
tarahific started reading...
1w

With Wing And Claw (Fae Isles, #5)
Lisette Marshall
The war is over… but the trouble is only just beginningThysandra’s world is falling apart. Rebels have overthrown the fae empire she’s served for centuries. Worse, she’s the one who caused the defeat – tricked into treason by her longtime nemesis and romantic obsession, Anaxia, who then promptly abandoned her again, like the empathy-lacking demon she is.Execution by rebels would be a relief at this point.Instead, the bastards name her High Lady of the very court she just betrayed. Punishment or reward, Thys isn’t quite sure.Now she’s supposed to restore order at the Crimson Court… but fae are clamouring for violent revenge. Humans want rights and reparations. There's a sentient mountain causing trouble, and Anaxia is suddenly prancing around the castle again, refusing to leave, and murdering people left and right.Most ridiculously of all, she’s claiming Thysandra is madly in love with her.Agreeing to work together is the only way to restrain the little menace. But when tensions at the court rise to a breaking point, simple cooperation may no longer be enough… Because someone is undermining Thys at every turn. And if she doesn’t soon decide how much she can trust this fickle demon she can’t help but desire, it may just be the death of them both.With Wing and Claw is a steamy sapphic fantasy romance featuring a former villain coming to terms with herself, a stabby demon with no morals but plenty of charm, and lots of deadly court intrigue. It can be read as a standalone, although certain events will be more meaningful for readers of the main Fae Isles series.

tarahific commented...
1w
This only being available through KU is upsetting because I don't subscribe to it anymore 😭

tarahific TBR'd a book
1w

In Love and War (Fae Isles, #4.5)
Lisette Marshall
A demon craving revenge. A fae looking to prove herself.When Naxi and Thysandra meet in the middle of a battlefield, neither expects a worthy opponent. But with dark pasts and desperate ambitions driving them, peace is not an option … so when Naxi is forced to flee, Thysandra gives chase, bringing them far from the clash of armies.Away from their allies, away from the war they were meant to fight, the true battle begins – one of wits and perilous bargains.Every step of their cat-and-mouse game reveals secrets neither intended to share, laying bare hidden scars and unspoken desires. The deeper they go, the more their bitter rivalry turns into something far more an undeniable, irresistible attraction.And soon demon and fae are no longer just fighting for their lives … but for their hearts.In Love and War is a 20k word companion novella to the Fae Isles series and ends on a HFN. Naxi and Thysandra’s story develops in the background of books 1-4 of the main series, and concludes in book 5, With Wing and Claw. Recommended reading order is to read In Love and War between books 4 and 5.

tarahific is interested in reading...
1w

The Death-Made Prince
Lisette Marshall
A runewitch on the run has only one option left: join forces with the sarcastic, unpleasantly gorgeous necromancer she loathes The man Thraga loved is dead, and her future is in shambles. When she's sentenced to the gallows for killing her lover's murderers, it's a relief more than anything… until, the night before her execution, a necromancer is thrown into her cell. Escaping with him is her only chance to bring Lark back to life—and also the start of all her troubles. Because her new almost-ally is not just any man returned from death. Fire mage, rogue prince, and son of the man who killed her mother, sharp-tongued Durlain Averre is everything Thraga hates. Worse, he won't revive her lover unless she joins him on a mission of his own first, using her forbidden rune magic to free his sister from the dungeons of an enemy king. But their quest turns into a deadly chase when Thraga's violent past catches up with her. And as the net of court intrigue and old fears closes around them, she begins to find out Lark was not at all the man she thought he was… And neither is Durlain. The Death-Made Prince is the first book of the Runewitch Saga, an epic enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring two morally grey leads, OCD rep, and a Norse mythology-inspired world. While it is a slow burn romance, the first book does contain spicy content intended for 18+ readers.

tarahific TBR'd a book
1w

With Wing And Claw (Fae Isles, #5)
Lisette Marshall
The war is over… but the trouble is only just beginningThysandra’s world is falling apart. Rebels have overthrown the fae empire she’s served for centuries. Worse, she’s the one who caused the defeat – tricked into treason by her longtime nemesis and romantic obsession, Anaxia, who then promptly abandoned her again, like the empathy-lacking demon she is.Execution by rebels would be a relief at this point.Instead, the bastards name her High Lady of the very court she just betrayed. Punishment or reward, Thys isn’t quite sure.Now she’s supposed to restore order at the Crimson Court… but fae are clamouring for violent revenge. Humans want rights and reparations. There's a sentient mountain causing trouble, and Anaxia is suddenly prancing around the castle again, refusing to leave, and murdering people left and right.Most ridiculously of all, she’s claiming Thysandra is madly in love with her.Agreeing to work together is the only way to restrain the little menace. But when tensions at the court rise to a breaking point, simple cooperation may no longer be enough… Because someone is undermining Thys at every turn. And if she doesn’t soon decide how much she can trust this fickle demon she can’t help but desire, it may just be the death of them both.With Wing and Claw is a steamy sapphic fantasy romance featuring a former villain coming to terms with herself, a stabby demon with no morals but plenty of charm, and lots of deadly court intrigue. It can be read as a standalone, although certain events will be more meaningful for readers of the main Fae Isles series.

