“She propositioned me! As if I would like to go for a tumble like some cheap-“ “She asked if you were on Tumblr. You should take it as a compliment; girls never want to share their Tumblrs with guys.”

I loved , for the imaginative concept and exciting pace! I stayed up late to finish this, once you start- you won’t want to put it down. Claire, Head Librarian, is a strong and dynamic character with secrets in her past. When a mystery draws the interest of Heaven and Hell alike, Claire chooses to investigate on Earth. She is assisted by Brevity, a failed muse, and a demon named Leto. Claire sets out to protect the library of Hell- although all is not as it seems and the stakes are incredibly high. Fast-paced, very witty, and luckily there will be a book two!

Read this one if you’ve ever started to write a story, put it aside, and promised you’d be back to finish it soon. Fans of Good Omens will also enjoy this read!

The Silent Patient took me by surprise! I convinced myself I’d be able to stop after just a few pages, since I started it late at night. A couple hours later, this book was complete. Oops…
I really enjoyed it, especially that twist! Wow. The writing was very vivid to me, at times it felt like I was watching the scene play out in my head, which is not always how I feel when reading. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a mysterious, tightly-paced, and creepy read. You’ll definitely be pondering it long after the final page!

3.5- Tanya, a courageous tavern wench, is shocked when her guardian dies and hasn’t left a will naming her as the tavern proprietor. The tavern is promptly repossessed and Tanya sets out on a journey to see the Queen in hopes that she might grant her the building’s deed. However, the pathway to the castle is anything but smooth. In her travels, Tanya discovers a strange magical object that just might give her the leverage she needs. Undaunted by challenges, Tanya encounters suspicious characters and unlikely friends- featuring LGBTQ romance and representation.

There was a lot to like about this story: Tanya’s determination, the exploration of magic, and great supporting characters. (TW: Magic that requires self-harm.) The pacing seemed a bit off to me and lacked a consistent flow. I would’ve liked more development with the F/F romance. I felt the brief flashes of romance were immediately interrupted or diverted. I don’t know whether there will be a sequel to this book, but I would love to see more complexity in the relationships. Wench is an adventurous fantasy, with an intriguing take on magic and compelling characters! This book has a cheerful sense of humor, strong women who know their goals and dreams, and a unique world to adventure in. Wench releases on January 19, 2021. Thank you to Maxine Kaplan, Amulet Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A really fun read! I enjoyed the historical aspects, which were so well done. While the battle between Wes and Beatrice certainly generated sparks, I didn't really feel chemistry between these two until the very end. I loved the intentional ending and historical research that went into this!

The Hedgehog Child is an enchanting prequel to The Witch Ways series. Hettie Way and her granddaughters live in Havoc Wood, when one day a cursed child arrives. As Hettie seeks to protect the child, she also worries what the future holds for her granddaughters. The Hedgehog Child is a delightful taste of the spellbinding, but dangerous Havoc Wood. Drawing on elements from Sleeping Beauty, the story introduced personable characters and villainous fairies alike. The writing style reminded me of Robin McKinley. This is my first experience with Slavin’s work, but I feel completely intrigued! I will definitely pick up the first book in the series, Crooked Daylight, to see what happens next. The Hedgehog Child releases June 18, 2020. Thank you to Helen Slavin, Agora Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Conductors is the story of Hetty and Benjy, both former Conductors on the Underground Railroad. When Hetty and Benjy find a dead man with a cursed symbol on his chest, they decide to use their magic to investigate. Switching between flashbacks from their past as Conductors to present day, Hetty also searches for her sister Esther as they attempt to unravel the murder. As clues and questions surface, both start to wonder...could the murderer be someone they know?

I absolutely loved The Conductors!! Hetty is one of my favorite characters: witty, powerful, and so much fun to read as she races to solve the murder. The magic system was well-designed and complex. With solid pacing and excellent supporting characters, I couldn’t put this book down! Anyone looking for historical fiction, murder mysteries involving magic, and fantastic characters will enjoy The Conductors. Spending time with Hetty and Benjy was a joy, hopefully they’ll return to solve another mystery. I highly recommend The Conductors, releasing March 2, 2021. Thank you to Nicole Glover, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ophelia loves working in her treasured museum, surrounded by historical objects that she can classify and categorize with a touch of her fingers. With the rare ability to “read” objects and gain insight about whoever held it before her, Ophelia has no intention of settling down. Suddenly, she finds herself in an arranged marriage with a man she’s never met before. With her venerable Aunt Rosaline as chaperone, Ophelia and her fiancé Thorn travel by airship to his home, the icy Pole. In a court built on secrets and backstabbing- Ophelia is rapidly out of her depth. As ominous events occur and questions are raised about why she was chosen, Ophelia races to find answers.

I absolutely loved this book! I’m so happy this was translated, because it is wonderful. With lots of twists, the premise is both unique and opaque. Ophelia is very endearing and her adventures are equally fun and terrifying, as danger swirls around her from the shadows. I really liked the supporting characters, world building, and steampunk flavor. If you’ve read Pride and Prejudice, Ophelia’s fiancé Thorn is similar to Mr. Darcy. (And yes, the social awkwardness is delightful.) I love how this book kept me guessing right until the very last page! Ophelia is a relatable and sweet character, the web of secrets and lies is beguiling to unravel, and best of all: Ophelia’s adventures are just beginning. If you enjoyed the atmosphere of His Dark Materials, the romance of Pride and Prejudice, and seek creative worldbuilding with captivating characters, then you need to read A Winter’s Promise.

3.5- Rounded up because the last 20% of the book really brought it all together and made me eager to read the sequel! There were many different threads to this story and it took time for me to feel fully invested. With a wide range of characters, I never felt there was one central protagonist to focus on and instead the story followed everyone from power-hungry rulers to a tavern’s kitchen boy. The complex, character-driven worldbuilding packed a lot of information into the first half of this book. Once established, you can see it was clearly built with intense care and planning.

The Empire’s Ghost has a little bit of everything: quests, fight scenes, dark secrets, and tons of royal intrigue. It took time for me to feel a real connection with the characters, I think mainly due to the many POVs/worldbuilding. But once I was hooked, I couldn’t put it down! The clever power plays and behind-the-scenes plots were very satisfying. This book has complicated world building, a myriad of political schemes, and excellent dialogue. While it may take a bit to settle into the world, it is worth it. In particular, during the last act of the book, all of the story threads are pulled taunt and you begin to see how everything comes together. What an ending!

If you enjoy epic fantasy, royal politics, and satisfying stories with a slower pace- check this out! Book two will soon be released, which is very fortunate after reading that ending. The Rightful Queen releases on July 21, 2020. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Thank you to Isabelle Steiger, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5- The Rightful Queen continues the epic tale that began in The Empire’s Ghost. If you enjoyed book one, you will absolutely enjoy The Rightful Queen. I would not recommend picking up The Rightful Queen without having read The Empire’s Ghost first. As the plot thickens, alliances are formed and betrayals are merciless. The threads binding the large cast of characters together are still evident, even as tensions rise and secrets are revealed.

Steiger shows significant growth as a writer as she continues to unravel the tangled plot that she has woven. Parts of this book really worked for me and others did not. I struggled with pacing and momentum in the middle, but I trusted all would be made clear in the end. It mostly was, though much of this book felt like it was setting itself up for book three. With such a complicated story, the writing wrestled with telling more than showing, mainly in terms of character dialogue. That said, there were sections of dialogue that made me positively grin with delight! The characters are devious, conspiring, and courageous. One of my favorite parts of this book was the flashbacks where more is revealed about the experiences that shaped certain characters.

This is not a light read, but if you commit to it you are in for a compelling and intense story. If you enjoy Game of Thrones, twisted politics, and complex characters, then you will definitely want to check out this series, Paths of Lantistyne. The Rightful Queen releases July 21, 2020. Thank you to Isabelle Steiger, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.