The Inklings Digest 16

Currently Reading:

I’m currently reading a few books! First, Kill for me, Kill for you by Steve Cavanagh. This says its for fans of the Silent Patient and Gone Girl, so I’m excited to see why it has such a high rating. I’m about 50% through and really enjoying it so far. I’m also currently reading an ARC copy of The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah. I’m close to 40% through this one and really enjoying it. It’s the follow up to The Stardust Thief and is set to be a trilogy. Really intricate and beautiful world building. I’ve also started This Woven Kingdom as well, but have only gotten through the first chapter. I think I’ll be doing a read with me for this one.

Recent Reads:

I’ve averaged about 15-20 book per month so far for 2025. Notable reads since the last Inklings Digest are Quicksilver by Callie Hart. I understand this book is not the most well-written, but it had everything in it that I was wanting and expecting. I absolutely devoured it and definitely recommend if you’re a romantasy fan who doesn’t mind looking past a bit of cringe-inducing moments.

Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang had my heart in its grip and then ripped it out of my chest. I read this book before Sword of Kaigen, so I didn’t have any expectations for it. I’ve seen a lot of people who say this is still wonderful, but not as good as the Sword of Kaigen was. I’ve also seen a few people who prefer this one. I don’t have the comparison right now, though I do plan on getting to the Sword of Kaigen soon. All I can say is this book was rage inducing and written for the overlooked, over worked, and underestimated girlies. I loved it. I sobbed. I loved the magic. I loved the characters. I loved the realistic reactions to certain situations – though some of that realism tapered off towards the end. It was damn well near perfect and I cannot wait to read more of her work.

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy was another book that hurt my feelings and I will be telling my therapist about it. This is a book about grief, fear, and what all of that can look like to a child. It’s about how parents take desperate measures to protect their children, occasionally without considering how their methods could impact their children. It’s intense, interesting, and absolutely heart breaking. Nat Cassidy always makes sure to put trigger warnings in the beginning of his books and please be sure to read those before reading this novel.

The Butcher’s Masquerade by Matt Dinniman and Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave are two more recent reads of mine. I finished Finlay Donovan yesterday. Both of these are great continuations of their series. Carl and Princess Donut have my heart and their fight to stay as human as they can during this is heartbreaking but also so fun to watch (I am not better than the aliens in this series, I know). I’ve seen some critiques for the Finlay Donovan series, such as how unrealistic they are or expressing frustration that Finlay is a mother yet consistently does not have her children much in the book. There is always someone else watching them. My reasoning for why those critiques don’t bother me are these: the plot is that Finlay is an author who is accidentally mistaken for a hitman and, unfortunately, gets caught up in the mafia and has to juggle that with her divorce and being a parent. It has never been realistic. It was never meant to be. It’s a cozy series. I suspend my disbelief and just enjoy the ride all the way through. Also, she has her kids enough for them to play into the story without them making the story impossible. I love this series. It is not for everyone, but I adore them. And I need the next one immediately.

This Week’s Plans:

I would like to plan a few posts for the blog for the rest of this month. I’m also participating in Realmathon, hosted my Cassidy on Youtube under Covers With Cassidy. It’s a really fun month long readathon with a competitive twist Cassidy does every year in March. I’m on Team Ravens this year, host by Lexie at Books with Lexie and Leandra at Leandra the TBR Zero. I would like to finish the books I’m currently reading and there are about 2 holds that should be coming in soon. I don’t have any plans for what I’ll be picking up next, I’m just going with the flow. What are you currently reading? Let me know!