Tag: bookreview

A Forgery of Fate Review

📚✨ A FORGERY OF FATE by Elizabeth Lim
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

This is a GORGEOUS book! Let’s just take a moment to appreciate the cover—the art, the gold-foiled edges… chef’s kiss. This one is a display piece and a beautiful story.

If you’ve been following the promos, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with deep roots in Chinese folklore, and I absolutely devoured it. Elizabeth Lim takes a familiar tale and spins it into something rich, smart, and full of heart.

And now let’s talk spice… 🌶️
This book is spicy, but not in the steamy sense, unless, like me, you’re a fan of chili peppers. 😂 There’s definitely tension, lusting, and yearning that totally satisfies if you love a slow-burn romance, but no open-door scenes here. Perfect for readers who prefer clean romantasy with heat of a different kind.

🖤 SPOILER SECTION BELOW 🖤

Let’s get into the juicy bits.

Tru was such a standout. Funny, smart, brave, and intensely loyal, even when her family didn’t deserve her. She gave this story so much heart, and I loved how her wit balanced out the darker, heavier parts of the plot. She’s the kind of heroine you root for instantly and keep rooting for until the last page.

And can we discuss the tie-ins to the Six Crimson Cranes duology? The references to Kiata, to Seryu, pure joy! I loved how those details felt like little gifts for longtime readers, while still making complete sense in this new context. It’s intricately woven and completely satisfying.

Then there’s Elang… ugh, I loved him. Half-dragon face or not, that grumpy demeanor melted away perfectly. Watching Tru fall for him (and us right along with her) was so rewarding. That slow burn was just the right kind of painful, and his arc unfolded in such a soft, satisfying way. The banter. The tension. The longing. All of it.

As for the ending… yes. That twist? It surprised me in the best way. It gave the whole story a final punch of emotion and just the right amount of unpredictability. The last third of the book was impossible to put down.

Elizabeth Lim proves again that she’s a queen of yearning, slow burn, and fate-driven romance wrapped in magical, high-stakes fantasy. I closed the book feeling full but also already hoping for more in this world.

Posted on by Author Adelaide Green 0

The Twisted Throne Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Spoilers ahead!)

This book took me a little while to finish; not because it wasn’t good, but because, well, life. And honestly? I regret not giving it my full attention from the start. I went in thinking, “Oh no, not another ‘wrong brother’ trope.” (Looking directly at you, Powerless.) But The Twisted Throne took that setup and flipped it on its head in a way that totally surprised me and I loved that.

Ahnna is the standout for me. She’s fierce, funny, strategic, and doesn’t wait around to be saved. She doesn’t compromise her strength for romance, and I live for that energy in a female lead. Watching her push back, take control, and still be vulnerable made her feel real.

James… whew. He had me from the beginning. He’s thoughtful, noble, and genuinely respects Ahnna for who she is. The slow-burn tension between them worked for me and let’s be honest, he’s got that quiet strength + emotional depth combo thats easy to fall hard for.

Spoilers ahead:

The ending was a rollercoaster. For a moment, I thought we were headed for a tidy little happily-ever-after. NOPE. That twist? I gasped. But here’s the thing James doubting her? James. James. WHY would you not believe her?? After everything they went through, all that growth, all that love and he doubts her?? Sir, your stepmother has been shady AF from day one and you know it. You love this woman. You fought for her. USE THAT BEAUTIFUL HEAD OF YOURS.

Danielle Jensen, you’ve done it again. I’m hooked, I’m mad, I’m swooning, and I need the next book yesterday. This is epic fantasy romance at its finest; layered characters, gut-punch twists, and a heroine who owns every inch of her story.

Posted on by Author Adelaide Green 0

Shield of Sparrows Review

★★★★★ — Favorite Read of 2025

This book deserves the hype. Devney Perry absolutely slayed with Shield of Sparrows, and I’m officially joining the obsessed fan club. This has hands down been my favorite read of the year.

Enemies to lovers? It’s my favorite trope and wow, it delivered. The tension, the banter, the chemistry, it had me kicking my feet and screaming.

The world-building? Chef’s kiss. The characters? Chef’s kiss. The plot twists? Literal chef’s kiss. Every layer of this story was crafted to pull me in, and it worked. I devoured this book in record time. I lost sleep. I skipped chores. It takes a lot to make me stop pretending to be a functioning adult, but this book had me fully unhinged in the best way.

Spoilers ahead — stop reading if you haven’t picked it up yet!

I did not see it coming that her husband wasn’t who she thought he was, we were all relived right?! That twist had my jaw on the floor. And then the ending with the girl who had her same hair color used as a crux?? My brain short-circuited. Devney Perry has me in a chokehold until the next one drops.

It was emotionally intense, high-stakes book. It was haunting, romantic, wild, and full of those tiny details that linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.

If you haven’t read it go now. If you have let’s scream together.

Posted on by Author Adelaide Green 0

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales Book Review

Where do I even begin? Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Tales has cemented its place as a beloved series by me. It’s a cozy adventure that it’s easy to jump into. As a young girl, I was utterly obsessed with fairies, their magic, and the mystical world they inhabited. Reading about Emily Wilde felt like stepping into a dream – she embodies the adventurous, scholarly spirit I always longed for. She has my “dream job” of researching faeries.

Heather Fawcett has masterfully crafted a world that feels both familiar and utterly unique, and this third installment continues to deliver that magic. The portrayal of faeries is spot-on, capturing their inherent trickery, their connection to stories, and the way they weave themselves into the very fabric of existence. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a fantasy world that feels so grounded in folklore and authentic to the myths we know.

The journey with Emily and Wendell, which has developed wonderfully over the course of the series, was a delightful rollercoaster. Their dynamic, from prickly academic rivals to something much deeper, was beautifully developed. I found myself completely invested in their relationship, cheering for them every step of the way. And let’s not forget Shadow and Orga! Those characters added so much depth and charm to the story. Shadow’s ending, in particular, brought tears to my eyes – a testament to how deeply Fawcett made me care for even the animal side kicks.

This series isn’t about spice; it’s about heart. It’s about the tender moments, the quiet discoveries, and the profound connections that form between people and the magical world around them. Fawcett’s writing is elegant and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the Otherlands and its inhabitants. 

Heather Fawcett has created something truly special with the Compendium of Tales series. These characters will stay with me long after I’ve turned the final page. I’ll miss Emily, Wendell, Shadow, Orga, and the enchanting world they inhabit. If you’re looking for a beautifully written, heartfelt fantasy that will transport you to another realm, look no further. This series, and this third book, are an absolute gem.


Posted on by Author Adelaide Green 0

Onyx Storm review **Spoilers***

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Spoilers Ahead

An Unpopular Opinion: Onyx Storm Fell Flat for Me

Look, I know I’m probably in the minority here, but “Onyx Storm” just didn’t resonate with me the way the previous “Empyrean” series books did. I’m a dedicated fan, and I’ll absolutely continue with the series, but this installment felt like a significant dip in quality.

My main issue? It felt like a rehash of “Iron Flame,” lacking the forward momentum I craved. It felt like a filler book, stretching out existing plot points without significantly advancing the overarching narrative. I couldn’t shake the feeling that “Iron Flame” and “Onyx Storm” could have been condensed into a tighter, more impactful single volume.

Perhaps diving in without a fresh reread of the first two books contributed to my disconnect, but it shouldn’t have been necessary. The pacing felt off, and the plot felt meandering. Many readers have expressed similar sentiments, noting a lack of substantial plot progression. The book felt too long for what the story was, with too many side plots that didn’t contribute to the main story.

I appreciate the continued world-building and the expansion of the “Empyrean” universe, but I was left wanting more regarding significant reveals and character development. The introduction of various side character deaths that I struggled to recall highlighted a potential character depth and engagement issue. Some of the new points of view felt underdeveloped and difficult to connect with, further contributing to the feeling of a scattered narrative.

While the ending certainly left us with a cliffhanger, it lacked the same level of excitement and anticipation I experienced with previous books. It felt more like a forced pause than a genuine cliffhanger that left me desperately needing the next installment. In some ways it really didn’t feel earned to me.

“Onyx Storm” felt, dare I say, a bit lazy compared to the previous books. It lacked the spark and urgency that made “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” so compelling. I sincerely hope the next installment recaptures the magic and delivers the impactful storytelling I’ve come to expect from this series. While I remain a fan, this book was a definite disappointment.



View all my reviews

Posted on by Author Adelaide Green 0