Yona of the Dawn Volumes 1-3 by Mizuho Kusanagi

Yona of the Dawn Volumes 1-3 by Mizuho Kusanagi (576 Pages)

Summary: Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family! Yona reels from the shock of witnessing a loved one’s murder and having to fight for her life. With her bodyguard Hak, she flees the palace and struggles to survive while evading enemy forces. Their journey leads them to a priest named Ik-su, who can see Yona’s future—one that includes four legendary Dragon Warriors!

Opinion: I'm enjoying this manga series. While there are some scenes that feel a bit outdated, I am really liking Yona's character arc. The vibes of this series really gives a mix of Avalon High, a Disney Channel Original movie, and The Twelve Kingdoms, a Japanese light novel series. Overall, a good manga series (at least so far) that I plan to continue reading. 

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews | 470 pages | 2026

When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn't take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she's been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel. Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters' ambitions and fates. 

But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she's coming to love—a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes—and attentions—of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will end: in a cataclysmic war.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Managing the Vampire's Mansion by K.M. Shea

Managing the Vampire's Mansion by K.M. Shea -- 270 pages

Starting over as a house manager in a charming small town sounded perfect. Until my new boss turned out to be a vampire. After burning myself out at my corporate career, I take a job managing a mansion in a picturesque tourist town to reset my life. The house is historic. The town is charming. The locals are welcoming. And, as I accidentally discover, my unfairly handsome employer, Beckett Kinge, is a vampire in hiding. 

Beckett prefers order, privacy, and absolutely no supernatural mishaps. Unfortunately for both of us, a rogue vampire is attacking the locals. The same people who have been nothing but nice to me. As attacks escalate and secrets unravel, staying uninvolved is no longer an option. And somehow the only person who steps up to find the vampire is me—the mansion manager with poor people skills who knows absolutely nothing about supernaturals. At least… I think I’m the only one working this case. But somewhere between tracking a killer and trying not to die, I realize Beckett isn’t just protecting his secret. He’s protecting me. And that might be far more dangerous for my emotional well-being. Regardless, the rampaging vamp has to be found, or no one in town will be safe. Not even me.

Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

Threshing Day - 204 pages

Rebecca Yarros

Summary (From Goodreads)

Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

Review

This was a short and engaging read with some gorgeous full-color illustrations.  I thought it added some much-needed depth to a lot of this series' secondary characters.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, whenever it may arrive!  

Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe

Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe -- 368 pages

Paranormal medium Rory Woods spends her days offering psychic readings at Ye Olde Spirit Shop and nights haunting the streets of Boston as a ghost-tour guide. Sure, business could be better, but she’s proud of the shop she runs with her mom.

Enter Ezra, adjunct history professor, noted thorn in Rory’s side, and—though she’d only admit it under threat of medieval torture he surely knows too much about—a distractingly handsome, charismatic coworker. Rory can’t stand Ezra’s know-it-all, show-offy behavior. Ezra loves to tease the gorgeous, brilliant medium at the shop. And when the two are forced to host a tour together? It’s no wonder they end up hexed after disturbing a matchmaking ghost.

Saddled with perpetual bad luck unless they’re physically near each other, Rory and Ezra will try anything, from séances to kissing, to stop the jinx from wreaking havoc on both their lives. But in their quest to appease the spirit, they realize that growing closer might not be the curse they once thought it was.

My Hero Academia, Volumes 41-42

My Hero Academia, Volume 41 - 200 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 42 - 184 pages

Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb D. Cook (Translator)

Series Summary (From Volume 1 on Goodreads)

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…

Review

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this series.  I'll try to keep my review as spoiler-free as possible.  While I don't think every villain in a given work needs to be redeemable, I did like how this series explored some of the events that might lead to a given character being seen as a villain, without many (if any) excuses or apologies attached.  That said, I do still have my share of complaints.  I've heard it said that a lot of fans aren't happy with the pacing, especially of the ending, and I'm inclined to agree -- the ending did feel rushed.  Although the arc of the final battle as a whole took several volumes, it felt like the story jumped right into it far too quickly, without much on-page preparation.  Regardless, I loved the worldbuilding and much of the character development, and I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes shonen manga!  

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury, 322 pages

From the MARC: "On Halloween, it is always wise to expect the unexpected... But no amount of planning could have prepared Eve for that particular night. Fleeing an unpleasant orphanage, she's saved by someone who she never believed was real... the fabled Pumpkin King himself. Throwing caution aside, Eve accepts the offer to become his daughter and is whisked away to the misty Hallowell Valley -- home to witches and vampires, ghosts and goblins, and all that go bump in the night. But just when she believes she's found her place among the undead, a sinister scheme unearths itself, threatening to take everything from Eve unless she can stop it."

Hallowell Valley was a wonderful place to visit. The characters, even the ghosts, are substantial. Following Eve on her adventures felt like living in Halloweentown, which was a fervent daydream of younger me. And it ends with some wholesome found family feels.  

 

Cat Massage Therapy, Volumes 1-3

Cat Massage Therapy, Volume 1 - 128 pages

Cat Massage Therapy, Volume 2 - 128 pages

Cat Massage Therapy, Volume 3 - 128 pages

Haru Hisakawa, Ahn Kiet Ngo (Translator)

Series Summary (From Volume 1 on Goodreads)

Nekoyama, worn out after another long day at the office, stops at a therapeutic massage parlor—only to discover that it’s run by a cat! Not only that, but the cat actually does the massaging?! As the professional “meowsseur” digs soft toe beans into Nekoyama’s aching muscles, his heart warms and his worries melt away. This is only the beginning, as he and other world-weary workers are about to meet the other feline professionals who have mastered pawfully cute techniques to reduce human stress.

Review

This series was so cute and relaxing to read!  It's a purr-fect choice if you're in the mood for a light and fluffy read!  

Bleach, Vol. 5: Right Arm of the Giant by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 5: Right Arm of the Giant by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 190 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Ichigo Kurosaki thought that Soul Reapers were the only ones hunting Hollows, but he was wrong. Enter Uryū Ishida, a Quincy, and possibly the last member of a powerful clan that died out over 200 years ago. Unlike Soul Reapers who strive to cleanse Hollows of their sins and send them to the Soul Society, Quincies adopt a more direct approach - they kill Hollows without hesitation. To demonstrate the supremacy of the Quincies' ways, Uryū challenges Ichigo to a contest - bait is spread around the city, attracting a large number of unstable Hollows. Whoever defeats the most wins, regardless of the danger.

Also, Orihime and Chad, confronted with a host of Hollows terrorizing their friends, awaken to their own psychic abilities.

Lightlark by Alex Aster

Lightlark by Alex Aster (416 Pages)

Summary: Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons―a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling―a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

Opinion: This is a teen fantasy book that I was hoping would give Throne of Glass vibes. And it kinda did, I liked it in the beginning, but I actually really disliked the book by the end. Specifically, I disliked turning the romance into a love triangle and I hated the way that the author choose to portray the other side female characters as mean girl villains. It's 2026 (2022 when it was published) and I just think both of those tropes are so old and outdated. I won't be continuing with the series. 

Emily Wilde's History of Dark Faerie by Heather Fawcett

 

Emily Wilde's History of Dark Faerie by Heather Fawcett | 384 pages | 2027

Driven by an insatiable scientific curiosity, Emily Wilde has made a name for herself as the world’s foremost scholar of faeries. Along the way, she’s rescued a faerie kingdom and helped her now-husband—fellow professor Wendell Bambleby, dashing and infuriating in equal measure—regain his throne. And while understanding her fellow mortals has never been her strong suit, she’s also made a small number of friends.

But two years later, one of those friends goes missing in the beautiful but faerie-haunted Black Forest in Germany, a region of picturesque villages and sinister Folk. And if she’s to save him, Emily will have to reckon with the darker side of her own nature, and how ruthless she’s prepared to be to solve the most tantalizing of scholarly mysteries: the history of the ancient and long-lost realm she’s named Dark Faerie, the only place the Folk fear.

But Emily is not alone—she has her beloved Wendell, and her niece Ariadne, who hopes to follow in her footsteps. Told from the perspective of all three characters, this installment of the Emily Wilde series opens a magical portal to the most wondrous and dread faerie realm of all.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

I have loved the Emily Wilde series so far, and was excited to return to this world for another expedition, this time to the dark and mysterious realm of the Black Forest in Germany. Our story begins from the point of view of Ariadne, Emily's niece, and brings in so many of the familiar cast of characters. The book has all the twists and turns I craved, just the right amount of macabre balanced with sweetness, and the signature voice of Emily, at once dry and full of heart. I enjoyed it immensely.

This installment ends in a way that sets up another book in the series, so Emily and crew will return!

Bleach, Vol. 4: Quincy Archer Hates You by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 4: Quincy Archer Hates You by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

A new reality-show craze is sweeping the nation, garnering legions of screaming fans (the majority of them being teenaged girls). But this program comes with a supernatural twist - the host, a media-savvy spiritualist, travels to local hotspots and performs exorcisms, live on national TV!

Surly Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki has his doubts about this primetime prima donna, and his assumptions are about to be put to the test - the show is heading straight for his neighborhood. what effect will this unprovoked media presence have on the fragile balance between Earth and the spirit world?

Crown of Destiny by Ashton E Dorow

 

Crown of Destiny  by Ashton E Dorow  370 pages

In the kingdom of Aerilon, ruled by a queen paranoid of losing her throne, keeping your head down and staying silent is the only way to survive. And for Ayleth of the Jusaren Kindred, a quiet, obscure existence tending sheep on her family farm is exactly what she wants. She knows all too well what comes from speaking out against the queen, and dreads doing anything that could endanger those she loves.

But everything changes the day a Master Scholar arrives with a shocking message: the Eternal One has chosen her as the next ruler of Aerilon.

Terrified of her so-called destiny, Ayleth wishes to forget the old man’s prophecy. That is, until a shocking betrayal forces her to flee for her life with the Scholar’s mysterious companion, Kane, as her protector. Thrust into a perilous journey, separated from all she’s ever known, and leaning on a stranger for survival, Ayleth can no longer avoid the decision she must make… Will she keep to the safe and easy path? Or remain obedient to the Eternal One—no matter the cost?

Book 1 in the Crown of Aerilon series, an epic, non-magical fantasy retelling of King David and King Saul.

I do not usually read Fantasy books, but I was in a book club that read this book.  I have to say I am hooked into this series.  This is the retelling of the story of David in the Bible in which the character is a woman.  This author is new to me, she is a Christian author and I actually got to zoom with her at our Book Club meeting. I am not used to reading war scenes or anything that has dragons in it, but when I go to the end I am so upset I have to wait until January for the second book to come out.  

Fangs with Benefits by Kath Richards

Fangs with Benefits by Kath Richards -- 362 pages

Molly Mason is not a team player. She does more work than the rest of her team, but when a promotion becomes available, they bring in an outside hire over her. To add insult to injury, she's tasked with training him. This is easier said than done, though, when he has the digital literacy of a toddler and is, infuriatingly, the hottest man she's ever laid eyes on.

Elijah Thorne's reintegration into human society is going swimmingly. He scammed his way into a job, got new clothes, and successfully convinced a myriad of New Yorkers that he is human, not a vampire. The one person he can't win over, though, is his intimidating colleague Molly.

When Molly discovers Elijah's secret, he realizes that being human isn't as easy as he thought. She'll help him act the part if he'll help her get promoted, but when they fall into a colleagues-with-benefits arrangement-no feelings involved-can they keep things professional?

Meet Cute Magic by Morgan Elizabeth

Meet Cute Magic by Morgan Elizabeth -- 400 pages

She's a witch who can’t fall in love without getting her heart broken. He holds a grudge like no other.

Bookstore owner Rosie Mayfield wants a love of her own, but it’s not meant to be––because of her family's curse. To break it, she conjures a ghost who will break her curse, but for a cost––she has to brew a potion to help him transition to the other side. The problem? There’s only one person who hates Rosie in all of Heartwood Hollow, and she needs his help to complete the required task.

Jack Haggerty, the ghost’s grandson, has lamented about Rosie for years––she’s a disaster and she’s forbidden from visiting his gaming shop. He doesn’t believe in ghosts, so he’s stunned when his beloved grandfather makes an appearance. While he loves his family and will do anything to help his grandpa, he fights against the chemistry brewing between him and Rosie until he can’t anymore. But he doesn’t know how to tell her he no longer wants to go through with the plan, and she won’t admit that she’s falling for him because they’re doomed from the start. 

My Hero Academia, Volumes 38-40

My Hero Academia, Volume 38 - 208 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 39 - 184 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 40 - 200 pages

Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb D. Cook (Translator)

Series Summary (From Volume 1 on Goodreads)

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…

Review

This series has a lot of allegories for how society treats people deemed "different," particularly those who are disabled, mentally ill, or otherwise physically different.  I do think the chapters following Shoji and Koda might've had a bit more of an impact if we'd seen more earlier - both of these two characters, but also of the apparent prejudice against people with "heteromorphic" Quirks.  Only 2 volumes left!  

Loving a Witch Is Totally Foolish by Aura Hayes

Loving a Witch Is Totally Foolish by Aura Hayes -- 418 pages

Ava McGuire should be dealing with moving on after her devastating breakup. Instead, she’s been thrust into the world of paranormal. As if learning that your best friend is mated to a serial killer vampire wasn’t bad enough, she learns she has her own vampire mate.

Valen has been held prisoner for longer than he can fathom. The human world is vastly different than the one he was taken from centuries ago. For starters, there are tall buildings and places that claim to make your lunch in under five minutes. He’s having to relearn the world around him while navigating the complicated urge to claim his mate while also being wary of touch after being held captive.

Ava and Valen, with the help of their friends, are trying to get to the bottom of what’s really going on in Chicago. All the rain, all the paranormals showing up, and what was the true reason Valen was taken all those years ago? Ava herself just might be the key to it all. Turns out, she’s not some simple human, she’s the last of the line of one of the most powerful witch families to ever exist.

Witch of the Wolves by Kaylee Archer

Witch of the Wolves by Kaylee Archer -- 352 pages

Cordelia Levine comes from a long line of powerful witches. She's been flying under the radar in the human world, focused on strengthening her magic. She loves working at her aunt's apothecary in London, secretly serving supernaturals. Until the truth about her family is revealed.

She always assumed her enhanced sense of smell came from her French perfumer father. But when Bishop Daniels abducts Cordelia at the request of her father, the Alpha, Cordelia learns she's a lycan--sharing both witch and werewolf traits. She's brought to Trevelyan, the pack estate, under the guise of protection from foreign threats who want to use her to continue their bloodline. She quickly learns that to keep her from being sold off to another pack, her father intends to give Cordelia as a mate to Bishop. His second in command and the future Alpha.

Cordelia refuses to accept this as her fate. She can't rely on her magic alone to escape and when she learns Bishop plans to challenge her father's power, she reluctantly begins to trust him. The cracks within the Pack become evident and something is bound to break. And Cordelia and her growing desire for the man who shouldn't set her on fire are right at the center of it all.

Lilith, Vol. 1 by Corin Howell

Lilith, Vol. 1 by Corin Howell

Lilith #1-5, 128 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

So hot, she sizzles!

Lilith is an immortal who's been banished from her home, a dimensional plane suspiciously similar to mankind's idea of Hell. She's been posing as a model on Earth while secretly preying on humans... that is, until she runs into Penelope, a sweet bookstore owner with a tome that might hold the secret to returning Lilith to her dimension. If the mismatched pair doesn't end up falling in love first!

Along with her oversized, 3-eyed monster cat Gordy — who also possesses a huge appetite, eating up all of mommy’s leftovers — Lilith has a hell of a time trying to figure out fashion, friendship, family, and feelings on the long road to get back home. But home may not be the same as it used to be.

Loving a Vampire Is Total Chaos by Aura Hayes

Loving a Vampire Is Total Chaos by Aura Hayes -- 376 pages

Celine Brennan should be riding the high of her recent promotion to detective, but instead she’s been saddled with a case no one can seem to solve with murders so gruesome others before her have quit. Not to mention, there’s something suspicious with a new club in town and her focus keeps being pulled from the case she should be devoting her attention to.

Zavier Lockwood is old. Three-hundred-years old to be precise and he’s bored because of it. Killing the scum of Chicago and cleaning up the streets since the cops can’t seem to do it is his favorite pastime. Until he lays eyes on Celine. Soon, he finds his obsession with her far more tempting than murder. After all, no vampire can resist the allure of their mate.

As their paths cross thanks to Zavier’s uncanny ability to be wherever Celine is they both come to realize there’s something far more nefarious going on in the city they both love. They’ll have to work together to get to the bottom of it, but what happens when Celine realizes the man she’s falling for isn’t only not human, but he’s the same one committing the crimes she’s supposed to solve?