In Other Lands, by Sarah Rees Brennan, is a conundrum of a book. It is a standalone fantasy with a number of traditional tropes and elements I can’t usually stand. It’s a portal fantasy, YA, a coming-of-age story with a love triangle, and has an unlikable protagonist, among other things. In the dedication, Brennan seems…
Continue reading ➞ In Other Lands – Young, Dumb, And Full Of Adventure
Water Moon, by Samantha Sotto Yambao, is not the kind of book I would normally pick up. I’m all for plots that revolve around choices and people having to reflect on whether they made the correct ones. But a story that centered on the romantic journey of two strangers as they wade through a world…
I’ve started the past three years with one of Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde books, and I always look forward to my yearly meet-up with the fae. The new year arrived, and shortly after, book three in the series followed. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is a beautiful culmination of all of Emily’s previous adventures.…
Continue reading ➞ Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales – A Boon
After a jolly good time with The Last Binding series, I jumped at the chance to read a new Freya Marske book. Her latest novel, Swordcrossed, takes us into a new world of rich merchant houses trying to keep a competitive edge whether through goods or political marriages. This story takes a big departure from…
It’s time to get locked up with The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni. If your recent YA lineup has been rinsing and repeating the same story, I highly recommend you read this refreshing tale and follow a young girl’s ability to use compassion to combat the harshest of environments. The Zalindov death prison is home…
I’ve unfortunately sat on this book for longer than I should have. The Fractured Dark—the second book in Megan O’Keefe’s The Devoured Worlds trilogy—is an excellent follow up that sets the stakes for the final installment, raising new questions and creating new fears. Spoilers for The Blighted Stars follow. Naira and Tarquin are struggling to…
Continue reading ➞ The Fractured Dark – A Confusing But Worthy Sequel
The dark and alluring cover for a Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright easily captured my attention, and it won me with its compelling premise. Blood workers have sanctuary in the Kingdom of Aeravin. Ruled by an immortal Bloodworking king, those with the ability can use their powers and flourish under his rule. But only…
Continue reading ➞ Mistress Of Lies – Deceptively Disappointing
I don’t venture into contemporary romance much, but my interest was piqued when I heard about Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. Friends and acquaintances described the book as a romance with horror and true-crime fixins, and it sounded dark and twisty enough to make a modern love story interesting. If you love this particular…
If you haven’t been following the Paladins series by T. Kingfisher, I wouldn’t blame you. The series is published by a small studio that could do more marketing, especially because anyone who isn't reading this series is missing out. T. Kingfisher is continuing to gain more mainstream acclaim via her more traditionally published bangers, but…
Leigh Bardugo described The Familiar as romantic and character-driven, but I found it to be neither of these things. The premise is interesting and the protagonist enticing, but the narrative is slow and struggles to keep up with its own plans. Burned bread becomes a fresh loaf, a meager basket of eggs begins to overflow,…
