THE SCREAM FACTORY & THE OLD MYERS PLACE by Kelly O'Rourke

The Scream Factory by Kelly O'Rourke
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

O. M. F. G.

You know, I thought this might be a fun, easy read. I mean, I'm a Halloween fan, and I enjoy YA books from the 80s and 90s.

Yet, this one is absolutely terrible.

It's almost like the author doesn't freaking know who Michael Myers is. Like she was given the assignment and didn't bother to do any research. This awful story doesn't even connect to any of the actual movies. In fact, Michael is the only name that's even mentioned and he doesn't act like himself.

The vibes are all wrong.

I have SO many questions about this book, but the only one that matters is: WHY THE HELL DID THEY BOTHER? Maybe the publisher wanted to release a bunch of horror books for a younger audience to compete with Fear Street. If that's the case, they failed. Miserably.

To be honest, I didn't mind the first half because there was at least tension. But then the girls have a pillow fight and I thought: WTF? It went downhill from there. So much about this story annoyed me. Let's be honest, what are the chances that both girls end up with guys who have crazy, obsessed ex-girlfriends? Sexist, much? Also, I'm down for some insta-love and don't hate the trope, but the Lori and Jake instantaneous love was too much. Can you believe the main character's name is LORI? That's way too close to LAURIE.

Anyway, this wasn't very good. I doubt I'll bother with the next two. Oh, did I forget to mention this is the first book in a trilogy?! 😅

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The Old Myers Place by Kelly O'Rourke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished reading the first book in this trilogy earlier today and it was SO BAD that I said I wasn't going to bother reading the next two books.

Well, I lied. I mean, The Scream Factory was so cringe and awful that I couldn't resist checking out the next one. LMAO.

The funny thing is that I actually liked this installment because the characters were very interesting. I know, I'm still shocked, but it was super creepy and features a group of teens that were definitely more realistic in tone, dialogue, and behaviour. Gone is the cringey insta-love, and instead we get a variety of teen romances, as well as abusive assholes masquerading as nice guys. There are friend groups with plenty of dysfunction and the new girl in town who recreates herself after moving from LA to Haddonfield.

I think the creepiness in this story is a LOT better, too. Plenty of tense scenes. It's also definitely gorier and Michael steps up the violence. Not to mention that the new girl, Mary, actually lives in the old Myers house!!

Super creep. And you gotta love how the parents move Mary into a house with a killer reputation and are hardly home so the teenager is home alone all the time.

The worst thing about this book is that Michael is still off. He just doesn't feel like Michael Myers. Okay, he does feel like him when he's attacking or stalking, but I hate the mask descriptions. And the grunting. Michael Myers doesn't grunt. I really wish the author had done her research. Or, you know, watch the actual movies.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the second book in this trilogy. It's really good. Even the writing is better!


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Books Read in 2025

SAGA #67

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #68:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #69:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #70:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #71:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

DEVIL DANCERS:

A A. Medina & Bo Chappell

DAUGHTERS OF THE BLUE MOON:

Millie Abecassis

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS:

Grady Hendrix

CATS LIKE CREAM:

Renee Miller

SHOCKAHOLIC:

Carrie Fisher

BRAVE NEW WORLD:

Aldous Huxley

FIGHT CLUB:

Chuck Palahniuk

CYNDI LAUPER

A Memoir:

Cyndi Lauper & Jancee Dunn

PUNK 57:

Penelope Douglas

INK VINE:

Elizabeth Broadbent

IN THE PALM OF HER HAND:

Lauren Carter

HARD COPY:

Fien Veldman

HURRICANE SEASON:

Fernanda Melchor

MY DARK VANESSA:

Kate Elizabeth Russell

SEVERANCE

The Lexington Letter:

Anonymous

SAGA #72:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING

(The Hunger Games #0.5):

Suzanne Collins

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES

(The Hunger Games #0):

Suzanne Collins

CICADA:

Shaun Tan

COMPULSORY

(The Murderbot Diaries #.05):

Martha Wells

ALL SYSTEMS RED

(The Murderbot Diaries #1):

Martha Wells

THE BLANKS:

Grady Hendrix

THE LOST BOYS:

Craig Shaw Gardner

RETREAT:

Krysten Ritter

NEVER FLINCH (DNF):

Stephen King

THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART:

Monika Kim

THE VILLA:

Rachel Hawkins

SLAGS:

Emma Jane Unsworth

THE NIGHT GUEST:

Hildur Knútsdóttir

SUNBURN:

Laura Lippman

CRANBERRY COVE:

Hailey Piper

FALLEN DESTINY:

Yolanda Sfetsos

ROSE MADDER (DNF):

Stephen King

THE COLD GIRL:

Rachel Caine

THE WEREWIFE:

Jay Wells

THE THREE LIVES OF LYDIA

(Blud #0.5):

Delilah S. Dawson

A DUET WITH DARKNESS

(Abby Sinclair #0.5):

Allison Pang

A CHANCE IN HELL

(He'll on Earth):

Jackie Kessler

THE INSIDE MAN

(Jane True):

Nicole Peeler

HELL'S MENAGERIE

(Charlie Madigan):

Kelly Gay

FREAK HOUSE

(Strays):

Kelly Meding

PAINTED LOVE:

Rob Thurman

PARLOR TRICKS

(Elemental Assassin):

Jennifer Estep

RECESSION OF THE DIVINE:

Hillary Jacques

DAUGHTER OF THE MIDWAY, THE MERMAID, AND THE OPEN, LONELY SEA:

Seanan McGuire

THE DEMON BARKER OF WHEAT STREET

(The Iron Druid Chronicles)

Kevin Hearne

THE SWEETER THE JUICE:

Mark Henry

A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT

(Monk & Robot #1):

Becky Chambers

AN UNNATURAL LIFE:

Erin K. Wagner

CHLORINE:

Jade Song

REVIVAL, Vol. 1

You're Among Friends:

Tim Seeley & Mark Norton

DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD:

Olga Tokarczuk

THE LONG WALK:

Stephen King

ANNIE BOT:

Sierra Greer

MYTHOS TAROT POCKET TIN EDITION

Guidance from the Greek Gods:

Helena Elias

VICTORIAN PSYCHO:

Virginia Feito

STONE HEART

(Dark Olympus #0.5):

Katee Robert

MY HUSBAND:

Maud Ventura

WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY

(Bunny #2):

Mona Awad

THE PISCES:

Melissa Broder

BLOB

A Love Story:

Maggie Su

BIRTHDAY GIRL:

Penelope Douglas

HOUR OF THE PUMPKIN QUEEN

(Pumpkin Queen #2):

Megan Shepherd

THE CHANGE:

Kirsten Miller

NOBODY'S GIRL

A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice:

Virginia Roberts Giuffre

I DIED AT FALLOW HALL:

Bonnie Burke-Patel

LITTLE RED DEATH:

A.K. Benedict

NINE MONTH CONTRACT

(Mountain Men Matchmaker #1):

Amy Daws

THE UNMOTHERS:

Leslie J. Anderson

HOW TO BE EATEN:

Maria Adelmann

THE OTHER BROTHER

(London Hearts #1):

Tierney Page

I'LL BE WAITING:

Kelley Armstrong

HEKATE:

Nikita Gill

ROSALINA'S STORYBOOK:

Nintendo

HAUNT SWEET HOME:

Sarah Pinsker

WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND

(Mark of the Time Traveler #1):

Elise Helliwell

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR:

Ally Carter

OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA:

Julia Armfield

DEAREST:

Jacquie Walters

MISTER MAGIC:

Kiersten White

WE ALL ROT EVENTUALLY:

Mia Ballard

CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN:

Sayaka Murata

ARTIFICIAL CONDITION

 (The Murderbot Diaries #2)

Martha Wells

RAPPORT

Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy

(The Murderbot Diaries, #2.5):

Martha Wells

PARADISE ROT:

Jenny Hval

THE SCREAM FACTORY

(Halloween #1):

Kelly O'Rourke

THE OLD MYERS PLACE

(Halloween #2):

Kelly O'Rourke

Books Read in 2025: 90/75

(DNF books: 2)

My 2025 Reading Goal: 52 books, later changed to 75.

________________________

Number of series/duology/trilogy books read: 27

1. SAGA #67
2. SAGA #68
3. SAGA #69
4. SAGA #70
5. SAGA #71
6. SAGA #72
7. SUNRISE ON THE REAPING (The Hunger Games #0.5)
8. THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES (The Hunger Games #0)
9. COMPULSORY (The Murderbot Diaries #.05)
10. ALL SYSTEMS RED (The Murderbot Diaries #1)
11. THE THREE LIVES OF LYDIA (Blud #0.5)
12. A DUET WITH DARKNESS (Abby Sinclair #0.5)
13. THE INSIDE MAN (Jane True story)
14. PARLOR TRICKS (Elemental Assassin)
15. THE DEMON BARKER OF WHEAT STREET (The Iron Druid Chronicles)
16. A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT (Monk & Robot #1)
17. REVIVAL, Volume. 1: You're Among Friends
18. STONE HEART (Dark Olympus #0.5
19. WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY (Bunny #2)
20. HOUR OF THE PUMPKIN QUEEN (Pumpkin Queen #2)
21. NINE MONTH CONTRACT (Mountain Men Matchmaker #1)
22. THE OTHER BROTHER (London Hearts #1)
23. WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND (Mark of the Time Traveler #1)
24. ARTIFICIAL CONDITION (The Murderbot Diaries #2)
25. RAPPORT: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (The Murderbot Diaries, #2.5)
26. THE SCREAM FACTORY (Halloween #1)
27. THE OLD MYERS PLACE (Halloween #2)

PARADISE ROT by Jenny Hval

Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've wanted to read this book for a while and decided to read it today.

Jo is a student from Norway who is far from home. In a new country, she's determined to devote herself to Biology. That's how she ends up renting a room inside a restored brewery with a woman who's a little older. And the longer they live together, the stranger Jo's life becomes...

Yikes. This book is a fever dream wrapped inside the damp, festering shell of rotting fruit. The writing is lyrical and brilliantly captures the slip between fantasy and reality of a young woman dealing with an attraction she can't control, and the decay that drips around her as her friendship with Carral grows. Or should I say co-dependency?

The interactions between these two inspire a lot of bizarre and ugly imagery. But the words are used so well that the vivid descriptions made me feel like I was living inside the grossest version of the Garden of Eden. I like the way the religious allegory is used, then turned into reflections about gender.

Before reading this book I'd heard a lot of talk about the urine, so I was expecting the worst. Even thought it might distract/ruin the story, but it didn't. Jo's fascination with fluids and liquids isn't limited to toilet observations, it goes beyond that. What all of these descriptions amount to is a woman whose surroundings and relationships are slowly decaying.

I really enjoyed this. It's weird and has a way of getting under your skin.


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2025 Goals

Hey! How's it going?

I hope you all had an awesome festive season.

Since December is coming to an end, it's time for me to take a look at the goals I posted back in January.

Looking back at what I wanted to achieve versus what I did achieve is always interesting. And I have to admit that my 2025 writing projects really surprised me. I didn't intend to write so many stories in the same vampire world, but really enjoyed telling every character's story.

So, here's how this year turned out:

• Continue to go for long daily walks: I KEPT THIS GOING ALL YEAR BECAUSE I LOVE WALKING AROUND THE RIVER. IT'S GREAT EXERCISE, FUELS MY IMAGINATION, AND I ENJOY THE WILDLIFE.

• Try to get back into (at least one weekly) yoga workout: ALTHOUGH WE FAILED THIS GOAL FOR MOST OF THE YEAR (😧), WE DID GET BACK INTO YOGA WORKOUTS IN NOVEMBER (😃).

• Finish writing my current first draft WIP: I TOTALLY DID THIS BACK IN JANUARY (92,907w).

• Celebrate the release of my first short story collection, MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS: THE RELEASE HAPPENED BACK IN LATE JANUARY AND I'M STILL EXCITED! I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS BOOK AND HOPE MORE READERS GIVE IT A GO. 😁

• Write between 100-200k words: YES! I WROTE A TOTAL OF 188,933 WORDS. (100,227 ARE SHORT STORIES.)

• Read 52 books:: I READ 87 (DNFd 2).

• Revise/finalise the two vampire first drafts: I WORKED ON THESE REVISIONS DURING APRIL (VampNovel1: 90,075w) AND MAY (VampNovel2: 90,746w).

• Work on edits when they hit my Inbox: THE ONLY EDITS I HAD THIS YEAR WERE FOR FALLEN DESTINY AND I GOT THOSE DONE DURING JULY.

• Write a novel (or two): I SPENT MOST OF THE YEAR WORKING ON STORIES ATTACHED TO MY VAMPIRE NOVELS, SO I DIDN'T WRITE ANY OTHER NOVELS. (ASIDES FROM FINISHING VampNovel2, OF COURSE.)

• Write a novella (or two): I DIDN'T WRITE ANY NOVELLAS THIS YEAR, BUT I WROTE A NOVELETTE (12,929w).

• Write a few short stories: 2025 TURNED OUT TO BE THE YEAR WHERE I COULDN'T STOP WRITING SHORT STORIES. I STARTED THE YEAR BY WRITING A HANDFUL OF STANDALONE SHORTIES AND THEN MOVED ON TO WRITING AND REVISING A WHOLE LOT OF STORIES SET IN MY VAMPIRE WORLD. I ENDED UP WRITING 30 SHORT STORIES, WHICH IS A TOTAL WORD COUNT OF: 100,227.

• Keep playing Animal Crossing daily: STILL PLAYING ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS EVERY SINGLE DAY. 😁

• Get into other cozy, cute puzzle games:  I PLAYED MANY, MANY HOURS OF HELLO KITTY AND FRIENDS HAPPINESS PARADE BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH FUN AND I LOVE THE CATCHY TUNES. I ALSO SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS PLAYING SUIKA GAME, ZOO KEEPER (ON MY PHONE), AND TETRIS® 99 (LOVE PUZZLE GAMES).

This year, I had two books published:

MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS features 17 creepy tales and is my debut short story collection published by Cemetery Gates Media on January 28. I'm very proud of every shortie.

FALLEN DESTINY is a cozy urban fantasy novel published by Brigids Gate Press on November 11. This is a story I had a lot of fun writing and I'm excited that it's out in the wild.

This year I managed to get a lot of spring cleaning/decluttering done. That included sorting through my toys/plushies, books, and loads of stationery. As a result, we donated, sold, threw away, and downsized. A lot. I feel really good about all the work I put in and the countless hours I spent sorting through stuff. I plan to do even more next year. 

Very early on, I deactivated my Threads and IG accounts because I can't stand Meta and totally disagree with every disgusting thing the owner of that shitty company is doing and supporting. 

So Bluesky is still my only social media. And I've been posting on my blog all year, of course. 😁

Guess I should put together a 2026 list soon... 

Have a great day!

ARTIFICIAL CONDITION & RAPPORT by Martha Wells

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Today I was in the mood for the second Murderbot Diaries novella.

Now that Murderbot is alone, its decided to go back to the scene of the massacre, to find out why it killed so many humans. But to do that, Murderbot makes a new friend, gets a job, and encounters a few surprises along the way...

Murderbot is SO much FUN. The second installment is just as good as the first, and introduces more locations, new well-meaning humans getting into trouble, and some of the answers our favourite SecUnit has been searching for.

I love how Murderbot goes through several physical, mental, and even emotional changes during this story. The first one being that it makes a friend. A very helpful friend who helps Murderbot during its quest for answers.

Asshole Research Transport, aka ART, is a giant transport bot, and their connection is awesome. I love how they interact with each other, and even enjoy watching shows together. Another great thing is how ART's sensitivity to humans helps Murderbot develop an even deeper awareness.

I can't wait to read more Murderbot adventures!

-----------------------------

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the second novella in this fun series, I had to read this too.

The cargo ship called Perihelion and its crew arrive at a space station with an important mission on their agenda, but Peri's acting a little differently nowadays...

I really enjoyed it. A lot!

Reading stories in this world from the POV of other characters is so exciting. I liked Iris and her crew. The closeness, the bickering, how they relied on Peri and know it enough to notice the changes!

And that brings me to Peri, aka Perihelion. Or ART. Murderbot's friend! I hope we get to see more interactions between them in future novellas. 😁

You can read it free here: https://reactormag.com/rapport-martha...


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CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN by Sayaka Murata

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading and enjoying Earthlings last year, I bought a copy of this book for my Kobo. And decided to get stuck into it today.

Keiko Furukura is a single woman who doesn't have too many friends, keeps to herself, and loves her job. If only other people would understand how much the convenience store means to her... 

OMG. This book! It's SO good. I couldn't put it down and read it in one afternoon/night.

Furukura is such an innocent and unfiltered character. She spends so much of her life learning how to behave and how to dress in order to fit in because she learned pretty early on that not acting normal gets you shunned by others. She's pretty good at fitting in, but even that's not enough. It's never enough because everyone expects her to get married and get a better job and have children and fit the norm instead of acting weird.

It's exhausting how many hurdles people expect others to jump over in order to be accepted. But Furukura doesn't care about all those things because all she needs is the convenience store. I love how she describes everything about her workplace like it's an organic being that keeps her on track. Not just during her shifts. Her job ensures she stays healthy and even helps her sleep. And you know what? She's really good at her job and never asks for more than she deserves. So I got really angry with her so-called friends, co-workers, and family for being so freaking judgy.

And for the record, I really disliked Shiraha. The sexist incel who takes advantage of an opportunity that Furukura offers in order to keep her working for him. Even though he doesn't like her and treats her like crap. She really is too good for him.

Anyway, I love the final scene because there was no other way to end the convenience store woman's story.

Irasshaimasé!


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WE ALL ROT EVENTUALLY by Mia Ballard

We All Rot Eventually by Ballard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This little novella caught my eye because of the blood splashed over the cutesy pink cover. That doesn't reflect what lies within the pages, lol.

Alexa Valentine might not be her real name, but it's the one that's going to make her a star. She went to LA to become an actress, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everyone sees her...

Yikes. What an unhinged story that turned to be! It's like MaXXXine meets Dexter with a heavy dose of feminine fury.

I read this book in one sitting because it's not long. Besides, it's fast-paced, the chapters are snappy, and the narrative takes some outrageous twist and turns as Alexa barrels through every expectation the reader might expect at the beginning.

Her rise to fame is full of violence, gore, and chaos. Until you're left wondering if Alexa's evil influence comes from an internal or external force.

While I enjoyed it, I did have a few issues: I can't get past the phone scrolling in 2005, and the fact that the epilogue is actually referred to as a prologue. I think this tale could've used another round of edits/proofreading.


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MISTER MAGIC by Kiersten White

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here's another book I've had on my Paperwhite TBR pile for a while.

After Val's father dies, her small world is shattered when three people, she can't remember from her past, appear out of nowhere. According to Isaac, Marcus, and Javi, they were all part of a cult children's TV show. Mister Magic shut down thirty years ago, but now a podcast wants to interview them to reboot the series...

Wow. What an amazing and darkly imaginative book this turned out to be. It's creepy, mysterious, and packed with engaging characters.

Val's story is as fascinating as it is frightening. A woman living a quiet and isolated life with her father finds out about her past when it comes knocking on her door after his death. Rediscovering her childhood and the friends she left behind takes her on a very dark journey into the desert. To a bizarre house in the middle of nowhere and the townspeople who helped conceal a menacing secret.

It's an intriguing tale about loss, rediscovery, and facing human evil disguised by malicious magic. And the ending is so freaking melancholy, because while it's the best conclusion, it's very sad.

I also have to mention that you shouldn't skip the acknowledgements page. After reading the author's words, everything about Mister Magic made even more messed-up sense. The line between religion and cult is almost non-existent.

Awesome book about a cult TV show that slipped into the shadows. Let's be honest, a lot of children's programming is creepy as fuck. I enjoyed this so much!


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DEAREST by Jacquie Walters

Dearest by Jacquie Walters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for a while because that cover is super creepy, so I got stuck into it the other night.

Flora, a new mother with a newborn, feels isolated. Her husband is deployed, she's lonely, is having trouble sleeping, and is permanently uncomfortable. Then she reaches out to her estranged mother, and is surprised when she turns up at Flora's door...

Ooooooooh. The fever dream quality of this eerie horror tale sucked me into Flora's nightmare from the very beginning. I couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

At times, I was convinced Flora was suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression and exhaustion. Then I thought she was slipping away from reality because of being alone all the time. I even suspected that there was a monster after her. But one thing's for sure, this story is very disturbing, and perfectly captures the raw and hardest parts of being a new mother.

I enjoyed Flora's heartbreaking tale SO much. The writing style kept the narrative dark and mysterious, with dread creeping up in every scene. The revelations are shocking and sad. The family secrets are terrible. The way Flora deals with everything gave me whiplash. And the ending is: 😳!!!

Excellent, trippy book.


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OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this book the other night and was instantly absorbed by the melancholy tone.

Miri and Leah are married and live in an apartment with the permanent noise of their neighbour's TV filtering in through the walls. Leah is a marine biologist who left on a three-week submarine expedition but didn't come back until six months later. And now that she's back, she's not the same. Leaving Miri with a wife who feels and looks more like a stranger every single day...

Wow. What an eerie and intriguing book.

Miri and Leah's alternating POVs tell their separate stories so we find out about their relationship, friends, and jobs. Miri delves into the awful six months living without knowing where her wife was. Leah reveals what happened under the sea and how it changed the three-person crew. Both experiences are interesting and captivated me for different reasons.

While the story is grimy, sad, and leaves you feeling a little sick from the effects of how the sea changes Leah and destroys their relationship, it's also full of inspiring situations and connections. I particularly liked the way the events unfolded. How well the past and present are woven together, leading to a tragic, horrifying conclusion. At the same time, the ambiguity stitched into the very core of this book also offers up an even sadder conclusion, similar to what is presented in the message board Miri frequents during Leah's abscence.

Either way, this tale of love and grief is written so well that both narratives work. Fantastic!


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The Last Month of the Year is here!

Hey! Long time no see. 😁

How are you? What's going on? How's December treating you so far?

Well, it's finally summer in Sydney and the weather has been totally nuts. It's either raining and the temp drops dramatically, or it's too hot and so sunny that stepping outside during daylight hours feels like your skin is melting as fast as your lungs. It's all over the place and very extreme. That's what happens when the people in power DGAF about the environment and are actively destroying everything. Ugh.

Anyway, enough of that. LOL.

We finally got our annual blood tests (everything's okay except my iron), finally found a chemist that has the latest Covid booster, and got the jab.

Last month I mentioned that I had one final vampire story-related piece to complete, and I did! It was something that's mentioned in the novels and some of the shorties, so it lived inside my head for almost a year. I'm happy to say that it turned out better than I expected, and clocked in at 377 words.

That was the last story I had on my list, but I still wondered if anyone else would start whispering in my ear. But they didn't. All the stories revolving around the main and secondary characters are told. And this is the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-four short stories.

That means the collection has now crossed 82k. Not bad. 

I'm very happy with all the stories that I've written in this world, and now that these are done... I can turn my attention to the two spin-off ideas. But first, I need a bit of a mental break because I've been writing and revising non-stop this year. And December is the perfect month for taking it easy.

So far, I've spent most of this month reading and it's been a LOT of fun.

At the end of September, I decided to read only women authors until the end of the year, and that's what I've been doing. Different genres and lengths, paperbacks and ebooks. As long as it's written by a woman, I want to read it. Also, I have to be honest, it's not a hard challenge for me because I primarily read female writers anyway. 😁📚

Did you guys watch Stranger Things, Volume 1? We did and I was underwhelmed. They're messing with the world building, the characters are stagnant, and nothing made any real sense. It felt a little off, tbh. The only thing I liked was the final episode 4 reveal, but even that doesn't make sense if you think about it. Personally, I also think that breaking it up into volumes is a silly idea. Especially for someone like me, who can't stop thinking about all the plot holes!!

At least season 5 of Only Murder in the Building was fantastic. I LOVE this cozy show.

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to ride out the effects of the booster and hope I get over the worst of it soon.

Hope you have an awesome weekend!!

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR by Ally Carter

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's December and I've got a few Christmas-themed books on my Paperwhite and Kobo, so I decided to start reading them. Starting with this one.

Maggie Chase is a cozy mystery writer who doesn't like the festive season. Ethan Wyatt is a popular thriller writer who gets on her nerves. But when they're both invited to England, Maggie and Ethan stumble into a mystery involving one of the most well-known mystery authors in the world...

This is such a charming romantic mystery that fits perfectly into the festive season. It's fun, isolated, and absolutely cozy. Not to mention that the chemistry between Maggie and Ethan makes the story even better.

The rom-com banter and seemingly mutual hate between the two main characters keeps things light, but the reality of what makes these two so real (and perfect for each other) is their backstory. Maggie, the lonely woman everyone abandons and her ex-husband's gaslighting pushed her to the point of not trusting her own instincts. Ethan, the son of a soldier who failed to live up to his father's expectations. Both with shattered pasts that left mental (and physical) scars.

I really enjoyed the mystery at the heart of the story because Eleanor is another cool character who makes a huge impression even though she's missing for most of the book. Also, the snowy location inside a huge manor in the English countryside matches the mysterious/dangerous vibes.

Terrific story!


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WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND by Elise Helliwell

Within the Space of a Second by Elise Helliwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing I noticed about this book was how beautiful it is. Yes, I've got the special edition with the lovely moon-sprayed edges. So pretty.

Mariella Adams is afraid she's going to inherit her mother's mental illness, and waking up with a strange buzzing beneath her skin doesn't help. The day she meets two strangers, Rose and Parker, everything she thinks she knows about herself is turned upside down...

Wow. I raced through the pages of this book, hooked on every detail and clue peppered throughout. And I had a blast!

Imagine meeting someone you're in love with in the future. Someone who's already lived a relationship with you but all you have is an instant attraction. Yeah, that's (some) of what happens in this intriguing time travel story about a young woman who desperately wants to be normal so she can escape her unstable and heartbreaking past.

Determined to become a psychologist, Mariella is convinced that understanding psychology will help her find out the truth about what really happened to her mother. Little does she realise that her differences might be the only skills she needs.

Enter Parker and Rose. Two strangers to Mariella, but both know her in their own way. And my favourite thing about these two characters is how easily they open up the world building and help shape the rules and mystery that's at the core of this excellent tale.

Although the biggest mystery—Mariella's mother—isn't solved in this installment, a lot of other things are revealed slowly. If you pay close attention, it helps make sense of a lot of things. I've actually got a theory about her mother, so I can't wait to see if I'm right.

Anyway, I loved this book. The characters, the setting, the writing, the clues, the romance... All of it.

Looking forward to book two!


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HAUNT SWEET HOME by Sarah Pinsker

Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this last night and couldn't stop.

Mara starts a lot of things, but lacks motivation and can't complete anything. So when her cousin mentions the ghost hunting/home makeover show he hosts is looking for a production assistant, she accepts the challenge...

What a great novella! It's a ghost story at heart, but also deals with the sham of reality TV, a restless young woman trying to find her place in the world without a plan, doubting your own ability to create, and accepting that sometimes you need a helping hand.

Another thing that really stood out for me is how the main character is portrayed so well that her existence makes her appear to be the most ghostly figure in the whole story. For example, she's seemingly invisible to the rest of her extended family because she's so young. But everyone else treats her the same way. It's sad, but also very relatable.

The ghost angle is also very satisfying because most of it is staged, but I enjoyed the surprises that popped up. Although I guessed the twist, I didn't expect the ending.

Overall, I found this novella intriguing, fun, and full of interesting characters.


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HEKATE by Nikita Gill & ROSALINA'S STORYBOOK (Nintendo)

Hekate by Nikita Gill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Greek mythology and always enjoy reading retellings. Whether set in the time of gods and goddesses, or putting these familiar characters in modern day settings, I'm interested. I've even written quite a few stories featuring figures from Greek mythology.

So I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one!

Hekate, the daughter of the Titans, Perses and Arcadia, finds herself alone in the Underworld with a handful of dark gods she can trust to keep her safe. But a promise made to her mother isn't enough to keep Hekate from seeking out her fate...

Wow. What a beautiful retelling. I loved every minute of this book. Ever word counted. Every sentence filled my head with vivid imagery. Every new page took me deeper into the life of a very fascinating goddess.

For me, this book combined several of my personal favourites: the Underworld inhabitants and Hecate/Hekate. It was also written in a way that really captured the spirit of the mythology. While most of the story unfolds in verse, several sections are in full paragraph narrative. And it all works together very well.

Also, I have to say that I loved Thanatos. He's such a calm and kind character, yet he's one of the most feared gods. Same goes for Charon. I loved his portrayal. But the best thing about this lush tale is Hekate herself. Watching her grow from an abandoned young girl to a woman who embraces her own power, is fantastic.

Loved this! So much.

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Rosalina's Storybook by Nintendo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My husband received this gorgeous hardback today and suggested I read it. Of course I jumped at the chance. By the way, this is the storybook featured in Super Mario Galaxy.

The day a young girl finds a rusted spaceship with a star child inside, the girl and Luma go on a journey to find Luma's mother and instead discover a whole lot more...

This is such a beautiful picture book that tells the heartwarming, and oftentimes, sad story of how Rosalina befriends a lonely Luma and eventually becomes a mother to a whole family of Lumas. It's an adventurous tale, one with a lot of heart, and a found family that enhances how strong, smart, and kind Rosalina really is.

I love the bright artwork, and even the size of the book is lovely. It's a quality product, and a must for all Nintendo collectors.

Also, it's always cool when another form of media is released to double the enjoyment of the original game, movie, or show.


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I'LL BE WAITING by Kelley Armstrong

I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been a while since I read a Kelley Armstrong book, so I decided to get stuck into this one.

Nicola Laughton has Cystic Fibrosis but has managed to live well into her thirties. She takes her health seriously, enjoys her programming job, but most of all, she loves her husband Anton. The night he dies in a car crash, her world falls apart, and she's haunted by his final words: “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Well, this turned out to be quite the creepy, dark story. Not just because Nic finds herself totally consumed by the need to use spiritualists and mediums to try and contact Anton, but also because she knows none of them can actually help her communicate with her dead husband. Yet, she keeps falling into the same trap.

Until a professor of parapsychology offers to conduct a séance in a place that mattered to Anton, and some really eerie stuff starts to happen inside the large house. Things that suggest there's a ghost staying with them, and when the undeniable signs of a haunting manifest, Nic starts to hope. But can't stop second guessing everything.

I really enjoyed this ghost story for many reasons: the way the past séance blends so well with Nic's present day problems, how strong and determined Nic is regardless of all the health obstacles in her way, that she doesn't give up on Anton, and I especially liked how so many creepy things happen all at once and she starts to question her own sanity.

The characters are also great because every single one of them is flawed and no one is free of suspicion. Great book!


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THE OTHER BROTHER by Tierney Page

The Other Brother by Tierney Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While checking out the discounted books at K-Mart last weekend, this one caught my eye. Then I decided to check it out to see if it grabbed me... and I couldn't stop reading. LOL.

When April's fiancé, Lucas, betrays her trust and breaks her heart, she's devastated. But with the help of her good friends, Anna and Gemma, as well as her sweet cat, Basil, she starts picking up the pieces. Then falls for someone new: Lucas's younger brother...

Like I said above, I couldn't put this book down, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

At first, I thought the forbidden romance aspect might end up being problematic because of the brother thing, but it wasn't. To be honest, I actually thought the chemistry between April and James shone a lot brighter than April and Lucas. And Lucas is such a jerk anyway, so I didn't care about that douche.

This is such a great story. Not just because the heat between April and James sizzles off the page, but also because at its core, April's book is about how she finds her way back to trusting someone else after the ultimate betrayal. And how leaning on her friends strengthens her motivation and steers April towards finding her way back to herself.

I loved Anna and Gemma, by the way. Between Anna's sarcasm and Gemma's sexcapades, there are a lot of funny interactions between these three friends. And the same goes for James and his bandmates.

Overall, this is a well written, very romantic love story between two people who are made for each other. It kept me glued to the pages and had me rooting for the two leads.

Very fun story!


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HOW TO BE EATEN by Maria Adelmann

How to Be Eaten: A Novel by Maria Adelmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm having a great time going through my Paperwhite, Kobo and bookshelves picking up whatever book I feel like checking out. And this one caught my eye the other day.

In New York City, a small group of women meet in a basement to attend a support group. The haunting stories they share are familiar but are also very different...

I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings, or fairy tale characters thrown into contemporary situations, so of course I was interested in checking out a novel that did a bit of both.

I like the setup because it made me wonder who was pulling the strings to get these women into a room where they could share their personal traumatic experiences. And then I hung around because I wanted to hear their individual tales.

How Bernice escaped a rich and powerful man with the killer habit of collecting women. Ruby's dark story of her fucked-up day and the grotty fur she always wears. Ashlee relives the experience of being on a reality TV show that's anything but real. Gretel's confused recollections about how muddled her memories have become. And Raina's rise to privilege as she shares her love story.

I really enjoyed this novel because of the familiarity, as well as the additions and twists. It's cool to recognise so many fairy tale characters who are given a new set of modern problems, issues, while leading back to the same old issue: no one wants to hear the woman's story, her truth. Instead, the victims are turned into one-dimensional cautionary tales that blame them for the evils of men.

The format of this book is another thing I thoroughly enjoyed. I love stories within a story.

Great book!


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THE UNMOTHERS by Leslie J. Anderson

The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While going through my Paperwhite to pick my next read, I stopped on this one. I mean, the horse and baby angle totally intrigued me.

After a devastating loss, Marshall's editor sends her to the small town of Raeford to investigate the bizarre claim that a horse gave birth to a human baby. But when she digs deeper, Marshall finds that there's something very strange going on...

I really enjoyed this dark folktale with a monstrous angle fuelled by the generational rage and secrets women are forced to carry.

Although the story unfolds via multiple POVs, I considered this to be Marshall's personal journey into recovery and facing her grief. She's a reporter who is struggling at work and is given an assignment that's meant to be nothing serious. A way to get her out of the city. Instead, she stumbles into old rituals, the mystery surrounding one baby's birth, and a town that's full of secrets.

That's before getting stuck into the worship of horses, the strange way these animals are involved in human rituals, and the darkness that lives in the forest. And did I mention the shitty old man with a god complex? Yeah, there's a lot going on here, and all of these elements come together in a very satisfying way.

The other characters that I really liked were Jason and Agatha.

I also think that the author captured the hopelessness and backward location very well, while also showing the resilience of the townsfolk, the carelessness of law enforcement, and the beauty that exists even in the darkest of places.

This is a great book!!


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NINE MONTH CONTRACT by Amy Daws

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lately, every time we go to K-Mart, we find a bunch of books on clearance and this was one of them. "I'd buy that for a dollar!" I'm serious, this book was a buck. 😅

Wyatt is hardworking but is definitely a bit too grumpy, and he wants to be a dad. Trista loves animals but her life is a little chaotic, and she wants to open an animal sanctuary. Together, this odd couple might be a perfect match...

This is such a fun, heartwarming, funny, and raunchy story!

I have to admit, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book because the concept sounded like it might be a little problematic. I've never read a rom-com dealing with surrogacy, and I certainly didn't expect to be hooked, but after trying out the first chapter, I couldn't stop.

I found the Fletcher family dynamics charming, and the tension between the brothers was intriguing. Yeah, the characters hooked me in from the beginning!

The story is mostly told in the alternating POVs of Wyatt and Trista as they meet, realise they're quite compatible, but choose to focus on their nine month contract. After all, Wyatt is the one who wants to be a parent, while Trista doesn't have any interest in children because of her own past. It makes for an interesting dilemma as things heat up between them because their mutual attraction is very intense.

There are so many reasons why I should've found some of these topics disturbing, but I didn't. Instead, I had a blast reading this book and enjoyed the writing style, too.

I'll definitely be checking out the other books in this series. And by that I mean that I already have the second one. 😁


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LITTLE RED DEATH by A.K. Benedict

Little Red Death by A.K. Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another book we found in one of our local Street Libraries.

A writer held captive. A detective on the case. A killer obsessed with fairy tales. A collection of murders that relate back to the lead detective...

Wow. This contemporary fairy tale is amazing! It's a murder-mystery. A fast-paced thriller. It's a serial killer crime novel. And definitely fits into the dark fantasy genre. Did I mention that it's full of twists and turns?

I was utterly hooked from beginning to end, and couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

DI Lyla Rondell is such a great character and as she investigates murders that are based on the Grimm Fairy Tales, she slowly realises that the killer is somehow connected to her. But not just that, everything that's going on circles back to her.

I found this SO addictive! The trippy nature of this book is something that makes it stand out. There's a story within a story within a story, and a conclusion that will blow your mind. Not to mention how magical and lush the location is.

Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to delve into the more fantastical aspects of this tale and how clever it is, it would spoil everything that makes this book special. I think you should go in without knowing too much about the plot.

Loved it!


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Getting Stuff Done...

Hello! How are you today? Hope you're enjoying the month of November. We've had a few temperature drops, but this spring is turning out to be quite warm.

So, what's new?

As you can see below, my latest book was released this week and I'm very excited. Yay!!! 🥳

FALLEN DESTINY is a cozy urban fantasy, with a good dose of horrormance, about an occult detective with abandonment issues, a found family, and a mystery that might reveal the burning questions she has about her past. I'm very proud of this novel and hope that it finds an audience, and that readers enjoy it.

If you want to know more, you can read more about it here. Or you can check out the excellent GET IT Kirkus review.

Asides from this very awesome news, I've also finished writing and revising two new short stories.

Final word counts: 2,423 and 1,327.

These tales were a bit of a surprise, especially the first one. Not only because it came out of nowhere, but what happens in this tale changes the fate of one particular character. The shorter tale is one I've had in mind for a while but even that turned out very differently. Love it when that happens!

So, here's the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-three short stories. The collection has now crossed 81k, and I suspect the short stories might finally be done. I think. Maybe. Except for one more thing that isn't a story but it's something that makes an appearance in the overall narrative and I've wanted to put it together since completing the very first novel. 😁

Something else that I'm very excited about is that we started getting back into yoga and have actually done two workouts already. There are so many health benefits so we want to keep this up. Fingers crossed.

I've also been reading, including this harrowing book. This was such an uncomfortable and disturbing story, also very sad.

Anyway, I'm trying to get stuck into the many books I have on my massive TBR pile. And I'm not just talking about all the hardbacks and paperbacks, I'm also talking about my Kindle and Kobo books. 😳

Well, that's it for now. 

Hope you all have an awesome week!!

 

I DIED AT FALLOW HALL by Bonnie Burke-Patel

I Died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We found this book in a local Street Library, so I decided to get stuck into it last night to see if I liked it... and couldn't stop reading.

Anna Deerin lives in a remote cottage in Cotswold and is a gardener on the grounds of the Fallow Hall estate. She lives alone and wants it to stay that way. Detective Inspector Hitesh Mistry left the city to escape his past and personal grief. He lives a solitary life and likes it that way. When Anna finds bones buried in the garden, their paths cross and an old mystery unfolds...

What a great story! I REALLY enjoyed this small-town murder mystery. The first thing that grabbed me was the lush description and the quaint location. The second thing is the characters. Not just the three narrators, but also the great cast of secondary characters. I mean, how cute is David the golden retriever? And David's human, Reverend Watts is also such a good character.

Anna and Hitesh are interesting together and apart, each living with their own personal trauma. But at the heart of the story is the tragedy of Catherine Blackwaite, which is quite sad because she's such a lively and spunky young woman determined to find her place in the 60s. Too bad I don't feel the same about Lord Blackwaite.

I also like the author's cozy writing. Her storytelling style is addictive.


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It's Release Day!!

 Today is the day!

FALLEN DESTINY IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM BRIGIDS GATE PRESS.

Destiny isn't human and she has the horns to prove it. She's also damned good at blending into the human world.

That, along with her powers, has helped her forge a career out of locating supernatural beings and objects.

Got demon troubles? Need a mystical artifact found? Destiny's the one for the job.

All goes well for her until the day she's hired by a mysterious nun, and for the first time, Destiny's stumped.

How exactly does a demon hired by a nun find an angel?

Grab an eBook or paperback copy here:

AMAZON | B&N | KOBO

BOOKSHOP.ORG | WATERSTONES | BOOKS-A-MILLION

ADD TO GOODREADS

I'd want to send a HUGE THANK YOU to Gwendolyn Kiste, Angela Sylvaine, Sonora Taylor, Wayne Fenlon, and Brian Bowyer for these amazing blurbs:

"I've been a fan of Yolanda Sfetsos for years, and whether you're brand-new to her work or you've loved her books for as long as I have, Fallen Destiny is an absolute must-read. This cozy dark fantasy takes you on a supernatural adventure with page-turning prose and characters you'll adore. Enjoy the ride."

— Gwendolyn Kiste, Four-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Haunting of Velkwood and Reluctant Immortals   

“Fallen Destiny is a wicked urban fantasy that will appeal to fans of Kim Harrison. Sfetsos delves into the mysteries of heaven and hell while wrapping the reader in the warm embrace of found family. Move over Hellboy, there’s a new kick ass demon in town, and Destiny won’t be denied.”

— Angela Sylvaine, Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Frost Bite. 

"Fallen Destiny is a fun, devious, supernatural mystery with lots of clever twists and turns. Sfetsos manages to create a large and fascinating world of amazing characters, all of whom I loved. Don't miss this one."

— Sonora Taylor, award-winning author of Little Paranoias: Stories and Without Condition

"A cosy blend of genres: infusing horror, folklore, and eroticism, with a hint of mystery. A detective story at heart. This one, like all of Yolanda's work, is another proper page turner. A great writer."

— Wayne Fenlon, author of The Black Cabin

“Sfetsos is simply one of the best, and Fallen Destiny—thrilling, intense, and filled with suspense—displays an artist at the top of her game.”

— Brian Bowyer, author of Metro Kinetic. 

"A lively and atmospheric occult mystery with a main character who’s as hellish as she is human."

—Kirkus Reviews, GET IT verdict

Read full review here

I'm SO excited about this new release and can't wait for readers to read my cozy urban fantasy book about an occult detective investigating a mystery that might lead to her past.

The beautiful cover art was made by: Alison Flannery

Thanks for reading!

THE CHANGE by Kirsten Miller

The Change by Kirsten Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read this book for ages, so I'm glad I finally got stuck into it.

Three very different women find each other when they start going through some changes. Harriett Osborne is an advertising director, but now spends most of her time growing a wild garden. Jo Levison is a former executive who runs a gym and has developed a newfound strength that manifests in a fiery rage. Nessa is a widowed nurse who can hear the voices of dead girls who deserve to be found. Together, the trio is determined to get justice...

Wow. This book is fucking amazing. There's no other way to describe how much I enjoyed it.

I love the way it deals with everything, starting with everyday sexism, amping up to disgraceful misogyny, and everything else in between. Through the lives and the untimely deaths of the girls and women who live in Mattauk, the female experience—the wonderful and the nightmarish—is captured perfectly.

OMG. I absolutely LOVE Harriett, Jo and Nessa!! All three are such strong, empathetic characters whose flaws enhance their personalities.

Not only did I enjoy the interactions between the three leads, because their friendship is strong enough that they can be brutally honest with each other, but I also liked their individual stories.

The way multiple POVs are threaded into the main narrative hooked me from beginning to end.

The powerful tales of three very different middle-aged women opens up to include so much more, and other stories weave their way into the narrative in a way that kept me glued to the pages. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next, and I was on the edge of my seat during the last few chapters.

It's a long and it's quite sad, but the author's brilliant voice is very addictive. This is a powerful and important book and definitely worth reading.


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Hey, it's November!

How are you?

I hope you all had an awesome Halloween! I spent mine listening to a thunderstorm while reading the latest Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas) book. Such a trope, right? I also popped into my ACNH island to catch up with Jack, chatted with hubby, and filled up my first Attic Notebook.

It might be November, but the Halloween aesthetic never ends. At least, it doesn't for me. 😊

For the first time in years, I'm not actually writing a novel first draft during November. But it's not a big deal because I've been busy writing a lot of short-stories. Speaking of shorties, I completed another one last week.

The final word count:  1,987.

As I mentioned last week, I completed two more stories, and both were about the same character. The idea to round them out as a trilogy of sadness and self-discovery came to me during one of my walks. And guess what? After I finished, I realised that I love this character so much, she's getting a spin-off. Not sure if it's going to be a novella or novel, but I'm very excited about the continuation of her story and already started taking notes!

So, here's the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-one short stories. The short story collection has now crossed 78k words.

Still having a blast writing them but I think it's slowly coming to a nice and organic end. Of course, that's what I think today. Tomorrow, the plan could change because these characters are loud.

Did you guys hear about the upcoming ACNH updates? My husband and I still pop into our islands daily, so we're super excited!! I love my island (I called it Grimoire) and my villagers are adorable, so these new features are going to be a lot of fun. Especially getting the chance to build islands inside your dreams. What a cool idea!

Well, asides from all the writing and revising, I've been catching up with some reading. I'm also enjoying long daily walks. The days are a lot longer and I'm taking advantage.

Okay, that's it for now.

Have an awesome week!! 😁

 

HOUR OF THE PUMPKIN QUEEN by Megan Shepherd

Hour of the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Megan Shepherd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favourite stories. I love Sally and Jack, so I'm always going to be interested in checking out any Sally book that gets released. 😊

Sally and Jack Skellington got married a year ago. During that time, Sally has been busy because she takes her role very seriously. As the Queen of Halloween Town she wants to make everyone happy and is spreading herself a bit thin. When she gets sucked into a mysterious portal with her new apprentice, Sally goes on an adventure that will test her in many ways...

OMG. I absolutely loved Sally's latest adventure through time. And I mean that literally because she actually ends up in Time Town. Another fascinating location that leads Sally to a serious problem: the destruction of Halloween Town.

A lot of very cool and intriguing locations and characters are introduced during Sally's adventure to save everyone she loves and cares about, but the underlying theme at the heart of her story is being honest with herself. That helping others, or being their queen, doesn't mean losing herself in the process.

I also like that every Sally story I've read so far (this is my third) is true to the character. Her voice feels sincere and her actions match the subtle bravery she displays in the movie. Another thing I loved about this particular book is that the love and romance between Sally and Jack is passionate and sweet. A mutual devotion and adoration that adds so much to the chaotic events.

The addition of a rag doll apprentice is so cute. Luna has a lot of potential and she's great, especially when she meets a curious dragon. Scorch longs to be a hero instead of the villain.

I wanted to read this during Halloween, and it has the perfect cozy vibes. A great way to end the month.

Oh, and although the main mystery is solved... the darker one isn't. Can't wait for the next installment.


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