Book Review Archives - Page 2 of 17

On the Wings of a Word by C. M. Sinner

Book Review, Fantasy / M Pax / March 27, 2026

A lyrical, Norse-myth infused fantasy where poetry has power and words can change the world.

It’s rare for a novel to make me this curious, but On the Wings of a Word sent me down a rabbit hole researching Norse mythology long after I turned the last page.

While I’m familiar with some of the myths, C. M. Sinner explores corners of the lore I hadn’t encountered before, weaving them into a story that feels both fantastical and fresh. The worldbuilding has depth without ever slowing the momentum, and every new reveal made me want to learn more.

The main character especially stood out. They have a gift with language and poetry that I honestly wish existed in real life. The idea of bringing words to life—of language itself holding tangible power—is such a cool, imaginative concept, and it’s used in clever, meaningful ways throughout the story.

What I loved most were the solutions to the dilemmas the characters faced. Instead of predictable outcomes, the story consistently surprised me with smart, unexpected turns that felt earned. Add in a cast of lovable characters and an engaging plot, and this became one of those books I didn’t want to leave.

Engaging, imaginative, and full of heart, On the Wings of a Word is a fantastic read for anyone who loves mythology-infused fantasy and the magic of language.

I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.

Hurry up and write it, C. M. Sinner.

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The Scavenger Door: Science Fiction Book Review

It didn’t surprise me that The Scavenger Door by Suzanne Palmer, the third book in her Finder series, was just as imaginative and engaging as the first two installments. Fergus Ferguson continues to grow as a character, learning to navigate the chaos that is drawn to him and using the mysterious ‘gift’ he received from the creepy aliens in book 1 to help solve a problem that dooms our entire solar system.

Fergus is back performing and facing impossible challenges and with a sense of purpose behind the chaos surrounding him. This book introduces more aliens, thrilling adventures, and the found family in more than one way, deepening the world and the connections that Palmer has built over the series.

I’ll definitely be finishing the series with the fourth and final book, and I sincerely hope Suzanne Palmer has more novels and series planned. I can’t wait to see what other imaginative worlds she creates and will be eagerly reading anything she writes next.

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The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 6 Book Review

Book Review / M Pax / February 20, 2026

A magical realism story that delivers humor, adventure, and cozy fantasy vibes

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 6 by Beth Brower is such a delightful and immersive series. From the very first page, the writing and setting evoke strong Jane Austen vibes, which immediately drew me in. I heart anything Jane and Jane-adjacent. This series delivers all the charm, wit, and subtle social observation that I love about Austen’s work, while adding its own modern and magical twist.

In this installment, Emma finally comes of age. Watching her navigate the challenges of growing up feels both authentic and satisfying. As always, there is a touch of magical realism woven seamlessly into everyday life, which keeps the story fresh and whimsical. Emma’s growing friendships and the odd scrapes she finds herself in continue to make her journey compelling and relatable. She is pluckier and more self-possessed than many of Jane’s characters, and I deeply related to her fierce independence, her love of books and reading, her need to write, and her closely held vulnerability.

The supporting cast is equally engaging. Each character has quirks, secrets, and motivations that make them feel fully realized, and this volume teases out more depth and complexity. Emma’s circle of friends and frenemies are both endearing and delightfully unpredictable, keeping the reader invested in their interactions. There are moments that made me laugh, moments of tension, and moments that genuinely tugged at my heart.

What I love most about this series is its balance of wit, humor, and heart. Emma’s world feels lived-in and layered, and the pacing is wonderful. There’s always something unfolding, but nothing feels rushed.

This series is one I treasure, and I find myself thinking about the characters long after I put the book down. I am already deep into Volume 7 and have Volume 8 at the ready. If you enjoy stories that combine clever writing, compelling character development, the evocation of Jane, and a touch of magical realism, I cannot recommend The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion highly enough.

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Science Fiction Book Review: Driving the Deep

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / February 5, 2026

Trouble doesn’t need an invitation—Fergus Ferguson just happens to be where it shows up.

Driving the Deep (Finder Chronicles, Book 2) by Suzanne Palmer

Fergus Ferguson is back—and trouble seems to find him no matter what he’s doing. While going about his own business on Pluto, a place he calls home, his friends are attacked and go missing, dragging him into another high-stakes puzzle.

This book was just as enjoyable as the first. Fergus’s jams require careful thinking to escape, and Palmer structures the story like a puzzle you can solve along the way. I don’t always catch every piece, but watching them snap together is incredibly satisfying.

The series is fun, entertaining, and richly detailed—the settings are as fascinating as the characters and situations. I liked it enough that I’ve already started Book 3.

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Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 7

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / January 23, 2026

a.k.a. The Book That Made Me Invent a New Word

You know how sometimes a book (or a series) becomes more than a read? It becomes a place? A small corner of the world I can slip into, where the kettle is always just beginning to simmer and someone eccentric is about to knock at the door with a problem that is none of their business, yet somehow now entirely mine?

For me, that place is Emma M. Lion.

I’ve been holding onto the last three volumes like emergency chocolate in the back of the cupboard. As if finishing them will somehow mean losing them. But I find myself needing treats at all times lately. Especially here in the U.S., where the national pastime seems to be endless stress.

So, I opened Volume 7 straight after finishing Volume 6.

Emma M. Lion is, well, she’s Emma-esque.

Emma-esque (adj.): cozy, sharp, hilariously understated, emotionally stealthy, with a whisper of Austen and a wink of mischief.

Volume 7 has that familiar blend I’ve come to rely on: witty social observations, eccentric friends, quiet romance emerging in sideways glances, nearly-unsaid confessions, and now a kiss. Ooo! Things are getting a touch romantical, but in the Emma Lion way. Slowly. Unexpectedly. Full of small, satisfying surprises. Like a pastry you thought was plain until you hit the center and find the most heavenly chocolate cream.

What continues to amaze me is how these journals manage to be both:

comforting: warm, familiar, like being invited in
fresh: unpredictable, layered, and surprising

It’s a tightrope, and Emma walks it in excellent boots.

Emma doesn’t just tell her story; she lets you live inside her thoughts. The charm is in the small details: the tea, the odd neighbors, the complicated friendships, the relatives you’d never want to call your own, and the secrets not voiced. There is humor, but there is also ache. And a slow unspooling of truths that feels earned.

And then there’s the voice.
That clever voice that sees everything and often speaks it.

“Emma M. Lion reads as if someone crossed Jane Austen with the best kind of chaos.”

I finished Volume 7 and immediately launched into Volume 8. Because restraint is for people not already elbows-deep in Emma’s life, trying to guess how everything will unfold.

If you love:

Jane Austen’s social nuance
Cozy-but-clever storytelling
Characters who feel like friends
A little eccentric charm mixed with emotional depth

…you will adore this series.

What are you reading?

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Book Review: Finder by Suzanne Palmer

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / January 9, 2026

Science Fiction Worth Reading

What a fantastic read! Finder immediately pulled me in with its unique setting. Instead of a planet or a traditional spaceship, much of the story unfolds at Cernee, a settlement of habs strung together by cable. Each hab has its own distinct personality, making it fun to explore as the characters move between them.

The main character, Fergus Ferguson, is a former thief who now makes a living finding things for others. His latest mission? Retrieve a stolen spaceship from Cernee. But the thief isn’t just any small-time crook — he’s dangerous, ambitious, and has delusions of grandeur that threaten everyone around him.

What I loved most was how gritty and raw the story felt. It gave me strong Firefly vibes — wild action, lovable misfits, humor, and a setting that feels lived-in and rough around the edges. Add in some mysterious (and seriously creepy) aliens, unpredictable twists, and a cast of memorable characters, and this book had me hooked from start to finish.

I enjoyed Finder so much that I didn’t hesitate — I already have book two queued up on my Kindle. If you’re a fan of space adventure with heart, grit, and a dash of chaos, this is a series to dive into.

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