Golden Dynasty Review

What did I think of...

The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

 

Description: Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she’s not having a wild dream, she’s living a frightening nightmare where she’s been transported to a barren land populated by a primitive people and in short order, she’s installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she’s from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

 

 

Genre: High Fantasy/ Magic/ Paranormal romance/ Adult/ Supernatural/ ** Romance/
Series: Fantasyland

Published on: August 22nd, 2011

Pages: 485 pages

Format: ebook- Kindle

Source: Amazon Kindle

Average rating: 4.5 stars
My rating: 5 stars

 

Golden Dynasty was pure gold. Yes, I'm saying that because of the title, but I'm also saying it because its true. The writing, as usual, was so smooth, and so real, and so raw, enabling me to feel this book deep. \

 

Golden Dynasty had a lot of themes that I, and fellow readers, I'm sure, will struggle with. Such as men holding power over their women, rape, and other culturally and morally offensive themes.

 

When reading this book, you do have to remember that the culture of this book, Korwahk, is totally different in all ways and is meant to be more primal and animalistic, and in some ways, it made this book infinitely sweeter, and raw.

 

I'm writing this review some two weeks after I read the book, and I'm still having trouble getting my thoughts together, (and remembering things I wanted to say), but all I can really tell you with this one, is it is totally worth it. This is one of those books that you just delve into, neglect the world, and don't come up for air until its done (or your bladder demands you to). Some readers, I know, struggled with some of the context, but I was not one of those. I think some people need to remember, that these contexts are part of the book, and you and the character's struggle with them is the whole point of the story!!

 

This is definitely one of those magical Kristen Ashley reads, that I just can't even articulate how amazing it was...

 

I leave you with a few quotes from the book! Enjoy and read it tomorrow!

 

 This is my Circe by the way!! ;)

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO,

Kat 

 

 

Lion Heart ARC Review

What did I think of...

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen

Description:

The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed
and romance-filled adventure.

 

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

 

 



Genre: Historical Romance/ Adventure/ Fairy Tale retelling/ YA
Series: Scarlet
Published on: May 19th, 2015
Pages: 348 pages
Format: Digital Copy- Kindle
Source: NetGalley
Average rating: 4.28 stars
My rating: 2 stars

I first read Scarlet about 6 months to a year ago, and immediately fell in love. But, when I started Lady Thief, I was disappointed, and DNF at 70%. It wasn't bad, it just... stalled for me. Then a better book came along, and I switched. It wasn't so much of a "I'm not reading this anymore" as a, "I'll pick it back up later". When I saw Lion Heart was on NetGalley, I was thrilled! Because I was still in love with the heart of the story, the one in Scarlet, and hoped that Lion Heart would have gained some of that spark... but it didn't, and today, I officially marked this, too, a DNF, albeit reluctantly.
Don't mistake me for saying the book wasn't bad, because it wasn't. The story just, couldn't capture my attention, and couldn't hold me down to the pages like so many others- and the first book- have done.

I was SUPER disappointed when, at the beginning, Scarlet turned into a lady. I don't mean that she was treated as such because her secret was out, I mean this as her thoughts and her actions were all defeated and broken, and as such she was treated like such, let others defend her. There's a difference between being weak from imprisonment, and being broken and dispirited.
This ruined the book for me, and I couldn't get past it.

Some of you might get past it, recognize it as the landmark on the journey that it was, but that person was not me.

XOXO,
Kat

Stone Cold Touch Review

What did I think of....

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Description:

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…  

Genre: Paranormal romance
Published on: October 21st, 2014
Pages: 464 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Average rating: 4.5 stars 
My rating: 4.2 stars

Genres:

 

 I've read White Hot Kiss, the first installment, twice now. Once by itself about a year ago, and it was good, and a second time a couple of days ago... right before I read this one, Stone Cold Touch. They made each other so much better... and now I can't wait until the next book comes out.

 

After the huge twist at the end of White Hot Kiss, which left me dead, I was unsure how I felt about starting Stone Cold Touch, but never fear, it was fabulous.

 

Even though Stone Cold Touch was totally a bridge book, I still really enjoyed it, and thought it better than the first, White Hot Kiss.

 

You may have also noticed the difference between the two covers...

 

Featuring: Roth               Featuring: Zayn

 

You may have also noticed, that the cover where Roth and Layla are kissing, it's white hot, and the cover with Zayn and Layla, he's trying to kiss her and she's turning away, and it's stone cold. Mmm-hmm. That being said....

 

Stone Cold Touch was totally Zayn's book. Roth had a much more minimal (yet constant) presence, and I missed his outrageous flirting. Zayn wasn't nearly as present in White Hot Kiss as he was in Stone Cold Touch, and served as a constant source of hurdling.

 

Is that a word? What I mean is that I kept wanting to tell him get out of the way! I need Roth! I need Roth! As you can see, I'm a total team Roth, but if you're not... you're going to lose.

That being said... here are the positive comparisons so you can form your own opinion.

 

 

 VS

 

GO ROTH (and Bambi)!!

 



Layla Shaw has always been different, even by supernatural standards. Living with Warden's, the "protectors" of sorts for humankind against demons, she's always felt like an outsider, even though she's more powerful and paranormal than they are. Layla is half-Warden, half-demon, two polar opposites. Each side, demon and warden alike, are caught in a vicious war against each other, caught up in their prejudiced hatred... and poor Layla is caught in the middle.

Living with the Warden's, Layla has always attempted to suppress her demonic side, added with the guilt she feels from her fellow Wardens. But when Layla turns seventeen, her world becomes pretty topsy-turvy. (yes, exactly like the song).

When the Crown Prince of Hell, or Roth, shows up, he causes her to question everything she thought was true, to accept herself (both sides) and to realize that a little bit of evil is necessary.

Roth is back...

Layla's has finally been given a tantalizing taste of what always has been forbidden, but when it backfires big time, there is only one person who's always had her back, even when it seems unlikely. But when a threat on Layla's life comes from someone she's always thought of as family, Layla, Bambi, Caymen and Roth fight to save the city... and Layla's future.

 

 

 

Roth is an Upper Level demon, and unfortunately, he's here on a job. The Boss from downstairs has given him orders, and Roth is here for a reason, a reason not to solve the problem, but take care of it... or her. Problem is, he's fallen on the job and he's risking Hell's wrath to stay fallen.

 

Layla is not like the usual LJA heroine. She has no self-esteem, is very introverted, and craves attention, but is still super sassy, super cheeky in her own way. Being suppressed her whole life, it was cool to watch her bloom in personality. She also has some super powers, soul-stealing kisses (literally), and others that are spoilers so I will not mention them. However, in Stone Cold Touch, she starts to overcome this a bit; recognizing her individual rights, her worth and realizes that sometimes, a little bit of evil is necessary and sometimes just what the doctor prescribes.

 

Zayn is Layla's best friend, and her safety cocoon. Not only that, but she crushes on him hard, and he is essentially the only person to ever accept her. But, after a tantalizing taste of something that can never happen, Layla starts to realize that she's not fighting for Zayn because she loves him... but fighting because she doesn't want to lose her rock, the only person she could ever depend on, and the only person who ever truly accepted her. But that acceptance might just be her downfall...

 

Stone Cold Touch, was a stunningly well crafted story with expertly laid clues that the truth isn't laid until the very end... You know what they say about hindsight, 20/20.

 

XOXO,

Kat

White Hot Kiss Review

What did I think of...

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

 

 

Description:
One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

This is the second time I've read White Hot Kiss, and I it was definitely better than the first time, both because I read it, and then read the second book Stone Cold Touch for the first time after that.

 



Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published on: February 25th, 2014
Pages: 400 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: The Library
My rating: 4 pages

Genre's:

 

 

 

When I saw that Stone Cold Touch was out on Barnes and Noble's shelves, I had to have it.

And, like the impulse buyer I am, I bought it.

Afterwards, I realized I had to reread White Hot Kiss first, because I remembered nothing.

 

Layla Shaw has always been different, even by supernatural standards. Living with Warden's, the "protectors" of sorts for humankind against demons, she's always felt like an outsider, even though she's more powerful and paranormal than they are. Layla is half-Warden, half-demon, two polar opposites. Each side, demon and warden alike, are caught in a vicious war against each other, caught up in their prejudiced hatred... and poor Layla is caught in the middle.

Living with the Warden's, Layla has always attempted to suppress her demonic side, added with the guilt she feels from her fellow Wardens.

However, not all Wardens think she should be allowed to live... and on her seventeenth birthday, things start to happen.

When the Crown Prince of Hell, or Roth, shows up, he causes her to question everything she thought was true, to accept herself (both sides) and to realize that a little bit of evil is necessary.

 

Roth is an Upper Level demon, and unfortunately, he's here on a job. The Boss from downstairs has given him orders, and Roth is here for a reason. But, he's fallen on the job. Fallen in love, that is. With Layla. But there are just too many barriers to overcome, and in the biggest plot twist in JLA history, it all goes out in a ball of flame.

 

Layla is not like the usual LJA heroine. She has no self-esteem, is very introverted, and craves attention, but is still super sassy, super cheeky in her own way. Being suppressed her whole life, it was cool to watch her bloom in personality. She also has some super powers, soul-stealing kisses (literally), and others that are spoilers so I will not mention them.

 

Roth is my guy right now. He's hot, arrogant, and he can be super sweet and loving. And, better yet, as a full-demon, he doesn't have a soul.

Yes.

He doesn't have a soul for Layla to steal. So not only is he perfection, but he also opens some serious doors for her... BOYS. Er, BOY. Singular.

 

 

Zayn is Layla's best friend, and her safety cocoon. Not only that, but she crushes on him hard, and he is essentially the only person to ever accept her. But, nothing can ever happen between them, because of her inability to kiss... and the fact that she doesn't trust herself.

 

Yes, there is a love-triangle. Those of you who know me, know that love-triangle's are a pet peeve of mine. Usually, because it is the result of a character deluding themselves, scared of the unknown and safe in the familiar. This is what this particular love-triangle is, too, but its execution was actually pretty well done.

Even though Zayn was like this giant obstruction, hindering the Layla/Roth relationship, it was still a good read.

 

 

VS.

 



 

 

So, yes. I am a total Team Roth fan!!

Highly recommended!

 

 

 

XOXO,

Kat

 

 

 

Currently Reading

What am I reading?

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

 

 

 

OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG. *Don't do shouty-captials, Kate* *Don't be the capital bitch* *Deep breath*. Wow. This is really good. Ready? This is how good it is... *MESMERIZED SILENCE*

 

Description:

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.

 

Kristen Ashley, my home girl, just gets better and better. Not only is she a fan-fucking-tastic romantic suspense-action writer, but she writes fantasy that is just as good if not better!

 

Currently at: 80%, and counting

Thoughts: Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my God, Oh my God! Yeeeeeeeessssss!

 

Genres:

 

 

 

 

 

Wildest Dreams is a highly recommended read, of which I highly recommend!

 

XOXO,

Kat