The Art of Prophecy is an action-packed and sweeping tale of adventure. It follows Jian, who was always supposed to be the chosen one- until one day that all changes. Luckily he has Tashi looking out for him, the best martial artist of her generation. Meanwhile, a rebel named Sali moves to rally her people, as Jian and Tashi fight for survival. This is the type of book where I don’t want to say too much in the synopsis, I would rather just hand you the book. This is a fantastic start to what promises to be an epic fantasy series.

Wesley Chu expertly plays with expectations about what it means to be the chosen one and the fickle nature of prophecy. His writing is vivid and filled with cinematic battles. Chu also writes excellent witty banter, leading to lots of hilarious quotes and comedy woven in throughout. One of my favorite parts was seeing the character growth from Jian and learning more about Tashi’s background. I also loved the banter between Sali and Qisami; I’m looking forward to seeing where their battles lead. The Art of Prophecy did such a great job with important world-building and character growth; I can’t wait for book two! Readers who love complex politics, engaging characters, and breathtaking battles will love The Art of Prophecy.

Thank you so much to Wesley Chu, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
 

On the island of Saiorse, Emery Blackwood and August Salt are as inevitable as winter chasing spring. They never quite meet, but they always reach toward each other. Their love is as deep as the ocean and they are bound by moonlight. On a night filled with tragedy, August and Emery are ripped apart. When August returns to the island years later, it is only so he can bury his mother and leave as soon as possible. Yet Emery and August have never been able to stay apart and the island’s ways are mysterious. It soon becomes clear that the truth about what happened the night of the tragedy is still a mystery and there are many dark secrets lurking beneath the town’s surface.

I absolutely loved Spells for Forgetting! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Adrienne Young is such a talented writer who can write a compelling story in a sentence. She pays impeccable attention to all the senses, creating a lush and atmospheric tale. The sounds, smells, and feeling of Saiorse Island will captivate readers. I wish I could visit! The tea shop, the orchard, and the lighthouse stand out as particularly vivid locations. Emery and August’s love story is a slow-burn filled with yearning. I loved watching them find each other again years after they had been ripped apart. Spells for Forgetting is the story of a tightly-knit town with shadowy secrets, a magical island, and a love story written in the stars. 

I would highly recommend Spells for Forgetting to anyone! Readers who enjoyed Small Favors (Erin A. Craig), A River Enchanted (Rebecca Ross), or A History of Wild Places (Shea Ernshaw) will devour Spells for Forgetting. Spells for Forgetting is an exquisite adult debut from Adrienne Young and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! Thank you so much to Adrienne Young, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Bend Toward the Sun follows Rowan, a botany student, and Harrison, an obstetrician. When the two meet one night at a party- sparks fly. But in the daylight, Rowan is approached by his family to help get their vineyard up and running. Harry must decide whether he can return to the world of medicine after losing a patient. Along the way, Harry and Rowan explore their scars, dreams, and whether they can have a romantic future together. 

I loved that Rowan is a woman in STEM, trying to decide where her path should take her next in academia. I thought that Harry was a very relatable character in how he agonized over his choices and dealt with the resulting anxiety. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Rowan helps Harry calm down from a panic attack. I also absolutely loved the moment when Rowan and Harry first meet each other- an extremely original and hilarious meet-cute. And I loved the epilogue! 

At the heart of the book is a love for nature, preserving the environment, and women in STEM/academia. There is an extraordinary sense of peace that comes from the descriptions of the vineyards, the greenhouse, and the love from Harry’s family. The beautiful sense of welcome and unconditional love that comes from his family is a delight to read. The steamy romance is interspersed with meddling from the family, laughter, and the knowledge that the family will always be there to help each other. I hope to read more about the Brady family and see many more books in this series! Rowan is definitely one of my favorite heroines- determined, smart, and loving. Together, Harry and Rowan deal with grief, mental health challenges, and what it means to choose each other. 

Bend Toward the Sun is a joyful, heartfelt romance that I would recommend to anyone, especially readers who enjoy Chloe Liese and the Bergman Brothers. Thank you so much to Jen Devon, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.