"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

"When the Night Comes Knocking" by Katherine Daniel

 


















The Mist meets Scream! When the Night Comes Knocking by Katherine Daniel is an intense Appalachian horror novel following two estranged siblings who find themselves in a horror movie, literally.

On the way to their family's rented cabin in the Appalachian Mountains, the estranged siblings, Jane and Thomas, find themselves trapped in a roadside convenience store with some other patrons. The store is under attack by a monster, known in local legend as the Mimic, a creature said to hold up the bones of the mountains and feast on people with guilty hearts. Since the accident that nearly took their lives, Thomas has stopped talking to Jane, blaming her for all his woes. Now, they must settle their differences to survive. As the Mimic claims more victims, fear gives way to paranoia, and the survivors turn against one another in a desperate search for the guilty party. Alas, all of them have something to hide. Unless they cooperate, none will survive.

Told from multiple third-person perspectives, the story moves between characters. This is a story of grief, guilt, regret, and redemption, full of Appalachian folklore. Think The Mist, but with a twist and less scary, which is a good thing, as I am not too fond of scary books. It is chilly, suspenseful, and claustrophobic, with compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. The story explores humanity, trauma, and relationships through the bizarre circumstances the characters find themselves in.

The characters are richly drawn. I liked Jane, whom I thought was brave, but I thought her older brother, Thomas, was a jerk. As an older brother, he sucked. At first, I didn't understand the reason for their estrangement. When I did, I found his behavior unjustified, not to say silly. He did grow throughout the story, so good for him. Among the side characters, I especially liked Jackson and his dog. And yes, the dog survived! I was worried about that. I was angry at the other patrons and the lengths they went to in order to stay alive. Much like Lord of the Flies, the story shows how far people will go to survive.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and found it to be a great tale. Others have mentioned that it would make a good movie, and I agree. Don't get me wrong, that is a good thing. As I read, the story unfolded before me as though I were watching a movie. I loved the chapter names, which connected to each other and had meaning. The only issue I had with the book was the epilogue, which I found unsatisfying. While I liked its implication that some horrors never truly stay buried, it jumps ahead a couple of decades without telling us what became of the characters, except for Kimi, the store's owner, and even then, it wasn't enough.

If you like a good atmospheric horror novel that isn't too scary to stop your heart from beating, this is the book for you. Warning: when the night comes knocking, don't answer the door. I certainly wouldn't...

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

* For more info about the book:  "When the Night Comes Knocking" by Katherine Daniel

"Ten Perfect Guests" by Jonathan Santlofer

Ten Perfect Guests by Jonathan Santlofer is a dark mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I admit, I am a sucker for locked-room mysteries and the vacation-gone-wrong trope, so the premise had me intrigued.

One tropical island. Ten guests. One gathering turns deadly. When the celebrated artist Victor D'Arcangelo dies unexpectedly, ten of his nearest and dearest are summoned to a weekend memorial on a secluded island that is off the grid. They must attend or forfeit their inheritance. Each guest has their own reasons for attending and their own agenda. Once they arrive, paradise turns into a nightmare. They are trapped on the island and picked off one by one. As the body count increases, tensions and tempers rise, and they turn on each other. 

The book is atmospheric and gritty, and there is a gradual buildup of tension. The story is told from multiple third-person perspectives, presenting different personalities and motivations. The chapters are short, moving between characters, which makes for a quick read. Each guest has their own backstory, most of them unlikeable, self-centered, and egotistical. Each one has secrets and has done horrible things in the past.

Despite the large cast, I had no trouble keeping track of the characters. And yes, some of them were stereotyped. I liked the inclusion of the transcripts, how art imitates life through the staging of the murder scenes, and the way the ins and outs of the art world permeate the story.
 
The author creates an excellent sense of setting and Christie-esque atmosphere. The isolation, danger, bugs, crocodiles, overgrown grass, and heat are almost palpable. There’s a strong sense of claustrophobia. The distrust and quarrels add to the atmosphere. 

Unfortunately, the execution doesn't quite live up to the concept. The biggest issue I had with this book was the writing style and the pacing. The writing didn't flow smoothly at times, making it harder to get lost in the story. The first half of the book is especially slow, weighed down by exposition and character introductions. Also, there was too much drinking and drug use to my taste.

Overall, I enjoyed the book despite its flaws. The author introduces some interesting twists in the story, and I didn't guess who was behind the deaths, which is always a plus in a mystery. Although the execution isn't perfect, the mystery itself kept me engaged. I recommend it to readers who enjoy locked-room mysteries and Christie-inspired stories.

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

* For more info about the book: "Ten Perfect Guests" by Jonathan Santlofer  

"Demonology for Overachievers" by Lily Anderson

 

"Demonology for Overachievers" by Lily Anderson wears many hats. It is a YA paranormal dark academia novel with Poe and Mary Shelley's vibes. It takes the classic deal-with-the-devil motif (think Faust) to another level.

Told in the first person, the story follows Merritt Maldonado, a seventeen-year-old introverted girl who, in her own words, is "a fat goth Afro-Latina orphan." Raised by her grandmother after losing her parents, Merritt is a loner with social anxiety and only one good friend, Fancy. Determined to win the Lexington Scholarship and secure a place at a good college, she creates bogus clubs to pad her résumé.

Her fiercest competition comes from her academic nemesis, Linus Lexington, who is charismatic and outgoing. Afraid of failure, she strikes a bargain with a demon in the hope of securing the scholarship. Little does she know that Linus has the same idea. The plot thickens when other scholarship applicants start dropping dead in bizarre accidents, forcing the two rivals to work together to break their pacts before more people die.

I enjoyed the book immensely and found it a quick read. It is well written, with an engaging storyline and well-rounded characters. I loved the concept, the way the demon's name is marked with dashes, and the representation. I loved both protagonists. They're both overachievers, but I especially appreciated that Merritt isn't the typical heroine. At the same time, I felt that she made some very stupid choices for someone so smart. Every time she made a dumb decision, I wanted to shake her. 

The story was largely believable, well, as believable as a paranormal novel can be, but one scene felt particularly ridiculous. In the middle of trying not to get caught in a dorm room, the protagonists somehow found time to kiss instead of running away. The scene that followed that was brillant, though.  

The horror leans more toward an eerie atmosphere than outright terror, although there are a couple of graphic deaths that made me wince. The author also gives enough detail to make the side characters memorable. I liked Fancy's personality, a transgender girl who is accepted by everyone, and disliked one of the other side characters. I also found the nickname Merritt is given rather cruel. But then, kids can be cruel. 

The book explores themes of found family, learning from mistakes, choices and their consequences, not judging people by appearance or lineage, and how far one will go to succeed. Merritt learns that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that everything comes at a price. If I were to sum up the message in one sentence, it would be: be careful what you wish for.
 
Overall, I loved the book. I came for the demons and stayed for the plot. If you love dark academia, rivals to lovers, a strong heroine, and light horror vibes, this is the book for you. The romance is a subplot and never overshadows the mystery. There is no spice, making it appropriate for YA readers. I definitely recommend 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: "Demonology for Overachievers" by Lily Anderson