INFO:

Title: Inferno's Heir

Author: Tiffany Wang

Release Date: October 15th 2024

Genre: Fantasy

Editore: Alcove Press

SUMMARY:

Fearing for her life, an outcast princess joins the rebellion against her own kingdom and family. . . but when playing with fire, someone always gets burned. 

Teia Carthan abandoned her morals long ago, and now there’s nothing she won’t do to stay alive. So far she has survived her parents’ deaths, the ire of the Council, and innumerable attempts on her life, orchestrated by Jura, her half brother and soon-to-be king of Erisia. Teia’s rare control over two elements marks her as both an outsider and a formidable opponent—but once Jura is crowned king, there will be no way to survive him. Not for Teia, not for anyone. 

When Jura moves to crush the rebellion that seeks to overthrow the monarchy, Teia sees one last opportunity to ensure her own safety. She can infiltrate the rebels, locate their base . . . and betray them to Jura, trading their lives for her own. 

Yet when Teia meets the rebels, she gets far more than she bargained for. And when she gains not only their trust but their friendship, she begins to have doubts. Perhaps the rebels are right. Perhaps the Golden Palace should be torn down and the monarchy destroyed. 

But then again—what if there is another possibility? What if Teia were on the throne instead? 

REVIEW:

Teia Carthan's life is a mess not only for being a princess, the only having royal blood other than her psychopatic and sadistic older half-brother Jura.

What about being daughter to two enemy countries, the late Erisian king and the Shaylani witch?

What about being able to bend both fire and water?

Jura's coronation is approaching, and news of a possible firebender in the Dawnbreakers rebels are frightening the Erisian court, prompting Jura to repress even more people. 

Her name is Kyra Medoh, and Teia Carthan is getting involved in it.

She will try everything to prevent Jura from seizing the throne and finally destroying her country.

Even siding with the rebels: pure Kyra, witty Alara and dangerously charming Tobias are growing on her every minute, even if Dawnbreakers leader Cornelius Lehm seems as reliable as a striking viper involved in plots that seem darker by every minute.

If they succeed in their mission, Teia's mind is thinking on a possible outcome: her on the throne.

She needs to choose now: their trust... or their security.

...

Inferno's Heir is an interesting debut, with a weaker start but a really strong ending (with a terrible cliffhanger).

We are in a fantasy world with many countries: the history is set in Erisia, with the royal family being the only ones to bend fire (Teia is half Shaylani, the country with whom Erisia was at war), in some ways similar to Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I found the characters to be really interesting, probably the gemstones of the books: I'd have wanted to see more the Dawnbreakers and their relationships with Teia (yes, I'm talking about two couples).

The plot kept me hooked until the last page (I screamed, yes). I sensed there was something wrong, but Wang threw a genius move in the end!

I honestly can't wait to read the sequel.

...

Rating: ★★★★

...

I want to thank Bindery Books for the digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via Netgalley. I'm not affiliated to the author, to the publishing house or any other person/agency. My review is honest and based only on my thoughts/feeling while reading the book.

Anais by The Bookish Scorpio

Review Time | Not In My Book by Katie Holt

   

INFO:

Title: Not In My Book

Author: Katie Holt

Release Date: December 10th 2024

Genre: RomCom

Editore: Alcove Press

SUMMARY:

The Hating Game meets Beach Read in this sexy and hilarious contemporary romance from a debut Peruvian-Tennessean voice.

Rosie, an idealistic and passionate Peruvian-American who has grown up without strong ties to her culture, leaves her Tennessee hometown to pursue her dream of making it in New York as a writer. But her plan is derailed when she ends up in class with her arch-nemesis and ex-crush, Aiden Huntington—an obnoxious, surly, and gorgeous literary fiction writer who doesn’t have much patience for the romance genre, or for Rosie.

Rosie and Aiden regularly go to verbal battle in workshop until their professor reaches her breaking point. She allows them to stay in her class on one condition: they must co-write a novel that blends their genres.

The reluctant writing duo can’t help but put pieces of themselves into their accidentally steamy novel, and as they slowly get to know each other, they try to put their differences aside. Meanwhile, their manuscript-in-progress provides an outlet for them to confess their feelings—and explore their attraction toward each other.

When Rosie and Aiden find themselves competing against each other for a potentially career-changing opportunity, the flames of old rivalry reignite, and their once-in-a-lifetime love story is once again at risk of being shelved—unless they can find a way to end the book on their own terms.

REVIEW:

 "Not In My Book" is Peruvian-American Katie Holt's debut novel. 

A kind of blend between Beach Read and the latest contemporary novels full of enemies-to-lovers banter, it follows Rosie, a Latina girl (half Peruvian half American, like KH) in her journey from Tennessee to NYC to make true her greatest goal: being an author, a romance writer.

You know, only one bed, swoon-worthy book boyfriends. Stuff like that.

Her dreams literally shatter when she meets Aiden Huntington: she used to have a teeny-tiny crush on him at the start of Creative Writing workshop before realizing he's... a total jerk.

He despises romance novels & he's her worst critic, leading to fights in class like that which sets motion to the plot. 

Ida, the professor/course mentor, threatens to expell both of them... but only if they don't try to get along with each other by... writing a novel! Together!

The start is rocky, but gradually they warm to each other at the point they're dangerously falling into some depths that are quite... sentimental.

...

Not In My Book is everything I like in a romance. First of all, it's books in a book.

It has got a kind of college-school setting, a quirky and tough heroine (maybe too much in some cases), a "cold-but-not-so-cold" hero with a remarkable past (who he tries to forget), lots of funny banter, some spicy moments.

Rosie, the FMC, has also got Latina heritage, and honestly I loved everything about Peruvian traditions: you know, Christmas fatcs, sweets, a few dialogues in Spanish (for me it wasn't an issue since I speak Spanish between the languages I know). What I didn't like was her stubborness and the lack of communication (especially in the ending) between her and Aiden.

Aiden, Aiden, Aiden. What can I say other than you're like a boy I know? Tall, handsome... & who makes memes on me for reading spicy romances (like the puns you do on Rosie?). And that I love you both?

Funny enough, Aiden Huntington is one of my romcoms book boyfriends now. I would have given a try with Aiden if he was real, let's be honest! 

Rosie Maxwell you're lucky!

The vibes in autumn-winter NYC were chef's kiss. And also the writing was very approachable even for those who are not from English-speaking countries but lack knowledge of advanced English or are not used to read in a foreign language.

In the end, except for some little details (I don't like the miscommunication trope), it was a worthy and excellent read!

I'm looking forward to read another book by KH.

Rating: ★★★★.5

...

I want to thank Alcove Press for the digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via Netgalley. I'm not affiliated to the author, to the publishing house or any other person/agency. My review is honest and based only on my thoughts/feeling while reading the book.

Anais by The Bookish Scorpio

Review Time | Pride & Prejudice in Space by Alexis Lampley

  

INFO:

Title: Pride & Prejudice in Space

Author: Alexis Lampley

Release Date: October 15th 2024

Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi

Editore: Union Square

SUMMARY:

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is arguably the forerunner of all romantic comedies and certainly one of her most popular and irreverent works. And now, graphic designer and Nerdy Ink co-owner—and obsessive fan of Pride and Prejudice—Alexis Lampley gives this timeless, classic, Regency-era romance a new twist, setting it among the stars in a futuristic universe where spaceships and interplanetary travel is the daily norm. Featuring 50+ color illustrations of the Londinium Lunar System, drawings of gowns by Lydia Bennet, and spaceship designs by Elizabeth Bennet, this is a futuristic take on a classic by a dedicated Jane Austen fan, for Austen newbies and super-fans alike.

REVIEW:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a booklover in possession of a brain must have read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or also have known any other work related, either cinematographic or literal.

I am one of those girls who grew up with the cult of Elizabeth Bennet as one of the most fascinating characters in English Literature and fell in love with Mr. Darcy's professions of love for Lizzie.

I can admit it's one of the main reasons I've applied for reading this ARC, combined with my own obsession with astronomy & astrophysics.

A Retelling set in space, with spaceships & court manners? Sign me in!

...

Probably the strongest (and weakest) point is that it's Pride & Prejudice. I've read both the original novel and the translation in my native language (Italian), and I can say with precision that most parts are indeed a copycat from the 1813 novel.

Yes, the parts (and traits of the characters) were adjusted to the setting (I really loved a Lizzie space pilot, btw), but this was P&P. Point.

This will surely be appreciated by the "purists", but also raises, in my opinion, a doubt: was this really necessary?

In truth, Lampley gives spotlight to the other characters: we have coms between the Bennet sisters, journal entries from many characters, including Charlotte Lucas and even the one and only Fitzwlliam Darcy. 

The author's artistic side is showed in colourful drawings of the Londinium (London) Solar System and its surroundings moons (Kaels - Kent, or Dyberion - Derbyshire), creating a little gem, which I could say it's on my physical TBR.

In the end, I can only lower my rating (a .5 rounded higher) being this truly P&P with fewer innovation that I'd expected.

Rating: ★★★.5 (rounded to ★★★★) but infinitive for the AustenVerse.

...

I want to thank UnionSquare & Co for the digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via Netgalley. I'm not affiliated to the author, to the publishing house or any other person/agency. My review is honest and based only on my thoughts/feeling while reading the book.

Anais by The Bookish Scorpio