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Is Arrow of Fortune Worth Your Time?
Information:
- Goodreads: 4.51 out of 180
- My Rating: 2.5
- Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
- Series: Raiders of the Arcana, book 3
- Age Category: Adult
Summary:
This is the third book in the Raiders of the Arcana series. This series is essentially following Adam and Ellie, an American boy who rebelled against his rich family and a woman seeking her own autonomy in England, as they travel across the world to work towards saving ancient relics from the villains of this world who would use them for their own personal gain (usually to the detriment of others). Once again, we are following Adam, Ellie, Constance, and Neil to India full of intrigue, mystery, a hero’s hidden past, and lush Indian history. Ellie and Adam are working through their nontraditional love for one another while Constance and Neil may (or may not) have something going on with them as well. How super cute.
This is an ARC provided by Netgalley.
Review:
I started this series absolutely in love with it. There’s even a post here about how much I fell in love with the first book, Empire of Shadows. It was sold to me as ‘for the girlies who loved the Mummy.’ And, honestly, it absolutely provided that. The second one was okay. There is one complaint I have that I know is absolutely a ‘me’ problem – to the extent that it doesn’t affect my score other than in my enjoyment aspect because I know this is very much so personal preference. I don’t like. books that are following this one couple and then introduces another that we follow during the series as well. I tend to feel as if the couples almost always follow the same formula and it just feels like I’m watching the same thing twice. That’s not entirely the issue with this one, it’s just not my preference.
With this third book, I’m not sure what I was fully expecting. I was excited to pick it up, even with the fact that I didn’t entirely enjoy the second. While reading this one, it’s clear that there’s a formula being followed nearly exactly. That’s fine for cozy reads. But I would caution people to read these a decent time apart to take that into account. The characters start by traveling somewhere and finding out there’s a relic for them to go after because the bad guys – who are always the same people – are also after it and they can’t allow that to happen. They run into the bad guys, the bad guys have a chance to kill em, they end up not doing so because Ellie and Adam having something to do with their plans ( though no one knows what that is, not even the bad guy himself), they end up rescuing the relic, and onto the next place. Throughout that, Ellie struggles with how her nontraditional life fits into Adam’s life and doesn’t communicate about it (another trope I hate) while Constance does whatever her little heart desires and flusters the hell out of Neil.
It’s not a bad story. It’s well written, the characters are good, they all have chemistry – to an extent – and the mystery is always interesting as well. Granted, I could be looking at this as an undereducated white lady, but it seems like the cultures and history within these books are well researched and treated with respect. Adam and Ellie have sweet moments throughout this, such as when they were discussing fully having sex with one another instead of Adam creatively going about it. It’s closed door, but you do get to see some of these conversations. Ellie had asked if Adam could locate contraceptives that she had learned about and he was down to do that. Two points about that before I carry on: I love that Ellie is the one who asked rather than Adam bringing it up or pushing for it. They truly go with whatever Ellie is comfortable with and at her pace and I love that. But, Adam makes sure Ellie is fully knowledgable about that option, too. He makes sure she knows that contraceptives, especially during this time period, are not foolproof and there would still be a possibility that she gets pregnant. He then goes further to reassure her that he doesn’t care that she doesn’t want children. He chose her and he’s happy with that, however it looks. And it truly does seem that way – this man appeared to be perfectly happy never fully having sex with her as long as he got to be with her. Love that.
Ellie, however, is struggling. She wants more time with Adam but can’t share a room because they aren’t married. Constance tells her she could just pretend like her and Adam are married. Then they get all the benefits of it without the legal ties. I have a few complaints and/or questions about this, though. I will admit that I could be confused or looking at it wrong. But, still. Ellie disagrees with marriage because it’s used as part of the system that hold women down and removes their autonomy. I get that and I can stand behind that. But how is she not, in a certain way, still putting herself in that system by pretending to be married? Maybe I’m silly. But would she be kicked out or arrested if she just said no, I’m rooming with Adam and we’re spending time together? We saw her stand on her beliefs to the point of being arrested before and I’m just confused about this stance. Also, it’s getting tiring with her wrestling with a decision that impacts Adam as well yet refusing to have that conversation because she’s worried about how he’ll react or what he’ll think. He’s shown nothing but kindness and understanding and has proven that he is more than willing to go with whatever she needs him to do. Why would this be any different? Spoiler alert: it isn’t.
This book is good. It’s not a bad read in the slightest. It’s just very much so not to my preference. I do feel as if it would be difficult to have this kind of story not become formulaic, but I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t enjoy the lack of communication or my lack of understanding why certain characters had to make certain decisions. I don’t think I’m going to continue, but I do still love the first book.
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Fantasy Whodunit: Solving the Murder in Yarrowdale in A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
Information:
- Goodreads: 4.58 out of 826 Ratings (being Published April 1st, 2025)
- Age Category: Adult
- Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
- Series: Shadow of The Leviathan, Book 2
Summary:
Ana and Din are back at it, but Ana may have met her match. They’re in Yarrowdale, a city at the edge of the Empire – half way empire and half way under control of the Yarrowdale King. There have been discussions about Yarrowdale officially becoming part of the empire – unfortunately a death of the most curious nature takes place during the negotiations. Enter Ana and Din on their never-ending quest to solve the insolvable. It’s a locked room mystery with the killer completing tasks that, previously, were deemed impossible. So incredibly fun.
Review:
If you enjoyed the first book, I don’t see this sequel being a disappointment. The writing and tone of the story reminds me of if Knives Out and Glass Onion were fantasy and Benoit Blanc was an enhanced older lady. And I say that with the most love possible. It’s serious and has gruesome and horrible depictions of death. There are characters who are the definition of depravity. Yet it still somehow maintains such an upbeat and kind of funny way of telling the story. You have a gruesome and dreary atmosphere that’s told in a slew of comments that genuinely made me giggle. Out loud.
“You know, you are not a stupid person, Din.” “Thank you, Ma’am,” I said, pleased. “Or rather, not an unusually stupid person.” “Thank you, ma’am,” I said, far less pleased.
Let’s start with Ana and Din because they are, quite honestly, what makes these books absolutely perfect. Ana, this old woman with substance use issues and some manic tendencies, absolutely obsessed with finding patterns and solving issues. Din, this younger (?) guy who is a bisexual king, sleeping with whoever is willing to let him smash in order to find peace at night and be able to sleep. There’s something about seeing two people who are the polar opposites getting along and being just about the only people to fully accept one another. Watching the calm and ‘normal’ one handle the very not normal one with an air of almost begrudged amusement or even just being the only one able to roll with it is something I eat up every single time.
Though she slept before me like a child, this frail white thing remained beyond me. I gently lifted her blindfold from her nightstand and tucked it about her eyes again. “For when you wake, ma’am,” I said softly. Then I left.
This book has the main mystery of solving the murder(s) and find the culprit. It’s mysterious and interesting – I tried to guess what I thought was going on at 25%, 50%, and 70%. I will say I was partially right on one guess and there are moments that could lead you – roughly – to the right conclusion. But Ana’s ending monologues laying out how the killer did the killing (and the why) are always perfection. It’s dramatic and funny and absolutely bonkers. Loved every minute of it. Think of the ending of Knives Out and Glass Onion, where Benoit Blanc does his monologues and that’s exactly what Ana’s feel like, except she’s also somehow a little more sinister.
Din is struggling throughout this whole book. He wants a different job to be with the man who stole his heart in the first book and also have a job that feels more important and potentially more rewarding. But there are circumstances that hold him where he is and he doesn’t feel like he can tell anyone about it. He’s sleeping with anyone willing just about every single night because he can’t find enough peace to sleep without doing so. He’s struggling and he’s struggling pretty hard but trying to keep his head above water. He’s trying to find his place throughout this entire thing and, surprise surprise, Ana is completely aware of it. She gives him advice and comfort in the only way that makes sense for Ana, but it makes absolutely no sense to Din until later. It’s fantastic seeing Din grow to see the importance in what he does towards the end of the book. Even if he isn’t in love with it just yet, he grows to see why his job is needed and why Ana might need him.
Then she reached out, fumbled to find me, took me by the hand, and squeezed it: the first time she’d ever done so in my memory. “Then I thank you, Dinios Kol,” she said quietly. “I hope I shall be an instrument of service to you, just as much as you are to me. And..I can hardly think of a better watchman than you. I shall keep you close – for though you and I are small, together we can forge grand things indeed.”
Ana is a mystery in and of herself. She’s manic. She’s bonkers. She’s is terrifying. You see hints of what she may be throughout the story, with her doing even more insane things than she did in the first novel. The reader gets a hint of how her augmentations affect her more in this and how intense it can be. I’m so excited to read more about her and what she is and what she’s gone through – I truly hope her mystery is one that continues to be unraveled as we go. And it was so incredibly interesting to see how she reacted to having someone who appeared nearly as intelligent and spooky as her running around. It was even better for her to realize the killer had no huge, grand, outrageous reasoning and be so incredibly disappointed by how small it all really was.
I’ve already touched on the mystery, which I can’t talk too much about without spoiling it. I found it to be satisfying, even if Ana didn’t. The atmosphere and picture of Nature taking over and being this incredibly dangerous thing in this world and how grotesque it can be really lends to the almost gothic, foggy, and spooky atmosphere to the mystery itself. Even though the writing style is more upbeat, it allows itself to slow down when the time calls for it. I loved every piece of this book. The only critique I really have is towards the writing with Ana cussing nearly every other sentence. There are time when it feels like her natural speak and other times when it feels forced. I can also see how this isn’t for everyone. It is fantasy, but it’s an investigative mystery first. And if you’re looking for something a little more serious or don’t like Benoit Blanc’s movies, then I don’t know if you’d enjoy this either. For me, it’s nearly perfect.
I would love to know if you’ve read the first book and what you thought about it if you have. Do you plan on picking this one up when it comes out? I’ve already preordered a physical copy so that I can add in my annotations.
“This work can never satisfy, Din, because it can never finish. The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall aways persist. The duty of Iudex is not to boldly vanquish it but to manage it. We keep the stain from spreading, yes, but it is never gone. Yet this job is perhaps the most important in all the Iyalets, for without it, well…the Empire would come to look much like Yarrow, where all the powerful and cruel prevail without check. And tell me – does that realm look capable of fighting off a Leviathan? “
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Exploring the Jinn Realm: A Review of The Ashfire King, Book 2 in the Sandsea Trilogy
Information:
- Goodreads: 4.39 out go 126 Ratings as of March 12, 2025 – release date is April 15th.
- Age Category: Adult but reads more closely upper end of YA in my opinion
- Series: Sandsea Trilogy, Book 2
- Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
Loulie, the Night Merchant, and Mazen are trapped in the jinn realm, which is currently crumbling thanks to a certain king. In order to get back home and to Qadir, they must save the jinn world. The world is on the cusp of collapse and Loulie and Mazen find conflict and shady people around every corner. They are faced with considering their own lives, as well as fix the mistakes of others. Meanwhile, Aisha is fighting her own fight as well.
Review:
I gave this a 3 star rating. I adored the first book in the series. The world is so intricate and beautiful. There are jinn, magical relics, actual flying carpets. It is absolutely stunning. The world building is even better within this book, as we actually get to see the jinn world. The characters aren’t even really what I struggled with. They are fun and interesting. This book is about them deciding their legacy. Do they take on someone else’s or carve their own?
It’s a book full of introspection. Mazen is deciding what kind of ruler he is willing to be, if it comes to that. Loulie is deciding who to believe and trust in, particularly when her trust in specific people is called into question. Aisha is navigating her hatred for the jinn while having one live currently sharing her body. You see a lot of character arcs throughout this book, especially when looking at how they were in the beginning of the Stardust Thief. There’s even a cutesy little romance growing, but no worries about that taking over, it doesn’t. It’s barely there at all, but still sweet. My gripe with the characters is that my favorite and the one I wanted to see the perspective of and learn more about is hardly in this book. It’s even named after him and he’s hardly in it.
Next is the writing. The prose is nice; it’s not overly descriptive and not overly simple. It has a lovely flow that feels perfect for the book. The battle scenes are absolutely phenomenal and gripping. Unfortunately, it was also incredibly repetitive. I lost count of how many times Loulie or Mazen commented on Rijah’s eyes – I get it, they glow and they almost never change their eyes when they take the form of someone else. I know it’s a way for the two of them to note whenever it’s Rijah they’re looking at and not someone else, but it just got so repetitive. I swear, the comment “but the eyes were glowing blue and I knew it was Rijah” (not a direct quote, but something very, very similar) at least 5 times within one chapter. Still, each chapter ends on a cliff hanger that has the reader desperate to keep turning pages.
While the writing is done really well, aside from repeating specific phrases, it also reads as if it’s the older portion of YA instead of purely adult. I have read two of these books now and I have no idea how old these characters are. I can believe Aisha is an adult, but Loulie and Mazen? They read as 15-16 at most. They feel so immature. Maybe that’s because they’re constantly around other characters who are centuries older than them. I’m willing to give it that benefit of the doubt, but it just reads as extremely well-written YA in the way the characters interact with one another and view things. That’s not a bad thing at all, just something to take note of.
The plot also felt like it took a small step behind the characters in this one. The first felt like the plot was two steps over the characters, so it makes sense. The plot is still absolutely happening, but it’s the characters making these big decisions that feels more like a focal point. Still, the plot was incredibly interesting. I hate Omar. There were times the characters were confused on who to believe and who to trust and I’m still not sure who is doing what. I believe that’s on purpose. Hopefully. There’s a queen who has made some fucked decisions, but ultimately wanted what she thought was good for her people – though her plan was hurting them. There’s an ifrit who feels alone and abandoned and is acting out on that – though her plan was saving the jinn realm. There’s a servant of the queen who hated her more than anything and is apparently the biggest villain of them all? I like that it’s not a nice and pretty bow. I like that each of them are bad people in some aspects and great people in others. You can feel for each of them.
Ultimately, this was slightly a bummer. But, I’ll give it to Chelsea Abdullah, she knows how to write an ending because that ending has me absolutely needing the next book immediately. It’s well-written with a stunning world and compelling characters, but it was not what I was expecting this book to be or what I wanted it to be. That in no way makes it bad, it just wasn’t what I wanted. And that’s okay. I do think a lot of people are going to enjoy this even more than the first. Are you planning on reading this one? Let me know!
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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!
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Finding Family Through Heartfelt Sci-Fi: The Bones Beneath My Skin
Information:
- Goodreads: 4.26 out of 7,704 Ratings
- Age Category: Adult
- Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
- Series: None
Summary:
Nate Cartwright’s parents are dead. His dad went home one day and decided to shoot his wife and himself, leaving Nate and his brother behind. Huge bummer, honestly. Except, they only gave Nate the cabin they’d found him in with his boyfriend and his father’s truck. He hasn’t even seen them since that fateful day, everyone in his family turning against him for who he loved. To make it worse, he’s been fired from his job. So, why not move to the cabin for a fresh start? Seems like a grand idea until his finds a man and his 10 year old daughter squatting in his cabin, pointing a gun at his head. And it’s from meeting these two that Nate finally finds his purpose in this world. That he finally knows and understands that he matters.
Review:
This book is so wholesome and heartfelt and emotional. The writing is quirky and fun. I could see a lot of people not liking it. It doesn’t read linearly – Nate’s thought process jumps between memories to the present. I liked it. I felt like it added to the quick pacing of the book while also allowing a deeper look into who Nate is.
The Bones Beneath My Skin markets itself as thriller sci-fi, but the thrilling aspect isn’t what you’d immediately think going into it. I haven’t read anything else by TJ Klune, so I can’t compare this to his other writing. I have heard a lot of people talk about his other books as if they’re relatively cozy, heart warming, emotional, and almost always found family. That’s exactly what this book is. You have a character whose family hated him for being gay. You have another character who tragically lost his family (his wife and son) and was delivered to a replacement child as an experiment. Then you have a young character who has never known what it is like to be human and is, unfortunately, learning the hard way. But it doesn’t seem all that hard when she’s surrounded by the love and awe of the two men who would do absolutely anything for her. And all wraps up in this beautiful found family aspect that makes me itch to read more of Klune’s work when I need something that is so sweet it almost gives you a toothache.
We didn’t come to save you. Only you can do that. We came to be your friend. To make you understand that, in the end, you are never alone.
I could see a lot of people not enjoying the pacing of this book. I could see them saying that there isn’t much of a thrilling aspect until the end – because there isn’t. But I think when you know the book is more focused on this little family than it is what’s going on around them, that will help the pacing and the irritation with the lack of anything genuinely thrilling. Sure, there are moments when Nate has a gun pointed at him by the guy he eventually falls in love with. And he isn’t sure in the beginning if Alex stole Art or not and was, rightfully, very confused and very worried for her safety. Then you have people shooting at them, but they get out relatively fine. And the chunk between that and the cult is big enough to maybe get bored. The action is paused for Nate and Alex to get closer, then Nate and Art to get closer. You see the men fall in love and share their backstories. You see as the men learn more about Art and just enjoy being around her.
It would make sense for some people to find that irritating, slow, or too mushy for what they were wanting. For me, it endeared me more to the book. Because even though I hadn’t read any of Klune’s work before, I knew that the emphasis is almost always on love, friendship, and finding a family when it feels like you have none. It was beautiful. It was funny in some places. It was heartbreaking in others. And it made me feel like I needed to cry during the end and I had to choke back tears because I was at work and couldn’t be caught reading on the clock. Honestly, this book was just wholesome and beautiful. Does it feel like something to reread and annotate? No, I wouldn’t say that. But it did feel like something that I think a lot of people could read right now and be made to feel seen and heard.
I definitely recommend this book. If you’d like it, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/42DF8pi This is an affiliate link, but there’s no pushing it. I definitely recommend seeing if it’s the book for you first. If you want something fast paced, setting your heart on edge, and is actually thrilling, this might not be what you’re looking for. But if what I described above seems to be what you’re looking for, give it a go! If you have read it, I would love to know what you thought. Does it hold up to his other work? And what book of his would you recommend I read next?
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Exploring Adventure and Romance: Empire of Shadows Review
Information:
- Goodreads: 4.24 Out of 3,164 Ratings
- Age Category: Adult
- Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
- Series: Raiders of the Arcana, Book 1
Summary:
Did you like The Mummy as a kid? Did you love the romance between Rick O’Connell and Evelyn O’Connell? Has a piece of your soul been begging for something somewhat similar to that since you watched for the very first time? Look no further, Jacquelyn Benson is on the same page. Ellie Mallory believes wholeheartedly in women’s rights. Unfortunately, the men do not agree. She gets arrested during a protest and is fired from her job because of it. But here’s the thing. Ellie is a well-read woman with a passion for exploration and adventure. She finds a map to a mysterious ancient city and decides, you know what? These turds don’t deserve this. So she just kind of takes it. And sets off to discover it on her own. And sure, there’s a guy hunting her down because he was looking for the city, too, and is definitely willing to kill over it. But that’s where good old Adam Bates comes in. Adam’s an American who also loves adventure. And when an attractive young woman quite literally falls into his lap with her wrists bound, he can’t pass up the opportunity to help her escape the man hunting her down and help her find this city – and protect the ancient and powerful artifact that could shake the world from the raiders.
Review:
First thing’s first, I loved The Mummy when I was a kid. Rick O’Connell was my first crush and his wife was the second. Everyone in that movie is obnoxiously attractive. Adam within this book is described as a rogue who is constantly messy because he’s always exploring and has blonde hair and blue eyes. We’ll forgive that character flaw – he looks like Rick in my mind and I will not be changing it. The characters in this book gave me exactly what I was looking for. Adam and Ellie are the dynamic duo who are cute and funny and really like each other but can’t admit it until a while later. That scene of Adam seeing Ellie in her underclothes just floating on the water with her hair fanned out behind her is a scene I need to see painted immediately because, for whatever reason, I think it so beautiful. Ellie is stubborn. She doesn’t trust men because she’s so scared of a man taking credit for something she’s doing or has done that it prevents her from being able to see that Adam is not that kind of man. Yes, he does protect in her moments. He is chivalrous in cases and is certain that they have to get married after this adventure so that her reputation and her family’s reputation isn’t ruined. All of that can be annoying, but none of that suggests he’s the kind of person she should be worried about. Yet, she still rips the map they desperately need in half and refuses to show him the second half, resulting in them taking the long way around. They aren’t perfect, but they do fit perfectly together and I love it. I would like to see more character development as we go through the series, but I think they’re development is going to be meant to be more similar to the character development people in a sitcom go through or maybe even the development of Stoker and Veronica in the Veronica Speedwell Series. I don’t know how many books will be in the Raiders of the Arcana, but I think there’s going to be a few, so it would make sense (to me) for there to be a slow process to their development. Still, even in this book, Ellie went from starting this journey with the certainty that she should keep everything to herself, no man is to be trusted, and everything she finds is a discovery she can share with Europe to beginning to trust in her friends and comrades and understand the sanctity of keeping these treasures with or around the people it originally came from. Not everything discovered has to be in the British Museum.
The villains in this book can be a bit mustache twirly. But, they still have a reason for their villainy – to gain power for the people they’re working for. While I do hope that they develop a bit more as well in the second, I don’t think this is the type of book what wants in depth character explorations – and that’s okay. This book give exactly what it promises. It’s an adventure with romance added in that has similar vibes to The Mummy. And it does a damn good job. You’re not going to get an in depth exploration of why this person thinks this thing or why this other person behaves this way. You’ll get mentions of colonization, how archeological finds should stay with its people instead of being shipped off to a people who can never relate to it on that level. You’ll get a woman trying to do things a woman simply can’t do without damaging her reputation – such as going on an adventure with a man, because oh no, what if they had sex while she’s unmarried – but you’ll get it in ways filled with flirtation, humor, and genuine care from the heart. It’s not going to lecture on these issues, it’s going to acknowledge them with respect. I’m a big advocate for allowing books to be what they are seeking to be. And this is not seeking to be top of the notch literature (in my opinion).
I loved the exploration. The artifacts and ancient city were so interesting to learn about and you can tell Jacquelyn knows what she’s talking about when it comes to archeology – at least to me, who doesn’t know a thing about it. The Mayan people have always been interesting to me, as well as the way they seemed to be so ahead of their time. I don’t read books about things like this often, but I adore them whenever I do. It’s fun. It’s exciting. Seeing Adam and Ellie grow closer while they’re trying not to fall over waterfalls or get shot or get eaten by giant bats is cute. I loved every single second.
If you’ve read this book or the next one, I would love to know your input on it. Do you think it compares to The Mummy? Did you get what you wanted from the book? Do love Adam and Ellie as much as I do? I had such a great time and cannot wait to get to the second in the series. Unfortunately, only 2 books are out currently, so I’ll have to wait on a third, whenever it gets released, if it does. I don’t actually know how many books are supposed to be in the series. I do know that this book fed something to me that I didn’t even know I was missing.
If you were interested in reading this book, you can find it at https://amzn.to/3EsK1r2 – I would love to know what you think! If you’ve already read the first one and would like to move on to the Tomb of the Sun King, you can that here:https://amzn.to/3PVyao7
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The End of Year TBR
We all have a never ending TBR that we’re desperately striving towards finishing but never will. While it does hurt my heart to realize there are some books out there that I could very well love, yet will never get the chance to read before I’m rotting in the ground, I can always do my best. Not only do I have a never ending TBR, I also have quite a few series I’m in the middle of and some ARC’s coming in January that I would like to get a jump on. My end of year TBR consists of series I’d like to make progress in, series I’d like to finish, and ARC’s I want to go ahead and get done.
Series to Make Progress In:
This list is pretty simple. I would like to make progress in Dungeon Crawler Carl. I read the first book a few months ago and fell in love, then promptly never picked another up. I’d like to fix that. There appears to be 7 that have been published and I would like to finish all 7. I’ll be making these audiobooks a priority for the next two months so that I can do that. If you don’t know, this series is about Carl and his cat, Princess Donut. The world has suddenly ended and he finds himself in a video-game style fight to the death with multiple levels, ways of leveling up, an AI who likes his feet, and an entire alien race(s) watching his progress. It’s so much fun and I love it with my whole heart. The audiobooks are the way to go.
Next, I would like to make progress within the Orphan X series. This is your usual dad-fiction. Evan was a child assassin known as Orphan X, housed by the Orphan Program. We follow him as he does some small jobs and is hunted down by other Orphans still working for the very government that created the program – a program he thought was no longer in effect. Love it, super fun. There are 9 books that have been published, with the 10th expected sometime in 2025. I want to at least get up to book 5, meaning I only have to read 3 more.
Series to Finish:
I would like to finish the Licanius Trilogy. I read book one a few months ago (maybe 6 months ago?) and, as per usual, never picked up the following book. I only have two more and I feel like I could easily read one this month and finish it next month. This is time-travel fantasy and I really did enjoy the first book.
I’d also like to finish the greatcoats series by Sebastien de Castell. I have fallen in love with the man’s writing this year, which is honestly the worst thing that could happen to my reading because I stop reading the series I adore. I can’t explain it, don’t ask me too many questions. These are thick, yes, but they are also really quick reads. I started Saint’s Blood this week, so I’ll only have one more to read to complete the series.
Lastly, I would like to finish two duologues. I would like to read Draggon Your Bones, a coming of age fantasy that I adored the first book of. Then I would like to read No Safe Haven. I really enjoyed No Heart for a Thief and want to know how the story ends.
ARC’s
I have no idea what a good amount of these are about because I’ve forgotten them after requesting them on Netgalley. Just know I did think they sounded interesting at one point.
First is Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff. This is a thriller coming out January 7th and started it Sunday night. Also coming out January 7th are two fantasies called Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee and the Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard.
I have two ARCs that are coming out January 14th. A fantasy called Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao and a thriller called Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin.
To finish it off, I have two ARCs that are coming out January 28th. A romance called Book People by Jackie Ashenden and a horror called At The Bottom Of The Garden by Camilla Bruce.
That’s my end of year TBR. Fingers crossed I actually read them; I am notorious for making a TBR that I then do not read. Let me know what you’re reading for the rest of the year and let me know if you’ve read any of the books mentioned above! I would love know your input.
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The Inklings Digest 11
Currently Reading:
I’m currently reading an ARC I was lucky enough to receive titled Sweet Fury. I’m about 10% through and liking it so far. I’m definitely curious to see how it goes. I’m also starting Long Way to a Small Angry Planet today – I have the audiobook for it and will be listening to that while I clean house a bit. Really hoping it’s a good audiobook and not something I feel like I have to exclusively read with my own eyeballs, but we’ll see.
Recent Reads:
There are 9 books to catch you up on. I took another week’s break from the blog and just immersed myself in both school work and reading. Last time I checked in, I was reading Revenant X, which I absolutely loved. It’s just as fun and action packed as the first one, with zombies on an alien planet. Honestly, what more could I ask for? There were some things that really bugged me, like character deaths. I already dislike takeout deaths; I feel like they make the emotions we went through with that death feel cheaper. This series so far has had three of those. It’s really irritating, but I’m still loving the series so far. Admittedly, I am hoping it’s a trilogy and not any longer than that. I just don’t want the things that make this series great begin to feel like a gimmick.
I then went on to finish Ghostsmith, which was my audiobook. It was okay. I didn’t have a terrible time reading it, but I feel like I would have liked it more if I had read it closer to when I read the first one. I just don’t think I’m in the mood for YA fantasy right now, because that is also the feeling I had with Mirror of Beasts and The Dagger and the Flame. I kept trying to force myself into enjoying one of them, especially because I really liked Silver in The Bone. I just couldn’t bring myself to care about these three. The worlds weren’t what I was looking for, the characters were annoying, and I just wasn’t having a grand time.
I also finished my ARC of the last book in the Combat Codes trilogy, Blacklight Born. I fell in love with Combat Codes, but there were some issues I had with the writing. There were multiple times when something major would be irritating the characters, but that issue would be resolved behind closed doors. We were amped up for it, but never got to see the solution. I didn’t mind it too much because I loved the combat scenes; they’re some of the best I have ever seen. It seems like the further I went with the series, the more I just did not enjoy the writing more and more. This last book felt like a chore to get through. I think it’s because when I read the first, the combat scenes were like a treat that I didn’t receive often. By the third book, I was used to that treat, so the flaws felt like they showed more and more. There was also a death in here and I just did not feel the emotion for it that I was supposed to feel.
A Step Past Darkness was a really great read and kept me interested, but it did feel like it dragged a lot. There were moments when I was invested in what I was reading and then other moments when I was so easily distracted that I’d forget what I had just read and have to reread it. I finished this past week off with Do What Godmother Says and really enjoyed it. It’s a book that was in the October Twisted Retreat box and I have no read a single book that they’ve featured that I didn’t really like (I’ve read 4, but this is my second box I’ve received). The representation of Shanice’s anxiety how she describes it as a beast that lurks and waits for the right moment to pounce was phenomenal. Some of the twists were very obvious, but the almost gothic atmosphere made the reading experience so great. There’s generational trauma, white washing of black art, and so much more that was fascinating and interesting to read. A lot of this made up for the ‘overly’ obvious twists.
Week’s Plans:
I’m going to post my end of year TBR. This is just 16 books that I want to finish by the end of year, separated by 8 in November and 8 in December. I’ll very likely read more than that, as my average books per month is around 15-20. I don’t typically plan all of those books out though, so I’m sticking with the 16 I feel as if I need to get done. I’ll be posting around 4-5 posts this week, not counting this one. The first will be the end of year TBR, then I should have a few reviews coming as well.
As for what I’m planning on reading, I going to try and read 4 of my 8 this week because I have gotten a bit of a late start on it. I’m starting with Sweet Fury, which will have a review this week as well. I think I also plan on picking up Carl’s Doomsday Scenario and Saint’s Blood. I’m not sure yet, but we’ll see. Thank’s for tuning in, I’ll see ya later this week!
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Friends to Lovers: Callum and Lark’s Story
Morbidly Yours Review
Information:
- Goodreads: 3.97 out of 20,343 Ratings
- Genre: Romance
- Age Category: Adult
- Series: Love in Galway, book 1
Summary:
Lark has moved to Ireland instead of facing her issues within her life after her husband has died. Callum works as a mortician and has to marry by his 35th birthday in order to keep his family’s funeral home. They quickly become friends, but also quickly develop feelings that just friends don’t have and the adorable chaos ensues.
Review:
I have a hard time reviewing books solely about a romance because I never feel like I have all that much to say. I liked this book. I had a great time reading it. Callum is precious. I love when the man falls first and falls harder. But more than that, I love how he is not perfect. He’s socially anxious, often says the wrong thing, and has a stutter. I don’t feel as if a love interest often has things like that in a lot of romances I’ve read – though maybe I’m reading the wrong ones. Emily Henry really does a great job with it, too. I’m also not sure I’ve ever read one where the male love interest has to fall for someone before comfortably having sex with them – before even imagining having sex, really. Callum’s stutter doesn’t magically get fixed or go away, he still has it even in the epilogue and it’s never made to be a big deal for anyone who isn’t an asshole in the book. I love that.
Lark is okay. I definitely liked Callum more. Lark’s husband has passed two years and she’s taken on a lot of guilt about their last conversation before he died. I like seeing her progress, learning that she’s allowed to love and miss her husband while also being able to love Callum and treat him the way he should be treated. She begins their story knowing she’s leaving Ireland soon and only working on a friendship with this lovely and sweet human being. Lark has sworn off of ever being in a relationship again because she doesn’t feel as if she’s responsible enough to be in one. I loved getting to see her realize that’s not accurate.
Their story is super cute and made me realize that I’m kind of into friends to lovers romance. It was so sweet watching them have dates that weren’t dates. They built a friendship first and the love and lust came later. It was wonderful. And neither of them gave up what they needed for the other. I just wish we could’ve had more time to watch them fall in love with one another. It all felt too quick for what I felt like Ivy was going for – a slow burn of watching these two people develop a friendship and feelings. It was truly beautiful though and I can’t wait to see what Ivy comes out with next.
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The Inklings Digest 10
Currently Reading
I have been in a strange mood. I can’t tell if I’m in the mood for romantasy, epic fantasy, or a good and juicy thriller. I’ll start reading a book and then put it down a few chapters in because I’m not feeling it at the moment. I am currently reading Revenant-X and The Songbird and The Heart of Stone and really enjoying it. I find that reading one sci-fi horror and one romantasy is hitting the spot, as I can easily switch when one isn’t working out.
Recent Reads:
Easy peasy, I just read one book. I read Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks. It was so cute. We follow Callum, a socially awkward mortician with a stutter and Lark, an outgoing and grieving widow. Callum has to marry before he’s 35 to keep his family business and Lark quickly becomes his best friend, but doesn’t tell him her reason for being single for the rest of her life is because her husband recently died and she feels the blame is on her. The match between these two is perfect. I love them. Callum is so sweet and so worried about being made fun of because of his stutter. It was so cute. More to come about this couple, though, as there will be a blog about the book this week.
This Week’s Plans
I’m really excited and feeling great this week. I’ve been going to the gym and consistently making 10 thousand steps a day – not pushing myself but as a fun challenge to see if I can make it. I’ve found that reading on my treadmill is a ton of fun. I do plan to figure out a few series I want to either continue or finish up between this month and next so that I can lower that number and/or not feel guilty for starting a new series. I’ve also recently gotten into boxing and have fallen in love with it. I have scheduled 2 sessions per week starting off, which I’m really excited about. I likely will see a decrease in reading until I figure out how I can fit reading into the other activities I’ve taken up. I have no idea how much reading I’ll finish this week, but I should at least finish up the two I’m currently reading.
Thanks for checking in today! I’ll talk to ya later this week.
