Clean Reads – Christine Smith

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 // Imprint By Madeline J. Rose

Post published:August 8, 2022
Post category:Reading
Post comments:10 Comments

I've got a super fun book to share with you all today that involves jumping into books! And there is much epicness to be had indeed. Hello, hello! I have returned from my hiatus refreshed, recharged, and with BOOKS! :D Okay but, GUYS. I've been squealing in delight for months now! Ever since my long-time blogging friend and fellow Silmaril Awards host, Madeline J. Rose, announced she was PUBLISHING. I've been so excited about thissss! And utterly proud of Madeline for taking this amazing plunge. Her debut novel, Imprint (Ink Press #1), is now out in the world and I…

Book Review // The Goblin & the Dancer by Allison Tebo

Post published:June 13, 2022
Post category:Reading
Post comments:12 Comments

I come to you today to share all about one of THE most delightful stories I've ever had the pleasure to consume. I have been a raving fan of Allison Tebo and her works for years, particularly her Tales of Ambia series, which are absolutely hilarious fairy tale romps of magic and mayhem and the most lovable characters. So when she announced she was publishing a brand new fairy tale, you better believe I was squealing to no end. This novella is part of a collection of twelve stand-alone stories by twelve different authors, each story taking on the villains…

Book Review // Madness Solver in Wonderland by E.E. Rawls

Post published:June 14, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:18 Comments

Have I got a delightful story to share with you all today! It’s an Alice in Wonderland retelling! And not only that, a STEAMPUNK WONDERLAND story. YES. THAT IS CORRECT. Buckle in, because this one takes you on a wild ride! It is no secret that Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories of all time. And by “favorite” I mean, if I whiff one inkling of Wonderland goodness within my vicinity, I transform into major ultra fangirl mode and break the sound barrier with my squealing. All perfectly normal things. It’s fine. SO. When my friend and…

The Snow White & Rose Red Fairy Tale Tag

Post published:May 17, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:46 Comments

Good day, O’ fairies and fae folk! Today’s blog post theme is…fairy tales! (Lololol when is it not?) I absolutely couldn’t pass up joining in a tag that focuses on not just fairy tales, but one of my favorites! The beautiful and talented Kirsten Fichter, released book #4 of her Once Upon a Twist Tales novella series last month, The Bear of Rosethorn Ring, and as part of the release, she created a super fun TAG! (Am I joining in on the tag a month and a half late? Yes, yes I am. But wizards are never late.) The Bear…

Book Review // The Bear of Rosethorn Ring by Kirsten Fichter

Post published:April 5, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:29 Comments

The fourth book in Kirsten Fichter’s Once Upon a Twist Tales series is almost HERE! And I am thrilled to squeal about review it today. GUYS. This is a Snow White and Rose Red retelling which just— *FLAILS* We need more retellings of this woefully obscure fairy tale. NEED. When Kirsten said the next book in this series was a SW&RR retelling I may have nearly broke my face from too much grinning. I LOVE this novella series and ADORE that fairy tale, so putting them together? YES PLEASE. Oh, it also involves a circus. *cue me flailing eternally* Today…

{Book Review} A Royal Masquerade by Allison Tebo

Post published:August 17, 2020
Post category:Reading
Post comments:16 Comments

Over on Fairy Tale Central we’re celebrating The Goose Girl all August long, and I thought it’d be fun to talk about a delightful Goose Girl retelling here today! And yes, I’m doing a third book review in a row. WHOOPS. I feel like all summer long it’s just been book reviews, which is funny because usually I don’t review books all that much here. I actually meant to do another post today, but this one just worked out better. BUT. This will be the last book review for a while. Next week I’ll have something else and thennn… The…

{Book Review} The Warden of the West March (Seventh Realm #2) by M.L. Little

Post published:August 10, 2020
Post category:Reading
Post comments:6 Comments

Yes, I return with another book review! I know I’ve been reviewing a lot of them lately. Book reviews should slow down soon, but there have just been way too many delicious releases! Today’s review is a sequel to one I read and reviewed last year, and I’ve been so anxious for this second book! Book #1, The Book of Secrets, told the story of four siblings who discover an enchanted book and embark on a dangerous journey that expands realms. It was part Series of Unfortunate Events, part Harry Potter, and part Narnia, all while still being one of…

{Book Review} An Echo of the Fae by Jenelle Schmidt

Post published:June 29, 2020
Post category:Reading
Post comments:19 Comments

And I am back to squeal about another new book release! There have just been so many delicious books coming out lately, guys. It’s fabulous. And this one. Oh, this one makes my fairy tale loving heart so happy. Quite a while back, the illustrious, incredible, beautiful fantasy writer and magical human bean, Jenelle Schmidt, posted on her blog the opening of a new story she had begun. A semi-original, semi-Rapunzel inspired fairy tale. The snippet was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING and I needed moooore. Well, praise all that is good, that beginning snippet quickly became a PUBLISHED BOOK. That…