Queen of Faces - sublime, spectral and stunning tale!!

 Aaargghh!!! This book had me twisted inside and out.. Petra Lord weaves literary magic with dark academia vibes, an exemplary magical system which grows with the soul, uniquely conflixlcted personalities whose gender and passions are as fluid as the waters rising, entwined in a political quagmire, threatened by a villainess of epic proportions- what more can you ask for in the opening of a fantastic new series!!!

The narration starts off slow, but then the Rollercoaster begins, with resonating tropes of found family, a glorious and irreverent troupe of raspacallions, the setting and plot building is savage and absolutely ruthless!!! This was a brilliant premise and the storyline did not pull punches!! The dark themes permeating the chapters are the nucleus that provides the impetus and drive for Annabelle Gage's ascent and her panning out as the mastermind.

This has been one of my best reads for 2025 and I have ordered the physical book as well!! Cannot wait to see how this unfolds...

The production team at Macmillian audio did a spectacular job with the narration. The direction and taut editing add depth and nuance to an intricate and spellbinding narrative! Special callouts to narrators Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, E. A. Castillo and Nicky Endres for bringing this story to life!

Thank yous to Macmillian Audio, Netgalley for furnishing the audiobook! It was a revelation!!!

The Poet Empress - Gripping thriller with poetic justice

 As pages turn and emotions ebb and flow,

you rage, weep and, in stunned silence, bow

Shen Tao has produced a stunning ballad with sickening twists and bold strokes of political maneuvering, against a backdrop of magic fueled by poetry (litromancy), wielded by the men. In this torrid atmosphere comes Wei, a commoner, from a far off village, hoping to secure sustenance for her family and fellow villagers by accompanying the concubines to the palace. The lacquered walls, she learns soon, hide more than the azaleas brightly adorning their frescoes. Consort to the cruel and cutting Prince Tarin, Wei slowly learns the games to play in the inner court, forging alliances and developing her own sense of fairness. The situations she faces and manages are exemplary!

Macmillian audio, Eric Yang and Katherine Chin, especially, have brought this tale to fever dramatization pitch with the nuanced reading. Since most of the book is Wei's account in first person, Katherine's narration is on point, especially in the brutal, heart rending scenes. The crescendo of the finale is truly epic and wondrous, I was not prepared at all!

This book moved me to heady highs and has trigger-some content (please review author's note). I felt comparisons to She who was the Sun were unjust - this book was soo much more!!

A million thank yous to Macmillian audio and Netgalley for furnishing the audiobook - I finished it over a weekend! I thoroughly relished it and will get a physical copy to highlight my favorite couplets!

Watching the dragon scale the sky,

the carp, in his pond, joins the ride

If you enjoy fantasy, poetry and East Asian themed books, this is a perfect read, replete with intrigue, understanding and a marvelously worthy ending!

Tidespeaker- tempestuous elemental tale

 If you love suppressed magical users, political upheaval and forged friendships, then tidespeaker is a must read to kick off 2026!

Sadie Turner crafts an atmospheric reads with elemental based magic, where a novice floodmouth ( water elemental) is assigned to her privileged patrons following the death of her best friend and her mentor.

On an island governed by a mercurial patriarch, subjected to rules and punishing failure, Corith, searches for her footing and news of her best friend. The elementals or Orga, are treated like cattle by the Hundred, or the ruling class and subjected to their whims, without any rights.

In the midst of it all, is a revolutionary faction seeking to spend the system and bring about progressive growth for the Orha. How Corith navigates this maze between loyalty, motlrality and the tenuous bonds of friendship forms the rest of the tale. I loved this moody tale, which functions well as a standalone with plenty of twists and subplot to keep the reader engaged! Best enjoyed on an overcast afternoon with a warm blanket and nibbles 📚🧋🪻

My thank yous to Random House Children's Press, Delacorte and Netgally for the arc! I am eagerly looking forward to the sequel!