Dark magic, romance, murder... and parties and glitz and bloodmagic... in the after math of WW1 a young woman is swept into a glitter world that will change her forever. Annie Mason has come to Crow island to visit her father’s home as his last wish, but on Crow Island... magic exist and her neighbors happen to be the people who host lavish parties every weekend and deal in illegal magic. Annie finds herself drawn back to old friendship and hurts and to new ones as well, as she meets the mysterious and beautiful Emmeline Delacroix. Emmeline has darkness in her, magic in her every pore threatening to unleash itself, and a blood debt that is slowly killing her. Annie and Emmeline find themselves drawn together, not only through a mysterious connection that leaves the other yearning for each other, but also through a mutual acquaintance who will throw their life in shambles, especially when events take the turn for the worst and murder and magic throw itself into the mix. The story definitely gave me Great Gatsby vibe except with magic, murder, and trauma. With magic comes a price, and there is always a debt to collect. This was a stunning and lush story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The murder was so intriguing and the way the magic was used was brilliant. The romance was bittersweet yet soft and the consequences of the actions and decisions of each character was so interesting. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you love magic, murder, and romance!

*Thanks Netgalley and Redhook Books, Redhook for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A Rumplestiltskin retelling? YES. This was such a unique take on the classic fairytale and it definitely is an original all on its own. Alchemy, magic, contracts, secrets, and romance all collide in this amazing story. The story begins with Sepha, a girl who wants to be a Lady Alchemist, but in abusive home and with difficult and barely any control over her magic, her chances are bleak. When it comes time to show her magic in order to gain entrance into the academy, she also runs into a mysterious guy who she feels a connection to. When a slip of the tongue gets her sent to prison and given an ultimatum: turn all the straw into gold and get the title of Lady Alchemist (without having to go to the school or pay for anything and be given funding, living space, and a court title) or die if she cannot. A mysterious and conniving magician appears as Sepha struggles to complete her task and offers her a deal: she will have one year to either alchemically create body for the magician or else her firstborn child will be his and in exchange he will turn all her straw into gold. With no way out Sepha agrees... except now she has a clock on her and she must find a way to get out of the deal. Things start to take a turn for the worst when there are more attempts on her life, she is thrown in the middle political fights, her complicated feelings for a sweet and kind alchemist who is hiding his own secrets, and the fact that everyone will want to kill her... especially when she discovers what her true powers are and what she actually is. I had so much fun reading this and I really loved the way the story worked in the classic fairytale. The romance is sweet and light and the magic in the story was amazing. The book ends a little open, with the possibility of a continuation of the story ( I WOULD 100% LOVE IT IF IT WAS CONTINUED) but wraps up the main Sepha story well!

Four houses, heirs steeped in power, politics, romance, magic, and gods...In a world in which there are four realms- the realms of life, death, light and darkness, which all converge on the city of dusk, that each have a god and with each god comes a heir and house of their own. The story follows Risha a necromancer trying to maintain peace, Angelica an elementalist wanting to find acceptance and validation from her family with her eyes on the throne, Taesia a shadow-wielding rogue who wants nothing more than to protect her kingdom and family...except there’s a darkness lurking to break free in her, and Nik a soldier who is dealing with the grief of killing his brother and being shunned by his own god and dealing with the family tension. Each of the heirs is dealing with their own family issues, with their own power complications, and the threat of turning on one another. Complicated relationships and betrayals come to a head as the realms are dying and the gods withdraw their favor. There is more at play than the heirs could ever imagine and with the lives of their loved ones at stake and the entire realm on the line they’ll each have to figure out how if they can trust one another and what they are willing to do and sacrifice in order to save their realms. Risha is struggling to come to terms with her powers, particularly with how her mother would rather her marry herself off to build an alliance rather than focus on using her powers, it also doesn’t help that dead bodies have been going missing and showing up a few days later mysteriously. Angelica is struggling with finding her place, proving she deserves to be recognized when her powers require her to use methods that bring shame to her family and the fact that the only way she’ll ever be worthy in her mothers eyes is if she seats herself on the throne. Taesia just wants to be free of the politics, of the duties, of the leash that keeps her trapped in her family, yet when she finds herself going along with her brother’s plan to stop the king and commit treason and possibly unleash demons things go from bad to worse and the lies and secrets she keeps grow to the point where she has pushed everyone out of her life except for the hunter who she can’t help but come back to. Julian is a hunter who just wants to save his mother from her sickness and provide medical care for her, but he is struggling with keeping his powers in check, particularly keeping the beasts locked inside from coming out. Nik is the son that shouldn’t have lived and is struggling to live with the guilt that he feels after his brother has died, it doesn’t help that his god has shunned him and that his family wishes his brother had lived instead. This was a great start to a trilogy, despite the slow buildup at certain parts and decisions of some characters it was a great read, I am intrigued to see where the story goes next and how it all plays out. While it’s a lot to keep track of since there are a lot of POVs and so much world-building and plot happening, its a fun fantasy read and I would definitely recommend it. I would have to say my favorites would be as follows: Risha, Julian, Angelica, Taesia and Nik.

*Thanks Netgalley and Orbit Books, Orbit for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A new twist on the Brother Grimms’ stories with a Game of Thrones-esque style. Once upon in a kingdom where there are people who can shift into animals, a woman who can turn things into gold, a king and queen with a dark secret, and a forest that can eat men... The story is a mixture of little red riding hood, rumplestilkson, the pied piper, and so many other stories all mixed into one story about a prince and princess at war with one another, a girl who can play beautiful music, a wolf boy who yearns to return home, and a girl forced to sacrifice everything for family. This was a really interesting story especially with how it mixed in so many different classic stories as well as making it, it’s own storyline. On his deathbed King Tyran divides his land between his two children, Ursula, a bear shifter princess who wants nothing more than the chance to rule the lands and protect her people and Albrecht, prince obsessed with beauty, cruelty, and building mechanical weapons. In the forest is Cappella, a girl who has been raised in isolation and the only freedom she has is her music and the wolf cub she grew up with who has disappeared. Her mother’s secrets soon unravel her world. Hans and Greta are children who grew up in the forest listening to Cappella’s music, they are the children of the Woodsman who died and are soon captured and forced into servitude to suffer under Albrecht’s cruelties until they are able to escape and return home to their forest. Political warfare between the two siblings splits the kingdom, and soon all of these characters find themselves intertwined with one another. This was a great read and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to read a fairytale retelling with a bit more bite to it.

“Hell is a teenage girl.” - Diablo Cody, Jennifer’s Body

Two girls, a god, and making deals with the devil. Finch Chamberlin is shy and awkward and is the newest transfer student to the competitive Ulalume Academy. On the day of her audition she accidentally meets Selena St. Clair, a gorgeous popular mean girl with more secrets. On the day of her audition on the way back home Finch and her parents get into an accident and finch dies at the bottom of the river... until she is back. Finch was declared dead but has somehow made it back alive but her parents did not. As Finch begins her school year at Ulalume, right after a traumatizing and horrific event in her life, she is fragile and just trying to make it through the year. However she finds herself being pulled to a mysterious ghost like creature in the cave that goes by the name of Nerosi... It also doesn’t help that Finch ends up paired with Selena who seems to see right through Finch. Selena and her friends accidentally run into a cave and meet a creature named Nerosi who offers to give them whatever they want in exchange for something else... and as Selena’s friends begin asking for more things and the sacrifices get bigger and bigger Selena will have to find a way to save them before it’s too late and the only person she knows that can help her is in the form of the girl who she can’t seem to stay away from, Finch. Finch and Selena soon find that they share a connection besides Nerosi, and must help each other stop this mysterious creature before it’s evil is unleashed on everyone and destroys everything. On top of that they’re complicated feelings for each other are growing and bodies will start dropping soon. This was such a fun read! It mixes in mystery, romance, friendship, fighting demons/creatures, and everything in between. It was a thrill from beginning to end and getting to know Finch and Selena was a joy! I definitely recommend this book!!! This definitely fits the " Wilder Girls meets The Craft in this Sapphic horror debut that asks: what price would you be willing to pay to achieve your deepest desires?" and IT IS EVERYTHING.

A girl gifted with the ability to speak to gods, a prince who must decide how to save himself and his country, and a boy who is a monster with secrets that could destroy everything. Three different people, three different plans, one goal- kill the king. Nadya is a cleric, gifted with the abilities to speak to the gods and use their powers... and she just might be the person to change the tide of the ongoing war. Serafin is a prince, a powerful mage, and a brilliant war tactician... except his kingdom is going under, the war is draining funds, and his father is abusive and just might kill him. Malachiasz is a blood mage with terrible secrets and lies, so many lies. This is a story about betrayal, love, war, power, and monsters. It definitely has enemies-to-lovers trope down to a tee and thank god no love triangle. It was quite a lush read and I enjoyed it overall.

Betrayal, Gods, Monstrous boys, Power, and forbidden romance all while kingdoms are at stake. Continuing where the first book left off, Nadya is still reeling from Malachiasz’s betrayal and his pursuit into becoming a god... into becoming something more. The kingdom is at it’s near breaking point and with the death of the king and Prince Serefin being the new king.... after coming back alive from being killed and gifted with new powers, moths flying around him, a strange eye, and a god intwined in his soul. Nadya must decide what to do with Malachiasz now as he has begun to sink into the otherness... and yet the boy she loves still remains underneath it all. Between the lies, the betrayal, the guilt, and the pain.... there is still a twisted love between the two of them. The girl, the prince, and the monster find themselves all thrown together again as a larger game is at play and with so many gods with so many different plans, they’ll have to scramble to make their next move before it destroys them all. Nadya has been outcasted by her gods who refuse to speak to her... yet she has untapped powers that she is finding she must accept. Malachiasz is playing a larger game, but between killing gods, becoming a god, and loving a cleric, things can become complicated. Serefin just wants to save his kingdom, but with a god hellbent on revenge stuck inside his soul, he’ll have to figure out how to get rid of him before everyone he loves dies and he is consumed. This was a great continuation of the first book and I did enjoy the complicated relationship between all the characters.

One bad breakup, a girl in a Mrs. Claus costume named Holly, and a silver fox bar owner named Nick... and in the spirit of giving and getting these two are about to get festive. Holly has been in relationship with her boyfriend of 5 years and has just been dumped in front his friends... and found out he’s been cheating on her for two years. This is one of the worst ways to spend the holidays. But a sweet and attractive bar owner offers to help her get over her ex and to Holly finds she can’t resist. There’s just something about Nick * wink wink*.

A girl , a monster, a prince, and a queen....come together in the finale battle amongst the gods to save their loved ones and their world. Nadya is still reeling from the events of the last book and mourning the death of her beloved... and yet he lives. Malachiasz has been brought back from death and this time with a god threatening to consume him. He had wanted power... but not to lose himself and now he must find a way to destroy the god within him. Serefin is freshly freed from the god in him but must deal with the toil of the fact that he killed his brother... and that his brother is now back again and they must work together in order to stop the total destruction of their kingdom. Nadya is finally able to see her true powers... the true darkness lurking in her waiting to be unleashed... and with nothing holding her back she finally dips a toe into the well of power hidden in her. Now that her god is dead and the other gods are barely talking to her Nadya must figure out where to go next and if she is able to accept all her true powers. This was a beautiful ending to the story, yes it was a bumpy road filled with lies, power plays, betrayals, friendship, guilt, angst, love, family, and so much more. Overall, I really did enjoy the trilogy.

In a world where the land was split and lost its magic, the water separated the two parts and between them was the Fog. Each side wanted to know more about the other but centuries had passed and soon the other side believed that the other was extinct. An aver has always wanted to find more, to discover magic, to be more. However with the foggy dome that surrounds her home on the island of Tamrose she has never been able to. When fate pulls her and she ends up on the other side of the fog she meets Rothrin. Rothrin is from the other side and lives in a world where magic is real but the world around him is fading and a famine is sweeping over the continent. Anaver discovers that she has magical healing abilities and soon Anaver and Rothrin go on a journey to heal the elements and help bring back peace to a world that is dying. The story started out strong but unfortunately I kind of checked out a bit towards the middle and just couldn’t find any interest by the end. I was invested at first, most definitely, but unfortunately for me I lost interest. Don’t let that stop you from reading this book though! It might be for you even though it wasn’t for me!