the page turner

Review: Red City by Marie Lu

2026-03-08T17:26:00.003+00:00

Red City is my first book by Marie Lu and to say I loved it would be an understatement. It's honestly been a while since I've read a book quite like this one!

The perspective alternates between Sam and Ari. I thought both main characters were layered and interesting. I love the growth they went through and can't wait to see where their relationship goes in the next book. I do love a good friends-to-lovers romance!

The alchemy aspect of the book I found fascinating, and the plot was compelling from start to finish, not a boring moment in sight. I was always excited to pick it back up and dive back in. A feeling I haven't had in ages, to be honest.

Urban fantasy it not usually my jam but everything about Red City worked for me, I can't wait for the sequel!

Review: Witchlight by Susan Dennard

2025-12-15T18:25:00.005+00:00

Paths converge and prophecies unfold as Safi and Iseult―the legendary Cahr Awen―fight their way across the Witchlands to heal the final Origin Well. With ancient figures rising from the past, the Raider King’s armies gathering for war, and the magic at the heart of everything dying too fast, the entire world is now on the brink of collapse.
But when Safi and Iseult reach the Air Well with the Bloodwitch Aeduan at their side, they discover too late that Eridysi's Lament is not the prophecy they thought it was―and their journeys are only just beginning.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

It's finally here, the fifth and final book in the Witchlands series! It's been four years since I read the fourth book, but my excitement for this series hasn't lessened.

I have to admit that initially I was a bit confused as it has been years since I read the last book. However, I looked up a series summary online which helped jog my memory, so I recommend doing that if you're in the same position. As we the previous books, Witchlight, is told from multiple POVs, meaning there may be some you're more interested than others. This was the case with me, not going to lie. There were some POVs I was itching to finish so I could get to my faves!

I was really looking forward to the romance between Iseult and Aeduan, and Dennard did not disappoint. These two have been my favourite characters from the start, I like how they began as closed off but as the series progressed they let their walls down with each other. One of the best slow burns I've read!

Overall, this was a thoroughly satisfying ending, definitely worth the wait!

Rating:

Review: Break Room by Miye Lee

2025-10-12T14:56:00.000+01:00

Who is the biggest villain in your office?

A gripping and incisive psychological drama from the internationally bestselling author of DallerGut Dream Department Store.

Eight unsuspecting people receive an invitation to participate in a mysterious new reality show called Break Room. But what starts as an opportunity for fame is quickly revealed to be something far more unsettling when they learn how they were chosen - voted in by their own co-workers as the people they'd least like to share a break room with.

But there's another twist. Among them is an imposter - a mole planted by the show's producers. The only way to win the prize money is to uncover the saboteur before time runs out.

Labelled as "villains", the participants are left to grapple with the alarming realisation that their actions might be perceived differently by others. As alliances shift and paranoia festers, the contestants begin to realise that the true challenge isn't surviving the show - it's facing their own selves.

Welcome . . . Step into the world of the reality show, Break Room, where every smile hides suspicion, and every word could be a clue.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

What initially caught my attention about Break Room is the cover, it's so eye catching! Then I read the synopsis and thought it sounded like it would be a fun satire. Essentially it's based on the topic of annoying break room habits. If you work/have ever worked in an office I think you'll be able to relate. It's an interesting look into how other people perceive our acts, and how they may not come off the way we intended. It also talks about how people don't take the time to understand someone before disliking them. Overall, it's a short and punchy novella that makes me appreciate being able to work from home.

Rating:

Review: A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal

2025-08-17T15:19:00.002+01:00

White Roaring is sharpening its fangs after the deadly night that left the city in shambles. The press are dead, the public calls for justice, vampires are in danger, and amid the turmoil, the Ram announces a celebration.
Still reeling from the bloodshed, Arthie Casimir has no time to mourn the death of anyone, let alone her own. She has no time for love, either, but it had saved her life. As Arthie navigates new emotions and new allies, she must reassemble her scrambled crew and scrape what little they have left to fight one last time – and she will need to face the ghosts of her past to do it.
In Ceylan.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 25/09/2025

A Steeping of Blood was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year, and it did not disappoint! It was a brilliant follow up and conclusion to Arthie's story.

I loved everything about this sequel. From the growing bond between the found family, the development of the relationships (especially Arthie and Flick, so cute!), to Flick coming into her own, and Arthie making some much needed realisations.

It's more than just a fantasy book - it tackles colonialism, prejudice, and oppression. Arthie has to confront her past and return to her country of birth, Ceylan (a colonised modern day Sri-Lanka.) As with the first book the chapters were short and told from the POV of three of the main characters, with the added bonus of Matteo's POV (which as someone who was intrigued by his character in the first book, I loved!). There was nonstop action, which kept the story moving with no boring moments.

There was also the perfect amount of romantic tension from both couples, though Arthie and spoiler were by far my favourite. Right from the start there was romantic yearning galore.

The ending was bitter sweet, and unfortunately the bitter part is what kept this from a being a five star for me.

Rating:

Review: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

2025-07-03T17:25:00.002+01:00

Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, Bersun the Brusque must end his reign. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders compete to replace him. They are exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists—the best of the best.
Then one of them is murdered.
It falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer before the trials end. To do so, she must untangle a web of deadly secrets that stretches back generations, all while competing against six warriors with their own dark histories and fierce ambitions. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in.
If she succeeds, she will win the throne. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen.
We are the Raven, and we are magnificent.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher.

I have to admit that I have been disillusioned with the fantasy genre lately. It's been so long, but finally I have found a fantasy book, the first in a planned trilogy, that blew me away!

I liked that the characters in The Raven Scholar were on the older side, although I do have to say the main character, Neema, did not read like a thirty something year old. Don't get me wrong, she was a great mc, easy to root for, and I loved her scholarly nature. However, she was quite naive and wouldn't have felt out of place as an mc in a YA book.

Another positive that I have to mention is how when describing characters the author mentions when they are white, thus not letting us assume they are white by default. I also appreciated that she plainly described the skin colour of POC, there was no food comparisons or ambiguous "bronze" nonsense.

The Raven Scholar was also unexpectedly humourous. The humour came in the form of a Raven whose POV is included throughout. It narrates parts of the story and its sassy tone was so funny, I can imagine it being fun to listen to on audiobook. The main plot involves trails and although I'm not usually the biggest fan of trial storylines I actually enjoyed this one. The plot was very intricate and I honestly did not see the plot twist coming. I'm very curious to see how the story continues.

The only thing that let me down was the romance. Normally I love a good friends to lovers arc (underappreciated, in my opinion), but Neema and her love interest, Cain, read like really good friends rather than lovers. Cain was a lovable and fun character, but there wasn't enough tension or chemistry between him and Neema. That being said it was only a small part of the book, so it can be overlooked.

To summarise, The Raven Scholar, was a welcome surprise, truly a breath of fresh air!

Rating:

Review: The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao

2025-04-12T17:15:00.005+01:00

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.
Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.
Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, Àn’yīng finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng.
The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, Àn’yīng will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for or if he’s the most dangerous player of all . . . for herself and for all the realms.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher.

This wasn't the most amazing book ever, the main characters were cliched and there was some obvious plot twists, such as the identity of Àn’yīng's jade pendant guardian. However, it was still a fun and easy read.

I loved the dark and alluring atmosphere, and the vampire like creatures called mó. I'm not a fan of trails in books as I usually find them boring, but as this read quite fast I didn't mind. I will say that I wasn't attached to the the main characters due to them being your stereotypical romantasy archetypes. Which meant I wasn't invested in their romance, despite some great moments of tension. Something that annoyed me was how the love interest, Yù’chén, kept saying Àn’yīng's name at the beginning or end of every sentence addressed to her.

While I am somewhat curious to see how the story continues and concludes, I doubt I will be picking up the sequel.

Rating:

Review: A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lam

2025-03-13T13:29:00.001+00:00

A gifted art forger, Truyan Saigas has the unique ability to paint the future. But when her father is lost at sea, not even magic can heal her family, or save her two younger sisters from the dangerous consequences of her mother's gambling debts.
Then Elang, a mysterious dragon lord, offers her a deal: in exchange for a fresh start for her mother and sisters, Tru must enter a marriage contract and join him in his desolate undersea palace.
Once there, Tru will embark on her most dangerous forgery yet. To infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle and paint a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms...

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 05/06/2025

I would describe A Forgery of Fate as whimsical, which is not usually something that appeals to me. However, I thought the under water setting, with the talking turtles and sassy water demon, was fun.

I loved the family dynamics in this, Tru's love for her sisters and her parents was heart-warming. Even better was the fact that she didn't forget about them after the love interest was introduced. She was focused on doing what she had to in order for them to have a better life, and that didn't waver throughout. Although she was sometimes reckless, doing things without thinking of the consequences, I wasn't mad about it as she was a lovable main character with an empathetic nature.

The romance between Tru and Elang was Beauty and the Beast-esque, which is a dynamic I like. While I found the plot twist regarding Elang obvious it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Nor did the fact that it was plain from the start that he liked Tru.

A Forgery of Fate is one of the better fantasy books I've read of recently, a strong standalone.

Rating:

Review: The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

2024-11-27T12:41:00.008+00:00

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade – but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.
As she makes her way back to the revolution, her journey takes her to Venice, where she learns a dangerous secret – one that could change the face of the war between humans and immortals. Before she can return to London, she must help the Domino Programme unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist.
And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories – Arcturus Mesarthim – might also hold the key to saving Italy.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 25/02/2025

The Bone Season series is one of my favourite on-going series'. I'm so grateful to have read this advanced readers copy after 4 years of waiting for the fifth installment. Unsurprisingly, I have given it five stars, my second of the year!

I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, so I will keep this review short. In The Dark Mirror Paige visits non-Scion controlled countries for the first time, with Italy being the main setting. From her time there you get a real sense of just how much control Scion has over the countries it rules, as Paige experiences mundane things for the first time such as drinking a latte or wearing jeans. I don't really read urban fantasy, but the fantasy elements in this series combined with the dystopian elements blend together nicely to create an unique and fascinating world. Shannon paints a vivid and beautiful vision of the countries Paige visits, so much so that you feel as if you're really there.

I would say that this is the most romantic book in the series so far. Warden and Paige have a complex relationship, and while usually at this point, five books into the series, I would loose interest that most definitely isn't the case here.

Paige is as resilient as ever, and the cast of secondary characters from Nick and Maria to Maria's girlfriend, Verča, make a wonderful team. I also like that we see more of the Ranthen, and get to know their personalities better. I hope their presence continues to grow in the next book.

With high stakes and a cleverly woven plot, The Dark Mirror, made me feel a roller coaster of emotions. I can't believe we're nearing the end of the series with only two more books to go, hopefully the wait for the next installment isn't too long!

Rating:

Review: Emberclaw by L.R. Lam

2024-11-26T10:40:00.003+00:00

Arcady faces their greatest heist yet: posing as a noble student at the arcane University of Vatra. When the University announces the reinstatement of archaic trials of magic, the ever-penniless Arcady seizes the chance. If they win, they not only prove their worth, but the scholarship will give them more time to unlock secrets and reveal, once and for all, that their grandsire was not the Plaguebringer. Yet grief still leaves Arcady broken, and when they close their eyes, they dream of a certain dragon.
Everen, once the hope of dragons, is now hated by his kind. When he is eventually released from his prison, the Queen is clear: while he may help protect the island from wraith attacks, he is no longer a prince of the realm. As he struggles to find his place in Vere Celene, visions of the past, the future, and tantalizing glimpses of Arcady still haunt him. If he steers the wrong path through fate’s storm, he may never be able to create a future where both humans and dragons live in harmony.
Arcady soon realizes that to survive the rising threats from both their old life and their new one, they must use every trick at their disposal—even magic stolen from a dragon they thought dead. And as time runs out before an ancient danger awakens, Everen must fight his way back to Arcady, earn their forgiveness, and learn what it truly means to be an Emberclaw.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 06/03/2025

I was so excited when I got approved to read an advanced readers copy of Emberclaw, one of my most anticipated sequels of 2025.

Arcady is now a student at the University of Vatra, trying to secretly uncover the truth about the events that lead to the death of the Plaguebringer (aka her grandsire). I loved the magical school setting and although it sounds cliche it very much gave Harry Potter vibes. The classroom setting, studying in the library, and eating in the great hall...I could imagine it as a movie. As her studies begin there is an announcement that the Trials, a magical competition that has not been conducted for many years, is being re-introduced. Arcady of course enters the Trials as the prize is a full scholarship for the winner, and a partial scholarship for the two runners up. I'm not usually a fan of trials as I find them boring, however, the trials Lam created were both entertaining and interesting.

There is no second book syndrome here. As was the case with the first book, Emberclaw, had a very gripping plot with no dull moments. The short chapters made it go by so fast, I was unwilling to put my Kindle down, but alas life. I enjoyed the reveals and how all the plot points and character arcs converged. I also liked the students Arcady initially befriended for their connections, but later became true friends with. Plus, we get to know more about Sorin, who at the behest of Magnus, goes undercover as a student to keep an eye on Arcady. Her relationship with her wyvern was cute!

I can't write a review of this and not comment on the romance, one of my favourite aspects of this duology. It was just as compelling as it was in Dragonfall. Lam really knows how to write tension! The communication and build up trust was well executed. Both Arcady and Everen are layered characters that grow and develop individually and together.

According to my advanced readers copy of the first book, Dragonfall, this was originally going to be a trilogy. I'm not sure what happened that made it so it's now a duology, but I think it's a shame. The ending was satisfying and even though there was a bit of telling rather than showing (due to having to condense it down to a duology, I think) this was a good follow up. However, I feel like it could have been so much better if we had gotten another book to continue with the threads that the author left open. There was more to explore in terms of the world, and the secondary characters who I was just beginning to warm to, could have had a chance to become more fleshed out. I can't further discuss what I wanted more of as it would spoil the ending, but suffice to say it begs to be further explored.

This is such an underrated gem of a duology, I can't recommend it enough to anyone who enjoys fantasy books with dragons.

Rating:

Review: Now Comes the Mist by Julie C. Dao

2024-06-28T11:28:00.008+01:00

Lucy Westenra is beautiful, rich, loved by three men—every inch a lady. But beneath this sparkling, flirtatious facade, she is fascinated by death, which has stalked her throughout her short life. For her, the dead do not slip away easily, as they do for her best friend, Mina; they linger.
When Lucy departs for Whitby, her nightly sleepwalks introduce her to the mysterious Vlad, who seems to see parts of her she has never let show before. Vlad makes her an Every century, he seeks out the “perfect woman of the age,” who embodies all the values of her society, to live with him in immortality—and Lucy could very well be this woman. For the first time, she feels herself able to share her darker side with someone. Thinking herself dreaming, she agrees to cheat death with him.
When Vlad finally appears in the light, it is aboard a ship covered in corpses. He toys with Lucy and mocks her in Mina’s presence. And one night, he drains a corpse dry right before her eyes. He is a vampire, a monster ready to take her. He expects a good Victorian lady, appalled by his darkness, a victim. But Lucy is only enraptured. When Vlad reacts with violence, Lucy has no choice but to fight for her agency, even if it means giving up her humanity. And her tormentor will soon find she is no easy opponent...
The first book of a duology that retells Dracula from the point of view of Lucy Westenra, this gothic romance is perfect for fans of Penny Dreadful and Danielle L. Jensen.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 01/10/2024

I have been in the biggest reading slump of my life and this is exactly what I needed to get me out of it. Now Comes the Mist is a Dracula re-telling told from the point of view of Lucy. I listened to Dracula on audiobook in 2019 and really enjoyed the experience. This is a re-telling that is just as gothic and atmospheric.

My only complaint is regarding Lucy. While for the most part I liked and felt for her, she was also quite frustrating. Specifically when it came to decision making. She acted without thinking things through, and didn't deal well with the consequences.

I will say that if action is what you're after there's not much here. What you'll find instead is ball gowns, flirting (a love square), and a very creepy and manipulative vampire. We don't spend enough time with any of the love interests to really be able to root for them. However, I will say that I did like them all and they each had a distinct personality. On the subject of relationships, the friendship between Lucy and Mina was heart-warming.

Overall, Now Comes the Mist was a fast paced read. If you want a Dracula re-telling with a POC cast and a bold Lucy that takes agency of her life, look no further.

