BOOKS | Review: The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

Name: The Dark Mirror (The Bone Season series #5)

Author: Samantha Shannon

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Date published: February 2025

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, dystopian  

Pages: 576

Rating: 5/5

This review contains minor spoilers.

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade - but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.
As she makes her way back to the revolution, her journey takes her to Venice, where she learns a dangerous secret - one that could change the face of the war between humans and immortals. Before she can return to London, she must help the Domino Programme unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist.
And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories - Arcturus Mesarthim - might also hold the key to saving Italy. 

- From Goodreads.

This was an incredibly thrilling new installment in The Bone Season series. I was very nervous but excited to find out what would happen next and it definitely did not let me down with all the action and unexpected reveals! There really were so many plot twists I did not expect, and answers that I had not predicted at all, but plenty happened that left a lot of questions to be answered for the last two books. I can't believe we're moving towards the end of the series but I am looking forward to seeing how the different threads wrap up!

The world-building was still brilliant in this book, it was exciting to see more of the world and learn what it was like outside Scion. Samantha Shannon is amazing at detail and really immersing you in the setting. It is still such a fascinating concept for a dystopian story and it's always fascinating to see what will happen with Scion next.

Samantha Shannon is also always brilliant at characters. Paige is still such a wonderful character to follow and it's always incredible how she has to face so many scary and terrible things and manages to be brave and keep going through it all. The rest of the Seven Seals are all very interesting characters too and it was exciting (and surprising) to be reunited with so many previously seen characters in this book when in the last book we got to meet a lot of new characters. Cade is a very fascinating character, even if he can be quite terrible! So I'm curious if we'll see any more of him. I think one of my favourites in the series is definitely Jaxon though, you can never quite tell what he's up to and what he has up his sleeve, but it's always fun trying to understand him and his motivations, even when Paige is furious with him!

There's so much to think about and theorise with this book, so it will certainly be on my mind until the next book comes out. I'm attached to a lot of the characters so of course I am anxious to see what will be in store for them, but I will be intrigued to have more answers for all the mysteries still unresolved! This really was another great book in a very epic and page-turning adventure and I am always impressed with how Samantha Shannon creates it all.

BOOKS | Review: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Name: Starling House

Author: Alix. E. Harrow

Publisher: Tor

Date published: October 2023 

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, horror, gothic

Pages: 308

Rating: 5/5

Nobody in the town of Eden, Kentucky is old enough to remember the building of Starling House, but the stories have been passed down through the generations like good china. The hairdresser says it was the beginning of Eden’s bad luck - the river water they can’t drink, the coal dust they can’t breathe, the cemetery that fills too fast.
Opal has spent her life collecting stories about the house. One night, she meets its reclusive heir, Arthur Starling, and receives an invitation she can't refuse. But there are secrets and stories buried beneath Starling House, clamoring to escape and wreak havoc on the town. And even they might not be the biggest threat...

- Goodreads.

This had a perfect sinister atmosphere, the setting really felt like a living, dangerous thing. The house was a character itself and I loved how you could feel its personality without it actually speaking and you could see why the characters became attached to it and it became attached to them.

The mystery was very intriguing and I was excited the whole way through to uncover all the answers and surprises. I thought it was very well written and everything was revealed in a compelling way.

Opal and Arthur were wonderful main characters, I loved them both pretty much immediately and really wanted a happy ending for both of them. Opal had been through so much and had to make some tough choices but she never gave up on her determination to look after her brother and I loved that she still managed to be fierce and passionate, despite what she was going through. Arthur had been through a lot too, and had lost hope in some ways, but was also still determined to do what he needed to do, no matter what he had to sacrifice himself, and he did everything he could for Opal, not wanting her to suffer. It was just perfectly done how they came to care for each other and wanted to help each other, and how being together made them realise they could want things for themselves and not just other people.

I adored the writing style, the voices of the characters really had distinct personalities and I loved the addition of footnotes and illustrations, it made the story even more immersive.

I would definitely recommend this if you like Holly Black and the way she creates stories that feel like modern dark fairy tales. I would also recommend if you like gothic fantasies about sentient houses and curses, like Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek.

BOOKS | Review: The High Lord by Trudi Canavan

Name: The High Lord (The Black Magician trilogy #3)

Author: Trudi Canavan 

Publisher: Orbit

Date published: Originally 2004, Illumicrate edition 2023

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, adventure

Pages: 647

Rating: 3/5

This review contains moderate spoilers.

In the city of Imardin, where those who wield magic wield power, a young street-girl, adopted by the Magician's Guild, finds herself at the centre of a terrible plot that may destroy the entire world...
Sonea has learned much at the magicians' guild and the other novices now treat her with a grudging respect. But she cannot forget what she witnessed in the High Lord's underground room - or his warning that the realm's ancient enemy is growing in power once more. As Sonea learns more, she begins to doubt her guildmaster's word. Could the truth really be as terrifying as Akkarin claims, or is he trying to trick her into assisting in some unspeakably dark scheme?

- From Goodreads.

The story was very exciting, I was not sure what was going to happen and just had to keep reading, I couldn't predict anything!

The scenes where they were hunting the enemy in the city and had to make their way through all the different areas, using the tunnels and hidden passageways was very fun and thrilling to read.

I was happy that we got more of Tayend and Dannyl together, but it was a little disappointing we did not get to see more of their developing relationship, or more moments of them together, to see their romantic moments.

I was left feeling dissatisfied by the ending, although the final showdown did have great drama to it, it could have felt a little more epic and I was not happy about the deaths at the end. Of course with it being fantasy and everyone in such danger, I did expect some death, and there were some deaths I could accept (although sadly of course since I was attached to and invested in a lot of the characters), there was one in particular I don't think was the right choice. It did not give a satisfying conclusion to the character's story arc and I felt like there had not been enough leading up to it. I also felt it was not a very satisfying ending for Sonya, who I really loved, I wanted more of how she was feeling and what she was going through at the end, and it felt strangely distanced from her in the last couple of chapters, given that she had been such an important main character throughout the series and we had seen a lot of the story through her thoughts and feelings previously. I am glad she got her wish of things becoming more equal in the city by the end and better treatment for the poorer classes, and a less elitist guild and university, but I think there could have been better ways to reach that ending.

I was excited and thrilled the whole time I was reading, there was some great action, and development in characters (I enjoyed learning more about Akkarin and his backstory and seeing how his and Sonea's relationship changed over time) but the end unfortunately didn't really have the impact and closure I was hoping for.

BOOKS | Review: The Novice by Trudi Canavan

Name: The Novice (The Black Magician trilogy #2)

Author: Trudi Canavan 

Publisher: Orbit

Date published: Originally 2004, Illumicrate edition 2023

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, adventure

Pages: 581

Rating: 5/5

This review contains minor spoilers.

Imardin is a city of dark intrigues and deadly politics, where those who wield magic wield power. Into this established order has blundered a young street-girl with extraordinary magical gifts. Adopted by the Magicians' Guild, her life is changed forever - but for better or for worse?
Sonea knew that she'd face a tough time training within the Magicians' Guild but she little realised the level of animosity she would face from her fellow novices. The sons and daughters of the most powerful families in the realm, her classmates seem determined to see her fail - at whatever cost. But in accepting the protection of the guild's high lord, Sonea may have embraced an even bleaker fate. For High Lord Akkarin harbours a secret that is far darker than his magician's robes.

- Goodreads.

This book had a very exciting storyline, I got more and more invested as the story went on as the mysteries were all very intriguing and I found the last few chapters especially thrilling! I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens.

The descriptions were all very well written, I could always picture each scene easily and what was happening in each one was clear. The descriptions of the scenery were always lovely, and especially interesting as we got to travel to different countries in this book through one of the perspectives and it was fun to see what the other places in the world were like and how they differed from the setting of the first book.

I was not sure I would enjoy both perspectives but I found both really compelling. Dannyl's travels and discoveries were fascinating to read about and I thought the way he discovered new things about himself and realised the effects of what had happened to him at the Guild in the past was all very well done and I really felt the emotions he was going through. I also really loved Tayend who he travelled with, he was such a sweet character and the relationship that slowly began to develop between them was wonderful. I hope we will seem more of them together in the next book.

Sonea's perspective was also interestig to read as she figured out how to navigate life in the guild and deal with the judgement from everone there, especially Regin who was well written to be absolutely awful! I definitely admired Sonea for taking everything that was done to her and learning to be stronger and not giving up. I am looking forward to seeing more of her journey in the third book.

The mysterious High Lord was also very compelling in this book and it was exciting to see more of him and learn a little bit more about him, and to see the mystery deepen as even more questions about him were raised. I will also be curious to see what the dynamic between him and Sonea is like in the next book and how it changes.

Obviously I really enjoyed this book and am very excited to continue onto the next one! I was nervous it might not live up to the first one and I might not love it as much, but it did not let me down and it was definitely just as good!

BOOKS | Review: Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1 by Suji Kim

Name: Under the Oak Tree (Under the Oak Tree Novels #1)

Author: Suji Kim

Publisher: Inklore

Date published: November 2024

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 484

Rating: 4/5

This review contains minor spoilers.

Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged.
Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

- From Goodreads.

I can see why some people may find the beginning of this book tough to get past as Maxi and Riftan do have a difficult beginning to their relationship. Maxi is very shy and insecure, and because of her sheltered upbringing and the abuse she suffered from her father, she doesn't know or understand much about the world, or marriage. Riftan meanwhile is quite domineering and can be quick to temper, somewhat because of his role as the knights' commander. I was hesitant whether I would enjoy this at first because there is some very dubious consent in their intimacy at the beginning partly because of Maxi's lack of knowledge and her belief that she needs to complete her wifely duties, so it might be best to avoid this book if that would be hard for you to read.

However it was compelling to see them both grow from that point. Although Maxi still struggled a lot with her insecurity, she did find a little more confidence in herself and learnt that she could do more than she realised, and that people could treat her kindly and she could fine somewhere to call home. Riftan learnt to be gentle with her and clearly wanted to treat her well. They had an interesting dynamic and I will be interested to see them learn and grow together in future volumes.

There were plenty of other interesting characters too, the servants at the castle were all likeable and it was fascinating to learn about the hierarchy of the knights and the different dynamics between them. 

There was also some great worldbuilding. The politics between the kingdoms, the royalty and lords of each one, and it was exciting to read about all the different fantasy creatures that lived in the land, and the knights' fights with them.

As already mentioned, I probably would not recommend this if you do not like to read anything with issues of consent or abuse, as Maxi's abuse from her father (both physical and mental) is also a part of the story and described multiple times in detail. But otherwise I found the story to be quite easy to get through and I became quite invested in the characters and especially enjoyed following Maxi as the main character and I am looking forward to reading the next volume to see what happens next in her story.

BOOKS | Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Name: Bride (Bride #1)

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Publisher: Sphere

Date published: February 2024

Genre: Fiction, adult, romance, fantasy, paranormal 

Pages: 399

Rating: 3/5

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast - again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange. Again.
Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It's clear from the way he tracks Misery's every movement that he doesn't trust her. If only he knew how right he was...
Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what's hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory... alone with the wolf.

- Goodreads.

This was quite a fun book, it was easy to read and the writing style was enjoyable with a likeable narrative voice and an entertaining sense of humour.

I don't read a lot of paranormal stories or stories that are fantasy but set in a contemporary setting, but I enjoyed the premise of this story and it was interesting to learn about the world and discover the interactions between humans, vampires and werewolves and how the politics between them worked.

I think there were a lot of interesting characters, and I enjoyed the tension between Misery and Lowe. I think the author did a good job of creating the chemistry between them and the moments of them getting to know each other and opening up and becoming vulnerable were quite sweet, I think the only problem I had was that sometimes they assumed a lot or were quite stubborn about believing something when the truth seemed pretty obvious, at least from a reader's persepective, and occasionally I didn't understand their motivation and why they did some things, but mostly they did explain why a character might feel a certain way or why they might take a certain action, even if it could be frustrating.

I think it would depend on the storyline of what happened next, but I would consider reading sequels to this book, and since I enjoyed her writing style I would read one of Ali Hazelwood's other books to see if I enjoyed something she wrote set in another world or genre. This one was a lot of fun, it was just understanding the characters at some points that was the main problem for me.

BOOKS | Review: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

Name: Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment duology #2)

Author: Rebecca Ross

Publisher: Magpie

Date published: January 2024

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance, historical

Pages: 420

Rating: 5/5

Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign.
Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together... the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

- Goodreads.

This was a brilliant follow up to Divine Rivals, I think it gave the story a satisfying conclusion and was just as thrilling to read as the first book. 

Iris and Roman's story was still wonderfully romantic, they wrote so beautifully to each other and when they could see each other in person it felt like such a beautiful moment.

It was good to see more of the side characters that were introduced in the first book and see more of their personalities, and we were introduced to new characters who were also just as fascinating and fun to get to know. Everyone felt very well rounded and real, and in general all the characters were well written.

We learnt more about the magic and the gods in this book and I felt that continued to be a fascinating and inventive part of the world building. It really added to how compelling the plot was and how it kept you wanting to read more.

The emotional moments were also very well done. I was very invested in what happened to all of the characters and their relationships to each other and I was anxious to see how things ended for them all. There were painful and sad momennts that definitely got to me, but they all felt right for the story and were balanced well with happier and more hopeful moments.

Overall it was a really wonderful book and duology in general. It had such loveable characters and a really exciting plot. I will definitely try more books from the author and I would definitely recommend if you love historical fantasy and stories involving letter writing.