Reading with a Griffin: January 2026

❄️ January Reviews ☃️

January 1st-31st

A great start to my reading year!

During January, I read 17 books with 5,229 pages. I found so many new favorites which are: Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher, The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, The East Wind by Alexandria Warwick, and We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride.

Hope everyone enjoyed their reads this month! Happy Reading. 📖

Book 1: The Everlasting

By Alex E. Harrow
Read January 2nd-3rd
Pages: 320
Release Year: 2025

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This is the type of book that I want to pick up again as soon as I'm done reading. Return to its world and never leave it. A book I was meant to read and feels like it was written for me. My perfect story.

It has so many elements I love: time travel, knights, the importance of storytelling, quests, and a beautiful romance that had me invested from page one. The Everlasting is inspired by the legends of King Arthur, (which will always be favorites of mine) but is so much more. We follow a historian, Owen, who has spent his life fascinated with the story of a lady-knight, Una. He travels back in time and tries to help Una rewrite her tragic story. No matter the cost.

I loved the narration style. Alix E. Harrow's writing is brilliant and made me fall in love with Owen and Una's story instantly. The time loop elements were so interesting and I loved seeing them play out. I highly enjoyed seeing all the pieces of this plot come together and learning along with the characters what was going on. The stories about Una were another wonderful aspect of this novel.

Alice Cao's illustrations were stunning and fit perfectly with the style of the story. They felt like they could be from an old storybook. My particular favorites are the map endpages and the final illustration in the book. I'd love full frame them and put them on the walls in my home library.

I will definitely be picking up Alix E. Harrow's other books. Highly recommend this legend filled romance which also focuses on other themes such as the importance of history, storytelling, and finding your own purpose in life. There is so much to love in this story.

Book 2: The City of Dreaming Books

(Zamonien, #4)

By Walter Moers

Read January 4th-6th

Pages: 456

Release Year: 2004

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A wonderful book for lovers of the written word. I have really enjoyed the Zamonien series so far and this one was another great zany entry.

It focuses on the character, Optimus Yarnspinner, a young writer who inherits an unpublished manuscript from his late authorial godfather. He goes on an adventure to Bookholm, the City of Dreaming Books, in search of the manuscript's author. Yarnspinner comes upon an evil genus while there who sends him down into the dangerous labyrinth under the city. His adventures really begin there.

My favorite parts of this book were definitely after Optimus is kidnapped and placed into the labyrinths under the city. I love how detailed the world of Zamonia is throughout each of the books and it was great seeing all the literature aspect in this book.

Book 3: Fantastic Four

Vol. 5: Aliens, Ghosts, and Alternate Earths

By Ryan North
Read January 7th
Pages: 144
Release Year: 2025

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One of the strangest volumes in the series so far, but I highly enjoyed it. My favorite issue was definitely the one where Reed and Johnny have to fight the ghosts. I love how it was narrated by them both. Looking forward to seeing what happens in the next part with Doctor Doom.

Book 4: the witch doesn't drown in this one

By Amanda Lovelace
Read January 8th
Pages: 176
Release Year: 2026

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Amanda Lovelace does it again in this beautiful collection of poems. She has a way with words that always stands out to me in each piece she creates. I love how her poetry collections flow together so well. The way she uses her formatting is another aspect I highly enjoy when reading her poems. You can tell that she not only thinks through her words but also how the poems look on the page and feel when read.

This is a heavy collection with many difficult topics. It is an empowering piece that I highly recommend to those who have loved her poems before and to those who love poetry in general. There are so many lines which stood out to me. I will add them to my review once the book comes out.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Amanda Lovelace for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

Book 5: The East Wind

(The Four Winds #4)

By Alexandria Warwick
Read January 8th-10th
Pages: 432
Release Year: 2026

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It has been exactly four years since I first started this series and I have highly enjoyed my time in it. Especially getting to know each of the brothers. The focus of this book was on Eurus, who we first met in The South Wind, and the mortal woman, Min. It is inspired by the fairytale of Rapunzel and the myth of Eros and Psyche. Two of my most favorite tales. Alexandria twisted them in such interesting ways.

I enjoyed the apothecary aspects in this book and seeing Min use her expertise to help Eurus out in the City of the Gods. It was great to finally meet the other gods. My favorites were definitely Arin and Demi. I like how many of them were takes on the Greek gods. Also, the competition was very entertaining.

The most important part of this book is obviously the relationship between Min and Eurus. I loved watching them grow together. They both went through terrible traumas in their lives. Each feeling like they were not enough. It was heartwarming to see how they both brought out the best in each other.

The novel can stand on its own, but I highly recommend reading the other books for the greatest impact. The characters and world have grown on me and I'm going to miss them. I do, someday plan on rereading these books all together. Alexandria Warwick's writing is beautiful and I want to read more of it in the future.

I will be adding The East Wind to my collection.

*Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Alexandria Warwick for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

Book 6: The Grimm Conclusion

(A Tale Dark & Grimm #3)

By Adam Gidwitz
Read January 11th-12th
Pages: 344
Release Year: 2013

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A descent conclusion to the series, though I enjoyed the other books more. Adam Gidwitz's message is one that stands out and I think is very important for younger readers. I also like his humor quite a bit.

Book 7: Fantastic Four

Vol. 6: One World Under Doom

By Ryan North
Read January 13th-14th
Pages: 136
Release Year: 2025

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I highly enjoyed reading this final volume from the arc while also reading the crossover event One World Under Doom. There is a suggested reading order I have been following with those and this. Looking forward in continuing with Ryan North's next Fantastic Four arc.

Book 8: One World Under Doom

By Ryan North
Read January 14th-15th
Pages: 224
Release Year: 2026

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I read this through the nine issues. It was not as enjoyable as Fantastic Four Vol. 6: One World Under Doom or Fantastic Four Vol. 1: Save Everyone, which I read in between the nine issues of this. There is a suggested reading order.

My favorite from this volume was issue number nine. Doctor Doom is an interesting villain and I would like to read more comics centered directly on him.

Book 9: Fantastic Four

Vol. 1: Save Everyone

By Ryan North
Read January 14th-15th
Pages: 136
Release Year: 2026

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Read through issues.

I highly enjoyed this first volume of the new Fantastic Four arc by Ryan North. The time travel aspects were very interesting, especially in the first two issues. I look forward to seeing where he will take these stories in future issues/volumes.

Book 10: Once Upon a Broken Heart

(Once Upon a Broken Heart #1)

By Stephanie Garber
Read January 15th-17th
Pages: 408
Release Year: 2021

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January 15th-17th, 2026 reread:
I'm glad that I decided to reread this before reading the rest of the series because there were a few things I forgot about the plot. This was great the second time around, though I didn't enjoy it as much as the first time. What an interesting world. I cannot wait to see what will happen next.

May 17th-21st, 2022:
Loved this fantasy world, especially the parts that take place in the North. The tales that come from the North and how they are cursed so that you don't know the full story was such a cool idea. Just everything dealing with the magic of this world pulled me in. Stephanie Garber has a beautiful writing style and has created a fantasy world that I am highly interested in returning to.

I want to know more about the arches/doorways, the royal family, and the North in general. This world pulled me in from the very first chapter and held me until the end. I love fantasy that does that.

“Heroes don't get happy endings. They give them to other people.”

The best parts were the interactions between Jacks and Evangeline. He was such a piece of work and I loved that some much, what a great villain. I want so much more of him. Now, I'll have to read the Caraval series so I can get more of this man. I will definitely be picking up the other books in this series. Cannot wait for the sequel.

Book 11: S.

By J. J. Abrams & Doug Dorst
Read January 18th-21st
Pages: 469
Release Year: 2013

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One of the most intriguing books I have ever read. It is told through the prose novel Ship of Theseus, the marginal conversations between Jen and Eric, and the artifacts placed in the book by both Jen and Eric. I love that it is as if we are reading Eric's copy of the book. One of the coolest premises for a book, which had me thinking about some of the best parts of academia and some of the worst.

This is one part a novel about a man only known as "S-" who has amnesia. In the prose, we follow his adventures and they get pretty strange by the end. Especially with the ship crew. I really enjoyed seeing how his story played out. It is another part a discussion about said book by two academics and also their commentary/obsession with the fictional author of the book V. M. Straka. The best parts of this book for me were the conversations between Jen and Eric in the margins. I love how they were about what was going on in the book and also them getting to know each other. Also, the artifacts were another brilliant addition which really added to their story.

I love a lot of the commentary in this book. A couple lines that really stand out to me are on page 76 and they are in Jen and Eric's notes to each other.

"Is it interesting to look back & see everything that you responded to? Like this is a scrapbook of all your younger selves. (Funny how distant you can get from them.)"- Jen's note to Eric
"I don't think I'm distant from them. They're all me. I just don't remember every little thing about them."- Eric's note back to Jen.

One of my favorite things in books is annotating or marking passages that stand out and then looking at them when I reread a book. It's as if you're reading the book again with your younger self and seeing what was important to you at the time. I don't annotate/mark passages as much as I used to. Definitely, want to do so again because it makes the reading experience even more immersive. I have always liked the idea of doing the same thing with a friend and seeing their thoughts while reading.

S. is a clever story which I'm glad I finally got to after almost ten years of owning it. I was waiting for the right time to pick it up.

Book 12: The Great Disillusionment of Nick & Jay

By Ryan Douglass
Read January 21st-23rd
Pages: 384
Release Year: 2026

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The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite classics, and I love finding queer retellings of it. The best part of this reimagining was how differently Ryan Douglass took the story. There are the familiar elements. We have versions of Nick, Jay, Daisy, Jordan, Tom, West Egg/East Egg, the Green Light, etc., but the story goes off in a direction I never expected and highly enjoyed. This is a young adult BIPOC queer retelling which deals with the Harlem Renaissance and starts in the Tulsa Massacre. Nick is a black man and Jay is a biracial man (his mom is black and his father is white). Both are queer.

I love when a retelling of this story takes the relationship between Nick and Daisy and builds onto it. Daisy is one of the best characters in this novel. The bond she and Nick formed was beautiful and one of the most touching parts of the book. This story deals with a lot of tragedy, especially when Nick comes to Harlem after the events of the Tulsa Massacre. The beginning of this book is heartbreaking, and it was heartwarming to see Nick's family take him in and help him through his grief. Daisy also helps with Nick's self discovery and helps him learn he needs to speak his mind.

Nick's personal journey throughout the novel was one of the most compelling and integral parts of the story. Watching his growth and journey to self-acceptance, from the beginning of the novel until the end was beautiful. His other important relationships are with his father, a friend named Zihan, his aunt and uncle, and his romantic relationship with Jay Gatsby Jr. I love how the adults in Nick's life play important roles in his story. Nick learns a lot from the supportive adults in his life, including his father, his old boss Mr. Wallace, and his Uncle Beet. He also learns from some of the adults what corruption and greed can do to a person's character.

Nick and Jay's sexuality is depicted with such care. It was beautiful seeing Nick connect with not only Jay but also Zihan and get introduced to the Harlem queer community. I loved the use of the Green Light, a queer bar, and how it helped with not only Nick's romantic relationship but also with his acceptance of himself. Such a clever way of bringing one of the most important images of The Great Gatsby into this story. Also, I adored how important writing was to Nick and his story as a whole.

The only element of this book that I didn't enjoy as much was how "the mystery" was wrapped up at the end of the novel. I did enjoy the resolution but some of the steps Nick, Jay, Daisy, and Zihan used took me out of the story a bit.

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay is one of the most beautiful retellings of a classic I have read in a long time and I highly recommend it. Ryan Douglass took elements from a story I have adored for almost thirteen years and created a new world which I could not get enough of. I will definitely be adding this beautiful book to my collection.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

Book 13: Thimble: A New Fairytale

By Hannah Birss
Read January 24th
Pages: 79
Release Year: 2025

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A sweet little fairytale that felt reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne and The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Thimble goes on an adventure through the forest with some birds in hopes of finding a purpose to her life. Along the way, they make many new friends and learn some lessons about a life. A great book with beautiful illustrations for children and those young at heart.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

Book 14: Paladin's Grace

(The Saint of Steel #1)

By T. Kingfisher
Read January 24th-25th
Pages: 416
Release Year: 2020

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The most I have laughed with a book probably since one of T. Kingfisher's other books. Her sense of humor is one of a kind and I cannot get enough of her writing style. My book is entirely tabbed up where I marked the lines that stood out to me or had me laughing out loud.

This has a great blend of romance, adventure, mystery, and gore. It was a joy to return to the world of the White Rat, which I could not get enough of in Swordheart. Stephen and Grace's romance was adorable and I adored them. It was also great getting to know all of the other paladins and characters. I look forward to getting more of these characters and this world in the rest of The Saint of Steel series.

Book 15: The Ballad of Never After

(Once Upon a Broken Heart #2)

By Stephanie Garber
Read January 25th
Pages: 416
Release Year: 2022

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I love the use of "The Ballad of the Archer and the Fox" throughout the book. It was so clever how it was used. Jacks is still my favorite character and this book made me love him even more. He is so compelling. I'm glad we got much more of his backstory. It not only fleshed out his character, but it also was very interesting.

What an ending! I was surprised by some of the directions of the story and didn't expect it to end like that. It makes me want to pick up the third right away and find out what happens next. This is a great young adult series and I love Stephanie Garber's writing.

Book 16: A Curse for True Love

(Once Upon a Broken Heart #3)

By Stephanie Garber
Read January 26th
Pages: 385
Release Year: 2023

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I enjoyed the ending to the series quite a bit, but I do wish it focused more on Evangeline and Jacks than Apollo. There were many great scenes with them together. It just wasn't enough. Their dynamic is the best part of this series, especially the banter. I loved getting Jacks' perspective.

I was not a fan of the direction Stephanie Garber took Apollo's character. He felt off the whole entire book. After the ending of Ballad, I figured the direction this would take, but it just was not enjoyable being in his head.

There were also too many characters introduced for a final book, though this was probably done for future books in this world. It would be nice to get more of Jacks or the other fates.

Book 17: We Are All So Good At Smiling

By Amber McBride
Read January 29th-30th
Pages: 304
Release Year: 2023

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A beautiful book written in verse which deals with grief and depression. It is a story set in a contemporary world that feels magical. Whimsy uses fairy tales and other stories as a coping mechanism. They are her way of expressing the pain she feels because of the trauma she experienced in her past.

Amber McBride's writing was stunning. She uses magical realism and metaphors to tell Whimsy and Faerry's story. I heavily related to them both throughout, especially since I too use poetry and stories to deal with my own grief.

There were so many lines which stood out. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Sorrow is no one's fault."

"Stories keep the world intact. Storytelling predates the written world by more than 3,000 years. Fairy Tales, specifically, have always protested against societal constraints & commented on the human condition. Fairy Tales offer whimsy & truth - the whimsy makes us brave & the truth points us in the right direction."

"You just have to learn

how to come back

to yourself

even when you can’t explain

your pain

in this part

of the Garden.

For you, your voice,

your story is everything"

and the entire poem: "Faerry's Story"