A Season of Subterfuge, Courtiers, and War Councils

by Nicki Chapelway

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Paperback

Published April 11, 2022

About the author

Nicki is a twenty-something author of swoony romantic fantasy. She has been writing since she was eleven and has since published several works. She enjoys creating stories with twisty-stabby faerie romances, retellings that take a darker turn, and epic fantasies in worlds full of monsters and magic.

Nicki lives in Ohio where she spends far too much time watching TV, playing video games, and sleeping. She listens to music basically all the time, and adores obsessing over mythologies, her shows, and her slew of fictional boyfriends. When not writing, she can usually be found at her desk with either a paintbrush or a pen in her hand.

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Reviews

[Nicki Chapelway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, okay. All right then.

I've only been trying to finish this book for six years. So, excuse me, I'm a little bit in shock right now.

This book is just... everything. All of those things that have been slowly building up in the last two books comes to a head in this one. And just EVERYTHING happens.

Eastons are kissed.
Clint sasses literally everyone.
People nearly die.
People DO die.
Someone catches a cold.
Chelsea has at least three mental breakdowns.
Alexis was just amazing, okay? He can do no wrong.
Bobby is the voice of reason, as per usual.

The romance is strong with this one. Both old and new ships sail.

There's a lot of trauma. Also some assassination attempts. Oh, and a zombie king.
There's a dragon battle that has to be one of the most epic things I've written to date.

But most of all. The prophecies are fulfilled.

I'm the author, and all opinions I have about this book are 100% biased.

[Grace Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

That PRETTY COVER!!! *heart eyes*

Wait, WHAT!!! What a way to end a book! I cannot wait for the next one!!!! Give me, give me!

Full review to come once I figure out this mess of Emotions 😭

One thing I will say is that this one is definitely up there as one of my favorites! 🥰

Full Review 5/3/22:

Spoiler Warning:

Spoiler warning! I try to keep all my reviews spoiler-free as much as possible, however, this is the third book in the series, so consider yourself warned if you haven’t read the first two books. I would recommend both of the books btw, I mean, who wouldn’t want to read about werewolves and pirates? Yeah, take that as your cue to pick them up. 😉

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I know that some people have waited longer for this release, I only had to wait for about three years (because I read the second book in 2019), and my oh my, was the wait worth it! I didn’t know how much I had missed these characters until I was thrown back into the world with them. Man, I loved this book so much that I would have read it in one sitting if I didn’t have to work.

The World:

The world was just perfect. Because this is a portal fantasy, you have the perfect blend of elements of the real world mixed in a fantasy setting. Probably my two favorite places in the story are the city of Renlain and Fort Mastra.

Renlain was carved out of the side of the mountain and placed on the highest peak. The towers were meant for the dragons to land, they even had a dragon stable. It had a really cool library of books of lore for the world of Amar. I just think that it adds a layer of realism to the story. Having characters browse through a library of books that only belong in that world. So cool.

Now, as for Fort Mastra, it had the feeling of being so big and grand with a feeling of dread and despair. Darkness but with elaborate surroundings if you will. I loved it.

The Ships:

I never really shipped Chelsea and Philip together. I just didn’t think they really knew each other enough for the relationship to work, they mostly were attracted to each other. Not only that, but I thought that I would always be a Chelsea and Easton fan. However, this book almost changed my mind if that was possible. With Easton trying to be the selfless sacrificial lamb, I was having more and more problems seeing how the relationship would work as anything more than just friends. And Chelsea saw it too. And Philip and his morals on dating and his interest in courting Chelsea had perfect timing. And I actually kinda liked it. Even the kiss. Even though the kiss was to make Easton jealous. I mean, I love the dude, but he wasn’t thinking of how his sacrifice would affect Chelsea and how they wouldn’t really be able to have a relationship if he was, like, dead.

That being said, when we got back to the old ship of Easton and Chelsea together, I was happy, they were happy, I think that everyone was happy. It was sweet. I just really like best friends becoming couples. I just think it works so well, because of how well they know each other. And in the case of Chelsea and Easton, all that they went through together.

Now, these are the only ships that I will talk about, as I can’t give spoilers. But the other ships *chef kiss* I love them so much. Except for one, and they better never get together. NEVER!

The Characters:

I thought that the story was primarily Chelsea’s and Easton’s, though the book still did a good job of diving into the side stories of the other characters that I was invested in everyone. So much so, that I was usually okay with taking a break from one character to see the happenings of someone else.

But anyway, back to Chelsea and Easton. I really like how Easton grew in this one. At first, he almost annoyed me with how set he was at being Easton. Which was being so caring toward others that it was getting to be toxic to himself and the people around him. It was an interesting concept that I don’t think I’ve seen too much in other novels, but it worked so well. Easton had to learn why what he was doing was harmful to others and grow. And because his character was already so selfless, his growth was so on point, with more to come in the next book.

Now, as for Chelsea, I really like her character in this one. And I get where she was coming from. Easton was being difficult, and even though she liked him, I saw why their relationship wasn’t working at first. She also seemed to really get down to her emotions and how she really felt, which I thought was important. I honestly loved her in this one.

Clint made me laugh as usual. He kept reminding me of Linus in “Charlie Brown” because of him carrying his blanket around everywhere.

I kinda wish that we had some POVs from Bobby. But the fact that she was with Clint, was perfect. These two bickered so much with each other and I love them for it.

Alexis was just perfect. I loved how he was trying to protect the people he loved, but it still made me sad.

Margareta’s growth in this one was so good. Actually, both her and Alexis’s growth was on point, just yes!

Philip was just the best dude. And I’m so happy with his morals and how kindhearted he is toward others. Or at least to some people. And the things he says to Fiona made me so happy.

Fiona was perfect in this one. I loved her. Which considering how long it took me to like this character, her arc finally came together, and I was there for it!

Axius!!! THIS GUY HAS THE VILLAIN OF THE YEAR AWARD!!! In all honesty, though, this guy was creepy. 30+ wives (one at a time, I’m pretty sure) and living for over 700 years with just a power that can kill with a single touch, must I say more? He was scary, and I love him for that.

My pales Odysseus the dragon and Perseus the wolf did so well in this one! Ahhhh, I loved them so much! And the things they said were always so perfect!

Percival. There was something about him that made it so I couldn’t trust him. But I felt kinda bad for him because he wanted to please so much. And I guess for that I did like him.

The One Minor Problem I Had:

For the most part, this book is absolutely a favorite of mine. I didn’t have any real problems with it. And this one tiny thing is pretty small. I was slightly confused about the beginning of the story. Marius has an investment in our four heroes, but yet he just throws them and his apprentice right in front of Axius, the guy that they are supposed to stop. But yet, he must have known that throwing them there at that time could’ve gotten them all killed and ruined his whole plan. I especially was confused by that scene when Percival explains later how they need to call a war council and so on, in order to really stop Axius. I get that Marius is not totally sane, but it just didn’t seem to make much sense why he would place everyone in danger, especially when there was a better plan. But I won’t complain too much, as I also love that scene. =D

Content in Book:

1. Violence. (A hand getting chopped off, happens more than once. Getting stabbed in the heart (I think this happens like three or four times). Burning people (sometimes to ash, sometimes the burn wounds are described). Trying to drown someone. Dragon fight. Arrows. A werewolf tearing and biting people. A wolf biting someone. The wolf getting stabbed. Killing someone with a touch (pretty disturbing with the way it is described). Going to hang people. Someone gorging their child’s eyes out. Breaking someone’s ribs. Etc.)

2. Magic. (Killing people with a touch. Taking other people’s powers. Elemental magic. Seeing the future. Faeries. Etc.)

3. Werewolves.

4. Torture. (Starving someone. Forcing them to dance. Etc.)

5. Dungeons. Imprisoning people for life.

6. Someone who went insane and tried to choke/strangle someone to death. A few other cases of characters who may not be totally sane.

7. Zombies.

Who I Would Recommend This Book Too:

Those who have read the first two books in the series (A Week of Werewolves, Faeries, and Fancy Dresses and A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses), as well as the first book in the “Return to Amar” series (A Certain Sort of Madness).

I think that you would really enjoy this story if you like books with dragons, werewolves, faeries, prophecies, great worldbuilding, unforgettable characters, and modern-day references.

Review first posted on my blog here with fan art of Odysseus the dragon that I drew (https://gracemmorris.wordpress.com/20...)