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.

For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/

Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks

About the Book:

Title: Wild Reverence

Author: Rebecca Ross

Publisher: Saturday Books

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Pages: 527

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

Dear Matilda, I wrote.
I let the words flow for her.
And when the ink dried,
I gave my very heart
to the fire.

Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic she uses to carry words and letters through the realms. But the gods will kill for power, and Matilda holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest allies.

And there is a mortal who dreams of her, though they have never met in the waking world. Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life—begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. His request went unanswered, and Vincent became a hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda . . . until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him.

Matilda and Vincent were fated to find each other beyond dreams. But to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, Matilda will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: finally allowing herself to be loved.

Review:

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

Solid adult debut! Rebecca Ross is one of my favorite authors, so I will read anything that she writes. Wild Reverence is the prequel story to the Letters of Enchantment duology. Her writing is just so vivid and sumptuous and pulls me into her stories.

Wild Reverence started out a little slowly for me, but once I really got into it, it was harder to put down. I really love Matilda and Vincent, and I appreciated how we got to know their characters over time and what really made them tick. They came up against so many challenges, and I loved how they persevered despite it all. The romance between them felt like a classic romance, and I loved this! The magic system and world building were spot on.

I recommend! Can’t wait to read more from Rebecca!

About the Author:

Rebecca Ross is the #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy books for teens and adults.

She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.

When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.

Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.

About the Book:

Title: A Land So Wide

Author: Erin A. Craig

Publisher: Pantheon

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Pages: 368

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Roots and Ruin, an irresistible blend of dark fairytale and romantic fantasy set in the beautiful but brutal Canadian wilderness.

Like everyone else in the settlement of Mistaken, Greer Mackenzie is trapped. Founded by an ambitious Scottish lumber merchant, the tiny town on the edge of the American continent is blessed with rich natural resources that have made its people prosperous—but at a cost. The same woods that have lined the townsfolks’ pockets harbor dangerous beasts: wolves, bears, and the Bright-Eyeds—monsters beyond description who have rained utter destruction down on nearby settlements. But Mistaken’s founders made a deal with the mysterious Benevolence: the Warding Stones that surround the town will keep the Bright-Eyeds out—and the town’s citizens in. Anyone who spends a night within Mistaken’s borders belongs to it forever.

Greer, a mapmaker and eccentric dreamer, has always ached to explore the world outside, even though she knows she and her longtime love, Ellis Beaufort, will never see it. Until, on the day she and Ellis are meant to finally begin their lives together, Greer watches in horror as her beloved disappears beyond the Warding Stones, pursued by a monstrous creature. Swiftly realizing that the stories she was raised on might be more myth than fact, Greer figures out a way to escape Mistaken for the very first time. Determined to rescue Ellis, she begins a trek through the cold and pitiless wilderness. But Greer is being hunted, not only by the ruthless Bright-Eyeds but by the secret truths behind Mistaken’s founding, as well as her own origins.

Playfully drawing from Scottish folklore, Erin A. Craig’s adult debut is both a deeply atmospheric and profoundly romantic exploration of freedom versus security: a stunning celebration of one woman’s relentless bravery on a quest to reclaim her lost love—and claim her own future.

Review:

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

I love Erin A. Craig, and her writing in this one is what drew me in! This was solid for her adult debut, drawing from Scottish folklore.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere she creates in the beginning of the story. It’s so romantic and gothic feeling. I definitely could relate to the character’s sense of being trapped within the town and feeling as though they had no idea what was out in the world. I did a buddy read for this one, and we both agreed that the events described in the synopsis did not really take place until about half-way through the book and felt as though they were already a given.

The story was well written overall, with the first half being very atmospheric and romantic. The second half of the book felt more rushed to me.

I recommend and can’t wait to read more from this author!

About the Author:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.

After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.

An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.

To find out more about Erin and the worlds she creates, follow @penchant4words on Instagram and Threads.

She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.

About the Book:

Title: Between the Veil

Author: Zoe Zeman

Publisher: Book Bridge Publishing Company

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Pages: 365

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Synopsis:

One ancient prophecy. Two wicked kingdoms. Three lives woven together by fate.

Night after night, Auden is tormented by creatures that haunt her nightmares and leave physical scars in the waking world. Day after day, she trains with determination, driven to avenge the loss of her parents to these malevolent beings.

When the kingdom is besieged by an ancient evil, Auden loses the only solace she has ever known. Grief ignites an unknown power within her, a force that teeters between good and evil. In this moment of anguish, truths long concealed are laid bare–the immortal rulers have sinister intentions to exploit Auden’s abilities and expand their realm.

Caught in the maelstrom of the immortals’ schemes and the emergence of her own uncontrollable powers, Auden must confront the realization that she may be the greatest threat of all.

Will she accept the destiny laid out for her, risking everything to fulfill a prophecy, or will she defy the spirits’ will and choose a life of freedom at the cost of unimaginable chaos? As darkness stirs and evil prevails, Auden decides the path that will shape the very fabric of fate.

Review:

*I received an e-arc from the author for review. Thank you for the opportunity! All thoughts are my own*

Solid fantasy debut for Zoe Zeman! I was hooked from the beginning of this spellbinding story, which compelled me to keep turning the page and wanting to know more. The world and characters are vividly imagined, and there are lot of twists and turns along the way. If you like immortals, the chosen one, ancient prophesies, court intrigue, battle scenes, love triangles, forced proximity, and a good slow burn, I think you will enjoy this one!

Every night, Auden is tormented by creatures in her nightmares that leave physical scars on her when she wakes. She spends her days training hard to someday avenge her parents who were killed by these horrible creatures.

When her kingdom is besieged by an ancient evil, Auden loses the only solace she has ever known. Grief ignites an unknown power within her, that is a fine balance between good and evil. In this moment of anguish, truths come to light that have been kept hidden. The immortal rulers of the kingdom plan to use Auden and her powers to expand their realm and influence.

Auden finds herself trapped between the immortals plans for her and her own uncontrollable powers. She must come to terms with the fact that she herself may be the greatest threat of them all.

Will Auden accept the path laid out before her, risking all to fulfil an ancient prophecy? Or will Auden defy the will of the spirits and choose a life of freedom which could cause complete chaos? As darkness stirs and evil triumphs, Auden chooses the path that could shape the very fabric of fate.

I really enjoyed the main character, Auden and I felt as though I could feel all the feelings she had. She is a character that has gone through unimaginable grief and loss, all while dealing with anxiety and depression. I really appreciated how the author touched on those subjects in the story and made her and other characters so relatable. As someone that has anxiety, I always appreciate positive representation in books. Auden is so much braver than she gives herself credit for, and she grows so much throughout the story. She also has a good sense of humor which brought some lighthearted feeling to the story. I also enjoyed reading from the POVs of the two MMC, Everett and Azrael. I love the banter between them all! There’s a love triangle and I feel as though it could go either way at this point, and I’m really interested to see what happens in the next book. I know who my favorite is, I tend to go for the morally grey bad boys. 😉

I definitely recommend and I look forward to book two!

About the Author:

Zoe Zeman is a devoted wife, loving mother, and child of God with an insatiable love for reading, writing, and the world of imagination. When she’s not lost amidst the pages of a gripping fantasy novel, you’ll likely find her weaving together the next chapter of her own story.

While her heart lies in the world of words, Zoe also wears the hats of a nurse and educator. With a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing education, she works part-time teaching clinical for her alma mater, nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

An overachiever and an ambitious dreamer, Zoe fills her days with a mix of creative pursuits and hands-on family life. Whether she’s chasing after her little one, cuddling up with her husband and their dog, or balancing her professional responsibilities, Zoe finds joy in every moment, all while creating stories that transport readers to new worlds.

For Zoe, there’s never a dull moment, and that’s just the way she likes it.