The Wonder Engine - Book Review

 

The Wonder Engine (Clocktaur War #2)

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

Pull three people out of prison--a disgraced paladin, a convicted forger, and a heartless assassin. Give them weapons, carnivorous tattoos, and each other. Point them at the enemy.

What could possibly go wrong?

In the sequel to CLOCKWORK BOYS, Slate, Brenner, Caliban and Learned Edmund have arrived in Anuket City, the source of the mysterious Clockwork Boys. But the secrets they're keeping could well destroy them, before the city even gets the chance...

What did I think of it:

This was an entertaining read and a mostly cool conclusion to this duology.

I absolutely loved Grimehug, the gnole who joined Slate and her team in The Clockwork Boys. He and the other gnoles are my favorite of the creatures in the Clocktaur world.

I also really liked Learned Edmund and Brenner.

The story was fun and exciting as well. I was eager to find out how our band of misfits would deal with their predicaments and how they would complete their mission.

But the Romance...

I loved Slate, but Caliban...

I know which Knight Commander inspired Caliban, and I can say that Caliban is just as annoying as I find that particular Knight Commander, so well done, I say.

And mostly the romance is cute and sweet, and I might even have been satisfied with it, but near the end of the book something happens that for me would have meant the end of the relationship or should have had at least a different aftermath then it got. Now the Romance to me ended with a lopsided relationship that I don't think will last.

All that said: the overall story was still tons of fun, so this book will be added to my growing T. Kingfisher collection.

Why should you read it:

It's a really fun and entertaining Fantasy read.

Teasing on a Wednesday - Do You Ship It?

 

He interjects, 'And this is my mate, Jake. He was meant to come dressed as you, actually, but had a wing malfunction.'

(page 184, Do You Ship It? by Beth Reekles)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die - Book Review

 

Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die

by Greer Stothers

What is it about:

All his life, Sir Cameron has stayed as far away from danger as possible. He is, quite frankly, too handsome to die a violent and pointless death in battle. But when the Church hands down a prophecy to his fellow knights predicting that the only way to defeat their nemesis, the mad sorcerer Merulo, is to kill Cameron, he finds himself in a situation too sticky for even his considerable wiles. Short of ideas, Cameron throws himself on the mercy of the one person who now actually wants him to survive: the mad sorcerer.

Merulo isn’t thrilled to be babysitting a spoilt, attention-seeking knight, but fate has tied them together. And transmogrifying Cameron into a vulture is at least a great source of entertainment. Cameron, meanwhile, is on a voyage of self-discovery. It turns out he’s really, really into surly sorcerers who lock him up and tell him what to do. Who knew?

As a legion of knights surround their stronghold, the sorcerer’s poisonous ambitions draw ever closer to fruition. Cameron is quite invested in not dying, but he finds he’s also invested in Merulo. And sometimes, supporting the sorcerer you care about means taking an interest in their hobbies. Even if that hobby is trying to kill God.

Even if it might get you killed, too.

What did I think of it:

This was a nice enough read.

I especially liked the first half of the boo. It was fun and funny, and Sir Cameron's antics were fresh. Also: He's a vulture for parts of the story!

At one point though, I thought things were going on too long and then there were revelations where it came to the world this story is set and the book lost me to be honest. I was far enough in to finish it, but it was a bit of a drag.

All in all a fun concept, with an overall execution that was just not for me.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun Fantasy Romance.

Book Review - Love, Lies, and Ley Lines

 

Love, Lies, and Ley Lines (The Fast & the Fae #1)

by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:

It’s been years since the infamous smuggling team of Bandit and Goldilocks thumbed their noses at the fae authorities, running the priceless magical pixie dust desired by everyone from hedge witches to the storied magic academies. No one in the human principalities controlled by the fae can work even the simplest spells without the stuff. And without fae magic, humans will find themselves back in the dark ages of disease and fast mortality. But the enigmatic fae keep a tight grip on their monopoly of pixie dust, charging extortionate prices at their whim.

Bandit has been doing her best to get by on her racing wins and the quick thrill of one-night stands while her former partner and best friend, the powerful sorceress known as Goldilocks, is off playing house and having babies. But when Bandit gets the offer of a lifetime, she convinces Goldilocks to come out of retirement for one last, hugely profitable gig.

And if the Bandit picks up a mysterious and seductive hitchhiker fleeing his wedding, well that just adds a bit of spice to the job. When he refuses to tell her his name, she dubs him Prince Charming and only regrets that she won’t have time to find out more about her enticing companion—and what he looks like under those fancy clothes.

As the Bandit and Prince Charming run distraction for Goldilocks and her precious haul, they face untold dangers penetrating the arcane fae realms.

All for gold, glory, and maybe even true love.

What did I think of it:

Do you even need to ask?!

Jeffe Kennedy isn't my favorite author for nothing: this book is yet another winner!

This book had Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves vibes, but did it so much better in my opinion. They absolutely should make a movie based on Love, Lies, and Ley Lines. I'd watch the shit of out of it while also rereading this book.

I absolutely fell in love with Cha & her best friend, had my doubts about Prince Charming as well as finding him super intriguing, and couldn't get enough of the cool world Jeffe created for this thrilling adventure.

You bet I finished this in one day and that I'm now eager for the next book!

Why should you read it:

It's such a cool and delicious read!

Go Buy Here

Nine Goblins - Book Review (reread/repost)

 

Nine Goblins

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

When a party of goblin warriors find themselves trapped behind enemy lines, it'll take more than whining (and a bemused Elven veterinarian) to get them home again.

Nine Goblins is a novella of low...very low...fantasy.

What did I think of it:

This such a fun read!

It's silly, funny, and touching all in one.

The story switches viewpoints between the goblins and Sings-to-Trees, an Elven veterinarian. I loved the goblins and their view of the world, but I will confess I loved Sings-to-Trees even more. He's on the receiving end of a lot of trouble, still he keeps going and stays helpful.

The goblins get themselves in hot water as well, but they're tough and resourceful in a unique goblin way.

All in all this was a delight to read, and as promised when I read it last year: I got my trotters on the hardcover for this first of many rereads!

Why should you read it:

It's a super fun Fantasy read!

Teaser Tuesdays: "Look at My Pretty Book" Edition

 

No teaser from my current read today, but pictures of my newest arrival, just because it's pretty.

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

by Carissa Broadbent

Have you read it?

What did you think of it?

Sea of Charms - Early Book Review

 

Sea of Charms (Spellshop #3)

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

Marin is a supply runner with her own boat that she sails from island to island, delivering whatever anyone will pay her to deliver: letters, flour, even the occasional enchanted lemur. It’s a lonely life, but it’s hers, and she wouldn’t trade the freedom of the sea for anything. Her only companion is a sea serpent, Perri, whom she saved from a fisherfolk’s net.

One day, she sails to Alyssium and discovers the city is on fire. There’s been a revolution, and the empire has fallen. Marin, with Perri, begins transporting refugees, finding them new homes where they can start over. One such refugee is Dax, a composer who refuses to leave behind his instruments, no matter how much she tries to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, and his charming smile, Marin discovers perhaps she isn’t saving him ― maybe it’s the other way around.

What did I think of it:

I absolutely love The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse so I was super happy to receive an ARC of Sea of Charms.

The book felt initially slow. I get why it started where it started, but as it overlaps time- and event-wise with The Enchanted Greenhouse it felt like a rehash at times and that's what took the speed out of it for me personally. But luckily after a few chapters the story moved away from the previous book and took on speed. 

I especially enjoyed Ree, the sentient plant, and Perri, the sea serpent. I love how Durst manages to give the plants in this series their own personality.

I didn't totally get into the relationship between Marin and Dax. Marin seemed unreasonably obsessed with Dax from the start even while telling herself they can never be together, while Dax is a cinnamon roll where someone forgot to add the cinnamon. 

I didn't mind much though. The adventures of the four of them were more than fun and enjoyable enough to keep me entertained. I loved seeing even more of the world these books are set in, and to discover more of what happened in the aftermath of the revolution. There's exciting action, lots of humorous situations, and more. There were a few delightful cameos from characters from the other books along the way as well.

All in all a fun and entertaining addition to the series. I will most definitely get my trotters on the hard cover once it releases.

Why should you read it:

It's a very enjoyable Cozy Fantasy

Expected publication July 28, 2026