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
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
Rosa has a grand dream - to become one of the best and most courageous knights around! She’s managed to land a position as a squire, which isSummary:
Rosa has a grand dream - to become one of the best and most courageous knights around! She’s managed to land a position as a squire, which is hard work, but she loves doing it. There’s just one problem - having to keep her identity a secret.
Despite her need to keep such a large secret, Rosa enjoys the challenges life brings her way. She even enjoys the menial tasks that come with being a squire because she knows they’ll eventually lead to her dream coming true.
Review:
The Knight Blooms Behind Castle Walls Vol. 1 is a light, cute, and humorous introduction to the world of knights and fantasy. It’s very much a slice-of-life manga, with Rosa’s story told through various little interactions and events.
If the description doesn’t make it obvious, Rosa is hiding her identity and pretending to be a boy. There are things I enjoyed about this and things that felt…tired. For example, it overall has a more refreshing take on the world, as this is essentially Rosa trying to tackle historical misogyny.
On the other hand, her whole disguise thing is repeatedly the butt of jokes, and it quickly makes the series a bit of a one-trick-pony type of tale. So that got old, fast. In truth, it’s the main reason I wouldn’t be willing to continue the series (unless somebody could promise these changes in the next volume).
Highlights: Slice-of-Life Manga Knights and Squires Secrets and Aspirations
You know how the story goes: a young woman in a horrible situation wakes up one day to find herself in a new world—complete with a new face! USummary:
You know how the story goes: a young woman in a horrible situation wakes up one day to find herself in a new world—complete with a new face! Usually, this second chance at life is a dream come true.
Not for Penelope. She's the unwanted Daughter of a Duke, and having just finished playing this game (The Duke's Super Love Project), she knows just how lethal her future can get. Somehow, she'll have to find a way to escape this horrible situation. At least she has some insight on what events to avoid.
Review:
Ahhhh! Where has this series been all of my life? But seriously, I’m loving Villains Are Destined to Die. It’s a darker isekai, but I think it works well. I’m always on the edge of my seat, uncertain about what the world will throw at Penelope next.
Villains Are Destined to Die Vol. 4 throws us back into the mix - and the uncertainty. Every time Penelope progresses with one character’s percentage, something has to happen to put her back in danger.
It’s that recipe that I think works really well. This volume is all centered around the hunting expedition, which means we’re getting two things in large quantities: politics and danger. In short, I freaking loved it.
I loved it so much that the wait for the next volume will physically hurt. Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a waitlist at my library (nice to see the appreciation for it, at least), so wait, I must.
Highlights: Manwha Dark Isekai Dating Sim Game Foundation Originally a webcomic (Tapas)
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
Yu has somehow become stranded in the world of Twisted Wonderland - and as one might imagine, getting home is no simple feat! Not when a magiSummary:
Yu has somehow become stranded in the world of Twisted Wonderland - and as one might imagine, getting home is no simple feat! Not when a magical school, ghosts, monsters, and more are getting in the way.
As a student-age child, it seemed logical for Yu to spend his days at the academy, at least until he figured out a way home. But that doesn’t mean he’s doing a great job of staying out of trouble.
Review:
Okay, so before I get into this review, let me start by saying I didn’t play the video game Disney Twisted Wonderland. So I went into Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 1, very blind about everything that was about to happen.
But still, I enjoy Alice in Wonderland retellings and adore Disney stories, so I figured this would be a good read. Overall, I found the story intriguing, the artwork endearing, and the characters unique.
This book (and presumably video game?) had a lot of fun flipping the common Disney message (be good princes and princesses) and wreaking playful havoc with it. There isn’t a lot of depth, but there doesn’t really need to be.
I have a feeling that fans of the games would probably appreciate this adaptation more, so please don’t let anything I’ve said discourage you from trying it!
Highlights: Fantasy Retelling Alice in Wonderland Adventure and Drama Adapted from a video game
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
Jinwoo Sung has a reputation among the other hunters and dungeon adventurers – he's known as the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind. However, one jSummary:
Jinwoo Sung has a reputation among the other hunters and dungeon adventurers – he's known as the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind. However, one job changed everything. It should have been a regular dungeon, but it quickly became life-or-death. Somehow Jinwoo survived – but he's forever changed. Now, he's working hard to level up and change the game.
The stakes have never been higher. Jeju Island is invested with giant ants, and if the hunters don't stop them, they will quickly overwhelm Korea (if not the world). Jinwoo is still undecided on whether he should sit this one out or not, though, given that he's finally gotten his family back together.
Review:
Okkaaaay. It’s safe to say that the stakes have changed in Solo Leveling, Vol. 7. It’s no longer about Jinwoo trying to cobble enough resources together to save his mom. Now, it’s about Korea (and possibly the world?).
The scale shift was probably necessary, given Jinwoo’s power level. However, I’ll be curious to see the long-term fallout for this plot (is there a long-term fallout? I don’t even know).
I’m a bit conflicted about some of the fights in this volume. On the one hand, seeing other high-level hunters battle was pretty exciting. On the other hand, a few of the designs were a bit too similar, so I got lost in the action in a couple of places.
Solo Leveling, Vol. 7 totally ends in a bit of a cliffhanger. One could argue that every volume has ended with one, but this one felt different. Maybe because everything is changing so quickly?
Highlights: Manwha Originally on Tapas Dungeon Adventures Video Game Mechanics
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+
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
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.
Jinwoo Sung has a reputation among the other hunters and dungeon adventurers – he's known as the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind. Yeah, quite tSummary:
Jinwoo Sung has a reputation among the other hunters and dungeon adventurers – he's known as the Weakest Hunter of All Mankind. Yeah, quite the blow to one's ego. Yet Jinwoo can't give up this job, as his mother's hospital bills keep on climbing.
However, one job changed everything. It should have been a regular dungeon, but it quickly became life-or-death. Somehow Jinwoo survived – but he's forever changed. Now, he's working hard to level up and change the game.
Review:
Whew. The power scale sure is shifting fast! I think Solo Leveling Vol. 4 may have upped the scales the most thus far. At least, it feels that way. Basically, once [spoiler ability] got unlocked, all bets went off the table.
I'm still enjoying Solo Leveling, though it is making me worried about what sort of power scales we'll be dealing with by the end. Though that worry is less now, clearly, new antagonists keep showing up who can challenge Jinwoo.
Speaking of Jinwoo, I don't know how to feel about one particular arc. He doesn't know about it yet, and I have no idea how that will play out. Are those events over, or was that merely the beginning? Either way, I feel like it's going to hurt before it's truly resolved.
Highlights: Manwha Originally on Tapas Dungeon Adventures Video Game Mechanics
Callie's life hasn't exactly been the same – not since the day she crossed the boundary looking for her father. Thankfully, she has a great bSummary:
Callie's life hasn't exactly been the same – not since the day she crossed the boundary looking for her father. Thankfully, she has a great boyfriend and countless new friends to help support her through these changes.
However, Callie isn't the only one facing changes. Declan may have found out he was a fairy when he turned eighteen – but apparently, his adventure is only beginning! Now, his magic has gone wonky, and they all need some answers.
Nothing Special was originally a Webtoon (It still is), but they're turning the different seasons into volumes.
Review:
Oh yay! I'm so glad the (published) adventures continue in Nothing Special Vol. 2! I really adored the first volume and had questions about where the story would go from here. Now I have my answers...and I want volume 3. I'm so greedy, I know.
Where the first volume of our lovely series focused on Callie, this second volume is all about Declan! But don't worry, he's not alone. All of our favorites are back, plus some new characters. In other words, it's another delightful romp through this fantasy world!
When I say I devoured this book, I pretty much mean it. I read it cover to cover within the hour. I kind of regret that, as now there's nothing left (yes, I know I can read it online). And I have SO MANY questions about what is going on and what will happen with Declan's magic. I need to know!
If you're looking for a cozy middle-grade fantasy with fantastic characters, please be sure to check out this series. You can either read it in graphic novel format (like me) or check out the Webtoon!
Highlights: Middle-Grade Graphic Novel Fantasy Magic & Critters
Thanks to Ten Speed Graphic and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jalissa and Kim Vasquez are just two ordinary cousins trying to make a living on their own. Well...they're mostly ordi3 1/2 stars rounded up.
Summary:
Jalissa and Kim Vasquez are just two ordinary cousins trying to make a living on their own. Well...they're mostly ordinary. They may or may not have a superhero gig on the side. That all depends on how you define being a superhero. Is it fighting monsters and protecting the public? Or is it having a good social media presence?
When they're not fighting monsters in the dark, these two cousins work at a famous coffee chain. It's not the most glamorous job, but it does pay the bills (mostly).
Review:
From the moment I first saw the cover of Hovergirls, I knew I had to read it. The artwork looked so fun and captivating; it gave me a lot of hope for the characters and story within.
Overall, I would say that Hovergirls is a decent read. It's solid and has a lot of potential—it just needs some fine-tuning. Jalissa and Kim are great characters, but we need more time to get to know them and appreciate their situation.
If you enjoy a chaos-fueled adventure with bright artwork, Hovergirls is a great book to dive into. You can also read the webcomic! I love it when webcomics make their way to publication, but it's always nice going back to the source, too.
Highlights: Originally a Webcomic Graphic Novel Fantasy Magical Girls
You know it’s not going to be a good day when the local vampire head calls to report a dead body on her property. That’s why Nell and thBook Summary:
You know it’s not going to be a good day when the local vampire head calls to report a dead body on her property. That’s why Nell and the rest of her Psy-LED team were pretty much prepped for anything.
Yet even they were still surprised by what transpires, as the body was merely the tip of the iceberg. This is bigger than one individual on the hunt, but rather something that is fully capable of tracking the Psy-LED as they work, Nell included.
My Review:
Yay! I'm SO happy to be reading the next installment of the Soulwood series. It's one of my favorite urban fantasies (at the moment), and I not-so-secretly hope it never ends. Anyway, let's dive into Rift in the Soul.
In truth, I've been really anxious to read Rift in the Soul. I had so many questions about the rest of the world following the events in Jane Yellowrock. Yes, I still feel like there are questions to be answered, but that's for the best. More room for the series to grow and explore!
This latest addition to the series leaned further into the paranormal investigation side of the world, but it felt different somehow. Maybe it's because it ended up being so connected to other characters we know (and sometimes love). I'm not sure. I did enjoy the tone shift, though, so it's not a complaint.
Long story short, I adored Rift in the Soul and cannot wait to see what happens next in this brilliant and sometimes dark world.
Highlights: Paranormal Creatures Urban Fantasy Fantasy-Based Law Enforcement Paranormal Romance