The Dragon Wakes with Thunder review

Book: The Dragon Wakes with Thunder

Author: K.X. Song

Pages: 448

Date(s) Read: October 29^th, 2025 to December 27^th, 2025

Date Published: August 19^th, 2025

Rating: 2/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy, Asian Fantasy,

Characters: 2/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 2/5

Ending:  1/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover (Fairyloot Edition)

Date Bought: August 2025

Book Cost: 35.00

The Dragon Wakes with Thunder was a less-than-satisfying book. In this book Meilin seeks to heal the corruption wrought on her body from the power of the seal. Meilin goes through tremendous turmoil, battling many forces but mostly herself. I'm just not sure what the overall message of the book is. I also can't tell if there will be another one or if this was the final book. It doesn't feel like an ending despite having an epilogue

This book was a hot mess and honestly I just couldn't recommend the first book based off of the ending. Meilin was a fascinating character but I felt a lot of her thinking and choices were out of place from how she was in the first book.

The pacing was also way off, It seemed like she had more in mind for a whole other book but crammed it into an epilogue. The adventure is at a snails pace for the first 2/3 of the book and then there's an underwhelming ending crammed into the last 10 percent. 

This book is a huge disappointment and the only highlight is the writing style but that means nothing if the story sucks and this sucked.

A Forgery of Fate review

Book: A Forgery of Fate 

Author: Elizabeth Lim 

Pages: 460 

Date(s) Read: October 15th, 2025 to December 17th, 2025 

Date Published: June 3rd, 2025 

Rating: 4/5 

Genre: Asian Fiction, Books Read in 2025, Stand-alone, Romantasy 

Characters: 4/5 

Writing style: 3/5 

Story: 4/5 

Ending: 5/5 

Cover: 5/5 

Format: Hard Cover 

Date Bought: August 3rd, 2025 

Book Cost: $15.74 

Review:

A Forgery of Fate is a straightforward and uncomplicated romantasy that focuses more on the fantasy than the romance. 

  

In a Forgery of Fate Tru forgers art to pay for her mother's mounting gambling debts after her father's disappearance at sea. She meets the enigmatic Elang who wants to overthrow Nazayun, the dragon king. To do that Tru must go to the underwater domain as Elangs "Tru" love.  

  

While nothing about the writing style or characters particularly stands out I found this novel to be an enjoyably bingeable romantasy. Personally I found it was lighter on the romance, which is usually okay but here I was desperate for more it.  

  

Tru and Elang had such electrifying chemistry. Its a great fantasy and adventure but more romance would have been ideal. Come here for a romantic story but don't expect a lot of romance.  

  

I bought this book for its fabulous cover art, which stands out more than the book itself, which isn't to say this is a bad novel -- far from it but it's very YA and you'll not forget that a moment reading this. If you're looking for an Asian inspired fantasy world and an exciting adventure this one is worth picking up. Add a star if you're in the YA age range.

Princess of Blood review

Book: Princess of Blood

Author: Sarah Hawley

Pages: 512

Date(s) Read: October 21^st, 2025 to December 12^th, 2025

Date Published: September 30^th, 2025

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fae, Fantasy, Romantasy,

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: September 14^th, 2025

Book Cost: $21.00

Review:

Princess of Blood is a spectacular sequel to Servant of Earth. I was on the edge of my seat every moment of this exciting fantasy follow-up.

 

In Princess of Blood Kenna is now the leader of the resurrected blood house. While trying to pick which future king to lend her support to Kenna strives to take care of Anna, reinvigorate her house, and navigate vicious fae court politics, all while falling in love with the last person she should be falling for.

 

Again, Kenna is a standout fmc. Most characters will follow the mmc no matter what buy Kenna diverges from that with her relationship with Drustan, showing actions do have consequences. This opens up the door for an even more intense slow burn romance.

 

Kenna is top tier fmc, if you're looking for a female main character that is truly amazing then Sarah Hawley's Shards of Magic series is the one for you. If you're looking for romance, fae court politics, and a lot of action this one has it all.