Month: May 2025

Review: Emperor and Hierophant (Arcane Oracle #3)

Title: Emperor and Hierophant (Arcane Oracle #3)
Author: Susan Wands
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
Publisher: SparkPress
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Rating: ★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The next installment in the thrilling Arcana Oracle series finds heroine Pamela Colman Smith kidnapped, imprisoned, and fighting to protect her tarot deck from Aleister Crowley once again.

On tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester, Pamela Colman Smith is kidnapped by a mysterious force. In captivity, she begins a relationship with her mute keeper, a strange creature at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck.

Meanwhile, her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, Pamela’s muses for the Magician and Empress cards. Alerted to Pamela’s plight, Ahmed Kamal, Pamela’s Egyptologist friend, joins Bram to come to her aid. Plotting against the mysterious forces who abducted her, Pamela must outwit and out magic Aleister, as he tries to destroy her muses and tarot deck. Learning the lessons of her Emperor and Hierophant, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.

Review:

This is the third book in the Arcane Oracle series. This one had a bit of a mystery with Pamela being kidnapped, but there was a lot of magical realism that overshadowed it. Sometimes it was hard to tell if the characters were hallucinating or actually doing magic. I feel like that distracted from the main plot, which I was enjoying reading about.

Emperor and Hierophant is a good book for fans of magical realism. 

Thank you BookSparks for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: kidnapping

Other books in the series:

Have you read Emperor and Hierophant? What did you think of it?

Review: Boyfriends, Vol. 1

Title: Boyfriends, Vol. 1
Author: Refrainbow
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBTQ, Romance
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 21, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Boy meets boy . . . meets boy . . . meets boy!

Jock, Goth, Nerd, and Prep are all juniors in college. But studying is the last thing on their minds as they are mainly interested in getting a boyfriend. Or multiple boyfriends.

The first two to couple up are Goth (cool and sexy) and Nerd (bubbly and flirty). As their budding relationship deepens, they can’t deny their chemistry with Goth’s other friends, Jock (sweet and easygoing) and Prep (sensitive and anxious). Nerd suggests they try something totally brand new to all of a polyamorous relationship. Everyone’s game to try, because they all agree the only thing better than one cute boyfriend…is three cute boyfriends!

But the transition isn’t so smooth, as Jock and Prep have issues of their own to settle, and all four need to learn how to make their new polycule work. Through navigating the adventures of dating life, the boyfriends come to understand themselves and each other in new and profound ways.

Laugh-out-loud funny and always heartwarming, Boyfriends is filled to the brim with moments of pride big and small.

Collects episodes 1–55 of the delightful WEBTOON comic Boyfriends .

Review:

This was such a fun graphic novel! It follows four boys in college who like each other. They decide to have a polyamorous relationship with each other. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that I realized none of them had names. Instead, they each had a distinct style: Goth, Nerd, Jock, Prep. The four of them were so sweet to each other! I can’t wait to read the next book!

Boyfriends, Vol. 1 is a cute graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

  • Boyfriends, Vol. 2
  • Boyfriends, Vol. 3

Have you read Boyfriends, Vol. 1? What did you think of it?

Review: Hive (Madders of Time #1)

Title: Hive (Madders of Time #1)
Author: D.L. Orton
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Rocky Mountain Press
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

What if saving the future meant rewriting the past?
 
In a dying world overrun by microdrones, humanity’s last survivors cling to life inside the Eden-17 biodome. Isabelle Sanborn knows her time is running out, but one desperate plan might give humanity a second chance. With the help of Madders, an enigmatic AI built from the memories of a brilliant physicist, Isabelle sends Diego Nadales—the love of her life—35 years into the past. His mission? To change the course of history and prevent their world’s collapse.
 
When Diego arrives in the vibrant yet fragile Main Timeline, he’s forced to confront ghosts of the past, including a younger, ambitious version of Isabelle. As he battles to shape a better future, Diego must navigate a delicate web of relationships and events without destroying the very fabric of time.
 
Brimming with suspense, heart-pounding action, and a poignant love story that transcends time, Madders of Time – Book One is a breathtaking science fiction adventure. Award-winning author DL Orton weaves a tale that explores sacrifice, resilience, and the timeless power of love.
 
Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Dark Matter will find themselves captivated by this unforgettable journey through parallel worlds and intertwining destinies.
 
The clock is ticking. Can love survive the collapse of time itself?
 
Prepare to lose yourself in the first installment of the Madders of Time series—a story that will keep you turning pages and leave you hungry for more.

Review:

This is a great sci-fi thriller! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I didn’t want the story to end. I liked that each chapter had a small image of the character who was the POV of the chapter on the first page. It changed depending on the age of the character too. It was a nice detail that made it easier to imagine the characters’ appearances. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in the series!

Hive is a suspenseful sci-fi thriller!

Thank you Bookinfluencers for sending me a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, bomb, terrorist attack, cancer, stillbirth, divorce

Have you read Hive? What did you think of it?

Review: The Sun’s Shadow

Title: The Sun’s Shadow
Author: Sejal Badani
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Paperback
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret comes an unflinching exploration of betrayal, forgiveness, and the healing power of a second chance.

Celine’s life is spiraling out of control. She’s in danger of losing the beloved equestrian farm that was her childhood home. Her distant husband, Eric, is devoting a suspicious amount of time to a stunning new colleague. Then her young son, Brian, receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. How much worse can things get?

Felicity has uprooted her career and her teenage son, Justin, to get closer to Eric. She’s tired of keeping his secrets—that Justin is his son, and Eric’s frequent “business trips” have been spent playing the good dad with him. Felicity is determined to get her happily ever after, even if it means confronting Celine at a delicate time.

But when Brian’s prognosis worsens, and a transplant from Justin becomes his best chance at survival, Felicity must make a wrenching decision about her son’s well-being—and Celine must accept that the “other woman” is her only hope.

In another life Celine and Felicity might have been friends. Can they put aside the pain between them to do what’s best for their families—and their own futures?

Review:

This was a fast paced and emotional read. Even though this isn’t a thriller, the fast pace and intensity of the plot made it feel like a heart pounding thriller. I had a hard time putting it down! It was also quite emotional. Celine’s son was diagnosed with cancer, and she also had to deal with the discovery of her husband’s past infidelity. There wasn’t time to process everything at once, since her son’s treatment was urgent. This was such a great novel!

The Sun’s Shadow is a thrilling and emotional read!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: cancer, infidelity, parental abandonment

Have you read The Sun’s Shadow? What did you think of it?

Review: Morgana and Oz, Vol. 2

Title: Morgana and Oz, Vol. 2
Author: Miyuli
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

This stunning series by debut author Miyuli, perfect for fans of both fantasy and romance, explores what happens when a struggling witch meets an angsty vampire—either love or war.

This stunning series by debut author Miyuli, perfect for fans of both fantasy and romance, explores what happens when a struggling witch meets an angsty vampire—either love or war.

Morgana Winterberry belongs to a long line of witches, while Oz belongs to the rival vampire clan. After a chance encounter…and maybe a few stray spells…these two need to find a way to work together, or risk all-out war between coven and clan.

Morgana is still trying to pick up the pieces after the explosive breakdown of peace negotiations between her family of witches and the Red Vampire clan.

With the vampires poisoned because of a curse put on the blood served by Morgana’s family, and Oz stuck as a cat thanks to a spell gone wrong, Morgana has a lot to fix. She’s determined to put things right, which leads her to a powerful witch doctor, and right into the vampires’ lair.

There are a number of dangerous secrets to untangle, because something strange is going on with Morgana’s powers, and someone in her family has been using dark magic.

Meanwhile, no one on either side is happy about a witch and a vampire getting closer…except maybe Morgana and Oz.

This volume collects episodes 20 – 39 of the hit fantasy WEBTOON series.

Review:

I was so excited for this sequel. I loved the first volume and this one didn’t disappoint. The dynamic between the witches and vampires is tense, but Morgana is so kind that she’s trying to mend their relationship. There was a flashback chapter to when Morgana was a child, which I found really sweet and emotional. This is such a great series! I can’t wait for the next one!

Morgana and Oz, Vol. 1 is an exciting fantasy graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

Have you read Morgana and Oz, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?

Review: Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door (Hocus and Pocus #2)

Title: Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door (Hocus and Pocus #2)
Author: A.R. Capetta, Charlene Chua (illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Fantasy
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Magical puppies Hocus and Pocus have a new Bye-Bye the dragon! Hocus is delighted, but Pocus is nervous about making friends—and about fire breath. A funny and affirming adventure.

On a walk around the neighborhood delivering potions with their magical family, puppies Hocus and Pocus discover that the wizard next door, Jade, has a new pet—a dragon named Bye-Bye. Hocus is excited! She loves making new friends and thinks Bye-Bye’s wings and fire breath are cool. But Pocus is afraid. He already has five friends, which feels like a lot. Plus Bye-Bye might eat them! Right? When Hocus bounds into Bye-Bye’s yard wanting to play, the dragon shies away, then chases her off. Could it be that Bye-Bye isn’t scary—she’s scared? How can the puppies help? Maybe if Hocus uses a potion to turn into a dragon temporarily, or if Pocus learns some friendly phrases in dragon language, it might help Bye-Bye open up. And it just might help Pocus feel braver, too. This charming series continues with another fun-filled and enchanted romp in a world where everyone can be their unique selves.

Review:

This is a cute story about making new friends and conquering your fears. Hocus and Pocus were nervous about meeting the scary dragon next door, so they brewed a potion to take away their fear. However, they discovered that the dragon was actually scared of them. Sometimes new people can seem scary if they aren’t friendly, but that can actually be because they’re also scared. Once Hocus and Pocus got to know the dragon, they became friends.

Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door is a great children’s book!

Thank you Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

  • Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home (Hocus and Pocus #1)

Have you read Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door? What did you think of it?