"Hell to Pay" by Lora Beth Johnson

 

















"Hell to Pay" by Lora Beth Johnson is an entertaining YA fantasy set in contemporary Boston that follows a teenage con artist and a ragtag crew you can’t help but root for. It checked many of my favorite boxes: heists, quests, magic, and a familiar.

Elle Fields was once part of a successful crew of con artists who specialized in breaking into the Afterlife. Each visit grants the visitor a bit of magic, but Elle is the only one in the gang who never gained any. After her parents mysteriously disappeared and her brother died, the crew fell apart, leaving her with only her undead crow for company. Desperate to find a way to bring her brother back, Elle jumps at the chance when a wealthy client offers her a job stealing a soul from the Afterlife. Reuniting her old crew, she sets out on a dangerous heist filled with demons, syndicates, and other threats. The odds are stacked against them, and if they fail, there’ll be hell to pay...

The book is packed with humor, banter, and eccentric characters one can’t help but like. The story is told in first person from Elle’s POV, with moments where she addresses the reader directly. I loved the writing style, Elle’s internal monologue, and her breaking of the fourth wall to share her thoughts and information with us. She is something of an unreliable narrator, so we never quite know what is coming next or what is in store. The twists come fast and furious, believe me.

The book is loosely inspired by Greek mythology, and I loved the winks to it. The world-building is as intriguing as its inhabitants, with its syndicates, magic system, and various magical abilities. I enjoyed the concept of afterlife tourism, the vivid descriptions of the Afterlife, and the quests. Some of them had me holding my breath as the crew navigated increasingly dangerous obstacles and opponents. And there are demons, too! I also liked the gentle romance subplot, which didn’t overshadow the tale. 

The book explores themes of love, grief, responsibility, trust, risk-taking, perseverance, and found family, as well as the dangers of power. I loved Elle’s spirit and her ability to improvise and think on her feet. Yes, she has flaws; she is stubborn, selfish, and impulsive at times, but that made her feel human. The ragtag crew contains a diverse and colorful cast of characters, including CJ, Tolliver, Poppy, and Ezra, each with their own magical abilities. I also appreciated the inclusion of a nonbinary character. The crow familiar steals the show, providing much-needed comic relief between darker moments with her tendency to arrive late, her parts falling apart, and her many quirks.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The characters, humor, inventive world-building, thrilling heists, and memorable crow familiar made for an engaging and fun read. I did find it a bit confusing at first, with all the groups and syndicates, which kept it from being a full five-star read for me. There is no cliffhanger, which I greatly appreciated. The author tied up most loose ends while leaving a few dangling to set up what feels like the next book. I would love to read more stories in this world. This book would suit fantasy lovers who enjoy quests, magical heists, found-family stories, and high-stakes adventures.

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

* For more info about the book: "Hell to Pay" by Lora Beth Johnson

"The Farewitch of Foxe Holler" by Ellen Pauley Goff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




As in cooking, this book has all the right ingredients that add up to an excellent dish: grumpy vs. sunshine, a sentient farmhouse, and magic! The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff is a charming cozy fantasy stand-alone set in a magic-imbued small town in Kentucky. This book checked all my boxes and worked perfectly for me.

Honey Frost is Foxe Holler's thirty-something Farewitch who had to take over her family's Apothakery business earlier due to unexpected circumstances. Creating culinary cures is her specialty, and most small ailments can be cured with just the right recipe. When the Holler's reclusive Warlock, Mr. Knight, suddenly requests her help, she reluctantly agrees, to the dismay of the townsfolk, in the hope of finding helpful new recipes to cure the one illness she has been unable to heal.

She stays at his farmhouse, which has a mind of its own and mistrusts strangers. The only other residents are a lovely nine-year-old boy, Lazlo, and his unwelcoming governess, Ms. Zeen. The Warlock has many secrets, so Honey's task is set out for her, and she has only three months to accomplish it. As Honey tries to find a cure while dealing with her own issues, two threats loom: the Widow Witch, who steals a husband from Foxe Holler every year, and a zealot pastor determined to banish magic altogether. And time is running out, literally.

I enjoyed the book very much. I loved the banter and repartee between Honey and Mr. Knight, the slow-burn romance, the eclectic cast of side characters, the different types of witches, and the cozy atmosphere. The romance develops gradually and never overshadows the rest of the story. I also adored the sentient farmhouse. It was every bit as grumpy as its owner and felt like a character in its own right. I appreciated the character growth of both Honey and Mr. Knight, the snappy dialogue between them, and the writing.

This book is definitely character-driven, and the author does a tremendous job capturing the personalities of her characters. Among the side characters, Beulah Buchanan and her lovely dog, the grumpy Gertha Fudge, and Letha Zeen were standouts and added plenty of flavor to the story. The pacing is steady, and while it may slow somewhat in the middle, it felt just right to me and suited the cozy atmosphere of the story. I loved the concept of solving problems with the right recipes. We get the backstory in bits and pieces, which is how I prefer it rather than pages of info dumps.

Interwoven within this sweet tale are themes of friendship, loyalty, found family, and the power of community, as well as other insightful messages, such as the dangers of overworking oneself at the expense of one's health (through the costs of magic), learning to accept help, understanding that people can make bad decisions without being bad people, and learning from our mistakes. The plot served our protagonists to the best of their personalities. And the characters, in turn, served the plot to its full potential.

Overall, I loved the book and highly recommend it. It was everything I want from a cozy fantasy novel. It is filled with vivid world-building, original characters, and a captivating magical setting. I loved the connection between magic and baking, as well as Honey's helpful tips from her planned Southern Cookbook for Recipes Gone Wrong at the heading of each chapter. I would love to read more books set in this world. It's perfect for fans of the genre. The author baked us a great burgoo dish, and in Honey's Momaw's own words: food is magic. And this book has both, in spades!

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

* For more info about the book: "The Farewitch of Foxe Holler" by Ellen Pauley Goff

 

"Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery

 


















I admit, I chose this book because of the dogs. Murder mysteries with dogs are very hard for me to resist. "Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery is a lighthearted cozy mystery that follows an activist woman who moves to a dog-obsessed small town and finds herself deeply entangled in a murder case, with herself as the prime suspect.

Margot Cartwright moved to Glendale from Washington, D.C., with her family after her husband inherited his parents’ home and the family bank. She feels like a fish out of water among the locals and is a social pariah due to her many protests and her superior attitude. Her daughter left town and cut contact after a falling-out revealed later in the book. Margot feels lonely, sad, and angry, and blames everyone except herself for the estrangement. She makes protesting her life’s work (zealous is the word). After a protest on the first day of filming of “Paws”, a purebred dog reality show, goes wrong, Margot becomes even more isolated than before.

The plot thickens when a local dog walker, Margot’s nemesis, is murdered and Margot becomes the prime suspect due to her many antics, which made her unpopular. When there is a second murder, it puts her in even deeper water, enlarges the cracks in her marriage, and damages the relationship with her son. She becomes the scapegoat for every small incident. Help comes from unexpected quarters. Together with Anne, a septuagenarian and the head of the HOA, Sally-Claire, a member of the “Mommy Mafia", and her loyal canine, Sid, Margot tries to solve the case before the book is thrown at her.

Overall, I liked the book, the humor, the wit, and the quirky characters. The writing was a bit busy, with side plots of the contest, the name-dropping, and the activist streak slowing the pace in places. It explores themes of family, friendship, community, suburban living, bullying, environmental concerns, choices, and finding purpose. There is also the question of doing something bad for a good purpose, which I didn’t agree with.

I didn’t like most of the characters except Anne. I liked Sally-Claire once she grew a backbone. I had a hard time relating to Margot at first. I am all for adopting dogs and against the dog-breeding industry, but Margot was too radical for me with her insane actions, judgmental attitude, and righteous mindset. I thought the event leading to the estrangement with the daughter was unbelievable and a bit of a stretch. Two years without contact seemed too much for such an event. I also didn’t like Margot’s husband and his lack of support. He was a weak character, all said and done.

I liked that all three women went through personal developments. Despite their differences, they managed to find common ground in their shared sense of feeling adrift and eventually found new purpose in their lives. The author went to great lengths to present Margot as an outsider, turning her into an unlikeable and over-the-top character. I understood why Margot acted the way she did, but her characterization often felt overdone. Many times I wanted to shake her and bring her to her senses. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” fits here to a tee, and I liked the gradual revealing of the women’s personalities. They had more sides to them than first appeared at a glance.

All in all, this was a good read, just not quite as great as I expected. I appreciated the mystery and disliked how the town pinned the murders on Margot simply because she didn’t fit their expectations and beliefs. I did enjoy the character growth and the twists. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, always a bonus, and was satisfied with the conclusion. The mystery kept me guessing even when Margot drove me up the wall. I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of witty, humorous cozy mysteries.

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

* For more info about the book: "Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery

"The Dragon Has Some Complaints" by John Wiswell

 

It is often said that children and animals steal the show. It is certainly the case here. Our dragon is the hero of this piece! The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell is a charming fantasy following a disabled three-headed dragon’s life-changing journey, told from the third-person POV of the middle head. The story throws us straight into the action and quickly pulls the reader into the tale.

Garrodigh was once a four-headed dragon, the most powerful in Kardoša. After losing his fourth head in battle, he now has three heads, a busted leg, and a broken wing.  The three heads are at odds with each other. Upperhead is shy and convinced he is human, Bottomhead just wants food, and Centerhead? He wants revenge on the humans who did it to him while still trying to hold everything together. He has big holes in his memory as a result of losing the fourth head and is now an outcast among the wild dragons, who see him as a human sympathizer.

Garrodigh decides to enter the winged city and wreak havoc on its citizens. Pretending to be injured, he manages to sneak into the city, where he bonds with the rider Rania Charvátová. To his surprise, he grows to care for her and starts shifting away from thoughts of eating humans toward protecting them instead. Oh, and his three heads talk to each other all the time. He also talks with his rider, which makes him the odd one. The tame dragons don't talk, at least not to him or the other humans, and he is not sure why that is. Like the wild dragons, they also reject him, deeming him too humanlike. 

What follows is a fast-moving adventure full of friendship, courage, and difficult choices. The pacing stays strong most of the book, although at times it was a bit erratic. Not that I minded. I really enjoyed the book. The dragon’s multiple personalities, quirks, and internal bickering worked especially well for me, and I liked how much growth they each go through. I also appreciated the wit and humor. The scenes where he becomes aware of human sexuality were amusing, although that plot line didn’t need to be emphasized as much. 

Overall, the story balances humor with emotional weight in a way that feels natural. Rania is a well-rounded character, struggling with doubt and low self-esteem while also being an outsider, much like her dragon. I liked their bond and how they gradually help each other heal. The supporting cast is well drawn, even if not all of it is deeply developed. At its core, the story explores what it means to be seen as a “monster,” and flips that idea into something more emotional and human.
 
The only blip was the dragon’s quick recognition of a trans character. Since dragons, or other animals for that matter, don’t share human social concepts, I found it a bit hard to believe he would recognize that at first sight. I did like the inclusion, though.

Aside from a few minor editing mistakes that are hardly noticeable, the writing in this book is excellent. I hope to read more books in this world. To sum up, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and urge you to read it. Fans of fantasy and dragons will surely enjoy it. Dragons rule!

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

* For more info about the book:  "The Dragon Has Some Complaints" by John Wiswell

"The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance" by Chiara Bullen

 

"The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance" by Chiara Bullen is a feel-good cozy fantasy inspired by Scottish culture and folklore, following a scholar who takes on a quest to prove himself worthy to his peers. And my, what a journey it turns out to be!

Ainsworth Gladsly is an aspiring human scholar with druid-blood lineage who is sent to research the mysteries of Mount Vengeance for his thesis. He stays at the Misnich Inn at the foot of the mountain, run by its innkeeper, Honey, and her staff. He hopes to document the journeys of the adventurers who come to conquer the mountain, and the dragon said to inhabit it.

Alas, none of the adventurers complete their quest. There seems to be a curse on the mountain, and Ainsworth is determined to uncover its secrets while recovering from an abusive relationship. He gradually warms to the charm of the inn and even befriends some of the staff. However, his academic status is on the line unless he finishes his research. Easier said than done.

I enjoyed this sweet, cozy fantasy. After a slow start, both the story and Ainsworth grew on me. I liked Ainsworth’s character development, from entitled and arrogant to more likeable and gentle. Like Honey, I wanted to give him a good shake now and then, and I was glad he finally grew a backbone. I also appreciated that he comes to understand that fulfillment takes many forms, and that there is more to life than status, glory, or the approval of others. One doesn’t need to show off to prove one’s mettle.

I also loved the diverse cast. It made the inn feel lively and full of personality. From a dwarf and an elf to a tortoise-mhith woman, an orc, and a Wildeshifter, the variety made the cast and guests fun to follow. While we don’t get an in-depth view of every character, there’s enough personality to make this such a great cast. We also have LGBTQ+ main characters, which adds to the inclusivity of the story.

The story touches on themes of found family, friendship, love, self-worth, and homecoming, all wrapped in a warm ambience. Last but not least, there is a slow-burn romance, though the focus isn’t on the romance. There is a somewhat stereotypical view of scholars, painting most with the same brush, and I guessed some of the twists, but this didn’t hurt my overall enjoyment. The writing flows smoothly, making it easy to be drawn in. I could see myself visiting the inn and sharing an ale with its inhabitants.

This is a standalone, though another book set in the same world is expected next year, and I eagerly await it. I loved this book, small flaws and all, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy about healing, self-discovery, and character-driven stories. I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 5. After all, sometimes a feel-good book is exactly what the doctor ordered.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance" by Chiara Bullen

"Her Sharp Embrace" by Kate Koenig

 

"Her Sharp Embrace" by Kate Koenig is the first book in an original queer fantasy duology set in a New Orleans-inspired world. It started with a bang, literally, then plods along at a slower pace until just before the end, then jumps into warp speed again.

The book follows a crew of magical outlaws, the Nightshades, who fight corruption and struggle to make a living. They are Saints (magic wielders) with charisms (their powers), in a corrupt society where barons rule. Noa Toussaint is a Baroness Saint with a talent for alchemy who left her old life behind for her love of Lennon, the gang leader. The plot thickens when one of the members is murdered. The crew and the authorities are in a race to find the culprit, who seems hell-bent on destroying what’s left of the crew itself.

I had high expectations for the book based on the blurb, but I had a hard time staying engaged with the plot or connecting with the characters. The novel explores humanity, found family, betrayal, duty, class, loss, and sapphic and sisterly relationships. The concept worked for me: the magic system, the idea of a badass gang of women (Robin Hood springs to mind), the mystery at the heart of the plot, and the newspaper articles, recipes, and other excerpts woven between chapters.

The characterization of the five main characters was well done. They were flawed and human, and their backstories made them feel rounded. Each of them had a unique charism, which I loved. Sadly, except for sunny Jolie, I didn't like most of them. Noa was weak and spineless, and she kept blushing, whining, and being horny. Theo, the daughter of a pirate, was a bully, and I didn't like the way she treated Noa, or that no one really stopped her. Jolie and Lennon tried, with no success.

Both Noa and Theo irritated me with their conduct. Mei was courageous and a dark horse but didn’t really contribute much to the plot. Lennon was brave and loyal, and I loved the way she cared for her fellow gang members, whom she viewed as family. Her love for Noa made her careless and less sharp, though, which affected the entire gang. 

The book alternates between past and present. The past sections are written in third-person present tense and follow multiple POVs. The “now” sections are written in the first person from Noa’s perspective. The present-tense writing didn’t work for me and felt a bit forced. The twist at the end caught me by surprise, I will give the book that. Most of the threads are resolved, with a couple of loose ends for good measure. The book ends with a small cliffhanger, which will probably be addressed in the second book.

Overall, I liked the book, so I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. There’s a lot of potential here, but it didn’t quite come together. With a bit of tightening, it could be more engaging. I will read the second book when it comes out, as I am curious how it will end. I still recommend the book to fans of morally gray characters with attitude who don't mind present-tense writing or a slower pace.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Her Sharp Embrace" by Kate Koenig

 

"The River She Became" by Emily Varga

 



















The River She Became is the first book in the romantasy duology River & Salt and a great start to the series. Told in alternating dual first-person POVs, it follows a human scholar and a fae warrior driven by opposing goals, whose worlds intertwine. I love lore, and the book delivers in spades. 

Yasmeena is a scholar and relic hunter secretly working against the empire that conquered her land, stole magical Fae relics, and prevented her people from practicing their cultural customs. Kiyan is a Fae captain serving a cruel regime that conquered his realm, suppressed its magic, and brutalized its people.

The human world was cut off from the fae world, and Yasmeena searches for a way to restore the connection in hopes that it will save her people. Kiyan seeks a way to rescue the royal family trapped in the mountain and break free from the manacles of their conquerors. When their paths cross in the Fae realm, the two are forced into an uneasy alliance chock-full of ancient curses, deadly traps, and slow-burn romance.

With a mix of political intrigue, colonization, and social commentary, the author spins a tale I enjoy reading. Each chapter begins with letters and journal entries, which help bring the world to life. Yasmeena and Kiyan were characters I could connect to. Yasmeena is courageous, if a bit impulsive at times, and she wears glasses!! Not a thing one usually encounters in fantasy. I loved that the Fae didn't understand its purpose at first. I also appreciate her magic development, as well as her compassion and willingness to risk herself for both her people and strangers. Kiyan was more difficult to connect with at first because of his aloofness and some of his actions which he self-justified. It does beg the question of whether the goal justifies the means.

I am tired of seeing the colonization theme used in books, but here it was well executed. I liked the parallels between the two worlds. The villain was well etched and truly detestable, especially in the way he drained magic and tortured people. Speaking of that, the magic system felt original. I loved the Middle Eastern-inspired world and fae lore, as well as the unique representation of the fae. I also enjoyed the interactions between the protagonists and the gradual build-up of their romance and trust.

Some parts felt repetitive, especially when the characters kept reflecting on their situation or over explaining things. There were a few small, insignificant inconsistencies, such as the mention of Yasmeena’s scent, which differed from page to page. While I loved the Harry Potter and Indiana Jones vibes, they did not feel very original. Drinking potions and avoiding deadly spike traps, really?? And worst of all, the book ends on a cliffhanger, and now I will have to wait a while for the sequel! I really need that book, now!

But those are minor quibbles. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much and recommend it to fans of dark fantasy and moral gray characters. The writing was smooth and drew me in, and the pace worked really well. Evocative world-building, richly drawn characters, deeply felt friendships, and romantic tension made for a great read. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted a star due to the issues mentioned above. I am looking forward to seeing how things work out in the second installment.

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

* For more info about the book:  "The River She Became" by Emily Varga

"Shadow Reaper" by Lynette Noni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Shadow Reaper” by Lynette Noni is a dark YA fantasy that will leave you in tatters. It is the first book in a duology, and it is one of those books that are very difficult to put down once it pulls you in.

Written in the third-person POV, the book follows seventeen-year-old Viridia Solace, a young reaper hunter with a mission: to catch the Reaper Priest who killed her parents. She lives in the city of Aravell, a place bordered by the Blackmist Forest and plagued by a deadly magical mist, where reapers addicted to magic roam and siphon magic mostly from children.

When the Priest’s most loyal follower, Reeve Ashton, is captured, he offers Viridia a bargain: his freedom in return for information about the Reaper Priest. The plot thickens when kids go missing, forcing her hand. With the help of her best friend and his motley crew, the two embark on a quest that will lead them through unforeseen dangers. Thus starts an exciting adventure chock-full of magic, slow-burn romance, and twists.

I loved the book! It has all my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found family, and a high-stakes quest. Add to it an original magic system, vivid world-building, enchanted artifacts, and a pet bunny named Walnut, and you’ve got me hooked. Instead of vampires thirsting for blood, we have reapers thirsting for magic, which is cool. As this is YA, there is no spice, nor was it needed.
 
I loved Viri and Reeve, and especially the banter and dynamic between them. Viri was too stubborn for her own good, and Reeve too secretive, but somehow it worked. The supporting characters felt vivid and easy to connect with, and I would love to know more about their backgrounds. I loved the slow reveal of the backstories and how nuanced and human the protagonists felt as characters. Adding a bunny to an otherwise dark world was just brilliant.

Some old mage’s journal entries are inserted between the chapters, which shed light on the magic system. I found them less interesting than the rest of the plot, but they were necessary to give us the background of the magic. It could have used a bit of tightening, though.

Overall, I was impressed with the tale despite some hiccups — a slow start, long journal entries, and miscommunication that could have been avoided. It's complex, multifaceted, and thought-provoking. The writing was compelling and kept me fully immersed, and the tale itself was equally captivating. The major twist at the end left me open-mouthed and yearning for more.

Alas, the story ends with a very dramatic cliffhanger, leaving me itching to have the next book in my hands already. Sigh, we will have to wait for it. Highly recommended! Readers will be propelled through the plot’s twists, turns, and action. I really enjoyed the book, so I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 5. I would recommend this to fans of dark YA fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance, unique magic systems, and high-stakes magical quests.

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

* For more info about the book: "Shadow Reaper" by Lynette Noni

"The Break-Up Retreat" by Camilla Sten

 

The Break-Up Retreat by Camilla Sten is a slow-burn psychological thriller following Isobel Anderssen, a journalist determined to make a name for herself and show that she is nothing like her infamous father.

Isobel Anderssen has heard rumors about unethical practices and a missing woman at Himlafall Clinic, a Swedish wellness retreat promising to help women recover from heartbreak. Smelling a scoop, she goes there undercover to find out more and reveal the underhanded therapy techniques of Dr. Martina Hastings, the head of the psychological clinic, that led to the disappearance of a patient.

Among group and individual therapy sessions, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic doctor and her fellow women, while trying to get to the root of the issue. The more she digs, the clearer it becomes that something is rotten in the state of Denmark, or the clinic, in our case. The stakes get high when a storm hits and they lose electricity. Isobel quickly finds herself in over her head, caught in a perilous game that puts her life on the line.

Creepy, chilling, atmospheric, and haunting, this is a story that gets under your skin. After a slow opening, the story begins to take off. The Reddit and Instagram post interludes added another dimension to the tale. This is a story about mismanagement, abuse, gaslighting, manipulation, and fallible humans.

The story focuses on building dread rather than fast-paced action, and does so well. The last section had me holding my breath, and I found the ending satisfying. I liked Isobel and rooted for her, but found some of her actions hasty, not to mention foolish. There's a solid cast of supporting characters, and I liked the portrayal of the women at that clinic.

There were a few plot holes - such as the backstory of Isobel's dad, which wasn't fully developed. Overall, I enjoyed the story despite it all. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. The writing is evocative, bringing the eerie setting vividly to life and keeping me engaged in a suspenseful and creative plot. The story’s eerie atmosphere and unrelenting sense of dread stayed with me throughout the story. I highly recommend this book to lovers of atmospheric psychological thrillers and intense, emotionally driven stories that slowly build to a truly chilling payoff.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Break-Up Retreat" by Camilla Sten

"Cursed Ever After" by Andy C. Naranjo

 

Cursed Ever After by Andy C. Naranjo is a charming YA fantasy debut where assassins run rampant, curses abound, and adventure awaits.

Risa Porto was born on a Bad Day—the worst day of the year—and is believed by all in Barrow, including herself, to be cursed with bad luck. She is lonely, friendless, an outcast, and can’t wait to leave a village where every calamity is blamed on her. On her seventeenth birthday, her wish is granted. The witch Brunhilda comes to collect a debt and sends her on a quest: to escort Prince Javi—the seventh prince and a known flirt—through the haunted Bosque to his wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Madros.

Brunhilda has promised the prince that Risa will be his good luck charm so he will accept her, much to Risa’s unease. Alas, the journey does not go smoothly. From the start, there are assassination attempts on their lives, intrigue, and deadly trials. There are many adventures and mishaps along the way, as well as new companions—a mysterious girl called “wolf” and a cat familiar—who make the journey even more exciting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical fairytale. With themes of self-discovery, self-worth, acceptance, perseverance, the tension between choice and fate, and, ultimately, love, the author has woven a lovely tale. Though Risa and Javi seem like opposites at first, they have more in common than they realize. I liked the buildup to their relationship and the gradual bond between them. The side storyline of the “wolf” was excellently woven into the main plot. Risa is a more well-rounded protagonist than the others—I loved her growth—but the supporting characters are developed enough to feel real. At times, the two main characters could be a bit thick-headed, and I wanted to shake some sense into them.

Good fairytales rely on world-building, and this book has it in spades. The pace was just right, and the tone strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and perilous moments. The humor adds charm without overshadowing the stakes. I loved the characters, the world, the magic, and the book! Even though it is YA, the plot is quite intricate. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a feel-good story with no steam. The book stands on its own, but I would love to read more set in this world. Cursed or not, I’m all in!

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

* For more info about the book:  "Cursed Ever After" by Andy C. Naranjo