Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs

Title: Fire Touched

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson # 9

320 Pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 8, 2016

Source: Personal Library

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Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.

Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?

MY THOUGHTS

The last Mercy book that went in-depth on the Fae was the third installment, Iron Kissed. But the Fae take center stage once again in the ninth installment, Fire Touched, when Zee is broken out of Underhill along with a human child touched by the Fae who is seeking sanctuary with Mercy and Adam from the Gray Lords.

I'm surprised to say this, but I think Fire Touched is my favorite Mercy novel in the series so far and I'm only a little more than halfway through. I loved seeing many of the key players again. We have Zee, Tad, and the entire pack, but we're also introduced to new characters such as the other Gray Lords, Baba Yaga, and Aiden, the human child.

To be frank, this far into the series, I was afraid the story would start to feel repetitive or monotonous, but that wasn't the case at all. I love that I can still enjoy the series and continue to be surprised by it. The last time I read a Mercy book, her relationship with the pack was still rocky, and in Fire Touched we still see some of that strain while also watching those relationships slowly improve.

It was cool to see Adam's pack making unprecedented changes that could affect all packs across the U.S., although I'm sure that will bring even more trouble in future books. The Fae politics were also interesting. Many of the Fae were hoping to go to war with the humans, indirectly through Adam and Mercy, so we got to see how that all played out and how it affected the Marrok.

Another thing I appreciate about this book and the series overall is seeing the evolution of Mercy and Adam's relationship. Most of the time, especially in newer books, we don't get to see the "after" in happily ever after once the lead couple finally gets together. Stories usually end too early. And even when we do get to see it, it's often poorly done, treated as unimportant, or pushed to the back burner.

That's not the case here, though. Seeing their relationship continue to grow and strengthen is so refreshing. I love how honest and open their communication is. They're mature, supportive, and always have each other's backs. It's just wonderful to see in fantasy books.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and I hope this is the last time we see Christy because she is nothing but bad juju and drama.

The Lesser Devil by Christoper Ruocchio

Title: The Lesser Devil
Author: Christoper Ruocchio

Genre: Scifi Fantasy

Series: The Sun Eater #1.5

Publication: February 1, 2020, 85 pages

Source: Libby 

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Crispin Marlowe grew up in his brother’s shadow, but Hadrian is gone, and his grandmother—the duchess of Delos—is dying. Answering her summons, Crispin takes off on what should be a routine flight to the ducal palace from the castle at Devil’s Rest. But he is flying into a trap. There are whispers of treachery among the duchess’s many daughters, rumors of hidden knives in the planet’s court . . . if he can even make it there. With no one coming to save him and only his sister, Sabine, and a few injured guardsmen to protect him, House Marlowe’s least famous son must make his heroic stand, and contend not only the foes arrayed against his house, but with the cultists who dwell in the mountains above his family’s ancestral home . . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I'm further along in the Sun Eater universe, but I've been wanting to return to this novella focused on Hadrian's younger brother, Crispin. It's been a while, and I sometimes forget that Hadrian has siblings. It was nice to get a glimpse into another part of Hadrian's family and see what was happening while he was out there fighting for his life and the Empire.

I'm glad I read this novella because I wouldn't have known how much Crispin cared about what Hadrian thought of him or that he actually looked up to his older brother. It was kind of sad to see how deeply he craved a familial relationship.

After an assassination attempt on him and his sister, we see Crispin step up not only to defend them both but also to protect a group of villagers who came to their aid after their crash. I enjoyed seeing this side of Crispin, especially since Hadrian's POV often made him seem like a spoiled, lazy prince. The author explored religion a bit, which I thought was interesting.

It was a nice and quick read, and a great addition to the Sun Eater series.

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

Title: The Prison Healer
Author: Lynette Noni

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: The Prison Healer # 1

Publication: April 13, 2021, 416 pages

Source: Personal Library 

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Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years fighting for survival in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, working as the prison healer.

When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.

Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives, containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.” Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.

But no one has ever survived.

With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva’s heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can’t escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.

