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The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (The Scholomance #3)

bought on Audible

Synopsis

Saving the world is a test no school of magic can prepare you for in the triumphant conclusion to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate.

The one thing you never talk about while you're in the Scholomance is what you'll do when you get out. Not even the richest enclaver would tempt fate that way. But it's all we dream about, the hideously slim chance we'll survive to make it out the gates and improbably find ourselves with a life ahead of us, a life outside the Scholomance halls.

And now the impossible dream has come true. I'm out, we're all out--and I didn't even have to turn into a monstrous dark witch to make it happen. So much for my great-grandmother's prophecy of doom and destruction. I didn't kill enclavers, I saved them. Me, and Orion, and our allies. Our graduation plan worked to perfection: we saved everyone and made the world safe for all wizards and brought peace and harmony to all the enclaves of the world.

Ha, only joking! Actually it's gone all wrong. Someone else has picked up the project of destroying enclaves in my stead, and probably everyone we saved is about to get killed in the brewing enclave war on the horizon. And the first thing I've got to do now, having miraculously got out of the Scholomance, is turn straight around and find a way back in.

* * *

8/10

I enjoyed this series very much, but I would say that book 1 and 2 impressed me more than book 3. The solution to their problem in the end felt like a bit of a cope out.

 Still, I have loved El, the prickly main heroine from the get go. Naomi Novik excels at writing outwardly dislikeable heroines, grumpy, cynical and sassy, but secretly kind and self-sacrificing.

The best part of the whole trilogy is its world-building. It's excellent and so engrossing, that you can't help but fall into the world of The Scholomance, the Enclaves, the never-ending squabble for power and survival in between. 

Juliet Marillier and Katherine Arden might be more poetic in their writing but Novik takes the reader to darker places and underscores how heavy and twisted the price of magic can be. She is also excellent at blending the modern world into it.

The Golden Enclaves is not without problems, but the series overall is a solid 4 star read or listen. I listen to it on audio and the narrator was fabulous. 

Much recommended, folks.

The Blood of Youth (2022)

Genre: wuxia

40 episodes

Available on Viki

Synopsis

As a disciple of the Lei Clan, Lei Wu Jie can't wait to prove his worth as a hero, but as a novice who has only just entered the martial arts world, the path to becoming a true hero is difficult, at best. Undeterred by the challenges that lay before him, Wu Jei makes his way to the great city of Xue Yue, certain that his time there will mould him into the hero he so longs to be. Unfortunately, his trip to Xue Yue is waylaid by an unfortunate mishap at the Villa of Fallen Snow.

As proprietor of the Villa, Xiao Se has all the looks of a wealthy innkeeper, but he can barely afford to keep the inn open. Struggling with his business, Xiao Se is less than pleased when his establishment is damaged by the antics of a young, wannabe hero. Demanding he makes amends for the damage he caused, Wu Jei can think of only one way to appease the grumpy Xiao Se, and that is to take him with him. With no other options, the two set off together without any idea of what fate has in store for them.

Befriending several people along the way, including Wu Xin, Sikong Qian Luo, Tang Lian, and Ye Ruo Yi, Xiao Se and Wu Jei soon find themselves caught up in an adventure far greater than any of them could have imagined. While facing countless dangers, the group stumbles upon a trail of clues that tie one of them to a battle for the throne that took place over a decade ago. The question is, is the intrepid hero ready and willing to take his rightful place as the leader of the people? And where will the brotherhood go from there?

(Source: Viki; edited by MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the novel "Shao Nian Ge Xing" (少年歌行) by Zhou Mu Nan (周木楠).

* * *

9/10

Honestly, this was one of the best wuxia dramas I've seen in ages. And it airdropped right at the end of an already good drama year. 

Gorgeous actors, very good fighting and CGI scenes, nothing boring in the plot, hardly any romance, all of it mostly bromance and very good camaraderie. Aaah, I was enjoying it so much!

Xiao Se is a classic, aloof, wily, keeping all his plans close to the chest, prince. I've seen complains that Li Hongyi who played Xiao Se is not very good at acting but to me he did his character justice.

He might sound selfish and sarcastic but when the situation needs self-sacrificing and bravery he gives 100% back in a spectacular fashion. You can say that the whole plot is circling around helping Xiao Se achieve justice and vanquish the enemies.

He acquires a bunch of very enthusiastic and powerful youngsters in martial world as his friends along his quest who help him fight rival princes.

One of the more interesting and flirtatious characters who work so well in all their bromance glory with him is Wu Xin, a very cunning Buddhist monk.

Sparks fly every time they spend time together, and he is probably the only one who is Xiao Se's match in wit.

There is a lot going on and I can guarantee none of it will be boring. The main villain is a little bit cartoonish to my liking but the other characters do make up for his shortcomings with their own complexity.

Overall, a fantastic Chinese drama recommended to all fans of martial arts universe.

 

The Blighted Bride by Anne Cleeland

*review copy thanks to the author*

Synopsis

It was regrettable, that Kanika of Kerala would have experienced such bad luck, despite being a prized bride. First, the Nizam of Bengal had died, leaving her a wealthy widow, and now—now it seemed that the British East India Company was going to interfere with her next marriage, to one of the powerful Hongs of Canton.

The Company was concerned, it seemed, about her motive for these alliances, and the potential effect she might have on their lucrative opium trade.

As for Kanika, she was also concerned—only she was concerned about the British Commander’s effect on her plans. The more she reminded herself that they were impossibly at odds, the more she was drawn to him. It was a shame, that he was fated to be unlucky, too.

7/10

* * *

Anne Cleeland has a skill of creating of a very intriguing backstory for her characters and then only feeding us crumbs of it. I kinda love it and hate it at the same time.

This is a very fast read, folks. I wish it was a thicker book with more details because come on, how many husbands/fiancés this woman had before? And one was a pirate? I was sold just on that one little detail.

Kanika and James have very good chemistry in this read. They seem to show their appreciation for each other in more things that are left unsaid and not done instead of words, which ends up being much more expressive as a declaration.

Hanh, Kanika's partner in crime is an intriguing man as well. Is he getting his own book, I wonder?

Overall, a nice, easy read. Especially, because it's refreshing for a Regency romance fan to read about events happening outside England. My only regret is that I'd have loved to have a meatier book, heavy on details.

 Today's the day!

When Mary Good Crow came out of the crystal into the arms of her sister, the last thing she wanted was another fight. But war is coming to the Great Plains. With crystal on their side, the Lakota are poised to annihilate the town of Medicine Rocks, forcing Mary to choose between the friends she’s finally found and the family she’s always longed for.

When Rel Reiner accepted her father’s dark bargain to save Josie and the others, the last thing she expected was to survive. But there’s more to the Reiner’s magic than ghosts and bones. Magic Rel will have to embrace if she ever wants to walk in her own skin again.

When Josie Price left the crystal mines one step ahead of death, the last thing she intended to do was quit. But the wolves in town are circling, and with the crystal going crazy and the cavalry riding to war, just finding a way to protect her people might cost her everything she came to Montana to build.

Three women divided by a war none of them wants. But Josie, Mary, and Rel have always been strongest together, and with the world’s magical future on the line, “together” might be the only way anyone survives.

Get your copy now in ebook, audio, print, or KU!

I can’t tell you how excited I am for y'all to read this book! I'm sooo proud of this ending and this series as a whole. If you haven't tried out THE LAST STAND OF MARY GOOD CROW yet, I hope you'll give it a go! This series has been such a wild ride, and I really hope you enjoy it!

This is the first launch for what I hope is going to be a very busy 2023. I’ve got a new DFZ series I’ll be announcing soon along with other fun stuff, so if you're not already subscribed to my New Release Newsletter, I hope you'll come over and say hi! Subscribers always get first dibs on the good stuff, I never share your info, and I only send out emails when I have a new book. No risk, just awesome, so I hope you'll join in!  

Thank you so much for all your support over the years. Enjoy THE BATTLE OF MEDICINE ROCKS, and I’ll see you soon with a new story!

Yours with a hat tip,

Rachel Aaron

Return to the magical West forThe Battle of Medicine Rocks!
When Mary Good Crow came out of the crystal into the arms of her sister, the last thing she wanted was another fight. But war is coming to the Great Plains. With crystal on their side, the Lakota are poised to annihilate the town of Medicine Rocks, forcing Mary to choose between the friends she’s found and the family she’s always longed for.

When Rel Reiner accepted her father’s dark bargain to save Josie and the others, the last thing she expected was to survive. But there’s more to the Reiner family’s magic than ghosts and bones. Magic Rel will have to embrace if she ever wants to walk in her own skin again.

When Josie Price left the crystal mines one step ahead of death, the last thing she intended was to quit. But the wolves in town are circling, and with the crystal going crazy and the cavalry riding to war, just finding a way to keep going might cost her everything she came to Montana to build.

Three women divided by a war none of them wants. But Josie, Mary, and Rel have always been strongest together, and with the entire world’s magical future on the line, “together” might be the only way anyone survives.

 The second book in The Crystal Calamity, coming out February 1!
Preorder Now!What's better for the new year than a new book? How about several new books?

I've been writing like crazy and should have a lot of new titles coming for you all this year, but this first one is a doozy. THE BATTLE OF MEDICINE ROCKS is the sequel to THE LAST STAND OF MARY GOOD CROW and has (I think) the best ending I've ever written. I'm super proud of how it came out and cannot wait for y'all to read it on February 1! 

Even better, we've finally managed to line up all formats to release simultaneously! Whether you prefer ebook, print, or audio book, they all release on the same day. It's everything, everywhere, all at once, and really pretty to boot! Seriously, the print version is gorgeous.

Whatever format you fancy, I really, really hope you enjoy this new entry in the Crystal Calamity. I know Western fiction isn't everyone's thing, but if you haven't given book 1 a try yet, I hope you'll give me a shot. And for those of you already in the know, I can't wait for you to read what comes next. It's gonna be a blast! 

Thank you as always for being my readers and listeners, and I hope you enjoy THE BATTLE OF MEDICINE ROCKS!

Yours with a respectful hat tip,

Rachel Aaron 

 

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK SUMMARY

From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.

Carlota Moreau: a young woman, growing up in a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatán peninsula. The only daughter of either a genius, or a madman.

Montgomery Laughton: a melancholic overseer with a tragic past and a propensity for alcohol. An outcast who assists Dr. Moreau with his scientific experiments, which are financed by the Lizaldes, owners of magnificent haciendas and plentiful coffers.

The hybrids: the fruits of the Doctor’s labor, destined to blindly obey their creator and remain in the shadows. A motley group of part human, part animal monstrosities.

All of them living in a perfectly balanced and static world, which is jolted by the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the charming and careless son of Doctor Moreau’s patron, who will unwittingly begin a dangerous chain reaction.

For Moreau keeps secrets, Carlota has questions, and in the sweltering heat of the jungle, passions may ignite.

THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU is both a dazzling historical novel and a daring science fiction journey.

BOOK DETAILS

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Published July 19, 2022 by Del Rey
Hardcover, 306 pages,
Genres: Historical Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retellings
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

  Book Review of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Moreno-Garcia sweeps readers into a world of dazzling and horrific scientific experiments in her retelling of H.G. Well’s The Island of Doctor Moreau.

Set against historical Yucatán during a time of conflict and upheaval in 19th century Mexico, the author takes the bones of the original and layers and cuts bits and pieces of Gothic tones, strange sciences and mixes themes of colonialism, exploitation and morality.

Although, I admired what the author was trying to do, sometimes I felt there was too much for the characters to unpack in the story during the time given, and I ended up feeling somewhat disconnected.

Part of the allure and horror of the original story falls into the discovery of Doctor Moreau’s experiments, the strange animals.

Told through the eyes of Doctor Moreau’s daughter, Carlota, readers become aware of just how far reaching her father’s experiments have gone.

The conflict between the hybrids humanism and their innate animal selves is ever present.

This was by far my favorite part of the story. The pain, beauty, and conflict was deftly-woven.

There is a touch of romance, but I believe what Moreno-Garcia would like readers to focus on is Carlota’s lack of autonomy, much like her father’s hybrids and the upheaval and revolt each threatens.

Packed with relevant themes and infused with science fiction horror, I would recommend this to fans of Moreno-Garcia and the genre.

 

"Brimming with imagination, wonderful characters and captivating magic. "

- Novel Notions

The long awaited day is finally here! The fantastic audio book of my newest novel, THE LAST STAND OF MARY GOOD CROW, officially goes on sale today!

If you already own the ebook, you can pick up the audio edition for super cheap! Who said audio books had to be expensive? I get paid the same either way, so there's no reason not to get yourself a deal!

I think Naomi Rose-Mock did a fantastic job with all the characters. I really hope you'll give it a try. Thank you as always for being my readers (and listeners!), and I hope you'll enjoy the audio edition of The Last Stand of Mary Good Crow!

Yours always,
Rachel

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.BOOK SUMMARY

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

BOOK DETAILS

This little novella is packed with all kinds of gothic horror, dripping in atmosphere and psychological tension. It’s the retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's classic “The Fall of the House of Usher” that you have been waiting for.

This time around readers are treated to a more fully developed, Madeline Usher. Our growing fear and distress over her strange malady can only be written by the likes of T. Kingfisher’s pen.

Alex Easton, as the retired soldier who visits the home of the Ushers, finds its residents besieged by a strange sickness. Madness surrounds the decrepit manor and it is through this soldier’s eyes that we witness the slow downfall the Ushers.

There are strange lights and zombie-like rabbits infesting the landscape while the ancestral home is literally crumbling apart as if it’s slowly being consumed.

If you have ever wondered what really drove the Ushers mad, T. Kingfisher’s version gives an answer that is filled with all the strangeness and creepiness you could hope for. This is one twisted tale you’ll be sure to love.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Publication date on July 12th 2022 by Tor Nightfire
Hardcover , 176 pages
Fiction / Horror / Sci Fi & Fantasy
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

 It's time! 

Hungry darkness, haunted guns, tunnels that move like snakes--the crystal mines of Medicine Rocks, Montana are a place only the bravest and greediest dare. Discovered in 1866, the miraculous rock known as crystal quickly rose to become the most expensive substance on the planet, driving thousands to break the treaties and invade the sacred buffalo lands of the Sioux for a chance at the wealth beneath. But mining crystal risks more than an arrow in the chest. The beautiful rock has a voice of its own. A voice that twists minds and calls unnatural powers.

A voice that turns men into monsters.

Mary Good Crow hears it. Half white, half Lakota, rejected by both, she’s forged a new life guiding would-be miners through the treacherous caves. To her ears, the crystal sings a beautiful song, one the men she guides would gladly burn her as a witch for hearing. So, when an heiress from Boston arrives with a proposition that could change her life, Mary agrees to push deeper into the caves than she’s ever dared.

But there are secrets buried in the Deep Caves that even Mary doesn’t know. The farther she goes, the closer she gets to the voice that’s been calling her all this time. A voice that could change the bloody story of the West, or destroy it all.

"Possibly the best alternate historical fantasy that you will read."- Fantasy Book Critic

Get your copy now!

It's finally here! The first book in my new series is out today in ebook, print, and Kindle Unlimited! HOORAY! 

We're recording the audio version right now, so hopefully that will be available quickly as well. I'll send an email as soon as I have a date, so make sure you're subscribed to my New Release Mailing List to get all the info on, well, new releases! (And nothing else. Trust me, I hate spam as much as you!)

Thank you all so much for being my readers, and I hope you love Mary's story!

Yours always,

Rachel Aaron

 It’s been a while, but I’m back with an new novel in an new world! Get ready for…

Deadwood meets Lord of the Rings in this Epic Fantasy of the West!

Hungry darkness, haunted guns, tunnels that move like snakes--the crystal mines of Medicine Rocks, Montana are a place only the bravest and greediest dare. Discovered in 1866, the miraculous rock known as crystal quickly rose to become the most expensive substance on the planet, driving thousands to break the treaties and invade the sacred buffalo lands of the Sioux for a chance at the wealth beneath. But mining crystal risks more than an arrow in the chest. The beautiful rock has a voice of its own. A voice that twists minds and calls unnatural powers.

A voice that turns men into monsters.

Mary Good Crow hears it. Half white, half Lakota, rejected by both, she’s forged a new life guiding would-be miners through the treacherous caves. To her ears, the crystal sings a beautiful song, one the men she guides would gladly burn her as a witch for hearing. So, when an heiress from Boston arrives with a proposition that could change her life, Mary agrees to push deeper into the caves than she’s ever dared.

But there are secrets buried in the Deep Caves that even Mary doesn’t know. The farther she goes, the closer she gets to the voice that’s been calling her all this time. A voice that could change the bloody story of the West, or destroy it all.

Coming to eBook and Kindle Unlimited on JUNE 1, 2022! Print and Audio release coming soon! 

Preorder your copy now!

Hello everyone!

I know it’s been a while since we left Opal in the DFZ. Like everyone else on the planet, I got kicked down pretty hard by the pandemic. But sometimes being forced to step away from your work means space gets made for something different, and wow, is this different.

THE LAST STAND OF MARY GOOD CROW is a story I’ve been wanting to tell for a long time. We’re talking crazy magic, giant battles, haunted guns, messed up family situations, sky-high stakes, and (of course) a giant cast of fun, hot-mess characters all set against the epic backdrop of the Great Sioux War, which ends veeeeery differently than the real one. (Don’t worry, Custer still dies.)

I realize historical Western feels like a pretty big jump from Urban Fantasy, but this is a Rachel Aaron book through and through. If you liked my other series, I heartily encourage you to give this one a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

You can read a sample right now over on my website. The eBook and Kindle versions will be out on June 1, 2022 with print very soon after. For those who prefer audio books, we’re recording right now, so it won’t be too long of a wait. I’ll send another email to let you know as soon as the audio version is available.

Thank you as always for being my readers/listeners! Y’all are the ones I write for, and I just can’t wait for you to start THE LAST STAND OF MARY GOOD CROW!

Yours always,

Rachel Aaron

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.BOOK SUMMARY

Charm is a witch, and she is alone. The last of a line of conquered necromantic workers, now confined within the yard of regrown bone trees at Orchard House, and the secrets of their marrow.

Charm is a prisoner, and a survivor. Charm tends the trees and their clattering fruit for the sake of her children, painstakingly grown and regrown with its fruit: Shame, Justice, Desire, Pride, and Pain.

Charm is a whore, and a madam. The wealthy and powerful of Borenguard come to her house to buy time with the girls who aren't real.

Except on Tuesdays, which is when the Emperor himself lays claim to his mistress, Charm herself.

Now—Charm is also the only person who can keep an empire together, as the Emperor summons her to his deathbed, and charges her with choosing which of his awful, faithless sons will carry on the empire—by discovering which one is responsible for his own murder.

