Tag: #YA fantasy romance

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BOOK REVIEW: The Folly of Relics by Nikki Meeks

The last book review of 2025! I got this book back in September(2025), having bought it directly from the author herself. I had promised I’d review her book, as supporting and promoting indie authors is what I do. Keeping my promise amidst the chaos that life can be, I am delighted to bring you my review for “THE FOLLY OF RELICS.”

The Folly of Relics

Published: April 1, 2023

Genre: Fantasy/ YA fantasy/ YA fantasy romance

Pages: 387

Synopsis – 

In the search for his relic, a young demon must find the courage to face the one thing he has been avoiding, but is it possible for Victor to truly love?

Victor Ledger is next in line to rule over the noble Ledger demon clan. Before he can undergo this process, he must first overcome the biggest distraction to all young demons — the human world.

Destroying his relic and any smidge of emotion is his only goal, or at least it was until he stumbled upon Leah with her beautiful green eyes and reserved demeanor. The undeniable attraction comes with a slew of questions… What is she? Why can’t he leave her alone? Does she know what he is?

No demon can prepare for the intensity of human emotions that its relic awakens. Will Victor be able to overcome this? Find out which path he will follow as he discovers what his relic truly means.

AMAZON

REVIEW

Drawn in with a lustful opening, The Folly of Relics is a fan girl’s dream. It’s like Japanese anime meets K-drama, and I was all for it. Victor and Leah are a swoon-worthy couple as the story is told through Victor’s eyes. You see, Victor is a demon here in the human world, finding and ridding himself of his relic, which will quell any desire to dwell in the human world and to take his place as heir to the Ledger demon clan. Victor finds his relic, and he also finds Leah. Drawn to her, he doesn’t know why. Demons can’t love as humans do…can they? Does it even matter when Victor finds out Leah comes from a powerful bloodline of exorcists who could banish him back to hell? Or that hell is coming to the human world to make sure he does as he is supposed to. 

Okay, I really enjoyed this book. The overall tone and voice drew me into the story the deeper I went. I started reading on December 21st, and I finished on December 27th. Meeks drew me in with the most horney exposition I have ever read. Victor burst onto the scene with a hankering, if you know what I mean. To avoid being misleading on the spice scale, I’d give The Folly of Relics a spice rating of maybe 1 to 2 🌶️🌶️ on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being low and five being high. Meeks starts with spicy moments, but then closes the curtain on us, which was a bit of a bummer. I kind of wanted a bit more. There was also a bit of overall vagueness throughout, for example, what is with the demons and their relics? I wish it were fleshed out more. Also, why are demons in the human world to begin with? Who are these exorcist people?  Maybe it will get answered in a second book? It did end open-ended, so fingers crossed. Nikki Meeks, if you are reading, I need a second book with these characters! 

Therefore, my rating is 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Find your copy of The Folly with Relics at:

Original Cover Art:  Amazon 

Original or Revised Cover Art  Powell’s Books and ESTY

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Book Review: Bound by Promises & Lies (Realms of Magic Book 2) by Sienna Archer

Hosted by Indie Promotions and @RRbookTours

A fake betrothal would make a fool of anyone

Alathea knows she’s the only one who can stand between her vengeful mother, Bex, and all-out war with the magic realms. But to confront her mother, Alathea will have to return home with Lidja, the high sorceress whose disdain for her has only sharpened—and the one person she would prefer to never see again.

Lidja can’t find a peaceful spot far enough from Alathea in her home realm. But when Bex escalates her threats to deadly heights, Lidja knows she’ll have to assess this new enemy herself. For such a delicate mission, she’ll have to work in harmony with Alathea, the mule-headed almost-ruler who refuses to cooperate, no matter how adjacent her sharp axe comes to Alathea’s throat.

To stop the oncoming war, Alathea and Lidja might have to consider the worst option of all: a fake betrothal that proves the magic realms are no threat and creates a magic tie between them. But when magic blurs the line between love and hate, will either be strong enough to resist…or will the fake betrothal make fools of them both?

Bound by Promises & Lies is the second book in the Realms of Magic Young Adult fantasy series with a slow-burn sapphic romance, heart-pounding adventure, and big twists. If you liked Throne of Glass or A Curse So Dark & Lovely, you’ll love this fast-paced story by Sienna Archer.

Available on AMAZON
Publication Date: February 19, 2024
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance/ LGBTQ2+
*Fake fiancé
*Slow-burn Sapphic romance
*Touch her and die
*Plot twists
*Family drama
*Wish-granting sea faeries
*Complex characters
*Second in a series
*YA Romantasy

    Review

    Meant to read the first book (Bound by Scars and Secrets) before I read this second installment am reviewing I accidentally picked up Bound by Promises & Lies first and started reading none the wiser. I was a couple of chapters in when I realized this was book 2, not book 1. I winced because I am a stickler for reading in order, but it was too late. I was already invested in Sienna Archer’s world and characters. I had to see Alathea and Lidja journey through till the end!

    I must say Lidja has to be my official favorite female character in a book of all time. I have never had one until now either.  She resonated with me written perfectly real – strong-ass-willed, yet vulnerable weak, and unapologetically herself. Her conversations with whomever she comes in contact with are entertainingly priceless.

    Bound by Promises & Lies is an engrossing read you’ll forget this is a YA fantasy. It also works well as a stand-alone almost since I didn’t read the first book and was not that lost.

     Archer writes with a warm welcome tone that instantly draws you in. I felt instantly welcomed into her world and instantly fell in love with her characters (and this is book 2 remind you!) That says something about a writer’s writing prowess. 

    While sure there were some points in the story that might have made more sense if I read book 1 first it was minuscule. Plus it only acted as an enticement for me to go back and read book 1 to get the whole story. Bound by Promises & Lies ends on a bit of a cliffhanger too so I am excited to see what Archer has next in the realms of magic world.

    My overall rating 5 out of 5 stars

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    About the Author

    Sienna Archer believes romance should be epic, adventures magical, and the best characters are the ones who grow. She writes books featuring diverse characters and strong female leads that make readers laugh, shout, and cry.

    Learn more about Sienna and her books at Sienna Archer

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    Book Spotlight Special: Bound by Scars and Secrets by Sienna Archer

    Another beauty book cover has caught my eye. So I am shining a light on it. Currently touring over at R&RBook Tours Bound By Scars and Secrets by Sienna Archer is the first book in the YA fantasy Realms of Magic Series. A slow-burn queer love triangle, realm-crossing adventure, and unraveling family secrets. If you liked A Court of Thorns and Roses and These Hollow Vows, you’ll love this fast-paced story.

    Let’s find out more.

    Bound by Scars & Secrets (Realms of Magic #1)
    

    Publications Date: August 16, 2023
    

    Genre: YA Fantasy Romance/ LGBTQ2+
    

    ✨Fake Betrothal

    ✨Sapphic

    ✨Touch Her & Di3

    ✨Slow Burn

    ✨Wish-granting Sea Fairies

    ✨Epic Fantasy
    

    He’s a mage who charms. She’s a sorceress who kills. Raised to fear magic, Alathea hates them both—especially when they become her only chance to find her missing sister.

    17-year-old Alathea has kept her sister safe and the forbidden magic in her veins controlled ever since their mothers fled. But when Alathea’s sister disappears, a mage with a glowing spear outs her magic. On the run, Alathea receives an impossible offer from the mage: He and the sorceress will deliver Alathea to her sister if she crosses to his monster-reigned realm and accepts a magic destiny herself.

    To get her sister back, Alathea will have to decide: Can she stop hiding and trust the enemies she hates…or will her animosity burn into something else entirely?

    AVAILABLE NOW ON Amazon

    Don’t forget! Book 2 Bound by Promises & Lies is available now too!

    On AMAZON!

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Sienna Archer believes romance should be epic, adventures magical, and the best characters are the ones who grow. She writes books featuring diverse characters and strong female leads that make readers laugh, shout, and cry.

    Learn more at Sienna Archer