Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

Title: Daughter of No Worlds

Author: Carissa Broadbent

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The War of Lost Hearts # 1

520 Pages, Hardcover

Publication: January 7, 2020

Source: Personal Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

A former slave fighting for justice. A reclusive warrior who no longer believes it exists. And a dark magic that will entangle their fates.

Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life.

Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione, a handsome and reclusive fire wielder who despises the Orders.

The Orders’ intentions are cryptic, and Tisaanah must prove herself under the threat of looming war. But even more dangerous are her growing feelings for Maxantarius. The bloody past he wants to forget may be the key to her future… or the downfall of them both.

But Tisaanah will stop at nothing to save those she abandoned. Even if it means gambling in the Orders’ deadly games. Even if it means sacrificing her heart.

Even if it means wielding death itself.

MY THOUGHTS

Daughter of No Worlds has been on my TBR since it first came out, back when it was still self-published. I was hesitant to start it because I didn't particularly enjoy Crowns of Nyaxia, but I'm glad I decided to pick this one up because I liked it much more.

I really liked the magic system. It's nothing entirely new, but Broadbent made it her own by putting a unique spin on the elements. The story follows Tisaanah as she does everything she can to enter the prestigious Order and master her powers so she can save her people, those less fortunate than herself. I thought Tisaanah and Max were great leads. I loved both their personalities and their relationship. I swear, the mentor x mentee dynamic is one of my weaknesses, it never disappoints.

I loved pretty much everything about Daughter of No Worlds. The writing was strong, the plot was excellent, and the characters kept me invested. The only thing I didn't like was the power Tisaanah had to absorb and house. I wasn't a fan of the entity taking over, and every time it happened, it pulled me out of the story. I hated seeing Tisaanah take a backseat whenever it occurred. With the way the book ended, I hope she'll have more control over it in the next installment. I can't wait to read the sequel and see what awaits them when they return home.

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

Title: Silence Fallen

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson # 10

371 Pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 7, 2017

Source: Personal Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form, Mercy escapes—only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe...

Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise...

MY THOUGHTS

In Silence Fallen, Mercy is taken from her usual stomping grounds of the Tri-Cities to Europe, where vampires and werewolves operate very differently from what she's used to. The action starts almost immediately, and within the first couple of pages, we not only find Mercy in a completely new place, but she's also alone and literally cut off from her pack bonds and allies. I had grown so accustomed to seeing Mercy with Adam and the pack that I never imagined this could actually happen, but the change of scenery was refreshing.

Mercy is a magnet for trouble, and being kidnapped was the least of her worries. After finally escaping the vampires, she immediately falls into the hands of werewolves and then straight into an even worse group of vampires. But Mercy, ever resourceful, quickly rescues herself and navigates unfamiliar territory with relative ease or at least as much ease as one can without clothes, food, or money. During her time apart from the group and she spends most, if not all, of the book on her own, we get to see more of what she's capable of, including her powers over spirits and other newly discovered abilities that neither she nor the reader knew she possessed. It was cool to see.

However, I did have a few complaints this time around. I wasn't fond of the alternating chapters between Adam and Mercy, although I understand why they were necessary. We needed to see both what was happening to Mercy and what Adam and the others were doing as they searched for her. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just didn't particularly enjoy reading Adam's point of view. I also wasn't interested in the history of the European supernaturals. They mention Zach and the falling out between the European pack leader and the Marrok, but I didn't remember any of it from previous books, nor did I really care. The explanation for why Mercy was taken and how everything had been orchestrated by the vampire Jacob also fell flat for me. He's supposedly the scariest, strongest, and most ruthless vampire in the world, yet his grand plan was to trick Adam into flying all the way to Europe just to clean up his little coup? That was so dumb and underwhelming. Also, why bother with mentioning how easy it was for Mary to create Vampires, only to have it not matter in the end. It didn't really move the story forward. I don't know, I thought it was pointless.

While I enjoyed Mercy's storyline, the highlight of the book was probably the little twist at the end when Mercy recognized one of Adam's men. That was both funny and clever. Overall, it's still a solid installment, but it's not one of my favorites in the series.

The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Dark Mirror

Author: Samantha Shannon

Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy

Series: The Bone Season # 5

Publication: February 25, 202,5 576 pages

Source: Personal Library, Purchase

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade – but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.

As she makes her way back to the revolution, her journey takes her to Venice, where she learns a dangerous secret – one that could change the face of the war between humans and immortals. Before she can return to London, she must help the Domino Programme unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist.

And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories – Arcturus Mesarthim – might also hold the key to saving Italy.

MY THOUGHTS

I was a little worried going into The Dark Mirror after reading the synopsis and learning that six months had passed since the last book and Paige had lost her memories. It's not a trope I typically enjoy, but I had faith that if anyone could pull it off, it would be Shannon. At the start of the book, we find Paige in Poland, where she's reunited with a friend who eventually leads her back to the Domino Programme. The Domino Programme gives Paige another assignment that takes her to Italy, where she once again goes head-to-head with Scion.

We're now five books into this series, and Shannon is neither letting up nor pulling any punches. What I realized I'd been missing since the last book was the Seven Dials crew, and I was so happy to finally see some familiar faces again. Same crew, another adventure together. Of course, there are other factions that come into play, and everyone wants Paige.

There were so many moving pieces throughout the book, and questions from previous installments finally began forming a bigger picture as we hurtled toward the ending, which was incredibly satisfying. The twist at the 80% mark literally had me gasping out loud, and everything that followed was nonstop action right to the very end. I loved every moment. It was like the Trafalgar Square scene from book one and the scrimmage scene from book two multiplied by ten. And it was brilliant of Shannon to have it all unfold in Rome, at the Colosseum of all places. I thought it was the perfect setting.

I also loved seeing Arcturus and Paige's relationship develop further. For once, they're finally being honest with each other about their feelings. It's been so rewarding to watch this slow burn unfold over the course of five books, seeing them grow from skeptical allies to true allies, then friends, and finally lovers.

I'm also glad we got to see more of another character, one I know we're supposed to despise, but who's such a compelling and fascinating character. I can't wait for The Moth Reborn to come out next year. It's been a wild ride so far, and I have no doubt the final two books will be nothing short of masterpieces.

The Unicorn Hunter by Katherine Arden

Title: The Unicorn Hunter

Author: Katherine Arden

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Series: N/A

368 Pages, Hardcover

Publication: June 2, 2026

Source: Libby Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Anne of Brittany was a child when France invaded and drove her royal father to his death. Now she is a young woman, sovereign duchess of an occupied realm, and France means to crown their conquest by marrying her to their king. Such an alliance would put her title, her lands, and her body forever in the hands of her enemies.

But Anne refuses to be the last duchess of Brittany.

Her only hope of resisting conquest is another alliance sealed with marriage, so Anne arranges a daring last gambit: a secret betrothal to Charles of France’s greatest rival. But secrets are hard to keep in a world where rival courts spy on each other with diviners.

The forest of Brocéliande was once the haunt of Merlin the Enchanter and the long-lost faerie queen. But magic is long gone from Broceliande, except for the occasional sight of a unicorn and one critical quirk: This ancient forest is completely hostile to divination.

While pretending compliance with France, Anne plans a unicorn hunt in Brocéliande. A bit of pointless pageantry. A diversion so she can wed in secret.

Or so she thinks.

MY THOUGHTS

I've been looking forward to reading The Unicorn Hunter since I first heard about it. I love a good historical fantasy, and this novel is inspired by the real Duchess Anne of Brittany and the famous Unicorn Tapestries. I'm somewhat familiar with Anne's history and the tapestries, though I wouldn't call myself an expert. Even so, I found myself disappointed and underwhelmed by this book.

When readers first meet Anne, she is only eighteen years old and essentially running Brittany herself, surrounded by her guardian, diviner, her brother Henri, her younger sister Isabeau, and the household staff. Charles, the King of France, wishes to marry Anne and bring Brittany into France's fold, but Anne promised her father she would keep Brittany as sovereign as possible. Believing an alliance with Maximilian of Austria is the answer, she devises a plan to marry him by proxy in secret. To buy herself time to put the plan into motion, she declares that they must all go unicorn hunting.

I could see where the author drew inspiration from history and mythology to create this story, but, frankly, it just wasn't that interesting. Anne tried to act older than her age, but no matter what, I could only picture a child masquerading as an adult. Everyone viewed her as holy and ethereal, placing her on a pedestal because she could partially tame the magical unicorn and commune with spirits.

What further lost me was that every single man seemed to be in love with her. Sure, history tells us Anne was married multiple times, and the novel reflects that in the men/suitors, but it felt excessive. The proxy groom liked her, King Charles wanted to marry her, Maximilian agreed to wed her, Louis, Duke of Orléans, suddenly found her irresistible and enchanting, and, of course, the Korrigan King also wanted to marry her. Five suitors! (I'm counting the proxy too, don't care) Four men and a fairy king, all vying for Anne's affection was simply overkill.

I also didn't find the plot particularly engaging. Much of the story consists of everyone waiting for someone else to make the next move while others try to counter it. Spirits are sprinkled throughout the novel from beginning to end, but the reason for their presence felt rather underwhelming. I assume they were meant to show Anne possible futures or demonstrate how long the Korrigan King had been trying to cross over, but by that point, I no longer cared about the characters or the story.

The ending was especially anticlimactic. If you're familiar with Anne's history, you'll already know who she ends up with by the conclusion. Overall, I did not enjoy The Unicorn Hunter and can't recommend it.

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

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

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 

Buy|AMAZON|

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 

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

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 

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

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 

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

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 

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

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

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

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

Buy|AMAZON|BN|

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!