Fantasy Quickie: Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

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CW: homophobia, magical violence, aversion therapy

Even Though I Knew the End is a magically charged noir thriller that doesn’t hold any punches. Helen, a private investigator and warlock who sold her soul to save her brother’s life, is quietly putting her affairs in order so Edith, her longtime love, will be able to live out her dream of moving to California. When someone offers her one last job-a job that could get Helen her soul back, she can’t refuse.

Discovering the identity of the White City Vampire, a prolific and magical serial killer, places Helen and everyone she loves in danger. Helen and Edith race against time to save their lives, their souls, and their love.

Coming it at just 133 pages in the print version, Polk does a masterful job at creating an interesting and intricate alternate 1930’s Chicago. There’s romance, pain, magic, mystery, and a stark look at the hate and discrimination the queer community faced then, and now. It’s a brilliant story that I hope becomes the start of a new magical mystery series.

Grab our tissues, you’re going to need them.

If you’d like to add this magical sapphic mystery to your shelf, you can click on the cover or here for ordering information.

As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Mystery Quickie: Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

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CW: physical assault, homophobia, police brutality, suicidal ideation

It’s 1952 and Evander “Andy” Mills is in a tragic place when he meets a woman who not only knows his history, but sees it as the selling point in selecting him as the private investigator looking into the death of her beloved wife. Irene Lamontaine was the wealthy head of a fancy soap empire until her mysterious death at her home that her wife Pearl, believes was actually murder.

Entering Lavender House feels like walking into a fantasy. Andy struggles to believe that it’s possible to live a life as openly and freely as the family and staff of Lavender House. Everyone who lives and works at Lavender House is queer. Together, they have created a sanctuary where they can openly love and live together.

As Andy investigates Irene’s death, he is drawn in deeper and deeper into the intimate lives of the family and the Lamontaine empire and discovers a world full of secrets.

I was instantly swept up in the beauty of Rosen’s writing. The characters are written with such love and care that you can feel their hearts breaking over and over again as they are faced with the discrimination and limitations that society throws at them. The story felt perfectly paced with enough twists and turns to keep you immersed in the mystery, but not so many as to feel contrived.

This is an excellent novel and I look forward to reading many more books from this author.

If you would like to add this incredible book to your collection, you can click on the cover or here for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Middle Grade Horror Review: Mine by Delilah S. Dawson

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Reader Friends, kids these days don’t understand how good they have it. Mine by Delilah S. Dawson is legit scary!

CW: ghostly harm to children, very strained parental/child relationship, the dog is fine at the end

From the Publisher:

Lily Horne is a drama queen. It's helped her rise to stardom in the school play, but it's also landed her in trouble. Her parents warn her that Florida has to be different. It's a fresh start. No theatrics. But this time, the drama is coming for her.

The Hornes’ new house is awful. The pool is full of slime, the dock is rotten, and the swamp creeps closer every day. But worst of all, the house isn't empty . . . it's packed full of trash, memories, and, Lily begins to fear, the ghost of the girl who lived there before her.

And whatever is waiting in the shadows wants to come out to play.

Mine is extremely creepy and chilling. Lily and her parents have moved to swampy Florida, thousands of miles from her beloved Colorado, to live in a house that was too good of a deal to pass up. The reason it’s such a good price? The former tenant was a hoarder and the house is bursting at the seams with all of the trash and delivery boxes. Because the state of the house is so overwhelming, and the family’s storage container hasn’t shown up yet, the already tense relationship Lily has with her parents is at a near breaking point. We know something happened in Colorado that forced the family to move suddenly, and we’re led to believe Lily feels it’s her fault throughout the entire book. Lily’s dad starts his new job immediately and it’s up to Lily and her mom to clean out the mountains of trash and turn their disaster of a house into a home. So when creepy things start happening in the house, Lily’s parents have zero patience for her drama and insist it’s all in her head. Lily spends most of the story feeling ignored, hurt, and betrayed by her parents actions. Lily feels like a character that many kids will be able to relate with. She has to move unexpectedly, leave her friends behind, and finds herself alone and terrorized by a ghost that no one believes is there. Lily is also a smart and determined kid who knows she’s the only one who can save herself and she does.

