Review: Polybius by Collin Armstrong

Polybius by Collin Armstrong

Publication date: April 29th, 2025

Pages: 352

Spice: N/A

Synopsis:

Stranger Things meets The Walking Dead in this shivery novel based on a terrifying urban legend about a small seaside town descending into chaos when an unusual video game is unveiled at the local arcade.

Having recently moved to the gentrifying seaside town of Tasker Bay with her mother, the only thing on high schooler Andi's mind is saving up enough money for her escape to Silicon Valley. Though it's owned by the shadiest resident in town, she takes a job at the dingy arcade Home Video World.

Pining over Andi is Ro, the son of Tasker Bay's sheriff. With his friend's matchmaking help, he begins spending more time at the arcade and soon, Andi finds herself opening up to Ro. But when the store gets an unusual new game of unknown origin, the floor is suddenly overwhelmed with players fighting to get some time on the machine. Seemingly overnight, a virus-like epidemic sweeps through the town while a major coastal storm rolls in, further isolating them from the outside world. Time is of the essence as residents collectively experience anger, paranoia, hallucinations, and even catatonia. And when one heinous act of violence goes unsolved, the town descends into utter chaos. Realizing no one is coming to their rescue, Andi and Ro take matters into their own hands to get to the bottom of the spiraling madness... until it begins affecting them, too.

Available at:

Story:

I think the story overall had a lot of potential. I think the execution of the story was not as well done as it could have been. The idea that there is a video game that has the potential to unlock people's anger and violent tendencies is something that is actually talked about on a regular basis in media today. Did the video game cause the teenager to take a gun to school and shoot their classmates or was it something deeper? Having the story set in the 1980's were video games were not as regularly used as they are today, was a good choice, but it was often forgotten for me. There were things that could have been referenced to show the time the story was taking place more readily, but it wasn't utilized so confusion set in a few times after I forgot about the setting. The problem is that the story had a very obvious method of reducing the risks to the townspeople and stopping the spread of this virus-like epidemic. Instead of making that choice and doing what would have worked from the beginning, it turned into two teenagers channeling their inner Scooby Doo detectives to try to find out more about a mysterious video game that has taken the town by storm. I will say there were parts that were rather eerie to the point where I didn't really want to read the book at night. I just wished that it maintained that flow throughout so the second half of the book didn't leave me rolling my eyes and in a constant state of frustration.

Characters:

• Andi - Andi was determined to not get close to anyone at all in her town. She had plans to leave Tasker Bay the minute she was old enough to do so. The fact she refuses to make friends because she doesn't want to miss them when she leaves after high school is highly unrealistic. Also, do phones not exist in the 80's? She couldn't make friends and get close to anyone and talk to them on the phone or visit periodically. It's not like she'd never return to visit her mom who would remain, right? It was just not a very well thought out plan for her or the story. I found her to be way too abrasive and not at all likeable. She seemed like she was seconds away from biting someone's head off at any moment. I didn't like the way she treated her mother who took her out of a toxic environment for the betterment of herself. I just didn't connect to the character.

• Ro - Ro was equally as confusing. He went from school stud and popular guy to a crisis of identity even before Polybius started warping his little brain. You'd think he'd have gone through this after his mother died rather than several years down the road. Then he throws himself into martyrdom situations without much progression for the story. His existence was really just filler and to try to counter balance Andi's bad attitude. Another character I could not connect with.

Writing:

Honestly, I liked the way the story was written. The story was shaky but the actual execution of the story was not bad. The only thing I found a little bothersome was the fact that the perspective shifted between a whole town of characters instead of sticking with the main characters the whole time. This was, of course, to aid in showing how Polybius was effecting other townspeople but it started to become hard to follow each of the different storylines all at once. But then again, I liked seeing what was going on. So the structure was great, but the amount of characters that were touched on was a bit much. If the author had kept Ro or Andi in the scenes with these other characters it would have made the format a little stronger for me.

Overall: 

This was not the most terrible book I have ever read; not even the worst this year. However, it was not a book I was excited to pick up and read every chance I got. I found more and more excuses to switch books so I could avoid the dull periods within the book. I think that if there were a few changes to the characters, the ending, and how many characters the reader was supposed to remember, it might be a really good read. The foundation is there, the execution was not.

Review: The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

Series: Dark Inheritance Trilogy #1

Publication date:

Pages: 352

DNF Percentage: 80%

Spice: 🌶️

Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Raven Kennedy and Thea Guanzon, Rebecca Robinson's thrilling romantasy debut combines high-stakes political intrigue and a steamy, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance.

All her life, Vaasa Kozar has been sharpened into a blade.

After losing her mother--her only remaining parent--to a mysterious dark magic that has since awakened within her, Vaasa is certain death looms. So is her merciless brother, who aims to eliminate Vaasa as a threat to his crown. In one last political scheme, he marries her off to Reid of Mireh, a ruthless foreign ruler, in hopes that he can use her death as a rallying cry to finally invade Reid's nation. All Vaasa has to do is die.

But she is desperate to live. Vaasa enters her new marriage with every intent to escape it, wielding the hard-won political prowess and combat abilities her late father instilled in her. But to her surprise, Reid offers her a deal: help him win the votes to rise in power, and she can walk free. In exchange, he will share his knowledge about the dark magic running through her veins--and help keep it at bay.

This proposal may be too good to refuse, yet Vaasa and Reid's undeniable attraction threatens to break the rules of their arrangement. As her brother's lethal machinations take form, everything is at stake: Vaasa must learn to trust her new husband, but how can she, especially when their perfect political marriage begins to feel like the real thing?

Available at:

Story:

Let's face facts, most people who choose to read romantasy want to see at least some heat between the main characters sprinkled in with the overall storyline. However, with this book there seemed to be an overall focus on worldbuilding over any other aspect of the story. The characters all felt like they were ticks on a checklist meant to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. We have a middle eastern vibe, check. We have a lesbian couple of warriors, check. We have gay fathers, check. That was not a strike against the book for me but it felt like it was not an organic inclusion in the story but the author trying to cater to different groups of individuals while not caring much about how well it fit within the world she was creating. The romance, that was basically non-existent, felt so incredibly forced. The attempt was an enemies-to-lovers dynamic but the most action that was really experienced was some forehead kisses and sleeping in the same bed. Scandalous. Where's the fire? It was all just a hodge-podge of wrong for me.

Characters:

• Vaasa - Where was the fire that she showed in the beginning of the book? She was willing to cut the throat of the man she married in order to escape a marriage she didn't want and then she was crying in the corner because her mom may have loved her more than she realized. Who is Vaasa? Because I was never able to bond with her. The attempt to show that she had a heart and wasn't just a stone-cold killer didn't work. She went to far to the other side of things to recover. I started to find her more annoying than appealing. I like strong female leads, not little girls with mommy, daddy, brother, second-cousin-twice-removed issues.

• Reid - He was called the Wolf in the book but there was never any real reason behind it. I guess he was meant to be this cold killer who had no feelings for anyone other than disdain. Instead we got a golden retriever who treated everyone like they walked on water. How could he have such a harsh reputation with so many people in the know of him being completely different? It didn't make sense. I did like Reid more than Vaasa. He may have been a good boy deserving of pets and treats but at least he was pretty consistent about it unlike Vaasa.

Writing:

The author really enjoys worldbuilding. I mean really enjoys worldbuilding. To the point where there is more worldbuilding then there is actual world in the story. She would wax on for page after page after page of describing the beauty of the world, the structures, the towns, the people, the color of the sky, the texture of the grass, the smell of the sea, and so on. It went on for ages to the point where I would read the book just to get to sleep at night. I started skimming the book whenever they were traveling to a new area, which they were doing a lot, because I was so tired of all the description. I wanted more character development in the writing and was sadly disappointed.

Overall:

I thought about finishing the story. I got to 80% and only had less than 100 pages left to read before I was finished. But after skimming forward in the book to see if there was any developments between Vaasa and Reid and being let down, I couldn't bring myself to finish the story. I didn't care enough to find out what happened with Vaasa's brother, her magic, her marriage, the political climate, etc. The desire to see what happened next left me and I had to let it go. It would have been better to potentially lean further in the story and less into the romance because I could feel that author was a little uncomfortable writing it.

 

Review: The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen

The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen

Series: The Bridge Kingdom #2

Publication date: September 1st, 2020

Pages: 416

Spice:🌶️

Synopsis:

In the second novel of the heart-pounding Bridge Kingdom series, one woman fights to win back her throne, her people, and the love of the man she betrayed.

A queen now in exile as a traitor, Lara has watched Ithicana be conquered by her own father, helpless to do anything to stop the destruction. But when she learns her husband, Aren, has been captured in battle, Lara knows there is only one reason her father is keeping him alive: as bait for his traitorous daughter.

And it is bait she fully intends to take.

Risking her life to the Tempest Seas, Lara returns to Ithicana with a plan not only to free its king, but for liberating the Bridge Kingdom from her father's clutches using his own weapons: the sisters whose lives she spared. But not only is the palace inescapable, there are more players in the game than Lara ever realized, enemies and allies switching sides in the fight for crowns, kingdoms, and bridges. But her greatest adversary of all might be the very man she's trying to free--the husband she betrayed.

