Review: The Codex Arcanum 1888: The Alchemical Chronicles, Book 1

The Codex Arcanum 1888: The Alchemical Chronicles, Book 1 by Tasmin Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Codex Arcanum 1888 by Tasmin Turner from Wish Books via NetGalley.  This book was published in December 2025.

The Codex Arcanum 1888 is the first book in the Alchemical Chronicles by Tasmin Turner.  You will definitely want to start here for two reasons.  The first reason is the second book isn't out as of this posting (a very important detail) and the second reason is this book is a bit cliffhangery.  You could certainly read it as a standalone, but you will definitely want to read it before the next book.  

This book has a lot of elements that I really like in my reading.  There are secret societies, paranormal events, a mysterious book that needs to be deciphered, a lost language, and esoteric history.  I give it bonus points for setting partly in the neighborhood I lived in when I studied in London.  I found myself imagining walking down the streets again even though I was there in much more modern times.  It was so fun.  It will be interesting to see what comes next!

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Review: The Bewitching

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is told by three different narrators across three different time periods.  The chapters alternate among them to move the story forward.  There are threads that tie them all together, mostly witches but not just witches.

I love a book about a book.  This is one of them.  The Vanishing is a haunting fictional tale of a "real" event where one of the characters' friends goes missing.  Jump forward to Minerva who is doing research on the book and its author.  This takes her to dark places her grandmother warned her about.  There once were witches.  There still might be witches.  

I really enjoyed all the references to music and horror writers.  It is always fun when writers drop some Easter eggs and you catch them!  Minerva and I share a similar taste in music.  I love the playlist.

I did have a hard time with some descriptions of animal death.  If you triggered by incest and/or rape, this book might also be difficult for you.  I tried to remember that there was a time, especially in remote areas, where marrying someone who was not an immediate family member was acceptable.  

Bonus points for Karnstein!  Good kitty!

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Review: 6:40 to Montreal

6:40 to Montreal by Eva Jurczyk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

6:40 to Montreal by Eva Jurczyk is a locked room mystery.  I'm going to say the narrator is also unreliable.  She definitely has secrets that she is trying to keep covered up.  The ending is also not at all what you would be expecting!

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Review: Red Star Falling

Red Star Falling by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Red Star Falling is the second book in the Luke Daniels series by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood.  You can read this as a standalone.  

It is really funny because I feel like Steve Berry and James Rollins are often on the same wavelength.  This time about Russia and the Arctic Circle.  Similar settings, different stories.  The scary thing about Red Star Falling is how much it echoes the real world.  The political figures will feel very familiar.  I can only hope we have someone like Luke Daniels out there trying to stop them from destroying the planet.

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Review: The Cat Who Saved Books

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cat Who Saved Books is the first book in The Cat Who...book series by Sosuke Natsukawa.  I haven't read the second book yet, but it is also about cats and books.  This is a sweet, cozy read for anyone who loves books.  Liking cats is a bonus but not a requirement.  While the cat gets title recognition, he does not save the books on his own.  He enlists the aid of a young booklover who happens to have inherited a bookstore.  They go on adventures to save books from misguided bookish people.  It is all very wholesome.  


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Review: The Ministry of Time

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley was billed as a time travel romance which put me off from reading it.  I don't read much romance.  However, a trusted, bookish friend told me I had to give it a try.  In fact, she didn't believe me that it was being a called a romance.  I took her word and started reading.  Honestly, I also wondered why romance was a selling point for it.  There is romance, but it is really about a lot more than that.  It's historical fiction, mystery, and thriller.  It reminded me of the TV show, Beforeigners, and the book, The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.  That is high praise from me because I loved them both.  I really appreciate that this is inspired by real people and real events.  I like an Arctic exploration story.  Graham Gore was a bit of a hottie with a good reputation, so I could see why he is a leading man type. As a former bureaucrat, I am also a sucker for government agencies.    It had so much more going on that I even enjoyed the romantic parts.  

If you like time travel, check this book out even if romance is not your thing. 

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Review: We'll Prescribe You Another Cat

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat is the second book in the We'll Prescribe You a Cat series by Syou Ishida.  You will want to read them in order because they build upon each other.  

I didn't love We'll Prescribe You Another Cat as much as I loved the first one.  That said, I still cried my eyes out on the Nikke chapter.  Be careful when you get there.  I think the problem I had this time is I didn't always understand how the prescribed cat related to the issue.  It was sometimes as if someone prescribed antibiotics for a broken arm.  The cats are still cute and fun and well worth reading about.

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