"Dragons, Heists and Other Retirement Plans" by Meg Pennerson

 

"Dragons, Heists and Other Retirement Plans" by Meg Pennerson is book 1 of Hornsboggle & Dodge, a sweet cozy fantasy about two retired thieves in their seventies, Katherine and Imogene, and their magical cats and dragon-cat companions.

Katherine Winterhaven and Imogene Chrysler were once a legendary team. After a heist went wrong forty years ago, they retired. Katherine now lives quietly with her many cats — including Mr. Scruffles, an interdimensional cat who can walk through walls; Ember, a dragon-cat; and Tilly, who can turn invisible except for her tail — and spends her days knitting and taking care of her cats.

Imogene lives nearby with her dragon and misses the thrill of their old life. When the chance arises to finally fix the job they botched years ago due to a rival — saving Saint Percival Convent from a ruthless real estate mogul — she convinces Katherine to join her for one last adventure. Armed with enchanted knitting needles, a magical map, their wits, and their cats, the two set-off (slowly — they can’t run after all) to save the day and their pride.

Overall, it is a sweet and fun cozy fantasy with elder heroines that enter into your heart. It has the gentle, whimsical vibes I love, with light and playful magic. I loved the banter between the two, the humor — “She is hard of reading” — the amusing dialogues of the cats, and the concept. With its quirky characters and charming setting, this could have been an even stronger cozy fantasy if not for a couple of issues. I found the pacing slow to get going and a bit repetitive, and the story took time to take off. I had a hard time getting into it at first, but once the action began, I was fully engaged.

Another thing that bothered me: I found it odd that Katherine was referred to by her first name, while her friend was mentioned mostly by her family name. It made the writing feel kind of clunky. There are trolls in the tale, which is fun. Referring to their young as "pebbles" was cute. However, I found the idea that the physician troll had a red cross emblazoned on their uniform a bit odd — not to say ridiculous.

That said, I did enjoy the book and would love to read the next one. I fell in love with its characters. Not many books have such elder heroines, so it was a nice and refreshing change. There is no real romance here, only a small hint of one that doesn’t develop further. The cats provided comic relief with their interactions and made me smile. And I am a dog person at heart!

Friendships old and new, richly drawn and endearing characters, deeply felt bonds, second chances, found family, magical world-building, and a lot of adventure make this a very comfy read. Despite the slow start, the charm, humor, and heart won me over. I rated the book 4 out of 5 stars, knocking off one star for the pacing issues I mentioned above. I recommend it to cozy fantasy fans and also to readers new to the genre — it is an easy start to get introduced to the genre.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Dragons, Heists and Other Retirement Plans" by Meg Pennerson

"Mad Mabel" by Sally Hepworth

 

 

 

 

"Mad Mabel" by Sally Hepworth waited for me for quite a while. I hesitated to start it for one reason or another, and now that I’ve finished it, I’m sorry I didn’t get to it sooner. It’s one of the best books I’ve read recently, and I don’t have enough words to say how much I love it — and its curmudgeonly heroine.

The book is presented as a murder mystery, but it reads more like literary fiction with a mystery at its heart. Readers expecting otherwise may be disappointed. Think A Man Called Ove — but with murder. The story unfolds in flashbacks and the present day, following an eighty-one-year-old woman whose shady past comes back to haunt her.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, or Mad Mabel as she is infamously known, has lived on Kenny Lane in Melbourne for sixty years. She is lonely, with only her bestie Daphne for company. Her neighbors like her well enough — most of them, anyway — except for the odd neighbor or two.

Elsie has secrets she tries to hide — that is, until her ninety-one-year-old neighbor and nemesis drops dead, making her a person of interest because of her colorful past, now being dragged into the open. She finds herself reliving that past while facing public outrage and dealing with an irritating (to her) seven-year-old girl who insists on befriending her. Left with few options, she is finally ready to tell her story, with the help of two true-crime podcasters. And boy, what a tale it is!

This is a story about an outcast, misunderstood and lonely child, whose life circumstances made her who she is. I LOVED loved loved this story. I really related to Elsie and wished I could be her friend. My heart went out to the lonely girl — and the woman she grew up to be — and some sections left me in tears. Yes, she was blunt, crotchety, and gruff, but she was also caring and fiercely protective of those she loved. Her humor and wit sweetened the darkness of her tale.

The book explores grief, abandonment, gaslighting, bullying, toxic family, friendship, justice, redemption, love, TONS of emotional angst, and murder. The author has created a cast of vivid, appealing characters, seen through Elsie’s first-person perspective. The ending is bittersweet and not at all what I expected — or wanted — but it fits the tale perfectly.

This is my first Sally Hepworth book, but certainly not my last. I love the way past and present complement each other so brilliantly that you won’t want to put the book down. I finished it in a couple of sittings; it was that good. A good story creates an emotional connection, and this one did so admirably. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars for emotional insight, beautiful writing, and layered characters. If you’re looking for a captivating, bittersweet, emotional read — this is it. The book was an emotional roller coaster of smiles and tears for me, and one I won’t forget for a long time.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Mad Mabel" by Sally Hepworth   

"The Thorn Queen" by Sasha Peyton Smith

 

"The Thorn Queen" by Sasha Peyton Smith is the second and final book in The Rose Bargain duology, bringing the story to a satisfying close. I loved the first book, so I was a bit wary about reading its sequel — sequels are usually touch-and-go for me. Fortunately, it didn’t disappoint.

The book picks up where the first one ended, so you need to read it beforehand. Ivy is King Bram’s wife and queen, ruling an alternate version of 1800s/Victorian England, while her sister Lydia and Prince Emmett are trapped in the Otherworld. With the help of some loyal friends, Ivy plots to unseat Bram, save her sister, and reunite with Emmett. To do this, she must outsmart Bram, navigate court intrigue, and overcome obstacles. Among clandestine meetings, tricky trials, and wicked magic, she has to play for keeps.

I enjoyed the book, though I have to admit I loved the first one more. This is not to say that the book isn’t good — it just lacks the spark and romantic tension of the first. The pace was uneven; some sections dragged while others rushed. Furthermore, this book is much darker and bloodier than the first, and the romance takes a back seat. The cruelty of the fae reached a new level, along with their games and debauchery, which at times was too much.

The book alternates between different points of view, giving us insight into the characters’ mindsets. It introduces some new characters, such as Rhion, Bram’s best friend and advisor, whose characterization I loved. The author described his eccentricities well. I also loved the bond between the two sisters and how each of them wanted to save the other. I didn’t like that Emmett was sidelined, nor did I condone his conduct; I preferred him in the first book. Bram was the perfect villain, but I found the lenient attitude and soft feelings of the others toward him a bit odd.

The story mostly takes place in the Otherworld, and I loved the world-building, with all its ins and outs. The focus is more on feelings and relationships, so there is less action. There are trials as well, and I loved their creativity: a self-awareness forest, caves that cause pain, and even a quest. What’s not to like?

With themes of grief, sisterly relationships, emotional turmoil, friendships, betrayals, trust, social justice, and moral conflicts, the author has woven a tale that I overall enjoyed reading. The themes of love and moral choices resonated with me particularly, making the story feel emotionally rich. While the writing was engaging, the issues I noted earlier led me to deduct a star.

If you loved the first book, you will enjoy this one as well. I did, despite its flaws, and found the conclusion satisfying. This duology is ideal for fans of dark fantasy with complex characters, intricate relationships, and rich storytelling.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Thorn Queen" by Sasha Peyton Smith

 

"The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne" by Summer N. England

 

"The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne" by Summer N. England is a charming and spicy sapphic cozy romantasy debut, following a grumpy garden witch and her sunshine bodyguard. The book enchanted me from the first word with its warm, fuzzy atmosphere, catching me hook, line, and sinker.

Clara Thorne lives happily in a cozy cottage in the town of Moss with Warty, her sidekick hedgehog, along with books, writing, and her garden. She has one friend, an orc named Rosie, and prefers to keep to herself. Believed to possess garden magic, she was appointed Town Gardener upon her arrival in Moss at the age of 13 and has lived there ever since. Fast-forward 15 years, and her life takes a turn when the Goddess Eldrene sends her on a seemingly hopeless quest—to travel to the cursed town of Dwindle, which is on the edge of withering, and grow them a garden in a month.

Clara believes the quest is doomed since her powers are weak and don’t exist outside of Moss—or so she thinks. The Goddess appoints her a bodyguard, a warrior named Hesper, who has a crow companion named Edge. The two hit a false note from the moment they meet. Clara dislikes Hesper at first sight, blaming her for all her woes and being openly hostile toward her, so their journey doesn’t start on the right foot. Hesper keeps insisting that Clara has magic, which only further irritates her. Add to that an ancient enemy on their trail, an eclectic cast of characters—nymphs, fae, water nymphs, dryads, dwarves—and magic, and you get one hell of an adventure.

