A.J. Fikry, the grumpy owner of Island Books, is going through a hard time: his bookshop is failing, he has lost his beloved wife, and a prized rare first edition has been stolen.
But one day A.J. finds two-year-old Maya sitting on the bookshop floor, with a note attached to her asking the owner to look after her. His life – and Maya’s – is changed forever.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Character experiences multiple absence seizures (on the page), cancer (brain) resulting in aphasia, car accident (on the page, minor details) resulting in the death of a side character, death of a spouse as a result of a car accident (recounted), suicide (off-page), alcoholism, child abandonment, infidelity, suicide ideation, miscarriages (recounted)
TL;DR: I was looking for a book that would make me cry and well, this definitely got the job done! ๐ The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is every bit as wonderful as everyone told me it would be and I’m so happy that I’ve finally read it! I definitely understand why it’s so well-loved by many. There’s something about Zevin’s storytelling that’s so compelling, emotional and humanโflaws and all. I would recommend this to those who enjoy a character-driven slice-of-life story that takes place over part of a lifetime, and for those who love a book about books!
Enemies-to-lovers doesn’t get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love in bestselling author Kristen Ciccarelli’s latest romantic fantasy.
On the night Runeโs life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.
Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe โ a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution โ who she can’t help but find herself falling for.
Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Runeโs merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow faรงade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if sheโs the very villain heโs been hunting?
Kristen Ciccarelliโs The Crimson Moth is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witchโฆis falling in love.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Persecution for witchcraft, mass murder of witches recounted, slavery/captivity recounted, abuse (sexual, physical, mental) recounted, rape recounted, drug addiction, alcoholism, gun violence, torture, imprisonment.
TL;DR: The Crimson Moth was exactly what I wanted it to be and what I needed at the time of reading. If you’re searching for a new adult romance fantasy that will absorb you with its storytelling, keep you immersed with its cast, and grab you by your feelings with the enemies-to-lovers mutual pining and angst, then this is an excellent book to check out! With the slow-building tension and turns of events that lead to an action-packed and heart-twisting ending, I’m fully seated and ready to see where Ciccarelli takes us next. I just need it now! ๐คฃ
I only just discovered S.J. Tilly’s books this weekend but I already can’t recall how she came up on my Amazon FYP. Or maybe it was my Twitter FYP? Either way, I’m happy that I followed my curiosity and checked out these titles (happily they are on (UK) KU if you’re keen to check them out)! TL;DR: These first two books in the Darling Series were steamy, funny, quirky small-town age gap romance reads and for the most part, I enjoyed all the characters and their stories. I can’t wait for this series to continue! ๐
There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. โTeek saying
The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow Godโs eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.
The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?
As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.
And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Misgendering, suicide, self-harm for blood magic, alcohol consumption, blood & gore depiction, body horror, death of a parent recounted, murder, torture, war themes
TL;DR: Becky and I have finally continued our buddy read of this series and I’m glad not too much time has passed between our reads of books 1 and 2. A couple of days have passed since I finished reading this and the more I think about it, the more I realise that I enjoyed it a little less than I initially thought. That’s not to say this was a bad book and I’m still rating it 3.5-4 stars but compared to the intensity, action and excitement that book 1 roused, this one fell rather flat. By the end, this very much felt like a filler book to set the scene for the finale, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I expected more.
Why steal a potion when you can steal a potioneer?
Grumpy potioneer Ambrose Beake has only one social event marked on his the countryโs three-day Potion Convention. Alchemists from all over the world pour in to discuss their lifeโs work, and Ambrose eagerly dives into the excitement. Greeting old friends, speaking on panels, hopping into heated debatesโฆ
And getting kidnapped by an underground crime syndicate.
The criminals demand that Ambrose brew an impossible illusion potionโbut the Guildโs protocol for such kidnappings is clear. He must agree to do the work, then delay the project as much as possible, while above ground, his boyfriend Eli and best friend Dawn plot to save him. Theyโre not alone in this venture, eitherโa beautiful journalist arrives to cover the rescue, just as eager as they are to investigate, infiltrateโฆand ignite a few sparks in Dawnโs heart along the way.
But while Dawn struggles to ignore those sparks and Eli struggles to save his beloved, Ambrose delves into the syndicateโs secretsโand finds something far more impossible hidden within its depths.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Kidnapping, drugging (recounted), captivity, indentured servitude, abuse of minors (off-page)
TL;DR: With tons of magical brewing, kidnapping, scheming mischief, and plenty of found family moments, A Captured Cauldron is a fun, action-packed sequel in this cosy fantasy series. I loved getting Dawn’s POV, and meeting new characters (one has become a new fave) and spending time with the beloved Rosemond Street shop owners from book one. I have a feeling that this is still only the beginning of the (mis)adventures for our crew and I can’t wait to come back again for more!
