Book Review: Daughter of the Tempest by Braidee Otto
Posted on November 9, 2026 Leave a Comment
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Daughter of the Tempest by Braidee Otto
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Myths of the Empyrieos
Publisher: The Dial Press (October 20, 2026)
Length: 448 pages
Author Information: Website
Daughter of the Tempest by Braidee Otto is one of those books where I was especially glad to have my review of the first book to look back on. While I liked Songbird of the Sorrows well enough, it was clear that I also had some reservations about it. Its heavy reliance on overused romantasy tropes was one of them. The extremely flowery writing was another. I remember thinking the series had the potential to become more if it could just get past those early growing pains. Thankfully, I’m happy to say this sequel does exactly that.
Picking up right after the events of Songbird of the Sorrows, the story finds Aella on the run after helping a mysterious prisoner escape from the Aviary, the spy organization she once swore loyalty to. Now a wanted fugitive herself, she is forced to travel alongside the man she helped free, whose name is Lyxander. Though the two immediately find themselves at odds, they settle into a reluctant truce for the sake of mutual survival. In return for Aella’s help in avoiding capture, Lyxander will teach her how to control her unpredictable magic. However, as they make their way across the realm towards safety, their arrangement becomes increasingly complicated as Aella begins unraveling the truth about Lyxander’s past and how it relates to her own ancestry and her developing powers she has yet to understand.
Meanwhile, back at the Aviary, Aella’s best friend and sister to her heart, Nyssa, is dealing with an entirely different set of problems. Suspected of helping Aella betray their organization, Nyssa has little choice but to go into hiding, adopting a secret identity and going undercover as a palace servant. But for better or worse, that subterfuge ultimately puts her in uncomfortable proximity to Kallias, the Southern Kingdom’s crown prince. While both want to protect Aella, their differing motivations and methods often make strategizing together a challenge. At the same time, they must also work around preparations for the upcoming Empyrean Games, a highly anticipated tournament that brings together the kingdom’s most powerful and influential players. Both Aella and Nyssa are hunted women, but with neither knowing whether the other is still alive, they must each find a way to survive the dangers closing in around them while holding onto the hope they will eventually be reunited.
As I said, this sequel is a much stronger novel, and while I wouldn’t say it is completely free of the clichés that bothered me so much the first time around, the story is now moving into territory that feels a lot less predictable. In my review of Songbird of the Sorrows, I mentioned that the plot initially felt like it was following a standard romantasy blueprint, with plenty of familiar tropes and that made it easy to anticipate where things were going, and it wasn’t until the second half that things started to take a more interesting turn. In this book, we’re branching out even further which makes things feel fresher and, honestly, a lot more fun. I think we’ve reached the point where the series is finally starting to find its own feet, and it does feel as though Otto is getting more comfortable playing with ideas that are more her own.
Another thing I liked about this sequel was the addition of Nyssa’s perspective. Splitting the story between two protagonists gives us two separate journeys, an approach I enjoyed quite a bit, especially since Nyssa was already a character I wanted to know more about. Aella, unfortunately, is still a bit of a mixed bag for me. She always has too much to say, even when it might be in her best interest to shut the hell up and listen for a change. Her constant sass and impulsiveness can make her come across as more obnoxious than the author probably intends. Nyssa, on the other hand, was much more levelheaded and generally easier to warm up to. Her storyline at the palace also brought a different dynamic to the book, and I found myself looking forward to her chapters considerably more than Aella’s.
The writing has also improved since the first book, with the story feeling overall more self-assured and the world-building noticeably richer and more detailed. That said, the prose could still use a little restraint. It’s as though the author still can’t quite help herself with the overembellished descriptions, so while the purple prose is slightly less distracting, it’s not entirely gone. Hopefully, that’s something that will continue to improve as the series goes on.
All in all, Daughter of the Tempest was a welcome and enjoyable sequel. Sometimes a series just needs that second book to get past the introductory phase and start showing you what it can really do, and I’m glad I was there for it! With so many pieces now in motion, I’m curious to see how everything will come together and what Braidee Otto has planned for the next installment. There’s still plenty left to resolve, and I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes things from here.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Songbird of the Sorrows (Book 1)
DNF Round-Up
Posted on November 4, 2026 8 Comments
All book bloggers know there are some posts that are a little harder to write than others, and this is definitely one of them. Yep, it’s time for another DNF roundup!
Anyway, even though I try my best to keep up with regular reviews, I know things have been a bit sporadic around here over the couple months. Ever since late summer, life has been a bit of a whirlwind. Both kids started new schools this year. My youngest is now in middle school and my oldest got accepted into a STEM high school program in another town, which has meant a whole new schedule of commutes and activities to juggle. It really has been a significant adjustment period for all of us as we’re settling into this new routine. Reading time has taken a hit again (so what else is new?) and you know what they say about life being too short to force yourself through a book you’re not enjoying.
More than ever, I just don’t have the time or patience to stick with books that aren’t grabbing my attention. The result? Quite a few additions to the DNF pile because I’ve been feeling a little more ruthless lately. But once again, just because a book didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else. Reading is subjective, and one of these titles might catch your eye and turn out to be a much better fit for you than it was for me.
I received review copies from the publisher(s). This does not affect the contents of my reviews and all opinions are my own.
The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (July 7, 2026)
Length: 352 pages
An ambitious young historian is sent to a rustic inn at the foot of a legendary mountain to document the stories of adventurers attempting to reach its summit and confront the dragon said to live there, and as far as cozy fantasy premises go, this sounded very interesting. And it was perfectly pleasant, don’t get me wrong. But as much as I enjoy this genre, sometimes these stories can lean too far into the cozy side of things. I found myself wishing for a bit more excitementt or characters with a little more personality to grab my attention, but this book never quite got there. Again, it’s never much fun admitting defeat with a book, but ultimately this was a little too uneventful for my tastes, though I can see the appeal.
Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Strata Wars
Publisher: Saga Press (June 16, 2026)
Length: 455 pages
Oof. This one actually hurt a little to DNF because I love Brandon Sanderson, but unfortunately, just because his name is on the cover doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to feel like one of his books. Songs of the Dead really didn’t, because I assume his co-author Peter Orullian took on most of the writing. While I could see some of Sanderson’s influence in the worldbuilding, particularly in the concept of a fantastical London with layers of history hidden beneath the modern city and music serving as a key to unlocking these different worlds, the sheer amount of exposition quickly became overwhelming and distracting. I also wasn’t feeling the subject matter or was that into the book’s the metalhead scene, which didn’t help. On top of that, the plot itself wasn’t doing enough to hold my attention and make me want to keep going, so as much as I hated doing it, I had to set this one aside.
The Hocus Pocus Handbook by Ann Aguirre
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 5 of Fix-It Witches
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2026)
Length: 352 pages
What I didn’t realize when I accepted The Hocus Pocus Handbook for review is that it was actually a continuation of an existing series. Even though it was written and intended to function as a standalone book, in my view it really doesn’t, which is why I’ve catalogued it as the fifth book of Fix-It Witches. The story follows Thea Winter, a changeling raised by a hobgoblin, who finds herself on an unwanted quest to track down the man who abandoned their marriage arrangement. Honestly, even if reading the previous books wasn’t a prerequisite, I still felt like I was being dropped into the middle of an ongoing story without much context. I can see it working much better for readers who are already familiar with the series, since a lot of the character dynamics and worldbuilding would be more enjoyable with some prior investment. Not a bad experience by any means. I liked the writing and humor, but without that existing connection, I never quite found my footing.
Audiobook Review: The Unknown by Riley Sager
Posted on November 1, 2026 4 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Penguin Audio (August 4, 2026)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrators: Maggie Grace, Patricia Santomasso, Erin Lin, Riley Sager
I make a point of reading Riley Sager’s new releases every year, even though my experiences with his books have been somewhat hit or miss. Not every book has worked for me, but I keep coming back because they’re entertaining, even (or especially) if they tend to be over the top. The Unknown certainly had a premise that fit that bill. It wasn’t without its flaws, but it turned out to be great fun.
In 1926, five women vanished under mysterious circumstances on a remote island in Vermont. Now, a century later, a small film crew is returning to the scene to recreate the events surrounding their disappearance. Our protagonist is Marin Keane, a struggling actress whose major credits thus far consist of one rather embarrassing commercial for eczema cream. But a career-changing opportunity unexpectedly lands in her lap when she’s tapped to replace another actress in a major motion picture. Suddenly, Marin finds herself starring alongside a legendary Academy Award-winning actress and an up-and-coming director. Their film is based on the notorious case of a group of spiritual mediums who went missing after retreating to the secluded island of New Avalon, leaving behind nothing but their dresses hanging from the branches of an old oak tree.
It’s the role of a lifetime and Marin’s chance to finally make a name for herself. But there’s a catch. The director is a firm believer in extreme immersion acting, and he and his team insist that the cast fully immerse themselves in the lives of the women they’re portraying. That means spending the production time living as they supposedly did, under rustic conditions with no running water, no electricity, and absolutely no cell phones. What no one anticipates, however, is an emergency that leaves the entire group stranded on the island. Cut off from the outside world and with no one coming to their rescue, the cast soon find themselves dealing with strange occurrences that bear an unsettling resemblance to the original events that unfolded a hundred years ago. Marin begins to question whether there’s a perfectly rational explanation for what’s happening, or if it’s the island’s supernatural reputation might actually have some truth to it after all.
One of the things I enjoyed most about The Unknown was its setup. While it’s ridiculous that no one seemed to question the wisdom of sending pampered actresses off to rough it in the wilderness in the name of making a movie about a real-life tragedy more authentic, I did love the premise. And sure, the plot is stacked with clichés, but they happen to be some of my favorites, including isolated locations involving groups of trapped outsiders. New Avalon makes for a particularly creepy setting, with its old legends, ominous trees, and strange markings. Think Blair Witch Project vibes. Overall, the book had an almost gothic, kind of old-fashioned haunted island quality to it. Whether it’s ghosts, a curse, or something much more ordinary causing all the trouble, there’s always enough uncertainty to keep the mystery going.
There’s also a two-timeline structure. Present day events run alongside another thread, which is taken from a diary written by a girl named Daisy, one of the missing victims from 1926. In this way, Sager fills in New Avalon’s history without too much boring exposition while allowing the two stories to develop together. Part of the book’s appeal was comparing the past and present and trying to piece together which details are significant and which might be red herrings. That said, I also wish the diary had offered more insight into Daisy as a character, rather than having her serve primarily as a plot device.
In terms of other criticisms, I had some issues with the story’s execution, as well as some doubts related to the characters themselves. Marin and her costars don’t often make the most sensible decisions, and in fact, one can argue that, from the start, this whole exercise in character immersion is an exercise in poor judgment. The circumstances which led to the group being stranded required a fair amount of suspension of disbelief. I can usually go along with it, but there were moments when the plot felt a little contrived, with some of the character dynamics and romantic developments feeling forced. Without getting spoilery, I also found it hard to buy into the ending, which wrapped up too neatly and glossed over heavier themes like sexual exploitation, abuse of authority, and mental health.
Still, at the end of the day, I was entertained. The audiobook also made for an enjoyable listen, with solid narration that made the story fly by. Overall, I’m glad I read The Unknown despite its flaws. Besides, sometimes just going along with it is part of the fun of reading a Riley Sager book. He certainly knows how to put together an easy-to-read thriller, questionable plot developments be damned.
Book Review: When the Night Comes Knocking by Katherine Daniel
Posted on October 29, 2026 8 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
When the Night Comes Knocking by Katherine Daniel
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Berkley (October 20, 2026)
Length: 304 pages
Author Information: Website
There’s something to be said for a good, straightforward creature feature. Katherine Daniel’s When the Night Comes Knocking delivers exactly that, blending beloved horror tropes with Appalachian folklore and a monster-sized dose of psychological tension. It’s not the most complicated story, but it knows what it wants to be, and I had a great time with it.
The story follows siblings Jane and Thomas, college students driving through the North Georgia mountains on their way home to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family. The car ride is awkward and thick with hostile energy, as the two haven’t spoken since an accident that nearly killed them both, destroying Thomas’s dreams of ever playing professional baseball. While there’s plenty of blame to go around, neither is willing to confront what happened, resulting in an unspoken agreement to get through the holidays without dredging up the past or blowing up what little peace remains between them.
However, that fragile truce falls apart at a roadside convenience store, the only place to grab supplies along the otherwise lonely mountain road. Before they can check out, a local man stumbles in carrying the mutilated body of his friend, insisting they were attacked by a monster. At first, no one takes him seriously, but as the bodies start piling up and with the police unable to reach them because of a road blockage, Jane and Thomas find themselves trapped alongside a handful of employees and customers, with no idea what’s lurking outside or who among them might already be something else. According to local folklore, the terrifying creature stalking them can mimic the appearance and mannerisms of others to lure its prey. As the hours drag on and fear gives way to suspicion, survival becomes a desperate race against a threat that could be hiding in plain sight.
Reading this book, I couldn’t help thinking of movies like The Thing and, of course, 2007’s The Mist starring Thomas Jane. In fact, with the two main characters’ names being Thomas and Jane, I couldn’t help thinking this had to be more than just an amusing coincidence, and perhaps a more direct nod to its inspiration. In any case, the atmosphere has much the same appeal. Think the claustrophobia of being trapped in a confined space, and the growing paranoia that comes from never knowing who you can trust. The mimic monster adds another layer of terror because the characters can’t simply identify the threat and deal with it. Imagine the agony of not being able to believe anything you see or hear, or that something else might be wearing your loved one’s face.
I also liked the folklore aspect which gave the creature a little more depth than your average movie monster. The author has tied its hunger to the guilt and misery of the characters’ personal struggles, which also gave the plot an actual reason to explore their backstories beyond simply filling in the blanks about their pasts. Not surprisingly, there’s a strong psychological element here. But rather than overshadowing the horror themes themselves, quite a bit of emotional weight is added to an otherwise familiar setup, giving characters a reason to confront their personal demons even as they fight to stay alive.
That said, at its heart, this is a relatively straightforward tale. The plot is fairly derivative, and readers hoping for elaborate mythology, complicated twists, or something that pushes the boundaries of creature horror may find it predictable. It’s not anything groundbreaking. Nor is it trying to reinvent the genre. Still, I don’t think that’s too important here. Personally, I didn’t mind the simplicity. Sometimes, knowing exactly what you’re signing up for is part of the appeal, and When the Night Comes Knocking delivers the goods. The writing is solid, the horror is effective, and the premise feels tailor-made for the big screen, where I can easily imagine this as a Hollywood blockbuster.
Overall, When the Night Comes Knocking was a fun, satisfying read that recognizes a strong demand for a good old-fashioned creature feature, and it happily delivers on that promise. Between the paranoia and claustrophobia, this story doesn’t need that much more to keep things entertaining, and Katherine Daniel proves that sometimes a familiar formula is all you need when the execution is this solid. It may not offer anything too new, but if you’re hankering for a well-written monster story to sink your teeth into this Halloween season, this one should do the trick.
Book Review: Crone by Keith Rosson
Posted on October 23, 2026 6 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Random House (September 22, 2026)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website
I’ve had several of Keith Rosson’s books sitting on my reading list over the past few years, but somehow, Crone is the first one I’ve actually picked up and read. And man, am I glad I finally took the plunge. Blending small-town crime, mystery, and supernatural horror, this was a great introduction to the author’s work. It’s the kind of story that starts pretty grounded, treading in gritty albeit familiar territories before gradually taking things up a notch in much stranger directions.
The story takes place in a small seaside town in the Pacific Northwest, where fifteen-year-old Hannah Lamp disappeared thirteen years ago after hitching a ride on a stormy night. The last person to see her was her best friend, Avery Bryant, who can only remember that the vehicle was a blue van and that she should have done more to stop Hannah from getting in. Years later, the guilt of that night still haunts her. Hannah’s father, Eli Lamp, a former detective, is just as unable to let go. Haunted by his own failings as a father and the time he neglected to give his daughter, Eli remains consumed by the need to find out what happened to her. His obsession, however, has left him indebted to a local drug gang, forcing him to work as their enforcer to pay off what he owes. Desperate to leave that life behind but unable to find a way out, Eli sees a possible escape when the gang’s leader offers to wipe his debt clean in exchange for finding out who killed his son.
Meanwhile, Avery returns to her hometown after many years, called to it by an unsettling dream of Hannah which brings unresolved questions back to the surface. A terrible discovery on the beach also catches the attention of Vicki Stubbs, a local fortune teller and self-professed witch who recognizes the bloody find as a sign of bad things to come. As these separate storylines begin to come together, the investigation points towards something far more sinister than the usual criminal activity in town.
One of the things I really liked about Crone was the mix of small-town crime and mystery with the larger, more insidious threat lurking beneath the surface. The drug trade and the organized crime rings, for example, are a menace that goes well beyond just a few criminals, reaching into the community and affecting the people in ways that aren’t always obvious. I thought this gave the story an unsettling vibe even before the supernatural elements came into play. Up until that point, I also liked how Rosson was leaving some room for doubt about what’s really happening. While there were hints that something unnatural might be at work, you’re never entirely sure until a major, genuinely shocking moment puts those doubts to rest once and for all. And speaking of shocking, there are a few twists here that I genuinely didn’t see coming.
Rosson also does a good job of showing how loss can leave people stuck in the past, unable to move forward even as the years pass them by. This is particularly evident in Eli and Avery, two of the novel’s strongest characters. Eli is a deeply flawed man whose grief over his missing daughter has shaped virtually every aspect of his life, but his determination to find out what happened to Hannah makes him an admirable figure all the same. Avery, too, is a tragic figure in her own right. Like Eli, she’s spent years weighed down by guilt, but there’s also a sense of wasted potential to her story that makes her situation all the more heartbreaking. Together, these characters give the novel an emotional depth that elevates it beyond what could otherwise have been a straightforward crime thriller with a supernatural twist.
As for the horror itself, I thought there was great balance between the grounded crime elements with the more disturbing, otherworldly aspects of the story. I enjoyed how the tensions gradually increased as the plot’s pieces gradually fell into place. A word of warning, there’s plenty of gruesome material here as well, including a few downright nasty scenes that get tough to read, though to be fair, it generally reads like a natural extension of the story rather than violence thrown in simply for shock value. If I’m forced to make just one complaint, I have to say my only disappointment was the ending. Given how well the mystery and atmosphere came together through most of the book, I was hoping for a conclusion that continued in that same vein. Instead, things became a little too untethered for my tastes. Fortunately, it did little to spoil the overall experience, but I did wish the end had felt more in keeping with the crime-driven horror that made the rest of the book work so well.
Overall, Crone was a very satisfying read, and I’m glad it was my introduction to Keith Rosson. I loved the combination of small-town mystery and creeping horror, but I also appreciated that beneath all the brutal crime and violence, there was also meaningful development with real emotion and sadness, especially after I read the author’s note and found out more about the book’s inspiration. I guess I know what this means: I’ll need to stop letting the author’s other books sit on my reading list for so long.
Book Review: It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller
Posted on October 19, 2026 6 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Nightfire (October 13, 2026)
Length: 288 pages
Author Information: Website
Set in a remote wilds of northern Alaska, Mathilda Zeller’s It Looks Like You in the Dark blends Indigenous folklore with supernatural horror and a story about greed, environmental destruction, and the struggles of a small, isolated community. It has an interesting premise and some genuinely creepy moments, but I ultimately found the actual reading experience a little uneven and slower than I’d hoped.
The story follows Tapeesa, who has just finished high school and is now working at the local fish processing plant in Chukchi, the Alaskan village where she was born and raised. Between keeping an eye on her unreliable mother and looking after her younger sister Esther, she already has plenty on her plate. Even if knew what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, she wouldn’t have the freedom or the means to pursue it. But then their quiet village life is soon disrupted by a series of strange and unsettling events. Like the other children in the village, Tapeesa grew up hearing stories about the kushtuka, a creature that can take the form of someone you love to lure you away. It’s the kind of folklore that’s easy to dismiss as a childhood tale, but as people begin to disappear, Tapeesa starts to wonder just how much truth there might be behind the legend.
Adding to the tensions, a mining company has also arrived in town with plans to extract resources from the surrounding land, promising to revitalize the economy and provide jobs. However, the community is divided over the announcement, concerned about what this means for their future and how all the mining activity would impact the environment around their home. But when Esther suddenly goes missing, Tapeesa has more immediate concerns. Determined to find her sister, she is forced to make uneasy alliances and consider compromises she never imagined making. But no matter what it takes, she will do anything necessary to bring Esther home.
It Looks Like You in the Dark had a lot of things going for it, particularly its Alaskan setting and the incorporation of Inupiat folklore. I really enjoyed the sense of place and how the story draws on the history and traditions of the community. The isolation makes for an interesting backdrop, with its bleak and unforgiving landscape and the self-reliance that comes with living so far removed from the rest of the world. There’s also a quiet sadness in the way the story portrays life for younger people like Tapeesa, who struggles to eke out a living while feeling as though there are few opportunities to build a different life. But at the same time, the book recognizes that Chukchi is more than a place people feel stuck in. It’s home to a community with its own traditions, connections, and ways of life, as seen in the way one of Tapeesa’s friends prepares for the Iditarod. There’s a deep balance between the hardships of living in such a remote place and the deep ties that make it meaningful to the people who live there.
Unfortunately, I had a rougher time connecting with the story itself. The pacing was slow, and there were stretches where I found things a little tedious waiting for things to pick up. Some of the plot points also felt repetitive, with similar conversations and conflicts coming up more than once without adding enough to keep them interesting. I sympathized with Tapeesa’s struggles with her responsibilities to her family and community but also felt like the book spent too much time circling these concerns. Meanwhile, I was especially intrigued by the concept of the shape-shifting creature that lures people away from the safety of their homes by taking the form of someone they know and trust. There’s just something deeply unsettling about the idea of a monster that can exploit the love and bonds between people, but while this was one of the story’s strongest elements, we honestly didn’t get much of it. There was so much potential to create a stronger sense of paranoia and dread, but it never became as central to the horror story as it should have.
At the end of the day, I thought It Looks Like You in the Dark had the ingredients for a much more effective horror novel. But while its underlying elements made it good, the overall execution never quite pulled everything together in a way that made it great. Still, although it landed somewhere in the middle, the interesting ideas and themes made it a worthwhile read.
Book Review: Harbinger by Geneva Lee
Posted on October 15, 2026 6 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Red Tower Books (September 10, 2026)
Length: 496 pages
Author Information: Website
If you’re a fan of Red Tower Books and the kind of romantasy they publish, Harbinger by Geneva Lee should feel right at home on your reading list. Their signature vibe is all over it, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing! Sometimes it’s helpful to know exactly what you’re getting into before you even open a book, and this one delivers on many of those favorite and familiar ingredients. On the other hand, if you’ve read a lot of their titles, you might also find yourself experiencing a little déjà vu.
The story follows Arden Icaros, a daughter of one of Antares’s five noble bloodlines. Although her family is considered among the least wealthy and influential in the kingdom, their earth magic nonetheless plays an essential role in feeding its people. And so, while Arden would much rather be at home working the family farm than dealing with the stuffy pageantry of court life, she unfortunately cannot avoid her Petition, a ceremony in which young nobles discover whether they will inherit their family’s magic. Yet what should have been a routine rite of passage takes a horrifying turn when Arden breaks with tradition, setting off a chain of events that could cost her everything. Instead of returning home triumphant, she finds herself branded the Harbinger, a designation that, to some, makes her an omen of war and a threat that must be eliminated at any cost.
