Armando Ramirez

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.