We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark

Title: We Who Will Die

Author: Stacia Stark

Genre: Romantasy

Series: Empire of Blood # 1

423 pages, Hardcover

Publication: December 30, 2025

Source: Libby Library

Buy|AMAZON|

Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

MY THOUGHTS

I am a big fan of Stark’s Deals with Demons and was excited to hear she was writing a new book. Gladiators and vampires with The Hunger Games vibes sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, We Who Will Die was a major disappointment for me.

I believe this book was meant to be set in the Roman Empire, or something similar but I never once got that impression. The only small hint might be the fighting in the coliseum, but that alone could apply to many settings. The world-building was all over the place, and the magic aspect was incredibly underwhelming.

This book was soooooo boring. I kept waiting for it to get better, even at 75% and it never did. I didn’t care about the plot or the characters. The storyline felt extremely generic, and while there are countless books featuring competitions or trials, this was by far the dullest execution I’ve ever read. The first two trials happened within just a couple of chapters, which was completely anticlimactic, and the final trial was so quick and uneventful that I almost missed it. Honestly, I’m not sure why the book was as long as it was, because there was barely any action or suspense. Even the reveal of who was behind Bran was unsurprising and by the time I reached the end, I simply didn’t care anymore.

I didn’t like or care about Arvelle (what an atrocious name). She’s yet another typical rage-filled character, constantly raging against society, norms, or whatever else. One thing she did over and over again that annoyed the heck out of me was constantly daydreaming or zoning out in what were supposed to be life-or-death situations. For example, she’s training and fighting against another competitor, they’re charging straight at her, and she’s completely spaced out. Then, during one of the trials, her opponent is wielding a sword and aiming straight for her head but she’s busy reminiscing about the past. Like, what the heck? There was absolutely no sense of awareness or self-preservation at all. And then there's the love triangle or love interests, who were about as interesting as a cardboard box. Could they be any more humdrum? I also guessed early on that they were brothers...again, boring and predictable.

There was nothing redeeming or worthwhile about We Who Will Die. It’s easily one of the most unoriginal and boring books I’ve read in the last few years. The use of gladiators and vampires was completely wasted on a lackluster plot and underwhelming characters. This book is absolutely nothing like The Hunger Games, not even in vibes.

Broken Loyalty by K.N. Banet

Title: Broken Loyalty

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 3

368 pages, Paperback

Publication: April 15, 2020

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Buy|AMAZON|

I'm a member of the strongest werecat family alive; a family that commands the loyalty of every werecat that walks the face of the earth. They are the definition of power, and no one has dared challenge that for millennia. It’s not a legacy I’m always comfortable with, but it’s the one I was given the day Hasan decided to change me into a werecat. I’m resolved to do my best with my new responsibilities.

Others have been watching me and my family. Rogue werecats are now testing my territory borders and putting those I care about at risk. As the events grow stranger, I can feel the tension mount. I have this nagging feeling that my family is about to learn a valuable lesson and it’s coming for me first.

My name is Jacky Leon and my family’s enemies have a message for us.

Loyalty is worthless when it’s broken.

MY THOUGHTS

Broken Loyalty is the third book in the Jacky Leon series. After defeating the vampire nest in Washington, Hasan believes Jacky has more than proven herself to the family and deserves greater responsibility. As a result, she’s appointed as the family’s representative for North and South America. But that’s not all, the family also decides Jacky could be using her time more wisely and assigns two employees to help her run Kick Shot. Still, it’s rarely a quiet time for Jacky, especially when rogue werecats begin appearing in her territory.

This book is all about the werecats. We finally get to see and learn more about these elusive supernaturals and their complicated relationships with one another and with other sects. I was happy to see Jacky’s family take center stage in this third installment, though that did mean Heath and his family took a backseat for much of the book. Hasan finally gives Jacky some long-awaited answers, especially regarding why she was saved and not Shane. We also learn more about Davors, Zuri, and Niko. The family is eclectic, and the more I read about them, the more pleasantly surprised I became. They’re also genuinely funny, when you forget they’re an ancient and powerful race, at their core they’re just like a typical dysfunctional family.

So far, this series has been a slow burn, and I absolutely love that. I really appreciate Banet taking the time to build Jacky and Heath’s relationship, allowing the characters to truly get to know one another instead of rushing into anything. Like the characters themselves, the relationship feels authentic and real, and when things do happen, they carry real emotional weight. I am tired, TIRED of reading about baseless and inorganic relationships in fantasy, where characters jump into bed within the first book (if that's your thing, cool but it's not my preference). The gradual growth between Jacky and Heath is refreshing, and I’m excited to see how their relationship evolves over the course of the series.

Broken Loyalty is another strong and solid addition to the series, and I plan to pick up the next book ASAP.

Family and Honor by K.N. Banet

Title: Family and Honor

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 2

356 pages, Paperback

Publication: November 15, 2019

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Buy|AMAZON|

I got away with it. Carey and her family are safe and I survived to tell the tale. Now I’m the only werecat in the supernatural community that can say a small family of werewolves lives in my borders. But, in the effort of saving Carey and helping her father, I had to begin shedding the secrets that kept me safe for years.

My identity is out there now. As one of Hasan’s children, more is expected of me and I had no idea what sort of repercussions would come from my decisions. Werecats are reporting problems all over the world and when two go missing, I can’t avoid the feeling of guilt.

My name is Jacky Leon and I am a child of Hasan, ruler of the werecats. I have to learn how to live up to the obligations and expectations of my family before more people die.

MY THOUGHTS

Family and Honor is the second book in the Jacky Leon series. After the events in Dallas, the supernatural world is never the same, as more people become aware of werecats and seek their protection for their own humans. When two werecats are found deceased, Jacky’s brother, Jabari, is sent to investigate. But after the family hasn’t heard from him for a week, Jacky is sent to uncover what happened to the murdered werecats and to find her brother.

If you aren’t familiar with urban fantasy, most series tend to follow a similar format. There’s usually an overarching storyline, but each book feels more episodic, with a new problem or mystery introduced and resolved by the end. In Oath Sworn, readers were introduced to werewolves, and in this installment, vampires enter the picture. Like the first book, it was incredibly easy to get immersed in Jacky’s world.

This series is very character-driven, and thankfully, for once I genuinely love all of the characters. One of the best parts of Family and Honor (as the title suggests) is finally getting to see more of Jacky’s werecat family. They’re a fascinating bunch, and I can’t wait to learn more about each sibling. Since Jacky sets out to find Jabari, the oldest sibling, he’s the first one we truly get to know. Jabari, a.k.a. The General, is exactly what you’d expect from that moniker: a strict, no-nonsense warrior who’s nearly three thousand years old. A scary sonavib*tch but by the end of the book, I was firmly Team Jabari. Of course, also Team Jacky and Team Heath.

Jacky continues to impress me, constantly proving she’s not someone to mess with yet everyone around her keeps underestimating her. She’s such a great and realistic character, and that’s a big reason why this series stands out and remains so enjoyable. She feels authentic, which is refreshing in a sea of cookie-cutter FMCs fueled solely by feminine rage that I've been seeing left and right. So much so, it's like its own trope now.

I am officially hooked on this series and have already started book three! I can’t wait to see what Banet has in store for these characters next. Once again, if you haven’t checked out this series yet, please do, it’s amazing.

Onyx Cage Vol. 2 by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison

Title: Onyx Cage Vol. 2

Author: Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Lochlann Feuds # 2

Paperback, 802 Pages 

Publication: January 17, 2025

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

I should have been happy when she left.

My clan avoided a war. I avoided the constant liability that was her presence in my life. And she avoided bloodshed at my father’s hands.

It should have been a clean break. But then I find out she’s about to marry my enemy—and I don’t even think before I head for Lochlann to stop her.

She can pretend all she wants. Pretend she’s free of me. Pretend she’s starting over.

But one way or another, I own her. And I intend to make sure she remembers that.

MY THOUGHTS

The Lochlann Feuds is one of my favorite series. I finished Onyx Cage, Volume 1 toward the end of last year and loved it, no surprise there and I’ve finally gotten around to Onyx Cage, Volume 2. This volume is told from Evander’s POV and covers the events of Crimson Kingdom and Obsidian Throne. What I enjoy most about Onyx Cage is getting to revisit favorite scenes from Evander’s perspective, as well as seeing where he was and what he was thinking during moments when he wasn’t present in the original books. What I’ve come to realize, though, is that he’s always thinking about Rowan. Period.

For the most part, I did enjoy Onyx Cage, Volume 2, but it felt far too long. It was significantly longer than Volume 1, almost double in length and, in my opinion, unnecessarily so. Many scenes felt like filler and dragged on without adding much to the story. As I mentioned earlier, Evander is constantly thinking about Rowan, which makes sense, but after 400 pages it started to feel repetitive and redundant. I found myself losing interest halfway through and struggling to finish. This wasn’t because I already knew how the story ended, I re-read books all the time but because some parts of the story simply work better when left in Rowan’s POV.

Despite all of that, I’m still grateful the authors gave us the option to experience the series from Evander’s perspective. I don’t regret reading it, and it’s possible my opinion will change on a future re-read. I may have simply read it too close together and too soon. Overall, it was a decent read.

Oath Sworn by K.N. Banet

Title: Oath Sworn

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 1

356 pages, Paperback

Publication: July 15, 2019

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Buy|AMAZON|

I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.

I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.

But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.

My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.

MY THOUGHTS

I’m always on the lookout for a great urban fantasy series, but I honestly haven’t found one that truly hit for me since the early 2000s, think 2006–2010. So it’s probably no surprise that I’m in a fantasy Facebook group, and it was there that someone recommended the Jacky Leon series. They compared it to Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews and Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, my two all-time favorite series. Those are huge shoes to fill, in my opinion. I’ve seen plenty of urban fantasy series compared to them before, but none have ever actually come close. Until now. Whoever recommended this series, may you be blessed by the book fairy. The Jacky Leon series has everything I love to read about and everything I adore about the urban fantasy genre.

Like all urban fantasy, magic and the supernatural exist alongside our modern, real world. In Oath Sworn, we’re introduced to Jacky Leon, a bar owner in Texas who also happens to be a rare and special supernatural, a werecat. While the world is populated with werewolves, vampires, and fae, I loved that our main heroine isn’t your typical lion or jaguar shifter, but something far more unique: a prehistoric saber-toothed werecat. Werecats are rare in urban fantasy, with only one well-known series coming to mind, so discovering them here was a huge win for me.

The worldbuilding is easy to follow and refreshingly straightforward. Banet does an excellent job of laying the foundation for both the characters and the world, weaving in history and background without ever bogging the story down with info-dumping. At the same time, the plot is engaging and compelling, keeping me glued from the very first page all the way to the end.

One of the biggest and most delightful surprises was discovering that Jacky is thirty-six. Finding a heroine in her mid-thirties is incredibly rare, and it made her feel instantly realistic and relatable. Jacky is an amazing protagonist; far from perfect, but mature, independent, fiercely loyal, and an all-around badass with a big heart. That’s not to say she won’t fight dirty or do whatever needs to be done, because she absolutely will and she’s unapologetic about it. It’s so refreshing to read about a self-aware, confident woman who knows who she is and what she stands for. Honestly, this kind of character feels sorely missing in today’s fantasy.

I also absolutely loved the supporting cast. Every character feels well-written and fully fleshed out. Hasan and his family are fascinating, and I can’t wait to learn more about him and his children. Heath, Carey, and Landon are a breath of fresh air, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics. I’m especially excited to see how these relationships develop as the series continues.

Oath Sworn was the perfect way to start the new year, and I can already tell this series is going to be a new favorite. The Jacky Leon series has everything I love about urban fantasy: a strong, capable protagonist, a fantastic magic system, compelling supernatural politics, and at its heart, a story about family, friendship, and the bonds we choose. I can’t wait to start the next book. I’m honestly shocked that I’m only discovering this series now. It deserves so much more attention and love. If you love urban fantasy as much as I do, I highly, highly recommend picking up Oath Sworn. You won’t be disappointed.

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Title: Mate

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Bride # 2

457 pages, Paperback

Publication: October 7, 2025

Source: Personal Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

MY THOUGHTS

I read and enjoyed Bride last year and was excited when I heard there would be a sequel featuring none other than Misery’s BFF, Serena. However, since its release, the reviews have been a mixed bag, and I felt some trepidation about starting it. Still, I prefer to form my own opinions and don’t really listen to or care too much about what other readers think (at least not enough to sway whether I’ll read a book or not).

The dry humor I enjoyed with Misery is alive and well in the second book, with Serena, Koen, and Misery, of course. That said, I wasn’t immediately sold on Serena as the female lead the way I expected to be. I don’t recall how much page time she had in the first book, but I didn’t remember her being so immature and childish. The dry humor didn’t work in her favor, and I didn’t find her particularly endearing. As I continued reading, I also noticed that Hazelwood’s characters tend to be written in very similar ways, I didn’t feel like anyone truly stood out. Don’t get me wrong, it was an okay novel, and I did enjoy some scenes. However, on top of the mediocre characterization, the plot itself was also ridiculous.

For example, for a good third of the book, Serena believes she’s going to die and actively prepares for it, only to find out she isn’t dying at all but is actually in heat. Serena is so horny, she thinks she's dying...cue major eye-roll. That is one of the dumbest plot points I’ve ever read. Then there was the religious cult and her painfully obvious, predictable connection to it.

Koen, the love interest, gave me major ick. I didn’t understand why the author used immature, made-up words for him; it wasn’t funny or cute. I was honestly close to DNF-ing over the word “jizzmuffin.” Gag. I also didn’t like how he was mean to Serena and repeatedly told her he wasn’t interested, while consistently doing the exact opposite. Yes, I understand they’re mates. Yes, I understand the covenant pack rule. I still didn’t like it. Serena wasn’t much better: she spends most of the book convinced she’s dying, constantly reminding herself and Koen that they can never work and listing all the reasons why. Then, once they both decide to flip the bird to the rules and have a week-long screw-fest, they suddenly love each other and would die for one another. Yadda yadda yadda. It was hot-and-cold, unrealistic, and hard to believe, especially considering they’d only really known each other for a couple of weeks.

Oh, and speaking of “dying”; as weres, you’d think they’d be able to smell the difference if someone were truly on the verge of death. That’s literally been scientifically studied and proven in animals…just not in this book, apparently. That inconsistency annoyed me to no end.

As I said, Mate was a decent read, but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Bride, though, to be honest, my memory of Bride is now a bit fuzzy. For a book like Mate, it was awfully way too long. It had no business being as long as it was. I think this is the end of the road for me with Hazelwood’s books. I didn’t like the writing this time around, nor the characters or the plot. There were some good scenes and a few funny moments, but overall, it was a disappointing read.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and thePhilosopher's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Harry Potter # 1

223 pages, Hardcover 

Publication: June 26, 1997

Source: Personal Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

MY THOUGHTS

Harry Potter was published when I was still in middle school. Back then, I wasn’t the avid reader I am today, and reading didn’t interest me nearly as much. I did try to read it, though, I think my homeroom teacher actually read a chapter aloud to the class each day. Fast forward to November 2001, when the first movie was released in theaters worldwide. That’s when I finally became interested and eventually grew to love the films. Despite the books having been published for years and the movies long finished, I never read the series. I decided it was finally time, long overdue, especially since I’ve been reading fanfiction nonstop for the past year.

For the most part, the movie was very faithful to the book. As I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, I could easily see the film playing in my mind. Even though I already knew the story and how everything ends, I still enjoyed reading it. The book was quite short, under 250 pages and went by quickly. I can see why so many readers loved it when it first came out; it truly is magical, and in 1997 there really wasn’t anything else quite like it. I can’t wait to read book two!