Author: Robin

Review: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Rating: 4 out of 5.

Renowned athlete Carrie Soto quickly surpassed the masses to become one of the world’s most legendary tennis players. Aided by her cutthroat attitude, her passionate coach of a father, and her willingness to win no matter the cost, she broke nearly every record and managed to collect twenty Grand Slam titles in her time. Six years after her retirement from tennis, an upfront spot in the stands at the 1994 U.S open to her record’s demise compels Carrie to come out of retirement and reclaim what was taken. This tremendous decision will have Carrie relying on her father to coach her again and pair her up with the very person to whom she almost gave her heart. One final season to win or lose, and make her mark on the world for a final time.

Author Taylor Jenkins Reid returns with Carrie Soto is Back, a relentless and immersive portrayal of a female athlete’s legendary tennis career. First introduced to Carrie Soto back in Malibu Rising, I could not imagine Reid’s next book would center around her, yet I was all the more excited having learned so. Carrie Soto is the high-stakes entertaining read I needed for the summer, full of all the twists and intricate relationships I’ve come to expect from its author. Not only is this novel comprised of all things tennis, but a touching father-daughter relationship over the years, and an assessment of the media’s treatment of women in sports. Carrie herself is an easy character to fall in love with, wonderfully vicious, and determined to claim every victory. Her journey took hold of me right at the beginning, with the decisive introductory chapter of a retired Carrie witnessing the downfall of her legacy and deciding to take action. From that moment on, I was here for every upswing and countermove on her path to reclaiming her title. In standard fashion, Reid has created a heroine that is uncompromising, but in different ways from those of her previous novels. I really appreciated reading about Carrie’s dedication to succeed and the sacrifices required in order to make it to the top as a world champion. Reid does an incredible job with the setup and payoff here, especially regarding the initial and final chapters of the story. The mirroring of those two moments was equally gratifying as it was vindicating on my part of having called it from the very start. Tennis may not be my forte, but this novel certainly makes you feel a part of the game. Taylor Jenkins Reid has become a staple author for many, and Carrie Soto is Back is her next unapologetically fierce read to devour.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: death, grief, injury

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Pride Month Wrap: Recommended Reads for the Rest of the Year

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Old and new favorites, and upcoming releases

We’re only halfway through the year and already there have been some fantastic queer books released. With pride month now past, I’d like to take the time to discuss some of my favorite LGBTQ+ reads, a few of which have already been featured on the blog, some underrated favorites, and a retrospect for the rest of the year – with an emphasis on sapphic reads. June has already been an incredible month of reading for me, and I cant wait to see what I’ll be able to get to over the next six months. As usual, I’m always looking for recommendations, specifically any LGBTQ+ reads, so be sure to share some of your favorites or new releases you are looking forward to. Happy reading!

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

An incredible romance from debut author Ashley Herring Blake, following a New York City photographer finally gaining success after leaving her hometown, only to be dragged back on the eve of her stepsister’s wedding. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care is a charming romance with an emotional depth surprisingly astonishing to experience. Come for the situational small-town antics, and stay for incredible characters, complicated relationships, and perfectly executed sapphic relationship.

Trigger warnings: bullying, emotional abuse, parental abandonment, cancer, cheating, loneliness.

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Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

A second chance queer romance worthy of all the attention this month. Alexandria Bellefleur is the romance god in my mind, and Count Your Lucky Stars is her best work to date. With a beloved cast of characters, pining, and rekindled love, this is both an emotional and passionate romance and the perfect way to close out the series. If you’re looking for a contemporary romance with an incredible backdrop and queer characters, look no further.

Trigger warnings: infidelity, death of a parent, alcohol consumption

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A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Alexis Hall has written one of my favorite queer historical romances in existence, centering around a trans heroine after fleeing waterloo in order to become her true self, and the friend she left behind. This romance is so heartwarming, filled with exquisite pining and the tenderness of newfound love. Not only did the main leads completely steal my heart, but the side characters were absolutely hilarious. Armed with an epilogue that made me misty-eyed, this is one romance I’ll be slow to forget.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, guns, PTSD, child abuse (mentioned), abduction, suicidal ideation (side character), deadnaming 

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Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

It’s no surprise that there is a Nghi Vo novel on here, seeing as they are one of my favorite authors of all time. Through the eyes of a young Chinese American woman seeking fame, Siren Queen explores the dark truth behind the movie industry willing to exploit her soul. Monstrous and oh so alluring, Siren Queen will drag you down into its murky depths, leaving you entirely wrecked. This novel is perfect for fans of historical fiction and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, with a fantasy twist to top it off.

Trigger warnings: racism, sexism, homophobia, death 

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Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Aidan Thomas’s Cemetery Boys is an incredible coming-of-age contemporary debut surrounding a young trans boy’s search for acceptance and the accidental ghost he summoned in the process. It’s certainly been at the top of a lot of pride month lists, and for good reason. This story has the perfect balance of heartfelt moments, hilarious banter, and wholesome friend dynamics. With the recent announcement of an upcoming sequel, Cemetery Boys should be at the top of everyone’s tbr.

Trigger warnings: transphobia, death, blood, violence, deadnaming

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Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist

Tripping Arcadia is easily one of my favorite debuts of this year by far, altogether poisonous and opulent. This modern gothic novel follows a young med school dropout who becomes embroiled in the lives of her wealthy employers and the harrowing secrets they hide. From the first sentence, Tripping Arcadia had me in its never-ceasing grip, as Lena begins a poisonous gamble that has deadly consequences. If you liked A Dowry of Blood or Mexican Gothic, this intoxicating story may be the perfect next read.

Trigger warnings: drug use, drug abuse, attempted suicide, death, addiction

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The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

The Jasmine Throne is the first installment in a new fantasy trilogy, where a captive princess and a maidservant with forbidden power team up to save their empire. Tasha Suri crafts an intricate narrative, with evocative language, an incredible magic system, and a slow-burn romance that completely changed me. This first installment is a triumphant start to The Burning Kingdoms series, which is sure to take the world by storm in the next few years. Highly recommend this to anyone looking to read more fantasy this year.

Trigger warnings:  blood, gore, violence, murder, poisoning, torture, public execution, homophobia, forced drug use, body horror, suicidal thoughts, self-mutilation, abusive family member

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This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

When Briseis inherits a rundown estate from an aunt she’s never met before, she and her family leave Brooklyn behind and discover behind its walls a dangerous legacy. Kaylynn Bayron’s sophomore novel has everything I could want in a fantasy story, incredible characters, queer rep, and an atmosphere fraught and deadly. This book was spectacular, and with the next book out this past month, a completed duology. Literally the perfect book for any plant and Greek myth stans.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, death, murder, grief

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I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Casey McQuiston delights with a young adult debut altogether messy and queer. When her longtime academic rival Shara Wheeler kisses her a month out from graduation and then disappears, Chloe Green is drawn into a hunt for her whereabouts between herself and the two other people Shara kissed. A story surrounding home and where we choose to set roots, this debut is spitful, witty, and poignant at its heart. Casey McQuiston writes the queer stories you can’t help but hold close, and this story is an absolute dream.

Trigger warnings: racism, homophobia, bullying, outing of a past character (mentioned)

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She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

The college romance we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. She Gets the Girl, is a poignant slow-burn story between two women struggling to overcome their own obstacles amidst their growing love connection and navigating freshman year of college. Written by two different authors, both characters harnesses such a distinct voice and palpable chemistry that I immediately connected to. Add in a few tropes, and this kept me engaged from start to finish. She Gets the Girl is such a fresh take on college romances and the kind of story I could see be eventually adapted to screen.

Trigger warnings: alcoholism, car crash, parental abandonment

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She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

The 80’s romantic comedy gets reinvented in this queer contemporary about a basketball player who fake dates her enemy to get back at her ex. Whenever I’m in search for a queer contemporary echoing some of my favorite tropes, Kelly Quindlen is certainly an author who comes to mind. Not only is this one accompanied by an emotional deep dive into harmful relationships and self-worth, but a call back worthy of dirty dancing and other classics.

Trigger warnings: bullying, homophobia

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Well, that’s a wrap folks! I hope you enjoyed reading just a sliver of my queer favorites from the past year or so. June as a whole was definitely a success for me with what I had planned to read, and I hope to continue off of that for the remainder of the year. You can expect to see full reviews for a variety of books that were not initially included in this list later on in the year. Additionally, this month has given me the opportunity to examine my standing tbr, and any additions I would like to get to before the year is out. I’d love to hear about how your pride month reading went or of any books you are looking forward to below!

Review: The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Declared the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa by the prophecy of the nameless god, Malini embarks on a vengeful path to usurp her brother and lay claim to her throne. Meanwhile, Priya, now an elder of Ahiranya and thrice-born priestess, gambles the extent of her power to eradicate the rot taking hold in her country. Set apart by their respective roles, Priya and Malini’s destinies remain forever entwined, but as Malini’s campaign to depose her brother takes a brutal turn, coming together may be the only option to truly achieve what they both desire. War wages and the deeper Priya reaches into her power to turn the tide, and Malini turns to pent-up rage, the cost of their advance blooms into something truly deadly.

The Oleander Sword is a sequel of such brutal reckoning that I was completely unprepared to venture into. After the astonishing start to the series that was The Jasmine Throne, its sequel quickly lept to the forefront of my anticipated upcoming reads for 2022. An expansive and otherwise ambitious addition to the series, The Oleander Sword stole my heart and destroyed my soul with a slow and delicate grace. Tasha Suri elevates everything previously contended in the first installment, focusing more heavily on battle strategy, and examining the temple of Ahiranya and the Yaska. Everything about this sequel is awe-inspiring, from the intensely romantic and tender moments between Priya and Malini to the gradual undertaking of a stolen empire. Once again, Suri provides a staggering amount of character perspectives to wade through, woven together in an intricate tapestry that renders itself to the overarching themes of power, loyalty, and love. One character that really stood out to me this time around was Bhumika, who carries the weight of what is happening with Ahiranya towards a sacrifice that was absolutely heart-wrenching. Alongside the ongoing war, and the unsettling shift back at Ahiranya’s temple, there was not a moment in this book where I was not caught in its unforgiving clutches. The political tension underpinning the actions of every character, and the divided loyalties threatening to fracture the established alliances only made this sequel all the more disconcerting. Like its former, The Oleander Sword elicits a slow pace, that culminates in an ending that left me thoroughly anguished. Intensely ruthless and brutal at its core, The Oleander Sword is an astonishing sequel that blooms with betrayal, romance, and unintended sacrifice. Tasha Suri’s Burning Kingdoms is an exemplary fantasy series, and I’ll be waiting patiently for its finale in the coming year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, war, suicide

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Review: The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

