Fantasy and SciFi

Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Reviews

Review of Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire

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Synopsis:
Hiddensee: An island of white sandy beaches, salt marshes, steep cliffs, and pine forests north of Berlin in the Baltic Sea, an island that is an enchanting bohemian retreat and home to a large artists’ colony– a wellspring of inspiration for the Romantic imagination . . .

Having brought his legions of devoted readers to Oz in Wicked and to Wonderland in After Alice, Maguire now takes us to the realms of the Brothers Grimm and E. T. A. Hoffmann– the enchanted Black Forest of Bavaria and the salons of Munich. Hiddensee imagines the backstory of the Nutcracker, revealing how this entrancing creature came to be carved and how he guided an ailing girl named Klara through a dreamy paradise on a Christmas Eve. At the heart of Hoffmann’s mysterious tale hovers Godfather Drosselmeier– the ominous, canny, one-eyed toy maker made immortal by Petipa and Tchaikovsky’s fairy tale ballet– who presents the once and future Nutcracker to Klara, his goddaughter.

But Hiddensee is not just a retelling of a classic story. Maguire discovers in the flowering of German Romanticism ties to Hellenic mystery-cults– a fascination with death and the afterlife– and ponders a profound question: How can a person who is abused by life, shortchanged and challenged, nevertheless access secrets that benefit the disadvantaged and powerless? Ultimately, Hiddensee offers a message of hope. If the compromised Godfather Drosselmeier can bring an enchanted Nutcracker to a young girl in distress on a dark winter evening, perhaps everyone, however lonely or marginalized, has something precious to share.

Review:
Oh my gosh, was Drosselmeier daft! There were so many times that it was hard to empathize or really feel for him because he was just so addled; but then, given his parentage (or alleged lack thereof) perhaps it was understandable. I found it amusing how he mentioned how annoying he found children to be; something that usually is never said in literature. Towards the end I began to wonder how, if ever, the nutcracker/godfather bit would come to pass, but found myself truly enjoying the adventure he encouraged Klara on.

Star rating: ✯✯✯

Review of Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire

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Synopsis:
The year is 1502, and seven-year-old Bianca de Nevada lives perched high above the rolling hills and valleys of Tuscany and Umbria at Montefiore, the farm of her beloved father, Don Vicente. But one day a noble entourage makes its way up the winding slopes to the farm — and the world comes to Montefiore.

In the presence of Cesare Borgia and his sister, the lovely and vain Lucrezia — decadent children of a wicked pope — no one can claim innocence for very long. When Borgia sends Don Vicente on a years-long quest, he leaves Bianca under the care — so to speak — of Lucrezia.

She plots a dire fate for the young girl in the woods below the farm, but in the dark forest salvation can be found as well …

A lyrical work of stunning creative vision, Mirror Mirror gives fresh life to the classic story of Snow White — and has a truth and beauty all its own.

Review:
When I picked this book up, I recall being very unwilling to set it down. Oh my gosh did I absolutely 100% detest, abhor, dislike Lucrezia!! Poor Bianca suffers the fate of most young girls who are in a secluded area without anyone her own age around; she is terribly innocent. There were some really interesting magical bits that I thought entwined well with the original story. Whenever there was anything about Lucrezia I almost didn’t want to keep reading. One of my favourite parts of the novel was the ending, and how it deviated from the usual story and kept all of our favourite characters together.

After reading this book I wasn’t sure what else I could possibly fall into, so I had to grab another Maguire book I’d been holding on to for a snowy day–Hiddensee.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

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Synopsis:
Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia’s family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess–a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She’s endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn’t always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.

Review:
Theo lives a very sad life. She’s put on display and dressed well, but she is a pawn. I quite enjoyed seeing the various sides to her life; how she has to act and behave and try to keep thoughts and emotions always hidden when she is in the spotlight by the Kaiser. The world was very vibrantly described, and I enjoyed the contrasting descriptions between what Kaiser enjoys and sees as the perfect life versus what life had been like when Theo’s mother was queen. This book was heavily Dystopian in many regards featuring people who pillage and take whatever they want everywhere they go. There are certainly moments of intense cruelty, and very few of true comfort, with surprising allies often revealed just in time. The end of this book made me immediately get the sequel, though I have not gotten back into that world yet.

If you like political intrigue, dark fantasy, and Dystopian fiction, this one is for you.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of When You Wish Upon a Star by Elizabeth Lim

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Synopsis:
What if the Blue Fairy wasn’t supposed to help Pinocchio? This New York Times best-selling series twists another Disney classic into a harrowing story in which the Blue Fairy defies fairy law, setting off a dramatic chain of events.

“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight . . . ” So begins the wish that changes everything—for Geppetto, for the Blue Fairy, and for a little puppet named Pinocchio. The Blue Fairy isn’t supposed to grant wishes in the small village of Pariva, but something about this one awakens some long-buried flicker within. Perhaps it’s the hope she senses beneath the old man’s loneliness.

Or maybe it’s the fact that long ago, before she was the Blue Fairy, she was a young woman named Chiara from this very village, one with a simple wish: to help others find happiness. Her sister, Ilaria, always teased her for this, for Ilaria had big dreams to leave their sleepy village and become a world-renowned opera singer. The two were close, despite their differences. While Ilaria would have given anything to have a fairy grant her wish, Chiara didn’t believe in the lore for which their village was famous.

Forty years later, Chiara, now the Blue Fairy, defies the rules of magic to help an old friend. But she’s discovered by the Scarlet Fairy, formerly Ilaria, who, amid a decades-long grudge, holds the transgression against her sister. They decide to settle things through a good old-fashioned bet, with Pinocchio and Geppetto’s fate hanging in the balance.

Will the sisters find a way back to one another? Or is this, like many matters of the heart, a gamble that comes with strings?

Review:
This book was given to me as a gift for my 36th birthday at my crow party. Yes, you read that right, I had all of my friends get together and have a crow party for my birthday. It was greatly entertaining. I likely wouldn’t have picked it out myself as Pinocchio wasn’t a particular favourite story of mine but once I started reading, I could not set it down!

This book gives such great depth and thought to the lives of fairies, and what their lives were like before they began to help people. I really enjoyed seeing how one person could touch so many in a village; there are certainly people like that in any small town who want to help everyone get the most out of life and rise up. I really enjoyed seeing into the past of Chiara and Ilaria; it made the story more enjoyable to have an idea of why this feud was going on between them. While some elements of the story are the same, the why of so many hadn’t been explained previously so it was really neat to have the interwoven previously unknown fairy dilemma to learn of. By adding a magical fight there was a new element that gave more depth to the original fairy tale, and drew me in far more than I have been previously. In the end, it was nice to see that everyone (fairy or otherwise) can learn from their mistakes, change, and grow.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Thorn Season by Kiera Azar

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Synopsis:
In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders, in possession of a magical Spectre–a shimmering thread that can extend beyond their visible body to give a loving caress, pick a lock . . . even kill. Feared for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine, heiress and daughter of a Hunter family . . . is also a Wielder. At eighteen, Alissa knows she’s escaped execution thus far only due to painful self-control and the efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal—and caught between two equally dangerous men: one a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairy-tale prince, who would destroy her if he knew the truth—and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

With the threat of discovery lurking around every corner—and romance becoming an increasingly dangerous temptation—Alissa will find that she has more to lose than her secrets. It’s Rose Season at the palace, but to survive she’ll need to become the most vicious of thorns. . . .

Review:
This book was phenomenal. I kept seeing the special edition everywhere and I was tempted, but I have been so set on not buying paper books unless I already read them; trying to have an library of intentional picks, and not just everything that looked remotely interesting when I saw it at xyz store. I am so glad I picked this book up! It was the first thing that really pulled me back into reading after Abby passed away, and once I started, I couldn’t stop. The story is gripping and the characters all have such depth and motives that you cannot help but want (almost) all of them to succeed.

This book has everything: political intrigue, magic, romance. When it comes down to the King and the ambassador, the King definitely has the advantage of being in his home court, but there’s something just so jarring and unpleasant about him. What would life as his queen look like? Alissa doesn’t really want to find out. The magic system implemented was a unique take on energy magic and I really enjoyed seeing all the aspects of what one could do with that. While this is YA there were definitely some moments of tragedy and heartbreak, times where Alissa really had to decide who she was and what she was going to stand for. I certainly teared up at least once while reading. While learning about Alissa and so many different plots encircling the crown one cannot help but feel for almost all of the characters; they have such passion, drive, and desire to lead people to a new life/world where it shouldn’t be dangerous to have a given talent, magical or otherwise.

The ending of this book was both brilliant and the biggest stressor because for the longest time there was no news on a second book forthcoming! With a little digging I have found that it is set to release in Waterstones (UK store) for October 22, 2026, so another book is coming our way!

I highly recommend this to people who love Dark Fantasy, strong heroines, and sprinkle of romance integrally entwined throughout the plot.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

*I have the hardcover pink special edition version, and it is gorgeous.

Review of Magic Bites

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Synopsis:
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way our of her league—but she wouldn’t want it any other way…

Review:
This book really reads like an attempt for a female Harry Dresden, which is what I found myself thinking during most of this reading. A mix of Dresden Files entwined with The Southern Vampire Mysteries. While I did find it intriguing, and definitely had some jaw dropping moments, I couldn’t help but wish I had just picked the Dresden files back up. I do believe part of my disconnect was that there were a lot of magical things, powers, etc, thrown at the reader and just expected to be understood. There was way more telling than showing, and a lot of information dumps. All in all, I am glad to have finished it, but do not intend to continue on in this series.

This book has already been passed along, and I will have to see how it was received if it has already been read. I have followed up by gifting Storm Front to the friend who received this book.

Star rating: ✯✯✯

Review of Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

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Synopsis:
A formidable outlaw family that claims to be the first among nations.

A son destined to lead, thrust suddenly into power.

Three fierce young women of the Rahtan, the queen’s premier guard.

A legendary street thief leading a mission, determined to prove herself.

A dark secret that is a threat to the entire continent.

When outlaw leader meets reformed thief, a cat-and-mouse game of false moves ensues, bringing them intimately together in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

Review:
* While I reviewed the second book first, I assure you that I read them in the proper order and merely have gotten out of sync with paper book reviews versus kindle.

Kazi and Jase are impossible to dislike. They have very different upbringings, personalities, and expectations for themselves and their futures. I absolutely love seeing strong empowering women, and this book was full of them! There was great intrigue, and an incredible adventure. I quite loved this book, and immediately bought the second book to learn what happened next.

While I would recommend this book and the sequel, it isn’t one that is going to stay in paper form with me, but I am certain I’ll find someone else who will enjoy it.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Taking by Erin McCarthy

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Synopsis:
His gift is dark desire…

Nearly a century ago, Felix Leblanc made a deal with the demon of greed. Now he’s the most celebrated and powerful voodoo priest in New Orleans, able to enchant anything he wishes from wealthy, beautiful women. Until one client, beautiful and dangerous, brings his reign to a disastrous end, condemning Felix to servitude and a loveless eternity of never being wanted for himself.

In modern-day New Orleans, Heiress Regan Henry knows that passion can be an illusion, and she keeps her emotions in check, until she falls under the spell of the beguiling Felix LeBlanc. He knows that the rumors that her mansion is haunted are true, and that he’s the only one who can save her from the spirits residing there. But the only way he can do it is to sacrifice his last chance at redemption- or risk a love that could consign them both to an eternity of evil.

Review:
I absolutely loved this book. Felix was so easy to care about and want to learn more from. I absolutely adored how Regan learned to stand on her own feet and that she was willing to do whatever it took to make her own choices and not be trapped trying to be a puppet. The passion mixed in with the voodoo and past connections was truly perfection.

We have come to the continuation of paper book reviews (all previous to this posted in January were leftover kindle reviews from last year). This is a book I happened to grab from the dollar store while awaiting the call to pick someone up nearby. While I did like it, it likely isn’t one I’ll hold on to.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Lady Avely’s Guide to Guile and Peril by Rosalie Oaks

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Synopsis:
A widow shouldn’t infiltrate a military fort… unless she is wearing a mobcap.

When the Duke of Sargen is snatched away before her eyes, Judith knows she must follow him into Pendennis Castle before he can be stripped of his Gift and his memory. After all, she hasn’t had a chance to tell the man that she loves him yet.

But when she finds him imprisoned, Dacian has already forgotten her. Worse, his captor refuses to believe Judith’s testimony and sets her a task to prove her Truth Discernment: discover who killed a soldier found dead on the Cornwall seashore.

The body washed up near Judith’s new domain: a tidal island with a rundown castle, haunted cellars, and massive butler who is most definitely hiding something. Judith must call on all her resourcefulness—and her most trusted companions—to find the truth before the week is up… before Dacian is lost to her forever.

How does one jailbreak a duke if he can’t even remember his own name? Does a killer lurk in Judith’s own castle? And does Lanyon Isle have any drinking chocolate?

The thrilling conclusion to the Matronly Misadventures, featuring an amnesiac duke, a determined widow, and a daring jailbreak. Enjoy a slow burn, low spice second-chance romance and a twisty murder mystery in a magical version of Regency England.

Review:
“As much as one would like to be without guile, sometimes deceit is necessary.” (page 22)

“Pay attention to omissions and evasions.” (Page 138)

“Patience is a virtue, until it is not.” (Page 355)

Ah, this book was perfection! There was so much time spent wondering and worrying about Dacian but Judith shines in her ability to step in and oversee a house, even if she feels overwhelmed by all the new responsibilities. I quite liked her ability to keep her wits about her and see beyond what was obvious. In the grand mystery scheme, I had only figured out part of what was going on before it was revealed. Despite the high stakes of Dacian’s life/memory mixed with Judith caring for her family and the bats, she still kept her mind on the most important tasks at hand, even/especially when she had to involve her children. Marigold is her usual wonderful self, a true part of the family. The ending was almost perfect, and knowing that all the characters shall make an appearance in Eleanor’s book, it seems time that I start The Lady Diviner series.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Uprooted by Naomi Novik

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Synopsis:
Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

Review:
“Try not to borrow more folly than you already possess.” (Page 172)

“I didn’t go gleaning in the forest to find something in particular; I went to find whatever there was to find, and to let the ideas come to me: if I found a heap of mushrooms, we’d have mushroom soup the next day, and if I found flt stones the hole in the road near our house would get mended.” (Page 270)

I was worried when I started this book, having read Damsel by Elana K. Arnold, that this was going to go a very different way. I was so very happy with the unexpected that was found within this novel. The Dragon is formidable and while he seems so other when he visits the village (which he rarely does), he doesn’t expect perfection from Agnieszka. While he has certainly had many guests before, it is clear that what Agnieszka is, is very different than the usual meek and timid maidens that likely have served him.

The synopsis for this novel doesn’t even begin to describe all the intricacies of the book, so I will attempt to without giving things away. This book is excellent for those who excel in nature, find themselves a bit different than others, and love a good strong female protagonist that doesn’t need to be saved, and can be a savior herself, thank you very much.

I’m not sure my sentence synopsis really helps in understanding any more than the one the book has already. There’s magic, mystery, and a lot of gumption needed by a fledgling who finds herself knowing that she can do more than sit around and hope everything will work out. I highly recommend this book to any who love fairy tales, fairy tale retellings, magic, mages, political intrigue, nature, and the forest.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