"Ambrosia" by Katrina Kwan

 

"Ambrosia" by Katrina Kwan is a dark academia standalone combining murder mystery and alchemy, all my favorite tropes. The opening of the book was great, and I loved the wink to the opening of "Pride and Prejudice."

The book revolves around a Huay woman, Li, who left her home country with her husband, Zhen, so he could join the University of Quartë’s world-renowned Order of Alchemic Science as a tenured alchemist. When his body is found in a frozen river, the police dismiss it as suicide. Li doesn't buy it, due to the gold found in his veins.

As the campus doesn't accept women alchemists, Li disguises herself as a man to infiltrate the campus and find out who murdered her husband. There are five suspects, including Rauley, her husband's best friend, and she believes one of them murdered her husband. Nonetheless, the truth is darker than she suspected.

Overall, I enjoyed the tale. The mystery was good enough that I didn't guess the identity of the murderer, and there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing. The title has some connection to the plot, which I'll let you find out for yourself. The world-building was nicely done. The mystical animals, the murder investigation, and the alchemy involved created exactly the kind of atmosphere I enjoy. I liked the peeks we got into the academy and the alchemy side of things, which was creative enough to make me want more. The cast was nicely developed, to one degree or another. I also liked the wink to Mulan and her similarities to our heroine.

Speaking of that, I am ambivalent about Li. On one hand, I liked her and rooted for her. On the other, she irritated me, and I went from liking her to disliking her and back again. I admired her bravery and resourcefulness, but at times she went too far. She was too reckless, and I didn't like her attitude toward Rauley, among other things. She used his feelings toward her to her own ends. I liked her compassion toward a couple of street urchins, but I didn't approve of some of her other acts.

The book explores themes of grief, prejudice, social class, gender inequality, survival, and found family. It also explores how far one will go to achieve justice. Far enough, it seems. There isn't much of a romance, although the book details the romance between Li and her late husband, as well as the possibility of one with another.

While I liked the premise of "Ambrosia," the execution fell a little short for me. Written in the third person POV, the book moves between past and present, with flashbacks to Li's past interspersed with her life in the present, which at times interrupted the flow of the story. The prose was clunky and took some time to get used to, and the pace wasn't even at times. That said, the story still kept me intrigued until the explosive conclusion, which gave the story the payoff I was hoping for. Therefore, I only shaved one star off my final rating. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend the book to fans of dark academia, mystery, and East Asian folklore.

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

* For more info about the book: "Ambrosia" by Katrina Kwan

"Echo Ridge" by Audrey J. Cole

 

"Echo Ridge" by Audrey J. Cole is a compelling thriller that kept me eagerly reading until the very end. Told alternately from the first-person POVs of two women, it follows Naomi, a grieving mother, and Jade, a tai chi instructor, whose lives collide at the luxury wellness retreat.

After being cheated out of her invested money by her best friend and business partner, Jade reinvented herself by accepting her aunt's offer to run the Echo Ridge Sanctuary and teach tai chi as well. There, she finds some comfort in nature and in her friendships with her aunt and the cook, who has his own baggage to deal with.

Naomi's eldest daughter was murdered, but the case was never solved. She firmly believes her son-in-law is the murderer, and she is so consumed by her hatred toward him that she has put her life on hold. Her youngest daughter, Miranda, takes her to the isolated retreat in the hope of reconnecting with her.

The serenity of the retreat is shattered when two new guests arrive: Jade’s former best friend, Piper, and her fiancé, Dylan, Naomi's son-in-law. The plot thickens when one of the guests disappears, and a violent storm prevents any of them from leaving. They have no internet connection, and the satellite phone is down. Secrets, paranoia, and chaos set the stage for murder, and there is a murderer on the loose.

I enjoyed the book immensely. It was well written and moved smoothly from one POV to another. The author has seamlessly woven themes of grief, betrayal, jealousy, and fallible human nature into the story. Cole also creates some good characters, and I liked the emotional dynamics between them. I liked Jade, and I felt sorry for Naomi, although she went too far at times. Both of them have a couple of things in common. They were full of hatred and anger and needed to learn to let go. I didn't like Piper and thought her behavior reprehensible. A couple of characters surprised me, for better and for worse. I won't mention names to avoid spoilers.

The first half had a slower pace than the second, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I liked the breathing sessions, the tai chi, and the hot springs, which gave the story a nice sense of setting. The second half was faster-paced, with a good build-up to the twists. While I didn't guess some of the twists, hooray to the author for that, I did guess the final twist. It didn't lessen my enjoyment, though.

All in all, it was an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion. Although the trope may be familiar, the execution was original and well done. The setting is beautifully constructed, and the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere deepened the story. I recommend it to fans of locked-room mysteries and vacations gone awry. The author has woven a well-crafted mystery with plenty of intriguing characters, a delicious amount of suspense, and a few dashes of crime.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Echo Ridge" by Audrey J. Cole

"The Pleasure Trap" by Emelie Olsson

 

"The Pleasure Trap" by Emelie Olsson is a spicy romance following three couples spending their vacation in Mexico. I expected a thriller, but it is more an erotic romance with an original twist. The sentence "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way" ("Anna Karenina") sums this book up to a T.

Alice and Tom are teachers who have been married for sixteen years and are undergoing infertility treatments. After the failure of their latest treatment, Tom's parents send them on an all-inclusive vacation in Mexico to recover. Melissa and Callum are newlyweds on their honeymoon. Melissa is a social influencer living for likes online and trying to increase her number of followers. Callum works in real estate and is unhappy with it. Rebecca and Ryan both come from wealthy families and spice up their marriage by playing an immoral game. They choose targets, and each attempts to seduce their chosen partner. The one who manages to have sex with their target first wins this depraved game. The paths of the three couples cross at the resort, and the rest is history.
  
I should have suspected something when I saw the title. But, what am I, a skeptic? It is a trap, all right, for the unwary, but I wouldn't call it "pleasure." It is anything but. The writing is great, I would give it that, and despite my reservations, I couldn't stop reading. The plot is fascinating in its human angle and its social critique. I kept waiting for the thriller element to kick in, expecting a murder or two, but the book remained firmly focused on the relationships and dynamics between the characters. The thriller angle comes from the emotional turmoil the characters go through and the tension of whether they will give in to temptation.

The dynamics and relationships between the couples were quite interesting to read. The book explores themes of infidelity, loving and finding yourself, infertility, empowerment, and the impact of online porn on young people. All important themes in themselves. Each of the couples has some issue with their marriage. Alas, the overwhelming number of explicit sexual scenes shifted the focus away from these themes and turned what could have been a great book into something much closer to porn. An interesting choice, as the book set against porn which creates unrealistic expectations for men.

The book alternates between third-person POVs following the couples and Rebecca's first-person POV, perhaps with the intention of making us like her. It didn't work. I didn't like her or her husband. In fact, I didn't like any of the characters and was disappointed by their choices. That doesn't mean I didn't find them fascinating. Their flaws, motivations, and relationships were some of the most interesting parts of the book. The setting was great, and I love visiting all the places they went to.

I found Rebecca and Ryan deceptive and manipulative, not to mention immoral. They try to present themselves as somewhat ethical by not targeting couples with children, but I felt they crossed too many lines and were unethical in plotting their course of action. They may have helped some of the couples with their advice, but I felt the damage they caused outweighed any insights they gave them.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, especially the exploration of the relationships, the exposure of human flaws, and the way the characters are forced to accept them and grow and mature in their personal lives and relationships with each other. The ending was satisfactory as well. Therefore, I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4. I recommend the book to people who like complex character studies and don't mind a lot of smut.
 
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Pleasure Trap" by Emelie Olsson

"Veiled in Shadow" by Liz Edelbrock

 

A magical train, childhood friends to lovers, and a locked-room mystery, all my favorite tropes in one. Veiled in Shadow by Liz Edelbrock is a delightful YA debut romantasy set aboard a train, successfully blending fantasy, mystery, and romance and told from the first-person POV of its heroine.

The life of Princess Delana of Orsho changed after the death of her beloved mother. Her father isn't himself, escaping more and more from reality and sinking into his past memories. The realm's memory magic, which comes from the chrona larks, is fading after the birds migrated to a neighboring kingdom. This magic enabled them to spy on their citizens and prevent crimes and chaos before they occurred by accessing memories of past events. To restore the magic, a political marriage is arranged between Princess Delana and Prince Marc of Valmyrra. To save their kingdom, Del agrees to the marriage and, together with her entourage and personal bodyguard, boards the enchanted wedding train that will take her to her new home.

Prince Marc is on the train with his own people, along with a group from a third kingdom who will entertain them with their illusion magic. The plot thickens when there is a murder aboard, and it becomes clear that Del was its intended target. When a second murder occurs, Del and Bastian have to find the assassin before she is next. Trust doesn't come easily to Del, and she has to rely on her senses, not her vanishing magic, to find out whom to trust and uncover the truth. Add to that the fact that she soon finds she doesn't like Marc much and her heart belongs to another, which complicates matters. She not only has to find a murderer, but also choose between duty and love.

The book got off to a slow start, but the pace picked up after the first murder. The world-building is intriguing, and the magic system is original. I liked the concept of seeing past events via the magic and the connection between the magic and the birds. I enjoyed the descriptions of the train's marvels and the illusionists' magic. Incorporating sign language into their performances was a nice touch, although there was no mention of who needed it on the train.

Some of the characters came across as very genuine and well-rounded. My favorites were Del, Bastian, and Thalia. Del was a fierce heroine I came to root for, if a bit reckless. I winced whenever she put herself in dangerous situations with no second thought to her safety. Bastian was loyal and faithful, and I admired his dedication to the cause. Thalia competed with Del for the prince's attention and was hostile toward her. I didn't like her at first, but as she developed and I came to understand her side of things, my opinion of her changed. And don't let me start on Marc. He was shallow and vain, and I really didn't connect with him.

I liked the dynamic between Del and Bastian and the way their relationship developed. Their shared past made their relationship feel authentic. I also liked the way Del's character developed as she learned to open herself to others. Her memory flashbacks were a nice touch, though there were a bit too many of them at times. The book explores themes of surveillance, trust, duty, sacrifice, and love, as well as the importance of following your heart. The plot was a bit predictable, but as I didn't guess the identity of the murderer, I was fine with that. A couple of things made me raise a brow, though. I don't want to enter into spoilers, but in general terms, the way one of the suspects was so quickly deemed innocent felt a little too convenient.

That said, I enjoyed the story, so I only deducted one star. The world-building, characters, magic system, and engaging plot made it an enjoyable read. The ending is also fulfilling, and I like that it's a stand-alone. There are a couple of love scenes. Though not explicit, they may not be suitable for younger readers, so be aware. All in all, I liked the book and recommend it to fans of political intrigue, forced proximity, forbidden romance, and magic. Oh, yes!

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

* For more info about the book: "Veiled in Shadow" by Liz Edelbrock

"The Curse of Feathers" by Kimberly Bea

 

I love retellings, and the tale of "The Wild Swans" is a favorite of mine. "The Curse of Feathers" by Kimberly Bea is a fantasy retelling combining elements from both the Brothers Grimm tale "The Six Swans" and Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Wild Swans". I have read the original tales as well as a couple of retellings, and this version is surely an original. Well, as original as a retelling can be.

The book follows Elisa von Ahlefeldt, youngest daughter of a noble family. Unlike her elder six brothers, she is ellevilde—elf-wild—a child of nature. She runs freely in the forest and befriends Nuve, an ash-tree maid who teaches forest magic. Her life takes a turn for the worse after her mother dies and her father remarries the Hexe (a witch) who bewitched him. The stepmother, Belinde, transforms the boys into swans and alters the father's perception of his daughter. Elisa hides in the forest and starts sewing shirts from nettles using nalbinding and magic. She has to keep silent if there is any hope of breaking her brothers’ curse. It is not an easy task in a world that hates magic, where a witch is after her, and witches are burned at the stake.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. Although there is an excellent plot, the real strength of this book is the detailed character development of Elisa and the vivid descriptions of the setting. I liked this feminist version of the story, with themes of coming-of-age, physical suffering, penance, sacrifice, social class, and pagan vs. Christian elements. I appreciated the mysticism, the depictions of life in nature, and the witch trials, which felt authentic. I liked the contrast between the beauty of nature and the dark curse and the rich historical details. The book has an atmospheric, dark quality that fits the darker elements of the fairy tale particularly well.

Elisa and Nuve were really the only rounded characters. Some of the side characters (especially the brothers) were less developed or distinguished, but as they weren't the center of the tale, it didn't bother me. I liked their loyalty and love for their sister, admired Elisa's inner strength (not speaking for many years isn't easy, let me tell you), her determination to save her brothers, and her connection to nature. I also liked the relationship between her and Nuve, and the way they complemented each other.

While the writing is great, the book is a bit slow-paced and meanders a little, and could’ve been tightened up. The religious undertone was laid too thick to my taste, but was well merged into the tale. If you read the original tale, you will be familiar with the direction of the story, but there were several twists that made it fresh. The ending is different from the original tale, and I am in two minds about it. While I understood why Elisa made the choice she did, especially after everything she had endured, and even salute her for it, I am still in two minds about the ending. Of the two, Elisa and the stepmother, Elisa was the true feminist one.

That said, I liked the book and do recommend it to fans of fantasy retellings with a strong heroine, rich world-building, and a dark, atmospheric fairy-tale feel.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Curse of Feathers" by Kimberly Bea

"Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz

 

Cozy fantasy is my niche, and this book ticked all my boxes. "Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz is a charming cozy fantasy following a bard and a bandit. I loved the first book in the series, "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore," and was thrilled to get my hands on the sequel. The book is set in the same world as the first one, but with different players. While the first book focused on Violet and Nathaniel, this one centers around Prudence, Nathaniel's twin sister, and her love interest, Callum, and is told in alternating third-person POVs of the two. Luckily, Bartleby, our favorite murderous sentient pothos, is still in the game.

At 32, Pru decides it's time to leave Dragon's Rest and find her place in the world, hopefully as a renowned bard. Her dream is to play at the royal wedding and become famous. Unbeknownst to her, Bartleby, an ex-villain cursed into a houseplant, has his own reason for joining her: he hopes to find someone who can break his curse. He hides in one of the horses' saddlebags, and Pru lets him accompany her. Her journey gets off to a rocky start when she has to escape a pub after an incident involving a prized goat, with the help of Callum, a charmingly roguish bandit.

Pru encounters Callum again when she comes across him and his partner, Vale, in the middle of a roadside robbery. When she tries to intervene, the ensuing chaos results in her violin being broken. With no way to continue her journey as a bard, she joins the two bandits until they can find a way to replace it. When Callum and Vale reunite with the rest of their group, Pru finds herself swept up in their planned royal heist in the mystical Lune Vault at the palace, no less.

I enjoyed the book very much. The writing was good and immersive. I loved the Robin Hood–esque vibes, the world-building, and the magic involved, including the ability to break curses, illusions that can change appearances, and other magical elements. I also loved the smart wordplay in the chapter headings, such as "Between a Rook and a Bard Place" and "Heist Heist Baby," to name a couple.
  
The characterization is excellent, making each person come to life for me. I love Pru and relate to her need to prove her worth. She was always told she was too much and to dim her light, and I like that she overcame that. Callum is another great character, who has more layers than are apparent at first, hidden under his need to make others happy, sometimes at the expense of his own happiness. I appreciated his concern for the poor and his love for his found family. I thought they didn't give him all the credit he deserves, especially his childhood friend, Vale. Pru is the only one who sees through his mask and tries to peel back all his layers to reach the real him. I loved their banter and interactions. They are attracted to each other but deny their feelings for various reasons, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop into a slow-burn romance.

The book explores themes of forbidden love, found family, imposter syndrome, and the power of believing in oneself. I loved the growth of the characters and their camaraderie. The found-family dynamic was another highlight for me. Among the side characters who make up this motley crew, I especially liked Laina, one of the triplet sisters; Butcher, the baker; Jeph, the dog; and Lady, a winged horse who can communicate through her feelings and memories. I wish there were more scenes with her.

Vale wasn't one of my favorite characters because of the callous way he treated Callum, his patronizing behavior, and condescension. He treated Callum as a child, thinking he knew best what was good for him and making decisions for him. I loved when Callum finally stood up to him, something he had avoided doing so as not to make waves.

Bartleby was the real star of the show. He literally stole the show. He loves knives and stole some at every turn. Well, he was an ex-villain after all. I loved how protective he was of Pru. His caring was shown through acts of kindness, such as carving a flute for her. He found a way to communicate without words, with his leaves, and the author showed it perfectly. I hope the next book, if there is one, will be about him. I would love to know his story. He deserves a story of his own! 

