Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Unlock the Dark

Happy Wednesday! It’s been a couple of weeks since one of these from me, but there’s still quite a few books coming out lately that I’m interested in!

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:

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk! 🗝️📜

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

LENGTH: 352 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

RELEASE DATE: 25 February 2025

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Elia Tallis’s key conjuring abilities, when used with her father’s magic, allow her to open a path to any location. But Papa is dying, and Elia has been forced to painfully tether him to life so she can siphon his magic to provide for her siblings. The god of death, angry to be denied his due, punishes her by claiming her youngest brother as a servant.

Desperate to save her brother, Elia accepts a potentially deadly commission from Trys, a kindhearted prince with his nose stuck in a book. Trys wants Elia to help him find a legendary scroll. In exchange, he’ll give her his hand in marriage, securing her and her siblings’ futures and allowing her to release Papa to the afterlife.

Despite the danger of their quest, Elia and Trys find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. But when Trys finally reads the scroll, it transforms him into a monster beyond comprehension. Elia will have to wield her power in ways she never thought possible, braving a world of endless darkness and the nightmares dwelling within it to bring home the prince she’s growing to love.

Are you looking forward to the release of Unlock the Dark? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks 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: 2/3 – 2/9

Ugh. This past week… hasn’t been the best with regards to posting. I don’t really have a good excuse for the lack of posts. I was just super distracted, lol. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again.

I also didn’t read any books either, which was also very disappointing. I’m hoping that that will also be better this week. (Actually, yeah, a book I’m really looking forward to is coming out this week, so probably.)

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Tuesday 2/4: The Most Interesting Books of February 2025

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 Most Interesting Looking New Books of February 2025. As always, it’s basically only fantasy and science fiction, as those are the two genres I primarily read. This time I had six books on my list.

The Most Interesting Books of February 2025

Wednesday 2/5: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I did another Can’t-Wait Wednesday. I’m still on a roll! There’s just been so many novels coming out recently that have looked interesting to me!

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: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah. Last week wasn’t really me at my best, with reading books or with posting on the blog. I’m planning on doing better this week. Fingers crossed. 🍀🤞

This week I’m planning on reading the new Emily Wilde book and then hopefully another book as well. I haven’t fully decided on which one yet, though. Regarding stuff outside books and the blog… yeah, that kind of sucked too. I was just kinda unproductive overall last week. Here’s hoping that’ll change this week, too.

This coming week is also Valentine’s Day, which is always nice (for me, personally). Or it has been for the last few years, at least. I’ve also always liked just looking at all the hearts and flowers stuff going on at stores and stuff. It’s pretty.

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

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales

And the Can’t-Wait Wednesday streak continues! There are so many new books coming out lately that I’m interested in!

This week’s book is:

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett!! 📔🌳

Now this – this is definitely one of my most anticipated books of 2025! I love the Emily Wilde series, and I’m really excited for this coming release!

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

SERIES: Emily Wilde #3

LENGTH: 352 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Del Rey

RELEASE DATE: 11 February 2025

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves.

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world: How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Are you looking forward to the release of Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks 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: 1/27 – 2/2

Well. January is finally over and February has officially begun. Onto love month!

My posting last week was pretty good. I’d also say my reading (of novels) was also decent, even though I only read one book. It’s still better than the two weeks before by virtue of me actually finishing a book within a week, and not like half a book. I still didn’t read as much as I’d have liked to, however.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Tuesday 1/28: Top Ten Tuesday

Last Tuesday, I participated in Top Ten Tuesday. 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 prompt was New to Me Authors I Discovered in 2024.

Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Authors I Discovered in 2024

Wednesday 1/29: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in another Can’t-Wait Wednesday. 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: All Better Now

Saturday 2/1: This is How You Lose the Time War Review

On Saturday, I posted a book review. It was on a novella that had been on my TBR for a couple of years, that I finally got around to reading. The book was This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone. And I’m really glad I read it. I gave it ★★★★☆.

This is How You Lose the Time War Review

Sunday 2/2: January Reading 2025

Yesterday, I posted my Monthly Reading Wrap-Up for January 2025. It was once again posted at a reasonable time in the month – earlier than I’d done in a while. 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: January Reading 2025

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, like the week before, I was really happy with my posting for last week. Here’s to hoping that I can continue this trend with the blog! That, and to read more books. I wish I would’ve read more last week! 🍀🤞

I’m not sure if I’m going to start up with reading the next arc of One Piece this week, or put it off to later in the month. If I do, then I think I’ll read A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallero. And then… I’m not sure what I’d read.

Regarding life outside books and the blog… still not a lot going on. I didn’t do as much home cooking as I had wanted to last week, though. Hopefully that changes this week. Also, next week features Valentine’s Day, and I’m looking forward to that.

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

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: All Better Now

There’s been a lot of these in a row from me lately. But there’s just so many books coming out soon that I’m interested in!

(Edit: Dammit, I keep forgetting to add the second half of the title to Can’t-Wait Wednesdays! Even though I always know which books I’m going to talk about each time! Ugh! Fixed it.)

This week’s book is:

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman! 😃😁

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Shusterman novel. I read the Unwind Dystology forever ago, and before that Bruiser, but I haven’t been drawn to any of his books in some time.

But maybe I’ll pick up this book! It appears to be a standalone, so no need to commit to a series (which is my main problem with wanting to try to read his Arc of a Scythe series, honestly). It looks like another intriguing and weird idea, of which Shusterman does sometimes.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

LENGTH: 528 pages

GENRES: Dystopian, Thriller, YA, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

RELEASE DATE: 4 February 2025

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

A deadly and unprecedented virus is spreading. But those who survive it experience long-term effects no one has ever seen before: utter contentment. Soon after infection, people find the stress, depression, greed, and other negative feelings that used to weigh them down are gone.

More and more people begin to revel in the mass unburdening. But not everyone. People in power—who depend on malcontents and prey on the insecure to sell their products, and convince others they need more, new, faster, better everything—know this new state of being is bad for business. Surely, without anger or jealousy as motivators, productivity will grind to a halt and the world will be thrown into chaos. Campaigns start up to convince people that being eternally happy is dangerous. The race to find a vaccine begins. Meanwhile, a growing movement of Recoverees plan ways to spread the virus as fast as they can, in the name of saving the world.

It’s nearly impossible to determine the truth when everyone with a platform is pushing their agenda. Three teens from very different backgrounds who’ve had their lives upended in very different ways find themselves at the center of a power play that could change humanity forever.

Are you looking forward to the release of All Better Now? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

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

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 1/20 – 1/26

…Annnd another week has gone by. Wow. I can’t believe we’re already in the last week of January. Heck, February actually starts this weekend. Time flies…

I think with regards to my posting last week, I definitely redeemed myself for the week before. ‘Cause I did five blog posts in one week – one day I even double posted! Also, I’m getting my Weekly Wrap-Up out at a reasonable time on Monday for once! Yay!

I haven’t read as much as I’d have liked though, and am hoping to do more of that this coming week. So hopefully this week will be great for both reading and posting!

Anyway, on with the wrap-up!

Tuesday 1/21: Top Ten Tuesday / Liar’s Kingdom Review

Last Tuesday, I actually posted two times. The first post was a Top Ten Tuesday post. 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 focused on the Ten Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection or TBR List.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection or TBR List

The other thing I posted last Tuesday was a book review. It was of a new release and a Cinderella retelling called Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella. I was pretty excited about it, and it was on my interesting new books list for January, but I’m not sure if it lived up to the hype for me. I gave it ★★★✯☆.

Liar’s Kingdom Review

Wednesday 1/22: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I did another Can’t-Wait Wednesday. It had been a couple of weeks since I last participated, but there’s another upcoming release I’m a interested in.

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 Outcast Mage

Friday 1/24: First Line Friday

Last Friday, I participated in First Line Fridays for the first time in several weeks. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday: 1/24

Sunday 1/26: Bewitching Book Covers

Yesterday, I – for the first time in a while – did another Bewitching Book Covers post. Bewitching Book Covers (formerly known as Majestic Mondays and Tasteful Tuesdays), is when I gush over a book cover that I like and analyze it (sometimes). It’s something I (clearly) haven’t done in a while, but really want to get back into doing.

Bewitching Book Covers: The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, I was really happy with my posting for last week. Here’s to hoping that I can keep it up this week as well! That, and read more books. I wish I would’ve read more last week! 🍀🤞

Regarding what I want to read next on my TBR: I’ve decided to read This is How You Lose the Time War next, and then probably A Study in Charlotte. They’re shorter books, and I’d like to up my book count up for January as much as I can, what with my abysmal reading so far this month and with ur being so close to the end of the month.

Concerning my life beyond books and the blog… not too much is going on still. I have started doing more home cooking finally, though. Last week I tried a couple of new recipes, and I’ve baked a couple of things over the last couple of weeks, as well. I’m really happy with doing this, and I really hope I keep at it. I’m kind of afraid it’s just going to be another thing I drop after a bit, and that’s not really something I want. 🍗🍳🥐🍪

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

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Outcast Mage

Happy Wednesday everybody!

This week’s book is:

The Outcast Mage by Annabel Campbell!! 🪄🏫

The Outcast Mage by Annabel Campbell

SERIES: The Shattered Lands #1

LENGTH: 512 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Orbit

RELEASE DATE: 28 January 2025

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A mage bereft of her powers must find out if she is destined to save the world or destroy it in this glittering debut fantasy perfect for fans of Andrea Stewart, James Islington, and Samantha Shannon.

In the glass city of Amoria, magic is everything. And Naila, student at the city’s legendary academy, is running out of time to prove she can control hers. If she fails, she’ll be forced into exile, relegated to a life of persecution with the other magicless hollows. Or worse, be consumed by her own power.

When a tragic incident further threatens her place at the Academy, Naila is saved by Haelius Akana, the most powerful living mage. Finding Naila a kindred spirit, Haelius stakes his position at the Academy on teaching her to harness her abilities. But Haelius has many enemies, and they would love nothing more than to see Naila fail. Trapped in the deadly schemes of Amoria’s elite, Naila must dig deep to discover the truth of her powers or watch the city she loves descend into civil war.

For there is violence brewing on the wind, and greater powers at work. Ones who could use her powers for good… or destroy everything she’s ever known.

Are you looking forward to the release of The Outcast Mage? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

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

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 1/6 – 1/12

I’m a little later than normal, but I’m here with another Weekly Wrap-Up. Ugh. Hopefully this won’t be a common occurrence.

Last week I was able to get out four different posts. Yay! And I’m pretty happy with the posts that I did. Now I finally feel like I’m caught up with all the end of the year/new year stuff. The business of the holidays is also over, which is a relief, honestly.

Anyway, let’s get on with the wrap-up.

Tuesday 1/7: The Most Interesting Books of January 2025

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 Most Interesting Looking New Books of January 2025. As always, it’s basically only fantasy and science fiction, as those are the two genres I primarily read. This time I had six books on my list.

The Most Interesting Looking New Books of January 2025

Wednesday 1/8: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I did another Can’t-Wait Wednesday. It had been a couple of weeks since I last participated, but there’s another upcoming release I’m a interested in.

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: Liar’s Kingdom

Saturday 1/11: 2024 Reading Wrap-Up Part #1

Last Saturday, I finally posted my Yearly Reading Wrap-Up for 2024. (At least the first part.) It mostly consisted of a list of my statistics from The StoryGraph during the past year. There was so much of it, though, that I had to split it into two posts. Yup.

Another Year of Books: Reading 2024

Sunday 1/12: 2024 Reading Wrap-Up Part #2

On Sunday, I posted the second (and final) part of my Yearly Reading Wrap-Up for 2024. The part of the post mostly focused on all the books I read last year, in 2024.

All the Books I Read Last Year: Reading 2024

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, I’m pretty happy with my posting from last week. Not as happy about the reading (of books) I was able to get done, but hopefully I’ll be better about that this week. There’s a new book coming out that I’m interested in, so I’m optimistic about it.

Last week was also generally more relaxed. I didn’t get a lot of stuff done in general. This week I’m planning on getting some cleaning done, and maybe some other stuff around the house. I’m not sure what else I’m thinking of doing – I don’t really have any other plans for anything.

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

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Liar’s Kingdom

Hey everyone and happy Wednesday! It’s been a couple weeks since I last did a Can’t-Wait Wednesday.

This week’s book is:

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella!! 👠🏰

It seems to be a take on Cinderella, and we know that I’m always here for retellings! And this one looks interesting.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

LENGTH: 320 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Page Street YA

RELEASE DATE: 14 January 2025

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Ell has spent years slaving away for her cruel stepfamily. So when Prince Bayard—who seems to have difficulty recognizing faces—shows up at her door with a glass slipper, Ell allows him to believe she danced with him at the ball. There’s just one problem: Ell didn’t attend the ball and she’s never met the prince before in her life. But if it’s a choice between moving to the royal palace or staying home, Ell is willing to say anything to escape.

However, Ell finds that being royalty comes with its own problems. Bayard’s sister, the princess, has gone missing. The king is preparing for war against the fae. And Maxim, Bayard’s treacherous (and handsome) best friend, appears to know Ell is lying.

If Ell wants to keep this life she’s stolen, she’s going to have to roll up her sleeves and rescue herself.

Are you looking forward to the release of Liar’s Kingdom? What other books are coming out in the next few weeks that you’re looking forward to?

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

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 12/16 – 12/22

Hey look it’s the elusive Weekly Wrap-Up – on a Tuesday this time. Yeah, Christmas time is the time of inconsistent posts for me. I might actually skip the weekly wrap-up for next week just because of all the stuff going on during the holidays.

Anyway, last week was once again a bit of a disappointment. I would’ve liked to do at least one more post, and I’m definitely mad at myself for not really reading any books. Or finishing one, at the very least.

But yeah, let’s wrap up last week…

Wednesday 12/18: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I did another Can’t-Wait Wednesday. It had been a couple of weeks since I last participated, but another upcoming release I’m a little interested in.

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 Losting Fountain

Friday 12/20: First Line Friday

On Friday, I participated in First Line Fridays for the first time in several weeks. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday: 12/20

Sunday 12/22: Winterspell Review

Yesterday, I did another Retrospective Book Review, for the first time in like over a year. It was over a book I’ve really liked ever since I read it years ago – Winterspell by Claire Legrand. It’s a retelling of The Nutcracker, one of my favorite Christmas stories.

When I originally read it, I gave it ★★★★✯. Now, after going through this book again a few days ago, I still give it the same rating – ★★★★✯. I still like it now just as much as when I first read it.

Winterspell Review

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, last week I didn’t read books or post on the blog as often as I’d have liked, and this week is not gonna be any better. ‘Cause of the holiday and all. Not to mention, my spouse is off the next week or so as well, so I both want to spend time with them, as well as a break from everything myself. Which is why I might skip this post altogether next week.

This week I’m gonna be doing Christmas stuff – baking cookies, listening to Christmas music and spending time with family. I’m still hoping to get some reading of some sort done, though. Maybe a couple of blog posts as well. We’ll see.

The books I’m thinking about reading coming up are: the Winterspell companion novellas and The Lies of Locke Lamora. I’m also currently reading I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons, so hopefully I’ll finish that soon.

Anyway, Merry Christmas Eve 🎅🦌🌟🕯️🥛🍪 everybody, and here’s also an early Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🔔❄️🎶🛷 to everyone as well!

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

See ya ~Mar