Showing posts with label netgalley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label netgalley. Show all posts

Arc Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

 


Title: The House Saphir

By: Marissa Meyer

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 432

Release Date: November 4th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling fraudulent spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir - otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu - who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

 

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Review:

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a creepy, intense, and wonderfully immersive journey. The atmosphere is thick with unease, the kind of gothic tension that keeps you glancing over your shoulder as you read. Meyer balances the unsettling with strong character work, weaving a story that feels both eerie and enchanting. While not perfect, it delivers exactly what you’d want from a dark, haunting tale and leaves you satisfied, yet still thinking about its twists long after the last page.

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ARC Review: Red City by Marie Lu

 


Title: Red City

By: Marie Lu

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 432

Release Date: October 14th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

The Godfather meets The Magicians in the sweeping adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Red City is a dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles.

Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation. An exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates that market it to the world’s elites in the form of sand, a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.

Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor’s edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city—and the paths of their lives—will be irrevocably transformed.

The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates' brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off across opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

 

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Review:

Red City is a fast paced, alchemy laced adventure that showcases Marie Lu’s signature world building and character depth. I was especially drawn to the intricacies of the alchemy system and how well the characters’ backstories were woven into the plot. The momentum of the story kept me engaged from start to finish. However, the romantic subplot didn’t quite land for me. It felt underdeveloped and lacked the emotional spark I was hoping for. Still, this is a solid read with plenty to love for fans of dystopian fantasy.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

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ARC Review: The Dragon Wakes with Thunder by K.X. Song

 


Title: The Dragon Wakes with Thunder

By: K.X. Song

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 445

Release Date: August 19th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A young woman who wields the unimaginable power of a dragon spirit must decide where her loyalties lie—and where her heart belongs—in this enthralling fantasy that reimagines the legend of Mulan.

The explosive sequel to The Night Ends with Fire!

The war may be over, but Hai Meilin is still paying a heavy toll. In spite of securing victory for the kingdom of Anlai, she is imprisoned upon her return. Her crime? Wielding a sword as a woman.

In the palace, Meilin is an outcast and a social pariah. But beyond the imperial walls, the legend of the woman warrior has taken on a life of its own. To the east, a new rebel leader needs Meilin to helm his people’s revolution. In the south, a former enemy prince, now a prisoner of war, seeks Meilin’s aid in restoring balance to the Three Kingdoms. And back home in Anlai, Liu Sky, Meilin’s commander and first love, requires Meilin by his side in his bid for the throne.

Pulled in all directions by those who seek to use her for their own ends, Meilin vows that this time, she will not be so quick to trust. Yet there is one she cannot help but listen to—for he dwells within her.

Beyond any human machinations, the sea dragon Qinglong has his own plans for the spirit realm. During the last war, Meilin wielded his power to cheat death and attain victory for Anlai; now the dragon has come to collect his dues. Meilin’s mother warned her long The spirits demand blood. And Qinglong is ravenous.

 

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Review:

The Dragon Wakes with Thunder by K.X. Song was well worth the wait. Mailin’s journey in this installment is intense and emotional. She’s both power and pain wrapped in one compelling character. Everyone around her seems to want a piece of that power, and the constant manipulation takes a toll. At times, her descent into chaos feels raw and unhinged, but it only makes her final path all the more satisfying. A gripping continuation full of heart, struggle, and strength.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

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ARC Review: Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher

 


Title: Hemlock & Silver

By: T. Kingfisher

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 368

Release Date: August 19th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes Hemlock & Silver, a dark reimagining of “Snow White” steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind.

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.

Not to die, but to save— seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.

Or it might be the thing that kills them all.

 

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Review:

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher is a beautifully dark and captivating retelling of Snow White. The opening felt familiar, like a half remembered fairy tale, which only added to the haunting atmosphere. I loved the direction the author took with this story, twisting the classic elements into something fresh, eerie, and utterly engaging. Kingfisher’s storytelling is rich and immersive, and the darker tone gave this retelling real depth. A must read for fans of gothic fantasy and fairy tale reimaginings.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

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ARC Review: Zomromcom by Olivia Dade

 


Title: Zomromcom

By: Olivia Dade

Genre: Dystopian/Paranormal

Pages: 411

Release Date: August 5tth, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Teaming up with your neighbor during a zombie outbreak is a no-brainer, but if it turns out he’s a vampire . . . the stakes couldn’t be higher, in this infectious new paranormal romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Spoiler Alert.

When Edie Brandstrup attempts to save her sweet, seemingly harmless human neighbor from the first major zombie breach in two decades, she’s stunned to be saved by him—and his ridiculously large sword—instead. As it turns out, he's actually a super-old, super-surly vampire. But for all her neighbor's newly revealed cynicism and lethality, Gaston "Max" Boucher (yes, Gaston) is unexpectedly protective. He wants her to stay in his safety bunker until the breach is resolved. Edie can’t risk more innocent people getting killed, though—and Max won’t let her save them alone.

As they unravel a sinister conspiracy to set zombies loose on the world (again), the duo meet a host of lovable allies and discover they're not the only ones willing to fight for the future of humanity. Despite the awful timing, Edie finds herself falling for the vampire who’s helping her save the world . . . but all their dangerous plans could end their future before it even begins. As she and Max battle side by side, Edie must decide whether having a love worth living for also means having a love you'd die for—and, in a world that grows deadlier by the minute, whether that’s a risk she’s willing to take.

 

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Review:

ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade is exactly what it promises to be, delightfully unhinged, laugh out loud ridiculous, and surprisingly sweet. This is not a book to take seriously, and honestly, that’s where all the fun lies. The plot is absurd (in the best way), the romance is both steamy and silly, and the zombie antics had me grinning the whole way through. If you're looking for a book that leans all the way into its chaos and makes no apologies for the ride, this one’s for you. I had a blast.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 
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ARC Review: Sky on Fire by E.K. Johnston

 


Title: Sky on Fire

By: E.K. Johnston

Genre: Sci-fi

Pages: 272

Release Date: July 22nd, 2025 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A fast-paced and thought-provoking queer sci-fi/fantasy novel from #1 New York Times bestseller E. K. Johnston.

Morgan Enni has things to do. A science prodigy in a university full of mage-scientists, she’s notable for having no magical ability, which only increases her ambition and drive to prove herself. Her research has the potential to devastate every aetherworker in the galaxy and shake the crumbled foundations of the Stavenger Empire. It's no wonder she can't find anyone who wants to listen to her, much less fund her expedition.

But Morgan is stubborn, and eventually her work catches the attention of a group of rebels, who hope it might turn the tide in their favour. When they try to recruit the young scientist, they get much more than they bargained for. Morgan Enni has secrets of her own.

Set in the world of Aetherbound, E. K. Johnston continues to entwine Arthurian myth and the history of North Atlantic fisheries in a clever, character-driven space fantasy.

 

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Review:

This sequel burns bright, balancing political drama, high stakes tension, and emotional growth with Johnston's signature poetic prose. While it took a few chapters to find its rhythm, once it hit its stride, I was hooked. The character arcs deepen beautifully, and the worldbuilding expands in meaningful ways, answering questions from book one while raising new, compelling stakes. It’s quieter than some sci-fi epics, but no less powerful. A thoughtful, grounded read that earns its fire.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

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Book Review: Maid for each other by Lynn Painter

 


Title: Maid for Each Other

By: Lynn Painter

Genre: Romance

Pages: 368

Release Date: July 15th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A millionaire and a house cleaner are a match maid in heaven in this sparkling new romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happily Never After.

As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.

Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?

 

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Review:

Lynn Painter serves up a sparkling, feel good adult rom‑com with Maid for Each Other. The perfect blend of sharp banter, swoony moments, and emotional warmth. This feels like a modern day Maid in Manhattan or Pretty Woman vibe, only with stronger humor and a heroine you root for from the very first page.

Abi Mariano, a hardworking grad student juggling two jobs, unexpectedly ends up sleeping in the penthouse of her millionaire client, Declan Powell, after a building infestation. When his parents arrive and assume she’s his girlfriend “Abby,” Declan scrambles and proposes a fake‑dating arrangement to keep his image intact. Complete with fully covered living expenses for Abi.

What truly shines is Painter’s dual POV and quick witted dialogue. Abi’s sass and sincerity balance perfectly against Declan’s stoic billionaire charm. Their chemistry is electric, even when their fake relationship is strictly business at first.

Despite the pacing being brisk and the premise somewhat contrived, this was a hit for summer reading. Fun, immersive, and impossible to put down. 

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

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Trope Tuesday: Historical Whodunit with Kelli Gardiner

 

Welcome to this week’s Trope Tuesday, where we dive into the classic yet ever-compelling world of the Historical Whodunit! Today’s spotlight is on Kelli Gardiner, whose work masterfully blends the intrigue of a murder mystery with the rich texture of a bygone era. If you love unraveling secrets amid candlelit ballrooms, coded letters, or smoky Victorian alleys, you’re in for a treat.

Title: Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator

By: Kelly Gardiner & Sharmini Kumar

Genre: Historical Mystery

Pages: 368

Release Date: April 2nd, 2025

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

A missing maid. A murder most foul. A highly imprudent adventure. Only her fine eyes can uncover the truth.

Two years after the events of Pride and Prejudice, Miss Caroline Bingley is staying at her brother's country estate within an easy ride of Mr and Mrs Darcy's home, Pemberley, and wondering if there's more to life than playing cribbage and paying calls on country neighbours. So when Georgiana Darcy's maid, Jayani, vanishes - and worse, Georgiana disappears in search of her - Caroline races to London to find them both, and quickly discovers a shocking, cold-blooded murder.

Soon Caroline and Georgiana are careering through the gritty, grimy underbelly of London assisted by Caroline's trusty manservant, Gordon, and demanding answers of shady characters, police magistrates and mysterious East India Company-men to discover the killer. Along the way they uncover the cost of Empire on India and its people ... and Miss Bingley's incomparable powers of investigation. As Caroline puts her superior new talents to work, she finds out exactly what an accomplished, independent woman with a sharp mind and a large fortune can achieve - even when pitted against secrets, scandal, and a murderer with no mercy.

 

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Review:

This playful reimagining of Austen's world brings Caroline Bingley into the spotlight with a surprising new role, as a detective. The premise is clever and the writing often charming, with witty nods to the original Pride and Prejudice. However, the mystery itself felt underdeveloped and the pacing uneven. While it was fun to see Caroline take center stage and grow beyond her traditional character, the story sometimes leaned too heavily on its concept without delivering a fully satisfying mystery. A light, inventive read for Austen fans, but not quite as sharp or gripping as it could have been.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 


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