Review: The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

Title: The Demigod Diaries

Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle grade, Greek mythology

Publication date: August 2012

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads (who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion...all in one hour or less?

With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books. Original art, enlightening character interviews and profiles, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.

My rating: ★★★★☆

This book was a collection of short stories and other fun things, and I had a blast reading it! But then you know how much I love Percy Jackson. Lol.

Review: The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White

Title: The Fox and the Devil

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Adult, horror, paranormal romance, historical fiction

Publication date: March 10th 2026

Published by: Del Rey

Source: eARC for review from publishers via Netgalley

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: An obsession with a beautiful serial killer entangles a vampire hunter’s daughter in an immortal sapphic romance in this enthralling gothic fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lucy Undying.

Anneke has a complicated relationship with her father, Abraham Van Helsing—doctor, scientist, and madman devoted to studying vampires—up until the night she comes home to find him murdered, with a surreally beautiful woman looming over his body. A woman who leaves no trace behind, other than the dreams and nightmares that plague Anneke every night.

Spurred by her desire for vengeance and armed with the latest in forensic and investigatory techniques, Anneke puts together a team of detectives to catch her mysterious serial killer. Because her father isn’t the only inexplicably dead body. There’s a trail of victims across Europe and Anneke is certain they’re all connected.

But during the years spent relentlessly hunting the killer, Anneke keeps some crucial evidence to infuriatingly coy letters, addressed only to Anneke, occasionally soaked in blood, and always signed Diavola. Devil. The obsession is mutual, and all the more dangerous for it.

The closer Anneke gets to her devil, though, the less sense the world makes. Maybe her father wasn’t a madman, after all. Diavola might be something much worse than a serial killer . . . and much harder to destroy. Because as Anneke unearths more of Diavola’s tragic past, she suspects there’s still a heart somewhere in that undead body.

A heart that beats for Anneke alone.

My rating: ★★★⯪☆

I'll never let her have a moment's peace. I'll hunt her to the ends of the earth.

I really enjoy Kiersten White's writing, and I was really looking forward to this one because the concept sounded so interesting! Unfortunately, I think this was more of a case where I liked the premise more than the execution.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #458: Mexican Bingo But Make It Spooky

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

Sunday Post #494: Movies and Video Game Drama

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: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: The Hero of Ages

Series: Mistborn Era 1 #3 | The Mistborn Saga #3 | Cosmere #4

Previous books in this series: Mistborn: The Final Empire (#1) | The Well of Ascension (#2)

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Adult, epic/high fantasy

Publication date: October 2008

Published by: Tor Books

Source: Borrwed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Vin fulfilled the prophecy and released the power gathered in the Well of Ascension. But it was all a trick, and now the godlike being Ruin has been unleashed on the world, bent on its destruction by earthquake and Fire.

Having escaped death only through becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture now hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will help them fight back. Legends speak of a hero, but were any prophecies not corrupted? To make up for being duped, Vin must unravel the truth so she can become the Hero of Ages before Ruin can wipe out all life on the planet.

My rating: ★★★★★

She'd called herself hero, and had released the enemy all the while thinking that she was sacrificing her own needs for the good of the world.

When I finished reading the last book, I said that I was not okay. Well, I'm doubly not okay after finishing this one.

Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 3) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 3

Series: Sakamoto Days #3

Previous books in this series: Sakamoto Days (#1) | Sakamoto Days #2

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, manga, adventure

Publication date: September 2021

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Team Sakamoto enters an airsoft tournament organized by the shopping arcade in the hopes of winning the million-yen prize. However, things don’t go as planned and they find themselves teaming up with a not-so-sharp sniper called Heisuke. Meanwhile, some shady characters connected to the secret organization that raised Shin are on their way to Sakamoto’s...

My rating: ★★★★★

It had been a while since I last read an installment in this series, and I almost forgot how fun it was!

March 2026 TBR

I did it again. I finished my TBR, and this time I finished it ONE week before the end of the month! 😭 Which is crazy because it was a shorter month. Even crazier: I only had 6 books on my TBR but ended up reading TEN books overall in February! 😱

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #457: Back on the Horror Train

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

Sunday Post #493: Just Work, Trials, and Sims

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!

Monthly Wrap-Up: February 2026

I don't know how, but I managed to read 10 books this month! That's a total of 3042 pages, which is 859 pages MORE than last month! 😱

• 6 were full-length novels, and 2 manga, 1 novella, and 1 light novel
• 8 were part of a series, and 2 were standalone
• I started 3 series, and finished 1, and caught up on 1
• 9 were finished copies and 1 ARC
• 4 were physical books, and 5 were ebooks, and 1 was an audio/ebook combo
• 4 were 4.5 stars, 3 were 4 stars, and 3 were 3.5 stars
• All 10 were traditionally published
• 6 were by authors I've previously read, and 4 were new to me
• 3 were adult books, and 7 were YA books
• All 10 were fiction
• 2 were action, 4 horror, 1 high fantasy, 1 mystery thriller, 1 cozy fantasy, and 1 sci-fi

Review: Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #3) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Accomplice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #3

Previous book in this series: Assistant to the Villain (#1) | Apprentice to the Villain (#2)

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Genre: Adult, high fantasy, romance

Publication date: August 2025

Published by: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Source: Purchased paperback

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Outlet

Synopsis: REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”

Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire—or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again... neither was falling for The Villain.

A magical office comedy with grumpy bosses, snarky frogs, and definitely-not-feelings.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

I don't know what's going on with this series, but it is progressively getting worse and it's making me so sad! I literally gave the first book 5 stars! 😭

Review: Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #2) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Apprentice to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #2

Previous book in this series: Assistant to the Villain

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Genre: Adult, high fantasy, romance

Publication date: August 2024

Published by: Entangled: Red Tower Books

Source: Purchased paperback

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Outlet

Synopsis: NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. —Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat... er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs—Kingsley’s included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies... including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so... so... delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't love this book as much as the last one. I mean, I still liked it, but Assistant to the Villain was an easy 5 stars, sooo...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #456: I Finished My February TBR!

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

Sunday Post #492: They Got Me

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!

Winter Olympic Book Tag

I'm not gonna lie, I don't really follow the Olympics 😅 I just don't... sports. Lol. You probably know this about me. Lol. But that's not gonna stop me from doing a book tag about it 😆 I found this over at It Starts at Midnight.

Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Title: Assistant to the Villain

Series: Assistant to the Villain #1

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Genre: Adult, high fantasy, romance

Publication date: August 2023

Published by: Entangled Publishing: Red Tower Books

Source: Purchased paperback

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain―and his entire nefarious empire―out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was so fun! I loved it a whole lot more than I was expecting!

Review: The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: The Well of Ascension

Series: Mistborn Era 1 #2 | The Mistborn Saga #2 | Cosmere #3

Previous book in this series: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Adult, epic/high fantasy

Publication date: August 2007

Published by: Tor Books

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: They did the impossible, ending the thousand-year reign of the godlike Lord Ruler. Now Vin, the former street urchin turned powerful Mistborn, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire.

As tensions grow in the wake of the uprising, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.

It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.

My rating: ★★★★★

The Lord Ruler was dead, but the story did not seem finished.

This book was insane in the best way possible!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #455: Small Detour

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

Sunday Post #491: Galentine's Day Shenanigans

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!

2026 Bookish Prediction Tag

I'm back at it again with the Bookish Prediction tag 😆 It was created by Book Princess Reviews.

Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

Title: Mr. Wrong Number

Series: Mr. Wrong Number #1

Author: Lynn Painter

Genre: Adult, contemporary romance

Publication date: March 2022

Published by: Berkley

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Things get textual when a steamy message from a random wrong number turns into an anonymous relationship in this hilarious rom-com by Lynn Painter.

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall... or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a “What are you wearing?” text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining—albeit anonymous—relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing...

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks—and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I never thought I'd have a favorite romance author, but here we are, because I think Lynn Painter is my favorite romance author 😆 Everything I have read by this author I have enjoyed—including this book!

Review- Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Series: Mistborn Era 1 #1 | The Mistborn Saga #1 | Cosmere #2

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Adult, epic/high fantasy

Publication date: July 2006

Published by: Tor Books

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: For a thousand years, ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years, the Lord Ruler reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when all hope was lost, the scarred, heartbroken half-Skaa Kelsier found in himself the powers of a Mistborn.

A brilliant thief and natural leader, Kelsier recruits the underworld's smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, who each share one of his many powers and relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream: not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers that she’s never dreamed of.

My rating: ★★★★★

I loved this book so much! I finally understand the hype surrounding this author!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #454: Sticking with the Spooky Vibes

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

Sunday Post #490: Another Readathon!

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!

Relax & Read-athon: February 2026

I have really been looking forward to doing another Relax & Readathon! I missed the one in December because I was on vacation, but I currently have a 3-day weekend, so I thought it would be perfect to start off the new month with this! This readathon was created and hosted by the Reading Nymph (love her! Here is the announcement video.)

Last time I did this readathon, I felt like I stressed myself out trying to read as much as I possibly could. Which is the exact OPPOSITE of what this readathon is about 🤦‍♀️😂 I'm gonna try and actually take it easy in this one. My goal is to finish the book I'm currently reading, and maybe start another? I'm not sure. I'm really looking forward to the non-reading prompts with the snacks, the coziness, and doing other hobbies though! But I'm still going to be reading, of course. Lol.

Review: Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito

Title: Venus in the Blind Spot

Author: Junji Ito

Genre: Adult, manga, horror

Publication date: February 2019

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Gifted

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: This striking collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story “The Human Chair” and fan favorite “The Enigma of Amigara Fault.” With a deluxe presentation—including special color pages, and showcasing illustrations from his acclaimed long-form manga No Longer Human—each chilling tale invites readers to revel in a world of terror.

My rating: ★★★⯪☆

I love manga, and I love horror, but even I find it hard to believe that I still had not read any Junji Ito thus far in my life. Lol. Luckily, that's finally changed! Lol.

February 2026 TBR

Oh. My. God. My January TBR went SO well! I am truly shocked. Lol. Let's do another tbr and see what happens in February because I really don't know how long this may last 😅😂

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #453: Getting Spooky

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

Sunday Post #489: A Nice Break

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!

Monthly Wrap-Up: January 2026

It was a really good start to the year... reading-wise at least 😅 I read 6 books, for a total of 2183 pages.

• 3 were full-length novels, and 3 manga
• 3 were part of a series, and 3 were standalone
• I started 1 series, and finished none 😅
• All 6 were finished copies
• 4 were physical books, and 2 were ebooks
• 1 was a 5-star read, 2 were 4.5 stars, 2 were 4 stars, and 1 was 3.5 stars
• All 6 were traditionally published
• 4 were by authors I've previously read, and 2 were new to me
• 3 were adult books, and 3 were YA books
• All 6 were fiction
• 1 was contemporary romance, 2 action, 1 horror, 1 fantasy sci-fi, and 1 high fantasy

Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 2) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 2

Series: Sakamoto Days #2

Previous book in this series: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 1

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, manga, adventure

Publication date: June 2021

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Shin faces off with a strange assassin who’s targeting Mr. Sakamoto, but how will he manage against a foe whose thoughts are unreadable? Then, the Sakamoto gang does their best to enjoy a peaceful family outing at the amusement park, only to be rudely interrupted by a pair of menacing assassins. Can Mr. Sakamoto and his buddies take care of them without his family noticing?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I was SO excited to read this volume because I was loving the setting in the amusement park! And then the last volume ended just when things were getting exciting. Lol. But this volume was a ton of fun too!

Review: The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Hidden Oracle

Series: The Trials of Apollo #1

Other series in the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles: Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: May 2016

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.

But Apollo has many enemies—gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go... an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I have been really looking forward to reading this series, not only because I love Percy Jackson in general, but because I love Apollo too!

Review: Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl #2) by Matt Dinniman

Title: Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #2

Previous book in this series: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi

Publication date: January 2021

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: “Greetings, Crawlers! The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin.”

The aliens have come, and they’ve transformed Earth into a multilevel, video game–like dungeon. It’s the newest season of the galaxy’s most watched game show, Dungeon Crawler World. Now on the third floor, Carl and Donut have to fight harder than ever. They’ve already proven that a Coast Guard vet and once-and-forever feline royalty are an almost unstoppable team. Their ratings are off the charts. Viewers can’t get enough. But the dungeon gets more dangerous each day, and now there’s a whole new problem to deal with: Quests.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered women rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose. Can Carl and Donut solve the mystery in time?

And can Carl finally find some pants?

Includes part two of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★☆

Carl, Princess Donut, and Mongo made it to the next level, and it was as chaotic as ever—It was great! Lol.

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi, apocalyptic, adventure

Publication date: September 2020

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I had been seeing a lot of my friends on Goodreads raving about this series, and one day while I was at B&N I saw this book, and I was like, "Hey thats the one!" The new neon cover is what definitely caught my attention. But I'm glad to have finally gotten on the bandwagon because I had a lot of fun reading it!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #452: Sneak Peek at the TBR

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

Sunday Post #488: Trying to Stay Afloat

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: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 1) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 1

Series: Sakamoto Days #1

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, action, humor

Publication date: April 2022

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Time has passed peacefully for Sakamoto since he left the underworld. He’s running a neighborhood store with his lovely wife and child and has gotten a bit…out of shape. But one day a figure from his past pays him a visit with an offer he can’t refuse: return to the assassin world or die!

My rating: ★★★★☆

I've been on a manga kick lately, so I'm glad this one was recommended to me because I really enjoyed it!

Review: Rule of Wolves (King of Scars #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Rule of Wolves

Series: King of Scars #2 | Grishaverse #7

Previous book in this series: King of Scars

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: March 2021

Published by: Imprint

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I still think that the Six of Crows duology is the superior series in the Grishaverse 😆, but I did enjoy the overall story in this series. Also, I love Nikolai, so it's always great when he's around. Lol.

Review: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

Title: Dreadful

Author: Caitlin Rozakis

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: May 2024

Published by: Titan Books

Source: Purchased paperback

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: It’s bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard’s workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something.

It’s a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is... you.

Gav isn’t really sure how he ended up with a castle full of goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan in hopes of getting his memories back before he gets himself killed.

But as he realizes that nothing – from the incredibly tasteless cloak adorned with flames to the aforementioned princess – is quite what it seems, Gav must face up to all the things the Dread Lord Gavrax has done. And he’ll have to answer the hardest question of all – who does he want to be?

Dread Lord Gavrax has had better weeks.

My rating: ★★★★☆

How did someone decide to go down the path of darkness?

When I first came across this book, I thought it sounded like a lot of fun! And it was! But more than that, it had a lot more depth than I was anticipating.

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: