T. Kingfisher

Review of What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
The next installment in the New York Times bestselling Sworn Soldier series, featuring Alex Easton investigating the dark, mysterious depths of a coal mine in America

Alex Easton does not want to visit America.

They particularly do not want to visit an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia with a reputation for being haunted.

But when their old friend Dr. Denton summons them to help find his lost cousin—who went missing in that very mine—well, sometimes a sworn soldier has to do what a sworn soldier has to do…

Review:
“And now we were talking about feelings. I would almost rather he had poured the burning oil on me.” (Page 154)

I could not put this book down! I loved all Alex’s quips on life and keeping to themselves, and poor Dr. Denton and his cousin. I really enjoyed seeing Angus get on with Dr. Denton’s equivalent–very capable people all around. I adored how Alex internally reasoned and tried so hard to not let fear get the best of them, because, you know, they certainly aren’t afraid. I absolutely adore the writing style and voice of this novel; it’s a big part of what ensnares you, because it is almost like a journal written in first person as you go along on the adventure with everyone.

“Christ’s blood, now what?” I asked. Kent appeared and pressed coffee into my hands. I blessed him and all his kin and swore undying fealty to his house. I took several sips of coffee before I realized I’d been speaking Gallacian, which was probably just as well. (Page 76)

This was certainly a different type of paranormal than the last two books, and I quite enjoyed the novelty of it as I haven’t read of anything of the sort before!

Highly recommend for those who enjoyed Mexican Gothic, and enjoy Gothic Horror/Fantasy in general. It’s one that will leave you waiting for another adventure to come along, though I am certain Alex wishes they were done with that life, thank you very much.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

End of Year Reading Recap/Recs: Best of 2025

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

I intended to keep up with what books were read when, and honestly, that all fell to the wayside with sick animals and catastrophes. Will this year be better? Here’s hoping I can keep all the books read reviewed within the same month, but hey, in the end, they are reviewed and I enjoyed reading them–which is the most important thing.

This year I read 62 books on kindle and 24 in paper form for a grand total of: 86 books. We are up 8 books since last year read in total, though to be fair, one was quite short, and four were graphic novels/manga. Regardless, they were read!

I had challenged myself to read 2 paper books a month to start weeding through my library of randomly begotten books so I could instead have a library of intention. While I did manage to get 24 paper books read, they were not read 2 a month as I had originally intended, and many were not necessarily ones I already owned. 5 of the books had been purchased during the year and 2 were gifted to me (and read). All in all, this process certainly has made me appreciate what paper books I hold on to more, and I have gotten much better at letting go of books that no longer serve me. I intend to read at least 24 books this year, and hope that I can decide whether many stay or go. 6 books were set to depart the library from this challenge. Of course, I bought 5… but so it goes.

On to what you’re actually here for:
The Recommendations!

In the series category we have:
Beautiful Villain by Rebecca Kenney
The first book I read in 2025 was by far one of the best. Filled with pop culture but not enough to draw you away from the story, this book constantly had action, well developed characters, and breathtaking love. This is a retelling of The Great Gatsby and it was better than I could have ever imagined. Both Gatsby and Daisy are given depth, but the story shifts to fit in with our modern times, with a sprinkle of supernatural. I absolutely adored how the Gatsby/Nick/Myrtle/Daisy/Tom connection worked and that while Nick doesn’t remain the narrator, he is given more depth, backstory and love than the original story had. *Blurb taken from my original review posted on January 31, 2025.

Wishful Thinking by Helen Harper
Faery Godmothers have one of the best jobs; trying to make everyone’s life better by granting their deepest desires. Unfortunately, some of them have gone missing, so when Saffron Sawyer accepts a job opening to work there after so long dealing with a very different type of clientele that needs help, it seems like it was too good to be true. Enter the Devil’s Advocate, a dashingly charming faery who is looming around and you have a recipe for fae who are not going to let someone take their dreams (and dream jobs) away.

The Devil Made Me Brew It by Sarah Piper
It may break the third way by saying so itself, but this book is very much if Hallmark made Halloween movies. A witch down on her luck who is good at making teas that help with all sorts of things, and a demon who gets sucked into working with her, who have to find and grant her true desire in order to part ways. True desires aren’t always what they seem, because the outside view doesn’t always reveal what’s most important within. Warning: This book made making teas sound so good that I got a bunch of raw ingredients to infuse my own. It is not that simple. *As of right now, there is a lone book though it is listed as in a series online.

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
Magic is the core of this book, and while there is certainly something dark and scary out there, Jessica wasn’t looking to become Merlin. Having been reprimanded from making a bad magical choice in her teen years, Jessica doesn’t usually associate with officials from the World Council of Witches (she was banned from the organization, after all). Imagine her shock when she learns that she has to be the one to save her town, whether or not all the other witches in it are good, all thanks to the handsome and so annoying Derrick. *As of right now, there is a lone book though it is listed as in a series online.

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith
Lured into a mysterious and dangerous game, Genevieve finds that if she’s to survive and try to get answers about her mother’s past, she’s going to have to pretend to be desperately in love with Rowin, who has offered to compete with her. A dazzling and thrilling follow up to Phantasma that I likely recommend for those who love Dark Fantasy/Dark Romantasy.

Waifs and Strays by Helen Harper
Kit is a purple haired cat lady who seems nice and perfectly harmless. Enter a teenage werewolf who wants to rent her upstairs flat, and suddenly she’s embroiled with all sorts of mystery and magic-caused mayhem. Luckily for Kit, she is more than she may appear. The worst thing you can do is underestimate a cat lady.

The Ether Witch by Delemhach
Of the Ashowan children, Tamlin was the one who never needed to be worried about. Appearing anti-social, shy, and unapproachable he’s always lived in the shadow of his famous parents, and his loud and rambunctious sister. When he is saddled with a new assistant he definitely didn’t ask for, and the need to check on the stability of Zinfera, his own personalities and abilities finally get a chance to shine. *This book is in the same world/series as The House Witch and The Burning Witch. While they aren’t completely necessary to read this series, they are amazingly fun and addictive and I’d recommend all three trilogies.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
A very capable blonde widow ends up trapped by relatives who want to steal her inheritance, and ends up on a long adventure with a warrior who appeared out of a sword she unsheathed in her room. They must evade capture and gain help of those who upkeep the law while also traveling together without causing too much suspicion from anyone.

Thorn Season by Kiera Azar
Imagine a world in which you were born with a specific gift that the King would annihilate you for. Now imagine that you have to go to court for your rose season in which you’re supposed to find a husband, and that same King has declared this year he will find a wife–and his eyes appear to be on you. Political intrigue, magic, fantasy–you won’t be able to put this book down, and will wish the next installment was immediately available.

Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey
A jilted on television nutritionist and the head hockey player of the team she ends up working for end up having a marriage of convenience to fix both their problems, but what if they fall in love? A holiday romance that is addictive, well written, and with clear knowledge of both hockey and nutrition. A fun, quick read that will have you immediately grabbing the second book in the series.

How to Survive a Fairy Bargain by Laura J. Mayo
Enter the world of the fae and so many hidden secrets, outspoken faerie familiars (here’s looking at you, Theo), and the sudden need to find who tried to stage a thousand year old assassination attempt. Mix in with the melancholy of missing a former familiar and the need for great haste in uncovering the mystery. An awesome follow up to How to Summon a Fairy Godmother.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
A lost sister in hiding, a fallen family, and a fae queen who requires that all females who come of age make a bargain with her. Bargains can better the lives of the families, and secure better matches, but with the fae something is often given in return. Enter the crown prince looking for a wife, and suddenly what was just a ceremony for a bargain becomes a series of tests to find the new princess–something that could save Ivy’s family’s social standing. Victorian style fairy tale esque, highly recommended for those who love romantasy.


And for standalone books I’d recommend:
Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Lizzy is a strong and independent girl, who has to be, because her father has passed and her mother is stricken unresponsive after speaking with ghosts. She comes across Antony Carlisle while managing her parents floundering antique shop, whose sister is facing the same ailment as her mother. Together, they navigate the past, including that of a Yuletide story from long ago. They are both compelled to solve the mystery–no matter what it may bring to light.

Nocticadia by Keri Lake
Lilia watches her mother succumb to an unknown illness and knows that someday she wants to do two things: leave the city she is stuck in, and find out what killed her mother. Enter admission to a college she knows can help in her search, and Professor Bramwell, who is searching for something else entirely. Through research and forbidden relations, perhaps Lilia and Bramwell could find the answers they are searching for together. Dark Academia Dark Romance has never been written better.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Every ten years the Dragon comes to take a girl from the village as a companion. Agnieszka isn’t graceful, poised, or the most beautiful, yet she gets chosen. Agnieszka is not a maiden to be locked away in a tower forever when she can do something to help those she loves, even if the Dragon, a master wizard, has told her to sit tight. Fairy tale esque with lots of magic and interesting flora and fauna.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Everyone is willing to take when they don’t think they will have to repay anything, but Miryem is done living in squalor with all the money they had lent away. Good at her job, she soon has her own house sorted, and takes in another from the village to help as well. Words have a way of traveling, and when they reach the Staryk king from a winter land of snow, a fae of sorts, that she can change silver to gold, her future fate becomes entwined with his as they fight to do the impossible and save both of their homes from ruin.

Review of Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Halla has unexpectedly inherited the estate of the wealthy distant uncle she’s been caring for for the past decade. Unfortunately, she is also saddled with money-hungry relatives full of devious plans for how to wrest the inheritance away from her.

While hiding in her bedroom to escape her family, Halla inspects the ancient sword that’s been collecting dust on the wall since before she moved in. On a whim, she pulls it down and unsheaths it—and suddenly a man appears in her bedroom. His name is Sarkis, he tells her, and he is an immortal warrior trapped in a prison of enchanted steel.

Sarkis is sworn to protect whoever wields the sword, and for Halla—a most unusual wielder—he finds himself not fending off grand armies and deadly assassins but instead everything from kindly-seeming bandits to roving inquisitors to her own in-laws. But as Halla and Sarkis become closer, they overlook the biggest threat of all—the sword itself.

Review:
I absolutely loved this book and it was impossible to put down. Sarkis is dark, mysterious, sarcastic, and the type of protect-her-or-die asshole we all wish we had. I really enjoyed getting to know Halla, who is not only a very capable woman, but one who isn’t aware of just how precious she is. It was enjoyable having an older protagonist who knows she isn’t seen as the town’s version of beauty, but is still very strong and nice and capable. One thing that Kingfisher has been doing consistently is making sure that body types don’t determine capability–something true in life as well. I came to care far more for a priest than I thought I would in such a novel.

The ending of this book was so perfect when there were so many times that it seemed that not everyone could possibly have a happy ending. I cannot wait to continue reading about everyone’s adventures in future books to come.

I highly recommend this book to those that love strong women, magic, and those who have worked hard getting what they actually deserve (and were willed).

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes Hemlock & Silver, a dark reimagining of “Snow White” steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.

Not to die, but to save— seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.

Or it might be the thing that kills them all.

Review:
“The human body is a strange combination of incredibly fragile and unspeakably tough.” (Page 46)

I absolutely love Anja, and I think many may not be sure that they like Snow. Anja is stuck in a peculiar situation; if she cannot yield results more than just her own reputation and life may suffer because while the king may not hold it against her, the rest of his subjects certainly would hold that against her family. I absolutely loved how the magic world worked, and of course our wonderful feline guide. I quite enjoyed the rapport between Anja and her guard, as well as how Anja would speak to the King when able. She is a very enjoyable protagonist to follow, and I was rooting for her all the time.

There were so many amazing quips and one liners in this book that it becomes almost impossible to pick one to encompass the feel of the entire story. While I am certain I will have picked one for the beginning of this review, I will share this one that I feel a special kinship with here. “Then I slept badly–I always do, the night before I know I have to be somewhere early–” (Page 55)

This book was such a unique and fun take on Snow White, and I greatly enjoyed it. If you love fairy tale retellings, magic, strong independent women that aren’t necessarily the slimmest, cats, and guards who are good at their jobs (even when it takes them to places they never could have dreamt of) this book is definitely for you!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms—there are no secrets in this house—and her mother doesn’t allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother’s beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him.

But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t evil sorcerers.

When her mother unexpectedly moves them into the manor home of a wealthy older Squire and his kind but keen-eyed sister, Hester, Cordelia knows this welcoming pair are to be her mother’s next victims. But Cordelia feels at home for the very first time among these people, and as her mother’s plans darken, she must decide how to face the woman who raised her to save the people who have become like family.

Review:
“She picked up her cup and took a sip, trying, like many before her, to drown her emotions with tea.” (Page 185)

I’ve mentioned before that T. Kingfisher has my heart, well, that remains true with this novel as well. One of my favourite parts of this book is while yes, it is very much about Cordelia, we actually have an unlikely older heroine involved as well. I absolutely loved the characters in this novel. The book was spent in suspense between wanting Cordelia to have freedom and a happy ending, but wanting Hester to find one as well as free her brother. I adored the concepts within the book, and how the older women instantly took Cordelia under their wing. Penelope Green is truly an icon, and while I wished things were different, in the end I am so glad for everything this book let the reader experience. There are so many ways in which this book touches on issues the everyday person might have–keeping secrets and disappointing one’s family, worries of age and how that will change a person. All in all, as per all Kingfisher books, I’d highly recommend this one.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia.

In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home. . . or in their dreams.

Review:
“Something bad happened to both of us, too. We don’t deserve to fall apart either.” (Page 146)

This world has my heart locked in a way that not many books do. From the very beginning, you area locked in a tale that is being both told and shown to you. It seems that mystery and the paranormal are to follow Easton as they make their way across the land. There were so many good parts of this book, however short it is, that it will be hard to fit it into one review. I adored the descriptions of the land, and especially the silence within the forest, and how country living compares to city living. As someone who grew up in a log cabin in the woods, literally, I have never been a big fan of city noise, even in town noise, and it’s something that I find people who have never lived the other way rarely understand.

I love that Easton always looks for the logic behind things, and the obvious ways that they can fix/help without immediately thinking of supernatural mediums to try to combat problems. I thought that Easton’s tinnitus was a great boon to both this book and showcasing that there are lasting things after war that one cannot simply forget. On that note, while I would never wish it upon anyone, I greatly enjoyed the continued mention of Easton occasionally having soldier’s spells (PTSD in the real world) as it was quite accurately represented. I also loved how Easton’s bright mentality helped win the day.

I highly recommend the Sworn Soldier series to those who love gothic horror. I absolutely adore this series, and will admit that there are still times that the first book in the series whispers through my head. Great job, T. Kingfisher; I cannot wait for more!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

End of Year Tidings. 2024 Recap/Recommendations

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

The ratings/numbers of which book read each month may be a bit eschew because I had such huge breaks in between when I did reviews during the year. I endeavour to keep up with book reviews this year, to keep track for myself if nothing else, and to give some ideas to all of you who might want a good book to read.

January  8
Feb 10
March 9
April 1
May 5
June 2
July 11
August 8?
September 6?
October 5?
November 7?
December 6?

I read so many good books this year, some of which were much longer than I’ve previously read, but I wanted to read books that I really thought I’d enjoy and the quality of books I read this year was overall quite stellar (though there were a few I could go without, as usual). I read 78 books this year, which while it may seem lower than years past, I don’t mind at all since I read quite a bit more epic fantasy, and a lot of high quality and truly wonderful books. Here’s a list of the best books of 2024, divided by whether they are a series or standalone.

In the series category we have:
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Think gaslamp fantasy with a snarky female main character who doesn’t care about men, especially not flirtatious ones, who is set to finish her largest project yet; an encyclopedia of the various fae. She isn’t good with people, which makes the overly attentive Wendell Bambleby all the more annoying to her. This is a great series, of which I’ve read both books (one after the other) and highly recommend it to those who love fantasy, fae, strong female characters, and seeing growth of both main characters throughout the story.

The Burning Witch by Delemhach
Take a prince who has fallen into very bad habits, and a witch who is brash, loud, and somehow knows just how to get under everyone’s skin and have them travel together to a country where everyone is very subdued and proper. Kat very much follows in her father and mother’s footsteps in various ways throughout this series, and I live for it. This series does a great job of showing how hard it can be to push forward in a role/position dominated by the opposite sex, while still maintaining your identity.

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Manipulating people can be easy if you have the right motivation, and what better motivation than knowing you’ll never have any control over your life otherwise? In The Shadows Between Us Alessandra is cunning and daring, and while she may not always make the best choices, she does try to make life better for not just herself, but others around her. In The Darkness Within Us Chyrsantha has gone about trying to fix her life in a very different way, but with an equal amount of cunning. Both books showcase what it’s like to do whatever you have to in order to have a life that you might enjoy, from two very different perspectives.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
“A blank page was nothing but potential, pointless until it was used.” -Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
Magic coming from the earth, bestowed upon those worthy. Following a plethora of complex lives, Sanderson gives depth to all the characters met in the series (I’ve read up to the third one). There is an intricate magic system, politics, and story that a mere mortal could hardly sum up in a little burb to tell you that if you like epic fantasies and haven’t gotten into this, you’re truly missing out!

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
The Phantom of the Opera meets Caravel in this amazing adventure featuring interesting magical concepts, creatures beyond mortal comprehension, a competition for something you wish for, and a ghostly cat who acts befitting to a cat. It takes a little bit to get into the story, but once you’re there you are hooked and need to know what happens next. Fair warning that there is a lot of spice in this book. The second book in this series is due out April 8th, featuring Ophelia’s younger sister, Genevieve, and a new mystery.

What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher
A perfect gothic retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher with the best gloomy oppressive atmosphere and little hints that will leave you guessing until the big reveal of what is actually going on. This retelling had me hooked with the historical references, and characters that really enthralled me. If you like gothic stories, I highly recommend this one! It is the first in a series and while I have bought the second, I have yet to read it. I will, of course, put up a review when I do.

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette
Two writers with very different asperations and writing styles have to duke it out to see who will gain a full writing contract while fighting over which of them is the better love expert, but in the faerie tale world of Odette’s Fair Isle with magic and fae bargains and what could possibly go wrong? I was worried I wouldn’t love this book because Odette doesn’t usually write pure romances but it was spot on, and I absolutely recommend it for people who love fairy tales, fantasy, and romance mixed with characters with lots of hidden secrets and stakes to not winning the competition.

Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater
A maid with a bit of an anger issues finds herself enamoured with the younger man of the house and accidentally in the midst of a fae bargain with a stranger before she realizes it. Hijinks, magic, and great growth of characters await the reader in this delightful Cinderella retelling that I highly recommend.

Hex and Hexability by Kate Johnson
Victorian times meets witches and people who struggle with wanting to be more than what their station determines they should be in public, and a chance meeting between two who both find themselves trapped in the world of the ton that they have no desire to be a part of. This book is technically part of a series of witch stories by Johnson, but they all stand alone and are not related to each other. This book was a perfect standalone, and I highly recommend it for great characterization, world building, and character depth; everyone had an interesting backstory that could explain how they became how they were.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater
A not-really-a-governess appears to take charge of a very frustrating child who no one seems to notice is stolen by faeries finds herself having to fight to get him back and solve the mystery of the house they live in. Great Victorian fantasy, filled with mystery, great characters, and an unforgettable story of what power does to some people.


And for stand along books I’d recommend:
Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher
Doing what’s right is rarely what’s easy, and Marra doesn’t care about what’s supposed to be when she knows she can save her sister from an abusive prince. Marra finds a witch and has to complete three impossible tasks in order to gain the help she needs, and she might just find some friends along the way. Highly recommend this book for its unique settings, magic system, and great characters.

Just Stab Me Now by Jill Bearup
Rosalind is a widow who has a family to protect, but the author of her story has other ideas for what should happen. Follow along with Caroline as she fights with her book protagonists to make the story the fantasy she think lives needs to be, and while she learns a bit more of protecting and taking care of herself, as well as risk taking, in the process. If you follow Bearup on TikTok you likely already have this book. This book was everything the TikTok series would lead you to think it could be, but then even better! Bearup did an absolutely stellar, stand up job on this novel! If you’ve seen the videos, you’ll also totally hear it in her voice as you read as well.

Hate Mail by Donna Marchetti
Two pen pals since elementary school have been sending scathing letters to each other for years… but what happens when they end up in the same town and meet up? This is the only modern romance to make the list, and honestly I found it was refreshing and I loved how everything pulled together in the end–though I think the misunderstanding between them went on for far too long with neither ever correcting or thinking to ask each other the most basic of questions you’d ask a new neighbor.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
An absolutely brilliant gothic mystery featuring a secluded estate, rude and creepy distant in laws, and the bond of cousins that knows no bounds. Pulled to the out in the middle of nowhere estate, Noemí wants to see how her cousin is being treated, if she is well, and make it back in time to get in on the next semester of college. Since she’s more used to being a socialite than a detective, she has to use the wiles she has from working parties, and the wits she often doesn’t let the public see, to piece together exactly what is going on at High Place. Great atmosphere, horrible in laws, and awesome story.

What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown
This book was described as Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle and that is exactly the feeling. Hester was a completely likeable and understandable protagonist who has real aspirations and whose life goes terribly astray after coming into contact with the princes of the kingdom. She’s practical, rarely gives in to whimsy, and never wants to be in debt. The choice to go to a ball, for the food, of course, leads her into a series of wonderful and sometimes horrid experiences, and is a remarkable tale that any fairy tale/fantasy lover would enjoy.

Review of What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

Review:
This book had me enthralled from the absolute beginning. The setting was perfectly dim and dark and creepy, especially when compared to other places known by the main character. The past flash backs were well established and perfectly aligned when and where they needed to be. The mention of history and language was always well added and never seemed gratutious. Everything was perfectly dark, gothic, and seemed set for there to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for the mental decline that the Ushers seemed to be facing. I never imagined in a million years what it turned out was actually happening, and the story haunted me for many days afterward.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
This isn’t the kind of fairy tale where the princess marries a prince.

It’s the one where she kills him.

Marra — a shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter — is relieved not to be married off for the sake of her parents’ throne. Her older sister wasn’t so fortunate though, and her royal husband is as abusive as he is powerful. From the safety of the convent, Marra wonders who will come to her sister’s rescue and put a stop to this. But after years of watching their families and kingdoms pretend all is well, Marra realizes if any hero is coming, it will have to be Marra herself.

If Marra can complete three impossible tasks, a witch will grant her the tools she needs. But, as is the way in stories of princes and the impossible, these tasks are only the beginning of Marra’s strange and enchanting journey to save her sister and topple a throne.

Review:
I was looking for something to read on the 15th while waiting for the next Emily Wilde book to come out and I have to say that I didn’t expect to be completely swept away to another world that I did not want to leave. Instantly we are transported to a world where Marra is set trying to do three impossible things while considering her worth and abilities as the third royal daughter of a kingdom. There are so many amazing twists and turns of dark magic, forcing oneself to forge forward into what should be impossible, the knowledge gained in least expected places, and the relationships forged along the way.

Marra finds herself not as smart or brave as she wishes she could be, yet she pushes herself to become an unlikely heroine- a nun with more power than a princess. Throughout the novel she demonstrates countless times how her real knowledge came from those who nurtured her, realizing things such as “our own flaws infuriate us in other people”. (Chapter 12, Page 132) Marra has a few qualities that I found myself completely empathizing with and I’m sure many would feel the same; the desire to help others and make things right (even if the others do not see/desire it themselves), and that when putting forth to a huge task there is a daunting sense that despite having done so much it was still just the beginning and there is still so much more to do. It is a truth well known that it is quite hard to keep direction when it’s you that you are following.

I highly recommend this book and very much think it will be a standout read of 2024. It’s got an epic fantasy adventure, a demon, people who speak to the dead, those who are trying to do the impossible to save their family, and those they come to love along the way.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Bryony and Roses
By T. Kingfisher

Star Rating: 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Number of Pages: 216

Synopsis:(From Amazon)bryony
Bryony and her sisters have come down in the world. Their merchant father died trying to reclaim his fortune and left them to eke out a living in a village far from their home in the city.

But when Bryony is caught in a snowstorm and takes refuge in an abandoned manor, she stumbles into a house full of dark enchantments. Is the Beast that lives there her captor, or a fellow prisoner? Is the house her enemy or her ally? And why are roses blooming out of season in the courtyard?

Armed only with gardening shears and her wits, Bryony must untangle the secrets of the house before she—or the Beast—are swallowed by them.

Review:
I will give Kingfisher this: her concept was original.  I enjoyed how the rose played into the story, but in the end, a lot of the crowning originality of this novel played far too little too late a part in the story.  I am likely overly cynical of this novel, as I would be of any Beauty and the Beast retelling since it’s my favourite fairy tale, but part of my distaste is because T. Kingfisher’s The Seventh Bride (which you can read the review for here, and look at the book’s Amazon listing here) took many fairy tale elements and yet created a whole new world and story that was completely unique, which was what I had hoped for in reading Bryony and Roses.

Bryony is such a harsh name for a character most often referred to as “Belle” or “Beauty”.  Throughout reading the book, I found the name rather jarring.  Bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers, and not the most common of names.  The name Bryony could be seen as foreshadowing towards both the character’s abilities and the ending, which is in a way, quite clever, but it seemed very dissonant from the tone of the novel otherwise.

Bryony and Roses does follow closer to the original story of Beauty and the Beast than the Disney version most are familiar with.  Instead of merely being an angry, irritable beast, this beast has interests and wishes to make Bryony happy, and always asks her if she’ll marry him.  There is still a hint of Disney’s magic castle, but Kingfisher’s reasoning for that is quite sound, and not discovered until the end of the novel.

One thing I very much liked about this version of Beauty and the Beast is that Bryony herself was the one who entered the castle and had to give herself up to the beast since she’d taken refuge there.  The book does a good job of fleshing out the characteristics and personalities of Bryony’s father and two sisters (yeah, Beauty had two sisters– Disney forgot to tell you that).  The personalities of the father and sisters are reversed from what they were in the original story, which made for an interesting twist.  Having Bryony love and care about her sisters, and having her presence be detrimental to their well being, made more sense as to why she was so upset about having to leave the life she knew before.

The true gem of this story was the function of the rose.  Unfortunately, the mystery that could have and should have been building for the entire novel was quickly explained away, despite having been the whole reason behind why everything is as it is.  Had more time been spent on what was only glossed over in regards to the rose, I think the quality of this novel would have greatly improved.

Author Bio: (From Amazon)
T. Kingfisher is the vaguely absurd pen-name of Ursula Vernon, an author from North Carolina. In another life, she writes children’s books and weird comics. She has been nominated for the World Fantasy and the Eisner, and has won the Hugo, Sequoyah, Nebula, Alfie, WSFA, Coyotl and Ursa Major awards, as well as a half-dozen Junior Library Guild selections.

This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups. Her work includes multiple fairy-tale retellings and odd little stories about elves and goblins.When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.

www.tkingfisher.com