"I’m well aware that I’m … too much. You think you’re annoyed—imagine how I feel. I have to live with me and all my flaws every day.”

GENRE: Cozy YA Romantasy RATING: 5/5 (would give it more if I could) FORMAT: eBook Arc

Overall Impression: WHAT A BOOK!!!! Seriously, what a book ahhhh because guys this was a beautiful, whimsical Cozy YA Romantasy that discusses SO many important topics (Bipolar Rep and Mental health, Inequalities...etc.) while having so much whimsy! It is done so well and what I look for in Cozy Fantasy/Romantasy books

Review: Guys, WHAT A BOOK OH MY GOD, like I repeat: WHAT A BOOK!

Okay, let's get into it: I love Cozy Fantasy and Cozy Romantasy and this is literally what I look for in both (sub)genre. Until the Clock Strikes Midnight is a book that focuses on whimsical, lovely and magical moments filled with Glitter Magic while diving into topics like Inequalities, Mental Health (there's a bipolar rep), negative spirals and so much more. The way the topics are handled is done with so much care and I teared up twice, which rarely ever happens with any form of media

This book is a beautiful journey that follows two POV (Darling and Calamity), who compete to change the destiny of our bookseller (Lucy). There are a few types of Endings in here: Happily Ever After, Ordinary Ever After and Unhappily Ever After and Celestials/Misfortunes (plus one Fairy, Darling) help guide Humans to achieve one of them essentially! This leads to a lot of discussion regarding whether humans deserve a chance at happiness and that not all of them start out on the same footing. I loved the way we get to explore this theme in the book, how it leads to so many important discussions between Darling and Calamity and how it connects back to the magical system in the book itself.

And the dynamic between Darling and Calam? AHHH, I loved their interactions! I think they are more of what we call "expected" to be enemies/rivals turned into lovers. I really enjoyed their interactions, how they both grow and learn about each other in different ways as well. Also, the fact that Darling's name is, well, Darling just gives us so many cute opportunities throughout the book with cute nicknames AHH

And Darling being a rep for Bipolar? My god, this topic/theme/rep broke my heart and healed me in so many ways. Darling has always grown up feeling like she was too much, that she was too glittery, colourful...etc. and we get to see a few negative spirals and her doubting herself and her place in the world. As someone who heavily relates to this, the quote I picked in the beginning of the review just shows how heavily we live with the things people tell us and we watch how Darling has to slowly realise that she isn't too much and that it's okay to feel like she is sometimes because of what she has been told.

I cannot wait to read more of the author's backlog and any future books! I'll be yelling about this book everywhere possible essentially as it is now a top favourite/top cozy fantasy book in my list. Thank you to the Author, Publisher, Colored Pages Book Tour and Netgalley for the Arc copy!

"Despite all of the notorious displays she put on, Gerard had never known anyone so desperate not to be truly seen."

GENRE: Romantasy with whimsical vibes RATING: 4/5 FORMAT: eBook Arc Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Everyone knows but them, Political Intrigue, Fae Trials

Overall Impression: Okay this was set in the same world as Wooing the Witch Queen and based on of the MC that we meet in book 1, Queen Lorelei! It was overall so fun and whimsical and I enjoyed it

Review: Okay so Enchanting the Fae Queen was quite a fun story, it definitely had me laughing throughout and I quite loved the dynamic between Lorelei and Gerard! The dynamic here is different then book 1 due to the way the characters are and it's more glittery and magical in the best of ways

We pick up in terms of the political intrigues and what's happening in the world from book one and see it from Lorelei's perspective. Book two is more about influencing one person, High General Gerard de Moireul, through Queen Lorelei. This is probably leading up to a bigger change that will impact everyone in the future book.

I quite loved how we see both characters develop and we see them shed their outer shells and show each other who they truly are. They have both been shaped by their hardships and tough previous experiences and because of this, they finally (FINALLY) see how they feel about each other after SEVEN years of yearning for each other lol (we dont see all seven years in the book though)

Also, I quite enjoyed seeing the flashbacks to their childhood and seeing how they both didn't fit in! This saying in the book is so true: "Gods, but children could be vicious to anyone who didn't fit in."

I think Enchanting the Fae Queen won't appeal to everyone because the push and pull between the Romance and Fantasy elements, while done well for me, makes it fall more on the Romance side with a build up of the political intrigues and Fae trials that we saw in book one (and I believe will continue in book three). I can't wait for book 3 and to follow our third Queen in the Queens of Villainy.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy!

"Privileged people tended to think themselves untouchable."

GENRE: Fantasy RATING: 5/5 FORMAT: eBook Arc Tropes: Colonialism, Feminine Rage, Thai Folklore

Overall Impression: Okay if you combine folklore, colonialism and feminine rage and turn it into a fantasy book, just know that I am THE ideal reader for it because Way of the Walker focuses on all of these in a beautiful way and reclaims what was stolen from the land, the people and culture. Also, this had me researching about Thai folklore a lot and I quite enjoyed reading about it and making connections to how it was integrated into the story.

Review: Way of the Walker is book 2 in a series and while I did enjoy book 1, this book was AMAZING. At around 30%, it picked up from good to WOAH THIS IS AMAZING and I just couldnt put it down. Honestly, I did not expect anything different because when you combine folklore x colonialism x feminine rage, the result is going to be beautiful.

This differs from the first/inter-connected book (set in the same world and follow's Arinya and Ex's daughter, Ree) called The Last Phi Hunter by the same author in that we focus on how Ree takes back what was stolen from her people, culture and land through the use of magic. We see a lot of interactions between Ree and her friends plus people in the community showing us how ingrained colonialism and internalised acceptance to this is, whether forcefully or through the system. We see how a lot of people accept it in the Guide themselves, meanwhile Ree tries to go against the norm in here.

Ree can do this because she struggles to understand why things are the way they are, why they have to be that way no matter what. This uncertainty starts her adventure and takes her on a journey of a lifetime. Through her point of view, we see the way privileged citizens and colonialisers take advantage of citizens in her nation. We see the way things start to get replaced for the purpose of being "better" and "more modern". Essentially, we see the impact of colonialism and if you've read The Last Phi Hunter, you can compare it to the world that Salinee Goldenberg builds in there. There is a stark difference in the hunters and Guild with this impact and we are left with a loss of a culture and nation due to this.

This is a complex story and it takes until about 30% for it to pick up from good (which is great) to AMAZING for me personally and wow, what a journey we go with Ree. Without sharing any spoilers, I just love stories in which we overtake colonisers and take back what is ours and this is one for sure. I can't wait to read what Salinee writes next.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy!

"Everything you think you know about love is wrong ... It always falls apart, like everything, like the whole damn universe will if you leave it spinning for long enough."

GENRE: Fantasy RATING: 4/5 FORMAT: eBook + Physical Arc

Overall Impression: The Apple and the Pearl is a magical tale that focuses on all the characters in a ballet spanning their lives over one day and this is more of a mixture of magical realism x poetical fantasy that I thought was done in a lovely manner

Review: The Apple and the Pearl is a tale that takes you through multiple character's point of views. It weaves their stories together and brings the magical element on the All Souls Day that we get to see through all their eyes.

I quite enjoyed this and I think Rym Kechacha did a beautiful work of intertwining all the character's lives together in a way that shows the impact of the magic, the darkness and really, life and all the struggles we deal with. While you do see the point of view from so many different characters, the story comes together in a way that lets them stand out uniquely but ties them together in that they are obliged to complete their pledges in the magical train and complete the show.

I think this one is perfect for a few different people, like those who enjoy Ballet, magical realism and beautiful lyrical prose. I enjoyed it for so many reasons, including the fact that it ponders and questions why we are the way we are and the sacrifices we are willing to make in order to get what we want. Not only that, it questions why we create art and why we continue to dedicate time, energy and effort especially when the audience in The Apple and the Pearl are not your typical ones, those that truly appreciate the beauty of your show.

I did want a little more though as there were sections that combined multiple characters and joined it from a POV of multiple casts. I felt we could have added a bit more connection and bringing them together to deliver the themes and message home. All in all, this is a beautiful, lyrical and atmospheric book that shows why we continue to make art and how that differs between each individual in here.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy!