"That Devil, Ambition" by Linsey Miller

 

"That Devil, Ambition" by Linsey Miller is a dark stand-alone academia/fantasy that explores the lengths people will go to succeed, even at the expense of their morality, questioning whether the ends justify the means.

Told in the third person, the book follows three protagonists: Fabian Galloway, whose self-confidence conceals a well of self-doubt; Credence, a softhearted math genius who allows Fabian to choose for her to avoid making the wrong decisions herself; and absent-minded Euphemia, who makes sacrifices to survive.

These three friends are students at the Stellarium of Cifra, the continent’s only school for magicians. The story unfolds over their final year, with each of the book’s three sections told from the viewpoint of one of the protagonists. As members of the Honors Class - a group of thirteen students who made the cut - they face a grim challenge: to pass, become magicians, and erase their student debt, they must kill their professor, a devil from another world.

Failing that, they risk losing their lives. Along the way, we come to know and care about some of their classmates and teachers, but the focus is on those three. As the year progresses, the students gradually lose their humanity, committing increasingly unforgivable acts in the name of survival. What unfolds is a strikingly raw and intense picture.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a pulse-pounding read about truth, secrets, and death. The premise is unique, the plot engaging, and the world-building intricate. There is also magic and mild political intrigue. The queernormative world’s magic system is brilliant - though I won’t spoil it by enlarging on it, I’ll say it’s both original and exciting.

While I connected most with Credence and Euphemia, Fabian was harder to like; his ambition and disregard for others’ lives, aside from his friends, made him challenging to sympathize with. I did, however, love the dynamics and bond between the three friends, who care deeply for one another. The author’s message that “We are worth more than our academic achievements” resonated with me, as did the nod to The Three-Body Problem.

Miller doesn’t spare us - or her characters - any mercy, nor does she hesitate to kill characters left and right, perhaps a few too many for my taste. I liked the ending, though not all questions were answered. It is supposed to be a stand-alone, but some loose ends left me unsatisfied.

As much as I love dark academia, this book went further than most, perhaps even a bit too dark for me. Content warnings include child abuse and neglect, parental death, self-harm, senseless violence, grief, and depression to name a few. Despite this, I couldn’t stop reading; it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Saying that, it was a good read, and the LGBTQ+ representation felt natural and well-integrated. All in all, I highly recommend this book to fans of dark academia (truly dark) and the genre. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
 
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "That Devil, Ambition" by Linsey Miller

"The Warbler" by Sarah Beth Durst

 

I’m a fan of magical realism, so this book was right up my alley. "The Warbler" by Sarah Beth Durst is a charming story that follows one woman’s quest for answers, perfectly illustrating the saying “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Elisa can’t stay in one place for more than ten months due to a family curse. Stay any longer, and she risks turning into a tree. During one of her wanderings, she arrives in Greenborough, Massachusetts - a place where residents can’t leave. She must find the root of her curse and a way out of town before it's too late. I’ll avoid saying more to keep things spoiler-free.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The premise is original, the world-building is evocative, and the main characters are richly drawn. The story moves between three generations of women across three timelines, with the focus mainly on Elisa. I liked Elisa's voice more than the others and found her story the most engaging. The double meaning of Warbler (a wanderer or a small songbird) was also a nice touch, cleverly woven into the narrative. Oh, and there's a bookstore and a cat, which I adored!

The book explores themes of choices, or lack thereof, the tendency to do what's expected rather than pursuing one’s dreams, the need for belonging, mother-daughter relationships, grief, and how even the best intentions can go wrong. I found it frustrating how others' choices were imposed on Elisa and her mother, and the assumption that everyone needed or wanted the same things felt condescending.

The book started strong, lagged a bit in the middle, and then picked up the pace. I liked the conclusion, though it wasn’t entirely satisfying. I figured out the mystery before the heroine did, but it didn’t dampen my enjoyment. A bit of tightening in the plot would have made it even more engaging.

In sum, "The Warbler" is a marvelous read with good writing, vivid imagery, and relatable characters. The author takes the reader into the mind of the book's main characters and exposes them to their emotions. I’d recommend this to Sarah Beth Durst fans and lovers of magical realism.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "The Warbler" by Sarah Beth Durst

"Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things" by Breanne Randall

 

I love witchy stories, so I was instantly intrigued by the premise. A family curse, sacrificing memories to cast spells, ancient magic? Count me in! "Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things" by Breanne Randall is an exhilarating romantasy that blends enemies-to-lovers romance with magic, exploring sisterhood bonds and so much more.

The book follows three Petridi witches, named after Greek muses, as they contend with ancient magic, loss, and dark family secrets. Set in the fictional town of Gold Springs, the story centers around Calliope Petridi and her two sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, who are Lightcraft witches running Tea and Tome, a charming bookstore and teashop where they explore various tea blends.

Thalia, the eldest, is a problem-solver, controlling, and judgmental. Calliope, the youngest, is the wild card: self-destructive, reckless, and fiercely loyal. She’s the only one using her magic, despite its high price - sacrificing memories and losing pieces of herself due to a family curse. Eurydice is the peacemaker, always trying to bridge the gap between her sisters. Together, they guard the Dark Oak, an enchanted tree in the Forgotten Forest.

The plot thickens when a rival coven leader, a Shadowcrafter named Lucien, arrives in town with his own agenda, and Calliope accidentally binds herself to him. As an ancient evil awakens and their magic begins to fade, Calliope must confront her past, mend her fractured relationship with Thalia, and rekindle the fragile bond between the three sisters to have a future.

I loved this book and tore through it quickly. The characters are richly drawn, and the story is both complex and well-paced. I felt invested in the tale and rooted for the characters. The dynamics between the sisters, the diverse cultural backgrounds (Greek, Turkish, and French), and colorful secondary characters, like Grim - a sentient grimoire full of secrets and spells—add depth. The inclusion of queer and non-binary characters is woven seamlessly into the story.

The book cleverly incorporates important life lessons into a well-paced plot. Themes of grief, redemption, personal growth, family, self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of love and legacy are thoughtfully explored. While most loose ends are tied up, a few questions remain open, and I’m excited for a potential sequel, which I’d eagerly read.

Although the book references "Pride and Prejudice", Calliope and Lucien didn’t quite feel like Elizabeth and Darcy to me. Not every dark and mysterious hero needs to be Mr. Darcy! Also, I felt there was a bit too much focus on the romance, and the steamy scenes didn’t advance the plot.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it. I loved the writing, found the magic system original, and appreciated the vivid world-building. The recipes at the end are a fun touch, and I may even try a few. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers tales with Pride and Prejudice vibes, magic, a satisfying story arc, and strong character development, this is the book for you. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things" by Breanne Randall

"The Serpent Called Mercy" by Roanne Lau

 

I love fantasy books based on lore, so the description of this Malaysian Chinese-inspired epic fantasy tale immediately captured my imagination. Unfortunately, there wasn’t as much lore or magic as I had anticipated, but it was still enjoyable.

The story follows Lythlet and her only friend, Desil, two slumdogs indebted to a local loan shark. They scrape by, pinching pennies to make their payments, and their situation seems dire. An opportunity to earn a large sum of money arises when they spot an ad seeking arena combatants to fight sun-cursed beasts in the city's seedy underworld.

The Match-master, Dothilos, is initially impressed by Desil’s brawling reputation but quickly realizes that Lythlet is the brains of the duo and takes her under his wing. As their winnings accumulate, so does their reputation - and with it, their risk-taking. Lythlet soon becomes entangled in political conspiracies, corruption, and intrigue, forcing her to choose between fame or honor and friendship.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, though I found the writing style a bit difficult to get into at first. It could use some smoothing out. I loved the few tales of Malaysian Chinese myths, but I would have loved to read more of them. The book mainly focuses on the fights, and I enjoyed the variety of the Sunsmith beasts. The different deities were also a lovely touch, and I adored the idea of lightning-bees.

The characters are the highlight of this story. They are well-developed, realistic, and engaging. It’s hard not to care deeply about what happens to them and how they navigate their complex lives. I loved that the heroine was plain - possibly even ugly - socially awkward, and layered with complexity. What she lacked in looks, she made up for with brains. I also loved her platonic and deep friendship with Desil, and her strained relationship with her parents was heartbreaking. No child should feel like a burden to their parents. Desil was a complex character as well, and the revelation about him at the end left me with my mouth agape.

The title is explained in the story, and I loved the explanation. I appreciated the interweaving of moral dilemmas in the plot and the questioning of values. The book also touches on themes of fighting against depravity and abuse, animal cruelty, friendship, loyalty, parent-daughter relationships, escaping the cycle of poverty, honor, empathy, and mercy. I liked the insights Lythlet gained from her fights, the life lessons passed to her by the Match-master, and her refusal to accept injustice.

The novel promises a thrilling blend of action, magic, and a vibrant cast of characters in a medieval world setting. While the cast was colorful and there was some action, there was very little magic - and even less explanation of it - except in a few fights. Watching Lythlet use her wits against the beasts was exciting, but I did feel sorry for the animals forced to fight. There’s a mention of dog fighting, and it felt hypocritical that the heroine didn’t show the same compassion to the beasts that she showed to the poor dogs.
 
The book could benefit from more world-building, especially regarding the magic system, and I wouldn’t have minded more Malaysian Chinese lore either. I also felt there were too many plotlines, though they did come together in the end. A bit of tightening up and another round of editing (the headings switch between capital and lowercase letters) would help. As for the ending, I wasn’t fully satisfied. Without giving away spoilers, after all the heroine went through, I expected her story to end differently. One could argue it’s more realistic this way, but sometimes, realism is overrated.

After weighing the pros and cons, I’m giving this book 3.5 out of 5, rounded up to 4. The premise is unique, the tale is creative, and the imagery and atmosphere are well done. The characters are wonderful, and the internal conflicts make them even more believable. And I did enjoy the book after all. I recommend this book to fans of the genre looking for an original, albeit slow, read.
 
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Serpent Called Mercy" by Roanne Lau

"The Margaret Code" by Richard Hooton

 

"Elizabeth is Missing" meets "The Marlow Murder Club" in this endearing crime tale set in England. I loved both books, so the description of the plot immediately grabbed my attention. The story follows Margaret, an 89-year-old woman with early-stage dementia, and is told from her perspective as she shares her thoughts with her late husband and us, the readers.

Margaret Winterbottom has a secret she hasn’t shared with anyone, not even her family. She has lived on Garnon Crescent her entire life and believes she knows her neighbors - until she’s proven wrong. When her best friend next door, Barbara, is found dead in her house, Margaret’s world is turned upside down.

With the help of her 15-year-old grandson, Margaret tries to crack the case, as the police seem to be focusing on the wrong suspects. But as her memory starts to fade, the lines between past and present blur, and she’s unsure of what’s real. Misplaced objects only add to her confusion. As the duo digs deeper into the mystery, secrets come to light, and emotions flare.

The story captivated me from the very beginning and held my attention until the last page. I loved the book, and Margaret, in particular, got under my skin. Her reminiscences of World War II, her moments with her late husband, and her bond with her grandson were incredibly touching.

The author mentioned that the story was inspired by his own relationship with his grandmother, and his love for her shines through in his portrayal of Margaret. She is a well-rounded, fleshed-out character, and it was easy to become invested in her struggles and her life. When she forgot her way home, my heart truly went out to her.

The book explores themes of loss, the role reversal between parents and children, memory, aging, and the effects of illness on family relationships. The author paints a realistic picture of a woman on the cusp of amnesia and its impact on her family. It was heartbreaking to read about the illnesses of aging, and the desperate need to hold on to the present.

The writing is richly detailed, and I could easily picture each character, place, and scene. I loved how Margaret spoke to her late husband throughout the story, sharing her worries and reflecting on her life. Her relationship with her grandson was heartwarming, and I appreciated his care for her. Margaret’s daughter irritated me at first, but as the story unfolded, I came to understand her better.

By the last section of the book, I had my suspicions about the identity of the perpetrator, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the twists. I also appreciated how the second plotline regarding Margaret’s past was woven into the present-day mystery. The pacing was moderate, which suited the story of an aging heroine. 

The style of writing is easy to follow, but the book could benefit from another round of editing. Some chapters start without capital letters, and in a few words, the letter “O” appears randomly in uppercase. Despite these minor issues, I’m giving the book full stars. It’s a compelling debut, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend it to fans of the genre and anyone who loves crime stories solved by elderly amateur sleuths. I look forward to reading more from this author.

* Thank you Edelweiss and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.  

* For more info about the book: "The Margaret Code" by Richard Hooton

"Blood Beneath the Snow" by Alexandra Kennington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Blood Beneath the Snow" by Alexandra Kennington is an enthralling romantasy about a rebellious princess seeking equality for all. I'm a sucker for these kinds of books, so I happily dived in.

"Fate is thicker than blood" perfectly sums up this story. The book follows Revna, the only member of the royal family without magical abilities. In this kingdom, there are seven deities, and the people are divided between the godtouched (those with magical abilities) and the godforsaken (those without). The kingdom has been at holy war with its neighbor for the past seven years. The godtouched look down on the godforsaken and treat them cruelly. Revna is abused by her family and the priests due to her lack of powers, and she seeks justice for the godforsaken.

Revna is set to be used as a pawn, forced into marriage with a prince from another country. The book begins with her staging a mini rebellion (preventing the sacrifice of a baby) and then continues with an even bigger one. She refuses to marry the prince and demands to participate in the Bloodshed Trials - a competition where the last remaining royal sibling standing takes the throne. The plot thickens when Revna is kidnapped by the Hellbringer, the enemy's terrifying general who can kill with a flick of his wrist.

The book started strong, dragged a bit in the middle, and picked up the pace again toward the end. That said, there was never a dull moment, and I was invested throughout. I loved the blend of fantasy and romance. However, there was too much focus on the relationship between Revna and the Hellbringer, and not enough on the gods and magic. I adored Revna's determination, grit, and perseverance despite all obstacles, and I enjoyed the interactions between her and the Hellbringer.

While the book features a fair amount of blood and swordplay, it is much more than that. Its world-building, characters, magic systems, themes, and suspenseful plot make it an enjoyable and engaging read. It explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, abuse, homophobia, moderation, acceptance, and balance. Content warning: the book contains references to alcoholism, blood and mild gore, suicidal ideation, the death of loved ones, explicit sex scenes, murder, self-harm, war, violence, and domestic and religious abuse.

My only complaints are minor. The book is set in a medieval world, so the use of modern curse words, like the F-word, felt out of place. Also, the Bloodshed Trials seemed too cruel and a bit unoriginal (The Hunger Games, anyone?). As a parent, I found it hard to understand the King and Queen’s eagerness to see their children fight to the death in such a bloody contest - it felt unnatural. Lastly, it seemed unrealistic that a kingdom that despises the godforsaken would accept those who are gay. Because of these issues, I decided to deduct a point from my rating.

I liked the twist at the end, although I had my suspicions. The author ties up most loose ends, but a few questions remain unanswered - hopefully, they will be addressed in the next book (if there is one). Overall, I loved the story and would recommend it. Lovers of dark fantasy novels would be well advised to immerse themselves in this story! If you love flawed characters and don’t mind a bit of violent action, then this is definitely for you. I’m already looking forward to the next book!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Blood Beneath the Snow" by Alexandra Kennington

"The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor

 

I read and loved "Hotel Magnifique" by this author, so I had great expectations for this one. Let me tell you, "The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor is even better than the former. This dark fantasy is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest for the truth.

The story follows 19-year-old Maeve Abenthy, whose father was condemned as a traitor and murderer seven years ago. Maeve believes those charges and keeps a low profile by assuming a fake name and constantly moving. But when a mysterious letter arrives, claiming her father is innocent, it shakes her world. To uncover the truth, she poses as a courier apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, where she’ll be trained in the art of scriptomancy. 

Scriptomancy is the magic that allows couriers to travel between worlds and deliver enchanted letters. Once, people could move freely between the three known worlds via the Written Doors, but after one world was destroyed and the doors burned, there’s no other access between the two remaining worlds. Tristan, the son of Postmaster Bryne, is appointed as her mentor. Between him, her friends Nan and Shea, and threatening letters warning her to back off, Maeve’s got her work cut out for her. Time is running out, and her life is on the line.

I loved this book! Emily J. Taylor has woven a dark fantasy that held me spellbound till the end. The world-building is impeccable, with its vivid portrayal of a divided multiverse and a magical postal system that feels wholly unique. The concept of Written Doors, once used for travel between worlds, adds a mysterious layer to the setting.

The magic system is intricate, and the idea of scriptomancy—where magic is tied to writing—feels fresh and fascinating. The detail in how the magic works, along with the sense of isolation between worlds, makes the world itself feel complex.  The plot is original and compelling. I loved the different types of scribing, such as form, sense, and travel magic. I wish we had seen more of the magic system and the teaching at the school - there were fewer lessons than I expected (I would enjoy reading more about it).

The story is well-written, with engaging characters, though it could use another round of editing to iron out a few typos. The pacing was a bit off in the middle, but not enough to lose my interest. The author does a great job of making Maeve someone you want to root for. I loved her spirit, guts, and determination in the face of danger. She did irritate me at times by keeping things too close to her chest, but that just made her feel more real. She cares deeply for others, and I admired that quality in her and that she never gave up (even though she was on the verge several times).

I also enjoyed the character interactions, and the dark atmosphere was wonderfully sketched. The book has everything I love about dark academia: complex characters, an original premise, intrigue, and even a slow-burn romance. Additionally, it explores themes of friendship, loyalty, honor, love, and empathy. This is a perfect read for fans of dark fantasy, especially those who love dark academia vibes and an intricate plot full of twists. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor