Peasreads: The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo

This is a fantasy, gothic book set in New York during the Gilded Age. There is magic, witches, and other beings. There is body horror. Violence. This is not a romance; this is a book of survival and how far the main character will go not only to survive but to get what she wants. It is a good story; pacing is good with some slower areas, but those are moved through quickly. The description of the world, setting, and magic is really done well and vivid. I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't as good as The Brides of High Hill. Neither is a genre I usually choose. I am glad I read it and would still recommend it to others who like Gothic fantasy and fiction. 

Description:

From USA Today bestselling author Nghi Vo, this all-consuming tale of ballrooms and bloodshed weds The Gilded Age with the Gothic vision of Guillermo del Toro.

Pick a face, pick a fate.

Judith Ban, former convent girl, courtesan, and failed thief, is on the lookout for her next identity. The daughter of a Vietnamese adventuress and a French naval officer, she’s no stranger to risk, but she’s unprepared for the secrets of New York’s legendary Four Hundred, or for the women who build their power at the city’s heart through blood-soaked, gold-etched rituals of demonic marriage.

Peasreads: Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

 

And Elizabeth Lim draws me back in with the prequel, great as a stand alone, to Six Crimson Cranes. And it is good. After A Dragon's Promise I didn't have high expectations. I was so wrong. I loved getting insight to Channi's history. How her life shaped her. The decisions that she had to make as a child and teenager. She is fierce and loyal. 

The story flows well. The pacing is good. The story was beautiful. Some of the reminders of how beautiful Vanna was did get a little repetitive, but in contrast in how Channi was treated for her looks made sense to include that. 

Peasreads: The Twelve Loves of Christmas An Advent Romance Collection

 The Twelve Loves of Christmas

An Advent Romance Collection

by Alexandria Bellefleur; Elise Bryant; Olivia Dade; Alexis Daria; Sarah Hogle; Zakiya N. Jamal; Rebecca Jenshak; Jessica Joyce; Susan Lee; Joss Richard; M. A. Wardell; Rebekah Weatherspoon

What a fun countdown of short stories. Some made me tear up. Heartwarming, funny, romantic, with a diverse cast of characters.  It was a fun sampling of authors I've never read before. Definitely gives me a new list of authors to follow. Perfect for the holiday season for a quick read in-between all the holiday hustle and bustle.

Peasreads: Break Wide The Sea by Sara Holland

WOW. Just wow. I thought I'd just like this book;  in the end. I loved it. Annie is an orphaned heiress to a whaling company. She is not only young but a woman, so it is hard for her to be seen and heard as the head of the company. She has a fiancé who loves her for who she is and knows everything about her, including the fact that she has a curse that has plagued her family for generations. She sets out to find a cure. Out on the open seas she learns more about herself and the people around her. She is faced with the decision to stop whaling altogether or to continue and face the consequences from the sea people.

All around, a great book. The pacing was good, the world was interesting. The conflict and how it was described was a hard one for the MC. There is a love triangle; Annie, being 18 struggled with this triangle as that's what one does. 

Description

Peasreads: The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo

The Brides of High Hill

by Nghi Vo

I went into this book with no real clue what genre it was. The Brides of High Hill is a standalone gothic mystery, which I so rarely choose to read in this genre. I picked it up because I saw the cover, saw foxes and something about brides. I happen to like Gumiho, nine-tailed foxes, so why not. I even read the description when I requested the book but must have forgotten. I thought I was going to be reading some kind of folktale, romantasy. Jokes on me, but it doesn't matter. I couldn't put this down once I got started. It was such an interesting story. I was surprised in the end. The story reminded me of Lao and other SE Asian ghost stories we used to tell each other, and they were so scary as kids. This, of course, isn't a kids' story, but the scary Asian ghost story vibe is there. Because this is a short story, it was a quick read, but the pacing did not feel rushed. What an excellent story it is, too. 

I want to read the rest of he books in this series. I also requested a novel from this author I liked this story so much.

Peasreads: Tideborn by Eliza Chan

Even better than the first. Oh, I missed Kai and wasn't sure how this book would be without him. I still missed him. Turns out Nami and Mira grew, and their characters gained more depth. After Kai's sacrifice, the city is torn. Between those born with gills and those who had gills bestowed on them, whether they liked it or not. With fanatics on both sides tearing the city apart, to the Titan Sea god on his way to avenge his beloved, Tiankawi might not survive. Nami and Mira split up, working towards the same goal. Unity and safety. What a great adventure.

Peasreads: Whale Fall by Elysia Rourke

I couldn't put this book down once I started it. It is a middle grade book, but like Black Beauty not just for middle grade. I often thought "What age is this? How is this a children's book?" It is heartbreaking. It is real. It is raw. There is hope, heartbreak, heartache, longing. It is so well written. The pacing was really good. The story telling just drew me in. Are some parts predictable? Yes. Of course Whale gets captured, but her story is captivating, her journey is one that grips you. There is strength in how she loves and lives. 

I refuse to go to shows with animals like this anymore and have for years. This gut wrenching story will help readers of all ages see through a lens of empathy and compassion. Especially with World Animal Day on October 4th.

Grab some tissues.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description:

 A debut novel in the tradition of Black Beauty and The One and Only Ivan, in which a young orca who dreams of becoming the matriarch of her pod instead finds herself living a life in captivity.

“Heartbreaking, but unputdownable. Read with a box of tissues. Whale’s story doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of animals in captivity, but it is a testament to the power of faith, storytelling, and hope.”—Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea and Here Lies A Ghost“

Whale, a young orca, dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day, just like her grandmother. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs and taken to a sea pen far from her ocean home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escape and finding her way back to her family. But as the months wear on, and Whale becomes restless and lonely, she finds herself befriending her keeper, Red, named for his bright red fur. Whale starts to look forward to their daily feeding rituals and playtime as they learn to communicate. As time goes on, she even counts on Red’s singsong laughter to fill her day.

But just as Whale gets used to life with Red, she is ripped away from the sea pen she’s lived in for more than a year. She’s taken on a long, painful journey in a container to somewhere new—the suffocating waters of an aquarium. Whale is given a name—Ingrid—and along with whales who don’t speak her language, she is made to perform. The grueling work is hard on Whale’s body, but if she doesn’t perform, she doesn’t eat.

Whale’s only solace is the memories of her pod and her grandmother’s stories of Great Mother and how whales came to be. Whale longs for the promise of Whale Fall, where the Great Mother will at last reunite her with her family—her body becoming one with the ocean. But also she tries to find joy in the here and now and in the comfort of her adopted pod. And, before rest, there is still one unexpected dream that will come true for Whale.

A deeply moving story of family, determination, and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity.

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I received this egalley from Penguin Young Readers was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are  my own. 

Peasreads: Birth of the Witch A Coven of Three Trilogy Book 1 by Nora Roberts

 

Birth of the Witch

A Coven of Three Trilogy Book 1 by Nora Roberts

If you've read Nora Roberts and you enjoy her writing style. Especially for her Magical Reaslim trilogies, you'll enjoy this one.  I loved it. The characters have depth and history. They grow throughout the story. It's age-appropriate as we start off with a thirteen-year-old. Each setting that they travel to or live in is described so well. The scenery and the locals. It brings a great picture to the mind's eye. I always want to visit Ireland after reading her books. The story itself and how things unfold are done well; I kept thinking, NOW the two main characters are finally going to meet up or find the items they were tasked with collecting. Each chapter built up well, with all the characters still living their lives. 
At 432 pages, this took me one day to read. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy because what a cliffhanger. 

Description

The first novel in the enchanting new epic by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Bride Trilogy, Nora Roberts

Niamh McShane was born a witch and died a witch in the same moment, at the tender age of thirteen. A victim of the madness that spread from Salem Town to her home on Piety Island, in her last hours she found comfort from the weavers imprisoned alongside her, who saw within her light and power and gave her some of their own.

More than three hundred years later, on the same island, Neve McShane wakes with excitement on her thirteenth birthday and unwraps gifts from her aunts: sneakers, an iPhone, and a stunning antique pendant. Then she receives something else: a revelation that will change her life.

Astonished, Neve learns that her aunts’ abilities go beyond simple kitchen magic and the potions they sell in their shop. Their tales of past lives aren’t just whimsical fantasies. They are witches, and so is she. Their lives–past and present–are bound together by that pivotal day centuries ago. Now Neve has been tasked with stopping a growing darkness. To prepare for the dangerous enemy that awaits, Neve hones her skills and searches for clues to aid her in her quest. And at night, she dreams of a young man from Ireland whose eyes met with hers for a fateful moment, centuries ago.

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Penguin Random House I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.

Peasreads: The Irish Secret by the Shore by Clodagh Murphy

 

Classic friends-to-lovers, closed-door romance. Set in Ireland in a small town where everybody knows everyone and their business. Abbie knows what she wants in life, and she has built that life. She is surrounded by the people she loves. Her childhood sweetheart wants a different life and has left to pursue it. This is a story of learning to let go and allowing life to happen, letting go of the familiar and comfortable when it isn't healthy. It flowed well and was interesting. Some of the things that happened at the end had me questioning the characters (side characters), but it was part of the story and their characteristics. This was entertaining. Low-spoon reading. What does that mean? It means that it wasn't stressful and heart-heavy, and sometimes I really need reads like this.  There was conflict, and it was painful for the characters, of course, but it was almost cozy.  Side note, I loved reading about the Irish coast. 

Peasreads: Six Crimson Cranes and A Dragons Promise by Elizabeth Lim

Six Crimson Cranes: East Asian folklore, fairy tale elements. Exciting fantasy. Shiori is a strong lead character is brave, smart, strong. She has depth. A shape-shifting dragon, way cool. A curse that must be broken. A love story. A story about family bonds. So epic. A surprise ending. Perfectly woven together by Elizabeth Lim. I highly recommend this book to teens, young adults, and adults alike. This book is going down as one of my favorites. It is up there with Daughter of the Forest by Juliette Mariller. 

Peasreads: Daughter of the Moon Goddess\Heart of the Sun Warrior

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beautifully told story. Good steady pacing. Gorgeous setting\world, so descriptive. From the scenery to the characters and their clothing. Sue Lynn Tan doesn't disappoint.

These books would make for a gorgeous mini series. It is a Duology, plus a companion book.

The set shown is from Fairyloot. 

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Peasreads: Song of the Selkie by Claire R. McDougall

Song of the Selkie

A Novel

by Claire R. McDougall

 This isn't really about Selkies, though the story of a Selkie is told within. This is about three sisters. Eddie, Lailas, and Frances. The story is told through Frances's point of view. 

It had a good start and lagged only a bit. The story was interesting. Frances is quite the snob. That was her character, though, and the author wrote that well. 

The author writing about the nieces body was really not okay. Frances really pointed out too many times that this kid had a developing body. Frances is also racist. Once the Chapter in Cabo came about it was uncomfortable. I get that she's an academic; she set herself apart through academics. That's fine. But some of the things written about the gardener living in a hut(what an assumption), "brown-skinned Mexicans", and more, there was no indication that she was racist before. It was just odd to throw that in, when it wasn't a theme or previously established character trait. There should be a content warning.

I finished the book because I can't leave a review unless I do. The book wrapped up nicely. The road to the end had pretty good pacing. It just wasn't as interesting as the first third of the book promised it would be. It was just predictable. 

Peasreads: A Turning Tide Christmas by Serenity Bea

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Five stars for this novella. Cozy and fun. The banter between the two main characters was funny and entertaining. The pacing was great. Sometimes novella's can seem so rushed but this one had great timing.

 I've never read anything by this author before, but would not hesitate to pick up another read from her. 

Peasreads- For Ever More Sue Lynn Tan

 

What a great conclusion to Never Ever After. Yining is back home. She is settling in with her family and her people. She is learning the customs and traditions of her people. It is a world that is so unlike the Iron Mountains that she grew up in. While she is settling in, she juggles her feelings and her vow to Jin to help him save his people and his land. And then there's Prince Zixin. Both these male characters are complex. Jin is noble in his quest to save his land; no one can fault him for that. Yining still struggles with trusting him after he made her make the vow to help him. The Prince is ready to fight his sister back for the Kingdom that is rightfully his. Could his story be a redemption arc? After all he did?  Has he learned from the past? Can a person really change? 

Is this a fantasy with romance? Or a romantasy? I can't really say. I do know that I loved the story. I  loved the setting. I loved this conclusion. 

 In For Ever After, this epic fantasy finds Yining on the run and fighting to save her family and her kingdom. 

Order now and receive the SPECIAL FIRST EDITION while supplies last—featuring a designed case cover under the jacket and illustrated endpapers, in addition to shiny foil and embossing. This must-have special edition is only available in the limited first printing.

After the explosive events of Never Ever After, Yining flees the Iron Mountains with her unlikely allies, seeking the truth about her newfound powers amid the secrets surrounding her ancestral home. But with a traitorous queen ruling the Three Kingdoms from a stolen throne, nowhere is truly safe, and Yining must decide whom to trust to keep her family—and her heart—from harm.

Praise for Never Ever After:

“Rich and layered and deliciously transportive.” —Renée Ahdieh, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn

“Tan has crafted a jewel of a fairy-tale retelling and each prism is lustrous with sinister wonder.” —Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of the Gilded Wolves Trilogy

“A lush and effervescent, masterfully crafted fantasy.” —Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes

“I absolutely adored it and cannot wait for the sequel!” —Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Starlight

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers., and Hatchette book group. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: Between You and Us

Between You and Us By Kendra Broekhuis

What a good read. Heartbreaking. But so beautiful. I always think I know what I will do when put into situations when it comes to my children. What a ride this book is!

Reading the author's take on this impossible choice was so interesting and heartbreaking. 

Book Description

When a grieving woman unexpectedly steps into a different version of her life, she must choose between the husband she loves and the daughter she lost in this brave, gripping novel.

“A beautiful story that will make you rethink all the moments you’ve wished for a different outcome.”—Johanna Rojas Vann, author of An American Immigrant

Two possible lives to live. One impossible choice to make.

When Leona Warlon heads across the city to meet her husband, David, for a rare dinner out, she hopes they can share a moment of relief after their year of loss. But Leona quickly realizes this is no ordinary date night. She hasn’t just stepped into an upscale ristorante; she’s stepped into a different version of her life. One in which her marriage is no longer tender, in which her days are pressured by her powerful in-laws, and in which her precious baby girl lived.

Now Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of both trajectories, facing an unimaginable choice: Stay in a world where tragedy hasn’t struck but where the meaningful life she built with David is gone? Or return to a reality that’s filled with struggle and sorrow but also deep and enduring love?

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Penguin Random House I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: Tales of Green Tea Notes from a Centuries-Old Kyoto Teahouse by Miyako Watanabe with Cathy Hirano (Translator)

A slice of life book about a 300-year-old tea shop that is just delightful. Some basic recipes that seem simple but are so informative as far as time and temperature for brewing different teas. The author tells us how each tea is grown and when it is harvested. There is history woven in with how tea and the tearoom have progressed with the times. I wish I could visit during all the seasons to see their different decor and taste their seasonal offerings. Lovely storytelling that makes you want to explore the region. There are some fun doodles in the book, but it is not really a book to flip through for art. Just scattered throughout, and cute. Ippodo has a website and ships their tea all over the world. I can't wait to try the Hōjicha.

 Description

A charming, lightly illustrated exploration of the history of green tea and matcha, Japanese tea culture, and daily life in Kyoto by the owner of the 300-year-old Ippodo Tea shop.

At the family-owned Ippodo tea store in Kyoto, time passes at the gentle pace of green tea leaves brewing in a kyusu teapot. Written by the store’s current owner, Miyako Watanabe, Tales of Green Tea offers an account of everyday life at this beloved spot, but also of the knowledge, encounters, and discoveries that come with a life steeped in tea.

Composed of short, evocative sections that move through the seasons and engage the senses, along with charming tea-themed illustrations, Tales of Green Tea is at all times moving, nostalgic, funny, and informative. From the historical origins of tea, right up to modern day tea commerce and culture, and many reminiscences in between, we explore the endless flow of tales to be found in a simple cup of tea, alongside best practices for home brewing and recipes for tea snacks.

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Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: The Whole30 Fast & Easy Cookbook Revised Edition by Melissa Urban

 

Great recipes, just nothing really new. Some information on whole 3o is revised. The photos are gorgeous. The recipes are Whole30 compliant with some fun new ideas. 

Helpful for beginners. Great for reference.

You can find more Whole 30 content HERE. 

Description

A must-have updated edition of the New York Times bestseller—featuring 35 new quick and easy recipes and updated program guidelines.

This revised edition of the bestselling Whole30 Fast & Easy is updated with 35 brand-new recipes and photos, perfect for weeknight cooking, lunches in a hurry, and hearty breakfasts that still get you out the door on time.

The groundbreaking Whole30 program has helped millions of people transform their lives, bringing about better sleep, more energy, less bloating, and fewer cravings. In this cookbook, bestselling author and Whole30 co-creator Melissa Urban wants to make it even easier to achieve Whole30 success—with over 150 easy-to-make recipes that you can put together in 30 minutes or less. Think dishes like:

Green Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Tahini Dressing

Vietnamese-Inspired Pork Tacos

Charred Veggie and Chicken Fajita Wrap

Shrimp and Green Bean Stir Fry with Quick Chili Crisp

Roasted Garlic-Potato Soup with Sausage and Kale

Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken, Broccoli and Baby Yukons

Featuring hearty and delicious skillet meals, sheet-pan suppers, slow-cook dinners, and cozy noodle bowls, these are dishes anyone can make for a weeknight dinner, quick lunch, or easy breakfast.

This updated edition also includes the new Whole30 guidelines, drawing on the latest research and behavior change science. Whether you’re doing your first Whole30 or your fourth, or looking for some gluten-free, dairy-free, fast and easy recipes, this collection is a must-have for any kitchen.

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Thank you NetGalley and for William Marrow for this egalley. All opinions are my own. I was not obligated to leave a review

Peasreads: The Palace Beneath the Sea A Mermaid Fantasy by Lauren Wiesebron

 

The Palace Beneath the Sea. What a GORGEOUS cover that drew me right in. The cover is a good representation of how beautiful this story and world is. The main character, Nolwenn, is a human who is a lighthouse worker. Her family has operated one of the lighthouses and protects the kingdom from sea monsters.  She does her job well and enjoys it. It's a legacy that she's very proud of. The Nolwenn is in her early 20's. This could a YA read also. 

 The world and word building to describe the setting  is beautiful. I loved the description of the Korrrigez. How they communicate, the nuances of how they sing, and express emotions. Their world and relationship with the environment around them is beautiful. The struggle for Nolwenn is, feeling the pull of the underwater world and the world above. This struggle could be felt keenly as the book progressed. Hard decisions were made by Nolwenn, and like her,  I went back and forth on what the best outcome should be. All in all a solid read with beautiful storytelling and a great plot.  I loved the story. The romance was great but not the main point, more of a subplot for me. 

LGBTQIA+

Closed door spice

Description

The acclaimed author of House of Frost and Feathers returns with a sweeping, lyrical novel inspired by a mermaid folktale filled with exploration, love, adventure, and magic.

A GREAT LOVE. A MYSTERIOUS KINGDOM BENEATH THE WAVES. A DEVASTATING BETRAYAL.

A doomed love story created the city of Ys, it’s fitting that another one would end it . . .

Nolwenn is sure that her life’s purpose is to defend her beloved coastal city of Ys as a lighthouse keeper. But when a dangerous, unnatural tide threatens Ys, the queen instead tasks Nolwen with collecting enough rare seasilk to shield the city from the deadly monsters who lurk deep beneath the waves.

Determined to fulfill her task, Nolwenn recklessly puts her life in danger, only to be attacked by the very creatures she’s trying to defend her city against. She’s saved by Morvan, a member of the korrigez people, with the torso of a human and the tail of a fish. Against her will, Morvan drags her deeper into the ocean to the coral palace of Below-Ys. Although Nolwenn is terrified and homesick, Below-Ys is also strange and beautiful…as is Morvan. The more time Nolwenn spends below the surface, the less she is sure she wants to leave.

As danger draws ever nearer to her homeland and Ys remains precariously unprotected, Nolwenn must decide between her heart and her home.

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Thank you, Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Harper Voyager for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads- Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

Coming July 28, 2026, from Macmillan / Tor / Bramble

Sarah Beth Durst's Spellshop novels are becoming must-reads for me. Sea of Charms is a magical read. It's cozy fantasy that is paced well. The story was interesting, the love story cozy. Marin, the main character, is a supply runner. She loves the sea and her parents took out a loan to gift her with her vessel. Her only goal is to run her supply business well and pay the loan for the ship or she will lose it.  She has deadlines she needs to meet. She loves what she does. She is focused and keeps people at arm's length. Then the revolution happens, and revolutions are messy. During the revolution, people are fleeing the capital and trying to protect what is important to them. Marin learns to open her heart, take risks, and she does what she knows is right in her heart, even if she has to put aside important goals. This book is a five star read for me.

Description
DELUXE EDITION—a gorgeous hardcover edition featuring beautiful cerulean blue sprayed edges!
Sarah Beth Durst brings cozy fantasy romance to the high seas in Sea of Charms, the third magical adventure in the New York Times bestselling Spellshop series!
Marin has always belonged on the great blue sea.
Betrayed by love, Marin lives and works as a supply runner, sailing from island to island, delivering an array of goods with Perri the sea serpent and Ree the sailor shrub as her crew.
On one of her routine trips to the capital, Alyssium, Marin finds a revolution underway—and her friend Dax in the line of fire.
What starts as a rescue evolves into a deal: Marin will keep Dax on as a member of her crew if he pretends to be her boyfriend at the End-of-Harvest Festival back home.
But against her better judgment, Marin finds herself intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, his charming smile—and realizes that perhaps she isn’t saving him. Maybe it’s the other way around.
Sea of Charms is a cozy fantasy romance about finding your crew, your family, and moreover, finding yourself.
Expect:
Standalone romance
Friends to lovers
Magical creatures
Swimming lessons
l

 

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Peasreads: Hunt the Ever Wild by S.E. Kiser

I was surprised by this debut novel. It is magical; the forest is untamed, dangerous, alive, and full of whimsy. The description made it seem like a real magical living thing. I love this kind of fantasy world. The kind that makes you want to visit.

The main characters are Sy and Anya. Sy is a Wizard. He is the male main character. He is indentured to the crown. The king is not a good man, but Sy?  He's so good. He does what good he can, and he still sees the beauty around him. To free him from the king's service, he has to find the phoenix. Anya is the FMC who is capable, smart, and strong. She has survived on her own in the Lichtenwald forest. She is cursed by a witch; there is only one way to break the curse. The witch wants the phoenix. Both Anya and Sy have good reason to hunt the phoenix. Neither can stand to lose. 

It was such an adventure getting through the forest. I loved these two characters; it was hard to side with one or the other since they both so badly needed a win. I was also sad for the phoenix who was being hunted. A must read for fantasy fans. 

HUNT THE EVER WILD, a gothic journey into the heart of an untamed forest

❤️ slow burn rivals-to-lovers ❤️
🌲 wizards, witches, and mystical creatures 🌲
🏹 a competition where everything is at stake 🏹

Description

A gothic standalone combining the gaslamp fantasy of C. L. Polk’s Witchmark with the slow-burn rivals-to-lovers romance of Isa Agajanian's Modern Divination and the whimsy of Howl's Moving Castle.

When the king calls a hunt for the Lichtenwald forest’s elusive phoenix, wizard Sy jumps at the chance. Years ago, he indentured himself to the crown to pay for his magical education, and an unbreakable spell binds him to carry out the king’s every wicked whim, or face certain death. The prize is enough to pay off his debt, but he can’t survive the forest alone. Seeking help, he finds Anya, a skilled huntress living on the Lichtenwald’s edge, and lies about splitting the prize.

But Anya’s lying too. Cursed by a witch after killing her familiar, Anya must find the phoenix and bind it to the witch by the summer solstice, or else suffer a gruesome transformation. With the curse worsening and the Lichtenwald swarming with wizards, she needs Sy on her side – for now.

Neither of them can split the prize, nor win alone. And despite the growing attraction between them, betrayal remains their only option.

But anything is possible in the forest.

And the forest is hungry.

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Thank you Angry Robot Books for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own.