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Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read this ARC!

Content Warning: death, child abuse, violence, murder.

Marynka and Zosia have grown up in the snowy kingdom of Lechija, polar opposites who spend their time tearing out the hearts of men in order to serve the witches who took them in as little girls. It's Karnawał, and now they're competing for the best and purest heart of all, beating in the chest of Lechija's prince. Marynka is Midday, a monster who can control fire and heat at her will; Zosia is Midnight, who flourishes in the cold and darkness, able to wield them like weapons. But on their journey to the capital, Warszów, Midnight and Midday find that they have more in common than they think -- and that their rivalry might go beyond simple dislike. Forced to decide if they want to live the rest of their lives under the thumb of the cruel witches who call themselves their grandmothers, or if there might be freedom in being a monster, Zosia and Marynka fight (and slowly fall in love) on this dangerous journey that will leave them wondering what the future holds. 

Coming out in December, The Midnight Girls is set to be a perfect Christmas read, full of snowy forests, ice-skating, and two monstrous girls that will capture your heart (both figuratively and literally)! Since the two main characters are, in fact, villains, I had a feeling I would love reading about these two girls who struggle with their complicated attraction as well as what it means to be a monster. Set in a fictional, fantasy country inspired by Poland, there's a lot of Eastern European folklore woven into this story, as well as politics that were at the forefront of the Polish people's minds during the 18th century. Those two things would've probably been enough alone to make me love this (as I'm a huge history lover, and political fantasy is always a winner in my book), but the relationship between Zosia and Marynka was the truly the icing on top of the cake! 

It took a while for me to really sink my teeth into this book; the first 20% or so percent was a bit rough, as I found myself a bit lost in Marynka and Zosia's world. The writing, too, sometimes felt a bit stiff -- but I'm so happy to report that the rest of the book completely took me by storm! I'm so glad that I didn't let a bit of a bumpy start make me put this one down! As the story goes on, it becomes more layered, more complex, and also helps us to really begin to understand and sympathize with our main characters. The girls are both hungry for love and affection -- starved of it due to their rough, frightening upbringings -- and also afraid of that very thing. Once they begin to speak to one another, to allow their feelings into the mix, their chemistry is immediate and palpable. 

I enjoyed the magic system; it was fun to read about the divine magic juxtaposed with the dark powers that Zosia and Marynka use. The descriptions of them growing their fangs, using fire and darkness, and transforming delighted me down to my bones. The writing also grew in its loveliness the further I got in; Jaskinska has real talent, particularly when it comes to building the culture of Lechija. The growth of both Zosia and Marynka felt genuine, hard fought for, realistic in its difficulty and sometimes painful revelations. Their relationship is a slow-burn, and let me tell you, as someone who loves a simmering romance, it definitely struck just the right tone for me!

There's really no better way to put it than telling you all how much I love Zosia and Marynka. Not only are they wonderfully deep and easy to root for, but the best part of it all is how this book allows its female characters to be bad. They're villainous, unafraid of their own power, but never punished for it. They go beyond your typical one-dimensional villain, and it feels so good to read about them being so bad.

Highly recommended. How I adore these monster girls, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to get a chance to know them! 

Book Review: Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

 

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Content Warning: death (including that of a child), violence, self-harm, parental neglect, parental abuse, disordered eating, PTSD, anxiety/depression, suicide mention.

In Loraille, the spirits of the dead rise again. Artemisia has lived in a convent since her childhood, gifted with the Sight, and destined therefore to a life in the clergy. She wants to be a Gray Sister, a nun who works with the bodies of the deceased in order to prevent their spirits from becoming corrupted, a lifestyle that suits her just fine. But when disaster strikes first Artemisia's little convent on the edge of the world -- and then, later, the entirety of Loraille -- she is forced to awaken a dark spirit that has been trapped in a saint's relic for centuries. The revenant possesses an extraordinary power, but Artemisia is untrained to wield such a creature -- and now, when it seems that the end of their world may be nigh, it's up to Artemisia and her unlikely friends (including the revenant itself) to stop evil from destroying everything.

I knew from the very first page of this book that I would love it. Narrated by a dark, wry young woman named Artemisia, who has escaped a painful childhood to live in a convent, the world that Rogerson has created blooms with fascinating lore and a depth that makes you truly believe in Loraille and its spirits. There's also a wonderfully rich history of saints, relics and a powerful religion similar in many ways to Catholicism, leaving it feeling as if there's truly life even beyond the times we're witnessing Artemisia struggle through. Much of this is obviously achieved through Rogerson's writing, which is easy to read but also flourishing with lovely descriptions and similes, but it would be nothing without Rogerson's enviable creativity!

It's Artemisia, though, that really makes this book shine -- as well as the revenant, who is full of quips and witticisms that were annoyingly clever and amusing. Although Artemisia could fall easily into the trap of being 'not like the other girls', especially when you consider that she's only seventeen and this book is in the YA category, she never does: she's weird, different, and sometimes has a dislike for those that are more bubbly than she is, but it's never presented as something that makes her superior to anyone else. Her touching friendship with a few characters that become unexpected allies was heartwarming, and also shows us a softer, more tender side of Artemisia (who is usually so delightfully abrasive). 

The relationship she develops with the revenant is gorgeously crafted. It teems with tension and strife, but on the other hand, there is this understanding between them -- and Artemisia struggles with the feeling that they might not be so different after all, regardless of the fact that the revenant is a timeless, dark being. There's another relationship I would love to delve into, but can't without spoiling so many exciting things, so I'll just say this: the entire cast of characters captured my heart, but this dynamic was hands-down my favorite. So, so good, and the kind of thing I could read forever and never grow sick of.

Look, this novel is simply something you should experience on your own. It's magnificently done, with just enough subtlety and just enough grimness to leave you wanting more. I'm thrilled that this will have a second book, and I can't wait to see where Artemisia's journey takes her next.

Highly recommended! 

Book Review: Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper

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Thistle Grove is full of magic. Emmy Harlow is a born and raised Thistle Grove witch, but she hasn't lived there for years, mostly because of a catastrophic breakup with Gareth Blackmoore, a member of the most powerful family in town. But when the time for a traditional magical Gauntlet arrives, Emmy can put it off no longer: as the only heir of the Harlow family, she must return to fulfill her duty. Once Emmy's back in town, she unexpectedly meets up with the beautiful, dark Talia Avramov, who wants to strike a deal -- help her to win against Gareth, who has damaged Talia's pride. What Emmy doesn't expect is to begin falling for the charming, wicked Talia...

Having an avowed interest in witches and stories featuring main couples in which both happen to be women, I knew that I had to read Payback's a Witch. There's something really delightful about this book, with its quirky set of characters and atmospheric town in which it always feels as if it's Halloween. I was pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of this story (as I'm usually not the biggest fan of romcoms), and I think that Harper has created both a very interesting world and a very comforting one!

Her writing is absolutely beautiful; having never read any of her other works, I wasn't certain what to expect. It's a first person point-of-view, which I sometimes find to be lacking in lyricism and beautiful prose, but I was thrilled to find that the descriptions were not only vivid, but also simply gorgeous. She has a way with words that you don't necessarily find often, even amongst the most highly-regarded authors, that leaves you wanting to read more in the hopes that some of her talent might rub off on you, too!

There are a few reasons, however, why this wasn't quite a five-star read for me, mostly having to do with character depth and too-convenient loopholes. I never quite connected fully with Emmy, who struck me as being rather selfish and childish, and although there's great development towards the end, it wasn't always easy to like her. To be perfectly honest, she was almost bland, especially in contrast with the rather mischievous and charming Talia. I could read an entire book just about Talia and her family; they are so interesting, and so wonderfully eccentric, that Emmy paled in comparison. There isn't much I can say about this without spoiling the ending, but I will say that it was disappointing that Emmy couldn't realize her own self-worth and merit without there being some outside factors which conveniently made all her insecurities suddenly unfounded. 

Also: the whole thing with Gareth felt slightly pathetic. I kept expecting a big reveal to show what exactly Gareth had done to earn Emmy's ire and vengeance, but he struck me as nothing more than a slightly clueless dudebro who I couldn't even bring myself to really rail against.

That being said, there's so many great things here that it feels unfair to focus only on the more negative aspects. Linden was especially intriguing to me, with her sweetness that felt gentle without being totally passive, and I'm so hoping that she'll get her own book, too! I also loved Emmy's cousin, Delilah, and the interactions between our main group of characters was tender, funny and sweet. The Gauntlet section of the plot was interesting, and I sometimes wished there was more focus and emphasis put on it, as it occasionally fell in the background. The solution and conclusion to the Gauntlet was one of my main issues with this book. Putting it succinctly: it was just too perfect and too convenient. 

However, I greatly enjoyed the feeling of lightheartedness that this book perfectly cultivates, even amongst its darker moments. Cute, fun, and worth the ride if you love witches, wlw relationships, and witty dialogue! 

Book Review: Survive the Night by Riley Sager

 

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Content Warning: death, murder, violence, misogyny, cancer, gaslighting, disassociation.

It's 1991, and Charlie Jordan is trying to get back home to Ohio. She meets her driver, Josh Baxter, at the campus ride board; she's so desperate to leave that she decides it's worth the risk of driving with a complete stranger. It might have something to do with the guilt Charlie's suffering through, too: her best friend and roommate, Maddy, is the most recent victim of the so-called Campus Killer, and Charlie blames herself for Maddy's murder. Trapped in a car with a man she doesn't know, she begins to find holes in Josh's too-convenient story, and starts to wonder if he might, in fact, be the serial killer who has been hunting down helpless women. But is the Josh that Charlie is experiencing the real one, or simply a product of her paranoia and grief?

I'm a big Riley Sager fan (I've read every novel he's put out), and I was very excited by the premise and setting of Survive the Night. I love anything set in the '90s, and I thought that would be a wonderful way to create some tension, with no cell phones and being caught in a car with no way to escape. Aside from that gimmick, though, this unfortunately ended up falling a bit short for me.

It's a bit hard to explain: I read this book in basically a day, and in spite of its rather wacky and over-the-top plot, I couldn't bring myself to put it down. That's why I ended up giving it three stars; it seems a bit unfair to rate something any lower than that when you couldn't help but devour it within a few sittings. The writing is classic Sager, concise and easy to read, which probably helps to balance out the absolutely insane ride (literally and figuratively) that unfolds here.

The characters felt too flat for me to truly care about them, but I did like Charlie, particularly in the first half. My main problem with this book, though, is something that I have noticed in Sager's other novels, but not quite so blatantly -- the fact that his protagonists, inevitably all women, come across as being careless, and sometimes downright stupid. The choices that Charlie make throughout the course of her journey are beyond unbelievable. She is a woman, inherently aware of the dangers and violence that this brings to her through no fault of her own. 

It isn't simply that she decides to get in a car with a weird man she doesn't know (which already forces you to suspend your disbelief), but the way he portrays Charlie and her decisions feel very, very close to being misogynistic. Women are not this dumb. Maybe a man might be, unused to the fear being a woman entails, but I couldn't buy a woman making these choices. I suppose the excuse is because it's her way of punishing herself, which does happen, but in this case, it simply felt insulting.

I think I could've enjoyed the rest of the plot, even with the extremely predictable ending, but the characterization was lacking. My feelings on this book are so complicated, though, because on the other hand, I think it was fun in a really out-there kind of way. If you're looking for a slightly cheesy thriller that's easy to read, I'd recommend it, but if you've read the rest of Sager's books, this one is certainly not the best out there.

Book Review: The Guest List by Lucy Foley

 

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Content Warning: violence, murder, death (including that of a child), bullying, hazing, abortion, misogyny, self-harm, drugs, suicide, depression, parental neglect, parental abuse, drugs.

On a tiny, secluded Irish island, a wedding is being held. As the guests gather, old jealousies rise and once-healed wounds open once more, and in a place so cut off from the rest of the world, it seems as if the rules of society no longer apply. While a storm begins to rage outside, someone is murdered, sending everyone into a frenzy -- and uncovering decades-old secrets...

As a massive fan of mysteries and thrillers, Lucy Foley's books have been on my radar for quite some time. Although it has been quite popular, the reviews have been rather mixed; it seems as if no one merely likes or dislikes this book, but instead loves or hates it. I figured it might be something right up my alley, what with the beautiful, isolated island and the ensemble cast, and as it happens, I was right!

The main gist of this book is a timeless story: everyone gathered together, hiding their own dark secrets and resentments. Of course I must compare it with And Then There Were None, seeing as it follows a similar, classic formula, one that I personally can't get enough of. Combined with an atmosphere that is so vividly rendered it feels as if you, too, are surrounded by Irish mists, bogs and greenery, that's more than enough for me to enjoy this rather wild ride.

All of the characters are wonderfully awful, bordering on detestable, and I loved discovering their personal tragedies, not to mention delighting in their sheer talent at being absolutely despicable. Some of the characters -- namely Hannah and Olivia -- are actually likable and easy to sympathize with, but be warned that the rest of them are all rich, white and insufferable. Julia was another character that I couldn't help but adore, despite her many flaws, and it was a little too fun to dive into her headspace.

The mystery itself is rather basic, but speaking honestly, I didn't mind. If you're like me, and thrillers are your thing, then it gets rather easy to guess who and whydunnit -- there's only so many twists and turns in the world. Although many of the character motivations are simple, it ends up making them more relatable and authentic. There were a few things that surprised me, though, so don't get too sure of your predictions! 

It's a four-star for me, simply because I found the ending a touch disappointing, but the entire journey is so fun (in a miserable, dark kind of way) that I have to recommend it. If you love a dark, stormy night and something reminiscent of Christie, check this lovely book out! 

Book Review: The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley

 

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Thank you to NetGalley and Forever of Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC!

Content Warning: homophobia, misogyny, death.

Philippa York is a certified bluestocking. She spends her time running her book circle, chatting with other ladies of a similar disposition, something she'd like to spend her whole life doing -- but her parents are forcing her to marry a man with a title. The Yorks are well-off, and Philippa's father is in the House of Commons, but without a title, they're limited in their status. On the other hand, there's Tommy Wynchester, who spends her time going on capers with her adopted siblings and disguising herself in various costumes. The Wynchesters are a family who have a passion for righting wrongs, and so when one of the women in Philippa's reading circle is the victim of plagiarism by a man who is not only a fraud but outright villain, it's up to Tommy and Philippa to save the day. There's just one problem: Tommy is hopelessly, desperately in love with Philippa, and hoping to win her heart...

I was so excited to read this Regency romance between two women, and I can tell you in no uncertain words that I was not disappointed. Full of wonderful, captivating historical detail, a fun and clever mystery, and two main characters who will win your heart effortlessly, I cannot believe I'd never even heard of Erica Ridley before! Although I didn't read the first book (which is about Tommy's sister, Chloe), I think I will be reading the rest of the series, as well as probably going back to read Chloe's installment, too!

The romance that flourishes between Tommy and Philippa was enough to make me sigh and smile. Although there's many difficulties on their journey, and countless obstacles, this book is both contagiously fun and moving in its depth of emotion. Although the main pull of this book is the main romance, there's also plenty of other intrigues to be found, and that's something I personally like in my romances -- it makes it feel more fleshed out, and also serves in helping the characters to seem more real. I loved all of Tommy's siblings; the dynamics were well-written, and I loved the fact that they felt so authentic to my own relationship with my sister! 

Like all books in this genre, there's a few misunderstandings between Philippa and Tommy, but they were realistic (given the attitudes of the time) and I found myself able to sympathize with both sides when they fought. They don't go on for an excessively long amount of time, either, which was such a huge relief. Instead of raging at one another, they tried their best to communicate and put themselves in the other's shoes. Not only does that make for good reading, but it made it especially easy to root for their happy ending!

I was a tiny bit surprised, as often romances don't make it into the five-star range for me, but this was truly special. Every aspect of it felt sweet, heartwarming, populated by characters who leapt off the page. There's steam, too, and the tension between Philippa and Tommy will definitely have your heart racing. Tommy in particular was insanely dreamy: pure-hearted, flirtatious, sensitive and brave, all rolled into one. You'll definitely be looking for you own Tommy after this! 

This lovely novel comes out on October 26th, and I urge you to give it a go. It's everything you can possibly dream of in a historical lesbian romance, and if you're like me, the addition of a small mystery and taking down  arrogant misogynists will definitely make this a five star for you, too! 

Book Review: Of Trust & Heart by Charlotte Anne Hamilton

 

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Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC!

Content Warning: homophobia, death, misogyny, sexual assault.

Lady Harriet Cunningham knows what she wants, and it isn't to be married to a man she knows she'll never love. During the Great War, Harriet served as a nurse and discovered her attraction and romantic inclination towards women. It's now 1923, and in order to protect her status and reputation, Harriet needs to marry. Spending the season in New York with her playful cousin, Charlie, Harriet's adventure to a gay club goes awry when she meets (and starts to fall for) the beautiful singer, Rosalie Smith. Can Harriet find a way to bring both of her worlds together? And can the relationship between her and Rosalie ever be more than a fling?

When it starts to get chilly outside, I look for two things in my books: something that will either scare me, or something that will fill me with warm, cozy feelings! This sweet romance definitely falls into the second category, and although it's being released on October 18th, this beautiful story of family and love is going to make a perfect Christmas read.

Every day I'm excited by the fact that there are so many great new releases that feature a main romance between two women. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction (which you probably know, if you read this blog or have been on my Goodreads page), and I especially love them when they include diversity -- characters of color, those on the LGBT+ spectrum, you name it! So for me, this was a perfect pick. It's fun to imagine a time when alcohol was illegal, but having a good time was not only expected but encouraged, and I enjoyed the New York (and later Scottish) setting. 

The relationship that develops between Harriet and Rosalie was both sweet and sometimes steamy, and their conversations together usually brought a smile to my face. Her cousin also brings a touch of humor, as well as depth, to Harriet's life. The entirety of Harriet's journey is sweet and heartwarming, the kind of happy story we so often don't get.

 I do have a few nitpicks, though: it's slightly expected in such a short book, but I sometimes felt as if the dynamics were rather underdeveloped. Rosalie was almost without personality, aside from being beautiful, kind and a bit sarcastic. The whole novel suffers from this problem, mainly because the writing does so much telling and so little showing.

Now, in spite of those issues, it didn't stop me from enjoying this book -- or rating it four stars. Sometimes, you just need a book that feels like a big hug, and that's what this provided for me. I also think it's difficult to really flesh a relationship out in such a short format, as I mentioned above, and so I think that's something you have to take into consideration with books like these. This was like watching a historical, lesbian Hallmark movie...something we've never gotten the chance to experience. If you're like me, and that idea sounds way too appealing, you should pick this one up!

I'll be looking into more books by Hamilton, and I highly recommend this novel if you're a fan of any of the listed: lesbians, Christmas, the 1920s, or having a wholesome romantic romp! 

Book Review: Goddess of Limbo by Lea Falls

 

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Thank you to NetGalley and Zauberfalls Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC!

Content Warning: Check the link here at the author's website for a detailed list of triggers.

Balthos and Alames were once a celestial couple, spending their days loving one another and, in Alames's case, reaping souls. But when Balthos -- in an effort to create his twisted idea of a perfect world -- usurps their creators in order to make himself and Alames gods, it causes her soul to shatter into tons of lost splinters. In the new generation, who unwittingly worship Balthos and the monsters he's created, Alames finds hope: there's Alexandra, the "Mad Princess," who wants nothing but the best for her people; Captain Subira Se'azana, an elfish military leader who is thrust into an uncertain future; the insurgent half-elf, half-human Vana; and many others, all who offer both Alames and themselves another chance at life.

I don't read much fantasy. This year, it's come more onto my radar, and I've picked up a few books here and there which have given me a taste for exploring this genre more. When I saw Goddess of Limbo on Netgalley, I was both intrigued and intimidated: it is high fantasy, a sort of alluring mixture of Lord of the Rings combined with newer takes like Game of Thrones, complete with its own world, politics and species. Let me also clarify, though, that unlike many of the books that populate the mainstream of fantasy, it's full of amazing representation which only adds to its wonderful, creative spin!

It isn't easy to make every single point-of-view character interesting, but somehow, Falls does it. They're all fascinating, relatable even in their darkest moments, with distinct narrative voices. It's practically a form of magic in and of itself to be able to pull that off. This is a hefty book, clocking in around 670 pages, and man, is it worth every page. I definitely have my personal favorites -- Subira, Vana, and Sachihiro a few amongst many -- but it doesn't have that horrible feeling of reading a character's chapter with dread, or feeling bored until you're back in a certain story arc. Instead, all of the many subplots are not only original and compelling in their own right, but make perfect sense when put together with the novel as a whole.

The plot itself is difficult to define or describe in only a few sentences; it's part of something much bigger, much more overarching, that I expect will continue over several books. I'm not a big fan of series', to be perfectly honest, but I was so delighted when I realized that this was going to be one. Although, it's so hard to not have a conclusion for everything, and to be left on a semi-cliffhanger -- I want the next one, right now! 

Falls's writing is concise, simple, but also embellished with wonderful descriptions which help to transport you to this fantasy realm. It doesn't matter if you're reading about an orc, human, elf or even a god; it's full of both the hardships we experience here in our own world and the ones unique to Falls's universe. I must also applaud her creativity, particularly when it comes to the religions, politics and forms of magic that she came up with. This has made me a true fantasy fan. 

When a book can take you so effortlessly into its universe, when you anticipate picking it back up and find yourself enthusiastic for every chapter, you know it can't be anything but a five star read. I highly recommend this, and I urge you to look into it if you're interested -- this review and all the summaries in the world can't do it justice. Do yourself a favor, and pick this up when you get the chance!