Follow the Hummingbird by Elena Carter 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Freedom. The only thing we all so desperately crave, but don't allow ourselves to get a taste of."
This quote embodies a significant theme that courses through the narrative of Elena Carter's "Follow the Dragonfly", in my opinion, one of her amazing abilities to craft a universe that resonates with readers.
Having journeyed alongside Tina from the first instalment of this captivating trilogy, I have observed her evolution through the chapters. Now, with the final book in my hands, I can confidently declare "Follow the Dragonfly" as my favourite in the series. Elena Carter paints an incredibly vivid world of dreams, which eerily resonates with my own experiences of lucid dreaming. The blend of emotions, adventures, and mystery weaved into the narrative makes this book the perfect cosy read that warrants a quiet afternoon tucked away with a warm cup of tea (even better if it's raining outside to set the mood).
The narrative is cleverly framed through dual perspectives, providing the reader with an detailed glimpse into the hopes, fears, and complexity of both Tina and Kate. The alternating viewpoints create an intriguing contrast that makes the narrative more engaging. Well, for me at least. I love it when I can connect to the main characters on a personal level, and for me, it only works when I can read the book from the main character's perspective (or multiple—that's even better!).
Tina and Kate, although caught in similar circumstances, face their trials with markedly different approaches.
Tina's determination and expertise as a dream traveller noticeably contrast with Kate's experience (or rather—complete lack of it), who finds herself lost and trapped in her own dream world. Both navigate this uncharted terrain with an spirit I admire (bravery and hope, no matter the odds). And the idea of a friend refusing to give up hope even when confronted with what appears to be inevitable loss is a heartrending yet powerful message in this tale. And something I genuinely admire in people (especially if you have Aries as your besties :D).
However, I must confess I was at first reluctant to dive into the series (due to the lack of romance). Yet, the themes of friendship, bravery, and transformation echoed throughout the narrative that resonated with me profoundly, and I can proudly say it was one of the best clean romance reads. Vivid, with details that make you feel like you're in the world Elena Carter created.
One scene stands out most vividly in my memory. It was where Tina meets her late husband in the dream realm to free birds from cages. It was so beautifully written and charged with emotion that it nearly moved me to tears okay, maybe there was a bit of heartache involved, too). This scene is a symbol of liberation and the transformative power of acceptance.
I won't spoil it, though.
In closing, as an hardcore fan of paranormal (smut) romance, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself drawn into the realm of clean urban fantasy. This genre turned out to be a refreshing detour, which I am immensely glad to have enjoyed.
The Dream Tamer Chronicles, with its compelling character arcs and detailed world-building, serves as a delightful reminder of the expansive canvas that indie authors can offer, challenging and expanding my reading preferences.
To encapsulate, "Follow the Dragonfly" and the entire Dream Tamer Chronicles is a harmonious blend of:
📚 Immersive World-building
📚 Journey of Personal Growth
📚 Magical Adventures
📚 Dash of Heartbreak & Redemption
📚 Touching Symbolism
For those who are in search of a series that promises an immersive journey of personal growth, magical adventures, a dash of heartbreak, and redemption, the Dream Tamer Chronicles is an absolute must-read. I assure you, the journey is well worth your time. Be ready for laughter and tears.
Purchase the series on Amazon.
Follow Elena Carter on Instagram.
Their Kingdom Come (The Sinners of Saint Amos #1) by Logan Fox
Dark, Twisted...Beautiful
Warning:
This book delves into several sensitive topics that may prove distressing for some readers, including bullying, non-consensual acts, abuse, and substance misuse. The male characters do interact with each other, so that's one more thing that, I guess, needs mentioning.
FightFall by Rebecca Jaycox & M A Philips
A Captivating Tale of Archangels, Nephilim, and the Struggle Between Light and Dark
I know it's been a while since I updated my reading list, but this...THIS book is something.
I recently had the immense pleasure of reading this YA paranormal romance which I got as a gift from one of the authors, and I must admit it surpassed all my expectations.
Those who know me will tell you I'm a picky reader. Even when I write my own books, the first draft will be dissected, torn to shreds, and brought back to life until I know the book truly feels alive. And as a reader, I rarely get over the first 3 chapters. But this book? Damn, LightFall swept me off my feet like no other YA series that I've recently read. I loved every line, getting lost between the words despite how busy I was with work. It took me about 3 months to read it because I was crazy busy, but I couldn't put it down.
Okay, enough about me.
The authors weave a rich tapestry of fantastical elements, complex characters, and a story that resonates with readers on a deep, emotional level.
The protagonist and Light Nephilim, Luna, is a refreshing character. Unlike most novels where the heroine is a cutthroat who will punch you in the face, Luna is refreshingly innocent, sweet, loyal, and loving, despite her awful past as an orphan locked in an asylum. And she doesn't magically become strong (like it would happen in most books I've read) after she meets the mysterious doctor who tells her she's a Light Nephilim and takes her to another country so she can study with other Nephilim teens. No. She remains true to herself, her beliefs, and feels realistic and relatable throughout the book. As Luna navigates this new world filled with prejudice, her complex character shines through when she meets the opposing force—the mysterious Dark Nephilim, Caleb.
Caleb, the Dark Nephilim with a hidden agenda, is a character that appears as a typical fck boy at first, but his pov defies all expectations. Far from the typical bad boy, he possesses a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards those he cares for. And yes, that includes Luna...eventually. His character adds depth and intrigue (and damn, I love his sense of humour).
Luna and Caleb are expected to start off as enemies, but they quickly turn into friends. Authors of this book skilfully use the dual points of view, allowing us to immerse ourselves in both Luna and Caleb's worlds, creating a deep connection with their feelings and intentions. The plot is expertly crafted, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge, eagerly turning pages in anticipation of what comes next (especially when Caleb protected Luna from her bullies, and they started developing feelings beyond friendship).
In conclusion, this book is an absolute must-read for fans of fantasy, romance, and stories that delve into the complexities of the human (and supernatural) heart. If you love retellings about Lucifer, Archangels, Archdemons, and all the struggles between Light/Dark, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy—you won't be disappointed!
See more on Rebecca Jaycox's website here.
Additionally, here's the image of Luna/Caleb that I found on Rebecca's website:
New Release by Elena Carter (Follow the Blue Rabbit)
⭐️4.5/5
Seven Sins of Snow by Loxley Savage
2/5 ⭐⭐
"What did I just read? 29% torture, 70% porn, 1% plot. But it still deserves some stars for the smut."
Review
I was really drawn to this book, expecting a dark retelling with character development. Well, I somewhat got what I wanted, but not how I envisioned it. It turned out just weird and dark in the wrong way (not the hot way we readers drool over villains, nope).
Fire of the Fox by Sylver Michaela (The Broken Fae Trilogy)
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There's no better union than an artist and a Fae. And it gets spicier when these two start as enemies—this is a MUST read!
Bria is a creative girl, who is just starting college to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, but her toxic boyfriend and lack of money are no help when Bria is presented with an exclusive opportunity to study in Italy. All she needs is a spare $5k (imagine how awful it is when your dream is your everything, but money rules the world and steals this one thing you desire so much). Yet, Bria is not the type of person to give up easily, and it's what makes her so lovable. She won't let her personal life, financial issues, and school stop her from pursuing her goal.
When Bria discovers that her pathetic boyfriend Dax has cheated on her (again), her bestie Dallas proves to be a friend every girl needs and encourages Bria to go out. That's when they meet the mysterious Cinnamon Roll (a guy named Rune). Bria tries to prove to her ex that she won't let anyone use her, so she gathers her courage to dance with the new hottie. They share a steamy dance, and eventually, Rune gets Bria's number. The girl is excited about the opportunity, but the reality slaps her...again.
Heather Relken blows my mind (again)
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You think you're not into aliens...and then you pick up this book and realise your entire life was a lie because you suddenly want to be abducted.
Lila's mouth and thoughts are filthy. But they turn out handy when she gets caught in a fight between humans and aliens and ends up taken on the alien ship with the mind-reading creatures. And they hear every sexual fantasy—or most embarrassing thoughts. But it's not all.
Steamy alien invasion (this book makes you want to be abducted)
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Who needs sleep when you can read Decadent Sins? It's bloody brilliant!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 5/5 OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!
This is one of the most immersive books I've read. It makes you feel like you're in this elven world, living among your favourite creatures (and waiting for their enemies to suffer). I love the detailed world build, the traditions these elves have, and the liveliness to their characters.
Taste of Vampire by D.S. Murphy
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 5/5 I LOVED IT!
As you may already know, vampires have always been my passion. I've always loved movies about them as long as they included romance (and I was probably too young to watch those movies, but well—nobody needs to know, right?). However, I think there aren't enough movies like Buffy, Vampire Diaries, Twilight. But today's post is about a book I'd really love to see as a film.
Follow the Hummingbird by Elena Carter
Time doesn’t heal anything. That’s the biggest
lie. This pain will always be with me.
These words say more about this book than you could imagine, but before I can introduce you to this journey, let me make a confession. This year has been challenging for everyone, including myself. My grandfather, aunt, and cat passed away during the past few months. But the grief will not shatter me. I was born a dreamer, destined to share my dreams with you, my dear reader.
Stargazer Island Series by Sionna Trenz
Are you one of the readers who prefers enjoying the books from the third person? You might want to check this out. I've recently come across Stargazer Island series by Sionna Trenz (although I must admit I began with the 3rd book).
Red Magnolia by Lucy Holden
I can't believe how much I fell in love with this book, wishing to follow Harper and Antoine to push them both together.
I can't believe how much I fell in love with this book. It was not what I expected when I started reading it, but that's exactly the best part about it.
Harper is an incredibly pleasant character, and reading the book from her perspective made it easy to dive into her story, feel her grief, her pain, but most importantly - her love towards her family. She's not just a human girl - she's a kind, delightful soul, somebody I could easily imagine being my friend. Her inner world reminds me about the things that we sometimes forget to appreciate until it's gone, making the girl feel relatable and delightful - somebody who has fire within them even at the darkest times, somebody who can shine for others when their own life is as dark as it can be.
On a side note, this story did remind me of Vampire Diaries to some extent (because of the grief and lost family members) but much better written. While reading Vampire Diaries made me give up on the book, Red Magnolia made me fall in love with all characters, live her story and left me hungry for more.
In other words, I loved this book, I would read it again, and I can't wait to dive into the entire series because Harper is now my friend, not just a fictional girl from a book. Adding this to my favourite YA books, there's no doubt.
If I've caught your interest, you can get this beautiful vampire romance here.
