Book Review: Bloodmarked (Legendborn Cycle #2) by Tracy Deonn

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am unwell.

The ending of this book hurt my soul in ways I didn't think it would. In fact, I legit sat there in my living room, trying to get my complete thoughts together so I could do this review, only to sit there, stunned, and go to take a nap because of how good it was (yes, you read that right, I TOOK A NAP BECAUSE OF HOW THE ENDING WENT). I hope Tracy Deonn has a really good day/evening, because OH MY GOD THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD.

So...how shall I start my thoughts? I want to start with the characters, because I think that is the only way I can get them down, because of how good this book was.

Bree: YOU DID THAT. You wanted to save Nick from the clutches of his father, only for you to go on a road trip with William, Sel, and Alice. You tried to help your friends while also trying to save Nick and yourself. BUT THAT ENDING HURTS MY SOUL. Do I know why you did what you did? I know it's because you want to know how to defend yourself with your Rootcraft and being the Scion of Arthur. (I'm trying to hard not to spoil anything, but I want to SO BAD). I really didn't like the way the Order's Regents are putting you in a box and 'hiding' you, as if you were a mistake and not the real Scion, which that P.Oed me off SO MUCH, to Arthur doing what he did just so he could take over you....OHHHH THAT MADE ME SO MAD. SO, SO MAD. I wish you hadn't done what you did at the end, but as I'm thinking about it, you kind of needed to do what you needed to do.

Selwyn: One: I'm not THAT mad at you. Mostly because you tried to stop Bree and Bree kept HA-ing you, and you keep going along with it, but I am mad that you mesmered her to not see your demon half. It was cool that you explained how the bond between you and Nick went and how he felt the same thing you felt in Legendborn. But when you and Nick did your bloodwalk to save her and took her root, and then losing your humanity (which sucks) was very cool to do. I hope in the next book you do better (if I sound like a mother when it comes to Sel, I do, and I'm not sorry about that).

Nick: Look here, you Stefan Salvatore-coded, trying to be the good guy, only to fall on your face, young man...I am both proud and upset with you for a million reasons. One of them is that you tried to stop Bree during the Blood Walk and also tried to get her to NOT come after you because you were in danger and wanted to protect her so, so much. But when she and Sel came to try and do that, that's when you cut off a Mageguard's head (good for you) and then ran, THAT'S when I got a bit disappointed in you.

Arthur: ...oh, you thought that you were going to be after Bree? Oh no. No siree-bob. YOU MADE ME SO DAMN MAD FOR LYING TO BREE LIKE THAT. All she wanted was someone to TEACH her how to do things, and then you waited and bieded your time, and then when she finally permitted you, you TAKE OVER like....YOU HAD HER PERMISSION IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU SONOFABITCH. Then you tried to act like a big man on campus, but failed. I hope wherever you are, you think about your actions, and I hope you also regret what you did because YOU MADE ME SO DAMN MAD.

After all of that, I really did enjoy myself reading this book, and now it's on to the next one (and pray that I don't lose my shiz like I did this book).

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Book Review: Back in a Spell, a Witches of Thistle Grove novel by Lana Harper

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back in a Spell is a book that almost made me cry, but it did made me go 'Oh my god, no she didn't!" and it also had some Targaryen vibes with Lyonesse and Igraine trying to use the new power that Nina has to wrest control from Emmy Harlow...but that shiz didn't work on dang ol' bit, now did it? Even though there was a nonbinary character (which I love, even their name, because I've never seen a character named Morty before in my life EVER), I really did enjoy this book. But the fact that the Blackmoore Elders wanted to be Targys and just try and take over Thistle Grove...like this isn't House of the Dragons, my dude. This is Thistle Grove, and witches and 'normies' that live here deserve to make a living and not be under Blackmoore rule.

So after Nina's and Morty's disastrous date, Nina goes to sleep and is with the Lady of the Lake, who made her a demigoddess. At the same time, Nina and Morty are also witchbonded, which really didn't sit well with Morty at all. They were once a normie, someone that doesn't know a thing about magic, but when Nina somehow made a deal with the Lady and became a demigoddess, Morty...Morty became a witch. A newbie magic user.

Nina decides to teach him magic after he came to find her at the Avalon and showed her what had happened to them, and the two started to fall in love. At the same time, Lyonesse and Igraine, after learning about Nina's new magic after she and Gareth tried to break the coin but couldn't, instead blew up The Cell, and the two started to act like Targys and wanted to take over Thistle Grove.

Like every Blackmoore, they did what they were told, and I was scared that Nina was about to do exactly that, but then, after thinking about it and having a discussion with Emmy, who came to her office after a very dangerous decision by Nina happened, I'm glad that she worked with Emmy. I'm glad that she told the truth about what happened to her and why she doesn't want that to happen.

The ending was top tier, because Emmy stripped Lyonesse and Igraine of magic, moved Gareth up to elder, and for Nina to be an assistant, as you will, to the Voice and the Arbiter, along with using less magic. I quite like that idea, because it shows that Nina and Gareth is real tired of being under Lyonesse's thumb and doing whatever she wants to gain power.

This one might be my favorite, but I got two more books to read so I can know how this story will progress. Also I want to be a witch and live in Thistle Grove SO BAD I love this series so much.

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Book Review: A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy moly.

Holy gosh-darn moly.

This might be one of my favorite dragon books I've ever read this year-and this is the first book I've read in 2026 that was so good, I'm still thinking about it to this day.

Yes, this is a YA fantasy book. And yes, this has outstanding politics and includes some trigger warnings that you do need to look up when reading this, but other than that, I truly loved this book so much. You have language, the way the main character is trying to fight for what's right and what's wrong, and also how you learn what the government is doing behind closed doors. I ate everything up in this book, and now I need book two in my hands, please and thank you.

My favorite characters in this book are Viv, Marquis, Atlas, and Sophie. Viv is trying to do the job that she was sent to do, but then, when she talks to the other dragons and finds out what's actually going on, she does get confused when the final battle happens, but then she, in my opinion, made the right choice and chose the Coalition. I thought she was really going to give up what she learned about the "dragon code" to Wyvernmire (which I really hate with a huge passion), and I also feared that Viv would actually choose the wrong side, but thank the lord that she didn't.

I was cheering on Viv and Atlas, but that slow-burn hurt my soul (in the same way Georgia vs. Ole Miss hurt my soul), and I wanted them to last, but I guess I'll wait until the second book to find out what happens. And the whole thing was Sophie and Viv...I knew she was beating herself up, but when she told Sophie and apologized, I felt that too. I hope one day Sophie and Viv do become friends again, because I think Viv really missed that.

The talking dragons and their whole language interested me a lot, but what I liked the most was the multimedia that was in the book. You got newspapers and also recordings of meetings with the House of Parliament and the radio announcements...they were so good that I want to read more of them. I felt like they helped the story move instead of keeping it as a standstill.

Loved this book and I'm so glad that I read this book.

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Book Review: All the Way by Kendall Ryan

All the Way by Kendall Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OwenBecca, you all have just melted my heart IMMEDIATELY as soon as I read this book.

I didn't think I would honestly like this book. Mostly because it was a hockey romance and all that. But the moment I opened the book up and started to read it, it triggered something in me, because I could've sworn that I've read a book similiar like this...and then my thoughts went to The Deal by Elle Kennedy. But the difference with this book and this one is that Owen is the most patient man on the planet when it comes to Becca. He made sure she was happy and comfortable, and always, ALWAYS asks for his consent when it comes to sex--which made me one of my favorite hockey players of all time. He always asks her if she is comfortable with this or tells her that they can stop when she wants to, giving her the reins to run the relationship-which I loved so much.

And even though Becca was SAed and the dude that did it got a slap on the wrist, she trusted Owen completely, to help her get over her baggage...but she didn't expect him to be so kind, caring, sweet, and completely understandable. They were actually communicating about everything--their pasts, their wants, and what they don't like, and I felt like they brought them together perfectly. I wanted more of Owen and Becca, and when they landed their happy ending, I was really happy that they started to slowly change while they were being friends with benefits, and then changed to boyfriend and girlfriend...it was really good.

Kendall Ryan might be an author I'm sleeping on, because this was SUCH a good book. I want to read more of her work because of how good it was.

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Book Review: Warcraft: Legends by Richard A. Knaak

Warcraft: Legends Vol. 3 by Richard A. Knaak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This manga was a collection of short stories in the Warcraft world, from Fiend, where Trag Highmountain meets a new ally to help him (which I find pretty cool), and he did reach the Ice Citadel, Crusader's Blood, which was just god awful and was action-packed, but at the same time it was just terrible and I feel sorry for the forsaken and the blood elf mage that clashed with the Scarlet Crusade.

Also, screw the Scarlet Crusade, tbh.

I Got What Yule Need was such a cute Christmas story! I really liked how Krizz saved the little girl's father, but the ending felt like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And the last story, The Thrill of the Hunt, was actually pretty good, and I really liked how Hemet Nesignwary took care of the druid and the little cute animals.

My favorite story is the Christmas story and the Thrill of the Hunt. That was just it. The other two were okay, tbh, but the Scarlet Crusade one just made me mad as heck. But other than that, I really enjoyed myself and I would pick up another manga to read from Warcraft.

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Book Review: Blood Games: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill

Blood Games by Chloe Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The only person I know in Chicago is Harry Dresden, but now I know someone else: Merit and Ethan Sullivan. The Master and Sentinel of Chicago, who, I have to say, is very interesting and also very fun to be around. There was a murder mystery that I really didn't get at the end, and then the romance between Merit and Ethan was hot, but because he needed to focus on the trials that might make him King, he's been pushing her away...which, in my opinion, I do understand. At the same time, I was mad that he did that, even when she was trying to help him.

I really like the tarot card mystery aspect in the book, because when I finally figured it out and saw how confusing it can be, but when it clicks and you get it, that's when it starts to come together, and you start to follow the murder and the clues until you get to the end, where you find out it was all because of a jealous boyfriend who broke up with the girl he killed first and then wanted some more people to suffer...

But when you go after the one girl that could instantly kill you? And her boyfriend wants to rage?

Oh boy.

Not a really good place to be right now when said boyfriend has a whole bunch of magic roaring to get to you. But the friend was saved, and everything is fine...right???

Right??

Even when the new vampire queen, Nicole, dismantled the GP.

Um....brah??? You okay??? Did you hit your head somewhere???

So now what?

And what's with that weird note that appeared on Ethan and Merit's bed, ending with a cursive B.

...oh nooo fam. Oh noooo....

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Book Review: The village Library Demon Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So if you combine Jessica Fletcher with the supernatural, then you have this book. The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society was a fascinating novel, from the time you open the book to the end. You are sucked into the world of Winesap and how Sherry Pinkwhistle lives and tries to solve the murder of her dead boyfriend, Alan Thompson, a lawyer turned antique shop owner. With references to Poirot, Colombo, and Miss Marple, you get all of the cozy vibes, along with a side of the supernatural.

Sherry Pinkwhistle is a librarian serving the Winesap community, until one day her boyfriend, Alan, was killed inside his house. Even though she is known around town for solving murders, for this one, Sherry didn't want to do it. She tried to ignore it until a demon started to possess almost everyone in town, so she could solve the murder. Between solving the murder of her friend Charlotte's husband to the murder of Alan, how can one try and solve the murders at the same time?

Her talking cat, Lord Thomas Cromwell, nudges her along the way, giving her advice even though she was skeptical of the fact that her cat can talk to her now, but along the way she figures out who did kill Alan (it was shocking the girl who works for him) and not who I originally thought it was, which was the son. At the reveal, the son, Corey, became so jumpy and was willing to walk out, but the only thing he could be convicted of was the dope he hid behind a painting.

It was a fun book, a book I enjoyed very much the more I read it. The spirit taking on the form of her best friend and revealing that she liked the storytelling part, so she made up her own stories, made me a tiny bit weirded out, like the demon was playing and writing her own story so she can have something to read about when she's bored and out of her mind? But I still enjoyed it nonetheless and does this make me wanna read more of C.M. Waggoner's books? Maybe, one I get a chance to do so.

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