Speak of the Devil (Over My Dead Body #2) by Sweeney Boo

Speak of the Devil by Sweeney Boo

My Rating: ★★

I received a copy from HarperAlley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Younwity, a secret school of magic, is still reeling from the events that nearly destroyed the entire place. Most people just want things to settle so they can move on, but a strange fissure has appeared and no one can close it. What’s worse is that the fissure is slowly breaking down the school grounds!

I absolutely loved the first volume, so I was extremely excited when I saw that volume two was on the way! Unfortunately, the story was all over the place. I think it was an interesting concept that could’ve worked, but it might’ve needed a whole new setting and characters rather than reopening an existing story. I even reread the first volume since it’d been a while and I still felt like I stepped into a new world that just happened to have the same characters.

While it wasn’t my favorite read, I still enjoyed the artwork and seeing how Abigail’s friendships have grown and become even stronger. I just wish the story itself was executed better on top of having a more solid and clear ending. It wasn’t a bad read, and if you’ve read the first book, I urge you to pick this up. Just head in knowing that it has a completely different vibe.

Crafting for Your Cat: 25 Playful Projects for You and Your Feline Friends by Annika Hinds

 

Crafting for Your Cat: 25 Playful Projects for You and Your Feline Friends by Annika Hinds

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Chronicle Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a crafter and have cats, then this is the book for you. Inside you will find 25 fun projects ranging from DIY cat collars to how to make different kinds of cat scratchers. I love that the projects are rated using a paw system to let you know how difficult it is. It’s so cute!

I’m surprised at how simple it is to make cat scratchers. It still takes a lot of work, but it made me realize how simple it is to design and build your own cat tree once you know what you’re doing. I could see repairing or adding onto an existing cat tree that’s sturdy as well. The possibilities are endless! I really liked this book, and now I want to see how much stuff we can make ourselves. It may be possible to make more of my cat’s favorite toys!

Destined Dawn (The Arrow Hart Academy #5) by Hannah Haze

Destined Dawn by Hannah Haze

My Rating: ★★★

Rhianna is in the middle of a war where new enemies just keep appearing. It’s a good thing her new savior just appeared… or is it? Because now Rhi is forced to choose between the fantasy her savior is creating for her, or the reality behind who he is and what he intends to do. Is creating an alliance with them worth the risk? With her mates backing her up, Rhi makes some tough decisions as she prepares for the final showdown.

I’ve really been enjoying this series, but this book was all over the place. The prologue set a weird tone for the book. I wish it was one of Rhi’s visions or the prologue that opened the series instead. Plus, the pacing was off, and the pregnancy scare was super out of place. I think it would’ve been better if it was something that happened in one of the previous books instead of now.

The entire plot with Rhi’s father and the West was super rushed and seemed random until we got to the final battle. I think it would’ve been better if it was rumored that her dad could feed on magic and skip the entire side story with her dad just to squeeze in an underdeveloped vampire plot. I think all of this could’ve been dealt with better, and that if we were going to have vampires, they should’ve been introduced a lot sooner.

All in all, I still liked the book. I just think it wasn’t a good ending for the series that started with so much promise. That said, I had a lot of fun reading the entire series and look forward to checking out the author’s other books at some point.

Burdened Bonds (The Arrow Hart Academy #4) by Hannah Haze

Burdened Bonds by Hannah Haze

My Rating: ★★★

After barely escaping the attack that destroyed the academy, Rhianna finds herself on the run with Renzo. He’s not someone she would normally choose for herself, but she’s starting to see why fate has thrown them together. Rhi doesn’t have much time to dwell on it though. There’s someone extremely powerful and evil who has put a price on her head, and he’s just taken over as chancellor by force. To top things off, she doesn’t know if Tristan is dead or alive, and Spencer is missing all together. How will she get through this?

While I’ve been enjoying this series, I was a bit disappointed with the previous book. Luckily, this installment has restored my faith in the series. I really enjoyed following all of the characters, especially Rhi and Renzo. He’s the only one of Rhi’s mates that we’ve spent very little time with, so it was great to finally learn more about him while they were doing their best to get somewhere safe.

However, it did still have some issues. The interactions between some of the characters was super clunky in Stone and Azlan’s chapters during the search for Rhi. It also seemed like various characters lost every last brain cell at times. The lack of communication was also a problem. I’m not sure why the story keeps making a point for there to be no secrets only to hold off sharing some major information that would help them decide what to do.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this, but I did occasionally pause to side eye the lack of communication and lack of brain cells on and off. The good news is that I’m about to start the final book, so everything will be out in the open… I think. Anything can happen!

Shattered Stars (The Arrow Hart Academy #3) by Hannah Haze

Shattered Stars by Hannah Haze

My Rating: ★★★

After finally unlocking some of her memories, Rhianna is left reeling by the horrors that were hidden away. At least she’s learned something important about herself: she’s a seer. Now she understands why her aunt was determined to keep her hidden, but it doesn’t mean that she’s not wondering why she had to be left completely in the dark. Meanwhile, bullies have painted a target on her back, and Tristan openly pursuing only adds fuel to the flames. At least she’s got Azlan and Stone, but Rhi is determined to ignore her other fated mates until the unthinkable happens.

I’ve been really enjoying this series, but I think this is probably my least favorite. It was still a fun read, but it really bugged me that everyone seemed to forget that they just learned Rhi is a seer for a good portion of the book. I also kept wondering why she wasn’t mentioning the bullying to Stone or Azlan. I totally understand why she doesn’t want anything to do with Tristan or Spencer because I wouldn’t either! I just wished she at least told one of them when something very important was stolen if she didn’t want it to go to Azlan or Stone with it. It could’ve easily been retrieved instead of being left in the air like it was a small matter.

Outside of that, I really enjoyed the book. It was interesting to get more backstory on Tristan and Spencer, and I actually do feel bad for Spencer. I still wouldn’t forgive him easily at all, but I understand some of how he turned out the way he did. Same with Tristan. The two have a lot to atone for, but the backstory? It makes sense for them. If either of them really want to turn over a new leaf, they might want to drop the pig girl nickname. That would help a lot.

All in all, it was a good read, but it had its issues. I’m hoping everything picks back up in the next book because I’d hate to see the series lose steam. Even Rhi standing up for herself and fighting back blew straight out the window at some point. I know this is a bullying series, but since it’s fiction and Rhi is as powerful as she is, I was hoping to see the bullies begin to lose their power rather than gaining more.

Twisted Ties (The Arrow Hart Academy #2) by Hannah Haze

Twisted Ties by Hannah Haze

My Rating: ★★★★★

After barely surviving a run in with an assassin, Rhianna Blackwaters is now freshly bonded with her fated mate. The problem? This fated mate business is news to her, and he knew all along and didn’t say a thing. To top things off, Rhi didn’t even get a choice in whether or not they sealed the bond! Between the huge mystery that is her life, the fated mate business, and the magical school full of bullies that have declared open season on her, Rhi has had enough. She’s taking things into her own hands and risking everything to learn the truth about why her aunt gave her life to keep her hidden from the world.

I’m so excited that it’s the weekend because I can spend it reading the third book. I definitely didn’t expect to get so addicted right away when I started the first book! This time around, we follow Rhi and each of her fated mates through their rotating perspectives, and all of the guys have huge story and POV chapter expansions. We touched on their perspectives on and off in the first book, but now they’re playing larger roles in the story and really being fleshed out. This is primarily Rhi’s story, but we do spend a lot more time with the guys than before, especially Azlan and Stone. There’s also even more world building, which I really enjoyed. 

I told my best friend that if Rhi and Winnie don’t realize they’re besties, I was going to riot. Thankfully, their best friend status has officially been sealed, and the duo go on an adventure together. I love the two of them so much. I also want Winnie’s grandma to adopt me because my own grandma could easily make an appearance in the book and fit right in with all the bullies.

The character growth we see with Azlan and Stone gets the chef’s kiss seal of approval. Are they both forgiven? Hell no! But are they both determined to learn from their mistakes and do better? Yes. Are they seeking forgiveness? Another yes! Honestly, they’re the only two male leads who are forgivable. The rest are on their own for being bullies and mega douches!

All in all, I’m ready to dive into the third book. I’ll see you all when I emerge because I’m ready for Rhi to continue to learn how to kick ass while continuing to sort out what she learned about her past. I’m excited to see her take down her bullies along the way!

Fractured Fates (The Arrow Hart Academy #1) by Hannah Haze

Fractured Fates by Hannah Haze

My Rating: ★★★★

Rhianna Blackwaters just can’t catch a break. After spending her entire life on the run and hiding as an unregistered magical, the authorities finally closed in on her and now she’s been tossed into a college of sorts from hell. Totally unprepared for this school and the world of magicals, Rhi stuck defending herself from a bunch of rich bullies along with various professors. What’s even worse? There’s a bounty on her head, and she can’t trust anyone but Pip the pig and her one friend, Winnie.

We follow Rhi and her various fated mates through their rotating perspectives, but primarily Rhi. Of course, Rhi, Winnie, and Pip are the stars of the show! A good portion of the book is world building, but honestly, I would hate this world as much as Rhi if I was in her shoes. Not only is she carrying the weight of her aunt’s unspoken secrets regarding her very existence, but she also has to deal with a school full of bullies… including the professors!

The romance plot is interesting because it’s a reverse harem primarily made up of awful men and Rhi is the only one who has no idea fated mates are real. All she knows is that she has a strange connection to these men and that most of them need a good dose of humble pie. I’m assuming something will change at some point in the other books, but I would be so mad if I was stuck connected to almost all of these dudes. I swear you’re going to love hating them though, so at least there’s that. I’m not really a fan of the romance at this point because I think maybe two of the guys are okay, but poor Rhi needs to make a run for it whenever she sees the other ones!

All in all, this was an entertaining read that made me feel like I was reading some old school reality TV. I was fully entertained on top of enjoying the mystery. I can’t wait to read the next book. I’m looking forward to seeing Rhi get her revenge. Not only is she surrounded by bullies, but they are completely out of control and walking around with a massive chip on each of their shoulders. It’ll be great to see her fully come into her abilities as well, so we’ll see how much progress she’ll make on both fronts in book 2!

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé, Vol. 3 by Fumito

 

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé, Vol. 3 by Fumito

My Rating: ★★★

While Takanashi appears to have everything, he’s secretly struggling with ED… or is he? For some reason, his tools only work for Hiwatari! Just when he’s finally ready to face his feelings for Hiwatari, he suddenly goes viral. Now the accidentally hilarious duo are dealing with Takanashi becoming the face of their company, turning him into a local celebrity. How will Hiwatari deal with having to compete with all of Takanashi’s new fans taking up all his time?!

I’ve been enjoying this series, but it took me a bit to get into this one because Hiwatari becoming the face of their company took me straight out of the story for a bit. I wasn’t expected to get hit with some filler when it seemed like there was going to be another confession between the two of them. That said, I still enjoyed this volume. The shenanigans that occur due to Hiwatari’s new celebrity life was hilarious even though that plot point was kind of random.

I am excited to see how their relationship will continue to develop now that they’re officially taking the first step in that direction together. It’ll be interesting to see what crazy shenanigans are in their future because while this is a romance, it’s also a hilarious one at that! I gotta say that the shoe mix-up had me absolutely dying from laughter. I’ll be sure to check out the next volume as soon as the English translation is available!

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter Vol. 5 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

 

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter  Vol. 5 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

My Rating: ★★

War is on the horizon and Iris is preparing not only to defend the duchy if it comes to that, but also ensure that her people are kept as safe as possible no matter how the war impacts the duchy. Meanwhile, the first prince must prepare to make a stand while also continuing to deal with his brother’s shenanigans. When some of the trash takes itself out, the princess makes an offer even the first prince can’t refuse, but how will it emotionally impact Iris?

I’ve been enjoying this series, so I was sad to be let down by the final book covering Iris’s story. We’re constantly being told what’s going on or what the plan is without letting the story show us what’s actually happening. I’m giving the story a pass on that because it was war time and everyone was running around making plans and putting them into motion, but the character’s stories really took a hit. Everything happens so fast, some of the characters are paired up but we barely see it actually happening, and then everything abruptly wraps up and it’s over.

The time jump at the very end barely scratched the surface. What happened to everyone after the war? Did anyone else settle down and have kids? How were some of the characters doing in their new roles? I’m left with way more questions than answers. I’m on the fence about whether or not I want to continue the series after this. As much as I like Merellis, aka Mer, I’m now afraid her story will end in a similar fashion even though we know what happens with her story anyway. Even though I love most of this series, this felt really rushed and it ended up being a huge letdown.

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé, Vol. 2 by Fumito

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé, Vol. 2 by Fumito

My Rating: ★★★★

Takanashi seemingly has everything on the surface, but privately, he has a huge secret: he’s struggling with ED! For some reason, the only thing that makes his power tools work like they used to is Hiwatari. While confused and dancing around the truth, Takanashi is determined to help Hiwatari become friendly with his coworkers all while resolving an HR issue in the most unexpected ways.

The first volume was absolutely hilarious, but this time around, things get a little more serious as we get more backstory for Hiwatari. I totally understand why Hiwatari is the ice king, and I loved seeing him slowly try to open up and give people a chance in his own way. Hiwatari was the star of this volume, but we do see some interesting things happening with Takanashi in the process!

It was great seeing the story expand and include more characters. As predicted, the romance is a slow burn, but it’s a funny and heartwarming one. While this volume wasn’t anywhere near as hilarious as the series opener, it still contains a lot of humor. We just have a lot more heart behind it! Plus, I loved the extra comic at the end and the notes from the author. I’m excited to check out the next volume and see where the story goes from here!

My Boyfriends Are All Monsters (Scared Sexy #6) by Kimberly Lemming

 

My Boyfriends Are All Monsters by Kimberly Lemming

My Rating: ★

When Lucy’s relationship finally hits its final snag on a camping trip, she’s done. Not only is her boyfriend ignoring that his best friend is trying to get with him, but he’s also abandoned her on a hiking trail because she’s slower than the rest of the group. Now that Lucy is finally ready to kick her man to the curb, she’s making her way back down the hiking trail and tossing a coin in a random wishing well. Lucky for her, a mysterious supernatural force is listening and more than happy to make her wish come true.

I really enjoy Kimberly Lemming’s work, so I couldn’t wait to start this novella! Unfortunately, it was a bit of a miss for me, but I’ll live. The story lost me when Lucy was mostly okay with randomly appearing in a small town after a mudslide. Even I would’ve gotten the hell out of dodge the second I realized that everyone looked like they jumped off a book cover or magazine. That said, I do like how supportive her friends were and I think there was some interesting backstory on Hemlock. I just wish we could’ve skipped the weird and confusing supernatural orgy at the end.

Beautiful Nightmare (Scared Sexy #5) by Katee Robert

Beautiful Nightmare by Katee Robert

My Rating: ★★★★★

Gemma has never fit in with other demons. She even failed so badly in training that she was assigned to be a sleep paralysis demon because it’s the simplest job. Unfortunately for her, she’s more terrified of scaring people than she is at actually being even remotely frightening. It’s a good thing that Gemma’s accidentally found herself spicing things up with Caleb rather than scaring him… or is it?

Alright. I’m going to need Katee Robert to write more paranormal romance novels because this was such a cute and fun read. It was also a really interesting take on sleep paralysis demons. I enjoyed reading about the structure of demons and how getting "disappeared” is every demon’s worst fear.

I loved the characters, the world building, and the backstory. Now I need to finally start Katee’s vampire series because this was a huge hit and I need more paranormal stories from her! I wish this wasn’t a stand alone story because I liked it that much.

Space Vampire (Scared Sexy #4) by Ruby Dixon

Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon

My Rating: ★★★★★

Dana is an unhappy human pet of an alien scientist who is barely fed and forced to wear ugly ribbons and clap for the occasional treat. When the space station she’s living on gets abandoned, she accidentally gets left behind with the person everyone was escaping from: Vlad. Dana figures she should get her owner’s enemy on her side, but it turns out that Vlad is nice. He’s just an accidental alien vampire creation, and they need to get the hell off the space station before anyone returns and ruins their chance at freedom.

I’m a fan of Ruby Dixon, so of course I was excited to check out this novella. We follow Dana and Vlad as they work to get the abandoned escape shuttle going so they can escape before any of the scientists return. Along the way, they fall in love, pack up the abandoned escape pod with noodles, and get ready for their grand escape.

While it’s a short read, I loved every single moment. If someone told me I’d be all over an alien vampire romance novel last year, I would’ve just been confused. Now I’m hoping to get some paranormal alien novels from Ruby because phew. This was excellent! If you’re new to the alien romance scene, I urge you to pick this up.

Spicy Little Curses (Scared Sexy #3) by J.T. Geissinger

 

Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger

My Rating: ★★★★

Petra has never been someone who believed in the paranormal, which makes her current assignment even more fun for her to investigate. So what’s a no-nonsense journalist to do when faced with an old curse that has now marked her for dead? Well, she’s going to make that hot and irritating tattoo artist with the mysterious supernatural tattoos help her, that’s what!

I really enjoyed this novella! We follow Petra as she tries to figure out the truth behind Dax and his mysterious abilities along with his family’s curse. We also follow Dax as he tries everything in his power to keep Petra away only to discover she’s been marked for death without even falling in love with him! I enjoyed watching these two bicker their way through the entire story.

This was such a good story. There’s mystery, humor, and tragedy with an excellent fated lovers plot. I think the pet names were irritating and usually forced, but otherwise, I really enjoyed reading this. I’m excited to check out Geissinger’s other books because I was glued to the pages with this one.

Falling (Scared Sexy #2) by Christina Lauren

 

Falling by Christina Lauren

My Rating: ★

The second Cat’s boyfriend arrived wearing the wrong costume, she knew Halloween was going to be a total dud. Once he abandoned her with strangers at the party, she knew she had to get out of there ASAP. It’s only by chance that Cat realized that the party wasn’t a complete dud. Now she’s intrigued by the mysterious man lurking in the shadows because he’s clearly not human.

