Wicked Onyx by. Debbie Cassidy | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Wicked Onyx (The Veritas Legacy, #1)

Author: Debbie Cassidy

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 410

Publication Date: 2/10/26

Publisher: Page & Vine

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Dark Academia, Paranormal

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from the NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Page & Vine for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In a ruthless magical academy where she’s cursed and powerless, the last Onyx must unravel dark family secrets and navigate dangerous alliances to reclaim her legacy and make those who betrayed her pay.

You don’t graduate Nightbridge Academy—you survive it.

Born into a sorcerer bloodline, cursed, and cut off from my power, I was accustomed to being an outcast. For generations, my bloodline carried the weight of a crime committed by our ancestor. But my mother’s death changed everything. She left a clue that could prove our an ancient text hidden deep beneath Nightsbridge Academy.

The Academy is a fortress of power, housing the most dangerous incantors and sorcerers, conscripted to keep Horrors and Echoes at bay. And as the last surviving Onyx, I’m owed admission.

My plan is simple—find the book and expose the Imperium as the liars they are.

But I didn’t plan for the whispers that haunt my dreams. Or the complication of feelings I shouldn’t be capable of—stirred by two men bound to the very institution I’ve come to destroy. One sees too much yet says too little. The other is steady, protective, and always in my corner.

I can’t have either.

Yet when I’m in their presence…my curse begins to crack.

If they discover my true purpose, I’m dead.

But some truths are worth dying for.

The Imperium cursed my bloodline. Stripped us of our magic. Branded us as traitors. And now they will pay.

Content Warning: violence, death

+ I love the world building of this story and the dark vibes from start to finish. Set at Nightsbridge Academy where magic wielders like Incantors and Sorcerers study alongside future Hunters. Hunters are made up with shifters and dhampirs. I really loved all the supernatural and paranormal elements of this story. I like the magic system and everything just work well together. I was hooked on the story!

+ Not only was the world building lush and intriguing, the characters really got me invested in this story. Anamaya’s bloodline has been cursed and stripped of magic because something her ancestor did long ago. Now she wants to prove her innocence and get her power back but many people at the academy don’t like her because of her bloodline. But Ana is tough with a little sass, oh I loved it. She’s smart and funny too! I also loved her new found friends, Dori, Clary and Benedict – such a fun group and they get under Ana’s barriers. I loved to see it!

+ I also loved all the action we get at the ending.

+~ There is also a cast of characters that could be potential romances for Ana but by the end of the book, there was no MMC for her. There was barely any spice (there was a fantasy), but lots of sexual tension. I wanted spice in this story because it had all the perfect elements for it! I respect that Ana said multiple times she wasn’t there for romance, but the romantic in me wanted something to happen!

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this one and it was so hard to put down! I loved the FMC and the characters we meet. I love the world building, the dark academia, the action, and magic. All I want is the romance to develop more and hope we get more of it in book two. This was a fun read and I can’t wait for the next book!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Author Website

The Sun and the Starmaker by. Rachel Griffin | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: The Sun and the Starmaker

Author: Rachel Griffin

Narrator(s): Suzy Jackson

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448 Listening Time: Approximately 11 hours 7 min

Publication Date: 2/17/26

Publisher: Recorded Books

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Fairy Tale

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Recorded Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world… and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes a whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy.

Nestled deep in the snowy mountains of the Lost Range, the small village of Reverie endures on a miracle. Beyond the reach of the Sun, Reverie is dependent upon the magic of the mysterious Starmaker: every morning, he trudges across a vast glacier and pulls in sunlight over the peaks, providing the village with the light it needs to survive.

Aurora Finch grew up on tales of the Starmaker’s magic, never imagining she’d one day meet him. But on the morning of her wedding, a fateful encounter in the frostbitten woods changes everything. The Starmaker senses a powerful magic within her and demands she come study under his guidance. With her newfound abilities tied to the survival of the village, Aurora is swept away to his ice-covered castle at the mountain’s peak.

The Starmaker is as cold and distant as the dark woods, leaving Aurora to explore his enchanted castle with only an immortal rabbit for company. Yet the more she discovers about the sorcerer, the stronger their ruinous attraction grows, pulling her closer to the secrets he refuses to share. A deadly frost approaches, and Aurora must uncover what the Starmaker is hiding before she is left in an endless winter that even the Sun cannot touch.

Content Warning: death, grief

+ The narrator did a great job voicing all the characters in this story.

+ This is a beautifully told story that starts off with a fairytale. It definitely gave me Frozen + Beauty and the Beast vibes. Aurora loved the story of the Starmaker as a child, a Sun goddess who fell in love with a human, who then becomes the Starmaker. And when Aurora becomes the next Starmaker Rising, her whole world changes! I loved all the magical elements of the story. This story is set in a very cold climate and it felt like it from start to finish.

+ Aurora has a deep love for her family and she does a lot of things for them. I liked that about her. Her character goes through a few things and find that she wants to shine on her own, without being a bride until it was her choice to marry. She trains to be the next Starmaker with the current Starmaker’s help. The Starmaker (Caspian) is not a happy man, he’s a grouch and wants to be left alone – he’s been alive too long, lived with loss and pain and now with Aurora becoming the next Starmaker, he knows his own time was coming to an end. So they clash a lot because Aurora is so stubborn.

+ The romance is emotional, heartbreaking and bittersweet. Aurora and the Starmaker clash a lot, but being forced to train and live together, makes something more grow between them. Friendship and then love. There is a big price to being a Starmaker – it causes pain, it causes death, and yet without a Starmaker, a whole village could die. So there is big responsibility in the role, but the price that has to be paid is painful – as Aurora finds out. This is categorized as young adult, but there is one spicy scene which isn’t very graphic, but it is there. So I don’t know if this is more New Adult? Not sure.

~ I enjoyed the story a lot but Aurora was so stubborn and always fighting Caspian for no real reason except being mad at him because he revealed she was the next Starmaker and it changed her life. Yet it wasn’t his fault, it was the sun who chose her! He keeps telling her if she fights her role as Starmaker she will die, but she keeps fighting it and him. She took out her anger on him every chance she got…which was frustrating. I wanted her to grow up. So I didn’t totally love her character – there is growth at the end when she is again forced to face her responsibilities, but she is very stubborn.

Final Thoughts:

This story is told like a fairytale with magic, lovable creatures, and themes of family. I didn’t quite love Aurora all the time throughout the story but I guess her stubbornness is what kept her love with Caspian going. I still enjoyed her story about falling in love with the Starmaker, it’s beautiful and heartbreaking. This is a beautifully told and narrated story about love, magic, fate, sacrifice, stubbornness and grief.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Bring Me Your Midnight by. Rachel Griffin | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Nature of Witches by. Rachel Griffin | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Heart’s Gambit by. J.D. Myall | ALC Review | Audiobook

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: (closed door)

Title: Heart’s Gambit (#1)

Author: J.D. Myall

Narrator(s): Khaya Fraites, Eric Lockley, Alaska Jackson

Format: audiobook (NetGalley)

Pages: 335 Listening Time: Approximately 12 hours

Publication Date: 2/3/26

Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel, Young Adult

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Macmillan Young Listeners for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A thrilling and romantic debut fantasy where competitors from two prominent, time-traveling Black families must fight in a deadly magical duel – and find themselves falling in love.

The Baldwins and the Davenports have been sworn enemies for centuries. Ever since Venus Davenport and Titus Baldwin, two enslaved kids, fell in love, tried to run away, and got caught by their mistress, Sabine, a powerful witch. Desperate for freedom, they struck a bargain, and she gifted their families the ability to exist outside of time, along with magic to survive and thrive.

Those gifts came at a price.

Once a generation, their families must put forth a competitor for a magical duel to the death to feed Sabine’s immortality. This time, Emma Baldwin – a wish spinner – and Malcolm Davenport – a maker of illusions – are chosen.

But when they meet to check out the competition, sparks fly. Soon, the two are exchanging letters, having secret meetings, and fighting off their cursed urges to hurt one another, all while trying not to fall in love. And if they are ever going to have a chance to be together, they only have one choice: to put an end to Sabine’s curse, once and for all.

J.D. Myall’s Heart’s Gambit is an irresistible journey of dazzling magic, unforgettable first love, and daring to dream of something more.

Content Warning: violence, death, trauma, slavery, racism

Sworn enemies, a family curse, slavery, history, trauma, a deadly game, and forbidden love? I was intrigued by the synopsis. And let me say the narrators did such an amazing job – it was the reason why I was riveted to the story!

I don’t usually like stories where there is a lot of time jumping and travel but this story has a lot of it but I didn’t mind. I like the years Emma and Malcolm would travel to. We would get a sense of how Black people were treated in certain eras but it let us know that no year has been good to them and they have had to survive anyway they could through every era since they were brought as slaves to the USA. Emma’s family runs a circus and performs but Malcolm performs too, as a singer. These young ones are raised to hate each other’s family but a forbidden love grows between them.

I was rooting so hard for Emma and Malcolm because I love that they found love with all the hate going on. They try to work together in coming up with a plan to beat their common enemy Sabine at the deadly games they have to fight in. But they fall in love, like their ancestors, the reason why the curse on their families exist in the first place. Their love isn’t easy because with the curse comes bloodlust to kill one another. So throughout the story not only are they falling in love and trying to figure out a plan, but they are trying to hold back feelings of wanting to kill one another also!

There is a strong element of family in this book. At some points Emma and Malcolm were so conflicted about their love because their families were against it. But they had to make some strong and almost heart-breaking choices.

One issue I had with the story was all this talk about these deadly games they have to compete in, but these games/trials only start at 80% in the book. I wish it started earlier.

I do think things for the most part things get wrapped up especially when it comes to Emma and Malcolm’s forbidden love but the ending definitely let’s us know what is to come in book two.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the story telling, and the narrators. The time travel was important in giving us insight and history about what Emma and Malcolm, their ancestors and people had to go through. I thought there was a lot of action and magic, but I did want the games to start earlier in the book. Overall though, I found this to be a really entertaining story that was emotional at times.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Dawn of the North by. Demi Winters | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Dawn of the North (The Ashen, #3)

Author: Demi Winters

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 608

Publication Date: 2/2/26

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Delacorte Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A new age begins in the Kingdom of Íseldur in this sizzling third installment of the Viking-inspired Ashen romantasy the series.

The lost Volsik heir has finally returned to the people of Íseldur, and even with the warrior who’s captured her heart standing by her side, Silla’s task is monumental. She must earn the loyalty of the northern jarls to drive Ivar Ironheart from the throne and restore peace in the kingdom. But the secret she vigilantly guards threatens to ruin all her plans: A shard of a god lives in her mind, twisting her thoughts and deeds to His will.

Meanwhile, held captive on the mysterious isle of Zagadka, Saga Volsik fights to return to her sister in Íseldur. But when King Ivar sets his sights on the Zagadkians, she’s forced to make an impossible choice: fight for the man who stole her—and is now hell-bent on marrying her—or let the innocent people of his kingdom die.

As a poisonous mist threatens the realm, the sisters will delve into the unknowns of their magic to battle against evil. Return to the land of ice and fire, where a god awakens, a queen finds her power, and sisters must unite against the darkness threatening their realm.

Content Warning: violence, death

I will say this about this book – for awhile I was not in the mood to read this. I tried but it is heavy world-building and my moods in January were up, down, anxious and I was not planning on re-reading any of the previous books. I looked back on my reviews of the past books and went from there.

+~ This is book three in The Ashen series, and unfortunately I did not get around to reading the novella before this book. With that said, I had a hard time remembering what happened in book two so definitely do a re-read beforehand because it will help a lot. I was trying to get into the for 30% of the book. Also because it’s heavy world-building I wasn’t in the mood to get through it, there are even footnotes, so I was pushing myself through it until things clicked. For anyone who loves detailed world-building, this book is fantastic and well-written. It follows Silla as she is trying to be a leader, and Saga as she is stuck with Kassandr and facing opposition there. Also we get moments with the Bloodaxe Crew.

+ Silla is a leader, or she’s trying to be and it comes with it’s challenges. She also has to deal with the God of Chaos inside of her – she does a really good job I’d say. Also Saga, her sister, is stuck with Kassandr and facing opposition there. With Saga we learn about the shapeshifters. Also we get moments with the Bloodaxe Crew which is always fun, they are what made me love this series in the first place. We also get a lot of time with Hekla (read Roots of Darkness, 2.5 for more of her story because I didn’t and should have) and what she’s going through. There is a lot going on with action, and character growth.

+ Silla and Rey are pretty solid in their love but Silla’s people want her to make an advantageous marriage since she is their leader. So though there are times Silla and Rey are apart, and some jealousy on Rey’s part – but despite that, these two are solid. Saga and Kass’s story drew me in more since I already knew Silla and Rey were pretty solid in their romance story. But Kass is a shifter and Saga is in enemy territory – I kind of love how their relationship progresses. We also get into Hekla’s situation with Eyvind, which again makes me wish I read the novella.

~ This book was long at 600 pages but for some reason, book two was 700 pages and I flew through that one. For some reason, this one moved more slowly for me maybe because there is a lot going on with all these different characters (it is a big cast) and I had to get caught up on being in this world again. Also when I was into Saga’s story it would switch to Silla’s and I wasn’t as invested. I did enjoy the ending though where there is lots of action and characters reuniting.

Final Thoughts:

If you love all the previous books in this series, you will love this one. I wasn’t in the right mood to read this one but even with pushing through, I started to get caught up in the story and really enjoyed the characters and the ending sets up everything for the next book. This story has romance, politics, action and characters you get attached to. This is a great edition to the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Kingdom of Claw by. Demi Winters | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Road of Bones by. Demi Winters | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Alchemy & Ashes by. Amy Yorke | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Alchemy & Ashes (The Shadowbound Duet, #1)

Author: Amy Yorke

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 495

Publication Date: 11/11/25

Categories: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Series

Perfect for fans of Danielle L. Jensen, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas, Alchemy & Ashes is a high-stakes, enemies-to-lovers romantasy where two sisters’ plan to assassinate the king who killed their father goes awry when one of them falls in love with him.

The daughter of a failed rebellion. The king who killed her father. A love that could tear the kingdom apart.

Sylvie has always lived in her sister Adria’s shadow. But at the Great Festival, she finally has her chance to step into the by striking down God-King Ronan, the man who destroyed her family. Adria may have led the rebellion, but Sylvie will be the one to finish it.

Ronan has spent years rebuilding a kingdom broken by the war that claimed his father and shattered his faith. But peace has come at a price. Surrounded by enemies and burdened by secrets too dangerous to reveal, he’s losing of his court, his magic, and maybe even himself.

The closer Sylvie gets to Ronan, the more she’s drawn to the man she vowed to kill. Wanting him would mean betraying not just her sister, but her people and the memory of her parents. Trusting Sylvie could cost Ronan the throne—or his life. Because even if Sylvie refuses to strike, Adria won’t hesitate to finish the job.

The road to the throne runs through his heart. And only one sister will claim it.

Alchemy & Ashes is the first book in the Shadowbound Duet.

Content Warning: violence, death

I picked this one up randomly on Kindle Unlimited one day because of the cover and the synopsis. I was in the mood for a romantasy with all the usual tropes and this one has a few: a rebellion against the current ruling kingdom, a girl who’s plan is to get close to the God-King to kill him, trials, secrets and betrayals.

+ God-King Ronan is throwing the Great Festival, a festival that hasn’t been thrown in 10 years because the kingdoms have been warring. Now in this time of peace, he’s welcoming delegates from other kingdoms to come and partake in the festival and competition in different skills. Sylvie, her sister, guard and group attend this festival with an ulterior motive – to kill Ronan because he killed her father, and her people are starving under his rule, among other things on her list of grievances against him.

+ The world building was interesting and light – which was very easy to consume. There is a magic system based on what you are born with and also use of alchemy. There are different elemental powers people can be born with for example Sylvie is shadow-born, and can control shadows. Ronan is light-born and has powers of light and healing. He also has the power of feeling people’s emotions. There is an alchemist guild that stays a bit mysterious in the story until more is revealed at the end.

+ Sylvie is not like her siblings who are ruthless in battle and rule. Sylvie knows her limitations, she’s the spare and not skilled like the others, but her role is to get close to Ronan. Ronan, I thought was really unexpected. I was expecting him to be ruthless, but he’s not – he wants a peaceful world and is trying to achieve it. He’s kind of a softy! He is loved but also naive and too trusting at times, yet still powerful. I like that he is aware that all the war between their kingdoms have taken so much from everyone and that what he has done may not be forgivable but he’s looking for a way forward so the cycle of war ends. Unfortunately, Sylvie’s family is trying to start another war, and continue the cycle but I like how she learns for herself which side she should be on.

+ It does start of with a little insta-attraction but I love how the romance progressed because there is time for Sylvie and Ronan to get to know one another. There is an attraction growing between them though that eventually leads to some spicy scenes but I liked it because by then Sylvie has to make some hard choices about Ronan and her family. And it’s not an easy choice for Sylvie at all. I do hope we learn a little more about their power of communication that reveals itself in the second half of the story.

+ There is a little bit of romance. Lucan is the Vicar’s adopted son, and he’s been tasked to keep his eye on Isola. Isola doesn’t like him because an incident in the past, but during the Tribunal, they spend more time with one another and decide to team up. Being around one another makes their attraction grow. I was definitely rooting for Lucan and Isola but we’ll have to see what happens in book two.

~ I don’t think we got much of the alchemy part of the story, so hoping that will be explored more in book two.

Final Thoughts:

This is an easy to consume romantasy with light world-building and with the addictive usual tropes. I actually enjoyed that the MMC wasn’t ruthless and powerful though – he was still powerful, but kind of a softy, which I appreciated. I usually like my kings with alpha energy, but I liked that Ronan was still the leader but willing to look for solutions and wanted peace. Because don’t we just all want peace? Plus he is crazy about Sylvie – I loved their romance and the spice. I would like to learn about the alchemy though so hopefully that is explored more in book two. And after that cliffhanger ending, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Curse of Crimson Tears by. Julie J. Morris| Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Title: A Curse of Crimson Tears (#1)

Author: Julie J. Morris

Format: ebook (borrowed – Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 413

Publication Date: 1/1/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Indie Author

Enemies collide when a deadly curse awakens beneath the waves. Forced to fight side by side, two sworn rivals discover that the sea holds secrets far more dangerous than their hatred for each other. Dark magic rises from the deep, betrayal brews behind every tide, and the ocean whispers truths no one was meant to hear. As their powers grow and their attraction intensifies, the line between enemy and ally blurs. But the curse binding them has a price and breaking it could destroy them both. A cursed sea. Forbidden desire. Two enemies bound by fate. When magic stirs and danger strikes, one choice will decide whether they survive… or drown in the darkness coming for them.

Content Warning: violence

I saw this book on tiktok and wanted to give it a try since I’m trying to read more indie authors this year!

secret identities
sibling relationship – family themes
magic
Elves

+ Elva has a big family, she and her siblings are trying to help out their mom, working to help support the family. Her brother, Elijah, signs her up to work in the Healing sector, which she did not approve, and Elijah works on a ship. I did like the family themes, because it’s realistic to argue and fight with family, but in the end, it’s family.

+~ The first part moves slow. The world building is basically Elva and her family going to work. She’s in the healing sector with her friend Ellie but it’s not what she wants to do. But so much time is spent on this that I was losing interest and didn’t connect to the characters. Elijah’s job and experience was a little more harrowing on the ship. But I needed more – and it came at the halfway mark when more was starting to be revealed. Apparently, Elva has a secret identity, along with everyone around her. This is when we get to learn about the Elves, what happened in the past and what’s happening now. So the pacing for this book had me struggling. I did appreciate learning more about the light and dark Elves, the rift between them, and how they are working together now and the curse. I like the secrets and betrayal.

~ There isn’t much romance but there is spice. The thing is it happens out of the blue, with no emotional build-up. It’s just a hook up between Elva and someone else, which felt so random. At least Elijah’s romance, which is not even touched upon until the second half of the book feels more like an emotional connection.

~ Speaking of emotional connections – this has a big cast of characters. But I needed more from the characters because I found it hard to connect to any of them.

Final Thoughts:

I did find the first part way too slow, with not much going on. I’m glad things picked and we learn more once everything is revealed but by then I didn’t build any connections to the characters. And if there will be more romance in the series, I hope there is a build-up to it and not just straight into the spice. Overall, I found this one to have lots of potential, especially when we get to know about the world of Elves, so hopefully book two concentrates on the curse, the betrayal, and giving more depth to the characters.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Songbird of the Sorrows by. Braidee Otto | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Songbird of the Sorrows (Myths of Empyrieos, #1)

Author: Braidee Otto

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 2/3/26 (first published on 6/18/24)

Publisher: The Dial Press

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to The Dial Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An outcast princess turned spy embarks on a mission to infiltrate a rival kingdom, but the secrets she uncovers force her to decide whether to follow orders or defy them.

Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all, love no one.

Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.

Princess Aella was ousted from the Palace of Sorrows as a child, shattering her world and forcing her to abandon the truth of her royal lineage. Instead, she was raised in The Aviary, which disguises itself as a school for orphaned children but is actually a secret order designed to train its students as spies for an intelligence network embedded throughout the Empyrieos.

Now twenty-three years old and having completed her final tests, Aella is summoned to join Alpha Flight, the Aviary’s elite team of assassins that’s led by none other than her former flame, Raven. Everything about him calls to her—he’s brave, loyal, and lethal. But is Raven worth breaking the rules and risking everything she’s worked so hard to achieve?

Before she can decide, the Alpha Flight team is sent on a dangerous mission that tests Aella’s resolve in every way. Her role is crucial and she must assume her former title of Princess of the Sorrows, the identity she once had to forsake, to compete in the bridal trials held by the Prince of Eretria. As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, the mission begins to unravel, and Aella must decide if she is brave enough to disobey her superiors in order to do what she believes is right.

Songbird of the Sorrows is the first book in Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine through trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue, kingdom politics, and a journey of self-discovery, true love, and redemption.

Content Warning: torture, sexual assault, drugged, death, violence

I thought this book started off really good. I liked the world building. It’s explained pretty well how there was a God War and how the many different islands came to be and their kingdoms. Aella is an outcast princess turned into a spy. She went through very harsh training at the Aviary, who’s leader is called the Eagle. I liked all the bird names they used for each spy! When Aella is given her first assignment, it’s ironically to be the princess she already is. Aella, does have a somewhat secretive history and it is revealed little by little.

There are some interesting cast members in this story. Raven, her former lover, is back – she hadn’t heard from him in a year, but now while back together – the attraction is back. The interesting thing about this love story is I didn’t feel the love, I felt the second-chance romance of it all, without the romance. They are two trained spy assassins on a mission and Raven makes it clear the mission is what matters the most, no matter how many times they put aside the rules and hook up. So I wasn’t really into Raven.

I did love Aella’s friend Nyssa and her new friend Myna and even Titaia. They made a good trio who went undercover in another kingdom to partake in a deadly bridal trial, as a distraction, so the rest of the crew could find this infamous weapon people are looking for. I also loved the captain of The Nightingale – he was a fun character.

I felt like the middle of the story slowed down when Aella and her crew go to Eretia. The competition happens kind of quick, and I didn’t feel the high stakes of the trials until afterwards. After the trials is when things pick up again, and the story finishes off strong. There is betrayal, and a new, interesting character at the end that helps set up book two.

There are a few words that are hard to remember or say in this story so I had to look it up.

Final Thoughts:

I enjoyed the world-building and the assassin spy crew that Aella and her friends are a part of. I liked the beginning and end, but found the middle (the deadly trials) kind of slow and it felt low-stakes. I didn’t love Aella with Raven but I’m intrigued by Xan, the new character we meet at the end of the book. So I’m looking forward to reading book two.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Stolen Midnights by. Katherine Quinn | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Stolen Midnights (#1)

Author: Katherine Quinn

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 2/3/26

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Delacorte Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This magical new YA romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of To Kill a Shadow will steal your heart. Set in Andalay, a world where the ruling Fates bestow gifts among the favored, a thief must join forces with the palace darling after he unwittingly steals a necklace with the power to change everything.

When Damien, a cold and hardened thief, is hired to steal a gift from the powerful Fates meant for Andalay’s sweetheart, Wren Hayes, he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets.

The gift? A locket containing his own phototroph.

Once the locket is opened, hidden truths unravel, ones that shed light on the ruthless ways of the upper-class society. Yearning for the three Fates and the magical gifts they bestow, the lords of Andalay will go to any length to keep their power—including murder.

Brought together by destiny, and fighting a temptation that neither understand, Wren and Damien navigate a seedy world where the truth can destroy not only their lives, but the city itself.

Content Warning: violence, death

Wren doesn’t have good standing in society or among her family, and when her birthday magic gift isn’t given to her, it makes her reputation even worse. Damien, is a thief, and he is the one who stole Wren’s magic gift, a locket – with his picture inside it. But the question is why? When another thief steals it from him he reluctantly joins forces with Wren to find this gift.

Wren and Damien are from different classes, she’s a pampered young lady from a rich family and Damien is from the streets. They clash in personalities, but I found their bickering pretty fun. There is an attraction growing between them but Damien runs from her each time he feels more for her, and she gets upset with him a lot about it. There is a tiny bit of spice, there are barely details in the act of it.

But with this quest to find the missing gift, Wren stumbles onto something more sinister that involves the Fates (the ones that gift the magic), and the high lords in society – including her own father. There are a few twists and turns at the end that was a surprise and it ends in a cliffhanger.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a fun, young adult fantasy with a surprise ending I didn’t expect. I love Wren and Damien’s back and forth banter – they are both pretty stubborn. But I love the rich girl/poor boy trope so I was invested in their romance. I also thought the mystery about the high lords and the operation they were hiding really added to the mystery. Overall, a pretty good start to the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

To Shatter the Night by. Katherine Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

To Kill a Shadow by. Katherine Quinn | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dragon Cursed by. Elise Kova | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice:

Title: Dragon Cursed (Dragon Cursed, #1)

Author: Elise Kova

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 1/6/26

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dragons, Series

The moment you see a dragon is usually your last…

Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains standing: Vingard.

But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to the threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.

Any of us could be tainted. Any of us could be lying. Any of us could be caught and killed by the authorities.

And I’m terrified that I might be next.

There’s only one other person who might suspect my secret. He’s like my shadow, following me wherever I go. Part protector, part tormentor, fully annoying. Sometimes I think I am just one of the million unfathomable secrets he keeps hidden.

Because Lucan definitely knows something.

And if I’m dragon cursed, death might be the only mercy I get.

Content Warning: death, violence, torture

I have the hard cover sprayed edged version of this book and it is gorgeous!

+~ Isola is Valor Reborn and the savior for all of Vinguard, if she can learn how to harness and use her power. But Isola has a secret – she doesn’t feel like she is the savior everyone wants her to be. In fact, she feels like she is dragon cursed and she’s doing her best to hide it. I could sympathize with Isola’s mental state – she’s scared, her parents aren’t with her (for different reasons), there is a lot of pressure on her. She’s keeping secrets and afraid of the Vicar, but there were some spots in the story I was frustrated with her. She’s lying to her best friend, but then gets mad when Lucan lies to her. But she does grow so that’s good.

+~ World building is interesting but focused on the Tribunal taking place, which is a trial where competitors become Mercy Knights at the end of the trial. The trial was okay, I wasn’t sure what they were supposed to be doing to prove they could be amazing Mercy Knights. The dragons are enemies in this story but we don’t know much about the history and I want to know more. I do feel like we were thrown into the story a bit and I had to catch up with understanding what Etherlight and sigils were.

+~ Secondary characters play a big part in this story but I needed more about her parents because their role in this story is important but we barely get anything. I did love Isola’s relationship with her best friend, Saphia. There are other characters at the end of the book who I hope we get to know more in book two.

+ My favorite part has to be the ending, which has a few twists, some I suspected, but it was still fun seeing it play out and all the action that comes with it. It’s a cliffhanger though!

Final Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one but I do want to learn more about the dragons or dragon shifters and the magic. I need more history. This first book focused on the Tribunal, which was interesting, but I felt like we were thrown into this world quick. Isola as the FMC is conflicted and challenged, at times she was frustrating but there is growth. I liked the growing romance, and I really loved the ending of this book! I loved the twists and the action – it is a cliffhanger though. We’ll see what happens in book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Arcana Academy by. Elise Kova | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Duel with the Vampire Lord by. Elise Kova | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic #2) by. Elise Kova| Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Deal with the Elf King | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Silk & Iron by. Alexis Calder | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Silk & Iron (#1)

Author: Alexis Calder

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 385

Publication Date: 1/20/26

Publisher: Alexis Calder

Categories: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Indie Author

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Alexis Calder for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The emperor. The prince. The enforcer.
I want them all dead. Until I fall for one of them.

After losing all my family to the rebellion, I lost hope. When my ex-boyfriend begs me to pose as the prince’s betrothed, I know it’s an opportunity the rebellion won’t ever get again.

I’m sent with the goal of finding out how to kill an immortal emperor, but I don’t want to wait on someone else to get my revenge. I want the emperor, the prince, and the enforcer all dead.

But the palace is full of secrets. And I’m not the only one playing a game of life and death; lies and betrayals. The closer I get to my goal, the closer I get to one of the men I vowed to kill.

And I’m not sure I can bring myself to harm him. But there’s nothing stopping him from killing me as soon as he finds out who I really am.

I’m playing with fire and I want this whole empire to burn.

But nothing is as it seems.

Just when I think I have nothing left to lose, I find out how much I have to live for.

And when faced with losing the only hope I have left, I must decide how far I’m willing to go to watch this empire burn.

Silk & Iron is a slow burn, spicy enemies-to-lovers romantasy full of court intrigue, betrayal, and deception. Mind the cliff.

Content Warning: violence, death, mentions of sexual assault, torture

+~ Sabina is undercover as a princess and is supposed to be marrying Caiden, the Prince of Pendralia, but what she is really there to do is kill his dad, the emperor because they killed her family. There is court intrigue, but not as much as I was expecting. There are a lot of scenes of Sabina getting close to her ladies-in-waiting, which was fun. But I just wanted more danger.

+~ The world building is the usual for a romantasy: warring kingdoms, princess used for an alliance, secret identity of the princess, a rebellion trying to kill the emperor, magic that keeps him alive. But only certain people have magic in this world. I wanted more from the world building. As for the characters, I just felt like none of them stood out, I wanted more depth. Also, there is magic but we learn a little more about it near the end.

+~ There is a slow burn, forbidden romance between Sabina and Brevan, her guard/enforcer and who is Caiden’s right hand man. And when I say slow, it is slow, and I didn’t even feel the chemistry between them. There are two spicy scenes but because I didn’t even feel their connection, I wasn’t really invested in them.

+ The ending has a wild twist and probably was the most interesting part of the book because it was unexpected.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I thought this was an okay read. I wanted more depth to the characters, more chemistry in the romance and more world building. But if you are someone who doesn’t like heavy world-building in romantasy and wants something easy to read through, definitely try this one. The ending was very unexpected so I might read the next book.