Category: US - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Starflight, Starbright

19/4/2021

Starflight (Starflight #1)
by Melissa Landers

Solara is desperate to start her new life on Vega, but in order to get there she must travel as a servant for Doran, the most infuriating and rude rich guy ever. He even tries to strand her! But after he loses his memories, Solara convinces him that he is her servant - right before they board a new ship with new problems and are thrown into an adventure neither of them could expect.

This was pretty fun, even if it was somewhat superficial and didn't really stack up against other sci-fi YA titles I've read since (and before) its publication. I can't remember any particular moments that stick out to me, to be honest. It had a very "been there, done that" feel to it. But hey, if you want something light (and there are times for that), then Starflight fits the bill.

A Book of Flames and Fae

17/4/2021

A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #4)
by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Acheron was Made into a High Fae against her will and has fallen into darkness. Cassian has been charged with her training, less a punishment and more an attempt to save her. But Nesta doesn't want to be saved - and nor does she want to search for the Dread Trove. The Cauldron has already taken too much from her. What more will it take if she scries again?

I have to be honest. I'm not a real fan and I delight in discovering the problems in Sarah J. Maas' work. But somewhere along the way, I had to admit to myself that the books are flawed but fun. I think I enjoyed this one a bit more because Nesta is far more interesting to me than Feyre ever was (the usual blueprint for a Maas heroine is just arghhh...). My favourite character, however, is definitely the house!

I liked the slower pace in A Court of Silver Flames, though it did cause everything to feel a bit rushed at the end. And I wasn't terribly keen on what happened with Nesta - mostly because she was overpowered and Maas chose the easy solution for that.

All a Flutter

11/4/2021

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wren has a lot of things on her mind already. She doesn't need a winged assassin trying to kill her - but she does need a rescue, courtesy of Ezal, who has just jumped in from another dimension. Originally sent to Earth as a baby, Wren has become the heir of House Banae and with this positions comes new dangers. Now she is expected to either abdicate or marry a suitable husband, one who must overlook her lack of wings. But Ezal might complicate matters...

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I adored this book. I was sucked in so easily and I was Team Ezal from the start! The world-building was fantastic - Letharia is a world of wings and magic, as well as a world of science and string theory. A perfect, fascinating blend. It was as difficult for me to leave Letharia as it was for Wren.

Fans of Sarah J. Maas will absolutely love this winged romance.

A Bigfoot in a Big World

25/3/2021

A Bigfoot's Gift (A Bigfoot's Journey #1)
by Mel Braxton

Alice is a Bigfoot and lives with her hidden community in the forest. One night the Fae gift her with a magical necklace that gives her the ability to walk among humans, unnoticed for what she is. The world outside her village is strange to Alice. But it may just be the place for her to find her true self.

This was a cute YA novel that served as a vehicle for Braxton to make her usual insightful commentary on human nature. Alice is a very likeable protagonist and her community is absolutely fascinating. I do think, however, that this was a bit short for YA (perhaps a length more suitable for MG, though the subject matter is certainly YA) and there was not enough conflict or plot for the intended age group. As a result, the book feels somewhat incomplete. But I did like what there was of it.

Not All That Glitters

24/3/2021

The Wild Mermaid by Mel Braxton

Cora can't wait to return to Atlantis and the dazzling future that awaits her there, among the others of her kind. If only she could remember her previous visits. If only she could remember...well, anything. Soon she will discover that Atlantis is no safe place for a mortal mermaid. And there is something sinister occurring beneath the blinding lights and beautiful music.

This is a quick, pleasant read as it is on the shorter side, with very little padding. I think I would have liked it to be a little longer. But I really did like The Wild Mermaid, especially the deeper message about how our experiences can transform us. I remember reading an earlier version of this on Wattpad and I have to say I am blown away by how well it's been scrubbed and edited. Seeing how things changed certainly added to my enjoyment of it.

Princess Switch: Geek Edition

19/3/2021

The Princess and the Fangirl (Once Upon A Con #2)
by Ashley Poston

Jessica Stone wants to leave the Starfield franchise and its toxic fans behind her. The role has been the bane of her existence - and now she's lost the script to the sequel. She needs someone to pretend to be her while she finds it... so enter Imogen Lovelace, a huge Starfield fan who looks uncannily like her. But Imogen isn't filling in Jessica's shoes just to be nice - she wants to ensure that Jessica's character makes it to the sequel and that is the last thing Jessica wants.

I loved Geekerella so this was an insta!buy for me. Once again, I threw myself into the cutesy geekiness with wild abandon and enjoyed every second of it. I am such a sucker for stories, be they books or movies, set over a short period of time. So much fun knowing there's only a weekend for everything to be resolved! This all said, I didn't fall as much in love with this one as I did the previous book - probably more to do with my not loving the tale that inspired it. But I will still inhale the next one.

Still Smitten

11/3/2021

Smoke Bitten (Mercy Thompson #12)
by Patricia Briggs

Mercy has problems - well, how could this be a Mercy Thompson novel without problems! - in the form of a nefarious jackrabbit, an invading pack, a gate to Underhill appearing in her yard, and something weird going on with her alpha husband. Any one of these problems could be dealt with on their own. But together, they have the potential to bring Mercy and the pack to their knees.

There's something comforting about reading these books. Mercy and co feel like old friends and Briggs somehow keeps the rhythm going so well. I was pleased with Smoke Bitten. It was exactly what I wanted and needed. And this time I could enjoy it without interruption - there are no more photos of me passed out with a baby passed out on top of me, a Mercy Thompson novel hanging from my hands (2020 was A Year, for sure). Briggs is still in fine form here.

All's Well That Ends Well

6/2/2021

Scoundrel's Redemption (Highlander's Pact #3)
by Sky Purington

Greer suffers at the mercy of men who would use her to fulfil their goals. When Teagan MacLauchlin offers her the chance to save her friends in return for marrying him, there is no other choice - but at last, she can make a choice of her own. Greer does not expect to find companionship and respect in her second marriage. Teagan is eager to prove her wrong.

This was definitely my favourite book of the series. It provided a very satisfying conclusion to the brothers' pact and tied up the plot threads laid down in the previous story. Teagan and Greer were just so perfect for each other - both haunted by their pasts and united by understanding and patience. There were also some story developments that I didn't see coming and that was a pleasant surprise. I really loved reading this.

A Not-So-Hidden Gem

3/2/2021

Scoundrel's Fortune (Highlander's Pact #2)
by Sky Purington

The last time Malcolm MacLauchlin saw Isabella De la Croix, the woman who was such a thorn in his side in France, she removed her veil and kissed him. Now she has come to Scotland, apparently seeking him so they can be married - but what she is really seeking is hidden treasure.

Sky Purington always impresses me with just how much story, emotion, and character development she can fit into a story that is shorter than standard for the genre. Flashbacks are always a risky thing to use as well. But they work so well here. I will admit to wishing that the treasure hunt itself had received more focus - it would have been nice if it had been a little more complicated.

Gladiator: Scots Style

3/1/2021

Highland Defender (Scots and Swords #2)
by Kathryn Le Veque

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bane Morgan has hit rock bottom when a chance encounter with Lucia, a lady's maid, turns his life around. But with no way to pay the debt that keeps her shackled to an increasingly dangerous situation, Bane must enter the Ludus Caledonia and survive not only battles but the jealousy of Lucia's lady.

A gladiatorial arena in medieval Scotland? With our heroes pitted against other fighters as well as the obstacles between them and true love? What a fascinating premise! I love reading the same Scottish romance story over and over again, don't get me wrong, but this was such a refreshing take on the genre. I blitzed through this because I was just so keen to see how things would end. The pacing was pretty good too, allowing the relationship to develop realistically (despite the short timeframe).

Change is definitely a good thing here.