An Arcane Study of Stars review

 

Book: An Arcane Study of Stars

Author: Sydney J. Shields

Pages: 501

Date(s) Read: June 25^th, 2026 to August 7^th, 2026

Date Published: April 28^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Dark Academia, Romantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: July 6^th, 2026

Book Cost: 14.59

Review:

An Arcane Study of Stars is a well-written dark academia that actually revolves around the school instead of using it as a background drop.

 

In An Arcane Study of Stars, Claudia enters an otherworldly school to escape an arranged marriage to an 80-year-old. There she bargains with a God, solves a murder mystery, falls in love, and makes friends.

 

I really enjoyed the found family aspect; the characters are lovable, and I enjoyed their interactions. I was as invested in the side characters as I was in the main characters. The sexual tension between Cassius and Claudia is delicious; if you love some BDSM, you're really gonna root for this relationship. 

 

The only problems I had with this book is that there's no real halfway point between rivals to lovers. They go from avowed enemies to lovers in one fell swoop. It feels very sudden. I also got very little world-building from this world and the world Claudia comes from.

 

That being said, I loved this novel and the ending is a chefs kiss.

These Immortal Truths review

 

Book: These Immortal Truths

Author: Rachelle Raeta

Pages: 272

Date(s) Read: July 12^th, 2026 to August 5^th, 2026

Date Published: June 30^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Romantasy, Fantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: July 11^th, 2026

Book Cost: $20.98

Review:

These Immortal Truths is a stunning novel. its everything Addie La Rue wishes it was.

 

In These Immortal Truths, Anna helps a stranger and is gifted fruit in return. She takes a bite, not knowing it will make her Immortal. Across the country and seas, she experiences life through turbulent times, employing her healing ways while growing closer to the man that bestowed a special piece of fruit upon her.

 

This book is everything. I loved the characters and felt myself desperate to eat up as much information as I could about them. Anna in particular is so giving and nurturing that it's hard not to like her. I loved Khiran and his mysteries, found Eira enchanting, and Silas to be unique.

 

This novel tackles heavy and important historical events. To get to feel like I'm experiencing them firsthand is like nothing I've ever felt.

 

If you like history with your romantasy, this is not to be missed. Addie Larue is good, but this? This is better.

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers review

 

Book: The Lure of Wolves and Whispers

Author: Amanda Connelly

Pages: 464

Date(s) Read: July 19^th, 2026 to August 3^rd, 2026

Date Published: July 7^th, 2026

Rating: 3/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 3/5

Ending:  3/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover (fairyloot)

Date Bought: July 04^th, 2026

Book Cost: $40.00

While The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is compulsively readable, it's not particularly memorable.

 

In the Lure of Wolves and Whispers Maeve makes a deal in which, for the magic to save her sister, she must assassinate the king and fight in a deadly tournament.

 

I didn't find any of the characters particularly interesting or likable. These are some of the most forgettable characters. The romance is very trope-heavy and lacks passion and yearning. She likes the rebel leader she's working for, but we're not sure why.

 

Like I said, it's not a bad novel and is a fun read, but not a single thing in this book is stand out or exceptional in any way.

Us Deadly Few review

 

Book: Us Deadly Few

Author: Alexis Patton

Pages: 353

Date(s) Read: June 5^th, 2026 to August 1^st, 2026

Date Published: December 5^th, 2024

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Sci-fi, Dystopian

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Kindle

Date Bought: July 13^th, 2026

Book Cost: $5.99

Review:

Us Deadly Few is a great dystopian book. 

 

In Us Deadly Few Khalani, Takeshi, and company travel to Hermes and get caught by a group of mysterious survivors.

 

The characters are all lovable and interesting. Khalani and Takeshi continue to have a compelling romance that really heats up here. New characters are just as unique as the ones from the previous book. I constantly found myself wanting to know more about these new characters.

 

The cliffhanger ending is crazy. I will definitely be reading volume 3 as soon as it comes out. If you're a fan of dystopian, this is a must-read series.

Lady Mechanika review

 

Book: Lady Mechanika vol. 1

Author: Joe Benitez

Pages: 176

Date(s) Read: July 22^nd, 2026 to July 31, 2026

Date Published: August 17^th, 2021

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Comics

Art: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: 2022

Book Cost: $15.00

Review:

Lady Mechanika is a triumph in artistic achievement with an engrossing story.

 

In Lady Mechanika is a private investigator who searches for her origins while searching for a missing girl.

 

The characters are unique and have not only cool designs but interesting personalities.

 

The art and action scenes are spectacular. The story moves at a brisk pace. Backgrounds are rendered as well as the detailed characters.

 

While this is a book you read for the art you stay for the story.

Nana Vol. 4 review

 

Book: Nana vol. 4

Author: Ai Yazawa

Pages: 400

Date(s) Read: July 16^th, 2026 to July 30, 2026

Date Published: June 2^nd, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Comics

Art: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: June 22^nd, 2026

Book Cost: $23.29

Review:

Another fabulous installment of Nana.

 

In this issue, Nana debates whether to sign with a small label while Hachi faces a huge life-altering decision.

 

Hachi sees a tremendous amount of character growth in this volume. We also finally get to see more Reira. I enjoyed seeing her write lyrics. The characters are all so different and lovable.

 

As usual the art is amazing. Not only does Ai Yazawa know how to tell a story and move a story, but she does it while drawing some of manga's coolest-looking characters.

 

If you liked the other three volumes, you are guaranteed to love this one. There's a trope in here I really hated, yet the Manga was so good I was able to overlook it and find myself invested.

Witchblade volume 3 review

 

Book: Witchblade vol. 3

Author: Marguerite Bennett

Pages: 176

Date(s) Read: October 7^th,2025 to November 16^th, 2025

Date Published: March 17^th, 2026

Rating: 3/5

Genre: Comics

Art: 3/5

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 3/5

Story: 3/5

Ending:  3/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: July 20^th, 2026

Book Cost: $15.80

Review:

Witchblade volume 3 isn't bad, but there's not much going on under its dark and gritty veneer. It still pales in comparison to the original series. The art is improved here but still lacks that cool and sexy factor the old series had. Bodies are shapeless and the faces don't stand out in any way.