Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton

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My Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Homegrown Magic is a queer cozy romance sprinkled with magic.

The story started off pretty slow and seemed to drone on and on in the beginning. Two chapters in and I was so bored, I didn't think I'd be able to finish, especially since the authors did way too much "telling" instead of "showing". i.e. her dress was red, his hair was blonde, etc. (Those aren't exact quotes from the book, just examples of what I mean by telling instead of showing.) I think that contributed a lot to the tediousness I was feeling. As the story picked up speed however, I didn't notice this as much. When I looked for it, it was still there in some places, but not as much.

Things started to get more interesting once Yael and Margot met up, even though their budding romance moved along at a snails pace. But at least we got to see inside their heads, and see how they were each feeling towards each other. Sometimes their inner dialogue was still a bit tedious in places however. I also really wish Margot opened up sooner rather than thinking everything was on her to solve. It's a character trait I don't really admire so it didn't endear her to me as much as Yael's issues with their family did.

And don't be throwing me shade for this next comment because it's not meant in a discriminatory way at all. It's probably just a a problem of mine, but I've not yet gotten used to reading an entire book with one of the MCs using a "they" pronoun. Many times when "they" was used, I kept thinking the author was referring to both MCs instead of just the one (this wasn't the first book to affect me this way). This is probably an issue that only impacts me as a Gen X'er who learned to read and write when "they" was mainly used for plural and he or she for singular in order to avoid this kind of ambiguity. (Yes, I know "they" can also be used singular, but it never really was back then due to the obscurity it can generate, so I've obviously still got some outdated traditions to break and that's on me. Maybe they they were on to something with the Spivak pronouns e/em/eir, or maybe we need to invent a new word that's a plural version of they.)

Overall though, once it got going, I found the story amusing and engaging, and would recommend it to fans of cozy romance with a slow burn and a seasoning of magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this pre-release book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

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Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales (Emily Wilde #3) by Heather Fawcett

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My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is the third and final book in the Emily Wilde series detailing the fun and harrowing adventures of Emily, Wendell, and their friends. (Reviews for book 1 and book 2 on my blog.)

Now that Wendell's evil stepmother has finally been dethroned from the realm of Silva Lupi, it is time for Wendell to take the throne, with Emily by his side as its Queen. The pair have taken a long-term leave of absence from their posts at the University of Cambridge, but of course retaking the throne is definitely not all smooth sailing as they uncover many obstacles, and plenty of danger, along the way.

This final installment in the trilogy had everything! It was fanciful, thrilling, romantic, even heartbreaking at times. I highly recommend this series!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with this Advance Readers Copy. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

#EmilyWildesCompendiumofLostTales #NetGalley

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REVIEW: Arcana Academy (Book 1) by Elise Kova

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My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆

Loved it, but OMG the clifflhanger! I'm so excited for the next book in the series to be released! (preorder book 2 @amazon)

Kaelis is the typical bad boy—a dark and brooding prince battling his own demons, while Clara is a mega badass in her own right. Raised on the street with her sister, after the death of their mother, who taught the girls to ink and read the cards ever since they were young, Clara and Arina are taken in by some family friends, and gain the necessary street smarts to survive in a kingdom that's out to get them. First, Arina goes off to the academy, then Clara, but will what they discover there be the death of them?

As a tarot reader, I loved the story—actually, make that the entire world—built around the tarot. I found it quite unique and engaging with plenty of action to keep me enthralled. It's a true enemies-to-lovers romantasy that ticked all my boxes. I highly recommend this one, particularly for other witches like me who love tarot.

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REVIEW: The Cursed (Coven of Bones #2) by Harper L. Woods

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My Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

The Cursed is the sequel to The Coven and picks up exactly where the previous book left off—mid-scene, with no recap. If you don’t remember how The Coven ended, you’ll want to have it nearby because this book assumes you do. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t remind us of last names or house affiliations, which makes it frustrating when trying to place characters, even with the table at the front of the book. Adding to the confusion, the author frequently references past events—like what Charlotte did to Willow’s father—without offering any reminders, forcing readers to dig back through the first book.

Continuity issues were another major problem. Characters seemed to teleport between actions—one moment Willow was walking, and the next she was suddenly being carried. Even more frustrating, several characters underwent unexplained name changes. Ziva from book one is now Nova, Itar has become Itan (except for one brief slip where Margot calls him Itar again), and his nephew Ilan has inexplicably turned into Iban. These inconsistencies felt careless and made for a jarring reading experience.

Despite all this, I kept reading—probably out of sheer determination to see how it all ended. I enjoyed The Coven well enough, even though the writing wasn’t the strongest. At least it had a coherent plot, which is more than I can say for The Cursed. This book felt like a messy, disorganized sequel that lacked the polish and structure needed to make it engaging.

From what I’ve heard, the next book will focus on Margot, but after this experience, I won’t be continuing the series.

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REVIEW: The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson

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My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆

After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from. Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae leader, Tyghan. But what she doesn't know is that he's the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

I just ate this book up and can't wait to read the sequel. Of course, the fact that it ended like mid-scene had me immediately looking to find out when the next book would be released, and I immediately pre-ordered it. While the world building was similar to many other faerie realms, the addition of monsters and the undead kept me intrigued until the very end. Yummy!!!

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REVIEW: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆

Set in the rebellious year of 1970, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix delves into the heartbreaking and disturbing world of pregnant teenagers forced into "Homes" to hide their pregnancies and give up their babies. The protagonist, Fern, a 15-year-old girl, is sent to one such institution, where she befriends several other girls enduring the same fate. The book explores their desperate need for empowerment and freedom, which leads them to a quirky librarian who gives them a book, How to be a Groovy Witch—a gift that changes their lives in ways they never expected.

This novel not only touches on themes of rebellion, autonomy, and sisterhood but also provides a chilling look at the harsh reality many young women faced in a time when abortion was illegal and women’s rights were actively fought for. As Fern and her friends seek a sense of agency, the introduction of witchcraft as a form of resistance adds a darkly magical and fantastical twist to the narrative, although its consequences aren’t always positive.

As someone who was still an infant in 1970, I found the portrayal of the era’s treatment of of pregnant teens incredibly eye-opening. I wasn’t fully aware of how deeply restrictive and stigmatizing that time was for young women, and the emotional impact of reading about these girls' struggles was jarring. It made me reflect on how far we've come—and how much work is still left to do. It also reinforces the fact that witchcraft, while often vilified and fantasized in such contexts, is also a symbol of reclaiming power and identity, despite the consequences in this story.

I particularly appreciated how the author skillfully captures the frustration and injustice of the time, while also adding in a dash of fantasy. The horror is not so much in the witchcraft and mayhem that follow but in the reality of how society once treated young women like Fern. This book certainly stirs emotions and invites the reader to reflect on gender, autonomy, and the complex ways society tries to control women's lives. The combination of Hendrix's dark humor and social commentary makes this a compelling read. It’s a gripping, thought-provoking, and at times unsettling tale that does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the atmosphere of the time while drawing attention to enduring social issues.

For anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a (small) twist of magical fantasy and social critique, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is definitely a book worth reading. It’s both a poignant reminder of the past and a call to action, urging readers to think critically about the treatment of women and their bodies.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#WitchcraftforWaywardGirls #NetGalley

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REVIEW: The Elgin Conspiracy by Julia Golding

My Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Dora and Jacob are are back! It's the year 1812 in England and this time around, they're investigating a threat to Lord Elgin surrounding his Greek Marbles (statues). But when one of Elgin's colleagues turns up dead, the investigation turns dangerous, and Dora and Jacob go undercover to discover all the dirt they can. Assassins, secrets, and deceit are uncovered along the way. These two make the best sleuthing team! In the funnest and funniest ways possible of course.

The Elgin Conspiracy is the follow-up to the fun and adventurous The Persephone Code. While it can be read standalone, it greatly enhances the reading experience to have read The Persephone Code first for greater insight into the main characters and their backgrounds. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this dynamic duo.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#TheElginConspiracy #NetGalley

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REVIEW: The Last Wrathwitch by David Paul George

My Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

The Last Wrathwitch is the bewitching tale of Affinity Blending, teenage witch. She's on a mission to save her mom from a witch-hunting demon who's imprisoned her in Hell, and discovers a lot about herself in the process.

Affinity was a very likeable character who didn't take no for an answer and questioned everything she encountered, kind of like me. :) Well, maybe I'm not likeable (or maybe I am), but at least the latter two. ;) It was a fun, quick read with an engaging story, a captivating magic system, and detailed world building.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Readers Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#TheLastWrathwitch #NetGalley

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