New Blog, Who Dis?

Some of you may remember the reviews I posted under the blog name of Cierra's Bookshelf, a blog that went on hiatus back in 2018 when I started working for a couple of publishing companies and felt that reviewing titles they published wouldn't make me a very reliable resource for you. However, I have since left the publishing world to return to my library roots and couldn't be happier because this means that THE HIATUS IS OVER!

I have done a lot of growing in the past two years, though, and felt that my old blog needed a facelift complete with a new name. So, head on over to Read Astray and stay tuned for new reviews coming soon!

Happy reading!

Hiatus

Hi everybody, I'm sorry to say that I have to take a hiatus from the reviewing world for a while. I've started an editorial internship with Entangled Publishing so, since I'll be working for them, reviewing titles they publish won't make me a very reliable resource for you. On top of that internship, I'm also going to school full-time and working as well so my free-time to post on other works is severely limited. I hope to come back and start posting again when life calms down, but, at least for now, this is goodbye :(

Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf

5 Stars!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

“I am no flower to be ravaged at your whim, angry wolf—I am your hunter, bow cocked and ready.”

              Wow this was so much more than I was expecting! It was so original, dark, and yet still incredibly fun and humorous. I loved how Zera’s internal struggles were showcased, making her connection to the reader in me practically instantaneous. The plot continued to surprise me and I loved it!

              Zera is Heartless--literally. Her heart was removed and placed in a jar by a witch, making her an immortal slave with a dark hunger for flesh. Finally, after three years of being a monster, the witch offers her a chance at freedom, not only for herself but also for the two younger children enslaved with her. All she has to do is win the heart of the Crown Prince... and then take it from his chest and put it in a jar to replace hers on the witch's shelf. Zera thinks this will be easy, what's the life of one arrogant and selfish noble in exchange for three lives regained? Then she meets Prince Lucian and finds he is so much more than she first thought. He may appear cold and harsh, but he's also brave, wise, dedicated to his people, and devastatingly handsome to boot. With only two weeks to complete her task without getting caught, it turns out navigating the ridiculous customs of court will be the least of her troubles.

              One thing’s for sure, Sara Wolf sure knows how to construct a strong and witty heroine! I couldn’t get enough of her verbal (and literal) sparring with Prince Lucian. They work well together, and I really liked how their relationship developed. One of the other aspects I loved is how “secondary” characters such as Lady Y’shennria and Malachite weren’t just there to help move the plot, they also had complex backstories and really added something great to the story. Don’t just Bring Me Their Hearts, bring me the sequel!

Phoenix Fire (Phoenix Cycle #1) by S.D. Grimm

4 Stars!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

"Some of us embrace the light, even when it shines bright on the darkness inside of us."

             This was honestly one of the hardest books I've ever had to rate. I considered giving it 3.5 stars, but ultimately gave it 4 because I really did like it anyway. The plot was just so cool and different. Imagine if Buffy had Sam and Dean as her brothers and you might just begin to grasp Ava, Nick, and Cade's family life. Then, you have to add on the fact that they're Phoenixes, a race of beings with supernatural powers reborn over and over again to hunt what goes bump in the night.

             Ava has spent most of her life bouncing from foster home to foster home, never feeling quite like she belongs. Until, one dark  night, Wyatt Wilcox comes crashing into her life. Suddenly, she starts getting flashes of memories from countless lives she has lived with only three constants: two brothers she doesn't know but feel like home and Wyatt and the deep, confusing feelings she has for him. She has questions, but the mysterious Wyatt tries to play things close to the vest; warning her to stay away while simultaneously pulling her closer. After her brothers, Nick and Cade, show up on the scene, she gets some answers and some training, but is still kept largely in the dark, which is the worst place to be. Because, not all Phoenixes are good and the Dark ones are out to get them.

             This has the potential to be a 5 star series, but this first book did have some problems. The story appeared to jump a little sometimes and important was sometimes only half given/explained or missed altogether. This was partly because it was narrated by Nick, Cade, and Ava, who were all at different information stages and experiencing different kinds of flashbacks. I really enjoyed Cade's parts, but I think he should of just had his own book or novella because they just added to my confusion. The flashbacks themselves were also sometimes problematic because they tended to blend in too much to the rest of the text and I had trouble separating the past from the present off and on. However, issues aside, this was a good book. I just adore the Phoenix angle and complexities Grimm has going. Also, I absolutely love Wyatt and really liked that the author was able to keep his secret a surprise (at least from me). I can't wait to find out what happens next! The battle isn't over and if they want to win, they'll have to fight fire with fire...Phoenix Fire that is!  

Check it out on Goodreads

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Secret Heir (Dynasty #1) by M.J. Prince

4 Stars!

A big thank you goes out to M.J. Prince for the ARC in exchange for a free and honest review!

"You were born a god and made to live like a human."

             A solid start to what's bound to be an interesting series! Jazmine had a strong voice to match her character as a funny and capable heroine! Prince has done an excellent job balancing a boarding-school, star-crossed romance with otherworldly powers and experiences. I'm excited to see how she continues from here.

             After being spirited away by her long lost grandfather and finding out she's half Seraph, a race of god-like beings with elemental powers that inhabit a world called Eden, Jazmine is having a hard time adjusting. It doesn't help that she's apparently a Dynasty Heir (Seraph royalty) and her fellow royals can't stand her and aspire to make her life in heaven hell. Leading the pack is Raphael St. Tristan, the asinine hottie and future king. Forced into the same house and boarding school with the other heirs, Jazmine is constantly being reminded of her inadequacy. Not about to be stepped on, Jazmine has no problem fighting back and engages in a full out war. Until, one day, something changes and the attraction between her and Raph becomes more than either can deny. Still, it may not be enough. No one in this world wants them together, do they want each other enough to make it work anyway?

            While I found the premise interesting and the feud between Raph and Jaz extremely entertaining, there were times that some of the description got a bit repetitive and over the top. However, the shining star is the great chemistry Raph and Jaz have. It's a perfect mix of hot and exciting that never seems forced. But even though there's an immense fire between them, not everything is as it seems. When there's royalty and power involved, lies and deceit are never far behind. Life is hard when you're a Secret Heir.