Tag: fiction

Book Review: Hecate Cavendish and the Angel of Death, by Paula Brackston

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title: Hecate Cavendish and the Angel of Death 
Author: Paula Brackston
Genre: Fantasy, historical 
Rating: 4.5 out of 5    

In her role as Assistant Librarian at Hereford Cathedral, Hecate continues to be guardian of the magical medieval map, and custodian of the ancient chained library. Equally important to her is her family of ghosts; the lost souls who haunt the centuries-old building, and who she has come to care about deeply. When a heartbroken Welsh warrior appears to her seeking her assistance, she sees it as her duty to help. As her friendship with the glassworker, Gil Wheatley, deepens, she understands the suffering of the lovelorn spirit. However, the arrival of a new Master of the Library throws her position into doubt, and may mean she must leave the cathedral.

Meanwhile, a savage murderer is terrorizing the city. When a second killing shows similarities and no clear explanation, Inspector Winter suspects something supernatural at work and calls on Hecate and her singular skills to help him.

With Hecate’s place in the cathedral no longer secure, her best friend soon to be wed, a growing relationship, everything in Hecate’s life seems in a state of flux. She must put aside her own personal concerns, however, if she is to fulfil her promise to the Welsh nobleman and succeed in stopping the murderous progress of the vengeful phantom who is terrorizing her city.

I’m sad to see this series end! I found the historical setting so engrossing, and all the characters are so vivid—including the ghosts. Hecate is an interesting character to read, and I love to see how her mind works. There was a lot going on here, and I enjoyed seeing how it all connected. Excellent writing and a fascinating read.

Paula Brackston is a bestselling author. Hecate Cavendish and the Angel of Death is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: To Dream in Darkness, by Ann Liang

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title: To Dream in Darkness
Author: Ann Liang
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.8 out of 5

China in the age of brilliance, where gods freely wander the three realms. Amongst them is the cruel and beautiful Death God, who has never failed to collect a soul on time. Until now. For when he seeks out Rujia, the noble god of healing―and the only god he is fated to kill with his own hands―she makes him an offer he can’t refuse: she will help lift the excruciating, century-old curse placed upon him if he gives her a one-month reprieve.

Rujia knows she isn’t as noble as everyone believes. Her deal with Death is merely an excuse to buy herself time while she figures out an escape plan. But when her plan causes the Celestial Palace’s collapse and the beloved crown prince’s disappearance, she and Death are both held responsible. The only way to avoid the wrath of all the other gods is to travel across the realms and safely retrieve the crown prince themselves.

Yet the journey proves far more treacherous than expected. As the unlikely alliance between them blooms into more, and Death’s resolve to kill Rujia weakens by the day, neither can outrun their intertwined fate without devastating consequences: A mysterious plague. An empire-destroying flood. A thousand deaths―and rising―to restore the balance Rujia’s disrupted. And if Rujia continues to live despite the will of the Heavens, this is only the beginning…

I really enjoyed this read! The mythology was interesting, even if the culture of the gods was a bit like…high school. I liked Rujia and Death both together and separately, as they both grew and learned to trust and think beyond themselves. Bits of this were sad, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ann Liang is from Beijing and lives in Melbourne. To Dream in Darkness is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: Fallen Beauty, by Astrid Scholte

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books.

Title: Fallen Beauty
Author: Astrid Scholte
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: 3.25 out of 5

Eighteen-year-old Thorelea Winyard has been a prisoner her entire life, forced to paint dead animals pushed into her cell. She dreams of the world outside her tower and everything she’s been denied. When one of her subjects comes back to life, Thorelea is thrust into a royal court where she can have anything she desires—aside from her freedom.

Here, she learns that the king and queen have ruled for centuries; their immortality is gifted through the power of their court painter, who dutifully updates their magical portraits. It is also here that she meets the sole other mortal of the court: Prince Kelter. Desperate to become immortal so he can join the ranks of the battalion waging war against a neighboring kingdom, he offers her a deal. Thorelea will paint the portrait Prince Kelter has been denied by his parents, and he will help her escape from the ruthless royal court.

They meet each night in secret. As they grow closer, they must face the monstrous realities of Thorelea’s powers. Will she be forced to choose between her heart and her freedom?

Honestly, I’d give this one a pass, if I had it to do over again. Very clunky, erratic, and half of it didn’t even make sense. The premise was great. The execution was…not. I’m not even sure why I finished it. I didn’t care for the characters. The world was flat. Even the history and resolution felt surface-level.

Astrid Scholte lives in Australia. Fallen Beauty is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: To Vex & To Hex, by Neena Noon

Image belongs to

Title: To Vex & To Hex
Author: Neena Noon
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Lucy Ansari’s life revolves around Crawley Books. As a witch, Lucy finds that Charles, the magical old man who owns it, feels more like family than her actual family. And like Lucy, her magic seems to adore books–but she definitely doesn’t adore Charles’ useless grandson, Grayson, who suddenly arrived from Ireland to “help” when Charles breaks his hip.

Grayson has never shown any interest in his lonely grandfather or the store Charles (and Lucy!) have dedicated their lives to. Suspicious of Grayson’s motives, there’s no way Lucy will let him disappoint Charles yet again–she’ll just have to hex him into leaving. But the arrogant, prickly Grayson seems determined to stay, and to finally mend his relationship with Charles before it’s too late. Except, much to his chagrin (and Lucy’s delight), Lucy refuses to part with his grandfather or the store. So, nonmagical Grayson decides to use his own version of vexing Lucy until she gives up her self-anointed role as Charles’ one and only protector.

As shenanigans ensue and sparks fly, Lucy and Grayson realize they share more than just responsibilities at the bookstore–like budding feelings for one another they’re desperate to suppress. But if they can only stop vexing and hexing, it might just be time to take a chance on each other.

Sorry, but this was very “meh” for me. Lucy being a witch was essentially pointless. Honestly, I felt like the ENTIRE reason for her being a witch was so the author could have her disappear stuff or poof it around—like her clothes—and the author wouldn’t have to actually make her characters do anything with the object in question. Charles and Lucy being witches was neve explained and it had absolutely no impact on the story world at large.

Lucy and Grayson were childish beyond belief. They fought like siblings. They hated each other for no reason. And the “pranks” they pulled on each other really demonstrated an ugliness of character they both possessed, so, frankly, they deserved each other.

Neena Noon was born in Long Island. To Vex & To Hex is her new novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for an honest review.)

The Best Books I Read in October (2026)

In October, I read 17 books, bringing my total for the year to 142 books read. I am woefully behind, It’s been a busy year. Most of those were solid reads, a couple were meh, and a few were really great.

This Shattered Tempest, by Thea Guanzon. I really enjoyed this trilogy! (After I got past the Star Wars fan fiction feel–or that bit calmed down some,). I liked the different cultures and I loved both main characters. At times I really wondered how they were going to survive.

Hecate Cavendish and the Angel of Death, by Paula Brackston. This was another final installment in a trilogy–and I’m very sad to see this story end. Excellently written historical fiction, a bit of murder mystery–and a vengeful ghost. Yes, please.

The Queen of Roses, by Julia Kelly. Another historical fiction read, albeit one about a time and place I had no idea was interesting. Even though I initially disliked the MC, I was soon drawn in by Julia Kelly’s excellent writing and storytelling abilities. Definitely give this a read.

What I Read in October (2026)

Books Read in October: 17
Books Read for the Year:  142/225

Topical Books/Monthly Goal Books:
Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus, by Lois Tverberg (spiritual): This was a fascinating read!
A Seer and Present Danger, by Devon Monk (TBR): This was a solid mystery read! I do love the setting.

For Review:

Murder on the Sacred River, by Tasha Alexander. This felt quite slow, but it wasn’t a bad read.

In the Woods They Wait, by Carrie Lee South. This was pretty creepy–and not what I was expecting.

To Vex & To Hex, by Neena Noon. I’d say give this one a pass. The MCs are both whiny, immature, and terrible people.

The Worst Is Yet to Come, by Trish Lundy. This was a decent YA/thriller. Apart from the question of why the MC thought it was a good idea to venture into a deserted housing development in the middle of the night….

Where There’s Smoke, by Rachel Louise Adams. Apart from the creepy cover, there a fair amount of creepiness in the read itself. A solid thriller/murder mystery.

Strange Lights, by Mira González. This was a decidedly quirky read. Chupacabras, aliens, and werewolves…oh my!

Fallen Beauty, by Astrid Scholte. I found this to be very meh. The characters were okay. The premise didn’t really work for me.

This Shattered Tempest, by Thea Guanzon. Loved this series finale! Tons of actions, twists, and so many choices to be made.

The Paris Files, by Eva Jurczyk. This was NOT what I was expecting!

Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry. This was a definitely a fun, campy read.

Hecate Cavendish and the Angel of Death, by Paula Brackston. I’m sad to see this series end so soon! I do love Brackston’s writing, and these characters are wonderful.

The Queen of Roses, by Julia Kelly. Loved this read! Engrossing dual-timeline historical read.

The Sign of the Raven, by Pippa Dunn. I’d say pass on this. Great premise, but I didn’t care for the reality.

Just Because:
All In, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (audio). Still enjoying this series!
Bad Blood, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (audio). This was a good series wrap-up (I thought) …but there’s a new one out today!

Left Unfinished:

Galinda, by Gregory Maguire. I just need to remember that Maguire’s books/writing style just aren’t for me. I’m very much not a fan of the disjointed, rambling style he seems to like. This is the second book of his I’ve DNFed in a row.
The Lost Spectacular, by Zoe Duhaime. I didn’t like either MC, and the world of the story seemed very…nonsensical.
The Pools, by E. Lockhart. It would have been helpful to know upfront this was a novel written in verse, then I never would have picked it up.
Hallowed Bones, by Lucy Smoke. Eh…this just wasn’t a good fit for me. I’m not buying the whole why choose/four rich boys/whatever scenario.
An Auction of Souls, by Amber Chen. I just didn’t care about the characters, so I didn’t want to waste my time reading more.

Sundays are for Writing #395

This was a great writing week! I wrote four book reviews—Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry, by Ransome Riggs, Hecate Cavendish and the Angel of Death, by Paula Brackston, The Queen of Roses, by Julia Kelly and The Sign of the Raven, by Pippa Dunn— and my October reading post (live tomorrow) and my best books I read in October post (Tuesday) as well.

It’s dreary and a tiny bit cooler—“fall” in Texas—so I just cooked a big pot of chicken and dumplings and I’m about to take a nap.

Happy writing!

Book Review: The Queen of Roses, by Julia Kelly

Image belongs to Gallery Books.

Title: The Queen of Roses
Author: Julia Kelly
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1960: Frustrated reporter Theresa Johnson’s life changes when she receives a phone call from a Miss Pearce who claims her obituary about one of Pasadena’s last great hoteliers is wildly inaccurate. Seeking the truth, Theresa drives to the mysterious Rosewood House nestled high in the Altadena foothills. Even more intriguing than the house’s beautiful garden is Miss Pearce’s proposal that Theresa help her settle old scores by writing her biography.

1903: Beautiful but haughty, Adele Pearce is reluctant to leave the London Season and her last hope of a proposal. When she arrives in California, she discovers the startling truth of why her mother has called her her father has squandered his fortune and Adele must marry a wealthy American to save the family.

Stifled by expectation as Pasadena’s newest doyenne, Adele’s only comfort is Rosewood House and the beautiful garden she creates with the help of taciturn gardener Alexander Macalister. However, as Adele’s feelings for Alex flourish, a fire ignites in the San Gabriel Mountains above Rosewood House, threatening everything Adele holds dear, while in 1960, Miss Pearce learns that history has a terrible habit of repeating itself.

I do love Julia Kelly’s books, and this was no exception. I knew absolutely nothing about this era/place in America, but it was an interesting read. I’m not big on social “rules,” so that’ always a challenge for me to read about, and I’m very independent—so the reality of it being a man’s world so exclusively was a challenge, too.

I didn’t really like Adele much at first, but she grew on me a bit. Very much the Ice Queen, but…her mother was not a nice person. And we won’t talk about her husband. I did love the 1960 timeline even more and found that story to be completely engrossing. This is an excellent read!

Julia Kelly is a bestselling author. The Queen of Roses is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry

Image belongs to

Title: Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry
Author: Ransom Riggs
Genre: YA, Sci-fi
Rating: 4 out of 5

The magic was failing. The monsters were coming. Sunder was desperate for a hero, and Leopold Berry was certain he’d been chosen to save it.

He was wrong.

After flunking his channeler test in spectacular fashion and getting kicked out of Sunder in record time, Leopold swore he was done with magic for good—until a trail of clues from his late mother dragged him back in, then led him to a mysterious ring that might just be the most powerful object in magical history. If only he can figure out how the damn thing works.

Now the walls are closing in.

Famous in Sunder for all the wrong reasons, Leopold is being stalked by paparazzi, threatened by government agents determined to get their hands on the ring, and hunted by terrifying creatures hungry for its power. His only hope is to learn to wield the ring before someone kills him for it and then use it to uncover his family’s buried connection to Sunder before the trail goes cold—and the magical world collapses around him.

Because the magic is still failing. The monsters are everywhere. And Sunder still needs a hero.

With loyal friends Emmet and Isabel at his side, Leopold must decide who he can trust in a city built on illusion—and whether the kid who was never chosen is willing to risk everything for the world that didn’t want him.

Welcome back to Sunderworld.

This was a fun continuation of the Sunderworld story. Still a bit campy, like Labyrinth, but fun. The friendship is my favorite part. Leopold and Emmett are so natural together, with them bouncing ideas and quips off each other. Such a believable long-lasting friendship. This was definitely a fun read.

Ransom Riggs lives in L.A. Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: The Paris Files, by Eva Jurczyk

Image belongs to

Title: The Paris Files
Author: Eva Jurczyk
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Rating: 4.25 out of 5

Genie St. Onge’s heart is broken more often than it’s not—but that doesn’t stop her from diving in head-first when she meets Jacob Ford. Their connection is instantaneous and consuming, and they agree to meet again in Paris. In a heady mix of sugared pastries and rumpled bedsheets, they begin plotting their future together. In the dreamy apartment they’re renting in the 11th arrondissement, they become intoxicated by each other.

Until Jacob disappears.

Genie knows Jacob would never leave her. Not by choice. When phone calls to hospitals turn up nothing, she grows convinced that someone must have taken him. It’s the only explanation.

Under the scrutiny of the French police, however, Genie’s story doesn’t quite hold up—and it sounds like Jacob might not be all he seems, either. Through police interviews with Genie and nearby residents of the 11th arrondissement, the truth remains elusive. She swears has no idea what happened to Jacob – so why doesn’t her story align with anyone else’s?

This was pretty twisty! I wasn’t sure if I was going crazy or Genie was for a long time. The style—the story is told through police reports—was a bit strange to me at first, but it really worked for this story. This is a mystery with a very small setting—a building and its residents and a neighboring shopkeeper—but set against the larger backdrop of Paris. This was a very solid mystery read.

Eva Jurczyk lives in Toronto. The Paris Files is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books in exchange for an honest review.)