The Butcher's Lot (2024) - Cate Baumer (SFINCS semifinalist)

 

The Butcher is a an ancient vampire who has been chained like a dog, stripped of anything that makes her dangerous, and shipped from town to town to work for a year in order to atone for the thousands of people she killed in the past. Marguerite takes on The Butcher's help in her little fishing boat the year she comes to her town, hardly expecting the events to follow in the coming year.

This novella was reviewed as part of SFINCS 2025.

    This is a short and sweet little novella that has a folklore vibe. I very much appreciated Baumer's take on vampires in this story, keeping some traditional lore and adding some new of her own. The relationship between Marguerite and The Butcher is the central focus of the story, starting as a warry employer/reluctant but obligated employee, to cautious acquaintances, and gradually developing into something more as Marguerite realizes the Butcher can offer her a life much better than the one she lives.

    Another focus in this story is the contrast between Marguerite's 'sins' (as perceived by the townsfolks) and The Butcher's 'sins'. She realizes they aren't so different, two women villainized and ostracized by society for things that were not entirely in their control (okay sure, maybe The Butcher could have not killed a bunch of people, but a vampire has to eat).

    Something I really loved about the setting of this story is how grounded it felt. Don't get me wrong, I love a high fantasy story with powerful magic and fantastical beasts galore, but lately I've found myself drawn to fantasy settings that feel like they could actually exist, and The Butcher's lot is definitely one of those. I really enjoyed the small lore drops we got here and there and the nature of the dragons of this world.

    If you need a quick read and enjoy vampires and sapphic stories where women get what they want then I definitely recommend The Butcher's Lot.

From These Dark Abodes (2024) - Lyndsie Manusos (SFINCS semifinalist)

Lethe and Petunia are servants at St. Edha's house. Every night, their masters shed their skin and dance as skeletons to crooning jazz in what they call The Revelry. They both desperately want to find a way to escape, but when one of their masters doesn't return to his skin the next morning, life as they know it at St. Edah's starts to unravel.

This novella was reviewed as part of SFINCS 2025.

    

    When I first started reading From These Dark Abodes I wasn't sure it was going to click for me. I felt like the prose was a little too poetic/flowery for my tastes. But, as I read further, I found myself fully immersed in Lethe and Petunia's story. There are some fantastically described moments of body horror woven together with an intense longing we feel with Lethe, for memories of her past life, for Petunia, and for a way out of St. Edah's house. 

   Manusos does a wonderful job at weaving in little hints as to the true nature of the house and the inhabitants roles within it (which I won't spoil for you here because it was truly a miraculous thing to experience firsthand).

Some things that stood out to me about the story.

    The way Manusos describes sensory details is so visceral. It made my skin crawl every time I read a description of one of the immortals peeling their skin off to reveal their skeletons beneath. The tenderness between Lethe and Petunia, the way the support each other and push each other to keep living another day in the hopes they'll finally find their escape. The character Bloody Bones the rat was a big highlight for me, I love a gross, weird little guy and he is the grossest and weirdest of little guys.

    I honestly have no criticisms of this story. I would talk about it more but I really don't want to spoil the experience for you. This is one of those books that is best experienced with little knowledge of what it's about. From These Dark Abodes will stick with me for a long time. A story of love, loss, and a desire for freedom, this story will be best enjoyed by those who like rich prose, body horror, and tales that divert your expectations.

Reap, Sow (2025) - S.H.Cooper

 

Reap, Sow by S.H. Cooper is a horror novella that follows Luci (or Lucky, as her mama and papa but never Kenny, call her) as she tries to navigate a strange horror scape she's found herself in. Rooms that feel familiar but off somehow haunt her as she tries to find her way back home.

This novella was reviewed as part of the SFINCS competition.

I found it difficult to break down this novella in my usual WEIRDE reviews system, so I'm going to forgo that and just talk about my thoughts overall. I'll refrain from providing too many spoilers as I think this is a story best jumped into without any prior knowledge.

First off, the star of this story was the prose. S.H. Cooper does an absolutely fantastic job and weaving together an evocative description. I also think Luci's narration is top notch, readers can very easily connect with her mental state throughout the story and experience her anguish alongside her. I think it's a story that will stick with me for a long time primarily because of the stellar prose.

I don't read a ton of horror, and at first I wasn't sure how this story fit in the SFINCS competition as I felt like the speculative elements were a bit of a reach, but in the end, I think this story leans into the magical realism side of things.

The twist of this story is somewhat predictable (especially if you've read stories of a similar style) but I still found the journey to the end to be a very enjoyable read. I think the nightmare scenario Luci finds herself in is very well done at making Luci and the reader second guess themselves from time to time, which adds to the psychological horror of it all.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read with some prose and turns of phrase I will carry with me for a long time.

Floodwaters (2025) - Wren Rivers

 

Floodwaters by Wren Rivers is a fantasy novella about two teenagers who hear rumors of a god walking through their town and decide to write their science paper about how people's perceptions of faith change after meeting a god. But humans are greedy and gods are quick to anger, and there is only so much two teenagers can do when they believe disaster draws near.

I received an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: Floodwaters is set in a second world (Midir) that seems to have a similar technology level to our own but there is polytheistic pantheon consisting of gods that command specific elements. We get some hints at who the various gods of this world are, though the focus is primarily on 'The God King' Einari. I would have loved to learn more about this world, but I think Rivers does a good job at giving us just a taste of what's to come.

Emotions: I have a lot of conflicted feelings about this story. At times I was disgusted by the actions and thoughts of some of the characters, but the more I sat with it, the more I realized just how true to life their actions were. These characters are put through hell, and through that Rivers doesn't shy away from the acts of cruelty (sometimes viewed as a kindness) that humans will engage in when their world is utterly changed and they don't know if it will ever be normal again. But there are also profound moments of kindness and closeness that the characters experience. It's a delicate balance that left me feeling heartbroken at the end.

Intrigue: I'm always a fan of stories that involve a yet unseen deity/entity making themselves known and how their followers react to their presence. I think Rivers does a really wonderful job at tapping into the human psyche with this kind of situation.

Relationships: Eris is, at times, a somewhat unlikeable main character, but we have to remember that he's a teenager with all of the complicated feelings about his family and others in his life to match. Rivers shows us all sides of Eris, good and bad, but at the end of the day I still found myself rooting for him, and I think that takes a lot of skill. There is a sort of budding romance between Eris and Miri (which unfortunately gets overshadowed by other events) that I thought was cute and was very awkward in the classic teenage fashion of not really knowing how to flirt.

Descriptions: The prose is fairly simple (not at all a bad thing, I love simple prose) but Rivers does a good job at setting the stage for the story. I think they do a particularly good job at describing Eris' inner thoughts and exploring how his mental health declines throughout certain events.

Engagement: The first half of this story was a little slow for me (to be honest I'm just not that into reading stories where teenagers are the main characters) but things certainly pick up at the halfway mark and I was on the edge of my seat as the characters deal with the ensuing certain events they've been thrust into. I never quite knew what Eris or Miri were going to do next or what they were going to encounter.

Final thoughts: This is a capital T tragedy and an in depth exploration at the worst parts of people during the worst parts of their lives. I think Floodwaters is a shocking setup for River's upcoming novel Blood of the Gods, and I think it's a must read if you're interested in that story.

Servant of the Muses (2012) - Brad. A White

 

Servant of the Muses by Brad A. White is a noir mythological mystery that follows detective Jake Conrad as he searches for his missing secretary after being hired by her sister. He soon discovers that his assistant Clio and her sister Erato are no ordinary women, but are in fact muses, and the case become s a lot more dangerous.

This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: I'll admit that I don't often read stories inspired by Greek mythos and it's not my preferred form of fantasy (outside of when I devoured the Percy Jackson series in middle school). But in spite of my lack of knowledge, I thought the inclusion of the muses and some background information about various Greek gods made for an interesting twist on a classic noir mystery.

Emotions: This story didn't evoke a ton of emotions in me, but it was a very fun read! I did appreciate Jake's genuine concern for Clio as the investigation to find her progresses. Though he had unknowingly bound her to himself, it was clear that he cared deeply about her. I think for some the climax would definitely be emotional, but I didn't quite make a strong enough connection to the characters.

Intrigue: White crafted a very interesting mystery with a twist I genuinely didn't see coming (but thought was well planned out). I've also never read a noir greek mythology mystery and I think it makes for a very unique and fun story.

Relationships: The relationship between Jake and Erato didn't quite hit for me. I know that she's the muse of passion/love but Jake's constant lusting after her and describing her body left a somewhat sour taste in my mouth. I did find the relationship between the three muses we meet in this story to be interesting (Erato, Clio, and Urania). White does a good job at depicting the messy family dynamics of greek gods.

Descriptions: This is the aspect where this story shines the brightest. White has perfectly captured the feel of a classic noir mystery, from the way Jake speaks, to the types of villains he faces, to the metaphors use, this story is absolutely steeped in the heavy smoke and whiskey of a good noir mystery.

Engagement: The pacing of this story was very well done. Jake picks up on clues at just the right times, there's a few dramatic show downs with some minor villains sprinkled in throughout to keep the tension high, and the final clue slots into place at just the right moment.

Final thoughts:  I enjoyed reading this novella and thought the execution of blending the two genres to be well done.If you like greek mythology and noir mysteries, this is the perfect combination of the two.

The Nome King and The Shroud (2024) - Tim Pratt

 

The Nome King and The Shroud by Tim Pratt is a scifi novella about Earth colonists aboard The Nome King, sent into space in search of a new home for humans. When the ship's AI Tugboat comes across a strange anomaly not too far from their final destination, they wake Mahza Sun, a troublesolver, from her stasis to consult on what to do next. 

This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding in this story isn't too expansive, but there's certainly enough there to scratch my itch. It's set in a distant future where Earth has fallen away to climate disaster and colonists have been shot into space (much like a very smart bullet, as the author puts it) in arc ships. The alien anomaly they encounter is based upon in the real world Dyson Sphere theory which I thought was a lot of fun. I'd classify this somewhere in between soft and hard scifi, where everything that happens sounds logical enough (at least to someone who's knowledge of space and physics is rudimentary at best), but you aren't bogged down too much with the specifics as to make it overwhelming.

