Alana

When I tell you I've been waiting to read this book since the moment I saw its cover, I'm dead serious. The fact that it is based on Polish folklore and magic is a plus. Like usual in fantasy fiction that pulls from geographical and historical lore, Where the Dark Stands Still had an abundance of atmosphere and gorgeous descriptions. I loved Leszy from the beginning and the deal she makes with a demon of the wood had me hooked. The writing is beautiful, a bit slow in a couple places and very heavy on Polish terms (google is my savior) and the story is set solidly in the wood but my oh my, this setting was done so well that I didn't require traveling or switching around to keep me invested. A.B. Poranek writes lusciously and I loved getting lost in a lore inspired world filled with gray characters, magic, and bargains.

Don't be fooled, this took me longer than it usually takes me to read a fantasy book, but that wasn't because I loved it any less. This was a smashing end to Lacey's duology and my gosh I love these characters. The plot in Forever Reign feels a little less streamlined and focused than it does in book one but I wasn't overly annoyed by the lil' side quests here and there because, hey, did I mention I love the characters? They can do no wrong!

Buffy + Celtic Mythology + badass cover art?!? This was a no brainer for me. It's a short book while still maintaining the immersive fantasy I long for and packing in emotional lessons about humanity in all its glory (and not-so glory). Plus, Alexandria and Neve were goals and I'm in love with both of them and all their sunshine-grumpy glory. No notes from this reader who has become a dedicated Fay fan (I love adding new authors to my reading obsession list).

A slow-burn, feminist retelling, setting by/with the sea, and sapphic love. Rose Sutherland came and answered all my wishes with this beautiful book. The mystery and romance that follows Muirin was deliciously done and their evolving relationship was the best part of the book. Add in magic and selkies and my gosh, this was perhaps my favorite read of 2024 so far. Crazy because it's only spring and I've already read some great books this year. I like where this is going.

It’s obvious by now I don’t attack my tbr in order, and sometimes I see a book title that makes me so giddy, pulls me in so fast, that any attempt at orderly tbr reading goes out the window about a thousand miles an hour. Sometimes the choice is not well made but whew, this one was. Was I expecting an actual emotional roller coaster that made me cry and reflect on my own growing up as a queer individual? Not to the extent I received. I read this in one day and I only felt like a minute passed. The quirky title did nothing to prepare me for this beautiful, resonant read.

*was planning to read before the holidays* *ends up reading an entire month later* but hey, it was a book worth waiting for. Moorcock has a talent for writing mythic, adventurous fantasies, harking back to adventures like LOTR or other classic fantasies. This isn't a long read by any means, but there's still an abundance of world-building and travels across an epic fantasy landscape. Perfect for a quick but thorough read, and I'm floored that I actually hadn't heard of this fantasy author until very recently (it's readable even without the context of Elric, but it doesn't hurt to read Moorcock's previous works either)

THIS book. This book right here is why I love reading. I read pretty much any genre and I'll try anything, but epic fantasy with magic, characters who drive the plot, twists at every corner, banter, mystery, and high stakes is exactly what I go for. Every. Damn. Time. There's also books that check off all those boxes but still might not pan out well. Not this one. I cannot think of a single page where I got bored, had to overlook something, or got annoyed with the characters. Every single POV was needed and worked in favor of the story rather than detracting from it. The romance isn't in your face (ya'll don't come at me, but too much spice is getting old and has started to ruin some fantasy books for me, especially when the books are advertised as fantasy/romantasy). The balance here was perfect. Isla holds her own and then some, the elemental magic was written beautifully, the history and world building were the cherry on top of the lore, and even when I felt like I knew where things were going I was proven wrong. Ya'll...if your genre preferences align with mine, read this. And then the next, because I'm already adding that baby to my tbr.

This is a thought-provoking book that tugs at the strings of all fantasy readers. Who doesn't want a magic door that will lead us beyond our often boring life? Gah, I know I do! And yet, McGuire explores so much more here with nuance and care to the characters and the plot. Though I sped through this one (my attention was hooked, I tell ya!) it's one of those books I think of long after I read it. Marvelous, marvelous. Haunting, mysterious, thought-provoking, pertinent.

This is a very run-of-the-mill kind of book. Not terrible, but not great either. Just OK. I got through it and found Sorensen to be a talented enough writer to keep me engaged, but I wasn't left feeling anything major in either direction.

