Robin Blyth has more than enough bother in his life. He’s struggling to be a good older brother, a responsible employer, and the harried baronet of a seat gutted by his late parents’ excesses. When an administrative mistake sees him named the civil service liaison to a hidden magical society, he discovers what’s been operating beneath the unextraordinary reality he’s always known.
Now Robin must contend with the beauty and danger of magic, an excruciating deadly curse, and the alarming visions of the future that come with it—not to mention Edwin Courcey, his cold and prickly counterpart in the magical bureaucracy, who clearly wishes Robin were anyone and anywhere else.
Robin’s predecessor has disappeared, and the mystery of what happened to him reveals unsettling truths about the very oldest stories they’ve been told about the land they live on and what binds it. Thrown together and facing unexpected dangers, Robin and Edwin discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles—and a secret that more than one person has already died to keep.
My first Illumicrate readalong! And an adult fantasy read!
Robin has found himself in a right old mess! A new job, no clue what’s happening and basically gets roughed up…..and he meets Edwin…..
Edwin and Robin set to finding out what has happened to Robin’s predecessor, Reggie, and for the reason Robin was attacked. Then all sorts happen in the magical world that Robin didn’t know even existed!
It was a historical setting, love the language of the 1900s and the idea of having summer seasons in the city and winter in the country!
This was a really good story with great characters, steamy moments, a fab plot and also really great settings. Penhallick House library sounds like somewhere I’d love to visit along with Sutton Cottage and its maze!
Robin and Edwin were so different in character but they worked and I loved them together. Robin was so carefree and people were happy to be around him where Edwin was totally cold and closed off (understandably when you know his story).
I admit I didn’t think this book was going to be for me before I started reading BUT IT WAS! I found myself reading the designated chapters for the day for the readalong…but then I needed to read more so finished 5 days before the readlong was meant to!
As it’s February I thought I’d do some posts about books with romances that I loved……and these 2 were sweeter than chocolate!
Lemon Fresh and Grim
It’s no secret that Lemon Fresh is one of my top loves in my life. From her name, to her personality and to her back story, I just love her! She is fizzy and rad, hence romancing the rad (yes, I’m reaching!!!!)
So because of this, I really wanted her to have a lurve interest, like really wanted it! Soon as I heard about Grim, I knew he was the man for the job! They were so sweet together! I could’ve cried!
The problem I have is that there’s hardly no fan art or stuff for Lemon yet Lemon and Grim together and I want it. I need it!
Anyway, enough of my issues! Lemon and Grim for the win!
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Theme: Love Freebie
I’m doing something romancey with my theme this month so thought instead of doing couples I would do…….
Characters I Love ❤
~ Lemon Fresh from Jay Kristoff’s Truelife world ~ Gabriel de Leon from EotV by Jay Kristoff (I mean, look at that specimen!) ~ Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare ~ Manon Blackbeak from Throne of Glass (Sarah J Maas) ~ Nik from Illuminae Files by Jay Kristoff ~ Azriel from the A Court of world by Sarah J Maas
~ Cardan from The Cruel Prince (Holly Black) ~ Tric from Nevernight by Jay Kristoff ~ Kal from Aurora Cycle (Jay Kristoff) ~ Wrath from Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
I’m actually stealing this idea (with permission!) from Bookworm Blogger! Go check out her blog, Lucy is amazing!)
I always hope that I read new-to-me authors every month and getting book box subscriptions really helps with that so thought it would be nice to look back and see what new authors I’d read this month.
No this isn’t as it seems, it’s not a book called Romancing the Radiant but a book I loved that had a romance in it where one of them was a radiant (you’ll see what I’ve done here!)
As it’s February I thought I’d do some posts about books with romances that I loved……
Auren and Commander Rip
Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy Gild Glint Gleam
Gold.
Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.
Even me.
King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him.
I read Gild in December 2021 after a recommendation from a friend. I ended up reading all 3 books in 2 days because I couldn’t get enough and now I’m on the countdown to book 4, Glow, which comes out here on 19th May. Commander Rip is just delish and he has fallen head over heels for Auren…..
“I’m glad you’re choosing you,” he says quietly.
“You are?”
“Yes, Goldfinch. Because I’m choosing you, too.”
You can get the candles and art prints from the pictures above from Flickerwix
Before an ambush by enemy soldiers, Lord Cassia was an engineer’s apprentice on a mission entrusted by the king. But when plague sweeps over the land, leaving countless dead and devastating the kingdom, even Cas’ title cannot save him from a rotting prison cell and a merciless sickness.
Three years later, Cas wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them.
When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer… one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with a brilliant young historian named Lena. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret—one that could threaten the kingdom’s newfound peace and plunge it back into war.
I joined in with the Fairyloot readalong and can say I really enjoyed this read!
Cas returns home after being a prisoner in an enemy countries land and he is not the person he used to be. He finds his brother and some other guests in their home!
And this is where our journey begins and we find out who Cassia really is. There’s secrets, twists, history, fantastic characters and world building and the writing was fab, it flowed so well!
As I said before, this was a great standalone and I really wouldn’t say no to more in this world!
No this isn’t as it seems, it’s not a book called Romancing the Rascal but a book I loved that had a romance in it where one of them was a rascal (but in a good way!!)
As it’s February I thought I’d do some posts about books with romances that I loved……
Will Herondale and Tessa Gray
The Infernal Devices Clockwork Angel Clockwork Prince Clockwork Princess
I read these books in early 2021 and I fell head over heels in love with Will! He is just so affectionate, so cheeky and up for adventure. He, Jem and Tessa made my heart swell but Will and Tessa officially own my heart.
And I am – I am catastrophically in love with you – Will to Tessa
Life is a book, and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read. I would read them together with you, as many as I can, before I die—Will to Tessa
A gruesome war results in the old gods’ departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Daughters Of Nri explores their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another.
Strong-willed Naala grows up seeking adventure in her quiet and small village. While the more reserved Sinai resides in the cold and political palace of Nri. Though miles apart, both girls share an indestructible bond: they share the same blood, the same face, and possess the same unspoken magic, thought to have vanished with the lost gods.
The twin girls were separated at birth, a price paid to ensure their survival from Eze Ochichiri, the man who rules the Kingdom of Nri. Both girls are tested in ways that awaken a mystical, formidable power deep within themselves. Eventually, their paths both lead back to the mighty Eze.
But can they defeat the man who brought the gods themselves to their knees?
Firstly can we talk about this absolutely beautiful cover? I fell in love with it!
I listened to the audio and the narrator was amazing.
Twins, Naala and Sinai were separated at birth due to what they are and put in separate lives. They grow up thinking they are human and this story is their journey to their task to defeat Eze, the evil ruler of the Kingdom of Nri.
The writing was beautiful and just descriptive enough. I loved the world that was created and I also loved the twins, they were so strong after all they have been through.
I really could’ve done with a bit of a faster plot for the first three quarters of the book but I did appreciate the detail and also the little romance there, it made my heart sing and want more of it!!!
I just found out the next book is out so I’m diving straight in!
CJRTB Books 