Mini ARCs Reviews

Title: A Heart So Fierce and Broken

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Release Date: 7 January 2020

Number of Pages: 464

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads Synopsis

Find the heir, win the crown.

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumours circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Rumoured to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen–until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

Moving on from the last book Emberfall is on the verge of collapse and Rhen is consumed by the search for the rumoured true heir but what he doesn’t know is that the heir and Grey are one and the same. This book follows Grey who is on the run as he has no intention of fighting Rhen or ruling Emberfall and feels that it is in his best interest to disappear. We also follow Lia Mara a new character who is the daughter of the Queen of Syhl Shallow just wants peace between their Kingdoms and believes Grey may be the key to this peace.

I really loved learning more about Grey and his background in this and Lia Mara is my new favourite character in this series and I loved seeing her grow throughout the book and I’m really excited to see how their story evolves.

This was a fast paced book, with great writing and enjoyable world building with and interesting cast of characters and I have to say I did not see the twist at the end coming.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and gave it 4.5 stars.

 

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Title: Dreamland

Author: Nancy Bilyeau

Publisher: Endeavour Media

Release Date: 16 January 2020

Number of Pages: 386

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Goodreads Synopsis

The year is 1911 when twenty-year-old heiress Peggy Batternberg is invited to spend the summer in America’s Playground.

The invitation to the luxurious Oriental Hotel a mile from Coney Island is unwelcome. Despite hailing from one of America’s richest families, Peggy would much rather spend the summer working at the Moonrise Bookstore than keeping up appearances with New York City socialites and her snobbish, controlling family.

But soon it transpires that the hedonism of nearby Coney Island affords Peggy the freedom she has been yearning for, and it’s not long before she finds herself in love with a troubled pier-side artist of humble means, whom the Batternberg patriarchs would surely disapprove of.

Disapprove they may, but hidden behind their pomposity lurks a web of deceit, betrayal and deadly secrets. And as bodies begin to mount up amidst the sweltering clamour of Coney Island, it seems the powerful Batternbergs can get away with anything…even murder.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

I was initially drawn to this book due to the cover and I can safely say I was not disappointed.

This novel follows heiress Peggy who is being forced by her family to send the summer at the Oriental Hotel when she would rather continue working as a shop girl at the Moonrise bookstore. Luckily for Peggy she manages to escape the stifling attentions for her family to visit Dreamland one of the three amusement parks on Coney Island where she meets struggling artist Stefan however, when girls start turning up dead around the Island and Stefan becomes the main suspect Peggy is determined to find the truth and prove his innocence however, as her investigation gets underway she finds out she has a bigger part to play than she originally thought and she might be next of the murder’s list.

This was such an interesting and enjoyable historical fiction that explores social class, crime against women and family expectations. The writing really helps to bring the setting to life, it’s full of interesting and intriguing characters and you won’t be able to put it down until you find out what is really going on.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

 

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Title: Blood Countess

Author: Lana Popovic

Publisher: ABRAMS Kids

Release Date: 28th January 2020

Number of Pages: 293

Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Horror

Goodreads Synopsis

In 16th century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend and confidante. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess takes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then come the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

This was an interesting and dark read. I had never heard of  the Countess Elizabeth Báthory so it was interesting to learn a little about her and her bloody life.

This is an interesting and dark read that follows Anna who has caught the eye of the Countess Elizabeth and is taken into her service however, Anna’s love for Elizabeth may be blinding her to the darker parts of Elizabeth’s psyche.

This was an enjoyable read though I did find my interest in the story waning at times. However I really loved the characters in this, learning about the thought processes behind their actions. I also loved the chemistry between Elizabeth and Anna and the many layers to their romance.

Overall, I gave this 3.5 stars.

 

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Have you read any of these? What did you thing of them?