Caster by Elsie Chapman: A Thriller feat. Dangerous Magic Games, Diasporic Subthemes, & Gangs

Caster is one of those books that only gets better as you continue reading. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew there was magic, fights, and gangs in this story, and I was all in. And Chapman really pulled through in bringing an engaging and extremely entertaining thriller featuring a giant web of …

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee: Another Amazing Historical Novel About A Chinese Girl in 1890 Atlanta

I loved reading Outrun the Moon, and can’t believe Stacey Lee managed to outdo herself with another stunning novel. The Downstairs Girl is an immediate new favorite and I absolutely adore not only the entire story, but Jo Kuan herself and her innate spunk. From Jo to her questions about her past to Lee’s intricate …

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim: A Lush and Beautiful Fantasy with a Romance I Wasn’t Into

I knew this was going to be good, but I definitely did not know just how good it would be. Elizabeth Lim’s Spin the Dawn was a classic-style story with a lush and beautiful world and gorgeous prose. Featuring the classic “girl dressing as a boy” trope, a Project-Runway-esque competition, and a quest, Spin the …

Natalie Tan’s Book of Love & Fortune: A Nuanced Look Into Culture, Grief, & Community

This is a book that demands to be savored. And savor, I did. It’s beautiful and a little heartbreaking and absolutely a masterpiece. Sentimental, but subtle in its execution, Natalie Tan's Book of Love and Fortune is something truly extraordinary with how Natalie explores grief, intergenerational family, and culture, all wrapped up with subtle hints …

Writer Wednesday: Character Interview with Characters from Joan He’s Descendant of the Crane (+INTL Giveaway!)

You all probably know just how much I love this book (this is the third time this week I've posted on my blog about it I LOVE IT THAT MUCH), but today, I have something different and still very exciting for y'all: A character interview with the characters from DESCENDANT OF THE CRANE!!! Don't fret …

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He: SO. MANY. TWISTS.

5 stars Princess Hesina of Yan has just become queen after what she believes was her father’s murder. Yet, investigating the suspicious circumstances comes with a cost, namely treasonous magic from a soothsayer. Hesina must navigate both her own personal investigation into the murder, as well as the political games inside the imperial court and …

DRC: Genius: The Con by Leopoldo Gout

4 stars The sequel to Genius: The Game is a thrilling novel that kept me on the edge of my seat as I read every last page. I read the first novel around a year ago. It wasn't what I was looking for, but my mom shoved it into my hands. She said, "You'll like …