Tag: book recs

Review: Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand by Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh

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Synopsis:

Blessings truly abound.

With this book, Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh serve as our guides to revealing them, glorifying them, and super-charging them. Drawing upon inner experiences and wisdom, from ancient and contemporary sources, including Native American lore and the Christian Bible, and from a diverse selection of many who have gone before such as Wordsworth, Thoreau, Whitman, Tagore, and others, the authors guide readers as they embark on a journey to discover and appreciate their own inner and outer blessings. With a connection to spirit and their personal divinity, Katherine and Eileen empower readers with the truth, magic, peace, and gratitude inherent in the words.

Discover blessings in human and divine love, in unassumed places, in the natural world, in music, and in our everyday lives. The power and awe of blessings comes forth in waves as the book allows us to realize the unlimited nature of all that we encounter, even aspects of our lives we may think of as painful or trite.

Favorite Lines:

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”

“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.”

“Good friends give us a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

“Happiness is a condition of mind not a result of circumstances.”

“People and things do not have the power to make us happy. Happiness is an inside job and each of us is responsible for our own happiness.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for my honest opinion.

From the very first pages of Blessings Abound, readers are invited into a gentle yet profound exploration of gratitude. Scherer and Bodoh structure the book around three clear categories—“Blessings Received,” “Blessings Taken for Granted,” and “Blessings Found in Disguise”—allowing each section to build upon the last as they guide us from noticing simple gifts to embracing life’s hidden lessons. The authors’ shared voice feels warm and companionable, as if sitting across from an old friend over tea, sharing stories meant to uplift and embolden.

The strength of Blessings Abound  lies in its blend of personal reflection and timeless wisdom. Throughout the chapters, the authors interweave spiritual insights, classical quotations, and relatable anecdotes—from the beat of our own hearts to the hush of dawn’s first light. This variety of entry points ensures that every reader, regardless of background or belief, can find a passage that resonates deeply. The writing style is unpretentious but never shallow; each short meditation invites pause and genuine self‑examination.

Equally compelling is the authors’ insistence that even adversity holds blessings in disguise. Rather than offering trite affirmation, they acknowledge life’s hardships—addiction, loss, fear—and then gently reframe them as portals to growth and empathy. This honest approach lends Blessings Abound  an authenticity too often missing from the self‑help genre. 

Visually, the book’s layout—complete with inspirational sidebars, poetic quotes, and an accessible table of contents—makes it easy to dip in for just a few minutes at breakfast or to linger over an entire section in the evening. Whether you’re seeking a daily boost of hope or a deeper map for personal reflection, the book’s modular format means you can follow its ordering or blaze your own trail through individual chapters.

Summary:

Overall, Blessings Abound  is a thoughtfully crafted invitation to rediscover gratitude in every facet of life. Divided into three thematic sections, it moves readers from recognizing everyday gifts to uncovering the silver linings in hardship. Grounded in both spiritual tradition and down‑to‑earth anecdotes, Scherer and Bodoh offer an honest, uplifting companion for anyone wishing to cultivate a more grateful, resilient heart. Whether read cover to cover or explored in short bursts, this book reminds us that blessings truly do abound—if only we awaken to receive them. Happy reading!

Check out Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand here!

 

Review: Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse by Frances Mary Dunham

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

A Spicy Fantasy Romance of Blood Magic, Cursed Lovers, and Storm-Bound Passion.

She came for vengeance. He offered ruin. Together, they’ll defy the gods—or die trying.

Heiress Abigail Derby was born to rule the seas. She’s fought her way through storms, smugglers, and scheming noblemen to claim her place at the helm of her father’s shipping business. But when a shipment critical to her family’s legacy is stolen by none other than her long-time rival—Captain Wesley Northrup, the maddeningly seductive pirate with a devil’s grin and a taste for destruction—Abigail launches a personal mission of retribution. What she doesn’t expect is to uncover his devastating secret: Wesley is a cursed warlock.

Bound by ghost-forged chains and the ancient power of a fractured Oathstone, Wesley is slowly being consumed by magic—body and soul. Each silver-blue link etched across his chest is both a prison and a death sentence. The only way to break the curse is through blood magic—dark, forbidden rituals that require sacrifice, pain, and a bond no spell can fake. The deeper they go, the more Abigail must give. Her blood. Her trust. Her desire.

And she’s burning with all three.

As they descend into a world of haunted ruins, sea beasts, smugglers, and betrayal, Abigail and Wesley find themselves fighting not just for survival, but for control—of the curse, of their futures, and of the explosive passion that ignites every time they touch. What begins as an uneasy truce becomes an irresistible hunger neither of them can deny.

Every ritual draws them closer. Every broken chain demands a deeper intimacy. And every act of magic tempts fate itself.

But the curse is not the only danger.

There are forces in Salem who want Abigail’s empire to fall. Enemies from Wesley’s past who would see him dragged beneath the waves. Ghosts. Gods. Monsters. And as the storm builds around them, the final ritual may cost more than blood—it may demand their hearts, their souls, or the destruction of everything they swore to protect.

Will they break the curse before it breaks them? Or will love be the greatest risk of all?

Prepare to be swept away by:
Enemies-to-lovers heat that explodes off the page
Forced marriage by decree
Erotic blood magic & soul-binding rituals
A cursed rogue sea captain & a proud, powerful heiress
Sea monsters, ghost-inked chains & salt-kissed kisses
Savage intimacy, sacred vows & one unforgettable final bond

Set against the dark allure of colonial Salem and the raging Atlantic, Spellbound By The Captain’s Curse is a deliciously wicked blend of slow-burn tension, supernatural danger, and off-the-charts spice. This standalone fantasy romance delivers everything you crave—grit, guts, and gasp-worthy passion wrapped in lyrical prose and high-stakes adventure.

The rituals are brutal. The sex is searing. The love is something they never saw coming.

For readers who devour the seductive danger of The Bridge Kingdom, the raw intensity of From Blood and Ash, and the dark romantic magic of A Soul to Keep, this book will leave you aching, breathless, and completely spellbound.

Favorite Lines:

“I am terrified not of dying, but of opening myself to Wesley—of letting him see the soft, damaged parts I keep hidden even from myself. And that, I realize, is exactly what the curse wants.”

“I forgot how allergic you are to being outbid.”

“You mistake audacity for cleverness…You mistake privilege for immunity.”

“The storm didn’t claim them. Desire did.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

From the very first page, Frances Mary Dunham’s Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse sweeps you into Abigail Derby’s world of salt‑sprayed decks, candlelit archives, and auctions where fortunes—and honor—are won or lost in a heartbeat. Abigail, acting head of Derby Shipping, is introduced in full force at a high‑stakes auction where she dares to outbid Salem’s fiercest merchant captains—until Captain Wesley Northrup, the legendary “North Sea Devil,” arrives to crush her last vestige of pride.

Dunham balances razor‑sharp wit with crackling sexual tension. Abigail’s fierce determination and Wesley’s dark magnetism play off each other like thunder and lightning: each encounter leaves them both scorched and craving more. Unlike many romances, their enemies‑to‑lovers arc is driven as much by legacy and honor as by desire. The looming threat of the ancient Oathstone—a relic that can bind souls as surely as chains bind wrists—raises the stakes from personal rivalry to a battle for free will itself.

The novel’s pacing is masterful. After the charged auction scene, we follow Abigail into the storm‑lashed Maritime Archives, where she uncovers forbidden laws and the terrible power of the Oathstone. Moments of high romance—stolen glances, near‑touches, and whispered challenges—are threaded through discoveries that could undo her family’s legacy forever. Dunham’s prose is evocative without ever becoming overwrought: you taste the brine on your lips, feel the weight of Abigail’s defiance, and shiver at every hint of magic lurking in Salem’s shadows.

At its heart, this is a story about choice: whether to cling to the safety of solitude or risk everything for connection. Abigail and Wesley must decide if the bond the Oathstone forces upon them is a prison—and whether their own hearts are worth the gamble. 

Summary:

Overall, for readers who love gritty coastal settings, smart heroines, morally complex heroes, and slow‑burn romance that truly earns its happy ending, Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse is an absolute must‑read. Happy reading!

Check out Spellbound by the Captain’s Curse here!

Review: Steel Slides and Yellow Walls by Alicia Swain

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Synopsis:

In Steel Slides and Yellow Walls, Alicia Swain navigates the labyrinthine journey women undergo to form their identities. Through a feminist lens and distinctive voice, her collection veraciously portrays the trials that forge women into sagacious, resilient adults. From contemplation of how to balance mental health despite knowing what tribulations are sure to come, to the title poem’s exploration of how traumatic memories can continue to haunt in the most unexpected situations, Swain offers a look at the diverse experiences that mold women into the tenacious beings they are.

Favorite Lines:

As I do with all my short story and poetry collection reviews, rather than sharing favorite quotes, I am sharing a couple of my favorite poems from the collection: Melancholy Sea and Progress.

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Swain’s debut poetry collection is arranged in four movements—ASK, EXPERIENCE, RECOVER, and GROW. The early poems interrogate everything we’re taught to revere (church, family, small-town courtesy), and the questions don’t land politely; they leave scorch marks. By the time we reach “Recover,” you can feel the speaker’s lungs straining for air, every line break a gasp.

What hooked me first was the mash-up of bodily grit and lit-class reference. One minute we’re in a fluorescent corridor counting bruises, the next we’re weighing “fire and brimstone” against the smell of burning pages . That collision—philosophy crashing into living tissue—makes the anger ring out. Yet there’s tenderness too, tucked between the ribs: Swain lets small moments of care flicker in, just long enough to keep the reader breathing.

Structurally, the poems feel like they were written on a tightrope. White space widens whenever the emotion tips toward overwhelm, then contracts to a single punch-in-the-gut sentence. Repeated images—yellow paint, steel playground equipment, water—stitch the book together, so even the looser, more experimental pieces never drift far from the central pulse. It’s a risky balance of accessibility and formal play, but it pays off.

Readers who appreciate lyric experimentation will find plenty to admire, while those new to contemporary poetry will still be carried along by the clarity of the speaker’s emotion.

Summary:

Unflinching yet ultimately restorative, Swain’s debut is for readers who crave poetry that stares down cruelty and answers with hard-earned self-authority. If you value collections that marry bold feminist critique with lyrical grace, Steel Slides and Yellow Walls deserves a place on your shelf. Happy reading!

Check out Steel Slides and Yellow Walls here!

 

Review: The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems by Alex Zenk

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Synopsis:

In the sprawling fantasy realm of Asheros, Ordi—a dwarf mage of unprecedented talent—finds himself thrust into a desperate quest when rumors emerge that the Dark Lord Xerxes has returned from the dead. Together with his loyal posh hound companion Mira and his warrior brother Verdun, Ordi must embark on a perilous journey to recover the legendary Otthroite gems, ancient artifacts of immense power.

As darkness spreads across the land, Ordi’s party grows to include unlikely allies: a mysterious elven druid named Nimue, a gnome healer, and a charismatic bard hiding dark secrets. Their quest takes them through treacherous forests, abandoned dwarven strongholds, and into territories untraveled for centuries, all while battling the forces of the encroaching evil.

With each step, Ordi discovers more about the world’s forgotten magic and his own extraordinary connection to the arcane. The gems they seek were once used to enhance the weapons and armor of legendary heroes—but finding them proves far more dangerous than anticipated when betrayal strikes from within their ranks.

Time is running short as reports of attacks along the borderlands grow more frequent and disturbing. Ordi must master ancient spells, navigate political tensions between races, and confront enemies both seen and unseen if he hopes to prevent the prophecies of destruction that haunt his dreams.

If you enjoyed The Fellowship of the Ring, The Eye of the World, and The Wise Man’s Fear, you’ll love The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems.

Favorite Lines:

““Oh, the winds, they sing our tale, of heroes bold who shall not fail. Our hopes and dreams will see us through the mist and twilight’s hue.”

“I can make you a god… but first, you must die.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. 

In The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems, Alex Zenk gives us a fantasy tale that wears its heart proudly on its sleeve. It’s a classic quest at its core—complete with a call to action, a legendary artifact, and a band of unlikely heroes—but what sets it apart is the emotional vulnerability of its central character and the steady exploration of themes like faith, forgiveness, and the meaning of purpose.

The story follows Ordi, a reclusive dwarf who has spent years hiding from the world—and from his past. But when an unexpected vision shakes him out of his spiritual exile, he’s drawn into a divine mission that might be bigger than he’s prepared for. He’s not a warrior or a prophet, but he is someone who believes in doing what’s right, even if it hurts. That kind of quiet courage powers much of the book’s emotional momentum.

As the journey unfolds, Ordi joins forces with a growing band of companions, forming the “Brotherhood of the Lost Gems.” Their quest isn’t just to retrieve magical stones—it’s a search for hope, healing, and second chances. Zenk’s writing isn’t flashy or dense; it’s clear, sincere, and often meditative, especially in its reflections on Ordi’s relationship with Elandril, the world’s creator deity. The spiritual undertones feel authentic and integrated, adding depth without becoming preachy.

