bookish_selkie's Reviews (2.14k)

The Raven Scholar is one of my new favorite books of 2025! It’s an epic fantasy that is lush and well-paced. Neema Kraa is the emperor’s servant, yet it is almost time for the emperor to step down. A glorious Festival is called to find contenders for the throne. Neema is tasked to organize the Festival while facing a man from her past once again. When a contender is found brutally murdered, Neema must find the killer and uncover the truth of what happened. 

I could not put The Raven Scholar down! The storytelling is compelling and beautifully written. The dialogue is hilarious and the characters are very witty. Neema is such a relatable character, yet she also contains flaws and is often misjudged by the people around her. I loved Neema and Cain’s dynamic so much!! They were once lovers who made a choice that separated them and sent them on very different paths. Cain brings out the joy in Neema and Neema grounds Cain. The other contenders were vivid characters who readers will also find themselves cheering for during the festival. The magic system of the Eight was creative and mysterious! I loved Sol and found him absolutely magnificent. 

Readers who love complex politics, lovable characters, creative magic, and epic fantasy must check out The Raven Scholar. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next! 

Thank you so much to Antonia Hodgson, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Ashfire King returns to the magical world of The Stardust Thief. Loulie and Mazen are trapped in the realm of the djinn and returning to the surface world will require all their wits and magic. Aisha must reckon with Omar’s treachery and choose how she will deal with the magic keeping her alive. Loulie, Mazen, and Aisha must decide how far they will go to save the world. 

The Ashfire King is action-packed and bursting with stories. I loved the standalone tales that were woven into the original story. I especially enjoyed the stories of the marid and the nautical adventures on the Sandsea. The Ashfire King is full of imaginative magic and epic tales. I struggled a bit with the pace at times, but am excited to see how the adventure concludes (especially Aisha’s story!). 

Thank you so much to Chelsea Abdullah, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

When the head cheerleader at their school is attacked and the LGBTQ club is framed, Eleanora Finkel knows that she has to clear their names before their future plans are ruined. Luckily, Eleanora can rely on the help of her close friends and perhaps even an enemy? Yet head cheerleader Kenley doesn’t seem to realize that they’re enemies as Eleanora tries to discover why the club was framed and Kenley was targeted. Can Eleanora find the culprit before the club is disbanded? 

Pride or Die is a fast-paced and exhilarating thriller! I found it hard to put down and enjoyed the action-packed adventure. Eleanora is a very relatable character and I loved the strong friendships that she had in the club. I also enjoyed her connection with Kenley. CL Montblanc writes about serious themes of homophobia, while crafting a beautiful friendship group who will do anything for each other. I’m excited to see what CL Montblanc writes next! Readers who enjoy unputdownable YA thrillers and fantastic LGBTQ characters will love this book. 

Thank you so much to CL Montblanc, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Don’t Sleep with the Dead is an excellent return to the world of Nghi Vo’s delightfully queer and reimagined Great Gatbsy. Nick lives in New York and his time with Daisy, Jordan, and Gatsby still haunts him. One night in the city, the past catches back up to him...

Nghi Vo crafts a stunning world that teases at the imagination and tears down conventional rules. I loved the mysterious magic and deals with devils. Nick and Gatsby have an electric and treacherous connection. I enjoyed the cameos from Jordan and her wise advice to Nick. I couldn’t put it down! Readers who seek mysterious magic, queer reimaginings, and beautiful writing will enjoy Don’t Sleep with the Dead.

Thank you so much to Nghi Vo, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where Shadows Meet is a dark and sapphic story from Patrice Caldwell. The lore behind this story is rich and detailed. Once upon a time, a girl named Favre cut her wings off for love. In the present day, a princess and a seer are fated to cross paths and either save or doom the world. I enjoyed the flashback sections which showed how the characters have arrived at this point. There is a lot of complex world-building so I am excited to see how the story continues in book two now that so much has been established. 

Readers who enjoy slow-burn sapphic romance, detailed lore, and sapphic vampires should check out Where Shadows Meet. 

Thank you so much to Patrice Caldwell, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.