Before I jump into these reviews, I’m just going to say that I’m absolutely kicking myself for not having read these sooner. I’m so late jumping on the Danielle L. Jensen train and I’m embarrassed. She’s instantly become a favorite author and her books have yet to disappoint – though I doubt they ever will. This has easily become a new favorite of mine, and I urge everyone to check it out if you haven’t already.

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Title: Stolen Songbird

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Pub. Date: April 1, 2014

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain—time enough for their magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophecy has spoken of a union that will set the trolls free, and when Cécile is stolen away to fulfill it, she enters a world that is both magical and deadly.

Cécile has only one goal after being bonded to the prince of the trolls: escape. Except while awaiting the perfect opportunity, she discovers there is more to the mysterious crown prince than anyone realizes.

As rebellion brews and the political games escalate, Cécile becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes the hope of a people—someone who has the power to change Trollus forever.

This will be a mini spoiler free review.

I hate myself for not having read this sooner. The idea of Trolls definitely put me off, but if I’d just read the damn book, I would have quickly realized they aren’t really Trolls.

I inhaled this book. I fell in love with it. I listened to the audiobook and couldn’t put it down.

Y’all know that I’ve been on a high fantasy kick, and this was exactly what I was looking for.

Why am I such a sucker for these kinds of books? Ones where the girl is kidnapped/taken away from her life and forced to live with/marry the “bad guy”? Wtf does that say about me lol?

Granted the “bad guy” is hardly ever the actual bad guy, and he’s only pretending to serve a bigger purpose, but damn. If I’m not trash for these kinds of books.

Danielle also brings this world to utter life. Despite most of the book taking place under a mountain of rock, it’s vibrant, teeming with life and sparking moments. Between the world and the characters, you get sucked in.

Cécile and Tristan’s relationship is perfect. The emotional build up from enemies to friends, to something more is done so well. It’s sort of a slow burn tease that had me wanting to reach into the book and shove them together screaming “just kiss already”.

I loved most of the characters in this book – and that includes the antagonists. They’re all done to perfection, making you feel all the feels and I just applaud Danielle’s ability to make me care that much.

I highly recommend this book; you won’t be disappointed.

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Title: Hidden Huntress

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Pub. Date: June 2, 2015

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.

Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.

To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted. 

This will be a mini spoiler free review.

This book.

THIS BOOK.

Don’t you just love it when characters that are absolutely perfect together get wrenched apart because the bad guy is an absolute dick?

I will say that I saw the twist coming, so I wasn’t really surprised. This book, while still being really good, didn’t play out like I anticipated it to. I saw the plot twist coming, but overall, it surprised me.

Cécile surprised me a bit in this book. She grows as a character so much from when we meet her in Stolen Songbird to where she is at the end of this book. She’s strong willed, almost fearless, incredibly loyal and downright cunning. Her enemies underestimate her and it’s fantastic.

This was a really good second installment that leaves you wanting more, so it’s good thing that there’s a third book. Danielle keeps the momentum going and your interest piqued.

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Title: Warrior Witch

Author: Danielle L. Jensen

Pub. Date: May 13, 2016

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.

As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.

But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.

This will be a mini spoiler free review.

Fuck this book.

Like, in the best way possible.

But this book had NO REASON to hurt my feelings the way it did.

Omfg, the ending to this book.

My poor heart.

I’m still not over it.

Honestly, what happens at the end of this book has kind of eclipsed all my other thoughts and feelings of this book, because I full broke down in actual tears at work. If you’ve read it, you know.

This was a good, albeit somewhat painful ending to this series. I really liked it and thought it closed out everything nicely. I really don’t have much else to say, because omfg the ending. Events leading up to the ending won’t leave you disappointed. Cécile and Tristan can overcome just about anything and its wonderful.

If you do happen to pick up this series, I’m sorry for your broken heart, but enjoy!