Reading – Christine Smith

Why I Love Found Family

Post published:May 21, 2024
Post category:Reading
Post comments:10 Comments

Found family—it is a highly popular trope...and may be considered overused at this point. But there is a reason it has become so huge and continues to be well-loved. And because I have Thoughts and Feelings on the subject, today I wanted to take a little bit of time to talk about it. I don't think it's any secret that Found Family is my favorite trope of all time. My first full awareness of my deep-rooted love for it and realizing it actually had a title was ages back when I first discovered the TV series Leverage. That show about…

Book Review // Tattoo of Crimson by Sarah Chislon

Post published:April 25, 2024
Post category:Reading
Post comments:12 Comments

I’ve got a very fun book to talk about today set in an alternate Regency England with fae—an utterly delightful combination! I’ve been very much into historical fantasy as of late, so you better believe I jumped on this gaslamp fantasy tale set in an alternate Regency England world. Also FAE, guys. One of my uttermost favorite things. I am alllll about them fae stories. SYNOPSIS Society, suitors, and…serial murders? As much as she desires to please her family, gently-bred herbalist Jessa Caldwell has no intention of making a suitable match—not when she’s seeking the truth about the taint of…

Fantasy Month // Favorite Fantasy Reads

Post published:February 5, 2024
Post category:Reading
Post comments:9 Comments

February is Fantasy Month! Happy February, friends! I know February often brings on some lingering winter blues. It's situated in that awkward space where the newness and excitement of winter have long since worn off and yet spring still feels far too distant. Poor February gets a bad rep. That's why the most illustrious Jenelle Schmidt started February is Fantasy Month! Because not only ~alliteration~ but what better way to add some life in February than celebrating one of the greatest genres out there? (I'm not biased or anything.) Over on her blog, Jenelle is posting all sorts of fantasy-themed…

2023 in Review // My Favorite Things, Writing Highlights, & Growth

Post published:December 4, 2023
Post category:Encouragement Fangirling Life Reading Writing
Post comments:9 Comments

2023—a year of unexpected blessings and reaching for new dreams and mourning losses and praising God for renewal and failing and learning and so very much growing. It was a year of life. And though some (read: many) days were hard, there were blessings in it all, and I am grateful for each day given. Somehow we have reached the final stretch of 2023 and I'm looking over at March like, "Weren't you just here?" But my word chosen to live by for 2023 was PRESENT. I tend to fly through my days, always looking ahead and never stopping to…

Book Review // A Flash of Magic by Allison Tebo

Post published:July 10, 2023
Post category:Reading
Post comments:2 Comments

I've got a delightful story I must gush about today, my friends! If you've known me for any length of time, you've probably heard me fangirling over the Tales of Ambia series by Allison Tebo. This series of fairy tale retellings follow a grumpy fairy godfather Burndee and his acquaintances in the light steampunk world of Ambia where hilarious fairy tale mishaps happen, shenanigans ensue, and a lot of heart is found along the way. These family-friendly stories bring me joy every single time, so imagine my delight when Tebo announced she was compiling an anthology of Ambia short stories…

Book Review // The Orb & the Airship by Jenelle Schmidt

Post published:June 19, 2023
Post category:Reading
Post comments:8 Comments

The first book in the Turrim Archive series is finally HERE! And you don't want to miss this equal parts cozy and exciting gaslamp fantasy adventure. Ever since Jenelle Schmidt first shared about a steampunk series in the works, I have been itching for its release. I MEAN. Airship pirates? Political intrigue? Mysterious magic? Friendship? All set in a vast, intricate steampunk world? Sign me up! Now the first book, The Orb and the Airship, is out in the world, and you are not going to want to miss it! SYNOPSIS A rogue airship captain. An ambitious youth. A clash…

Book Review // The Hare & the Hatter by Kyle Robert Shultz

Post published:May 8, 2023
Post category:Reading
Post comments:2 Comments

The newest installment of the Aftermythos books is HERE, and my excitement knows no bounds! It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Kyle Robert Shultz's Beaumont and Beasley series (and all the interconnecting books)—stories taking place in a 1920s-esque setting where fairy tales are the world's history and magic abounds. They are full of humor, timey-wimey plots, delightful characters, and clever twists on fairy tales. Basically...everything I love! So you can imagine my excitement when book #6 was announced! And it DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT. Though this may be a very short review because, well—SO MANY SPOILERS.…

Hello Spring! // Some Spring Favorites

Post published:March 20, 2023
Post category:Fangirling Reading
Post comments:6 Comments

Happy first day of spring! I truly love this time of year. It's funny, when I was younger I claimed spring as my favorite season without question. But as I grew older my preferences shifted to much colder temperatures and for a good chunk of my life, I've firmly proclaimed winter as my Ultimate Favorite. But in the last couple of years? Spring has been trying to creep back as #1. I'm not sure it's quite stolen that spot back, I really, really love fall and winter and just cold weather in general, BUT my old love for spring, like…

The Silmaril Awards 2022 Ceremony: Silver Tongue

Post published:September 26, 2022
Post category:Reading
Post comments:23 Comments

Hobbiton buzzes in anticipation and excitement as the long-awaited hour rapidly approaches... The Party Field is aflutter with activity as hobbits and many a strange folk cover the Party Tree and surrounding area in a swath of decorations. Streamers, lanterns, all manner of seating arrangements, and tables practically bending under the weight of the delectable treats set the field in splendor for this momentous event. Guests have been arriving all day. Some particularly unusual and, to add to it, are supposedly appearing from that monstrosity of a castle that can move, of all things. They say the door inside leads…

The Silmaril Awards 2022 Voting: Silver Tongue

Post published:September 12, 2022
Post category:Reading
Post comments:16 Comments

Welcome to the second round of The Silmaril Awards! Nominations have been cast, and now it is time to vote for the top choices! What a wild ride this past week was! We opened the doors to nominations and did you amazing fantasy lovers deliver! The chaos and character love in our comments sections is one of the best parts of being a host. A humongous thank you to everyone who participated and made for such a fun week of shouting out your favorite characters, sharing the character love with us and one another, and, of course, making our TBRs…