There are many tasks that Corporal Kaylin Neya hates about being a Hawk. Most of those tasks involve paperwork – or running the front deBook Summary:
There are many tasks that Corporal Kaylin Neya hates about being a Hawk. Most of those tasks involve paperwork – or running the front desk. Yet when her partner is busy, those are the tasks she's forced to handle.
Kaylin's tendency for finding trouble shines through once again, turning desk duty into a potentially lethal new case full of ghosts, absent buildings, and Barrani history. In other words – all sorts of trouble.
My Review:
Holy cow, seven books in and still going strong! I'm always looking forward to this series because I know it'll deliver complex magical stories (often with a side of inter-species politics). Also, I adore the trouble Kaylin gets herself into.
As with the rest of this series, Kaylin's latest adventure is shockingly complex – especially when we consider the fact that it occurs over the time span of a mere week. Helps you understand how the series has run so long, yeah?
This is probably one of my favorite additions. Well, following Cast in Wisdom. The new characters introduced have a lot of personality and add even more charm to the series. This may come as a shock, given how extensive the cast already is. My only regret is that we're officially at the point where not every character can have their moment. For example, many pre-existing characters don't even make an appearance in this novel (sorry in advance if this includes one of your favorites).
Delving into the ghost lore of Elantra is long overdue. It's not something I realized was missing – until it was right in front of me. I can't wait to see what adventure is waiting for us on the horizon! Any theories?
Highlights High fantasy Sentient buildings Dragons Magic words Complex magical situations Part of a long-running series Stream of consciousness POV
There are many tasks that Corporal Kaylin Neya hates about being a Hawk. Most of those tasks involve paperwork – or running the front desk. Yet when her partner is busy, those are the tasks she's forced to handle.
Kaylin's tendency for finding trouble shines through once again, turning desk duty into a potentially lethal new case full of ghosts, absent buildings, and Barrani history. In other words – all sorts of trouble.
My Review:
Holy cow, seven books in and still going strong! I'm always looking forward to this series because I know it'll deliver complex magical stories (often with a side of inter-species politics). Also, I adore the trouble Kaylin gets herself into.
As with the rest of this series, Kaylin's latest adventure is shockingly complex – especially when we consider the fact that it occurs over the time span of a mere week. Helps you understand how the series has run so long, yeah?
This is probably one of my favorite additions. Well, following Cast in Wisdom. The new characters introduced have a lot of personality and add even more charm to the series. This may come as a shock, given how extensive the cast already is. My only regret is that we're officially at the point where not every character can have their moment. For example, many pre-existing characters don't even make an appearance in this novel (sorry in advance if this includes one of your favorites).
Delving into the ghost lore of Elantra is long overdue. It's not something I realized was missing – until it was right in front of me. I can't wait to see what adventure is waiting for us on the horizon! Any theories?
Highlights High fantasy Sentient buildings Dragons Magic words Complex magical situations Part of a long-running series Stream of consciousness POV
The year is 1800 BC, and Ailsa is a Druid with endless potential. As the last in her familial line, she has a great responsibility. ThisBook Summary:
The year is 1800 BC, and Ailsa is a Druid with endless potential. As the last in her familial line, she has a great responsibility. This responsibility is at war with her desires, adding weight to her heart.
Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Edie is an archeologist on the hunt. She’s determined to finish the work her late mentor started, even if that means diving into a history of mystery - and changing her perspective on just about everything.
My Review:
I went into Wheel of the Year: The Age of Stone full of hope and anticipation - and I was not disappointed. The Age of Stone is a vibrant beginning to the Wheel of the Year trilogy, and you better believe I’ll be reading the rest of this series.
As the description implies, this novel has two main perspectives/timelines. We have Ailsa in the far past and Edie in the present. The two stories play wonderfully against one another (though Ailsa’s story stole my heart, I’m not ashamed to admit that).
The Age of Stone is rich and complex, full of lore, history, and human emotion. Yes, there’s also magic and intrigue, making it the perfect balance for many readers (especially those who like a little bit of fantasy in their history).
There’s a lot to love about The Age of Stone, but the biggest selling point is how human it is. The novel tries (and succeeds) to drive one point home—that certain human struggles are timeless. We all desire to find a balance in our lives, but many of us struggle with all that is asked of us, be it a historical exploration or a magical undertaking.
I’m trying to say that Wheel of the Year: The Age of Stone is a fantastical novel that is absolutely worth reading. It transported me to another world and stole my heart in the process.
Highlights: Historical Fantasy Multiple Perspectives Druids & Destiny
Thanks to Reedsy and Palmetto Publishing for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
After a sudden and horrifying attack, Estela is left all alone in the world. Or so she thought. Months later, she receives a mysterious Book Summary:
After a sudden and horrifying attack, Estela is left all alone in the world. Or so she thought. Months later, she receives a mysterious letter summoning her home to a Spanish castle where he aunt lives.
It’s safe to say that this is no ordinary castle, as something dark lingers under the crumbling foundation. Estela will have to get to the bottom of it if she hopes to survive, but doing so has a price.
My Review:
Oh, how I love diving into a gothic fantasy. Castle of the Cursed certainly meets that bill, with an added dash of horror and romance. This book is for you if you love a story full of folklore, familial secrets, vampires, and blood.
I really enjoyed this book because it kept me on my toes. Every time I thought that I had a feel for it and thought I knew what would happen next, BAM! It hit me with another twist. It wasn’t afraid to take risks and had a bit of fun along the way.
Part of me wishes we could have seen more of the world (worlds?) and the magical structures, but I usually walk away from fantasy books wanting more. This book weaves a rich amount of lore (and pain) into its pages, making it the perfect foundation for Estela’s story.
The romantic subplot felt a little young, but it was a nice balance for all the darkness in this book. On that note, be sure to check out the trigger warnings before diving into Castle of the Cursed.
Highlights: Gothic Fantasy Romantasy Vampires & Blood Haunted House
Trigger Warnings: Death of a parent Suicidal Ideation
Shan LeClaire is a talented Blood Worker - the only thing holding her back is her father. She fixes problems and c3 1/2 stars rounded up
Book Summary:
Shan LeClaire is a talented Blood Worker - the only thing holding her back is her father. She fixes problems and creates master plans, so naturally, her father can only be a problem for so long. Time moves on, and so do Shan’s plans for revenge and change.
Meanwhile, Samuel Hutchinson has been in hiding his whole life. He knows the “gift” in his blood is more like a curse and that horrible people would use it (and him) if they knew about it. Unfortunately, there’s another secret of his blood he’s been unaware of his whole life until Shan walked through his door.
My Review:
Oh. I’m torn. On the one hand, I really enjoyed Mistress of Lies. On the other hand, I do feel like it didn’t quite live up to its potential. Wait, let’s step back a moment. Mistress of Lies is a thrilling book of lies, deception, love, and blood magic. It’s dark and dangerous, and I can see why readers are talking about it.
This book consists of three perspectives, but the main two are Shan and Samuel. They counter each other nicely—one character is fully immersed in a world of blood magic, and the other is new but full of potential.
I loved things about this book and things that could have used a bit more work. For example, I loved how the main characters played against one another. Their back-and-forths did an excellent job of portraying multiple motivations (and how these can change over time).
Unfortunately, Mistress of Lies had a show/tell issue. One of the most prominent examples is Shan’s character. We’re told time and time again (seriously, I lost count) that Shan is a master plotter. But we never actually get to see her in action. At least not with any competency. Instead, we see her easily manipulated (both by the king and her own emotions). It almost felt like she was two characters.
All things said and done, Mistress of Lies is a decent read. Considering that this is a debut novel, it’s all the more solid. Personally, I intend to follow up on the sequel, as I want to see how the story ends.
Highlights: Fantasy Blood Magic High Fantasy Multiple POVs LGBTQ+
Trigger Warnings: Blood Human Trafficking Racism/Classism
In a world where witches, minions, and tainted souls exist, there must also be those that stand against them. These people are known as WeapoSummary:
In a world where witches, minions, and tainted souls exist, there must also be those that stand against them. These people are known as Weapon Meisters and their Weapons. They are charged with devouring tainted souls and protecting the world.
A new arc is on the horizon, and with it – a new villain! Meanwhile, poor Crona is going to have to make some hard decisions. Stick to the past, or embrace the potential future?
Review:
Well, a whole lot happens in Soul Eater Vol. 9. I'm not even sure where to start. Should I talk about the new arc, the new villain, or the students we got to learn more about? Oh, and let's not forget the Excalibur cameo (cue the weird face).
The good: I love love love reading about the other students in this world. There's so much potential to explore here, and I wish we had more time with all of them. (Well, most of them; more on that in a minute). Likewise, I'm happy with the overall plot advancement, especially knowing where it will lead.
The bad: There's one student (who pairs up with Excalibur for a bit) that I can't stand. Mainly because he uses his new power to torment the girls. Worse, the teachers don't care?! That ticked me off. I know the series is over a decade old at this point, but come on.
Highlights: Shinigami Paranormal Humorous Has an Anime
In a world where witches, minions, and tainted souls exist, there must also be those that stand against them. These people are known as Weapon Meisters and their Weapons. They are charged with devouring tainted souls and protecting the world.
A new arc is on the horizon, and with it – a new villain! Meanwhile, poor Crona is going to have to make some hard decisions. Stick to the past, or embrace the potential future?
Review:
Well, a whole lot happens in Soul Eater Vol. 9. I'm not even sure where to start. Should I talk about the new arc, the new villain, or the students we got to learn more about? Oh, and let's not forget the Excalibur cameo (cue the weird face).
The good: I love love love reading about the other students in this world. There's so much potential to explore here, and I wish we had more time with all of them. (Well, most of them; more on that in a minute). Likewise, I'm happy with the overall plot advancement, especially knowing where it will lead.
The bad: There's one student (who pairs up with Excalibur for a bit) that I can't stand. Mainly because he uses his new power to torment the girls. Worse, the teachers don't care?! That ticked me off. I know the series is over a decade old at this point, but come on.
Highlights: Shinigami Paranormal Humorous Has an Anime
Tirne is proud of her role as the Herald of Autumn. She fought hard for the title - the honor. She walks alongside Autumn as he enters tBook Summary:
Tirne is proud of her role as the Herald of Autumn. She fought hard for the title - the honor. She walks alongside Autumn as he enters the world, bringing his season with him. In this method, humans and gods work together to change the seasons.
Until something breaks - the mirror shatters after Tirne and Autumn enter the world, trapping them. Worse, it traps the world in Autumn until the mirror is mended. What will the cost of this long Autumn be?
My Review:
If you're going to read one book for the vibes alone, let it be The Longest Autumn. I loved diving into this book. Ironically, I picked it up during the first weekend of autumn, and it was the perfect read.
I'm not going to lie—I loved this book, but it also destroyed me. The Longest Autumn is so much more emotional than I expected it to be. I'm going to try to describe how it works without spoiling anything. Think about the seasons—autumn is about death and renewal, right? Well, the themes within this book perfectly match that, but at times, they surprise (and break) the reader. So consider yourself warned.
There was something so charming and enchanting about The Longest Autumn. I loved Amy Avery's writing style. I also appreciated how she portrayed the gods - and how humanity bleeds into (and out of) them.
If you go into this book expecting themes of autumn, the price of godhood, and humanity's limitations, you will love The Longest Autumn. It may make you cry, but it will be worth it. Going into it with these expectations will mostly help you through the ending.
Aoi Tsubaki has always been able to see spirits. For most people, it made her freaky. For her grandfather, it made perfect sense. After all, hSummary:
Aoi Tsubaki has always been able to see spirits. For most people, it made her freaky. For her grandfather, it made perfect sense. After all, he could see them too. But he’s gone now, leaving Aoi all alone in this world.
Unfortunately, Aoi is now trapped in the spirit realm, forced to either marry a Yokai or find a job capable of paying back her grandfather’s debt. It’s not an ideal position to be in, especially not for somebody as compassionate as her.
Review:
Aww. Poor Aoi. She keeps finding herself in formidable positions, and it seems like it essentially has to do with her compassion. Still, I enjoyed reading Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits Vol. 2. Even when Aoi and her situation gave me anxiety.
I can see the path they’re setting for us, though, as Aoi continues to break down barriers by doing the right thing (while expecting nothing in return). That may make it more predictable in time, but honestly? I don’t mind that.
This series does a great job of blending cute and supernatural. On the one hand, we have a fantastic leading character, her love of baking, and her deep compassion. On the other hand, we have Yokai, other supernatural creatures, and loads of surprises. They balance out nicely.