If she does this last thing, she will finally have what has been denied her since the fall of Inshil—her freedom. But she will also be betraying the ghosts past and present that live on within her heart.

Charm must choose. Her dead Emperor’s will or the whispers of her own ghosts. Justice for the empire or her own revenge.

BOOK DETAILS

The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller
Published on March 22nd 2022 by Tor Books
Hardcover, 432 pages
Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

Overall, I enjoyed the unique concept created in The Bone Orchard. Dark, full of political machinations and necromancy, Mueller’s debut is filled visually with decadent descriptions and intrigue.

Imagine a courtesan, who is also a necromancer. One who grows and regrows her children—pieces of her she names: Shame, Justice, Desire, Pride, and Pain, in order to appease the many dark desires of her customers.

In this world, Lady Charm is also the favored concubine of the Emperor and is unexpectedly summoned to his deathbed where he charges her with choosing which of sons will carry on the empire—only first she must discover which one is responsible for his murder.

The beginning is a bit confusing as you try to separate and understand the workings of Charm and the Orchard House. Bone magic and conspiracies combine for a subtle unraveling of the mystery.

Although I really enjoyed the dark atmosphere and writing, my one complaint is that even though readers become familiar with Charm and her boneghosts, the concepts felt confusing and vague, especially in the beginning. It may be that this was done with the purpose of creating a mysterious atmosphere but in the end, it left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

Overall, an enjoyable debut that I would recommend to dark fantasy readers looking for something new and unique.

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend.Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it… he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic, and bewitching, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, our fear of the dark, and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind.

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK SUMMARY

Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend.

Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it… he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.

Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.

Hauntingly beautiful, hypnotic, and bewitching, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, our fear of the dark, and losing yourself within the wilderness of your mind.

BOOK DETAILS

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
Published December 7th 2021 by Atria Books
Young Adult Fiction /Mystery/ Magical Realism
Hardcover, 368 Pages
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

 

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw does not disappoint when it comes to eerie atmosphere and a building mystery.

A History of Wild Places is the author’s debut adult book, and I felt Ernshaw overall did a good job transitioning out from YA.

I definitely got vibes of M. Night Shyamalan's, The Village and even though I guessed the villain early on, I did not mind because the writing kept me entertained and swept away to an enchanted and dark world.

“She was building a story in her mind, just like the fairytales she wrote-the ending not yet written. Or an ending only she foresaw.”

The community of Pastoral and its inhabitants added just the right edge of tension. I would have liked more from Maggie St. James and Travis as I found their circumstances and backgrounds enticing and is what drew me to the book in the first place.

“Death has a way of leaving breadcrumbs, little particles of the past that catch and settle and stain.”

Overall, Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, kept me intrigued. Their relationship within Pastoral had that twisty sensation like an elusive vine you find ensnared about you, tugging relentlessly.

I would recommend A History of Wild Places for fans of Ernshaw’s YA books. I’m looking forward to more writing from the author and I would also recommend The Wicked Deep for readers new to her writing.

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK SUMMARY

Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town. Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him.

By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to. Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.

BOOK DETAILS

The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
Published October 5th 2021 by St. Martin's Press
Adult Fiction /Mystery/ Gothic Lit
Hardcover, 368 pages
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling is a gothic fantasy horror that reads like a feverish dream, with an atmosphere dripping in dark tones. There’s romance, magic, gore, and an unsettling feeling that builds until you turn the last page.

The moment Jane steps into the forbidden landscape of Lindridge Hall, Caitlin Starling begins to tightly weave a story that will have you questioning just how much is real and how much is from Jane’s possible unreliable perspective.

Readers will cheer for Jane and her independent nature as she tries to stay one step ahead while taking charge of her destiny. The terror Augustine Lawrence exhibits once Jane enters his abode becomes an increasingly dark tunnel the reader must navigate with Jane.

I was impressed with all the gothic elements, the occult and ceremonial magic, the grisly surgical moments, and the questionable reliability of the characters.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy dark gothic reads and don’t mind a bit of gruesome horror balanced out by a touch of romance and terrific atmosphere.

Add to Goodreads

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK SUMMARY

Long ago Miren O'Malley's family prospered due to a deal struck with the Mer: safety for their ships in return for a child of each generation. But for many years the family have been unable to keep their side of the bargain and have fallen into decline. Miren's grandmother is determined to restore their glory, even at the price of Miren's freedom.

A spellbinding tale of dark family secrets, magic and witches, and creatures of myth and the sea; of strong women and the men who seek to control them.

BOOK DETAILS

All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter
Fiction / Fantasy / Gothic / Mermaids
Published March 9th 2021 by Titan Books
Paperback, 368 pages
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

  Book Review

ALL THE MURMURING BONES is an alluring gothic fairy tale. The story weaves together family secrets and lies, broken bargains, dangerous plots and adventures, all surrounded by the mystery of the O'Malley’s power granted by blood and salt.

Other families might have stories of curses, cold lads and white ladies, but we have old gods, merfolk and monsters.

What makes this such an enjoyable story is how effortlessly the magical qualities feel. I was in the mood for something dark and atmospheric. A story that did not just allude to the magical and strange, but one that gave me something tangible to grab onto when reading. A.G. Slatter did not disappoint me and I found the world she created part fairy tale—part gothic horror, perfect as an escape. There is plenty of briny, sea lore, ghosts, and even witchy magic.

Miren is a heroine coming into her own. She feels easily relatable and I enjoyed the fact that for the most part, magic did not solve all her problems. She's smart and resourceful and doesn't need anyone to rescue her from all the dangers. There is plenty of adventure along the way as she uncovers the secrets which bind her family to the sea.

I would recommend this book for readers who enjoyed either House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig or The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw.

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK SUMMARY

Be careful what you wish for.

When Jax receives nine missed calls from her older sister, Lexie, she assumes that it’s just another one of her sister’s episodes. Manic and increasingly out of touch with reality, Lexie has pushed Jax away for over a year. But the next day, Lexie is dead: drowned in the pool at their grandmother’s estate. When Jax arrives at the house to go through her sister’s things, she learns that Lexie was researching the history of their family and the property. And as she dives deeper into the research herself, she discovers that the land holds a far darker past than she could have ever imagined.

In 1929, thirty-seven-year-old newlywed Ethel Monroe hopes desperately for a baby. In an effort to distract her, her husband whisks her away on a trip to Vermont, where a natural spring is showcased by the newest and most modern hotel in the Northeast. Once there, Ethel learns that the water is rumored to grant wishes, never suspecting that the spring takes in equal measure to what it gives.

BOOK DETAILS

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
Fiction / Noir / Mystery & Thrillers
Published April 6th, 2021 by Gallery/Scout Press
Hardcover, 319 pages
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

 

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon is a page-turning read filled with hauntingly beautiful prose that chills to the bone.

One of my favorite aspects of McMahon’s books is how she combines alternate timelines, each featuring a compelling protagonist and a mystery surrounding them both.

The setting here is in Vermont, current and 1929 timeline, on an estate rumored to have a very magical pool that grants wishes.

Fed from natural spring, some say the waters are healing, others say they are haunted, even cursed. Others warn against casting wishes in fear of what the waters will take in return.

McMahon writes with touches of horror and supernatural. Leaving long shadows and watery deaths in her wake as she builds a consuming mystery of just how Jax and Ehtel’s lives will be influenced by these mysterious waters.

I could feel the cold, wet chill and smell the sulfurous brine while reading The Drowning Kind. In fact, it may change how you feel about swimming at night, at least for a while. Be careful what you wish for.

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I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

He saw the darkness in her magic. She saw the magic in his darkness.

Wren Southerland’s reckless use of magic has cost her everything: she’s been dismissed from the Queen’s Guard and separated from her best friend—the girl she loves. So when a letter arrives from a reclusive lord, asking Wren to come to his estate, Colwick Hall, to cure his servant from a mysterious illness, she seizes her chance to redeem herself.

The mansion is crumbling, icy winds haunt the caved-in halls, and her eccentric host forbids her from leaving her room after dark. Worse, Wren’s patient isn’t a servant at all but Hal Cavendish, the infamous Reaper of Vesria and her kingdom’s sworn enemy. Hal also came to Colwick Hall for redemption, but the secrets in the estate may lead to both of their deaths.

With sinister forces at work, Wren and Hal realize they’ll have to join together if they have any hope of saving their kingdoms. But as Wren circles closer to the nefarious truth behind Hal’s illness, they realize they have no escape from the monsters within the mansion. All they have is each other, and a startling desire that could be their downfall.

Book Details

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft
Fiction / Fantasy / Gothic / Romance
Published March 2nd 2021 by Wednesday Books
Hardcover, 400 pages
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

  Review

DOWN COMES THE NIGHT is a debut YA dark fantasy filled with magic, mystery, and a forbidden romance set in a winter-drenched landscape where two enemies are trapped inside a crumbling manor fighting for their survival as each night threatens their lives.

I did enjoy the story, and loved the fact that it was a standalone novel that felt complete, but ended up being disappointed by the novel’s description labeling it as a “gorgeously gothic” YA debut.

Having a forbidding landscape of ice and snow and a crumbling mansion does not make for a Gothic read.

What Down Comes the Night did excel at was its strong combination of magic and science set in a fantasy world of gods and goddesses where two enemy kingdoms are battling for supreme reign. It had all the elements that I enjoy in dark fantasy.

Wren Southerland is the Queen’s most talented healer, but after using her abilities to mend an enemy soldier she is removed from her post and finds herself sent far north to the doorstep of a reclusive lord in order to cure his servant of a mysterious disease.

Nothing is quite what it seems. The lord is odd, the staff distant, and the patient hiding secrets. All of which I loved.

Wren uses her healing abilities, which are a blend of science and magic, to heal. This gave the novel a unique feel and Wren’s personal struggle to use her healing in a meaningful way made her a relatable and engaging heroine.

There is a slow-burn romance that I enjoyed while the mystery surrounding his illness and the remote location of the manor, made for a sinister feeling of danger.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing. The story felt atmospheric and its unique blend of magic made this YA fantasy interesting. There is also a nice message about forgiveness and compassion that readers will appreciate.

I would recommend this to readers of YA fantasy and look forward to more of Saft’s work. I anticipated a dark Gothic read but got a dark fantasy instead, enjoyable, but not what I expected.

Add to Goodreads Book Summary

West Hall, Vermont, has always been a town of strange disappearances and old legends. The most mysterious is that of Sara Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her daughter.

Now, in present day, nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara's farmhouse with her mother, Alice, and her younger sister. Alice has always insisted that they live off the grid, a decision that has weighty consequences when Ruthie wakes up one morning to find that Alice has vanished. In her search for clues, she is startled to find a copy of Sara Harrison Shea's diary hidden beneath the floorboards of her mother's bedroom. As Ruthie gets sucked into the historical mystery, she discovers that she's not the only person looking for someone that they've lost. But she may be the only one who can stop history from repeating itself.

Book Details

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
Published February 11th 2014 by Doubleday
Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense / Paranormal
Hardcover, 317 pages
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

  Review

THE WINTER PEOPLE is a dark and haunting blend of writing which combines elements of a suspense novel with that of a supernatural horror-thriller.

The atmosphere is chillingly atmospheric. Set in a picturesque small town of Vermont, West Hall is home to strange occurrences and whispered old legends.

Jennifer McMahon weaves a tale of ghosts, murder, and the bonds between mother and child that reach beyond death, creating a spine-tingling read.

I’ve had this book on my to-read shelf and finally sat down to read it. Warning: it is hard to put down novel as the writing lulls you into a world of secret diaries, folklore, and legends. Where some things should be left alone and others are forgotten.

I was in the mood for a mystery but also wanted to read something with a supernatural bent. The Winter People filled that craving.

This is a story that weaves two timelines, both set at West Hall, one in 1908 with the murder of Sara Harrison Shea and one in the present day where nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara's farmhouse whose mother, Alice, has suddenly disappeared.

Expertly weaving the past and present, this is a story of twists and surprises.

The connection between the ghostly house, the haunted Vermont landscape, and folklore of The Devil's Hand come together, wrapping the story in a cloak of Wintery eeriness.

The two story-lines come together with a satisfying if uncanny, conclusion. I’m very excited to read more by this established author.

This is one of those reads where it really is perfect for Fall but I read it during the 110 plus digits of August and it still swept me away to a land of forests and ice.

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I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

Ash is descended from a long line of gladiators, and she knows the brutal nature of war firsthand. But after her mother dies in an arena, she vows to avenge her by overthrowing her fire god, whose temper has stripped her country of its resources.

Madoc grew up fighting on the streets to pay his family's taxes. But he hides a dangerous secret: he doesn't have the earth god’s powers like his opponents. His elemental gift is something else—something that hasn't been seen in centuries.

When an attempted revenge plot goes dangerously wrong, Ash inadvertently throws the fire and earth gods into a conflict that can only be settled by deadly, lavish gladiator games. The fights put Madoc in Ash's path, and she realizes that his powers are the weapon her rebellion needs—but Madoc won’t jeopardize his family, regardless of how intrigued he is by the beautiful warrior.

But when the gods force Madoc’s hand, he and Ash uncover an ancient war that will threaten more than one immortal—it will unravel the world.

Book Details

Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons
Set Fire to the Gods #1
Publishes August 4th 2020 by Balzer + Bray
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
Hardcover, 432 pages
My Rating: 3 Stars

  Review

SET FIRE TO THE GODS is the first installment in a new YA fantasy duology featuring elemental gladiators, fierce arena battles, and warring gods set in an inspired Greco-Roman world.

Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Gladiator is how the book is described and it has elements of both.

This is a world ruled by mercurial gods who choose elemental-wielding warriors to represent them in lavish, yet deadly, gladiator games.

Ash and Madoc find themselves in the arena on opposite sides, yet when an attempted revenge plot goes dangerously wrong, they join together and uncover an ancient war of the gods that could set the mortal world on fire.

Where this story shines is the epic battles scenes and the god's interaction with their chosen gladiators.

Each god represents an elemental power and readers will find this high-stakes adventure exciting. The plot is very slow-burn though, and I struggled because of this through the first 40 percent of the book.

Despite the intriguing concept of warring gods and elemental battling gladiators, I had trouble connecting emotionally with the characters.

The story is told from both Ash and Madoc’s perspectives and, although I did enjoy their interactions together and even the hint of their romance, but they felt somewhat lackluster.

Overall, an entertaining series opener filled with action and danger. I am curious enough to continue with the next book to find out what happens and hope for more world-building and deeper emotional development.

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I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

In a small Western Queensland town, a reserved young woman receives a note from one of her vanished brothers—a note that makes her question memories of their disappearance and her father’s departure.

A beguiling story that proves that gothic delights and uncanny family horror can live—and even thrive—under a burning sun, Flyaway introduces readers to Bettina Scott, whose search for the truth throws her into tales of eerie dogs, vanished schools, cursed monsters, and enchanted bottles. Flyaway enchants you with the sly, beautiful darkness of Karen Russell and a world utterly its own.

Book Details

Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings
Published on July 28th 2020 by Tor.com
Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
Hardcover, 176 pages
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

 

FLYAWAY brings Gothic storytelling to the Australian shores where Jennings’ lyrical words, edged and thorny, will enchant you.

Clever use of nestled cautionary folktales entwines with an eerie mystery making this a scrumptious, albeit touched by elements of horror, fairy-tale read.

“Trees bled resin like rubies, sprouted goitrous nests, suspended cat’s-cradles of spiderwebs, spinning disks of silk.”

There is no need for haunted moors nor dripping Spanish moss. You won’t find crumbling castles here but what you will find is carnivorous shape-shifting beasts, creeping—feeding lantern bushes and enchanted wishing bottles.

“Battles, massacres, murder; bushrangers and lonely revenge; tales of whose last stand was on this knob of land, of what will catch the toes of children swimming unattended, of witches in the scrub waiting for the unwary, of loping beasts and whispering megarrities.”

Behind the bright sunlight, Jennings paints shadows and doubt, dilapidated cottages, and paths you do not want to stray from. Unsettling and beguiling at the same time.

“Once, somewhere between the Coral Sea and the Indian Ocean but on the way to nowhere, there was a district called—oh, let’s call it Inglewell.”

This is a short book, one that should be savored. An avian story that takes place in a small town called Inglewell where a young woman goes on a quest to find her missing brothers and finds out just how twisty and ensnared the townspeople’s lives are.

A dark, delicious, tangled story that you won’t soon forget. Lyrical and lush, Flyaway is simply enchanting.

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There’s something wicked in Burning Lake…

Natalie Lockhart is a rookie detective in Burning Lake, New York, an isolated town known for its dark past. Tasked with uncovering the whereabouts of nine missing transients who have disappeared over the years, Natalie wrestles with the town’s troubled history – and the scars left by her sister’s unsolved murder years ago.

Then Daisy Buckner, a beloved schoolteacher, is found dead on her kitchen floor, and a suspect immediately comes to mind. But it’s not that simple. The suspect is in a coma, collapsed only hours after the teacher’s death, and it turns out Daisy had secrets of her own. Natalie knows there is more to the case, but as the investigation deepens, even she cannot predict the far-reaching consequences – for the victim, for the missing of Burning Lake, and for herself.

Book Details

Trace of Evil (Natalie Lockhart #1) by Alice Blanchard
Published December 3rd 2019 by Minotaur Books
Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural
Hardcover, 370 pages
Source: Bought
My Rating: 4 Stars

  Review

TRACE OF EVIL is the first book in the Natalie Lockhart series. It features a plucky new rooky detective and a murder mystery that takes place in a small, New England town where secrets abound.

This is a page-turning read filled with chilling atmosphere. Burning Lake is the perfect setting as Blanchard weaves a spine-tingling tale of witchcraft, murder, and dark history.

I love it when suspense thrillers feature remote, sleepy towns built upon a dark history. Back in the 1700s this picturesque town accused and convicted three innocent women of witchcraft.

Once hidden in shame, today, the town of Burning Lake embraces its magical roots and thrives on a tourist business of New Age boutiques and occult gift shops. It all feels very Salem like, mixing a touch of supernatural with suspense.

Detective Natalie Lockhart is a rookie detective in Burning Lake assigned a cold case of uncovering the whereabouts of nine missing transients who have disappeared over the years.

A murder of a beloved school teacher pulls her into a case which will go reach into the very heart of Burning Lake.

Blanchard transports readers into a world of black magic, buried secrets, and plot twists that will keep you entertained and guessing.

Natalie Lockhart is a spunky, new detective whose troubled past makes her both intriguing and relatable. There is a whisper of romance and plenty of moody atmosphere in this series opener.

I’m looking forward to continuing this series that hints at the supernatural while keeping the mystery grounded. Recommended to fans of Mystery & Detective and Police Procedurals looking for a new heroine to follow.