Quicksilver by Callie Hart
In this captivating fantasy world, twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane survives by stealing. Her life changes dramatically when she confronts Death, inadvertently opening a gateway to the Fae realm. Now, she must navigate a dangerous conflict, bind herself to a mysterious warrior, and uncover her hidden powers.
This book was recommended to me by my friend, Phoebe. I was initially intimidated by how long it was and by the intense cover. However, it turned out to be one of the best books I’ve read this year. This book has the perfect mixture of romance and plot, and I was able to fall in love with each character. I was either laughing, crying, or smiling ear to ear at some point while reading this and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde
Some things aren’t supposed to exist outside of our imagination. Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse’s world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction. The New York City she knew so well collapsed practically overnight. In the wake of that carnage, the Monster Treaty was created. A truce…of sorts. But tonight, Kierse―a gifted and fearless thief―will break that treaty. She’ll enter the Holly Library…not knowing it’s the home of a monster. He’s charming. Quietly alluring. Terrifying. But he knows talent when he sees it; it’s just a matter of finding her price. Now she’s locked into a dangerous bargain with a creature unlike any other. She’ll sacrifice her freedom. She’ll offer her skills. Together, they’ll put their own futures at risk. But he’s been playing a game across centuries―and once she joins in, there will be no escape…
I originally bought The Wren in the Holly Library because I just thought it was such a pretty book (which it is) – but, now, I already have the second book pre-ordered and set to deliver in July! This book was such a fun read, and really easy to follow. The plot line was a bit predictable, and the first or second chapter was a little slow – but, KEEP READING! The male and female leads are definitely stereotypical – but the plot line makes up for it.
The Gilded Crown by Marianne Gordon
The first time Hellevir visited Death, she was ten years old… Since she was a little girl, Hellevir has been able to raise the dead. Every creature can be saved for a price, a price demanded by the shrouded figure who rules the afterlife, who takes a little more from Hellevir with each soul she resurrects. Such a gift can rarely remain a secret. When Princess Sullivain, sole heir to the kingdom’s throne, is assassinated, the Queen summons Hellevir to demand she bring her granddaughter back to life. But once is not enough; the killers might strike again. The Princess’s death would cause a civil war, so the Queen commands that Hellevir remain by her side. But Sullivain is no easy woman to be bound to, even as Hellevir begins to fall in love with her. With the threat of war looming, Hellevir must trade more and more of herself to keep the Princess alive. But Death will always take what he is owed.
I first heard about this book on GoodReads, and it ended up being one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read since The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Though there are some elements of romance, it focuses mostly on the main character and her adventures. This book definitely contains some darker themes, so I would encourage research for trigger warnings prior to reading. Each challenge and inner monologue the main character, Helliver, had was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the unrealistic realities authors depict for women. Each page of this book was like a poem, and I will most likely read it again at some point.
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English. Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence? Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?
This book was one I had heard about for a while on social media. I was hesitant to pick it up because it didn’t seem like my usual genre – however, it was definitely a roller coaster of emotions and beautifully written. While this book wasn’t one I wasn’t able to put down, it could easily be someone else’s. The writing is wonderful and very easy to follow. The story itself can be very dark at times, but there is an underlying theme of hope that keeps the readers attached and cheering on both main characters through to the end.
Death Bound by Heather Palmer
In the kingdom of Eynhallow, Princess Ythsie is preparing to choose a husband, in order to secure the kingdom’s future. Everything changes when Stroma, a skilled fighter from a remote village, becomes her new bodyguard. As mysterious deaths rock the palace, Ythsie and Stroma uncover a web of ancient magic and deadly court intrigue. The princess discovers she has a rare and dangerous gift – the ability to communicate with the Deathless, Eynhallow’s cursed undead army. Amidst the chaos, rivalry blossoms into romance between the princess and her loyal squire. With enemies closing in and the fate of the kingdom at stake, Ythsie and Stroma must navigate treacherous alliances, their growing feelings for each other, and their own destinies. How far will they go to protect their love and save their homeland?
I wanted to include an Audible book because I love to listen to audiobooks when I’m cleaning my room or doing other chores of the sort. This book was addictive to read! It is the type of book you read when you’re wanting something quick and easy to follow. Both characters are easy to fall in love with, and so is their blooming relationship throughout the book. The plot has multiple layers to it, however I found that each one made the book more interesting. There were chapters where I wanted things to pick up, but it made the chapters that did all the more exciting.