Source: Netgalley! Many thanks to the publisherTL;DR: While an absolute banger of an idea (and cover), the pacing on this made it a miss for me Plot: A complicated net of PoVs following the politics and scheming of the native folks called Kin, and the empire that rules them. Add dragons.Characters: The most disappointing part.... Continue Reading →
Spirit of the Wood by Kristen Britain
Source: Netgalley, thank you to the publisher!!TL;DR: An absolutely lovely novella for new and old readers about empathy and how life continues on. Plot: A new Green Rider has to keep his cold superior alive after an attack. They end up in a deep wood, and then magic!Characters: I loved the characters, and this as... Continue Reading →
Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: Another YA book marketed at adult readers. Definitely not my favorite read, if you want something with this setting and inspiration there are better books out there. Plot: Two girls, who naturally end up in a messy love triangle, and the fight for women's rights with the... Continue Reading →
Forged by Blood by Ehigbok Okosun
Source: NetGalley, Many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: This isn't Adult Fantasy, this is exactly what you would expect out of YA Fantasy. Plot: Girl goes on journey in the middle of a love triangle. Betrayal, heartbreak, fated mates. Characters: The classic three - Revenge Girl, Childhood Friend Love Interest, and Sad Boy Love InterestSetting: This... Continue Reading →
Thoughts: Ruined by Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Winifred Searle, & Niki Smith
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: A delightful Regency romance with a lovely inclusive art style and queer normative society Plot: A simple one, but well executed. Ruined Heroine and a Hero with an estate and family wealth in ruins. Romance ensues.Characters: I loved the cast here, it didn't focus entirely on Andrew... Continue Reading →
Anything With Nothing Edited by Mercedes Lackey
Source: NetGalley - thank you so much to the publisher. I have pre-ordered a copy as well!TL;DR: I adored this, but I may be biased. Nearly all the stories were winners. Plot: All varied but each held to the idea of Valdemar where bad things happen but hope is at the end.Characters: Diverse and interesting,... Continue Reading →
Kiss a Spell by Celestine Martin
Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher - And I purchased a copy! Thanks me!TL;DR: A bit heavy on purple prose, but a fun story with a great redemption for Ursula Plot: Ursula is attempting to take back her life while Xavier breaks an enchantment. It was simple, and romance heavy.Characters: Ursula shone... Continue Reading →
The Corset & The Jellyfish: A Conundrum of Jellyfish by Nick Bantock
Source: Netgalley - Thank you to the publisher (genuinely I appreciate it but... what is this?)TL;DR: Uhhmm... No? Why? Plot: Can't find one hereCharacters: They didn't existSetting: Wherever your brain fog decides I supposeMagic: That's funny. The magic of confusion. Thoughts: I don’t even know where to begin with this one. The Corset & The... Continue Reading →
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: Nah - No thanks Plot: "Escape, get betrayed, learn the truth" type of journey. Unfortunately not much past thatCharacters: The single most infuriating part of this. Ava is one note simple sweetness, and Kaye is just angry and frankly, dumb. Everyone else is a simple line drawing... Continue Reading →
Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer
Source: Netgalley, my many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: Such a fun, new and unique take on the Santa story. I really enjoyed this and genuinely hope there is a sequel! Plot: Juniper is looking for her Mom and ends up tangled up with Santa magic in a world where even Santa has become disillusioned. How... Continue Reading →