Sunday, October 6, 2024

Into the Drowning Deep

         


Title: Into the Drowning Deep
Series: Rolling in the Deep #1
Author: Mira Grant
Published: Orbit, November 14, 2017
Pages: 562
Genre: LGBTQ Horror Science Fiction

The ocean is home to many myths, 

But some are deadly. . .

Seven years ago the 
Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a mockumentary bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a tragedy. 

Now a new crew has been assembled. But this time they're not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life's work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost. 

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. 

But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

This book is exceptionally spooky. It's beautifully well-written. I could not put it down for a single second. I mean, I guess for a single second. But it was tough, for sure! And I am DESPERATE to know what happens after this book. Like, no spoilers, but I have to know!!!! 

I think the romance in this book was actually for the sirens. Sure, Poppy and Tory are wonderful. But those sirens were DEVOTED. Could it have been biological imperative. Maybe. Does that make it less romantic? Maybe. Does that make me care less. Absolutely never.

Ratings
Stars: 5/5

        


Title: Rolling in the Deep
Series: Rolling in the Deep #0.5
Author: Mira Grant
Published: Subterranean Press, April 6, 2015
Pages: 79
Genre: LGBTQ Horror Science Fiction

When the Imagine Network commissioned a documentary on mermaids, to be filmed from the cruise ship Atargatis, they expected what they had always received before: an assortment of eyewitness reports that proved nothing, some footage that proved even less, and the kind of ratings that only came from peddling imaginary creatures to the masses.

They didn't expect actual mermaids.  They certainly didn't expect those mermaids to have teeth.

This is the story of the Atargatis, lost at sea with all hands.  Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.  Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the bathypelagic zone in the Mariana Trench…and the depths are very good at keeping secrets.

Even knowing how this would end, I HAD to read this novella. And it did not disappoint. It was just as hauntingly well written as the novel. I am glad that I read the novel first, but this was so beautiful.

Ratings
Stars: 5/5

The Coldest Touch

                


Title: The Coldest Touch
Author: Isabel Sterling
Publisher: Razorbill, December 7, 2021
Pages: 384
Genre: YA LGBTQ Romantasy

Elise Beaumont is cursed. With every touch, she experiences exactly how her loved ones will die. And after her brother's death—a death she predicted but was unable to prevent—Elise is desperate to get rid of her terrible gift, no matter the cost.
 
Claire Montgomery also has a unique relationship with death, mostly because she’s already dead. Technically, anyway. Claire is a vampire, and she's been assigned by the Veil to help Elise master her rare Death Oracle powers.

At first, Elise is reluctant to work with a vampire, but when she predicts a teacher’s imminent murder, she's determined to stop the violent death, even if it means sacrificing her own future to secure Claire's help.

The trouble is, Claire and Elise aren't the only paranormals in town—a killer is stalking the streets, and Claire can't seem to shake the pull she feels toward Elise, a romance that could upend the Veil’s mission. But as Elise and Claire grow closer, Elise begins to wonder—can she really trust someone tasked with securing her loyalty? Someone who could so easily kill her? Someone who might hold the key to unraveling her brother's mysterious death?

I started this for Sapphic September. Well, I read it for Sapphic September. But, wow. I maybe didn't need to finish this one. I did love the meta-ness of Twilight being mentioned in a sapphic Twilight fanfic! I mean come on, that was great. But that was about it...

Ratings
Stars: 2/5

How to Get a Girlfriend (When You're a Terrifying Monster)

               


Title: How to Get a Girlfriend (When You're a Terrifying Monster)
Series: Monster Girlfriend #1
Author: Marie Cardno
Publisher: Kalikoi, July 31, 2022
Pages: 115
Genre: LGBTQ Romantasy

Life is tough when you’re an eldritch abomination.

Trillin isn’t technically a person. She’s a tiny breakaway piece of consciousness from the all-devouring Endless, doomed to eventually rejoin it. But when a human witch stumbles into her world, Trillin suddenly has a new reason to figure out individuality–one shape-shifting tentacle at a time.

Sian is sure important magical discoveries are just around the corner, if she can just get her portals to work reliably. Reaching the dimension of the Endless without being eaten on sight is a dream come true, and Sian is determined to explore every bit of it. For science, of course, not for the strangely adorable life-form who keeps popping up and trying to… flirt?

But Trillin’s world can be a dangerous place, and keeping Sian safe might risk drawing the attention of the Endless itself–which will swallow Trillin up along with all her dreams of humanity. Together, can this unlikely duo escape the Endless, figure out the optimum number of appendages, and maybe even find love?

What a whacky story!!! I love the idea of looking at the monsters in their own world is fine. They might even be hot there. But then they come to earth, or whatever realm Sian lives in, and they cause intense fear nearing insanity. It's a lot like an Eldritch insanity reaction. And it was delightful. But ultimately, I don't know if it was enough to read the rest of the series for me.

