Review: The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by H.G. Parry

The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by H.G. Parry
Redhook

Publication Date: July 21st, 2026
Paperback. 448 pages.

About The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood:

"From the author of The Magician's Daughter comes a historical fantasy where dreams come to life and Arthurian legends are reborn, perfect for fans of The Everlasting and The Once and Future King.

Wales, 1941. As the second world war ravages the globe and bombs fall from the sky, people all over the world begin to dream of King Arthur. The dreams spread like a fantastical plague, flooding people's sleep night after night. Whispers arise of wonders and unexplained sights―dragons in the London Underground, and strange lights over Stonehenge. Self-proclaimed prophets claim they are miracles, heralding Arthur's return at the time of Britain's greatest need.

Elaine Ambrose has never dreamed of Arthur, and she doesn't believe in miracles. A librarian at the British Museum, she wants only to protect the museum's collection from the London Blitz, and is frustrated to be sent instead to catalogue a reclusive professor's private library on the coast of North Wales. But all is not as it seems. Soon Ellie must confront what she's tried to ignore: she dreams not of Arthur, but of Nimue―the Lady of the Lake. And her dreams promise not salvation, but a return to the darkness of the last days of Camelot.

“A dreamy tale about the power of stories. Beautifully conceived and impossible to put down.” ―Morgan Ryan, author of A Resistance of Witches

“A true feast of myth and wonder.” ―Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light"

I've loved just about everything I've read from H.G. Parry, and that means that I was exceptionally eager to read her latest upcoming release, The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood. I will admit that I--to my own disappointment--have never been very big on Arthurian tales and legends, and no matter how many times I have tried to read them or read books that incorporate them, something in my brain just seems to fog over and I can never really get into it. I genuinely have no idea why this is, but it's a pattern that I've noticed that made me slightly concerned when I saw that this book would revolve largely around the topic. I also have found in recent years that historical fiction centered around the World War II time period is not something that I tend to gravitate towards anymore, so these two things made me the slightest bit hesitant about this one. I am, however, pleased to report that this may be the first Arthurian-influenced story I've come across that I've thoroughly enjoyed and remained fully captivated by for the entire story.

Our story begins with Elaine Ambrose, or Ellie, in 1941 England. The war is waging on, and Ellie, a librarian, is sent off to North Wales by the British Museum to catalogue some professor's private library at his estate, Camlan. Ellie is not thrilled about this, as she feels she is deserting the war effort by doing so, but reluctantly agrees. Once at Camlan, she begins to learn a bit more about the estate, herself, and the new people she meets there, and things begin to feel more and more mysterious as new discoveries are unearthed. 

At the same time, Ellie has been having dreams of Nimue, the Lady of the Lake of Arthurian legends. And while this may seem odd, it is slightly less so due to the fact that the entirety of the country seems to suddenly be having dreams of King Arthur (though not Nimue, specifically, as that is unique to Ellie). All of these pieces work together to bring us deep into this plot of mixed timelines and intriguing concepts that make for a captivating story.

The story alternates chapters between Ellie's present day situation in 1941 and her dreams of Nimue, which are essentially told of Nimue's own perspective of her days when she first begins her life at Camelot under Merlin's tutelage. At first, I found myself much more intrigued by Ellie's POV and found myself worrying that I would remain less interested in Nimue's, which would in turn make the story drag a bit in places, but after the first two or three chapters featuring Nimue's POV, I was quickly enraptured in her story and found myself enjoying each perspective equally. Both women have a strong drive towards achieving their goals and following in what feels morally right for them--even when the goals they initially set out to strive towards may change in their nature. Or, even when they themselves realize that their own opinions or thoughts on things change as well and they must decipher exactly what it is they want to do that feels like it fits with who they are. 

I thought Parry did an excellent job weaving these narratives and plot threads together. I think the way this story flows and eventually melds together required some very careful plotting and deftness in its writing, and in the hands of another author I'm not sure it would have worked out as well as it did. It would have been extremely easy for this story to end up madly confusing--and there were a few times when I did find myself needing to re-read to better understand something--but it all made sense in the end and I was fascinated by how all the pieces worked out.

I most appreciate how so many of the additional characters were portrayed and developed, especially Merlin and Tom. They felt incredibly well-developed, with so many different components to their characterization that it always seemed there was something more to them. Merlin, in particular, from Nimue's POV, was one of the more captivating figures--which is often the case, it seems--and I loved how Parry made him feel both timeless (well...) and airy in the way he flits around the world, while at the same time being even more enigmatic, with darker undertones that hint at his greater powers or what he has witnessed (or will witness?). 

The pacing is fairly consistent throughout, though I will say that the last ~80 or so pages felt like it started to get a little bit rushed in how it suddenly decided to bring things together, and it just felt like a lot of info-dumping in some ways about how things worked and the like. It wasn't a huge drawback or anything, but it didn't quite fit for me with how the rest of the story's pacing had been throughout. Despite this, I think this book strikes a nice balance between sharing new information with characters and readers, the occasionally faster-paced/slightly more action-y scenes, and moments of stronger character development and background. 

If you are already a fan of King Arthur, Merlin, Camelot, The Lady of the Lake, everything Arthurian legend, this is probably what I'd say is a must-read for you. Parry seemed to really know, respect, and appreciate the legends and work with them in a way that felt like it really honed in on the themes and ideas from them, and it's made me come away with a newfound interest in them as well--and even a better understanding, in many ways. 

*I received a copy of The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

More H.G. Parry reviews:
The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry
The Magician's Daughter by H.G. Parry

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Bury Your Dead by Ana Paula Maia & Kitten by Stacey Yu

  

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

Bury Your Dead by Ana Paula Maia

Publication: August 25th, 2026

Charco Press

Paperback. 128 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"By the International Booker Prize Shortlisted Author of On Earth As It Is Beneath 

Edgar Wilson has a gruesome job, one he is entirely unsentimental about―he cleans up roadkill in rural Brazil. But one day vultures are circling in the woods, and he can’t not go see what they’re gathering for. What transpires is a quest―a miserable day-long journey―for a couple of poor working men who only want to acknowledge that everybody (and in this case, every literal body) has the right to be treated as more than just scrap or trash. Dead animals, defrocked priests, corpses abandoned in the woods, and a criminal outfit trafficking in body parts―Bury Your Dead is an exhortation, a road trip, a story of friendship, and a hymn to the small ways we can shape the world. Ana Paula Maia’s alchemy with the grimmest of ingredients makes this her more hopeful, generous novel yet."

This definitely sounds like the type of story that I wouldn't really expect, but would absolutely grab me. 

Kitten by Stacey Yu

Publication: August 4th, 2026

Random House

Hardcover. 304 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"An enchanting debut novel about a young woman whose growing obsession with her boyfriend’s cat opens new possibilities for her life—but not without threatening to unravel it.

Katie is far from home, fresh out of college, and desperate to skirt the demands of adult life. It doesn’t help that she’s no longer speaking to her mother. Or that she owes her roommate and closest friend months of rent money. Luckily, her self-assured, generous boyfriend James seems happy to make decisions for them both. When James takes Katie on vacation to his family’s seaside house, he brings Silver, his childhood cat, and Katie discovers a sudden, strange, and giddy connection.

Silver doesn’t mind that Katie can’t seem to get a job, hold her own at dinner parties, or make amends with her mother. Silver, who gets to lie around all day, misbehave spectacularly, act cute, be gross, and still get fed, seems to have the life Katie increasingly longs for. Soon enough, they’re inseparable, and something inside Katie begins to crack open . . . or maybe just crack.

Because if Katie has learned anything from her mother, it’s that devotion comes at a price. As Katie's affection for Silver deepens, her other relationships begin to falter, until she’s forced to confront what she really desires from life—and what she might have to risk to get it.

Darkly playful, wryly observant, and unexpectedly heartfelt, this debut from an irresistible new voice in fiction is a timeless reckoning with the uncertainty of becoming a person in an age that is as disorienting and lonely as it is full of hope and promise."

I am really not sure what tone to expect from this book, because parts of it just sound like a contemporary story, but there's quite the underlying hint of something sinister or off--or so it seems to me? I'm super curious about this one!

Review: The Winter Folk by Jen Julian

 

The Winter Folk by Jen Julian
Run For It

Publication Date: July 21st, 2026
Paperback. 384 pages.

About The Winter Folk:

"A woman returns to the mysterious lodge in the woods where she once worked, and to the inscrutable creature that bound her there, in this haunting Appalachian gothic horror from singular voice Jen Julian. Perfect for fans of Alix E. Harrow and T. Kingfisher.

This is the story of Moth, who earned her name working for the Winter Folk.

Every year, the Winter Folk gather at a secret lodge in the Appalachians, a place known as Deerhaven, refuge for the time-worn and weary. As a child, Moth heard warnings from her mother: They are heartless, wild creatures—and they got no concern of us. At twenty-one, Moth is a college dropout, indebted, impoverished, and desperate for better things. She falls instantly for Deerhaven’s beautiful antlered host, the mild-mannered Mr. Oslin. When he offers her a housekeeper’s contract—one wish granted for a winter of service—she signs without question.

But Deerhaven is a dangerous place. Staff must follow strict rules or else face dire consequences, and the guests can be unpredictable and savage. And yet, Moth endures, enticed by a rumor that Mr. Oslin is looking for a protégé. A singular worker who would stay with him forever and be transformed.

Decades later, Moth returns to Appalachia with her husband and teenage daughter. She can't shake the feeling that she needs to return to Deerhaven, which banished her twenty years ago. As she hunts for a way in, her haunting memories and harrowing experiences come roaring back — her friends and rivals, her growing obsession with Mr. Oslin, and her mysterious exile.

A door exists in the dark of the woods. After so long away, what has Deerhaven become?"

I meant to read Jen Julian's Red Rabbit Ghost last year, but never got around to it, so this ended up being my first Jen Julian book--and it will certainly not be my last (and now Red Rabbit Ghost is high on my TBR)! I absolutely loved how weird this was, in the best possible meaning of the word.

We begin our story following Vera (who we will later also come to know as Moth) in the present day as she embarks on a winter "vacation" with her husband a daughter to her hometown of Little Gunning. Once there, we as readers are whisked away to the past, where Moth recounts her time as a younger woman and begins working at Deerhaven, an offbeat and mysterious lodge run by the equally mysterious Mr. Oslin. Deerhaven exists somewhere just adjacent to our own world, and it is while working here that she is known only as Moth to her coworkers and herself, as it is forbidden to share your real name while at Deerhaven. Her job is to spend the three-month winter season serving the lodge's guests in exchange for one request of her own choosing (assuming Mr. Oslin approves and deems it possible). It sounds simple enough, but the guests are anything but ordinary, and the requests she receives quickly make it clear that Deerhaven is not a place everyone is capable of surviving, and that the tasks are far more challenging than anticipated.

The story alternates between the past and present, although we spend what I'd say is considerably more time with Moth at Deerhaven then we do in the present day. This worked well for me because those sections were by far my favorite and I was entirely enraptured in learning more about the lodge and Moth's role, as well as the other characters we comee to know, such as Birch, Crow, Mr. Oslin, Dr. Moon, and a variety of others. 

I love a story that has a constant feeling that's much, much more to the world than we know, with plenty of dark and unnerving undertones, and The Winter Folk absolutely nails that atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed getting to meet so many of the eclectic, weird, and truly unexpected guests, whose requests ranged from bizarre to quite horrifying in their own right. Everything that happens at Deerhaven feels like some sort of fever dream that toes the line of nightmarish at times. I really wasn't sure at any turn exactly what was going to happen, and this all kept me entirely captivated. 

Julian's writing itself is really thoughtful and thought-provoking, and I thought Julian's tone and cadence had a really lovely quality to it that felt fluid and immersive, and definitely embodied a haunting sense to it as well. I thought she did a really good job of capturing how Moth's early life experiences both at Deerhaven and back at her hometown with her mom and dad have affected her later in life with her husband and daughter. She captured how a lot of those seemingly minute traumas and experiences can have such lasting effects, and even larger ones and how they often come out later. This all worked to add a really effective emotional depth that grounded so much of the story and its happenings.

The only real "negative" I have for this one relates to a particular romance that occurs more than halfway through the book. I wasn't entirely convinced by it or the direction it took, and it never ended up entirely working for me. That said, I do understand why it existed and the role it played in the larger story, especially with how everything evolves and eventually resolves and can appreciate that aspect. I just almost wish there was a slightly different dynamic or even type of relationship used. 

Overall, I really enjoyed The Winter Folk and I am still finding myself really impressed by Julian's ability to blend this sort horror fantasy blend with emotional component and storytelling. If you enjoy weird fantasy that leans into darker themes and unsettling concepts, then I'd absolutely recommend giving this one a try. Although marketed as horror, I'd say it's not outright horror, but rather carries an uncanny atmosphere throughout and contains more than a few genuinely disturbing moments. 

*I received a copy of The Winter Folk courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan, The Salt King by Natasha Pulley, & Portrait of a Witch Undone by K.S. Shay

  

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

The Dungeon Book by Gareth Hanrahan

Publication: August 11th, 2026

Orbit

Paperback. 352 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A young girl is left to die in a wizard's dungeon but finds a new home with the monsters around her in this humorous and heartfelt standalone epic fantasy from acclaimed author Gareth Hanrahan.

"Full of wit and adventure, twists and turns, wonderful monsters, and astonishing revelations. An absolute joy." —M. R. Carey, author of Infinity Gate

Enter a world of dungeons and dragons, magic and manticores, and goblins and gargoyles ...

Bait doesn't remember a time before the dungeon. Before the dragon stole her from her cot. She doesn't know what her name was before she was handed over to the monstrous denizens of the dungeon beneath the sorcerer's tower. Luckily for Bait, they decided not to eat her. And so she grew up in the dark—the goblins her adopted family, a vengeful minotaur her protector, a sentient skull her tutor, and a blob of corridor slime her main source of nutrition.

But the labyrinthine dungeon, with its haunted halls, buried temples and forgotten magics, draws treasure hunters like moths to flame. And as the outside world starts to intrude, Bait will learn what it means to be monstrous and she will have to decide where she truly belongs."

I really enjoyed some of Hanrahan's previous work and I am always amazed by his creativity, so I'm extremely excited for this new work from him!

The Salt King by Natasha Pulley

Publication: August 18th, 2026

Bloomsbury Publishing

Hardcover. 464 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"An apocalyptic novel about belief, religion, and the power of myth that blends the gripping, end-of-the-world storytelling of The Passage with the biting wit and epic queer romance that makes Natasha Pulley's books “delightful” (The Washington Post).

Jesuit priest Avelyn Brocken was born into a mining family in Hreodwater, a small, totally isolated salt town in the Fens of England. At age 16, he fled, abandoning his faith in the god of the mine-the Salt King-and the mythology that killed his whole family.

When a fellow priest is miraculously healed only to then be turned to salt after a visit to Hreodwater, Avelyn is sent by the Vatican to investigate. But in Hreodwater, the town's gentle doctor, Jericho, tells him that the priest is not the only one experiencing strange cures-and may not be the only one in danger from a substance in the mine that the locals call “salt light.”

Avelyn and Jericho team up to protect the world from the salt light-but they may already be too late: strange happenings are occurring at mines all around the world. At an archaeological dig on the Dead Sea, electrical devices froth salt; at another salt mine in Russia, a KGB officer finds the bodies of five tourists who seem to have turned to salt; and at the huge salt works at Wieliczska in Poland, all communication is lost, and rumors circulate of total annihilation.

As salt light spreads, devastating cities around the world, Avelyn must decide what and who to believe-and whether his faith is strong enough to withstand an apocalypse."

There are things that do and don't captivate about this premise, haha, so I'm overall just really intrigued and curious about this one!

Portrait of a Witch Undone by K.S. Shay

Publication: August 25th, 2026

Erewhon

Hardcover. 368 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"Thirteen stolen works of art. One haunted marsh. And a Boston witch willing to risk everything for the friend she’s already failed.

An atmospheric, eerie debut for readers of Starling House and A Discovery of Witches, Isabella Stewart Gardner art heist aficionados, witchy girls, burnt-out former gifted kids, New England history buffs, the coven curious, ride-or-die friends, folklore fanatics, and anyone who’s ever wanted to wander through the looking glass.

Once, Maeve Ryan was the strongest witch of her generation. But Maeve messed up a spell to contact the Lady of the Fens, an eerie Revenant who lures the unwary to their deaths in the brackish marshlands of the North Shore. Maeve destroyed her reputation, hurt her best friend Ash, and tainted herself with unbound, wild magic that transforms witches into insane Revenants.

With unbound power eating away at Maeve’s mind, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. Forever. But Ash’s research into how the spell went awry leads in an unexpected direction: the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a link between the Lady and a decades-old art theft worth $500 million. When Ash disappears through a stolen painting’s empty frame, Maeve has to follow.

Inside is the Other Marsh, a haunting, deadly realm where only the Lady’s rules apply. Within this half-world lie secrets about North Shore’s history, Maeve’s failure, and the fate of the masterpieces that disappeared over three decades ago. But as Maeve fights toward the truth, she risks her friendship, her coven, and her life against enemies hiding in plain sight."

I haven't been really drawn to witch books as much these days, but I'm liking the sound of this one, so I'd love to check it out. 

Review: Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2) by Elise Kova

 

Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2) by Elise Kova
Del Rey

Publication Date: July 21st 2026
Hardcover | 560 pages

About Prince of Swords:

"Welcome back to Arcana Academy. Tarot magic, forbidden desire, battle, and betrayal collide for the power to change the world in the thrilling second book of this New York Times bestselling fantasy romance series.

The dazzling first edition hardcover of Prince of Swords will feature gold foil page edges, designed endpapers, two interior black-and-white maps, a custom-stamped case, and a premium dust jacket with foil—while supplies last! 

I am terrified. Yet my heart skips a beat. This man might be a monster, but he is my monster. 

Clara Graysword is Oricalis’s most wanted. Hunted and cornered, not even her mastery of tarot can save her this time . . . until the mysterious Worldkeepers appear. This secretive order may hold the key to changing Clara’s fate. If she dares to trust them. 

But the most dangerous alliance of all is one she’s already deeply ensnared within: Prince Kaelis. 

Kaelis, second-born prince of Oricalis and headmaster of Arcana Academy, is the one man she can’t escape—maybe she doesn’t want to escape. Ruthless, dangerous, and bound to Clara by destiny and desire, Kaelis tests her heart as much as her loyalty. Together, they grow closer to the most powerful secrets of the tarot . . . and to the truths they both hide that could destroy the passion that they no longer deny. 

Hidden in plain sight within Arcana Academy, Clara walks the dagger’s edge. Revelations about Oricalis threaten everything she thought she knew, and every choice she makes is the difference between salvation and ruin. 

To change the world, Clara must risk everything—her power, her beliefs, and her heart."

I've been excited to dive back into this world, and Prince of Swords was a fantastic follow-up to Arcana Academy. Prince of Swords wastes no time throwing readers back into the action, which I think is a great way to help us all become immersed in this world once again--it certainly worked well for me, at least, as I was the slightest bit rusty after how long it's been since I read the first book. Fortunately, it was easy to quickly remember our characters and the world and I was right back up to speed before I knew it.  

Clara is a fascinating character to continue to follow, as she is definitely someone who will, at the end of the day, do what she thinks is best for those she loves and the world around her. This sometimes means going against the advice of those around her and being a bit bullheaded about things, and I think that's something that comes with pros and cons and makes for a well-rounded character. I absolutely don't envy the many difficult decisions she has to make over the course of this book, and I think Kova captured all of these aspects really well. 

The romance between Kaelis and Clara is also sure to please many readers. I find that the romance is prominent enough that I think it will satisfy those who really love the romance and relationship aspects of the story, but not overpowering enough for those who don't like the romance as much and just want the other elements of the plot, which I think is the perfect balance and keeps this book feeling firmly fantasy-first.

One of my favorite things has been the tarot card magic system. I feel like it's still one that's a bit hard for me to visualize exactly what they're doing, but it's still just a really cool concept and I have loved learned more about it. I also appreciate how the symbolism of the tarot is actively used in relation to the characters and each one's respective magic usage. And as the magic system continues to develop, so do many elements of the world created in this book, and we learn even more about some background and history that really fleshed out even more about it in a very natural way. 

The stakes are also definitely very high in this book, and it really explores some dark and difficult topics, so be sure to keep that in mind when going into this one. There are so many moving parts, from individual emotion traumas and struggles that many of the characters must tackle to ever-shifting political and social intrigue that impacts so many of the character at different turns throughout the book. The pacing, as a result, is a bit of a mixed bag at times. It is occasionally quite fast-paced and action-packed, but I also think suffers with some much slower areas that brought down the pace quite a bit. That being said, I never really lost interest and continued to have a great time reading it throughout. It's also not the most unpredictable or surprising, but I think it does a really fantastic job of telling a compelling story that will continue to draw readers in.

There are many other things I'd love to talk about with this book, but for hesitancy around spoilers I'm going to avoid most of them and will wrap up with a couple things I didn't love as much about this book.

One thing that pulled me out of the story a few times was with just how many people Clara ended up telling about her rather enormous secret. You can't really have a huge secret that would have horrible consequences if you just keep... telling people. I understand needing to tell certain people for certain reasons, but at the same time, something this important seems extremely risky. It felt like a bit of a disaster waiting to happen, and while I won't say anything about what does or does not happen, I personally just felt a little frustrated and would've preferred more semblance of caution. But I guess Clara is a very bold and brave person, so perhaps it's more a testament to her courage? Either way, it did bother me a bit, and there were just a few too many times where I wondered why people seemed to accept certain things so easily and seemed to have such implicit and easy trust with others, at times.

I also struggled a little bit with how easily Clara just slipped into the role of a teacher. Unless I'm forgetting something from the first book, it felt like a bit of a leap for someone with essentially no teaching experience to suddenly be instructing students who were basically her peers, if I'm remembering correctly. It works for the story and isn't really that big of a deal, but it really did bother me, especially when she had no qualms about it at all and seemed to be a great teacher, as well. 

Overall, Prince of Swords really expands upon many of the strengths of the first book, even if it occasionally falls back on some plot points that feel slightly too convenient at times to keep things moving.  I had a blast falling back into this world and magic system and that ending has me hooked and ready for book three. 

*I received a copy of Prince of Swords courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Month in Review: June 2026

 

Happy Fourth of July (a day early) to those who celebrate!
July has arrived and we are officially halfway through the year (sorry to remind anyone who's feeling a bit weird about that like I am, I'm just trying to face it head-on, haha). It's been a very weird year for many of us, it seems, and a generally rough year for some, but I think there's also been some good things happening so hopefully we can all just keep holding onto that hope and look forward. :)

In personal news, I am finally free! I don't want to be too dramatic, but since January I've either been working multiple part-time contract jobs (mainly January through March) + taking classes or working my new full-time job + taking a full-time class load (I ended taking five classes at the same time as my full-time  job.. it was sort of an accident and then I'm stubborn and stuck it out and boy, I should not have, haha--don't ever do this!), and the classes are finally over and I finally feel like I can breathe again! I haven't felt such relief in a long time, haha. There's still plenty of stressful things going on in life, but at least there are no more assignments looming. I've gotten right back to work reorganizing my ARCs and blog plans/reviews and I'm so excited to have more time again. There are so many personal projects I want to get started on, too, so fingers crossed I finally can!

In reading news, it was slightly slower month for me, but it was also when all of my finals were due and everything was wrapping up, so it wasn't exactly unexpected, haha. That being said, I'm starting to get back into the groove and finding a new routine with my new schedule (and more time!), so I'm excited to get into more books. I was also glad to get started on some July ARCs, so more reviews are in the works as well! 

How was your June and what books have you been reading? How's the new year been? Any reading-related goals?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 10

The Sea Hides Its Dead by Megan Bontrager

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I was really excited about this new horror book and it was a fairly solid read! I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped, but I would definitely recommend it to fans of the genre. 

The Zorg: A Tale of Greed and Murder That Inspired the Abolition of Slavery by Siddharth Kara

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a really interesting read that I learned so much from--highly recommend it!

The Door in Penrose Forest by Sean David Robinson

Source: Publisher | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I quite enjoyed this one and thought the entire concept was really intriguing--a great read for magical realism-type fans!

The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Steppe by Barry Cunliffe

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was well-researched and intriguing, but I'll admit that it didn't hold my interest quite as much as I expected it to. 

Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2) by Elise Kova

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Arcana Academy, and since then I've been really looking forward to this sequel. I had a really great time with it and think it was a very solid addition to the series. I'll have my review up closer to publication (which is soon!)

Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past by Sarah Parcak

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was really interesting! I recently took a class on GIS applications and whatnot and this felt like a really great add-on from that class to learn more about everything. If you like archaeology, this is a great read!

Trinity, Trinity, Trinity by Erika Kobayashi

Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This is a translated work of fiction that I'm struggling to know how to describe in just one sentence, so feel free to check out my review to know more about it, haha. It was weird, but I thought worth a read if it's up your alley!

Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I thought this had a really great start that fizzled out a little for me throughout the middle, but still a fun read!

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: I've had my eye on this one for years, and the recent influx in its popularity around the book community finally got to me and convinced me to finally pick it up.

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a very quick thriller-type read that touches on some extremely relevant and important topics.

To-Be-Finished:

None! (that I can recall...)

 

The Wreck of the Mentor by Eric Jay Dolin

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer

The Door in Penrose Forest by Sean David Robinson

Trinity Trinity Trinity by Erika Kobayashi

The Sea Hides Its Dead by Megan Bontrager

 Posts:

Anticipated June 2026 Releases

Month in Review: May 2026

Anticipated July 2026 Releases

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:

6/3: The Lord of the Wood by E.M. Anderson, Seven by Joanna Kavenna, & Band on the Run by Robert O'Connell
6/10: The Eye of Leviathan by M.A. Carrick, Not With a Bang by Temi Oh, & White Elephant by Jeyamohan

6/17: The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by H.G. Parry, Carry Me to My Grave by Christopher Golden, & Hinterlands by Hannah Lucinda Smith

6/24: Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw, Prince of Swords by Elise Kova, The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly, & The Savage Landscape by Cal Flyn

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Mulai by Munir Hachemi, Reliquary by Hannah Whitten, & Etna by Paul Yoon

 

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released!

The Mulai by Munir Hachemi, trans. Julia Sanches

Publication: July 14th, 2026

Coach House Books

Paperback. 176 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"Interstellar via Invisible Cities: spec-fic translated from Spanish imagines a utopian way of life on another planet.

Years after the climate wars on Earth, the Mulai have settled into their new home on an unnamed planet. Supplies stopped arriving from Earth many years ago, and the Mulai have found a way to live. But now the people of Earth want to know what happened to the settlers, so they send The Archaeologist.

He finds that they have become a different people: uncannily similar to us but with something radically Other about them. Their language has become more about change than stability, and the ways they eat, reproduce, bury their dead, and understand gender have all transformed into something almost unrecognizable. The Archaeologist feels like his trip is one extended misunderstanding.

With fragments from The Archaeologist’s notes and the stories of Flukeh and Faida, who map both their world and their language, The Mulai offers a glimpse of a world adjacent to ours – one that just may be a model for how to better our own.

From one of Granta’s Best Young Spanish-Language Novelists and author of the celebrated Living Things, and translated by the award-winning Julia Sanches, comes a bold new Borgesian reimagining of what ‘civilization’ might look like.

Drawing on Borges, Le Guin, and Calvino, The Mulai is a mind-bending work of metafiction whose interlocking puzzles resound with Munir Hachemi’s singularly playful and eclectic style."

I wasn't able to fit this one into my June CWW posts, so I'm squeezing it in here because it sounds so good! The concept slightly reminds me of Michel Faber's The Book of Lost Things, which I loved, and I am just always captivated by ideas like these, so I'm excited to read it!

Reliquary by Hannah Whitten

Publication: August 11th, 2026

Orbit 

Hardcover. 300 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A young woman is lured to her late fiancé's remote island estate—only to uncover eerie family secrets, a haunting past, and a monstrous hunger stirring beneath the sea in this deliciously atmospheric horror debut from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten.

When Claire’s fiancé mysteriously dies of an unknown neurological illness, she’s prepared to sink back into the lonely life she lived before. Orphaned by a freak boating accident in her childhood, she never expected to find connection like she did with Elias, anyway. Their relationship wasn’t perfect—his coldness, his secrets, his strange aversion to the ocean—but what relationship is?

When Elias’s family reaches out—his incredibly wealthy family, from whom he was estranged—and invites Claire to a three-day wake at Harrow Point, their family home on a private island, Claire is given the chance to find family again. To belong to something, just like she’s always wanted. Just like Elias knew she was desperate to have.

Even if that family is a little strange. Even if their coastal home stirs up memories of the accident that killed her parents and sister. Even if Ash, Elias’s older brother, seems insistent on Claire leaving as soon as possible.

As she dives deeper into the world of Harrow Point, she will uncover the nature of her own traumatic connection to the ocean. There is something swimming in the bowels of Harrow Point, and it is hungry…"

A "traumatic connection to the ocean" is very captivating, as is much of the rest of this premise, so I'm eager to check it out.

Etna by Paul Yoon

Publication: August 4th, 2026

Scribner

Hardcover. 208 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"Beloved author and winner of The Story Prize, Paul Yoon, is back with the unforgettable story of a working dog, Etna, who, after a devastating war, embarks on an odyssey in the hopes of returning home.

Set in a fictional country in the present day, this is a story told through the eyes of an ex-military dog, Etna. After surviving years of a devastating war, Etna decides one night to leave the men he has fought alongside for years and return home—to the place where he was taken from when he was young, in the thin but persistent hope that if a home exists for him, it might be there.

Thus begins an exhilarating odyssey told through the eyes of a dog as he traverses across ruined landscapes and fights to survive in a world that, even in peacetime, proves to be just as precarious. Along the way, he encounters other animals and humans who are attempting to figure out how to start again. What makes a life when there is no home to go back to? How do we begin to trust each other again after such profound loss?

This is a novel about the power of an idea, about never giving up, and ultimately a novel about finding hope in the most dire of times."

This sounds fantastic, but... if anyone reads it/has read it and wants to let me know if the dog suffers in any way/shape/form, that's going to be the make or break deal of whether I can actually read this one or not, lol. So definitely reach out to let me know if you have!