A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen My rating: 1 of 5 stars The Gist Oh, where to begin with A Fate Inked in Blood? It had such promise—Viking lore, a strong female lead, and a plot dripping with destiny and magic. Sounds epic, right? Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired. The Details First, let’s talk about the characters. Our heroine, Freya, is supposedly a fierce, independent woman destined for greatness. Yet, somehow, she spends most of the novel embroiled in romantic drama that feels straight out of a soap opera. It’s hard to root for someone who is constantly torn between brooding love interests instead…
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Ghosts
Ghosts by Edith Wharton My rating: 5 of 5 stars Edith Wharton’s Ghosts is an absolute gem that beautifully combines her literary brilliance with the timeless allure of ghost stories. Wharton’s collection of supernatural tales is not just haunting but also exquisitely crafted, balancing spine-tingling suspense with her signature wit and elegance. Wharton uses the ghostly theme to explore deeper emotions like regret, longing, and the unseen forces that shape people’s lives. Her ghost stories are not about cheap thrills; they are about the eerie undercurrents of human experience. The haunting is subtle, making it all the more unsettling. Each story in the collection is distinct, but they all share…
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Stars Crossed – Silberblut
Stars Crossed – Silberblut by Alexandra Stückler-Wede My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Stars Crossed – Silberblut in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Stars Crossed – Silberblut presents an intriguing premise that draws readers into a world filled with star-crossed lovers and celestial drama. The narrative begins with an engaging hook, setting up the stakes for the main characters and their fateful connections. The world-building is imaginative, with vibrant descriptions of both the celestial and earthly realms, providing a lush backdrop for the unfolding story. The Details However, while…
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The Vanishing Hour
The Vanishing Hour by Seraphina Nova Glass My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Vanishing Hour in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Seraphina Nova Glass’s The Vanishing Hour is a thrilling, atmospheric page-turner. It masterfully combines psychological suspense with emotionally gripping drama. From the moment you open the book, you are thrust into a tense, chilling narrative. It keeps you guessing until the very end. The Details Glass’s ability to craft complex, layered characters is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. The protagonist, Grace, is immediately relatable. Her vulnerability…
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A Certain Kind of Starlight
A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Weber My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Certain Kind of Starlight in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Heather Webber’s A Certain Kind of Starlight is a heartwarming and enchanting tale. It beautifully blends magical realism, love, and family ties. Set in a small, picturesque town, the story captivates from the first page. The story drawing readers into a world where ordinary life is touched by just a hint of magic. The Details Webber excels at creating vivid, memorable characters, particularly the…
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Immortality: A Love Story
Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Immortality: A Love Story in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Dana Schwartz’s Immortality: A Love Story, the sequel to Anatomy, attempts to expand on the gothic atmosphere and medical intrigue of its predecessor. It ultimately struggles to maintain momentum or deliver a satisfying continuation of the story. While there are moments of intrigue, the novel is marred by pacing issues, underdeveloped characters, and a plot that often feels meandering and unfocused. The Details At the center…
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The Mystery Guest
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Mystery Guest in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Nita Prose’s The Mystery Guest promised an intriguing return to the quirky, engaging world of The Maid, but unfortunately, this sequel falls flat in several key areas. It struggles to maintain the freshness, depth, and emotional resonance that readers might have expected after The Maid’s success. The Details The novel follows Molly, the lovable hotel maid from the first book, who now faces a new challenge: solving another…
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The Cloisters
The Cloisters by Katy Hays My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Cloisters in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Katy Hays’ debut novel, The Cloisters, is a captivating and atmospheric blend of historical mystery and academic intrigue. It keeps readers on edge from beginning to end. Set primarily within the mystical, ivy-draped walls of The Cloisters, a gothic museum in New York City renowned for its medieval art collection, this novel explores the dark undercurrents of ambition, power, and obsession. The story follows Ann Stilwell, a young academic who…
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The Things They’ve Taken
The Things They’ve Taken by Katie McElhenney My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Things They’ve Taken in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Things They’ve Taken by Katie McElhenney offers a unique blend of fantasy, adventure, and young adult drama. It follows the journey of Lo, a girl whose mother has been taken by a supernatural force. To rescue her, Lo teams up with a mysterious and brooding guide named Shaw. They venture into a strange and dangerous world filled with magical creatures and perilous challenges. The Details…
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Death Overdue
Death Overdue by Allison Brook My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Death Overdue in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Death Overdue by Allison Brook offers cozy mystery fans a quaint and charming whodunit set in the cozy confines of a small-town library. It is centred around librarian Carrie Singleton. The novel follows her as she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that hits close to home. The Details The novel’s premise holds promise, with a cozy setting and an amateur sleuth at the helm. Carrie’s determination to uncover the…
