BOOKS | Review: Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

Name: Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal series #1)

Author: Zen Cho

Publisher: Pan Books

Date published: January 2016

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, historical

Pages: 371

Rating: 5/5

At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers - one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain - ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up. But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain - and the world at large…

- From Goodreads.

I thought it was clever how the story had the history of our world but took it and added magical elements, it was very creative and made for a very fascinating world with interesting politics that added to the twists and turns of the plot. The plot was very exciting as the different mysteries unravelled and I thought the climactic scene that everything culminated to was very well done and fun to read.

I really loved the two main characters, Zacharias and Prunella, they both had such intriguing stories to follow and and really great personalities and their romance was definitely my favourite thing about the book. Every moment they had together was delightful to read and I loved how they became protective and supportive of each other. The final scene of the book with them brought me so much joy.

The writing style was perfect for the book and very well done, it really helped me feel immersed in the setting of the book.

I would recommend this if you also enjoyed books like Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater and Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson.

BOOKS | Review: Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko

Name: Girls Like Girls

Author: Hayley Kiyoko

Publisher: Penguin Books

Date Published: June 2023

Genre: Fiction, young adult, contemporary, romance, drama

Pages: 309

Rating: 5/5

Still spiralling after the death of her mom, Coley is flung into the middle-of-nowhere Oregon to live with her long-lost father. Life pretty much sucks. Until she meets Sonya. Sonya with her head-turning beauty and her laugh that imprints itself in Coley's brain. Sonya who cuddles just a little bit closer and flirts a little bit harder whenever Coley's around. But Sonya's stuck in an on-again-off-again relationship with her jerk of an (ex)boyfriend and hounded by the expectations of her parents. Will Sonya ever be ready to take a chance on this unexpected love?

- From Goodreads.

This story was quick and easy to read. The tension and intrigue of the plot built up well, it was nicely paced and kept me turning the pages.

The characters were developed thoroughly and felt real. I could understand their feelings and motivations, and the main character and her love interest were especially compelling.

I think it portrayed well the struggles of a teenager trying to figure out how to be who they are, especially around new people, and all while dealing with grief and a difficult family situation. I think all of these themes were woven together well in the story and it all came to a satisfying conclusion at the end.

I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for a summer teen romance with queer characters. It had a lot of heart and emotion and felt like a really meaningful story.

BOOKS | Review: The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

Name: The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry (Unnatural Magic series #2)

Author: C.M. Waggoner 

Publisher: Ace

Date published: January 2021

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, adventure, mystery

Pages: 371

Rating: 4/5

Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt - again. Then she sees a want ad for a female bodyguard, and she fast-talks her way into the high-paying job. Along with a team of other women, she’s meant to protect a rich young lady from mysterious assassins.

At first Delly thinks the danger is exaggerated, but a series of attacks shows there’s much to fear. Then she begins to fall for Winn, one of the other bodyguards, and the women team up against a mysterious, magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere.

- From Goodreads.

This book had quite a unique writing style and voice that took a bit of getting used to at first, but was fun and entertaining to read and gave it quite a lot of personality.

The plot was quickly paced and full of plenty of unexpected twists and turns. I could not predict what was going to happen next or where the story would end. It definitely became quite intense and dramatic towards the end and was thrilling to read, but also had quite a bit of emotion to it.

The author created a collection of very interesting and unique characters, they were all very distinct and had lively personalities.

Overall, I think it was different to anything else I have read before and I would recommend it if you're looking for a fun adventure and mystery fantasy.

BOOKS | Review: Lips Touch by Laini Taylor

Name: Lips Touch

Author: Laini Taylor

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Date published: October 2014

Genre: Fiction, anthology, short stories, young adult, fantasy, paranormal, fairy tales, romance

Pages: 288

Rating: 4/5

Three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls:
Goblin Fruit
In Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt today's savvy girls?
Spicy Little Curses
A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love and decides to test her curse.
Hatchling
Six days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of demons? 

- From Goodreads.

Goblin Fruit

This was a very dark and seductive story, it was very sinister but strangely delightful in a wicked way to read about how the goblins could latch onto what the soul desired and tempt you until you willingly did what they wanted, even though it would doom you.

Laini Taylor has a very poetic and descriptive style of writing that works perfectly with this kind of story, something like a dark fairy tale or twisted cautionary tale.

Spicy Little Curses Such as These 

This was quite a different story from the first one, although it had the similar feel of being something like a darker fairy tale. It felt very romantic while also having a tragic, bittersweet element to it.

Hatchling

This third story was quite a mysterious, suspenseful and intense story. There were quite a few different parts to the story and it was a little difficult to follow at first but by the end it all fitted together like a completed puzzle. Laini Taylor did not hold back on the darkness of this tale either and it was certainly not a lighthearted story, but it was definitely written well and had an interesting ending.

Overall Thoughts

It was a very well done collection of stories that fit together well and really showed Laini Taylor's skills for writing and her ability to write sinister, fairy tale-style stories in her own way, making them fascinating even when they became quite horrifying.

BOOKS | Review: A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

Name: A Far Wilder Magic

Author: Allison Saft

Publisher: Orion Children's Books

Date published: March 2022

Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 375

Rating: 4/5

When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. If Margaret wins the hunt, it may finally bring her mother home. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.
Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist - yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.
Although they make an unlikely team, Wes is in awe of the girl who has endured alone on the outskirts of a town that doesn’t want her, in this creaking house of ghosts and sorrow. And even though Wes disrupts every aspect of her life, Margaret is drawn to him. He, too, knows what it's like to be an outsider. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt - if they survive that long.

- From Goodreads.

The story felt something like a Studio Ghibli movie, whimsical, creative and adventurous, with a bit of a darker more intense side too.

It had a unique, inventive world with a lot of details that made it feel full of depth and like a real world we were being immersed into. The way the magic worked and the history, it was all fascinating to learn about.

I would warn anyone who might be upset by it that there is animal hunting in the story. Of course I went in knowing that they were hunting the mythical fox but there is an element of normal fox hunting too. It is not a flaw of the book of course, just a part of the setting, but it is just something to be aware of. 

I did enjoy the plot, although I did wonder if there was more of a twist coming and that did not end up happening, but it still ended in a satisfying way and all of the story's questions were answered by the end. I found towards the end I had a similar feeling that I did when I read Down Comes the Night, in that there was a bit of back and forth in the characters' decision making, especially with Margaret this time. It seemed like she had already come to her big revelation and the culmination of her character arc, but because the climax of the story had not happened yet she went back a step and doubted the decision she had already made until she made the decision again. It was a little frustrating to read but it was not too drawn out and it resolved well so it did not really ruin the enjoyment of the story too much for me.

I liked that Margaret and Wes had quite strong journeys of personal discovery over the course of the book. You begin thinking the story is about the hunt but it becomes about so much more than that. It also showed that they were a good fit together because they helped each other face the difficult things and brought out the best in each other. I really liked how their romance was written and how they slowly came to understand and care for each other.

This was another good book by Allison Saft and it makes me excited to read more of her work and see what other creative story ideas she comes up with.

BOOKS | Review: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

Name: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (Whimbrel House series #1)

Author: Charlie N. Holmberg

Publisher: 47North

Date published: November 2022

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, historical, mystery, cosy

Pages: 330

Rating: 5/5

 

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home - until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.
Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.
Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern - something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

- From Goodreads.

The plot of Keeper of Enchanted Rooms had an intriguing mystery and was well paced as it slowly built up to the exciting conclusion.

The author managed to create a villain that was awful and irredeemable and did horrendous things, but still made him sympathetic enough that you understood his motivations, why he had done what he had done and how he had got to the place that he had.

The magic of the world and the setting of the house was so creative and it was exciting to learn about it as the book went on. I loved that the house had such a personality and story of its own, it really made it a character too.

The romance was lovely, it built so slowly and sweetly and the way the affection grew between the two main characters was wonderful to read, I could read so much more of them together. Hulda and Merritt were both such interesting characters that really attached themselves to my heart. Their backstories were both so sympathetic and compelling and really made you hope things could end well for both of them.

I also loved the side characters in the book and how, along with Hulda and Merrit, they all became a very loveable found family, it was very wholesome.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable book with a sweet romance and also quite a dark, suspenseful fantasy plot. It was a well written and made me very interested to read more from the author.

BOOKS | Review: The Modern Faerie Tales:Tithe; Valiant; Ironside by Holly Black

Name: The Modern Faerie Tales:Tithe; Valiant; Ironside

Author: Holly Black

Publisher: Simon Schuster Children's UK

Date published: July 2019

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

Pages: 785

Rating: 5/5

 

In Tithe, sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she drifts from place to place with her mother’s rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient and violent power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death.
In Valiant, the companion to Tithe, seventeen-year-old Valerie runs away to New York City, trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city’s labyrinthine subway system. But there’s something eerily beguiling about Val’s new friends. When one talks Val into tracking down the lair of a mysterious creature, Val finds herself torn between her affection for an honorable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming.
In Ironside, the sequel to Tithe, the time has come for Roiben’s coronation. Uneasy in the midst of the malevolent Unseelie Court, pixie Kaye is sure of only one thing - her love for Roiben. But when Kaye drunkenly declares herself to Roiben, he sends her on a seemingly impossible quest to find a faerie who can tell a lie. Unable to see Roiben until she has fulfilled his quest, Kaye finds herself in the center of the battle of wits and weapons being waged over his throne.

- From Goodreads.

Holly Black's style is always so enjoyable to read, she can write really thoughtfully and include really vivid descriptions, but also have a lot of short, sharp and fun narration and dialogue.

I love that the faeries and other magical creatures that she includes can be really dark and twisted, they are definitely not human and they really feel dangerous, sinister and unpredictable.

Tithe

I think this story really shows that Holly Black can pack a lot into a short story and make it immersive and have us get to know the characters and world well even when we do not have as much time as we would in a longer story. 

I really liked Kaye and Roiben, they both felt very unique, Kaye was so vibrant and full of charm and Roiben was so fascinating and mysterious, it was exciting to see them meet and come to know each other and see how they quickly became important to each other.

Valiant

I thought the characters in this story were very intriguing too, they all had a lot of personality and were fun to learn about. Even though Val and Ravus were both going through painful experiences, they both had good hearts underneath it all and slowly became able to trust and help each other and I loved how that was done. 

The plot was truly a rollercoaster and I really had no idea what was going to happen, it was thrilling to read and really kept me turning the pages.

I enjoyed how it linked back to Tithe and how it included little references to that story, it stood well on its own but it also worked well as a follow-on story.

Ironside

It was exciting to be back with Kaye and Roiben again and to see how their story continued, and how it all tied together with everything that had happened in Valiant. It was very fast-paced and intense and always kept me guessing about what the ending would be.

The Lament of Lutie-Loo

It was fun to read a story from Lutie's perspective, Holly Black wrote her voice in a great, light-hearted way that worked well even in the darker moments.

It was exciting to read plot that would lead into The Cruel Prince and to see characters from that trilogy, it was fun to have more insight into what led to the events of that book.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed all three of the stories, and the bonus story in this edition, they were all very captivating and full of energy. I can definitely see how Holly Black went on to write the Folk of the Air trilogy after this as she definitely started to create a fascinating world full of trickster faeries in these stories.