Cyn's Workshop

Today I’m reviewing The Verity Guild—a fantasy mystery that blends secrets, intrigue, and magic into a story filled with hidden agendas and dangerous discoveries. At the heart of the novel is a compelling mystery that slowly unravels as characters navigate a world where truth is a valuable—and often dangerous—commodity. Between the layered worldbuilding, growing tension, and character-driven stake...

It’s time for my June Reading Wrap-Up! This month was a little different than usual. After consistently reading 15–20 books a month, reader fatigue finally caught up with me, and I ended June having read 10 books. While I’m disappointed I missed my goal, there were still some incredible reads that made the month worthwhile. In this episode, I break down everything I read in June, including: 📚 The...

Today I’m reviewing The Executioner Prince by Luden Gray—a dark fantasy filled with cursed princes, brutal secrets, and the devastating cost of loyalty. Thorne Shadowfall should have been royalty. Instead, as the third-born prince of Netherhelm, he has become a weapon. Cursed by his father to bear the burden of a crime he never committed, Thorne is forced to carry out executions in secret, each de...

Today I’m reviewing The Stars Are Dying by C.C. Peñaranda, the first installment in the Nytefall trilogy—a romantasy filled with vampires, deadly competitions, forgotten memories, and a romance that burns at the center of it all. When Astraea strikes a bargain with the mysterious vampire Nyte to uncover the truth about her past, she’s drawn into the dangerous Libertatem trials, where survival mean...

Today I'm reviewing The Twelve by Joey Graceffa, a YA fantasy filled with zodiac magic, sisterhood, and destiny. When twin sisters Ophelia and Serena discover they're powerful witches, they're swept into a secret world of magic and recruited into a coven of twelve zodiac witches tasked with hunting dark witches. As Ophelia learns to wield water magic and Serena masters lightning, the sisters must...

Today I’m reviewing All We Hunger For—a haunting fantasy that explores hunger in all its forms: power, belonging, love, and survival. Rich with atmosphere and emotional complexity, this story blends character-driven storytelling with themes that linger long after the final page. At its core, the novel examines what people are willing to sacrifice to satisfy their deepest needs and whether some hun...

Today I’m reviewing The Chowder House Murder—a cozy mystery that serves up murder, small-town intrigue, and plenty of secrets alongside its seaside atmosphere. With a cast of quirky suspects, a compelling central mystery, and a setting that feels both welcoming and suspicious, this novel delivers the kind of page-turning investigation that cozy mystery fans love. The story balances charm and suspe...

Today I’m reviewing Tristan and the Magestria—a queer cozy fantasy that mixes magic, romance, and whimsical adventure. While the premise had a lot of potential, especially with its cozy fantasy marketing and rom-com vibes, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The story has charming ideas and an imaginative magical setting, but the pacing and character dynamics made it difficult for me to stay e...

Today I’m reviewing Kingdom of Waves—a fantasy filled with oceanic magic, political tension, and the pull of destiny beneath the surface. This story blends immersive worldbuilding with high-stakes conflict, creating a setting where power shifts like the tides and survival depends on who controls the seas. Between the atmospheric coastal setting, layered alliances, and rising danger, the novel deli...

It’s time for my May Reading Wrap-Up! This month I read 15 books, falling just short of my 20-book goal but still discovering plenty of memorable stories along the way. From epic fantasy adventures and cozy mysteries to romantasy and science fiction, May brought a diverse mix of reads, unexpected favorites, and a few books that didn't quite work for me. In this episode, I’m sharing spoiler-free th...

Today I’m reviewing Sibylline—a fantasy steeped in prophecy, mystery, and the dangerous weight of knowing too much. This story leans into themes of fate, power, and the consequences of seeing what others cannot, creating an atmosphere filled with tension and uncertainty. Between the layered mythology, character-driven stakes, and the constant question of whether destiny can truly be changed, Sibyl...

Today I’m reviewing Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter—a cozy fantasy filled with magical cats, heartwarming found-family vibes, and just the right touch of mystery and enchantment. This story leans into comfort and charm while still exploring themes of healing, belonging, and second chances. Between the whimsical atmosphere, lovable feline companions, and emotionally grounded character moments,...

Today I’m reviewing Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey—the explosive first book in The Expanse series that blends noir mystery, political tension, and terrifying space horror into one gripping sci-fi epic. From interplanetary conflict to the creeping dread of the unknown, this novel perfectly balances large-scale worldbuilding with grounded, character-driven storytelling. The dynamic between Hold...

Today I’m reviewing The Verdant Cage—a fantasy that blends lush worldbuilding with dangerous power struggles and survival-driven stakes. Beneath the beauty of its setting lies a story about control, identity, and what happens when nature itself becomes both sanctuary and prison. The novel balances atmosphere with tension, creating a world that feels alive while steadily raising the emotional and p...

It’s time for my April Reading Wrap-Up! This month I read 14 books, and while I once again missed my ambitious 20-book goal, I still had a great reading month packed with fantasy, romance, thrillers, and a few surprise favorites. In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I read in April—what worked, what disappointed me, and which books stood out the most. From five-star obsessions to books th...

Today I’m reviewing The Poisons We Drink—a dark fantasy that uses a Witcher-inspired concept to explore systemic racism, corruption, and power structures in a compelling way. The worldbuilding and themes are definitely the standout here, tackling heavy issues through a fantasy lens that feels both unique and relevant. However, while I appreciated what the story was doing, I struggled to connect wi...

Today I’m reviewing A Thousand Perfect Lies—a gripping, character-driven story built on secrets, deception, and the fragile nature of truth. This novel leans into emotional tension and layered relationships, exploring how far people will go to protect their version of reality. With twists, hidden motives, and a steadily building sense of unease, it’s a story that keeps you questioning what’s real...

Today I’m reviewing Unending by Ivelisse Housman—the long-awaited sequel to Unseelie, and it absolutely did not disappoint. This installment builds beautifully on the first book, with continued character growth and a compelling shift into a dual POV, now following both the main character and her twin, Isolde. The added perspective deepens the story and raises the emotional stakes in all the right...

Today I’m reviewing I Killed the King—a fantasy mystery that delivers strong Knives Out energy with a unique whodunnit set in a magical world. The plot and pacing are definitely highlights, keeping the story engaging as secrets unravel and suspects pile up. However, while the mystery itself works, I found myself less invested in the characters, as the development and characterization didn’t quite...

Today I’m reviewing Beast Becomes Her by Crystal Seitz—a dark, emotionally charged retelling that tackles PTSD, domestic abuse, and healing through a lens of Norse mythology, particularly the lore of berserkrs. This story blends raw, real-world trauma with mythic transformation, exploring what it means to survive, reclaim power, and redefine yourself after being broken. The use of Norse elements a...

Today I’m reviewing Dragon Cursed—a fantasy that dives into magic, legacy, and the weight of a destiny that can’t be ignored. With dragons, rising stakes, and a protagonist caught between power and consequence, the story leans into classic fantasy themes while building tension through character choices and evolving conflict. It’s a tale of inheritance, identity, and what it means to carry somethin...

Today I’m reviewing Fallen City—a gripping story set in a fractured world where survival, power, and shifting loyalties collide. With a strong sense of atmosphere and rising tension, the book explores what happens when systems fall apart and individuals are forced to navigate the aftermath. It leans into character-driven stakes, moral choices, and the constant pressure of a world that refuses to p...

It’s time for my March Reading Wrap-Up! This month I read 15 books, and even though I didn’t quite hit my 20-book goal, it was still a really solid reading month. In this episode, I’m recapping everything I read—sharing quick, spoiler-free thoughts on standout favorites, surprises, and overall reading trends. From fantasy to romance and everything in between, March had a little bit of everything....

Today I’m reviewing Dungeon Crawler Carl—a wildly entertaining LitRPG that blends chaotic humor, brutal survival, and nonstop action into one addictive ride. This book doesn’t hold back. It’s absurd, violent, and surprisingly emotional, following Carl as he’s thrown into a deadly, game-like dungeon where survival means leveling up—or dying trying. Between the biting humor and the high-stakes dange...

Today I’m reviewing Through Our Teeth—a tense, character-driven story that leans into secrets, survival, and the things people choose not to say out loud. With a focus on emotional tension and interpersonal dynamics, this book builds its impact through character choices and the weight of hidden truths. It’s the kind of story where what’s left unsaid matters just as much as what’s revealed. 🎧 Tune...