Lastland (TWP #4) by A.R. Ivanovich | Rating: ★★★★★

"It's not what comes easiest that makes us valuable, Katelyn. The wealth of our character is determined by what we push ourselves to become."

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Based on the previous three releases in the series, The War of Princes, we know what is set to come about in this fourth book. Action, war, loss, love, adventure, heartbreak and twists at every corner. If there’s one thing that longtime readers will have learned by now, it is that A.R. Ivanovich has many tricks up her sleeve to delight and shock her loyal fanbase.

Lastland is perhaps the best of the series and showcases Ivanovich’s knack for world building. Following her familiar formula of excellence, A.R. is at her finest when weaving together plots, toying with your heart and allowing her characters to grow even further.

After the startling revelation that Prince Varion had died and placed himself elsewhere to recover, Carmine’s betrayal and Rune having been possessed/taken by one of Prince Raserion’s shadow creations, the war is brewing at an all time high. And Lastland is set to shock us once more as Katelyn and Dylan search for Rune and Varion’s memories begin to come back to him fully.

Paperglass (TWP #2) by A.R. Ivanovich | Rating: ★★★★☆

“Love can transform the most sensible person into a blindly brave fool.”

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.  

One year after the events of Haven, A.R. Ivanovich’s The War of Princes series continues with its second installment, Paperglass. It’s time to say hello to familiar faces and expand our knowledge of this world. Buckle up, kiddos, it’s going to be a long and bumpy ride in the best possible way.

With new plots and dangers, Katelyn (who has only just now graduated high school) is forced on a mission to the outside world to use her gift to find a group of missing people from her home. Initially, she doesn’t accept this position, but when she is told her mother is one of the missing–her mother who abandoned her all those years ago–she allows the pull to move her search.

There are a few things that fuel this mission. Her knowledge that she would be the only one able to find them and find their way around the outside world, as she had been there previously, the fact that Sterling betrayed her abilities to his father (his ability being he can sense others powers) and a small fight with one of her best friend’s, Ruby.

And maybe a little bit of desire to see her love, Rune, again.

Haven (TWP #1) by A.R. Ivanovich | Rating: ★★★☆☆

“Forget the crumbled ruins of a broken yesterday.”

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

I have a lot of conflicting emotions about Haven. I enjoyed it and read it quite quickly, though it did have flaws in it, I will say that first. Its flaws aren’t always definite, though, and I do intend on reading the remaining sequels because it’s quite captivating in spite of its weaker point.

Haven is the sort of novel that readers can devour in one or two sittings and it is quite addicting. In a more descriptive way, I have to admit that Haven is dark and luckily it has a cast of characters that are pretty great. When I think of what I’d read in Haven, I think of a mysterious world and darkness and a group of likable characters.

I think that A.R. Ivanovich’s writing is excellent and the world she’s built for readers is unique and very fascinating. A.R.’s genres mix up in the book which keeps things fresh and often interesting; readers staying on their toes for the duration of it.

Plus, her writing is so descriptive that it’s easy to see our settings. It has a lot of potential to continue with the world building and will give readers a taste of what is to come in future installments. I found it to be very easy to envision parts of Katelyn’s home and the world outside of it.

Noir by Jacqueline Garlick | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

...sometimes magic trumps logic. Especially when love is involved.

Continuing with the next of the series, The Illumination Paradox takes things up a notch with Noir and will leave readers in a haze of disturbing occurrences with their hearts racing. And although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book, it was still an action packed treat.

Jacqueline Garlick toys with our emotions from the very start; picking up nearly where the first installment left off and taking us right to the core of things. I loved the little things about this installment, I loved the exploration of romance and the darker tone everything took on.

We left with Urlick and Eyelet being, sadly, separated and the dangerous tone set. This is where things get tricky. And where they go next, how they approach anything from this point, is a massive risk for both characters and their world as they do their best on various rescue missions. It flip-flops between looking for ways to get Urlick from his prison and Eyelet out of the so-called Loony Bin.

The main focus in Noir for a good chunk of the novel is split between these two rescue missions and discovery of oneself. Oh, and messing with our minds/hearts but I mean I think that's a given at this point.

Lumière by Jacqueline Garlick | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

In a small way, he's right: this isn't so terrible. It's quite divine, actually. My back pressed up against his chest, his heart beating a vibrant concerto at my spine. All the blood in my body tingles. Not in the cool, metallic way it does when I'm falling into an episode but warm and cursive, like fancy handwriting over fine parchment paper, all loopy and beautiful, seeping in and out of every pore.

I’ll be honest: I’ve never read a Steampunk book before. In fact, I had little to no idea what it was that made the subgenre exist. But I knew right away that relatively new series, The Illumination Paradox, penned by Jacqueline Garlick, had something unique and fun to offer to my shelf. After reading the blurb, I was completely intrigued and ready to check it out. I just knew I had to pounce and score myself a copy.

Boy, am I glad that I did.

I had a feeling I would enjoy Lumière; I just didn’t know how much until I devoured the novel. I loved its uniqueness, its bizarre moments, its plot and the mysterious plotting of its history. As a whole, it was rich with descriptive locations and well-developed characters.