hwasreadingcorner

[hwasreadingcorner]

Terror At The Gates - Scarlett St. Clair

Got my preorder copy and incentive for Scarlett St. Clair's new book and it is all gorgeous!

5/5!!!

review below will have spoilers

This will have spoilers. I can't help it. 

I screamed when I received the ALC of Scarlett's new book. Whenever she drops a book, I drop EVERYTHING. Scarlett St. Clair has been my favorite author for YEARS. So I don't hold back when it comes to her.

Okay, let's get into it. 

Lilith and Zahariev ( If spell this mans name wrong leave me alone. We are just calling him Zah for my own sanity and this review).

I want to start by saying that when starting any St. Clair book after A Touch of Darkness you can't help but compare. ATOD is one of my favorite series ever and I couldn't help but search for similarities between Lilith and Persephone and Zah and Hades. To be honest, in the beginning, the dynamic seems quite similar. I was worried that we were basically going to be given ATOD just with different characters and then I would end up wishing she had just continued with ATOD (Forever waiting for Temptress of Fire and Fury ). Luckily, that is not the case. TATG is vastly different when it comes to the dynamic between Lilith and Zah.

In the beginning it is explained that only women are blessed with powers but that men still have the over all power/dominance in society. So Zah is, for lack of getting into too much detail, kinda like a mafia boss and he runs a territory. He has no power except for his resources and reputation. As you get through the story you truly see that Zah is fine with being in the background. He is not the man that wants to always set the rules and lay down the law (when it comes to Lilith). He is fine with kinda like "being the muscle" for Lilith and standing in her shadow. He is no submissive though. He understands Lilith's wants and needs and he has been in love with her for a LONG time. So whatever she needs or wants he is willing to give. 

Lilith is very headstrong and knows what she wants and is very mature but she is also very immature in some ways. Zah helps balance her out before she can make any rash decisions which I love. They are very much a team. 

I wonder if we will get books of his side of the story like what was done with Hades. I would be interested to know what Zah does when he is not with Lilith. 

Esther dying killed me. Why? What was the point? Please bring her back.

Cass and Coco.....yes (even though Coco is a lesbian. I was feeling them). 

This book is very much world building and plot driven rather than hardcore romance. I don't read many romantasy books so this could be standard but its definitely a book that needs to be written in order to get everything out there so we can move on to the meat and potatoes of Lilith's and Zah's story. 

I thought it was well paced and not rushed. I remember when I read King of Battle and Blood I thought the lead up to the ending and climax was a little rushed. I found the pacing in this book much much better. 

I really don't have any complaints. I am excited for the next book or however many books will be in this series. It will definitely hold me over until the next book in the ATOD series ( I will always go back to it). 

I am nervous for the future books because I feel like it will involve flashbacks of what happened between her and List ( is that is name? Idk if the voice actor was saying Lith or List). I don't need flash backs of that. Is everyone a pedo?

Another 5 star read for my fave author but I expect nothing less. 

Also.... 9 times? Zah, you are going to give a girl extremely unrealistic expectations. We love it.

[hwasreadingcorner]

When She Unravels - Gabrielle Sands

(The Bookish Box - Darkly- May Book 2025)

3/5

I am not gonna lie it wasn't my favorite.

This started off good in my opinion but then it was just a constant back and forth (do I love him/do I not love him) up until the very end. I was surprised to find out this was a standalone and the rest of the series are just interconnected standalones cause I feel like so much was left unresolved. The ending felt like the climax. 

I don't know. It wasn't bad at all. It just wasn't for me.

The SE from TBB is absolutely gorgeous though!

[hwasreadingcorner]

I COULD BE YOURS PR BOX!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHH who is she?!?! An Influencer?!

I opened my mailbox today and got a PR box from Helena Hunting. I am in the BBB ( Badass Babe Brigade) and this is my first ever PR box. Im so excited.

It also came with some spicy fan art. We love it!!!

If you don't know Helena Hunting or the Toronto Terror series, this is a hockey romance (NHL). Most of her books are all connected so if you haven't read any of Helena Hunting I would suggest starting with Pucked. This series ( Toronto Terror) is like 4th spin off series in that universe. You don't have to read every book but I would suggest it. All her books are absolutely amazing and this one is no exception.

I got the ARC/ALC a few weeks ago and one thing to know about the ALC...TEDDY HAMILTON!!

The book follows Essie and Nate exploring a second chance at love while being surrounded by love due to their best friend and brother getting married. VERY GRUMPY/SUNSHINE.

If you love hockey, humor and STEAM, Helena Hunting is who you are looking for. She's one of my absolute fave authors.

[hwasreadingcorner]

Decided to start a reading blog cause why not.