I definitely recommend the book. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, but I was happy to spend more time with the cast. It is just as good as the first one and can be read on its own, but I recommend reading the first one beforehand to get to know the backstory and appreciate all the little nuances. I loved the book and give it full stars. Fans of cozy fantasy with quirky characters,  sparkling banter, and plenty of adventures will enjoy this one. I know I did! 

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

* For more info about the book:  "Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz
 

"Saved by the Spell" by Tanya Huff

 

"Saved by the Spell" by Tanya Huff is a refreshing fantasy set at the High School for the Magical Arts (HSMA) in Canada and told from the teachers' perspective, a premise that immediately grabbed my interest. What can I say? I am a sucker for magical schools and the academy trope.

Told in the first person, the book follows Abby Bellman, an English and homeroom teacher in her forties with 17 years of experience under her belt. Only magic users who pass the entry test can enter the school, where they learn to handle their powers. Oh, and not burn the world while at it. It is the first day of the school year, and it is off to a bad start. While the students gather at the auditorium, the floor collapses under them, miraculously leaving no casualties.

The very next day, there is a Sprite attack in the dining room, starting at the scrambled eggs stand (it definitely puts one off scrambled eggs for life). And it is just the beginning. One incident follows another, and it becomes glaringly clear they have a hero in their midst. And where there is a hero, there is bound to be a villain. It is up to Abby, an overworked and underpaid teacher, to keep the hero out of harm's way and the villain stopped. All that among her other duties, and with no help from her colleagues to boot. And the daily demonstrations outside the gate against magic-users add to the chaos. What is a teacher to do?

I quite enjoyed this light-hearted romp through magical school life. I liked the fact that magical schools co-exist with the real world, and I appreciated Abby's dedication to her students and her insistence on good grammar. I liked the sarcastic tone, the dynamics between staff and students, and the variety of magic and its uses. I also liked the countdown of school days. Teachers are looking for it as well, apparently. The world-building is vivid, and while not everything about the world is revealed, it does whet our appetite for more.

While I liked the premise of this work, it took me some time to get into the story. Something about the pace and writing didn't click with me at first, although I eventually got used to both. Also, there is a large cast of minor characters, and I had some difficulty keeping track of all of them. A first for me. Speaking of characters, Abby, Bex, Michael with his overbearing mother, and the witch of the woods were some of my favorite characters. I also wondered why only Abby had to locate the villain. And no, "your hero, your responsibility" doesn't really cut it.

When all is said and done, I grew to like the narrator and her voice and sense of humor, and the plot kept me engaged. I had my suspicions about the identity of the villain; I had two in mind, actually, but it wasn't that obvious to me. Most of the threads were tied up, leaving a couple dangling, so hopefully a sequel is on the cards. I would like to explore the world more.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, flaws and all. I recommend it to fans of magical schools from the other side of the desk, school politics, and readers looking for one of the most original premises I've encountered, along with an engaging plot and plenty of magical mayhem.

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

* For more info about the book: "Saved by the Spell" by Tanya Huff

"The Terrarium" by Katie Collom

 

"The Terrarium" by Katie Collom is a quirky thriller revolving around a true-crime fanatic cat sitter who finds herself the heroine of her own true-crime podcast.

Told in the first person, the book follows Annie, a thirty-something barista who takes cat-sitting jobs on the side to supplement her income. She is an avid listener of Cuppa Crime, a true-crime podcast hosted by Gail and Gary. Transcripts of the podcast are inserted between the chapters, while snippets of Gail and Gary’s conversations also appear within the story.

When one of Annie’s cat-sitting jobs goes awry, the cat owners make her life miserable and threaten her livelihood. With no friends besides her colleague Dom, and a habit of stealing small objects from her clients, Annie is hardly in a good place to begin with. She is about to be evicted from her apartment, her cat-sitting account has been closed, and her boss is threatening to fire her because of complaints. Things couldn’t get much worse when, out of the blue, a mysterious new client, Zoe, hires her to take care of her cat, Hades. Zoe leaves her handwritten instructions and forbids Annie from entering the studio. (I love the nod to Bluebeard.)

As time goes by, Annie begins to suspect that Zoe may be a serial killer. Still, something keeps drawing her back to the house again and again, despite - and perhaps because of - the whiff of danger. As the saying goes, “curiosity killed the cat.” Will it kill our cat sitter?

I have ambivalent feelings about this book. On the one hand, the writing is very good, the premise is original, and the plot kept me interested. On the other hand, I didn't like any of the characters besides Dom, the other barista, and Hades the cat. I disliked Annie and her bad choices, some of which made me raise an eyebrow. I also didn't like that she stole from her clients, tried on their clothes, and put on their creams. The only good thing about her was that she loves cats. Oh, and don't worry, no cats were harmed in the making of this tale.

The book started on a strong note, and at first I gave Annie the benefit of the doubt. But as the plot unfolded, my dislike of her grew as her conduct worsened. She suspects her client of committing crimes. Whether her suspicions are true or not, that doesn't deter her from coming back. Or stealing from her client. I would keep my distance if I were her. I especially didn't like that Annie didn't pay for some of her actions. At some point, I took a brief break from the book because her conduct frustrated me so much.

Although the author tied up all the threads, the ending was left open, leaving room for a sequel? As I did like some aspects of the book - the writing and the way the author wove the podcast transcripts into the story - I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. The fact that the author made me feel so strongly about the heroine speaks volumes about her writing. If you like unreliable and unlikeable narrators, fast-paced mysteries, and podcasts, you will enjoy this book.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Terrarium" by Katie Collom

"The Secrets of Everlight" by Julie Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Secrets of Everlight by Julie Hall is an enticing romantasy and the first book of a duology. Think The Selection, but with a mystery at its core and Fae instead of humans. I've been on a streak of good books lately, and I was delighted to add this one to the list.

The book follows Rowan, an orphaned fae, a thief by necessity, who is bound by an indentured servitude contract to a cruel master. She lives in the Ember Kingdom, one of several kingdoms on the continent of Vaeloria, and the strongest among them. The continent is an isolated Fae island bound by a magical barrier that keeps their enemies, the vampire and werewolf kingdoms, outside their borders.

Rowan's life takes a turn when a mysterious fae named Neo buys her contract and offers her freedom and funds in return for her help. Neo and his friend Bram ask her to pretend to be Princess Greer Stormfeather of the Glacier Kingdom and take part in a competition to win Prince Dryden's hand in marriage. Each kingdom sends a princess to vie for the prince's hand. Unlike the other contestants, Rowan has no intention of winning the prince's heart. She must play the spy and uncover the assassin targeting the prince to earn her release. She finds herself thrust into a world of nobility, silks, and court intrigue, where the stakes are high, and one wrong move could cost her life.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. With a story told from Rowan's first-person perspective, eloquent prose, a well-constructed world, a memorable cast of characters, and an enthralling narrative, this is a fantastic read. Speaking of Rowan, she is a strong and complex heroine with uncontrollable urges to steal. She is also kind and courageous, and once she moves past the need to survive, she notices others' misfortunes and tries to help them in her own fashion. She dealt with the bad cards she was given the best way she knew how. I admired her for that.

One of my favorite moments was when she noticed a poor boy sitting outside the pub she visited and gave him her biscuit and a small silver teaspoon. She stole it, but it still shows she has a good heart. It might seem trivial to you, but in Rowan's own words, "in a world that's doing its best to erase you, even the smallest kindness can remind you that you still matter." A wonderful message to live by. Yes, she sometimes behaved foolishly, such as when she stole from the other contestants, and I wanted to shout, "What are you doing? You'll get caught! And you promised to stop." That aside, Rowan was born to be free, as the song goes. She may be a gutter fae and a former thief, but she is my kind of gal.

The book explores themes of perseverance, classism, identity, slavery, betrayal, freedom, loyalty, the cost of unchecked ambition, and, greatest of all, love. The characters were well drawn for the most part. Some of the princesses were forgettable and rather flat, while others were memorable. The villains were thoroughly detestable. I really enjoyed the dynamics and dialogue between the characters and the bonds Rowan formed with a couple of the rival princesses. The bridal contest was another highlight and added extra spice to the tale. The elimination process was a bit abrupt, but since it wasn't a major focus of the novel, it didn't bother me much.

Among the supporting characters, several made a lasting impression on me: Neo, whose integrity I admired; Bram, Neo's loyal companion; Olette, the prince's aunt; and Shayla, the princess from the Iron Kingdom. I had my suspicions about Neo's true identity, and it turned out I was right. Even so, the author still managed to surprise me with it.

The world-building is fantastic. There are sixteen Fae kingdoms on the island, including Honey, Bloom, River, Glacier, and Ember, to name a few. We learn about their lost magical powers, magical objects, otherworlders (their enemies), the class system, and much more. I was a bit surprised that no humans were among the races mentioned. I also found it strange that although the king was unmarried, the marriage competition was for his brother rather than for him.
   
The artwork between the chapters was gorgeous and brought the characters to life. There is a slow-burn romance and almost no spice beyond a few cuddles. It goes to show that a good book needs no smut to keep readers hooked. Julie Hall crafts a unique and captivating tale filled with twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages. Alas, it ends on a cliffhanger, not my favorite trope, and I can't wait for the next book.Fans of fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy with larger-than-life protagonists will enjoy it. 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 Secrets of Everlight" by Julie Hall

"The Only Way Out Is Up" by Django Wexler

 

The Only Way Out Is Up by Django Wexler is an exciting progression fantasy/sci-fi adventure and the first book in The Sigilist series. I came for the robot and stayed for the plot. The story follows a small-time scrapper and his robot companion, both of whom stole my heart.

Taj lives in the Heap, at the bottom of a cylindrical cavern that houses a three-tiered ring city, together with his found family. The people living there are the lowest class and struggle to survive among the discarded tech dumped on their level from a mysterious 'above' and the twisted metal monsters living in the dump. Taj and Star, a sentient runic construct he built himself, make a (barely) living by scavenging for scrap and hunting the wild monsters. They use what they find to buy food and sigils to improve his runics. 

When debt collectors begin breathing down their necks, Taj joins forces with Ky, a girl from the upper levels of society who offers him a chance to compete in the Ascent, the ultimate fighting tournament with an enormous cash prize. Not an easy task. Besides competing against other constructs, Taj and Star must also contend with Ky's enemies, who are determined to put an end to them. Their only advantage is that Star isn't like the other constructs. He is sentient and can think for himself. As Taj discovers, when you start at the very bottom,"the only way out is up".

I loved, loved, loved this book. It is one of the most original stories I've read, and the world building is outstanding. Wexler's writing is excellent. His engaging prose kept me turning the pages, and he strikes the perfect balance between action, humor, and heartfelt moments. He reveals the world gradually, allowing us to discover its secrets alongside Taj. The beginning was a little confusing, but I quickly found my footing.

The story explores classism, inequality, and the abuse of power. The inhabitants of the ring city are divided into three classes, with the poorest living at the bottom and the upper classes residing at the top. Above, on the surface, live the top of the top. Or so they think... I smiled when Taj called the trash chute the "asshole", which perfectly captures both the setting's grim reality and his sense of humor. I was fascinated by the world and eager to learn more about it. While some of its mysteries are explained, others remain tantalizingly unexplained.

Star is indeed a star, and I loved the bond between him and Taj. Their ability to communicate telepathically made their dynamic one of the highlights of the story. Star's thoughts are written in brackets, making it easy to distinguish them from Taj's. I especially loved that he affectionately referred to Taj as "meat creature." The book not only draws inspiration from Pokémon, but also from the medieval Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), which added another fascinating layer to the world building and was something I absolutely adored. Star completely stole the show, and I wished I had a robot like him.

I was worried the gladiatorial battles would be too numerous or drag on for too long, but they were perfectly paced and never lost my interest. I loved Star's little quips, his sharp wit, and the humor he brought to the story. I appreciated Taj's integrity, how far he was willing to go for his friends, and his determination to maintain his honor even when others lacked it. The ending was explosive and thrilling. Although this is the first book in a series, most of the threads are resolved, while a couple remain tantalizingly dangling. I can't wait to read the second book and learn more about this world.

This is one of those books that's almost impossible to put down once you've started. I don't have adequate words to express how much I enjoyed it. It's one of the most inventive and original progression fantasy novels I've read lately, and a cut above the rest. It stands out thanks to its inventive world building, unforgettable characters, and sheer sense of fun. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre, and to anyone looking for something fresh and memorable. 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 Only Way Out Is Up" by Django Wexler