1.66k reviews by:

srivalli

mysterious slow-paced

 2.5 Stars

One Liner: This didn’t work

After a night of festivities at the Hampton Court Palace, one of the ladies doesn’t answer the door in the morning. Mrs. Lydia Bramble, palace housekeeper, steps in to investigate and finds Miss Philomena Franklin murdered with a knife in her back. When the police seem to be on the wrong track, it’s up to Mrs. Bramble to play a sleuth and find the killer. After all, who better than servants to know things the masters and mistresses won’t talk about? 

The story comes in Lydia Bramble’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

So, this is a debut historical cozy mystery set in an apartment complex (a sort of mix between a modern apartment and a gated community from what I understood) where widows live with their wards/ children and maids. Also, the author’s note reveals the setting is based on a real place. 

The book starts with a list of characters, which I appreciated. Even though the list was detailed and provided information about who lived where I still got confused. A map would have helped. 

The death happens fairly soon, so it is not a long wait to get to the mystery. We are introduced to the characters during the initial round of investigation (by our amateur sleuth, of course). 

I liked the attempt to show how the detective (from Yard) was proud of his credentials and looked down upon others (especially the sleuth). It is also a display of misogyny where men consider women inferior and weak. 

However, this is a women-dominant book with most characters being widows, maids, or wards. Still, it was hard to enjoy this one. No one was easy to like. Everyone was judgmental, even the MC. 

I went along despite the slow pacing but started to zone out often. Then, I switched to speed-reading. This helped a little. Still, I was ready for the book to end at 60%. The reveal came a long time afterward! 

The mystery as such was okay. It was certainly well-thought-out with red herrings, suspects, and twists. However, being unable to empathize with even a single character meant I couldn’t appreciate it as I should. 

The ending is set for a series with a lead provided for the next book. My journey stops here, though. 

To summarize, Murder at the Palace has a historical writing style and vibe but the characters fail to make an impact. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MurderAtThePalace 

informative inspiring mysterious slow-paced

 3.7 Stars

One Liner: Love the setting but the MMC was an idiot (this has a strong desi vibe)

Ridhi Kapadia loves plants, trees, and forests. She’d do anything to meet the yakshas and become one of them. After all, she can already listen to the plants talk. Moreover, the forest understands and accepts her, unlike her classmates who bully her. Wearing flower crowns and making natural perfumes, she just wants to be accepted into the magical forest kingdom she belongs to.

The rich and famous Nilesh Batra had everything handed to him on a platter and drifted through life skimming the surface. Until he finds out that his parents’ perfect marriage was a sham all along. Angry and lashing out at everyone, he wants nothing to do with anyone. Then, he meets Kamini, a yakshini from the enchanted forests his annoying once-childhood friend Ridhi loves. Smitten beyond his senses, Nilesh enters the land of yakshas unbothered by the dangers or consequences of his actions.

However, there’s more than what meets the eye. Ridhi and Nilesh might learn a few lessons as the much anticipated Holi celebrations begin in the yaksha kingdom.

The story comes in Ridhi and Nilesh’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:

Firstly, the blurb makes it sound like it could be an enemies-to-lovers romance. It is NOT and I’m glad for it. By the way, just look at that cover! Oh, my!
Secondly, I should no longer be surprised by the low rating
s. Books with inherent Hindu framework don't appeal to the western audience. When readers say they like Hindu mythology, they mean they like how THEY want it to be and not the actual one. So books with exotic terms and stories distorted beyond recognition get more praise than the ones that have strong Hindu roots.

Anyhoo, rant over!

I’ll talk about what could have been better before I discuss what I liked. So,

The MMC, Nilesh. Yeah, he is a spoiled brat who needs a redemption arc. Yes, he is hurting and I tried to be sympathetic. But boy, if the yakshas were performing a human sacrifice, I’d immediately volunteer him and stand guard to supervise the ritual. The arc could have been great but the author lost control of it at some point. Maybe her focus was on the FMC and the setting and she realized a bit too late to salvage the situation.

The hints of a queer angle almost went over my head until they were confirmed at the end. Subtle is good but you can’t be that subtle. Most of the readers can’t even see it. Heck, I missed it too but had a faint sense of ‘maybe’ which got confirmed on the last page. Why wait so long? Gosh, too little too late to blend into the plotline. A short paragraph when we get details of the past would have done the job.

