September OwlCrate Review

Hello, all!

The theme for this month was "Drown Your Secrets." Let's get into it!

First up is the next installment in their Treasured Tomes pin collection. This one is inspired by Babel.

Next was a lipstick case inspired by The Whispering Dark. I don't find this the most practical item, but I like the design. 

As a tea fanatic, I always love when one of the items is a new brew to try. This is inspired by A Discovery of Witches, and while I'm not the biggest fan of black tea, I'm interested to try this one.

Then there was this month's faux book journal. This is based on The Atlas Six. I'm in the minority of the population that didn't enjoy this book, but I can never have enough journals.

Lastly was this corduroy tote bag inspired by A Lesson in Vengeance. Just like journals, I can never have enough tote bags. I also like how subtle the design is.

This months book is A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid. This is a dark academia story following Effy, an architecture student, who gets chosen to redesign the manor house of her favorite author after his passing. While there, she works with her academic rival, Preston, to unravel dangerous and long buried secrets.

I actually read an ARC of this and you can see my review here! Honestly, I didn't really like this edition when I first saw it, but it's growing on me. I think it fits the Gothic theme. Let me know what you thought of this box!

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 9-26-23
Adult - Contemporary

Unleashed Holiday- Victoria Schade: After her father's passing, Chelsea Higgins has thrown herself into her work as a dog trainer. Chelsea is looking to expand into the empty building space next door with her business thriving, but there's one problem. Her newest neighbor, gym-bro and ex-college nemesis Andrew, is also looking to expand his fitness center. When a run-in with Andrew's tornado of a dog leaves Chelsea injured, the pair strike a bargain: Andrew will help Chelsea rehab her injury if she helps him train his dog. Soon their bickering turns into fondness, and the more time Chelsea spends with Andrew and his family forces her to face the feelings she's been hiding from her own family. Between vying for the open real estate and her growing feelings for Andrew, Chelsea finds herself needing a Christmas miracle.

I'm not the biggest fan of holiday romances, so I liked how subtle this was. It still is very much a holiday rom-com, but it wasn't over-the-top. There were a lot of aspects of this I enjoyed. I liked how while it was comedic at times, Schade also dealt with heavy topics, such as grief and family dynamics. I liked how Chelsea and Andrew weren't afraid to challenge one another. I also love a romance that includes adorable pups, and this one felt very Hallmark-y. Unfortunately, I did have some issues with the writing and story itself. There were times it felt like we were missing chunks of backstory. Chelsea and Andrew have known each other for years and have a history, and while we get little bits of that, I never felt like I had the whole picture. That applies to Chelsea and her friends as well. It was a whole lot of telling and not showing. It made it hard for me to connect fully to these characters. I still liked it and thought it was cute, but I wanted more.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 9-26-23
YA - Mystery

Thieves' Gambit- Kayvion Lewis: Ross Quest is only seventeen-years-old, but she's been in the family business of thieving since she was young. The Quest family is known for being master thieves, but Ross longs for a more normal life. Ross musters up the courage to break away from her family, but when a job goes wrong and her mother gets captured, all her plans go out the window. To get the money to save her mother, Ross must join the mysterious Thieves' Gambit, a competition that pits swindler against swindler in a series of daring international heists. The Quest family motto is to trust no one, but with the stakes this high, Ross will have to turn to her fellow competitors--including her childhood nemesis and a charming smooth-talker--if she hopes to save her mother before time runs out.

I love a good heist story, so I was excited to pick this up. I loved the idea of a bunch of master thieves who are all barely out of their teens going up against each other. They all have such different personalities and ways they go about things. Some are more cut-throat, while others have a more nuanced flair. I liked following Ross and thought she was intelligent and cunning. It was fun seeing how her mind worked and how she went about all the heists. I did have a few issues with this, though. One was the romantic aspect between Ross and Devroe. It felt so unnecessary. The other was that the ending went a bit off the rails. It was like a whiplash of betrayal and plot twists. Aside from that, I did find it entertaining, and the ending leaves it open for potentially more books, which I may pick up. If you're looking for a fast-paced story, I recommend checking it out.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 11-5-13
YA - Mystery

The Naturals- Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a knack for reading people. She can tell the tiniest details about a person just by looking at them. Cassie has never put much stock into her ability and never thought it would catch the FBI's notice. Cassie gets recruited into the Naturals program, a classified group of teens with talents like hers. The point of the Naturals program is to help the FBI solve cold cases, but soon, Cassie finds herself the target of a deranged serial killer. Can Cassie and her new friends uncover the killer before it's too late?

