Category: Book Review

Book Review: The Rebel and the Rose (The City of Fantome #2) by Catherine Doyle

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Upper YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Catherine Doyle
Publisher: Margaret K. Elderry Books
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The path of destiny burns with love, magic, and betrayal in this second book in the City of Fantome enemies-to-lovers romantasy series perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Caraval.

From a remote hilltop haven, far from the city of Fantome, Seraphine Marchant and her Order of Flames plot to eradicate shade magic with lightfire. But as Sera struggles to control her blooming powers, destiny calls her back to Fantome—and to the assassin who haunts her dreams.

Ransom Hale can’t get Sera out of his head. As their rivalry grows and he grapples with the responsibility of leading the Order of Daggers, he feels himself slipping further from who he wants to be. Is he doomed to a life in the shadows? Or can he forge another path?

Meanwhile, rebellion is stirring in the kingdom, and a dangerous prince grows in power. Forced to work together by order of the king, Sera and Ransom’s conflicted hearts are tested to their limits. And all the while, an ancient prophecy is unfolding that will change the fate of Valterre forever…

Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted copy and Simon Audio for the audiobook.

GOOD SEQUEL.

I had a good time with this one! I enjoy Doyle’s writing style and getting to see more of this world. The magic system continued to grow and I think this is leading up to an awesome third book (conclusion? I’m not sure).

The romance delved deeper and dragged out the slow burn really well. I love the opposite worlds Ransom and Sera inhabit and how they continually find each other. The audiobook does a good job of conveying their voices as well.

Everything amped up well and I look forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: The Holidate Switch by Torie Jean

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 201 pages
Author: Torie Jean
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 25th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Coming home for the holiday takes a drastic turn for the awkward, when Natalie’s fake boyfriend—Caden, her best friend and long-term crush—breaks his leg and his twin brother, bane of Natalie’s existence, hockey-player Cole, tags in for the show.

HOT DANG.

Okay so I absolutely loved this. For 200 pages I felt like so much was packed into it and it was steamy in all the best ways. I loved the bait and switch and was GLUED to my kindle and read the whole thing practically in one sitting.

This is my favorite kind of man down bad that makes the book incredible. I loved how genuine Cole was with Natalie and her family and going along for the ride while making his intentions known. Natalie wasn’t over the top in communicating and working through the new information thrown at her and it just made everything enjoyable.

I loved all of the holiday moments and think this is an absolute delight that you must add to your holiday TBR.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Romance Novella
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: 1-2ish almost scenes
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: FMC with chronic illness

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ARC Book Review: Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Novella Collection
Length: 448 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: December 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson-creator of the Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn saga, and countless bestselling works of science fiction and fantasy-comes Tailored Realities, a new short fiction collection including the never-before-published novella Moment Zero.

Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, this collection features stories from beyond the bounds of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe.
Along with the never-before-seen novella “Moment Zero,” Tailored Realities will include “Snapshot,” “Perfect State,” “Defending Elysium” (a novella set within the world of Skyward), and five other stories that were originally published individually elsewhere-never before collected into one volume, and many never before available in print.

The collection will also include a stunning black and white illustration for each story.

Thank you Tor Books for the gifted ARC.

SOLID GROUP.

First of all, I was beside myself when this ARC showed up on my doorstep and had to read it immediately. It’s a great mashup of all sorts of Sanderson samplings and I liked the unique vibe to each story.

The final novella (one of the few which has never been seen before) was engrossing. It was just the right level of confounding that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. And honestly it’s a bit gut punchy too??? HOW DARE HE. This story alone is worth the read.

My favorite part were all of the post scripts after each story. I LOVE behind the scenes information and learning the thought process behind each moment.

If you’re a Sanderson fan I think you’ll enjoy this collection.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Novella Collection
  • Language: low
  • Romance: not really
  • Violence: moderate+
  • Content warnings: loss of life, su!cide (briefly mentioned)

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Book Review: Servant of the Earth (The Shards of Magic #1) by Sarah Hawley

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Sarah Hawley
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.

Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.

Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.

With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness.

Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will… but even that may not be enough.

NOTHING NEW, BUT I LIKED IT?

I know you’ve seen plenty of moments when someone compares a book to ACOTAR. Aaaand this is going to be another review in that vein. Human woman lands herself in hot fae land, is part of a trial based competition and a few others things you’ll recognize. That’s not an automatic turn off for me because I don’t mind that plot. BUT, this one didn’t sweep me away. I’ll try the second book though.

I liked how strong willed Kenna was through the horrors of the court. She’s resilient and focused which makes for a character who doesn’t bring the frustration. There was something missing from the plot though and I think it was because Kenna felt like a side character to a story already happening? I don’t know, it wasn’t clicking.

The romance did exactly what I expected. And while I usually LOVE this kind of trope/plot it didn’t hit as well here. I think the spice started to feel gratuitous and since [redacted because of spoilers] was happening I wasn’t connected and skipped a lot.

But there’s enough woven in between my issues that have me intrigued and hopeful that the follow up will have better focus.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: brutal/bloody executions and torture, emotional and physical abuse, body horror, sexual assault and violence

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