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RISINGSHADOW BOOKSHELF

Chelsea K

Librarian

Legendary· Level 83

I enjoy reading Fairy Tale Retellings, Jane Austen Retellings, Alien Romances, Paranormal / Supernatural Romance as well as a few other genres occasionally. 

THE READER’S VOICE

Book Reviews

Chelsea K’s own thoughts on books they have read. These are reader-written book reviews, separate from Risingshadow’s editorial reviews.

559 book reviews
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Last Dragon on Mars

BOOK REVIEW

Last Dragon on Mars

Honey Phillips

9/10Written Apr 29, 2026

This looks like a fun new series that ties in with the Cyborgs on Mars while still being able to stand on it's own overall. I enjoyed getting to know both Rhyx & Alina in this story and seeing how they overcome the various obstacles they face. The epilogue set 2 months later gives a nice peak into their future and I look forward to reading the next book in this series Ice Dragon's Heart later this summer.

Steam Rating: Explicit Open Door 

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Stalked by the Alien Mercenary

BOOK REVIEW

Stalked by the Alien Mercenary

Robin O'Connor

9/10Written Apr 26, 2026

I really enjoyed getting to finally read about Thatcher & Ysathea (Ysa) after seeing hints about them previously. Ysa is such a fun character and the family bond she has formed with the two other engineers (Ivo and Grunn) is a fun element to see come into play as Thatcher becomes more involved with them. I look forward to continuing this series and finding out what happens with Flack.

Steam Rating: Explicit Open Door 

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries

BOOK REVIEW

A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries

Abigail Manning

10/10Written Apr 21, 2026Edited Jul 26, 2026

I LOVED this Goose Girl Retelling and it has become my new favorite retelling of this story! Both Princess Emaline & her handmaiden Corrine are wonderful characters and I liked that the handmaiden isn't the villain in this story but that she is acting out of concern for Emaline's safety and they have a sincere and caring relationship between them. The goose in this story is also a great trouble maker that creates a lot of at times amusing problems for Emaline. I also really enjoyed getting to know the character Dane and his interactions with Emaline while she was a servant. The last chapter of the story was really sweet and wrapped things up on such a wonderful note. I haven't read Burning Snow: A Retelling of The Little Match Girl & The Snow Queen about Safara (Emaline's younger sister) but it is on my TBR List.

Steam Rating: Glimpses and Kisses

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the Enchanting Confections ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Alien Tower

BOOK REVIEW

Alien Tower

Honey Phillips

10/10Written Apr 19, 2026Edited Apr 22, 2026

This was a really enjoyable Rapunzel Retelling that can be enjoyed as I standalone story (I haven't read Alien Awakening yet), although reading more of the series adds more background for characters who are mentioned from previous books but aren't main characters here. Baylin & Liora make a great couple in this story and it's interesting to see how they develop their bond despite the initial interference of the towers protective AI "ARIS". The AI made an interesting character as well that felt complex with seemingly human emotions. Liora also had an animal companion named Pip that was entertaining as well. I look forward to reading many more by this author.

Steam Rating: Explicit and Plentiful 

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Goldie and the Bear Affair

BOOK REVIEW

Goldie and the Bear Affair

Liana Valerian

9/10Written Apr 7, 2026

This was an engaging story with references to Goldilocks and the Three Bears but as an Explicit Novella that is definitely geared to adults. I enjoyed getting to know all four main characters in this fast paced story and thought it had a good plot.

Steam Rating: Explicit and Plentiful

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Falling for the Dark Mage

BOOK REVIEW

Falling for the Dark Mage

Lucy Winton

8/10Written Mar 31, 2026

This was my first time reading anything about East of the Sun, West of the Moon but I am familiar with The Frog Prince and thought this story was interesting. I enjoyed getting to know both Damario & Seraphina and was glad that they were able to get their happy ending together.

Steam Rating: Glimpses and Kisses

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Bluebeard's Bride

BOOK REVIEW

Bluebeard's Bride

Mary Mecham

10/10Written Mar 30, 2026

This was a really fun mash up of Bluebeard with a female Aladdin character with lots of entertaining banter as well as unexpected twists. I loved getting to know both Zafir & Alia and all their banter as well as how they slowly grew to care about each other. This story also has some fun magic elements including Zafir’s magic wardrobe that has a bit of a mind of it's own and I was happy to learn in the authors notes at the end that the Dragon Pollox in Rapunzel’s Gambit was its maker. The epilogue at the end was also a sweet way of wrapping things up.

Steam Rating: Glimpses and Kisses

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Cursed Climb

BOOK REVIEW

Cursed Climb

Sarah Beran

10/10Written Mar 27, 2026

I love the way this story blends the stories for Jack and the Beanstalk with Swan Lake so well as well as how the beginning of this story connects with Falling for the Winged Witch. This story is about Jax & Odessa and I thought both were wonderful characters that I enjoyed getting to know as well as the adorable dragon "Bean" that hatches from the egg Jax had. This story was a lot of fun with some surprising plot twists and amusing bird puns. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Steam Rating: Glimpses & Kisses

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Chosen by the Hunter

BOOK REVIEW

Chosen by the Hunter

Lynnea Lee

10/10Written Mar 25, 2026Edited Mar 27, 2026

I love the Xarc'n Warriors series so was really excited to see a new one come out. Each book in this series is about a different couple so they can be read as standalones however it is more enjoyable the more familiar with the world you are. This book is about Ror’k & Dottie getting together and they have a fun meet cute. I also enjoyed the cat and her kittens that show up part way through this story. I look forward to continuing this series in the future.

Steam Rating: Explicit Open Door


I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

Never Text a Minotaur

BOOK REVIEW

Never Text a Minotaur

Honey Phillips

10/10Written Mar 23, 2026Edited Mar 23, 2026

I loved this book and both Rion & Clara's characters. This was such a great story and their text messages are a lot of fun to read and see how they evolve as Rion & Clara's relationship evolves. The epilogue at the end was also so sweet and such a wonderful way of wrapping up this entertaining story. I look forward to reading the next book Never Dance with a Demon.

Steam Rating: Explicit Open Door

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Shadow Falls: The Next Chapter

BOOK REVIEW

Shadow Falls: The Next Chapter

C. C. Hunter

10/10Written Mar 11, 2026

This book contains Taken at Dusk (Book #3) and Whispers at Moonrise (Book #4) from the Shadow Falls Series. I remembered really enjoying this series when I first read it several years ago and decided to reread it. Kylie continues her quest to discover who and what she is during these books and also reunites with her biological fathers remaining family. These books do a good job of picking up were books 1 & 2 left off and also introduce a few new characters. This is a really good series with an entertaining plot and fun characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book of this series and seeing how the plot unfolds.

Shadow Falls: The Beginning

BOOK REVIEW

Shadow Falls: The Beginning

C. C. Hunter

10/10Written Mar 6, 2026

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1)

This book was really fun to read with an interesting plot that keeps you wondering what will happen next. I really liked all the different characters and seeing how they developed throughout the book as well as seeing how the various relationships changed throughout the book. I am really looking forward to the next book!

I originally read this without having read the prequel book Turned at Dark and while it is easy enough to read book first the prequel does a really nice job of introducing the world and Della's character.

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)

This book was a great continuation from book 1 Born at Midnight and I really enjoyed seeing how all the characters and their relationships are growing. I can't wait to see what happens next in Taken at Dusk.