It's Monday! What Are You Reading #757, December 8th

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 #756
Teaser Tuesday #764
WWW Wednesday #764
WOW #760
Will the Time Come #757
Third Sentence Thursday #747
Random Reads #733
First Lines Friday #760
Book Blogger Hop #426

Monthly ARC's Update 137

25 Books to Read in 2025 Update 8

A-Z Reading Challenge Update 69
The Reward Challenge Update #742
Wheel of TBR #289
How Well I Stuck to It #594
Wrote that Review Update #591

Week 49 Reviews:

Twelve Months 

Watched 

The Possibility of Somewhere 

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy 

Rogue Protocol 

Exit Strategy

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory  

Fugitive Telemetry 

Network Effect 

System Collapse 

Kirkyards & Kindness 

Brimstone

The Nightmare Curse 

The Hallow Curse 

Holiday Ever After 

He Sees You When You're Sleeping 

Naughty Saint Nick 

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Lightfall at Old Favour Pass Sign Up 2025 Sign Up

Clear Your S**t Readathon: 

5.5 Readathon Sign Up

Update 1

Update 2

Merry Bookmas: 

Readathon 2025 Sign Up

Update 1

Update 2

Random:

Book Battle December 2025 TBR

The Bookworm Revolution December 2025 TBR

Celeste Connally Author Page

OK, so I got 36 posts in 7 days, and it was a decent week, I read some really great reads, and I'm just counting down the days! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want.

Week 49 Review: Brimstone

From Goodreads:

Duty. Blood. Honour. Power.

Saeris Fane doesn't want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court's lips, but now that she's been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she's discovering that a queen's life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward - and her brother - need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

'Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.'

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.

My Review:


Author: Callie Hart
Series: Fae & Alchemy #2
Read: December 3rd, 2025  
Source: Bought/Library
Reason Why: Love her writing and the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Forever
Published: November 18th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Merry Bookmas Update 1

So I read my first book for Merry Bookmas, and it was Brimstone which was for the prompt Tinsel, and I'll be reading The Nightmare Curse next! 

My Reading Journey:

Brimstone by Callie Hart 

Prompt Fulfilled: Tinsel

Started On: December 3rd

Finished On: December 3rd, 1:29 PM

Pages Read: 672

The Nightmare Curse by Kayla McGrath

Prompt Fulfilled: Wreath

Started On: December 3rd

Currently On: Page 0 of 377

Prompts Left: Star, Nutcracker, Garland, Snowflake, Lights, Candy Canes, Pinecone, Sleigh, Bell, Present

Read: 1

Pages Read: 672

WWW Wednesday #764, December 3rd

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it! 

I'm currently listening to Brimstone,and I'm loving it!

I'm reading The Nightmare Curse, and I'm really enjoying it! 

I read Kirkyards & Kindness, and I absolutely loved it! 

I'm going to be reading The Hallow Curse, and I can't wait! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #756, November 5th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs

Expected Publication: November 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with a twisty, magnetic thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who finds herself enmeshed in a series of grisly animal killings that escalate into something far more sinister.

Small creatures—a rat, a rabbit, a squirrel—have been turning up throughout Charlotte, North Carolina, mutilated and displayed in a bizarre manner. But one day, as Tempe is relaxing at home alongside her aimless, moody great-niece Ruthie, she’s diverted by a disturbing call. The perp is upping the ante. This find could be human.

Tempe visits the scene and discovers that the victim is a dog. Someone’s pet. As one who has always found animal cruelty abhorrent, Tempe agrees to help apprehend the person responsible, and she acquires an equally outraged ally in semi-retired homicide detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell. Needing a better understanding of possible motives, Tempe seeks input from a forensic psychologist. The doctor has no definitive answer but offers several possibilities, warning that the escalating pattern of aggression suggests even more macabre discoveries—and a shift in the perp’s focus to humans.

And then it happens. A woman is found disfigured and posed in a manner that mimics the animal killings. Subsequently, people Tempe cares about begin to go missing until it becomes clear she is being taunted, the target in a sick game that has her and Slidell racing against a ticking clock and facing a terrifying “What is pure evil?”

Brimstone by Callie Hart

Expected Publication: November 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Duty. Blood. Honour. Power.

Saeris Fane doesn't want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court's lips, but now that she's been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she's discovering that a queen's life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders.

Her ward - and her brother - need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . .

'Keep your mouth shut. Stick to the shadows. And for the love of all seven Gods, do NOT crack any jokes.'

Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

A darkness falls across Yvelia. The realm and their friends are in danger. Together, Saeris and Fisher will pass through fire and brimstone to save them.

How Girls Are Made by Mindy McGinnis

Expected Publication: November 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Sex Education meets Euphoria in this dark contemporary novel that tackles perfectionism, emotional abuse, and the dark side of social media.

Fallon is a fixer. From planning prom to organizing her college applications, she’s got it all figured out…except for when her younger sister comes to her with very basic questions about sex. Shocked that she knows so little—and her fellow classmates even less—Fallon decides some practical education is in order. And Fallon isn’t above practicing a little civil disobedience by creating a secret underground off-campus group.

Shelby is a fighter. Having her nose broken is nothing new in her semiprofessional career…but this time it’s her boyfriend who threw the punch. Now her phone is blowing up with texts from a new guy who tells her she’s perfect, she’s special, she’s everything he’s ever wanted…except for a few small details. Shelby’s happy to adjust for him, because isn’t that what a healthy relationship is about?

Jobie is a failure. She doesn’t have enough followers and her posts never go viral, no matter how hard she crushes challenges and applies exactly the right filter. But a friendly DM from a good girl just like her points her in the direction of a whole new audience of admirers. Guys who just want to talk. Guys who give her the attention she’s always wanted. 

The lives of all three girls intersect in Fallon’s secret class, rumors of which have parents up in arms. Fallon needs to keep herself anonymous, Shelby needs to keep her new boyfriend happy, and Jobie needs to keep her followers…who keep asking for more. Each girl finds herself trapped in an inescapable situation—that will leave one of them dead. 

I'll Find You Were the Timeline Ends by Kyle Lee Baker

Expected Publication: November 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

A teen descendant of a Japanese dragon god must find out the truth of what happened to her missing sister while trying not to fall for a handsome rogue agent in acclaimed author Kylie Lee Baker's magical new YA romance, I'll Find You Where the Timeline Ends.

“Here's one thing I know for I’ll never see you again. And if I never see you again, then in fifty years, the world will end.” -Yejun

Yang Mina, descended from a Japanese dragon god, was born with the power to travel through time, and has spent her life training to take her place in the Descendants, a secret organization whose purpose is to protect the timeline. But since moving to Seoul, everything is falling apart. Mina has discovered that the Descendants are corrupt, that her sister has been erased from existence, and that she can’t pass Calculus, which puts her mission to kiss the cutest boy in her year at risk.

With her very existence on the line, Mina decides to tread a dangerous team up with a handsome rogue agent named Yejun, who has a plan to free the Descendants from the corrupt influence, and (hopefully) restore Mina’s sister. Between class and their time travel dates, Mina can’t stop herself from falling for the mysterious Yejun. Yet, as Mina grows closer to Yejun, she also grows closer to discovering the truth, which may be the very thing that breaks her…

The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee

Expected Publication: November 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Bestselling author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun YA K-drama remix of Pride and Prejudice—if Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett were a college-run reality TV dating show.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when there is a hot person, there is also someone with a crush on them.

Mia Yoon has a plan for everything. Get a full ride to her dream film school in Los Angeles, behind her mom’s back, and escape her middle-of-nowhere hometown—check. Produce her own dating show starring other people and their crushes—check. But everything goes off the rails when she has to enlist the help of her own secret crush, Noah Jang, a boy she’d rather hate.

Despite being a campus celebrity voted “most eligible student bachelor,” Noah can’t remember the last time he was in a relationship. And he’s perfectly content with that, thank you very much, especially since just the word feelings makes him uncomfortable. But he can’t stop staring at Mia, who keeps glaring at him in class. And when she asks him to be on her dating show—as one of the contestants—he can’t say no.

As Noah goes on more and more romantic dates on The Cuffing Game and Mia watches from behind the camera, something feels off. With the showrunner and contestant slowly falling for one another, can the show still go on?

Oh, man, these books, I'm so excited for them, I love these authors, and series! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #744, September 8th

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 #743
Teaser Tuesday #751
WWW Wednesday #751
WOW #747
Will the Time Come #744
Third Sentence Thursday #734
Random Reads #720
First Lines Friday #747
Book Blogger Hop #413

Monthly ARC's Update 130

25 Books to Read in 2025 Update 5
The Reward Challenge Update #729
Wheel of TBR #276
How Well I Stuck to It #581
Wrote that Review Update #578

Week 36 Reviews:
To Kill a Badger

The Princess Will Save You

Night Watcher

The Housemaid

A Forgery of Fate

The Last Dragon of the East

The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy

Wild Reverence 

Out of Air

Vipers and Virtuosos

Oaths and Omissions

Arrows and Apologises 

A Deadly Education

The Last Graduate

The Golden Enclaves 

Quicksilver

Quicksilver Bonus Scenes: Kingfisher's POV

Imaginary Numbers

Follow the Lady

Calculated Risks

Singing the Comic-Con Blues

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Update 9

Update 10

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Update 16

Update 17

Update 18

SeasonAthon Academy:

Update 1

OK, so I got 47 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty quiet week, which I needed, we're now a month in from putting down Jax, and I still miss him so much, What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Week 36 Reviews: Quicksilver, Quicksilver Bonus Scenes: Kingfisher's POV

From Goodreads:

The global phenomenon by Callie Hart--a highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance. 

Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen's reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn't much a girl wouldn't do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they're real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist's magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he's the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details...

N.B. Quicksilver contains depictions of graphic violence/adult situations and is therefore recommended for readers 17+. For a full list of tropes and TWs, please visit the author's website.

From Goodreads:

Special Please listen to Quicksilver before going behind the scenes with Kingfisher! Or risk being flung into the middle of the battle.

Previously only available on Callie Hart's website, these scenes (written from Kingfisher's point of view rather than Saeris') are now brought to life in audio by popular demand. The scenes included are "The Gates (Parts 1 & 2)" and "The Fox. The Boots. The Dress."

My Review:
I absolutely loved reading these stories! I loved the world and the characters, and these two and their banter and their connection, I just loved it! This book was become pretty hyped, and I think it fairly earns it, I had such a blast reading them! 

We're pretty much immediately thrown into this world. Or at least, one part of it before she ends up in a new one, full of things that she thought were only stories. That it's more of a winter wonderland kind of place, at least at the time that she arrives, after her home being such a desert place that is so lacking in water, and is so hot...yeah that was something of a shock for her. 

Her relationship with Kingfisher was so interesting, that he awarded such things as his attention, spending time with her, but that he also seemed so closed off. Knowing what I know now about his secrets, it makes sense, but it was baffling before those came to light.

In books, there's a idea of scope, of how big the world is, how big the story is going to be. This book has gone in the route where the world is introduced, and the stakes. And it's only at the end that while you've been introduced, you think you know how big the story is going to be-and the ending opens it wide open. I'm so excited to see what's going to come of that, and how they're all going to be dealing with the events of the end of this book! 

These were both so fantastic to read, and I can't wait for book 2! 

Author: Callie Hart 
Series: Fae & Alchemy #1, 1.5
Read: September 5th, 5th, 2025
Source: Bought/Library, Online
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books! 
Publisher: Forever, Callie Hart
Published: June 4th 2024, July 1st 2025

Quicksilver:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Quicksilver Bonus Scenes: Kingfisher's POV:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 13

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was Quicksilver which was for the prompt Spells & Incantations O, and I'll be reading Imaginary Numbers next!

My Reading Journey:

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration Q

Started On: September 1st 

Finished On: September 1st, 10:04 AM

Pages Read: 329

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

Prompt Fulfilled: Demonology Q

Started On: September 1st

Finished On: September 1st, 12:04 PM

Pages Read: 480

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan 

Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration Q

Started On: September 1st

Finished On: September 1st, 4:48 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards

Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations D

Started On: September 1st

Finished On: September 1st, 10:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription O

Started On: September 2nd

Finished On: September 2nd, 3:27 PM

Pages Read: 544

Out of Air by Rachel Reiss

Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies O

Started On: September 2nd

Finished On: September 2nd, 8:01 PM

Pages Read: 304

Vipers and Virtuosos by Sav R. Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy Q

Started On: September 3rd

Finished On: September 3rd, 1:03 PM

Pages Read: 416

Oaths and Omissions by Sav R. Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription O

Started On: September 3rd

Finished On: September 3rd, 5:38 PM

Pages Read: 404

Arrows and Apologies by Sav R. Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: Shapeshifting Q

Started On: September 3rd

Finished On: September 3rd, 9:41 PM

Pages Read: 400

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration O

Started On: September 4th

Finished On: September 4th, 12:36 PM

Pages Read: 321

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration O

Started On: September 4th

Finished On: September 4th, 4:28 PM

Pages Read: 391

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore Q

Started On: September 4th

Finished On: September 4th, 9:47 PM

Pages Read: 416

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations O

Started On: September 5th

Finished On: September 5th, 12:32 PM

Pages Read: 640

Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire

Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy D

Started On: September 5th

Currently On: Page 0 of 400

Prompts Left: Alchemy O, Alchemy Q, Alchemy D, Inscription Q, Inscription D, Artificery O, Artificery Q, Artificery D, Spells & Incantations O, Spells & Incantations Q, Art of Illusion O, Lore O, Astronomy O, Astronomy D, Shapeshifting O, Elemental Studies Q, Elemental Studies D, Shapeshifting O, Animal Studies O, Animal Studies Q, Astronomy O, Astronomy Q, Astronomy D, Restoration O, Restoration D, Spells & Incantations O, Alchemy O, Restoration O, Restoration Q, Restoration D, Conjuration D, Demonology O, Lore O, Lore D, Animal Studies O, Animal Studies Q, Animal Studies D, Demonology O, Demonology D, Restoration O, Restoration Q, Restoration D, Spells & Incantations O, Conjuration Q, Alchemy O, Alchemy Q, Art of Illusion O, Art of Illusion Q, Spells & Incantations O, Psionics & Divination O, Psionics & Divination Q, Psionics & Divination D, Lore O, Alchemy O, Alchemy Q, Alchemy D, Restoration O, Restoration Q, Shapeshifting O, Shapeshifting D, Art of Illusion O, Art of Illusion Q, Art of Illusion D, Psionics & Divination O, Artificery O, Artificery Q, Artificery D 

Read: 13

Pages Read: 5101

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 12

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was The Golden Enclaves which was for the prompt Lore Q, and I'll be reading Quicksilver next!

My Reading Journey:

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration Q

Started On: September 1st 

Finished On: September 1st, 10:04 AM

Pages Read: 329

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

Prompt Fulfilled: Demonology Q

Started On: September 1st

Finished On: September 1st, 12:04 PM

Pages Read: 480

The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan 

Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration Q

Started On: September 1st

Finished On: September 1st, 4:48 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards

Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations D

Started On: September 1st

Finished On: September 1st, 10:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription O

Started On: September 2nd

Finished On: September 2nd, 3:27 PM

Pages Read: 544

Out of Air by Rachel Reiss

Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies O

Started On: September 2nd

Finished On: September 2nd, 8:01 PM

Pages Read: 304

Vipers and Virtuosos by Sav R. Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy Q

Started On: September 3rd

Finished On: September 3rd, 1:03 PM

Pages Read: 416

Oaths and Omissions by Sav R. Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription O

Started On: September 3rd

Finished On: September 3rd, 5:38 PM

Pages Read: 404

Arrows and Apologies by Sav R. Miller

Prompt Fulfilled: Shapeshifting Q

Started On: September 3rd

Finished On: September 3rd, 9:41 PM

Pages Read: 400

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration O

Started On: September 4th

Finished On: September 4th, 12:36 PM

Pages Read: 321

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration O

Started On: September 4th

Finished On: September 4th, 4:28 PM

Pages Read: 391

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore Q

Started On: September 4th

Finished On: September 4th, 9:47 PM

Pages Read: 416

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations O

Started On: September 5th

Currently On: Page 0 of 640

Prompts Left: Alchemy O, Alchemy Q, Alchemy D, Inscription Q, Inscription D, Artificery O, Artificery Q, Artificery D, Spells & Incantations O, Spells & Incantations Q, Art of Illusion O, Lore O, Astronomy O, Astronomy D, Shapeshifting O, Elemental Studies Q, Elemental Studies D, Shapeshifting O, Animal Studies O, Animal Studies Q, Astronomy O, Astronomy Q, Astronomy D, Restoration O, Restoration D, Spells & Incantations O, Alchemy O, Restoration O, Restoration Q, Restoration D, Conjuration D, Demonology O, Lore O, Lore D, Animal Studies O, Animal Studies Q, Animal Studies D, Demonology O, Demonology D, Restoration O, Restoration Q, Restoration D, Spells & Incantations O, Conjuration Q, Alchemy O, Alchemy Q, Alchemy D, Art of Illusion O, Art of Illusion Q, Spells & Incantations O, Psionics & Divination O, Psionics & Divination Q, Psionics & Divination D, Lore O, Alchemy O, Alchemy Q, Alchemy D, Restoration O, Restoration Q, Shapeshifting O, Shapeshifting D, Art of Illusion O, Art of Illusion Q, Art of Illusion D, Psionics & Divination O, Artificery O, Artificery Q, Artificery D, 

Read: 12

Pages Read: 4661