📖 Book Review #14: The Scald Crow (Beyond the Faerie Rath Book 1) by Hanna Park

Fourteen reviews — and I’m starting to feel like this little reading project has properly settled into something consistent. It’s become a nice way to reflect on what I’ve read, and I’m enjoying looking back at the range of books I’ve picked up along the way.

The Scald Crow was an interesting shift in tone for me. It leans into folklore and atmosphere rather than straightforward plot, and from quite early on there’s a sense that the story is more about what’s beneath the surface than what’s immediately visible.

The story follows Calla Sweet, who travels to Ireland after an unexpected inheritance. I found her to be a relatable main character — not because she has all the answers, but because she very much doesn’t. She feels uncertain, slightly out of place, and often guided more by instinct than understanding, which made her easy to connect with as things around her began to shift.

As the story develops, there’s a gradual widening of scope. What begins as something quite personal starts to feel larger and more layered, with hints of folklore, history, and hidden connections coming into play. The pacing is steady rather than fast, allowing the story to build its atmosphere and reveal things in its own time.

One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the sense of place. The Irish setting is woven into the story in a way that feels natural and immersive, and it adds a quiet weight to everything that happens. There’s a feeling that the landscape itself holds memory, which works particularly well alongside the more mysterious elements of the plot.

The book blends contemporary fiction with folklore and romance, but it’s the atmosphere that stands out most. There’s a subtle tension running through it — not overwhelming, but enough to keep you curious about where things are heading.

It isn’t a fast-paced read, but rather one that unfolds gradually, layering detail and meaning as it goes. By the end, it feels less like a complete story and more like the beginning of something larger.

Overall, I found it an immersive and atmospheric read.

I’d give The Scald Crow ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.

If you enjoy:

Folklore woven into modern settings
Atmospheric, character-driven stories
Romance with a hint of mystery
Stories that build slowly rather than rush

…then this could be a book worth picking up.

Fourteen reviews now — and still very much enjoying the journey.

Universal Buy Link
https://books2read.com/u/mBkyKy

I began my writing career in the pre-dawn of a winter morning while my husband snored like a train. We could call my husband the catalyst. If it weren’t for him, I would never have gone to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, feed the cat, and sit on the loveseat in front of the fire. It was there, in those moments of wondrous quiet, that I did something I had never thought possible. I opened my laptop, and while the coffee went cold, I wrote a story. My husband had no idea that these sojourns to the loveseat in front of the fire would become a daily occurrence, that writing would become an obsession, but the cat knew. She knows everything.

I write stories that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you love. Thank you, friends, for reading!

In the beginning, there was an empty page.

I am a writer who lives in Muskoka, Canada, with a husband who snores, a hungry cat, and an almost perfect canine––he’s an adorable little shit.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.hannapark.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannaparkwrites/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hanna.park.1485537

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/hanna-park

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21418698.Hanna_Park

Victoria 📚

📖 Book Review #13: The Vermilion Sea by Megan Chance

Thirteen reviews — I must admit I’m rather proud that this little blogging project is still going strong. When I first started writing about the books I’ve read, I thought it might last a few posts at most, but it’s become a lovely part of my reading routine.

The Vermilion Sea was an interesting change of scenery for me. The story takes place largely aboard a ship on a scientific expedition in the 1920s, which immediately caught my attention. There’s something about stories set at sea that always adds an extra sense of mystery — perhaps because once you’re out on the water, there’s nowhere else to go.

At the centre of the story is Billie McKennan, a marine biologist who is determined to prove herself in a field where women are often overlooked. I found her to be an engaging main character. She’s intelligent, curious, and quietly determined, which made it easy to root for her as the story unfolded.

As the voyage progresses, tensions begin to grow among the passengers and crew. There are secrets, hidden motives, and discoveries that begin to challenge what the characters think they understand about the world around them. The confined setting of the ship gives the story a slightly claustrophobic feeling, which works very well for the mystery.

What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. The combination of the ocean setting, the historical time period, and the underlying sense that something unusual may be happening kept me turning the pages.

The book blends historical fiction with elements of suspense and a touch of the unknown. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but rather a story that gradually builds tension as the characters — and the reader — begin to realise that this voyage may not go according to plan.

Overall, I found it an engaging and slightly eerie read.

I’d give The Vermilion Sea ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.

If you enjoy:

• Historical fiction set in unusual locations

• Stories at sea

• Strong, determined female characters

• Mysteries with an atmospheric edge

…then this could be a book worth picking up.

Thirteen reviews now — and I’m still very happily working my way through my reading pile.

Victoria 📚 

📖 Book Review #12: The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven by Jennifer Ivy Walker

Twelve reviews! When I made my New Year’s resolution to start blogging about the books I read, I never quite imagined I’d reach a dozen so quickly. I’m really enjoying keeping track of what I’ve read and thinking about each book a little more deeply.

The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven was a bit of a change from the sort of books I normally reach for. I tend to read family dramas or mysteries, but this one leans much more towards fantasy, with elements of legend, magic and medieval adventure.

The story follows Issylte, a young woman whose life changes dramatically when her father remarries and the balance of power in the kingdom shifts. Suddenly she finds herself in danger and must leave the safety she once knew behind. As she navigates this new and uncertain world, she begins to discover her own resilience and abilities.

Alongside her journey is Tristan, a knight whose life is shaped by loyalty, duty and the conflicts of the time. As the story unfolds, their paths slowly begin to intertwine, bringing together romance, danger and destiny.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the sense of atmosphere. The forests, castles and coastal landscapes are described vividly, and there’s a strong feeling of folklore running through the story. It has that slightly magical, almost fairy-tale quality that suits the setting very well.

Because fantasy isn’t my usual genre, it did take me a little time to settle into the world and remember all the different characters and elements. But once I became familiar with it, I found myself enjoying the adventure and the developing story.

The romantic thread running through the book also adds warmth to the narrative, and readers who enjoy a blend of fantasy and romance will likely appreciate that aspect.

Overall, I’d give The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5. It was an enjoyable read and a nice reminder that stepping outside your usual reading habits can be rewarding.

If you enjoy:

• Fantasy inspired by legend and folklore

• Medieval settings with castles and forests

• Romantic fantasy

• Adventure with a touch of magic

…then this could be well worth adding to your reading list.

Twelve books reviewed — and I’m still happily working my way through my reading pile.

Universal Buy Link 
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Read with #KindleUnlimited

Jennifer Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and WWII romantic suspense.

A former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology, Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://jenniferivywalker.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor

Twitter / X: https://x.com/bohemienneivy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferIvyWalker

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jenniferivywalker.bsky.social

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-ivy-walker

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/bohemienneivy

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jennifer-Ivy-Walker/author/B0B91R2MJZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22671046.Jennifer_Ivy_Walker

Victoria 📚

📖 Book Review #11: The Glass House by Eve Chase

Eleven reviews — I’m starting to realise that blogging about books is almost as enjoyable as reading them!

The Glass House is another novel by Eve Chase, and by now I think it’s fair to say I’ve developed a real fondness for her style of storytelling. She seems particularly good at weaving together family secrets, intriguing houses, and stories that move between the past and present.

This one centres around Foxcote Manor, a large country house where something strange and tragic happened decades earlier. When a group of children once discovered a body in the woods nearby, it left questions that were never fully answered. Years later, the story returns to the house as long-hidden secrets begin to surface.

Once again, the setting plays a huge part in the story. The manor house, the woods, and the slightly isolated feeling of the countryside create an atmosphere that feels both beautiful and a little unsettling. I do seem to be drawn to books with mysterious houses!

Like some of her other novels, the story moves between different time periods and perspectives. At times I had to concentrate to keep track of who was who, but the pieces gradually fell into place, which I always find satisfying.

What I enjoyed most was how the mystery unfolded slowly. Rather than relying on huge dramatic twists, the book reveals its secrets carefully, allowing the emotional side of the story to develop alongside the suspense.

If I’m honest, there were a few moments where I felt the pacing dipped slightly, but the writing kept me interested and the atmosphere carried the story through.

Overall, I’d give The Glass House ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.

If you enjoy:

• Old houses with hidden histories

• Dual timelines

• Family secrets

• Atmospheric, slow-burning mysteries

…then this is very likely one you’d enjoy as well.

Eleven books reviewed now — and I’m still happily working through my ever-growing reading pile.

Victoria 📚

📖 Book Review #10: An Ideal Husband by Erica James

 

Ten reviews! I honestly didn’t know at the start of the year whether I would keep this up, but here we are — double figures feels like a little milestone.

An Ideal Husband is much more in the realm of domestic drama, which I do tend to enjoy. The story explores what happens when a long marriage is shaken by unexpected revelations. On the surface, everything appears stable and comfortable — but, of course, appearances can be deceiving.

What I liked about this book was how relatable it felt. It looks at long-term relationships, loyalty, compromise and the quiet assumptions we make about the people we love. It isn’t about dramatic crime or shocking twists, but about emotional truths and the complicated nature of marriage.

The characters felt believable to me — flawed, sometimes frustrating, but recognisably human. I found myself sympathising with different people at different times, which I think is always a good sign. Rarely is anyone entirely right or entirely wrong in situations like these.

The pacing is steady rather than fast. It’s the sort of book you settle into rather than race through. There were moments where I wished things would move along a little quicker, but I also appreciated the space given to the emotional development.

It made me reflect on how well we ever truly know another person, even after years together. That quiet questioning stayed with me once I’d finished.

Overall, I’d give An Ideal Husband ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5. A thoughtful, engaging read that focuses more on feelings than fireworks.

If you enjoy:

• Relationship-driven stories

• Family and marital drama

• Emotional, character-led novels

• Gentle but thought-provoking reads

…then this might suit you very well.

Ten books reviewed — I think I can officially say this New Year’s resolution is sticking!

Victoria 📚