sundragonscrolls's reviews
114 reviews

Tropes:
*protective mmc
*magic learning
*competitions
*found family
*strong fmc
*slow burn

Language: Yes
Spice: 0/5

Overall Rating: 9/10
plot: 1                       
pacing: 1
themes: 1                 
setting: .5                
originality: 1           
characters: 1          
writing style: 1    
emotional impact: .5
ending: 1                     
overall enjoyment: 1

The Archmage by Emily L. K. is the thrilling first installment of the Mages of Might series. The story centers on Elara, a young mage who’s trying to navigate the dangerous political landscape of a kingdom ruled by powerful magic-wielders. Her life takes a sudden turn when she learns she may be the subject of an ancient prophecy that could save or doom the realm.

The book excels in its world-building, presenting a detailed magical system where power, politics, and destiny are intertwined. The characters, particularly Elara, are well-developed, and her journey from a novice mage to a potential savior of the kingdom is both emotional and gripping. The plot is fast-paced with plenty of action, magic, and unexpected twists that will keep readers hooked.

Themes of self-discovery, fate, and the morality of power are explored throughout the book, making it more than just an action-packed fantasy novel. It’s perfect for fans of mage academies, forbidden magic, and political intrigue.

The writing style is smooth, blending detailed descriptions with strong character dialogues, making it an engaging read. The ending leaves room for further exploration of this fascinating world, promising an exciting sequel.

 ARC read
*Fairytale Retelling
*Spice
*Witches and Werewolves
*Magic
*Pregnancy

This book is an adult retelling of The Little Red Riding Hood.

I enjoyed the feisty FMC Wren and the MMC Brenden is delicious. IMO Brenden is the perfect partner. The story begins with a witch named Wren running away from a ritual her Grandmother set up to keep their witch bloodline pure. While fleeing the Bloodhunters sent after her, she hooks up with Brenden, a Lycan, at a bar to cover her scent. After their hook up she runs away only to find out she will need to find him again. Wren, now pregnant and knowing something is wrong with the baby, uses her magic to teleport her to the one who can help her with her baby. Her teleportation leads her back to Brenden. Wren now has to learn about Lycans and discovers they are very different from what she knows.

Overall I enjoyed this book. The plot developed well and I enjoyed the character development. I was a little thrown off when she met Brenden at the bar and her drastic change in character confused me. It is explained later, but I was thrown off when it was happening. The story does focus more on the relationship development over the conflict between the coven and the werewolves. The relationship development seemed a bit rushed but it still works well with the overall storyline. 

Tropes:
- Quest-based adventure
- Found family
- Elemental magic
- Good vs. evil
- Diverse ensemble cast

Themes:
- Identity and self-discovery
- Overcoming tyranny
- Friendship and loyalty
- Sacrifice for the greater good

Triggers:
- Moderate/heavy violence
- Brief false accusations (affair in a character’s backstory)

Language: None.

Spice: None, with only light romance.

A spellbinding start to The Gailean Quartet. This YA fantasy follows Ashlai, a girl whose whole life changes in one night, setting her on epic journey to save her land from an evil tyrant and the Sere that is destroying the land. With a piece of a broken prism and a mysterious melody guiding her, she embarks on a perilous quest to find six other magical shards to overthrow a tyrannical king and uncover her true heritage.

The story has adventure, elemental magic, and a diverse ensemble cast. Schulze’s vibrant worldbuilding and the blend of music and magic create an immersive reading experience. While the quest structure is straightforward, the dynamic character interactions—especially the humor and banter—add depth and charm. Fans of The Legend of Zelda or Lord of the Rings will find this tale captivating.

Moderate violence, light romance. This book is ideal for younger YA readers or fans of classic good-versus-evil narratives.

  Tropes:
*multiple love interests
*lost family / found family
*witrches & sorcerers
*secret magic
*royal/commoner
*pregnancy/birth

Spice: 1 (clean)
Language: no

Tiffany Davis's The Gifted Heart is an enchanting fantasy that invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in its intricate narrative. This book rewards patience, blending mystery, magic, love, and loss into a deeply emotional tale. The pacing is deliberate, giving you time to absorb the detailed world-building and the emotional layers that make this story so impactful. It is a clean YA/NA romantasy that shows books can be high stakes and have romance without having spice and still be a really good read.

Kenna, a young white witch is navigating a hostile world that doesn’t accept those like her who are known as 'the gifted'. Her journey is a heartfelt compelling story full of lost family to found family, forbidden love, and hiding her magic.

