Sable Thorpe
Swordcrossed is a captivating queer low-fantasy romance, the best I have read this year! Freya Marske has created an exhilarating story full of great chemistry, funny exchanges, spicy scenes, and intriguing mystery.
Spice;
Let Sleeping Foxes Lie gets a 5-star rating from me, hands down my favourite in the Sleeping Foxes duology.
This second book expertly weaves together romance and mystery, creating an engaging story that hooks you from start to finish. Max's life in Welling is now full of love and unexpected obstacles, and watching him deal with personal struggles along with a thrilling murder mystery is just what I wanted after the first book.
The mystery adds interest to Max and Gentry's story without overpowering the heartwarming relationship. The characters are still well written, their interactions bringing both tension and humour. And the ending ties everything up nicely, leaving a lasting impact.
If you're into cosy mysteries or romance, this is a must-read for sure!
This book is such a fun read, especially if you took some creative writing classes yourself! It follows two writing students who can't stand each other - Rosie's all about romance novels, while Aiden's a literary snob. After their rivalry gets out of hand in critique, they are forced to choose: write a book together or drop the class. Neither of them can drop the class, and literary hijinks ensue.
Tropes-wise, this book has Enemies-to-Lovers/Slow Burn/Rivals/Forced Proximity/Grumpy x Sunshine. Spice-wise, I would rate this a 3/5
I really loved reading Gothic Life by Aurelio Voltaire. This book is a fun introduction to gothic decor, making it great for people who want to design their first space with a spooky vibe. Voltaire encourages people to embrace the darker side of life, which really shows in this beautiful collection of his ideas.
The book begins with an interesting look at the history and mindset of goth culture, featuring famous figures like Vincent Price, Tim Burton, and Elvira. I especially enjoyed learning a little about the history and inspiration behind gothic style, it added a nice context. The colour combinations suggested in the book go beyond just black, offering great ideas for creating a sophisticated living space with the vibe you want.
The dark DIY projects are clearly written and easy to follow, using affordable and easy-to-find items. Voltaire has a variety of projects covering hosting, holidays, and decorating, so whether you're a fan of his DIY guides on YouTube and music or just getting into the gothic scene, this book has something for everyone wanting to enhance their goth style.
Overall, Gothic Life is a charming decorating book filled with goth personality. It's perfect for anyone wanting to express their inner goth all year round or looking for spooky ideas for their next Halloween party. I highly recommend it for those interested in DIY projects with a dark twist.
One word of caution: be careful with the recipes that include charcoal. Charcoal can affect medications, including birth control, so it's important to check before cooking anything that uses it.
This book was a mixed bag for me. I was genuinely intrigued by the premise, but something about the writing style didn't quite fit with me as a reader. The writing is incredibly descriptive and vivid, but I felt very disconnected from it. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say that the beginning is both compelling and interesting. Especially in the beginning, there were a lot of characters introduced quickly, and I kept confusing them. This book has an excellent style, it just wasn't for me.
This book is an amazing exploration of handling grief, memories, and how we connect even after someone's gone. The story starts with an intriguing teenage ‘Go-Between' who sets up meetings between the living and the dead, which is a fascinating concept but Tsujimura's way of telling the story makes it shine. I have always loved magical realism, and this is the best in that genre that I have read in a long time.
The book starts with five linked tales, showing us different kinds of loss and longing, and each one uncovers a different meaning. The way the author captures genuine feelings really helps you connect with the characters. And instead of feeling like a gimmick, those moonlit meet-ups hit home about how we deal with grief and the ways we look for closure.
Don't let the cover fool you into thinking this is a mild, lovey dovey kind of book. This is one of those rare reads that shifts your perspective on life, death, and the impact of memories. Tsujimura has created something special - a heartfelt, thought-provoking look at loss that sticks with you well after you finish the book.
General Thoughts:
As someone whose all-time favourite novel is The Great Gatsby, I was curious about Beautiful Villain. A modern-day reimagining with a supernatural twist could have gone very wrong, but I didn't need to worry. After reading it, I can say that this book is a nice homage to Fitzgerald's (and likely his wife Zelda's) work, infused with some spice and vampirism. Some readers didn't like any of the characters, but in my opinion that is a true reflection of the original characters - in the original none of them were sympathetic, except possibly Daisy.
Summary:
Home for the summer after another tough semester at college, Daisy struggles to move past a painful breakup with her cheating ex, Tom. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she attends a lavish party at a mysterious mansion and is reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Jay Gatsby. However, Jay is not only the wealthy, enigmatic figure of her memories—he's also a vampire.
Final Thoughts:
Beautiful Villain is an entertaining supernatural retelling of The Great Gatsby. It's about love, loss, and the supernatural that nicely blends the familiar with fantasy.
4/5 stars.
We Could Be Heroes” by PJ Ellis is a fun split timeline romance that jumps between two different timelines. The book follows the lives of Patrick and Will in present-day Birmingham, as well as Iris and Charles, comic creators in 1948 New York. The characters are all really well-written, from the shy but lovable Patrick to the outgoing and charming Will. The story mixes humour and deeper themes, touching on LGBTQ+ issues in a sensitive way that still keeps things light and interesting. My only complaint is that I wanted a bit more from the 1948 storyline and the side characters. Overall, “We Could Be Heroes” is a feel-good read that touches important issues with a lot of charm and cleverness.
This novel adds Celtic mythology to a Swan Lake retelling, following changeling Fia's quest to rescue a cursed princess (whom she is a duplicate of) from the mysterious Otherworld. Accompanied by Prince Rogan, her childhood love, she finds herself drawn to the dark fae lord Irian, who holds the key to breaking the curse. The story masterfully blends court intrigue with ancient magic in a moonlit adventure.
Perhaps the best part of the book is the lush, immersive writing that brings the magical world to life. However, like many other stories that incorporate mythologies, if that mythology is unfamiliar the terminology can be challenging to follow and slow you down a bit. If you are familiar with Celtic mythology and folklore though, it has been incorporated thoroughly and you will enjoy it. I am only mildly familiar and it was still a great read.
Spice: 3 (this book might be spicer than you would expect from the cover/description).
Tropes:
Childhood friends
Forbidden Romance
Enemies to Lovers
This dark romantic fantasy is perfect for readers who enjoy morally grey characters and folklore-inspired tales with a darker edge.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.
Catherine Doyle's “The Dagger and the Flame” is a thrilling start to the City of Fatome series and brings fresh blood to the young adult fantasy category. Set in the enchanting city of Fantome, this novel spins together elements of magic, revenge, and forbidden love. In a world where shade-magic is controlled by rival guilds of thieves and assassins, 18-year-old Seraphine seeks vengeance for her mother's murder. Her path crosses with Ransom, the heir to the Order of Daggers, igniting a dangerous mix of attraction and conflict. As they navigate the treacherous underbelly of Fantome, both must choose between forgiveness and vengeance, love and duty.
Spice:
In this great audiobook, narrator Stephanie Cannon brings Dawn Merriman's paranormal thriller to life.
Rylan Flynn, a psychic who can see (and help) spirits, stumbles on the ghost of a murdered girl near her aunt's cabin. While Rylan dives into her own investigation, considerate and handsome Detective Ford Pierce (love that name!) tells her to steer clear of the case. But when a second body pops up and it looks like it's linked to Rylan's family, she's hell-bent on getting to the bottom of it.
This is very much a clean contemporary mystery, Rylan doesn't even curse once. It is safe for new adult, possibly even mature YA readers. It's set in Indiana, her dad is a minister, and her unrealised love interest is a police officer, all very wholesome. Overall, it gives me Stephanie Plum series vibes, (but clean!) which I love. Be aware, that there are slightly graphic depictions of injuries leading to death, including suicide.
Stephanie Cannon's voice really captures Rylan Flynn's go-getter attitude and the vibe of the story. The audio narration makes the book's fast-paced, suspenseful plot even better. Cannon's lively delivery keeps you engaged, I listened to it non-stop and finished it in one day!
Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for providing a review copy of this audiobook.