Book Reviews

Uptown Oracle Reads… A Ruinous Fate | A Fantasy That Lies With the Luck of the Roll 🎲

A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith (Affiliate Links) Fate does not choose the weak. Fate chooses the ready. Calliope Rosewood is a witch with a long streak of bad luck. Like all witches in Illustros, her fate is directly tied to Witch’s Dice—powerful artifacts that have blessed her kind with limitless magic but also set…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Stolen Heir | A Fantasy Quest in the World of Elfhame ✨

The Stolen Heir was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, as a fan of Holly Black and it didn’t disapoint. The story itself is a fantasy quest, road-trip style. With Oak, Tiernan and Wren heading off on an adventure, but there’s some tensions here and there, some untrustworthy companions, some deceit going on.…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Changeling’s Journey | Scottish Inspired Fae Story With Warm Cosy Vibes ✨

The Changeling’s Journey is clearly heavily inspired by Scotland and this can be seen throughout the villages and locations we visit, the language used and descriptions of the world. The world building really allows you to feel like you’re travelling with our characters through the fairy hills and lochs which makes you think you’re on…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Hand of the Sun King

The Hand of the Sun King follows Wen Alder as he grows up in an almost coming of age style story. It has an introspective first person narrative, like an autobiography or journal of sorts. Despite this very singular focus on the character of Foolish Cur, he’s not always a likeable character and it displays…
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Drowned Woods

There’s very clear Welsh influence in the names of places especially throughout the story which was a welcome surprise for me. I believe some of the magic/stories within the world are influenced by folktales from Wales too although I don’t have the knowledge to know which ones. I did love the influence though and would…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Violet Made of Thorns

Violet Made of Thorns is a Beauty & the Beast Retelling with additional magic and many many symbolic roses throughout the story. This is definitely not a direct retelling, and a lot of additional twists and changes are made by Gina Chen throughout the book to make it all that more enthralling.
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Mirror and the Mountain

The story gets a bit darker nearer the end, however it reads as a children’s book throughout. Overall I thought it was a quick and easy read, although I might not have it on my favourites shelf any time soon.
Uptown Oracle Reads… The Girl and the Mountain | Stunning 2nd novel for Book of Ice Series

After loving The Girl and the Stars I just had to pick up the second book in the Book of Ice Series. The good thing is the book continues off straight after the cliffhanger of the first book, so you’re straight back into the story and excited to know more. If you’re reading them straight…
Uptown Oracle Reads… Moroda

Overall I loved my re-read of Moroda and I’m excited to read and re-read the rest of the series too.