Category: Debut Novel

Vexxed by Ilya Voskresensky

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, New To Me Author, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

VexxedVexxed by Ilya Voskresensky

Tracy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 10, 2025

Vexx, necromancer and self-proclaimed rogue is summoned by Baron Blackthorne to the town of Grimholt to clear up a ghoul problem. Vexx and his sidekick Nevermore, the snarky talking raven, investigate the graveyard and are shocked by the infestation and quickly determine that there is something much deeper going on in Grimholt’s graveyard – especially when Vexx comes face to face with Ilvara, the vampire.

But Ilvara isn’t the only woman with her eyes on Vexx, but the baron’s daughter Evelyn is off-limits, too bad she doesn’t seem to understand boundaries. And if all this isn’t enough – there is Vexx’s secret that is only going to make things much, much, much more difficult.

It was painfully clear that this was a debut novel and while the idea of the story was fun, the author needs to work on execution. The structure of the story is messy, and the author clearly has no familiarity with plot structure, character development and apparently no fondness for proper paragraph use. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a series – the reader was given no backstory on Vexx or his relationship with Nevermore (which BTW – Really? A raven named Nevermore??) or his secret. It made for an incredibly frustrating read. I think this author has potential and with the right editor/writing coach could probably write an amazing story – but this story is not a book I would recommend.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

A Lady Would Know Better by Emma Theriault

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Lady Would Know BetterA Lady Would Know Better by Emma Theriault

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: None Listed

Release Date: January 28, 2025

While out walking with his sisters, Jasper Maycott, the new Earl of Belhaven discovers an unconscious woman in the snow and he brings her home to nurse her back to health, but when she wakes, she has no memory of who she is or what happened. Having suffered much loss in the last year, including the woman he loved, Jasper has sealed his heart and never expected to have feelings for the woman they are calling Jane. But Jane manages to pull him out of his grief, but without her memories, what future could they possibility have?

When Jane wakes in Mulgrave Hall, she has no recollection of who she is or where she is from but knows something is wrong. She is drawn to the brooding, grief-stricken Jasper as well as his sisters. But without knowing her past, she can’t risk her heart or causing Jasper and his family more pain. Yet when she is reunited with her family, things don’t go as this reader expected and HEA seems like an impossibility.

While I will not deny that this book was technically well-written and the author has a gift for writing a character’s emotions, I cannot say that I enjoyed it. The characters are likable, but formulaic, and the “I was in love and will never love again” trope is one that annoys me to no end. The story starts out promising, but it drags until the ending, which was anti-climactic and frankly, disappointing. Add to that the complete disregard for the protocols and etiquette standards of the Victorian era, and you end up with a contemporary romance in period dress. Overall, I didn’t care for this book, but the writing has promise and I would consider reading another book by this author.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *