Friday, July 11, 2025

I, Medusa - greek tragedy at its best!

 This was a spectacular and spell binding rendition of Medusa. Ayana weaves a tale of a curious child born to power hungry parents who are attention starved of the Gods. Caught between escape amd finding her own experiences to shape her destiny, Medusa evolves from novice to expert while still struggling with whether she wants to be maid or monster.

The descriptions of Acropolis and the islands resonated a lot with me, as did Meddy's awe of God's before releasing that in power lies truth. The angst and stifled Meedys journey was an absolute pleasure to read, especially for fans of Circe. Thank yous to Random House and Natgalley for the ARC! Ayana Gray has become a new must read on the auto buy authors list for Greek retellings! Brava!!

Monday, June 30, 2025

Princess Swap - twisted, clean and plot driven read

 Kim Bussing does it again!! Growing up, the little mermaid was firmly cemented favorite, while Rapunzel was more consolation price. In this interwoven tale, both Rapunzel and Hana shine!! I loved the homage to kiss the girl, find the shell, and all the little gems in the storyline. The tale is fast paced and is decidedly more plot twisted than previous ( Jack wasn't who I pegged him to be).. 

I polished the book off in a couple of hours and would highly recommend this to anyone who loves fairy tale retellings. The kinship and found family tropes that imbibes this series draws me in every time. Many thank yous to Netgalley and Random House Children's for sharing the Arc!

The NightBlood Prince - a nexus of magic and prophecies rolled into a Mulanesque tale

 OMG!! This was a riveting Rollercoaster ride of a tale. The prophecy painting Fei's existence and the paradox of her position in the political millue was beautifully juxtaposed! I thoroughly enjoyed her fighting her destiny while realizing its hold loomed larger than her at all times. The simmering tension between Fei and the 2 princes were also etched where you could justify her decisions. The familial bonds were chef's kiss. I particularly enjoyed her father explaining the significance of her name, masterstroke move!! The tale gallows through a Mulanesque landscape where Fei feels she's no longer a player but still reels from the understanding that enemies still fight under her prophecies bane. The premise was justified beautifully, and I thoroughly relished Fei's attempts at retaining mastery over her fate.


All in all, a scrumptious book that I cannot wait to continue!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Lore of the Tides - a legendary finish to an epic fantasy duology

 Lore of the tides is an epic fantasy sequel with devastatingly handsome fae, merfolk, grimoires, and revolution!! I didn't not read the first book, but the tale had enough nuance to catch up without feeling lost. Analeigh has a fresh perspective on magic with many twists, challenges and a brilliant reckoning to provide much needed closure. The characters grow and morph before us abd you are left bewildered at transformations. A much overdue introduction, a long oending reunion brings the tale back to a full circle. I'd highly recommend this for readers who liked Daughter of the Pirate King and Skin of the Sea.

Waiting to see what new tales Analeigh brings to life next!! Many many thank yous to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the ARC!!

Friday, June 6, 2025

Bad Bitches of Antiquity - a no nonsense introduction to lores from around the world

 This book!!! First off i am very well versed eith Greek and Indian myths, but I loved the tales from other regions and cultures too!! The narration if the tale makes it a very easy book to peruse and revisit as the chapters are self contained. Its a come and go book where there's not too much traceability across the chapters and that makes it a very facile read for squeamish readers who want to get their beaks wet in mythology and lore.


I absolutely loved the illustrations which stayed true to the region and cultural ethos of the queens amd goddesses themselves. All in all delighted with the book and cannot wait to get my hard copy to add to Rick Riordans greek myths

Of Flame and Fury - blitzkrieg of a phoenix ride with an incandescent ending

 Mikayla Bridge weaves a fascinating premise in this sweeping, soot filled gorgeous tale about phoenix racing. A departure from the usual dragon flight and fight norms, this story breathes fresh perspective into the duology of domestic versus wildness in the magical creatures that are phoenixes. 

Kelyn Varra, tamer extraordinaire, and her best friend Dira, the strategist, are the last 2 standing in the Howlers team and forced to team up with the arrogant Warren "Coup" Coupers and his brother Bekn to race Kel's prized pet, Savita. When her farm burns down, both Kel and Coup are forced to accept the sponsorship of a eccentric billionaire, Cristo Canen, who seems to be an erudite scholar studying the conservationship of the wild creatures and their magical ties to the land. Add in The Fume, a cult like organization which worships the phoenixes and despises their racing, myths on the legendary bonds between man and phoenix, and you have a brilliant crossover with vibes of mystery, fantasy and myth overlapping in equal measure!

The story built up gradually and the plot twist in the end, did throw me for a loop (well done!!!). The Kel-Coup inferno of a love story has all the feels and Kel's reliance on Savita as well as her anchor in Dira are beautifully etched in this found family tableau. This gorgeous tale is a refreshing pause from the other dragonlore tales, and enjoy the bonding!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC! 

Read between the Lines - Bookish grumpy x sunshine beach read

 Emily Kerr whips up a romantic study of contrasts, a down on her luck librarian who dreams of romantic gestures and forever afters and a jaded ex-cop who is trying to find his own after a defeat at the hands of the system that was meant to protect.

Kat Fisher loves books, romance and her library flock (Mrs and Mr Moira being my absolute delight!!!) - when she signs up for a dating app she dreams of romance with her Military dreamboat, only to be crushed when she gets stood up and demanded of funds. She turns to an unlikely expert, Leo Taylor, ex-cop who complains about her squeaky trolley and puts his boots up on the furniture. Unfortunately, he also had front row seats to her getting ready for her romantic rendez vous which didn't transpire.

The banter between the two is exquisite and Emily Kerr rides a fine balance between the does he does she, and adding in the mystery of who the actual catfisher is. The story is fast paced and I polished it off in a day - perfect for a lazy beach read any day of the week!

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, One more chapter for the ARC! It was a roaring delight to devour! 

I, Medusa - greek tragedy at its best!

 This was a spectacular and spell binding rendition of Medusa. Ayana weaves a tale of a curious child born to power hungry parents who are a...