If you have a middle grade reader who loves horror, this book is perfect. It’s chilling, atmospheric, and very creepy. If you’d like a copy of your own, you can find ordering information here:

As always, this post may contain affiliate links and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

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Welcome back to Graves Glen! This time, we get to see the witchy and romantic adventures of Gwyn Jones, cousin to Vivi from book #1, The Ex Hex. Gwyn is the owner of Something Wicked, a witchcraft shop that appeals to the many tourists that flock to Graves Glen each fall for the many festivals and fairs. She’s currently apprenticing three “baby witches” from the local witch college and is living a genuinely happy life.

Then Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow shows up. That’s right, Rhys’s brother who couldn’t be bothered to come to Vivi and Rhys’s wedding. Not only does he show up in Graves Glen, he has the audacity to open a similar store directly across the street from Gwyn. When their competitiveness takes a steamy turn, Gwyn and Wells find themselves in quite the predicament.

As Gwyn and Wells fight their attraction to each other, Gwyn finds her magic fritzing out more and more, especially now that a mysterious newcomer is in town. Can Wells and Gwyn work together to find a cure for her magical woes? Can they work together without destroying the town or Vivi’s honeymoon?

This book is so much fun! Gwyn and Wells play perfectly off of each other and the banter is top notch. Wells and Gwyn kind of know each other from college so while they have some history, it’s definitely more memorable for one of them than the other. Wells is a very straight laced scholar who likes to talk in a very classic and old fashioned way. Gwyn, has a more fun loving and open personality and she loves to poke fun at Wells’ suits and old-timey phrases. One of the best parts of this book is when Gwyn discovers that Wells is a truly talented filthy talker. Absolutely amazing dirty talk. It comes out of nowhere and lands quite the punch. These two just have stellar chemistry and they were a true joy to hang with.

In The Kiss Curse, we get a little more information about Rhys and Wells’ relationship with their father and other brother, Bowen. I really like how Sterling has crafted this tight knit family of Gwyn, Vivi, and Gwyn’s mom Elaine, but the Penhallows are very divided and can barely stand each other. I just found it really interesting how Gwyn immeadiately knows Vivi and Elaine have her back and Wells is just like, well my family is full of dicks so I guess I’m on my own…except for Bowen-I think there’s a preview for book 3 going on here. I think it all shows how the ladies want to protect and preserve their community and the Penhallows have been raised to see as a legacy and status symbol. Simon Penhallow is a true dirtbag and I’m hoping the next book really puts him in his place.

We also get to see Gwyn take on the responsibility of three “baby witches” and the friendship and admiration they all have for each other was great. Such a fun and funny dynamic between the four of them.

The Kiss Curse is an absolute delight and I loved every page. If you’d like to add this incredibly book to your shelf, you can click on the book cover for ordering options.

As always, the post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. These are also my opinions, and all mistakes are completely my fault.

Spec Fic Quickie: The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe

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I am very late getting to this one so I’m sure you have already heard how amazing and original this collection is. It’s all true. This collection of interconnected short stories is wildly imaginative and thought provoking. The world building is complex and detailed and absolutely terrifying. It’s a dark look at what our future could be, but, as depressing as it sounds, it also feels very possible. Now, I am not going to pretend to understand all the complexities that these authors put to paper so I apologize in advance for what I get wrong.

In this world, memories are everything. Memories are collected and analyzed and those whose memories are deemed deviant, are sent for Counseling, and molded into the type of citizen that Little Delta deems suitable for living there. It’s a world of great oppression and a rebellion that is gaining traction in their quest for freedom. It’s a world that is full of surveillance technology and power hungry government.

It was very interesting and I really enjoyed it, even the places I had to reread several times because I struggled with it making sense.

You can click on the cover image for ordering information and as always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera

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This! This is the perfect romance novel! I know I just said this not too long ago, but now this book has my vote for the world’s best historical romance novel. I love this book so much that I know this is going to be a bit rambling but trust me, it’s amazing and everyone should read it. Now. Read it now. The incomparable Adriana Herrera has given us an incredible heroine with the character Luz Alana. Luz is the heir to a rum distilling empire where the workers are just as valued as the rum itself. Along with her sister and two best friends, Luz sets sail for Paris to showcase her rum at the Exposition Universelle where she discovers that her booth has been overtaken by two annoyingly attractive men and their whisky.

James Evanston Sinclair, Evan, if he finds you worthy, is determined to take over the family whisky distillery and turn it into something that will overshadow his father’s disgusting and devious behavior. When he discovers that a gorgeous and powerful force has boldly called him out for disturbing her rum display, Evan is immediately captivated. When he sees the incredibly rude treatment she receives from the sea of men around them, Evan is instantly angry and becomes invested in seeing her become successful at the exposition.

