322 ratings (4.34 avg)
252 reviews

Marissa | Readswith_marissa

Add friend

https://www.instagram.com/readswith_marissa?igsh=cmNyMTk0eW9vaGln&utm_source=qr

Marissa | Readswith_marissa’s favorite books

Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles

Beautifully Broken Life by Catherine Cowles

Beautifully Broken Spirit by Catherine Cowles

Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowles

More…

Marissa | Readswith_marissa’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (340)

currently-reading‎ (3)

read‎ (333)

did-not-finish‎ (0)

Stats | More…

Marissa | Readswith_marissa is Currently Reading

Marissa | Readswith_marissa is currently reading

Of Ink and Alchemy (Black Rabbit, #1)

by Sloane St. James (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Mar 13, 2026 10:33AM

Marissa | Readswith_marissa is currently reading

Choosing You: A Later in Life, Second Chance Romance (Cape May)

by Linny Mack (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Mar 13, 2026 10:33AM

Marissa | Readswith_marissa is currently reading

Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows, #1)

by Devney Perry (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in April 2025

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Marissa | Readswith_marissa said: " “When I am nothing but dust and ash, Turah will endure. I don’t not need a crown. And I have made peace with my destiny. But before I step into my grave, my choice is you.”

Wow, wow, WOW! This was my first real introduction into romantasy. I knew if a “When I am nothing but dust and ash, Turah will endure. I don’t not need a crown. And I have made peace with my destiny. But before I step into my grave, my choice is you.”

Wow, wow, WOW! This was my first real introduction into romantasy. I knew if anybody could do the job, it would be Devney and good golly was I right! This book was EVERYTHING I could have hoped for and more in terms of my first toe dip into the genre.

The world building was what I was most nervous about, but I had no problem at all visualizing the unique and beautiful scenery the FMC visited all throughout the book. The battles that take place were intense and so well written. The descriptions of everything that took place never had me confused or having to second guess what I read.

The pacing throughout the book was perfect! It was fast enough that I never found myself bored, but the slow burn between the love interests had me wanting more and kept me flipping pages and unable to put it down. One of the things I’ve always been nervous about with romantasy is that the plot and story telling of the fantasy world would be overtaken by the romance/smut aspect, but Devney Perry did it to perfection! There was so much plot, action/adventure and in my opinion just the right amount of romance to really tie everything together.

The FMC, Odessa was funny and sarcastic in all the best ways. She’d been through so much as well as being so sheltered so when her bravery started to show throughout the book I found myself feeling so proud of her!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart pounding the entire time. I finished it so quickly that I gave myself whiplash but now I’m wishing I could read the story for the first time again. I already cannot wait to see what comes next!

If you take anything away from this review PLEASE just pick this up when it comes out on May 6th! Romantasy lover, new to the genre, just take it from me. I think everybody would love it!

Thank you times a million to Entangled publishing, Red Tower Books and Devney Perry for the gifted ARC. I am forever grateful! 🤍 ...more "

progress:

(25%)
— Mar 13, 2026 10:32AM

Mar 13, 2026 10:32AM · see review

Marissa | Readswith_marissa’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Powerless (Chestnut Springs, #3)

Powerless (Chestnut Springs, #3) by Elsie Silver

8 highlights

But seeds grow and now the roots of him and that night are wrapped so tightly around my heart that I’ll never be able to extricate myself from Jasper Gervais.