MY THOUGHTS

I had The Prison Healer trilogy on my shelf for almost five years. I've been meaning to get to it for ages. Anytime I see people asking for book recommendations, this series is always mentioned. I finally made it a priority to read it.

Readers are immediately dropped into the story and introduced to our protagonist, Kiva, who works as a healer in Zalindov Prison. We witness the corruption and abuse within its walls and learn that Kiva has been there since she was eight years old, working alongside her father, the prison's former healer, before eventually inheriting the role herself. Prison life becomes more interesting when the Rebel Queen is brought to Zalindov and an elemental trial is held in honor of her capture. With a threat hanging over her head, Kiva volunteers to take the Queen's place.

First off, I thought it was strange to have a prison where children and adults reside together. And despite being her father's protégé, it wasn't believable that the adults, especially the prison warden, would allow a child to administer medical care to inmates. A major part of the book revolves around the trials, and I have to say they were some of the lamest and most boring trials I've read in fantasy. If you've read fantasy before, you've probably encountered your fair share of trials, and these simply didn't feel high-stakes. There was no real sense of urgency, and it didn't help that Kiva kept receiving help from all directions while seemingly only needing to show up and endure them.

Throughout the book, Kiva repeatedly passes secret messages to her family, and it became incredibly annoying to have the same letter repeated over and over again. It happened so frequently that it constantly pulled me out of the story. I didn't immediately put two and two together regarding Kiva's identity, but in hindsight, I probably should have, considering how much emphasis was placed on those messages. Then again, I was so often distracted by their repetition that I wasn't paying attention to the clues.

I also thought Kiva and Jaren's relationship leaned too heavily into insta-lust, especially with how often Kiva went on about how attractive he was and how jealous she became for no real reason. I didn't particularly care about or connect with any of the characters. As far as FMCs go, Kiva felt like a bit of a MarySue. The only saving grace of the book was the two, three-ish? twists at the end. They piqued my interest enough to make me want to continue the series. Although now I see Kiva as a manipulative snake. I kept wondering why she gave Jaren such a hard time for not revealing his identity, after all, he barely knew her but here she is keeping massive secrets of her own and lying to everyone around her.

Despite how aggravating I found parts of the story; it wasn't all bad. It's rare where I rate low and still want to continue...just to see what happens next and because I already own all the books.

Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth

Title: Seek the Traitor's Son
Author: Veronica Roth

Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy

Series: The Burning Empire # 1

Publication: May 12, 2023, 418 pages

Source: Libby 

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Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

MY THOUGHTS

Seek the Traitor's Son has all the makings of a great novel. The plot was interesting, the worldbuilding was unlike anything I've ever read, and the pacing and twists were pretty good. Perhaps I went in with expectations that were too high, considering all I'd heard were rave reviews. Sadly, though, this book didn't live up to the hype for me.

The blend of dystopian, fantasy, and science fiction wasn't nearly as odd a combination as I expected. Earth is no longer inhabitable, so humanity now resides on some sort of space station or in a neighboring galaxy. Among them is an alien race that believes in the Fever, which felt almost like a religion. Once infected, a person dies and can then resurrect with powers. The people of Cedre do not believe in the Fever and have largely isolated themselves from the Talusar to avoid infection. At the center of this conflict are two women and a man, all tied to a prophecy that could either save or doom their people.

The book started off strong. I was intrigued by the so-called prophecy, and the opening scene at the Cenobium was chaos in the best possible way. I remember thinking that if this was any indication of how the rest of the book would be, then I was in for a great read. Unfortunately, things went downhill for me once it started feeling like a soap opera revolving around the three leads. What really didn't work for me were the characters. Elegy (awful name, geeze) literally meets her assigned knight for five minutes, maybe ten if we're counting the ceremony before he's captured. They then spend four entire years apart. Years. Elegy receives word that he's still alive and embarks on a deadly mission to rescue him from Rava Vidar's home. Naturally, the mission succeeds.

From there, we watch the knight struggle to reintegrate into society. Understandably, that's difficult after being a P.O.W, and the new Sword doesn't trust him. Suddenly, readers are expected to believe that Elegy and her knight are deeply in love after only a few days or weeks together? Please. This book boasts a sweeping romance, but there was absolutely none. It was insta-love in the worst way. There was no foundation, no relationship development, and nothing meaningful to build on. Just because they're part of a prophecy doesn't automatically create a believable romance. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't fall in love with his captor, Rava. At least she was with him for four years. You know... Stockholm syndrome and all. None of it made sense to me. I never felt any real connection between Elegy and Theren. Their relationship wasn't realistic or remotely believable. I also didn't like Elegy or most of the supporting cast. Frankly, I found nearly all of them poorly developed. The only remotely interesting character was Theren, and even then, only barely.

By the time I reached the end, I had already figured out who Theren was and what his connection to the man and woman in the plant vision would be. Because of that, it was easy to predict where the story was heading. The ending felt anticlimactic. The only scene that truly engaged me was the brief flashback of Theren's time at Rava's compound. Everything else just felt... bleh. I won't be continuing with the series. Despite the book being well written and the concept being ambitious, the execution felt dull and flat. This was my first Roth novel, and it will likely be my last.

The Road of Bones by Demi Winters

Title: The Road of Bones
Author: Demi Winters

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Ashen # 1

Publication: June 27, 2023, 561 pages

Source: Libby 

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Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones–a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer–and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. But the queen’s ruthless assassin has other plans and hunts Silla obsessively.

Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

MY THOUGHTS

I've seen The Road of Bones recommended time and time again. The synopsis sounded interesting, but the few Viking fantasies I've read over the years have been disappointing. They often feel as though an amateur writer is trying to convince the reader that this book is Viking-inspired when, in reality, it couldn't feel further from it. That was not the case with The Road of Bones.

I enjoyed The Road of Bones much more than I expected. It was so easy to get wrapped up in the world and characters. Winters doesn't rely on generic supernatural creatures; instead, she uses or perhaps creates her own monsters to inhabit the world. The fact that I couldn't tell which was which is a good thing because it means they felt believable within the worldbuilding. The concept of galdra/galdur (people with powers) was also cool. I thought the book was well written and easy to follow. The plot, romance, and action were all balanced nicely. I never felt the story drag, and the twists toward the end were so good that they completely caught me off guard.

Silla was an unexpected surprise. From the moment readers meet her, we see a smart young woman who is kind but neither accustomed to nor fond of the violence in her world. She's definitely not a fighter. Yet she does whatever it takes to reach her destination, even sneaking into the notorious Bloodaxe Crew's wagon, a group of ruthless, mercenary-like monster hunters. I loved watching Silla's growth throughout the book. She doesn't let the world change who she is; she remains authentically herself from beginning to end. Even when things get difficult, she doesn't shy away from them and takes responsibility for her mistakes. It was refreshing to see a different take on a strong FMC.

I loved the crew so much that, after only a few chapters, it felt like I'd known these characters my whole life. Let me just say: I knew, KNEW, Jonas was an a-hole from the moment he discovered Silla hiding in the back of the wagon. If anyone ever wonders what a narcissist looks like, Jonas is the perfect example. Despite knowing that, I was still taken aback by the turn of events toward the end of the book.

I can't wait to start the next book in the series, and I already have it ready to go. Great writing, a compelling story, and memorable characters. I'm glad I read it.

Where No Shadow Stays by Sara Hashem

Title: Where No Shadow Stays
Author: Sara Hashem

Genre: Urban Fantasy, YA

Series: N/A

Publication: March 31, 2026, 324 pages

Source: Libby 

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Seventeen-year-old Mina is always focused on what comes next: exams, school dances, opportunities for a picnic by the lake. Filling up the future keeps her from lingering over how little she knows about her history or where she comes from. Anytime she asks her father questions about Egypt--or about her mother's mysterious death--he struggles to open up.

When Mina receives an invitation from an aunt she’s never met to visit the Haikal mansion, her mother’s childhood home in El Agamy, Mina accepts. She can’t resist the chance to learn more about her roots or what happened to her mother, even if it means lying to her loves ones for the first time in her life.

But when Mina returns from El Agamy, she doesn’t come back alone.

A sinister entity follows Mina from the Haikal mansion to her tiny California town. Mina is forced to abandon her friends, her father, and everything she loves in order to prevent the entity from violently possessing them. Isolated and fighting for her life, Mina must seek help from an unlikely ally: Jesse Talbot, the mortician’s hostile son and the only person who proves immune to possession. Jesse would rather floss with barbed wire than team up with social butterfly Mina, but he doesn’t exactly have a choice—after all, he’s running from family secrets of his own.

As Mina and Jesse dig deeper into Mina's family lore, they uncover a bloody debt that must be satisfied if Mina wants to finish senior year alive.

MY THOUGHTS

I love Hashem’s The Scorched Throne duology, so when she announced she’d written a horror-esque YA novel, I immediately added it to my TBR. I’ll read anything this author writes. But it saddens me to say that this book wasn’t on the same level as her first duology and left me mostly bored and disappointed.

I thought the book started off interesting enough. The first sentence immediately captured my attention, introducing the protagonist, Mina, and the shadows that seem to chase after her, possessing people whenever she’s alone with them. If she’s around a crowd, they temporarily stay away. We follow Mina as she researches what these shadows are, what they mean, and how they relate to her family and her mother’s passing. In between those searches, the local loner and neighbor, Jesse, joins her as they attempt to lift a possible curse.

I think the concept was intriguing at first, especially as we slowly learned about its connection to her family back in Egypt. However, when the truth about what her mother did and what the entire family had done was revealed, it felt a bit much. I don’t read many horror novels, but while this book had a mild creep factor, nothing about it was truly terrifying or goosebump-inducing. And yes, I know it’s YA, but I’ve read some YA horror novels that genuinely gave me chills. I also wasn’t a fan of the flashback scenes between Mina and her mother, Nadine. They added context to the story, but they felt choppy as heck and disruptive to the overall flow of the story.

I didn’t like Mina or Jesse very much, which is a shame because they’re the leads. What I found especially annoying was Mina’s constant reliance on sarcasm. Jesses, meanwhile, mostly just existed. He mentioned being cursed or soulless or whatever, but it ultimately added little to the story. Unless the only purpose was to make him immune so he could help Mina, it didn’t seem to matter much in the end. I also found their banter cringey and forced. It amplified Mina’s corny sarcasm, and Jesse’ nickname for her was also cringe. I just didn’t enjoy either character.

And man, what was that ending? It felt abrupt and slightly confusing. I think I understand how it ended, but the way it was written felt awkward and unclear. From what I’ve seen online, I’m assuming it ended the way I interpreted it since the book is a standalone. I’m honestly surprised by how underwhelming this book was because I fully expected to love it as much as the author’s other work. Still, this definitely won’t stop me from checking out her next book in 2027.

This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara

Title: This Monster of Mine
Author: Shalini Abeysekara

Genre: Fantasy

Series: This Monster of Mine # 1

Publication: April 1, 2025, 416 pages

Source: Purchase

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Eighteen-year-old Sarai doesn't know why someone tried to kill her four years ago, but she does know that her case was closed without justice. Hellbent on vengeance, she returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can magically detect lies, and is assigned to work with Tetrarch Kadra. Ice-cold and perennially sadistic, Kadra is the most vicious of the four judges who rule the land - and the prime suspect in a string of deaths identical to Sarai's attempted murder.

Certain of his guilt, Sarai begins a double life: solving cases with Kadra by day and plotting his ruin by night. But Kadra is charming and there's something alluring about the wrath he wields against the city's corruption. So when the evidence she finds embroils her in a deadly political battle, Sarai must also fight against her attraction to Kadra - because despite his growing hold on her heart, his voice matches the only memory she has of her assailant...

MY THOUGHTS

I received This Monster of Mine in a subscription box last year, and while the summary always sounded intriguing, I wasn’t entirely convinced about reading a novel with an eighteen-year-old FMC in what is supposed to be a new adult/adult book. However, I am so glad I gave this book a chance because it was absolutely amazing. I’m kind of kicking myself for not starting it sooner!

I am a sucker for anything inspired by Ancient Rome. The world-building was vivid and well developed. I could easily picture Sarai strolling around Ur Dinye and taking in the picturesque Academiae buildings. The magic system was fascinating; many of the powers stemmed from something akin to blood magic, using blood over runes to activate abilities such as mind-probing, healing, illusions, and creating fire and lightning, to name a few. I thought the book was beautifully written. The plot was gripping, the pacing was perfect, and the combination of mystery, political intrigue, and forbidden romance balanced the story perfectly.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed an emergence of novels centered around feminine rage. The majority, if not all, are, in my opinion, poorly written, or the reasons for the FMC’s rage are not well defined or justifiable. Usually, the causes of their rage feel innocuous or asinine. To be honest, they were so bad I was starting to get jaded. This Monster of Mine is the first book that truly encapsulates what a feminine rage story ought to be. Abeysekara created a brave, intelligent, sympathetic, and caring heroine who experienced the horrors of what humanity is capable of, whether through deplorable acts committed by strangers, fellow citizens, superiors, colleagues, or so-called friends. It was refreshing to see that, despite everything, Sarai did not become bitter, hateful, or unlikable like the perpetrators. Instead, her experiences propelled her to fight harder against the injustices of the world while remaining steadfast in her beliefs and sense of self. That was admirable and something I love seeing in a lead character. Her growth and transformation were incredible to witness, and although the story took place over only a couple of months, it still felt realistic and believable. I also thought the rest of the cast was extremely well written and fleshed out, even the villains.

This Monster of Mine was an incredible first book. I was fully immersed in the world Abeysekara created and completely invested in the story and characters. I can’t wait to read the sequel, and I already know this will be a series I revisit again and again. I highly recommend This Monster of Mine; it had everything: a compelling storyline full of action, mystery, suspense, and romance, beautiful writing, and unforgettable characters.

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe

Title: Stay for a Spell

Author: Amy Coombe

Genre: Cosy Fantasy

Series: N/A

Publication: April 14, 2026, 384 pages

Source: Libby

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Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar is disillusioned with life as a princess. She longs for real conversation, the chance to build a life of her own making, and uninterrupted reading time.

During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire. Certain that someone will figure out how to break the curse eventually, and delighted by the prospect of an entire bookstore of her own, Tandy settles into life among the stacks. She finds it easy to exchange balls and endless state dinners for teetering piles of books and an irritatingly handsome pirate who seems bent on stealing her stock.

She even starts to believe she's stumbled into her very own happily ever after.

There's just one, minor problem: as Tandy's royal duties go unfulfilled, her frantic parents start sending princes to woo her, each one of them certain their kiss will break the curse. After all, what more could a princess want but a prince?

MY THOUGHTS

I will start by saying that I’m not a big cosy reader. I do read them, but they’re normally not at the top of my list. However, when I first heard about Stay for a Spell and read the synopsis, I couldn’t wait for its release. It sounded fun and cute.

Stay for a Spell follows Princess Tanadelle, Tandy to her friends, who finds herself unexpectedly cursed and unable to leave a bookstore. Her parents’ solution? Send the Princes of the Realm to break the curse. What ensues is a funny endless line of suitors showing up in Little Pepperidge, a tiny, obscure town in the countryside.

This book is exactly what I was hoping for and what I expect when I hear the words “cosy fantasy.” It is whimsical and charming, the characters are distinctive and well-developed, and the plot is simple but meaningful. There were an equal number of times when I was laughing and tearing up at how sweet and heartfelt a scene was. I adored Tandy and loved watching her discover herself, learn new things, and realize that she is much more than a princess. The best surprise was how the curse was broken, which I thought carried a wonderful message.

I highly recommend Stay for a Spell if you’re looking for a fun, sweet coming of age/self discovery story. This book reminded me of Ella Enchanted, but for an adult audience; another story I love!

The Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Mask Falling

Author: Samantha Shannon

Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy

Series: The Bone Season # 4

Publication: May 14, 2024, 528 pages

Source: Personal Library, Purchase

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Paige Mahoney has eluded death again. Snatched from the jaws of captivity and sent to a safe house in the Scion Citadel of Paris, she finds herself caught between factions that seek Scion's downfall and those who would kill to protect the puppet empire.

The mysterious Domino Program has plans for Paige, but she has ambitions of her own in this new citadel. With Arcturus at her side, she embarks on an adventure that will lead her from the catacombs of Paris to the glittering hallways of Versailles.

As Scion widens its bounds and the free world trembles in its shadow, Paige strives to understand her bond with Arcturus, which grows stronger by the day. But there are those who know the revolution began with them--and could end with them . . .

MY THOUGHTS

Paige and Arcturus have fled London and are now across the ocean in Paris. To repay her rescuers, the Dominio Programme, Paige is sent to infiltrate and gather information on the Grand Inquisitor of the Republic of Scion France, Benoît Ménard. But as usual, Paige is never focused on just one goal, she’s also seeking an alliance with the Paris syndicate. What she discovers is just as disturbing: the Rag and Bone Man has fled London and set up the Grey Market in Paris.

While reading The Mask Falling, I kept experiencing a sense of déjà vu. At times, it felt like I was reading the same events over and over again; whether it was another Grey Market or Paige getting kidnapped yet again, even if it was intentional. Things started to feel a bit “same old, same old.” I also didn’t love the addition of a secret organization pulling the strings behind Paige, despite their shared goal of bringing down Scion. And unsurprisingly, Paige tries to play all sides, gets in over her head, and narrowly escapes with her life.

Maybe I didn’t notice it as much in the previous books, but Paige seems even more careless and reckless here. So many people depend on her, yet she constantly puts her life on the line. Her decision-making, or lack thereof was especially exhausting and frustrating to read this time around. What bothered me most, though, was how quickly and easily she gave up on Arcturus, assuming he was a traitor. I couldn't fathom how Paige couldn't see all the things Arcturus has done for her, down to the small gestures; like cooking for her, making sure she has a hot pad, to fighting alongside her every step of the way...just thrown out the window. In typical Paige fashion, she gets stuck in her own head and can’t fathom that there could be another Voyant like herself, despite it being hinted at multiple times. And by the time she realizes the truth, it’s too late.

That said, the world-building and writing are impeccable, as always. I can always count on Shannon for excellent prose, fast-paced action, and a brutal cliffhanger. While this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I do plan on continuing, though I may wait until the sixth book is released.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

Title: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

Author: Ilona Andrews

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Series: Maggie the Undying # 1

480 pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 31, 2026

Source: Personal Library, Purchase

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When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn't take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she's been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel.

Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters' ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she's coming to love―a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes―and attentions―of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will end: in a cataclysmic war.

MY THOUGHTS

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me was my most anticipated release of the year. I still remember hearing the authors talk about it, which feels like ages ago now. As excited as I was for their new novel, I also felt a little trepidation about starting a brand-new series from them because I didn’t enjoy their last traditionally published series or their recent self-published novellas.

Thankfully, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is unlike anything they’ve ever written, while still carrying their signature trademarks.

TKWNKM is billed as an isekai story with a mixture of Outlander and Game of Thrones, and while I normally take pitches like that with a grain of salt, I have to say, it’s an apt description. Similar in terms, like GOT, the world building and cast of characters are massive. As for Outlander, like Claire (Claire being from the 1900s and thrown back in time to 1700 Scotland she has information of what's to transpire historically), Maggie is thrust into a new world with prior knowledge of Kair Torin and the characters. 

Our heroine, Maggie, wakes up in her favorite fantasy novel, and readers follow her journey as she navigates the world of Rellas and tries to figure out why she’s there. I think it’s fair to say that, like Maggie, many of us readers have dreamed about becoming part of our favorite story or stepping into a specific character’s shoes. I know I have. And that’s exactly what this book is about. I love the concept!

The world that House Andrews has created is so unique, complex, rich, and vivid. I love the idea of there being eight Great Families, each with a specific power. Even with the multifaceted magic system and large cast of characters, everything was written in a way that was clear and easy to follow. It was especially interesting to see the story as intended by the author, La Tour, and the changes Maggie made along the way.

Maggie is such a great character. In typical fantasy, the main heroine is usually someone with powers, combat training of some sort, or both. However, Maggie is just a regular person...no powers and no fighting skills. What she does have is intelligence and resourcefulness. Maggie uses her love and knowledge of the books to achieve her goals, and watching her maneuver and outsmart characters left and right was thrilling. Maggie is literally the epitome of “knowledge is power,” and I absolutely love it!

I loved the entire cast of characters, even the villains. Every single character was so well-developed, smart, and mature, even the children. What’s even better is that every character acted their age, which sadly can’t be said for many books published in recent years. A book may be marketed as adult fiction, yet the writing and characters often feel juvenile. There’s nothing worse than reading an adult novel with adult characters acting like teenagers. Thankfully, TKWNKM doesn’t have that issue.

There were so many unexpected twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, and after some contemplation, I realized just how well done they were...the authors were brilliant! One of my favorite parts of the book was the yearning between Maggie and a male character. From subtle glances to the lightest touches, it was exactly the kind of slow-burn tension, yearning, I expect in all of my romance or romantic subplot novels!

It’s not even mid-year yet, but I think it’s safe to say that TKWNKM is the best book I’ve read this year. House Andrews introduced me to urban fantasy with their first series and cemented me as a fan for life, and this book is the perfect reminder that they still have so many stories left to tell and aren’t going anywhere. It’s wonderful to see the leaps and bounds of growth in their writing and storytelling over nearly two decades. I can’t wait until we get the next Maggie the Undying book...until then, a reread will definitely be in order.

Royal Pawn By K.N. Banet

Title: Royal Pawn

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 6

384 pages, Paperback

Publication: July 13, 2021

Source: Kindle Unlimited

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I’m Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan, ruling werecat of the Americas, the werecat liaison to humanity, and the lover of Heath Everson, Alpha werewolf. But I go by Jacky Leon and no one knows about the werewolf.

Some time ago, I met a fae and his family while on the run. They helped me, and for his own reasons, the fae had given me a gift. I never went looking for him. I knew the name he gave me and I did my best not to think too hard about it, him, or his family.

Life has a fun way of bringing things back because he's the lost king of the fae and now everyone knows. People who want him to take back the throne, people who want to kill him so he can’t, and people who want to hurt those he loves just to see him hurt.

And I’m the werecat he gave a gift, just in case he ever needed someone to protect his innocent human wife. I’m now a pawn in a deadly clash of fae powers the likes of which has never been seen.

Brin knows even a pawn can change the game.

Especially this pawn.

MY THOUGHTS

I took a short break from the Jacky Leon series and finally went back to it after a couple of months. Like the previous books, each installment focuses on a specific supernatural sect. In Royal Pawn, Jacky is going head-to-head with the fae.

Jacky and Heath have hidden their relationship for a long time, so it doesn’t come as a surprise when it’s used against them as blackmail. And that’s exactly what Brin, a.k.a. King Brion does, he blackmails Jacky and Heath into protecting his human wife, Fiona. Having met Brin and his family early on in the series and learning that he’s the long-lost king should have made me more excited and intrigued. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.

I don’t particularly like blackmail as a plot device, but more so, Brin/Brion and his entire family were extremely unlikeable. Fiona, a human who is apparently 92 years old, sits on a high horse with a lot of opinions and prejudice for someone who doesn’t know anything about Brion’s previous life or Sidhe customs. My thoughts throughout the entire book were: why did they have to be blackmailed and called to duty over someone who is not only unworthy but also likely to die sooner rather than later?

Jacky was frustrating in this latest installment. Anyone who has read this series knows she’s prone to recklessness and shows little regard for her own life, but this time around it felt more asinine than usual. She wanted to keep the relationship on the down low; she didn’t want to tell Heath she loved him because it made things too real… but she blew all of that within seconds. I normally praise Jacky for her maturity and clear, level thinking, but it was absent in Royal Pawn. I also thought Heath was a bit overkill in voicing his feelings, it started to feel like love-bombing… but with how the book ended, perhaps not? I do think it’s too soon for wedding bells, but we’ll see.

It saddens me to say this, but Royal Pawn is the weakest installment so far. I didn’t like the plot, I didn’t like the fae, and most, if not all of the characters were getting on my nerves, with the exception of Oliver, Dirk, and Landon. I hope this book was just a fluke and that the next one will be better. Otherwise, this might be the end of the series for me.

The Library of Amorlin by Kalyn Josephson

Title: The Library of Amorlin

Author: Kalyn Josephson

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Age of Beasts # 1

417 pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 3, 2026

Source: Libby

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Former con artist Kasira expected to spend her life as a soldier, miserably working off her prison sentence by hunting down magical creatures for the fanatical kingdom of Kalthos. But when the Kalish ambassador arrives with a non-negotiable assignment, Kasira finds herself swept into the biggest con of her life: infiltrating the Library of Amorlin.

As the heart of all magic and the protector of magical creatures throughout the six kingdoms, the Library is historically politically neutral. Kasira is meant to pose as the new Assistant to spy for the ambassador and destabilize the Library from the inside, clearing the way to dethrone its Librarian.

But when she arrives, Kasira learns that the Library is not all she was told it would be. Neither is the prickly, handsome Librarian, Allaster, whose own monstrous secrets are about to catch up with him.

Swept into the enchanting world of the Library, Kasira’s reluctant con is jeopardized by her growing affection for the wondrous life the Library promises…and by her complicated, burgeoning attraction to Allaster. As the ambassador’s game closes in, Kasira must decide where her loyalties lie: to her newfound home, or to her own survival?

MY THOUGHTS

I consider The Library of Amorlin a fairly new book; it was published in early March. I should’ve known it wasn’t going to be good since it’s so new and I was able to renew my Libby loan after not finishing it within the borrowing period. Which rarely happens, if you're familiar with Libby and new titles. I always finish books well in advance, but this is the first time I didn’t, not because I was busy, but because I kept putting it down to read something else.

The premise sounded promising. Our FMC, Kasira, goes undercover as a spy to infiltrate the library. The beginning was decent, but as the story progressed, I found myself unable to connect with the plot or the characters. Despite being over 400 pages and taking place over the course of a month, not much really happens. Even the action scenes didn’t feel like they moved the story forward. The library, with all its magic and beasts didn’t feel particularly magical or fantastical. Instead, the kingdom’s politics played a much bigger role, to the point that they overshadowed every aspect of the library. I normally love a good political intrigue, but there was no intrigue in this book.

I love stories with thieves and con artists, it's what made me pick this novel up, but I hated Kasira. She isn't likeable at all. For majority of the book, she is, as she herself says, selfish. I mean, understandable because she doesn't want to get thrown back in prison. But it made for a frustrating reading experience because the entire time, all I can think is how much of a hypocritical selfish b- she was. Even at the end, when she saved Allaster, I didn’t think, “Wow, she’s so smart, she outwitted Vera and the king.” I just thought about how manipulative she was to pull it off. If I were Allaster, I would’ve kicked her out of the library after her first lie.

As for Allaster, he’s a typical brooding male character we’ve seen countless times. In my opinion, it wasn’t realistic for him to fall for Kasira so quickly, especially since, for much of the story, he didn’t even believe she had good intentions and was a spy. In which she was! And again, this book takes place over about a month, maybe two at most but I honestly don’t remember, nor do I really care.

I also want to note The Library of Amorlin has dual narration. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. I don't usually have any preference, but I didn't like the dual narration in this book, especially Allaster's POV which added nothing to the story.

I’m glad I borrowed this from the library. I didn’t enjoy it and don’t recommend it.