Rating:

Review: The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

2024-03-23T21:58:00.005+00:00

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.
The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.
In the army, Meilin's relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.
With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 02/07/2024

The Night Ends with Fire is a Mulan re-telling with a twist. I love Mulan so of course I had to pick it up, and it 100% delivered. I will say that the pacing might not work for everyone, as it jumps from one thing to the next quite a bit. I'm usually not a fan of that as I enjoy the journey, however, it worked here. In my opinion, anything extra added between the time jumps would have felt like filler. Instead the pacing was fast and the action kept me hooked and eager to continue reading.

The main character, Meilin, wants more than the lot women are afforded in this world. What sets her apart from your typical heroine is that she is unapologetically ambition, and although she has to save the world, her reason for wanting to do so is not selfless. She doesn't want to save the world for the sake of humanity, she wants to save it to protect her loved ones. I really liked her relationship with her step-mum, it was heartwarming and a change from the usual horrible step-mum set up. She also tentatively develops a friendship with another female character, and I hope she encounters more in the sequel as I love seeing women supporting women.

The world building was straight forward with no info dumps, making this the perfect read for fantasy novices. I found the concept of the spirits and the magic tied to them to be fascinating.

Another aspect of The Night Ends with Fire I enjoyed is the romance. I will say that there is a love triangle, but personally it didn't bother me. I know who I'm rooting for and hope that he is end game. The development of his relationship with Meilin was naturally paced and such a good slow burn.

Needless to say, I can't wait for the release of the conclusion to the story!

Rating:

Review: Ghost Roast by Shawnelle & Shawnee Gibbs, Illustrated by Emily Cannon

2024-03-08T20:00:00.009+00:00

For as long as she can remember, Chelsea Grant has tried everything she can think of to distance herself from the disastrous damage her father does to her social life. It's not easy to shake her reputation as Ghost Girl when Dad keeps advertising his business as a "paranormal removal expert" in big, bold, loud letters all over New Orleans!
This year, Chelsea's all grown up, attending one of the most prestigious high schools in the city, and she's finally made friends with the popular crowd. Things are looking up—until a night on the town backfires spectacularly, landing her in hot water at home. Her punishment? Working for her dad at Paranormal Removal Services. All. Summer.
Worst of all, her new job reveals an unexpected secret she has to keep: While Dad hunts ghosts with his own DIY tech, Chelsea can actually see them. And when she meets Oliver, a friendly spirit, at the fancy mansion her dad is getting a handsome fee to exorcize, she realizes she has to save his after-life, even if it risks everything her father's worked for.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an advance reader's copy for review from the publisher

My favourite thing about Ghost Roast is the stunning colour palette and art style. It really brought the story to life for me.

I think this is the perfect graphic novel for the target YA audience. Chelsea struggles with a lot of things that I'm sure teens can relate to such as fitting in at school, coming from a low income background, divorced parents...

The start of Ghost Roast was a little slow, but as the story progressed and the action picked up I become more engaged. The overall tone of it gave me ghost buster vibes, as Chelsea gets roped into helping her dad with his paranormal removal services business over the summer. Apart from the ghost busting, or shall I say roasting, it also dealt with some heavier topics. The manor they were hired to investigate was a former plantation so there were discussions of the slave trade and the treatment of POC during that time period.

I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan of Chelsea's friends and the way they treated her. However, it was a realistic portrayal. My opinion has more to do with me no longer being a teen and as such viewing them from an adult lens. I did like Chelsea's dad's assistant Russ, though. A guy of few words who was wise for his age. I also enjoyed seeing Chelsea come into her own and accept herself for who she was. Plus, the not quite romance with Oliver, the ghost she encounters at the manor, was cute.

Rating:

Review: A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

2023-11-09T15:54:00.008+00:00

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.
Calling upon a band of misfits, Arthie formulates a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not every member of her crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 22/02/2024

We're nearing the end of 2023 and I have found my first five star read of the year! I think we can all agree that title comparisons are rarely accurate, but trust me when I say that if you're a fan of Six of Crows you will love this. It has all the same ingredients - found family, a diverse cast of characters, a heist, and ship worthy romances. On top of all that there is an all POC cast, vampires, and colonialism!

A Tempest of Tea is told from the point of view of Arthie, Jin, and Flick. Going back to the Six of Crows comparison, Arthie is Kaz Brekker coded and Jin is Jesper coded, in my opinion. I really enjoyed their brother/sister type relationship, and how Jin balanced Arthie's serious nature with his charm. Both are orphans who have worked hard to make a name for themselves. Completing this trio, there is Flick. She is from a more privileged background and while not quite as interesting as Arthie and Jin, she is no less likable.

I had a hard time putting A Tempest of Tea down, it was action packed from the get go and the short chapters made it fast paced. It delves into talks of colonialism, which I wasn't expecting but loved. There is even an East India Company adjacent called the East Jeevant Company. I also found the heist aspect of the story, from the planning to the actual execution, to be fun. Add in Vampires, my favourite supernatural creature, and a tea room that turns into a bloodhouse for vampires by night, and you've got yourself a winner.

There are two central romances. Arthie's romantic arc involves a love triangle, but I say that in the loosest sense of the word. I wasn't really keen on the obvious love interest. However, the second and more subtle love interest, Matteo, had me intrigued as soon as he appeared on page. There isn't really anything concrete between them romantically, apart from a very small sprinkle of tension. However, I can see something potentially developing in the sequel. At least, I hope so!

I will say that to me the twist was quite obvious from the start, but that honestly didn't take away from my enjoyment. If anything, I was more invested and wanted to see how it would play out. If you can't already tell, I absolutely devoured A Tempest of Tea and am so, so excited about the sequel!

Rating:

Review: All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi

2023-10-31T11:08:00.008+00:00

As the long-lost heir to the Jinn throne, Alizeh has finally found her people—and she might’ve found her crown. Cyrus, the mercurial ruler of Tulan, has offered her his kingdom in a twisted exchange: one that would begin with their marriage and end with his murder.
Cyrus’s dark reputation precedes him; all the world knows of his blood-soaked past. Killing him should be easy—and accepting his offer might be the only way to fulfill her destiny and save her people. But the more Alizeh learns of him, the more she questions whether the terrible stories about him are true.
Ensnared by secrets, Cyrus has ached for Alizeh since she first appeared in his dreams many months ago. Now that he knows those visions were planted by the devil, he can hardly bear to look at her—much less endure her company. But despite their best efforts to despise each other, Alizeh and Cyrus are drawn together over and over with an all-consuming thirst that threatens to destroy them both.
Meanwhile, Prince Kamran has arrived in Tulan, ready to exact revenge…

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

📌 Publication date: 15/02/2024

All This Twisted Glory was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. I loved the first two books in the series, so it hurts to give this one 3.5 stars.

Let's get into why. I enjoyed the small glimpse of Cyrus we got at the end of book one and hoped we would see more of him in the sequel. Also, that he would become a love interest, as I wasn't a fan of Kamran. Tahereh delivered both of these things in These Infinite Threads. I loved the development and exploration of Alizeh's and Cyrus' relationship in the sequel, and how much page time was spent on this. One of my issues, however, with this book was that Cyrus' POV was included. Let me preface this by saying that I was actually pleased when I first heard that his POV was going to be included. It's unfortunate then that it became one of the downfalls of the book. Being in Cyrus' head changed my view of him. He went from being a cool and mysterious love interest to an angsty emo boy. The internal angst and lack of dialogue from his POV was too much. Don't get me wrong, I felt for him because he has certainly been through a lot. It's just that the constant moping got tiring after a while. The romance was the thing I was most looking forward to, so it's a shame that having his perspective somewhat killed it for me. It was better when we only saw him through Alizeh's eyes, in my opinion. Another frustrating thing is that while we do learn more about Cyrus, we still don't know why he entered into the bargain with the devil.

I forgave the sequel for the lack of action, but All This Twisted Glory was lacking in action as well. It was mostly full of angst and internal dialogue. I love angst and yearning, but being three books into the series I needed more, I wanted to see Alizeh finally become a queen and rally her people. Still, I'm continuing to root for her. With her kindness and compassion, she reminds me of a Disney princess.

I continue not to like Kamran, but his POV was the best as it featured Miss Huda, Deen, Omid, and Hazan. They brought the much needed comic relief and dialogue to the story. I also confess to shipping Kamran and Miss Huda. Like the tension and quips between these two? It was giving hate to love. His reactions to her and the way she wound him up was so funny. I mean, when he finally gets over Alizeh and opens his eyes to what a catch Miss Huda is, I can see her helping him on his journey to become the man he has the potential to be.

Despite some issues, I'm still invested and looking forward to continuing with the series.

Rating:

Review: Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J.Tuli

2023-10-11T16:16:00.003+01:00

For years, Zarya has been trapped in a gilded prison. Her magic is forbidden, a dangerous secret—though nobody will explain why. Now she is ready to break fr
ee and find the truth.
Escaping to the dazzling city of Dharati, Zarya discovers a new world of enchantment and intrigue. With the help of seductive, blood-drinking rakshasa and magic-weaving Aazheri sorcerers, she searches for answers.
But the city is under siege. Every night, dark creatures attack. And since Zarya’s arrival they are growing stronger. To protect her new home, Zarya joins the fight.
As she battles on the walls and hunts through libraries for clues about her gifts, Zarya’s dreams are haunted by a mysterious stranger. Powerful, arrogant and handsome, Rabin sees through her secrets and ignites a desire she cannot resist. But can he be trusted?
When darkness threatens to overwhelm Dharati, Zarya is faced with a deadly choice. Will revealing her magic save the city? Or destroy everything she loves?

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

From the acknowledgments: "For every brown girl who wanted to be the chosen one too". I mean, to say this spoke to me would be an understatement. Heart of Night and Fire was a fun read, the perfect palate cleanser between the other books I have been reading. It features an all POC cast and is inspired by Indian mythology. I can see how some people might find Zarya to be more of a YA character than adult, but to me her rashness, and what might be seen as childish behaviour, made sense in context. Imagine being forced to live in isolation with no explanation as to why, no knowledge about your past, with only two men for company - one of whom has put a magical barrier in place to stop you from escaping. With only her romance books for company, her naivety and curiosity made sense. While I will say that she frustrated me at times, she also grew on me as not only did she develop, but her relationship with the other characters developed.

The world was interesting and featured Rakshasa, who are basically vampire like creatures. I love vampires so that was a nice surprise. In terms of the Indian inspiration, the familiar clothes and food such as kaju katli, gulab jamun, and aloo paratha was a treat to see in a fantasy setting.

There is a love triangle of sorts. However, by the end of the book her relationship with one of the love interests all but comes to an end and the other one we're teased with. It was obvious from the moment she started having dreams of Rabin that he was being set up as the true love interest. Zarya doesn't actually met him for real until towards the end of the book, and I have to say from what little we do see of him I was not a fan of. He came across as a hot headed alpha male.

