Review: Sword Catcher (The Chronicles of Castellane #1) by Cassandra Clare

Title: Sword Catcher

Series: The Chronicles of Castellane #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: October 2023

Published by: Del Rey Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher—the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces.

As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

My rating: ★★★★☆

“I am the Prince's shield," he said. "I am his unbreakable armor. I bleed that he might not bleed. I suffer that he might never suffer. I die that he might live forever." "But you will not die," said Conor, releasing his hand.

Listen, you guys know I love my Shadowhunters, and I will never say no to a new book in that world. But I was also very excited to learn that Cassandra Clare was writing something completely new. And I know this isn't the first time—she co-wrote an MG series with Holly Black. But this is fully hers! An adult high fantasy series! Ah! So exciting! And I ended up really enjoying this book!

Review: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Title: King of Scars

Series: King of Scars #1 | Grishaverse #6

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: January 2019

Published by: Imprint

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Face your demons... or feed them.

The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war--and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka's coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren't meant to stay buried--and some wounds aren't meant to heal.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I started off the Grishaverse by reading Six of Crows first, then I went back and read Shadow and Bone, and now this. And to be honest, after reading this book, I am convinced that Six of Crows is the superior series. That being said, I still enjoyed this, but it was no Six of Crows.

Warp, Rinse, Repeat (Tales of a Former Space Janitor #6) by Julia Huni

Title: Warp, Rinse, Repeat

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor #6

Previous books in this series: The Rings of Grissom (#1) | Planetary Spin Cycle (#2) | Waxing the Moon of Lewei (#3) | Christmas Cookie Crumbs (#3.5) | Changing the Speed of Light Bulbs (#4) Sun Spot Remover (#5)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: December 26th 2025

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review

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Synopsis: Surviving parenthood is hard enough—try doing it when the universe keeps hitting reset.

Triana Moore thought pregnancy would be messy—but not this messy. Between malfunctioning baby simulators, her mother’s attempts to fire her (again), and a snarky “smart” house that refuses to learn her name, life on SK2 is already chaos.

Then Monday refuses to end. Literally.

Now, Triana and O’Neill are stuck reliving the same day on repeat—while her pregnancy keeps marching forward. As her belly expands and her patience wears thin, they must re-convince her charming cousin Arun, their sharp-tongued friend Vanti, and a hopelessly romantic AI that the time loop is real before the triplets make their debut in a full-blown temporal paradox.

Cosmic chaos, domestic drama, and one very pregnant heroine who just wants a nap. And probably a snack.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I love the Space Janitor Universe, we all know this about me lol, but I also love a time loop, so I was extra excited about this book in particular! And it was SO fun!

Review: Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Title: Fake Skating

Author: Lynn Painter

Genre: YA, contemporary romance

Publication date: September 2025

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.

Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t.

Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans... and he loves it.

Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I don't read many romances, but damn if I don't love a Lynn Painter book! 😍 Over the years, I've come to discover what I like and don't like in a romance, and for me, Lynn Painter just does romance right! They're so cute!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #450: Starting Off The Year Right

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.