Bochica by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro is as much a story about grief and loss as it is about a haunted mansion and the demons within it. At its heart, it’s a story about fighting a demon and the cult that summoned it, yes, but it’s also about letting go and overcoming trauma.
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell is a creepy yet charming monster-slaying fantasy romance, told from the monster’s perspective. While the idea of humanizing the creature isn’t entirely new, this take feels fresh, featuring an amorphous shapeshifter trying to pass among humans and unexpectedly finding companionship. That twist alone hooked me.
Ebony Gate: The Phoenix Hoard is a book full of compelling hooks that drew me in quickly. The idea of families hosting different kinds of magic is always fascinating, and Emiko’s place in that world, being seemingly depowered, was what initially grabbed my attention.
Hey you! yeah you! Are you Hispanic/Latinx? Are you a member of the Alphabet Mafia? Do you find yourself looking for that representation in the books you read? Well look no further, The Name Bearer by Natalia Hernandez is the book you need!
What happens when you have a zombie outbreak in the middle of an underwater cruise? Welcome to This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne. With as much as I’m used to the cozy feelings of the Tea series, Thorne’s newest series is a refreshing change of pace. You really get the feeling of being cramped with no escape as chaos erupts around our characters.
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is a bit of a slow burn, but once it ignites, you can’t put it down. It’s an interesting mix of historical fiction, urban fantasy, and magical realism. The story follows Clara Johnson, a bit of a spirit medium cursed with magical debt to a powerful spirit, who is offered a chance at freedom. The catch? She just has to assemble a super-powered crew and pull off a magical heist.
Have you ever found yourself going to a bar to escape life, buying a really hot woman a drink and the hooking up with her in her car? Only to later find out that said hot woman was your best friend’s mother? Oh, you’ve never done that?
Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch follows in the steps of it’s predecessor with its cozy, Hallmark-y setup. It has that quirky royal premise, small-town charm, and an enemies-to-lovers romance. I was here for it
Join Mikie and Theo as we discuss James Gunn’s Superman, the power of caring, and how even kindness can be an act of rebellion. Being kind truly IS punk rock.
Of the original trilogy, this one felt the weakest for me. Not because it’s poorly written. but because of the sharp pivot the story takes. There’s still plenty of battles, gut punches, and betrayals, but perhaps the biggest betrayal is to the reader. This may be the closest that I go to giving spoilers in one of my reviews.