Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

tl;dr
A fake lovers tale with pleasant artwork and lots of page space dedicated to sexy moments. A great easy read, although a little light on plot.

About
Akari Sayo is having a bad day. She's caught her boyfriend cheating on her, and even worse, it turns out SHE'S the the one he's keeping on the side, and the other woman is the one he's serious about. On top of that, she's just had a difficult new job dropped on her - filming a documentary of a composer who keeps refusing her company's requests. But when the composer learns her name, he suddenly asks her to pretend to be his lover! Maybe a fake relationship is just what this broken heart needs.

What I Liked
Shoujo manga has such a wide range of emotion, from tearjerkers that dig through deepest corners of the heart, to light and ephemeral candy-coated tales to excite. A Serenade for Pretend Lovers sits pretty firmly in the second category, at least for now. This is a great read for anyone looking for a breezy and sensual jaunt, with just enough plot to tie sexy moments together. Characters and plot points are painted quickly with a wide brush, leaving most of the space in the story for kisses, physical intimacy, and a scene that gets very near to sex before it's interrupted. Of all the cast, the main character's best friend Izumi is probably my favorite. She seems pretty smart, and I like her style. Artwork is pretty straightforward shoujo fare in the best way - delicate lines, copious use of tones, and easy-to-follow paneling. The design for the love interest Chizuru in particular is pleasantly unique for shoujo, and I love how he looks. Localization is also straightforward, with nothing too clunky to read.

What Wasn't For Me
My favorite part of the fake lovers trope is when the characters have to act out their relationship in public. This volume didn't have any of that (although the preview indicates we'll might see some in the next volume), so the readers haven't yet gotten the full juicy drama notes of the heroine running into her ex while she's on a fake date. The plot is interesting enough that I'm actually kind of disappointed we didn't get more of it.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A complex mystery with many layers featuring a fun lead, and a somewhat less fun supporting cast.

About
Delia Ross has been many things over the course of her life. Currently, she's a spy for the NYPD, posing as a grieving widow in the hopes that they'll manage to trap an escaped fugitive. But as Delia digs deeper into the mystery, more mysteries arise, including several she thought she had buried.

What I Liked
I love a mystery with extra twists! Every layer that gets peeled back reveals more mysteries, all carefully plotted. There are a lot of things to keep track of, but they all come together for a satisfying conclusion, and an even more satisfying epilogue. Delia is a fun lead - ambitious, bold, and direct, and her personality really shines. Her sister Maude is a cranky delight, and the two of them are truly a powerhouse of detective work. Setting and scenes are easily imagined with the help of meticulous descriptions of food and clothing. The book is open-ended enough that sequels are possible, and I think more adventures of Delia Ross would be very fun.

What Wasn't For Me
The opening chapters gave me the impression I was getting into some sort of period buddy comedy, so I was disappointed to find the two leads spent almost no time together at all. Luke Kelly's contribution to the story was not nearly as much as Delia's, and the two only met up briefly from time to time to compare notes.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A salacious romance that builds well on an intriguing premise. Interesting set of magic powers, but somewhat confusing world lore.

About
Meren is a princess, but she's the second princess. Destined to live a life doubling as her older twin sister to protect her from the immortal King Eidolon. When she's kidnapped by a man made of shadows before her sister's coronation, it seems like she's done her duty, but it turns out that Meren isn't the only deceiver the realm.

What I Liked
The author's notes discuss the premise is based on a fairy tale in while a man sheds his shadow, and I feel like that premise was taken to some very cool places. Reven, the man made of shadows, is everything you could want in a dark lord romance option - moody, powerful, complex. I especially appreciate that he is genuinely trying to do good, and not just "misunderstood by the masses." The lead Meren is also a great read - sassy, self-assured, and a quick thinker. She's competent enough that I didn't find her frustrating, but not so magically capable that it felt OP. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will absolutely appreciate the sparks between them. The magic system of the world is only lightly defined, but easy to understand, and I was impressed with all the creative ways that Meren used her own abilities. There's a tendency for the "jerk" romance option to be dubious about consent, so I was very relieved that their sex was consensual. Strong recommend to anyone looking for a romance with steamy moments against a fantasy adventure backdrop.

What Wasn't For Me
Supporting characters don't get painted with much detail, with Meren's sister Tabra suffering the most from this. This is the first book in a series, so I suspect characters will receive further development down the road, but given the events of the book, it would have helped to establish Tabra's personality a little more. I struggled to picture the shape and look of the world. In a single region, four different mythical creatures from four different countries (ranging from Greece to Japan) are mentioned. The main characters sometimes speak Latin, even referencing the famous quote "quis custodiet ipsos custodes." A character at one point mentions brain cells. When/where is this taking place?

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

tl;dr
A great resource for beginner or hobby artists with very nice artwork, and some incredibly useful tips. Covers a lot of ground, so doesn't manage to be terribly in depth.

About
A how-to-draw book covering manga-styled artwork with succinct notes on character design, anatomy, and page layouts. Contains several step-by-step instructions of a variety of characters to draw.

What I Liked
I've been drawing for a long time, so these days most of my art books are references, and not how-tos. However, people often ask me for suggestions for beginners, so I'm always on the lookout for a new how-to-draw book. It's always been a struggle; there are a lot of how to draw manga books on the market that just sort of... look bad. This is not one of them. The art is very cute and competently done. Poses, perspective, and other complex ideas are well-executed. The coloring is particularly good, and I am more than happy to learn from this artist. The tips that we get are very helpful. (e.g. Breaking down hair, hands, or feet, into "zones.") Anatomy is consistent, and I appreciated that there were multiple examples of most things. The step-by-step content breaks down shapes really well, and is easy to follow. Chapters cover the basics in a quick and easy to understand manner. My favorite section was how to draw hair. I love how the artist draws hair, and I'm glad I got to learn from it. Overall, I think this is a very accessible book, especially for newcomers to art.

What Wasn't for Me
Being good at something doesn't necessarily mean being good at teaching it, and I think the text of the book falls short of the quality of the art in a few places. For example, a couple step-by-step illustrations outline the shape of the body first before adding clothing, but I can't find anywhere in the text (specifically the section about clothing) that discusses why this is important. Very little time is spent on how to color, which is a shame because I adore the artist's coloring style and would like to have learned more about it. Not a lot of body types explored in the anatomy section.

tl;dr
Great fantasy adventure told from two very different POVs by two equally compelling leads with an appealing supporting cast.

About
Han Alister is a reformed thief, doing his best to make an honest living for his mother and sister. The only remnants of his former life are a pair of silver cuffs that he's worn since birth - clearly magical, and unable to be removed. Princess Raisa's restraints are less literal, but equally omnipresent. The birthday that signifies her adulthood is fast approaching, and it seems like everyone else in her life has plans for what she'll be doing once it arrives. With war looming on the horizon, Han and Raisa soon find themselves caught on different paths in a dark plot centuries in the making.

What I Liked
Wow! Cinda Williams Chima has somehow managed to write two very good books cleverly disguised as one very good book. Multiple POVs usually exist to give us different perspectives of the same space, but these two POVs are entirely separate stories, intersecting only briefly in the middle. It's such a gutsy move to not even get the two leads into the same space by the end of the book, but it absolutely paid off! I was riveted by both narratives, and seeing the little breadcrumbs of how they're both facing the same problem from different perspectives was incredible. Characters are all distinct and complex, with some very sympathetic antagonists (and some who definitely aren't). Raisa's complicated relationships are especially interesting - a very honest reflection on teenage romance, and I appreciate that there's no clear The One when it comes to who she loves. I also appreciated Han's duality as he did his best to navigate a world where the deck is stacked against him. As this is first in a series, the ending was pretty open, but I appreciate that it left me excited for what happens next, rather than frustrated that it cut off at a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see where the heroes go from here.

What Wasn't For Me
I've never been a big fan of fantasy racism, and it's pretty embedded in this story. To be fair, there is a very well-written bit in the middle that frankly discusses historical revisionism, and I genuinely feel like the author is approaching this with thoughtfulness and intent. But overall, it's not a theme I personally enjoy reading.

tl;dr
Incredible adventure based in Chinese lore with a great heroine and a surprisingly sturdy love triangle.

About
When Chang'e was banished to the moon, no one knew that she brought her secret daughter with her. Xingyin has lived on the moon all her life, unaware that her very existence is an affront to the Celestial Emperor. When her magic flares and almost gives away her secret, she has no choice but to flee the moon and seek out a life hidden away in the Celestial Kingdom. But when an opportunity to study alongside the prince arises, she finds herself moving ever closer to being discovered. And ever closer to being in love.

What I Liked
I should probably open with the fact that I typically hate love triangles. They are not my vibe for SO many reasons that I won't bother to get into. So when I say that this love triangle was well-written, please note that I am saying it grudgingly, because I can't believe I actually liked this one. All three characters involved were well-rounded, fun to read, and the chemistry between the lead and both suitors was genuine. Time moves fast in this book. Months can pass between chapters, or in the span of a paragraph. That leaves the readers to imagine the relationships develop, but the scenes we do get are natural enough that it's easy to connect the dots, and none of it feels too rushed.

What Wasn't For Me
Honestly kind of disappointed that Xingyin our POV character kept referring to citizens of the opposing forces as "demons" after learning that it was all just propaganda. She knows full well that she's stuck between two warring factions - neither of which is particularly great. I don't know why she stuck with the lies of one over the other, and it felt like a poor reflection on her character.

tl;dr
A beautiful queer romance front and center against a historical backdrop that sparks the imagination.

About
Jack Devin's great at sleight of hand, which is a good skill to have when your boss is a stage magician. He's also got flexible morals, which is a good mindset to have when your boss is ALSO a con artist. When Jack and his employer, the Enchantress, find themselves with a show at the Alaska Yukon Pacific World's Fair, it looks like the money's going to start flowing in. At least, until rival magician Laszlo appears with tricks that even Jack can't figure out. But Jack soon discovers he's much more interested in Laszlo's assistant, the quiet and enigmatic Wilhelm.

What I Liked
Stories about stage magicians are great. Even more when the author seems to respect the craft and the work that goes into it. Very little is spent on the actual magic, but all the tricks seem grounded and researched. Huuuge plus in my book. The setting - a World's Fair in Seattle - is full of potential and enthusiasm for the future, and the author does a great job of carrying the reader into that hopeful space. Both POVs are likable, and written with distinct voices, making the narrative easy to follow. The supporting cast are painted clearly with their own lives, dreams, and motivations. I've seen some descriptions liken this to The Prestige. It definitely had some similarities to the film (not the book, though), but it's a lot less dire of an ending, so I think I prefer this.

What Wasn't For Me
For a story about people who are also con artists, there was very little time spent on cons. The one we do get wasn't quite as twisty as I had hoped. But that feels like a very minor complaint overall.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A very traditional good vs. evil tale with distinct and interesting characters. Plot is a little contrived in places.

About
Myrthe's tears can grant wishes, a power that has served others more than her for most of her life. When an attempt to use it for herself goes terribly wrong, she finds herself cursed to die the next time she cries. But with the king suddenly dead and a struggle for power on the horizon, everyone wants one of Myrthe's wishes - even if it costs her life.

What I Liked
A well-paced book about the responsibility and consequences of power. The writing is clean and easy to read, with each of the character voices and POVs distinct. Despite a magic system rooted pretty clearly in good vs. evil, the characters themselves were allowed a little more moral complexity, with heroes making mistakes, and several antagonists having sympathetic motives. Character development is slow, but steady, and I was impressed by how much the two leads grew over the course of the book. The ending will probably be pretty divisive, but I appreciated how open it was, and I think it was a better place to finish than pretend that the day is saved and everything is good now.

What Wasn't For Me
The plot came together in a lot of very convenient ways that take a bit of suspension to really accept. Anouk's story in particular felt like it had to be reworked to fit everyone else's storylines. It also hits my personal peeve of people keeping vague secrets so the plot can be more dramatic and go longer.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A dark, tense tale with a lot of action, interesting cast, and some fun literary references. Writing is sometimes hard to follow.

About
In an alternate Venice, the Dead stalk the streets at night. Mindless. Thirsty for blood. Only Ayanda has the strength to kill them, with a power that even she isn't fully sure how she got. But there are others like her, all with secret pasts of their own. And only together will they be able to overcome an evil even more calculating and sinister than the Dead.

What I Liked
I very much enjoy a literary reference that doesn't spend too much time congratulating itself. This book has several, including a handful of more subtle ones that fans of classic literature will find very satisfying. The lead characters all had unique powers and backstories, and the supporting cast are all very interesting. My runaway favorite character wound up being Andreas, who isn't even one of the POV characters. A lot of big fight scenes with a tense underlying mood that doesn't let up, and a genuinely threatening final villain. Anyone looking for something dark with a lot of action scenes will find them there.

What Wasn't For Me
The writing style didn't click with me. I had trouble differentiating between metaphor and literal in a lot of spaces. I think Yurei has synesthesia, but I'm not sure, because maybe the colors he sees are metaphors. Several points where someone's body turned "to stone" or their legs "turned to water" are probably metaphors, but given the context of powers in this world, I briefly assumed they might also be literal. The story is told from multiple first person POVs, and I sometimes struggled to identify which character's POV I was reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
Dragon-riding, magic-wielding fun with a good underlying story about the power of choices. Romance is so ancillary to the story, it might be better without it.

About
Yanna used to be a witch hunter - part of a group dedicated to tracking and killing magic users of all sorts. But now that she's a mage and a dragon rider, those days are behind her. Unfortunately, they may not be as far behind her as she'd like.

What I Liked
I really love a fantasy story where choices have powerful consequences. Destroy an all-powerful amulet? Of course there's going to be a magical fallout. Defeat an evil witch? Expect her to hold a grudge. The consequences of book one are on full display here in a very meaningful way. This book has a lot of thoughtful discussion on power and responsibility of choices, but also the value of not dwelling in the what-ifs. Yanna is a relatable lead, with a well-written internal conflict. The magical world building is consistent, albeit a little fuzzy. Flourishes like the race and the library do a great job of making the world feel lived in. I enjoyed the character relationships between Yanna, Farica, and Felix. The dragons are great. If you like dragon stuff, you'll like these dragons.

What Wasn't For Me
The romance felt a bit like an afterthought, especially considering how much focus there was on Yanna's love for her family. I would have preferred either a lot less or a lot more, but at the moment what we did get feels underdeveloped. Felt very much like a "book two" in a series (it is), in that there's very little story arc, and it worked mostly to connect the catalyst in book one to the finale that will come in book three.