Review: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales (Emily Wilde #3) by Heather Fawcett
24 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Emily Wilde #3, Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales, Heather Fawcett, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Love fae? Read this series
It’s as simple as that. If you love stories of the fae and their tricksy behaviour then the Emily Wilde series created by Heather Fawcett is an absolute must read. I’ve loved every minute spent reading these three books and to be totally honest I’m sad to have reached the end of the road. Hopefully the author will come up with some more fae tales to fill the gap left by the conclusion of this series.
With the third and final instalment Fawcett fully immerses us in the fae world. Wendell has returned to his realm to reclaim his throne and Emily accompanies him to become his queen. Of course, nothing can ever be that simple, which is perhaps just as well as there would then be no story to tell. One proviso must I state before you continue. Spoilers for the first two books may lie ahead so bear that in mind before reading on. (Although I do try to avoid spoilers for the most part).
So, Wendell and Emily return to fae, for what should be a relatively simple endeavour that eventually proves anything but. It seems that Wendell’s (wicked) stepmother had one last trick up her sleeve and has placed a dreadful curse upon his long lost kingdom. The only solution is too dire to consider and eventually Emily’s research leads her to conclude that the solution may lie in old stories from the past. With this in mind she sets about to do what she does best – dig around until she uncovers something useful.
I had a lovely time with this final instalment. It was so easy to read, the characters were once again a joy to read about and Fawcett manages to create a magical fantasy world that is as fascinating as it is dangerous.
What I really loved about this.
Well, I confess that Emily and Wendell hold a special place in my heart. They’re a fantastic couple and I love the banter between the two. The author manages to inject their story with romance and humour and the relationship between the two has simply gone from strength to strength.
I love the writing and the fact that Emily tells the story through her journal. It’s definitely a style that I thoroughly enjoy and she’s managed to bring her two main characters on so well. As you might imagine, Emily has mixed feelings about returning to the land of the fae. Of course, the scholarly side of her is absolutely animated at the thought of all the material that will now be available for her studies but this competes with her more rational nature in that she is aware that this is a world full of danger, she will probably always be walking on a knife edge and on top of this she’s not absolutely convinced about this new version of Wendell – or more to the point the changes that she fears may come about, the losing of some of the ‘human’ traits he’s taken on board. Wendell is totally in love with Emily, I loved the way he tries to get his own way by any means of bribery he can come up with – along with little (or actually quite grand) gestures such as a little getaway, a cottage in the real world easily accessed by a fae door.
There is a return to many of the characters from past stories, both fae and human, and this always adds an extra level of depth to the story. And, we have a fae dog and cat – both fiercely devoted to their respective humans. I loved these two.
On top of this the conclusion is really well handled. Emily’s research plays out perfectly and the eventual finale is tense and satisfying.
I don’t think I have any criticisms at all. Perhaps there was a little less Wendell in this one and maybe the start took a wee while to gather momentum but to be fair I was totally absorbed.
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 wonderfully fae stars
Review: Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy No.1) by Stephanie Burgis
20 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, Queens of Villainy #1, reading, Review, Stephanie Burgis, Wooing the Witch Queen
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Cosy Romantasy with Villainous Queens
What more could you possibly ask for?
I confess that cosy fantasy is a real hit for me at the moment and picking up a book by Burgis is the equivalent of a cup of tea and a big hug, her books are like snuggly comfort blankets and her writing goes from strength to strength. I had a deliciously good time with Wooing the Witch Queen.
So, this book has a dollop of romance but it’s not so gloopy that it takes over the plot. There’s an interesting world, some nasty characters trying to take over, politics, endearing critters and a lovely supporting cast. Are you not intrigued?
Saskia is the infamous titular Witch Queen. Called a monster by the uncle she finally managed to get rid of, and generally reviled beyond her own realm, she is a powerful sorceress and has cast a protective spell over the land to protect her people from being overthrown by the (evil) Archduke of Estarion. Meanwhile, she’s been on the search for a dark wizard to organise her chaotic library so when a young man appears at the castle, quite naturally, Saskia and her staff jump to the conclusion he’s here for the coveted role. Little do they know that the actual Archduke (who is little more than a figurehead who is being used and abused) has made good his escape and has turned up at her castle seeking sanctuary. Of course, he’s only too happy to have this little misunderstanding play out and takes to his new duties with gusto.
What I loved about this.
I really enjoyed the writing, it’s outrageously easy to sink into and who wouldn’t be won over by that? The characters are flawed but likable. The world has been well thought out but the details are not overbearing. We learn of the histories of both our central characters through gentle reflection rather than overbearing info dumps. The atmosphere is wonderfully cosy and being primarily set in a castle there’s a mediaeval feel that is softened considerably by the fact that most of the scenes take part in the library. I love a good library setting. Oh, and crows. And trolls, and underground tunnels.
Saskia is a great character. She is fiercely protective of those she loves and works hard to keep her lands safe. At the same time the role of Queen sits uneasily on her shoulders. She doesn’t want to schmoose and has no interest in politics and putting on a face. She’s happier in her laboratory working on concoctions – or spending time in her library, particularly since she employed a rather easy on the eye librarian. Fabian, the new librarian (aka Archduke Felix Augustus) is keeping lots of secrets, not least of which is his attraction to Saskia. Of course, if she discovers that he is really her arch enemy (even though he isn’t) he will be in grave danger – and yet he wants to come clean. He’s a gentle nerd – and who doesn’t love a gentle nerd?
Without doubt, Burgis has created two other equally fascinating characters here in the form of Saskia’s allies. Two other queens, Lorelei and Ailana, (the three have formed an alliance and are known as the Queens of Villainy – a title they are happy to nurture as it bestows upon them a rather fearsome reputation). I loved these two – their roles here are kept to a minimum as we focus mainly on Saskia/Felix but I believe that the next two books will focus on each of them in turn – which I’m really happy about.
Overall, if you’re enjoying your cosy romantasy at the moment then you should definitely pick this up. There’s a slow build romance, tension, magic, politics, trolls, fae and a library. Go, treat yourself.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Review: The Crimson Road by AG Slatter
17 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: AG Slatter, All the Murmuring Bones, Review, Sourdough Universe, The Briar Book of the Dead, The Crimson Road, The Path of thorns
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Six out of Five Stars
Seriously, if I could give this book more than five stars – I would.
This is my favourite so far, which is saying something considering I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author to date. I’ve not read everything in the Sourdough Universe but this is my fourth story and it just grabbed my attention from the get go and held it for the duration. I couldn’t be more enamoured with this book even if I tried.
It’s almost like I had a cunning plan because characters from the last three books I read by AG Slatter (All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead, which were coincidentally all great reads) all conspired to put in appearances in The Crimson Road, and in fact played key roles. I loved the way these books all fed into each other, it was an absolute treat – BUT – I think that all the books by this author work as standalones so if you haven’t read the other books I mention here I really don’t think you’d struggle picking up The Crimson Road and enjoying it immensely.
The Crimson Road brings to us another winning character in the form of Violent Zennor. Violet has been in training from a very young age, her father has ensured that she has been honed into a deadly weapon to fulfil his long awaited wishes. Violet’s father passes away almost as the story begins so we don’t witness his cruel deeds but Violet shares some of her past as the story progresses and it’s easy to see that her’s was an unhappy childhood. Even with the death of her father she is still being held tight within the snare of his desires and although she hopes to escape from his final ultimatum, in the end, it doesn’t prove possible. And, so Violet sets forth on a, without doubt, impossible task.
What did I love about this book. Everything.
It’s beautifully written with chillingly delicious gothic vibes. This is a story that will finally take us into the lands where the Leech Lords reign (vampires by another name but with their own twisted lore and strange beginnings). Violet has a difficult path and in that respect the title of the book is very appropriate indeed. This is a darker story than the others but I still loved the fairytale feel spun throughout.
Slatter manages to conjure characters that you can easily form attachments to. Violet is a great character in her own right and I loved revisiting three of the women from past stories but we also have Freddie, a street urchin and pickpocket who shadows Violet at every turn. There are fae and ogres, assassins, witches and shapeshifters, twists and treachery and a thimble full of love. I simply adore this world. It’s so well explored and it just works.
I think my only problem with The Crimson Road is that it has an ‘end of’ feel to it. I sincerely hope that isn’t the case because I desperately need some more Sourdough in my life.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating: An absolutely resounding 5 of 5 stars
Review: Grave Empire (The Great Silence #1) by Richard Swan
4 February 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, Grave Empire, Review, Richard swan, The Great Silence #1
My Five Word TL:DR Review: I Loved This So Much
I loved this book. Richard Swan is quickly turning into a favourite author. Grave Empire is perfection to read. It’s not particularly a short story at around 530 pages but it doesn’t feel long. There’s no excess here. Literally, never a dull moment. The world building is excellent, the world is truly satisfying. There are three different POVs and they’re all good and can hold their own. I don’t know what else I can say – read it.
So, what else wowed me about Grave Empire.
Firstly, the writing. I love the way Swan writes. It just works for me, I should think it would work for everyone to be perfectly honest. He is eloquent. I love reading his books and he manages to create such an atmosphere. It goes from all manner of intrigue to actually quite terrifying, screams in the night, eyes that watch from the thick of the woods – it’s scary stuff (although I’m clearly a bit of a wuss). I will mention that this is dark and doesn’t hold back the punches. But, neither is it gratuitous. This is a world at war (seemingly on all fronts). An empire on the verge of collapse and so there is plenty of action.
The world building is phenomenal. This is a fascinating, if scary, place. The Sovan empire has outlawed the use of magic – but that’s not to say that magic isn’t practiced in secret. Religion and politics all feed into the story and the characters we follow enable us to travel far and wide encountering the most wonderful aspects imaginable. There are wolfmen, mermen – cat people. It’s crazy, exciting and frightening.
The story is told from three povs and they’re all absolutely compelling. We follow Renata who is an ambassador (or deputy?) to the Stygion Mermen. This is a strange role – most Sovans don’t even believe in the existence of mermen and so Renata and her colleague have to put up with ridicule quite regularly. At least until a couple of monks come to visit the Empire with news of a prophecy that foretells the end of the world as they know it and sparks a mission. I loved Renata, she’s such a real character and has a great support network surrounding her. This particular storyline is absolutely fascinating and the encounters with the mer folk were excellent. I can’t get enough of this strange world. Then we have Peter – I confess this is my favourite storyline (although it’s very close run thing to be honest). Lt Peter has been posted to the end of the world (or so it seems). Fort Ingomar. This is a creepy place. The soldiers can barely sleep at night for the strange and piercing screams that surround the fort. People go out foraging and die in quite brutal ways. Peter quite regularly writes correspondence to his father where we become familiar with his fears and doubts, he fears he’s made a terrible mistake and desperately wishes he could return home but the thought of the shame this would inflict on the family keeps him in place. I was genuinely scared for Peter. This aspect of the story definitely veers into horror and makes for compelling reading. There is a third viewpoint which is also dark and gruesome. I don’t want to elaborate too much on this aspect but leave it for readers to discover for themselves.
I could write so much more. The storyline is great, it feels like serious fantasy, there are questions and there are answers and the ending leaves us realising just how much more is yet to come. I can’t wait for the second but I’m going to end this review here before I turn into a gushing maniac. I cannot fault this book. I loved it.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 glowing stars
Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
27 January 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, fiction, Grady Hendrix, Review, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Not for the faint hearted
I’m very much enjoying this author at the moment and although, I own up that this wasn’t my favourite book by him, it was a compelling read. I will just say that this is a little bit harrowing in parts and also possibly triggering for some people.
Set during a sweltering summer in the 1970s this story takes a good long look at the treatment meted out to young girls who found themselves compromised (pregnant). This was an age where a girl that becomes pregnant is a source of deep shame, a ‘thing’ to be hidden away until the pregnancy is over and the baby adopted. Then they can return home and never speak of ‘it’ again. Fifteen year old Neva (soon to be known as Fern) is one such girl. Driven to the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida by her father she is to be secreted away until her pregnancy reaches its natural conclusion. Neva’s father is livid with his daughter to the extent he doesn’t even wish her goodbye after depositing her.
The other girls at the home are of varying ages and stages of pregnancy and Fern soon becomes firm friends with a few of the others. Life at the home is dull. The girls are expected to clean and wash the house itself, they don’t receive any education and most of their time is spent watching old films and playing cards. Their food is monitored and dietary restrictions imposed to control weight etc. Basically, they have no say or control of anything that is happening either to or around them and they’re kept in the dark about everything.
Fern is a keen reader and looks forward to the arrival of the mobile library. This is when things start to spice up a little, the girls find themselves in possession of a witch’s spellbook, a grimoire if you will, and when they achieve success with their first attempt at casting a hex they start to think of other ways that the book can help during their incarceration.
What I really liked about this is, first and foremost, the writing. Hendrix writes in such a way that you’re almost immediately hooked and although at first I began to wonder if this was going to include any ‘witching’ or fantasy aspects once our little coven eventually forms things escalated quite quickly.
I enjoyed the friendship between the girls and the way they ground each other. It’s sad in a way that they had such high hopes, little realising just how very little real control they actually had. They had their minor rebellions but at the end of the day they were children and the adults around them were capable of so much manipulation and lying to achieve their end goals.
To be fair, life at the home wasn’t abusive as such but the treatment they received at the hand’s of some of the adults was incredibly harsh and utterly judgemental.
If I had any little niggles it would probably relate to the witches and their portrayal. In some respects I think this was handled really well, their lifestyle quite grim and constantly on the move to avoid detection, but, at the same time I think I would have preferred it if their aims had been more by way of helping the girls – rather than helping themselves. Although, perhaps this is just a statement of fact in that all the adults involved were capable of manipulating these young women for their own gain and things did have a way of working out eventually.
Now, I mentioned above that some of this is harrowing – and I’m not joking. There are a couple of quite explicit ‘birthing’ scenes that might not be for everyone. Also, some of the ‘sacrifices’ that the girls were required to make to pay the price for their witching was also particularly gruesome. You have been warned.
All told, this was a quick read, I was hooked almost instantly and was keen to discover what was going on, I was even more intrigued to discover how things would pan out and in that respect the ending is both what you would expect and at the same time a little bittersweet. Some definite food for thought here though and I’ve found myself thinking of this often since completing it.
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
Books and travelling with Lynn 