• Book Reviews

    MYSTERIES OF THE MOUNTAIN MOON TRIBE BY JACK RUEDISUELI // blog tour book review: pls teleport me into this YA fantasy graphic novel right this second!!!

    Very very excited to be joining this tour and this time only a day late! And I read the book! I’m being serious when I say you should be suspicious of a brain transplant… Okay enough yapping and 1) let’s give a big thank you to Colored Pages Tours for having me on this blog tour and 2) chat about this stunning book! Title: Mysteries of the Mountain Moon TribeAuthor: Jack RuedisueliPage count: 168Date published: 12 May 2026Genre: Young adult fantasy 🍄 Synopsis: A young girl’s adventure through a mysterious land full of giant creatures and dead machines from a time long forgotten… We journey to a distant land where we find a mountain that has no end, a mountain so tall that the people who live within its highest peaks know nothing of the world below the clouds. It is a mountain full of mystery and monstrous creatures the likes of which you have never seen. Hiding within the peaks, we find the mountain moon tribe and our main girl, Mia, the child elder and first of her generation. Born thirteen years ahead of her peers, she bears the huge responsibility of guiding them through life. But Mia is…

  • Book Reviews

    A SKY BEYOND THE STORM BY SABAA TAHIR // spoiler-free book review: this YA epic fantasy series has gutted me and I’m not okay,,,

    The long wait is over, and so am I. This post is written by Ruby, who is completely done. Deceased. Let’s get into the suffering, shall we? Title: A Sky Beyond The StormSeries: Ember Quartet book #4Author: Sabaa TahirPage count: 516Date published: 1 December 2020Genre: Young adult epic fantasy 🖤 Synopsis: Picking up just a few months after A Reaper at the Gates left off… The long-imprisoned jinn are on the attack, wreaking bloody havoc in villages and cities alike. But for the Nightbringer, vengeance on his human foes is just the beginning. By his side, Commandant Keris Veturia declares herself Empress, and calls for the heads of any and all who defy her rule. At the top of the list? The Blood Shrike and her remaining family. Laia of Serra, now allied with the Blood Shrike, struggles to recover from the loss of the two people most important to her. Determined to stop the approaching apocalypse, she throws herself into the destruction of the Nightbringer. In the process, she awakens an ancient power that could lead her to victory–or to an unimaginable doom. And deep in the Waiting Place, the Soul Catcher seeks only to forget the life–and love–he…

  • Book Reviews

    A REAPER AT THE GATES BY SABAA TAHIR // spoiler-free book review: my soul was reaped from my body and this book destroyed me… you should read it though <3

    I said if I stopped after book 2, we’d be another 84 years, and I only have mild regrets *cue nervous laughter* Also, I feel like it’s a good time to mention I was also rewatching Game of Thrones during the time of this reread and thus living my best life! But enough rambling, into this book… Title: A Reaper at The GatesSeries: Ember Quartet book #3Author: Sabaa TahirPage count: 458Date published: 12 June 2018Genre: Young adult epic fantasy ⚔️ Synopsis: Beyond the Martial Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger. Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister’s life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. Yet danger lurks on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent, while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor’s volatility to grow her own power—regardless of the carnage she leaves in her path. Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows that the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. During the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would…

  • Book Reviews

    A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT BY SABAA TAHIR // spoiler-free book review: yes you are reading that right and i’m mentally unwell about this series

    You know that scene about 84 years in Titanic? Fun fact: that scene was originally filmed about me. But please do join me in this pinch me moment because I READ THIS DAMN BOOK AFTER 84 YEARS AND I’M HERE TO CRY ABOUT IT… But first, please take a moment to admire the journal spread I made last year about this series! Title: A Torch Against The NightSeries: Ember quartet book #2Author: Sabaa TahirPage count: 454Date published: 8 September 2016Genre: Young adult epic fantasy 🔥 Synopsis: Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the…

  • Book Reviews

    BRIDE BY ALI HAZELWOOD // spoiler-free book review: didn’t expect that this werewolf x vampire marriage of convenience romance would have me in a chokehold but here we are,,,

    You know, you really should be proud of me. Like, look at me back again, maintaining an active posting schedule. I shall do little yapping today because instead, I want to word vomit about THIS BOOK BECAUSE I’M OBSESSED?!?!?!? Title: BrideSeries: Bride book #1Author: Ali HazelwoodPage count: 403Date published: 6 February 2024Genre: Adult paranormal romance 🩸 Synopsis: A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis. Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast-again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange. Again . . . Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he…

  • Book Reviews

    FAKE SKATING BY LYNN PAINTER // spoiler-free book review: if you haven’t read this YA childhood friends to lovers sports romance with alllll the yearning then idk what you’re doing with your life,,,

    Before we get into the pterodactyl screeching that will be this review, I figure this is a great time to shoutout the interview I did with Lynn a while back, in case you missed it: Title: Fake SkatingAuthor: Lynn PainterPage count: 448Date published: 30 September 2025Genre: Young adult contemporary romance ⛸️  Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled “feel-good rom-com” (School Library Journal) about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship. Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t. Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance…

  • Book Reviews

    FORGIVE-ME-NOT BY MARI COSTA // spoiler-free blog tour book review: you absolutely need this YA sapphic romantasy graphic novel in your life yesterday!!!

    Hello, and a warm welcome to my tour stop that is like 2 days late, but Toppling Stacks is forgiving of my chaos, and I’m very grateful! I also am absolutely THRILLED to talk about this little gem that you must all certainly read so without further ado, into the review xoxo Title: Forgive-Me-Not Author: Mari CostaPage count: 320Date published: 14 April 2026Genre: YA fantasy graphic novel ⚔️ Synopsis: A queer “enemies to lovers” journey of a lost princess and a changeling who was made to take the heir’s place as part of a fey scheme. Aisling is many things to many people: princess, heir to the throne, teenage daughter of two loving parents… She’s also about to learn a lot more about herself: changeling. Fey creature. Hunted. Feared. Loved? Forgive-Me-Not is the name given to the true princess — the lost teenage biological daughter to the king and queen, who’s grown up in the chaotic and untrustworthy realm of Faerie. When Forgive-Me-Not breaks into Aisling’s room the night before their 18 th birthday looking for revenge, the two embark on a long and arduous journey. And what starts as a confrontational and adversarial pairing grows into a bond of mutual…

  • Book Reviews

    CHASING LUCKY BY JENN BENNETT // spoiler-free book review: need your next childhood friends to lovers YA romance? look no further

    Nobody is more shocked than me that you’re seeing me again so soon? Might need to get my head checked? But hey, can I get some credit for trying here… Anyways, technically I read another of this author’s books before this one, but I have a ~VISION~ for the photo, so you’ll have to wait on her! Enjoy in the meantime <3<3<3 Title: Chasing Lucky Author: Jenn BennettPage count: 432Date published: 10 November 2020Genre: Young adult contemporary romance 📸 Synopsis: Sometimes to find the good, you have to embrace the bad. Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there. What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time…

  • Book Reviews

    A FAR WILDER MAGIC BY ALLISON SAFT // spoiler-free book review: long time no post, allow me to screech about this beautiful YA romantic-fantasy

    insert meme: hey… hey… how ya’ll doing? Welcome to the unofficial series where Ruby tries to remember books she read a year ago and must now write a review. I have serious regrets. But please give me like 5 minutes of your time to shove this wonderful book in your face, that is beautiful both inside and out. Title: A Far Wilder MagicAuthor: Allison SaftPage count: 400Date published: 8 March 2022Genre: Young Adult urban fantasy 🍃 Synopsis: When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist. Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist—yet. He’s been fired from every apprenticeship he’s landed, and his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret. She begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her. Although they make an unlikely team, they soon find themselves drawn to each other.…

  • Book Reviews

    BETTER HATE THAN NEVER BY CHLOE LIESE // spoiler-free book review: the feisty childhood enemies to lovers romance you didn’t know you needed in your life!!!

    This one definitely *wasn’t* read some time ago,,, no idea what you’re talking about! Here let me divert your attention to THESE Moving on and into this scrumptious little book gem that I have been waiting a while to shove in your faces <3<3<3 Title: Better Hate Than NeverSeries: Chloe LieseAuthor: Chloe LiesePage count: 336Date published: 10 October 2023Genre: Adult contemporary romance ❤️‍🔥 Synopsis: Childhood enemies discover the fine line between love and loathing in this heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno. Despite their friends’ and families’ pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act. When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned…