The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten is an atmospheric and lush first book in a new fantasy series .

Synopsis

Ten years ago, Lore escaped from a cult in the catacombs. Now, she is working undercover as a poison runner. Lore has the ability to wield Mortem, a form of death magic. The church has prohibited its use, allowing only members of the Presque Mort to channel it.

But everything goes awry on Lore’s latest poison run, leading the Presque Mort to capture her and bring her to the Sainted King. Lore expects death, but instead, the king commands her to spy on his son Bastian. Now, Lore finds herself thrust into the glittering world of court intrigue and political machinations.

Lore’s life depends on finding out some truths for the king. She’ll have Gabe, a duke-turned-monk-turned-duke again, to help her on this investigation.

Review of The Foxglove King

I enjoyed Hannah Whitten’s debut, For the Wolf, but not nearly as much as this one, even though I gave them both four stars. I didn’t feel as connected to the characters in FtW. But here, the characters are fully realized, whether they are likeable or not.

I liked Lore’s refreshing character. She is a strong female character, confident in her sexuality. I was hoping for a bit more romance, but alas, there was mostly angst and a love triangle.

The court is similar to other fantasy books, but overall, it is still compelling with all its opulence and revelry.

The one thing that slightly irked me was how often the author mentioned Gabe’s disability. He’s missing an eye, and nearly every sentence about him references it. “His one eye looked at x.” “He read it with his eye,” etc. I think “he read…” or “he looked” would suffice, no?

But I will certainly read the rest of the trilogy as they become available.

Overall, I’d recommend this book if you enjoy angsty court-based fantasy with tons of intrigue.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 07 March 2023

Thank you to Orbit for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall is an atmospheric and compelling gothic mystery.

Synopsis

Margaret Lennox, recently widowed, has taken up a governess position at Heartwood Hall under the employ of Mrs. Eversham. Margaret quickly learns that the villagers avoid the house and its inhabitants. There are whispers that the house is cursed.

Margaret doesn’t believe in such superstitions, but she can’t deny the noises she hears at night, nor the flashes of something seen and then gone. However, she tries to get on with her work teaching Louis, her ten-year-old charge, who has immediately captured her heart.

But the past catches up with Margaret, and it becomes impossible to ignore the strange occurrences in the house.

Review of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall

This gothic tale is entirely from Margaret’s pov. It reminded me a bit of The Silent Companion and Jane Eyre. The characters were all well-developed, whether they were lovable or not-so-lovable. The eerie setting rounded out the gothic feel as well.

I thought it was going in one direction and was surprised when it didn’t. Perhaps if I had tried to work everything out, I would have guessed the twist, but I just sat back and enjoyed the journey.

There is also disability representation. The main character is deaf in one ear, and it seems to be presented realistically without being a plot device.

Really my only criticism is that one of the characters allowed themselves to be gaslit so easily. They went from an intelligent, rational person to doubting what was right in front of them.

Overall, a great read and I’d highly recommend this book if you enjoy dark gothic tales. I am excited for future books by this author. I’ll definitely pick up their next release.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 28 February 2023

Thank you to Dutton for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez

The Story of Us is a stunning and emotional story told from the unique viewpoint of a newborn baby.

Synopsis

Mary Grace “MG” Concepcion left her husband in the Philippines to become an Overseas Filipino Worker. First, she goes to Hong Kong and then to Canada. On both continents, MG works as a nanny for several wealthy families who take advantage of her. But she does it all with the intention of one day sponsoring her husband to join her in Canada.

After her latest position ends, MG becomes a Personal Support Worker for Liz, an elderly trans woman who has Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, caring for Liz challenges MG’s very conservative beliefs. But the friendship these two women form is a thing of beauty.

Review of The Story of Us

MG’s newborn baby narrates this story directly to Liz. The second-person voice took a minute to adjust to, but it fits really well with this story. The writing flows nicely.

The Story of Us will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster. I felt MG’s loneliness, rage, happiness and hope while reading this.

MG’s initial attitude toward Liz was hard to read. But the bond they eventually formed was so heartwarming and uplifting. I have a feeling these characters will stick with me for a long time.

It’s early in the year, but this book might be a contender for a new favourite of the year. I need to read the author’s other books immediately. I’m not sure why I slept on Scarborough, but that will be the one I pick up next.

CW: SA, transphobia.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 28 February 2023

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Magician’s Daughter by H. G. Parry

The Magician’s Daughter is a magical historical fantasy with heartwarming characters.

Synopsis

Biddy grew up isolated on the magical island with only her guardian Rowan and his familiar Hutchincroft for company. Rowan found her shipwrecked when she was a baby and has looked after her ever since. As a child, Biddy was satisfied reading her books and exploring the island, but as she’s nearing seventeen, she wants to see the rest of the world.

For the last several decades, magic has slowly been drying up. Rowan regularly leaves the island to ensure there is an even distribution of the remaining magic. On one of his trips, Rowan does not make it back to the island before dawn, which forces Biddy to search for him. She successfully finds him, but Biddy realizes he’s been keeping many secrets from her, and now she wants to learn the truth.

The desire to learn the truth of her past and what’s causing magic to disappear from the world sets Biddy on a new path, allowing her to leave the island and find answers. Not only will it be risky, but she’ll question everything she thought she knew about herself and the man who raised her.

Review of The Magician’s Daughter

This historical fantasy is set in 1912 and follows Biddy’s perspective.

It sounds a little dark, but this book has a cozy feel, even with the high stakes. It’s a bit of a slow burn. It fully grabbed my attention at the point when Biddy left the island and began her adventure.

I liked Biddy’s character. Even though she has led a sheltered life, she is a critical thinker and has loads of empathy for others.

While I enjoyed this, it took a while to become invested in the story, which lowered my overall rating.

I would recommend it if you enjoy cozy-feeling fantasy. It’s not straight-up cozy, because the stakes are high, but it’s cozy-adjacent.

My Rating: 3.75/5

Expected Publication: 21 February 2023

Thank you to Redhook (Orbit) for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

Infamous by Lex Croucher

Infamous by Lex Croucher is a bright queer romance set in the Regency era.

Synopsis

Best friends since their childhood, Edith “Eddie” and Rose promised each other that they would never marry. Eddie took that as a solemn vow, but Rose assumed it wasn’t that serious.

A rift forms between the two when Rose begins seeing someone and soon talks about marriage.

At a dinner party, Eddie meets her favourite poet, the charming and talented Nash Nicholson. An aspiring writer herself, Eddie accepts Nash’s offer to finish her book at his crumbling estate. With Rose and Nash’s entourage in tow, Eddie gets caught up in this chaotic and free lifestyle but eventually learns some hard truths.

Review of Infamous by Lex Croucher

This romance follows Eddie’s perspective.

I really enjoyed the author’s romcom debut Reputation, so I thought I would like this one just as much. But I could never get fully invested in the story. The writing wasn’t as engaging this time around.

It took Eddie quite a while to understand everyone’s motivations. I get that she’s young, but even so, it took too long to get there.

I did like that this novel discussed negative racial stereotypes. It didn’t go that deep, but it briefly touched on it.

Still, I will definitely try the author’s next release, which is their YA rom-com debut.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 21 March 2023

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Institution by Helen Fields

The Institution takes the phrases “edge-of-your-seat” and “pulse-pounding” to the next level.

Synopsis

Dr. Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler, goes undercover at a high-security prison full of serial killers deemed “criminally insane.”

Connie and her undercover partner have five days to find the culprits responsible for committing a heinous crime: fetal abduction.

Review of The Institution

Helen Fields has mastered the art of telling a story that is both difficult to read and impossible to put down. Much like another thriller I read by Fields, this book starts out incredibly gruesome. I probably would have DNF’d it if I hadn’t remembered that this is how the author begins her stories. But I am glad I pushed through because this is the best psychological thriller I’ve read in quite some time.

There are twists upon twists. I was suspicious of everyone, facility staff and prisoners alike. Some parts might lean towards OTT, but it only made it more addictive. The banter between Connie and Baarda helped balance out some of the tension.

The blurb did not indicate that this is not the first book featuring Dr. Connie Woolwine, so I’ll have to go back and give that one a gander. I hope there will be more books featuring this duo.

Don’t let the generic cover deceive you, the writing is top-notch and is a real nail-biter.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Expected Publication: 02 March 2023

Thank you to Avon for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat is a tense and twisty psychological thriller set in a remote location.

Synopsis

Alex jumps at the opportunity to attend a month-long writing retreat hosted by lauded feminist horror novelist Roza Vallo. The only downside is that her former best friend, Wren, will also be there. The two parted on less than amicable terms a year ago.

When all five attendees arrive at their host’s gothic estate, Roza announces that this retreat will not be a relaxed, write-whenever-you-feel-like-it affair. Instead, they must compete to win a seven-figure publishing deal by writing a new novel. 

With the sense that this is her last opportunity to get published, Alex attempts to start writing right away. Only, between the creepy atmosphere in the house, Roza’s mercurial behaviour, and Wren’s intimidating presence, Alex finds herself struggling. And then weird and dangerous things start to occur.

Review of The Writing Retreat

This gripping thriller solely follows Alex’s pov. It has a dark gothic vibe and a bit of spice. The plot becomes fairly wild and almost nightmarish, but I enjoyed the drama of it. The characters frequently did things they knew were unwise, but it made it more entertaining.

My least favourite aspect was the story within the story. However, since the majority of the plot focused on the retreat, it wasn’t a huge drawback.

I also liked the insights into writing and the publishing industry.

I was excited to read this debut, and it did not disappoint in the least. If you enjoy dramatic, tension-filled thrillers, I think you’ll have fun with this one.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 21 February 2023

Thank you to Atria for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood

Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood is a YA Fantasy Romance set in the Jamaican jungle.

Synopsis

Exotic Lands Touring Company offers exclusive tours of the Jamaican jungle. They also kidnap children and force them to work for them.

Victoria, the most powerful Wildblood in the company, is one of these kidnapped children. Disappointed for not receiving the promotion promised to her, Victoria joins an ultra-risky jungle expedition with their new handsome and wealthy client Thorn. Thorn is a gold miner looking to reach some untapped gold deep in the jungle.

Victoria’s boss allows her to go on the condition that she makes her less-skilled ex-boyfriend look good on this trip.

Even though Victoria has strong ties to the jungle, it will be a dangerous expedition for everyone involved.

Review of Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood

I was really expecting to love this one. And at the beginning, it was promising. The magic system seemed intriguing, the setting was atmospheric, and Victoria seemed like an interesting character. It discussed some serious topics such as human trafficking, SA, racism, and colonialism.

But everything was overshadowed, in my opinion, by the insta-love romance. Thorn and Victoria went from calling each other by their names to “beloved” in the blink of an eye. And honestly, nearly all of the men in this book are red flags.

So although it had a good start, I wish it delved a little deeper into some of the themes, as well as the magic system.

I enjoyed the author’s debut Within These Wicked Walls, so it’s a bit disappointing to give this one a lower rating.

If you don’t mind insta-love and love triangles, this book may work well for you.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 07 February 2023

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

Beyond That, The Sea is by turns joyful and incredibly emotional. I enjoyed every single page.

Synopsis

In 1940, as German bombs descend on London, Beatrix’s parents Millie and Reginald Thompson, decide to send her to live with a family in America to keep her safe for the remainder of the war.

In America, Beatrix meets the Gregorys: Mr & Mrs. G and their two boys, William and Gerald. She quickly adjusts to this new and exciting life and soon feels like a member of the family. The war begins to feel like a distant memory.

But the war eventually ends, and Beatrix returns to London and feels the loss of her second family. Although Beatrix only lived with the Gregorys for a few years, those years had a lasting impact on the rest of her life.

Beyond That, The Sea

Review of Beyond That, The Sea

This beautifully written historical fiction has multiple perspectives. It takes the reader on a powerful journey. The chapters are quite short, making this a quick read.

It briefly touches on the civil rights movement.

It’s been a while since characters have touched me as deeply as these ones have. I finished reading this book several weeks ago and still find myself thinking about these heartwarming characters.

This novel is a reminder of why I love historical fiction and shouldn’t write off World War II books just yet.

If you enjoy character-driven fiction, I’d highly recommend picking this up.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 21 March 2023

Thank you to Celadon for sending me this beautifully wrapped arc.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill

The Crane Husband is a brilliant and lyrical retelling of The Crane Wife.

Synopsis

An unnamed fifteen-year-old girl lives with her mother and younger brother on the remains of what used to be family farmland. Now, an intimidating conglomerate owns the farmlands that surround their crumbling property.

While her mother works on her art to pay the bills, our heroine takes care of her brother and household matters.

One day, the girl’s mother returns home wrapped in the arms of a human-sized crane. It’s not unusual for her mother to bring home new partners since her father’s passing, so the girl assumes their affair will be just as fleeting. However, she soon realizes her mother is completely infatuated with the crane, who exudes a menacing air. The girl watches as her mother makes herself small while creating a masterpiece of art at the crane’s behest.

Review of The Crane Husband

This short novel is both harrowing and beautifully written. I love magical realism, and this was no exception.

It discusses domestic violence quite a bit, so some readers may find it triggering. While it touches on dark subject matter, it is easy to become wholly enraptured reading this tale.

As the reader, you know what’s going on, but it’s oddly satisfying watching the main character fit all the pieces together and take her mother’s teachings to heart.

While I enjoyed The Girl Who Drank the Moon, I didn’t love it nearly as much as this one.

If you like dark folk/fairytale retellings, I’m almost positive you’ll enjoy this weird little gem as well.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 28 February 2023

Thank you to Tordotcom for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.