Meh I mean the story is just not that interesting and yeah there’s spice but it’s also kinda meh

This is such a cozy witchy rom-com and I adored it. Found family. Grumpy sunshine. A bit spicy. 

I really saw the witches “needing” to stay separated from each other to avoid their power becoming “too strong” as a metaphor for systems of oppression keeping people out of community in order to maintain their control.

3/5 🌶️

As someone who spent years of my life playing violin, I had a very personal connection to this book. This is definitely a book for musicians and music lovers. The MC Katrina goes through a lot of hardship and transphobia (please see full CW). I didn’t really understand why the donut shop people needed to be from another planet, I just thought it was kind of a random choice.

But I guess in the end it allows Shizuka a place to escape escapes.

I recommend reading this after The Burning God (after finishing the poppy war series). It is worth reading since it's so short, and really gives you insight into Nezha's POV. Also prepare to be devastated.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!
Remy Pendergast comes from a long line of prominent vampire hunters, but doesn't fit in with the other Reapers. He discovers a new mutation of vampire/monster and becomes involved in a plot to discover their origin and how to put a stop before they overrun the humans. Remy encounters the vampire heiress Xiaodan Song, and her arrogant fiancé vampire lord Zidan Malekh, who unfortunately hold the key to the Rot causing these mutations. Remy begrudgingly agrees to return to their land to further the investigation, and he slowly begins to develop complicated feelings for them. He must decide whom he can trust, and whether he wants to open his heart to the vampires he's been told his whole life are the true monsters.

As someone who doesn't read a lot of horror, I'm not sure if this book is very indicative of the genre or not. Personally I didn't find it to be very "scary," although there is a lot of gore/blood (full TW included below). I thought it fell in line with a lot of general fantasy books with vampires/monsters etc. Silver Under Nightfall does a great job of blending fantasy with court politics, mystery, and romance. The worldbuilding is extremely lush and descriptive (my only critique was it was a bit hard to keep track of each vampire court and what their deal was towards the beginning). I honestly wasn't expecting the romance going into this book, but I really enjoyed the throuple dynamics. There is great tension build up with the romance between Remy and Xiaodan, and even more so between Remy and Zidan (I would call theirs enemies to lovers for sure). I do think those roles are written as fairly gender typical, and I look forward to seeing the men really break down those masculinity barriers in future books. 

Every time Remy, Xiodan and Zidan face off against these armies of mutated vampires or their enemy throughout the book, it seems to end a little too easily. I mean literally at once point the Vasiilik guy just literally walks away and I was like "what?". So I think in that way it made the main storyline drag a bit. I was surprised by the twist towards the end

Remy's mom

.

Overall this was a really fun, steamy, adventurous read and I definitely look forward to the continuation of this series!

Spice: 4/5 🌶️

Really fantastic audiobook. I had heard a lot of hype, but the narrator/author really does a great job (lots of voices!). It's a cute and refreshing romance book. Lots of poking fun at the romance book industry (in the way only someone who loves it can do). Banter is phenomenal. Definitely lots of laugh out loud moments. The "twist" is predictable, but it's still fun to read. Disability rep (MC). Wish there was a bit more spice, especially with so much build up of them literally working on recording a romance audiobook.

I really loved towards the end when they were like "we don't need a big 3rd act drama/breakup" !!!

2.5/5 🌶️

I did a combo of listening to the audiobook (full cast, a narrator for each POV) and reading a physical copy, which was fantastic!

This is definitely a predominantly character-driven novel, but the characters are so interesting and lushly written that it often feels like so much is going on anyway (even though it isn't really).  It's one of those books where you feel like you can't really trust anyone as they all have ulterior motives (morally gray). It's very mysterious in their motives coming to light, and learning more about all the characters magical abilities.

I do really wonder though how much the next books will be character driven though because this book feels like a big set up for some major plot things to happen (ie: preventing the destruction of the universe?). SO I do kinda think/hope the storyline will move a bit more out of the character's heads just to really let this story unfold.

Also def everyone is queer, like there's no question in my mind that this will develop in the next books...

I cannot wait for the continuation of the series!
3/5🌶

A semi satisfying end to this series. I had to look up a synopsis of the second book and was still a bit confused by how some of the characters are literally related. However it’s not super critical imo to understand all that. I do wish the Hawthorne brothers would go to therapy.

I felt the actual end to the whole main plot (the chess game) was a bit anticlimactic. However I did enjoy what Avery does with her fortune, and it being a criticism of billionaires in general.

1/5🌶 (it’s a bit unclear to me whether any spice actually happens or if it’s just closed door. They literally could have just been sleeping in the same bed)

A fun sequel to Alix’s A Spindle Splintered. The audiobook narrator for these does a fantastic job. Quick listen/read. LGBTQ+ rep. 
Spice 2/5🌶

From the start this was so much better than the first book. Being already immersed in the world from the first book allows for a lot of character development and growth (which is a fav of mine to read). I really enjoy El as a reluctant hero. Personally I think Orion reads as neurodivergent. Their relationship is chefs kiss.

I screamed at the ending though and am so glad I read it now and the 3rd book is already out so I don’t have to wait on that cliff.
Spice 3/5 🌶