Ten is a solid, round number, so I thought this would be the final book in the series. I was disappointed that the grand finale didn't look like it would take place in the city of Widdershins, but I figured out early in the story that this was not the end of the series. That's … Continue reading Review: Balefire (Whyborne & Griffin #10) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Empire of the Goddess by Matthew Warner
Disclaimer: I received an electronic version of this novel from the author for review. Things I really enjoyed about this novel: The world-building. The terrifying dystopian society fueled by human sacrifice. The representation of science versus magic, and how the two can be indistinguishable. The religious allegories. The twist and other revelations at the very … Continue reading Review: Empire of the Goddess by Matthew Warner
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the seventh book, Magic Breaks, before, and originally reviewed it in March 2016. You can find my NEW full review here. … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
Review: The Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier
Disclaimer: I consider the author a friend; however, I purchased the hardcopy version of this book for full price. As a reader who loves period dramas where the characters are often committed to the correct manners and more, importantly, the correct clothes, I couldn't go wrong with a version of England with TWO forms of … Continue reading Review: The Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier
Review: Black and Blue (Red and Black #2) by Nancy O’Toole Meservier
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; I received an electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is very obviously the middle book in a trilogy; at the same time, it does not suffer many of the issues that middle books usually employ. Instead, it works as a solid follow-up … Continue reading Review: Black and Blue (Red and Black #2) by Nancy O’Toole Meservier
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read this book, Magic Rises, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: "In … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
Review: The Invisible Library (Invisible Library #1) by Genevieve Cogman
This book was filled to the brim with elements that I enjoy in my fantasy writing. Secret societies, parallel universes, dragons, steampunk, and great detectives. Unfortunately, it also relied on a lot of tropes that I've become less fond of in my fantasy writing, such as a point-of-view female character surrounded by supporting male roles, … Continue reading Review: The Invisible Library (Invisible Library #1) by Genevieve Cogman
Review: Broken News by Sara Dobie Bauer
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. It's common to refer to the main characters in a romance story as the heroes, but there are no heroes in this book. Eric West is an unabashed crime lord, and Will fully admits to being a bit … Continue reading Review: Broken News by Sara Dobie Bauer
Review: Draakenwood (Whyborne & Griffin #9) by Jordan L. Hawk
We're back in Widdershins for Whyborne & Griffin's latest adventure, but this time it's the old families who are the targets. When Whyborne is accused of murder, he and his allies must not only clear his name, but also prevent the rise of a great evil. Plenty of familiar faces appear in this story, including … Continue reading Review: Draakenwood (Whyborne & Griffin #9) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I started reading romance novels in 2016, in large part due to the emotional chaos wrought by the American presidential election. Luckily, judging by McQuiston's author note at the end of this novel, she saw a need in the general readership and persevered in filling it. This book is exactly what I needed as the … Continue reading Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #10) by R.A. Steffan
I burned through all of the books in this series very quickly, then had to wait months for this latest installment. I read it all the evening of the day it was released. It was worth the wait. Like the previous books, Frella's story contains nonstop action and adventure. Multiple relationships are in play. And … Continue reading Review: The Dragon Mistress: Book 3 (Eburosi Chronicles #10) by R.A. Steffan
Review: The 5th Gender (Tinkered Stars Mystery) by G.L. Carriger
As someone who regularly speaks at writing and fandom conventions about the topic of "genre blending" or "genre blurring" in contemporary writing, I have some pretty strong opinions on the subject. Carriger's science-fiction/romance/mystery is certainly one that I will now hold up as a great example of how to blend things right. This novel could … Continue reading Review: The 5th Gender (Tinkered Stars Mystery) by G.L. Carriger
Review: Winter Tide (Innsmouth Legacy #1) by Ruthanna Emrys
I enjoyed and was intrigued by the original novella that set up this world, but the world created within intrigued me much more than the characters. However, I enjoyed it enough to pick up this novel to get it signed by the author at a convention, and I don't regret any of the time spent … Continue reading Review: Winter Tide (Innsmouth Legacy #1) by Ruthanna Emrys
2019 Resolution Project: Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels #5.5) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read this companion book, Gunmetal Magic, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels #5.5) by Ilona Andrews
Review: Hither, Page (Page & Sommers #1) by Cat Sebastian
This short novel was perfect for a summer night escape. It included so many things that I love in a story, such as mysterious small-town murder, morally gray characters, and good representations of mental illness (in this case, post-traumatic stress disorder). On their own, Page and Sommers were both characters that I loved getting to … Continue reading Review: Hither, Page (Page & Sommers #1) by Cat Sebastian
Review: Three-Way Split (Comes in Threes #1) by Elia Winters
I binged this book in one evening with a glass of wine and some cat snuggles. Not a bad way to spend my time, and the book was an easy read that was fun to speed through and enjoy every moment. I was thoroughly invested in the individual and group dynamics of the three characters. … Continue reading Review: Three-Way Split (Comes in Threes #1) by Elia Winters
Review: The Hills Have Spies (Family Spies #1) by Mercedes Lackey
I haven't been a huge fan of the first two Valdemar collections starring Mags, but I'll admit that he's a lot less annoying as an adult. Luckily, his son Perry is completely different and much easier to handle despite his young age. I enjoyed this adventure featuring both characters, especially the parent-child dynamic aspect. Despite … Continue reading Review: The Hills Have Spies (Family Spies #1) by Mercedes Lackey
Review: The Initiation (Filthy Rich Americans #1) by Nikki Sloane
I picked up this book on the recommendation from a writer that I enjoy, who mentioned that it was not her typical fare but that she'd really enjoyed it. The Initiation was definitely not like any romance book I've read so far, and I'd even argue that it's not really a romance book. There's plenty … Continue reading Review: The Initiation (Filthy Rich Americans #1) by Nikki Sloane
Review: The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #1) by Theodora Goss
This book made quite a splash when it first came out, so it's been on my radar for a while. I bought it about a year ago, and finally decided to start reading it recently. Overall, it is a fun, exciting, and most of all unique tale that I enjoyed immensely. My largest critique was … Continue reading Review: The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #1) by Theodora Goss
Review: The Barista’s Beloved (River Hill #4) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with both authors; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. The latest installment in this small-town romance series pairs up a whiskey distiller with a barista, and the fact that the distiller is the lady and the barista is a guy is only one of the many things I loved … Continue reading Review: The Barista’s Beloved (River Hill #4) by Rebecca Norinne & Jamaila Brinkley