October Wrap-up

Hello, all!

I know I keep saying this, but good grief did this month fly by! I definitely didn't get to as many spooky books as I'd hoped, but that's alright-- spooky books are year-round books in my opinion!

Audio:

Such Sharp Teeth- Rachel Harrison; 3/5

The Whispering Dark- Kelly Andrew; 2/5

The Buried and the Bound- Rochelle Hassan; 2/5

Ahsoka- E.K. Johnston; 4/5

Hemlock Island- Kelley Armstrong; 3/5 

Mixed Signals- B.K. Borison; 3/5

Mary and the Birth of Frankenstein- Anne Eekhout; 3/5

Digital:

Throne of the Fallen- Kerri Maniscalco; 3/5

Never Wager with a Wallflower- Virginia Heath; 2/5

Next Door Nemesis- Alexa Martin; 3/5

Second Duke's the Charm- Kate Bateman; 4.5/5

Spy Family, Vol. 10; 3/5

Two Twisted Crowns- Rachel Gillig; 4/5

Raiders of the Lost Heart- Jo Segura; 2/5

Technically Yours- Denise Williams; 3/5

Physical:

My Rogue to Ruin- Erica Ridley; 3/5

Starter Villain- John Scalzi; 3/5

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter- Brandon Sanderson; 3/5

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic- Breanne Randall; 2/5

Their Vicious Games- Joelle Wellington; 3/5

The Society for Soulless Girls- Laura Steven; 2/5

The Library of Shadows- Rachel Moore; 3/5

Better Hate than Never- Chloe Liese; 3/5

The Bewitching Hour- Ashley Poston; 3/5

Some favorites were: Second Duke's the Charm, Two Twisted Crowns, and Mixed Signals. My least favorites were: The Whispering Dark, The Buried and the Bound, and The Society for Soulless Girls.

How was your reading month? What was your favorite/least favorite read?

What the River Knows Review

Hello, all!

If you went through an Egyptology phase growing up, then you need to pick up What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 10-31-23
YA - Historical Fantasy

Inez Olivera lives a life of luxury as part of the glittering upper crust of Argentinian society. She has anything she could ever want except for one thing: her parents. Inez's parents are part of an archeological dig in Egypt and often spend months away from Inez. Inez has always longed to go with them, but her parents have never allowed it. But when Inez receives a letter from her estranged uncle with the tragic news of her parents' passing, Inez decides to go to Egypt for answers.

Inez crosses the seas with little more than her precious sketchbooks and a mysterious golden ring her father sent her. When she arrives, Inez quickly realizes she's in over her head. Her uncle is not pleased to see her and will barely acknowledge her, leaving her to be dealt with by his infuriatingly charming assistant, Whit. But Inez is determined to uncover the truth about her parents' disappearances, no matter the cost. But when old magic embeds itself into Inez, she must rely on it to guide her hand or risk becoming a pawn in an even greater game.

I wasn't sure if I would like this because the first half felt incredibly slow, and you could tell that Ibañez was laying the groundwork for an intricate plot to unfold. But once we hit the halfway mark the action ramped up, and I couldn't get enough. Inez was such a strong-willed character, and I loved how she refused to back down from her pursuits. She and Whit butted heads at every turn, but the kind of interaction that had you going, "Ok, now kiss." They had great banter and had me smiling the whole time. I liked the mythology throughout this, but I wish the magic system had been explained more, as I still don't have a firm handle on it. Aside from that, I did see one of the plot twists coming from a mile away, but so many others took me by surprise. My jaw was on the floor by the end, and I'm already preparing my heart for the fallout. If you're in the mood to get swept away in an atmospheric adventure, I highly recommend checking it out.

Rating: 4/5

Swordheart Review

Hello, all!

Something about T. Kingfisher's books remind me of the fall, so it's the perfect time to talk about Swordheart.

Pub Date: 11-27-18
Adult - Fantasy

Halla has spent the years after her husband's death working as a maid to his great-uncle. But, the uncle has passed away, leaving Halla's future in the air. Until she learns that his entire estate was left to her; unfortunately, this also means that Halla is stuck with his horrible relatives who will do anything to take the inheritance for themselves-- including locking Halla in her chambers until she agrees to marry her wormy cousin. Desperate for a way out, Halla decides to take her own life, but when she unsheathes the sword hanging on her wall, a man pops out.

Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in the enchanted steel for hundreds of years. He is bound to serve whoever wields the blade and defend them at all costs. Sarkis refuses to let Halla kill herself and instead helps her to escape her imprisonment. Now, the pair must journey through roads filled with bandits, and deal with annoying inquisitors, slime creatures, and the world's slowest ox, if they hope to secure Halla's fortune.

I've had this on my radar for so long, and I'm glad I finally decided to pick it up. Kingfisher has such a way of crafting cheeky, fun fantasy/adventure stories, and I find them so entertaining. Her books are always easy to read. I loved Halla and Sarkis's relationship. It was so funny watching her pepper him with endless questions. Their romance was cute but didn't wow me. Also, I thought there wasn't enough going on with the plot to justify it being as long as it was. It drags in the middle, and I think if it were 50-100 pages shorter, it would've helped the story flow better. It's not my favorite of hers, but it was entertaining, and I'd still recommend it if you're looking for a whimsical but still-dark fantasy.

Rating: 3/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 10-24-23
Adult - Historical Romance

The Duke Starts a Scandal- Sophie Jordan: When she was young, Susanna Lockhart made one mistake that changed her life and has worked hard to make a new name for herself. She worked her way up from maid and is now the housekeeper to a grand estate. Lucian, the new Duke of Penning, has a lot to prove. He craves respectability, and he knows the only way to go about it is to find a suitable wife. The only problem? He can't keep his eyes off his feisty housekeeper. Susanna knows romance isn't in the cards for her, especially with her employer, but that doesn't stop her from craving his touch. Both have secrets that would ruin them, but isn't love worth the risk?

I've enjoyed this series so far, but I have to say, this one is my least favorite. It just felt so bland. It felt like so many other historical romances I've read with the same premise. The pacing felt off, and the resolution wrapped up too quickly. Another thing that bothered me was that Susanna and Lucian kept saying how they would be ruined if their pasts got out, but then once they did, it was like no big deal. I did like a few things, like how headstrong Susanna was and Lucian's relationship with his family, but that was it. It's a shame because I enjoy Jordan's writing, but this one didn't work for me.

Rating: 2/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 9-19-23
Adult - Sci-Fi

Starter Villain- John Scalzi: To say Charlie's life didn't turn out the way he expected would be an understatement. He's divorced, working as a substitute teacher, and squatting in his childhood home that his siblings keep trying to sell. Charlie's dream is to buy the local pub he and his father used to spend time at, but the bank doesn't seem thrilled to approve his loan request. Then Charlie learns his estranged uncle has passed, leaving him his business. His villain business. Charlie's uncle was a bad guy (complete with an island lair with an active volcano), and now his enemies are Charlie's. To win the war his uncle started, Charlie must embrace his new role and all the strangeness that comes with it.

I've only read one other book by Scalzi, but I love how cheeky his writing is. Everything about it is so tongue-in-cheek which makes for such a fun reading experience. With this one, I think I liked the premise more than the execution. I wanted Legion of Doom. I wanted Dr. Evil with sharks with freakin' laser beams. What I got was a little boring. There was too much dialogue and not enough action. I was thoroughly entertained by all the animals, though. I did like how quippy the banter was, but I needed something else to balance it out. It's not a bad book, but I wanted a bit more.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 9-5-23
YA - Fantasy

The Library of Shadows- Rachel Moore: Radcliffe Prep may be the third most haunted high school in America, but it's Este Logano's last chance to feel close to her father. Before her father passed away, he used to tell Este about his time at Radcliffe, so Este hopes that going to the same school and even staying in his old dorm will help her get some closure. On her first day, Este meets Mateo, a handsome upper-class man who convinces Este to break into a secured section of the library. When Mateo vanishes with a rare book, Este has until midterms to track them both down or risk expulsion. Este quickly realizes in her search that Mateo is most definitely a ghost, and following in her father's footsteps may be more dangerous than she thought.

