The nitty-gritty: A powerful grimoire is the catalyst for this magical, funny, feel-good fantasy. “Olive wore black sunglasses and a black trench coat over another completely black outfit. I wondered briefly what her closet looked like. I suspect it was like a small black hole. She could reach in and pull out anything, knowing it […]
The nitty-gritty: An entertaining, cheeky fantasy with outstanding humorous banter, The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is a solid series starter by a very promising writer. Some readers love this book and others don’t, and after reading it for myself I can appreciate both opinions. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy […]
The nitty-gritty: Despite a strong dark academia vibe and some interesting world building elements, An Academy For Liars lacked a cohesive plot and likeable characters. “Lennon was no hero. And she wasn’t even sure she had the spine to call herself a villain.” I had high hopes for An Academy of Liars, but unfortunately it […]
The nitty-gritty: A surreal, complex and magical journey through one family’s odd history, A House Like An Accordion captivated me with its unique ideas and emotional family connections. “Be mindful of the act of creation, and of creating. It carries great beauty, but it exacts a cost.” Every once in a while you read a […]
The nitty-gritty: A fast-paced series opener with a great hook, Three Kinds of Lucky excels with fascinating world-building and a lovable heroine. Have I ever read a Kim Harrison book before? I’m not sure, but I’m so glad I read Three Kinds of Lucky, which is such a fun opening book in her new series. […]
The nitty-gritty: Crazy connections, cool aliens and plenty of mystery make this series starter a fun but convoluted romp through space. “There are many, many things at play. You will never understand every single one.” That quote pretty much sums up this book. I’m not sure I’ve ever used the phrase “cuckoo bananas” in a […]
The nitty-gritty: With a strong beginning and a thrilling ending, I enjoyed parts of House of Hunger, especially the darker horror elements, but overall it turned out to be a mixed bag for me. Of this I am utterly certain: I will never again know peace. —VANESSA, FIRST BLOODMAID OF THE HOUSE OF HUNGER House […]
The nitty-gritty: Another strong entry into Anne Bishop’s World of the Others series, Crowbones is full of mystery, terror, lovable characters and fascinating world-building. Some authors just make you feel cozy, and Anne Bishop is one of those authors for me. I loved being back in her world of The Others, where humans live alongside […]
The nitty-gritty: Dark and unsettling, The Year of the Witching is perfect for fans of horror-tinged, dystopian fantasy. You know me, when I see a book with the word “witch” in the title, I’m all over it! So of course I couldn’t wait to read The Year of the Witching, a debut that really impressed […]
The nitty-gritty: For fans of Christina Henry’s Alice books, this collection fills in some of the blanks and gives readers a peek into the emotional lives of her characters. Looking Glass is a collection of four interconnected novellas set in Christina Henry’s Alice world and gives readers some new glimpses into the lives of Alice […]