Tag: young adult fantasy

Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: April 2026

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April showers brings May flowers! And a lot of books. Maybe the most I will get to this year. Have you read any of them?

  • [ARC/ALC] A Deal with a Debutante (London’s Most Eligible #1) by Chelsea Bobulski
  • [ARC/ALC] Start at the End by Emma Grey
  • [Reread] The Assassin’s Blade (Throne of Glass #0.5) by Sarah J. Maas
  • The Speed of Lightning (The Hebridean Shield #3) by Ashley Worrell
  • A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell #10) by Deanna Raybourn
  • [ARC/ALC] I Could Give You the Moon by Ann Liang
  • Anytime I Want by Meredith Logan
  • Weavingshaw (Weavingshaw #1) by Heba Al-Wasity
  • Rites of the Starling (Shield of Sparrows #2) by Devney Perry
  • [ARC] The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker
  • From the Silence of the Shadows (The Veridian Empire #3) by V.B. Lacey
  • [ALC] Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West
  • [ALC] Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai
  • [Reread] Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Because the Beasts Came (Wells of Istri #1) by Madeline James
  • [ARC] The Commons (The Commons World #1) by Rebecce Ihim
  • Beneath (Rebirth #1) by Ariel Sullivan
  • [Non-fiction] Big Kids, Bigger Feelings by Alyssa Blask Campbell
  • The Wicked and the Damned (Dark Inheritance Trilogy #2) by Rebecca Robinson
  • A Desert of Bleeding Sand (A Desert of Bleeding Sand #1) by Lucia Damas
  • The Last Wayfinder by Ellen McGinty
  • [ARC/ALC] Rolls and Rivalry (Gaming and Romance #3) by Kristy Boyce
  • [ARC/ALC] First and Forever by Lynn Painter
  • Heart Check (Varsity #1) by Emily Charlotte
  • Perfect Wreckage (Wrecked #2) by Catherine Cowles
  • Heir of Twisted Lies (Stonegate #2) by LJ Andrews
  • [ARC] This Silent City (The Grim Empire #2) by A.C. Hobbs
  • A Love Most Brutal (Morelli Family #2) by Kath Richards
  • A Foolish Proposal (The Gentlemen’s Gamble) by Kasey Stockton
  • [ARC] Storm Breaker (Storm Breaker #1) by Nisha J. Tuli
  • [ARC/ALC] Student Union (The Undergrads #1) by Julie Murphy
  • Vengeful (Villains #2) by V.E. Schwab
  • [ARC] The Last Page by Katie Holt
  • [ARC/ALC] Spur of the Moment (Willow Creek #1) by Juliana Smith
  • The Thorn Queen (The Rose Bargain #2) by Sasha Peyton Smith
  • [Reread] Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas
  • [ARC/ALC] The Shippers by Katherine Center
  • I’m Only Me When I’m With Him (Sweeter Than Fiction #3) by Amanda Schimmoeller
  • Wrecked Palace (Wrecked #3) by Catherine Cowles
  • Reckless Refuge (Wrecked #4) by Catherine Cowles

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Book Review: His Mortal Demise (The Last Bloodcarver #2) by Vanessa Le

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 391 pages
Author: Vanessa Le
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

These Violent Delights meets Divine Rivals in the explosive finale to The Last Bloodcarver duology — with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired romantasy world.

Kochin is a heartsooth — a rare being with the ability to heal any wound. Any wound, that is, except death.

Intent on defying nature and bringing Nhika back to life, Kochin keeps her body in a life-preserving casket and waits for a miracle. Stricken with grief and descending into madness, Kochin realizes the answer to his desperate quest can only lie in one place: Yarong, the lush yet battle-ridden island the first heartsooths called home.

Months later, Nhika wakes in a familiar manor-house, with Kochin nowhere to be found. As she traces his footsteps across Theumas, she discovers the haunting path he walked to bring her back, and a world changed by war.

When Kochin discovers the true and grisly way to resurrect a person from the grave, he must decide exactly how much he is willing to sacrifice, in order to reunite with the woman he loves…

Don’t miss this stunning dual-POV follow up to THE LAST BLOODCARVER, where morals will be tested, hearts pushed to the limit, and fates determined once and for all. Vanessa Le’s jaw-dropping sequel is a bloody and luscious spectacle to be devoured in one sitting.

THIS WAS UNIQUE.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a duology with this type of timeline for book two. And while at first, it threw me for a second, once I got ahold of what was happening I loved the journey and exploration of what can be twisted for the sake of someone you love.

I enjoyed seeing these characters again and even though I wouldn’t consider it a ROMANCE there are elements of that genre and it does end in satisfying happily ever after kind of way. The persistence and strength of Nhika and Kochin to find each other again was something to hold onto as the pages turned.

The audiobook has two narrators for the dual POV set-up and it made for a great listen. I would have loved a little more page time between our two leads but I think this is an underrated duology and look forward to future books from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Amber Hamilton
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Deluxe limited edition will include stenciled edges, patterned endpapers, and a designed case cover!

The Cruel Prince meets Powerless in this dark academia romantasy that will tattoo itself onto your heart.

In the cursed Kingdom of Aragoa, the punishment for magic is death.

Even the students at Vandenberghe Academy aren’t spared. When Viola Sinclair’s deadly shadow magic is discovered, the queen gives her assassin a new assignment and a new cursed tattoo: seven-thorned rose on his arm for the seven days he has to hunt Viola down and kill her. If he doesn’t, he will be the one to die.

The assassin is Roze Roquelart–entitled prince, arrogant fellow student, and the one person Viola hates more than anyone. Roze should revel in the chance to end her life, but he desperately needs something from Viola and her magic. And he’s willing to spare her life–and fake their engagement–to get it.

Forced to work together, Viola and Roze must contend with deadly threats, dangerous secrets, and an impossible attraction. Will they give in to their deepest desires, even if it means destroying Aragoa–and risking both their lives?

HER WORST ENEMY. HIS ONLY CHANCE.

Be swept away by the sizzling, irresistible enemies-to-lovers romantasy with magic more destructive than your darkest nightmares.

WELL I LOVED IT.

This has an low Goodreads average I usually stay away from, y’all. I just had a good time okay?? I loved the audiobook and the Snow White vibes and the atmosphere was stunnin’.

I think the comments about there being a few plot holes and things that weren’t totally cleared up are valid, but that’s okay. This didn’t bug me this time because I was too entranced by everything else.

I loved that the enemies to lovers felt like actual enemies. For a standalone I was grateful to see that at least half the book was dedicated to the fact that they hate each other. The tension from it was delicious and I loved the angst between them.

The story is pretty well rounded (even with my minor quibble mentioned prior). It covers what it needs too and I enjoyed all of the characters and the little plot points woven in. Highly recommend the audiobook too! I look forward to the author’s next book.

My other thing to note is that this is another case of should be NEW adult not YOUNG adult in regards to sexual content.

Overall audience notes:

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

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Book Review: Her Hidden Fire (Her Hidden Fire #1) by Cliodhna O’Sullivan

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 440 pages
Author: Cliodhna O’Sullivan
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for fans of Powerless, Lightlark, and Red Queen, this heart-pounding romantasy forces a girl to make an impossible watch the boy she loves get exiled for lack of magic, or pass her formidable powers off as his own.

In a world where dragons soar through the skies and magical abilities are an elite privilege, the ruling family of Ailm’s Keep is on a Can their son Ionáin prove that he can channel magic, or will his entire family be cast out in disgrace?

Éadha, a servant girl who loves Ionáin, is shocked to discover shortly before the test that she can wield magic herself. It’s extremely rare for a girl to have this talent, especially outside the few great Families. At Ionáin’s moment of truth, when it’s clear he is about to fail, Éadha makes a desperate gamble to save him from humiliation by pretending her magic is his, forfeiting her own claim to power.

Her decision sends them both to an academy of magic, where she must shield her secret from every grim Master and scheming apprentice—especially the handsome but enigmatic Gry. As Éadha enters this whirlwind of patriarchy, class, heartache, and jealousy, she also learns about magic’s terrible cost—the human price that Channellers willingly pay to maintain their power.

How far would you go to empower the one you love?

NOT SO MUCH.

This was only on my radar because I get the YA book-only sub from Fairyloot. And well, this one was a bit of a miss for me. I think the general idea is there but it lacked in the execution spheres.

Mostly I was really tired of Eadha defending, interacting with, trying to save Ionain. He wasn’t worth her breathe and showed that over and over, meanwhile she keeps going back, they keep making out and thus created a cycle of torture for me. I don’t mind different love interests or a love triangle but I feel like this didn’t work for the situation. It caused plot drag and lack of attention. Combining that with the repetitive prose and I am grateful this wasn’t a super long audiobook.

I do enjoy a dark academia setting and of course, dragons. Maybe that plays out better in the next book? I’m kind of tempted to try but might have to wait to see some reviews first. I did like the audiobook narrator a lot so that was a plus too. I’m intrigued by the ending and a few things here and there. The FMC has a great opportunity for an awesome character arc, we’ll see!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very low
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: sexaul assault

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