The pacing is not slow but the story is. That’s to say, not much happened until we reached the halfway mark and this is a big book, so that’s already 200 pages. As much as I loved the setting and wanted to join them in Alkapuri, not everyone feels the same. They need something else to keep them going, especially when the writing and setting are so desi.

However, I cannot help but gush about the rest!

The beginning is so lush and descriptive. The writing is evocative and pure poetry, especially the snippets at the start of each part. Yeah, the author relied on the thesaurus but I didn’t find it distracting (for a change).

I’m so surprised that the blurb doesn’t talk about Holi given how significant it is for the plot. Instead of focusing on popular tropes, the blurb should have stayed true to the storyline. The book is set during spring when the colorful Hindu festival Holi is celebrated. There are quite a few descriptions of the preparations. The scenes of the actual event are vibrant and delightful. The festival has been seamlessly woven into the central plot and becomes the D-day where many things are revealed.

Though it has American Indian families, the vibe is very desi. Think of saris, dupattas, chappals, kaju barfi, shirkand, dholka, kichidi, aloo sabzi, etc. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of this. The cultural heritage takes on a new shape by blending with donuts and burgers instead of being replaced. The Indian communities come in all shapes, sizes, and types in foreign lands and are a unique blend of desi and videsi. That aspect comes out very well.

Ridhi is a darling. Yeah, she could do with a dose of self-confidence and thick skin but that’s supposed to be her arc. Every single mention of her dressing up and wearing bangles, anklets, and bindi made my heart soar. You go, girl! Be unapologetic about who you are. Who cares what others say? Here, the others are also Indians, so this isn’t about external racism with idiots being idiots no matter who they are or where they live.

The seamless blend of real and magical. The setting easily shifts between the regular world and Alkapuri, the kingdom of yakshas. However, this may be confusing for some readers. I like that there’s no clear separator as the worlds also exist together, but it’s a risky decision. Readers unfamiliar with the concepts will be confused.

The range of scents, trees, flowers, flavors, etc. is mesmerizing. On the negative side, it can be overwhelming for some readers. I loved it because it aligns with the yakshas. Everything is extrasensory and doubly clear, so the whole vibe is not only atmospheric but also heady and hypnotic.

The mentions of Uravashi, Savitri, or Damayanti and using their stories to create perfumes. Since I know who they are and what their stories are, I can breathe in the scents mentioned on the screen. There’s a difference between liking something, knowing about it, and being an integral part of it. You will have full experience when you are a part of the story and its intricacies. Otherwise, it’s just pretty writing with exotic-sounding descriptions.

Quite a lot happens in the last quarter. It can give readers a whiplash if they’ve struggled so far. Of course, no way to avoid it since the whole thing had to happen in the same series. Worked well for me but it might be confusing for others.

To summarize, Divining the Leaves is a proper desi fantasy. It is atmospheric, inviting, and delicious (all that food). However, the MMC and a slow plot don’t do it any favors. Anyway, I enjoyed the book. Thank you for using the word mandir.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Children, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #DiviningTheLeaves 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
hopeful reflective fast-paced

 3.5 Stars

One Liner: A quick read

Elisse has always wanted to run her family’s auto shop. She was a darn good mechanic if only her older brother, Morgan, understood it and her sister didn’t demand her time to run her event management business. 

Theo Foster may be ultra rich but his broken family made him escape reality by racing cars. As Morgan’s best friend, he has a stake in the auto business but suddenly he finds that working with the now-grownup Elisse is a lot more fun. 

The story comes in Elisse and Theo’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts:

I read the second book of the standalone series last year and thought to tackle the third one now (TBH, I had to read 3 books by the same author to clear a level on another bookish platform, so this seemed like the best choice). 

This is more of a novella that can be completed in a couple of hours at the most. The writing style is easy to read now that I’m familiar with it. 

There’s some nice banter, a bit of spice, and two people finally deciding to set boundaries and do what they want instead of catering to others. 

Family is all good but can be overbearing as well. I like the dynamics though. The storyline is not too deep but manages to highlight a few points. 