Highlights: Supernatural Creatures Paranormal Romance Yokai and Spirits Cozy Fantasy
Eileen Merriweather adores love stories. More specifically - she loves the story side of things. Stories (books) are safe. They can’t huBook Summary:
Eileen Merriweather adores love stories. More specifically - she loves the story side of things. Stories (books) are safe. They can’t hurt her, not really - not like real life. So after suffering a great hurt, that’s where she flees.
Well, the books are one place she flees. The other was supposed to be a nice cabin in the middle of nowhere, but her car sort of broke down on the way there. Now, she’s trapped in a little town that feels all too perfect…and familiar.
My Review:
So, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t read enough cozy romances. My bad. But the premise of A Novel Love Story (particularly the book-about-a-book element) really caught my attention, so I decided to dive right in, much like Eileen.
A Novel Love Story is a cute and sweet book. You can pretty much get a feel for the whole of the story within the first three or so chapters, minus a few details here and there. But that’s not a bad thing! There’s something so comforting when a book goes the way you want it to, you know?
This book gave me real Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) vibes, and I mean that in the best of ways. It’s totally because of the quaint town and love of books, but I don’t mind. I also loved the overall positive tone of this book.
Highlights: A Book About a Book Magical Realism Contemporary Romance
The king of Yusan is not a good person. Most people are too afraid to admit that for fear of losing their heads. Y3 1/2 stars rounded up
Book Summary:
The king of Yusan is not a good person. Most people are too afraid to admit that for fear of losing their heads. Yet, just as many people have reason to want the king dead. Enter an unlikely crew of misfits.
Together, these five potential killers will share a mission - to do something impossible and kill a god. All they have to do is find a way to trust one another, cross the country, and risk everything at the feet of the king.
My Review:
Having just finished Five Broken Blades, I can see why there’s some discourse about it. People seem to either love it (or at least like it) or hate it. It’s an interesting read in a compelling world, so personally, I’m happy I took a chance on it.
That said, I’ll be the first to admit that the motives for each character were a bit flat, for the most part. Likewise, the romance per pairing (three sets of romances in total) wasn’t necessary, especially as there wasn’t time to develop all of them. Walking into a story where we’re supposed to believe these people are madly in love (but don’t act that way) is a challenge.
Moving on, I did like the story. I loved how it unfolded through multiple perspectives, even if that sometimes resulted in a bit of repetition. As for the twists, I knew that something was up (obviously), but even knowing that, I didn’t guess the big twist at the end. Truthfully, I felt a bit dumb for not seeing it coming. So take what you want from that sentiment.
All in all, I enjoyed Five Broken Blades. I certainly enjoyed it enough to want to see where the story goes from here.
Highlights: Romantic Fantasy Multiple POVs Found Family Hidden Missions
Trigger Warnings: Attempted Assault Slavery Animal Death
We've heard the story before: one day, a girl wakes up in a body that isn't hers. Only, now it sort of is. This time, the girl's name is AthaSummary:
We've heard the story before: one day, a girl wakes up in a body that isn't hers. Only, now it sort of is. This time, the girl's name is Athanasia, and she will have a lot of trouble staying alive if the book she read (in her past life) is any indication.
You see, she may be the daughter of a king, but he's a brutal and violent king. Her best option is to run away before he sets his sights on her. As for a backup plan to make her fall in love with her adorable little self!
Review:
I started reading Who Made Me a Princess on Tapas a while ago, but I lost my place when the app was updated, so I took a break. Now that I’ve realized there’s a printed version of the series, I’m back! So let’s begin again with Who Made Me a Princess Vol. 1.
This is one of many (MANY) isekai available on the site, but it’s still one of my favorites. Unlike many series where the main character wakes up in the body of a much younger character, Who Made Me a Princess seems content to continue at a slow pace.
As such, we get to continue seeing adorable little Athy, and I love her. Naturally, Athy is terrified that her father will kill her, as he did in the books she read. However, she’s already (unintentionally) thwarted one horrible twist by putting that cute little face in front of him.
Yes, this series does lean on a lot of common isekai tropes. No, I don’t mind. While I don’t love the king/father figure (obviously, he’s a child murderer), I love all the other characters in this world. I can’t wait to see how it evolves from here.
Highlights: Isekai Manwha Originally on Tapas Historical Fantasy
Aoi Tsubaki has always been able to see spirits. For most people, it made her freaky. For her grandfather, it made perfect sense. After all, Summary:
Aoi Tsubaki has always been able to see spirits. For most people, it made her freaky. For her grandfather, it made perfect sense. After all, he could see them too. But he’s gone now, leaving Aoi all alone in this world.
All her life, Aoi has made a point of feeding those who are hungry. So yes, she’ll feed the hungry spirits in her area, even if she knows it’d be better to ignore them. Eventually, this leads to a sudden change in her life, one that she’s going to have trouble running away from.
Review:
The quest for a new manga series is neverending, I swear. This time, I’m checking out Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 1. It was suggested to me as a bit of a cozy fantasy manga with paranormal elements. It did not disappoint.
First, there’s Aoi. I adore her sweet character. She’s kind, compassionate, and not willing to give up. This is good, given the situation she’s ended up in. Then there are the yokai, which pretty much run the gambit. I already have a favorite (the inn owner, I can tell you that much).
This series is perfect if you’re looking for a chill fantasy series with tea house vibes. I can already tell that future volumes will lean more into Aoi’s cooking and her running a little tea shop. It’s going to be amazing.
I honestly have no idea where this series will end or how long it will run for (ran for? I don’t even know if it’s done, and I don’t want to find out - yet), but I am absolutely in for this adventure.
Highlights: Supernatural Creatures Paranormal Romance Yokai and Spirits Cozy Fantasy
Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell are famous. As teenagers, they went missing for months, only to randomly show up, provi3 1/2 stars rounded up
Book Summary:
Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell are famous. As teenagers, they went missing for months, only to randomly show up, providing no explanation for their absence. Now, Jeremy is making a new name for himself, as his talent lies in finding missing women and girls.
That’s where Emilie Wendell comes into play. Following the death of her adoptive mother, Emilie learned that she had a sister. Only her sister has been missing for over a decade. Her only chance at finding the family she has left is with Jeremy.
My Review:
When I saw Meg Shaffer (author of The Wishing Game) had another book coming our way, you better believe I scrambled to get my hands on it! Like her first novel, The Lost Story has a strong book-about-a-book vibe, but it's also so much more.
In truth, there are times when this book feels more like two wrapped into one. There's the world as described in Jeremy's past, and then there's the present, with a young girl searching for a long-lost sister. Basically, it's a magical/dark tale and a missing person's story.
Truthfully, I'm not sure which tale I liked more. I think they could have been better integrated, as the dialogue was jarring sometimes. I did enjoy the characters and the banter they quickly fell into.
Overall, I'd say that The Lost Story wasn't quite as strong as The Wishing Game. It still had a beautiful foundation, but it felt like it didn't quite live up to its potential.
Highlights: Fantasy World Bridge to Terabithia Vibes Books about Books LGBTQ+
Xue has faced uncertainty for most of her life. As a young orphan, she accepted her fate would be vastly different if not for her uncle Book Summary:
Xue has faced uncertainty for most of her life. As a young orphan, she accepted her fate would be vastly different if not for her uncle stepping in to care for her. He took her in and encouraged her musical talent.
This talent is about to change her life forever. First, it earned her an apprenticeship at an esteemed entertainment house. She went in there thinking she could never leave, only for another opportunity to raise its head.
My Review:
Song of the Six Realms is a beautiful and enchanting novel. It’s safe to say that it is absolutely perfect for readers looking for something full of Chinese folktales, music, and poetry. There’s also a dash of intrigue, politics, and romance.
What I loved the most about this novel was the overall atmosphere. Judy I. Lin’s writing somehow felt like a warm hug? That’s the best way I can describe it. The lore of this world is enough to keep most readers invested.
I’ll confess that the pacing for Song of the Six Realms can sometimes be a bit slow. It’s one of those stories that comes around eventually but isn’t in a rush to get there. If you enjoy the world and storytelling format, you’ll enjoy this book. But you might want to pass if you’re looking for something fast-paced.
Highlights: YA Fantasy Romantic Fantasy Magical Realms Music and Magic
Detective Peter Peter has his hands full when it comes to Las Fables. One would think that the nursery rhymes' characters are well-behaveBook Summary:
Detective Peter Peter has his hands full when it comes to Las Fables. One would think that the nursery rhymes' characters are well-behaved, but they'd be wrong. The latest murder proves that. With the Seven Dwarves dead, Las Fables is on the cusp of something they can't avoid.
Peter Peter and his crew must work overtime to solve the murder. Unfortunately, it's not the only challenge they will face while handling this case as Las Fables slowly unravels.
My Review:
If there’s one thing I can say about Nursery Crimes, it’s that it is, by far, the most unique novel I’ve read in recent times. No, seriously. I’ve NEVER seen a take on classic fairy tales like this. I love how fun and different it is.
Well, I say fun, but Nursery Crimes is actually quite gritty. The name probably gave that away. It has a great sense of humor about itself, with the protagonist and countless other characters poking fun at their stories as we go along.
Even the best foundation means little if the writing isn’t up to par. I really enjoyed Devon Monk’s writing here. She found ways to surprise me again and again throughout this book. Even the fact that it’s a series is (almost) surprising. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
Highlights: Nursery Stories Turned Dark Humorous Retelling Murder Mystery Unique Take
Lucia’s life changed forever during the human and fairy war. She was brought into the kingdom by the King himself, set to serve his daughter Summary:
Lucia’s life changed forever during the human and fairy war. She was brought into the kingdom by the King himself, set to serve his daughter as maid and best friend. It’s been a happy life, for the most part.
The latest royal tournament signals the encroaching wedding. Lady Kirsi, the woman Lucia serves, is bound to wed King Reimund. That should be enough excitement, but the latest knight has caught Lucia’s eye.
Review:
How did I not hear about Suitor Armor sooner? I’ve only read the first volume of this series, and I am 100% hooked. I need more, and I need it now (thankfully, it is originally a webcomic, so I can dive right in).
Suitor Armor, Volume 1 is a brilliant introduction to a fanciful new world of fairies and medieval politics. There’s also magic and romance, so it pretty much has a bit of everything, as far as I’m concerned.
Lucia is such an endearing lead character. While she may have a huge secret, she has a big, open heart. For example, at least at first, she’s the only person to treat our dark knight differently.
I can’t wait to see where this story goes. It’s so sweet and compelling, even with the very real undertones of danger and corruption.
Highlights: Originally a webcomic Fantasy Romance Faries & Court Politics Magic & Knights
Roman is the powerful and dangerous Black Volhv, sworn to serve the Chernobog (God of Destruction). Yet even he gets the holidays off. WBook Summary:
Roman is the powerful and dangerous Black Volhv, sworn to serve the Chernobog (God of Destruction). Yet even he gets the holidays off. Well, usually. He worked hard and made a deal, getting a few days off around the winter holidays (which he'd rather avoid).
Unfortunately, his god seems to have different ideas this year. So does a wounded boy in urgent need of help. While Roman is content to ignore his god, he's less content to sit aside and watch a boy get taken (or worse). So it's time to step up and do his thing.
My Review:
To say that I was delighted when I heard the news about Sanctuary would be an understatement. I've always thought that Roman was a fun character—tortured soul, dark backstory, takes himself too seriously, the works. So, along with countless other fans, I've always secretly hoped we'd get more of his story someday.
Today is that day. Sanctuary is a relatively short adventure for Roman, but with it comes gods, a fleeing child, plenty of critters, and some personal drama. In other words, it's perfect and exactly what we fans have been hoping for.
I love the dynamics between the gods in this novel. Likewise, I really enjoyed seeing the world through Roman's eyes. He has a different way of looking at things like balance and good vs evil. This perspective made the world feel so much richer (which is a surprise, given the depth we've already been given!).
Roman's such an interesting contrast to the other perspectives we've seen thus far. In truth, I would read anything and everything that came from this world, but now I'm looking forward to more Roman.
Finally, I want to thank Ilona and Andrew Gordon for including some additional details about the gods and mythologies they pulled from for this book. I also want to thank Rossana Sasso for writing an additional essay for this novel (it's also on the blog if you're too curious to wait).
Highlights: Urban Fantasy Part of the Kate Daniels World Gods & Mayhem Life Comes Full Circle
Thanks to NYLA and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Mable, Dipper, and the rest of the cast have had a memorable summer – to say the least! While their adventures filled up two seasons (plus seSummary:
Mable, Dipper, and the rest of the cast have had a memorable summer – to say the least! While their adventures filled up two seasons (plus several shorts), that's not all there is to learn about this one summer.
As it turns out, there are at least four adventures that never made it to the screen, and it's time to dive in and learn all about them.
Review:
Full disclosure: I only recently sat down to watch Gravity Falls. I fell instantly in love and ended up watching both seasons (plus the shorts) in a span of only two weeks. Since I'm going through that series-withdrawal phase, I figured now was the perfect time to read the books!
Gravity Falls: Lost Legends collects four "lost" adventures. These adventures are canon, as they're written by Alex Hirsch. Other than Journal 3 and the incoming Bill book, I'm not certain that the rest are considered canon (though I'm sure they're fun).
The best part about these stories? I feel like they actually did a good job covering several bases, including talking about secondary characters and plot points. We have a Pacifica-centric plot, a comic/manga-style one (thanks to Stan's grumpiness), a dimensional tale full of Mable puns, and a story set in Stan and Ford's past. Like I said, it's a pretty great balance of stories.
If you're a Gravity Falls fan ,and you haven't read Gravity Falls: Lost Legends, please consider rectifying that. It's worth it, I promise!
Highlights: Middle Grade Graphic Novel Fantasy Adventure Mysteries Monsters Vibes Connected to TV Series
Dark wizards, monsters, and princesses. They all seem to go together in those epic fantasy tales, don't they? That's certainly how it feBook Summary:
Dark wizards, monsters, and princesses. They all seem to go together in those epic fantasy tales, don't they? That's certainly how it feels for Dread Lord Gavrax. He may be a dark wizard, but he's not the one with all the ideas.
Or rather, he wasn't? It's hard to be certain when all your memories have flowed the coop, leaving you with a blank slate, a foreboding castle, and a kidnapped princess. Should Gav play along or break the pattern he fell into?
My Review:
There are several reasons why I picked up Dreadful. First, the cover (pretty colors, yada yada). Second, the description is funny and compelling, so yes, please. Finally – the comps! You compare any new (to me) author to T. Kingfisher or Travis Baldtree, and you know I will give them a go.
So here we are, and I have to say that I really enjoyed Dreadful. It was so uniquely charming while also tackling real issues (toxic masculinity, assumptions vs. expectations, unintentional biases, etc.). I'm sure people will have many thoughts on the commentary, but I enjoyed the exploration here.
As far as the comedy elements go, they felt similar to Kill the Farm Boy (Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne), so if you enjoyed it, you have to check this book out (or vice versa!). It played around with tropes, flipped expectations on their heads, and overall just had fun with it.
By the time the book's climax came around, I was howling with laughter (no, really; ask anybody who was around when I was reading). The imagery was just too funny. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a different read full of thoughts and chuckles.
Highlights: Tongue-in-Cheek Fantasy Part Cozy Mystery Similar Vibes to Kill the Farm Boy
Aliette Rodeline is not the name she was born with, but thanks to her untimely death, it's the name she now has! Luckily for Aliette, she invSummary:
Aliette Rodeline is not the name she was born with, but thanks to her untimely death, it's the name she now has! Luckily for Aliette, she invested in this weird afterlife package before she died, so she was able to set herself up quite nicely in the next life.
Now, she's becoming a prodigy, which might just give her the chance to turn her life around. For she knows that, without a change, her second life will be doomed to an early demise. After all, she's read this book, and her character was dead before the events began!
Review:
I love diving into new fantasies, and lately, I've been on an isekai kick. Thus, I was happy to find The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine Vol. 1. I've actually read a bit of this one already (on Tapas, I believe), but it was nice to have a whole volume in my hands.
Like a lot of isekai (that I've been reading, at least), Aliette's previous life was tragic, even before she had that final tragedy. So this is more than a second life – it's a second chance. Her story has the potential to get superpowered, which could be great, or it could possibly go overboard. Only time will tell on that front.
I really enjoyed seeing the early adventures in this new world for Aliette, especially pertaining to her family and the small drams she's faced thus far. It'll be interesting to see what happens next.
Liz (Quirky Cat)
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fantasy
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