Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Last Best Quest Ever

Happy Wednesday everyone! It’s been a few weeks!

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:

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens! 🗡️🏹

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Lukens novel, so I’m intrigued!

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens

LENGTH: 334 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, LGBT+, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McEldery Books

RELEASE DATE: 26 May 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A fraudulent teen quester must team up with a brooding, royal rival on a perilous adventure to save her brother’s life in this cozy young adult romantasy full of mythical creatures by the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This is Ever After.

Seventeen-year-old Ellinore has the best questing record of anyone in the kingdom’s history. She also has a secret: her fame is built entirely on lies. Tired of the charade, she shocks the kingdom by retiring at a royal feast. But her plans for a quiet life are disrupted when her twin brother Zig bets his life that Ellinore can retrieve the horn of the mythical Elder Beast. To save Zig, she reluctantly sets out on one last, perilous quest.

Accompanying her are Zig, determined to help despite his recklessness; Aven, her envious rival eager to prove their superiority; an ambitious bar maiden turned adventurer; and a young, magic-wielding bard. Together, they face an arduous journey fraught with mythical challenges and shifting alliances. As they search for the Elder Beast, Ellinore grapples with her growing feelings for Aven, her fear of losing Zig, and her identity as a reluctant hero.

With time running out, Ellinore must confront not only the legendary creature but also her own truths. Can she save her brother, embrace her potential, and finally decide her path?

Are you looking forward to The Last Best Quest Ever? 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: 4/27 – 5/17

Hey. It’s been a while. The last couple of weeks have been… a lot, frankly. There’s just been so much going on in life outside the blog lately.

I haven’t really been reading recently, or blogging, but the last week I did so, I wasn’t too shabby. I’m hoping to get back into things this week, starting with this post.

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

Tuesday 4/28: Top Ten Tuesday

A few Tuesdays ago on the last week in April, I participated in Top Ten Tuesday again for the first time in a few weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for that week was a Freebie, so I decided to do Books That Have Been on My TBR the Longest.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been on My TBR the Longest

Wednesday 4/29: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

On the last Wednesday in April, 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: Platform Decay

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: 4/29

Friday 5/1: First Line Friday

Oh the first day of May, I participated in First Line Friday again for the first time in a few weeks. 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: 5/1

Sunday 5/10: Mother’s Day

Though I wasn’t able to post over the last couple of weeks, I did celebrate Mother’s Day with my spouse and our families. The second Sunday in May was Mother’s Day!! 🌸🌼 I hope that everyone who wanted to had the opportunity to spend time with their mom that. For us, we met for breakfast at one of my aunt’s house mom’s side of the family, and spent the afternoon hanging out with my spouse’s immediate family. It was a nice day.

Books I Read in the Last Few Weeks

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, the last couple of weeks weren’t the best, but there’s been a lot going on lately. It’s been a lot of stress and medical stuff. Everything is okay! It’s just been a little difficult and annoying lately.

This week, I want to do a little catching up. It’s pretty late in the month, but I want to do my post about the new books coming out in May 2026 that I’m interested in, as well as my monthly reading wrap-up for April 2026. Other than that, I want to hopefully participate in one or two of my favorite weekly posts, but we’ll see. I’m also hoping to read a book this week, but I’m not sure if that’s gonna happen either – things are still kind of annoying. Hopefully though, to all this stuff.

Anyway, I don’t have as much to say this week, courtesy of all the stuff going on. As always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Platform Decay

Hey everyone and Happy Wednesday!

This week’s book is:

Platform Decay by Martha Wells! 📺🛸

It’s a new Murderbot Diaries books! I’m so excited!

Platform Decay by Martha Wells

SERIES: The Murderbot Diaries #8

LENGTH: 244 pages

GENRES: Science Fiction, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor Books

RELEASE DATE: 5 May 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Everyone’s favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment in Martha Wells’ bestselling and award-winning Murderbot Diaries series.

Having someone else support your bad decision feels kind of good.

Having volunteered to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realises that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn’t know.

Including human children. Ugh.

This may well call for… eye contact!

(Emotion check: Oh, for f—)

Are you looking forward to Platform Decay? 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: 4/20 – 4/26

Hey everybody, and Happy Monday!

Last week was alright. It was better than the one before in that I read something, but there was still stuff going on for me. It’s been a rough month, honestly. Hopefully I can end on a higher note, though.

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

Tuesday 4/21: Top Ten Tuesday

Last Tuesday, I participated in Top Ten Tuesday again for the first time in a few weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for last week was April Showers.

Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers

Wednesday 4/22: 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: An Arcane Study of Stars

WWW Wednesday: 4/22

Sunday 4/26: Birthstone Book Covers

Yesterday, I participated in Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was April, and its birthstone is diamond. So the color I picked was white.

Birthstone Book Covers: April 2026

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, last week was okay. I’m hoping this week will at least be just as decent, but I’ve got something going on, so I might not be as on top of the blogging portion, and I’m not sure how much I’ll be up for reading. Hopefully everything is all good, though.

I’m not quite sure what I’m reading next, as I’m kind of in-between choices, but I’ll figure it out soon. For blogging this week, I want to participate in a few of my favorite weekly posts, and do a book review for Dungeon Crawler Carl, hopefully before the turn of the month.

Outside of books and blogging, everything is kind of the same as last week. I still haven’t gotten that IRL thing I mentioned last week resolved, but I should be getting it done this week.

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

See ya ~Mar

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

Happy Wednesday everyone!

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

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

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

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

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Stay for a Spell

Happy Wednesday everyone!

This week’s book is:

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe! 📖📚

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe

LENGTH: 384 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: ACE

RELEASE DATE: 14 April 2026

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A cursed princess must discover what her heart truly longs for in this charmingly cozy romantic fantasy for everyone who’s ever lost – or found – themselves in a bookshop.

Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar is disillusioned with life as a princess. She longs for real conversation, the chance to build a life of her own making, and uninterrupted reading time.

During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire. Certain that someone will figure out how to break the curse eventually, and delighted by the prospect of an entire bookstore of her own, Tandy settles into life among the stacks. She finds it easy to exchange balls and endless state dinners for teetering piles of books and an irritatingly handsome pirate who seems bent on stealing her stock.

She even starts to believe she’s stumbled into her very own happily ever after.

There’s just one, minor problem: as Tandy’s royal duties go unfulfilled, her frantic parents start sending princes to woo her, each one of them certain their kiss will break the curse. After all, what more could a princess want but a prince?

Are you looking forward to Stay for a Spell? 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: 3/30 – 4/5

It’s a new week! Happy Monday everybody!

Last week was pretty good. My blog activity was really high; even though it wasn’t as strong during the second half of the week. I also read a new book, which I’m very happy about. Starting off April very well!

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

Monday 3/30: Birthstone Book Covers

Last Monday, I participated in Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was March, and its birthstone is aquamarine. So the colors to pick from are shades of cyan.

Birthstone Book Covers: March 2026

Tuesday 3/31: Top Ten Tuesday

On Tuesday, I participated in Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a couple of weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for last week was Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book.

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

Wednesday 4/1: Can’t-Wait Wednesday / WWW Wednesday

This past 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: The Subtle Art of Folding Space

WWW Wednesday: 4/1

Saturday 4/4: March Reading 2026

On Saturday, I posted my Monthly Reading Wrap-Up for March 2026. And I posted it even earlier than I did last month’s wrap-up! For those who don’t know, monthly wrap-ups are when I go over the books I read over the past month, as well as my stats over on The StoryGraph.

Monthly Wrap-Up: March Reading 2026

Sunday 4/5: Easter

Yesterday, it was Easter, so much like last year, I ended up not posting anything on the blog. But to those who celebrate, Happy Easter!! 🐇🐤🧺🥚 We had a great afternoon spending time with family – for us it’s one of the few times of the year when everyone is able to get together, so it’s important to me for pretty much that reason alone.

There were even a few more family members than usual, which made it extra special. Also, there was a lot of good food for dinner and some wonderful desserts. It was just a wonderful day in general.

Books I Read Last Week

Wrapping It All Up

So yeah, I’m pretty satisfied with everything I was able to do last week. I’m happy to have read a book, though I wouldn’t have minded reading a second one. The holiday made the weekend busy, however, and I had other stuff going on over the week, so I’m not that disappointed about it. I’m also really happy about the blogging I did. Five posts! Yay!

This week I want to participate in a couple of my favorite weekly posts, as well as post my review for A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson. I also want to definitely post my list of most interesting new books of April 2026. I would’ve liked to do that this past week, but I ran out of time, unfortunately. And in regards to reading books, I want to finally start Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman next.

Outside of books and blogging, not much other than Easter went on last week. Other than that, nothing’s really changed. My spouse and I are still being healthier, and we’ve watched some stuff on and off, but other than that, not much.

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

See ya ~Mar