Book Review: Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Title: Threshing Day

Series: The Empyrean #3.5

Genre: Fantasy, Novella, Short Stories

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 204

Published: September 29, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (Barnes and Noble)

Summary: 

Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

Review:

I've been delaying this one a bit. Trying to save it for when I really need it. When is the next full book coming out? Goodness knows. I'm itching for it! This one really helped the itch. 

Here we have a collection of Threshing Day stories from some of our favorite characters. 

This was so fun. I loved watching a lot of faves meet and connect with their dragons. It was lovely. 

Sadly, the ending left me itching. What a good way to end this with that last story!! I want more. 

So good. So fun. Loved getting that one-on-one time with some other characters. 

5 stars. 

Book Review: One Last Job by Anise Starre

Author: Anise Starre

Title: One Last Job

Series: Flights and Feelings

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook

Pages: 382

Published: July 7, 2023

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Working late never felt so good.

When Amber Wyatt gets the opportunity to project manage a lucrative contract with The August Room, an exclusive and glamorous private members’ club, she can’t wait to get started. That is until she meets handsome managing director. Finn Hawthorne seemingly has no respect for her work, continuously undermines her and, worst of all, has the uncanny ability to charm everyone else he meets.

But launching The August Room is Finn's baby and he needs it to go well. With whispers of nepotism he needs to prove himself. Which explains why he can’t stand Amber. Not only is she charging him a small fortune, she keeps dismissing his ideas and, worst of all, she’s drop-dead gorgeous and seemingly immune to his charms.

Forced to work together to meet the tight launch day deadline, sparks begin to fly, and the fine line between business and pleasure starts to blur.

What was supposed to be a career-defining project leaves them both wanting more, but will they take it, or will this one last job destroy everything they've built?

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this one while looking for something else and this seemed fabulous. 

Here we have Finn and Amber. They are forced to work together to meet a tight launch date. When together...it seems they are too different, but they will soon learn they are perfect for each other. 

I'm going to do a divide and conquer review again. My poor brain hurts today. 

The Good

- Loved these two! Finn and Amber were great. Loved their banter

- I liked how this naturally happened. Yes, they were forced together but it took time and it felt right. 

- This is part of a series, but it didn't feel like it. It felt like a nice standalone. Sure, there might've been cameos, but I didn't notice

- The ending was lovely and was perfect. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- I don't really have any issues. ;)

Conclusion

Great read. I would def read more by this author and maybe more in this series. 5 stars from me. 

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn

Format: 283 pages, Paperback

Published: June 18, 2013 by 47North

Horror/borrowed

It started sort of slow. A group of friends heading to a remote luxury cabin. Lots of talking. Two siblings, their friend, his new girlfriend. Blah blah. BOOOM!!!!

Then it got scary, It started to build. See it was not scary as others on that mountain died, but then it got close, and then it was too late. Wtf was out there! First shadows, then showing to be creepy humanlike beings that hunt the house that they now can not leave.

And it gets bloodier, and gore, and omg I am not going up a mountain or into the woods in winter. That is some scary stuff out there!

Also the end, omg, omg, omg.

SO yeah ended up liking it.

They only come when it snows, and nobody ever gets away.

A group of close friends gathers at a secluded cabin in the wintry mountains of Colorado for a final holiday hurrah. Instead, it may be their last stand. First a massive blizzard leaves them marooned. Then the more chilling realization: something is lurking in the woods, watching them, waiting...

Now a weekend of family, friends, and fun has turned into a test of love and loyalty in the face of inhuman horrors. The only hope for those huddled inside is to fight—tooth and nail, bullet and blade—for their lives. Otherwise, they'll end up like the monsters' other victims: bright pools of blood on glittering snow, screams lost in the vast mountains.

Book Review: When the Dead Speak by Clay Wise

Author: Clay Wise

Title: When the Dead Speak

Genre: Mystery, Horror

Format: Ebook

Pages: 302

Published: August 9, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

When Ally Hawkins sees her late husband’s ghost, she’s drawn into a deadly conspiracy behind his death. Hunted by dangerous enemies both living and dead, she must uncover the truth before she becomes the next target.

Review:

While looking for scary books for October, I found this one, and it was freeeee then. Love a freebie. 

Here we follow Ally and her crew. When Ally sees her late husband's ghost, she is drawn into a deadly conspiracy behind his death. They are hunted by the living and dead as she uncovers the truth to help her husband's ghost find peace. 

Whelp. I guess this is technically part of a series even though it wasn't made clear on Goodreads. I realized this after I felt like I was missing something. I read a few reviews and WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. Yeah. I mean - it did find as a standalone, but there were moments that I felt like a new person at the party. 

I was entertained by this and was curious about what was going to happen. I wasn't sure what was going to happen next and how they were going to find the truth. Lots of bad people covering stuff up, for sure. 

I feel for Ally...I wouldn't want that power, especially seeing a dead loved one. EEEE.

But yes, I enjoyed this, but I did feel like I was missing some stuff. It did well enough as a standalone, but I think going back and reading previous stories might have helped me like this a touch more. 

I'm going to stamp this with a 3. 

Book Review: The Last Seance by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Title: The Last Séance

Genre: Thriller, Anthology, Paranormal, Mystery, Classics

Format: Ebook

Pages: 353

Published: September 24, 2019

Where I got It: Library

Summary: 

For lovers of the supernatural and the macabre comes this collection of ghostly and chilling stories from legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie. Fantastic psychic visions, specters looming in the shadows, encounters with deities, a man who switches bodies with a cat—be sure to keep the light on whilst reading these tales.

The Last Séance gathers twenty stories, some featuring Christie’s beloved detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, in one haunting compendium that explores all things occult and paranormal, and is an essential omnibus for Christie fans.

Review:

Yayyyy more Agatha Christie! She really is a great read for the Spooky season!

Here we have twenty shorts. There were a couple I have read in the past, but a lot I have never read before so it was nice to check them out!

The Last Séance

This one was spooky! A nice way to start off the collection. 5/5

In a Glass Darkly

Another spooky one. I liked this one a lot. 5/5

S.O.S.

Loved the atmosphere. This was a nice one. Not sure about that ending. 4/5

The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb

Such a good one! I've read this one before. Nice! 5/5

The Fourth Man

Oof. This was a rough one to read for a few reasons...still a good read but man. 3/5

The Idol House of Astarte

Miss Marple!!!!! This was entertaining! I want more Marple. 5/5

The Gipsy

I wasn't sure how this was going to end! EEE! 5/5

Philomel Cottage

I was meh about this one. 2/5

The Lamp

Sooo bittersweet. So nice though. 4/5

The Dream

I feel like I read this one before....maybe not. Maybe it was something similar. But still enjoyable. 4/5

Wireless

I LOVED this one. I think this was on my top 3 of this list. 5/5

The Wife of the Kenite

Ooooo this was a good one. I had no idea what was going to happen. 5/5

The Mystery of the Blue Jar

Mmmmm. It was okay. Not sure how I feel about the ending. 3/5

The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael

This was weird but entertaining!! 4/5

The Blue Gernaium

I...barely remember this one. Whoops. 2/5

The Call of Wings

Awww I liked this one. It was good. 4/5

The Flock of Geryon

Another goodie. I really liked this one. 5/5

The Red Signal

Oooooooooo. Such a good one. Top 5 for sure. 5/5

The Dressmaker's Doll

Super horror with this one. Spooky. Creepy. Fun. 4/5

The Hound of Death

I wish I had liked this one more. It just didn't get me as much as I wanted. Still a nice read. 3/5 

Overall! I liked this collection. Lots of wins. Lots of good reads. A couple I was meh about or honestly....couldn't even remember it. I consider this a win! It would be a fun Netflix collection to make hehehe *wink*

Doing complicated and Harvard level math...............................4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #26

Book Review: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

Series: Pink Carnation #4

Genre: Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Chick Lit
Format: Paperback

Pages: 385
Published: January 6, 2008
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)


Summary: 

A continuation of the series that began with The Masque of the Black Tulip and The Deception of the Emerald Ring finds Mary accepting a secret assignment from spy Lord Vaughn to infiltrate the Black Tulip's operation in order to prevent an invasion of England

Review:

I started this and then stopped for a while. September was a wild month. Buuuuuut this was set to the side and not forgotten. I love this series, and I wanted to keep going. I finally picked back up to finish. 

Here we are with Eloise continuing her research on the Pink Carnation and other fellow spies. This time we will step back and see Mary's and Lord Vaughn's story. Mary accepts a secret assignment to infiltrate the Black Tulip's operation to prevent plans for an invasion of England. 

Mary is a rough character to like, but she is one you can't stop being curious about. There is a lot more deep down. Same with Lord Vaughn. The two are a match made in snarky Heaven.

It was nice going back to this! It's been so long. I had forgotten sooo many things.

Eloise is adorable. I remember being not her biggest fan in my very first read-through of this series, but I've grown to adore her. 

Such a fun series. This isn't my favorite mainly because Mary is rough to like, but it's still an enjoyable read. Love the world. Love the characters. I can't wait to start the next one soon-ish.  

I'll give this a 4.

Blodeuedd's Monday: Itch! by Gemma Amor

Format: 352 pages, Hardcover

Published: October 9, 2025 by Hodder

Horror/borrowed

Ohh I like weird. Josie left her ex after said ex put her in a coma. She went home with her widowed dad, she works at a pub, and life is just pretty shitty. Then she finds a dead body and everything becomes effed up.

It itches, the ants from the dead body are inside her. There is an legend from the woods that there is something there, something that demands offerings.

But it is also a murder mystery. As she is spiraling out of control she tries to figure out what happened to the dead woman.

I liked it. Messed up, creepy and good

Something moves on the forest floor...

Josie is at rock bottom. Burned out, heartbroken and recovering from an abusive relationship, she lives a haunted existence after returning to her isolated hometown on the edge of the Forest of Dean.

But the tall, dense pine trees are not the only things casting shadows across her skin.

Josie's hopes of a fresh start are horribly derailed when she stumbles across a dead woman's decaying, ant-infested body in the woods. The grim discovery sends her into a downward spiral, forcing her to face uncomfortable truths about the victim and her own past - all whilst battling the swarming black ants that seem to have burrowed into her mind... and her flesh.

As Josie struggles with infestations of all kinds, she scratches the surface of an age-old mystery - a masked predator stalks the forest around Ellwood, a place deeply gripped by ancient folklore and strange customs. So when the village dresses up for its annual festival, Josie gets closer and closer to unveiling a monster, and begins to ask

Are these dark crawling insects leading her to uncover the truth?

Or is she their next victim?

Blodeuedd's Monday: Abducted by a Prince by Olivia Drake

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 29, 2014

Series: Cinderella Sisterhood (#3)

Historical romance /own

I have had this book for probably 10 years, oops! I am trying to get to my old forgotten books.

Ellie works as an unpaid servant to her uncle. She is the governess, nursemaid, chaperone, you name it. They took her in when her father died and did not really care.

Damien wants a key back that was stolen long ago, and he will kidnap someone to get it.

Oops, he kidnapped Ellie! Mistake. And her family do not give a damn. But Damien is hot, and Ellie is really nice. How can they ever let each other go?

Short answer. They can not! Cos this is a Cinderella story and they will live happily ever after and her family can go f themselves

I enjoyed it. Cute

She Was Stolen Away...

Ellie Stratham gave up her childhood dreams of a fairy tale romance long ago. To repay her late father’s debts, she’s forced to serve her spoiled cousin, Lady Beatrice. But Ellie has devised a secret plan to escape her life as a drudge. A plan that is thrown into jeopardy when she’s abducted by a mysterious stranger.

But Can He Steal Her Heart?

A notorious seducer of women—and a scoundrel to boot—Damien Burke has earned his nickname as the Demon Prince. But his plot to kidnap Lady Beatrice to make her brother return a priceless heirloom backfires—and he ends up with their penniless cousin, Ellie, as his hostage. By the time Damien realizes his mistake, he and his fiery-willed captive are trapped in a remote castle during a wild winter storm. And he soon finds that the true hostage may be his own heart.

Book Review: Crouchback by Sarah Woodbury

Author: Sarah Woodbury

Title: Crouchback

Series: The Welsh Guard Mysteries #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Format: Ebook

Pages: 331

Published: November 14, 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

April 1284. As a newly widowed lady-in-waiting to the very pregnant Queen Eleanor of England, Catrin never expected to return to Wales again. She was definitely unprepared to be confronted with murder when she got there--or to find herself face-to-face with Rhys, the childhood friend she lost twenty years before. Rhys had never intended to return home either, but a lifetime of war has deposited him right back where he started--impoverished and owing service to Catrin's older brother.

With Wales having fallen irrevocably to England, and fearful of trusting anyone within the English court of King Edward, Catrin and Rhys join forces against the treachery and intrigue rife within the half-built Caernarfon Castle. And when the murderer strikes again, the task before them becomes increasingly clear: catch the killer, certainly, but also protect their people from a future that is becoming more dangerous and uncertain with every day that passes.

Review:

This has been collecting virtual dust on my Kindle shelf for a while. I think this was a freebie I got ages ago....I honestly can't remember. 

But here we follow Catrin and Rhys as they join forces against murder, treachery, and intrigue. The two had been friends years and years ago, but they haven't seen each other in ages. Now that Catrin is back in Wales with the Queen. She will find herself face-to-face with her old childhood friend and a murder that could ruin everything. 

This was an intriguing read. I loved the freshness of the plot and the setting. It was nice! 

The mystery was good. I had zero idea what was going to happen. 

I liked Catrin and Rhys. There is a smidge of romance, but it wasn't at all a main plot point, which I'm glad for. 

Some areas were heavy-handed with info...which I understand...but it did slow the story down a bit.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it, and I'm glad I finally dusted this off to read it! I am curious about book 2...maybe someday ;) 

4 stars from me. 

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Format: Paperback, 476 pages

Published: May 1, 2026 by Pan Books

Historical fiction/own

I liked that I read this one, but at the same time I do not think I will read any more of her books. It felt simplistic. It felt like one of those translated books where you feel something was lost.

Still good though! It made me cry! It made me MAD!

Frances signs up to be a nurse in Nam. Her brother is killed. War is hell! She finds good friends. She lives her life the best she can. And she realise she is good at this.

But that was war. This is also about coming home and this is what made me mad. Yes the war was bad, but people spitting on her!? She was trying to save lives! And that is not the worst part. She has some serious ptsd. But there were no women in Vietnam so she is fine. Arghh!

I liked this book. It was an easy read about a difficult subject.

Their friendship changed lives. Their bravery changed history.

'Women can be heroes, too'. When twenty-year-old nursing student, Frances "Frankie" McGrath, hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on California's idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different path for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively joins the Army Nurses Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the young men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed America. Frankie will also discover the true value of female friendship and the heartbreak that love can cause.

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Series: Spellshop (#2)

Format: 374 pages, Paperback

Published: July 15, 2025 by Tor UK

Cozy fantasy/library

I like this series, it is sweet, cozy and low stakes.

Terlu was turned into a statue. The capital was set on fire, and somehow someone sent the statue away to an island filled with greenhouses.

And that is the drama we get. Oh no, the green houses are failing! And the hot gardener does not know what to do.

Sure I like my fantasy with war, gods, and such. But this is just so cozy to read. Saving a greenhouse or several. Meeting a romantic interest. Becoming friends with talking plants.

Lovely.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet, one day, Terlu awakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She's starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes and freshly baked honey cakes - at least until she's ready to sail home.

But Terlu can't return home and doesn't want to - the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing - causing the death of everything within them - Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn't alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Book Review: The Goal by Elle Kennedy

Author: Elle Kennedy

Title: The Goal

Series: Off Campus #4

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Format: Ebook

Pages: 350

Published: September 26, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

She’s good at achieving her goals…

College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

But the game just got a whole lot more complicated

Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he’s fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming a daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn’t hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina’s heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he’ll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.

Review:

I was a little hesitant about this one due to not being a fan of Sabrina. Tucker is a nice boy, and Sabrina has been super cold in the past. MAINLY against Dean, and I get her reasons, buuuuuuuuuuuuuut yeah. 

Tucker and Sabrina have a one night stand, and now....oopsies....a baby is now on the way. This isn't on their list of goals at all. Both are graduating and have life goals that do not include each other or a baby. However, they can't get each other out of their minds. They decide to take the risk and change their plans just a smidge. Sabrina will still be going to Law school, but she will allow Tucker to stay and help...a bit. Tucker won't be going back to Texas. He'll stay and start his business there instead. Will Tucker be able to convince Sabrina to let down her walls and allow them to be a complete family?

Oh, sweet, sweet Tucker. I wanted to shake Sabrina! LET HIM LOVE YOUUUUU! YOU LOVE HIM TOO!!! GAH! 

Yes, yes, I get that she has LOTS of issues, so trusting a man with her heart is the last thing on her list. But damn, girl. I wanted to scream!!!!!! Tucker is an angel and so patient. But I did love her will and persistence. She is so smart and so driven. I loved that for her. She will be an amazing lawyer. 

I enjoyed watching them figure it out and go from lust to love to having a family (spoiler, not spoiler...it is a romance after all). But damn...Sabrina....that house you are living in is NOT a good situation for you or the baby. :/

Don't get me wrong, I ended up loving Sabrina by the end. I loved the scene between her and Dean at the end. They'll never be besties, but they finally understood each other. See how talking it out can help? 

I'm sad to be done with this part of the series. Yes, yes, there is 'The Legacy' left to read and the spin-offs. However, the core four are done, and I still don't have season 2 of the show released yet! I guess I'll have to keep reading the others ;) hehe. 

But yes, this was a great series. I can see myself reading these four for sure. 

I'll give this 4 stars even though Sabrina drove me to insanity. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #23

Blodeuedd's Monday: Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

Format: 496 pages, Paperback

Published : January 25, 2024 by Penguin Books

YA Mythology/own

When I had finished this one I read it was YA. Huh, I actually did not know that. It really works as both.

In this one Persephone says F it! She does not want to be a prize given away to whatever God wins. She choses her own fate so she jumps into the underworld. And Hades is not happy, but grants her sanctuary.

This was about Persephone finding her voice, her self worth and well all of that! She grows and no Gods or Goddesses can tell her what to do.

It takes a while for something to grow between her and Hades but it does. And I like it.

To hell with love, this goddess has other plans...

Thousands of years ago, the gods told a lie: how Persephone was a pawn in the politics of other gods. How Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his bride. How her mother, Demeter, was so distraught she caused the Earth to start dying.

The real story is much more interesting.

Persephone wasn't taken to hell: she jumped. There was no way she was going to be married off to some smug god more in love with himself than her.

Now all she has to do is convince the Underworld's annoyingly sexy, arrogant and frankly rude ruler, Hades, to fall in line with her plan. A plan that will shake Mount Olympus to its very core.

But consequences can be deadly, especially when you're already in hell . . .

Book Review: Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Author: Kevin Hearne

Title: Hexed

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #2

Genre: UF, Paranormal

Format: Ebook

Pages: 346

Published: June 7, 2011

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Atticus O’Sullivan has had cause to mistrust witches in his storied past, but he’s willing to live and let live with the Sisters of the Three Auroras, a legendary local coven, even going so far as to sign a non-aggression treaty with them. But that treaty is tested immediately when a deadly new coven sweeps into town seeking to take over, along with some Bacchants from Las Vegas and a fallen angel who’s decided to snack on high school students like they were trail mix.

It’s more than Atticus can handle alone and he must enlist the trickster Coyote, the headhopping abilities of the witch Laksha Kulesekaran, and his neighbor’s illegal arsenal if he wants to keep the city safe from diabolical takeover. He must also exchange favors with his vampire attorney, Leif Helgarson, in a deal that might prove to be the worst of his long life—for Leif doesn’t want to be paid by the hour.

To defeat the mortal hexes of this new coven and keep his apprentice—and his city—safe, Atticus must think fast, make promises, keep his sword handy, and hope he’ll survive to fight another day.

Review:

Been meaning to get back to this series. Book 1 was fun, and my friend loves this series.

We are back at it with Atticus. He has reason to mistrust witches, but he's willing to sign a treaty with the local coven. However, a new coven, along with some Bacchants and a fallen angel, has arrived and wants to take over. It's more than Atticus can handle alone, so he will enlist Coyote, his neighbor with an illegal arsenal, and his vampire lawyer, Leif. Oh, don't forget his best friend, Oberon the dog. 

The author didn't waste any time. We pretty much just jumped right in! It was nice seeing Atticus and Oberon again, and I would've liked some one-on-one time with them for a minute. Poor Atticus has everyone pounding on his door, demanding that he work for them. Stressful indeed! 

There is a LOT going on in this one. Lots of characters and species. I do feel that the author did a good job keeping track of everything and making sure the reader doesn't get overwhelmed.

Lots of magic. Lots of fighting. This was intense and kept me wanting to read more. 

I'll give this 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #22

Blodeuedd's Monday: John of John by Douglas Stuart

Format: 416 pages, Hardcover

Published: May 5, 2026 by Grove Press

Fiction/library

This one was, honestly I do not know, it was well written, very very slow, and I did want to know what would happen. But omg there was no closure! I wanted closure, I need closure. So yeah I got nothing at the end.

I did not know that the islands up north are very religious. The right kind of course too. God forbid. Also everyone is very sexually oppressed.

Cal is finished with uni, he has no job, no place to live so he comes back cos his grandmother is sick. He is also gay, and no he could not tell anyone. He also had a strange relationship with his former bestie. Do not know what to say there.

Oh and his dad is also gay, but would never tell anyone.

And everyone gossips about everyone.

But I wanted closure! Now, like what the f happens?

Out of money and with little to show for his art school education, John-Calum Macleod takes the ferry home to the Island of Harris to find that not much has changed except for him.

In the windswept croft where he grew up, Cal resumes his old life, caught between the two poles of his childhood: his father John, a sheep farmer, weaver, and pillar of their local Presbyterian church, and his Glaswegian grandmother Ella, who has kept a faltering peace with her son-in-law for decades.

While Cal wonders if any lonely men might be found on the barren hillsides of home, John is dismayed by his son’s long hair and how he seems unwilling to be Saved. As the seasons pass, everything is poised to change as the threads holding together the fragile community become increasingly entangled.

Book Review: A Lady of Large Fortune by Tiffany Thomas

Author: Tiffany Thomas

Title: A Lady of Large Fortune

Genre: Historical Romance, What If, Variation

Format: Ebook

Pages: 498

Published: July 22, 2026

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman of large fortune may fall in love at her leisure and choose her own fate.

Elizabeth Bennet has spent years quietly holding her family together. With Longbourn entailed away and her father content to leave its management in her hands, Elizabeth has learned to be practical, capable, and useful. Then a flood in London takes the lives of her aunt and uncle Gardiner, leaving three young children in need of protection—and Elizabeth with more responsibility than ever.

But beneath the damaged house in Gracechurch Street lies a secret no one could have imagined: a Roman treasure, hidden for centuries, that changes the course of her life—in more ways than one.

Rewarded by the Crown for her discovery, Elizabeth becomes exactly what society values most: a lady of large fortune. But she chooses to keeps her good fortune a secret from everyone, determined to keep her family safe from gossip, greed, and imprudent schemes.

Retired militia colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy knows too well what a fortune can cost. His father’s extravagance left Pemberley wounded, his sister vulnerable, and Darcy sacrifices everything, including his hopes for a love match, to prudence and rebuilding. Yet when he comes to Hertfordshire, he does not expect to meet again the muddy, courageous young woman who once rose from a hidden cellar with a Roman coin in her hand.

But wealth does not solve every difficulty, and the past has a way of reaching for what it was never owed. Darcy and Elizabeth must work together to restore their happiness and protect the future of those they love.

Review:

I was itching for some P&P variations, and I stumbled upon this in Kindle Unlimited, so why not? 

Here we are with Darcy and Elizabeth. Tale as old as time, but a little different. What if Darcy's father was a spendthrift who ran Pemberley to the ground and left it to Darcy to fix? What if Elizabeth found a way to have riches and save her family? 

I had fun with this one! It was pretty sad at some points. Poor Darcy...Poor Lizzie.

There was a LOT of changes to the story, but it was still the same at its core. I enjoyed watching our characters interact and find their ends. Some happy, some not. Especially Wickham. His ending was def well-deserved. 

It was weird not seeing more of the Gardiner children, minus a cameo in London and then quickly mentioned in the epilogue. This was a big deal and a huge change in the story, but we didn't really get to see them. 

But yes, I enjoyed the changes made. They were refreshing and new. Super sad, though. I wish we would've seen more of the aftermath of the Gardiner children having to move in with them. Maybe a scene or two with Elizabeth with the kiddos. But the ending was nice and fitting. I liked this overall! It was good. 4 stars from me. 

Book Review: Luster by Raven Leilani

Author: Raven Leilani

Title: Luster

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 240

Published: August 4, 2020

Where I got It: My shelf (gift)

Summary: 

Luster sees a young Black woman fall into art and someone else's open marriage. Edie is stumbling her way through her twenties--sharing a subpar apartment in Bushwick, clocking in and out of her admin job, making a series of inappropriate sexual choices. She's also, secretly, haltingly, figuring her way into life as an artist. And then she meets Eric, a digital archivist with a family in New Jersey, including an autopsist wife who has agreed to an open marriage--with rules. As if navigating the constantly shifting landscapes of contemporary sexual manners and racial politics weren't hard enough, Edie finds herself unemployed and falling into Eric's family life, his home. She becomes a hesitant friend to his wife and a de facto role model to his adopted daughter. Edie is the only Black woman who young Akila knows.Razor-sharp, darkly comic, sexually charged, socially disruptive, Luster is a portrait of a young woman trying to make sense of her life in a tumultuous era. It is also a haunting, aching description of how hard it is to believe in your own talent and the unexpected influences that bring us into ourselves along the way.

Review:

I was given this book as a gift, but I have been curious about it. There was a lot of interest when this first came out a few years ago. 

Here, we follow Edie as she tries to make sense of her life. She starts up an affair with a man whose wife is okay with an open marriage...but with strict rules. Edie soon finds herself unemployed and falling face-first into her lover's family life and home. 

I feel like people love or are meh about this book. I don't know where I fully sit on this book. 

There were some things I liked and some things I didn't. 

My biggest issue was the writing style. It felt so...choppy. It didn't flow right and kept taking me out of the story. It felt so jarring! I did like the observations and the inner monologue parts, but the story itself felt so choppy and disjointed. 

I also can't buy this as a romance. It felt so awkward, and I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop at any minute. This really should just be a...not chick lit but something else. I'm blanking on a good genre to shove this in. 

Honestly, I liked reading about Edie and Rebecca the most. I enjoyed seeing that relationship form and morph. I also adored little Akila! 

And the ending....left me feeling nothing. It just ended. 

But yes...some good, but a lot of bad. I'll give this 3 stars. Maybe the audio would've been a hair better!

Book Review: The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman

Author: Matt Dinniman

Title: The Gate of the Feral Gods

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #4

Genre: Fantasy, SciFi, Dystopia, Comedy

Format: ebook

Pages: 592

Published: June 14, 2021

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

New Achievement! Total, Utter Failure.

You failed a quest less than five minutes after you received it. Now that’s talent.

A floating fortress occupied by warrior gnomes. A castle made of sand. A derelict submarine guarded by malfunctioning machines. A haunted crypt surrounded by lethal traps.

It was supposed to be easy. One bubble. Four castles. Fifteen days. Capture each one, and the stairwell is unlocked.

Here's the thing. It's never easy. Carl and his team can't go it alone. Not this time. They must rely on the help of the low-level, I-can't-believe-these-idiots-are-still-alive crawlers trapped in the bubble with them. But can they be trusted?

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the fifth floor of the dungeon.

Review:

I'm loving this series soooo much. I hate the world and would never want this to happen, but it's so good to watch Carl and his gang. 

We are back! Carl is on the next floor with his team. They are faced with a floating fortress, a castle made of sand, and a derelict submarine guarded by machines. Oh! And don't forget a haunted crypt. They have 15 days to capture each one, but here is the thing.......they can't do this alone. They'll have to team up with some questionable crawlers. 

This was a chaotic ride, and I loved every second of it! So many different monsters. So many different NPCs. So many new crawlers. And the AI is not amused. Carl is causing some ripples. Carl is INSANE, but like...good insane. 

Love Donut. 

Love Katia. 

The ending made me gasp. 

I need more right MEOW. 

5 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Monday: If I Have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: October 4, 2023 by Magpie Books GB

Ya paranormal/borrowed

I was unsure at first, but it picked up.

Cara can see ghosts but she pretends not too. Her gran was a ghost talker, her mother says she has to be normal. But then she finds her "enemy" dead in the woods, and damn, fine, she will talk to his ghost and try to see what she can do. There is this whole other thing about a snake and maybe that she can save his life. I do wonder though, shouldn´t he be rotting?

Most of the book takes place on this other plane as they are racing against time to find an antidote. Dangers, and perhaps a budding romance ;)

I did enjoy it in the end because it was light and easy

Cara’s just trying to stay on top of all her classes, excel at her extracurriculars, and prepare for college – which means not speaking to the dead, an ability she inherited from her grandmother. Ghosts are trouble, and Cara doesn’t need to add their problems to her own.

But then she stumbles upon the body of Zach – the super popular but very newly dead high school golden boy – in the woods, and guess what? He wants her to resurrect him.

Cue trouble.

Book Review: The Pemberley Picnic by Melanie Rachel

Author: Melanie Rachel

Title: The Pemberley Picnic - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Genre: Historical Romance, What If, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 160

Published: July 16, 2026

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Fitzwilliam Darcy never expected Elizabeth Bennet to come to Pemberley—least of all after the proposal she so decisively refused. Yet here she is, seeing him not in a ballroom or a drawing room, but on his own ground, where he might be able to prove to her that he has changed.

But he has only days before she returns home.

So he does something entirely unlike himself: Darcy announces a picnic. There is only one difficulty. He has not planned a picnic.

Still, he is certain everything will go well. It must.

But Darcy soon discovers that even the simplest picnic can go astray—especially when the wind, the weather, and Miss Bingley all seem determined to keep him from the guest he most wishes to please. As old misunderstandings soften and new feelings bloom, Elizabeth and Darcy must decide whether pride, prejudice, and past mistakes can give way to something far sweeter.

Review:

I'm in a JA mood, I guess! 

Here we have a P&P variation. Darcy never expected to see Elizabeth again after she declined his proposal. Well...here she is....in his home.....this is his chance to show her he has changed. He decides that there will be a picnic on the grounds! What could go wrong? Everything. 

I'm going to be chill again and divide and conquer this review. It's been a long week. 

The Good

- LOVE a P&P and Austen variation. It's just so fuuuuun. 

- Awww loved seeing Darcy do something so out of character. 

- Fitzwilliam was a gem. So witty. So funny. 

- This was very sweet and adorable

The Bad and the Ugly

- Some phrases and words didn't seem to vibe with the time period and characters. It just didn't hit the ears (well...I did the ebook...would it be eyes?) right. 

Conclusion

I enjoyed this little gem. It was very sweet, and I liked this cute twist. Imagine if Darcy got an extra day with Lizzie. So very sweeeeet. 

4 stars.