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The Wicked Belles #1
Bewitched Shadows
A fiery witch...
Ember Belle is a total mess. When she's not partying with the local shifter pack or causing mayhem around New Orleans with her three sisters, she does anything to avoid confronting her out-of-control fire magick and the grief from losing her parents. However, when an opportunity arises to obtain a magical item that could solve all her problems, she decides to take her life into her own hands.
A cold-as-ice demon...
Killian Inferno's only desire is to spend his final weeks of freedom in New Orleans, away from his duties as the future Lord of Pride. What he doesn't expect, is to be summoned by the amateur witch who has been haunting his dreams. A seductress who needs his expertise to solve a recent murder by any means necessary. Even sorcery.
Ember now has no choice but to enter a demon pact with Killian. The terms are simple: remove the spell she may have cast on him before Samhain, or return to Hell with him, kicking and screaming. Can the two enemies set aside their animosity to uncover the city's secrets and unlock Ember's true magical potential, or will they be undone by the enemies they didn't see coming?
Bewitched Shadows is Book 1 in the sizzling, new Wicked Belles series.
Ember Belle is a total mess. When she's not partying with the local shifter pack or causing mayhem around New Orleans with her three sisters, she does anything to avoid confronting her out-of-control fire magick and the grief from losing her parents. However, when an opportunity arises to obtain a magical item that could solve all her problems, she decides to take her life into her own hands.
A cold-as-ice demon...
Killian Inferno's only desire is to spend his final weeks of freedom in New Orleans, away from his duties as the future Lord of Pride. What he doesn't expect, is to be summoned by the amateur witch who has been haunting his dreams. A seductress who needs his expertise to solve a recent murder by any means necessary. Even sorcery.
Ember now has no choice but to enter a demon pact with Killian. The terms are simple: remove the spell she may have cast on him before Samhain, or return to Hell with him, kicking and screaming. Can the two enemies set aside their animosity to uncover the city's secrets and unlock Ember's true magical potential, or will they be undone by the enemies they didn't see coming?
Bewitched Shadows is Book 1 in the sizzling, new Wicked Belles series.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2023
20 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Blake
4 books22 followersAutumn Blake is a romance author currently residing in Texas. She loves morally grey heroes, strong heroines, and lots of spice. When not reading or writing, Autumn spends her time cuddling her Yorkies and traveling with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
April 21, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley & Autumn Blake for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
More of a romance novel with a fantasy background than the start to a low fantasy series with some romance, Bewitched Shadows was not quite what I expected.
Bewitched Shadows has all the necessary components for a solid romance, but I found the fantasy and paranormal aspects hard to accept. The writing has no subtlety to help make the vampires, werewolves, witches, and demons feel believable. Instead, they’re loud and brash and very in your face. I don’t know if it's the way it’s written, but the style here put me on edge the whole time. It’s missing the occult feel, especially being set in New Orleans. So instead of it feeling dark, creepy, and powerful, the magic is almost too... normal?
The romance is pretty decent if you can put the paranormal aspects to one side (which is difficult, considering they are pretty much the whole book). There’s the shared history of trauma, the deep grief and denial, the slow burn, and (for once) a book about mates that doesn’t overuse the word. In my opinion, that alone is worth a whole extra star (Maas, for all the good she has done, has forever ruined that word for me).
So, if I focus more on the romance and less on the fantasy, Bewitched Shadows shines a little brighter, but I can’t help feeling conflicted by the strange feeling that something was ‘off’. And while I wish the magic had been explained more, the sisters spent more time together to prove the bond they were always talking about, and the timeline hadn’t felt so rushed, I would definitely be interested in checking out the second book in the Wicked Belles series when it comes out. There might be something here that just needs more time to develop.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
More of a romance novel with a fantasy background than the start to a low fantasy series with some romance, Bewitched Shadows was not quite what I expected.
Bewitched Shadows has all the necessary components for a solid romance, but I found the fantasy and paranormal aspects hard to accept. The writing has no subtlety to help make the vampires, werewolves, witches, and demons feel believable. Instead, they’re loud and brash and very in your face. I don’t know if it's the way it’s written, but the style here put me on edge the whole time. It’s missing the occult feel, especially being set in New Orleans. So instead of it feeling dark, creepy, and powerful, the magic is almost too... normal?
The romance is pretty decent if you can put the paranormal aspects to one side (which is difficult, considering they are pretty much the whole book). There’s the shared history of trauma, the deep grief and denial, the slow burn, and (for once) a book about mates that doesn’t overuse the word. In my opinion, that alone is worth a whole extra star (Maas, for all the good she has done, has forever ruined that word for me).
So, if I focus more on the romance and less on the fantasy, Bewitched Shadows shines a little brighter, but I can’t help feeling conflicted by the strange feeling that something was ‘off’. And while I wish the magic had been explained more, the sisters spent more time together to prove the bond they were always talking about, and the timeline hadn’t felt so rushed, I would definitely be interested in checking out the second book in the Wicked Belles series when it comes out. There might be something here that just needs more time to develop.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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May 27, 2023
From the very beginning, I couldn't help but be reminded of the enchanting ambiance found in "Kingdom of the Wicked." The captivating plot of "Bewitched Shadows" shares similarities with the aforementioned book, featuring a witch and a demon bound by a fateful bargain and unexpectedly thrust into a shared mission to solve a perplexing murder mystery. This intriguing premise immediately drew me in and kept me engaged throughout the story.
One aspect that stood out to me was the well-crafted character development. The author skillfully portrayed the protagonists, particularly Killian, who exhibited a captivating blend of strength, protectiveness, and vulnerability. His dynamic interactions with Ember, the witch he finds himself bound to, showcased a deepening connection that kept me invested in their journey.
What truly impressed me was the imaginative world-building and the inclusion of various supernatural creatures within a single narrative. Autumn Blake's creative prowess shines through as she seamlessly weaves together witches, demons, and other mystical beings, crafting a rich and immersive fantasy realm.
While "Bewitched Shadows" provided an enjoyable reading experience overall, I felt that certain elements of the plot mirrored familiar tropes within the genre. However, the author's unique twist and fresh approach added a layer of intrigue and kept me guessing until the very end.
In conclusion, It is a captivating tale that fans of dark fantasy and paranormal romance will appreciate. I am grateful for the opportunity to have delved into this magical world and eagerly look forward to exploring more of Autumn Blake's work in the future.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to NetGalley and the author for granting me the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of "Bewitched Shadows" by Autumn Blake. It is always a pleasure to discover new and exciting stories in the world of fantasy.
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One aspect that stood out to me was the well-crafted character development. The author skillfully portrayed the protagonists, particularly Killian, who exhibited a captivating blend of strength, protectiveness, and vulnerability. His dynamic interactions with Ember, the witch he finds himself bound to, showcased a deepening connection that kept me invested in their journey.
What truly impressed me was the imaginative world-building and the inclusion of various supernatural creatures within a single narrative. Autumn Blake's creative prowess shines through as she seamlessly weaves together witches, demons, and other mystical beings, crafting a rich and immersive fantasy realm.
While "Bewitched Shadows" provided an enjoyable reading experience overall, I felt that certain elements of the plot mirrored familiar tropes within the genre. However, the author's unique twist and fresh approach added a layer of intrigue and kept me guessing until the very end.
In conclusion, It is a captivating tale that fans of dark fantasy and paranormal romance will appreciate. I am grateful for the opportunity to have delved into this magical world and eagerly look forward to exploring more of Autumn Blake's work in the future.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to NetGalley and the author for granting me the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of "Bewitched Shadows" by Autumn Blake. It is always a pleasure to discover new and exciting stories in the world of fantasy.
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February 11, 2023
Read as a Beta reader and loved it! Demons, witches, and a New Orleans setting—what’s not to live? Perfect for other adult urban fantasy fanatics.
April 4, 2023
I want to thank NetGalley for giving me the ARC to read! Overall, I thought it was a good book. This book is a romance, fantasy, and mystery. I liked the mystification of the plot but I wish it had a little more. I LOVED the family aspect of the book! The girls were awesome! I wish we saw a little more especially at the end when they held hands to demolish the demon. Then all of a sudden there are a whole bunch of spirit around them….it said it was another element but nothing else. I liked the banter with Killian and Ember and then they finally came together at the end. There were some words I didn’t understand and disrupted the flow of the book for me. Overall a good book and will be reading the next one.
dnf
April 27, 2023dnf 30%
I think I would have liked this if I was younger, like 16. But I am an old woman of 28. This doesn't feel fresh, exciting or interesting anymore.
The reason for finding this mcguffin feels hollow, the relationship between the mmc and fmc are just them spouting cliches at each other until they start making out, and the worldbuilding is not sufficient enough.
If I continued, it would be a very low rating, and I would be having a bad experience reading it. I am giving myself peace, patience and understanding this year which means I am dnf'ing more books that I am no longer interested in, or enjoying.
I am sure someone would enjoy this. Just not me.
**I was provided with an ARC from Autumn Blake for an honest review**
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April 4, 2023
Enter the world of Bewitched Shadows, the first installment in Autumn Blake’s Wicked Belles series. Bewitched Shadows opens in the ‘Big Easy,’ New Orleans. Though NOLA is already known for its sorcery and spells, Blake introduces even more magic and mystery to this supernatural city. Witches, werewolves, vampires and demons fill the streets as if it’s straight out of TVD The Originals.
In terms of plot, this is a full on romantasy with a hint of murder. While you’ll be intrigued by the who-dunnit happening, the main focus is on a certain witch and demon. It begins with a quest, turns reluctant allies into budding lovers, and ends with fated mates.
Bewitched Shadows has even more in store. It’s a thrilling page turner featuring mental health representation, familial bonds, sister witches, demon deals and more. Additionally, Autumn Blake masterfully addresses complex themes including assault, grief, and revenge. It’s a fast-paced read sure to make you laugh, cry, and feel butterflies.
I cannot thank the author and Xpresso Book Tours enough for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Bewitched Shadows is a debut contemporary fantasy/paranormal romance perfect for fans of Crescent City, Kingdom of the Wicked, and Tricky Princess. An easy 4🌟!
In terms of plot, this is a full on romantasy with a hint of murder. While you’ll be intrigued by the who-dunnit happening, the main focus is on a certain witch and demon. It begins with a quest, turns reluctant allies into budding lovers, and ends with fated mates.
Bewitched Shadows has even more in store. It’s a thrilling page turner featuring mental health representation, familial bonds, sister witches, demon deals and more. Additionally, Autumn Blake masterfully addresses complex themes including assault, grief, and revenge. It’s a fast-paced read sure to make you laugh, cry, and feel butterflies.
I cannot thank the author and Xpresso Book Tours enough for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Bewitched Shadows is a debut contemporary fantasy/paranormal romance perfect for fans of Crescent City, Kingdom of the Wicked, and Tricky Princess. An easy 4🌟!
March 18, 2023
4/5 Stars + 3/5 Spice
- Romance/Fantasy(urban vibes), Mystery
- Dual POV (my favourite)
- Anxiety representation
- TW: murder, SA
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and the author Autumn Blake for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.
This book suited my fancy in a multitude of ways. It had features from so many genres and types of novels that I love. As a mood reader this book is one that I feel would have suited me no matter what mood I was in. It was both an easy read while at the same time having enough world development to not feel lacking.
I would classify this book as a romance set in a fantasy plot within our world - New Orleans in fact - leading to an urban fantasy feel. An enemies to lovers and fated mates romance - chef’s kiss. And have I mentioned the spice yet? There is tension, slow burn (but not too slow), and just enough spice to satisfy you (no pun intended), without feeling overdone. Bravo, truly. It features witches, demons, werewolves, and vampires. Our FMC Ember is a witch with issues accessing her powers. She is strong willed, self-assured and is outwardly confident (especially in her sexuality - something I don’t see enough of honestly, and was a pleasant surprise). Our MMC Killian, is a dark, broody demon with a gruff exterior but a beautifully sensitive and vulnerable inner dialogue.
This story follows our two MCs trying to solve a series of murders. Themes of grief and underlying trauma are also explored. The FMC also has 3 sisters, all witches as well and we get to know little pieces of them as well throughout the story - I am very hopeful for a book featuring each of them (fingers crossed).
As far as the trigger warnings go, there is murder and killing and descriptions of the deceased. SA is also, at the very least, implied, but may still be difficult for some readers.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. I was initially attracted to the cover/title and was not disappointed in the overall execution of this story. Any potential future books in this serious will be an automatic addition to my TBR.
#BewitchedShadows #NetGalley
- Romance/Fantasy(urban vibes), Mystery
- Dual POV (my favourite)
- Anxiety representation
- TW: murder, SA
Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and the author Autumn Blake for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.
This book suited my fancy in a multitude of ways. It had features from so many genres and types of novels that I love. As a mood reader this book is one that I feel would have suited me no matter what mood I was in. It was both an easy read while at the same time having enough world development to not feel lacking.
I would classify this book as a romance set in a fantasy plot within our world - New Orleans in fact - leading to an urban fantasy feel. An enemies to lovers and fated mates romance - chef’s kiss. And have I mentioned the spice yet? There is tension, slow burn (but not too slow), and just enough spice to satisfy you (no pun intended), without feeling overdone. Bravo, truly. It features witches, demons, werewolves, and vampires. Our FMC Ember is a witch with issues accessing her powers. She is strong willed, self-assured and is outwardly confident (especially in her sexuality - something I don’t see enough of honestly, and was a pleasant surprise). Our MMC Killian, is a dark, broody demon with a gruff exterior but a beautifully sensitive and vulnerable inner dialogue.
This story follows our two MCs trying to solve a series of murders. Themes of grief and underlying trauma are also explored. The FMC also has 3 sisters, all witches as well and we get to know little pieces of them as well throughout the story - I am very hopeful for a book featuring each of them (fingers crossed).
As far as the trigger warnings go, there is murder and killing and descriptions of the deceased. SA is also, at the very least, implied, but may still be difficult for some readers.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. I was initially attracted to the cover/title and was not disappointed in the overall execution of this story. Any potential future books in this serious will be an automatic addition to my TBR.
#BewitchedShadows #NetGalley
March 23, 2023
Bewitched Shadows is a great combination of fantasy, romance, and a little bit of mystery. Not to mention it has enemies-to-lovers fated mates!
I was a little unsure if this book was really going to be for me after the first couple chapters, but after a bit of a shaky start I was definitely hooked.
The fantasy world was enjoyable and well explained, I loved how magic played into Ember and Killian’s relationship, and KILLIAN HAS WINGS. The romance had banter, a slow burn, spice, and some really sweet moments. If you love a protective mmc this one is for you. The mystery was a really fun additional element, but it was definitely less of a focus.
Ember’s sisters were also a really important part of this book and I loved their dynamic and how they played into the plot. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for a potential sequel!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was a little unsure if this book was really going to be for me after the first couple chapters, but after a bit of a shaky start I was definitely hooked.
The fantasy world was enjoyable and well explained, I loved how magic played into Ember and Killian’s relationship, and KILLIAN HAS WINGS. The romance had banter, a slow burn, spice, and some really sweet moments. If you love a protective mmc this one is for you. The mystery was a really fun additional element, but it was definitely less of a focus.
Ember’s sisters were also a really important part of this book and I loved their dynamic and how they played into the plot. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for a potential sequel!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2023
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours, all opinions are my own.
So I requested this book because the cover is stunning and I am sososososo happy I did because 100000/10 yes. This book was like a culmination of mythologies from Scarlett St. Clair’s A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone) and Kerri Maniscalco’s Kingdom of the Wicked that had a baby with The Vampire Diaries/The Originals and I love every single one of those things so I’m a real happy camper. This book was so funny but also filled with powerful things such as grief and vengeance and love. The female main character, Ember, had such a fun personality and I loved how confident and saucy she was. There is nothing I love more than an enemies to lovers fantasy romance and Ember and Killian freaking nailed that on the head. Mix that with a fated mates moment? I���m the happiest girl alive. I loved that this wasn’t only a fantasy/supernatural story but there was also mystery and plot twists and a delicious amount of spice. I don’t think I’ve read a book where the FMC was so sexually confident? It was super fun and I really enjoyed watching her grow more confident in her magick and herself. Another random thing I loved was Killian’s leather pants 👀 Dude the tension was there between the main characters for page one but this was almost slow burn so the tension was off the charts and we finally did have our moment???? Autumn Blake did such an awesome job and I am going to be absolutely feral until we get Jade and Alexei’s story!!! Thank you again to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Autumn Blake for the opportunity to read this ARC!
So I requested this book because the cover is stunning and I am sososososo happy I did because 100000/10 yes. This book was like a culmination of mythologies from Scarlett St. Clair’s A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone) and Kerri Maniscalco’s Kingdom of the Wicked that had a baby with The Vampire Diaries/The Originals and I love every single one of those things so I’m a real happy camper. This book was so funny but also filled with powerful things such as grief and vengeance and love. The female main character, Ember, had such a fun personality and I loved how confident and saucy she was. There is nothing I love more than an enemies to lovers fantasy romance and Ember and Killian freaking nailed that on the head. Mix that with a fated mates moment? I���m the happiest girl alive. I loved that this wasn’t only a fantasy/supernatural story but there was also mystery and plot twists and a delicious amount of spice. I don’t think I’ve read a book where the FMC was so sexually confident? It was super fun and I really enjoyed watching her grow more confident in her magick and herself. Another random thing I loved was Killian’s leather pants 👀 Dude the tension was there between the main characters for page one but this was almost slow burn so the tension was off the charts and we finally did have our moment???? Autumn Blake did such an awesome job and I am going to be absolutely feral until we get Jade and Alexei’s story!!! Thank you again to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Autumn Blake for the opportunity to read this ARC!
March 27, 2023
I was truly taken aback of how much I enjoyed this book. In my opinion, I find that some spicy romance books lack in character development and world building, that certainly wasn't an issue for me in Bewitched Shadows. I was immediately lured to this book because of the gorgeous cover. I am also a sucker for any book regarding the supernatural and loved that this world included so many supernatural creatures. The book is set in New Orleans with the witches being more of the main focus, specifically four sisters. The mysterious murder plot was a great edition to this spicy romance as I feel like it added another element to make the book interesting and it also helped build the pressure between the two characters. I felt like the witch, Ember, placed a hex on me as well since I couldn't put this book down.
I can't wait for the second book in the series to drop! I'm sensing there will be 4 books in the series about each sister or at least that's what I'm hoping.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book!
I can't wait for the second book in the series to drop! I'm sensing there will be 4 books in the series about each sister or at least that's what I'm hoping.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book!
September 9, 2023
This reminded me of a mix between True Blood (the book series not the TV show) and Charmed. It was a cute romance, fantasy with some action and a mystery to solve. It is a definite slow burn in the romance, but it gets spicey when it does hit. I look forward to the second book this fall.
Thank you to Autumn Blake and Netgalley for a digital copy of Bewitched Shadows.
Thank you to Autumn Blake and Netgalley for a digital copy of Bewitched Shadows.
March 1, 2023
*Summary*
Ember Belle is a hot mess. Literally, she’s a fire witch that can’t control her magick ever sense she found her parents murdered five years ago. She’s hidden behind risqué choices and alcohol rather than facing her grief and failure. When her parents’ killer resurfaces to cause more death, Ember is determined to find the culprit. With the Vampire Prince offering a reward that can help her control her magic, she decides to summon a demon for help. Killian wants nothing to do with the fire witch. In fact, he’s next in line for the throne and has dreamt of nothing more than claiming his title against his father’s wishes. Ember may be the fire witch, but it is fate that has sparks flying. They need to find the killer and survive this spell before they are both doomed to Hell.
*My Thoughts*
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book! The blurb instantly caught my attention as it had a lot of my favorite tropes like enemies-to-lovers and fated mates. What caught my attention even more is that it's a mystery and fantasy combined. I find that with fantasy writing can focus a lot on settings and character development, but in this case I thought the author did a great job balancing the descriptions with plot. The amount of information shared was sufficient enough to paint a clear picture of the settings and characters without being overdone.
As for the romance, the slow burn and enemies to lovers storyline made for a steamy connection between the MCs. This book is spicy with sexually explicit scenes. The author has a great imagination and the reasons for the spicy scenes brought another layer to the magic of the book.
*Summary of my Review*
All around I found the story to be very imaginative. It most definitely kept my attention and I felt like I needed to keep turning the pages. I cannot wait for the author's next book and to continue the story of the Belle sisters. I would recommend for lovers of all things magical and mysterious!
Ember Belle is a hot mess. Literally, she’s a fire witch that can’t control her magick ever sense she found her parents murdered five years ago. She’s hidden behind risqué choices and alcohol rather than facing her grief and failure. When her parents’ killer resurfaces to cause more death, Ember is determined to find the culprit. With the Vampire Prince offering a reward that can help her control her magic, she decides to summon a demon for help. Killian wants nothing to do with the fire witch. In fact, he’s next in line for the throne and has dreamt of nothing more than claiming his title against his father’s wishes. Ember may be the fire witch, but it is fate that has sparks flying. They need to find the killer and survive this spell before they are both doomed to Hell.
