Review: Ragwort by Sam K Horton
22 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, fiction, Gorse, Ragwort, Review, Sam K Horton
My Five word TL:DR Review: Like Gorse, Beautiful and Atmospheric
Ragwort is the second book by Sam K Horton that takes place in Mirecoombe, Cornwall during the 1700s. Once again the story has a mystery at its core combined with a world at strife, the church vying for control and the superstitious villagers still holding firm beliefs about the ‘others’.
If you haven’t read Gorse then I would encourage you to do so first. Gorse is such a beautiful story to read and I think you would miss seeing Nancy before she is thrust into the role of keeper. Also, be aware that spoilers for the first book (like Spriggans) may be lurking in this review.
Nancy is struggling with the loss of her father, Lord Pelagius Hunt, and the additional burdens this has placed at her door in the form of becoming the new Keeper (before she was ready). On top of this there are whisperings of the return of ‘Mother’. Concerning rumours that see Nancy travelling abroad across the Cornish moors in search of her grandmother.
What I love about this series. The writing. Its beautiful and evocative. A fantastic combination of atmosphere and folklore. The setting is wild, a little harsh and yet beautiful. I mean, as with the first story there is a mystery unfolding here and Lord Pelagius Hunt is still stirring the pot (in spite of his demise) and yet I think I could read these books just for the sheer beauty of the prose and the way they make me feel. Cornwall, and its rugged beauty springs off the pages and it’s quite simply lush.
Which isn’t to say that the story isn’t intriguing, it just took second fiddle to the writing for me personally.
Getting to the story, this one felt a little more convoluted than the first book and it took me some time to get on board with what was going on, but, enjoyable nonetheless and certainly a demonstration of the fact that people are not always as ‘dead’ as they may at first appear.
Nancy played her part very well. She’s a little unsure of herself in this instalment which was no surprise given her hasty advancement into the role of Keeper. She also takes herself out of her comfort zone, trekking across the Cornish wilds in search of answers and at last coming to the seaside. I loved the inclusion of this coastal visit. Once again Horton’s writing excels and brings the place to life.
In conclusion, this was a great instalment in the series, hopefully there are more stories to come from this fascinating and beautiful world.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
17 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, Book Reviews, Books, Can't wait Wednesday, Fantasy, fiction, Heather Fawcett, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett. I cannot wait. Here’s the cover and description:
A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.
Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life—and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a much-needed cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for lost cats.
But after she is forced to move the cat shelter, Agnes learns that her new landlord is using her charity as a front—for an internationally renowned and thoroughly disreputable magic shop. Owned by the disorganized—not to mention self-absorbed, irritating, but also decidedly handsome—Havelock Renard, magician and failed Dark Lord, the shop draws magical clientele from around the world, partly due to the quality of Havelock’s illicit goods as well as their curiosity about his shadowy past and rumors of his incredible powers. Agnes’s charity offers the perfect cover for illegal magics.
Agnes couldn’t care less about the shop—magical intrigue or not, there are cats to be rescued. But when an enemy from Havelock’s past surfaces, the magic shop—and more importantly, the cat shelter—are suddenly in jeopardy. To save the shelter, will Agnes have to set aside her social conscience and protect the man who once tried to bring about the apocalypse—and is now trying to steal her heart?
Expected publication: February 2026
Review: The Blackfire Blade (The Last Legacy #2) by James Logan
11 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, James Logan, reading, Review, The Blackfire Blade, The Last Legacy #2
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Mixed Feelings For This One
The Blackfire Blade was without doubt one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and so I admit that I’ve probably ramped this up a little too much in my own head which inevitably rarely concludes well. Which isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy this, because I did, I like the way Logan writes, but, I did find the characters frustrating this time around and it felt like the plot lost focus.
I will say that I loved that we have a recap of book 1 before the story even begins. It would be so good to have something similar in all books that are part of a series. Also, be aware that this review may contain spoilers for those of you who haven’t read book 1 yet so tread carefully.
The Blackfire Blade begins with our characters arriving in the dark and frosty city of Korslakov in search of answers. I loved the setting and of course I do enjoy these characters, but, I will say that this instalment felt a little like a side quest, which isn’t so much a problem in itself except it wasn’t quite what I was anticipating and I did feel that the first 40/50% of the book dragged its feet a little.
So, Lukan, Ashra and Flea arrive after a rather frustrating journey across the seas (by all accounts a journey that tested the patience of all three). Unfortunately, and almost immediately after arrival, Lukan falls prey to a notorious thief and this sets our characters off on a different path than that expected ultimately turning them into the playthings of the nobles.
What I really enjoyed about this. I do like the writing very much. I enjoyed the new city and the intrigue. In fact I enjoyed the side quests to be honest and I do acknowledge that some of my frustration is probably self inflicted as I think in my own head I was expecting something different. Korslakov is a fascinating place and there are plenty of past events that demonstrate how ruthless its leading nobles really are.
I thought the second half of the book really picks up the pace and the odds and I really enjoyed the quest to find a long lost formula. The visit to the plague island was really gripping and the inclusion of an automaton called Clank was great.
I also really enjoyed the inclusion of a character we met in book 1 – the General who has fallen on hard times and who takes the three under his wing.
Personally, I felt like this instalment suffered a little from some very questionable behaviour which irritated me. Lukan, well, he acts like an idiot at times and his behaviour on the first evening in a new city is highly questionable. His poor choices feel a little too convenient at times as a means to push the plot in a different direction. Ashra behaved a little petulantly giving Lukan the ‘silent’ treatment and Flea, well, she acted like a child – which she is – so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. The thing is. I like all three characters. I liked them in the first book and I liked them here but I found their actions frustrating overall.
And, I found myself with more questions than answers at times which I don’t want to go into as it will involve spoilers for other readers.
In conclusion, I didn’t love this instalment as much as the first but I take ownership of the fact that part of this is down to my own expectations. I thought there was a good deal of convenient idiocy which maybe I should have expected, but didn’t. And, although I did really enjoy the second half of the book it didn’t quite bring this up to the level of book 1.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars (rounded to 4)
Review: Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
8 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, fiction, reading, Review, Samantha Downing, Too Old For This
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Morally Grey and Darkly Humourous
I must say that I enjoyed Too Old for This much more than I thought I should! I mean this is a story about a serial killer after all and it feels like you really shouldn’t like the main character, and yet, here I was rooting for her and liking her almost instantly!
Lottie has retired from her days of murdering. She’s moved and started a new life in a different part of the country. She has a house that is too big and old age is really catching up with her giving her good and bad days. But, she’s quite content in her retirement, she plays bingo at the church and has a couple of close friends. Her son is about to remarry and she has a third grandchild on the way. Lottie expects to live the rest of her life peacefully and there’s no reason why she shouldn’t until an investigative reporter called Plum arrives unannounced on her doorstep. Plum plans on dredging Lottie’s past back up for content on her podcast – obviously to showcase how innocent Lottie is – but Lottie has no intention of going through the horrors of infamy again and so it’s back to business.
From here onwards, and although Lottie really shows just how cold and clinical she can be, things really do start to spiral in the most wonderfully chaotic and over the top fashion.
I will say that I haven’t read this author before but on the strength of this I would like to take a look at her backlist for sure.
What I really liked about this.
Well, it’s a conundrum because the author really does suck you into Lottie’s life from the outset and you find yourself, dare I say, rooting for her. I love the way her backstory unfolds and the way her mind works. It does make me think to myself be careful who you’re being rude to! Lottie certainly has a temper and isn’t afraid to act on it.
The writing is great and the humour is absolutely spot on not to mention the tension. It’s one of those slow build stories where you’re getting more and more hyped up as things begin to descend into chaos. At first you think Lottie has a handle on everything, and she’s staying in control, then she starts to make mistakes.
Lets have a look at Lottie. You have to hand it to Downing for coming up with such a compelling character. She’s intelligent and cunning and I loved her narration. She’s not above really hamming it up when it comes to hoodwinking others using her age shamelessly and hobbling around but then at other times she really isn’t acting, her age really has become an encumbrance. One minute she’s figuring out gifts for her grandchildren and looking at retirement homes and the next she’s disposing of bodies and breaking into people’s houses.
I really enjoyed the almost comedic feel to the story – which the out of control tension feeds into. It reaches a point where you can’t imagine how things will ever work out and yet the author pulls you on relentlessly in Lottie’s wake.
In conclusion, I had an unexpectedly good time with this story and can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Monthly Wrap Up/What’s On My Plate: October/November/December
3 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, book-blog, Books, Books Bones & Buffy, Monthly Wrap Up, October/November/December, reading, TBR, What's on my Plate
I’m trying to post a wrap up for the end of each month, mainly to help me to keep track of my reading and at the same time look at what I’m intending to read during the month ahead (inspired by Books Bones and Buffy’s What’s on My Plate.
I’ve missed one of my monthly wrap up posts so I’m going to try and give a quick update for October and November and what I’m planning to read in December.
My Monthly Wrap Up: October
The following is the list of books I posted in September that I was hoping to complete in October. Lets take a look:
- Cinder House by Freya Marske
- Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
- The Cold House by A.G. Slatter
- House of Splinters by Laura Purcell
- Ring the Bells by CK McDonnell
- The Last Witch by C.J. Cooke
- The Possession of Alba Dias by Isabel Cañas
- Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason
- King Sorrow by Joe Hill
- The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah
- The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow
I’ve linked the books with reviews. The Possession of Alba Dias I set aside because it was a period when my reading mood wasn’t good and so I shall be going back and picking that one up. Murder Most Haunted I also made a start with – I’m not totally sure this one is going to work for me but I’d like to give it another shot. The Last Death of the Year I’ve not picked up yet but I am excited to do so.
My Monthly Wrap Up: November
The following is the list of books I was hoping to complete in November. Lets take a look:
- The Blackfire Blade by James Logan
- The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
- I’ll Make A Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker
- Outlaw Planet by MR Carey
I have read The Place Where They Buried Your Heart – which I loved and already reviewed. I’m currently reading The Blackfire Blade and Outlaw Planet is my next planned read. It doesn’t look as though I read many books in November but I think some of my October reads were actually read in November but because I wasn’t posting weekly wraps it’s difficult to place everything! This is why I need to be more organised. Anyway. It is what it is.
What’s On My Plate: December:
I’m hoping to catch up with review books that I’ve carried forward from October and also complete my last books from November (plus a late addition that went onto my September shelf:
- What Stalks the Deep by T Kingfisher
- The Possession of Alba Dias by Isabel Cañas (Carried over from October)
- Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason (Carried over from October)
- The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah (Carried over from October)
- The Blackfire Blade by James Logan
- I’ll Make A Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker
- Outlaw Planet by MR Carey
If possible I’d love to complete these by the end of December but I recognise that I’m not reading quite as much at the moment as there are too many other distractions at the moment. We’ll see. Maybe I’ll have a strange burst of reading. Never say never.
I’ve been terrible with this challenge this year – I think I’ll just declare this year a failure and start again next year with a proper list to try and get myself into gear.
Bookforager‘s Picture Prompt book bingo.
and the text version:
PICTURE PROMPT BOOK BINGO 2025 (TEXT VERSION)
| 1. A prehistoric flint knapped stone knife | 2. A lighthouse | ||
| 5. A very large mechanical telescope | 7. |
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| 9 |
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Today, I’m ticking off: No. 7 A Stag – which I’m using Clockwork Boys by T Kingfisher for (you’ll know why if you’ve read it). I’ve also gone back through my list and I’m using The Vipers by Katy Hays for No.15 – A stylized sun with a human face – because the setting is the beautiful and dazzling island of Capri and the season is Summer – so plenty of sunshine and sparkling seas. For No.4 – the Archery Target with Arrows in it – I’ve chosen the Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford because one of the female raiders is an expert shot with bow and arrow.
So, three more prompts left – not sure I’m going to make it this year, these last three are tricksy, a flint knife, a lighthouse and a telescope. I might have to do some creative thinking.
The prompts I’ve crossed off so far:
No. 16 – A Roman helmet – and I’m using This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara.
No. 3 – an apple on a leafy branch – Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisther
No.10 – A Sheaf of Wheat – The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst –
No. 11 – An Old Mechanical Typewriter – The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno Garcia
No.8 – The ruins of a temple-like structure – I’m using Daughter of Chaos by A S Webb
No. 12 – A cluster of four mushrooms – I’m using Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
No. 13 – A fringed umbrella/parasol – I’m using A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull
No.14 – A chemistry set-up of bottles and tubes – I’m using Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
No.9 – A Crab – I’m using The Devils by Joe Abercrombie – if you’ve read this already you’ll be able to guess why. There are some very unusual creatures in this story.
No.6 – A Human Skull – I’m using The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North – because this is about a serial killer and there are definite human remains included in this one.
Number of books read this year: 78 (well below target – boo!)
Books and travelling with Lynn 