Django Wexler Author Page

The Story: I don't quite remember when I first heard of Django Wexler, I know that I bought the Wells of Sorcery books because they sounded good, and then How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying was on NetGalley, and I got it and loved and the sequel, and I've also read Ship of Smoke and Steel and it was so good, and I can't wait to read more by Django Wexler! 

Website

Series: Dark Lord Davi, The Wells of Sorcery.

Dark Lord Davi: How to Become the Dark Lord And Dying Trying and his site, my review, Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me and his site, my review.

The Wells of Sorcery: Ship of Smoke and Steel and his site, my review, City of Stone and Silence and his site, my review, Siege of Rage and Ruin and his site, my review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #732, June 16th

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 #731
Teaser Tuesday #739
WWW Wednesday #739
WOW #735
Will the Time Come #732
Third Sentence Thursday #722
Random Reads #708
First Lines Friday #735
Book Blogger Hop #401

Monthly ARC's Update 119

25 Books to Read in 2025 Update 4
The Reward Challenge Update #717

Wheel of TBR #264
How Well I Stuck to It #569
Wrote that Review Update #566

Week 24 Reviews:
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet

A Psalm for the Wild-Built 

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

When Devils Sing

If This Gets Out

Caught Up

The Curses 

Ship of Smoke and Steel

A Most Puzzling Murder

A Kiss of Shadows 

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 39

Update 40

Camp SeasonAthon: 

Update 5

OK, so I got 27 posts in 7 days, another quiet week, but I've been focused more on book buying then book reading, and when I get focused, I let things fall to the wayside, like blogging, but I should catch up today. But yeah, it was a pretty good week, and I can't wait for this coming one, since it's already gotten off to a pretty good start with an excellent book read, which you can see below! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Turns of Fate!

A young detective investigating crimes of the uncanny will learn that bargains can change your fate—for good or ill—in this darkly enthralling fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Others and the Black Jewels series.

Words have power. Intentions matter.

Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel's restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.

When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a "ghost gun," she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana's unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.

For the Isle of Wyrd is a place where the dead ride trains to their final destinations, predators literally become prey, and seekers' true natures are revealed in the ripples of destiny unknowingly stirred in their wakes.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will be lost in between?

Week 24 Review: Ship of Smoke and Steel

From Goodreads:

In the lower wards of Kahnzoka, the great port city of the Blessed Empire, eighteen-year-old ward boss Isoka enforces the will of her criminal masters with the power of Melos, the Well of Combat. The money she collects goes to keep her little sister living in comfort, far from the bloody streets they grew up on.

When Isoka's magic is discovered by the government, she's arrested and brought to the Emperor's spymaster, who sends her on an impossible mission: steal Soliton, a legendary ghost ship--a ship from which no one has ever returned. If she fails, her sister's life is forfeit.

On board Soliton, nothing is as simple as it seems. Isoka tries to get close to the ship's mysterious captain, but to do it she must become part of the brutal crew and join their endless battles against twisted creatures. She doesn't expect to have to contend with feelings for a charismatic fighter who shares her combat magic, or for a fearless princess who wields an even darker power.

My Review:


Author: Django Wexler 
Series: The Wells of Sorcery #1 
Read: June 11th, 2025 
Source: Own
Reason Why: Love his writing and it sounded really good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book!  
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: January 22nd 2019

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

25 Books to Read in 2025 Update 4

So I read my next book for the 25 Books to Read in 2025 Challenge! 

So I read Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler from the Physical list!

Yep. Happy reading!

Here's the link to this year's post with my journey.

But to recap, I wanted to do a version of These Books Will Self Destruct in 12 months without the self destruct. I wanted to read books that I've had for a while, that I really needed to get read, but maybe I forgot about them or that I had them. So I made 2 lists, one for each way I have them, as physical books, and as ARC's, half from NetGalley, and half from Edelweiss.

WWW Wednesday #739, June 11th

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 reading Ship of Smoke and Steel, and I'm loving it! 

I read The Curses,and it was a fantastic sequel! 

I'm going to be reading A Most Puzzling Murder, and I can't wait, it sounds really good! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #731, May 14th

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

Heir of Light by Michelle Sagara 

Expected Publication: May 27th, 2025
From Goodreads:

There is always a price to be paid for power and justice.

With the Academia now awakened from its centuries-long slumber, Robin, a student who hails from a prestigious family, must own up to his destiny. As heir to the Gardianno seat, a highly coveted position within the human caste court, Robin stands to inherit great power when he assumes his birthright—but at what cost?

Under the guidance of a formidable Barrani lord named Teela, Robin wrestles with his newfound duties and the societal complexities that come with the privilege. Soon, however, it’s apparent that others feel entitled to the seat…and they’re willing to do the unthinkable in order to get it.

With Teela and his best friend, Raven, at his side, Robin is ready to battle for what is rightfully his. But when the Halls of Law consider reopening the investigation into the baffling murder of his parents, the truth could lead Robin right to the heart of danger.

Beneath the Burning Sea by Amanda Bouchet 

Expected Publication: May 27th, 2025
From Goodreads:

SHE'LL BURN BRIGHT ENOUGH TO RIVAL GODS

Separated from everyone they know and love, sworn warriors (and warring allies) Bellanca and Carver are on a gods-given travel to the famed realm of Atlantis, fight through every danger that awaits them, and find the Shard of Olympus in order to end Atlantis's generations-long magical punishment—all in Zeus's name.

Zeus needs an army if he has any hope of stopping Olympus's bloody coup, and headstrong fire Magoi Bellanca knows it's her duty to deliver one no matter the cost…to herself, to her own growing magic, or to the man she's come to desire with all the flames in her heart.

He left everything behind in order to guard her back as she faces down her destiny, and Carver swears that together, they can overcome any obstacle. But finding the shard is no easy task, and it's not long before Bellanca and Carver are dragged into the center of a deadly game of gods…one not even their combined hearts may be strong enough to survive.

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

Expected Publication: May 27th, 2025
From Goodreads:

What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World World Except Me by Django Wexler

Expected Publication: May 27th, 2025
From Goodreads:

The hilarious sequel to How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler!

Dark Lord Davi rules the kingdom, but she must now break the time loop that binds her in this hilariously bloody conclusion to the Dark Lord Davi duology.

Davi has left the horde behind her, hoping to find a peaceful solution to keep the Kingdom from being destroyed this time. But her plan to guide the Kingdom to peaceful prosperity is thwarted when she finds her usual love interest, Prince Johann, already married and the bloodthirsty Duke Aster running the government. Johann's new husband is everything Davi is not, but he holds a key to the one mystery she can't solve - the origins of the time loop that has entrapped her.

With restless armies at her doorstep, Duke Aster reaching for power, and an ancient magician hounding her every turn, Davi must scheme her way to peace and uncover the truth behind her curse if she is to break the spell that binds her once and for all.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

Expected Publication: May 27th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Titanic meets Aliens in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Celeste knows every inch of this ship. She's proud of her work as apprentice engineer. And as the maiden voyage of the Titan launches, she's optimistic for the promises of this new journey from Earth to Mars — this new life.

Dominic arrives at his suite where his valet is busy unpacking his things. His chest is tight, already feeling anxious inside his dad's precious new ship. Once it launches, he's trapped, inside the ship and inside the life his father has chosen for him — a life that will leave his dreams of art school behind. 

Discovered under melted ice caps, ancient aliens have been brought onto the Titan as well, and stored in display cases for the entertainment of the passengers . . . until an act of sabotage releases them into the ship, with zero discrimination for class, decks or human life . . .

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee

Expected Publication: May 27th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Delilah Green Doesn't Care meets The Bold Type in this sapphic rom-com where two exes are given a second chance at love.  

When her boyfriend of seven years suddenly breaks up with her, relationship advice columnist Gemma Cho is convinced that real love doesn’t exist. As a bisexual woman who’s had zero luck with both men and women, she’s ready to give up on her own romantic prospects. That is, until she's paired up with world-renowned photographer Celeste Min on a potentially career-saving piece on modern love.    

Celeste is extremely talented and sexy, and would be the perfect collaborator and rebound for Gemma—if it weren’t for the fact that she’s Gemma’s ex, the one that broke her heart in college and moved to a whole other country before Gemma could even make sense of what went wrong between them. Heightened by the unmistakable sparks that still fly between them, Gemma and Celeste struggle to keep their relationship strictly professional. For the sake of her career, Gemma needs this piece to do well. And for the sake of what’s left of her beaten up hopeless romantic heart, she wants to fall head over heels for Celeste again. 

But can she trust Celeste to feel the same this time around?

The end of May has some really amazing read, I've read most of them, and they were so good, and I can't wait for them all to be released! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #718, March 10th

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 #717
Teaser Tuesday #725
WWW Wednesday #725
WOW #721
Will the Time Come #718
Third Sentence Thursday #708
Random Reads #694
First Lines Friday #721
Book Blogger Hop #387

Monthly ARC's Update 109
The Reward Challenge Update #703
Wheel of TBR #250
How Well I Stuck to It #555
Wrote that Review Update #552

Week 10 Reviews:
Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me

Steel

All Fired Up

The Ragpicker King

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone

Nine Goblins

Queen of Shadows and Ruin

The Heart of the World

The Final Strife

Necrobane 

Advocate

Crown of Twelve

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Update 17

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 16

Update 17

Spring Into Reading-A-Thon: 

2025 Sign Up

Update 1

Update 2

Roll of Reads Readathon: 

2025 Sign Up

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Random:

Book Battle March 2025 TBR

OK, so I got 35 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty good week, I read some really good books, and I have some ones that I'm really looking forward to this week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read The Executioners Three, Go Luck Yourself, Writing Mr. Wrong!

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard comes The Executioners Three, a mystery filled with rivalry, romance, best friends, and a gruesome curse that dates back centuries.

Freddie Gellar didn't mean to get half the rival high school arrested. She'd simply heard shrieks coming from the woods, so she'd called the cops like any good human would do. How was she supposed to know it was just kids partying?

Except the next day, a body is found. And while the local sheriff might call it suicide, Freddie's instincts tell her otherwise. So, like the aspiring sleuth (and true X-Files aficionado) she is, Freddie sets out to prove there's a murderer at large.

But her investigation is quickly disrupted by the rivalry between her school and the school of the partying teens she got arrested. For over twenty years, the two student bodies have had an ongoing prank war, and Freddie's failed attempt at Good Samaritanism has upped the ante. Worse, the clever—and gorgeous—leader of the rival prank squad has set his sights on Freddie.

As more pranks unfurl, more bodies also start piling up in the forest. But it's the supernatural warning signs around town, each plucked straight from an old forgotten poem called "The Executioners Three," that worry Freddie the most. She knows the poem and its blood curse can't be real, but she's quickly running out of time to prove it.

Because the murderer—or executioners?—knows she's onto them now, and their next target just might be Freddie.

It's enemies to lovers in this sexy and delightful holiday mash up that pairs the spare prince of Christmas with the crown prince of St. Patrick's Day!

Someone has been stealing Christmas's joy, and there's only one clue to the culprit—a single shamrock.

With Coal busy restructuring Christmas—and their dad now having a full midlife crisis in the Caribbean—Kris volunteers to investigate St. Patrick's Day. His cover: an ambassador from Christmas to foster goodwill. What could go wrong?

Everything, it seems. Because Prince Lochlann Patrick, Crown Prince of St. Patrick's Day, happens to be the mysterious student that Kris has been in a small war with at Cambridge. They attempt to play nice for the tabloids, but Kris can't get through one conversation without wanting to smash Loch's face in—he's infuriating, stubborn, loud, obstinate, hot—

Wait—hot?

Kris might be in some trouble. Especially when it turns out that the mystery behind Christmas's stolen magic isn't as simple as an outright theft. But why would a Holiday that Christmas has never had contact with, one that's always been the very basis of carefree, want to steal joy? Can a spare prince even hope to unravel all this, or will Kris lose something way more valuable than his Holiday's resources—like his heart?

The #1 New York Times bestselling author delivers a fun romantic comedy about a woman reconnecting with her high school ex after writing him into her latest romance book. 

Gemma hasn't written in years, but post-divorce, she dove back into writing romance. When her proposal didn't sell, she became convinced it was because no one wanted her nice-guy heroes and decided to write and absolute Mr. Wrong…based on her first crush, Mason Moretti, now a star hockey player. She's sure no one will make the connection between her highland laird and an NHL enforcer. Of course, someone does, and her secret is out. 

Mason is going through some drama of his own as an aging hockey player, and when his "reunion-cute" with Gemma goes viral, he proposes some media-worthy fake dating to help her book. Which is so sweet and not at all to help solve his own image problem. Gemma reluctantly agrees. Mason convinces Gemma to go away with him so she can finish her overdue second book while giving him anti-asshole lessons. And if he really just wants to get time away with her, that's not an bad move, right? Or is it? 

Week 10 Review: Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me

From Goodreads:

The hilarious sequel to How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler!

Dark Lord Davi rules the kingdom, but she must now break the time loop that binds her in this hilariously bloody conclusion to the Dark Lord Davi duology.

Davi has left the horde behind her, hoping to find a peaceful solution to keep the Kingdom from being destroyed this time. But her plan to guide the Kingdom to peaceful prosperity is thwarted when she finds her usual love interest, Prince Johann, already married and the bloodthirsty Duke Aster running the government. Johann's new husband is everything Davi is not, but he holds a key to the one mystery she can't solve - the origins of the time loop that has entrapped her.

With restless armies at her doorstep, Duke Aster reaching for power, and an ancient magician hounding her every turn, Davi must scheme her way to peace and uncover the truth behind her curse if she is to break the spell that binds her once and for all.

My Review:
I absolutely loved reading this book! It was a fantastic sequel, and end to the duology, and one that was just so much fun to read! It's a bit more serious, since Davi knows that there's a bit more permeance to what is going on, but her narration style is still the same.

There were a bunch of big questions after the end of the first book. Like, now what? She worked so hard to become the Dark Lord, and now she has, and a) they want to kill all the humans, and b) everything she's done to this point, all the people dead, will stay dead, there's no reset. But also, there's the whole human bible in that city, and what is causing the time loop, and why it changed. 

Here in this book we get to explore the human Kingdom, the politics and the history. Because Davi doesn't want to be in another loop that ends with violent death, she's pretty motivated to negotiate peace between the humans and the wilders. Which is understandable, but also difficult, after all the attempts that she's made, she's never succeeded, and there's those on both sides that don't want peace. 

I wasn't sure how this book would end, but I absolutely loved seeing where it went! There was a point when I looked up from the book and there was 80 pages left, I was like, oh boy, what's going to happen now, and oh, it was so good! Such a satisfying end to the duology! 

Loved reading this book, and I need to read more by Django Wexler! 

Author: Django Wexler 
Series: Dark Lord Davi #2
Read: March 1st, 2025
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love his writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Orbit
Expected Publication: May 27th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Phase Out Your Seriesathon Update 16

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your Seriesathon, and it was Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me which is for the prompt Building, and I'll be reading I Don't Know next! 

My Reading Journey:

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

Prompt Fulfilled: Features Major Event

Started On: January 18th

Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM

Pages Read: 441

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Prompt Fulfilled: Title has J, Q, X, Z-X

Started On: January 21st 

Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM

Pages Read: 554

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 

Prompt Fulfilled:  Last Letter First

Started On: January 22nd

Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM

Pages Read: 355

Surrender of the Brutal King by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

Prompt Fulfilled: Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 1 Book 1

Started On: January 27th

Finished On: January 27th, 4:31 PM

Pages Read: 205

Sacrifice of the Brave King by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

Prompt Fulfilled: Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 1 Book 2

Started On: January 27th

Finished On: January 27th, 8:26 PM

Pages Read: 289

The Dryad Storm by Laurie Forest

Prompt Fulfilled: Big Book

Started On: January 28th

Finished On: January 28th, 9:47 PM

Pages Read: 752

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine 

Prompt Fulfilled: Finish

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: All 5 Vowels In Title

Started On: January 31st

Finished On: January 31st, 2:00 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn

Prompt Fulfilled: 75% Cover Must Be Fav Color

Started On: February 13th

Finished On: February 13th, 4:27 PM

Pages Read: 583

Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert

Prompt Fulfilled: Exactly 2 POVS

Started On: February 13th

Finished On: February 13th, 8:42 PM

Pages Read: 336

Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney

Prompt Fulfilled: Excited For

Started On: February 14th

Finished On: February 14th, 2:17 PM

Pages Read: 384

The Dragon King by Penelope Barsetti

Prompt Fulfilled: Favorite Color

Started On: February 14th

Finished On: February 14th, 11:41 PM

Pages Read: 436

Gabriel's Rapture by Sylvain Reynard

Prompt Fulfilled: No If, Of, And, An, But, Or, The

Started On: February 16th

Finished On: February 16th, 11:46 AM

Pages Read: 449

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

Prompt Fulfilled: Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 3 Book 1

Started On: February 19th

Finished On: February 19th, 2:41 PM

Pages Read: 416

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

Prompt Fulfilled: BIPOC Rep

Started On: February 19th

Finished On: February 19th, 9:31 PM

Pages Read: 400

Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me by Django Wexler

Prompt Fulfilled: Building

Started On: March 1st

Finished On: March 1st, 7:17 PM

Pages Read: 384

Prompts Left: Want To Visit, Single POV, Rep, Nature, Backlist, Animal, New, Random Number, In Progress, Adapted, Colour Cover, Complete, Free, People, Trilogy, 5 Or More Books, Multi POV, Small Book, Cozy, TBR Vet, LGBTQIA+ Rep, 6 Or More Colors, Title has J, Q, X, Z-J, Title has J, Q, X, Z-Q, Title has J, Q, X, Z-Z, Starts & Ends With Same Letter, 3 Or More POVS, Translate, In Progress, Wheel Spin 1, Wheel Spin 2, Series You Avoid 1, Series You Avoid 2, Finish A Series, Poll Pick, Disability Rep, Pub In Last 3 Months, TBR Vet By Pub Date, 5 Or More Books 1, 5 Or More Books 2, 5 Or More Books 3, 5 Or More Books 4, 5 Or More Books 5, Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 2 Book 1, Trio Of Trilogies Trilogy 2 Book 2, Birthday Month, Black & White Cover

Books Read: 16

Pages Read: 6720

Waiting on Wednesday #676, April 24th

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

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

Expected Publication: May 21st, 2024
From Goodreads:

From the iconic internationally bestselling author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy: A forbidden affair erupts volcanically amid a decadent tropical wedding in this outrageous comedy of manners from the iconic author of Crazy Rich Asians.

Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel has a problem: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of profligate spending, and behind all the magazine covers and Instagram stories manors and yachts lies nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister’s wedding at a luxury eco-resort, a veritable who’s-who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs, and seduce a woman with money.

Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong? When a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials and a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, the Gresham family plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.

Can the once-great dukedom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?

In a globetrotting tale that takes us from the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, from the glitzy bachelor pads of Los Angeles to the inner sanctums of England’s oldest family estates, Kevin Kwan unfurls a juicy, hilarious, sophisticated and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

Expected Publication: May 21st, 2024
From Goodreads:

From bestselling author Django Wexler comes a laugh-out-loud fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides maybe the Dark Lord doesn’t have it all wrong after all, perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and KJ Parker.

Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.

This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side.

Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio

Expected Publication: May 21st, 2024
From Goodreads:

Survivor meets The Bachelor in Attached at the Hip, an irresistible, romantic adventure by New York Times bestselling author Christine Riccio.

Orie Lennox has spent her entire life prepping for her happily ever after -- and now that she’s graduated, she’s low-key wondering, when the heck is it gonna hit. Her love life, her new job, her relationship with her sister: none of it is quite what she envisioned it to be.

One evening, on a whim, she applies for a reality show where she’ll be stranded on an island, with a bunch of strangers, to play a game of human chess for a shot at a million dollars. What better way to force herself to break up with the things that aren’t bringing her joy, than to abandon them all on short notice to live off the grid on a beach in the South Pacific!

Orie's shocked when she ends up cast in an experimental romantic edition of the show: and even more surprised to find that her old high school crush, Remy, has been cast as well. Orie's one of ten contestants, set to compete in formidable challenges, while speed dating, in the wilderness: without deodorant, toilets, shaving cream, or showers. (How!?)

She finds herself tied up — literally — in a game of risky alliances as she navigates ever-growing feelings for her one that got away, alongside an exciting array of budding new relationships.

Have You Seen This Girl by Nita Tyndall

Expected Publication: May 21st, 2024
From Goodreads:

Fans of Courtney Summers and Tess Sharpe will devour this standalone YA thriller following a nonbinary teen investigating a series of copycat murders targeting girls in their small town—murders based on their serial killer dad’s MO.

Another girl has gone missing in Cardinal Creek.

Sid knows their dad didn’t do it—this time. He’s currently serving a life sentence for the five girls he murdered ten years ago. Girls whose bodies he dumped into the lake. The same lake where June Hargrove was just found. And while Sid’s dad couldn’t have done it, suspicion is now directed at Sid. The only person who doesn’t suspect Sid is the new girl, Mavis—as long as Sid doesn’t let her find out about their past.

But Sid has another They’re being haunted by the ghosts of the five girls their father killed. Except now there are six. And unlike the others, June isn’t content to just whisper in Sid’s ear. She wants them to find out who’s killing again, especially as another girl goes missing. If Sid wants any chance of solving the current disappearances, they’re going to have to face what their father did—or risk being haunted forever.

Critically acclaimed author of Who I Was with Her, Nita Tyndall delivers a page-turning thriller that will captivate fans of Sadie and Monday's Not Coming.

A few great books coming out, and I got all 4 of them as ARC's, and I may or may not have read all of them by this point, since I made this post at the beginning of April. They need to be out now! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #662, February 12th

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 #661
Teaser Tuesday #669
WWW Wednesday #669
WOW #665
Will the Time Come #662
Third Sentence Thursday #652
Random Reads #638
First Lines Friday #665
Book Blogger Hop #331
The Reward Challenge Update #647
Wheel of TBR #194
How Well I Stuck to It #499
Wrote that Review Update #496

Week 6 Reviews:
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

House of Earth and Blood 

House of Sky and Breath

Ruhn's Perspective

Bryce's Perspective

Tharion's Perspective

House of Flame and Shadow

Bryce and Danika Chapter

Bryce, Azriel and Nesta Chapter

Ember and Randall Chapter

Bryce and Hunt Chapter

Ruhn and Lidia Chapter

A Tempest of Tea

The Keeper of Mist

Archangel's Lineage

The Darkest Captive

The Darkest Assassin

The Darkest King

The Coveted

The Cursed

The Forsaken

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7 

Polarthon Readathon: 

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 and Wrap Up

Random:

Kelly Finley Author Page

OK, so I got 38 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty good week, I took it at a good pace-and I can't wait for this coming few weeks, because I took most of them off, which is pretty great, to have all that time to read and relax and catch up on blog stuff! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Week 6 Review: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

From Goodreads:

From bestselling author Django Wexler comes a laugh-out-loud fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides maybe the Dark Lord doesn't have it all wrong after all, perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and KJ Parker.

Davi has done this all before. She's tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she's rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she's killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she's been defeated every time.

This time? She's done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that's who she needs to be. It's Davi's turn to play on the winning side.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! The synopsis was really gripping to me, and when I got approved for it, yeah, I just picked it up and binged it. And while Adobe Digital Editions and the NetGalley Shelf (I read the book in the later, and the footnotes in the former) said this book was about 350ish pages, while Goodreads says over 500, yeah, this book flew by, it was so engaging! 

Davi has lived so many lives, trying to stop the Dark Lord, and all these times, she's failed. So after one particular end of life, she decides she's had enough-she's going to switch sides and go become the Dark Lord, since the Dark Lord always wins. But first, the journey to be declared the Dark Lord, and boy is it a journey! 

This world of the Kingdom and the Wilders, the different ways that they use the magic, the different Wilders, and the different places that they come from, it's all so interesting to read about! We see a fair amount of the world while Davi is on this quest, the different political structures and cultures and I loved seeing it all! 

Davi was such an incredible narrator. Between all the time loops, she's lived over 1000 years, and she's learned a lot, but also, experienced a lot, and she's really jaded, and maybe she was always like this, but all those lives increased the sarcasm to 11. Watching her on this journey, the machinations, the battle planning and executions, the gathering of minions for her Horde, it was all so great! Plus there's the mystery of why she was in this time loop in the first place. I loved it all! 

I loved this book so much, and I can't wait for more! 

Author: Django Wexler
Series: Dark Lord Davi #1
Read: February 3rd, 2024  
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Orbit
Published: May 21st 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Will the Time Come #541, October 14th

Every Thursday I am going to list a book which I really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! Thanks to Jodie from Books for Company for this meme!

Want to Join?

-Pick a book you have been meaning to read

-Do a post telling us about the book    

-Link the post up in the linky  

-Visit the other blogs

From Goodreads:

Ship of Smoke and Steel is the launch of a cinematic, action-packed epic fantasy trilogy for fans of Leigh Bardugo and The Legend of Korra.

In the lower wards of Kahnzoka, the great port city of the Blessed Empire, eighteen-year-old ward boss Isoka comes to collect when there's money owing. When her ability to access the Well of Combat is discovered by the Empire—an ability she should have declared and placed at His Imperial Majesty's service—she's sent on an impossible mission: steal Soliton, a legendary ghost ship—a ship from which no one has ever returned. If she fails, her sister’s life is forfeit.

Why the time hasn't come yet...

I don't know! And I think I now own the whole trilogy! So I better read it, and I really hope I like it! What about you guys? Happy reading!