Category: 4 stars

THE VERDANT CAGE by Jess Lourey – Review

THE VERDANT CAGE by Jess Lourey – Review
Posted April 16, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 24 Comments

The nitty-gritty: Lovers of YA dystopian stories won’t want to miss this series opener, a fast-paced, action-packed tale with plenty of surprises in store. The Verdant Cage has been getting lots of great buzz, so I was eager to experience it for myself. And I really enjoyed it, especially the last quarter of the book. […]

THE RED WINTER by Cameron Sullivan – Review

THE RED WINTER by Cameron Sullivan – Review
Posted March 16, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 27 Comments

The nitty-gritty: An ambitious debut that combines history, magic, mythology and thrilling action, The Red Winter is a heady mix of  horror and humor. “What a night of monsters it was for the good people at the Bow and Brace.” I’ll admit The Red Winter isn’t the kind of book I usually pick up, but […]

JITTERBUG by Gareth L. Powell – Review

JITTERBUG by Gareth L. Powell – Review
Posted March 6, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 23 Comments

The nitty-gritty: High stakes, big action, political intrigue and humor join forces in Gareth L. Powell’s latest, a fun, fast paced sci-fi adventure with heart. “Never forget, Copernicus, that just like the rest of us, you are the product of coincidence and luck.” Gareth L. Powell is one of the most creative writers I’ve had […]

NOBODY’S BABY by Olivia Waite – Review

NOBODY’S BABY by Olivia Waite – Review
Posted March 5, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 26 Comments

The nitty-gritty: An intriguing mystery, tangled interpersonal relationships and a fascinating futuristic world make this sweet, humorous story a must read. I’m enjoying this series so much! Nobody’s Baby is the second book in the Dorothy Gentleman series, revolving around a generation ship on the way to colonize a new planet and focusing on various […]

DOLLFACE by Lindy Ryan – Review

DOLLFACE by Lindy Ryan – Review
Posted February 20, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 26 Comments

The nitty-gritty: Lindy Ryan’s latest horror-humor mash-up successfully mixes the grittiness of a slasher with the heartfelt emotions of friendship. “Barb, sliced apart in the parking lot. Mom, cut open on the closet floor. And now me, with my dead mother’s face in my new master bedroom.” Lindy Ryan won my heart with her Bless […]

NOWHERE BURNING by Catriona Ward – Review

NOWHERE BURNING by Catriona Ward – Review
Posted February 19, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 22 Comments

The nitty-gritty: A dark homage to Peter Pan, Nowhere Burning explores the terrors of childhood and the uncertainty of growing up. “Change means fear and loss,” Noon says. “But it is the only way.” She leans in and embraces Riley. “Children are sacred,” she murmurs. Every hair on the back of Riley’s neck thrills. “Growing […]

KRACKLE’S LAST MOVIE by Chelsea Sutton – Review

KRACKLE’S LAST MOVIE by Chelsea Sutton – Review
Posted February 6, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 19 Comments

The nitty-gritty: Weird, grotesque, absurd and emotional, Krackle’s Last Movie is a quirky mystery with plenty of heart. “When I’m conducting these interviews, I am never in one place. I shift from their childhood until their death, dropping into the days before their change, then into the moment they knew, for sure, that their body, […]

NIGHTSHADE & OAK by Molly O’Neill – Review

NIGHTSHADE & OAK by Molly O’Neill – Review
Posted February 5, 2026 by Tammy in 4 stars, Reviews / 34 Comments

The nitty-gritty: A grand and harrowing adventure sets the stage for this intimate portrayal of an unlikely romance. Molly O’Neill has become a go-to author for me, especially since she’s proven that she can write a satisfying follow-up to the amazing Greenteeth. Once again, her story is rooted in history and mythology and gives readers […]