Waifs and Strays by Helen Harper

Title: Waifs and Strays

Author: Helen Harper

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Cat Lady Chronicles # 1

298 pages, Paperback

Publication: February 10, 2025

Source: Personal Library

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Nobody is just a cat lady.

Kit McCafferty's life is quiet, unremarkable and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbours.

All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings.

It's not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there's far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own.

Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.

MY THOUGHTS

I stumbled upon Waifs and Strays during one of those free eBook days. I loved the cover, it felt playful and the synopsis was interesting enough. Plus, I’m always looking for a good Urban Fantasy. It’s not every day that I find an Urban Fantasy set in the UK or one featuring a heroine in her forties, which piqued my interest even more.

The beginning of the book took a little getting used to. As the title and series name suggest, there are a lot of cats in the story. However, their names are pretty unconventional. They play a significant role, and as the book progressed, I did get used to their unique naming style. The worldbuilding is straightforward: it’s an open world where supernaturals are known to the public. Coldstream, where Kit lives, is mostly inhabited by magical folk like fae, vampires, werewolves, and all sorts of other creatures.

At first glance, Kit is known around the neighborhood as the innocuous, middle-aged cat lady. She’s anything but simple, as we eventually discover. Kit was a likable heroine. I enjoyed learning about her past profession and magical abilities and seeing them come into play when a young werewolf is abducted. She’s essentially the local superhero or maybe vigilante, despite trying to live a quiet, normal life. I also liked what I assume will become the supporting cast, though it’s still too early to tell. Is it weird that I’m hoping for a love triangle between Thane and the Alpha? Lol.

I thought Waifs and Strays was a great introduction to The Cat Lady Chronicles. The pacing was solid, and the book was well written. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. I’m about to start the second book, the series feels promising.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and thePhilosopher's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Harry Potter # 1

223 pages, Hardcover 

Publication: June 26, 1997

Source: Personal Library

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Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

MY THOUGHTS

Harry Potter was published when I was still in middle school. Back then, I wasn’t the avid reader I am today, and reading didn’t interest me nearly as much. I did try to read it, though, I think my homeroom teacher actually read a chapter aloud to the class each day. Fast forward to November 2001, when the first movie was released in theaters worldwide. That’s when I finally became interested and eventually grew to love the films. Despite the books having been published for years and the movies long finished, I never read the series. I decided it was finally time, long overdue, especially since I’ve been reading fanfiction nonstop for the past year.

For the most part, the movie was very faithful to the book. As I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, I could easily see the film playing in my mind. Even though I already knew the story and how everything ends, I still enjoyed reading it. The book was quite short, under 250 pages and went by quickly. I can see why so many readers loved it when it first came out; it truly is magical, and in 1997 there really wasn’t anything else quite like it. I can’t wait to read book two!

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

Title: The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy 

Author: Brigitte Knightley

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Dearly Beloathed # 1

Publication: July 8, 2025, 416 pages

Source: Personal Library

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When Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, falls ill, he realizes he needs the expertise of a very specific healer. As fate would have it, that healer belongs to an enemy faction, the Haelan Order.

Aurienne Fairhrim and her fellow Haelan are inundated by sick children suffering from an outbreak of a long-forgotten Pox. Unable to get the funding needed to launch an immunization program, the Haelan Order is desperate for money – so desperate that when Osric breaks into their headquarters to bribe Aurienne to heal him, she is forced to accept.

As Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness but the mysterious reoccurrence of the Pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction which only fuels the tension between them.

MY THOUGHTS

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I want to start this review by saying I did read the original fiction this book was inspired by and absolutely loved it. So, saying I was looking forward to this release would be a massive understatement. With that said, The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is nothing, absolutely nothing like the original story. The world, the characters, the plot; none of it is remotely close or similar.

As I mentioned earlier, because this was a highly anticipated read for me, I had very high expectations and unfortunately, it just barely missed the mark. It fell short across the board. It took me nearly 50% of the book to start genuinely enjoying it and feeling invested.

That said, I did like the plot and the writing style. Honestly, the plot saved the book from crashing and burning; it was just interesting enough to hold my attention. Having read Knightley’s other fiction, I was already familiar with her writing, and I actually love it. It’s unique compared to what I usually read. However, because she was building a completely new world here, the flow felt a bit off. Even so, I could tell her word choices and dialogue were intentional and clever. There were quite a few moments where I caught myself chuckling at just how brilliant some of the writing was.

Now, onto what didn’t work for me: the characters and the excessive vulgarity. Aurienne was incredibly unlikable for most of the book. She came across as a stuck-up B—who seemed to hate everything and everyone. It wasn’t until about 60–70% into the story that she started to become tolerable. Osric was slightly better than Aurienne, but honestly, not by much. There was zero chemistry between them. When they did start catching feelings for each other, it felt forced and disingenuous, almost like Stockholm Syndrome. They saved each other, and that somehow turned into romance? It just didn’t feel natural. The vulgarity in the book was overkill. It was unnecessarily raunchy and, at times, straight-up gross. I’m not sure if Knightley was trying to be edgy or funny, but I found it to be neither. Every time I came across a brilliant passage, it would be followed up with something crude that completely ruined the moment for me.

But like I said, thank goodness for a solid, well-thought-out plot. That was the book’s saving grace. Despite its flaws, I do plan to finish the series. Personally, I think this would’ve worked better as a standalone rather than a duology but oh well. This book is clearly written for a very specific audience. What audience that is, I’m not quite sure but it’s definitely not for everyone. I recommend checking out a sample chapter first to see if it’s your style before you commit to buying it or reading it. 

Magician: Master by Raymond E. Feist

Title: Magician: Apprentice

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Riftwar Saga # 2

Publication: November 1, 1982 499 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

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

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

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

MY THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist

Title: Magician: Apprentice

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Riftwar Saga # 1

Publication: October 1, 1982 485 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

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

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

MY THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison

Title: A Fistful of Charms

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Hollows # 4

Publication: June 27, 2006, 510 pages

Source: Personal Library

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The evil night things that prowl Cincinnati despise witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. Her new reputation for the dark arts is turning human and undead heads alike with the intent to possess, bed, and kill her -- not necessarily in that order.

Now a mortal lover who abandoned Rachel has returned, haunted by his secret past. And there are those who covet what Nick possesses -- savage beasts willing to destroy the Hollows and everyone in it if necessary.

Forced to keep a low profile or eternally suffer the wrath of a vengeful demon, Rachel must nevertheless act quickly. For the pack is gathering for the first time in millennia to ravage and to rule. And suddenly more than Rachel's soul is at stake.

MY THOUGHTS

A Fistful of Charms throws us straight into the action, with Rachel, a newly recognized pack member is already facing a challenge from another Alpha. Luckily, she wins her first fight thanks to her spells. In this fourth installment, Rachel’s business takes her out of Cincinnati and deeper into the world of werewolf hierarchy and mayhem.

If you've read my previous Hollows book review, you know I’m continuing this series in the hopes of seeing more of David and Trent. To my disappointment, neither of them gets any real page time and we don’t even see Trent at all. Instead, Rachel’s out-of-town adventure consists of the characters I loathe most: Jenks, Nick, and Ivy. Literally the three I dislike the most.

Nick, being the spineless S.O.B. that he is, lands himself in trouble, and of course, the only person who can save him is Rachel. Jenks tags along because Nick has his son, Jackson. Ivy shows up later, either to help or just to be her usual possessive self. In my last review, I mentioned how much I dislike Ivy’s possessiveness over Rachel, and it gets even worse in this book. The first three books hinted at Ivy biting Rachel, and now she finally does, which only makes things more complicated. It blurs the line between friendship and lovers, even though Rachel isn’t interested in her that way. I still don’t like it and think it's disturbing.

The plot was more engaging this time around, as we got to explore werewolf hierarchy and territory. I appreciated the change of pace and scenery because I was getting tired of all the demon and vampire politics. Overall, this was another solid installment in the messy life of Rachel Morgan. I really hope Harrison brings Trent back soon. And is it too much to ask to get rid of Ivy and Jenks? I mean, at least Nick is finally gone gone.

Every Which Way but Dead by Kim Harrison

Title: Every Which Way but Dead

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Hollows # 3

Publication: 501 pages, June 28, 2005

Source: Personal Library

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There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice.

Between "runs," she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-drinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor.

Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin - and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.

And now her dark "master" is coming to collect his due.

MY THOUGHTS

Three books into The Hollows, and there hasn't been much improvement for our heroine, Rachel Morgan. Many of the problems she faced were entirely her own doing. Which would've been preventable if she stopped to think before rushing in. The demon Al continues to cause havoc, as always, trying to drag Rachel into the Ever After. Oddly enough, Rachel manages to outsmart Al toward the end, and I sincerely hope this is the last we see of him because his storyline has become repetitive and stale.

Nick, Rachel’s boyfriend, or rather, ex-boyfriend has finally left. I must say, I’m relieved. I never liked him, and his presence in the group added nothing to the story. As for Ivy, Rachel’s vampire friend and roommate, I’m tired of her as well. She’s overly possessive of Rachel in a way that comes off as borderline romantic, and honestly, it’s just creepy. The author tries to excuse it as a vampire trait, but… no. Just no. Even Rachel is growing frustrated with it! The codependency is pathetic, especially considering Ivy is supposedly next in line to be the most powerful vampire in Cincinnati. Powerful, how?

The only part of the book that truly piqued my interest was Rachel’s interactions with Trent. I enjoyed learning more about their connection and Rachel’s past. The more I read about Trent, the more I realize he’s not so bad. Compared to everyone else in Rachel’s life, he might actually be the most normal and sane one. We’re also introduced to a new character, David, whom I really liked. I hope to see more of him, especially after everything that happened at the end.

Every Which Way but Dead was a decent addition to the series, better than the first two. While Rachel remains frustrating, I’ll keep reading for now, if only to see more of Trent and David.

House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

Title: House of Bane and Blood

Author: Alexis L. Menard

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Order and Chaos # 1

Publication: October 18, 2023

Source: Personal Library

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In a city split into two opposing sides, power comes in many bloodlines, money, love, and-most importantly-secrets.

An heiress in the most notorious family in Lynchaven, Camilla Marchese is doing all she can to keep her family's syndicate, the Iron Saint Railway, from slipping into bankruptcy. When the gorgeous and depraved Nicolai Attano, the leader of a rival family, offers to pay off the Inspector in exchange for her hand, she has no choice but to give up not only her throne-but her name.

Nico has his own motivations for their union beyond maintaining peace with her family. A serial kidnapper known as The Collector has been ravaging the streets of Remnant Row, stirring up mistrust between natives and descendants. If Milla can help restore safety to his streets, he'll have no need for her or her family's company. Find the Collector, prevent a war between their sides of the city, and pay off the family debt before she turns twenty-one. If Milla can fulfill her end of the bargain, she'll walk away with more freedom than she's ever had before.

But this deal plunges Milla into the city's dark underbelly where remnant magic and arcane science compete in a deadly game of depravity. When forbidden feelings rise for her new husband and dark family secrets come to light, Milla must discover the truth about her past before it gets them both killed or worse-collected.

MY THOUGHTS

What initially piqued my interest in House of Bane and Blood was its comparison to Peaky Blinders—and really, who doesn’t love that show? The book successfully captures a similar vibe, blending it with elements of Romeo and Juliet and a touch of magic. Plus, it features one of my all-time favorite tropes: marriage of convenience.

The worldbuilding and magic system were straightforward and easy to grasp. The story features non-magical people like Camilla, magical wielders called Benders, sometimes with multiple abilities, like Nico, and Wearh—essentially vampires. The city itself is steeped in corruption, with only a few powerful families controlling it. In this case, those families are Camilla's and Nico's.

Camilla and Nico made a fantastic lead couple, and I absolutely loved them both. Their chemistry and banter felt so natural and effortless. The leads, along with their entire families, were deeply flawed, just how I like them but in a way that stayed within a moral gray area where they often did bad things for the sake of their loved ones. This dynamic added depth to the story and made the family moments even more impactful. I especially adored Nico’s family.

Overall, House of Bane and Blood is a solid start to a new romance fantasy series. I’m excited to read the final book in Nico and Camilla’s duology.

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison

Title: Three Kinds of Lucky

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Shadow Age # 1

Hardcover, 452 Pages 

Publication: March 5, 2024

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

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

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

MY THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

Title: A Fire in the Sky

Author: Sophie Jordan

Genre: Fantasy

Series: A Fire in the Sky # 1

Hardcover, 336 Pages 

Publication: September 24, 2024

Source: Personal Library
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Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

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

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

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

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

MY THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

The Coven by Harper L. Woods

Title: The Coven

Author: Harper L. Woods

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romantasy

Series: Coven of Bones # 1

Paperback, 304 Pages 

Publication: March 1, 2023

Source: Personal Library
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Revenge.

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

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

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

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

Thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

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

MY THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

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!

Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich

Title: Lady of Darkness

Author: Melissa K. Roehrich

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Lady of Darkness # 1

Paperback, 538 pages 

Publication: March 1, 2020

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

A CAGE.

Owned by a ruthless Assassin Lord, Scarlett Monrhoe and her two sisters have been trained since they were children to torture and take life. They are the most feared trio on the continent, but they are also wild and unpredictable. A tragic night has Scarlett finding herself locked away in a noble's household, trapped and forgotten, until she's ready to fall into line.

A CHOICE.

Until the day she is presented with a job. If she completes the assignment, her payment will be something she has coveted for ten years. Revenge against the Fae Fire Prince who brutally killed her mother ten years ago. Is she willing to sacrifice her ideals for retribution?

A MYSTERY.

But when children begin disappearing from her home, all her plans are put on hold as she races to save the most innocent. With the help of old friends, a jilted lover, and a mysterious newcomer who claims the magic of the Fae is possible in the mortal lands, Scarlett delves into the darkest corners of the world. Forgotten secrets will come to light, and she will discover the darkness extends far beyond her own kingdom.

MY THOUGHTS

I've started and stopped reading Lady of Darkness a handful of times over the last two years. I don't quite remember why though whether it was the book or just my mood. But I finally read and finished the book! The beginning of the book was slow, and I didn't really like Scarlet all that much. I had to remind myself that she's 18-years old or so and is basically an immature child. Ironic that she's part of an assassin syndicate and she's one of their top members. The more I read, I realized that the author's Legacy series is a spinoff or based off the same world as Lady of Darkness. And I actually read The Legacy series before reading this book. Which I guess it helped me understand the world building easier. 

I noticed many similarities between Scarlett and The Legacy's heroine, Tessa. They're literally the same character just in a different timeline. With that said, having finished Lady of Darkness, I'm not sure how I feel about Scarlet. I didn't like her at the beginning and towards the end there wasn't much improvement. I plan to continue with the series and hope that changes and we see more personal development and growth for Scarlet. I also didn't really care for Sorin. I understood the immediate obsession, borderline instalove but he read like all the other typical MMC I've read. Nothing stands out about Sorin, not even being the Fire Prince. 

I thought the plot and writing was well-done, not surprising considering how much I enjoyed Roehrich's Legacy series. I am interested in continuing this series to see what happens next with the characters after the revelation about Scarlet. Lady of Darkness while not as strong as The Legacy, I believe it could get better once I get further into the series. Overall, it was a decent series opener.