The book had everything I enjoy: a fantasy world with magic, talking animals, enemies to lovers, and a heroine forced out of her comfort zone and placed in situations that test her strength and heart. The whimsical names worked for me, Warty and Edge were delightful, and I enjoyed the friendship between Clara and Rosie, as well as the emotional dynamics between the characters. The novel thoughtfully explores themes of loss, found family, duty, hope, self-growth, believing in yourself, and the power of love.   

This is a highly entertaining cozy fantasy with rich world-building, vivid characters, and a captivating magical setting. The division between major and lesser magic was especially fun—kitchen magic, beauty magic, garden magic, heart magic—and paired nicely with the whimsy of the tale and the banter. I smiled every time Hesper called Clara “princess” and at their comebacks. The chapter-opening quotes were also a nice touch.

I did find Clara to be a bit of a brat. Since she’s almost 30 years old, it didn’t always fit, and she lived up to her name—thorny. She was often whiny and irrational, hating Hesper for no real reason, treating her badly, and refusing to accept certain truths. Because it felt so one-sided, the enemies-to-lovers arc came across as a bit too constructed for the sake of the trope. That said, I still liked her. Hesper, on the other hand, was a delight, and I would love to read more about her past. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book greatly and would happily read more stories set in this world. The writing was top-notch and kept me hooked all the way through. Fans of cozy fantasy, fleshed-out characters, and those who don’t mind spicy sapphic romance and a somewhat forced enemies-to-lovers arc will enjoy this book. 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: "The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne" by Summer N. England

 

"The Masala Chai Mystery Club" by Mj Soni

 

The Masala Chai Mystery Club by Mj Soni is a solid cozy mystery set in a fictional coastal New England town. The references to Agatha Christie in the blurb and to Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club made me pick up the book, as I am a sucker for Agatha Christie–esque mystery novels.

Written in the third person, the book follows retired Indian librarian Neeti Shah, who was forced to retire from the library she managed and now suffers from an existential crisis. Her husband has passed away, her two children have moved away, and she lives with her niece and her niece’s child. She needs to find a hobby to occupy her, and when a much-hated neighbor, who also happens to be a childhood friend, is killed, she suspects foul play. Together with her friends and her niece, she investigates the death, which the police deemed natural. Thus, the Masala Chai Mystery Club is born. A mysterious death, intriguing clues, and a lot of masala chai make this an engaging tale, even if the execution isn’t always smooth.

Overall, I liked the story. Themes of friendship, family, loss, community, loneliness, being adrift after losing a job, finding new routines and meaning, and reaffirming one’s identity beyond work are interwoven throughout the book. I loved the diverse cast, the cultural elements, the homage to Agatha Christie’s The Dumb Witness, and the mystery itself. I also liked the twists, and I didn’t figure out who the perpetrator(s) were, which is always a good thing.

The characters are developed well enough that you are quickly pulled in and start to care about them. I liked Neeti, but I found her niece to be too hasty and quick to misinterpret things. Another favorite character of mine was the dog, and I appreciated the nod to the dog in Agatha Christie’s The Dumb Witness. I also liked the parallel between the plot and Christie’s novel.

This is a debut novel, and it shows. There is a lot of potential here. The “bones” of the story are good, and there are a few twists along the way, but the execution needs improvement. I really wanted to like this book more. The concept was intriguing, and the characters were interesting, but the writing didn’t quite work for me. It felt stiff and didn’t really flow. Despite the issues I had with the writing, I kept reading because the plot itself was engaging, and I genuinely wanted to know how the mystery would be resolved.

In addition, there are some side threads about the histories of certain characters that have no real bearing on the plot. I felt they were there to make a point and could have been avoided. All in all, while I enjoyed the book, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. It isn’t a bad book; it just needs a bit of editing and fine-tuning. Fans of cozy mysteries and readers simply looking for a light read will likely enjoy it as long as the writing isn’t a dealbreaker for them.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Masala Chai Mystery Club" by Mj Soni

"Masquerade of Mirrors" by Samantha Hartwood

 

“Masquerade of Mirrors” by Samantha Hartwood is an enticing romantasy with all the tropes that I love: dark academia, intrigue, enemies to lovers, and magic. I came for the tropes and stayed for the plot and the writing.

