Armando Ramirez

This book honestly surprised me in the best way. The Nobody That Fought a Dragon sounds simple, but it ended up hitting way harder than I expected. I loved following this “nobody” who everyone overlooked, only to watch them step up and face something as wild and terrifying as a dragon. Total underdog moment, and it delivered!

The action was cool, and the emotional moments gave the story a lot of heart. It’s not just about slaying a dragon, it’s about proving yourself when no one else believes in you.

I would’ve liked a little more world-building at the beginning, just to feel more grounded in the setting, but overall, this was a really solid read. If you like stories with big battles, strong character growth, and that classic “prove them wrong” energy, you’ll probably love this too.

Breathe In, Bleed Out was such a wild and fun ride! I loved all the twists and turns this book threw at me, and just when I thought I had it figured out, that final twist totally caught me off guard. It had me flipping pages and second-guessing everything.

If you're a fan of slasher films like Scream or I Know What You Did Last Summer, then this is 100% a book you need to add to your TBR. It has that same creepy, fast-paced energy with a mix of teen drama, secrets, and suspense.

With its official release set for September 2nd, 2025, horror lovers better get ready, this one’s a bloody good time!

The Burning God was a powerful and intense conclusion to The Poppy War trilogy. At the beginning, I still had a lot of empathy for Rin. She had lost so much and carried the weight of an entire nation on her shoulders. But as the story went on, I started to hate the person she was becoming. Her choices grew darker, her judgment clouded by power and vengeance. By the end, I wasn’t rooting for her anymore, and honestly, the final scene felt justified. It was harsh, but it made sense.

The worldbuilding was rich and colorful, full of culture, history, and war strategy. Kuang really knows how to create a vivid, brutal world. But at the same time, I think she tried to do too much with this book. There were so many subplots and side characters that the story felt overstuffed and dragged out. In my opinion, the same message and emotional impact could’ve been delivered in a book half the size.

Overall, while I respect the ambition, The Burning God left me feeling drained and conflicted; not because it was bad, but because it went so far that even the main character became hard to support.

After not being able to finish Witch King, I wasn’t sure if Queen Demon would be for me. I was nervous the story would feel just as slow, and honestly, at first, it did. The beginning took a while to get going, and I had a hard time staying focused.

But after a bit, things finally picked up. Once the plot started moving and the characters got more involved, it got easier to stay interested. It wasn’t super fast-paced, but there was enough going on that I was able to stick with it and finish the book.

Overall, Queen Demon was okay. Not amazing, but not bad either. If you’re into detailed worlds and slower builds, you might enjoy it more than I did.

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow was way better than I expected. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The mix of ghost stories, small-town secrets, and creepy vibes made it hard to put down. I loved how the mystery slowly unfolded, with just enough clues to keep me guessing but not so much that it gave everything away too soon.

One of my favorite things was how this book worked as an origin story for the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. I’ve always liked that legend, and seeing how the author reimagined it in such a fresh and spooky way was awesome. It made the whole story feel bigger and more meaningful, like you were reading the hidden truth behind a famous myth.

The main character felt real and easy to relate to. They weren’t some perfect hero; they had doubts, fears, and made mistakes, which made the story feel more believable. The only reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is that the pacing in the middle got a little slow, but it picked up again fast. If you’re into spooky stories with deep roots in legend, creepy twists, and a mystery that actually surprises you, The Haunting of Paynes Hollow is totally worth it.

Ring Shout starts with a powerful idea. The book tackles deep and real issues, like slavery and the terrible history of how the African American people were treated by the KKK. These are important topics, and I could tell the author wanted to show how painful and scary that time was. I appreciated that part of the story.

But where it lost me was when it turned into a sci-fi, time-traveling adventure. The mix of history with monsters, magic, and other worlds made it really hard to follow. I kept getting confused about what was real and what wasn’t. The time jumps and fantasy elements made the main message feel less serious, which didn’t sit well with me.

Overall, I respect what the author was trying to do, but the way the story was told just didn’t work for me. I wish it had stayed more grounded in history instead of turning into something that felt more like a wild action movie.

As a fan of fantasy stories, I thought The Fall of Magic by Phoenix Rokini was interesting and emotional. It’s about a group of people, including magical knights, traveling through a world where magic is fading. The knights used to protect the land, but now they’re not sure what to do as their powers start to disappear. The story is more about their feelings and changes than big fights or fast action.

The writing is really descriptive, allowing you to truly envision the environment. It reminded me a lot of The Lord of the Rings, especially the quieter parts when characters are thinking about their past or what’s coming next. The magical knights felt like they came from that same kind of world—brave, noble, and a little bit sad. If you like detailed fantasy worlds and character-driven stories, this book might be for you.

It’s not super fast-paced, and it can be a little slow at times. But if you like stories about old magic, ancient warriors, and the end of an era, you’ll probably enjoy it. It’s not the kind of book with epic battles, but it does leave you thinking after you finish it.

So I am a bit conflicted about this second book of Rin's journey in not only discovering herself, but seeing how the world deals with outcasts. The sequel begins in the same manner as the first book left off. quick pacing which helps with drawing you in effortlessly. Here is where i have an issue; it flounders for a brief moment near the middle as it provides you an overview of the developing government system being put in place. While I enjoy the depth of information your given to help you understand the characters and their mindsets, I just felt this portion dragged on far too long and kept this from being a 5 star read for me. It truly is a shame as the remainder of the book takes you back to the swift pacing that I grew to enjoy from the first book. I will have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the story development with its twists. it gave me an appreciation for Rin as she starts to see that she truly is a pawn in this story. The friends to enemies and enemies to friends twists were very enjoyable, and honestly a surprise when they occurred as I had not expected them. Overall this was a solid read, and I cannot wait to continue on with the finale.

Wow, what an incredible read. The Poppy War absolutely blew me away. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the story and completely drawn into R.F. Kuang’s intense, brutal, and beautifully crafted world.

Rin is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve ever read. You don’t just read about her, you experience her journey. Watching her grow from a desperate student into a powerful (and sometimes terrifying) warrior was both thrilling and heartbreaking. She’s flawed, fierce, and painfully human, which makes her transformation all the more powerful.

This book doesn't shy away from tough topics such as war, trauma, addiction, power, and sacrifice . The world-building is fantastic, the magic system is unique, and the stakes feel real. Every moment, every choice, has weight.

I’m honestly still thinking about some of the scenes days after finishing. I can’t wait to dive into the next book and see where Rin’s path takes her. If you’re into epic fantasy with deep character development, political intrigue, and real emotional stakes, The Poppy War is a must-read.