If you were to look up the definition of "page-turner," you would see a picture of this book. It's so fast-paced and addictive that I read it in only a few hours. I kept seeing it referred to as a YA version of Criminal Minds, and that hits the nail on the head. I loved how everyone in the Naturals program has a different ability that makes them indispensable, and it was fun seeing them work together (although I wouldn't be able to stand Lia for more than five minutes). Was this a perfect book? No. You have to suspend your disbelief a bit. I also didn't love how this is another series by Barnes that sets up a love triangle between our main character and one guy who is silent and broody and one who is carefree and sarcastic. Other than that, I thought this was so entertaining, and I'll be picking up the next book ASAP.

Rating: 4/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 3-7-23
Adult - Contemporary

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon- Sarah Hawley: Mariel Spark was supposed to be the most powerful witch the Spark's line had seen in centuries, but much to her overbearing mother's displeasure, Mariel would rather garden than curse. When a spell goes awry, and Mariel accidentally conjures a demon, she's thrust into a soul bargain. Ozroth the Ruthless's purpose is collecting the souls of mortals, but his reputation has suffered after a botched bargain. He's hoping this deal with Mariel will put him back into his mentor's good graces. Ozroth is bound to Mariel's side until the bargain is complete, but Mariel refuses to give up her soul. To make matters worse, the pair must pretend to be dating to cover the spell snafu. But the more time they spend together, the more they fall for one another. Will they be able to make their relationship work with so many obstacles standing in their way?

I was looking forward to this one, and it was meh. I love witchy stories, so I thought the premise was fun, but the writing style didn't work for me. There were so many moments (especially in the steamier scenes) that were too cringy for my tastes. I also felt that the characters read way younger than they were supposed to be. I did like watching Mariel stand up to her terrible family and the magical town. Other than that, nothing particularly stood out to me. The romance between her and Oz was okay but didn't wow me. The plot was predictable and felt more insta-lovey than fake dating. I may have enjoyed this more had I read it physically because the narrator's voice was grating, but I found it all underwhelming.

Rating: 2/5

Pub Date: 2-28-23
Adult - Fantasy

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi- Shannon Chakraborty: Infamous pirate Amina al-Sirafi, once spent her days sailing the high seas, getting into fights with rogues and princes, and collecting a few husbands along the way. But she retired from the pirate life and now spends her days secluded with her family. Amina longs to give her daughter a peaceful, safe life but when she's offered a job no bandit could refuse, she jumps at the chance for one last adventure. This job would allow Amina to set her family up for life, no longer needing to worry about their future. Amina rounds up her old crew and takes to the sea, but she quickly realizes there is more to this quest than meets the eye. Amina has always longed to be a legend, but is the glory worth the risk?

I was craving a pirate adventure, and this delivered. It had so many tropes I love, like getting the band back together and found family. I also liked the world-building and lore. There was a supernatural aspect that I wasn't expecting but enjoyed, and I'm interested to see how that'll develop more in the coming books. The characters were also well-written, and I loved the tight-knit unit they created. I liked all the banter between them. My issue with this was the pacing. It felt pretty slow, so it never captured my full attention. The action did ramp up towards the end, which I appreciated. I felt the book, as a whole, was average, but I'm still intrigued enough to pick up the next one.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 4-11-23
Adult - Contemporary

Yours Truly- Abby Jimenez: Dr. Briana Ortiz can't catch a break. Her divorce is about to be finalized, her younger brother desperately needs a kidney donor, and the promotion she was a shoo-in for is now on the back burner thanks to the new ER doctor in town, Dr. Jacob Maddox. Their first meeting doesn't go smoothly, and Briana is dead-set on hating Jacob on principle, but then he sends her a letter. Jacob has always suffered from anxiety, and his nervousness often comes across as rudeness. With every letter he and Briana exchange, a genuine friendship forms. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the greatest gift imaginable--a kidney for her brother-- Briana begins to wonder if there's more to their relationship than she ever thought possible.

