Magical School Fantasy Like You've Never Read Before

 

image copied from Goodreads

For my first September read, I thought it would be fitting to read a book about a magical school in honor of all those back in the classroom. However, this urban fantasy is unique in that it gives back-to-school a whole new perspective. That of a mundane human parent sending her daughter off to magical kindergarten. Parent and school drama take on another level of stressful when you have to help your child navigate her control over wolfing out, figure out where to buy magical supplies, like an athame, and try to fit in with parents who run the gamut of mages, immortals and cryptids. But all of this and more is part of kindergarten mom Vivian's new normal in The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis.

When a terrifying encounter causes Vivian's five-year-old, Aria, to be turned into a werewolf, not only do they have to rethink where Aria will start school for the first time, they have to move to a completely different town. Vivian and her husband Daniel both feel out of place as the only parents without magic or supernatural qualities in the Connecticut town of Veilport. In an attempt of make new friends and help her family adjust, Vivian volunteers to step in as treasurer for the Parent Teacher Association. An offer that is lukewarmly accepted. As an accountant, it is one of the few things Vivian feels confident she can do well. Little does she know that balancing the books for the PTA will involve her in a hotbed of scandal, doomsday prophesies, and danger. 

I really loved this premise for this urban fantasy. Rozakis weaves together a world that is both relatable and fantastic in nature. Despite the unique diversity living in a community with witches, mages, sirens, and other supernatural beings entails, the level of politics, bigotry, and power moves that occur in Veilport and Grimoire Grammar will likely be all too familiar to any parent of a primary school aged child. Turns out that mundane human behavior and that of the magical set are not all that different. What is different though is the mystery surrounding what happened to the previous headmaster the year before Vivian and her family arrived in town and enrolled Aria in school. Why did he suddenly retire without warning and then disappear from the community completely? Another nice twist on the magical school premise is the fact that instead of battling an evil villain who must not be named or not, Vivian and her family find themselves instead battling ever growing rumors that they are the first sign indicating an apocalyptic prophecy about the town is actually coming true. This plot point creates an original source of conflict. Not only do Vivian and her family have to find ways to fit in, but they also have to determine more about the prophecy and how they could possibly be indicators that it's about to unfold. I also loved the obvious references to the Harry Potter series, without any specific people or places from those books being named outright. One thing that did bother me a bit about the book was that Vivian spends the first half of it blaming herself for everything. Her insecurities and guilt did start to get a little repetitive after awhile. However, once she decides to start taking actionable steps to take up for herself and save her daughter, the story really takes off and the tension and suspense kept me turning pages and up far too late into the night, reading.

I will say, that while there is a lot of humor in this novel, there are also several moments when themes of mental health issues and trauma are explored. For that reason, while this novel does fall into the magical school trope, I would definitely say it is more of an urban fantasy than a comical, cozy one. Rozakis does not shy away from some heavier themes or social commentary about class, privilege, elitism and the fact that bullying doesn't always stop once a person reaches adulthood. It can very much be prevalent within parent and adult organizations as well. All in all, if you like relatable characters, fish-out-of-water stories with fantasy elements and references, as well as ones with unique mysteries to solve, then you will very much like The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association.

In keeping with my back-to-school theme for this month, the next books I will be reviewing are The Art of Overthinking a debut novel by Ellen Zheng that is a contemporary young adult romance and Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams, a young adult magical school fantasy. Covers and blurbs for both are included below, both of which were copied from Goodreads. 

Set in the backdrop of New York City and immersed in the academically elite high school culture, “The Art of Overthinking” is a celebration of the ties that bond us and a love letter to mental health.

Isla Wu is fine.

Or, at least, that’s what she tells herself. She has friends, semi-supportive—albeit judgmental—tiger parents, and good grades, so why wouldn’t she be okay? Besides, anything other than “fine” is not suitable for an American-born Chinese girl with Ivy League dreams.

But still, the numbness claws at her.

Everything goes to crap when she spills coffee on a new guy (how meet-cute, NOT). Yet, as she starts to like him, everything she thought she once knew unravels until the numbness threatens to pull her under. Because when you’re at the top, the only way to go is down, and ignoring her problems or feelings doesn’t help anyone.

Maybe Isla Wu is not fine.

*Fans of "How It Feels to Float" by Helena Fox, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han, and "Every Last Word," by Tamara Ireland Stone will enjoy THE ART OF OVERTHINKING.

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical . Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut with the emotional power of Legendborn and the redefined ancestral magic of Lovecraft Country .

Ten years ago, Malik's life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.

At Caiman University, Malik’s eyes are opened to a future he never could have envisioned for himself— one that includes the reappearance of his first love, Alexis. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. Together with Alexis, Malik discovers a lot beneath the surface at feuding covens and magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries.

In a wholly unique saga of family, history and community, Malik must embrace his legacy to save what's left of his old family as well as his new one. Exploring the roots and secrets that connect us in an unforgettable contemporary setting, this heart-pounding fantasy series opener is a rich tapestry of atmosphere, intrigue, and emotion.

Ever Seas Blog Tour Spotlight

 Hi All! Since there is an extra Sunday in August, I thought I'd share a brief spotlight for a great duology that is being traditionally published with Ace Books. It is the Ever Seas series by LJ Andrews. Below is a brief summary of the series along with book covers and blurbs shared with me by the publisher and a brief bio of the author herself. The first book was released earlier this August. The sequel comes out September 16, 2025. Enjoy!!

From USA Today bestselling author LJ Andrews comes a sweeping romantasy debut with claws, crowns, and the kind of brooding antihero you’ll gladly drown for.  The Ever King launches the Ever Seas series with a storm of vengeance, Norse mythology, and undeniable slow-burn chemistry. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and anyone who dreams of Viking-inspired kingdoms and dangerous romance, this viral sensation is finally making waves in hardcover—complete with exclusive bonus content. If you love your fantasy full of saltwater, spice, and scarred kings with shattered hearts, then this one will absolutely wreck you—in the best way.

Image provided by Ace Books

They stole his crown. So he stole their daughter....

For years, Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

And if you love The Ever King, you’re in for a treat! Because from USA Today bestseller LJ Andrews comes the searing second volume in the Ever Seas romantasy saga—where vengeance simmers, love burns brighter, and the sea holds more than just secrets. The Ever Queen is a lush and blood-soaked continuation of a TikTok-favorite fantasy romance series that blends Norse mythology with irresistible spice.

Image provided by Ace Books

With his queen missing, the king’s wrath knows no boundaries.

Captive. Challenger. Queen.

Enemies took her from the man who holds her heart. They might see her as weak, as a pawn in wicked games, but they’re no match for the first Ever Queen.

Let them think they’ve won. Her heart belongs to a beautiful monster, and she will never stop fighting until she’s back in his arms.

Captor. Villain. King.

They’ll die for touching her.

His heart belongs to a stunning little bird. He will never stop searching for her light across the skies. Not until the blood of his enemies spills at her feet, and his queen wears their bones around her neck.

e

 

LJ Andrews is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy romance. She could 

live in dark worlds with brutal romantic heroes all day. When she isn’t writing, 

she's keeping her four kids alive, spending time with her hot husband, 

or enjoying the mountains of Utah. 

Next weekend, I will begin my September reviews with a fun back-to-

school theme, starting with Caitlin Rozakis's unique urban fantasy

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association.

image copied from Goodreads

Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys, and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire. 

As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors to demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society—shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group. 

And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…

Laugh-out-loud End of Summer Read

 

Image copied from Goodreads

I picked this one because it incorporated one of my favorite romance tropes, the blocked writer who finds love and is inspired to write her next great novel. In this case, the author is a popular romance writer who has been recently dumped. Yep, her fiancé left her for their wedding planner after knocking said wedding planner up. Ouch! The story opens with Gracie Landing paging through her old high school yearbook in a drunken stupor. Her friends sent her home from their night out to cheer her up after Gracie sees pictures of her ex's new baby. Gracie is a hot mess and shouldn't have been left to her own devices because she ends up sending an email to her old high school crush right before passing out.

From there the comedy begins in this cute romance. Her former crush, Colin Yarmouth is now a successful lawyer who has suffered his own breakup, recently. Even sadder, he'd only been married for six months, so barely enough time to even be out of the newlywed phase. I won't spoil what his ex did to him, but it's a doozy. Needless to say, he finds Gracie's accusatory drunk email, to his work email no less, intriguing. And yes, he does realize after reading it a second time that it was probably sent to him while Gracie was wasted. Colin surprises Gracie by replying, setting off a series of funny emails that move on from there to texts, then phone calls and eventually a meet up in person. The story is also told in dual points of view between Gracie and Colin. 

I found Gracie to be a real, delightfully imperfect character right from the first. I did get a little tired of all of her stomach issues she seems to develop. I did find those to be overdone. But overlooking some of that, the rest of her personality was wry, honest, and hilariously spot on in terms of her observations of the world. Some reviews I read complained that she seemed immature. I suppose you could say that. But I don't necessarily see not having your life together or all figured out after a devastating breakup like hers a sign of immaturity. Instead, I thought is was refreshing to read about a character who is unapologetically grieving and a hot mess. Colin in contrast is much more together on the surface. But inside he is just as hurt and depressed as Gracie. Its their shared relationship woes that help draw them together. I also liked the fact that Colin remembers Gracie as someone he thought was pretty in high school but never connected with because he had no real idea how to talk to girls. Being one of the youngest varsity players on the high school soccer team though meant that he never had to really learn, as girls were more than happy to flirt with him first. I liked this glimpse into Colin as it made his interest in Gracie after her initial email more plausible as to why he'd be so willing to respond and reconnect with her all these years later. 

The two decide that to help Gracie overcome her writer's block, she should use the details of Colin's breakup with his ex-wife in her next romance. This not only gives Gracie plenty of fodder for her plot, but also makes Colin feel he's helping someone again, which helps boost his confidence. Their plan ends up having some very unexpected consequences that aren't good for either of them. Again, I won't spoil it for you. But in trying to iron out the fallout, things go from really bad to awful. However, I did enjoy the eventual character growth for each. The relationship between Gracie and Colin ends up helping each of them face down their fears, and in Colin's case his overbearing parent. The two are able to come out the other side of their latest troubles stronger and more resilient and of course, because it's a romance, find their happily-ever-after. 

I have not read any books by K.J. Micciche before. But after enjoying The Book Proposal, I plan on reading more by this author! If you'd like to grab a copy of this laugh-out-loud romance for yourself, click on the link. It will take you to the page for a small local indie bookstore in my hometown, Next Chapter Bookstore, to order from. The Book Proposal is also available wherever books are sold.

Next month, I'm looking forward to reading a fun urban fantasy, with a unique back-to-school premise called The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Associaton by Caitlin Rozakis. Check out the book cover and the blurb for it below, both copied from Goodreads.

Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire.

As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors and demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society – shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group.

And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…

Second Chance Love Perfect for the Beach

 

Image copied from Goodreads

I found Heart Marks the Spot to be a charming and entertaining romantic adventure. The premise revolves around Stella, a focused and driven treasure hunter and Huck, a talented but seriously blocked, bestselling author. The two are given a second chance at love when Huck breaks Stella's heart after tagging along on one of her expeditions the first time around.

I was surprised that the first half of the novel is set in the past when the two characters first meet. But I actually enjoyed this, since it allows for plenty of character development for this vibrant cast of characters. Not only do we get to know the two main characters, but we get to know Stella's crew who are also her family. Once we get to the present in the second half of the book, we know these people well and have a good handle on what's at stake for them. In addition to that, we also get some great glimpses into the landscapes where the treasure-hunting quests take place. The beginning of the story is set in Iceland. The author does a good job of vividly painting this fascinating and rugged place, giving us a taste of its unique beauty and topography. She also weaves in elements about Viking treasure that are fun and seem like they could be plausible. In the second half of the story, we are introduced to the beauty and perils of deep-sea diving off the coast of Key West. But Hubscher sprinkles in some local flavor for that area as well with mentions of both real and probably some imagined places there. One reference to Judy Blume in the story had me chuckling.

The love story between Stella and Huck was just the right balance between steamy and emotional. Both have wounds from their past that make them simultaneously guarded and rawly vulnerable when it comes to trusting someone else with their hearts. There is even a bit of intrigue about why Huck walked away from Stella the first time. I will agree with some other readers that I'd love to get Teddy's love story someday. As Stella's best friend, he was one of my favorite characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic adventure and am thankful to both NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read an eARC of it right before it came out in exchange for an honest review. To get your own copy, simply click on the book title in this post which will take you to bookshop.org. Heart Marks the Spot  is also available with retailers wherever books are sold.

My next beach read for review will be The Book Proposal by K.J. Micciche. It is a fun rom-com. Check out the cover and blurb below both copied from Goodreads.

DESPERATELY SEEKING FICTIONAL HERO FOR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Broke up with, broke, and with a vicious case of writer's block, romance writer Gracie Landing is a hot mess. She can hardly be blamed for drinking one (or a few) too many cocktails when out with her besties in an attempt to cheer herself up. Sometime in the foggy wee hours, she recklessly emails her unrequited high-school crush, Colin Yarmouth, who is now a successful attorney harboring regrets of his own. When she receives an intriguingly friendly (not to say flirty) response, her acute embarrassment is overcome only by her fervent curiosity―what would a hottie like Colin be like as a grown up? The two forge an unlikely friendship that's unmistakably headed for more. Colin's tales of his own woeful break-up become fodder for Gracie's fertile imagination and her current work-in-progress takes off. With the deadline looming and her checking account dwindling, Gracie has no idea that borrowing Colin's story could wreak havoc on her life, her career, and her own chance at happily-ever-after...

Great Middle Grade Fiction that Represents

In honor of disability pride month, I am continuing to review novels that represent characters who help raise awareness, challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion. Both novels I was able to read over the last couple of weeks do this very well and are written for a middle grade (ages 8-12) audience.

Image copied from Goodreads

Crystal Allen is an author I have long admired for her deft character development in her novels and for the humor she masterfully weaves into each story. While Between Two Brothers incorporates much of Allen's trademark humor and wonderful characterization, it is a slight departure from her other books. All of Allen's novels often contain elements and issues that can be serious in nature for the audience of young people she writes for, but involve plots that are more lighthearted in tone. But Between Two Brothers deals with some topics and problems that make much of the story more serious in tone. Main character Isaiah "Ice" Abernathy has always looked up to his older brother Seth. But as the two head into the school year, Ice begins to feel like his brother, who is a senior in high school, is starting to pull away. The results of his fear and sadness that Seth is poised to move on to the next stage in his life, college, without him cause the two to have a falling out. But a tragic accident soon after leaves Seth permanently changed from the older brother Ice always relied on. 

I loved the depiction of both Ice and Seth and how close they are at the start of the story. Seth encourages Ice to break out of his shell, knowing that Ice will need to be able to speak up for himself once Seth has graduated and gone off to college. Learning to not let "shy guy" psych him out is hard for Ice. But the effort he makes to tune "shy guy" out pay off for both brothers. Determined to help out while Seth recovers from his accident, Isaiah takes on more responsibility at home. When the doctors try to convince Ice and his parents that Seth may never recover or be able to recognize them or even speak again, Isaiah decides to work with his brother in order to help him continue to get the therapy he needs to prove the doctors wrong. I loved the fact that in spite of the tragedy that befalls this family, they continue to work together and to support each other, even when they disagree. I also appreciated the realistic way that Allen gives Ice agency as a main character to believably help his brother recuperate while still keeping the storyline realistic for a middle school aged person. There were times throughout this novel where I laughed and others times that brought me to tears. Sometimes though, they were happy tears. Ice and Seth's story ends on an uplifting, hopeful note, but not one where everything goes back to the way it was before. The author acknowledges the fact that life changing events often mean that people have to face a new normal in their life and their abilities but she also shows young readers that this does not mean they are any less important or strong. In fact, both characters prove to be stronger and more resilient in the wake of Seth's accident and I think that is a beautiful message to convey. An author's note at the end of this book also lets readers know that this story was loosely based on a real event that happened to Allen's own son. So, in many ways Between Two Brothers is a firsthand account of how to face a traumatic event and come out on the other side of it with your love as a family and faith still intact. 

Image copied from Goodreads

Similar to the other novel, El Deafo  tells the story of a character who develops an impairment, this time through an illness. Main character Cece, in this graphic novel, is largely based on author Cece Bell's childhood experiences. I call this a work of fiction though as the author does note that some events portrayed in the novel are composites of real events, character names have been changed, and the illustrations depict bunny-like individuals instead of human beings. However, Bell does a wonderful job through both her artwork and her prose of conveying the feelings and challenges she faced as a hearing girl who becomes deaf and still has to live largely in a hearing world. The feelings of insecurity, isolation, loneliness and fear of being different come through from the moment Cece is fitted for her first hearing aid. The novel starts when Cece loses her hearing at age four and continues to follow her journey throughout elementary school up through fifth grade. 

Bell manages to capture the feelings she set out to in a realistic and engaging way. We experience her joys and sorrows with her through friendships made and lost, in facing bullies, dealing with being misunderstood and navigating her first crush. I would say that this graphic novel is geared for a younger middle grade audience since it starts out right before Cece is school age and the characters are depicted as bunnies rather than people. However, the artwork throughout was terrific and colorful and for me reminiscent of traditional comic series with its superhero vibes. I thought all-in-all this graphic novel was a delight to read and a great one for younger readers to help them to feel seen or to help them understand the world from the perspective of someone who is hearing impaired. The fact that Cece learns to embrace her differences and see them as a super power is a message that I think any young reader could relate to.

One other novel that I would have liked to review, but ran out of time to read all the way through in time was Popcorn by Rob Harrell. Again, this one is semi-autobiographical in nature and deals with disabilities that are unseen rather than physically seen ones. Like El Deafo it has illustrations as well, though it is not a graphic novel, but more of an illustrated middle grade novel similar to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The portion I read of it was both humorous and moving as Harrell takes us through the course of picture day at school and how challenging a school day can be for a student dealing with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). If you would like to read up more on this novel, click on the title to be taken to a link for it on bookshop.org. 

Next month, I am switching gears to adult reading fair with a beach reads theme for the end of summer. The first book I'll review, Heart Marks the Spot, is a new rom-com adventure by Libby Hubscher, involving treasure hunters, second chance love, and found family. Check out the cover and book blurb below, both copied from Goodreads. 

A treasure hunter and the bestselling adventure novelist who broke her heart after one successful expedition reunite for a summer to search for lost riches.

Treasure hunter Stella Moore dreams of having it all—wealth, love, and a flourishing career—but knows she’ll never be that lucky. Every summer she and her childhood friends travel to search for hidden treasure, but she can barely manage her bills, let alone a relationship. Then, a chance encounter with alluring novelist Huck Sullivan during an expedition in Iceland has Stella thinking maybe her fortune has changed.

After his last book bombed, Huck hasn’t written a word. Joining Stella and her crew on an adventure seems like the perfect distraction from his problems, and when the crew finally uncovers hidden treasure, he is certain that he’s found more than just inspiration for his next novel. Huck and Stella’s undeniable connection gives way to an unforgettable night on a black sand beach.

After Huck disappears without a goodbye, Stella vows to put the heartbreak behind her—but that’s easier said than done when, a year later, every bookstore has a life-size cutout of her ex-lover next to stacks of his latest record-breaking bestseller. Good thing it’s time for another summer treasure hunt. Stella throws herself into mapping the path to a shipwreck off Key West, but the last thing she expects is an extra crew member showing up in search of material for a sequel and a second chance. 

Stella and Huck are prepared for storms, sharks, sea sickness, even a tentative truce. But facing the feelings they buried and confronting the devastating truth about why Huck left is the only way to find what their hearts have been searching for all along.

 

Hilarious Regency Rom-Com

 

Image copied from Goodreads

This is not a new series for Beverley Watts. In fact, there is at least one other spin-off series to this one that is out now. But it was new to me when my sister recommended it. Both of us have been Julia Quinn fans for years. So, when she told me that this series featured a large family of almost all girls and their reverend father who is desperate to marry them off to affluent husbands, I was intrigued. Knowing that in May I was going to be traveling a lot, I looked up audiobooks for the series through my library's digital app. I was happy to find they have all nine of the books in this first series about the Shackleford family.

I was not disappointed in the least with Grace or the other two books in the series that I've listened to so far. Grace is the oldest Shackleford daughter. Soon after the newly titled duke of the estate, Nicholas Sinclair, returns, Grace finds herself inexplicably being married off to him. Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly to plan in rom-coms like this one. The two characters in the story do not have a good first encounter. But they are nevertheless reluctantly attracted to one another. Both Grace and the Nicholas carry their own scars and misbeliefs that make them certain they will not find love or true contentment in marriage to anyone, least of all each other. However, when the duke starts off their marriage ignoring Grace, she takes matters into her own hands to convince him that he would be better off letting her live an independent life and be married in name only. Hijinks of all kinds ensue. The one thing that I did find funny and surprising was the character of the father. Reverend Shackleford is every bit as impulsive, imaginative and headstrong as any of his girls. The plans he concocts are wild and wildly amusing. You expect that sort of thing from the heroines and even sometimes the heroes in these stories. But you rarely have the parents play an active role in this way in the stories.

The backstory for the Nicholas Sinclair was also interesting. He is not only the heir to the estate, but he is also a war hero in the Battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon. A severe injury ends his naval career, leaves him partially crippled and causes him to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Nicholas also has a depressing family history, which is not that uncommon in a regency romance. But part of his trauma involves his nearest and dearest from his recent and distant past. It makes a nice counterpoint to Grace, who comes from a boisterous but close-knit family. Other side characters add to the humor and heart of the story, including the reverend's assistant Percy and the reverend's wife, Agatha. The book is told from multiple points of view, from Grace, to Nicholas, to the reverend and occasionally we get Percy's perspective as well. But unbelievably this was not a detraction for me in the least. It actually helped build some light suspense at times in the plot. I started this book as an audiobook, but I ended up finishing it as an ebook. I will say that at first, I enjoyed reading the ebook version better than listening to the audiobook. The story is read by two accomplished voice actors. But when the male voice actor had to switch to telling the story from Grace's perspective he sounded like an old woman more than the young early twenty something character he was portraying. When the audio went back to the female voice actor things were fine. But listening to the man do some of Grace's dialogue was a bit jarring at times, especially listening to the story for the first time. 

So, if that sort of thing puts you off listening to a book, you might want to stick with a print or ebook version to read. If you are fans of Julia Quinn, Karen Hawkins or other regency romance authors who incorporate lots of humor and heart into their stories, I highly recommend this series. 

Stay tuned for my next review this month. In honor of disability awareness month I will be reviewing another book that features a disabled character as this one did. But the ones that I'm considering for review will be for a younger reading audience. The three that I'm considering, and depending on how long some of them are, I might do two of the three, are in no particular order:

Between Two Brothers  a middle grade novel by Crystal Allen

Popcorn a middle grade novel by Rob Harrell

El Deafo a graphic novel by CeCe Bell

I am also open to any suggestions for good reads that feature disabled characters that any of you might want to suggest as well. The titles for all three of these books also serve as links that will take you to their bookshop.org page to find out more. As always, thank you for reading!

YA Silkpunk Sequel That Takes Us to the High Seas

 

Image copied from Goodreads

My end of June review is of a NetGalley read that wraps of this silkpunk YA fantasy duology by Amber Chen. One that weaves in steampunk elements with mythology and some early Asian Pacific history to create a truly engrossing and often heartbreaking series full of romance and longing, found family, intrigue, politics, and adventure.

I enjoyed this sequel to Of Jade and Dragons. In The Blood Phoenix, we switch from being in the skies with airships to exploring the depths of the ocean with mysterious submersibles. Unlike Of Jade and Dragons, this book is told from dual points of view as well. We not only get Ying's perspective, but we also have part of the narrative told from her sister Nian's perspective. The story opens two years after the events of the first novel, with Ying engaged to a young man on another island. But an attack on Ying's new island home send her back to Fei and back to Ye-Yang to help the High Commander figure out a way to defeat the pirates that have been causing problems for the nine isles and interfering with trade routes between them and the Jade Empire. At the same time, we learn through Nian how things have been going within Qianlei Palace with the new High Command and the remaining beiles, including Ye-Kan, the youngest beile and former guild mate of Ying's. It seems that Ye-Yang, has been training Nian in how to deal with court politics but in every other respect treats her more like a friend or a younger sister than a fiancée.

The aspects of this novel that I loved most were the steampunk elements that are further developed. Instead of focusing on airships we are at sea in this adventure. Fleets of pirate ships, along with mysterious underwater steam-powered submersibles, or what we would call submarines, are wreaking havoc on the Order of the Cobra's ships and airships, and on civilians who make their living at sea in some way from both the nine isles and the Empire. Without giving too much away, the descriptions of how these submersibles operate and how they look are amazing. The interactions with the pirates later in the story when Ying and friends set out to test their engineering inventions was also fun and engrossing. We get to see just how much broader the scope of engineering is in the wider world beyond the confines of Fei and the Engineering Guild. The new gadgets and inventions that Ying and her guild friends are exposed to are truly incredible. Chen's imaginative worldbuilding in this respect is first rate all the way. I also enjoyed the story that develops between Nian, Ye-Kan, and with the court politics the two have to navigate. I loved the character development of Nian. She is very different from Ying in many ways, but she is no less intelligent and brave. Getting to see new facets of an older and more mature Ye-Kan through Nian's eyes was also very entertaining. All of these aspects added dimension and drama to this world and to this sequel.

This novel was very different in terms of the overall story arc from the first one. Of Jade and Dragons is very much a coming-of-age story. But The Blood Phoenix explores a different theme, one of war, politics, and the complexities that come with both. It also delves into the consequences of realized ambitions whether they be for power, revenge or both. It does not shy away from the darker aspects of the guilt and uncertainties that Ying and Ye-Yang have been left with after making the choices they do in the first novel. All of the characters in The Blood Phoenix, even some of the secondary ones, are faced with challenges that are much less black and white than what they seemed in the first book. It is much harder for them to distinguish between who is good and who is evil. Though some characters remain team bad, the other characters that we assume are adversaries at the start of the story are much more complicated and more morally gray that we are at first, led to believe. This makes the twists and turns of the novel much harder to anticipate in terms of outcomes making the tension and stakes much higher. That being said, I did think that the pacing was a bit slower than the first book. However, with all of the threads of intrigue woven into this plot, I did not mind the slightly slower pace. However, unlike the first novel in this series, I gave this sequel 4 stars rather than five. My reason for doing so was the ending. I am not a fan of open-ended conclusions. Most of the the loose threads are very deftly wrapped up at the end of the story. However, while we are given slivers of hope for some characters in the resolution, their circumstances at the conclusion are still left very uncertain. I only hope that if the author writes any other stories set in this world we are given some hints about what transpired for some of these characters we are left to wonder about.

If you don't mind some story ending ambiguity and you enjoy stories with lots of fun and imaginative steampunk elements, I highly recommend this duology. I am definitely interested in reading more books by Amber Chen after finishing this series. Even though she was clear that for these characters this is the end, this world has lots of potential for series spinoffs or even another series duology with different characters set at some future date in this world.

For my first review in July I will be switching gears from YA and fantasy to adult regency romance. I will be reviewing the first in a regency rom-com series I've discovered by Beverley Watts. It came highly recommended to me by one of my sisters and I have thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the Shackleford Sisters series. Both the cover and the blurb below for the first book were copied from Goodreads. 

In this funny romantic series, the Shackleford sisters descend on a Regency society that don’t know what’s hit them…

....Reverend Augustus Shackleford’s mission in life (aside from ensuring the collection box was suitably full every Sunday) was to secure advantageous marriages for each of his eight daughters. A tall order, given the fact that in the Reverend’s opinion they didn’t possess a single ladylike bone in the eight bodies they had between them. Quite where he would find a wealthy titled gentleman bottle headed enough to take any of them on remained a mystery and indeed was likely to test even his legendary resourcefulness.

....Grievously wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar, Nicholas Sinclair was only recently returned to Blackmore after receiving news of his estranged father’s unexpected death. After an absence of twenty years, the new Duke was well aware it was his duty to marry and produce an heir as quickly as possible. However, tormented by recurring nightmares after his horrific experiences during the battle, Nicholas had no taste to brave the ton’s marriage mart in search of a docile obedient wife.

…..Never in his wildest dreams did Reverend Shackleford envisage receiving an offer for his eldest daughter from the newly appointed Duke of Blackmore. Of course, the Reverend was well aware he was fudging it a bit in describing Grace as respectful, meek or dutiful, nevertheless, he could never have imagined that his eldest daughter’s unruliness might end up ruining them all….