Review: Witchlight by Susan Dennard

Paths converge and prophecies unfold as Safi and Iseult―the legendary Cahr Awen―fight their way across the Witchlands to heal the final Origin Well. With ancient figures rising from the past, the Raider King’s armies gathering for war, and the magic at the heart of everything dying too fast, the entire world is now on the brink of collapse.

But when Safi and Iseult reach the Air Well with the Bloodwitch Aeduan at their side, they discover too late that Eridysi's Lament is not the prophecy they thought it was―and their journeys are only just beginning.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher  

It's finally here, the fifth and final book in the Witchlands series! It's been four years since I read the fourth book, but my excitement for this series hasn't lessened. 

I have to admit that initially I was a bit confused as it has been years since I read the last book. However, I looked up a series summary online which helped jog my memory, so I recommend doing that if you're in the same position. As we the previous books, Witchlight, is told from multiple POVs, meaning there may be some you're more interested than others. This was the case with me, not going to lie. There were some POVs I was itching to finish so I could get to my faves! 

I was really looking forward to the romance between Iseult and Aeduan, and Dennard did not disappoint. These two have been my favourite characters from the start, I like how they began as closed off but as the series progressed they let their walls down with each other. One of the best slow burns I've read!

Overall, this was a thoroughly satisfying ending, definitely worth the wait!

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Review: Break Room by Miye Lee

Who is the biggest villain in your office?

A gripping and incisive psychological drama from the internationally bestselling author of DallerGut Dream Department Store.

Eight unsuspecting people receive an invitation to participate in a mysterious new reality show called Break Room. But what starts as an opportunity for fame is quickly revealed to be something far more unsettling when they learn how they were chosen - voted in by their own co-workers as the people they'd least like to share a break room with.

But there's another twist. Among them is an imposter - a mole planted by the show's producers. The only way to win the prize money is to uncover the saboteur before time runs out.

Labelled as "villains", the participants are left to grapple with the alarming realisation that their actions might be perceived differently by others. As alliances shift and paranoia festers, the contestants begin to realise that the true challenge isn't surviving the show - it's facing their own selves.

Welcome . . . Step into the world of the reality show, Break Room, where every smile hides suspicion, and every word could be a clue.

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What initially caught my attention about Break Room is the cover, it's so eye catching! Then I read the synopsis and thought it sounded like it would be a fun satire. Essentially it's based on the topic of annoying break room habits. If you work/have ever worked in an office I think you'll be able to relate. It's an interesting look into how other people perceive our acts, and how they may not come off the way we intended. It also talks about how people don't take the time to understand someone before disliking them. Overall, it's a short and punchy novella that makes me appreciate being able to work from home.

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Review: A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal

White Roaring is sharpening its fangs after the deadly night that left the city in shambles. The press are dead, the public calls for justice, vampires are in danger, and amid the turmoil, the Ram announces a celebration.

Still reeling from the bloodshed, Arthie Casimir has no time to mourn the death of anyone, let alone her own. She has no time for love, either, but it had saved her life. As Arthie navigates new emotions and new allies, she must reassemble her scrambled crew and scrape what little they have left to fight one last time – and she will need to face the ghosts of her past to do it.

In Ceylan.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher  
📌 Publication date: 25/09/2025

A Steeping of Blood was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year, and it did not disappoint! It was a brilliant follow up and conclusion to Arthie's story. 

I loved everything about this sequel. From the growing bond between the found family, the development of the relationships (especially Arthie and Flick, so cute!), to Flick coming into her own, and Arthie making some much needed realisations.

It's more than just a fantasy book - it tackles colonialism, prejudice, and oppression. Arthie has to confront her past and return to her country of birth, Ceylan (a colonised modern day Sri-Lanka.) As with the first book the chapters were short and told from the POV of three of the main characters, with the added bonus of Matteo's POV (which as someone who was intrigued by his character in the first book, I loved!). There was nonstop action, which kept the story moving with no boring moments. 

There was also the perfect amount of romantic tension from both couples, though Arthie and spoiler were by far my favourite. Right from the start there was romantic yearning galore. 

The ending was bitter sweet, and unfortunately the bitter part is what kept this from a being a five star for me. 

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Review: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, Bersun the Brusque must end his reign. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders compete to replace him. They are exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists—the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer before the trials end. To do so, she must untangle a web of deadly secrets that stretches back generations, all while competing against six warriors with their own dark histories and fierce ambitions. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in.

If she succeeds, she will win the throne. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen.

We are the Raven, and we are magnificent.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher.

I have to admit that I have been disillusioned with the fantasy genre lately. It's been so long, but finally I have found a fantasy book, the first in a planned trilogy, that blew me away! 

I liked that the characters in The Raven Scholar were on the older side, although I do have to say the main character, Neema, did not read like a thirty something year old. Don't get me wrong, she was a great mc, easy to root for, and I loved her scholarly nature. However, she was quite naive and wouldn't have felt out of place as an mc in a YA book. 

Another positive that I have to mention is how when describing characters the author mentions when they are white, thus not letting us assume they are white by default. I also appreciated that she plainly described the skin colour of POC, there was no food comparisons or ambiguous "bronze" nonsense. 

The Raven Scholar was also unexpectedly humourous. The humour came in the form of a Raven whose POV is included throughout. It narrates parts of the story and its sassy tone was so funny, I can imagine it being fun to listen to on audiobook. The main plot involves trails and although I'm not usually the biggest fan of trial storylines I actually enjoyed this one. The plot was very intricate and I honestly did not see the plot twist coming. I'm very curious to see how the story continues.  

The only thing that let me down was the romance. Normally I love a good friends to lovers arc (underappreciated, in my opinion), but Neema and her love interest, Cain, read like really good friends rather than lovers. Cain was a lovable and fun character, but there wasn't enough tension or chemistry between him and Neema. That being said it was only a small part of the book, so it can be overlooked.

To summarise, The Raven Scholar, was a welcome surprise, truly a breath of fresh air!

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Review: The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.

Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.

Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, Àn’yīng finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng.

The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, Àn’yīng will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for or if he’s the most dangerous player of all . . . for herself and for all the realms. 

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This wasn't the most amazing book ever, the main characters were cliched and there was some obvious plot twists, such as the identity of Àn’yīng's jade pendant guardian. However, it was still a fun and easy read.

I loved the dark and alluring atmosphere, and the vampire like creatures called mó. I'm not a fan of trails in books as I usually find them boring, but as this read quite fast I didn't mind. I will say that I wasn't attached to the the main characters due to them being your stereotypical romantasy archetypes. Which meant I wasn't invested in their romance, despite some great moments of tension. Something that annoyed me was how the love interest, Yù’chén, kept saying Àn’yīng's name at the beginning or end of every sentence addressed to her. 

While I am somewhat curious to see how the story continues and concludes, I doubt I will be picking up the sequel. 

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Review: A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lam

A gifted art forger, Truyan Saigas has the unique ability to paint the future. But when her father is lost at sea, not even magic can heal her family, or save her two younger sisters from the dangerous consequences of her mother's gambling debts.

Then Elang, a mysterious dragon lord, offers her a deal: in exchange for a fresh start for her mother and sisters, Tru must enter a marriage contract and join him in his desolate undersea palace.

Once there, Tru will embark on her most dangerous forgery yet. To infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle and paint a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms...

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📌 Publication date: 05/06/2025

I would describe A Forgery of Fate as whimsical, which is not usually something that appeals to me. However, I thought the under water setting, with the talking turtles and sassy water demon, was fun. 

I loved the family dynamics in this, Tru's love for her sisters and her parents was heart-warming. Even better was the fact that she didn't forget about them after the love interest was introduced. She was focused on doing what she had to in order for them to have a better life, and that didn't waver throughout. Although she was sometimes reckless, doing things without thinking of the consequences, I wasn't mad about it as she was a lovable main character with an empathetic nature.

The romance between Tru and Elang was Beauty and the Beast-esque, which is a dynamic I like. While I found the plot twist regarding Elang obvious it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Nor did the fact that it was plain from the start that he liked Tru.

A Forgery of Fate is one of the better fantasy books I've read of recently, a strong standalone.

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Review: The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade – but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.

As she makes her way back to the revolution, her journey takes her to Venice, where she learns a dangerous secret – one that could change the face of the war between humans and immortals. Before she can return to London, she must help the Domino Programme unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist.

And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories – Arcturus Mesarthim – might also hold the key to saving Italy.

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📌 Disclaimer: I received an e-arc for review from the publisher  
📌 Publication date: 25/02/2025

The Bone Season series is one of my favourite on-going series'. I'm so grateful to have read this advanced readers copy after 4 years of waiting for the fifth installment. Unsurprisingly, I have given it five stars, my second of the year!

I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, so I will keep this review short. In The Dark Mirror Paige visits non-Scion controlled countries for the first time, with Italy being the main setting. From her time there you get a real sense of just how much control Scion has over the countries it rules, as Paige experiences mundane things for the first time such as drinking a latte or wearing jeans. I don't really read urban fantasy, but the fantasy elements in this series combined with the dystopian elements blend together nicely to create an unique and fascinating world. Shannon paints a vivid and beautiful vision of the countries Paige visits, so much so that you feel as if you're really there. 

I would say that this is the most romantic book in the series so far. Warden and Paige have a complex relationship, and while usually at this point, five books into the series, I would loose interest that most definitely isn't the case here. 

Paige is as resilient as ever, and the cast of secondary characters from Nick and Maria to Maria's girlfriend, Verča, make a wonderful team. I also like that we see more of the Ranthen, and get to know their personalities better. I hope their presence continues to grow in the next book. 

With high stakes and a cleverly woven plot, The Dark Mirror, made me feel a roller coaster of emotions.  I can't believe we're nearing the end of the series with only two more books to go, hopefully the wait for the next installment isn't too long! 

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