Category: First Person Narrative

The Reader by Hope E. Davis

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, First Person Narrative, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The ReaderThe Reader by Hope E. Davis

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Reader #1

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Born in a world where there is a one-child rule, Runa is a forbidden twin, she’s been forced to live a double life, hiding her true identity to survive in a society that would rather erase her existence. The story begins in a dramatic fashion when she must take her brother’s place on the front lines of an impending conflict. As she’s thrust from a life of secrecy into the chaos of war, slowly her world begins to unravel. Runa is introduced as intelligent, strong, and uniquely gifted, but throughout the book, she doesn’t quite live up to that persona. Repeatedly, she allows others to make decisions for her, even after she begins to display serious magical abilities, making it hard to take her seriously.

While this book is a fresh perspective in the romantasy genre and I did enjoy the magic system and morally gray characters, I am not a fan of first person single POV, love triangles or cliffhangers, so this book was a miss for me. However, if you don’t mind FPN, love triangles, morally gray characters and a spectacular cliffhanger ending – this book might be something you might want to check out.

*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. *

Something Wicked by Falon Ballard

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, First Person Narrative, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Something Wicked (Idle Reputations, #1)Something Wicked by Falon Ballard

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Idle Reputations #1

Release Date: December 2, 2025

Callum is the son of the recently dethroned king, and in the running to become the first elected president of the country of Avon, but to do so he will have to do the unthinkable. He is drawn into the deadly political game and is torn between his sense of duty and his conscience. His ability to complete his mission hinges on enlisting Lady Caterine’s magical, emotion-manipulating talents. The attraction between Callum and Cate is instantaneous and passionate, despite his disregard for the “gifted”. Can he work with her to save Avon or will he lose all?

Lady Caterine is a courtesan at the La Puissance pleasure club and has the unique ability to manipulate emotions of those she is intimate with. She too has a mission and at first it seems simple, distract Callum from the election. She never expected to fall for him, but when she does will she be able to complete her task or will she listen to her heart?

Confession – I requested this book because the cover was giving me nostalgic Barbara Cartland vibes, sadly I finished this book feeling the cover was the best thing about this book. Overall, this story plunges readers into the tumultuous nation of Avon, where a dangerous political contest and a shadowy world of magic and desire collide. The story centers on a high-stakes challenge: contenders for Avon’s leadership must kill their deposed monarch, setting the stage for intrigue and emotional entanglement. While the premise is intriguing and the Moulin Rouge-meets-Macbeth theme adds flair, the novel ultimately isn’t able to deliver because it fails to give the reader fully developed magic and world-building. Add to that the story is written in dual first-person narrative making it harder for me to connect deeply with the story. However, if you are just looking for a fantasy romance with lots of steam and political intrigue, you will find it in this book!

*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. *