Tuesday Reviews: The Nightshade God by Hannah Whitten

The Nightshade Crown is in the hands of a ruthless god and Lore will stop at nothing to defeat him in the final installment of this lush, romantic, New York Times bestselling fantasy series from breakout star Hannah Whitten.

Lore has failed. She couldn’t save King Bastian from the rotten god speaking voices in his mind. She couldn’t save her allies from being scattered across the continent—their own lesser gods whispering to them in their dreams. She couldn’t save her beautiful, corrupt city from the dark power beneath the catacombs. And she couldn’t save herself.

Banished to the Burnt Isles, Lore must use every skill she earned on the streets of Dellaire to survive the prison colony and figure out a way to defeat the power that’s captured everything and everyone she holds dear. When a surprise ally joins her on the Burnt Isles she realizes the way forward may lie on the island itself. Somehow, her friends must help her collect the far-scattered pieces of the broken Fount—the source of all the god’s powers—and bring them back together on the Burnt Isles, returning all magic to its source and destroying, once and for all, the gods corrupting the land.

But as Lore gets closer to her goal, her magic grows stronger… and to a woman who’s always had to fight for survival, that kind of power may be hard to give up.

The Nightshade God by Hannah Whitten is a lush, lyrical dive into a world where gods walk among mortals and nothing is as it seems. Whitten’s prose is hauntingly beautiful, weaving together romance, myth, and darkness with effortless skill. The main characters are compelling and complex—each carrying secrets and scars that slowly unravel as the story builds toward its breathtaking climax. The atmosphere is rich and gothic, the tension deliciously slow-burn, and the emotional payoff absolutely worth it. If you love fantasy with teeth, a touch of the divine, and a romance that feels earned, The Nightshade God is a must-read.

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Tuesday Reviews: The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa

From the author of the Bargainer series comes the prequel to Bewitched. Two thousand years before there was Selene, there was Roxilana. Her love fated, her life doomed, and her story forgotten—until now.

When Roxilana hears a voice inside her head, she believes she's gone mad. This voice, Memnon, claims he is her god-touched soul mate, one who has the ability to wield magic. Not only that, but he believes Roxilana possesses magic too.

Wild though his claims are, Roxilana realizes Memnon speaks the truth. First, her power Awakens. Then, Memnon, King of the Sarmatians, shows up at her door in Rome, proclaims her as his wife, and takes her to his homeland.

Roxilana's fate is everything she hoped for. But there are things Memnon didn't tell her–about his magic, life as a Sarmatian, and what she, as queen, will have to endure. And as she soon learns, nothing is as dangerous as love and power. While the combination can build empires and legacies, it is capable of destroying everything and everyone in its path. And if Roxilana and Memnon are not careful, it could destroy them along with it.

The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa is everything I love about dark fantasy romance wrapped up in one gorgeously dangerous package. Thalassa delivers heart-wrenching tension, morally grey characters, and an addictive plot that never lets up. The chemistry between the leads crackles on every page, and the worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming. This deluxe edition is a treat for fans—beautifully designed and packed with extras that make it feel even more special. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend for readers who love intensity, romance, and a touch of darkness.

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Tuesday Reviews: All The Darkest Truths by Avelyn Paige

Vesper Rossi was born into violence, but nothing could prepare her for the truth she now holds—a truth that burns hotter than revenge and cuts deeper than any blade. Her brother is alive, and her son—her stolen son—has been passed off as at the new Petrov heir, raised by her cousin as her own child.

With blood in her veins and fire in her heart, Vesper embarks on a savage journey to take back what’s hers. The Petrov empire will fall. Their alliances will shatter. And their very bloodline will burn.

With the Second Sons at her back and in her bed—Vesper will carve a path through anyone who stands in her way. She is no longer the captive; she is the storm, and she won’t stop until every lie has been scorched from the earth.

As Vesper tears through the underworld to rescue her brother and reclaim her legacy, the dark forces that stole everything from her are preparing to strike back. This is no longer about revenge—this is a war.

The truth will ruin them all. Blood will be spilled. And by the time Vesper’s vengeance is unleashed, the world will be nothing but ashes at her feet.

All The Darkest Truths is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat from page one and refuses to let go. Avelyn Paige has delivered a sequel that is darker, sharper, and somehow even more emotional than the first. Every word feels like a blade, and every scene leaves a scar in the best possible way.

Vesper Rossi is no longer a pawn in someone else’s game. She’s a queen in her own right, ready to burn the world to get back what was stolen. Her journey in this book is devastating and empowering, and watching her rise from heartbreak and trauma into something fierce and untouchable is pure brilliance.

Alex is still the brutal, broken antihero we fell for, but this time, he peels back the layers and shows us just how deep the damage runs. The push and pull between him and Vesper is electric, filled with tension and pain and a love that’s as dangerous as it is undeniable. Their chemistry is off the charts, but it’s the raw vulnerability between them that truly wrecks you.

The pacing is relentless. The twists are savage. And the found family of Second Sons? Ride or die in the most literal sense. Every single character brings something vital to this story, and the emotional payoff is unreal.

This is more than a romance. It’s a reckoning. Vesper is coming for blood, and she does not miss.

Ten stars. No question. I’ll be thinking about this book long after the last page.

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Tuesday Reviews: Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

 

For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the unthinkable: stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.

Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.

Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?

This book was such a fun ride. Karina Halle gives us a new fantasy world full of dragons, magic, mafia vibes, and secret societies—and somehow it all just works.

Brynla is a badass dragon egg thief with a tough past, and Andor is the broody syndicate lieutenant who kidnaps her for her skills. Cue the forced proximity, danger around every corner, and a slow-burn romance that really pays off. Their chemistry builds over time, and I loved watching their relationship shift from enemies to something much more.

The world-building is super creative, and the side characters (especially the magical dog, Lemi!) add a lot to the story. If you’re into tropes like he falls first, enemies to lovers, and revenge plots with a dash of spice, you’ll definitely want to check this one out.

Plus, that epilogue? Total mic drop. I’m already counting down to the next book.

Another win from Halle—unexpected, layered, and totally worth the ride.

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Tuesday Reviews: Nocturne by Karina Halle

Los Angeles, 1947.

The city is drowning in secrets and blood—and Lena Reid just lost her best friend to the shadows.

Elizabeth Short is dead. The press calls her the Black Dahlia.

Lena wants answers. Closure. Revenge.

What she finds instead… is him.

Victor Callahan is danger in a three-piece suit. An ex-boxer with fists like thunder and eyes that promise ruin. He’s supposed to help her.

Instead, he haunts her. Follows her. Wants her.

He doesn’t remember what happens after dark.

The blackouts. The blood.

The hunger.

But Lena’s not afraid of monsters.

She falls for them.

She is one.

Now, with a serial killer circling closer and a secret society pulling strings behind the curtain, Lena has one rule left:

Don’t let a vampire fall in love with you.

Because once he does…

He’ll never let you go.

I didn’t realize it tied into Halle’s vampire world, so the familiar cameos were such a fun bonus. The beginning was a bit of a slow burn, and it took me a minute to connect with the characters—but once things picked up, I was all in.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s LA and the Black Dahlia murder, Nocturne blends noir vibes, true crime, and supernatural twists. Lena and Callahan's connection grew on me, and their chemistry ended up stealing the show. Add in gangsters, secrets, and vampires, and you’ve got a gritty, atmospheric ride that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Another win from Halle—unexpected, layered, and totally worth the ride.

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Tuesday Reviews: Rebel in the Deep by Katee Robert

The rebellion’s fight turns into a battle of the heart in this pulse-pounding conclusion to the Crimson Sails trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert.

Nox has been steadfastly working for the rebellion for years. They don’t ask for much in return, except for one crucial condition: their ex, the noble Bastian, stays as far away from them as possible. To say things ended poorly between them is an understatement . . . and it’s the only relationship Nox has never quite recovered from.

But now the rules have changed. Siobhan, the rebel leader, has emerged from hiding to tell Nox that Bastian’s been taken captive and the secrets he holds tight are in danger of being revealed. The fate of the entire rebellion now rests on Nox and Siobhan’s ability to rescue Bastian from a Cŵn Annwn ship.

Saving Bastian is only the start of their hardships, as the trio is tracked by ferocious pirates across Threshold. And Nox’s complicated relationships and entanglements with Bastian and Siobhan put not only their life at risk but their heart on the line.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of Rebel in the Deep by Katee Robert, and wow—what a ride! This story is everything I’ve come to love about her writing: bold, steamy, and laced with just enough danger to keep your heart racing. The world feels both fresh and familiar, pulling you in with its dark twists and layered characters. There's a quiet intensity simmering beneath the surface that builds beautifully throughout the book.

Without spoiling anything, let’s just say that if you’ve been following this series, Rebel in the Deep delivers on all the tension and slow-burn payoff you’re craving. The dynamic between the leads is chef’s kiss, and the emotional undercurrents hit harder than expected. Katee Robert has once again proven she knows how to turn up the heat and still keep you deeply invested in the journey. You're going to love this one.

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