On the other hand, Zarya's relationship with Yasen was cute. I love a good platonic relationship, and while theirs was great I thought they had more chemistry than the actual love interests. It was giving hate to love.

With three more books to follow this was a solid introduction.

Rating:

Review: The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

2023-09-12T20:18:00.002+01:00

One dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth?
Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up.
Of course there's also the matter of the dead body. W
ho could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts. Will the show go on?

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 26/10/2023

I loved The Appeal, so I was looking forward to reading The Christmas Appeal.

A few things to know before going into it: If you haven't read The Appeal I don't think you'll enjoy this. In my opinion, it's for people who are already fans. While I once again liked the epistolary style, and thought it was nice being re-united with the quirky cast of characters, I have to admit I was let down. I went into it thinking it was going to be a full length novel, but at around 200 pages, it's actually more of a novella. The mystery, if it can even really be called that, doesn't come into play until much later in the book. I will confess that had I known this before hand I might not have been so eager to read it. Overall, The Christmas Appeal was a quick and somewhat fun read, but not really the great mystery I was hoping for.

Rating:

Review: The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

2023-09-06T18:24:00.006+01:00

All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire's shadows.
Prince Alaric, the emperor's only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire's rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.
Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion--one that could save their world...or destroy it.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 12/10/2023

While The Hurricane Wars didn't work for me, I'm sure it will be a hit among romantasy fans.

Fun fact: The Hurricane Wars started out as Reylo fan fiction. So, in terms of the relationship between Talasyn and Prince Alaric we have: an age gap, small girl vs. big boy (which I don't hate on principle, but it gets tiring when constantly mentioned), and of course an enemies to lovers romance. I wasn't really invested in their romance, because I wasn't invested in them as individuals. Which is a shame as I thought the tension between them, and the pining on his part was great. Plus, the spicy scene was well written. I mean, if you enjoy the boy falls first and is obsessed with the mc trope you will love this.

The word building was confusing, I couldn't imagine any of it. My biggest issue was that everything was centered around the romance. Personally, while I love a good romance in my fantasy I need the world and plot to be better developed.

The ending of the story didn't really pack a punch, it was very meh. While I am somewhat curious to see where the story goes next, I will not be picking up the sequel.

Rating:

Review: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

2023-08-20T12:17:00.012+01:00

In a kingdom where flames hold magic and the desert hides secrets, an ancient prophecy comes for an assassin, a princess, and a king. But none are ready to face destiny—and the choices they make could burn the world.
“If we carry the burdens of our fathers, we’ll never know what it means to be free.”
For Elena Aadya Ravence, fire is yearning. She longs to feel worthy of her Phoenix god, of her ancestors who transformed the barren dunes of Sayon into a thriving kingdom. But though she knows the ways and wiles of the desert better than she knows her own skin, the secrets of the Eternal Flame elude her. And without them, she’ll never be accepted as queen.
For Leo Malhari Ravence, fire is control. He is not ready to give up his crown—there’s still too much work to be done to ensure his legacy remains untarnished, his family protected. But power comes with a price, and he’ll wage war with the heavens themselves to keep from paying it.
For Yassen Knight, fire is redemption. He dreams of shedding his past as one of Sayon’s most deadly assassins, of laying to rest the ghosts of those he has lost. If joining the court of flame and serving the royal Ravence family—the very people he once swore to eliminate—will earn him that, he’ll do it no matter what they ask of him.
But the Phoenix watches over all and the fire has a will of its own. It will come for all three, will come for Sayon itself….and they must either find a way to withstand the blaze or burn to ash.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 31/08/2023

Originally self-published as The Boy with Fire, The Phoenix King, is an Indian inspired fantasy with sci-fi elements.

I loved Elena, she is a 25 year old princess/soon to be queen who is determined to bring change to her kingdom. Reading about a brown main character in a fantasy book, and coming across familiar words such as chaas, adrak wali chai, and burfi made my South Asian heart so happy. We also get the point of view of Elena's father, Leo, and an assassin called Yassen. I have to admit that I was disappointed with the name choices of Leo and Elena. I wish the author had gone for more authentic Indian names rather than these Western ones. It just didn't make sense to me seeing as the other characters had Indian names. That aside, I thought Leo was an interesting and morally grey character. I honestly don't think I've ever been so torn about what to think of a character. Some of the things he did were terrible, but at the same time he truly wanted what was best for his daughter and his kingdom. I mean, it was hard not to feel for him.

Although this is adult fantasy it reads like YA, and I don't mean that in an offensive way (I love YA fantasy), I just mean in terms of the plot and tropes. I will say that while there were a lot of deaths, I appreciated that they weren't just thrown in for the sake of showing how brutal the world was. The world building in, The Phoenix King, was richly crafted and it had some sci-fi elements that I wasn't expecting.

I like when books include the POV of the love interest as it helps build the romance, in my opinion. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. While I enjoyed their scenes together I never got the sense that Yassen had romantic feelings towards Elena and vise versa. I think Verma should have leaned into the forbidden romance trope more and included some pining and angst.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed, The Phoenix King, and am looking forward to the sequel.

Rating:

Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

2023-07-23T20:06:00.001+01:00

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

Believe it or not, I came across Fourth Wing before the hype. I was on the explore page of Instagram, when I saw the US publisher post the cover along with some buzz words. The buzz words in question were something along the lines of 'dragons, war college, and enemies to lovers' so of course as a fan of all those things I was sold.

