City of Iron and Ivy review

 

Book: City of Iron and Ivy

Author: Thomas Kent West

Pages: 573

Date(s) Read: May 19^th, 2026 to July 23^rd, 2026

Date Published: April 21, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: May 22^nd, 2026

Book Cost: $18.63

Review:

City of Iron and Ivy is an exceptional debut.

 

In City of Iron and Ivy Elswyth Elderwood is a scarred scholar who must debut in a City amongst the wealthy elite in search of both a husband and her dead sister's killer. Set in an alternative London where there's floral magic, Elswyth makes enemies and friends in her pursuit of justice.

 

I loved the characters. There's a motley crew of interesting and diverse characters here who have tremendous depth and dimension. I especially loved Mrs. Rose and Kehinde. There's a wonderful found family here amongst the gritty dark backdrop that really makes the story feel meaningful.

 

The ending is a chef's kiss. I absolutely loved how it ended. Everything is explained and wraps up in a cohesive and concise way that leaves you feeling fulfilled.

 

Make no mistake, this is not a romance, it you are looking for that you will be disappointed. That being said, this is romance-adjacent and will please people looking for a novel with a strong female lead. This was a great novel and worth picking up if you have any interest in fantasy.

Verity Guild review

 

Book: Verity Guild

Author: Mai Corland

Pages: 411

Date(s) Read: May 19^th, 2026 to July 23, 2026

Date Published: May 5^th, 2026

Rating: 3/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 3/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 5/5 (naked fairyloot hardcover)

Format: Hard Cover (fairyloot)

Date Bought: May 4^th, 2026

Book Cost: $40.00

Review:

Verity Guild is an intriguing book that waxes and wanes between compelling and dull.

 

In Verity Guild enemies Torren and the high priestess Kerasea join forces to solve murders during the Verity Guild where senators convene to make decisions.

 

I found Kerasea and Torren both interesting and likable enough. I was especially interested in Torrens background. Kerasea is good fmc with a sense of self and justice that is nice.

 

That all being said, there's something that left me wanting in this novel. Im invested enough to read the second one when it comes out but nothing about this novel is particularly stand out or striking, it feels easily forgettable for reasons I can't exactly pinpoint.

 

It's worth picking up if you like romantasy but it's no 5 star read.

Daughters of the Sun and Moon review

 

Book: Daughters of the Son and Moon

Author: Lisa See

Pages: 384

Date(s) Read: July 9^th, 2026 to July 22^nd, 2026

Date Published: July 7^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Historical Fiction, Asian Fiction

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: July 7^th, 2026

Book Cost: $27.03

Review:

Daughters of the Sun and Moon is a stunning novel about female friendship and how women can thrive in the face of adversity.

 

In 1871 Dove becomes a young wife to a 60-year-old business owner, Petal becomes a prostitute after being sold by her parents, and Moon is the wife of a local doctor. Through hardships and devastation, these women form an unbreakable, lifelong bond. Set against the backdrop of a massacre of Chinese in California, we watch these women endure a traumatic event and learn to make their way in a world torn apart by racism, sexism, and violence.

 

I loved the three characters. I admired Petal's adaptability and drive, loved Dove's femininity and perseverance, and Moon for her quiet strength and resilience. Each woman has a completely different story and background, but they come together within the bonds of sisterhood. All three characters have such depth and dimension that they feel real. 

 

This novel is a masterful work of historical fiction that is poetic and beautiful. I couldn't get enough of Lisa See's writing style. I felt a gamut of emotions while reading this, from joy to horror, trauma, and hope. This is a work that is so human you walk away feeling like you lived a lifetime through these three women.

 

If you like historical fiction at all this novel is one you need to drop everything for. I patiently waited this books release for months once I found out See was coming out with a new work. All I can say was this novel was worth every moment I waited and every dime I paid.

The Brides review

 

Book: The Brides

Author: Charlotte Cross

Pages: 400

Date(s) Read: July 8^th, 2026 to July 17^th, 2026

Date Published: July 7^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Gothic, Vampires, Sapphic

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: May 2^nd, 2026

Book Cost: $27.96

Review:

The Brides is a decadent work of gothic horror that is both profound and poignant.

 

In The Brides we follow the women who will become Dracula's brides. There's such a depth and detail to this story and writing that I fear I will give too much away if I say anymore.

 

Mafalda is abrasive and manipulative, yet you can't help but fall for her. Her paramour, Lucy, is a vivacious and kindly woman who is easy to love. Being in Lucy's head was refreshing; she's so moral and upright while still being very flawed. The supporting cast is just as compelling and interesting. The diary style writing helps to give everyone a unique voice and tone.

 

I found this work to be more realistic than less fantastical works when it comes to women and our place in society. This book is very modern in its heart and ideals despite taking place so long ago.

 

I sped through this book in less than two weeks. I could not get enough of this novel. If you're a lover of sapphic romance, gothic fiction, and horror, this is not to be missed.

The Weaver Bride review

Book: The Weaver Bride

Author: Lydia Gregovic

Pages: 475

Date(s) Read: May 16^th, 2026 to July 17^th, 2026

Date Published: September 30^th, 2025

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: May 22^nd, 2025

Book Cost: $20.99 

Review:

The Weaver Bride is, although not without its flaws, a great ya romance.

 

In The Weaver Bride Lovett is a silkwitch who joins a competition in a sumptuous high society world to both secure a husband and solve a mystery.

 

Lovett is a likable albeit headstrong character. Eliot and Noe are both compelling love interests. The other girls competing for Noes hand are equally fascinating.

 

This book is slow for a long while, I definitely felt the pacing at times but the story itself, once it takes off it hits the ground running. There aren't a ton of twists but the ending reveal as well as the answers to all your questions are more than worth the wait.

 

 

If you like a Bridgeton style world, romance, and trials you'll probably like this one as much as I did.

The Assassin's Way review

 

Book: The Assassin’s Way

Author: J.M. Kearl

Pages: 476

Date(s) Read: June 25^th, 2026 to July 17^th, 2026

Date Published: June 18^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Romantasy, Vampires, Fantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Hard Cover (Fairyloot)

Date Bought: June 4^th, 2026

Book Cost: $40.00

Review:

The Assassin's Way is a gripping, non-stop thrill ride with crazy twists and scintillating romance.

 

In the Assassin's Way, 19-year-old Aesira's secret as a ducai is uncovered, and she's forced to become an assassin-in-training with her mysterious and brooding training partner Vander. There are crazy twists, lots of yearning, and plenty of action to keep this fast-paced fiction from ever getting stale.

 

I loved the characters. There's a found family aspect here. I enjoyed the character interactions between Aesira and her friends as well as between her and her rival, Beast. Vander is mysterious and I really can't say anything about him without giving major plot points and twists away, but suffice it to say he is multidimensional and will keep you on your toes. The romance is swoon-worthy too.

 

Usually it takes me months to read books because I read so many at once. I read this in a handful of weeks; I was so enraptured. If you like vampires and romantasy this is a must-read.

Crown Me Dead review

 

Book: Crown Me Dead

Author: Liv Zander

Pages: 270

Date(s) Read: June 1^st, 2026 to July 14^th, 2026

Date Published: April 10^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Gothic, Romantasy

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Kindle

Date Bought: May 22^nd, 2026

Book Cost: $4.99

Review:

Crown Me Dead is a very unique work of fantasy fiction that is times as grotesque as it is beautiful.

 

I'm not gonna lie or sugarcoat it: there are scenes in this book that straight up had me running to the toilet to dry-heave. My husband asked me several times while I did that, if I was okay. I assured him I was.

 

And you know what? I was. This novel is grotesque. It's gross, it's vile, even shocking but this novel is good. Like seriously good. It will have you guessing on what's really going on until the end.

 

In Crown Me Dead, undertaker Elara is enlisted to seduce the king into taking her as his queen and killing her to satisfy a curse on the crown but all is not as it seems.

 

I liked Elara and felt interested in both love interests Kael, and Vale. I loved the love triangle dynamic and was gripped, wondering who she would choose only to lament that maybe she chose wrong.

 

This book will have you on the edge of your seat. Despite the gross-out moments, it's worth reading for that shocking ending and the will-they-won't-they aspect. This book is a must for those who love gothic fantasy and dark fantastic worlds.