I adore everything I've read by T. Kingfisher, so it's no surprise that I loved Snake-Eater. It has everything I love about T. Kingfisher's novels, but this one has a stunning character arc that made me more emotional than I expected.

T. Kingfisher always has the best main characters, and Selena is no exception; I loved her immediately. She and her dog, Copper, are the heart of the story, but there are so many fantastic supporting characters, too. Grandma Billy and Father Aguirre quickly become Selena's two closest friends, and they are both seriously wonderful characters. I loved them and how kind they both are; their friendship with Selena is lovely!

The story is a fantastic blend of heartwarming, creepy, funny, and healing. Selena is escaping an emotionally abusive relationship. Seeing her slowly learn that she can be herself and still be valued is genuinely moving. She's a character that you can't help but root for.

I've seen this described as horror, but I would label this as more fantasy with light horror elements. It's similar to some of T. Kingfisher's previous horror novels, especially The Hollow Places and The Twisted Ones, but this one is much more focused on the character journey than on big scares. There were certainly a few scenes that creeped me out, though!

I loved this; I laughed, I cried, and I got really emotionally attached to all of the characters. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves good character arcs and stories with good dogs. Lovers of other cozy horror should really like this, too!

I've read several Timothy Janovsky's books now, and one thing I've learned is that I often like his romances with absurd concepts best. Last year's A Mannequin for Christmas has a plot that sounds wacky but is actually a heartfelt, tender romance with some great mental health representation. Similarly, One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker has a premise that seems like it shouldn't work: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but make it a gay dating competition. Yet this is a charming romance between two very different men, each with their own goals and issues. 

The story starts with Dario Cotogna learning that he can inherit his family's chocolate business only if he marries before his 32nd birthday, which is fast approaching. Dario is agoraphobic and rarely leaves his home, but he agrees to the terms because he loves his family's business so much. Five people are chosen, through a contest, to join Dario at his family home, each with a chance to win over the very wealthy heir to a chocolate dynasty. Charlie Moore, one of the few selected, joined the competition in hopes of getting the money to save his family's home from foreclosure. Covered in tattoos and from a working-class background, he's not exactly who you'd expect to join the internationally famous Cotogna family, but he and Dario are drawn together. 

My favorite part of the book is the exploration of mental health issues and the stress of being low-income. Charlie's home and family situation felt realistic and is an issue I haven't seen explored a lot in romances. Dario's agoraphobia is also a unique complication, and it leads to some great character moments, including my favorite scene in the book. These are both serious topics, and the book treats them with respect, while still managing to feel like a mostly lighthearted read. 

There are a lot of characters in this: Charlie, Dario, several members of both of their families, and all the other contestants. Perhaps because of this, some characters feel a little underdeveloped. Charlie, Dario, and Charlie's family were the highlights for me, but a few others had some good moments, too! 

Overall, this is a fast-paced read (less than 300 pages) with a cute and spicy romance. There's some added depth from the mental health and class discussions, and the competition and references to its inspiration are fun.

Bisclavret has a condition that occasionally transforms him into a wolf. His transformations are unpredictable, and his condition is only known to his closest cousin. When a new king gains the throne, Bisclavret's cousin convinces him to travel with him to swear fealty. Bisclavret soon catches the King's attention and is asked to be his knight, but leaving exile could put him and those around him at risk.

Firstly, this is so beautifully and creatively written. It's not very often that I'm struck by a writing style; I tend to focus mostly on characters and emotions when I read, but I was captivated by the lushness of this prose. The most unique aspect of the writing is the use of tenses. There are three main POVs, each told in a different tense, and one is even in partial verse. These elements were risky and bold, and they pay off in a big way.

The story is achingly beautiful and emotional. It's very character-focused, but the plot still gripped me. I knew the basic story of Marie de France's Bisclavret, but I still found certain scenes to be surprising and moving.

The characters, though only Bisclavret is ever named, made me feel for them so strongly. Perhaps because it was written in the second person and his story is largely about his intense longing and love for Bisclavret, but I especially loved the king; several of his chapters made me ache for him! Bisclavret is an excellent main character, too. His "wolf sickness" is a well-done metaphor for chronic illness, and he starts as an extremely isolated and lonely character. His growth and the pain he goes through made me feel so intensely protective of him; I needed him to find peace and happiness!

Their romance is the slowest of burns and is full of serious and emotional yearning. If you, like me, love a romance novel full of longing, obstacles, and that makes you wait for the payoff, then this romance will have you enthralled.

This is the kind of book that you should savor. It's not one I wanted to rush through in a few days; it's a book that I needed to sit with, so I could truly take in everything. This is easily one of the most remarkable books I've read in a long time. It's a book I know I'm going to be thinking and talking about constantly. I highly, highly recommend this one, especially for readers who love slowburn, historical romance!