Alex

When I started this one I assumed (wrongly) that it would specifically revolve around religious cults. While they are mentioned, Amanda dove into the various cults such as Crossfit, Lularoe, cult followings for social media influencers, musicians and even our facist sitting president. While I found this book so intriguing and a great way to dip your toe into the vast amount of cults out there. I did not enjoy the prose that Amanda chose to use throughout this book and the audiobook felt a little robotic for my liking.

Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee Series: The Green Bone Saga, Book 3 Genre: Urban Fantasy Release date: November 30, 2021

Synopsis: Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle over the control of jade grows ever larger and more deadly, the Kaul family and the ancient ways of the Kekonese Green Bones, will never be the same. The clan must discern allies from enemies, set aside bloody rivalries, and make terrible sacrifices… but even the unbreakable bonds of blood and loyalty may not be enough to ensure the survival of the Green Bone clans and the nation they are sworn to protect.

Thoughts: The same narrator is used for each of the books, and I loved the consistency; he does a fantastic job at differentiating all of the different characters that we meet throughout our time in Kekon. I sometimes read the book solely on audio, switched up to just physical, but ended with an immersive read. No matter the format, this series slaps.

What a way to end a thrilling and complex series! I will be recommending this book to everyone, because it truly is for every reader. Especially if you want to dip your toes into fantasy but are not ready for intense world-building, The Green Bone Saga is for you. The martial arts, the elemental magic system, the political machinations, the family drama, the wide swath of characters—but never an overwhelming amount—and the romantic and platonic love throughout the series. In short: everyone needs to read these books. No matter what you are looking for, I promise you it is in this series.

I can't get into too much with this review since it is the third and final book in the series. But I will say it's an actual crime that this series has not been made into a visual format. This series would work best as a TV series; I really hope that one day this can be adapted. Fonda's depiction of her action scenes is so vivid that I am compelled to pause and visualize them mentally, as they are consistently impeccably choreographed. In all of Fonda's books I've read so far, she excels in many aspects of her writing, but I always enjoy the action sequences. I need to talk about Hilo for a second; I have so many complex feelings for him. I hate him, but also love him? It's hard to say, but I will say he has some of the best lines of any character I've ever read.

A massive thank you to Sourcebooks and Kamilah Cole for my e-arc of my most anticipated read! I first need to shout out how sweet Kamilah is. I met his at Worldcon in Seattle and told her how excited I am to read her book and she told me to send her a message and she’d get me an arc. What a life saver!

TLDR: I absolutely loved it!

An Arcane Inheritance is a part dark academia, minor plot of romance and fantasy. I had such a good time being in the world of Warren University in Ellory Morgan’s head. Ellory is a freshman at the prestigious and elite university. As a Black woman she is in the minority of this school and it doesn’t help that she’s not as financially stable as most of the students. Ellory is such a multifaceted character that I really felt every emotion she did. Betrayal, love, frustration, everything. The mystery was so good! I was enthralled from the first page. There is something about it Kamilah’s writing that really sticks with me and keeps me locked in the whole time.

The twist had my jaw on the floor! I can’t say too much but just know it was so good it had me wishing there were more books coming with this story. I definitely felt hints of Babel with less info dumping. I loved how Kamilah examined the themes of classism, elitism and racism within the scope of academia. I know it’s talked about fairly often now, but truly it felt like a new voice in this genre and I had such a great time with it. I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook.

B.K. Borison is quickly becoming my favorite romance author. I felt such a connection to Lucie. Most female leads tend to be petite girlies, a damsel in distress, if you will. I felt the complete opposite feeling about Lucie, she is a single mother in male male-dominated field, and she's 5'10.5. I never see women of my height and build being loved properly; it was such a delight to read about a woman like her. Seeing her being loved out loud and shown so much femininity without it having to be because she is dainty or smol. I loved that B.K. made a point to show her mental fortitude and physical strength, but not make her masculine. I feel like sometimes that can be lost. The romance between Lucie and Aiden felt so organic, and I was rooting for them. I really loved this story.

I know it's not the forefront of the book, but the relationship between Lucie and her ex was such a delight. I loved how they went to bat for one another. Being young and getting pregnant before you know who you are or what you want, for some, might be the defining factor in why someone might stay stuck. I love that they both did what was best for them and still have such a close bond.

I highly reccomend this one, it was the perfect combination of banter, growth, and spice. I can't wait to read the next in the sequel early next year.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒙 𝑬. 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 Releases: October 28, 2025 Genre: Fantasy Romance Fairytale Historical Fiction Thank you Macmillan audio for the ALC. Summary: The Everlasting follows Owen Mallory, a historian who falls in love with the legend of The Knight Sir Una Everlasting and is sent back in time to ensure the story is told correctly. He and Una become “tangled together in time, bound to retell the same story over and over again,” as they try to rewrite her legendary ending.  “ 𝙸 𝚊𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝙸 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚎𝚛: 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙸 𝚊𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝, 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚕 𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝙸 𝚊𝚖.” ▶︎ •၊၊   ၊ ။   ။       ။       ။‌‌‌‌‌ Narration: Moira Quirk and Sid Sagar are two of my favorite narrators so when I saw they were narrating this one I knew it was going to be a favorite. They do a fantastic job of transporting the reader to a time and place all its own. I highly reccomend the audio, it added so much to an already breathtaking story.  “𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚏𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝: 𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔.” Thoughts: The more I continued to read this novel, the more it really reminding me of the relationship between River Song and The Doctor from Doctor Who. Truly my favorite and heart achingly beautiful love story in any piece of media. Every review of The Everlasting has given it high praise and accurately so. It's a genre bending novel that you just can't help but sink your teeth into as you're transported to another time along with Owen Mallory as he bears witness to the Knight he's devoted his life to studying. Through their many lives together you the passion and yearning that is down right palpable. I read this novel in little over 24 hours but I didn't want it to end! I can definitely see myself going back and rereading this probably yearly to remind myself THIS is the way to write a romance. Still in awe of this. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

 Olivie Blake explores feminism, intersectionality, and the experience of womanhood as we follow two women navigating crucial moments in their lives. Sloane and Nina, though at different stages, are both seeking ways to claim power for themselves, only to find themselves ensnared in the web of The House. Nina, a sophomore college student of South Asian descent, is driven by her ambition to rush a sorority, fully aware that her future professional connections hinge on this crucial step. Her story resonates with the universal quest for belonging and acceptance.
On the other hand, Sloane embodies the struggles of a new mother and sociology professor trying to juggle the demands of parenthood, marriage, and a career. Blake adeptly captures the guilt that many working mothers experience; something I can deeply relate to. Sloane's character struck a chord with me; I understand the pressure of choosing work over staying home with my children. I was a stay-at-home mom until my youngest was about a year and a half, and I truly admire all the parents out there managing this balancing act. All of you stay at home parents are superheroes, it is not for the weak. 
Reflecting on the book as a whole leaves me with mixed feelings. I absolutely enjoyed the first two-thirds; the satire was spot on and engaging. However, I must caution readers that the ‘horror' elements weren't as pronounced as I had anticipated. I hoped the narrative would decisively lean into either satire or horror, but it didn't quite hit the mark on either front. Still, I appreciated the beautiful prose and the rich, relatable characters. 

 ✨ 5/5 ✨

Local Heavens by K.M. Fajardo is a bold and electrifying sci-fi reimagining of The Great Gatsby, set in the fractured New Americas of 2075. In this world of cyberpunk capitalism and shimmering decadence, the story unfolds against a backdrop of sharp class divides, tangled desires, and the haunting cost of chasing the American dream. Or perhaps, the American nightmare.

This stunning novel asks one unforgettable question: What are you willing to sacrifice for love, money, and fame?
As a lifelong Great Gatsby fan, I've read several retellings (and I'm eagerly awaiting The Disillusionment of Nick and Jay), but Local Heavens stands apart. The sci-fi elements heighten the themes of privilege, longing, and illusion that made the original so timeless. Fajardo seamlessly blends the decadence of Fitzgerald's prose with a futuristic grit that feels both familiar and wholly new.
What truly captivated me was the infusion of Filipino heritage and the bi4bi love square of my dreams. Every relationship was messy, magnetic, and deeply human. I'm not usually a romance reader, but I was fully invested in every connection and heartbreak. The writing is lush and atmospheric, perfectly balancing the allure of glamour with the ache of desire and despair. Local Heavens doesn't just retell The Great Gatsby—it reinvents it for a new era, peeling back the glitz to reveal what remains when we reach too high for our own reflections. 

  Thank you @coloredpages book tour for the finished copy. Thank you to @Libro.fm and @SimonMaverick for the ALC. 

Another cozy fantasy win for me! ✨ Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife is exactly what I look for in the genre, it ticked off every single box I've been searching for. Of course, we all know Legends & Lattes 🍵, but if you're craving something in the same vein kicked up a notch, you're going to love RFAUA. This story dives deep into grief, second chances, and the idea that no matter your age (or mortality), you can still shape your own life. Our OKMC (orc knight main character) Raz is among the undead, a former indentured servant turned retired cook, finally deciding what he wants to do with his time. He opens a restaurant, and what follows is a delightful blend of daring adventures, sweet found family, and quiet reflection.
It's slice-of-life with a kick. A lovely story that left me full in the best way, and I'll definitely be checking out the author's other books set in this world. 💀🍽️✨ 

“She is the reason no one goes in the water. And she will make them pay”

The writing took a bit to into the flow of, the POV switches between Anais and Bronwyn. They are cousins who are estranged because their fathers had a falling out that is not spoke of, but sept under the rug. (That seems to be a theme throughout the book. Putting the band-aid on an event that needs to be aired out). Anais and Bronwyn's grandmother is placed in hospice, Bronwyn's family moves to a small town in Arkansas. The town has a motto - we don't swim here. There are rituals and sacrifices to be made, but no locals will tell Bronwyn these rules. The mystery was so intriguing, I found myself picking this up every spare moment I had. 

Once I got use to the prose that switched between the cousins, I was even more locked in. We Don't Swim Here pulls from Black folks' complicated relationship with swimming the real violent history of how white folks dealt with desegregating pools, and how history can be white washed to the point the event becomes a distant memory and an urban legend.  

The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri Genre: Fantasy Romance Sapphic Length: 512 pages Release date: October 21, 2025 ✨ 4.5/5 ✨ Thank you @macmillanaudio and @netgalley for the ALC and @orbitbooks for the ARC. The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri is a breathtaking standalone fantasy romance about a knight, Vina, and a witch, Simran, who are destined to fall in love and destroy one another in every lifetime. On an island where stories shape reality, their love becomes both a gift and a curse as an assassin begins killing those whose fated tales threaten the balance of the world. To survive, Vina and Simran must unravel the truth behind their curse and find the courage to write a new ending—one where love is stronger than fate. Suri's prose is lush, lyrical, and filled with emotion. Every line feels intentional, every moment soaked in beauty and pain. I cried multiple times while reading because of how deeply this story captures the ache of love, destiny, and defiance. It is a story for women of color who have longed to see themselves in high fantasy, and it's one that reminds us that no matter how many times life writes us into tragedy, we can still choose to rewrite our story. This book made me think about the stories we inherit and the ones we choose to tell. 

5 stars, no notes. This book is everything to me. I cried multiple times and I felt like Cassie was written for me. Man, go pick this up.

  This my very first novel that I've read by Fracassi and now I want to read his entire backlist! TASRHM is mostly told from the POV of Rose, a late 70s black woman in this retirement home. At first I was unsure if this would meet my expectations, but it FAR surpassed them. The twists kept me on my toes and the interpersonal relationships were so well developed. I started this expecting a thriller/horror which Fracassi very much delivered on, but it was the complex mother-daughter relationship that Rose had with her daughter Sybil that really sucked me in. The interpersonal relationships really made me care about the characters as equally as the plot. Typically it's one or the other, but I enjoyed every page. 

Rounding up to 3 stars (real rating 2.25)
Thank you to Berkley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Sybil Sweet can't seem to catch a break recently. She feels directionless trying to find a job (and a man), that fits her just right. Her overbearing mother hounding her about her employment and love life doesn't help. Kieran Anderson is an aspiring doctor, he has taken a gap year to come back home and help a donut shop business that his grandfather started because his grandfather's health seems to be wavering. After a steamy rendezvous that ends in Sybil leaving a very unserious note behind on the back of a lottery ticket as a thank you for the adult time. Turns out that the lottery ticket is a winner! Kieran takes to the news to track down Sybil which leads to a viral moment, the two make a pact to fake date in order to help garner more attention for the donut shop in return for Kieran being Sybil's date at her sister's wedding.

Thoughts:
I really thought that this was such an interesting take on the fake dating trope (which gets so much undeserved hate), the addition of a lottery ticket being what unifies them was so fresh and I really enjoyed that aspect. I know this book has gotten some mixed reviews, but I went into it with an open mind and was having a good time until about the 50% mark. That's where the goofy and immature personality of Sybil's really started to grate on me. Yes, I understand a dick joke here or there but it became her ENTIRE personality. To the point that I rolled my eyes when she made another one. This was strike one. Strike two for me was the lack of chemistry between these two. I'm sorry but there is absolutely no way I'm going to buy that these two were in love at any point. Insta-lust? Sure, but love not at all. Kieran did not seem like like, much less love Sybil. The way he spoke to her was so unwarranted when he could have just had a simple conversation. Now, strike three is the third act event. It was out of the blue and truly uncalled for. I understand that what was trying to be conveyed was Sybil's undiagnosed ADHD, okay sure, but the way it was brought about was just not my favorite. Then when Kieran confronted Sybil he stepped to her to the point that her dad had to get in between them. Girl, when I tell you that if this didn't happen at the tail end of the book I would have DNF'd. I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I did not.

Initial thoughts after reading: what a beautifully tragic story turned into a lesson of  butting of the proverbial forbidden fruit and the path that can lead you down. The ending of this novel is so heartwarming and while it is not exactly the justice some may want, I think back to my teen self and how I could have been too terrified to show the modicum of courage Samira showed. So many thoughts but this one was truly so amazing.  

  Donut Summer Review Author: Anita Kelly  Genre: Queer Romance YA debut Release date July 28, 2025 Length: 8 hours, 44 minutes🍩 5/5 🍩 Thank you @harlequinaudio for the #gifted audiobook Donut Summer is an adorable young adult romance set in a small donut shop in rural Oregon. Penny, the oldest of four (including triplet six-year-olds!), is an overachiever working hard to save for college. When Mateo walks into her life, she enlists their help to save the family donut shop from being bought out by a big corporation. Anita Kelly is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. This book is a tender coming-of-age story filled with heart, growth, and self-discovery. Mateo is learning to stand up for themselves and assert their pronouns, while Penny is exploring her sexuality, her college choices, and what it means to recognize her privilege. Their connection feels honest and vulnerable, showing how young love can be both transformative and healing. This story had me smiling, tearing up, and craving donuts all at once. It's soft, affirming, and full of hope. I can't recommend it enough. 🍩💗 

  All That We See or Seem by Ken Liu Series: Julia Z Series, Book 1
Genre: Techno-Thriller Release date: October 9, 2025 Length: 416 pages

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to @Sagapress for the for the gifted e-arc. 
The story follows Julia Z, a former “Orphan Hacker” who times to live a quiet life but it drawn into a high stakes adventure to rescue a kidnapped dream artist. Confronting theses of AI, the nature of selfhood. All That We See or Seem is my first novel that I have completed by the infamous Ken Liu under my belt. I also started reading The Grace of Kings, which I now know has tainted my enjoyment of this novel. All That We See or Seem cannot be compared to The Dandelion Dynasty in that it is a techno-thriller, the first installment in the Julia Z series. I am a bit conflicted with my feelings on this one. I enjoyed the storyline and the intrigue of the mystery, I felt like there were some loose ends but it is the first in a series that I definitely continue. My feelings on this book are two pronged, delving into the mystery at hand a wife of an attorney who is secretly leading a seemingly double life. We are also slowly coming to understand who Julia Z is and how she got the moniker “Orphan Hacker.” The revelations at the end of the story were great and had me really enthralled. Piers was a proper grating, but I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Julia's personality of his. This book is very timely with the integration of AI (against my will) into everything. n this story, Elli is a dream artist, meaning she can live in concert-like experiences by weaving collective dreams by tapping into each attendees memory. Which begs the question, who owns the memories, dreams or what your project into virtual AI mediated environments? What are the ethical consequences?

 This Brutal Moon by Bethany Jacobs Series: The Kindom Trilogy, Book 3 Release date: November 11, 2025Genre: Science Fiction Space OperaLength: 512 pages⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am immensely thankful to @orbitbooks and @netgalley for this e-arc of one of my anticipated reads of the year! I've read many a trilogy and for the most part the final book can feel disjointed from the rest of the series and often times the weakest of the bunch. Having now read the entire Kingdom Trilogy, I can say with certainty that each book in this series has something to offer and in no way was I ever bored or felt like it was anything less than a wonderfully crafted epic story. This Brutal Moon picks up where On Vicious Worlds left us, The Treble is on the brink of collapse. The people are weary from oppression and betrayal, yet revolution simmers in every corner. Leaders and outcasts alike must navigate fragile alliances, rising enemies, and dangerous legacies as power shifts across the system. Loyalties will be tested, secrets unearthed, and the struggle for freedom will reach its most brutal and decisive moment. Thoughts:
If I could erase any brain and re read any series for the first time again, hands down it would the Kingdom Trilogy. The characters are so complex, struggling with both internal and external conflicts. Many of whom what good intentions, but there is always the navigation of fragile alliances and how to created a better world for the future generations that seem to be a constant push and pull. I had so much fun reading This Brutal Moon, the last 10% was so hard because the storylines were wrapping up and I am even now, sad we won't get more of these characters. I just love so many of them and I could see parts of myself in certain characters. Chono, Six and Jun, along with many others have qualities of myself that I can relate to but also challenge myself to be better. The political intrigue is a massive strength in this series and This Brutal Moon delivers with the hard hitting dialogue between characters, the suspense and high emotions during the space battle scenes. There were so intense I felt like I was right there in the room. All this to say this series is criminally underrated and I will continue to shout from the rooftops and depths of valleys how incredible this series is. Each book is magnificently crafted. I enjoyed my time in the Kingdom and I'm so thankful to have read the entire series with my friend @brewdyreader.  I would be remised not to give a not so subtle reminder that I too tend to read for escapism because off gestures to everything. It is incredibly important, now more than ever, that we digest what fiction is telling us. In no uncertain terms a few of the many facets and themes of this book is about rebellion, consequences of power struggles and the cost of a legacy. I think it is of the utmost importance we educate ourselves about genocides happening and have happened both foreign and domestic. This series speaks to the injustices we are seeing everyday. 

 🖼️👻 The Macbre by Kosoko Jackson🖼️👻 Release date: September 9, 2025 Genre: Dark Fantasy Magical Realism Length: 400 pages 12 hours 45 minutes  Narrator: Kevin R. Free QOTD: If you could travel to any time period or culture, where would you go? Thank you @libro.fm and @harpervoyager for the gifted audiobook. My local Barnes has the physical copy out two weeks early so I am also thankful for their mistake 😎😌 The Macabre follows Lewis Dixon's eerie journey beyond paint, as he navigates cursed art that can kill—or save—him. It's a gripping mix of horror, fantasy, romance, and dark artistry that asks: what is the true power of art—and are some paintings better left unviewed? Narration: I feel like the narrator did a terrific job at narrated. He added nuance and depth to Lewis that I feel really did the text service. I immersive read this one and I feel like that was the way to go for me personally.  Thoughts: The novel is a genre-bending blend of dark fantasy, horror, psychological thrills, and even dark humor. The Macabre really really delivered on all aspects. Sometimes it can be hard to blend the genres without seeming overdone but it was accomplished well here. The way magic is used was so different than I expected but it was so unique! Lewis is able to enter into paintings made by his great grandfather. The queer romance is so lovely and added that extra layer of depth that I loved. The time travel aspect and we are introduced to many cultures throughout. Nigeria, Japan, and Australia as well as traveling to the past. I loved how these time periods and places were all part of this larger story. It's got such lush prose and emotional depth. With themes such as grief, the power of art and legacy. 

