Tuesday, August 11, 2026

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

 

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

430 Pages | 2024

Star Rating: ★★★★☆












An instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller!
An Indie Next pick!


Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.


The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.

The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.

In the army, Meilin's relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva

 

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days

352 Pages | 2026

Star Rating: ★★★☆☆













A halfling and a goblin must learn to love each other despite their differences in this cozy fantasy romance, brimming with warmth and popular romance tropes―perfect for fans of The Honey Witch and The Spellshop.

What if cottagecore and goblincore fell in love?

When a halfling, Pansy, and a goblin, Ren, each think they've inherited the same cottage, they make a bargain: they'll live in the house together and whoever is driven out first forfeits their ownership.

Amidst forced proximity and cultural misunderstandings, the two begin to fall in love.

But when the cottage―and their communities―are threatened by a common enemy, the duo must learn to trust each other, and convince goblins and halflings to band together to oust a tall intruder.














Because of Miss Bridgerton - Julia Quinn

 Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 289 pages



Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places…

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband… someday.


Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should…

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest, and heir to the earldom, but he’s arrogant, annoying, and she’s absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can’t stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor…

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can’t abide is the one person they can’t live without…

Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen Volumes 1-5 by Hiromi Sato (Author), Kamome Shirahama (Creator)

 Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen Volumes 1-5 by Hiromi Sato (Author) and Kamome Shirahama (Creator) | 802 Pages Total | 2023-2024


160 Pages | 2023

Witch Hat Atelier is back in this culinary spinoff that lets readers try their hand at recreating a variety of sumptuous recipes. This time, the magic is in the kitchen as Qifrey and the gang whip up everything from sizzling stews to crackling croquettes. Ideal for both existing fans of the main series and newcomers looking for an easily "disgestible" introduction to the world of Witch Hat.

Evening falls on Qifrey’s atelier, and Coco and her fellow witches-in-training take to their beds. In the quiet of midnight, Qifrey and Olruggio are finally free to pursue their culinary experiments. The kitchen comes alive as they whip up puddings, stews, parfaits, and jellies, and when the sun rises, Coco and the gang are there to savor every bite!

Includes a variety of real sweet and savory recipes with step-by-step instructions.



160 Pages | 2024

BACK TO THE CUTTING BOARD

It’s not easy running a magical atelier. Between teaching their apprentices and crafting exotic contraptions, witches Qifrey and Olruggio barely have a quiet moment during the day. What better place to unwind than in the kitchen, where the only limit on their imagination is the contents of their pantry? Just a sprinkle of salt here, a dash of pepper there...and the second course is served!

Includes a variety of real sweet and savory recipes with step-by-step instructions.





160 Pages | 2024

THE PERFECT PICK-ME-UP

Whether morning, noon, or night, at home or away from the atelier, witches Qifrey and Olruggio never fail to bring delicious, healthy meals to the table. Then again, sometimes an indulgent snack is just the thing to get four young apprentices through a magic lesson. Baked Glittersweet? Chasenut pancakes? These sweet delights have oh-so-sweet ends!

Includes a variety of real sweet and savory recipes with step-by-step instructions.





162 Pages | 2024

The atelier's four apprentices come home in triumph from the Great Hall after passing the second test in the Pentacle of Proving. What manner of mystical meal might their mentors be concocting to celebrate this achievement? Discover the wonder of a witch's kitchen, where the magic is as marvelous as it is nutritious! Includes a variety of real sweet and savory recipes with step-by-step instructions.







160 Pages | 2024

Even the most cultured palate has its likes and dislikes, and young apprentices are no exception. So when Qifrey receives a gift of bottled Starchovies from his former master, he and Olruggio will have to work their usual magic to transform these pungent delicacies into a kid-friendly meal. Whether it's Starchovies or Cuttlekris, no ingredient is too exotic for a couple of kitchen witches! Includes a variety of real sweet and savory recipes with step-by-step instructions.

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 4 by Natsu Hyuuga

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 4 by Natsu Hyuuga
The Apothecary Diaries #4, 194 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)
The trail of the garden banquet leads Maomao to the Garnet Palace! Aiming to uncover the identity and motives of the culprit who nearly succeeded in turning the festivities into a tragedy, the young apothecary-turned-lady's maid temporarily takes up there at Jinshi's behest. Home to Lady Aduo—the consort with the longest tenure in the Emperor's affections—the Garnet palace harbors many intrigues, some more shocking than even Maomao could have imagined! Will solving the mystery at hand lose Maomao her job...and maybe even her life?!

Monday, August 10, 2026

Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne


Miranda in Retrograde
by Lauren Layne | 288 pages | 2024

As the youngest physics professor at her university, practical-minded Miranda Reed plans her life with minute precision. But that’s before she’s denied tenure and the promotion she thought was guaranteed. Suddenly, her tidy life is anything but constant.

Overdue for a sabbatical, Miranda takes some time to look towards the stars—only this time, she’s not looking for black holes. With her faith in science shaken, Miranda turns to a practice she’s long dismissed: astrology.

Determined to figure out why her life has suddenly gone sideways, Miranda commits to a year of letting her horoscope guide her. Put a down payment on a home? Not while Mercury’s in retrograde. Spontaneous dinner party invitation? Sorry, horoscope says Gemini Rising best stay in tonight. And as far as the intriguingly aloof artist living next door? Never. His Aries energy is all wrong. On the other hand, the charming father of her new tutoring pupil is Sagittarian perfection. Made for her...right?

As Miranda navigates life with new a perspective, she slowly discovers neither science nor the stars have all the answers. And that, when it comes to love, you sometimes just have to trust your heart.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Zero complaints. Just a delightful "enemies to lovers" (but were they ever really enemies?) romance featuring a brainy protagonist trying to find herself. Quick and satisfying. A great recommendation for readers looking for low/no spice in their romance.

Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 1-14 by Kamome Shirahama

 Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 1-14 by Kamome Shirahama | 2539 Pages Total | 2019-2026


208 Pages. 2019

A TOUCH OF MAGIC In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…





                                                                         

192 Pages. 2019

TRIAL BY FIRE Join Coco as she continues her spellbinding journey of magic and discovery! After traveling to the mystical township of Kalhn with her new master to buy a casting wand, a strange, masked witch transports Coco and her three sister apprentices to an eerily quiet city. But they soon find out that they’re not alone, and they encounter a ferocious dragon! Do these fledgling witches have what it takes to defeat the fire-breathing beast, or will their plans and lives go up in flames?!






190 Pages. 2019

AN INKY INVESTIGATION Cast yourself into the world of witch es as Qifrey chases after the dark mysteries of the Brimmed Caps! With some quick thinking and ingenuity, Coco and her fellow classmates use their growing magic skills to save some locals from a grim fate. But this triumph nearly turns to tragedy as the Knights Moralis threaten the young witches with severe punishment for disturbing the natural order of magic. Qifrey convinces the Knights to overlook this issue, but a peculiar happening related to this incident puts him onto the trail of the same forbidden magic that brought Coco into his atelier. This may be Qifrey’s only chance to come into contact with the Brimmed Caps, but is he in over his head to engage in this treacherous pursuit on his own?





188 Pages. 2019

"TWISTED PATHS Can Coco and her friends pass their most harrowing test yet? Or will the nefarious Brimmed Caps end their journey towards witch-hood?! Now that Coco has been fully accepted into Qifrey’s Atelier, it’s time for her and her colleagues to move onto the next test: The Sincerity of the Shield. Passing the test involves escorting some feathery friends to their nesting grounds, which sounds simple enough, except that the path before the young witches is a winding road filled with ancient magical traps! The test must also be completed in a group, and there’s one witch-in-training from outside of Qifrey’s atelier who doesn’t seem to have the confidence to make the cut. To top it all off, a Brimmed Cap lurks in the shadows, waiting to attack…"





188 Pages. 2020

In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with the gift for magic. She's resigned to her un-magical life, until a traveling magician passes through her village, and Coco learns what what everybody "knows" might not be the truth.







174 pages. 2020

Coco and her peers follow Olruggio and Luluci as they deftly ferry a wounded Qifrey to the underwater Great Hall where witches gather. To their surprise, Beldaruit of the Three Wise Ones awaits the young apprentices at the bottom of the ocean... And he's willing to offer another trial after Agott's and Richeh's was cut short. But the spells and tests of Beldaruit are as much a mystery to unfold as his past, and Coco may be the only one who can put the pieces together and close in on the startling truth...






173 Pages. 2020

As the new trial comes to an end, one of Coco's rewards from Beldaruit the Wise is the story of Qifrey's past and how he came to desire the mysteries of magic. Feeling a connection with her own desire to save her mother, Coco departs for the source of all answers: the Tower of Tomes. But it is a perilous journey to make on her own, and the secrets held within could sway even the most virtuous of witches...








162 Pages. 2021

After finding success together in their second trials, Coco and her friends return to the warmth of the atelier. Before long, they are approached by Tartah from Kalhn, and he needs their help setting up shop at the thrilling witches' festival, Silver Eve! But to design a contraption to sell there, the young students must consider the power of magic -- at once delightful, beneficial, and potentially harmful. As Coco makes preparations alongside Tartah, she's reunited with Custas, a boy who was saved by Coco once before, but is convinced that luck will never shine on him again...





178 Pages. 2022

AT THE BORDERLINE

With their magic contraptions in hand, Coco and her friends head to Ezrest for the annual festival, Silver Eve! The cobblestone streets of the crown city are lined with vibrant tents, and visitors from across the land partake in reunions and greetings anew. Here, witches, royals, the Knights Moralis, and even the Three Wise converge -- each party carrying with them their private motivations and powerful histories. However, the bright lights and merriment lure in the uninvited as well...






162 Pages. 2022

FOR THOSE IN NEED

During their heated reunion, Custas introduces his old friends to Ininia, a girl who is loyal to one of the Brimmed Caps. Suddenly, the young witch binds Coco and Tartah to a promise: The two must partake in the Silver Eve Procession. But to do so, they must conjure up a new spell, and quickly. As the weight of many secrets bears down on her, Coco cannot turn to Qifrey or her friends. When she happens upon Dagda, she sees his chest is marked with a forbidden magic...






162 Pages. 2023

THE BRIGHTEST MINDS

Silver Eve, a time for witches and normal folk to come together, nears its final day. At the procession, witches from all walks will have an opportunity to secure an audience with the king--if they display an exceptional spell. In an attempt to help Dagda and Custas, Coco desperately tries to concoct something but becomes frozen with fear. The only one who sees her in crisis is Agott, whose aid might bring them closer to the king...but farther from everything they once knew.






194 Pages. 2024

Coco and Agott spun a well-received spectacle at the Silver Eve procession, but the wonder is quickly dispelled when an enormous terror descends upon the streets of Ezrest. The crowd is thrown into a frenzy, and the Knights Moralis, the King, and the Wise Ones rush forth to keep destruction at bay. Coco turns to Qifrey about Custas and Dagda, but no one's safety can be guaranteed once the intentions of all are laid bare under the starry sky







192 Pages. 2025

The true mastermind responsible for the havoc in Ezrest is subdued at last, but not without exacting a heavy price on Coco. She is still eager to rejoin the search for Custas, and fortunately Beldaruit knows just the spell to allow her to do so without overworrying Qifrey. Meanwhile, the other witches are called to where they are most needed in the aftermath. As strings of fate never meant to interact are further entangled, the starlight reveals society's true nature.






176 Pages. 2026

At long last, Dagda and Custas are back together, reunited in the medical tower. All they should have to do now is wait for the doctors to treat them. But at that moment, Qifrey has a terrible premonition. Meanwhile, Coco has a plan to defend the town from the rampaging valance leeches. But it's a long shot that'll need all the town's witches to work together… (All Summaries courtesy of Amazon).