Welcome, book friends!
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After immersing myself in fantasy books at the end of 2024, I wasn’t in the mood for many fantasy stories at the start of this year. However, the ones I did read were fantastic—I even discovered a new all-time favorite YA romantasy and fantasy author!
6 Fantasy Books I Read in January & February
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
Format: Audiobook – Narrators: Joanna Lumley and Jordan Stephens
Subgenre: Sci-Fi Fantasy
GR Rating: 3.49
My GR Rating: 2
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GR Description: “What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”
When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.
Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.
Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.
My Review:
This was the second book I’ve read by this author, which was very disappointing. I was initially intrigued by the book’s premise, but unfortunately, the story quickly turned into bizarre territory that I couldn’t connect with. It felt like a strange blend of sci-fi movies like Cocoon, The Abyss, and Contact—and not in a good way. The narrative was convoluted, lacking focus, and unsure of what it wanted to be: a grief memoir, a murder mystery, an environmental debate, or a mental health exploration.
The central premise—that a former student battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts writes to a former teacher asking for guidance and gets a 300-page email in response detailing an odd experience on Ibiza—didn’t sit well with me. I feel like the teacher should have suggested seeking professional help instead of getting wrapped up in an inexplicable tale that seemed more suited for a self-help book than a fictional narrative.
There were some thought-provoking messages, but they felt preachy and loaded with New Age truisms, making the story read more like a self-help book than an engaging novel. I couldn’t connect with the characters, and by the 80% mark, I was seriously considering DNF’ing the book. I pushed through hoping for a compelling turn, but it never came.
The audiobook narrator was a redeeming quality—she did an excellent job with different accents and voices, which was the highlight of my reading experience. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to save the book for me.
I’m not sure I’ll continue with Matt Haig’s work. I didn’t enjoy this book, and I wasn’t a fan of The Midnight Library either. His style just doesn’t seem to be for me. Additionally, there were liberal-leaning messages on climate change and environmental issues that didn’t resonate with me. Overall, this book was a letdown, especially considering its unique setup. I would not recommend it.
From Wonderland, With Love by Jeffrey Westhoff
Format: NetGalley ARC – Digital eBook
Subgenre: YA Fantasy
GR Rating: 4.21
My GR Rating: 4
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GR Description: Once again Alice gets swept away into the world of whimsy known as Wonderland.
This time as a spy! And spying is a curious business
When the nefarious Knave of Hearts steals T.A.R.T.S. (a very powerful and very secret weapon) from Wonderland, the King and Queen send the White Rabbit to recruit the most qualified person they know for a recovery Alice. Just like that, she is sent into Looking-Glass Land with her super spy gadgetry and her knack for getting into trouble – what could go wrong?
My Review:
I’ve read many Alice in Wonderland retellings and reimaginings, but this one is by far one of my favorites. It’s brilliantly written and truly feels like a natural sequel to the original. The story is bursting with creativity and imagination, blending the whimsical charm of Wonderland with the intrigue of a spy thriller—think Alice in Wonderland meets James Bond.
I loved how the author seamlessly wove together elements from both Wonderland and Looking-Glass Land, bringing back familiar characters while staying true to Lewis Carroll’s tone and atmosphere. The characters felt authentic to the original, yet thoughtfully updated in a way that enhanced rather than diminished them. I also appreciated the clever use of time—while a few years had passed for Alice, only weeks had gone by for those in the fantasy realms, adding an intriguing layer to the story.
While this book continues the story of the original Alice novels, I highly recommend reading the classics first to fully appreciate it. What sets this sequel apart, however, is that it introduces a structured plot—something the originals largely lacked. Instead of simply wandering through Wonderland in a series of whimsical encounters, Alice now has a clear goal and a mission to accomplish. She may not be the most efficient at carrying it out, but that only adds to the charm—it wouldn’t feel like Alice if she had everything under control!
What a fun ride! I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen next, which familiar characters from the original books would make an appearance, and how the story would unfold. It captured the nostalgia of the originals while feeling excitingly fresh and new. The witty and clever passages had me grinning throughout—so many delightful moments! I do wish the story had illustrations like the originals, as they would’ve added an extra layer of magic. I’m already excited for the next installment! Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
Sea Witch by Sarah Henning
Format: Tandem: Kindle Unlimited and Audiobook – Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown
Subgenre: YA Fantasy
GR Rating: 3.63
My GR Rating: 4
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GR Description: Everyone knows what happens in the end. A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss. But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends. One feared, one royal, and one already dead.
Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.
A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.
My Review:
This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I really enjoyed this YA fairytale retelling and origin story. It explores Ursula’s beginnings—where she came from, how she became the infamous sea witch, and even includes a touch of The Little Mermaid retelling toward the end. But keep in mind that this book is more of Ursula’s origin story than a direct retelling of The Little Mermaid.
Set in 19th-century Denmark, the story beautifully blends historical elements with fantasy. I read the ebook on Kindle Unlimited while also listening to the audiobook, and I’m so glad I did! The narrator did a fantastic job with the pronunciations, accents, and distinct voices for each character. Without the audiobook, I wouldn’t have known how to say some of the names, which added to my appreciation of the narration. The author clearly did her research, seamlessly weaving in real Danish history, including the country’s dark past of witch hunts and executions. The vivid descriptions of the fishing community, its struggles, and the deep connection to the sea gave the story added richness and depth. The sea wasn’t just a setting—it was an ever-present force that shaped the characters’ lives.
Although this is a fantasy novel featuring magic and mermaids, those elements weren’t the sole focus, which I appreciated. At its heart, this story delves into universal themes of friendship, social class, love, loss, betrayal, and revenge. I especially loved getting to know Evie and Annemette. The mystery surrounding Annemette kept me intrigued, though I wasn’t too surprised when the truth was revealed. While the story is somewhat predictable, it’s an origin tale, so that didn’t bother me too much.
The romance, however, felt a little forced—leaning into the instalove trope, which isn’t my favorite. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the couples, but romance wasn’t the primary focus of the story. Instead, the emotional core revolved around friendship, loss, and betrayal between the two girls, which I found much more compelling. The pacing is on the slower side, taking a bit to fully draw me in, but once it did, I was completely invested in the characters and their journeys.
This is the first book in a duology, and I’m eager to pick up the sequel soon. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, the development of Evie as the main character, and the overall plot. I’ll definitely be checking out more of their work. Highly recommend this book—especially the audiobook—for anyone looking for a fresh, immersive take on a fairytale classic!
A Modern Girl’s Guide to Magic by Lindsay Hall
Format: Amazon Prime Reading
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance
GR Rating: 3.76
My GR Rating: 4
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GR Description: So here’s the deal—I’m a magical disaster. A witch from a family of witches, and the only one whose magic blows up in her face. Which is why I came up with my rules…
- Never get involved with magic
- If you must get involved, do not enter a competition to win the biggest magical fortune in England
- And definitely don’t fall for Callan Hawthorne, the sexy billionaire mage who you’ve hated for years
So how the heck do I end up in a situation that promises to break all those rules? It’s the only way to save Seaside Spells, my family’s magical potion shop.
But it’s cool. When I go back home to Charming Cove—a village of ancient pubs and foul-mouthed familiars—I will totally ignore Witch Weekly’s Sexiest Man of the Year. I’ll win the competition, and if I’m lucky, I won’t turn myself into a toad in the process.
This’ll be fine. It’ll all be fine.
Riiiight.
My Review:
This was such a fun, light-hearted witchy cozy fantasy! While there are three books in the series, they can be read as standalones. I actually read the second book as an ARC a couple of years ago and loved it so much that I knew I had to go back and read the first book.
I absolutely adored the cozy, magical seaside town where this story takes place. Though the setting is during the summer, the lush descriptions of plants, flowers, animals, and nature give it the perfect cottagecore aesthetic, making it an ideal read for both spring and summer.
The story is a bit of a slow burn, and it took me about 30% of the book to fully get invested in the characters and plot. But once I did, I had such a great time! This is an enemies-to-lovers romance—not usually my favorite trope—but when done well, it can be really enjoyable, and this book delivered. I loved getting to know Aria and Callan. The dual POV format was a great choice, allowing for deeper character development and a stronger emotional connection. They start off as “enemies,” but when circumstances force them to work together (plenty of forced proximity), their chemistry sparks, and their relationship gradually blossoms. While the romance is predictable, the journey to their happily-ever-after is utterly charming and swoon-worthy. There’s just the right amount of tension and buildup, leading to a very satisfying conclusion. There is a little bit of spice that I would rate PG-13 and some language.
Aria’s family was another highlight for me. Her grandmother (who, for some reason, I imagined with Angela Lansbury’s voice!), her cousin, and her cousin’s daughter were all so lovable and supportive. Their warmth and strong family bonds added another cozy layer to the story.
I also really enjoyed the plot. Sometimes, witchy books can feel slow or uneventful, but that wasn’t the case here. Once the magical contest began, with contestants facing different challenges, the story became so much fun. There’s a great mix of elements—mean-girl drama, the tension between Aria and Callan, personal insecurities both characters must overcome, and the high stakes of Aria wanting to win the magical garden to save her family’s potion shop. It all kept me engaged and eager to see how everything played out.
Paranormal romance isn’t usually my go-to, but this book completely hit the spot. It was enchanting, charming, magical, cozy, and so sweet. Now, I can’t wait to dive into the third book and finish the series! If you’re looking for a cute paranormal romance with lovable characters, an engaging plot, and a cozy small-town setting by the sea—sprinkled with plenty of magic—then this book is for you. Highly recommend!
(If you want to hear/read my review about book two in this series, How to Fake Date a Vampire, you can check it out here.)
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Format: Audiobook – Narrator: Emily Ellet
Subgenre: YA Romantasy
GR Rating: 4.05
My GR Rating: 5
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GR Description: All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather.
Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, and Elisabeth is implicated in the crime. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.
As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.
My Review:
This was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year, and I’d heard so much about both the book and the author. It was my first time reading anything by her, and she absolutely delivered! I loved this YA romantasy so much. Plus, it’s completely clean—no spice or strong language—which I really appreciated.
The writing was beautiful, rich, and lyrical, with vivid, immersive descriptions that brought the world to life. The world-building was fantastic, and I loved getting to know this universe. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a wonderful job of making the story even more engaging—highly recommend listening to it! The book had classic fairytale vibes but also a darker, gothic undertone that added depth and intrigue. Sometimes fantasy books lack a truly magical atmosphere, but this one delivered in every way.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was that it felt like a love letter to book lovers. With its library setting, magic system centered around books, and a main character, Elisabeth, who works in a library and dreams of advancing in her role, it was everything a bookworm could hope for. Elisabeth was incredibly relatable—her deep love for books, seeing them as companions, and feeling most at home in a library resonated with me so much. I also appreciated how she was a strong, ambitious, and bold female lead without being overbearing, still maintaining a softness and femininity that made her feel well-rounded.
The romance had a mix of enemies-to-lovers and instalove, but it was well-balanced and didn’t overshadow the main story. Elisabeth and Nathan’s dynamic was so much fun, and their banter? SO GOOD! Nathan is charming, witty, and humorous—he completely stole the scenes he was in. And then there’s Silas, Nathan’s demon servant, who was supposed to be terrifying but instead came across as thoughtful, kind, and even a bit endearing. He quickly became one of my favorite characters, second only to Elisabeth.
This was such a fast-paced, engaging story filled with action, magic, and adventure. The romance was swoon-worthy but remained a subplot rather than the central focus, which I appreciated. It had the perfect blend of historical fantasy, intrigue, and atmospheric storytelling.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that feels made for bookworms—one with enchanting libraries, a fascinating magic system, and plenty of action, mystery, and adventure—this is the book for you. Highly recommend! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
Format: Novella – Audiobook – Narrator: Emily Ellet
Subgenre: Companion Novella – YA Romantasy
GR Rating: 4.06
My GR Rating: 4
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GR Description: In this delightful sequel novella to the New York Times bestselling Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas must unravel the magical trap keeping them inside Thorn Manor in time for their Midwinter Ball!
Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor” occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another…
With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas–along with their new maid Mercy–will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel’s ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.
My Review:
This short novella takes place two months after the first book’s epilogue. Was it necessary? Not really. Did I absolutely love it? Yes!!
I adored being back in this world with my favorite characters. The author described it as, “a bonus novella with a lighthearted mystery/romance plot, perfect for anyone who wants to spend more time with Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas and see what their daily life is like without any life-threatening plots looming overhead.” And that’s exactly what it delivered.
It was such a delight getting to know the characters even more and uncovering some hidden secrets along the way. The novella retained all the charm, romance, witty banter, and fun storytelling of the first book. While I wish this had been a full-length sequel, I was just happy to revisit this world and spend more time with these lovable characters. In a way, this short story made the overall storyline feel more complete.
This was a fun, lighthearted companion story—definitely not as dark as the original book, but it fit perfectly as a bonus read. Highly recommend picking it up after book one! (Also, the narrator from the first book returns for this one, which was a nice touch for consistency.)