July 2018

Synopsis

The Key is a sacred object which allows its holder to open portals to other planets at will. Passed down through her family the Key marks Rose as the Gatekeeper for the planet of Amara and entrusts her with keeping it safe from harm.

This is a job she had always known to be laid-back—that is, until her mortal enemy attacks. Amidst a battle to protect her home, Rose disappears. Waking up on Earth she discovers the portals have stopped working and that she must team up with Earth’s Gatekeeper, Derek, to get back to Amara.

The clock is ticking as Rose’s friends on Amara try to determine where Rose went and how to bring her home, all the while fearing she may be lost forever.

As the struggle to return continues, something more sinister grows out of sight, and more than the lives of those on Amara are at stake.

Review

I really, really, really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me. There were several things that I didn’t like, and I couldn’t bring myself to finish it. I tried multiple times, thinking that if I kept reading it would get better, but it didn’t. I pushed myself because the author is a young, indie author and I really wanted to be able to support that.

I found the writing really simplistic, and every little thing was explained to the reader, and a lot of the time that explanation was unnecessary and took my attention away from what was happening. I found some of the interactions between characters a little cringey, they just seemed unrealistic and a bit forced. I also feel that advertising it as a YA book is a mistake, a younger audience would most likely enjoy it more. The writing would be better for a developing mind and the plot would appeal to them more, in my opinion.

I also didn’t like the switching of POV from multiple different characters. For me, it made it hard to connect with any of the characters, which was disappointing, as one of the things that I love about reading is falling in love and getting attached to fictional characters who do not exist. I think that there needs to be more focus on the protagonist, and definitely some more character development.

Despite these negatives, I do feel that the plot does have potential, it just needs more work. This seems more like a first draft, it needs editing. That would be my advice to the author. I also think that Goux will one day be a very talented writer with practice! All you can do is keep writing.

Overall, I give this book 2 stars, simply because of the potential that the book and the author has if she continues to work on her story!

-Books&Belle xx

I’d like to thank Brianna Goux for sending me a copy of Amara’s Rose in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

Review

I read this book a while back now, and my lack of motivation to even open Blogger, or venture into the book community part of Twitter, has prevented me from reviewing it, or any other amazing book I’ve read in the past few months. However, I was suddenly inspired to blog today, so I am currently sat down with a “chill out” Spotify playlist on and getting something done, finally! Despite it being several months since I read To Kill A Kingdom, I can vividly remember how much I enjoyed it.

The story revolves around a Siren Princess named Lira, and a human Prince/Siren Hunter named Elian. I liked both of these characters, but I did find myself more attached to Lira, for some reason. I liked the character development that she went through and thought she was a really well written character. Lira is ruthless and has a pretty infamous reputation with princes, so I just found it interesting reading about a princess who has a dark side to her. Elian is amazing too, I just felt personally, that Lira had more depth to her, if that makes sense.

The plot is definitely rather dark, but not overdone. This was one of those books that I couldn’t put down, I just needed to know what was going to happen next. I can say it kept me on edge and is very suspenseful. The world that Christo has created is marvellous, the sirens have their own language, the Sea Queen is absolutely brutal, and the way the author describes the world really is something.

There’s a little bit of everything in this book. Romance, evil queens, siren hunters, familial relationships, friendship, well written characters and a thought out plot. I 100% recommend it!

Overall, I give this book 4.5 stars.

-Books&Belle xx