*My Thoughts*
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book! The blurb instantly caught my attention as it had a lot of my favorite tropes like enemies-to-lovers and fated mates. What caught my attention even more is that it's a mystery and fantasy combined. I find that with fantasy writing can focus a lot on settings and character development, but in this case I thought the author did a great job balancing the descriptions with plot. The amount of information shared was sufficient enough to paint a clear picture of the settings and characters without being overdone.
As for the romance, the slow burn and enemies to lovers storyline made for a steamy connection between the MCs. This book is spicy with sexually explicit scenes. The author has a great imagination and the reasons for the spicy scenes brought another layer to the magic of the book.
*Summary of my Review*
All around I found the story to be very imaginative. It most definitely kept my attention and I felt like I needed to keep turning the pages. I cannot wait for the author's next book and to continue the story of the Belle sisters. I would recommend for lovers of all things magical and mysterious!
March 14, 2023
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
I was hesitant going into this. I'm not always the biggest fan of modern fantasies, but I was quickly surprised. It had grown-up Zodiac Academy meets Charmed vibes, with a hint of the other classic fantasy creatures, lore and mythology that we all know and love.
Ember Belle is the reckless witch in New Orleans who uses wit and a lack of abandon as an excuse to not be taken seriously and to not have control over her power. However, she quickly finds a way that she thinks will help her to harness her magical abilities and make it easier to recover her place in her family's eyes without losing massive amounts of face. This, however, means she needs to team up with a demon.
Demons and witches are, first and foremost, all but explicitly forbidden, so it's a good thing that they both hate each other. Right? Right.
This story is fun. It was pretty predictable, and even if I wasn't directly guessing something, when the truth was revealed it wasn't exactly earth-shattering. But I wasn't upset about it at all. The writing was easy to digest while giving every character life, personality and a depth that made conversations fun and the relationships interesting. This book helped to get me out of a rut, and for that I'll forever be thankful for it.
I absolutely loved both Ember and Killian, and I'm interested to see where the rest of the series goes!
I was hesitant going into this. I'm not always the biggest fan of modern fantasies, but I was quickly surprised. It had grown-up Zodiac Academy meets Charmed vibes, with a hint of the other classic fantasy creatures, lore and mythology that we all know and love.
Ember Belle is the reckless witch in New Orleans who uses wit and a lack of abandon as an excuse to not be taken seriously and to not have control over her power. However, she quickly finds a way that she thinks will help her to harness her magical abilities and make it easier to recover her place in her family's eyes without losing massive amounts of face. This, however, means she needs to team up with a demon.
Demons and witches are, first and foremost, all but explicitly forbidden, so it's a good thing that they both hate each other. Right? Right.
This story is fun. It was pretty predictable, and even if I wasn't directly guessing something, when the truth was revealed it wasn't exactly earth-shattering. But I wasn't upset about it at all. The writing was easy to digest while giving every character life, personality and a depth that made conversations fun and the relationships interesting. This book helped to get me out of a rut, and for that I'll forever be thankful for it.
I absolutely loved both Ember and Killian, and I'm interested to see where the rest of the series goes!
March 8, 2023
A fiery witch and a cold-hearted demon.
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Book Reviews | Pillowfort | Twitter | Bookbub | Spoutible
March 18, 2023
rating: 1.5
unfortunately, this was not for me.
i really struggled to form a connection with any of the characters or the plot. the fmc fell flat for me, she just didn't have anything going for her to make her character interesting. the novel intensely focused on her sexual promiscuity and she was constantly being slut shamed by the other characters, which i found completely unnecessary. although she frequently rebuked the hateful comments, i felt that part of her character was overdone and the slut shaming was definitely nonessential. especially considering her sex life had almost nothing to do with the plot.
the mmc was pretty generic as well. being satan's son, he was very much the brooding and mysterious type. he refuses to admit he's interested in the fmc and yet acts like her boyfriend at every given opportunity. he's also ridiculously obtuse, he thinks the fmc put him under a spell all because he's attracted to her. a fated mates storyline is introduced and sadly it was glaringly obvious where things were headed from the moment "mates" were mentioned.
i'm sure another type of reader would like this because it wasn't poorly written. i just have read too many romantic fantasy novels to be surprised or engaged by anything that happened in this story.
thank you to netgalley and the author for my copy of this book.
unfortunately, this was not for me.
i really struggled to form a connection with any of the characters or the plot. the fmc fell flat for me, she just didn't have anything going for her to make her character interesting. the novel intensely focused on her sexual promiscuity and she was constantly being slut shamed by the other characters, which i found completely unnecessary. although she frequently rebuked the hateful comments, i felt that part of her character was overdone and the slut shaming was definitely nonessential. especially considering her sex life had almost nothing to do with the plot.
the mmc was pretty generic as well. being satan's son, he was very much the brooding and mysterious type. he refuses to admit he's interested in the fmc and yet acts like her boyfriend at every given opportunity. he's also ridiculously obtuse, he thinks the fmc put him under a spell all because he's attracted to her. a fated mates storyline is introduced and sadly it was glaringly obvious where things were headed from the moment "mates" were mentioned.
i'm sure another type of reader would like this because it wasn't poorly written. i just have read too many romantic fantasy novels to be surprised or engaged by anything that happened in this story.
thank you to netgalley and the author for my copy of this book.
March 27, 2023
Ember Belle is a complete disaster. While she's not partying with the local shifter pack or wreaking mayhem around New Orleans with her three sisters, she does anything to avoid addressing her out-of-control fire magick and the sadness from losing her parents. But, she decides to take matters into her own hands when the chance to acquire a mystical object that could end all of her difficulties presents itself. Killian Inferno, on the other hand, is simply interested in spending his last few weeks of freedom in New Orleans, far from his responsibilities as the upcoming King of Pride. He doesn't anticipate being called by the novice witch who has been stalking his dreams. A seductress who will use any strategy, including sorcery, to obtain his knowledge in order to solve a recent murder. Ember is now forced to join Killian in a demon pact. The conditions are straightforward: either get rid of the curse she might have placed on him before Samhain, or drag him kicking and screaming back to Hell. Can the two rivals put their differences aside to learn the city's mysteries and unleash Ember's real magical potential, or will they fall victim to the adversaries they didn't expect? Now, My thoughts on this read: I love how the character of Ember transform. She is strong and confident. The plot is creative. I enjoyed how it paced beautifully. The language is prosaic. A enemy to lover read that is must recommended for urban fantasy readers. The book is definitely a page turner. I really enjoyed this first book in Bewitched Shadows series.
Thank you NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Autumn Blake for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Thank you NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Autumn Blake for the opportunity to read this ARC!
April 20, 2023
Many many many eye rolls later, I finally finished this book. Although it had one of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers, not to mention magic and even a mystery, it all just fell flat. I wanted to DNF this book at least 3x.
