A smithy with magical abilities and crushing anxiety must go on the run with her sister, a scholar, and a roguish mercenary. Ziva is an 18 year old smithy, she can make magical beautiful weapons. She hates people and suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, the only person she can stand to be around is her younger sister, Temra. Temra is extroverted, beautiful, and wants to be a fighter. When Ziva is commissioned to make a sword for a warlord, she makes it so it can hear people’s secrets... and upon discovering that the warlord intends to use the sword to enslave people Ziva knows she must find a way to destroy the sword and go on the run. Along for the ride is a scholar named Petrik who wants to write a book and wants to document Ziva’s abilities and a handsome mercenary named Kellyn who Ziva just can’t seem to get out of her head. Four of them will have to work together if they want to avoid being captured or killed by the warlord as well as learning to trust one another. The banter and relationship progression in this book was wonderful, the slow burning romance between Ziva and Kellyn was sweet and I can’t wait for more. Also the representation of a character who deals with social anxiety was excellent. Temra and Petrik were also wonderful characters, Temra being a caring and understanding sister and Petrik being a scholar who, when it counts, will be there for them. Kellyn might seem a bit devil may care but he’s just so romantic and caring of those he loves. Ziva is dealing with a lot of change, and change can be difficult, especially when you find yourself stuck in a life or death situation with people’s lives on the line. Also she must deal with new feelings and opening herself up to being vulnerable. Overall, a wonderful read and perfect for fantasy romance readers! THE ENDING HAS LEFT ME WITH SUCH A CLIFFHANGER THAT I AM IMMEDIATELY DIVING INTO THE SECOND BOOK!!

A sister on the brink of death, a healer to rescue, a war on the brink, and a relationship that might not make it out of the war alive... smithy Ziva has her work cut out for her. Picking up where the first book left off, Ziva’s sister Temra was mortally wounded and Ziva, Petrik, and Kellyn have to get her to a healer or else she’ll die... unfortunately for them said healer has been kidnapped and with the clock ticking they’ll have to find a way to steal her back in time to heal Temra. Ziva is still reeling from the emotional damage she took and not only blames herself but Kellyn for saving her instead of saving her sister... so when they do end up rescuing the healer... only one person has made themselves the distraction and didn’t plan on making it back so that Ziva could save her sister... but there is no way that Ziva will ever let Kellyn die for her, so she breaks off the portal and now finds herself taken hostage by the ruler who threatens to kill Kellyn if she doesn’t make weapons for him to overthrow her home. With enemies at every turn, Ziva will have to find a way to not only escape with Kellyn but to save her home and the people before its too late. On top of that she has to deal with acknowledging her feelings for Kellyn and asking herself if she can forgive him for saving her. This was a great way to end the duology, it wraps up all the storylines and the character arcs ended beautifully. ( Not gonna lie I would absolutely be down for a bonus book with Kellyn and Ziva’s life and relationship afterwards). The struggles and fears that Ziva have are relatable and just how supportive, caring, and sweet Kellyn is, is just amazing. I had a blast reading this series and can’t recommend it enough for anyone who likes fantasy romances!

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A girl who is plagued by nightmares of the horrific incident that haunts her family in which the famous Axeman nearly murdered her family. She survived, but her every waking hour and night is consumed by the event. Giana is a seventeen year old girl living in 1918 New Orleans. A mysterious illness is about to take hold of the city and a mad man seems to be on the loose... and soon these attacks escalate to murders. She enlist the help of her best friend Enzo who’s family was also attacked by the Axe Murderer to help her investigate who is behind the new burglaries and murder. The story features historical aspects of the Axe Murders and the Influeza/Spanish Flu. There however is also a supernatural aspect to the story with Gianna having a connection to the killer. The story ends a bit vague and this connection isn’t ever really explained. I am familiar with the Axe Murders and so I was excited to read this one. i did enjoy how it had some historical aspects to it but the mystery was a bit vague and the supernatural element was unexpected. Though this one didn’t end up being for me, definitely give it a go if you enjoy historical retellings with paranormal twist.

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, Sourcebooks Fire for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What happens after Neverland... especially for a captain who has suffered so much? The story follows the events of the previous book, Wendy,Darling, but more of an emphasis on the character of Captain Hook, also known as James. After the events of the previous book Wendy has made death possible in Neverland and killed Peter as well as rescue her daughter Jane. Years later Jane is now a medical student still reeling from the horrors she experienced in Neverland, especially the fact that her first real friend died in her arms there. When a mysterious monster is out killing people and leaving their shadows there... and Jane’s own roommate is murdered, Jane and Wendy feel like something more is going on, and when they run into James they realize that something escaped from Neverland with them. James is in England, having escaped Neverland, but he is being hunted by Peter Pan’s monster, and more people are being killed. They must come together and destroy the monster and more lives are lost... but this is no ordinary monster and the only way to properly deal with it, is to go back to Neverland once again and destroy it. In this book we get more of Jame’s backstory, of his experience and pain of being tortured and held captive by Peter Pan, we get to see him fall in love with a doctor and see the pain of loss and grief. This was another wonderful exploration of what happens to all these characters as they what actually happened to them in Neverland. This is a darker take and for older audiences, but definitely a wonderful read of fans of the classic story.

*Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A gothic horror retelling of the Juniper Tree where a young witch must discover who she truly is and escape her abusive wizard father while falling for a ballet dancer with his own demons. Marlinchen and her two sisters live with their wizard father, a father who is cursed to never be satisfied and who is extremely overprotective of them... Marlinchen has been submissive her entire life, silent, obedient, and the daughter who does the most for her father. Marlinchin has the ability to see into people’s minds, read their secrets and memories just by touching them. Her father has kept his daughters separated from society, only letting them tend to clients with their gifts, but after a secret outing Marlinchin meets Sevas, the primary ballerino, playing Ivan. It is an instant want, an instant desire, she wants him like she’s never wanted anything else. But when Sevas turns up at her door as a client her father catches onto her desire and casts a new spell that locks Marlinchen and her sisters in and makes it impossible for them to even go out. Yet mysteriously Marlinchen soon discovers a way out... and a way to Sevas. Sevas has his own demons, tired of playing one role his entire life, of being the hero, and being forced to be beholden to the abuses from his uncle. Soon bodies start dropping and Marlinchen’s father becomes greedier for control of his daughters and soon things well get out of hand. This was such a unqiue gothic horror retelling of the original story and I actually loved the ending of the book so much. This is a story about reclaiming your body, about finding the strength in yourself to get what you want and to fight back against the abuses. The romance was quick but it truly works well in the end, seriously that ending was just magnificent.

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A witty and charming gothic story featuring a sapphic main character and her gay best friend, and just so much representation! This is a story set in the 1920s, following a girl who has been expelled from school and has returned home where she meets her new best friend Simon, a magician. Together they will test Simon’s magical limits as well as uncover dark family secrets and ghosts. This was a charming read that just sucked me right in. Our protagonist Julia is very likable, she’s charming and fun and Simon was a sweet best friend. Brimming with mystery, magic, and tragic pasts as well as hope well humor and sweetness, this was such a lovely read and I would highly recommend it!

Vengeance, spirits, and a strange boy covered in tattoos. Okiku is a spirit, she’s been wandering around for centuries freeing the spirits of the murdered and dead... and seeking vengeance against their murderers. Once a vctim herself she now hunts down killers and releases innocent ghosts... but she still hungers for more. She constantly drifts until she meets Tarquin “Tark” a boy who’se mother tried to kill him and tattooed his body with intricate tattoos that turn out to be seals. Okiku starts to notice something about Tark... another spirit that is attached to him... a demon. If the seals on his skin are broken the demon will be free and if the demon dies so does Tark. Soon Okiku will find herself immersed in the lives of Tark and his family as they try and find a cure for Tark as his condition worsens and Okiku might be the only one who can solve it. As a huge fan of horror movies, ghost stories, and East Asian folklore, this was right up my alley. I had a blast reading this and would definitely recommend it! The relationship between Okiku and Tark is sweet, and the horror and ghost element to the story was great, also the folklore was so interesting.

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, Sourcebooks Fire for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

War, love, and sisterhood. Based on the true story of two warrior sisters who raised an army of women to overthrow the Han Chinese and rule as kings over the united people from ancient Vietnam. The story follows the two daughters of a Vietnamese lord in 40 CE in the Au Lac region of Ancient Vietnam. The Lord has trained them all their lives to fight, study, and stay true to the Vietnamese traditions. Older sister Trung Trac is disciplined and wise, always excelling at her duty while younger sister Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned about spending her time doing as she pleases and with lovers. These sisters lives will be forever changed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They will be forced to either accept this new rule or rebel and when their father is executed they find that there is only one path left for them, vengeance and rebellion. With no man to save them these girls will come together and unite the women of Vietnam into an army and fight for their freedom and independence.This was a lyrical story filled with culture and adventure. I had a great time reading about this learning more about Vietnamese stories. As a Vietnamese person myself it was fascinating to learn something new about my own culture and to read this story that celebrates real women of legends with a story about love, loss, and resilience and the strength that we have to great our greatest obstacles

*Thanks Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What if you could see zombies? Zharie Young is still reeling from the death of her mother... and has been seeing zombies ever since. She is a sixteen year old girl who is a dancer, likes blogging, and can see zombies everywhere. She now lives with her aunt who is distant and when Zharie gets a new neighbor in half asian half black skater boy Bo, she realizes that he can only transform into a half zombie which catches her interest... and it also doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome, sweet, and very much interested in her. Soon Zharie finds herself spending more time with Bo and his friends while also working out what this zombie situation is and tries to sort out whats real and whats not. This isn’t really a story about the undead or zombies, rather it’s a story about grief and mourning. Its a story about a girl who is dealing with the death of her mother and the grief that comes with it as well as learning to sort out family secrets, opening herself up to romance and friendship and the hope that things get better. I was expecting actual zombies so I was a bit thrown off but overall it was an interesting story about how we deal with grief and how it can manifest differently in all of us.The romance between Bo and Zharie was really sweet and I enjoyed reading it. Zharie’s family secret and her birth origin story was sad but I’m happy she got her resolution and got to move on. Overall, read this book if you’re looking for a story about grief and healing thrown in with a little bit of surrealism and a little bit of body horror.

*Thanks Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A princess now a Queen, her true love finally reunited, but an old enemy still seeks vengeance and with more people questioning her place as queen and her relationship... soon Princess Amarande will have to fight tooth and nail for what is hers. Having escaped a forced wedding, killing the man who would take everything from her, and rescuing her beloved Amarande has finally made it out alive and is back in her kingdom and has been named Queen. Yet her murderous mother still lives and the man she thought she killed has survived and both are intent on taking away her kingdom. It does not help that the other kings and rulers in The Sand and Sky are holding fast onto the patriarchal laws and are intent on dethroning Amarande and denying her relationship with Luca. With enemies gathering all around, war on the break, and the fact that both Amarande’s people and Luca’s people and the council would oppose their relationship and union, Amarande and Luca will do anything to protect their kingdoms and their vow of love to each other. This was a beautiful ending to the trilogy, filled with adventure, romance, complicated relationships, politics, and so much more. The relationship between all the characters was so well fleshed out and the romance and relationship between Amarande and Luca has been a shining star in the series, both of them love and support one another, they believe in each other and are pillars of strength for one another. I adored reading this trilogy and have been so lucky to get to read the arcs of these books. Thank you so much, I highly recommend this series for fans of romance and adventure, for fans of a story that would combine The Princess Bride and Game of Thrones, and for fans of stories with strong female protagonist and sweet love interests as well as complex villains.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*