I think that for a debut, this was pretty good. It was fast-paced, and I enjoyed the paranormal elements. I loved the academic setting and how it mostly took place within the creepy library full of ghosts. I thought Moore nailed the atmosphere. The whole thing felt like a chilly, gloomy autumn day, and I was a fan. As for the plot, it was enjoyable but could've used some work. Some bits didn't make sense, while others were super predictable (I guessed the twist within the first few chapters.) I also had a hard time believing the romance, and not just because one of them was a ghost. Este and Mateo had zero chemistry, and the pairing felt forced. I liked the cast of characters and their dynamic, but how Este treated Posy was so frustrating. If you want a book that's just vibes with little plot, then I'd say check it out.

Rating: 3/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 6-20-23
Adult - Thriller

The Only One Left- Riley Sager: In 1929, a town on the Maine coast was rocked when seventeen-year-old Lenora Hope seemingly murdered her family. Though never found guilty, Lenora spent the rest of her days locked away in her family's mansion on the cliffs. In 1983, home health aide Kit McDeere is back at work following an incident with a previous patient. When Kit is assigned to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night, Kit is rightfully nervous. Kit is picturing a murderess and is shocked to find Lenora confined to a wheelchair, left mute and partially paralyzed after a series of strokes. The only way the pair can communicate is through an old typewriter, and one night Lenora uses it to tempt Kit by saying she wants to tell Kit everything. As Kit learns the truth behind that fateful night, she realizes that there are more secrets hidden at Hope's End, and Lenora may not be who she says she is.

I have a love/hate relationship with Riley Sager in which I love to pick up his books, but I usually end up hating them. So no one is more surprised than me that I liked this. That doesn't mean it was a good book, but it wasn't as horrible as the others I've read by him. I liked the setting of this grand manor, perched atop this cliff that could break off at any moment and tumble into the sea. Sager's writing was once again repetitive and predictable. I can never understand why he writes female characters because he's not particularly good at them, but Kit didn't bother me as much as his previous leads. I enjoyed some of the end reveals, but there were too many. I think I have to start coming to terms with the fact that Sager will never meet my expectations, but will that stop me from picking up this next release? Probably not.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 11-4-14
YA - Thriller

Killer Instinct- Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Cassie Hobbes is a natural profiler, and her gifts have led her to join the Naturals, a secret FBI program for gifted youth. Her ability has also led her into some dangerous situations. Cassie and her friends have barely survived an encounter with a rogue agent and now find themselves thrust into another murder investigation that hits too close to home. When a string of murders crops up using the same MO as Dean's incarcerated serial killer father, the Naturals must outsmart the copycat before they strike again.

It's safe to say that I'm fully obsessed with this series. It's so bingeable, and just like the previous book, I couldn't put it down. It felt more like a psychological thriller than the first, and I liked it a lot. It was so interesting watching the group put themselves into the mind of a killer. Everyone had a part to play, and I liked watching them learn to be a team. I figured out who the killer was but not the motive, so the ending was still satisfying. I'm still not a fan of the romance here, but I'm looking past it because this series is so good.

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 5-9-23
Adult - Historical Fiction

Our Hideous Progeny- C.E. McGill: It's 1853, London, and Mary Saville is desperate to make a name for herself in the field of science. However, due to her gender, she is constantly shut down. Mary knows she has the brains and know-how to become a world-renowned paleontologist if only given the chance. But neither Mary's outspokenness nor her husband, Henry's, gambling debts incite her peers to lend a hand. When Mary stumbles upon the work of her great-uncle, Victor Frankenstein, she knows this is her chance at turning the tables. No one will be able to turn Mary or her husband away once they see that she holds the power to create life. But when they successfully construct their Creature, Henry's quest for fame and fortune becomes obsessive, and Mary starts questioning the lengths she'll go to to protect what she's created.

This was such an interesting take on Frankenstein, and I liked it a lot. McGill's writing was so atmospheric. I usually find more Gothic-leaning stories slow and drawn out, but that wasn't the case here. Admittedly, it takes a while for anything of substance to occur, but I never found myself bored. A lot of that has to do with Mary. I enjoyed her as a character. She was intelligent, driven, and focused. There was also a little romance between her and Maisie that I liked as well. If you're looking for an eerie read for the fall, I recommend checking it out.

Rating: 3/5

The Unmaking of June Farrow Review

Hello, all!

If you're looking for a book with lush, atmospheric writing, then look no further than The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young. Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 10-17-23
Adult - Fantasy

June Farrow has spent her life waiting for her family's curse to come for her. In the small town of Jasper, North Carolina, the Farrow women are known for two things: their flower farm and for slowly losing their minds. June has heard rumors about this strange plague leading to her mother's disappearance, has watched as it has taken her grandmother, and now, it seems to have come for her.

June has heard and seen things that haven't been there for the past year. A voice whispering her name, the sound of wind chimes, and always a red door. After finding an old photograph and clues regarding her mother's disappearance, June takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of what happened and stop this curse once and for all. June decides that she will walk through that red door the next time she sees it, but nothing could've prepared her for what she would find.

Let's start with my favorite part about this: the writing. I've read a few of Young's previous books, so I knew that I was in for an atmospheric read, and she more than delivered. It was so enchanting. I loved the small-town setting and the magical realism elements. Despite the slower pacing, I was gripped the entire time. I like June as a character and wanted to learn more about her and her family. My issue with this book stemmed from the plot itself. I never understood how or why June and her family had this time-traveling ability. I found myself confused by all the different details and had a difficult time keeping the timelines straight in my head. The romance was also lacking for me. Despite all that, I still enjoyed it and will continue to pick up whatever Young comes out with next.

Rating: 3/5

Library Haul

Hello, all!

Another gloomy day calls for another trip to the library.

1. The Golden Gate- Amy Chua

2. Hemlock Island- Kelley Armstrong

3. Night of the Witch- Sara Raasch & Beth Revis

4. The Library of Shadows- Rachel Moore

5. Mixed Signals- B.K. Borison

Throne of the Fallen Review

Hello, all!

Kerri Maniscalco is one of my auto-buy authors, so I was counting down the days until Throne of the Fallen was released.

Pub Date: 10-3-23
Adult - Fantasy

The Prince of Envy has been keeping a secret that could ruin everything. His court is in shambles, and trying to keep it together is taking a toll on his powers. When he receives a note heralding the start of a game, Envy knows this is his chance to set things right. Envy refuses to let anyone stand in the way of saving his court, especially not a gorgeous, hard-headed artist.

Miss Camilla Antonius is known in Waverly Green for her artwork. When her beloved father passed away, Camilla took over his gallery and spent her days behind a canvas. This talent also led to her getting blackmailed by a notorious rake. After being caught in a scandalous position, Camilla is forced into a bargain with Envy. Camilla has spent years hiding her true nature and knows this game could ruin everything. As Envy and Camilla journey through the Underworld, they're pitted against vicious foes, but the real danger lies in their growing attraction.

I enjoyed the Kingdom of the Wicked series, so I was excited to learn we were getting another book focusing on another Prince. I liked Envy, but he felt like a carbon copy of Wrath with a few tweaks. The real highlight here was Camilla. She was so fierce. She knew what she wanted and would do whatever to get it. I loved how she never backed down from Envy and wasn't afraid to rile him up. They had a very heated dynamic, and you were never sure whether they would strangle or kiss each other. There were a lot of steamy moments between them, but I would've liked more depth to their relationship. At times, it felt like all smut and no substance. As for the plot, it was terribly predictable and way too long. There was a chunk in the middle that felt like filler, and I found myself skim-reading to get through it. I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up, but it took a while to get there. Aside from that, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing where it goes next.

Rating: 3/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 10-10-23
YA - Mystery

Bittersweet in the Hollow- Kate Pearsall: The James women of Caball Hollow were each born with a unique gift. Most call it witchcraft, but Linden often views it as a burden. Her ability to taste the emotions of others has always made it hard for her to interact with people and seemed to ruin her relationship with Cole Spencer. After spilling her deepest secret to Cole, Linden vanished into the forest surrounding their town and was found the next morning, with no memory of what happened. A year later, another girl goes missing in the woods, unlike Linden, who doesn't make it home. When Linden starts regaining some memories of that night, she realizes something dangerous is lurking in the woods, and some secrets should stay buried.

The first thing about this that caught my eye was the cover, but then I read the synopsis and was hooked. This had so many elements that I loved. Creepy small-town setting? Check. A family with generational magic? Check. A murder mystery? Check. Character-wise, I liked Linden and her family a lot. They felt like such a staple in this town, and I liked how rooted they were in the old mountain ways. I thought it was cool how they all had their own ability, but I wished it was more prominent in the plot. I liked seeing Linden unravel the mystery of what happened to her, and how it tied into her family's history. My only complaint was that the pacing felt very slow until the last 15-20%, and then it wrapped up super fast. I still found it enjoyable, and recommend it if you like atmospheric reads.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 9-5-23
Adult - Horror

The September House- Carissa Orlando: Once Margaret and her husband Hal stepped inside the sprawling Victorian home on Hawthorn Street, they knew they found their perfect match, and at such a reasonable price. The house was perfect, with a large study where Hal could write his books and a sunny room where Margaret could paint. But then September rolled around, and the walls started bleeding. Margaret and Hal aren't the only inhabitants in the house, and they're terrified of what lurks in the basement. After four years of hauntings, Hal decides he's had enough and leaves abruptly, but Margaret stays behind. But things begin to escalate once their concerned daughter visits, and Margaret decides it's time to take back her house.

I love a good haunted house story, and this was so fun. There were so many macabre elements like bleeding walls, disfigured ghosts, and incessant moaning. I liked how it only seemed to happen one month out of the year so that alone made this story feel different from others I've read. I liked Margaret as a character. She was resilient and strong, and I admired the lengths she'd go for a prime piece of real estate. I found her relationship with Katherine annoying at times (but that could be because I didn't particularly like Katherine), but their mother/daughter bond grew on me by the end. I thought some of the plot was predictable and was a touch campy, but overall, I enjoyed this and think it would be a good read for Grady Hendrix fans.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 10-4-22
Adult - Horror

Such Sharp Teeth- Rachel Harrison: Rory Morris left her small town and all the bad memories attached as soon as she could, intending to never look back. But when her pregnant twin sister needs help, Rory reluctantly agrees to return. After a night out, Rory hits a large animal with her car. When she gets out to investigate, she's attacked and wakes in the woods differently. Rory is now unnaturally strong, with a keen sense of smell and an aversion to silver. She can feel herself changing with the moon, shifting into something powerful. Rory refuses to become a monster or put her family in danger, but will she be able to tame the animal within?

I thought this was a horror story, but it read more like women's fiction. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, just not what I expected. I liked Rory as a character. She had that dry sense of humor I always appreciated. I enjoyed her relationship with her sister. There's a lot of family drama between Rory and her mom that I thought got brushed to the side, but I get that it wasn't the main focus. I also liked the relationship between Rory and Ian. I think my issue with this was that I wanted more werewolf-y bits. There are a few instances when Rory changes, and there's a cool fight scene at one point, but I feel like it could've been ramped up more. Still, it was a quick read and would be good for the spooky season.

Rating: 3/5

Library Haul

Hello, all!

It was super rainy this morning, so it was the perfect time to go to the library.

1. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter-Brandon Sanderson

2. Dragonfall- L. R. Lam

3. Their Vicious Games- Joelle Wellington

4. The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic- Breanne Randall

5. The Society for Soulless Girls- Laura Steven

Blog Tour: The Roaring Days of Zora Lily Review

Hello, all!

I've rekindled my love of historical fiction lately, so I'm excited to be a part of the blog tour for The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar. Big thanks to the publisher for having me!

Pub Date: 10-3-23
Adult - Historical Fiction

In 2023, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is getting ready to launch a new exhibit featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to the present. While working on one of the dresses, a conservator uncovers a name hidden under the garment label, prompting her to wonder-- who is Zora Lily?

In 1924, Zora Hough and her family were merely trying to make ends meet in Seattle. Zora spends most of her time patching clothing to bring in extra money, silently dreaming about becoming a famous designer. When her best friend gets a job dancing at a jazz club, Zora gets swept up by the glamour of it all. Soon, Zora is fixing costumes and catching the eye of a handsome businessman. Suddenly, Zora has connections that could lead to the life she's always wanted, but at what cost?

This book wasn't what I expected, but I enjoyed it. I thought it would be a dual timeline/POV story following the museum conservator and Zora. I thought we'd watch the curator uncover Zora's story together, but that wasn't the case. Her character seemed to be there to introduce Zora and then wrap her life up at the end. It felt a bit pointless, and I thought the end bit between her and Zora's family wasn't as impactful because we knew nothing about her character. Other than that, I liked Zora's story. She had such determination and grit. I loved watching her work to make her dreams come true on her terms. I also found the romance between her and Harley to be super sweet. If you love historical fiction or fashion, I recommend checking it out.

Rating: 3/5

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 10-3-23
Adult - Contemporary

Wreck the Halls- Tessa Bailey: Despite meeting only once when they were sixteen, Beat Dawkins and Melody Gallard have always been a part of each other's lives. Their mothers fronted one of the biggest rock groups of the '90s, and rumors of their feud and break-up still swirl around the internet. Beat and Melody have spent their lives hounded by people wanting to know the truth, and it seems like the wait is over. When a producer offers Beat a lot of money to sign on to a reality TV show reuniting his and Melody's mothers for a Christmas performance, he's hard-pressed to say no, but he won't do it without Melody. Melody isn't one for the spotlight but is willing to put her anxieties aside to help Beat. Neither are prepared for the media frenzy that follows or that more people seem interested in Beat and Melody's raging attraction than seeing Steel Birds reunite. But dredging up the past means bringing long-buried secrets to light that have the potential to ruin everything.

You can always count on Bailey to have a male love interest who is 100% obsessed with the main character, and this was no exception. Beat and Melody spent about five minutes together when they were sixteen, and the dude has been harboring a protective desire for her ever since. Don't get me wrong, who doesn't swoon over a guy who is helplessly in love with the main character? But I don't think it fully worked here. The storyline takes place over about two weeks, and I didn't feel that was enough time to develop the relationship. Everything just felt so rushed. They did have insane chemistry, and it was cute how they were both in love with each other for years, but I wanted more emotional depth. We got there eventually, but again, it just felt rushed. I also thought everything about the reality show they were filming felt far-fetched. Still, it was entertaining, and I think fans of Bailey will eat this up.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 7-11-23
Adult - Contemporary

Forget Me Not- Julie Soto: For someone who doesn't believe in marriage, Ama Torres loves her job as a wedding planner. She loves giving others the wedding of their dreams, and her small business is about to make a big name for itself when Ama scores the wedding of a lifetime. Ama couldn't be more excited to work the wedding for a social media influencer, but there's one hiccup-- Elliot Bloom. When Elliot first inherited his family's flower shop, he hated it. He wanted to be an architect, not a florist, but somewhere along the way, he grew to love his job. He doesn't love working with his ex-girlfriend who turned him down after he proposed two years ago. Ama is determined to make this wedding work, but Elliot is still as handsome as ever, and it doesn't help that the two brides mistake his grumpiness for flirtation and keep trying to set them up. It's clear the pair still has feelings for one another, but can they make it work the second time around?

I've seen this floating around the internet lately, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. I thought it was cute, but it didn't wow me. I liked the idea of this wedding planner who doesn't believe in marriage falling for this grumpy florist. It's such a cute concept. There's nothing I enjoy more than a grumpy love interest, and Elliot fits the bill perfectly. As for Ama, I liked her, but there was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way. I'm not sure why, but it took me a while to warm up to her. I felt the same way about the relationship between her and Elliot. It was okay, but I thought it relied too much on physical attraction, and I would've liked to have seen more emotional depth. I also thought it would be more prominent in the storyline, but it felt like more of a subplot. Despite that, I liked Soto's writing style and flew through this in one sitting, and would still recommend it if you like second-chance romances.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 10-3-23
YA - Fantasy

The Hurricane Wars- Thea Guanzon: All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. She was orphaned as a young girl but has found family amongst the other soldiers fighting for freedom against the tyrannical Night Emperor. Talasyn will do whatever it takes to protect her country, but in doing so, she must keep her true nature as a Lightweaver--someone who can channel the power of light--a secret. But when she meets Alalric, the heir to the Night Emperor and a shadow wielder, on the battlefield, their powers merge, creating a force never seen before. Soon, despite their misgivings, the pair are thrust into an uneasy alliance. With a larger threat on the horizon, Talasyn and Alaric know the key to stopping it lies within their strange new magic. But will the tension between them save their world or doom it?

This book is so Reylo coded it's insane. I didn't realize that going in, but then it was all I could see. I even pictured the main characters as Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver. The entire thing felt a bit Star Wars-esque. Being a fan of that franchise, you would think I'd eat this book up, but that wasn't the case. It was good, but something was lacking. It took me a while to find my footing in the story because you're just dumped right into the middle of a battle with no explanation. The world-building and lore could've been expanded, especially the magic system. The pacing also felt wonky as the first half felt chaotic, but it fizzled and became almost boring. I enjoyed all the cultural elements woven throughout, and the banter between Talasyn and Alaric. Their relationship didn't wow me, but their interactions made me chuckle. While it's not a new favorite, I'm interested enough to pick up the next book when it comes out.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 10-3-23
Adult - Retelling

An Unexpected Ally- Sophia Kouidou-Giles: Circe is a powerful sorceress living on the remote island of Aeaea. For the past year, Circe has been joined on her island by Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his men, but now the time has come for them to continue their journey home. Circe is sad to see Odysseus leave, but soon her eye is turned by the amphibian god Glaucus. When her mother, Perse, convinces her to seek out Glaucus, the pair head off. Circe has always had a strained relationship with her mother but is glad for her involvement once she meets Glaucus. Circe believes that things between them are going well, with her sharing her vast knowledge of herbs, but Circe can tell Skylla, a local girl, has captured Glaucus's attention. Circe eventually returns to Aeaea, but soon learns of trouble brewing back in Delos, and it's up to her to set it to rights.

As soon as I hear "Greek mythology retelling," I'm sold. The story of Circe is one of my favorites, which also piqued my interest. It felt like a fresh take on the story and included characters I hadn't seen portrayed before. That was a point in its favor as it helped set it apart from the myriad other retellings. I liked the dynamic between Circe and Skylla and seeing their relationship grow throughout the story. I also liked the pacing. Nothing felt like it dragged, and it was full of adventurous moments that kept me hooked. My only minor issue was that the writing felt clunky at times, but overall, I thought this was a solid read.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!