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TCO Reviews: The Starseekers by Nicole Glover
Faithful readers already know I have a huge love of both mystery and fantasy novels. I love reading and writing about these genres, particularly when entries feature complex characters and social settings to match. What might be less familiar are my STEM roots. My father is a professor in the department of engineering; my mother,…
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Letters from the Reading Perch: New Year, new pages
I love the fresh feeling of a new year. Yes, it’s a totally arbitrary date, not tied to anything physical—but the feeling of turning a new page, a blank canvas onto which we can paint our intentions for the next 12 months, is exactly the inspiration I need in the darkest months. So I want…
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Spindles, Secrets, and Sisterhood in Spellbound
It’s been a minute since I posted some good, old-fashioned book thoughts. But this week I found an absolutely perfect mid-fall read, and I knew I had to share. It’s a Sleeping Beauty retelling called Spellbound, and its contemplative take on a generally simple story was a refreshing break from my usual intrigues. I love…
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TCO Reviews: Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher
As summer turns early fall, it’s time to start putting aside the beachy reads in favor of cozier aesthetics. It’s early for true dark academia vibes – I don’t need roaring fireplaces just yet; but I also want something a little more thoughtful and grounded. I’m hoping that T. Kingfisher’s recent desert retelling of Snow…
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Colonialism and culture wars in Tasha Suri’s The Books of Ambha
For those who follow my Goodreads, you may have noticed an uptake in my fantasy reading this year. I’ve been really enjoying the epic stories and the intricate human plots – their own kind of mystery. But at times, I can get tired of how so many of the kingdoms are rooted in Western culture…
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March 2025 Roundup: a packed month ahead of a promising April
The sun finally came back out to play this month in the Bay. Of course, this meant lots of lovely reading picnics or afternoons with the Kindle on our sunny rooftop. Spring has sprung – and so, apparently, has my reading pace. 52 Book Club: A series of beneficial binges I managed to read 13…
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The Ragpicker King: Layering tropes to create tension
I was an avid reader of YA fantasy back in the late aughts. Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games, everything Tamora Piece penned – you name it, and I’d at least skimmed the first chapter. And yet, I could somehow never get into Cassandra Clare. I was firmly in the high fantasy camp, and her more…
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Funny, thoughtful fantasy in Tress of the Emerald Sea
Sometimes, you read a book you love so much it takes you a couple of weeks to process it. I’ll confess – I wasn’t expecting much when I picked up Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea. I know Sanderson has a big fan following, and some of my closest friends love his work. But…
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Myth, magic, and madness in Hearts that Cut
I have many, many apologies to make to my NetGalley list. Reading and reviewing new releases is one of my favorite parts of having this blog, and yet I’ve been extremely behind in doing my homework. We’ll be making up for that in the next month or two, starting with one of the books I’ve…
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The “bookish” bar: Mislabeling The Library of the Unwritten
The Library of Hell. A mysterious and powerful book. At least three librarians characters. A book combining mystery, action, and fantasy – sounds like a recipe for literary fun, right? That’s what I was hoping for when I picked up A. J. Hackwith’s The Library of the Unwritten. Specifically, I wanted a new series that…