I really wanted to like this book but it just didn’t work for me (according to goodreads a lot of people loved it). It was enemies to lovers but it jumped so quick from one to the other and it was just so unbelievable? Some great world building for a fantasy romance but so many other aspects let it down for me.

Our heroine is forced to lead our hero (an undercover agent) to a fortress only she has ever escaped from. It is a perilous journey both to the fortress and then in the fortress itself. They have to work together to make sure they both get out alive as well as stop an imminent attack.

Not only did the believability of the characters falling for each other fall short for me, but also the pace just felt very dragged out at the start then very rushed at the end.

Rising Sun by Donna Grant is truly magical, charming and enchanting read. Really loved and enjoyed reading and listening to the story.

Highly Recommend it to all listeners.

Loved this book. The dynamic between the characters made it unputdownable. I can’t wait to read future books by this author and recommend on my platforms

"Rising Sun" by NY Times bestselling author Donna Grant is book 1 in the Elven Kingdoms series. It is a well written binge-worthy fantasy novel!

In this world, there are humans and several kinds of elves. None of them are allowed to have children, but children are brought in from somewhere and assigned to families.

Yasmin is a human who is caught stealing and has to decide between prison or joining a mission with an elf to go to Shaldorn, a dangerous place she had been kept prisoner at years ago and had sworn never to return to. She agrees to the mission and to work with this stoic, solitary, and sexy Sun Elf, Ravi.

So there is an enemies to lovers trope romance with an intense spicy part near the end.

Prior to that, there was a lot of danger and violence inside of Shaldorn. It was very exciting, actually! The elves each have their own kind of magic.

The narrator, Shane East, has a very deep smooth voice, and he is also able to do female voices very effectively.

This story does have a conclusion and does not really leave you hanging, but we do know it's the first book of a series. I'll be waiting and watching for the next book in this series! I highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers!

Characters - 4/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 5/5
Overall - 38/8 = 4 6/8
Rounded up to 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Tantor Audio, and Donna Grant for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I unfortunately had a very hard time with this book. I think, it is in large parts due to the fact that I listened to the audiobook and could just not get along with the narration. There was nothing wrong with it apart from the fact that the narrator was whispering throughout the whole book, this meant that he was really hard to understand at higher speeds. It annoyed me to such an extent that I could only listen to the audiobook in small increments. If I had not received an ALC, I would have DNF’d this book.

I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the story. This is probably in large part due to the narration, but the writing probably also played some role. The writing style was not very descriptive and lacked some depth. A lot of feelings were mentioned, they just did not transcend the page. There were a lot of gruesome elements to the story (so maybe check out the TW beforehand) that I am sure are meant to provoke some sort of feeling from the reader, but as I felt a disconnect from the characters, these just made me want to skip some parts rather than get more invested in the story.

As I said, perhaps steer clear from the audiobook (or listen to an excerpt to see if it works for you) and then you might have a better time with this book than me. I am personally not invested enough to revisit the written form or any future installments of this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid to leave this review.

Book Review: "Rising Sun" by Donna Grant

Rising Sun by Donna Grant is an engaging romantasy novel that intertwines magic, danger, and love in a captivating tale.

Tropes:

ELVEN X HUMAN
FORCED PROXIMITY
ENEMIES TO LOVERS
HE FALLS FIRST
ONLY ONE TENT
Rating: 3.25/5 stars

What I Liked:

The badass FMC: The female main character is strong, independent, and a true warrior, making her a compelling protagonist.
The tension between the two MCs: The palpable tension and chemistry between the main characters keep the story intriguing and the romance believable.
While Rising Sun delivers on its romantasy promises with a mix of action and romance, certain aspects could have been further developed to elevate the story. Overall, it's an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.

This was a fun read. I cover the different types of elves and the society they live in. A lot of the treatment of humans was appalling, but I’m curious to see why the society is set up like this and how humans ended up in their station. I’m hoping to see that in the next books.

Rising Sun by Donna Grant
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•••Spoiler free review below•••

Yasmin is given an ultimatum. She either brings Ravi to Shaldorn or she is imprisoned for life. With a group of children she cares for on the line and the first hand experience of what the prisons are like for humans, there is really no choice. She hates elves but must learn to work with Ravi anyway if they both want to come out of this expedition alive. Slow burn and filled with interesting adventure, this book will keep you hooked and wanting to finish in one sitting.

Read this book if you like:
-enemies to friends to lovers
-adventurous journey
-elves and faes and dragons and a couple of unfortunate humans
-strong FMC
-unlikely soulmates

Rising Sun is OUT NOW and if it’s not already on your tbr, it should be! Special thanks to Tantor Audio for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

First thing—the narrator was awesome. Second thing—I don’t think I ever want to listen to a romance on audio again 😳. The MCs are familiar and unique at the same time. This a good balance of character driven/plot driven. This is a slow burn, fantasy, good vs evil.

I like the elves vs humans plot prejudices written in. I thought both main characters were likable and redeeming. I liked the magic and the unique ways it worked with each elf type. I liked the MC all around.

I did not like the spice! The story didn’t need pages of super graphic bedroom scenes in order to reveal a shift in relationship. Ugh, these things drive me crazy, but I know the author is a romance author. It’s probably hard to leave it out. I just think it was completely unnecessary, but I realize I’m probably in the minority in this. I did appreciate the fantasy elements, but the spice ruins it for me. If you’re into very graphic spice, then this might be for you.

This fell kinda flat for me. Maybe it was the narrator. I liked his voice but the tone of his voice was hard to hear sometimes so I would turn it up and then there were other moments it was too loud so I feel like that distracted me from full submersing myself into this story

While I loved the book, listening to the Audiobook was difficult. It was extremely hard to tell who's point of view we are listening to, and when, so it got very confusing quite frequently. I ended up having to physically read this one instead, but ultimately I loved the book.

4.5 ⭐️

I think this book has everything a romantasy reader looks for and it does it well. Grant brilliantly builds upon so many aspects of the plot and characters as the story unfolds. The danger of the political situation that is about to unravel. The forced cooperation of our FMC, Yasmin. The *chef’s kiss* romance. The unwavering loyalty shown to Yasmin. The impact of trauma on the mission. Secrets are secret-ing. I think the plotline is familiar enough to help readers understand the complex details of the magic system and world building without confusion and original enough that it didn’t feel like I’ve read this story already. I am rightfully a bit nervous for what we’re in for with book 2. I expect to see myself be fiercely protective over our lovebirds and be very mad all the things that is bound to be thrown at them.

The narration of the audiobook added to the reading experience. East did a really, really good job with the characters and capturing the emotions behind so much of the dialog. I haven’t eyeball read this one, but I think it’s safe to say the audiobook my recommended way to read this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Donna Grant and RB media for this audiobook ARC.

This is an enthralling fantasy romance audiobook. Yasmin, a human woman with a dark past, must guide the determined elf Ravi through the Dangerous Peaks to avoid imprisonment. Despite starting off as enemies, their dangerous journey leads to understanding and sparks a powerful romance. Yasmin is hesitant to revisit Shaldorn, a place of nightmares, while Ravi is on a mission to save his people. Their bond deepens as they face life-threatening challenges and share secrets. The story combines high fantasy elements with a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamic, set in a richly detailed world of magic and intrigue. Shane East's narration brings the characters to life, making this an enthralling listen. Highly recommended for fans of romantasy.

So, I really wanted to like this, and it seems like I may be the odd one out. I thought the cover was beautiful, and the description sounded interesting. For me, I felt like there wasn't a lot of showing and descriptions to envision what we are experiencing. This could be because it was told in third person, but I also feel like there were some gaps. The main characters go from "enemies" to wanting each other literally overnight, and then love by the end. There was no flirting or banter or even any sexual intimacy before that. There is just randomly two back to back scenes towards the end. There are story lines that just randomly pop up that don't get explained, and characters as well. I felt like reading this was just going like oh...we are going here...ok. It's unfortunate because I feel like there was so much opportunity with this, but I really have no idea besides surface level who most of the characters are and their personalities were a bit one dimensional at this point for me. It didn't make me invested. Hopefully things evolve for folks in the next book in the series, but it's a no go for me. I received the audiobook as an ALC from NetGalley and Shane East was the narrator. He did a fabulous job, as expected.

For fans of:
- Blood and Steel
- Bound to the Shadow Prince

"The Rising Sun" follows two reclusive survivors as their circumstances force them together on a quest to retrieve a bomb before it is used to trigger a race war. Despite their personal prejudices and total unwillingness to work as a team, they must battle through a frozen tundra and their own demons if they ever want to reach Shaldorn, the nightmarish crime city, and prevent a war that could kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.

This book includes:
- a quest through a wretched, frozen landscape
- a forced partnership between a human and an elf
- near-death experiences
- trauma and PTSD
- crime lords and secretive syndicate fighting against bad players
- a sort of heist
- TW: images of torture

I enjoyed "Rising Sun." It was well written and the characters felt real and relatable. Yasmin really captured my heart with her endless empathy despite everything she had gone through. The pacing was well done and I was engaged throughout the entire book.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Donna Grant, and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, & Tantor Audio for the audioARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Absolutely had my heart in a vice from minute one. The way Grant has created a life-battered main character and flawed hero that somehow find love and protection together through the journey of this tale is truly remarkable. I was gripped from start to finish and I absolutely need book 2 ASAP.

If you enjoy a book with a main character who has endured torment and enslavement only to escape and become a savor for children who are abused by their fae captures only to be coerced into going back to the one place that could mean certain death and along the way fall in love with the person forcing you to face your greatest fears...then, this is for you. Absolutely cannot say more that this is the book you want to download and read. Just trust me! Yes, it has a happy but open ending!

No Regrets!!!

When I read the synopsis, this book seemed right up my alley. The genre, the tropes, the elves… so why didn’t I enjoy it more? I have no complaints about the plot, worldbuilding, and lore, but unfortunately the characters and writing didn’t do it for me.

❤️ Swoon-worthy voice actor
❤️ Smart, strong FMC
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding
❤️ Gorgeous cover
❌ Inconsistent pace
❌ Too much telling vs. showing
❌ Meh MMC
❌ Third-act breakup

Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, injury detail, child abuse (mentioned), racism, controlled reproduction, hunger, kidnapping, human trafficking, torture.

Plot:
To save their region from a terrorist attack, reluctant partners Yasmin and Ravi have to steal a powerful weapon in Shaldorn, a stronghold where rich, sadistic Elves can do whatever they want without consequences. Yasmin is the only one who’s ever managed to escape from this place of nightmares, but to avoid life imprisonment and take care of the ones she loves, she accepts to guide Ravi to the one place she vowed she’d never go back to.

The worldbuilding in the first 20% was captivating and intriguing (especially the oppression of humans from the elves), but most of it was quickly swept under the rug and barely mentioned again while our protagonists embarked on a mission to save their region from a peril I didn’t know (or care) much about. Then, the story started dragging while they hiked for a long while, barely talking and yet falling in “love.” By the time they got to the stronghold, I was uninvested in both the quest and the relationship/romance.

Characters:
This is where things went wrong, in my opinion. I just can’t enjoy a book if I don’t like the characters.

While I liked Yasmin’s profile, I failed to connect with her character. Perhaps it would have helped if she’d used sentences with more than four words? As for Ravi, I disliked his intransigence and lack of compassion. I was hoping for more character development from him and had a hard time believing in his budding relationship with Yas; I saw lust, but no chemistry or love.

And then there’s this other elf called Dain. I wanted to know mooooooooore about him! When he was introduced, I was convinced he’d be the MMC. He certainly seemed stronger, kinder, sexier than Ravi! If I continue this series (I haven’t decided yet), it would be 100% thanks to Dain and the dragon shifters, as Yasmin and Ravi failed to keep me interested.

Writing:
While the writing wasn’t *bad*, it was slightly choppy. I also feel like more atmosphere and imagery would have been great, especially given how amazing the worldbuilding was.

Audiobook:
Okaaay, I am now a Shane East fan. I could listen to his deep, toe-curling voice and British accent aaaaall day. And while I usually prefer having two different voice actors for dual-POV stories, I think he did a spectacular job at changing his voice and speech pattern for the various characters.

Nothing could prepare Yasmin for her return to Shaldron, but she must go in order to protect the kids.
Yasmin escaped the fortress that has captured humans for high society elves' darkest desires four years ago. Since then she has been barely scraping by trying to survive. When she is caught stealing she is forced to re-enter Shaldron to help stop a future bombing. Yasmin must guide the dark and handsome elf, Ravi, across treacherous ground and through the underworld of Shaldron if she hopes to return to her life. As Ravi and Yasmin survive numerous near death experiences they find that their guarded walls fall down and are replaced by love. But can they save more than one soul as well as their own on this mission?
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I lost sleep to finish this audiobook! The slow burn, and star-crossed lovers was epic. I loved Grant’s writing style of the dual POVs. Usually when written from a male’s POV I feel there is too much unrelatable sexual innuendo. But not in this book it was so gritty and beautifully written. I thought at first I would have issues getting into a book narrated by a man. However, Shane East made listening to this tale so intriguing and enjoyable. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and will be impatiently waiting……..

*Thank you to Donna Grant and Shane East, Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the audio copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This is the book one of the series and the author did justice with the setting of the book. As a reader, I felt the introduction to the series was done nicely by the author as the characters were well drafted and penned down plus the background was also in details which I absolutely loved.
Right from the starting till the end I was interested to know more and more which adds up more stars to this book's review i would say. The characters were given sufficient scope to contribute to the plotline so again a plus point. I am looking forward to read the next part in this series now.

Elven Kingdoms. Fantasy. Romance. Magic. A jaded Elf. A Bewitching Human. Secrets.


Yasmin was never supposed to return to Shaldom, the place of her nightmares. A place of pain and torment. A place where our main lead endured horrors beyond imagination. Things that made me grimace while reading, that made me enraged that could pass in a where no one would save her. As a girl, she had to save herself.

Years after escaping death, attempting to bring important medicine to those in her charge, Yasmin is caught stealing by the Elves. As a Human, Yasmin is looked down on. They all assume the worst of her, of coveting children stolen from worried parents. Parents that in actuality, had beat those starving children, who did not care if they lived or died.

Yasmin would give her life for any of those children. Would trade her life for theirs. A choice that is more like an ultimatum is presented to her: take Ravi to the place of her nightmares, of the place that echoed with the sounds of her screams. Ravi needs to be taken to the Dangerous Peaks for his important mission, and if she doesn't, she goes to jail. No chance of seeing those cowering, dying children again.

The plan is to leave Ravi in the mountains. What does she care? He is her jailer, her blackmailer. Her prison guard, invisible shackles around her wrists, with him stealing away the key. Yasmin will simply slip away from him the mountains, the place where she once escaped others before. Easy. An adorable Enemies-to-lovers develops, with a little taste of slow burn romance.

A respect is built on that difficult trek. Ravi begins to understand this strange human girl that guides their way by feeling the stone and rock around her. He begins to notice her pain, of her crippling fear the closer they get to their destination.

He begins to feel for her, and suddenly, Yasmin is not just an assignment anymore. Not just a means to an end. This was a delish mix of elves and humans and grounds and harsh landscapes. Even the Forced Proximity scene delighted and thrilled me. Great read! 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!