Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison

Title: Three Kinds of Lucky

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Shadow Age # 1

Hardcover, 452 Pages 

Publication: March 5, 2024

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

Petra Grady has known since adolescence that she has no talent for magic—and that’s never going to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she’s parlayed her rare ability to handle dross—the damaging, magical waste generated by her more talented kin’s spellwork—into a decent life working at the mages’ university.

Except Grady’s relatively predictable life is about to be upended. When the oblivious, sexy, and oh-so-out-of-reach Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for a research project studying dross and how to render it harmless, she’s stuck working on his team—whether she wants to or not.

Only Benedict doesn’t understand the characteristics of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, she and Benedict are forced to go on the run to seek out the one person who might be able to help: an outcast exiled ten years ago for the crime of using dross to cast spells. Now Grady must decide whether to stick with the magical status quo or embrace her own hidden talents . . . and risk shattering their entire world.

MY THOUGHTS

I've only read one of Harrison's Hollows books and enjoyed it. So, when she announced a new Urban Fantasy series, I immediately added it to my TBR list. Three Kinds of Lucky is what I’d call a “closed world” story, where the human/mundane population is unaware of magic.

Our protagonist, Petra Grady, works at a university dedicated to magic users, specifically mages. The magical hierarchy consists of four levels: Sweeper, Spinner, Mage, and Weaver. Grady is a Sweeper, meaning she can’t perform magic like the other three levels, but she has a unique ability to see and clean up dross, a waste byproduct of spellcasting. If not properly cleaned, dross can cause “bad luck” for anyone who comes across it. For example, walking over dross (imagine invisible black goo that only Sweepers can see) might cause someone to trip, spill their coffee, or twist an ankle. You get the gist.

The magic system, however, is a bit confusing. I understand the basics, but when the story delves into shadows and rezes, I get lost. When Benedict and the other mages discuss the science behind why inert dross isn’t harmful or its side effects, it feels overly complicated and hard to follow. These technicalities often pulled me out of the story, making it less enjoyable.

Petra was an okay heroine. I didn’t love or hate her. My main issue with her was that she came across as a bit of a Debbie Downer. Since childhood, she’s felt excluded because she doesn’t have the ability to wield magic. Her position as a Sweeper also causes others to look down on her, which I found ironic since she’s literally the best Sweeper of her generation. The whole concept of her “not having magic” also feels odd, as the ability to detect and eliminate dross seems like magic in itself. Mundane people certainly can’t do that.

The secondary characters were underwhelming. While the author described them well physically, they lacked depth and were ultimately plain and forgettable. Like Petra, I didn’t strongly like or dislike them, which was disappointing since characters are everything to me as a reader.

Three Kinds of Lucky was a decent series starter, but I’m unsure if I’ll continue. The author set up the next book with the main four characters embarking on a new adventure, but it didn’t sound particularly compelling. If you enjoyed Harrison's Hollows series, I’d suggest checking this one out to see how you feel about it personally.

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

Title: A Fire in the Sky

Author: Sophie Jordan

Genre: Fantasy

Series: A Fire in the Sky # 1

Hardcover, 336 Pages 

Publication: September 24, 2024

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard...though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride...but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead...it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

MY THOUGHTS

I went into A Fire in the Sky with fresh eyes, having skipped the synopsis, and it turned out to be better than I anticipated. The reviews for the book weren’t great, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. The main plot, featuring tropes like hidden identity, secret power, and a marriage of convenience (a personal weakness of mine), may have been done countless times before, yet I found myself invested in Tamsyn and Fell’s story.

The world-building was straightforward and easy to follow but, at the same time, fairly basic. The setting revolves around a central kingdom with Viking-esque clans where humans, witches, and dragons coexist. While intriguing, the story took a while to truly get going. Despite the month-long journey Tamsyn undertakes to reach the Borderlands with the clan, little to nothing significant happens until about the midpoint of the book.

Apart from the main couple, there was another love interest, Stig the guard. I didn’t understand why the author included him, as he added no real value to the story. He only appeared in two scenes as a plot device, and even then, his role barely advanced the narrative. On top of that, Stig came across as a creep from page one, and I never felt any real connection between him and Tamsyn.

Although the book was 336 pages long, the story felt incomplete, especially with the major cliffhanger ending. I wish there had been more interaction between Tamsyn and Fell to develop their relationship further. Despite its issues, I’m still interested in continuing their journey and look forward to the next book. I just hope it offers deeper character development and more robust world-building.

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen

Title: The Games Gods Play

Author: Abigail Owen

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series:The Crucible # 1

Hardcover, 509 Pages 

Publication: September 3, 2024

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

The gods love to toy with us mere mortals. And every hundred years, we let them…

I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus.

Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won’t notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus’ patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.

The worst god. Hades.

For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead.

So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his?

I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky?

Because Hades is playing by his own rules…and Death will win at any cost.

MY THOUGHTS

The Games Gods Play has been all over social media lately, with raving reviews and the promise of Greek gods drawing me in. However, I’m now wondering if I read the same book as everyone else because there was absolutely nothing worth raving about.

The story begins at the start of the Gods' Crucible Tournament, where Lyra and her gang of thieves are working a job. Our protagonist, Lyra, is in the process of walking away because her team is mocking her for having a crush on Boone, another teammate. That’s when she runs into Hades, the God of the Underworld. For reasons that are never explained other than she could win, Hades chooses Lyra as his champion in the Crucible, promising to lift her curse of being "unlovable" if she wins. The rest of the book follows Lyra and the other contestants as they navigate the 12 trials.

I have never been so bored in my entire life. By the time I reached the 30% mark, I was hoping the story would pick up or at least get interesting. It never did. Not at 50%, not at 80%, nothing. The trials, which were based on the gods themselves, were unimaginative and dull. I never connected with any of the characters and couldn’t bring myself to care about their fates. Even when some players didn’t make it, I couldn’t muster an ounce of concern.

Lyra, in particular, was insufferable. She tried to be a savior to everyone, repeatedly throwing challenges to help others even though most of them were against her from the start. Her constant humming was another source of irritation, especially since the author never explained its purpose. Was it meant to be an endearing quirk? Because it wasn’t. Lyra’s progress in the trials wasn’t due to skill but sheer luck, stupidity, or Hades cheating on her behalf.

Speaking of Hades, dear lord, he was as dull as a cardboard box. You’d think the Lord of the Underworld would be brooding and mysterious, but he was neither. The author kept telling us how feared and powerful Hades was, but there was no actual evidence to support this claim. Even the "telling" failed to make him remotely convincing as a fearsome deity.

The relationship between Lyra and Hades was as tiresome as the characters themselves. There was zero chemistry between them, and I never understood Hades’ obsession with Lyra, who had no redeeming qualities in my opinion. She's worse than those 'snowflake heroines' we read in most books. His nickname for her, “my star,” made me roll my eyes every time it appeared. Boone’s nickname for Lyra, “Lyra Loo Hoo” was also atrocious. Talk about cringy. 

The gods in The Games Gods Play weren’t the iconic figures from Greek mythology that people know and love. They were immature, bored immortals acting like spoiled children who meddled with mortals for entertainment. I don’t know why I expected anything different.

Ultimately, this book was poorly written, far too long, and entirely overhyped. I don’t recommend it. Please don’t make the same mistake I did by being fooled by a pretty cover and rave reviews. I’m starting to believe the Red Tower rumors...all they are, are pretty books that hide lackluster stories. 

The Cursed by Harper L. Woods

Title: The Cursed

Author: Harper L. Woods

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romantasy

Series: Coven of Bones # 2

Paperback, 294 Pages 

Publication: September 7, 2023

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

Betrayal.

He was the deception waiting in the night; the truth I never saw coming. After a lifetime of manipulation, I finally learned the truth. I was his puppet—even if I never saw my strings.

Even knowing how deep his betrayal runs, I can’t shake the undeniable connection between Gray and I—the way a single glance from him sets my soul on fire. We are not the same. We’re enemies, poised to battle for the future of the very thing I’d wanted to destroy.

With the Covenant gone, the revenge I thought I wanted is no longer my priority. The witches that remain played no role in my aunt’s death, and the only person standing in the way of righting those wrongs is the very man determined to keep me in his bed.

But the remaining members of the Coven will never forgive me for the role I played in their demise and subjugation, and the worst part of all is that I can’t even blame them for it. I’d been naive, believing my own delusions of grandeur when destiny clearly had other plans for me. Plans that had been set in motion centuries before my birth.

But even that had been a lie, and now it is my duty to do everything in my power to undo it.

To protect my Coven from my husband’s hatred—no matter what the cost.

MY THOUGHTS

The Cursed is the second and final book in the Coven of Bones duology. It picks up right where The Coven left off, with Willow bringing Gray's body back from the underworld. Throughout the book, Willow and Gray are still grappling with issues of betrayal and mistrust in their relationship; and somewhere along the way, Willow found herself as Gray's wife, adding an unexpected layer to their story. On top of that, they’re facing fallout from The Covenant, with all the witches casting blame on both of them.

Unfortunately, The Cursed didn’t capture the same excitement and engagement as the first book. What I enjoyed most about The Coven was the tension and chase between Willow and Gray, but that spark was missing here. Now that they’re together, despite Willow’s attempts to escape, it’s clear that their relationship was inevitable. Instead of the strong, unapologetic character from the first book, Willow spent most of the story in denial about her feelings for Gray, allowing others to sway her decisions. It was surprising to see her so influenced by her peers, even to the point of acting against her own instincts.

Another downside was the amount of smut. This book was shorter than the first, yet it felt like 70% of it is smut and only 30% plot and the plot itself wasn't compelling. The ending felt abrupt and rushed. It seemed the main arc of the series was meant to bring balance back to Hollow Grove University, but that didn’t come through. There’s only one brief scene where the witches pledge their allegiance (I think?), but beyond that, there’s no real conclusion. The book closes with an out-of-the-blue wedding ceremony, with some unanswered or ignored revelations just before it. The ending left me ultimately disappointed.

Overall, The Cursed felt like an unpolished sequel, as if it didn’t know where it was headed or what it wanted to be. I had high hopes after enjoying The Coven, but this left me with more questions than answers. I can’t recommend this series. While I did enjoy the first book, as a whole, this series felt like brain candy—fun but lacking in substance.

The Coven by Harper L. Woods

Title: The Coven

Author: Harper L. Woods

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romantasy

Series: Coven of Bones # 1

Paperback, 304 Pages 

Publication: March 1, 2023

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

Revenge.

Raised to be my father’s weapon against the Coven that took away his sister and his birthright, I would do anything to protect my younger brother from suffering the same fate. My duty forces me to the secret town of Crystal Hollow and the prestigious Hollow’s Grove University―where the best and brightest of my kind learn to practice their magic free from human judgment.

There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.

But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.

Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen.

Thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

If the ghosts of Hollow’s Grove’s victims don’t kill them first.

MY THOUGHTS

The Coven has been on my radar for a while now, but I kept putting it off due to all the mixed reviews. However, if there's one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m a sucker for dark academia, any book set in a school and I’m sold!

This is my first book by Woods, and I’m surprised to say I enjoyed it far more than I expected. From the very first page, I was hooked as Headmaster Throne is tasked with bringing in a late enrollee, Willow, to Hollow Grove University. However, Willow isn’t the untrained witch The Covenant thought she was; she’s far more powerful than anyone, Throne included, anticipated.

I really enjoyed the cat-and-mouse chase between Gray and Willow. At first, their budding relationship felt a bit odd, especially since he’s literally the Headmaster of the university. I also thought it was a bit too convenient how he was always in Willow’s orbit—didn’t he have a school to run? Still, I liked Willow for the most part. She talks the talk, walks the walk, and is unapologetically herself.

The ending was unexpected, and now I’m eager to see how this duology wraps up. The Coven was a quick, engaging read, perfect as an in-between book that doesn’t require much mental effort. It’s definitely brain candy, in the best way.

Onyx Cage Vol. 1 By Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison

Title: Onyx Cage Vol. 1

Author: Robin D. Mahle, Elle Madison

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Series: Lochlann Feuds # 5

Paperback, 419 Pages 

Publication: September 20, 2024

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

I had spent a lifetime perfecting the art of planning ahead, accounting for every known variable and a few that were mere speculation. It was necessary, to live the life I had, to do the things I had done and come out on the other side.

So by the time I arrived at the storms-forsaken Summit, I had spent every day of the years prior carefully, meticulously assessing each situation and weighing the best potential outcome, knowing that my clansmen lived and died on my ability to do it well.

In spite of that, I don’t believe there was anything in this world or the next that could have prepared me for her.

*Onyx Volume I will cover the first two books of the Lochlann Feuds series from Evander’s perspective. It is strongly encouraged for readers to wait until *after* Lochlann Feuds to read this companion novel.

MY THOUGHTS

I discovered the Lochlann Feud series earlier this year, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. When the authors announced they were working on a companion novel from Evander's point of view, I was ecstatic! Initially, I thought we’d only get Evander’s perspective for the first book, but the authors went above and beyond, delivering his viewpoint for the entire four-book series. Onyx Cage Vol. 1 covers Evander’s experience through the first two books in the series, Scarlett Princess and Tarnished Crown.

Though it had been a few months since I last read the series, I was instantly pulled back into its world, feeling as if no time had passed. Seeing the story through Evander’s eyes added incredible depth, especially with his reactions to pivotal moments, like the first time he saw Rowan. In Tarnished Crown, Evander was absent for a significant part of the story while visiting villages, and it was fascinating to finally see what he was doing behind the scenes. I’ve loved the companion novel so far (with part 2 set to release at the end of November 2024).

However, experiencing Rowan through Evander’s perspective was a bit jarring. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Rowan, but in Onyx Cage, her immaturity and impulsiveness really stand out. She often came across as vexing and childish, especially compared to the other characters. The authors did give us a heads-up about this, so it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

All in all, Onyx Cage Vol. 1 is an amazing addition to the Lochlann Feud series. I’m so grateful the authors chose to write this companion novel—it added a whole new layer to the story, giving me that “first-time” reading experience all over again. If you haven’t started the Lochlann Feud series, what are you waiting for? It’s one of the best Romantasy series out there, with the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and banter. I loved every moment of it and highly recommend checking out Scarlett Princess to get started!

Creatures of Chaos By Julie Hall

Title: Creatures of Chaos

Author: Julie Hall

Genre: UF Fantasy

Series: Creatures of Chaos # 1

Paperback, 445 Pages 

Publication: October 29, 2024

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

Chaos, the vicious supernatural competition where heroes are born and riches are won.

To most, it's just an urban legend whispered in the darkest shadows, but that all changes when my best friend drags me into a savage world where vampires, shifters, and fae compete for glory and fame.

As a creature without magic, I’d be a fool to enter Chaos, but the prize—a dagger of untold power—could change my powerless existence. With that dagger, I could wield magic, earn respect, and maybe, just maybe, win the heart of the dragon heir… it’s a risk I have to take.

Now, I'm pitted against beasts in a ruthless battle with no powers, no plan, and an infuriatingly attractive ally who’s just as likely to slit my neck as save it. Every round of Chaos leads me closer to seizing my deepest desires or losing everything.

In Chaos, survival is the only rule. And winning is all that matters.

MY THOUGHTS

Creatures of Chaos is my first Julie Hall novel. I serendipitously came across Hall's book a couple weeks before its release date and I am so glad I did. I didn't know much about the story except there was a supernatural competition and a magicless girl was one of the contestants.

I kid you not, I was hooked from the first page. The author throws readers right into the suspense as she introduces us to our protagonist, Locklyn as she takes the dark tunnel shortcut to her class only to be ambushed by the school's mean girls. I immediately took to Locklyn. Despite being magic less in a school full of shifters, faes and vampires she doesn't let that fact stop her from standing up for herself or backing down from confrontation. I absolutely love the entire cast of characters and seeing Locklyn's relationship with her parents, best friends, the entire school and the mysterious Talon. 

Creatures of Chaos had everything I enjoy reading about; deadly competition trial, a magical academy setting, and a tension filled love triangle that's part best friends to lover and frenemies to lover. To be fair, love triangles are usually a hit or miss, but at the beginning this triangle; it had me giggling and let me say, I was without a doubt Team Talon from the start and am still rooting for that outcome. While I adore Locklyn, I felt she was really oblivious when it came to her best friend, Becks. He was kind of a controlling douche. But I had to remind myself that this was a young adult series and Locklyn is seventeen. 

I don't read as much Young Adult as I did in the past and have found many Young Adult books this past year and prior years to be lacking, mediocre and cookie-cutter but I am happy to say Creatures of Chaos has rekindled my faith back in the genre. I loved Creature of Chaos. Despite all the similar tropes I mentioned earlier, Hall created an engaging and exciting novel, and I can't wait to read more about Locklyn and her friends. Because what makes this book standout from others like it, are the characters. And anyone who has read it or plan to read it will know exactly what I mean. If you haven't read Creatures of Chaos yet, this is a book you don't want to miss. Add it to the top of your TBR A.S.A.P.

