🎭️ 📚Book Review🕵️ 💚
Check out Jen’s #bookreview of MURDER BY DESIGN by Lee Goldberg. It is the 1st book in his Edison Bixby series. It is awesome! #bookreview #privateinvestigatormystery #California #EdisonBixby #CloakDaggerChal

https://baronessbooktrove.com/murder-by-design-by-lee-goldberg/

📚 Book Review 📚
Take a look at Karen’s #bookreview of QUEEN CHARLOTTE by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes. It is the 0.5th book in the Bridgerton series. #bookreview #regencyromance #Bridgerton

https://baronessbooktrove.com/queen-charlotte-by-julia-quinn-and-shonda-rhimes/

Creepy forests, ancient folklore, slow-burn romance, and a mystery that kept getting bigger the deeper I read. This is how I’d describe Bright Dead Things by #HaileyTurner and honestly, that is enough.

The characters haven't fully stolen my heart yet, but the story definitely has.

#BookReview #FantasyBooks #DarkFantasy #BookToRead

Full review 👇

http://wornoutspines.com/2026/06/06/bright-dead-things-hailey-turner-book-review/

📚 Book Review 📚
Take a look at Karen’s #bookreview of WHEN THE FOREST DREAMS by Andrea Ezerins. #contemporaryromance #WhentheForestDreams #NetGalley

https://baronessbooktrove.com/when-the-forest-dreams-by-andrea-ezerins/

Bright Dead Things (Bitter Legacies 1) by Hailey Turner | Book Review

If the forest stares back at you, you’re already prey.

Bran Gallagher grew up with three rules passed down through his coven: beware forest paths that lead to dangerous mounds, always keep iron close, and never speak of magic.

Cillian Dunne grew up with his mother’s love, his father’s absence, and secret warnings to never trust a witch.

In Pelham’s forest, where bright lights haunt the trees and hunt the lost, there are traditions kept for survival and others out of habit, none of which should be broken.

Bran and Cillian unknowingly broke tradition and ruined each other in the aftermath of a kiss years ago. Reunited in the wake of a family tragedy, they cross paths with something old, something terrifying—something that wants them dead. When Bran’s younger sister is stolen away by a nightmare into the Otherworld, they can only follow and try to keep each other alive in a strange and haunting land.

Trapped in a dangerous Fae Court, Bran learns being a witch comes with a death sentence. To save him, Cillian must fight against those who seek power from a past he has no memory of, and the only person he can trust is the witch who broke his heart.

But it might be too late.

For the Fae have never been kind, and they have always hungered, and this time, what they hunger for is revenge.

How was it?

One of the weird things about me is that when I pick up one of my trusted authors’ books, I sometimes don’t want to know anything about it before diving in. That’s been my approach with Hailey Turner after Soulbound. At most, tell me there are witches, Fae, and a new fantasy world to explore, and I’m in.

Unfortunately, I accidentally read the blurb before starting Bright Dead Things. I say unfortunately because the blurb reveals an event that doesn’t happen immediately enough, and for the entire first quarter of the book, I found myself waiting for that moment instead of fully experiencing the story as it unfolded. It’s not the book’s fault, but it definitely changed my reading experience a little.

I still got pulled into the story. I sat down to read a few chapters and suddenly found myself around 20% into the book without really noticing, which is a good sign since I’m a slow reader.

The biggest strength of Bright Dead Things is its atmosphere. The forest is eerie, the Otherworld feels dangerous, and there’s this constant sense that something is lurking in the edges, just beyond sight. Turner is very good at worldbuilding and creating an atmosphere; here, it’s a creeping feeling that something is wrong long before the characters fully realize it themselves.

This book is very fantasy-forward; the romance between Bran and Cillian is almost an afterthought. Yes, there’s some longing, but it’s a genuine slow burn. I’m happy with that here because the story and world surrounding it are more interesting to me than a second-chance romance. The world, the mysteries, and the hints of larger dangers kept me engaged while the relationship developed at its own pace.

The one thing I wasn’t entirely sold on was the magic system. It feels a bit loose compared to fantasy worlds with clearly defined magical rules. The casting itself, mostly Bran’s and his witchmarks, often sounded complicated and time-consuming. I feel like Bran could get shot before witchmarking himself a shield, and maybe that’s the point, he’s not supposed to duck and hide, so he could raise a shield, lol.

There’s a slow build, with clues and unsettling details scattered throughout the first half, before everything starts accelerating. The first quarter of the novel is largely spent setting up the events described in the blurb, which is why I’m annoyed I read it! It’s really around the halfway point that the pace picks up significantly, bringing more action, revelations, and a clearer picture of the larger threat lurking behind everything.

I enjoy that gradual crescendo because I’ve come to trust Turner. I know she’s building toward something worthwhile. But I worry about how a brand-new reader would feel about it. If you’re unfamiliar with her talent, the slower first half might require a bit more patience, but if you(re familiar, enjoy the ride.

I am invested in seeing where this series goes next, despite not being quite as attached to Bran and Cillian as I usually am after the first book of a Hailey Turner series. I like them. They’re good characters, I care about what happens to them. I’d be annoyed if they get hurt or killed, but it wouldn’t ruin my day at this point. I haven’t formed a deeper emotional attachment yet.

However, the mysteries introduced here, the larger mythology taking shape, and the unanswered questions left hanging have me eager to return to this world.

Overall, Bright Dead Things is a strong opening to a new fantasy series. It’s atmospheric, creepy, full of intriguing folklore, and steadily builds toward something much bigger. If you’re willing to embrace a slower start and enjoy stories where the mysteries unfold piece by piece, there’s a lot here to enjoy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Beholding the Character of God – Book Review

My latest book review for Crossway is None Like Him and In His Image Gift Edition: Beholding the Character of God (2 Volumes in 1) By Jen Wilkin.

Jen Wilkin has compiled a list of 10 Ways God is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing) and 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character. Both of these subtitles state clearly what has been accomplished in the clear, refreshing presentation in this combination. Spoiler alert: I loved this book so much more than I thought I would.

Let me tell you all the reasons why.

First things first, I have read a number of books on the character, attributes and praiseworthy qualities of God. I am grateful for having been directed early on to do so especially through the teaching and mom’s prayer group I attended. I have read and appreciated a few older authors, preachers, scholars and teachers on this topic, and realize I was skeptical of these books. Why was I skeptical? For all the wrong reasons. Mostly my older, ahem, chronological age and I know this is not something most people would admit, but I just have to be honest (to my shame). But I just had a bit of hesitance and on an impulse, I decided to check out the gift edition – which includes both of the titles previously and separately released. Well, if there is a silver lining, it is that I got the benefit of two for one, and perhaps this is a gift. Well, literally the two make for a gift edition but the books stand alone and together well. If you are still following me

These books are both compilation and culmination of lessons taught with a group of women, by the author, Jen Wilkin, in 2002. This two book combination is seeks to help the reader better grasp the God of the Bible both in His otherness from us and likeness to us (or our potential likeness to Him in and through Christ). The goal is to know the qualities of God in a way that impacts our understanding, worship and service.

What I loved about Jen’s presentation of None Like Him and In His Image was that it was fresh but not trendy. Having received such great direction towards meditating on God’s attributes and qualities in the past, I felt like this book could potentially be impractical or a bit too contemporary. I had the “there is nothing new under the sun” attitude. But the timeless truths presented in a delightfully timely manner here have been meat for my soul. Jen draws from many of the same resources and teachers I have received from on the topic- and many more I haven’t! Additionally, I found myself wanting to slow down and stay with these readings, for their clear presentation and for the inspiration that came as I considered God’s beautiful attributes under Jen’s tutelage.

Like Him, Like Him Not?

The ways God is unique and we, to our detriment, try to be like him is covered in None Like Him. Some of the mentioned attributes are: Infinite, Self-Existent, Omniscient, and Sovereign. The ways we can grow into His likeness are covered in the In His Image portion. Attributes named there are Holy, Loving, Longsuffering, Righteous to name a few. “Every trait on both lists is limitlessly true of God.” Not so for us. Except for one thing.

The one thing and the best part, of course is God’s provision in Christ to make us like Himself through His Son. All the while remembering that God is uniquely God and the only one qualified to be God. Worthy of worship, worthy of praise, and never will we be God. Seems obvious, but in the fist parts of the book we come under conviction as we see how often we do try to be like God in ways that go back to the Garden! It does us well to dwell on His attributes and our limitations in light of Scripture. But also the blood-bought amazing possibilities in Christ!

Chapter Breakdown

Each chapter focused on one of God’s attributes, and followed by individual sections which include:

Verses for Meditation-a list of verses to look up for further study, reflection and meditation on the attribute presented in the chapter.

Questions for Reflection-Four questions to add to one’s optimal reflection on the attribute of focus.

Pray-A prayer prompt, directing the prayer and praise toward God through the lens of what has been presented.

Encouragement to keep a journal is offered in the beginning of the book, but these chapters, prayers, reflections, and meditations will be fruitful if one sits with them with or without keeping notes. As one who journals regularly, I believe this book would be a treasure to have alongside for study, quiet time, journaling, or serious reflection and prayer.

This gift bound edition is lovely to look at, page through, and dig into. I am new to Jen Wilkin’s style of writing and thoroughly enjoyed reading and receiving her words of challenge, encouragement and instruction through this book. Get to know God better, or gift one who needs to know God better through this offering.

Thank you for reading! On a sidenote, I am writing from our local library today. My computer has died, and I am currently computerless, but Praise God for our local libraries! I finally got my tush here to share this book review. I may be writing less on the blog until this little conundrum is addressed. Is it cramping my writing style. Yup. A lot is on hold for now. Meanwhile I’m trusting and seeking to see what He wants me to learn. I hope to share again, soon!

Enthusiastically, Dawn

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Crossway. The opinions expressed in this review are, as always, entirely my own.

📚 My book review of Ordinary guy at war

His personal tale of what he did when the Russians invaded. Very inspiring, sadly a bit short. It also cuts off before he actually joins the military. Dimko does give a great overview of the operation and reasoning behind his amazing charity. The signed edition was quite expensive, but well worth it as all proceeds go directly towards buying gear for the Ukrainian military.

⭐⭐⭐

https://hayobethlehem.nl/library/book/ordinary-guy-at-war

#BookReview #Books #Reading #ukraine