The Mouse Kingdom Blog

Category: Mouse’s Book Reviews

  • Book Review of To Hell With Them by Robin Hollow

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review. 

    I’m honestly a little on the fence with To Hell With Them, but overall, I ended up enjoying it.

    The beginning was a bit slow for me, and it definitely took some time to really pull me in. I had a hard time getting fully invested at first, but once the story started picking up, I was hooked and had a much harder time putting it down.

    This was my first book by this author, and I have to say, the story itself really didn’t disappoint. It’s dark, gritty, intense, and full of paranormal elements with a fantasy feel woven in. If you like darker reads with obsession, tension, and a strong emotional edge, this one definitely has that vibe.

    Rose was easily the character that kept me reading. She’s the kind of FMC you really want to root for, and I found myself most invested in her journey. Her relationships with Shaun, Michael, and Tim all brought something different to the story, which kept things interesting. I also liked the way the world was built and how the twists, emotional ups and downs, and chaos along the way kept the story moving.

    Even though it took me a little while to get into, I’m glad I stuck with it because I did end up having a good time with it. If you enjoy dark paranormal romance with fantasy elements and a heroine you can really follow through the mess, this might be one to check out.

    I’ll definitely be interested in reading more from this author.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

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  • Book Review of Faeries and Frost By Carly Spade

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through BookSirens. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review.

    If you like winter magic, fae romance, broody men, and cozy magical small towns, you’d probably enjoy Faeries and Frost by Faeries and Frost.

    This is Sylvie’s story and the second book in The Mythical Mates of Arcane Cove, and I’d definitely recommend reading Witches and Wine first to get a better feel for the characters and world.

    Sylvie was really easy to root for. As the only winter faerie, there’s a lot of loneliness to her story, and I liked seeing her slowly start to accept who she is. Jack was kind of a jerk at first, but he grew on me pretty quickly, and I liked how he helped Sylvie come out of her shell.

    It was a little predictable, but still really cute, magical, and fun.

    Overall, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see who gets the next book.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 3 according to romance.io spicy rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of By Moonlight by Chelsea Burton Dunn

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    This book is a strong and engaging start to a new paranormal series that completely pulled me in once it got going.

    The story follows Vee, an empath who doesn’t just sense emotions, she feels them deeply, which adds a unique and sometimes overwhelming layer to her everyday life. I really liked how the author showed both the power and the burden of that ability. Vee has spent most of her life on the outside of the supernatural world, with only her guardian, Durran, watching over her.

    Things change quickly when she helps a young girl through her first werewolf shift, which leads her to Shane, the local pack leader. From the start, there’s a strong connection between them, and Shane’s instinct to protect Vee adds tension and intrigue to their dynamic. Watching Vee get pulled into a world she’s always been on the edge of was one of my favorite parts of the story.

    I’ll admit it took me a couple of chapters to fully get into it while the background was being set up, but once it clicked, I was hooked. The world-building is really well done—it feels grounded and familiar while still layering in supernatural elements in a believable way. The supporting characters also added a lot of depth and made the world feel more alive.

    There’s a good mix of action, twists, and emotional moments that kept me turning the pages, and by the end, I was fully invested in what happens next.

    Overall, this is a solid first book in the series. It can stand on its own, but it definitely leaves you wanting more. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Vee and Shane’s story continues.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Link
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of Revenge and Honor By Lia Lamar

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    This book really surprised me. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it because the beginning felt a little rushed and the characters didn’t stand out right away. But once the story moved to Italy, everything improved and I found myself getting more and more invested.

    I read a lot of mafia romances, and this one had a lot of what I enjoy—drama, tension, emotional moments, and a strong connection between the main characters. Carlo and Emily’s dynamic was intense and kept me interested throughout the story. Carlo’s possessive and protective nature mixed with Emily’s innocence made their relationship really compelling to follow.

    The story pulled me in more as it went on, and by the end I was really attached to the characters. There were a few things I wish had been explained more, but overall it was an emotional and engaging read that kept me turning the pages.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of Blood Thirsty By Chelsea Burton Dunn

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    I think this novel tells a dark and gripping story about a long-standing war between vampires and werewolves, with each side determined to wipe the other out. I think the alliances add an interesting layer, with witches siding with the werewolves and the Chenja aligning with the vampires, even though their small population keeps them mostly out of the conflict. I think Ace, the vampire monitoring werewolf activity, is a strong focal point, especially as it becomes clear the werewolves are planning a dangerous ritual that could change everything. I found myself wondering whether anyone could figure it out in time to stop it.

    I think the London setting helps give the story a distinct atmosphere, and I wasn’t entirely sure what time period it was set in, which added a bit of mystery. I think the tone is noticeably darker, which fits well with the focus on supernatural war. I noticed it includes violence, implied torture, sacrifice, and some instances of abuse, all of which contribute to the heavier feel.

    I think the pacing is solidly in the middle—not too fast or too slow—and I really felt that the secondary characters were one of the strongest parts of the book. I think they’re written with enough depth that they sometimes stand out even more than the main storyline.

    I think one of the more emotional aspects was that a character didn’t get the happy ending I felt they deserved, which left me with a bittersweet feeling. I also think the epilogue was a bit underwhelming, since I was hoping for more closure than it provided.

    Overall, I think this is a compelling and engaging read. I think it’s definitely worth picking up if you enjoy vampire, werewolf, or shifter stories. I found it hard to put down, and I’m interested in seeing where the series goes next.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 2 or 3 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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