I was SO excited to read The Battle Drum, the outstanding sequel to The Final Strife, and it truly delivered. It picks up right where we left off: with Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa all attempting to find their place in the empire. Sylah is chosen to investigate the secrets of the tidewind and journeys far from home. In her absence, Anoor is accused of murder and thrown in jail. Fortunately Hassa remains the spy master she’s always been- this time with a new deadly mystery to solve. The epic tale that began in The Final Strife continues...

The Battle Drum is a fierce and well-paced addition to The Ending Fire trilogy. Sylah’s journey across the sea was heart-pounding and I was fascinated with what she discovered. I really enjoyed getting to know Hassa more and see how she uses her status as a Ghosting to spy. Anoor goes through some excellent character growth, after being framed for a murder she did not commit. New secrets and information were artfully revealed. I loved the queer-norm worldbuilding and acceptance that the LGBTQ+ characters experience. 

The Battle Drum is a rich fantasy filled with poignant themes and compelling characters. The plot is creative, with a multi-layered feel as different perspectives are explored. Saara El-Arifi’s dialogue is witty and engaging. I love how she weaves in subtle clues for the readers to uncover as the plot progresses! I can’t wait to read the final book in this trilogy! I would highly recommend this book/series to anyone. In particular, readers who enjoy Sabaa Tahir, Samantha Shannon, and Andrea Stewart should check out this series. 

Thank you so much to Saara El-Arifi, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Book Proposal lured me in with a gorgeous cover. The premise follows Gracie, a struggling writer who drunkenly emails a former high school crush. When she receives a reply, she is initially horrified and then strikes up a correspondence with him. As they build a connection, Gracie begins to get ideas for a story once again…but what if the story doesn’t belong to her? 

While I loved the premise, I struggled with the execution of it. I found it difficult to connect with Colin and Gracie, as at times they could be pretty uncompelling. Colin’s dialogue and inner thoughts felt cringey, making it difficult to hope for his happiness. I also disliked some of his inner musings about women. 

When conflicts arose, I felt the second-hand embarrassment of being trapped in a public location and being forced to bear witness to an argument. While this wasn’t my cup of tea, I think there are readers who will love the pure shenanigans Gracie gets up to as she fights through writer’s block and strives for her happiness. 

Thank you to KJ Micciche, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Stories are never a waste of time, son of Hades. We are all of us made of stories.”

I love Nico di Angelo and Will Solace, so I was thrilled when this book was announced. And wow did it deliver!! Nico and Will have a fantastic relationship and go on classic Riordan adventures (with hilarious dialogue) in their efforts to complete their quest. I enjoyed the cameos from beloved characters in previous series. This book is already so important because of the LGBTQ+ representation it contains and the acceptance that it will promote. Seeing Nico di Angelo come out on page for the first time years ago was incredibly special and important to me. 

I am so happy that The Sun and the Star is such an inclusive, loving, and beautifully written story. Readers who seek LGBTQ+ rep, mythology reimagined, hilarious dialogue, and a sweet romance with a grump/sunshine dynamic should absolutely check out this book. 

Readers who read Nico’s story in previous books and found hope and acceptance in his story will love this- I know I did. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. I hope to see Nico and Will’s adventures continue! 

Fin hates vampires. Being picked to learn how to become one is her worst nightmare. Yet when she has the chance to save her friend/crush from that fate, she takes it. Fin is immediately removed from her village and put in the care of Gavron at the vampire school known as Castle Courtsheart. Gavron and Fin have an intense and powerful connection from the moment they meet, but Gavron is both hostile and elusive. When a novice is found murdered, it soon becomes clear that something is wrong in the courts. Fin must work with her friends to find the killer before Fin is targeted next…

Court of the Undying Seasons is a lush and escapist dream of a book. A.M. Strickland is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me! The opening chapter was so compelling, I couldn’t put it down! I was enthralled by the complex world-building, especially the different vampire courts and their skills. I loved the ensemble cast, especially Marai, Kashire, and Jaen. Kashire in particular was hilarious with his love for chaos. Almost all of the vampires are queer, which Strickland brilliantly portrays. Gavron and Fin have passionate chemistry, though I would’ve liked to see just a little more romance. Strickland’s writing is witty and includes plenty of spooky moments that will make you jump (it is vampires after all!). 

Court of the Undying Seasons tells a dark and stunning tale of power, revenge, and shadowy secrets. I devoured it and hope to read more from this world one day! I would highly recommend it to anyone! Readers who enjoy Hannah Whitten (For the Wolf), Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House and Six of Crows), and Amanda Foody (Ace of Shades) need to check this book out!  

Thank you so much to A.M. Strickland, Feiwel & Friends, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
 

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success is the joyful and heartfelt tale of Rubi. Captain of the debate team, baker at her parent’s bakeries, and soon to be a first-generation college student- Rubi does it all. Then she’s  unexpectedly waitlisted for her first choice college. When her parents overhear a phone call and misunderstand, suddenly everyone thinks that she got in and celebrates. To avoid disappointing them, Rubi must do as much as she can to clear the wait list. Luckily, she has a gorgeous math tutor, a Bake-Off competition, and loyal friends to help her achieve her dreams. 

I loved this book! Rubi is so charming and I loved reading about her adventures as she tries to get into her first choice college. The romance was sweet and delightful! I loved all the food puns, Rubi’s resilience, and the complicated love between Rubi and her parents. Rubi’s Cuban parents are set on Rubi not following in their baking footsteps, as they sacrificed so much for her. It was amazing to see Rubi learn more about their relationship with Cuba and discover her own dreams. Rubi has a loyal friend group, especially Devon and Ryan! Rubi Ramo’s Recipe for Success was a sweet and delectable read and you definitely dough not want to miss it. (Had to make Rubi proud with the food puns!) 

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success carries the message that it’s never too late to adjust your dreams and that you should always be true to yourself. It is filled with joy, baking puns, and a sweet romance. I highly recommend it and also make sure to have delicious snacks available while reading! Readers who enjoy Samantha Markum (You Wouldn’t Dare), Jonny Garza Villa (Ander & Santi Were Here), and Laura Taylor Namey (A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow) should check this book out. 

Thank you so much to Jessica Parra, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

Uncle of the Year was a hilarious, witty, and reflective memoir. I first became aware of Andy Rannells through his role as Elder Price and jumped at the chance to read this book. His writing is as brilliant as his singing! Rannells touches on a number of topics like his rise through acting, unbelievable situations that have happened along the way, and what one truly needs to feel like an adult (owning a washer/dryer in unit? Maybe!).

Rannells is incredibly open and honest in his reflections. I loved the Mystic Pizza references!! We truly need more of them in the zeitgeist. I particularly appreciated his reflections on what it means to grow up gay/queer, especially in the Midwest, he absolutely nailed “the Best Little Boy in the World” phenomenon. One of my favorite stories was Always Sit Next to Mark Ruffalo. It was so interesting to see behind the scenes of the award circuit and how people looked out for each other even if they didn’t know each other. I can’t wait to read/see whatever Andy Rannells does next! If you’ve seen Book of Mormon, ever been a theatre kid, or just want to read a very excellent memoir- check out Uncle of the Year! 

Thank you so much to Andrew Rannells, Crown Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.