Review: Half City by Kate Golden

 

Half City (Harker Academy #1) by Kate Golden

Publication Date: February 17th 2026 by Ace

Pages: 496

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Twenty-one-year-old Viv Abbott has been fighting demons alone ever since she watched her father murdered right before her eyes. She’s spent years carrying that burden alone, so when an invitation arrives from Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, a school for demon hunters, she’s stunned to learn she’s not the only one out there. The offer becomes even more suspicious when it comes from Reid, a Brood demon she has every reason not to trust.

 

Viv has always felt like an outsider among her family and friends, forced to hide the truth about her life and constantly missing out when hunting called. At Harker, for the first time, she finds people who understand her. The camaraderie is immediate, the friendships fast and genuine. But the safety she feels is short-lived. When one of her new friends disappears and the academy is attacked, Viv and her tight-knit group are thrust into a dangerous mystery. I loved this crew, quirky, loyal, and determined to uncover what happened. The romance was a slow-burn, chemistry-heavy enemies-to-lovers that I’m on board for.

 

Half City starts with a slower setup as the world and characters are introduced, but the moment Viv steps onto Harker grounds, the story hits its stride. The mystery surrounding the missing student and the escalating attacks unfolds with several surprising twists, leading to a thrilling, high-stakes conclusion. The book ends on a to-be-continued note. I’m eager to see where Viv’s journey goes next!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Welcome to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense. Keep your daggers sharp, and your wits even sharper.

Viv Abbot is an average twenty-one-year-old girl. She lives in an expensive city where the rent is too high, works long hours at a thankless job, and is dating a guy she doesn’t even like in the hopes of winning her prickly mother’s approval.

She just also happens to be a demon hunter.

Ever since her father's murder, she's been forced to hunt deviants alone, meaning everyone, including her family, sees her as an outsider. . . . Until the day she crosses paths with a dangerously alluring demon, Reid Graveheart. The reformed deviant tells her of a school for people just like her: Harker Academy for Deviant Defense. If she enrolls, she'll learn to hone her craft, work with other hunters, and never be alone again.

But Viv has a deadly secret. One that not even her new friends at Harker can know about. Not when the school might hold the answers to untangling the mystery surrounding Viv's father’s death. When strange occurrences begin to plague the students, Viv will have to figure out who she can trust, and fast. All while trying to ace her classes, not fall for a demon, and make it through her first year at Harker in one piece. How hard could that be?

 

Review: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

 

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Maggie the Undying #1) by Ilona Andrews

Publication Date: March 31st 2026 by Tor Books & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 480

Audio Book Length: 21hrs 33min

Narrator: Kristen Sieh

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Libro.fm | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Maggie grew up loving an epic fantasy series, reading and re-reading the two books released over and over eagerly awaiting the next book, but it’s never come. So, when she wakes up wet and naked in a medieval-like city it doesn’t take her long to recognize it as the setting of her beloved books: Kair Toren.

 

How did she get there? Did she have a mental break where this is a figment of her imagination? It seems all too real to her and if it is, she needs to make a plan of action because she’s been thrust into a pivotal place in timeline of the books. She knows what’ll happen and it’s devastating to this world. Maggie will use her knowledge to save Kair Toren and its inhabitants. Characters she’s grown to love using every bit of information stored from her countless reads. Some well-known and some new to her, each carving out a place in her heart, and mine! Of course, there’s a few cute, and fierce animals, and a slow-burn romance to root for! There were also a couple of plot twists I didn’t see coming!

 

I was amazed by Maggie’s sharp brain and her political maneuvering! Yes, she had knowledge from reading the books, but even when it was new to her, Maggie weighed the possible outcomes and came up with clever plans.

 

I absolutely LOVED This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me! I think it’s the most epic and ambitious fantasy plotline from Ilona Andrews to date and they knocked it out of the park! That ending! I need the next book!

 

I alternately read and listened to an audio copy and I recommend either version. Kristen Sieh is a new-to-me narrator, and I thought she captured the essence of Maggie’s character perfectly! She had a great range and performed all characters, male and female, a variety of ages and accents beautifully!

5 Stars

Book Description:

A page-turning, unforgettable fantasy set in a city peopled with ruffians, spies, malcontents and murderers. Experience out-of-this world adventure and dangerous politics as Maggie tries to survive waking up in her favourite fictional world.

A heart-pounding epic from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author duo Ilona Andrews.

When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren. It’s a city she knows intimately from the pages of a famously unfinished dark fantasy series – one she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading, while waiting years for the final novel.

Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic and mayhem? Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the plot, the setting and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love – a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to return home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes – and attentions – of duelling princes, dukes and villains. This all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the ending she’s seen on the a cataclysmic war.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is the beginning of the most epic adventure yet from genre powerhouse writing duo Ilona Andrews. For fans of Samantha Shannon, Sarah J. Maas, Danielle L. Jensen and isekai portal fantasy.

Review: A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

 

A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell #10) by Deanna Raybourn

Publication Date: March 3rd 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Librofm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Veronica and Stoker are drawn into a puzzling mystery when Detective Mornaday quietly seeks their help on a case he’s been ordered to abandon. Two deaths, one man drained of blood with twin puncture wounds, the other ruled a suicide, both trace back to an exclusive and secretive men’s club.

 

Whispers of witchcraft and Dracula swirl about, and while Veronica’s scientific mind remains open to every possibility, Stoker’s skepticism keeps them grounded. Their investigation soon attracts the attention of the Harpocrates Society, a gentleman’s club with an enigmatic leader whose nocturnal habits fuel the rumors. Detective Mornaday and J.J. are fun side characters, each helping to investigate in their own way.

 

A Ghastly Catastrophe was another delightful addition to the series. Veronica and Stoker work wonderfully together, both clever, determined and fierce. I love their playful back and forth and I’m happy the conflict comes from the danger of the investigations they tackle and no longer from their romantic relationship. I look forward to their next case!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo in this landmark historical mystery from beloved New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.

Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.

The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Spring 2026 To-Read List

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Reader where each week they post a new top ten list and ask fellow bookish folk to share their lists on that topic.

This week the theme is: Books on My Spring 2026 To-Read List:

I'm excited for everyone of these books! 

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (Dungeon Crawler Carl #6) by Matt Dinniman

Release date: 7/2/23

Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan

Release Date: 6/23/26

A Bitter Cut (A Lady Darby Mystery #14) by Anna Lee Huber

Release Date: 6/23/26

An Ordinary Sort of Evil (A Rip Through Time #5) by Kelley Armstrong

Release Date: 5/19/26

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

Release Date: 5/19/26

Platform Decay by Martha Wells

Release Date 5/5/26

The Final Target by Nora Roberts

Release Date: 5/26/26

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Release Date: 5/19/26

Meet Me in Italy by Brenda Novak

Release Date: 4/7/26

Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan

Release Date: 5/5/26

What's on your Spring 2026 TBR?

Sunday Post #331

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

It's been unseasonably warm, in the 80s and we've done a lot of cleaning up and planting. We took the covers off our patio furniture and have sat outside in the evenings enjoying the weather.

Out front

Camellias: Debutante

Peach tree on our normal walk

We went on another hike along the Yuba River and brought my sister and BIL. Went to lunch after and then took a nap.

South Yuba River hike

All went well with my husband's procedure, which was a relief. We have a lot going on this coming week. I have an appointment for my mammogram, work and travel. 

1000 Piece Puzzle completed: London Passage by Galison

Puzzle 15 of 2026

500 Piece Puzzle completed: Disco Life by Galison

Puzzle 16 of 2026

Read:

Half City by Kate Golden-4 Stars

Everybody's Favorite Guy by Katherine Center-5 Stars

A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn-4 Stars

Received:

The Anniversay by Alex Finlay

Marion by Leah Rowan

The Final Target by Nora Roberts

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press!

How was your week?

Audiobook Review: Everyone in This Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

 

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief (Ernest Cunningham #4) by Benjamin Stevenson

Publication Date: March 17th 2026 by Mariner Books

Pages: 368

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 51min

Narrators: Barton Welch

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

With three solved murder cases behind him, Ernest Cunningham has officially leveled up from writing about how to craft a mystery to actually cracking them himself. Now he and Juliette are planning their wedding and trying to secure a bank loan to launch their own detective agency. But their meeting at the bank takes a sharp turn when, mid‑interview, the place is suddenly held up and everyone inside becomes a hostage.

 

It’s an absurd, high‑stakes setup: the thief demands just one dollar, but insists it must come from the vault. Unfortunately, the bank owner is unable to open it, his brother changed the code and then vanished. From there, the suspects pile up, motives twist in unexpected directions, and while I guessed a few things, most of the reveals were a surprise to me. And yes, like Juliette, I wanted to shake Ernest after one particularly boneheaded decision, but that’s part of his charm. He’s infuriating, endearing, and somehow always makes sense in his own Ernest‑logic way.

 

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief was a lot of fun. Being inside Ernest’s clever, analytical mind is half the fun, and his dry humor is threaded through the story making for an entertaining read. The mystery is smart, layered, and full of those “ohhh, now I see it” moments I love.

 

I’ve listened to the whole series on audio, and Barton Welch is Ernest for me. His comedic timing is impeccable, love his Australian accent, and he shifts between characters, men, women, all ages, effortlessly. It’s a fantastic performance that enhances an already entertaining story.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Nothing is quite what it seems in this spin on the classic bank heist, with more suspects, more puzzles, and more danger than Ernest's ever faced before.

I’ve spent the last few years solving murders. But a bank heist is a new one, even for me. I’ve never been a hostage before.

The doors are chained shut. No one in or out. Which means that when someone in the bank is murdered, everyone is a suspect.

The Bank Robber

The Manager

The Security Guard

The Kid

The Film Producer

The Priest

The Receptionist

The Patient

The Caregiver

Me

Turns out, more than one person planned to rob the bank today. You can steal more from a bank than just money.

Who is stealing what? Are they willing to kill for it? And can I solve the crime before the police kick down the door and rescue us?

Top Ten Tuesday: Green Book Covers

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Reader where each week they post a new top ten list and ask fellow bookish folk to share their lists on that topic.

This week the theme is: Green Book Covers

Fun fact: Green is my favorite color! 

I loved everyone of these books! I've linked my review on the titles.

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Primal Mirror by Nalini Singh

A Judgement of Powers by Benedict Jacka

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Off the Map by Trish Doller

Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

Have you read any of these books? What is your favorite color?

Review: You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Andrews

 

You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Drews

Publication Date: March 17th 2026 by Macmillan Audio & St. Martin's Press

Pages: 304

Audio Book Length: 8hrs 50min

Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Twenty-two-year-old Elodie has a whirlwind romance, gets married, moves from Australia to the US with her new husband and six-year-old autistic son, Jude. Her husband, Bren, is ecstatic and they're so in love. However, her son Jude is afraid there's something lurking in the walls of Bren's family home. A home Bren has painstakingly been restoring for their family.

Elodie was a mother stretched to her limits, worried that her son's condition would come out to her new husband. I have to say her actions were frustrating to me. Her son obviously needed more help and accommodation and Elodie wouldn’t acknowledge that or accept the help offered. I wasn't a big fan of Elodie.

I wasn’t sure what was going on. Was Jude imagining things? Was Elodie having a mental break or was there a paranormal force at work? I suspected what happened in Elodie’s past, which was slowly revealed as the story flashes back to past events. Bren was a sweetheart, but I wondered if we didn’t have the full story with him either.

You Did Nothing Wrong was a story I couldn’t stop reading/listening to, but I was not thrilled with how it all turned out, but my reactions to the ending of horror stories are mixed. (Highlight for spoiler) I think my biggest disappointment was with who survived. I wished it was the other way around. Better yet, why not work it out and survive together as an unhinged happy little family?(End of spoiler) I get why Elodie was the way she was and why she did what she did, but I didn’t get her actions after everything was revealed.

I alternately read and listened to an audio copy. Saskia Maarleveld did a wonderful job with all character voices, male and female in a variety of ages and accents.

3.5 Stars

Book Description:

A relentless, horror-inducing psychological suspense for fans of The Push and Baby Teeth by New York Times bestselling author CG Drews.

Single mother Elodie’s life has become a fairy tale. She’s met Bren, equal parts golden-retriever devoted and sinfully handsome. He’s whisked her and her autistic son, Jude, to the crumbling family house he’s renovating. She has a new husband, a new house, and a new baby on the way. Everything is perfect.

Then Jude claims he can hear voices in the walls. He says their renovations are “hurting” the house. Even Elodie can’t ignore it–something strange is going on. The question is, is it with the house, or with her son?

Then the one secret Elodie has been hiding is revealed, and no one is safe anymore.

A pulse-pounding, clever take on the haunted house novel, You Did Nothing Wrong examines the complexities of motherhood and the twisted bonds of family as it races to its shocking ending.

Sunday Post #330

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

We've had nice weather here with highs in the low 70s. My husband and I worked a bunch in the garden. A lot of clean up raking leaves and pulling weeds. We planted tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, Anaheim chilies, zucchini, summer squash. Some plants and some seeds. I had already planted radishes, spinach, green onions and carrots which survived the snow we had a few weeks ago. 

View from the front

Radishes, Spinach, Carrots & Green Onions

Primrose

My mother-in-law fell and broke her shoulder so we may end up traveling there to help, but my husband has a medical procedure on Monday that we have to get through first.

The Closer, with Kyra Sedgewick, came out on Netfix. I watched the series when it came out back in 2005 and enjoyed it. It's still really good all these years later!

1000 Piece Puzzle Completed: Road Trip by Werkshoppe

Puzzle 13 of 2026

500 Piece Puzzle Completed: London Flower Market by Werkshoppe

Puzzle 14 of 2026

Read:

Everyone at This Bank is a Thief (Ernest Cunningham #4) by Benjamin Stevenson-4 Stars

How to Kill Your Biggest Fan by Helen Blair-3 Stars

You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Drews-3.5 Stars

Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie-4.5 Stars

I had a mixed reading week. Taming Demons For Beginners was my favorite. 

Received:

Invasive Species by Ellery Adams

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

The Name Game by Beth O'Leary

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Berkley!

How was your week?