Somebody Worth Killing review

 

Book: Somebody Worth Killing

Author: Jessica Payne

Pages: 304

Date(s) Read: September 27^th, 2026 to October 14^th, 2026

Date Published: June 16^th, 2026

Rating: 3/5

Genre: Thriller

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 3/5

Ending:  1/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: September 3^rd, 2026

Book Cost: $25.82

Review:

This was a novel I had a lot of hope for and paid a lot of money for ($25!) And I have to say im underwhelmed in every way.

 

In Somebody Worth Killing Nadia is a hitman...er...woman. She gets a big deal hit job with an even bigger payday; the only problem? The hit is her husband.

 

It's a super compelling concept, very Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

 

It's a shame, but the story just falls apart in the last 15 percent. I haven't seen anything this rushed since that math test I had where I marked the last 25 questions "c" in a bid to finish before the end of class. Everything about the ending is rushed: the resolution, the mystery man behind the hit, what her husband really does, the logistics about her job and his, and even the questions about her grandmother. Its like the author sat down, got 35 pages from the end and thought, "I'd better wrap this up".

 

It's compelling, fun, and fast-paced until that last bit of the book, and then it falls apart faster than my homemade onigiri. It feels like there might be another book at some point, but I'm too let down to wonder if I'll care enough to pick it up by the time that happens.

The Witch Quen review

 

Book: The Witch Queen

Author: Heather Walter

Pages: 544

Date(s) Read: August 11^th, 2026 to October 10^th, 2026

Date Published: August 4^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: February 4^th, 2026

Book Cost: $32.48

Review:

The Witch Queen is a fabulous ending to the duology. A must-read if you liked the first.

 

In this sapphic fairytale fantasy follow-up to the Crimson Crown we follow Ayleth, now queen, as she hunts down witches, battles Blodwyn in Court, and deals with reignited flames for Jacquetta.

 

I loved everything about this: the differing POVs, the romance, the pacing, and above all else the ending. This book was everything I had hoped it would be and more.

The Emperor's Enemy review

 

Book: The Emperor's Enemy

Author: Jasmine Mas

Pages: 448

Date(s) Read: September 23^rd, 2026 to October 3^rd, 2026

Date Published: September 15^th, 2026

Rating: 2/5

Genre: Fae, Romantasy, Fantasy

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 1/5

Story: 2/5

Ending:  3/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: September 4^th, 2026

Book Cost: $31.60

Review:

Wow, this is a tough book to rate! It's bad, so so so bad and yet, I could not put it down.

 

In the emperors enemy Zora must work with her arch-nemesis, Tarantula. He's the emporers right hand man and now that he's captured she has to train with him, spar with him, and go on missions with him while trying to take down the mysterious but equally evil empero Emperor'sr. They both finding working together harder than they thought when both are both polarized and attracted to the other in this true enemies-to-lovers romantasy.

 

OK, where to begin. This book is bad, like astonishingly how-did-she-get-published bad. To think someone actually read and published this trash is beyond me. It's a train wreck.

 

The world building doesn't exist at all. All I can glean is the world is somehow both ancient and modern (there's missiles and planes but no photographers so they just paint portraits of big events!) There's also weird modern things like the term cosplaying or his request that she sit on his face (I'm not joking) that really break the immersion in a fantasy world. None of the particulars in this world fit together in any cohesive way. I just could not picture it, and anytime I tried to make it make sense I just found myself stressed out with a headache.

 

Aside from the lack of world building everything is dropped suddenly and randomly, like the author came up with it on the spot with no buildup or relevant background information, events and missions just happen and you have no real context. A good example is around three thirds of the way through she passes the trial of some godlike being never once previously mentioned. No, the trial wasn't ever before mentioned either.

 

God, the more I think about it, the more I could kick myself for being taken in for thirty-one dollars because of a pretty cover.

 

Here's where things get interesting though, it's a bad book, there's no denying but it does do some things well. First, the chemistry and yearning are off the charts. I was so invested in the romance, more so than any books recently. The banter is great, I enjoyed the animal sidekick and her friends. I have to admit that despite everything holding this book back it was a total blast to read and I couldn't put it down.

 

Essentially this book is so bad it's good.

 

But will I read the next one when it comes out? Maybe, but not at full price.

Tomb Raider Colossal Collection Volume 1 review

 

Book: Tomb Raider Colossal Collection 1

Author: Various

Pages: 888

Date(s) Read: August 27^th, 2026 to October 2^nd, 2026

Date Published: July 1^st, 2025

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Comics

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: August 25^th, 2026

Book Cost: $65.39

Review:

The Tomb Raider Colossal Collection volume 1 is a stunning edition of the first half of Topcows Tomb Raider comics.

 

We follow Lara Croft as she goes on several adventures across more than 24 issues of the classic comic series. These stories are fun, fast-paced, and true to the games.

 

The art is stunning. 80 percent of the book has some of the best comic art to print, with vibrant colors that help bring life to gorgeous pencils. Panels are expertly rendered and Lara herself has all of the sex appeal, charisma, and personality of her video game counterpart. There is also a rather large and magnificent cover gallery featuring works by master artists such as Adam Hughes and Andy Park; there are even two Michael Turner pieces. In particular, I loved the Randy Green works.

 

The book itself is a master of craftsmanship with tightly bound, glossy, thick pages. It's a stunning hard cover book that even has headbands. This is a book worth every cent.

 

If you love Lara Croft, hot women, and great art, this action-packed collection is sure to please.

Earthbound review

 

Book: Earthbound

Author: Saara El-Arifi

Pages: 381

Date(s) Read: August 11^th, 2026 to October 1^st, 2026

Date Published: August 11^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fae, Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: July 16^th, 2026

Book Cost: $28.19

Review:

Earthbound is an excellent ending to the Faebound trilogy.

 

In Earthbound we finally get long-awaited answers about Afa, the humans, and how the obeah came to be.

 

This novel was worth the wait. Everything wraps up beautifully. Like the other books the pacing is perfect. We switch between POVs, which helps keep up the pacing as events unfold. Every question you have is answered; there are no loose ends.

 

If you liked the first two books, you will be very satisfied with this ending. It's sad, beautiful, joyful, and brimming with hope.

To Dance with Death review

 

Book: To Dance with Death

Author: Brittney Arena

Pages: 380

Date(s) Read: August 22^nd, 2026 to October 23^rd, 2026

Date Published: August 4^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: August 4^th, 2026

Book Cost: $27.03

Review:

To Dance with Death is a phenomenal ending to a duology; it was more than I could have asked for.

 

In To Dance With Death Vasalie goes to the underworld, where Anton now rules. She has just weeks to convince him to retake his rightful position as ruler, but his memories of her are gone, and he believes his friends have betrayed him.

 

The romance and the yearning were top tier. I loved watching her and Anton fall for each other again. The found family aspect is truly wonderful and adds such character to the story.

 

While this story was initially slow at the beginning, it picks up speed at the 60 percent mark. This ending was simply perfect; everything wraps up beautifully. I highly recommend this fantastic duology.

White Raven review

 

Book: White Raven

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Pages: 360

Date(s) Read: September 2^nd, 2026 to September 15^th, 2026

Date Published: September 1^st, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy, Norse Inspired

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: September 1^st, 2026

Book Cost: $32.99

Review:

The White Raven is a standout Norse-inspired novel that pulls you in and doesn't let go, even after you've read the shocking twist ending.

 

In White Raven, our heroine Wren is the titular White Raven of prophecy. On the night of her betrothal to another, she is kidnapped by a fearsome thrall and taken away from her palace to the land of the Night Ravens. During her forced journey, she fights for her life and freedom every step of the way.

 

The romance is interesting. I found myself drawn to the fearsome Onyx when everything he did should have repelled me. Wren is in the same predicament; he should repulse her, but she can't stop thinking about him. I loved Munch and Fluffy, they were good comic relief that was welcome in a story as dark as this. Other characters are intriguing; I always wanted to know more about them.

 

This novel was thrilling and exciting. I can't believe I finished it in two weeks. I could not stop reading this. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good Norse-inspired romantasy; it's up there with the Road of Bones.