The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness, 561 pages

From the MARC: "Historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies."

Originally this series was a trilogy and thus ended with The Book of Life. If this were to be the end of the Bishop-Clairmont tale, it would have been a satisfying ending. I really enjoyed the way Harkness blended magic and science. The characters were written richly, weaving together in a tapestry worthy of Diana's own cords. Given the state of the world, it was also illuminating that the end of the major conflict of the book resulted in inclusion and togetherness.  Not the author's intention from 2014, but it struck me as an interesting parallel.  

 

Amulet, Vol. 3: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi

Amulet, Vol. 3: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi

Amulet, 208 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Emily, Navin, and their crew of resistance fighters charter an airship and set off in search of the lost city of Cielis. There they hope to find help from the Guardian Council's powerful Stonekeepers. It's a mission that Alledia's survival depends on, and time is running out—Emily's got to find Cielis before the Elf King finds her.

Review

I'm not invested in any of the characters, but it's still early on. It's a really fun world, so I'm still excited to see more.

Bone, Vol. 4: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith

Bone, Vol. 4: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith

Bone, 168 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Fone Bone confronts a host of Along with Gran'ma Ben and Thorn, he has a terrifying encounter with Kingdok, ruler of the Rat Creatures. The Hooded One is inciting their army to full-scale war. Someone is continuing to haunt Thorn in her dreams. And then Gran'ma Ben disappears. To make matters worse, Phoney Bone has hoodwinked the townspeople into believing that he is a mighty dragonslayer. When he actually does catch the Red Dragon -- much to his surprise -- he must face up to his promise… to slay the dragon at sunrise.

Review

This volume really starts to raise the stakes, while still maintaining the fun and charm of the series.

Son of the Shadows

Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier | 480 pages | 2000

It is from Sorcha's sacrifice that her brothers were brought home to Sevenwaters and her life has known much joy. But not all the brothers were able to escape the spell that transformed them into swans, and those who did were all more—and less—than they were before the change.

It is left to Sorcha's daughter Liadan who will take up the tale that the Sevenwaters clan is destined to fulfill. Beloved child, dutiful daughter, she embarks on a journey that opens her eyes to the wonders of the world around her...and shows her just how hard-won was the peace that she has known all her life.

Liadan will need all of her courage to help save her family, for there are forces far darker than anyone could have guessed and ancient powers conspiring to destroy this family's peace—and their world. And she will need the strength to stand up to those she loves best, for in the finding of her own true love, Liadan's course may doom them all...or be their salvation.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

 

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, 369 pages, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?

This was my first time reading a book by Brandon Sanderson and I definitely need to read more! The writing style was very fun and I love how whimsical this book was. I think I just love pirate adventures too!

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

The Scorched Throne #1, 515 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic outlawed; its royal family murdered down to the last child. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe.

The lost Heir of Jasad, Sylvia never wants to be found. She can’t think about how Nizahl’s armies laid waste to her kingdom and continue to hunt its people—not if she wants to stay alive. But when Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, staying one step ahead of death gets trickier.

In a moment of anger Sylvia’s magic is exposed, capturing Arin’s attention. Now, to save her life, Sylvia will have to make a deal with her greatest enemy. If she helps him lure the rebels, she’ll escape persecution.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity even as hatred shifts into something more. Soon, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

Review

This is based on Egyptian mythology so that was very cool! Sylvia is a strong main character and her internal conflicts are very real and raw. It can get a little confusing but I wasn't too bothered by it. The very slow burn enemies-to-lovers(?) thing was also done really well and I liked that it was mostly a subplot. I am really excited for the second book!

Sally's Lament by Mari Mancusi

Sally's Lament by Mari Mancusi, 346 pages

What if Sally discovered Christmas Town instead of Jack? is the question this Twisted Tale poses.  In this universe, Sally is the the one who finds the doors in the Hinterland wood, falling through to Christmas Town. But it isn't the Christmas Town we know and love from the film. A dark shadow looms under the colorful veneer of Christmas; someone, or something, is watching and making a list.

