first reads of the year | 2026

I think this series lands it. I think it sticks the landing so well. ... All three books, five out of five stars.

this was like fine. I would say it was like a 3.5. When I was reading it, I was like enjoying it enough. It's not something that's necessarily gripping me.

This was not good. This was like this was a five. This was like a two. One, it's overly long, and two, it is a complete like divergence from the themes of the first book.

I think I overall enjoyed it and is a book I'd recommend. However, there's like lines that are like a punch and then there's other times you're like, "Where are you going?"

I reread this. loved this. ... I reread it in like two days. I think this book is so solid.

this is a fun little romp. ... And then this is very classic Olivia Blake in that there are so many characters and it's overloaded with characters and she desperately needs editing.

There are parts of it that like stand out, but also sometimes my eyes glaze over. ... I think I might have also given this like three stars, maybe four.

So, this I enjoyed the world. ... I gave this book like four stars as a standalone story. Quite enjoyed it.

Anyway, this was very fun. I think it was like three stars. ... I think her pros is fantastic.

Jenna Rosercott is the author of Thistlefoot which is one of my favorite books of all time

The pacing in this is so good. ... this was five out of five stars yet again. I forget every time how good these are, and I stand by how good these are.

This was incredible. The world building for this is so good because I think she does historical settings so well ... I think I gave this five out of five stars.