Hey there, everyone! I hope everyone met some goals with reading this September! I managed to surpass it by reading 16 books this month! Woo! I’m really happy about this. Of course, this means I’m even further behind in my book reviews…unless I take a week off I don’t think I will ever catch up.

Anyway, how did everyone else do this past month? Meet any personal goals?

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition, Vol. 2

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I liked the atmospheric feel of the novel, and it would be a perfect adaptation of a ballet or opera. But on the other hand, I felt like it was too long and too short at the same time. Some parts were wrapped up too quickly, while others were dragged out.

The Cruel Prince

I picked up this book because I had to see what the hype was about. I regret nothing. I absolutely love the enemies-to-lovers dynamic going on here. I was not too fond of Book of Night, so I was hesitant about this book. Jude is amazing. She is clever and fierce, and all the character dynamics here are complex and riveting; it was so good!

The Great Texas Dragon Race

This was so good! I love the contemporary feel of the novel and the fact that it is our world but with dragons! It’s definitely for young readers, but doesn’t read that way. I loved the story builds, the characters’ growth, and the diversity behind them. It was terrific.

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library

I liked Hester Fox’s other books more than this one. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this novel. However, my problem with it was the side characters. They were very annoying in the beginning, and yes, while that added to the mounting tension in the story and the magical instances that come from it, I wanted more from those character dynamics. Like the romance, it wasn’t up to par with her previous novels, in my opinion.

This Delicious Death

So, this was a novel I had mixed feelings about. I did like the relationship and dynamic between CeeCee and Jesse. I wish there had been more development between the two characters, but for the most part, it was really good. I also like how it felt like Lewis Carroll wrote this book. It does feel like an Alice in Wonderland retelling without being so on the nose. But it did take a bit to develop, and the pacing and plot dragged at times, making it a little boring.

Queen’s Catacombs

Another book where the character dynamics struggled a bit. I like the romance between Jacs and Conner, but Conner was just a little more than annoying at times. It felt like the Barbie movie with Ken. This is a kingdom where the women hold all the power and the men, well, they are arm ornaments. I like that juxtaposition of power and think it makes for a great conversation about equality, but I wanted Conner to be more supportive of Jacs. However, I do understand that he is going through his issues. Don’t worry, Conner, you’re Kenough.

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead

This book said it was “Jumanji but Japanese-inspired,” and boy did it deliver. If you love Jumanji, this is the book for you. But it’s so much more than that. There are yokai all around, and the book keeps you on the end of your seat. Perfect for the Halloween season!

Weyward

This is a perfect example of generational POVs done right. The book follows Altha in 1619, on trial for witchcraft; Violet in 1942, who struggles to be herself under her father’s strict eye; and Kate in 2019, who flees to her great-aunt Violet’s cottage to escape her abusive husband. I loved how the story goes between the three perspectives and how they influence one another.

Certain Dark Things

I love Moreno’s work, ever since Gods of Jade and Shadow. This was a unique vampire tale, and I love how Moreno-Garcia taps into her Hispanic roots. As a Mexican woman, reading this was amazing! I love all the pop culture references and the noir feeling of the novel. It’s such a good book! It’s another perfect read for the spooky season, especially if you love vampires.

The Lightstruck

I like The Darkening more than this novel. I liked how the sequel developed the story, but I feel it stretched the plot too much if that makes sense. It felt like another version of the first novel, and really, the best part of the novel was Vesper, who always struggled with self-acceptance, finding the strength to accept herself. I also enjoyed the dynamic between her and Cas, Iz, and Dalca. The tension between Dalca and Vesper was well done. They were enemies to lovers, but because so much happened between them, they had to be content with all that. Ultimately, I enjoyed it and the way it ended.

Legends & Lattes

This was such a wholesome book! I love DnD and Dragonlance, so reading this was a pleasure. I wanted nothing more than to dive into the novel and have a warm cup of coffee with the family and friends that formed here.

Within These Wicked Walls

I loved the atmosphere of this novel. Andromeda is an excellent character who struggles with forming connections. But as a debtra, an exorcist, she finally finds a connection here with Magnus and learns to love herself. It has some chilling moments, but the story between Magnus and Andromeda is worth reading.

Spells for Forgetting

This novel certainly kept me on my toes. Young did an excellent job of unraveling the mystery slowly and steadily without releasing any of the tension she pulled together. And the the multiple POVs work well with that. August and Emery are the main POVs; childhood lovers pulled apart by the death of their friend Lily. But now the past has come back to haunt them, and the individual POVs here stay within the story and maintain the pacing, even though many of them are one-offs.

A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak

This is not a novel I would typically read, and I’m thankful for that. I love the way this novel deals with death and how to cope. There is no one way to grieve; sometimes, emotions can drive a person to act rashly. This novel explores how grief can also take hold of someone the way guilt can. All the while, Flora has to deal with her emotions for Baz and her childhood friend Gordon. Emotions are complicated, and that’s okay.

A Multitude of Dreams

I love an excellent Edgar Allan Poe retelling, and this was certainly one of those! I love the medieval feel surrounding the novel and the fact that the vampires were deadly and not the love interest. Don’t get me wrong, I love a dashing, sexy vampire as much as the next girl, but it is a nice change of pace occasionally. And another bonus was the fact that Seraphina is Jewish. I have not seen many or any Jewish characters outside of contemporary or historical fiction, so adding that element into the plot worked out very well.

Silver in the Bone

A bit of a slow start, this novel picks up pace. This is not a King Arthur retelling, despite what the cover may suggest. Not in my opinion. It does lean into the Arthurian myths and mythology quite heavily, which I enjoyed giving them new breath. And the enemies-to-lovers romance between Emerys and Tamsin, ooh, that was too good. And Cabell! Ugh, I need book two in my hands now.

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