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Leila | Romantasy Books & Unfiltered Opinions

@variouslyobsessed

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Here for the HEA, thoughts about the rest
Reviews, recs, and bookish discussions
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You don't have to like dark romance, but you don't get to be nasty to those who do.

#darkromance #romancebooks #bookstagram #bookishopinions by @variouslyobsessed

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23

a month ago

Vampires don't have to sparkle to be unique, Stephenie

#vampirebooks #twilight #bookrecommendations #romantasy by @variouslyobsessed

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5

a month ago

Should you read these books?

Tethered by @authorelaynargallea

Bound to the Broken Throne by @astoria_hope

Daindreth's Sorceress by @elisabethwheatley

A Lie So Pretty and Poisonous by @authorleahbronwyn

The End Unseen by @ariel.n.anderson

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

How to Lose a Goblin in 10 Days by Jaysea Lynn

The Ashes and the Star Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

Fated to the Wicked King by S.L. Breaker (ARC)

Crown of the Courtesan by Natalie Jacks-Smith (ARC)

The Night and His Flame by Stephanie Combs (ARC)

Fated to the Hollow King by Angela J. Ford (ARC)

Fated to the Demon Lord by J. Ann Curtis (ARC)

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (audio)

#bookrecommendations #romantasyreader #bookstagram by @variouslyobsessed

79

5

17 days ago

When you look at the cover of this book, what do you think it's going to be about? It looks elegant, refined, regal, maybe a bit staid?

Well, you'd be wrong. The cover is a facade, just like The King himself.

The King and the Nine starts pretty innocuously. Bryn is on a run, dealing with her PTSD. Then, just a few pages later, you get slapped with an alien invasion. You know the feeling you had when you realized what the movie Super 8 was actually about? That's the feeling you'll get here.

So now we're in Starship Trooper vibes, and I'm here for it. It's like Desi is going to get her second chance.

And then, we end up in an alternate Earth, realizing there are a total of 9 Earths, and there's magic.

I have never read anything like this before. In case you couldn't tell, it definitely has familiar aspects, but Loren Fawn takes everything you think you know, turns it upside down, and rips your heart out.

Bryn is an actual grown woman, and a soldier. She's served her time in The Guard, and not behind a desk. And when she finds herself in the middle of an alien invasion, she takes it in stride, leaves with the handsome stranger and his military unit, and falls apart later behind closed doors.

Leo is your typical hot royal. Not necessarily a bad thing, but kind of boring next to Adrian, the equally hot but yearning best friend.

Unfortunately, because The King and the Nine starts with a firefight and barrels toward an infuriating cliffhanger (because book 2 has no release day in sight), there's not much else I can say without having to block out tons of spoilers.

If you want something literally action-packed, with a unique magic system and fantasy vibes, but also want politics and actual romance, brace yourself and read The King and the Nine.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The review and opinions are my own.

Thank you, @lorenfawnauthor for having me on your ARC team. I want you to know I forgive you for what Bryn, Leo, and Adrian put me through. Just promise to let me know as soon as you've finished the next book, ok? 😂

#romantasy #arcreview #romantasyrecs #bookreview by @variouslyobsessed

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2 days ago

For your TBR enjoyment 👇

A Court of Silver Flames (Book 5 of ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas

Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1 by Suji Kim

Given (Book 1 of The Giving Chronicles) by @authorelaynargallea

Lady of Darkness (Book 1 of The Lady of Darkness) by @melissa_k_roehrich

Frozen by Stardust (Book 5 of Beasts of the Briars) by Elizabeth Helen

The Art of Charming a Changeling (Book 1 of Pigments and Paramours) by Sylvie Cathrall

The Inadequate Heir (Book 3 of The Bridge Kingdom) by Danielle J. Jensen

From Blood and Ash (Book 1 of Blood and Ash) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Re-read: The Washwoman at the River’s End (Book 1 of The Curse of the Fates) by @meganshadeauthor

The Choosing Chronicles (Books 1 and 2 Omnibus) by Elayna R. Gallea

Storm of Secrets and Sorrow (Book 2 of The Legacy Series) by Melissa K. Roehrich

A Curse of Storms and Scorn (Book 1 of Crown of Feyreign) by S.W. Clarke

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Book 1 of Maggie the Undying) by Ilona Andrews

Sworn to the Shadow Throne (Book 2 of Magebound Courts) by Astoria Hope

The King and The Nine (Book 1 of the series) by Loren Fawn (eARC)

Fated to the Frozen Prince (Fated to the Enemy Series) by Ciara Hartford (eARC)

Bloodbound (Book 1 of The Scrolls of Eshani) by J.A. Good (eARC)

Of Blades and Wings (Book 1 of Flame Cursed Fae) by @elizaraineauthor (eARC)

#acotar #bookrecommendations #romantasy #fantasyseries by @variouslyobsessed

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3

2 days ago

Ah, the nostalgia of the YA dystopiam age of modern literature. I'm only slightly kidding. I kind of miss those days...

Last night I went to an event with Veronica Roth hosted by @bluewillowbooks

It was so cool to hear the history of the Divergent series, and why Veronica chose to return to her YA roots and the Divergent universe with The Sixth Faction.

@harpercollins
@epicreads

#Divergent #dystopianfiction #veronicaroth #thesixthfaction by @variouslyobsessed

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3 days ago

The cute cover is misleading.

If you're hoping for something light and cozy, this is not it. Well, it is, but it comes with a heavy dose of emotional intensity.

This is the third, and final, book in a series, and unlike many series, each book gets better and better.

The first two books gave Simon the most character development time, which made the story more compelling simply because by this third book, we know Simon deeply.

Like the other two books, it turns out he (as the main character) has hidden depths, that are only brought out in emotionally fraught situations. When the option is to remain the same or step outside of habits and default emotional responses, Simon (reluctantly) makes the changes, because the end result is worth it.

While this is ostensibly a light and cozy Regency romance, it is incredibly slow in its burning. The deepening of the relationship between Diantha and Simon starts months before the main storyline, and is intense and fraught all on its own.

Then a forced proximity situation (masterminded by the delightful Olive Morgan), becomes the catalyst that gives Simon and Diantha the chance to drop their walls. And they both have very strong walls, although for different reasons.

This is absolutely a lovely romance with a happily ever after. You will tear up multiple times. You will get very attached to Simon and Diantha, as well as the other characters in the series.

So much of the character growth comes from the found family of the three main male characters of the series: Archie, Effie, and Simon. Their deep friendship is the foundation of all three love stories.

One of the main criterion for a 5 star rating from me is that the book made me FEEL. And Brown-Eyed Earl made me feel so much. It has left an impression that will stay with me for a long time.

I received an advance reader copy of this book. This review and opinions are my own.

Brown Eyed Earl by Jenny Holiday

@kensingtonbooks

#browneyedearl #netgalley #romancebooks #regencyromance #bookrecommendations

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by @variouslyobsessed

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0

4 days ago

We've been asking the wrong questions about spice.

#spicybooks #romantasy #bookstagram #bookishdiscussion #bookishopinions by @variouslyobsessed

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5 days ago

I am proudly Team Jacob.

While in Fated to the Night King, the werewolves start as the bad guys, it's like many countries. It's the leader that's the problem.

Sena is a werewolf that can't shift, due to a disease that has ravaged her kingdom. Alkan is the vampire Night King, who Sena has been taught is the enemy. Which makes sense. In most stories vampires and werewolves are enemies.

Sena is sent to infiltrate the Night Kingdom, in something of usual romantasy storyline. Actually, much of Fated to the Night King is somewhat "usual" or "tropey." But what makes it different is that I FELT something. Books being 4+ stars for me are primarily based on how much I felt as I was reading.

And honestly, a certain predictability allowed me to focus on the characters, the relationship between Sena and Alkan, and the character growth that happens with Sena. How she learns to trust, and how Alkan really is as good as he seems.

Alkan is the Mamdani of the romantasy world. He believes in protecting and serving his people in a way that's expressed in more detail than I usually see in the genre.

If you're looking for something that is easy to read, enjoyable, a slow burn, fated mates, and some light political maneuvering, Fated to the Night King is a good time.

Fated to the Night King by @krystafoxauthor

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The review and opinions are my own. by @variouslyobsessed

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5 days ago

It's the BEST feeling to see a book I've loved get the attention it deserves!

The Washwoman at the River's End by @meganshadeauthor is everywhere now, so take this as your sign to take the day off and read it.

I was so lucky to get to read it early as an ARC team member with @nookandfablemedia

What's a book you loved before anyone else started talking about it?

#romantasybooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #arcreader #romantasy by @variouslyobsessed

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5 days ago

Like the other books in the Fated to the Enemy series of standalones, Fated to the Pumpkin Price was a good time.

It's one of the sweeter books in the series, so if you're not into the demons or dark kings, Rueben is an adorable cinnamon roll who falls first.

Fated to the Pumpkin Prince is a Cinderella retelling, but the hardcore Cinderella aspects don't come until near the ending. The story as a whole is more about two people with very different lives being brought together (by fate, of course) towards the common goal of taking down the evil sorcerer. But in this case, the secret identity isn't just Ella. Reuben and the evil sorcerer are all under enchantments to appear like others.

There's a not-so-subtle commentary on looking past appearances and life circumstances. And I'm ok with it being obvious. Fated to the Pumpkin Prince isn't and isn't meant to be a work of high literature.

I like a happy ending wrapped up with a nice little spicy scene.

Fated to the Pumpkin Prince didn't change my life in any way, but I had a good time, and I think it's a great book to read as a fun break between more intense romantasy options.

⭐⭐⭐.75

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The review and opinions are my own.

#romantasyrecs #enemiestolovers #arcreview #fairytaleretelling by @variouslyobsessed

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6 days ago

And if readers don't stop acting so entitled, authors will stop interacting with us. Don't make it weird.

#bookstagram #bookauthors #bookishdiscussion #bookrant #ihavenowords by @variouslyobsessed

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7 days ago