I knew within the first few pages of this book that I would love it. I've enjoyed Jimenez's previous books, but this one felt as if it was on another level. I adored the relationship between Briana and Jacob. Their friendship felt so authentic, and I loved how it developed naturally into something more. I could connect with them in different ways, but especially Jacob. There were so many moments where his experience with anxiety mirrored mine to a T. I also loved how supportive Briana was in those moments and how safe she made him feel. It dealt with some tough topics, but Jimenez handled them with her signature wit, so it never felt too heavy. I didn't love the miscommunication between Briana and Jacob and how Briana handled some bits at the end, but overall, I loved this.

Rating: 5/5

A Study in Drowning Review

Hello, all!

Rejoice, all dark academia fans! Your new favorite book, A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid, is finally here. Big thanks to the publisher for the early copy!

Pub Date: 9-19-23
YA - Fantasy

Effy Sayre has been plagued by visions of the fearsome Fairy King ever since she was young. When Effy tried to confide in those around her about it, instead of believing her, they gave her pills to quiet her mind. Effy's only solace is in her tattered copy of Angharad by Emrys Myrddin. The story is about a brave mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King and destroys him. Angharad has been like a lifeline for Effy, so when the Myrddin estate announces a contest to redesign the family's manor, Effy jumps at the chance.

But when Effy arrives at the remote Hiraeth Manor, it's even more decrepit than expected. Effy's barely passing her architecture courses and knows this project is more than she can handle, but she refuses to give up. To Effy's annoyance, she also has to contend with Preston Héloury, a literature student determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. The pair decide to work together, but the more they investigate, the more secrets they uncover.

I've only read one other book by Reid that I thought was okay, but I couldn't pass this up. I loved how atmospheric this was. I could picture so clearly in my mind this crumbling estate perilously perched on a cliffside. It was eerie and cold and lived up to the Gothic description. I also enjoyed the characters. There are so many things about Effy that felt otherworldly but also relatable. She's one for the anxiety-ridden girlies; for those who overthink and second-guess everything. She and Preston have a little rivalry at the beginning, but it feels one-sided. I liked seeing their relationship blossom. I also thought Reid did a wonderful job tackling tough subjects such as mental health and sexism within academia. If you're looking for a dark, compelling read for the fall, I recommend checking it out.

Rating: 3/5

Library Haul

Hello, all!

Is there anything better (or more stress-inducing) than all of your library holds coming in at once?

1. Enchanted to Meet You- Meg Cabot

2. The Housekeepers- Alex Hay

3. The Lake House- Sarah Beth Durst

4. There's No Way I'd Die First- Lisa Springer

5. Ebony Gate- Julia Vee & Ken Bebelle

6. Bad Blood- Jennifer Lynn Barnes

7. All In- Jennifer Lynn Barnes

8. Night of a Thousand Stars- Deanna Raybourn

9. Witch of Wild Things- Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

10. With Love, From Cold World- Alicia Thompson

Tress of the Emerald Sea Review

Hello, all!

2023 has been my Brandon Sanderson era, and none of his books have appealed to me more than Tress of the Emerald Sea.

Pub Date: 1-10-23
Adult - Fantasy

Tress lives a simple life on her tiny island home, the Rock. She spends most of her time staring at the rolling spore seas, collecting cups from the sailors at the port, and sharing stories with her best friend, Charlie. Tress has always enjoyed her life and never longed for more until the day Charlie left. As the duke's son, Charlie is expected to marry to secure an advantageous alliance, but disaster strikes on their voyage, leaving Charlie at the mercy of a dangerous woman named the Sorceress.

Tress is determined to rescue Charlie, so she concocts a daring plan. With some help, Tress stows away on a ship leaving port and sets out on her quest. It doesn't take long before her plan goes belly-up, and Tress finds herself surrounded by pirates. Instead of cowering in fear, she uses this as an opportunity to learn everything she can about the world and the spores that dominate it to help in her rescue mission. Armed with knowledge and a few new friends, Tress is ready to face the Sorceress and take back what's hers.