[SPOTLIGHT] Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall + Excerpt

With Halloween upon us, I’m excited to share a sneak peek at Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue, an upcoming YA horror romance thriller by Kate Pearsall! Set to release January 7, 2025, readers are invited to return to Caball Hollow, the hauntingly atmospheric setting from last year’s Bittersweet in the Hollow. This time, to follow James’s daughter, Rowan, as she embarks on a chilling new adventure.

BOOK 2, in the Bitter in the Hollow Series

Out wherever books are sold, January 7, 2025!

PRE-ORDER|AMAZON|B&N|

As Caball Hollow slowly recovers after a tumultuous summer, the James family must also come to terms with their own newly revealed secrets. 18-year-old Rowan James has spent her whole life harboring unpleasant truths—that’s what happens when you can smell people’s lies—and building walls around herself to block them out. Like her younger sister, Linden, who can taste the feelings of others, Rowan has long resented her gift, which has taught her that everyone lies, and no one is who they seem to be. So, when her old nemesis, Hadrian Fitch, the biggest liar of them all, shows up on her front porch—bloodied, broken, and asking for help only she can give—her first instinct is distrust. But something new is stalking the Forest that surrounds Caball Hollow. Now things are disappearing. At first, it’s small stuff—like letters, photos, and keys. But then, Rowan notices people around her are losing their memories. And when the body of a neighbor is found in the middle of town, Rowan knows there’s a link between this death and all the events disturbing the Hollow. Can she find what—or who—the link is before it takes another life?

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue, Book 2 Excerpt

Chapter Seven

 

I turn to look at the door, standing wide open with my pack in front it. Just beyond, I can see the edge of the approaching storm. A rim of thick clouds as dark as night. In two long strides, I cross the room and bolt the lock.

Thunder rumbles off in the distance, and the wind kicks up, howling ominously between the trees. Low pressure makes the air heavy with anticipation, sending birds to find refuge, insects to fly low to the ground on weighted wings, and worms to flee rising groundwater. It’s a silence like the inhale before the howl.

A big gust blows across the ridge, and something strikes the wall with a thud. I move back away from the door. And that’s when I hear it. A footstep just outside, I’m almost sure. Though that’s not exactly right. It was more of a shuffle than a step. It could have just been the leaves, blowing in the walkway. The silence that follows isn’t proof nothing is there. It’s the opposite. And I know I’m no longer alone. Something, or someone is out there. My breath comes faster as I strain to hear. A muted thud. Then a crash against the door hard enough to make it shudder in its frame. I race to the woodstove and reach for the metal poker.

There’s no one to call for help. No one who could get here before a person determined enough could break through the flimsy piece of old wood standing between us. There’s only me. Holding the poker over my shoulder like a baseball player at bat, I slide back the lock and yank open the door. There, lying across the doormat like something the cat dragged in, is a bloodied and unconscious Hadrian Fitch.

***

Book 1 - Available now! 

Purchase|Amazon|B&N|

In rural Caball Hollow, surrounded by the vast National Forest, the James women serve up more than fried green tomatoes at the Harvest Moon diner, where the family recipes are not the only secrets.

Like her sisters, Linden was born with an unusual ability. She can taste what others are feeling, but this so-called gift soured her relationship with the vexingly attractive Cole Spencer one fateful night a year ago . . . A night when Linden vanished into the depths of the Forest and returned with no memories of what happened, just a litany of questions--and a haze of nightmares that suggest there's more to her story than simply getting lost.

Now, during the hottest summer on record, another girl in town is gone, and the similarities to last year's events are striking. Except, this time the missing girl doesn't make it home, and when her body is discovered, the scene unmistakably spells murder.

As tempers boil over, Linden enlists the help of her sisters to find what's hiding in the forest . . . before it finds her. But as she starts digging for truth--about the Moth-Winged Man rumored to haunt the Hollow, about her bitter rift with Cole, and even about her family--she must question if some secrets are best left buried.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Pearsall is a creative thinker, an award-winning copywriter, and a storyteller. She has a degree in business and public relations and has written for magazines and newspapers. Bittersweet in the Hollow and Lies on the Serpent's Tongue were inspired in part by a childhood listening to her mom’s stories about growing up in the Appalachian Mountains and visiting family in West Virginia.

Connect with Kate!

Website|Instagram

The Blood Witch by Ivy Asher

Title: The Blood Witch

Author: Ivy Asher

Genre: UF Fantasy

Series: The Osseous Chronicles # 2

Paperback, 280 Pages

March 27, 2021

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

I never saw it coming...the bones...the magic...the betrayal.

It’s no longer a question of who I can trust—the answer is no one. Now, it’s about survival.

I’m in the heart of the Order, trying to solve a series of mysterious disappearances, while doing everything that I can not to become bait.

Enemies are circling, and they can’t seem to decide if they see me as a pawn or as a threat. Oh, and there’s that little issue of being tethered to Rogan, who I now want to kill.

It’s time to figure out just what I’m capable of though. Because fool me once...shame on you. But fool me twice...and I will crush your bones to dust.

My name is Lennox Osseous, and I’m about to unleash the wrath of the Bone Witch.

MY THOUGHTS

The Blood Witch picks up right where The Bone Witch left off, with Leni being kidnapped and held hostage by The Order. Leni and Rogan are still trying to figure out who's behind the kidnapping of the Osetomancers, but working together is difficult after Rogan's betrayal, especially since Leni thought she could trust him.

The first half of the book felt stagnant, as Leni remained captive and was repeatedly interrogated by The Order. By this point, about a week has passed, and they’re no closer to finding the mastermind than when Rogan first walked into Leni's shop in the previous book. For majority of the story, Leni rants about Rogan's betrayal—and for good reason! Yet, despite everything he's done and said, she still cares for him and can’t deny her feelings. While I understand her conflict, it got a little frustrating. I’ve heard stories about people who instantly know they've found "their person," but that's rare. Leni and Rogan eventually confess their love for each other, but it’s only been a week! Most of that time was spent with neither of them trusting the other, which made the romance feel almost as bad as instalove.

The second half of the book picks up once Leni is captured again and imprisoned with the other Osetomancers. However, the villain wasn't as formidable as I expected. She turned out to be more of a psychopathic villain boosted by borrowed magic rather than a truly terrifying figure. The build-up to the final confrontation was more interesting than the actual showdown, which felt anticlimactic and rushed. As for the cliffhanger ending—it was predictable, and I saw it coming from miles away. Also, the way the books end abruptly is something I’m not a fan of, especially in this second installment. It was odd that this book was shorter than the first, and from what I’ve heard, the third book will be even shorter. This series could have been either a duology or expanded beyond three books because, at this point, the story feels incomplete.

The Blood Witch is a decent addition to the series, but it doesn't quite live up to the first book. Still, I’m eager to see how the story concludes.

The Memory Puller by Kris K. Haines

Title: The Memory Puller

Author: Kris K. Haines

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Memory Puller # 1

Paperback, 413 Pages

June 14, 2023

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

Shrouded Sister Cassandra Fortin is a wannabe rebel hidden beneath midnight blue dress robes.

By day, she toils at the Temple, pulling the human memories craved by her Fae overlords. By night, she hunts through those same memories for treasures to steal, buying freedom for the mortal colonies’ least fortunate families.

When her fellow Sisters begin disappearing, the officer assigned to the case is the one individual who could expose her secret criminal history.

Good thing Cassandra stole his memory when he apprehended her during her most recent philanthropic robbery.

Officer Tristan Saros has always had a soft spot for mortals and a healthy skepticism towards authority. Especially his own. Now the irreverent, flirtatious Fae warrior has finally found the perfect distraction from immortal boredom - his intriguing new partner. Too bad about her pesky chastity vow. And why does she seem so familiar?

As Tristan and Cassandra team up to find her missing Sisters, their reluctant alliance transforms into a passionate, yet forbidden attraction. And during the investigation, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to dismantle the five-centuries-long peace between their two species.

In order to save the Sisters and keep their world from the brink of war, Tristan will need to decide if his loyalties reside with Fae or humans. And Cassandra will be forced to choose between her safe, gilded cage or an uncertain, pitiless freedom outside the Temple walls.

And if Tristan ever recalls Cassandra’s crime? Well, that might just be the most dangerous outcome of all.

MY THOUGHTS

I never thought I’d read a fantasy novel featuring a nun, but here we are. The Memory Puller introduces readers to Cassandra, a shrouded sister with the ability to extract unwanted memories—whether by request or, for the lower class, in exchange for a few drachas to make ends meet. What most don’t know is that in her spare time, Cassandra plays a Robin Hood-like role, stealing from the rich to give to the poor.

In her latest heist, she steals a necklace from Thaleen’s most affluent mortal family but gets caught by a fae Vestian Guard. This seemingly simple theft spirals into a larger plot involving missing shrouded sisters and deep-rooted corruption, threatening the fragile relationships between fae and mortals.

The Memory Puller is a light, fun fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The world-building is interesting and easy to follow, with both mortals and fae inhabiting the city of Thaleen. The fae are divided into three groups: Wingriders (who can fly), Beastrunners (essentially shifters), and Deathstalkers (a.k.a. vampires). These are your basic fantasy supernaturals, just with new names.

I liked Cassandra for the most part. Despite being a nun and having led a mostly sheltered life, she never lets that stop her from following her heart, even if it means breaking or bending a few rules. Then there's Tristan, the fae Vestian Guard who quickly becomes interested in her. However, their relationship feels very "instalove"—both characters seem obsessed with each other from the start, which made it hard for me to connect with their romance. Tristan himself is a bit of a mixed bag; he alternates between being a comedian and coming across as slightly stalker-ish. There are maybe one or two scenes where he’s serious.

Both Cassandra and Tristan have best friends who are always by their side, and I suspect the next book will focus on them, given how things ended. However, I didn’t have strong feelings about the secondary characters—they felt more like background extras. I didn’t particularly like or dislike them.

Overall, The Memory Puller was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed it in the moment, but looking back, it was good, just not particularly memorable.

The Bone Witch by Ivy Asher

Title: The Bone Witch

Author: Ivy Asher

Genre: UF Fantasy

Series: The Osseous Chronicles # 1

Paperback, 292 Pages

November 21, 2020

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

I never thought in a million years that the bones would choose me.

The power, the magic, was supposed to go to someone else in the family. I was counting on it.

But now my Grammy Ruby is gone, and here the bones sit on my kitchen table.

I thought bitter relatives would be my biggest problem. But I’ve barely had time to find a familiar before trouble comes a-knocking. The kind that possesses smoldering green eyes and a smile that can turn any woman dumb.

His name is Rogan Kendrick, and he’s certain that someone is hunting down and taking my kind.

According to him, I’m next.

This is a world that I never wanted to be a part of, but magic gives no fucks and takes no prisoners... At least we have that much in common.

I don’t know what my ancestors were thinking when they chose me, but I’m going to give them a run for their money. My name is Lennox Osseous, but you can call me the Bone Witch.

MY THOUGHTS

Urban Fantasy is one of my absolute favorite genres, and many of my top series in this genre were published in the early 2000s. Since then, I've been searching for books that recapture the magic of those early Urban Fantasy novels. There was just something special about the stories and writing back then that feels so different from what’s published today. Then I picked up The Bone Witch by Ivy Asher, and I’m so glad I did. This book had everything I’ve been searching for all these years!

The magic system in The Bone Witch is straightforward and easy to understand. As the title suggests, the story centers around witches—though there are some shifters too—all of whom fall under the jurisdiction of The Order, an organization that enforces rules and regulations for practitioners. That is, unless someone commits an offense so serious it gets them exiled or renounced from the community.

Our main heroine, Lennox, inherits the role of Osteomancer (Bone Witch) after her grandmother passes away. However, Lennox never expected to inherit either the bones or the powers that come with the job. The reader follows Lennox as she learns the ropes of being an Osteomancer and navigates the witch community. On top of all that, Lennox finds herself tethered to a Blood Witch named Rogan, who believes she is his only hope of finding his missing brother.

One refreshing aspect of this book is that Lennox is about 30 years old, which is a nice change of pace from the typical young characters (usually 24 and under) I often come across in novels. Lennox is an interesting mix of wisdom and immaturity. At times, she channels her inner sage, but other times, she acts like a child. Normally, I would find this behavior annoying, but Lennox’s sense of humor made it more tolerable. Yes, she makes plenty of pop culture references and childish remarks, but it seems like a coping mechanism for how drastically her life has changed. I’m hopeful that her character will grow in future books. Because Lennox never took life seriously, no one—including herself—expected her to become the next Osteomancer. Yet over the course of the book, she really steps up and grows into the role.

Then there’s the love interest, Rogan, the Blood Witch. Their initial meeting is pretty messed up, and both Lennox and Rogan are aware of that. I’m not sure what to make of him. As I read, I found myself starting to like him whenever I forgot his early behavior, but just as I began to warm up to him, he’d pull another a-hole move—especially at the end. I guess I’ll have to read the next book to get a better sense of his character.

Despite the few cons I mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Witch. It’s a relatively short book, making it a quick and fun read. If you’re a fan of Urban Fantasy, I highly recommend checking it out.