The Sea Witch - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Sea Witch 

by Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

When Averil saves a young man from a shipwreck, she thinks she feels the Soul Echo--the sign that the young human male is her one true mate. And the malevolent Sea Witch is all too happy to offer a deal that could make all her dreams come true. He wants her to win the prince's heart--even coaches her in the art of seduction. But what is the real price of the Sea Witch's help? Why is he more brutally beautiful--and charming--than Averil expected?

*check for trigger warnings before picking this up*

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I was in need for a book I knew I would enjoy, but I wasn't in the mood for a reread - I already reread The Arrows of the Heart by Jeffe Kennedy for the x-th time - so I picked up a book by Kenney as she hasn't disappointed me so far.

And this is another enjoyable read.

Just as in The Maleficent Faerie Kenney manages to write a delicious gender-swapped villain. I was rooting for the Sea Witch from the start. The overall story was very entertaining, but the scenes between Averil and the Sea Witch were so good! I was totally engrossed and yearned for their Happily Ever After.

There were enough elements to recognize this as a re-imagining of The Little Mermaid, but Kenney makes the story her own and I loved the new elements and the ending. I will say I only read the original tale and never saw the Disney version, so if you love that version I don't know if you'll love this book. But let me say one thing: Tentacles!

All in all: this is a delicious and enjoyable re-imagining with a yummy villain/grey hero. You bet I'll read more by Kenney.

Why should you read it:

Tentacled Male Sea Witch!

The Maleficent Faerie - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Maleficent Faerie (For the Love of the Villain #2)

by Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

A spicy, Fae Sleeping Beauty retelling with a male version of Maleficent, a dying realm, and intriguing twists on the old tale.

When Malec, the Void King, attacks Princess Dawn's carriage, her Fae bodyguard Aura switches places with her. Glamoured as a human, Aura must fool Malec into thinking she's the Princess he cursed 25 years ago. Relentless and powerful, but with a vulnerable side he hides from others, Malec begins to crave Aura's respect as much as he craves her body.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I've very much enjoyed the other books I've read by Kenney so far, so I treated myself to The Maleficent Faerie to see if I'd enjoy stories not connected to her Wicked Darlings series.

And this book was such an enjoyable read!

I'd call this a re-imagining instead of a retelling as the story differs greatly from the original fairytale (in the most yummy ways). I fell hard for Malec (I do love a tortured hero/villain) so it was easy to lose myself in the romance between Aura and Malec. There were of course story elements connecting this story to its inspiration, but those were used in original ways to create a whole new story with a romance at the heart of it that doesn't need a prince to save Aura. 

All in all I had a great time with this very steamy and delicious Fantasy Romance and you bet I got my hands on another book in this series of standalones.

Why should you read it:

It's a delightful Fantasy Romance re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty.

Blue Beard, Red Hood - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Blue Beard, Red Hood (Beloved Villains #6)

Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

A spicy, adult romantasy retelling of "Bluebeard" and "Little Red Riding Hood," two of Charles Perrault's most famous stories.

Sybil Fallon has a habit of summoning demons unintentionally and at the most inconvenient times. When she, her mother, and her sister are invited to an upcoming dinner at the estate of the mysterious Theron Beresford, Sybil is desperate to ensure that her ability won't manifest and ruin the evening. But when she seeks help from her reclusive former mentor, Grandmother Riquet, she discovers that the old woman has changed in dangerous and disturbing ways... and so has the forest in which she lives.

As Sybil struggles to control an ability she doesn't understand, she becomes strongly attracted to Beresford, the brawny, handsome estate owner. His distinctive blue beard isn't his only unusual trait. In addition to socially acceptable dinner parties, he also likes to host secret gatherings in the refurbished barn on his property. Sybil's first invitation to one of his naughty midnight parties opens her mind to a world of new pleasures. But with local disappearances inciting the suspicion of the neighbors, and Beresford's secretive nature raising questions in her own mind, Sybil must navigate an increasingly treacherous path through the forest of her circumstances in pursuit of the future she wants.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

Yes, I totally went on a Rebecca F. Kenney Binge.

This one I got as an ARC, but I bought the ebook as well, because I didn't get to reading/reviewing before the release.

I've always thought Bluebeard would be a great fairy tale to reimagine into something more sensual. And here it is!

I really enjoyed this mashup of Bluebeard and Little Red Riding Hood. I liked Sybil, and was as intrigued by Beresford as she was. There lots of deliciousness, some creepy things, and lots of suspense. There's elements of both fairy tales, but once again Kenney weaves them into a wonderful reimagining all her own. I had a great time with this and it won't be the last book by Kenney I will read.

Why should you read it:

It's a sensual, suspenseful fairy tale mashup.

A Tale of Vines and Vengeance - Quick Review by Voodoo Bride

 

A Tale of Vines and Vengeance (Wicked Darlings #3.5)

by Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

This is not a full novel, it is a short story connected to the Wicked Darlings series. It is meant to be read after you've completed all three of the main novels in the series, starting with A Court of Sugar and Spice. It contains some spoilers for the series.

If you loved Clara and her handsome Sugarplum Faerie, Finias, you'll enjoy this small glimpse into their life after the events of the series.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I'm a rebel. I totally skipped over the third book in this series to read this short story about Clara and Fin.

And it's a quick read with both suspense and lots of deliciousness. If you loved Clara and her Sugarplum Faerie as much as I do, this is a must read!

There's spoilers for the first two books, and maybe minor spoilers for the third book.

Why should you read it:

It's fun and delicious.

A Court of Hearts and Hunger - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

A Court of Hearts and Hunger (Wicked Darlings #2)

by Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

Just as Clara and her sister are settling into their new life, Drosselmeyer sends a desperate message to the Seelie Court. With Lir and Louisa occupied elsewhere, Clara and Finias (the Sugarplum Faerie) have no choice but to respond and forge deep into Unseelie Territory, where a cruel Queen, known as the Eater of Hearts, has taken the throne. As they infiltrate the Court of Dread, Finias and Clara are forced to keep their relationship a secret. Meanwhile, the ravenous victims of the Queen, called the Heartless, turn the Unseelie kingdom into a far more dangerous place than usual.

Brimming with drama, horror, and spice, this sequel to "A Court of Sugar and Spice" brings back Clara and Finias, while introducing new characters like the fiendishly hot Cheshire Cat, the enigmatic Rabbit, the terrifying Queen, and more.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I totally bought this because it had more Clara and Finias. And this book is a must have for anyone who loved them in A Court of Sugar and Spice in my opinion. They're chapters are worth it all by themselves.

I did really enjoy the chapters with Alice, Rabbit, and the Cheshire Cat as well, but more because of the Rabbit and Cheshire Cat than because of Alice. I didn't click with her at all. Her personality just felt off to me. That aside, I had a great time with this book, and treated myself to the print version as an early Christmas present after finishing it.

(yes, I'm behind on my reviews and still catching up)

Overall a really enjoyable read with some darker elements, so I advice you to look into the content warnings before diving in.

Why should you read it:

More Fin & Clara!

The Midnight King - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Midnight King: A Cinderella Retelling

by Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

Bound by magic, Celinda serves her step-family night and day with little hope of escaping the drudgery of her life, and even less hope of attending the upcoming series of royal parties hosted by the Crown Prince, who is seeking a bride. When a family heirloom summons a handsome Faerie, Celinda sees a possible avenue for escape. But she finds herself being seduced, not by the prince, but by his incredibly attractive father, the King. Tempted by the pleasure the King offers and drawn by the magic her Faerie godfather can access, Celinda's heart is tugged in two different directions, even as she fights to circumvent the cruel schemes of her malevolent stepmother.

This spicy romantasy retelling of the Cinderella fairytale will appeal to fans of Scarlett St. Clair, Karina Halle, and Raven Kennedy. It's a fantasy romance novella with a love triangle and frequent spicy scenes in addition to a compelling plot. 

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

After finishing A Court of Sugar and Spice I immediately grabbed my e-reader and started on The Midnight King, which I got as a freebie by signing up to Kenney's newsletter.

For some reason I assumed it was a novella, so I was surprised to find out I read until deep into the night when I finished it.

This book is just as delicious, although with a very different (triangly) back and forth between Celinda and her Faerie godfather and the King.

Not that I minded: I was totally engrossed and was eager to see where the story would lead and how Celinda would escape her miserable life and find happiness.

I loved seeing how Kenney bends the original fairy tale and makes it her own,

And when I finished this book and saw there was a version of it with bonus content on Amazon, I totally bought it, as well as the other books in the Wicked Darlings series.

Why should you read it:

It's a yummy Cinderella reimagining.

A Court of Sugar and Spice - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

A Court of Sugar and Spice (Wicked Darlings #1)

by Rebecca F. Kenney

What is it about:

With their inheritance restricted until their marriage, sisters Clara and Louisa, both in their twenties, must live with their godfather Drosselmeyer. One night, an accident brings to life one of the strange wooden dolls in Drosselmeyer's mansion. The Nutcracker doll is a cursed Fae prince, and he pleads for the sisters' help. During the ensuing journey into the Fae realm, Clara encounters the handsome Sugarplum Faerie, and he promises her the chance to enact all her forbidden fantasies. Meanwhile Louisa and the Nutcracker Prince battle and bicker over everything, despite the growing attraction between them. And to make matters worse, the entire Seelie kingdom is under threat of conquest by the Rat King, ruler of the Dread Court.

This is a spicy, adult, fantasy romance retelling of "The Nutcracker" fairytale.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I will confess I've had a couple of ebooks of this author linger on my e-reader, but I tend to skip over my digital library in favor of print books, so it took me seeing this mass market paperback and buying it to actually read something by Kenney.

And I've been missing out!

This is such a delicious read.

I connected with Clara from the start. Louisa and the Nutcracker/Fae prince were less interesting to me, but the story was enjoyable enough to keep reading and to see what would happen next. 

And then the Sugarplum Faerie entered the stage!

I absolutely adored him and Clara together. 

From there on out I was hooked and was cheering Clara and Sugarplum/Fin on and enjoying their super delicious romance.

For those more familiar with The Nutcracker there will probably be a lot of overlap with the original tale, but as someone who only knows the music and not the story I can tell you, you can read this without having seen The Nutcracker.

And you bet I grabbed my e-reader after finishing this book to see what books by Kenney I had lingering there.

Why should you read it:

It's absolutely delicious!

Books Galore

 

I received lots of bookish mail, so let me show everything off.

I received these wonderful early Christmas/Birthday books from Melliane.

Thanks, Melliane!

I received beautiful art prints and stickers from Rebecca F. Kenney.

We have just discovered her books and were just in time to enter a giveaway and were among the winners!

Thanks, Rebecca!

There was more awesomeness, but first it's story time!

The ever amazing Jeffe told me she sent us a package, so of course we were on the lookout for its arrival. Instead of it arriving, we received a message on Facebook from someone asking if we were expecting a package from the US...

It turned out the delivery people mistook the address and delivered it somewhere else!

Luckily the people who got the package managed to find and contact us on Facebook. They turned out to live close by, so they dropped the package off within 10 minutes after confirming it was our package!

We are totally grateful they took the time to find us instead of just sending the package back.

So behold the awesomeness that nearly didn't reach us:

There were lots of books by T. Kingfisher in the package.

Two of them I asked Jeffe to buy for me (paid for them myself), because I wanted that particular version of the book, but the others were given to Jeffe by T. Kingfisher/Ursula Vernon herself as they are friends and Jeffe told her I'm a big fan. They're either ARCs or difficult to get special editions. How awesome is that?!

Just look at these gorgeous sprayed edges.

Just have to show off this absolutely stunning edition of Nettle & Bone.

Thanks, Ursula!

But there was even more in the package

A signed copy of The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst.

Jeffe got it for me when she met up with Sarah Beth Durst on her book tour. (It has got a personal message that makes me love Sarah Beth Durst even more than I already did.)

I'm forever struggling to get US covers when there's also a UK version, so Jeffe got me the US ARC of this book!

And yet another book!

Last but not least a Christmas present we're not allowed to open yet, so it is next to our snow globe, guarded by the Santa Matryoshka dolls.

Thanks, Jeffe!!!