In A Garden Burning Gold is an intricate story involving siblings, unforgiving magic, and political power plays. I was absolutely spellbound and often thinking of it when I wasn’t reading it. Rhea and Lexos have bowed to their powerful father’s whims as long as they can remember. He has gifted them the ability to help control the tides, the stars, the seasons, and more. Yet their father is growing older and with it grows his paranoia and inexplicable anger. As tensions rise with other countries, the twins must decide how far they will go for family, power, and magic. 

This book took any expectations that I had and abruptly turned them on its head. I loved the magic system, reminiscent of Greek mythology. It was truly imaginative and unique. In a Garden Burning Gold is filled with beautiful scenic descriptions, high-stakes political scenes, and delightfully dark secrets. I’m excited to see the sibling relationships explored in greater detail. All of the siblings are fascinating, with their own special powers and conflicting motivations. I would recommend this for readers who enjoyed The City of Dusk and The Gilded Wolves. I can’t wait for the sequel! In A Garden Burning Gold is available now. Thank you to Rory Power, Del Rey, Random House Ballantine, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

When given the chance to reclaim art that was stolen from your country long ago, would you? Will Chen is faced with this question when he witnesses a dramatic break-in at the Sackler museum. He then receives a mysterious invitation that could cost him and his friends everything, but could also bring untold riches. Portrait of a Thief is an action-packed and delightful adventure. I absolutely love heist books, but what I especially enjoyed was how Grace D. Li invites readers to face the reality of stolen art, diaspora, and the power of art. 

All great heists need a crew and Will is no different. His crew consists of his sister, childhood friend, ex-girlfriend, and his sister’s roommate. Despite only being college students, they are college students who have worked incredibly hard to get into top universities and are more than up to the challenge. One of my favorite parts of the book was how Li writes beautiful sensory descriptions, particularly relating to light. I loved when she described how the characters were drenched in red sunlight, creating a striking visual picture and bringing in symbolism. 

Amidst the excitement of the heist, Li manages to weave in open and raw accounts of what it means to be part of a diaspora. All of the crew members have different ties to China and examine what it means to them and their families. In addition, I appreciated Li’s examination of higher education institutions and the anxiety college students feel to perform/meet expectations to honor their families. As the heists continue and the stakes rise, everyone on the crew must decide how much of their future they are willing to risk.  

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves heist books, wanted more from Ocean’s Eleven, and loves an unlikely crew working together to do the impossible. Portrait of a Thief is available now. Thank you so much to Grace D. Li, Tiny Reparations Books, Penguin Group Dutton, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

If L. Penelope writes it, I’ll read it! Savage City follows Talia, who after her untimely death finds herself in a strange city. There, Talia is a match for a missing princess and she must take on the princess’ identity for her own safety. With the help of the healer Ryin, Talia must learn to navigate the strange new world she has found herself in. However, not everyone believes that she is the princess, and if she is found out then she will face the wrath of the king. 

This was a solid start to the series, with lots of important world-building taking place. I love L. Penelope’s fantasy writing, which is always very vivid and satisfying.The story and romance was pretty fast-paced, but I enjoyed it. I’m curious to see where L. Penelope will take the series next! Savage City is available now. Thank you to L. Penelope, Heartspell Media, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wild and Wicked Things is the story of Annie, called back to Crow Island after the death of her father. She reunites with her childhood friend Bea and meets the intriguing Emmeline. Bea is now married to a man from the island, but all is not as it seems in their marriage. Emmeline is in way over her head and must rely on her siblings and the two newcomers to the island to help her survive a dangerous magical bargain. Meanwhile, Annie discovers there is far more to her distant father than she could ever have imagined. 

My favorite thing about this story was the rich atmosphere that Francesca May creates, brimming with magic and dark secrets. The magic in this book is hungry and out for blood-literally! It felt very reminiscent of Once Upon A Time’s Rumpelstiltskin: “Magic always comes with a price.” The romance felt a bit rushed, which I didn’t necessarily mind, it just felt like a lot happened rapidly in a short time period. 

I would recommend Wild and Wicked Things for readers who enjoyed The Great Gatsby, atmospheric reads, sapphic romance, and mysterious magic. Wild and Wicked Things is available now. Thank you to Francesca May, Redhook Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Bone Orchard was a really fascinating and mysterious read. Charm is the emperor’s mistress, charged with an impossible task upon his deathbed. She must use all her resources to find the person who killed him and decide how or if she will hold the empire together. It deals deeply with trauma, shame, and power dynamics. I found myself unable to look away as the tale unfolded. This is truly a story unlike others that I’ve read, especially in the way it combines innovative science fiction, rigid court politics, and gender expectations.

One of the most interesting things about the book was how it invites readers to take a closer look at the parts of themselves that they may try to hide or divorce from themselves. How do we deal with shame, desire, and pain? Is it a part of ourselves that we own or that feels separate? I especially loved watching Pain and Charm’s evolution, as they both go on very different journeys from beginning to end.

I would recommend this book if you love convoluted politics, a truly original magic system, and twisty power dynamics. The Bone Orchard is a book that will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time. I can’t wait to see what Sara A. Mueller writes next! The Bone Orchard is available now. Thank you to Sara A. Mueller, Tor Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review