#Review - Ivy Touched and Bronze Blade by Shannon Mayer, Kelly St. Clare #Fantasy #Romance

Series: World of Honey and Ice # 2
Format: Kindle, 350 pages
Release Date: May 22, 2023
Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Ripped from the man I’m bound to. Thrust into fresh danger. And this time I must go alone.

Except the task I’m burdened with should belong to a more powerful fae—my mother. Listening to her brought me to this moment of heartache and loss. Perhaps the time has come for a new approach, no matter the consequences.

With my trusty gold bat, a tormented Aaden, and a potty-mouthed land kelpie for company, I have an oath to uphold before I can untangle the web of deceit and half-truths in this next quest. Because as it turns out, the child thief I defeated was merely a henchman of the master of darkness. And this master?

He has another henchman.

I barely survived the encounter with the child thief, and with drained bodies dropping from the sky, can I make sense of the magic and ribbons before humans, fae, and the very realms we live in are claimed?

Failure has never been an option. Unfortunately, now it seems like the only one.

Ivy Touched and Bronze Blade is the second installment in co-authors Shannon Mayer and Kelly St. Clare's World of Ice and Honey series. This story takes place 3 years after the original series featuring Kallik and Faolan. Our protagonist, Silver, thought she stopped the darkness and rescued missing children from the Irish Fae Court. She returned the alleged future Queen of all Fae to her mother and put an end to the child thief, but it came with a steep cost. One of their group fell, and another, Aaden, seems to be possessed by an unknown entity. 

To make matters more twisted, Silver's "mother" Underhill has told her that she not only needs to keep her word to the woman that has been attached to her own body (Sigella), but she needs to do it alone. Along with the mouthy land kelpie, Kik, and Orlaith (Orry), Silver arrives in the Court of Queen Hyacinth (aka Cinth) trying to figure out a way to help Sigella, while also facing a darkness that is slowing taking over the land that is supposed to be protected by Underhill. Silver also comes face to face with the Oracle she hates so much only to learn that this Oracle is not who she expected.

This is where things get interesting. We not only learn more about who Silver really is, and BAM! get ready for a shock! but thanks to Kallik and Faolan, she finds that balance in her life, as well in the world, is really important if she has any strategy in fighting the newest darkness. She also finds changes in Underhill that she can’t believe and can’t quite grasp. After all, Underhill is supposed to keep the balance between light and dark, and not it appears that Underhill is in big trouble.

With each “visit” to these places where she is supposed to find key parts of a spell to free Sigella, she learns something new about her mother (aka Underhill), the Oracle, the darkness and herself. After freeing Sigella, another shocking event sends Silver into yet another fight against an even more devastating villain. Silver must put away her anguish and pick up the fight to keep the balance and defeat the darkness. In this fight, Silvers own actions may spell doom for the Fae Realm if she can't rally her inner strength and determination.

I am happy to learn who Silver really is, and what really happened to her 3 years ago after Kallik defeated a threat that could have destroyed the Fae realms and Human world. I honestly was shocked to learn that she and Kallik have had similar struggles to get where they are now. Silver has gone from the wild girl that was captured by Cormac, and has now risen to a place where she knows that her own path is something she has to figure out and not rely on the Oracle or anyone else. While this book does end on a cliffhanger, I would not let that stop you from reading this series. It is action packed, it has plenty of adventure, some really interesting characters, and yes, it is also emotional. 

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#Review - Thorn Kissed and Silver Chains by Shannon Mayer, Kelly St. Clare #Fantasy

Series: World of Honey and Ice # 1
Format: Kindle, 271 pages
Release Date: November 28th 2022
Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Fantasy

Underhill is my ruthless mother. Her realm is my deadly home. The brutal creatures here are both foe and friend.

But the group of fae that just attacked me? They’re all foe. Dragged from my game of hide-and-seek with a dragon, and my home of twenty-one years, I’m thrust into a weak, ugly realm.

Earth.

Something is taking the fae children of the Irish court, and an Oracle has declared I must find them. Nope. Not my problem. Bye. Except a three-year-old girl they suspect is the next Queen of All Fae was taken too. She’s crucial to the success of my mother’s work and the well being of all, including these simpering fae who’ve forgotten who they are.

Now they have my attention.

The child-snatching darkness flickers in and out of sight, spreading in secret, reaching through cracks and fissures to seize and steal the innocent. Yet I earned each breath in my life by understanding that which seeks to kill me. I will learn the ways of this enemy and find its lair, ideally without the Seelie and Unseelie males who only slow me—even if they’re not quite as stupid as most Earth-dwelling fae.

All I’m sure of is that Underhill is testing me. My mother is testing me in her typical, brutal fashion. And I will not fail.

Thorn Kissed and Silver Chains is the first installment in the authors World of Honey and Ice series by authors Shannon Mayer, and Kelly St. Clare. Apparently, according to my trusty notes, this story takes place after the ending of the co-authors previous series. Once could legitimately call this book # 4 is the authors Honey and Ice series but with a new cast of characters and a few returning ones including Queen Hyacinth and Kik, land kelpie.  

At the decree of the Oracle, an unnamed girl, the daughter of Underhill, must be found. She must undertake a quest to find and free the stolen children of the Fae, including the young queen of all Fae. This daughter of Underhill is quite the wild animal when a contingent of soldiers find her. Fierce, filthy, and unfortunately, injured, she is captured and taken, treated as a monster, barely human. 

One of the soldiers calls her Silver, for her barely visible hair color, and the name sticks. Silver is rough around the edges, having only had contact with her mother, Underhill, and a few characters we met throughout the first 3 books. She is out of her element, trying to navigate this new world, using the lessons of Underhill to guide her. But nothing has prepared her for what awaits her, or the attraction she feels for the soldiers that join her on this quest. 

Especially not the two men, Aaden & Cormac, that she must deal with on her quest to rescue the next fated Queen of Fae. Aaden seems to be a kind soul and Silver doesn't think he is bad to look at either. Cormac on the other hand was a male that Silver would dearly love to hurt but in a twist of fate, the three may be connected in ways that make no sense. Silver also has Orlaith, aka Orry, a bat with a sense of humor along for the ride.

I settled on 3.5 because it is apparent that you may want to read the authors first three books, especially the finale, before you jump into this once for it to make any sense. I can't for the life of me remember who the Oracle was, but I think I may have some clues. I also had a hard time dealing with Silver's broken speech. I don't understand why Underhill left her alone for 20 years of her life and didn't bother to give her a name. I also have no clue who Sigella is. Are we to presume we know from the original series?  

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#Review - A Crown of Petals and Ice by Shannon Mayer, Kelly St. Clare #Fantasy #Romance

Series: Honey and Ice Trilogy # 3
Format: Kindle, 304 pages
Release Date: February 14, 2022
Publisher:  ‎Hijinks Ink Publishing
Source: Amazon Kindle
Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Queen of the fae courts. Faced with an impossible battle. Destined to never be with the Unseelie I love.

The magical tea has worn off. My eyes are wide open. And it’s with horror that I realize the fate of two realms rests on my shoulders after my mother’s ultimate sacrifice to trap Rubezahl in Underhill.

Terrified humans clamoring for answers, whispered rumors from both Seelie and Unseelie, and a stepmother who seeks the throne for surprising reasons are the least of my troubles.

Rubezahl has returned far sooner than I thought possible. I’m not ready. I can’t win this. And not only that…
He has something crucial if we are to win. He’s taken something I cannot live without.

The place of the final battle has been decided, and two armies will meet. Yet forces beyond my understanding must be satisfied first--old magics rise and demand their dues.

There is no option but to race and decipher the puzzle to save the man I love, the friends more important to me than my own life, and humans and fae alike.

Two realms.
Only I can save them.
We’re screwed.

A Crown of Petals and Ice, by co-authors Shannon Mayer, and Kelly St. Clare, is the third and final installment in the authors Honey and Ice trilogy. Two weeks ago, Rubezahl was catapulted into Underhill by the Unseelie Queen Elisavanna. I recommend that you read A Throne of Feathers and Bone before picking up this book as everything is connected. With the formal announcement from the Oracle, who is as mysterious and annoying as always, Kallik is now queen of both Seelie, after her father was assassinated, and now the Unseelie courts after Elisavanna's sacrifice. 

She hasn't found her footing yet when word arrives that Rube is back, and it may take the combine courts efforts to stop him. To make matters even more twisted, the human population has demanded answers to the hundreds of missing humans that have never been found in the Alaskan wilderness. Then there's the whole Rube can come back any time because Underhill must open periodically to ensure that Fae have access to magic. Without the magic, Fae will begin to die. The path forward for Kalli is unknown because nobody has ever made it this far outside of the Oracles predictions.

Instead of careful preparations and training, Alli and her army must rush to Underhill to save the man she loves and the realm. Thankfully, she's resolved her feelings with Faolan, who was named Regent of the Unseelie court. She has her best friend Cinth alongside kicking ass and taking names. Cinth is wonderful, funny, and a bit bossy, but she's there for Alli no matter what. Faolan finally bucks up and becomes the man he needs to be, but as Lugh’s grandson and Alli’s equal. She still has to figure out Adair's part in the murder of her father, and the fact that Adair is pregnant with the heir to the crown. 

The turmoil of emotions is immediately happening and you are on the edge of your seat the whole time. To save the realm she must be willing to give it all up and battle Rubezahl, even Lan. Kallik grow into a fierce warrior from a nobody, an Orphan, a member of no House, and now the ultimate queen. There are some interesting and hilarious side characters to keep your eyes out for like land kelpie Kik. Since the beginning of the series, we have been on a none stop ride and I think readers will be asking a whole lot of questions towards the ends of this book. 

There is a curious epilogue to this story which I refuse to spoil. One could say that the authors are tortured souls who love to leave readers hanging.

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#Review - A Throne of Feathers and Bone by Shannon Mayer, Kelly St. Clare #Fantasy

Series: Honey and Ice Trilogy # 2
Format: Kindle, 351 pages
Release Date: September 27th 2021
Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Epic Fantasy

Chosen. Framed by my father’s murderer. Running from the fae courts. Fated to never touch the man who sets my blood on fire.

Life was looking up for me not long ago. Now, it’s looking all the way down. This latest shitstorm? Yeah, it takes the cake and the beetroot tickle.

The father who shunned me from birth lays cold and dead. The courts are in turmoil and after blood. My blood. I need to find his killer, yet that mystery pales in comparison to the madness crushing fae in its giant grip.

I’m desperate to find the door to Underhill before true anarchy descends. The answers I seek are on the other side, I’m sure of it.

With two gifted swords, a magic shield, some finnicky power, and dubious spirit for company, I must locate the path to our native realm again. And if I can manage that while resisting the Unseelie fae stalking my every footstep, then all the better.

But I am part human after all.

A Throne of Feathers and Bones, by co-authors Shannon Mayer, and Kelly St. Clare, is the second installment in the Honey and Ice Trilogy. After being falsely accused of murdering her own father by her step-mother Adair and sentence to death by drowning, Kallik escapes thanks to the brilliant execution of Faolan, Cinth, and a Kelpie with an attitude. But things are not over with yet. Legally the Heir, or maybe Queen of the Seelie now, Kallik's only friends are hard to decipher. 

Upon arrival in the Unseelie court, Queen Elisavana orders Faolan to stick with Kallick like glue and to protect her no matter the cost. There is something warming about Elisavana that Kallick never found from her step-monster Adair. Kallick's most important mission is to find the real Underhill as well as the missing Oracle who has a whole lot to explain going back to Kallick's sorting ceremony. With danger from all quarters, and questions about her so called friend Ruby, Kallik and Faolan must fight their way against ever increasing odds, as well as their growing attraction for one another. All the while, Kallik must learn to control her magic. 

In the end, Kallik finds herself at the center of self discovery and loss, revelations and betrayal, and maybe sanity with the man who actually loves you. If you are looking for a shocking cliffhanger ending with plenty of twists, you'll definitely get what you asked for. An impossible task, and an uncertain future is a lot for anyone, let alone the girl who is suddenly seeing spirits of her mother's people. Lan was distant and somewhat of an ass in the first installment, and the authors do a good job of explaining why and why Kallick doesn't need anyone else falsely claiming they are in love with her. 

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#Review A Court of Honey and Ash by Shannon Mayer, Kelly St. Clare #Fantasy

Series: Honey and Ice Trilogy # 1
Format: Kindle, 420 pages
Release Date: July 6th 2021
Publisher: Hijinks Ink
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Fantasy

Orphaned. Trained to fight. Raised to fear the power of Underhill. Secretly in love with a man who doesn’t want me.

 

I’m still just Alli, aka the half-human orphan fae, but my life is looking up for the first time. It only took me my whole 24 years. But when Underhill—the ancestral home of the fae—shatters, making it impossible for any fae to enter, I’m the only one who knows who did it. A secret that will be the death of me if I do nothing. A brutal madness spreads through the fae as they lose their connection to Underhill, and to save my people, my only choice is to leave all I have fought for and go on the run.Unless I figure out how the hell magic that has existed since the dawn of time was destroyed with a single touch, well, an entire life spent fighting to prove myself isn’t going to mean anything at all.I must find the answer to the riddle of Underhill’s shattering.Hunted by the very man I loved once upon a time.

A Court of Honey and Ash is the first installment in co-authors Shannon Mayer, and Kelly St. Clare's Honey and Ice trilogy. This story follows Kallik aka Alli who is a 1/2 Fae, 1/2 Human mutt who was abandoned, and later sent to be trained. At the beginning of this story, the final leg of the training is about to begin to test each candidates weapons skills, bravery, and mind. For Alli, her toughest test is not only surviving other backstabbing candidates, but to discover her own strengths which I won't spoil.

 

As the training ends, each candidate is supposed to pledge their loyalty to King Alexsandr of the Seelie Court who just happens to be Alli's bastard of a father. The oath is performed by the Seelie Court's Oracle. When Underhill shatters as Alli swears her oath, the earth shakes & all fae, Seelie & Unseelie alike, are in danger and of course, Alli is blamed. When Alli decides to flee her father's court to the Alaskan Triangle, her best friend, Hyacinth (Cinth), who is both loyal and a great baker, joins her. As Alli is trying to put the mystery together of what happened to Underhill, she meets Fae who have chosen to exile themselves to the Alaskan wilderness.

To make matters worse, Faolan, the subject of Alli's angst, and the boy she fell in love with as an orphan, is not only a member of the Unseelie court, but he has his own investigation that may hinder Alli's attempts at learning the truth about that fateful day. Alli and Faolan's relationship is filled with complications since he's loyal to the Unseelie Queen, and she's Seelie. Romeo and Juliette? On top of all that, the authors kinda pushed the enveloped towards having a love triangle which killed my rating.

Alli is a pretty good overall character. She's a pretty good fighter, and can hold her own against pretty much everyone in this story. But she absolutely has daddy issues, and she really can not stand her stepmother who just happens to be Queen Consort Adair who not even the Unseelie Queen has anything nice to say about her. She also spends way too much time drooling over Faolan, and her jealously over how many men her friend lures to her is a bit over the top. There are some actual hints as to who the villains are in this story and no, I am not going to spoil it for you. 

 

In fact, if you are looking for a synopsis for books 2, and 3, good luck! You don't find them anywhere! This book ends on a brutal cliffhanger that the authors will have to find a way to fix quickly in the next installment.  

 

“Death is rising amongst us, Kallik. Stop the children of the moon before they destroy us all. The spirits are angry, but they will guide you.”

The Series

• Book 1: A Court of Honey and Ash
• Book 2: A Throne of Feathers and Bone
  September 2021
• Book 3: A Crown of Petals and Ice
  January 2022

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