Review: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1)
by Victoria Schwab
Published by Scholastic
Middle grade, fantasy, paranormal

They're here. 

They're watching. 

Cass can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead. 

When Cass's parents start hosting a TV show about the world's most haunted places, the family heads off to Edinburgh. Here, graveyards, castles and secret passageways teem with restless phantoms. 

But when Cass meets a girl who shares her "gift", she realizes how much she still has to learn about the Veil - and herself. And she'll have to learn fast. The city of ghosts is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

I was super excited for City of Ghosts, but unfortunately I had misunderstood some things: I thought that Cassidy is Scottish and it made me excited since there's never enough books set in Scotland. However, Cassidy and her parents are American and only travel to Edinburgh to shoot a TV show. It's not bad thing, per say, but not what I was expecting. The thing is that the book is an ode to the city of Edinburgh, but not so much ode to the people who live there, as most of the characters weren't Scottish or live in Edinburgh. There's a lot of stereotypes flying around - from the pants/trousers to fries/chips conversation and character behaviour - and I didn't care for it much. I'm sure it's not so bad for those outside of Scotland, but after living here for years, I cringed for a lot of it. It felt a bit like travel guide, if I'm being honest.

That's the only major thing for me to complain about. The story itself was entertaining - it's creepy but not too much, and the characters are likable. I particularly loved Jacob, he's funny! There's haunting and mystery, and a nicely paced plot. It's a quick and enjoyable read, and I'm sure kids will love it. All in all, a solid start for a middle grade series. I'll definitely continue reading the series (and probably not get so stuck on Scottish stereotypes since the next book is set in Paris.)

3 of 5 stars

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Review: The Bad Luck Lighthouse by Nicki Thornton

The Bad Luck Lighthouse (Seth Seppi Mystery, #2)
by Nicki Thornton
Published by Chicken House
Middle grade, fantasy, adventure, mystery

In solving the mystery of the Last Chance Hotel, Seth has discovered a bewildering new world of magic. But the truth about his mother's fate and other secrets remain, stolen away with the firefly cage by his nemesis, the wicked Tiffany Bunn. Determined to chase her down - and prove himself as a magician - Seth and his cat Nightshade are quickly embroiled in the latest MagiCon case, a murder investigation at a deserted lighthouse ...

I adore the Seth Seppi Mystery books. Best way to describe them is fantasy adventure mystery, which ticks all the boxes for me. The sequel continues to explore the magic and Seth tries to learn how to use his, but he's also afraid that Inspector Pewter was wrong to say that he's a natural. Desperate to learn more about magic, eth follows Inspector Pewter on a job at a lighthouse, which was once owned by a notorious dark sorcerer Soul Snakemouth, and is now a hotel that's rumored to be haunted.

I loved the setting of an old hotel in the middle of the woods in The Last Chance Hotel, but it's great to see another setting. nakemouth Lighthouse is on a small island where storms rage and mysteries unfold, and eth gets thrown into the middle of it. There's new characters with their own agendas and unclear motives, but it's a delight to meet Inspector Pewter and Angelique again. Once again, Seth tries his best to uncover the mystery: is the lighthouse haunted or do someone have a sinister motives to make it seem so?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bad Luck Lighthouse. It expands the world nicely and delves deeper into the main characters. There's also new mysteries and intrigues set up here, and I hope there's going to be more books in the series. This is quickly becoming one of my favourite middle grade series and there's a lot more to explore about.

This series is for anyone who's up for a great fantasy adventure mystery story with sympathetic lead character and plenty of funny moments. Wholeheartedly recommend!

4 of 5 stars

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Review: Where There's Smoke by Cari Z

Where There’s Smoke (Panopolis, #1)
by Cari Z.
Published by Riptide Publishing
LGBT, fantasy, sci-fi, romance

Panopolis is a rough place to be an average Joe. I came here looking for adventure and excitement, but nobody cares about one more normal guy in a city filled with super-powered heroes. The closest I’ve come to glory is working in a bank that villains often rob.

But then I maybe accidentally-on-purpose helped a villain escape the hero who was trying to save the day. Imagine my shock when, a week later, that villain asked me out for coffee. One date turned into more, and now I’m head over heels in love with Raul.

Falling in love with the guy dubbed the Mad Bombardier isn’t without its downsides, though. I’ve had to deal with near-death encounters with other villains, awkwardly flirtatious heroes who won’t take no for an answer, and a lover I’m not sure I can trust. It’s getting to the point where I know I’ll have to make a choice: side with the heroes, or stand fast by my villain.

Either way, I think my days as a normal guy are over.

I have no idea why it has taken me so long to read Where There’s Smoke, because it’s right up on my alley. Panopolis is a city of heroes and villains – they literally rule there, bank robberies are completely normal, and heroes are expected to sweep in to save the day before the police is alerted. It is heroes versus villains attitude without in between in Panopolis, and I love to read about the moral dilemmas and explorations of who are the heroes and villains. Where There’s Smoke certainly has that as Edward, a bank employee and ordinary guy, falls for Raul, who’s an infamous villain called Mad Bombardier.

Cari Z begins the book with a dedication for those, who have always preferred the villains, and that hit me hard. Most of the time I prefer the villains, particularly in the fairytales, and love the antiheroes. Where There’s Smoke offers a great perspective of the heroes and villains. There’s glimpses of a blog posts where an anonymous critic writes about casualty statistics and conspiracy theories about government and their involvement of the creation of the heroes and villains.

Edward and Raul’s relationship is a focus of the book. I’m a bit baffled how much I liked their story, because there’s only Edward’s point of view, very little build-up in the beginning of their relationship, no sex and it’s a pretty short novella (less than hundred pages). But there’s some kind of magic that Cari Z weaves because I felt for both Edward and Raul. Raul’s painted clearly as one of the bad guys but he’s likable; he has a good and believable backstory, he has a conscience and he doesn’t kill people. There’s plenty of moral ambiguity, especially since Edward knows what he’s getting into and questions whether it makes him guilty by being in a relationship with a villain when he doesn’t participate in Raul’s actions. It’s just so good, I liked their chemistry and both of them together and separate.

My only complain is the length. I wish this had been a full-length novel. There’s a sequel which I’ll dive into shortly but Where There’s Smoke would have been perfect if it had been longer. It’s still a great quick read, which I certainly recommend.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: The Rules and Regulations For Mediating the Myths & Magic by F.T. Lukens

The Rules and Regulations For Mediating the Myths & Magic (The Rules, #1)
by F.T. Lukens
Published by Interlude Press
YA, LGBT, fantasy, mythology

Desperate to pay for college, Bridger Whitt is willing to overlook the peculiarities of his new job—entering via the roof, the weird stacks of old books and even older scrolls, the seemingly incorporeal voices he hears from time to time—but it’s pretty hard to ignore being pulled under Lake Michigan by… mermaids? Worse yet, this happens in front of his new crush, Leo, the dreamy football star who just moved to town.

Fantastic.

When he discovers his eccentric employer Pavel Chudinov is an intermediary between the human world and its myths, Bridger is plunged into a world of pixies, werewolves, and Sasquatch. The realm of myths and magic is growing increasingly unstable, and it is up to Bridger to ascertain the cause of the chaos, eliminate the problem, and help his boss keep the real world from finding the world of myths.

I found The Rules and Regulations For Mediating the Myths & Magic by complete accident while browsing the web and oh my, how didn’t I know it existed before? It is absolutely hilarious, but also deals with serious topics such as accepting oneself and finding their place in the world. I loved the combination of rollicking adventure and serious topics, and yes, occasional teenage angst. Bridger is at the age where he has to decide where to go to university and what he wants to do, and he’s struggling with it and I could easily identify with that situation – I have experienced it myself.

There’s a good mix of adventure and mystery in the story. Bridger starts a new job as an assistant to eccentric Pavel Chudinov and finds out that he’s an intermediary between the human world and its myths. Bridger gets thrown into the world of myths as there’s some mysterious thing happening that Pavel tries to solve. There’s also some romantic elements since Bridger has a crush on his neighbour Leo.

I love mythology and it was interesting to see how Lukens had woven different myths into the story. The plot and the twists were good, but what I loved the most was the characters. Bridger is funny and relatable, Leo’s adorable cinnamon roll, Pavel is eccentric and a good mentor for Bridger and there’s some hilarious pixies. It’s such a great and adorable adventure with wholesome characters that you just have to love.

I’m eagerly anticipating the sequel, which is supposed to come out this year. I need more Bridger, Leo and pixies in my life!

4 of 5 stars

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Review: The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle

The Storm Keeper's Island (Storm Keeper, #1)
by Catherine Doyle
Published by Bloomsbury
Middle grade, fantasy

When Fionn Boyle sets foot on Arranmore Island, it begins to stir beneath his feet ...

Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. The time has come for Fionn's grandfather, a secretive and eccentric old man, to step down. Soon, a new Keeper will rise.

But, deep underground, someone has been waiting for Fionn. As the battle to become the island's next champion rages, a more sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling an ancient war.

The Storm Keeper's Island is a wonderful tale of Fionn, who sets foot of Arranmore Island first time in his life even though it has been his family's home for centuries. Arranmore is full of secrets which Fionn starts to uncover while spending time with his eccentric grandfather and arguing with his sister, Tara, who's going through a teenage crush. There's adventure, unique magic, mysteries and ancient battle brewing - all the right ingredients for a great story.

Doyle's writing is superb and truly beautiful. It makes the story come to alive and it is just perfect for the setting. Arranmore is a small, rural island on the west coast of Ireland and Doyle manages to capture the atmosphere perfectly, particularly the force of nature and the wild sea.

The Storm Keeper's Island is a poignant and unforgettable story. Fionn's a relatable and funny main character and it is easy to root for him as he uncovers the secrets and mysteries Arranmore has. I'm eagerly awaiting for the sequel!

5 of 5 stars

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Review: The 1,000 Year Old Boy by Ross Welford

The 1,000 Year Old Boy
by Ross Welford
Published by Harper Collins
Middle grade, fantasy, historical, adventure

There are stories about people who want to live forever.

This is not one of those stories.

This is a story about someone who wants to stop…
Alfie Monk is like any other nearly teenage boy – except he’s 1,000 years old and can remember the last Viking invasion of England.

Obviously no one believes him.

So when everything Alfie knows and loves is destroyed in a fire, and the modern world comes crashing in, Alfie embarks on a mission to find friendship, acceptance, and a different way to live…

… which means finding a way to make sure he will eventually die.

Obviously no one believes him.

The 1,000 Year Old Boy is wonderfully profound story. It is a clever take on what it is to live forever, particularly how the magic works. Alfie Monk is a thousand year old boy, who's a Neverdead like his mother and cat, Biffa. But when a tragedy strikes, Alfie wants to find the means to reverse the magic and start aging again because living forever it is not so glamorous when you have been eleven for centuries. Alfie meets Aidan and Roxy, who becomes his friends, and their adventure begins.

There's a lot of twists and obstacles Alfie and his friends have to face - it's a great adventure story with important theme. I loved the little snippets of history as Alfie remembers everything from the last Viking invasion to the World Wars. Such a charming story and I'm sure to remember it a while.

The 1,000 Year Old Boy is a brilliant story because of how impactful it is. Many of us have wondered what it would be to live forever and not age, and Welford offers something different from vampires and other immortal creatures of the night. There's also humour and Alfie is a wonderful main character, old soul in a young body who's a little bit lost and needs accepting friends. Aidan and Roxy are great on their own ways, Roxy ever accepting what live throws at her and Aidan a bit more cautious but a good friend nonetheless.
4 of 5 stars
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DNF Review: Brotherhood of Shades by Dawn Finch

Brotherhood of Shades
by Dawn Finch
Published by Stone Cold Fox Press
YA, fantasy

From the chaos of Dissolution rises a secret order, a Brotherhood formed to protect the world of the living from the world of the dead.

Adam, a teenage boy living on the streets of London, knows nothing of the fantastic and precarious world that exists just beyond his reality – until he dies, cold and alone, aged 14. After years of rejection, Adam discovers he is important, and the Brotherhood needs him. His recruitment to their Order will take him on an adventure that spans the worlds of both the living and the dead, as he and a living girl (14-year-old Edie Freedom) battle to solve a prophetic riddle and save the world.

DNF at 20%

I was super excited for this - it sounded like epic adventure. However, try as I might, I can't get into the story and I'm so confused of what's happening here. There's barely any explanation for anything; while the blurb makes it seem like Adam, a 14 year old boy who died, is the main character, this far he's barely been in it. It's been mostly narrated by D'Scover, who's one of the dead guys, and his perspective doesn't really explains things as he already knows how everything works.

I'm also not impressed by the writing style. There's a lot of dialogue, sometimes pages worth of it without anything else, and the dialogue is rather stilted and stiff. There's problems with pacing and this far, it's been really slow. I took a look at other reviews and it seems like there problems doesn't go away, and since I have so hard time focusing on and continuing the story, I decided to DNF it. Brotherhood of Shades simply isn't for me.

No star rating since I did not finish

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Review: The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith

The Fox and the Star
by Coralie Bickford-Smith
Published by Penguin Books
Fairytale, childrens, fantasy

The Fox and the Star is the story of a friendship between a lonely Fox and the Star who guides him through the frightfully dark forest. Illuminated by Star’s rays, Fox forages for food, runs with the rabbits, and dances in the rain—until Star suddenly goes out and life changes, leaving Fox huddling for warmth in the unfamiliar dark. To find his missing Star, Fox must embark on a wondrous journey beyond the world he knows—a journey lit by courage, newfound friends, and just maybe, a star-filled new sky.

"All of Fox's happiness was bound to the flickering light of Star. And so it had always been."

Such profound and impactful story with absolutely gorgeous illustrations. Truly stunning art, the book itself is a treasure with clothbound and engraved cover. And as the story is so beautiful, it's perfect fairytale, for both kids and adults alike.

5 of 5 stars

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Review: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Renegades (Renegades, #1)
by Marissa Meyer
Published by Pan Macmillan
YA, fantasy, sci-fi

Secret identities. Extraordinary powers.She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies―humans with extraordinary abilities―who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone . . . except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice―and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

"We were all villains in the beginning."

How could I not be absolutely captivated from the start with a first sentence like that? I love villains, anti-heroes and morally grey characters. Even more so, I love when it is difficult to tell who are the bad and good guys. It's all about perspective - everyone's a hero of their own story. Renegades plays with that idea to the T: Nova is an Anarchist, sworn for vengeance, and Adrian is a Renegade, part of organisation in a mission to protect and fight the villains. What makes Renegades more than a cliché forbidden love story, is the execution and attention to everyone's motives. I usually take sides pretty quickly, but this time, I liked both sides. There's no traditional good versus evil, but two sides that have both good and questionable intentions. It's complex, which makes it oh so good and addicting.

Characters are the best thing here. The world-building is alright, but it's more character driven story. There's plenty of action, backstories and history, but I feel like the characters and their personal conflicts are the driving force here. It's perfect that way, because there's a great cast of characters. Nova's resourceful and she doesn't give up or give in - Renegades failed her family and are tormenting her found family, so she'll do whatever it takes to tear them down. Adrian's a sweetheart: he's the goody-two-shoes type of guy, but he's also determined to have justice and ready toe the line if that gets him closer to finding his mother's killer. There's also a whole bunch of other intriguing characters. Adrian's team and family are great, and Nova's found family, the Anarchists, are brilliant.

I'm not most coherent right now, but to put it in a simple way - I love Renegades. It's basically everything I want in a book. It's captivating and stunning, and I'm going to read Archenemies right after because I need more of this world and characters. So yes, I highly recommend it to everyone. But specifically for everyone who likes superheroes and supervillains, quests for vengeance and justice, and sworn enemies and undercover operations.

5 of 5 stars

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Review: The Steel Prince Vol. 1 by V.E. Schwab

The Steel Prince (Shades of Magic Graphic Novels, #1) by V.E. Schwab Published by Titan Graphic novel, fantasy

The youthful Maxim Maresh is sent to a violent and unmanageable port city on the Blood Coast of Verose, on strict orders from his father, King Nokil Maresh, to cut his military teeth in this lawless landscape.
There, he encounters an unruly band of soldiers, a lawless landscape, and the intoxicatingly deadly presence of the newly returned pirate queen, Arisa.

I'm so happy to be back in this world and to learn even more about the fringes of it, not to forget about different types of magic that was only briefly touched upon in Shades of Magic. There's certainly lot happening here: a pirate queen, who uses forbidden bone magic, young and untested prince, and fierce guard, who has lot to prove. There's fast paced action and magic, which I really liked. My only complain is that it was too short - I could have read a full novel! Luckily there's more of Maxim's adventures coming.

The Steel Prince has gorgeous art work. I loved how the magic Schwab created translated visually.

I will try to patiently wait for next instalment, because I need more from this world - and I want to know what happens during the Night of Knives!
4 of 5 stars
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ARC Review: Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant

Prince of Air and Darkness (The Darkest Court, #1)
by M.A. Grant
Published by Carina Press
LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, romance

Phineas Smith has been cursed with a power no one could control.

Roark Lyne is his worst enemy and his only hope.

The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it.

They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war.

Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne, Phineas’s roommate—and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. Phineas can’t begin to sort through their six years of sexual tension masquerading as mutual dislike. But Roark is also the only one able to help Finn tame his magick.

Trusting Roark’s mysterious motives may be foolish; not accepting his temporary protection would be deadly.

Caught in the middle of the impending war, Phineas and Roark forge a dangerous alliance. And as the walls between them crumble, Phineas realizes that Roark isn’t the monster he’d imagined. But their growing intimacy threatens to expose a secret that could either turn the tide of the war…or destroy them both.

Phineas Smith - Finn - is a human who can tap into ley lines on earth and conjure vast amounts of magic. He's attending a magic school and everything would be fine and dandy, except he can't control the power and he'll more likely to burn the building down than levitate a feather. Finn's roommate is a Fae prince Roark Lyne, who might be the only one who can help to control the magic. There's just one problem - they're arch nemesis and can't stand each other, and it doesn't help that Roark's mother kidnapped and tortured Finn years ago for something Finn can't remember.

The story is intricate and there's monsters on the heels and danger ahead. Captivating page turner that I just couldn't put down! Prince of Air and Darkness is definitely enjoyable and entertaining read, and has a great cast of characters. As for the romance, it was everything; I love a good enemies to lovers story. There was denial, snark and angst, all of which was delicious and kept anticipation high for what's going to happen. There was beautiful change of how Finn felt. There's nothing more gorgeous than change in perspective and realizing that not everything is what it seems. And Roark's the best; suffering idiot, who's basically a cinnamon roll. They have great chemistry together and it's so captivating to read.

If you're up to a urban paranormal magic school and fae story with a side of gorgeous romance, then don't miss Prince of Air and Darkness. I can't wait for the sequel; I want to learn more about the world and hopefully get a peak on Roarke and Finn!

4 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: Foreign to You by Jeremy Martin

Foreign to You (Foreign to You, #1)
by Jeremy Martin
Published by NineStar Press
Young Adult, fantasy, paranormal

The harmony between humans and fianna, a species of shape-shifting deer, begins to wither as racial tensions and deeply rooted resentment turns violent.

Ruthless hunter Finn Hail and prophesied liberator Adelaide may be heroes to their own species, but they are enemies to each other. With war on the horizon, the reluctant pair must team up to find the most elusive of prey: the god of the Forest.

As enemies press in from all sides, true intentions begin to show. For Finn to save the boy he cares for most, he might need to aim his gun at the very god he seeks. And Adelaide, with her festering hatred for mankind, will have to determine if peace holds true salvation for her people.

Foreign to You left me in a confused state, because I don't know how I feel about the story. First third of the book was quite enjoyable and I liked the story; world-building was intriguing and Jay and Finn quickly became my favourite characters, Jay just being so darn precious. I did think that Adelaine, the female lead, was naive and bland character; she's the legendary Maiden, who's supposed to save her people, but in reality she's clueless, passive and naive. From the beginning, I was more excited about Finn's chapters; he's more complex and he's more active character than Adelaine.

Then came a defining moment, where everything started to fall apart. Oh, don't get me wrong, there's one so emotional scene that I'm not sure I've still recovered from. But the story stagnated after it and became almost aimless journey in search of the Stag, the god of the forest. Plot started to go in different directions, but nothing made sense. The writing style's very flowery, there's a lot of purple prose and it just, well, it became a bit too extra when the plot stagnated. For me, it all felt pointless and there was moments when I just hated the story. To be honest here, I was ready to give Foreign to You one star at that point - for being marketed as LGBT+ fantasy, but never acknowledging anyone's sexuality or feelings (Finn and Jay were referred as friends, and nothing's confirmed on page) and then becoming the worst case of Bury Your Gays that I've ever read, and having absolutely bland Adelaine as second main character.

Then the last few chapters happened. Now, I'm still angry about the whole Bury Your Gays and the purple prose was a bit too excessive, but the explanations behind the myth of the god of forest and fianna redeemed the story a little bit in my eyes. I still think the characters, especially Adelaine, needed more development and the plot more direction, and certain aspects should have been handled better. I'm still a bit bitter; I expected LGBT+ fantasy and was so for it, to have two main characters, boy and girl, who weren't romantically involved with each other. Instead, there's don't-acknowledge-the-feelings-and-bury-your-gays trope, which just makes my blood boil.

The premise of Foreign to You is interesting and absolutely unique, but sadly the execution didn't meet the expectations. And Jay's such a precious cinnamon roll, I loved him so much. I'm so torn apart how to rate this, that I'm just going to give it two stars and they're for Jay alone.

2 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Review: Estranged by Ethan M. Aldridge

Estranged (Estranged, #1)
by Ethan M. Aldridge
Published by Harper
Middle Grade, fantasy, adventure, graphic novel

Edmund and the Childe were swapped at birth. Now Edmund lives in secret as a changeling in the World Above, his fae powers hidden from his unsuspecting parents and his older sister, Alexis. The Childe lives among the fae in the World Below, where being a human makes him a curiosity at the royal palace.

But when the cruel sorceress Hawthorne seizes the throne, the Childe and Edmund must unite on a dangerous quest to save both worlds - even if they're not sure which world they belong to.

Estranged has absolutely gorgeous artwork; the style and details are incredible. Often, I just stared at the art instead of continuing the story because of how intricate it all is. The artwork is definitely one of the best parts of this graphic novel, however, the storyline and characters are not far behind. Aldridge weaves a story with depth about identity and formation of families, about accepting and finding oneself.

Edmund and Childe were swapped at birth, so Edmund has spend his life as changeling and Childe has spend his as human pet in the high court of fae, where he wasn't even given a name. Both struggled with their identity and place in the world, and I absolutely loved how deep and meaningful it all was. There's also a plethora of interesting side characters; Whick, a wax golem and Childe's only friend, and Alexis, Edmund's sister. I especially loved how smart Alexis is - she's older and actually knew myths and legends because she had studied them, and I could easily relate to her determined mindset to protect her little brother.

Estranged is beautiful and adventurous story, which I really loved. I cannot wait for the sequel!

5 of 5 stars

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Review: A Case of Possession by K.J. Charles

A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies, #2) by K.J. Charles Published by KJC Books LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance

Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.
Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. He knows Stephen's job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician is doing his disappearing act more than seems reasonable - especially since Crane will soon return to his home in China. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, there's only one thing stopping Crane from leaving the country he loathes: Stephen.
Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he's turned warlock. With all eyes on him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He's not sure if he can take that risk much longer. Crane isn't sure if he can ask him to.
The rats are closing in, and something has to give...

After The Magpie Lord, I had high hopes for A Case of Possession; I expected it to rise to new levels and have more development that the first book lacked. I wished that Lucien and Stephen's budding relationship would deepen and whisk me away, since I felt the potential was there. However, I found that A Case of Possession took a turn I didn't expect - or really enjoy.
The new mystery and plot still had me intrigued; there's blackmail, blood and murder. There's a plague of giant rats slaughtering people that Stephen has to investigate, while he's under suspicion of becoming a warlock. Pressure is building on Stephen's shoulders like no other, and Lucien is increasingly concerned of Stephen's disappearing acts, while dealing with blackmail. Certainly entertaining and kept me turning the page.
While Lucien and Stephen's relationship deepened and there was some beautiful scenes between them, the steamy scenes left me cold. Oh, it was passionate and dirty, but it was also kinky. It's a personal preference what anyone enjoys; I don't care much for kinky stuff, and while this still was relatively mild, it was something I don't like reading. Thus, I mainly skim read the steamier scenes and focused on everything else. However, it made me feel less invested into the relationship and well, bleakened the overall enjoyment. I have decided not to read the last book of the trilogy, because well, I'd rather dedicate my time for something that I enjoy all the way through and not romance, where I skip half of the scenes together. Still, I'd recommend this trilogy to anyone who finds it interesting. It's well written and entertaining, and this time it's wholly personal why I decided to drop it. Others seem to have enjoyed the aspects I didn't, so this truly is the case of its-me-not-the-book.
3 of 5 stars
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Review: The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles

The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies, #1)
by K.J. Charles
Published by KJC Books
LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance

A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He's also inherited his family's enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane's family. Unfortunately, it's his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That's definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane's dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can't find a way through it - they're both going to die.

I didn't know I was in the mood for historical paranormal romance until I dived into The Magpie Lord. Neither historical or paranormal fiction are my go to genres, but somehow Charles made it work, especially with a heavy dose of mystery. Mysteries with magical kick have recently been something I've stumbled upon and liked a lot. In short, The Magpie Lord is a generous mix of different genres that somehow works well.

The Magpie Lord has all the right ingredients to be intriguing and entertaining: intricate, eerie setting of Piper, the ancestral manor of Crane earls, interesting magic system and hierarchy, mystery, personal stakes, and complicated characters. Lucien Vaudrey, the new but reluctant lord Crane, his loyal servant Merrick, and Stephen Day, magician extraordinary who has deep sense of justice. Lucien refuses to conform the society's expectations and is used to the freedom he had in China, which baffles Stephen, who's used to play it save, because he's poor and cannot afford the same type of protection Lucien has through his privileged position. I liked both Lucien and Stephen, and the contrast between them. The past conflict between Lucien and Stephen's families caused additional complication and hurt, which added depth to both characters and their actions. 

Despite all the right elements, I found something lacking. I'm not sure what it was; possibly the story could have used more length to build up the mystery and its reveal, as well as the aftermath. Or maybe the budding relationship between Lucien and Stephen left something to be desired. It was entertaining, but without burning passion. A solid first book in a series, and I have high hopes for the sequel - maybe it'll be perfect. Anyway, I did enjoy The Magpie Lord a lot. Maybe not a mind blowing five star read, but definitely solid four stars.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: And The Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness

An The Ocean Was Our Sky
by Patrick Ness
Published by Walker Books
YA, fantasy, retelling

With harpoons strapped to their backs, the proud whales of Bathsheba's pod live for the hunt, fighting in the ongoing war against the world of men. When they attack a ship bobbing on the surface of the Abyss, they expect to find easy prey. Instead, they find the trail of a myth, a monster, perhaps the devil himself...

As their relentless Captain leads the chase, they embark on a final, vengeful hunt, one that will forever change the worlds of both whales and men.

Patrick Ness is known for being creative, for experimenting in a way others don't.  And The Ocean Was Our Sky has to be most experimental of his works; it's a Moby Dick retelling from the point of view of the whales. It's as odd as it sounds, but somehow Ness made the story of a pod of whales hunting down the legendary devil of Toby Wick deep and profound. It's a brutal and raw look on humanity, but also to the treatment of others, of strangers, no matter of species.

Best part of this short story are the illustrations. Rovina Cai is certainly talented, and the illustrations bring the story alive. Truthfully, I spend more time staring at the illustrations than reading. It's a gorgeous book and I'm definitely giving one star more only for the brilliant illustrations.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, #1)
by John Flanagan
Published by Corgi Yearling
Middle Grade, adventure, fantasy

The Rangers, with their shadowy ways, have always made him nervous. And now fifteen-year-old Will has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice.

But what he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of warfare and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And now there is serious trouble brewing.

The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time he will not be denied...

The Ruins of Gorlan is adventure in medieval fantasy type of setting, which is something I enjoy a lot. There's plenty of races against time and Will, the Ranger's apprentice, learning the tricks of the trade. Will's great main character; he's small for his age and thus refused by the Battleschool so he can't become a knight like he wanted to. Instead mysterious Halt, a Ranger, takes Will as apprentice, because Halt sees a talent in him. Will's brave and quick to learn, good with a bow and the honest type. Halt's more mysterious, he's tight lipped about his past and anything that has nothing to do about teaching Will how to be a Ranger.

I enjoyed The Ruins of Gorlan for it is funny and full of adventures, and I like to read about people learning and training instead of skipping all of that. Flanagan's writing style is easy to read and fast paced, although some things made me cringe a little bit - Flanagan has a habit of referring all the peasants as simple while praising the lords and guilds. It is just a few comments here and there, but they are bit annoying as the comments are for nothing; it is mostly just to establish that the peasants gossip.

It is a quick and fun read. I do think I'd devoured it when I was younger, instead of just enjoying it for what it is. So, if you're looking for a middle grade adventure fantasy, then you should try The Ruins of Gorlan, and I think younger readers would enjoy it a lot.

3 of 5 stars

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Review: Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald Original Screenplay
by J.K. Rowling
Published by Little Brown
Screenplay, fantasy

At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured in New York with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes custody and sets about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. 

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt, his former Hogwarts student, who agrees to help once again, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Once again the illustrations and the cover are absolutely gorgeous! I spend way too much time just staring at them.

The Crimes of Grindelwald was fast paced with dramatic action scenes, and I loved to once again be back at this world and meet the characters, old and new. The best parts were definitely the moments back in Hogwarts, both present day and flashbacks. I also liked every scene where Dumbledore was, which was a bit surprising for me. Dumbledore has never been one of my favourite characters, but I found him intriguing here and I wish he'll have bigger role in the upcoming movies. And more Grindelwald, because he's nothing if not deadly charming. Naturally, Newt continued to be one of my favourites, he's just so adorable!

I still want a Niffler of my own, definitely the best creature ever.

I already saw the movie, right after I finished reading the screenplay, and I enjoyed it immensely. Being back at Hogwarts, however briefly, was the best feeling. I can't wait for the next one!

5 of 5 stars

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Review: The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

The Way of Shadows (The Night Angel, #1)
by Brent Weeks
Published by Orbit
Adult, fantasy

The perfect killer has no friends. Only targets. For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art. And he is the city's most accomplished artist, his talents required from alleyway to courtly boudoir.

I was fascinated and excited when I read the blurb for The Way of Shadows and all the praise it has. I have been looking for a good book about assassins and the blurb promised just that.

Weeks is talented story teller, I give him that. However, any and all character development is abandoned for the sake of intricate plot. The characters are caricatures and card board copies. Everything is told to the reader, nothing is shown and there isn't really any development - no one changes, and this book takes place over years, and the main character grows from young child to an adult. This lack of depth made it impossible for me to care for any character; they are so flat and it's hard to understand people's motivations, so it's difficult to care. There are also so many characters and new ones introduced in every few chapters. In the end, I liked one character and felt indifferent to most; two or three I actually hated. For me, that's not enough to enjoy the story. No matter how intricate plot or how many twist and turns, if I don't care for any of the characters and what happens to them, what is the point?

Then there's the obsession with virginity. I cannot underline how many times virginity is connected to loyalty and good character in the story. All the despicable characters are either whores or promiscuous. It's not even about female characters being either virgins or whores, it applies to the male characters as well. Logan and Kylar are both virgins, and it's made seem like that makes them good and loyal, because they are saving themselves. It feels absolutely frustrating, because it shouldn't be what is held important. Both also have this puppy love for their chosen girls, which is a pet peeve of mine. Kylar is an assassin, who kills on order and doesn't ask questions, but he has this naive love for Elene, ever since they were children. It's even more frustrating, because Elene has absolutely no personality, she's dull and boring.

Calling an assassin with talent a wetboy... who thought it is a good idea? Sure, reader will get used to it after six hundred pages, but I still dislike the word so much. It doesn't inspire fear, just snickers. Of course, it's not a big problem compared to complete lack of characterization and all the telling not showing. The pace is also a little bit off; the start is slow, then it picks up, only to be slowed down again. There's a lot of talking and politics, and not enough action until the last hundred pages where most of the action is crammed into.

The story is not bad, but I didn't care for the characters. I certainly won't be continuing with the series, especially after the ending has the story going in the direction and relationship that I don't want to read about. I just don't care enough. Such a disappointment, because I expected assassins and intrigue, but there isn't a lot of assassinations, Kylar's training is mostly off page, and the focus is more on courtly politics.

2 of 5 stars

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ARC Review: The Oddling Prince by Nancy Springer

The Oddling Prince
by Nancy Springer
Published by Tachyon Publications
eARC
Young Adult, fantasy

In the ancient moors of Scotland, the king of Calidon lies on his deathbed, cursed by a ring that cannot be removed from his finger. When a mysterious fey stranger appears to save the king, he also carries a secret that could tear the royal family apart. 

The kingdom's only hope will lie with two young men raised worlds apart. Aric is the beloved heir to the throne of Calidon; Albaric is clearly of noble origin yet strangely out of place.

The Oddling Prince is an odd mix of middle grade, young adult and fairytale; it reads like a middle grade, but the ages and themes are clearly young adult, and it all feels like whimsical fairytale. It is confusing mix, but it works once you abandon all the expectations that comes with those particular genres. It's whimsical fairytale - sometimes the actions of characters or plot twists won't make sense, but it's told in such way that it makes reader to forget it.

The setting drew me in, and it's what I loved most. It's never really specified when the story takes place, but it's ancient Scotland. There's moors, forest, raging sea and ever changing wind. Springer's descriptions are so vivid that I could feel the wind, smell the sea, and see the moors. Absolutely wonderful, I wish more books would take place in Scotland, especially in the medieval times or even earlier.

The Oddling Prince stars Aric, who's a prince of the kingdom of Caldor, and Albaric, who's mysterious fey that arrives just in time to save the dying king. Both are very likable characters; Aric is loyal, kind and fierce, and he takes Albaric in with such loyalty that it amazed me. Albaric is more careful and has less confidence, but he's so adorable. Aric and Albaric have a strong connection and it's great to see how they react to things and how they grew.

So why I didn't fell head over heels for The Oddling Prince? The plot is a little all over the place, there are many twists and turns and it feels like the story never takes a breather. It is also quite convenient; all hardships are solved quickly and the stakes are never high. It's thoroughly enjoyable story, the setting and main characters are great, but the plot is little weak and nothing is brilliant. A good story, but not mind blowing. I do recommend it if you're looking for whimsical fairytale or want to read a book set in ancient Scotland.

3 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)