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1814 reviews
A Song For You And I by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At this point, I will read any story that O’Neill puts down in whatever medium or format they decide. Without fail, their stories are always full of heart, warmth, and kindness. Their stories always include big life lessons told in such a gentle and nurturing way, and their latest graphic novel is no different.
A Song for You and I is about self-acceptance, growth, and courage. It’s about learning what fits best for you, allowing yourself to be vulnerable with others to grow, and having the courage to do it all regardless of how terrifying it is but also acknowledging that it’s okay to do so at your own pace. There is wonderful representation in these pages. Rowan and Leone are lovely characters whose stories will make many readers feel seen and heard. I loved their journeys of healing and acceptance and both characters filled my heart with a calming sense of joy. This isn’t a story full of action rather it’s a quiet and wholesome tale that takes place over several parts and across multiple locations. I loved everyone they met and everywhere they went!
It goes without saying that the accompanying artwork is just as amazing as the writing. I’m a huge fan of O’Neill’s artwork because even though their illustrations aren’t the most complex, they have a brilliant way of conveying so much through the character's expressions that it leaves readers with no doubt about the story's emotional depth. It’s fantastic and the way the art matches the story so well in terms of softness and peacefulness creates this perfectly magical and whimsical blend that readers can easily get lost in. I loved the colour palette in this graphic novel so much, as well as the close-ups and wide shots of the places Rowan and Leone travel through and to.
Overall, you don’t need to belong to a certain group or even believe a certain thing to understand, appreciate and connect to the stories that O’Neill crafts—you simply need to be human. 💜
A Song for You and I is about self-acceptance, growth, and courage. It’s about learning what fits best for you, allowing yourself to be vulnerable with others to grow, and having the courage to do it all regardless of how terrifying it is but also acknowledging that it’s okay to do so at your own pace. There is wonderful representation in these pages. Rowan and Leone are lovely characters whose stories will make many readers feel seen and heard. I loved their journeys of healing and acceptance and both characters filled my heart with a calming sense of joy. This isn’t a story full of action rather it’s a quiet and wholesome tale that takes place over several parts and across multiple locations. I loved everyone they met and everywhere they went!
It goes without saying that the accompanying artwork is just as amazing as the writing. I’m a huge fan of O’Neill’s artwork because even though their illustrations aren’t the most complex, they have a brilliant way of conveying so much through the character's expressions that it leaves readers with no doubt about the story's emotional depth. It’s fantastic and the way the art matches the story so well in terms of softness and peacefulness creates this perfectly magical and whimsical blend that readers can easily get lost in. I loved the colour palette in this graphic novel so much, as well as the close-ups and wide shots of the places Rowan and Leone travel through and to.
Overall, you don’t need to belong to a certain group or even believe a certain thing to understand, appreciate and connect to the stories that O’Neill crafts—you simply need to be human. 💜
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up!
TL;DR: This YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology was fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully written—it's perfect for fans of wuxia/xianxia stories. The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a story about family, fate and rebellion. The author’s lyrical prose and gorgeous world-building will have you feeling immersed in these pages full of horrifying demonic creatures, beautifully cruel immortals, and delightful mythological creatures. I found Àn’Yīng admirable and relatable, I was invested in the ‘Rome and Juliet-esque’ romance, and I was gripped by the twists and turns that came at the end. I had to put the book down to take a breather at one point because everything seemed to happen all at once and I was not ready?! And I loved it. Is it too soon to ask for the next book? 😬
From the opening lines to the very end of this book, AWZ’s beautifully lyrical prose and stunningly vivid world-building will have you feeling fully immersed in the story. There’s something about the author’s writing that makes it so easy to picture all of the scenes unfolding like a movie before my eyes. Being able to do this made me feel so much more absorbed in the story. I appreciated that AWZ doesn’t waste time with slowly setting up the scene in the beginning and the action kicks off immediately. From the go, it’s apparent that this is a dangerous world where hell spawn roam freely and you could die just as easily as you could take your next breath. As Àn’Yīng sets off for the Kingdom in the Sky, leaving her mother and sister behind, you can feel how tense and high-stakes the situation is and just how badly she wants to win the deadly trials.
Àn’Yīng was a fierce MC and there’s no questioning her dedication and willingness to do anything for her family. Due to the war and resulting loss of her parents, she needed to grow up faster than any child should, as she not only had to care for herself and her baby sister but she also took responsibility for ensuring her village’s safety. She’s an admirable young woman who made countless sacrifices for her family. She’s driven by her anger and disgust towards the mo but she also uses her fear as fuel to stoke that anger and propel her forward.
She develops unlikely friendships including a trio of halflings viewed as abominations by mortals, as well as Yù’Chén, who ends up being a central character in her story. He intrigued me immensely and I ended up loving his character. There’s just something about a fierce warrior type who seems invulnerable to so much, yet wears his emotional vulnerability so close to the surface, and seeing these seemingly perfect characters yearn for acceptance and love just hits me in the feels! Sure, I was questioning his motives but I was also reeled in by the softer side he rarely presented.
The one thing that I wish had been done better was the character development for everyone. It would’ve been nice to see more of Àn’Yīng’s growth as someone who can fend for herself without having to be repeatedly rescued. That’s not to say she didn’t know how to fight because she’s a baddie with a warrior heart and I loved seeing her wield her magic daggers. I guess I just wanted to see more of her training and how she learns to harness qi better. Also, as much as I understand why the main love interest wasn’t further developed, I would’ve loved to see more varied interactions with Àn’Yīng. Their scenes ended up feeling a bit formulaic but it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of their romance as I liked their push and pull. It’s complex and angsty, and as certain things are revealed, there’s an increasing sense of “doomed love” and “star-crossed lovers” vibes that I was here for! 😂 I will say this pushed into possible love triangle territory, although the other connection gave a strong ‘platonic’/unrequited vibe. I wasn’t keen since it’s my least fave trope but I’ve noticed that romances in wuxia/xianxia tend to be very dramatic and tragic! This is obviously all guesses and who knows what direction AWZ will take this—all I hope is that it’s going to be angsty AF and serve the emotional turmoil that leads to a satisfying end. I was screaming “HOLY FIREBALLS OF ANGST” for the last 10-15% of this so I think AWZ will deliver!
Overall, I had a freaking good time reading this and I’m already so excited for the next book which is honestly a bit tragic seeing as how this book has (by now) just been published. 🥲 I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the sequel cos I need to see how everything will unfold!
TL;DR: This YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology was fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully written—it's perfect for fans of wuxia/xianxia stories. The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a story about family, fate and rebellion. The author’s lyrical prose and gorgeous world-building will have you feeling immersed in these pages full of horrifying demonic creatures, beautifully cruel immortals, and delightful mythological creatures. I found Àn’Yīng admirable and relatable, I was invested in the ‘Rome and Juliet-esque’ romance, and I was gripped by the twists and turns that came at the end. I had to put the book down to take a breather at one point because everything seemed to happen all at once and I was not ready?! And I loved it. Is it too soon to ask for the next book? 😬
From the opening lines to the very end of this book, AWZ’s beautifully lyrical prose and stunningly vivid world-building will have you feeling fully immersed in the story. There’s something about the author’s writing that makes it so easy to picture all of the scenes unfolding like a movie before my eyes. Being able to do this made me feel so much more absorbed in the story. I appreciated that AWZ doesn’t waste time with slowly setting up the scene in the beginning and the action kicks off immediately. From the go, it’s apparent that this is a dangerous world where hell spawn roam freely and you could die just as easily as you could take your next breath. As Àn’Yīng sets off for the Kingdom in the Sky, leaving her mother and sister behind, you can feel how tense and high-stakes the situation is and just how badly she wants to win the deadly trials.
Àn’Yīng was a fierce MC and there’s no questioning her dedication and willingness to do anything for her family. Due to the war and resulting loss of her parents, she needed to grow up faster than any child should, as she not only had to care for herself and her baby sister but she also took responsibility for ensuring her village’s safety. She’s an admirable young woman who made countless sacrifices for her family. She’s driven by her anger and disgust towards the mo but she also uses her fear as fuel to stoke that anger and propel her forward.
She develops unlikely friendships including a trio of halflings viewed as abominations by mortals, as well as Yù’Chén, who ends up being a central character in her story. He intrigued me immensely and I ended up loving his character. There’s just something about a fierce warrior type who seems invulnerable to so much, yet wears his emotional vulnerability so close to the surface, and seeing these seemingly perfect characters yearn for acceptance and love just hits me in the feels! Sure, I was questioning his motives but I was also reeled in by the softer side he rarely presented.
The one thing that I wish had been done better was the character development for everyone. It would’ve been nice to see more of Àn’Yīng’s growth as someone who can fend for herself without having to be repeatedly rescued. That’s not to say she didn’t know how to fight because she’s a baddie with a warrior heart and I loved seeing her wield her magic daggers. I guess I just wanted to see more of her training and how she learns to harness qi better. Also, as much as I understand why the main love interest wasn’t further developed, I would’ve loved to see more varied interactions with Àn’Yīng. Their scenes ended up feeling a bit formulaic but it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of their romance as I liked their push and pull. It’s complex and angsty, and as certain things are revealed, there’s an increasing sense of “doomed love” and “star-crossed lovers” vibes that I was here for! 😂 I will say this pushed into possible love triangle territory, although the other connection gave a strong ‘platonic’/unrequited vibe. I wasn’t keen since it’s my least fave trope but I’ve noticed that romances in wuxia/xianxia tend to be very dramatic and tragic! This is obviously all guesses and who knows what direction AWZ will take this—all I hope is that it’s going to be angsty AF and serve the emotional turmoil that leads to a satisfying end. I was screaming “HOLY FIREBALLS OF ANGST” for the last 10-15% of this so I think AWZ will deliver!
Overall, I had a freaking good time reading this and I’m already so excited for the next book which is honestly a bit tragic seeing as how this book has (by now) just been published. 🥲 I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the sequel cos I need to see how everything will unfold!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars
TL;DR: Unhallowed Halls is a book that I had a very fun time reading! I came for the dark academia and mild supernatural horror vibes and Wilkinson delivered on both. The intimidating structure and cold halls of Agathion combined with the fog-enshrouded moor surrounding the campus created a wonderfully gothic and eerie atmosphere that set the tone well for the story. Our MC was so easy to root for and I enjoyed the found family vibes with the "elite clique" that she finds herself taken into. While the second half of the story was a large departure from the first half, I went with the vibes and found myself enjoying the tonally different and slightly ludicrous unfolding of events. It's batty but if you can just roll with it and suspend your disbelief, it's a fun time (at least, it was for me)! 😂
From the beginning, Wilkinson does a great job of setting the tone that "something just isn't quite right here" without readers being able to pinpoint what exactly that is. From the foggy moors to the austere halls of Agathion to the isolating school rules and strict Magisters to the demonic pig that almost kills our MC in one of the early scenes… There's a profound sense of wrongness that lingers around this boarding school castle set in the Scottish moors. This book was very much outside of my comfort zone although I'm glad that it was still at the level of supernatural horror/creepy that I could handle. The author does a great job in not only maintaining that bone-deep feeling of wrongness but also creating grotesque and horrifying scenes through imagery that sticks with you long after you turn the final page—at least, that's how it worked for me.
Our MC, Page, was an interesting character who I found easy to empathise with. There's a sense of mystery that surrounds her character as we begin to get glimpses of things that happened in her previous schools that seem like inexplicable supernatural events, and we learn that her parents kind of see her as this ticking time bomb that could go off at any minute. She has spent her life feeling out of place for being too smart and feeling like there was something profoundly wrong deep inside of her which she hopes Agathion can fix, only to realise she's a different kind of oddity in this school of poor little rich kids. Despite experiencing quite an awkward start with the friend group she eventually became a part of, and who came to play a significant role in this/her story, she slowly finds her place with them. I appreciated the growth that Page experiences and how she comes to embrace what makes her different and most importantly, learns to forgive herself for her past. She got the healing she deserved and I was happy for her!
I have to admit that the academic aspect of this story was slightly overwhelming with its philosophical discussions about the great dead Greeks—it straight up just made me feel dumb AF, haha. 🤣 If you love the "studying" aspect of dark academia, I think you'll enjoy how it's done here! I did love the Celtic mythology that's woven in as these are stories that I've not heard of before but looking it up led me down a mini-rabbit hole of internet searching to learn more. There were some great plot twists, some I (proudly) saw coming and a few others that took me by surprise! The unfolding of events picks up in pace as Page uncovers sinister secrets the more she hangs out with the clique.
Now, while the first half of the story is perfectly mood-appropriate dark academia, the second half is where you'll really have to suspend your disbelief. If the first half is a slow and steady build, the second half is an unexpected explosion and while such a big tonal shift would normally irritate me, going with the flow ended up making this an intense yet oddly fun (and funny) supernatural romp! Let's just say that as the supernatural and mythological aspects get more intense, the wilder the events that happen in quick succession. There was also an added humorous aspect to one of the characters introduced later on that... I was not expecting in the least but the humour ended up growing on me although I can say it was very weird! 🤭
I can fully understand why some readers might not like the second half and how it may not work for many. There were also certain elements that I wish had been better explored. The 'found family' vibes from the friendship group were great but I wanted to learn so much more about them individually and to have seen more growth in their interactions and relationships with Page firsthand. They felt too much like simple plot devices for how central they are to this story! There is also a romance which, I didn't mind all too much but I would've liked to see more of that progress organically. I wouldn't necessarily say it's instalove but there were interactions between them that I think needed proper unpacking before they got to where they were emotionally in the end.
Overall though, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did because it's so far outside of my comfort zone. Wilkinson does a fantastic job with setting the scene and creating an immersive atmosphere and while I don't know what her intention was with making the second half so drastically different, I'm glad that I found myself not minding it too much. 😂 I would say that if you like gothic dark academia vibes + mythology + demonology, I think you could enjoy this too!
TL;DR: Unhallowed Halls is a book that I had a very fun time reading! I came for the dark academia and mild supernatural horror vibes and Wilkinson delivered on both. The intimidating structure and cold halls of Agathion combined with the fog-enshrouded moor surrounding the campus created a wonderfully gothic and eerie atmosphere that set the tone well for the story. Our MC was so easy to root for and I enjoyed the found family vibes with the "elite clique" that she finds herself taken into. While the second half of the story was a large departure from the first half, I went with the vibes and found myself enjoying the tonally different and slightly ludicrous unfolding of events. It's batty but if you can just roll with it and suspend your disbelief, it's a fun time (at least, it was for me)! 😂
From the beginning, Wilkinson does a great job of setting the tone that "something just isn't quite right here" without readers being able to pinpoint what exactly that is. From the foggy moors to the austere halls of Agathion to the isolating school rules and strict Magisters to the demonic pig that almost kills our MC in one of the early scenes… There's a profound sense of wrongness that lingers around this boarding school castle set in the Scottish moors. This book was very much outside of my comfort zone although I'm glad that it was still at the level of supernatural horror/creepy that I could handle. The author does a great job in not only maintaining that bone-deep feeling of wrongness but also creating grotesque and horrifying scenes through imagery that sticks with you long after you turn the final page—at least, that's how it worked for me.
Our MC, Page, was an interesting character who I found easy to empathise with. There's a sense of mystery that surrounds her character as we begin to get glimpses of things that happened in her previous schools that seem like inexplicable supernatural events, and we learn that her parents kind of see her as this ticking time bomb that could go off at any minute. She has spent her life feeling out of place for being too smart and feeling like there was something profoundly wrong deep inside of her which she hopes Agathion can fix, only to realise she's a different kind of oddity in this school of poor little rich kids. Despite experiencing quite an awkward start with the friend group she eventually became a part of, and who came to play a significant role in this/her story, she slowly finds her place with them. I appreciated the growth that Page experiences and how she comes to embrace what makes her different and most importantly, learns to forgive herself for her past. She got the healing she deserved and I was happy for her!
I have to admit that the academic aspect of this story was slightly overwhelming with its philosophical discussions about the great dead Greeks—it straight up just made me feel dumb AF, haha. 🤣 If you love the "studying" aspect of dark academia, I think you'll enjoy how it's done here! I did love the Celtic mythology that's woven in as these are stories that I've not heard of before but looking it up led me down a mini-rabbit hole of internet searching to learn more. There were some great plot twists, some I (proudly) saw coming and a few others that took me by surprise! The unfolding of events picks up in pace as Page uncovers sinister secrets the more she hangs out with the clique.
Now, while the first half of the story is perfectly mood-appropriate dark academia, the second half is where you'll really have to suspend your disbelief. If the first half is a slow and steady build, the second half is an unexpected explosion and while such a big tonal shift would normally irritate me, going with the flow ended up making this an intense yet oddly fun (and funny) supernatural romp! Let's just say that as the supernatural and mythological aspects get more intense, the wilder the events that happen in quick succession. There was also an added humorous aspect to one of the characters introduced later on that... I was not expecting in the least but the humour ended up growing on me although I can say it was very weird! 🤭
I can fully understand why some readers might not like the second half and how it may not work for many. There were also certain elements that I wish had been better explored. The 'found family' vibes from the friendship group were great but I wanted to learn so much more about them individually and to have seen more growth in their interactions and relationships with Page firsthand. They felt too much like simple plot devices for how central they are to this story! There is also a romance which, I didn't mind all too much but I would've liked to see more of that progress organically. I wouldn't necessarily say it's instalove but there were interactions between them that I think needed proper unpacking before they got to where they were emotionally in the end.
Overall though, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did because it's so far outside of my comfort zone. Wilkinson does a fantastic job with setting the scene and creating an immersive atmosphere and while I don't know what her intention was with making the second half so drastically different, I'm glad that I found myself not minding it too much. 😂 I would say that if you like gothic dark academia vibes + mythology + demonology, I think you could enjoy this too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm and Sexual assault
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. special thanks to Wednesday Books for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars
Note: I will try to keep my review of book two as specific yet generic as possible to keep from giving spoilers but since it is the conclusion of a duology, that may be hard to do. If you're still planning to read book one: fair warning!
TL;DR: Rebel Witch is a fast-paced and action-packed follow-up to Crimson Moth. I was invested from the go and I can't recall the last time I read a book so quickly (not even a day)! The conclusion in this fantasy romance duology leans more into the romance side of things but overall, I found it a satisfying conclusion! Rune and Gideon are peak enemies-to-lovers and I LOVED everything about their dynamic in this book. The sexual tension was so intense and taut that you could have cut it with a knife and I was here for every single delicious moment. There are old/new characters and plot twists introduced that did a good job of cleanly wrapping up the loose threads, despite maybe some elements moving a bit too quickly. Or maybe it was just that I wanted more time in this world and I didn't want the book to end? 🤭 This duology as a whole is a solid 5 stars and with the way it ends, it has successfully slotted itself into my list of favourite fantasy romances!
I had no idea what to expect going into Rebel Witch. I was ready for more enemies-to-lovers romance with a dose of hateful and reluctant (maybe one-sided) pining, but I wasn't ready for the high-level mix of angst, mutual pining, and achingly sharp yearning churned with a hearty dose of hatred. The combination gave my stomach butterflies cramps because PHWOAR, THE FEELS! Y'all, when I tell you I wasn't ready for it (cos I wasn't), but did I eat up every minute of it? YUH!
Ugh, just thinking about these two and the complexity of the feelings they contend with, plus the reality of their situation being a witch and witch hunter lent their romance a feeling of hopeless star-crossed lovers. Rune and Gideon have so much to process following the events of book one. They're dealing with grief, rage, betrayal, and presumably (on both their parts) unrequited love that they loathe feeling for each other as players on opposing sides of a brewing war. I enjoyed both their character arcs as they process their feelings while also contending with the reality that the people in charge of their respective sides don't seem to be leading their people in the right direction, and they can no longer justify the cruelty of their actions on both sides. I loved watching Gideon accept his feelings for Rune and seeing how it grounded and strengthened him. Surprisingly, the opposite happens with Rune due to certain horrifying circumstances that seemingly broke her although, of course, she finds a way back to herself and Gideon in the end. Their romance was inevitable—their red string of fate unbreakable—and I loved the slow burn of it although there were times when I felt the back-and-forth got repetitive further in. That said, their actions and reactions did make sense after everything they went through and they still managed to solidify their place on my list of favourite romantasy couples! 😉 Also, while the first book did have a semi-open door intimate scene, I feel like the intimate scene here is a bit more mature (also semi-open door) which made this feel more New Adult or at the very least upper YA.
The conclusion to the duology does lean heavily on the romance aspect and to be honest, I think that's what a lot of romance fantasy readers will come for! However, the plot does move smoothly along in the background and I was satisfied with how everything was tied together in the end. Yet I still wish more focus was given to certain elements of the plot, especially the new "twisty" elements that were introduced, of which there were a few. Some of these elements could've been so much more impactful had the author given them more time to marinate and develop earlier, but the wrapping up of things felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed meeting certain characters that I didn't take seriously in the first book and I also liked most of the new characters we met (save for one 👀). There were even some characters that I would love to get side stories for because I was invested in learning more about their histories and the potential of their futures.
Overall, this was just a super entertaining, highly emotional, achingly romantic and beautiful conclusion to the duology. I'm so happy I picked up Crimson Moth last year and I can't wait to see what Ciccarelli comes out with next because I'll read it! 😍
Note: I will try to keep my review of book two as specific yet generic as possible to keep from giving spoilers but since it is the conclusion of a duology, that may be hard to do. If you're still planning to read book one: fair warning!
TL;DR: Rebel Witch is a fast-paced and action-packed follow-up to Crimson Moth. I was invested from the go and I can't recall the last time I read a book so quickly (not even a day)! The conclusion in this fantasy romance duology leans more into the romance side of things but overall, I found it a satisfying conclusion! Rune and Gideon are peak enemies-to-lovers and I LOVED everything about their dynamic in this book. The sexual tension was so intense and taut that you could have cut it with a knife and I was here for every single delicious moment. There are old/new characters and plot twists introduced that did a good job of cleanly wrapping up the loose threads, despite maybe some elements moving a bit too quickly. Or maybe it was just that I wanted more time in this world and I didn't want the book to end? 🤭 This duology as a whole is a solid 5 stars and with the way it ends, it has successfully slotted itself into my list of favourite fantasy romances!
I had no idea what to expect going into Rebel Witch. I was ready for more enemies-to-lovers romance with a dose of hateful and reluctant (maybe one-sided) pining, but I wasn't ready for the high-level mix of angst, mutual pining, and achingly sharp yearning churned with a hearty dose of hatred. The combination gave my stomach butterflies cramps because PHWOAR, THE FEELS! Y'all, when I tell you I wasn't ready for it (cos I wasn't), but did I eat up every minute of it? YUH!
Ugh, just thinking about these two and the complexity of the feelings they contend with, plus the reality of their situation being a witch and witch hunter lent their romance a feeling of hopeless star-crossed lovers. Rune and Gideon have so much to process following the events of book one. They're dealing with grief, rage, betrayal, and presumably (on both their parts) unrequited love that they loathe feeling for each other as players on opposing sides of a brewing war. I enjoyed both their character arcs as they process their feelings while also contending with the reality that the people in charge of their respective sides don't seem to be leading their people in the right direction, and they can no longer justify the cruelty of their actions on both sides. I loved watching Gideon accept his feelings for Rune and seeing how it grounded and strengthened him. Surprisingly, the opposite happens with Rune due to certain horrifying circumstances that seemingly broke her although, of course, she finds a way back to herself and Gideon in the end. Their romance was inevitable—their red string of fate unbreakable—and I loved the slow burn of it although there were times when I felt the back-and-forth got repetitive further in. That said, their actions and reactions did make sense after everything they went through and they still managed to solidify their place on my list of favourite romantasy couples! 😉 Also, while the first book did have a semi-open door intimate scene, I feel like the intimate scene here is a bit more mature (also semi-open door) which made this feel more New Adult or at the very least upper YA.
The conclusion to the duology does lean heavily on the romance aspect and to be honest, I think that's what a lot of romance fantasy readers will come for! However, the plot does move smoothly along in the background and I was satisfied with how everything was tied together in the end. Yet I still wish more focus was given to certain elements of the plot, especially the new "twisty" elements that were introduced, of which there were a few. Some of these elements could've been so much more impactful had the author given them more time to marinate and develop earlier, but the wrapping up of things felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed meeting certain characters that I didn't take seriously in the first book and I also liked most of the new characters we met (save for one 👀). There were even some characters that I would love to get side stories for because I was invested in learning more about their histories and the potential of their futures.
Overall, this was just a super entertaining, highly emotional, achingly romantic and beautiful conclusion to the duology. I'm so happy I picked up Crimson Moth last year and I can't wait to see what Ciccarelli comes out with next because I'll read it! 😍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
The Forest King's Daughter by Elly Blake
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to the publisher for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
TL;DR: This was an interesting new YA fantasy and I admit that I was hooked from the prologue. I immediately wanted to know more and see what happened in the years that passed following the giving of the ring and the declaration of war. There were a lot of interesting elements to the story that compelled me to keep reading and I’m glad that this came on my radar; however, on the whole, I admit that I wanted more from this story. This had a lot of potential to be an amazing read had it not been for some missed opportunities when it came to the POV, the world-building and character development. Having said that, I liked The Forest King’s Daughter enough to want to continue the series and see how the hinted-at prophecy unfolds.*
I wasn’t quite sure how to put my thoughts into words as I was reflecting on my final thoughts. about the book, so to make it easy on myself, I’m breaking this review down into the things I enjoyed and the things I wish had been done differently. Starting with the thing I enjoyed:
- The mix of Roman, Greek and Germanic mythology and a wide array of magical mythical creatures. I love a mythology-based fantasy and this one had an interesting mix of lore. The only part that I was mildly familiar with was lore about the King of the Forest, but I liked the introduction to Noctua, Nerthus, and Solis. The only thing that I wish is that there had been more of it. There was also a great mix of creatures included in the story that I hadn’t read about before. The scuccas were unique but creepy AF but the creature I loved most was one of the foxlike welkin spirit creatures, the Vozarra.
- Welkincaster ft. Gutel the Kobold. Who doesn’t love the idea of a floating island in the clouds? Welkincaster was eerie and magical and this element was an interesting way to learn more about the world-building. I was admittedly unsure what I thought about Gutel but this grumpy protector of the hearth and manor grew on me by the end! He’s a fun combination of wisdom and knowledge mixed with disgruntled and a bit of a drunk. 🤭 His grumpiness grated on me at first but I came to appreciate his moaning about impropriety by the end, lol.
- The romance (but with several caveats). I was surprised to find myself enjoying the romance despite it feeling a bit on the side of instalove. That said, I was already curious about Cass and Zeru’s connection and something about it developing into romance worked for me. As to be expected, there was a lot of tension after years of war and many deaths between them. The author gave them a fun push/pull dynamic with trust and respect which almost made up for the fact that most of their reconnection was told rather than shown. Despite their enmity, both of them suffered as a result of their innocent childhood friendship and I liked how they were trying to prove their worth in their ways. It’s clear both of them love their people greatly. I can see a lot of young fantasy readers being taken in by the dark broody lonely demon boy that is Zeru and the relentless and fierce forest daughter that is Cassia.
- Cassia was an interesting character and I liked her POV. We get to see a bit of how her life has changed as a result of receiving the ring and we see the impact that bearing the weight of such immense power has on her; especially without any guidance on how to wield or control said power. Her desire to prove her worth to her father was relatable and overall, I found it easy to empathise with her character.
- The bond between sisters. I love a story that shines the light on the mess and wonder of sibling relationships and I enjoyed the one between Cassia, Enora, Thea and little Rozie. They each have their strength which is recognised by the other and while there might be some envy on Cassia’s part towards her two elder sisters Enora and Thea, it’s never of the ugly jealous variety. I loved that their trust in each other is never called into question even when Cass goes against the ‘status quo’ they’ve been raised to believe.
I would say there were a few factors that, had they been done differently, would’ve made this a more enjoyable read for me.
- I felt that the story could have done with stronger world-building and character development to support the overall plot and to create a stronger connection for readers. The world-building was patchy and introduced well into the story which, considering how central the mythology was to the plot, felt a bit late and what we get is not very detailed. I found the character development a bit shallow and wanted to learn more, especially about our MCs. There was also something about the writing and pacing that, imho, didn’t lend itself well to forming a deeper emotional connection with the characters. Events unfold so quickly by the end that there’s little time to process what it all means before the story then ends.
- I think what would’ve helped greatly with both the world-building and character development is the inclusion of Zeru’s POV, which we unfortunately don’t get. Despite being a main character in his own right, Zeru doesn’t get a POV. He is integral to this story and his fate is so intertwined with Cassia’s and yet, we don’t get his POV?! I found this frustrating because his POV would’ve added the "more" that the story needed. There was so much he learned off-page which we only find out about much later after the fact due to him not communicating with Cass at the time for various reasons (because they were still enemies, it didn’t come up, etc.). It would’ve also helped to better understand his character and what happened to him and his family after he made such a life-changing (even society-changing) mistake as a child.
The story ends in such a way that can make this stand on its own but I'm curious to see where the series will go next, especially with that little tidbit of prophecy that's introduced at the end. I wonder if it'll be from a different sister's POV and even though I liked Cass and Zeru, I'd be curious to see what life is like through the eyes of a different forest king's daughter.
TL;DR: This was an interesting new YA fantasy and I admit that I was hooked from the prologue. I immediately wanted to know more and see what happened in the years that passed following the giving of the ring and the declaration of war. There were a lot of interesting elements to the story that compelled me to keep reading and I’m glad that this came on my radar; however, on the whole, I admit that I wanted more from this story. This had a lot of potential to be an amazing read had it not been for some missed opportunities when it came to the POV, the world-building and character development. Having said that, I liked The Forest King’s Daughter enough to want to continue the series and see how the hinted-at prophecy unfolds.*
I wasn’t quite sure how to put my thoughts into words as I was reflecting on my final thoughts. about the book, so to make it easy on myself, I’m breaking this review down into the things I enjoyed and the things I wish had been done differently. Starting with the thing I enjoyed:
- The mix of Roman, Greek and Germanic mythology and a wide array of magical mythical creatures. I love a mythology-based fantasy and this one had an interesting mix of lore. The only part that I was mildly familiar with was lore about the King of the Forest, but I liked the introduction to Noctua, Nerthus, and Solis. The only thing that I wish is that there had been more of it. There was also a great mix of creatures included in the story that I hadn’t read about before. The scuccas were unique but creepy AF but the creature I loved most was one of the foxlike welkin spirit creatures, the Vozarra.
- Welkincaster ft. Gutel the Kobold. Who doesn’t love the idea of a floating island in the clouds? Welkincaster was eerie and magical and this element was an interesting way to learn more about the world-building. I was admittedly unsure what I thought about Gutel but this grumpy protector of the hearth and manor grew on me by the end! He’s a fun combination of wisdom and knowledge mixed with disgruntled and a bit of a drunk. 🤭 His grumpiness grated on me at first but I came to appreciate his moaning about impropriety by the end, lol.
- The romance (but with several caveats). I was surprised to find myself enjoying the romance despite it feeling a bit on the side of instalove. That said, I was already curious about Cass and Zeru’s connection and something about it developing into romance worked for me. As to be expected, there was a lot of tension after years of war and many deaths between them. The author gave them a fun push/pull dynamic with trust and respect which almost made up for the fact that most of their reconnection was told rather than shown. Despite their enmity, both of them suffered as a result of their innocent childhood friendship and I liked how they were trying to prove their worth in their ways. It’s clear both of them love their people greatly. I can see a lot of young fantasy readers being taken in by the dark broody lonely demon boy that is Zeru and the relentless and fierce forest daughter that is Cassia.
- Cassia was an interesting character and I liked her POV. We get to see a bit of how her life has changed as a result of receiving the ring and we see the impact that bearing the weight of such immense power has on her; especially without any guidance on how to wield or control said power. Her desire to prove her worth to her father was relatable and overall, I found it easy to empathise with her character.
- The bond between sisters. I love a story that shines the light on the mess and wonder of sibling relationships and I enjoyed the one between Cassia, Enora, Thea and little Rozie. They each have their strength which is recognised by the other and while there might be some envy on Cassia’s part towards her two elder sisters Enora and Thea, it’s never of the ugly jealous variety. I loved that their trust in each other is never called into question even when Cass goes against the ‘status quo’ they’ve been raised to believe.
I would say there were a few factors that, had they been done differently, would’ve made this a more enjoyable read for me.
- I felt that the story could have done with stronger world-building and character development to support the overall plot and to create a stronger connection for readers. The world-building was patchy and introduced well into the story which, considering how central the mythology was to the plot, felt a bit late and what we get is not very detailed. I found the character development a bit shallow and wanted to learn more, especially about our MCs. There was also something about the writing and pacing that, imho, didn’t lend itself well to forming a deeper emotional connection with the characters. Events unfold so quickly by the end that there’s little time to process what it all means before the story then ends.
- I think what would’ve helped greatly with both the world-building and character development is the inclusion of Zeru’s POV, which we unfortunately don’t get. Despite being a main character in his own right, Zeru doesn’t get a POV. He is integral to this story and his fate is so intertwined with Cassia’s and yet, we don’t get his POV?! I found this frustrating because his POV would’ve added the "more" that the story needed. There was so much he learned off-page which we only find out about much later after the fact due to him not communicating with Cass at the time for various reasons (because they were still enemies, it didn’t come up, etc.). It would’ve also helped to better understand his character and what happened to him and his family after he made such a life-changing (even society-changing) mistake as a child.
The story ends in such a way that can make this stand on its own but I'm curious to see where the series will go next, especially with that little tidbit of prophecy that's introduced at the end. I wonder if it'll be from a different sister's POV and even though I liked Cass and Zeru, I'd be curious to see what life is like through the eyes of a different forest king's daughter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence and War
In a Rush by Kate Canterbary
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Special thanks to Kate Canterbary and her team for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars 😍
TL;DR:Over the years, Kate Canterbary has become one of my favourite go-to romance authors. Now when I pick up one of her books, I know it’ll be a great time. Reading In A Rush felt like receiving a warm and welcoming hug from an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while and I loved Ryan and Emme! Their chemistry was a simmering explosion just waiting to happen, their friend groups were hilarious, their families entertaining (but also very messed up, at least on Emme’s side) and overall, this was the perfect romantic escape read from the mess of reality. I was all for Ryan’s peak Wife Guy energy that had me swooning all over the place (no joke)! I’m already excited to get more books in the Friendship series (please bless us, KC!). 😂
We’re first introduced to this group of friends in Shay’s book, In a Jam, as they’re school teacher friends from Boston. While we didn’t “properly” meet them in Shay’s book, I’m happy we get to know more about this group of messy, sarcastic, overdramatic, and highly relatable ride-or-die girlfriends. Typical of Canterbary’s FMCs, Emme is your feisty, slightly unhinged binch, who often doesn’t know her strength and finds herself being walked over by the worst of men-kind. She won’t be everyone’s cuppa but I found her highly relatable. As corny as it sounds, I loved watching her bloom again when Ryan comes back into her life and she sheds the shroud of doubt and insecurity that her pig of an ex so expertly draped over her. You can see in subtle ways how she finds confidence and joy in being herself again and it was clear to everyone else too.
As for Ryan... Holy granola, this man! He had me swooning all over the show with his doting Wife Guy energy and I was seated for the whole ride. Though IRL Wife Guys may be “out” thanks to idiots tarnishing the term, I’m still a sucker for the in-book Wife Guys and how they love to dote on their wives. I love how Canterbary’s men do this and because of them, I’ve come to adore this sub-trope more. There’s just something about a guy who would love to do nothing more than spoil and adore their wives and make their lives better—and not for the public or anyone else but just because they can’t help themselves from doing so! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and swoony and Ryan excelled at being a Wife Guy and setting those butterflies in my stomach off in a total frenzy! I made a lot of highlights where he was concerned. 🤭
Their romance was unsurprisingly explosive and I loved the build-up of tension as they go from besties wondering if they’re actually doing this (well, he’s wondering if this is real cos his dream is coming true, lol) to crossing the line into lovers and being married. Their personalities complemented each other so well! They’re not grumpy sunshine opposites per se, but rather grumpy and grumpier and they both come across as intimidating and not people to mess around with. However, he is also the calm to her chaos and they’d both do anything for the people they love, even if it’s at their own expense. I loved how Canterbary introduced the strength of their friendship bond from their high school days through to the present in a way that was organic and didn’t involve flashback chapters. I felt the closeness of their bond and understood how well they clicked on a soulmate level. They were just so wonderful together! 😉
The reason why this isn’t a full five stars is that I thought we’d at least get one scene with Ryan’s whole family. Their group chat was a fucking delight and one of the many highlights of the book for me, so I was bummed when we didn’t get a face-to-face scene with them, especially because Grandma Cece sounded like a hoot! I also just generally wished we spent more time with both friend groups because I just loved spending time with them. The reasons for their marriage of convenience also didn’t end up playing as big a role as I expected it to but on the whole, these were (IMHO) minor things that didn’t hugely impact my overall enjoyment of this romance!
TL;DR:Over the years, Kate Canterbary has become one of my favourite go-to romance authors. Now when I pick up one of her books, I know it’ll be a great time. Reading In A Rush felt like receiving a warm and welcoming hug from an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while and I loved Ryan and Emme! Their chemistry was a simmering explosion just waiting to happen, their friend groups were hilarious, their families entertaining (but also very messed up, at least on Emme’s side) and overall, this was the perfect romantic escape read from the mess of reality. I was all for Ryan’s peak Wife Guy energy that had me swooning all over the place (no joke)! I’m already excited to get more books in the Friendship series (please bless us, KC!). 😂
We’re first introduced to this group of friends in Shay’s book, In a Jam, as they’re school teacher friends from Boston. While we didn’t “properly” meet them in Shay’s book, I’m happy we get to know more about this group of messy, sarcastic, overdramatic, and highly relatable ride-or-die girlfriends. Typical of Canterbary’s FMCs, Emme is your feisty, slightly unhinged binch, who often doesn’t know her strength and finds herself being walked over by the worst of men-kind. She won’t be everyone’s cuppa but I found her highly relatable. As corny as it sounds, I loved watching her bloom again when Ryan comes back into her life and she sheds the shroud of doubt and insecurity that her pig of an ex so expertly draped over her. You can see in subtle ways how she finds confidence and joy in being herself again and it was clear to everyone else too.
As for Ryan... Holy granola, this man! He had me swooning all over the show with his doting Wife Guy energy and I was seated for the whole ride. Though IRL Wife Guys may be “out” thanks to idiots tarnishing the term, I’m still a sucker for the in-book Wife Guys and how they love to dote on their wives. I love how Canterbary’s men do this and because of them, I’ve come to adore this sub-trope more. There’s just something about a guy who would love to do nothing more than spoil and adore their wives and make their lives better—and not for the public or anyone else but just because they can’t help themselves from doing so! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and swoony and Ryan excelled at being a Wife Guy and setting those butterflies in my stomach off in a total frenzy! I made a lot of highlights where he was concerned. 🤭
Their romance was unsurprisingly explosive and I loved the build-up of tension as they go from besties wondering if they’re actually doing this (well, he’s wondering if this is real cos his dream is coming true, lol) to crossing the line into lovers and being married. Their personalities complemented each other so well! They’re not grumpy sunshine opposites per se, but rather grumpy and grumpier and they both come across as intimidating and not people to mess around with. However, he is also the calm to her chaos and they’d both do anything for the people they love, even if it’s at their own expense. I loved how Canterbary introduced the strength of their friendship bond from their high school days through to the present in a way that was organic and didn’t involve flashback chapters. I felt the closeness of their bond and understood how well they clicked on a soulmate level. They were just so wonderful together! 😉
The reason why this isn’t a full five stars is that I thought we’d at least get one scene with Ryan’s whole family. Their group chat was a fucking delight and one of the many highlights of the book for me, so I was bummed when we didn’t get a face-to-face scene with them, especially because Grandma Cece sounded like a hoot! I also just generally wished we spent more time with both friend groups because I just loved spending time with them. The reasons for their marriage of convenience also didn’t end up playing as big a role as I expected it to but on the whole, these were (IMHO) minor things that didn’t hugely impact my overall enjoyment of this romance!
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Special thanks to HarperCollins for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
TL;DR: This was my first YA contemporary by Ann Liang but it won’t be my last. I now understand why her books are so well-loved and always come highly recommended. This had strong characters, was packed with emotion, and had a high degree of relatability that I think will apply to all readers. In “I Am Not Jessica Chen”, Liang perfectly captures the highly competitive high school and academic experience, including the pressures teenagers face to do better and achieve more as they equate it to success. Jenna is a complex, relatable and realistic character and I enjoyed watching her journey of self-acceptance unfold. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to all readers!
The young adult experience is explored so well through Jenna’s character, as well as those of the other students she interacts with at school. I found Jenna to be a wonderfully complex and intriguing young woman who is caught up in the vicious cycle of comparison and wanting, and of never being and never having enough. There was a great quote (which of course meant I forgot to highlight it) that said something along the lines of she wanted more life and that was exactly it. It was actually heartbreaking to see how little Jenna thought of herself, her life and her talents because it didn’t fit her family’s and society’s traditional ideas of success. It wasn’t enough for her, especially when she had always been closely compared to her wealthy, can-do-no-wrong, model student, and effortlessly perfect cousin, Jessica Chen. So it’s no wonder that Jenna wanted to be her, but when her dreams come true and she finds herself occupying Jessica’s body, she comes to learn just how isolating achieving that level of perfection can be. Seeing how much Jessica achieved was honestly very tiring and overwhelming! I can't even imagine the mental fortitude it would take to endure such high-intensity pressure at such a young age!
Alongside Jenna’s journey of discovery and self-acceptance, a seemingly unrequited romance with old flame, Aaron Cai, is rekindled and I surprisingly loved their romance. It was a bit more tell than show seeing as everything that happened between them took place in the past but goodness, if this is how Liang writes all her MMCs, then I can understand why the romance aspects of her books are so popular! Aaron is a big-hearted and calming presence that contrasts with Jenna’s defensive and angry personality. The things this young man has the potential to melt all the hearts! He’s observant, thoughtful, and caring, which he proves time and again by being on Jenna’s side. I will admit though that the past conflict between them and the resulting action was a bit “eh” but also, teenagers, I guess?
This is a story that I think will be relatable for so many readers. I think everyone at some point in their life has felt that perceived inadequacy or lack of themselves, that desire to have someone else’s life because they have it better or easier. Jenna’s emotional and mental journey was so raw and often painful and confronting to read because of how relatable her experience was. I admit that I teared up pretty early on while reading this because of the emotions! Oh, the emotions got me good. I loved how the themes of belonging, identity, success, family and love were explored throughout the story. Liang explores these big themes in a simple and accessible way without shoving the moral of the story in the reader’s face.
Overall, I thought this was a great read that I think many readers will enjoy and connect with. Jenna’s journey was compelling, her character arc was strong, and I appreciated how her perceptions changed as the story progressed. This YA contemporary sprinkled with a bit of magic/magical realism is one that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!
TL;DR: This was my first YA contemporary by Ann Liang but it won’t be my last. I now understand why her books are so well-loved and always come highly recommended. This had strong characters, was packed with emotion, and had a high degree of relatability that I think will apply to all readers. In “I Am Not Jessica Chen”, Liang perfectly captures the highly competitive high school and academic experience, including the pressures teenagers face to do better and achieve more as they equate it to success. Jenna is a complex, relatable and realistic character and I enjoyed watching her journey of self-acceptance unfold. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to all readers!
The young adult experience is explored so well through Jenna’s character, as well as those of the other students she interacts with at school. I found Jenna to be a wonderfully complex and intriguing young woman who is caught up in the vicious cycle of comparison and wanting, and of never being and never having enough. There was a great quote (which of course meant I forgot to highlight it) that said something along the lines of she wanted more life and that was exactly it. It was actually heartbreaking to see how little Jenna thought of herself, her life and her talents because it didn’t fit her family’s and society’s traditional ideas of success. It wasn’t enough for her, especially when she had always been closely compared to her wealthy, can-do-no-wrong, model student, and effortlessly perfect cousin, Jessica Chen. So it’s no wonder that Jenna wanted to be her, but when her dreams come true and she finds herself occupying Jessica’s body, she comes to learn just how isolating achieving that level of perfection can be. Seeing how much Jessica achieved was honestly very tiring and overwhelming! I can't even imagine the mental fortitude it would take to endure such high-intensity pressure at such a young age!
Alongside Jenna’s journey of discovery and self-acceptance, a seemingly unrequited romance with old flame, Aaron Cai, is rekindled and I surprisingly loved their romance. It was a bit more tell than show seeing as everything that happened between them took place in the past but goodness, if this is how Liang writes all her MMCs, then I can understand why the romance aspects of her books are so popular! Aaron is a big-hearted and calming presence that contrasts with Jenna’s defensive and angry personality. The things this young man has the potential to melt all the hearts! He’s observant, thoughtful, and caring, which he proves time and again by being on Jenna’s side. I will admit though that the past conflict between them and the resulting action was a bit “eh” but also, teenagers, I guess?
This is a story that I think will be relatable for so many readers. I think everyone at some point in their life has felt that perceived inadequacy or lack of themselves, that desire to have someone else’s life because they have it better or easier. Jenna’s emotional and mental journey was so raw and often painful and confronting to read because of how relatable her experience was. I admit that I teared up pretty early on while reading this because of the emotions! Oh, the emotions got me good. I loved how the themes of belonging, identity, success, family and love were explored throughout the story. Liang explores these big themes in a simple and accessible way without shoving the moral of the story in the reader’s face.
Overall, I thought this was a great read that I think many readers will enjoy and connect with. Jenna’s journey was compelling, her character arc was strong, and I appreciated how her perceptions changed as the story progressed. This YA contemporary sprinkled with a bit of magic/magical realism is one that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!
The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TL;DR: The Wilde Trials was a great young adult mystery/thriller. It’s been a minute since I read YA in this genre but this made me want to pick up more of them! The setting of the Wilde Manor was perfectly atmospheric, the puzzles fun, the mystery intriguing and even the teenage drama was entertaining. Overall, if you’re looking for a well-paced mystery with empathetic characters who are easy to root for, I would recommend checking this out.
I enjoyed The Wilde Trials more than I expected to and it reminded me of why I enjoy YA mysteries so much. They’re easy to devour in one sitting and have just enough stakes to be intense and intriguing without being too dark or drawn out. For all the danger our protagonists may find themselves in, these books are simply “good time” popcorn reads and I love them! While it was easy to see how things would unfold, I still enjoyed the twists and turns this took. I found it to be a great story about sibling bonds and the age-old lessons of learning where you fit in and accepting who you are. You can expect there to be teenage drama and angst, but thankfully, it wasn’t too over-the-top and neither did it take over the overall story.
I enjoyed The Wilde Trials more than I expected to and it reminded me of why I enjoy YA mysteries so much. They’re easy to devour in one sitting and have just enough stakes to be intense and intriguing without being too dark or drawn out. For all the danger our protagonists may find themselves in, these books are simply “good time” popcorn reads and I love them! While it was easy to see how things would unfold, I still enjoyed the twists and turns this took. I found it to be a great story about sibling bonds and the age-old lessons of learning where you fit in and accepting who you are. You can expect there to be teenage drama and angst, but thankfully, it wasn’t too over-the-top and neither did it take over the overall story.
I loved the setting and thought the overgrown and falling-apart Wilde Manor was perfect for creating a dark and creepy atmospheric read. With the looming forest along the manor’s periphery, decaying buildings spread across the manor grounds, and potential hidden passageways behind thin walls, everything about this perfectly fit the ‘mysterious’ vibe. Despite knowing that the manor is a short bus ride away from the school grounds, it still felt completely isolated and exactly like the kind of place where just about anything can go wrong! 🫣 But also, that library… It sounded as creepy as it was beautiful and I could picture it vividly in my mind.
Chloe was an interesting protagonist but I’m honestly still not sure how I felt about her. She’s portrayed as so many things by different people—selfish, self-serving, kind-hearted, and brave. Unfortunately, I didn’t think those traits shone particularly well in the writing. Yes, she has grit, is determined, and doesn’t cower in the face of school bullies, but we are told all of that and not shown it, which made it feel like something was missing. She does have a wonderful bond with her sister though and I’m glad that the reason behind why she’s participating in the Wilde Trials was consistent throughout. I will say that Chloe’s arc perfectly captures the teenage angst and confusion about fitting in, finding your place, etc., and I think the author did a great job of also bringing that through in all of the characters we meet.
An element that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I did was the romance between Chloe and her ex, Hayes. Despite them professing to hate each other’s guts, it’s clear to the reader that there are many unresolved feelings. Chloe and Hayes might’ve been completely oblivious to each other’s true feelings—lost as they were in their anger and confusion, but appreciated the frank conversation they had about how they ended up where they are. This romance was surprisingly sweet and I enjoyed seeing the flashbacks of their relationship before it fractured.
That all being said, the Wilde Trials does require a great deal of suspension of disbelief because I don’t know where or when this type of “game” would be allowed IRL. I can’t believe there’s any school that would send a bunch of teenagers to live in a crumbling manor for a week without proper adult supervision—and I’m not talking about college kid supervision either. Not to mention that a student has previously died on the same grounds where they’re being made to do potentially life-threatening challenges to win $600,000… 👀 Other than that, there were also some moments when the logic didn’t logic and Chloe made questionable decisions and hasty judgements that didn’t make sense! I was also admittedly a bit let down by the resolution of the mystery. It felt slightly anticlimactic although I don’t think the motive was unrealistic because sadly, it’s not something we haven’t seen before. It’s rather depressing to think about because it speaks to the toxicity of the system we’re raised to participate in and yet, nothing changes. 😮💨
Overall, despite certain (minor) things that didn’t work for me, I thought this was a solid read and I’m glad to count it as one of the first books I read at the start of a new year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Special thanks to HarperCollins for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars rounded up.
TL;DR: A Language of Dragons took me on a rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions. This fantasy world where humans and dragons co-exist had a fascinating premise and overall, I think the author executed it well. This has a little something for everyone—an in-depth exploration of linguistics and the power of language, political intrigue and subterfuge, romance, and dragons, and I think its comparison to Babel and The Hunger Games (or any other dystopian YA) is apt. Despite being a historical fantasy, it explores evergreen themes of social inequality, redemption, forgiveness, and justice, among others. The main struggle I had was dealing with the wildly negative feelings our protagonist, Viv, brought out in me as she's one of the most flawed and unempathetic YA characters I've ever read. Upon reflection, I appreciated what the author did with Viv and how it made her eventual growth more satisfying—even if I didn't reach that level of acceptance while reading, lol. If you're affected by unlikeable protagonists then you might not enjoy this but if you can have patience, I think you'll come to appreciate Viv too! Overall, this was a very solid debut and I can't wait to see where Williamson takes the story next!
The world-building was very interesting. This fantasy is set in an alternate post-WWI world where dragons and humans live together. In Britain, a fragile Peace Agreement allows humans and dragons to co-exist peacefully but humans are divided into strict social classes, and dragons have become “fourth class” citizens to be feared and abhorred. This dystopian Britain is a result of greed and an unmatched hunger for power that has corrupted the ruling class and resulted in a burgeoning rebellion that leads to civil war. We're gradually introduced to various elements of the world and I think it's set up brilliantly. I enjoyed learning about the various regional and familial spoken dragon dialects, but especially about Koinamens, the unknowable language of dragons that Viv spends most of the book trying to decode. You can tell how passionate the author is about linguistics and the power of language as it shines through in the writing and Viv's character who is a polyglot. This does read similarly to Babel but again, it's very clearly written for a YA audience with its simplified language, and I think that will be appreciated by all readers. The author also does a great job of exploring the heavy but important themes of social inequality, the class system and oppression, morality, forgiveness, redemption, and justice.
Once the action kicks off, tensions steadily rise as Viv finds herself placed in Bletchley Hall "fighting" for her family's survival. Might you have to suspend your disbelief that it's down to criminal teenagers (albeit with brilliant minds) who are set to save the country from war? I don't feel like it was too much of a stretch considering how eagerly the Prime Minister exploited whomever she could for personal gain. I will say that although tensions are high, it doesn't necessarily feel like we're entrenched in civil war due to Bletchley Park's "isolation" and what we do hear is through minor radio reports and news clippings interspersed in chapters. It would've also been great to get a better understanding of the PM's motive because yes, she's greedy, power-hungry, and wants full control but... To what end? The pacing also could've been better but I think that's in part due to the many pages of internal monologuing and teenage angst we're subjected to being in Viv's head. All of the explosive action that takes place towards the end is crammed into about 15% of the book and for being over 400 pages long, I think it could've been moved up to better set things up for the next book. That said, the tension was enough to propel the story forward and keep me eagerly turning the pages to find out what comes next.
When it came to the characters and the relationships, much of it was told rather than shown, which made some of the interactions and larger “shocking” events fall slightly flat as I didn’t feel the emotions needed for it to have hit harder. This most affected how I felt about the romance, which had its cute and sweet moments, but in my opinion, the depth of their feelings for each other was unbalanced with what we see of their interactions on-page. It's also very much *not* enemies-to-lovers although if you stretch the idea based on how Viv acts for most of the story, you can take it that way. 🤷🏻♀️
This leads me to our main character and... my very mixed thoughts about her throughout the read. To be fair, the author does pre-warn us that Viv is a very flawed character so you don't go in completely unaware. Did that warning help how I felt about her? Not particularly, lol. Viv Featherswallow is... someone who would do anything for her family and to maintain her comfortable status quo as part of the Second Class. She has done truly unforgivable things to hurt the people she claims to love and care for most in the world, and despite the guilt she suffers, she knows she'd do it again if it meant keeping her family safe and her worldview intact. She is naive to a fault, self-centred with a superiority complex, an insufferable kiss-ass, and a coward. She has made and continued to choose to make selfish decisions regardless of the impact on others, and it's fair to say that I found her wholly unlikeable and completely unempathetic for close to 90% of the book. She does eventually begin trying to make amends and essentially be a less selfish and more forgiving version of herself, which was satisfying to see.
However, it was only after I finished reading and had time to process my reading experience that I came to significantly appreciate how Williamson chose to write Viv's character. Viv is human and a teenage human at that. She makes infuriatingly naive decisions and frustratingly avoidable mistakes, and sometimes repeats them! But does that truly make her a bad person? Even if it was irritating to read, Viv's flip-flopping felt true to her because she's not going to suddenly be 100% on board with the rebellion after fighting so hard to keep her blinders on. Does this make me dislike her any less? Not really, no, but I can see what the author was trying to do with Viv's character and I'm keen to see what she will be like in the next book and where the story goes from here.
TL;DR: A Language of Dragons took me on a rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions. This fantasy world where humans and dragons co-exist had a fascinating premise and overall, I think the author executed it well. This has a little something for everyone—an in-depth exploration of linguistics and the power of language, political intrigue and subterfuge, romance, and dragons, and I think its comparison to Babel and The Hunger Games (or any other dystopian YA) is apt. Despite being a historical fantasy, it explores evergreen themes of social inequality, redemption, forgiveness, and justice, among others. The main struggle I had was dealing with the wildly negative feelings our protagonist, Viv, brought out in me as she's one of the most flawed and unempathetic YA characters I've ever read. Upon reflection, I appreciated what the author did with Viv and how it made her eventual growth more satisfying—even if I didn't reach that level of acceptance while reading, lol. If you're affected by unlikeable protagonists then you might not enjoy this but if you can have patience, I think you'll come to appreciate Viv too! Overall, this was a very solid debut and I can't wait to see where Williamson takes the story next!
The world-building was very interesting. This fantasy is set in an alternate post-WWI world where dragons and humans live together. In Britain, a fragile Peace Agreement allows humans and dragons to co-exist peacefully but humans are divided into strict social classes, and dragons have become “fourth class” citizens to be feared and abhorred. This dystopian Britain is a result of greed and an unmatched hunger for power that has corrupted the ruling class and resulted in a burgeoning rebellion that leads to civil war. We're gradually introduced to various elements of the world and I think it's set up brilliantly. I enjoyed learning about the various regional and familial spoken dragon dialects, but especially about Koinamens, the unknowable language of dragons that Viv spends most of the book trying to decode. You can tell how passionate the author is about linguistics and the power of language as it shines through in the writing and Viv's character who is a polyglot. This does read similarly to Babel but again, it's very clearly written for a YA audience with its simplified language, and I think that will be appreciated by all readers. The author also does a great job of exploring the heavy but important themes of social inequality, the class system and oppression, morality, forgiveness, redemption, and justice.
Once the action kicks off, tensions steadily rise as Viv finds herself placed in Bletchley Hall "fighting" for her family's survival. Might you have to suspend your disbelief that it's down to criminal teenagers (albeit with brilliant minds) who are set to save the country from war? I don't feel like it was too much of a stretch considering how eagerly the Prime Minister exploited whomever she could for personal gain. I will say that although tensions are high, it doesn't necessarily feel like we're entrenched in civil war due to Bletchley Park's "isolation" and what we do hear is through minor radio reports and news clippings interspersed in chapters. It would've also been great to get a better understanding of the PM's motive because yes, she's greedy, power-hungry, and wants full control but... To what end? The pacing also could've been better but I think that's in part due to the many pages of internal monologuing and teenage angst we're subjected to being in Viv's head. All of the explosive action that takes place towards the end is crammed into about 15% of the book and for being over 400 pages long, I think it could've been moved up to better set things up for the next book. That said, the tension was enough to propel the story forward and keep me eagerly turning the pages to find out what comes next.
When it came to the characters and the relationships, much of it was told rather than shown, which made some of the interactions and larger “shocking” events fall slightly flat as I didn’t feel the emotions needed for it to have hit harder. This most affected how I felt about the romance, which had its cute and sweet moments, but in my opinion, the depth of their feelings for each other was unbalanced with what we see of their interactions on-page. It's also very much *not* enemies-to-lovers although if you stretch the idea based on how Viv acts for most of the story, you can take it that way. 🤷🏻♀️
This leads me to our main character and... my very mixed thoughts about her throughout the read. To be fair, the author does pre-warn us that Viv is a very flawed character so you don't go in completely unaware. Did that warning help how I felt about her? Not particularly, lol. Viv Featherswallow is... someone who would do anything for her family and to maintain her comfortable status quo as part of the Second Class. She has done truly unforgivable things to hurt the people she claims to love and care for most in the world, and despite the guilt she suffers, she knows she'd do it again if it meant keeping her family safe and her worldview intact. She is naive to a fault, self-centred with a superiority complex, an insufferable kiss-ass, and a coward. She has made and continued to choose to make selfish decisions regardless of the impact on others, and it's fair to say that I found her wholly unlikeable and completely unempathetic for close to 90% of the book. She does eventually begin trying to make amends and essentially be a less selfish and more forgiving version of herself, which was satisfying to see.
However, it was only after I finished reading and had time to process my reading experience that I came to significantly appreciate how Williamson chose to write Viv's character. Viv is human and a teenage human at that. She makes infuriatingly naive decisions and frustratingly avoidable mistakes, and sometimes repeats them! But does that truly make her a bad person? Even if it was irritating to read, Viv's flip-flopping felt true to her because she's not going to suddenly be 100% on board with the rebellion after fighting so hard to keep her blinders on. Does this make me dislike her any less? Not really, no, but I can see what the author was trying to do with Viv's character and I'm keen to see what she will be like in the next book and where the story goes from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
Moderate: Medical trauma and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty and Alcohol
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
Only Santas in the Building was my first read from this collection of holiday romance novellas so I don't know how it compares to the others, but overall I thought it was a fun time. It was short, sweet, romantic and festive, which are all the things you'd look for in a holiday romance.
I thought Evie was a cool and relatable FMC and I love a simp MMC which Theo was. Despite having a mad crush on him since they first met, she's rather oblivious about those feelings being reciprocated—thankfully, it didn't result in any stupid decisions that would result in tensions leading to a conflict. We love a man of action and Theo's feelings shone loud and clear. I loved how thoughtful, kind, and incredibly sweet he was, especially when Evie was having a hard time dealing with her grief this Christmas. I would've enjoyed a bit more depth to their connection and while I empathised with Evie, I didn't feel any particularly strong emotions or connection to her story. While this might not have blown me away or been particularly memorable, it did make me curious about this author's work so maybe I'll check out a full-length novel at some point! :)
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I thought Evie was a cool and relatable FMC and I love a simp MMC which Theo was. Despite having a mad crush on him since they first met, she's rather oblivious about those feelings being reciprocated—thankfully, it didn't result in any stupid decisions that would result in tensions leading to a conflict. We love a man of action and Theo's feelings shone loud and clear. I loved how thoughtful, kind, and incredibly sweet he was, especially when Evie was having a hard time dealing with her grief this Christmas. I would've enjoyed a bit more depth to their connection and while I empathised with Evie, I didn't feel any particularly strong emotions or connection to her story. While this might not have blown me away or been particularly memorable, it did make me curious about this author's work so maybe I'll check out a full-length novel at some point! :)