I’m a little late to the game, but I’m so glad I finally dove into Spark of the Everflame! This fast-paced fantasy adventure was exactly what I needed—a world full of twists and turns and a story that kept me turning pages. I can understand why people jump straight to book two—it’s clear there’s much more to come.

The story follows Diem, a young woman coming into her own while grappling with the gray areas between right and wrong. She's independent and capable, but the people around her have been holding back much more than she realizes. It’s a world-building-heavy first book, setting the stage for what I’m sure will be an epic continuation in book two. 

The romance is slow-burn at its finest—no spice yet, but the tension is there. While the romance isn't the central focus, it's a part of Diem’s journey of self-discovery and opens her eyes to things she hadn’t noticed in the world around her. What I always love in these kinds of stories is the "two guys" element, where Diem is figuring out whom she can trust, and we, as the readers, already have a clue. (Spoiler: always go for the guy who trusts in who you are.) 

All in all, this was a solid first entry into the series, and I’m excited to jump right into the next one. Book two, here I come! 

I put off reading The Inadequate Heir for a while. The Bridge Kingdom and The Traitor Queen set the bar so high, and Lara and Aren remain one of my favorite book couples. I wasn’t sure if the next duo could hold up. And while I was kind of right, I still enjoyed this return to the world. 

Zarrah and Keris have a very different dynamic—one that leans into Romeo and Juliet-style forbidden love. It’s built on mutual curiosity and respect, but also a quiet, underlying tension as they start questioning the war they were raised to fight. Zarrah trusts the Empress completely; Keris has never trusted his father. Watching them navigate their beliefs (and each other) kept me intrigued, even if their romance felt more like a deep friendship at times. 

The story itself was fascinating because it overlapped so much with The Traitor Queen. Honestly? I kind of wish I had done a tandem read because Danielle Jensen wove in little details that tied both books together beautifully. That said, there were moments where I caught myself thinking, “Okay, let’s move this along.” The pacing wasn’t quite as gripping as Lara and Aren’s storyline, but it still delivered. 

As for the characters—Zarrah was solid, but she didn’t quite match Lara for me. She feels younger, more naïve, but she has a strong foundation, and I have high hopes for her in Endless War. Keris, on the other hand, had all the makings of a great MMC—complicated backstory, sharp mind, undeniable charm—but his heroics in this book didn’t quite land for me. I liked him, but I didn’t love him. 

Overall, I’m glad I took my time between The Traitor Queen and this one. Jumping straight in might have made me miss Lara and Aren too much to appreciate Zarrah and Keris for who they are. That said, this was better than I expected, and I’m actually excited to see where the next book takes them.

 

Godkiller took me a minute to settle into. The beginning was slow, and some of those early journey chapters could have been trimmed down—lots of extra details about food prep and setups that weren’t really needed. But once I hit the 50% mark, I was invested and looking forward to returning to it. 

 

The standout? The horse. (Yes, really.) I was oddly attached to this grumpy, mysterious creature, and of course, that meant I spent half the book worrying about its survival. (Why am I like this?) 

 

One of my favorite elements was the found family dynamic (it always is)—an unlikely crew of lost souls, all on their own missions, reluctantly helping each other until they realize they might not be alone after all. The dynamic was predictable in a comforting way, and I loved watching their relationships unfold. 

 

The gods vs. man concept makes for a compelling world with much potential. It plays with the idea of old gods versus wild gods and how assumptions about an entire group—gods, strangers, or even friends—can be dangerously misleading. 

 

Character-wise, I had fun with this cast. Inara brings innocence and mystery, Kissen is the stubborn, blade-wielding FMC, Elo is the morally just man teetering on the edge of gray, and Skediceth? Total “Loki with a heart” vibes. 

 

Also, can we talk about the cover? Absolutely stunning. I picked this up for the aesthetic alone, and I have no regrets. 

