Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an ARC.

tl;dr
A dark fairy tale with a morally gray heroine and a compelling supporting cast for fans of sexy enemies-to-lovers type romances. Stubborn leads may be frustrating at times.

About
Violet is a seer to the royal court. But what she sees in her visions isn't necessarily what she prophesies to the people; after all, what's a little twist of the truth in service of the king? Prince Cyrus doesn't approve, but Violet doesn't care about his opinion. At least, she wishes she didn't. But with a curse hanging over his head, and the Fates whispering to Violet that only one of them will live, it might take more than a little twist of the truth to get out ahead.

Thoughts
Fairy tales in their rawest form are dark, violent, and often incredibly sexual. Violet Made of Thorns hits all those beats in a page-turning, morally gray tale about a seer, a prince, and a world full of conflicting desires. The book draws clear inspiration from several fairy tales (of note: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, The Goose Girl), but it's not a retelling of any specific one, and it stands as its own story.

Violet is a stunning MC: Quick, self-reliant, and often grumpy. The author's note likens Violet to "unrelatable" MCs, and I while I think some readers will have difficulty approving of her choices, most will understand exactly why she made them. Her sense of self-preservation is powerful, something heroines don't always have. Lack of communication is my least favorite drama spice, and there are a few moments where she refuses to divulge information that I found frustrating. But by the end, I followed the reasoning behind her decisions (even the terrible ones) with ease. Prince Cyrus doesn't get the same amount of care and attention in terms of character development, but anyone looking for a firey haters-to-lovers romance should be satisfied. Of all the characters, Prince Cyrus' sister Camilla is my runaway favorite. I love a character who's self-assured, smart, and loves themselves the way they are. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for dark sexy romance with fairy tale overtones.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

tl;dr
Rebellious eschews a lot of common Regency romance staples in exchange for an adventurous romp with two firey leads. Probably won't make much sense without the context of the first two books in the series.

About
After Lynette Wolcott is injured in a run-in with the notorious highwayman, The Wyvern, she finds herself healing up at the house of Lord Maximillian Rycroft. Her bedroom door is frequently locked, and residents of the house are hesitant to discuss Max's activities. What secret might he be hiding? And what dangers lurk for Lynette if she keeps trying to dig them up?

Thoughts
There are plenty of stories about women getting swept up by mysterious masked highwaymen/pirates/robbers. Very few of them include the lady taking up a sword and joining his crew. Even fewer have a leading lady with a kill count. Rebellious starts with a bang (literally), and keeps the pace from there. Readers expecting some of the more common tropes of regency romance (balls, afternoon tea, and strolls through the garden) will probably be let down, but anyone looking for messy adventure, kidnapping, action, and a good deal of stabbing will definitely find it here. There are also a handful of steamy lovemaking scenes. Our lead couple has a very stormy relationship - Max is a moody scoundrel with a heart of gold, and Lynette is a confident woman who longs for adventure. The arguments and the lovemaking are equally passionate in turns, ideal for anyone looking for a hatred to love romance. Writing is narrative-heavy with a lot of descriptive flourishes.

This is the third book in the series, and new readers might struggle to keep up with all the names and history without the context of the few two books. Readers should also be advised that sexual assault plays a major role in Lynette's history, and that sexual assaults are also in the present-day narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for an advance copy.

tl;dr
A beautifully written book with powerful characters and a rollercoaster ride of plot twists that's nearly impossible to put down.

About
In a land torn by war, three warlordesses fight for control. Zephyr is a brilliant strategist, and she'll do whatever it takes to keep her lordess Xin Ren safe. With armies at their heels and resources thin, Zephyr's only choice is to infiltrate the enemy's ranks and destroy them from within. But when the enemy's strategist Crow appears, has she finally met her match?

Thoughts
I'm already counting down the days to the sequel. The author's notes in the back state that this is her favorite book, and with good reason. It's an excellent book. War stratagems and human complexity clash beautifully and painfully in this retelling of The Three Kingdoms (although no familiarity with the original is necessary to enjoy this). The plot drives the story, but there's plenty of space for human interaction, including very thoughtful portrayals of the many different forms of sisterhood. Zephyr is an absolutely stunning main character. Bold, capable, confident, and utterly unshakeable. As much as I love a story where the MC learns to believe in themselves, getting to read one where they already do is truly exhilarating. Crow is a fantastic foil (and potential love interest?) - clever, moody, and full of secrets. I loved seeing him and Zephyr match wits. Writing is fast-paced, and evocative, with plot twists furling out with increasing urgency. And that ending! Ahhhh!

I'd also like to take the time to appreciate that notes in the back offer insight into the original Three Kingdoms story for curious readers, and there are a handful of gorgeous character illustrations in the front. (I, uh, wouldn't mind one for Crow in the second volume.)

Thanks to BookSirens for a review copy.

tl;dr
A collection of light, fast-paced mysteries threaded together with a slowly unfolding wlw romance makes for a fun afternoon read.

About
A set of five novellas, each featuring a different mystery solved by detective Stetson Goody, a woman in Victorian London who poses as male investigator Xavier Wellington. The five stories are woven together with a narrative about Stetson's personal life including her family and her romances.

Thoughts
The cover of the book promises "adventures of a lesbian Victorian detective," and everything past that fulfills the promise admirably. The story is broken up into five (six-ish) mysteries that Stetson solves with calculated efficiency. Mystery storytelling draws purposeful inspiration from Conan Doyle's work, each one disconnected from the others and quickly solved within the space of the novella. While we are able to follow Stetson's process, the reader is rarely privy to her internal thoughts, making each reveal a surprise for reader and character alike. Stetson employs a truly dizzying array of disguises to solve her cases, which adds an extra layer of fun to each adventure. The interludes about her personal life are more intimate, and paint a very endearing picture of a woman doing her best to figure herself out. The two women she romances are unique and interesting, and I am relieved that it didn't devolve into a messy romance triangle. (Even leaning into my favorite trope, "my gf and my ex are friends now.") Romance is mostly sweet handholding and kisses, with off-screen sexual encounters alluded to. Overall, a great afternoon read for fans of Victorian mysteries, sweet romances, or all of the above.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy.

tl;dr
A tense, atmospheric, closed circle mystery with a classic whodunnit feel. End feels a little contrived.

About
Liliana Armitage is dead, and ownership of the family mansion is up for grabs. A series of twelve riddles are all that stand between the remaining members of the family and ownership of the luxurious house called Endgame. Lily Armitage has no desire to return to Endgame and the painful memories it holds of her mother's death all those years ago. But a secret letter arrives, informing Lily that her mother's death was actually a murder, and the culprit's identity will only be revealed if she can solve the riddles of Endgame.

Thoughts
The book opens with a map of the house that looks purposefully like the board for Cluedo/Clue. I think it's the best hint possible for readers to set their expectations. What lies within this book is a mystery that feels very classic: strict rules, only one winner, no world-breaking plot twists. Fans of closed circle mysteries, "And Then There Were None" plot lines, and angry family members scrambling to solve clues for an inheritance will find all that in spades here. The numerous puzzles in this book rely heavily on in-universe knowledge to solve, so it's not a fair game mystery. The author makes up for it by hiding anagrams within the text of the book for readers to find. I played along for the first part of the book (it was fun), but I stopped once the plot picked up because I was too engrossed in the story.

The main character Lily is clever and talented, but she spends a lot of time making herself smaller (literally and figuratively) to avoid the attention of her louder cousins. While she does learn to be herself a little more, I was disappointed that she didn't manage to be more assertive in the end, relying on a bit of contrived luck to get out of a bad situation. Other characters vary in likability (on purpose), with some rather clear-cut villains and several genuinely sympathetic friends. Overall, a fun read for fans of classic-styled murder mysteries.

Thanks to BookSirens for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A plot-forward adventure that will appeal to middle grade and teen readers looking for lots of action and magic.

About
Jimmy's life is about to change - he's got a job promotion, and he's finally been accepted to the prestigious Navale Academy of Eagleon. But the changes don't stop there. He's also been possessed by the ghost of Tessa, a warrior of old. Great timing, considering an ancient enemy is on the rise, and Jimmy and Tessa might be the only ones who can stop it. Yes, Jimmy's life is definitely about to change.

Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I noted down "I'm willing to bet the author based these characters on people he knows." A quick look at the author's bio confirms that I'd be richer if someone had been willing to take me up on that bet. There's a sort of familiarity that the author has with the characters, and that the characters have with each other that feels very lived in. Jimmy and Tessa's banter, in particular, feels like they're very comfortable with each other. There's very little time for most of the cast to show off these connections, though, as this book is extremely plot-driven. Action sequences and plot twists feed directly into each other, giving Jimmy (and the readers) very little time to catch his breath before leaping into the next danger. Pacing is reminiscent of a video game, with new information and dangers being revealed at every turn, and a lot of world building. The ending ties up enough threads while leaving the much bigger plot ready for upcoming books in the series. Only time will tell if Jimmy and Tessa will make it out - but I'm cheering for them.

tl;dr
A sweetly written romance that takes a bit of a backseat to a bigger adventure plot. Lots of fun plot twists and tender moments that should please fans of the ongoing series.

About
Everyone thinks Dr. Barnabus Milligan is a bachelor for life, so it's quite a shock when his wife arrives to help him and the Dread Penny Society in a battle against the shadowy villain known as the Mastiff. It's been three years since they last saw each other. Three years since he married her to save her from her family, and she left after realizing he didn't truly love her. But maybe this time will be different. If the Mastiff doesn't kill them first.

Thoughts
As a fan of the first three books in this series, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to read the fourth. Like the first three installments, this book had a gentle romance, mystery, and intrigue, dotted with two "penny dreadful" stories that are meant to reflect the events of the book. Unlike the first three installments, the plot takes center stage with romance being secondary. I'm not too surprised - the previous books definitely implied that it was going to get more plot-heavy, and the featured couple in this one already know each other, leaving us more time to follow the underhanded dealings of the mysterious Mastiff who has been plaguing our cast since the first book. Armed with these expectations, I found I enjoyed every second of this. Like its predecessors, the writing was easy to follow, with the narrative voice shifting very naturally to match the POV character. The central couple were charming, with a good dose of pining, along with some very tender moments. Gemma's romantic heart was endearing, and Baz's bumbling nature about his own feelings didn't stretch as far as frustration. Their ceremony at the end is one of the sweetest things I've ever read. The main plot was well-paced and exciting, although the solution at the end felt out of place considering what we know about the villains. Overall, a great read with a startling ending that has me impatient for the next installment!

To would-be readers, I heartily recommend reading at least the third book in the series, if not all three, before jumping into this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Tuttle Publishing for an advance copy.

tl;dr
A great resource for intermediate artists looking to up their game.

About
200 brief art lessons from different artists that cover things like anatomy, composition, and coloring for manga and anime.

Thoughts
Just last week I was lamenting the lack of resources for intermediate artists, and now as if in response to my pleas, this book arrives! But before I go any further, I feel I should define what I mean by "intermediate." The ability to draw, and the ability to see something "wrong" with a drawing are two separate skills. In most cases, the first ability improves more slowly than the second. Intermediate artists have been drawing for a while and improving, but they see more and more things in their art that feel off, and often can't figure out exactly what's gone wrong. Learning to identify and correct these "off" parts is a difficult leap, and over the years, many artists have developed tricks and shortcuts to figuring out these problems. That's where this book comes in. It features 200 Lessons: Concise, single-page notes that tackle a multitude of common problems. The first two chapters discuss everything from drawing tricks to anatomy and clothing folds. The third chapter covers honing digital art and coloring, with a focus on Clip Studio (and sometimes Photoshop). Artists using other software might find this section harder to follow, but a lot of the ideas here can still be used in other workspaces. The fourth chapter covers poses and composition, which is probably one of the hardest things for intermediate artists to nail down, so it's great to see this addressed. If you've been drawing for a bit and you're looking for ways to really polish your work, this book is an excellent resource.

tl;dr
A sweet and pleasant historical romance mixed with an increasingly threatening mystery make for another satisfying installment in the Dread Penny Society series.

About
Something foul is afoot, and it's up to author Brogan Donnelly to find out who's behind it. Sent on a secretive mission by an even more secretive society, he gets a job at a local print shop to spy on the owner and his potentially illegal activities. But when Brogan finds himself immediately smitten by the shop owner's daughter, his espionage mission might prove more difficult than expected. Especially because she might have secrets of her own.

Thoughts
Secret identity romances are always fun, even more so when it turns out both participants have secrets. Brogan is a man with his heart on his sleeve, but a dark past. Vera's history is shrouded in mystery, even to herself. The two of them hit it off almost immediately in a rather drama-free manner that feels very natural. The romantic portions of the novel are pleasant, and generally pretty sweet. The big secret reveal definitely hurts, but both characters are mature enough that the drama part doesn't drag on too long before they sort things out. The mystery portion raised the stakes a good deal from the previous two installments, and carried the greater half of the book. I found it interesting, although some of the reveals at the end didn't entirely unfold in an organic manner. The book ends well, with enough open for the next installment, which I am very much looking forward to.

As with the other books in the series, two separate "penny dreadful" stories are woven in: one written by Mr. King that acts as a foil for the main plot; and the other written by the featured Dreadful that gives the reader a small bonus insight into the character. I typically prefer Mr. King's installments, but Brogan's story had a much stronger ending in this case, and I really liked the atmosphere it evoked.

Readers can enjoy this book as a standalone, but the first two books (especially the second one) definitely add context to some of the supporting cast.

Thanks to NetGalley and BHC Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
An irreverent adventure that mixes Croatian folklore with extra-terrestrial mythology. Story takes a bit to get going on the front end.

About
Old tales in the city of Zagreb tell of a queen dark and powerful who used to rule with an iron fist. But those days are long gone. A girl playing schoolyard games. A college dropout looking for direction. A literal fallen star tasked with atoning for his sins. Three strangers suddenly faced with stopping the rise of the Black Queen. But the queen is dead. Isn't she?

Thoughts
I rarely dedicate more than a sentence to an author's writing style, but I think I have to start with the style here, because it defines so much of the book itself. The writing is irreverent and cynical, with a very conversational style, as if the story is being recounted by one of the disaffected philosophy students that the book's hero Dario hangs out with. Detailed descriptions of people and places are punctuated with sly remarks about shortcomings or lack of relevance. All in all, it gives the events of this book a sense of being an inconsequential thing, which is strange, because I would argue that the rise of an ancient evil is very consequential. Even set against the backdrop of an interstellar war, the Black Queen and her followers present a genuinely terrifying threat, and scenes with her were especially chilling. Plot moves like the final drop on a rollercoaster, slowly easing readers up to the top before a sharp, adrenaline-pumping finale. The three heroes of this book are Stella, Dario, and Leo. Stella is probably my favorite - a spunky young heroine doing her best in the world. Dario and Leo are a fun odd couple, both trapped in situations they're trying to escape, and I'd be delighted to read further adventures with them. I know absolutely nothing about Croatian mythology (or Zagreb, for that matter), but reading this book has made me very interested in learning more. An appendix of some sort with names or other details would be much appreciated by this reader.