ARC Review: The Solstice Court by Jade Juniper

Title: The Solstice Court
Author: Jade Juniper
Series: The Thrice Kingdom series
Genre: Fantasy/YA
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: September 20, 2024
Edition: Digital
Source: Received from the author for review
Pre-Order: Amazon US

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

   The Solstice Court had always felt like a dream, a shroud against the violence of the world.”
   Kezerah lives in a shroud of peace. Her kingdom is fruitful, her weather fair. She wants nothing more than to escape and explore the world beyond her castle walls.
   Yet, as the Soul Heir, the reincarnation of her people’s king, heavy expectations root Princess Kezerah in place. To lead her people, she must embrace her magic and maintain peace. A challenge made more difficult by the decade-long war that batters either side of her kingdom’s borders. She is expected to maintain her kingdom’s treaty to uphold peace with a show of complete neutrality. Neither the northern Kingdom of Alora nor the southern shores of Xenkesh may receive an ounce of favoritism.
   Kezerah balances these duties with uneven footing, up until the day both heirs —warring brothers—of the neighboring kingdoms arrive at her Autumn court.
Each brother demands not only her allegiance but also her affection, and Kezerah must decide which path she will take to create the future she desires.
   “Wake up. The Solstice Court is beautiful, but it's a dream and Elastor remains asleep rather than face the people dying right outside its walls.” 

*****

Review: Court of Tricksters by S.L. Prater

Title: Court of Tricksters
Author: S.L. Prater Victoria Aston (Narrator), Liam Price (Narrator)
Series: Fae Tricksters #1
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Publisher: Tantor Audio

Publication Date: October 24, 2023
Edition: Audiobook, 07:44:53 Runtime
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | BAM 

 

 

 Synopsis:

   Mating is a matter of politics for Night, not the heart. To prevent a forced union that will plunge the Lunar Court into war, he must find and bond his true mate.
  When he lays eyes on Rain, he knows the shy forest witch is the bond mate he's been searching for. Unprepared for the intensity of his attraction, Night makes an offer that would keep his priorities straight and his court safe: a marriage of convenience. Any eligible woman—mortal and immortal alike—would leap at the chance to become the powerful duke's bride.
  But Rain isn't interested.
She’s lived outside of society too long to ever fit into Night's world of shapeshifting tricksters and back-stabbing politicians. And Rain demands more than the trappings of marriage. She wants a match with heart.
  Night doesn't have the luxury of time to change his mate's mind. War looms closer and the Lunar Court is caught in the middle. Out of options, the fae duke sees only one choice.
Kidnap his bride.
The fae Duke of Night doesn't believe in love—but he'll claim his mate nonetheless.

************

Review: Daindreth's Outlaw by Elisabeth Wheatley

Title: Daindreth's Outlaw
Author: Elisabeth Wheatley
Series: Daindreth’s Assassin #2
Genre: Fantasy Romance/Adventure
Publisher: Avowed Publishing and Media, LLC
Publication Date: March 29, 2022
Edition: Kindle
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

She broke her curse, but can they break his?

   Amira Brindonu has done the impossible—she broke her own curse and rescued the imperial archduke from Empress Vesha’s witchcraft. Saving the man she loves should have been a good thing, but by doing so, Amira has upset the delicate pact between the cythraul demons of the Dread Marches and the Erymayan Empire, with far-reaching consequences she and Daindreth can only begin to understand.
   Now Amira and Daindreth are outlaws on the run. Their list of allies grows slim and their chances of outrunning Vesha’s agents even slimmer. They soon have no choice but to seek help from those who first cursed Daindreth’s father—the banished Istovari sorceresses.
   Amira is willing to do anything to free Daindreth from his curse—even bargain with the women who once offered her as a human sacrifice—but it soon becomes clear that she will not be the only one to face the cost.
   Every curse can be broken, but the price of breaking this one might be too high. Countless innocent lives across the empire are at stake, forcing Amira and Daindreth to decide just what—and who—they are willing to risk for a chance at freedom.

**************

Review: Daindreth's Assassin by Elisabeth Wheatley

Title: Daindreth's Assassin
Author: Elisabeth Wheatley
Series: Daindreth’s Assassin #1
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Publisher: Avowed Publishing and Media, LLC
Publication Date:  May 25, 2021
Edition: Kindle
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

   An assassin falls for the archduke she was sent to kill, but killing him might be the only way to save his soul.
   Magic has two immutable rules—every spell requires a sacrifice and every curse can be broken.
   Amira Brindonu is a sorceress turned assassin, bound in a curse that forces her to obey her father, even to the point of high treason. When he orders her to kill the future emperor, she fails, but discovers a secret that could bring the whole of the empire to its knees.
   The archduke is stricken by a curse that could sentence him and his people to damnation, but Amira could be the only key to breaking it. In a desperate last-ditch effort, the archduke takes Amira prisoner and makes a pact to protect her from her curse if she will help free him of his own.
   As time begins to run out, Amira soon learns that there are enemies that blades can't touch and there are fates worse than death. Caught in a web of sorcery, intrigue, and her growing feelings for the archduke, the assassin must decide just how much she is willing to give to save the only man she's ever loved.
   Every curse can be broken, but can two cursed people save each other? 

********************

Bulk Review: Manga

 

Since I already failed my goal this year 2 months ago to read more books I own and fewer from the library, I have finished zero books I own this year. Although this time I've been almost exclusively reading manga from my library so it feels less like a failure in a way. That aside, I have more manga to do a bulk review for. Some of these were good, some were meh, and two were terrible. The reason for the terrible ones is mostly the same.