It’s been a while since I’ve posted a library haul so here you go! A lot of fantasy series that I am excited to continue on/start off āŗļø
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A Sorceress Comes to Call Review
I went into this one with high hopes because I usually love T. Kingfisherās fairy tale retellings and low-romance fantasy, but this didnāt quite land the same way.
The premise is strong. Cordelia is a sympathetic character, trapped under the control of her cruel sorceress mother, Evangeline. Her inner thoughts feel real and painful, while on the outside sheās forced into obedience. When they move on to their next victim, a kind squire, Cordelia meets his sister Hester who sees through Evangelineās schemes and tries to help. The dynamic between the three women had a lot of promise and there are some really powerful darker moments that worked well.
But once the story shifts to the squireās estate, the pace slows right down. The middle section drags with endless conversations, house parties and glares across the room. Some of the tension is there but it lingers too long and the action stalls. The fairytale angle also felt pretty thin.. apart from the horse Falada and Hester looking after geese, it didnāt really tie back to The Goose Girl in a meaningful way. I think it stands better as its own story.
Hester herself is likeable, but her subplot with Lord Evermore didnāt fully make sense to me. She refuses to marry him because of appearances, yet later on suggests he should be engaged to Cordelia despite it being just as scandalous. It felt a bit inconsistent. I also thought Cordeliaās voice blurred into Hesterās at times, losing some of the unique character work from the start.
The last part of the book picks up with more creepy and horror-leaning elements, and the climax is exciting if a bit convenient. By then though, it felt like a long wait to get there.
Overall, compared to other fantasy books out there this is still solid, but against Kingfisherās usual work it fell short for me. I missed her trademark humour and sharper pacing. Itās not a bad book by any means, but not one of my favourites from her.
āļø3/5 stars Strong characters and a dark edge but it drags a bit too much!
The Gate of the Feral Gods Review
*BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD*
The Gate of the Feral Gods is probably the messiest entry in the series so far, but it still had plenty of moments that kept me turning the pages. The fifth floor comes with a whole new set of challenges, with everyone split into their own little fortresses to fight their way out of. Itās a clever idea, but at times it did feel like box-ticking rather than real adventure. The pacing dragged in parts and some of the tension from earlier books wasnāt quite there.
That said, I still really enjoyed it. The world continues to evolve in ways I donāt expect and the creativity is what makes this series so addictive. There were a few frustrating bits, like Carl hiding things from the reader for no clear reason or characters levelling up off-page with little explanation. But those quirks aside, the planning, the battles and the talk show appearances were as entertaining as ever. The AIās obsession with Carl just gets funnier each book, adding a weird but perfect layer of comedy.
Character-wise, there were some great little moments. Katiaās absence is going to leave a hole, but it also opens up space for new dynamics. I loved the glimpse of Bea finally getting into the game, and Iām keen to see how sheāll shake things up. Some of the new faces introduced on this floor also feel like theyāre going to stick around, which could make things even more interesting.
Overall, The Gate of the Feral Gods isnāt the strongest in the series, but itās far from a disappointment. Itās another step deeper into the dungeon and closer to uncovering the bigger story behind it all. Iām still hooked, and I canāt wait to see where the next book takes us.
āļø3/5 stars Again not the strongest floor, but Iām still all in for the crawl
5 Favs under 500 Pages
Around this time for the last few years I’ve been posting 5 of my favourite books over 500 pages but I’ve found this year I’ve been drawn to a lot more shorter books and novellas. So I figured why not post 5 of my favourite shorter books that I would highly recommend to you all:
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison – 289 pages
This book was gripping, shocking, fun and entertaining!
Sugar by Mia Ballard – 261 pages
I was on the edge of my seat throughout the course of this book!Ā
Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy – 160 pages
I really enjoyed the gradual buildup of tension and anticipation throughout the story.
Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson – 208 pages
I almost wish that I didnāt read the synopsis and was just surprised by what was going to happen because this was just so well done.
Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson – 203 pages
I like the fact that this book elicited so many emotions from me. It starts off so unassuming and quite cute so I was a unprepared for the wild ride that was about to ensue.
The Darkness Within Us Review
I LOVED The Shadows Between Us when I first read it years ago, so I was excited to dive into The Darkness Within Us. While it had some good moments, overall it didnāt hit the same for me.
The story follows Chrysantha, who has spent years playing the fool to get what she wants, only to reveal herself as clever and ambitious when she finally gets the chance. I liked the idea of her using peopleās low expectations against them and thought the feminist themes were strong and empowering. I also enjoyed the book club scene where tropes were openly discussed, it felt playful and self-aware.
That said, I really struggled with Chrysantha as a character. Sheās sharp and determined but also selfish, narrow-minded and hard to connect with. Her relationship with Eryx felt unconvincing, with their constant lies, bickering and snark making the romance flat rather than fiery. The āenemies to loversā arc never quite delivered the tension or chemistry I was hoping for. The third-act conflict was predictable and wrapped up far too neatly, which left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
The pacing also felt off at times, and the political side of the story lacked depth or logic. Chrysanthaās relationship with her sister had potential but shifted too suddenly to feel believable. I did appreciate the way both sisters eventually grew and matured, but getting there was a bit exhausting.
Overall, this was a decent read with empowering messages and a fun premise, but the execution left me wanting more. Itās not one Iāll be widely recommending, though fans of the first book may still enjoy seeing another side to this world.
āļø3/5 stars Worth a read if you loved the first book, just go in with lower expectations.
Amy Leigh Reads 