Tag: fantasy

Reviews

Phantasma Review

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Phantasma is one of those books that hooked me with the promise of a dark, witchy atmosphere and a high-stakes games-and-trials plot. The vibes? Immaculate. That gothic, eerie tone mixed with the paranormal was exactly the kind of setting I love getting lost in. Think Squid Game meets The Hunger Games with a heavy dose of the supernatural. Unfortunately, while the concept was strong, the execution didn’t quite live up to it.

The trials Ophelia faces throughout the book were definitely the most compelling part. They were intense, creatively structured and had me flipping pages. But despite the tension, the repetition wore thin. Most chapters followed a formula: survive a trial, argue with Blackwell, then fall into each other’s arms. Their romance developed at lightning speed and didn’t feel convincing to me. I found it hard to connect with either of them, even though Blackwell had his moments. He was very charming, supportive and the kind of morally grey love interest many readers adore.

What really let the story down was the lack of depth in the world-building. There’s this intriguing magical system and a whole supernatural cast, but it all felt surface-level. I kept waiting for more background on the Grimm family or the lore behind the trials, but it never came. The side characters also felt underused, which made the stakes feel lower than they should’ve.

That said, I did appreciate how OCD was portrayed through Ophelia’s character, it felt authentic and layered, even if some of her decisions made me want to scream. The ending also had a few surprises I didn’t see coming, which gave the final chapters a welcome jolt of energy.

Overall, this had potential and a killer atmosphere, but I wanted more depth, more connection and more clarity.

⭐️2/5 stars The vibes are strong, but the story leaves you hungry for more!

Reviews

The Knight and the Butcherbird Review

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*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Knight and the Butcherbird is a short, moody read that mixes fairytale vibes with a gritty dystopian setting. The world has clearly fallen apart and what’s left feels like some kind of medieval society where oral storytellers and knights still have a place. It’s a really cool concept and I was hooked from the beginning just trying to figure it all out.

The story is told by Shrike, a seventeen-year-old who acts as the town’s historian. A knight rocks up to kill a demon, but it turns out the demon is actually Shrike’s wife, May. From there, things get complicated. You start to realise there’s more going on beneath the surface and Shrike’s not just telling the story, she’s in it. The twist hits hard, but I couldn’t help feeling like I wanted more time to sit with it all.

That’s kind of the main thing for me. The ideas and themes are solid (grief, love, transformation, letting go) but there just wasn’t enough space to really dig into them. It’s one of those stories that makes you wish it was a full novel. The world building is interesting, with little hints about sickness, poverty and something deeper going wrong in society, but we don’t get much more than a glimpse.

I also found Shrike’s age a bit jarring. She reads much older than seventeen and her relationship and choices felt more believable for someone in their twenties. The knight, though, was a great character and brought a lot of tension and mystery.

The writing itself is beautiful, lyrical, sharp and easy to fall into. Harrow’s style definitely carried the story and made me want to keep reading. Even with the rushed pacing and lack of detail, it still had an impact.

⭐️3/5 stars If you’ve got an hour to spare and want something different, this one’s worth a look. Just go in knowing it might leave you wanting a bit more.

Reviews

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario Review

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Carl’s Doomsday Scenario takes the wild energy of the first book and somehow makes it even more outrageous, emotional and fun. Just when I thought the series might get repetitive, this sequel shakes things up with new settings, game mechanics and world-building that feel completely fresh. The dungeon evolves into something closer to a twisted fantasy world, quests are introduced, and we learn a lot more about the galaxy beyond. Not all the side quests grabbed me, but the scale and ambition kept me hooked.

The heart of the story is still Carl and Donut and their bond is stronger than ever. Carl really steps up in this one and not just as a funny lead, but as someone with real depth and a growing sense of purpose. Donut continues to shine with her sass and unexpected growth and even Mongo the dinosaur gets some great moments. The supporting cast is richer this time too, with Mordecai becoming much more than just a tutorial NPC.

What surprised me most again was how the story manages to balance humour with some genuinely heavy themes (trauma, abuse, neglect) all handled thoughtfully without undercutting the comedy. And as with book one, the audiobook absolutely nails the tone. The narrator’s performance is hilarious and spot-on across the board.

It’s chaotic, clever and unexpectedly touching. I gave characters a solid five, emotional impact a four, and the rest sits around a three and a half. Not perfect, but still one of the most fun and unique series I’ve come across.

⭐️4/5 stars I immediately want to jump into the next one!

Reviews

Rebel Witch Review

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I enjoyed Rebel Witch, even though it didn’t quite live up to Heartless Hunter for me. It was still a fun read overall, especially getting to see more of Rune and Gideon.

Rune came across a lot less confident in this one, though she’s still quite brave and fiercely loyal. I appreciated how determined she was even when things got tough. That said, she did spend a lot of time in her own head, overthinking everything. There were definitely moments where I wished she’d just speak up instead of thinking in circles.

Gideon had his moments too. He’s still the closed-off, broody type, but you can see how much he cares about Rune. I didn’t feel quite as drawn to him this time though, some of his choices were a bit confusing and it didn’t always feel consistent. Still, I liked seeing more of his softer side.

The romance was a bit rocky early on, there was a LOT of miscommunication and going back and forth but it settled more towards the end and felt a lot stronger. When they finally let their guards down, it was nice to see their connection come through.

The first half of the book felt quite slow and a bit scattered. I found myself waiting for things to really click into place. But the second half was much more engaging when the pacing picked up, the stakes felt higher and I was more invested in what was happening. I just wish we’d seen more of Cressida and felt a bit more immersed in the wider conflict, especially considering the setup from book one.

Even with its flaws, I’m glad I finished it. It wrapped things up in a mostly satisfying way, and I did enjoy being back in this world.

⭐️ 3/5 not perfect, but still an entertaining follow-up with characters I enjoyed spending time with.

Reviews

The Crimson Moth Review

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*SPOILERERY SCENES AHEAD*

This book had me hooked right from the first page. The world was easy to fall into and the tension just kept building. Rune is a witch in hiding, living in a brutal society where people like her are killed without mercy. She’s already seen what happens when witches are exposed and she’s not about to let that happen again. But standing in her way is Gideon, the captain of the Blood Guard and one of the most dangerous witch hunters around. It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers setup, but one that actually feels real. They genuinely hate each other at the start and both have strong reasons to.

The slow burn between Rune and Gideon had me absolutely stressed in the best way. They’re constantly outsmarting each other and trying to stay one step ahead. The stakes are high, the danger is real and the tension is delicious. Every time they were on the page together, I was holding my breath. There’s a real push and pull between them that kept me guessing. And when things take a turn… yeah, I wasn’t okay. That betrayal scene ruined me.

I also really loved the way the magic system worked. It wasn’t just there for convenience. There were rules, limits and consequences, which made it all feel more believable. It’s rare to see a hard magic system in fantasy romance, especially in YA, but it was done really well here. The whole story had this tight structure and clear boundaries that just made the plot and characters shine even more.

Rune herself was such a standout. She’s strong, clever and has so much heart. Even when things were falling apart, she never gave up. And Gideon, as frustrating as he was, had so much depth. I couldn’t decide whether to trust him or scream at him and that made him so interesting to read. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did, but it delivered on every front.

⭐️4/5 stars I need to pick up the sequel ASAP!