"Innamorata" by Ava Reid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



"Innamorata" by Ava Reid is a dark gothic fantasy about necromancy, vengeance, and forbidden love, and the first in a duology. And dark it is! I’ve read another book by the author, so I expected something atmospheric and gritty. I got more than I bargained for, that’s for sure.

The book follows Agnes, from the House of Teeth, whose grandmother has just passed away. The story takes place on Drepane, an island where the seven noble houses once ruled through the arcane secrets of necromancy. A deadly epidemic and the blade of a cruel conqueror put an end to their reign. Now they are required by law and covenant to desecrate the dead to prevent them from rising.

Only two remain from the House of Teeth: beautiful Marozia, the heiress, and her cousin, the uncanny Lady Agnes, who doesn’t speak by choice. Before her death, their grandmother ordered Agnes to make sure Marozia marries Prince Liuprand and to find a way to bring her back to life through the art of necromancy. At first, all goes according to plan, until love gets in the way and Agnes finds both her tongue and her purpose.

I enjoyed about three-quarters of the tale, if you can call it that, but the final section didn’t work for me. Agnes and Marozia are opposites in every way, in character and look. I liked their dynamic, though not their twisted ways, and their interactions with Prince Liuprand, which affected each of them differently. 

The setting is beautifully constructed, and there’s a solid cast of supporting characters. The writing and world-building are excellent. The author doesn’t pity her protagonists and treats them harshly; she pushes them to the edge and beyond. I did like the conflict between duty and love, the way the author wove the threads of legacy into the plot, and the undercurrent of political intrigue that runs throughout the story. But need it be so merciless?

It is a very disturbing, creepy, and depraved novel with multiple trigger warnings and themes, including cannibalism, necrophilia, incest, desecration, abuse, gore, betrayal, revenge, parent–child relationships, and child marriage. Speaking of that, I didn’t like the justification of child marriage in the story, which unfortunately still exists in some parts of the world. Getting married at six years old takes it too far. In addition, some scenes seem to exist purely for shock value. Well, the author sure managed to shock me. 

The first half of the book was engaging, steeped in mysticism, secrets, and gothic vibes. While the second half was still interesting, it didn’t hold the same grip as the first, slowing down and moving in a direction I didn’t like. It focuses more on the dynamics and relationships of the characters than the magic itself, and could have been tightened to avoid repetitiveness. The ending left me unsatisfied. To say I didn’t like it would be an understatement.

There is a second book planned, and hopefully it will redeem the ending of this one. I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4; the ending and the sluggish parts are the reason it didn’t get a higher rating. I’d recommend this book to fans of dark, very dark, gothic fantasy who aren’t afraid of twisted relationships, morally gray choices, and shocking, intense storytelling. This book isn’t for the faint of heart or those with a sensitive stomach, so be aware of the triggers before picking it up.

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

* For more info about the book: "Innamorata" by Ava Reid

  

"Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter" by Heather Fawcett

 

"Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter" by Heather Fawcett is a charming cozy fantasy packed with magic, mischief, a grouchy magician…and an awful lot of cats! This is the first book I’ve read by the author, and I loved it; I’ll definitely be seeking out her other works.

Agnes Aubert, a widow, type-A personality, and ailurophile, runs a cat rescue charity. She’s organized and has lists for everything. Her life’s mission is to save stray cats and find them good homes. When the store she rents is destroyed by a group of warring magicians, she’s forced to find another place to lease. Not an easy task, since most shop owners wouldn’t rent to a business housing cats. The only place willing to take her in is a mysterious shop on Rue des Hirondelles.

Agnes soon learns that her new landlord is using her charity as a front for an illegal magic shop—and he is none other than the world’s most infamous magician, Havelock Renard. A shock to her, as she despises magicians due to the havoc they bring. Havelock is the opposite of her: disorganized, cantankerous, and allergic to cats. Before she knows it, Agnes finds herself entangled in dangerous magical battles, magical intrigue, and even a slow-burn romance. 

I enjoyed the book immensely. I loved the banter and sarcasm between Agnes and Havelock, her relationship with her sister, and above all, her love for cats. The snappy dialogue between the protagonists was a lot of fun. The author blended the real world with the fantasy world beautifully. The characterization is excellent, making each person come to life.
 
The cats feel like extra characters, giving the story a cozy, down-home feel. I’m a dog person, but I fell in love with the cats. I loved their quirks and diverse personalities—especially Majesty and Banshee—and admired the enchanted glowing spiders and the magical oven. I wish I had an oven like that! 

The world-building is fantastic. The spells and explanations of the magical system merge seamlessly with the plot. The story moves at a steady, comforting pace that suits the cozy fantasy atmosphere perfectly.

The book explores themes of family bonds, sibling relationships, loyalty, friendship, and second chances. This book was truly everything I want from a cozy fantasy novel and more—it left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. The author weaves a tale of magic, intrigue, and fun that enchants and delights, hooking you from page one and leaving you wanting more.

The writing is captivating, and the plot is gripping. Brilliant characters, magical world-building, and plenty of adventure—what’s not to like? I loved this story from start to finish; the ending felt satisfying, heartwarming, and exactly what I wanted. Like a contented cat in a patch of sunlight, I turned the last page with a deep purr. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a feel-good story with a dash of danger.

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

* For more info about the book:  "Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter" by Heather Fawcetthtt

"Books & Bewitchment" by Isla Jewell

 

Enchanting, cozy, and full of magic—Books & Bewitchment by Isla Jewell is a captivating first book in the Arcadia Falls series. This cozy witchy romcom follows a young woman’s life-changing journey—one of unfailing hope and friendship—where magic rules and ghosts abide.

Rhea Wolfe’s life is nothing to write home about. She lives in a small Alabama city, has a dead-end job, two dependent and demanding younger sisters, an ex who won’t stop proposing, and his brother, a cop who gives her tickets just because he can. Oh, and she has a pet parrot who loves musicals.

Her life takes a turn when her estranged grandmother dies, leaving her everything. After being fired, she uproots her life and moves to Arcadia Falls—the town her mother made her swear never to set foot in. There, she discovers a charming town, rundown properties, ghosts, witches, and her own magic.

With the help of handsome handyman Hunter Blakely—the grandson of her grandmother’s sworn enemy in witchcraft—she works to turn a shabby small-town video store into the bookshop of her dreams, while uncovering why some residents hated her grandmother so passionately.

I was captivated by the book and enjoyed it immensely. This was the most pleasurable read I’ve had in ages—brilliant characters, magical world-building, and loads of magic. Eccentric townsfolk, self-discovery, found family, slow-burn romance, and a parrot all contributed to a feel-good delight. And don’t forget the ghosts, poltergeists, and wild turkeys (straight out of a Hitchcock movie) thrown into the bargain.

The banter between the characters was a joy, as were humor, the bookish references, and the cozy small-town setting where everyone knows everyone and often helps each other out. Rhea’s sisters were a bit annoying; as the eldest, Rhea was the smart, dependable one who always handled the difficult tasks no one else wanted to do. It sometimes felt like her sisters leaned on her too much. They didn’t stand out much in the story, but perhaps we’ll get their arcs in future books.

There is a slow-burn romance, but it’s more of a subplot. The real focus is on Rhea’s growth, with themes of friendship, family, love, second chances, betrayal, and forgiveness woven throughout. Rhea’s bookshop is one I’d be thrilled to visit for sure.

I was enchanted by the connection between books and magic, Maggie’s sharp comments that provided comic relief, Doris the cockatoo sidekick, and the quirky residents. All in all, an enchanting fantasy I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. Fans of feel-good, light, cozy fantasy will surely enjoy the book.

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

* For more info about the book: "Books & Bewitchment" by Isla Jewell

"A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace" by Emily Skrutskie

 

"A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace" by Emily Skrutskie is a character-driven romantasy that follows two legionnaires as they navigate both war and the peace that follows. Having read and loved her other book, The Salvation Gambit, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. More on that later.

The story opens with a battle against the Demon Lord and his minions - a confrontation that will decide the fate of the realm of Telrus. Katrien and her battle partner, Emory, don’t expect to survive it. But help comes from an unexpected source: an insufferable prince raised in hiding swoops in and saves the day. And yet, it’s not over. He has one final mission for Katrien and her decade, after which he’ll release from service those who wish to leave. Katrien must decide what she wants for her future, navigate her new responsibilities, and maybe - just maybe - find love along the way. Not an easy task, especially in an army with strict anti-fraternization policies.

Overall, it’s a solid fantasy filled with rich world-building, vivid and original characters, and a unique magical system. I loved that the legions were modeled after Roman military structure. The idea of tokens needing to be cultivated - and their intriguing source - was a fresh take I really enjoyed. The slow-burn romance was well-developed and built gradually, with some intimate scenes thrown in for good measure. I also enjoyed the interactions between the characters and their conflicts. Skrutskie's writing is good, but the plot itself didn’t always engage me. It lacked momentum and was too slow for my taste, which made it harder to stay invested.

That said, while the story had a lot of potential, it didn’t fully live up to its early promise. The premise is fantastic, but the execution fell a bit flat. The pacing is uneven - moments of high tension are followed by slower, less gripping passages. The beginning hooked me immediately, throwing us into the action and gradually revealing the world. But the middle lagged, with only occasional bursts of action.

For my taste, there simply wasn’t enough going on to keep my attention, and I wasn’t fully invested. It’s not a bad story, but it wasn’t the captivating read I had hoped for. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to readers who enjoy character-based narratives, slow-burn romance, and detailed world-building - albeit slow-paced ones.

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

* For more info about the book: "A Legionnaire's Guide to Love and Peace" by Emily Skrutskie

"Arcana Academy" by Elise Kova

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Arcana Academy" by Elise Kova is the first book in the Arcana Academy Trilogy, and what a fantastic start it is! This gripping tale masterfully blends romantasy, intrigue, and dark academia, hooking me from the very first sentence.

Written in the first person, the story follows Clara Graysword, who is sent to the Halazar prison for illegally inking tarot cards - a rare and powerful skill among the Arcanists. The narrative unfolds in the Oricalis Kingdom, where only Arcanists who graduate from the Academy are permitted to practice their arts in service to the king and noble houses. Those who fail - or defy the rules - are marked and sent to the mills, where survival rate is rare. While Clara languishes in jail, Prince Kaelis, the second of three royal brothers and the headmaster of the Academy, pays her an unexpected visit, striking an uneasy deal with her. Thus begins a compelling tale brimming with intrigue, secrets, and magic.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Themes of friendship, trust, found family, enemies to lovers, human fallibility, betrayal, and slow-burn romance are expertly woven into a plot full of unexpected twists. As a fan of dark academia, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the students’ lessons and trials. The division into four houses—Wands, Coins, Cups, and Swords—gave me strong Harry Potter vibes, and I adored it!

The dark academia setting, the intricate world-building, and the unique tarot card magic system were all exceptionally well done. The system itself, with its major and minor cards and their varied uses - wielding, inking, and reading - was fascinating. Despite the large cast of characters, the author skillfully made them distinct and easy to follow.

One of the standout moments in the book was Clara’s participation in the Academy trials. These intense and high-stakes contests required her to showcase her inking, reading, and wielding skills to pass to the next level. The suspense of these scenes kept me on the edge of my seat and demonstrated both Clara’s perseverance and the complexity of the magic system.

The complex relationship between the strong-willed protagonist and the brooding dark prince was captivating. While Clara’s impulsiveness could be frustrating at times, her determination made her a protagonist you can’t help but root for. Meanwhile, Prince Kaelis’s many layers added depth and intrigue to his character.

If I have one complaint, it’s the use of the word “fuck” in the text, which felt out of place in the otherwise richly woven world. Additionally, the story dragged slightly in the final section and could have been tightened up. However, these minor issues didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment.

The cliffhanger left me speechless, and I’m eagerly awaiting the second book in the series. Overall, Arcana Academy is a spellbinding start to what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy. If you enjoy stories with morally gray characters, intricate relationships, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, dark academia vibes, excellent writing, and arcane magic, this is the book for you.

A quick note: the book contains a couple of explicit scenes, making it less suitable for younger readers. Personally, I found these scenes unnecessary, as the story was compelling enough without them.

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

* For more info about the book: "Arcana Academy" by Elise Kova