Book Review: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong

My thanks to Netgalley, St. Marin's Press and Kelley Armstrong for the eARC in exchange for a review of this book.

I have this memory. When I was a kid, I used to take dance classes. Class would end and I'd go out to the lobby area, where my Dad was sitting with a book. I'd give him the sticker I got at the end of my class and he'd put it on his bookmark, which was covered with stickers from me and my little sister. I'd stare at the covers of the books he read, wanting to know what they were about, because my Dad liked to read horror novels. The one I remember specifically is one called Dead Voices. If you look it up, the cover art is different shades of green, with people coming out of some water in various states of decay, their eyes glowing and focused on you as you stare right back. It's an image that has stuck with me for decades, literally. Because at one point in this book, Sam sees something coming out of the water and my mind filled in the rest with that cover art image and being a child and starting to understand fearing the things you can't see in the dark. And I sat there with this book in my hands and thought, whelp, I don't need sleep, right?

I've read so many Kelley Armstrong books. Not ALL of them, but it is a goal of mine to read as many of them as I can find. I love her A Rip Through Time series, which just released it's fourth book last week. I've read the Cainsville series and the A Stitch in Time series. I even have several Rockton novels that I mean to start once I finish last week's new release and I own nearly every Women of the Otherworld book out there. So when I saw that Armstrong was releasing one-off horror novels, I eagerly got my copies and sat down to read. I liked Hemlock Island for the most part, but there were so many little things that just irked me and I couldn't let them go, so LIKE is all I can say for that book. I just finished I'll be Waiting, and it actually took me a couple of months to finally finish it, which says a lot about my general attitude towards it. Suffice to say, I loved the writing and the general premise of each book, but blast it, those villain reveals just would not stick the landing for me. I wanted to be floored and creeped out and then turn around and give the book to my Dad, because he's where my fascination with the horror genre came from.

I'll be buying a copy of THIS BOOK for my Dad, no doubt about it.

I do have this pre-ordered. It's one of those books that I saw was an upcoming release from one of my favorite authors and just automatically added it to my cart. All the while eyeing it with some trepidation because of my experience with the last two horror novels I've read from Armstrong. I had my fingers crossed and maybe even held my breath a little as I started reading this book. I finished it in less than a day (I did end up falling asleep somewhere in those 24 hours since I opened this book yesterday, where I dreamed of waterlogged people grabbing my feet from under the bed, always a good sign that a book has gotten under my skin.) I devoured the first quarter of the book before starting dinner for my kids and then spent most of the night reading while feeding my infant a bottle and rocking him to sleep.

This book grabbed me from the start. It follows Sam, a woman who thanks to the stipulations set forth in her grandfather's will, has to stay at the lakefront cottage from her childhood. It's a place she hasn't set foot near in almost 14 years, since the last time she was there she witnessed her beloved father burying the body of a boy her age and then subsequently killed himself. Her grandfather didn't believe the story she told and now, in order to inherit the land the cottages sit on, she has to spend a month in her parents' old cabin. It's one last way to stick it to Sam that she had to be wrong, forcing her to confront the trauma of her past in order to move forward with the money she desperately needs by inheriting the property.

It's the kind of plot that is in a lot of horror stories out there right now. The main character has to go back to their childhood home and deal with the demons in their past that haunt them both literally and figuratively, in an old, sometimes derelict property. I'm sure it's the basis of several stories soon to be released this year. What sets this one apart is the background to the property. Turns out, the area around Payne's Hollow, named after Sam's family, has been riddled with disappearances going back for at least a century. Sam has always heard things out in the woods and had grown up knowing to never set foot in the trees or enter the water after dark. Nothing to question about what is seemingly good safety advice. Except over the course of the book, Sam starts to realize there is more than a little warning about the trees and the water. Because something wanders the land the Payne family has held onto for centuries, and it has now set it's focus completely on Sam. The why of it all, is what makes this book work, but for spoiler purposes, you have to read it to find out the reveal. I got to the ending and then went back and reread passages that stood out to me, highlighting how that reveal not only works but just gives the book that oomph that makes it stick in your head, and yes, finally, I LOVE a horror novel from my favorite author. Third time's the charm.

The writing is concise, revealing suspenseful tidbits in due time, enough to keep the reader guessing and turning the pages, needing to find out what happens next. Because I lied, I DO need sleep, but I had to keep reading this book, I couldn't just put it down, look what just happened, 5 more pages, 10 more pages, oh look an hour has passed by, fine, I almost dropped my phone because I'm exhausted, I yield to the need for sleep and the obvious bloodshot eyes I see in the mirror. And then as soon as I woke up, I continued reading in between feeding my family and myself, and doing my utmost to keep my toddler entertained while my infant watches us all in wonder.

I respected Sam as a character. She does her best to manage what she can, working a menial job while living in a rundown apartment, so all her money can go to keeping her mom comfortable in a home that can take care of her thanks to an onset of early dementia. Sam is barely keeping her head afloat and in the back of her mind is the trauma of what she witnessed her dad doing and now the deal she has to suffer through because of her a** of a grandfather had me squarely in her corner. I believe in hard work and determination, and people finally getting what they deserve and I wanted all of that for Sam and even her aunt Gail, who went with her niece to the cabin to keep her company because she didn't want Sam to suffer alone. I loved Josie, the daughter of the Sheriff and a deputy in her own right, who tried her hardest to make Sam feel welcome, providing the right presence to keep Sam focused as more and more gets revealed in the story. I even came to like Ben, the caretaker of the property, who has his own agenda to deal with concerning his connection to the Payne family.

I didn't get the connection from just the title to the classic Irving story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I should have, but it is placed front and center within the first few chapters, and I loved how Armstrong takes pieces of that story to make something that much more twisted in terms of familial secrets and monsters that go bump in the night. As I've already said, I finished this fast, which is a plus for me. And even though it goes fast, the book is not lacking in any way. I had questions and suspicions, and everything was answered and revealed in ways that made me smile because yes, that is so wow. I'll be reading this again when it's released later this year. I want to rave about more, but I'm trying really hard not to spoil the book. I usually read the endings to a lot of books I start reading but I managed to contain myself this time, and I did not regret it. I want other readers to share that same experience.

Rating on my Scale: 10 Stars. I loved this book. Really and truly, just loved this book. Everything worked, the writing, the characters, the reveals, the ending. When I get my hardcover, it will live on a shelf next to my other favorite stories, where I'll pull it out whenever I'm in the mood to be just a little scared. Read if you like T. Kingfisher's A House with Good Bones. I'm going to go read that one again this weekend.

Book Review: Zomromcom by Olivia Dade

My thanks to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Olivia Dade for the eARC in exchange for review of this book.

When I first opened this book and started reading, my first overwhelming thought was simply this, "Olivia Dade, how I've missed you!"

Seriously, the banter, the quips, the overall feeling just left me smiling because I've read a lot of books by Olivia Dade, so by now when I get to read her books, I know what I'm going to find. It's the reason I keep going back and reading more books by Olivia Dade. These books end up almost comfort reads, the kind of books that I randomly think, yes, I'm going to read that again RIGHT NOW, because it fits the mood I'm in. I've been looking forward to Zomromcom since the book was announced and for me, it did not disappoint.

Zomromcom is about Edie Brandstrup, who lives in the Containment Zone, which means she lives near a compound that keeps a horde of zombies from attacking the general public. These zombies were created by the government, and there are a lot of protocols in place to keep the people safe from another breach. The book opens when Edie is just returning home for the day to find a zombie on its way to attacking her neighbor. She runs to intervene and is surprised when the man she thought was a little dim not only manages to save them both, but also turns out to be a vampire. Max wants to keep Evie safe in the shelter he's created in his home but Edie is the type of person to go out of her way to save other people, which means diving headfirst into danger to warn their neighbors before it's too late and the zombies destroy everything that gets in their way.

The plot is straightforward, what is given in the synopsis is exactly what we get. I respect that because nothing bugs me more than starting a book based on a synopsis that turns out completely different than what I wanted to find. Edie has a goal, save as many people as possible. Max's goal is to keep Edie safe. The government created zombies to be weapons, but they carried their development too far and lost control of their creations which resulted in a massacre when the zombies got loose twenty years before the start of this book. When the zombies needed to be contained, supernatural creatures came out of hiding to help drive back the horde and save the world. Which is how vampires, witches, telepaths, fae, trolls and other manner of creatures are now a part of the makeup of this world.

And this world is interesting. It goes without saying that zombies are a large part of practically everything nowadays. There are movies, shows and books dedicated to zombies and the people who have to deal with a world in which zombies exist. As a result, for a new "zombie" book to stand out, it needs to do enough to stand apart from what has come before and Dade's book manages to make enough tweaks that made me invested in the story but also left me with so many questions, questions I hope will be answered in sequels to this book (yes, sequels, plural, because I think there is enough here to at least be a trilogy, if things can work out that way). The motivations behind the creation of zombies and the reasonings behind their apparent escape are the points that drive this book, and for me there was not a dull moment in this story. It moves fast because Edie and Max have a countdown, they have to stop the zombies and warn the world in a matter of days. Even when the characters had to take some time to rest and heal, it did not feel like a slog to get through the book. In fact, by the time the ending hit, I knew it was going to leave me wishing for more pages. The book just worked for me in keeping my attention, making me smile and laugh at Edie and Max bickering, and making me care for every character that they meet along the way.

The best way in my mind to describe this is that trope, how does it go? The grumpy/sunshine trope. Edie and Max fit that perfectly, so if you're familiar with romance novels, that is what you can expect. The characters are introduced with ease, allowing readers to learn a lot about Edie and Max with just a few pages of their being in the same vicinity as each other. What I enjoy about Dade's books is the quick wit shown in the dialogue. The pace of the book goes quick, mainly thanks to the rapid back and forth between Edie and Max. Even the side characters are given enough development that I hope we get to see more of them in the next installment. Nothing felt superfluous, or out of place. Dade even adds in a fun tidbit, which is that Max's first name is Gaston, which automatically makes Edie think of the Disney villain and the song that goes with that character. And because Edie is that type of person, she makes up so many iterations of that song to bug the heck out of Max that it is a beauty to behold, laughing the whole time while managing to sing along with her because come on, almost everyone knows that song.

Honestly, I want to go back and read this again. I want to talk about this book with people who like zombie movies and romances. I respect the fact that Dade took a chance and tried something new with a supernatural romance. If there are more books by Dade like this one, I need to find them asap.

Rating: 9.5 Stars on my ratings scale. Why not 10? Because it just ended and I want more already. And I have no idea when I'll be able to hear Edie sing another "Gaston" song to Max, which is a travesty, if I do say so myself. Olivia Dade, I salute your "Gaston" songs by the way. If there was ever the perfect villain song to incorporate into your work, you chose the best one by far.

Book Review: Leo and the Crazy Genre Hitel by Tsvi Jolles

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for eARC in exchange for a review.

There are things I loved about this book. After reading the first book, I liked the development of Leo into being more confident about himself. Book 1 had Leo more likely to stay introverted and to dwell on what other people thought about him to the point where he almost kept himself from trying new things. In this book, Leo takes chances and goes to work at a hotel, rolling with the problems that come up with guests and his coworkers without losing his stride too much.

The plot was interesting, the idea that the hotel that Leo works at for the summer sometimes plays refuge for book characters that are fleeing the bad endings of their stories. However, not enough was given of this interesting idea. The book, as in Leo's story, had two book characters as guests at the Magnolia Hotel, and that was it. There was not enough explanation for how they managed to get out of their books to enter Leo's world. There was no information about how book characters knew to go to the Magnolia hotel to begin with.

The other half of the story was Leo trying to save the Magnolia Hotel from being torn down. Again, a plot that could have been a great way to show how Leo has matured, to show how he uses his interest in books to connect with people and draw more attention to the hotel but the main part of this storyline involved some methods that had me scratching my head. I don't want to spoil the story for future readers but I will say that the twist almost seems to come out of nowhere. It didn't meld enough for me to feel satisfied with the ending.

In terms of characters, I feel like readers weren't given enough time with some to have their connections with Leo feel genuine. Leo's best friend Shane, from book 1, is mentioned a couple of times but is never seen on the page, even in a text message, which makes no sense to me in an age where teens have the whole world at their fingertips with just a phone at their disposal. Missy Carter, who is in charge of the book club mentioned in the synopsis, is seen hanging around but is largely missing until Leo really needs her to help him save the hotel. Mr. Jenkins returns from book 1 but after helping Leo figure out a breakfast problem for the hotel, he whisks Leo's Mom, María, off to a vacation in New Orleans. It kind of felt like the characters needed to be written out for Leo to have to fix everything on his own. Also, honestly, it did not sit well with me that an almost 14-year-old was left alone for a week while his parent went on a vacation, a deserved break or not, as Leo claimed it was for his mom.

Pacing was a little weird at times. Leo would talk about Missy as if he knew quirks about her, predicting how she'd react to something happening on the page, and I was left thinking how does Leo know this? Did I miss it somewhere because Missy was literally missing for a large part of the story. Things like this left a disjointed feeling between points of the story.

In the end, I feel like this book had too many ideas trying to take center stage. I wanted more downtime with Leo learning the ins and outs of the Magnolia Hotel and its inhabitants. I wanted more time with runaway book characters and Leo helping them to take charge of their fates and forcing their authors to make their stories change for the better. If there is another book for Leo, I hope it takes the time to sit with Leo like book 1 did, so readers have a chance to see his growth, rather than being kept at an arm's distance while he runs around trying to save the world.

Book Review: The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg

My thanks to Netgalley, 47North, and Charlie N. Holmberg for the ARC in exchange for a review. 

I will preface this by saying I remember reading Holmberg's Paper Magician series and really liking book 1, being disappointed by book 2, and not much about book 3. In fact, I haven't sat down and read any Holmberg books in quite some time. Don't get me wrong, I've bought nearly ALL of them over the last few years. I just haven't read them.

This book has changed my mind.

I'm actually a little grateful because now I have this whole list of books to start making my way through and that's great because something will have to distract me while I impatiently wait for news of the next book.  (My guess is duology, based on what I've seen but I could see this working as a series, focusing on other members of Nym's family, maybe. Either way, in my search I signed up for Holmberg's newsletter and found out about a kickstarter coming up this summer, which I've set to notify me on launch when it goes live.)

The plot is somewhat straightforward, exactly as given in the synopsis. Nym Tallowax is a healer, the eldest of her siblings and their main source of income, who has spent the last 8 years keeping her family together and afloat since the loss of their parents. A letter summons her to the castle and Nym is forced into trying to do what others have not managed and heal the broken and ailing second born son of the king. Nym managed to make one small fix and is now being forced into serving the prince as his personal healer, leaving her family to fend for themselves. All the while, the country is drafting men in preparation for a possible war.

In terms of the story itself, I still have so many questions, but that's a good thing because it is practically guaranteed that I will be back for book 2. In fact, I have this book added to a list of physical books to preorder when I have the means to do so, that way this book can live on a shelf with other favorite fantasies. I was intrigued from the start with the idea of craftlock, which is what Nym's healing is referred to as, with mentions of two other specialties being mindreading and soulbinding. Craftlock itself is meant to be illegal in Cansere, Nym's home, and is punishable by death, but healing is allowed because the queen is desperately trying to find someone to fix her son.

I wanted to know more about the way her magic worked and I wanted Nym to get back to her family after feeling the unfairness of not only having her eldest brother drafted to the army but then essentially being forced to report to the royal family to see if she could heal Prince Renn. It was such a great hook for me, playing on the heartstrings and making me angry for a young woman who is just trying her hardest to live her life the best she can with what she has.

Add in a mysterious illness keeping the prince from ever truly being whole and it's all a well-oiled storyline. The writing keeps the story flowing smoothly, giving enough information to keep the reader guessing. Some of my theories didn't pan out, others did, and I was happy with each reveal and development. Nym's point of view never gets tiresome, despite how long the first quarter of the story felt (there is only so much inhumane treatment of our lead I can take before it wears on my heart too much).

In terms of characters, Nym is a well-rounded character, strong, stubborn and intelligent enough to reason her way through most things that come at her. I appreciated her backstory, the tragedy that has shaped her, and felt particular heartbreaks were treated with respect enough that it felt natural in the reveals and the progression of the story. Nothing seemed too much or out of place, although her stubbornness could be a little frustrating but it's par for the course of a story like this. The main character can't be too perfect, after all.

The book's second lead, Prince Renn, started out as what one would expect from a member of royalty, spoiled and demanding, until Nym arrives to set him straight. In fact, he kind of reminded me of Colin from A Secret Garden, as a recluse in the castle with a mysterious ailment who eventually, with the influence of friends, gains physical strength and independence. The two of them, Nym and Renn, paired together were the right balance for a slow-burn romance that will hopefully be more realized in the next installment. I liked how it was shown that Renn was changing for the better, with the things he changed for Nym in the castle, and the way he pushed back against his overbearing mother and stood up to his bullying big brother. Changes like this work best with actions and every change in Renn felt well-earned.

The side characters are all mostly well-developed, with the main focus being on Nym's family and Renn's family, including his guards, with enough detail to make their pains and struggles come across as losses to the reader. They may not have been on the page the majority of the time, but I do feel like we got to know them all well enough, which shows Holmberg's talent as a writer.

This makes me want to point out the magic system. I read the Acknowledgements page and thought it was a brilliant idea for Holmberg to set a challenge to create a magic system that seemed familiar and yet wholly unique to the story. I remember being similarly impressed with the magic in The Paper Magician series (that paper heart is something I can still remember this many years later), so it did not surprise me that one of this book's strongest assets is it's magic system. The idea of the lumie was just complex enough to keep readers engaged and the fact that each person's lumis has a different form made it easy to see just how imaginative Holmberg has managed to make this story. There have been similar ideas done before, I'm sure, but this stands apart for me, and as a result, it makes me that much more determined to read more books from Holmberg in the near future. 

The setting is a little vague, enough for readers to fill in as the story goes on. We know the story takes place in Cansere, and that the neighboring kingdom, Sesta, has decided to start attacking the country's borders. There have been attempts to talk to the leader of Sesta, but nothing has come forth from that. As a result, Cansere has started drafting men into their army in preparation to defend themselves. The talks of war are circling around the castle, mentioned by other characters as a threat always in the backs of their minds, just out of arm's reach in a way. By the end, it culminates in a cliffhanger that makes me hope that book 2 was a little closer to being published than I think it is.

If I had to say there was anything weak about the book, I might say the pacing was too vague in the sense that I lost track of how much time Nym had been in the castle. There are mentions to changes in seasons and a certain number of weeks having gone by, but it wasn't enough to keep the timeline straight. The story focuses a lot on the day to day of Nym trying over and over to make enough healing changes to Renn, and how Renn uses those improvements to change himself by learning to fight and going out of the castle to explore, that it all kind of blends together until something comes up, usually a social event to show the characters in a different setting and around new people. Not really a disadvantage to the story, but it couldn't hurt to have some more specifics thrown in now and then. When the conflict reared up and set the last few pieces of the story in motion, I remembered the line about Spring, the season, when it was brought up but not enough to really feel the tension of the unexpected coming sooner than the characters thought it would happen. It was what I knew was coming, the WAY it happened was jarring, but I didn't remember what time of year they were in, only that it was still snowing outside, and that was about it.

In the end, this book was exactly what I wanted to read, a fantasy with a slow burn romance and a new and unique magic structure. I greatly enjoyed the experience and plan to read the book again when I have the chance. Read this book if you want something like V.E. Schwab and Diana Wynne Jones, mixed together.

Rating: I'm making this 10 Stars because I'm hoping the next one is everything I want to finish the story, with a resolution that makes me feel like wow, okay, let's go back to the beginning and read it again, and then I lose track of how many times I've read these books in the years to come. Fingers crossed.

Book Review: What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Originally Written: May 14, 2025
 

I liked it but I didn't love it. It is kind of hard to put into words what kept me from falling in love with this book. It had two cute leads, supportive side characters and whatnot but it didn't knock it out of the park for me.

I think my main gripe is that the relationship depended a lot on the falling in love when they were teenagers thing. I get it, first loves are eternal, you never forget them. I speak from experience, I've been with mine since I was fifteen (don't ask how old I am, suffice to say we've had decades together). BUT, if the present day romance was going to call back like it did to make the whole "second chance romance" trope work, I think readers needed to see those scenes in present tense. Dani told the reader about what she remembered about Wouter first time around and I just wanted to see all of that for myself. Having Dani remember different things just kept it at a distance which left me feeling a little eh about their love story.

I also feel like readers don't have a chance to really get to know Wouter outside of his relationship with Dani. He's close to his family, he loves his home? What else? Every moment with him was focused on his relation to Dani, whereas Dani interacted with Iulia, her parents, her sister, and countless other people. So we know alot about Dani, but only know Wouter as an extension of her almost, which doesn't help sell the love story.

Another thing is that at some points it felt a little like we were stuck in neutral, waiting for more to happen. Dani is trying to find a job, doesn't want to admit she's in love with the man she married, is tired of lying to people, tired of how she doesn't feel like she measures up to some ideal miracle story, lather, rinse, repeat. By the time everything blows up, because that's always the way it goes in these stories, I was just a little *shrugs shoulders* about it all.

I will say I was happy to see our previous happy couple, Chandler and Finn, still going strong on a vacation in Amsterdam. Theirs was the romance I was waiting to see in a different form between Dani and Wouter.

The story was sweet. I appreciated the focus on Dani's mental health and how that was shaped and what it meant for her to get the balance she needed. It just wasn't enough to make me love her character. It bums me out, when all is said and done.

Rating: 7.5 Stars

Book Review: I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong

Originally Written: May 13, 2025
 

It was okay. Started out really well, kept my attention but once the reveals start, I just thought meh. I'm not a fan of generational madness and revenge plots that happen because how dare the villain actually get their comeuppance? They should not have had to suffer because they killed someone, so let's convince the gullible to believe it was all lies and let's kill some more.

Oh, good grief.

I read this because it's Kelley Armstrong and the next Rip Through Time novel is almost out, and I genuinely enjoy her books. I just don't seem to connect much with her one-off horror releases. Not that I'll avoid them in the future. There's a release coming up soon that I have pre-ordered, and I will try again to see if I love that book, but you know, my expectations aren't that high but fingers crossed to be pleasantly surprised.

Maybe horror stories just aren't for me anymore? The villain always ends up some lame idiot who thinks they did no wrong and can't let go of the fact that they are the bad guy and not the hero they are in their heads. By the end of the books, I want the realization to sink in that they are F'ed up in the head and going away for a long time but it's never that ending and I get tired and bored of their wheels spinning, repeating their claims.

Phooey and bah humbug, apparently.

Rating: 4 .5 Stars

Book Review: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

Originally Written: April 20, 2025
 

.........blegh and hmmph.

I was a little charmed to start with. Which is good, the book needs to hook the reader. But then we get to the following morning, the one where Clark tries to get Riley fired and I just felt an automatic shutdown of interest in their story.

Their battle escalates from there and I just wanted to skim over everything because I do not support characters who not only fight, but fight dirty, in a romance.

The way I think of it is, if a person wants to go and get their cards read, that is THEIR business. I am not going to march into the shop and say the person is a fake and a charlatan for reading tarot cards or for conducting a séance or anything else. It is not MY business how someone else chooses to deal with anything unless it is a threat to themselves or others, as in it is going to result in bodily harm or worse.

So what if Riley said she could break curses? If they wanted to hire her, for the love of everything in the world, why the hell did Clark get himself all twisted out of shape and decide to get rid of her? And then we readers are supposed to see their tension as they struggle with their professional lives intersecting while working through an attraction to each other and I just called FOUL every time they made eyes at each other, or more like every time they were in the same room.

*sigh*

I'm going to take a moment and compare this to Fan Service, Danan's most recent release, which I just read. In that book, FMC Alex does not like MMC Devin because of a bad fan interaction from when she was a teenager. He made a comment that she overheard in which he states she's so weird and is going to die alone because of an elaborate costume she created for the fan convention. She's understandably heartbroken and has been sour on him ever since. When he needs her help, she keeps her distance. She's wary of his charm and measures everything he says against that experience with him.

When Devin sought out Alex's help, she made sure to get what she needed, money, so she could help her Dad with medical bills. She wanted to blow him off but she took the higher road, paid yes, but still willing to put it some hard work to help him out. When they eventually rehash the encounter, they are able to have a cathartic talk about both sides of what happened. It felt organic, and as a reader I was rooting for them, despite what had happened in the past.

This book did not have those moments of growth. The reflection needed to make the love story about true love and not lust that makes you blind and stupid. These two characters continually hurt each other, again and again, and I was not happy. I was more interested in the story about the curse and I wish there were more chapters to show a past timeline, just to give me a break from Clark and Riley.

I've decided to read Danan's books going forward, not backward, in releases. Danan knows what they are doing, they can make a charming book and characters. I just think I am better off reading from this point forward, where hopefully the growth of characters is par for the course, and not left at the wayside like this book did. I just can't support a love story where the fights are meant to draw blood to prove their points. It just makes me side eye their connection and think their story has an expiration date. It was not cute or fun, and if it's not that, what then do I have to root for?

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Book Review: Schemes and Scandals by Kelley Armstrong

Originally Written: April 11, 2025
 

And now I'm scolding myself because really? Really? I couldn't wait until Death at a Highland Wedding was maybe 3 or 4 days away from release before finishing this? I waited this long, what was another few weeks?

In my defense, I bought the first 2 books for my Dad and he's almost done with book 1 and he adores it so maybe that's why I thought, oh yeah, I still have the novella to finish. That way I can answer any questions he has about the series (there is no spoiler too spoilery to give away if he wants to know, which I get because I'm the same way, like father, like daughter).

Still, at least I have the hardcover and eBook on preorder. I'll be sitting happy as a clam with my book soon enough. Just need to keep repeating that.

As for the story, Armstrong does not disappoint. We readers get some wonderful interactions with Mallory and Duncan as they work to solve the mystery of a blackmailer out to humiliate a person from Gray's past if the ransom is not paid. The novella fills in a bit of questions about Duncan and a past acquaintance, details appreciated in the long run of this series. Along with some interesting facts about holidays in Scotland, it all worked out to a more light-hearted adventure compared to the previous releases.

All in all, good holiday fun. I'm not one for holidays but I can enjoy them when they're more like this, there but not the focus. I love these characters so anything extra between book releases is fine by me. And yes, I splurge and get the Subterranean Press releases. It's an indulgence I allow only every once in a while, and Armstrong is on my automatic preorder list, no questions asked.

And now I'm going back to read the series over. New Books, you say? Why would I go read something new when I have these books to read again?

Rating: 10 Stars

Book Review: Sadako-San and Sadako-Chan by Aya Tsutsumi

Originally Written: April 5, 2025
 

I'll admit, I've forgotten where I heard about this one. Also, not a fan of the movies or anything that inspired this, so I'm definitely not the audience for this.

The artwork was cute but the general story is just meh. And where the blimey is Sadako-chan's mother? What about all human functions for her while she is apparently not supposed to get out of a locked closet? So confused.

Rating: 2.5 Stars 

Looking Back: Where was her mom? She mentioned her mom, even looked for her, and yet never any actual sightings. I'm still confused by that.

Book Review: Fan Service by Rosie Danan

Originally Written: April 2, 2025
 

Crazy enough, I actually liked this for the most part.

One star off for all of the references. I am not a fan of books with so many entertainment references, it feels like in a few years, they will not age well. I will be honest, I'm not even the age of the MMC and I didn't get some of the references. So, meh, not my thing, I guess.

Half a star off because of the age of the MMC. Devin was sweet for a lot of the story but at the same time, he came across as closer to Alex's age, which I think would have worked better? Or maybe that would have skewed too close to the fandoms this almost sounds like, but again, this could be any number of supernatural series' from the last however many years, there are seriously so many to compare to, I can't even be sure what specifics are linked to this story but I digress. Back to the book, the age gap kind of felt inconsequential. I forgot about it half the time until a character referenced his age and I thought, oh yeah, he's supposed to older than Alex.

And another half star off for the lack of seeing the secondary characters a little more on the page. Cam and Eliza are supposed to be Alex's best friends, but they are mainly left as names in group chat bubbles which is a bit bleh for me. I actually had to scan back through my library eBook to remember their names. I understand the point of them, I just wish we saw more of them as people and not just as words on a screen which are then words on a page of a book. I wanted more to them, the same we saw of Alex's Dad, Isaac, and Rowen, the kid Alex is a mentor for, or even Seth, Alex's co-worker. Even then though, needed more of those characters as well, they were charming and sweet, perfect examples for what keeps Alex in a town where she actively does not necessarily fit in and yet still belongs.

Again, I did like this book. Now I'll go back and try reading Danan's other books. I'm always on the lookout for feel good books that will make me smile. I'm still in the newborn trenches and not getting any sleep, happy books keep me sane.

Rating: 7 Stars

Book Review: Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria

Originally Written: March 10, 2025
 

Giving this one ALL the stars just to emphasize how different it was from the other stories in this series. I'm also double-checking when the next Primas of Power book is out (side note: end of May, blast) because more of Daria's writing to read is my current goal. Guess I can always read the books again, which I should in preparation for the next release.

This story was sweet and endearing. There were enough tidbits to round out the characters without feeling swamped with detail or wishing for more. The title was just to be cute but in the end, I didn't mind, which is funny because I am not a fan of Christmas. Books/stories set during the holidays really have to do more to get me to forget that Christmas is such a big part of the story. I felt sorrow for Evie and I thought Theo was sweet, and the two of them together were toothachingly cute.

If I had a Christmas tradition, it would be to read this story to put a smile on my face and to help me forget the chaos of family invading my home for the holidays.

Rating: 9 Stars

Book Review: Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandra Bellefleur

Originally Written: March 8, 2025
 

I was going to write that this was my first time reading Bellefleur until I took a quick look through their book listing on the author page and OH, hey, I did read that book a while back. Hmmm, I wasn't a fan of it.

This one I liked. There's a possibility my 3 star ratings are more a reflection of the fact that I am just not all that into short stories? Not sure. There was a bit of distance with these characters, I feel like I didn't get to know them as well as the characters from the other installments. Maybe that's a bit of a double-edged sword.

Overall, it was cute. It needed a little bit more but it was cute. Will have to try a different Bellefleur novel in the future.

Rating: 7.5 Stars

Book Review: All By My Elf by Olivia Dade

Originally Written: March 8, 2025
 

Dade's books are better. I have her next book, Zomromcom, already on preorder and I'm patiently waiting for the next bn sale to preorder the Harlot's Bay sequel.

Also, I don't understand a traffic incident that leaves people stranded on the road in the snow overnight? Is this a thing up north? If so, my deepest condolences and most sincere apologies. Where I'm from, we barely have 3 seasons, and where I was born there's maybe 2 but usually just the one season, called sweltering heat. First time I saw a leaf that had turned orange because of the fall, I was in my mid-20s. And the first time I saw snow that stuck to the ground was early 30s. A scenario like being stranded like that with a bunch of people seems really far-fetched.

And it just ends? I might have given it another star if there'd been another conversation about trying to figure out future plans for their jobs but nothing. Like I said, Dade's books are better. Don't judge Dade on this story, try something else before moving on.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Book Review: Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

Originally Written: March 3, 2025
 

I knew what to expect and still, I just.....blech, I think?

If anyone has read the reviews of those kind enough to take the time to put some of the more, well, colorful, quotes in their writing to explain the overall effect of this story, then that is really all you need to know what this is about. Or really it can just take the place of reading this story. Seriously, I read the reviews and the quotes and now their source and I feel like I have read those words too many times and now they're seared into my brain.

Bailey has some really great books, and I will continue trying them in the hopes of finding something great again in the stories. This one is a no though, thanks so much, fingers crossed the next one is better.

Rating: 1.5 Stars

Book Review: Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood

Originally Written: March 3, 2025
 

Was honestly thinking I'd only like Hazelwood's novels, as I was not a fan of those stories from a few years back, but I did like this one. I actually was hoping for a little epilogue to show a time jump or something but fine, it ends where it did. Still, I liked it, so huzzah for that.

 

Rating: 7.5 Stars 

Looking Back: That's right, I actually liked this novella. It surprised me in the end, it was one of the better ones in this series.

Book Review: The Dark We Know by Wen-Yi Lee

Originally Written: January 28, 2025
 

I mostly loved this, honestly. I loved the voice and the characters, the tension about a something that haunts the town and believes driving kids to their deaths is a way of saving them for their own good.

So why the 1 star off? Because there were several instances in which Isa and Mason were confronted by adults in power who were trying to force them to comply to their way of life. Comply in the sense that the "angel" choosing certain kids meant they were expendable if it kept the rest of them in line.

But why? How much did they know about the creature that their ruling family ended up creating in their quest for expanding their power and reach in the mountains? How could they turn a blind eye and make up a lie like an "angel" that went after these children and made them hurt themselves or worse? How did the parents that lost kids keep in line with the town when their kids suffered such horrible fates?

Isa and Mason had run-ins with the ruling family of the town, the pastor of the church, and the chief of police, all of which demonstrated some understanding of what was going after them. Every time they said something like Isa and Mason weren't as much of an adult than they believed they were, it came off as a threat because the "angel" only went after anyone younger than what? Early 20s? Because Trish was also driven to hurt herself. And how does that tie in with the plot?

I loved the story. I feel like the "adults" should have forgotten what terrorized their town unless they'd personally suffered like Isa's Mom had. Adults ignoring and hiding the truth does not fit without more information to link them in about how they helped spread the lie and how it helped them personally. At this point, I guess it's just because, as I finished the book in 2 days and I have all these questions still about why they went along with it. Survival of the fittest?

Maybe they should have been left out completely, it would not have taken anything away from Isa and Mason and Otto and Trish as they worked hard to save the kids of their town. It had a bittersweet quality, watching them confront their pain and their past while trying to save themselves and each other.

Put me down for Wen-yi Lee's next book. I bought this one after reading it from the library first. I'm ready for more dark, tragic kids and their ghosts.

Rating: 8.5 Stars

Book Review: Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio

Originally Written: December 13, 2024
 

And it just.......ends?

Like that?

I'm sorry to say that it took me forever to get into reading this book. In fact, I was still in the first chapter last night and thinking I would return it to the library, put my name on the hold list, and try reading it again however many weeks from now when it gets back to me. But it's a novella, and I told myself to power through.

Interesting concepts, I'll give it that. The workings of something chilling that just never fully hits its stride for me. I was bored for the most part and I still have so many questions about the characters more so than the story itself.

Either way, I've seen other books use mushrooms as some kind of contagion done with more oomph than this one had. Specifically the novella What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, whose cover seems to have at least inspired this one. And I loved that story.

Or is it fungus? Spores, mold and fungus to be precise, for those of us that recognize the quote and can pull off the impression.

Well, I say as long as my mushrooms are cooked and on pizza or in pasta, I think I'll keep them on my menu. I haven't seen enough in this story to make me set them aside for awhile as I process new squick feelings about them. So that's a bummer in its own way, I guess.

Rating 1.5 Stars

Book Review: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

Originally Written: December 1, 2024
 

From what I understand, this is the last Enola Holmes book. If that's true, I prefer to think book 8 was the last one. This one just ends, without even following Enola out the door or getting a parting scene with Sherlock.

Overall, I was kind of disappointed with this mystery. I loved each of the previous books but there was something about this one that didn't knock it out of the park for me. Sad to think there won't be another Enola book to read in the future. Fingers crossed there will be a 3rd movie next year.

Rating: 1.5 Stars

Looking Back: I believe the 3rd movie is nearing production. Side note, there is a new Sherlock based show playing on a network somewhere which is funny, because Sherlock is played by a villain from the second Enola Holmes movie, and his "daughter" looks like Jenna Ortega in Wednesday. But hey, that's just me. I like Sherlock adjacent works so most likely, I'll be watching that show soon.

Book Review: Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon

Originally Written: December 10, 2024
 

I was debating between 2 and 3 stars and settled on 3 so here is why.

First star off for the pacing. I admit, I skimmed a bit of Aspeth's internal thoughts. They dragged me down and I just wanted to move along in the story. As a result of the pacing, I didn't really like Aspeth as a character. She waxed on about saving her home, or hold, rather, and really didn't consider the consequences of her actions. Then when she started to regret what she was doing or going to do, her friends would convince her that what she was doing was better than what others would do and yep, did not like how they held her hand so much. Which leads me to my next point.

Second star off for the fact that all of Aspeth's friends ended up with punishments I didn't think were truly necessary considering their circumstances. They are literally given the punishment they were each determined to avoid and we don't see them again because book just ends. The pacing did not allow for more with them so I guess we're just waiting for book 2 to make sure they land on their feet. I'm sure they won't resent Aspeth either because they constantly worked to make sure she felt okay without much regard for themselves. It just didn't fit with the story to have them be ever truly angry with her. But just because they aren't angry does not mean that I don't get angry at how unfair it was that they are left with the short end of the stick when they already started with so many disadvantages to begin with.

And finally, I am not a fan of the fact that Aspeth essentially gets a dream job that she didn't know she wanted and then the book ends. All we know about her "five", the characters that put themselves on the line for her, her first true friends, is that they are drinking their sorrows away and we'll see them eventually and I just think it's all very unfair. Aspeth gets her happily ever after and it does not sit well with me comparing that ending to the character struggle we slogged through because the reward she got seems off balanced compared to everything else.

But I want to see books focused on the secondary characters so fine, 3 stars.


Came back to declare foul because of the fact that Bad Moon Rising has been stuck in my head for the last 5 days because of this book title. And damn, looking at all my complaints, maybe this is more of a 2 start book to me. Either way, definitely relieved I did not buy a copy of this after all.

 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

 Looking Back: I've seen the synopsis for book 2, and I liked that character, so I'll be borrowing it from my library when it is released. But I still look at this one and thing blegh, Aspeth was horrible.

Book Review: Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

Originally Written: August 9, 2024
 

This reminded me of Sabriel and Lirael in the best ways possible. I've been trying to find news of an upcoming Rogerson book but have yet to see any updates. I sincerely hope this is getting a sequel. It can end where it is, but it has so much more story that I am desperate to know. Gonna keep my fingers crossed and wait over here. Just don't mind me.

Rating: 10 Stars

Looking Back: I'm still hoping for a new Rogerson book. Whenever I get ready to preorder a bunch of books, I search to see if Rogerson has something new. So far no luck, but hey, I have hope.

Book Review: The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez

Originally Written: 7.29.24

1.5 rounded up

Did not like the lead. She had multiple examples of why it was time to get rid of the asshole "best friend" she had been hung up on for nearly a decade and yet, she never truly kicked him out of her life until the last possible moment. It just dragged on so much with the lead and her back and forth. It was a lot of, "She can't get over the supposed love of her life, that's why they are "best friends," he gets her better than anyone else." Then it was, "She can't truly have a chance with the kind older brother, the older brother can't possibly be attracted to her, she doesn't have enough info to judge the feud between two brothers." Argh! I was not a fan of being inside her head.

The "best friend" was a manipulative shit. Every reveal about who he truly is was somehow not enough for the story to have that ultimate EUREKA moment of clarity. It was almost glossed over, every time he pulled some shitty behavior out, and I was waiting for ANYONE to crack him across the face, because it wasn't just one person he treated like shit, it was all of them, anyone who didn't do things the way he wanted. If this is indeed a series, I pray we readers never have to suffer though a book with a focus on him. I am not a fan of stories that take a villain, which is essentially what this guy was, and then try to rewrite them as some kind of misunderstood hero with a heart or gold. Blegh.

I will say that the writing was concise, there was a good flow to the story even if I ended up hating the lead. Could also appreciate all the San Antonio references, as it's where I'm from, so it was nice to see an area I'm familiar with as a setting. And can't forget to mention the poc representation, and how it was incorporated into the lead's work as a librarian, because again, it felt like pieces of my life that I could recognize in a book. However, I prefer pineapple empanadas, not pumpkin, but to each their own.

I'll keep track of this author. There is talent here, no doubt about that. I'll read other books of theirs in the future and keep my fingers crossed.

Rating: 1.5 Stars

Looking Back: I'm always on the lookout for a new romance author that can be a comfort read for me, in the sense that I read the book over several times and then usually buy all the releases I can find from that author. This didn't work out that way for me but maybe something in the future will be just the right fit for my taste in books.

Book Review: Starfell: Willow Moss & the Lost Day by Dominique Valente

Originally Written: 6.4.24

Just finished reading this to my toddler and it is still a wonderful story. I managed to get copies of this series from England, and I'm grateful I did because the wonderful illustrations really add to this magical series. My plan is to read all of them to him before the height of summer hits us. He might not understand everything I'm saying but he loves the pictures, especially Oswin, who looks suspiciously like our cat hiding out behind the shelves. Love this book, highly recommended to readers of all ages.

Rating: 10 Stars

Looking Back: We ended up reading the entire series and what usually happens for me is that I was a bit disappointed with the final book of the series. It didn't feel like enough of an ending after such a great series. I wanted a bit more than what we go but hey, I got the books from England, which means they have the original illustrations that the book was published with and I love these editions. My kid liked looking at the pictures too.

I'm waiting to see if Valente has a new book release coming soon. Fingers crossed.

Book Review: Return to Howliday Inn by James Howe

Originally Written: 12.28.23

Aww, I forgot that ending, got a little choked up reading it to my baby for his bedtime story. Makes me want to get him a dog in a few years.

Now on to the rest of the series that I didn't know existed until I bought the complete boxed set. Fun times ahead.

Rating: 9 Stars

Looking Back: I read the whole series to my little one and I'll admit, I think I would have been disappointed with the rest of the books when I was a kid. The last one just did not work for me, an author who comes to visit the family for the sole purpose of asking some kids to give him their pet rabbit? It made no sense to me at all and the logistics of it just did not sit right with me. Still, I love the first 4 books. I hope to read them again to both my kids and see that they love them too.

Book Review: Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery by Sharan Boggon

Originally Written: 11.14.23

I knew this book would come in handy. I'm not in any way an expert in embroidery. I took sewing classes as a tiny kid until I finished junior high and now I've finally decided to brush up on my skills and get back to sewing, just like my teacher always said I'd do.

The experience I have in any kind of needlework deals mainly with a ton of cross-stitching, knitting and crocheting. I've also dabbled in bead weaving with looms and without them. My grandmother tried to teach me embroidery when I was 9, and while her flowers looked exquisite, mine were too jagged and spotty to look like anything other than the jagged lines of a toddler with a coloring book.

This book however, gave me a guide to the basics of embroidery stitches and how to apply them in various combinations to make something unique. I used several of them to embroider a peter pan collar for a dress I'm making on my sewing machine (see? I was making a point with that meandering intro to this review).

Now I'm a little obsessed with the idea of taking various items from my wardrobe and putting a little kick of color with some embroidery on them, just for the fun of it. I'm drawing designs and figuring out which stitches would best bring my ideas to life in dmc floss. Don't get me wrong, I stuck my finger who knows how many times but I find myself admiring the stitches I made on my collar over and over again. I'm thinking of taking bigger chances with my ideas for future stitching. I'm staring at dmc floss colors on websites and thinking which combinations speak to me in pictures I can recreate in tiny embroidery.

Send help.

 

Rating 7.5 Stars

Book Review: Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong

Originally Written: 10.1.23

2.5 Stars rounded up

I don't know why this book isn't a new favorite for me. I can state, specifically, issues I had with the book but at the same time, is that enough to make me want to snarl a little at this when I think about it for this review? In the end, I guess so, because since originally writing my review, I've returned a few times to add just that much more about what irked me but at the same time, damn I'm being nitpicky about this book. It's that back and forth that makes me grumble.

It started out strong. Honestly, I was reading this originally at night and had the thought, maybe it would be best to read this in daylight, no? But then the plot continued and I started dwelling on the non-horror aspects of the story.

Book Review: The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin

 

Originally Written: 8.31.23

Major credit to the writing of something I've only vaguely heard of growing up. The reason it gets a star off is that it just ends. I would have liked a little more resolution to the family dynamics and some info to see where Mari and her immediate family stand in terms of the extended family and what they do.

The artwork is beautiful, the colors look great. I can't wait for my physical copy to get here so I can see it the way it's supposed to be read. Will definitely keep an eye out for more from this author.

Rating: 8.5 Stars

Book Review: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

Originally Written: 11.29.23

I agree with Kingfisher, this is a very sweet book.

 

Looking Back: I have everything of T. Kingfisher that I can find. I've bought some special editions from Subterranean Press and have all I can find in eBooks or hardcovers. I've come to the conclusion that Kingfisher just has the right voice and snark and charm that keeps me coming back for every book I see to be published. The horror scares me, the romance keeps me smiling, the plots are interesting. I wish the books would last longer and I do have some that I'm taking my time to read. It's just the way things are with T. Kingfisher's books and this fan.

 

Book Review: When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Originally Written: 7.19.23

Liked this one better than book 2, mainly because of the small amount of exposure given to the sisters. I thought they were mostly horrible to Annie in the second book and my opinion has not changed with this one.

I thought I would end up loving this one because it started off so well but the story really started to drag, to the point that I honestly thought more time had passed with Amelia being stranded but nope, it was only the two weeks it took for her car to be fixed. The constant we can't be together because she's going to leave and he thinks long distance relationships never work grated on my nerves after the umpteenth time it was mentioned.

Sweet but not something I'll read again.

Book Review: Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

Update April 3, 2023: Had to give this one a second read through after my disappointment with book 4 and it still stands as a great book. I'll read it to my son when he's old enough. On to a re-read of book 2.

Strangely beautiful, captivating, haunting, heartbreaking and hopeful.

At one point as I was reading this book, my cats got into a fight and I was so engrossed in this story that the sound of them hissing at each other had me jumping a little. It has been a long time since that has happened to me and I am delighted to say this book creeped me out just enough to make a lasting impression. I loved this story, I loved Ollie and her friends, and I loved the reveal of this book.

Now I have no excuse. I need to go and catch up on the Winternight Trilogy immediately. Also, I am 99% certain there will be scarecrows scuttling around in my dreams tonight and I am totally okay with that, mostly, I think.

Rating: 10 Stars

Book Review: Empty Smiles by Katherine Arden

Originally Written: 4.2.23

So many missed opportunities.

I went into this knowing what all the reviews have been saying about the ending. I knew it would be rushed and that it would end almost out of nowhere. I knew that for the most part that the plot fit in with the rest of the series, maybe even just a tad bit scarier because, seriously, clowns are the worst.

And then I got to that ending. *sigh*

First question off the top of my head, what happens to the dolls that the kids win at the carnival games? Tim won a doll, didn't he? Back at the start of the book? Which made me wonder what happened to it. Do they get out of the carnival and go back to normal? Do they have no chance of returning to their lives if they leave as a doll? Do they mark the kid that won them as the new prey for the clowns to hunt?

Next question: why make it that Mr. Adler was ready to believe Coco, willing to listen and try to understand, but then have him and the rest of the adults forget everything?

What's the deal with Ollie's watch? Did the Smiling Man have something to do with her Mom's past and in turn, she was able to stick around to help her daughter because of what she knew or a deal she'd made when she was a kid?

Why make the last season location a carnival? Everywhere else was a solid, spooky setting. This one takes place on a train where Ollie couldn't keep track of where she was or how much time had passed. Carnivals can be scary. There are so many things that can be used to make this setting work. Maybe every time Ollie left her room, the carnival could have been filled with people from different time periods, to show how long it's been around to terrorize children that get lost in its labyrinth. Maybe instead of traveling on a train, the carnival gates just open to a new town without needing to do anything else. It haunts actual traveling carnivals and hijacks their gates so it can hunt children without anyone figuring out its secrets.

Where did the clowns come from? Why did the Smiling Man do what he did? Where did he, in turn, come from? How long has he been scaring children? Was he a victim first? Or was he just the embodiment of all fears, some universal concept that uses the power he gets from children to make him real and since all kids are afraid of something, he never loses power and always exists somewhere, in some shape or form? And his power is so great, he can affect adults just as easy, but only children can see the boogeyman, which makes everything worse for the kids the Smiling Man targets.

I know this series wrapped up with four books, one for each season, but I say there could be a fifth book. One that encompasses a year of seaons and focuses on answering some of the questions about the Smiling Man. Also, I wasn't so much a fan of book 3. I just feel like Phil was dropped in out of nowhere and readers don't have enough time to form an attachment to him, which is why book 4 didn't focus on him and it just revolved around the original three characters. A fifth book could focus on Phil and show how he adds to the group with a knack for maybe figuring out connections, finding answers in research, which he uses to track the Smiling Man down in time, maybe showing where he came from or how he really came to exist in that form.

It's wishful thinking, I know, but the series feels incomplete and in the back of my head, I'll always look for the next installment of this in the hopes that the REAL ending is still out there waiting for readers to find it and cheer.

Rating: 2 Stars

Book Review: Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé

Originally written: 2.19.23

The artwork is stunning, just sincerely gorgeous, and I'm tempted to buy this just for the sake of studying all the creatures illustrated in this book. However, it feels like so much of the story is missing, and that makes me wonder if something was lost in the translation or if this is really all there is to the text.

Honestly, what was going on with this story? A student disappeared, and everyone just continued on like nothing had happened. Another one keeps trying to sabotage Sorceline for no apparent reason except that they're some stereotypical bitter/jealous rival with a maybe bad home life. One kid tried to pin the mystery on Sorceline, but then maybe they were actually the villain, but that doesn't make sense either. Not to mention, Sorceline is apparently seeing things and talking to her mom on her cell phone even though the island they are on doesn't have service and her phone is off. Don't get me started on the Professor who just can't give Sorceline a break after he tells her something that changed her perception of her entire existence.

I'll read the next volume but only to see what the reveals are really meant to be. As beautiful as this is, I don't think it'll be taking up a spot in my library after all.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Book Review: Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire

Originally Written: 2.2.23

This one made my heart hurt. It's beautiful but seriously, ouch. Excuse me while I go hug my son close and avoid doorways until I have a chance to inspect them for words that should not be there. Better safe than sorry.

Rating: 10 Stars

Looking Back: I need to read the latest book and preorder the one set for release in January of 2026. Not sure how long the series will go, but I'm reading them all.

Book Review: Demon Slayer, Volume 11 by Koyoharu Gotouge

Originally Written: 5.27.21

Every time there's background shown for the upper rank demons, they just break my heart. Those volumes I end up loving more than the others.

Now I'm finally caught up to where the anime recently ended. I told myself I'd read the whole collection from start to finish and now I can start reading the stories I do not know or have seen in any way, shape or form.

Deep breath...... okay, I'm ready. Next volume, let's do this.


Rsting: 10 Stars


Looking Back: I loved the whole series. I'm partially bummed at the idea of finishing the anime with a series of movies. It seems like it would not be enough material to take up that amount of space. It makes me wonder what will be in each, the focus, and so on. Waiting now to see what comes out.

Book Review: Velvet was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Originally Written: 1.12.22

*I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways*

I will honestly admit that I am not a big noir fan. I studied the genre in school but it has never been a particular favorite of mine. However, I truly believe that Moreno-Garcia is an author to follow through to whatever books she decides to write just for the fact that she always finds a new story to tell in a completely different way from the last one, and that is truly admirable.

This book will find fans, of that I have no doubt. It's just not a book I really connected with and that's perfectly fine. I kept putting it down because I was a little bored but that is entirely on me. I look forward to her next book, like always. I also promise I'm working on both collecting and finishing reading all her previous works. Certain Dark Things is calling my name as I speak, and is up next on my reading list.

Rsting: 5.5 Stars

Book Review: A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

Originally Written: 11.7.21

That ending. Wow, bittersweet with a dash of hope. I'm happy that I already pre-ordered book 2. I'm looking forward to the next adventure in store for Zinnia Gray.


Rating: 7 Stars


Looking Back: Less is more. I ended up only likimg thr next book which was a bit disappointing.