The balance between the magic elements and the character development was very well done. While the book has witches, sorcerers, and demons it does not overpower the story, plot, or characters. The personal journey and growth of Kenna's character feels natural and relatable. The connections of the various characters feel meaningful. Emotional depth is very prominent with not only romance but also heartbreak.

The ending has a cliffhanger that leaves you emotionally hurt and eager to know what happens next.

In summary, The Gifted Heart is a rich fantasy that skillfully blends emotional resonance with magic and mystery. It’s a must-read for fans of deeply immersive stories with genuine character relationships and high stakes. Add it to your TBR, but be ready for the heartache and anticipation the cliffhanger will bring! 

TROPES & THEMES

Dark academia
Enemies to lovers
Bully romance
Forbidden love
Vampires
Slowburn 
dragons
Forced engagement
Power imbalance
Underpowered heroine
Training scenes
Magical creatures
Morally gray characters
Found family / unlikely allies
House of the Dragons meets Hogwarts
Dramione vibes
Villain gets the girl
Mentor-student bonding
Slowburn to steamy romantasy
Gothic/medieval vibes
Political intrigue
Dangerous secrets
Duo POV

Language: yes
Spice: 3/5 (1 explicit scene)

He is a bully vampire with Draco Malfoy energy.
She is the last dragon rider in a world with no dragons.
An elite dark magic academy with gothic vibes.
A school and kingdom ruled by 4 rival vampire houses, each deadlier than the last.

-------------------------

What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy.

Medra Pendragon died to save her world. However, she wakes up to find herself in a new one rather than the afterlife.  And her powers... gone.  She is found by Blake Drakharrow, prince of House Drakharrow, who is immediately considered an enemy. Upon Blake dragging Meda back to the high court for interrogation, the two are betrothed much to their surprise and dislike. Medra is then thrust into Bloodwing Academy where she must learn the way of this new world. A world where highbloods (vampires) rule and the blightborns (humans/non highblood vampires) are looked down upon. 

Briar does a great job of not only telling us the story about Medra and Blake but also weaving together aspects of multiple side characters.  All the characters are included very well and fit the story perfectly. 

As for the romance, it is written very well. It is full of witty banter, hate, feistiness, and is a true slow-burn. 

All the things you love in a fantasy romance, Briar has it for you! And the best news is that there is more to come!

This is book one of a series.  My assumption is that we will have at least 4 books as book one covers Medra's first year at Bloodwing Academy. I like the idea of each year being its own separate book! 

Tropes:
*romantic tension & intrigue
*fairy tale elements
*bargains and curses
*magical quests

Language: No
Spice: 2/5

Overall Rating 6 out of 10
plot: 1                       
pacing: .5
themes: 1                 
setting: 1                
originality: .5           
characters: .5          
writing style: .5     
emotional impact: .5
ending: 0                     
overall enjoyment: .5

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a spellbinding fairy-tale-inspired YA fantasy that blends love, magic, and betrayal. The story centers on Evangeline Fox, who seeks out the dangerous Prince of Hearts, Jacks, after her love marries another. Evangeline makes a bargain to stop the wedding, but quickly realizes that deals with Jacks are never straightforward, and the price she must pay may be higher than she imagined.

Stephanie Garber weaves an intricate, magical world where nothing is as it seems. Themes of heartbreak, hope, and the consequences of desire are central to the narrative, while the chemistry between Evangeline and Jacks simmers with tension. The plot is fast-paced, full of unpredictable twists and whimsical magic, creating a sense of wonder with each turn of the page.

Garber’s lush, descriptive writing style brings to life enchanted ballrooms, cursed lands, and a world where fate can be manipulated but never fully controlled. The characters are dynamic, and the moral ambiguity of Jacks keeps readers questioning his true intentions.

If you love stories with fairy-tale elements, forbidden romance, and unexpected turns, Once Upon A Broken Heart will sweep you off your feet.

Tropes
*academic setting
*hate to lovers
*Dragon Riders
*shadow daddy
*violent fmc
*broody mmc
*dragons
*magic

Triggers:
*betrayal
*torture
*violence
*death

Language: Yes
Spice: 3/5

Overall Rating 10/10
plot: 1                        
pacing: 1
themes: 1                 
setting: 1                
originality: 1           
characters: 1          
writing style: 1    
emotional impact: 1
ending: 1                     
overall enjoyment: 1

A Thrilling Sequel That Raises the Stakes – Iron Flame Delivers in Every Way!

Rebecca Yarros returns with the heart-pounding sequel, Iron Flame, and it does not disappoint! The book picks up where Fourth Wing left off, with Violet Sorrengail facing a new set of deadly challenges at the war college. The stakes are significantly raised as the political tension between the kingdoms intensifies, and Violet is thrust into even more dangerous situations. The character development is phenomenal, especially with Violet’s growth as a warrior and leader.

The romance between Violet and Xaden continues to sizzle, but the real standout in this book is the intricate world-building and the ever-present danger. Yarros weaves in themes of trust, betrayal, and loyalty, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. The action scenes are well-paced, and the plot twists will leave readers breathless.

If you loved Fourth Wing and are a fan of fantasy with a dash of romance and intense action, Iron Flame will not disappoint. Yarros masterfully blends adventure, heartache, and passion into a sequel that’s every bit as compelling as the first.

 *Snow white retelling
*mistaken identity
*found family
*forced proximity
*cute animal companion
*cinnamon roll hero
*he falls first
*touch her and die

This is a cute cozy fantasy influenced by the story of Snow White, but rather than 7 dwarfs you get 7 goats. This story is an easy read and can be read alone or along with the other books in the Galamere Chronicles. They all stand on their own with each different story giving you more information about various characters you meet throughout the books.

This story focuses on Sophia and Caspian. Sophia is a milkmaid who has found a job taking care of the goats for the noble family that oversees the Northlands region after she ran away from her previous home due to maltreatment. Caspian is the 3rd son of the noble family who is returning home after being away working for the royal guard for 2 years. The majority of the story is focused on the relationship between Sophia and Caspian and their daily tasks and duties. Not much is happening plot-wise until the last 25% of the book.

The story does have more of a tell you what is going on rather than showing you. I do feel with this being a standalone versus a series you do not get as much character development as you do with a longer series. The characters are quick to fall in love and they kind of just do. The reasons are not specified as you would typically read in a longer fantasy story.

Possible Triggers:
*Mention of the loss of parents
*Mistreatment/abuse
*Kidnapping

Spice: 0 out of 5
Language: none

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10
plot: .5 pacing: 1
themes: .5 setting: 1
originality: .5 characters: 1
writing style: 1 emotional impact: .5
ending: 1 overall enjoyment: 1 

Tropes:
*assassination plot
*reluctant allies
*secret identity
*found family
*revenge 

Overall Rating: 7.5/10 or 3.5/5 stars
plot: 1                       
pacing: 1
themes: 1                 
setting: 1                
originality: 1           
characters: .5          
writing style: .5     
emotional impact:0 
ending: 1                     
overall enjoyment: .5

Spice: 2.5/5 (BL) (Fade to black)
Language: yes, alot

Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland is an exciting first installment in a new dark fantasy series that grips you from the start. The book centers around a group of damaged, morally gray characters who band together for a dangerous mission. Each character has a haunting past, making their interactions full of depth and emotional complexity.

The plot moves at a fast pace, filled with action, intrigue, and a dash of magic. Corland’s world-building is vivid, immersing readers in a dark, gritty setting where survival is never guaranteed. Themes of loyalty, redemption, and sacrifice are woven throughout the story, making it much more than just a fantasy epic. The story's intensity builds towards a thrilling conclusion, leaving readers eager for the next book.

This novel will appeal to fans of dark fantasy, found family, and action-packed adventures. If you enjoy complex characters, brutal worlds, and emotional stakes, Five Broken Blades is a must-read.

Very well done plot twist at the end.

I received this as an ARC read and as an introduction to the series.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 10 or 2 stars
plot: .5                       
pacing: .25
themes: .5                 
setting: .25                
originality: .5           
characters: .5          
writing style: .25     
emotional impact: 0
ending: .5                     
overall enjoyment: .25

Spice: 1 out of 5
Language: No

My opinion/rating will be different than others specifically due to the fact I read this as an introduction to the series and not after the first book.  I believe if I had read this as a 1.5 my rating would be different.  As a prequel with no information about the series this book was very short, rushed, and did not leave me wanting to dive into the characters or world more. I do think if I had read it after book 1 then this book could have been a novella to help fill in history and gaps that may have come from book 1 and needed to be resolved before one would read book 2. 

The world, story, and characters all could have used more details or been elaborated on more, though this may be the case in book 1. This book almost felt like the step after you had your basic skeleton of a book that was starting to get details added but was not finished. 

As for the story I feel like the FMC reached her goal way too quickly.