thank you so much to Annette Marie and Dark Owl Fantasy Inc. for allowing me to read an ARC of this beautiful book

 

Did It Make Me Cry?  No

 

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