Luz has sailed to Paris to secure her family’s future and build her empire. Evan has traveled to Paris to destroy his father and rebuild his family’s name. They didn’t plan to fall in love…

But it’s a Romance and that’s what they’re going to do! This book is absolutely everything that I love in a romance. There’s incredible banter. Luz and Evan spar back forth constantly and it’s so hot! So hot. They have incredible chemistry and I found myself squealing and reading lines out loud to the Hubs. Evan is obsessed with keeping her happy and is incredibly protective but knows that he has to let her fight her own battles so she can earn the respect of the buyers and wholesalers. But, he really wants to mess a few of them up. Very satisfying.

Readers, Luz complained twice about hating corsets and the man goes and has a new bra designed for her so she’s more comfortable. I mean, the audacity of being such an amazing man.

Every single character is interesting and I would read an entire book about them falling in love. Even the gentleman that works as Evan’s master blender-why hasn’t Evan seen him smile before now? What’s his story? I want to read it. I also want to read the books about Luz’s two best friends and even one set far in the future for her sister Clarita. There were so many juicy little moments where looks were shared and characters made connections that Herrera has to have plans for these characters, right? I’m very hopeful.

The writing is absolutely incredible and it’s so seamlessly plotted that you find yourself flying through the pages. I read the first 90% in one sitting and couldn’t wait to finish it. Luz, Manuela and Aurora have fierce and fabulous friendship. They all play off each other so well and I really loved getting to see their devotion for each other.

This book is absolutely fantastic and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’d like to add this book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

Romance Quickie: The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish

Available now

This covers says it all!

It’s a Halloween Romance!!! I know that was Monday but I just got my hands on this one. Reader Friends, this one is so sweet and cute I just can’t stand it! Bram is a nature loving, dog loving, motorcycle riding rugged snack who has moved to Garnet Run to heal his broken heart after a horrible break up. Across the street is a grumpy, straight laced, no-nonsense architect who wants things done Just So named Zachary. Bram is also scared of all things spooky and Zachary is obsessed with horror films. They also happen to live on a street that has a notoriously competitive Halloween decorating contest.

Prank wars!

Small town!

A tight-knit queer community!

It’s so soft and sweet and funny and I loved it so much. SO much! Go grab it before it’s gone in print or pick it up in digital-it’s also at my Library so it’s probably at yours.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Resting Witch Face (Stay a Spell #5) by Juliette Cross

Happy Halloween and do I have a huge treat for you! Today is the release day for one of my most anticipated books of the year. I fell in love with the Stay a Spell series with the first book, Wolf Gone Wild, and the series continues to deliver super hot romance set in a well-crafted magical world.

Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

CW: gore, violence
Friends, this book opens with a literal bang! We have been witness to the potent tension between Jules and Ruben for many books now and, in Resting Witch Face, the fifth book in the Stay a Spell series, we finally learn the history behind the longing and animosity. What we also get is more insight into the governing council of all supernatural beings and its history and power structure.

As Jules and Ruben travel the world, meeting with the leaders of the various covens to petition the inclusion of the werewolves into their guild, they are forced to come to terms with their attraction to each other and the complexities behind the failure of their relationship years before. Overcoming distrust, dealing with the effects of their gifts, and the constant need to balance work and family is a lot for any couple to grapple with, let alone two of the most powerful and respected members of their covens. There are real, complex reasons that their relationship collapsed in the past and Cross does an excellent job of showing two people who genuinely want to repair the damage and forge a new path forward.

Resting Witch Face is a hot, second-chance romance, full of political intrigue and danger. Cross is known for her dirty talking heroes and Ruben is no exception. This book is full of incredible banter, angst, and intense longing. I really, really loved it.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.


View all my reviews

If you’re interested in adding this amazing book to your collection, you can click on the cover for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

Available now

Have you read so far down the spooky book lists that you can no longer sleep and jump at every unknown noise?

Just me?

Ok, well here is the cutest book about a vampire that I have ever read. Garlic lives in a village of vegetable people and helps out in the garden of Witch Agnes. Garlic is always running a little late, tends to bump into things, and is just kind of anxious and stressed all the time. She would really love it if she could just stay in her garden all day and tend to her little garlic bulbs.

One day, her fellow villagers notice smoke coming from the chimneys of an abandoned castle. But when they ask Witch Agnes about the castle, she tells them a scary tale of a vampire who used to live there. Now, if anyone is going to go find out if their neighbor is indeed a bloodthirsty vampire, it only makes sense that Garlic be the one to go. She has a natural defense against vampires and because she can’t stand to let her friends down, she agrees to go.

What ensues is the cutest thing you will read this week.

I promise.

The art is just as beautiful as the friendships found within and I really loved how adorable the story was. I found this book through a cozy fantasy booktok account and immeadiately put it on hold from the Library. It’s also now in next month’s book order because I just can’t wait to share this with the Library Kids.

If you want to add this adorable graphic novel to your collection, you can click on the book cover for ordering information. As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (Re-Post)

It’s a super busy spooky season around here and this book is too much fun not to share again!

Available now

This book is pure fun! If you’re looking for a romance with some wacky magic and family drama, this is the one for you. Also, be prepared for me to say over and over again that this book is delightful. It’s truly the best description. It’s absolutely delightful!

After Vivienne finds herself heartbroken after finding out her first love is engaged to another woman, she and her cousin may have broken the first rule of magic: don’t mix vodka with witchcraft. What begins as an innocent way to blow off some anger turns into a hilarious adventure of misfiring magic and finding a second chance at love.

Nine years later, Vivienne is all grown up with a successful teaching career at the local college when her life is turned upside down by the return of her first love, Rhys Penhallow. As a descendant of the original founder of Graves Glen, he must return to recharge the ley lines and give the speech at the annual Founder’s Day celebration. But things don’t go quite as planned. When his magic becomes unpredictable and he finds himself falling for Vivienne all over again, he discovers that there might be more going on. LIke, maybe she accidentally cursed him while drunk nearly a decade ago?

This one is so good! It is truly delightful from start to finish. VIvienne and her cousin Gwyn have this really close friendship and truly have each other's backs. If you love fun banter, they have it in spades. The curse they place on Rhys is   in its specificity. The best part? When they discover that one part of it really just curses all the women in his romantic relationships. It’s great. The small town drama surrounding Founder’s Day is really fun, especially Gwyn’s reluctance to get over herself and give in to her feelings for the beautiful and single mayor. Even the mysterious connection between Rhys’s curse and the magical mayhem is done in such a quirky way that the story never loses its lightness. 

The romance between Rhys and Vivenne felt very real and believable. I think it’s very hard to pull off a second chance romance. If the characters find themselves in a situation where the relationship truly must end, it can be very difficult to see them in any situation where they can work through the problems that originally split them up. Sterling has her characters wait nearly a decade before they see eachother again. While they both commit some low-key on-line social media searches, they don’t interact with each other until Rhys comes back to town. They both have grown up and matured significantly since their break-up and now have successful careers and places where they belong. They still dance around some subjects and should be more willing to discuss their feelings but hey, it’s a romance. That’s how they work. 

The Ex Hex is a truly delightful novel that made for a lovely reading experience. The characters are great, the magical system was really fun, and the story was compelling and moved along quickly. This would be a great way to dip your toes into paranormal romance if that’s a new genre for you, or to add a new holiday romance to your list. 

If you would like to add this hilarious romp to your shelf, you can find ordering information here: 

This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I earn from qualifying purchases.

9 Spooky Middle Grade Books That I Love

It’s Spooky Reading Season! These are some of the most popular books going out at the Library right now, and, they also happen to be some of my favorite middle grade horror novels. I’ve done my best to add in any content warnings that I remember from my reading, but as always, you may want to preview before handing these off to kids. All are super spooky but some contain more humor than spook so there should be something for everyone.

CW: Parental death, grief, bullying, threats to children

Eleven year-old Ollie has been dealt a tragic blow that is affecting her relationships at home and at school. When a magical book finds it’s way to her through troubling means, Ollie becomes obsessed with the book and the characters found within. Ollie’s obsession becomes reality when a class field trip takes her to the graves of the very people she is reading about.

Now, Ollie and two of her classmates must battle unimaginable forces to save themselves and the lives of their classmates.

CW: Violence, Mild Violence, Discrimination, Disability

From the Publisher: When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Across the forest that borders Ned’s village, Áine, the daughter of the Bandit King, is haunted by her mother’s last words: “The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.” When the Bandit King comes to steal the magic Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, Áine and Ned meet. Can they trust each other long enough to cross a dangerous enchanted forest and stop the war about to boil over between their two kingdoms?

Barnhill is an excellent writer and crafts beautifully written fantasy stories about family and friendship.

Charlie Hernández loves the myths and stories his abuela told him growing up. When he begins to turn into something similar to a creature from one his favorite stories, Charlie knows he’s in for an adventure. Charlie is quickly thrown into a world of brujas, magic, monsters, and danger!

This is a great pick for kids who are looking for action, adventure, and lots of magic!

CW: Cruelty to Animals, Mild Language, Mild Violence

When Mup’s father is kidnapped by witches, Mup and her mother must set off on a journey to rescue him from the evil queen who has outlawed magic. This evil queen also happens to be her grandmother…

For readers who love a character on a magical journey, as well as family and political drama.

CW: Parental death, majority of the book takes place in a funeral parlor, kid danger and peril

When Molly’s neglectful father passes away, Molly returns to her mother’s home to collect her inheritance. What she finds, is a brother who doesn’t want her around and his business partner who really wants her to leave. But Molly is persistent and she has a plan to get what she wants.

What she doesn’t anticipate is the business she so badly wants a stake in is a mortuary for monsters.

Yep. She’s about to find out the supernatural is all around her and she and her brother will have to work together to keep the monsters safe.

CW: death of a grandparent, racism, segregation, harassment, gun violence

After the death of their grandmother, eleven year-old twins Jezebel and Jay begin training in root work with their uncle. Their family has crafted small potions and charms for their community for generations but when a dark force begins to threaten their home and community, Jez and Jay discover their magic goes far deeper.

An excellent story that weaves history, culture, magic, and mystery seamlessly.

Portal fantasy! When her parents go missing after a series of mysterious letters are delivered to their home, Emily must gather her courage and clues to rescue them. Emily discovers a parallel London, full of magic, mystery, and the fae.

This is book 1 in a 3 book series so if your Reader loves it, there are more books!

A funnier take on the spooky tale

This is a much lighter and funnier take on the spooky story. Will Hunter is dealing with his parent’s divorce, a move to a new town, and a brand new school. On top of all that stress, he seems to be the only one who notices all the spooky stuff in his town. There are monsters where his teachers should be and weird stuff all over the town’s streets. Luckily for Will, he makes friends with the school outcasts and together, they work to solve the mystery of the super spooky shenanigans.

This book is a ton of fun and has a mysterious secret narrator!

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

#Review: The Hacienda by Isabel Caña (Re-Post)

It’s a super busy spooky season around here so enjoy some my recent favorite spooky reads!

Available Now

Reader Friends, this book is so spooky! I love a gothic horror novel and when you set it in post-War of Independence in Mexico with some major family drama you end up with a riveting combination of All the Things I Love. That’s right, we have family drama, political drama, a spooky house, a remote location, some mysterious deaths, and a tight knit group of people who have everything to lose if they come forward with their suspicions. 

Beatriz’s whole world fell apart after her father was executed and she and her mother had to move in with relatives who treated them more as servants than family. Desperate to have a home for herself and her mother Beatriz marries Rodolfo Solórzano, a wealthy politician who can guarantee safety and stability, but not love. When Beatriz arrives at her new home, she is not greeted with kindness or friendliness. She is met with iciness from the staff and even the house seems displeased with her presence. 

When Rodolfo leaves for the capitol shortly after her arrival, Beatriz is determined to make the home her own, not just a series of reminders of her husband’s first wife. As Beatriz works on redecorating and furnishing her home, she encounters more strange occurrences within the home that are both unsettling and terrifying. When she calls in help from a local priest, Beatriz finds herself, and those around her, in grave danger. 

It’s so spooky! The pacing in this novel is perfect. There’s just enough flashbacks and backstory to really set the stage and the right amount of horror and suspense to keep you glued to the page. I was enthralled by this book and found myself constantly thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. You know it’s good when I’m willing to give up my sci-fi shows to read. 

I loved the history included in the novel and the way it was written as known facts and not needing to be overly explained to the reader. You could feel the oppression the war had on those around Beatriz and how her father’s execution absolutely devastated her. Working for her mother’s family damaged her confidence and filled her mind with doubt that impacted so many of her decisions. Andres, the priest, had to be so careful with his knowledge and family legacy so that those around him weren’t threatened by the local law or ostracized by those around them. It was a constant weight felt through everyone’s decisions and actions. 

I absolutely loved this book and can’t want to see what else this author has in store for us. 

If you would like to add this amazing book to your shelf, you can find ordering information here:

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (Re-Post)

It’s Spooky Season! Enjoy some of my favorite horror novels from the past few years.

