The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, By India Holton ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Humor, Romance, Suspense, Victorian Fantasy

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: June 15th, 2021

336 Pages

Synopsis: A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

 Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it’s a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for entire world, intend to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman. When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her—hopefully proving, once and for all, that she’s as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them. (Goodreads)

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is a fabulously fun historical fantasy that definitely delivers on its eye-catching cover, and it thoroughly captivated me from beginning to end. Cecilia is a bibliophile after my own heart. She’s also a first rate scoundrel and lady pirate, out to prove herself to the rest of the Wisteria Society. To say that I loved her, doesn’t quite describe my feelings. While I’m not usually a fan of insta-romance, it’s obvious from the first scene where Ned is attempting to assassinate(?) her, that Cecilia and Ned are destined for one another. Their banter is rapier sharp, and I greatly enjoyed their witty repartee. The secondary characters are equally enjoyable, even the cartoonish, Bronte-obsessed, Captain Morvath, and the plot, well, this is just something you have to experience for yourself. Let’s just say the The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is utterly bonkers in the very best possible way. It’s so imaginative and original that it’s difficult to come up with a comparison, but if I were to do so I’d say think The Princess Bride, meets Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series. As whimsically wacky as her debut is, I want to seriously predict that India Holton is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the literary world. If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud historical fantasy with plenty of derring do over tea and crumpets, and swoon-worthy romance, I can’t recommend this enough!

Sixteen Scandals, By Sophie Jordan ~ 2.0 Stars

Tags

Regency England, Romance, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and HMH Books For Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 25th, 2021

256 Pages

Synopsis: In this irreverent regency romp, by New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan, newly minted sixteen-year-old Primrose Ainsworth finds herself on a wayward birthday adventure through London with a mysterious hero—perfect for fans of “My Lady Jane.”

The youngest of four daughters, Primrose Ainsworth is used to getting lost in the shuffle. But when her parents decide to delay her debut into English society, Prim hatches a plan to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.

Donning a mask, Primrose escapes into the infamous Vauxhall Gardens for one wild night. When her cover is nearly blown, a mysterious stranger intercedes, and Prim finds an unexpected partner in mischief…and romance. But when it’s revealed her new ally isn’t who he says he is, her one night of fun may last past dawn.

In this frothy regency romp, perfect for fans of Austen-esque flirtation, and Shakespearean hijinks, sometimes a little scandal can be a good thing. (Goodreads)

I went into Sixteen Scandals knowing it wasn’t going to be a life-changing, deeply profound read, but was expecting a cute, frothy little escape. Instead, I found it to be puzzling and somewhat annoying. 

I liked Primrose and her mysterious love interest, Jacob, but even though there weren’t any graphically passionate scenes between them, I would have been more comfortable if she had been at least a year older. The secondary characters were either frustratingly underdeveloped or utterly reprehensible, particularly Primrose’s mother, who I kept wishing someone would have the gumption to shove out a window. 

There were a couple of scenes I felt were inappropriate for the young teen audience this is geared toward. Both take place during Primrose’s rebellious night at the infamous Vauxhall Gardens. One has an unseen couple having a rather amorous encounter, complete with sound effects. The other involves a bear baiting spectacle that was cruel and graphic enough, I had to skip over it. 

The ending was okay, but the book was too short with little character or plot development. I’m quite frustrated to tell the truth, because Sixteen Scandals had a lot of potential, especially in regards to gender roles during this time period, but instead, everything was rushed, including a really annoying hint at a possible same sex romance between one of Primrose’s sisters and her best friend, in the last couple of pages. It was as though the author thought “Oh, this is a YA book and I haven’t included any LGBTQ characters so I’d better throw a couple in!” Was Sixteen Scandals the worst YA book I’ve ever read? No, but there are far better series for teens in this genre, such as The Lady Janies series by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, and Cindy Anstey’s entertaining Regency romances and mysteries. If you have a teen looking for something magical or supernatural mixed in, I recommend the Cecelia and Kate series, by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermere, and the Lady Helen series, by Alison Goodman. And of course, you can’t go wrong with Jane Austen herself.

The Shadow in the Glass, By J.J.A. Harwood ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Abortion, Fairytale Retellings, Historical Fantasy, Miscarriage, Physical Abuse, Rape References, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 4th, 2021

416 Pages

Synopsis: Once upon a time Ella for more than her life as a lowly maid.

Now, forced to work hard under the lecherous gaze of the man who she once called stepfather, Ella’s only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn’t permitted to enter.

One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella’s wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide if it’s one she’s willing to pay…

A smoldering, terrifying new spin on Cinderella—perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Erin Morgenstern. (Goodreads)

The Shadow in the Glass is an extremely dark retelling of Cinderella  that bears little resemblance to the Disney version, but is definitely something that the Grimm brothers would have appreciated. It’s very different and unique, with a hint of Goethe’s Faust woven in, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I however, found it utterly delicious and was captivated from the very first page.

Ella is a complicated character whose actions will leave readers emotions in turmoil. Despite her difficult circumstances, she starts out as an innocent naive young girl, but quickly descends into a morally gray area as she makes her wishes. The decisions she makes are somewhat understandable, but they’re truly terrible and lead her farther and farther down the dark path she’s on. The third person narrative brings the reader directly into Ella’s mind and helps bring all her emotional pain to life which is why I remained empathetic toward her for the most part.

The setting and world building are wonderfully written, and I loved the blend of Victorian era fantasy, gothic, and supernatural elements. Skillfully underlying this is the appalling conditions of the poor, particularly women, who had no rights, no protection, and more often than not, nowhere to turn. The ending, has left me conflicted, and a day after I finished, I haven’t decided whether I liked it or not. I don’t want to say anything more, except that it’s definitely NOT a happily-ever-after. There was some repetition and I think the narrative could have been tightened a little, but for the most part this stayed a page-turner for me from beginning to end.

The Shadow in the Glass is a beautifully told and memorable dark fairytale and Ella will stay in your mind for long time after you’ve finished. It includes a few themes that could be triggers for some readers, including: physical abuse, references to past rape and the possibility of future rape, abortion, and miscarriage. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy dark fantasy, flawed characters, and don’t mind the inclusion of difficult themes. 

A Master of Djinn (Fatma el-Sha’arawi #1), By P. Djèlí Clark ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Historical Fantasy, LGBTQ Relationships, Mystery, Romance, Steampunk, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 11th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: Nebula, Locus and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí returns to his popular alternate Cairo for his fantasy novel debut A Master of Djinn.

Cairo 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi, is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world 50 years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and her clever girlfriend, Siti, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city—or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems… (Goodreads)

Although P. Djèlí Clark’s first full length novel is a little slow to get started, as a first time reader of his fiction, I’m hooked! First and foremost is the storyline itself, which is a spellbinding mashup of steampunk, historical fantasy, and suspenseful mystery. I fell completely in love with the alternative 1912 version of Cairo, and thanks to all the exquisite details that were included, I easily imagined myself there. The mystery itself was interesting and kept me guessing through a good portion of the book. The characters are diverse and colorful, particularly Fatma, Siti, and Hadia, all strong and independent women, yet still having to struggle for society’s acceptance. Overall, A Master of Djinn is a thoroughly entertaining and creative tale. While it’s not strictly necessary to have read the two previous short stories in this series: A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015, I recommend you do so instead of being like me and having to go back. I suspect as quickly as I became immersed in this magical world, that probably would have happened even sooner if I was already familiar with the setting and characters.

The Ladies of the Secret Circus, By Constance Sayers ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: March 23rd, 2021

469 Pages

Synopsis: 

Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder—a world where women tame magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. But each daring feat has a cost. Bound to her family’s strange and magical circus, it’s the only world Cecile Cabot knows—until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate love affair that could cost her everything.

Virginia, 2005: Lara Barnes is on top of the world—until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. Desperate, her search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother’s journals and sweeps her into the story of a dark circus and a generational curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations. (Goodreads)

The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a darkly magical read, that I enjoyed so much I didn’t want it to come to an end. The first quarter of the book delves into the life of Lara in 2004/2005 as she struggles to move on after the mysterious disappearance of her fiancé on their wedding day. You find out a little bit of her background, and her family’s magic, but the real revelations come when her great-grandmother Cecile’s journals fall into her hands. The majority of the book alternates from Jazz Age Paris to the early 2000s and what Lara discovers involves the supernatural, star-crossed lovers, a family curse, and the question of what you’re willing to sacrifice to save the one you love. It’s exquisitely told and although it’s almost 500 pages long, I had to make a concentrated effort to slow down. There are so many elements to this atmospheric novel: demonology, history, art, circuses, and magical realism. Sayers skillfully builds layer upon layer, until I felt as though I was within the pages of the book. There’s a little bit of romance but this isn’t really the focus of the story. All that’s left to say is that The Ladies of the Secret Circus is creative, mesmerizing storytelling at its finest, and perfect for fans of The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. 

You Love Me (You #3), By Caroline Kepnes ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Dark Comedy, Mental Illness, Mystery, Romance, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: April 6th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: Joe Goldberg is back. And he’s going to start a family—even if it kills him.

Joe Goldberg is done with cities, done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now he’s saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cozy island in the Pacific Northwest. For the first time in a long time, he can just breathe.

He gets a job at the local library—he does know a thing or two about books—and that’s where he meets her: Mary Kay DiMarco, Librarian. Joe won’t meddle, he will not obsess. He’ll win her the old-fashioned way…by providing a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand. Over time, they’ll both heal their wounds and begin living their happily ever after in this sleepy town.

The trouble is…Mary Kay already has a life. She’s a mother. She’s a friend. She’s…busy.

True love can only triumph if both people are willing to make room for the real thing. Joe cleared his decks. He’s ready. And hopefully, with his encouragement and undying support Mary Kay will do the right thing and make room for him.

Anyone familiar with the two previous books in Kepnes’ You series, knows Joe Goldberg is, um, unlucky in love. His relationships tend to be full of drama and end very, very badly…as in dead bodies being left behind. But in You Love Me, Joe is determined to make a fresh start. No drama, no killing, he’s a “good guy.” Well, you can probably guess how THAT goes! If you’re at all familiar with antihero Joe Goldberg, whether through the book series or the tv/Netflix adaptation, you know he has a myriad of mental health issues which I’m guessing include an antisocial disorder or attachment disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. He perversely has a charming side, which kind of makes you root for him and his undying quest for true love. In this third installment, Joe is after sexy librarian, Mary Kay DiMarco, who like Joe’s previous loves, is a bit of a mess. Like Beck, Candace, and Love, I didn’t particularly care for Mary Kay. Joe’s types always seem to be at best, self-absorbed, and at worst, as disturbed as Joe, which makes me contrarily be more on his side. I also thought Mary Kay’s relationship with her BFF, Malanda, was a little too reminiscent of Beck and Peach in the first book. But, as usual, seeing everything play out through Joe’s eyes, gives the story a darkly comedic tone, especially as this time when bodies start to pile up, Joe is more a hapless victim himself. It took a few chapters for me to get sucked back into Joe’s world, but once I did, I couldn’t put this down. There were a couple of big twists that I didn’t see coming, and although the finale was a bit frenetic, it happily hints that there will be a 4th book. All in all, You Love Me is another implausibly bonkers yet highly entertaining entry in the You series, and I think it will leave fans quite happy.

Small Favors, By Erin A. Craig ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 27th, 2021

480 Pages

Synopsis: Ellerie Downing lives in the quiet town of Amity Falls in the Blackspire Mountain range—five narrow peaks stretching into the sky like a grasping hand, bordered by a nearly impenetrable forest from which the early townsfolk fought off the devils in the woods. To this day, visitors are few and rare. But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned.

As fall turns to winter, more strange activities plague the town. They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents’ deepest desires, no matter how grand and impossible, for just a small favor. But their true intentions are much more sinister and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames. (Goodreads)

For anyone who’s read Stephen King’s Needful Things, you’ll definitely recognize some similarities in regards to residents of a small town making bargains with a supernatural creature, but Small Favors takes this central premise in a creative new direction.

One of the strengths of this novel is the character development. I absolutely loved Ellerie and her family, although Samuel, Ellerie’s disagreeable twin, had me perplexed throughout most of the book. Ellerie is a fantastic protagonist. She’s eighteen, and is struggling to find her role within her family and the town. She’s not perfect, she makes mistakes, but she determinedly forges ahead. She displays a  tremendous amount of love and loyalty to those she cares about, even the bees she and her family raise. Her relationship with “Whitaker” begins as a case of insta-love, but their romance fades into the background through a good portion of the book because of everything else going on. The other residents of Amity Falls are equally well written and and help bring the story to life. 

The plot is an interesting mix of historical fiction with mythological/supernatural overtones, and Ellerie’s climactic confrontation with the queen of the Dark Watchers, is an enjoyable battle of wits that takes on aspects of Rumplestiltskin. I confess to having mixed feelings regarding the open ending. I like how Amity Falls’ ultimate fate again harkens back to Needful Things, but there are some minor questions I feel aren’t fully answered, mainly regarding Samuel’s actions and how the Downing family are going to be able to move forward. But these are definitely not enough to spoil my enjoyment of the story. What I love the most is the thoughtful exploration of how the Dark Ones are responsible for setting the horrible and tragic events which occur in motion, but in the end, it’s the townsfolk themselves who are responsible for most of what ensues.

Overall, Small Favors is a wonderful follow-up to Craig’s debut The House of Salt and Sorrows, and will undoubtedly please her fans as well as win her new ones. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what this imaginative storyteller comes out with next.

Lost In the Never Woods, By Aiden Thomas ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Alcoholism, Anxiety, Death of a child, Dysfunctional Families, Fantasy, Gun Violence, Mystery, PTSD, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Swoon Reads for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: March 23rd, 2021

384 Pages

Synopsis: When children go missing, people want answers. When children go missing in the small coastal town is Astoria, people look to Wendy for answers.

It’s been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy in the middle of the road, and gets pulled into the mystery haunting the town.

Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, claims that if they don’t do something, the missing children will meet the same fate as her brothers. In order to find them and rescue the missing kids, Wendy must confront what’s waiting for her in the woods. (Goodreads)

For someone who didn’t particularly care for the original Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie, I’ve read my fair share of retellings, some good, others not so much. Lost In the Never Woods gives the oft-told fantasy an entirely imaginative albeit extremely dark spin, that completely captured my attention from beginning to end. As always, I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I have to warn you that there are themes here that some readers may find difficult, including: PTSD, anxiety, death of children, and gun violence.

This is one of the very few times I actually liked the character of Peter Pan. He has that cavalier nonchalance at times, that I’ve found in previous stories, but I wasn’t annoyed by it like I usually am, because underneath that facade is a much deeper and complex personality. Indeed, this is a Peter who really does take his responsibilities to both Neverland and the Lost Children, seriously. And, once he realizes what has put everything in danger, he’s willing to sacrifice himself. I also loved Wendy, who’s written much differently here then how she’s been depicted in other retellings. While she struggles with memory loss and PTSD from her ordeal, she’s a fierce fighter, yet also retains that maternal side the classic Wendy displayed. When Peter drops back into Wendy’s life, he appears to be a few years younger than Wendy, which gave me a moment’s pause, as their relationship obviously is heading for romance. Thankfully, for readers’ sensibilities, the darkness that is behind the children’s disappearance, is also in part, responsible for the draining of Peter’s magic, and results in him aging, so by the time his and Wendy’s relationship reaches the kissing stage, he’s about eighteen-years-old as she is. Their relationship is the driving force behind everything that happens, so it was important that the author made Peter and Wendy believable and relatable, and I’m happy to say Aiden Thomas delivered in spades. As for the story itself, it’s different than any other retelling I’ve read. You don’t see much of Neverland, except through Wendy’s memories. There’s no Tinkerbell, and no Captain Hook. In fact, the villain is someone who innocuously appears in the original classic, but here, takes on epic evil proportions. Thomas also skillfully blends in other original characters and elements from the original, such as the Darling’s Saint Bernard Nana, and Wendy’s talent with sewing. If you’re familiar with Peter Pan, you won’t find it surprising that this doesn’t have a perfect happily-ever-after, yet the bittersweet finale is really the only way the story could end, and leaves the characters as well as the reader with a satisfying sense of peace and closure.

I absolutely loved Thomas’s debut, Cemetery Boys so Lost In the Never Woods has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2021, and I was not disappointed. I will even go so far as to predict  this will most likely be one of my favorite reads of this year. I highly and enthusiastically recommend this for older teens and adults who love imaginative fantasy retellings!

Sing Me Forgotten, By Jessica S. Olson ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Classic Story Retellings, Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Phantom of the Opera, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: March 9th, 2021

336 Pages

Synopsis: Isda does not exist. At least not beyond the opulent walls of the opera house.

Cast into a well at birth for being one of the magical few who can manipulate memories when people sing, she was saved by Cyril, the opera house’s owner. Since that day, he has given her sanctuary from the murderous world outside. All he asks in return is that she use her power to keep ticket sales high—and that she stay out of sight. For if anyone discovered she survived, Isda and Cyril would lose their lives.

But Isda breaks Cyril’s cardinal rule when she meets Emeric Rodin, who throws her quiet, solitary life out of balance. His voice is unlike any she’s ever heard, but the real shock comes when she finds in his memories hints of a way to finally break free of her gilded prison.

Haunted by this possibility, Isda spends more and more time with Emeric, searching for answers in his music and his past. But the price of freedom is steeper than Isda could ever know. For even as she struggles with her growing feelings for Emeric, she learns that in order to take charge of her own destiny, she must become the monster the world tried to drown in the first place. (Goodreads)

I have been fascinated with The Phantom of the Opera since I read the original classic by Gaston Leroux as a child, so when I saw the lovely cover of Sing Me Forgotten and discovered that it was a gender-switched retelling, I knew I had to get my hands on it. As you can guess from my rating, I was not disappointed. The main reason why I didn’t give this 5 stars is because for the first few chapters, I was a little confused about the magical elements. It wasn’t long though before everything became clear, and once that happened I was completely enthralled by both the imaginative story and its characters. Isda is not what you’d call a likable character, yet I felt sympathetic toward her nonetheless. She has been shaped by how society has treated her, and almost every action she took, reflected this. Sweet, loyal Emeric was the perfect romantic partner for her, as he saw the good inside her that even she didn’t see. As their relationship developed I found myself rooting for them even as I suspected, given the tale this story is based on, that they were not meant to be. The villain at first seemed one-dimensional, but even he in the end had a slightly sympathetic side. The detailed world building truly was magnificent, mixing familiar settings of a grand opera house with sprawling catacombs underneath, with the addition of the magic and an interesting political system. The ending definitely isn’t your typically happily-ever-after, and although it seems like Sing Me Forgotten is to be a standalone, the last chapter certainly introduces the possibility of a sequel, which I for one would be thrilled to see. Overall, I highly recommend Sing Me Forgotten for teens and adults who are looking for a unique and beautifully told historical fantasy.

The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #1), Julie Kagawa ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Fantasy, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: February 9th, 2021

336 Pages

Synopsis: You may have heard of me…

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool…King Oberon’s right-hand jester from a Midsummer’s Night Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat to the lands of Faery and the human world unlike any before.

With the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase, and her prince consort, Puck’s longtime rival Ash, and allies old and new by his side, Puck begins a fantastical and dangerous adventure not to be missed or forgotten.

I really enjoyed Kagawa’s Iron Fey series, so I’ve been eagerly looking forward to The Iron Raven, the first book in this new trilogy. I do advise that anyone who hasn’t read the previous series do so before reading this, because although you won’t be lost, I think you’ll still find something missing if you’re not already familiar with the world and characters Kagawa has created.

I’ve been fascinated with Robin Goodfellow/Puck since I read Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in high school, and I liked Kagawa’s take on him in the Iron Fey series. Unsurprisingly, he is my favorite part in this book. Finally granting center stage to the clever mischief maker is marvelous, and getting a glimpse of his beginnings adds an insightful layer to his background. As of right now, I’m missing a certain amount of chemistry between Puck and his new love interest, Nyx, but their relationship is just developing so I’m withholding judgement.

As Iron Raven picks up from the first series, it’s delightful to see familiar figures return as well as the introduction of new ones. Kagawa’s writing is as always, beautifully descriptive and immediately swept me back in the world of the Fey. I do feel there are a few sections that are slightly repetitive and slow, but overall this is a solid beginning to to this new trilogy and I believe longtime fans of Kagawa will be quite pleased.