SPOILERS
Sorta of...
A good half of this book was slut shaming the fmc and her feeling like shit and a total failure. The other half were plots that got nowhere. Quest for the amulet? Nope. Investigating murders? Nah, let's watch movies and throw popcorn at each other. A mysterious plot between factions? Yeah...Nada.
Not to mention both MC were just bland, not truly likeable. Same with the side characters. And the dialogue read sometimes like a historical romance, so very odd with present time.
The cover is beautiful. The premise showed promise, unfortunately imo it didn't deliver.
SPOILERS
Sorta of...
A good half of this book was slut shaming the fmc and her feeling like shit and a total failure. The other half were plots that got nowhere. Quest for the amulet? Nope. Investigating murders? Nah, let's watch movies and throw popcorn at each other. A mysterious plot between factions? Yeah...Nada.
Not to mention both MC were just bland, not truly likeable. Same with the side characters. And the dialogue read sometimes like a historical romance, so very odd with present time.
The cover is beautiful. The premise showed promise, unfortunately imo it didn't deliver.
March 22, 2023
Yes!!! This book took off like a roller coaster. It was full of adventure, danger, lust and twisted endings.
Ember is a witch whom lives in New Orleans with her three sisters. She is known for drinking, partying hard and her sexy rendezvous'. After her parents died her life spun out of control. She could not control her fire magic nor her crazy shenanigan's.
When the Vampire Princess turns up dead, killed in the same manner as her parents, she begins to look into what really happened. But she cannot do it alone, so she inquires the help of a sexy demon named Killian.
Killian has had his eye on Ember for quite some time. Drawn to her by unexplainable means, he follows her in the shadows all the time. It must be a spell. She has bewitched him somehow. When she requires his help he is all to quick to make a pact. Release him from her spell and he will help her find the murderer. But if she fails, he gets her soul.
This book took off from the very beginning. When I first started I thought, "man this book is long" . I thought it would take forever to read, but I was so wrong. I flew through this book. It was adventure and danger from start to finish. The characters were interesting and excitable. I fell in love with them, especially Killian straight from the start.
Ember is a strong and independent character, whom I feel is struggling with the guilt of her parents death. This plays a key part in the reason that Ember constantly gets into mischief. But deep down she is sweet, fiercely loyal and very in tune with her body.
Killian is a very complex character. He has many sides to him. He struggles with his mothers death and the vengeance he wants to inflict on his father for his role in her murder. But under all that is an amazing man. He is sweet, caring and highly protective.
With this amazing cast of characters, the author has created a paranormal world in the city where the dead never sleep. She takes all those characters that go bump in the night and places them in the city that is known for the strange and unusual. Vampires, witches, werewolves and fae, all come together to live in the city undetected by mere mortals. Ruled by a council with a member from each group as representation, they aim to live in harmony and under the radar of the human race.
Overall the story is an intricate web of danger and deception. It twists and turns and is woven perfection throughout. The danger level is a ten and the steamy scenes level is a 20. This book is no teen read. It is downright sensual and dirty. The MC's chemistry is at explosive levels all through the story. They are a perfect combination.
I enjoyed the story immensely and cannot wait to read more from this world. This book exceeded my expectations and more.
Ember is a witch whom lives in New Orleans with her three sisters. She is known for drinking, partying hard and her sexy rendezvous'. After her parents died her life spun out of control. She could not control her fire magic nor her crazy shenanigan's.
When the Vampire Princess turns up dead, killed in the same manner as her parents, she begins to look into what really happened. But she cannot do it alone, so she inquires the help of a sexy demon named Killian.
Killian has had his eye on Ember for quite some time. Drawn to her by unexplainable means, he follows her in the shadows all the time. It must be a spell. She has bewitched him somehow. When she requires his help he is all to quick to make a pact. Release him from her spell and he will help her find the murderer. But if she fails, he gets her soul.
This book took off from the very beginning. When I first started I thought, "man this book is long" . I thought it would take forever to read, but I was so wrong. I flew through this book. It was adventure and danger from start to finish. The characters were interesting and excitable. I fell in love with them, especially Killian straight from the start.
Ember is a strong and independent character, whom I feel is struggling with the guilt of her parents death. This plays a key part in the reason that Ember constantly gets into mischief. But deep down she is sweet, fiercely loyal and very in tune with her body.
Killian is a very complex character. He has many sides to him. He struggles with his mothers death and the vengeance he wants to inflict on his father for his role in her murder. But under all that is an amazing man. He is sweet, caring and highly protective.
With this amazing cast of characters, the author has created a paranormal world in the city where the dead never sleep. She takes all those characters that go bump in the night and places them in the city that is known for the strange and unusual. Vampires, witches, werewolves and fae, all come together to live in the city undetected by mere mortals. Ruled by a council with a member from each group as representation, they aim to live in harmony and under the radar of the human race.
Overall the story is an intricate web of danger and deception. It twists and turns and is woven perfection throughout. The danger level is a ten and the steamy scenes level is a 20. This book is no teen read. It is downright sensual and dirty. The MC's chemistry is at explosive levels all through the story. They are a perfect combination.
I enjoyed the story immensely and cannot wait to read more from this world. This book exceeded my expectations and more.
March 22, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Autumn Blake for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! Bewtiched Shadows was a fun whodunnit book with romantasy edge to it. Set in modern day New Orleans, a witch experiencing a magic block must unexpectedly partner with a demon mercenary to solve a string of grisly murders. Lots of banter, steam, tension, and magic unfolds on these pages as Ember and Killian work together. First, lets dive into some things I liked:
I really loved the setting -- I was getting major True Blood meets Buffy vibes! The banter between Killian and Ember was great and I loved the balance between rough and sweet. The spice was spicin' lol -- um, hello, the Bite club scene??? 🥵 I also really enjoyed the mystery element of this story -- I wish it was more prominent which leads into the things I didn't enjoy as much.
I agree with other reviewers when they say the murder mystery piece sort of felt like it fell to the wayside. We get details here and there but you do often forget that's happening amidst the relationship between Ember and Killian. I also found the written use of Cajun accents a little cringey. I feel as though there were better ways to capture the NOLA accent/culture without that.
Overall, this was a fun debut novel with lots of promise! I'm excited to see what happens with Jade and Prince Alexei...so many opportunities!
I really loved the setting -- I was getting major True Blood meets Buffy vibes! The banter between Killian and Ember was great and I loved the balance between rough and sweet. The spice was spicin' lol -- um, hello, the Bite club scene??? 🥵 I also really enjoyed the mystery element of this story -- I wish it was more prominent which leads into the things I didn't enjoy as much.
I agree with other reviewers when they say the murder mystery piece sort of felt like it fell to the wayside. We get details here and there but you do often forget that's happening amidst the relationship between Ember and Killian. I also found the written use of Cajun accents a little cringey. I feel as though there were better ways to capture the NOLA accent/culture without that.
Overall, this was a fun debut novel with lots of promise! I'm excited to see what happens with Jade and Prince Alexei...so many opportunities!
April 13, 2023
Oh how I LOVED this book!
I haven’t read many books with magic in them but this was def a great place to start.
Ember Belle. Almost like the black sheep of her family and coven. Struggling to grief the death of her parents and oblivious to how that plays into her ability (read inability) to tap into her magic, spends her days living her best sexual life. Until tragedy strikes and her wake up call begins.
Killian 🥵 our broody, hate the world, revenge seeking, MMC. Idc what anyone else says…. I love him. He has that wounded but ready to love spirit that just needed the right person to unlock.
Together these two had me laughing, rolling me eyes in a GET IT THE F TOGETHER YOU TWO, and cheering all at the same time. The sexual tension between these two was done well and when we finally got to where we were going 🥵🤤 I wanted more and more.
The mystery and magic of it all was fantastic. It actually took me longer than it probably should have to put it all together but I was focused on the spice build up 🤣
I also really loved the bond of the Belle sisters. It was giving Charmed vibes. While I wanted them to trust in Ember a bit more, I understood why they didn’t.
Overall… the growth in Ember and Killian, the spice, the magic, the tension, the extra supporting characters… I lived for it all!!! I can’t wait for the next in the series.
I haven’t read many books with magic in them but this was def a great place to start.
Ember Belle. Almost like the black sheep of her family and coven. Struggling to grief the death of her parents and oblivious to how that plays into her ability (read inability) to tap into her magic, spends her days living her best sexual life. Until tragedy strikes and her wake up call begins.
Killian 🥵 our broody, hate the world, revenge seeking, MMC. Idc what anyone else says…. I love him. He has that wounded but ready to love spirit that just needed the right person to unlock.
Together these two had me laughing, rolling me eyes in a GET IT THE F TOGETHER YOU TWO, and cheering all at the same time. The sexual tension between these two was done well and when we finally got to where we were going 🥵🤤 I wanted more and more.
The mystery and magic of it all was fantastic. It actually took me longer than it probably should have to put it all together but I was focused on the spice build up 🤣
I also really loved the bond of the Belle sisters. It was giving Charmed vibes. While I wanted them to trust in Ember a bit more, I understood why they didn’t.
Overall… the growth in Ember and Killian, the spice, the magic, the tension, the extra supporting characters… I lived for it all!!! I can’t wait for the next in the series.
March 28, 2023
I really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect to this book! I thought the plot was creative and unlike any fantasy book I've read. At first I was a little deterred by the realistic location (New Orleans) and the way the werewolves spoke, written with "dis" and "dat". But I did get drawn into the world and liked the way Ember and Killian's relationship developed. I loved the interactions with Ember's sisters and coven, I felt it added a lot to the characters and their personalities. I also really enjoyed Ember's character development and where she ended up in the end, a far cry from the hot mess we were introduced to in the beginning! The one thing I felt took a away from this book were the sex scenes. Some things felt toxic and cringeworthy and not what I would consider romantic. Unfortunately, I found myself wanting to skip these pages. Overall, this book was definitely unique and I really enjoyed the murder mystery plot!
Thanks you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 7, 2023
"𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡."
𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲
🅑︎🅞︎🅞︎🅚︎ 🅡︎🅔︎🅥︎🅘︎🅔︎🅦︎
Ember Belle was a dizzy little witch her reputation always preceding her. After a murder happens that mirrors the killings of Ember's parents. The reward for finding the killer is an amulet which enhances the wearers power. Ember is now more determined and foolish than ever causing her to summon the morally grey demon Killian, make a pact that could possibly send her to damnation and ask for his help. What she didn't expect was to fall in love with the demon.
I had mixed feelings after the first chapter, but now I realise why I love the morally grey male character, because they practically are impossible to deal with. I was also not initially a fan of the female MC but she definitely grew on me, especially her defiance. Enjoyed the world building, character growth 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺𝗇 𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽.
🅣︎🅡︎🅘︎🅖︎🅖︎🅔︎🅡︎🅢︎
𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀
𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗲
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿
Rating
5⭐
𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲
🅑︎🅞︎🅞︎🅚︎ 🅡︎🅔︎🅥︎🅘︎🅔︎🅦︎
Ember Belle was a dizzy little witch her reputation always preceding her. After a murder happens that mirrors the killings of Ember's parents. The reward for finding the killer is an amulet which enhances the wearers power. Ember is now more determined and foolish than ever causing her to summon the morally grey demon Killian, make a pact that could possibly send her to damnation and ask for his help. What she didn't expect was to fall in love with the demon.
I had mixed feelings after the first chapter, but now I realise why I love the morally grey male character, because they practically are impossible to deal with. I was also not initially a fan of the female MC but she definitely grew on me, especially her defiance. Enjoyed the world building, character growth 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺𝗇 𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽.
🅣︎🅡︎🅘︎🅖︎🅖︎🅔︎🅡︎🅢︎
𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀
𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗲
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿
Rating
5⭐
June 18, 2023
Good little witch book. Some of the spice was assumed/fade to black so 2.5/5. The story was good, took a bit to get to the point but overall not a bad witch romance. Def will read the next one, I liked the sisters dynamic.
May 25, 2023
This book was such a fun and steamy read. I was immediately absorbed into this world and loved every second of it. The writing was great, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Between the spicy romance, the murder mystery, & enemies to lovers, theres not much more, I could have asked for. Plus, there were vampires, a hot demon, and a witch. This made me want all the spicy witchy books.
An extra bonus is the cover is stunning. It's one of my favorite covers of the year.
An extra bonus is the cover is stunning. It's one of my favorite covers of the year.
April 20, 2023
ARC from NetGalley
2.5 stars
The story had promise, but jesus christ the writing... I went back to double-check, and this book does indeed appear to have an editor. This is not the first time I've come across an ARC that claims to have an editor, giving one the impression of it having been edited, only to have perhaps been edited not at all or maybe by a drunk person. Is this an ARC thing? Do they list an editor prior to editing?
I have so many bookmarks. Every fucking bookmark. I started off very forgiving, because this is an ARC after all, but yeah.
For starters, the author does that thing where instead of saying like, "She saw a man coming toward her," we get "She saw the man coming toward her." It just feels wrong and weird.
Also, the way Cajun accent is written is cringey and excessive. There are better ways this could have been done.
Frequently words are used either erroneously or just oddly.
"Creatures shuffled out of the demon's way with looks of fear and unwitting respect." "We weren't friends; we weren't lovers. We were unwitting partners."
Unwilling?
"The air bubbling and sparkling like champagne bubbles."
Bubbles which bubble bubblingly.
"All the while, he screamed at a decibel making that made my ears bleed."
Making that made.
"Without waiting for me to answer, he dipped one broad finger inside me, stretching and pulling." Immediately followed by "When he removed them, my body rebelled."
Them? You just specified one.
"Hell's libraries certainly lack good fiction, none of which would be considered romantic."
Wat?
"Throwing Carreau back against the stone mausoleum hard enough to crack the stone."
I would have gathered that the mausoleum was made of stone when the stone cracked.
"Staggering to my feet, to my feet. I felt lighter than I had in years."
To the left, to the left.
"With a look behind me, I choked on a scream when I realized how close behind me it was."
Just stop it.
"His wings surrounded me in a protective wall of tendons."
A wall of them.
"All the betrayals and hurt drifted to the foreground of my mind as I watched him place himself between me and the creature... I shook my head. What had gotten into me? Now was not the time to swoon over the demon."
When all my bitter pain and betrayals are at the fore of my mind, this is when I usually swoon as well.
Why are they staying and battling this dragon thing when Killian can pick her up and fly away? He picks her up, flies her away, she gets mad, and then he flies her back toward the danger that they have absolutely no fucking reason to continue fighting.
He then drops her on its back. "'Sever its neck while I keep it busy!' he yelled."
I will ignore the yelling/exclamation point combination, but how is this weak-ass bitch going to sever the fucking head of a dragon covered in fucking scales? It has claws the size of swords, which gives us a rough idea at its size (big).
"My magick grew weary from the heavy usage after so long without siphoning it. But as I straddled the beast's neck and dove the blade inside the thick, meaty skin, I realized I didn't need magick to decapitate it."
Oh.. just your strength and talent? Cool cool. Makes sense. Btw, did you mean drove? I mean, technically I suppose dove works, but this is just another example of what I mentioned above.
So, she tirelessly saws through the muscles and tendons. Her arms are exhausted. With only "one foot of meat left," it shakes her and nearly drops her. Is this a T-rex? Does it not have arms for swatting? And how is this thing so mobile with its head hanging on by a foot of meat? Killian then flies to the rescue and decapitates it with a single blow.
"My heart would belong to her forever, just as my body was hers. My face lifted to hers, eyes naked and sure, and the same truth reflected in hers."
her, hers, hers, hers.
"My hands grasped onto her shoulders to pull her deeper into me."
She is not pegging him btw.
"Splattered glassware and shredded tapestries covered the grass already seeped with black blood."
*blink*
"The witch's panicked breaths and my healing wound were the only holds barring me to the Belle house."
Are you fucking for real?
"The beast was far more dextral than any water monster should be."
dex·tral
adjective
of or on the right side or the right hand.
"Trumpets bursted from the street performers."
I see bursted is underlined with red as I type this... I wonder why.
"I took a sip of iced sweat tea."
I think I'll end it on the sweat tea folks.
2.5 stars
The story had promise, but jesus christ the writing... I went back to double-check, and this book does indeed appear to have an editor. This is not the first time I've come across an ARC that claims to have an editor, giving one the impression of it having been edited, only to have perhaps been edited not at all or maybe by a drunk person. Is this an ARC thing? Do they list an editor prior to editing?
I have so many bookmarks. Every fucking bookmark. I started off very forgiving, because this is an ARC after all, but yeah.
For starters, the author does that thing where instead of saying like, "She saw a man coming toward her," we get "She saw the man coming toward her." It just feels wrong and weird.
Also, the way Cajun accent is written is cringey and excessive. There are better ways this could have been done.
Frequently words are used either erroneously or just oddly.
"Creatures shuffled out of the demon's way with looks of fear and unwitting respect." "We weren't friends; we weren't lovers. We were unwitting partners."
Unwilling?
"The air bubbling and sparkling like champagne bubbles."
Bubbles which bubble bubblingly.
"All the while, he screamed at a decibel making that made my ears bleed."
Making that made.
"Without waiting for me to answer, he dipped one broad finger inside me, stretching and pulling." Immediately followed by "When he removed them, my body rebelled."
Them? You just specified one.
"Hell's libraries certainly lack good fiction, none of which would be considered romantic."
Wat?
"Throwing Carreau back against the stone mausoleum hard enough to crack the stone."
I would have gathered that the mausoleum was made of stone when the stone cracked.
"Staggering to my feet, to my feet. I felt lighter than I had in years."
To the left, to the left.
"With a look behind me, I choked on a scream when I realized how close behind me it was."
Just stop it.
"His wings surrounded me in a protective wall of tendons."
A wall of them.
"All the betrayals and hurt drifted to the foreground of my mind as I watched him place himself between me and the creature... I shook my head. What had gotten into me? Now was not the time to swoon over the demon."
When all my bitter pain and betrayals are at the fore of my mind, this is when I usually swoon as well.
Why are they staying and battling this dragon thing when Killian can pick her up and fly away? He picks her up, flies her away, she gets mad, and then he flies her back toward the danger that they have absolutely no fucking reason to continue fighting.
He then drops her on its back. "'Sever its neck while I keep it busy!' he yelled."
I will ignore the yelling/exclamation point combination, but how is this weak-ass bitch going to sever the fucking head of a dragon covered in fucking scales? It has claws the size of swords, which gives us a rough idea at its size (big).
"My magick grew weary from the heavy usage after so long without siphoning it. But as I straddled the beast's neck and dove the blade inside the thick, meaty skin, I realized I didn't need magick to decapitate it."
Oh.. just your strength and talent? Cool cool. Makes sense. Btw, did you mean drove? I mean, technically I suppose dove works, but this is just another example of what I mentioned above.
So, she tirelessly saws through the muscles and tendons. Her arms are exhausted. With only "one foot of meat left," it shakes her and nearly drops her. Is this a T-rex? Does it not have arms for swatting? And how is this thing so mobile with its head hanging on by a foot of meat? Killian then flies to the rescue and decapitates it with a single blow.
"My heart would belong to her forever, just as my body was hers. My face lifted to hers, eyes naked and sure, and the same truth reflected in hers."
her, hers, hers, hers.
"My hands grasped onto her shoulders to pull her deeper into me."
She is not pegging him btw.
"Splattered glassware and shredded tapestries covered the grass already seeped with black blood."
*blink*
"The witch's panicked breaths and my healing wound were the only holds barring me to the Belle house."
Are you fucking for real?
"The beast was far more dextral than any water monster should be."
dex·tral
adjective
of or on the right side or the right hand.
"Trumpets bursted from the street performers."
I see bursted is underlined with red as I type this... I wonder why.
"I took a sip of iced sweat tea."
I think I'll end it on the sweat tea folks.
July 3, 2023
This was a tough one. Extra star for the name Killian.
What I liked about this:
I adore books set in the magic of New Orleans so I was so excited to read this. We follow witch Ember and demon Killian dual POV first person as they trek around Nola in an attempt to solve a murder. Loved the premise.
What I did not like:
The dialogue was hard to read at times, a lot of overused banter classics like “take a picture, it will last longer” (yuck) and “like what you see” (yuck). Honorable mention: tongues fighting for dominance (I haven’t read those words since my fanfiction days).
Ember was constantly shamed for enjoying a lot of sex partners. But to me, this felt more like a device used to give Killian a reason to protect her. Ember is characterized as someone who is a mess. She indulges in a lot of partying and drinking, so we get to explore a character who deals with a lot of backlash from her surroundings because of it. Totally fine, I thought it was going to make Ember a really complex character and deal with slut shamming as a whole. This really fell flat for me. Ember defends herself every time she’s in a situation where she’s being shamed but eventually Killian ends up resolving the issue. It’s also really never resolved? No final statement was made.
Killian’s INSISTENCE that Ember has cast a spell on him. While fully knowing that a lot of her magic is blocked. This was painful. Also, literally no other character/creatures had “mates”. Other than Killian and Ember, I think it was mentioned one other time so it felt like a random off-handed comment that ended up being 75% of the conflict.
The murder mystery element. This felt like an after thought.
Overall thoughts:
Despite everything, it’s an easy read and I did find both MCs engaging. This will check a lot of boxes for a lot of readers. While I didn’t love it, anyone who likes a fast and hard romantasy book will.
Received as an ARC.
What I liked about this:
I adore books set in the magic of New Orleans so I was so excited to read this. We follow witch Ember and demon Killian dual POV first person as they trek around Nola in an attempt to solve a murder. Loved the premise.
What I did not like:
The dialogue was hard to read at times, a lot of overused banter classics like “take a picture, it will last longer” (yuck) and “like what you see” (yuck). Honorable mention: tongues fighting for dominance (I haven’t read those words since my fanfiction days).
Ember was constantly shamed for enjoying a lot of sex partners. But to me, this felt more like a device used to give Killian a reason to protect her. Ember is characterized as someone who is a mess. She indulges in a lot of partying and drinking, so we get to explore a character who deals with a lot of backlash from her surroundings because of it. Totally fine, I thought it was going to make Ember a really complex character and deal with slut shamming as a whole. This really fell flat for me. Ember defends herself every time she’s in a situation where she’s being shamed but eventually Killian ends up resolving the issue. It’s also really never resolved? No final statement was made.
Killian’s INSISTENCE that Ember has cast a spell on him. While fully knowing that a lot of her magic is blocked. This was painful. Also, literally no other character/creatures had “mates”. Other than Killian and Ember, I think it was mentioned one other time so it felt like a random off-handed comment that ended up being 75% of the conflict.
The murder mystery element. This felt like an after thought.
Overall thoughts:
Despite everything, it’s an easy read and I did find both MCs engaging. This will check a lot of boxes for a lot of readers. While I didn’t love it, anyone who likes a fast and hard romantasy book will.
Received as an ARC.
April 3, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❗️Disclaimer: This review isn’t to tell the author that they are bad or not. This review is simply based on my own personal opinion of the book. I do suggest you give it a chance before you form an opinions about it and decide whether you like it or not.❗️
This novel was well written, I liked the New Orleans setting and the supernatural aspect of the story but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. Since the start I found the story to be boring and I really couldn’t connect to any of the characters. Also the story really didn’t have much going on even though the pacing was kind of fast, which honestly made me lose interest and feel bored. The main character didn’t really captivated my attention and I didn’t care for her at all. I really hated the whole slut shaming she had to go through and I felt like even though she stood up for herself many times it only got “resolved”, but not really, when Killian got involved. Also the slut shaming didn’t feel necessary since it didn’t have anything to do with the plot. Killian as a character felt kinda generic and like every other MMC we find in fantasy only he didn’t truly have anything new or special to him that made me like him. I also disliked how he continues to say Ember put a spell on him even though he was attracted to her since he saw her but he still continues to act like her boyfriend and saying stuff like she is mine. Unfortunately I will not be continuing this story but I do hope that the author is able to turn this story into a better path.
Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for this e-arc.
❗️Disclaimer: This review isn’t to tell the author that they are bad or not. This review is simply based on my own personal opinion of the book. I do suggest you give it a chance before you form an opinions about it and decide whether you like it or not.❗️
This novel was well written, I liked the New Orleans setting and the supernatural aspect of the story but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. Since the start I found the story to be boring and I really couldn’t connect to any of the characters. Also the story really didn’t have much going on even though the pacing was kind of fast, which honestly made me lose interest and feel bored. The main character didn’t really captivated my attention and I didn’t care for her at all. I really hated the whole slut shaming she had to go through and I felt like even though she stood up for herself many times it only got “resolved”, but not really, when Killian got involved. Also the slut shaming didn’t feel necessary since it didn’t have anything to do with the plot. Killian as a character felt kinda generic and like every other MMC we find in fantasy only he didn’t truly have anything new or special to him that made me like him. I also disliked how he continues to say Ember put a spell on him even though he was attracted to her since he saw her but he still continues to act like her boyfriend and saying stuff like she is mine. Unfortunately I will not be continuing this story but I do hope that the author is able to turn this story into a better path.
Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for this e-arc.
March 18, 2023
2.5 stars rounded to 3
I received a arc copy of this from the publisher/author via net galley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall this novel was well written with an interesting world. This book has it all, spice, battle, demons, witches, murder and New Orleans. However, I personally did not overly enjoy this novel. I could not connect with any of the characters whatsoever and found the main female character to be unremarkable in the whole schemes of fantasy novels. Ember suffered unimaginable pain with the loss of her parents and dealt with her grief with sex and alcohol like many do. I feel like death of both parents in Fantasy novels is starting to become really overdone and it's driving me up the wall, so this plot line was annoying for me. Also no flash backs to enhance your understanding of her love for her parents, to create a connection.
The mmc, killian (great name) was generic as well. Broody son of evil king with vengeance on his mind. Also ignoring the bond between him and ember: this miscommunication/bounce over plot pissed me the hell off. Just admit your feelings ffs.
The connection between these two character was written to be enticing and world changing with sparks alas I felt was like I was sitting in a stagnant puddle.
Now the spice: it was not written badly but it fell flat for me. I have read better. When I read spice I want earth shattering, turn sand to glass hot 😉 (nod to those throne of glass fans who know).
I received a arc copy of this from the publisher/author via net galley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall this novel was well written with an interesting world. This book has it all, spice, battle, demons, witches, murder and New Orleans. However, I personally did not overly enjoy this novel. I could not connect with any of the characters whatsoever and found the main female character to be unremarkable in the whole schemes of fantasy novels. Ember suffered unimaginable pain with the loss of her parents and dealt with her grief with sex and alcohol like many do. I feel like death of both parents in Fantasy novels is starting to become really overdone and it's driving me up the wall, so this plot line was annoying for me. Also no flash backs to enhance your understanding of her love for her parents, to create a connection.
The mmc, killian (great name) was generic as well. Broody son of evil king with vengeance on his mind. Also ignoring the bond between him and ember: this miscommunication/bounce over plot pissed me the hell off. Just admit your feelings ffs.
The connection between these two character was written to be enticing and world changing with sparks alas I felt was like I was sitting in a stagnant puddle.
Now the spice: it was not written badly but it fell flat for me. I have read better. When I read spice I want earth shattering, turn sand to glass hot 😉 (nod to those throne of glass fans who know).
November 10, 2023
Wow! A mystery with a twist of enemies to lovers themed romance and a range of emotions. This book told the story of Ember and Killian. Ember is a witch who lives in her family home along with her three sisters. She is struggling with her magic after the death of her parents. Throughout this story we see personal growth and development of not only Embers character but Killian's as well. As they work together their individual struggles with their attraction to each other is tested and prejudices drop away. The story is well developed as are the characters. I highly recommend reading this truly wonderful story. I can't wait to read more of the other three sisters stories and see what mischief they get up to next.
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