With everything she loves in jeopardy, Lara must decide who--and what--she is fighting for: her kingdom, her husband, or herself.

Available at:

Story:

The first book ended on a cliffhanger that made my heart ache for the female main character. She was led so far astray by her father and betrayed the wrong person. Even when she tried to correct her mistake and be loyal to the person who actually showed her some kindness, it seemed like nobody was willing to hear her out. While I could understand the other characters seeing only the worst in her as the daughter of their enemy anyway, I was hoping someone would at least cut her some slack. Throughout the story she fought for the cause and her husband even if it meant her own demise. There were points in the story where I felt like Lara was trying to martyr herself for the betterment of her newfound people. I liked that the story was complicated and strategic as far as digging themselves out of the hole that they found themselves in after the first book. I didn't think I would be all that enthralled with this second installment because the first was mid for me. But the espionage, alliances, betrayals, and the pursuit of freedom for all was much more pronounced in this second book.

Characters:

• Lara - I feel like Lara really grew in this book. In the first she was hard as stone and unfeeling in her pursuit of betraying Aren and helping her father secure the trade bridge. However, in this book she showed that she was more than just the vicious warrior that she was trained to be. She was willing to put herself in jeopardy every single step of the way in order to free Aren and stop her father. She bled for her new kingdom of people and did everything she could to prove to Aren that she may have been against him initially but that changed when she fell in love with him. I absolutely loved Lara in this book. I wish I could say the same for her damned husband.

• Aren - Aren was such a whiny brat through the entire book. He was so determined to not believe that Lara was on his side that he was willing to fight her every step of the way. He lied to her, he manipulated her, he used her, and he acted like he had zero feelings for her. He was willing to dig in his heels and refuse to follow her plans because she was the one who came up with it. He was so incredibly pigheaded that I struggled to find any of the likeability that he had in the first book. I wanted to strangle him more times than I could count and it only gave Lara another nod of appreciation that she managed to tolerate the selfish little baby man.

Writing:

The writing in this book was definitely heads and tails above the first book. I could really see how the author started to stretch her legs and fall into the comfort of her characters and the world that she was creating. I have read a couple books by Danielle L. Jensen and I knew she was a very skilled writer so the first book was likely new series jitters. After this one where the setting was immaculate and the characters had heart I knew that she was the author of merit I knew her to be.

Overall:

I thoroughly liked this second installment and found myself completely in love with the world of the Bridge Kingdom even more than I was from the first book. I am anxious to read more of the series and see what happens with some of the other characters. Especially Aren's sister who I find delightfully caustic in the best way.

Book Blitz with Excerpt + Giveaway: Dragon Descending by Jennifer Allis Provost @parthalan @XpressoTours

Dragon Descending by Jennifer Allis Provost

Series: Fire and Claw #2

Publication date: September 1st, 2026

Synopsis:

Dragons value family above all else--but when a dragon shifter can't shift, how will he protect the ones he loves?

Lochlyn Blackmoor, the last dragon shifter in Alessia, has lost his ability to shift. Heartened by a prediction that he will shift again, Lochlyn retreats to Dragon Ridge with his beloved wife, Rosalie. They're content to enjoy a quiet life, until they receive unsettling news from the capital city.

The king's seer has been marked for death, all because she helped him free Rosalie's sister from the king's clutches.

Despite his current weakness, Lochlyn embarks on a mission to rescue the seer with his brother-in-law and spymaster in tow. Almost immediately, one of their few allies--Arthus Flameborn, Grand Master of the Order of the Phoenix, who also happens to be Rosalie's grandfather--abandons them. As they run out of time and options, Lochlyn turns to a former foe for assistance: Basilisk, the same rogue shifter he freed from the Order's dungeon, and nearly killed him.

Basilisk proves himself a worthy ally, and his vast knowledge Alessia's royal family comes in handy more than once. As more of Basilisk's past is revealed, Lochlyn learns Alessia's darkest, most dangerous secret, information so deadly it could unravel everything he's ever known. To make matters worse, the ruthless Grand Master wants to form a relationship his granddaughter, Rosalie, and he doesn't care who he hurts in the process--not even Rosalie.

And only a dragon can overpower the Grand Master.

Available at:

The sun had barely crept over the horizon when Curran jogged down the castle steps. When he woke his blood had been rushing through his veins, and he wanted to use the sunrise as cover to shift into his phoenix form. Granted, Dragon Ridge was far from Serpens, and it was unlikely that word of a phoenix flying above the remote mountains would get back to his father. But Curran had been careless once, and that led to his and Caterina's capture. He wouldn't risk his princess's safety again.

Curran walked toward the stables, intending to visit his horse, Barleymane, before he shifted. As he passed through the herb garden, he heard Rosalie's voice. He walked toward where he'd heard her, and saw her standing in front of a thatch of dried out grasses shaking out her hand.

"Balls," she muttered, then she blew on her fingers.

"Something wrong?" he asked as he stepped onto the path. "Why are you out here so early?"

"No, I..." She looked at her hands and frowned. "I'm trying to make my fire come when I call. It seems to have a mind of its own."

"You've called your fire before." He remembered watching her shift to warrior form when they'd been attacked by the basilisk outside the palace. She'd reminded him so much of Aurielle in that moment, her bravery on full display as her body burned brighter than the sun. "What makes you think you won't be able to call it again?"

"Yesterday, after Lochlyn cut the lead charm out of Devlin's neck, I tried to cauterize the wound," she began. "But nothing happened, and I haven't been to call it in so long. What if... what if my fire never comes back?"

"That won't happen," Curran said, then he sat on the ground. "Sit with me?"

"All right," she agreed, sitting in front of him. "What are we doing down here?"

"We're having a lesson," he replied. "My fire wouldn't come for the longest time. My mother and Auri assumed I was latent, which would be unusual being that my parents are so powerful. Mama wanted me to be patient and wait for my fire to find its own way out, but I hated waiting."

"Me too," Rosalie said. "How old were oyu when it manifested?"

"Almost eight," he replied. "Auri would sit with me just like this, and try to coax the fire out of me. If not for her, I may never have found it." He extended his hand. "Want to try?"

"Yes," Rosalie said as she placed her hand in his. "What do we do?"

"Watch." Curran lit a single flame on each of his fingers; since he and Rosalie were blood relations, his fire wouldn't harm her. "Feel how each flame is different?"

When Rosalie nodded, he extinguished the flames, then he held up his hand with his palm toward her. "Put your hand against mine." She did, and he lit one flame at the tip of his index finger. "Close your eyes, and feel the flame. Not just the heat, but how it's moving between our skin."

She let her eyes close. "It feels... it feels like water flowing between us. But it's sharper than water."

"Very good. Now search for that feeling inside yourself."

Her brow pinched. "What if I can't find it?"

"Then we try a different way." Curran regarded his niece. She didn't look very much like his sister, but Rosalie resembled Aurielle in many other ways. One of those ways was what Curran once called stubbornness.

"You're determined like your mother," Curran said. "Auri was one of the strongest warriors I've ever known, and not just physically. Her mind was just as strong as her body, and if she couldn't defeat an obstacle one way, she would come up with a new plan and try again. Auri never would have let a few flames get the better of her, and I don't think you will, either."

"Mama certainly wouldn't have let a bit of fire win." Rosalie agreed. "I wish she was here to teach me."

Curran grasped her hand. "I wish she were here, too. Maybe... maybe the best way to honor her is for you to become the phoenix she always knew you would be."

"You think she knew," Rosalie began, then a flame bloomed between their palms. "Curran! I did it!"

"I knew you would," he praised, his face split by a grin. He lowered his hand, and the flame extinguished.

"That always happens," Rosalie pouted. "Unless I'm very angry, my flames only last a few seconds."

"Give it time," Curran said. "The more you work with your fire, the more control you will have. After you've attained your warrior form a few more times, we can work on getting you to fully shift."

"Into a full phoenix?" Rosalie traced the spot where the flame had been on her palm. "Then I could fly with Lochlyn. My mother could fully swift?"

"She could," Curran replied. "She burned even brighter than my father."

"That's amazing." A cloud passed across Rosalie's face, and Curran worried their impromptu training session had dredged up some unpleasant memories. But the emotion passed as quickly as it appeared.

"Have you anywhere to be right now?" Rosalie asked. "Or do you have time to talk about my mother a bit more? I'd love to hear what she was like growing up."

Curran smiled, and realized his own shift would have to wait. He had more important things to see to at the moment. "I have all the time in the world. As for what Auri was like when we were young, she was an absolute terror."

Rosalie laughed. "She was not!"

"Oh, yes she was."

JENNIFER ALLIS PROVOST writes books about faeries, orcs and elves. Zombies, too. She grew up in the wilds of Western Massachusetts and had read every book in the local library by age twelve. (It was a small library.) An early love of mythology and folklore led to her romantic fantasy series, Fire and Claw, and her degree in environmental science helped shape her urban fantasy. Poison Garden. When she's not writing about murderous plants or sexy dragon shifters she's working on her MFA in Creative Nonfiction.

WEBSITE | EMAIL | X | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM

Dragon Descending Blitz

Hosted by: