Can’t-Wait Wednesday: An Arcane Study of Stars

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings (and was previously hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where it was known as Waiting on Wednesday) to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. They’re usually books that have not yet been released.

This week’s book is:

An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney J. Shields! 💫📚

An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney J. Shields

LENGTH: 510 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Redhook

RELEASE DATE: 28 April 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From Sydney Shields, the breakout author of The Honey Witch, comes An Arcane Study of Stars, a historical dark academia fantasy filled with ancient secret societies, a swoon-worthy rivals-to-lovers romance, and dangerous deals made after dark. Perfect for fans of The Atlas Six and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

When Claudia Jolicoeur is rejected from Cygnus University, a devilish stranger named Dorian appears in her nightmares and offers her a bargain: he will get her into Cygnus if she learns how to free him from a prison of stars. He takes a bite of her soul to seal the deal, and Claudia wakes to a letter from the High Sage of Cygnus stating she will take the place of Odette Dufort, a Rhetoric student who passed away.

Her arrival raises suspicions, rumors that she had a hand in Odette’s death spread like wildfire, and Cassius MacLeod, the High Sage’s apprentice and Claudia’s fellow Rhetoric student, seems hellbent on humiliating her. Determined to clear her name, she searches for any evidence that could prove her innocence. When someone – or something – starts slipping her pieces of Odette’s diary, Claudia uncovers a horrifying truth: over the last century, celestial witches at Cygnus have been murdered. Odette was one of them, and Claudia could be next. For her own protection, Claudia needs to free Dorian – and fast.

By night, she studies the stars, slowly unraveling the mystery of Dorian’s prison. By day, she and Cassius wage rhetorical war as debate partners in class. What begins as a fierce rivalry devolves into something deeper, darker, and dangerously sensual. As Claudia inches closer to the truth, she must decide: would trusting Cassius be the last mistake she ever makes?

Are you looking forward to An Arcane Study of Stars? What books are coming out in the near future that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/13 – 4/19

Hey everybody, hope you had a good week!

Last week was… fine. My blog activity was pretty good, but my book reading just wasn’t up to par, unfortunately. There was some stuff going on though, so I was busier than normal. This week I’m gonna do better.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 4/14: A Widow’s Charm Review

Last Tuesday, I finally got my thoughts together and posted my review for A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson. It’s a relatively recent fantasy release.

I thought it was alright; I don’t think it was really for me. It seemed like it was going to be a cozier slow-burn with some mystery and intrigue, with a dash of fantasy, but that wasn’t really what it ended up being at all. The writing was pretty good though. I gave it ★★★✩✩.

Book Review: A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson

Wednesday 4/15: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday again. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Aurora (Volume Two)

I also participated in WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. It focuses on the Three Ws of Reading: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you’ll read next?

WWW Wednesday: 4/15

Friday 4/17: First Line Friday

This past Friday, I participated in First Line Friday again. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words. It’s where you guess what book the post is highlighting based on the book’s first words.

First Line Friday: 4/17

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, last week wasn’t quite what I wanted it to be. Oh well. I’m absolutely planning on being better this week. We’ll see what happens – fingers crossed everything pans out. 🤞🍀

I’m reading Dungeon Crawler Carl next. It’s just gonna happen. I’m definitely starting it tonight or tomorrow. I’ve negotiated this with myself; no more distractions or RL obligations will get in my way this time. After that though, I might read the sequel if I like it and catch up with my spouse. Regardless, I’m going to start Aurora: Volume 2 soon as well, hopefully by next week, and I’d like to read another new book from this month. I was thinking No Gods No Kings, but I’m not fully decided on anything.

For blogging this week, I want to participate in a few of my favorite weekly posts, especially Top Ten Tuesday which I haven’t in a while. I’d also like to participate in Birthstone Book Covers, and do a book review if I finish Dungeon Crawler Carl within the next couple of days.

There hasn’t been too much going on outside the blog, except for a kinda personal RL thing that I don’t really feel like getting into. It’s not too much of a big deal it’s just something annoying and frustrating, that I’m still working on, but it’ll be okay (hopefully) soon. My spouse and I are alright, though, and home life and other things are otherwise good.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

First Line Friday: 4/17

Hey everyone, it’s been a few weeks! Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it over at One Book More.

What if instead of judging a book by the cover, author or most everything else, we judged it by its content? Its first lines?

If you want to join in, all you gotta do is:

📚 Take a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open it to the first page
📝 Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
📙 Finally… reveal the book!

Here are the first lines:

I paused on the threshold of the shop to stamp the frost from my boots. It settled on the sills and cobblestones at night now, a fine white fur, as if winter were a great beast who skulked through the city while we slept, leaving bits of pelt behind. At least the snows hadn’t arrived yet, which was some relief.

Know the book? If not, here are a few hints for you…

Still no idea? Here’s another clue to help you out…

Are you still thinking about it? That’s all right – here are some great pictures of books to admire while you consider it some more…

Annnd the book is… 🥁🥁 Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawsett!

(Didja guess it?)

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawsett

LENGTH: 368 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Del Rey

RELEASE DATE: 17 February 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Heather Fawcett comes a healing and heart-warming fantasy with magic shops, rescue cats and a second chance at love.

All strays are welcome here.

Agnes Aubert is very fond of making lists. These lists kept her afloat when she lost her husband two years ago. And now, as the founder of a cat rescue charity, her meticulous organization skills feel like the only thing standing between her beloved cats – His Majesty, Banshee and sweet elderly Thoreau, to name a few – and utter disaster.

But when Agnes is forced to move the charity, she soon discovers that her new shop is being used as a front; right under her feet is the lair of the decidedly disorganised – not to mention self-absorbed and infuriatingly handsome – Havelock Renard.

Havelock is everything Agnes doesn’t want in her life: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue, perhaps even romance. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats…

What books have you been reading lately? What’s on your TBR that you’re currently the most excited about?

As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you have an awesome day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Aurora (Volume Two)

Hey everybody, and Happy Wednesday!

This week’s book is:

Aurora: Volume #2 by Red! 🗡️✨

Aurora: Volume #2 by Red

COMIC: Aurora

LENGTH: 432 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Andrews McMeel Publishing

RELEASE DATE: 21 April 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Fans of the hit webcomic Aurora, will delight in the second installment of the fantasy series in print, which continues the heroes’ epic journey to save the god Vash and discover more secrets.

Following the exciting events of Aurora: Volume 1, Kendal and his heroic companions continue on their quest. Looking to rescue Vash and uncover more secrets about the Void Dragon, Kendal, Erin, Alinua, and Falst travel to new cities and meet new friends and foes alike. Will they save their kidnapped god, defeat the Void Dragon, and learn more about the Collector’s plans to stop her in time? Find out in Aurora: Volume 2!

Are you looking forward to Aurora: Volume #2? What books are coming out in the near future that you’re looking forward to?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/6 – 4/12

I can’t believe it’s Monday again already! Geez, last week went by quickly! It was honestly a bit of a crazy one, especially at the end there.

Last week, I wasn’t quite as on top of everything as I had wanted to be. But there was a lot going on during the second half, so it’s not completely on me. I’m definitely gonna do better this week!

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 4/7: The Most Interesting Looking New Books of April 2026

Last Tuesday, I posted a list of the books that I’m looking forward to this month. Or, at least the ones that I think look the most interesting. It was the The Most Interesting Looking New Books of April 2026. As always, it’s basically only fantasy and science fiction, as those are the two genres I primarily read. This time there were eight books on my list.

The Most Interesting Looking Books Releasing April 2026

Wednesday 4/8: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Stay for a Spell

WWW Wednesday: 4/8

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, last week wasn’t my best week. So I want this week to be better. Fingers crossed. 🤞🍀

This week, in regards to blogging, I want to finally post my review for A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson. I’m really annoyed at myself for taking this long to get it out. I also want to do at least a couple of my usual weekly posts, as well as either participate in my favorite monthly post or do a Bewitching Book Covers. We’ll see what happens. Regardless, I’d like to post a little more than I did this past week.

For books and reading, I really want to start (and hopefully finish) Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. I was planning on starting it last week, but it wasn’t happening, apparently. I also want to read at least one more book, whether it be the sequel to Dungeon Crawler Carl or something else.

Outside of books and blogging, my spouse and I started a couple new anime. They’re both new, as well as from this season. The first one is Daemons of the Shadow Realm, also (and originally) known as Yomi no Tsugai. It’s adapted from a dark fantasy manga of the same names, by Hiromu Arakawa. Yes, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist (which also happens to be one of my top three animes). It was one of our most anticipated spring anime, and the first episode was very strong. It’s pretty different from FMA, but it’s still good.

The other anime we started watching was the highly anticipated Witch Hat Atelier. It’s about, well, witches. It also has a really cool magic system, and is a love letter to art. We’re really liking this one so far! I can’t wait to see where both of these go – I’m already invested!

My spouse and I are also still trying to be healthier. It’s still going pretty well, but I hope we do even better with it.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

WWW Wednesday: 4/8

Happy Wednesday to everyone once again!

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme that used to be hosted at A Daily Rhythm, but has been taken over by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. Now, without further ado, let’s get into the 3 Ws!

The 3 Ws of WWW Wednesday:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m Currently Reading

✯✯ I’m in between books again, haha. So embarrassing. Why must this happen so frequently for me? ✯✯

What I Recently Finished Reading

A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson

★★ This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I also didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. I didn’t hate it, and it has a gorgeous cover, but it wasn’t a hit for me. ★★

What I’m Reading Next

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

☆☆ This is still on my immediate TBR. I really got to get reading it, haha. ☆☆

What books has everyone been reading lately? What have you thought of them? What are you thinking of reading next?

Anyway, thank you to everyone for reading, and I hope that you have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar

WWW Wednesday: 4/1

Happy Wednesday again! Cutting it very close with this one!

The 3 Ws of WWW Wednesday:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m Currently Reading

A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson

CURRENT STATUS: 26%

CURRENT FEELS: 🤔 (unsure)

✯✯ I’m really not sure how I feel about this one yet. It started off much hornier than I expected, which put me off a little, and I wasn’t immediately into either of the protagonists, for various reasons. For now, I’m still giving it a chance, as I’m still interested in seeing where this goes at the moment. ✯✯

What I Recently Finished Reading

One Piece (Volumes 79, 80, & 81) by Eiichiro Oda

★★ I really enjoyed the Dressrosa arc, even if it was a little slower. Far more than the Fishman Island arc in any case. I’m teetering around four stars for the last few volumes I read, though I might end up going up a little with the rating. But yeah, great arc. Looking forward to the Whole Cake Island arc later this year. ★★

What I’m Reading Next

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

☆☆ I’m still super eager to read this, and I really hope I enjoy it. I’m nervous about hyping it up too much, especially since A Widow’s Charm is not hitting so far for me (hopefully I can really get into it soon, though). But yeah, looking to start Dungeon Crawler Carl later this week. ☆☆

What books has everyone been reading lately? What have you thought of them? What are you thinking of reading next?

Anyway, thank you to everyone for reading, and I hope that you have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Top Ten Tuesday: Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book

Happy Tuesday everyone! I’m cutting it a bit close this week, but I’ve been looking forward to this week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. This week’s topic is Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book. They can be in the title, summary, marketing stuff, book reviews, blurbs, etc. These words or phrases can immediately grab your attention or immediately drive you away and make you go “Nope.”

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get into it! I’ve decided to do both sides of the prompt, so I’m going to do ten of each!

10 Things That Make Me Want to Read a Book

Found Family

I’m an absolute sucker for this trope! I love it!

Grumpy and Sunshine

Platonic or romantic, this trope rules!

Retelling/Reimagining

I’m a sucker for this kind of thing. I love fairytale retellings or new spins on classics or legends with a magical, sci-fi, or romantic twist.

Friends to Lovers

I love to see best buds fall in love.

Second Chance

It’s sweet to see characters giving a relationship another go. Plus, knowing two characters have a history is always interesting. I like it both as a friendship or a romance.

Stuck Together

I love it when two characters or a group of characters are stuck together and forced to get along. The friction is so fun, whether platonic or romantic.

Parodies

I don’t indulge too often, but when I see a parody alluded to, I know it’s probably gonna be a lot of fun. These are especially interesting when they’re played completely straight.

“Spine-tingling”

Reading this phrase makes my spine tingle with anticipation.

“Charming”

This makes me think the book will be a little cozy without being too cozy. I like it when my books are sometimes a little cozy without being too cozy.

“Dark/Terrible/Hidden Truth”

I read this phrase or its variants and I immediately want to know what is up with this novel.

10 Things That Make Me Want to Avoid a Book

Enemies to Lovers

I really hate this trope. Like, I just don’t like the concept. Especially because it’s mis-used so often – it’s usually something more like “reluctant allies to lovers” or “neutral to lovers” or something else, but it’s marketed as “enemies to lovers.” Ugh. And I also hate phrases that related to this trope, like “icy hostility to fiery passion” (thanks so much ACORAR).

Love Triangles

I absolutely despise love triangles. They are beyond irritating.

Amnesia

I hate amnesia plots that are involved with romance. All it does is reset half of a relationship and make the other half miserable.

Soulmates

If this is alluded to in the summary, I basically always walk away. I hate destined love.

Forbidden Love

I’ve just seen this one too much – I’m more tired of this trope than anything else.

Damsels

I’m tired of damsels of any kind. Let both the MMC and the FMC be capable in their own ways. I don’t want either locked away in a tower to wait or two be a plot device.

Bad Boys/Girls

I’m kind of tired of them.

“Fierce”

I still see this word pretty often in synopsis, but I mostly saw it everywhere like two to five years ago. This one is mostly a case of seeing it too much and getting fed up with it.

“Bold”

The same problem I have with “fierce.” But I also can’t stand the phrase “bold [new] debut.”

“Dangerous Temptation”

I hate it. I’m not a big romance reader, so that might be why, but I still hate this phrase.

What are words or phrases that make you want to read a book? Which ones make you want to stay away from a book?

As always, thanks so much for reading, and I hope that you have an amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

WWW Wednesday: 3/25

Hey all, hope your Wednesday is going well!

The 3 Ws of WWW Wednesday:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m Currently Reading

One Piece (Volumes: 73, 74, & 75) by Eiichiro Oda

CURRENT STATUS: 33%

CURRENT FEELS: 🙂 (happy, liking it)

✯✯ I’m enjoying the Punk Hazard/Dressrosa arcs much better than Fishman Island. I’ve heard the Dressrosa part is a little slower, but I haven’t noticed it yet. ✯✯

What I Recently Finished Reading

One Piece (Volumes 70, 71, & 72) by Eiichiro Oda

★★ I thought this was pretty good. I’m interested in where the story is going, and I’m loving all the buildup to the end of the current arc. I’m also liking how momentum for a future arc (Wano) is ramping up, too. ★★

One Piece (Volumes 67, 68, & 69) by Eiichiro Oda

★★ Ahhh, this was a much stronger and interesting start to a new arc than Fishman Island was for me. I also really liked the fire and ice thing Punk Hazard had going on – it was really cool. It reminded me so much of Super Mario Galaxy (as well as Galaxy 2). I also went back an dropped Fishman Island down like half a star to a 3.5 for both supervolumes – I didn’t realize I’d rated it so high!).★★

What I’m Reading Next

One Piece (Volumes 76, 77, & 78) by Eiichiro Oda

☆☆ I’m really looking forward to finishing this arc. I love One Piece, but there are just so many other books I want to read, and this manga is just. So. Long. It’s a huge time commitment and I gotta take some breaks. Right now I’m thinking I’ll resume with the Zou and Whole Cake Island arcs in the summer, just to give me time to read some other stuff. I really am enjoying the Punk Hazard and Dressrosa arcs so far, though. ☆☆

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

☆☆ I’m really pumped to read this book and give the Dungeon Crawler Carl series a shot. I really hope that I like it. ☆☆

A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson

☆☆ This is one of my most anticipated new books from March 2026, and I’m still really looking forward to it. I’m planning to read it next week after it comes out. The summary sounds great, so I hope I like it. And the cover is so gorgeous! ☆☆

What books has everyone been reading lately? What have you thought of them? What are you thinking of reading next?

Anyway, thank you to everyone for reading, and I hope that you have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/16 – 3/22

Yes! I’m on time today! Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a good week! It’s time for another Weekly Wrap-Up!

Last week wasn’t too bad, but it could’ve been a little better. I did read a book, though, and posted a few times on here, so I’m relatively content with it all.

But yeah, without further ado, let’s get on with the Weekly Wrap-Up!

Tuesday 3/17: St. Patrick’s Day

Last Tuesday was St. Pat’s, so here’s a belated Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! ☘️🍻💚🇮🇪 It’s one of my favorite days of the year; I just love how it almost always feels like spring, as well as the green theme. I really like the color green. And the food is always amazing.

Wednesday 3/18: WWW Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. It focuses on the Three Ws of Reading: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you’ll read next?

WWW Wednesday: 3/18

Friday 3/20: First Day of Spring / First Line Friday

This past Friday was the First Day of Spring!! 🌸🌱🌼🌿 So long winter! And goodbye to freezing cold weather! Honestly, though it wasn’t as bad as in 2024, I’m still ready for some warmer temperatures.

First Line Friday: 3/20

Saturday 3/21: Brighter Than Nine Book Review

On Saturday, I posted my book review for Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan. It was the sequel to Darker By Four, and the second half of the Darker By Four Duology.

It was one one my most anticipated reads (and sequels) for the first half of this year, and it didn’t disappoint. I actually enjoyed it more than it’s predecessor, and thought that it wrapped things up well. I gave it ★★★✫☆.

Book Review: Brighter Than Nine by June CL Tan

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, that’s what I did last week. I’m hoping to either at least match it this week, or to surpass it. Like reading more books or something, as well as maybe posting a little more.

For my blogging this week, I want to participate in a few of the weekly posts, as well as doing a monthly post. Concerning my reading, I’m planning on finishing up the Dressrosa saga of One Piece, and then hopefully moving on to Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. My spouse reading and liking the series, as well as literally everyone else at the moment, has finally worn me down, and I want in on that. And if I finish that before the end of the week, then I want to do a book review on it.

Not much else went on outside of books and blogging last week. There was St. Patrick’s Day, and the big cleaning day of the month came along, but that’s kind of it. It was a pretty chill week, honestly.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar