Teaser Tuesday #743, July 8th

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's teaser comes from , page .

"."

What about you guys? Happy reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #735, July 7th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #734
Teaser Tuesday #742
WWW Wednesday #742
WOW #738
Will the Time Come #735
Third Sentence Thursday #725
Random Reads #711
First Lines Friday #738
Book Blogger Hop #40

Monthly ARC's Update 121
The Reward Challenge Update #720
Wheel of TBR #267

How Well I Stuck to It #572
Wrote that Review Update #569

Week 27 Reviews:

The Revenant Games

The Death Mask

The Savior's Champion

The Savior's Sister

Across the Green Grass Fields

Where the Drowned Girls Go

In Mercy, Rain

Skeleton Song

Lost in the Moment and Found

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known

Stillhouse Lake

The Pairing 

Mirage City

Swallowing Darkness

Divine Misdemeanours

A Shiver of Light 

Terrors at the Gate

Isles of the Emberdark

Tenderly, I Am Devoured 

Bitter Spirits

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Update 49

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 43

Update 44

Update 45

Camp SeasonAthon: 

Update 14 and Wrap Up

Phase Out Your TBR: 

Phase Ten July 2025 Sign Up

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Random:

Book Battle July 2025 TBR

Margie Fuston Author Page

Sav R. Miller Author Page

OK, so I got  posts in 7 days, What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Through Gates of Garnet and Gold! 

A fan-favorite character returns in this action-packed instalment of the Hugo Award-winning Wayward Children series.

After Nancy was cast out of the Halls of the Dead and forced to enroll at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children, she never believed she'd find her door again, and when she did, she didn't look back. She disappeared from the school to resume her place in the Halls, never intending to return.

Years have passed. A darkness has descended on the Halls, and the living statues who populate them are dying at the hands of the already dead. The Lord and Lady who rule the land are helpless to stop the slaughter, forcing Nancy to leave the Halls again, this time on purpose, as she attempts to seek much-needed help from her former schoolmates.

But who would volunteer to quest in a world where the dead roam freely?

And why are the dead so intent on adding to their number?

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 45

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was The Rushworth Family Plot which was for the prompt 7E Collect Gems, and I'll be reading I Don't Know next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 

Prompt Fulfilled: 1C

Started On: January 22nd

Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM

Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: 1B

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM

Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Prompt Fulfilled: 1D

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM

Pages Read: 544

The Party by Natasha Preston

Prompt Fulfilled: 1C

Started On: January 27th

Finished On: January 27th, 10:53 AM

Pages Read: 352

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine 

Prompt Fulfilled: 1E

Started On: January 30th

Finished On: January 30th, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 400

I Am the Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

Prompt Fulfilled: 1B

Started On: January 31st

Finished On: January 31st, 2:00 PM

Pages Read: 336

Vilest Things by Chloe Gong

Prompt Fulfilled: 1A

Started On: January 31st

Finished On: January 31st, 6:36 PM

Pages Read: 416

The Half King by Melissa Landers

Prompt Fulfilled: 2A North

Started On: February 8th

Finished On: February 8th, 7:28 PM

Pages Read: 512

Tell Me No Lies by A.V. Geiger

Prompt Fulfilled: 2C South

Started On: February 9th

Finished On: February 9th, 6:48 PM

Pages Read: 330

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West

Started On: February 15th

Finished On: February 15th, 9:18 PM

Pages Read: 545

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard 

Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West

Started On: February 16th

Finished On: February 16th, 3:26 PM

Pages Read: 496

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

Prompt Fulfilled: 2E South East

Started On: February 20th

Finished On: February 20th, 6:47 PM

Pages Read: 496

Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Prompt Fulfilled: 2D North East

Started On: February 21st

Finished On: February 21st, 9:15 PM

Pages Read: 384

Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli

Prompt Fulfilled: 2C South 

Started On: February 23rd

Finished On: February 23rd, 10:50 PM

Pages Read: 514

Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Prompt Fulfilled: 3B Bring Sword

Started On: March 2nd

Finished On: March 2nd, 10:32 PM

Pages Read: 309

Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher

Prompt Fulfilled: 3C Bring Wand

Started On: March 6th

Finished On: March 6th, 7:13 AM

Pages Read: 147

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

Prompt Fulfilled: 3A Find New Friends

Started On: March 7th

Finished On: March 7th, 11:48 AM

Pages Read: 640

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le

Prompt Fulfilled: 3B Enjoy Solitude

Started On: March 10th

Finished On: March 10th, 10:52 AM

Pages Read: 400

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass

Prompt Fulfilled: 3D Inspect Well

Started On: March 14th

Finished On: March 14th, 9:18 PM

Pages Read: 320

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher

Prompt Fulfilled: 3C Try New Food

Started On: March 29th

Finished On: March 29th, 1:57 PM

Pages Read: 368

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

Prompt Fulfilled: 3D Match Sundial

Started On: March 30th

Finished On: March 30th, 10:05 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite

Prompt Fulfilled: 4D Wait for Morning

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 10:28 AM

Pages Read: 400

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally

Prompt Fulfilled: 4D Wait for Morning

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 10:46 AM

Pages Read: 264

The Nightshade God by Hannah Whitten

Prompt Fulfilled: 4B Find Winter Cloak

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 8:39 PM

Pages Read: 480

Dead River by Cyn Balog

Prompt Fulfilled: 4C Cross River

Started On: April 9th

Finished On: April 9th, 8:38 PM

Pages Read: 256

The Stolen Bride by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe 

Prompt Fulfilled: 4B Find Winter Cloak

Started On: April 10th

Finished On: April 10th, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 282

Petals on the River by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Prompt Fulfilled: 4A Cross River

Started On: April 12th

Finished On: April 12th, 3:03 PM

Pages Read: 560

Where the River Takes Me by Julie Lawson 

Prompt Fulfilled: 4C Cross River

Started On: April 30th

Finished On: April 30th, 10:57 PM

Pages Read: 283

Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire 

Prompt Fulfilled: 5A Maze

Started On: May 12th

Finished On: May 12th, 6:39 PM

Pages Read: 368

Dreams and Slumber by Seanan McGuire  

Prompt Fulfilled: 5C Sleep

Started On: May 12th

Finished On: May 12th, 8:10 PM

Pages Read: 116

Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner

Prompt Fulfilled: 5B Practice Summoning Charms & Incantations

Started On: May 26th

Finished On: May 26th, 2:40 PM

Pages Read: 416

The Looking Glass by Janet McNally

Prompt Fulfilled: 5D Sundance

Started On: May 27th

Finished On: May 27th, 10:04 PM

Pages Read: 336

Rules for 50/50 Chances by Kate McGovern

Prompt Fulfilled: 5D Sundance

Started On: May 29th

Finished On: May 29th, 10:51 PM

Pages Read: 351

BZRK by Michael Grant

Prompt Fulfilled: 5B Enter Cave

Started On: May 30th

Finished On: May 30th, 1:04 PM 

Pages Read: 407

Red City by Marie Lu

Prompt Fulfilled: 5B Enter Cave

Started On: May 31st

Finished On: May 31st, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 432

Voidwalker by S.A. MacLean

Prompt Fulfilled: 6A Find Exit

Started On: June 1st

Finished On: June 1st, 8:18 PM

Pages Read: 592

Silver and Lead by Seanan McGuire

Prompt Fulfilled: 6D Sketch Sundancer

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 7:31 PM

Pages Read: 400

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

Prompt Fulfilled: 6E Fight Water Demons

Started On: June 6th

Finished On: June 6th, 7:27 PM

Pages Read: 416

A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais

Prompt Fulfilled: 6B Solve Traps

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 6:58 PM

Pages Read: 480

A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton

Prompt Fulfilled: 6D Sketch Sundancer

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 5:03 PM

Pages Read: 480

I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War 

Prompt Fulfilled: 6B Solve Traps

Started On: June 27th

Finished On: June 27th, 5:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

That Devil, Ambition by Linsey Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: 6C Meet Really Odd Impling

Started On: June 27th

Finished On: June 27th, 10:43 P M

Pages Read: 416

Isle of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson 

Prompt Fulfilled: 7D Write Notes

Started On: July 2nd

Finished On: July 2nd, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 532 

Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone 

Prompt Fulfilled: 7B Read Whilst on Watch

Started On: July 3rd

Finished On: July 3rd, 10:31 PM

Pages Read: 304

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray 

Prompt Fulfilled: 7E Collect Gems

Started On: July 6th

Finished On: July 6th, 10:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Prompts Left: 7F Try Learn Some Impling Magic, 7A Explore Ruins, 7B Read Whilst on Watch, 7D Write Notes

Read: 45

Pages Read: 17292

Wrote that Review Update #569, July 6th

If you want to participate, set a certain amount of reviews to write, and once you make that goal, you can get a reward!

My reviews to reward is writing all of the reviews of the week, and I motivated myself to write my review for The Revenant Games, The Death Mask, The Savior's Champion and The Savior's Sister, Across the Green Grass Fields, Where the Drowned Girls Go, In Mercy, Rain, Skeleton Song, Lost in the Moment and Found, Mislaid in Parts Half-Known, Stillhouse Lake, The Pairing, Mirage City, Swallowing Darkness, Divine Misdemeanours, A Shiver of Light, Terrors at the Gate, Isles of the Emberdark, Tenderly, I Am Devoured, Bitter Spirits, so I have 12 of 12 reviews written!

And as always, I want to review this week's reviews!

What about you guys? Happy reading!

How Well I Stuck to It #572, July 6th

So I decided that I should have accountability on sticking to what should be in a week, so I'm doing How Well I Stuck to It every Sunday, because my schedule should be fixed in by now!

Week 28:

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire

NetGalley: 1. Check.

Edelweiss: NA.

New Books: NA.

Just one NetGalley book that I just need to read so desperately! 

Week 27:

Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson, Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone

vs.

The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston, The Death Mask by Iris Johansen, The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci, The Savior's Sister by Jenna Moreci, Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire, Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire, In Mercy, Rain by Seanan McGuire, Skeleton Song by Seanan McGuire, Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire, Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire, Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, Mirage City by Lev A.C. Rosen, Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton, Divine Misdemeanours by Laurell K. Hamilton, A Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton, Terrors at the Gate by Scarlett St. Clair, Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson, Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone, Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett

I read I wanted, and more, so I'm happy with it, and I can't wait for this coming week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Wheel of TBR #267, July 6th

I saw Codie's Book Corner doing the Wheel of TBR, and I thought that sounded like a great way to pick what to read from your TBR. So thanks to her! I'll only do 3 spins, because I'm doing this every week, and so it won't make up my total TBR of the week, but it'll be a start!

Rules:

1. For each week of the month, I'll do 3 spins each week to read each week though I do have the rest of the month to read them. Once a prompt is used, I'll randomly choose one from the list, keeping track of how often a colour comes up. If colour comes up 3 or more times in month, I'll do another spin once it comes up 3 times.

2. If I don't read a book that week or at least start it before the end of the month, then for my next week of spins, I have to add a punishment for each book unread. I'll roll for each unread book, and have to apply each and every punishment chosen to the week.

3. Each month I'll get a prompt from my Binge Read Wheel (either specifically picking the prompt, or spinning the wheel) and I have to read at least 9 books, though I can read more!

Of the books from the last week, I read Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett, The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton, and I started The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray.

Binge Read Wheel:

For this month, the wheel picked Stand Alones I read Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone, so I've read 1/9+.

For this month, the wheel picked Author. I read The Savior's Champion by Jenna Moreci, The Savior's Sister by Jenna Moreci, Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire, Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire, Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire, Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire, Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton, Divine Misdemeanours by Laurell K. Hamilton,so I've read 25/9+.

Prompts Used This Week

2+ Authors, The Bookworm Revolution, A-Z Reading Challenge.

2+ Authors-Rose-Girl About Town by Adam Shankman and Laura L. Sullivan-This is written by 2 authors, so 

The Bookworm Revolution-Chartreuse-The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig-This is on my TBR, so that's on the list!

A-Z Reading Challenge-Blue-Oceanborn by Amalie Howard-This is on my A-Z Reading Challenge list, so I'll be reading that! 

Colour Totals:
Red: 0
Orange: 1
Yellow: 0 
Chartreuse: 2
Green: 0
Spring Green: 1
Cyan: 0 
Azure: 0
Blue: 1
Violet: 0
Magenta: 0
Rose: 1

Prompts for Next Week:

Series I Read in 2022 But Not in 2023-Red
Series Continued and Unfinished/Current 2022-Orange

Reading Challenge-Yellow

Hype-Chartreuse

Holly Pick-Green

Poll Pick-Spring Green
2024 Purchase-Cyan
Trope As Last Read-Azure

Book to Read in 2024-Blue

#Currentlyreading-Violet

Book to Read in 2021-Magenta

WTC Book-Rose

So those are some of the books I'm going to try to read this week. What about you guys? Happy reading!

The Reward Challenge Update #720, July 6th

The Reward Challenge is almost the complete opposite to a book buying ban as you'll end up buying lots of new books throughout the challenge but only after you've completed a certain amount of reading. It was hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly, so thanks to her for starting it!

OK, so I read The Revenant Games which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Death Mask which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, The Savior's Champion which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Savior's Sister which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Across the Green Grass Fields which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Where the Drowned Girls Go which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, In Mercy, Rain which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Skeleton Song which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Lost in the Moment and Found which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Mislaid in Parts Half-Known which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Stillhouse Lake which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, The Pairing  which counts twice as a SAC 2025 Book, Mirage City which counts 5 times as a Historical Fiction 2025 Book, NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and WoW Book, Swallowing Darkness which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Divine Misdemeanours which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, A Shiver of Light which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Terrors at the Gate which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Isles of the Emberdark which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Tenderly, I Am Devoured which counts 3 times as a SAC 2025 Book and a WoW Book, Bitter Spirits which counts 3 times as a Historical Fiction 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book.

So I have 50 counts which translates to $25 this week! I'll use it to buy books!

Margie Fuston Author Page

The Story: I saw Cruel Illusions around on the book world, and it sounded really good, and I picked it up and loved it, and then loved The Revenant Games, and I can't wait to read more by Margie Fuston! 

Website

Stand Alone's: Vampires, Hearts, & Other Dead Things and her site, my review, Cruel Illusions and her site, my review.

Series: The Revenant Games.

The Revenant Games: The Revenant Games and her site, my review, The Hallow Hunt and and her site, my review.

Phase Out Your TBR Update 4

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was The Mercy Makers which is for the prompt Green 5 and I'll be reading The Ruthworth Family Plot next! 

My Reading Journey:

Isle of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson 

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 2

Started On: July 2nd

Finished On: July 2nd, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 532 

Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone 

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 7

Started On: July 3rd

Finished On: July 3rd, 10:31 PM

Pages Read: 304

Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett

Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 12

Started On: July 4th

Finished On: July 4th, 3:48 PM

Pages Read: 317

The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5

Started On: July 5th

Finished On: July 5th, 11:07 PM

Pages Read: 560

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray 

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 5

Started On: July 6th

Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Prompts Left: Yellow 12, Blue 12, Blue Wild (Red 12), Yellow Wild (Green 12), Yellow 6, Yellow 6, Red 6, Green 9, Yellow 9, Blue 9, Green 7, Red 7, Blue 7, Yellow 7, Yellow 5, Yellow 10, Red 11

Books Read: 4

Pages Read: 1396

Week 27 Review: Bitter Spirits

From Goodreads:

It's the roaring twenties, and San Francisco is a hotbed of illegal boozing, raw lust, and black magic. The fog-covered Bay Area can be an intoxicating scene, particularly when you specialize in spirits…

Aida Palmer performs a spirit medium show onstage at Chinatown's illustrious Gris-Gris speakeasy. However, her ability to summon (and expel) the dead is more than just an act.

Winter Magnusson is a notorious bootlegger who's more comfortable with guns than ghosts—unfortunately for him, he's the recent target of a malevolent hex that renders him a magnet for hauntings. After Aida's supernatural assistance is enlisted to banish the ghosts, her spirit-chilled aura heats up as the charming bootlegger casts a different sort of spell on her.

On the hunt for the curseworker responsible for the hex, Aida and Winter become drunk on passion. And the closer they become, the more they realize they have ghosts of their own to exorcise…

My Review:


Author: Jenn Bennett
Series: Roaring Twenties #1
Read: July 4th, 2025 
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a Historical Fiction 2025 Book and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book! 
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Published: January 7th 2014

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Review: Tenderly, I Am Devoured

From Goodreads:

Perfect for fans of Saltburn, For the Wolf, and House of Hollow, Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a moody, monstrously Gothic romantasy in which a young woman must bind herself to a dangerous chthonic demon with the help of the son of a rival family to save her family's legacy―and herself―from ruin.