Emotions: I found this story incredibly funny. The prose was witty, and both AIs we encounter have an uncanny knack for humor. I was laughing out loud more than once while reading, but there were certainly some shocking and somber moments that tugged at my heartstrings. Pratt does an excellent job at making you care deeply about The Nome King/Tugboat and their little probe children. I had a slightly harder time forming an emotional connection to the human characters, but I think that was partly due to the limited word count and need to spend more time in the Nome King's perspective that gave them less room to breathe. I easily could have read 50,000 more words of this story.

Intrigue: There is an overarching mystery throughout this story regarding what happened to the original inhabitants of The Shroud (the name for the Dyson Sphere the main characters encounter). It's a somewhat predictable plotline, but that didn't necessarily take away from my enjoyment while reading and it wrapped up with a very satisfying ending. 

Relationships: The most important relationship in this story was that of the humans to the Nome King. There is a constant back and forth of distrust but still having compassion for the other on both sides. Nome King struggles with their loyalty to the humans and newfound friendship in The Shroud, with all of it clouded by their anger at being trapped behind safeguards for so long. The humans fear Nome King, but they also love them and don't want to believe that they would be betrayed by the AI they had built and who had carried them safely through space for so long. I would also be remiss to not mention the inclusion of lesbian relationship that while it wasn't a major focus of the plot was nice to see.

Descriptions: The prose was lovely and I think Pratt did an excellent job at conveying the sheer size of The Shroud and describing the terrain of the inner sphere. The dialogue of the human characters was a bit lacking at times, feeling a little awkward or stilted. The dialogue between the AI characters, however, was a delight to read.

Engagement: I absolutely devoured this story, finishing it in one day. It was a very easy read that kept me hooked the whole time.

Final thoughts: Overall, this was a very fun read. If you enjoy killer AIs, humans just trying to survive in a worst case scenario, and excellent comedic timing then I highly recommend you pick up The Nome King and The Shroud.

The Final Voyage of Avery Mothmere (2025) - Helen Whistberry

 

The Final Voyage of Avery Mothmere  by Helen Whistberry tells the tale of an adventurer washed ashore on a strange island after they've been shipwrecked. The inhabitants of this island are even stranger, but Avery has been gravely injured and is content enough to explore this island of circles as they heal (as long as they aren't too much of a burden on their strange but friendly hosts).

This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: The island that Avery finds themself washed ashore on is a strange place of circles, killer crabs, forest giants, tower dwelling beings the likes of Cousin It, gilded children, and townsfolk who would rather trade their wares for a new story than money. Much of what we learn and see of this island is through Avery's eyes, which leaves you with a lot of questions, but I honestly think that works for this story. We don't need to know how everything works, just how Avery feels about it.

Emotions: Avery is a very autistic coded character (and I believe Whistberry has confirmed this as canon in posts on their social media) and they view everything through a very analytical and scientific lense. As an autistic person myself, I found them incredibly relatable, especially when they had conflicting emotions regarding their situation and how they felt about different characters. This story certainly dredged up my emotions and there is one scene in particular between Avery and Theda (their host with the bountiful locks) that absolutely ripped my heart out.

Intrigue: I talked a bit about the strangeness of this island already but that is one of the big things that drew me in to this story. I was constantly theorizing as to the nature of the island, what was actually happening to Avery (much as they wonder themselves), and what the intentions of Theda and Anchor (the gilded child) were. While I'll keep my theories to myself as to not spoil anything too much, I will say that I absolutely did not see the ending coming (it was a wonderful twist).

Relationships: In such a short wordcount it can be difficult to fully develop characters relationships, and while at time I wish we were able to see Avery spend a bit more time with each character, the development of their relationship and understanding to each inhabitant of the island progressed very naturally. In particular, I loved Avery's conversations with Zaza the giant.

Descriptions: While it's not usually a narration style I'm a fan of, I absolutely loved the almost Jane Austen like manner in which Avery spoke and narrated their story. It really seated the story in time for me and added this extra layer that really made the descriptions sing. The illustrations that preceded each chapter were so much fun and I was thrilled when it was revealed that the illustrations were diagetic.

Engagement: This was one of those stories that I really wanted to savor and read more slowly. I easily could have finished it in one or two sittings but I wanted to sit with each chapter and think about the interactions between the characters or the events Avery had just been through. Even so, I absolutely tore through the last 20% of the book.

Final thoughts: I had a blast reading this story. Every character was so full of life and I loved Avery (and dear Soot the cat) as a main character. If you love stories with a strong voice, fantastical settings, and a plot that never quite lets you know where it’s going to turn next then I’d highly recommend this novella.

The Drowned Heir (2022) - Jennifer R. Donohue

The Drowned Heir by Jennifer R. Donohue is a fantasy novella about a young woman who is drowned in a ritual to take on the spirit of her deceased uncle. When her uncle’s lover comes knocking and reveals that he has a son who has gone out to sea, she fears that he may meet the same watery fate as the uncle.

This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: I absolutely loved the worldbuilding in this story. Donohue managed to sneak in so many little details that really made the story come alive. The small bits of magic that existed like the trinkets people braid into their hair or the charms the place upon their boats felt very homey. 

Emotions: The narration has an almost disconnected feeling, which really works for this story (I think I'd feel disconnected too if my uncle's angry spirit was fighting for control of my body and I basically didn't exist as a person to everyone that knows me). I enjoyed seeing the main character gain more confidence and emotional reactions as the story progressed and she gained more agency.

Intrigue: The idea of a 'drowned heir', someone to take on your spirit after death if you have no living heir, is so fascinating to me and I think Donohue did a really good job at portraying how traumatizing that experience would be. 

Relationships: The MC is very distant to all of the other characters at the start of this book. In fact, none of the characters have actual names, instead, they are referred to by their relationship to the MC (my uncle/the Captain, my sister, the first mate, etc.). This narrative and emotional distance from all of the other characters works wonderfully with the first person narration and really lets the reader sink into the MC's experience.

Descriptions: The descriptions are incredibly rich are make an excellent use of utilizing all of the senses. I had a solid grasp of what this little seaside town looked like and how the people there viewed the world. There's very little dialogue in this story, but I never felt bogged down by the paragraphs of description and internal narration.

Engagement: I was absolutely enthralled by this novella. I ended up finishing the second half in one sitting and probably could have read the whole thing in one go if it weren't for the horrors of my daily responsibilities. There was never a dull moment, the story was constantly moving and regularly introducing new details to grab my attention.

Final thoughts: I definitely think The Drowned Heir has risen to one of my top reads this year. I’d recommend it to anyone that loves low magic fantasies with a nautical feel and complicated family dynamics. This was my first reads by Donohue, but I'll for sure be reading more of her books in the future!

It's You, Isn't It? (2025) - Antony Paschos

 

It's You, Isn't It? by Antony Paschos is a SciFi space colonialism novella that tells the story of Avra, her younger sister Olia, and their friend Penko on the planet Terra-Octa as they encounter an alien species that turns out to be more than what they originally thought.

This novella was reviewed during the first round of SFINCS3.

This review may contain minor spoilers.

Worldbuilding: I think there was an interesting setup for the world of Terra-Octa and the wider universe, but often times the details that would have really cemented it get brushed aside because Avra is 'bored' by it. There were many times where we were about to get some interesting details about the Platani or the Gardeners, but the story quickly moves past it and left me feeling like I was missing something.

Emotions: This is where I really struggled with this story. I had such a hard time connecting with any of the characters, and when bad things started happening to them I felt no emotional impact.

Intrigue: This is where the story shined and is what kept me reading. I genuinely wanted to know what happened at the end, and the framing of the story being told in a combination of present day, when the characters first arrived of Terra-Octa/made contact with the chlorobots, and during the chlorobot uprising worked really well.

Relationships: Similar to the emotions section, the relationships in this story fell flat for me. Avra has a complicated relationship with her sister, father, and caretaker (Mr. Stephens), and has a budding relationship with Penko, but it all just felt like set dressing to me.

Descriptions: The prose in this story is quite distracting and hard to follow. I found myself having to reread sentences several times and still not fully understanding what they meant. To contrast that, the dialogue often felt stilted and unnatural which made for a somewhat sludgey reading experience at first.

Engagement: Once I got past my hang-ups with the prose, I did move through the story relatively quickly and it did keep me engaged. 

Final thoughts: In spite of my gripes with the prose, I did enjoy the ending, the worldbuilding was interesting, and the back and forth of telling the story pre-revolt and during was an interesting framing device that worked well for this story. If you like space colonialism with a twist then this may be an interesting read.

The Council of Frogs (2023) - Matt Emmons

 

The Council of Frogs is a fantasy graphic novel that follows the journey of one brave little frog on a mission to deliver a message to a warlock that may be able to save his family.

This review may contain mild spoilers.

Opening thoughts: I stumbled upon this graphic novel at GenCon while I was admiring some of the author's risograph prints. He pitched it to me as "A frog goes on a journey to deliver a message to a warlock". And well, I was hooked. I don't read a ton of graphic novels, but I definitely plan on picking up more from this author.

Worldbuilding: The wider setting of this graphic novel is hinted at throughout that really makes the story feel like it's set in a fully realized world. It's a sort of dystopian feeling fantasy world where magic is ridiculed but there are still those who are trying to keep it's traditions alive.

Emotions: Our little frog hero has no dialogue, but the vast array of emotions Emmons is able to display on his tiny frog face is astounding. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering on the frog and his allies each step of the way.

Intrigue: I absolutely love stories told from the perspective of a small creature, and Council of Frogs uses this framing device excellently. The little frog has no magic of his own, and only a small sword to defend himself, but he persists throughout and even when it seems like the world is against him and all hope is lost, he pushes through. The premise for this graphic novel is also just so fun to me, a fallen battle mage turning into a litch but instead of becoming evil he uses his magic to protect a family of frogs.

Relationships: This is a shorter story so there isn't a ton of time to expand upon relationships, but the way in which each character forms a bond with the frog is wonderfully done. As mentioned above, there is a litch caring for the frog and his family, and that is such a sweet and soft relationship for a character that has every right to be vengeful and angry.

Descriptions: The art in this graphic novel is beautiful. The pencil linework gives everything a very soft, cozy feel. The character design was one of my favorite things about it from the frogs and their litch father, to Gholkin (one of the frogs newfound allies), to the witch in the woods, to the warlock, every character is so unique with such cool designs.

Engagement: I had to force myself to slow down while reading this one. I easily could have finished it in one sitting, but I really wanted to savor it. Each chapter ends in a cliffhanger that pulls you into the next chapter with ease.

Final thoughts: I'm so glad I decided to pick this one up. Emmonds is an expert storyteller and a fantastic artist. The Council of Frogs feels very reminiscent to Mouse Guard with a fun twist on the setting and magic prevalent in the world.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built (2021) - Becky Chambers

 

A Psalm for the Wild-Built is a nature-punk fantasy novella that follows Sibling Dex, a tea monk on a journey to discover what life has to offer them outside the walls of The City.

This review may contain mild spoilers.

Opening thoughts: This novella starts out with a little world building epigraph which I absolutely love and set my expectations very high (spoiler alert: they were met).

Worldbuilding: I really, really love the world in this one. I'm a sucker for anything nature-punk where nature has been allowed to reclaim what humans once destroyed. I'm very fond of the pantheon and the way followers of the gods interact with said pantheon. The lore behind the robots and their new role in the lore is also so wonderful.

Emotions: This story is cozy to the highest sense of the world. Even during tense moments it still has that underlying current of hope that lets you know everything is going to be okay. I cried more than once while reading. Chambers does an excellent job at really letting you feel what Dex is feeling.

Intrigue: The idea of a tea monk that spends their days listening to others problems while offering a carefully and thoughtfully crafted tea is just so lovely to me. Dex's internal struggle with this newfound life they've built for themself but still feeling like they're missing something is one I can deeply relate to and on top of all of the fantastic worldbuilding and descriptions is what really makes this story stand out for me.

Relationships: I adored the development of Sibling Dex's relationship with Splendid Speckled Mosscap, from cautious annoyance to genuine friendship. I'm a sucker for a gentle robot character and Mosscap is the most gentle robot you will ever find. Prior to descending into the wilderness, we get a glimpse at Dex's relationship with their tea patrons and I especially loved those tender moments of them helping each person through their struggles with tea and thoughtful words.

Descriptions: The descriptions in this story are so lush and rich. Chambers weaves together a beautiful world where humans have finally learned to live in harmony with nature. The scenes describing the forest reclaiming old, abandoned factories and buildings were some of my favorite

Engagement: This was a very quick read for me. I finished the entire second half in one sitting and then tried not to let the other coffee shop patrons see me cry.

Final thoughts: If you're looking for a cozy, nature-punk novella filled with lush descriptions and thoughtful worldbuilding then you shouldn't look much further than A Psalm for the Wild-Built. This book is like a warm hug in front of a campfire.

Book Review: Imbued (2024) - Helyna L. Clove

 

Imbued is a dark fantasy following Calla, a servant in Kiriong. Her quiet life life is uprooted when Gray, a magehunter, returns home and the magic deep within Calla rears its head.

Unfamiliar with the WEIRDE  reviews system? Check out this post to learn more.

This review may contain mild spoilers.

Opening thoughts: I've read Skylark in the Fog, also by Clove, previously and absolutely adored it, so I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up Imbued. This is a story full of heart with characters that you really want to root for the whole way through.

Worldbuilding: I thoroughly enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book. Clove does an excellent job at fully immersing you in the world and expertly weaving in tidbits that both hint at the plot to come and the greater world around the characters. I really loved the backdrop of a world still recovering from the damage caused by foolhardy mages.

Emotions: Calla goes through it and I just want to bundle her up and tell her everything will be okay (will it though????). There's this constant back and forth of Calla hating and fearing the magic within her but also wanting to learn more about it, and Clove does an excellent job at pulling you into Calla's inner psyche as she struggles with this. The prose is at times very poetic, and I think that lends wonderfully to allowing the reader to really feel alongside Calla.

Intrigue: I was a huge fan of the dichotomy between the nature gods worshipped in Kiriong and the ancient, long dead Luor. I also absolutely love what Clove did with flashbacks and dreams in Imbued. We slowly figure out with Calla what happened to her in her past, and what the magic inside her truly is.

Relationships: The relationship between Calla and Gray is a complex, twisted thing built, at first, on distrust and survival instincts, but it slowly (ever so slowly) blossoms into a mutual understanding and, eventually, something more. I would have loved to have a couple Gray POV chapters to really get into his head, but even seeing him through Calla's POV it's wonderful to watch his and Calla's transformation as they grow closer. I really hope things work out for them because I think they just deserve love and happiness :') I also really loved Calla rediscovering the friendship she once had with Aesh and the complex emotions that dredges up for her. There's quite a large cast of background characters in Kiriong, and while I sometimes forgot some of their names, I think Clove did an excellent job at establishing Calla's relationship to each of them.

Descriptions: Imbued is full of incredibly rich descriptions that really transport you into the moment. I found myself lost within its pages more than once while I was reading. Clove masterfully weaves in sensory details that, combined with the first person narration, allow you to see the world through Calla's eyes.

Engagement: This is one of those books that took me a while to read, not because it was slow but because I wanted to savor every chapter. The pacing starts out gradual, as Calla begins to train with Gray and learn more about her magic, and then it ramps up at exactly the right moment and takes off at a break-neck speed towards the end. I was engrossed at every moment while reading.

Final thoughts: This was a wonderfully heartbreaking read. The characters all had an incredible depth that really made them come alive on the page and the world is rich and unique. Calla's internal struggle with her relationship towards magic and the outer forces working against her created a fantastic reading experience. I can't wait to see what happens in book two.

Book Review: Sweet and Wild (2025) - Alex Larkspur

Sweet and Wild is a cozy adjacent, MM fantasy romance by Alex Larkspur. Micah moves to a new town to escape his difficult past and finds a new home, friends, and love in Roseyard and its bordering forest.

*I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Unfamiliar with the WEIRDE  reviews system? Check out this post to learn more.

Opening thoughts: I first learned about Sweet and Wild during a pitch event on Bluesky and have been excitedly waiting for its release ever since. Larkspur describes it as cozy adjacent which I think is the perfect descriptor. Sweet and Wild is warm, sweet, and cozy, but it delves into some darker corners at times that will leave you going "Woah. Oh my god! No!" and probably crying at times.  At least that was my reaction.

Worldbuilding: This is by no means an epic fantasy, but Larkspur expertly weaves in so much carefully thought out worldbuilding you can really get an idea of the larger world that Micah and Terran's story is set in. I love how the magic is very much tied to intention, nature, and caring for others. I also LOVE the lore for the forest guardians (I won't go into detail here to save you from spoilers, but trust me, it's very good lore).

Emotions: Now, I'm a very emotional reader, it's not particularly hard to make me cry, but when I tell you I was SOBBING during a particular scene (once you read it, you'll know what I mean) I am not exaggerating. But aside from making me cry like a little baby, Sweet and Wild is a very sweet (look I know I've already used sweet to describe it and it's in the name but that's just what it is) and heartfelt book that left me giggling, smiling like a fool, and generally just feeling very warm and fuzzy inside.

Intrigue: For me I think the most unique think about Sweet and Wild was just how human the story was. I think a lot of time in fantasy, even when the characters are human, things just feel so fantastical and out there that it doesn't feel grounded (which I also love, don't get me wrong). But the characters in Sweet and Wild just felt so real to me with very real struggles and very real emotions. And again, I just love the magic in this book. There is something very simple about it (not to say that it isn't fleshed out, it's clear that quite a bit of thought has been put into it) that makes it feel like it could exist in our own world. And who doesn't love magic accidentally baked into cookies. Also, a trope I wasn't aware that I liked but that Larkspur absolutely made me love is in this book (Who hurt you).

Relationships: At its core, Sweet and Wild is about relationships. Not only the romantic relationship between Micah and the forest guardian Terran, but also Micah's relationship with the town and people of Roseyard, his mother and her magic, the animals he cares for, the forest, and himself. It's a relatively short book, but each relationship develops so naturally and you can really feel the love every character has for Micah, and vice versa, by the end. Now, as for Micah and Terran's relationship, it's incredibly sweet (I know, I know, sue me, this won't be the last time I use that word in this review). It's clear from the very beginning that Micah is going through it and still hasn't fully processed some trauma from his past, and to contrast that with the unending kindness and love that Terran offers him almost immediately is just the perfect recipe for tugging on my heartstrings.

(I would be remiss to mention that if you're a fan of romance books without any on page spice, then this is the book for you) 

Descriptions: Larkspur paints a vivid picture of the forest, characters, and the town of Roseyard without using extremely flowery or purple prose. I'm a simple person, I like simple prose that tells me what the author wants me to see. I'm a sucker for books set in natural environments, and Sweet and Wild is rife with wonderful descriptions of the forest near Roseyard.

Engagement: I absolutely tore through this book. I think I read it in about three sittings, and I only ever put it down because I had to go to work (a job? in this economy? It's more likely than you'd think, unfortunately). It's a relatively fast paced book (though quite a bit of time does pass throughout the story), and reading it honestly felt like a casual stroll through the park. It was the perfect sweet treat (okay, okay, I'm done) to jostle me out of my reading slump.

Final thoughts: If you love sunshiney main characters, a dash of trauma, characters processing, healing from, and growing with that trauma, nature, and one of the sweetest (I lied, I'm not sorry) and most caring relationships I've ever read, then I'm sure you'll love Sweet and Wild.

Tempest Take Me Home (2025) - Charlie Knight

 Tempest Take Me Home is the debut novel of author Charlie Knight and is a romantasy that follows Captain Eli Rose, magical cartographer Max, and the crew of The Tempest on their journey to hunt down items of legend. 

*I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Unfamiliar with the WEIRDE  reviews system? Check out this post to learn more.

Opening thoughts: I always thought I was going to die a romantasy hater, turns out I just needed to read romantasies written by queer writers! What really drew me in to this book was the mention of magical cartography. I absolutely LOVE when maps and magic collide, so I was hooked from the start. 

Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding is fairly light in this book. Not absent by any means, there was certainly enough to keep the fantasy junky within me happy, but I did find myself wishing we got a little more information about the gods of the world and a peak at different types of magic. I also wish that we had spent just a little more time with the hunt for the elements, but this book certainly puts the character relationships first (which I'm not complaining about, more details in the next sections) which means some things world building wise got left out. Knight absolutely delivered on the map magic and I loved the descriptions we get of Max working on the maps.

Emotions: I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion while reading. Jak and Eli's constant jabs at each other are the perfect tension breakers sprinkled throughout. I think on average this book just gave me the warm and fuzzies. There were a few heart wrenching moments to be sure, but I'd definitely plop this book in the cozy category.

Intrigue: Can we just talk for a second about the disability rep in this book?! The care Eli takes when moving around and with Max to not cause any extra pain, the care the crew takes to make Tempest accessible for Max in his wheelchair and crutches, and so many other big and small moments in this book put so much focus on Max as a disabled character and how that affects his daily life. It was such a refreshing view of disability in a fantasy setting.

Relationships: This is where Tempest Take Me Home shines the most. Eli and Max's relationship felt SO real and the struggles that they face throughout the book really shines because of that. They're also just incredibly cute together and then you throw Tevin in the mix and cuteness exceeds capacity. I also loved the unique relationship Eli has with each crew member and that Max develops with them. I really appreciated some of the small moments early on that we get to establish the relationship dynamics of the crew.

Descriptions: We get a few key descriptors of each character that paints a pretty good picture of who's who and I never felt lost trying to remember who each character was. Knight does a great job with the sensory descriptions and the whole book felt very atmospheric.

Engagement: This was a really enjoyable and easy read. It was one of those books that I could easily pick up in between classes or read a few pages/chapters. The pacing was great and ramped up at just the right moment (right about where I couldn't put the book down haha).

Final thoughts: I know I just said it but this really was such a fun read. If you're looking for a cozy romantasy set on a treasure hunting ship with a queer as heck cast then I'd definitely recommend picking this one up when it's released in March. I'm looking forward to see what else Knight writes in the future!

Hell Followed With Us - Andrew Joseph White (2022)

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White is a YA dystopian horror novel that follows trans teen Benji as he tries to escape a religious cult all while being forcibly turned into a monster that the cult believes is their savior.

(The following review may contain minor spoilers, read at your own risk)

Unfamiliar with the WEIRDE  reviews system? Check out this post to learn more.

Opening thoughts: Hell Followed With Us had been recommended to me a few times so I went into it with high hopes, and let me tell you, those hopes were met. I was absolutely blown away by this book, it was a great start to my 2025 reading.

Worldbuilding: Hell Followed With Us is set in Acheson, Pennsylvania in a not too distant future where global warming has ravaged the land and a virus, engineered by the religious cult The Angelic Movement, has wiped out a huge percentage of the population and turned many of them into monstrous abominations called Graces. White does a really fantastic job at bringing this dystopian world to life, feeding the reader bits and pieces of how The Flood came to be and how it has changed the way people live so drastically. We get to see both sides of this new life from the queer teens at the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center (ALC) barely scraping by to the small utopia that The Angel Movement have carved out for themselves in New Nazareth. While it has supernatural elements within it like the Graces and the virus tearing apart Benji's body to turn him into Seraph, a biochemical weapon for the Angels, the world of Hell Follows With Us feels like one that could become our reality.

Emotions: This book tugged at my heartstrings so much. Benji struggles so often just trying to fit in and feel like a boy after putting up with so much transphobia from his mother and the Angels while also having to come to terms with the fact that he is slowly but surely being turned into a monster. On top of all that, he has to keep the monster part a secret from the people that saved him for fear that they'll kill him or send him back to the Angels. Poor kid just can't catch a break. There were so many moments that made me cry or scream (both from frustration and joy) throughout Hell Followed With Us. White is also fantastic at ending chapters on cliff hangers that leave your jaw on the floor. 

Intrigue: I've read my fair share of YA dystopian novels, but I feel like White has done something really special with this one. Throughout the story, bible quotes are woven in to reflect what Benji feeling or is trying to rationalize in that moment. I think this was a great tool to help the reader understand just how ingrained the mindset of the Angels is in Benji, and how he is trying to break free from it. I also thought The Flood and how it later interacts with Benji as he becomes more and more Seraph was a really interesting driver of the post-apocalyptic setting. White also scatters bible quotes throughout to reflect how Benji feels about something or is trying to justify his actions which I think was a super effective tool.

Relationships: There are a lot of side characters in this book and they unfortunately get lost in the fray (but I think this is an issue a lot of books with large casts face). The members of The Watch all have great introductions, but then we only get a few lines from each of them scattered throughout the rest of the book. That being said, the complex relationships between Benji and Nick and Benji and Theo are fantastically written. White makes you doubt your own intuition on the intentions of the characters several times over with a wonderful payoff at the end. Benji struggles throughout the book with his relationship to The Angels. He wants to follow his fathers words to "be good" but does being good look like forgiving the people that tortured him, or is it fighting against them?

Descriptions: While I think some of the side characters could have benefited from a little extra description, White makes up for this tenfold with his visceral descriptions of Benji's transformation into Seraph. I physically cringed several times while reading, the descriptions make your skin crawl. White also does a great job at describing Acheson county and really transporting you into the dystopian world where global warming and a horrible plague has rampaged the land only to be further destroyed by the religious cult that released the plague. 

Engagement: I'd describe Hell Followed With Us as a medium-paced book. I absolutely devoured it, especially once I got to the 50% mark I just couldn't put it down. The contrast of Benji dealing with dysphoria combined with his transformation into a monster was just one of the many themes White played on that kept me utterly engaged from start to finish.

"It's harder for someone to pin you down as a girl when they need a moment to pin you down as human."

Final thoughts: Overall Hell Followed With Us was a fantastic first read of 2025. The ending fell a tiny bit flat for me, but it by no means ruined the book and this is definitely one that will stay with me for a long time. If you're looking for a book that heavily explores religious trauma, the dangers of a religious elite being in power, transness, and embracing the monster inside of you with plenty of gore then I would highly recommend it!

The Daughter She Wanted - Felix Graves (2025)

The Daughter She Wanted (2025) by Felix Graves is a speculative horror short fiction that dives deep into the psyche of a high school girl with an abusive foster mother. 

Opening thoughts 

This was a chilling and haunting read from start to finish.

Worldbuilding

The Daughter She Wanted is a very internal story focusing on the main character's mental state as she goes through what could probably be termed as psychological torture. So worldbuilding isn't really applicable here, but it's not needed. Graves does a fantastic job at make the reader feel as though you are experiencing these thoughts and feelings as if they are your own.

Emotion

I wanted to cry the whole time reading this book but I think I was in too much of a shock to be able to. Every time the main character put herself down, using her stepmothers words, I wanted to scream "No, you're wrong! Those aren't true!" Truly a heart wrenching read. 

Intrigue

I really loved the use of dreams as a way to reflect the character's mental state. I won't go too into detail about them since this is a short story and I don't want to spoil anything, but I also loved the bit of perhaps mystical or magical meaning they may have.

Relationships

This was such a clear and brutal depiction of an emotionally abusive parent. The foster mother time and time again sets such high expectations for her daughter while at the same time telling her and making her believe that she is worthless. And still, the daughter loves her. Because how could you not love your mother?

Description

This is another area that wasn't super present, but again wasn't needed. The main characters aren't given names, but you still feel such a deep emotional bond with them. It's a very internal story, focusing on the mental anguish of the main character. You truly feel all of her ups and downs. The dreams that I mentioned above are very vividly described however, and it's a very effective contrast to the rest of the story.

Engagement

A super quick read that kept me on my toes the entire time. I found myself highly engaged trying to pick out each manipulative tactic of the foster mother.

Final thoughts

The Daughter She Wanted absolutely gutted me. I was screaming at the characters the whole way through and was left speechless by the end.

New to the WEIRDE review system? Check out this post to learn more about it.

The WEIRDE Reviews System

 I've always had a hard time figuring out what to write when reviewing a book and reducing it down to a five star scale, but I do want to offer insightful reviews for those that might be interested in a book I've read. So I've created the WEIRDE review system (inspired by Erika McCorkle's, @kiraofthewind on Bluesky, WYVERN system).

This system focuses on the things I care about the most when reading a book: worldbuilding, emotion, ingenuity, relationships, descriptions, and engaging.

Worldbuilding:

I'm a sucker for thoughtful and intentional worldbuilding. If a book has a glossary (or heaven forbid footnotes) I know I'm going to be in for a good time. Of course, books that are lighter on the worldbuilding still have their merits, but I'm more likely to gush over a book that has a really intricate magic system or pages of lore than if it doesn't. Obviously, this category will mostly apply to fantasy and sci-fi books, but since that's the bulk of what I read I couldn't not include it. Books set in the real world that don't require worldbuilding won't be dinged for not having any worldbuilding.

Emotion:

Every book is going to illicit some kind of emotion from it's reader (hopefully). This section will be primarily a space for me to talk about the kind of emotions a book made me experience.

Intrigue:

What makes this book interesting and stand out from other books I've read. What tropes does this author play into or subvert that drew my attention?

Relationships:

I'm not a huge romance reader, but I love a book with a strong romance sub-plot. This category also extends to platonic relationships. I like to read about strong bonds, found family, blossoming new relationships, flourishing established relationships, and how the plot interacts and effects those relationships.

Descriptions:

I have aphantasia and have found that I really need vivid descriptions to ground me in the book. I can’t visualize a character or setting for myself so when authors do that for me it helps immensely. When descriptions are left vague or aren't present at all I have a really hard time following along and differentiating characters.

Engaging:

I have a pretty short attention span and it can be hard sometimes to find books that can keep me reading. Any book that keeps me up to finish that next chapter and forces me to think critically about the prose gets an A+.

And that's the system! There's no number score assigned at the end, just a way to break down my thoughts on a book.