Early Book Review: Concerning Wings (Nothing Special) by Katie Cook

Concerning Wings is the second book in the Nothing Special graphic novel series by Katie Cook. It is currently scheduled for release on October 29 2024. 

After defeating her neurotic wood nymph mother, all Callie wants to do is help her dad with his magical antique shop, tease Lasser about his newfound romance novel addiction, and—most important—spend time with her boyfriend, Declan. But when Declan’s injured fairy wing starts shooting sparks and causes him to collapse in pain, Callie decides to take matters into her own hands and find a way to heal him. She knows where to start, at least—with her dad’s boring friend, Professor Larkspur, who in addition to serving the grossest cup of tea in history, is a fairy himself and incredibly knowledgeable about his kind. Armed with new information, Callie, Declan, Lasser, and Radish set out to find a fairy healer. But what starts as a simple four-day journey to visit a particular enclave of fairies ends up becoming a much more profound exploration of not only what Declan is, but exactly who he is to the fairies.

Concerning Wings is another fun adventure that left me wanting more. I do recommend reading the series in order to fully understand the characters and their history. Newcomers could also enjoy the story- but they would miss out on a lot of references and end up confused more often than not.  I like that the story, and the lives of the main characters are moving forward. I also enjoyed getting the flashbacks that give readers a glimpse of what has happened since the end of the last book. I thought this journey introduced a few characters that I want more of (as does Lasser) and I thought it did a great job of showing how the characters have grown as people and as friends. I loved the humor and the artwork. The only things I did not love is that I saw the big twist coming a way off- and then the story ends with a cliffhanger. I hate a cliffhanger. Although, the cute endpages did quell that anger a bit. 

Early Book Review: Squire & Knight: Wayward Travelers by Scott Chantler

Wayward Travelers is the second book in the Squire & Knight middle grade graphic novel series by Scott Chantler. It is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2024.

Squire and Sir Kelton have promised to get Cade to the school of wizardry. Strangely though, the path they’ve taken has brought them into a bewildering, misty forest, rife with fearsome gnolls and a boisterous rival knight. To get them out, Squire tries every trick in the book, but books don't hold all the answers. Can he muster up his confidence, remember his duties, and find a way to escape the forest?

Wayward Travelers is a well drawn and written graphic novel, and a good follow up to the first book. I was glad to see the young squire have some character growth among he adventure of being lost in the woods. The use of flashbacks to highlight the lessons the squire is learning during the book was handled well and got the message across very well.  I thought that it was well done in all, and that readers that enjoyed the first book will be particularly pleased with this continuation. I look forward to seeing where the series might go from here. 

Early Book Review: The Graveyard Gift by Fern Forgettable

The Graveyard Gift by Fern Forgettable the the first book in a children's fantasy series. It is currently scheduled for release on October 8 2024. A girl who knows how you die. Her banshee roommate who knows when it happens. And wishes that sometimes, maybe, come true. Rosemary Thorpe has always been a bit different. She has the uncanny and unfortunate ability to foresee people’s deaths, which tends to land her in hot water. Well, not actual hot water—where it lands her is a place between worlds called Fern’s School for Wayward Fae, where Rosemary learns that her powers come from being part fae. At Fern's School, Rosemary meets others who are part fae—including Trym, her banshee roommate whose screams can kill, and Essie, a djinn who grants wishes. But just as Rosemary settles in, a student vanishes in thin air. And it’s up to all the kids to use their curious gifts to find their missing friend.

The Graveyard Gift is a great start to a new series. I liked the character building for Rosemary and the group of students and teachers she meets once at the school. I thought her character was very well written and I think most readers will be able to relate, at least a little, with feeling other or like they are just a little different. I thought the mystery aspect about what is going on at the school and the missing student is well handled., There are a number of significant twists and turns that only serve to make the reader more invested in the eventual outcome. My only complaint is one that I often have with series, that the best twist happens at the very end- just when I felt like I had a handle on what might be going on. I look forward to following this series to see where it goes from here. 

Early Book Review: Your Throne Volume One by SAM

Your Throne (Volume One) by SAM is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on October 1 2024. It was previously published online via WebToons, and this volume collects the first twelve episodes.

Tensions are brewing under the seemingly calm surface of the Vasilios Empire, a kingdom ruled by the Imperial Family and the Temple. Lady Medea Solon has lost her place next to Crown Prince Eros but resolves to do whatever it takes to win back what's rightfully hers. However, she’ll have to rewrite her entire revenge plan when she wakes up in the body of her sworn rival.

Your Throne is exactly what I expected, having read several different stories from WebToon. The art is very well done- imparting mood, emotions, and movement that might not be immediately evident, adding additional dimensions to the main action of the story. I thought the character development for the main characters is well done, although I am looking forward to the pasts of all of them. There is plenty of drama and twists and turns to keep readers guessing. I am looking forward to volume two. 

Book Review: Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu (Volume 2) by Natsuya Semikawa, Virginia Nitouhei

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu (Volume 2) by Natsuya Semikawa, Virginia Nitouhei is a manga style graphic novel. Japanese-style pub “Nobu” is open for business in an odd, foreign world, and the ever-welcoming Shinobu and Chief are happy to serve up unusually tasty bar food to an array of strange customers. A little thief, an obnoxious messenger, and a pair of squabbling craftsmen are all ready to chow down! Kisu tempura, sashimi, omusoba, and shuto and more are on the menu... The delicious aromas of food and drink bring everyone together in this gourmet tale of humanity!

The second volume of Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is just as charming and entertaining as the first. I enjoy seeing how the food of the Japanese and German cultures might be very different- but there are still some things that seem universal. I love that good food and good people always come out ahead and that the less pleasant characters discover that as well. I was happy to see favorite characters make a return, and to meet some new clients and staff at Nobu. The story is well written and drawn and is a lovely, cozy read. 

Book Review: Tied to You (Volume 1) by Art by WHAT, Original story by Chelliace

Tied to You (Volume 1) by Art by WHAT, Original story by Chelliace is a manga style graphic novel. Wooseo Shin was never one to believe in fate, until a ring of red thread appears around his finger that is! This ring marks a person’s meeting of their soulmate, and with it, neither can fall asleep if the other is absent. This development is not a welcome one for Wooseo, who decides to keep it from his close friend and crush Jiseok Kang at all costs. Because as fate would have it, the person with Wooseo’s matching set is Jigeon Kang—Jiseok’s older brother! When Jigeon proposes that they start sharing a bed, if only to combat their joint insomnia, Wooseo reluctantly accepts. As the two spend more and more time together, feelings start to get messy. Will Wooseo be able to survive his new life tangled up in between these two brothers?!

Tied to You is a well drawn and written story that left me eager for the next volume. I enjoyed getting to know the three major players in this little triangle. I feel like I understand Wooseo and Jigeon, and a bit of where they are coming from and how they feel. I liked getting the multiple points of view and the way things all come together. I love how careful they all are with each other- even in arguments and misunderstandings they never purposefully cause harm to each other, which is a nice change from some of the darker romance that I have read. I wish I had more than hints as to how Jiseok felt- and that I had the next volume in my hands already. 

Book Review: Crowned A Traitor: Book One (A Hellish Fairytale Universe) by Kate Callaghan

Crowned A Traitor is the first book in the Hellish Fairytale Universe series by Kate Callaghan. Heir to Hell and the Dark Forest of Malum, Klara has been called upon to take her place as High Queen of Malum. Though Klara has no intention of ruling, her guardians want her head on a spike. Klara's only option - escape to Kalos, Fae ruled lands free from Dark Magic. To survive the perilous journey, she needs help. A Leprechaun with a talent for smuggling. A mischievous Demon with swaying loyalties. The soul of a greying Warlock. Lycaon siblings with a talent for deception. Destiny has an awful habit of catching up with those who run.

Crowned A Traitor is an interesting start to a fantasy series. I thought the world building was well thought out and provided some twists and turns. It was in engaging story, with plenty of action and putting the world and some of its inhabitants on the page to help paint a picture of where the main characters and series might go from here. I must admit that there story did not quite grab me they way I had hoped. I see potential in the series, but some of the twists and turns just did not really work for me and I failed to connect to the characters. I do think that this book, and following series, will be a hit for some readers. 

Early Book Review: Nothing Special, Volume One Through the Elder Woods (A Graphic Novel) by Katie Cook

Through the Elder Woods is volume one of the Nothing Special graphic novel series by Katie Cook, which is currently scheduled for release on March 5 2024. The first season of mayhem, magic, vegetables and adventure from Katie Cook's beloved Webtoon, Nothing Special, is collected in this gorgeous graphic novel, which also features exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

In the grand scheme of the worlds at large, Callie thinks she's nothing special. Sure, she's friends with the ghost of a radish and her dad owns a magical antique shop--but she's spent her life in the human world. Her dad won't let her join him on his collection trips in the magical realm “for her own protection”, so she’s only caught glimpses of that world through the gates of the town where her father’s store is. On her seventeenth birthday, Callie goes home with her friend Declan to find her home in disarray and her dad missing. Signs of a struggle point to the portal to the magical realm and when there are signs, you follow them. Now it's up to Callie, Declan, and Radish to band together and bring him home. As they face creatures good and bad, and all sorts of adventure, Callie and Declan may just find out that they are both special in their own ways after all. 

Through the Elder Woods is an entertaining read, and one that I enjoyed on several levels. First, and with graphic novels very important, I love the art style. The artwork captures the emotion of the characters, gives subtle clues to the larger story, and also has a sense of fun and whimsy to it. It matched and complimented the story perfectly, and I enjoyed the book as a whole. I thought the character development and slow reveal of the world building was very well done. I loved getting to know Callie as she was figuring it out for herself. I loved getting to see her relationships bloom, and while there is romance and the dreaded love triangle hint in there, that part of the story never overshadowed the adventure and figuring out just who she was and what she wanted. That made me very happy. I think the fact that even when the adventure and danger got serious, there was still a light hearted whimsy to the overall story is what really captured me with this book. I will be eagerly awaiting book two, and perhaps finally exploring Webtoon for more as well. 

Through the Elder Woods is a fun and engaging graphic novel. I only wish I had discovered it sooner. 

Book Review: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher has sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans. It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other. They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen's childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom's only lady knight, Bridget Leclair. Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, they make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen's royal brother.

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love  is a book with a little bit of everything- but no one aspect of the book takes precedence. There is romance, there is coming of age and trying to figure out who you really want to be. There is also danger, family, and intrigue. I enjoyed the read and the way the book uses legends combined with the struggles of people trying to find their place amid expectations, social pressures, and conflicting desires. I love how timeless some of these ideas are, and that the era and setting of this book do not make these themes any further removed from the reader than the pages of the book. There characters were well written, as imperfect and questioning as real people even though they are facing things we are never going to.  I think this book will be a much loved book for many young, new, and those of us older adults.

 

Book Review: That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf (Mead Mishap) by Kimberly Lemming

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming is the second book in the Mead Mishap series. While there is some significant character and world building crossover with the first book in the series, reading out of order is possible and will just inspire readers to go back and read the first book.

Cheesemaker Brie has the world’s worst luck in love, which is how she ends up falling for a lactose intolerant werewolf. Brie’s never been particularly coordinated, or lucky. Who else would accidentally throw a drink at someone’s head only to miss entirely and hit a stranger behind them? And who else would have that stranger fall madly in love with them because it turns out that the drink she threw was a love potion? Yeah, probably just Brie. Running her cheese business and dealing with a pirate ship full of demons that just moved into town was hard enough. Now on top of it, she has to convince a werewolf that she’s not really his fated mate. Though even she’s got to admit, having a gorgeous man show up and do all her chores while telling her she’s beautiful isn’t the worst thing to happen to a girl.

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf is a fun and irreverent fantasy romance with just as much humor and heat as the first book in the series. I loved Brie's character, she is fairly level headed and is always trying to do the right thing, even when that stops her from doing she really wants to do- like a sexy werewolf. The expansion of the demon lore in this world- and how mates and all that work in different species is covered a bit, along with how some of the bigger magic that has effected the stories thus far came about. There is action and adventure, and a great deal of humor, as Brie works towards her happy ending. I think that Lemming has found the prefect balance of laughing at and celebrating this subgenre- and I am here for all of it. I look forward to finding and reading more from them.

 

Book Review: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (Mead Mishap) by Kimberly Lemming

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming is a romantic fantasy, and the first book in the Mead Mishap series. Spice trader Cinnamon’s quiet life is turned upside down when she ends up on a quest with a fiery demon, in this irreverently quirky rom-com fantasy that is sweet, steamy, and funny as hell. All she wanted to do was live her life in peace—maybe get a cat, expand the family spice farm. Really, anything that didn’t involve going on an adventure where an orc might rip her face off. But they say the goddess has favorites, and if so, Cin is clearly not one of them. After Cin saves the demon Fallon in a wine-drunk stupor, Fallon reveals that all he really wants to do is kill an evil witch enslaving his people. And who can blame him? But now he’s dragging Cinnamon along for the ride whether she like it or not. On the bright side, at least he keeps burning off his shirt.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon is a fun and entertaining read and a solid dose of heat included. I love that this series does not take it self seriously- and if the titles and covers did not tell you that I am doing so now. This book is great fun. There is adventure and danger, some great humor and interactions, and some serious steam. I thought that Cinnamon was well developed, more so that I really expected going into the story. There is some world and character building that I was impressed by- and I enjoyed the unique nature of the fantasy world built here. This was the absolute perfect read to relax with and enjoy over my holiday break- and think it is a perfect weekend or relaxation read for anyone that likes fantasy and romance mixed in with both humor and heat. I look forward to exploring this series further.

 

Early Book Review: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde) by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is the second book of the Emily Wilde Series by Heather Fawcett and it is currently scheduled for release on January 16 2024. I find that this is a series that should be read in order. 

Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore—she just wrote the world’s first comprehensive of encyclopedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Folk on her adventures, and also from her fellow scholar and former rival, Wendell Bambleby. Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, and in search of a door back to his realm. So despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of marriage: Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and danger. And she also has a new project to focus on: a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by Bambleby’s mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambley’s realm, and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans. But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors, and of her own heart.

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is an interesting and engaging read, however I do think that reading the first book is a must to understand the settings and personalities involved. Emily and Wendell are off on another expedition, this time with a couple extra companions and Wendell being poisoned to add to the drama. I thought the story was well written, and the continuity with the first book was spot on. I thought there were well placed clues and hints about the nature of the mysteries they were trying to solve and the people and fae involved woven through the pages nicely. I will say that these books are not quick reads, at least not for me. The pace is slow and steady, much like proper research, and sometimes I get frustrated because of it. I enjoy the premise and the detail in these book, and I can appreciate the talent and skill involved, but it is sometimes hard for me to slow down and enjoy these more gently paced reads. It is very much a book I save when I am in the mood to slow down and fully immerse myself into a different world. 

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is a good follow up to the first book in the series, and if you enjoyed the first this will be a must read. 

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is a prequel to Legends & Lattes. Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it. What's a thwarted soldier of fortune to do? Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine. Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a solid addition to Viv's world, and I was glad to see some of her life from before she discovered coffee. Those that have not yet discovered Legends & Lattes can start with either book. It feels like it has been awhile since I read the other book, so it took me a hot minute to realize that this was the prequel- at first I thought it was just set in the same world- but I caught on. I loved getting to know this set of characters and how a baker and bookshop owner affected Viv's mindset. Aside from that, it was an enjoyable and engaging read, even for those not looking for Viv's character development. I thought there was a nice balance of adventure, mystery, and good fun. I think fans of the genre and the author will greatly enjoy the read. 

Book Review: The Witching Hour (Secrets of Camp Whatever) by Chris Grine

The Witching Hour is the third (and final) graphic novel in the Secrets of Camp Whatever trilogy by Chris Grine. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order.

After former camp leader Clarence P'sketty Tooter is freed from a hypnosis spell, he remembers everything, including that pesky pre-teen Willow and her scrappy friends. But most importantly, he remembers the ancient mystery surrounding Nowhere's sleep-away camp. Now, Tooter seeks revenge against Willow and her friends, and inadvertently awakens a long-dormant evil which seeks to destroy the world.

The Witching Hour is a solid conclusion to this trilogy and wraps everything up nicely. There is a lot more going on in this volume than the blurb mentions, but I would hate to spoil anything for fans of this series so I will not go into detail. I do think that there was less character growth in this installment, and I wanted a little bit more from our crew of teens reconnecting and figuring things out, although admittedly with everything else happening in the story there was not really time built in for that. I love that the art was consistent, and that there were some really fun twists and turns. I also liked the inclusion and introduction of a variety of creature. I think that this is a must read for those that have read the two previous books, but it was not as attention grabbing or keeping as the previous installments for me. 

Audiobook Review: Pirates, Parley, Plunder! (Dungeon Runner) by Dustin Tigner, Narrated by Jackie Meloche

Pirates, Parley, Plunder! is the second book in the Dungeon Runner series by Dustin Tigner, the audiobook is narrated by Jackie Meloche. This book picks up right where the first left off, and I highly recommend reading them in order.

Entin’s guild flourishes, eager to face the untamed dungeons of Eternal Fantasy Online. These dangerous places are worlds within worlds, each presenting unique themes that truly stretch the definition of what a dungeon should be. All seems well until Entin meets a young woman by the name of Aymie Avys. She brings a wealth of knowledge and secrets that challenge everything he thought he knew. There is something dark in this world, a festering corruption that might hold the answers to questions no one is asking. But pursuing these answers could threaten everything Entin and his Runners have built and force him to choose between who he was in the past life and who he is now.

Pirates, Parley, Plunder! is a much more cohesive and engaging read than the first book in the series for me, mostly because it was written to be. I enjoyed getting to know the characters more and seeing them grow as individuals and as a team. I am glad that the author continued to give us the story through several points of view. This gave me a much better understanding of the bigger picture and each character's emotions well before the rest figured things out. I like that while there is romance, and in some sections very important, I like that the book did not become all romance. The pairing off did not derail the other aspects of the story, instead just made the mundane interactions more intense and important.  I think readers that enjoy fantasy and Game lit will enjoy this very much. I am grateful that the author unearthed the stories that became the first book in this series and continued it. 

Pirates, Parley, Plunder! is a fabulous follow up to the first runners book. I cannot wait to see what Entin, Aymie, and the rest get up to next.

Book Review: Tyranny of the Fey: Adventure Waits for No One. by Terry Bartley

Tyranny of the Fey: Adventure Waits for No One by Terry Bartley is a short story collection set in the original fantasy world of Galevyn. A famed Elven researcher is worried about her home. When she discovers a new realm with massive magic potential, she believes she has found the answer. Will the Seasonal Fey Courts allow her to continue her research without interference, or do they have more nefarious plans? An Elven princess runs away from her arranged marriage to a parallel world. Will she be able to find the adventure she seeks? While she is in search of battles with dragons and quests to obtain sacred artifacts, she finds that what she was looking for may have been a true connection with someone that understands her. Two childhood friends, an orc and a goblin, have long dreamed of adventure. When a magic school dropout stumbles into their lives, they jump at the chance to realize their ambitions. This found family realizes the world of Galevyn is a much bigger place than the jungle they grew up in.

Tyranny of the Fey is an entertaining collection of short stories. There is just enough world and character building to keep the reader from feeling lost without getting them bogged down in the magic theory and history of the world. There was a little bit of everything in the collection, friendship, adventure, romance, grief, and more. I do have to admit that I thought this book was part of a series I had already started when I requested it, mainly because of the cover art, which left me a little confused in the beginning, but the story still entertained me. I would have liked some more of a solid connection between the short stories, since there were the stories with different sets of characters all in the same world- there could have been a bit more of a thread tying them together. I would have really enjoyed that kind of connection between the sets of characters. I would have also liked to see the final set of stories end with something of a conclusion that did not leave me sad that I turned the page to find the acknowledgements rather than a last chapter to wrap things up a bit.

Audiobook Review: Exploit, Extract, Exit! (Dungeon Runner)by Dustin Tigner, Narrated by Jackie Meloche

Exploit, Extract, Exit! is the first book in the Dragon Runner series written by Dustin Tigner, and the audiobook is narrated by Jackie Meloche. This is a collection of six novellas set in the same world with connected characters.  There should be two more books coming in this series. 

Eighteen-year-old Entin Soroy was supposed to be the cogging best fighter pilot of the Garentin space colony. But after an unthinkable terrorist attack forced the colony to digitize to survive, he finds himself thrust into a world repurposed from a rushed video game: Eternal Fantasy Online. This new reality might be beautiful. It might be full of endless wonder for its new immortal inhabitants. But the developers, in their haste, failed all those who lost their families and were too young to be given starting resources. Now Entin is a market Runner, working for copper chyps delivering packages to earn what little he can for the orphanage. It’s grueling, thankless work. That is, it was until a far more lucrative job found its way to him, revealing a new path forward. But nothing is ever easy. There are risks involved with going into the Wilds, a place of monsters and dangerous mysteries. Is the loot worth it? What price will he have to pay to succeed where others have failed? Full of adventures, puzzles, and unusual paths to success.

Exploit, Extract, Exit! is not quite what I had expected when I started listening, but that is because I read the author's name and not the description. This is not related to the Arachnomancer series- this is a different game world, with different characters and rules. Once I got past my own expectations I was able to get drawn into the story much more. I thought the characters and world building were well done, and I enjoyed getting to know new aspects of the world along side the characters. I thought the dynamics on Entin and his circle of friends and found family were fantastic, and I enjoyed that those relationships grew and changed without making it the focus of the story. I really liked the development of the main character of the alternating stories, and think she shows a great deal of growth in her stories as well. I liked the world building, and while the author admits in the forward and afterward of the book that it comes off as a little disjointed, because of the format the stories were originally written in, I think it still is very much worth the read, and I look forward to reading more to find out how everything comes together.

Audiobook Review: Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown, Narrated by Soneela Nankani

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown, narrated by Soneela Nankani, is the second book in a series about a preteen vampire slayer, inspired by Ghanaian folklore. This series is one that must be read in order to understand the characters, their connections, and context of most of the action.

After a lifetime of fighting creatures of black magic, twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng has just learned a devastating secret: she herself is half vampire! Now not only is she dealing with vampire puberty, she's on the run from the organization of Slayers she trained her whole life to join. Serwa's only ally is her aunt Boahinmaa, an obayifo who urges Serwa to embrace her vampire side. Boahinmaa and her underlings are on the hunt for the Midnight Drum, from which they hope to free Serwa's grandmother. When they learn that the Abomofuo have hidden the Midnight Drum deep within the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., what do they do? Stage a heist to steal it, of course! For their plan to succeed, Serwa will have to get close to her rival, a Slayer named Declan Amankwah, without revealing her true nature. Declan gets under her skin like no one else...and might just force Serwa to confront some truths she's tried hard to deny. With both sympathy and laugh-out-loud humor, Rosanne A. Brown captures all the discomfort of a girl stuck between two worlds.

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem is a fantastic follow up to the first book in the series. Serwa's emotional and magical troubles are engaging and completely understandable to me even as an adult. I thought the story was well written and everything fit together well. I am very thankful to be listening to the audiobook version of this series. The reader is phenomenal and I think I could listen to them read an instruction manual- to something I do not own- and still enjoy the experience. Also, I am horrible with pronunciation and would be spending half my read looking p the correct way to say things- so I love that I get to have the book read to me with perfect inflections and tone for the story rather than my own mental stumbling attempts. I have to admit that I was so engrossed in the story that I was surprised, and more than a little disappointed when the book ended. I felt like this book definitely built on the larger story, and Serwa's personal growth, a great deal. However, it also left me with so many more questions and loose ends than answers. I cannot wait for the next book to see where the story goes from here. 

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem is a wonderful addition to this series. I highly recommend this series (in print or audio) for middle grade and older readers. 

Audiobook Review: Wrong Divinity: Oh Sh*t! I F*cking Hate Spiders! by Dustin Tigner, Narrated by Qarie Marshall; Reba Buhr

Wrong Divinity: Oh Sh*t! I F*cking Hate Spiders! by Dustin Tigner is narrated by Qarie Marshall and Reba Buhr. It is the start of a new GameLit series that balances comedy with serious themes. It's an isekai—a portal fantasy—to the spirit realm. Join Dhane, our underdog, as he explores his new world, a world full of unique characters, RPG mechanics, and spiders—ugly, terrifying spiders—while he learns what it means to be an Arachnomancer.

Dhane kicked the bucket in spectacular fashion, every bone crushed, every organ popped against the full force of a 40-ton garbage truck speeding through a red light. The only part of him intact—whole—entirely unaffected by the grisly affair was his soul. Souls are durable things, you see, like kids: they bounce. And bounce he did, into the abyss between worlds, drifting until one excited soul watcher fished him out and found him a new home, a heaven for gamers and nerds and everything in between. It was all he could have ever wanted in the afterlife, down to choosing his class, killing mobs, and exploring a beautiful fantasy world chock full of mysteries yet to be discovered. At least…it would have been those things if that first day had gone a little tiny bit differently. Instead, he now finds himself locked in the middle of an eternal conflict between Light and Shadow—humans and monsters—potentially being the enemy to all.

Wrong Divinity is a fun and entertaining listen. I enjoyed Dhane's voice and personality, and hope I would be half so entertaining in his place. I thought the world building was well done, and followed the rules of most online sand table top games so that anyone with a basic understanding or enjoyment of either could really enjoy hat aspect of the story without leaving those with a less than extensive knowledge lost since explanations are made well and brief. I was quickly drawn into Dhanes drama, eager to see how everything paned out for him. Even after finishing the listen I am left hoping to dig into the next installment so I can see how everything works out. I thought the narrators did a great job with the book, but I think that most listeners will find their attention drifting during some of the stat building stuff, which I find much easier to tackle on paper. There is a PDF with that information for those looking to delve in.  My only real complaint is that while I enjoyed Dhane's character and some of his creative cursing, that was one phrase- that while it made me smile the first time- I found to be used way too often and started to get annoying by the end of the book. I think if there had been one other phase so that they alternated that would have made me happier. However, that was my biggest complaint and I greatly enjoyed the listen on several levels. I think there is a great audience for this style and subject and that they will enjoy the series. 

Early Book Review: A Natural History of Magical Beasts by Emily Hawkins, Jessica Roux

A Natural History of Magical Beasts, written by Emily Hawkins and illustrated by Jessica Roux, is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. Tales of magical creatures have been told across the world for generations, but are these stories merely flights of fancy, or is there any truth to the legends of unicorns and dragons, centaurs and griffins? Presented as the notebook of a 1920s zoologist, this book sets out to answer this question, revealing the hidden world of the magical beasts that live among us. Within these pages you will meet bizarre and beautiful creatures from around the globe, discovering their habits, habitats and the legends surrounding them. Learn about the anatomy of a unicorn, the life cycle of a phoenix, incredible dragon courtship dances and much more in this ultimate guide to magical creatures.

A Natural History of Magical Beasts is a whimsical look at the mythical creatures of the world, framed in a way that just might leave readers thinking about what might really be lurking in the forest or down by the stream. I like that the book is divided by geographical region, and included a number of creatures I had heard of, and some I had not. As someone that has read a great deal of fantasy and related things over the years new creatures to discover always make me happy. I liked the balance of text and illustrations, they keep the readers focus and interest high on the book. I really enjoyed that the book seemed to emphasize the legends of indigenous people in each of the regions, and referred to similar creatures in other areas that were included in the text. I also like that there is a sense of humor to the book, threaded through some of the 'first hand accounts' and mentions of the importance of respect and preserving nature and habitats. 

A Natural History of Magical Beasts is a well balanced and enjoyable read, and I think it will be a fast favorite for many.