This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

 

Ebook previously provided by NetGalley. Thank you.

3/5 stars

The First Empyrean Iya is now holding Reeve's body hostage and Faron has chosen to go with him to try and save Reeve and find out what his plan is. Elara is trying to come up with ideas to get her sister back.

I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy one as much as the first. It felt very repetitive in places with the constant training, mind control, pass out/become injured etc. Also Faron's constant "I caused this, I'm a terrible person" monologues got a little wearing.

The last quarter and particularly the ending felt very rushed. The last battle was written in a very manic way and needed a bit of clarity and room to breathe. I did appreciate that it didn't shy away from the realities of war and the fact that even when it's over it might not be over.

Also for a duology I've seen on multiple lists for sapphic books the relationship very much takes a back seat and I did want more. Also some clear asexual/demisexual rep but it would have been nice for there to have been more of a conversation about it.

Steff Out x

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

 

Ebook previously provided by NetGalley. Thank you.

4/5 stars

San Irie is currently at peace following war with Langley. Faron is the Childe Empyrean, someone who can channel the powers of the Gods. San Irie's success in the war was down to her. She and her sister Elara were also responsible for finding the rightful Queen.

Now several years later tensions are rising. People don't trust such a young Queen, Faron is fed up with the pressure of being the Childe Empyrean, Elara wants to become a Drake Pilot and their friend Reeve is constantly being judged for being a traitor to his own people - his father is the Langlish ruler - and not fitting in with his white skin.

This was slow starting and I did want more history on the war, the land etc. It could almost have done with being a trilogy with book 1 covering the first war and then a time jump to the events of this book. I was into it by about a quarter of the way through.

I liked how it was dual narration between Faron and Elara, getting their different perspectives on things, especially when they were in different places. I liked that they were a lot different in personality as well.

I was definitely intrigued by the plot and I could feel the impending sense of doom throughout which I appreciated and I look forward to seeing how it all pans out.

Steff Out x

Contracts and Cats by Toni Binns

 

Ebook provided by NetGalley. Thank you.

5/5 stars

Sable is applying for what looks like her dream job. A live-in job at a local bookshop where she must also take care of The Cat. After a successful interview with the current caretaker Sable accepts the job, once she does the reality of the role becomes more obvious... For the next year she cannot leave the premises at all.

It turns out that there is plenty to keep her busy though since this is actually a magical bookshop and it... Travels to best meet it's customers needs. One of these customers leaves something behind, something he shouldn't have had in the first place. A baby dragon!

I love this book! It was long (526 pages according to StoryGraph) but it didn't feel it. I flew through it. I loved the characters and their diversity and the fact that we got passages from the point of view of The Cat. The writing flowed and the plot was engaging and easy to read and everything felt seamless. I even enjoyed the mundane day to day life bits of breakfast and coffee. I'm really looking forward to the next book!

Steff Out x