bookish_selkie's Reviews (2.14k)

Fathomfolk is a spellbinding and creative tale. Mira is a half-siren and the first fathomfolk to be promoted in the city guard. In the city of Tiankawi, fathomfolk (selkies, kappas, sea witches, sirens etc) have a fraught relationship with the humans of the city. Mira is determined to do good with her position and use her power to help fight the inequity that the fathomfolk face. When a water dragon named Nami comes to the city, Mira must help keep track of her and battle against the sea witch Cordelia’s manipulations. Can Mira truly make a change in the city or are they all doomed to drown? 

I really loved the rich world-building and many creatures that make up the fathomfolk. Obviously, I love selkies! Mira is an engaging character who is determined to use her power for good. As a half-siren, she is regarded with suspicion at times because she possesses the power to influence people. Mira has had to make many difficult choices and sacrifices for her family along the way. While crafting rich fantasy worldbuilding, Chan draws parallels to real-life inequality and racism in our world.

The story shifts between Mira, Nami, and Cordelia. Nami has really never been out in the world before and makes some naive mistakes as she attempts to get revenge for the fathomfolk. Her relationship with Firth was filled with tension and not necessarily the good kind! There’s a slowly dawning sense of dread as we learn more about him. Cordelia is an intriguing character who is very multifaceted and the keeper of many secrets. Power always comes with a price and Cordelia scrabbles to hang onto it to protect herself and her family- regardless of who is in her way. 

The conclusion was action-packed and set up some very interesting possibilities for a sequel. Readers who enjoyed The Bone Shard Daughter, Jade City, and The Mask of Mirrors will love this book. I’m looking forward to the next installment! 

Thank you to Eliza Chan, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Hope Ablaze is a stunning and heartbreaking book. Nida is a poet, just like her uncle. But when her uncle is wrongfully incarcerated, Nida feels a light inside her go out. The words for her poems don’t seem to come so easily anymore. When Nida is illegally searched at a political rally while she is praying in the park, Nida unleashes her pain into her writing. Nida never expects that her words will be submitted for a poetry competition without her knowledge. Suddenly Nida has lost her words and her connection to poetry. In Hope Ablaze, Nida struggles to balance her family’s expectations, her safety, and the desire to be who she wants to be. 

Hope Ablaze was a book that I devoured in a day. It is really hard to put it down. Nida is such a great character and your heart will absolutely break at some of the situations she goes through. The power and pain from Nida’s words shine through and will stay in your mind long after you turn the last page. I loved how Nida’s complicated family situation was shown- she has people who will do anything for her and yet what she most wants is for them to let her be herself. I really appreciated the growth in her relationship with her mom - Nida learns more about why her mom is the way she is. 

Hope Ablaze is a beautiful and heartbreaking read, which I would highly recommend to anyone. It does deal with serious topics that will spark important conversations. Nida must confront blatant racism, Islamophobia, and betrayals from people who she trusted. Nida must also develop the courage to speak honestly to her family about her poetry. Readers who enjoyed Sabaa Tahir’s All My Rage and Hannah V. Sawyer’s All the Fighting Parts will love this book. Sarah Mughal Rana is definitely a writer to watch and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!  

Thank you to Sarah Mughal Rana, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Diablo’s Curse is the story of Dami, a genderfluid demonio who readers first met in The Wicked Bargain. Dami has experienced what it’s like to be human, but soon realizes that their deal with El Diablo has a hidden twist. Dami must undo all of the deals they made as a demonio if they are to have a chance to hold onto humanity. When Dami finds Silas, a cursed young man who relies on their deal to stay alive, Dami must help Silas undo the curse before they are finally free of deals. 

The Diablo’s Curse is filled with hilarious dialogue and lovable characters. This adventure almost has a Pirates of the Caribbean feel to it, but with excellent queer characters. Dami is my favorite! I loved how hard they worked to cancel their deals and undo the things they had been forced to do with El Diablo. The mystery at the heart of the island and the cursed treasure were compelling. Novoa creates an atmospheric and enjoyable adventure with a satisfying conclusion for Dami. 

Readers who enjoy mysterious curses, historical fantasy, and excellent queer characters will love this book! The Diablo’s Curse can be read as a standalone, but Dami also appears in The Wicked Bargain. 

Thank you to Gabe Cole Novoa, Random House Children’s, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Heartless Hunter is the story of a charismatic witch and a determined witch hunter. Rune is a young heiress to the outside world, but secretly she is the Crimson Moth. The Crimson Moth is known for freeing witches and Rune’s greatest secret is that she is one. When a rescue does not go to plan, Rune is forced to court Gideon, a well-known witch hunter. As they get to know each other, Rune must use all her skills so that Gideon never sees the witch beneath her mask. As the stakes rise, Gideon and Rune start to fall for each other…

Heartless Hunter is one of my new favorites of 2024! Rune is such a strong character who is determined to protect her people and honor her grandmother. I appreciated how clever Rune was about getting the blood she needed for spells. Gideon is equally as determined to protect his brother and gain revenge on the witches who hurt him in the past. I loved the banter between Gideon and Rune! Gideon and Rune have a steamy romance filled with tension and longing. Ciccarelli excels at creating moments of passion between them. On paper they are two people who should never be together, yet they find themselves in love against all odds. Along with romance, the complex politics and excellent twists make this impossible to put down. I cannot wait for book two!! 

Readers who enjoy Shelby Mahurin, Renée Adieh, and Holly Black will enjoy Heartless Hunter. If you seek enemies-to-lovers, steamy romance, and creative magic then you need to check out this book. 

Thank you to Kristin Ciccarelli, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Eternal Ones is the action-packed conclusion to The Gilded Ones trilogy. Deka and her friends have been pushed to their absolute limit after staggering betrayals and shocking revelations. Deka must choose if she will try to become a god to save the world. However, she must first regain the lost piece of her soul. As her relationships are tested in their quest, Deka must decide whether she wants to sacrifice everything to save the world. 

I really enjoyed this conclusion to the series. Deka is such a strong and charismatic character. Throughout the entire trilogy, there is a wonderful sense of found family. The large ensemble cast is such a joy and the characters feel unique. One of my favorite parts of the book is Deka’s loving friendships, especially her best friend Britta. Britta and Deka are always there for each other no matter what. While Deka also has a romantic relationship, her friendships never suffer at the cost of it. Keita and Deka’s relationship remains very positive and realistic. And of course, I love Ixa!! 

Namina Forna creates excellent queer-norm world-building and inclusivity. I love to see this in fantasy! I also really enjoyed the rich magic system and excellent sense of pacing. The conclusion feels satisfying and well-earned.  While it is bittersweet that this is the end of the trilogy, I can’t wait to see what Namina Forna writes next! I would recommend this series for readers who love action-packed fantasy, strong heroines, and complex world-building. Readers who enjoyed Raybearer (Jordan Ifueko), Faebound (Saara el-Arifi), and A Song of Wraiths and Ruin (Roseanne A. Brown) should check out this series! 

Thank you to Namina Forna, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

An Education in Malice is a fantastic Carmilla retelling that is filled with sapphic longing and tension. Laura Sheridan is a freshman who has been accepted into Professor DeLafontaine’s elite poetry class. The pace is grueling and the class rarely accepts freshmen. Laura quickly finds a rival in the beautiful Carmilla. As Laura learns about the affairs between Carmilla and their enigmatic professor, she must decide how many of their secrets she truly wants to know. 

I was immediately interested when I saw this book was a Carmilla retelling and it did not disappoint! An Education in Malice is at times melancholy, filled with sapphic longing, and desire that sometimes slips into obsession. Laura and Carmilla have such a compelling relationship, especially as it grows from rivals to something more. The dark academia themes create a shadowy and atmospheric mood. 

DeLafontaine and Carmilla share a twisted bond, with complicated power dynamics. When Laura becomes a factor, the strength of the connection between Carmilla and Laura is tested. It did take me a bit to feel emotionally invested in the characters, but I was fully hooked by the end. An Education in Malice is an enthralling and delightful Carmilla retelling. I would highly recommend it to anyone! If you enjoy complicated power dynamics, sapphic love, and dark academia then you should check out this book. 

Thank you to S.T. Gibson, Redhook Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Frame-Up is a fast-paced and thrilling heist. Dani’s mother is known as one of the world’s greatest art thieves- until she gets caught. Dani accidentally helped put her mother away and has been paying the price ever since. A shadowy figure offers her a deal that is too good to be true and includes her being allowed back into the life she was exiled from. However, Dani has no hope of completing the job without her old crew. Can she convince the gang to come back together for one last heist? 

I really enjoyed The Frame-Up! I love heist books and enjoyed the way magic played a role. In this book, some people are gifted with magic that helps enhance their abilities. Dani has the magical ability to create paintings that look identical and evoke the same feelings in viewers. The magical abilities were intriguing, yet still created plenty of obstacles for the team. The puzzle of the heist was well-thought out and compelling. I liked the romance, but found myself more interested in the heist/magical aspect. The crew is made up of lovable criminals and I especially loved Dani’s dog! 

Readers who enjoy Ally Carter (particularly her new adult romance) will enjoy this. If you enjoy second-chance romance, magical heists, and lovable characters then you should check out The Frame-Up.  

Thank you to Gwenda Bond, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.