Ratings
Stars: 2/5

Assistant to the Villain

              


Title: Assistant to the Villain
Series: Assistant and the Villain #1
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books, August 29, 2023
Pages: 425
Genre: Romantasy

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. 
Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

Evie Sage is a chaos machine. She's so adorable and I can't wait to see just how her mischievous streak is going to get her and the villain together finally. It's only a matter of time! Because let me tell you, the villain is so in love with that little chaos queen! 

And I tell you what, she is just as obsessed with him. Which is fairly adorable. This was really a very cute book. You have all of the mundanity of an office job, and you have dragons and forces of nature and death magic! I mean, what more could you need??

Ratings
Stars: 4/5

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Mated to My Ex

             


Title: Mated to My Ex
Series: Hayes Brothers #1
Author: Kate Prior
Publisher: September 2, 2024
Pages: 319
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Divorced. Fated Mates.

Elise always knew she would run into her ex-husband again, eventually. What she didn’t expect was that he would show up in the community she’s built for herself and reveal that the family she’s been working for is the same family that disapproved of their marriage eight years ago and refused to meet her. Now he’s back in town for his brother’s wedding, the very same one she’s catering.

Shawn’s always known that marrying a human went against his pack’s rules. It’s bad enough that she’s become deeply entrenched in his hometown, but when he senses his mate is somewhere nearby, he knows he’s in trouble.

It just can’t be his ex-wife. If she was his true mate, he would have knotted in her eight years ago.

This book was an absolute delight! If this isn't the biggest advertisement for the fact that secrets aren't worth it, I am not sure what is. These two are so absolutely gone for each other it's outrageous. With the feral wolf whiling around town, I just knew that I had it figured out. Of course I didn't. All of these spicy dreams were very very good! And I can't wait to see what the next Hayes Brother is going to get up to. 

Ratings
Stars: 5/5
Spice: 4/5

Heir of Fire

            


Title: Heir of Fire
Series: The Throne of Glass #3
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, September 2, 2014
Pages: 583
Genre: YA Romantasy

The heir of ash and fire bows to no one.

A new threat rises in the third book in the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.

Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak, but now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth. That truth could change her life-and her future-forever.

Meanwhile, monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena will need the strength not only to fight the evil that is about to be unleashed but also to harness her inner demons. If she is to win this battle, she must find the courage to face her destiny-and burn brighter than ever before.

What is happening?? I LOVE these wyverns and Manon Blackbeak!!! Like I know so far this has been Celaena's story, and like it probably still is. But Manon stole the freaking show!

I can't keep up with Celaena. I loved her, but dang. She keeps you on your freaking toes that's for sure. And I don't know that I'll get back to this series before next year, but this one definitely changed things up so much!

Ratings
Stars: 4/5
Spice: 1/5

Clean Finish

            


Title: Clean Finish
Series: Goliaths of Wrestling #2
Author: Lily Mayne
Publisher: August 6, 2024
Pages: 461
Genre: MM Monster Romance

Larkin
Look, here’s the thing.

I’m young, carefree, and my job as the assistant to Holt, manager and owner of the Goliaths of Wrestling, means I’m surrounded by half-naked beefcake wrestlers all day. Of course
I’m going to be interested in… getting to know them all better. It would be, like, illegal for me to not lust after them all, right?

There’s just one hurdle I have to get over first before I can… get to know 
the wrestlers in the way I want. And that hurdle makes me really, really freaking nervous.

So I come up with an amazing idea. Holt’s bodyguard Seb, a werewolf, is the quiet, dependable, calm presence in the office. He’s safe. He’s not as intimidating as the wrestlers, and we’re kind of
buddies, so I decide to ask him for help with my little… predicament.

Just for some practice. Before I move onto the big leagues. That’s all it is. Practice.

Seb
I’m the foolish old wolf who’s pined after Larkin since the moment he started working here. I’ve had to watch him flirt with all the wrestlers, listen to him talk about how much he wants them, act like I didn’t care, and it’s never gotten easier.

At least no one knows. And I can never tell him. He’s too young for me, too carefree and irresponsible, and he’s never shown even a hint of being interested in me that way. Mentally, I’ve accepted it. My heart, however, is a different matter.

And then he comes to me with a ridiculous proposition. Something I never thought I’d get to experience, something I should absolutely turn down, but I can’t. I’m not strong enough to deny myself. And I want to help Larkin in any way I can.

It’s just practice for him. I have to keep reminding myself of that, every time I get to touch him—every time he’s pressed against me, every time he falls asleep on my chest. He doesn’t want 
me. He just wants… lessons. Practice.

That’s all it is. Practice.

Oops...she did it again! Lily Mayne is so flipping funny. Larkin is so cute and Seb is SO hot. Daddy crossword werewolf can get it. 

Larkin is just a little guy, and he wants to learn some excellent moves to impress the wrestlers. You know I love a student/teacher relationship! Especially when the subject is sexy times! As big of a guy as Seb is, when it comes to Larkin, he's just a little simp. It's SO cute that this big bad werewolf daddy is so soft for this little fairy. We love to see it!

And now I'd love to see as much of this funny world as Ms. Mayne is willing to give me!

Ratings
Stars: 4/5
Spice: 5/5