Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles is often shelved as science fiction, but it reads more like a mirror held up to humanity—warped, poetic, and devastatingly clear. Published in 1950, it masquerades as a speculative account of Earth colonizing Mars. But it isn’t really about Mars. It’s about us. About mankind. Our failings. Our nostalgia. Our brilliance. Our destructiveness. What we export when we go somewhere new. And what we can’t seem to leave behind.
I wanted to like this more than I did. Devil’s Thirst by Jill Ramsower has the bones of a great dark romance—Italian/Irish mafia, alpha anti-hero, the whole “good girl meets dangerous man” thing. But it didn’t quite land for me.
The Secret Market of the Dead by Giovanni De Feo is just as much about being a woman in a “man’s” world (if not more) as it is delightfully strange.
Tempests and Tea Leaves is a delightful blend of magical charm, sharp banter, and slow-burn romance—think Bridgerton (season 2!) meets fae fantasy, with a dash of Pride and Prejudice. Rachel Morgan has truly crafted a world where magic is everything, but it’s also about navigating society’s expectations, personal growth, and, of course, falling in love when you least expect it.
Tee Harlowe’s Potions and Prejudice was adorable. Imagine Pride and Prejudice but with potions, magic, cottagecore vibes, and a tiny anxious dragon named Edgar—yeah, it’s as cute as it sounds.
I finished A Forbidden Alchemy weeks ago and I still think about it almost every single day. It’s not just the best book I’ve read this year—it might be one of my favorite books ever. Stacey McEwan owns me now, and I’m not even mad about it.
A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight is a bold, multi-POV epic with rich world-building, layered politics, a touch of romance, and a story that rewards patience. It kept me guessing the entire time—and I loved watching all the threads come together. If you’re into fantasy that doesn’t spoon-feed you but absolutely delivers, pick this one up.
The Mender’s Curse is everything I want in a classic fantasy—magic, rebellion, an epic quest, and a cast of characters I actually care about. The world is wonderfully immersive without being overwhelming, and the story hits that perfect balance between action, heart, and quiet moments of healing and development.
Douglas Brunt’s The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel is not only packed with fascinating information about Diesel himself, but it also offers a sharp look at the quarter century leading up to World War I. Weaving together the lives of key figures, Brunt shows how their ambitions collided with the era’s political and economic turmoil.
Okay, so I just finished Lush by Tinia Montford (book one in her California Kings series), and whew—Reese deserves a medal. Like truly, this man is the definition of unconditional love. He shows up, he listens, he supports… all without ever asking for anything but love back.
Quiet, sad, and strange in its own way. The Haunting of Velkwood had a premise I couldn’t wait to dive into: a neighborhood warped by supernatural isolation, a surreal haunting, and a tragic friendship at the heart of it all.
Illusion of Stars wrecked me in the best way. I went in expecting a fantasy with some romance (which it totally delivers), but I didn’t expect it to hit so hard emotionally. The way Sarah Marie Page writes about self-worth, grief, and uncertainty? Just… wow. It’s raw and real in a way that sneaks up on you.
