Book Review: Spellwright by Heather Kassner

November 8, 2026November 5, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Heather Kassner
Publisher: Atheneum/Simon Teen
Release Date: October 27th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A plucky writer of spells teams up with a frustratingly charming magician to uncover the secrets of a grimoire in this light academia young adult romantasy “that skillfully blends magic, mystery, and the spellbinding power of love” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson.

No one is allowed past the gargoyles guarding the doors of Thistledown Library. Spellwright Fia Ives should know—for months she’s hoped to be admitted inside to find a magic powerful enough to locate her late mother’s spellbook. One midnight, she finally breaks in, only to discover three mysterious figures already searching the forbidden stacks.

When the library announces the theft of a dangerous grimoire, suspicion falls on Fia. The only way to clear her name is to root out the thieves she spied that night. However, solving a magical theft isn’t easy while running her inherited spellshop alone. So Fia hires the first person who applies to help—the insufferably charming Penbrook Madbury, who is as sleepy as a cat and just as stubborn. Fia isn’t sure she can trust him with her reckless plan (let alone her beloved shop), but there’s something about the secretive magician that tempts her to try.

As a strange magic curls through town, Fia must risk her own heart to unravel a string of curses before they claim both her and Penbrook. And if some of those curses require kisses to break them, well, that’s just the whimsy of magic.

Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted ARC & Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

CHARMING STANDALONE.

This is one of those books that I can tell you is good and I’d overall recommend, but also don’t remember all that well. The pros are the fact that this is genuine young adult. There’s nothing intense in any realm: violence, romance, themes, etc. It is something I would feel comfortable letting a teen read. And those can be hard to find. I liked the characters and themes too.

I also really liked the audiobook. She was a fantastic narrator and brought a charming quality to the story telling. I highly recommend that format.

If you’re feeling something with a more cozy vibe I think this is something you should try. It’s got a soft atmosphere that feels whimsical and the perfect type of book to curl up with on a rainy day.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: mild

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ALC Book Review: Sharpest Court (Thorn Season #2) by Kiera Azar

November 2, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Kiera Azar
Publisher: Storytide
Release Date: November 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

With an unputdownable plot, incredible twists, and an extraordinary high fantasy world filled with court intrigue, heart-racing action, a unique magic system, and sizzling chemistry, Sharpest Court is the thrilling sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller, Thorn Season.

Alissa Paine has fled her home, the Kingdom of Daradon – forced to say goodbye to her old old life in order to escape the clutches of both the cruel, tyrannical King Erik to whom she was once betrothed, and the Hunters who persecute Wielders like Alissa.

But she has not left Daradon empty-handed, and Alissa has in her possession an object that Erik greatly desires – a mysterious and ancient spellmade compass which has the potential to reshape the world, if Alissa – or Erik – can unlock its secrets.

Seeking refuge in the Ansoran Empire, Alissa is able to demonstrate her Wielding powers openly for the first time in her life. But Ansora is not a safe haven, and Alissa is quickly forced to navigate the rules and customs of another dangerous ruler. And even with her former ally, Kiel Arcus, by her side, Alissa soon learns that, while she may have been raised in the kingdom of thorns, she is yet to enter the sharpest court….

Perfect for fans of Powerless, Six of Crows, and The Rose Bargain, Sharpest Court is an extraordinary return to the world of Thorn Season.

Thank you to the publisher and Storygram Tours for the gifted audiobook and copy.

GOOD ENOUGH.

I realized upon starting this that I didn’t quite remember much of book one. And instead of trying to find a summary I just went after it. And what I realized reading the sequel was that the same thing happened. I can read this book and enjoy the story but it doesn’t stick with me. It’s missing those pieces that make stand out story. The writing and bones are good at least.

Where it does get a lot of points is that it’s genuine YA. I’m always after good young adult books that can actually be handed to a teen. So far, two books in, that’s the case here. I like the FMC. She’s relatable and flawed without being frustrating. I liked some moments of the romance but thought there needed to be more of an edge between them. The action and plot pick up much more in the second half speeding towards a good ending without a wild cliffhanger.

I still very much have plans to read book three and see how the antagonist meets his demise. The plot reveals at the end also have me excited for more.

I loved the audiobook narrator! She did a wonderful job and the audiobook was easily the best pick for format when reading this sequel.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy Romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate-high

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: October 2026

October 31, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

How are we at the last three months of the year??

[Short Story] Mestra by Madeline Miller
Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1) by Shannon Hale
Golden Flight (The Keeper’s Records of Revolution #2) by S.K. Ali
Second Down and Second Chances (River Foxes #2) by Leah Dobrinska
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
[Reread] House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City #3) by Sarah J. Maas
[ARC] The Embers That Remain (Flint Hills #2) by Jordan Abitz
Autumn Kissed (Falling for Autumn) by Deborah M. Hathaway
[ALC] Unapologetic Love Story by Elle McNicoll
[ARC] The Land That Binds Us (Marien Vineyard #1) by K. Sinko
The False Vow (The Weaver Bride #2) by Lydia Gregovic
Hollywood, Ending by John Green
[Novella] The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Once Upon a Broken Heart #3.5) by Stephanie Garber
[ALC] It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Murder (Kiss, Merry, Kill #2) by Ally Carter
[Novella] Unbound (Bound & Unbound #2) by Ali Hazelwood
After We Fall (Shelter & Sky #2) by Deborah Clack
[ARC] For Ever More (Never Ever After #2) by Sue Lynn Tan
Blightfall (Riftwake #1) by Brandon Sanderson by Janci Patterson
Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard
Victorious (Villains #3) by V.E. Scwab
[Reread] Faking Christmas (Christmas Escape) by Cindy Steel
The Shadows That Listen (Angel Ruin #1) by Louisa Carmody
[ARC/Graphic Novel] The Blind Prince Volume 1 by Cozycroww
The Washwoman at the River’s End (The Curse of the Fates #1) by Megan Shade
By the Flames of Her Fury (The Veridian Empire #4) by V.B. Lacey
Heirs of Infamy by Kyla Zhao
The Slantwise Histories by Alix E. Harrow
One Moore Time by Mariana Zapata
If Not You by Ellen O’Clover
[ARC/ALC] Mortal Things (Mortal Things #1) by Marie Lu
Feels Like Home by Courtney Walsh
Reap & Sow (Reap & Sow #1) by Charlotte B. Plumb
[Non-fiction] How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
A Court of Splintered Harmony (ACOTAR #6) by Sarah J. Maas
Free Falling (Sweetwater Peak #2) by Lyla Sage
Escape Me (Shatter Me: Series Two #3) by Tahereh Mafi
[ARC/ALC] Defy the Dusk (The Sundering Duet #1) by Danielle L. Jensen
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Bad in Bed by Ali Hazelwood
[ARC] Take Me Home (Honey Badger Creek #1) by Leah Brunner

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ARC Book Review: For Ever More (Never Ever After #2) by Sue Lynn Tan

October 29, 2026October 29, 2026 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy + Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: October 27th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The breathtaking sequel to the New York Times bestselling Never Ever After, this epic fantasy finds Yining on the run and fighting to save her family and her kingdom.

After the explosive events of Never Ever After, Yining flees the Iron Mountains with her unlikely allies, seeking the truth about her newfound powers amid the secrets surrounding her ancestral home. But with a traitorous queen ruling the Three Kingdoms from a stolen throne, nowhere is truly safe, and Yining must decide whom to trust to keep her family—and her heart—from harm.

Thank you Colored Pages Book Tours, The Novl and Sue Lynn Tan for a gifted copy.

BEAUTIFUL DUOLOGY.

I just love reading Sue Lynn Tan books. They are lyrical and whimsical and feel like a fairy tale. I loved being back in this world and seeing the continuation of Yining’s story. I felt like she stayed true to who she was and tuned out the noise to help those she loved and the kingdoms around her in need.

The romance grew on me. I can be a little picky about love triangles yet as the book went on, I got it. I thought the way it went was as it should be and I loved the conversations that came about from it all. I’d be very curious (and hopeful) to see a spin-off sequel with a certain someone!! I’d totally speak more to the romance but I don’t want to give hints away about who Yining ends up with. Don’t worry, it’s got some swoon and many lines I just had to highlight!!

I loved seeing more of the kingdoms and seeing the other players in the game. SLT really takes Cinderella and expands upon it 10 fold. Everything is deeper and the action and politicking keep you on your toes. There’s new creatures, a land being poisoned and some dragons too.

Double bonus points to this book being a young adult book and is genuinely written for a young adult audience!!

Everything came together like I hoped for and I thought wrapped well too. It’s a beautiful story and now I’m sad I have to wait for SLT’s next release!!

Overall audience notes: