Book Review: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman

Author: Matt Dinniman

Title: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #3

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Comedy

Format: ebook

Pages: 544

Published: March 19, 2021

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Welcome to the Gun Show!

The top 10 list is populated. The sponsorship program is open. The difficulty is ramping up. The first three floors were nothing compared to what Carl and Donut now face.

The Iron Tangle. An impossibly complicated subway system built out of the world's subterranean railway systems, all combined and then tied together into a knot. Up is down. Down is up. Close is far. The cars are filled with monsters, the railway stations are less than safe, and the exit is always just a few stops away.

But there is hope. For the first time, the crawlers are all working together. The loot is better than ever. And the secret to unraveling it all may be hidden in the pages of a seemingly useless book.

Welcome, crawlers. Welcome to the fourth floor of the dungeon.

Review:

Finally got a chance to get into this. However, I'm bummed that my library didn't have the audio version of this one. SIGHS. Ebook is fine and all, and I'll take what I can get. 

We are back with Carl and Donut. The top 10 list is populated. The sponsorship is open. And the difficulty is ramping up. They will face an impossibly complicated subway system, all knotted up and filled with monsters. Even with these odds, there is a spark of hope......crawlers are working together to solve the puzzles and find good loot. 

Oh Carl. Oh Donut. This was a mess but fun and chaotic. 

There were some tedious moments, but it didn't bug me too much. I powered through them because I needed to know what was going to happen next.

I don't want to spoil anything, but yes, lots of trains and lots of monster mobs. Lots of crawlers. I loved seeing them start to work together. Honestly.....they need to all work together. F these TV people. 

The ending has me screaming. I can't wait to get started on book 4!

As you seen above, I did the book version of this book. I enjoyed it, but I missed Donut screaming in my ear. I may have to cave and buy the audio or use my Audible credits. Sighs. 

Overall, this was chaotic and messy and fun. Some tedious moments, but worth pushing through. Def read the other books first. 4 stars from me. 

 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #17

Audiobook Review: An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford

Title: An Ordinary Sort of Evil

Series: A Rip Through Time #5

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance

Format: Audiobook 

Published: May 19, 2026

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Mitchell has grown accustomed to life in Victorian Scotland after travelling 150 years into the past into the body of a housemaid. She’s built a new life for herself. Even though she works as an assistant to forensic-science pioneer Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie, she considers them true friends. And with Gray in particular, perhaps, someday, something more.

Late one night, Gray and Mallory are summoned urgently to the home of Lady Adler, a patron of Gray’s undertaking business, and they assume there's been a death in the household. But instead, they arrive in the midst of a seance with a ghost demanding Gray's presence. The ghost is Lady Adler's former maid, who had gone missing but now requests that Gray investigate her murder. Although Gray and Mallory are skeptical, they agree to look into the matter, whether she's dead or alive. But unsure if there's been a murder or not, unable to call out the medium as a fraud, and concerned for the fate of the young maid, Gray and Mallory are once again drawn into a mystery much more puzzling--and more dangerous--than it first seems

Review:

Been itching to listen to this, but I had a couple of other audios I had planned first. I am loving this series so much. 

We are back with Mallory and the gang! They are called to a seance after a ghost demanded that Gray solve her murder. Problem? Is the former maid ACTUALLY dead or even missing? Even though they are skeptical, they agree to look into the matter. Even if there is no murder, they can call out a medium as a fraud.

EEEEEEE. Big steps are made in the Mallory-Gray love story. I was squealing like a schoolgirl. I won't say anything more, but big leaps have been made. In all the other books and novellas, there have been baby steps and crawls. Maybe a step back here and there, but things are really pushing! 

I NEED MORE!!!! When is the next book??? EEEEE!

All the EEEEEEs with this book. 

This might be one of my favorites of the series so far. The mystery was sooo good. I had zero idea what was going to happen. Who did what and why and when and so forth. All lovely. 

Lots of character growth and fun dialogue. 

And a surprise guest! I will say no more there. 

The narrator is amazing. I hope she continues the series. Her voice is the only voice I hear. 

5 stars 100%. Read the series. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #26

 

Book Review: Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Whisper of Sin

Series: Psy-Changeling #0.75

Genre: PNR, Fantasy, Novella, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 80

Published:  August 3, 2010

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

San Francisco is under threat from a violent gang…a gang that has no idea who they’re challenging. The DarkRiver pack of leopard changelings has already claimed the city as their territory, and they will fight with wild fury to protect its residents. Emmett, a lethally trained leopard soldier, isn’t about to let outsiders muscle in on his home ground—especially when they target a human named Ria.

Emmett has one word for the smart stranger with her curvy body and tough mine.

Possessive, dominant, unyielding in his demands and desires, Emmett is unlike anyone Ria has ever before met. But while the sexy leopard changeling makes her body ignite, his kisses molten and his touch addicting, she’s no pushover and she has a few demands of her own. This leopard has met his match…

Review:

I've really been feeling these quick PNRs of this series! Not sure why, but it's been all I want to read. 

Here we have Emmett and Ria. There is a violent gang causing trouble and thinking they can take on the DarkRiver. Things go from bad to worse when they target Ria. Emmett will never let anything happen to his human. His? Uh-oh. 

Emmett was fun, and I liked Ria a lot. I think I really adore human/changeling a bit more. We got a nice break from the Psy issues. 

Dumb gang. SMH. 

This was quick and just what the doctor ordered. 

This was short but perfect. Mystery, action, passion, and even some humor! It hit all the marks and quickly. 

I'll give this 5 stars. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #14

Book Review: Kirkyards and Kindness by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Title: Kirkyards & Kindness

Series: A Rip Through Time #4.5

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 304

Published:  December 2, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A year ago, twenty-first-century detective Mallory found herself in 1869 Edinburgh, in the body of Catriona Mitchell, a housemade working for Dr. Duncan Gray, pioneer in forensic science. Shortly after she arrived, she made the unfortunate acquaintence of Catriona’s former criminal mentor, Davina, an entanglement that nearly got Mallory killed. Now she’s about to meet Davina again.

Greyfriars Bobby has disappeared. The little terrier is already a legend, and Davina has made a tidy living showing him off on graveyard tours…while picking the pockets of her guests. When the elderly dog vanishes, Davina calls in a favor from her old student. Mallory agrees to help find Bobby in return for the one thing she’s been unable to get from Davina—the mysterious Catriona’s life story.

Review:

Yayyy. I love this series. This wasn't at my library, so I had to buy it. Not complaining! I couldn't wait for my library to get it. Too impatient ya know? Long-term plan is to buy the whole series anyway.

Greyfriars Bobby has vanished. The little terrier is famous. Davina, someone from Mallory's body's past has been making a profit from guided tours. When the dog vanishes, Davina calls on Mallory to help find him. Mallory and Grey agree to take on the case... for information about Catriona's life story. 

Why did this take me so long to finish? I kept getting distracted by my other reads. And then I would have to start this all over because I would forget what was happening. Whoopsies. 

This was still nice overall, but I felt like....I didn't really care about learning about Catriona. Yes, sad story when we learn, but she was a bad guy at the end of it all still. She did bad things to people, so I guess I don't care. I'm glad Mallory took over her body to do some good. 

I did like our mystery. Bobby!!!!

But yes, this wasn't my favorite, but I still liked it overall. 

3 stars from me. 

2-in-1 Book Review: Echo of Silence & Dorian by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Echo of Silence

Series: Psy-Changeling #2.5

Genre: Short Story, Paranormal Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 101

Published: August 23, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life's work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander . . .

Review:

I love going back and catching some of these shorts and novellas from this series. It's fun! The only way to read this was by borrowing the anthology. It works. 

Here we follow Tazia and Stefan. Tazia is an engineer and likes to keep things running smoothly. Stefan is Psy and has a strong barrier of silence to protect him and everyone around him. Being telekinetic can be powerful, but dangerous. After a disaster strikes, the two work together to save as many people as they can. 

This was lovely. I loved watching these two find common ground. And then friendship. And then more. Not a lot of crazy drama. Some external and some internal, but it was manageable and worked for a short story. 

Loved the depth. Loved the couple. *chef kiss*

5 stars. 

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Dorian

Series: Psy-Changeling #5.1

Genre: Short Story, Paranormal, UF

Format: ebook

Pages: 39

Published: August 23, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play . . .

Review:

Yet another one from the anthology that I wanted to read!

Here we see Dorian in the early parts of his life. He was a changeling who could never shift until he finally learns how to let his leopard come out and play. 

Awwwww I loved seeing a young Dorian. I wish this was a touch longer. Maybe a scene or two more!! Dorian is a lovely character. Now I want to read his book again. It has been so long. 

But yes. Another short one that gives you a taste of the world and the author. It's such a good series overall. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #12 & 13

Audiobook Review: Generation Hex by Molly Harper

Author: Molly Harper

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi & Teddy Hamilton
Title: Generation Hex

Series: Moonshadow Cove #3

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published:  May 14, 2026
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

If Perry Seaworth had a spell to banish one person, James Huntingdon would disappear in a puff of smoke. As the quintessential eldest daughter, Perry has always shouldered the responsibility of of keeping her sisters safe while defending Starfall Island from ghostly menaces.

Enter James, a secret agent with the Red Jasper Society, tasked with policing witches and their magic. Armed with the power to strip the Seaworths of their abilities, he’s a walking threat to everything Perry holds dear. And his most infuriating quality? Being frustratingly handsome and intriguingly enigmatic.

But as sinister forces emerge from every shadow, Perry might have to put her annoyance aside and accept James’s help. A centuries-old family feud that’s been brewing for generations has finally reached the boiling point. And complicating matters further, the baby sea monster they’ve been raising has grown impossible to contain. Can James and Perry fight off the formidable enemies closing in on them? And will their rivalry ignite into something more powerful—and passionate—than either of them ever dared to imagine?

Review:

I def pre-ordered this little number. I love this world and this series. Adorbs. 

We continue with Perry and her sisters. This time, Perry and James take center stage. Perry has shouldered the responsibility of head of her family and protecting Starfall Island. James is an agent from the Red Jasper Society. He is tasked to watch over and "police" the witches on Starfall Island. Make sure everything is up to code, etc. Things reach a pinnacle with their enemies. It will take everything Perry, James, and their allies have to protect everything they love. And maybe, just maybe, Perry and James will look past their disagreements and see the love they have for each other. 

Awwwwwwwwwwwww this can't be it. There has to be more in this world, and with our witches! This was a spin-off, and I want another spin-off. Maybe another island and/or another coven? The ending sure did give us hope that there will be more. EEEEE!

Loved Perry, and I loved James. They are perfect for each other, even though it takes them FOREVER and a day to figure it out. Everyone could see that for a long time. 

The ending was so good. 

Screw the baddies!!!!! 

The narration was amazing, as per normal with this epic duo. 

Gah! I want more. Should I go back and re-read both this series and the original? Maaaybbbeeeeee.

5 stars from me. I def recommend both series. Read the first one first, though. Lots of details intertwine and impact this one.

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #19

Movie Review: Mortal Kombat 2 (2026)

Title: Mortal Kombat 2

Length: 1h 56m

Released: 2026

Genre: Fantasy, SciFi
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Drive-In Theater

SUMMARY:

The fan favorite champions -- now joined by Johnny Cage himself -- are pitted against one another in the ultimate battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Omg, it's been soooo long since the first movie was released. I def blame Covid for the huge delay. I'm just glad we finally got this!!!!

We are back. Shao Kahn and his dark real rule threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm. They need to beat him or he will rule. Johnny Cage is now added to the ranks. 

So fun. So cool. Loved the fighting and the story and the cinematics!!!!! 

What a cast!!! So good. 

And nooooo my fave!! EVERY TIME!!! But, luckily, death is never fully the end for our characters. That ending gives me hope. I can't wait for movie 3. Hopefully, we don't have to wait a million years again.

My only "issue" is that the plot felt too fast. We got right into it. I would've liked more time with our characters. 

What else can I say? This is funny, dark, brutal, and just plain fun. Now, I need to re-watch movie 1.

4 stars. 

DNF: The Medium by CJ Archer

Author: CJ Archer

Title: The Medium

Series: Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #1

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Paranormal Romance, Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 261

Published: June 30, 2012

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Seventeen year-old spirit medium Emily Chambers has a problem. Actually, she has several. As if seeing dead people isn't a big enough social disadvantage, she also has to contend with an escaped demon and a handsome ghost with a secret past. And then there's the question of her parentage. Being born an entire year after her father's death (yes, a year) and without the pale skin of other respectable English ladies, Emily is as much a mystery as the dead boy assigned to her.

Jacob Beaufort's spirit has been unable to crossover since his death. It might have something to do with the fact he was murdered. Or it might not. All he knows is, he has been assigned by the Otherworld's administrators to a girl named Emily. A girl who can see and touch him. A girl who released a shape-shifting demon into the mortal realm. Together they must send the demon back before it wreaks havoc on London. It should be a simple assignment, but they soon learn there's nothing simple when a live girl and a dead boy fall in love.

Review:

This won the vote for DNF 2nd Chance. I was excited to give it another chance. It just sounds SO good. 

Whelp....

This just isn't for me, I guess. I got a couple of pages further than when I tossed the towel last time. 

Jacob was nice enough, and he was kinda cool. Emily? Eh. 

I just didn't care enough to push through and see how it all ends. I tried, though, but just not the book for me. 

DNF still. Bummer.

Audiobook Review: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Author: Jacqueline Harpman

Narrator: Nikki Massoud
Title: I Who Have Never Known Men

Genre: Dystopia, SciFi, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published:  January 1, 1995
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

As the burn of electric light merges day into night and numberless years pass, a young girl—the fortieth prisoner—sits alone and outcast in the corner. Soon she will show herself to be the key to the others' escape and survival in the strange world that awaits them above ground.

Review:

Blodeuedd actually encouraged me to read this. I read the summary, and I HAD to check it out. 

How to even do a summary of this??

We follow a young girl and 39 other women. The young girl is writing this story. She doesn't remember how the world used to be because she was too young when their worlds were taken from them. All she remembers is this cage. She prefers to sit alone and outcasts herself in the corner.  A chance arrives, and they take it. However, life outside the cage isn't how the world used to be. They will need to work together to survive and maybe, just maybe, find answers. 

The summary does not do this book justice, but I don't want to give anything away. 

This was a wild read, but not much really happens. But at the same time, there is a lot happening, and a lot DID happen before the cage. Lots of questions and barely any answers.

I think that is the simple beauty of the story. It doesn't really matter what happened. Sure, you want to know the hows and the whys. But this is a story about being human and finding meaning in your day. This is about community and, sadly, death. Yes, it drove me insane not having all the answers, and the ending was left pretty wide open, but I have hope. 

This isn't a feel-good story. Sometimes bad things happen, and you never know why. 

This would be an excellent book for High School or a book club. SO much to discuss and analyze. 

The narrator did an excellent job. She fit the words and brought this story to life. 

I liked it a lot. It made me think. It made me feel. It's a decently quick read, and I highly recommend it. 

5 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #18

Audiobook Review: Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Amstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Death at a Highland Wedding

Series: A Rip Through Time #4

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published:  May 20, 2025
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

After slipping 150 years into the past, modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson has embraced her new life in Victorian Scotland as housemaid Catriona Mitchel. Although it isn’t what she expected, she's developed real, meaningful relationships with the people around her and has come to love her role as assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie.

Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister's wedding. The McCreadies and the groom’s family, the Cranstons, have a complicated history which has made the weekend quite uncomfortable. But the Cranston estate is beautiful so Gray and Mallory decide to escape the stifling company and set off to explore the castle and surrounding wilderness. They discover that the groom, Archie Cranston, a slightly pompous and prickly man, has set up deadly traps in the woods for the endangered Scottish wildcats, and they soon come across a cat who's been caught and severely injured. Oddly, Mallory notices the cat's injuries don't match up with the intricacies of the trap. These strange irregularities, combined with the secretive and erratic behavior of the groom, put Mallory and Duncan on edge. And then when one of the guests is murdered, they must work fast to uncover the murderer before another life is lost.

Review:

This series is great. I am loving it soooo much. 

We are back with Mallory and the crew. This time, they are heading up to the Highlands for a wedding. McCreadie's sister is marrying the eldest Cranston. This is slightly awkward and uncomfortable due to a...complicated history. After a series of events, a guest is found murdered, and they must work fast to uncover the truth before the wrong person is charged or another body appears. 

We got a LOT of backstory in this one with McCreadie and the crew. Mallory, being from a different time, didn't know the full story, and soon, we find out there are secrets that everyone is keeping. I loved every second of it!

Between finding the murderer and uncovering secrets....it was addicting. I didn't want to stop listening!

At the same time, Mallory is realizing she has feelings for Dr. Grey. I think he has feelings, but Mallory doesn't see it. Victorian men can def keep it close to the chest. 

I am nearly caught up. I have a novella (which I'll be getting to that soon), and then the new one will be released later this month. I may end up buying it because I know my library won't have it :/ Should I just buy the whole series? I can see myself revisiting it! We shall see. 

I hope the narrator continues forth! She is soooo good. She is perfect. 

All-in-all, I adore this series. I adored this book. I want more. Need more...is the right thing to say. 

5 stars. 

 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #17

- Library Love #11

Book Review: Sight Unseen by Alexis Marie

Author: Alexis Marie

Title: Sight Unseen

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 393

Published: March 1, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (Goodreads giveaway)

Summary: 

Veda Thorne is living on borrowed time. After exhausting every magical cure for the fatal curse trapped inside her, she’s accepted her fate. But Veda’s self-imposed isolation begins to crack when she’s asked to tutor Antaris, a child whose pain calls to her own.

Hiram Ellis left his wealthy, prejudiced family years ago. Now unexpectedly thrust into single fatherhood, he returns to his hometown, determined to build a life far from the cold privilege that stifled his own childhood. The last thing he expects is to be drawn to the fiercely protective, sharp-tongued woman helping his son.

When a trail of enchanted spider lilies leads Hiram and Veda to discover their deadly tie to a prolific serial killer, they’re forced to set aside their differences to unearth long-buried secrets. But the truth is as deadly as Veda’s curse, and both come at a devastating cost. As victims mount and motives emerge, their greatest challenge is choosing to trust and love each other.

Review:

Yayy. Another random giveaway book that I won! Weeee! 

Note - even though I was given this in a giveaway, my review will be honest and unbiased. 

In this one, we follow Veda and Hiram. Veda is living on borrowed time because of the curse that was placed on her. She wants to just live and be left alone. However, her isolation cracks when she is asked to tutor a boy whose recent loss resonates with her. Hiram left his wealthy, but prejudiced, family years ago. He wants nothing to do with them or to be like him. Fatherhood is dropped on his lap. He had no idea his ex had a baby, and now that she is passed, he will do his best to give his son the life and upbringing he never had. He hires Veda to help get his son on track, but he didn't expect to fall for her. On top of all this, there is a trail of spider lilies that is pointing to a serial killer. The two will have to put aside their differences and figure out what is going on. 

This book was a roller coaster for me. One moment, I was glued to the pages and couldn't stop reading. The next moment.....I was clock-watching and bored. And then I was itching for more and wanted more. Def all over the board with this one. 

I went back and forth on how I felt about Veda. I liked Hiram. The kid was sweet. Poor angel.

Peter was nice. I would've liked more of him. 

Some of the side characters seemed cool, but we needed more time with them. Some felt a little....2D?

The mystery was interesting enough. It didn't get really good until a tipping point.

The ending was lovely. Nice bow there. 

Honestly, I would've loved more romance. Yes, yes, I did enjoy the enemies-to-lovers aspect, but it took SOOOO long. A hair too long for my liking. Maybe a few more kisses would've been nice. Oh! Maybe a scene or two of them being close to kissing after fighting. 

Overall, this had a lot of potential, and it would make for a nice series, methinks. I would love to explore more of the world and the system. Maybe some side characters can have their moment in the sun. I wanted more out of this, but I did enjoy lots of it. Thus why it was an emotional roller coaster for me. The parts I liked...I LOVED. The parts I didn't like? Meh.

3 stars. 

Reading Challenges:

- Reading Romance Challenge #14 (Published 2026)

Movie Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

Title: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Length: 1h 38m

Released: 2025

Genre: Comedy, Action/Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Theater

SUMMARY:

Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Weeeee! Mario is back with another movie!

Mario and the crew are back. This time, they will have to venture into space and tackle some big galactic challenges. 

Last minute, I made Hubby go with me to the movie. I needed something funny and light. This was precisely what I needed, and I'm so glad we saw this on the big screen. 

Lots of laughs. Lots of action. Lots of references. Lots of awwwwwes. Adorable and def need to see. 

I will say that this was super action-packed. Maybe a bit TOO action-y. They were shoving a LOT of stuff into one film, and it never seemed to stop. I would've loved to see some more relaxing and chatting between the characters to establish more of the friendship elements, especially with "newer" characters being introduced.

Other than that, I still enjoyed the film. I would for sure watch this again. 

4 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Thornhedge by T.Kingfisher

Author: T.Kingfisher

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Thornhedge

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Horror, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 15, 2023
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

But nothing with fairies is ever simple.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He's heard there's a curse here that needs breaking, but it's a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

Review:

This author is fun. I love the variety!!!

Here we have a retelling that may have you questioning all the princesses...especially Sleeping Beauty. Toadling was a human, but she was stolen from birth by the fairies and raised as one of their own. However, when she became an adult, the fae asked a big favor from her. It should've been easy.....go to the human world and offer a simple blessing of protection to a new baby. Nothing is ever that easy. Centuries later, a knight shows up to break the curse, but it's a curse Toadling can't have it break. 

I really enjoyed this one. I really had no idea what was going to happen to our lil Toadling. I adored her so much. 

This is a retelling, but you don't need to know the story of Sleeping Beauty in order to know this one. It is sooooo different that you would really need to call this a retelling? It was so different. 

This felt a little...lackluster compared to other stories by this author. It wasn't bad by any means...but.....it was too soft. It lists "horror" on the list of genres, but there is zero horror of any kind. It was sweet with some sadness and a mystery. Toadling is hiding something. Honestly, I think if the author played up the baddie a bit more and made the baddie scarier, it would've made this story really come to life. It was just missing a big spark. 

The ending was nice. I would've liked to have seen a smidge more. Maybe an interaction or two between Toadling and someone else (no spoilers here). 

The narrator did a nice job. Her voice was fitting. 

All-in-all, I did have fun with this one. It just felt...flat compared to other books I've read by this author. We needed more spice. Maybe with the baddie? It was very soft....too soft at times. 3 stars from me. In the end, it was still a lovely story and I loooooooved Toadling so much. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #14

- Library Love #9

Audiobook Review: Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Disturbing the Dead

Series: A Rip Through Time #3

Genre: Mystery, SciFi, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: May 7, 2024
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Victorian Scotland is becoming less strange to modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson. Though inhabiting someone else’s body will always be unsettling, even if her employers know that she’s not actually housemaid Catriona Mitchell, ever since the night both of them were attacked in the same dark alley 150 years apart. Mallory likes her job as assistant to undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray, and is developing true friends―and feelings―in this century.

So, understanding the Victorian fascination with death, Mallory isn't that surprised when she and her friends are invited to a mummy unwrapping at the home of Sir Alastair Christie. When their host is missing when it comes time to unwrap the mummy, Gray and Mallory are asked to step in. And upon closer inspection, it’s not a mummy they’ve unwrapped, but a much more modern body.

Review:

Yayyy book 3!

We are back at it with Mallory and crew. Mallory has been in this body and this time period for a while now, and she is finally finding her footing. She is loving being the assistant to Dr. Gray and is friends with him and the others. The Victorians have a fascination with death, so Mallory isn't surprised when they are all invited to a mummy unwrapping at Sir Alastair's house. However, things go awry when the host is missing, and something isn't right with the mummy. Mallory and crew are asked to step in. 

You for sure need to have read the last two books for this one. You can skip the shorts, but there are some references and things you will need to understand. 

Ooooooh Mallory. I love her so. I love the whole crew. I'm even warming up to Gray's other sister and Mrs Wallace.

I'll admit something. I was enjoying myself, but it was feeling....stale at first. I wasn't necessarily bored, but it felt like the other two. The mysteries didn't shock me. It's kind of hard to explain. BUT that all changed after a BIG moment. A nice TWIST. I will not say but that was a nice reminder that there is a fantasy/SciFi element to the story. Eeee. I can't wait for the next book. 

The narrator did a lovely job. Great accents. Great voices for everyone. 

What more?

THIS SERIES IS SO GOOD!!! Read it or do the audio like me. 100% recommend. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #13

- Library Love #9

Book Review: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Shield of Winter

Series: Psy-Changeling #13

Genre: PNR, Urban Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 448

Published: June 3, 2014

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake.

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness . . .

Review:

I've been terrible. I finished this a couple of days ago, but I've been sooooo dang busy. We'll divide and conquer this review. 

Please note that this would not work well as a standalone. You need to read all the others prior. 

The Good:

- So many couples from the past books have popped up! This is a big conclusion to some stuff! It was lovely seeing them. 

- Intense action. I was on the edge of my seat. Will this gamble pay off? 

- Vasic and Ivy make a great pair. I was nervous because it would take someone really special to deserve Vasic. He's been such a great side character. 

- That ending? I had some tears. 

The Bad and the Ugly:

- The pacing was off sometimes. At times, we were moving at a snail's pace, and I wanted to skim through, but then we were off to the races. It was jarring at times. 

Conclusion:

Overall, I really did enjoy this conclusion to this arc of the story. There is more to follow, but all the past books of this series have been building up to this moment. The pacing was a little off in spots, but overall....this was good. I'll give it 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #8

- Reading Romance Challenge #9 (TBR 2+ years)

Audiobook Review: A Change of Plans by Dennis E Taylor

Author: Dennis E Taylor

Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Title: A Change of Plans

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Short Story
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 22, 2019
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Earth is dying, and humanity is scrambling to set up colonies in other star systems. But the search process for habitable planets is not perfect, as the crew of the Ouroboros discover on arrival at their new home.

Review:

Gotta love a nice short SciFi. It's how I like 'em. Short, sweet, and to the point. 

Humanity is scrambling to set up colonies in other star systems because Earth is dying. The crew of Ouroboros has arrived to their new home, but it's not.........perfect. 

I've heard of the author, and I've been curious, so I decided to give this little short a chance. A little bit of a taste, ya know?

It sounds like this universe is set up. There seems to be more stories out there, but this story did fine alone. I was never confused, and that is a def a bonus for SciFi stories. Some authors get too stuck in the weeds of details. The author did a good job, so I may check out a full-length someday. If you like this author, give me a recommendation! I'm so dang picky with SciFi. 

So yes....we have a crew out on adventure. They are tasked to find other planets that might work for the humans. Earth is dying, and we need to colonize. Typical. The crew was nice, but I couldn't tell you any of their names, so they were slightly forgettable. Not bad, just atypical. 

The little battle was fun. 

The ending was nice. 

The narrator is a gem. I really like his voices. I've heard an audio or two of his and know his voice. It's nice, and he does well even with lady voices. 

Overall, this was a nice taste of SciFi. Perfect while working on an Excel for work. Quick and intense. 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #9