June Book Reviews #bookreview #books #readingcommunity @VashtiQV @stacitroilo

Hello, beautiful readers! I am finally on summer vacation and am hoping that means I will have more time to read and write. Here are the books I enjoyed in June. 

The Rise of Gadreel (Fantasy Angels Series Book 3)

by Vashti Quiroz-Vega

Genre: Occult Supernatural, Occult Horror, Dark Fantasy Horror

Pages: 306

Book Blurb:

In The Fall of Lilith, award-winning author Vashti Quiroz-Vega took readers inside the gates of heaven for a front-row seat to Lucifer’s rebellion. In Son of the Serpent, she introduced Dracúl, tormented offspring of fallen angels. Now, in The Rise of Gadreel, Quiroz-Vega is back with the next chapter in her Fantasy Angels saga—a gripping tale of hope and redemption set against the fiery backdrop of a demon’s insatiable thirst for power and revenge.

Lilith is gone, suffering the torments of the damned in hell. Satan, once known as Lucifer, endures endless agony in an earthly prison. Yet their foul legacy lives on, spread by a corrupted priesthood that uses the blackest magic to fan the flames of evil and hate throughout the world.

The former angel Gadreel, who fought and fell alongside Lilith and Lucifer, only to join Dracúl in his fight against them, is weary of war. Repenting of past sins, she wants nothing more than to be left in peace. But when a new threat to humankind arises, Gadreel is given the chance she has prayed for—the chance to earn God’s forgiveness.

Now, with the aid of Dracúl and a trio of uncanny allies—a man of air, a man of stone, and a woman of fire—at her side, Gadreel must find the courage to confront her past and forge a new future for herself . . . and the world.

My Review:

This was the final installment of the Fantasy Angels series, and it did not disappoint. Lucifer finally finds a way to break out of his imprisonment and wreak havoc on Earth. Gadreel and Dracul stay true to their mission to protect the people and find the courage to face Lucifer.

I've loved Gadreel's character since book one and was excited that the author chose to focus on her in book three. Gadreel's character arc was amazing. She is a flawed character who loses her way and doesn't know her own value. Throughout the story, she meets new friends and learns to start seeing herself through their eyes. Dracul proved to be a steadfast friend who, despite his heritage, focused on doing good in the world.

The author does an incredible job tapping in to Lucifer's evil. He commits so many horrific acts that it was easy to despise him. The author successfully incorporates the horrors of the Dark Ages into the story. Some of the scenes are graphic and truly depict the atrocious acts of those times.

I love how the story ends (not giving anything away). The author wrapped up each character's story so there were no loose ends, which is always nice. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy.

What April Showers Bring (11 pages),

The Choice (7 pages),

Raising Mason (12 pages), and

A Walk on the Wild Side (11 pages)

by Staci Troilo

I wish I could provide links for the above short stories, but they were freebies provided by the author for signing up for her newsletter on her blog. Each story was fantastic! Although they were all short stories, the author immediately drew you into her characters and the journey they were on. I highly recommend signing up for her newsletter so you can enjoy these gems. Plus, her blog is fantastic!

That's it for this month! I'm hoping to read more in July, but we will see what life has planned for me. :-)