Painted Devils by Margaret Owen

ARC Publication Date: May 16, 2023
(sequel to Little Thieves)
It's the ace self-reflection thinking that they're broken for me. Like...I feel so seen.
also the way that sex is handled and how it's a conversation and like, they have a system for asking.
And the trauma. It's the trauma and trying to process it for me.
NOT THE PIG FARM
I love my boy. he so nerdy. I love him so much.
I will protect Emeric with my life.
Is this my ideal love story. Is this my perfect boy. Yes.
also. the tax dream
ONE OF HIS POEMS. BRO. yes it's backstreet boys
The casual pop culture references.
Someone throw me in Walt Disney's cryogenic freezer and wake me up when the next book is on Netgalley.
512 Pages

TS: You Are in Love, (unrelated) Tolerate it,

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

It's Anne of Green Gables, but like...fantasy.
OH IT'S THE SAME AUTHOR AS EMILY WILDE.
Ok but Gilbert has always been my favorite character, so seeing a version of him in Rum.
fd;jklsasfjkld
I loved Rum....so much.
it's the witchy, hansel and gretel vibes, but with all the dramatics of anne of green gables because grace feels everything.
368 Pages

The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

 

Pages: 420

"In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad is forced from the arms of her beloved husband, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once thought Khalid a monster—a merciless killer of wives, responsible for immeasurable heartache and pain—but as she unraveled his secrets, she found instead an extraordinary man and a love she could not deny. Still, a curse threatens to keep Shazi and Khalid apart forever. Now she’s reunited with her family, who have found refuge in the desert, where a deadly force is gathering against Khalid—a force set on destroying his empire and commanded by Shazi’s spurned childhood sweetheart. Trapped between loyalties to those she loves, the only thing Shazi can do is act. Using the burgeoning magic within her as a guide, she strikes out on her own to end both this terrible curse and the brewing war once and for all. But to do it, she must evade enemies of her own to stay alive."

I am happy and upset at the same time with this ending. I loved how we got some more of the magic than the first book and how it was woven in to the story. Though now I am crying for Irsa, she deserved a happy ending. I wished we had more interactions between the main pairing as I loved their chemistry but this second half of the duology was more focused on the curse and near war.

The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

 

Pages: 404

"Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi’s wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all." 

I love the blend of Arabian nights stories. A story of revenge turns into an intriguing romance with 'touch her and die' vibes. I love Shazi and how she is always putting people in their place, even if it gets her in trouble. And now a secret curse that would shed a new light on the heinous crimes of the boy-king is leading into the second book and leaving off on a cliff-hanger!

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

 

Pages: 465

"When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk--grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh--Miryem's fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered. Set an impossible challenge by the nameless king, Miryem unwittingly spins a web that draws in a peasant girl, Wanda, and the unhappy daughter of a local lord who plots to wed his child to the dashing young tsar. But Tsar Mirnatius is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of humans and Staryk alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and her two unlikely allies embark on a desperate quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power, and love."

Spinning Silver is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin anchored in reality. Miryem gains a reputation as a moneylender who turns silver into gold through investments and interest. Unfortunately mysterious creatures called the Staryk covet gold and want her to make some for them. The clever solutions to the challenges are amazing and the universe that the author weaves is so magically atmospheric. The story is told through six different perspectives, but it does not get muddled and confusing like other multiple pov stories. The separate threads flowed with each other so well and kept me excited to see each one instead of waiting to go back to the original.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Pages: 346 

"Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict, and eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” is well-acquainted with both. She is the last living water diviner and has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. Under the prince’s orders, she located the wells of his enemies, and he poisoned them without her knowledge, causing hundreds of deaths. After discovering what he had done, Mer went to great lengths to disappear from his reach. Then Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both. With a motley crew of allies, including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer may finally be able to steal precious freedom and peace for herself."

I love a good re-telling. This one is based off the Welsh myth of Cantre'r Gwaelod. Add a heist, adorable corgi, and an intriguing magic system and I was sold. My only complaint is that the characters felt a little flat and recycled from common tropes seen in fantasy YA. I wish there was a little more development but the plot and twists make up for it.

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim

 

Pages: 482

    "Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return a dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined. She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
    The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win."

I was a little disappointed in this sequel. There was a lot of repetition from the first book and an attempt? at a love triangle that made no sense. I still really enjoyed the storytelling and setting, but I felt like the book could have been split into two different ones. We start with the underwater dragon palace, which was amazing, but leave it too soon for a demon plot.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Pages: 454 

    "Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control and catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

    Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

    Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne—a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her."

I really enjoyed this book. I originally picked it up for the pretty cover but stayed for the characters. The relationship between the main character and her brothers is so sweet and I absolutely love Kiki and her snarky comments. The storytelling was phenomenal as well, “Find the light that makes your lantern shine.”

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

 Pages: 416

"When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation... Maddy did it. An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington. After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life. But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret... one that will cost them all their lives." 

This was a retelling of Stephen Kings Carrie with a twist that explores the racism still rooted in small communities. I really liked the podcast feel at the beginning of the chapters. I really fell for Maddy's character and kept hoping the ending would not come and everything would work out for her. Its a heartbreaking story and very well done.

Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne

Angelika's I mean. Victor's inventions around the house.
I love Will. Too pure.

Iykyk

Belladonna and Runt fanclub forever. I LOVE THEM AND WILL ADOPT THEM.
So there's a part that makes me uncomfy for ..reasons..that I won't go into, but it's in England, so it's fine. 
Y'all....I cried...
Also the name drop in the epilogue. 
384 Pages

Thorn by Intisar Khanani

It's a re-read. and there was so much cuteness and then I remembered the sad thing. I'm hoping we see more of the characters in the later books....because I love them.
Did I notice more of the references in terms of culture? Yes. And I'm here for it. 
528 Page

Cinder and Glass by Melissa de la Cruz

Me trying to do like...remember the family trees of French kings
Also. VERSAILLES. IT'S SO PRETTY THERE. Do I desperately wanna go back. Yes. 
Aaaaaaaaaaand now I'm worried about the Terror and how literally anyone noble died....does math to check years. 
Laughs uncomfortably at this whole situation, if Louis is who I think he is..

*reads summary again....
Does more math and digging based on parents....ok this is just a mess. I almost wish it hadn't officially been France because like... 
France. Why. Why would you have a Louis (who does not become king-history-wise) marry a Maria, who is the grandfather of Louis XVI who marries a Marie.....like....can we...why.
Anyways if we disregard the mess of history, it's super cute and I loved it. Auguste was adorable and he was so sweet, and I always need fluff in my life, and I love him. I love Cinderella retellings, and it had some Selection vibes, so that was fun. 
336 Pages

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

It's a Jane Eyre retelling/reimagining, but it's not. And I love Jane Eyre. It's not a line-by-line retelling, and kind of focuses more on the vibes of Jane Eyre--spooky house, awkward man with secrets...some excellent quotes.
Magnus is great.
336 Pages

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Baby in a knapsack. The cutest.
The characters. Fantastic. 
I'm making the connections...

When my theories are right about the Sea God:

And yet, I miss the really cute connection....
Y'all. I know we know this...but I love fairytales and folklore from not Europe/Grimm/Anderson. 
And now I need to go to the dentist...because I have cavities from all the fluff. 
336 Pages

Malice by Heather Walter

So many Elphaba vibes.
ok ok ok 
496 Pages

Ozland by Wendy Spinale

So the book felt rushed, and there was a lot of telling instead of showing, and a lot of action happening off page. and I like...couldn't figure out who some of the characters were (Ed note: it would have helped if I had known that Dorothy's last name was Gale, lol).
I missed having the perspectives of the characters from the first two books, and like...it felt disconnected. 
288 Pages

Umberland by Wendy Spinale

Alyssa and Maddox were cool and I liked their relationship. Like. The Mad-hatter is cool. 
Also Alexa play Wonderland but say Umberland. 
304 Pages

The Excalibur Curse by Kiersten White

All the snaps for Mordred in the cave scene. All the snaps.
Siiiiiiiiigh. ok. I liked the twists, but also like...meh.
368 Pages

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

The whole vaccine plot-line just really...That doesn't poke at my 2020/2021 flashbacks at allll...I'm fine
"Father I crave violence"

Did it take me a while to figure out what the cover was...yes.
Me throughout the book (not necessarily in order):

The fluff. Like... So necessary. I just wanna go look at fanart now. And read some fanfic. 

An out of context: 

Epilogues. Epilogues. Epilogues. I have a very specific scene I want to reference from a hero movie, but it would literally spoil the whole thing if I did it.
I'm just...going to go cry...because I have emotions...
AND THERE'S ANOTHER SERIES IN THE SAME WORLD COMING. Chloe Gong owns me. 
Read the series and then ask me about it. Because I have THOUGHTS that I could make into an essay. Chloe Gong likes Taylor Swift and the clue level and foreshadowing: it's Swift level. And yes. I am going full-Swiftie on this.

512 Pages

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Marshall and Benedickt are just iconic and honestly. Perfection. Marshall is so extra and I stan that. Like. He quotable
The Romeo and Juliet tropes, and the moments when there's homages to the writing
"The human equivalent of stale bread" ...I'm going to write that in my insult journal to save for later....
I've been remembering the story (the original), so I feel like I'm connecting dots and

464 Pages