Mini Reviews Wrap Up November 2025

 

Here at Chapter Break, we don’t always write a full review of every book we read. Well, now we decided to do these monthly wrap-up posts with roundups of our reviews this month and mini-reviews to fill in the gaps. Enjoy!

Mini Book Reviews

 

Julie’s Mini Reviews:

The Magicless Mage: The Wolf Queen Chronicles: This book is Wizard of Oz meets Outlander meets True Blood, and it was a fun ride. Check the warnings page my friends. Yes, it’s dark, and violent, and not a romance, and yet, it’s sexy and chaotic and exciting. I say True Blood because it has that same vibe with the characters and level of violence, seduction, and bloodlust. Our FMC is headstrong and tough, and has so much to learn about who she is (and it’s not who she thought she was). The book slowly, oh so deliciously, unrolls these secrets, shocking us at every step. The MMC will grow on you, from a horrible violent angry wolfie, to someone you understand and sympathize with. Then we have the side characters who carry the plot, and they are devious and deplorable and so interesting. I liked the magic system and the way it evolved, or devolved, depending on the timeline. The banter was fun, the slow burn from I will kill her to I must protect her is always a good time. I also very much enj0yed all the chapter heading with Wizard of Oz references (which by now you probably know consumes my world). If you enjoy: fated mates, enemies to (maybe one day) lovers, self discovery, plot twists and bombshells, magical creatures, and time travel, give this a read.

 

Captured By The Fae Warrior: A Forced Proximity Enemies To Lovers Fae Romance: This was a fast paced fun romp through fae and human wars and fated mates with spice. It was a quick read (less than 200 pages) which made for a fun novella. The world building and magic was explained enough to get to the story, but a lot relied on repeated mentions of “ancient” bonds and treaties just working. I’m not sure why the book title has “captured,” since the human prince lands in the fae realm suddenly, and almost immediately they go from why is my enemy here to ok we’ll work together. So, not so much a capture as it was a collision and instalust. The battles were fast and sudden; the writing a bit too sensational and sometimes repetitive with hand waiving and big explosion type events, but it kept my interest. The big message was love conquers all – repeated just about in every chapter. Their choices to bond and work to stop the shadow darkness from harming both the human and fae worlds required complete commitment, and while the characters wavered at first, their sizzling attraction and tension had no choice. I really enjoyed the MMC and his best friend – their I will die for you brotherhood. The fae FMC grew on me but she was really dragging her feet on being likable. I did appreciate that we got to see their life and story after the battles that brought them together. So if you’re looking for a quick, immersive read with action, danger, and spicy magic, enjoy mate bonds and enemies forced together to fight for the common good, give this one a read.

 

Witch Fire: A why choose paranormal academy romance (Starfall Academy Book 1): This was a quick and fun read about a witch who is far more than she realizes. But, at this time, as readers, we don’t even know what she is. We know Raven is sheltered and naive, and really can’t do much with her magic because she has been kept hidden and not educated. But all of a sudden, her magic is running wild, and she gets taken to a magical college (against her guardian’s will) to learn how to contain her magic before she hurts someone. Raven is special, though: she’s soul-bonding multiple mates, the strongest of each species. And now the demons are after her? The plot really took off at the end with a huge cliffhanger that really leaves you wanting to know what happens next. But, throughout it was somewhat slow in development because we switched to so many different POVs that we didn’t get a chance to really get to know anyone well just yet. Personally, my favorite character is the incubus. But I do like Raven, as well, because she’s just so compassionate and friendly, unless someone has shown themselves to be a mean girl enemy. The book is spicy and lusty, while the main character still acts like a teenager. Some parts of the book felt repetitive between some of the characters, and there was little time for romance, only lust and calling each other “my mate.” This was definitely a fun start to a series, and I can see it progressing into something exciting.

 

Veils of the Divine: An Enemies to Lovers Romantic Fantasy (The Black Sun Syllabi Book 2): I seem to have fallen into some feedback loop of a style of books where the “bond” between two characters is the plot. The writing is sensational and high stakes, but little actual plot and character development occurs. It’s all “the bond flared between us” and “The bond burns me and everything goes black” type of writing. But as for descriptive plot, interesting events or intricate nuances of character and story, it is lacking. It’s just chaos and spice and chaos and bond. Sorry, but that’s not how to tell a story that grips and entertains. Further, I realize I receive an arc, but I don’t expect a first draft to be an arc given for review. The repetitive sentences, the switching of POV randomly in the middle of a chapter where it started with the other person narrating, the random continuity issues (like what they were or wearing). I have read other books by the author that I did enjoy, so I’m extra disappointed with this read. This book was short but I kept putting it down because it did not hold my attention. Sorry not sorry.

 

Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth: Book 1: Mixed thoughts on this one. Very tropey, the will they won’t they enemies to who knows what they are now was not satisfying. The triangle between the brothers was.. something. The ending was tragic and maddening. I liked Rune, how she is so determined to help the witches (while hiding her identity) but also it didn’t feel like she really got much done. The more she tried to get information out of the witch hunter Gideon, the more she fell for him, the worse the story line got. I wanted to see him turn his beliefs around, and maybe that might happen in book 2? There were quite some bombshells at the end. And the book flowed pretty quickly – the audio was good. Just didn’t quite scratch the itch the hype was giving. Solid 3.5 though.

 

Once Upon a Woven Wish: A Rumpelstiltskin Retelling (Enchanted Realms): I very much enjoyed this short and sweet Rumpelstiltskin retelling. It was the perfect length to enjoy on a lazy holiday with a belly stuffed with food. If you like a FMC who wants to desperarely do the right thing for her family, high stakes wishes with a price, and breaking curses with an honest drive to help make things right, sprinkled with a little sweet romance to seal the deal, check this book out. It was very short yet well paced and satisfying. I was also happy to learn there’s a sequel because it ended openly and I wanted to know how things tie up. So I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

 

Court of Water and Dust: A Slow-Burn Urban Fantasy Romance (Hidden Courts of the Fae Book 3) I’m enjoying this series and the relationship building between the Fae Guardian and his Ward, the Chosen One. These books are slowly building the storyline, and finally, in this third book, we get somewhere with these two. Illegal? Maybe. But they’ll figure it out. The spice was spicing in this one!
So far, each book introduces a new fae creature and the conflict the demonic villains are causing to that species. Each time our MMC and FMC are forced to fight the big bads, go on a rescue mission, get caught and injured, and learn more about the FMC’s healing magic. I still forget sometimes that our main character is in her late 20s. She’s still learning so much about her half-fae life and honing her special abilities. This book was all about the merfolk, which I loved, and I also loved that we traveled to Hawaii. It’s still a very much walking across magical bridges and crossing portals type of travel, but there’s so much action and emotion in between that it’s not what I would call a journey book much anymore.
I’m looking forward to what comes next, and finally, in these upcoming books, finding out which prophecy our FMC will fulfill.

 

Lynn’s Mini Reviews:

  THE SECRET OF SECRETS: It’s a Robert Langdon book; you should know what to expect without a review. I’ll skip most of the plot points so as not to be spoilery. What I’ve always appreciated about Brown’s books is that they are a combination of history and science melded with art, or in this case, the mystic and subconscious. Chapters move quickly, with shifts in point of view. Even more so, the majority of the plot takes place within 24 hours. There is action, Langdon’s eidetic memory, a bit too much talk about the consciousness for my tastes, and a lot of Prague (which has now gone on my want to travel there list). Now to my complaint: a lot of background info which feels like filler after a while. Paul Michael’s narration is mixed for me. Amazing job with the Czech and Hebrew (well, I’m guessing amazing as I don’t speak either language). Not as great with the female characters. Overall, good but not great book. 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

INHERITANCE \ REPRODUCTION \ EVOLUTION (HYPOTHESIS $7, #8, #9): I’m going to write one review for these three books as they are really the same story split up into 3 parts. Plus #lazy. I was drawn in immediately into the series and emotionally connected Samantha’s and Andreas. I needed to know this relationship was going to work out. The first book is the set up, meeting, and beginning of the relationship. The second book is the conflict. The third book is the happily ever after. I appreciate how Ms. Reid writes real characters and real situations, especially when it comes to women in stem professions. I’ve never spent a lot of time thinking about professional chess players; interesting that multiple characters in this book do think about it and know about chess. Andreas uses his chess skills to romance Samantha, which, honestly, works out. Twisty plot of revenge and romance with even some action thrown in. I really enjoyed Andreas’s chapters and his insight. Could have used more of those! Appreciated reconnecting with Kaitlyn and Martin from books #1-3 and Abram from books #4-6. (Abram is still a fav book boyfriend! But now Andreas is a also a fav book boyfriend!) Overall, loved these books!

  HALLOW: Enjoyable read. This is the fifth book in the series, but I was able to follow the story with no issues. I did feel like I was missing some back story, however.. If anything, I’m more interested in reading the beginning of the series to find out the details. I really enjoyed the trio of main characters, JD, Dianne, and Johnny. Their combination\partnership works well and drives the story forward. Each partner contributes to the investigations and crime solving. Well-written story. The mysteries were plotted and revealed effectively. I did not guess the end of the two different investigations. (I am kind of glad I don’t live in their house, though, with all those cats. I wouldn’t be able to breathe!)

PROJECT HAIL MARY: Just as awesome as the first time I listened. And may have gotten a twig or something in my eye towards the end. And I’m probably way too hyped for the upcoming movie. Hopefully, it does the book justice. Excellent narration. Characters that we can empathize with. Action. Adventure. Unlikely friendships. And hope that humans can get their sh!t together and work towards saving our planet as we currently do not have a Planet B.

  SISTERS IN THE WIND: One of my friends posted her review as this book is a lot. And she’s not wrong. Emotional gut punch. Could not put down. Mostly, because I kept hoping something would go well for Lucy. But instead it was just one more horrible thing after another. Ms. Boulley’s writing continues to be stupendous and visceral. Characters that persevere. Stories that makes one think. Isabella Star LaBlanc’s narration continues to amaze. While the books are loosely connected, I’d recommend reading FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER for context in Jamie and Daunis’s story. My only nitpick is that the novel is set in 2009. The time setting kept distracting me at the beginning. 12/5 Stars.

  DEATH ON THE BOOKSHELF: I downloaded a bunch of free books last month (which I hardly ever do #selfcontrol) and this was one of  them. (And HALLOW above!) Look at me. Reading my own books. This one was cute for a cozy mystery. And honestly, made me a little jealous as NO ONE has bequeathed me a bookshop in the UK. Or Ireland. Or Scotland. What. The. Actual. Heck. Anyway! Lots of secrets revealed. Clever and well-developed characters. The storyline was evident from the start. But that’s ok by me. I did keep wondering if the new friends Ginny was making were also the troublemakers in the story. (I know. I have trust issues.) I appreciated DI Drake; she may be a side character, but all the cozy mysteries need a good cop\detective. Subtle hints at a romance, which I imagine will develop over the next books in the series.

HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA: Honestly, I wasn’t really considering this as a re-read, as, technically, I was listening via a podcast in installments. But screw that. It totally counts. As awesome as the first time I listened. Narration – on point. Writing – excellent. Story – amazing. I want to wrap this book up in a hug and not let it go. 12/5 stars. You still have through December to listen. FOR FREE. Get on it!

 

 

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Books we reviewed in full this month:

• [2 Nov] Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas ★★★½
• [6 Nov] Ellie Goes to The Doctor: Staying Healthy and Fit. Get Some Rest! (Ellie The Chick Book 6) by Avery Smart
• [14 Nov] Oaths & Vengeance (Realm of Zadrya, #1) by Susan Illene ★★★★
• [21 Nov] Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon by Lona Bailey
• [27 Nov] You Don't See What I See by Ashley Sadrnoori

 

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