Synopsis: Student body president, that is—nominated by her power-mad best friend, Lilly. This is not how Mia imagined kicking off her sophomore year, but as usual, she has bigger problems to worry about, like Geometry. And now that Mia’s one true love, Michael, is uptown at college, what’s the point of even getting up for school in the morning? But the last straw is what Lana whispers to her on the lunch line about what college boys expect of their girlfriends. . . . Really, it’s almost more than a princess in training can bear!
Review: In this book, Mia finally starts to find her voice, and what is worth standing up for. While it is both sad and frustrating what Lana whispers to Mia, and how her relationship seems to go after that conversation, it is unfortunately a very real problem that many relationships are affected by. While Mia didn’t really want to run for student government, it’s great to see her speak about things she finds truly important without getting ill from nerves! Lilly, unfortunately, is continuing to show that when she wants something, she doesn’t care what she has to do to try to get it. While some may think it all in fun, it isn’t cool that Lilly consistently insists on referring to Mia by a title/nickname she doesn’t like and has asked her not to use. All in all, this was a great book, and I can’t wait to read on!
I’d love your thoughts on Mia’s relationship with Lilly!
Synopsis: Tamlin Ashowan has troubled his family for years. Between the fearfulness of his magic and his refusal to share exactly what it does, his loving parents and sister don’t know how best to guide him. Tam, on the other hand, insists he doesn’t need any assistance. Despite ignoring his magic and possessing a preference for remaining locked up in his room with a good book, Tam is determined to play his role as the heir to his dukedom to the best of his ability. But being the son of Finlay Ashowan, the famous hero of Daxaria, his life is prone to chaos.
Will a new assistant, who has even more secrets than Tam himself, be able to help navigate Tam’s endless responsibilities? Will all chaos break out thanks to the unstable kingdom of Zinfera? And lastly, can Tam handle everything without having to use his magical power, or will he be pushed to new limits as his fate rushes to meet him?
Find the answer to these questions and more in the new trilogy set in the same universe as The House Witch series, The Princess of Potential, and The Burning Witch series. There’s no need to read the previous books to enjoy the new, fun adventure. Feel free to jump right in!
Review: “…those without ambitions of their own will be swallowed by others who are ravenous with the desire for more.” (Pages 447-448)
Tam is certainly different from his father. Unlike where The House Witch starts, Tam is an adult, but one that hasn’t really ever done anything on his own. He hasn’t faced up to his own abilities and potential, and has allowed himself to live in the shadows of his family. For a while, being left in the dark feels a bit frustrating, as if Tam is keeping a secret even from himself, which, in a way, he was. I loved every twist and turn of this novel, especially the way in which drama follows the Ashowans, even if it is in a different aspect from how Fin may have expected it to occur. It was lovely getting to see how much culture Tamlin has had from growing up as Fin and Annika’s son, and how well he appreciates knowledge and the world around him. I spent so long waiting, waiting, to see if we would have another little furry familiar, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens in the next novel!
Part of me wishes I had waited until the trilogy was out to avoid the book hangover this was sure to give me, and yet… I’ll just be waiting for the next! As with all Delemhach’s published works to date, I highly recommend this novel!
Synopsis: In her heart of hearts, Mia has but one wish: an evening spent with Michael in a tux and a corsage on her wrist—in other words, the prom. Michael, however, does not seem to share the dream that is the prom. Worse still, a service workers’ strike (with Grandmère and Lilly at the heart of it and on opposite sides) threatens the very existence of this year’s prom.
Will the strike end in time? Can Mia talk Michael out of his anti-prom views? Most importantly, will Mia get to wear her pink prom dress?
Review: This book shows that Mia really doesn’t want to say what she thinks to Michael, as much as she loves him, because she’s worried he’ll think she’s stupid or hate her. It was quite frustrating how Mia wants something so bad she has even told her Grandmere about it, but won’t confront Michael directly. It also shows that Lilly is quite the opportunist, and perhaps not the best friend Mia has. All in all, it was interesting to see how the characters are continuing to grow and develop–perhaps further apart than together.
Synopsis: Never before has the world seen such a princess. Nor have her own subjects, for that matter. But Genovian politics are nothing next to Mia’s real troubles.
Between canceled dates with her long-sought-after royal consort, a second semester of the dreaded Algebra, more princess lessons from Grandmère, and the inability to stop gnawing on her fingernails, isn’t there anything Mia is good at besides inheriting an unwanted royal title?
Review: “But I will never love anyone or anything as much as I love Fat Louie.” (Page 88)
Mia has everything she wanted, more or less, but also a position as a princess that makes everything so much harder on her; but she knows one truth–Fat Louie will always come first(to anyone with a pet they adore, it’s so true). It’s fun seeing how she interacts with her cousin Rene, and very amusing as she is thrust into spending so much time with Grandmere that she decides to take her advice. It does get a bit frustrating how Mia won’t come out and tell anyone what is actually bothering her, however, one can understand she doesn’t want to make anything be a problem or seem overly important; after all, to her, being a princess if very uncool. I do love how when given the full understanding of why people have pushed for certain things, she does what would be considered morally right, or, what she would have wanted someone to do for her. For someone who worries so much about not being self-actualized, she is far more insightful than I think I was at her age. Mia spends a lot of time uncertain about what makes her unique, or if she has any talent at all, and while the reveal may not be as surprising as one could expect, imposter syndrome is something that everyone faces, so it was great to see how she tried to cope with a feeling of less-than without becoming fully self-destructive.
All in all, I still would highly recommend this series. I’m in love and only wish I’d read it sooner!
Synopsis: Princess Mia may seem like the luckiest girl ever. But lately she spends all her time doing one of three things: preparing for her nerve-racking entrée into Genovian society, slogging through Manhattan in December, and avoiding further smooches from her hapless boyfriend, Kenny.
For Mia, being a princess in love is not the fairy tale it’s supposed to be…or is it?
Review: “A princess… does not shirk her responsibilities. Nor does she run at the first sign of adversity.” (Page 219)
Poor Mia avoids confrontation a lot, and with that means getting stuck in situations you don’t want to be in, because you didn’t want to hurt people’s feelings. This book reads just like a journal of a teenage girl would, and I absolutely adore every bit of it. While Mia is stuck trying to figure out her social life, Grandmere is trying to launch Mia into stardom, and with that, comes the unfortunate situation of constantly being criticized, both for being too honest at times and not understanding what’s going on at other points. Regardless, Mia will find her way, and it’s a great story to follow along with.
Synopsis: This is a standalone follow up novella to Nocticadia in which the siblings of the original respective couple meet, and what ensues is… curiosity, chaos, and understanding.
Review: I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book at all, because honestly, it felt like Bee had a lot of problems and I wasn’t sure that I would care about seeing her star in something. It seemed that Lilia was always covering for her and trying to keep her on the up and up, but Bee was clearly disturbed. Because of that, when she ends up in a rather dangerous situation, she finds herself understanding “Mr. Caed” more than one might expect.
I wasn’t really as big of a fan of this novel, in part because despite having gone through quite a lot of tribulations before the beginning of the novel, Bee is still very young and because of that naïve. If you loved Nocticadia this may allow you a bit more of a release from the stranglehold the first novel casts, but they are not at all the same type of book; in the word’s of Keri Lake, “The setting and tone of this short story is a complete departure from Nocticadia, and echoes my gritty contemporary books.”
Synopsis: A dark, atmospheric tale of deadly secrets and forbidden love. Mortui vivos docent. The dead teach the living.
After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I’d find the cure for what ravaged her. And leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me.
Four years later, I receive an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest, most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it’s rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before. Those whose bones are said to make up the island’s white sandy shores.
And restless ghosts aren’t even its most daunting peculiarity.
Devryck Bramwell, known on campus as Doctor Death, is a brilliant pathologist in charge of the midnight lab. He’s also my devastatingly handsome professor, who seems to loathe tenacious first-years, like me. Except, his dark and enigmatic gaze tells me all the ways he’d devour me if given the chance, and his stolen kisses burn my lips with forbidden jealousy.
I crave his authority. He aches for redemption. Together, we’re toxic. Delicious fodder for the prying eyes hellbent on exhuming the rotted skeletons of our pasts.
For the dead have much to teach, and it’s only a matter of time before Dracadia’s most depraved secret is resurrected.
Nocticadia is a standalone dark academia gothic romance.
Review: “What separates monsters from good men is only a matter of perspective.” (page 80)
This book is one of the absolute best dark romances I’ve read. Diving headfirst into Lilia’s life, there’s drama, there’s the unknown, and there’s a girl who had to grow up too fast. I wish all dark academia books were similar to this one; for this is so much greater than the others I have read, they cannot even be compared. This book is long, but not an epic though I certainly wouldn’t let that deter you because there was always something going on that made it nearly impossible for me to set this book down. I was absolutely enthralled and couldn’t wait to read the “freebie” novella Phobia afterwards (which you can get at the end of the novel).
There are certainly some trigger warnings associated with this book, and this type of taboo isn’t going to be for everyone. There is a lot more drama and behind the scenes politics than one might think at the beginning of the novel. One thing that certainly made this book stand apart in the dark academia genre would be that Lilia is old enough to be in college; older than an average freshman. She also has seen things, and while she might not be overtly experienced romantically, she isn’t some brand new to society hermit looking for connections wherever they find her; she has a particularly goal, and she doesn’t want to let anything stand in her way from understanding and continuing to fight against letting what happened to her mother happen to other people.
Every time I thought, okay, this is it, there were A LOT of hidden secrets and such; BAM, another twist is revealed. This book is perfection, and I am not sure I’ll ever find an equivalent dark academia to this ever again. There’s such tension, so many stakes, and undeniable connections. If you like dark romance, or dark academia, I dare you to take a chance on this book.
Synopsis: When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.
Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?
Review: I did not realize just how enthralling I would find this book, and accidentally ended up reading late into the night to read to the end. I wasn’t sure that I would love this book, having started it previously and abandoned it, but I found once I was a few paragraphs in I was easily hooked. This book had all the regency and romance of the original Austenland, but with a huge mystery that left me needing to read to the very end. Warning: this book makes you want to keep reading and do nothing else until you reach the conclusion.
The book shifts between days in Austenland and days in the past in Charlotte’s past, finally catching up in the end to the modern day. I thought it was really unique to tell the backstory in such a manner, so that we were experiencing it with Charlotte as she considered things herself while on her vacation. Her gumption, change, and confidence are inspiring for anyone who finds that they have allowed themselves and their lives to move too far from what they wanted, or have allowed themselves to be too cowed by others that they shouldn’t have.
I loved how Charlotte fell into the mystery and wanted to just focus on that instead of letting the outside world and her real life problems fill her mind. I also adored how well everyone developed the characters are, and getting to see another side to Miss Charming that hadn’t been present in the original Austenland.
I highly recommend this book if you like the regency time period, Jane Austen, mysteries and a hint of romance.
Synopsis: Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor’’ occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another…
With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas—along with their new maid Mercy—will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel’s ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.
Review: While I haven’t read Sorcery of Thorns in a hot minute, I was able to score this book in paper form because I knew I’d want it and I am, of course, blown away. Though a small novella, this story captures the magic and story of the Sorcery of Thorns universe. I absolutely loved seeing more of Silas, learning more of what he’s done with himself his many long years of living, and how despite perhaps not being human, he does grow to feel something towards his charges. What I truly adore, however, is how sometimes things can be seen by not said–it can be easier to put in work and do the impossible than to say what one feels, and worry that it might not be reciprocated. I also quite like that Elisabeth isn’t sure of herself and her future, but she’s learning and working and trying to forge a new path unlike others; something her own.
All in all this book was magical, and I only wish I’d read it more closer to when I read Sorcery of Thorns so the characters and setting would have already been ringing in my mind. I highly recommend this book if you liked Sorcery of Thorns.
Synopsis: Just when Mia thought she had the whole princess thing under control, things get out of hand, fast. First there’s an unexpected announcement from her mother. Then Grandmère arranges a national primetime interview for the brand-new crown princess of Genovia. On top of that, intriguing, exasperating letters from a secret admirer begin to arrive. Before she even has the chance to wonder who those letters are from, Mia is swept up in a whirlwind of royal intrigue the likes of which she’s never before witnessed.
Review: “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
These books just read so quickly. I absolutely love reading from the perspective of our young princess protagonist. It’s so fun to see into her mind about what she worries about, thinks about, and how she tries to hard to be a good person, even when it means agreeing to things she really doesn’t want to. Her reactions are priceless, especially since I could see myself (or others of that age) reacting in the same way. I actually have found more and more dislike for Lilly as I’ve been reading, and wish she’d spend more time with Tina.
It is so amusing to read the books and keep in mind what Mia is supposed to look like versus Anne Hathaway/the movie crew. In the descriptions used I still see the same Lilly in my head. I think it was a grave disservice to cut out Tina from the film, but it was clear that they could only do so much with a limited timeframe. Regardless of however I feel at the end of the book series, the movie is, and will forever be one of my favourite feel good movies. Whenever things are really horrible and I’ve been truly upset, it always helps bring back some joy and happiness.
That being said, this book series is truly enchanting, and one you start a book you’ll be hard pressed to set it down until you’re done with it.
Amy S. Brown 