•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝘄•

[Odessa] 🔥 Release Date: Apr 21, 2026 🔥 Thank you to Hachette Audio, Gabrielle Sher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! ★★★★★

Odessa is unsettling in the best way! Claustrophobic and eerie, with whispers that feel alive at every turn. Yetta, the main character, is utterly captivating, morally complex, and her choices carry real weight as she moves through a world shadowed by violence, unrest, and historical cruelty. The tension and fear of real-life pogroms give the world a chilling authenticity that makes every moment feel dangerous and unpredictable. Atmosphere, mystery, and slow-building suspense drive the story rather than fast action, perfectly capturing the slightly unhinged, gothic energy I live for. It’s strange, absorbing, and full of little details that make the world feel alive with unease. There’s a quiet chaos to it that I loved! If you’re drawn to moody, gothic stories that creep under your skin, with a touch of female rage, this one was impossible to put down!

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

[Black Mafia Queen] 🔥 Release Date: Mar 17 2026 🔥 Thank you to RBMedia, Tonesa Welch, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! ★★★☆☆

✦ About the book: Black Mafia Queen tells the story of Tonesa Welch, known as the “First Lady” of the Black Mafia Family. It follows her life in the late 80s and early 2000s and focuses on her experiences, relationships, and the lifestyle around BMF. The book is more personal and reflective than a typical true crime story, which may feel slow for some readers.

✦ What stood out to me most was: The memoir-style storytelling. It gives a personal look at the luxury, loyalty, and complicated dynamics in BMF, but at times the narrative felt uneven and less engaging than I had hoped. It was still interesting to hear the story from someone who lived inside that environment.

✦ At its core, this book is really about: The choices people make and how power, ambition, and relationships can shape a life. It shows how being tied to a big criminal organization affects the people involved and the ripple effects of those choices.

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

[The Making of a Witch] 🔥 Release Date: Jun 09 2026 🔥 Thank you to She Writes Press, Judy Molland, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

★★★★☆

✦ About the book: The Making of a Witch follows Alice Molland, a woman living during the 1600–1700s when accusations of witchcraft could destroy lives and reputations. What makes the story especially interesting is that Alice Molland is a distant ancestor of the author, Judy Molland, which adds another layer of historical connection to the narrative. As Alice navigates a world where women could be accused at any moment, the story explores the fear, superstition, and misogyny that fueled many historical witch trials.

✦ What stood out to me most was: The atmosphere gave me strong vibes of the film The VVitch, with its eerie historical setting and constant sense of unease. The magic system felt grounded and natural rather than dramatic or theatrical. Instead of strange spells or over-the-top rituals, it focuses more on the body’s connection to the earth and nature, which made the magic feel believable and rooted in modern witchcraft.

✦ At its core, this book is really about: Power, identity, and the long history of women being punished for stepping outside the roles society expected of them. It explores how fear functioned as a means of control and how accusations of witchcraft could be weaponized against women who were seen as different. Beneath the historical setting, the story examines autonomy, resilience, and the quiet strength women carried even in the face of injustice.

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝘄•

[West of Wicked] 🔥 Release Date: Apr 14 2026 🔥 Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Nikki St. Crowe, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

★★★★★

Even though I’m technically taking a break from Romantasy/dark romance, I couldn’t say no to this one. It’s got classic Oz vibes, the Yellow Brick Road, the Scarecrow, and the Wizard, but with a dark, adult twist.

✦ About the book: Dorothy lands in a dark, twisted Oz full of mysterious strangers, dangerous magic, and a journey that will test her courage. She’ll meet allies and enemies along the way, navigate unexpected romance, and uncover secrets that make her question who she can trust.

✦ What stood out to me most: I loved the world and concept, especially the idea of the gods and witches, It felt fresh and unique. I also loved how the characters felt real and grounded, even in a world that’s dark and unpredictable. Dorothy’s journey down the Yellow Brick Road is full of tension and surprises. Tin Man and Cleo bring a fresh kind of energy, and their presence keeps things lively and unpredictable. The story balances suspense, romance, and moral complexity so well, and the audiobook cast brings everyone to life.

✦ At its core, this book is really about: Power, influence, and moral complexity. Every character navigates a world where choices carry consequences, magic has a cost, and relationships are tested in unexpected ways.

That ending! 😩 Just when I thought I knew how it was going to end, the final moments threw everything upside down!

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝘄•

[Lucien] 🔥 Release Date: Mar 17 2026 🔥 Thank you to HarperAudio, J.R. Thornton, and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

★★★★★

I went into Lucien aware it was outside my usual comfort zone, but I found myself completely absorbed. For some reason, it gives me Saltburn energy, with its mix of charm, tension, and slightly unsettling characters.

✦ About the book: Lucien follows Atlas as he becomes increasingly drawn to Lucien. Most of the book consists of long, thoughtful conversations. Lucien has a way of saying things that makes you lean in, even when something about him feels off. As Atlas listens, the line between curiosity and influence starts to blur, raising questions about how much Lucien is shaping the people around him.

✦ What stood out to me most was: Lucien himself. He’s incredibly charismatic and persuasive, the kind of character who can pull people in with the way he speaks and the confidence behind his ideas. At the same time, something about him never quite feels right. I also felt a constant urge to protect Atlas. He’s already dealing with so much, yet he keeps ignoring all the warnings and red flags about Lucien. The audiobook narrator, Andrew J. Andersen, is amazing, perfectly suited to Lucien’s calm, controlled personality, and his portrayal of naive Atlas was spot on.

✦ At its core, this book is really about: Influence and the power of conversation. It’s a very dialogue-driven story that leans into philosophical discussions rather than action, and the tension comes from watching how Lucien’s words affect the people around him. There’s a constant sense that something deeper may be happening beneath the surface.