When I got accepted to read an e-arc I was excited to dive in, but unfortunately my initial impression wasn't great. The modern day writing style and cringey dialogue didn't fit the fantasy setting. I thought okay this is going to be a DNF, but then after it was released there was all this hype. Hence I decided to give it a second chance to see what all the buzz was about. From having a look online the author's previous books are all romance. She doesn't have a fantasy background and it clearly shows from the lack of world building and writing style. I found the idea of students being able to kill each other without any consequences ridiculous. It seemed like the only reason it was included was to show that it was a brutal fantasy word. It just didn't make sense, especially considering that they needed people for the war effort.

While I admit that chapter 30 was well written I wasn't invested in the romance between Violet and Xaden at all. They hardly knew each other and there was no build up, it was just Violet constantly thinking about how hot Xaden was. Also, I know Xaden calling the mc, Violence, was meant to be cute but it didn't make sense as she wasn't violent. I mean, she was reluctant to kill or harm her peers.

Speaking of the romance, the love interest, Xaden, is a POC and this has been confirmed by the author. The fact that she had to state this and that there has been fan art casting him as white says it all. The words she used to describe him such as tawny and bronze brings to mind a tanned white person, so to me, it doesn't feel like a case of white washing. The fan art of Violet's best friend, Rhiannon, on the other hand have been of a black girl, and this is because she is described in a way that leaves no doubt i.e., the colour of her skin is stated clearly. None of this bronze/tawny nonsense.

On a more positive note I liked the main character, Violet. I can't help but root for an underdog and I appreciated how she used her intelligence and her background as a scribe to her advantage. Though I will say that the fact that the end of her hair is silver made me roll my eyes. Moving on to the secondary characters. Apart from Rhiannon and Liam the secondary character lacked depth, they honestly just felt like place holders. We were only given one characteristic about them, for example, that Ridoc was funny, and that's it.

Ultimately, this felt like watching an episode of my favourite trash TV franchise, The Real Housewives. It was a fun and entertaining time and the sequel, at least, I will likely read. The rest of the books, since there is going to be five apparently, I highly doubt I'll pick up.

If you want a good dragon book with morally grey characters, political intrigue, and a friends to lovers romance with pining, I would suggest checking out Fireborne by Rosaria Munda.

Rating:

Review: The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin

2023-06-27T17:30:00.009+01:00

Six months have passed since Célie took her sacred vows and joined the ranks of the Chasseurs as their first huntswoman. With her fiancé, Jean Luc, as captain, she is determined to find her foothold in her new role and help protect Belterra. But whispers from her past still haunt her, and a new evil is rising—one that Célie herself must vanquish, unless she falls prey to the darkness.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 26/09/2023

Based in the same world as the Serpent & Dove trilogy, The Scarlet Veil, is a fun read that is easy to get through. I have no interest in reading the Serpent & Dove trilogy, but what drew me to this book is the fact that it has vampires in it. If you haven't read the original trilogy I personally don't think it takes away from the story, but it depends on you as a reader. There are things referenced that I'm sure some readers will want full details on, but for me, it isn't necessary.

Some people may find the main character, Célie, frustrating, which is understandable. However, what I find most compelling about her is that she's just an ordinary girl who has faced trauma and come out the other side of it determined to make a difference. She's scared and naive, and yes she makes rash decisions, but ultimately she only wants to help. In my opinion, she's strong, just not in a sword wielding way.

I like her friend group, who are all anything but ordinary, and I'm sure if you've read the Serpent & Dove trilogy you'll appreciate their appearance.

Plot wise, as to be expected with vampires there is violence, romance (that I hope we get more of in the sequel), and rather unexpectedly, ghosts and a mischievous talking cat.

Be warned now that it ends on quite the cliffhanger! I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion and am glad it's not going to be dragged out into a trilogy.

Rating:

Review: A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

2023-06-05T20:19:00.007+01:00

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. She’s had no choice. Since childhood, she’s been haunted by visions of the Fairy King. She’s found solace only in the pages of Angharad - author Emrys Myrddin’s beloved epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, and then destroys him.
Effy’s tattered, dog-eared copy is all that’s keeping her afloat through her stifling first term at Llyr’s prestigious architecture college. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to design the late author’s house, Effy fells certain this is her destiny.
But Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task: a musty, decrepit estate on the brink of crumbling into a hungry sea. And when Effy arrives, she finds she isn’t the only one who’s made a temporary home there. Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar, is studying Myrddin’s papers and is determined to prove her favorite author is a fraud.
As the two rival students investigate the reclusive author’s legacy, piecing together clues through his letters, books, and diaries, they discover that the house’s foundation isn’t the only thing that can’t be trusted. There are dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspiring against them - and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 19/09/2023

This is the third book by Ava Reid I've read and it's another great one. All her books are different but the one thing they have in common is how atmospheric they are.

A Study in Drowning is dark academia excellence. It's got gloomy weather, a decrepit manor, a mystery, winter fashion, coffee, and of course academic rivals to lovers.

The story is about Effy, the only girl in an architecture college, who secretly longs to be a literature student. However, she is unable to pursue her dream due to them only accepting males. She is barely getting by, but then just when things truly start looking glum she gets accepted to design her favourite late author's manor. There she meets literature student and rival, Preston.

Once Effy arrives at the manor, which is creepy and unsettling, nothing is as it seems. There is a story within a story, and a mystery that forces her to team up with Preston to figure out.

Reid's female main characters are always compelling and nuanced. With Effy we have a young lady who is trying to find her voice after being surrounded by people telling her she is delusional.

I would describe the romance between Effy and Preston as sweet and soft, which if I'm honest, is not usually my cup of tea. However, this was so good! If that doesn't sway you, let me tell you this - if you're a fan of a certain scene in Holly Black's, The Cruel Prince, involving the love interest writing the main character's name over and over again. You may or may not find the same here. Just saying.

You can't say Ava Reid's books are typical or cliche, she always comes out with something new.

Rating:

Review: If I have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun

2023-04-25T17:41:00.009+01:00

Cara Tang doesn’t want to be haunted.
Look, the dead have issues, and Cara has enough of her own. Her overbearing mother insists she be the “perfect” Chinese American daughter—which means suppressing her ghost speaking powers—and she keeps getting into fights with Zacharias Coleson, the local golden boy whose smirk makes her want to set things on fire.
Then she stumbles across Zach’s dead body in the woods. He’s even more infuriating as a ghost, but Cara’s the only one who can see him—and save him.
Agreeing to resurrect him puts her at odds with her mother, draws her into a dangerous liminal world of monsters and magic—and worse, leaves her stuck with Zach. Yet as she and Zach grow closer, forced to depend on each other to survive, Cara finds the most terrifying thing is that she might not hate him so much after all.
Maybe this is why her mother warned her about ghosts.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher
📌 Publication date: 26/09/2023

I was looking forward to reading this book. The idea of a ghost and ghost speaker reminded me of, The Mediator, series by Meg Cabot, which I love. Unfortunately it ended up being a disappointment.

First, I want to say that there is nothing wrong with this book, it just didn't meet my expectations. It reads on the younger side of YA, bordering on middle grade at times. Passed down from her grandmother, Cara, has the ability to see and speak to ghosts. When she stumbles upon the dead body of her classmate and rival, Zach, she unwillingly agrees to help resurrect him. Thus begins their journey into the liminal world. Once they entered this world, the reading experience felt like watching a Disney movie or even playing a game. Cara and Zach had to beat a foe in order to move on/level up. There wasn't anything exciting about the mini quests, and if I'm honest the story was quite forgettable.

The one thing I did appreciate about, If I Have to Be Haunted, was the exploration into complicated family dynamics and the pressure of cultural expectations.

While it wasn't my cup of tea, I can see it appealing to the younger end of the target audience.

Rating:

Review: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

2023-04-17T14:05:00.002+01:00

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.
So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I.
So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song--complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn't this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That's what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.
But June can't get away from Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June's (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

📌 Publication date: 25/05/2023

I'm going to start by saying that this review is not going to be the most articulate, but alas I shall try.

If you're going into Yellowface hoping for likable characters then be warned now that you're not going to find any. In my opinion, the book's purpose isn't for any of the characters to be likable. I went into it the same way I do with mysteries, not expecting to like any of them, but there for the plot.

Yellowface is very meta. If you're familiar with Book Twitter a lot of the discussions and discourse in it will feel familiar. In a way, it's a relevant and necessary expose on the climate of publishing, which for the most part is glamourised. This shows it in a different light, although it's fiction I feel a lot of what Kuang has put in Yellowface is a real reflection of the bookish world.

I flew through Yellowface in all it's satirical glory, needing to know what the unhinged main character would do next. Although I'm a big fantasy reader I was never interested in reading R.F. Kuang's Poppy War trilogy. Her next book two books Babel and Yellowface took me by surprise, I can't wait to see what she publishes next!

Review:

Review: The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis

2023-03-14T18:14:00.017+00:00

Has she been sent to save the realm or destroy it?
As Spymaster to the Queen, Aya's blood oath ensures she protects those she fights alongside - including Will, the Queen's Enforcer and Aya's bitter rival.
When rumors of dark magic rise in a nearby kingdom, both are sent to investigate.
But when Aya's power acts beyond her gods-given affinity, she risks being turned into a weapon in a war she doesn't know how to win.
And when her relationship with Will unexpectedly shifts, neither know the danger that will follow . . .

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📌 Publication date: 11/05/2023
📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

I didn't get off to the best start with The Curse of Saints. The opening was cliche and I attempted to get past it quite a few times, to the point where I thought it might even be a DNF. However, I eventually came back to it and pushed through.

The author has been promoting the book for its' enemies to lovers romance, so I wasn't expecting much in terms of the plot. It's ironic then that the plot is what held my interest. I enjoyed the court politics and seeing the betrayals play out.

It's mostly told from Aya's and Will's point of view, and if I'm being honest I was pretty neutral about them both. It's the occasional third POV we get, from the prince of another kingdom, that I found intriguing. The only complaint I have about his POV is that when describing his mum and sister he mentioned the word 'curves', which I found awkward...

I've seen people complain about books marketed as enemies to lovers not actually delivering. If you're one of those people, then this is the book for you as it definitely reads like a true enemies to lovers romance. I mean, the knife to throat fans will eat this up. Unfortunately, I was indifferent to the romance. Which is a shame as I do love a good romance in my fantasy. One thing that annoyed me and made me roll my eyes was how Will kept saying love every time he said Aya's name. It was too much.

Romance aside, I'm curious to see where the story goes next.

Rating:

Review: One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

2023-02-15T22:03:00.006+00:00

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.
But nothing comes for free, especially magic.
When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.
Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest sec
ret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher

You know when you go into a book with no expectations and you end up really enjoying it? That's what happened to me with One Dark Window. It's a dark and atmospheric adult fantasy with YA crossover appeal. The perfect read for autumn/winter read, paired with your favourite hot beverage. I found Elspeth to be an interesting and layered main character, and the romance between her and Raven was perfectly paced and developed. The plot had me glued to my kindle from start to finish, there was never a dull moment. The ending has me both worried and eager to read the sequel to find out what happens next.

Rating: