Mallory Books

This story follows the devastating consequences of climate change through a fictional but chillingly realistic severe drought in Southern California that turns neighbors against one another and our always growing cast of characters are forced to do whatever it takes to survive when the taps run dry.  I enjoyed this story especially as a low commitment stand alone with a gripping plot. I enjoyed how the various characters were built into the story, but never became too hard to keep track. I didn’t particularly adore any of the main characters and I’m sorry but I just kept picturing Kelton as an older version of the annoying kid from Polar Express but luckily I really liked his (much needed) character growth. I still found myself crying a little at the end scenes so clearly they got me invested in the end. It felt pretty realistic (sadly) and a true representation of the darkness inside humanity that we’ve seen glimpses of lately. I actually had to go get myself some water while read...

  PLOT:  Charlotte thought her childhood crush, Dean, falling in love with her older sister was the end of her world, until the real end came with the Crimson, a curse that is spread though eye contact, transforming humans into monsters. Her older sister in now the Commander of their settlement, while her younger sister, Vanessa, is the Chosen One— the one destined to end the curse, meaning Charlotte is still stuck in their shadows. When they are raided, Charlotte declares herself the Chosen One in order to save her sisters, and she must keep up her lie if she wants to keep them and Dean safe, and better yet, stay alive herslef. This Is her chance to define her own destiny and try to save thee world.   MY THOUGHTS: If I had to describe this book in one word it would be captivating. I have never read anything quite like it. The concept, the most unique twist on a zombie-like-apocalypse (emphasis on like) I’ve ever encountered, was amazing! Sea captains, curses, action, rom...

  What it’s about: Nova Huang is a teenage witch working at her grandmothers’ bookshop. Her job ranges from selling spell books to investigating all things supernatural in her town. After reports of a white wolf sighting in the woods, Nova discovers her childhood crush, Tam Lang, fighting a demon horse. Naturally, Tam is a wandering werewolf trying to escape the dark magic seeking a wolf for a ritual. Tam and Nova team up to explore Tam’s powers and defeat the dark magic at work. With all the demons, witchcraft, and bird boys, who couldn’t help but catch some feelings in the meantime?  My thoughts: This novel was so fun and cozy! I felt like I was transported to a northern autumnal bubble of warmth and magic. The art is INCREDIBLE and matched the story so well. I loved the characters, and the representation was great too (I can not speak to the accuracy of all the representation however) Tam is non-binary and I definitely haven’t read a lot of stories with NB characters. I lo...

What it’s about: I think the best way to go into this book is by knowing as little as possible, so I’ll keep this vague. Jane Bell, our heroine, is the new dog-walker with sticky fingers in the rich southern neighborhood called Thornfield Estates. TE is a gated community full of secrets, gossiping housewives, and yes, more secrets.  Then, Jane meets Edward Rochester— newly widowed, handsome, and mysterious— and suddenly Jane has new plans and aspirations. Eddie’s perfect wife, Bea, and her best friend are presumed dead after a boating accident 6 months ago. Jane has hew own secret past, but that doesn’t stop her from stumbling into a life with more twists and untold reveals then she ever could have imagined.  My thoughts: This book captivated me from the very start. The writing and storyline gave me literal chills. I can’t express how invested I was in this page-turner. I have never read a book like this, with such dark, morally grey characters. I was gasping out loud (with ...

Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Publishing Date: January 19, 2021 Synopsis: The first book in an epic, heart-pounding fantasy duology about two royal heirs betrothed to be married, but whose loyalties are torn, and a ruthless enemy who threatens their world, perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal, and Renée Ahdieh. Adraa is the royal heir of Belwar, a talented witch on the cusp of taking her royal ceremony test, and a girl who just wants to prove her worth to her people. Jatin is the royal heir to Naupure, a competitive wizard who’s mastered all nine colors of magic, and a boy anxious to return home for the first time since he was a child. Together, their arranged marriage will unite two of Wickery’s most powerful kingdoms. But after years of rivalry from afar, Adraa and Jatin only agree on one thing: their reunion will be anything but sweet. Only, destiny has other plans and with the criminal underbelly of Belwar suddenly making a move for con...

  A Crown of Echoes by Brindi Quinn Genre: New Adult Fantasy Publishing Date: June 11, 2020 Synopsis: “I’ve wondered what you taste like for so damn long. You taste better than I ever could have imagined... my queen.” He shouldn’t be calling me that. Beau was his queen. And I had a problem. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Queen Merrin might be the least queenly queen in all the realms. After all, queens don’t typically sneak out at night to drink with their guards. When her best friend and neighboring queen, Beau, goes missing, Merrin won’t leave rescue to the knights. She sets out from the civilized world and into the wilds to retrieve her lost friend, but with ancient hexes, stolen power, and a mountain of giants’ bones, Merrin stumbles into something much greater than a simple rescue mission. Get ready for a swoony whirlwind of dark magic and forbidden romance, as Merrin finds strength in the whispers of the forest and comfort in the arms of a guard with tantalizing abil...

  🐍 REVIEW: Lore by Alexandra Bracken 🌬 What it’s about: The Agon takes place every seven years. It is the punishment administered upon nine Greek gods for their roles in a rebellion by Zeus. During Agon, the nine gods must walk Earth as mortals while being hunted by the descendants of chosen ancient heroes. The hunter who kills a god gains their power and immorality, but in turn, join the never-ending cycle and become hunted too. After the brutal murder of her entire family, and the only other remaining survivors of her bloodline, Lore Perseous escaped her world, defying the only destiny she ever knew, trying to forget the man, now a new god, who took her family from her. At the start of the new Agon, Lore is asked to help the last two people she ever expected, Castor, Lore’s childhood best friend who should be dead, and the dying Athena, one of the last remaining original gods. United with a common enemy and a shared goal, Lore rejoins the hunt by binding her fate to the goddes...