Written in a dual first-person POV, the book follows two protagonists whose worlds clash and are upended. Twenty-four-year-old Taera has spent her entire life in the desert with her grandfather and younger brother, caring for them after her mother’s death. She was warned never to enter the desert, so as not to risk its lure. All that changes when a student magician, Nikolai, enters the picture - saving her from the clutches of a robber mage and dragging her to the Halls of Glass, a deadly school of illusions, lies, and secrets, all for her own good, of course. Or so he claims.

Taera has wild powers that must be trained if she ever wants to go home. The other students hate her, she is a fish out of water, and Nikolai is a manipulative liar with his own agenda. Unfortunately, he is also the only one who can handle her magic. Amid various escape attempts, she has to find her footing, control her power, and sift the truth from the sand of lies to survive - not an easy task in a place built on smoke and mirrors.

I enjoyed the book very much. It pulls the reader into the plot from the very first moment. The writing is smooth and immersive, making it effortless to get lost in the story. The author’s style balances heart, intrigue, and magic beautifully, creating a book that remains engaging from start to finish. I especially loved that both the school and the desert feel almost sentient, with minds of their own, reacting to the students’ emotions.

None of the students show their real faces - literally and figuratively - hiding behind masks and glamour, except for our heroine, and I loved that about her. I admired Taera’s courage, determination, and devotion to her family, even though some of her actions were thoughtless, and she was often too trusting and forgiving. Since most of the chapters are from her POV, it’s easy to connect with her and experience the world through fresh eyes, in contrast to Nikolai’s jaded perspective. I have to admit, I liked her more than Nikolai, though he did grow on me, eventually.

That said, I didn’t like Nikolai’s attitude. He explains nothing to Taera, lies through his teeth, and essentially throws her into the deep end. I could understand where he was coming from, but it didn’t justify his cruelty or fickleness. Still, both characters are complex, and I enjoyed their dynamic and interactions.

The world-building was excellent. I loved the setting, the morally gray characters, the slow-burn romance, and the magic. The magic system felt unique, even if not everything was fully explained. The book works as a standalone, but it is also the first in a planned series, The Halls of Glass, and I hope future installments will expand further on the magic and the secrets of the desert.

Overall, I loved the book, though it could probably be tightened up a bit toward the end. I would have liked more focus on the lessons, but this is a minor issue in the larger scheme of things. As a debut novel, it is an impressive achievement, rich in intrigue, atmosphere, and emotional depth. I highly recommend it to fans of intense, emotionally driven stories that explore themes such as trauma, grief, found family, and the need for belonging. Full stars from me!

Content Warnings: Sexual content, Bullying, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Adult content. Additional triggers are listed at the start of the book.

* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "Masquerade of Mirrors" by Samantha Hartwood

"Our Marriage Is Murder by Carol Goodman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







"Our Marriage Is Murder" by Carol Goodman is an engaging locked-room mystery about a husband-and-wife author team who find themselves entangled in a real-life murder case. After reading several fantasy books in a row, I was in the mood for a mystery, and this one fit the bill perfectly.

Fred and Thea Morgan-Lane are partners in both life and writing, coauthoring the successful Death Takes a Holiday mystery series. When their novel Death Takes the Castle is nominated —along with several others—for the prestigious Poirot Prize for Best Mystery Series, they are invited to the Italian castle Castellarosa to attend a mystery conference called Murdercon, where one book will ultimately be chosen. One of the highlights of the conference is a treasure hunt designed by the organizer and based on the Morgan-Lanes’ book. However, after twenty years of marriage and collaboration, Thea wants out—of both the marriage and the writing partnership.

Things take a darker turn when the conference organizer is poisoned in a manner that mirrors the Morgan-Lanes’ book. As deaths among the attendees continue, Thea quickly becomes the prime suspect. Yet the treasure hunt goes on, each clue drawn from their novel and supposedly leading to a buried treasure tied to a local legend. With a killer on the loose and the police breathing down their necks, the unhappy couple must solve the mystery—and perhaps save their marriage—before it's too late.

With mysterious deaths, intriguing clues, and plenty of red herrings, the book kept me turning the pages. The pacing is occasionally slow, but it didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment. The story is told from Thea’s first-person point of view, which helped me connect with her. I was less fond of Fred, though that may have been influenced by the narration.

I appreciated the many nods to Agatha Christie and other classic mystery authors. I enjoyed the literary references, the glamorous Italian setting, and, of course, the mystery itself. A particularly fun detail was that the cats mentioned in the tale were named Tommy and Tuppence, after Christie’s protagonists. That said, the slow start and the repetitive tidbits of local legend and backstory sometimes pulled me out of the story.

The plot could have benefited from some tightening, and because of that, I deducted a star, rating the book 4 out of 5 stars. Still, I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Our Marriage Is Murder is a standalone (as far as I know, it isn’t part of a series), though I would be happy to meet these characters again. This book should appeal to mystery and suspense fans, as well as to readers looking for an entertaining, light read with a classic mystery feel.

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

* For more info about the book: "Our Marriage Is Murder by Carol Goodman

"Burn the Kingdom Down" by Addie Thorley

 

“Burn the Kingdom Down” by Addie Thorley is a gripping enemies-to-lovers YA romantasy filled with political intrigue, mystery, and secrets - one I devoured in a couple of sittings. The writing pulls you straight into the story, with engaging characters and satisfying plot twists. This is very much an action-driven book, with the romance slowly building and woven into the plot.

The book follows second-born Princess Indira of Tashir, a nation of planters. She is a master gardener with the rare ability to grow bagrava, a highly sought-after plant coveted by their enemies for its power to improve farming conditions and induce euphoria, among other things.

Vanzador, a rival nation, promises protection in exchange for a bagrava tithe. The Vanzadorian king has the power to literally move the earth itself - but the price is high, as we discover later on. Over the years, their demands increase, placing a chokehold on the already struggling Tashiri. Crown Princess Rowenna Harrack is taken as a captive bride to marry Prince Alaric, an additional incentive to ensure Tashir’s obedience.

A year later, Rowenna returns home in a casket, and Vanzador’s king, Soren, demands her sister Indira as a replacement. Indira agrees to the marriage so she can uncover what happened to her sister, avenge her death, and burn their kingdom down. Yet when she arrives in Vanzador, things are nothing like the stories Rowenna described in her letters, and Indira finds herself torn between her old home and the new life she is expected to lead.

Thus begins an exciting adventure chock-full of magic, political and sexual tension, slow-burn romance, love, and twists. With themes of grief, manipulation, sisterhood, friendship, betrayal, trust, revenge, and moral conflict, the author weaves a story I truly enjoyed. I especially liked the message of hope - that just as plants can be propagated and replanted, there is always a chance to start over and try again. The author also explores how far we are willing to go for our loved ones, and the difficulty of letting go.

I loved the emotional dynamics between the characters, especially the bonding and emotional connection between the sisters, as well as the vivid world-building, the plant-based magic, the memory tithing, and the prose. Indira isn’t perfect: she’s fearful for her safety yet impulsive, strong yet riddled with self-doubt, capable in some ways and weak in others - and that’s what makes her human. 

Indira's inner monologues with her deceased sister beautifully reveal her doubts and emotional growth, and I was glad to see her find her voice. I enjoyed Indira’s growth and the gradual build-up of her relationships, especially with the prince. Alaric is complex as well, full of past trauma and demons of his own, and I loved watching him slowly open up. 

The last third dragged a bit and could have been tightened. An epilogue wouldn’t have gone amiss either, so I’m deducting a star. Still, this is a well-plotted, well-written, and fast-paced novel that stands well on its own. I loved this book - just in case that wasn’t clear - and highly recommend it to fans of slow-burn romantasy with political and sexual tension, true enemies-to-lovers dynamics, clean romance, and lifelike characters in a setting that leaps off the page.

* Triggers: attempted sexual assault, forced marriage, death.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Burn the Kingdom Down" by Addie Thorley
 

"The Book Witch" by Meg Shaffer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love books where the protagonists jump into other books, so I happily jump into this one (pun intended). Imagine Thursday Next meets Nancy Drew in the enchanting magical realism of The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer, following the adventures of third-generation Book Witch Rainy March.

Who wouldn't want to step inside a book and meet their favorite characters? That’s exactly what our heroine does, except she does it to protect works of fiction from “burners,” troublemakers who invade books they disapprove of and try to destroy them. The only catch? She must follow strict coven rules, like not staying too long inside a book or falling in love with a fictional character (a big no-no).

Then the unthinkable happens. She falls in love with a fictional British detective, the Duke of Chicago, and he returns that love. When they are found out, her supervisor, the formidable Dr. Fanshawe, forbids Rainy from seeing him again. The plot thickens when her grandfather disappears and an inherited book dear to her is stolen. With her magical umbrella (Mary Poppins, anyone??), her feline familiar, Koshka, and the Duke, they try to solve both mysteries, following their only lead: find the March Hare. Thus begins a great quest that will take them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, The Great Gatsby, Nancy Drew, and other classic tales.

This book is an eccentric ride and an ode to books and reading. As someone who grew up on Nancy Drew and still loves books about books, this story felt like it was written directly for readers like me. I admit, it took me a bit to get into the story, due partly to the slow pace. Once our feisty heroine met her love interest and things picked up, I really got invested. I loved the easy banter between Rainy and the Duke - admittedly, she was more rounded than him - the puns (like the name of the bookstore, the name of our heroine, etc.), the talking teapot, the twist toward the end, and the way the author blurred the lines between reality and fiction. It begs the question: what is real?

While it's true that the premise isn't new, the execution was brilliant in most parts. I loved the many layers of the book and the division of the story into book genres. The book explores themes of loss, forbidden love and star-crossed lovers, book banning and burning, literary censorship, and bibliophily. However, I felt that the criticism of literary censorship - justified as it is - was sometimes thrown in our face.

I loved the message that books need readers as much as readers need books, the impact books have on us, and the clever way in which the author inserted the idea of characters taking control of the story into her tale. All in all, I enjoyed the book, so I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I detracted a star due to the slow start and repetitive messages, which could have been scaled down and tightened up. I recommend this book to lovers of magical tales, books about books, and anyone who enjoys revisiting the classics. After all, as our heroine pointed out: “All stories are love stories if you love stories.”

* All quotes are from an ARC and may differ in the published edition.

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

* For more info about the book: "The Book Witch" by Meg Shaffer

"Strange Familiars" by Keshe Chow

 

 

 

 

"Strange Familiars" by Keshe Chow is the first book in the Seamere College duology, encompassing a magical veterinary school, academic rivals-to-lovers, conspiracies, and a dark academia setting - exactly the kind of book I adore. It introduces compelling characters whose rivalries, ambitions, and hidden depths make for a great read.

Told in dual first-person perspectives, the story follows two scholars of magical veterinary science: British-born Chinese Gwendolynne and upper-class Harrisford Briggs, whose father is one of the top executives at Magecorp, a major global distributor of magic. Both are top students, competing for the coveted Dux, their school’s valedictorian title, which guarantees the winner a prestigious position in the job market.

Magic is used to heal patients (both human and animal) taken from the Void, but uncontrollable surges of excess magic cause chaos and endanger lives. Along with Gwen’s snarky cat familiar and Harrisford’s bearded dragon familiar, the two must put aside their differences to get to the root of the problem and solve it. Alas, their feelings sometimes get in the way. 

I absolutely loved this book! Magic and veterinary science are a winning combination. The writing is smooth, with clear, distinct narrative voices. I loved the division of veterinary departments—the Mythological Creatures stream versus the Magical Familiars stream—the telepathic bond between witches and their familiars, and the glimpses into treatments. Keshe Chow drew from her own experiences in veterinary science, which made the depictions authentic. I also loved how one of the patients, the Centaur - part human, part horse - made treating him so challenging.

The dual perspectives let us really get into the minds of both protagonists, which I appreciated. Gwen is a strong female heroine, and I loved her spirit and determination. Harrisford’s character growth was great too - he transforms from spoiled and privileged into a self-aware, empathetic person. I loved their interactions and watching their slow-burn romance unfold. 

And then there are the magical familiars! Percy the cat stole the show for me. Kids and animals always steal the spotlight, don’t they? I loved his wit, gruffness, and arrogance - and I’m not even a cat person. There’s a solid cast of supporting characters, crisp and evocative world-building, richly drawn and alluring characters, and deeply felt friendships. While the world-building isn’t fully developed yet and there are a few plot holes, I’m hopeful these will be addressed in the next book.

The book explores themes of self-harm, racism, classism, social commentary, father–son relationships, and privilege. Content warnings include light gore, mentions of murder, depictions of animal birth, self-harm, surgical procedures, sexual scenes, non-legal prescriptions, sedative use, and alcohol consumption.

The vibe is intense, dark, and driven by academic pressure, the story unfolds at a steady pace, and readers who prefer fully fleshed-out world-building in book one or are sensitive to the content warnings may find it less suited to their tastes. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can hardly wait for the sequel. If you love dark academia, rival scholars, talking animal familiars, and slow-burn romance, this one is for you. Full stars from me!

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

* For more info about the book: "Strange Familiars" by Keshe Chow