So this was actually WAY better than I thought it would be. The murder reveal! Did not see that coming. I also was so sure about who was Queen Margareets daughter was and I was very wrong. I think for a standalone, the characters were relatively developed. Not super detailed but enough for me to empathize and choose sides. Even the villain's "reasoning" or logic for their actions was understandable. I did feel like the world building truly lacked. Wasn't much structure to the science, magic or political conflicts--just info thrown in when it suddenly became a conflict. The romance wrap up at the end also fell quite flat for me. I thought it was sweet and then the end seemed very formal? Despite that, it's an enjoyable light fantasy that you can read and not worry about the dreaded mid-series cover change or seeing book 2 pushed back like 4 times.

Side note: I still love this cover.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the author.

Now I will fully admit that i'm relatively ignorant of the Mormon faith other than the fact that they don't drink coffee and Mitt Romney is one. I can't quite speak to the authenticity of the faith specific things BUT I cannot name a single book that I have read that has a main character that is a Mormon. I love especially that Katie wrote a religiously diverse group in Heretics Anonymous and continued that theme but with a new religious group. I especially love that there was someone who was bi-sexual and had left the faith while also having someone continuing to be a part of the faith. I also really loved that this doesn't happen in Utah. It helped me realize how I have seen Mormons as very strict and living exclusively in Utah.

The plot is where I had a bit of difficulty. I wasn't quite sure where we were actually going until about 70% of the way in but I latched onto the main character and her obsession with preparing for doomsday. She is quite different from Michael (Heretics Anonymous) yet they both hold comedic tones and personalities. While Michael is heavily sarcastic, Ellis is more deadpan, blunt and over the top. Hannah is an interesting and confusing character to me. I don't know that I liked her nor hated her BUT I did find her frustrating. She's just such a vague character with a vague purpose until the VERY end.

Lastly, I actually really enjoyed the romance Ellis has. It, once again, challenge the image I had of Mormons in my brain. It was sweet and simple and helped develop Ellis as a normal teenager.

Rep: anxiety, bisexual, Mormon, former Mormon

Sort of DNF. I got about 2/3 of the way in and started skimming until the last two chapters. It was rough folks. Now, I reserve 1 out of 5 stars for books I hate. This sits right about that. I didn't hate it but I do regret picking this up. My entire emotions can be summed up with one gif:

Once again, a book set in Canada is a disappointment for me. I give up.

I pondered for this whole thing "who is this book for?" It's got a cover to appeal to middle grade, the price point of an adult title (nearly $40 CAD. Are publishers out of their damn mind?!) and I...think the actual content of YA/adult. It sits in this weird limbo that I wouldn't know who to recommend this to as a librarian. Not a damn clue.

There was literally nothing I liked about this book. The characters...well existed but I think that's all the praise I can give. The plot seemed non-existent. The slowest damn pacing ever--
...wait...
...I figured out it's target audience...
...Give it to parents who need help making their kids fall asleep!

So in summation...don't bother? Nothing happens. Dull. Potentially cool idea but just absolutely nothing was done with it.

"I am haunted by humans"
I'll take world history for $1000, Alex

I tried. Couldn't hold my interest. DNF @ PG 50 at chapter 5

RTC since GR keeps randomly deleting reviews

This was cute even though my brain wouldn't stop being like "how can you afford all these flights and to eat out every meal?!" My brain just ruins crap apparently. I really liked Monroe. She's smart and passionate. I love that she wasn't a stick and how she inner monologues about her body insecurities. I could go without the dude being super possessive and jealous and incapable of verbalizing any of his emotions. I did really like that the author chose to highlight how their upbringings were different and how it connected to race (Monroe being Black and Drew being White).

Rep: Monroe is Black

So I'm actually really pissed with the publishers inability to keep a consistent cover theme. I know it's deterred people (myself included) from touching it. This book has a beautifully diverse cast with black, Asian, asexual, and physically disability rep. This book doesn't shy away from segregation and race issues or the time (and honestly still relevant) while also dueling ghosts and zombies. This book tugged at my heart. Best of the series.

Rep: Black and mixed Asian characters, Jewish, physical disability, gay and unlabeled asexual (I mean, it is 1927) in a F/F romance

I FINISHED IT!