"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

"Very Dangerous Things" by Lauren Muñoz

 

"Very Dangerous Things" by Lauren Muñoz is a top-notch YA whodunit with a unique setting, colorful characters, and plenty of red herrings. A murder mystery game turns deadly at J. Everett High, a private criminology school, turning everyone into a suspect and forcing a criminology student to crack the case.

Every year, the school stages a murder mystery to test its students. This year, crime junkie Dulce Death Castillo is determined to win the big prize. A longtime fan of Lord Wimsey, the literary detective created by Dorothy L. Sayers, she applies his methods to her own life. The plot thickens when the student playing the victim, Xavier Torres, is found poisoned in the school’s greenhouse - and suspicion falls on Sierra Fox, her ex-best friend and Xavier’s ex-girlfriend.

Sierra begs Dulce to prove her innocence, but Dulce refuses at first, still resenting her for abandoning her after her mother’s accidental death. Meanwhile, her best friend Emi starts investigating on her own, growing closer to another student, much to Dulce’s dismay. Then there’s Zane, a new student with a shady past and secrets of his own. Hoping to uncover the truth about both the murder and her mother’s accident, Dulce joins the investigation, applying her keen powers of observation - and Lord Wimsey’s methods - to catch a murderer and seek justice.

I loved this book! It's one of the best YA novels I’ve read recently, packed with twists and turns that will leave you spinning. The writing is sharp and engaging, pulling you in from the very first page. The characters are well-developed and well-rounded, with interactions that feel authentic and reveal glimpses of their pasts.

The story explores themes of grief, loss, betrayal, and friendship, and I love how the author expresses these emotions in such a relatable way. There’s even a bit of romance, though it never overshadows the mystery. The suspense keeps you hooked while making you root for the protagonists. Some moments may require a suspension of disbelief, but they don’t take away from the story’s impact.

Each chapter begins with a Dorothy L. Sayers quote, adding another layer of depth to the book. I’ve read a few of Sayers' novels, but after finishing this, I feel an even stronger urge to read the rest. That said, prior knowledge of Sayers’ work isn’t necessary to enjoy the story. 
 
I adored everything about this book and found Dulce incredibly relatable. She is observant and perceptive, and I loved reading her thought process and the way she analyzed others’ behavior. Her attempts to step into Lord Wimsey’s shoes, along with her character development, were a joy to follow.

The plot moves at a great pace, with just enough detail to paint a vivid picture of the characters and setting without becoming tedious. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, which made the reveal even more satisfying. It’s not a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller, but there’s plenty of suspense to keep you engrossed.

To sum up, this is an absolute page-turner, highly recommended for fans of suspense and dark academia. I’d love to read more books featuring this heroine!

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

* For more info about the book: "Very Dangerous Things" by Lauren Muñoz

"The Otherwhere Post" by Emily J. Taylor

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Red in Tooth and Claw" by Lish McBride

 

"Red in Tooth and Claw" by Lish McBride is a captivating Western fantasy following seventeen-year-old Faolan Kelly. I love Westerns and Fantasy; as a child, I watched a lot of Western movies with my pop, just like the author, so the combination of the two stirred my imagination. And let me tell you from the outset, I absolutely LOVED the book.

Faolan Kelly is a young woman raised by her pop as a lad (the reasons are explained later). After he passes away, she keeps her disguise for safety measures, not that it helps her much. The Mayor wants to take over her homestead, so he whisks her away to a remote fort run as a cult by the fanatic religious leader Gideon Dillard (HisBen). A gunslinger named Will is hired to take her there.

At first, the Settlement seems too good to be true. There is plenty of food, Miss Moon (the woman in charge of all the children) is strict but decent, and she even befriends two teenagers, Jesse and Dai Lo. But then, HisBen (Gideon Dillard) starts to show his true colors. Also, there are strange noises during the night. The plot thickens when she meets Tallis and his sister from the Rovers people, and a mangled body is found in the forest. Troubles seem to follow Faolan around, and she has to stay one step ahead of the game to survive.

Wow, the book absolutely blew me away! From the moment I opened this book, I was sucked into the pages. The opening is extremely attention-grabbing, and the story never loses momentum. I loved the Western settings, the detailed, flushed out characters, and the romance. The story is told from Faolan's POV, and what a great character she is! She is outspoken, has a short fuse and smart mouth, she is a redhead after all, rash at times, and one can't help but like her and root for her. Whatever she does, she does with panache.
 
The book may not be hardcore horror, but it does have some horror elements and chilling moments. This is a story about loss and betrayal, family, trust, love, relationships, and friendship. I enjoyed the way the relationship between characters was portrayed with great passion but without being trite.

I also loved the wit, dialogue, and interactions between the characters. The cleverly crafted, versatile main characters endeared themselves to me from the word go. Though it's written for a YA audience, it will appeal to older readers as well, and to anyone who loves fantasy and Western books. The characters, setting, and dialogue are realistic and maintain a genuine Western feel throughout the novel.

If you are looking for something fresh, alive with mystery, mysticism, a strong heroine, and just overall an incredibly well-written and fantastic book, then this book is right down your alley! I loved the message that even strong characters need alliances and friendship to survive. It is written in a way that you will remember these characters, care for them, and root for them. Full stars from me!

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

* For more info about the book: "Red in Tooth and Claw" by Lish McBride