Welcome reader, today I’m reviewing three books, one by Braidee Otto, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Sarah Damoff all in one post. So let’s get to it.
Please note:
Purchasing these books through the affiliate will be at no additional cost to you. The Buy Now link will take you to another website, Bookshop.org, where you can purchase the book.
Thank you for supporting Sheaf & Ink. – Cece
Image Description: The book cover of the hardcover book by Braidee Otto, Songbird of the Sorrows, features gold filagree, flowers, and three black birds one below the title and two above.
Songbird of the Sorrows By Braidee Otto
Book Description
In a magical world of gods and mythical races, an outcast princess turned spy infiltrates a rival kingdom—uncovering secrets that force her to choose between obedience and defiance—in the first book of a propulsive romantic fantasy series for fans of Danielle L. Jensen’s The Bridge Kingdom series.
Review
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance that features Hunger Games like bride trials, a cruel prince (not like the YA book), and an outcast princess proving her worth, give Songbird of the Sorrows a read. What worked for me was the world building and the bridal trials. The setup for why Aella is tasked with becoming a bride is an interesting one. While she gains favor of the wicked prince, her partners in crime are looking for a weapon that could destroy their world as they know it. Now we never find out what that weapon can actually do, which makes sense, as it’ll probably be the key plot point in book two, but the author keeps you turning pages because of it. As for the world building, specifically the mythology was fascinating. The author imbues different types of lore and magic that will have fantasy readers anxiously waiting to see if our MC is able to tap into her own dormant magic capabilities, (fingers crossed). What didn’t work for me (SPOILERS). The book takes a very dark turn when Aella’s team steals the weapon. Aella is left behind, which made sense especially if she won the bride competition. But at this point, it’s never made clear that she either won or lost. It goes directly to the cruel prince, Keres Selmonious, torturing Aella because he suspects foul play. Please be aware before reading this book there is an Author’s Note at the beginning of the novel, however she does not list content warning in her note. You will need to visit her website, Braideeotto.com for the full list, which I’ve linked.
I give this book three out of five stars.
NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.
From the Publisher
Image Description: The book cover of the hardcover book by Sarah Damoff, The Bright Years, features two illustrated hands in watercolor reaching out with what looks like a small sun in the far left corner.
The Bright Years By Sarah Damoff
Book Description
One family. Four generations. A secret son. A devastating addiction. A Texas family is met with losses and surprises of inheritance, but they’re unable to shake the pull back toward each other in this family saga perfect for readers of Mary Beth Keane and Claire Lombardo.
Review
I enjoyed Damoff’s novel The Bright Years. It’s told from three points of view starting with a prologue of Ryan Bright as a young child. As he listens to the escalating argument between his parents, he paints underneath his parents kitchen table, escaping for a moment the terrifying situation outside of his viewpoint . I found that starting point profound. It gave us a moment in time of what path Ryan could eventually lead as an adult.
In all three points of views we get each perspective of the Bright Years, one from the mother’s perspective, nurturing and worried for her little family, including her estranged husband, the daughter, who struggles with loss and grief in a way that for me as a reader is somewhat insensitive when it comes to eating disorders, and the father, an alcoholic, trying desperately avoid becoming his father.
I give this book four out of five stars.
NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.
From the Publisher
Image Description: The book cover of the hardcover book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere, features a woman in an astronaut jumpsuit black curly hair and aviator reflector sunglasses, the sky reflected and the Space Shuttle launching into the sky.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Description
From the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.
Review
There are a handful of books that will be my all-time favorite reads and Atmosphere is one of them. It’s an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, from the astronauts in space and a terrible accident that follows to the love story between Joan and Vanessa. I loved every page, every word Jenkins Reid penned. I highlighted and underlined so many sentences, cementing them into my long-term memory, making it easily accessible when I want to remember something spectacular.
Simply put a novel I will treasure always.
I give this book five out of five stars.
NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.
From the Publisher
Pin it for Later
Image Description: A graphic with three adult novels, Songbird of the Sorrows, Atmosphere, and The Bright Years centered with a bright orange yellow and lime green background with text in front of the three books that reads “June Mini Book Reviews www.sheafandink.com”
Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
Let’s Be Friends
ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
SIGN UP FOR POST ALERTS
Enter your email to stay up to date on any tours & reviews or exciting bookish news by Sheaf & Ink
Sheaf & Ink
Proudly powered by WordPress
Comment Policy:
- Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the blog post, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
- Don’t use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
- Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
- Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
