Recent Reads: Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin

Series: Castle Swimmer #1
Publisher: Ten Speed Graphic
Publication Date:  October 22, 2024 

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

In the gorgeous first installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer, two young mermen reject their destinies and embark on an epic adventure full of romance and danger, featuring exclusive bonus material.

From the moment Kappa tumbles into existence on the ocean floor, his life’s purpose is already decided for him: He is the Beacon, a light to all sea creatures, and destined to fulfill their many prophesies. In high demand and under immense pressure, Kappa quickly realizes that fame and glory are small compensation for a life of predetermined self-sacrifice.

Unable to resist the call of destiny due to a magical yellow cord that appears from his chest and pulls him inexorably to any sea creatures he swims by, Kappa ultimately finds himself drawn to the Shark kingdom, where he is immediately imprisoned. The Sharks’ prophecy states that the curse maiming their people will only be lifted once their prince, Siren, kills the Beacon. But when Prince Siren decides to defy fate and help Kappa escape, Kappa realizes that there might be more to life than fulfilling endless prophesies, leading to a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself—and a romance that nobody could have predicted.

Episodes 1-19 of Webtoon's Castle Swimmer Season 1 is collected in this stunning graphic novel, which also includes a never-before-seen bonus chapter featuring Kappa and Siren.

Review: 

This is such a creative story. The underwater world was beautiful and such a fun setting. The plot itself was an interesting one, Kappa was made as the Beacon, to fulfill prophecies. Siren is the Shark Prince and he is meant to kill the Beacon in order to fulfill their clan's prophecy... and things get complicated when the two of them become friends.

I really loved the illustrations in this one. They were beautiful, detailed, and vibrant, and I appreciated that there wasn't an overwhelming amount of text. The artwork was often allowed to take the lead, especially when it came to showing the characters' emotions and the turmoil they were experiencing. There were moments where the illustrations communicated what the characters were feeling far better than words could have.

I liked Kappa, although I felt like this installment focused a little more on Siren. Kappa starts out as curious and hopeful, but after the time jump, you can really see how much he's changed. He seems sad and lonely, and I found that shift in his character interesting. I know we will get more as the series progresses. 

Siren is carrying his own burden, too. He's not just dealing with the prophecy that says he must kill Kappa, but also with the responsibility of being a prince and the survival of his people. In a way, that's what makes their relationship so meaningful. They both have so much expectation placed on them, and neither of thm really knows how to carry them. Together, they begin to realize that they don't have to carry that weight alone.

I really enjoyed this installment and the way the story balances a creative fantasy world with some surprisingly emotional character moments so quickly in the series. And this artwork is absolutely gorgeous!

Recent Reads: Pole Position by Rebecca Caffery

Pole Position by Rebecca Caffery 

Series: Pole Position #1
Publisher: One More Chapter, Harper Collins
Publication Date:  June 6, 2024

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Red, White and Royal Blue meets Formula 1!

Kian Walker has always been the golden boy of motor sport. The four-time Championship winner has racing in his DNA – his father was a legend on the track, just don’t let him catch you comparing the two. As reckless and unreliable at home as he was behind the wheel, there’s nothing Kian wants less than to be just like his dad.

Enter Harper James. This year’s rookie called up to compete with the big boys – and Kian’s new teammate. Cocky, hot-headed and with a reputation for breaking as many hearts as he does new track records, Harper’s the opposite of Kian in every way. But when the season starts, there’s no getting away from him.

This might be one of the most dangerous sports in the world, so why then does Kian’s heart feel safer flying around the track at 220mph than when he's anywhere near his teammate?

Review: 

I will start this review off by saying this review is for overall vibes, this was an enjoyable read and I sat down and practically read it in one sitting... but the editing was rough. There were a few plot points that I was very confused about, but I really enjoyed the ride. 

We follow Kian and Harper, F1 drivers and now teammates. Kian is serious, determined, older, and he has been the golden boy of racing for years. Harper is new, messy, the party boy and he is also a pretty good driver, but Kian is not convinced they will make a good team. 

I liked the slow build romance between these two, with their trust issues, and finding ways to come together to become semi-friends before anything more. I liked the will they, won't they, back and forth for a bit, and I liked that both were dealing with seemingly bigger internal/external issues than just being gay in motorsport. 

The F1 parts of this were ok. There were nods to gear, qualifying, locations, and some races. but generally this is a book about racecar drivers that is mostly about their time outside of the cars. The plot overall was really just - they hate each other, or do they? 

I really liked this book. 

Now about the editing and plot points that were odd:

• Harper was a foster kid, never seemingly adopted, and they put him in karting? I am not sure the author fully understood what that time and cost commitment are. I highly doubt foster parents would be able to do that knowing that he could be adopted and leave at any point. 
• Was there any resolution to the Kian dad situation or any more explanation to Harper about the fan-boying? Maybe I missed it in there somewhere.
• Also some general typos, editing oddness throughout as well.

However, if you are reading for the MM romance with some vroom vroom, this works.

Early Reader Review: The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream by Debbie Fong

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream by Debbie Fong 

Series: The Faraway Forest
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: TODAY! September 15, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Welcome to The Faraway Forest, a graphic novel series for early readers about a magical woodland village that’s home to an assortment of adorable animal characters. Perfect for kids who love Animal Crossing!

Hester has just moved to the Faraway Forest. As a night owl, she loves to rise just as the sun sets, and she keeps herself busy all night with her hobbies: dancing, cooking, writing, and costume making. But Hester wonders if there are new friends to be made when the sun is out. Can she stay awake long enough to find out? Or will she discover there is more to the mysterious forest night than she imagines? Either way, Hester is definitely going to have an adventure!

For readers who love The Faraway Forest: Wally’s Route or anyone new to this lively illustrated series, good feelings and great fun await in this delightful story.

Review: 

Such a cozy and sweet graphic novel. We follow Hester, the owl, as she looks for friends. She has recently moved to Faraway Forest and since she is a night owl, she often only sees people when she is waking up and they are headed in for the night. 

The book has beautifully illustrated pages which feel whimsical and relaxing. The animal characters are also adorable. While it is in a series, this book can be read as a standalone and the graphic novel format give it extra appeal to reluctant readers. 

I liked the themes of friendship and trying new things in order to find friends. Hester goes through a few plans before finding her people and I liked that it showcased things not really working out on the first try but that she kept giving it a go. I also really liked all the extras that this book included. There were items in the beginning for each chapter so you could do a search and find along the way. Then at  the end there is a How to Draw Hester tutorial and a spot-the-differences page. 

I love graphic novels like this, it was pretty to look at, easy to read, and the story was cute and had good themes for younger readers. 

Building the Book Pile #529

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Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hi everyone ~ Happy Sunday. 

It was a long week of working late...even though it was a short week with the Labor Day holiday. I worked for ~12 hours each day for three days. This is normal and only for a few weeks, but I am so tired already. I help bring companies to campus to meet with students so I am there hosting events until the late evening most nights in September. It is fun but a lot of mental energy.

So, this weekend was all about recouping. Yesterday I just hung out at home, read a book, cleaned up a little, and got a nap in with the dogs. Today, it rained this morning so we stayed in and I was able to watch F1 almost live. My TV did something weird though - it dimmed like it wanted to go to sleep while we were watching. It is about 10 years old so I wouldn't be surprised if we need to finally replace it. I have also been spending today writing some reviews to preload some things since I have been so busy. 

I haven't been reading much in the evenings but I got some reading in over this weekend and hope to move faster through some books this week. Lots of Graphic Novels in the line up. My TBR looks insane at the moment though.

How was your week?

• Currently watching: Lanterns on HBO, already watched the Madring F1 race today
• Currently reading: Cards on the Table by Lana Harper & Jilly Gagnon & Castle Swimmer by Wendy Martin
• Playing: Nothing at the moment

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream by Debbie Fong (MG, GN)

Recent Reads: Castle Swimmer Volume 1 by Wendy Martin (YA, GN)

Recent Reads: Pole Position by Rebecca Caffery (Adult)

Books Received Recently...  

For Review From Publishers

Crash Course by Piper Lawson

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Martin #1

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Martin #2

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Martin #3

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Martin #4

Crown & Captive by Kathleen Kitt

Reviews and Such

Early Reader Review: Fire Power by Mir Benitz (Adult) - ⭐⭐⭐

Early Reader Review: The Night by Mariachiara Di Giorgioc (Youth) -⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: Hellbound by Stephanie Binx (Adult) -⭐⭐⭐⭐

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Recent Reads: Hellbound by Stephanie Binx

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Hellbound by Stephanie Binx

Publisher: Alcove Press
Publication Date:  August 25, 2026

 

Format: Physical ARC

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Dying is all in a day’s work for a Hell-diver like Marian—until a routine round-trip to the afterlife goes wrong—for fans of The Wren in the Holly Library and TV’s Lucifer.

Hell is empty, and all the devils are here, but nobody knows why—not even the devils themselves. Now, sadistic demons roam the earth, offering small fortunes to any mortal sucker dumb or desperate enough to die on their behalf as they retrieve artifacts from a Hell they can’t recall. Washed-up journalist Marian Meyer is one of those mortal suckers dying for a living as she fetches clues for a demonic puzzle that she doesn’t care to solve.

Riddled with debt she'll never be able to pay off and guilt over her mother's death, Marian made her first lucrative deal with a demon and never looked back. Never mind that being a Hell-diver means that she must voluntarily drown herself—or that the human body wasn’t meant to die more than once—and she’s definitely feeling it.

Unfortunately, the last time Marian went to Hell, she came back wrong. Memories of that night are missing, and she'll do anything she can to find them, including teaming up with one of her mysterious (and oddly alluring) demonic patrons, Mr. Vale. But when their tenuous alliance thrusts Marian even deeper into a world of betrayal, humans with strange powers, and demonic politics, she’ll have to decide if allying with Mr. Vale is her ticket to freedom or damnation in disguise.

One part slow-burn romance and one part acerbic wit, Hellbound is a dark, romantic contemporary fantasy perfect for readers who prefer their casts morally grey and the stakes sky-high.

Review: 
Such a fun spooky-season read. 

Marian is a Hell diver, she can die and go to Hell, retrieve items then be brought back to life in the moral realm.  Interestingly,  Hell is empty and all the Demons live in the mortal world. They are the ones that are paying her to retrieve various things that might in some way help them return. When Mr. Vale asks her to dive for a key, Marian is cautious but needs the money, so she takes the chance, coming home with something far more weird than a key she is thrust into this world more that she ever imagines she would be. 

When Mr. Vale asks Marian to dive for a key, she’s understandably cautious, but she needs the money, so she takes the chance. Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. Marian comes home with something far stranger than a key, and suddenly she finds herself pulled into a world of secrets, demons, and chaos far beyond anything she could have imagined.

Marian was a really solid FMC. I liked that she was just as confused by everything happening around her as the reader was at times, because it made the whole experience feel even more eerie and unpredictable. There were definitely moments where I was right there with her trying to figure out what the hell was going on. I think that uncertainty worked really well with the spooky, horror, and paranormal elements of the story.

One thing I especially appreciated was how the author portrayed depression and anxiety. It felt very real and, at times, painfully relatable. Even something as simple as Marian struggling to shower was included, and while some readers might find that detail a little gross, I actually appreciated it. When you're dealing with mental health struggles, getting in the shower really can feel like A TASK. Sometimes the smallest, most basic things require an enormous amount of energy, and I thought the author captured that reality really well without making it feel overly dramatic or romanticized.

The cast of characters also kept things interesting. There was a good variety of personalities, motivations, and general weirdness, and I enjoyed seeing how everyone fit into the larger story. Between the characters, the twists and turns, and the general chaos of the plot, this ended up being a pretty quick and entertaining read.

Overall, this was a fun, creepy, chaotic paranormal read with an interesting premise, a likable FMC, and plenty of twists to keep things moving. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but I had a good time with it, and I think it would be a great pick for anyone looking for something weird, spooky, and a little unhinged this time of year.

Early Reader Review: The Night by Mariachiara Di Giorgioc

Source: From the Publisher and Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Night by Mariachiara Di Giorgio 

Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Publication Date:  September 15, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:

Synopsis: 

It’s a classically rainy night at home with the babysitter, and two siblings are itching for a little nighttime adventure. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, the siblings sneak out of the house and into the inky night.

Unlike the well-known fairy tale, the siblings's nighttime romp through the woods is full of wonder and fun, even a new friend! Their magical friend guides the duo across streams and through open fields, not unlike the fauns of Greek mythology, to partake in the splendor of the night. And as the moon gives way to sun, so is it time for the kids to return home where beds—and Mom!—wait.

Mariachiara Di Giorgio’s lushly illustrated, wordless tale is akin to a modern-day fairy tale and perfect for reading on the darkest of nights. After all, there is so much beauty to discover hidden in the darkness. What will you find?

Review: 

This was an illustrated children's book with no text. Readers have to interpret the story which is a bit odd and confusing. The illustration is eerie and unsettling but represents the dark scary night well. It has a fantastical vibe and definitely shows that Hansel and Gretel inspiration. 

Two kids are left with a babysitter (but she feels like a grandmother or witch too). At bedtime they run into the night for adventure or to find their mother, and odd creatures and plants appear for them, they take a rest in a cave, meet a stranger...they certainly had an adventure. 

I am not sure that younger audiences will get it. Honestly, I was a bit confused and it took reading the synopsis for more insight. 

Without any text, you are left with the illustration to get you through. It was a mix of dark tones showcasing the night which gave the sense of scary/ alone feelings but also this 'you will be fine' feeling somehow without much explanation. Illustrations were great with the theme and use of darks with pops of color that were light and shone brightly in the images. 

Overall, it was visually appealing but the story was confusing. 

Early Reader Review: Fire Power by Mir Benitz

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Fire Power by Mir Benitz 
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Publication Date:  September 1, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Fourth Wing meets Formula One in this enemies-to-lovers sports romantasy about a stubbornly ambitious dragon rider who goes up against her childhood friend turned racing rival in the ultimate dragon race.

The Silverscale Grand Prix is the national championship of dragon racing—a high-speed, often deadly, elite sport with an unimaginably big cash prize. 

Asta and her dragon Carmine are unlikely competitors. No sponsors, no high-tech gear, no fans out in the stands. Not to mention that a female rider hasn't won the Prix for nearly sixty years. The odds are stacked against them—but Asta is determined to prove everyone the training school that kicked her out for fighting a classmate, her family who wished she'd never left the farm, and, most of all, her infuriatingly arrogant childhood-best-friend-turned-rival Felix, the poster-boy heir to the Seraphin racing dynasty and reigning tournament champion.

Raw talent alone won't be enough to get Asta and Carmine through these races—and it soon becomes clear that the risks Asta has taken to get to Silverscale could have devastating consequences. Time to think fast, or die trying.

Review: 

I was so excited to get this book for review, I have been loving F1 and the description pulled me in. Sadly, I found the book just ok, which is a bummer. 

The story follows Asta, a dragon rider headed for Silverscale. She’s worked her way up from farm life to racing and is determined to win. While there, she reconnects with her former neighbor and rival, Felix, while also getting pulled into some shady dealings with people who want her help during the race.

Asta is our FMC, determined and stubborn, which are usually traits I enjoy in a character, but she often acts like she is much younger than she is with her dialogue and behavior. Felix, the MMC and golden-boy rival, felt somewhat oblivious, which I think was partly because of his privilege. Nat, a side character and love interest, was easily my favorite. She was mouthy and rude, but her attitude added a lot of fun to the story.

I enjoyed the race descriptions, but the racing itself felt like an odd mix of horse racing and Formula 1 without fully committing to either. I couldn’t quite grasp the mechanics of dragon racing, and the world surrounding the races was barely described beyond the track itself.

The character relationships were another weak point for me. This was marketed as a romantasy, so I expected more development in the romantic relationships, but they felt fairly shallow. Asta and Felix especially read like they were having a high school breakup every time they interacted. Asta’s constant insistence that she had done everything completely on her own also started to get annoying. Yes, she worked hard to make it to the championship, but Felix’s family gave her a dragon and allowed her to start riding in the first place...on their dragons. Her success is absolutely her own accomplishment, but I wish the story acknowledged the privilege and help she had along the way that was less whiney. 

Overall, I think the book had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. I liked Nat, Asta was okay but sometimes whiny, and Felix was a fairly forgettable MMC. While there were some spicy scenes, the rest of the book read more like a Young Adult romantasy than an adult one. 

Building the Book Pile #528

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Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Hi everyone ~ Happy Sunday. Happy September!

On Monday of last week, I went to Boston for the day - We stopped for lunch and I got amazing coconut chicken tenders that lasted me about 3 days of lunches because there were so many. We stopped by Lovestruck Books in Cambridge and I grabbed a few F1 Romances 💕😍

And ...then we went to the Red Sox v. Mariners game for Heated Rivalry night! 🧢⚾ It was PACKED, we got there right at 4 when gates opened for the event and got our jerseys - you had a chance to get either Rozanov or Hollander. 

The whole ballpark wasn't open until 5:15... and it was so busy in the area they set up for us. 

Décor was cute, but it was hard to hear and so we just kinda found a spot and hunkered down with hot dogs.  

I love baseball. The game was amazing. Since we had to drive home though, we only stayed til the 6th inning. Beautiful night. 

The rest of the week was a whirlwind of work meetings and talking to students. I worked from home Thursday and Friday though so that was nice. On Friday night, I tried D&D with some friends for the first time and had a blast. It is monthly, so we will see if I can keep up with it. 

How was your week?

• Currently watching: Lanterns on HBO, F1 is in Italy today. 
• Currently reading: Monsieur Pain by Roberto Bolano & Cards on the Table by Lana Harper & Jilly Gagnon
• Playing: Strange Antiquities on PC - I will probably finish today

Linking up with Caffeinated Book Reviewer Sunday Post 

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Fire Power by Mir Benitz (Adult)

Early Reader Review: The Night by Mariachiara Di Giorgioc (Youth)

Recent Reads: Hellbound by Stephanie Binx (Adult)

Books Received Recently...  

For Review From Publishers

The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen

Night of Madness by Ryan Douglass

Rainbow Boys [25th Anniversary] by Alex Sanchez

Bought

Hearts Unchained by AG Starling

Full Throttle by JK MacLaren

Pole Position by Rebecca Caffery

Reviews and Such

Early Reader Review: A Trophy for the Jackal by Jule Wellerdiek (Youth) -⭐⭐⭐

Early Reader Review: Good Night, Break a Leg: Life with Broadway Dads by Bret Shuford (Youth) -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recent Reads: When the Witch Wrote Back by Nathan Christopher (Youth) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Monthly Re-Cap August

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Monthly Re-Cap: August 2026

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people. 

Here is my August re-cap. I lots of kids book this month in prep for Halloween and Back to School

~~Books I Read in August~~

~~Some Review Links ~~

Recent Reads: Vows of Betrayal by Jessa York

Back to School Round-Up with Penguin Young Readers

Recent Reads:  For the Love of the Quest: A Novel by Alexandra Ammon Parthun

Recent Reads: Whale, That Was Unexpected by Casey Lyall 

✨Coming Soon ✨

Halloween Round Up #1

Halloween Round Up #2

August Bingo w/ Chapter Break

• For the Love of the Quest - Cozy, Found Family
• Vow - Ebook, In Series, Character from Past, Siblings, Freebie, Not Fantasy
• Pencil & Eraser - School
• Beep Beep 
• Alchemised - No in a Series, Shelf Love, Recommendation (Friend)
• Hellbound - Duty/ Responsibility, Physical
• + Free Space

17 points

Here is my plan. I finished 1 more this month

• For the Love of the Quest

7/10 completed - and that's a wrap!

Finished one new one this month

• Doe by Rebecca Barrow
• (Mostly) Human Resources 
• Pumpking Apocalypse 
• Hellbound (new)

Count: 4 to end the challenge.