Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Two Twisted Crowns in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist To begin with, Two Twisted Crowns picks up right where One Dark Window left off—and from the very first chapter, Rachel Gillig pulls you even deeper into the eerie, enchanted fog of Blunder. This is the kind of sequel that not only meets expectations but shatters them, rebuilding its world with higher stakes, sharper emotion, and a story that cuts clean through the heart. The Details Firstly, Elspeth…
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Cursed
Cursed by Marissa Meyer My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Cursed in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Cursed is the much-anticipated conclusion to Marissa Meyer’s Gilded duology, a haunting and magical retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. While this final installment offers a return to the eerie world readers fell in love with in book one, it struggles to maintain the same level of momentum and emotional depth. It’s still worth reading, but it didn’t quite leave the lasting impression I had hoped for. The Details The strongest element of Cursed remains…
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This Vicious Grace
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of This Vicious Grace in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist This Vicious Grace introduces us to Alessa, a young woman with a powerful but dangerous gift meant to protect her people. The Details The novel presents a unique magic system centered around Alessa’s gift and her role as a Finestra. This concept is fresh and adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Thiede crafts a vibrant and detailed world with its own customs, politics, and history. The setting…
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Silver in the Mist
Silver in the Mist by Emily Victoria My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Silver in the Mist in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Silver in the Mist by Emily Victoria is a spellbinding journey through a fantastical world brimming with magic and mystery. Shrouded secrets and danger lurks in the shadows, this novel weaves a captivating tale of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery. The Details At its heart, the story follows the courageous protagonist as she navigates a world teeming with enchantment and peril. Victoria’s vivid prose brings the ethereal…
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Queen of Roses
Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Queen of Roses in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is a captivating fantasy novel that weaves together elements of romance, intrigue, and magic to create a compelling story that will enchant readers from beginning to end. The Details Set in a lush and vibrant world, Queen of Roses follows the journey of its resilient protagonist, Rose, as she navigates the treacherous politics of court life while uncovering the secrets of her…
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Ruthless
Ruthless by Gena Showalter My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, HQN, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Ruthless in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Well, I have done it again. They say all things come in threes. And this little hiccup of mine has certainly repeated itself three times. You wonder what this might be? I shall no longer keep you in suspense. I signed up to read the sequel of a story before I had a chance to read the first book. Hence, my clueless and agitated state of mind. So, once again, I…
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A Far Wilder Magic
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Far Wilder Magic in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist This is the second book I have read that decided to throw historical fiction and modern day elements together without any thought of how that could affect the reader. Like me. I swear, I felt my brain get all hot as I was trying to figure out when this story is suppose to take place. Seriously, my desire to shout “When are we?” followed…
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Luminous
Luminous by Mara Rutherford My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Inkyard Press, for providing me with an ARC of Luminous in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist I loved Rutherford’s Crown of Coral and Pearl duology. The world building and the story itself were just wonderful. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard Rutherford is publishing a new story. About magic. And witches. Yay! Having read a few new releases this year, I’m starting to notice a… trend? A common thread? Not sure what to call it, but I’m starting to see some similarities in the publications.…
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Dark Skies (Dark Shores, #2)
Dark Skies by Danielle L. Jensen My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you NetGalley and Tor Teen for providing me with an ARC of Dark Skies in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist I’ve said it before and I will say it again: I love Jensen’s writing and her storytelling. It’s beautiful, captivating and always a welcome retreat from reality. I meant to read Dark Skies right after I had finished Dark Shores, but life had other plans. The Details I don’t know how it is possible, but Dark Skies was even better than Dark Shores, which I thought impossible. Jensen was able…
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Dark Shores
Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Gist Actually, I’m going to start off right away with the verdict: I absolutely loved Dark Shores. I have loved Jensen’s writing ever since The Malediction Trilogy was published beginning back in 2014. Then in 2018 The Bridge Kingdom came out, which I was unable to find a copy of for some mysterious reason. So, I never had a chance to read it and for a few years I lost track of Jensen’s published works. Until I saw Dark Shores pop up on NetGalley. Giddy like a schoolgirl, I requested a copy to read and review, and…