Secrets of the Lost Ledgers by C.J. Archer

Sylvia is starting to understand how to use her magic and that is making her more attuned to other magic. So she is startled to pick up a book and sense that there may be an invisible message. She consults her friend to find out what it says and discovers that it is a message from a relative of the man who the professor explored for so many years. And the author of the message was married to a paper magician. Could that person be her family? 

The investigation leads them into the world of horseracing and across the tracks of an old enemy. The ending was a bit more confusing than it needed to be but it does move the needle on Sylvia finding her family a little bit further.

Three  stars

This book came out September 3, 2024

Glass Library #5

Follows The Dead Letter Delivery

Followed by The Journal of a Thousand Years

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Witch Is Back by Angela M. Sanders

Reverend Clarence Duffy has died and the town is excited to see inside his house since he had been a shut in for two years. It's called the Aerie and there's going to be an estate sale. His son Adam had been his caretaker. It is he, his brother Benjamin and Benjamin's wife who are running the estate sale. 

But that's not the biggest news in Josie's life; it's what her mother says to her as they're leaving that chills her to the bone. She sees disaster ahead. Josie needs to tell Will that she's a witch. 

I liked this book since it moved a number of relationships along. The mystery was sort of a side piece but we get to learn more about Josie and Will as well as her parents. 

Four stars

This book comes out November 26, 2024

Follows Gone with the Witch

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Dead Letter Delivery by C.J. Archer

At the end of the last book, Sylvia found a clue to her mother's past. Fairly soon into this book, we have confirmation of her link to Marianne Folgate. Sylvia also gets a link to her grandparents in the form of letters that arrived after they were killed. The first several that she reads are bills but then come several, asking for her mother's hand in marriage. It seems that her mother had magic and word had gotten around. 

There is one man, Reid, who writes first to ask for Marianne to be married to his son, then three years later asking if they know where the is son is. Could it be that Marianne and Robin's disappearances are related?

This line of questioning will take them around London and to an old sanitarium. It's still in use for the soldiers coming back from the war but does it have any connections to the past?

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 5, 2024

Glass Library #4

Follows The Untitled Books

Followed by Secrets of the Lost Ledgers

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Untitled Books by C.J. Archer

Apparently, books that have never been published might be called "untitled." We're told that a few times in this book. We are also reminded, a lot, that the Glass Library has books about magic, not magic books. It's a small thing but this book isn't that long, was the author afraid that we were going to forget?
It's that point that becomes important when Lady Stanhope comes to the library wanting to know if the books she's just acquired are magical books. She is obsessed with magic and paid quite a bit of money for the set. Of course, neither Sylvia nor the professor are sure though both are intrigued by the books which seem to have been written by an author who was popular many years before for a treacly sweet children's book.
Normally, Sylvia wouldn't care but Gabe and Alex have been pulled into the murder of a bookbinder, the same bookbinder Lady Stanhope bought the books from. Could it be that the books are what the killer was looking for?

Three stars

This book came out September 5, 2023

The Glass Library #3

Follows The Medici Manuscript

Followed by The Dead Letter Delivery

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

At the beginning of the book, Evie is dead. Apparently. At least, The Villain sure thinks she is. And he's devastated. But, as the blurb mentions, she is not dead. In fact, she's leading the revolution to release The Villain. He's been tortured in the cellars of the castle only to be brought upstairs to be unmasked and accused of killing Miss Sage. 

Why should The Villain be unmasked? It's part of a prophecy. One that will maybe bring magic back to Rennedawn and stop the mysterious illness that is killing so many people. There are two other parts, one which includes finding Evie's mother.

In the course of the story, we have two different someones coming back from the dead, one person who does evil for the greater good, and one magic dagger. 

Didn't love all of the world building in this one but I was dying laughing and also wished I had pencil and paper to write down some rather poignant quotes.

Four stars

This book came out August 8, 2024

Assistant to the Villain #2

Follows Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

It's Christmastime but that doesn't mean much to Roman. Usually he gets some time off from being the Black Volhv for Chernobog, God of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. But this morning he's woken up to no eggnog and no cookies. Also, there are a wounded boy with a German Shepard puppy (sort of) who are seeking sanctuary in his house. Because he's not already full up with evil animals. But he can't abide the fact that there are a number of men trying to hunt this boy down for no discernable reason. Plus, the hunters are just pissing him off. 

This series is adjacent to Kate Daniels and doesn't have as strong a start as the Iron Covenant but I think it's going to grow into some great books.

Three stars

This book came out July 30, 2024

Roman’s Chronicles, #1

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Medici Manuscript by C.J. Archer

Sylvia is still working in Glass Library with Professor Nash and they've discovered an interesting manuscript. There are markings that seem like the book may have come from the well-known Medici family. But there are other markings as well. Some that seem like they might point to some potent magic. 

The whole gang is there again, Sylvia's friend, Gabe, Gabe's aunt, and his friend. And they're all trying  to figure out what they mean. But then the book disappears. Plus, there's the whole "people trying to kidnap Gabe" issue and him discovering more about his own magic.

An interesting addition to the series and at least one impediment to the path for Sylvia and Gabe gets removed. But that plot point could come back later.

Three stars
This book came out March 7, 2023

Follows The Librarian of Crooked Lane

Followed by The Untitled Books

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Wrong Side of Forty by Jana DeLeon

Marina Trahan might never have known that her husband was cheating if her last hair appointment of the day hadn't gotten canceled. Not only does she find him in bed, it's with a girl only three years older than their daughter. The girl who stole two of their daughter's boyfriends. The girl who is wearing the new lingerie that Marina just bought to spice up their love life. 

Now, Marina doesn't have a house, doesn't have a job, but DOES have her sister and her mom's old fishing cabin. And the dog. And, now, some strange guy who is calling himself a demigod and telling her that she is a "seeker." Of course, she is the one who has to save the world.

But does Marina want to be that person? She's forty-eight years old and she's tired. But she needs the money and Alexios is offering her a million dollars. 

I didn't expect much from this book. Did every plot point make sense? Maybe not. Were the characters entirely loveable? Maybe not.  But I thought it was going to be fast, fun, and fluffy and that's what it delivered.

Four stars

Marina at Midlife #1

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

Scott travels all over the world for his job but he's ready to settle down. And there's something about coffee shop owned by Dina that is helping to stir his longing for the home fires. While he is very interested, she is a little more hesitant.

Dina is a witch. And when she was younger, she put a spell on someone she was in love with and it has reverberated through her love life since. She is not anxious to start something with this man who is so attractive. But he just keeps showing up in her life. Even at her friend's wedding where (darn those matchmakers!) they've been put in the same cabin. So, Dina decides not to fight fate. But will Scott survive?

Three stars

This book comes out October 1, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

Sylvia Ashe is all alone in the world. Her brother died in the war and her mother in the flu that followed after. She was lucky to get a job in a library, even if the boss is a raging misogynist. Most women have lost their jobs after the men returned from war. Now she only has her friend Daisy.
It’s Daisy reading a newspaper one day that sets them off on a grand adventure. There is a picture of an heir to a title, Gabe Glass. He has a connection to her brother and Sylvia would like to know what it is.
While she doesn’t find out all of the information in this book, she does get to help Gabe figure out who is creating forgeries of magic paintings. She also gets a job in a library on Crooked Lane, one that specializes in book on magic.

Four stars

This book came out September 6, 2022

The Glass Library #1

Followed by The Medici Manuscript

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Clean Sweep (the graphic novel) by Ilona Andrews

This book is great with setting up the world building. We've got Dina Demille who is an innkeeper. Her parents disappeared and she's wondering where they are. Her sister married and moved away. Her brother is a wanderer. Maybe not a hard world to build until you realize that Dina is actually linked to her inn and that they people that stay at her inn are beings from other planets using Earth as a place to stop on their travels. 

From the opening chapter, we actually get a glimpse of this one Dina approaches one of her neighbors. Something has been killing dogs in the neighborhood and she wants Sean Evans to take care of it. At first, he denies responsibility (and the fact that he's a werewolf) but she finds him staking his territory on her apple trees later that night. It's a hilarious encounter that only gets better

The graphic novel adaptation is pretty good but I still like the Graphic Audio better. 

Four stars

The adaptation came out March 5, 2024

Kindle ebook

Opinions are my own

Playing the Witch Card by K.J. Dell'Antonia

Flair Hardwicke is in the middle of a divorce and has moved home to Rattleboro, Kansas to take over her grandmother's bakery. She had run away from the family legacy (magic) and still doesn't really want to be a part of the town's celebrations around Halloween. But she's been pulled into the festivities and now her mother is in town along with Flair's bespelled ex-husband.

Throw in an old boyfriend who is now completely successful, his sister who REALLY doesn't like Flair, and a family history that is not only complicated, it may not be as historical as they think. 

This book felt a bit disjointed. About halfway through it got better for a little bit when Flair and the boyfriend started talking more but then fell apart.

Three stars

This book came out September 12, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Rise and Divine by Lana Harper

Daria "Dasha" Avramov is a devil eater and it's complicated her life in any number of ways. First, demons do NOT taste good. In fact, they are downright nasty. And eating them makes her thirsty. Really, really thirsty. And her ability makes it so that it is very easy for her to be pulled across the veil. In many ways, she'd actually prefer to be there. But Ivy Thorn isn't there.

Ivy knew that Dasha had a complicated past. Well, and that her current life is complicated. Her future probably will be as well. That's why the broke up. But she is incredibly hot. Which is why they got back together. But then they broke up again. Ivy would have said they were never, ever, ever getting back together but then things start happening 

Four stars

This book comes out August 20, 2024

The Witches of Thistle Grove #5

Follows In Charm's Way

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group

Opinions are my own

A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley

While we've met Ben in previous books in the series, I don't think it's necessary to have read them before diving into this book. It will help keep track of secondary characters to have read the other books. 

Ben is fairly content in his life. He has good friends, a great family, and a business that's expanding. He could use someone to fall in love with though. And the wedding that opens this book makes him especially maudlin. Which is how he ends up buying a plastic rock that supposedly contains a vampire succubus. For 99 cents (plus shipping), why not?
Eleanora has been trapped in that plastic rock off and on for over 600 years. She knows a little bit about the real world since the witch who imprisoned her, Isobel, lets her out every once in awhile. Mostly to sic Eleanora on Isobel's enemies but there have been opportunities to learn more about the real world. Still, it's been nearly 60 years since she was last out. But her new owner, Ben, seems like a nice guy. Which is very confusing since this not what she's used to. She's certainly attracted to the man though and that is helping while she tries to navigate the contemporary world and free herself from the stone. 

Glimmer Falls #3

Three and a half stars

Follows A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Third Shift Society Volume One by Meredith Moriarty

Ellie has a bunch of bills to pay and has just lost her jib when she sees a man with a pumpkin head being attacked by a hell beast. She fights the hell beast with fire hands and helps save Ichabod's life.  He hires her to help him with his paranormal investigations. Suddenly, she's launched into a world of rare books with powers, giant insects, and... Alice in Wonderland?

I really liked this start to a series. The vignettes sometimes start and stop suddenly but there was an overarching story within each set of panels. 

Four stars

This book came out March 5, 2024

Followed by Third Shift Society #2

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakias

Imagine you're an evil wizard. You've worked hard your whole life to be evil: set people on fire for fun, set people on fire for thwarting you.... done other things to people that aren't great. But, then you wake up one morning and all of your memories are gone. And maybe you decide... you don't want to be evil. In fact, you're going to stop it right now. But that just seems to confuse everyone around you. And then there's the problem that you seem to be in the middle of a Big Scheme. A Big Scheme that includes kidnapping a princess. Perhaps she's not quite as princess-y as you originally assumed. But then, as you are fumbling your way around, you discover that no one in your castle is quite as they appear.

I quite enjoyed this book and hope that it will be a series. 

Four stars

This book came out May 28, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from library

Opinions are my own

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Evie Sage lost her mother and brother in a tragic accident so now the only ones left are she, her younger sister, and their ailing father. When she loses her job, it could be catastrophic for their family. But she does find employment again quickly. Too bad it's with The Villain. But as she works with him more and more, she starts to wonder, really, what makes him so villainous? 

There are also a cast of other characters working there and, while Evie establishes herself as orderly and imperious, she makes friends as well as enemies at work. 

It took me awhile to get into this book but the characters grew on me, the plot was fun, and now I can't wait for the next book.

Four stars
This book came out August 29, 2023

Assistant to the Villain #1

Followed by Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

Would you like to be stuck in a time loop? Davi sure isn't enjoying hers. She's on round 300-somethinig (is she keeping count correctly? Who can tell?) Davi hasn't been killed by the Dark Lord or their minions on every round of her life but it's been more often than not. So her question becomes, does she keep getting killed or does she become the killer?
I had a hard time connecting with Davi. Yes, there was some language. Yes, there was some sex. Yes, there is a surprising amount of pop culture for a woman stuck in a time loop. All are parts of this story that pointed at this being a catnip book for me. But. There just wasn't much character development for her. The sex is overused. The violence is overused. The footnotes were interesting but became annoying. I found myself skimming just to get to the end.

Three stars

This book comes out May 21, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Orbit Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Last to Pie by Misha Popp

I'm still rather bemused by this series. The characters are well-developed, the premise is interesting (murder by magic pies... cool). The plots are not always coherent and heavy topics are sometimes explained oddly. I think regular readers won't find this book to be very different from the first two.

Daisy is up against a crooked cop in this book. He is beating his wife and she needs help. But it's not just one cop and, in the end, Daisy and Melly may be fighting for their own lives in addition to the client's. 

Three stars

This book comes out May 21, 2024

Follows A Good Day to Pie

ARC provided by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley

Calladia Cunnington is proud of her physique. She's strong and really quite bad ass. Just because her mother and a former boyfriend tried to break her down doesn't mean that she's willing to listen to them. Plus, there's a hot demon who thinks she's all that. Not that she's going to pay attention since he tried to kill her and all.

Astaroth is gunning for power. He made a bad (demon) bargain and now he's been cast out and turned fully human. He's also lost his memory. Luckily, Calladia has taken pity on him. Unluckily, his major enemy is still gunning for him.

This was an interesting book. I read it because I picked up the third book in the series and thought I should read the first two. I didn't feel like I needed to have read the first book to understand this one. I didn't really like either of the main characters but made it to the end. Two and a half stars rounded up for Goodreads. 

Glimmer Falls #2

Two and a half stars

This book came out November 28, 2023

Follows A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

Followed by A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own