The Art of Legend (War Arts #3) by Wesley Chu #fantasy #highfantasy

On January 15, 2026 By Teri PolenIn Uncategorized11 Comments

Once in a faraway kingdom there was a man prophesied to be the chosen one, who would defeat a great villain, the Eternal Khan, and save the kingdom.

But then the Eternal Khan died . . . and the prophecy was broken.

For Jian, the fated hero, this could have been a moment to succumb to despair. But instead, he chose to create his own destiny. He studied under Taishi, his curmudgeonly but beloved mentor, to become a great warrior.

With war on the horizon—and rumors of the Khan’s return brewing—a band of unlikely allies are also on their own missions. There’s Sali, a gruff warrior who is also forging a path different from the one her culture created for her, and Qisami, an assassin whose cold heart might actually be made of gold. And Taishi has gathered a band of other elderly grandmasters to help Jian live up to his destiny.

Because some heroes aren’t simply born legends—they choose to become legendary. And great heroes do not stand alone but are stronger together.

With this being the third and final book in the series, this review will be brief and spoiler-free. It’s been a while since I read book 2, so the amusing recap helped jog my memory and was much appreciated.

The mentor-student/parent-child relationship between Jian and Taishi is one of my favorite things about this series, and I was anxious to see where their paths led. Surprisingly, but like many other reviewers, Quisami’s story resonated with me more than expected, and she shines in this wrap-up.

After the buildup of a final battle over three novels, the ending was a bit anti-climactic for me; however, I feel that one character’s story comes to a satisfying and fitting end.

At nearly 2,000 pages spanning three books, the length of the War Arts Saga is intimidating, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Sharp, witty dialogue, strong found family vibes, outstanding character arcs, immersive world-building, and exciting action scenes provide a compelling read, and I was happy to see this story through to the end with these captivating characters. A big shoutout to the designer for these stunning covers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiend by Alma Katsu #horror #thriller

On January 13, 2026 By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews7 Comments

Imagine if the Sackler family had a demon at their beck and call.

The Berisha family runs one of the largest import-export companies in the world, and they’ve always been lucky. Their rivals suffer strokes. Inconvenient buildings catch on fire. Earthquakes swallow up manufacturing plants, destroying harmful evidence. Things always seem to work outfor the Berishas. They’re blessed.

At least that is what Zef, the patriarch, has always told his three children. And each of them knows their place in the family—Dardan, as the only male heir, must prepare to take over as keeper of the Berisha secrets, Maris’s most powerful contribution, much to her dismay, will be to marry strategically, and Nora’s job, as the youngest, is to just stay out of the way. But when things stop going as planned, and the family blessing starts looking more like a curse, the Berishas begin to splinter, each hatching their own secret scheme. They didn’t get to be one of the richest families in the world without spilling a little blood, but this time, it might be their own.

Somewhere I saw comp titles of Succession and the Netflix version of The Fall of the House of Usher for this novel, and I can see why. The Berishas are a very wealthy, powerful family, and their rivals have a long history of being the victims of unfortunate events. Dardan, the oldest Berisha and only male, is the heir, but Maris, the second born and a woman, feels she’s the best choice to take over the family business. Youngest sibling Nora is more of a free spirit and content to watch the two of them compete while she enjoys the benefits of money and power.

For me, Dardan is the only likeable character in a wildly dysfunctional family. He longs to break free of his obligations and take control his life, but father Zef rules with an iron fist. Maris continually tries to prove herself to Zef, but he’s more interested in finding her a suitable husband. Taking over as head of the family and company may be her goal, but she’s unaware of everything that includes. Be careful what you wish for strongly applies in this case.

At under 300 pages, this is a quick read. While the first part of the story moves a little slowly, the last quarter picks up the pace as the unsettling feeling of dread increases. The ending comes with a twist I should have seen coming. The hints were there, but I didn’t piece them together.

This isn’t my favorite Katsu novel, but it’s one I’d recommend to readers who enjoy slow burn horror, tales of ancient evil, and dysfunctional family dynamics.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My Year in Books, WIP, and #AmWatching

On January 12, 2026 By Teri PolenIn Monday Share34 Comments

Do you participate in the Goodreads Challenge? I have for the past several years. It helps me keep up with reviews and my seemingly infinite pile of books waiting to be read. I surpassed my goal in 2025, and below is my breakdown. According to Goodreads I read over 32K pages, which is more than enough to reach the Mariana Trench – the ocean’s deepest point. Being claustrophobic, just thinking about being that far under water steals my breath. My top genres were fantasy, horror, and mystery/thrillers – which can’t surprise those of you who hang out here on a regular basis. The December count is inaccurate. I finished 5-6 other books, I was just behind on reviews. Apparently I did nothing but read last January, but I’m not complaining. Wish all my months were like that, but I’d never get anything else done.

I’m slowly but surely making progress on my WIP. I’ve never had a set process for writing, and all of my books have been written differently – not by choice, that’s just the way they come together in my head. #6 is no different. Usually I’m just trying to get the words out of my brain on the first draft, and I worry about editing on the many drafts that come after. For some reason I’ve been editing more as I go on this one, and it’s mostly because the characters keep wanting to add something. I’m just happy they’re speaking to me since they’ve been waiting (not so patiently) for their turn.

The Pitt is back! It was my favorite new show last year, and the first episode of season two is off to an exciting start. The show and several of the cast have been nominated for awards, and they’re well-deserved. Mike isn’t a fan of medical shows because of detached body parts, blood, open wounds, etc., but he gave this one a try because he’d heard so many good things about it. When a severed foot was shown in the first seven minutes, he was done. At least he gave it a shot.

Have a great week!

A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman #fantasy #magic

On January 8, 2026 By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews22 Comments

For most of the year, Summer reigns peacefully over Alderland. Then, for six brutal weeks, Winter rages, obliterating towns and wreaking casualties. Magicians bond with powerful wands of Summer to defend the nation, a duty that costs many their lives.

Domenic Barrow never wanted such responsibility―but destiny hasn’t granted him a choice. The greatest Summer wand has awakened for the first time in a century, warning that an icy cataclysm looms on the horizon. And despite his reputation as the least suited of his classmates, the wand Chooses Domenic to wield it.

Ellery Caldwell spent years striving to be a perfect Summer magician―and burying her fears of her own power. But her worst suspicions are proven true when she accidentally creates the first ever Winter wand.

Now, as the unprecedented Chosen Two, Domenic and Ellery must thwart the oncoming cataclysm together. And in trying to fulfill their destinies, they wonder if they were brought together for a second fate: to fall in love.

Until they discover the unthinkable truth. The Chosen Two aren’t fated allies, but eternal rivals, and the only way to save their home is for one of them to slay the other.

This is no love story. It’s a tragedy.

I’m a big fan of the All of Us Villains duology by these authors, so I was thrilled they teamed up to write another series. And what a beautiful cover!

Peaceful summers, monster-filled winters, powerful wands that choose the wielders – the unique world-building is a strong point for this novel along with the witty banter and dialogue. I snickered and laughed out loud several times. It’s also an incredible spin on the chosen one trope.

Dom’s backstory made me want to hug him. He’s the youngest in a family who all but ignores him, and as a young child, they didn’t notice when he went missing for several days. Found family is my favorite trope, and at school he’s created his own filled with friends and staff. Dom’s an unlikely choice for a chosen one and doesn’t want the responsibility, but he intends to prove himself worthy of the title. Ellery’s driving force in life is to be a great magician. Being a star student, most people aren’t surprised she’s a chosen one – but no one expected she’d create the first Winter wand. People fear what they don’t understand.

You know going into this story a HEA isn’t in the cards for these two, but that didn’t prevent me from desperately hoping for a different outcome. Dom and Ellery’s romance is sweet, and in his case it was love at first sight. It’s a difficult scene when they learn one of them must kill the other to save their home, and the authors did an outstanding job at making the reader experience the gamut of emotions along with the characters.

I listened to the audiobook and narrators Andre Bellido and Mia Wurgaft do a wonderful job. Bring on the sequel! Recommended for fans who enjoy different takes on conventional tropes, non-happily ever after stories, and strong characterization.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#WWWWednesday: What Am I Reading? #amreading

On January 7, 2026 By Teri PolenIn WWW Wednesdays22 Comments

WWW Wednesday is a meme from Sam at Taking On A World Of Words

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Haven’t done this post for a while, so let’s dive in. This week we’ve got a hundred-year-old haunted sailboat, a historical fantasy set in Egypt, and the sequel to one of the best revenge stories I’ve read.

The publisher sent me the NetGalley widget for The Night That Finds Us All. It sounded different, and I’m a sucker for haunted stories, so I downloaded it. I’m just about to hit the 50% mark and it’s been a slow burn so far, but I think things are ramping up.

A troubled sailor. A hundred-year-old sailboat. An ancient curse. Welcome to award-winning author John Hornor Jacobs’ nautical nightmare.

It begins and ends as always, with the sea.

Sam Vines is struggling. Her boat is up on the hard and she doesn’t have enough money to get her back in the water. Turns out the snorkelers and the scubadivers are looking for the ultra-luxury boating experience, not the single-handed, rarely sober, snarky stylings of sailboat captain Samantha Vines. So it’s a good thing when her former crewmate Loick asks her to help deliver a massive, hundred-year-old sailboat from Seattle to England. Sam is the only one who can handle the ship’s engine, and did Loick mention that the money is good? It’s very good.

The Blackwatch is a huge boat. An ancient boat. It’s also probably (definitely) haunted.

Someone’s standing on deck, no wait, they’re gone. Wet feet slap against the wood at night. Something screams, a wail that rises up through the rigging. Sam’s alcohol withdrawal (sobriety is important at sea) has her doubting her senses, but when one crewmate disappears and another has a gruesome accident, she knows that this simple delivery job has spiraled into something sinister.

By turns terrifying, darkly funny, thought-provoking, and heartfelt, The Night That Finds Us All will seduce you with its salty nightmare lullaby.

My book club secret santa gifted me Where the Library Hides over a year ago, and I just now got to it. The first novel was a wonderful throwback to movies like The Mummy and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and I thought the author did an outstanding job with the sequel. If you’re a fan of those movies, add this duology to your TBR.

Where the Library Hides is Isabel Ibañez’s stunning conclusion to the story that started in What the River Knows. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance like no other!

Inez Olivera traveled across the world to Egypt, seeking answers into her parents’ recent and mysterious deaths. But all her searching led her down a perilous road, filled with heartache, betrayal, and a dangerous magic that pulled her deep into the past.

When Tío Ricardo issues an ultimatum about her inheritance, she’s left with only one option to consider.

Marriage to Whitford Hayes.

Former British soldier, her uncle’s aide de camp, and one time nemesis, Whit has his own mysterious reasons for staying in Egypt. With her heart on the line, Inez might have to bind her fate to the one person whose secret plans could ruin her.

I listened to Nash Falls a few months ago and fell for it hook, line, and sinker. It made a six hour road trip pass in a flash. I just received an ARC for the sequel yesterday, and I can’t wait to get started. It releases in April, but there’s no cover yet.

The pulse-pounding, unmissable sequel to Nash Falls, from international number one bestselling author David Baldacci.

REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD . . .

Walter Nash, working under the alias of Dillon Hope, is on the road to revenge after becoming an informant for the FBI against a global criminal operation headed up by Victoria Steers. Steers has ripped everything Nash held dear away from him. He has nothing left to lose and with long, rigorous training under his belt the gentle and sensitive Nash has transformed into something he never thought he’d be – a physically imposing man with lethal skills. And now he has only goal left in taking down Victoria Steers.

In order to succeed, he’s going to need to cross enemy lines and work the job from the inside. But Steers is shrewd and only brings those with her complete trust into her inner circle. Nash must rely on every ounce of his hard-earned skills in order to prove himself an ally to Steers if he’s ever going to get close enough to decimate her criminal empire.

Yet, despite hating the woman for destroying his life, Nash finds himself oddly drawn to Steers in ways that he never could’ve imagined. And what he ultimately discovers will turn all he believed upside down, forcing Nash to do something truly unfathomable.

So, will the truth set Nash free?

Or end him?

Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews #fantasy #horror #LGBTQ #gothic #TuesdayBookBlog

On January 6, 2026 By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews20 Comments

CG Drews, acclaimed author of Don’t Let the Forest In, returns with another deeply unsettling and yet hauntingly beautiful tale of murder and botanical body horror, perfect for fans of Andrew Joseph White and We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

Evander has lived like a ghost in the forgotten corners of the Hazelthorn estate ever since he was taken in by his reclusive billionaire guardian, Byron Lennox-Hall, when he was a child. For his safety, Evander has been given three ironclad rules to follow:

He can never leave the estate. He can never go into the gardens. And most importantly, he can never again be left alone with Byron’s charming, underachieving grandson, Laurie.

That last rule has been in place ever since Laurie tried to kill Evander seven years ago, and yet somehow Evander is still obsessed with him.

When Byron suddenly dies, Evander inherits Hazelthorn’s immense gothic mansion and acres of sprawling grounds, along with the entirety of the Lennox-Hall family’s vast wealth. But Evander’s sure his guardian was murdered, and Laurie may be the only one who can help him find the killer before they come for Evander next.

Perhaps even more concerning is how the overgrown garden is refusing to stay behind its walls, slipping its vines and spores deeper into the house with each passing day. As the family’s dark secrets unravel alongside the growing horror of their terribly alive, bloodthirsty garden, Evander needs to find out what he’s really inheriting before the garden demands to be fed once more.

C.G. Drews easily made my watchlist after I read Don’t Let the Forest In. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on an ARC of Hazelthorn. My expectations were high, and they were fulfilled.

What a beautiful, atmospheric, tragic story. With a murder mystery, inheritance drama, and a nightmarish garden (you may side-eye your plants while reading), there’s a lot going on. And then there are Evander and Laurie and their heart-wrenching lives. For years, Laurie tried to be what his grandfather wanted and earn his love. He finally gave up and settled into the underachieving, spoiled rich kid persona everyone expects. There’s certainly no love lost between him and the remaining Lennox-Halls, who are rotten to their core.

After the death of Evander’s parents, Byron became his guardian, but Evander is kept in a locked room, drugged, and supposedly treated for the aftereffects of wounds inflicted by Laurie seven years ago. His only human contact is with the butler and the occasional visit from Byron when he’s not traveling. I wanted to throw myself into the book and protect both Evander and Laurie and shelter them from the money-grubbing family who show up to “help” Evander, who is the sole beneficiary of Byron’s will. The boys’ relationship is initially combative and their dialogue occasionally snarky, but it’s obvious they care for each other.

The story is told from Evander’s POV, and being in his head is painful at times. His self-perception is tainted by all the horrible comments made by others and the appalling way he’s treated. He’s also an unreliable narrator, and I questioned what was real more than once.

Recommended for fans of beautiful prose with sentences you’ll savor, an immersive setting that gives a feeling of unease, and characters who remain with you long after finishing the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amanda in Ireland: The Body in the Bog by Darlene Foster #middlegrade #mystery #travel

On December 12, 2025 By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews20 Comments

Twelve-year-old Amanda Jane Ross is invited to be a bridesmaid for her cousin’s wedding in Ireland! She falls in love with the Emerald Isle the moment she lands in Dublin. The warm, friendly Irish people immediately make her feel at home. Towering castles, ancient graveyards, and the stunning green countryside are filled with fascinating legends, enthralling folktales, and alarming secrets.