tarahific TBR'd a book
1w

In Love and War (Fae Isles, #4.5)
Lisette Marshall
A demon craving revenge. A fae looking to prove herself.When Naxi and Thysandra meet in the middle of a battlefield, neither expects a worthy opponent. But with dark pasts and desperate ambitions driving them, peace is not an option … so when Naxi is forced to flee, Thysandra gives chase, bringing them far from the clash of armies.Away from their allies, away from the war they were meant to fight, the true battle begins – one of wits and perilous bargains.Every step of their cat-and-mouse game reveals secrets neither intended to share, laying bare hidden scars and unspoken desires. The deeper they go, the more their bitter rivalry turns into something far more an undeniable, irresistible attraction.And soon demon and fae are no longer just fighting for their lives … but for their hearts.In Love and War is a 20k word companion novella to the Fae Isles series and ends on a HFN. Naxi and Thysandra’s story develops in the background of books 1-4 of the main series, and concludes in book 5, With Wing and Claw. Recommended reading order is to read In Love and War between books 4 and 5.

What a lovely conclusion to such an underrated romantasy series! This book has so much heart — the way things come together in terms of found family and healing from trauma literally made me cry several times 🥹. The character arcs and growth, not just for the MCs but for the side characters, is all very well executed.
I found the pacing of this last installment to be perfect. The final battle was steadily built up to, until I was anxious about what would happen. It was intense with equal parts raw action and clever strategizing, and I really enjoyed how it all wrapped up. I also love what Em decides to do with the fae empire afterwards — LOVE an anti-hegemony message!
I gotta say I appreciate how this was still dark and intense and made me feel all the feels but didn't unnecessarily dispose of beloved characters. I will definitely read more of Lissette Marshall's writing because how did she manage to emotionally destroy me AND give me a happy ending?!
This series was such a killer combo of epic fantasy world-building and character development, deep emotional themes, and spicy romantasy elements. The very realistic anxiety and trauma/PTSD representation, as well as the disability/sign language representation, are also 10/10. I picked up the first book looking for a silly little romantasy to get lost in during a stressful season of work. I did not expect to fall in love with a series full of well-crafted characters, intricate magic systems, and emotional depth. If you're looking for all the standard romantasy elements but want something that feels unique and well-developed, I cannot recommend Fae Isles enough. It is not at all difficult to read and I guess you could turn your brain off for it, but it is several levels above other hyped books/series in the genre and there is plenty of pay-off if you read with your brain "on".

tarahific commented...
1w
An ending that made me cry SEVERAL times but also was so heartwarming and happy?! I didn't know it was possible 🥹

tarahific finished a book
1w

Queens of Mist and Madness (Fae Isles, #4)
Lisette Marshall
"Fae wars don't end in surrender." Emelin has finally found the bindings, the key to her victory. But to use them, she needs one last piece of the puzzle … and the only person who can give her that information is a stubbornly silent Thysandra. And an uncooperative captive is the least of Em’s problems. As the Mother prepares to strike, the magical world continues to squabble. Something ominous is plaguing Creon. And Em’s own newfound powers come with a dark side she did not expect, forcing her to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for the fate of the world. To find allies and gather the forces they need, Em and Creon have no choice but to face the shadows of their pasts. But when disastrous secrets are revealed and the Mother finally deals her devastating blow … will they still have a future? Queens of Mist and Madness is the thrilling conclusion to Em and Creon’s epic enemies to lovers romance.

tarahific finished a book
1w

Queens of Mist and Madness (Fae Isles, #4)
Lisette Marshall
"Fae wars don't end in surrender." Emelin has finally found the bindings, the key to her victory. But to use them, she needs one last piece of the puzzle … and the only person who can give her that information is a stubbornly silent Thysandra. And an uncooperative captive is the least of Em’s problems. As the Mother prepares to strike, the magical world continues to squabble. Something ominous is plaguing Creon. And Em’s own newfound powers come with a dark side she did not expect, forcing her to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for the fate of the world. To find allies and gather the forces they need, Em and Creon have no choice but to face the shadows of their pasts. But when disastrous secrets are revealed and the Mother finally deals her devastating blow … will they still have a future? Queens of Mist and Madness is the thrilling conclusion to Em and Creon’s epic enemies to lovers romance.

Court of Blood and Bindings (Fae Isles, #1)
Lisette Marshall

tarahific is interested in reading...
2w

The Red Winter
Cameron Sullivan
A devastating love story. A bewitching twist on history. A blood-drenched hunt for purpose, power, and redemption. In 1785, Professor Sebastian Grave receives the news he fears most: the terrible Beast of Gévaudan has returned, and the French countryside runs red in its wake. Sebastian knows the Beast. A monster-slayer with centuries of experience, he joined the hunt for the creature twenty years ago and watched it slaughter its way through a long and bloody winter. Even with the help of his indwelling demon, Sarmodel – who takes payment in living hearts – it nearly cost him his life to bring the monster down. Now, two decades later, Sebastian has been recalled to the hunt by Antoine Avenel d’Ocerne, an estranged lover who shares a dark history with the Beast and a terrible secret with Sebastian. Drawn by both the chance to finish the Beast for good and the promise of a reconciliation with Antoine, Sebastian cannot refuse. But Gévaudan is not as he remembers it, and Sebastian’s unfinished business is everywhere he looks. Years of misery have driven the people to desperation, and France teeters on the edge of revolution. Sebastian’s arcane activities – not to mention his demonic counterpart – have also attracted the inquisitorial eye of the French clergy. And the Beast is poised to close his jaws around them all and plunge the continent into war. Debut author Cameron Sullivan tears the heart out of history with this darkly entertaining retelling of the hunt for the Beast of Gévaudan. Lifting the veil on the hidden world behind our own, it reimagines the story of Europe, from Imperial Rome to Saint Jehanne d’Arc, the madness of Gilles de Rais and the first flickers of the French Revolution.

tarahific started reading...
3w

Queens of Mist and Madness (Fae Isles, #4)
Lisette Marshall
"Fae wars don't end in surrender." Emelin has finally found the bindings, the key to her victory. But to use them, she needs one last piece of the puzzle … and the only person who can give her that information is a stubbornly silent Thysandra. And an uncooperative captive is the least of Em’s problems. As the Mother prepares to strike, the magical world continues to squabble. Something ominous is plaguing Creon. And Em’s own newfound powers come with a dark side she did not expect, forcing her to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice for the fate of the world. To find allies and gather the forces they need, Em and Creon have no choice but to face the shadows of their pasts. But when disastrous secrets are revealed and the Mother finally deals her devastating blow … will they still have a future? Queens of Mist and Madness is the thrilling conclusion to Em and Creon’s epic enemies to lovers romance.

So torn about how to rate this because the first half kinda dragged for me (and I'm someone who loves slow-paced books). Em's anxiety circles are valid but they didn't need to be written on the page that many times. The new lands the gang explores and the exciting discoveries they make are compelling, I just wish they weren't so bogged down by Em's inner monologues.
There might be light spoilers below but nothing egregious.
The second half really picks back up and although Em's anxieties are still present, they don't feel overbearing. I adore the different "races" of magical creatures and the multiple magic systems in this series, especially because we get to see them in action and are taught the mechanics/logic behind them in a way that feels seamless. This installment in particular expands some of these systems, as well as the larger world and the lore of several characters. Also the new little familiar someone gains?! I'M OBSESSED. Alyra has my heart.
There's a lot of character growth as well, and it extends beyond Em and Creon to side characters too. The characters are very consistent—even when they're being insufferable, it's true to form, so I can get past it. There's also a lot of not communicating which is frustrating, but it's also well backed-up by characters' motivations and histories, so again it's hard to fault it.
THE ENDING!!! It got me good 😭. I'll definitely be starting the next book immediately.
My final gripe is the title. Ruins? Yes. Sea? Sure, but it's maybe a stretch... "shores" would work better. Souls? What souls?? Are they in the room with us??? How about "Ruins of Shores and Secrets" or "Shores of Reign and Ruins"? DON'T LIE TO ME WITH THE TITLE. I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING INTO THE OCEAN GDDMNIT. I also thought we might find out more about Ally?! WHERE IS SHE?!

tarahific is interested in reading...
3w

The Infinite State
Richard Swan
WHO GIVES YOU LIFE? PATER AETERNUS. Katherine Fuller’s husband is dead. As an esteemed member of Pater Aeternus—governing party of the fascist, galaxy-spanning Decurion Empire—he has left behind an estate of immeasurable wealth. And Katherine is going to inherit it. WHO GIVES YOU PURPOSE? PATER AETERNUS. Life under the Eternal Father is rigidly stratified, surveilled, and controlled—each new day to be endured, not lived. But with Katherine’s newfound fortune, she is presented with a rare and dangerous opportunity: purchase a virgin world, and create a better, fairer society. WHO GIVES YOU JOY? PATER AETERNUS. But the Empire cannot allow its wayward daughter to succeed. And as Katherine works in secret, recruiting allies she's not even sure she can trust, she will discover exactly how far Pater Aeternus is willing to go to stop her. Because Katherine is going to create something nobody has seen for many years. A democracy.

tarahific finished a book
3w

Ruins of Sea and Souls
Lisette Marshall
“You fell in love with a fae executioner. Did you truly think that would end well?” With war looming, Emelin's plan is simple: break the Mother's bindings while her more diplomacy-minded friends persuade the rest of the world to join their rebellion. Unfortunately, their would-be allies are far too concerned about Em’s exact connection to the feared and hated Silent Death. They might risk their lives for the world’s only unbound mage, but they’ll never fight for a fae prince’s puppet. Forced to hide the explosive secret of their love, Em and Creon journey to the plague-cursed continent to learn more about the bindings. But as they face dragons, ruins, and murderous forests in search of the vanished gods, distrust between Creon and their travel companions brings tensions to a boiling point. And if their love may cost them the victory against the Mother … how will Em ever choose between her heart and her duty?