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Of Moons and Monsters #2
Of Dreams and Demons
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠.
Alistair never meant for anything bad to happen to Isla. He's spent his entire life wishing he could be more like her and hating the demon side of his heritage. Since realizing his immortality has settled, he's been scrambling to find a solution. He can't bear the thought of living a day without Isla by his side, let alone eternity. When his plans to make Isla immortal are thwarted, Alistair's only hope to rescue his best friend lies with his newly discovered fated mates—Lord Rian of the Unseelie Court and the eccentric and ancient witch Matthieu.
Meanwhile, Isla is doing her best to adjust to her new life in Briya. She's settling into a routine with her four new mates, learning the language, making new friends, and trying desperately not to fall apart whenever she thinks about how she ended up here. While the language barrier is beyond frustrating, it's easy to fall in love with Maalik, Caelan, Audun, and Reule.
The four Guardians have made it clear they'll go to any lengths to reunite Isla with her best friend. When they learn that Alistair is a demon, and that Isla might very well have two other supernatural mates searching for her as well, they're torn. They don't want to lose the best thing that's ever happened to them, but they want to do right by Isla—even if that means betraying their king and coming to terms with the fact that they've spent most of their lives acting like the monsters people always feared them to be.
Alistair never meant for anything bad to happen to Isla. He's spent his entire life wishing he could be more like her and hating the demon side of his heritage. Since realizing his immortality has settled, he's been scrambling to find a solution. He can't bear the thought of living a day without Isla by his side, let alone eternity. When his plans to make Isla immortal are thwarted, Alistair's only hope to rescue his best friend lies with his newly discovered fated mates—Lord Rian of the Unseelie Court and the eccentric and ancient witch Matthieu.
Meanwhile, Isla is doing her best to adjust to her new life in Briya. She's settling into a routine with her four new mates, learning the language, making new friends, and trying desperately not to fall apart whenever she thinks about how she ended up here. While the language barrier is beyond frustrating, it's easy to fall in love with Maalik, Caelan, Audun, and Reule.
The four Guardians have made it clear they'll go to any lengths to reunite Isla with her best friend. When they learn that Alistair is a demon, and that Isla might very well have two other supernatural mates searching for her as well, they're torn. They don't want to lose the best thing that's ever happened to them, but they want to do right by Isla—even if that means betraying their king and coming to terms with the fact that they've spent most of their lives acting like the monsters people always feared them to be.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2022
183 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Willow Hadley
12 books913 followersWillow Hadley is a self-published author who primarily writes sugary sweet reverse harem romance. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, their dog, ferret, and two cars. She started writing in early 2018, and decided to pursue publishing in 2020. She loves character driven stories and fluffy books that give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. She’s also obsessed with Disney movies, and her favorite candy is licorice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
June 26, 2022
I read this in one go it was that good.
Isla is probably my favourite FMC that Willow Hadley has written. She is undeniably fierce and caring.
I love how she is trying to understand the language and it frustrates her at times. The dialogue is written so that it's like the readers are also in her position. It's incredibly fascinating to see how they still carry on and communicate in their own way.
I will say that Reule is still my favourite MC. I can't wait for Allister to be reunited with Isla. Just picturing how that scene will play out and how the Guardians will react. *Chef's kiss*
Highly recommend you all read this series. Looking forward to seeing how it will end when everything is accounted for.
Isla is probably my favourite FMC that Willow Hadley has written. She is undeniably fierce and caring.
I love how she is trying to understand the language and it frustrates her at times. The dialogue is written so that it's like the readers are also in her position. It's incredibly fascinating to see how they still carry on and communicate in their own way.
I will say that Reule is still my favourite MC. I can't wait for Allister to be reunited with Isla. Just picturing how that scene will play out and how the Guardians will react. *Chef's kiss*
Highly recommend you all read this series. Looking forward to seeing how it will end when everything is accounted for.
June 24, 2022
first book was 5 stars for me but I am so conflicted after this one….kinda felt like running in place.
-skipped around in time and was mostly Alistair, Rian, and Matthieu from right before they met Isla and then kept moving from there.
-Alistair is such a selfish hot mess, when he would think to himself how selfish he was, I would agree every time. Getting Isla kidnapped and trafficked and then turning around and pretty much making it all about you and seducing your new mutual mate the next morning for some sexy time while she could be getting beaten, tortured, raped, who knows what and he was supposed to be off interrogating ppl connected with those responsible?!
