Popular With Readers Month Of March, 2025
- #1
Save:Scythe & Sparrow (Ruinous Love) by Brynne Weaver is the final book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy, focusing on the compelling love story between Fionn Kane and Rose Evans. Set against the vibrant backdrop of a circus, their relationship unfolds with a mix of humor, romance, and emotional depth. Both characters face their pasts, as Fionn grapples with his dark side while Rose is on a mission to protect women, making for a tense and engaging narrative filled with quirky moments, like a memorable cotton candy scene.
Weaver's writing shines with her signature blend of wit and heartfelt emotion. The story is a slow burn, filled with character growth and comedic elements that keep readers invested. The timeline cleverly overlaps with events from the previous books, enriching the overall experience. Fans of the series will appreciate the satisfying conclusion to Fionn and Rose's journey, full of chaos, romance, and laughter, making it a gripping ending to an addictive trilogy.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Ruinous Love ) - #2
Save:Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is a captivating story that combines romance, personal growth, and exploring complex relationships. The plot centers around Scarlett, a driven diver, and Lukas, a tall Swedish swimmer, who are thrown together in a messy situation involving friendships and past relationships. The story dives deep into their physical and emotional connection, highlighting Scarlett's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with her desires and fears.
Hazelwood's writing is described as engaging, witty, and deeply thoughtful. The characters are layered, adding depth to their interactions. The romance is steamy, with moments of humor and banter that keep readers invested. The exploration of kink and consent is handled with care, making it more than just spicy scenes but integral to character development. Overall, Deep End is a mix of sports, romance, and emotional resilience, making it a favorite for many fans.
- #3
Save:Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth) by Kristen Ciccarelli is a captivating conclusion to a duology filled with heartache, hope, love, courage, and strength. The journey of the characters Rune and Gideon is beautifully written, making readers root for them despite the complexities of their relationships. The book excels in delivering a compelling enemies-to-lovers romance, enhanced by tension, angst, and pining, which keeps readers on the edge of their seats. While the pacing is fast-paced and action-packed, there are moments where character introspection could have been deeper, yet the characters are multidimensional and relatable.
The plot unfolds with a mix of suspense and political intrigue, closely held together with the emotional struggles of the main characters. The conclusion ties up their stories satisfying, with twists that surprise and validate readers' predictions. Although some felt the ending was quick compared to the rest of the narrative, it still delivers a satisfying close. Overall, readers found this sequel well worth the wait, leaving them yearning for more of Rune and Gideon's story and wishing for additional installments in this enchanting world.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Crimson Moth ) - #4
Save:The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern is a book that weaves together stories within stories, following the journey of Zachary Ezra Rawlins as he discovers a mysterious old book in his university library. The book is filled with a strange collection of disconnected stories, one of which is about Zachary himself. Seeking answers leads him to a secret underground library, the Harbor on the Starless Sea, where he uncovers hidden truths and connections among the stories. The writing style is described as poetic, entrancing, and transporting readers to a fairy tale-like world of mysterious books and secret libraries.
The book is a celebration of stories and storytelling in all its forms, exploring the importance of friendship, bravery, love, and the power of narratives to take readers on a journey through enchanting and magical realms. It delves into the concept of a parallel universe of stories existing underground, accessed through secret doorways, while also touching on themes of self-discovery, interconnectedness, and the beauty of words and ideas.
(Close enough to see from behind the bars. Freedom kept in sight but out of reach, left as a reminder to the prisoner. No one remembers that now on the key side of the bars. The careful psychological ... - #5
Save:"Uprooted" by Naomi Novik is a fantasy novel set in a world where a wizard known as The Dragon takes a young girl every ten years to live with him and protect the area from the dangers of the nearby Wood. The protagonist, Agnieszka, unexpectedly chosen instead of her best friend, discovers her own magical abilities and becomes an apprentice to The Dragon. As they work together to combat the threats from the Wood, Agnieszka navigates themes of magic, friendship, self-discovery, and love in a richly imagined world filled with folklore elements and moral ambiguity.
The book is praised for its beautiful and descriptive prose, creating a vivid and realistic world for readers to immerse themselves in. The story unfolds slowly, subverting expectations and revealing surprising twists that keep readers engaged until the very satisfying end. The character development, particularly of Agnieszka, is highlighted as she embodies girl power, bravery, and independence, becoming her own hero in the face of challenges and mysteries presented by the magical world she inhabits.
Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrific... - #6
Save:'The Priory of the Orange Tree' by Samantha Shannon is an immersive and expansive high fantasy novel that presents a world where women of diverse backgrounds take center stage, breaking away from traditional tropes. The book delves into a world without sexism, homophobia, and racism, while exploring themes of religious intolerance, political intrigue, and the balance of power. The story follows multiple characters as they navigate conflicting political currents and eventually unite to confront an ancient evil threatening their world.
The book offers a feminist reboot of Arthurian legend with LGBTQ representation and a focus on strong female characters. Despite some pacing issues and slow world-building, the novel weaves together a complex narrative with dragons, magic, and diverse cultures, creating a unique and engaging fantasy world that challenges traditional fantasy norms.
Every morning she kept the same routine. To be predictable was to be safe. First she went to the Master of the Posts, who confirmed he had no letters for her. Then she went to the gates and gazed out ... - #7
Save:Anathema by Keri Lake is a dark gothic fantasy that introduces readers to the complex world of the Eating Woods, a haunting place filled with magic, mythical creatures, and deep lore. The plot centers around Maevyth, an outcast who is thrown into this eerie realm, and her budding relationship with the brooding assassin Zevander. Their connection is intense and slow-burning, marked by a unique dynamic of enemies-to-lovers that unfolds against a backdrop of danger and intrigue.
Keri Lake's writing style is both immersive and vivid, bringing the richly detailed world to life. The narrative is well-paced, mixing world-building with character development, ensuring that readers remain engaged throughout the lengthy 700-page journey. The story is filled with lyrical moments and emotional depth, providing a captivating reading experience. With its intricate magic system and compelling characters, Anathema is a beautiful exploration of a dark romance that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.
- #8
Save:Redwall by Brian Jacques is a classic children's fantasy novel that follows the adventures of Matthias, a young mouse living in Redwall Abbey. When the peaceful life of the abbey is threatened by the evil rat Cluny the Scourge, Matthias must rise up to become a hero and lead the fight against the forces of darkness. The story is a coming-of-age tale filled with themes of courage, friendship, and good triumphing over evil, set in a richly detailed world inhabited by anthropomorphic woodland creatures.
The plot unfolds with Matthias discovering his true destiny as a warrior and embarking on a quest to save Redwall Abbey from Cluny's tyranny. The writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions of characters and settings, creating an immersive fantasy world where readers of all ages can get lost in the epic battle between good and evil.
MATTHIAS CUT A comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an over-sized novice’s habit. ... - #9
Save:Educated by Tara Westover is a memoir recounting the author's tumultuous childhood growing up in Idaho in a dysfunctional family. Tara's father, a strict Mormon and anti-government supporter, forbids her from attending school, leading her to work in the family's scrap yard instead. Despite the isolation and abuse she faces at home, Tara eventually breaks free and pursues education, earning scholarships and grants to study at prestigious universities like Cambridge and Harvard. The book delves into themes of familial dysfunction, survivalism, mental illness, and the transformative power of education.
My strongest memory is not a memory. It’s something I imagined, then came to remember as if it had happened. The memory was formed when I was five, just before I turned six, from a story my father tol... - #10
Save:House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a complex and ambitious novel that delves into the mysterious record of a house that defies physics, expanding and lacking spatial boundaries. The story is told unconventionally through different perspectives, utilizing unique page layouts, sentences, paragraphs, and words to create imagery that parallels the narrative. The book also incorporates numerous footnotes that reference various elements, both real and imaginary, adding layers of depth to the storytelling.
The narrative structure of the book weaves together multiple stories within stories, creating a layered and enthralling journey into the unknown. Readers are drawn into the tale of The Navidson Record, told through the lenses of Zampano and Johnny Truant, each contributing to the unfolding mystery of the house that challenges reality. The book's presentation and narrative style offer a blend of horror, academic critique, and metafictional elements, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.
§Provide examples of hand shadows ranging from crabs, snails, rabbits,and turtles to dragons, panthers, tigers, and kangaroos. Also includehippos, frogs, elephants, birds of paradise, dogs, cockatoos,...
