BOOK REVIEW: Souls in Ruin

 

SOULS IN RUIN
by Jacqueline White
Available now

Mireille has lived anything but a charmed life. The bastard daughter of a king, she has been rejected by all but her one friend in court and her youngest half-sister. And things become even worse when her father, in a bid to ease tension between countries, betroths her to Valen: the bloodthirsty prince who hopes to conquer their kingdom. On their wedding night, Valen appears to be tamed by Mireille's affections... but this is just a means to an end, as her new husband unleashes the first stage of his plans for vengeance against her father.

Trapped in her own castle's dungeons, Mireille undergoes torture and injustice for days on end, all while discovering the truth of Valen's (literally) inhuman nature and her own father's crimes against him. Her only respite comes in her conversations with the prisoner one cell over: a man she calls her "Harbinger," initially believing him to be Death come to free her from her suffering. As Mireille teeters between anger, madness, and a desire to be truly loved, she discovers the greater truth of her world and the powers within it.

Right off the bat — believe the content warnings. I'm always a little leery of them in books because, while well-intentioned, they often miss the mark in one direction or the other. They're either extremely overblown or deeply insufficient. But these are right on the money and, frankly, there's only one of two ways you will be able to stomach this: if you are into very very dark romantasy, or if you've Been Through It. (If you don't know what I mean by that, you haven't Been Through It.)

I'm not a big reader of what's termed "spicy." I'm not against it, I won't close a book because of it, but I tend not to seek it out. This is unabashedly sexual (Valen at one point literally accuses Mireille of being a monster-fucker), but it's interwoven with dubious consent and outright manipulation. All but the first few chapters take place in the dungeon, and the bulk of the middle of the book consists of torture, sex, or a combination of both. If that's a turn-off of any kind, this book isn't for you. The sex and torture scenes do feel extremely drawn out, and it became a little hard to tell whether that was for effect (and eventual catharsis) or just for the Spice Factor. 

(And I think, on some level, I may just be the wrong audience for this kind of book. Open-door sex feels very tiresome, but hand-holding drives me wild.)

That said, while it's a turn-off for me, I did keep reading, and I do appreciate the direction the book went. For all else it may contain, it is ultimately a story about a woman realizing that she does not have to choose between controlling or being controlled. And it does have a wild (and interesting) mythology at its core: one that came into the book extremely late, and one I'd like to see expanded upon.

DRINK PAIRING: Elixir of Hydration/Elixir of Serenity
While Velvet Hammer's elixirs can be paired with your drink of choice (usually tea for me), the lighter elixirs can also be blended with the Elixir of Hydration. In this case, a blend of the pink lemonade electrolyte drink with the Elixir of Serenity (a dark cherry formula for relaxation) seems like a perfect fit for the resilient Mireille. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off these and more sparkly elixirs from Velvet Hammer!

FEATURED CANDLE: Storm Rider
This limited-edition candle is both stormy and floral, with notes of violet and rain — a perfect fit for this turbulent romantasy tale. Check out more book-inspired candles from Frostbeard!

BOOK REVIEW: Academy of Muses

 

ACADEMY OF MUSES
by Andrea Max
Available now

Ada Castle belongs to a family with secret knowledge of a hidden world. She also possesses a strange power that, as far as she can tell, lets her heal decently quickly and make plants grow. But after a fateful encounter with a handsome young man named Michael, she finds herself whisked away to a new world: one where the Renaissance is alive and well, and people with gifts like hers are known as Sires.

What the rest of Genesis, the academy/community where she finds herself, doesn't know is that she's there as a spy. Her family's organization believes that this world should offer their art and technology to the mundane, "provincial" world; meanwhile, those under self-imposed exile prefer to keep things as they are. As Ada develops her skills, she finds herself beginning to empathize more with her peers. She's also torn between the aforementioned Michael, who is older than advertised and a teacher, and Rafe, a royal classmate who initially appears to look down on her for being an outsider.

The world of Academy of Muses is a gorgeous blend of art, science, technology, and music from all eras. But there's a very firm underpinning of Jewish culture, both in Ada's own family and in the language chosen to refer to Sire powers. There are also very strong parallels between the assumptions about this enlightened world and claims made about the Jewish people over the years. While it doesn't set out to be solely a parable about these misconceptions and their resulting injustices, it is a perpetual thread that is spun deftly throughout.

There are the standard trappings of romantasy throughout, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your taste. The love triangle between the empathetic Michael and the frigid Rafe, the hints of a "chosen one" narrative, and so on make themselves relatively evident early on. Fortunately, unlike many similar books I've read along these line, these tropes don't overshadow the plot, but play nicely with it. It's refreshing to see these mainstays played out without the plot being swept aside for them.

DRINK PAIRING: Elixir of Inner Light
Just like Ada's Ha'i manifests as a healing light, this shimmery elixir is a beautiful gold and loaded with vitamins and supplements to help you feel your best. I use this on the daily, and makes a difference. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more from Velvet Hammer!

FEATURED CANDLE: Lettie's Ocean
This dark sea and moonflower-scented candle brings to mind Ada's journeys to and from Arcadia as she tries to choose between her life in the provincial world and taking on her role as a sure. Check out more book-inspired candles from Frostbeard Studio!

BOOK REVIEWS: Falling Like Leaves/Falling Like Snow

 

FALLING LIKE LEAVES (COLLECTOR'S EDITION)
by Misty Wilson
Available now

The first of the seasonal Bramble Falls romance novels sets the standard for what these stories will be: small-town seasonal stories, but with teen-oriented drama rather than your typical Hallmark movie big-town lawyers and small-town lumberjacks. Well, there is some of the big-town/small-town stuff, but you get me.

Falling Like Leaves does indeed start with a big-town girl: Ellis, an aspiring journalist in New York who spends all her time making big connections and looking up to her journalist dad. But her mother springs a terrible surprise on her: Mom and Dad are separating, and Mom and Ellis will temporarily be moving to the small town of Bramble Falls, Connecticut. As Ellis stares down college applications, this is the worst thing that could possibly happen to her. She'll be away from her best friend, not to mention the best opportunities to make a name for herself.

While she's got her cousin Sloane and Aunt Naomi (the mayor of Bramble Falls) around to help her settle in, she's resistant to her cozy new life... especially with the Falling Leaves Festival right around the corner. Worse still, Cooper is there: a boy she met many summers ago and fell out of touch with. He's now a high school senior and seems initially resentful of Ellis's presence. But as the festival goes on, the two grow closer, and Ellis finds herself warming to him. But at the same time, classmate Jake (Cooper's best friend) is making a move. And she'll have to decide whose heart to break.

While romance is absolutely at the center of Falling Like Leaves, this story also digs deep into what it's like to idolize a parent instead of chasing one's own dreams. As much as Ellis aims to pursue a big city life and a prestigious career, she finds herself drawn to her old love of fashion design and her growing love of Bramble Falls. That extra bit of story combines with the romance at the center to make something with real substance.

FALLING LIKE SNOW
by Misty Wilson
Available now

We initially met Sloane and her best friend Asher in Falling Like Leaves; in Falling Like Snow, the pair take center stage. Aspiring actress Sloane dreams of visiting New York, especially after hearing about it from Ellis. But with Bramble Falls on the map after the Fall Leaves Festival went viral online, Sloane's mom is kicking off a new venture to keep tourism rolling through the winter: the Falling Snow Festival. It's all hands on deck, meaning Sloane and Ellis's girls' trip will have to be delayed.

Fortunately, Asher is there to help Sloane through it, and he even orchestrates occasional faux New York experiences for her to lessen the sting. Meanwhile, handsome hockey player Micah has taken an interest in Sloane, and she's just enjoying feeling liked. But as Asher cozies up to tutee Daphne, she finds herself feeling jealous. Is she just worried that she and her best friend are falling apart? Or are her feelings turning into something more?

The swap from Ellis to Sloane — from big city girl to local, from a reunited brief crush to a years-long slow burn — was an excellent move. And both girls have their own problems, with Sloane grieving the loss of her father during the holiday season and fearing leaving her mother alone when college comes around. Ellis feared nothing would change; Sloane fears everything will change. And the love triangle in this book is much different, addressing some less than wholesome issues as Sloane tries to force herself to like Micah more than she does.

Reading these two books together isn't necessary, though it is interesting. It's nice to see the Bramble Falls community evolving. As its young community goes through their own romantic dramas, the town is growing and doing new things, too. I have no idea if the series will continue past these two books, but I wouldn't hate to see it come around into all four seasons.

TEA PAIRING: Whiskerton Cottage
This new tea blend from Chapters has both fall and winter vibes thanks to its combination of orange and cinnamon. But the label is also reminiscent of the Caffeinated Cat Café featured in both books. This is a cozy, slightly spicy tea that's perfect for pairing with either book, or both. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more bookish tea blends from Chapters!

FEATURED CANDLE: Bookish and Bright
Like the tea pairing, this candle was meant for one season but works for both. This bright holiday candle features notes of pine, cranberry, and clove, reminiscent of the in-between time between Halloween and Christmas. Check out more bookish candles from Frostbeard!

THEATER REVIEW: Moonlight and Magnolias

 

As much as I love seeing shows at the West End, it occurred to me recently that I live within walking distance of a community theater and I can see shows all the dang time. Not just can, but should. And so I kicked things off before my trip to London with a seat at Moonlight and Magnolias, a performance of Ron Hutchinson's 2005 play that fictionalizes the mad dash to rewrite the screenplay for 1939's Gone with the Wind. While the actual rewrite took place over the course of two weeks, the fictional account crams it into five panicked days. And while the first act is hilarious, the second is much more introspective.

The story follows three very real men: producer David O. Selznick, script doctor Ben Hecht, and director Victor Fleming. As things are falling apart, the three lock themselves in Selznick's office and, subsisting on a diet of peanuts and bananas, attempt to rework the entirety of the Civil War epic. All while Hecht has never read the original book and knows nothing about it.

The first act is almost entirely comical, filled with nod-and-wink humor for a modern-day audience. It's asserted over and over that Civil War films don't sell, for instance, and that Gone with the Wind is doomed to be a colossal flop. There are also references to Fleming leaving the set of similarly legendary film The Wizard of Oz to head this new (allegedly doomed) project. As the act goes on, Fleming and Selznick join forces to quickly reenact the whole book for Hecht while Selznick's assistant does her best to maintain some level of sanity.

It's in the second act, once you're settled in for what you assume will be a primarily slapstick, that the play whips around with its real message. We are reminded rather bluntly that Gone with the Wind is very much of and about an era, with our heroes going to a Klan rally and Scarlett slapping a Black girl. Disagreements arise about whether remaining faithful to the source material is really worth the message the film will send, especially when two of the three men in the room are Jewish at a time when anti-Semitism is rampant. While the play does (of course) end with the script on its way to production, it leave the question hanging for the audience: what is the purpose of film? As artists, do we have a responsibility to accuracy, or a responsibility to use our platforms with care?

This particular play felt like an excellent choice for a community theater, especially for the size of the stage at PCT: it's one room, four people on stage max, and the whole point is that it's meant to be cramped quarters. There were no bad actors in the production, but the actor playing Hecht really stood out to me. There are no easy roles in this, but he carried the bulk of the message and was the one to pivot the mood of the show. I'm not familiar with any of the people involved in this production, but it was all very well done.

If you have an opportunity to see the show, I recommend it. Even if you're not well versed in Gone with the Wind, an awareness of its place in general cultural consciousness is enough to appreciate it. The show's run is done at PCT, but keep an eye out for a production wherever you are.

And if you happen to be in the Hampton Roads area, consider seeing a show at PCT or donating to help them keep putting on great shows!

TEA REVIEW: Plum Deluxe Harvest Morning Tea Variety Pack

 

I'm loving the roll-out of seasonal teas from all my various favorite brands, local and otherwise. Plum Deluxe offers several different autumn and Halloween selections, so narrowing them down to one was a bit of a trick. But I did, picking the Harvest Morning Tea Variety Pack. This sampler features nice-sized portions of six autumnal caffeinated teas, each of which is also available on its own.

Let's get down to it... and if you'd like to try some of these teas yourself, be sure to use my referral code for a discount!

Fireside Chai (Limited Edition)
As much as I enjoy this one, I'm aware it's a hard sell because it's two things people either love or hate: chai spice and smoky tea. It's not as smoky as a lapsang, and the chai spices are more clove-forward than anything else, meaning it might come in tamer than what you'd imagine for a smoky chai. While all the blends in this collection are great, this is the most autumn-coded of them all.

Pumpkin Spice Brulee Oolong Tea (Limited Edition)
When I see multiple flavors strung together in a tea name, I get a little anxious. However, the Pumpkin Spice Brulee Oolong actually turned out extremely nice. It's sweet, creamy, and (of course) pumpkin spice-y. I could see this working fantastically as a milk tea - just steep it a little stronger than usual.

Hazelnut Coffee Cake Black Tea
My first thought on opening this? Frangelico - and I mean that as a compliment. One thing I love about Plum Deluxe teas is that the smell hits you the second you open the bag, and this one does not skimp on the hazelnut. This is definitely one to have with milk (maybe even heavy cream to really bring out the coffee cake aspect).

Comfort Blend Black Tea
This is sort of Constant Comment-adjacent but with more flavor to it. Orange, cinnamon, and cloves are foremost. In a way, this feels more winter than autumn (likely because I used to make clove oranges at Christmas), but absolutely nothing stops this from being fantastic.

Vanilla Latte Black Tea
This is one of my top two teas of the pack, despite it being a very simple and straightforward one. The honeybush and cardamom underneath the vanilla add a depth to it, so it's extremely cozy. I love this one just as it is, because the really good vanilla means it doesn't really need anything else to shine.

Sweet Spot Black Tea
This is my other favorite of the bunch, partly because I'm a sucker for butterscotch. This is a lovely warming tea and, while I tend to not drink caffeinated tea later in the day, this is so cozy that it's my one exception. If you like butterscotch as much as I do, it's a must have.

The variety pack, as well as the Fireside Chai and Pumpkin Spice Brulee Oolong, are only available through December - so be sure to grab them now!

BOOK REVIEW: Beautiful to See You (Again)

 

BEAUTIFUL TO SEE YOU (AGAIN)
by Lygia Day Peñaflor
Available now

The pain of grief and loss is never easy. Even when it's not traumatic, it leaves scars; and when it is traumatic, it can alter your life forever. If there was a way to go back and change things, we'd all take it. And that's the point of Beautiful to See You (Again), in which a young woman grieving her high school boyfriend finds a magic tunnel that could give her that chance.

Tia's final summer before college was exciting: she fell for a boy named Natty and he fell for her in return. Her friend group prepared for school, gap years, and other plans. But tragedy struck, derailing Tia's life and leaving her alone in New York, barely making ends meet instead of studying at Columbia. But one day, a chance meeting changes everything: Razor, an aspiring filmmaker who also happens to be the son of a rock star, spots Tia during her dog-walking job and insists that she appear in his short film, GO!. The film is based on a painful relationship in Razor's own life, but that's all she knows.

Her role in the movie gives her life structure and meaning again, as well as a growing closeness with Razor. But at the same time, Huddlestone Arch — a gravity bridge in Central Park that once sparked Natty's imagination — calls to Tia. Walking through one side of the arch takes her back in time to her final summer with Natty, and soon she becomes desperate to get a message back to him to circumvent the tragedy that befell him.

Soon, Tia is torn between her new relationship with Razor and her desire to return to her life with Natty. Another traveler through the Arch is certain that there is a way to change the past, and Tia is determined to do just that. As the narrative jumps across the years, Tia's past comes into focus: the day she lost Natty, the silent fallout of the trauma, and her struggle to decide whether to look back or forward.

Beautiful to See You (Again) is a smart, sad, painful look at what grief and trauma can do to a person at its absolute worse. Even if you haven't been as low as Tia has, anyone who's gone through loss can understand the pull of the past against the opportunities lying ahead. Looking to the future can feel like a betrayal of the past. But, as all the loose threads of the story come together in a fantastic finale, we see the truth: that looking to the future is the kindest thing we can possibly do.

TEA PAIRING: Caramel Cabin
While the story of Beautiful to See You (Again) stretches through Thanksgiving into winter, the bulk of the present-day scenes take place in autumn in New York. So it feels right to pair it with an autumn tea! Caramel Cabin is a returning seasonal blend, a black tea with a subtle caramel flavor that's good on its own or as a latte. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more book-inspired teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!

FEATURED CANDLE: Fictional Crush
While Razor's short film GO! is anything but fictional, this past limited-edition candle is a perfect fit for a story that blurs the line between film and reality. The scent is deep without being overbearing, and is a perpetual favorite of mine. Check out this and more book-inspired candles from Frostbeard Studio!