Fantasy

Lonely Castle in the Mirror – book review

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Lonely Castle in the Mirror (vol. 1) by Mizuki Tsujimura Fantasy Manga Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) Kokoro was horribly bullied by some girls at her previous school. The experience has left her exhausted, anxious, and afraid. Although she is transferred to another school, Kokoro still feels sick every time she thinks about attending classes. What if the girls return? What if they hurt her? While she’s home sick (again) she notices something … Read more

Iron Widow – Read It and Rate It

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Iron Widow Iron Widow #1 by Xiran Jay Zhao Dystopian Fantasy LGBTQ+ Romance Science Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) 18-year-old Zetian’s sister has just been killed during one of the fights against the plague of aliens that lurk outside the Great Wall. Her sister, like many others, was a concubine to a male mech pilot and her consciousness was sacrificed for the sake of the male pilot. Zetian vows to seek … Read more

Moongarden – book review

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Moongarden Plotting the Stars #1 by Michelle A. Barry Fantasy Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) In the future, on the Moon, where humans were forced to flee when the Earth’s plants turned against them, Myra Hodger is attending boarding school. Everyone expects her to follow in the footsteps of her Number Whisperer parents, but her talents lie elsewhere. If she doesn’t discover her particular brand of magic soon (she hasn’t shown any … Read more

Watership Down (graphic novel) – book review

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Watership Down Graphic novel adaptation by Richard Adams, James Sturm, Joe Sutphin Adventure Fiction Fantasy (because, talking rabbits) Graphic Novel * * * * Stars (Great!) This is an excellent graphic novel adaptation of Richard Adams’ book, “Watership Down.” It captures the personalities of the rabbits and the urgency of their perilous quest to find a new, safe home to call their own, when developers destroy their old home. Adams created a wonderful world, mythology, … Read more

Lumara – book review

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Lumara by Melissa Landers Fantasy Supernatural Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) Talia Morris has been wronged by Mystics before and when she learns that her boyfriend, Nathaniel IS one and hails from Lumara, a famous Mystic island enclave, she’s a lot of things. Shocked, distressed, furious… But she agrees to give his family a chance when he invites her to attend his cousin’s wedding on the island. Things seem to be going well … Read more

What the Hex – book review

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What the Hex? Witches of Brooklyn bk #2 by Sophie Escabasse Fantasy Graphic Novel Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Effie is miffed because her friend Berrit made a new friend over winter break and has been completely ignoring her. It’s hard to compete with Garance, who is cool and French and a great artist. Everyone else seems to like her a lot. These sorts of mundane concerns are distracting Effie from … Read more

Witches of Brooklyn – book review

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Witches of Brooklyn Witches of Brooklyn bk #1 by Sophie Escabasse Fantasy Graphic Novel Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Effie arrives at her elderly aunt’s house in Brooklyn in the middle of the night accompanied by a man from child/social services. Although Effie’s aunt Selimene is her only surviving relative, Selimene has received no prior notice of the situation and is not prepared to take her niece in. After a lot of yelling, … Read more

Not Sew Wicked Stepmom – book review

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Not Sew Wicked Stepmom by Mo9Rang (original story by Iru) Fantasy Manga * * * Stars (Pretty good) Baekhap Lee used to design children’s clothing in her previous life. When she dies, she is reincarnated/transported into the body of Snow White’s evil stepmother (Abigail Freidkin). She finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage – something the body’s previous spirit cared about – to King Sabrian Freidkin – but Baekhap only cares about her stepdaughter, Blanche, … Read more

Dark Lord’s Daughter – book review

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The Dark Lord’s Daughter by Patricia Wrede Fantasy Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kayla learns that she’s from another world and that she’s REALLY the daughter of the Dark Lord Xavriel of Zaradwin, and her given name is Xavrielina (lame). She and her adoptive family (mom & brother) are whisked (by magic) back to Zaradwin where Kayla is to become the new Dark Lady. Her mom gets EXTREMELY upset and protective and keeps … Read more

Camp So and So – book review

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Camp So-and-So by Mary McCoy Fantasy Mystery * * * Stars (Pretty good) 25 girls end up at a weird summer camp where they are grouped into cabins of 5 and are forced to play out a series of stories for an audience of inhuman beings that take their entertainment from the experience (unbeknownst to the girls when they arrive). Cabin 1 has to compete in various normal camp activities (sports, arts & craft, entertainment), … Read more