We are finally coming through on our promise to do "The Familiar" but brace yourselves readers. This book is like a trip to Whole Foods: expensive, snooty, and a little...fibrous...https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/133286777-the-familiar

We have to take a three-week-ish hiatus due to reasons you'll discover about 30 minutes in but we're checking in to let you know what's coming up this season, plus a little gossip about Bridgerton, The Idea of You, and some soul-shattering buzzfeed quizzes.*There wasn't enough time for all of our Bridgerton notes this episode so stick around after the credits for some extra Colin hate.Bride: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829Slaying the Vampire Conqueror: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729S.L. Viehl: https://www.goodreads.com/series/list/241301.Lynn_Viehl.htmlThe Idea of You: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/31450913Howl's Moving Castle: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6294The Familiar: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/133286777Ella Enchanted: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24337.Ella_EnchantedThe Quiz: https://www.buzzfeed.com/brooklyndee99/acotar-female-character-quiz

This week Katie does her... best... to describe the plot of Allison Saft's new book, A Fragile Enchantment (spoiler, she does an awful job). That being said, try this as an audiobook while doing a minimum of three other tasks, or just skip it all together...https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/127305900Some much better options include:Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Limhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/42815556An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinnhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9408584-an-offer-from-a-gentlemanDaughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillierhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/13928

"I'm twenty-seven years old, I've no money and no prospects. I'm already a burden to my parents and I'm frightened. So don't you judge me, Lizzy."To everyone who has ever felt like Charlotte Lucas, we dedicate this episode to you.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414387/

Jordan's pick this week features warring shapeshifter kingdoms, and we bet you can guess what at least one of them shapeshifts into... (spoiler, its hawks.)https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/30334For similar picks, give these a try:Bride by Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klausehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/30324The Immortals Series by Tamora Piercehttps://www.goodreads.com/series/49863-the-immortalsOnce Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garberhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/55987278

Do you like fanfic? How about Adam Driver? If you can suspend reality and fully embrace the ball of anxiety that is Olive's POV, then you'll enjoy Ali Hazelwood's breakout novel just as much as we did.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56732449-the-love-hypothesis 

Everthing is weirdly hostile and scary in Katie's pick this week, A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid. But reader beware, this book tastes best when enjoyed in the October/November time frame (if you want the full, spooky experinece.)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75302266-a-study-in-drowningAnd if you're looking for something similar:Ninth House by Leigh Bardugohttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263680-ninth-houseDivine Rivals by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60784546House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin Craighttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/39679076

Do you like fanfic? How about Adam Driver? If you can suspend reality and fully embrace the ball of anxiety that is Olive's POV, then you'll enjoy Ali Hazelwood's breakout novel just as much as we did.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56732449-the-love-hypothesis 

Interview with a what now? In Jordan's pick of the week, we're taking it back to the late 2000s, when Twilight was in theater, True Blood had everyone in a chokehold (maybe literally?), and vampires were the name of the game with Everymore by Lynn Viehl.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1264696Looking for something similar? Try -Bride by Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggshttps://www.goodreads.com/series/40932-mercy-thompsonMaster of Crows by Grace Dravenhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6811150

Do you like fanfic? How about Adam Driver? If you can suspend reality and fully embrace the ball of anxiety that is Olive's POV, then you'll enjoy Ali Hazelwood's breakout novel just as much as we did.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56732449-the-love-hypothesis 

This week, we get a full, 10 minute review of one of Katie's all time favorite books... but told with approximately .3 brain cells (or as Katie puts it, an old school computer not connected to the internet, i.e. calculator and minesweeper are about all that works.) - Uprooted by Naomi Novik, a 2015 Goodreads Choice Award nominee!https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22544764If you've already read Uprooted, or are looking for something sorta similar:The Familiar by Leigh Bardugohttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/133286777The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Ardenhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489134-the-bear-and-the-nightingaleDeathless by Catherynne M. Valentehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8694389-deathless

We found this book to be somewhere in between 'stay up late' and 'meandering' but it is way better than the cover would lead you to believe. We recommend this as a bit of palate cleanser or a book to carry you through a reading lull. If you're interested in other stories set in this same world, check out Carissa Broadbent's "Crowns of Nyaxia" novella "Six Scorched Roses."https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123027751-six-scorched-roses?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_18 

Murder? Revenge? TIME TRAVEL? Jordan finishes an entire kdrama, and that should tell you exactly how good Marry My Husband is (and it's available on Amazon Prime!) Imagine: Girl gets cancer. Husband is unsupportive. All is going wrong in the world. Comes home to find husband and best friend cheating. Is murdered. Comes back 10 years earlier for the chance to have it all go differently. Ooh, sign me up.https://www.amazon.com/Marry-My-Husband-Season-1/dp/B0CPYQKXW5If you want something similar, Jordan recommends "The Glory" on Netflix, or "Perfect Mariage Revenge" on Viki.

We found this book to be somewhere in between 'stay up late' and 'meandering' but it is way better than the cover would lead you to believe. We recommend this as a bit of palate cleanser or a book to carry you through a reading lull. If you're interested in other stories set in this same world, check out Carissa Broadbent's "Crowns of Nyaxia" novella "Six Scorched Roses."https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123027751-six-scorched-roses?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_18 

This week, Katie rage quit a book... with 100 thousand reviews. And no, it's not Fourth WIng. We get three courses of beef (not the edible kind) with King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair, an unintentional second DNF in a row for our VERY upset friend.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56651967If you too have been personally victimized by Regina George- I mean this book, try:Slaying the Vampire Conquerer by Carissa Broadbenthttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729Bride by Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829Master of Crows by Grace Dravenhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6811150

We wanted to like this book, the sample hooked us and the heroine seemed unique...until she wasn't. Freya's overwhelming lack of critical thinking combined with her obsession for an underwhelming himbo makes this book nothing more than trash fanfic of The Northman.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/165940202

This week features the most awkward intro we've ever recorded (sorry in advance), and Jordan's frustration with Curses by Lish McBridge. Well written, interesting secondary characters, all wrapped up in a reverse Beauty in the Beast retelling: what's not to love? Well, for Jordan, a plot mechanism that lets the love interest see the heroine with the cursed lifted for a few hours (Gasp! She's actually beautiful? Now I can for sure love her!)https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43207851If you're looking for something similar but with Jordan's stamp of approval, try:Thorn by Intisar Khananihttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51265989Beauty by Robin McKinleyhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41424.BeautyTwo Monarchies Sequence by W.R. Gingellhttps://www.goodreads.com/series/176076-two-monarchies-sequence

We wanted to like this book, the sample hooked us and the heroine seemed unique...until she wasn't. Freya's overwhelming lack of critical thinking combined with her obsession for an underwhelming himbo makes this book nothing more than trash fanfic of The Northman.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/165940202

In this week's pick, Katie talks about... a temple for jewish horses? (Try Chincoteague pony... horribly misprounced). If that sounds not really like a book you'd read, well Katie didn't either - this week's pick is a DNF, unfortunately, for A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/48909025If you're looking for something with similar vibes that Katie did enjoy, try:The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvaterhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10626594-the-scorpio-racesSorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogersonhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/42201395What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañezhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/65213381

Readers, don't wait to watch this show. 'The Glory' (on Netflix) is a 16 episode k-drama featuring one of the most ruthless, intelligent heroines we've ever encountered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqVVrTvrI8U

*DJ Khaled voice* ANOTHA ONE! And its a romantic version of... Mrs. Doubtfire? Nice try, Katie, but also weirdly, yes exactly. Sofi Laporte's Lady Avery and the False Bulter features a handsome rogue in hiding and a pissed off spinster who just wants to have some fun (and upon further thought, maybe not empty her own chamberpot). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123238138-lady-avery-and-the-false-butler?from_choice=false&from_home_module=falseAnd if you're looking for something similar:Miss Ava's Scandalous Secret by Sofi Laportehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60756662-miss-ava-s-scandalous-secretLady Ludmilla's Accidental Letter by Sofi Laportehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60391368The Bridgertons Series by Julia Quinnhttps://www.goodreads.com/series/40393-bridgertons

If you know you know. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829 

Real book, or an incredibly intricate catfishing attempt on Jordan? Well, regardless, it seemed to have worked. Jordan's pick this week is Lady Ludmilla's Accidental Letter by Sofia Laporte, and showcases just about every romance trope she loves, an honestly impressive feat.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60391368And if you're looking for something similar:The Bridgertons Series by Julia Quinnhttps://www.goodreads.com/series/40393-bridgertonsLove in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypashttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7491418-love-in-the-afternoonDivine Rivals by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60784546

Gut-wrenching romance, sizzling chemistry, and weird scent glands...it's all here in part 2 of Bride by Ali Hazelwood.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829 

This week is a "continuation of the general behooving," otherwise known as "Katie went into some weird funk and ended up reading all seven books in this series and now wants you to read them all, too." The Emperor's Edge series by Lindsay Buroker may be a slow burn, but boy is it worth it!The Emperor's Edge Series by Lindsay Burokerhttps://www.goodreads.com/series/66385-the-emperor-s-edgeAnd remember, the first book is free on Amazon!https://a.co/d/9kQXfDa

No, really.How do you put on a duvet cover?"Bride" was released earlier this month and Ali Hazelwood broke into paranormal romance with a 5-star, take the book to the bathroom, stay up all night, kind of read.  We haven't been this unhinged over a book in ages. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829 

Calling all buddies! Katie's pick this week is a buddy read of the self-published, The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker, an insanely slow burn (think a nineteen-hour simmer on low heat) featuring magic, monsters, and a handsome no-nonsense assassin. Come for the slightly incorrect recollection of the plot, and stay because the first book is free on Amazon!https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/10031259Amazon: https://a.co/d/9kQXfDaNeed similar works to convince you? Think...The 2001 blockbuster hit "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (a movie that Jordan hasn't seen, shame!)20th Century Fox TV show "Bones"Fox/NBC TV Show "Brooklyn 99"

The fever dream continues.Stick around after the episode for a few fun facts about Katie and a flashback to some childhood stories.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty

Paranormal tendencies? Sure. This week's pick is Now You See Her by Linda Howard, a (pretty!) spicy pick from Jordan featuring New York City, murder, and an artist with freakily accurate premonitions.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/420731.Now_You_See_HerIf you're looking for similar books, anything by these authors may scratch the itch:Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177.Ali_HazelwoodSarah J. Maashttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3433047.Sarah_J_MaasSuzanne Brockmannhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/32638.Suzanne_Brockmann

Reader Challenge: take a shot every time we say fever dream. You may very well need to in order to finish this book.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty

In this week's pick, Katie's unsure about almost everything... except her like of this book! What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez features fairly clean romance, intrigue, and a suave British noble turned gun-for-hire love interest (honestly just think The Mummy, and you're 90% of the way there).https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/65213381For same same but dif:Divine Rivals by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60784546A River Enchanted by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58132544The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Burokerhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10031259-the-emperor-s-edge

While there are four books in The Immortals Series, we are concluding our review at book three, Emperor Mage. Stick around for the dinosaurs and dumb birds and ignore the romantic tension building between Daine and Numair.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13833.Emperor_Mage?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=aNCUv67lrZ&rank=1 

In this week's pick, we find out Jordan will inhale any retelling of The Six Swans fairy tale, including Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes (except this one is made better by a magic-repellant bowl cursed to be worn as a hat.)https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53457092If you're looking for similar titles:Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillierhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/13928Thorn by Intisar Khananihttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51265989Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tanhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57789637

Wolf-Speaker is book two in The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce and there are A LOT of animals in this one. Some of them have more character development than our heroine.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24094.Wolf_Speaker  

This week, Katie eats the "nom nom" cupcake that is Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig, the second book in The Shepard King Duology (which really just devolves into some incoherent fangirl sighing at the end, because wow, this book was excellent?)Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillighttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63910262-two-twisted-crownsFor similar books:One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Part 1 of the duology)https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58340706Uprooted by Naomi Novikhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22544764Belladonna by Adalyn Gracehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59227936

We're closing out Wild Magic and we couldn't help but stray into the same debate we got into last week. Also, what's up with this ending? Pacifist whales, dragon martyrs, and a kraken in a trench coat (at least according to Katie).https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13836.Wild_Magic 

This week's pick is less of a pick and more just an entire episode dedicated to Holly Black and her 20+ years of "bussin down on fantasy" (and a random sidebar about, no surprise, Draco Malfoy and why morally grey characters are SO much more interesting to read about.)We do however focus (the word used ~very~ generally) on Black's 2002 debut novel, Tithe. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46777

Needless to say, we are CONFLICTED about this series. If your only exposure to Tamora Pierce is the Song of the Lioness books, "Wild Magic" is set in the same world and features many of the same characters; HOWEVER, the heroine is 13 years old in Wild Magic and she ends up in a romantic relationship with her mentor/teacher in book 4 ("In the Realms of the Gods"). We get into this for quite a while at the start of the episode, so skip to about 21 minutes in for the actual story. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13836.Wild_MagicThe Reddit thread for Tamora Pierce's response: https://www.reddit.com/r/tamorapierce/comments/y9xmo2/saw_this_indepth_explanation_of_daine_and_numairs/ 

It's time to wrap up season one with the NAH awards and a few hints at our 2024 heroines (don't worry, Rob is coming back too). We'll be back January 15, 2024 with another titaness of the genre: Tamora Pierce. 

Katie has a bit of a 180 and decides she does, in fact, enjoy this week's pick, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. We also learn that our resident Victorian woman Jordan doesn't care for the political marriage trope - gasp!https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/75668288For similar picks, try:The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensenhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53921926-the-bridge-kingdomA Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchethttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59645282Red Queen by Victoria Aveyardhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22328546-red-queen

We're done with ACOMAF! We're still mildly confused as to what exactly is going on with this ending but at least Feyre overcomes her depression, fear of caves, and winnowing in all of three pages...just in time to save Rhys, Velaris, and all of Prythian.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

Katie and Jordan do something a little different in this week's pick: a (pretty long) discussion on fanfiction. You may have heard of some recent author's having new works published that started off as fanfics, like The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, or more recently, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. Well, Katie and Jordan have some thoughts - and a recommendation if you're looking for something good to read (for free!!) this holiday season: The Politician's Wife by pir8fancier (who has a traditionally published author alter ego!)https://archiveofourown.org/works/90292

Baby, it's cold outside...and there's only one bed. Because that's never happened before.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

Katie needed something of a pallete cleanser after our attempted monster romance a while ago, and settled on "Only a Monster" by Vanessa Len. While Jordan isn't convinced (read: at all), we hope readers might find a fun, light YA fantasy romance right up their alley.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58210340And if you're looking for same same, but different:"A Deadly Education" by Naomi Novikhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50548197"The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collinshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052-the-hunger-games"The Atlas Six" by Olivie Blakehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50520939

We're trudging through Mordor to get through this one. ACOMAF take two.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

Jordan's pick this week is a slow burn romance featuring a fiery, rule-breaking smuggler a la Peaky Blinders. Sign me UPPPPP. We discuss everything about Sharon Shinn's new release, Whispering Wood (and weirdly, a lot about green bean casserole). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190013474-whispering-woodIf you're looking for something similar, but a little different, try:The "Circle of Magic" series by Tamora Piercehttps://www.goodreads.com/series/43551-circle-of-magicOr, "The Shadow and Bone Trilogy" by Leigh Bardugohttps://www.goodreads.com/series/69714-the-shadow-and-bone-trilogy 

Is it a prologue? An epilogue? ACOMAF delivers on page 21.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=THKN1QyUlx&rank=1 Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

In this week's pick, Katie gets heated about The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni (and not in the good way). But she finished it and that deserves a round of applause, because despite 50k+ reviews and 4.2 star rating on GoodReads, she (intensely) did not enjoy this.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53968496For similar (but better) books:An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahirhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27774758-an-ember-in-the-ashesA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maashttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-rosesThrone of Glass by Sarah J. Maashttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76703559-throne-of-glass