The Half King - Book Review

 

The Half King (The Half King #1)

by Melissa Landers

What is it about:

The Great Betrayal changed everything for the Allied Realm. Long ago, the kingdom’s noble houses rose up against the goddess... and for their treachery, the firstborn of each noble family was cursed.

One with perilous beauty.

One with destructive knowledge.

One with insatiable bloodlust.

But the royal house Mortara received the worst affliction of all. For while the king exists during the day, he fades into nothingness at night...until his twenty-first birthday, when he will be lost to the shadows forever.

Now an acolyte has arrived at court. Like all the second-born children of the Allied Realm, she’s destined to serve the goddess and become a Seer...only Cerise Solon has no gift of foretelling. In fact, she has no magical gift at all.

Instead, she’s surrounded by courtiers and priests—smiling sycophants whose hearts are filled with secrets and lies. And at the center of it all sits His Majesty Kian Hannibal Mortara, with his haunting eyes, sharp tongue, and an unerring ability to send her pulse skittering at the worst possible moments.

Falling for him is unthinkable. Because the king is the last of his line, and as the specter of his twenty-first birthday—and the full force of his curse—approaches, the kingdom holds its breath.

But there’s only one way to save a dying king... and it lies with the one person who’s hiding the biggest secret of all. Cerise.

What did I think of it:

I've read several of Landers' YA books and really enjoyed those, so I decided to give this (New Adult) Fantasy Romance a try.

And this was a very enjoyable read.

There were some things in the worldbuilding that didn't seem very practical to me, but they were not world breaking, so I decided to go with where the story led me.

I really liked Cerise so I was invested in seeing her thrive and get on top of things. Kian and his best friend were both really fun characters as well. The story itself entertaining with some interesting twists. Landers has a writing voice I really enjoy, so I flew through this book in a day, eager to see if things would turn out how I wanted them to. 

All in all a fun read. I will keep an eye on future releases by Landers for sure.

Why should you read it:

It's a very enjoyable Fantasy Romance

Mischief Maker - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Mischief Maker

by Lyonne Riley

What is it about:

Kireth is an immortal, a mischief-maker, carved from stone and given life by the goddess. Faela, a poor peasant woman with a dying farm, summons him to help fix it. Though Kireth is bound to complete one hundred tasks for her, he will interpret them how he pleases—even if it means causing trouble.

But there’s more going on at Faela’s farm than a simple girl trying to maintain it alone and failing. The crops are withering, the fences breaking, the house falling apart, and not even Kireth knows why.

As he starts to fall for the sad girl with the fierce heart, he decides to pursue the truth, even though the answer might tear them apart.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I was in the mood for an uncomplicated, fun Fantasy Romance, and even though the author calls this a monster romance it came close enough in my opinion.

This is an enjoyable read.

The romance is hot and sweet, the overall story interesting enough to serve as the background to the developing romance. The length of the story is just right if you're looking for a quick romance fix.

I might read more by Riley when I'm in the mood.

Why should you read it:

It's an enjoyable Fantasy/Monster Romance

Swordheart - Book Review

 

Swordheart (Swordheart #1)

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

Halla has unexpectedly inherited the estate of a wealthy uncle. Unfortunately, she is also saddled with money-hungry relatives full of devious plans for how to wrest the inheritance away from her.

While locked in her bedroom, Halla inspects the ancient sword that's been collecting dust on the wall since before she moved in. Out of desperation, she unsheathes it—and suddenly a man appears. His name is Sarkis, he tells her, and he is an immortal warrior trapped in a prison of enchanted steel.

Sarkis is sworn to protect whoever wields the sword, and for Halla—a most unusual wielder—he finds himself fending off not grand armies and deadly assassins but instead everything from kindly-seeming bandits to roving inquisitors to her own in-laws. But as Halla and Sarkis grow closer, they overlook the biggest threat of all—the sword itself.

What did I think of it:

I'm loving everything I'm reading by Kingfisher, so I decided to also try her Fantasy Romance.

And Swordheart did not disappoint.

Halla is a fun heroine, even if she does have the habit to babble a lot. It was Sarkis, and in almost equal extent Zale and Brindle (two side characters), who made the book for me though. I think I enjoyed the adventure, the snark, and discussions even more than the romance.

Some turns in this story were easy to see coming, but I think that might have been because Kingfisher wanted the reader to see it, so you could enjoy seeing Halla and her travel companions react to it.

