Tag: historical fantasy

ARC Book Review: The Prince of Mourning by Jenn Bennett

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Upper YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Jenn Bennett
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace meets A Study in Drowning in this sizzling gothic romantasy that follows the forbidden romance between a young nurse and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist.

After receiving a strange summons, eighteen-year-old nursing student Molly O’Rinn finds herself the private live-in nurse for a wealthy young man in his haunting Hudson Valley mansion. But after arriving at his secluded estate, Molly discovers that her handsome employer is not what he seems, and most surprising of all is what rests deep inside the mansion’s walls.

Perhaps not what, but who…

A young man about Molly’s age—at least in appearance—is a prisoner of the estate, locked behind magical barriers. Nin is royalty, the son of a legend. He is not human, not of this world…and not like anyone Molly has ever met.

Molly should stay away from him. But Nin is a terrifying yet strangely attractive being, and soon both Molly and Nin find themselves drawn to each other, sparked by a connection neither of them can deny. But as the two become entangled in a forbidden affair, outside forces start to press in.

Because Nin’s legendary father is looking for his son, and he’s not the only one.

To keep Molly safe, Nin must find a way back to his realm or suffer the consequences. Even if it means choosing his princely duty over love.

Thank you to Simon Teen for the eARC.

WENT ROGUE.

Well I think calling this one adjacent to Belladonna is where this all went wrong. These two books are not on the same level.

I thought things started out fine and I was intrigued. There’s a good atmosphere and spooky gothic vibes throughout. That note did hit the best.

But a few things didn’t make sense. One of those being the dialogue. Some of it felt extremely modern and I get that it’s a young adult book but it threw me out of the story the way Molly would phrase somethings.

The cover lends itself to some kind of haunting ball vibes right? Those aren’t there either. The plot meanders and slows to excruciating lengths. Molly, “I’m a nurse I know what to do” (though she hasn’t even completed her training), wasn’t that fun to be around. And then adding in so many gods, possession, curses, etc. in the late second half had me quirking my head. It did not need all of that. Once again, the lack of focus for the story is when it really went off the rails.

It looks like there will be a sequel, but I don’t know how I feel about it or if I’ll read it [yet].

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: vague fade to black
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: those dying of tuberculosis, loss of loved ones

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ARC/ALC Book Review: If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 448 pages
Author: Julie Berry
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: Septemer 16th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From Printz Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author Julie Berry, a true-crime-nailbiter-turned-mythic-odyssey pitting Jack the Ripper against Medusa. A defiant love song to sisterhood, a survivors’ battle cry, and a romantic literary tour de force laced with humor.

It’s autumn 1888, and Jack the Ripper is on the run. As London police close in, he flees England for New York City seeking new victims. But a primal force of female vengeance has had enough. With serpents for hair and a fearsome gaze, an awakened Medusa is hunting for one Jack.

And other dangers lurk in Manhattan’s Bowery. Salvation Army volunteers Tabitha and Pearl discover that a girl they once helped has been forced to work in a local brothel. Tabitha’s an upstate city girl with a wry humor and a thirst for adventure, while farmgirl Pearl takes everything with stone-cold seriousness. Their brittle partnership is tested as they team up with an aspiring girl reporter and a handsome Irish bartender to mount a rescue effort, only to find their fates entwine with Medusa’s and Jack’s.

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

WELL.

I feel like my thoughts are kind of scattered on this book y’all. The Lovely War is one of my all time favorite historical fantasies and I was ecstatic to get my hands on Julie Berry’s next book, but this one left me wanting on some fronts.

The feminist rage was a heavy theme throughout. And while I often don’t mind it I think it lacked some balance. I do remember some really great sentiments surrounding being a survivor, where does religion fit in, and helping friends through dark places. There was an interesting crossing of multiple topics that did start to make sense as the story went on.

I wish the romance had been a bit more prominent. I don’t mind no romance/low romance stories because when it works, it works. If Looks Could Kill felt like it needed a little more depth to that plot line rather than it feeling wayward. I did enjoy Tabitha’s romance, just gimme mooooore.

The multiple POV’s lent to seeing many different sides of the characters actions, thoughts and various story lines. I loved seeing each of them. The darkness, suffering and revival allowed each character to land where they should be. I liked the ending and appreciated the closure it gave to the main characters. The Medusa x Jack the Ripper combination was very unique and the clear research and dedication that went into crafting this novel was amazing as always from Julie Berry.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: flirting (maybe a kiss?)
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: religious bigotry, racism, death, sexual assault and r*pe, drug and alcohol use

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Book Review: Salvacion by Sandra Proudman

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Sandra Proudman
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: May 20th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

Lola de La Peña yearns to be free from the societal expectations of a young Mexican lady of her station. She spends her days pretending to be delicate and proper while watching her mamá cure the sick and injured with sal negra (black salt), a recently discovered magic that heals even the most mortal of sicknesses and wounds. But by night, she is Salvación, the free-spirit lady vigilante protecting the town of Coloma from those who threaten its peace and safety among the rising tension in Alta California after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

But one night, a woman races into Coloma, barely alive, to tell the horrifying tale of how her town was obliterated by sal roja, a potent, deadly magic capable of obliterating anything it comes into contact with and the man who wields it: Damien Hernández. And when Hernández arrives the next day with a party of fifty strong and promises of returning Alta California to México, Lola knows it’s only a matter of time before he brings the region under his rule—all Hernández needs is the next full moon and the stolen, ancient amulet he carries to mine enough sal roja to conquer the land. Determined to protect everything she loves, Lola races against time as Salvación to stop his plans. What she didn’t count on was the distracting and infuriating Alejandro, who travels with Hernández but doesn’t seem to share his ambitions. With the stakes higher than ever and Hernández getting closer to his goals, Lola will do anything to foil his plans, even teaming up with Alejandro—who she doesn’t fully trust, but can’t help but fall in love with.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the gifted copy.

NOT QUITE SURE.

The audiobook was definitely a good pick for this one. I liked the narrator a lot and it made the book more enjoyable. And while I did like the book, I also never fully got invested in the story. The setting and plot and character dynamics were all good, but I think a duology would have been amazing for this kind of story. I wanted more from almost every aspect (i.e. world, characters, magic, romance, etc.). The bones are there at least.

As a standalone I think many will find enjoyment in it. There’s important topics and themes discussed and I really liked the pieces of the magic system I got. It’s a good fantasy debut and I’m not mad I read it. I would read another book from this author so I look forward to future stories.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: gun violence, loss of a loved one, war themes

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ALC Book Review: A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 416 pages
Author: H.G. Parry
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: June 17th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

H. G. Parry’s A Far Better Thing is a standalone, portal fantasy where Jonathan Strange & Mr. NorrelI meets A Tale of Two Cities in a heart-rending fantasy of faery revenge set during the French Revolution.
I feared this was the best of times; I hoped it could not get any worse.

The fairies stole Sydney Carton as a child, and made him a mortal servant of the Faerie Realm. Now, he has a rare opportunity for revenge against the fae and Charles Darnay, the changeling left in his stead.

It will take magic and cunning—cold iron and Realm silver—to hide his intentions from humans and fae and bring his plans to fruition.

Shuttling between London and Paris during the Reign of Terror, generations of violence-begetting-violence lead him to a heartbreaking choice in the shadow of the guillotine.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

THIS WAS GOOD!

After enjoying H.G. Parry’s previous book I knew I wanted to read this book. NOW I haven’t read A Tale of Two Cities so I can’t speak to the retelling aspect of this one but apparently that book would hurt me because A Far Better Thing HURT ME.

I loved all of the magic and fae and how it was woven into this historical time period. The writing is still solid and lyrical without being overdone. I fell in love with the MMC and honestly wasn’t bugged that this was a no romance book. It doesn’t need it. There’s many meaningful and important relationships throughout that make this story feel well rounded. This was dark and emotional and full of sacrifice. It’s a story that will stick with you.

Also, I loved the audiobook narrator!! Highly recommend.

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