"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

"Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things" by Breanne Randall

 

I love witchy stories, so I was instantly intrigued by the premise. A family curse, sacrificing memories to cast spells, ancient magic? Count me in! "Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things" by Breanne Randall is an exhilarating romantasy that blends enemies-to-lovers romance with magic, exploring sisterhood bonds and so much more.

The book follows three Petridi witches, named after Greek muses, as they contend with ancient magic, loss, and dark family secrets. Set in the fictional town of Gold Springs, the story centers around Calliope Petridi and her two sisters, Thalia and Eurydice, who are Lightcraft witches running Tea and Tome, a charming bookstore and teashop where they explore various tea blends.

Thalia, the eldest, is a problem-solver, controlling, and judgmental. Calliope, the youngest, is the wild card: self-destructive, reckless, and fiercely loyal. She’s the only one using her magic, despite its high price - sacrificing memories and losing pieces of herself due to a family curse. Eurydice is the peacemaker, always trying to bridge the gap between her sisters. Together, they guard the Dark Oak, an enchanted tree in the Forgotten Forest.

The plot thickens when a rival coven leader, a Shadowcrafter named Lucien, arrives in town with his own agenda, and Calliope accidentally binds herself to him. As an ancient evil awakens and their magic begins to fade, Calliope must confront her past, mend her fractured relationship with Thalia, and rekindle the fragile bond between the three sisters to have a future.

I loved this book and tore through it quickly. The characters are richly drawn, and the story is both complex and well-paced. I felt invested in the tale and rooted for the characters. The dynamics between the sisters, the diverse cultural backgrounds (Greek, Turkish, and French), and colorful secondary characters, like Grim - a sentient grimoire full of secrets and spells—add depth. The inclusion of queer and non-binary characters is woven seamlessly into the story.

The book cleverly incorporates important life lessons into a well-paced plot. Themes of grief, redemption, personal growth, family, self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of love and legacy are thoughtfully explored. While most loose ends are tied up, a few questions remain open, and I’m excited for a potential sequel, which I’d eagerly read.

Although the book references "Pride and Prejudice", Calliope and Lucien didn’t quite feel like Elizabeth and Darcy to me. Not every dark and mysterious hero needs to be Mr. Darcy! Also, I felt there was a bit too much focus on the romance, and the steamy scenes didn’t advance the plot.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it. I loved the writing, found the magic system original, and appreciated the vivid world-building. The recipes at the end are a fun touch, and I may even try a few. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers tales with Pride and Prejudice vibes, magic, a satisfying story arc, and strong character development, this is the book 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: "Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things" by Breanne Randall