TL;DR: Good bones with a terrible main character. Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher! Plot: Arleta wins entry into a famous baking competition but she’s magicless and scared. Characters: I’m going to be honest, Arleta ruined this for me. Setting: I actually really liked the setting on this one! Fantasy: A very light fantasy... Continue Reading →
The Price of Power by Michael Michel
TL;DR: A fantastic and intricate grimdark fantasy. Source: eArc via the author - I also purchased my own copies as well because I loved it so much! Plot: Our characters find their paths as conflict looms, each completely separate but tying together so well. Characters: Each character truly had their own strong unique voice, which... Continue Reading →
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
TL;DR: A beautifully written and imaginative fairy tale about sisters and being broken apart. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher!! Plot: The Hawthorn sisters keep the willows between Faerie and the Mortal lands till a persistent suitor change everything. Characters: Lovely characters, though mostly used for the point of the story.Setting: The... Continue Reading →
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce
TL;DR: A strong start to a disappoint twist. Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher! Plot: An inexperienced child psychologist faces against evil - of what kind is the problem. Characters: These were pretty bland. What you might expect from a thriller/horror. Setting: This started in town but headed into a small village.... Continue Reading →
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
TL;DR: Another fun and romantic fantasy from T. Kingfisher. Source: NetGalley, thank you Bramble! Plot: Halla, while attempting to end her life, ends up with a magical guardian from within a sword. Hijinks follow. Characters: As always T. Kingfisher’s characters are easy to love. They’re fun and friendly and it’s hard to go wrong. Setting:... Continue Reading →
A Hunger to Kill by Kim Mager
TL;DR: This was very interesting - a narrative of Kim Mager’s interviews with a serial killer. Source: NetGalley, thank you St. Martin’s Press! Plot: This one is fast paced as it’s almost entirely the interviews between Mrs. Major and the killer. It really pulls you through. Characters: We focused primarily on Mrs. Mager and the... Continue Reading →
A Song For You and I by K. O’Neil
TL;DR: You bet I pre-ordered this as soon as I was done. I adored this. Source: NetGalley and I have pre-ordered my own copy! Plot: Rowan is assigned work with Leone while their winged horse companion heals, and the two couldn’t be more different. Characters: The strength of K. O’Neil to me (besides their art)... Continue Reading →
Ashita No Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow by Tetsuya Chiba & Ikki Kajiwara
TL;DR: You can clearly see how this is such a classic in it’s genre, and while not perfect for me it’s very engaging. Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher! Plot: Joe is a wandering orphan who moves to a new neighborhood. He finds friends, fans, and enemies alike. Characters: Some of these characters I... Continue Reading →
Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee
TL;DR: I think my expectations were too high and this was just… not for me. Source: NetGalley, thank so much to the publisher! Plot: Jun runs away to compete and become the Guardian, a government appointed super warrior. But learns some hard truths on the way. Characters: This might have been one of the breaking... Continue Reading →
Dogs and Punching Bags by Kaori Ozaki
TL;DR: An engaging story about finding your place and community, even in the darkest parts of your life. Source: NetGalley, thank so much to the publisher! Plot: Nichiko returns to her home island, a tiny place, to find herself. There she meets Chimaki and their stories blends. Characters: I really enjoyed these characters, especially Nichiko.... Continue Reading →