Only logical explanation I can think is that the author wanted a MM scene and thought this was the best place to put it!? No one is this self centered, surely.
-Rian talks about them like they are his sexy little pets not people “little mates” fantasizing about them f*cking each other every which way for his pleasure when they’ve already told him they are friends, not lovers and grew up in foster care together. pfffff
-I wish at this point she could just stay with her wonderful, supportive and sweet mates in Briya and not be shackled to her awful, toxic friend she has to do everything for, this thousand year old fae ODB and witch who just seems a bit lost.
Things that squigcked me out:
1) rabid make out sesh directly after violent throw up
2 kissing after eating out at the tush cafe (and I mean a FULL buffet!)
Book 3 fantasy: Isla lets down Rian and Mattie easy with a “we can be friends chat” and a pat on the head for Rian, gives Ally a stern talking to about getting himself together, not being a victim, and a hug then takes over Briya with the help of the other beasts, ousting the king and becoming queen, banishing Bela the fashion designer and her endless frills to another realm.
-skipped around in time and was mostly Alistair, Rian, and Matthieu from right before they met Isla and then kept moving from there.
-Alistair is such a selfish hot mess, when he would think to himself how selfish he was, I would agree every time. Getting Isla kidnapped and trafficked and then turning around and pretty much making it all about you and seducing your new mutual mate the next morning for some sexy time while she could be getting beaten, tortured, raped, who knows what and he was supposed to be off interrogating ppl connected with those responsible?!
Only logical explanation I can think is that the author wanted a MM scene and thought this was the best place to put it!? No one is this self centered, surely.
-Rian talks about them like they are his sexy little pets not people “little mates” fantasizing about them f*cking each other every which way for his pleasure when they’ve already told him they are friends, not lovers and grew up in foster care together. pfffff
-I wish at this point she could just stay with her wonderful, supportive and sweet mates in Briya and not be shackled to her awful, toxic friend she has to do everything for, this thousand year old fae ODB and witch who just seems a bit lost.
Things that squigcked me out:
1) rabid make out sesh directly after violent throw up
2 kissing after eating out at the tush cafe (and I mean a FULL buffet!)
Book 3 fantasy: Isla lets down Rian and Mattie easy with a “we can be friends chat” and a pat on the head for Rian, gives Ally a stern talking to about getting himself together, not being a victim, and a hug then takes over Briya with the help of the other beasts, ousting the king and becoming queen, banishing Bela the fashion designer and her endless frills to another realm.
June 25, 2022
I love isla And her three mates!!!! But ALISTAIR kinda ruined this book for me. He is a terrible friend like omg I liked him in the first one but in this one he is very selfish and cares more about getting his dick wet more than isla, like she could be getting fucking raped and abused for all he knows but he wanted to have sex with rian to really care. Out of alistair and rian and mattheiu’s I definitely like mattheiu the most so I can’t wait to see his relationship with isla
July 21, 2022
This book was pretty pointless. It’s basically just book one over again from other character POVs and just random stuff that doesn’t really matter. I was bored. Too many timelines, too many POVs including random side character POVs, and too much redundancy. It’s a bummer because the world and characters are fun to read about but no matter how good those things are I just don’t want to read about the same things over and over again. This supposed BFF is trash too and I’m really not liking the direction the whole harem looks like it’s heading into. I’ll probably just end up skim reading book three to see what happens with the overall plot, that’s how uninterested I am in in Matthieu, Allister, and Rian.
June 25, 2022
I enjoyed this story, however I have to admit I was really holding onto hope that Rian and Matthieu are not really Isla’s and that it can be written off as either null or platonic. It just doesn’t feel authentic to me and it never did. It’s great that Alistair has them, but I don’t see the appeal in having the shared bond there. I tend to prefer closed units anyway, so this weird open ended thing just doesn’t resonate with me, especially because Isla and Alistair are noted a few times as platonic friends. I want Alistair to be able to have his mates tbh, Isla already has 4, it seems unfair she’d also get Alistair’s 😅😅😅. But also, Alistair is a really bad friend and is super needy and problematic in a lot of ways, I can’t see him sharing or not messing with her bond with the Guardians. I’m still clinging to some kinda hope that the chosen bond will somehow still override the other one.
It will be interesting to see how everything unfolds. I really wanted to get into the next phase of the story, but we have a lot of good set up for the next book to look forward to.
It will be interesting to see how everything unfolds. I really wanted to get into the next phase of the story, but we have a lot of good set up for the next book to look forward to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2022
I read this in just a few hours. Holy marbles!!! The ending made me scream lol. It was a great book with a cliffhanger i did not see coming. I can't wait for the next one.
June 25, 2022
I hated, I hate Alistair so much... he was so selfish, the whole development he had with Isla was toxic. He always behaves like an immature child, and he really couldn't live without her, since she's the one who supports the house and feeds him. I hope Alistair stays away from his harem, he always sees Isla as a competition, it would be nice to just stay as a friend. Isla always wonderful, in every development we realize the affection she feels for Alistair, her being away from him brought a break from his toxicity. The prince and the tailor did not impress me. It was something rushed, we already observe a romance between them... So bleh, nothing new. The guardians I thought were so cute, their insecurities, their displays of affection and alphas made me sigh and agree how tired Isla was of taking care of Alistair and living her own life.Had I taken the development out of the prince and Alistair, I think the book could have been finished by now, it wouldn't have made much difference. But I hope I'm wrong, and I want to be wrong, and the next book will surprise me. He wants a mature Alistair, a Rain who knows how to share with Matt, an Isla to say goodbye to Alistair. And let the prince get married soon, since nobody stops him and bleh. Happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2022
Isla is the best!! She is so sweet but fierce and her relationship with her guys is the best. The way they are able to care for each other and instinctively know what to do for each other in some of the situation definitely makes me swoon. I liked seeing the perspectives of what happened when Isla was taken, and getting to learn more about the different realms and politics of the kingdoms.
I am probably in the minority here but I honestly love Isla’s harem the way it is. I can’t help but hope (like some of her guardians) that the relationship that Alistair, Mattieu, and Rían have is separate from Isla and her guardians. From what is alluded the old bond isn’t gone but I just love the group dynamics that exist for Isla now.
I am probably in the minority here but I honestly love Isla’s harem the way it is. I can’t help but hope (like some of her guardians) that the relationship that Alistair, Mattieu, and Rían have is separate from Isla and her guardians. From what is alluded the old bond isn’t gone but I just love the group dynamics that exist for Isla now.
March 21, 2023
3.9🐉
Idk if this was better than the first one. Literally NOTHING new happened with Isla and the guys.
I thought that at least she would be able to communicate with them in this book but it was more of the same.
About the other povs with Allistair and the other two, I feel like their relationship as mates needs a LOT of work bc they literally haven't been able to spend time knowing each other or anything. Also the fact that all his povs were in the span of like a day when in the Isla's pov she already has like three months there is kinda weird.
I just want to see interactions with Isla and the guys were she ACTUALLY can talk to them, and want Allistair and the guys to finally find Isla so they can focus on their relationship.
Idk if this was better than the first one. Literally NOTHING new happened with Isla and the guys.
I thought that at least she would be able to communicate with them in this book but it was more of the same.
About the other povs with Allistair and the other two, I feel like their relationship as mates needs a LOT of work bc they literally haven't been able to spend time knowing each other or anything. Also the fact that all his povs were in the span of like a day when in the Isla's pov she already has like three months there is kinda weird.
I just want to see interactions with Isla and the guys were she ACTUALLY can talk to them, and want Allistair and the guys to finally find Isla so they can focus on their relationship.
June 25, 2022
3.5⭐️
We finally get more understanding on who Rian, Matthieu, and Allistair are and who they are to Ilsa. Because in book one, we were left not knowing much about these three supernatural beings and the book went to a different realm where Ilsa was forced to be in.
Ilsa is still very much in a different realm and married off into a harem with her mates she’s come to love and adore.
Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun.
The language barrier is still very much there and an issue however, they make it work and somehow they get to the wedding and have a ceremony where they end up connecting on a deeper level.
This is one of those rare times where I cannot stand the heroine of a book(s). Isla’s personally is hit or miss for me. It’s the main male characters that I feel truly carry this series.
I’ve enjoyed the relationship between her mates that we’ve come to know more of but the MM scenes are a bit cringy. I love my gay romances! But this wasn’t it.
They are on a war path to figure out what happened to Ilsa. The fourth and final mate of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Ilsa really has no idea the agonizing emotion and fear and guilt these men have because she’s in a different realm, fell in love with other men, and is a sex fiend to her husbands.
It’s … an interesting series.
I’d like to continue the series to see where everything goes.
We finally get more understanding on who Rian, Matthieu, and Allistair are and who they are to Ilsa. Because in book one, we were left not knowing much about these three supernatural beings and the book went to a different realm where Ilsa was forced to be in.
Ilsa is still very much in a different realm and married off into a harem with her mates she’s come to love and adore.
Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun.
The language barrier is still very much there and an issue however, they make it work and somehow they get to the wedding and have a ceremony where they end up connecting on a deeper level.
This is one of those rare times where I cannot stand the heroine of a book(s). Isla’s personally is hit or miss for me. It’s the main male characters that I feel truly carry this series.
I’ve enjoyed the relationship between her mates that we’ve come to know more of but the MM scenes are a bit cringy. I love my gay romances! But this wasn’t it.
They are on a war path to figure out what happened to Ilsa. The fourth and final mate of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Ilsa really has no idea the agonizing emotion and fear and guilt these men have because she’s in a different realm, fell in love with other men, and is a sex fiend to her husbands.
It’s … an interesting series.
I’d like to continue the series to see where everything goes.
June 23, 2022
First and foremost: thank you to Willow for bringing me onto her ARC team because I could not be happier to do an early review for one of my favorite authors.
Now here's the review:
The second installment gives us everything we missed in the first. I will say that about 17-18% of the way into the book there's some pretty descriptive self harm so I really appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning.
My baby Alistair...
He reminds me so much of myself as a teenager in so many ways. He's ridiculously relatable even when you want to wring his neck. Getting more of him in this book was not only enlightening and hilarious but also heartbreaking as well.
Polyam inclusivity!
Willow is building such a complex and beautiful harem and I am literally so excited for the next book to see how these dynamics work out. That cliffhanger? Willow said it, themselves, the worst. But you'll be hanging on for the next one that's for sure.
Matthieu means everything to me.
To have a truly asexual character in the main romance of the story is just *chef's kiss* and I honestly could not be happier to see all of the diversity here. I would die for Matt. That's all.
In conclusion...
A wonderfully sweet (as always) and comforting read that gives you all the good feels, all the piping hot tea full of drama, and a Queen of Beasts to love wholeheartedly.
Now here's the review:
The second installment gives us everything we missed in the first. I will say that about 17-18% of the way into the book there's some pretty descriptive self harm so I really appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning.
My baby Alistair...
He reminds me so much of myself as a teenager in so many ways. He's ridiculously relatable even when you want to wring his neck. Getting more of him in this book was not only enlightening and hilarious but also heartbreaking as well.
Polyam inclusivity!
Willow is building such a complex and beautiful harem and I am literally so excited for the next book to see how these dynamics work out. That cliffhanger? Willow said it, themselves, the worst. But you'll be hanging on for the next one that's for sure.
Matthieu means everything to me.
To have a truly asexual character in the main romance of the story is just *chef's kiss* and I honestly could not be happier to see all of the diversity here. I would die for Matt. That's all.
In conclusion...
A wonderfully sweet (as always) and comforting read that gives you all the good feels, all the piping hot tea full of drama, and a Queen of Beasts to love wholeheartedly.
June 20, 2022
Mattheiu is me. Tate is amazing. That is all.
May 31, 2024
So very good!
I started the first book and was obsessed! Had to read this book, and it did not disappoint! I am so excited to start the third book in this series, and I am sad that it is not out yet.
I started the first book and was obsessed! Had to read this book, and it did not disappoint! I am so excited to start the third book in this series, and I am sad that it is not out yet.
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August 26, 2022
I feel like this series is almost there. It's really fun and easy to read, but there's something just outside the mark that makes it an amazing read for me. I wish it were longer because there are elements that could benefit from some fleshing out. Supposedly Book 3 will wrap up the series and I don't see how that's feasible after what occurred in Book 2 without really adding some extra length!
On that note - it was fun to start Book 2 with the alternate POVs of Alistair & Rian during the night of the party from Of Moons and Monsters. The first 5 chapters (approx 20%) offer an interesting slice of life of - what I'll call - the 'other harem' with the men on Earth. Like I mentioned, I wish more time could have been spent with them because the brief taste we get was too much of a tease! Alistair is a trauma-filled cinnamon roll perfectly set up to be care for by Rian & Matthieu, who are equally delightful the more we get to know them. They got 9 of the 24 chapters and it just wasn't enough!
Our main harem with Isla & the Guardians is continuing to grow nicely and, again, I love the element of the language barrier and how they work around it to cement their bonds further. There's much more Briyan (aka Czech) included this go around and it was fun to translate it as I went along. They're all experiencing some element of growth with this new relationship and it's expanding nicely. Again, too much smexy time off-page, but if it's to expand more character & plot development, I won't complain ;)
Weirdly, I didn't find the cliffhanger ending all that dramatic but I guess that's just a matter of taste. I can't stand a cliffhanger that's full of angst and tension but here I felt an element of hope and excitement, so didn't feel as hit over the head, haha. I can't wait to see where Book 3 takes us!
Book 1: Of Moons and Monsters - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 2: Of Dreams and Demons - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
On that note - it was fun to start Book 2 with the alternate POVs of Alistair & Rian during the night of the party from Of Moons and Monsters. The first 5 chapters (approx 20%) offer an interesting slice of life of - what I'll call - the 'other harem' with the men on Earth. Like I mentioned, I wish more time could have been spent with them because the brief taste we get was too much of a tease! Alistair is a trauma-filled cinnamon roll perfectly set up to be care for by Rian & Matthieu, who are equally delightful the more we get to know them. They got 9 of the 24 chapters and it just wasn't enough!
Our main harem with Isla & the Guardians is continuing to grow nicely and, again, I love the element of the language barrier and how they work around it to cement their bonds further. There's much more Briyan (aka Czech) included this go around and it was fun to translate it as I went along. They're all experiencing some element of growth with this new relationship and it's expanding nicely. Again, too much smexy time off-page, but if it's to expand more character & plot development, I won't complain ;)
Weirdly, I didn't find the cliffhanger ending all that dramatic but I guess that's just a matter of taste. I can't stand a cliffhanger that's full of angst and tension but here I felt an element of hope and excitement, so didn't feel as hit over the head, haha. I can't wait to see where Book 3 takes us!
Book 1: Of Moons and Monsters - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 2: Of Dreams and Demons - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 1, 2023
I enjoyed the first book and was hoping that Isla and her men would figure out a way around their communication issue and wanted to see what would happen. Unfortunately, I found this installment disappointing and the only characters I enjoyed and kept me reading were Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun.
Let's start with Allistair, he is a selfish and self-pitying character that made me want to scream. I am assuming the mention of his problems with addiction and his unknown power is supposed to make me sympathize for him and to an extent I do, but it got to a point where I saw him as the toxic friend you need to cut out of your life lest they bring you down with them. I felt like he only cared about Isla because she was his caretaker and put up with his crap.
My next problem was Isla, I did not mind her in the first book, but she started to give me internalized misogyny and pick me girl vibes. The fact that her only friends and people she gets along with, for the most part, are the men she's sleeping with and gay men left a bad taste in my mouth. Then there was a specific scene that really made me dislike her and made any time after that when she was angered by injustice feel disingenuous.
Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun were the only saving grace to me. I liked the plot of them learning that not all "dark" creatures are evil, and they might have been misled. The men start to question everything and self reflect on the pain they caused which was interesting and the only reason I might choose to continue the series.
Let's start with Allistair, he is a selfish and self-pitying character that made me want to scream. I am assuming the mention of his problems with addiction and his unknown power is supposed to make me sympathize for him and to an extent I do, but it got to a point where I saw him as the toxic friend you need to cut out of your life lest they bring you down with them. I felt like he only cared about Isla because she was his caretaker and put up with his crap.
My next problem was Isla, I did not mind her in the first book, but she started to give me internalized misogyny and pick me girl vibes. The fact that her only friends and people she gets along with, for the most part, are the men she's sleeping with and gay men left a bad taste in my mouth. Then there was a specific scene that really made me dislike her and made any time after that when she was angered by injustice feel disingenuous.
Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun were the only saving grace to me. I liked the plot of them learning that not all "dark" creatures are evil, and they might have been misled. The men start to question everything and self reflect on the pain they caused which was interesting and the only reason I might choose to continue the series.
September 5, 2022
I am so disappointed. I absolutely loved the first book, but this one was ruined for me by Alistair, Mathieu and Ryan. Alistair was just so annoying. It would be so much better with them separate, Isla and her guardians and the other three. Yet, I don’t even want to read about Alistair at all, he’s just so whiny and selfish and I can’t find it in me to feel sympathy for him. The first book was amazing, really disappointed with how far it’s fallen.
June 22, 2022
Ahhh OMG this book was so adorable!!!
This is the sequel to Of Moons And Monsters and let me tell you it is AMAZING! That cliffhanger though….
Isla is the sweetest character and her mates are so freaking cute! They work so well together and they have grown so much since the first book. What I really loved is that we get to see Alistair, Matthieu, and Rian’s point of view and what they’ve been up to since Isla has been gone. I really love each and every character, and I absolutely love the LGBTQIA representation in this series! Willow Hadley always writes such sweet and steamy books and never and I mean NEVER writes a bad book.
The steam in this book is off the charts. It’s flaming hot… 🔥🔥🔥 Isla’s relationship with her mates is seriously the sweetest. Gah, those guys are so freaking understanding and they truly love and respect Isla. 😍
The Guardians and their beliefs are questioned in this book. They start to become suspicious of their king and when they discover new information. There’s a lot of unexpected things that happen in Of Dreams And Demons and as I said that cliffhanger will make you yell “why!!!!” No spoilers though… 🤫
For real though, if you haven’t read this series yet then what the heck are you waiting for?? GO AND CHECK IT OUT. YES RIGHT NOW! Whew okay okay I’m good. 🤣🤣
This is definitely a 5 star read for me! This book will be out June 24th!
I can’t wait to read more!!!
June 21, 2022
I am so excited to get more of Isla’s story! This is a perfect continuation, with more perspectives given. We finally get to see what Alistair, Rian, and Matthieu experienced leading up to and after Isla’s disappearance. Getting into their heads adds so much depth and emotion to the story overall.
The spice is burning, flaming hot, even more so than in book one. Isla learns more about her mates and the realm that she’s adopted as her own. Her relationship with the Guardians is still sweet and full of mutual respect and adoration ( #relationshipgoals )We also get to know some supporting characters better, and I adore them just as much as the main cast. More questions come up as Isla learns about the kingdom and the chimera. The Guardians’ beliefs in their king and their purpose are challenged when new information is discovered.
This series remains one of the best examples of fantasy world-building, complete with a language barrier, and fantastical elements, that I’ve ever read. The LGBTQIA representation in this series is wonderful. Willow Hadley is a one-click author for me - I will read anything she writes. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
The spice is burning, flaming hot, even more so than in book one. Isla learns more about her mates and the realm that she’s adopted as her own. Her relationship with the Guardians is still sweet and full of mutual respect and adoration ( #relationshipgoals )We also get to know some supporting characters better, and I adore them just as much as the main cast. More questions come up as Isla learns about the kingdom and the chimera. The Guardians’ beliefs in their king and their purpose are challenged when new information is discovered.
This series remains one of the best examples of fantasy world-building, complete with a language barrier, and fantastical elements, that I’ve ever read. The LGBTQIA representation in this series is wonderful. Willow Hadley is a one-click author for me - I will read anything she writes. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
July 6, 2022
When I tell you I was excited for this book, I meant it. I was waiting for it to be released. I couldn’t wait. The first book was a five star read for me while this one, not so much
This book had multiple POVs which is fine but I felt like it was jumping around too much, it was hard to focus
The plot of this book was also really slow compared to the first but I think this book is there to build up the part book. It felt like a lot of world building, so I’m hoping the last book is going to be full of action
Some quick bullet points:
-Isla is a badass still, need more of it though
-Guardians still have my heart, like I could just read about them and be happy
-Allister is a brat and self-centred
-Rian & Matthieu are MEH right now but I see potential. The whole Isla being their mate is throwing me for a loop because she is true mates with the guardians but still their mate but I think it will make more sense (hopefully) in the third book
Im still excited about the last book because I do love this world and I also need to know what happens next
This book had multiple POVs which is fine but I felt like it was jumping around too much, it was hard to focus
The plot of this book was also really slow compared to the first but I think this book is there to build up the part book. It felt like a lot of world building, so I’m hoping the last book is going to be full of action
Some quick bullet points:
-Isla is a badass still, need more of it though
-Guardians still have my heart, like I could just read about them and be happy
-Allister is a brat and self-centred
-Rian & Matthieu are MEH right now but I see potential. The whole Isla being their mate is throwing me for a loop because she is true mates with the guardians but still their mate but I think it will make more sense (hopefully) in the third book
Im still excited about the last book because I do love this world and I also need to know what happens next
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2022
Book 2 is here. Book 2 is here!! Omg I was so ridiculously excited for this that you can't even imagine. So much more is happening in book 2 that I can barely process it. So much time has passed since Isla was taken. In that time, she's been promised to 4 of most decorated, most revered of the King's Guardians. And Isla accepts her place and is ready. She's now mated to Maalik, Audun, Caelan and my favorite Ruele. She has a friend in this new realm, her designer Dushan. Can I just say the pending relationship with Dushan and Prince Ilari is adorable? there's some MM action in here and I'm here for it. I need more. Anyway, all the while Isla is getting her freak on with her 4 sexy new husbands, Alistair, Rian and Mathieu are scouring all over the place for her. I'm super anxious for book 3 because I really hope they get reunited.
June 22, 2022
I have been dying for more of this series. In Of Dreams and Demons, we finally get to see a little bit more of what is happening on Earth through Alistair’s, Rian’s, and Matthieu’s points of view. Side note, I’m learning that Willow Hadley is a fan of multiple POV throughout her stories. Surprisingly, it’s still working for me, but fair warning if that is a pet peeve.
I devoured Of Dreams and Demons and finished it in a single day. My overall feeling is…that it’s missing something. There was good character development and plot progression, but I think I was just missing Isla and her chimeras. There was so much from the other realm with the alternate POVs that I felt like I wanted more one-on-one time for Isla and her men.
At the end of the day, Of Dreams and Demons has great queer representation (including asexual!) and I’m still fully invested in this story and can’t wait for more.
I devoured Of Dreams and Demons and finished it in a single day. My overall feeling is…that it’s missing something. There was good character development and plot progression, but I think I was just missing Isla and her chimeras. There was so much from the other realm with the alternate POVs that I felt like I wanted more one-on-one time for Isla and her men.
At the end of the day, Of Dreams and Demons has great queer representation (including asexual!) and I’m still fully invested in this story and can’t wait for more.
July 3, 2022
Willow has once again drew me in to the point where I could hardly put the book down. If I didn't have responsible adult things I had to do I could have definitely read this in one sitting. After the first book I was desperate to get more of Allister, Matthieu and Rain so loved having that but still waiting on their reunion with Isla which is something to look forward too. Isla and her men are still struggling to properly communicate which is too be expected but they are still going strong. Cliff hanger ending that has me dying waiting for book three.
June 24, 2022
This series just keeps it coming with the hits!! I am so in love with these characters and I can’t wait for more especially with where this book ended like really?! I had a feeling but when it hit I was still in shock!! I am loving the progression of the relationships with Isla!!! I am so in love with Isla she is strong caring fierce she is always trying and learning and growing and man does she love her guys! So looking forward to the next book!
July 5, 2022
I've been impatiently waiting for this book since the second I finished book 1 a year ago. Literally stalked the authors social media for months until I came across a WIP and tentative release date and I've been sitting on my hands since then!
Gah, so worth the wait! And I don't say that lightly, I hate waiting for things. It's my least favorite thing ever. I'm the fast walker on the sidewalk who cannot understand WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE WALKING SO SLOW FOR!?! I pay extra for fast shipping. If I can't have it now, I don't want it. It's a toxic trait, to be sure. Anyway, here I am after finishing this book in hours because nothing else existed outside of me and these characters. Kids who? House what? Nope, I was in Briya.
I've got a shit ton of spoilers I want to yell about but I won't. I love these characters and this story. I love the different plot elements that keep me on the edge of my seat. I LOVE Maalik even more now than I did in book 1. I'm so into this world that now I'm mad I gotta wait AGAIN!
P. S.
That last chapter??? Ughhhh. Everything.
Gah, so worth the wait! And I don't say that lightly, I hate waiting for things. It's my least favorite thing ever. I'm the fast walker on the sidewalk who cannot understand WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE WALKING SO SLOW FOR!?! I pay extra for fast shipping. If I can't have it now, I don't want it. It's a toxic trait, to be sure. Anyway, here I am after finishing this book in hours because nothing else existed outside of me and these characters. Kids who? House what? Nope, I was in Briya.
I've got a shit ton of spoilers I want to yell about but I won't. I love these characters and this story. I love the different plot elements that keep me on the edge of my seat. I LOVE Maalik even more now than I did in book 1. I'm so into this world that now I'm mad I gotta wait AGAIN!
P. S.
That last chapter??? Ughhhh. Everything.
June 27, 2022
3.5
Not gonna lie, I think books by this author have a lot of superfluous gushing 😂 And some of the gushing gets repetitive and has me rolling my eyes. Yet, all of her books have a ‘bright light’ vibe to them. It’s like a warm cozy blanket and fresh baked cookies. Comfortable. Looking forward to more by this author and a release date for book 3!
Not gonna lie, I think books by this author have a lot of superfluous gushing 😂 And some of the gushing gets repetitive and has me rolling my eyes. Yet, all of her books have a ‘bright light’ vibe to them. It’s like a warm cozy blanket and fresh baked cookies. Comfortable. Looking forward to more by this author and a release date for book 3!
July 2, 2022
First off, the book contains a content warning section. It is the most hilarious trigger warning I've ever read, along with general advisories about content some readers may not like, such as a major cliffhanger at the end of the book. (Which, if you aren't chomping at the bit to read the second installment, perhaps wait until the third book comes out so you can binge read them.) The story started off at the same spot the first book did -- instead this time from Alistair's, Rian's, and Matthieu's views. Usually I prefer only a small number of POVs, but I absolutely loved these threes'. It also made a nice recap of part of the first book since it has been so long since I read it. In the first book, I wasn't sure how I felt about Rian and Matthieu and whether or not I wanted Isla to be mated to them, but after this book, I really want to see her reunited with her fated mates (and of course her best friend)! I love how this book also shows the inner struggle of Isla's chosen mates as they are presented with the dilemma of learning that not all demons are inherently bad, challenging the beliefs they've held about dark creatures for their entire lives. The main part of the book that I felt needed improvement was the inconsistent time frame. I understand the backwards time jump to experience Alistair's and his mates' point of views, but jumping forward and back again made it feel disconnected. It would have flowed better if their views were all at the beginning of the book instead of being divided in half by Isla and her chosen mates' views. Overall, though, I loved this book even more than the first, and I can't wait for the next one!
February 20, 2024
Really enjoyed this second book. The only reason I gave it three stars was the time hopping between the POVs made some of the chapters feel a bit redundant and I would’ve liked it if the story progressed more instead. Hopefully the third book comes out soon because I would love to know how this ends.
July 23, 2025
better than book 1
I think I would still give this book a 3.5⭐️, but it was better than book 2. I really get annoyed by a lot in this book in particular, but I like the additional POV’s. It does end on a cliffy, but I’m unsure if I care enough to read the final one whenever it comes out.
I think I would still give this book a 3.5⭐️, but it was better than book 2. I really get annoyed by a lot in this book in particular, but I like the additional POV’s. It does end on a cliffy, but I’m unsure if I care enough to read the final one whenever it comes out.
June 25, 2022
I just finished and I kind of want to scream at that ending even as I knew it was coming as I stared down the percentage. I Absolutely loved the book. I can’t wait for book 3 to see how it all ties together, I love these characters so much 😍♥️
June 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, the only thing that I struggle with it the different language because you genuinely have no idea what is being said at times. If it was just another language I often Google translate but you can’t in this case.
Other than that I really loved the story and can’t wait for the next book. Love the characters and would love to see more conversations between them once the language barrier is lessened.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Other than that I really loved the story and can’t wait for the next book. Love the characters and would love to see more conversations between them once the language barrier is lessened.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
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