So...I finished this book, but not happily. There's a lot of good reviews, which is great - maybe it's me who is different. I just found the excessive use of lists and describing what/how characters were doing to be...well, excessive. Took me out of the story and jarred me a bit - BORED me - to the point where by the end, I was glad to be done.

I don't even really want to spend time reviewing this book because it was that bad. I mean...agh, I read this a few months ago (I'm just now getting around to reviewing my read books to hold myself accountable and expand my reading horizons). This is a typical book about werewolves and a plain-Jane type of girl who is an orphan and fulfills all the cliches that make me cringe. Sadly, DNF...but I got far. Around 70%. Just couldn't muddle through the rest.

This book had a good start to it and a good concept. Scout was a likable character. And yet, the ending and the classic love triangle ruined it for me.

A sweet, quick read romance novel that I can see appealing to a lot of fiction/romance lovers. Something to read if you want a fun read.

Nothing against Gabbie Hanna...I don't even really watch her. But I think everyone knows about her infamous “poetry” books. Again, my issue here isn't with Hanna. I know she's not well liked, but I truly don't have an opinion on her. My issue is with YouTubers and other influencers who honestly have very little talent for writing getting published simply because they have followers. There's so many amazing writers out there who pursue the traditional route that get turned down BECAUSE they aren't influencers. And then a YouTube throws together a “poetry book” that really just angsty words on a page and it gets published despite the fact that not many people even like the work that much. But hey - at least they have IG followers! I'm not even a writer myself, but I'm an avid reader, and it's a bit of an insult to me when publishers throw trash out there and gip us of the good stuff because they think blind followers will buy and “love” the book. Gah, that was harsh, but I need to be honest - the turning of books from art into products really grates on me. I gave it 1.5 stars, though, because the cover is cool.

A book with a wonderfully enchanting sense of place, romantic, and emotional. I SWOONED over this book from beginning to end - I read each and every page with fervor! It was really commendable and sweet and romantic in more ways than one.

This is a damned good book - Fahy draws you straight in and wastes no time getting into the action of it all. There's dytospian corruption, a strong and intelligent heroine, and a concept that - at times - doesn't feel like it could be entirely fictional in the future.

This is a COOL book about sleep-induced realms and Greek dietys. I had a lot of fun reading it. My biggest critique is that Isis is a pretty stereotypical heroine, and this is the kind of unique novel where I would expect the MC to be equally as unique. It wasn't that I didn't like her - I did - I just wasn't “wowed” by her. Still a very hooking and interesting read with a concept that blows me away.

Yet another indie book that blows my mind. Warm does a fantastic job with world-building, weaving separate plots and storylines, and creating vivid scenery that immerses the reader in the book. There's a ton of twists, the story matter is engaging, and the writing is phenomenal. Indie genre...indie authors...you CONTINUE to blow my mind.

I didn't like this book as much as I liked Switched. It was fine, really. Not crazy - the mc was a bit of a Mary Sue type (though so many in fiction seem to be, in my opinion). Decent read, nothing that wowed me.

This was a pretty solid historical fiction and romance, told from the perspective of the youngest Chanel sister. Overall enjoyed it, the cover is very chic as well.

Read this book in one day and found it pretty good! Cover and romance is a little corny, but nothing too bad. A quick read I will definitely say I enjoyed.

GREAT idea. GREAT story. Yet it needs some editing...and I hate to say that. Pains me when an otherwise good book is riddled with comma errors, etc.

Basically a slightly better Twilight. I don't know what else to say. It was fine...I'm not a big fan of twilight, and this book was better, but not my kind of book at the end of the day. Oh well, I gave it a try.

460 pages of utter bliss. Vivid fantasy world-building, awesome as hell characters, and a plot that was so intriguing I'm bursting at the seams waiting to read #2! This is a faith-filled tale, which I know won't resonate with everyone, but I'd recommend giving it a try if you like fantasy and romance (as do I). The relationships (especially sibling ones) are very realistic and fleshed out, and the MC is a treat to read.

4.5 stars.

Let's start with the cover. BEAUTIFUL. Dear LORD that is beautiful. This is a small-press publication, but of course, I lean towards those and indie novels because they tend to be more unique in their genre and idea. Never Say Goodbye is a contemp. romance that puts a smile on your face, and then BOOM - there's twists and turns like no other. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank you, Grzy, for such a treat to read.