ARC Review: Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Beloved urban fantasy heroine Mercy Thompson and her allies are back in FIRE TOUCHED. Mercy has faced off against many foes and won, but this coyote shifter’s luck can only last for so long…
Graphic Novel Reviews: Alex + Ada Vol. 1 and Orphan Black Vol. 1
Hoping to get into more sci-fi graphic novels? As the first volumes in two series, ALEX + ADA VOL 1 and ORPHAN BLACK VOL. 1 may be a good place to start!
Waiting on Wednesday: Vol. 40
Promising heartbreak, triumph, and beautiful writing, DEN OF WOLVES by Juliet Marillier is easily my most anticipated book for all of 2016.
Review: Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan
Sophie Jordan’s REIGN OF SHADOWS promises a lush, evocative fairy tale retelling that will capture reader’s hearts and steal their breath. Despite some interesting twists, I thought it failed to deliver on that promise.
Series Review: The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson
The first two books in the YA fantasy trilogy THE REMNANT CHRONICLES are full of intrigue and betrayal. Add a feisty Princess and a swoon-worthy love triangle, and you’ve got the perfect beach reads!
Review: The Bloodforged by Erin Lindsey
THE BLOODFORGED introduces new characters, new interpersonal conflicts, and new cultures to the Bloodbound universe. Some of these new additions were more successful than others!
Graphic Novels, Tough Chicks: Vol. 11
BITCH PLANET VOL. 1 is one of the most talked about comics this year. Inspired by exploitation films, the powerhouse creative team delivers a bold, compelling, and unsubtle middle finger to patriarchy.
Best of 2015: A Year in Reading and Reviewing
Well that’s a wrap! 2015 is at an end, so that means it’s time to look back on the best reads of the year. Spoiler alert: there are a lot of seriously badass ladies on this list!
Review: Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
TOWER OF THORNS is a sequel that surpasses the brilliance of the series debut. Set in a lush world where fairy tales are real, and monsters – both the fantastical and the human – abound.
Review: Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep
DARK HEART OF MAGIC is classic Jennifer Estep, action-packed and full of badass characters. But despite its strengths and similarities to the first book in the series, this one didn’t really work for me.
Short Fiction Review: Fangs for the Memories by Molly Harper
FANGS FOR THE MEMORIES is a funny prequel novella for the Half-Moon Hollow series, recounting the charming – and slightly ridiculous – story of how fan favourites Andrea and Dick became a couple. A must-read for Molly Harper fans!
Review: Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
SORCERER TO THE CROWN by Zen Cho was everything I wanted: witty and fun with enough substance to prompt a thoughtful look at the representation of people of colour in historical fantasy.
Waiting on Wednesday: Vol. 39
Victoria Schwab’s THIS SAVAGE SONG promises to be a dark, compelling YA read full of twists and turns. Gorgeous cover art just seals the deal!
Review: The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness is at the top of his game with THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE, a beautifully written and evocative novel about finding the extraordinary in an ordinary life. Add to that a loving send-up of YA sci-fi tropes, and you’ve got a winner!
Review: Owl and the City of Angels by Kristi Charish
Antiquities thief Owl is back with more action, quips, and globe-trotting. Although I really enjoyed the heroine and her vampire-hunting cat, some annoying secondary characters and a lack of world building prevented me from loving this one.
Waiting on Wednesday: Vol. 38
FIRE TOUCHED by Patricia Briggs is one of my most anticipated reads for 2016. Who doesn’t cheer when news about the latest book in one of their favourite series is released?
Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Kristin Cashore’s Graceling Realm series is often hailed as the one of the crowning jewels of YA fantasy. BITTERBLUE, the final book in the trilogy, is complex, thought-provoking, and beautifully written. A must-read for YA fantasy fans.
Review: Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Rae Carson’s WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER is a compelling and beautifully written YA historical fantasy that transports readers into the time of the U.S. gold rush. Carson impresses with a heroine to root for and a diverse cast of characters.
Review: Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong
LED ASTRAY by Kelley Armstrong is a short story anthology meant to highlight some of her best work across genres and many series. While this dark read may not be the very best of Kelley Armstrong, it’s nonetheless a fun read for longtime fans.
Author Addiction: Jane Austen
Author Addiction is a monthly feature created by Kaja from Of Dragons and Hearts and Becky of A Fool’s Ingenuity. The feature celebrates favourite authors, the best of the best, the top of your auto-buy list. And what list would be complete without Jane Austen?
Monthly Recap: August 2015
Thanks to a readathon, I was able to read significantly more books than usual in August. And I even listened to 3 audiobooks!
Review: Lady of Magick by Sylvia Izzo Hunter
Sylvia Izzo Hunter’s LADY OF MAGICK is a beautifully written and subtly complex fantasy of manners, perfect for fans of historical fantasy. With no sign of “second book syndrome” in sight, this is a must for fans of the first book in the series.
Graphic Novels, Tough Chicks: Vol. 10
With an all-female lead creative team and an Eisner win under its belt, LUMBERJANES VOL. 1 is taking the graphic novel/comics world by storm. Feminist and funny, thoughtful and sweet, this is one that you don’t want to miss.
Waiting on Wednesday: Vol. 37
Set in the same universe as her Seven Realms series, FLAMECASTER by Cinda Williams Chima promises to be a thrilling and original new series by one of the brightest voices in YA fantasy.