REVIEW for Suji Kim's UNDER THE OAK TREE, Volume two - novel

 

UNDER THE OAK TREE: VOLUME 2
Fantasy

  

AUTHOR:
Suji Kim

RELEASE DATE:
November 18, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780593871225

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2300262/suji-kim/

 

 

Lady Maximilian “Maxi” Calypse – nee Croyso – has been flourishing in her new surroundings. She strives to be a good and competent Lady of the Castle for Riftan. Maxi works diligently to speak without a stutter and to practice her healing magic. However, an unexpected visit from Princess Agnes may undermine all her progress. Maxi even worries that the army of monsters plaguing the realm will take her husband on another campaign. Can Maxi’s magical ability be beneficial to Riftan? Or will his overprotectiveness strain their relationship?

Maxi has shown incredible growth in this installment. She is still timid. And her confidence in her abilities and herself wavers. But she is slowly learning to overcome those fears and her self-doubts. I admire her determination in standing up to Riftan. Maxi no longer wants to remain in the gilded cage he erected for her. She instead wants to be an equal, a helpmate to lessen the day-to-day burdens Riftan carries.

Sadly, I have not yet read the first volume of the novel. I have, however, read the first book of the comic. I remember loving the storyline and the characters involved. Wounded or tortured hero and heroines are my favorites. I like seeing such characters overcome their shortcomings and difficulties. And Maxi is doing just that. She is pushing past her limits.

The novel does delve more into Maxi’s point of view. Her insecurities. Her fears. Her determinations. I just wish the author switched to Riftan’s point of view.

I am now fully invested in this story, both the novel AND the web comic. I cannot wait for the next installments of both.

Review: Kerrigan Byrne's "A GRAVE GAMBIT"

 

A GRAVE GAMBIT
Historical Romance – Mystery Suspense

 

 

AUTHOR:
Kerrigan Byrne

RELEASE DATE:
August 26, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0DV1QY4XT

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.kerriganbyrne.com/about

 

 

Miss Fiona Mahoney is London’s principal post-mortem sanitation specialist. She is no stranger to death or the darker side of life. When three dub-up corpses are found on wealthy doorsteps, Fiona is chosen to investigate. She poses as a lady’s maid to gain entry in the upper elite’s social scene. Fiona finds herself immersed in a dangerous conspiracy. She must decide which man will keep her safe as she navigates the deadly scheme in play. Aramis Night Horse, the Syndicate’s assassin and Fiona’s former lover? Or grim Inspector Grayson Croft of Scotland Yard?

Fiona has really grown into her own since the start of the series. She understands and acknowledges what her top priority should be. Her survival. Fiona knows to survive in the world she works in is a balancing act.

A GRAVE GAMBIT is the fourth book in Kerrigan Byrne’s historical-mystery series, FIONA MAHONEY MYSTERY. It is best to start from the beginning. The first book, THE BUSINESS OF BLOOD, introduces the setting and the characters involved. It also explains Fiona’s complicated relationship with the Syndicate, Night Horse and Croft.

I guess I am more on Team Croft than Team Night Horse. Either man is better for Fiona than Roth, aka the Hammer. Something about the man just repels me. I admit that I was bummed until I hit Chapter 15 and Croft made his appearance. I literally squeed in happiness. Croft is taciturn and gruff, but I like the way he interacts with Fiona.

Night Horse has that wounded/tortured aspect that I love. However, I feel he is too immersed in his grief to truly allow Fiona in. I simply cannot see him loving her the way she deserves. Plus, Night Horse is too entrenched in the Syndicate.