In a secluded estate far removed from the conflict on Yucatán’s peninsula, Carlota Moreau lives an isolated existence. The only daughter of the venerable scientist Doctor Moreau, she spends her days surrounded by the beauty of the Yaxaktun property and the hybrid creatures held captive by their domineering creator. Backed financially by the wealthy Lizaldes, Doctor Moreau is sent a new overseer, the pensive Montgomery Laughton, to assist in his experiments. Six years pass and the fragile atmosphere at Yaxaktun is altogether upended by the arrival of two unexpected gentlemen, one being Eduardo Lizalde, the son of Moreau’s benevolent benefactor. With the sudden arrival of their unforeseen guests, the problems outside the bounds of the jungle loom ever closer, and as Carlota becomes all the more inquisitive, her father’s secrets threaten to expose a truth far more harrowing.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia astounds with a gothic science fiction historical set against the background of late nineteenth-century Mexico. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a fascinating reimagining of H.G Wells’s novel “The Island of Doctor Moreau,” that completely extends upon the original with its themes of colonization, class, and subjugation. Stepping into this novel felt akin to wading into a crystalline pool, as main character Carlota slowly draws together a hazy picture of her world, one that is refined and sharpened as she begins to question her reality and gain agency. Similarly to Mexican Gothic, this novel seizes a quiet pace, bringing forth an enthralling expose into the obsessions of a mad doctor, and just who the real monsters are. Dual narrators Carlota Moreau and Montgomery Laughton are altogether delightful, providing the opposing perspectives necessary to relay the unsettling nature of the entire narrative. Where Carlota is the quiet lonesome voice in the darkness, Montgomery is the brooding moody tone in contrast. While it can be said that both characters captivate, Carlota is beyond a doubt the one who dazzles. Her escape from the clutches of her father’s influence, to uncovering the truth about his creations, and unleashing the monster within was absolutely earth-shattering. Moreno-Garcia interlays a gripping examination of possession, prejudice, and the relationship between creator and subject beneath it all. With an added afterword on the history of the Yucatán region and the caste war, the influence of historical events from the text is all the more apparent. It seems as if every time I find myself reaching for a new book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I have to prepare for the fact that it will surpass all of my expectations and leave me completely dumbfounded. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a powerhouse, and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a startling addition, wonderfully romantic and intense in its resistance.

Thank you to Edelweiss for providing the arc.

Trigger warnings: abuse, violence, blood, death, gun violence, suicide

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Review: A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow

Robin2 Comments

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Professional rescuer and part-time substitute Zinnia Gray has spent the last five years traversing the multiverse, saving every damsel in distress that she possibly can. After a dozen or so rescues, weddings, and burned spindles, Zinnia has begun to grow tired of her role in rewriting the narrative, yet duty awaits her hand on the spindle. At an afterparty one rescue later, when Zinnia glances into a mirror, she sees another woman staring back at her, and falls into the last fairytale she ever expected, Snow White. Coming face to face with the fabled Evil Queen, desperate to escape her own fate, Zinnia is tasked once again with saving someone trapped by their story. Eva is convinced that Zinnia is the way out of her predestined ending, and is willing to do anything to change her future, that is if Zinnia can be convinced to save the last person in this world she would want to.

The Fractured Fables novellas draw to a close with A Mirror Mended, a sequel that ups the ante that A Spindle Splintered had previously left to be amended. Alix E. Harrow is back at it, drawing together an adventurous narrative crammed full of meaningful prose, and tied in with an expanded critique on storytelling and their villains. Where A Spindle Splintered previously intersected a conversation surrounding damsels in distress in folklore and their saviors, Harrow turns her attention to the villainization of women in her continuation of the series. More closely, The Evil Queen, a figure that has consistently captivated audiences with her jealousy and enacted rage against her stepdaughter for her supposed beauty. As a huge fan of evil women in the fantasy genre, the examined motivations, and background of a classic fairytale villain intrigued me, to say the least. Eva is a layered character, well-written and trapped by her own situation and predetermined role. Narrative agency is an issue that Zinnia has constantly battled, even from book one, and it was nice to see that transferred over to an iconic villain like the Evil Queen. Eva’s situation is very closely mirrored in Zinnia’s, as they both are trapped by their role in the narrative of their story. The bond that grew between the two characters, as a result, made a lot of sense and was really satisfying to witness (falling for the hot villain was absolutely on-brand for Zinnia). I delighted in Eva and Zinnia’s back and forth snark alongside the deeper moments of multiverse chaos. The added tension from the multiverse fracturing and blending into one another propelled this installment to an entirely new level from the previous one in my mind. Once again I am left awed by Harrow’s storytelling ability and the complex twist in traditional fairytales. A Mirror Mended is a razor-sharp exploration of feminist agency and the weight of the roles we carry.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: terminal illness, violence

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Review: Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Marlinchen is a witch, youngest of three daughters to a cursed wizard, living out her days in a city transforming from magic to industry. Last of the true witches in all of Oblya, she and her sisters cling to their gifts, which are little more than entertainment to the general populace and an asset to their father. Sequestered within the walls of their home, Marlinchen spends much of her free time placating the unending appetites of their authoritative father and utilizing her gifts to discern the truth from her clientele. The evening brings escape, as Marlinchen and her sisters creep into the city to partake in its revels and observe the captivating ballet theatre. These nighttime escapades offer salvation, but when Marlinchen captures the attention of a ballet dancer just as lost and isolated, her visits to the outside world become less uncommon. Entangled between the rage and hunger of her father, and her own desires, Marlinchen is caught in a snare, and the cost of freedom may be far more monstrous than she ever imagined.

When I heard that Ava Reid had written a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, there was nothing I wouldn’t do to read it at the soonest possible chance. Having absolutely worshiped her adult debut, The Wolf and the Woodsman, this novel promised to ruin me without remorse as much as its precursor. True to the fact, Juniper & Thorn is utterly gruesome, vividly capturing a darkness and horror that lingers down dark halls and underneath floorboards waiting for the prime moment to sink in its teeth. Reid is masterful at their craft, seamlessly blending horror and fantasy together in a story completely grotesque and illustrative of a blooming rose clouded among thorny brambles. Every sentence in this novel is striking, with imagery and prose that threatened to devour me whole. In time with the story, lore and fairytales play an important part in the main narrative, intersecting the vein of Marlinchen’s character development and the understanding of her own situation. These sporadic fairytales were definitely some of my favorite parts of the whole book, getting after the core themes and relationships between the main characters. At this point, Reid’s capability for writing complex relationships is unquestionable, particularly ones that are nuanced and not simply good or bad, yet those you cannot help but love all the more. Three characters that come to mind are Marlinchen and her sisters Undine and Rose, as they endured years of abuse at the hands of their father, and impacted one another in continuously damaging ways. In turn, Marlinchen’s love interest Sevas was entirely endearing and latched on to my heart as the two attempted to escape their situations. A captivating gothic horror with a brutal design, Juniper & Thorn is imbued with memory, an examination of abuse, and survivorhood in all forms.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: violence, emotional abuse, gore, blood, death, murder, body horror, cannibalism, eating disorder (bulimia), vomiting (graphic), sexual assault, antisemitism, xenophobia, drug use 

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Fantasy Regency Romance; Exploring a New Series

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Exploring Regency Fairy Tales,

For the past three weeks, I’ve been embarking on what many have coined as the post-Bridgerton romance binge, which has literally just been me reading as many historical romances as I possibly can in my limited free time. It’s been an overall enjoyable experience as I’ve found new historical romances, tropes, and authors to adore. In my most recent blog post I discussed some of my favorites, so be sure to check that out here if you haven’t already. Alongside this deep dive into historical romance, I came across the regency faerie tales series by Olivia Atwater. Picking the first book up was largely due to my bookish bestie Robin, over at @cozyinthenook on Instagram who hyped it up in a recent post. This series truly cured me of the ache left by Bridgerton, and I hope that these mini-reviews will convince some of you to read the series upon its release in June.

It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you’re a young lady with only half a soul.

– Olivia atwater

It’s been many years since Theodora Ettings lost half of her soul in an unfortunate meeting with a faerie in the woods as a child. Ever since that moment, she has lost any sense of fear or embarrassment, which, in regency era England, spells scandal. Entering the upcoming London Season, Dora attempts to remain on the sidelines, but when she draws the attention of the mysterious and irritable Lord Sorcier, she inevitably becomes entangled with the world of the fae she has tried her whole life to ignore. As Dora and Elias continue to work together to uncover the mystery of her past, the two are at risk of falling in love, regardless of the circumstance of her soul.

The first thing that came to mind when I started this series was how much it reminded me of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. There’s nothing I love more than a snarky love interest and a heroine determined to make a way for herself. Dora and Elias were truly serving grumpy sunshine trope and my romance-obsessed heart was along for the whole ride. Between the search for the clues to her past and figuring out the cause of the mysterious plague inflicting children across the city, these two form a connection that is truly genuine. When the final act of the book hit, there was nothing left for me to do but become completely enamored with our main couple and immediately embark on a read of the rest of the series. Along with an epilogue that made my heart yearn, Half a Soul is a historical romance debut I’m unlikely to forget for quite some time.

Trigger warnings: violence, war, death, kidnapping, emotional abuse

Regency housemaid Euphemia Reeves has acquired a faerie godfather. Unfortunately, he has no idea what he’s doing.

Ten thousand stitches by olivia atwater

Euphemia Reeves has encountered quite the inconvenient problem in that she has fallen in love with the son of a gentleman. As a housemaid for the gentleman in question, Effie is out of luck on how to proceed, but when she finds herself drawn into the faerie realm of Lord Blackthorn, she finds an unexpected solution. Lord Blackthorn is a benefactor, more than willing to help Effie in her venture, for a trade of one thousand stitches sewn into his favorite jacket. With just one hundred days to convince Benedict Ashbrooke to propose, Effie is on the clock. Her mind made up, nothing will stop her in her quest for love, not even Lord Blackthorns’ insistent meddling.

Ten Thousand Stitches is a Cinderella retelling with a twist of regency romance in the best way possible. With an underlying air of kindness and charm grounding the entire story, Atwater infuses such heart into the second installment of her regency faerie tales. Unlike its predecessor, Ten Thousand Stitches focuses more heavily on class structure and the lives of servants working behind the scenes for the great families of England. Effie is one of my favorite historical romance heroines thus far, seriously stubborn and determined to find love no matter the cost. Jubilee/Lord Blackthorn made this romance all the more amusing, and his constant need to meddle eventually worked its way into my heart. Ten Thousand Stitches is a romance that carries as much depth in the commentary, as it excels at being incredibly heartwarming, and it made me fall in love with retellings all over again.

Trigger warnings: domestic abuse

Proper Regency ladies are not supposed to become magicians – but Miss Abigail Wilder is far from proper.

Longshadow by olivia atwater

All over London, the available young ladies of the season are turning up dead, and no one knows why. Thrown headfirst into the mystery is Abigail Wilder, daughter of the illustrious Lord Sorcier of England, desperate to uncover the truth. Her father Elias believes that a dark lord of faerie is behind the deaths, and though her family doubts her capability, Abigail is willing to use her magic against the threat no matter the personal cost. Joining the investigation into the deaths is Mercy, a loner magician, the last person Abigail wants derailing her mission. Though the two are no more than unlikely allies, Mercy may be the very person that Abigail cannot live without.

Longshadow is a conclusion that centers around a sapphic romance and the daughter of Elias and Theodora. These two components made me all the more excited for this one, but unfortunately, this is probably my least favorite out of the three. I liked that there was an emphasis on the Sorcier family and Abigail and Hugh, as adopted siblings, but I think the main relationship kind of got lost in the weeds. Longshadow certainly has the charm textbook to Atwater, and I adored the dynamic between Abigail and Mercy. I think just knowing that this was the conclusive book of the series, I wanted more substance on the romance side of things. Besides that, the mystery plot took up a lot more content than I expected, and personally, I wasn’t as engaged with it as I’d have liked. The little moments between the family were everything though, and Abigail and Mercy had a really wonderful connection that I would have liked to see more of.

Trigger warnings: death

Having reached the end of my exploration into Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales, it’s safe to say I will be looking out for more books like this soon. Atwater has crafted the perfect blend of regency and fantasy elements together, and given a cast of characters that I would do anything to read more of. Fantasy and regency is a combination I didn’t expect to read from, but as a lover of both genres, I would love to see this take off as a potential subgenre. If you’ve read this series I would love to hear your thoughts below, or any recommendations you think I should try. This entire trilogy will be released on June 28th, 2022!

Review: Misrule by Heather Walter

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Rating: 4 out of 5.

Out of the ashes of the Briar realm arises a new dominion for its destroyer. Alyce, now called Nimara, rules over her newly established Dark Court and a manor of beasts once kept in the shadows. In the century since the decimation of the Briar realm, Aurora still lies under her sleeping curse, and Alyce has become the very thing she once feared to be. Though Alyce has tried, she cannot break the curse holding her love captive, and Aurora lies hidden away from the prying eyes of the court. When a young man washes up on shore everything changes, waking the princess and descending the realm into chaos. With war looming closer, and her lost love returned, Alyce must decide how far she is willing to go to enact her revenge and discover if love can even thrive in a world so entangled with it.

Where its predecessor Malice led me softly through its thorny brambles, Misrule pushes back the thickets to reveal a reality far more malevolent. In the hundred years since the destruction of the Briar realm, Heather Walter explores the intricacies of revenge, and the lengths one will go to make it endure. Expanding on the scope of the world, and the plethora of beings within, a new side to the story emerges – one teetering on the edge of change and the balance between good and evil. As the curse upon Aurora flourishes, a war against the fae looms nearer, and a simmering tension between the dreams of a century past and the present day draws breath. By the time Aurora awakens from her slumber these moving pieces are amplified, paired against the fallout from the ashes of a fallen kingdom. The strain on Alyce and Aurora’s relationship ensuing from these transformations is central to the closing of the series. While the two grapple with this new reality and who they have both become, they search for forgiveness and a way to still build a future together. These components of the story were not what I expected for the characters going into the finale, but the complexity of forgiveness ensuing out of them was splendid. Albeit a little emotionally damaging. Alyce’s ties to the Vila were expanded upon even further here, something I’d been looking forward to since the end of Malice. Tested loyalty is my bread and butter and Misrule served it well, especially with Alyce, Aurora, and the Dark Court. Misrule is truly a book where morally gray characters thrive, constantly shifting the narrative and making moves that are never anticipated by the audience. The introduction of new beings and characters brought that even further into the foreground. Coming around to the inevitable conclusion had me very much wrecked, yet drawn into its essence of hope and repairing what is lost. Full of violence, the brutality of vengeance, and the unraveling of prejudice, Misrule makes for an enthralling ending to the Malice Duology. One that will remain with me for the considerable future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger Warnings: blood, gore, violence, death, murder, grief, trauma

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Review: I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Robin2 Comments

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Four years after her moms uprooted her from their life in Southern California to attend school in Alabama, high school senior Chloe Green is closer to victory than ever before. Attending a conservative high school hasn’t been easy, but competition with Willowgrove Academy’s it-girl, and her fiercest rival Shara Wheeler, has propelled her to success and all but tied them out for high school valedictorian. Chloe is so close to beating Shara, but on the weekend of the senior prom, Shara kisses Chloe and then vanishes. All that’s left behind are a series of letters left for Chloe and the two other people she kissed, Rory, the boy next door, and Smith, her quarterback boyfriend. Drawn together by their ties to Shara, an unlikely alliance forms that will have them crashing parties, breaking and entering, and uncovering clues to Shara’s whereabouts in the most unexpected places. Holding out for the next pink envelope and Shara’s elusive clues, Chloe begins to realize that there’s more to Shara than she initially thought and that maybe, just maybe, she can carve out a place for herself in this town after all.

In a self-fulfilling prophecy kind of way, I Kissed Shara Wheeler sat in my inbox for four months before I even dared to pick it up, simply because I knew it would consume my every waking thought for weeks after reading. If only I knew just how right I would be. A contemporary equally saccharine and explorative, Casey McQuiston’s debut into young adult has again proved their ability to craft compelling and heartwarming queer narratives, regardless of the genre. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a renewing coming-of-age story surrounding the growth of queer communities in adversity and the friendships that develop during the critical points of our lives. Characteristic to its author, this novel had a cast of characters that made my heart swoon, and the witty repartee that has embodied all of Casey McQuiston’s past writing that I so adore. What stood out to me this time around, were the friendships that evolved between the three main characters Rory, Chloe, and Smith as they become entangled in the search for Shara Wheeler. Every character felt distinct, with their own determinations, flaws, and biases that were completely out in the open by the time the story concluded. There were so many sweet moments with our main trio, and it was such a joy to see each of them creating a space for themselves, in and outside of their queer identities. Chloe’s journey, in particular, was fierce and messy in all the right ways. I loved seeing where everyone ended up by graduation, with happy endings, bittersweet ones, and everything in between. Casey McQuitson’s strength certainly lies in their ability to commit to the unexpected, while continuing to create the uplifting queer stories I have been longing for. The high school story I didn’t know I needed, I Kissed Shara Wheeler is the unapologetic queer coming of age story we’ve been waiting for – elevating the complexity of youth and what it means to find yourself in unexpected places.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc to honest review.

Trigger warnings: racism, homophobia, bullying, outing of a past character (mentioned)

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Review: A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Robin2 Comments

Rating: 4 out of 5.

After being presumed dead at Waterloo, Lady Viola Caroll decided to let the world go on thinking that and begin to live for herself. Sundering the past, Viola does not regret much. The loss of her wealth and title are trivial against the greater loss of her friend and closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. For several years, Viola has kept her distance, believing that grief has given way to peace of some kind, yet when their families reconnect again she finds that it is actually the opposite. Gracewood is a shadow of the man she once knew, withdrawn so far into his grief that he is completely unrecognizable. Striving to somehow bring him back to his former self, Viola is drawn closer to her former friend, and desires she could never name before are brought to the surface. Denial is useless, and as Viola and Gracewood grow closer these feelings become harder to ignore, prompting a necessary reconciliation against loss and the impossibility of the future. 

A Lady for a Duke could not have come at a more perfect time for me, fresh off the historical romance binge and having just watched the latest season of Bridgerton. Looking for a romance teeming with emotion, this novel gave me everything I needed and then some. In his altogether masterful historical romance, Alexis Hall draws together a complex past between his main leads, with an evocative center of loss, memory, and intimacy driving the story forward. Our main heroine Viola is one of the more well-written queer characters in historical romance that I have read recently, giving voice to dysphoria and the trans experience in a way unforeseen previously by me in the genre. As for the other main lead, Justin De Vere, he provided quite the emotional conversation surrounding grief and the lingering trauma arising from war. Even with all of this tense subject matter, the entire story overflows with longing and an underlying comfort that disperses throughout every aspect of the novel. This is definitely not a tragic story, yes we have a trans heroine and a disabled hero living in this time period, but it doesn’t bear the narrative down into tragedy like I’ve seen other period pieces do. Instead, what emerges is a tender second chance romance about two people defined by their circumstances finding love against the odds. I would also be remiss not to mention the wonderful side characters in this novel, who radiate just as much as the two main leads. With a mix of queer and playful characters, Hall really creates a wholesome cast of supporting characters for the novel. The side plots intervening in the central storyline had the most fabulous banter and made me fall even more in love with the story overall. A Lady for a Duke is honestly one of the most beautiful and exemplary historical romances I have read in quite a long time. The epilogue especially, really brought the emotion to the surface, exemplifying love found and a future once deemed unlikely.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, guns, PTSD, child abuse (mentioned), abduction, suicidal ideation (side character), deadnaming 

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