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Without law, there’s no freedom: Reviewing The Bands of Mourning (Book 6 in the Mistborn Saga) by Brandon Sanderson

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I, sadly, have come down with some sort of illness. When my eyes stopped watering and I stopped sneezing, I took the opportunity to finish the penultimate book in the Mistborn saga. Before you read this review, check out my reviews of the previous books in this series. Now, let’s talk about The Bands of Mourning.

Content Warning: Violence, Some Disturbing Imagery

Legend has it that the Bands of Mourning, a powerful set of metalminds once owned by the Lord Ruler, still exist. Anyone who wields these artifacts would be granted immense power. Most people regarded this as a myth…until recently. Waxillium Ladrian receives proof that the Bands may very well be real. Not only that, but he has proof that his sister Telsin is alive and being held captive. With the help of Wayne, Marasi, Sterris, and MeLaan, Wax sets out on a journey to New Seran to find the Bands. He is not the only one looking for them. It is a race against time to stop the Bands from falling into the wrong hands.

The Bands of Mourning is a fun, fast-paced adventure with so many interesting story elements. I realize that this sounds a lot like my previous reviews of Sanderson’s books, but it holds true. I can’t help but be reminded of movies like Indiana Jones and The Mummy (1999), which is why I have a slight nostalgic bias towards these books. With that being said, I continue to appreciate the pacing of this series. Sanderson is great at making his worlds feel new and exciting with each story. Everything feels cohesive and holistic, which I appreciate greatly when it comes to fantasy novels. I also appreciate the fun moments where we are given insight into the characters’ minds. Some fantasy novels sacrifice one element for another, but this book was balanced throughout. There were some great emotional moments as well. I don’t want to go into too much detail because that will involve spoilers. I am excited and hesitant to read the last book because I have enjoyed this series so much. I highly recommend that you partake in this series too.

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It is not a lesson, until we learn it. It is not a story, until we tell it. And every story serves someone: Reviewing The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. It always feels like I take too long between my reviews. I am sure no one else cares, except me. I, however, have a desperate need to share my book-related opinions with anyone willing to listen. With that being said, I want to thank you for perusing my little blog. I always appreciate your support. Before we talk about this book, feel free to check out my other reviews of Alix E. Harrow’s novels. Now, let’s talk about The Everlasting.

Content Warning: Graphic Violence, Sexual Content, Some Strong Language

Thousands of years ago, a legendary knight called Sir Una Everlasting freed the people of Dominion and helped her queen establish one of the most powerful countries that the world had ever seen. Thousands of years later, a young academic named Owen Mallory dedicates his life to studying her legacy. Just as he starts to give up on his research, Owen finds a mysterious book on his desk and a promise that will change his life forever. The book sends him back in time – and right into the path of Una Everlasting. His task is to ensure that Una meets her tragic fate. Owen, however, falls deeply in love with Una. He decides that he can rewrite history and save the woman he loves.

Oh my gosh, I don’t even know where to begin with this book. I was absolutely obsessed with The Everlasting from page one. It’s a sweeping tale of romance, realization, tragedy, and bravery. It’s hard to enjoy a “romantasy” when the market is flooded with so many copy-and-paste love stories. Alix E. Harrow throws all of those preconceived notions out the window and presents something significantly more compelling. The Everlasting explores themes of legacy, colonialism, and imperialism with a deft hand. Harrow does an amazing job balancing such heavy themes throughout the narrative. The story also reckons with questions about fate and destiny, and if it means anything in the end. At the heart of this novel, though, is a beautiful and tragic love story between two people who are displaced by the world at large. I simply could not get enough of this book. I was kicking my feet and giggling one moment, and the next moment I was deeply upset because I had no idea how everything was going to be resolved. The time travel/time loop portion of the novel is intergrated so cleverly and it made everything all the more interesting. All I want is something different and Harrow delievered that and then some. I simply cannot express how much I loved this book. Go read The Everlasting ASAP! You won’t regret it!

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Fortunately, some things stay true whether we believe in them or not: Reviewing Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well and reading plenty of good books. I’ve been feeling more motivated to complete a book in one sitting, instead of hopping from book to book. As for this review, this will be the eighth book that I have read by T. Kingfisher. I finally got a copy of What Stalks the Deep, so I can finally wrap up that trilogy. There will probably be more Kingfisher books in the future. I’m just a tad obsessed at the moment. I feel like that’s enough rambling for now. Let’s talk about Snake-Eater.

Content Warning: Mild Sexual Content, Some Strong Language, Discussions of Religious Psychosis, Fantastical Violence, Animal Death

After losing her mom and breaking up with her partner, Selena decides it’s time for a fresh start. With nothing but a suitcase and her loyal dog, she buys a ticket to the small town of Quartz Creek, where she hopes to reunite with her aunt Amelia. Unfortunately, Selena finds out that her aunt has passed away. She is, however, the sole heir to her aunt’s humble home. Selena is hesitant to settle into this unfamiliar land, but she is quickly charmed by the desert landscape and the quirky residents of Quartz Creek. That isn’t the only thing special about this small town. Selena begins to encounter strange beings and has bizarre dreams of a man with strange eyes. Through her aunt’s journals, Selena learns that she had a relationship with a spirit called the Snake-Eater. Now, Snake-Eater has become obsessed with Selena and refuses to let her go.

One thing I love about T. Kingfisher is her ability to take conventional narratives and flip them on their heads. I initially thought that Snake-Eater was going to be a monster/human romance novel. Instead, it’s a story of found family and learning to embrace oneself. Kingfisher consistently writes realistic female characters who have strong character arcs. Selena’s anxious tendencies were relatable and understandable from a reader’s perspective. I also particularly enjoyed the side characters in this novel. Kingfisher effortlessly incorporates a diverse array of characters that feel just as realistic as her main characters. Of course, there’s also the well-crafted fantasy elements. Kingfisher always creates such fun mythologies, and Snake-Eater is no exception. The desert setting is so atmospheric and feels so alive throughout the narrative. I loved this book. I am begging you to start reading T. Kingfisher immediately. Snake-Eater isn’t a bad place to start.

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Power is not given. It is taken: Reviewing I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing wonderfully. I don’t have a ton to say before beginning this review. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you might note that this is not the first retelling of the myth of Medusa that I have read. You can check out my review of Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. It is time, however, for a new take on the classic myth of Medusa. With that being said, it’s time to talk about I, Medusa.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Sexual Assault, Consensual Sexual Content, Violence, Some Gore, Domestic Abuse

Meddy is the youngest daughter of two minor sea gods. She is also the only mortal in her family. Meddy has spent her whole life on her family’s island, wondering if there was anything for her outside of her sheltered life. When Meddy catches the eye of the goddess Athena, she finds herself presented with an opportunity she had never dreamed of before. She is sent to Athens to train to be one of Athena’s priestesses. Athena, though, is not the only god drawn to Medusa. Poseidon, the king of the ocean, irrevocably alters Medusa’s fate. With snakes for hair and eyes that turn men to stone, Medusa must reckon with her new purpose and decide who she is before anyone else can.

I, Medusa is a refreshing take on a myth that has been told time and time again. Ayana Gray provides an exceptionally crafted narrative that stands out in the sea of Greek myth retellings. Gray’s Medusa is a young woman struggling to figure out where she fits in the world. She is easy to sympathize with and relatable in many of her decisions. The prose is elegant, but painfully honest when it needs to be. This story is a tragic one, with complex characters and characters whom I simply couldn’t stand. That is a testament to Gray’s writing. The best retellings are the ones that make you dread the ending even if you already know it. I was dragging my feet reading this because I didn’t want to be sad, if I’m being honest. With that being said, this was a beautifully written tragedy. I am going to strongly recommend this novel. Go pick it up immediately. You won’t regret it.

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But I’ll find a way, because I need to, and I’ll walk barefoot through hell for what I need: Reviewing Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’ve been dragging my feet a bit to review new books. Instead, I’ve made a point to re-read some of my favorites. I re-read Wuthering Heights in spite of the newest movie adaptation, and I’ve re-read Project Hail Mary because I’m excited for the new movie adaptation. I plan to reread Jane Eyre because it’s been a while, and I plan to reread The Odyssey because I am tentatively excited about the movie adaptation coming out this summer. All of that is neither here nor there, though. You are all here for my newest review. I have been meaning to read another Alix Harrow book since I read The Once and Future Witches some time ago. Feel free to check out that review. After so long, I am finally delving back into the world of Harrow. With that being said, let’s talk about Starling House.

Content Warning: Fantastical Violence, Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Hate Crimes, Discussions and Depictions of Slavery, Strong Language, Forced Marriage, Domestic Abuse, Incest

The small, simple town of Eden, Kentucky, hides a dark secret. Among the failing businesses and coal mines, Starling House waits with darkness in its many rooms. No one would dare approach this home. Opal, though, isn’t just anyone. She dreams of the house every night and finds herself insatiably curious about why Starling House is seemingly calling to her. Starling House also just so happens to be the former home of Eleanor Starling, the author of Opal’s favorite childhood book, The Underland. When Opal is allowed to finally know the secrets of Starling House and earn money for her brother’s education, she jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately for her, that means dealing with the manor’s enigmatic and standoffish owner, Arthur Starling. The longer she spends in Starling House, the more Opal learns about the true history that lies beneath the home. For once, Opal won’t run away. Instead, she’ll fight for a chance to finally live and overcome her own dark past.

Starling House is a darkly fun blend of Gothic vibes, fairy-tale allusions, and magical realism. I saw many different story elements here, such as Beauty and the Beast, the myth of Hades and Persephone, and a dark take on Alice in Wonderland. All of this is wrapped up in an interesting (albeit dark) story of American history. It is a bit of a slow burn, but that helps establish that dark atmosphere that seeps through every page of this novel. I appreciate Harrow’s sharp, atmospheric prose and her talent for building tension. Her characters are complex and endearing. I particularly enjoyed Opal’s bravery, wit, and kindness. She made for a compelling heroine and the ideal underdog. I also appreciated that the story was pleasantly unpredictable. I didn’t know where the story was going, and that was what made it such an enjoyable experience. There weren’t any sharp plot twists or intense reveals, but I didn’t know what to expect, which made it all the more fun. I think you can guess my overall thoughts at this point. I definitely recommend Starling House and plan on reading more Harrow books in the near future.

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If we get to the point where we don’t help each other anymore, that’s when we stop being human: Reviewing Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book 1 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl Series) by Matt Dinniman

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Not that anyone asked, but I’ve been going through a weird time. There’s been some sad things, and some good things. All of these have happened in a short amount of time, so I’m still processing a lot. Things, however, are looking up. I wanted to read something a little more lighthearted to improve my mood just slightly. I also thought that you all might want to read a review about something not depressing. Dungeon Crawler Carl has been making the rounds on social media, so I decided to give it a fair shot. Now, it’s time to discuss the first book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

Content Warning: Crude Humor, Strong Language, Cartoonish Violence

Carl isn’t having a good time. First, his girlfriend breaks up with him. Second, she leaves him with her prize-winning cat named Princess Donut. As if this doesn’t suck enough, then the Earth is attacked by aliens. The survivors of the attack must survive a deadly game of survival that’s being aired to wider galaxy. With nothing but his boxers and a fluffy cat, Carl must fight his way through enchanted traps and deadly creatures, all while trying to impress viewers and not get vaporized by the producers. Safe to say that this isn’t your typical game show.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is a fast-paced, action-packed, and humorous take on literary RPGs. This novel certainly stood out to me in many aspects. I appreciated the overall setup of the novel and its consistent tone. This is one of the few novels where infodumping was beneficial to the story. You don’t have to be familiar with RPGs to understand general mechanics of the story and Matt Dinniman takes the appropriate measures to ensure that the readers understand the world of the novel. My favorite part of the novel was Carl as the main character and narrator. His grounded and pragmatic demeanor helped provide an anchor in a novel full of absurd elements, like killer llamas and a talking cat. I enjoyed the expansive and unpredictable world of the novel. I like that I never knew what absurd thing would happen next. The novel is just absurd and silly enough, without distracting from the fact that this is a survival story. The only element that was really hit-or-miss for me was the humor. Humor is fully subjective. I’m not going to act like I’m above something crude, crass, or juvenile. With being said, the humor of the book didn’t do a lot for me. It was just a little too gross at times. It felt like something akin to South Park or Family Guy, which I find to be hit-or-miss. It was just a bit too gross for me personally. It wasn’t overly offensive, though, and toed the line without crossing it. My main reaction was to roll my eyes because I found it to be distinctly male, if that makes sense. I won’t let that draw away from my overall positive opinion about the book. At the end of the day, this was the ideal book I needed for an adventurous and fun escape. I can even see myself picking up the sequel in the future. If you need something absurd and energetic, then I will go ahead and recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl.

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Fear is the death of reason…and reason the death of fear: Reviewing Empire of Silence (Book 1 of The Sun Eater Series) by Christopher Ruocchio

Hi everyone! It is snowy as hell over here so I’m taking advantage of the poor weather and making a dent in my TBR pile. There are a few series I’m starting or continuing this year, so be one the lookout for those. I might do some more mini reviews this year too. Before I get into this review, I want to give a full disclosure and talk about two books I recently DNF’d: The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh and Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan. I might give Wicked Saints a second chance, but I could not bring myself to be interested in The Water Cure. That’s all I have to say about those books. I do, however, have a lot to say about Empire of Silence so let’s pivot to that.

Content Warning: Violence, Some Gore, Some Strong Language, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Intense Battle Scenes, Torture Scenes

Hadrian Marlowe is a young noble with every opportunity at his fingertips. Him following his dreams, though, hinges on impressing his father, a stern and unforgiving man. When Hadrian makes a terrible mistake, he is forced to flee from his father. This decision, however, will change his life forever. Completely on his own, Hadrian must navigate the rough streets filled with thieves and liars, the bloody life of a gladiator, and the complicated politics of the upper eschelon. All of these will ultimately lead Hadrian to a galaxy-wide war that is only just beginning.

I found myself compelled by this first entry of Ruocchio’s The Sun Eater series. The influences on this first book are obvious. It has a galatic world not too dissimilar to Star Wars, a society is a mix of European monarchies and the Roman Empire, and a complicated political system like Dune. It can be a tiny bit overwhelming but Ruocchio does a good job pacing it out the story and taking the time to build each aspect of this world. The anchor that holds all of this together is Hadrian Marlowe as the narrator and I was impressed with him as a main character. Hadrian avoids a lot of the tropes that many MMCs in sci-fi and/or fantasy tend to fall into. Hadrian isn’t a character built on machismo, nor does he brood. He is a bit entitled in the beginning, but he is self-aware. At times, he’s even pathetic and unlucky. With that being said, his actions drive the story forward in a way that doesn’t rely on coincidence or brute force. I found him to be endearing and I wanted him to succeed in some capacity by the end of the novel. That is what ultimately makes this novel work. Overall, I was impressed with Empire of Silence and I can see myself picking up the second book in the near future.

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I live in pain because pain is what the world gave me, and I am powerful with it: Reviewing Faithbreaker (Book 3 of the Fallen Gods Trilogy) by Hannah Kaner

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well and staying warm if you live in a chilly area. Now is the best time to curl up with a good book, in my opinion. Before you read this review, feel free to checkout my review of the first two books, Godkiller and Sunbringer. It’s time to talk about the epic conclusion with Faithbreaker.

Content Warning: Violence, Intense Battle Scenes, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Animal Death

War has come to the continent of Middren. The fire god Hseth has a massive army of devoted followers who make her more powerful by the day. Only a powerful alliance can save the country. Elo reunites with his childhood friend and king, Arren. Their relationship, though, is still damaged by past betrayal. Elo and Arren must come to terms with the past in order to have a future. Meanwhile, Inara joins her mother on a mission to rekindle old alliances. When human alliances falter, she and Skediceth see if they can make peace with the gods and creates allies before the battle begins. Kissen, however, still has no alliances to people or gods. She does still have her family, but she must decide if she is willing to leave them once more to save them. Everything hangs in the balance and one battle will decide everyone’s fate.

Finales can be tricky things, but Hannah Kaner delivers a satisfying conclusion to her action-packed trilogy. It seems, to me, that it’s a rare thing to have a book series that is just the right length and doesn’t falter towards the end. Faithbreaker is a well-paced and cinematic novel. What I appreciated about this novel is how nothing felt gratuitous. There wasn’t too much swearing. The sex scenes weren’t overly explicit. The battle scenes weren’t too gory. Everything was just as it needed to be in the end. It was maybe a tad on the predictable side at times, but nothing that annoyed me as a reader. There were enough moments of tension that made the novel feel unpredictable to a degree and that was enough for me. As for the character arcs, I was overall satisfied with how the main characters reached the end of their development. Too often do writers try to throw in some random, out-of-character moments that are there for the sake of drama. Kaner, however, is nothing if not consistent in her literary craft. Overall, the Fallen Gods ended on a gratifying note with Faithbreaker. If you need a fun fantasy trilogy, then this is the first series to check out.

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Better to Die in War Than Rust Through a Time of Peace: Reviewing The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story by M.L. Wang

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. This year may have already begun, but I am determined to be a bit more timely with reviews. My resolution is to spend less time on social media and more time reading and/or writing. This particular review is long overdue, and I have a lot to say, so let’s talk about The Sword of Kaigen.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Suicide, Miscarriage, Domestic Violence, Grief and Mourning, Disturbing Imagery, Misogyny

The Kaigenese Empire is one of the most powerful forces on Duna, and there live families said to be descended from the gods. On the Kusanagi peninsula live the Matsuda families, who are wielders of the Whispering Blade, an ancient and legendary weapon. Misaki, the wife and matriarch of the Matsuda family, had to leave behind her days of adventuring to raise a family. Unhappy in her marriage, Misaki longs for change. When an old friend from her past appears with a warning, Misaki realizes that she may have to fight once more. Mamoru, the oldest son of the Matsuda family, is destined to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a fearsome warrior. Mamoru’s world is changed when a new classmate from a different country tells him that the Empire is not the benevolent power he had always thought it was. Now, Mamoru has to contend that he might have to fight for something he doesn’t believe in. With an invasion on the horizon, the Matsuda family will have to find the strength to fight together or risk being torn apart.

I don’t like to toss around the word “epic” a lot to describe a book, but The Sword of Kaigen absolutely earned the adjective. It’s so action-packed and rich in its lore. M.L. Wang’s world is endlessly imaginative. I learned something new in every chapter. Every culture in this book was so well thought out. The character development, though, isn’t sacrificed in favor of the world-building, which tends to be a pitfall of many fantasy books. Wang’s characters are so life-like, and I loved how much time was dedicated to exploring them as people. With all of that being said, I really wish that this had been part of a duology. There are a lot of moving parts in this novel, and it can be overwhelming because there’s so much information to absorb. I found myself constantly flipping to the back to double-check the terminology in the book. That isn’t to say that it wasn’t understandable. I simply wish that I had gotten to spend more time in this world so that I could familiarize myself with Wang’s intricate landscape. That, however, is mostly a “me” problem. I recommend picking up The Sword of Kaigen immediately.

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Love makes Fools of us all. Including the Muses. Including even the Gods: Reviewing We Love You, Bunny (A sequel to Bunny) by Mona Awad

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Let’s hope for a great 2026! This is now my fourth review of Mona Awad. Feel free to go back and check out my review of this novel’s predecessor, Bunny. I’ll save all of my thoughts for my review below. Let’s kick this year off with my first review, We Love You, Bunny.

Content Warning: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery

Years have passed since Samantha Heather Mackey had her encounter with the Bunnies at Warren University. Now, she has a book out about her experiences with the stranger graduate students. Not everyone is happy for Samantha. The Bunnies want to tell their side of the story. After kidnapping Samantha, they force her to understand what really happened and why they did the things they did. Their captive audience will know about their inexplicable bond and their first foray into dark magic.

I wish I was starting this year out with a bang, but this review is going to be more of a whimper. Before I go into details, I will say that I still recommend reading Bunny and I still enjoy Mona Awad as an author. That isn’t where my positives stop. I enjoyed the writing of the novel. Awad is so good at creating bizarre and unique characters. This novel showcases Awad’s talent for writing twisted and poetic prose. I will also not diminsh the novel’s message about who art belongs to and the intensity of the creative process. With all of that being said, though, I just really didn’t like this book. It felt way too long and very little happened until the last half of the book. The Bunnies, while they are entertaining, do nothing for a majority of this book. I learned nothing new about them. I barely understood why they worked as a group, other than happenstance. The most annoying aspect of this book is how the main characters constantly scream at each other. Their intense, melodramatic emotions felt unearned. They weren’t unlikeable in a “fun” way. All of their work was glossed over in favor of the section of the book that is narrated by their first creation. I understand that Awad was going for a Frankenstein angle by having the creators and the creation each have their own stories to tell. The main difference is that Victor Frankenstein is a fleshed out character and the Bunnies felt so flat. The worst thing about this book is that it made me root for the main male character in a book that had plenty of interesting female characters to work with. The pacing also just didn’t help. I kept forgetting that the book is centered around them kidnapping Samantha from the first book. Not to keep ranting, but I hate these sequels/prequels that try to demystify the previous work. Unfortunately, We Love You, Bunny was a flop for me. I only take solace in seeing that other people had this book on their worst and/or most disappointing books of 2025 lists. Just read Bunny and don’t even bother with this sequel/prequel.