Caraval
Book
A mesmerising, magical and stunningly imaginative debut novel for anyone who loved The Night Circus....
Necropolis (Book One)
Book
Necropolis is a dark fantasy series about the afterlife in which eight men, three after being...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2585 KP) rated Verse and Vengeance (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #4) in Books
Sep 7, 2021
I really enjoyed the third book in the series earlier this year, so I sat down looking forward to this one. Sadly, the mystery disappointed. While there are some developments, the pacing could have been better. Then, in the rush to wrap things up, a major part of the mystery remains unexplained. I don’t normally read paranormal cozies, but I do enjoy the magical essence of this series. We get some additional mythology here, which I appreciated. Likewise, the series characters continue to grow, as do their relationships. Series fans will still enjoy this book even if the mystery could be stronger.
Tsuro: Phoenix Rising
Tabletop Game
Long ago, a vengeful god stole the stars from the night sky. To illuminate the night, hopeful people...
ClareR (6244 KP) rated The Forest Grimm in Books
Jun 3, 2026
What I really enjoyed about The Forest Grimm was its pastiche style: as Clara makes her way through the dangerous Grimm forest on the hunt for a magical book that has disappeared from her village (Sortes Fortunae, or the Book of Fortunes), she encounters characters out of fairytales who are as far from helpful as they can be!
These characters reminded me of the original Brothers Grimm fairytales: poisoning, maiming, murder all methods used by the fairytale characters. Clara and Axel (the boy she’s destined never to be with) stick together to survive and discover that perhaps fate isn’t necessarily set.
I really enjoyed this, and I have the second book all ready to listen to at some point, too!
David McK (3816 KP) rated The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus, #1) in Books
Sep 1, 2024
Have you ever read any Terry Pratchett? (incidentally, one of my favourite)
The author of this surely has; in particular putting me in mind somewhat of Eric.
This, however, is set in a (fictional) London, still on planet Earth, but where magic is real and practiced by the ruling (and not very pleasant) class of Magicians, who summon magical creatures to do their dirty work.
Which is where Bartimaeus comes in: a djinni summoned by the boy would-be Magician Nathaniel (aka John) and initially bound to do his will until he discovers his masters birth name.
The story is told roughly every 2 or 3 chapters about from the perspective of both Bartimaeus (in the first person, and with tons of footnotes) himself and from that of Nathaniel (third person, no footnotes), leading up to the final chapter which flits between the both of them in the one chapter alone.
The result, I found, was an enjoyable enough read (although you do want to smack one main character in particular around the head) - I may pick up parts 2 and 3 in the series, but would not be in any great rush to do so.
Caio (Limerent #1)
Book
Sarah Baker is a paralegal in a law firm in modern day Brooklyn. Her life is bouncing between her...
Paranormal Supernatural Legal Romance Thriller Series
Milk (Unhinged Holidays, #2)
Book
I've always believed in Christmas magic. Turns out, I was right. Because Santa is real--and he needs...
Contemporary Fantasy Erotica Seasonal Romance
Wired For Magic
Book
Rowan Campbell has a stalker. Only her magic can stop him. Her stalker's obsession goes beyond...
Fantasy Suspense Thriller
Merissa (14040 KP) rated A Suitable Replacement (Deceived #4) in Books
Apr 14, 2023
This is a fast-moving and intricate plot involving a Duchess who has run away with a love match, her brother just returned after three years away, the jilted fiance and the lady the love match was supposed to be marrying for reasons of her own.
It is written very well with enough plot twists to keep you on your toes. I loved the relationship between Kelcey and Max and the way that you were constantly left wondering what would throw a spanner in the works next. At the same time, I wanted to knock their heads together to get them to talk honestly with each other.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2015



