Book Review: The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

August 2, 2026July 4, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 354 pages
Author: Katherine Arden
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: June 2nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a desperate gamble to save her throne, a young monarch conceals a secret marriage in the shadows of an enchanted forest—and unknowingly alters the fate of her world—in this dazzling novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

Anne of Brittany was a child when France invaded and drove her royal father to his death. Now she is a young woman, sovereign duchess of an occupied realm, and France means to crown their conquest by marrying her to their king. Such an alliance would put her title, her lands, and her body forever in the hands of her enemies.

But Anne refuses to be the last duchess of Brittany.

Her only hope of resisting conquest is another alliance sealed with marriage, so Anne arranges a daring last gambit: a secret betrothal to Charles of France’s greatest rival. But secrets are hard to keep in a world where rival courts spy on each other with diviners.

The forest of Brocéliande was once the haunt of Merlin the Enchanter and the long-lost faerie queen. But magic is long gone from Broceliande, except for the occasional sight of a unicorn and one critical quirk: This ancient forest is completely hostile to divination.

While pretending compliance with France, Anne plans a unicorn hunt in Brocéliande. A bit of pointless pageantry. A diversion so she can wed in secret.

Or so she thinks.

In this rich and epic novel, the author of the acclaimed Winternight trilogy turns the real history of a remarkable woman into an unforgettable tale of mystery, enchantment, and the price of power.

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.

I should have expected nothing less because I have loved every one of Katherine Arden’s books. This was another absolute amazing read. I devoured the audiobook (highly recommend). It’s the exquisite kind of historical fantasy that locks you in with gorgeous writing and story telling. Anne of Brittany was beautifully crafted and I loved the exploration into her story and character with a fantastical touch.

There is a small romantic angle if you’re curious. It’s not the point of the over arching story. But it adds to Anne’s tale and I was kind of swept away by the forbidden-ness of it all. I loved Anne’s strength and tenacity. She’s fiercely loyal to her family and her country. The magical elements involving unicorns and other things I shouldn’t say because spoilers, only increased my love for this book.

It is not one to miss!!

Overall audience notes:

Historical fantasy
Language: low
Romance: 2ish vague, low explicit open door
Violence: moderate

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Book Review: The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi #2) by Shannon Chakraborty

July 26, 2026July 1, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 485 pages
Author: Shannon Chakraborty
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty sets sail into the second adventure of pirate Amina al-Sirafi as her quest to track down magical artifacts brings her to the island lair of a sorceress whose woven enchantments are impossible to flee.

Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down arcane artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savor the occasional rollicking adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter, Marjana. But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she is reluctantly wed, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina is charged with a seemingly impossible quest: steal a spindle capable of rewriting fate from a mysterious sorceress on an island no one can escape.

Forced to leave Marjana—who is increasingly frustrated at being peddled what are clearly lies about her mother’s life and her own past—Amina finds her mission almost immediately thrown into peril. But deadly storms, an erratic poison mistress, and old enemies are the least of her worries. For the peris’ story is unraveling, hinting at a far deadlier game whose rules Amina must swiftly puzzle out. A game that sets her against an adversary more cunning and powerful than she has ever faced.

A game that not everyone on her crew wants her to win.

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.

SOLID SEQUEL.

What I find most charming about these books is that the audiobook feels like I’m being read a storybook. There’s this whimsical quality to the writing that is translated fantastically by the narrator that makes reading this book easy. I liked being back in this world and with these characters and seeing what chaos was persued this time.

I will note that I’m not sure this did anything for the larger plot? Like, it was a great adventure. I had a good time, but is there an over arching plot? I’m not sure there is. Maybe that’s the point? It’s just different tales from Amina’s life? I have yet to determine the answer but I definitely want to read the next book regardless. I would love more interactions with Rashk. I liked getting some more background from Anima’s best friend at least.

But all in all, a good story, not mad I continued the story and I still love Chakraborty’s writing.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy
Language: mild
Romance: fade to black
Violence: moderate+

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Armor for Liars by S.E. Grove

July 21, 2026July 18, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 432 pages
Author: S.E. Grove
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: July 21st, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A brilliant girl risking it all to infiltrate a secret society of enchanters gets unexpected help from one of their victims—now a vengeful spirit—in this historical dark academia novel by New York Times bestselling author S. E. Grove.

In a world where magic is drawn from the realm of the dead, enchanters—always men—go to great lengths to steal it. Voyaging to the spirit realm, an enchanter will claim a dead woman’s spirit as his own and make her a servant, a tool for his own magical ends. Enchanters maintain great secrecy around their practices, so only a wealthy elite have access to this members of a secret society shrouded within Commonwealth University, the nation’s premiere institution for the study of enchantment.

When Sam—the son of islander immigrants of modest means—dared to use magic to blend into the blueblood world of Commonwealth, it cost him his life. Now a spirit, he’s determined to avenge his murder and uncover the secrets of the Cisneros Society from beyond the grave.

When Sam encounters Clementine Quinn, a young woman disguised as a male student at Commonwealth, he quickly sees that Clem is putting herself in grave danger at the school. But as he tries to warn her of the peril, it becomes clear that his past and her fate are inextricably entwined. To avenge his murder and prevent hers, they’ll need to help one another and thereby prove, ultimately, that friendship and love can transcend everything, even death.

Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook and Simon Teen for the gifted ARC.

NOT FOR ME.

I kept trying to get into this and nothing ever GRABBED me.

I think the point of view was an intriguing idea but kind of lost me in connecting with the other characters. Maybe the beginning was a bit more confusing than I’m remembering? It was more clear as things went on what the situation was so that at least made for an easier read.

The mystery worked for me on some levels though I think if the pacing/page count was tightened up a bit things would have moved better. There’s a lot of meandering and trying to combine Sam’s story with Clementine took a long time. Then to add a “romance” in the epilogue? Not quite what I was expecting. And I’m still not sure how that works.

There’s some dark academia, secret societies, and a historical fantasy vibe. Things that usually work for me but might work for you with this book. I also did like the characters. They weren’t part of the issues I was having with the overall plot.

🎧: I do think the audiobook narrator was great. If you’re going to try this book out, that can be option for format! I liked the narrator.

Overall audience notes:

YA Historical Fantasy
Language: mild
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate
Content warnings: racism, sexism, loss of a parent

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ARC Book Review: Magic at Midnight by Courtney Millecam

May 12, 2026May 7, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★.5
Audience: Historical Fantasy + Romance
Length: 444 pages
Author: Courtney Millecam
Publisher: Laurel Ink Press
Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

All magic comes with a price…

Gemma Spencer lives in a cruel twist of fate: she has access to everyone’s memories but her own. With no recollection of her past, Gemma survives as a con artist on a small island where magic hums beneath the surface of daily life.

When a tourist arrives with a newspaper article about a missing girl who looks eerily similar to Gemma, she realizes the truth about her identity lies in the glittering city of Linness—where the mystical is outlawed and gangsters rule the streets. But magic can still be found…if you know where to look.

While there, Gemma meets Hendrik, an investigator, who offers Gemma a dangerous bargain: impersonate the missing girl and go undercover inside the infamous Copperleaf Club. It’s the big break Hendrick needs to solve his father’s murder. For Gemma, it might be the only way to find answers about her past.

The deeper Gemma and Hendrik get inside the world of illegal magic and rival magicians, the more their fragile alliance—and growing feelings—begin to unravel. And as Gemma gets closer to the truth, she suspects her own memory was taken from her for a reason.

And remembering could be deadly.

For readers of Six of Crows and Stalking Jack the Ripper— this gaslamp romantic fantasy is perfect for fans of forbidden magic, reluctant allies with hidden motives, and a high-stakes deception where love may be the biggest gamble of all. This book includes a no-spice romance, but the gritty world and darker themes make it suitable for older YA audiences and above.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SUPERB STANDALONE.

Courtney has done it again! What a fabulous book y’all. Good closed door fantasy standalones feel like finding a needle in a haystack. This is the needle!! Go read it!!

I loved the world and setting. The gas lamp vibes with the air of historical atmosphere worked incredibly well. I liked the way magic used and the interesting landscape it created.

And the characters were amazing. I loved the portrayal of friendships and the soft found family aspects. I especially liked Gemma’s character arc and seeing how she grew from start to finish. The romance is more in the background but still present enough to be enjoyed. Gemma and Hendrik are reluctant allies that push each other’s buttons in all the best ways.`

Everything came together well and I think all the necessary plot points were satisfied. The hidden motives and deceptions will keep you turning pages.

Overall audience notes: