Young Adult

Review of Noragami 5 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
TROUBLE IN PARADISE

While Kugaha continues to plot Bishamon’s downfall, Yukiné wonders what happened to his new friend Suzuha. He sees Kazuma leaving flowers at Suzuha’s cherry tree and follows him back to the heavens—right into the enemy stronghold. But when Bishamon attacks, Kazuma is forced to choose whose side he is really on.

Review:
Suzuha!!! While it was really nice to see Yukine have a friend, it was devastating for him to understand what happened. Kazuma is always trying to look out for his mistress, and sometimes, that might mean going against what they think is right.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Noragami 4 by Adachitoka

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Synopsis:
Though a powerful warrior goddess, Bishamonten suffers from taking on so many shinki. Among Bishamon’s many shinki, a terrible plan is formed by one of her most trusted aides. This shinki has dangerous ideas and gets involved with the mysterious Stray. Kazuma has a sense that something is wrong, but can he figure out what exactly is going on? Meanwhile, Hiyori desperately wants Yato to fix her, but he is presented with a solution that is hard to accept. Will Yato fix Hiyori, even if it means he’d have to cut all ties with her?

Review:
This book throws a lot of feelings at the reader, and obviously even more at the characters within. Kazuma tries so hard to be a good guide to Bishamonten but she refuses to listen to him. Because she’s surrounded herself with too many people, how can she really know any of them, or that she’s trusting the right ones? Yato may not want to face his feelings towards Hiyori, but in the end, how can he hold on to her when he has the ability to fix her ailment? I definitely grabbed the next book once this one was over.

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 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 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: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

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Synopsis:
Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them—the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor’s Watch will be a kingdom, and Kazi and Jase will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and they soon find themselves captured in a tangled web of deceit woven by their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies, a place where betrayals run deeper and more deadly than either had thought possible, and where timeless ambitions threaten to destroy them both.

Review:
Most of this book was anticipation, hoping that when separated, they’d be able to keep to their plans and accomplish great things. So much time was spent being so worried about poor Kazi! Many had to work through serious misgivings, and trust was the main thing this book centered around. While there were definite moments of great distress and worry, the ending was more perfect than I could have dreamt.

This is a great end to Jase and Kazi’s story, though I will say that months later it wasn’t as memorable or gripping as the first book.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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Synopsis:
Vying for the hand of one brother.

Falling in love with the other.

A new Victorian-inspired romantasy, perfect for fans of Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince.

“If you’re looking for the next YA sensation, here it is.” —Adalyn Grace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Belladonna

London, 1848—For four hundred years, England has been under the control of an immortal fae queen who tricked her way onto the throne. To maintain an illusion of benevolence, Queen Mor grants each of her subjects one opportunity to bargain for their deepest desire.

As Ivy Benton prepares to make her debut, she knows that not even a deal with the queen could fix what has gone wrong: Her family’s social standing is in shambles, her sister is a shadow of her former self, and Ivy’s marriage prospects are nonexistent. So when the queen announces a competition for Prince Bram’s hand, Ivy is the first to sign her name in blood. What a bargain can’t fix, a crown certainly could.

Ivy soon finds herself a surprising front-runner—with the help of an unexpected ally: Prince Bram’s brother, the rakish Prince Emmett, who promises to help Ivy win his brother’s heart…for a price. But as the season sweeps Ivy away, with glittering balls veiling the queen’s increasingly vicious trials, Ivy realizes there’s more at stake than just a wedding. Because all faerie bargains come with a cost, and Ivy may have discovered hers too late.

Review:
“Parents warned children to stay away from tall strangers in the woods and to never follow music that seemingly came from nowhere. They did not heed the warnings, and they paid the price.” (Page 365)

This book is AMAZING. It’s got the Victorian society mixed with fairies and magic and love. One of the best parts of this novel is that the faerie aspect is done very well; there is magic, there are bargains, but they all come with a price. While the bargains may be done to make the Faerie Queen seem sympathetic to humans, the duplicity of having to give something away that you often wouldn’t have considered the significance of should have made most realize that the fae don’t consider futures, morals, values, people in the same way that humans do. Yet one by one people send their daughters to ask for a bargain to try to make them more attractive, to elevate their family’s standing and lives, without considering what one may be giving away in return. This book also entwines familial relationships and what one would be willing to do for a sibling that they love more than anything.

This book is gripping, thought provoking, and leaves you wishing for the next book immediately before you’ve even set this one down.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Princess Diaries, Volume X: Forever Princess by Meg Cabot

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Synopsis:
It’s Mia’s senior year, and things seem great. She aced her senior project, got accepted to her dream college(s), and has her eighteenth birthday gala coming up . . . not to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia’s first-ever elections. What’s not to love about her life? Well . . . everyone adores her dreamy boyfriend, J.P., but Mia is not sure he’s the one. Her first love, Michael, is back from Japan . . . and back in her life. That senior project? It’s a romance novel she secretly wrote, and no one wants to publish it. And her father is losing in the Genovian polls—to Mia’s loathsome cousin René!

With not just Genovia’s but her own future hanging in the balance, Mia’s got some choices to make. And what she decides might determine not just the next four years but . . . forever!

Review:
“No one has ever died of embarrassment–never, not once in the whole history of time.” (Page 116)

Mia is growing up, and learning more and more about how just because things look nice, doesn’t mean they are the right thing for you. Mia has to face her own self desires for her future, both with her relationships and her career. It’s great seeing her grow and blossom and make educated choices.

Mia herself believes: “Life isn’t a romance novel. The truth is, the reason romance novels sell so well–the reason why everyone loves them–is because no one’s life is actually like that. Everyone wants their life to be like that.” (Page 214)

Everyone goes through turmoil and strife in their day to day life, and even as a princess, Mia still has issues with self doubt, self worth, and the certainty of what she has and wants for her future.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