Queens of Spells and Stone completely took me by surprise—in the best way. I went into it curious, but I didn’t expect to be so instantly pulled into the story. One of the first things that made me fall in love with this book was the main character. She’s a middle-aged, plus-sized woman—finally! A fantasy heroine who isn’t a teenage chosen one or a twenty-something assassin. Instead, she’s wise, flawed, real, and still on a journey of self-discovery. It was so refreshing to see an actual adult take center stage in a world of dragons, fae, and gargoyles.

The story itself is fast-paced and packed with adventure, magic, and plenty of emotional depth. I loved how the author wove multiple POVs throughout the book—it gave me a chance to connect with different characters and see this incredible world from various angles. The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming, and the pacing kept me turning pages long after I should’ve gone to bed. There are themes of identity, found family, empowerment, and the power of choosing your own path, even later in life.

This book doesn’t just deliver on fantasy; it also brings heart, nuance, and representation that the genre sorely needs more of. If you're craving a magical world that doesn't feel like a copy-and-paste of every other fantasy book—and a heroine who breaks the mold—Queens of Spells and Stone should be on your radar. I can’t wait to see what Katerina Stevens writes next.