winecellarlibrary's Reviews (657)

 

The full review is available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library

Evergreen Academy by Heather Schneider is a cozy, atmospheric young adult fantasy with an intriguing, well-developed plant magic system. The ways in which the professors test for plant affinities to determine which magical powers Briar may have are really fascinating. Callan, Briar’s tutor and a descendent of the Academy’s founding magical botanists, is so charming and attentive. The slow-burn, forbidden romance that is building between Callan and Briar has left me desperate for the second book in the Society of Magical Botanists series to be published. I am so eager to find out how Briar will fit into the hierarchy of magical botanists in her second year at the school. The revelations about her possible lineage and her magical abilities have set up the second book to be very exciting!

This review, as well as the author's Spotify playlist, are available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library

First, I would like to thank the Reedsy Discovery and author for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. (This review is slightly modified from the editorial review that I wrote for Reedsy.)

Before, Adelaide would do anything for Nathan–even steal ancient magic to save his sister. A mutual betrayal leaves Adelaide cursed with dark, uncontrolled magic and Nathan in prison. One year later, Nathan is back at the University of Mysteries while he awaits a formal trial, flanked by his cocky former cellmate, and Adelaide struggles with her conflicting feelings. The strict rules that the Council enforces on the pledges forbid unsanctioned relationships, but some loves are too powerful to deny. While Adelaide’s status and future career are on the line, Nathan faces being returned to the prison that broke him.

This book has me in its thrall. Adelaide starts her final year at university as a shell of herself. Emaciated and depressed, she has isolated herself from everyone who cares about her. As she repairs her friendships and becomes confident in her magic, she slowly grows in confidence. While she still has doubts, her journey in healing is glorious. Her growth to become unapologetically herself is inspiring. A Way With Darkness by Zoe T. Conley is written beautifully, from the prose to the strong bonds of friendship and love to the call for women's empowerment. As Adelaide begins to question the chokehold that the Council has on its pledges, she starts to rebel, and it awakens a drive within her to master her talents, explore her sexuality, make a statement with her appearance, and embrace her dark magic.

The friendships in the story are to be envied, being mutually forgiving, understanding, devoted, and supportive. While Adelaide and Nathan do stumble, they communicate in a healthy way and recognize and admit to their faults. It’s truly refreshing to read a book bursting with healthy relationships. I will definitely read anything Zoe T. Conley publishes in the future.

A Way With Darkness is a stellar addition to the romantasy genre. With dark academia and magical vibes, it is a cozy, slow-burn friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance with moderate open-door sexual content, making it appropriate for new adult and adult audiences.

The full review, an audiobook sample, and a link to the free e-book from the author's newsletter are all available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library

First, I would like to thank the author for providing me with a review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Thief’s Keeper is a full-length prequel in the Enemy’s Keeper historical fantasy series by Kyrie Wang. A reimagining of history, The Thief’s Keeperbrings civilizations together on English soil, including Normans, Celts, and Norsemen in AD 1070. Kyrie Wang’s world-building shines, demonstrating a high level of research without losing the story to excessive detail. With each challenge the teenagers face, their bond strengthens. The book touches on poverty, intolerance, and prejudice while maintaining themes of hope, loyalty, and love.

The narrators, Michael Hajiantonis and Kiera Rhodes, are both versatile, performing different accents flawlessly. Kiera Rhodes’s voice for Aliwyn’s dialogue was a bit more childlike than I would have imagined, but otherwise, both narrators gave a fantastic performance, and the sound production was excellent.

The Thief’s Keeper builds a strong foundation for the Enemy’s Keeper series, full of adventure and triumph, and I am looking forward to reading Healer’s Blade.

 The full review with trigger warnings is available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library

Told through dual timelines, Inevitable Fate by Lindsay K. Bandy is a riveting young adult fantasy. Chapters alternate between Evan’s present-day experience and journals from Kings Park Asylum dated 1911. Incorporating real-life history such as the Dreamland Park fire at Coney Island in 1911 and William Mumlar’s spirit photographs of the 1860s brings the story to life. In addition to the supernatural themes, Inevitable Fate explores coming-of-age struggles with identity, finding one’s path, and adapting to living independently. Incorporating Greek mythology and art history with historical landmarks such as the massive, now-abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Center and Dreamland Park, Inevitable Fate is a beautifully crafted narrative that makes history relevant and captivating to the modern young reader. 

Full review on my blog! 
https://www.winecellarlibrary.com/2024/10/ready-or-not-by-jenn-plummer.html

★★★★★
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A sultry, dark romance novella

🎃 Halloween
🕵🏻‍♂️ Private investigator
🩸Blood play
😶‍🌫️ Stalker
🧔🏽‍♂️ Age gap
🫣 Hide and seek

Read on Kindle Unlimited! 
https://amzn.to/409vauI

Review preview:

This book will have your heart racing from the start. Wes’s self-assured, dominant aura is delectable. Lilith knows she is being stalked by someone, but rather than be afraid, she plays into it, teasing her stalker with exhibitionism. Wes and Lilith are so delicious–I wish I could savor them longer. Halloween and the abandoned asylum are the perfect setting for this fast-paced, thrilling ride. This is my first Jenn Plummer novel, and she instantly launched to become one of my favorite authors.

Thank you @lunaliterary.management and @authorjennplummer for providing me with an ARC of Ready or Not.