Expelled from her prestigious boarding school following a violent incident, eighteen-year-old Lacrimosa Arriscane returns home in disgrace to discover her family on the point of financial ruin. Desperate to save them, she accepts a marriage of convenience… to Therion, the chthonic god worshipped by Lark's isolated coastal hometown.

But when her betrothal goes horribly wrong, Lark begins to vanish from the mortal realm. Her only hope is to seek help from Alastair Felimath: the brilliant, arrogant boy who was her first heartbreak, and his alluring older sister, Camille. As the trio delve into the folklore of gods, Lark falls under the spell of the Felimath siblings.

Ensnared by a fervent romance, they perform a bacchanalia with hopes the hedonistic ritual will repair the connection between Lark and her bridegroom. Instead, they draw the ire of something much darker, which seeks to destroy Therion―and Lark as well.

My Review:


Author: Lyndall Clipstone 
Read: July 3rd, 2025 
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Published: July 1st 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Review: Isles of the Emberdark

From Goodreads:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes a legendary standalone novel that navigates the seas and the stars of a far-future Cosmere. Illustrated by Esther Hi’ilani Candari.

All his life, Sixth of the Dusk has been a traditional trapper of Aviar—the supernatural birds his people bond with—on the deadly island of Patji. Then one fateful night he propels his people into a race to modernize before they can be conquered by the Ones Above, invaders from the stars who want to exploit the Aviar.

But it's a race they're into the expanse of the emberdark beyond a mystical portal, Dusk sets off to find his people's salvation with only a canoe, his birds, and all the grit and canniness of a Patji trapper.

Elsewhere in the emberdark is a young dragon chained in human Starling of the starship Dynamic. She and her ragtag crew of exiles are deep in debt and on the brink of losing their freedom. So when she finds an ancient map to a hidden portal between the emberdark and the physical realm, she seizes the chance at a lucrative discovery.

These unlikely allies might just be the solution to each other's crisis. In their search for independence, Dusk and Starling face perilous bargains, poisonous politics, and the destructive echo of a dead god.

Sanderson expands his thrilling novella "Sixth of the Dusk" into a mythic novel of legends, lore, and warring galactic superpowers.

My Review:


Author: Brandon Sanderson 
Series: Secret Projects #5, Cosmere 
Read: July 2nd, 2025 
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Love his writing and this world, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Dragonsteel 
Published: July 1st 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Review: Terror at the Gates

From Goodreads:

The first in an all-new fantasy series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair. In this biting, feminist retelling of Lilith's story, Lilith will rise from the ashes of her former life to destroy the ancient power that stole everything she loves.

She is the beginning and the end.

She is peace and chaos.

She is terror knocking at the gates.

Estranged from her powerful family, Lilith Leviathan finds refuge in Nineveh, a district in the city of Eden devoted to sin. There, she uses her magic to steal for a living, attracting the attention of the five governing families as well as the church, which expects women to remain pious and silent. When Lilith comes into possession of a beautiful blade, she thinks all her worries are over…until her usual buyer dies while inspecting it.

Frantic, Lilith turns to the only man who can help her: Zahariev, head of the Zareth family and ruler of Nineveh. His currency is information, and his power is extortion, though he's always had a soft spot for Lilith. But when the dagger appears, he isn't sure he can protect her from what's to come.

Together, they embark on a mission to discover the true power running their world. As their lives intertwine, Lilith realizes Zahariev is more than just a friend, but their devotion to each other is a threat―to the truth, to the church, and to those who want to tear it all down.

My Review:


Author: Scarlett St. Clair
Series: Blood of Lilith #1
Read: July 1st, 2025 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really fantastic, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Expected Publication: July 8th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Reviews: Swallowing Darkness, Divine Misdemeanors, A Shiver of Light

From Goodreads:
I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child–twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.

Bearing an heir has placed me halfway to my aunt's throne, that much closer to my reign over the Unseelie Court–and well ahead of her son, my cousin Cel, in this race. Now I must stay alive to see my children born and claim my place as queen.

But not all in faerie are pleased with the news, and conspirators from every court in the realm plot against me and mine. They seek to strip my guards, my lovers, from me by poisoned word or cold steel. But I still have supporters, and even friends, among the goblins and the sluagh, who will stand by me.

I am Meredith Nic Essus, and those who would defy and destroy me are destined to pay a terrible price–for I am truly my father's daughter. To protect what is mine, I will sacrifice anything–even if it means waging a great battle against my darkest enemies and making the most momentous decision ever made as princess of faerie.

From Goodreads:

You may know me best as Meredith Nic Essus, princess of faerie. Or perhaps as Merry Gentry, Los Angeles private eye. To protect my unborn children, I have turned my back on the crown, choosing exile in the human world with my beloved Frost and Darkness. Yet I cannot abandon my people. Someone is killing the fey, which has left the LAPD baffled and my guardsmen and me deeply disturbed. I thought I'd left the blood and politics behind in my own turbulent realm. But now I realize that evil knows no borders, and that nobody lives forever—even if they're magical.

From Goodreads:

I am Princess Meredith NicEssus. Legal name Meredith Gentry, because "Princess" looks so pretentious on a driver's license. I was the first faerie princess born on American soil, but I wouldn't be the only one for much longer...

Merry Gentry, ex–private detective, now full-time princess, knew she was descended from fertility goddesses, but when she learned she was about to have triplets, she began to understand what that might mean. Infertility has plagued the high ranks of faerie for centuries. Now nobles of both courts of faerie are coming to court Merry and her men, at their home in exile in the Western Lands of Los Angeles, because they will do anything to have babies of their own.

Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, is a more dangerous problem. He tried to seduce Merry and, failing that, raped her. He's using the human courts to sue for visitation rights, claiming that one of the babies is his. And though Merry knows she was already pregnant when he took her, she can't prove it.

To save herself and her babies from Taranis she will use the most dangerous powers in all of faerie: a god of death, a warrior known as the Darkness, the Killing Frost, and a king of nightmares. They are her lovers, and her dearest loves, and they will face down the might of the high courts of faerie—while trying to keep the war from spreading to innocent humans in Los Angeles, who are in danger of becoming collateral damage.

My first review of Swallowing Darkness, Divine Misdemeanors, A Shiver of Light

My second review of A Shiver of Light
My Review:


Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Merry Gentry #7, 8, 9
Read: April 30th, 30th, 30th, 2017

Second Read: April 12th, 2019

Read: June 30th, 30th, July 1st, 2025
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books!
Publisher: Ballantine Books, Berkley
Published: November 4th 2008, December 8th 2009, June 3rd 2014

Swallowing Darkness:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Divine Misdemeanors:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

A Shiver of Light:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Review: Mirage City

From Goodreads:

Lev AC Rosen delivers a new and captivating 1950s mystery in this dazzling, award-winning series

Private Investigator Evander "Andy" Mills' next case takes him out of his comfort zone in San Francisco—and much to his dismay, back home to Los Angeles. After a secretive queer rights organization called the Mattachine Society enlists Andy to find some missing members, he must dodge not only motorcycle gangs and mysterious forces, but his own mother, too.

Avoiding her proves to be a challenge when the case leads Andy to the psychological clinic she works at. Worlds collide, buried secrets are dug up, and Andy realizes he's going to have to burn it all down this time if he wants to pull off a rescue. With secret societies, drugs, and doctors swirling around him, time is running out for Andy to locate the missing and get them to safety. And for him to make it back to San Francisco in one piece.

My Review:


Author: Lev A.C. Rosen
Series: Evander Mills #4
Read: June 30th, 2025 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love his writing and this series, and it's Historical Fiction 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and WoW Book! 
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Expected Publication: October 7th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Review: The Pairing

From Goodreads:

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other—except they're definitely not.

Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It's in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

My first review of The Pairing
My Review:


Author: Casey McQuiston
First Read: February 22nd, 2024

Read: June 30th, 2025 
Source: Own/Library
Reason Why: Rereading, and it's a SAC 2025 Book! 
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 
Published: August 6th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Review: Stillhouse Lake

From Goodreads:
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband's secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband's crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she's starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she's learned how to fight evil. And she'll never stop.

My first review of Stillhouse Lake
My Review:

Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Stillhouse Lake #1
First Read: January 8th, 2022

Read: June 29th, 2025
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her writing, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: July 1st 2017

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 27 Reviews: Across the Green Grass Fields, Where the Drowned Girls Go, In Mercy, Rain, Skeleton Song, Lost in the Moment and Found, Mislaid in Parts Half-Known

From Goodreads: 
A young girl discovers a portal to a land filled with centaurs and unicorns in Seanan McGuire's Across the Green Grass Fields, a standalone tale in the Hugo and Nebula Award-wining Wayward Children series.

"Welcome to the Hooflands. We're happy to have you, even if you being here means something's coming."

Regan loves, and is loved, though her school-friend situation has become complicated, of late.

When she suddenly finds herself thrust through a doorway that asks her to "Be Sure" before swallowing her whole, Regan must learn to live in a world filled with centaurs, kelpies, and other magical equines―a world that expects its human visitors to step up and be heroes.

But after embracing her time with the herd, Regan discovers that not all forms of heroism are equal, and not all quests are as they seem… 

From Goodreads:

Welcome to the Whitethorn Institute. The first step is always admitting you need help, and you've already taken that step by requesting a transfer into our company.

There is another school for children who fall through doors and fall back out again.

It isn't as friendly as Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children.

And it isn't as safe.

When Eleanor West decided to open her school, her sanctuary, her Home for Wayward Children, she knew from the beginning that there would be children she couldn't save; when Cora decides she needs a different direction, a different fate, a different prophecy, Miss West reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the other school, where things are run very differently by Whitethorn, the Headmaster.

She will soon discover that not all doors are welcoming... 

From Goodreads:

Jack Walcott was only twelve years old when she and her twin sister Jill, descended the impossible staircase and found herself in the Moors, a world of drowned gods and repugnant royals.

After abandoning her sister to a vampire lord, and under the tutelage of a mad scientist who can do impossible things with flesh and living lightning, Jack quickly learns that in the Moors, death is merely a suggestion.

From Goodreads:

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions—slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere . . . else. Adventures are always interesting, but they’re not always happy.

From the worlds of Wayward Children comes a story of love, of devotion, of bones wrapped in flesh.

From Goodreads:

A young girl discovers an infinite variety of worlds in this standalone tale in the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Wayward Children series from Seanan McGuire, Lost in the Moment and Found.

Welcome to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go.

If you ever lost a sock, you'll find it here.

If you ever wondered about favorite toy from childhood... it's probably sitting on a shelf in the back.

And the headphones that you swore that this time you'd keep safe? You guessed it….

Antoinette has lost her father. Metaphorically. He's not in the shop, and she'll never see him again. But when Antsy finds herself lost (literally, this time), she finds that however many doors open for her, leaving the Shop for good might not be as simple as it sounds.

And stepping through those doors exacts a price.

Lost in the Moment and Found tells us that childhood and innocence, once lost, can never be found.

From Goodreads:

Dinosaurs and portals, and a girl who can find both in the latest book in the Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning series.

Antsy is the latest student to pass through the doors at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children.

When her fellow students realize that Antsy's talent for finding absolutely anything may extend to doors, she's forced to flee in the company of a small group of friends, looking for a way back to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go to be sure that Vineta and Hudson are keeping their promise.

Along the way, temptations are dangled, decisions are reinforced, and a departure to a world populated by dinosaurs brings untold dangers and one or two other surprises!

A story that reminds us that finding what you want doesn't always mean finding what you need.

My first review of Across the Green Grass Fields, Where the Drowned Girls Go, In Mercy, Rain, Lost in the Moment and Found, Mislaid in Parts Half-Known
My Review:


Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #6, 7, 7.5, 7.7, 8, 9, 
First Read: September 15th, 2020, November 18th, 2021, September 25th, 25th, 2022, August 3rd, 2023

Read: June 29th, 29th, 29th, 29th, 29th, 29th, 2025
Source: NetGalley, Online
Reason Why: Rereading, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books!
Publisher: Tor.com, Tor Books, Tordotcom
Published: January 12th 2021, January 4th 2022, July 18th 2022, November 2nd 2022, January 10th 2023, January 9th 2024 

Across the Green Grass Fields:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Where the Drowned Girls Go:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

In Mercy, Rain: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Skeleton Song:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Lost in the Moment and Found:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars