Steal The Sky by Marina Massino review

 

Steal The Sky by Marina Massino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2.5 Spice

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

The moment I started reading and understood how women and dragons interacted in Dyeus, I felt a surge of anger and injustice. The unfairness made me imagine setting the world on fire. I was so furious that my blood felt hot, and the situation gave me chills. In that instant, I realised I was entirely invested in the story and eager to see what would happen next. This was an amazing opening for a book.

Wonderful world-building and creation of how the world works. I loved learning how it worked, how that impacted the people I was reading about, and what that really meant and led to as a whole. I felt rage at the dynamics of the society, but I was excited to see where it all led.

I found Kaisa to be a great lead. She wants to be free, wants a life that is her own, but she also wants to protect what she holds dear without having to give herself away when she does not want to. I felt like she was nonstop being tested in a way. She wants to do the right thing. She wants to make sure the world is better, even at the expense of her own wants and needs, and I found that relatable. It is a heavyweight to carry.

By over halfway into the book, I was conflicted, unsure who the lead should trust and what the lead should do. I would find myself putting myself into her shoes and worrying. I had moments where I wanted to question people more, to end someone for all the evil they had done, and that really had me spinning out. I felt untethered and totally unsure of what direction this story would be heading, which is always great when you truly do not know. I had no idea who was good and who was bad, and it made for an epic rollercoaster ride.

The book was entirely story-driven, with romance and spice sprinkled here and there, but the main event was the story, and it was amazing. I ate up each chapter like it was a favorite dish. I pretty much read the book in a few hours, unwilling to close it, sleep, or do anything, really, needing to know how it would end.

I did have a nitpick. I felt like our lead’s growth throughout the book would lead her to ask more questions and not blindly step into things. Given her life and upbringing, she was always portrayed as strong, even when she had to yield. But why, oh why, did she not look into things more, ask more questions, fact check, and not blindly nod and follow?

The ending… I am a wreck. My heart and head are a total mess, and I need the next book like I need air to breathe. How am I meant to go on without knowing what happens? Sobs. The wait will be painful.

What I liked:
Fantastic story. I had no idea where it was going, and that was great.
The connection I felt to the lead at times.
How the author portrayed the males in this book messes with me.
All the questions I have are rolling about in my mind at top speed.
The pain and grief the book got me feeling.
THAT ENDING!!! OMG

What I did not like:
A few moments in the book were a little confusing, so I had to go back and reread.
That our lead did not ask more questions or think more about the choices she was making.

Would I recommend the book:
Yes. It was a fantastic start to a series.

Sum up:
A phenomenal start to what I think will be an EPIC series. It had me in a tizzy from the get go, had me questioning so much and feeling so much, and DRAGONS!!

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(Coven Crest Academy Book 3) A Witch and Her Orc by Emberly Wyndham review

 

A Witch and Her Orc: A Cozy Fantasy Monster Romance by Emberly Wyndham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️️🌶️ 3 Spice

Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

I want to start off by saying I have read the first two books of the Coven Crest Academy series by Emberly Wyndham, and I totally loved them. The easiest 5-star reads you can bet your life on. The moment I saw the chance to get my hands on book three, I yeeted myself at it at top speed to get my little hands on it.

Where do I even start? Maybe with a warning: reading this book may lead to a dentist appointment, because it was so sweet, I swear I developed cavities and a massive sugar high.

The story follows Poppy, a smart yet super shy witch, and Aric, a large half-orc who is handsome and popular but totally failing some of his classes, which would see him kicked off the runeball team. After his stepsister gives up trying to tutor him, her friend Poppy agrees to help. There’s a lot of academy stuff going on, but the real highlight was the interaction between our leads.

The way the two of them act, and their thoughts, had me grinning like a fool and giddy with laughter. I felt like the two of them, even with all their clear differences, were so well matched and fit together perfectly. The whole thing was warm and cozy and left me with a good ache in my chest, wishing it were me.

I totally loved the friendships and the great exchanges between friends; it felt so real and easy that it completely sucked me in. I felt like the book really captured people trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, fears of not being enough, trying to do things alone, and feeling overwhelmed, and it made everything feel too real. I genuinely felt what was happening on the page. My heart ached and squeezed with pain and disappointment at times, like I was feeling Poppy’s emotions myself, and it was just so immersive.

There was one part in this book that really made me weep for Poppy, but strangely, it just showed me how good this book really is.

I would have loved maybe a little more story, but that’s just me being greedy at this point. I also feel like enough is never enough when you love a book this much, when something gives you exactly what you want and need as a reader. I love many books, but cozy, warm books hold a special place in my heart, and I am so excited for the next one.

Likes:
The cozy vibes
Interactions and exchanges between characters
The leads are totally perfect.
The romance and spice

Dislikes:
…Nothing to add

Would I recommend it?
In a heartbeat. The whole series so far has been amazing.

Would I reread?
Massive yes.

Sum up:
Sweet and cozy, with lots of emotion and warmth.

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(Daughter of the Earth, #2) Journey to the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon review

 

Journey to the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2 Spice

It genuinely hurts knowing I have to wait until March to get my hands on the final book in this series. I absolutely ate this book up in just a few hours and honestly wish I’d slowed down so it could have lasted longer, but here we are again.

This is book two in the series, and it pretty much picks up right where the first one left off. Our lead is trying to get to grips with this new place and step up into her role, all while dealing with trauma, a huge amount of guilt, and a lot of pain, and I thought this was portrayed really well. I loved watching her actually go through it, struggle, break, and slowly open up. Normally, books gloss over trauma with a quick “oh no, that was awful” before jumping to the next scene, but not here. When she finally breaks, you really feel it.

The slow burn in this book had me groaning and cursing, but also giggling and kicking my feet. There’s much more longing and deep wanting between the leads this time, and I really enjoyed that shift.

While Raine might not be the lead, he easily became one of my favourite characters in this book. He’s so likeable and clearly carrying his own pain, but he just keeps going and doing his best. This book is full of emotion, and while the main story is still very much at the forefront, there’s a stronger focus on romance, longing, and connection. I also loved seeing how this group isn’t just a random collection of people thrown together, but slowly becomes a family. There might not be blood ties, but there’s a lot of care and love there, and I ate that up.

There’s plenty of action again, but we see a lot less of Deidamia and Andras, which honestly made me nervous. I spent half the book on edge, waiting for them to pop up like a jump scare in a horror movie.

The spice is definitely hotter in this book. Where book one barely dipped its toe in, this one leans into it more, but if you’re looking for nonstop, burn-the-pages spice, this still isn’t that kind of book. The spice works because it’s tied to longing, wanting, and slow burn… and it was totally worth it.

Another thing this series continues to do really well is training. Real training. No one goes to the gym once and comes out ripped. No one takes one swimming lesson and suddenly knows how to swim. This book shows regular, logical training, and I loved how realistic that felt. Overall, totally loved the book.

What I Struggled With:

At times, I felt like more could have happened story-wise. I loved the romance, but it occasionally felt like it took up space where more plot could have fit.

Two moments genuinely confused me and had me questioning things. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but I was definitely left scratching my head.

[
⚠️ Spoilers ⚠️

Why were there no guards outside the princess’s room while she was in another kingdom? She’s a princess. Corvus would never have had the chance to attack her if she hadn’t been left so exposed.

And the ball scene, she leaves alone to get some air while surrounded by people from different kingdoms, after spotting someone who already freaked her out twice, and no one follows her? No one checks on the creepy guy? And she doesn’t think, “Maybe I shouldn’t wander alone into the gardens right now”? That all felt wildly unsafe and out of character. (hide spoiler)]⚠️ Spoilers ⚠️

Why were there no guards outside the princess’s room while she was in another kingdom? She’s a princess. Corvus would never have had the chance to attack her if she hadn’t been left so exposed.

And the ball scene, she leaves alone to get some air while surrounded by people from different kingdoms, after spotting someone who already freaked her out twice, and no one follows her? No one checks on the creepy guy? And she doesn’t think, “Maybe I shouldn’t wander alone into the gardens right now”? That all felt wildly unsafe and out of character.

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Whispers of the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon review

 

Whispers of the Elderoak by K.M. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️ 1 Spice

Have you ever wished for a book that felt like reading a Dungeons & Dragons campaign? Because I have many times. And honestly, finding books that truly capture that feeling isn’t easy. But wow… this one absolutely delivered.

This book had me in a total chokehold, demanding my full attention, and it played with my head and my heart more than once. One of the biggest shockers for me? The main character is an actual adult. And I mean a real adult, not “just turned 19 or 20.” No. She’s in her 30s. I had to double-check because I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes. That alone made me ridiculously happy and instantly invested.

The first 25% of the book is set in our world, where we follow Ava as she’s dealing with life, stress, and trying to make the best of the hand she’s been dealt. Things start to look up when she reconnects with an old friend, and honestly, I loved this part. Seeing two grown women navigating daily life but also being fun, silly, and free together reminded me so much of my own friendships. At that point, I had no idea where the story was going, but I was enjoying the warm, cosy vibes.

And then… BANG.

The story flips on its head.

I was heartbroken, confused, sobbing, and suddenly thrown into a completely different phase of the book, and I was so here for it. While trying to put my shattered heart back together (and crying for Ava all over again), the story turned into this epic, quest-style adventure filled with wonder, horror, confusion, and danger. Ava is trying to understand what’s happening and why, and I felt completely in her shoes the entire time. It made for such an immersive reading experience.

When the POVs shifted, I’ll admit I hesitated. The book moves from Ava’s single POV to also include Casimir, and at first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But within a few pages? I was fully on board. The dual POV worked so well, especially since we’re now in a world that’s completely unfamiliar to Ava Casimir’s perspective, which was exactly what the story needed to help everything click.

The story is packed with action, pain, beauty, and horror. It had me hooked from start to finish. There were moments where I was wide-eyed with my hand over my mouth, moments where I was so angry I wanted to scream, and all of it made for an absolutely epic read.

Now, being honest, there were a few moments where I struggled a bit. I’m not entirely sure why, but a handful of times (maybe four or five) I had to stop, go back, and reread sections because the information just didn’t stick the first time. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it did slow me down a little.

Also, the spice.
At the start? Nope. Hard cringe for me. Not really spicy, and definitely not my thing. That said, I do understand why it was written that way later on, so I won’t hold it against the book overall.

What I Liked:
The story is very D&D-esque for me.
The characters
The shocks and surprises
Dual POV done right
Animal companion (OMG 🥹)

What Didn’t Work for Me:
A few sections where I had to reread to fully grasp what was happening
The early spice (that’s all I’ll say)

Would I Recommend This Book?
Totally. 100%.

Would I Reread?
Yes, and I’ll probably be buying physical copies too.

How I’d Sum It Up:
A Dungeons & Dragons–style fantasy full of action, adventure, joy, pain, and heartache — a fantastic and brilliant start to a series.

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(Halls of Glass) Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood review

 

Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️½ 2.5 Spice

Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

There are honestly no words that fully cover how much I gobbled this book up, and it’s not a small book either. From pretty much the first page, I was hooked. The writing is clean, clear, and flows so easily that it felt like I was gliding from word to word rather than actively reading.

The first few chapters do such a good job introducing the world and characters that I was pulled in almost instantly. Getting to know Taera and the other characters gave me a real sense of who they were, and what really stood out to me was how relatable they felt. The family dynamics, the worries, the responsibility of wanting to do your best for the people you love it made me think, yeah… I get this.

As the story progressed and I got a better understanding of the world and its layers, I was genuinely impressed. The worldbuilding is strong without being overwhelming. It never felt overworked or confusing, and I never needed a mental map just to keep up. Everything was explained clearly and naturally, which made me feel like part of the world rather than an outsider looking in and that’s something I really value as a reader.

The book switches between POVs, which adds so much depth and makes the story even more engaging. When we first meet Nikolai, he comes across as a risk-taker, smug, self-assured, and very much someone whose wardrobe must be massive just to hide all his secrets.

Because this is a bigger book, I fully expected filler or draggy sections, but shockingly, there weren’t any. Everything felt intentional, like building blocks stacking together to create something truly special. What surprised me most was that the story always stayed front and center. There is spice, but it never overshadows the plot or characters.

There were moments that completely blindsided me, moments where I wanted to scream, rage, cry, and physically step away to catch my breath. It was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every second of it from start to finish.

There are two things I personally would have loved to see more of, but that’s very much a me thing rather than an actual flaw. By the time I reached the end, I was genuinely sitting there thinking, but… but I need more… please? Which is wild considering the size of the book.

Without a doubt, this is my first 5-star read of 2026.

What I Liked:
Well-developed, interesting characters
A layered story that always stayed the main focus
Spice that enhanced the book without overpowering it

What Didn’t Work for Me:
I wanted more Omi toward the end.
Forgiveness felt a bit too quick.

Would I Recommend This Book?
Absolutely, it’s a fantastic read.

Would I Reread?
Easy yes.

How I’d Sum It Up.
An impressive, beautifully written book with a strong story, rich worldbuilding, romance, and just the right amount of spice layered with pain, secrets, and heart.

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Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport review

 

Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

Well, tickle me impressed I wasn’t sure about this book going into it. I honestly don’t even remember when I bought it or how it ended up on my shelf, but I grabbed it on a whim and gave it a go.

I am a huge fan of strong female leads. I love books where the FMC isn’t some weak, mild-mannered mouse… unless she later learns to roar. And this book gives you a strong lead right from the start. Even with all that power and fire, she’s still stuck in a kingdom where women are treated as little more than wives, baby-makers, or bargaining chips between kingdoms.

What I really loved about her is that she never stops being strong. She doesn’t just roll over and let others decide things for her. She wants to do the right thing for her people, even when it’s hard, and she wants to protect the people she loves and that was a massive plus for me.

I also really enjoyed the general storyline. I liked that the author didn’t just sprinkle in tiny bits of plot between walls of spice. There was a solid story running through the book, and I felt like the balance between story and spice was pretty good.

Now let’s talk about the men… because honestly? I really, really hated a lot of them. Mostly because of how they behaved and how they saw women. Thankfully, the ones I hated the most weren’t shoved in my face nonstop, so I wasn’t raging the entire time and that ending made me pretty happy.

As for the male lead, sometimes I understood him… and other times I just wanted to hit him upside the head. It was kind of a coin toss with him. I did find him interesting as a character he had a solid foundation and really loved his family but, as my gran would say, an eye for an eye makes everyone blind. Still, I liked watching him grow over the course of the book, and by the end, I was pretty satisfied with where he landed.

I also loved that this is a standalone. I got a full story with a proper ending, which always makes me happy.

If you’re looking for something that burns super hot spice-wise, this might not fully hit for you. There is a lot of spice, don’t get me wrong, but because it starts pretty early and keeps going, I think I got a bit desensitized to it. Overall, it just didn’t hit me the same way other spicy books have.

So why not 5 stars?
Honestly, because at times I felt my mind drifting, and I really wished the book leaned just a little more into the story. There were also a few things in the book I didn’t love being there at all.

Still, overall, it was a really enjoyable read.

What I Liked:
Strong female lead
KONGAMATOS — so awesome, I really wish there had been more of them

What Didn’t Work for Me:
Needed more story
The spice felt a bit lackluster for me

Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes, I would.

Would I Reread?
I think so.

How I’d Sum It Up:
A spicy, action-filled fantasy with a strong female lead.

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(Firelight, #2) Vanish by Sophie Jordan

 

Vanish by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

⭐ 1 Star

I did not want to DNF this book but there were so many moments where I was screaming at myself to just quit and move on to something else. I kept telling myself that maybe, maybe, if I held on a little longer there would be a turnaround. Some hope. Anything.

There wasn’t.

This book honestly pained me. The constant whining, the endless back-and-forth in Jacinda’s head, and the wishy-washy behavior between Will and Cassian made it incredibly hard to read without wanting to yeet the book out an open window.

Yes, I know the lead is young but I’ve read plenty of YA books with teenage protagonists who don’t grate on every last nerve. Jacinda really pushed my patience to the limit. I liked book one well enough, but book two felt like a full-on test of my endurance as a reader.

I kept wondering if this was just me maybe I’ve outgrown this kind of story. I have read a lot of books since then, and my tolerance for certain tropes has definitely changed. But honestly? Even taking that into account, nothing here really worked for me.

I’m sitting here trying to figure out what I liked about this book, and that’s hard really hard. It was easy to read, sure, but in a very basic, repetitive, going-in-circles-with-no-progress kind of way.

In book one, I let a lot slide because I expected book two to deepen the story and characters. Instead, I was left disappointed. The characters felt bland and unlikeable, and the story went nowhere meaningful.

I still love the concept behind this series the idea itself is strong but this installment just didn’t deliver for me at all. I do hope to finish the series, but right now I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to push through the final book.

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(Firelight, #1) Firelight by Sophie Jordan review

 

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars

I first read this book back in 2011 which honestly shocked me when I realized that was over ten years ago. I barely remember my first read, just that it was during the time I was devouring YA books. Since it’s now 2026 and I never finished the series, I decided to sit down and reread it with fresh eyes.

The book was a super fast read I finished it in just a few hours. The writing style is simple and easy, and the story itself is interesting but fairly straightforward. That said, reading this as an adult definitely changed my experience. I found myself getting a bit irritated at times with certain characters, choices, or dialogue but I had to remind myself that this book is written for a younger audience. The characters are around 16 to early 20s, and the story reflects that mindset.

There’s a clear plot throughout, with a strong focus on romance and the struggle of fitting in or being accepted for who or what you are. I really enjoyed how the fantasy elements were woven into a more grounded, realistic setting. It made the story easy to follow and approachable.

Overall, it was a solid, simple read. There wasn’t anything I actively disliked about it it just didn’t grip me the same way it might have when I was younger. I think my age and reading tastes have shifted, and I view stories like this very differently now than I did back then.

That said, I’m really glad I reread Firelight, and I’m genuinely excited to finally continue on with the rest of the series.



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Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron review

 

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🚫 No Spice

WOW this book was not what I was expecting when I picked it up for some fun, light reading as my first book of the new year.

The book begins beautifully. I loved the gothic, morbid vibe, wrapped in a surprisingly sweet slice-of-life feel about a teenager trying to get to grips with her world. I genuinely didn’t know what I was getting myself into and at first, I thought I was settling into something cozy and gentle.

And then… about halfway through?
I was sobbing my heart out in the dead of night.

This book lulled me into a false sense of safety sunshine, normalcy, comfort before taking a sharp turn into something deeply emotional and dark. It forces you to confront death, morality, and the right and wrong of impossible choices. I went in expecting light reading and suddenly found myself thinking, “What would I do?” and “How could someone live with that?”

I was completely gripped. The grief, confusion, and emotional weight were handled so well that I couldn’t look away. It made me question things, feel things, and sit with uncomfortable emotions and that made it a genuinely powerful read.

Is the book perfect? No.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me:

The ending left me with a slightly bitter taste (though that may just be personal).

The father’s silence frustrated me long before everything fell apart, communication was clearly needed.

And I felt like two characters were slightly forgotten in the second half of the book.

That said, overall this was a really enjoyable, impactful, and surprisingly emotional quick read one that caught me completely off guard in the best (and most heartbreaking) way.

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