The Guest List is stunningly atmospheric and a picturesque wedding slowly burns into a full-fledged murder mystery. Artfully cutting between the current search for an unknown body and the lead-up to the wedding, I was absolutely entranced. Reminiscent of And Then There Were None, the creepily beautiful island and vivid cast of characters are captivating to read about. As the guests socialize and wax nostalgic about the past, secrets and ancient history come to light. I read this in a day and couldn’t put it down. If you’re a fan of slowburn mysteries, then you’ll want to check out The Guest List.

“That’s why the big score is a myth. A fairy tale. Because no one ever quits after a successful job. They get stupid and cocky and think they’re invulnerable. They convince themselves to do just one more, just this last time.”

The conclusion of an excellent trilogy! Cassel finds himself painted into a corner once more, but this time the stakes are higher than ever. As Cassel juggles the bonds of family and love, he has to decide what he will sacrifice and what matters most. I was sad to reach the conclusion of these magical books and hope that one day Holly revisits Cassel and Lila! (Or maybe Barron?) The Curseworkers remains one of my favorite magical heist/con series.

White Cat follows Cassel, a boy without powers in a family of curse-workers. When strange events occur, Cassel realizes certain memories in his life aren’t adding up. Such a creative story (from worldbuilding to magic system design), I couldn’t put White Cat down! I absolutely love Holly Black’s writing and consistently find myself amazed by how she combines unique magical concepts with the real world. If you enjoy stories about cons, curses, magic, and manipulation, then you should definitely pick this up. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this trilogy!

Cassel and Kaz Brekker (from Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows) would definitely get along. If you thought White Cat wrapped things up nicely and Cassel would finally catch a break in his senior year...this is Holly Black. In Red Glove, Cassel frantically balances protecting his family, helping Lila with her curse, and investigating a mystery regarding the murder of his brother. Curse-working always comes at a price and Cassel must determine how much he is willing to give up. Red Glove was full of twists and heartbreaking moments (in a good way, I promise!). The tight pacing and insurmountable obstacles made this magical book difficult to put down. Tangent: the random background character Jace makes me laugh every time. I’m excited to read book three in the trilogy, Black Heart!

I love stories featuring the sea, strong heroines, and lyrical writing so I was thrilled to receive this ARC!! Fable is a stunningly beautiful story and one of my new favorites. I knew going in that Adrienne Young’s writing is always filled with brilliant imagery and prose. Each word was a carefully chosen gem, leaving me to marvel at the vibrant descriptions and plot twists. Following the adventures of our heroine, Fable, it often felt like more than a regular story. Fable grabbed my hand, took me on an adventure, and completely stole my heart when I wasn’t looking.

One of the cornerstones of Fable is how every single word is chosen with intense care and love. The writing is very multi-sensory: colors, sounds, smells, all paint a vivid picture of Fable’s world. Our heroine encounters a broad cast of characters with complex backgrounds and ulterior motives. This is a story that gives you the exhilarating feeling of diving deep into the sea, adventuring in a cutthroat world where the price of a mistake is death, and searching for family.

This is a story that will stay in your heart and mind long after you reach the last page. I can’t wait to return to Fable’s world and see what happens next!! I finished Fable and immediately pre-ordered Namesake, book 2. Read Fable if you love a fierce heroine, enchanting world-building, and an irresistibly captivating adventure. Fable releases September 1, 2020. Thank you so incredibly much to Adrienne Young, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC of Fable in exchange for an honest review.

Full review to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5- The Heir Affair picks up where The Royal We left off, following Nick and Bex over several years. It was entertaining, especially if you’re a fan of royals and Will & Kate. It feels like this book could have been condensed and may have benefited from it. I particularly loved the World Series scene (Go Cubs!). Queen Eleanor was one of my favorite characters and there was some great banter throughout. Overall, it was an enjoyable story with a satisfying ending. I listened to the audiobook and liked the audio narrator a lot!

TW: infertility, miscarriages. I’m surprised this isn’t made clearer, perhaps at the beginning of the book, as it is a significant part of the story.

The Once and Future Witches is a book that made my heart sing. First, I love books that feature witches! In this historical novel, women fight for the right to vote and then must fight to survive as magic grows and flourishes. This book is a dark and honest look at what it means to be a woman now and in decades past. With plenty of rage, love, and determination, the three Eastwood sisters set out to reclaim the lost words and ways of magic. In their search for the Lost Way of Avalon, they uncover secrets about themselves and the history of witchcraft. When the sisters decide to collaborate and their power increases, they draw the menacing attention of a shadowy politician.

I loved how the magic system relied on rhymes and words passed down for generations, secretly smuggled between mothers, daughters, aunts, and grandmothers. One of my favorite aspects of this book was the carefully crafted sentences and beautiful prose that had me furiously highlighting and nodding in agreement. I think especially now, in a time where women must fight for the right to have agency over their bodies and fight against sexism, this book will ring true for many. The Once and Future Witches is witty, smart, inclusive, and fiercely feminist. At the heart of it all, this is a fantastically witchy book about the joys and pain of sisterhood. This story is one of my new favorites and I know I will be re-reading it again soon! The Once and Future Witches releases October 13, 2020. Thank you so much to Alix E. Harrow, Redhook Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.