 

It’s a solid fantasy adventure with likable characters, a few cliffhangers, and just enough unanswered questions to make me curious about book two. I’m interested to see if the pacing tightens up, but overall, this scratched the itch for a fresh fantasy world with a found-family core. 

 

This book had me hooked from the first page. It’s fast-paced, a bit dark, and a fun ride. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in, but if you’re game for a darkly fun ride, this one’s for you. 

 

Let’s talk about Butcher. He’s confident, knows what he wants, and goes for it, but there’s a softer side to him that sneaks up on you. He’s fiercely protective of the people he loves and doesn’t hesitate to put himself on the line. And let’s not forget the “he falls first” trope—a favorite. Seeing his feelings unfold through his perspective? Pure gold. How he cares for Blackbird, the tattoo moment (!!!), and his quiet moments of vulnerability just sealed the deal for me. 

 

Blackbird is everything I want in a leading lady—complex, capable, and able to carry the weight of her past without letting it define her. Her way of speaking to her victims perfectly contrasts with how she connects with the people in her life, balancing sharp edges with vulnerability. She’s fierce and relatable all at once. 

 

The plot is such a wild ride. I loved the killers being inspired by famous murder movies—not because I’m a fan of gore, but because it shifted the focus to the chase rather than the villains themselves. 

 

Let’s not forget the found family because, let’s be real, it’s my weakness. I could picture them all crammed into that booth together—Butcher, Blackbird, the brothers, Rose, Anna, Lark—all knowing their secrets but supporting them anyway. It’s chaotic, it’s heartwarming, and it’s everything. 

 

The banter was sharp and sometimes repetitive, but it worked for the characters and their dynamics. And the balance of humor with the darker, grittier moments was spot on. I could easily see this as a show or movie—it has that kind of cinematic pacing and energy. 

 

If you’re into stories that blend dark humor, found family, and just the right emotional punch, Butcher and Blackbird need to be on your radar. 

 

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I dove into this read, but the result was a pleasant surprise. 

 

This isn’t the kind of book you’ll go deep on; it’s one where you’re simply along for the ride. Magical realism often feels overwritten and overly drawn out to me. While this book had some over-described moments, it balanced those with a fast pace and an engaging story. 

 

It leans into time travel, a genre I’m usually not a fan of, but this one worked for me. The way the story unfolded made me reflect on how timelines impact each other, raising just enough questions to keep me intrigued. 

 

When it came to characters, I didn’t mind June. Her mix of chaos and curiosity felt right for her role. However, the other women in her family weren’t as distinct from each other as I’d hoped. At times, they all blurred together, making it hard to connect with them individually. 

 

Eamon, on the other hand, stood out. I’m always a fan of a protective male lead, and because we didn’t get his point of view, his character had to shine through his actions and reactions. His struggles—letting June in, being protective, and embracing the witchy ways of her family—made him endearing. (It didn’t hurt that I kept picturing Brandon Sklenar. Not a bad mental image at all.) 

 

The plot was fun and mostly predictable but in a comforting way. One twist completely blindsided me, though, and when it was finally revealed, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it coming. (No spoilers). 

 

In summary, this was a quick, enjoyable read with a mix of magic, time travel, and a touch of romance. While it wasn’t perfect, the book is easy to lose yourself in. 

 I love this book. 

 

Why do I love this book? Well, the top reason is the dialogue. It goes beyond the usual flirty banter. It is great among all the characters and brings them to life. It is this endearing, funny, heartfelt back and forth between all characters. It made what they were experiencing and who they were so vivid in my head. 

 

The book is a bit of a cozy read. You follow this cast of characters on an actual journey, and they encounter problems along the way. 

 

Halla is a fantastic FMC. For one, she is in her late 30s, which I greatly appreciate. She is quirky and witty and uses her observations to get the upper hand. And her relationship with Sarkis - swoon! It is a slow burn at its finest. And since you have both their point of views, it is so great to follow along. 

 

Now, I have to mention my favorite trope: found family. And, of course, it is in this little gem. Halla is without family because her relatives are horrible, but through this journey, she forms one! It is a family with its protector and grump in Sarkis, a soulmate of a friend in Zale, and a voice of reason in the gnome who protects no one but his slow-moving ox. 

 

The only downside is that it has a slow start. There is a bit of setting the stage and understanding why this journey must begin. But the story picks up when they hit the road and never lets up. I was with it until the last page. 

 

It’s such a great book for the first read of the year! 

 This book is a prime example of reading when you are in the mood. I started it early in April 2024 but wasn’t immersed, so I put it off. I picked it up again in December and could not love it more! The story unfolds beautifully, helping the reader understand the wood’s mysteries, why Leszy is who he is, and why Liska can save them all. 

 

I very easily imagined the world that Poranek was building. She had the right balance of description and not going overboard to allow me to enjoy what I imagined ust as much as the characters we were getting to know. It is a lovely world where magic is evil and dying, but there is beauty in what you find dark. 

 

The banter was not what I thought would be a highlight going into this read, but it was! The Leszy’s snarky but endearing replies hooked me. 

 

I also have a fondness for a found family. This family has such a loveable cast, from a sentient house to a snarky house spirit. It is a complete manor of misfits that makes my heart sing just thinking about it. 

 

And I will admit, this is the only book this year where I shed tears…I am bummed this is a standalone book, as I am itching for another one to see what happens next. 

 

You should read this if: 

I see a lot of readers comparing this to Howl Moon’s Castle, which I haven’t read. So that is quickly gone on the list. 

 

Who said this was like The Mummy? Hmm? As a fan of that movie and even some of its sequels, I think about it often. I can confirm the similarities: there’s a tomb, an FMC with little street smarts, and a rough-around-the-edges guy (and that’s me being generous). 

 

The story as a whole is an easy, fast-paced read. There is fun to be had with the storyline. I appreciated what the story could be. For instance, if the characters aged up a bit, this would be a good time. Instead, the FMC was a tough sell for me. She’s naive, makes questionable choices, and doesn’t really grow from them. Given her age, I know the author tried to make her headstrong, but it just didn’t land for me. 

 

And let’s talk romance. There were moments where I almost got that delicious slow-burn tension I love, but it didn’t fully hit its stride. 

 

I have to circle back. By categorizing it as The Mummy, I automatically made the characters similar, which I guess is why I love that movie because the storyline wasn’t as important to me. If my expectations had been right, I likely would have enjoyed it more. Plenty of readers love this book, so it very likely was that. 

 

So, should you read it? Consider these things first: 

 

The Tainted Cup was one of my favorite 2024 reads because it differed from what I had been reading—it was still fantasy (my genre of choice) but with Sherlock Holmes vibes. So, I was so excited to dive into A Drop of Corruption.  

 

I loved certain aspects of the second installment, although I wanted a little more from some elements. Would I recommend it? Yes! If you enjoyed the first book, you should definitely read the second. The world continues to expand, and I look forward to what’s to come in the next book. 

 

I enjoyed… 

…continuing to get to know Din now that he has been in his role a bit longer, he trusts his abilities more, is piecing together clues on his own accord, and is confident in his understanding of Ana’s quarks. I still enjoy the story unfolding, where you get pieces of information as Din does, so you are coming to your conclusions as Din does. It also expands the view of the empire as you learn about Yarrowland, which I love as you are introduced to new characters and a new side to politics. 

 

My one gap… 

My biggest bummer of the read is Ana. I LOVED her in The Tainted Cup - she was running her own game. She was shrewd and confident as things unraveled. She had everyone’s number. However, in this read, I felt she was coming undone, which was likely on purpose, and I was just not ready for that yet. I wanted more of what I read before. Not someone who seemed to be yelling all the time but someone who was quietly figuring it out and strategically dropping the truth when she needed to. 

 

All in all… 

There continue to be many twists and turns to uncover “who did it,” similar to the style of book one. Although I wanted a slight shift from book one to keep me on my toes, this was still a fun read. 

 

You should read if: