For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn

Title: For Whom the Belle Tolls

Author: Jaysea Lynn

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Series: Helle's Belles # 1

Publication: January 28, 2025, 640 pages

Source: Libby.

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They told her to go to Hell.

She went, but on her own terms. Lily isn’t exactly thrilled with her arrival in the Afterlife, but what awaits her there is more fantastical than she ever could have Deities wait in line at the coffee shop. Fae flit between realms. Souls find ways to make death a beginning.

As she explores the many corners of the Afterlife, Lily finds herself surprisingly drawn to a place most people would avoid at all Hell. Armed with years of customer service experience and pent-up sarcasm, Lily carves a job out for herself amongst Hell’s demons, sending souls to their rightful circles with more than a hint of sass.

Lily’s expectations are subverted every day in Hell—especially by Bel, a demon general with a distractingly sexy voice. The two meet by chance and form an immediate, deeply healing friendship, but the undeniable heat between them threatens to combust.

Meanwhile, something stirs beyond the boundaries of their world, threatening to destroy everything they’ve known and everything that could be…unless they fight like Hell to stop it.

MY THOUGHTS

I've been seeing For Whom the Belle Tolls everywhere. Everywhere. After reading the synopsis, I thought it sounded right up my alley and was excited to see what the hype was about. A girl navigating the afterlife and ending up in Hell? I was intrigued. The concept and story started off decently. I was momentarily enjoying the worldbuilding and characters, but it quickly went downhill.

The concept of the afterlife, while not new, had some fresh elements in Lynn’s version. I initially liked the author’s take on Hell, Heaven, and Paradise (which functioned like Limbo, where souls choose whether to reincarnate). I also appreciated how vividly I could picture Hell and its inhabitants. Readers are introduced to a parade of famous deities: Persephone, Lucifer, Aphrodite, Lilith, Thanatos... even God himself as they traversed the Universal Area (a kind of shared realm). Everyone was there. Unfortunately, that about sums up all the things I liked.

The worldbuilding and characters, at first glance sounded interesting but quickly revealed themselves to be built on a flimsy foundation and was poorly executed. Let’s start with the worldbuilding. While the author explained things well enough for me to visualize them, it felt like a cheap TV set: a living room backdrop built on a flat stage with no real house behind it. Everything was told to the reader rather than shown. Hell wasn’t nearly as unique as I hope, it felt like a dull reflection of corporate America, complete with hierarchies and office titles. They literally worked in an office. Higher-ups at the top, grunts at the bottom. Lily worked at the hellp desk, went to coffee shops, bars, and just hung out at home. It all just mirrored the mortal world in a way that felt unimaginative and uninspired.

The characters were painfully one-dimensional. Everyone was perfect, flawless appearances, always made the right choices and had the right words. That’s not how people are, in this world or any other. If I had to describe them in one word, it’d be “robots.” They felt disingenuous and fake, as if tailor-made for their roles without any real personality. Lily was one of the most boring protagonists I’ve ever read. She shows up in Hell, and everyone automatically falls in love with her, everything is handed to her with no questions or fuss. She’s apparently the smartest, most beautiful, most perfect person to ever show up there. Every word out of her mouth sounded like something from a self-help book. The male love interest was written in the same way: no flaws, no depth, no nuance. Just... nothing. 

This book was also poorly marketed. It was pitched as a romantic fantasy, but it’s really a cozy fantasy. And at nearly 700 pages, it dragged. If I had known there was basically no plot, I wouldn’t have forced myself through endless chapters of characters going to work, cooking, hanging out at bars, grabbing coffee, or sitting in the library. There’s mention of a world-invading threat, but we never see it. We only hear about it. And when the “war” finally happens around the 70% mark, it’s glossed over. We’re told people return home injured... that’s it. Why even mention it if it has zero impact on the story?

Despite all that, the worst offense for me was how obvious it was that the author inserted herself as the main character. If you follow the author, you’ll know what I mean. The book deals with themes like religious and childhood trauma, but instead of feeling like a natural part of the story, it felt like a personal therapeutic writing exercise that got published. Like I said, everything Lily says sounded like it came straight from a motivational book; it was too polished, too perfect and every couple of paragraphs she randomly dropped curse words, which just felt jarring. Not cute or funny. I’m honestly baffled by all the glowing reviews. But hey, to each their own. I don’t recommend it but if you’re still curious, borrow it from a library.

And just to show how little thought went into some parts of this book: at the end, Bel calls Lily “Hell’s Belle” and awkwardly laughs, saying he had to look up the word "belle" before meeting her. This man is supposedly a prince, a general, and has been alive for over a century...and yet he didn’t know what the word "belle: meant? I scoffed and rolled my eyes so hard I nearly gave myself whiplash.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Title: Six Crimson Cranes

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Six Crimson Cranes # 1

Publication: July 6, 2021, 454 pages

Source: Personal Library.

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A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse...

Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear--no matter what the cost.

MY THOUGHTS

I just finished reading Elizabeth Lim’s latest novel, A Forgery of Fate, and was so impressed that I immediately went back to explore more of her work. Six Crimson Cranes, a duology set in the same world, felt like the perfect place to start.

Lim masterfully weaves elements from various fairy tales, Cinderella being the most prominent in this story from what I noticed, which I’m starting to realize is a signature of hers. Our main protagonist, Princess Shiori, and her brothers are banished by her stepmother. Cursed into silence, Shiori sets off on a journey to find her six brothers and break the spell.

It took me a little longer to warm up to Six Crimson Cranes, but the writing and worldbuilding were just as strong as in A Forgery of Fate. While I usually enjoy multiple subplots, the curse, the romance, and the looming threat to Kiata didn’t blend smoothly for me. Just as I’d start to get invested in one storyline, the focus would shift, which occasionally disrupted my engagement. Personally, I might have preferred a more streamlined narrative but I understand why Lim chose to give Shiori a voiceless curse, as it plays a key role in her character development.

I generally liked the characters, but with such a large cast, none of them truly stood out. I didn’t feel much connection to the brothers, Raikama, Sheryu, or even Kiki. While I enjoyed the first half of the book, my interest started to wane around the midpoint. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic and left me unsure whether I want to continue the series or read the Raikama spin-off.

Overall, Six Crimson Cranes was a decent, very quick read, but I won’t be rushing to pick up the sequel.

Labyrinth's Heart by M.A. Carrick

Title: Labyrinth's Heart

Author: M.A. Carrick

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Rook and Rose # 3

Publication: August 15, 2023, 688 pages

Source: Personal Library

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May you see the face and not the mask.

Ren came to Nadežra with a plan. She would pose as the long-lost daughter of the noble house Traementis. She would secure a fortune for herself and her sister. And she would vanish without a backward glance. She ought to have known that in the city of dreams, nothing is ever so simple.

Now, she is Ren, con-artist and thief. But she is also Renata, the celebrated Traementis heir. She is Arenza, the mysterious pattern-reader and political rebel. And she is the Black Rose, a vigilante who fights alongside the legendary Rook.

Even with the help of Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, it is too many masks for one person to wear. And as the dark magic the three of them helped unleash builds to storm that could tear the very fabric of the city apart, it's only a matter of time before one of the masks slips—and everything comes crashing down around them.

MY THOUGHTS

Labyrinth’s Heart is the third and final novel in the Rook and Rose series. Ren, Vargo, Grey, and many others have come a long way since the first book. While it was incredible to witness their transformation over the course of the trilogy, this final installment brings the simmering tensions between the upper and lower banks, the Vraszenians, Liganti, and Nadezrians to a head.

This book was everything I could hope for—and so much more. I loved every single moment. As I’ve mentioned before, the city’s tension escalates as people draw lines in the sand. New alliances form, old ones fracture, and friends become foes. But at its core, this story is about relationships; both new and long-standing. I was in awe of how the authors wrapped everything up, answering questions we've had since the beginning while still delivering plenty of twists and surprises. They had my jaw dropping and gasping at all the revelations. It was spectacular. 

Reading this book was truly bittersweet. It stirred so many emotions; I laughed, I gasped, I cried, mostly from joy at seeing how everything unfolded. It was the perfect ending to an incredible series. Even though I read and finished the trilogy in just a few months, it feels like I’ve known these characters my whole life. I can confidently say this is one of the best series I’ve ever read. I already want to start a re-read! 

If you love a complex and multifaceted world, magic system and characters with a touch of history, tarot and astrology then look no further than the Rook and Rose series. This series has all the making of a phenomenal fantasy; one you need to add on your TBR A.S.A.P!

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

Title: A Forgery of Fate

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Genre: Fantasy

Series: N/A

Publication: June 3, 2024, 483 pages

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

MY THOUGHTS

If you’ve ever read my reviews, you know I’m always on the lookout for an amazing and memorable Asian Fantasy. While the market is overflowing with them, I hadn’t truly found one that stuck with me...until I read A Forgery of Fate. What first piqued my interest was discovering that it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, one of my all-time favorites.

Within the first few chapters, I knew I was reading something special. Truyan Saigas, our heroine, makes her living as a painter by forging artwork from famous artists. With her father missing and her mother battling a gambling addiction, Tru does whatever it takes to provide for herself and her two younger sisters. Just when things start to look up, the local gang comes calling to collect her mother’s debts. With little time to repay them, Tru strikes a desperate deal with the Demon (Dragon) Prince: pretend to be his wife for a month and help him overthrow his grandfather. In return, Tru and her family will receive unimaginable wealth and protection until their mission is complete.

Tru is a fantastic heroine; brave, loyal, kind, and full of heart. She’s not only the kind of character you root for, but one you can truly relate to. The Dragon Prince, Elang, is a standout male lead. He initially gives off that brooding, insufferable charm we all know and love; one moment he’s driving you mad, the next he’s making you swoon. The slow-burn chemistry between Tru and the Prince is delicious, full of tension that will give you butterflies. It gave me Pride and Prejudice vibes in the best way.

The worldbuilding is easy to follow yet refreshingly unique. I especially loved that the dragon realm is set underwater. The Beauty and the Beast elements were beautifully woven in, with familiar moments acting like Easter eggs for fans of the classic tale. At the same time, the author added her own unique spin, making it feel both nostalgic and entirely new. It was a breath of fresh air. I've read many Beauty and the Beast retellings over the year, and this is by far the best one I've ever read. Whether intentional or not, the underwater kingdom and cursed aspect also gave me The Little Mermaid vibes, another favorite of mine!

Every year, there’s one book that completely surprises me—a hidden gem that exceeds all my expectations. A Forgery of Fate is that book for me this year. It’s everything I didn’t know I wanted, and I adored every moment. This was my first book by Elizabeth Lim, and it definitely won’t be my last. Her writing is magical, flowing effortlessly and pulling me deep into the story. It made me feel—which, to me, is hallmark of a truly great book.

I highly recommend A Forgery of Fate. This is one you don’t want to miss!

Cover Reveal: Fated to the Frost King by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison

A brutal Frost King. A bastard fae bride. A bond neither of them wanted.

                                             Cover Design by @coversbychristian

Book 1, in Frostbound Court Series

Out wherever books are sold, June 26, 2025!

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Everly Elarion never asked to be chosen. A bastard with a dangerous lineage, she’s spent her life surviving in the shadows of powerful men. Now she’s being forced to marry one.

Draven Ashwynter, the Frostgrave King, rules the Winter Court with an iron will and a heart carved from ice. Just when the kingdom teeters on the edge of ruin, the Court’s Visionary comes forth with a solution: the king’s fated mate has been found.

He’s meant to receive a match to his power. An equal. Instead, he gets Everly—illegitimate, defiant, and the last woman who would ever kneel to a king.

She doesn’t trust him. He doesn’t want her. But fate never asked their permission.

As enemies close in and old magics stir beneath the ice, their cold alliance begins to thaw into something far more dangerous than desire. Because in a court ruled by frost and blood, love isn’t just a weakness.

It’s a weapon.

And when war comes for the court, it may not be the kingdom that shatters first.

Fated to the Frost King is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy, perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas.

Tropes waiting to ruin your life:

❄️ enemies at the altar

💔 slow-burn tension (all the yearning)

🔥 only one bed (you knew it was coming)

🔪 touch her and unalive

🖤 sarcastic heroine vs. cold-hearted king

🌙 fate, secrets, and forbidden power

If you like your romantasy sharp, slow-burning, and soaked in winter magic, FATED TO THE FROST KING is for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Elle and Robin are award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Authors of over twenty works in the Fantasy Romance genre. They are known for writing realistic, complex characters, witty banter, and epically gut-wrenching romances, topped off with eventual happily ever afters. Their books are also filled to the brim with slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamics, feisty heroines, and the only-one-bed trope – which is, in their humble opinions, the best trope of them all.

Connect with Robin and Elle!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mahleandmadison/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mahleandmadison

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2095591903798074

Website - Home - Mahle and Madison

A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton

Title: A Kiss of Shadows

Author: Laurell K. Hamilton

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Merry Gentry # 1

Publication: September 30, 2000, 480 pages

Source: Personal Library, Audiobook

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My name is Meredith 'Merry' Gentry, but of course it's not my real name. I dare not even whisper my true name after dark for fear that one hushed word will travel over the night winds to the soft ear of my aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness. She wants me dead. I don't even know why...

I fled the high court of Faerie three years ago and have been in hiding ever since. As Merry Gentry, I am a private investigator for the Grey Detective Agency: Supernatural Problems, Magical Solutions. My magical skills, scorned at the courts of Faerie, are valued in the human world. Even by human standards, my magic isn't flashy, which is fine by me. Flashy attracts attention and I can't afford that.

Rumour has it that I am dead. Not quite. I am Princess Meredith NicEssus. To speak that name after dark is to call down a knock upon your door from a hand that can kill you with a touch. I have been careful, but not careful enough. The shadows have found me, and they are going to take me back home, one way or another.

So the running is over. But the fighting has just begun...

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve never read a Laurell K. Hamilton novel before, but she’s known for two popular and well-loved series, so I decided to check out her Merry Gentry books, starting with A Kiss of Shadows. The synopsis intrigued me: a faerie princess in hiding, living in Los Angeles as a private investigator at a law firm? That sounded promising. Unfortunately, the book went downhill fast and never recovered.

If you’ve read Urban Fantasy, especially from the early 2000s when this book was published, you’re probably familiar with the genre’s typical format: a central plot (usually a mystery), a personal or romantic subplot, and an overarching storyline that spans the series. A Kiss of Shadows doesn’t follow that structure at all. In the very first chapter, we meet Merry as a PI and a princess in hiding. You’d think the story would revolve around keeping her identity secret while solving a case but nope. Within a couple of chapters, her identity is revealed, and the case she was working on is quickly dropped and never mentioned again.

Once her identity is exposed, Merry is swept back into the Faerie Court and plunged into political intrigue. Naturally, not everyone is thrilled by her return, and predictably, assassination attempts follow. She’s constantly surrounded by a cadre of supposedly elite warriors who are all eager to protect her... and, of course, sleep with her.

I didn’t enjoy Merry as a character. Everything came too easily for her. She fled the court and wanted nothing to do with it, but suddenly she’s more powerful than the queen, named heir to the throne, and every man she encounters is instantly obsessed with her? Come on. Even more frustrating was the repeated reminder that she’s descended from five fertility gods, making her irresistible to every single male. Yet these so-called strong warriors all behave like lovesick teenagers whenever she’s around. It got old fast.

For a book that was absurdly long, A Kiss of Shadows had no real plot and very little actually happened. The story essentially follows Merry as she’s pursued by a parade of men from Los Angeles to the Faerie Court and back again, all of them waiting for their turn in her bed. The characters were flat and two-dimensional, the plot was nonexistent, and there wasn’t even a single memorable scene.

I don’t recommend this book; there are far better faerie novels out there.

For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison

Title: For a Few Demons More

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Hollows # 5

Publication: March 20, 2007, 456 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

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Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has stayed ahead of trouble until now. A serial killer stalks the Hollows, claims victims across society, and ignites a vicious Inderland gang war. Rachel hides an ancient artifact that could stop the killer or start a battle to the death among supernatural races of Cincinnati. Every action has its price. When the vampire master Piscary is set free and the demonic Algaliarept dares to walk openly under the sun, even Rachel Morgan can't hide forever.

MY THOUGHTS

For the love of all that is holy, can we please stop with the Rachel and Ivy storyline? It's extremely toxic. It’s not interesting and adds nothing to the overall plot except to frustrate the reader. The beginning of For a Few Demons More is bogged down by Ivy-related drama, which unfortunately overshadows what should be one of the main storylines; a murder investigation. It wasn’t until the final 20% of the book that things finally picked up and got interesting. But getting there was a drag.

I own most of the books in the series and feel somewhat obligated to read them, but with each new installment, my tolerance for the characters continues to dwindle. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, the only characters I’m remotely interested in are David and Trent, maybe Quen and Ceri now. Everyone else, Rachel included, has been disappointing. We’re five books in, and Rachel’s character development has stagnated or worse, regressed.

In this latest installment, we see that most people fear Rachel, assuming she works with demons (which, to be fair, she kind of does), and therefore believe she’s a powerful witch. Yet when it actually counts, like when Kisten was being attacked by vampires, Rachel failed to act in any meaningful way. Once again, she survives not through cleverness or growth but thanks to the help of others or sheer dumb luck. I don’t like Ivy, and when a supposedly climactic scene involving her came around, I didn’t feel anything. The prospect of losing her wasn’t upsetting and unfortunately, she’s still around.

I genuinely hope the next books improve, especially now that certain characters are (hopefully) out of the picture. I also hope Harrison removes Al from the narrative. I thought he was gone, yet here he is again. If there’s an endgame involving him, it’s not apparent. He adds nothing of value to the story. If you removed him entirely, the plot wouldn’t change...which says a lot.

At this point, my reviews of The Hollows series are starting to sound like a broken record. Nothing has improved, and the characters remain a hot mess. Rachel is always whining and crying. I started this series hoping for a mature urban fantasy. So far, it’s just not delivering.

Magician: Master by Raymond E. Feist

Title: Magician: Apprentice

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Riftwar Saga # 2

Publication: November 1, 1982 499 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

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He held the fate of two worlds in his hands...

Once he was an orphan called Pug, apprenticed to a sorcerer of the enchanted land of Midkemia.. Then he was captured and enslaved by the Tsurani, a strange, warlike race of invaders from another world.

There, in the exotic Empire of Kelewan, he earned a new name--Milamber. He learned to tame the unimagined powers that lay within

MY THOUGHTS

Magician: Master is the second half of the first book in the series and continues the story of Pug and Tomas. In the previous volume, Pug was captured by the enemy while his friends in Midkemia dealt with an ongoing war against the Tsurani, alien invaders from across the rift. This installment gives readers a deeper understanding of the Tsurani people, their governmental system, and, most importantly, their reasons for coming to Midkemia.

The story spans ten years. When we first met Pug and Tomas, they were barely teenagers. By the end of this volume, they’ve become young men leading vastly different lives, each propelled toward unimaginable power. Tomas is imbued with the abilities of an ancient suit of armor once worn by a Valheru, a Dragon Lord. And Pug—unsurprisingly, given the title; joins a brotherhood of magicians and becomes one of the most powerful magic users in both worlds.

The writing remains dense, much like the first volume. However, since the characters, plot, and world-building are already well established, there's less exposition to digest. While the war continues in the background, the focus shifts more toward character development. Side characters like Arutha, Martin, Amos, and Laurie receive more attention, and I found myself just as invested in their arcs as I was in those of Pug (now Milamber) and Tomas.

All in all, Volume II is a solid continuation. There were moments when the pacing dragged and made it hard to stay engaged, but the standout scenes more than made up for those lulls. I plan to continue the series, though I won’t be in a rush to pick up the next book.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

Title: The Jasad Heir

Author: Sara Hashem

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Scorched Throne # 1

Publication: July 18, 2023, 523 pages

Source: Personal Library

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Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic was outlawed. Its royal family murdered. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe. The Heir of Jasad escaped the massacre, and she intends to stay hidden, especially from the armies of Nizahl that continue to hunt her people.

But a moment of anger changes everything. When Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, Sylvia accidentally reveals her magic—and captures his attention. Now Sylvia’s forced to make a deal with her greatest enemy: Help him hunt the rebels in exchange for her life.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity, even as hatred shifts into something more between the Heirs. And as the tides change around her, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she abandoned.

The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

MY THOUGHTS

I've had The Jasad Heir on my TBR since its release but hadn't gotten around to it due to the mixed reviews. I'm so glad I finally gave it a chance; it exceeded all my expectations!

The Jasad Heir is an Egyptian-inspired Romantasy that breathes new life into some of our favorite tropes. That said, I wouldn't categorize it strictly as "Romantasy", a term I'm honestly not fond of. This book is so much more than that. It's a perfect blend of action, suspense, romance, rich cultural depth, an engaging plot, and, most importantly, complex and compelling characters. The story is very character-driven, which is exactly what I love.

I was astonished to learn that this is Hashem's debut novel. The writing feels like the work of a seasoned author. The attention to detail, the depth of research, and the immersive world-building are top-notch. It’s clear how much heart and hard work went into crafting this story. I was hooked from the very first chapter.

I absolutely loved the characters, especially the contrast between Sylvia and Arin. Both are stubborn, strong-willed, and in control, but while Sylvia embodies controlled chaos, Arin exudes disciplined restraint. I truly appreciated the slow-burn tension between them. It felt subtle and organic, unlike many recent Romantasies that tend to overemphasize the romantic tension to the point of being forced.

What stood out most to me was the world-building. Readers get glimpses of the four main kingdoms, their rulers, citizens, and daily lives, it was fascinating. The trial arc, though brief and occurring later in the book (around the 70% mark), was well-executed and kept me engaged. I've read plenty of trial and competition-centered stories, and I can confidently say the trials here were above par—concise, well-paced, and genuinely interesting, without dragging down the story.

If you haven’t read The Jasad Heir yet, I highly recommend it. With the final book in the duology just around the corner, there’s no better time to dive in!

Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist

Title: Magician: Apprentice

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Riftwar Saga # 1

Publication: October 1, 1982 485 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

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To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry.

Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.

MY THOUGHTS

Feist is a well-known author who has been publishing fantasy books for decades. After learning that a book company was creating special editions of The Riftwar Saga, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to finally dive into his work.

I was immediately enthralled as I was introduced to the world of Midkemia, a young orphan named Pug, and his best friend Tomas. The story begins in the Kingdom of Crydee, where the two boys live. They’re at the age where they must be chosen as apprentices for one of the available roles in the kingdom. Tomas joins the Duke's military, while Pug becomes the apprentice of the magician Kulgan, beginning his journey into the world of magic and spells.

But their daily lives are upended when alien invaders threaten their kingdom, and others, sending them on a journey across Midkemia in search of aid and alliances. Volume I spans about three years, following the boys as they grow into young men, thrust into war and the unknown.

I thought the worldbuilding was unique, though at times a bit overwhelming with the number of key players and factions to keep track of. On top of that, we meet elves, dwarves, aliens, the Brotherhood (who are closely tied to the elves), dragons, and other beasties. It was just… a lot.

I think the author did a good job developing Pug and Tomas, but many of the other characters felt underdeveloped. The adults, in particular, were stereotypical in their roles, very cookie-cutter. If you replaced one with another (say, swapped out Kulgan for a different magician), you probably wouldn’t notice much difference.

Many readers compare this series or Feist's work in general, to Tolkien’s. While I haven’t read Tolkien myself, I imagine Magician must feel a bit like The Lord of the Rings. The descriptions are often overly detailed, and some scenes drag on, becoming monotonous.

I understand this first book, Volume I is just one half of a larger story (split into two books in the U.S.), but overall, it was decent. There were some solid, enjoyable moments. I’m still looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story unfolds.

Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Title: Twin Crowns

Author: Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Twin Crowns # 1

Publication: May 17, 2022 480 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

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Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister's place in the palace. Trained from birth to return to the place of her parents' murder and usurp the only survivor, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Or she would, if only a certain palace guard wasn't quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic didn't have a habit of causing trouble...

Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.

Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other's lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?

MY THOUGHTS

Twin Crowns has been on my TBR for years. After a string of mediocre reads, I felt a book slump coming on and needed something quick and easy to pull me out of it. Twin Crowns absolutely delivered.

I went into it with little knowledge of the story and no real expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

As the title and cover suggest, Twin Crowns centers on twin sisters separated at birth: one raised as royalty, the other in a small village community. Without giving away too much, the book alternates between the perspectives of the two sisters, Wren and Rose. I immediately connected with Wren, while it took me at least half the book to warm up to Rose. Naturally, I found myself more engaged in Wren’s chapters, especially her budding relationship with Rose’s betrothed’s bodyguard. I do love a good bodyguard trope.

The girls’ voices were distinct, making it easy to differentiate between them and imagine their separate journeys. While I preferred Wren and Tor’s dynamic over Rose and Shen’s, I still enjoyed watching both relationships develop.

The overall plot isn’t groundbreaking, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. Twin Crowns has the charm and heart of a YA fantasy from 10–15 years ago. It’s hard to describe exactly, but it has that nostalgic feel, simple, light, and immersive. So many YA books today feel like they’re written for an older audience, desperately trying to cram in every trending trope. It can feel overwhelming and forced.

But Twin Crowns was refreshing. It was exactly what I needed: fun, engaging, and unexpectedly delightful. I found myself hanging on to every page and smiling until the very end. I can’t wait to continue the series. If you haven’t read Twin Crowns yet, I highly recommend giving it a try.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao

Title: The Scorpion and the Night Blossom 

Author: Amélie Wen Zhao

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Three Realms duology # 1

Publication: March 4, 2025 400 pages

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.

Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.

Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, Àn’yīng finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng.

The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, Àn’yīng will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for or if he’s the most dangerous player of all . . . for herself and for all the realms.

MY THOUGHTS

Lately, there have been many Eastern Asian fantasy novels, and I’m still on the lookout for a good one. The synopsis for The Scorpion and the Night Blossom sounded intriguing; demons and a magical trial held by the gods? That was right up my alley! I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing and so bad.

The world-building was confusing. The author drops the reader into the story, expecting them to already understand what’s going on. There are different realms and a magic system that is barely explained, if at all. The mortal realm is infested with nightmarish creatures, but their descriptions were vague, leaving me unsure of what they actually looked like. Àn’yīng, our main heroine, wields multiple magical blades, each with a different name and purpose, but again, none of it is properly explained. As the first book in a new series, it desperately needed a clearer foundation and setup.

The writing was okay, but the pacing suffered due to long, dense paragraphs that detailed every little thing, making the story drag. There was barely any dialogue, and the narration relied heavily on telling rather than showing. This made it difficult to stay engaged or connect with the characters. One of the biggest aspects of the novel was the trials, but they were so dull and uninspired that they never felt high-stakes or life-threatening.

Àn’yīng, our main character, was beyond insufferable. I had hoped that as the book progressed, she would grow on me but no, she never did. She is one of the most immature and annoying protagonists I’ve ever read. From the start, readers are told how strong Àn’yīng is, yet we never actually see it. Throughout the entire novel, she constantly needed saving—by Yù’chén, Hao Yang, his mother, and even the other contestants. She also harbors major prejudices against halflings until it’s convenient for her to forget them. For example, when she discovers that Yù’chén is a halfling, she tells him to stay away from her, refusing his help because he disgusts her. And what does she do right after? She befriends and hangs out with a group of halflings. She made disgusting remarks about Yù’chén to his face yet constantly lusts after him. She strings him along, pushes him away, then demands his help whenever she needs it; only to get mad when he uses his demon powers or bends the rules for her. She’s completely delusional, convinced that she’s been saving Yù’chén’s life and that he owed her. But when did she ever save him? Never. And somehow, he’s the one accused of stringing her along? I honestly felt bad for the guy. I have no idea why he likes her when her personality is awful. And don’t even get me started on Yù’chén’s nickname for Àn’yīng, Scorpion, it was not cute at all. I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes.

I sadly did not enjoy any part of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. The plot was weak, the world-building was lackluster, and most of the characters were flat. The most important thing to me in any novel is the protagonist, and Àn’yīng was truly a revolting person. I don’t recommend this book, but if you’re still curious, I’d suggest borrowing it from the library.