This was an unexpected favorite! Maggie is hilarious and has a lot of feelings and ideas, as I’m sure some of us can relate 🤣 She goes on an incredible journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and this novel is both endearing and reflective. As an avid reader, experiencing Maggie’s new-found love of reading was infectious and heartwarming.

Thank you TorTeen for the eARC! This was a cool read with familial magic and magical politics. I will say that Clem’s storyline seems so underdeveloped compared to Cris, but I’m hoping we get more focus on him as a character in Book 2. Valentina reads as a typical mean girl with a hint of depth; I understand why she’s needed for the overall plot, but she’s incredibly superficial, so I’m also hoping we get more depth of character for her in the next book, as well.

Song of Blood and Stone is an incredible fantasy novel that brings in commentary on racism, immigration and refugees, and the power of differences. This is an expertly woven story that has so many different twists and turns that are both unexpected but logical. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance in this book and how it did not overtake, cheapen, or distract from the plot. I am looking forward to continuing on with his series!

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a free copy in exchange for my honest review!

I was excited about this book because after reading THE LESSON, I was interested in how Turnbull would yet again explore the fantastical and mythical in our everyday society. The author presents us with a world where monsters are made real and must hide or else face outward and deadly discrimination. This sounds like a great premise that has the potential to explore so much of our societal woes. What Turnbull doe well is showing how the myriad of characters are all connected in some small way. The existence of werewolves (and other monsters) serves as a metaphor for oppressed groups that are targeted and misunderstood, especially when their humanity is not taken into consideration or altogether ignored.

This book fell flat for me because it was super convoluted at times. I was wondering, up until turning the last page, how our narrators plot connected with the overall werewolf/monster plot line. It felt like two different stories in one book, and these two stories never met up in the middle or even at the end.

This book features queer rep, specifically asexual, trans, pansexual, and lesbian, as well as a polygamous relationship.