Book Review: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Posted on July 16, 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 Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (July 15, 2025)
Length: 368 pages
Author Information: Website
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a truly versatile author. No matter the subject she’s tackling, every time I pick up one of her books, she’s always absolutely killing it with her knack of making everything feel interesting and immersive. Now she’s right back at it with The Bewitching, a supernatural horror weaving together three different timelines into a witchy multigenerational tale.
First, in 1908 Mexico, a young woman named Alba is reeling from the sudden death of her father and the unexplained disappearance of her brother. But while whispers in her village dismiss her suspicions as nothing more than foolish superstition, Alba is certain there’s more to what happened. Determined to uncover the truth with the help of her friend Valentin, what they find sets them onto a path of old folk magic and dark secrets.
Next, in 1934 Massachusetts, brilliant and ambitious Beatrice Tremblay is destined to become a pioneering horror writer, but for now, she is merely a college student. However, her most famous novel, The Vanishing, will be inspired by a very real tragedy: the disappearance of her roommate, Virginia. Rumored to possess a psychic link to the dead, Virginia vanishes under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind only questions and rumors.
Finally, in 1988, we meet Minerva, a graduate student at the very same college Beatrice once attended. In fact, Minerva is researching Beatrice for her thesis on the author’s overlooked contributions to horror literature. Yet, as she digs deeper, she comes across way more than she bargained for, including personal journals and other fragments from the 1930s that hint at something sinister. At the same time, Minerva finds herself haunted by the memories and stories passed down from her great-grandmother Alba—the same Alba who once grappled with loss and witchcraft in early 1900s Mexico.
As the novel progresses, the three women’s stories begin converging to form the big picture, with each character’s voice filling in their part of the puzzle. Indeed, one of the most impressive aspects of The Bewitching is how it balances all its moving parts while giving Alba, Beatrice, and Minerva their own distinct voices. Alba’s story, for example, is steeped in the atmosphere of rural Mexico, while Beatrice’s portion, told through journal entries and letters, has that wistful epistolary quality. And while both their POVs walk perfectly in step with the gothic tradition, Minerva’s timeline brings a bit of modernity and emphasizes her academic obsession.
That said, this isn’t a book that rushes to grab your attention, demanding some patience as the plot builds slowly, adding tension through revealing more of the backstory and the uncanny parallels between the three timelines. At times, I did find the pacing and timing of the reveals uneven, particularly in the early stages. For instance, Minerva and Alba’s chapters took longer to engage me, but I definitely had a soft spot for Beatrice’s story, which felt the most infused with mystery and presence. Fortunately though, once all the gears started turning together and the book hit its stride, I was hooked. And even if I did ultimately predict the ending to both Alba’s and Minerva’s sections, the former’s tale proved the most effective in delivering the chills, and the latter’s conclusion gave the book its fantastic ending.
Furthermore, The Bewitching draws on the ideas of superstition, folklore, and sinister history to power its eerie atmosphere and haunting premise, so if this is the type of horror you enjoy, it is certainly worth a look. One of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s most layered and intricately structured novels to date, this is a must read for her fans and highly recommended for readers of creepy, witchy fiction.
Book Review: Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell
Posted on July 7, 2025 12 Comments
received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: DAW (June 17, 2025)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website
After my first experience with John Wiswell ended up being a bust—I actually DNFed Someone You Can Build a Nest In—I wasn’t sure his style was going to work for me. But Wearing the Lion caught my attention with its Greek mythology inspiration, and I’m glad I gave it a shot because this one definitely clicked!
A reimagining of the Heracles myth, the novel follows both Heracles and Hera in alternating POV chapters. Hera, long fed up with Zeus’s endless affairs, reaches a breaking point with the birth of the infant demigod Heracles, who is yet another reminder of her husband’s philandering ways. Unable to punish Zeus the way she wants, she decides to channel her resentment toward his favored newborn son instead. However, the irony is that Heracles would grow up to become one of her most devoted followers, believing her to be the only deity worthy of his worship.
Yet Hera remains unappeased, growing increasingly agitated each time Heracles manages to survive her schemes or turn them to his advantage. Eventually, in a moment of impulsive cruelty, she goes too far. Heracles is driven temporarily mad due to her actions and, in his confusion, kills his own children. Devastated and desperate to understand why this happened to him, he sets off in search of answers and revenge, certain only that a god is responsible, though he would have never suspected his beloved goddess. Racked with guilt but unable to own up to her mistake, Hera tries to mislead him by sending him on a wild goose chase to slay a bunch of monsters. But Heracles, heartsick and unwilling to take any more lives, defies expectations and makes them his allies instead. Together, he and his team of monsters set out to uncover the truth behind what happened, even as Hera runs out of reasons and ways to take responsibility for what she has done.
Rather than simply rehashing the familiar tale of Heracles’ Labors, Wearing the Lion offers a fresh and fascinating reinterpretation of the myth, turning it on its head. Instead of embracing the violence and brute strength typically associated with the hero, this version of Heracles chooses empathy over rage, forging unexpected bonds with the very creatures he’s been sent to destroy. But the book also invests a great deal of time and attention at the beginning to help readers understand why Heracles might approach his tasks this way, using them as a path to process his overwhelming grief and guilt. The result is a story that feels both tender and subversive, bringing warmth and introspection in a way that’s often comforting, yet at times the emotional weight can also make this novel heart wrenchingly difficult to read.
Perhaps that’s why I found the amount of humor surprising—because there’s actually quite a lot of it. From the very beginning, Wearing the Lion adopts a wry, knowing tone that adds a layer of lightness to an otherwise heavy narrative. Hera’s voice is particularly sharp, sardonic, and often hilarious, especially when she directs her exasperation towards the other gods, including Zeus, whom she refers to as her “dipshit husband.” In contrast, Heracles’ POV is much more grounded and subdued, reflecting the weight of the sorrow he carries, but even then, there are moments of levity peeking through. The Nimean Lion named Purrseus, anyone?
That said, the novel wasn’t without its rough patches. I found the middle section to be the weakest, where Heracles’ spiraling grief and Hera’s ongoing guilt and denial started to feel repetitive. The plot stalled a bit during this stretch, spinning its wheels around the same topics without much forward movement. Additionally, much of the book is written in second person, which I confess is not always my cup of tea. With the dual POVs and the occasional ambiguity around which “you” the characters might be addressing, it frequently got confusing.
Even so, I admire John Wiswell’s willingness to take risks and get a little weird. Balancing grief with humor is no easy feat, but Wear the Lion somehow pulls it off with heart and creativity. Greek mythology being the crowded field it is, there’s no shortage of traditional retellings if that’s what you’re looking for. But for something quirkier and more emotionally nuanced than the usual fare, you might want to check this one out. With its emphasis on found family, compassion, and healing over conquest, it’s a refreshingly offbeat take on an old story.
Book Review: One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
Posted on July 4, 2025 8 Comments
received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Gallery Books (July 15, 2025)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website
I have read a lot of zombie books, and many of them feature similar themes of chaos in the streets or a desperate fight for survival. Once in a rare while, however, I’ll come across one that’s far more intimate and slow-burning.
In One Yellow Eye, author Leigh Radford delivers her introspective take on a zombie apocalypse that feels deeply personal. Set in a near-future London just months after the outbreak of a contagious virus that turns people into mindless, violent husks for their former selves, the city has mostly managed to contain the pandemic. With the infected purged, the government can finally now turn its attention to finding a cure. Dubbed Project Dawn, the new initiative is drawing some of the country’s best and brightest scientific minds, each determined to uncover the origins of the virus and ensure that something like this would never happen again.
One of these research scientists is our protagonist Kesta Shelley. Like many others, she wants to be part of the effort to safeguard the future of the world, except Kesta is also hiding a terrible secret. While the government claims that the crisis is over and all infections have been eliminated for now, Kesta’s husband Tim, one of the last to be infected, is still alive. And he’s currently chained up in their apartment, where he exists in a state of constant sedation to prevent his violent urges from surfacing—and to buy Kesta more time. Unable to let Tim go, her only hope is to secure a position in Project Dawn and secretly use its resources for her own research before anyone discovers what she’s hiding at home. But as the clock ticks down and Tim gets increasingly harder to control, Kesta will have to face the question of how far she’s willing to go to save the man she loves.
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half. From a conceptual standpoint, there’s a lot that makes One Yellow Eye special. While Radford is certainly not the first author to humanize her zombies, I appreciated the way she added a layer of tragedy here by letting them retain flickers of their identity and memories still trapped inside the prison of the virus. I also liked the emphasis on the science behind the outbreak. Much like The Last of Us, it features an origin for the zombie virus with roots in the natural world, and I always find those kinds of connections fascinating. Better yet, even if you’re someone who’s burned out on pandemic fiction, there’s just enough sci-fi here to keep it from feeling like yet another COVID-inspired novel.
But arguably, the main selling point of One Yellow Eye is the heartbreaking nature of it. Kesta’s situation is awful, and her desperation is palpable. The story is most engaging when she is interacting with her husband, even in his zombified state. Though we only see him as a shell of the man he once was, Kesta’s memories help paint a fuller picture of who he used to be and what he meant to her, allowing readers to understand the depth of her devotion. Her love for Tim drives the entire plot, but over time, it becomes clear that the author is also inviting us to question when love crosses the line into unhealthy obsession. Because of this, Kesta’s motivations aren’t always easy to empathize with, but the idea of loving someone so much that you’d do anything to save them is undeniably relatable, even if her choices sometimes feel extreme.
I also felt that, while the first half of the book built strong emotional and thematic foundations, the second half was a little messier by comparison. The plot began to feel a little scattered, with a few sub threads fizzling out here and there without resolution. The pacing also started to flag, weighed down by more than just Kesta’s questionable decisions at this point, as repetitive conflicts with the same people and problems started cropping up. Ultimately, I found myself wishing the ending had been more cohesive and impactful.
That said, I didn’t regret my time with One Yellow Eye. Despite my issues with it, I still found it to be a smart and thoughtful debut that brings something new to the zombie horror genre. Leigh Radford’s writing was also compelling, hitting the right notes at the right parts to be both poignant and disturbing. If you want a “traditional” zombie novel, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for something more personal and introspective, and the premise interests you, One Yellow Eye is well worth a look.
Book Review: My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie
Posted on July 1, 2025 9 Comments
received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Run For It (July 1, 2025)
Length: 406 pages
Author Information: Website
Craig DiLouie has been on a roll lately, and My Ex, the Antichrist is yet another reason why he’s become one of my must-read authors of horror who doesn’t just think outside the box—he kicks the hell out of it like a rock star trashing the stage. The premise alone caught my attention, with its promise of punk rock, doomed love, and the possible end of the world. But even then, I wasn’t at all prepared for how compulsively readable this novel turned out to be. I didn’t want to put it down, so I didn’t. I must have devoured it in a matter of hours.
Told in the style of a documentary retrospective, the story follows Lily Lawlor, a sheltered Catholic college student whose life is turned upside down after she meets a mysterious and charismatic young man named Drake. Bonding over their shared passion for music and a desire to change the world, their friendship quickly turns into a romance, and together they channel that energy into forming a band called The Shivers. Under Drake’s magnetic leadership, they quickly recruit a bassist, a keyboardist, and a drummer, and Lily—now reinventing herself as Lily Lawless—dives headfirst into the punk rock scene. Before long, the band is booking gigs and making waves, except the attention they’re attracting isn’t exactly the kind they want. Strange things start happening at their shows, like people fainting and brawls breaking out randomly. The crowd just seems to spiral out of control wherever they perform.
As the band’s buzz grows, so does the chaos that seems to follow them. Lily begins to suspect there’s something much darker going on, especially with Drake, whose moods are becoming chillier and more unpredictable. Eventually, he leaves the band, breaking Lily’s heart in the process. But this is not the last they see of Drake. Soon, he turns up as the lead guitarist in a rival band poised to headline a massive battle-of-the-bands competition ominously named Armageddon, an event that The Shivers, now under Lily’s leadership, is also hoping to win. What began as a story about music and rebellion suddenly blows up into something far more apocalyptic as Drake embraces his larger destiny tied to the end of days. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, it might all come down to who can rock the hardest.
This book was an absolute blast! Yes, there are creepy moments, but for the most part, it capitalizes on campy and over-the-top horror than anything traditionally scary. And honestly? That’s part of the appeal. The story doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that gives the wild concept behind it the room it needs to breathe. I especially loved all the nods and references to punk rock and its culture. My Ex, the Antichrist was the whole package complete with attitude and vibes, and it’s clear the author has a real love for the scene because it pours through every page.
But what really made this book stand out for me was its structure. The story is framed as if we’re watching a docu-series offering a deep dive into an event that has already happened, including interviews, news articles, and other background snippets from sources connected to The Shivers and the madness that followed them. Much of the narrative focuses on the band’s origins, like how they came together and found their sound. These insights ground the story and provide it with its emotional heart, but it’s also more than that. Interjections from side characters and other epistolary bits sprinkled throughout add extra layers of depth and texture to the plot. It was just a really cool way to present a story, and it hooked me immediately.
Of course, for all this to work, your characters have to be strong, and I’m happy to say the book delivered on that front. The band members take center stage, each one feeling distinct and authentic. Their clashing personalities made for some great moments, particularly in those early days when they’re still figuring each other out. But while Drake is the dark star they all orbit, the life of the story is all Lily. Her character arc, which showed her transformation from an innocent and timorous teen to true punk rock princess, was worth the price of admission alone. Watching her find her voice, both literally and figuratively, was incredibly satisfying, especially when she comes to realize she doesn’t need Drake to make it on her own.
There’s a lot going on here, and it’s probably not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. However, it worked for me. You learn rather quickly to roll with it and enjoy the ride. All in all, My Ex, the Antichrist is a wildly entertaining read, and I loved its unique premise, inventive storytelling style, and the sheer energy of it all. Even when it gets weird, it’s the kind of weird that’s bold, imaginative, and keeps you glued to the page. Musically themed horror is fast becoming one of my favorite niche genre mash-ups, and if the concept of this one even remotely intrigues you, I say go for it! A must-read for Craig DiLouie fans.
Book Review: No Lie Lasts Forever by Mark Stevens
Posted on June 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.
No Lie Lasts Forever by Mark Stevens
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (June 1, 2025)
Length: 457 pages
Author Information: Website
I went into No Lie Lasts Forever not entirely sure what to expect, since crime thrillers are not my usual genre and Mark Stevens is a new author to me. But I ended up having a blast with this punchy, fast-paced novel. What set it apart for me is its angle on the familiar hunt-for-a-serial-killer narrative, reading like a police procedural in many ways, except we’re following the investigation through the eyes of a journalist rather than a detective. I really appreciated this perspective, which added a gritty urgency to the story, especially when combined with the sharp, no-nonsense prose.
The book follows Flynn Martin, an ambitious journalist at a Denver news station whose circumstances unexpectedly take a nosedive when her live, on-air involvement in a high-profile hostage situation goes horribly wrong. The fallout of that tragedy leaves her disgraced and on the verge of losing her job. Desperate for a shot at redemption, Flynn is willing to do anything to ensure she’s not remembered for her one catastrophic mistake. An opportunity arises when a fellow reporter is found murdered under suspicious circumstances, and Flynn suddenly finds herself at the center of a case that could make or break her career.
As more information about the victim surfaces, the gruesome details bear an eerie resemblance to the work of the PDQ Killer, a serial murderer who terrorized Denver by killing three women before vanishing without a trace fifteen years ago. The possibility of his return sends shockwaves through the city, leading to renewed efforts by the police to try to find and capture him. But only one person knows the truth. Harry Kugel, the real PDQ killer, knows he didn’t commit this latest murder, and is furious that someone else may be killing in his name. At the risk of upending his newly constructed and reformed life, he reaches out anonymously to Flynn, offering a deal she can’t refuse.
What really worked for me was the writing. Stevens’ propulsive prose is characterized by short sentences and just enough detail to ground the characters and setting without slowing things down. The dialogue is the same way, snappy and natural. It’s a style that’s perfect for this set up, and the book does a great job immersing the reader in Flynn’s world of investigative journalism—the urgency of chasing leads, digging for facts, and constantly racing the clock. The book does take a little time to establish its foundations, with the opening chapters heavy on character introductions, but once Flynn is contacted by Harry, the pacing kicks into high gear and doesn’t let up.
Speaking of which, the alternating perspectives between our two POVs create a complex sort of tension. For one, we already know who the real PDQ is, as Harry is right there in plain view, his every thought and action made known to the reader. But it’s the anticipation of when and how he’ll be caught that is the driving force here, just as much as Flynn’s pursuit of the truth behind this latest copycat killing. The novel isn’t so much a whodunit as it is a cat-and-mouse game, with both characters circling each other carefully, each holding onto something the other needs.
Harry Kugel is disturbingly well-drawn. He is a monster, but avoids becoming a cliché due to his darkly compelling voice. In him, Stevens has created an introspective if delusional sociopath who genuinely believes he’s moved on from his violent past. Meticulously careful, he knows he’s lucky to have avoided capture and that his current life of normalcy is his reward for the good behavior he’s exhibited for the last fifteen years. Of course, this is shattered the moment he discovers someone else has, well, framed him, and only by turning back to the darkness can he preserve the fantasy he has built for himself. As for Flynn, a tough but flawed protagonist whose independent streak sometimes gets the better of her, she can be difficult to sympathize with especially in the beginning when her stubborn refusal to follow instructions inevitably leads to disaster. She only has herself to blame for many of her mistakes, but she does eventually grow more cautious and measured while maintaining her tenacity.
My final take? No Lie Lasts Forever definitely surpassed my expectations. I found it more interesting than your average serial-killer thriller in that it was more a psychological conflict than a puzzle for the reader to solve. This was my first time reading Mark Stevens, but I will be curious to see what he does next.
Audiobook Review: With A Vengeance by Riley Sager
Posted on June 24, 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.
With A Vengeance by Riley Sager
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Penguin Audio (June 10, 2025)
Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrators: Erin Bennett
With A Vengeance is my sixth Riley Sager novel, so you could say I had a good idea of what to expect. To be sure, there was a killer mystery and plenty of plot twists—and yet, there was still one element that managed to catch me off guard, and that was the historical fiction angle. Set in the 1950’s and centered around a doomed group of passengers aboard a luxury rail line, this one gave me more vintage noir vibes than his usual modern-day thrillers. While I appreciated the shift in setting and tone, it did take a bit of an adjustment.
As I mentioned before, the bulk of the novel takes place on a train, with the story unfolding over a tightly compressed timeline that can be measured in hours instead of days. The main character is a young woman named Anna Matheson, once the privileged daughter of a celebrated railway magnate until a devastating scandal shattered her family. Twelve years later, Anna invites the six people she blames for her family’s downfall onto the Philadelphia Phoenix, a state-of-the-art passenger train that her father’s company had helped develop before a rival business owner framed him for a crime he didn’t commit. That conspiracy had led to a cascade of tragic incidents—first, the death of Anna’s brother, then her father’s arrest and subsequent killing in prison, and finally, her mother’s suicide, leaving Anna to be raised by a distant relative until she came of age.
Which means that Anna has had plenty of time to grieve—and to plot her revenge. She’d carried out her plan meticulously, using what little resources she had left to send out carefully crafted invitations, buy out all the tickets to ensure that the train would run with no other passengers, and to bribe the engineers to guarantee a non-stop journey to Chicago. Her goal? To confront the six and ensure that their comeuppance will be waiting at the end of the line, with FBI agents at their destination to take them into custody. But as she soon finds out, desperate people have a tendency to act unpredictably and dangerously when cornered. As tensions rise among her six targets and the reality of what’s coming begins to set in, it appears that at least one of them is willing to do anything—even kill—to avoid being exposed and arrested. With no escape and the situation rapidly spiraling out of control, Anna begins to realize that her plan to exact justice on her own terms might end up costing her life as well.
While it might not boast the most convincing premise, requiring no small amount of suspension of disbelief, it does perfectly set the scene for a locked-room mystery. Once the train departs and the first body drops, the sense of entrapment kicks in hard: no one gets on, no one gets off. Danger circles somewhere among the small, handpicked group of passengers. Despite its luxuriously appointed interiors and high-end amenities, the Philadelphia Phoenix is still a no-exit scenario, a confined environment that feels appropriately claustrophobic and isolated.
That said, this book didn’t completely work for me, and here’s why: despite the intriguing concept, the execution felt off from the start, with the first act weighed by the need to introduce the large ensemble cast and establish backstory for everyone. On the one hand, I recognize this brilliant throwback to the classic noir genre which often featured characters presented like they’ve stepped straight out of a pulp novel—the housekeeper, the secretary, the engineer, the military man, etc. But by the time we’re through, the pacing has already lost a lot of its momentum. Anna is also difficult to connect with as a protagonist, because while her heart seems to be in the right place, a lot of her choices don’t always feel like her own but are instead made to serve the plot. I mean, can anyone truly be that naïve? And finally, Sager’s writing style, which usually works well in his contemporary thrillers, didn’t quite mesh with the historical setting here. It’s supposed to be the 1950s, but the dialogue and prose feel too modern, which took me out of immersion.
In short, With A Vengeance had plenty of potential, but it didn’t quite blow me away. And yet, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the book overall. Like I said, if you’re even passing familiar with Riley Sager’s work, you know he can write a compulsively readable thriller. Sometimes his storytelling can feel a little shaky or his characters a bit thin, but usually there’s still plenty enough to keep me going. This book might feature a concept that ends up being stronger than the actual content, but there’s no denying its entertainment value. And if you end up listening to the audiobook like I did, you’re in for a great listen, with an excellent performance from Erin Bennett whose narration brings out the strongest elements of tension and atmosphere from the novel.
Book Review: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
Posted on June 20, 2025 18 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 Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Series: Book 6 of Dungeon Crawler Carl
Publisher: Ace (May 13, 2025)
Length: 832 pages
Author Information: Website
Here we go, six books into Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series and the journey continues to be as chaotic and fun as ever! The Eye of the Bedlam Bride brings back all the insane action and irreverent humor that I love, as well as the high stakes gameplay and emotional character moments. However, for the first time, I’m not rating a full five stars. As the books get longer, the lore gets more tangled, and I think some of the cracks are starting to show. While still a great read, this installment’s pacing just wasn’t as tight, and certain sections made me wish for more focus and streamlining. That said, fans of the series will absolutely still love it.
We begin the novel on the eighth floor of the dungeon. For those who are counting, you might notice we skipped a floor! Well, that’s because of a little twist at the end of the previous book, which I’m not going to spoil. Let’s just say, another level means a whole new ball game. All the crawlers who have survived this far now find themselves placed into teams and dumped into a part of the world based on Earth’s final days before the aliens came and destroyed everything, but with one huge change. Monsters and legendary creatures based on regional myths have been added—so if you are in Ireland, you may get chance encounters with banshees and leprechauns, or if you are in Romania, you might go toe-to-toe with a vampire, etc. Teams are tasked by new dungeon guidelines to try and capture these creatures, known as totems. When captured, they become cards playable in combat, much like the Yu-Gi-Oh! or Pokemon trading card games.
For Carl and Donut, this floor may be the most dangerous and unpredictable one yet. Not only have the rules changed again, this time, survival means learning a whole new system of card-based combat. While dealing with the usual threats inside the dungeon, they will also need to guard themselves against rival teams who can challenge and defeat them. In fact, the entire level is set up in a way to make the crawlers turn against each other, something that doesn’t sit right with Carl at all. In order to increase his and Donut’s chances of success, he has decided to hunt down one of the game’s most powerful totems, a terrifying spider-like creature called Shi Maria, also known as the Bedlam Bride.
This sixth book is another solid installment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl saga, and I’m floored that Matt Dinniman is still coming in strong with all his amazing ideas. Every new volume somehow manages to be more off-the-wall than the last, and The Eye of the Bedlam Bride is no exception with its mix of action, absurdity, horror, humor, and heartfelt drama. In interviews with the author, I’ve heard him describe himself as a “pantser,” which sort of tracks when you consider just how insane and unpredictable these books can get, but at the same time, it’s hard to believe he’s not working off some master plan, because by the end everything clicks together with an almost surgical precision. On paper, these ingredients shouldn’t come together so perfectly, but they just do.
Of course, the most unique addition to this volume is the introduction of the card battle system (I think every floor will likely introduce a new system, and here’s to hoping racing game mechanics will be added in a future one), but this one has a twist that only a series like Dungeon Crawler Carl can pull off. Due to the way it forces players into more tactical styles of combat, you’ll see the characters engage in a lot more strategizing and resource management, and as a result, a lot of the narrative is dedicated to explaining how everything works. This heavy info dumping is perhaps the book’s biggest drawback, as this deluge of detail occasionally slows down pacing. Still, this complexity is what makes the stakes so intense, and understanding the rules is key to grasping the high-risk, high-reward nature of the game.
But I’ll have to admit, this one took me a bit longer to finish than the previous books, and it’s not just because of its hefty page count. There were stretches that felt like a bit of a slog, making me think it was just a little too long for its own good. Even cutting a dozen pages or so—of mostly gaming mechanics and Carl’s interior monologuing—would have made the pacing feel much tighter. Plus, there was also the fatigue caused by the sheer volume of content. And as much as I appreciate the series’ brand of bizarre humor, some of it edged a bit too far into silliness or my tastes. Even though I didn’t want to put the book down, there were times I felt like I had to, just to have a break to decompress and let what I just read settle.
But obviously, the issues I had were very minor in the grand scheme of things. They certainly didn’t prevent me from having an absolute blast with this book! What really got to me this time was the surprising amount of emotional weight tucked between the insanity and hilarity. Then there was the excitement of dungeon politics exploding into intergalactic tensions which are gradually muscling their way into the spotlight, and all of it is still building toward something massive.
In the end, The Eye of the Bedlam Bride continues to prove why Dungeon Crawler Carl remains THE best and most entertaining litRPG out there. It’s not afraid to take risks or push boundaries, and if this keeps up, the endgame is going to be out of this world, no pun intended. I’m more than ready to follow Carl, Donut, and the gang into the next chapter of the series.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book 1)
Review of Carl’s Doomsday Scenario (Book 2)
Review of The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook (Book 3)
Review of The Gate of the Feral Gods (Book 4)
Review of The Butcher’s Masquerade (Book 5)
Book Review: The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller
Posted on June 18, 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 Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Redhook (June 10, 2025)
Length: 480 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Heading into The Palace of Illusions, I actually didn’t realize it was inspired by The Nutcracker, which made discovering those connections along the way even more of a delightful surprise. A loose reimagining it may be, but it did draw upon the spirit and imagery of the classic ballet while forging its own way, and I really enjoyed the direction Rowenna Miller took with the plot.
The story follows Clara Ironwood, a gifted clockworker who has traveled to Paris from her native Wisconsin to assist in constructing the Palace of Illusions for the 1900 World’s Fair. Fresh from her apprenticeship under her beloved godfather, a legendary clockworker himself, Clara is determined to forge her own path, especially as her decision to leave home caused a rift between them. Rather than dwell on regrets, however, she immerses herself in her work on the Palace of Illusion’s complex house of mirrors which are designed to showcase the marvels of electricity.
