Tag: let's talk

Let’s Talk: New Favorites & Upcoming Releases

Robin1 Comment

Folks we’re over halfway through the year and I still have so many books to talk about! As we transition into early fall, I’m focusing on some of the advance releases that have been wasting away in my inbox and steadily sharing my thoughts with you all on the titles that I’ve read from this summer. While I am currently in a science-fiction fantasy reading mood, I read quite a few romances this summer to balance out the heavier stuff. I have been reading so much fantasy, most of which was dragging me into a reading slump, so a lot of these were the books I picked up to drag me back out. I took a stab at the cowboy romance trend, read some sapphic recommendations from friends, and returned to my historical romance roots. Here are my thoughts on seven new favorites!

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

It’s Cowboy Summer

It was indeed all about the cowboys this summer and I decided to hop on this trend with the third book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, Lost and Lassoed. Lyla Sage is a fan favorite in this subgenre and this is the first I’ve read from her. Now all I want to do is double back and read the other two in this series because this was a wild ride. This hate-to-love romance between chaotic fashion-minded Teddy Anderson, out of a job and down on her luck, and far too dependable Gus Ryder, the one man she cannot stand, brought on the heat. I have always had a soft spot for forced proximity romances but I must say, forced proximity but cowboy is on a completely different level. Sage composes this quiet vulnerability as these two cohabitate and open up to one another in their shared evenings. Teddy is definitely my favorite, charming, but equipped with a rough edge to match. THE cowboy romance heroine of cowboy romance heroines. Lost and Lassoed is my first Lyla Sage and it certainly won’t be my last. Just the perfect summer read!

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A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

Never let your husband stop you from finding your wife.

There’s nothing I love more than a hidden folkloric fantasy gem, but make it sapphic, and the speed at which I will run to read it will shatter Olympic records. This was recommended to me by the lovely, Emily Hamilton (thank you, icon), and I had the best time reading it. A midwife living on the outskirts of her village discovers a woman in labor on the night of a terrible storm who seems determined to flee to the water and after helping her deliver the baby harbors her suspicions upon the arrival of the woman’s husband. Retelling the Selkie Wife, Sutherland weaves a seaside folktale centering around those isolated within their communities, domestic abuse, and the marginalized pushed to the outskirts. A Sweet Sting of Salt is a unique story that centers strongly around the unsettling mystery of what happened to Muirin – with a slow-burn romance to offset the strange forces at play. I found the focus on midwifery in a seaside town and the commentary on Jean’s skills & labor as what allows her to remain in her community after her “transgression” especially compelling. The ending with this one is fairy tale levels of perfect so don’t be afraid to wade into the strangeness.

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The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim

When he only likes two things: coffee and her>>>

A fallen god turned detective and his new assistant who is actually behind the murder of his most recent case solve a series of strange murders that could tear apart the city. Getting back at the insufferable trickster god who frequents your coffee shop by becoming his assistant to throw him off the scent of a murder you committed is only the beginning of this fabulous urban fantasy. Sophie Kim sprinkles some reluctant allies to lovers, hidden identity, and slow-burn romance into a plot to uncover a murderous demon. The God and the Gumiho is as bracing as that first cup of coffee in the morning, filled with delicious banter and the intersection of myth with a modern setting. This book has been compared by many to a Kdrama and that is absolutely spot on, with the humor and romance uplifting the darker elements, and those shocking emotional moments that cut to the core and send you reeling. The God and the Gumiho is a fun one, but don’t doubt you’ll be left in tears.

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The Worst Duke in London by Amalie Howard

Ten Things I Hate About You but make it historical romance?? oh, I ATE THIS UPPPPPP. Amalie Howard is only getting better and this whole series is impeccable

The Worst Duke in London is a sublime historical romance twist on 10 Things I Hate About You featuring a financially destitute Duke and a headstrong wallflower brought into one another’s orbit by a sly bargain. Amalie Howard is at the top of her talent with her latest series twisting classic romantic comedies into sparkling regency love stories. Loved that the entire addition with this one was: what if there were animals everywhere and the duke was attacked by kittens. Now I have always counted on Amalie to bring that incredible heat, but this was somehow even steamier than I expected. Gage and Evangeline already have an incredible connection from their initial hatred to their mutual bargain, and that translates perfectly as they engage in a physical relationship. Historical romance that retells an iconic romantic comedy with animal activism and Bridgerton vibes? What more could you want. The Worst Duke in London is a delightfully steamy historical romance romp and a fitting nod to its source material. Lovers of animals, men undone, and scandalous agreements unite!

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Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Happy HoliGAYS! Ashley Herring Blake is gifting us the holiday romance of the year. It’s cute, angsty, and hot as hell.

Reading a holiday romance in the dead of summer was a feat in and of itself, but for Ashley Herring Blake I will quite literally do anything, even wade into the holidays before it’s time. Make the Season Bright is a second chance romance between two ex-fiances invited to stay in Colorado for the holidays, only for them to end up being stuck in the same town, with nothing to do but deny they know each other. Ashley Herring Blake does an incredible job focusing on characters Brighton and Charlotte separately, particularly with the different perspectives of what exactly went wrong in their relationship and how those differing views can be reconciled. Make the Season Bright brings that holiday warmth and sapphic angst like a bittersweet Christmas cocktail with all the sweetness from the season meeting the lingering bitterness in acknowledging the past. Christmas is a time for memories old and new, and that is honored throughout this holiday standalone. With the past impacting the present even as these two try to give it another go, Herring Blake proves it’s never too late.

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Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

When you’re determined to ignore your hot new wizard librarian but he keeps befriending all of the crows and obsessing over fountain pens.

Hidden identities and castle coziness combine like the most bewitching magic spell in this brand new romantasy series. In the vein of Ella Enchanted and Legends and Lattes, Stephanie Burgis delivers an unforgettable romantic fantasy that is uproariously funny and packs an emotional punch right among the coziness. A feared sorceress hires a wizard to aid her in the dark arts and straighten up her massive library, but little does she know he is actually an Imperial Archduke in disguise and the one she considers to be her greatest enemy. Combine castle antics with a bit of found family, intrigue, and romance and you get this book. Burgis traps two unlikely allies in a castle and makes them confront the facades they’ve upheld and the loneliness they could stand to leave behind. I love the focus on who people are behind the masks they wear and how it can be protective, or a lie to uphold to gain power over others. An all-around hilarious beginning that I will continue through for the other witches’ love stories. Read this for the massive library and crow companions alone.

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A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

Sophie Jordan I am familiar with your game, but with historical romance, so in a more real way I am unfamiliar with your game.

A Fire in the Sky brings together political intrigue, a marriage of convenience, and dragons in a fiery new romantasy series from author Sophie Jordan. Tamsyn, a young woman in the royal court, has spent her life in the palace raised alongside the royals to endure the beatings and punishments for their transgressions. Her life changes drastically when she is made to trick a feared warrior into marrying her instead of the princess he expected. Playing off of the marriage of convenience trope, Jordan stakes out the space for a new series featuring genre staples and brand-new elements intertwined. Having read an abundance of Sophie Jordan’s historicals I knew that the romance was going to be the star of the show, but considering how this ended I am even more excited to see where she takes the history behind this world and the dragon lore. A Fire in the Sky is a classic romantasy revitalized, with dragons and complicated characters meeting fate and a truth that could reshape their world. Utterly addictive and I cannot wait to read more.

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Let’s Talk: Mid-Year (ish) Book Freakout Tag

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Coming up on the Mid-year Book Freakout Tag so late, but better late than never to share my thoughts on the books I’ve read in this first half of the year. I’ll reflect on some of my favorites across genres and my overall reading goal as we move into the second half of 2024. At a glance, I have hit my midway count for my overall reading goal of 300 books and have been hitting heavy on the science fiction and fantasy genres which is so evident here. For those of you unfamiliar with how this tag works, this will be a little snapshot of some favorite reads ala bookish awards categories. All of these will have a singular title as an answer because I love mess and making myself choose between my favorites. This is one of my favorite tags and yet I’ve somehow never actually blogged about it on here. Would love to hear about your answers to these so be sure to comment yours below!

BEST BOOK OF 2024 (SO FAR)

If you’ve been keeping up with my reading over on Goodreads then it shall come as no surprise that a category sweep is Samantha Shannon’s Bone Season series. This was a series I attempted to reconnect with after picking up The Bone Season back in 2020. Twas simply a book I could never have connected to at the time (I was deep in finals season) so I didn’t end up continuing with the next book in the series. They say the right book comes at the right time and never has that been more true for this book series. In my transition into life in London I gave this series another shot and fell in love with it alongside my discovery of the city. It was like I was seeing the city through new eyes, Seven Dials, Soho, and the overall London atmosphere enlivened through the character of Paige Mahoney. The Bone Season is fantasy series excellence and taps into so much of what I love in the genre. The Dark Mirror is the fifth installment and is assuredly Samantha Shannon at her strongest. This fifth book is this series fully realized, in its themes, characters, and deftly constructed plot finally blossoming. After the intense events that concluded The Mask Falling, this sequel is as much a soul-deep reconciliation between Paige and Arcturus as it is an expansion in the fight over bringing the Republic of Scion to its knees. I can’t say more as we’re still 7 months out from publication but I will be reviewing this in November so stay tuned!

BEST SEQUEL OF 2024 (SO FAR)

Allow me to wax poetic about the Burning Kingdoms trilogy for a second. A series innately entangled in rage and morally grey characters uniting to transform an empire draws to a close in this final book that brings all the action and consequences from the end of The Oleander Sword and takes it to another level entirely. Priya and Malini have been further set apart with the cost of their connection blooming with astonishing sacrifice at the end of book two. On opposing sides of the incoming war with the mysterious Yaksa, they will have to sacrifice more of themselves than they ever realized. Alongside Bhumika, these women will fight for the fate of their world and their place within it. Ahead of this read and its publication in November I made an effort to sit down and dive back into the former two books and I really think it enhanced The Lotus Empire all the more (because I had truly forgotten so much). Getting to read the entire series in succession was such a pinch-me moment and it was given such a beautiful ending that connects across books one to three. Tasha Suri, you are a beautiful genius and I will be billing you for the cost of my tears.

New release I’m excited for, but haven’t read yet

The Spellshop is a book I swear I have been seeing everywhere recently. My amazing bookseller coworker and friend, Coco was raving about it in the months leading up to its release and she’s so rarely wrong I really think this is going to be the coziest book ever. So far all I know is that it includes jam, magic, and a little bit of romance, but this all sounds like a recipe for how to reach straight into my heart and make me fall in love. I know there are many other people in my circles that have been yelling at me to read this one so it’s certainly one I want to reach for before 2024 is out.

MOST EXCITED FOR IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2024

It was really difficult to narrow this down to just one title, but I’m sticking with An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson for the title I am most excited about in the second half of 2024. Something about the second half of this year feels perfect for all things dark academia and horror. I am definitely a reader influenced by the fall season so this is situated at the top of my reads for the season. Alexis Henderson is an author I’ve wanted to read more from since reading and loving House of Hunger the Fall before last. For some reason, I haven’t picked up Year of the Witching yet even though it’s been sitting on my shelf for an entire year, but I will likely be picking up this one before I get to Alexis Hendersons debut. This fall is unique because there are so many great dark academia/vampire books being published, which seems obvious for the time of year but we really are seeing an unprecedented amount of gothic horror and vampire reads emerging. I have two good friends who have assured me that this is excellent so all there’s left to do is fall right into it.

A BOOK THAT SURPRISED ME

Monstrous Nights by Genoveva Dimova is one novel that challenged my expectations and surprised me in the best possible way. This sequel concludes The Witch’s Compendium of Monsters Duology and throws us right back into the melee with the characters. Tonally I loved this book because it feels like a “where are they now” kind of story where you catch up with the characters after they defeated the BIG BAD, only to find out it’s not so glamorous. Monstrous Nights has that dark atmosphere married with self-deprecating humor and slow-burn romance that just worked for me. The humor was at its height here as all Asen and Kosara want is to rest but they keep getting drawn back into the craziness and the consequences of their actions. I loved everything about this fantasy duology steeped in Slavik folklore. Be sure to check my reviews for Foul Days and Monstrous Nights which are already up on my blog!

NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR

I am on the Sophia Slade hype train and I will truly not be shutting up about it. In fact, my review for Nightstrider will be up later this week, a notably quick turnaround considering that I finished the book just last week. But sometimes you read a book so good from an author so talented you’re left with so much to say. Nightstrider is a book I described as: “Reluctant allies to lovers core and just so bisexual” and I really stand by that initial statement in featuring it here. This debut promised a lot upfront, some of my favorite tropes and storylines intersecting in one dark fantasy, but it absolutely exceeded all of my expectations. Thematically this series is promising and Sophia Slade is not only an author to watch but a new favorite.

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Alexandria Bellefleur wrote a fictional man so hot I considered jumping into the book just so I could date him myself. I settled for finishing the book and immediately flipping back to the start to read it all over again. Colin McCory the man that you are. Truly, Madly, Deeply was such a fun romance that at its heart is just bisexuality ✨ A theme I am clearly passionate about. I loved this bi-for-bi romance that draws off of first impressions and how they aren’t always accurate and the preconceived notions of life and dating that are actually holding us back from happiness. Truly and Colin were adorable (and so sexually frustrated) – if you’ve read the Instagram scene and immediately had to throw your phone across the room in embarrassment I see you. I feel you. I am you. In terms of fictional crushes, no one is really holding a candle to Colin right now and that’s so sad. I just want more bisexual men in romance who are comfortable with their sexuality and ready to lay it all down for one person. For more thoughts on this one, read my review.

FAVORITE FICTIONAL COUPLE & NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER

Is anyone shocked that this book is being mentioned in two categories? No? Great. If you’ve talked to me in the last two months then chances are this book series has come up at least once. And it was probably me begging you to give it a try if you hadn’t read it before. The Bone Season is winning a double feature for my newest favorite main character and favorite couple. I could write essays about how much I love Paige Mahoney individually and her love story with Arcturus Mesarthim that begins here in book one of the Bone Season. Samantha Shannon delivers a character that is arguably one of the best modern fantasy heroines (though this world is anything but modern) and begs you to try and not root for them. Paige, a young clairvoyant Irish woman escaped the fall of her country to the violent Republic of Scion to further fight for survival from the inside. She’s complicated, still figuring herself out, and makes plenty of mistakes in her journey as a revolutionary. But her tenacity and tremendous courage in the face of such violence is astonishing. Paige finds a connection she never anticipated with her Rephaim warden and effective jailer when she realizes they both are held prisoner by the powers at Oxford. There’s so much longing intertwined with gentle moments you will genuinely lose your mind and go grey as these two accept they have feelings but still somehow try and compartmentalize (I could go into heavy detail… and I will…I will go into heavy detail). But just not here definitely read my full review of The Bone Season if you’d like to hear more.

BOOK THAT MADE ME CRY

Second chance romance found at the scene of the crime? Fork found in kitchen. Jessica Joyce’s sophomore novel is a powerful romance involving the pain and joy in reconnection and how we can soldier that path back to a relationship that both hurt and fulfilled us in the past. I love mess so the concept of two exes that have to set up their friend’s wedding together while avoiding what went wrong in their own relationship immediately had me adding this to my tbr. You With a View, Jessica Joyce’s first novel was just all-around excellence and her emotional breadth astonished me. That is very much on display in her second book as well. Georgia and Eli had some serious issues that caused the dissolution of their former relationship but attempt to move past those things and return to their partnership built off of something wholly different. This entire book had me in the feels and I really think I came out the other side a changed person. Jessica Joyce supremacy!

BOOK THAT MADE ME HAPPY

Cozy science fiction is my new obsession and The Stars Too Fondly was the perfect book to delve into this emerging subgenre for the first time. Certainly, I’m a bit biased because Emily is a dear friend of mine, but this book is so incredible and needs to be on your list. Combine a little bit of discovery, found family, queer romance, and scientific hubris and you have this book. Emily Hamilton balances out those darker moments with her delightful crew of characters stuck on a spaceship and beholden to strange new powers. We’ve even got rom-coms and iced coffees in space! The Stars Too Fondly was just a delight to read and left me grinning.

BOOK TO READ BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT

I’m seated. the booksellers are scared and asking me to leave because it “hasn’t even published yet” but I’m simply too seated. Wings of Starlight being announced not two weeks out from my rewatch of the entire Pixie Hollow movie series where I and a friend talked at length over the Clarion x Milori movie potential and what the plot would consist of. I have the gift of prophecy. Feeling more than slightly vindicated that this book exists and that one of my all-time favorite authors is the one writing it. From their minimal screentime, Clarion x Milori serve that intense longing that I know only Allison Saft will be able to provide. Listen there’s something about lovers torn apart by a tragedy finding that they can be together after years of putting the other person behind them that will never not miss for me. Wings of Starlight just sounds excellent and there’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to heal my twelve-year-old self. Top on my list to get through before the year is out.

MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK BOUGHT

You’ve come this far only to see another title by Samantha Shannon….but do not fear because this is the last category on my list. I think the redesigned covers for The Bone Season series revisions are some of the prettiest things in existence and The Mask Falling is my favorite because of the green. Literally who is surprised. The gold foil, the raised lettering on the cover, and the rich endpapers have sold me on buying this entire series in hardback format. I love how each book features the predominant symbols and buildings from Paige’s environment. The language of flowers is very important across the book series and they bloom out from the edges. I am frothing at the mouth just looking at this and am scared to say how often I find myself staring at my copy.

Let’s Talk: The Best Books of the Summer

Robin4 Comments

It’s finally summer, aka the best time of the year for new releases and beach reads. As a firm believer that a beach read is simply any book you would bring to the beach to read I’ve curated a list of new books dropping this summer that should definitely be in your beach bag. 2024 is the year of some phenomenal debuts, particularly in the science fiction and fantasy genres. You’ll find quite a few featured here as well as several new books by my all-time favorite authors. Jump into the summer with a cozy zookeeper fantasy, a meta-villainous romp, queers in space, an intense Hollywood thriller, and the next great retelling.

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A Maclean

Step inside San Tamculo Zoo and experience a whimsical cozy fantasy complete with a sapphic rivals to lovers romance. In a zoo abounding with magical creatures a zookeeper works to save a critically endangered species of firebird, and must rely on her college rival turned colleague in order to turn things around. The Phoenix Keeper is the perfect blend of cozy atmosphere, fantasy, romance, and heart. Impossibly, it feels like the inhabitants of San Tamculo Zoo have leapt off of the page fully formed and each chapter brings you further into the grounds. S.A. Maclean hones in on species conservation and the bureaucratic setbacks that make it all the more challenging. The stakes are as high as the tension between two workplace rivals turned allies who decidedly don’t have feelings for one another. Expertly paced and laced with romance and intrigue, Maclean takes readers through the day-to-day operations of San Tamculo Zoo and the lives and loves of the charming zookeeping staff. The Phoenix Keeper had me wishing I was stepping through the gates of this zoo and getting to experience the magic of these fantastical species for myself. Maclean’s debut is a vivid cacophony of color, fluttering wings, and magic that you won’t want to miss!

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The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

The Stars Too Fondly is a cozy and queer science fiction debut about the price of progress at the expense of the many, and a generation seeking salvation among the stars. Featuring: a diverse cast and fun twisty spacetime adventures –not to mention the accessibility of iced drinks and rom-coms on a spaceship (a priority if you have queers in space). Prepare to fall hopelessly in with Hamilton’s crew of loud and loveable characters that feel like their own kind of family and love just as large. Emily Hamilton manages to pack a ton of information into her debut, balancing out the interpersonal conflicts with a compelling discussion of space exploration and scientific hubris. I loved learning more about the lore of the Providence crew, what went wrong in the initial launch, and the reveals with the dark matter and its powers. Altogether just a delightful mashup of romance and science fiction that will appeal to many readers inside and outside both genres.

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The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

One can always count on Silvia Moreno-Garcia to provide the book of the summer. Enter 1950s Hollywood, where actresses who pulled themselves up from the bottom fight for fame and the roles of a lifetime. The role that could propel current unknowns to stardom this time around is that of Salome, a legendary figure in art originating from biblical texts. The role of Salome is given to Vera Larios, a former unknown Mexican actress who is now an object of envy and desire. One such envier, Nancy Hartley, has always believed herself worthy of fame and finds that Vera is the one standing in the way. Framed between Vera’s and Nancy’s experiences and the story of Salome, Silvia Moreno-Garcia explores the mythologization of women through art in the past and within the studio system itself. Myths bend with reality and the studio system becomes a playing field for temptation, gossip, and unknowable pain. The Seventh Veil of Salome ties together a racing thriller with historical fiction and in classic Silvia Moreno-Garcia fashion, it’s just brilliant. 

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When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

Dymitr is a monster hunter, a task passed down through his family line that comes at great physical cost. However, it is his latest mission that could prove the most deadly: to track down the famed witch Baba Jaga and seek her favor. Across the streets of Chicago, in the dark alleyways and boarded-up buildings, Dymitr hatches a plot with one of the beings he has been tasked to kill. Ala, a cursed Zmora who feeds on fear agrees to help Dymitr in exchange for a cure for the curse that will one day claim her. Veronica Roth harnesses a dark, folkloric urban fantasy about pain and the cost of redemption in this startling fantasy novella. The modern setting of Chicago combined with Slavik monsters makes for a unique playing field for this quest narrative. One of my favorite things that Roth depicts are the knights of the Holy Order and the power that they wield, which comes at a cost. Dymitr’s ability to kill monsters comes from a sword that is embedded in his spine that he has to painfully remove anytime he makes a kill. Part of this quest for Ala and Dymitr is the weight of these generational struggles and the pain in excising them. When Among Crows packs a lot into one novella and all of it is making me crave more from Veronica Roth.

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A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

Trapped by an abusive mother with a power of compulsion over her, Cordelia lives her life in fragments. There are no secrets between mother and daughter, and how can there be when there are no doors in their home and no relationships to call her own. Now her mother has uprooted them to a wealthy manor house, where an unsuspecting family find themselves her next victim. T. Kingfisher ingeniously reimagines the Brothers Grimm’s, Goose Girl in a tale overflowing with witchery and trickery. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a Regency fantasy that stands on the gap between a light, comforting fairy story, and a dark fantasy merged with horror. Kingfisher has written compelling and distinct characters who fight to cast off evil and are all the stronger for it. Cordelia steps out of the compulsion she has been placed in by her mother, and Hester casts off her constraints to find happiness. Both journeys were immensely satisfying and included moments of humor, wit, and of course, horror. T. Kingfisher is a tried and true author in many genres, and A Sorceress Comes to Call is yet another retelling to relish.

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Business Casual by B.K. Borison

The last thing Nova Porter is looking for is love, and too charming for his own good Charlie Milford threatens to break that resolve down to its measly crumbs. Whether that be trying to reel her onto the dance floor or helping her tattoo studio ahead of its opening anything related to Charlie spells trouble. However, Nova can’t back down from their mutual attraction and convinces Charlie of one night to beat their feelings. But unfortunately, it doesn’t do a damned thing. B.K Borison takes us back to Inglewild in this final installment that delivers on all of the steamy moments and wonderful relationships. I love the flipped grumpy sunshine couple dynamics that Borison does here with Nova as the black cat and Charlie as that overly open and sunshiny protagonist. The chemistry between these two is off the charts right from that initial scene at the wedding where Charlie is being so earnest and Nova is just freaked out by it. Charlie Milford is the book boyfriend of book boyfriends (I mean he reads historical romance? Girl marry him). Business Casual is a bittersweet farewell to Inglewild and all of the characters that have taken up so much space in my heart. Nova and Charlie bring on the tenderness and vulnerability and this series conclusion seriously hit me in the feels.

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Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

Long Live Evil is my first Sarah Rees Brennan novel and legitimately one of my favorite books of this year. Playing off of classic fantasy tropes, but subverting genre traditions, Sarah Rees Brennan delivers a fresh fantasy debut that asks the question: what would you do if set loose in your favorite fantasy series? Long Live Evil packs in the adventure but takes a nuanced approach to narrative and character archetypes. With villains running amok and heroes testing the boundaries of their morality, Long Live Evil isn’t your standard fantasy novel. It’s a campy, meta, absolute ball of a time and a reading experience I will not forget soon. A layered story within a story with an unexpected third layer (the original narrative that is seemingly changing), Long Live Evil embraces all the nuance, pop culture references, and hilarity. Brennan pushes the boundaries of storytelling through this portal fantasy with layered narratives within narratives and a scintillating blend of humor undercut by moments of intense poignancy. Bring on more chaos, morally grey characters, and schemes!

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Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel

Goddess of the River is an epic that charts the life of Ganga, a goddess of the river who becomes entrapped as a mortal after her godlings bring down anger from a powerful sage. Her pain is to remain stuck in human form until she births the godlings who will become trapped as mortals themselves. Patel shows memory as fluid as a river and the decisions that set a kingdom on a path to war. As Ganga experiences motherhood and the love that moves her to kill her godling children to free them back to their original form tragedy continues to be wrought. Once Ganga returns to the river she is an observer of her final child, Bhishma, stuck in his mortal form and forever apart from her. Patel molds her epic like a river charting its meandering course. At the center of this river are the issues of dharma, memory, and the rigid choices that bring further suffering. With multiple branching perspectives and interwoven lives around the river Goddess of the River is the kind of retelling I imagine will stand the test of time. I’m sure there are many people who feel that retellings are oversaturated in the market but Vaishnavi Patel proves once again that it is the Westernized mythologies that are overplayed. Goddess of the River is the kind of story I want to read over and over again.

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The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo

Everyone’s favorite traveling cleric is back, partaking in a journey most gothic, with an unexpected twist, a transformative teapot, and hidden secrets tucked in the corners of a once powerful fortress. The Brides of High Hill is the fifth installment in The Singing Hills Cycle, one of my favorite ongoing fantasy novella series. The Singing Hills Cycle remains an entirely immersive series no matter what adventure Nghi Vo is delivering, but in no way is it ever predictable. I admire how this series interacts with genre and story and each bite size story is a new foray into both of those things. The Brides of High Hill has a prickly atmosphere and an aura of mystery that overhangs Cleric Chi’s latest adventure. Nghi Vo is high up on the list of my favorite authors. With each passing addition, I am left lingering on the talent of Nghi Vo’s worlds and words. Oh, do I want to live within them forever!

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The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Part historical, part romance, and modern time travel narrative, The Ministry of Time is a captivating debut with something in it for every kind of reader. Set in the distant future, an unnamed civil servant is given the job offer of a lifetime for a mysterious project within the government. In secret, the government has somehow developed the ability to travel through time, but they have no idea of its viability or the effect it could have on human bodies. The solution: grab individuals from strenuous periods in time who were already fated to die and pull them into the current century. Her job is to be a bridge for one of these individuals, to cohabitate and monitor them as they adjust to modern-day life. Historically, Commander Graham Gore died in an expedition to the Arctic undertaken in 1845 but now he’s her new roommate and she is tasked with acclimating him to the modern day. The Ministry of Time is an invigorating debut that is as comedic as it is devastating. Teaching a strapping Victorian man about germs and feminism has got to be one of the funniest running bits in this story. Testing generational traumas and loyalties, The Ministry of Time is an exceptional debut that highlights the cost of love and maintaining our humanity. Certainly not one to miss!

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Let’s Talk: Ten Historical Romance Recommendations for Fans of Bridgerton

Robin1 Comment

I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since Bridgerton season two put me in a historical romance craze that lasted several months. While the Bridgerton series wasn’t what made me fall in love with the historical romance genre (your girl has been cracking them open for years and years and my romance shelf is crumbling) it caused me to reflect on the books I’ve loved, the authors that create masterful tension, and the novels that reaffirm our belief in great love stories. Recently, I’ve been waiting to submit some new historical romances and update my “god-tier historical romance” list. With the latest season of Bridgerton on pause until June 13th (I cry daily), all I want is to sink my teeth into a new historical romance, and all of these are worthy contenders.

When the Viscount Wanted Me by Lydia Lloyd

I love him, but the thing is, he’s my brother’s best friend

Lydia Lloyd is a completely new to me author and *whew* what a hit her second novel is. Brothers best friend trope is a tried and true staple in this genre and Lloyd throws her cap in this (I have no other word than sizzling) historical. When the Viscount Wanted Me is a fast-paced, addictive story, that takes off, quite literally, with a bang. Lady Henrietta can be classified as nothing but a true icon because as soon as a chance emerges to be with the guy she’s been in love with for years she leaps at it. I love reading from heroines that go against the grain of traditional expectations in the genre, and Henrietta is one of them. Henrietta is experienced in sex, but love is what remains elusive. As she falls in with Trem, love is all that she wants from the person who already has her heart. With adventure, secret sexy times, and a delightful group of characters, The Rake Chronicles needs to be on your radar. Prepare to fan yourself more than usual because this one completely changed my definition of the word hot.

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“He doesn’t own Henrietta any more than he does me. She is free to do as she pleases. And she wants to marry me—and I certainly want to marry her. I would kill for this woman”

– When the Viscount Wanted Me

An Affair With A Notorious Heiress by Lorraine Heath

“I shall be returning to New York” is the new “And I am leaving for India”

If you’re chasing the heat and the yearning left by Kate and Anthony from season two of Bridgerton Lorraine Heath’s, An Affair With A Notorious Heiress comes pretty close plot-wise. Lady Landsdowne is society’s best scandal, after her supposed affair and subsequent divorce from her husband. Alistair Mabry, the Marquess of Rexton is on the hunt for a wife and scandal will have no place in his marriage. Unfortunately, the young lady he is pursuing is the sister of the Scandalous Lady Landsdowne, who insists on being the chaperone in their courtship. Lorraine Heath takes slow burn to the max with some gorgeous moments of tenderness and understanding between her two leads, only serving to heighten that payoff when they finally give into their feelings. I appreciate how Rexton consistently backed Tillie, who continued to expect abandonment and poor behavior from everyone around her, but was shown differently. I really feel that these two stand on par with one another in their partnership, making for a truly divine romance!

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“What are you doing?” she demanded. “Giving into temptation and kissing you, obviously.”

– An Affair With A Notorious Heiress

Last Night’s Scandal by Loretta Chase

If you want childhood friends who argue like a married couple (but in fact aren’t) while continuing to deny their feelings as they fix up an old Scottish castle this is for you. (Bonus points for treasure hunts).

Last Night’s Scandal was my first Loretta Chase romance and it might just be a contender for my top five historicals of all time. This is a steamy friends to lovers romance story featuring two childhood friends who get roped into fixing up a run-down castle in Scotland, but battle strange setbacks, ghosts, and a hunt for the elusive treasure hidden somewhere on the grounds. Olivia Wingate-Carsington is the most chaotic heroine — throwing teapots at people, hitting men with umbrellas, and immediately ready to commit to the thrill of the moment (while everyone tries to hold her back). This should be classified under: two idiots trying in vain to deny their feelings with mixed results. Lisle and Olivia bring the tension and the heat and this is just an all-around superb romance.

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“I love you madly,” she said. “I shall make you happy if I have to kill somebody to do it. But that ought not to be necessary.”

– Last Night’s Scandal

The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran

An angst-ridden second chance romance between an estranged husband and wife (so good it will make you cry)

As a second-chance romance connoisseur, The Sins of Lord Lockwood is a reminder of why I love this trope, particularly in historical romance. Two estranged spouses reunite after four years apart and reconcile what went exactly wrong in their marriage. The twist: Liam Devaliant, Lord Lockwood, was kidnapped and taken as a convict to New South Wales where he was held for several years and his wife, Anna, the Countess of Forth has no idea. Liam battles the long-term impacts of his experiences while trying to hide what happened from Anna, who wrestles with having been abandoned. They find their way back to one another as they open up to the truth and work to establish a new chapter of their relationship. The Sins of Lord Lockwood is definitely intense but is grounded in some truly important discussions surrounding love after trauma, PTSD, and intimacy. An angsty but beautiful romance with a satisfying ending.

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“Liar!” she called, but she was smiling. She was impossibly beautiful. She was the only sight worth seeing. “I would be a fool to look away from you,” he said. “Even for a moment.”

– The Sins of Lord Lockwood

The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley

Trying to recover a stolen family painting from an unfeeling Duke, whom you accidentally kidnap, but save from scandal so he agrees to help you find a husband (you’re lying. you still want that painting)

No family truly embodies the Bridgerton antics quite like the Wynchesters, a family of adopted former orphans from diverse backgrounds who use their combined talents to solve mysteries and crimes in order to protect the working class. Chloe Wynchester, the appointed leader of the family, must get close to the Duke of Faircliff to retrieve a painting stolen by his father, but accidentally kidnapping the duke was not on her agenda. Chloe is the kind of heroine who prefers to stay invisible while conducting her schemes and as her relationship (and case) with Lawrence evolves, she decides to step into the light. I’m nothing if not a sucker for the wallflower who is ten times smarter than the love interest and Lawrence and Chloe have some lovely moments of verbal sparring that prove that over and over again. Try and read this and not become obsessed with this family. I dare you.

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“This was who he really was, when he wasn’t trying so hard to be a perfect duke: delightful, approachable, irresistible. She wanted to grab the ribbons of his outlandish bonnet and kiss him for days. She wanted to wear the one he’d made for her for the rest of her life.”

– The Duke Heist

West End Earl by Bethany Bennett

Living in hiding as a man for the last decade comes with its own challenges, but falling for your employer and best friend takes the cake

If you’re looking for a historical romance drenched in absurdity, West End Earl is the answer to your prayers. Ophelia Hardwick has assumed the identity of her deceased twin for eleven years after an accident resulted in his death and provided her an opportunity to escape her snide uncle until she is of age to inherit. As her twenty-fifth birthday looms, her uncle makes his move, and Ophelia must rely on her employer and close friend Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle to survive. West End Earl surprised me in the best way. Ophelia was such a bold character and I laughed at the ease in which she and Calvin transitioned into their romance. As the two were such close friends it made quite a bit of sense, but there were several scenes that simply made my jaw drop. Schemes layer upon schemes and there’s no way you can guess where the story ends up.

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“I’ll deal with it.” He cradled her jaw and kissed her again, slowly, as if savoring her. “Because I plan to spend a lot of time kissing you, Ophelia Hardwick”

– West End Earl

It Started with a Scandal by Julie Anne Long

How to make a formidable French Lord fall for you: flowers that remind him of home, terrible rhymes about his conquests, and plenty of apple tarts

It Started with a Scandal is a romance I’ve read too many times to count and lives in my top five favorite historicals. Elise Fountain was once a respected member of society, but as a single mother, she has fallen far. Elise now serves as a housekeeper to the intimidating Lord Philippe Lavay to support herself and her son. Bringing the house back to life places her in the ire of her employer, a man down on his honor recovering from injuries sustained during his last mission. Elise helps bring Philippe and the house back to rights and they gradually form a friendship hinged on something more. Julie Anne Long attempts a lot in this one, and it’s all pulled off to perfection. When I say the amount of yearning between Elise and Philippe almost put me in a coma, I mean it. It Started with a Scandal is just one example of flawless tension, stakes, and romantic development in the genre and my top recommendation for fans new and old.

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“All the memories I wish to keep were comprised of love. And home, Elise, is anywhere love is.” He stepped toward her urgently and looked down. “And you are my love.”

– It Started with a Scandal

The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe

What do you do when the man you had a midnight tryst with ends up being the Duke pursuing your best friend? Turn to complete and utter loathing.

Singing praises to Joanna Shupe is a daily occurrence in my life I’m afraid. Part of the Fifth Avenue Rebels series, set in New York During the Gilded Age, The Duke Gets Even follows a fearlessly independent heiress and a guarded Duke who begin an affair that threatens to break down the precarious boundaries they’ve constructed around their hearts. Jaw on the floor is the basic theme for this entire series, and somehow Shupe takes that further with The Duke Gets Even. I love the shift from hatred to love and the delicious tension that builds as Nelly and Andrew give into their instincts, yet refuse to concede that they care for one another. Nelly’s championing of sexual and reproductive health was really refreshing and combined with the circumstances surrounding Lockwood’s heart condition, really grounded this story. The Duke Gets Even is a surprisingly tender romance and witnessing Nelly and Lockwood reach for a life together, despite their circumstances, is altogether liberating.

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“Bending, he whispered near her ear, “Do you need, Eleanor?” “Yes,” she said on a quiet sigh. “God, yes.” … “Then what were you doing, flaunting that waiter in my face instead of asking me to do it properly?” 

– The Duke Gets Even

When the Earl Desired Me by Lydia Lloyd

When he’s the earl who broke your heart over a decade ago but he’s determined to have you back in his life and will do whatever he can to prove it

Yes, I am putting another Lydia Lloyd on the list because I finished this the other night and it is without a doubt the most fitting book for fans of Bridgerton season three. When she was a maid in his family home, Olivia Watson fell in love with Lord Augustus Carrington, the Earl of Montaigne, and the two embarked on a whirlwind affair that ended when Augustus callously sent her away with a note and ten guineas. Thirteen years later, Olivia returns to England, where she comes face to face with Augustus and the ghosts of their former passions. When the Earl Desired Me features sexy carriage rides, love letters, and of course, a wonderful second chance romance plotline. Lloyd does a fantastic job expanding on the relationship between Olivia and Augustus, particularly with the inherent power dynamics that were at play despite their mutual attraction to one another and the class attitudes that continue to impact their relationship in the present. Supported by a lively cast of characters and beautiful romances, this series is a new favorite and Lydia Lloyd is undoubtedly an author to watch.

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“She was so beautiful that it hurt to look at her. He would have wanted to close his eyes, but the only thing more unbearable than continuing to look at her was stopping.”

– When the Earl Desired Me

Bed Me, Duke by Felicity Niven

What’s a rake to do when he becomes a duke but hide his new identity and travel to Scotland where he becomes entangled in a lessons-in-seduction plot with a spitfire Countess.

Felicity Niven is another new to me author whose books I flew through earlier this winter and cannot wait to read more from. Bed Me, Duke focuses on Captain Jack Pike, a notorious rake and newly established duke, and Helen Boyd, a countess desperate to save her people by marrying him. Unbeknownst to her, the man she has entangled to teach her how to seduce happens to be the duke she plans on seducing all the way to the altar. Lessons in seduction has never been my favorite trope, but it turns out I just needed Felicy Niven’s version to change my mind. Jack and Helen throw themselves into their mutual attraction, and their passion builds into a deep and lasting connection that they continue to deny. There’s plenty of longing and lingering gazes in store in this charming and wholeheartedly endearing series debut. I had the best time reading this one and will be looking out for more from Niven.

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“You’re a thistle, Helen. Tough and spiky and able to flourish in a rocky, brutal place. You draw blood with your prickers. But a thistle also has a flower. A rich, purple, majestic flower, like a crown”

– Bed Me, Duke

Let’s Talk: Spring Reads

Robin1 Comment

Friends! It’s been a while since I did a proper book wrap-up for my notable reads and with spring practically in the air I can think of no better time to close the loop on some of the books I’ve read recently. With my move to the UK just around the corner, I have been focusing my attention on ARCs on my physical TBR and books on my shelf I have not read yet. Spanning a variety of genres here, this is your one-stop shop for your next spring (or summer) read, all endorsed by me!

Lady Scandal by Laura Lee Guhrke

A Haughty, newly titled viscount, and a widowed countess and determined event planner butt heads over the management of The Savoy Hotel, courting scandal and unexpected romance as they fight to get their way. Reading Lady Scandal was simultaneously the best time ever and renewed my faith in the historical romance genre. Everything about this book from start to finish is sheer perfection, from the flowering wit to the punchy back and forth between leads Simon and Delia. Guhrke certainly knows how to elevate the chemistry to deliver an outstanding love story with characters that feel like they could leap off the page. Lady Scandal is a refreshing testament to the genre and an excellent addition to the Scandal at the Savoy series. I really just had the best time with this one and will absolutely be keeping up with the next book from Guhrke. 

Trigger warnings: death, miscarriage

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A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

A Letter to the Luminous Deep blends mystery and a light academic romance between two scholars as their correspondence uncovers a secret long buried about their world. Like dense fronds of seaweed unfurling, Sylvie Cathrall untangles a beautiful epistolary academic romance between shy but inquisitive “E” and esteemed scholar Henerey Clel who find a connection deeper than the boundless depths in which they reside. Split between their initial correspondence and the two siblings left behind to unravel the mystery through the letters they penned, A Letter to the Luminous Deep instills a quest for the truth, while providing insight into both the past and the present. Including discussions around mental health, academia, and scientific exploration, this magical underwater adventure leaves plenty to investigate. A wonderfully curious debut that completely enraptured me!

Trigger warnings: death, grief

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The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love by India Holton

In this fresh and absolutely absurd romance adventure, two rival ornithologists become the victims of an elaborate marketing plan … and suffer intense yearning, birding mishaps, and mixed variations of there was only one bed trope – all for the chance of becoming Birder of the Year. One thing about India Holton is that she will have you cackling one moment, and swooning the next. The reluctant team-up between rivals Beth and Devon was EVERYTHING, comprised of snarky banter, near misses, and a healthy dash of yearning. The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love will entangle you in a clever repartee between two rivals (who maybe aren’t), dangerous magical birds, hijinks, and most importantly, tea! This historical romance with a delightful fantasy twist is a new favorite.

Trigger warnings: animal captivity

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The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

A Napa Valley wedding rekindles the sparks between Georgia and Eli, once lovers now strangers, who may just have a chance to get back what they lost while building something altogether new. Filled to the brim with the bittersweet, The Ex Vows is a second-chance romance that encapsulates all of the joyous and painful parts of reuniting and reconciling the past. Georgia and Eli have both been through a lot, together and apart, and the focus on these experiences in mending what went wrong in their relationship made for a truly exceptional romance. The yearning, the underlying tension between the two leads, and the wonderful moments of rediscovery along the way completely bowled me over. Jessica Joyce’s sophomore novel expands on her talent and craft as she interconnects the past and present, focusing on mental health, and the power of love in finding healing. The Ex Vows is astonishingly vulnerable and its resolution will undoubtedly have you close to tears. Jessica Joyce supremacy!

Trigger warnings: grief, anxiety

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Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis

A jewel thief, a former assistant, singers, rebels, and spies converge in a spaceship hotel that traverses the galaxy to meet its clientele. Floating Hotel is a genre-bending, distinctly period drama-esque romp through space with the most delightful crew of characters and past and present timelines. Like elements of a secret code, Curtis reassembles the past to make sense of the present as time winds down for the Grand Abeona Hotel. This feels like a cozy mystery with an intense heart as victims across planets desperately seek a new home in the face of an empire destroying worlds. I enjoyed filling in the pieces and its bittersweet final destination. 

Trigger warnings: blood, death

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My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley

No recommendation list is complete without a historical romance, and My Rogue to Ruin is my latest favorite. Part of an ongoing series from Erica Ridley, My Rogue to Ruin melds classic romance tropes with one untraditional family and their ensuing antics. Ridley returns to the Wild Wynchesters, this time taking on a massive forgery scheme. Armed with prickly hedgehogs and mixed with a bit of blackmail, My Rogue to Ruin takes the word chaos and reaches beyond to deliver a fresh and exciting historical romance. Locked in a room with the most rogueish and arrogant scoundrel, Marjorie Wynchester takes it upon herself to solve the family’s latest case. Forced proximity, a diverse cast, and swoony moments are what you can expect with this one, as Marjorie and Adrian realize they might be on the same side. Erica Ridley’s books are always the most entertaining romps and I know both seasoned and new readers to the genre will love this one!

Trigger warnings: ableism, confinement, misogyny

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Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B Poranek

We love sentient houses, strange forests, and Howl’s Moving Castle vibes!!! Entangled in Polish Folklore, Where the Dark Stands Still follows a young woman determined to undo the magic she possesses by bonding herself to the demon warden of the spirit wood, who promises her a trade: one year in his service for the ability to remove her magic. With dangerous bargains, folklore, and a house full of secrets, this debut wholly ensnared me even before I stepped into the bones of the story. The intrigue around the Leszy and the woods that are his domain, as well as the growing romantic connection with Liska played off of one another in increasingly devastating ways. With a final act bringing the conflict between immortality and older bargains smashing together, Where the Dark Stands Still has one of the best endings in a young adult novel I have read in years!! Sheer perfection in a book!

Trigger warnings: violence, blood, gore, death, animal death

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Let’s Talk: Recent Reads

RobinLeave a comment

Basically, all the books I can’t shut up about.

So many good books, so little time to review them all individually so without further ado here’s a wrap on all the books I have read and loved in the past three months. For this chunk of the year I decided to focus on mood and curate a TBR for each month to check off according to what I was wanting to read. As we moved into fall I was in more of an SFF mood but have started reading some more seasonally appropriate books on my TBR. Several of the books here will be reviewed for the first time, but many will be in my blurb review format. This post introduces: a series that has become my new obsession, an upcoming historical romance, a stunning series finale, and a new favorite author. Happy reading!

My Recent Favorites

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

Clark’s alternate 1912 Cairo, where djinn roam the streets and magic is a daily reality is my new favorite world to get lost in. Fatma el-Sha’arawi, an agent of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, is tasked with uncovering just who murdered the members of a secret brotherhood but discovers a plot that goes far deeper. This is my first P. Djèlí Clark and boy did it not disappoint. Not only is this a fantastic speculative debut, but it has a deep center of questioning that I really appreciated. The twists in this are so freaking good and Fatma and Siti are the cutest couple and badass team up EVER. Read for an amazing world, historical commentary, and sapphics uncovering a mystery together.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, racism, slavery

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The Duchess by Sophie Jordan

Sophie Jordan returns to her Scandalous Ladies of London series. Valencia, a recently widowed dowager, teams up with the new heir to usher his unruly sisters into London society but finds her past confronting her newfound connections. Like the previous installment, The Duchess brings a fresh take on historical romance tropes while staying true to the realities of marriage and life for women in this period. It’s deeply satisfying to see Valencia work to secure the life she wants after years of abuse and suffering (and VERY entertaining at certain points). I have been waiting years for a historical series focused on women who didn’t get their happily ever after the first time around and it is here.

Trigger warnings: misogyny, sexual harassment, abuse

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The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

An unthinkable murder looms large in an empire beset by leviathans, strange contagions, and corruption blooming at its heart. Assistant to a brilliant investigator, and magically altered to help her solve the crime, Dinios Kol is called in to lend his eyes to solving the murder in question. Undeniably humorous and brilliant in its craft, The Tainted Cup is a bold new murder mystery that reinvigorates the classic investigative pairing with a plot almost serpentine in the way that it constantly twists and turns back upon itself in an act of reinvention. Robert Jackson Bennett has constructed a stellar fantasy world alongside an inventive magic system. This is an unpredictable, but nevertheless brilliant mystery equipped with a duo to rival Watson and Holmes. The kind of story to seep in and take root in the most unexpected places.

Trigger warnings: body horror, blood, murder, violence

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The Will of the Many by James Islington

In The Will of the Many, Islington constructs a flawed world built on the backs of the many to benefit the few, centering on the one person who could expose a crack in the marble and bring down an entire empire. Orphan Vin Telimus is an heir to a kingdom overtaken by the very empire he now serves. Hiding in plain sight, resisting ceding his will to the hierarchy, Vin is taken in by an unlikely ally who will give him a way out if he infiltrates the academy training the next generation of upper citizens to figure out what is going on on the academy grounds. This book juggles so many different elements and executes them all flawlessly. Complete with a mystery, an inventive societal system, and a striking political landscape. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this absolute masterpiece and I cannot wait to continue the series.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, gore, death, murder, body horror

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Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo

The eternal question: did I finish this book or did it finish me? The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo is for sure one of my favorite novella series of the past few years, and every addition has become my new obsession. Mammoths at the Gates is no different. After the death of their mentor, Cleric Chih returns to the abbey to mourn the loss and lay them to rest with the rest of their community. Stories past and present merge as Chi and others mourn this loss and collectively grieve. Vo conceptualizes the diverse experiences with grief and memory and pays homage to the power of storytelling. Definitely teared up a little bit while reading this and can’t wait for more from this series.

Trigger warnings: death, grief, physical abuse (mentioned)

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The Fractured Dark by Megan O’Keefe

If you take nothing else from the books I am recommending here it is: read this series. Altered Carbon meets the Expanse in this inventive and action-packed interplanetary adventure. Megan O’Keefe takes her Devoured Worlds series to the next level with a mind-bending addition that tests already fragile alliances and humanity’s uncertain future. Naira and Tarquin confront deep-rooted power structures, enemies old and new, and a biological threat able to evolve in ways they never could have thought possible. Ingeniously layered with a deep sense of humanity at its core, O’Keefe questions identity, future frontiers, and families found. You won’t expect the twists and you will desperately wish you’d read this sooner.

Trigger warnings: suicide, blood, violence, emotional abuse

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The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

The Silent Companions is an eerie Victorian gothic novel that kept me up into the wee hours of the night, both because of a desire to reach its end, and the unsettling feeling it placed upon me. I stumbled upon Laura Purcell’s books at Waterstones back in March and took a chance on The Silent Companions for its gorgeous cover and intriguing premise. A widow is sent to her late husband’s family estate for the remainder of her pregnancy but is left to uncover the strange secrets of this ancestral home and its horrific legacy. Safe to say that judging books by their covers is good because I just loved this one. It’s gothic, spooky, and perfect. This book will have you looking into dark corners while coming to terms with the most ingenious twist!

Trigger warnings: blood, death, murder, poisoning, forced institutionalization

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Masters Of Death by Olivie Blake

So you’re a vampire real estate agent trying to sell your latest house, but it’s haunted by the ghost of its former occupant. And the only way to help the ghost move on is to contact a medium who just so happens to be the Godson of Death? Yes, this book is as chaotic as its premise, with a slow build and a snarky cast of characters who must team up to master death himself. Masters of Death is the kind of book that feels more rewarding the further you wade into it. I had no idea how so many of these moving pieces would come together, but Olivie Blake makes it all work. I love its patchwork method of narrative and break from linear storytelling. Masters of Death has all the trappings of a morbid and folkloric bedtime story as vamps, reapers, ghosts, and gods must team up for good or for ill. It’s easily the most unexpected and chaotic fantasy book I have read in ages. 

Trigger warnings: murder, death, addiction

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Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Two Twisted Crowns, the expansive and completely life-changing conclusion to the Shepherd King Duology is here and it is quite possibly the best sequel I’ve read all year. Maintaining her sensational gothic atmosphere and gutting prose, Gillig adds several new points of view and expands her focus to those left behind in the aftermath of the events from book one. Characters Elm and Ione pull focus and what emerges is a well-rounded conclusion that tests the bonds of family, magic, and the world that these characters hold dear. We get more lore with the cards and the Shepherd King as Elsbeth is trapped by the Nightmare, which I loved. Two Twisted Crowns is certainly an ambitious sequel, but altogether romantic and action-packed. Rachel Gillig is definitely a new favorite author and I cannot wait to reread this series down the line.

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

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Let’s Talk: New Romance Favorites

Robin2 Comments

All my latest obsessions compiled in one convenient list

This year is shaping up to be one of the best for romance novels and I’ve been blessed by the publishing gods with early copies of some of my most anticipated releases. The romance genre is the gift that keeps on giving and today I’m sharing some of my favorite unpublished and published romance novels of late in this post. Per my reading taste, this is a mix of contemporary romance and historicals. Whether you’re looking for a bodice ripper, a steamy friends to lovers, or a slow burn I hope you find some new anticipated releases below.

What I’ve Been Loving

You With a View by Jessica Joyce

I have officially found my new favorite book and summer romance all rolled into one with Jessica Joyce’s heartwarming debut novel. You, with a View seamlessly blends the travel narrative with a slow-burn romance that left me aching for new connections and an extensive summer road trip. There are so many feelings explored within this novel and it’s not lost on me how Joyce makes you feel every single one. You, with a View, is hands down one of the best romances of 2023. With magnificent tension and a profound emotional journey, Joyce has established herself as a stellar new voice in romance.

Trigger warnings: grief, death of a loved one

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Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard

A talented ballerina and a grumpy duke with a passion for piano initiate a fake engagement that threatens to become real amidst growing feelings. Amalie Howard made me swoon with this one. Effortlessly beautiful writing and the kind of unhinged yearning you can only get from a really good historical romance. God I just loved the main pairing here. Geneviève was so honest and the way she took charge had me dying. Lysander seemed really cold and aloof, but he’s exactly the opposite. This book was just lovely. Perfect for those looking to re-experience Bridgerton season two or in search of a new romance favorite.

Trigger warnings: death, emotional abuse, violence, infertility

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Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese

Better Hate Than Never is an exemplary hate-to-love romance surrounding the misperceptions that come from protecting ourselves and those we care about, and how we can break down those barriers and better ourselves. Part Shakespeare retelling, and all things hot and vulnerable, Liese’s tremendous talent for portraying personal transformation and vulnerability is at its height. Kate and Christopher truly are the moment, with an open communication that is worth angsting over and longing for. Liese will give you standards you didn’t even know you needed, like a man who makes you pasta at the drop of a hat. Better Hate Than Never is not only a fantastic love story, it’s Liese’s best work to date.

Trigger warnings: chronic illness, grief, panic attacks

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Iris Kelly Doesnt Date by Ashley Herring Blake

The final book in the Bright Falls series and my absolute favorite! Ashley Herring Blake is back with a queer twist on Shakespeare and fake dating with cynical Iris Kelly finally meeting her match. Featuring a disaster one night stand and a queer production of Much Ado About Nothing. This luminous queer romance had me from its very first pages. I love disaster meet cutes and boy did these two have one. By far one of my favorite romances of 2023. It’s hot as hell, especially vulnerable, and just so lovely. I’m going to keep coming back to this one now and forever.

Trigger warnings: infidelity

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Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa

Erin La Rosa is quickly becoming a romance author to watch and Plot Twist is proof. This one’s got the unconventional pairing I didn’t know I needed: a romance writer on a deadline and her neighbor, a former star out of the spotlight. Plot Twist packs in the tropes while managing to engage in meaningful commentary on sobriety, harmful family dynamics, and modern relationships. The tension is off the charts between Sophie and Dash from page one and this is without a doubt the hottest romance I’ve read this year. Go forth and read, you’ll thank me later.

Trigger warnings: alcoholism, stalking, death, addiction

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An Earl to Remember by Stacy Reid

A retelling of Overboard with a historical romance twist. Getting revenge on the callous Earl who fired you just got easier: he’s got amnesia and it’s become pertinent that you pretend he is your husband (bonus points: you can put him to work fixing up your deteriorating estate). Stacy Reid is the queen of historical romances with bonkers plotlines that somehow leave you in all the right feels. I don’t know how to explain it, but An Earl to Remember made me feel like these two WERE married and it made every part of their developing relationship cut that much deeper. It’s hard to pull off amnesia trope and Stacy Reid did, and made me fall completely in love with the Heyford family. This one is for all the “my wife” fans out there!

Trigger warnings: misogyny

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When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke

A notorious rake finds love where he least expects it in the respectable matchmaker he hired to find himself a wife. When the Marquess Met His Match is by far one of my favorite historical romances of this year. When I say this book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air I mean it. Nicholas and Belinda served a deliriously slow burn and their back-and-forth made for the best chemistry. These two made me insane in the best possible way and I cannot wait to reread this when I need a good pick-me-up. Laura Lee Guhrke is known for her unique twists in the genre and this is her best by far!

Trigger warnings: death

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Knockout by Sarah Maclean

Pyrotechnics-obsessed Imogen Loveless and inspector Thomas Peck confront mystery and danger in this explosive addition to Sarah Maclean’s Hell’s Belles series. Maclean delivers a whip-smart dynamic between her two leads centered around a spirited group of women taking charge in bringing about justice. A deeply satisfying addition to the series that feels as chaotic as its main heroine. Knockout packs a punch and will leave you craving more from its author. Truly one of the best romances of the year!

Trigger warnings: violence, blood

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Lets Talk: My Favorite Books of 2022

Robin2 Comments

My top reads of 2022, are coming at you four months late, but as Harper Collins workers advocated for a fair contract these past several months, It was necessary to delay this. Looking back at 2022, I am left feeling like there were so many books that I didn’t get around to reading. Nevertheless, this year was very successful for me. I read a whopping 373 books which is the highest amount I have ever reached since I started documenting my reading, and a majority of these were 4-5 star reads. 2022 marked my deep dive into historical romance and fantasy, two genres I feel I had not been reading enough of prior to the start of the year, and as these were my two most prevalent genres in 2022, I can definitively say that went off without a hitch. Narrowing down my favorite reads of the year presented quite a challenge, but I managed to decide upon my top twelve. Given that I started bookselling this year I thought it would be fun to present them with the shelf-talkers I display at the store. It’s safe to say that there were many books I left out of this, but expect some romance and fantasy features in the coming month!

Top Reads of 2022

Joan by Katherine J. Chen

A revitalized look into the life and times of Joan of Arc, from her startings in Domrémy France, to her martyrdom and eventual rise to sainthood. Katherine Chen has created a version of Joan of Arc completely unheard of in our time, emphasizing the woman beneath the image, flawed and unyielding. With as much of a focus on the history surrounding the Hundred Years War as its central figure, this story slowly enraptured me. Joan is perfect for fans of historical fiction, or even readers wanting to take a stab at the genre. A brilliant novel for the ages.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, war

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The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Roshani Chokshi breathes life into this gothic novel centered around fairytales, myth, and the treacherous secrets of a marriage. Wandering the halls of the crumbling House of Dreams, Chokshi spins her tale, interweaving fairy tales into the central narrative amidst broken promises and childhood dreams. Expertly crafted, with lush writing and an unsettling undertone, this is everything you could possibly wish for in a gothic novel. The way it slowly approaches the final act will leave you breathless in its downfall.

Trigger warnings: blood, death, violence, murder

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The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

In a secluded estate far removed from the conflict on Yucatans peninsula, Carlota Moreau lives an isolated existence. That is, until the arrival of two strange gentlemen dissolve her fragile world into chaos. Layering in themes of colonization, class, and subjugation, Moreno-Garcia examines possession and the relationship between creator and subject. This is her best work by far. Wonderfully romantic and intense in its resistance.

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, abuse, death, gun violence, suicide, experimentation

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Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

Last of the true witches in all of Oblya, Marlinchen and her sisters spend their days tending to their clientele, and placating the unending appetites of their cursed wizard father. A chance connection spells freedom, but at a price that may be too monstrous to pay. Gorgeously gruesome and brutal in its design, Juniper & Thorn is a twisted gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, imbued with memory, a poignant examination of abuse, and survivorhood in all forms.

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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A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

In an isolated manor on the edge of town, sharpshooter Margaret Welty lives alone. When she spots the legendary Hala in the woods one evening, she knows that the annual halfmoon hunt is about to commence. The only problem? She appears to be short a partner. Allison Saft’s sophomore novel is purely evocative, with hunts in a moonlight wood, an exquisite exploration of loneliness, and a rediscovery of love lost. Full of words that drown you in their depths and a striking fantasy atmosphere, I loved every second of this (Margaret + Wes forever have my heart).

Trigger warnings: blood, gore, emotional abuse, neglect, antisemitism, xenophobia, nationalism, animal death and injury, ableism, parental death (mentioned), PTSD

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Babel by R.F Kuang

What can I say about this extraordinary book that hasn’t already been said? Babel is one of those books that slowly leads you through a flawed world and characters seeking to make it better and then leaves you to grapple with its legacy. R.f Kuang explores the longevity of empire and whether or not violence and sacrifice have become the only translatable actions. Through the eyes of a translation student at Oxford and five acts, Kuang conducts her discordant symphony and four students’ slow descent into disillusionment. I needed a whole month to recover from this (as well as several scones) and you will too.

Trigger warnings: racism, racial slurs, death, murder, war, slavery, colonization

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A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

There’s so much I could say about Rebecca Ross’s Elements of Cadence duology that would fall woefully short. This duology is a raging fire of community, belonging, love, and sacrifice that slowly rekindled my adoration for enemies to lovers and slow-burn fantasy. This series follows a suffering bard and his childhood enemy-turned-wife as they navigate clan wars, mysterious illnesses, and a world thrown out of balance. There’s so so much yearning and desperation to understand the world and our place in it. I’m absolutely obsessed with the main two couples in this book and I’m begging everyone to give this series a try.

Trigger warnings: blood, death, violence, grief

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The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

Declared the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa by the prophet of the nameless god, Malini wages war to get back what was taken from her. Meanwhile, Priya faces an unsettling situation back in Ahiranya. This follow-up to The Jasmine Throne stole my heart and destroyed my soul with a slow and delicate grace. 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, altogether epic and expansive.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, war, suicide

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The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

In a world where the color of your blood determines your standing, two young women switched at birth to ignite a failed revolution reunite in an effort to achieve what they both desire. This is easily one of my favorite fantasy debuts of the whole year — ruthless and entirely ambitious. El-Arifi has poured her soul into this expansive story where loyalties are tested and history is not as truthful as it appears. Do yourself a favor and pick up this epic and queer fantasy debut.

Trigger warnings: blood, addiction, child abuse

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The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

When her father is discovered dead in his office at the New York Public Library, in possession of the very map that tarnished her reputation and destroyed their relationship, Nell Young is drawn into an investigation with greater consequences than she could have ever imagined. Peng Shepherd draws together an incredible narrative of belonging, secret societies, personal history, and magic. I flew through this in one afternoon and could not stop thinking about it for weeks afterward. This book is unexpectedly ingenious and I could not put it down.

Trigger warnings: death, grief, murder, violence

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Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

Amy Lea’s follow-up novel to Set on You quickly flew to the top of my radar. Romance novel obsessed Tara Chen has had more than her fair share of heartbreak. After an inspiring interview, Tara gets an idea: revisit all of her past romances and reevaluate them with the hope of securing the time-honored trope, the second chance romance. Amy Lea has written the romance heroine of my dreams and one of my all-time favorite friends-to-lovers romances. A true love letter to every romance aficionado out there, and funny as hell!

Trigger warnings: sexism, gaslighting

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Happy Place by Emily Henry

Happy Place is absolute magic, bottled up and delivered in the form of saccharine summer days, happiness, teary moments, and newfound longing, and I loved every single second of it. Its wonderfully unique friendships and signature blend of past and present merge to deliver a truly unforgettable romance. Prepare to fall in love with Wyn, Harriet, and a friend group together across the years. Emily Henry is the master of the romance novel and Happy Place is her best one yet!

Trigger warnings: death, grief, alcohol consumption

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And that’s a wrap on my favorite reads of the year. So many amazing reads marked my journey through 2022, and I can’t wait to see what I get to in the coming year. There were many of my favorite reads that did not make the final cut (gone but never forgotten) and I will be highlighting those in a future post or collection so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, I’d love to hear if any of these were on your list and what books really impacted you in 2022.

Lets Talk: Novellas

Robin2 Comments

With a little over a month left in the reading year, and still no end in sight with my yearly goal, I thought It would be interesting to visit the mountain of novellas that have been piling up these past few months. I spent a whole weekend reading my backlog of various novellas, both published and unpublished, in the hopes of getting ahead of my reading and discovering some new favorites. Several of these titles are coming from authors that have read in the past and loved, but there are a few standouts that I was wanting to try. I mostly stuck to science fiction fantasy this way out the gate but did hit some of the horror novellas that I had missed from my October reading. This novella romp was so much fun, so without further ado, here are my thoughts on the eight novellas I read over the weekend!

Novellas I loved

Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee

“I wanted to be one. I wanted to be the monster that kills other monsters.”

It shall come as no surprise that Fonda Lee wrote another book I’m completely obsessed with. Her previous Green Bone Saga series launched her to the top of my favorite fantasy authors last year, and when I heard about her upcoming novella I knew it was going to hit just as hard. Untethered Sky follows a young woman consumed by vengeance, and her career path as a Ruhker, trainers of the giant predator rocs that are taught to hunt the very Manticores that destroyed her family. This extraordinary novella confronts the limitations of obsession and the one-sided love between man and predator. Through the partnership between Ruhker and fledgling, Lee tries the bounds of love and loyalty, against inner nature.

Trigger warnings: violence, blood, death, gore

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Even Though I Knew the End by C.L Polk

“I called to the devil, and the devil came to me.”

Angels, demons, and magic combine in this gorgeously queer novella tinged with romance and heartache. An insightful and entertaining romp through 1940s Chicago, following a Lesbian detective determined to get back the soul she bargained away years ago, and thus secure a future with her great love. When I heard about this sapphic historical fantasy novella by C.L Polk I knew that I was in for a wild ride. I loved their previous historical novel The Midnight Bargain, so naturally, I had high hopes for their newest novella. Even Though I Knew The End is a well-rounded story that managed to deliver on every possible front. Inquisitive, Sapphic, and fun. Give it a try!

Trigger warnings: death, misogyny, homophobia, forced institutionalization

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The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill

“Mothers fly away like migrating birds. And fathers die too young”

The Crane Husband is a peculiar story of a fifteen-year-old girl managing the affairs of her family after the death of her father. When her mother brings home a crane to stay with them, generations of family trauma and grievances are brought into the open as her mother begins to lose herself piece by piece in the crane’s menacing clutches. Barnhill composes an unsettling futuristic fable that is part retelling and part inquisition into abuse, abandonment, and children placed into parental roles far too young. The Crane Husband skillfully details a family slowly falling apart and a horror at the center of the household. The perfect novella for anyone looking to read a futuristic spin on Japanese folklore tangled up in a sinister family tragedy.

Trigger warnings: death, illness, domestic abuse, blood, violence,

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The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

“Myths are full of lies. This is not one of them.”

The Salt Grows Heavy is a gruesome tale tracking a mermaid who destroyed her husband and his kingdom, and a plague doctor as they wander an entangled forest. They happen upon a strange village, where children compete in a brutal game for a chance at immortality and supposed saints safeguard the treacherous truth. Cassandra Khaw delivers easily the most horrific and violent novella I have ever read. There’s a dangerous underbelly to its language that slowly ensnares you at its surface, and once beneath, morphs into something truly terrifying. Seriously, the descriptions in this were bone-chilling and morbid to the point of needing to put the book down at times. The Salt Grows Heavy is the perfect novella for horror (and bloodthirsty mermaid) fans.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, gore, murder, disembowelment, torture

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Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo

“Singing Hills knew that the truth showed up in its own time, often late and entirely unlooked for”

Nghi Vo continues The Singing Hills Cycle, following the cleric Chih as they travel to the Riverlands to record the prominent tales of the martial artists that torment the area. Chih and Almost Brilliant journey with two young women and an older couple whom they quickly fall in with while navigating the changing landscape. Nghi Vo once again delivers a stellar addition to her Singing Hills Cycle series with Into the Riverlands, a novella that continues to emphasize the power of storytelling and the passing down of stories through the generations. Vo lets us peek behind the curtains of various fables and myths to view the kernel of truth at their center. This is a brilliant series that continues to delight year after year. Can’t recommend it enough!

Trigger warnings: violence, death

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The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown

“It sounded like the seismic breath of stars…It sounded like a conversation between gods”

The Scourge Between Stars is a thrilling science fiction horror novella about a temporary captain that confronts the threat of an alien intruder whilst trying to keep the crew alive on a ship approaching extinction. Everything about this was just incredible. It reads like a full-length science fiction novel from the amount of detail Ness Brown poured into the worldbuilding and the wide array of characters present. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat as Jacklyn unearths the truth about this threat and deals with the pressures passed down by her absent father. An incredible story of perseverance and the deep manifestations of trauma contended within the wide expanse of space. Look no further for your next thrilling queer sci-fi horror, it’s here.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, blood, gore

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Novellas I Didn’t Love (as much)

The Two Doctors Gorski by Isaac Fellman

“If she had ever thought of herself as a rose, it would be a withered one -crisp, dry, delicate”

Annae is a graduate student focused on psychiatric magic, but she harbors the uncanny ability to read the minds of the people around her. Her abilities allow her to protect herself and provide her colleagues and superiors with exactly what they expect. With a premise as amazing as this one, the actual story was very much a letdown. The Two Doctors Gorski is the perfect example of a novella that was attempting too much and was confronted with its own limitations. I appreciated the conversation this was trying to have with academic abuse and women starting a career in a male-dominated field, but its short page count left more to be addressed, and there was simply too much going on that I was left pondering over many unanswered questions.

Trigger warnings: death

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Spear by Nicola Griffith

“A name, she thinks, is what makes a person who they are. A name is how they know themself”

I had high hopes for Spear, a novella twisting Arthurian legend and chronicling the journey of a young woman disguised as a man trying to find her place among knights and kings. The beautiful prose sharply hit its mark and I fell easily into the flow of the ever-shifting narrative. This feels like the type of story read by the fire on a cold winter night, that warms your bones and brings comfort in times of need. Spear is a fantastic queer fantasy novella, but there were several things that held it back. The prose, while stunning, weaved a dense web that made it hard to navigate the events that occurred, and the last half was very slow going. Not my least favorite novella, but not worth contending with my other favorites.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, infertility, blood

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So ends my weekend journey into my various novellas of the past year. Many of these have an expected publication in the coming year, so be advised that most of the quotations above are coming from a proof and are subject to change. I had such a fun time with this. I’d been feeling a bit behind on my reading goal and uninspired as to what to read next so this helped me a whole lot! I will definitely be keeping up with any new novellas in the upcoming year and looking out for any new ones to read that are already published. If any of these sound interesting, please consider pre-ordering a copy through the links provided, and do let me know what you think when you get around to reading!

Lets Talk: Gothic Reads for the Fall Season

Robin4 Comments

Everything gothic, from retellings, to gothic horror

Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year, and what better way to celebrate its arrival than by sharing some of my favorite gothic novels from the last two years. If you’re like me, then fall is the time that you reach for gothic novels and horror more than anything. Something about the leaves falling and the temperature dropping puts me in the mood to read about desolate castles, blood, and murder. Even if you aren’t the biggest gothic fan, fall is undoubtedly the perfect time of year to give it a try or another shot. This post will reach everything from vampires to haunted castles, and retellings. Of course, these are just a select few of my favorite gothic reads. Regardless of the time of year, I am always looking for more, so please drop a recommendation if you feel like it. Spooky reading!

Gothic Recommendations

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher is a new author I have discovered this year, with an extensive backlist in both fantasy and horror. Their new novel, What Moves the Dead is an unsettling gothic retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher. Following the retired soldier Alex Easton, coming to the aid of a dying childhood friend, we explore the house of Usher run amok with mushrooms and unpredictable wildlife, and set around the malevolent murky depths of a lake. What Moves the Dead has a suspenseful build to it, leaning more towards the classic horror I have come to love. Perfect for the everyday Poe fan, or someone looking to read more of the genre.

Trigger warnings: Body horror, animal death, death, war, suicide, gore

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House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson

Queer horror has definitely had a resurgence this year, and House of Hunger is one of my favorites of them all. There’s a sprawling estate with plenty of secrets inside and a vampiric regime that preys on impoverished women. Henderson has perfected the gothic atmosphere, combining the horrific, an analysis of desire, and a sweeping narrative that ensnares the senses. Following heroine Marion, as she applies for the position of bloodmaid, and discovers the truth behind the illustrious houses of the North, this novel delves deep into its corrupted heart. House of Hunger comes packed with a gruesome twist that you won’t want to miss!

Trigger warnings: blood, death, violence, gore, murder, torture

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A Dowry of Blood by S.T Gibson

An exquisite reimagining of Dracula’s Brides in the form of an open letter from the first bride Constanta; A Dowry of Blood is an achingly haunting and beautiful novel that spans centuries in the life of its narrator. S.T Gibson devises an evocative narrative, chronicling the quiet descent from love into violence over many years. This queer polyamorous vampire novel has re-debuted this October through Orbit and what better time to read it than the Halloween season. Everything about this is exquisite, a combination of sapphic yearning at the opera, found family, and a moving exploration of relationship abuse.

Trigger warnings: Emotional abuse, blood, death, murder, abuse

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Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

Continuing the trend of retellings, Juniper & Thorn is one of my favorites, a gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree that just released this year. Honestly, Ava Reid is THE author for fantasy and the gothic, and they always manage to deliver an impeccable story that ticks all the boxes. Juniper & Thorn is a phenomenal story full of monsters that await you down dark hallways and the ones within. Its examination of survivorhood, defiance, and the monstrous is something I will carry with me for a long time. If any gothic horror is going to stick with you, it’s going to be this one.

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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The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

The Death of Jane Lawrence has been aptly compared to Crimson Peak, with a narrative so mind-boggling it completely threw me over. Set in a dark version of Post-War England, we follow the bright and practical Jane Shoringfield as she makes a marriage of convenience centered around a bargain she won’t be able to uphold. This is one of the most brilliant and unnerving books that I have ever read within the horror genre. Starling weaves a startling story with layers that cannot be fully parsed with just one glance and one that I continue to think about to this day. It’s gothic horror with a historical layer and a side of discontent.

Trigger warnings: Blood, gore, medical procedures, drug use, child death, death, gaslighting

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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

An instant recommendation of mine is always going to be Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This is comped as Rebecca meets The Yellow Wallpaper, and honestly, nothing could be a more accurate comparison. A gothic that burns slowly and then doesn’t catch its breath until the very end —complete with a twist that still keeps me up at night, Mexican Gothic is a great venture into gothic horror. Moreno-Garcia is one of my all-time favorite writers, with an insane capacity to genre-shift and spin the stories that stay with you. Mexican Gothic is arguably her most well-known novel, and for good reason. It’s got a creepy family estate, and a horrific family legacy to unpack before its smashing conclusion.

Trigger warnings: Violence, death, body horror, sexual assault, sexism

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This is coming a bit late into the season so I’ve already had the chance to revisit a few of these and try some new reads. The books above remain my absolute favorites of what the gothic has to offer, and if you try and like any, be sure to reach out and let me know. Every single one of these authors has other works I have adored, and I cannot recommend delving into their backlist, especially if you liked any of them. Currently, any and all of Jennifer McMahon’s books are on my upcoming reading list, as well as a few of Paul Tremblay’s horror novels. Both authors have provided a fascinating dive into the horror genre and I hope to read more before the season is out!