#bookreview

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Book 12 of 2025 is C.R. Collins “Midnight Crow”.

I’m going to call this “high urban fantasy”. It’s a contemporary setting but heavy on lore and lots of characters. It’s not weighed down by the heteronormative and patriarchal outlooks that can dominate high fantasy.

The lore and magic systems are well written and don’t get tangled and contradict. Kudos to that!

The main character is refreshingly mature and her emotional reactions feel realistic.
@crcollins

The cover of C.R. Collins book “Midnight Crow”. Against an aged, cream background a crow is poised to land, feet reaching down, wings up and open. A swirl of glittery gold follows it. 3 gold foil circles, large, medium and small, hang above the crow.

CAPTIVATING HISTORICAL FANTASY set in an alternate, magical 1930s US stars a barnstorming pilot (and former bootlegger) tasked with unraveling a deadly web of enchantments. Lots of thrills, wit, fascinating Black heroine, and a touch of romance. B PLUS

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-improvisers-nicole-glover/1144822121?ean=9780063293595

@bookstodon

In case anyone was wondering with my last post, the reason there were no novels in my library returns this week is that I actually own the two books I read this week.

Wooing the Witch Queen was everything I hoped it would be when I pre-ordered it. Funny, sweet, fierce. The shy librarian/supposed dark wizard with a big secret, the witch queen, her ex-girlfriend advisor, the crows, the castle staff, the other queens of villainy... Can't wait for the next book!

I Think They Love You was the pick for this month. Sweet second chance romance/fake dating young men with the family business at stake. Some of those are not my tropes but somehow this one came together to be delightful. Perfect blend of sweet and funny with quite the cast of characters in his family.

I also tried to read The 7-10 Split, an old

Two books: Wooing the Witch Queen and I Think They Love You

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https://bookshop.org/wishlists/775f9455bfbc3707a27deddc1275528f51dbe687