Review: Kindergarten Wars (Vol. 1) by You Chiba

Title: Kindergarten Wars Vol. 1

Series: Kindergarten Wars #1

Author: You Chiba

Genre: YA, manga, action, humor

Publication date: May 2025

Published by: Yen Press

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: IT’S PLAYTIME!

Rita is Convict No. 999, a former legendary assassin who now works at a kindergarten for the children of the world’s most powerful people. Her job is to protect the kids from the clutches of would-be kidnappers and contract killers. But even with her overwhelming strength, Rita has one fatal flaw―she falls head over heels for good-looking men, even if they’re her enemies! Can she find the hottie soulmate of her dreams amid the chaos at the “world’s safest kindergarten”?

My rating: ★★★★★

I don't even remember how I found out about this manga, but I'm glad I did because I freaking loved it!

The thing that caught my attention about this series was the premise of former assassins working at a kindergarten to protect the kids of the rich and powerful. But it's more than that:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #451: The Good Vibes Continue

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

Sunday Post #487: ACNH is Back Just in Time!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

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

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

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

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

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.