Originally posted December 2020

Available Now

I have been on a creepy book kick lately and I’ve been lucky to have read a string of excellent books. Plain Bad Heroines kicks it up even further by being a creepy book about a book. Actually, it’s a book about a movie being made that is based on a book all about an obsession with another book. 

I swear. 

So, in the early 1900’s, at the Brookhant’s School for Girls, two girls became obsessed with a memoir written by Mary MacLane. Their obsession led to not only their own tragic and horrific deaths, but the deaths of three more people tied to the school. A century later, the abandoned school is now the center of a novel written by the brilliant and precocious author, Merrit Emmons, who was only 16 at the time. Her novel about the young women obsessed with not only each other, but the writings of Mary MacLane, is going to be adapted into a gothic horror film. As production begins on the movie, tensions between Merrit and the two young movie stars rise and mysterious events put everyone in danger. 

This book is a chunker - the hardcover edition clocks in at 617 pages and there is a lot of story to be found in those pages. I’m not exaggerating on the book about a movie about a book about a book. A lot of story. The book is constantly changing. In one chapter, you will be reading about the brutal murder of a young woman decades in the past, and in the next, read about a romantic and chaotic first date between two enigmatic young women in the present. There are so many elements of a classic gothic horror. There’s the dark and dilapidated boarding school where young women are sent to become ladies, but really discover that women are great at kissing. There are tragic and mysterious deaths that could be explained away as male violence, or, a curse. Layered on top of our gothic horror story is a coming of age novel about a young actress who needs to break away from her mother and make her own way in Hollywood. But how do you keep your wits about you when it seems that a curse is following you, you’re possibly in love with your co-star, and you know that writer thinks you’re unqualified? Like I said, there’s a lot of story.

I absolutely loved the writing style in this book. It read like you were listening to one of your best friends tell their famous local legend, while sitting by a fire and enjoying a boozy cocktail. It’s very conversational and snarky, with such compelling and campy writing that you are instantly swept up in the soap opera feel of what is really, a quite tragic story. The book is it full of black and white illustrations of our young, plain, bad heroines in all their tragic glory and has some of the best footnotes ever included in a book. Many provide historical context, many are just the narrator being sarcastic and hilarious and I’m pretty sure I sent screenshots of at least 10 pages to my boss within the first 20 pages of reading the book.

The characters are very well developed and incredibly interesting. Merrit is very prickly and slightly obnoxious while Harper Harper, yes that’s her name, is a glamorous and gorgeous chameleon of a character. To me, Harper was the hardest to figure out. Was she just an excellent actress and we never saw the real woman within? Was she just such a quick thinker that she could turn the acting on and off? She’s a puzzle. Meanwhile, Audrey is in a little bit over her head but really wants to make it as an actress and is far stronger than she believes. All three women are smart, interesting, and driven. They’re also all gorgeous, queer, and know that there is something going on at Brookhants. 

This book checked off a lot of my reader wheelhouse boxes-there’s a creepy school full of rich girls and their rich girl problems. It’s fast paced and the multiple timelines slowly reveal all the deliciously creepy scariness that follows everyone involved with Mary MacLane’s book. The characters are interesting and compelling and I was quickly invested in everyone’s survival. This book is also incredibly fun. It never takes itself too seriously, is very campy, and was an absolute delight to get lost in. I highly, highly recommend this for anyone who loves gothic horror, star crossed lovers, and a ton of snark. 

If you would like a copy for yourself, or to buy as a gift for your favorite book lover, you can find ordering information here: 

This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Horror Quickie: What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (Re-Post)

It’s Spooky Season! Enjoy some of my favorite horror novels from the past few years.

Available now

What Moves the Dead is a deliciously creepy Gothic horror that is deeply unsettling. T. Kingfisher has given us a gorgeously written retelling of Poe’s “Fall of the House of Usher” that is both atmospheric and utterly terrifying. Told through the eyes of Alex Easton, a retired soldier, this slim little novel takes us on a horror-filled journey to uncover the mysterious afflictions that have fallen upon Alex's childhood friends. With the help of mycologist Eugenia Potter and a doctor, James Denton, Alex battles forces no one is prepared to believe.

Fair warning: This book is incredibly graphic, incredibly horrifying, and gave me nightmares for weeks. I’m not complaining about the nightmares-I love when a book is powerful enough to be nightmare inducing.

Incredibly atmospheric and chilling, What Moves the Dead is sure to leave readers deeply disturbed and thoroughly satisfied. If you’re interested in your own copy, you can click the cover for ordering options or click here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw (Re-Post)

It’s Spooky Season! Enjoy some of my favorite horror novels from the last few years.

Originally posted October 2021

Available October 19, 2021

CW: Suicide

This is a terrifying and chilling story that brings Japanese mythology to life. Set in an ancient mansion with a dark past, a group of college friends gather for a weekend of drinking and celebration. What should have been a joyous weekend celebrating the marriage of Nadia and Faiz turns into a gruesome nightmare when they awaken the spirits of the house.

From the cover, we know that we are in for a wild and horrifying adventure and Khaw does not disappoint. This is by far one of the scariest novellas I’ve read this year and I loved every single sentence. Khaw’s writing is quiet and almost delicate but packs a massive punch. The characters within are college friends who have grown both incredibly close and also far apart. Brough together for the wedding between two of them, stresses of the last year threaten to ruin the mood of the weekend but politeness and booze both help to smooth things over. It’s one friend’s massive amount of money that allows the friends access to such an ancient and haunted home, but it’s that same wealth that creates such friction between them. Our narrator Cat has recently experienced a mental health episode that may or may not be coloring her version of past events so her narration may or may not be reliable. And while the friends seem like such a close group-they were all gifted first class flights to Japan to stay in an ancient mansion that required government permits to visit, there is an unbearable tension between them. As their secrets unfold, the secrets of the house reveal a devastatingly dark history.

A horrifying, haunted mansion story that will chill you to the bones, Nothing But Blackened Teeth, is a must read for all horror fans. If you would like to add this to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post also contains affiliate links and as an Amazon associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.

It's Spooky Season! Slewfoot by Brom

Available now

CW: animal death and cruelty, human torture, patriarchal bs, horror related terror

It’s almost Spooky Season and this book needs to be on your reading list! It’s so creepy and dark and sad and infuriating and All The Things! I saw this title on a list of underrated horror novels and had never heard of it before and the title and cover immeadiately hooked me. I don’t know about you, but I’ve gotten pretty good at watching the clock app with my Library app up so I can immeadiately put books on hold.

Friends, this book gave me nightmares. You have to read it. It has illustrations! Incredibly creepy illustrations.

In 1666 Connecticut, a young woman named Abitha is facing eviction from her home and years of servitude to her brother-in-law after her husband’s tragic and mysterious death. After a desperate plea to the town’s leaders, Abitha is given one last chance to plant and harvest enough corn to pay off her husband’s debts and finally be free from her evil and overbearing BIL.

Deep in the woods, an ancient spirit is slowly awakening. Surrounded by impish and mischievous spirits, the ancient one struggles to remember his past and his connection to the woods around him. When he notices Abitha, he is drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. Intent on gaining her trust, he leaves her small gifts of food and offers protections against the threats of the local men and the law. His quiet and protective nature slowly begins to win Abitha over and when her situation turns dire, she knows he is the only one who can save her and the two begin a tenuous friendship.

Together, Abitha and Samson, the ancient one, work to thwart the threats against Abitha’s land, but end up inciting a war between the Pagans and the Puritans.

Slewfoot is a beautifully written horror tale set in Puritanical New England. From the first page, we know that Something is waking up in the forest. In that same forest, we meet Abitha and learn that this is not the life she dreamed for. Forced to cross an ocean and marry a man she had never met, she has to hide her mother’s Pagan teachings and beliefs and live the strict and austere life of a Puritan wife. She’s tired, cold, hungry and has lost their last goat in the woods. If that wasn’t enough stress, she feels guilty her husband isn’t disappointed in her and they return home to find his evil, nasty brother there to inform them he has sold their home to pay off his debts. Edward, Abitha’s husband, is a timid and meek man and really struggles to stand up for himself and his wife. Abitha can’t speak her mind without the threat of harm and punishment from the Puritanical town leaders. It’s this exchange that sets off a dangerous chain of events that pits Wallace, the BIL, against Abitha. The amount of patriarchal nonsense that we are forced to listen to from These Men! It was absolutely enraging to read but our Abitha is a fierce and determined soul who and it’s impossible to not root for her. Even at her lowest point, she never gives up and puts up an incredible fight against everyone who is wishing her her failure.

Samson, or the Ancient Spirit, is a fascinating character. He awakens with the help of spirits who look like small children in animal suits-and bizarre animals at that. A floating fish, a raven, and an opossum but with human children’s faces-you have to see the illustrations, they’re incredible. Samson is named for Abitha’s poor goat how was lured to his death to feed him. He has no memory and isn’t by nature a hateful or evil entity. Being around Abitha seems to calm him he is drawn to her in a way he can’t understand. As he grows into his power, he becomes more and more animated and friendly with Abitha, but he also grows incredibly protective of her. It makes for a fascinating dynamic because Abitha is convinced he’s the devil, but he doesn’t want to hurt her, and in fact, wants to protect her. Also, Abitha seems to have some powers of some kind…that are amplified by working her magic with Samson.

I don’t want to spoil the ending so I’ll leave you with this:

Abitha is incredible. I loved the journey her character ended up taking.

I loved this book and now I need everything written by this author.

Everything.

If you’d like to add this book to your shelf, you can click on the cover or here for ordering information.

As always, links are affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. As always, tell your Library they need this on their shelves because we can’t know about EVERY book even though we wish we could.

Happy Spooky Season!

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree (RePost)

Hey all! This has been a long and stressful few weeks so I’m going to bury myself in blankets and tea and enjoy a re-read of this cozy, warm hug of a book.

Available now

If you are looking for a low stakes, soothing, warm hug of a book, this is it. It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours, lost in a world that is just discovering the joys of coffee and pastries, and the community that can be built around the mysterious concept of café.

This book is lovely.

Set in a fantasy world, Viv is an orc who is tired of fighting and pillaging. Determined to make a fresh start, she follows the ley lines to discover the perfect location for her next business venture: a café. But not just any café, it will be the first café in the area. With the help of some new friends, and a purse full of coins, Viv begins to turn a ramshackle stable into a place of warmth and community. But, not everything goes smoothly. People from her past are determined to make life difficult and there’s a pesky mob group demanding protection money.

Reader Friends, this book is perfect! I love it so, so much. I was looking for something light and you can’t get any lighter than this one. It is just a delightful account of people coming together as they transform a run down stable into a beautiful little shop. It’s full of shopping lists, shopping trips, and thoughts on decorations. It’s about making menus and arranging furniture. It’s about discovering new foods and the processes needed to make those foods. It’s about people becoming friends and being oblivious when the friendship develops into something more.

It’s just so lovely. If you are looking for something light that is both humorous and sweet, I highly, highly recommend this one.

If you would like to add this delightful book to your shelf, you can find ordering information here:

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Available Now

Reader Friends! Buckle Up! This is a glorious, captivating wild ride through the lives of the rich and elite.

When Mars’ sister dies under mysterious and bizarre circumstances after unexpectedly returning home from her elite summer camp, Mars becomes consumed with the need to find answers to their twin’s death. On the night of Caroline’s death, she brutally attacked Mars, seemingly intent on ending their life. But in a moment of clarity, she apologizes to them before tragically dying. After her death, a brain tumor seems to be the cause of her erratic behavior but Mars is convinced there is more to the story.

After convincing their parents to let them take Caroline’s place at Aspen, the exclusive summer camp for the children of the wealthy and connected, Mars returns to the place that is a great source of trauma and pain. Mars’ gender fluidity and nonbinary identity goes against the very core of Aspen and it’s incredibly gendered values. Once at Aspen, Mars does their best to get in with the girls from Cabin H, better known as the Honeys. Caroline was a part of the Honey’s and they are convinced they have all the answers. But the Honey’s exist outside of the rules of Aspen and Mars is constantly shadowed by Wyatt, a leader in training and nephew to the camp’s director. As Mars gets closer to the answers they seek, they discover a world where people disappear, memories are altered, and the power of the Honeys seems to know no bounds.

This is a dark, twisting, captivating story of love, power and betrayal. I was so enthralled by the darkness in the story that I flew through this book in one sitting. The Honeys is a perfect blend of the horror, mystery, and paranormal genres told through the eyes of a grieving twin. It’s so much more than a story of a mysterious death. It’s an examination of greed, wealth, family expectations, toxic masculinity, and the way societal expectations about gender and generational wealth impacts teens. Nearly every activity at Aspen is based on gendered roles and expectations and how someone like Mars, a nonbinary teen who refuses to change for others, is forced into unsafe situations and ridicule when they reject the pressure to conform.

It’s also a lesson in underestimating the next generation-they are terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.

This book is fantastic-definitely give it a shot. If you’d like to add this book to your shelf, you can click on the book cover or here for ordering information.

This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. As always, these are just my opinions and ramblings and all mistakes are my own.