Servant of Earth is a dark and gripping fantasy that blends high-stakes magical trials, cutthroat fae politics, and a quietly growing rebellion, all anchored by a fiercely determined heroine. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into Kenna’s story. She is a human girl trapped in the underground fae court, forced into servitude, and tasked with helping her new mistress survive six deadly magical trials. If her mistress fails, both of them die. It is an intense premise that plays out in clever and unexpected ways.

What stood out most to me is how layered and atmospheric the world of Mistei feels. Each branch of magic (Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood) has its own identity and danger, which adds texture to the trials and keeps the story feeling fresh as Kenna moves through each one. There is a sense of dread throughout the book, not just from the life-or-death nature of the trials, but also from the unpredictability of the fae characters and the larger political structure they serve. This is definitely a book where you never feel entirely safe.

Kenna is a standout character. She is described as “half feral” by the people in her village, and that wildness is one of her strengths. She does not have training or magical powers of her own, but she has grit, resourcefulness, and an unwavering will to survive. I appreciated that she never felt like a chosen one or a flawless heroine. She makes mistakes, reacts impulsively, and has to reckon with difficult choices. Her growth over the course of the book felt earned and realistic.

There is also a slow-burn romantic subplot that emerges as Kenna becomes involved with the rebellion. While the romance is not the central focus of the story, it adds an emotional layer to Kenna’s journey. I personally would have liked a bit more development in that area, especially in the later chapters, since the connection between the characters had potential for more depth. Still, it adds tension and heart to an already compelling plot.

Some elements of the story may feel familiar to readers of fantasy, such as the brutal trials, the mysterious magical artifact, and the oppressed heroine discovering her inner power, but they are executed with enough originality and strong writing to keep things engaging. The sentient dagger was a fun and unexpected addition that brought moments of levity and intrigue. It is the kind of detail that makes the world feel more alive.

I do wish there had been a bit more emphasis on the way that Kenna came into the fae world as it felt like there wasn't enough to really sell the barrier between human world and fae world. I would have liked to see a bit more of the consequences of being a human in the fae world, but that could come in the second book!

Overall, Servant of Earth is a strong start to what looks like a promising series. It will appeal to readers who enjoy dark fae settings, magical competitions, and stories about one girl fighting back against a system designed to keep her powerless. If you like fantasy with danger, rebellion, and a heroine who bites back, this is definitely one to check out.

Maxie Dara offers a refreshing take on the cozy mystery genre with A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer. The story introduces Kathy Valence, a forty-two-year-old grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E., a supernatural organization that collects souls. Juggling the turmoil of a mid-divorce pregnancy and a career handling the dead, Kathy is thrown into chaos when one of her client's souls goes missing—and the missing soul insists he was murdered.

I really enjoyed the way Dara blends the supernatural with real-world problems. The magical elements of the story are ever-present but don’t overshadow Kathy’s personal journey, which is centered around her struggles with self-worth, impending motherhood, and the aftermath of her marriage falling apart. It felt like a very grounded story, despite the more fantastical aspects of grim reapers, missing souls, and paranormal mysteries. Kathy’s struggle to find balance between her work and personal life was particularly relatable, making her an easy character to root for.

Surprisingly, I found myself invested in the second chance romance between Kathy and her estranged husband. Usually, I don’t care much for this trope, but Dara manages to write it in a way that feels natural and authentic. Kathy’s conflicting feelings about her relationship added an extra layer to the story, and it was heartening to watch her navigate the complexities of love and forgiveness. Their dynamic felt raw and real, which is something I rarely expect in a mystery about grim reapers!

Another highlight for me was the found family theme. As Kathy relies on her retired mentor, her almost-ex-husband, and even the stubborn spirit of the murdered Conner to solve the mystery, there’s a real sense of community that builds over the course of the story. Each character brings something valuable to the table, and their relationships grow in a way that felt heartfelt and genuine.

That said, the mystery and procedural elements of the story left something to be desired. For a book that seems to want to establish itself as the start of a detective series, I felt the investigation itself could have been more fleshed out. While the concept of a grim reaper solving a murder within her own ranks is fascinating, the actual detective work felt a bit thin. It wasn’t as intricate or compelling as I had hoped, which dampened the impact of the overall mystery. I wanted more twists, more suspense, and a stronger connection between the supernatural elements and the investigation.

