Monstrous by Nicole M. Rubino

Title: Monstrous

Author: Nicole M. Rubino

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Monstrous # 1

Paperback, 466 pages 

Publication: January 17, 2024

Source: Personal Library
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Monstrous claws weren't the type of gift I’d been expecting for my eighteenth birthday, along with the desire to eat my ex-boyfriend. Yet those beastly traits and carnivorous urges are the exact reason I’m here, at Alystair University.

Alystair University was all I heard about growing up. Its prestige and exclusivity could rival any Ivy League. But that’s not the real reason that sets the school apart from others. Everyone at this school is a monster. Like me.

I should feel safe here. This school will afford me the opportunity to hone my monstrous abilities and curb my carnivorous urges. Not to mention, I have a fierce girl gang by my side, guiding me every step of the way.

But then decapitated bodies start showing up on campus. Someone is killing off students, and in a school full of monsters, everyone is a suspect. Yet all eyes are on Nick Cervallos, a boy whose charm is as deadly as his claws.

And who I can’t seem to stay away from.

Despite danger lurking around every corner, I’m determined to prove Nick’s innocence. But in order to do that, I’ll have to let my monstrous side loose. I just don’t know what I’m more afraid of - coming face to face with a blood-thirsty monster…

Or myself.

MY THOUGHTS

I went into Monstrous completely unaware, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. A college full of monsters? But not just any monsters, reborn Greek monsters from myths and legends. How fascinating. To be honest, I haven't read any book yet that has done justice to Greek Mythology and there has been quite a few of them lately (not including Percy Jackson Series). 

Within the first few chapters I was hooked. The author quicky introduced and cemented Rhi and her girl gang. I love seeing the easy-going friendship and sisterhood that developed early on. The girls were closed right from the start to the very end. I haven't read friendships like this for a while in books. It's usually all about the romantic relationships. Which was refreshing. While Rhi and the girls learn about their monster history and abilities; they're also busy trying to find a murderer on campus that's targeting girls. I'm not sure if this series was labeled as 'Horror' but some of the description and scenes were pretty detailed and gruesome. I should have expected that, especially since this was a book about... monsters. 

Rhi wasn't a perfect character, but I still liked her a lot. She was always trying to protect the people she loved, even if she didn't go about, it the right way most of the time. I also liked Nick, the love interest for the most part. He was always an enigma, but the ending had me speechless! I can't wait to see what happens next. I absolutely adored all the girls, even Kass. One surprising thing about Monstrous was despite some of the scary and serious parts; this book was quite funny. I laughed so much. Rhi was a freaking comedian. 

Monstrous took me by complete surprise and I enjoyed it more than I anticipated. The book was very well written and kept me engaged throughout. There was never a bored moment. I can't wait to pick up the sequel, Venomous which releases next month, October 2024! I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something different and unique; a reprieve from all the Romantasy on the market right now. I am shocked there isn't more noise and hype about this book. Give this book a shot, you won't regret it!

By the Orchid and the Owl by Mariah Montoya

Title: By the Orchid and the Owl 

Author: Mariah Montoya 

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Esholian Institute #1

Paperback, 415 pages

Publication: April 3, 2024

Source: Personal Library
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On the island of Eshol, a ruling council gifts magic to all its citizens — whether they want it or not.

Eighteen-year-old Rayna Drey should be excited for her Branding, when the island’s Good Council will infuse her blood with one of five sanctioned the ability to wield elements, summon objects, shift forms, talk to wildlife, or manipulate minds. The Good Council is good. The Branding doesn’t hurt. And the institution she must attend afterward, to learn how to control her new gift, is only a little dangerous.

Or, at least, that’s what Rayna has always heard. As soon as she arrives at the Esholian Institute, however, a peer-pressured dare makes her explode with a power as deadly as it is forbidden. Worse yet, the only one who can teach her how to hide it from the Good Council is Coen Steeler, a much-too-handsome fifth-year who can manipulate minds as easily as he breathes. He alone understands Rayna’s forbidden power…because he has the same one.

With their secret in each other’s hands, Rayna soon uncovers other dark secrets that threaten the very foundation of the island itself. And the worst of them? If the Good Council finds out what lurks in her and Coen’s blood, they’ll both face a fate beyond obedience — and a punishment worse than death.

MY THOUGHTS

I've had By the Orchid and the Owl on my TBR list for a while now. I didn't know much about the story but only heard great things about it. The book reminded me of an adult version of Harry Potter, except the characters are aged up with powers bestowed upon them through a magical brand. 

On the island of Eshol, when a person turns eighteen, they are whisked away to The Institute to be trained. Everyone is branded with a magical iron poker; and whichever magic is manifested lets them know which of the four houses they will be part of for the next five years. The houses consist of: Mind Powers, Power to talk to animals, shifters and elementals. I thought the overall premise and worldbuilding was interesting initially. I'm a suck for stories with school settings, no matter the genre. But it was a letdown in the end.

The book started out a bit slow as the world was set, and we're introduced to the different houses and peoples' powers. For majority of the book, we see the characters in their class environments and take tests to help develop their abilities. The book takes place over the course of a year. I would have thought a lot would happen in a year, but it doesn't. Halfway through the book I realized that this book is very low stakes and borderlines cozy fantasy...which isn't my cup of tea, unfortunately. It was literally class, test, parties and bullies' showdowns. 

Right from the start, we're shown that Rayna, the heroine, from a rural village is a special snowflake. She's powerful and advanced than majority of the student if not her entire house. There's little to no growth in the first book and while I know it's only the first book; there's just nothing memorable about Rayna (As I started this review, I had to go back and find her name because I already forgot after a couple of days). I also didn't care for the love interest, either. Also don't remember his name. But He was a mashup of everything we currently see and read in the Romantasy genre. Seen it all before. Thankfully, not another "Shadow Daddy" lol. 

I thought the whole pirate and faerie combination was weird. I guess because everyone lives on an island, we had to add in pirates? I don't know. I didn't like it nor care for it. I felt like it was just a useless plot device to explain 'Hey, you're special and not from here...you came from outside with the pirates'. 

By the Orchid and the Owl ultimately was just an okay read. Nothing special or memorable. The story was slow, stakes were low that I eventually didn't care about the plot or characters. I don't plan on continuing with the series but if you're interested and you have KU, I suggest reading on there for free/t to try out because this is not a book, I think many would reread.

Beyond the Aching Door by Victoria Mier

Title: Beyond the Aching Door

Author: Victoria Mier

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Fatebound Duology #1

Paperback, 532 pages 

Publication: March 26, 2024

Source: Personal Library
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A mortal journalist. A mysterious series of drownings. An exiled Fey king. A forgotten Fatesong. A single, desperate chance to save magic from extinction.All Raegan Maeve Overhill wants is to survive another October. It's the anniversary of the worst thing that ever happened to the unsolved disappearance of her father nearly two decades ago. But when mysterious drownings grip the city of Philadelphia, Raegan sets her mourning rituals aside for a career-making opportunity to lead her newspaper's investigation.

Her hunt for answers takes her to the city's shadowy places where magical beings appear in puddles, the Fair Folk offer bargains, and magic is very, very real. When Raegan uncovers a startling connection to her father’s disappearance, she knows she can’t just return to her normal life without uncovering the truth. To get it, though, she’ll need to make a deal with the dark, deadly and alluring Unseelie Fae King—and do her best to ignore their dangerous attraction to one another.

MY THOUGHTS

DNF @ 32%

I was really looking forward to this book. I haven't found any good Urban Fantasy being written nowadays. And it saddens me to say this wasn't it either. The writing was all telling instead of showing. It was so distracting being told exactly what the heroine was doing line by line. As if the readers were too unintelligent to figure out what was happening in a scene.

I absolutely loathed Raegan from the start. She is truly an unlikable character with not a single redeeming quality. We're told she's 30 or so but she acted like an immature child with anger issues. Literal tantrums being thrown. It was very off-putting. As for the love interest, he was as bland as a cardboard box. Readers again were told over and over like the author was trying to knock it into our heads that the two are long lost love. I got it...after the n-th time it was mentioned. But even so, after being told that I didn't feel the chemistry between the two. It was all very weird and unbelievable.

This book was an unexpected disappointment. Was really hyped for a new fae urban fantasy instead I got a lackluster novel with terrible characters.

Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich

Title: Lady of Darkness

Author: Melissa K. Roehrich

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Lady of Darkness # 1

Paperback, 538 pages 

Publication: March 1, 2020

Source: Personal Library
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A CAGE.

Owned by a ruthless Assassin Lord, Scarlett Monrhoe and her two sisters have been trained since they were children to torture and take life. They are the most feared trio on the continent, but they are also wild and unpredictable. A tragic night has Scarlett finding herself locked away in a noble's household, trapped and forgotten, until she's ready to fall into line.

A CHOICE.

Until the day she is presented with a job. If she completes the assignment, her payment will be something she has coveted for ten years. Revenge against the Fae Fire Prince who brutally killed her mother ten years ago. Is she willing to sacrifice her ideals for retribution?

A MYSTERY.

But when children begin disappearing from her home, all her plans are put on hold as she races to save the most innocent. With the help of old friends, a jilted lover, and a mysterious newcomer who claims the magic of the Fae is possible in the mortal lands, Scarlett delves into the darkest corners of the world. Forgotten secrets will come to light, and she will discover the darkness extends far beyond her own kingdom.

MY THOUGHTS

I've started and stopped reading Lady of Darkness a handful of times over the last two years. I don't quite remember why though whether it was the book or just my mood. But I finally read and finished the book! The beginning of the book was slow, and I didn't really like Scarlet all that much. I had to remind myself that she's 18-years old or so and is basically an immature child. Ironic that she's part of an assassin syndicate and she's one of their top members. The more I read, I realized that the author's Legacy series is a spinoff or based off the same world as Lady of Darkness. And I actually read The Legacy series before reading this book. Which I guess it helped me understand the world building easier. 

I noticed many similarities between Scarlett and The Legacy's heroine, Tessa. They're literally the same character just in a different timeline. With that said, having finished Lady of Darkness, I'm not sure how I feel about Scarlet. I didn't like her at the beginning and towards the end there wasn't much improvement. I plan to continue with the series and hope that changes and we see more personal development and growth for Scarlet. I also didn't really care for Sorin. I understood the immediate obsession, borderline instalove but he read like all the other typical MMC I've read. Nothing stands out about Sorin, not even being the Fire Prince. 

I thought the plot and writing was well-done, not surprising considering how much I enjoyed Roehrich's Legacy series. I am interested in continuing this series to see what happens next with the characters after the revelation about Scarlet. Lady of Darkness while not as strong as The Legacy, I believe it could get better once I get further into the series. Overall, it was a decent series opener. 

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Title: The Falconer

Author: Elizabeth May

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Falconer # 1 

Hardcover, 378 pages 

Publication: September 19, 2013

Source: Personal Library
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She's a stunner. Edinburgh, 1844. Eighteen-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, has everything a girl could dream of: brains, charm, wealth, a title—and drop-dead beauty.

She's a liar. But Aileana only looks the part of an aristocratic young lady. she's leading a double life: She has a rare ability to sense the sìthíchean—the faery race obsessed with slaughtering humans—and, with the aid of a mysterious mentor, has spent the year since her mother died learning how to kill them.

She's a murderer. Now Aileana is dedicated to slaying the fae before they take innocent lives. With her knack for inventing ingenious tools and weapons—from flying machines to detonators to lightning pistols—ruthless Aileana has one goal: Destroy the faery who destroyed her mother.

She's a Falconer. The last in a line of female warriors born with a gift for hunting and killing the fae, Aileana is the sole hope of preventing a powerful faery population from massacring all of humanity. Suddenly, her quest is a lot more complicated. She still longs to avenge her mother's murder—but she'll have to save the world first..

MY THOUGHTS

The Falconer series has been on my TBR list for over 10 years. But I always knew it was a series I wanted to get into eventually. And I'm so glad I finally did. The Falconer, the first book in a trilogy takes place in 1800s in Edinburgh, Scotland. Our heroine, Aileana Kameron is a debutant by day and fae-slayer by night. What drives Aileana is finding her mother's murderer. I used the term 'Fae-slayer' because the entire book had Buffy vibes; all you have to do is just substitute the vampires with faeries.  

The beginning of the book was quite slow and took a while to get into. I didn't find Aileana's high society life very interesting. And the faerie slaying night after night got monotonous. It wasn't until Aileana's two world collided that thing got more riveting...but just by a smidgen. I somewhat enjoyed the chemistry between Aileana and Kiaran but no matter how much I read; I felt like something was missing. Something we missed between the two because they went from hot/cold to flirty to full-blown I worship thee. It didn't make sense, nor did it feel like a natural progression. However, the author recently said she is rewriting the series as it was intended; meaning it was supposed to be an adult romantasy not young adult. I think if I read the author's original adult version I would like it more. 

The characters and world building are pretty minimal and lackluster. I didn't feel like enough time or thought were put into their character development and the foundation of the world was weak. The only standout to the first book was derek, Aileana's faerie friend that resides in her closet. All in all, I thought The Falconer was an okay, decent read. There's just enough substance and a cliff-hanger that has me possibly picking up the sequel. But I may wait until the revised edition comes out before I continue with the series.