Book Review: “Metal Slinger” by Rachel Schneider

“Metal Slinger” by Rachel Schneider was such a surprise! I was a little trepidatious when I received the digital ARC and there was no cover art…and I put off reading this until the last possible moment. However, this turned out to be such a great story!

In a story that reminded me of “Water World” meets “Pirates of the Caribbean,” readers are introduced to Brynn - a sea-faring youngin’ whose entire community of Alaha was exiled to a life at sea. Living on a barge-like “island,” she’s trained as a young guard alongside her friend Messer and possible love interest Kai. As Brynn nears the end of her training, she is rewarded - along with the rest of her graduating class - a rare trip to the land market. At the market, Brynn has a chance encounter with the mysterious Acker - and things take off from there.

Schneider does an excellent job of world building - from the island at sea, to the market, to the dark forest and beyond, I was completely immersed in all that was Kenta! Fantasy novels are always hit and miss in this respect - too little and readers can’t imagine being there; too much and they get bogged down in details that quickly begin to take away from the actual story. But Schneider’s world-building is nothing short of spectacular, painting vivid images of the Alaha’s exile and the looming threat of rebellion.

What truly sets this book apart is its ability to blend intense action with deep emotional connections. Brynn’s encounters, especially with the enigmatic enemy soldier, Acker,  are fraught with tension and intrigue. Schneider seamlessly weaves magic into the narrative, making the fantastical elements feel both real and essential to the story.

The characters are richly developed, each with their own motivations and secrets - and secrets do they have! Brynn’s loyalty and courage are inspiring, and her internal struggles make her incredibly relatable. And the plot twist - WHAT?! I was not expecting THAT…and it was wonderful! Let’s just say this book will be a true enemies-to-lovers after that debacle. 

Schneider’s writing style is both engaging and accessible, making it easy to lose oneself in the story. The pacing is perfect, with just the right balance of action, romance, and suspense. “Metal Slinger” is a must-read for fans of fantasy who crave a story that is both thrilling and heartwarming.

In short, “Metal Slinger” is a masterful tale of magic, loyalty, and the complexities of the human heart. I can’t wait to see where Brynn’s journey takes her next!

Book Review: “Crown of Light and Shadows” by G.K. Derosa

“Crown of Light and Shadows” by G.K. Derosa is a fast-paced, enemies to lovers romantasy with all of my favorite tropes! This book would essentially be the result if “Hunger Games,” “Fourth Wing,” “Harry Potter” and “The School of Good and Evil” had a baby - a novel filled with death trials, dragon riders, sexy shadow daddies, rival schools of light and dark Fae, and magical menageries. 

Aelia Ravenwood was raised to believe she was a Kin - a human - that upon their 20th birthday are bound to a Fae for a life of servitude. However, much to her surprise, it’s revealed on her birthday that she’s been selected to attend the Conservatory of Luce in Feywood, a prestigious academy that spits out elite graduates that go on to become the king’s guard. Oh - and she’s supposedly a Light Fae (or at least, partially). She is whisked off to her new academic home by broody Professor Reign Darkthorn.

Aelia is thrown into a world where most everyone is looking out for themselves and their post-academic career as a king’s guard. With the exception of a good few - including Aelia’s new roommate, Rue - many of the Conservatory’s students hold prejudices against Aelia for being less than and weaker than the other Light Fae in attendance. Despite having challenge after challenge stacked against her and other students (and even her own teammates) trying to sabotage her tenure at the school, Aelia is stubborn, fierce, and unwilling to back down from adversity. 

With Reign’s help, Aelia meets each challenge of her trials head-on - even going as far as bonding with a dragon (an almost unheard of feat in academy history). She finds herself falling for the handsome, slightly older professor - whom we come to learn is a shadow daddy from the Court of Umbral Shadows, the Dark Fae academy across the river from the Conservatory. Despite a peace treaty between the two courts, tensions between the two schools are on the rise and a potential war looms in the not so distant future. 

I absolutely LOVED this book! While there are clear parallels between Derosa’s novel and some of the aforementioned best-sellers, this book’s storyline was unique. The world building was incredible and each scene made me wish I was there! I’m a sucker for a good student-teacher, forbidden relationship and while Aelia and Reign were not that far apart in age, I was all for the sparks flying between them. Reign is pivotal in Aelia’s growth and development and in discovering her true parentage in the novel. These two cannot stay away from each other, despite their best attempts - they are magnetic and I was here for all of Reign’s protective, “touch her and you die” vibes!

If you’re looking for a romantasy that reminds you of one of your favorites and leaves you with a cliffhanger that will have your jaw on the floor, check out G.K. Derosa’s latest.

Rating: 5/5 Stars