I was a bit excited to check this novella out, and the paranormal aspect was pretty compelling. I was a little confused about what Brigan was at first and initially thought he was a new take on vampires, but that’s okay. However, I think the details about the curse that left him a Fallen was lacking because the novella abruptly ended when things were just picking up. I actually had to double check to make sure I didn’t somehow jump straight past the last of the book.

That said, I didn’t particularly enjoy reading Cat’s perspective. She was too superficial for me, and that was especially apparent whenever she was narrating the story. Brigan was more interesting, but I was far more interested in the Fallen lore than I was in either character. The romance was lacking as well because Cat and Brigan had absolutely no chemistry, which is tragic given their past and what it takes to break the curse.

All in all, it was a fun read, but there was no chemistry and I didn’t particularly care for Cat. I think I’d like this a lot more if it didn’t abruptly end right when the story started to pick up. I wouldn’t even call the ending a cliffhanger because it was more like the rest of the chapters simply weren’t included. I’m honestly baffled by this decision because it’s left me feeling like I only read part of a story.

Hot for Slayer (Scared Sexy #1) by Ali Hazelwood

Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood

My Rating: ★★★

What happens when a vampire slayer loses his memory after he saves the vampire he’s been hunting for centuries? Aethelthryth, aka Ethel, is about to find out because she’s got an amnesiac slayer on her hands. What’s even more confusing is why the hell did he save her when he’s worked so hard to kill her?! But 

I picked this up because this novella series seemed like a great way to check out some authors I haven’t read anything from yet. Amnesia has become one of my least favorite tropes over the last decade, so I rarely start a movie or book that has an amnesia plot. However, this time it was my own fault because I grabbed it and dove in without reading the synopsis. Oops!

That said, I liked this a lot. I had a love-hate relationship with it for a few, but Ali was hitting me with a lot of backstory and I was loving every second of it while waiting for the amnesia plot to get moving. The romance itself was pretty cute and wholesome in its own way, and this low on the spice front, so I’m going to remember it as being on the edge of wholesome in the long run. Plus, I really liked that Aethelthryth was not on board with starting a romance with someone who appeared to despise her up until he got amnesia.

All in all, this was a fun read. It’s cute, funny, and hits you with some good vampire-touched backstory. If you’re someone who enjoys amnesia plots, I think you’ll really like this. I ended up not hating the amnesia, so I think that anyone who enjoys amnesia plots is going to love it. I think that Ali could drop a full length novel with an amnesia plot and I would be on board with it, so take that as you will.

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 4 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 4 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

My Rating: ★★★★

Now that Iris and the duchy are back in the green, she’s ready to prepare for future disasters starting with preparing for potential floods. Unfortunately for her, the second prince’s camp is forging full speed ahead, especially once it looks like the king is not long in this world. Just when Iris thinks she’s prepared for anything, she receives a marriage proposal from an opposing kingdom and bad news comes her way…

I’ve been enjoying this series a lot, but I have been wondering if Iris was ever going to deal with the fact that she was reincarnated into a video game. I was glad to see she sort of deals with it this time around. It wasn’t anything deep, which I expected, but I’m glad it finally happened since it’s something I keep thinking about as I get deeper into the series.

A portion of this book was a little iffy because it focuses so much on Iris working and introducing new things to her duchy. The fact that every new thing she introduces goes super well is starting to get old, so I’m hoping to see at least one new system she brings forth get some pushback and/or just not go well in the future.

That said, there was a ton of character development for some characters and that was super exciting. It was also great to finally see the first and second prince’s factions finally fully face off. Plus, that cliffhanger was something else. I’d hate to see Iris of all people sit down and marry someone else instead of the person she’s in love with, but her reasons for being resigned to her fate also make complete sense. I guess we’ll see what happens! Hopefully, Dean will get it together and fight for her but we shall see.

Mushishi Collector's Edition 1 by Yuki Urushibara

Mushishi Collector's Edition 1 by Yuki Urushibara

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Kodansha Comics through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ginko is a traveling Mushishi who can never stay in one place too long because he’ll attract the very mushi he helps people deal with. The mushi exists somewhere between the living and the dead, and not everyone can see them, but he knows what to do once he’s looked into the situation. Along the way, he meets a variety of people he finds who are being affected by the mushi, including other Mushishis.

I’ve read Yuki Urushibara’s work before and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to get a chance to start this series. The story is absolutely wonderful. We follow Ginko on his adventures and see him helping several people, including those who don’t necessarily want his help. Along the way, we slowly begin to learn about Ginko and his life along with the characters he’s helping.

If you’re looking for a super mellow series, this might be up your alley. It’s a pretty slow burn, but we get a peek into the lives of those Ginko helps and get a little attached to some of them before it’s time for him to move on. The artwork is beautiful as well, so I really enjoyed going through the ups and downs with the characters. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Ginko along with what characters and different types of mushi we’ll see along the way.

Of Swamp & Sea, Vol. 2 by Mia Jay Boulton; Laurel Boulton

Of Swamp & Sea, Vol. 2 by Mia Jay Boulton; Laurel Boulton

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from 23rd St. through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After Mercy Gray Harding accidentally got possessed by the mist wolf that killed her father, things have gotten crazy. She has to leave home and never come back, and now that she has feelings for Jonah, she’s not entirely sure going back is something she wants to do. Together, they’re on a mission to get the wolf mist’s spirit out of her, but what if Mercy isn’t entirely sure that’s what she wants anymore? If only Jonah would stop insisting to lead a lonely life until the mystery behind his supernatural eye catches up to him…

I was so excited to start the second volume of this series. We’re back to following Mercy and her monster hunting friend, Jonah. This time around, we got some solid backstory on Jonah, which I was super interested in. Plus, it’s clear the two of them have feelings for each other, but Jonah is the stubborn party here. Though, I guess I don’t blame him once we learn about The Visitor and how he’s connected to it.

That said, we got to meet a new cast of characters and slowly set up the next volume in the process. I really enjoyed the group of traveling musicians they met. While I doubt we’ll see them again, it’ll be interesting to see if they pop up again, especially after the way things turned out. I also loved meeting Jonah’s old friend and getting confirmation on something I suspected might happen when I read the first volume.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and seeing the character growth that occurred. The artwork was stunning as always, and I really enjoyed the concept art at the end. I’m really enjoying this series, and now that it’s really picking up speed, I’m even more excited for the next volume than I predicted I’d be!

Murder on the Marlow Belle (The Marlow Murder Club #4) by Robert Thorogood

 

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Judith was just minding her own business when Verity Beresford approached her about her missing husband, Oliver. Unfortunately, Oliver washed ashore shortly after, so of course Judith is on the hunt for the killer with her fellow crime busting friends. Along the way, Suzie claims there’s a prophecy about Judith, and Tanika may be out of a job if they get busted investigating. What will these friends do?

I enjoyed the first two books in the series, but the third installment was a total dud. However, I wanted to read this book because I was determined to give this series a chance because it wasn’t a series destroying book. If you were also disappointed in the third installment, I encourage you to pick this up because it’s back to being the same series we all know and love. I especially love that Suzie came in with a so-called prophecy after giving herself a Tarot reading, which was absolutely hilarious.

All in all, I found this to be a fun read. I enjoyed the murder mystery even though the real killer seemed somewhat random in the grand scheme of things. I enjoyed seeing Becks figuring out how to deal with not liking her daughter’s boyfriend. I grew to dislike Judith in the last book and now she’s back to being a character I enjoy. Lizzie Jenkins, the big actress who returned to Marlow, was an interesting character that I almost wish we saw more of. Plus, Judith met her match during the investigation, and that was extremely enjoyable to see play out. I’m excited to read the next book!

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 3 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

 

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 3 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

My Rating: ★★★★

Iris has come out on the other side of every threat to her wellbeing with the help of her family and those she trusts most. Now she faces a few new threats, and one of her closest friends and personal guards asks a question not even she expected. Is Iris truly ready to defend the duchy with everything she has? It’s something she has to think about while she faces the fact that she’s in love with Dean and that someone is plotting something right under her nose…

This time around, we see the aftermath of Iris overcoming being excommunicated. It’s open season on her, but between her own abilities and the people she trusts most at her back, she’s not one who will easily be taken down. This was a fun read, but I think my favorite parts ended up being when we see a different person’s perspective. I do think Dida’s perspective was ultimately lacking, but I still enjoyed seeing it.

Overall, this was a good read, but the ending rolled through so quickly that it was a little short on the details in some areas. I was hoping for more details there, but it is what it is. All in all, I’m excited to pick up the next book and see where we go next. We got a smidge past where the seventh volume of the manga adaptation left off, so I’m excited to see where Iris and company go next. I’m also hoping that we’ll start to rotate perspectives more often as well as seeing if there’s anyone else reincarnated into this world.

I Lived an Honest Life Only to Have My Fiancé Betray Me, So in My New Life I'll Live as the Villainess, Vol. 2 by Sakura Shiba; Yuta Tomonari

 

I Lived an Honest Life Only to Have My Fiancé Betray Me, So in My New Life I'll Live as the Villainess, Vol. 2 by Sakura Shiba; Yuta Tomonari

My Rating: ★★★★★

Doomed to restart her life every time she gets to where everything went downhill in her first life, Mianna Caroline is determined to prove love isn’t real. Funnily enough, the only way to get out of this loop is to discover true love for herself! Knowing this, Mianna still doesn’t believe love is real, and finds herself lonely and sad as she runs away from the major changes she’s gone through. What will she do, and will she continue to refuse to see what’s blooming in her heart?

I really enjoyed the first volume, so of course I had to pick this up! We pick up right where we left off and watch Mianna’s injured and frozen heart start to defrost. I enjoyed seeing the character growth for her and the other characters, especially Prince Elliot. The ending of this volume might irritate some people, but I understand why she’s resigned as she gets closer to the ending of her current life.

That said, it was nice to see Mianna begin her healing journey. I think that part of the reason that I’m enjoying this series so much is because I see some of myself in Mianna. I understand a lot of what she’s gone through, so I’m rooting for her. It’ll be nice to see her make progress in her healing journey, find love and happiness, and hopefully justice as well by the end of the series. 

I’m looking forward to reading the next volume when it comes out. I’ll be a little sad if Mianna does start all over again, but I have a feeling that this will be the life that breaks the cycle. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes and if Mianna’s step sister is ever finally busted for being a vile excuse for a human being.

I Lived an Honest Life Only to Have My Fiancé Betray Me, So in My New Life I'll Live as the Villainess, Vol. 1 by Sakura Shiba; Yuta Tomonari

I Lived an Honest Life Only to Have My Fiancé Betray Me, So in My New Life I'll Live as the Villainess, Vol. 1 by Sakura Shiba; Yuta Tomonari

My Rating: ★★★★★

Mianna Caroline spent her first life doing everything right. Originally born a light mage, she worked hard to please her father once her mom passed away, but even he never cared about her. Being dumped by her fiancé in favor of her vindictive step sister was the final straw, which unleashed magic never before seen in humans. Next thing she knew, she was reborn and given a second chance at life… only for her to be determined to prove that love is fake!

I enjoyed this book so much. We follow Mianna, who keeps being reborn so that she could discover love. However, she’s determined to prove that love is fake even though she’s been informed that she’s going to keep repeating this life until she finds love and heals. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I got was amazing.

Mianna and the other characters are so much fun to follow. Well, except her step sister that basically no one seems to notice is an awful person because she’s cute and dumb. I know that sounds silly, but I’ve seen people go for this in real life, so it’s not that far-fetched. It’s also fun to see Mianna surprised by the very people she always believed hated her.

All in all, I can’t wait to start the next book. It’s a good read with an excellent story, interesting characters, and stunning artwork. It starts off a little sad and rocky, but it’s nothing crazy, and it quickly evens out and gets rolling. It’s ultimately a story of healing, which I like a lot.

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé, Vol. 1 by Fumito

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé, Vol. 1 by Fumito

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from Kodansha Comics through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

On the surface, Takanashi has everything: good looks, great health, and a blossoming career. Privately, he’s struggling with ED, so he’s been politely turning down every woman who throws herself at him. Everything changes when he bonds with Hiwatari and decides to confide in him only for things to look up… a little too up! Now things are flip flopping all over the place at work and Hiwatari just wants to be close to Takanashi even if things remain platonic.

This story was absolutely hilarious. We follow Takanashi and one of his subordinates, Hiwatari, as they come together to deal with two very different issues. Hiwatari wants to confess his feelings while Takanashi wants to tell someone about his struggles with ED, especially because he hasn’t told anyone! There’s a series of hilarious events that has them bonding in the most unexpected ways, and Takanashi starts developing feelings of his own somewhere along the way.

The artwork is fun and the story is pretty lighthearted and is hilarious in ways I couldn’t have predicted. This ended up turning into a pick-me-up story I didn’t know I wanted. However, if it wasn’t for the way the volume ended, I think it could’ve worked as a stand-alone. Since it is the first in a series, I’m looking forward to seeing how these characters develop. I predict that the romance will be a slow burn, which is fine by me. All in all, it was a fun read, so I’m excited to pick up the next volume.

In Love's Key, Reprised by Guri Nojiro

In Love's Key, Reprised by Guri Nojiro

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Vertical Comics through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Kiri’s health forces him to take time off from work, he begrudgingly returns to his hometown. Nothing seems to be going right for him, and social media is booming with tales of his terrible attitude as a conductor. Insert Osamu, who is vibrating from excitement about Kiri’s return. It’s been years since Kiri unknowingly saved him, and he’s determined to help Kiri in any way he can. Will Osamu melt Kiri’s frozen heart?

This is such a sweet story about loneliness, burnout, friendship, and love. I really enjoyed following Kiri and Osamu through their tentative friendship that turns into love. They have totally different personalities that work well together, and it was great seeing them learn to trust each other as the story progressed. I also loved how open and caring Osamu’s family was to the point that I would love to hang out with them.

I enjoyed this so much that I can’t wait to check out the author’s other work. It’s a slow burn romance, and I really enjoyed seeing how Kiri and Osama learned to work together and communicate along the way. Plus, the artwork is stunning! If you’re up for a contemporary romance, I think you’ll enjoy this.

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 2 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 2 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

My Rating: ★★★★★

It’s been two years since Iris was publicly humiliated by her former fiancé and remembered her past life as an accountant. Since then, she’s turned being banished into a fulfilling life. Her business is booming and she’s transformed Armelia for the better. Now her life is about to change once again because the royal family has invited her to a celebration, which will force Iris back into the politics of high society. With her family and friends at her back, she’s about to learn how to play the game and discover who else is on her side.

I’ve been enjoying the manga adaptation of this series, so I’m excited that I’ll be continuing the light novels because I loved this volume. The first volume was good, but the manga adaptation was so close to that volume that I wasn’t sure if I would be continuing after this one. We’re starting to see how the light novels are able to expand more on the characters and this world. I think this will be a pattern we’ll see as the story continues, which will make the manga adaptation a great companion to the series. I’m excited to check out the next volume soon.

Clementine: Book Three by Tillie Walden

Clementine: Book Three by Tillie Walden

My Rating: ★★★

Clementine, Olivia, and Ricca finally find a peaceful settlement they can all agree on hoping to call it home. Unfortunately, they just can’t seem to catch a break when they suffer a loss they couldn’t have predicted. Now Clementine finds herself on the edge of self-destruction while working under a mentor who understands her, but what will she do when it turns out this mentor is addicted to power?

While I wasn’t ready for this series to wrap up, I still picked up the final volume so I could see how the character’s journeys end. The official summary gave away a major character death, but I still wasn’t expecting how it would happen. The entire scene was so random that it honestly would’ve made more sense if it turned out the town was poisoning whoever they decided could go.

The final volume had a different vibe from the previous installments, which I think set the tone for the story, but it lacked heart in some areas. That said, I enjoyed seeing the characters and their world one last time. It’s not what I was expecting, but overall, I’m happy with how this series ended.

Branded by Saffron A. Kent

 

Branded by Saffron A. Kent

My Rating: ★★

I received a copy from Forever through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Reverie started writing to an inmate under her best friend’s name, she never expected to fall in love. It’s why she’s taking a chance by meeting Bo at a café after he was released. Being perfectly safe and apparently boring never made her feel the way Bo does. The only problem is that Bo doesn’t seem to like what he sees because he blatantly rejected her. Reverie can’t let it go, but that only led to trouble because now she’s been abducted and is being forced to marry Bo… except it turns out that her pen pal was never really Bo all along.

I’ve officially been influenced by the dark romance readers of TikTok and picked up a dark romance novel. We follow Reverie and “Bo” through their rotating perspectives, but our main protagonist is Reverie. Several chapters include some of their letters before the actual chapter gets started, and I thought that was pretty cool. I love when there are letters or journal entries included in or between chapters.

However, I’m on the fence about the romance itself because I didn’t think they had much chemistry. I had a hard time believing they were into each other enough that they kept chasing after each other no matter how many times one pushed the other away. Honestly, the amount of times Reverie gets pushed away had me wondering why she kept running back. Sure, she’s naive, but “Bo” is also extremely immature, and neither of them seem to notice or acknowledge that part of him.

That said, I don’t think it’s a bad book. I just didn’t care for the leads and their lack of chemistry in addition to how many times Reverie got pushed away only to come running back. I also found myself more and more interested in some of the supporting characters and non-romance plots as the story went on. If you’re looking for a fast paced book with a range of predictable to crazy twists and turns, this may be something you’re interested in. I think it’s all about what you’re in the mood to read with this one.

All Are Welcome (Cat's Café #3) by Gwen Tarpley

All Are Welcome by Gwen Tarpley

My Rating: ★★★★★

Everyone is welcome at Cat’s Café! In this third book in the series, follow all your favorite characters in a series of touching, heartwarming, funny, and relatable comics! It’s hard to feel left out when reading this because there will always be at least a couple comics that are relatable!

This time around, I was really excited to see some Halloween comics as well as cryptids making their way into the cast of characters! Whether you’re looking for something fun and relatable or just seriously adorable, the cast of characters will be happy to welcome you in. I’m excited to see where Gwen Tarpley takes these characters next, and if we’ll see more cryptids in the future!

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 1 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter, Vol. 1 by Reia; Hazuki Futaba

My Rating: ★★★★

Iris was a workaholic who loved playing otome games during what little free time she had. Everything changed when she was hit by a car and woke up in one of the games she played! Now she’s Iris Almeria, and even though she’s the daughter of the Prime Minister himself, she’s had the unfortunate luck of remembering who she used to be right as she’s about to get the bad ending of the game. If she thinks fast, can she avoid getting sent to a nunnery?

I read the first eight volumes of the manga adaptation of this series, so of course I had to check out the light novels! We follow Iris Almeria right as she’s getting the bad ending of the otome game she played in her past life… or is she? Because she’s using her newly remembered past life to squeak by and find fulfillment with her new path in life! We quickly discover that Iris was never truly a villainess to anyone but her ex-fiancé's soon to be new fiancé.

While I enjoyed reading this, I found that there are very few differences between it and the manga adaptation. I was expecting there to be at least some expansion of the story and characters, but at this point, I might as well have skipped reading the light novel since I already read the manga. I’m going to check out the next volume anyway, but if it turns out to just be the written account of every panel of the manga adaptation, there’s a good chance I’m going to bow out since the only difference is the form it takes to tell the story.

The Shocking Experiments of Miss Mary Bennet by Melinda Taub

The Shocking Experiments of Miss Mary Bennet by Melinda Taub

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Bennet has always been different from her sisters. Considered the ugly sister by society and the odd one by just about everyone, she’s never fit in. As a scientist, what other people think mostly doesn’t matter as long as she is able to find ways to learn about and practice it. Everything changes when Mary finds a friend in Septimus Pike after striking a business deal with him. When her hard work becomes extremely fruitful, Mary discovers that Pike isn’t what she believed him to be, and he discovers that she can raise the dead.

This is among the most interesting Pride and Prejudice retellings I’ve read because it’s also a Frankenstein retelling! Told through a series of letters, and later diary entries, we follow the ultimate middle child: Mary Bennet. The story truly brings the forgotten sister to the forefront and we get to watch her fight her way to get around what society will allow a woman to do. During her journey, we also see her figure out how to bring the recently deceased back to life and how that quickly goes south.

You have no idea how excited I was to read this book! It was almost everything I’d hope it would be. I was completely absorbed in the story until the very end, which is when it started to fizzle out. My only real complaint is that Mary’s early letters sound more like they came from her memoir, and the rest of her letters were really just diary entries before they actually became her diary entries later on. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story.

The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride, Vol. 3 by Mamenosuke Fujimaru; Midori Yuma

The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride, Vol. 3 by Mamenosuke Fujimaru; Midori Yuma

My Rating: ★★★★★

Just when Nanao was finally settling in, her cousin and former fiancé seem to be very determined to ruin her life now that she’s finally found happiness. She and Yako have chosen each other, but outsiders are determined to break them apart… thankfully, Nanao’s abusers are crashing and burning, but will they take Nanao with them?

I have been enjoying this series so much. We pick up right where we left off and hit the ground running. We’ve got Nanao’s jealous cousin, Akemi, trying to destroy her life out of jealousy yet again. I liked seeing a glimpse into the past again. It was just enough to see even more about how Akemi has always been as a person before jumping to the present where her life is falling apart. Then we’ve got Nanao’s former fiancé throwing divorce on the table because he’s determined to make Nanao his wife. The man is a creep with a wandering eye.

Nanao has grown so much since the first volume even though not that much time has passed. She may be quiet and wary, but she’s finding her strength and is learning how to use it to defend herself. Trust me when I say you will want to pick up this series. The plot is excellent, the artwork is stunning, and let’s just say that justice gets served and that it’s even better than expected.

I’m so excited to pick up the next volume and see how things will continue to unfold. Plus, I really like the little extras we get at the end of each volume. I’m hoping to get my hands on volume 4 soon!

The Haunting of Bellington Cottage by Laura Parnum

The Haunting of Bellington Cottage by Laura Parnum

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Storytide through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Iris has been looking forward to finally seeing Violet again after years because it’s sure to be even better than the last time their families took a trip together. She’s ready to repeat the fun they had giving their previous rental a spoopy makeover, but when Violet arrives, nothing is the same. She now goes by Vee, and not only does she not want to be there, but also doesn’t want to do much with Iris. Things only get worse when it turns out that their current rental is haunted and everyone thinks Iris and Vee are behind the ghost’s activities. It’s up to them to figure out who is haunting the house and help put them to rest!

If you’re looking for a paranormal coming of age story, then you can’t possibly go wrong with this book! We follow Iris as she’s finally reunited with her old friend Vee. Unfortunately for her, Vee isn’t excited to be on this trip, and she’s changed a lot since the last time they saw each other. Between getting the blame for the ghost’s activities and the struggles Iris and Vee are silently going through, it’s hard for the two to get on the same page. Thankfully, teaming up to help the restless ghost does them and the ghost a lot of good.

I love that this is a paranormal mystery that helps these former friends reconnect and discover the power of communication. It’s a great message for middle school readers who may relate to Iris and Violet. It’s also a story about change, and I think a lot of the target audience will relate to this, especially because it also involves navigating friendships that are changing due to various reasons. I like that it’s not afraid to touch on jealousy and loneliness as well as figuring out how to deal with it.

All in all, this was an excellent read. It’s also something I would’ve especially loved when I was in middle school. Plus, there’s a paranormal mystery that is sure to draw readers in. I think it’s an excellent read and that you really can’t go wrong with picking this up.

Witchy Stitching: 25 Patterns to Haunt Your Home by Meg Black

Witchy Stitching: 25 Patterns to Haunt Your Home by Meg Black

My Rating: ★★★★★

If you’re looking for some spoopy cross stitching patterns, then this is the book for you! Inside, you will find 25 wonderful patterns along with a couple extras. Other than the great patterns that are both fun and spoopy, I really like that there’s a comprehensive materials guide on top of all the information you need on how to actually cross stitch. I love this because it means that people who have never cross stitched before can pick this up and learn how to cross stitch and read patterns. It’s also the first time I’ve seen a solid guide on what needles to use!

Plus, there’s a tutorial on how Meg likes to make bookmarks and a section on how to stitch with beads. I thought that this was really cool, especially the section on stitching with beads. I’ve been cross stitching and doing embroidery for years now, but I haven’t started using beads yet either. Seeing this section really inspired me to buy some beads and start adding it to some of my projects. I already use glow in the dark floss from DMC and Kreinik, but now I’m excited to start adding beads!

All in all, this is an excellent book. If you’re on the fence and not familiar with The Witchy Stitcher aka Meg, I urge you to look up their shop or check out their social media to see what kind of patterns they have available to see if you like their style. Personally, I think you really can’t go wrong with this pattern book if you like anything Halloween or otherwise spoopy!

Amari and the Despicable Wonders (Supernatural Investigations #3) by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston

My Rating: ★★

Dylan Van Helsing has officially declared war on the supernatural world, and it’s up to Amari and her friends to beat him to the final punch that will destroy everything. But first… she needs to hide out because she’s now public enemy #1! Magicless, on the run, and trying to save the world, Amari has her work cut out for her!

I’ve really been enjoying this series, but unfortunately, this one was a bit of a dud. There was a lot of filler, which didn’t help with the pacing issues. We were either going at a snail’s pace or straight into full action. Plus, there’s some major plot holes and I’m still trying to figure out how a certain event that occurs at the end even makes sense, especially with how the laws of magic work in this world. I’m not even going to get into how middle school age readers are given a lesson about hotheaded decisions before throwing that lesson straight out the window.

That said, there were some things about it. I really enjoyed the new characters along with seeing all of our old favorites. There are some funny moments and some pretty solid emotional moments. I liked seeing some of the characters grow as well as one of the characters realizing how far they’ve come since the start of the series.

All in all, I’m feeling iffy about this book. It feels like it was meant to be the final book. If the book had a slightly different ending, this would stand up very well as the end of the series. However, there are some good things going for it, and the previous two books were excellent reads. I’m going to give the series a chance and check out the next book because I think this will likely be the lone dud.

The Genius Bat: The Secret Life of the Only Flying Mammal by Yossi Yovel

 

The Genius Bat: The Secret Life of the Only Flying Mammal by Yossi Yovel

My Rating: ★★★

I received a copy from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for a book on bats, this might be for you! Inside, you will find a lot of information on bats covering everything from their roosting habits to their evolution. While there’s almost 1500 species of bats, some good coverage on a smaller selection of bats without touching on everything. I think that if you’re super interested in echolocation, this will be up your alley for sure.

That said, while this book was an interesting read, a lot more time was spent on covering the research community and travels than I expected. I was expecting a lot more information on bats, less echolocation coverage, and less research and travel coverage. I think that it was an enjoyable read, but it was different from what I was expecting. If you’re interested in this book, just know that it’s selective about the bat species covered and that there’s a huge emphasis on echolocation before jumping in. It’s all about adjusting your expectations so you’re not in for a surprise later because I was hoping for more bat species coverage than what was actually covered.

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke, Vol. 3-4 by Ushio Shirotori; Ichibu Saki

 

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke, Vol. 3-4  by Ushio Shirotori; Ichibu Saki

My Rating: ★★★★

Claire Martino has managed to land on her feet in Paffuto. Thanks to her hard work and dedication paired with her honest personality, she’s starting to make a name for herself. Unfortunately, that also means she’s caught the attention of the people behind her mother’s death. At least she has the protection of the crown, but her new engagement to Vik also means she will have to face the people she ran away from.

I’ve been really enjoying this series. Following Claire as she creates a new life for herself and getting to know all the characters has been wonderful. I really liked that we didn’t see anything about Claire’s life being a dating game for a while, but then it came in and shook things up just when things were getting really interesting!

Thankfully, the story is still good, but I’m a little iffy about how we suddenly speed through events to get to where the story can get going again. It’ll be interesting to see where we go from here and what Claire will choose to do about the different game saves that are the different paths her life can take. I’m most interested in seeing what her sister, Charlotte, does this time around. We got to see exactly how far she’s willing to go to make things go her way, so it’ll be interesting to see what the similarities and differences will be this time around.

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke, Vol. 1-2 by Ushio Shirotori; Ichibu Saki

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke, Vol. 1-2 by Ushio Shirotori; Ichibu Saki

My Rating: ★★★★

Claire Martino’s life had been planned from the second she was born. Everything changed when it turned out she had weak magical abilities. Her family turned on her, her fiancé prepared to marry her younger sister, and every single good thing in her life slipped straight through her fingers. When it turns out her little sister is behind setting her up to lose everything, Claire sneaks away to start over. Now that she’s in Paffuto, it turns out that even her magical abilities are far stronger than anyone could’ve ever imagined, and now she’s a governess who is attending the royal academy to learn how to control her magic.

When I picked up the first volume, I was not expecting to get so sucked into the story. I read the first two volumes back to back because I just couldn’t get enough. We follow Claire as she discreetly slips away from her life to start over, but she accidentally finds herself close friends with the future king of Paffuto and discovers that her magical abilities are crazy strong!

I love seeing Claire start over and slowly uncover the mystery behind her mother’s birth. The characters are interesting, the plot is top tier, and the artwork is stunning. I’m particularly interested in seeing how things slowly unfold with her jealous younger sister as the story progresses. Plus, it’ll be interesting to see just how much Claire can do and how many people have figured out who her mother really is.

All in all, I’m really enjoying this series and I look forward to checking out the novels as well. My only complaint is that it turns out that Claire’s life is also a video game. At this point, it doesn’t really make sense because we’ve barely spent any time with her in our world. The things she’s learned from the brief moments she’s been in our world hasn’t added anything to the story because she either already had that information or was headed in that direction anyway. So far, this plot point has only disrupted the pace of the story, but I hope to see it pan out as I continue to read.