While I didn’t love this book as much as the second book, the witch doesn’t burn in this one, it was still absolutely amazing and I treasured every word. In the princess saves herself in this one, Amanda Lovelace expresses the rage, hope, joy, and grief that she has experienced through her own life, reading and writing, society, and love. (Be warned: it is a very dark book that touches on things like the death of family members, abusive relationships, and eating disorders, so if you do read it, please take care of yourself.) I highly recommend picking up at least one of Amanda Lovelace’s books at some point in your life, because her poems and writing are stunningly written and the subject matter of all of them is incredibly important. 

This was my third time reading this book, but it's been a very long time since I last read it and I’d forgotten just how much I love it. Nocturna is the story of a face-changing thief, Finn, and a grieving prince, Alfie, that accidentally release an evil magic into their city and have to stop it before it brings about eternal darkness. Alfie and Finn were such amazing characters, both of them complex and well-written, with hilarious banter. Their journey through the city and the many fights they got into were action-packed and thrilling, and the ending was simply divine. I’m really looking forward to reading the sequel and following them into their next adventure. <33  (Recommended for fans of A Darker Shade of Magic or These Violent Delights.) 

break your glass slippers is a poetry collection, companion to unlock your storybook heart and shine your icy crown. It definitely feels like these three books should be read together, not only because they’re all very short and have multiple shared themes, but also because this is the second one I’ve read and I absolutely adored it. These books are dark and emotional, but also hopeful and uplifting, while Lovelace’s writing is as beautiful as ever. Though this one definitely isn’t my favorite, I still loved it. <33

House of Hollow was a haunting, mysterious read that was both eerie and intriguing. It tells the story of Iris, Vivi, and Grey, three sisters who went missing when they were children and reappeared a month later, leaving no evidence as to where they had gone, what had happened to them, or who had taken them. Now, ten years later, the sisters have changed--their eyes are black, their hair is white, and they have strange abilities. Even stranger, the eldest sister, Grey, has gone missing again, and a sinister, otherworldly creature seems to be hunting the two that remain. This book was absolutely everything I expected and more, exactly what I needed to start off the spooky season. It was disturbing and mind-warping, with vibes similar to the movie Pan’s Labyrinth or Crimson Peak. The main characters were written perfectly, unsettling and captivating, and the writing was the same. I highly recommend this, especially if you need a supernatural or horror book to capture the witch-y vibes of October. 

Our Violent Ends is the second book in a Romeo-and-Juliet retelling duology that takes place in 1926 Shanghai. I absolutely adored the first book, and was sure this one would be just as amazing. And, for the most part, it was. The characters were hilarious and I loved the relationships and dialogue between them. The whole thing was worth it just to see them again. However, I did feel that the story itself was very slow paced and struggled to hold my interest. It didn’t focus nearly as much on the evil monsters as it did on the politics of the time (which was still pretty interesting, but a change in pace from the first book that kind of disappointed me). Overall, I’d say this was a good book, and if you liked the first one, you should definitely read it. 

V.E. Schwab never fails to impress me with her gorgeous writing, loveable characters, fascinating worlds, and gripping stories. A Darker Shade of Magic is a story about different Londons with different magics, that only a chosen few can travel between. Kell is one of these few people, and after getting caught up in a dangerous scheme, he joins forces with Lila, who desperately craves an adventure. I absolutely adored Lila, with all of her amazing jokes and pickpocketing, and her relationship and banter with Kell was amazing. The story itself was a bit slow-paced, but I loved the mysteries that unfolded and the action scenes and the unique style of magic. While this wasn’t my favorite V.E. Schwab book, it was still incredible, and I am so excited to read the sequel. (Recommended for fans of Six of Crows and These Violent Delights.) 

I read this book after two friends recommended it, so I had very high expectations, and it did not disappoint. The witch doesn’t burn in this one is a book of themed poetry, centered on the anger and power of women. It was a quick read, and every single word was packed with strength and frustration and rage that felt incredibly real and relatable and hit very close to home. Amanda Lovelace’s writing is vividly brilliant, and this book showcased it in the most beautiful way. 

The Scapegracers was a magical read, one that I highly recommend. It tells the story of Sideways, a queer witch who, after a chaotic spell at a party, befriends the clique of popular girls. Over the course of the story, these four characters build their own wickedly powerful coven. This book felt incredibly empowering in so many ways, and the writing was some of the most amazing writing I’ve read in a while. I also loved the characters of this novel, and found them extremely relatable (and hilarious). The way the identities of these characters were explored was really lovely, and I can’t wait to watch their journeys continue in the sequel. If you’ve read and liked books like The Wicked Deep or Wicked Like a Wildfire, this is a book for you.

This book was absolutely incredible. Inspired by African mythology, it tells the story of Koffi, a servant at the magical Night Zoo, and Ekon, a boy training to become an elite warrior, teaming up to capture and kill the Shetani, a legendary monster that has been killing people in their city for over a century. I adored these characters with all of my heart, especially Koffi, and reading their back-and-forth banter was very entertaining. The worldbuilding of the book was equally amazing, with gorgeous settings, intricate histories, and fantastic creatures. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and highly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, especially fans of An Ember in the Ashes and The Gilded Ones.