Review: The Darkness Before Them

 

Title: The Darkness Before Them

Series: Soulfire Saga

Author: Matthew Ward

Publisher: Orbit

Publication Date: November 7, 2023

Genre: Adult, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

Reading Source: Kindle

Length: 544 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 4/5

 

The first in an exciting, action-packed new trilogy from epic fantasy author Matthew Ward, The Darkness Before Them introduces readers to a world ruled by a dangerous immortal king, where souls fuel magic, and a supernatural mist known as the Veil threatens to engulf the land.

These are dark times for the Kingdom of Khalad. As the magical mists of the Veil devour the land, the populace struggles beneath the rule of ruthless noble houses and their uncaring immortal king.

Kat doesn’t care about any of that. A talented thief, she’s pursuing one big score that will settle the debt that destroyed her family. No easy feat in a realm where indentured spirits hold vigil over every vault and treasure room. However, Kat has a unique she can speak to those spirits, and even command them. And she has no qualms using her power to her advantage.

Kat’s not a hero. She just wants to be free. To have her old life back. But as rebellion rekindles and the war for Khalad’s future begins, everyone—Kat included—will have to pick a side.

Review:

The Darkness Before Them is an epic fantasy that stars Kat who lives in the Kingdom of Khalad. Kat is no hero though; she is really a thief who is trying to relinquish the debt of her family. The Kingdom of Khalad has some pretty strong spirits keen on keeping the treasures in their treasury. However, Kat has a special power, one in which she can not only speak to but also command the spirits. Pointedly she uses her power for the upper hand. Kat will have to pick a side for the future of her country, but she also has to fight for her and her family’s freedom.  

An immortal king, mystical mist and souls that are power sources for magic? Yes please. Right up my alley. I was so excited when I was granted this ebook. The book was a little slow at first, but it soon picked up.

 I loved this book; I was so entertained while reading it. The worldbuilding was incredible. Kat had so much personality and was ambitious. She was determined to take care of those she loved. 

A huge thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

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Review: All The Dead Lie Down

 

Title: All The Dead Lie Down 

Series: N/A

Author: Kyri McCauley

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: May 16, 2023

Genre: Young Adult, Horror, LGBQ

Reading Source: Kindle

Length: 368 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 5/5

 

The Haunting of Bly Manor meets House of Salt and Sorrows in award-winning author Kyrie McCauley’s contemporary YA gothic romance about a dark family lineage, the ghosts of grief, and the lines we’ll cross for love.

The Sleeping House was very much awake . . .

Days after a tragedy leaves Marin Blythe alone in the world, she receives a surprising invitation from Alice Lovelace—an acclaimed horror writer and childhood friend of Marin’s mother. Alice offers her a nanny position at Lovelace House, the family’s coastal Maine estate.

Marin accepts and soon finds herself minding Alice’s peculiar girls. Thea buries her dolls one by one, hosting a series of funerals, while Wren does everything in her power to drive Marin away. Then Alice’s eldest daughter returns home unexpectedly. Evie Hallowell is every bit as strange as her younger sisters, and yet Marin is quickly drawn in by Evie’s compelling behavior and ethereal grace.

But as Marin settles in, she can’t escape the anxiety that follows her like a shadow. Dead birds appear in Marin’s room. The children’s pranks escalate. Something dangerous lurks in the woods, leaving mutilated animals in its wake. All is not well at Lovelace House, and Marin must unravel its secrets before they consume her.

Review:

After tragedy hits Marin leaving her all alone, Alice Lovelace; her mother’s friend and horror novelist, askes Marin to be a nanny to her two small kids, Thea and Wren for the summer. 

Marin does not know what she is in for. Between the macabre children, eerie house and the terrifying nightmares, this is going to be a summer that Marin will never forget.  

Creepy and chilling novel. The children were real monsters, with all the pranks and tricks they played on Marin. Scary kids giving baby dolls funerals. Alice was odd to say the least. The romance between Marin and Evie felt authentic. I love a good romance subplot. 

Perfect for the upcoming Halloween season. 

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Review: What the River Knows

 

Series: N/A

Author: Isabel Ibanez

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

Publication Date: October 31, 2023

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 416 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 5/5

 

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Review:

What the River Knows is a richly designed historical fiction story set in Egypt with an enemies to lovers trope. I can not stop raving about this book, it is so good. What the River Knows is a beautiful tale of Inez Olivera, a girl who seems to have it all, her world traveling parents. After the death of them, Inez is left with a fortune, a curious guardian and a partnership to an archeologist. Inez sails to Egypt to find answers to her mother and father's death. Upon arrival she finds a strong magic pulling her down a path of her parent's disappearance.  

 

I loved The Mummy movie and when that was in the description I knew that this book was for me and I was right! I can’t say too much about Death on the Nile because I don’t know that reference.

 Aside from Japan, my favorite setting to read from is Egypt, this one didn’t disappoint me. I loved the world. It was beautifully written. The writing seemed to just flow. The story was so entertaining from start to finish. The characters just seemed to come alive, they were so engaging. 

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this advanced readers edition in exchange for an honest review! 

 

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Review: Rebel Girls

Title: Rebel Girls

Series: None

Author: Elizabeth Keenan

Publisher: Inkyard

Publication Date: September 10, 2019

Genre: Young Adult

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 432 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 4/5

“Echoing the punk-rock feminist movement of the early ’90s, debut author Keenan creates a timely narrative that will challenge teens to reflect on their personal values and engage in respectful discourse. A must-read.” – Kirkus , starred review

When it comes to being social, Athena Graves is far more comfortable creating a mixtape playlist than she is talking to cute boys—or anyone , for that matter. Plus her staunchly feminist views and love of punk rock aren’t exactly mainstream at St. Ann’s, her conservative Catholic high school.

Then a malicious rumor starts spreading through the halls…a rumor that her popular, pretty, pro-life sister had an abortion over the summer. A rumor that has the power to not only hurt Helen, but possibly see her expelled.

Despite their wildly contrasting views, Athena, Helen, and their friends must find a way to convince the student body and the administration that it doesn’t matter what Helen did or didn’t do…even if their riot grrrl protests result in the expulsion of their entire rebel girl gang.

Review:  

Rebel Girls is about Athena attending Catholic School in the 90s. When the rumors about Athena’s little sister start to fly, it’s hard for Athena to stay under the radar.

Rebel Girls is a blast from the past. My nephew says I need to get my head out of the 90s all the time and this novel just solidified my 90s obsession. Kids of today’s age just don’t understand.

Athena was such a down to earth girl, I could really relate to her. Helen was headstrong and had a lot of personality. Rebel Girls touches base with some pretty serious issues including bullying, racism, teen pregnancy, and abortion.

Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for this e-copy for my honest opinions.

 

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Review: The Lodge: A Horror Novel

 

Title: The Lodge 

Series: None

Author: Jeremy Eads

Publisher: Wicked House Publishing

Publication Date: July 28, 2023

Genre: Adult, Horror

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 258 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 3/5

 Overall: 3/5

A demon runs a bed and breakfast in southwest Virginia where sin never needs a reservation. A guilt-ridden retiree, two little boys, and a pair of meth making cousins will challenge America's most wanted black widow, a haunted southern town, and the Devil himself. The quest for salvation will lead to the darkest parts of themselves as well as the beating black heart of Summit Valley, Virginia. The Maple Lodge, a B&B where the turn down service is to die for.

Review:

Welcome to The Maple Lodge, a Bed and Breakfast where the service is to die for.

 

In this gothic horror novel, we visit a B&B set in a haunted town in southern Virginia, not just any B&B but one that is run by a demon. We follow a colorful cast of characters from a couple of little boys, a retiree, cousins dealing in some illegal activity, an infamous black widow and the Devil himself. 

The book just didn’t really click with me. The book jumped around a lot and the ending felt rushed. It had a lot of potential, but I don’t think it lived up to it. 

 This book is currently on KU (Kindle Unlimited) as of 9/7/23.

Thank you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley for this e-copy for my honest opinions. 

 

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