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
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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!

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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!

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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
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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
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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
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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.

The Heart of the World by Amie Kaufman

Title: The Heart of the World

Author: Amie Kaufman

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Isles of the Gods # 2

Hardcover, 432 pages 

Publication: September 17, 2024

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
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When Selly and Leander began their treacherous voyage to the Isles of the Gods, the captain’s daughter and the playboy prince were strangers. But amid talk of war and a deadly attack on their ship, the unthinkable happened.

They fell in love.

Leander’s ritual at the island temple was meant to prevent a war between the gods. Instead, it nearly cost him his life, and drew the goddess Barrica back from exile. Now, as her Messenger, Leander is imbued with her deadly magic, and only Selly’s presence can stop it from consuming him.

But Barrica wasn’t the only immortal roused from sleep. The God of Risk, Macean, was awakened by an enemy all thought dead, and across the sea he’s calling for war.

The fight to save their world will take Selly and Leander from the gilded ballroom of the royal palace to the hallowed halls of an ancient library. Battle lines will be drawn, and bonds will break.

With the wrath of gods and the machinations of power-hungry rulers straining their loyalties, can their love withstand the trials that await them?

MY THOUGHTS

The Heart of the World was a satisfying conclusion to the Isles of the Gods series. Picking up exactly where Isles of the Gods left off, the sequel begins with Prince Leander, Selly, and Keegan returning to Alinor from the Isles of the Mother, greeted by cheering citizens upon their arrival. Unlike the first book, which focused on foreign lands and high-seas adventure, this installment thrusts readers into a new setting: political intrigue.

While the stakes in The Heart of the World remain high with the looming threat of war, the tone of this book feels distinct from its predecessor. In the first book, tension came from direct conflict, as the trio navigated dangerous waters while being pursued by Laskia and her crew. In the sequel, the tension is more subtle, as Selly, Keegan, and Jude work behind the scenes to research and find a way to prevent war. I appreciated this shift in focus, as it offered a refreshing contrast between the two books. I also enjoyed seeing the interaction between the two kingdoms and their gods and seeing them discover that the gods weren't quite as how they imagined.

As in the previous book, The Heart of the World is narrated by the five main characters, but we also get a brief point of view from Keegan's fiancée, Kiki, whom I absolutely adored. She fit in so well with the group, and her friendship with Selly was particularly sweet. I also loved seeing more of Jude’s perspective—his story was sad and heartbreaking, but I was glad to see him get the happy ending he deserved. Selly’s character growth throughout the duology was the most compelling to me; her transformation felt the most complete and rewarding.

However, I did feel that the two Messengers’ points of view didn’t develop much in this book, and their arcs suffered from stagnation. The resolution for their storylines felt abrupt and somewhat anticlimactic, which was a bit of a letdown after the buildup from the previous book.

Overall, while I preferred the first book, The Heart of the World was still an enjoyable read, and I’m happy with how the series ended. If you haven’t read this duology yet, I highly recommend it!

The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman

Title: Isles of the Gods

Author: Amie Kaufman

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Isles of the Gods #1

Paperback, 464 pages 

Publication: May 2, 2023

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
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When Selly's father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter on land while he sails to adventure in the north seas. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician's marks on his arm boards her ship, presenting her and the crew with a dangerous mission: to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. What starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and stirring two dangerous gods from centuries of slumber...

MY THOUGHTS

Isle of the Gods by Amie Kaufman is an engaging, fast-paced Young Adult fantasy that skillfully weaves together a story of magic, sleeping gods, and high-seas adventure. It's been over 500 years since the gods last walked the earth. While they may be asleep, Alinor's god, Barrica the Warrior, remains visually present for the kingdom through its prosperity. In contrast, Mellacea’s god, Macean the Gambler, lies dormant, mirroring the kingdom's struggle to keep faith amidst hard times.

Every year, the Kingdom of Alinor sends a representative to make a sacrifice to Barrica to ensure continued blessings. This year, however, was different. The Queen has chosen her brother, Prince Leander, to perform the task, but he has delayed the task until now. With tension brewing between Alinor and Mellacea, Leander embarks on a stealthy mission to the sacred Isles of the Gods, hiding his identity to avoid those who wish him harm. But when things quickly go awry, the prince, along with a magician seafarer, and historian, find themselves racing against time to reach the isles.

I was hooked from the start! Kaufman wasted no time throwing readers into the heart of the action. We met the three main protagonists early on as they board the Lizabetta and swiftly set sail for the Isles of the Gods. However, forces were already conspiring to prevent the prince from completing his mission, and the ship was attacked before the journey truly began.

The tension between Alinor and Mellacea was skillfully portrayed through five different points of view, which help readers understand both sides of the conflict. The alternating perspectives of Selly, the magician seafarer; Prince Leander; Historian Keegan; Jude, the errand boy of a crime boss; and Laskia, the crime boss’s sister, offered a well-rounded view of the unfolding events.

I’m usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but I actually enjoyed all of these characters. Each one was well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations. They felt real, flawed, and deeply human—even Laskia, who, while despicable, had understandable reasons for her actions.

The magic system in this world was intriguing. Magicians could connect with any of the five elements, but to do so, they must offer a token or sacrifice of personal value. This exchange adds a unique layer of depth to the magic. Another fascinating aspect was the gods’ ability to create Messengers—individuals chosen to channel a god or goddess’s powers. This divine connection adds a rich element to the story.

Overall, Isle of the Gods is a captivating read, packed with thrilling moments, well-developed characters, and an inventive take on gods and magic. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment, The Heart of the World, and see where Kaufman takes these characters next!