To summarize, Here With You is a nice and quick read if you want to pass the time when traveling or just lazing around. 

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

 4 Stars

One Liner: This was fun!

Julia Bird attends the amateur theatre play in her cozy village only to see another death. Graham, the lead actor, dies on the stage, and when it is ruled a murder, Julia tries to do her bit to solve the crime and help her friend DI Hayley.

As new details emerge and more truths come to light, Julia has to sort through the tangle of complex relationships between suspects to find the killer. Turns out, she may also have to prevent more deaths from occurring.

The story comes in Julia’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:

This seventh book in the series can work as a standalone. The official blurb reveals too much, so don’t read it beyond the first two paragraphs.

The mystery is decent and has quite a few suspects as more truths come out. This keeps the reader guessing, though if you are a fan of this genre, you’ll guess the killer after 50%. Still, there are a few surprising twists.

Things are steady between Julia and Dr. Sean even with the new development. In fact, I like the way Joan’s track progressed. Positive and hopeful.

As if Jake (the adorable bumbling chocolate Lab) and the hens with a bossy Henny Penny weren’t enough, Julia now has a cat named Chaplin. This cat is from the previous book. Though Chaplin doesn’t have much space, he establishes himself very well, in a way only cats can!

There’s a teeny development for Hayley too, though you’ll have to wait to know more. She is overworked as always, what with so many murders happening in the series, lol.

Despite the murder and stuff, the book has quite a few humorous moments. My favorite is the description of Hector’s audition; I laughed so hard at that one.

Nicky appears a few times since she’s a part of the theatre group but her cutie son Sebby doesn’t show up even once. I miss that kid and his interactions with Jake-y. Jake is his naughty self as always, though this might change a wee bit as he calms down. But where’s the fun in that?

To summarize, A Village Theatre Murder is an enjoyable and short mystery with a few laughs and some thoughtful themes. There will be another book, so I’m excited for it.

Thank you, Sarah Hardy, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley 
dark mysterious medium-paced

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Great action scenes

1851 

It has been five years and Whimbrel House is seeing many changes. Hulda and Merrit have kiddos. Owein is a little over eighteen and living with them. Fallon, the shape-shifting druid, is a regular visitor and Owein’s best friend, even if others don’t know about her yet. Owein’s contracts bind him to Cora. The Queen is waiting for Cora to be eighteen so that the wedding can take place. 

However, the found family has to first deal with the return of Silas Hogwood. The powerful necromancer is back, intent on vengeance. Owein is worried his powers and the new human body aren’t enough to fight Silas and keep his loved ones safe. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Owein, Hulda, Merrit, and Silas. 

My Thoughts:

This is the fourth book in what was originally supposed to be a trilogy. There will be a fifth and final book in the series, so this ends in a cliffhanger.  

The central plot with Hulda and Merrit is sort of over in the previous book but there was a lead to this and the next one, where Owein is the main character. Since I loved the kiddo when he was a house and dog, I had to see through and support him find his HEA. 

However, I’m not a fan of love triangles in any form, especially if it involves teenagers (like go and study, what are you doing choosing between ‘loves’). What with the poor kid unable to decide, this one didn’t appeal much to me. 

However, the pacing is great. Maybe because there’s quite a bit of filler content with some atmospheric and dangerous scenes sprinkled in between. 

I loved the scene of the villain’s reentry and the havoc he creates on the island. All scenes with Silas are terrific and filled with tension, fear, and pulse-pounding action. 

The book ends on a cliffhanger though one track seems to be resolved (for now). I’m sure it’ll be revived in the next book.  

To summarize, Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is a fast-paced read with some drama and danger to keep the plot interesting. Let’s see what happens in the final book of the series. Bring it on! 

Thank you, NetGalley and 47North, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #WizardOfMostWickedWays 

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

 3.9 Stars

One Liner: Darkish but suitable for YA readers

There are many fairytale retellings, right? This one, as the title suggests, focuses on the girls in these tales while pointing out that life is not a fairytale. Naturally, we can conclude that the collection of seven stories will have a darker note. However, the target age group seems to be young adults, so the content isn’t gruesome or graphic. There are some triggers (at the end) but nothing terrifying. 

The book was first published in Dutch in 2021. Annet Schaap is an author and an illustrator. She included a few rough illustrations in the book. The sketches are in black and white (pencil or charcoal) and represent a character or an item in the story. Each story has about 3-5 illustrations. They don’t particularly add to the story but do create a sense of creepy vibe. 

I reviewed each story after reading (as I always do). 

Mr. Stiltskin – 3.5 Stars

(Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin) 

The storyline is pretty similar to the Grimm’s version with a few changes. However, it’s the ending that makes all the difference. A rather good one; understated but good. 

Wolf – 4 Stars

(Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood) 

The story uses the core elements of the original and presents it with a fresh perspective. It is set in the future where technology is a bit more advanced than now. We get the girl’s and the wolf’s POVs, making it an interesting read. 

Biscuits – 4.5 Stars

(Retelling of Hansel and Gretel) 

Oh, this is really good! Another modern retelling set in a city but the presentation of human nature is terrific. The kids did what they had to, and the adults did… well what they are known for! My favorite from the collection. 

Frog – 3.5 Stars

(Retelling of The Frog Prince) 

It took a while to determine if this was historical or contemporary but I did find out! Here, the girl already has a frog that now needs to turn into a prince. She will soon realize that life isn’t a fairytale! It was good but not great. 

Blue – 4 Stars

(Retelling of Bluebeard) 

I didn’t read the original so I wondered what this was about (found it after finishing the story). This retelling has quite a few changes and works as a standalone as well. It’s the characters (Anne and Lisa) that stand out. 

Sleeper – 4 Stars 

(Retelling of The Sleeping Beauty) 

It seems the book is also about sisterhood in various forms! What if Sleeping Beauty had a twin sister? Do parents love one child more than the other? Much to think about but it has a hopeful ending. I like this. 

Monster Girl – 4 Stars

(Retelling of Beauty and the Beast) 

This is the longest of the collection and quite detailed. It moves between the past and the present, showing many elements of social standards and expectations without being OTT. The ending is unexpected too and well done. 

NGL, I finished the stories much sooner than I expected. The writing style is easy to follow and the narration flows well even between different POVs and timelines. 

To summarize, Girls: Life Isn't a Fairy Tale is an interesting take on fairytales and leaves readers with much to think about. There’s a lot that’s unsaid but left for readers to feel. Despite the darkness, quite a few stories have hopeful endings. I like the overall vibe. Will definitely look up more books by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #Girls 

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

 4.5 stars

One Liner: Can it get any more adorable? I think not!

Mattie Robins loves animals, birds, and all furry/ winged creatures. She wishes for a puppy on a shooting star hoping her dad would agree to get her one. 

Lo and behold! She finds a pup that needs some help. When a new vet arrives in town with her son and a lot of rescue animals, Mattie and her bestie Zoe, volunteer to help. With so many animals that need rescuing, they need to find a way to rehome the cuties with responsible adults. 

The story comes in Mattie’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

I enjoy the author’s stories and knew I had to read this the moment I saw the book. While I’m not an animal lover like these kiddos, I do love animals from a distance and want them to be safe, healthy, and happy. 

The book starts with Mattie in her treehouse which is a proper home with a functioning kitchen! Of course, she lives with her dad in a normal brick home but this place is her haven. 

As the story progresses, we meet more people and many, many animals! From rats to ferrets to tortoises and several kittens, you can pick the one you want. I have to mention Liquorice the jackdaw and his penchant for stealing shiny things. 

There are four kids in the book. Mattie and Zoe are best friends with opposite traits. Mattie is a whirlwind and Zoe is a proper planner. That girl and her color-coded charts; I love organized kids! Casper is fun and responsible, and soon becomes a part of the group. Though their ages are not mentioned, they are illustrated, so I put them around 8-10. 

Naturally, kids do fight and have arguments. But they apologize and accept their faults, which I 100% approve. The same goes for adults who realize their mistakes and apologize to kids or make amendments. 

Since this is middle-grade, all adults in the book love animals even when the little ones are being unruly monsters. Not realistic but well, we need an example of how one can react in similar situations. I’ll take it. 

As you can guess, the book ends on a happy note with a promise that there will be more adventures to follow. After all, animals need rescuing and loving homes. 

The font is neat and aptly sized. There are several black & white illustrations throughout the book. These are either pencil sketches or a blend of pencil and charcoal. The rough lines and shading work perfectly to enhance the vibe and make the story even more endearing. The artwork aligns with the content on the pages. We see the kids and some adults with the animals again taking the spotlight. I love those little posters and forms. So cute! 

To summarize, The Appletree Animal Agency is a beautiful, adorable, and lovely book about kids, animals, and responsible adults. I’d be delighted to read more books in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Walker Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheAppletreeAnimalAgency 

dark medium-paced

 2.7 Stars

One Liner: This is NOT a romance

Aspiring filmmaker Ram (Sriram), a Malyali, arrives in Chennai to join a course at the film institute. There, he meets Anandi, the fierce receptionist who follows instructions to the dot. It is hate at first sight but neither is prepared for it to turn into love. However, the couple has many hurdles to clear before they can find a way to be together.

The story comes in third-person POV.

My Thoughts:

I liked the cheerful characters on the cover and the color scheme. The premise sounded good, so I requested a copy. While the beginning was great, the book soon spiraled into an OTT drama that got darker and darker (yet without any intensity).

So, the good things first:

Given the setting, you should know that this is a desi book for the local audience, especially those who are at least a little familiar with the traits of people from the city (Chennai). Though we are all Indians, each city has molded its people into certain types. A Hyderabadi is different from a Chennaite who is different from a Mumbaikar and so on! The land feels tangible on the pages and shows how much the author loves the city.

There’s a glossary at the end, though the meanings of most words have been provided within the same context. I referred to the glossary only once but it’s helpful for those who need it more.

The first 60-70 pages are entertaining. It has a light vibe with diverse personalities. Though there’s no depth yet, it’s easy to keep them separate.

Making the MMC a softer and mellow character gives the book a different appeal, which I hoped would work in its favor (and, if you want a soft yet impactful desi character with the same name, check out the Telugu movie Godavari (2006 release)).

The FMC seemed terrific and I was curious to know her backstory. Alas!

I appreciate the dry and detached tone when presenting dark scenes. This is not the genre for detailed descriptions of all that abuse, so it’s a relief to stay at a distance from the events.

However, soon, things started to get too cliché and OTT. So, here’s what didn’t work for me:

The Goodreads blurb mentions in capitals that this is the ‘most anticipated romance of 2025’. Based on the cover and premise, I thought this would be a desi love story with some masala. Even the author’s note at the beginning mentions he says he is more of a storyteller and the book has a cinematic feel. I went in hoping for a steady-paced filmy romance with drama and humor (the filmy kind, obviously). It got it in the first few pages but then… bam!

The book is not a romance read. There is NO romance, no chemistry, no connection, and no love story. In the acknowledgments at the end, the author mentioned the book was first titled Chennai Diaries. It should have been retained as it’s a more apt title. I don’t know whose idea it was to market this as romance.

This is a social drama with themes like friendships, found family,
violence against the trans community, transphobia, child abuse, rape, murder, mass murders of Tamil Sri Lankans,
and more. There’s a sprinkle of some filmy-style scenes of chasing and attacks to add to the ‘thrill’ element.

I won’t talk about the narration as we have been warned already. The flashbacks come in multi-page dialogues (which would be accompanied by visuals on the screen). However, the overall vibe is superficial at best. The book was written to be made into a movie and has been stuffed with issues that needed better treatment. Some of the execution is outright disrespectful.

To summarize, Ram C/o Anandi is a social drama dealing with dark and triggering topics. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any romance here, but good if you do. You may like it better.

Thank you, Blogchatter and HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
mysterious medium-paced

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Good

1924, Walden 

Reporter Iris Woodmore decided a move to London would be better to avoid a scandal in her hometown, Walden. When, her arch-rival, Archie Powell, is found dead, her secret could be safe. 

However, Archie’s death after an argument with her doesn’t help. The spotlight is on Iris, which means her secret could be exposed anytime. Unless she finds the killer before the police do and protect her reputation. 

The story comes in Iris’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

Considering the premise, this book wouldn’t be effective as a standalone. You’ll have to read at least the previous book and preferably the last three books to have a better idea and understand the situation. There is enough background information if you want to jump right in. 

The story starts four months after the previous book ends. It’s May Day and Iris is annoyed about her situation. The murder takes a while to happen but this delay is necessary to catch up with the changes. 

NGL, I was pretty irritated with the FMC in the last book. She made it hard to empathize with her even in this one but finally, she showed some promise. I like her mystery-solving brain. It’s her taste in men I find stupid. Anyway! 

The dreaded nemesis is dead, and not surprisingly, there are quite a few suspects. After all, the man, despite his charming and magnetic personality, made many enemies. 

There’s quite a bit of repetition with the FMC risking everything for someone who couldn’t and may not do the same for her. It was starting to grate on my nerves. She has been stuck in the loop for too long. Okay, I understand… but TBH, I can’t say he deserves what she’s putting herself through to protect him. 

The mystery is well done. They are grasping at any lead and many are dead ends until a random and unexpected lead brings things together to complete the picture. 

Percy comes later on and we do see some of his antics. There are new additions to the character list, and I think they will reappear in other books too. I sure am excited to see how a certain track will unfold. 

The ending gives a lead to the next setting, and naturally, something will happen for Iris to investigate. I can only hope she has learned her lessons by now. Making her repeat the same mistakes would affect her arc and make readers disinterested. 

To summarize, Murder at Mill Ponds House is a good continuation of the series and might be the book that marks a definite change in the FMC (if we are lucky). The mystery is cool and the pacing is decent, so give it a go if you read the series before. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

dark reflective tense medium-paced

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Great premise; wanted more from it

Zoe Underhill can share other people’s memories with just a touch. She can even take on their memories to become a new person. This ancestral gift made her run far away to live a life free of chaos and dysfunctional drama. However, Zoe’s brother comes for her; their mother (who disappeared twenty years ago) has been found dead. To find the truth, her brother needs Zoe’s help to access the memories of their family members and separate emotions from facts. 

Legend says Abraham Underhill, Zoe’s ancestor stopped by the Gale in 1898 to save Kingstowe. In return, he and his family were gifted strange powers. The townsfolk are wary of the Underhill family because of this. 

As the 130th anniversary of the Gale approaches, Zoe realizes that she needs to tap into the past and her own memories to find the truth. 

The story comes from Zoe’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

I’ve enjoyed the author’s works before, so was excited to read this one. The premise is terrific. Imagine a person with the power to see your memories with just a touch! 

There’s a bit of everything, which can make it hard to highlight a single genre. It has dysfunctional family drama, a mystery about the mother’s disappearance, paranormal abilities, and a touch of romance. 

The family drama gets the highest marks. The tension, toxicity, and stress of living with such people are very well done. I could feel the same itch as Zoe, to escape the house and go somewhere peaceful. The relationship dynamics are complex and the characters are just as messy, adding to the feeling of suffocation. This can be a trigger for some readers. 

The mystery is okay, decent enough as the family drama often takes over. Can’t help it since both tracks are interconnected. I could guess the killer halfway through and got it right, though I didn’t know the reason until the reveal. 

The FMC’s abilities are shown through various scenes. This makes it easy to understand how her abilities work as well as see the side effects. I like her enough, though something feels missing. I can’t point out what exactly, sorry! 

The MMC, Duncan, is the right type of counterpart for the FMC. His stability and steadfastness are evident. It is easy to see why the FMC is attracted to his calm and assured personality. At the same time, he is competent and assertive; just not in-your-face type, and a very comforting presence to have around. 

While the story definitely has some atmosphere, I was hoping for more. I need to feel the storm and salty sea breeze around me. Some scenes were quite there but some weren’t. 

The side characters have definite personalities. I like that the relationship between Zoe and her brother is a bit strained but they also share a deep sibling bond. It feels realistic. 

The climax is pretty cool. I like how the resolution aligns with the character’s personality and delivers justice. 

However, the ending is more of HFN and a bit open-ish. An epilogue set a year or two later would have helped a lot. I want to know if the nasty old aunt got what she deserved. Maybe newsletter subscribers can get a bonus epilogue (hint, hint). 

To summarize, Breathings of the Moon is an intriguing and dark story about family secrets, memories, and relationships. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Rook and Castle (Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #BreathingsOfTheMoon