Blog Tour: Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments – T. L. Huchu

March 22, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Edinburgh Nights #2
Release Date: 8th March 2022
Pages: 368
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: Black Crow PR kindly sent me a copy to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Some secrets are meant to stay buried

When Ropa Moyo discovered an occult underground library, she expected great things. She’s really into Edinburgh’s secret societies – but turns out they are less into her. So instead of getting paid to work magic, she’s had to accept a crummy unpaid internship. And her with bills to pay and a pet fox to feed.

Then her friend Priya offers her a job on the side. Priya works at Our Lady of Mysterious Maladies, a very specialized hospital, where a new illness is resisting magical and medical remedies alike. The first patient was a teenage boy, Max Wu, and his healers are baffled. If Ropa can solve the case, she might earn as she learns – and impress her mentor, Sir Callander.

Her sleuthing will lead her to a lost fortune, an avenging spirit and a secret buried deep in Scotland’s past. But how are they connected? Lives are at stake and Ropa is running out of time.

Review

T. L. Huchu’s Library of the Dead was a book I absolutely adored so I was incredibly excited to pick up the sequel. This time we’re following Ropa as she gets a job at Our Lady of Mysterious Maladies in order to pay her bills. There she hears about a new illness that is resisting all remedies – both the magical and non-magical kind. Ropa must do everything she can to uncover what is causing the illness, but discovering the truth will cause her to delve deep into’s Scotland’s past.

There are so many things to love about this series. Huchu has created such a fascinating world – this dystopian, magical future is completely unlike anything I’ve read before. Huchu puts in an incredible amount of detail into the depiction of Edinburgh and I love seeing all the streets and places brought to life. The story is excellently paced, with plenty of action and mystery to keep the reader intrigued. Just like the first book I was captivated right from the beginning and in all honesty, I didn’t want this book to end.

Where this series really shines is the brilliant cast of characters who you can’t help growing attached to. Ropa is full of attitude, but she’s determined to do what’s right and help those around her. While Ropa is the star of the show there are plenty of other clever characters and I loved both Priya and Jomo. If you’re looking for a dark, fast-paced fantasy read, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments will have you engrossed until the very last page. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I cannot wait to see where Huchu takes things in the next book.

Blog Tour: The Cartographers – Peng Shepherd

March 17, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: March 15th 2022
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 320
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

There are some maps you can lose yourself in…
Nell Young has lived her life in and around maps. Her father, Dr. David Young, was one of the most respected cartographers in the world. But this morning he was found dead – or murdered? – in his office at the New York Public Library.

Nell hadn’t spoken to her father in years, ever since he fired her after an argument over a seemingly worthless highway roadside map. A map which was mass-produced – and every copy of which is now being found and destroyed. But why?

To answer that question, Nell will embark on a dangerous journey into the heart of a conspiracy beyond belief, the secrets behind her family, and the true power that lies in maps . . .

Review

A book that stays with you long after you finish reading – The Cartographers is definitely a new favourite. The story follows Nell Young, a young woman currently working for Classic – a company that reproduces ancient maps for people. Nell had once held the hope of following in her father’s footsteps and working at the New York Public Library, but after he publicly fired her over a worthless highway roadside map, Nell hasn’t set foot in the library in years. Until one morning she receives a phone call that her father has been found dead – or murdered – in his office. When Nell discovers that same highway roadside map hidden in her father’s desk it will lead her on a dark journey to discover the truth behind her family and the power of maps.

This was such a fun and intriguing read! I’ve always wanted to read The Book of M by Peng Shepherd but I’ve never quite gotten around to it. When I read the synopsis for this book (and saw that incredibly beautiful cover) I knew I had to read this one as soon as possible. From the beginning, I was so intrigued and the story kept me engaged till the very last page. I really enjoyed Shepherd’s writing style – she really took the reader on a journey. The story does start off a bit slower paced but it increases quickly as the plot develops.

The Cartographers is a clever, compelling story and has definitely made me want to read more from Peng Shepherd. The story has some really interesting characters and I really enjoyed the multiple points of view. The characters felt well crafted and I really liked Nell as a main character. As there is quite a bit of mystery in the story I was constantly trying to work out what was going on. There were more than a few moments I didn’t see coming and that definitely kept me glued to the book and turning pages long into the night.

The Cartographers is a really fascinating tale, so if you’re looking for something that will keep you hooked right to the very last page, this should definitely be your next read.

Blog Tour: Our Bloody Pearl – D. N. Bryn

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

Series: These Treacherous Tides #0
Release Date: July 26th 2018
Publisher: Avos Publishing
Pages: 206
Find it on: Goodreads. Amazon.
Source: I was kindly sent an ebook copy for review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

The ocean is uncontrollable and dangerous. But to the sirens who swim the warm island waters, it’s a home more than worth protecting from the humans and their steam-propelled ships. Between their hypnotic voices and the strength of their powerful tails, sirens have little to fear.

That is, until the ruthless pirate captain, Kian, creates a device to cancel out their songs.

Perle was the first siren captured, and while all since have either been sold or killed, Kian still keeps them prisoner. Though their song is muted and their tail paralyzed, Perle’s hope for escape rekindles as another pirating vessel seizes Kian’s ship. This new captain seems different, with his brilliant smile and his promises that Kian will never again be Perle’s master. But he’s still a human, and a captor in his own way. The compassion he and his rag-tag human family show can’t be sincere… or can it?

Soon it becomes clear that Kian will hunt Perle relentlessly, taking down any siren in her path. As the tides turn, Perle must decide whether to run from Kian forever or ride the forming wave into battle, hoping their newfound human companions will fight with them.

Review

Our Bloody Pearl drew me in with that absolutely gorgeous cover and I’m so glad it did because I enjoyed this book so much. The story follows Perle (they/them), a siren captured by pirate captain Kian. Kian has created a device that cancels out a siren’s song and is on a mission to capture and sell as many as she can. Despite this Kian keeps Perle as a prisoner on her ship and they are unable to sing or return to their beloved ocean. When Kian’s boat is attacked by a rag-tag pirate crew, Perle’s hope of being free rekindles. The crew does what they can to help Perle recover, but Kian will stop at nothing till she gets back her prisoner.

Our Bloody Pearl has so many things I love in books. There’s plenty of action and adventure, it’s pretty fast-paced and I ended up reading this incredibly quickly. There’s never a dull moment in Our Bloody Pearl and there were more than a few times I was on the edge of my seat. This story is really well executed and I am so looking forward to reading more from D. N. Bryn. Our Bloody Pearl is a captivating story and if you love books featuring sirens and pirates this is definitely a must-read.

The story features a really brilliant cast of characters and I adored them all. It was so intriguing having the story told from a siren’s point of view. It felt like such a fresh take on the pirate fantasy story. Perle is a brilliant protagonist and I really liked seeing them recover and learn to trust the humans around them. Similarly, Dejean is a really fascinating character and I adored the relationship that blossomed between them. Dejean’s crew are a rag-tag bunch and you can’t help but root for them. Our Bloody Pearl has fantastic representation, a fascinating world, tons of action, and a loveable cast of characters – it’s a brilliant read and I am so looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Book Review: Sundial – Catriona Ward

March 16, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: March 10th 2022
Publisher: Viper Books
Pages: 352
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

You can’t escape the desert. You can’t escape Sundial.

Rob fears for her daughters. For Callie, who collects tiny bones and whispers to imaginary friends. For Annie, because she fears what Callie might do to her. Rob sees a darkness in Callie, one that reminds her of the family she left behind. She decides to take Callie back to her childhood home, to Sundial, deep in the Mojave Desert. And there she will have to make a terrible choice.

Callie is afraid of her mother. Rob has begun to look at her strangely. To tell her secrets about her past that both disturb and excite her. And Callie is beginning to wonder if only one of them will leave Sundial alive…

From the bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street comes a stunning thriller exploring the toxicity of the mother-daughter bond, and the power of the past to twist the present.

Review

Sundial is the newest twisty thriller from Catriona Ward, author of The Last House on Needless Street. I read Needless Street last year and found it incredibly gripping so I was really intrigued to see what Ward would do next. The story follows Rob, a teacher trapped in a bitter marriage. She worries about her daughters, namely Callie who collects bones and talks to herself. When Rob feels she has no choice left she embarks on a mission to Sundial, the place where she grew up. Callie knows her mother is acting strangely and is worried about what might happen when they reach Sundial. As Rob starts to reveal the truths about her upbringing, Callie beings to suspect they might not leave Sundial alive.

Sundial hooked me right from the very beginning. It’s a rollercoaster of a book, with plenty of surprise twists and turns that I could not begin to guess. The story was engaging and well-paced – I read the last third of the book in one sitting because I just had to know how it was going to end. Ward is excellent at creating atmosphere and that really shines through in Sundial. The dark, uneasy feeling continued to build as the story raced to its conclusion.

Sundial is an incredibly addictive read and thriller fans will absolutely adore this one. I really liked the way the story was written – we get both Rob and Callie’s point of view as well as Rob in the past and chapters set in Rob’s fictional world of Arrowood. Ward has crafted some really complex and fascinating characters and I was so fascinated by the exploration of childhood and that mother-daughter relationship. I actually think I might have enjoyed Sundial even more than The Last House on Needless Street so if you’re looking for a compulsively readable thriller to sink your teeth into, Sundial is absolutely it.

Book Review: A River Enchanted – Rebecca Ross

March 11, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: Elements of Cadence #1
Release Date: February 3rd 2022
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 480
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Synopsis

Enchantments run deep on the magical Isle of Cadence: gossip is carried by the wind, plaid shawls can be as strong as armour, and the smallest cut of a knife can instill fathomless fear. The capricious spirits that live there find mirth in the lives of the humans who call the land home, but that mischief turns to malevolence as girls begin to go missing.

Adaira, heiress of the east, knows the spirits only answer to a bard’s music, enticing them to return the missing girls. But there’s only one bard capable of drawing the spirits forth by song: her childhood enemy Jack Tamerlaine.

He hasn’t stepped foot on Cadence in ten long years, content to study music at the mainland university, but as Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than first thought and an older, darker secret lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.

Review

A River Enchanted is the first in an all new fantasy duology from Rebecca Ross, author of The Queen Rising. The story follows Jack Tamerlaine, once a resident of the isle of Cadence, he has left that life behind to become a musician at the university on the mainland. When Jack is mysteriously summoned back to Cadence by his laird, he has no choice but to go. Jack returns home to discover that young girls are going missing and no one can figure out where they have gone. Jack’s old nemesis Adaira believes the spirits are taking them and only a bard can save the girls. Jack and Adaira will have to put aside old feelings and work together to uncover the truth.

A River Enchanted is a really intriguing story and I thought the premise was a really captivating idea. I was fascinated by the Scottish mythology elements in this and it felt like the story was well researched. I was really interested in the magic and world-building in this and it is definitely something I hope we get to see a bit more of in book two. The story is well-paced, with the tension increasing as the story progressed. This is my first book from Rebecca Ross and I really enjoyed her writing style. I did think the book felt more YA than adult, despite centering on older characters.

The story does have some surprise moments I wasn’t expecting and I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes in book two. I really liked the main characters, each trying to find their place on Cadence. Normally with fantasy stories, there are one or two characters I am more interested in but I was really engrossed in the story of all the characters. I did think this was going to be a five-star read but I wasn’t a massive fan of the romance. I felt like it needed a bit more tension to make it believable that they were once enemies. Despite this A River Enchanted is a beautifully told story and I am definitely going to pick up book two.

Book Review: Gallant – V. E. Schwab

March 10, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: March 8th 2022
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 320
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Prior is missing three things: a mother, a father, and a voice. Her mother vanished all at once, and her father by degrees, and her voice was a thing she never had to start with.

She grew up at Merilance School for Girls. Now, nearing the end of her time there, Olivia receives a letter from an uncle she’s never met, her father’s older brother, summoning her to his estate, a place called Gallant. But when she arrives, she discovers that the letter she received was several years old. Her uncle is dead. The estate is empty, save for the servants. Olivia is permitted to remain, but must follow two rules: don’t go out after dusk, and always stay on the right side of a wall that runs along the estate’s western edge.

Beyond it is another realm, ancient and magical, which calls to Olivia through her blood…

Review

Victoria Schwab is one of my favourite authors and Gallant was my most anticipated release of 2022. This gorgeous, atmospheric tale follows the story of Olivia Prior – a young girl living at Merilance School for Girls. Her mother disappeared and she has spent her days being taunted by the other girls at the school. When a mysterious letter arrives from Olivia’s Uncle, she is sent to Gallant – the Prior family estate. When Olivia gets there she learns this is anything but a normal household. Olivia soon discovers another realm bordering on Gallant’s estate and must do everything she can to save her family and herself.

This book has such an intriguing premise and Schwab executes this story perfectly. The book is brimming with atmosphere and filled with Schwab’s trademark lyrical writing. As soon as this book arrived I dropped everything to read it and was utterly swept away. The setting really comes to life in the story and I could easily picture the world Schwab has created. The book also features some fascinating illustrations that added another layer to the story.

There is so much to love about Gallant and our main protagonist Olivia is definitely one of those things. She’s clever, determined to succeed, and desperate to find a place where she belongs. You can’t help rooting for her and the people she cares about. I loved the way Gallant was at times a moving story but also had some really tense, creepy moments too.

Gallant is an incredibly engrossing read, one that you will not want to look away from. It’s the sort of book that once you finish you immediately want to reread. While I do prefer Schwab’s adult books, this is an exceptional book and if you’re a fan of her writing I absolutely recommend picking this one up. Gallant is a beautiful story and I can’t wait to see what Schwab dreams up next.

Blog Tour: The Embroidered Book – Kate Heartfield

March 9, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

Release Date: February 17th 2022
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 655
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of the book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

1768. Charlotte arrives in Naples to marry a man she has never met. Two years later, her sister Antoine is sent to France to marry another stranger. In the mirrored corridors of Versailles, they rename her Marie Antoinette.

But the sisters are not powerless. When they were only children, Charlotte and Antoine discovered a book of spells – spells that seem to work, with dark and unpredictable consequences.

In a world of vicious court politics, of discovery and dizzying change, Charlotte and Antoine use their secret skills to redefine their lives, becoming the most influential women of the age.

But every spell requires a sacrifice. As love between the sisters turns to rivalry, they will send Europe spiralling into revolution.

Brimming with romance, betrayal, and the hidden power of women, THE EMBROIDERED BOOK reveals and reimagines a dazzling period of history as you have never seen it before.

Review

The Embroidered Book is a captivating, magical tale that will have you engrossed from the very first chapter. The story follows Marie Antoinette and her sister Charlotte as they are sent to marry men they have never met. While they have little say in the matter the sisters have discovered a spellbook filled with spells that seem to work. As the two girls learn to navigate the world of court politics, they have no choice but to use this secret power to survive – but at what cost?

When I read the synopsis for this book I was immediately intrigued. While I am fascinated by history the sisters are not something I know much about but I was completely swept up in this tale. The story is well-paced and I really loved Heartfield’s writing style. The setting really came to life in Heartfield’s words and I felt the mix of historical fiction and magic worked incredibly well. The Embroidered Book isn’t a short book – coming in at just under 700 pages – but I raced through it, becoming completely lost in the story. The story felt incredibly well researched and there was so much detail woven into every aspect of the story.

Where The Embroidered Book really excels is the compelling characters Heartfield has created. We follow the sisters from their childhood and it is fascinating to see them grow up, to navigate their marriages and life at court. The rivalry that develops between them is similarly fascinating and incredibly well executed. All the characters in this story felt well developed and ultimately it is a complex story of power and sisterhood. The Embroidered Book is one of those books that stays with you long after reading, so if you’re looking for some captivating historical fiction with a dash of magic, this is absolutely a must-read.

Blog Tour: The Gifts – Liz Hyder

February 24, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: 24th February 2022
Publisher: Manilla Press
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.

Meanwhile, when rumours of a ‘fallen angel’ cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .

Review

The Gifts is a beautiful and engrossing tale set in October 1840. When a young woman finds a pair of wings protruding from her back, rumours of a fallen angel begin to take London by storm. When a surgeon finds the most unbelievable corpse, he believes this will be the making of the fame and fortune he has always dreamt of. As the obsession grips him tighter, he goes in search of others like the corpse, threatening the lives of those he seeks.

The Gifts has quite a mysterious synopsis so I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in. I won’t say much about the plot – this is definitely one of those books that it’s best to go in knowing nothing. Early on in the story, I was hooked and I raced through the book in a few days. Hyder has written a really engaging story, one I could not look away from. It was well-paced and the sights and sounds of London really came to life. I really enjoyed the blend of historical fiction and magical realism and felt it was really well crafted.

The Gifts has some really compelling characters and I grew really invested in the story of these women. The story focuses in on the treatment of women and is at times quite hard-hitting. The multiple perspectives in this book were also well crafted. Rarely do I find a book where I enjoy all the points of view equally, but I was eager to see what was going to happen to all the characters in this one. The Gifts is a dark and addictive read – in particular the short chapters had me turning pages faster and faster, desperate to know how it was all going to end. If you’re looking for a story that will have you hooked right until the very last sentence, The Gifts should definitely be your next read.

Blog Tour: The Thousand Eyes – A K Larkwood

February 22, 2022February 21, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Series: The Serpent Gates #2
Release Date: 15th February 2022
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review

Synopsis

Two years ago, Csorwe and Shuthmili defied the wizard Belthandros Sethennai and stole his gauntlets. The gauntlets have made Shuthmili extraordinarily powerful, but they’re beginning to take a sinister toll on her. She and Csorwe travel to a distant world to discover how to use the gauntlets safely, but when an old enemy arrives on the scene, Shuthmili finds herself torn between clinging to her humanity and embracing eldritch power.

Meanwhile, Tal Charossa returns to Tlaanthothe to find that Sethennai has gone missing. As well as being a wizard of unimaginable power, Sethennai is Tal’s old boss and former lover, and Tal wants nothing to do with him. When a magical catastrophe befalls the city, Tal tries to run rather than face his past, but soon learns that something even worse may lurk in the future. Throughout the worlds of the Echo Maze, fragments of an undead goddess begin to awaken, and not all confrontations can be put off forever…

Thoughts

The Unspoken Name was one of my favourite reads of 2020 and The Thousand Eyes is without a doubt one of my most anticipated releases of 2022. The cover is absolutely stunning and I am so excited to return to this incredible world. I am currently reading The Thousand Eyes and while I’m only about halfway through, I already know this is going to be a five-star read. It’s wonderful being back with the characters we grew to love in The Unspoken Name and the see where their adventures will take them. We pick up two years after the events of book one and it was so fun to see the characters back out creating mayhem.

I love Larkwood’s writing style and just like book one, the story has been action-packed and had me on the edge of my seat. I have no idea where the story is going to go but I’m so excited to see where Larkwood takes us next. The worldbuilding in this series is exceptional and if you’re looking for a fantasy series with fantastic characters and a fast-paced plot, this is absolutely a must-read.

A massive thank you to Black Crow PR for having me on the blog tour – check back soon for a full review!

Blog Tour: The House of Sorrowing Stars – Beth Cartwright

February 20, 2022 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

Release Date: February 10th 2022
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 368
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent a copy of the book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

How do you heal a broken house?
First you unlock its secrets.

Alone on an island, surrounded by flowers that shine as dusk begins to fall, sits an old, faded house. Rooms cannot be rented here and visits are only for those haunted by the memory of loss.

When Liddy receives an invitation, she thinks there must be some mistake – she’s never experienced loss. But with her curiosity stirred, and no other way to escape a life in which she feels trapped, she decides to accept.

Once there, she meets Vivienne, a beautiful, austere woman whose glare leaves Liddy unsettled; Ben, the reserved gardener; and Raphael, the enigmatic Keymaker. If Liddy is to discover her true purpose in the house, she must find the root of their sorrow – but the house won’t give up its secrets so easily . . .

Review

The House of Sorrowing Stars is a beautiful and moving story that captivated me right from the very first chapter. The story follows Liddy, a young woman whose family are eager to see her married off to the infamous Jack Heathcote. Liddy can’t think of anything worse but she has nowhere else to go and no other options but to do as her family tells her. Until one night she receives a mysterious invitation to the House of Sorrowing Stars. Liddy accepts the invitation, traveling to the strange home and meeting people who call the house home – Vivienne the mistress of the house, Ben the gardener and Raphael the keymaker. Liddy knows there is much more to this house and the people that live there, but will she be able to unearth their secrets?

This book intrigued me the moment I laid eyes on it. It has a beautiful cover and the synopsis had me hooked almost straight away. The House of Sorrowing Stars is filled with beautiful, lyrical writing and I was completely swept away in this magical fairytale. This is absolutely the sort of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. It focuses so much on the idea of loss and grief and is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The story is well-paced and excellently crafted. I started the book one evening and I was glued to the page, reading the first hundred pages in one sitting. I was so engrossed in the story that I just could not look away. Cartwright’s writing style is so incredibly vivid that I felt absolutely transported to the House of Sorrowing Stars.

Cartwright has created some incredibly complex and likable characters in this book and it was one of the reasons I could not put it down. Liddy is a compelling protagonist and I couldn’t wait to see where the story would take her. All the characters felt incredibly well crafted and fleshed out. The mix of historical fiction and fantasy is blended so well in this story and I am so excited to read more from Beth Cartwright. If you’re looking for a stunning lyrical historical fantasy to keep you reading long into the night, The House of Sorrowing Stars is a must read.