Book Review: Red City by Marie Lu
Posted on November 7, 2025 10 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 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The New Alchemists
Publisher: Tor (October 14, 2025)
Length: 418 pages
Author Information: Website
Like many readers coming to Red City, I’ve dabbled in and enjoyed Marie Lu’s YA in the past. Naturally, I was curious to see what she’d do with her first foray into adult fiction. What I found was a definite shift into darker territory—an urban fantasy featuring rival factions warring for control in an alchemy-fueled underworld of an alternate Los Angeles.
Within this world, we follow two gifted young alchemists who become friends. Ari, a boy uprooted from his family and culture in his native home of India, is offered a golden opportunity when his natural talent for magic is discovered. Sam, on the other hand, was raised by a single, immigrant mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her daughter—and to shield them from the dangerous world of alchemy. But Sam’s fascination of the forbidden proves too strong to resist. Circumstances and a moment of desperation lead her to join the Grand Central syndicate, enemies of the Lumines, who end up recruiting Ari. For a time, their paths ran parallel, sharing classes by day. But as the years pass, their lives begin to split in opposite directions.
Still, we subsequently see Ari and Sam’s paths cross, both directly and indirectly, as each climbs the ranks within their respective crime organizations. Ari is a disciplined and hard worker, quickly rising to become the model Lumines apprentice. Meanwhile, Sam’s alchemical gifts lead her to the highest echelons of Grand Central’s network, where she rubs elbows with the leadership. By the time they meet again as adults, both have already embedded themselves deeply into their respective spheres of power and influence. But while the memories of their friendship may have faded with time, the bond they once shared endures as a secret that could destroy them both.
What stood out to me most was the world-building. Red City’s version of Los Angeles, known as Angel City, is both grim and beautiful, with shades of glamor and decay layered atop each other. Alchemists run the show behind the scenes, adhering to decades of rituals and rules established by syndicate hierarchy. At the heart of all this power is an alchemical substance known as “sand”, which heightens its users’ abilities. Control the sand, and you control the lives and even the fates of those around you. This is a world that feels alive in Lu’s hands, but at the same time isn’t too overwhelming or hyper-dense. To seasoned genre readers, the world-building might actually come across as relatively shallow, but rest assured it’s still deep enough to give the story a strong backbone.
Sam and Ari are also solid leads, each ambitious and flawed—even if it is in predictable ways. The “forbidden love” across enemy lines setup is a well-trodden road, and here, for better or worse, you can tell the author’s YA background still has a heavy influence on her style. The narrative beats, emotional drama, and romantic tensions are familiar, just with the added spice of sex scenes which were probably more explicit than they needed to be. By that, I mean they felt just a tad too self-conscious, almost like the story trying to prove it’s all grown up.
Story-wise, Red City moves fast. There’s a balanced mix of political intrigue, action, and—of course—romance that keeps things entertaining from start to finish. The first half tends to focus heavily on backstory and character setup, which does slow the momentum at times but also lays the groundwork for understanding who Sam and Ari become. The story’s predictability again becomes a disadvantage, yet never to point of derailing the whole experience. What we get is a perfectly serviceable urban romantasy which can provide readers with a bridge when moving from YA to something more adult and a bit spicier. While it’s obvious that Lu is mainly focusing on the relationship rather than on complex plotting, in this case, that choice mostly works in her favor.
All told, Red City makes for a confident adult debut from Marie Lu, even if it plays a little safe by treading familiar ground. This isn’t so much a reinvention of anything, but more a refinement of her storytelling, with its edges sharpened with darker and more mature themes. Ultimately, it’s a satisfying new direction.
Book Review: The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong
Posted on November 2, 2025 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.
The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Ace (October 14, 2025)
Length: 368 pages
Author Information: Website
I was a big fan of Julie Leong’s The Teller of Small Fortunes and admittedly went into The Keeper of Magical Things with high expectations. But while I will say I enjoyed the former just a smidgen more, this one still captures the same enchanting vibe. The story unfolds on a smaller scale and at a gentler pace, but if you’re looking for a heartfelt and cozy fantasy, you’ve come to the right place.
Our story follows a young novice of the Guild of Mages named Certainty. Although she has a rather unique and useful gift—the ability to “speak” to objects and learn their histories and properties—Cert has spent years waiting for her big break, the moment she’ll finally be recognized as a full-fledged mage. That chance arrives when she’s unexpectedly assigned to assist Aurelia, a powerful and somewhat intimidating mage with a reputation for being difficult to work with. Together, they are tasked with transporting a trove of magical relics to the unassuming backwater village of Shpelling, where the items will be secured and catalogued.
But the job soon proves to be more complicated than either of them realized. For one, the people of Shpelling are wary of outsiders, especially mages, and their cold reception makes the already delicate task of handling powerful relics even trickier. But as Certainty and Aurelia begin uncovering the secrets behind the magical objects, each one revealing a story of its own, they start to see how their work might actually benefit the townsfolk and breathe new life into the village. Along the way, the two women also learn more about each other, their guarded partnership slowly softening into mutual respect, and perhaps developing into something even deeper.
What stands out most in The Keeper of Magical Things are its characters. As a protagonist, Certainty is an absolute gem. Her magic may be modest, but her empathy, curiosity, as well as her willingness to adapt to changing circumstances make her instantly endearing and easy to root for. Aurelia, meanwhile, begins as rather standoffish and takes a while to warm up to, but her work ethic and professionalism are qualities worthy of respect. As the story unfolds, however, both women begin to reveal more of themselves, with their dynamic evolving beautifully over the course of the novel. Theirs is a quiet, character-driven relationship arc that feels satisfying, filled with moments big and small that explore their individual motivations and vulnerabilities.
That said, I still often found myself wishing their relationship had remained platonic, as I believe the story would have worked just as well—if not better—without the dramatics of romantic tension. In fact, it’s really a testament to Leong’s talents in writing a believable friendship since the gradual trust and companionship that forms between Certainty and Aurelia are strong enough on their own, and the emotional payoff of the two of them finding a common ground through mutual respect and shared purpose already carries plenty of weight. The romance, while sweet, actually somewhat disrupts the rhythm that made their partnership so compelling.
I also want to talk about the setting of Shpelling, where much of the book takes place—and where the heart of the story truly lies. Close your eyes and you can see it: the perfect, sleepy, magic-faded kind of village where stories like these are meant to grow. A place of garlic farms and practical townsfolk, it’s where life moves at its own pace and where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Leong’ approach to magic definitely leans towards whimsy here, with talking teapots and winged cat-dragons. It’s soft, charming, and strangely comforting the way it all feels tangible and lived in, the kind of cozy fantasy setting that invites you to linger and soak up its warmth with a steaming cup of tea.
To be honest, it’s hard to find anything to critique. With a book like this, you come to it knowing what to expect, and that’s exactly the appeal. Some readers might feel the story lacks urgency or large-scale conflict, and sure, the plot never quite reaches high-stakes intensity, even when livelihoods are at stake, because you already know there has to be a happy ending. The romance is sweet and stays safely predictable. The village’s transformation, though heartwarming, unfolds at a casual, measured pace. In short, the book is cozy and comforting rather than edge-of-your-seat—but that’s precisely the point.
In conclusion, I still prefer The Teller of Small Fortunes, which had a tad more narrative breadth—but only by a little. If you’re looking for something similar in tone, but perhaps smaller in scope and sweeter, The Keeper of Magical Things is a lovely choice. I would highly recommend this to fans of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst or the Tomes & Tea series by Rebecca Thorn, or anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy that’s equal parts charm, heart, and found family.
DNF Round-Up
Posted on October 30, 2025 14 Comments
Hopefully the last DNF roundup of the year, but based on how crappy this fall has been so far, maybe we’ll get one more? In my personal life, it’s been trying times since the season started, and my October took one look at the dumpster fire that was my September and said, “hold my beer.” Anyway, I would really love for the last two months of the year to break this trend. There’s been a lot on my plate, some of it good and some of it bad, but mentally I’m exhausted and now more than ever I’m looking to my books as an escape. Those that aren’t keeping my attention get put aside. Mood reading: I’m all in.
But as always, please take my opinions with a grain of salt. It’s possible you might enjoy these books for the very reasons I didn’t. Regardless, I find it helps me greatly to process my reading experiences to to articulate why a book didn’t click for me, so that’s where these DNF reviews come in.
I received review copies from the publisher(s). This does not affect the contents of my reviews and all opinions are my own.