The First Bright Thing by J.R. DawsonGenre: Fantasy LGBTQIA+Length: 12 hours, 56 minutes 352 pagesNarrator: Petrea Burchard and Tim CampbellRelease date: June 13, 2023“Those who are the most liable to float off, are those who take the most precautions to tether themselves”This story is set post World War I, but the effects are felt all the same. We follow Rin, a ringmaster with a very interesting gift to jump to different points in time. She runs a circus of magical misfits and outcasts who are known as Sparks. The circus plays to audiences nightly. But while the present is bright, threats come at Rin from the past and the future. The future holds an impending war that the Sparks can see barreling toward their Big Top and everyone in it. And Rin's past creeps closer every day, a malevolent shadow Rin can't fully escape. It takes the form of another Spark circus, with tents as black as midnight and a ringmaster who rules over his troupe with a dangerous power. Rin's circus has something he wants, and he won't stop until it's his. I felt that the writing was clunky (which I have come to more or less expect from debuts) but paired my biggest pet peeve of the moment, which is an author telling us pertinent information through a character rather than showing through the actions kind of took me out of the story. My other nemesis in writing as of late is the pacing, this one did feel kind of all over the place but I have a bit more empathy for this as it pertains to a debut. However, I find it worth mentioning in reviews so readers know what they are getting themselves into.Now I don't want to say too much, because I do think it's best to go into this one as blind as possible, but I will say that it is definitely a darker fantasy / magical realism (read not cozy). The magic system is one built on trauma responses, I would recommend checking the triggers because there is a quite a bit that is done and said that may be triggering to some. I recently picked up The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J.R. Dawson and I'm every excited to jump into it as soon as it arrives.CW: War, abusive relationship, manipulation, substance abuse, SI, grief.

  The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa Genre: Dystopian Psychological Thriller Release Date: Japan in 1994 and translated into English in August 6, 2019 Length: 288 pages 8 hours, 45 minutes “I wonder whether the story will remain after I disappear.” The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa is a dystopian novel set on an island where objects and memories mysteriously vanish, and a force called the Memory Police enforces these erasures. The protagonist, a young novelist, begins to notice the disappearances and secretly hides those at risk of being forgotten, including her editor, R. As the island's residents lose their memories, the novel explores themes of loss, identity, and the power of authoritarian control over memory. It's a haunting meditation on how memory shapes who we are and the consequences of its loss with a chilling atmosphere that questions the nature of forgetting and the power of authoritarian control over the mind. The Memory Police themselves represent an oppressive force that seeks to eradicate not only physical objects but also the essence of the past, reducing people to hollow versions of themselves. The story is both a psychological thriller and a reflection on how memory shapes who we are. It's a quietly unsettling read that builds tension slowly, blending the personal with the philosophical in a way that lingers long after the last page. Typically novels are described as either character or plot driven. What happens when neither are the sole focus of the story? In my opinion, you have a deeply thought provoking and one open to interpretation. After sitting with the story and reading reviews and analysis videos one thing I can say for certain is there is no one interpretation. Bases on this alone, it begs for a re read. This book would make for an interesting group read and discussion. I still find this book very difficult to define. What I can say is to read this book if you are ready for a thought provoking and unsettling book I'd recommend giving The Memory Police a try. I have never read a book quote like this where the character work and the plot were lacking but I enjoyed the existential dread of it all. 

Arc of the Universe by Nikki Alexander Genre: Science Fiction Speculative Fiction  Release date: June 24, 2025 Length: 324 pages A huge thank you to Nerd Fam and the author for the e-arc.  The Arc of the Universe is a speculative fiction debut novel from Nikki Alexander. This novel has a few themes packed into it but it never felt like it was trying to do too much. With thematic elements such as police brutality, planetary exploration, sexism in the work place, and the sweet reprieve of a budding queer romance. In the novel we follow Carrie Davenport, a black law professor who is working on what she hopes to be her lifetime achievement. Project Mars is attempting to be the first human settlement on Mars. One fateful night Carrie is stopped by the police and due to a case of mistaken identity, she is brutalized by the police and she is thrust into discourse about race and justice. Now she is uncertain if this democracy is one she wants to continue on a new planet. Carrie has to choose between speaking up regarding the injustice or dig deeper to uncover some truths behind who's really finding this exploration.  As mentioned previously there is a lot of discourse about the U.S. justice system and I found myself baffled at the things that came out of Carrie's colleague and white male counterpart. While this novel is based in the near future, things Carrie dealt with are very much a current issue. In one part of the book the tech bro finding this mission says “why wouldn't we base the justice system on America? It is the best justice system in the world.” I paused and laughed because he can't be serious. We house more than 20% of the criminals in the world while only being about 5% of the global population. One reason I love novels like this is the ability to ask these questions of ourselves and have a conversation about what this might look like. 

Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame by Neon YangRelease Date: May 6, 2025Genre: Fantasy Fast PacedLength: 176 pagesRating: 3.25 Yeva is a legendary dragon slayer who never takes her armor off in public (very Mandalorian coded) she is a protector by birthright and is ordered to vistit the isolation nation of Quanbao. Here, dragons are loved and reverred, not feared as is the norm elsewhere. Yeva's mission is simple: curry favor with the queen, the Lady Sookhee, in order to find out what secrets she is hiding. Rightly so, the queen is cautious of this newcomer to Court. I found that this book fell victim to the issues I have with most novellas, the limited page count makes it very difficult to adequately give the proper time to build the world, give the reader fully developed and flushed out characters. We spent a good portion of the book building up to the conflict, when it finally arose it was resolved in short matter. While I understand the limited page count means there is a lot less time to develop the characters and world, I found myself wanting to know more. The relationship between Yeva and The Lady Sookhee felt so beautiful and it was my favorite part of the novel. 

 A Billion Butterflies is my first non-fiction of the year and its completely out of my comfort zone: weather prediction and how the system came to be. This novel was equal parts science and memoir. I was not expecting that, but it was a lovely surprise. I loved learning about Dr. Shukla's upbringing in rural India. This book is not something I would typically gravitate towards (you have the cover to thank for me picking this one up) and I am so thankful I did. The last 1/4 of the book was an interesting turn talking about the vitriol thrown his way with the current administration and their lack of trust in science at the highest rate than it has ever been. I am so thankful for getting the opportunity to read this book especially during our current political climate. I feel like this such an important one because as the verbiage goes, we can't know where we are headed if we don't remember where we have been. 

A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde Release date: June 3, 2025Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy Epic High FantasyLength: 560 pagesRating: 5 Thank you @Sagapress for sending one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year (and my favorite debut!)  What a debut! I was intrigued by the premise of A Song of Legends Lost, but after seeing @shonnareads' glowing review, I knew I had to pick it up. Ayinde takes her time crafting the world and developing the characters, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. The story begins in a kingdom once ruled by the Scathed people, until their greyblood servants rebelled and slaughtered them. King Ahiki and his warlords reclaimed the realm by defeating the rebels and forcing them into the Feverlands. Now, thousands of years later, attacks from the greybloods are met with resistance from the invoker clans—noble warriors who summon their ancestors to fight alongside them in battle. But the war has dragged on too long. A general draft is called to take the fight to the Feverlands and finally defeat the greybloods—an effort that seems destined to fail A Song of Legends Lost draws deeply from African and Filipino cultures, blending science fiction and fantasy in a way I haven't seen since The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. The story unfolds from multiple POVs—five, I believe—and Ayinde introduces each one gradually, so it never feels overwhelming. I enjoyed every single POV, which is no small feat. Each perspective is morally gray, leaving you constantly questioning who to root for. This kept me guessing and fully engaged throughout. The concept of invoking ancestors to gain their abilities was fascinating, and the touch of technology woven into the narrative has me eager to learn more in the next book. Once the world-building settled, I was completely hooked and found myself staying up until 2 a.m. finishing the book. And whatever you do, do not skip the epilogues. I know some people do, but trust me—you'll miss out on some serious revelations if you do. 

A Honey for the Beekeeper by Nina CrespoSeries: Bishop Honey Bee Farm, Book OneRelease Date: May 27, 2025Genre: Contemporary Romance Black Romance Length: 267 pagesThank you Nina Crespo and Harlequin Romance for the opportunity to read this gifted arc and happy release day!A Honey for the Beekeeper is sweet and beautifully written romance, at the heart is a story of working to overcome past traumas while developing a beautiful relationship. Brooke is a wanderlust but is weary of attaching herself to any one place out of self preservation. She is trying to protect her heart at all costs, even if that means not getting to close to anyone. However, once a year she returns to her family's small town farm to assist. Gabe was a rising country music star, but he didn't bargain on the fame that came with his success so he left it all behind to live a simple life. When Brooke and Gabe meet their chemistry is something neither of them expected, but it can't be denied. Crespo takes the reader on such an array of emotions, I felt it all along with the characters. I loved how strong the characters bond was and it continues to build in depth as the story progressed. I am starting to realize that my favorite type of romances are those that can balance the deeper subjects while also being a safe place for readers to feel vulnerable. Thank you so much to the author that sent the most adorable care package along with the gifted book. It's a perfect read as the weather starts to warm up.