The Navigating Fox by Christopher Rowe

Christopher Rowe has written a novella that opens a fascinating world. The Navigating Fox is a mix of quest fantasy and talking animals and somehow it all works together.

You're told as much as you need to know about the world and the quest to start with, without bogging you down in exposition. I found it a little hard to get into, but once I really dug into it, I couldn't put it down. It's very hard to describe this without going off on tangents (the buffalo! The Gates of Hell!), you really need to read this for yourself.

Take an afternoon, a cup of tea (or beverage of choice) and maybe a cookie or two and immerse yourself. You won't regret it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher hit automatic to-buy status pretty much after her first book. So every time a new book comes out, I celebrate a little bit (yes, even the horror! Best horror writer out there, I think.). This is not horror, (whew!) so I'll be rereading this one. And have.

A retelling of Sleeping Beauty, except there's a twist. An absolutely logical twist, once you figure everything out. I had to put the book down for a bit and just think about fairy tales for a while.

Loved this book, love the retellings of fairy tales (really, everything Kingfisher has written).

I would hand this to pretty much any fantasy reader from, say, twelve up. (Depending on the reader, of course)

I received a free copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

#Thornhedge #NetGalley

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Since Legends & Lattes became a comfort read of mine almost as soon as I finished the last page, I was thrilled to see that Travis Baldree was writing another book set in that world.

Bookshops and Bonedust did not disappoint. It's a prequel to L&L, so we see Viv as a very green (hah!) mercenary and her effect on a small town. This is cozy fantasy at its best – the writing is superb and you come to care about every character and their fate, even though no-one is searching for the Great Treasure of Zyquist or attempting to wield the Blood Sword of Thunder Fate. Sometimes you just need slow, intimate stories about orcs.

Definitely recommended and Baldree is now on my automatic to-buy list!

I received a free copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

#BookshopsBonedust #NetGalley

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske is the conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy and a spectacular conclusion it is. Marske's writing sweeps you into her world – Victorian England, but with magic!

Marske touches more on the class divisions in Victorian England than she did with the gender divisions, giving A Power Unbound greater depth. She also touches on some of the consequences of being openly gay in that time period, which I feel was a positive choice.

You could read and enjoy it without having read the first two books in the trilogy, Marske deftly inserts little catch-ups without making it seem clunky, but you will enjoy it more if you've read the first two. The stakes are high for our protagonists, both in their personal lives and the heist-adjacent storyline.

Everything comes to a staggeringly satisfactory conclusion and I can't wait for what Marske writes next. Off to reread the whole trilogy again!

I received a free copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

#APowerUnbound #NetGalley

Spring's Arcana by Lilith Saintcrow

I will admit, I have not read a lot of Lilith Saintcrow, but what I have read, I've liked.

You don't need to be a Russian mythology expert to enjoy Spring's Arcana, you should be fine with what's floating around in common knowledge and Saintcrow provides explanations of some of the more esoteric bits.

Somewhat of a cross between a mob drama and a road trip/quest story, Spring's Arcana is a bit of a slow burn at first, but I couldn't put it down for the last few chapters. Looking forward to picking up the conclusion (it's out by now, this review is very late) and finding out what happens!

I received a free copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

#SpringsArcana #NetGalley

Cozy Coastal Knits by Rosann Fleischauer

Cozy Costal Knits is a fairly standard knitting book. Pictures are plentiful and detailed and there are discussions of knitting tools and tricks.

Emphasis is placed on hats, mitts, cowls and ponchos, with multiple patterns for each. Nothing too tricksy here and an intermediate beginner should be able to complete most patterns. There is one pattern for a men's sweater, a women's shell and a skirt. Plus-size knitters: be aware that none of the garments are plus-sized, although if you're an experienced enough knitter you may be able to size the pattern up for yourself.

A decent addition to a knitting library, especially if you live (or have people you knit for who do) in places where knitted outerwear is needed.

NetGalley provided me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#CozyCoastalKnits #NetGalley

The Prince and the Apocalypse by Kara McDowell

What if the apocalypse was…fun?

“The Prince and the Apocalypse” asks and mostly answers that question. Kara McDowell has written a YA romance centered around an apocalypse and a Prince of England who just wants…not to be one. (Hmm, too soon?)

I was able to handwave away the apparent conviction of people showing up to work during an apocalyptic event with “well, it makes the plot go”, because really, I don’t think anyone would be going to work. McDowell’s world is much better behaved, which is certainly refreshing. And cliffhanger ending? I’ll be looking for the sequel!

Charming and well paced, with engaging characters, “Prince” is worth a read. I would say older tweens (mention of past sexual encounters/alcohol use and one non-explicit sex scene) all the way to adults. I was given a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.