I don't have a lot of experience with Indian mythology, but Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel has shown me that this is a gross oversight. Kaikeyi is a poetic retelling of a popular Indian myth. Patel uses stunning prose to tell a story that investigates ideas around feminism, parenting, culture, and societal change. Because I am…
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is a fascinating tale Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights. It feels like a melding of traditional oral storytelling and modern epic fantasy to create a very unique product. The first part of The Sandsea Trilogy, The Stardust Thief tells a tale resembling a Matryoshka doll,…
I love discovering hidden gems on Goodreads. It has got to be a top-five all-time emotional rush. This is how I stumbled upon The Boy with Fire by Aparna Verma, one of the best books I’ve found organically in a long time. Complete with an original story, compelling characters, and a devastatingly gorgeous setting, The…
The past weekend, I went to a beautiful spa in the woods for a much-needed day of rest and relaxation. The spa had all sorts of wonderful saunas and a pool, but it also had a reading room with little couches to relax on. Given my love of reading, a desire to relax, and a…
I selected Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan as one of my most anticipated reads for 2022, and the bar has officially been set high. Tan’s debut novel can be described as nothing short of beautiful as it honors and expands upon the legend of Chang’e. Xingyin lives a quiet, solitary life…
Continue reading ➞ Daughter Of The Moon Goddess – A Luminous Debut
I am late to the game on Nghi Vo’s The Chosen and the Beautiful. I knew I wanted to read this story, it was just a matter of when. It was also my first time reading Vo’s work and I must say I am a fan. Her debut full-length novel is dripping in the outrageous…
Continue reading ➞ The Chosen And The Beautiful – Decadent Debauchery
I saw Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf everywhere leading up to its release, but I never heard much about it. The book was always on my TBR, but it kept falling further and further down my list to accommodate other reads. Now after reading this awesome story, I’m sad it took me this long to…
Xiran Jay Zhao is a gem, and if you have not picked up their debut novel or stumbled upon their social media channels you are missing out. There is something so magnetic about Zhao, and I find that they always earn my undivided attention. Iron Widow certainly ensnared me, and I was hooked on this…
The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker may be filled with darkness, but it’s another great read to ignite your spooky season. This story is unique and at the helm is a main character archetype I rarely experience but thoroughly enjoy. Baker immerses her reader in the world of Reapers and Shinigami where death…
Continue reading ➞ The Keeper Of Night – Hello Darkness, My Old Friend
Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan is officially my favorite Dark Horse pick of the year. This book was great and I am dumbfounded that it is a standalone. It’s such a strong debut, and I couldn’t convince myself it was only one book. I checked Goodreads multiple times to make sure I didn’t…