I've loved the character of Sally since I was a child and appreciated how the novel highlighted Sally's cleverness and cool head, prevailing over all sorts of obstacles from escaping the clutches of Dr. Finkelstein to defeating the enemies of Christmas Town with her own unique talents. Sally is brave and unwilling to leave an ally in peril.  The pacing of the novel was on target, never dragging. The romance between Sally and Jack, while expected, was written in a way that allowed it to unravel in a natural way.

I haven't read any of the other Twisted Tales, but I might because it wasn't what I expected. Based on the summary and the cover art, I was expecting a grimdark interpretation of Sally attempting to take over the Christmas holiday, which was concerning because it is decidedly-unSally like. That's not the direction the novel took at all, so it might be worth checking out the rest of the series. 

 

 

The Return of the King

 

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien | 432 pages | 1955

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

The Dark Lord has risen, and as he unleashes hordes of Orcs to conquer all Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam struggle deep into his realm in Mordor.

To defeat Sauron, the One Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. But the way is impossibly hard, and Frodo is weakening. The Ring corrupts all who bear it and Frodo’s time is running out.

Will Sam and Frodo succeed, or will the Dark Lord rule Middle-earth once more?

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

House of Many Ways

 The House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones // 404 pgs

⭐⭐⭐

Charmain Baker is in over her head. Looking after Great-Uncle William's tiny cottage while he's ill should have been easy. But Great-Uncle William is better known as the Royal Wizard Norland, and his house bends space and time. Its single door leads to any number of places—the bedrooms, the kitchen, the caves under the mountains, the past, and the Royal Mansion, to name just a few.

By opening that door, Charmain has become responsible for not only the house, but for an extremely magical stray dog, a muddled young apprentice wizard, and a box of the king's most treasured documents. She has encountered a terrifying beast called a lubbock, irritated a clan of small blue creatures, and wound up smack in the middle of an urgent search. The king and his daughter are desperate to find the lost, fabled Elfgift—so desperate that they've even called in an intimidating sorceress named Sophie to help. And where Sophie is, can the Wizard Howl and fire demon Calcifer be far behind?

Of course, with that magical family involved, there's bound to be chaos—and unexpected revelations. No one will be more surprised than Charmain by what Howl and Sophie discover.

--

The final entry in the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy, this book continues to focus on a new protagonist and kingdom in its universe, though this time closer in similarity to the first entry of the series. Howl, Sophie, and Calcifer are more prominent in this book than the previous (still no Michael though), but Howl speaks in a weird baby lisp that started to get a little difficult to get through. Though they still serve as secondary characters, they did have more agency in this one and it was nice! Howl’s character was slightly frustrating, I do wish he was a bit more developed, since it feels like his character is a bit stagnant or even regressed from the first book.

I enjoyed how this one was almost a return to form, dealing with the same “house teleporting you to different places” type of magic, but with more magical creatures. This house is more like a stationary magical labyrinth though, and that is such a fun location to explore, as well as its odd and complex rules for navigating its rooms. Charmain and Peter reminded me of a younger Sophie and Michael from the first book, just less mature and slightly dumber. The two of them both confront their personal faults and try to grow, but it does feel like a natural progression. I also love how the two experience no romantic feelings towards each other; the two loathe but love each other more akin to siblings. 

There are some parts where it slows down that I feel were a little boring (for example, one chapter dedicated to Charmain learning how to do laundry), but a part of me likes it thematically. This book is about growing up and being responsible; that isn’t fun and whimsical. Those chapters could be a little more engaging, but I think they served Charmain’s growth well. Overall, it was a satisfying end to the series (though the first is definitely my favorite).

Castle in the Air

Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones // 298 pgs

⭐⭐⭐

In which a humble young carpet merchant wins, then loses, the princess of his dreams

Far to the south of the land of Ingary, in the Sultanates of Rashpuht, there lived in the city of Zanzib a young and not very prosperous carpet dealer named Abdullah who loved to spend his time daydreaming. He was content with his life and his daydreams until, one day, a stranger sold him a magic carpet.

That very night, the carpet flew him to an enchanted garden. There, he met and fell in love with the beauteous princess Flower-in-the-Night, only to have her snatched away, right under his very nose, by a wicked djinn. With only his magic carpet and his wits to help him, Abdullah sets off to rescue his princess....

--

Continuing to the second of the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy, I found this one to be very fun! It’s like a younger version of Aladdin, which was neat to read. I found the insta-love in this one a bit frustrating, and I wished Flower-in-the-Night was a more realized character; we get introduced to her early on and she only pops up again in the last few chapters. Though, I do understand that the nature of the plot and the tropes it follows don’t fully allow that possibility. There was also some mild fatphobia at the end (punishing the villain with the fat girls at the end isn’t the best message), though I can understand with the time it was published. I do enjoy the new location that we see take the forefront; often fantasy is dominated by Eurocentric cultures, so seeing a fantasy story deviate a bit is nice!

While Sophie makes an appearance at the halfwayish point, Howl and Calcifer do not truly show up until the end of the book. I didn’t hate that aspect, though I can understand why some people wished for more. I missed Michael though, it was unfortunate that he didn’t make the cut. Overall, it was a fun read, and I liked seeing the continuation of that universe.

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones // 329 pgs

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

I didn't watch Howl's Moving Castle until late last year, and learning it was based off of a book quickly put this one on my TBR list. Honestly, perhaps a hot take, I enjoyed the book more than the movie (though I think watching the movie first helped add a bit more whimsy to the world). Sophie feels like a more realized character, she isn't just a sweet girl in love with Howl and on a quest to save him, in fact she hates him at first. The two of them slowly falling in love is believable and well written. Sophie experiences some great character growth in the book, and learning how she truly is a witch, and not this "doomed older sister", is great. I also enjoyed Sophie's sisters and how they all impact the plot in different ways; everything is truly interconnected and I think it pays off wonderfully.

We'll Prescribe You A Cat

 We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida (translated by E. Madison Shimoda) // 297 pgs

⭐⭐⭐

Tucked away on the fifth floor of an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can be found only by people who are struggling in their lives and who genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, and occasionally challenging yet endearing cats. As the clinic’s patients grapple with their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

--

Lately I've loved reading the "Japanese + Cats" genre of books; they're short and cozy, and I'll love anything about cats. This one did not disappoint in that aspect. It's super cute and simple, though I do wish it was a bit longer. The concept of going to a magical doctor that gives you a cat to fix all your problems is super fun, though it did get a bit repetitive. The last little vignette tried to build up more narratively, but did leave me a little longing. Overall, not bad, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!

The Two Towers

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien | 448 pages | 1954

Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in a battle in the Mines of Moria. And Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape, the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin—alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (656 Pages)

Summary: Bree Matthews is alone. She exiled herself from the Legendborn Order, cut her ancestral connections, and turned away from the friends who can’t understand the impossible cost of her powers. This is the only way to keep herself—and those she loves—safe. But Bree’s decision has come with a terrible price: an unbreakable bargain with the Shadow King himself, a shapeshifter who can move between humanity, the demon underworld, and the Legendborn secret society. In exchange for training to wield her unprecedented abilities, Bree has put her future in the Shadow King’s hands—and unwittingly bound herself to do his bidding as his new protégé. Meanwhile, the other Scions must face war while their Round Table is fractured, leaderless, and missing its Kingsmage, as Selwyn has also disappeared. When Nick invokes an ancient law that requires the High Council of Regents to grant him an audience, the Order’s Merlins imprison him. No one knows what he will demand of the Regents…or what secrets he has kept hidden from the Table. As a string of mysterious kidnappings escalates and Merlins are found dead, it becomes clear that no matter how hard Bree runs from who she is, the past will always find her.

Opinion: This is the 3rd book of the Legendborn Cycle series and also my least favorite so far. This book introduces two new characters that I just don't have any attachment to. Plus Bree isn't fully herself in this book and the reader can feel it. Though, it was great to see Bree finally accept her family's past and the fact that she has made mistakes at the end of the book. So I think this book does a good job of setting up the final book of the series which I am excited for. 

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn (608 Pages)

Summary: All Bree wanted was to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. So she infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights—only to discover her own ancestral power. Now, Bree has become someone new: A Medium. A Bloodcrafter. A Scion. But the ancient war between demons and the Order is rising to a deadly peak. And Nick, the Legendborn boy Bree fell in love with, has been kidnapped. Bree wants to fight, but the Regents who rule the Order won’t let her. To them, she is an unknown girl with unheard-of power, and as the living anchor for the spell that preserves the Legendborn cycle, she must be protected. When the Regents reveal they will do whatever it takes to hide the war, Bree and her friends must go on the run to rescue Nick themselves. But enemies are everywhere, Bree’s powers are unpredictable and dangerous, and she can’t escape her growing attraction to Selwyn, the mage sworn to protect Nick until death. If Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.

Opinion: This so far has been my favorite book in the Legendborn Cycle series. It is number 2 out of 4. This book continues with the action that we were promised after book 1. Bree in this book goes on a great training journey and you really get to see her shine with her abilities, especially as she learns more about her root powers. As for characters, we also got to see more of Alice (my favorite character) in this book. But also more of Sel who Bree spends most of her time with in this book unfortunately. The ending of this book also felt a little bit cliche, but I'm still looking forward to the end of this series. 

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (544 Pages)

Summary: After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus. A flying demon feeding on human energies. A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down. And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw. The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates. She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.

Opinion: I found this teen fantasy to be a great read. It reminded me a lot of the Mortal Instruments series, at least in regards to story set-up. The main character finds herself a part of a magical world that she knows nothing about. Bree is a strong character that the reader can't help but root for. I also found Nick to be a refreshing love interest, unlike Sel. This is the first book of the Legendborn series and I found the ending to be satisfying while also making me excited for the next book. 

Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos

Homegrown Magic - 368 pages

Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos

Summary (From Goodreads)

A delightful queer romantic fantasy full of friends-to-lovers chemistry, found family, rival family drama, and cozy garden magic from two acclaimed YA authors making their debut in the adult space.

Yael Clauneck is the only scion of an obscenely wealthy banking family with its fingers in every pie in the realm. They’re on the precipice of a predetermined life when they flee their own graduation party, galloping away in search of…well, they’re not sure, but maybe the chance to feel like life can still be a grand adventure.

Margot Greenwillow—talented plant witch, tea lover, and greenhouse owner—has never felt further from adventure in her life. She’s been desperately trying to keep what remains of her family's magic remedies business afloat. So when her childhood friend and former crush, Yael, rides back into her life, she’s shocked. But perhaps this could be a good thing. After all, Margot could use an assistant in the greenhouses.

Yael has no experience or, honestly, practical skills, but they’re delighted to accept. They can lay low for a while, flirting with Margot while they figure out what to do next. Meanwhile, Margot has plans of her own—but plans are notoriously unreliable things, unlikely to survive a swiftly blooming mutual attraction, not to mention the machinations of parents determined to get their heir back . . . no matter the cost.

Review

I came for the nonbinary representation and friends-to-lovers dynamic; I stayed for the excellent worldbuilding and cottage-core aesthetic.  I've always been a fan of the quieter, more "mundane" uses for magic, and a heartbreak-healing strawberry jam fits the bill perfectly!  The pacing is a bit more relaxed, as tends to be the case for books in the "cozy" style of a given genre, and the detailed descriptions paint a vibrant picture of a magical world.  

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien | 432 pages | 1954

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit.

In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harknes

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness, 583 pages

The second book of the All Souls series covers Diana and Matthew's adventures timewalking in Elizabethan London searching for a witch to properly train Diana, and to find an intact Ashmole 782 manuscript. But soon it becomes evident that the longer they stay in the past, the more they risk the future and must fight to find a way back. 

 

Daughter of the Forest

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier | 554 pages | 1999

Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives: they are determined that she know only contentment.

But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift—by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever.

When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all...

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Full of magic and mystery, this story really hit the spot. The storytelling and setting were beautiful. Great for fans of Outlander, The Last Kingdom, and Celtic lore.