A thoughtful review of The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, exploring its rich worldbuilding, complex characters, and why this popular fantasy is slightly overhyped—but still worth reading.
Book Review
Looking for your next read? Here you’ll find my honest, thoughtful reviews of the books I’ve been reading, from cover design and writing style to characters, themes, what worked, what didn’t, and everything in between. But I’m also interested in what happens beyond the pages: who a book might be right for, who might want to skip it, and what choosing it can tell us about the kind of reading life we actually want. Whether you’re looking for your next great read or trying to decide if a particular book belongs on your TBR, pull up a chair and have a look around.
The Secret History Review: Dark Academia, Unlikable Characters & Moral Obsession
An in-depth review of The Secret History, exploring dark academia themes, unlikable characters, and moral ambiguity. Is it a good book—even if you don’t enjoy it?
Sun, Scams & Shaky Stakes: A Review of The Long Con by Jenna Voris
A thoughtful review of The Long Con by Jenna Voris, exploring its heist premise, queer representation, character development, and why the stakes didn’t quite land despite a compelling setup.
The Princess Diarist: The Woman Behind Princess Leia
A thoughtful review of The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher, exploring its cover design, memoir style, themes of fame and identity, and its bittersweet look behind Star Wars.
Cat’s Cradle Review: Brilliant Satire or Slightly Over-Hyped Classic?
A thoughtful review of Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, analyzing its satirical themes, unique writing style, cover design, and whether this classic novel lives up to the hype.
Mad Mabel–A Sharp, Funny, Heartfelt Mystery You Won’t Forget
Sally Hepworth’s Mad Mabel blends humor, heart, and mystery in a dual-timeline story about a woman with a dark past and a neighborhood full of secrets. Read my full review for insights into its characters, themes, and unforgettable charm.
Not Quite Dead Yet Review: A Thriller That Gets the Cover (and the Mystery) Exactly Right
A detailed review of Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson, exploring its striking cover design, emotional thriller plot, character depth, and whether the story lives up to the hype.
Dungeon Crawler Carl: Aliens, Game Mechanics, and One Extremely Opinionated Cat
A fun and honest review of Dungeon Crawler Carl, the wildly popular LitRPG about aliens, dungeon survival, and a sarcastic cat. Includes cover design critique.
I Thought You Said This Would Work Review: A Road Trip, Rekindled Friendship, and a Surprisingly Cozy Adventure
A thoughtful review of I Thought You Said This Would Work by Ann Garvin, exploring the cover design, character development, and themes of friendship, healing, and second chances.
