Hello everyone! I can't believe we're on the second to last post for Bookmas - December has really flown by and I'm more than ready to curl up on my bed and just sleep throughout my winter break. 

         
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eliza, from scratch by sophia lee

I've been watching Sophia on YouTube for years and have always admired her ability to phrase her thoughts in reviews so see the actual cover and synopsis of this book feels so surreal and exciting. This combines the heartfelt experiences of falling in love and exploring one's culture through food which just promises to be the sweetest story ever.

         
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katabasis by r.f. kuang

I am literally so excited for this because anything R.F. Kuang writes I will absolutely read. This is inspired by Dante's Inferno and knowing I know that she is going to have such an interesting twist to the classic. The story follows a student who has to journey into the depths of hell in order to bring her esteemed professor back from the dead which is the perfect set up for a captivating story.

fable for the end of the world by ava reid

I am a self-proclaimed Ava Reid stan and anything she writes I'll read - even if I don't typically reach of dystopians as a genre. Set in a half-sunken town where a massive corporation controls all of society, we get to follow Inesa when she finds out her mother just sacrificed her into the Lamb's Gauntlet to pay off her debts. Now a part of this life or death competition, she has to evade a skilled assassin and hope to make it out of the games alive.

gifted and talented by olivie blake

So far, I've been pretty indifferent about most of Olivie Blake's novels that I've picked up but something about her synopses just sound so compelling. Gifted and Talented follows three incredibly talented siblings who are trying to find out who will be the heir to their father's massive technology empire. Each with skills of their own and secrets/insecurities to hide, the inheritance will solidify their future in society and if there's anything I love in a good story it's hidden motives and lots of scheming which I hope this one will have!

king of envy by ana huang

I don't have many comments other than I'm still hopeful that another Kings of Sin book will hit the same way King of Wrath did for me. Granted, I've only read the first 2 books in the series but we're still keeping our fingers crossed. I think this follows Vuk who has been such an interesting and elusive character so I'm definitely intrigued to see how his story will unfold.

         
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the listeners by maggie stiefvater

I had no idea Maggie Stiefater was coming out with an adult novel and one that's set in WWII is such a throwback for me since I used to love historical fiction novels set in that time period and haven't picked up one in a while. The Listeners is set in a luxury hotel that is now part of a ploy to invite the elite Axis diplomats to enjoy some relaxation before springing a trap. With different political machinations in place, the main character has to navigate her role as the general manager in order to get everyone through safely.

a forgery of fate by elizabeth lim

It's just industry standard at this point that Elizabeth Lim has the most gorgeous covers. Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, this follows a con artist who agrees to a marriage contract with a dragon lord in order to protect her family. With the unique ability to paint the future, she has to join her new husband at his palace under the sea and and assist him in infiltrating the Dragon King's inner circle and paint a future that could upend both the mortal and immortal realms.

anatomy of a betrayal by grace d. li

I really enjoyed Grace D. Li's debut novel Portrait of a Thief and her sophomore work is inspired by the persecution of Chinese American scientists while exploring the theme of being "American enough." Two graduate students find themselves on opposing sides when one is accused of spying for the Chinese government and the other one has to catch her in the act. This sounds so incredibly interesting and dives into a period that I haven't read too much about.

the nightblood prince by molly x. chang

I'm a little hesitant to add this to the list because I still have a lot of mixed feelings about Molly X. Chang's debut work. However, the plot just sounds like such a fun time. The synopsis includes a vampire army and the classic love triangle trope where the main character is torn between two powerful princes while juggling a prophecy that will name her Empress of All Empresses. So many important choices rest on her shoulders and how will she ever choose - just keeping my fingers crossed that it'll just be a silly goofy run read.

We're almost to the end of Bookmas and if anything, it's proved that if I really set a schedule, I could 100% follow through. I hope you've been enjoying the last few weeks of December as we get closer to the holidays - let me know what new releases in 2025 you're excited for and I'll see you back on Christmas Eve for the last day!