Let me tell you— I was INVESTED in this story. Like, I’m talking, I started it last night and finished it this morning at 2:30 this morning. I flew through it. I don’t want to spoil anything or influence anyone’s opinions or thoughts too much as they read, so I’ll just say this: Coralys sucks, Oke is life!
It’s been a long time since an epic high fantasy sank its claws into me like this, and I’m already itching for the next installment. If you loved The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen or crave the high-stakes vibes of Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm, Smoke and Scare might just be your next obsession.
While this book could use a bit more developmental editing and a good copy edit, I kind of… loved it? Ha. It was easy to read and get hooked on, I enjoyed Stark’s writing style and the world-building, and I especially liked the banter and relationship between the main characters.
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.
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.
Bottom line: If you love fantasy romance with badass heroines, cinnamon roll MMCs who can still wreck people, and a story that keeps you glued to the pages, read this ASAP. And if anyone knows how long I have to wait for book two, please tell me so I can emotionally prepare.
October was full of ARCs as I waited for my next edit to come in… with a few dark academia, mystery, thriller, and/or true crime reads, along with a bunch of fantasies, I definitely embraced the month’s mood.
Lara Bronson’s The Time Tournament kicks off the Order of the Dragon series with a mix of time travel (love!), witches, dragon shifters, and a battle to the death, all set against the backdrop of real historical events in Eastern Europe. The premise is fascinating, blending fantasy with historical fiction, and I’m left curious and eager to grab the next book.
Within the Embers is a great continuation of T.A. Reilly’s Scattered Destinies series. Its mix of magic, high stakes, romance, and time travel, combined with a badass, relatable female main character; a swoonworthy male main character; and a cliffhanger that leaves you craving the next book, will appeal to fans of fantasy series like ACOTAR, TOG, and The Empyrean.
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 …
May was full of contemporary romances, namely the Kings of Sin series by Ana Huang and the Playing for Keeps series by Becka Mack. A re-read of Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR series was also a feature this month, along with a couple of other books. Take a peek!
April brought us an array of worlds, from realms marked by divine trials to the ballrooms of Regency London. Among them, “Worthy of Fate” by A.N. Caudle stood out as our favorite read of the month, while “Romancing Mister Bridgerton” by Julia Quinn was a nice re-read in anticipation of Bridgerton Season 3!