I was hesitant going into this because I've only just started reading the Cosmere, so I was worried things would go over my head. That wasn't the case. I'm sure there were some nods to other books that I may have missed, but the overall story stands on its own, and I adored every minute of it. It had such whimsy. I loved following Tress along on her quest. Her character development is so satisfying. She comes into her own by the end, and I loved watching her learn to stand her ground while not compromising who she is at her core. The secondary characters were fun, and I liked how they turned into a little family. If you're looking for a fanciful pirate adventure with The Princess Bride vibes, I recommend checking it out.

Rating: 4/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 9-12-23
Adult - Contemporary

You, Again- Kate Goldbeck: When Ari, a free-spirited wanna-be comedienne, met Josh, an up-tight chef, for the first time, it was hate at first sight. It was clear from the start the pair had nothing in common except they were sleeping with the same woman. Ari and Josh never expected their paths to cross again, but fate had other plans. Years later, Ari and Josh are nursing broken hearts when they strike up an unlikely friendship. With every late-night movie session and bickering texting conversation, Ari and Josh find themselves drawn to one another. But can two people so fundamentally different find happiness together?

What drew me to this was the cover. I loved the autumnal When Harry Met Sally NYC vibes. Then to find out this has enemies-to-friends-to-lovers? I was sold. Unfortunately, I thought the premise worked better than the execution. There was just something about Ari that irked me. Her personality wasn't my favorite, and I found her annoying. However, I did like the dynamic between her and Josh. I love bickering banter, and I thought Goldbeck did a good job with that. It was a quick read, and had some cute moments, but I don't think it's a new favorite.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 6-20-23
YA - Horror

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight- Kalynn Bayron: Horror movie-obsessed, Charity Curtis has the best summer job: playing the "final girl" at Camp Mirror Lake. It isn't your ordinary summer camp but a fully immersive terror game where people pay to re-enact scenes from a classic slasher film. Charity and her friends are in the business of fear, and the more realistic, the better. But when some of Charity's co-workers start going missing, her role as the final girl starts feeling a bit too real. When they stumble upon the true history of Mirror Lake, Charity, and her girlfriend will have to outwit a killer if they hope to survive the night.

The premise of this book sounded like it was written just for me. A camp that re-enacts scenes from an old slasher movie only to then be tormented by a real slasher? Sign me up! The first half of this book had me in its grip. I was living for the Fear Street 1978 vibes. I liked Charity and her group of friends. The way they all handled what was going on felt authentic to how teens would act, and I liked how there was so much talk about horror movie rules. The moment they decided to split up, I knew stuff was about to go down. But that's where it lost me. The second half of this book was so out there. I could see what Bayron was trying to do, but it didn't work for me. It felt a little out of left field, and I wish this would've stayed as a classic slasher. It was a quick read with some suspenseful bits, but I didn't enjoy the ending.

Rating: 2.5/5

Pub Date: 3-14-23
YA - Historical Fiction

Enter the Body- Joy McCullough: Everyone knows the tragic ends of Shakespeare's most famous females, Juliet, Ophelia, Cordelia, and Lavinia. But what if these girls could rewrite their histories? In a room below the stage where their stories first came to fruition, the four girls meet to form a support group of sorts. Each has been wronged by the ones closest to them, has had their bodies, minds, and souls broken beyond measure, and has decided that enough is enough. They decide to take back their narratives and show the world that a woman's story isn't defined by the words of a man but by her own.

Most of us can remember Shakespeare units in high school English class, and I think many would agree that the females in his plays often got the short end of the stick. I was intrigued to see how McCullough would spin their tales and give them a new voice. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The meshing of modern speech with verse kept taking me out of the story. There was also a lot of bickering between the characters, and it made them come off as catty instead of trying to empower one another. Also, the whole point was to give these girls a chance to reclaim their narratives, so I was hoping to hear Lavinia's story, but that wasn't the case. I felt like keeping her silent defeated the purpose of the story. That said, if you're a Shakespeare fan or enjoyed the musical Six or the book How to Be Eaten, then it's still worth the read.

Rating: 2/5