The Summer King review

 

Book: The Summer King

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 615

Date(s) Read: April 10^th, 2026 to June 23^rd, 2026

Date Published: April 7^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Fae,

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: August 3^rd, 2025

Book Cost: $15.99

The summer king is a fabulous ending to what was already a really good trilogy. 

In The Summer King we follow Brighton as she tracks down the fae who killed her mother. Caden, the summer King tries to stop her from her pursuit in order to protect her. As they clash romance blooms. 

My emotions were so high reading this. The tension between Caden and Brighton gave me emotional whiplash. I even cried a few times!! I never cry during books. 

I loved the closure you get in not only Brighton and Cadens story but also Ivy and Rens. This was equally as compelling as the wicked trilogy with an even better ending that felt fully fleshed out.

If you liked the Wicked trilogy you absolutely cannot miss the Summer King.

Smoke and Scar review

 

Book: Smoke and Scar

Author: Gretchen Powell Fox

Pages: 404

Date(s) Read: May 7^th, 2026 to June 23^rd, 2026

Date Published: March 10^th, 2025

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Fae

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover (aurora crate edition)

Date Bought: July 2025

Book Cost: $40.00

Review:

Smoke and Scar is an epic fantasy adventure that is exciting for even long term romantasy fans.

 

25 years ago Elyria Lightbreaker lost the love of her life to the Arcane Crucible. Now his sister enters. In order to stop and protect his sister Kit from ending up like her lost love she enters this time around where she meets a motley assortment of champions, including a human named Cedric Thorne who stirs her feelings and heart for the first time in over two decades. Can they get through the trials of the crucible together or will their differences tear them apart?

 

This was a lot of fun and I absolutely loved Elyria. She's a fresh female character and shadow daddy. I loved her interactions with Kit. She's tough, with true inner darkness and turmoil but shes also loving and supportive. There was a lot of chemistry between her and Cedric but I didn't care for him as a character much. Hes impulsive and quick to anger. I felt she could do better.

 

That being said, the romance is a wonderful slow burn. This is the perfect romance speed. I also enjoyed the found family. All of the characters are equally compelling and interesting. I could read whole books about the others.

 

If you're looking for a romantasy thats heavy on the fantasy than this is a book worth reading.

Molka review

 

Book: Molka

Author: Monika Kim

Pages: 292

Date(s) Read: May 1^st, 2026 to June 23^rd, 2026

Date Published: April 28^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Thriller, Horror

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: April 1^st, 2026

Book Cost: $16.00

Review:

Molka is a brilliant feminist horror novel that tackles spy cams.

 

In Molka we follow Dahye as she becomes embroiled in a hidden camera scandal with her paramour Hyukjoon. While her life falls apart, Junyoung, a coworker who used spy cameras to watch her intimate moments in the bathroom  becomes obsessed with her.

 

This novel was really genius, it shows how toxic masculinity and male entitlement can ruin lives. It shows the indifference of the police and society as a whole when it comes to the plight of women who are used and hurt by hidden cameras. Socioeconomic backgrounds also play into the story where Dahye is ignored in while there's a desperate search for the missing and extremely wealthy Hyukjoon. Consent also plays a role here in regards to the illicit films.

 

The ending, while not completely satisfying for our heroine is very realistic. It really puts a mirror to societies indifference of women in general and shows the apathy society have for women, especially ones who have been victims of sex crimes and hidden camera crimes.

The Ever Queen review

 

Book: The Ever Queen

Author: LJ Andrews

Pages: 508

Date(s) Read: May 30^th, 2026 to June 23^rd, 2026

Date Published: January 26^th, 2024

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Romantasy, Fantasy, Fae

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: December 5^th, 2025

Book Cost:$18.07

Review:

The Ever Queen is a solid installment in the series but it's not without its problems.

 

In The Ever Queen, Erik, joins forces with the earth fae to get Livia Back from Larsson.

 

The side characters here really shine. There's such an assortment of interesting and unique characters to get to know. I really loved the found family here.

 

The end to Livia and Eriks story was great but at times it moved at a snails pace and could be boring and languorous to read. I felt like this book could have been 100 pages shorter and still had the same impact.

 

That all being said, its a fun book and has me invested in the next adventure for two of the side characters.

The Rose of Versailles volume 1 review

 

Book: The Rose of Versailles volume 1

Author: Riyoko Ikeda

Pages: 496

Date(s) Read: June 11^th, 2026 to June 18^th, 2026

Date Published: January 21^st, 2020

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: May 8^th, 2020

Book Cost: $25.68

Review:

The Rose of Versailles is an outstanding work of not only shojo manga but historical fiction.

 

In this work we follow the reign and life of Marie Antoinette through the eyes of her female commander of the royal guard, Oscar.

 

The characters are all quite compelling with different designs, motivations and personalities. They help give life to an already intriguing narrative. I particularly loved Oscar's character as she deals with trying to do right by a queen who is faltering in her duties to the people.

 

The art is stunning. This classic art is very shojo with big bright eyes, handsome features, and fabulous fashion. The drawings help move the story at breakneck speed.

 

If you love shojo manga and or historical fiction the Rose of Versailles is not to be missed.

Nana volume 1 review

 

Book: Nana volume 1

Author: Ai Yazawa

Pages: 384

Date(s) Read: June 15th, 2026 to June 18^th, 2026

Date Published: October 21^st, 2021

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Manga

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: December 8^th, 2025

Book Cost: $0.00

Review:

Nana vol. 1 is an exceptional manga that mixes haute couture with a 1970s punk rock aesthetic.

 

In Nana, two girls, both named Nana, happen to meet on a train going to Tokyo. Each girl has her own reasons for starting over in the big city. Both Nana's are uniquely interesting and lovable. The narrative of both girls really grips you.

 

The art is stunning; no one's art is quite like Ai Yazawa. She has a wholly unique style and a fashion sense that's still hip and cool over 20 years later. Nana is worth it for the eccentric art style that helps enhance what is already a highly compelling narrative.

 

Its been over 20 years since I read Nana. It really stands the test of time. Decades later its still trendy and modern but completely unlike anything else out there. If you're looking for a more mature girls' comic, this is it.

Sailor Moon Eternal Edition volume 3 review

 

Book: Sailor Moon Eternal Edition volume 3

Author: Naoko Takeuchi

Pages: 348

Date(s) Read: June 15^th, 2026 to June 18^th, 2026

Date Published: July 1^st, 2019

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Manga

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: April 20^th, 2020

Book Cost: $19.39

Review:

Fabulous art, fashion, and melodrama make up the next exciting installment of neighborhood story.