With few options available to her, Arden seeks help from the one person who might be able to keep her alive. Known only by his title, Bishop is a feared member of an elite order sworn to guard the kingdom from its enemies. Ruthless and dangerous, he is hardly the kind of person our protagonist should trust, particularly since his very role involves eliminating people like her, but surprisingly, he offers her protection. At his home, now her new sanctuary, Arden must learn to navigate unfamiliar rules, political machinations, and a strange magic system she barely understands. As she struggles to adapt, she and Bishop become increasingly enmeshed in a tangle of secrets surrounding her fate as Harbinger and the forces that want to destroy her.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book and its potential, even though certain story elements felt recognizable and standard. There are plenty of romantasy staples here, from the mysterious brooding male lead to the heroine who finds herself caught up in forces far beyond her control. Individually, though, I think these elements worked well in Harbinger, making the plot feel a little less predictable. The story did take a while to get going, making it more difficult to become fully invested during the early chapters, especially when world didn’t begin to feel like a fully realized place until around the halfway point, when everything opened up enough for me to get a better sense of what was happening. Things became more interesting from there, as the setting and its larger conflicts started to take shape.
But for me, the characters presented the biggest struggle, particularly Arden. I know plenty of romantasy readers who enjoy a female protagonist with a sharp tongue and rebellious streak, so these criticisms might be just me, but her particular brand of sass wore me down pretty quickly. Arden often seemed incapable of knowing when to shut up or think through the consequences of her actions, and I found myself increasingly frustrated with her whenever her own impulsiveness lands her or others in trouble. To be fair, this is a characterization I struggle with in general. There’s a difference between being outspoken and being needlessly reckless or always needing to have the last word. If you’ve read your fair share of Red Tower titles like I have, you’ll probably recognize this heroine archetype.
Whether it works for you will depend on how you feel about Arden’s dynamic with Bishop. Personally, the contrast between her impulsive behavior and his more composed, experienced, and mature demeanor sometimes made her come across as an impudent child rather than an equal romantic partner. And that’s why the romance was just okay for me too. It was slow burning, which itself was fine, and I actually appreciated that their relationship was given time to develop. However, the eventual shift from simmering tension to a full-blown established lovefest also felt rather abrupt. After all that time building anticipation, I wish there was a little more balance in the transition to savor it! Still, credit where credit is due, their romance added another layer to the central conflict and gave that killer ending even more punch.
All told, Harbinger was a great read, especially given the way it steadily picked up as it went along. While it was admitted slow to take off, once things picked up, the expanded world and larger conflicts made it very enjoyable. Although I personally had a difficult time warming up to the main protagonist, I think I’m in the minority and that most romantasy readers will likely find plenty of reasons to root for her. If you’re a fan of the genre and of Red Tower Books’ other titles, this one will be right up your alley.
Book Review: Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova
Posted on October 9, 2026 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 13, 2026)
Length: 592 pages
Author Information: Website
Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova is a different kind of horror and paranormal historical mystery, and I mean that in a good way. There’s definitely a puzzle at the heart of the story for the reader to solve, but it is also much more interested in slowly uncovering its secrets than delivering scares or nonstop suspense. Emphasis on SLOWLY! I came away from this knowing that I enjoyed myself, yet at the same time, there’s no denying some major pacing and structural issues.
The story follows Jay Turner, a young history teacher who loses his mother to a sudden illness. After taking leave from the boarding school where he works, he returns home to sort through her belongings. There, he discovers a collection of unusual keepsakes, including an old book and references to Gael Brogan, a celebrated nineteenth-century stage actor whose many roles included Shakespearean characters, but whose most famous performance was Dracula in a stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic. Curious about his mother’s apparent fascination with these collected materials and the secrecy surrounding them, Jay begins his own investigations. His research soon leads him into a much larger mystery involving Brogan’s productions, the actor’s relationships with those around him, including a young co-star with whom he was rumored to have been romantically involved. Letters, diaries, and other surviving documents gradually reveal hints of strange rituals and darker secrets lurking beneath the theatrical world.
Following even more clues, Jay’s efforts eventually lead him to tour a historic estate, where he meets Rhiannon, a graduate student in history who works there. While Jay immediately finds himself drawn to her, their connection takes on a much greater significance after someone close to both of them is brutally killed, revealing a link between their lives that neither knew existed. Together, they set out to understand the murder and what it might have to do with the secrets they have been uncovering. Jay begins to wonder whether the strange objects his mother left behind are connected to the killing and whether someone is trying to stop them from putting the pieces together. Before long, the two find themselves caught between pursuing answers and trying to stay ahead of something that may already be pursuing them.
I really enjoyed the way the story gradually connected the pieces, particularly the historical details. The strong theatrical themes also ended up being one of my favorite aspects of the book. I learned that a mystery play is a type of medieval religious drama depicting biblical stories or spiritual themes, and Kostova expands on that idea, connecting literature, mythology, and theater with dark rituals and paranormal elements across several periods. She weaves all these threads together so well that it becomes difficult to tell where history ends and the otherworldly begins.
Then there are the nods to Dracula itself. The story is written in an epistolary style, with diaries, letters, documents, and other written accounts forming the backbone of the novel. At the same time, Shakespeare and the traditions of theater are woven throughout, giving the book an appropriately old-world quality. There were times when it felt as though I was digging through some dusty archive alongside Jay and Rhiannon, and I appreciated how the plot drew on the rich history of theater to create a sense of awe around its ancient, mysterious traditions.
But towards the middle, I struggled. As I mentioned before, pacing can be rather slow, though this is likely by design. Generally, I don’t mind too much as long as the atmosphere and mystery are strong enough to carry it, but there were admittedly stretches that really tried my patience, leading to boredom. Several interruptions to the main narrative, including an extended section that cut in following another character’s diary and writings made me wonder why I was suddenly reading about this person and what it had to do with everything else. Once the significance was revealed, it made much more sense, but getting there sure felt like a chore at times. There were more detours and abrupt switches like this throughout the book, and while they eventually fit together, they frequently pulled me out of immersion rather than drawing me deeper into it.
Fortunately, the atmosphere ultimately won me over and motivated me to finish the book. Mystery Play isn’t a horror novel that will have you peeking through your fingers or jumping at every noise in the house, but the gradual accumulation of strange details is designed to fill you with a sense of unease. Kostova is very good at letting that tension simmer rather than constantly pushing it to the surface, and I thought that worked particularly well given the story’s themes.
Overall, I have to say Mystery Play was an interesting and atmospheric read that, while not without its flaws, stands out as one of the more unique and distinctive books I’ve read this year. Its blend of historical fiction, paranormal mystery, and gothic horror makes it feel special, and despite some narrative hiccups and slower stretches, there was plenty here to keep me invested. When everything clicks, it’s an experience that makes the journey worthwhile.
Audiobook Review: Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong
Posted on October 5, 2026 15 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 2.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (October 6, 2026)
Length: 8 hrs 23 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrator: Helen Laser, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Shane Ghostkeeper
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors so it’s rare for me to come across a book of hers I dislike, though it occasionally does happen. Given the way she moves between genres and styles with an impressive amount of versatility, I guess it’s inevitable that sooner or later, there will be something that doesn’t quite work. Unfortunately, Dive Bar at the End of the Road turned out to be one of those books. It’s an interesting and unusual take on supernatural horror for sure, but maybe just a little too weird for my tastes.
The story begins on a dark and stormy night when a series of accidents leaves a group of strangers stranded at an isolated dive bar, which is the only sign of civilization in the literal middle of nowhere. Ellie is the first to arrive after swerving to avoid a mystery woman suddenly appearing standing in the road, sending her car crashing into a tree. More vehicles soon pile up, the next one belonging to Henry, a paramedic, who rushes to help bring Ellie to the bar in the hopes of calling for some help.
But there, they only find a strangely upbeat bartender who seems to know far more about them than he should, along with a single bar patron who looks suspiciously like the woman Ellie narrowly avoided on the road. There are also no working vehicles to be had, phone lines are down, and no cell service. Before Ellie and Henry can even decide their next move, however, more guests turn up, all of them frazzled and in a panic, telling a similar tale. They were all driving along the lonely road when suddenly, an unavoidable obstacle causes them to crash, disabling their cars and leaving them with nowhere else to go. Of course, it doesn’t take them long to realize something is very wrong with the bar and the surrounding woods, and that none of them are here by accident. What started off as a straightforward survival situation swiftly turns into something more supernatural, and the rules of whatever dreadful place our characters have stumbled in may cost them their lives.
I can absolutely see how this premise will work well for some readers, and there were even some elements of this story I really liked. For one, the basic setup is fantastic. A group of random strangers with disparate personalities are thrown together due to circumstances outside their control, forcing them to work together to figure out what’s going on. Next, there’s the supernatural horror aspect. This isn’t simply a case of being trapped by a bad storm, and only once the characters are confronted with unexplained visions and manifestations of their own fears do they begin to accept that there may be no rational explanation for the dangers they’re facing.
That said, I had a harder time with the way the story was structured. There’s an element of another plane of existence, almost like a purgatory at work here, and the plot relies heavily on flashbacks and revelations to explain what is happening. Because of that, the narrative can feel pretty disjointed, especially as more characters and backstories are added once they show up. There are a lot of moving pieces, and just when I thought I had a handle on one aspect of the story, another character or piece of history would get pulled into the mix. Simply put, I eventually found myself feeling worn down by having to keep track of what exactly was going on.
That was probably my biggest issue with the book. The whole mystery surrounding the bar and its bartender and why these particular people have ended up there is designed to keep you guessing, but at some point, I just wasn’t particularly interested in playing this guessing game anymore. It wasn’t that the underlying concept was bad. I actually think there’s a highly intriguing thread holding it all together. My problem was the process of teasing it out, which wasn’t particularly enjoyable. It had me so distracted that I couldn’t even find the book nearly as creepy or frightening as I expected. Armstrong has a real talent for creating genuinely unsettling horror, but here I felt like the sheer number of things going on ended up overshadowing the atmosphere and making it harder for her to work her magic.
On the bright side, I can easily picture this book working much better as a movie. The premise itself seems tailor-made for the big screen, and I think so much of what happens on the page would play out much more effectively as visuals, like the isolation of the bar, the unseen threats lurking in the woods, and the disturbing visions the characters experience. Even in audio format, which was what I listened to, helped a lot with good narrators that made the story feel more immediate, and more immersive. I had no complaints about the performances, which were excellent. Still, this story is definitely a movie I would watch, but as a novel, I found myself more frustrated. Which is a shame, because in a right format, I feel this is a story that can really shine.
In the end, I know this review is probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but I’m bummed to say Dive Bar at the End of the Road did not work for me. I can certainly appreciate what Kelley Armstrong was trying to do, but I just didn’t love the execution. She’s written much better books, particularly when it comes to building atmosphere and telling a tight, coherent story. I’m still a huge fan of the author, but this latest offering was ultimately too weird and all over the place for me.
Book Review: The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown
Posted on September 30, 2026 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (September 22, 2026)
Length: 288 pages
Author Information: Website
I don’t know what it is about The Need, but I absolutely loved the hell out of this book. It’s weird, gory, a little ridiculous, and clearly not interested in taking itself too seriously, which turned out to be a pretty perfect combination for me. Megan Mostyn-Brown takes the idea of cannibalism in some very unexpected directions, mixing gruesome horror with dysfunctional families, dark humor, and a bit of chaos. I went into this expecting something dark and fun, and boy, did it deliver.
The novel’s premise alone is enough to grab your attention: certain people are born with a genetic condition that requires them to consume human flesh to stay alive. This condition, known simply as the Need, is passed down genetically, and kept secret amongst those who have it. For many, it is a curse that must be hidden at all costs. But others have embraced it as part of who they are, with some families even treating it as a source of pride and becoming obsessed with keeping the bloodline pure. This story follows Talia, a mother who falls firmly in the first camp. She has spent years moving from place to place with her twins, Sam and Rosie, trying to stay one step ahead of her mother-in-law, Vera, a brutal woman who falls firmly into the latter camp. Following the death of her husband, Talia wants nothing more to do with his overbearing family, but Vera has other plans. As the head of a wealthy and powerful family, she has every resource at her disposal and will stop at nothing to get her grandchildren back under her control.
Talia has another problem to worry about. While Rosie was born without the Need, Sam on the other hand has inherited the full-blown form of the condition. Now a teenager, he struggles with the impulses that come with it and sometimes loses control, leaving Talia to pack up the family and move whenever his actions threaten to catch up with them. Meanwhile, Rosie is simply eager to experience something resembling a normal teenage life, which is difficult when you have a brother who eats people and a mother who keeps uprooting you every few months. But as Talia’s carefully constructed plans begin to unravel and she runs out of places to hide, the family is forced to confront just how much damage the Need has caused across generations.
I really loved the concept behind the novel, especially the idea of families approaching the Need from very different directions. Talia sees it as something dangerous and almost shameful, while Vera has taken the opposite approach, becoming almost fanatical about her heritage and horrified by the possibility that any of her descendants, like her son or Rosie, could be born without the condition. That difference creates some wonderfully messed-up family dynamics, but underneath all the killing and cannibalism, there’s actually some deeper stuff going on about parenthood and the hang-ups and unhealthy patterns that get passed down from one generation to the next.
A possible sticking point, however, might be the number of POVs. There are a lot of them, and because the chapters move quickly between multiple first-person perspectives, keeping track of them can easily become overwhelming. At the same time, I have to admit this format probably worked better than it should have because of how it kept the story moving. And then there’s Vera. Oh my goodness, Vera! I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy this woman. She is absolutely terrible, completely unhinged, yet somehow manages to be hilarious while doing some truly dastardly things. I’m pretty sure she made me laugh out loud at least a dozen times. There’s just something incredibly entertaining about a villainess who is so committed to her own demented worldview that she can turn even the most horrifying situation into something absurd.
Speaking of which, some of the imagery in this book is genuinely wild. The Need was exactly the kind of strange, messy horror book I didn’t realize I was in the mood for. Of course, there was also a little more teenage drama than I personally needed, particularly when everything else going on was much more interesting. But if nothing else, it was entertaining to watch the kids worry about teenage problems when everything else around them is so out there. This is not a book where everyone makes sensible decisions, and honestly, I think the story is better for it.
Ultimately, this novel was just ridiculously fun to read. Sometimes all I need is a killer concept, some deeply questionable characters, and a whole lot of blood to have a good time. The Need has a sort of horror-meets-dark-humor energy that makes me think fans of Rachel Harrison will really love this, and I definitely recommend it to genre readers who like being entertained without losing sight of the emotional and dysfunctional human relationships underneath the horror.
