Meredith Hart

Centuries ago, the Kingdom of the Fall was imprisoned in the Lands Below. We are told that this kingdom is wicked and that the elves who live there are monsters. When her betrothed, Prince Folwynn goes missing, Lady Arryn goes looking for him, only to fall into the Lands Below and find herself at the mercy of Rowan Undervale, an outcast with magic that others in the Lands Below do not trust. After some persuasion from his brother, Phaedron, Rowan agrees to take her home, but on their journey show more to return her to the Worlds Above they find more than they bargained for - danger from the voids they travel... and from the feelings brewing between them.

This book is more than it appears at first glance, and it grew on me more and more as the plot advanced. I really enjoyed the relationship between Rowan and Phaedron and felt their characters were well-developed in light of that relationship. Seeing Arryn come out of her shell and grow into herself was also enjoyable. She learns to embrace those things about herself that her mother and society shamed her for. Down in the Lands Below, she's allowed to be brave, bold, stubborn, wild, and improper. Here, her fire magic is a blessing, not a curse. She learns to stand up for herself and refuse to give in to things she doesn't want - something that never occurred to her that she could do before - and to take what she does want.

Arryn doesn't just learn more about herself, though. She learns more about the Kingdom of the Fall and its king, who surprises her as everything she thought she knew gets turned upside down. "Perhaps the Kingdom of the Summer, with its elegance and refined cruelty, could learn something from the barbaric Kingdom of the Fall," she thinks, as we come to see which kingdom is actually more monstrous.

I found the ending, where all is revealed and resolved, to be delightful. All in all, this is a quick, enjoyable read with a dual POV, and I look forward to more from this series.

Enemies to Lovers
One Bedroll/Bed

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review. show less

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!

"Monster of the Dagger Mountains" presents a compelling premise with its dual perspective, following two protagonists (Kira and Reznyk) as they confront a shared threat. The initial chapters effectively introduce their individual struggles and motivations, drawing the reader into their respective journeys. While balancing two storylines presents a challenge, the author manages to weave together the characters' experiences, show more offering glimpses into different facets of the overarching conflict. The titular monster provides a compelling antagonist, and though the world-building could benefit from further development, it provides a sufficient framework for the story. The pacing, while occasionally uneven, generally maintains a forward momentum, keeping the reader engaged. While the cliffhanger ending may leave some wanting more, it does create a sense of anticipation for future installments. Overall, "Monster of the Dagger Mountains" offers an engaging read with a promising premise, leaving the reader curious to see how the dual narratives will unfold. show less

Really enjoyed this fantasy romance. Solid world building and strong story. The romance has a strong start but the couple don't get together in this book. Both characters are well done with both strengths and insecurities. Neither is really a cliche. Stuff is going on and you have keep on to the next book.

The Flame and The Blade (Flame and Blade Book 1) Kindle Edition By Meredith Hart

Not the Typical read for me, I was pleasantly surprised how this book grabbed my attention and held it. Meredith Hart created great characters in this story and I enjoyed the mixture of romance and action throughout the pages. I enjoyed the Fantasy style writing I’m very picky when it comes to this genre but wow did Meredith really write a great one. I look forward to reading more from her.