Book Review: Realm Breaker (Realm Breaker #1) - Victoria Aveyard

 Hachette Australia     Released: 4th May 2021     RRP:$22.99

Save the world or end it.

A strange darkness is growing in the Ward. Even Corayne an-Amarat can feel it, tucked away in her small town at the edge of the sea.

Fate knocks on her door, in the form of a mythical immortal and a lethal assassin, who tell Corayne that she is the last of an ancient lineage—with the power to save the world from destruction.

Because a man who would burn kingdoms to the ground is raising an army unlike any seen before, bent on uprooting the foundations of the world. With poison in his heart and a stolen sword in his hand, he'll break the realm itself to claim it. And only Corayne can stop him.

Alongside an unlikely group of reluctant allies, Corayne finds herself on a desperate journey to complete an impossible task, with untold magic singing in her blood and the fate of the world on her shoulders.

Review.

"No mortal alive had ever seen a spindle'.

So begins Realm Breaker, the first novel in a new epic fantasy series.

After loving the Red Queen series, I was excited to discover this new world that Victoria had created.

The first couple of chapters had me trying to wrap my head around all the characters that had been introduced and who was who; once I got past that, I found myself pulled into the story and all the adventures that took place throughout.

I appreciated having multiple POVs throughout the book; I feel it adds more depth to the story.

I adored Dom, he's like a big teddy bear, and I really hope he and Sorasa end up together; I found their interactions and entire relationship funny, which was a favourite part of the book for me.

I can't wait for book two, 'Blade Breaker,' to again follow our ragtag group on their mission to save the world.

A big thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me this review copy; all thoughts are my own.

Head Stuck In A Book: Book Review: Terms And Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2) - Lauren Asher

 

Released: 17th March 2022

Hachette Australia  Buy From Amazon

477 Pages.  RRP. $22.99

Declan
I'm destined to become the next CEO of my family's media empire.
The only problem? My grandfather's inheritance clause.
Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job.
Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem.
But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract.
Caring about Iris was never part of the deal.
Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable.

Iris
My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory.
Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby.
We set rules to prevent any kind of issues.
Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me.
But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one?
Falling in love was never an option.
At least not for me.

Review.

Terms And Conditions is the second book in the Dreamland Billionaires series; while I thoroughly enjoyed it, the first book, The Fine Print, is still my favourite because I liked Rowan and Zahra's characters more.

Having dual POVs in both books is something I love; I like knowing what the hero is thinking along with the heroine; it adds more to the story and gives more insight into what Declan was thinking and feeling.

The marriage of convenience trope is one I enjoy reading about in romance books, plus the whole billionaire, marrying your boss and grumpy hero situation.

The progression of Declan's character was a delight to read, as were the interactions with his brothers.

I'm hopeful that Declan, Cal and Rowan's Father, gets his comeuppance in the next and last book, he really gets on my nerves, and he's just extremely unlikeable.

I'm a sucker for any kind of epilogue in romance books, so I appreciate the extended epilogue we get in this series.

I can't wait for Cal's book; I'm intrigued by his story and character.

A great series that is very well written with fleshed-out characters that are a joy to read about (except the sorry excuse for a Father).

I need to check out Lauren Asher's other books if they're anywhere near as good as this series.

Thanks to Hachette Australia for the review copy; all thoughts are my own.

Head Stuck In A Book: Book Review: The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1) - Lauren Asher

 

Released: 25th January 2022

Hachette Australia  Buy From Amazon

448 Pages. RRP. $22.99

Rowan
I'm in the business of creating fairy tales.
Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels.
Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland.
My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her.
Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias.
By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late.
People like me don't get happy endings.
Not when we're destined to ruin them.

Zahra
After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland's most expensive ride, I should have been fired.
Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job.
The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I'd ever met.
Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn't care.
At least not until I discovered his secret.
It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn't fix everything.
Especially not us.

Dreamland Billionaires is the first book in a series of interconnected standalones following three billionaire brothers.

Review.

I always knew I was going to like The Fine Print; I didn't know I was going to love it as much as I did.

This is a book you always hope to find, you know the ones where you keep going to put it down, and you tell yourself one more chapter, and find yourself repeating that pattern, over and over, and when you do eventually put it down, you feel the need to pick it right back up.

Featuring one of my all-time favourite tropes, the "grumpy-sunshine" romance, I couldn't get enough of Zahra and Rowan; I loved their first meeting, interactions, and everything.

The idea of having this story set around a Disneyland type of Amusement Park was another great part of the storyline.

There was never a dull moment, and I flew through this book; I didn't want it to end.

I'm excited that I have the second book in this series to dive right into, it would have to be something extra special to take over The Fine Print as my favourite, but I'm so happy to find out.

Thanks to Hachette Australia for this free review copy; all thoughts are my own.