Fantasy

Never Never

by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

★★★

I typically love CoHo’s books, and Never Never had a several-month waitlist; I went into this read with high hopes. I will say that I found the twisted groundhog day trope interesting; I got frustrated alongside the characters when their daily lives just didn’t quite make sense to them. I thought the whole idea of soul mates and bonds that allowed forced them back together was weird though; I still question if the curse was more about Charlie having broken her “Never Never” promise. Overall, I was intrigued until the end. The epilogue ruined the whole thing for me; I honestly think the book would be 150% better if they had just cut the epilogue out and let the last chapter be the end. While I won’t say I regret reading it, I will say that this is by far my least favorite thing CoHo has written (or co-written).

Serpent & Dove

by Shelby Mahurin

★★★★

I love a good fantasy series, and I have been eyeballing this one for quite a while. I managed to get my hands on an audiobook copy via Libby after a several-month wait, and it was worth the wait. I found the story was magical, beautifully written, and periodically borderline spooky. With a believable portrayal of magic and a touch of romance, I was hooked. Mahurin compellingly depicts the conflicts that the enforcers of laws face; we see Reid as both the unmovable witch killer and the husband of a witch. Through Louise, we are reminded that someone who steals or has taken a human life is not always evil; there are ultimately a variety of factors that motivate people to do bad things. Together, we see how these complexities come together and impact relationships; many of the lessons shown here should be considered by readers within their own life. I can’t wait to see what lessons can be found in Blood & Honey. 

The Cat Who Saved Books

by Sosuke Natsukawa

★★★★

I read a beautiful English translation of this text that was originally written in Japanese. The story is just under 200 pages and reads quickly; a person could easily knock this one out in a day if they choose (I definitely wish time would have allowed me to). Rintaro was relatable in a few ways, although I wouldn’t say that I’m a shut-in or a loner. He was a great representation of what grief can do to a person, as well as the life lessons that loss can teach us. I loved Tiger the Tabby; he is smart, sassy, and mysterious. Who doesn’t love a mythical quest that is led by a talking cat? The story wouldn’t have been plausible without Rintaro or Tiger’s personalities. Overall, the story flowed well. This was an awesome read.

A Warning About Swans

by R. M. Romero

★★★★★

I snagged this beauty via @netgalley since I enjoyed The Ghosts of Rose Hill. Like TGORH, A Warning About Swans was a quick read written in prose; this story is suitable for middle school students and adults alike, so I would love to put a copy in my class library. I found our protagonist, Hilde, fits well within what we expect of our fairy tale women (as well as a non-human woman can). She is curious, passionate, and just wants to find her own place in the world without others telling her who she must be; she represents the struggles of identity and purpose felt by many women just for existing. On the other hand, we have our antagonist, Richter; he’s our classic fairy tale’s wolf in sheep’s clothing (although I’d argue he is worse- at least wolves do not hide their intent to eat you alive). While I will not spoil what happens between Hilde and Richter, it is ultimately her relationship with a third character (Franz) that shows her who she wants to be. This story is full of magic, charged emotions, and experiences that everyone can connect with in one way or another. I highly recommend checking this one out when it releases in July 2023.

Reclaim the Stars

Edited by Zoraida Cordova

★★★

This Latinx-written short story anthology focuses specifically on Latinx characters within sci-fi and fantasy; this addresses largely under-discussed sub-genres and representation problems while providing readers with various beautiful stories. I found that I struggled to get into the initial stories, as I’m not a sci-fi fan myself, but I loved many of the fantasy tales that were included. The anthology is broken into three parts: “To the Stars,” “The Magical Now,” and “Other Times, Other Realms.” I found myself primarily enjoying the stories of the final category, and I struggled to enjoy the stories from the first. I will acknowledge the skillful writing that is seen through every story included; the characters are complex, their worlds are detailed, and every story has a message that is relatable for readers. Important topics such as love, feminism, faith, independence, and much more feature throughout the anthology and make the stories shine. No matter my own feelings about this collection, it was one that I have no regrets about snagging off Amazon to add to my classroom library.

Midnight in Everwood

by M.A. Kuzniar

★★★★

I loved The Nutcracker as a child, especially the Barbie retelling, so I knew I was going to love this novel. I found the overall premise to be intriguing, as Marietta’s unexpected journey to a magical world echoed that of Marie- however, there isn’t really a “Nutcracker” character like some versions. We do get to learn about a variety of villages in the sugar-dusted world, although the story takes place in Everwood. In a world filled with sweet riches, loyal soldiers, a terrible king, and terrified villagers, Kuzniar maintains a very similar aesthetic to the original Nutcracker telling. Marietta’s story is delectably sweet with a touch of something darker. I found a copy of Kuzniar’s retelling through Libby, so I recommend checking with your local library.  

The London Séance Society

by Sarah Penner

★★★★

TLSS is out now, and it is definitely worth checking out. I got lucky and snagged a copy via @netgalley, and I found myself hooked. Penner has a way of incorporating the illogical without taking away from the believability of a story. I really enjoyed The Lost Apothecary, so I knew I had to read this one when she initially posted about its release dates. I loved how strong Lenna is, and Vaudeline was interesting. I kept trying to figure out the ending, but the twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. I love that Penner also includes notes about the actual history of the time period at the end of the novel; I found the information both fascinating and educating.

The Ghosts of Rose Hill

by R. M. Romero

★★★★

I snagged this beauty via @libby.app after finding this in the poetry category. I’m not huge on poetry, but I really enjoyed following along as Iliana explored Prague. Romero explores the identity struggles faced by Jewish Latinx people, especially as individuals like Iliana are still trying to heal from the multi-generational trauma. I loved the way Romero emphasized the beauty of music and of Iliana’s love for Hebrew traditions, as these were critical parts of who she is. The love shared between Iliana and other characters also added to the magic of the story, though I’ll acknowledge the ghosts helped with that one too. I would definitely recommend this story to others, and I’m hoping to snag a copy for my class library!

American Vampire

by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, & Stephen King

★★★

I’m not a graphic novel person, so I will say upfront that it may have impacted my reading experience. I was not impressed by Volume 1 (Issue 1-5). American Vampire is essentially dedicated to vampires during the Western era; the authors express their goal was to make vampires “scary” again. I found the storyline was underwhelming, but the artwork was cool. I normally love Stephen King, but this just didn’t do it for me. To be fair though, I also do not like Westerns. Check it out (or don’t)- it’s your call on this one.

Snow, Glass, Apples

by Neil Gaiman & Colleen Doran

★★★★★

I love a good classic retelling, and Gaiman writes the tale of Snow White from the standpoint that Snow is the problem. Doran created absolutely gorgeous art to show our wrongly persecuted queen and the monstrous child. This story is short, not so sweet, and definitely for mature readers.

One Italian Summer

by Rebecca Serle

★★★.5

I've officially added Positano and the Path to the Gods to my bucket list. I got this one in my Book of the Month box this summer, and it's definitely a fun read if you want to "explore" a bit. I can't I fell in love with this story, but I did enjoy it. The struggles of the main character- Katy- is understandable, as she faces issues that many of us will encounter at some point in life. Serle addresses grief, understanding love, and finding ourselves. I loved the visual descriptions of Positano, but I wasn't huge on the fantastical element (I won't have spoilers). If you want to discuss this book further, you can find me fantasizing about booking a trip to Positano.

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

by Shea Ernshaw

★★★★

I let my fiancé pick some titles for me, and he chose well! I love The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as Disney’s line of Twisted Tales. While Long Live The Pumpkin Queen is not a part of the Twisted Tales line, it seemed right up my alley. Ernshaw managed to capture the magic of TNBC within LLTPQ, and yet it was not merely just a sequel. I loved getting to know Sally more thoroughly, and I loved learning more about the alternate holiday worlds that we do not see during Jack’s travels. The story has the right amount of suspense to complement the storyline. I would definitely gift copies of this one to my book-loving friends!

Foul Lady Fortune

by Chloe Gong

★★★★★

First, I’d like to say thank you to @netgalley for my ARC of this book. I found myself wanting to learn more about Shanghai as I read about Rosalind’s adventures as a 1930s spy. I love a good whodunnit, and I found myself changing guesses every chapter or so; Gong really kept me on my toes. I feel like Gong also did well by her characters; they felt authentic, and I appreciated that she could show some of the downsides/concerns of immortality and other genetic changes. I didn’t know much about the Nationalist/Communist/Imperial war over territories in China, so this left me wanting to learn more. I don’t want to share any spoilers, but I will say that this book was addictive; I found myself engaged and had no desire to put it down each time I started reading it. If you love mysteries or historical fantasy, I suggest snagging this title when it releases later in the month.

Nightbitch

by Rachel Yoder

★★★
*Spoilers Ahead*

Okay, so I really thought this book was weird; considering some of the stuff I’ve read, that’s saying something. I thought the general concept was interesting, but I thought we’d get more information about the main character as a dog. Also, I found it really annoying that most of the characters never get a name. Pairing the lack of namelessness, I feel like we don’t really get to know the characters very much. The graphic animal murder was just disturbing; very little makes me feel genuinely nauseated, but Kitty’s death really got me. Beyond that, the story left neither impressed nor disappointed. I don’t know that I would ever gift a copy of this book to anyone, but at least I checked this one off my TBR. 

The Naughty or Nice Clause

by Kate Callaghan

★★★★

I snagged this gem via @netgalley a while back, and I finally got to finish it yesterday. This story involved some of my favorite tropes (enemies to lovers, fake dating, etc.) while promoting the Christmas spirit. I loved Mason and Lyla’s personalities, although I wish their romance was fleshed out a bit more. The overall concept of bringing an outsider to Yule was intriguing, and I loved the magical realism of this story. Callaghan’s novel is fairly inclusive for an Irish Christmas story too, so that was a nice change from the holiday reads I’ve encountered so far. I would say this quick read is perfect for helping you get into the holiday spirit while working towards meeting your year.

Payback's A Witch

by Lana Harper

★★★★

I added this to my June TBR since I've been working on the Blue Bookmark Book Club's Pride reading challenge. I snagged this cute title from Libby and I was not disappointed. It's got everything I could ask for from a witchy romance; Harper delivers scorned women turned lovers, undeniable chemistry, strong female characters, and a touch of witchcraft to leave the whole story feeling magical. I will acknowledge that the very beginning of the story gave The Ex Hex vibes, but that's not a bad thing considering I loved that novel too. If you ever wanted a Goblet of Fire-esque political election, this is the story for you.

The Seven Day Switch

by Kelly Harms

★★★★

So I snagged this one as my Prime First Reads a few months ago... It was definitely the right choice. While I'm not a mom, I've witnessed my fair share of mom-shaming, and I've experienced it when people assumed my toddler siblings are mine. Harms addresses the harsh realities of motherhood beautifully, and she reminds us all that most parents are just doing the best they can. Celeste and Wendy are prime examples of mothers with polar opposite parenting styles, and there is so much we can learn from them about our internal assumptions and unfair criticisms. We can see how the SAHM is judged for being "too perfect" and the working mom is judged for not being perfect enough. The story is funny, honest, and maintains the classic body-swap trope that many of us have loved since Freaky Friday. If you're looking for a quick pick-me-up read, this is a good one!

The Once and Future Witches

by Alix E. Harrow

★★★★★

One word for this book: wow. I snagged this novel on Kindle because of the beautiful cover, and I have zero regrets. This is probably one of my favorite books of the year so far (and I've read quite a few). Harrow provides strong and authentic characters, a solid plot, and interesting perspectives as she shows old ideas in a new light. Follow along with the Eastwood sisters as they work to rediscover the magic that is believed to be lost in this historical fantasy. This is a story of sisterhood, resiliency, love, and survival; it is a reminder that if a woman has the will, she must only find a way. The Eastwood sisters give us everything a reader could want, and I definitely found myself considering what Hogwarts house they would each theoretically belong to. Juniper gives us the tough and fierce witch we always are tempted to be (she'd def be a Slytherin). Agnes shows us the strength of a mother's love (and is arguably Griffyndor). Beatrice is the soft-spoken witch that reminds us that we are all important (and she's our Ravenclaw). Overall, I 100% support you checking this book out!

Signal Moon

by Kate Quinn

★★★★

I snagged this as a Prime First Reads on Amazon Kindle this month. This brief introduction to Quinn's writing has left me excited for some of the other titles I own- such as The Alice Network- and I've heard it pairs beautifully with The Rose Code. In 57 pages (cover to cover), Quinn made me root for the success of Lily and Jackson. This story takes place in two different times, during two different wars, and yet similarities can be drawn between both realities that remind us that the things that matter transcend time.

Jane Slayre

by Charlotte Bronte and Sherri Browning Erwin

★★★★★

I found this at my local used bookstore (Bookhounds Books) and I just had to snag it. I loved Jane Eyre, so I was thrilled to find an alternative version that satisfied my desire for a good fantasy read. If you enjoyed the classic, I highly recommend giving this one a chance. I found the changes to be well thought out, and it really fit what I knew about the characters originally. This story has it all- vampires, werewolves, and necromancers, oh my!- so it really embraces how different creatures would fit together in Jane's world. While I won't say what- I will warn that the ending differs from the original in a few key ways. Overall, this version of our darling Jane ranks pretty highly for me.

My Best Friend's Exorcism

by Grady Hendrix

★★★★★

I got this on Kindle, and my only regret is not reading it sooner. Hendrix brings all of the creepy vibes that readers expect after reading The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, but this time we are taken to Charleston in 1988. This is a story full of hair spray, the Go Gos, and plenty of mix tapes. If you love 80s horror flicks, you’ll love this book; Hendrix successfully captures the same aesthetic. The Kindle edition is definitely a multimedia experience though; I love that readers can listen to a MBE-themed playlist containing 80s hits, read info pamphlets people realistically would have received, sort through news clippings, watch video footage, experience the ads of the time, and more. This story can be cheesy at times, but it is also a mix of humor and emotional turmoil. Now, in the name of the Go Gos, I *softly* command thee to read this one too!

Into the Forest

edited by Lindy Ryan

★★★★

First, thank you to Black Spot Books for an ARC of this title from Netgalley. This collection of short stories caught my attention right away, as I had not previously known very much about Baba Yaga (the folklore witch that lives in the woods in her house with chicken legs). As I researched her to bit, I realized there was a ton of variety in the lore pertaining to Baba; she was both a villain and the hero for many. I found that the collection of short stories written by female-identifying horror writers captures the complex idea and interpretations of Baba Yaga. I loved that she was loving in kind in many stories, as well as dangerous and vengeful. I found myself laughing, wanting to cry, and frequently rooting for her (even when I probably shouldn't be). The writing was strong, the stories were compelling, and the collection was educational overall. I would recommend checking out this one when it releases this fall!

The Ravens

by Kass Morgan & Danielle Paige

★★★★

This enchanting story switches between the perspective of two university students, Vivi and Scarlett, in a small Georgia town. Both characters are at a different points in their education (freshman vs junior), although fate ensures they will cross each other's paths. As Vivi learns about the reality of witchcraft's secret existence through the exclusive (and actually magical) sorority, the Ravens, Scarlett is finding herself one step closer to her darkest secrets being exposed.  The sisters are forced to rely on one another, and the story is ultimately one of strength and love. Morgan and Paige remind readers of the importance of sisterhood, as well as some of the risks of isolation and betrayal. The Ravens are smart, beautiful,  and strangely charming. The novel will suck you in and allow you to almost forget that magic doesn't exist (or does it?).

Mexican Gothic

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

★★★★

Mexican Gothic is the perfect read for the upcoming stormy weather. Socialities Noemi finds herself seeking the truth in deep, dark, and dangerous places. The imagery of the small village in rural Mexico is so vivid that the damp air may feel suffocating to readers. Summoning her inner King, Moreno-Garcia will leave you questioning your sanity. Follow along as Noemi, ever the fun-loving party girl, as she sets out to save her cousin. If you love the mysterious horror associated with Poe, or the rainy day vibes of R. L. Stine growing up, this is the perfect read for you. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses

by Sarah J. Maas

★★★★★

I bought this title by itself and again as a series bundle quite a while ago. I wish I would have read this one sooner! I found myself rooting for Feyah every step of the way. I had this idea in my head that it was going to be similar to Beauty and the Beast, but it definitely surpassed my expectations. I loved the concepts of faeries as both good and evil, and that humans are no different. I found her character extremely relatable, and Tamlin warmed my heart. I will admit that I found myself thinking about this book quite often, and I never wanted to put it down once I picked it up. The writing is strong, the story is compelling, and the characters are believable. I haven’t been very into series reads lately, but I’m already two chapters into the next book and loving it. If you liked The Hunger Games and Beauty and the Beast, you’ll love this! 

Under Her Skin

Edited by Lindy Ryan and Toni Miller

★★★

So I'm not normally a poetry person, but I decided to give Under Her Skin a try. This collection of horror poetry specifically focuses on body horror- the distinct process of a person losing control of their body. All poems in the collection were written by women or femmes, so this book is feminist through and through. Although I wasn't fond of half the poems, I did find some I really enjoyed. Some I liked include "Growing Pains," "Shed," "Betrayer," "I Become Numinous," "Queen," and "Dissolving Connections." If you like horror and poetry, you'll likely enjoy Under Her Skin.

Cell

by Stephen King

★★★★★

The zombie apocalypse is here, but it isn't what you'd expect. People are behaving oddly, and it all started with cell phones. After the public is hit with an unexplainable signal, violence explodes across the country. There are some lucky survivors- primarily those who had no phones or those who powered theirs off before it began- but they aren't out of danger yet. Clay, a "lucky" survivor that is away on a work trip, just wants to save his son who is still stuck in their hometown. Clay unites with other survivors in an attempt for them to all find their families and a place to hide out. Their plight is heart-wrenching, anxiety-inducing, and downright disturbing at times. I can honestly say one scene actually made me cry, and that's a rare occurrence.

The Fireman

by Joe Hill

★★★★★

What is a better time to read about a misunderstood epidemic than during our own pandemic? Follow along with Harper, John (the Fireman), and other key characters as they navigate life after the spread of the dragon scale spore. While COVID comes with risks like an inability to breathe, dragon scale can make you suddenly catch fire. Harper and her friends are stuck learning how to survive with dragon scale, especially since Harper just wants to survive long enough to deliver her baby. Nurse Harper Willowes will bring you all of the comforts of Mary Poppins and the Fireman will just, in general, leave you laughing. This story is full of vulgarity, betrayal, love, and adventure. I absolutely loved it every step of the way. It also distinctly reminds me of King's Cell- both books are 700+ pages, include a spore/virus that leads to a "hive" mentality, and both essentially see the downfall of civilization as we know it. Ultimately, I found I enjoyed The Fireman more than Cell; the story is exciting, anxiety-inducing, and left me laughing loud enough to concern my family in multiple chapters. If you're looking to get into Joe Hill's works, I recommend reading this one before N0S4A2.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab

★★★★★

This was my first book of 2021, and I still think of it frequently. It's your perfect example tale of not always being what we wish for in the way we predict, as Addie faces a reality where freedom means she cannot be remembered... at least until she suddenly is recognized by the surprisingly relatable Henry. A closed door or a setting sun is no longer a barrier for Addie and Henry, but you'll just have to give it a read to understand why...

PSA: The storyline is not entirely linear. It alternates between Addie's past and the present.

The Mine

by Frances Carden

★★.5

So I won this one a while back from the Goodreads' giveaways… I’m not quite sure why I finished this one. The novella follows two couples and their children as they attempt to pull riches from an abandoned mine located in a Congolese jungle. The overall plot has some potential, but the POV killed the story for me. The narrator speaks directly to the audience repeatedly and said-narrator is quite pompous and irritated the hell out of me. The writing style was also a bit odd to me, as it came off like the writer was trying way too hard. I hate posting negative reviews, but I have limited positive thoughts on this 132-page story. I liked the idea of people opening a mine and unleashing something evil; I just didn’t like the way the story was executed. I really hope someone else enjoys this more than I did though, as it did get some positive comments on Goodreads’ review section. I don’t have much else to say without just being mean, so I’m going to go ahead and cut the review off here.

The Witcher: The Last Wish

by Andrzej Sapowski

★★★★

Like many of you, I have been following along with the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher. My library had the first book available as a Libby loan, so I decided to give it a go... The show and book are both very alike and very different. I warn that the order the story is told in varies greatly from the show, and Ciri does not appear in book one (I only even found one reference to her). However, I did enjoy the book. It's action-packed, and offers the adventure of traditional open-world exploration video games; each chapter brings its own quests. The language is definitely still understandable (compared to Shakespeare and other books set in the far past), and it offers a wide variety of visual descriptions. My biggest complaint is that the timeline can get a little confusing since it's never noted when a chapter skips back in time, so I recommend paying attention to the language carefully at the beginning of each chapter to help you determine if it is past or present. Overall, this is a good and quick read for those that are interested in fantasy.

Carmilla

by Sheridan Le Fanu

★★★★

This throwback Thursday comes with one of the inspirations for Dracula. Carmilla is arguably the first *published* vampire novella. Laura, an isolated teen girl, finds herself one of the witnesses of a carriage accident. Carmilla, the young female passenger, reveals that she will now be essentially stuck staying nearby and agrees to stay with Laura and her father. Carmilla and Laura quickly become close friends, and it quickly begins to become a much more steamy relationship. However, Laura seems to be fizzling out as Carmilla heals from the accident...

N0S4A2

by Joe Hill

★★★★

Everyone is talking about holiday reads, so here's a spooky one that will take you on a ride to Christmas Land. Vic McQueen isn't your average kid- she can magically find things. When the nasty Charlie Manx tries to take Vic to Christmas Land, she managed to escape. However, Manx eventually reappears for Vic's son instead, and it's up to her to save them. This holiday read is dark, disturbing, and dangerous.

Petrified Women

by Jeremey Ray

★★★★

I'm typically into longer stories, but this novella was worth the read. This story is for victims of sexual assault- whether we feel that our experience was "real" assault or not, no matter how we responded to the trauma while it occurred. This is for the survivors that might not choose to do anything, or may decide to wait years to do so. Harley has always known about the reactions of fight or flight, but no one warned her that there is an unexpected third response- to freeze. In the name of giving love another chance, Harley tries to see the best in her boyfriend Aiden. Only Aiden, an artist that carves wooden sculptures of women, isn't all that he seems. Their story is harshly relatable, frightening, and horrifically magical. This is also a good story for these looking for a quick read; I finished this one in about an hour.

The Twilight Saga

by Stephanie Meyer

★★★★★

I first read the books when I was about 11-years-old, and it helped kick off my love of reading. While the writing quality isn't anything special, the story stuck with me. It was the first book(s) that I remembered the most insignificant details of (like how many bites Bella finished her granola bar in during Twilight). To this day, the Twilight Saga is one of the only series I have bothered to reread (along with After, discussed further down). I have also thought about the series regularly for years. It filled me with excitement to be able to see the books come to life during the midnight premiers of Breaking Dawn, even if the vision scene seriously messed with my head. Let me just say that I am thrilled that Meyer is writing two more Saga-universe novels, and I just hope they live up to the hype. I'm ready for some more sparkly vampires and terrible wolves!

They Laugh Like Jackals

by Brian Melgar

★★★★★

This is one book that I am thankful for. A friend got a few of his books published, and this one is his pride and joy. I'm beyond thankful I had the opportunity to read it, and that college has put us in each other's paths. His novel is creepy, and it will definitely have you questioning the main character's sanity. Follow along as Rissa has to navigate her nightmares, as well as her stay in the psychiatric hospital. You'll meet a variety of charming (and not so much) characters that bring the story to life. If you like supernatural tales and thrillers, this is the book for you.

Fat Vampire

by Adam Rex

★★★

While it was extremely cheesy, I found myself laughing through it all. I can't say the quality of the writing was anything special, but the overall concept was entertaining. We always wonder what happens to the "fat" or "ugly" teen if they get turned, and Rex answers just that. Not only did the main character, Doug, find himself stuck in his still-developing teenage body, but is one example of what happens when beauty isn't a side-effect of vampirism. Pursued by an annoying T.V. vampire hunter, Doug has to navigate being a vampire and a horny teenage boy simultaneously. Sadly, Doug does not maintain his laughable persona, as he becomes a terrible character (and person) as the story continues. Be prepared for an ending that doesn't seem to fit, characters that evolve for the worse. If you're looking for a lesser known Halloween read, this may be the book for you.

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

by Grady Hendrix

★★★★★

If you love vampires and strong women, this is a perfect book for you. Hendrix brings to life the relentlessly strong Patricia Campbell. Although Patricia isn't your typical slayer, she demonstrates just how strong a mother's love is. Patricia and her fellow book club members are an unstoppable force of nature when a threat appears to be lurking too close to their families. With all of the skills of your average southern housewife, the book club will comfort you throughout the most anxiety-inducing moments.

Cemetery Boys

by Aiden Thomas

★★★★

Queen fiction meets spooky season in this charming read. This tale follows a Puerto Rican teen's journey to gain his family's acceptance- as a man and as a brujo- due to cultural barriers and transphobia. As the lead character is preparing to release a (cute) teen boy's spirit, he also has to navigate the risk of becoming to attached to the dead.

Educators: Cemetery Boys is a great read to discuss the role of cultural beliefs and transphobia. This is also perfect to help your students embrace fall by discussing the practices of Dia de los Muertos.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn

by Mellissa Bashardoust

★★★★★

I loved this one. If you're looking for an LGBTQ+ read with a healthy dose of fantasy and feminism, this is the book for you. I love how Soraya is able to learn to own who she is rather than bending to the expectations of society. Her story is full of sorrow, and yet, she doesn't overlook the happiness available in her life. Soraya gives the idea of a toxic woman to a whole new meaning, and her emotional journey will keep readers wanting more. Full of Persian folklore, this is a great story for anyone who grew up watching Aladdin or Cinderella.

The Ex Hex

by Erin Sterling

★★★★.5

Okay, so this one was actually as sweet as candy. I loved how realistic the concerns of Rhys and Vivienne are as well as how deeply they love. This is perfect the perfect Halloween read, especially for fans of Practical Magic. With murderous toys, ghosts, and more than a touch of magic, Sterling takes you on a quest that is too addictive not to finish.

Practical Magic

by Alice Hoffman

★★★★.5

This tale has now reached 25 years of magical history. Hoffman creates characters that are believable and adds just enough magic that it all feels really possible. With a dead boyfriend, three generations of sisters, and a little witchcraft, this book will leave you wanting to go hug your own sister. So throw some salt over your shoulder and enjoy a great read for spooky season!

Consensual Hex

by Amanda Harlowe

★★

This book left me unfulfilled, and not in the way that leaves us craving a sequel. The writing itself felt a bit sloppy, and the ending just felt like it came out of nowhere and didn't fit. The worst part? Goodreads reviewers claim that Harlowe was a former friend and that the characters are each corresponding to a member of their college friend group. They claim she stole their assault stories. There are countless reasons I do NOT recommend this read!