Source: NetGalley - Many, many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: A fascinating concept but the characters truly let this one down for me Plot: I really enjoyed the idea behind this one, trapped in a library due to murderous owls, but I'm not sure I'm sold on executionCharacters: Fairly flimsy? I never completely connected, either due... Continue Reading →
Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa
Source: Netgalley- Many many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: This was incredibly readable, short, and filled with joy. There was conflict and stakes but ultimately it felt joyful. Plot: Very similar to the source material - except it focuses on Oliver and his identity as the real conflictCharacters: True to the original, though no one had... Continue Reading →
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
Source: NetGalley - Many thanks to the publisher!TL;DR: It's starting to get old, and we genuinely need to return to our main cast. Plot: Meanders a bit to be honest. Returning to Antsy's world, with a short stint in Stephanie's (see cover). It felt very lacking for me.Characters: Antsy is fine, and we do get... Continue Reading →
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
Source: NetGalley - thank to the publisher!TL;DR: Not for me, just... no thanks. Plot: Supposedly a slow burn romance between a older man and younger woman. Very... flat burn more like.Characters: Fairly flat for me, to be honest. And I didn't care for our PoV character. She was written as if she were 19, not... Continue Reading →
Sky’s End (Above the Black #1) by Marc J. Gregson
Source: Netgalley - Thank you to the publisher!TL;DR: An absolutely thrilling ride following a once disgraced young man attempting to rise in ranks through hunting giant sky serpents. Wow Plot: Conrad's family was thrown Low, to poverty by the betrayal of his uncle so he works to rise back up for revenge. Action and so... Continue Reading →
The Dragons of Deepwood Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu
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 →