Hi friends, I’m so excited to share my thoughts on Blood Price as part of the blog tour hosted by the author, Nicole Evans! I’m so lucky to be part of the group that got to read this book early and I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it!
Before I dive into my review though, I wanted to take a moment to say how proud I am of Nicole and that sheโs publishing her debut! ๐ I canโt remember when I first discovered Nicoleโs blog, Thoughts Stained in Ink, but it is always a pleasure to visit her blog, and I quickly grew to love her writing. Let’s just say that the wonderful quality of her writing is evident in this story. Congratulations, Nicole! This is a banger of a debut. ๐
The law of the gods is those who kill must pay for it in blood.
In the land of Armadin, where nine clans exist in a fragile peace, Ashilde is one of the few chosen to pay the blood price. Through it, she becomes a warrior, capable of killing to protect her clanโalongside her hunters, who provide the essential animal sacrifice, lest they become the next clan to suffer the godsโ wrath.
When an attack wipes out their few remaining hunters, Ashilde must find a way to protect her clan and still appease the gods, despite her shaken faith. But when her monthly bleeding stops, she can no longer kill. Cast out by the godsโ decree, sheโs given a single task: travel to the gods’ realm, atoning for the failures of the clan and herself alike. If she dies, another will be sent in her place, until the demanded atonement is fulfilled or her clan is wiped out. Entirely.
Bound by a promise to protect her people above all else, Ashilde embarks on a quest driven for answers. Aided only by a pair of animals and a small child she meets along the way, Ashilde must battle the elements, her pursuers and her own mind to reach the godsโ realm.
To save her people, Ashildeโs journey forces her to answer the ultimate is she willing to pay the price asked of her, now that she can no longer pay in blood?
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Please note that some content in the novel may be triggering. A list of warnings, to be best of my knowledge, are listed below and will be updated as necessary.
On the page: Verbal abuse, anxiety, blood, graphic injury, death, murder, trauma, depression, guilt, death of a parent, death of a sibling, death of a child, pregnancy, animal death, foreplay Mentioned: animal sacrifice, child abuse (past, referenced), war Minor: hunger (starvation)
TL;DR:If youโre looking for a fantasy with a uniquely developed matriarchal societal system, a world based on Nordic mythology, and a tough-as-nails FMC warrior who is relentless and has a huge bone to pick with her Gods, then look no further than Blood Price. This was a well-written debut set in a richly developed fantasy world with characters, both human and non-human alike, that will grow on you. Iโm so curious to see where this story leads and how Ashilde will triumph.
An enemy on her tails, an innocent at her side, and a dangerous power within her that could destroy them all. Jayci Lee melds Korean folklore with modern Americana in this fiery new series.
In a race to stop an ancient evil from destroying the worlds as they know them, Sunny comes to a startling, heartbreaking if she chooses loveโeverything will burn.
Sunny Cho aspires to be the dullest, least interesting person in any given room, which can be challenging for a nine-tailed fox spirit. So she drifts from city to cityโstaying clear of any and all attachmentโand keeps her fox buried deep inside her. It is better this way. She would rather live as half of herself than risk losing control of her terrible powers.
Ethan Lee, a friend she left behind eight years ago, is a brilliant and distractingly hot PI. When he tracks her down and asks her to help him find his brotherโs murderer, Sunny knows her uneventful life is about to be turned upside down.
Traversing the mortal realm and the world of gods, Sunny and Ethan discover their quest is much more dire than mere vengeance, and their friendship might beโฆmore. An ancient evil is stirring, and Sunny is faced with an impossible save the worlds from annihilation or claim the love fated by the heavens.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Blood, violent deaths of family members (recounted), murder, gore, on-page sex
TL;DR: I love romance and fantasy, but until now, I don’t think I’ve read a book inspired by Asian mythology that isn’t in the YA category. So, I was very excited about getting my hands on a copy of Nine Tailed, and while there were elements I enjoyed a lot, I admit that not all of it worked for me. The world-building inspired by Korean mythology was fantastical and I also loved that the author’s enthusiasm for the mythology and characters came through in the writing. I also think the romance and interplay between the MCs will be favoured by those who love Maas and JLA’s romance fantasies and this will be most enjoyed by those who loved their books.
Two potion shops, one heated rivalryโฆ until hate bubbles over into something else.
Any adventurer worth their sword knows about Ambrose Beake. The proud, quiet half-elf sells the best, and only, potions in the cityโuntil a handsome new shopkeeper named Eli opens another potion shop across the street, throwing Ambroseโs peace and ledgers far off balance.
