They tell you “this journal is not for me, it’s for you,” they tell you to pour your existence into it, crack yourself upon the edge until your thoughts soak through its pages. They won’t read it they say. Well fuck you Gary, fuck you for taking something beautiful and personal and cracked and digging your fingers between the seams. This novella reached inside me and pulled. The diary entries brought the reader into Roger’s thoughts and were utterly gut wrenching. His pain, confusion, awe is yours. Teared up multiple times. You couldn’t pay me to go back to being a teenager. Highly recommend listening to Master of Reality before, throughout, and after. Such a personal, devastating, yet fascinating format to review an album.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this sequel since finishing The Solstice Court a few years ago. Not only did this book meet my eager anticipation but it exceeded my expectations. In The Solstice Heir we dive deeper into each of the characters, seeing them struggle between their individual duties and desires. This installment expands the world building to new levels as Kezerah sets off on her diplomatic tour, encountering the culture, tastes, and sights of another kingdom. Meanwhile we gather glimpses of another character as he’s set off on his own journey of self discovery. Throughout this story I found myself constantly surprised by what would happen next, who we would encounter, and what new antics Kezerah would find herself in. My emotions oscillated between elated, distressed, and amused. Did I mention this book has draconic creatures? A type of drake known in this world as a komodai saunters in, ruffling its deadly feathers and beckoning us closer. On another note, I did not expect to be blushing but a certain chapter called “Blush” definitely had me giggling profusely and turning a bright shade of pink. The ending had me begging for me, I cannot wait to read the third and final installment of this series. *I was a Beta Reader for an earlier version of this book.