This is a book for readers who enjoy fantasy driven by relationships and ideals as much as by action. It has moments of danger and suspense, yes—but also long stretches of conversation, camaraderie, and introspection. The pacing may feel gentle to some, but the rewards are emotional rather than explosive.

Summary:

Overall, Brotherhood of the Lost Gems is a thoughtful, redemptive fantasy debut with a rich spiritual core. It champions kindness, humility, and the power of belief—not just in gods or magic, but in each other. If you’re looking for a quest with soul, this one’s worth answering.

Check out The Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems here!

Monthly Features – July 2025

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MATE: A Novel in Twenty Games by Robert Castle

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: MATE: a novel in twenty games deals with marriage as a chess game. What distinguishes MATE from other stories and novels about the life and death of a relationship is its radical correlation of the actions of a husband and wife to chess moves. The logic of the novel suggests: chess is war reduced to a game; marriage is chess; marriage is war. That is the tragedy—marriage, as a human institution and human desire, is innately tragic. In marriage, one or the other partner feel obliged to annihilate the other in a struggle for…what? This is the central question and riddle of MATE.

Summary: Overall, sharp, exhausting, and wickedly funny, MATE argues that when love turns into a tournament, the best most of us can hope for is a well-fought draw—and maybe a laugh at the post-game press conference.

See the full review here: MATE
Purchase here

 

Hearing My Secrets by Julie L. James

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: At first glance, Marion Andrews would seem to have it all. She’s just been promoted at her job at the top home design magazine where she’s worked for a few years on the creative team, and she’s earned it, even after a few blunders. Her personality and work ethic have taken her far, but not everything is as it seems in her personal life.

Marion’s been hiding her biggest insecurity for years, and now that she’s working closer with her handsome and austere boss, Mr. Shaler, she’s never felt more unsure about whether or not she should reveal it. Mr. Shaler isn’t as intimidating as Marion thought and she never expected things between them to be quite so friendly.

During her transition in her new position, she meets Charlie, a stranger who insinuates he knows things about her past. Charlie keeps popping up in her life, revealing more each time, and getting closer to Marion in every way.

Caught between her tragic past and her dramatic present life, Marion realizes she doesn’t have control over everything and has to find a way to navigate how she can “have it all” without the unforeseen drama that comes with it.

Summary: Overall,  this book is full of warmth, wit, and an eye for every day beauty. It offers a slow-burning romance wrapped in emotional honesty, making it a refreshingly grounded and relatable read. If you like romance with a splash of comedy, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Hearing My Secrets
Purchase here

 

Review: Hearing My Secrets by Julie L. James

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

At first glance, Marion Andrews would seem to have it all. She’s just been promoted at her job at the top home design magazine where she’s worked for a few years on the creative team, and she’s earned it, even after a few blunders. Her personality and work ethic have taken her far, but not everything is as it seems in her personal life.

Marion’s been hiding her biggest insecurity for years, and now that she’s working closer with her handsome and austere boss, Mr. Shaler, she’s never felt more unsure about whether or not she should reveal it. Mr. Shaler isn’t as intimidating as Marion thought and she never expected things between them to be quite so friendly.

During her transition in her new position, she meets Charlie, a stranger who insinuates he knows things about her past. Charlie keeps popping up in her life, revealing more each time, and getting closer to Marion in every way.

Caught between her tragic past and her dramatic present life, Marion realizes she doesn’t have control over everything and has to find a way to navigate how she can “have it all” without the unforeseen drama that comes with it.

Favorite Lines:

“Gratitude is always the best attitude.”

“‘What do you have against hot drinks?’ I asked. ‘The concept of soaking ground bits of vegetation in boiling hot water feels wrong to me,’ he explained.”

“I moved closer, resting my head on his chest, hearing his heart beneath me, and appreciating the sound of every single beat.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Julie L. James’s Hearing My Secrets is a heartfelt and quietly powerful novel that blends workplace drama, hidden disabilities, and unexpected romance into something utterly engaging. From the opening pages, we’re drawn into Marion’s world—a young editorial assistant at a glossy home design magazine who is trying to keep a tightly held secret: she wears hearing aids.

The strength of this book lies in its honesty. James doesn’t sugarcoat Marion’s insecurities, frustrations, or her deep desire to be seen for her talent, not her limitations. The writing is warm, often funny, and steeped in the little textures of life—fabric swatches, late-night train rides, whispered lobby secrets. There’s something incredibly comforting in how ordinary everything feels, even as major emotional shifts are happening.

The story evolves gently, but not without stakes. Between a blossoming workplace crush, office politics, and glimpses into Marion’s painful childhood accident, Hearing My Secrets keeps you hooked with emotional resonance rather than high drama. And when romance sparks, it’s the kind that feels earned—tender, tentative, and full of chemistry.

It’s rare to find a novel that explores disability, ambition, and love with this much grace. This is a quiet triumph of a story—one that champions sensitivity without sentimentality, and strength without loud declarations. You’ll be rooting for Marion from the first page to the last.

Summary:

Overall,  this book is full of warmth, wit, and an eye for every day beauty. It offers a slow-burning romance wrapped in emotional honesty, making it a refreshingly grounded and relatable read. If you like romance with a splash of comedy, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Hearing My Secrets here!

 

Review: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

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Synopsis:

Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens…

Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.

One by one, the chaos claims Peter’s allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.

With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter’s deteriorating judgment. But he’s hallucinating and delirious…and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.

The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.

Favorite Lines:

“Right back into it, then. He was a kid on a roller coaster cresting the first big incline—the moment before the bottom fell out. He opened the closet and confronted his uniform. Sure, he’d paid for the ride, but that didn’t make it any less stomach-churning.”

“Funny how standards eroded in the face of devastation.”

“The holes in his memory were filling in like groundwater welling up in the paw prints of a rabid raccoon. Muddy and random.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

What starts as a slow simmer quickly boils over in The Regression Strain, Kevin Hwang’s debut that’s equal parts medical mystery, psychological spiral, and pandemic-era existential horror. It’s not a long book, but it’s the kind that lingers—creeping into your thoughts days after you’ve closed it.

The story follows Dr. Peter Palma caught in the chaos of a rapidly spreading fungal pandemic. But Hwang doesn’t just want to tell a virus-outbreak story. He wants to pick at your nerves. The plot slips between sanity, and reality in a way that’s deliberately disorienting. Think fever dream with a med school vocabulary. And I mean that as a compliment.

What makes this novel hum is the way Hwang blends scientific precision with narrative messiness. There’s an almost surgical attention to detail in the clinical scenes—no surprise, given Hwang’s background in medicine—but it never feels like a lecture. Instead, the book immerses you in the  high-stakes environment of a cruise ship in the midst of a mysterious illness, only to pull the rug out with unsettling shifts in tone and perception. At times, I questioned whether what I was reading was happening at all—much like the narrator himself. It’s a risky move, but it works.

Stylistically, it won’t be for everyone. The prose can be clipped and clinical one moment, then rush into sensory overload the next. It’s intentional and immersive, but it can make for a slightly uneven reading experience. That said, if you’re the kind of reader who doesn’t mind being dropped into the deep end—without floaties—there’s a lot to appreciate here.

Emotionally, The Regression Strain taps into something very now. The anxiety of being overeducated but powerless. The loneliness of a pandemic. The slow erosion of certainty. It’s not a comforting read, but it’s a relatable one, especially if you’ve ever tried to logic your way through a crisis and come out the other side more confused than when you started.

Summary:

Overall, is it horror? Sci-fi? Psychological drama? Honestly, it’s all of the above and then some. Hwang doesn’t seem interested in coloring within genre lines, and that’s part of the fun. The Regression Strain is sharp, strange, and surprisingly affecting. It’s not your typical outbreak story—It’s weirder (in a good way), smarter, and a bit sadder.

Can we also take a minute to acknowledge that Hwang is a whole father and doctor and still somehow found time to write this masterpiece, I am in awe! If you like horror, suspense, action, medical mysteries, sci-fi, and/or thrillers then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Regression Strain here!

 

Review: Coven of Andromeda by Ron Blacksmith

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Synopsis:

When a powerful magical artifact disappears from the Tanner home, Bree uncovers her family’s true legacy: they’re descendants of witches who fled a dying world centuries ago. Now, Bree must forge an uneasy alliance with Sam Sorken, her mysterious neighbor who harbors secrets of his own—he’s a necromancer from that same world, sworn to protect the coven.

Together, they race against time to stop Kestral Drach, a vengeful voodoo witch preparing to breach the Realm of the Dead and consume the power of countless spirits. As ancient histories collide with present dangers, Bree must embrace her heritage and master unexpected magic that binds her family across generations, before Kestral unleashes forces that could destroy both worlds.

Favorite Lines:

“The timing of destiny is rarely convenient”

“Balance has never been particularly difficult to disrupt.”

“Different paths sometimes lead to the same destination, my boy.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

At first glance The Coven of Andromeda looks like two different novels stitched together: a high-fantasy apprenticeship set beneath lavender skies on Eldoria, and a contemporary tale of bayou folk-magic unfolding in rural Louisiana. The stitching, however, is deliberate. As dimensional rifts widen, necropolis spirits seep into southern swampland, and the narrative threads converge with satisfying inevitability.

Blacksmith frames the entire story around one idea—that so-called “life-magic” and “death-magic” are complementary halves of the same discipline . Sameril, a meticulous student of necromancy, and Bree Tanner, a reluctant heir to her grandmother’s coven, spend much of the book wrestling with that paradox. Their eventual alliance is persuasive because both characters must confront inherited duty: Sameril through the austere Codex Mortis , Bree through a family legacy that offers “truths we must face” rather than evade .

Structurally, the novel alternates measured training chapters with brisk set-piece battles; the rhythm reminds me of a well-paced anime season. The climax is undeniably crowded—multiple factions, a power-hungry voodoo queen, and a spirit of chaos invoked in a single ritual—but the ambition rarely tips into confusion. When the rifts finally erupt, Blacksmith delivers the promised spectacle without abandoning the quieter question of what balance between worlds should look like.

Stylistically, the writing alternates between lyrical description and colloquial banter. A paragraph detailing obsidian pillars flickering with ghost-light may be followed by a dry aside about who is responsible for bringing refreshments to the next ritual. This tonal flexibility works because the characters themselves embrace both gravity and levity; a sisterly bond forged late in the novel underscores that the real stakes are personal before they are cosmic .

Summary:

Overall, I would describe this as A Darker Share of Magic colliding with Practical Magic at a Cajun cookout. Readers who enjoy expansive fantasy with contemporary texture will find The Coven of Andromeda an engaging—and occasionally demanding—journey. Its length requires patience, but the reward is a robust exploration of power, responsibility, and the fragile equilibrium between the realms of the living and the dead. Happy reading!

Check out Coven of Andromeda here!

 

Review: ลูกครึ่ง: Only Half a Person by Rowland Grover

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Synopsis:

When Rowland Grover asked his preschool teacher if he could ฉี่ (chi), she looked at him like he wasn’t speaking English. After holding it for too long, he peed his pants and realized he was different from everyone around him.

As a half-Thai/half-white kid raised Mormon in Idaho, shame, guilt, and confusion were normal for Rowland. He didn’t understand why he took off his shoes at his house, but his friends could keep theirs on and drag dog poop all over the floor. When Rowland lived in Thailand, Thai people said he looked farang, but white people called him Mexican. This made him wonder who he was and where he belonged.

ลูกครึ่ง: Only Half a Person is an captivating and hilarious collection of essays and short stories that explores culture, faith, and identity. The stories range from “stinky lunches” to a talking lizard questioning Rowland’s religion. Others are more serious such as when a stranger called the cops because Rowland looked threatening riding an old beach cruiser bike. Tackled with humor and heart, Rowland dives into the depths to find himself and wonders if he’ll come up for air.

Favorite Lines:

 “You don’t see me calling out ‘white customer’ to get your attention, do you?”

“Our foods aren’t weird. Our cultures aren’t weird. Our people aren’t weird.”

 “I share my story so people can be aware of what others face.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rowland Grover’s ลูกครึ่ง — Only Half a Person feels less like a polished memoir and more like an afternoon swapping stories with a friend who finally trusts you enough to laugh at the worst parts. It kicks off with a preschool mishap in rural Idaho—one short misunderstanding, one very damp pair of pants—and the sudden realization that nobody around him speaks the mix of Thai and English rattling in his head. That flash of embarrassment becomes the thread he keeps tugging for the rest of the book.

Each chapter lands like a quick comedy bit that refuses to fade to black. Grover bounces from teachers butchering his mum’s Thai name to a fast-food customer who labels every brown worker “Mexican” and to a missionary buddy daring him to chew kaffir-lime leaves just to watch him squirm. The punch lines are tight, but they always swing back and nick something tender—pride, doubt, the weird ache of feeling both inside and outside at the same time.

Halfway through, the jokes stretch into essays and open letters. A riff on “authentic” pad thai turns into a quiet rebuke of people who gate-keep culture; another piece answers a reader who calls Asian food “weird,” and the patience in that reply is razor-thin. By the time Grover writes a mock cease-and-desist to his future haters, the laughs carry a distinct after-taste of anger and relief—like finally exhaling after holding it far too long. The real hook, though, is his voice. Grover flips between English, transliterated Thai, and full Thai script without italicizing or apologizing. The code-switching isn’t there for flair; it’s there because that’s simply how his thoughts land on the page. Reading it feels a bit like being handed earbuds and invited into the soundtrack of his brain—off-beat, bilingual, and impossible to file under one neat label.

Summary:

Overall, short, sharp, and genuinely funny, ลูกครึ่ง — Only Half a Person reminds us that identity isn’t a puzzle you solve once—it’s a joke you keep rewriting until it stops hurting. If you’ve ever lived in the hyphen or asked someone to explain theirs, this one’s worth an afternoon. Happy reading!

Check out ลูกครึ่ง — Only Half a Person here!

Review: The Call of Abaddon by Colin Searle

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Synopsis:

To save the human race from the ultimate cosmic threat, Jason will have to become something far beyond human.

New Toronto is a fractured city-arcology on a dying Earth, where hope is as scarce as clean air. For Jason, survival means scavenging the ruins beneath the city – where any day could be his last.

But everything changes when an ancient alien obelisk – the ABADDON BEACON – attacks Jason’s mind from afar, making his dormant psychic abilities spiral out of control. After barely surviving Abaddon’s psionic possession attempt, Jason and his companions are left with no choice but to find the obelisk before it consumes him.

Problem is, Abaddon has been sealed within a top-secret United Earth Federation research lab for over a century, silently worming its alien technologies into human society, presented as gifts with a far darker purpose. The Beacon doesn’t just speak; it infects, projecting its viral energies far beyond the walls of the lab.

And Jason isn’t the only one hearing Abaddon’s call. Across the Solar System, a ruthless Emperor will stop at nothing to seize the Beacon’s power for himself.

As the Imperial invasion of Earth looms, Jason’s quest to confront Abaddon will force him into a critical choice: master the strange power growing inside him…or succumb to the

Beacon’s godlike influence, ushering in mankind’s doom.

The Call of Abaddon is a gripping mythological tale of humanity’s struggle to overcome an unimaginable darkness, blending the political intrigue of Dune with the eldritch terror of Lovecraft, and the explosive world-building of The Expanse.

Favorite Lines:

“‘Sounds wonderful,’ Sam responded, oozing sarcasm. ‘Now, enough stalling—let’s go find the yoks and that stupid-ass robot'”

“Aren’t you glad you got involved with us crack Undocs…?”

“Right now, we don’t have time to get into that, and frankly, there’s some things about myself that I don’t make a habit of discussing.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Call of Abaddon drops us straight into neon-soaked New Toronto, where ex-street kid Jason and his salvage crew comb a rotting megacity for half-functional nanotech. By page three, malfunctioning bots are sparking, black-market implants are changing hands, and a strange psychic signal is tunneling into Jason’s head, promising trouble if he dares ignore it.

The spine of the novel is Jason’s unwanted link to the Abaddon Beacon—an ancient obelisk that hijacks his dreams and starts rewriting the very tech he lives on. Colin Searle layers that creeping dread over kinetic salvage runs and under-city gunfights, all while a self-replicating nanite “Phage” looms in the background, ready to turn yesterday’s gadgets into tomorrow’s monsters.

What keeps the grimness from swallowing the book is the crew’s banter. Their gallows humor and sibling snark feel lived-in, grounding the high-concept horror in recognizably human friction. When reactor seals fail or a rust-bucket drone opens fire, the arguments feel like the kinds you’d have with friends while racing to plug a leak.

Scope-creep is the one snag: the action rockets from claustrophobic tunnels to full-blown interplanetary war. A late exposition dump about the Solar Empire’s crusade opens the universe but also stalls the momentum just long enough to notice. Even so, Searle’s knack for crunchy tech and apocalyptic imagery keeps the pages—and the debris—flying.

Summary:

Overall, grim, punchy, and weirdly heartfelt, The Call of Abaddon serves up cyber-ruins, cosmic horror, and a found-family you’ll root for right up until the Beacon calls their names. Happy reading!

Check out The Call of Abaddon here!