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.

Penguin & House, Vol. 1 by Akiho Ieda

 

Penguin & House, Vol. 1 by Akiho Ieda

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

Pen and Hayakawa are best buds, but Pen isn’t just anyone. He’s a penguin! He loves to cook, bake, and hang out with his best friend. Hayakawa is a bit of a mess, but he means well, and he loves Pen with his whole heart! What shenanigans will Pen get up to in the name of Hayakawa?!

This is such an adorable book. We follow Pen the penguin and his best friend and owner, Hayakawa, who is a university student. Hayakawa is lazy and accident prone, but he’s also nice and loves Pen with every ounce of his being. It’s too bad that his thoughtlessness leads to a lot of grief for poor little Pen!

If you’re looking for a feel good story told through a series of short chapters that are a lot like short comics following the characters, then I think this will be a pretty solid read for you! It’s so cute and funny, and we get to see Pen bond with more than just Hayakawa. I loved it!

My Roommate from Hell by Cale Dietrich

 

My Roommate from Hell by Cale Dietrich

My Rating: ★

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

Owen’s college life was already not going as planned when he finds out that not only is Zarmenus, the literal prince of Hell, going to his college, but he’s also his new roommate. It wouldn’t be so bad if they got along, but they’re rarely on the same page. When Zar’s activities begin to put the already fragile demon-human relations on the line, Owen finds himself agreeing to pretend to be the prince of Hell’s boyfriend. What will happen when these fake boyfriends begin to develop real feelings?

I was excited to start reading this because enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and fake dating? Sign me up! Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that I didn’t particularly care for Owen, and he’s the narrator of the story, so you can just imagine the kind of pickle I was in. I think I would’ve liked it a lot more if Owen’s narration didn’t go overboard at times. It felt like we were getting a blow by blow narration of every little thing, which made the story drag for me.

That said, I do like that there are some realistic issues thrown in. For example, there’s a lot of issues that could’ve been solved with some basic communication, but these are a bunch of brand new adults at a university and communication isn’t always the first choice. The usual college life shenanigans were also fun to see play out.

All in all, I really wish I enjoyed the book more than I did, but I only made it about halfway through before I gave up. It was getting harder and harder to follow Owen as he seemed to narrate every second. I liked Owen and Zar’s parents, and Zar didn’t seem so bad, but I think that me not liking Owen or his narration put a huge damper on the book. Is this a book for you? It could be! It just wasn’t for me.

Bound to the Shadow Prince by Ruby Dixon

Bound to the Shadow Prince by Ruby Dixon

My Rating: ★★★★

When Princess Candra learns she’s about to spend the next seven years of her life bricked away in a tower, she’s pissed. Now she has mere days to prepare to trade her pampered life full of games and lovers for a life of solitude by candlelight. Candra would give anything to escape her fate, but she knows that running away will doom her people to the wrath of their goddess. It’s even worse when she’s reminded it’s seven years with a Fellian prince because they come from enemy kingdoms… or is it? Nemeth is certainly different from everything she’s been told about the Fellians.

I love Ruby’s other books, so I had been dying to pick this up. We follow Candra from the moment she realizes that her life is about to change in this Rapunzel inspired story. I thought Candra being forced to live in a tower with a prince was a fun twist. We’re served enemies to lovers with a nice side of forced proximity. If that’s not your thing, you should probably skip this book. However, if that’s up your alley, I urge you to pick this up. There’s so many layers to this story that I was fully sucked in until the very end.

While I loved reading this, I do think that the pacing was a bit off, and that we sped straight through the ending and into the epilogue while skipping over some things. Plus, the entire saga around the magical knife could’ve gone better. Otherwise, I enjoyed the characters and the romance. It was mostly a pretty good read and different from what I’m used to seeing from Ruby.

SOS Hotel: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay! (SOS Hotel #1) by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash

SOS Hotel: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay! by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash

My Rating: ★★★

When Adam Vex decided to open a hotel that’s a safe haven for the supernatural with his sex demon business partner, he thought it was a great idea. Then opening day came and not a single thing went right. The hotel has a bunch of protestors, there’s a reporter questioning how he managed to buy the property out from a very rich and very angry real estate mogul, and his only client is an elite vampire who doesn’t like demons. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, a dead body turns up. Poor Adam doesn’t have time for a murder mystery because this hotel must stay open at all costs!

The story is narrated by Adam, a not-so-human guy, from the moment he opens SOS Hotel. He needs this hotel to make it because the safety its wards provide will keep him alive in the event someone figures out what he is. It’s  one of those books that is a really easy read. It has some great characters, it’s funny, and it feels like it could go in any direction at any moment. It feels like I’m just lounging inside Adam’s brain and watching his life unfold.

However, I thought it was weird that the story is not very forthcoming about his biggest secret when it’s the main reason behind Adam opening the hotel. The pacing is pretty fast, but sometimes it seems like we’re spending too much time on the most random moments. It was a really entertaining read, so I don’t think that it’s that big of a deal, though.

