Tag: fantasy

Mini-Review: Luminous, Cherry, Green

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Sylvia Cathrall, A Letter to the Luminous Deep

Set in a fantastical underwater universe, this epistolary novel centers around the correspondence between E., a reclusive but curious young woman, and Henery Clel, a scientist who answers her letter about a potentially undiscovered species. As E. and Henery write to each other, they forge a deep connection and fall in love. But one year later, something bad has happened and they’ve both disappeared. So E.’s sister, Sophy, and Henery’s brother, Vyerin, begin their own correspondence to figure out what happened to their missing siblings. I liked the premise of this novel but was disappointed by the execution. There seems to be a trend these days for books that are “no plot, just vibes,” and this book definitely falls into that category…in fact, it’s apparently just the setup for a sequel, complete with cliffhanger ending! The writing style is stilted and overly formal, and the four main characters all have the same voice – and essentially the same blandly pleasant personality. Honestly, I found this book a bit of a slog, and I won’t be continuing with the series.

Jackie Lau, Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie

Emily Hung hasn’t figured out her life yet and feels vaguely ashamed of it. Her writing career seems to be stalling, she doesn’t own a home or a car, and she’s “still” single at age 33. Her meddling mother is determined to “help” by setting Emily up with Mark Chan, the perfect-on-paper son of family friends. Emily is sure she won’t like Mark and immediately writes him off as too boring. But to get her mom off her back, she proposes a fake-dating arrangement, to which Mark surprisingly agrees. As they spend more time together to keep up the charade, they grow closer until Emily begins to see Mark with new eyes. This was a cute contemporary rom-com; Emily is a relatable character, and I enjoyed the development of her relationship with Mark, though he’s not quite as nuanced a character as she is. There were a couple steamy scenes that felt superfluous, and the third-act “breakup” was a bit forced, though thankfully it didn’t last long. Overall, a fun but forgettable summer read.

Christianna Brand, Green for Danger

This classic mystery novel takes place during World War II at a military hospital in Kent. Joseph Higgins, an elderly postman, is injured in an air raid and brought to the hospital for treatment. It’s supposed to be a simple surgery, but Higgins unexpectedly dies on the operating table. Was it natural causes or murder? A second death confirms the latter, and there are only six people who could possibly be the killer – six doctors and nurses who’ve worked and socialized together for months, and whose relationships are slowly poisoned by mutual suspicion. I love a Golden Age mystery, and this one has all the classic elements: a closed circle of suspects, an ingenious murder method, and an abundance of hidden motives. But what elevates this novel is the strong characterization of the six suspects, who feel like real people with realistic emotions and reactions to the book’s events. When the guilty party was identified, I was both surprised and a bit heartbroken, as I’d come to care about all the characters. Highly recommended for fans of this genre, and I will definitely seek out more by Brand!

Mini-Reviews: Mirror, Unsent, Train

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Carol Berg, The Soul Mirror

Four years ago, Anne de Vernase lost everything when her father was convicted of evil sorcery and treason. Her mother is mad, her brother is in prison, and her younger sister has just died in a magical “accident” that might not be so accidental. Now Anne has been summoned to the royal court, where she is immediately plunged into various intrigues, including the murder of a noblewoman. She ultimately learns some shocking truths about both her own gifts and the magical conspiracy threatening the kingdom. This book really builds on the events of The Spirit Lens and sheds new light on its mysteries. I particularly enjoyed seeing the main characters from the first book through Anne’s eyes—understandably, she neither likes nor trusts Portier at first! This book thankfully doesn’t suffer from the “second-book slump” that is common with trilogies; rather, it moves the plot along nicely and actually resolves a lot of loose ends from book 1. I’m excited to read book 3 and see how things develop from here.

Lia Louis, Better Left Unsent

Millie enjoys her peaceful, low-drama, conflict-avoidant life. But when she’s feeling angry or frustrated, she vents by writing emails; she’ll never send them, of course, just consign them to the purgatory of her drafts folder. That is, until a server glitch sends out all her emails—the angry rants to rude coworkers, the hurt feelings about a friend’s behavior, the heartbreak over the ex who dumped her and is now engaged to someone else. Horrified, Millie just wants to apologize and pretend like it never happened, but eventually she learns that sometimes it’s OK to speak up about her needs and feelings. I’ll be honest, it took me a while to get past the fact that she was drafting all these emails from her work account! It’s such a monumentally stupid move! But once I got beyond that, I did enjoy the book. I could relate to Millie’s people-pleasing tendencies, and I was glad when she started to see herself and others in a new light. There’s also a nice, low-conflict romance, although the love interest is a bit too bland and perfect. Overall, this is enjoyable women’s fiction, but it’s not destined to be a favorite.

Benjamin Stevenson, Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

After the success of his “memoir,” Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Ernest Cunningham has been invited to an Australian mystery writers’ festival, which is taking place on a luxury train called the Ghan. Ernest is struggling to find inspiration for his second book, but fortunately, there are plentiful tensions among the train passengers that soon result in a murder. Ernest is excited to have another mystery to solve, but he soon realizes that with several other mystery writers on board, he’s not the only would-be detective on the case. This book has a very similar flavor to its predecessor but is even more metatextual, as Ernest talks about the aftermath of his first book, how it’s been received by the public, Goodreads reviews, and so on. I liked the twists and turns of the plot, and I liked that Ernest is still devoted to the Golden Age “rules” for mysteries – even as he learns that the rules don’t always cover every situation. All in all, this is a good sequel that should appeal to fans of the first book, though the series should definitely be read in order.

Mini-Reviews: Funny, Spirit, Witches

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Emily Henry, Funny Story

Daphne moves to the small lakeside town of Waning Bay, Michigan, to be with her fiancé, Peter. So when Peter dumps her for his longtime best friend, Petra, Daphne feels rootless and doesn’t know what to do. In the meantime, she’s living in the spare room of Miles, Petra’s ex, and plotting her escape from Waning Bay. Daphne and Miles have nothing in common—aside from being treated badly by their exes—but as they spend more time together, they forge a surprising connection. I’m a fan of Emily Henry’s writing and enjoyed this book, though Miles wasn’t particularly appealing to me in the beginning. He’s a chaotic free spirit, while Daphne is more structured and buttoned-up, so they had a fun opposites-attract dynamic. Overall, though, I find myself a bit lukewarm on this one; I did enjoy it, but I’m not particularly enthusiastic about it. Glad I got it from the library instead of purchasing.

Carol Berg, The Spirit Lens

Portier de Savin-Duplais has always longed to become a sorcerer, but despite several years of study at the Collegia Magica, he can’t actually do any magic and is living a vaguely dissatisfied life as the Collegia’s librarian. Opportunity knocks, however, when his distant cousin, the king of Sabria, entrusts him with a special mission. Someone recently tried to assassinate the king using very dark (and very illegal) magic, and Portier—along with foppish courtier Ilario and mysterious mage Dante—must discover who’s responsible before the would-be assassin strikes again. This book is an interesting mixture of fantasy and mystery with a hint of buddy comedy, but I think it focuses a little too much on the mystery; Portier’s investigation moves slowly and feels like a dull police procedural at times. By contrast, the fantasy world gets short shrift (though I enjoyed the quasi-Renaissance vibes), and I found some magical aspects of the plot confusing. I do really like the main characters, though, and will certainly continue with the trilogy since I own the remaining books.

India Holton, The League of Gentlewomen Witches

Charlotte Pettifer is an exceedingly proper young Victorian lady, and also a witch who’s destined to become the head of the Wickan League. So when an amulet belonging to Black Beryl, the league’s founder, is discovered, Charlotte knows she must steal it. Unfortunately, those vulgar pirates of the Wisteria Society are also after the amulet—not to mention the infuriatingly handsome Captain Alex O’Riley. When circumstances throw Charlotte and Alex together in their quest for the amulet, they quickly give in to their mutual attraction; but since pirates and witches are mortal enemies, obviously they can’t fall in love. Like its predecessor, this book is a fun pseudo-historical romp, and the plentiful Austen references are a fun bonus. This installment focuses a lot on the romance, which I’d have been fine with except that it feels very similar to the romance in the first book. Still, if you liked book #1, you’ll like this one too—and the peek at the hero and heroine of book #3 has me intrigued to complete the series!

Mini-Reviews: Corpse, Brass, Grumpy

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Ellis Peters, One Corpse Too Many

This second installment of the Cadfael series is based on a real event: King Stephen’s siege of Shrewsbury Castle in A.D. 1138 and his subsequent killing of all the castle’s defenders. In the novel, 94 men are supposed to be hanged, but Brother Cadfael finds a 95th body. The extra man wasn’t hanged but strangled, and Cadfael is determined to see his murderer brought to justice. As Cadfael investigates, he navigates treacherous politics, discovers a hidden treasure, and helps two pairs of young lovers. I love the Cadfael series, and this book in particular has always been a favorite. It’s a wonderful slice of medieval life that feels cozy despite the murder plot and wartime setting. I love the mixture of political intrigue, mystery, and romance, and the book introduces one of my favorite characters in the entire series (and one of my first fictional crushes, honestly!). I thoroughly enjoyed this reread and would highly recommend both the book and the series.

Nancy Campbell Allen, Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

Emmeline O’Shea is an outspoken activist for shapeshifters’ rights, and she’s been asked to give the closing speech at an international summit that could produce a decisive victory in the struggle. But when Emme receives a nasty death threat, she’s forced to accept the protection of Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed of Scotland Yard. Emme and Oliver have clashed frequently in the past, but now that they’re spending more time together, their hostility is turning into something else. I love a good antagonists-to-lovers romance, and Emme and Oliver are both appealing characters (and yes, I especially loved buttoned-up, rule-abiding Oliver). That said, I think the first half of the book is more interesting than the second. They’re obviously in love with each other by that point, and the rest is just the plot playing itself out rather abruptly; I wanted more resolution with some of the secondary characters. Overall, this series is not a keeper for me, but I did enjoy the books and would recommend them if you like the idea of steamless historical romance with paranormal/steampunk elements.

Charlotte Stein, When Grumpy Met Sunshine

Retired footballer Alfie Harding needs a ghostwriter for his new memoir, but he’s notoriously gruff, taciturn, and hard to work with. Said ghostwriter, Mabel Willicker, is the opposite, cheerful and chatty to a fault. Their first few meetings are disastrous—pepper spray is involved—but as they work together, Mabel learns there’s much more to Alfie than meets the eye. When a paparazzi photo forces them into a fake-dating scenario, Mabel realizes she’s developed genuine feelings for Alfie, but she’s convinced he could never be interested in a plus-sized non-celebrity like her. I was a little worried this book was going to be cringey Roy Kent fanfic, but Alfie is very much his own person, and he’s an utter delight! He’s so weird and kind and awkward and vulnerable, and it’s obvious that he and Mabel are perfectly matched. I also loved Mabel and related to her insecurities as a plus-sized woman, but Alfie is definitely the star of the book. My one quibble, apart from the off-putting title, is the author’s irritating overuse of one-sentence paragraphs, which I found distracting. But I was frankly charmed by this book and would highly recommend it to contemporary romance fans!

Mini-Reviews: Never, Assistant, Convenient

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Lynn Painter, Happily Never After

It’s Sophie’s wedding day, but she doesn’t want to marry her fiancé, Stuart — she recently caught him cheating. But Stuart’s father is her dad’s horrible boss, and Sophie knows that if she calls off the wedding, her dad will lose his job. So instead, she hires someone to object during the ceremony: Stuart’s wrongdoing will be exposed, everyone will sympathize with her, and her dad’s job will remain secure. Her plan succeeds, and after the not-wedding, she ends up befriending the objector, Max. She even proposes an objecting partnership — she doesn’t believe in true love anyway, so she views breaking up weddings as a public service. But as Sophie and Max spend more time together, they can’t deny just how much they enjoy each other’s company. I really liked this book and think it might be Painter’s best yet! (Seriously, can she please write all the rom-com screenplays now?) Sophie and Max have great banter, and I truly believed that not only were they mutually attracted, but they actually liked each other. Yes, the premise is contrived, and the “obstacles” keeping them apart are flimsy at best, but I didn’t mind since the ride was so enjoyable! Definitely recommended for fans of contemporary romance.

Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Assistant to the Villain

Evie is desperate for a job to support her sick father and her little sister — so desperate that she agrees to work for The Villain, the kingdom’s most notorious evildoer. Unexpectedly, she soon falls in love with her job — and maybe with her boss as well. Unfortunately, there’s a traitor in The Villain’s organization, and Evie is determined to find that person before he/she destroys everything Evie holds dear. Apparently this book grew out of a TikTok series, and that doesn’t surprise me, given its quippy tone, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped characters. Evie and The Villain both feel incredibly juvenile, mutually infatuated yet completely oblivious to each other’s feelings. Also, I think the book dismisses The Villain’s villainy too easily…of course he’s not as evil as he appears, yet he still tortures and murders people, which somehow doesn’t seem to bother anyone! All that said, I actually had a good time reading the book; it’s a fun premise with some amusing moments, and I’ll probably read the sequel when it comes out (if only to get a real ending to the story!). The key is not to take it even a tiny bit seriously.

Louise Allen, His Convenient Duchess

Marcus has recently inherited an earldom but is dismayed to learn that one of the estates, Chalton Castle, has been sold. The new owner, Rose, is living there with her younger sisters, Chloe and Kat, because their brother is a rake and a spendthrift, and neither they nor their reputations would be safe in his house. Marcus offers to buy the castle from Rose, but she refuses — until her brother threatens to marry Chloe to a much older man with a terrible reputation. In response, Marcus proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose, so that he can protect her and her sisters from their brother’s machinations. This is my second book by Louise Allen, and I really enjoyed it! It’s well-written historical romance that isn’t bloated with unnecessary subplots or extraneous characters. Rather, it’s a quick read that focuses (as it should!) on the central romance. I do think the transition from tentative attraction to love was a bit sudden, for both Marcus and Rose, but overall I liked this one and will definitely seek out more by Allen. It looks like she’s written several books for the Harlequin Historicals imprint, so thankfully I have lots of choices!

Mini-Reviews: Rose, Scandal, Lukov

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Robin McKinley, Rose Daughter

Robin McKinley’s Beauty is one of my favorite retellings of Beauty and the Beast; when I last read it in 2020, I called it the quintessential retelling, praising its thoughtful heroine and gorgeous prose. Rose Daughter is McKinley’s other Beauty and the Beast retelling, and until now I’d never reread it, thinking that if I wanted a Robin McKinley take on this story, I’d just read Beauty again. Now, while I still prefer Beauty, I think Rose Daughter is enchanting in its own way. In this version, Beauty is an avid gardener and lover of roses. When she comes to the Beast’s palace, she takes on the task of bringing back to life his overgrown and dying rose garden. Like most of McKinley’s books, this one is quite slow, and I wish we got more of a sense of the Beast’s personality. But Beauty and her two sisters are wonderful characters, and I liked the book’s emphasis on their close sibling relationship. If you like fairy tale retellings, I’d definitely recommend both this book and Beauty; I think they each bring something unique and worthwhile to the story.

Anne Gracie, Marry in Scandal

Lady Lily Rutherford longs to marry for love, but she believes that, between her plump figure and her inability to read, she’ll have a hard time finding a husband. Her large fortune, however, makes her a target for unscrupulous men, one of whom abducts her with the intention of forcing her into marriage. Fortunately, she’s rescued by her brother’s friend, Edward Galbraith — but when she and Ned take multiple days to travel back to London, they soon learn they must wed to avoid a scandal. Lily falls for Ned immediately, but he is reluctant to love anyone, even his beguiling wife. This is a pretty standard marriage-of-convenience setup, and Anne Gracie doesn’t really bring anything new to the table in terms of plot or characterization. I did find the main characters, particularly Ned, appealing and could see why they fell for each other. Overall, this is a solid, engaging historical romance, and I certainly plan to continue with the series, but it’s not doing anything particularly special or exciting.

Mariana Zapata, From Lukov with Love

Jasmine Santos is a pairs figure skater with no partner, and at age 26, she’s running out of time to win the gold medal she wants more than anything. A surprising solution presents itself when superstar Ivan Lukov — whom Jasmine has known for years and always hated — suggests partnering up. Jasmine reluctantly agrees, but as she and Ivan train together, her feelings toward him slowly begin to change. Whether you like this book or not will probably depend on how you feel about Jasmine. She’s foulmouthed, angry, impatient, defensive, and not particularly kind — but also hardworking, determined, strong, and loyal. I didn’t always like her, but what sold me on the romance is that Ivan admires her toughness and appreciates her for who she is. It’s the slowest of slow burns, which I liked but other people might not, and I do think the book is bloated and repetitive in spots. But overall, I’m glad I read this one and would recommend it to fans of sports romances and the enemies-to-lovers trope.

Mini-Reviews: Folly, Ships, School

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Laura Kinsale, My Sweet Folly

When Folie Hamilton begins corresponding with Robert Cambourne, a relative of her husband’s who is stationed in India, they soon discover they’re kindred spirits. They fall in love through their letters, but their correspondence ends abruptly just after Folie’s husband dies. More than four years later, Robert is back in England and has summoned Folie and her stepdaughter, who is now Robert’s ward, to his remote country estate. But the cold, troubled, possibly insane man Folie meets is nothing like the man she remembers from the letters. I saw an old review online that said Kinsale writes “extreme romance,” and I definitely agree with that assessment — the drama and all the emotions are dialed up to 11. I don’t normally love high-angst romances, but this book really worked for me. The heavy drama is tempered by Folie’s lighthearted pragmatism, and while Robert is truly awful at times, we get enough insight into his state of mind at least to understand his actions. Despite the uneven and slightly bananas plot, I loved the central romance and will definitely be keeping this book on my shelves!

Martha Wells, The Ships of Air

This book picks up shortly after The Wizard Hunters left off: Tremaine has commandeered a large luxury ship, the Queen Ravenna, to transport evacuees out of Ile-Rien and try to reach the Rienish government-in-exile. She also hopes to forge a Rienish-Syprian alliance to unite against the Gardier — but she’s surprised when a political marriage becomes part of the bargain. Meanwhile, she and her allies face not only the Gardier threat but also a menacing presence aboard the ship itself. I’m continuing to enjoy this fantasy saga, though the pacing in this book is uneven; things really pick up about 2/3 of the way through, when a few of the characters get separated from the rest. Main characters Tremaine, Ilias, and Giliead get some good development, though most of the other characters remain pretty flat, and we finally learn a little bit about what makes the Gardier tick. Overall, a solid read, and I’m looking forward to the final book in the trilogy.

Catherine Lloyd, Death Comes to the School

Robert and Lucy Kurland have now been married for three years, but two miscarriages and the ensuing grief have strained their relationship. Lucy tries to distract herself with village activities and soon butts heads with the unpopular new schoolteacher, Miss Broomfield. When Miss Broomfield is subsequently stabbed to death with a hatpin, Lucy and Robert once again investigate. Could her murder be related to a spate of nasty anonymous letters circulating through the village? I’m still enjoying this series and think this book is one of the stronger installments. The conflict between Lucy and Robert feels realistic, and they’re both a bit to blame despite both having good intentions: He’s concerned for her welfare but expresses it in all the wrong ways, while she bottles up her emotions and won’t let him (or anyone else) support her. The mystery is a little lackluster and not really fair play, though I correctly guessed the culprit fairly early on. But the series’ strengths are the central characters and the immersive portrayal of village life. Looking forward to the next one!

Mini-Reviews: Secret, Lily, Always

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Sharon Shinn, The Safe-Keeper’s Secret

I actually read this book in 2023 but for some reason didn’t post my review here at the time. Oh well, better late than never!

Damiana is a safe-keeper, which means she’s bound to listen to anyone who wants to confide a secret to her, and she’s not allowed to reveal these secrets to anyone. One night a mysterious stranger arrives at her door with a newborn baby, charging her to keep the infant safe and his parentage a secret. Damiana raises this baby alongside her own child, so Fiona and Reed grow up together as brother and sister. But as they mature into adulthood, they begin to question their identities in various ways. I like Sharon Shinn’s writing style and the gentle fantasy world she’s created in this book, but I was underwhelmed by the actual story. There’s really no plot to speak of until the last couple chapters, when some long-standing secrets are revealed. I was also a bit disturbed by the hint of romance between Fiona and Reed (they’re not related by blood but were raised as siblings). Overall, this isn’t one of Shinn’s stronger works, but I have the sequel on my shelves so will undoubtedly read it at some point.

Mimi Matthews, The Lily of Ludgate Hill

Six and a half years ago, Felix Hartford and Lady Anne Deveril were in love, but they parted after a bitter argument. Hart never stopped loving Anne, though, and now he’s determined to win her back, although he’ll have an uphill battle convincing her to trust him again. Meanwhile, ever since her father’s death, Anne has been consumed with supporting her grieving mother and hasn’t been able to live her own life. Hart attracts her as much as ever, but can she learn to let go of the past? I’m a big fan of Matthews’s intelligent (and steamless!) historical romances, and this book is no exception. I liked both Hart and Anne and bought the connection between them, as well as the obstacles keeping them apart. It’s frustrating that they’ve both martyred themselves to selfish family members and can’t seem to break free, and their hesitation to commit fully to each other goes on too long. Nevertheless, I really liked this one overall and am excited for the next (and final?) installment of the series!

Mary Balogh, Always Remember

Ben Ellis, a widower with a young daughter, wants to remarry. He’s not looking for passionate love, just someone with whom he can be comfortable. He certainly shouldn’t be thinking about Lady Jennifer Arden, who’s extremely wealthy and the sister of a duke, whereas he is illegitimate. Meanwhile, Jennifer is convinced she’s unlovable due to a malformed leg that prevents her from walking. A fixer by nature, Ben helps her find various ways to become more mobile. As they grow closer, however, their families express concern about their different social stations. This third book in the Ravenswood series continues to frustrate me with its inclusion of not only Ben’s and Jennifer’s various relatives, but a bunch of random villagers as well. Most of these characters have no relevance to the plot, so why keep mentioning them? I don’t care! That said, I did like both Ben and Jennifer, who aren’t extraordinarily gorgeous or gifted; they’re just two kind people who genuinely like each other. Their relationship is pretty low-conflict; the dramatic tension comes mostly from the individual problems they’re working through. Overall, I do think this is an improvement over the previous two books in the series, but it’s still not one of Balogh’s stronger offerings.

Mini-Reviews: Fair, Wizard, Truth

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Catherine Lloyd, Death Comes to the Fair

***Warning: SPOILERS for previous books in the series!***

Lucy Harrington and Major Sir Robert Kurland have finally acknowledged their feelings and decided to marry. But before they can walk down the aisle, they encounter another violent death: Ezekiel Thurrock, a longtime village resident, is found in the church with his head bashed in. He’d been unpopular in the village ever since winning “too many” prizes for his vegetables at the local fair, but could someone have been angry enough to kill him? As Lucy and Robert investigate, they uncover secrets from centuries past that are still influencing the present. I’m continuing to enjoy this series; like its predecessors, this book is a pleasant historical mystery with a hint of romance. I wish the romance were a little more prominent, actually — we don’t get much of Lucy’s or Robert’s emotional state or much external evidence of their love for each other. Still, I plan to continue with the series and will be interested to see how the protagonists cope with married life!

Martha Wells, The Wizard Hunters

Tremaine Valiarde is a young woman whose world is literally on fire: Her homeland of Ile-Rien is being bombed by a mysterious but implacable enemy known as the Gardier. Ile-Rien’s only hope is a magical sphere in Tremaine’s possession, which is thought to be a weapon. In fact, it’s a teleportation device — when Tremaine and some compatriots test it, they’re taken to another world where they stumble upon a hidden Gardier base. They also team up with Ilias and Giliead, natives of this other world with their own score to settle against the Gardier. This book is well-written, with a creative world and engaging characters, but I also found it pretty slow going. The extensive action scenes, such as those in the caves, are overlong and a bit boring. That said, I did enjoy the book while I was reading it! I just found it put-down-able; I have less patience for these big, beefy fantasy novels than I used to. Still, I’m on board for the sequels — this book doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there’s definitely more story to tell — and I hope that Tremaine and her allies will eventually prevail.

Sharon Shinn, The Truth-Teller’s Tale

This YA fantasy novel is narrated by Truth-Teller Eleda, who is honest to the point of rudeness and incapable of telling a lie. Her twin sister, Adele, is the opposite: As a Safe-Keeper, she’s entrusted with people’s secrets and valued for her discretion. The sisters are close, even though they often irritate each other, and as they grow up they come to see the value in each other’s skills. I really enjoyed the cozy and charming world of this book, which is centered around everyday life in the girls’ village. I also liked the depiction of Eleda and Adele’s complex but ultimately loving relationship. There isn’t much to the plot—a gentle coming-of-age story with a bit of romance thrown in—but it’s a pleasant read overall. I won’t be keeping it on my shelves, though; I think Sharon Shinn has written much better books!

Mini-Reviews: Faro’s, Night, Swordheart

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Georgette Heyer, Faro’s Daughter

When Max Ravenscar learns that his young cousin, Adrian, has fallen in love with Deborah Grantham, who works in her aunt’s gaming-house, Max immediately intervenes to prevent the match. He won’t allow Adrian to fall prey to a fortune hunter, no matter how attractive she may be. In fact, Deb has no intention of marrying Adrian, but Max’s interference angers her, and she decides to teach him a lesson. The ensuing battle of wits paradoxically draws them closer and ignites an unlikely romance. A Heyer reread is always a pleasure, and this book has a particularly fun plot, as Max and Deb’s prank war escalates to ridiculous heights. Max is a fictional hero after my own heart, cold and aloof and Darcy-esque until love inspires him to unbend a little. And of course, the intelligent and lively Deb is his perfect match. This isn’t one of my very top favorite Heyers, but it’s definitely near the top, and I’d still highly recommend it!

Julia Heaberlin, Night Will Find You

Vivvy Bouchet doesn’t call herself a psychic, but she does have certain unusual abilities. When she was 10, she had a vision that saved the life of a neighbor boy, Mike. Now, 18 years later, Mike is a cop who occasionally asks Vivvy to use her “gifts” to assist his investigations. The latest case involves a girl who’s been missing, presumed dead, for several years — but Vivvy senses she’s still alive. To work the case, Vivvy is paired with another cop, Jesse Sharp, who doesn’t trust her or believe in her paranormal abilities. As they investigate, Vivvy is forced to deal with the ghosts of her own past. This is not the type of book I usually read, and I wouldn’t necessarily say I liked it, but I did find it a compelling read! The mystery of the missing girl is a bit slight, but the plot isn’t really the point. Rather, the book is an exploration of science and faith, of truth and conspiracy, of why we sometimes choose to believe lies. I liked the philosophizing, although I can see why others might not, and I would consider reading more by Heaberlin.

T. Kingfisher, Swordheart

Halla has just inherited a small fortune and is at the mercy of her odious in-laws, who want to steal her inheritance by forcing her into an unwanted marriage. Luckily, said inheritance includes an enchanted sword: When she draws it, a warrior named Sarkis appears and declares that he is bound to her service. Together, they escape from Halla’s family and seek to reclaim her inheritance, having various adventures — and falling in love — along the way. I absolutely adored this book! It’s so funny and lighthearted and full of kind people being kind to each other (though of course there are bad guys too, but they’re suitably dealt with). Pragmatic Halla and stoic Sarkis are characters after my own heart, and the supporting cast is lovely as well. My love affair with T. Kingfisher continues, and I’m definitely planning to read her Clocktaur War duology, which is set in the same world, sooner rather than later!