book reviews

Book Review: A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett



Title: A Drop of Corruption
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #2
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Fantasy/Mystery
Age Group: Adult
Content/Trigger Warnings: Violence, murder, body horror, blood, colonization, gore, animal death
Book Links: Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::Goodreads


The brilliant detective Ana Dolabra may have finally met her match in the gripping sequel to The Tainted Cup—from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.

In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.

To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.

Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.

Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire’s greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.

Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.

Continue reading “Book Review: A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett”
www wednesday

WWW Wednesday: March 19th, 2025


It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.


Current Reads

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

I’ve had this book for quite awhile and now I’m finally reading it. It’s the AFB Book Club pick for March, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give it a try. So far, I’m having a great time with this Norse inspired fantasy. The insta-lust is a tad funny, but I’m loving our female main character. Especially after a certain event in the first few chapters that had me cheering… iykyk.

    Continue reading “WWW Wednesday: March 19th, 2025”
    top 5 tuesday

    Top 5 Tuesday: Books With An Emotion in the Title


    Top 5 Tuesday is a fun, weekly meme that asks you to pick 5 books that fit that week’s theme. It was created by Bionic Bookworm and is currently being hosted by Meeghan Reads. You should check out their wonderful blog for more details and the list of prompts!


    Hello, reader!

    I haven’t participate in Top 5 Tuesday in a minute and I thought it was high time I rectified that! This is a fun little meme that lets me revisit some of my favorite books. This week was a bit of challenge for me, though, I’m not gonna lie! I had to find five books with an emotion in the title and that was no easy task. Still, I managed to round up five (though I may be fudging it a bit 😅) that fit the bill.

    That being said, let’s get to the books!


    #1. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

    I’ve always been a fan of epic fantasy, but I can count on one hand how many I’ve read that were written by a Black author and featured Black people. This book is definitely on the top of that pile! I loved this intense, revenge-fueled novel for all the worldbuilding and action, but mostly for the deep dive into the main character’s psyche. The second book is even better and I can’t wait til I get to read the third, which is, hopefully, coming out later this year!


    #2. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

    I promise there is not a theme to the emotions I’m picking! This modern classic got me to realize that I could, in fact, enjoy a young adult contemporary novel. I’m sure this is partly the subject matter, but it was mainly Thomas’ incredible writing. She has a way of weaving a story that makes it very difficult to stop reading! I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by her, but this is by far my favorite.

    Continue reading “Top 5 Tuesday: Books With An Emotion in the Title”
    www wednesday

    WWW Wednesday: March 12th, 2025


    It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

    1. What are you currently reading?
    2. What did you recently finish reading?
    3. What do you think you’ll read next?

    If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.


    Current Reads

    • In the Woods by Tana French: This book has been on my TBR for ages because my best friend used to love this series. I say “used to” because I asked her recently if she was still following the Dublin Murder Squad and she was less than enthusiastic, haha. Having started this book, I think I know why… If any of you have read this book before, can you let me know if the main character is meant to be so insufferable?! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rolled my eyes at some throwaway comment he says or, especially, at his apparent intense dislike of all women. Except for his partner, Cassie, of course because “sHE’s NoT liKE otHeR giRls” 🙄 I currently have the audiobook on 1.5x speed because I really don’t want to spend more time with this man and his obnoxious POV. I suppose I could just DNF… but it’s part of my Trope-ical Readathon TBR! Sigh…
    • You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego: I quite literally just started this today and have barely read three pages, so I really can’t give you my feelings on this one. I will say I love that there’s a map in the beginning that looks like the Clue boardgame! And it seems like we’re going to get a bit of a book inside a book throughout this story and that’s a trope that I enjoy. What I’m saying is we’re starting off strong solely based on superficial aspects!
    Continue reading “WWW Wednesday: March 12th, 2025”
    lets talk bookish

    Let’s Talk Bookish: Women in STEM

    Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly bookish meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and co-hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits and Dini @dinipandareads! This meme has a discussion format, where participants get to talk about certain topics, share opinions, and spread the blogging love by visiting other posts. You can learn more about this meme here!


    Prompts: Over the years, there have been an increasing number of books about women in STEM. What do you think of this trend? Do you like it or is it/can it be poorly done? In honour of International Women’s Day tomorrow (March 8), what are your favourite books ft. women in STEM and what books are still on your TBR?

    Let me tell you, when I saw the topic for this week’s Let’s Talk Bookish, I smiled from ear to ear. As a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), I think you can probably guess how I feel about the rise of femme or femme presenting characters in books being in the STEM field. I love it! I know we’ve all heard this phrase before but, representation matters, and the fact that girls and young women can now freely get their hands on books featuring women in typically male-dominated fields is the kind of representation I can absolutely get behind. Books like that weren’t around when I was a kid. I still aspired to do something science-based, but I was never exposed to women in fields I was thinking of going into. The lack of representation wasn’t exactly a deterrent, but it wasn’t encouraging, either. I’m so happy we’re getting more women in STEM books and I hope this trend continues!

    Now whether or not it can be poorly done… I think that’s a matter of personal taste. I’m sure there are books out there that have poor representation because people do love to jump on a trend without doing proper research, but I don’t think that’s overall the case. I also think it’s easier this days to seek out the gems while avoiding the trash, haha. So even though some of the books featuring women in STEM might be not-so-great, I don’t think that takes away from the impact of the trend overall.

    Continue reading “Let’s Talk Bookish: Women in STEM”
    www wednesday

    WWW Wednesday: March 5th, 2025


    It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

    1. What are you currently reading?
    2. What did you recently finish reading?
    3. What do you think you’ll read next?

    If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.


    Current Reads

    • A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett: I’m so happy to be back in the world of the Shadow of the Leviathan series! I’ve missed Din and Ana! This is the sequel to my favorite read of 2024, The Tainted Cup, and, so far, I’m having a good time. It feels easy to settle back into this world and I’m enjoying the fact that we’re getting more worldbuilding as the scene is being set. And I’m a sucker for a locked room mystery, so the shenanigans happening in this book is right up my alley! I’m trying to get my e-ARC read and reviewed before this releases on April 1st, so let’s hope this continues to be great.
    • The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods: I picked this up at the library simply because I liked the cover, lol. Having finally started reading it, I’m glad the cover caught my eye! This follows three people who are all in someway attached to a bookshop that mysteriously vanished. I love that there’s just a dash of magic in what would otherwise be a fairly mundane tale. Don’t love some of the relationships going on in here, but trying to look past that and focus on the story. We’ll see how I feel by the end 😅
    Continue reading “WWW Wednesday: March 5th, 2025”
    book reviews

    Book Review: Painted Devils by Margaret Owen



    Title: Painted Devils
    Author: Margaret Owen
    Series: Little Thieves #2
    Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
    Genre: Fantasy
    Age Group: Young Adult
    Content/Trigger Warnings: Verbal and physical abuse, abandonment, anxiety, self-harm, physical intimacy, abusive environments, blood
    Book Links: Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::Goodreads


    Let’s get one thing straight—Vanja Schmidt wasn’t trying to start a cult.

    After taking down a corrupt margrave, breaking a deadly curse, and finding romance with the vexingly scrupulous Junior Prefect Emeric Conrad, Vanja had one great mystery left: her long-lost birth family… and if they would welcome a thief. But in her search for an honest trade, she hit trouble and invented a god, the Scarlet Maiden, to scam her way out. Now, that lie is growing out of control—especially when Emeric arrives to investigate, and the Scarlet Maiden manifests to claim him as a virgin sacrifice.

    For his final test to become a prefect, Emeric must determine if Vanja is guilty of serious fraud, or if the Scarlet Maiden—and her claim to him—are genuine. Meanwhile, Vanja is chasing an alternative sacrifice that may be their way out. The hunt leads her not only into the lairs of monsters and the paths of gods, but the ties of her past. And with what should be the simplest way to save Emeric hanging over their heads, he and Vanja must face a more dangerous question: Is there a future for a thief and a prefect, and at what price?

    Continue reading “Book Review: Painted Devils by Margaret Owen”
    monthly tbr · readathon

    Trope-ical Readathon TBR: March 2025


    Hello, reader!

    March is right around the corner and that means it’s time for another round of the Trope-ical Readathon! This is one of two readathons I participate in every year and, every year, I make a ridiculously ambitious TBR. Will I finish all the books I list here? Absolutely not. (Are you kidding, there are 16 total prompts and I read, like, six books in a good month…) Will I give it a good try? You bet!

    Before I tell you what I’m planning on reading this round, why don’t I tell you more about the actual readathon. The Trope-ical Readathon is a month-long, team-based readathon created and run by Jenny @ JenJenReviews and their partner, @BookRob. It centers around reading books that feature specific “tropes”. Think stuff like “found family” and the ever contested “love triangle”. There are thirteen general prompts geared towards thirteen different tropes, so there’s bound to be at least a couple you love! For all the info and to join a team, just check out the Trope-ical Readathon website.

    All that said, let me share all the prompts and what I’m hoping to read for each one!


    Team Fantasy Challenges


    Team Book (Old)

    This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

    I’ve owned this book for what feels like ages. I received it in an Illumicrate box and my copy is beautiful, but I’ve just never picked it up. Now seems the perfect time to fulfill a prompt and reduce my owned TBR. This romantasy is inspired by Persian mythology and sounds like it could be a fun ride. A long-lost heir, a crown prince, and a forbidden romance? Give it to me, please!


    Team Challenge #1:
    “There Be Dragons” Trope

    A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

    This book has been on so many TBRs that it’s kind of embarrassing. Perhaps sticking on yet another one will get me to finally read it. It follows a scientist who studies, you guessed it, dragons! This is her backstory and it sounds like something that I will adore once I pick it up. Wish me luck, y’all, because the track record is not great, haha.


    Team Challenge #2:
    “The Woods” Trope

    In the Woods by Tana French

    My best friend suggested this thriller series to me ages ago, so I went out and bought the first book. Imagine how shocked she’ll be now when I finally read it, haha. This is the first novel in the Dublin Murder Squad, which does sound like something I would love. It follows a detective who survived a horrific experience in the woods and, years later, comes across a case that feels like a copycat. I think this is gonna pull me in!

    Continue reading “Trope-ical Readathon TBR: March 2025”
    Uncategorized

    WWW Wednesday: February 26th, 2025


    It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

    1. What are you currently reading?
    2. What did you recently finish reading?
    3. What do you think you’ll read next?

    If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.


    Current Reads

    Painted Devils by Margaret Owen

    In anticipation of the release of Holy Terrors, the last book in the Little Thieves trilogy, I thought it was about time I gave the second book a read. I have a bad habit where, when I’m loving a series, I take forever to read the books because I don’t want it to be over 😭 But now that I’m back with Vanja and Emeric, I can’t believe I stayed away so long! I love this gremlin girl and her prefect and am loving this read.

    Continue reading “WWW Wednesday: February 26th, 2025”
    blog tour · book reviews

    Blog Tour: Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows by Peter David


    Hello, reader!

    Today is my stop on the a blog tour run by The Write Reads! The book I’ll be reviewing today is a middle grade fantasy that spoke to my inner child: Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows by Peter David. From the beautiful cover to the wonderful story contained within, this captured my imagination!

    But, before I give you my full thoughts on the book, I have people to thank. First, thank you to Dave @ The Write Reads and all of the crew for giving me a spot on this tour! Second, thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book so that I could participate in this tour. It is, as always, appreciated!

    Alright, now let’s get to the post 🧸


    • Title: Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows
    • Author: Peter David
    • Publisher: Self-published
    • Publication date: August 31st, 2024
    • Length: 160 pages
    • Genre: Fantasy
    • Age group: Middle Grade

    B&N::Amazon::StoryGraph::
    Goodreads


    Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear.

    He’s a Knight, crafted by The Nameless Wizard himself, and sworn to protect his Person, 10-year old Mieya, from all the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.

    When Mieya is cursed into a magical sleep, it’s up to Buddy and his friends Esteban the Bard, Sasha the Warrior-Princess, and Copper the Butterfly to journey across The Realm-Under-The-Bed and find the one responsible.

    But this is no ordinary Quest. The Realm is a dangerous place, filled with jungles, deserts, lightning storms, and Monsters. But worst of all is The Queen of Sorrow who waits for them in her dark castle in the crags. To break her curse, Buddy will need more than his skill with a blade, Esteban’s witty songs, or Sasha’s ferocious might.

    He’ll need Heart.

    Continue reading “Blog Tour: Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows by Peter David”