An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 30, 2025

The story is ambitious, weaving together themes of race, privilege, and social power within the elite academic setting. The magic system—trading power for memories—adds a unique twist, infusing the story with both suspense and a sense of foreboding loss. However, much of the book focuses on Ellory’s internal struggles, and her perspective can feel repetitive as she navigates the challenges of belonging and uncovering the university’s secrets. While the supporting cast offers moments of intrigue, some characters come across as distant or underdeveloped, which makes it harder to form a strong emotional connection. The pacing is inconsistent, with a slow-building mystery in the first part and a rush of revelations and magical elements near the end, sometimes leaving key moments feeling abrupt.

Overall, I was intrigued by the promise of a story that offers an atmospheric and thought-provoking exploration of academia’s darker side, enriched by meaningful social commentary and a moody setting. While the concept and worldbuilding show real promise, the execution can feel uneven, especially in character development and pacing. Readers who enjoy introspective narratives and layered themes may find much to appreciate here, but for those such as myself who are seeking a tighter plot or more immediate emotional engagement, they might be left wanting. Despite its flaws, the book delivers a fresh take on dark academia and is worth a try for fans of the genre who appreciate a blend of magic, identity, and institutional critique.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Love’s Perilous Road: A Bluestocking Belles Collection with Friends by Various Authors

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology with ties to ongoing series

Release Date: October 31, 2025

The Bluestocking Belles have joined up to offer a connected anthology featuring travel, house parties, smugglers, spies–and a mysterious highwayman. Who is the infamous Captain Moonlight? And how many lives will he change–for good or for ill? This anthology includes ten all new interconnected novellas that are sure to offer something for everyone including:

Sir Westcott Steals a Heart by Alina K. Field: Sir Westcott Twisden didn’t know he wanted to marry until the tallest lady he’d ever met crossed his path.

One Good Wager Leads to Another by Barbara Monajem: A young widow escaping her father. A spy in disguise. A long-ago but never-forgotten kiss.

Charred Hope by Caroline Warfield: A fool threw her and her miniature away. A wiser man treasures them both.

Stolen Kisses by Cerise DeLand: He kissed her once. Ruined her, too! Years later, he’s done it again.

Love by Moonlight by Elizabeth Ellen Carter: By daylight, he’s a gentleman. By moonlight, justice is served.

A Bend in the Road by Jude Knight: Can a grand lady and a washed-up sailor find a future together?

My Gift to You by Mary Lancaster: A rocky marriage and too many secrets… Is their love doomed?
(This was my favorite of the collection – I love a good second chance romance)

A Duke in Peril by Meara Platt: Lady Florence’s life is upended when she finds a handsome wounded soldier on the road.

Forever and Always by Rue Allyn: Lord Fontus shares a secret with Lady Deoiridh. Revealing the secret could be fatal. Or it could lead them to forever and always.

Falling Into You by Sherry Ewing: Sometimes a memory is hard to forget… After a year’s absence, is Milton too late to win Josephine back?

This anthology has several different tropes, miscommunication, second-chance romance, friends to lovers, and secret identities. All the novellas are low/no steam – kissing only romances and all deliver the promise of HEA. Many of the novellas feature characters from the author’s previous books, so this is the perfect set to read if you want to try new authors and find a new series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *