Ahoy there mateys! I had accidentally read book two in the Gods of the Caravan Road series first.  I really enjoyed that book which dealt with an undying assassin.  So I read book one with the intent of seeing if I wanted to read more of the series.  I ended up not liking this book nearly as much.  I did love the guardian Blackdog who is a shape-changing spirit.  I did love the idea of the goddess incarnated into the body of a human. I have no regrets about reading this but don't feel like I will pick up more of the series at this point. Arrrr!

Ahoy there mateys! This was an enjoyable popcorn read that dealt with a thief.  I am a sucker for those stories.  However the thief was the least enjoyable character.  I liked Josef the swordsman and Nico the demonseed much better.  I did enjoy the magic system.  There is a ghosthound.  But really the major problem is that the story details faded too quickly and led to me not wanting to read more of this series.  No regrets though.  I did love this author's series Night Shift Dragons.  I will read other things by her.  Arrrr!

Ahoy there mateys! I picked up the audiobook of this on a whim because I hadn't read anything by the author in ages.  This is a fun book that I would have adored when I was little.  The main character, Max, solves problems using disguises.  His parents are missing and the 12 year old starts growing up in a hurry.  The plot was fun but a little too unbelievable for me older self but has excellent characters.
I won't read the rest of the series though. Arrr!

Ahoy there mateys! I listened to this one on audiobook read by the author.  This is a nonfiction title about precision engineering and was a fascinating five star read.  This book discusses things like locks, rigging, watches and how the way to measure changed too.  All areas were full of fun facts and the author's enthusiasm for the subjects was delightful.  I need to read more of his work for sure.  Arrr!

Ahoy there mateys! This historical fiction was beautifully written.  The sections that dealt with the murder and trial in 1969 could have been left out.  I wasn't too keen on some of romance aspects either.  But the descriptions of the "Marsh Girl's" childhood and life in the marsh of North Carolina was mesmerizing.  Listening to the audiobook seemed to enhance the naturalistic elements of the story for me.  The descriptions were evocative and beautiful.  While not all elements were to me taste, I thought this was a fantastic book and get the hype overall. Arrr!

Ahoy there mateys! This was a random audiobook pick based on the author and the fact that there was a giant cat on the cover.  A cat that won't stop growing.  This book was silly and nonsensical.  I couldn't get over the silliness.  I did not really like the plot much but I did love the two best friends' relationship in this one.  And the mouse.  The mouse rocked.  Not sad that I read it but I do like many of the author's other books better.  This felt too young for me even though I read other books in this age range all the time. Arrr!

Super fun. Will read the next. Arrrr!

Ahoy there mateys! A random pick.  This author wrote one of me favorite ghost stories when I was little and I have never read anything else by her.  And of course cats.  This was a very odd book with witches and magic. This was just okay.  The plot was a bit scattered, the pace a bit slow, and the ending was rather lame.  I would have liked the main characters to have more agency.  Plus the friendship in this was mean.  I will stick to remembering the fondness for her other book. Arrrr!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I say this every time I finish one of these novellas but I seriously could read dozens of books set in the various worlds.  This is the first book in the series to take place on Earth and will make little sense to someone not familiar with the series (number 3 and 6 are required prerequisites).  In this installment, Cora is the focus.  Her time in the previous books has not been kind to her mental state and she is desperate.  So much so that she transfers to another school called Whitethorn whose approach to doorways is different.  Only Cora is horrified by the methods used and has to figure out what to do next.  While this book expanded the worldbuilding and understanding about doorways, it also it some ways felt like a bridge book opening up a larger conflict to come.  I want more!  Arrrr!

Ahoy there me mateys! I do not know where I first heard about this book. I do know that the cover caught me eye. I was even more intrigued when I learned that this series is young adult fantasy written by a Finnish author. I adore reading translated SFF works.

This ended up being lovely. Maresi is a novice at the Red Abbey and the story is told from her point of view. The island is off limits to men. The women have a female centric religious system which puts emphasis on education. The island seems almost idyllic but one day an older girl, Jai, arrives. Her arrival suggests trouble to come.

The story unfold slowly but is rich in detail and wonderful characters. I loved the feminist oasis in a harsh world of men. I loved Maresi’s intelligence, friendships, and love of reading and knowledge. I loved the world building. It is a little gem of a book. I know I don’t really get too much into plot. It is hard for me to describe. All I know is that I will read the next in the series. Arrrr!