Within weeks, theyโre locked in a war of price tags and productsโAmbroseโs expertise against Eliโs effortless charm. Toil leads to trouble, the safety gloves come off, and right as their rivalry reaches a boiling pointโฆ
The mayor commissions them to brew a potion together.
The task is as complex as it is lucrative, pushing both men to the limits of their abilities and patience. Yet as the fires burn and cauldrons bubbleโฆthey find a different sort of chemistry brewing.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Child abandonment and neglect (recounted), work injuries caused by explosion, blood
TL;DR: A Rival Most Vial was a sweet, heartwarming and delightful cosy fantasy! I loved everything about this from the rivals-to-lovers romance and the found family community to the potion-making and slice-of-life vibes. This is the perfect read for those looking for a low-stakes magical story about finding your path, recognising what family means, and embracing success on your own terms. Plus, it provides a wonderful escape from reality. The setting is a fun magical world and I can’t wait to read more about the shopkeepers of Rosemond Street in future books!
Hi friends, as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours I’m excited to share my thoughts on Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma. Thanks to the TBR team for having me on tour and to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!
Immortal Dark (Immortal Dark Trilogy #1) Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication Date: 3 September 2024 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Rep: Black
Rating: (4.5 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House in this dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family and kidnapped her sister.
It began long before my time, but something has always hunted our family.
Orphaned heiress Kidan Adane grew up far from the arcane society she was born into, where human bloodlines gain power through vampire companionship. When her sister, June, disappears, Kidan is convinced a vampire stole herโthe very vampire bound to their family, the cruel yet captivating Susenyos Sagad.
To find June, Kidan must infiltrate the elite Uxlay Universityโwhere students study to ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and vampires and inherit their family legacies. Kidan must survive living with Susenyosโeven as he does everything he can to drive her away. It doesnโt matter that Susenyosโs wickedness speaks to Kidanโs own violent nature and tempts her to surrender to a life of darkness. She must find her sister and kill Susenyos at all costs.
When a murder mirroring Juneโs disappearance shakes Uxlay, Kidan sinks further into the ruthless underworld of vampires, risking her very soul. There she discovers a centuries-old threatโand June could be at the center of it. To save her sister, Kidan must bring Uxlay to its knees and either break free from the horrors of her own actions or embrace the dark entanglements of loveโand the blood it requires.
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Parental abuse, blood drinking, death, gore, murder, sexual content, adult language, suicide ideation, and violence, kidnapping
TL;DR:Immortal Dark was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases and I’m thrilled to say that Tigest Girma did not let me down. She slayed with this stunning debut! While I’m not a dark academia girlie, I loved exploring the vast history of Uxlay University and the complex relationship between dranaics (vampires) and actis (humans). The writing is lush, the world-building richly detailed, and the characters delightfully wicked, complicated and so very morally grey. Despite the pacing being on the slower side, it allowed me to completely immerse myself in the gothic setting and by the time the action kicked off in the latter half, I was fully invested and wowzer, I did not see some of those surprises coming! Girma leaves readers with a double whammy that has me aching to get my hands on the next book immediately. I feel like this is going to be a hit!
Hi friends, as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours I’m excited to share my thoughts on Are You Nobody Too? by Tina Cane. Thanks to the TBR team for having me on tour and to Make Me A World (Random House Children’s) for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!
Are You Nobody Too? Publisher: Make Me A World Publication Date: 27 August 2024 Genre: Contemporary Middle Grade Rep: Chinese, Asian, Adoption
Rating: (3 pandas)
๐SYNOPSIS
After years of discomfort as the only Chinese student at her private middle school, Emily transfers to Chinatownโs I.S. 23 for 8th Grade and ends up feeling more disconnected than ever. In this coming-of-age novel-in-verse, will Emily be able to find her way or will she lose herself completely?After a year of distance-learning, Emily Sofer finds her world turned upside she has to leave the only school sheโs ever known to attend a public school in Chinatown. For the first time, Emily isnโt the only Chinese student aroundโฆbut looking like everyone else doesnโt mean that understanding them will be easyโespecially with an intimidating group of cool girls Emily calls The Five.When Emily discovers that her adoptive parents have been keeping a secret, she feels even more uncertain about who she is. A chance discovery of Emily Dickinsonโs poetry helps her finally feel seen… but can the words of a writer from 200 years ago help her open up again, and find common ground with the Five?
โ ๏ธCONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Racism, bullying, pandemic, microaggressions, mentions of miscarriage (in the past)
TL;DR:This was a unique middle-grade contemporary told in verse. The author had a unique way of expressing the main character’s experiences during and after the pandemic. It touches upon evergreen themes such as coming-of-age, identity and belonging. Emily was an interesting main characterโshe’s very much a teenagerโand I think many young readers whether they’re middle schoolers or just starting high school.
dinipandareads 