Jerry Cooke
2.75⭐️ - A disappointing sequel that hooks you back in at the very end
I wanted to love this book so much - I had really enjoyed Quicksilver and found the ending of that was such a big cliffhanger. Well it seems like Hart's skill is in crafting a hook like that, then writing an unsatisfying sequel that hooks you back in at the end with ANOTHER cliffhanger. As such, I probably will (as loath as I am to say it) read the sequel if and when it comes out, but I can't say I'm massively enthralled with the idea of it.
2.75⭐️ - A disappointing sequel that hooks you back in at the very end
I wanted to love this book so much - I had really enjoyed Quicksilver and found the ending of that was such a big cliffhanger. Well it seems like Hart's skill is in crafting a hook like that, then writing an unsatisfying sequel that hooks you back in at the end with ANOTHER cliffhanger. As such, I probably will (as loath as I am to say it) read the sequel if and when it comes out, but I can't say I'm massively enthralled with the idea of it.
4.25⭐️ - A super cute cosy fantasy in a familiar world, with more peril than previous books!
Fern has been running her bookshop in Murk for many years now and the more she hears about how well her old friend Viv is doing running her bustling café in Thune, the more dissatisfied she has felt with her own life. Finding out that there's a vacant building next to Legends & Lattes, she sells her old shop and sets off for the big city! She's happy to see Viv and Tandri, but even after she sets up her new shop with the help of handyman Caz, she still feels that emptiness inside. After getting drunk and having a heart to heart with Caz, she finds her self stowing in the way in the back of a wagon. When it transpires that owner of this wagon is the one and only Astryx One-Ear, Blademistress, Oathmaiden, and skilled bounty hunter. Despite some initial misgivings, they begin to travel together and in doing so, Fern finally faces the doubt she has about her future path.
This was just as cute as Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, but has a lot more fighting and danger than the other two, making is a little less cosy, but just as sweet and fun. The world really is a wonderful one and it was super lovely to see more of Viv, Tandri, Potroast, and Caz - I hope so much that Travis Baldree writes more of these, because it's one of my favourite series of all time!
4.25⭐️ - A super cute cosy fantasy in a familiar world, with more peril than previous books!
Fern has been running her bookshop in Murk for many years now and the more she hears about how well her old friend Viv is doing running her bustling café in Thune, the more dissatisfied she has felt with her own life. Finding out that there's a vacant building next to Legends & Lattes, she sells her old shop and sets off for the big city! She's happy to see Viv and Tandri, but even after she sets up her new shop with the help of handyman Caz, she still feels that emptiness inside. After getting drunk and having a heart to heart with Caz, she finds her self stowing in the way in the back of a wagon. When it transpires that owner of this wagon is the one and only Astryx One-Ear, Blademistress, Oathmaiden, and skilled bounty hunter. Despite some initial misgivings, they begin to travel together and in doing so, Fern finally faces the doubt she has about her future path.
This was just as cute as Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust, but has a lot more fighting and danger than the other two, making is a little less cosy, but just as sweet and fun. The world really is a wonderful one and it was super lovely to see more of Viv, Tandri, Potroast, and Caz - I hope so much that Travis Baldree writes more of these, because it's one of my favourite series of all time!
2.75⭐️ - A disappointing sequel that hooks you back in at the very end
I wanted to love this book so much - I had really enjoyed Quicksilver and found the ending of that was such a big cliffhanger. Well it seems like Hart's skill is in crafting a hook like that, then writing an unsatisfying sequel that hooks you back in at the end with ANOTHER cliffhanger. As such, I probably will (as loath as I am to say it) read the sequel if and when it comes out, but I can't say I'm massively enthralled with the idea of it.
2.75⭐️ - A disappointing sequel that hooks you back in at the very end
I wanted to love this book so much - I had really enjoyed Quicksilver and found the ending of that was such a big cliffhanger. Well it seems like Hart's skill is in crafting a hook like that, then writing an unsatisfying sequel that hooks you back in at the end with ANOTHER cliffhanger. As such, I probably will (as loath as I am to say it) read the sequel if and when it comes out, but I can't say I'm massively enthralled with the idea of it.
Updated a reading goal:
Read 60 books by December 31, 2025
Progress so far: 150 / 60 250%
2.75⭐️ - A disappointing sequel that hooks you back in at the very end
I wanted to love this book so much - I had really enjoyed Quicksilver and found the ending of that was such a big cliffhanger. Well it seems like Hart's skill is in crafting a hook like that, then writing an unsatisfying sequel that hooks you back in at the end with ANOTHER cliffhanger. As such, I probably will (as loath as I am to say it) read the sequel if and when it comes out, but I can't say I'm massively enthralled with the idea of it.
2.75⭐️ - A disappointing sequel that hooks you back in at the very end
I wanted to love this book so much - I had really enjoyed Quicksilver and found the ending of that was such a big cliffhanger. Well it seems like Hart's skill is in crafting a hook like that, then writing an unsatisfying sequel that hooks you back in at the end with ANOTHER cliffhanger. As such, I probably will (as loath as I am to say it) read the sequel if and when it comes out, but I can't say I'm massively enthralled with the idea of it.
4.75⭐️ - As sweet as a slice of honey cake and as magical as the greenhouses themselves!
When Terlu is sentences to be turned into a statue for casting a spell that creates a sentient plant, it's fair to say that she feels it a rather large over-reaction. Unfortunately, the judge doesn't agree and thus she ends up spending six years on a pedestal serving as a cautionary tale to any other librarians in the Great Library of Alyssium who might get ideas about about casting their own spells.
Having drifted in and out of awareness for all that time, Terlu is somewhat surprised to find herself flesh and blood again.. also very cold. Very cold. Fortunately, she finds herself in front of a perfectly temperate greenhouse.. a VERY large and distinctly magical greenhouse. It quickly becomes clear that not only is this complex of hundreds of connected greenhouses tended by only a single surly gardener, but that the magic maintaining it is slowly failing. Left with the mysterious encoded notes of the deceased master sorcerer that built the greenhouses and motivated to stop them crumbling away entirely, she must face her fear of being punished again and in doing so, finds the place in the world she's been seeking for most of her life.
This was such a sweet and cosy story, full of found family vibes, delightful talking plants, and the most magical of buildings. A continuation of The Spellshop, it's got subtle cute references that made me tear up - I really hope that the next book in the series continues to connect these two islands together, because there's so much in this world to love!
4.75⭐️ - As sweet as a slice of honey cake and as magical as the greenhouses themselves!
When Terlu is sentences to be turned into a statue for casting a spell that creates a sentient plant, it's fair to say that she feels it a rather large over-reaction. Unfortunately, the judge doesn't agree and thus she ends up spending six years on a pedestal serving as a cautionary tale to any other librarians in the Great Library of Alyssium who might get ideas about about casting their own spells.
Having drifted in and out of awareness for all that time, Terlu is somewhat surprised to find herself flesh and blood again.. also very cold. Very cold. Fortunately, she finds herself in front of a perfectly temperate greenhouse.. a VERY large and distinctly magical greenhouse. It quickly becomes clear that not only is this complex of hundreds of connected greenhouses tended by only a single surly gardener, but that the magic maintaining it is slowly failing. Left with the mysterious encoded notes of the deceased master sorcerer that built the greenhouses and motivated to stop them crumbling away entirely, she must face her fear of being punished again and in doing so, finds the place in the world she's been seeking for most of her life.
This was such a sweet and cosy story, full of found family vibes, delightful talking plants, and the most magical of buildings. A continuation of The Spellshop, it's got subtle cute references that made me tear up - I really hope that the next book in the series continues to connect these two islands together, because there's so much in this world to love!
4.5⭐️ - An absolutely enchanting story with wonderful found family vibes, perfect for cosy season!
Kiela loves books and so is perfectly placed as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, where she tends the shelves and assists sorcerers alongside her assistant and constant companion, Caz - a sentient and ambulatory spider plant. Sadly, with the recent deposition of the Emporer by a rebellion, the library is currently being set on fire at this very moment. Thankfully, forward planning and a desire to save as many of the precious spell books as possible has lead Kiela and Caz to set up a boat ready for just such a need to escape and so they do just that. Together they flee to the one place Kiela can think of running to - the island she grew up on and where there's her parent's old abandoned house free for her to move into.
What Kiela finds on the island is a once thriving town now facing the deprivation from magic, with the emperor's years of hoarding spells and pulling back his once roving and supportive sorcerers who would maintain crops and support the islands. She quickly reasons that she may as well use some of the magic she's got access to in order to support the island, particularly the new friends she's making, but is justifiably afraid of being caught out having stolen the books. A cover is what she needs and so she sets about establishing herself as a jam seller.. with 'remedies' on the side 👀
This was utterly adorable and all I could ask for in a cosy fantasy, with wonderful magic, varied and diverse creature, and great representation. I'm eagerly diving right into the next book in the series, because I can't get enough!
4.5⭐️ - An absolutely enchanting story with wonderful found family vibes, perfect for cosy season!
Kiela loves books and so is perfectly placed as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, where she tends the shelves and assists sorcerers alongside her assistant and constant companion, Caz - a sentient and ambulatory spider plant. Sadly, with the recent deposition of the Emporer by a rebellion, the library is currently being set on fire at this very moment. Thankfully, forward planning and a desire to save as many of the precious spell books as possible has lead Kiela and Caz to set up a boat ready for just such a need to escape and so they do just that. Together they flee to the one place Kiela can think of running to - the island she grew up on and where there's her parent's old abandoned house free for her to move into.
What Kiela finds on the island is a once thriving town now facing the deprivation from magic, with the emperor's years of hoarding spells and pulling back his once roving and supportive sorcerers who would maintain crops and support the islands. She quickly reasons that she may as well use some of the magic she's got access to in order to support the island, particularly the new friends she's making, but is justifiably afraid of being caught out having stolen the books. A cover is what she needs and so she sets about establishing herself as a jam seller.. with 'remedies' on the side 👀
This was utterly adorable and all I could ask for in a cosy fantasy, with wonderful magic, varied and diverse creature, and great representation. I'm eagerly diving right into the next book in the series, because I can't get enough!