Then one day, everything changes when she receives a mysterious gift from her godfather: a nutcracker which holds the key to a whole new world beneath the city. All of a sudden, Clara finds herself plunged into this hidden realm, called the “anderwelt,” an alternate version of Paris brimming with wonder and creation. Here, anything you imagine can come to life—statues that move, houses made of candy, clockwork ballerinas that twirl and leap. But the more Clara explores this fantastical reality, adding her own mark to it in some instances, the more she gets the sense that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Along the way, she meets a host of strange and morally ambiguous characters—some who are allies, others who are hiding dangerous motives. Clara isn’t sure who she can trust, but she must figure out the mystery of the two Parises before the magic binding them can unravel.
I loved how Miller spends a great deal of time going into the ins-and-outs of the anderwelt, and in some places, it is magical realism at its finest. But although this deep exploration can be fascinating, admittedly it can also slow the story down. As our protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the enchanted version of the city, her efforts to uncover its origins can sometimes come at the expense of momentum. That said, what keeps the plot engaging and the reader turning the pages is the character’s personal growth as well as her meaningful relationships as the novel unfolds.
From the start, Clara’s sharp mind and analytical nature are front and center. Approaching every challenge with logic and determination, convinced that with enough time and testing that any problem can be solved, she can come across a little distant and cold, having little interest in anything outside of her work. Granted, part of that also stems from her feeling that she has something to prove, as one of the few women in her field. Despite this chip on her shoulder though, she remains generally congenial, even if she harbors some lingering resentment toward her godfather for turning his back on her. But once Clara enters the anderwelt, the transformation begins. There, she is able to set aside her rational mindset for at least a moment, allowing herself to marvel at the wondrous sights and sounds around her. She becomes more open, more emotionally vulnerable, and far more approachable—finally letting others in, and learning to accept help along the way.
Then there is the incredible duality of the worlds that the author has created. The anderwelt is practically bursting with vibrant imagery and all manner of impossible creatures, so much so that the people in the real world almost feel muted by comparison. But speaking of the characters, one of the most compelling figures is one who doesn’t even feature much in the book at all: Clara’s godfather. Yet his presence is strongly felt throughout, especially in the whimsical tales he spins, which are recalled and scattered across the narrative like little fairy tale breadcrumbs. The historical setting adds another layer of richness, with Miller’s gorgeously imagined turn-of-the-century Paris offering a charming backdrop. The Nutcracker inspiration is on full display, and I think there’s plenty that fans will enjoy.
All told, I really liked the direction Rowenna Miller took with the concept, blending magic, engineering, and history into something that felt fresh. Highly recommended for classic fairy tale lovers or readers who can appreciate a retelling that is both down-to-earth and dares to be different.
Book Review: The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten
Posted on June 14, 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.
The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 10, 2025)
Length: 304 pages
Author Information: Website
I’ll kick this off by saying I’ve previously read two of Camilla Sten’s books and was looking forward to her take on a locked-room mystery in The Bachelorette, but for whatever reason, I just didn’t love this one. While I get that the genre comes with certain stylistic conventions, I felt the story lost a lot of that eerie, spine-tingling magic I’d come to associate with and love about the author’s work.
That said, the premise certainly grabs your attention. Ten years ago, four childhood friends vanished without a trace after their annual girls-getaway to a secluded island nestled off the coast of Sweden. Later, it was determined that the women must have met their ends in a tragic boating accident after a night of drinking and partying, their bodies lost to the sea. However, not everyone was convinced by the official story. For some, the unanswered questions, lack of evidence, and suspicious silence surrounding the incident felt just a little bit too tidy.
One of these individuals is Tessa, a former true crime podcaster whose career was recently derailed by a scandal. Desperate to get her life back on track, she seizes upon the opportunity to solve the decade-old mystery when her best friend Anneliese invites her to her bachelorette party. As luck would have it, the celebration is taking place at a slick new yoga retreat on the very same island from where the four women disappeared. Even more fortuitously, the retreat is run by the sister of one of the missing women, giving Tessa potential access to someone with intimate knowledge of the case. But things don’t go quite as planned. One of the rules for this spiritual weekend is a strict no-phones policy, cutting the party off from the outside world. What was meant to be a peaceful escape quickly turns into a claustrophobic nightmare as one of the guests turns up dead, and it becomes clear that the tragedy from ten years ago might not have been an accident after all. It seems history could be on the verge of repeating itself, and Tessa needs to find out why.
The Bachelorette Party had its moments, but where it felt weaker to me was in the execution of the plot twists and the overall structure of the novel itself. While using dual timelines by flipping between past and present to tell a story isn’t uncommon to see in the genre these days, there was something off about it here that made me think it was more unnecessary. The past thread was almost too bland and when the time came to tie it to Tessa and her friends in the present, I was left with an underwhelming “that’s it?” In particular, the ending was lacking the impact I was hoping for. As they say, go big or go home, and to be honest, something more outrageous or an over-the-top reveal might have been a better fit for the tone the book had been building toward.
I also had a tough time connecting with most of the characters. Tessa was the only one who stood out, owing to the fact she is one of our main POVs who had an actual backstory. But beyond her, I’d be hard pressed to remember many of the names of the rest of the group, who pretty much faded into the background like set dressing. Sure, group dynamics were present, but instead of an authentic circle of friends, they felt more like a scripted version of how our media culture thinks women behave at a bachelorette party. In fact, the whole situation felt oddly detached from the setting, as these characters could have easily been plucked from any reality TV show or soap opera. With so little to the characters, it was hard to care when things started going wrong.
That said, there were a few highlights. The island setting was perfectly atmospheric and struck a nice balance between eerie isolation and quiet natural beauty. The book was also well-paced without getting too bogged down in unnecessary exposition. Even the red herrings and side plots were engaging in their own right and kept me interested even when they later turned out to have little to do with the main mystery. It might not have been as thrilling as I’d hoped, but it was a decent page-turner that was still entertaining.
Overall, The Bachelorette Party is a fast read and would make for a pretty solid pick for the beach. It’s light, binge-worthy, and not too demanding on a brain that’s on vacation mode. Though it’s not as clever or unique as I’ve come to expect from Camilla Sten’s previous work, it’s at least full of tension and great drama when it’s at its best. Fans of locked-room mysteries might still find it enjoyable, if you don’t mind a bit of predictability.
Book Review: A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena
Posted on June 11, 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.
A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Del Rey (June 10, 2025)
Length: 448 pages
Author Information: Website
The romantasy genre has exploded in the last couple years, and that’s a great thing because it means there’s something for everyone. If you’re interested in something more slow burn, for example, A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena is the kind that hits all the right notes, especially if you’re in the mood for a royal court drama featuring a heroine just trying to survive a world that’s always trying to push her down.
Vasalie Moran was once a celebrated dancer and a favorite of King Illian until she fell from grace, framed for a murder she did not commit. After two years spent starved and isolated in a dungeon, she thought she would never see the light of day again—until one day, the same man who ordered her imprisoned offers her a deal she can’t refuse: pose as a court entertainer and spy on his enemies at a high-stakes royal summit known as the Gathering, and in return, she’ll win her freedom.
Her body weak and her spirit all but broken, Vasalie recognizes the cruelty behind Illian’s offer, but what choice does she have? Desperate to reclaim the life she’d lost, our protagonist uses what limited time she has before the Gathering to prepare for a return to the treacherous world of court politics, where her every move will be scrutinized, both on and off the dancing stage. From there, things get messy, but in a good way. Vasalie finds herself caught between rival kings, all the while navigating an unexpected partnership with a new dance partner who could end up being something more—or he might just be another player in the game.
A Dance of Lies is Brittney Arena’s debut, and in certain places, it shows. But while some of the writing is a little rough around the edges, and a few plot points feel like ones we’ve seen before, the book still works thanks to its strong sense of place and a heroine you can’t easily forget. As the protagonist, Vasalie feels genuinely shaped by her trauma and disability, which is important since this was stated as one of the author’s main goals in her foreword. The novel unfolds with a clear eye for character motivation and interpersonal relationships which carry things through the more uneven patches.
Another highlight is the world-building. Again, even as the plot starts veering into familiar territory, the setting stays interesting thanks to its layered political intrigue and vivid court drama, creating a quiet kind of tension throughout. There’s a lived-in feel to the world that gently pulls you in, especially when it comes to the subtle power plays. Vasalie fits well into this picture, being emotionally guarded, which makes sense given all that she’s been through. The story handles her painful experiences with a thoughtful touch, showing how she keeps going not because she’s fearless or bold, but because she possesses the tenacity to always find her way back to herself. It’s quite refreshing to see a female lead whose main strength comes from her perseverance, and who stays grounded even when things look dire.
As for the romantic elements, I think diehard fans of romantasy might find them a bit underwhelming, as they are on the lighter side and definitely take a backseat to the main story. The romance subplot is a true slow burn, relying more on wary glances, lingering touches, and unspoken words than anything too overt. In that sense, it cleverly mirrors dancing itself, the movements careful, teasing, and full of anticipation. There’s chemistry flying all around, but it’s more playful and restrained than intense.
All in all, Brittney Arena’s debut is not a perfect book, but it kept me turning the pages with its court intrigue and dangerous setting. While the prose stumbles a little from being overwritten and some of the story feels fuzzy around the edges, these were minor issues I didn’t mind too much. Ultimately, A Dance of Lies sets up a promising series, and I’m curious to see where things go next.
The BiblioSanctum 