January Wrap Up

 All the books I read in January 2025

***Please note that reviews may contain spoilers***

Quicksilver by Callie Hart - 4 ⭐

What a start to a new series. I went into this book with reservations given how much hype is surrounding it, but I am really glad I did. I feel like while we have seen fae books before, this one done something different with them. I really liked the characters as well. After reading so many stories lately that have really immature main characters, I found Saeris to be a breath of fresh air. I was interested in the story from the beginning and enjoyed the fast paced nature of the plot. I also loved that the romance was more of a slow burn. I enjoyed the different layers of Kingfishers character. To see him evolve slowly and reveal his story was well paced. I would recommend this to other fans of Romantasy and I am looking forward to getting book 2.

Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver - 5 ⭐

What can I say other than Elsie Silver has done it again. I’d say this one is now my new
favourite, finally knocking Heartless from the top spot. I love Cade, but wow did I love reading West. This story was fantastic from start to finish. I also loved the kids too. I feel they added to the story in a really good way. I also loved Skylar’s character and I really feel for what she went through. Elsie has taken a very niche and unique experience and somehow made it relatable. I love it. 

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros - 5 ⭐

This was a re-read for me. Since reading this the first time, I have heard a lot of criticisms and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it as much on the second read. I am glad to know that this is not the case. While I can understand the negative opinions of this book and at some points I even agree, overall it did not negatively impact my enjoyment. That ending though! I still don’t know how to feel about it. I am both excited and hesitant to dive into Onyx Storm when it comes out. 

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Thahir - 4.5 ⭐

I have heard so many good things about this series, but I was hesitant to go into it because it is YA, and I don’t really gravitate to YA anymore. This one though surprised me. There was a level of brutality contained within the book that took me by surprise, but in a good way. The story was really fast paced and entertaining and I found I got really invested in the characters and what happened to them. I didn’t find it too predictable either, which I tend to find also unusual with YA books. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this one and look forward to continuing the series.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros - 5 ⭐

I am not ok! What a read. From start to finish I was engaged, which is impressive in itself as the story didn’t really get going until about 150 pages in. I found it quite slow to start, but I am so invested in these characters. I love that this gave us more of the squad and more specifically of Riddoc. It was also a pleasant surprise to get other points of view in Rhiannon and Imogen. I loved seeing their interactions with their dragons and the banter between them. It was especially interesting to see the difference between the way they interact and the way Violet interacts with Tairn and Andarna. It gave them so much more depth. There were so many moments that had my heart in my throat, particularly when Andarna left, which I did not see coming at all. I feel the way that Xaden’s Venin arc went in this was inevitable, but it was still heart wrenching. Also to have it happen saving Sgael rather than Violet was great and made the decision more understandable. Once again though, that ending! I thought the last one was mean, but Jeez! This one has left me with so many questions!!! I need the next one ASAP, but no doubt it will be another year of waiting. Best in series so far. Loved it!