PHOENIX FLAME By Sara Holland

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

PHOENIX FLAME By Sara HollandPhoenix Flame by Sara Holland
Series: Havenfall #2
Published by Bloomsbury YA on 3/2/21
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 270
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

Maddie Morrow thought her problems were over. She saved the Inn at Havenfall--a sanctuary between magical worlds hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado--from the evil Silver Prince. Her uncle the Innkeeper is slowly recovering from a mysterious spell that has left him not quite human. And there are still a few weeks of summer left to spend with her handsome, more-than-just-a-friend Brekken, even though she can't stop thinking about Taya.

But Maddie soon realizes there's more work to be done to protect the place her family has run for centuries. She must embark on a dangerous mission to put an end to the black-market trading of magical objects and open the Inn's doors to Solaria, the once feared land of shapeshifters.

As she tries to accomplish both seemingly impossible tasks, Maddie uncovers family secrets that could change everything. What if saving everyone means destroying the only home she's known?

Short and Sweet Review

Phoenix Flame picks up where Havenfall left off. Maddie saved the inn and her uncle so everything should be smooth sailing but it’s not. Maddie has to stop the trading of black market items and open the door to shapeshifters before everything is on a track to being okay.

Honestly something was off about this book and I’m going to say it was the pacing. Everything was happening so fast and this book is short, so it felt like everything was shoved into 270 pages. I wanted to like this book but it just felt so disjointed. Maddie recently saved the inn and now she’s dealing with the fact that her brother is alive and not dead and some new antagonist has kidnapped her mom. When Maddie goes through one of the doors to another world I thought we would see more of the world and why each place was so special but that didn’t happen, it was like she was there for two very short chapters. I feel like I can’t say a lot about this book mainly because it was so short and there was too much going on. Maddie isn’t the best at decision making and she put herself in danger most of the time. A lot of questions weren’t answered and when things were resolved it was just a let down.

Overall, this sequel can be described as a let down. I was really excited to read this book but I feel like things were rushed through and it just wasn’t good.

HAVENFALL By Sara Holland

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

HAVENFALL By Sara HollandHavenfall by Sara Holland
Series: Havenfall #1
Published by Bloomsbury YA on 3/3/20
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, LGBT, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
Buy on Amazon

Hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado lies the Inn at Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds--each with their own magic--together. For generations, the inn has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return.

For Maddie Morrow, summers at the inn are more than a chance to experience this magic first-hand. Havenfall is an escape from reality, where her mother sits on death row accused of murdering Maddie's brother. It's where Maddie fell in love with handsome Fiorden soldier Brekken. And it's where one day she hopes to inherit the role of Innkeeper from her beloved uncle.

But this summer, the impossible happens--a dead body is found, shattering everything the inn stands for. With Brekken missing, her uncle gravely injured, and a dangerous creature on the loose, Maddie suddenly finds herself responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall. She'll do anything to uncover the truth, even if it means working together with an alluring new staffer Taya, who seems to know more than she's letting on. As dark secrets are revealed about the inn itself, one thing becomes clear to Maddie--no one can be trusted, and no one is safe . . .

Short and Sweet Review

Havenfall is where Maddie spends her summers, it’s more than just an inn its a place where ancient worlds are connected with their own magic. Havenfall is an escape from reality, Maddie loves seeing her uncle Marcus and the Fiorden soldier Brekken. This summer Havenfall isn’t a sanctuary for Maddie its more of a mess. First a dead body is found on the grounds and then her uncle is injured and Brekken goes missing. Maddie ends up taking the role of innkeeper while her uncle heals. While being the innkeeper Maddie learns that there are dark secrets she didn’t know about the inn and now a new staffer, Taya seems to know more than she’s letting on.

This book was not what I was expecting. I thought that we’d learn more about the worlds and maybe Maddie would travel to them but she just stayed at the inn and the surrounding areas. I thought there’d be more detail about the other worlds but there wasn’t. Maddie was an okay character some of the decisions she made bothered me, she was stubborn and sometimes very clueless. There was also some romance between Maddie and Brekken and Maddie and Taya. I was not impressed. Maddie literally just met Taya, and Brekken was barely around so I don’t know why he was such a big deal when he was in 3 or 4 chapters at most. The romance aspect could have been omitted entirely.

I did like the mystery aspect and I wanted to find out who could’ve been doing all the shady stuff at the inn. I also liked how Maddie found out other things that had been going on at the inn.

This wasn’t the best book but it wasn’t the worst either. I would read a sequel just to see how things are going to develop.

EVERMORE By Sara Holland

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

EVERMORE By Sara HollandEvermore by Sara Holland
Series: Everless #2
Published by HarperTeen on 12/31/18
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Jules Ember was raised hearing legends of the ancient magic of the wicked Alchemist and the good Sorceress. But she has just learned the truth: She is the Alchemist, and Caro—a woman who single-handedly murdered the Queen and Jules’s first love, Roan, in cold blood—is the Sorceress.

The whole kingdom believes that Jules is responsible for the murders, and a hefty bounty has been placed on her head. And Caro is intent on destroying Jules, who stole her heart twelve lifetimes ago. Now Jules must piece together the stories of her past lives to save the person who has captured her heart in this one.


Short and Sweet

After the events that took place in Everless, Jules is back and she’s on the run. Jules is being accused of murdering the Queen and Roan when it wasn’t her but Caro the Sorceress. Now Jules must try to remember her past as the Alchemist and piece together memories that will help will her figure out how to finally kill the Sorceress.

Characters

Jules (The Alchemist): Jules the Alchemist on a mission to learn about her past and find a way to stop the Sorceress. We do see Jules get frustrated a lot in this book at her inability to remember things from her past, but each time she gets a flashback she does feel one step closer to finding a way to stop Caro.

Caro (The Sorceress): Caro is well Caro. I mean she’s the Sorceress and she’s on a mission to find Jules and finally get her heart back after all these years and she’ll stop at nothing. Caro scares me its like she finds it fun to toy with Jules and Jules’s feelings for Caro because she knows Jules cares about her.

Liam: We get a lot more of Liam in this book than we did in Everless and he is determined to help Jules and stop Caro. Liam loves Jules and desperately wants to help her and keep her safe and he thinks the best way to do that is to keep her hidden. Liam is mysterious but soon we see who he actually is and he’s kind and sweet and just wants to do the right thing.

Ina: Ina the new crowned queen and Jules’s twin sister. Ina doesn’t know the truth so she’s obviously furious at Jules for killing Roan and her mother and now as queen she has a bounty out for Jules. We don’t see Ina a lot because Jules is on the run but when we do, Ina is still kind and has a trusting nature but we learn that she’s stronger than people may think she is.

Elias: Elias is Liams best friend and helps Jules escape and aids her on the run and helps her try to figure out her past as the Alchemist. I liked Elias he was nice and liked to joke a lot but he cared for his friend Liam and would do anything to help him and Jules.

Romance

Jules and Liam: Jules and Liam grow closer in this book and they spend a lot of time together mainly because he’s helping Jules while she’s on the run. Jules knows that Caro is going to try to break her heart by trying to hurt someone Jules loves so Jules does what she thinks is best and pushes Liam away even though she wants to be with him. In the end love wins and thats all I’ll say about these two.

My Thoughts

~ I loved following Jules around on her journey to try to find out what her life as the Alchemist was like.

~ I also liked seeing more of the Alchemist powers to weave time used. It came in handy a lot in the book especially when Jules was near enemies.

~ Jules did get flashbacks from her previous lives and we learn more about her time as the Alchemist and what actually happened between her and Caro. We get the biggest flashback at the end of the book and I loved it because it just made so much sense as to how their feud started and how Jules ended up with Caro’s heart in the first place.

~ I also liked how helpful Liam was. He has spent most of his life researching the Alchemist and her life and I felt like if anyone was equipped to help Jules it was him.

~ I wish there was more with Ina and Jules I mean their sisters but Ina doesn’t know it and I mean they do get time together I just wish there was more.

~ The ending was good everything is answered but it also felt abrupt as to how it ended and I feel like that could have been better.

Overall

I thought that Evermore was a great ending to this duology. I will say I wish there was a little more to the ending than just the epilogue. I would definitely recommend this book I loved the story of the Alchemist and the Sorceress and their fight throughout different lifetimes and how it finally ended. Check these books out you won’t regret it!

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EVERLESS By Sara Holland

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

EVERLESS By Sara HollandEverless by Sara Holland
Series: Everless #1
Published by HarperTeen on 1/2/18
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.


Short and Sweet

After learning that her father is dying Jules makes the decision to go back to Everless to try to earn more time for him. But Everless is more dangerous for Jules than anyone else, Jules and her father used to be servants at Everless until they were forced to leave. As Jules makes her way back to Everless she learns more about herself there than she ever thought she would.

Characters

Jules: Our main character. Jules is brave she knew she was risking her life going back to Everless, there were dangers including people from her past recognizing her. She was an amazing character she cared about those around her and tried to protect them.

Liam: Liam is a Roan’s brother and theres just something about him. Liam is distant from others and is seen as cruel. There’s a lot more to Liam that we get to find out and its shocking.

Roan: Roan is seen as the nicer brother. There’s not a lot we learn about him because he’s not seen often but we do know that he’s nice and is going to be married.

Ina: Ina is the Queen’s adopted daughter and is soon to be married to Roan. Ina is sweet and is curious about her parentage. I liked her I thought she would be snobby but she was one of the kindest characters.

Caro: Caro is the Queens handmaiden and also one of Ina’s friends. Caro comes off as shy and she does try to help Jules but she has motives for doing it.

Romance

Jules and Roan: Jules has always liked Roan even when they were children. Things are different now because Roan is set to marry Ina Gold. When Jules and Roan are together you can tell there is still something there between them.

Ina and Roan: Ina and Roan are set to be married but we don’t get many scenes with them together so I can’t really tell you how great their relationship is.

Quotes

~”But to betray someone, you must first care for them.”

My Thoughts

~ Before going to Everless Jules is warned by her father to stay away from Everless, the Gerlings, and the most importantly the Queen.

~ We learn about what happened in Jules past concerning why her and her father were forced to leave Everless behind. But now that Jules is back we learn even more secrets about her and why she’s told to stay away from the queen.

~ Jules was brave and put herself in danger she decides that she wants to learn more about the queen so she becomes her servant which puts Jules in a position to tread lightly.

~ I thought Liam was an interesting character. He’s not the same person he was when Jules first lived at Everless and he’s doing things that are unusual for him.

~ In the kingdom of Sempera time is used as a currency and the time is taken by using blood. It’s really interesting but instead of money these coins are made from blood and they have time listed on them. They can also be consumed to give someone more time.

~ Ina and Jules develop an interesting friendship seeing as they were both orphans.

~ In the book we also learn about the story of the Alchemist and the Sorceress and theres a rumor that even though its been more than a few centuries that they’re both still around.

~ There’s so many twist and turns in this book and it just keeps you hooked until you get to the very last page.

Overall

I LOVED this book! I’m so glad that I got to read Everless! There’s so many secrets that are uncovered and the ending just leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait until the next book is released. Pick up this book now and start off 2018 with a book that will blow your mind!!!

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