Conquist by Dirk Strasser is an immersive historical fantasy that takes readers into 16th-century Peru during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, blending real events or details with a gripping, imaginative story. If you’re looking for a book that’s not only exciting but also makes you reflect on the nature of conquest—both external and internal—Conquist is well worth the read.
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong is a brilliantly layered sequel that surpasses the first book in its complexity and depth. The political intrigue, high stakes, constant plot twists, and the intoxicatingly dysfunctional romance subplot make it such a good read. Gong’s ability to mix humor, tragedy, and romance within such a dark, twisty framework is impressive. A must-read for fans of retellings, star-crossed lovers, morally gray characters, and fantasy worlds where the price of power is steep.
Nicola Lagioia’s The City of the Living is a literary true crime novel based on a 2016 murder with seemingly no motivation. An interesting story, I appreciated the lens that this case, and Rome, was viewed and analyzed through. This book is unique in the way the author interprets the concrete and the abstract—a tough thing to approach and balance, even more so given the context of real, and horrifying, events such as true crime . . . most especially a reprehensible murder.
Cursed by Gold by Jamie Dalton offers a refreshing spin on familiar fairy tale elements, blending the untouchable curse of King Midas with the darker undertones of a thief’s desperate mission. When Scarlet, our Cinderella, tries to steal a necklace and ends up crossing paths with the cursed king, Remme, things get interesting . . .
Andddd the slow-burn continues … Echoes of the Raven by Ingrid Seymour is a solid continuation of The Eldrystone series, picking up immediately where House of the Raven left off. The story plunges into darkness right from the start, which sets the tone for the intense journey ahead. The book shines in its second half, where the pacing quickly picks up, the plot thickens, and the character development deepens. Not to mention that ending?!!
Do the ends justify the means? Book 1 of the Flesh & False Gods series, Immortal Longings, by Chloe Gong takes you on a gritty, high-stakes journey through the twin cities of San-Er, where body-jumping assassins and exiled aristocrats battle for power and survival. This Antony and Cleopatra retelling weaves themes of power, loyalty, and deception with a narrative that challenges conventional ideas about identity and consent.
With tropes such as enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he’s her boss, she’s a secret heiress, and she (surprisingly) falls (begrudgingly) first, there’s a lot to like about Maddison Michaels’ The Heiress Masquerade. Aimee’s determination to prove herself in a man’s world is both admirable and relatable, and the tension between her and Harrison—both romantic and otherwise—is well-executed.
Cleo White’s Second Edition is a beautiful love story with a delightful blend of charm, sensuality, and emotional depth. The idyllic setting, excellent character development, symbolism, and a love story that feels both real and enchanting make it a must-read for fans of true love, hope, second chance romances, and well-done age gaps.
Not in a long time has the latter part of a story so thoroughly changed my mind on a book—or at least on the rating I was expecting to give it. To be honest, from the beginning, Dakota Monroe’s Shadows of the Crown, gave me very strong Throne of Glass vibes (a series which I love), but not in a way I was necessarily enjoying …
Crimson Stained Catalyst by Rebecca Ethington is an incredible start to The Last Fae King series. The story pulls you into a world of fae and power-wielding humans (unlike any you’ve experienced before), magic, and multidimensional characters that you’ll quickly get hooked on. This book is a MUST-READ.
A twist on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The Highlander’s Wild Flame is a wonderful (albeit somewhat “spicy”) Scottish retelling of the age-old story of true love. What follows is a tale of deceits and betrayals, truths and trust, a bit of fantasy, … and love. Will there be a happily ever after?
Book 2 of the Seasons of Fae series, Land of Ice and Intrigue takes place a month after the events of the first book. The story centers on Lady Piris Volesion, who has hidden her fearsome powers most of her life, and Prince Jarok Borau of the Winterlands, known for his flippant mask that hides his feelings and responsibilities.