Overall, I did enjoy reading this. Zodiac and Tom are my favorite characters, and I’m interested in seeing how the story unfolds. It’ll also be interesting to see what exciting new characters will be entering the pictures along with all the hilarious interactions and other shenanigans.

Of Swamp & Sea, Vol. 1 by Mia Jay Boulton; Laurel Boulton

Of Swamp & Sea, Vol. 1 by Mia Jay Boulton; Laurel Boulton

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

When Mercy Gray Harding hired a monster hunter, she thought he’d hunt down the monster that brutally murdered her father. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned, and now she’s possessed by a mist wolf! Now Mercy and the wolf seem to be merging into one, and Jonah is determined to do his best to fix things since it was his hunt that went wrong.

When I picked this up, I didn’t know just how much I was going to love it! We follow Mercy, a young woman who is mourning her late father. Once she gets possessed by the wolf, we see her and Jonah become a team of sorts as the story continues. I really liked how much we began to get to know the two of them while also confirming that Jonah has a lot of layers just waiting to slowly be revealed.

I really like Mercy, so it’ll be interesting to see if she and the wolf possessing her eventually happily merge… or if it’ll go how Jonah fears. I also really liked seeing one of the judgmental folks from town get to discover that Mercy isn’t one to mess with. The budding romance looks promising and I really liked the style of humor as well as the artwork. I’m looking forward to checking out the next volume!

My Instructor Won't Yield by Deme Kingyobachi

 

My Instructor Won't Yield by Deme Kingyobachi

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

Chiba is a driving instructor with such a shining personality that everyone can’t help but fall in love with him. However, his last relationship ended so badly that he’s sworn off love all together! Everything changes when a nervous driving student, Yaotome, gets in his car. His coworkers call Yaotome the sharp-suited prince, but it turns out he’s an easy going and accident prone guy with a heart of gold. What other secrets are about to come out between this love-scorned driving instructor and his shy student?!

This is such a cute and funny contemporary romance following a driving instructor and his shy student. What starts as a slow accidental friendship slowly blossoms into a sweet romance as Chiba and Yaotome slowly get to know each other. While it’s mostly light and fluffy, we do see their individual struggles and how Chiba became so jaded by romance.

If you like contemporary romances with a touch of humor, I think this will be an excellent read for you. It’s a pretty quick read, but it’s a sweet and funny one at that. Plus, the artwork is nice and helps bring the story to life. You can’t go wrong by picking this up! I liked it so much that I’m excited to check out the author’s other work in the future.

Amigurumi Critters: 25 Imaginative Crochet Designs for All Skill Levels by Amy Ting

 

Amigurumi Critters: 25 Imaginative Crochet Designs for All Skill Levels by Amy Ting

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Cider Mill Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for a super cute and comprehensive crochet pattern book, then this is the book for you! Inside, you will find 25 adorable patterns along with a pretty good guide to crocheting. I also like that there’s QR codes included for anyone who needs them, whether it’s yarn recommendations or tutorial videos. Plus, the patterns are well written, have difficulty levels listed, and include multiple photos that will be helpful to crocheters of all skill levels.

My favorite pattern is Perry the Pug. It’s the pattern that really caught my eye and I can’t wait to crochet that up! That said, every single pattern is super cute, and I’m excited to see capybaras included because I’m obsessed with them.

The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride, Vol. 2 by Mamenosuke Fujimaru; Midori Yuma

The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride, Vol. 2 by Mamenosuke Fujimaru; Midori Yuma

My Rating: ★★★★★

After spending so many years being used and abused on top of being an outcast abandoned by even her own parents, Nanao still feels like her new life is a dream that can end at any time. However, she’s slowly learning that there’s an entire world out there who won’t consider her a tainted and impure person. It will be a long road to recovering for Nanao, but she’s learning that she has more in common with Yako than she expected. As the man known as the Tsubaki Demon, Yako knows what it’s like to have even your own family look at you in disgust. They will face their past as they try to run full speed ahead toward a better future. It’s just a question of whether or not that is something they will do together.

I absolutely loved the first volume, so you have no idea how excited I was when I learned that the second volume was out already. We pick up right where we left off and learn how deep Nanao’s scars truly run. I feel so bad for her, and I’m so happy to watch her slowly discover that she’s worthy. We’re also learning more about Yako and his past, and how he has more in common with Nanao than even he realized. It’s really great to see them slowly get to know each other and slowly fall in love during the process.

I’m also really excited to learn more about the supporting characters and see their friendships in action. Plus, we’re learning more about Nanao’s cousin and how deep her jealousy runs, so it’s also nice to see that karma is knocking on her door. Reito isn’t an ounce better than his wife, so I think they deserve each other. There’s so much going on that I can’t say because they’re spoilers, but phew. It looks like everyone from Nanao’s past is about to have a lot of in-fighting.

All in all, this was another amazing read and I can’t wait for the next volume. There are so many layers to this story that I truly cannot recommend it enough.

Creepy Cross-Stitch: 25 Spooky Projects to Haunt Your Halls by Lindsay Swearingen

Creepy Cross-Stitch: 25 Spooky Projects to Haunt Your Halls by Lindsay Swearingen

My Rating: ★★★★★

If you’re a cross stitcher and love all things spoopy, then this is the book for you! Inside, you will find 25 wonderfully spoopy patterns classified by dearly departed, haunted homes, dark florals, spooky rooms, creature feature, or vintage Halloween. Plus, there’s a comprehensive materials and techniques section that will help newer cross stitchers!

Other than loving the patterns, I’m particularly happy that the pattern charts are in full color. However, it won’t be hard to transfer them into black and white patterns yourself if that is your preference. I bought the ebook, and the majority of the patterns are single page patterns in the ebook. All in all, I am really happy with this book and am excited to get into the full Halloween spirit with it!

A Crochet World of Creepy Creatures and Cryptids by Rikki Gustafson

A Crochet World of Creepy Creatures and Cryptids by Rikki Gustafson

My Rating: ★★★★

If you’re a crocheter who enjoys making amigurumi and loves cryptids and other mythical beings, then this is the book for you! Inside, you will find 40 wonderful patterns separated into the following sections: cryptids, man-eaters, creatures of the deep, forest dwellers, mischief makers, and winged beasts. There’s a little bit of information on each being before the pattern, which I love!

I wouldn’t say that this is a beginner friendly pattern book, but there are patterns that will be easy for beginners to follow. However, the patterns do not have experience levels listed for anyone looking for that. If you’re newer to crocheting but still want to pick up this book, I say do it. You can determine which patterns will come easier to you based on your experience level after looking at the finished project photos and reading the patterns. Of course, you can always choose to challenge yourself based on what experience you have and what you’re ready to take on! Otherwise, you just have to be aware of what your typical gauge is using the same types of yarn the author uses because they did not include the gauge for the patterns.

All in all, I love this book and am excited to pick up some yarn to make some of these patterns in the future. The patterns are well written and easy to follow, and I never thought about painting safety eyes for my projects. I learned something new when I didn’t expect to!

A Vampire in the Bathhouse by Niko Izuki

 

A Vampire in the Bathhouse by Niko Izuki

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

Luka is not one to admit he’s suffering from a terrible hangover. He’s a vampire, and he’s way too powerful and regal to let alcohol get the best of him! So what’s his response? Well, a nice trip away from the demon world is in order! That’s how Luka finds himself taking a nice, rejuvenating dip at a bathhouse. His clothes may have gone missing when he was sent from the demon world to the human world, but now he needs to bond with someone so that he has more control over his vampire powers during his stay. What could possibly go wrong?

I picked this up hoping to find a cute and funny story, and that’s exactly what I got. What I didn’t expect was for it to also be a heartwarming story! We follow Luka and Sakura during their adventures during this fun story. Luka is a vampire in need of a vacation, and Sakura is the grandson of the bathhouse owner who works hard to take care of the bathhouse and his little brother. Together, hilarity ensues!

Throughout the story, we get to know the small cast of characters and what makes Sakura’s family bathhouse so amazing. We get to watch Luka discover their town’s sense of community all while growing close with Sakura and his family. I really loved the sense of found family we get in this story, but it’s also absolutely hilarious. If you’re looking for something sweet and funny, I urge you to pick this up.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash (Kingdom of Gods #1) by J.F. Johns

 

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns

My Rating: ★★★★

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

Mal Blackburn has always been different. Born with purple eyes exclusive to witches, she’s always heard whispers about herself. A witch hasn’t been seen since the war that wiped them straight out of existence a century ago. Now Mal is facing an arranged marriage meant to unite the Kingdom of Darkness with the Kingdom of Fire. However, she doesn’t plan to help unite the kingdoms. She plans to kill the fire prince and break the curse that’s been waiting to take effect for the last century, but what will happen when she discovers that her future husband isn't the cruel man he’s rumored to be?

The first couple chapters had me so confused that I almost ditched this book. I decided to give it a chance anyway and I am so glad that I did because it turned out to be really good. We follow a range of characters through their rotating perspectives, and each chapter is broken up by bits of journal entries from the woman who cast the curse looming over the few who believe in it. There’s a huge cast of characters, but it works out because many are well developed and we hop around perspectives all book long. However, you might need to prepare yourself because it’s going to take a good minute to get everyone down.

The romance between the main couple, Mal and Ash, was nice but I didn’t feel the fire the two swore they felt burning between each other. If anything, they seemed doomed from the start, and without dropping spoilers… I still feel that way about them. The real chemistry was all between Kai and Alina. Those two were sizzling every time they even thought about each other!

I do think the author needs to find another way to describe facial expressions though. If anyone decides to take a shot every time someone’s lips curled, they’d have alcohol poisoning. I don’t think I want to ever see anyone’s lips curling in a book again after this, so I hope there’s a lot less of that in the next book.

That said, this was a really good read. If you’re looking for excellent world building, intricate plots, enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, great sibling dynamics, court politics, magic, and a good dose of betrayal, then I urge you to pick this up. When I reached the end of the book, I kept telling myself that I was going to read one more chapter and found myself still awake and totally blown away by some of the revelations at 3am. The foreshadowing was flawless, the story kept me entertained until the very end, and now I’m excited to see where this goes in the next book.

Sweet Obsession (Dark Olympus #8) by Katee Robert

Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert

My Rating: ★★

When Icarus chose to sacrifice himself to make sure his sister could escape, he knew what it meant for him. He knows that if he plays his cards right, he may be able to turn being Poseidon’s captive into an advantage…

I was looking forward to reading this because Icarus and Poseidon had crazy chemistry the entire time they were at the dock. Plus, the events of the last book was a really good setup for the non-romance plot, so I was ready to jump straight into this. While they still had chemistry, most of it fizzled out before the romance could truly start. It didn’t help that we were being told basically everything rather than being shown it, so I was bored for much of the book. 

I really struggled my way through this one. I liked Poseidon, but I found Icarus to be extremely fake even in his own head. Between their chemistry taking a huge dip, the plot with Circe vs Olympus moving at a snail’s pace, and feeling like the characters were doing some kind of long-winded almost info dump in their minds, I was just slugging along. There were some interesting parts, but otherwise, I was just bored and waiting for something to happen.

I am interested in seeing the series through to the end because I want to see how everything pans out, so I’m still going to check out the next book. I think this one might’ve just been an accidental miss because I don’t think it was supposed to fizzle out the way that it did. However, I’m going to keep my expectations low and see what happens because I have been looking forward to reading Zeus and Hera’s book.

Elvira's Cookbook from Hell by Cassandra Peterson

Elvira's Cookbook from Hell by Cassandra Peterson

My Rating: ★★★★

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

If you’re an Elvira fan and like to collect anything related to her, then this will be a good book for you! Inside, you will find a variety of spoopy recipes and crafts. While the ARC I received is a 29-page excerpt, I fully plan on buying the book.. From the 29-pages I did receive, it looks like a fun book full of tasty recipes and dining crafts with a spoopy spin on them. While there isn’t anything necessarily new, it’s perfect for the Halloween vibes whether or not you are an Elvira fan.

Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting: Stitch 3-D Nature Motifs by Megan Zaniewski

 

Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting: Stitch 3-D Nature Motifs by Megan Zaniewski

My Rating: ★★★★★

I was recently introduced to stumpwork embroidery, so of course I had to pick up this book when I saw it. Inside, you will find everything you need to know about stumpwork and thread painting along with information on materials, finishing techniques, and instructions for the other stitches used in the patterns. Of course, all of the templates are located at the back of the book.

This book is pretty comprehensive and easy to understand no matter what your skill level is. The step by step instructions and pictures that accompany them are really easy to understand and made me excited to stitch up some 3-D projects in the future. I love that there are some miniature projects featured, which really rounds out the range of patterns featured. All in all, I think this is a great book and it’s really opened my eyes to what’s possible with embroidery.

Loving You When the World Ended by Gene

Loving You When the World Ended by Gene

My Rating: ★★★★

Nuowan was breaking up with his fiance at a fancy hotel when the apocalypse hit. Knocked out for days, he wakes up to find that he’s being cared for by an employee who was with him when the apocalypse started. He and Yu Sen are complete opposites. Nuowan is a spoiled rich guy who has never had to put work into anything, while Yu Sen is an orphan and was previously in the military. Now that it seems like they’re the only two people left alive, these strangers must stick together to survive this new world.

I picked this book up expecting a cute read, and that’s exactly what I got! We follow Nuowan and Yu Sen starting right before the apocalypse starts. While they’re total opposites, they work well together, and slowly fall in love as time goes on. Yu Sen complains about how much work it is to take care of Nuowan, but since we’re privy to his thoughts, we also know he loves it. Meanwhile, Nuowan is not prepared to rough it for his own survival, but he slowly learns to adapt as well as he can. The duo bicker a lot, but it’s so cute to watch them slowly fall in love and see Nuowan find someone who loves him for him and not him and his family’s money.

If you’re looking for a book that dives heavily into the dystopian setting, this will not be the book for you. However, if you are looking for a cute and fun read that takes place in a dystopian setting, you should jump on it. It gets bleak here and there due to the setting as well as Nuowan and Yu Sen’s individual pasts, but it mostly sticks to the light side and will make you laugh. Plus, the artwork is beautiful and really helps bring the story to life.

The Resurrectionist by Kathleen S. Allen

 

The Resurrectionist by Kathleen S. Allen

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Roaring Brook Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dilly Rothbart has always wanted to follow her father’s footsteps and become a surgeon. It’s a path he refused to let her take, but since he died in a terrible accident, she’s determined to pursue her dream. Between entering the world of corpse-stealing and stumbling upon her dad’s journal that reveals the secrets of resurrecting the dead, Dilly’s entire life is about to be turned upside down.

I’m a sucker for retellings of classic literature, so of course I had to read this! In this Frankenstein retelling, we follow Dilly as she begins to figure out how she’s going to afford medical school if she manages to get into the few that accept women. With her twin sister, Dee Dee, by her side, she’s determined to make sure she and her sister both make their dreams happen. Unfortunately, things go awry when a fight leads to the untimely death of her sister, but it’s a good thing she has her dad’s notes on resurrection… It’s too bad Dee Dee came back completely different.

I could not get enough of this book. It’s really well written and had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Each of the characters are interesting, even the supporting characters we don’t learn a whole lot about, and they all felt so real like we were actually meeting these people. The opening of the first chapter had me hooked right away, and there’s a couple of excellent mystery plots weaved throughout the entire book.

If this sounds up your alley, I highly recommend it. It’s a haunting story that takes us on a wild ride as Dilly keeps getting dug deeper and deeper in a huge mess after becoming a true resurrectionist. It’s a book that will make you find yourself still awake and reading at 3am. It makes me really excited to check out what else the author will publish in the future.

The Whisperwood Legacy by Jo Schulte

The Whisperwood Legacy by Jo Schulte

My Rating: ★

I received a copy from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A year and a half after Whisperwood’s closure, the Strauss family is falling apart at the seams. The Strauss  family is known for their long and strange history as well as their popular theme park, but now that Whisperwood is closed, there’s even more public interest than ever. What the public doesn’t know is that the family’s money has dried up without the theme park’s income, and the fighting has begun. Insert Frankie, one of the Strauss grandchildren, who is slowly learning the ropes of controlling the magic that is weaved throughout Whisperwood. When her grandma goes missing, the entire family discovers the real reason Whisperwood closed.

I was really looking forward to reading this, so it’s unfortunate that it ended up being a total miss for me. I think it has an interesting premise, but it had way too many characters and not enough world building. I ended up being far more interested in the few entertaining characters just because the majority of the characters were either extremely bland or very unlikable. I’m also not sure why Uncle Preston cusses almost every time he speaks. It was funny at first just because it was always so out of place, but it just kept taking me out of the story.

I kept reading because it was interesting enough that I wanted to see where the story was going, but Ella and her blog post when her grandma goes missing was the last straw. I finished that chapter, shut the book, and decided I was not going to continue. Her looking to capitalize off her adoptive grandmother’s disappearance was the final straw for me, so I shut the book at 48% and ditched it.

Ultimately, I think this book has an interesting plot, but it’s weighed down by too many characters and random bits of information that didn’t add to the story. We were being told too much and not enough at the same time, and it suffered some pacing issues that the memory flashes didn’t help. I probably would’ve still found a way to enjoy it if there weren't so many unlikable characters and a romance plot with an unsettling vibe.

Dark Restraint (Dark Olympus #7) by Katee Robert

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

My Rating: ★★★

Ariadne Vitalis knew that betraying her father was going to change things between them forever. What she didn’t realize is that he’d want her dead, and that he’d order the man she loves to do the deed. Now Ariadne has to rely on Hera to keep her end of the deal, which is to keep her safe… for a price. Now she finds herself engaged to Dionysus, but thankfully the marriage will be on paper only. Knee deep in a huge mess, Ariadne must do everything she can to keep her end of the deal as the Minotaur breathes down her neck, and she can’t tell if he loves her or if he’s just getting laid before completing her father’s orders.

I’ve been enjoying this series and was excited to pick up this installment. This time around, we follow Ariadne and Asterion, aka the Minotaur, through their rotating perspectives. It was hard to get into the romance plot because Asterion is a full on stalker even though Ariadne was into it for some reason. At least he respects her boundaries and such outside of all the stalker shenanigans? Otherwise, I was super put off by the romance because Asterion’s possessive streak and stalker shenanigans were really off-putting.

If you’re someone who is into the series, I think that you’ll still like the book if you’re not reading it for the romance unless stalker shenanigans are your thing. I liked that we got to know more of the characters, especially Ariadne, Asterion, and Dionysus. We also got to learn a little more about Hermes, which was exciting! I really enjoyed the non-romance plots as well, and this book does have a lot going for it on that front. It’s made me excited for the next book, especially because we really haven’t seen much of Poseidon until now.

The Inconvenient Life of an Arousing Priestess, Vol. 2 Makino Maebaru

 

The Inconvenient Life of an Arousing Priestess, Vol. 2 Makino Maebaru

My Rating: ★★★★

Monica’s life as a holy woman has taken some twists. She went from an undervalued and spurned priestess of Kophe to a close friend of the Empire! Who knew Mr. Redhead was the crown prince of the Belktrius Empire? Certainly not her! Now she’s on a mission to destroy the monsters overtaking Kophe while also purifying the land.

While I enjoyed the first book, I also found it to be a so-so read because it was information heavy and the romance was practically nonexistent. However, this book hit the ground running and threw my issues with the story straight out the window. There was quite a bit of character development for several characters, which I’m very happy about. I also liked that we had minimal info dumping. We received more information through the occasional passage told through another character’s perspective, which was a huge upgrade and greatly improved the whole story!

Plus, the romance finally started developing and was believable. While I don’t care for Richard’s jealous streak, their friendship blossomed into a passionate romance. I honestly forgot that this was a light novel at one point and got a reminder that it’s NOT a spicy novel when their coupling faded into the next chapter! I do wish that Monica put two and two together much sooner, though. Halfway through the book, there is no way she could’ve possibly mistaken Richard's feelings as being platonic!

That said, I really enjoyed this book. It resolved the issues it had throughout the first volume and ended with a bang. Almost literally! Plus, the artwork that comes up every so many chapters was absolutely stunning. I hope to check out the manga adaptation next!

The Failure at God School, Vol. 1 by Modomu Akagawara (artist), Natsu Hyuuga (original story), SEIKAISHA (character design)

 

The Failure at God School, Vol. 1 by Modomu Akagawara (artist), Natsu Hyuuga (original story), SEIKAISHA (character design)

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

In a world where people born with supernatural abilities are called Himiko, Nagi always dreamed of what it would be like to have any kind of ability. Her grandma had them along with the certification that gave her the title of a god, and her older brother has them, but Nagi? Nope! Everything changes when she stumbles upon a mystery and is issued an acceptance letter to god school. Will Nagi figure out what her ability is and go on to become the future god of her family’s shrine?

I was so excited to read this book that I actually purchased it before I was granted an advanced copy from NetGalley. We follow Nagi as we are slowly introduced to her life and the impact that people born with supernatural or divine powers have on the world. Her younger brother is a Himiko, but he never leaves his room, so that dashed Nagi’s hopes that he’d become a god and take care of their grandmother’s place.

While we are introduced to a mystery plot that I think will be an ongoing plot, this first volume is actually a story of family and friendship. I really enjoyed following Nagi, meeting all of the characters, and laughing at the fun humor throughout the story. I’m really excited to see where the story goes as it continues as well as check out the light novels when the English translation drops. If you’re looking for something light and fun with a little bit of mystery and something strange lurking in plain sight, I urge you to pick this up!

Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner, Vol. 1 by Sumnagi

 

Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner, Vol. 1 by Sumnagi

My Rating: ★

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

Shavonne is a struggling ghost writer who finds himself being targeted by a stalker. Unfortunately, no one believes his stalker is an issue! Things get weirder when his next door neighbor starts peeling onions right outside of his apartment on the regular. Once Shavonne goes on a date with the guy, it turns out that his obsession with onions isn’t the problem… it’s the fact that he’s a killer!

This is one of those books I’m going to keep thinking about just because it was so weird. We follow Shavonne in an odd mystery turned romance of sorts. His neighbor, Lewellyn, is a murderer who is obsessed with him, and he can’t even get away because the guy just paid for over a year of his rent in advance. I was more frustrated than anything with this story because the characters lack depth and the plot is all over the place. The artwork was nice, but that was about it.

While I’d like to know what’s up with Lewellyn’s obsession with onions, I can’t find it in me to continue the series. Shavonne is super passive and seems to discover, forget, and rediscover who his stalker is. We don’t know anything about Lewellyn other than he’s a rich stalker and possible serial killer who wants to get with the lead character for some reason. I think it could’ve been an interesting read if it knew what it wanted to be and didn’t go around in circles at an extremely slow pace. Ultimately, it’s just not a series for me.

The Inconvenient Life of an Arousing Priestess, Vol. 1 by Makino Maebaru

The Inconvenient Life of an Arousing Priestess, Vol. 1 by Makino Maebaru

My Rating: ★★★

Monica’s life as a holy woman isn’t seen as prestigious by many, but she still works hard to do everything she possibly can with her abilities. It’s rare for a holy woman to be as powerful as Monica, which is how she found herself engaged to the crown prince of Kophe. In a whirlwind of events, Monica goes from being socially elevated to a spurned lascivious priestess! With nowhere else to go, she finds herself accompanying one of her battle comrades to his home country so that she can help his brother and sister-in-law conceive. It seems like a simple plan until she finds out that her old comrade is actually the crown prince of the Belktrius Empire!

We follow Monica from the moment her entire life is turned upside by the crown prince of Kophe. Now that she’s being chased out of Kophe by her former fiancé, she finds herself getting the hell out of dodge. Along the way, we learn that her powers have a negative side effect: magically arousing herself and those around her! Luckily, she has trustworthy people at her side that are determined to keep her safe. This includes Kevin, her battle comrade who is also the crown prince of the Belktrius Empire!

While this was an interesting story with a great cast of characters, there are parts of the book that are boring and information heavy. I think that having multiple narrators would’ve helped out with that while also developing the supporting characters. I’m also feeling pretty iffy about the romance right now since it’s barely there and is glued together with some dirty dreams and Kevin’s jealous streak. I’m hoping to see some more character development and a believable romance plot in the second volume.

Spacewalking With You, Vol. 1 by by Inuhiko Doronoda

 

Spacewalking With You, Vol. 1 by by Inuhiko Doronoda

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

Kobayashi is struggling in and out of school. Even his best friend is making bets on how long he’ll last at his latest part time job! Now he finds himself wanting to befriend Uno, the new transfer student at their all boy school. While Uno is different from the other kids, he doesn’t let that stop him from living his life, and he’s inspired Kobayashi to do the same. This budding friendship is leading the duo to learn new things about themselves and life in this gripping read!

I absolutely loved reading this. We follow Kobayashi, a high school student struggling with both school and work. He hasn’t lasted long at any of his jobs because he has trouble doing his work, but everything changes when he meets Uno. Through Uno, he learns new ways to learn and has even become interested in school again.

I loved the characters, the story, and how well Inuhiko Doronoda captures some of the realities of the neurodivergent experience. While some details are exaggerated for storytelling purposes, they aren’t insulting in any way, and they work to make these characters feel real. When I got to the end of the book, I was glad it’s the first in a series because I wanted to continue reading the story ASAP. I can’t wait to eventually read the second volume!

Knit a Box of Socks by Julie Anne Lebouthillier

 

Knit a Box of Socks by Julie Anne Lebouthillier

My Rating: ★★★★★

If you’re looking for some cute and simple to follow sock patterns, then this is the book for you! Inside, you will find 24 patterns, including a very basic and simple starter sock pattern. I’m an experienced knitter who has mostly kept away from knitting socks, so I wanted to hop back into sock knitting with this book! I like that there’s a range of patterns for all experience levels, so anyone can pick this up and find something they can knit. I also like that there’s a range of helpful tips in addition to the guide that's already included. I don’t think anyone can go wrong with this book.

Embroidering Animals with Color and Texture by Jessica Long

Embroidering Animals with Color and Texture by Jessica Long

My Rating: ★★★★★

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

If you’re looking for an embroidery book and you like the patterns on the cover, then I say pick this up! I have Jessica Long’s other embroidery book, so I jumped on this ASAP. Inside, you will find 25 really cool embroidery patterns complete with detailed instructions. There is also a comprehensive stitch guide as well as detailed information on stumpwork and thread painting. I’d never heard of stumpwork before and now I’m obsessed. I can’t wait to try it!

I think this has some pretty good information for beginner to advanced embroiderers. There’s a variety of patterns, so you can pick something you feel comfortable with stitching or want to challenge yourself with. There’s a lot of information and advice, and I like how it gets you pumped up to start stitching before you get to the patterns. I can’t wait to purchase this book when it drops.

Cryptids, Creatures & Critters: A Manual of Monsters & Mythos from Around the World by Rachel Quinney

 

Cryptids, Creatures & Critters: A Manual of Monsters & Mythos from Around the World by Rachel Quinney

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Andrews McMeel Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you are someone who has always been interested in cryptids, folklore, and mythology, then this is going to be a good book for you! Inside, you will find information on everything from unicorns to Medusa. There is so much information packed inside that you’re bound to enjoy it whether or not you’re already familiar with it. I love that it also makes a point to cover the origins and how the stories have been impacted and changed by colonization, religion, and technology. There’s also pictures included all throughout the book. I think this is an excellent read that I cannot recommend enough.

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com (Cosmic Chaos #1) by Kimberly Lemming

 

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming

My Rating: ★★★★★

Dorothy Valentine, aka Dory, is on the edge of proving her family wrong about her life dream. Instead of becoming a pageant queen or finding herself a husband her mom can brag about, she’s spent years pursuing her PhD. Unfortunately for Dory, things go awry while she’s getting some excellent footage of the meerkats she’s been studying. Not only does she get attacked by a lion, but she also gets abducted by aliens! Now she’s determined to escape this strange planet full of extinct animals from Earth all while caught up in a throuple!

I was so excited when I saw that this book was on the way. I really enjoyed the Mead Mishaps series, so I was READY for this to drop. We follow Dory, a wildlife biologist, as her entire life is turned upside down. Instead of getting closer to finally having her PhD, she’s abducted by aliens after almost getting killed by a lion. While trying to find a way off of a strange planet full of extinct animals from Earth, she finds herself partnering up with the lion that tried to kill her as they face off with a whole bunch of prehistoric animals from Earth.

If this book sounds up your alley and you’re looking for something fun to read, I highly recommend picking this up. This was such a crazy and fun story! Plus, there’s a great cast of characters. Toto (the lion) ended up being my favorite character, but I loved a number of the characters, including Intern. We also see Dory become a member of a throuple and see everyone go on one hilariously crazy journey together. If you think you know where the story is going, I promise you that you’ll discover that there are still some hilarious surprises.

Cult of the Kraken (Avery & Carter #4) by Shane Carrow

 

Cult of the Kraken by Shane Carrow

My Rating: ★★★

The Great War may be over, but Lucas Avery and Sam Carter are working to get to the bottom of paranormal mysteries. This time around, they’re guests aboard the HMS Pathfinder to figure out why ships are sinking around the same area. While most believe there’s a perfectly good reason since the ocean has a mind of its own, there are some who believe there may be some paranormal activity going on. Once Avery and Carter lock eyes with a Kraken neither even entertained as a possibility, they know this is exactly why they were sent to investigate.

While the previous book was a disappointing read, I’m excited to announce that Shane is back on his A-game with this one! We follow Avery and Carter as they’re sent aboard the HMS Pathfinder on a mission to investigate what has been sinking ships in the area. However, seeing a Kraken for themselves is enough to leave them a little shaken! Once they wash up on Uskay, they quickly discover that it’s the unexpected real source of the mystery.

I really enjoyed reading this! One thing I love about this series is the friendship and banter between Avery and Carter, and that is something we missed out on between the duo in the previous book. However, they’re back together and forging ahead at full speed this time around, and it was so exciting to read! I hope to see this continue once Emily reenters the story. The plot was excellent, and without spoiling the story, you’re going to be Team Kraken. Trust me on this. While what they were doing wasn’t right, it was also 100% understandable given the circumstances and how badly they’d been wronged.

However, I do wish there was foreshadowing rather than being told what was going to happen before it happened, but I can live with that since the story was pretty good. My only other complaint is that the Spanish in this book is spelled wrong and appears to have English grammar rules applied to it. I’m not even fluent in Spanish and these mistakes took me straight out of the story.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read and it really breathed life back into the series. I’m excited to eventually pick up the next book and see where Avery and Carter go from here!

Men of the Harem, Vol. 1 by Alphatart

 

Men of the Harem, Vol. 1 by Alphatart

My Rating: ★★★★

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

Latrasil Valentine Tarium is soothing a broken heart after the love of her life decides to marry someone else. Not only did she have to hear the news from someone else, but he also had the nerve to ask for her to wait five years for him. In the midst of everything, Latrasil learns that her older brother is abdicating and that she will be inheriting the throne when her father passes. Throwing herself into her studies, she also hatches a revenge plan. She’s going to take multiple consorts once she’s emperor, and then make her ex select one of her consorts. Oh my!

While this wasn’t what I was expecting, it was still a pretty good read. We follow Latrasil from the time that she meets her first love up until she’s a scorned woman ready to put her revenge plan into effect. It was more serious than I was expecting, and politics ended up being a much larger plot than I was expecting. However, it’s not always serious. There’s some pretty funny events, which allows us to see another side to the characters. I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to seeing where the story goes from here. Plus, the artwork is stunning! If an art book for the series came out somewhere down the line, I would be all over it.

Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell, Vol. 2 by unfins

 

Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell, Vol. 2 by unfins

My Rating: ★★★

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

Now that Paul’s romantic pursuit isn’t going so well, he’s starting to regret summoning the Great Duke of Hell to give him advice. He’s looking at losing his soul in a couple days all while making no progress with his crush! To top things off, he now has competition, but little does he know that it’s the Great Duke of Hell in disguise.

I loved the first volume so much that I almost decided to start following the story in its original WEBTOON format. While I did enjoy this second volume, it was all over the place at times, but it managed to be absolutely hilarious! Plus, the artwork is amazing and really helps in the humor department, especially this time around where the story goes a little off the rails at times.

I don’t want to say too much and start dropping spoilers because it’s one of those stories that’s really easy to accidentally spoil, but if you like the overall premise, I say give it a go. The first volume is top tier humor and the second volume falls a little short, but is still a fun read. I was not expecting that cliffhanger, so I’m excited to see where the story goes from here!

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jolie Lam used to be just like any other teenager until she had a strange outbreak at a swim meet. She’s since quit the swim team, her former friends are now among her many bullies. Jolie is the most lonely and miserable she’s ever been! Everything changes when she saves a classmate, Huong Pham, after a terrible accident that happened during PE. There’s something familiar about Huong. Now that they’re friends, Jolie quickly discovers there’s a reason why Huong feels like the sister she never had: they’re the Trung sisters reincarnated!

I absolutely loved this book! We follow Jolie, a high school sophomore, during the roughest year of her life. She’s lost all her friends, she’s being heavily bullied, and even her home life is stressful. Her grandfather is known as a fortune teller, but his visions have begun to take a toll on his mind, and now her bullies are dragging him into things! Thankfully, everything starts to change once Huong enters the picture.

Jolie’s story is inspired by the story of the Trung sisters, who led a rebellion against the Han in Vietnam. Jolie and Huong are the Trung sisters who have been reincarnated and are currently teenagers living in San Jose. As the story continues, we learn what history tells us about the Trung sisters and then what Jolie and Huong remember happened. Plus, we also see them find their elements, unravel a mystery, and prepare to continue the war against their brothers.

I was so excited to read this because it sounded like it was going to be a great book, and it did not disappoint! Plus, I was not familiar with Vietnamese mythology and this book is heavily wrapped up in Vietnamese history and mythology. If you’re a fan of books like the Percy Jackson series, Aru Shah and the End of Time, or We Shall Be Monsters, then this is a book you’re going to want to pick up. I loved every single page. While I do think it was a little heavy handed with some of the typical teenage stereotypes, it was an excellent read. I’m looking forward to checking out more from this author.