There was one part of this story that felt like it would be important, but in hindsight was more of a side quest without a real conclusion. I'll be interested to see if this will become important in the next book (even though that will feature other main characters) or if this part could have been cut. It was a fun sidestep, so no harm done in my opinion.

Overall another cool read. I totally bought Paladin's Grace to try next.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and adventurous Fantasy Romance

On McPig's Wishlist - Among the Thorns

 

Among the Thorns

by Jennifer K. Lambert

Ambitious young sorceress Rose of Northbrooke is about to graduate. She’s the only known dream sorcerer of her generation and she's a remarkable one—formidably powerful, strikingly beautiful, and destined for greatness. No wonder she has a prince of the realm trailing her skirts.

But when rumors of dream magic gone awry reach her ear, Rose discovers she’s not the only oneiromancer of her generation. And she might not be the most powerful.

In a faraway cottage, Thorn has lived a simple and isolated life. She’s kept hidden by magic that prevents her from wandering past the cottage fence. Thorn longs to be a part of the world, to learn more about her magic, to be rescued by a prince who could love her with his whole heart.

When she discovers there’s another dream sorceress out there who has everything Thorn has ever wanted—freedom, education, prince and all—her acceptance of her isolation transforms into a hunger for everything she has been denied. Everything Rose has.

When Rose and Thorn meet, they realize their lives have been a lie and their fates have been carefully planned by political schemers. The outcome is only one sorceress can live in the open, reap all the glory of her kingdom, and claim the prince’s loving hand… condemning the other to a life of perpetual non-existence.

Deliciously messy and lusciously romantic, Among the Thorns will pierce your heart.

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Hemlock & Silver - Book Review

 

Hemlock & Silver

by T. Kingfisher

What is it about:

From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes Hemlock & Silver, a dark reimagining of “Snow White” steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.

Not to die, but to save—seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.

Or it might be the thing that kills them all.

What did I think of it:

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you will know I'm a big fan of T. Kingfisher's Horror, and also loved A Sorceress Comes to Call, which is a re-imagining of The Goose Girl. So I needed this re-imagining of Snow White of course!

And it's so good!

I loved Anja from the start. She's someone who wants to solve problems, do science to help people, but she doesn't necessarily like people. At times she's even a bit jaded. Pair her up with a guard who's just as socially inapt and I was hooked.

The world created in this story is intriguing and creepy. As in A Sorceress Comes to Call there are elements from the original fairytale, but Kingfisher creates her own unique story with those elements instead of following the original plot.

I can tell you I finished this book in a day and I'm hoping Kingfisher will write more re-imaginings like this.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful Fantasy Read.  

Teaser Tuesdays - Paladin's Grace

 

It was the wrong thing to say. Her grey-green eyes chilled.

 (page 28, Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher)

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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!

Dungeon Crawler Carl - Book Review

 

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl #1)

by Matt Dinniman

What is it about:

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over. In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.

You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big.

You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game—with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.

What did I think of it:

I got this book as a present from a friend who absolutely loves this series. And after reading this book I can understand why.

Carl and Princess Donut end up in a dungeon after aliens destroy earth. Only by beating the dungeon can Carl hope to get back to a normal(ish) life.

I loved seeing how Carl handles what is thrown at him, and I loved the interaction between him and Princess Donut even more. There's lots of humor in between tense and gruesome events. Some really squicked me out, others got me thinking. Because next to this being a very humorous lit-RPG this book doesn't shy away from putting a rotting finger on social issues.

All in all this book is a wild ride, and I might buy the next one once I've reduced my TBR a bit.

Why should you read it:

It's a cool (as my friend calls it) 'Cozy Splatter Fantasy'

Nine Goblins - Book Review

 

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:

When the reissue of Nine Goblins was announced I remembered I bought the ebook a long time ago, started it, got distracted, and never finished it.

So I picked it up again and this time read it in one sitting.

And it's 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 I'm absolutely getting my trotters on the hardcover when it releases next year!

Why should you read it:

It's a super fun Fantasy read!

 

*new cover*

releasing January 20, 2026

On McPig's Radar- Snake-Eater

 

Snake-Eater

by T. Kingfisher

In an isolated desert town, a young woman seeking a fresh start is confronted by ancient gods, malevolent supernatural forces, and eccentric neighbours. A witty horror-tinged fantasy, perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Chuck Tingle, and Rachel Harrison.

When Selena travels to the remote desert town of Quartz Creek in search of her estranged Aunt Amelia, she is desperate and short of options. Fleeing an unhappy marriage, she has exactly twenty-seven dollars to her name, and her only friend in the world is her dog, Copper.

On arrival, Selena learns Amelia is dead. But the inhabitants of Quartz Creek are only too happy to have a new resident. Out of money and ideas, Selena sees no harm staying in her aunt's lovely house for a few weeks, tending to her garden and enjoying the strange, desolate beauty of the desert. The people are odd, but friendly, and eager to help Selena settle into her new home.

But Quartz Creek's inhabitants share their town with others, old gods and spirits whose claim to the land long predates their human neighbours. Selena finds herself pursued by disturbing apparitions, visitations that come in the night and seem to want something from her.

Aunt Amelia owed a debt. Now her god has come to collect.

Expected publication December 1, 2025

The Brides of High Hill - Book Review

 

The Brides of High Hill (The Singing Hills Cycle #5)

by Nghi Vo

What is it about:

The Cleric Chih accompanies a beautiful young bride to her wedding to the aging ruler of a crumbling estate situated at the crossroads of dead empires. The bride's party is welcomed with elaborate courtesies and extravagant banquets, but between the frightened servants and the cryptic warnings of the lord's mad son, they quickly realize that something is haunting the shadowed halls.

As Chih and the bride-to-be explore empty rooms and desolate courtyards, they are drawn into the mystery of what became of Lord Guo's previous wives and the dark history of Do Cao itself. But as the wedding night draws to its close, Chih will learn at their peril that not all monsters are to be found in the shadows; some monsters hide in plain sight.

The Singing Hills Cycle has been shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award, the Locus Award, and the Ignyte Award, and has won the Crawford Award and the Hugo Award.

The novellas are standalone stories linked by the Cleric Chih, and may be read in any order.

What did I think of it:

I absolutely love this series!

This book had some creepy vibes to it. There was something going on that I couldn't completely grasp, but that kept me on edge. Vo really managed to set the mood and still keep me guessing until the end. 

I love how these stories each have their own vibe, but still fit into the series, they keep expanding the world while also being perfect as standalones.

You bet I'll get the next one when it releases in October.

Why should you read it:

It's a wonderful Fantasy with Horror vibes.

On McPig's Wishlist - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

 

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

by Stephen Graham Jones

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians comes a tale of the American West, writ in blood.

This chilling historical novel is set in the nascent days of the state of Montana, following a Blackfeet Indian named Good Stab as he haunts the fields of the Blackfeet Nation looking for justice.

It begins when a diary written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall in 2012. What is unveiled is a slow massacre, a nearly forgotten chain of events that goes back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow, told in the transcribed interviews with Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar and unnaturally long life over a series of confessional visits.

This is an American Indian revenge story, captured in the vivid voices of the time, by one of the new masters of literary horror, Stephen Graham Jones.

Teasing on a Wednesday - The Queen of Sorrow

 

She flashed her a smile, to show she was only joking. Of course, she wasn’t entirely sure that Naelin had a sense of humor. They hadn’t spent much time together, at least not without either Naelin’s children or Ven.

 (page 3, The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst)

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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!

The Reluctant Queen - Book Review (reread/repost)

 

The Reluctant Queen (The Queens of Renthia #2)
by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:
Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .
And those spirits want to kill you.
It’s the first lesson that every Renthian learns.

Not long ago, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive those spirits and assume the royal throne. Since then, the new queen has kept the peace and protected the humans of her land. But now for all her power, she is hiding a terrible secret: she is dying. And if she leaves the world before a new heir is ready, the spirits that inhabit her beloved realm will run wild, destroying her cities and slaughtering her people.

Naelin is one such person, and she couldn’t be further removed from the Queen—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her world is her two children, her husband, and the remote village tucked deep in the forest that is her home, and that’s all she needs. But when Ven, the Queens champion, passes through the village, Naelin’s ambitious husband proudly tells him of his wife’s ability to control spirits—magic that Naelin fervently denies. She knows that if the truth of her abilities is known, it will bring only death and separation from those she loves.

But Ven has a single task: to find the best possible candidate to protect the people of Aratay. He did it once when he discovered Daleina, and he’s certain he’s done it again. Yet for all his appeals to duty, Naelin is a mother, and she knows her duty is to her children first and foremost. Only as the Queen’s power begins to wane and the spirits become emboldened—even as ominous rumors trickle down from the north—does she realize that the best way to keep her son and daughter safe is to risk everything.

What did I think of it:
I loved The Queen of Blood, so I made sure to get my trotters on the paperback of The Reluctant Queen.

And even though I never got to love Naelin as much as I love Daleina this is a really good Fantasy read.

The worldbuilding is wonderful, and the intrigues in this book kept me reading. Naelin might not have won my love, but I rooted for Daleina and for Ven. I had my doubts when it became clear Naelin's children had a bigger part in the story than I thought when reading the blurb, but they luckily weren't as annoying as I feared (yes: I'm not a big fan of children in SFF books).

All in all this is a very enjoyable read that ends in a way that I will most definitely buy the last book once it is available in paperback.

Thoughts on rereading

I will probably never become a fan of Naelin. I didn't warm up to her the first time I read this book, and didn't this time either. Still this is such a great story! And there's several viewpoint characters, so it's not Naelin all the time luckily enough. And there's tons of characters who I did love. I was totally invested in the intrigue and the drama. Some things are solved in this book, but much more still need to be solved. I'm looking forward to rereading the last book (which for some reason I never reviewed, and I can't really remember a lot, so I'm a bit worried).

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Fantasy read full of intrigue.

The Queen of Blood - Book Review (reread/repost)

 

The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia #1)

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow...

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land... before it’s bathed in blood.

What did I think of it:

If I'm honest I think that for a lot of people the first part of this book will seem slow, but as it's mostly about Daleina going through her training in a boarding school I was hooked. (Yes, I have a great weakness for boarding school stories.) It's the second part of the story where things speed up to rush to a stunning finale.

I loved the world building and very much enjoyed learning about the spirits together with Daleina as she studies. I also loved that Daleina isn't some kind of prodigy, but that she has to struggle to get were she wants to go. It made her very easy to relate to.

I also really liked Ven and rooted for both him and Daleina to succeed in their goals. I will admit that the further I got into the story the more I started to care for both of them and it became more and more difficult to put the book down.

The ending was beautiful and although it's in no way a cliffhanger it left me hungry for more of this world and the characters. I will most certainly keep an eye out for the next book and I will investigate what other books Durst has written.

Thoughts on rereading:

I'm guessing that there were some very vocal people back in 2017 who complained it was slow, and that's why I mentioned it in my review. I didn't think it was too slow back then, and still don't think so now.

It was so good to reread this and I still love it as much as I did back then. Daleina is such a great heroine. If you love Durst's The Spellshop & The Enchanted Greenhouse, give this book a try: you won't be disappointed.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful Fantasy read.

Love Is a War Song - Book Review

 

Love Is a War Song

by Danica Nava

What is it about:

A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, USA Today bestselling author of The Truth According to Ember.

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.

Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.

It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a deal: Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?

What did we think of it:

We usually aren't into Cowboy Romance, but this one sounded too interesting to not give it a try.

And what an awesome read!

Avery has been in showbiz since a very young age, always strictly managed by her mother. At first she comes across as a bit shallow, but soon it turns out she just hasn't had a chance to figure out who she is and what matters to her.

We loved seeing Avery figuring out herself, discovering the culture she came from, and trying to decide what she wanted out of life. 

We loved Lucas from the start, and loved discovering what molded him into the man he was. And the attraction between him and Avery! It was really delicious to read the scenes with the both of them.

This is as much a romance as it's a journey of self discovery, and we read this in record time, wanting to know how this story would end. How Avery and Lucas would get their Happily Ever After. 

(It was beautiful in our opinion)

You bet after finishing this book we immediately went in search of other books Danica Nave might have written.

Why should you read it:

It's a really beautiful Cowboy/Rockstar Romance.

Wooing the Witch Queen - Book Review

 

Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy #1)

by Stephanie Burgis

What is it about:

In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.

Queen Saskia is the wicked sorceress everyone fears. After successfully wrestling the throne from her evil uncle, she only wants one thing: to keep her people safe from the empire next door. For that, she needs to spend more time in her laboratory experimenting with her spells. She definitely doesn’t have time to bring order to her chaotic library of magic.

When a mysterious dark wizard arrives at her castle, Saskia hires him as her new librarian on the spot. “Fabian” is sweet and a little nerdy, and his requests seem a little strange – what in the name of Divine Elva is a fountain pen? – but he’s getting the job done. And if he writes her flirtatious poetry and his innocent touch makes her skin singe, well…

Little does Saskia know that the "wizard" she’s falling for is actually an Imperial archduke in disguise, with no magical training whatsoever. On the run, with perilous secrets on his trail and a fast growing yearning for the wicked sorceress, he's in danger from her enemies and her newfound allies, too. When his identity is finally revealed, will their love save or doom each other?

What did we think about it:

This is such a fun and cozy read.

We loved both Saskia and Fabian/Felix from the start, so it was easy to root for the two of them. The romance is sweet and the overall story has some suspense, but mostly it's cozy and very enjoyable.

Saskia and Felix are absolutely made for each other, and it was fun to see them opening up for each other.

The two lead characters of the upcoming books had a role in this book as well. We must say that one of them... makes us worry about the next book. Still we will pick it up, hoping for more cozy fun.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and very enjoyable Fantasy read.

Teaser Tuesdays - Tower of the Lost Princess

 

“I know you’re a romantic at heart, child. Unfortunately, the world is too dangerous for you.”

Tower of the Lost Princess - A.R. Kaufer (Kindle Location 146 - ARC) 

Expected publication October 6, 2025

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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!

Teasing on a Wednesday - The Enchanted Greenhouse

 

That’s what they need to hear, Terlu realized. That they’re safe. Now she knew what to say, the same thing she would’ve wanted to hear.

(page 140, The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst (ARC))

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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!

The Enchanted Greenhouse - Release Day Book Review (repost/reread)

The Enchanted Greenhouse released today!

Go get it asap!

The Enchanted Greenhouse

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst invites you to her new standalone novel nestled on a far-away island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love. The hardcover edition features beautiful sprayed edges.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.

What did I think of it:

*I read a digital ARC in February, then was gifted a print ARC and reread this book this month*

This is a standalone set in the same world as The Spellshop, but anyone who read and loved The Spellshop will recognize who Terlu is, and so needs to read this! New to this world? You can totally read and love this book without reading the Spellshop first, but believe me: you need both these books, they're both awesome!

I liked Terlu, and had a lot of sympathy for her, but then the grumpy gardener Yarrow was introduced, and just Wow! He and I have a lot in common I have to confess. From that point on I so rooted for the both of them,(maybe a little bit more for Yarrow) that they would succeed in saving the greenhouses.

And the talking plants! I fell in love with Dendy in particular, I will say.

I feared one of my least favorite tropes would happen in this book, and it did, but Durst managed to write it in a way that didn't make me want to puke like I usually do with this particular trope (which I will name the 'Shiny Happy People' trope to not spoil too much). 

So with a certain trope handled in the best way possible this was just as beautiful and emotional a read as The Spellshop. I loved reading about the wonders in the greenhouses, and learn more about the world Durst created. There's tons of beauty and whimsy, next to a really emotional story that also has lots to smile about.

You bet I will impatiently wait for the release and get my trotters on the hardcover to place it next to The Spellshop. And if there's to be more books: I'm going to hope it will be about certain characters who have a small role in this book.

Thoughts on rereading:

Still as amazing as the first read, and Yarrow is absolutely a kindred spirit.

Why should you read it:

It's a great, cozy Fantasy with a wonderfully grumpy gardener.

The Spellshop - Book Review (repost/reread)

The Enchanted Greenhouse is releasing tomorrow.

In anticipation of the release I reread both The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse (ARC)

The Spellshop

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

What did I think of it:

When Jeffe told me I should read this book, I was easily convinced as I absolutely love Sarah Beth Durst's The Queen of Blood (I'm so going to get my trotters on the new paperback once it releases, because: have you seen that new cover!). 

And this book is so going on my keeper shelves and will be hugged, treasured, and reread!

What a beautiful, touching read. If you need a cozy Fantasy read: look no further and get your hands on The Spellshop!

I loved Kiela from the start, and don't get me started on Caz, because I'll be singing his praises for hours.  I mean: an intelligent, talking, sarcastic spider plant!!

The story is so sweet, and I kept reading to see what happens next for Kiela and Caz. There's some danger to keep you on edge, but mainly this book was delightful and full of whimsy. It made me smile while reading.

So you bet I jumped on the chance to read an Advance Reader Copy of the next book set in the same world as The Spellshop.

Thoughts on rereading:

This is such a delightful read. I most certainly will reread this often. The world, the characters, everything just hits right.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful, cozy, and heartwarming Fantasy read.