## Academic Fantasy Book Recs!

It’s no secret that I love academic fantasy books, so after finding Blood Over Bright Haven I couldn’t help but revisit some of my favorites in the genre.

### Book Recommendations:
- **Blood Over Bright Haven**
- **Immortal Dark** (Finished)  
  We all know I’m forever in my vampire era—especially after seeing Nosferatu—and this is one of the most unique vampire books I’ve ever read. Immortal Dark marries dark academia with Ethiopian-inspired vampire lore. The characters, the magic system, and Uxlay University are so well thought-out and complex. Plus, this Romantasy is true enemies-to-lovers in a way that felt substantial but didn’t cross a line too far into bully romance.
- **The Sirens** (Finished)  
  I adore Emilia Hart. Her debut novel, Weyward was one of my favorite debuts of the last few years, and this one was just as wonderful. A family mystery, siren lore, women protecting women, and history all wrapped into one.
- **Fagin the Thief** (52%)  
  Similar to Emilia Hart, Allison Epstein is one of my favorite authors of the last few years. If you haven't read any of her books, I suggest starting with A Tip for the Hangman.
- **Elatsoe** (22%)  
  I just started this one today! It’s our mostly fantasy book club pick for January, which is great because it’s a backlist pick that’s been on my TBR for years. I didn’t know this one had so much magic in it! I thought it was just Elatsoe, but there's vampires, fae, and all kinds of other creatures.

### What I bought/shelved this week:
- **A Sweet Sting of Salt**  
  I’m sorry, but no one told me this was a sapphic retelling for the Selkie myth!!!
- **Beyond the Aching Door**  
  This author did an excellent job with the marketing in this thread.

### Weekly Wrap Up
- **This week in the book world:**  
  There were some great horror deals announced this week, including:
  - **Donyae Coles (Midnight Rooms)** announced two new horror novels: _The Sunken, The Adored_ (historical horror) and _What Kills You_ (gothic novel).
  - **Johnny Compton** announced a new short story collection called _Midnight Somewhere_.
  - **Ruth McKell's** _Honey in Her Veins_ is a cottagecore fantasy romance set in Appalachia.
  - **Leanna Renee's** _Ravenfield Hall_ is pitched as "Rebecca, but written by the Bronte Sisters".

### New Releases:
- _A Sea of Unspoken Things_ by Adrienne Young (Adult, fiction)
- _All the Water in the World_ by Eiren Caffall (Adult, dystopian)
- _The Three Lives of Cate Kay_ by Kate Fagan (Adult, fiction).

### Additional Thoughts:
  In non-book news, my husband and I started playing _It Takes Two_ on Xbox and it’s so fun! We have been cackling over this one and our many failed attempts at some puzzles and challenges.