【 THE GUNCLE 】 book #1 in the Guncle series Rating: 5 out of 5. This book had all the feels and all the wisdom. Genre: Contemporary fiction (LGBT+) Author: Steven Rowley Published: May 2021 Publisher: GP Putnam’s & Sons Pages: 326 (hardback) I listened to the audiobook version of this and I can’t recommend it enough – the author himself narrates it and does a fabulous job. So please go pick up the audio version! I wasn’t sure what expect exactly with this book, but there was something about it that had me convinced there was something that was going to be good about this book ..read more

【 CHAMPION OF FATE 】 book #1 in the Heromaker series Rating: 4 out of 5. This was a lovely story, and the acknowledgements are deeply sad and beautiful. Genre: Fantasy (YA) Author: Kendare Blake Published: September 2023 Publisher: Quill Tree Books Pages: 480 (paperback) This was my first Kendare Blake book, so I was very excited to read something by her! I’m pleased to say it was well worth it. I would classify this as leaning more towards the atmospheric type of book, where the world and the characters come a step before the plot itself. But nonetheless, I thought this was fun, original a ..read more

【 FAIRY TALE 】 Rating: 3.5 out of 5. Man I just don’t know what to make of this. Genre: Fantasy [low fantasy] Author: Stephen King Published: September 2022 Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Pages: 577 [paperback] If I were just rating Stephen King’s writing: 5/5 – but if I were just rating the excitement of the story/plot: 3/5. There was something innately boring about this book, but in a totally enrapturing way. Would I recommend it? Not really, not unless you’re in the mood for a slow, whimsical, weird, familiar-but-new story that goes no where in fascinating ways. I think it does what i ..read more

【 TREASON IN THE NORTH 】 book #4 in the Path of the Ranger series Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Genre: Middle Grade fantasy [epic] Author: Pedro Urvi Published: April 2020 Publisher: Independently published Pages: 425 [paperback] Probably one of my favourites in the series so far – lots of exciting events happen in book four and this really progresses the story forward. It’s hard to imagine at this point where the story will go considering there are still so many books left – but that has me excited and I can’t wait to continue reading. I’m really hoping that from this book onwards, Urvi will conti ..read more

【 THE KING’S SECRET 】 book #2 in the Path of the Ranger series Rating: 5 out of 5. Just as good as book one! Genre: Middle grade fantasy [epic] Author: Pedro Urvi Published: February 2020 Publisher: Independently published Pages: 401 [paperback] I’ve been so excited about this series, and book two was just as much fun as I had hoped for! Still filled with all the magic, adventure and magic-school vibes that you want, this furthered the story in all the good ways. We have lies and deceptions, impossible challenges and ever-tightening bonds of friendship. The twist in this one – or should I s ..read more

【 THE TRAITOR’S SON 】 book #1 in the Path of the Ranger series Rating: 5 out of 5. The best thing I’ve read since Ranger’s Apprentice! Genre: Middle Grade fantasy (epic) Author: Pedro Urvi Published: January 2020 Publisher: Independently published Pages: 340 (paperback) Here I was thinking nothing would ever be as good as the middle-grade adventure that is The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice), but fate put The Traitor’s Son in my hands and made my year. I tried the audiobook for this on a whim, not sure what to expected, and ended up loving every minute. The narration is ..read more

【 THE SECRET REFUGE 】 book #5 in the Path of the Ranger series Rating: 4 out of 5. How Urvi keeps writing so many of these and keeps them all fresh and interesting, I’ll never know. Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy [epic fantasy] Author: Pedro Urvi Published: May 2020 Publisher: Independently published Pages: 360 [paperback] While this is definitely one of the slower moving books of the series, I so enjoyed the gentle branching of the plot that is introduced here. It continues to impress me how none of the books in this series get stale, and how they all add something more to the overall story ..read more

【 GO HUNT ME 】 Rating: 1 out of 5. DNF at 60% Genre: YA Horror, Dracula retelling Author: Kelly deVos Published: June 2022 Publisher: Razorbill Pages: 304 [hardback] I tried, I really tried with this. I put this on my buy list when I heard about its release: the cover is amazing, the plot sounds so fun, and it’s a Dracula retelling! And I had it ready to go as an audiobook, saving it up for the right moment and for after I read Dracula itself. Oh boy, I have no words for how far this fell short and how disappointed I am. I jest, I have many words. This was almost fun – i ..read more

【 THE JASAD HEIR 】 book #1 in the Scorched Throne series Rating: 5 out of 5. I loved every page of this and I can’t wait for book two. Genre: YA Fantasy Author: Sara Hashem Published: July 2023 Publisher: Orbit Books Pages: 486 [paperback] I had high expectations going into this and yet it surpassed even those. The Jasad Heir is truly an excellent read that is not to be missed for YA fantasy readers. The world is rich in character and the author has done an amazing job weaving a political stage that isn’t overwhelming or difficult to follow. The cast of characters is to die for and a sizzl ..read more

【 THE CARTOGRAPHERS 】 Rating: 4.5 out of 5. This was such a unique mystery that had the wonderful intrigue of being all about cartography. Genre: Magical Realism Author: Peng Shepherd Published: March 2022 Publisher: Orion Pages: 400 [paperback] I had been super interested in reading this when I saw the title and the blurb, and I’m pleased to say it lived up to expectations. Following a curious mystery, which has many layers (like an onion, as Shrek would say) that are slowwwwly revealed to you over the course of the story, this is a cat-and-mouse chase to save the day centred around one se ..read more