Red Rabbit Ghost by Jen Julian
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Run For It (July 22, 2025)
Length: 384 pages
After many years, Jesse Calloway returns to his eerie and repressive hometown to uncover the truth about his mother’s mysterious death. I really wanted to like his story, and though things were slow at the beginning, I’d hoped it would eventually draw me in. Unfortunately, despite the interesting setup, the plot never quite found its footing. It didn’t help that there was no hook. The pacing dragged, the characters felt distant, and the setting–which was supposed to capture the dull grind of small town life–may have done its job a little too well. Red Rabbit Ghost is a horror novel but I found no frights or even tension in it, just tedium.
The Two Lies of Faven Sythe by Megan E. O’Keefe
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Books (June 3, 2025)
Length: 345 pages
Faven Sythe is a spacefaring navigator who charts the starpaths between worlds, and when the book begins we see her setting out to find her missing mentor. The plot is slick with plenty of sci-fi intrigue, but I’ll be honest–I was more confused than captivated. The world-building felt more like windowdressing and the sense of place never materialized for me, and neither did a cohesive narrative. I found it difficult to stay interested, and even though the writing flowed smoothly and the characters felt solid enough, none of the ideas had time to cook. The politics and relationships lacked weight, and after a while, I came to the realization that my investment and desire to continue had completely fizzled. Disappointed that I had to abandon this one but I don’t regret it.
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tordotcome (October 7, 2025)
Length: 144 pages
Cinder House reimagines Cinderella as a ghost story, following sixteen-year-old Ella who was murdered by her family and is now trapped haunting her father’s house. It’s a deliciously dark concept with all the makings of a haunting and romantic gothic fantasy, and yet it could not have made me any more ambivalent. The writing is lovely but felt hollow, and the atmosphere never quite landed. Honestly, it should tell you a lot that while this is only a novella, I still couldn’t finish it. In technical terms, everything felt fine, but the experience nonetheless felt soulless. As I sat there rereading the same section three times and still couldn’t anything to register, I realized it was time to call it quits.
Book Review: Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddell
Posted on October 27, 2025 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.
Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddell
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Ace (October 7, 2025)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website
Sometimes a book’s title alone is enough to make me stop and take notice, and that’s exactly what happened with Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddell. From the start, I knew I was going to be in for something offbeat—maybe something weird, funny, and hopefully even a little brilliant. But in the end, what I got wasn’t quite as balanced. While the story concept was certainly clever, and here and there were flashes of entertainment and potential, overall the execution was messy and didn’t always deliver on the promise of its unique premise.
The novel’s titular protagonist is Colin, who is about as average as they come. When the story opens, he’s a low-level employee trudging through an unrewarding job that seems to thrive on worker misery and monotony. Even worse, his supervisor is a vindictive creep who has clearly got it out for him, and after one too many negative performance reports, Colin finds himself on the brink of termination. Except his company, Dark Enterprises, isn’t like other companies. Here, being terminated is literal. Dark Enterprises deals in shady, otherworldly services for powerful clients, and failure often comes with deadly consequences. Frustrated by the supernatural bureaucracy and facing possible execution, Colin does what any desperate office drone might do in his position: he makes a Faustian bargain with an eldritch being.
Not surprisingly, it’s a deal that comes at a steep price. In exchange for a promotion, Colin unknowingly sets in motion forces that are far beyond his understanding or control. Overnight, he’s catapulted into a position with far more authority than he’s prepared for and thrust into the upper echelons of Dark Enterprises where the true horrors of what the company does begin to come to light. The entity he has unleashed is insatiably hungry, and it demands human souls—beginning in Colin’s home of New York City. While Colin is relieved to be alive and thrilled by his new power and the prospect of a burgeoning relationship with someone he genuinely likes, the creeping realization that he’s directly responsible for countless disappearances casts a shadow over his happiness. The higher he climbs up the corporate ladder, the closer the world edges towards full-blown apocalypse.
So, the early chapters are genuinely humorous, with clever satire woven into the absurdity of Colin’s situation, where failing at work can quite literally get you killed. Waddell has a clear knack for macabre comedy as this premise is played for both laughs and tension. The introduction to Dark Enterprises and its internal politics are the book’s undisputed high points, full of inventive worldbuilding and sharp, witty commentary poking fun at corporate culture and cranking it up to grotesque extremes.
Where the book starts to falter, however, is in its characters. Colin himself is reasonably entertaining—meek, self-loathing, and occasionally sociopathic in ways make for some eyebrow-raising moments. But he’s also super off-putting for all those reasons. The rest of the cast fares even worse, with his roommate Amira and his love interest Eric essentially coming across as cookie-cutter characters. Their support of Colin often feels arbitrary, exacerbating his unlikability, and their overall flatness simply makes it hard to invest in the stakes surrounding the impending apocalypse.
The result is a story that, despite its killer premise, often feels predictable, with much of the tension undercut by its one-dimensional features. As I mentioned earlier, my favorite parts of the novel were the demonic and paranormal elements of Dark Enterprises itself. The company’s diabolical machinations, its morally dubious staff, and the terrifying entity that wants to devour the world are what initially drew me in, making me wonder what else is next. But as the plot stretched on, the novelty began to fade. At this point, even the world-building couldn’t overcome the characters’ grating personalities or the increasingly predictable developments.
That said, for all its hiccups there are still some highlights to enjoy, and for this reason, Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World lands squarely in the middle for me. It’s funny, clever, and boasts moments of imaginative horror, with the caveat that they struggle to sustain the energy for the whole novel. For readers who enjoy satirical horror, bizarre corporate scenarios, and a pacy if uneven romp, it’s worth a look. I just wasn’t completely satisfied.
Book Review: The Descent: The Official Movie Novelization by Christian Francis
Posted on October 24, 2025 5 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 Descent: The Official Movie Novelization by Christian Francis
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Media Tie-In
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Titan Books (October 7, 2025)
Length: 224 pages
Author Information: Website
‘Tis the season for spooky reads, but also for the rewatching of scary movies that still get under my skin no matter how many times I’ve seen them. Every year around Halloween, I like to settle in with some of my favorite horror films, and The Descent is one of them. It’s a movie that never fails to creep me out, so when I heard about the official novelization from Titan, I jumped at the chance to relive the terror on the page.
For the uninitiated, The Descent follows a group of six adventurous young women who reunite for a caving expedition deep in the Appalachian Mountains. A year after suffering a devastating loss, Sarah is still feeling fragile from the personal tragedy, but her best friend Beth is hoping that a trip across the ocean into the Tennessee wilderness will be a much-needed healing experience. On the itinerary is a weekend of laughter, friendship, and adrenaline-fueled exploration through the area’s vast and impressive cavern systems—just like old times.
The night before their spelunking trip, Sarah and Beth meet up with the others: Juno, their childhood friend from secondary school and the fearless leader of the group; Holly, who is Juno’s young and eager protégé looking for a new challenge; Rebecca, the team’s mother hen and voice of reason; and her kid sister Sam, a smart and capable medical student. But beneath the surface of camaraderie, there are clearly tensions that haven’t been forgotten. By the time the women set out the next morning, the bonds of friendship that once held them together are already starting to fray and are about to be further tested. For when they descend into the caves, which turn out to be an uncharted system of ancient and twisted tunnels, things quickly go awry. A sudden collapse seals off their only way out, trapping them far beneath the surface with something else that inhabits the caverns—something that watches them in the dark, waiting and hunting.
The Descent novelization by Christian Francis is for the most part a faithful adaptation of the film—if anything, it might be a little too faithful, as in the story practically follows the movie beat for beat. This book will likely appeal to readers who prefer their novelizations to stick closely to the source material, almost like a scene-by-scene transcript. Personally, though, I would have liked to see a bit more expansion, particularly into the characters’ inner thoughts and motivations. This would not only have left the story’s trajectory untouched, but the insights and gains into emotional depth—the kind that the film format simply doesn’t have room to explore—would have been a major enhancement.
However, this is a case where the written word actually struggles to match the visuals you see on screen. Of course, if you’ve seen The Descent, you already know what you’re getting into. But if you haven’t, the novelization might not be the best place to start. The frights of the film come largely from what you see and hear, like the mysterious shapes hiding in shadows or the unsettling sound effects. On the other hand, much of those tensions are diluted on the page. Francis does an admirable job describing the action and the claustrophobia, but doesn’t quite manage to convey the visceral fear and dread.
In the end, The Descent: The Official Movie Novelization sits squarely in the middle of the pack when it comes to media tie-in fiction. It’s not the best novelization I’ve ever read, but it’s far from the worst, and it is helped by my love of the original film. It certainly reminded me of why I enjoy it so much. Final verdict? A solid companion piece for fans of the movie, but if you’re new to The Descent, you may want to experience it on screen first.
Book Review: How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe
Posted on October 18, 2025 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Saga Press (September 30, 2025)
Length: 240 pages
Author Information: Website
If you’re new to LitRPGs, I think Andrew Rowe’s How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps will deliver a perfectly fresh, decent, and playful introduction. On the other hand, if like me you’ve just come off a heavier hitter like Dungeon Crawler Carl, then this unfortunately might feel a little like the genre on easy mode.
As you would expect, this novel provides a pretty good idea of what it might be like to live inside a video game, complete with skill trees, leveling notifications, and all that jazz. To pull it off, Rowe presents readers with a delightful, tongue-in-cheek adventure with a premise that doesn’t shy away from flaunting its RPG influences.
At the center of this tale is Yui, an ordinary girl living in a world where the cycle of heroes and big bad world bosses is as predictable as clockwork. Basically, every hundred years or so, a Demon King will rise, and following right behind will be the awakening of a prophesied Hero destined to defeat him. Only this cycle, there’s a problem. The Demon King came a bit early, and humanity cannot afford to simply wait around for the Hero’s return.
This is where Yui comes in. Armed with nothing but determination and an almost reckless sense of optimism, she decides to save the world herself, formulating a ten-step plan to take down the Demon King. She’ll need to grind levels. Figure out which skills to collect. Gather the best gear. Maybe recruit a few allies along the way. And of course, there will be plenty of dungeons to clear, bosses to defeat, and as many loopholes it’ll take to exploit to make up for the fact she’s no Chosen One. But details schmetails! It’s really not that hard, as long as you take a methodical approach to it.
It’s a fun concept, and Rowe clearly knows how to tell a game-inspired story. Yui’s progress is exactly structured to mirror RPG gameplay, complete with an in-game voice that chimes in every soften to announce experience gains and level ups. In order to ward off the tedium, the tone is kept breezy with plenty of humor in the form of clever satire. It’s also meant to as fan service to devotees of games like World of Warcraft or Legend of Zelda.
But in keeping things simple and fun, the story itself admittedly never really delves any deeper than surface level parody. The stakes are low. It’s gameplay on rails. Characters are RPG archetypes, and dialogue is so predictable that even the jokes land awkwardly. It’s a bit of a catch-22, in a way. While I was aware in the back of my mind that it’s all done intentionally and working by design, it’s hard to get emotionally invested when there are no surprises and every development feels pre-scripted and choreographed.
That said, Rowe’s knack for storytelling means he knows exactly how far to push this schtick without wearing out its welcome. The book doesn’t take itself too seriously, pacing stays quick, and the plot is careful not to get too hung up on the minutiae of gaming mechanics and min-maxing. The characters are also a riot, and Yui herself is a likable protagonist who is easy to root for because of her tenacious determination, but not so stubborn that she crosses the line into “too stupid to live” territory.
It’s this balance that keeps How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps from collapsing from under the weight of its own ambitious concept. It’s light and snappy, the sort of book that’s best enjoyed when you’re in the mood for something that’s not too mentally demanding. Andrew Rowe never pretends it’s anything more than a quick romp through a familiar fantasy gaming landscape, which, honestly, is part of its charm.
Book Review: The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi
Posted on October 13, 2025 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 Shattering Peace by John Scalzi
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 7 of Old Man’s War
Publisher: Tor Books (September 16, 2025)
Length: 288 pages
Author Information: Website
I confess, my relationship with John Scali’s work has been a bit strained as of late. Books like Starter Villain or When the Moon Hits Your Eye have sometimes felt too breezy or even downright too silly for my tastes, and so it was with some relief when I heard he was returning to the Old Man’s War universe a decade after the sixth book, The End of All Things. After all, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for that series, with its sharp humor and humanistic themes. At last, The Shattering Peace felt like the welcome course correction I’d been waiting for.
Long time fans will remember Zoe Perry, the adopted daughter of the series’ protagonist John Perry and his wife Jane Sagan, whose story was told from her perspective in the novel Zoe’s Tale. Admittedly, fewer readers would probably remember Zoe’s best friend, the perky and quick-witted Gretchen Trujillo, who now features as the lead in her own book. Roughly a decade has passed since the fragile ceasefire between the Earth, the Colonial Union, and the Conclave, which has kept the galaxy relatively at peace. But now a new enemy has reared its ugly head, threatening the status quo. A highly intelligent and technologically advanced alien species called the Consu have ignited a heated civil war between their factions, and they’ve unfortunately dragged everyone else into their conflict.
Gretchen, now a diplomat for the Colonial Union, has successfully kept her head down for much of her career. But now her star is about to rise when she is assigned to a covert mission to investigate a missing colony, one with significant historical ties to the development of human-alien relations, and what they find there may have far-reaching repercussions for the precarious peace that’s been holding the galaxy together. The assignment also thrusts Gretchen into the path of the Consu, whose cryptic philosophy and volatile ways would prove to be an unpredictable catalyst—one that could unravel everything the Colonial Union is trying to do.
Returning to the series that first put his name on the map, Scalzi also returns to form, bringing back his brand of interstellar politics that made Old Man’s War such a hit in the first place. There’s arguably more substance and thoughtfulness here in The Shattering Peace, though the book still reads on the lighter side overall. That said, newcomers might want to think twice before jumping in here. While the book technically works as a standalone, much of its content relies on the reader’s knowledge of the wider universe and its tangled history. Without that context, a lot of the references won’t make sense, and it will also be harder to appreciate the deeper stakes and emotional payoffs.
From here though, Scalzi proceeds to build a mystery that as much about the whys and hows of the missing colony as it is about maintaining the delicate balance required to keep a galaxy from tearing itself apart. Along the way, we get the usual healthy dose of witty banter and quirky side characters which will be no surprise to anyone familiar with the author’s style. Everyone gets a snappy line or two, etc. They’re certainly fun to spend time with, but at the end of the day, it’s also very surface-level and you won’t get much depth beyond their immediate roles in the story.
Despite that, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’ve long referred to the Old Man’s War books as gateway reads into heavier science fiction—accessible space opera filled with amazing stories and characters that give readers a taste of larger and more complex ideas without being bogged down in dense world-building and incomprehensible technobabble. And as a bonus, there are plenty of laughs. I’m happy to report The Shattering Peace fits that mold perfectly, delivering an easy-to-follow and fast-moving plot. Throw in some humor and clever dialogue, and what you get is a very readable and entertaining novel. Still, there’s no denying that the story feels smaller in scope for it, or that the premise is not quite as galaxy-shaking as the title suggests.
Ultimately, I enjoyed The Shattering Peace and consider it a successful return to the Old Man’s War series—lighter than I’d hoped, but still more substantial than I expected. I’m also happy to see John Scalzi back to writing thoughtful and engaging space opera, and in some ways reading this was a nostalgic reminder of everything that made me fall in love with this universe.
Book Review: How to Fake a Haunting by Christa Carmen
Posted on October 9, 2025 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
How to Fake a Haunting by Christa Carmen
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (October 7, 2025)
Length: 349 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
You ever read a horror novel with a premise that sounds totally ridiculous, but then somehow turns out to be genuinely creepy? That was How to Fake a Haunting for me. Christa Carmen takes the tongue-in-cheek setup of a woman staging a fake haunting to scare her awful, alcoholic husband into leaving their family home, and spins it into something far darker than expected. The result is part domestic suspense, part psychological ghost story, with just enough hints of the supernatural to keep you guessing.
From the outside looking in, Lainey appears to have the perfect life: a loving husband named Callum, their sweet little girl named Beatrix, and the big, beautiful house they all live in. But appearances are deceiving. In reality, Callum has had a drinking problem for years, an addiction that has turned their marriage into a nightmare. After a particularly harrowing night out at a party, a drunken Callum behind the wheel nearly kills them all in a car accident, and Lainey finally decides she’s had enough.
However, leaving Callum isn’t going to be as simple as filing for divorce. His wealthy family’s connections within local law enforcement and the courts allow them to make problems disappear, and his overbearing mother has never hesitated to use that power to cover up her son’s messes. Fearing that she could lose Beatrix in a custody battle, Lainey decides to hatch a plan to force Callum to leave them instead. After confiding in her best friend Adelaide, the two women come up with a wild plan to fake a haunting so terrifying that it will drive an already substance impaired and paranoid Callum out of the house for good.
What starts off as a bonkers revenge scheme verging on silliness quickly spirals into something far creepier. At first, Lainey and Adelaide’s “haunting” feels almost playful and maybe even a bit flippant, considering the gravity of the situation. After all, Callum’s uncontrolled alcoholism certainly makes him dangerous. Should this really be the two women’s priority? But then, bit by bit, the tone shifts. Their juvenile, how-could-anyone-believe-this-would-ever-work tricks start to take on real menace, and the situation becomes truly terrifying, with the satisfaction of watching Lainey’s asshole husband get what’s coming to him giving way to unease as both the characters and readers lose track of where the fake scares end and the real ones begin.
Before long, you can’t help but wonder—are Lainey and Adelaid still in control of the haunting, or has something else taken over entirely? One of the greatest strengths of How to Fake a Haunting is the way it walks that thin line between the psychological and the supernatural. The author keeps you constantly second-guessing what’s real, and whether the increasingly strange occurrences are all part of the women’s plan or signs that they’ve actually stirred up something much darker. The story plays with that ambiguity brilliantly and beautifully, keeping the answers just out of reach while letting the tensions build. There came a point in the book where I literally felt chills run down my spine.
I feel the only real stumble came in the final stretch. After so much uncertainty, the author had the option of delivering a sudden, powerful ending, but instead chose to stretch the reveals a bit longer than necessary. The mystery that had been building ultimately lost a lot of its punch, resulting in an ending that felt strangely muted. It’s a minor gripe, considering how tightly paced and engaging the plot was otherwise, but it did leave the book ending on a weaker note.
But overall, How to Fake a Haunting is a fast, clever, and thoroughly entertaining read, delivering equal parts creepy and quirky. For a novel that initially came across as messy and tonally all over the place, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed at how well it all came together. This spooky season, if you’re looking for a “haunted house” story that takes a fresh spin on the genre, this one may be worth checking out.
Book Review: The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi
Posted on October 4, 2025 14 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 Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Nightfire (September 30, 2025)
Length: 416 pages
Author Information: Website
Slashers aren’t generally my go-to when it comes to scary movies, as I tend to prefer atmosphere over gore. But when it comes to books, all horror genres are fair game! I’m also no stranger to Philip Fracassi, whose Boys in the Valley nailed exactly the kind of vibes I’m always looking for. So when I heard his next novel would be a bloody thriller about a serial killer loose in a retirement community, I was curious to see how he’d handle the genre.
On the surface, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre shares many characteristics with the classic slasher. But here, our unlikely final girl is seventy-something-year-old senior community resident Rose Dubois who spends her days gossiping with friends, participating in social events, and trying to keep the health problems of aging at bay—all the while wishing her daughter would come around more often with her grandson. But when mysterious deaths begin happening at Autumn Springs, Rose begins to suspect a killer stalking its halls. Along with her friend and would-be suitor Miller, she sets out to see if her suspicions might have any truth to them.
What they discover turns out to be far more sinister than either of them bargained for. As the body count keeps climbing, even the most dismissive staff can no longer keep brushing them off as bad falls, natural causes, or the inevitabilities of old age. When the police are finally brought in and more residents begin to realize that something is terribly wrong, it’s only a matter of time before everything explodes as fear and suspicions spread through Autumn Springs like wildfire.
Unconventional protagonists—especially unconventional final girls—are my catnip, so it’s no surprise that I felt the greatest strength of this novel was its cast of characters. The residents of Autumn Springs are an interesting, memorable bunch, each carrying a mix of highlights, tragedies, and quirks that come with long, full lives. I may not have remembered every name, but I never forgot their personalities or backstories. The retirement home setting worked just as beautifully, presenting a tightknit and almost claustrophobic environment where everyone knows each other and deaths are sadly an all-too-common occurrence. For some residents, this is also the only place they can call home, and when danger hits, there’s nowhere else they can go.
But where the novel stumbles is its handling of the horror and suspense elements. At times, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre reads like a psychological thriller, complete with crazy twists and creative kills and moments that genuinely make you raise your eyebrows and think “WTF?” Yet at times the book also slingshots back hard the other way, lingering on the minutiae of retirement community life and slowing the momentum down. The pace is either crawling or cranked up so far that it flies into over-the-top absurdity.
I was also left with burning questions about the vague hints of the supernatural teased throughout the story, especially with the presence of some of Autumn Springs’ more eccentric, “witchy” residents. I kept waiting for something to happen there, but I can’t say for sure if anything truly materialized, leaving that aspect hanging and unsolved. And finally, there was the underwhelming reveal of the killer. Given the direction the plot was trending, I expected a lot more. Heck, even an over-the-top, unrealistic ending would have been welcome, instead of the flat and unclimactic conclusion that we got.
With all that said, the ride itself was genuinely entertaining, making for an overall quick and engaging read. The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre not only flips the script on the usual genre expectations, but centering on elderly characters also adds a facet that’s rarely explored in horror. Ultimately though, the novel probably works better as a character-driven, darkly fun concept than as a fully satisfying slasher. It’s violent and witty, yet still misses some of its marks. Still, it’s worth checking out if the story’s premise piques your interest.
Book Review: Boudicca’s Daughter by Elodie Harper
Posted on October 1, 2025 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Boudicca’s Daughter by Elodie Harper
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Union Square Co. (September 2, 2025)
Length: 438 pages
Author Information: Website
I became a huge fan of Elodie Harper after her Wolf Den trilogy, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Boudicca’s Daughter. While Boudicca herself was a legendary warrior queen, not nearly as much attention has been paid to her children. That leaves a lot of space for imagination, and this novel seeks to tell the saga of the Iceni’s famous rebellion against Rome and its aftermath through not only the eyes of Boudicca (called Catia here), but her daughter Solina’s as well.
Fans of Harper’s historical fiction will find themselves back in comfortable territory as the book opens with an introduction to Catia—wife to a powerful druid, and mother to two independent, strong-willed young women. The early chapters portray her as a natural leader and a formidable fighter, unwilling to bow to Roman oppression. While her open revolt ultimately failed and led to her death, her fierce spirit and defiance continued living on in the heart of her youngest daughter, Solina.
This sets up the next part of the story, which shifts predominantly to Solina’s perspective, and this is where creative magic starts happening. While the details surrounding her mother’s uprising is a matter of record, at least in outline—there’s only so much room for reinterpretation of those events—what became of Solina is a space ripe for speculation. Taken captive by the Roman general Paulinus and later whisked away to the heart of the empire itself, our protagonist soon faces the ultimate test of learning just how far she is willing to go to survive. Forced together with the man who crushed her people and destroyed her way of life, she finds herself caught between hostility and a reluctant attraction to his complicated nature. As their relationship grows, Solina must reconcile her proud past with the brutal reality of her future.
All this results in a novel that is as much about legacy as it is about survival. Solina is a fascinating mix of strength and vulnerability—someone who is painfully naïve at times, and who certainly makes her fair share of mistakes. But she is also someone who never gives up. Growing up in the shadow of her mother’s legend while also facing the cruelty of Rome, it’s easy to forgive her misguidedness and accept that she will make some questionable choices along the way. Solina’s journey is really one of finding herself, showing how sometimes staying alive just means putting one foot in front of the other, even when emotions are running high.
If you’ve read The Wolf Den, the writing style and the themes here will also feel familiar. Harper’s prose is vivid, and she has a knack for making environments come alive on the page. That said, nothing is ever perfect. The pacing is a little wobbly in places, especially in the early sections. For such a famous historical figure, Boudicca and her rebellion only got what felt like perfunctory treatment. Events were glossed over in broad, dry strokes. Almost like the story was eager to get Catia’s part over with, so that it can move on to Solina’s instead. Indeed, the latter’s chapters feel a lot more fleshed out, as in far richer in detail and emotionally engaging. Still, I get it—the novel is called Boudicca’s Daughter, after all. I only wish its sections felt more even in terms of balance.
In the end though, Elodie Harper’s storytelling is irresistible. The women in history that she features are all forces to be reckoned with—but they are also very flawed and very human. While Boudicca’s Daughter might not have reached the heights of the Wolf Den trilogy, it still packed a punch that more than made up for its stumbles. If you enjoy richly drawn characters in deeply immersive historical fiction, this will prove a worthwhile read. I look forward to more of the author’s work to see how she will next reimagine the past.
The BiblioSanctum 