Tag: young adult fantasy

Book Review: Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Autumn Krause
Publisher: Peachtree Teen
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A twisty, dark royalcore fantasy that takes the courtly intrigue of Hamlet and infuses it with the vicious ambition of the Boleyn family. For readers who love Holly Black and Sarah J. Maas.

Marry the prince, then kill him.

Princess Madalina and her twin sister, Inessa, were born attached at the hand and separated right after. That’s the only time the sisters ever held hands. The girls’ personalities have been shaped in the Sinet family’s drive to make their kingdom more than what it is: unrespectable and loathsome, a damp place where deceit fills the palace walls like mold.

Madalina is different from her family. She’s considered the weak one and only finds peace in the garden, tending her magical flowers, which are pejoratively called grave flowers because they are ideal for torture and torment. Secretly, she dreams of escape and a new life.

Then Inessa, who was betrothed to the heir of a wealthy kingdom—Prince Aeric—gets trapped in Bide, a terrifying purgatory, and begs Madalina to set her free. Now, not only must Madalina take her sister’s place as Aeric’s bride-to-be, but she also must finish Inessa’s secret mission: Inessa wasn’t just sent to marry Prince Aeric, but to kill him, too, and solidify a profitable pact with his traitorous uncle.

On behalf of her family, Madalina will need to resist the infuriatingly clever prince—as well as her own heart—if she’s to free her sister and finish the job.

GREAT FOR THE SEASON.

Do you need something haunting and delightfully dark for the fall season? Look no further. This is a hidden young adult historical fantasy you should take a try on. I liked the audiobook and the characters were a hoot too. It’s a great clash of dark and moody and humor too (like My Lady Jane vibe-ish).

The flowers were super interesting and a great part of the magic system. I loved seeing how those slowly caused chaos over the book and the reveals they brought out in the end. I thought the romance could have used some more oomph because it hung out in the background too much. By the end I didn’t feel invested in what the relationship.

Otherwise though, not a bad read. I would read another book from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: murder, loss of life

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Book Review: Unending (The Unseelie Duology #2) by Ivelisse Housman

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 400 pages
Author: Ivelisse Housman
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: September 23rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this high-octane conclusion to the Unseelie duology, two sisters discover that the things that make them different can lend them more power than they ever imagined.

Isolde Graygrove has always put her changeling twin sister first. But ever since Seelie returned from the faerie realms with a newfound confidence in her magic and secrets she’s keeping even from her twin, Isolde can’t help but wonder: who is she, if not her sister’s protector?

Seelie knows there are some problems even magic can’t solve. Like the distance between her and Isolde, the terror of her growing and unfamiliar emotions for Raze, or the fact that the world’s last firedrake has imprinted on her like a baby duckling. Still, she can’t help but try.

When Seelie accidentally splinters the three realms, tangling the human and faerie worlds together into something new, the vicious faerie Gossamer is determined to take full advantage of the chaos unleashed. Seelie and Isolde will need to spill their secrets, decide who they can trust, and navigate the sinister glamour of the faerie courts to save humankind and fae alike.

GOOD CONCLUSION.

I liked this one! It was a good hidden gem for young adult fantasy. The multiple POV dynamic worked well and I felt as if things wrapped up well and it was satisfying to finish the audiobook.

The strong bond between these sisters was my favorite part. I love seeing such a tight relationship and how the ups and downs don’t damage the core of the connection. There was a bit of romance for both FMC’s and I thought it was sweet and didn’t overwhelm the plot (because this felt like it should be more FANTASY than ROMANCE). The twists were enjoyable and it was an easy read to move through.

I look forward to reading another book from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Empire (Heir Duology #2) by Sabaa Tahir

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 528 pages
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Publisher: GP Putnam’s
Release Date: September 22nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The gripping conclusion to the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic fantasy duology that began with HEIR, from the #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award–winning author Sabaa Tahir.

A crumbling empire.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.

In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Farrar and his aunt, Empress Helene, are losing a war against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him brokenhearted. Torn between his duty to his people and his desire to discover Sirsha’s fate, Quil embarks on a dangerous quest for aid—from the most treacherous of allies.

Sirsha Westering finds herself tethered to Div, an ancient evil unleashed by a terrible tragedy. Div delights in tormenting Sirsha, hungering for her magical heart. Even as Sirsha struggles for control of her own fate, she is desperate to shield Quil from Div’s destructive power. But Div won’t release Sirsha without a fight. To earn her freedom, Sirsha must uncover Div’s past—and face horrors in her own.

Cero bet-Dafra, former right hand of the Kegari leader, Aiz, now finds himself pitted against her. As Aiz slips further into violence and delusion, Cero must discover if his people have any hope of a future or if they’re condemned to an unending cycle of violence. His journey will force him to confront hidden truths, ancient secrets, and a lie that could destroy the world.

In Empire, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, of loyalty and freedom, and of what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

NO NOTES.

Maybe a lot of notes.

But I also don’t want to spoil one thing for anybody so I shall maintain my vague commentary but TRUST that this book was epically beautiful and I loved all the things and you should read it please!!!

Alright anyways, this is exactly the type of ending I have been hoping for in regards to this story. I was locked in to every POV and every moment. I love the multiple POV and the way each storyline impacts the overall plot. I also listened to part of this on audio and there are multiple narrators for each POV so it is definitely a format you should read!

The situations that arose made sense and I knew some of them were coming and while they TORE MY SOUL APART I also understood. Nobody writes fantasy like Sabaa Tahir. The brutal world building and intricate magic system. The complicated villains that create powerful themes. The close family and friendships. And the way background romances are woven in that have you begging for every crumb. I love all of these characters so much and the arcs and growth that each exhibited.

I’m very hopeful for another spin off featuring two of the POV’s I know would provide another incredible journey. Tahir continues to be one of my favorite fantasy authors.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: loss of life (including children), battle/war themes, near death experiences

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Book Review: She Knows All the Names (Throne of Khetara #2) by Michelle Jabes Corpora

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Historical Fantasy
Length: 437 pages
Author: Michelle Jabes Corpora
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: May 5th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Magic, adventure, romance, and horror collide in this lush, epic, Ancient Egyptian inspired trilogy perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tahereh Mafi, and Sabaa Tahir.

Fresh to the throne, the cunning new pharaoh schemes to bring unprecedented power to the Kingdom of Khetara. He commands absolute allegiance, leaving bloodshed in his wake as he searches for the missing Princess Sitamun, and at his side, the young priestess Nefermaat serves as divine counsel. Having witnessed the king’s merciless acts, Neff furtively plots to free the kingdom from his grip, though she knows the heavy price of treason.

Meanwhile, the rebellion in Low Khetara grows, and Raetawy, a courageous farm girl, leads the resistance. Her quest is clear: infiltrate the capital and free the imprisoned rebels—including her beloved father. Yet in her desperation, Rae agrees to a plan that could destroy all she is fighting for….

In the Red Lands, the thief Karim grapples with the new life he’s been given. Is it a blessing or a curse? He fears what lurks within him, yet he and his unlikely companion, Princess Sita, grow ever closer as they search for a lost city believed to harbor the secret to saving Khetara from destruction.

The ancient oracle that once whispered to these four strangers now speaks with an urgency as powerful as the mighty Iteru. The current of destiny is strengthening, but will it bring redemption…or annihilation?

FANTASTIC SEQUEL.

Oh I had a good time with this one!! I am hooked on this series. I can’t wait for the finale!!

Everything increased. The action and intrigue. The mystery and betrayals. Even got a little more romance. The progression from book one to book two is exactly what I’m after. I still love all of the mythology moments and how the gods are starting to meddle.

I’m really attached to all of the main characters and loving the journey. The rotating POV’s are working for me. It keeps things moving and I don’t think there’s a weak link. I like not being able to tell just quite what’s going to happen next and the brutal world that’s been built.

Amped for the third book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA historical fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: many executions, loss of life, near death experiences

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