Things take a dark turn when disaster strikes. Amanda wonders if there will be a wedding at all. As she joins the search for a missing horse, she stumbles upon a world of screaming banshees, bloody battles, and dangerous peat bogs. The closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Will she become another body in the bog?

Amanda is thrilled to be included as a junior bridesmaid in cousin Taylor’s wedding in Ireland. She’s excited to visit the Emerald Isle and tour Dublin’s castles and museums as well as the beautiful countryside. If you’re familiar with Amanda’s adventures, you know that things never go as planned. Just days before the wedding, Taylor’s fiancée Roisin and her horse go missing. It’s not long before Amanda suspects someone in the wedding party is responsible.

Amanda’s flying solo on this investigation since her friend Leah didn’t make the trip. Her curious nature has its pros and cons. On one hand Amanda is very perceptive and picks up on things others miss. Young teens hanging around tourist attractions are easily overlooked and generally not suspicious, so she overhears private conversations. On the other hand, her curiosity occasionally lands her in dangerous situations. Like Amanda, I thought I had things figured out and knew where the story was headed. I should have known better. The red herrings along the way will keep you guessing.

This series is full of history and details about other countries and cultures and isn’t just for middle grade readers. Adults will also be enamored with Amanda and enjoy accompanying her on adventures as she solves mysteries around the world. Recommended for fans of travel, suspense, and clever, young amateur sleuths.

Fifth Annual Virtual Cookie Exchange: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies #baking #recipes

On December 11, 2025December 10, 2025 By Teri PolenIn Cookie Exchange35 Comments

First, a big thank you to Staci Troilo for hosting the virtual cookie exchange again this year! I’ve gotten some scrumptious recipes over the past several years, so make sure to visit other participating blogs HERE. Happy Baking!

This recipe popped up in an email from The Food Network about six weeks ago. As a devoted peanut butter and chocolate fan, the rest of the world fell away as I hurriedly clicked the link to read more about this brilliant concoction. Clearly it’s creator was a genius.

Friends, this is a simple recipe. No flour is involved, and other reviewers mentioned making this for their gluten-free friends. Below is the official recipe (click HERE for the Food Network page), but I made some changes I’ll mention below.

Nonstick cooking spray, for the muffin tin

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

Coarse sanding sugar, for rolling

12 full-size peanut butter cups

1/4 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
Beat the peanut butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg on high until the dough comes together in a mass.
Pour some sanding sugar in a small bowl. Form the dough into 12 balls and roll to coat in the sugar. Put a dough ball in each muffin cup. Press the dough about 1/2 inch up the sides to make a shell. Fit a peanut butter cup into each dough shell. Bake until the edges of the cookies are set and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the tin to a cooling rack, then immediately top the peanut butter cups with a sprinkling of the peanuts. Cool 15 minutes, then remove the cookies to the wire rack to cool completely.

A few reviewers mentioned exchanging the full size Reese’s cups for minis and using a mini muffin pan to make 24 cookies intead of 12, and that’s what I did. Some commenters said their cookies were oily, but I used Reduced Fat Jif and didn’t have that problem. With several varieties of Reese’s cups out there you can choose your favorite, but I used the dark chocolate. Instead of sanding sugar I rolled the balls in granulated sugar before baking. That’s how it’s done in the Peanut Butter Blossom cookie recipe I’ve used, and it worked fine with these also.

I was unsure about the baking time since the cookies were smaller. The first batch I left in for 8 minutes. They were nicely browned, but slightly crumbly when I tried to remove them from the pan after cooling. I found the sweet spot at 10 minutes with the second round, and they came out easily. I also opted not to top them with peanuts, but that’s just a personal preference.

My husband and I gave these a big thumbs up, but I had to get them out of the house quickly (I took them to book club) or I would have happily devoured every single one!