The cliffhanger ending was another point where the book fell short for me. While I understand that it’s setting up for future installments, I would have preferred a more contained resolution. It felt a bit too open-ended, leaving a lot of plot threads dangling, which made it difficult for this book to stand on its own. I think a stronger conclusion would have made for a more satisfying read, even if it is part of a series.

Overall, A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer is an enjoyable read with strong character development, a relatable protagonist, and an interesting supernatural world. While the mystery itself could have been stronger, there’s plenty of potential here for future books to build on. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, or stories that mix life’s real struggles with magical elements, this is a series to keep an eye on.

In Bull Moon Rising, Ruby Dixon blends romance, adventure, and magic in a steamy romantasy. The story follows Aspeth Honori, the daughter of a Holder who finds herself in a bind after her father gambles away all their magical artifacts. Determined to save her family, she devises a plan to join the Royal Artifactual Guild to retrieve arcane items from ancient ruins. However, the guild won't allow her to train because she’s a woman. To overcome this, Aspeth marries a gruff minotaur guild member who has his own set of problems, creating an arrangement that quickly becomes more complicated than either expected.

While the concept of a high-stakes magical adventure is intriguing, the execution sometimes falls short. As with many romantasy novels, Bull Moon Rising places heavy emphasis on the romance between Aspeth and her monstrous yet alluring partner. While the romance is well-written, steamy, and fun, it sometimes overshadows the broader plot. I would have liked to see more focus on the world-building and the magical artifacts that drive the story.

One of the book's strengths is its exploration of sexism. Aspeth's struggle to navigate a male-dominated guild and her use of her wit to bypass societal restrictions add depth to the story. It was refreshing to see these elements woven into the fantasy world, even if the plot could have done more with them.

On the downside, the "twist" near the end of the book felt out of place and didn’t fit smoothly with the rest of the narrative. It seemed like an attempt to raise the stakes but felt somewhat disconnected from the story's core themes.

Despite these flaws, the monster romance element delivers, and Dixon does a great job of making her minotaur hero both intimidating and endearing. The chemistry between Aspeth and her surly partner shines, and the intimate scenes are crafted with care.

Overall, Bull Moon Rising is an enjoyable read for fans of fantasy romance who don’t mind a story that prioritizes the romantic arc over intricate world-building. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel, as there are plenty of elements in the world and characters that could be expanded upon in future installments.

In LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES, a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer navigate an unexpected romance amid their professional chaos. Hallie Barrett's life is in freefall after her ex—who's also her coworker and co-producer—dumps her, leaving her on the brink of unemployment. As she scrambles to find something to produce fro the annual production and competition, she stumbles upon Hayden Hargrove, a charismatic cryptid expert with his own podcast. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and it quickly propels their production to the top of the competition. This swoony romantic comedy effortlessly blends love, self-discovery, and a search for truth in the unexplained.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES captivated me with its blend of romance and discovery. Set in a Buzzfeed-esque company, it features a desperate web series producer and an intriguing paranormal conspiracy theorist who, against all odds, make an incredibly charming pair. While it didn't make me believe in conspiracies, it certainly made me believe in love! I was especially drawn to how Hallie and Hayden came together, balancing their skeptic and believer dynamic in a way that felt both compelling and authentic.

What stood out most to me was the genuine, relatable romance between Hayden and Hallie. One thing that often bothers me in romance novels is how the "break-up" is handled—it needs to feel real but not so dramatic that it seems irreparable. Thankfully, Hayden and Hallie's third-act break-up hit the mark perfectly. It felt natural, free from contrived drama, and their reasons for the split—and eventual reconciliation—were entirely in character. Watching Hallie grow more confident and seeing how she helped Hayden evolve was just the icing on the cake.

LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES isn't just a romantic comedy; it's a thoughtful exploration of modern conspiracies and their problematic roots, particularly in antisemitism. The book manages to address the impact of misinformation while keeping the tone light and enjoyable. The conspiracies they pursued added an extra layer to Hallie and Hayden's skeptic/believer relationship without veering into territory that felt too far-fetched. It kept the story grounded, even as they delved into the paranormal.

That said, there were moments where the story felt a bit disjointed. The timeline between the filming process and the weekly show content sometimes didn't line up, which left me occasionally needing clarification about when certain segments were filmed. A more seamless understanding of the timeline would have made the story flow better.

Overall, LOVE AND OTHER CONSPIRACIES is a sweet, engaging romantic comedy that dives into the unknown while exploring the intricacies of love. The endearing characters and thoughtful exploration of its themes make it a heartwarming and entertaining read that I'd highly recommend.