Not Another Heroine

No, really.How do you put on a duvet cover?"Bride" was released earlier this month and Ali Hazelwood broke into paranormal romance with a 5-star, take the book to the bathroom, stay up all night, kind of read.  We haven't been this unhinged over a book in ages. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829 

Calling all buddies! Katie's pick this week is a buddy read of the self-published, The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker, an insanely slow burn (think a nineteen-hour simmer on low heat) featuring magic, monsters, and a handsome no-nonsense assassin. Come for the slightly incorrect recollection of the plot, and stay because the first book is free on Amazon!https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/10031259Amazon: https://a.co/d/9kQXfDaNeed similar works to convince you? Think...The 2001 blockbuster hit "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (a movie that Jordan hasn't seen, shame!)20th Century Fox TV show "Bones"Fox/NBC TV Show "Brooklyn 99"

The fever dream continues.Stick around after the episode for a few fun facts about Katie and a flashback to some childhood stories.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty

Paranormal tendencies? Sure. This week's pick is Now You See Her by Linda Howard, a (pretty!) spicy pick from Jordan featuring New York City, murder, and an artist with freakily accurate premonitions.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/420731.Now_You_See_HerIf you're looking for similar books, anything by these authors may scratch the itch:Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177.Ali_HazelwoodSarah J. Maashttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3433047.Sarah_J_MaasSuzanne Brockmannhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/32638.Suzanne_Brockmann

Reader Challenge: take a shot every time we say fever dream. You may very well need to in order to finish this book.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty

In this week's pick, Katie's unsure about almost everything... except her like of this book! What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez features fairly clean romance, intrigue, and a suave British noble turned gun-for-hire love interest (honestly just think The Mummy, and you're 90% of the way there).https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/65213381For same same but dif:Divine Rivals by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60784546A River Enchanted by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58132544The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Burokerhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10031259-the-emperor-s-edge

While there are four books in The Immortals Series, we are concluding our review at book three, Emperor Mage. Stick around for the dinosaurs and dumb birds and ignore the romantic tension building between Daine and Numair.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13833.Emperor_Mage?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=aNCUv67lrZ&rank=1 

In this week's pick, we find out Jordan will inhale any retelling of The Six Swans fairy tale, including Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes (except this one is made better by a magic-repellant bowl cursed to be worn as a hat.)https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53457092If you're looking for similar titles:Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillierhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/13928Thorn by Intisar Khananihttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51265989Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tanhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57789637

Wolf-Speaker is book two in The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce and there are A LOT of animals in this one. Some of them have more character development than our heroine.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24094.Wolf_Speaker  

This week, Katie eats the "nom nom" cupcake that is Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig, the second book in The Shepard King Duology (which really just devolves into some incoherent fangirl sighing at the end, because wow, this book was excellent?)Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillighttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63910262-two-twisted-crownsFor similar books:One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Part 1 of the duology)https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58340706Uprooted by Naomi Novikhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22544764Belladonna by Adalyn Gracehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59227936

We're closing out Wild Magic and we couldn't help but stray into the same debate we got into last week. Also, what's up with this ending? Pacifist whales, dragon martyrs, and a kraken in a trench coat (at least according to Katie).https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13836.Wild_Magic 

This week's pick is less of a pick and more just an entire episode dedicated to Holly Black and her 20+ years of "bussin down on fantasy" (and a random sidebar about, no surprise, Draco Malfoy and why morally grey characters are SO much more interesting to read about.)We do however focus (the word used ~very~ generally) on Black's 2002 debut novel, Tithe. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46777

Needless to say, we are CONFLICTED about this series. If your only exposure to Tamora Pierce is the Song of the Lioness books, "Wild Magic" is set in the same world and features many of the same characters; HOWEVER, the heroine is 13 years old in Wild Magic and she ends up in a romantic relationship with her mentor/teacher in book 4 ("In the Realms of the Gods"). We get into this for quite a while at the start of the episode, so skip to about 21 minutes in for the actual story. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13836.Wild_MagicThe Reddit thread for Tamora Pierce's response: https://www.reddit.com/r/tamorapierce/comments/y9xmo2/saw_this_indepth_explanation_of_daine_and_numairs/ 

We're back for round 2 and this year we're starting with another titaness of the genre, Tamora Pierce! Join us next Monday, January 15th for the first book in The Immortals Series: "Wild Magic."Check out our video: https://youtu.be/IK6ZwIVETrU Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

It's time to wrap up season one with the NAH awards and a few hints at our 2024 heroines (don't worry, Rob is coming back too). We'll be back January 15, 2024 with another titaness of the genre: Tamora Pierce. 

Katie has a bit of a 180 and decides she does, in fact, enjoy this week's pick, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. We also learn that our resident Victorian woman Jordan doesn't care for the political marriage trope - gasp!https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/75668288For similar picks, try:The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensenhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53921926-the-bridge-kingdomA Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchethttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59645282Red Queen by Victoria Aveyardhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22328546-red-queen

We're done with ACOMAF! We're still mildly confused as to what exactly is going on with this ending but at least Feyre overcomes her depression, fear of caves, and winnowing in all of three pages...just in time to save Rhys, Velaris, and all of Prythian.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

Katie and Jordan do something a little different in this week's pick: a (pretty long) discussion on fanfiction. You may have heard of some recent author's having new works published that started off as fanfics, like The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, or more recently, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. Well, Katie and Jordan have some thoughts - and a recommendation if you're looking for something good to read (for free!!) this holiday season: The Politician's Wife by pir8fancier (who has a traditionally published author alter ego!)https://archiveofourown.org/works/90292

Baby, it's cold outside...and there's only one bed. Because that's never happened before.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

Katie needed something of a pallete cleanser after our attempted monster romance a while ago, and settled on "Only a Monster" by Vanessa Len. While Jordan isn't convinced (read: at all), we hope readers might find a fun, light YA fantasy romance right up their alley.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58210340And if you're looking for same same, but different:"A Deadly Education" by Naomi Novikhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50548197"The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collinshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052-the-hunger-games"The Atlas Six" by Olivie Blakehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50520939

We're trudging through Mordor to get through this one. ACOMAF take two.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

Jordan's pick this week is a slow burn romance featuring a fiery, rule-breaking smuggler a la Peaky Blinders. Sign me UPPPPP. We discuss everything about Sharon Shinn's new release, Whispering Wood (and weirdly, a lot about green bean casserole). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190013474-whispering-woodIf you're looking for something similar, but a little different, try:The "Circle of Magic" series by Tamora Piercehttps://www.goodreads.com/series/43551-circle-of-magicOr, "The Shadow and Bone Trilogy" by Leigh Bardugohttps://www.goodreads.com/series/69714-the-shadow-and-bone-trilogy 

Is it a prologue? An epilogue? ACOMAF delivers on page 21.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659468-a-court-of-mist-and-fury?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=THKN1QyUlx&rank=1 Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

In this week's pick, Katie gets heated about The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni (and not in the good way). But she finished it and that deserves a round of applause, because despite 50k+ reviews and 4.2 star rating on GoodReads, she (intensely) did not enjoy this.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53968496For similar (but better) books:An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahirhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27774758-an-ember-in-the-ashesA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maashttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-rosesThrone of Glass by Sarah J. Maashttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76703559-throne-of-glass

Could you think of any other way to describe Rhys' reaction at the end of this book? If you haven't read ACOMAF yet you better hold on tight spidermonkey.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

It's Rob's pick of the week and it's not a book or a movie but a play. We present "The Lion in Winter" by James Goldman, a dysfunctional family drama just in time for Thanksgiving (with a side of our own family drama on the proper toppings for sweet potatoes.) https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/279660   

ACOTAR Part 2: where we find out what those fire night drums really mean...https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

It's finally time to start ACOTAR. Do we really need to say anything else? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

We promised you ACOTAR but we forgot about Bridgerton! Season 3 is coming out soon and we wanted to get the book in before Polin arrives on your TV. We present: "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/110384.Romancing_Mister_Bridgerton We ended up working backwards on this episode so our commentary (ranting) and reviews (read some other books) are upfront. Skip to about the 24-minute mark to go straight to the synopsis. