The Sun and the Starmaker: Review

About the Book:

Title: The Sun and the Starmaker

Author: Rachel Griffin

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Pages: 448

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Romance

Synopsis:

There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world… and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes a whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy.

Nestled deep in the snowy mountains of the Lost Range, the small village of Reverie endures on a miracle. Beyond the reach of the Sun, Reverie is dependent upon the magic of the mysterious Starmaker: every morning, he trudges across a vast glacier and pulls in sunlight over the peaks, providing the village with the light it needs to survive.

Aurora Finch grew up on tales of the Starmaker’s magic, never imagining she’d one day meet him. But on the morning of her wedding, a fateful encounter in the frostbitten woods changes everything. The Starmaker senses a powerful magic within her and demands she come study under his guidance. With her newfound abilities tied to the survival of the village, Aurora is swept away to his ice-covered castle at the mountain’s peak.

The Starmaker is as cold and distant as the dark woods, leaving Aurora to explore his enchanted castle with only an immortal rabbit for company. Yet the more she discovers about the sorcerer, the stronger their ruinous attraction grows, pulling her closer to the secrets he refuses to share. A deadly frost approaches, and Aurora must uncover what the Starmaker is hiding before she is left in an endless winter that even the Sun cannot touch.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

The Sun and the Starmaker is an enchanting and whimsical story with a fairytale setting that I absolutely loved! Griffin’s writing is captivating and I could picture the beautiful mountains, woods, and animals so vividly.

I adore Aurora. She is so fiercely loyal to her family and to her village, it is quite admirable. The Starmaker has been used to a solitary lifestyle, so when Aurora comes, the banter between them is fantastic!

LOVED this one and I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys fantasy, romance, and fairytales.

 

About the Author:

Rachel Griffin writes novels inspired by the magic of the world around her. She is the #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of atmospheric, spellbinding books for teens and adults.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel has a deep love of nature, from the mountains to the ocean and all the towering evergreens in between. She adores thunderstorms and hopes more vampires settle down in the area.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her wandering rain-soaked forests, reading by the fire, or drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea. She lives with her husband beneath the moody skies of western Washington.

Rachel is represented by Pete Knapp of Park & Fine Literary and Media. You can find her on Instagram @TimesNewRachel.

Carnival Fantastico: Review

About the Book:

Title: Carnival Fantastico

Author: Angela Montoya

Publisher: Joy Revolution

Release Date: February 3, 2026

Pages: 464

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Romance

Synopsis:

An unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that the carnival is more sinister than it appears.

Welcome to the Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, and the perfect haven for a runaway. Using her tricks and razor-sharp wit, Esmeralda becomes the carnival’s resident fortune-teller, aiming for the lead role in the Big Top Show. Success would mean freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army.

Ignacio has defected from the army and is on the hunt for evidence of his father’s corruption. But the last thing he expects to find on his father’s trail of lies is the only girl he’s ever loved, spinning false fortunes at a traveling carnival.

Perhaps fortune has thrown them together for a reason. They strike a deal: she’ll help him expose his father if he helps her secure the main act. But old feelings don’t die easily, and the commander’s secret isn’t the only thing they’ll need to confront.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

I think this was my first book by Angela Montoya, and I am so excited to have found her! Carnival Fantastico was so atmospheric, magical and full of shenanigans.  The setting is one that I love, as I love stories that take place in a circus or carnival. Perfect for fans of romantasy!

Esmeralda and Ignacio were both very likeable protagonists. I am always here for a second chance romance. They had me swooning!

I definitely recommend! If you enjoyed Caraval and The Night Circus, I think you will enjoy this one also.

About the Author:

Angela Montoya lives in Northern California with her family. She is the granddaughter of the celebrated activist and poet laureate Jose Montoya. When she isn’t with her partner, two children, goats, chickens, and dogs, you can find Angela co-hosting Of the Publishing Persuasion.

Maybe This Once (Rock Bottom Love #3): Review

About the Book:

Title: Maybe This Once

Author: Sophie Sullivan

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Two people end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling, in this small-town, opposites-attract romance from Sophie Sullivan.

Charlotte “Charlie” Ashford has worked hard to become her own person. Tired of living in the shadow of her famous parents, she gladly left behind a life of glitz and glamour to pursue her true passion: becoming a counselor. However, when a viral video upends Charlie’s plans, she wonders if the real key to discovering herself is through her late father.

Grayson Keller has finally found his footing. He’s settled in one place, surrounded by family, and secure in his business. By his third summer as owner, Get Lost Lodge is showing a steady profit and seeing its fair share of repeat visitors. Whatever happens, Grayson is perfectly content with his quiet life and careful heart. That is, until he meets Charlie, who he can’t seem to get out of his head.

On the surface, Charlie and Grayson seem to have nothing in common more than a growing attraction that neither of them can fight. Trusting each other isn’t easy. They’ve both been hurt before, and they’re not looking for anything serious. The solution is easy: they’ll date, have some fun, and walk away unscathed. Right? Or, maybe this once, they can see past the hurt to what, or who, is on the other side waiting for them.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

I really enjoy Sophie Sullivan’s books, and this was such a cute addition to the Rock Bottom Love series. This book could be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the other books in the series’ first as they are all interconnected.  If you enjoy small town, opposites attract, found family, and forced proximity tropes, I think you will enjoy this romance.

Charlie and Greyson are so cute together! They both came to the relationship with a lot of baggage, but I felt that that is what made it work for them. I love also how Charlie fit right in with the family and that Greyson has finally found someone. I had been waiting for his turn!

I definitely recommend!

 

About the Author:

SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast. She’s written ten books for St. Martin’s Press, including Ten Rules for Faking It, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and the Rock Bottom Love series. She loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She’s had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford.

The Starlight Menagerie: Review

About the Book:

Title: The Starlight Menagerie

Author: Elaine DeBohun

Publisher: Chariklo Press

Release Date: November 8, 2025

Pages: 373

Genre: Romantasy, Paranormal

Synopis:

The year is 1900. Troilo Visconti, a poetic doctor from Zurich, travels

to the Austrian springs of Bad Ischl to observe a Habsburg archduchess suffering from a case of hysteria. There, on the edge of a lake nestled firmly within the Salzkammergut mountains, he meets Philippa, a tantalizing young woman who bears a striking resemblance to his late wife. The serpent-infested grounds and wallpapered ruby halls of the empress’ tea house breed desire and secrecy, but the closer he grows to the cunning Philippa, the more Visconti is confronted by the ghost of his memory and the ethics of his treatment. Because he, too, is harboring a secret.

He has waited 500 years to find her again.

 

 

 

Review:

*I received an arc from the author for review. All thoughts are my own*

This was such a bewitching story from start to finish! DeBohun’s prose is exquisite, and the yearning and angst between the characters made this a compelling read. It was such a nice change of pace at the time that I read it, as I found it quite unique.

I absolutely love Troilo. He captivated me from the moment he entered the story. His love, devotion and passion to be reunited with his true love made me swoon.

If you like stories that span the centuries, star-crossed lovers, forbidden love and lyrical poetry I think you will enjoy this one. I definitely recommend!

About the Author:

Elaine is both and author and astrologer. She also wrote The Threaded Entanglement series.

Graceless Heart: Review

About the Book:

Title: Graceless Heart (The Spellbound History Quartet, #1)

Author: Isabel Ibañez

Publisher: Saturday Books

Release Date: January 13, 2026

Pages: 488

Genre: Adult Fantasy, Adult Romance, Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

A lush, atmospheric and achingly magical standalone adult fantasy romance set in Renaissance Italy from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.

In 15th-century Volterra, sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition hosted by a secretive, immortal family who offer an invaluable boon to the victor. Desperate to win so she can save her brother, Ravenna reveals a rare magical talent–a dangerous act in a city where magic is forbidden. Her revelation makes her a target, and she is kidnapped by the Luni family and taken to Florence, a city of breathtaking beauty and cutthroat ambition.

There, Ravenna is forced into an impossible task where failure means certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the family’s enigmatic and merciless heir. But under his cold reserve hides a vulnerability that draws her closer than she ever intended.

Meanwhile, Ravenna’s forbidden magic does not go unnoticed. The Pope, waging war against Florence, the Medici, and magic itself, has his own interest in her abilities, seeing her as a potential weapon in his ruthless campaign.

As alliances shift and war brews on the horizon, Ravenna must navigate the treacherous line between survival and betrayal, between love and duty. With time running out and her every move watched, the choices she makes will determine the fate of not just her own life, but the fragile balance of magic and power that could unravel Florence itself.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley from the publisher. Thank you to Netgalley and Saturday Books for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

I love Isabel Ibañez’s writing, so it should have come as no surprise that I would enjoy Graceless Heart. Y’all, I LOVED it! I thought this was a fantastic adult debut, and it is one of my favorite books of the year!

I adored the setting of Renaissance Italy! I could tell that this was well researched, as I felt as though I was drawn back in time, and could picture everything quite vividly. There was a lot of political intrigue, and the Pope and the Medici family are among the cast of characters. Then add in magic, which made it chef’s kiss!

Ravenna is such a strong and fascinating female protagonist. I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the story. The love of her family is one of the things that drives her character the most, and I think that’s great. I would do just about anything for my family. Despite everything she comes up against, she doesn’t stop fighting, and she is truly inspiring. Saturnino gave me some whiplash, but I wound up adoring him.

Overall, this story was just beautiful and I highly recommend it! This is a standalone, but there will be future books set in this world, and I can’t wait for more!

About the Author:

Isabel Ibañez is a USA Today, Indie, Sunday Times, and #1 New York Times bestseller and the author of the Secrets of the Nile duology, Together We Burn, Written in Starlight, and Woven in Moonlight, which is listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time and was a finalist for the William C. Morris award. She is the proud daughter of Bolivian immigrants and has a profound appreciation for history, traveling, and writing stories where her characters are often running for their lives. She currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her family, their adorable golden doodle, and an overwhelming amount of books.

The Swan’s Daughter: Review

About the Book:

Title: The Swan’s Daughter

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Pages: 400

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Retelling

 

Synopsis:

In this lush and romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.

To find love is a curse …

Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.

Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris’s parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, teatime on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.

Until he meets Demelza.

As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.

While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life but find the courage to chase a life worth living.

Review:

 

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books. All thoughts are my own*

When I saw this book go up on Netgalley, I knew I had to request it! I love Roshani Chokshi’s writing.

This book was so fun, and I found myself laughing throughout. It’s a retelling of the ugly duckling story and the atmosphere is simply magical! I love fairytale retellings, and this one did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed Demelza and Aris. Demelza was such a quirky character, and I loved that about her. I felt that she was really unique. Aris is trying to make his own way, and I enjoyed that. The side characters were all very enjoyable as well.

The story’s main focus is not on the romance, but love is still a really strong theme throughout the story.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings, humor and a friends to lovers romance, you will enjoy this one. I definitely recommend!

 

About the Author:

Roshani Chokshi is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling series The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves and Aru Shah and The End of Time, which Time Magazine named one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. Her adult debut, The Last Tale of The Flower Bride, was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and often draw upon world mythology and folklore. Chokshi is a member of the National Leadership Board for the Michael C. Carlos Museum and lives in Georgia with her husband and their cat whose diabolical plans must regularly be thwarted.

The Ivory City: Review

About the Book:

Title: The Ivory City

Author: Emily Bain Murphy

Publisher: Union Square and Co.

Release Date: November 4, 2025

Pages: 352

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance

Synopsis:

THE IVORY CITY is a historical mystery that explores the lush and vibrant St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904, where a miniature city of palaces and pavilions becomes a backdrop for romance, betrayal, and murder.

Grace and Lillie are cousins and have been best friends since birth, despite Grace’s inferior social status. When Lillie invites Grace to the biggest event of the century—the legendary World’s Fair, also known as “The Ivory City”—Grace doesn’t hesitate.

Then: a murder. A young woman at the fair is brutally killed, and suspicion quickly falls on Grace’s cousin Oliver.

Grace has to help prove Oliver innocent before he is jailed and her beloved cousin’s family is ruined forever. And along the way, discover whether the city’s wealthy elite—not least of all Oliver’s handsome, irritable friend Theodore—aren’t quite who they first appeared to be.

Because a killer is still on the loose, and all the glitz, glamor, and magic of the Ivory City is about to become a lot more dangerous to behold.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

The Ivory City was REALLY good! I have read almost all of Emily’s books, so I had to read this one of course. You could tell that this book was well researched and that a lot of love was poured into the story. It’s a murder mystery set at The World’s Fair in St. Louis, featuring all of the glitz and glamour, and a slow burn romance. I instantly felt transported to 1904! I also loved how Emily explored the darker side of the time period, the differences between classes, and some of the inhumane ways that people were treated at the World’s Fair.

The romance was *chefs kiss* I won’t say more, as I don’t want to spoil anything.

I definitely recommend!

 

About the Author:

Emily Bain Murphy is a critically acclaimed author of books for adults and young adults. She was born in Indiana and raised in Hong Kong and Japan. She graduated from Tufts University and has also called Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California home.

Murphy is the author of the YA fantasies The Disappearances, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and Splinters of Scarlet, which received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Bookpage and was nominated for the MASL Truman Readers’ Award. Both are available now from HarperCollins.

Murphy’s adult historical mystery Enchanted Hill is available now from Union Square and Co./Hachette. The Ivory City, a standalone adult historical mystery set at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, will be published in November 2025 from Union Square and Co./Hachette.

Murphys’s debut middle grade fantasy trilogy Lightseekers will be published in March 2026 from WaterBrook Multnomah/Penguin Randomhouse.

Murphy is represented by Peter Knapp at Park, Fine & Brower Literary and Media. She currently lives in the St. Louis area with her husband, three children, and a rescue bunny. Find her online at Instagram @emilybainmurphy and Facebook @emilybainmurphy.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas: Review

About the Book:

Title: You Make It Feel Like Christmas

Author: Sophie Sullivan

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Release Date: September 23, 2025

Pages: 320

Genre: Christmas, Romance, Holiday

Synopsis:

 

All bets are off when a single-minded photographer and a professional hockey player are forced to spend a week together on his sister’s Christmas tree farm, perfect for fans of Jenny Holiday and Maggie Knox.

Maisie Smart has a don’t-look-back policy–not on the choice she made to be a photographer (despite her family’s wishes) and not on the one-night stand she had six months ago. Sleeping with someone she barely knew was out of character; sleeping with a professional hockey player who bolted the morning after is a whole new level of embarrassing. Getting invited to spend the week at Tickle Tree Farm with her family this Christmas is a sure way to fill her with holiday spirit. Until the universe throws a Grinch in her festive plans in the form of the one man she hoped to avoid.

Nick King is a mess. After a significant injury lands him on the bench for every game for the rest of the month, he has more time to dwell on the one night stand he can’t get out of his head. With time on his hands, his anxiety hovering, and the holidays around the corner, he figures visiting his sister and nephew at their Christmas tree farm will be a good way to lie low and sort himself out. He’s in for a surprise when it turns out Maisie is staying at his sister’s and his attraction for her hasn’t lessened one bit in the last six months. Apparently, neither has her anger at him for bailing. But Christmas is the time for second chances, and the forced proximity may help Nick and Maisie unwrap feelings neither of them can walk away from twice.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

This was such a fun and festive holiday read! I finished it right after New Year’s, so it was the perfect time for me. If you’re a fan of holiday romances and/or contemporary romances, I think you will enjoy this one. Honestly, this could be read and enjoyed at any time during the year. I also appreciated the anxiety rep that the author handled rather well throughout the story.

Maisie a photographer, and Nick a professional hockey player, had a one-night stand 6 months ago. They haven’t talked to each other since then. Maisie is invited to a Christmas Tree farm to take photographs of the farm and spend the holidays with her family.  The owner of the tree farm and inn winds up being the sister of Nick, and they are shocked at seeing each other. They are forced to spend a week together, as they are all there with family for the holidays. Will they get a second chance?

I definitely recommend!

About the Author:

SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast. She’s written ten books for St. Martin’s Press, including Ten Rules for Faking It, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and the Rock Bottom Love series. She loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She’s had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford.

Snowbound Regency Christmas: A Forced Proximity Historical Romance

About the Book:

Title: Snowbound Regency Christmas

Authors: Carla Kelly, Joanna Johnson, Samantha Hastings

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Release Date: November 25, 2025

Pages: 272

Genre: Christmas, Historical Romance, Regency

Synopsis:

Three heart-warming forced proximity romance novellas to cosy up with this festive season

Three snow-kissed Regency romances

In one festive volume!

In A Christmas Houseguest   by   Carla Kelly, when a snowstorm stops their mail coach, Rosie offers a fellow passenger sanctuary at her farm. War-weary from the navy, Andy will find his Christmas angel hard to leave…

In Their Yuletide Reunion by Joanna Johnson, rejecting Lieutenant Fitzjames’s proposal is Jane’s greatest regret. Now, her future is in peril. Until an unexpected Christmas invitation leads to a second chance!

In The Christmas Husband Charade by Samantha Hastings, Devin finds himself snowed in with Julia—the woman who jilted his brother! When he is forced to masquerade as her husband, their mutual hatred evolves into an irresistible connection…

From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.

Review:

*I received a complimentary copy for review. Thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Snowbound Regency Christmas is another collection of three stories that I really enjoyed and that got me in the holiday spirit. Each story revolves around a different couple that find love in the most unexpected of ways.

In A Christmas Houseguest, stuck on a mail coach, a soldier war-weary from the Navy is offered sanctuary on a farm during a snowstorm. There he meets a wonderful and caring family, including Rose, who may just save him. I really liked how PTSD was explored in this one.

The Yuletide Reunion was a story about second chances. Jane’s greatest regret has been rejecting Lieutenant Fitjames’s proposal. Her future is currently in peril, until an unexpected Christmas invitation may just change her life. Such a sweet story!

The Christmas Husband Charade finds Devin snowed in with Julia, the woman who jilted his brother! When Devin is forced to masquerade as Julia’s husband, their mutual hatred begins to evolve into something more. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, so I really loved this one!

All in all, a fun collection of heartwarming Christmas stories. I recommend!

About the Authors:

Carla Kelly-

Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America’s Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)

Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the “Fort Laramie stories,” which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty’s Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here’s to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.

The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian’s Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)

Carla’s husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, “Prairie Lite.”

Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let’s face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.

Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She’s never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.

Here’s another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion) and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.

Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is “to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you’re done.” He’s right, of course.

Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.

And that’s all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in Latin.

Joanna Johnson-

Joanna Johnson lives in a little village with her husband and too many books. After completing an English degree at university, she went on to work in publishing, although she’d always rather, she was working on her own books rather than other people’s. This dream came true in 2018 when she signed her first contract with Harlequin and she hasn’t looked back, spending her time getting lost in mainly Regency history and wishing it was still acceptable to write a manuscript with a quill.
Samantha Hastings-
Samantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey-sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her kids. She writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen.

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1): Review

About the Book:

Title: Fallen City

Author: Adrienne Young

Publisher: Saturday Books

Release Date: November 4, 2025

Pages: 416

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

In the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate’s daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose—to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city’s Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casperia was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel’s inner workings, and she knows what her future holds—a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

As a secret comes to light and throws the city into chaos, Luca and Maris hatch a plot to create a calculated alliance that could tip the scales of power. But when an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war. As their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing. And even if they can find their way back to each other, there may be nothing left.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Fallen City sounded really amazing, and I love Adrienne Young, but this one unfortunately didn’t wind up a favorite.

I think the structure of the book really impacted my feelings regarding the story. The story is told in dual timelines and alternating points of view, between the main characters, Maris and Luca. I think the flip flopping between past and present became confusing at times. There are also gods and a magic system in the story that I feel needed to be more fleshed out.

The ending of the story winds up on a cliffhanger and I am disappointed in the direction that the two main characters seem to be headed. I still want to read the next book to see what happens, and hopefully the author will clear up some of the things that were confusing in the first.

 

About the Author:

Adrienne Young is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the Sky and Sea duology, the Fable series, and Spells for Forgetting. When she’s not writing, you can find Adrienne on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

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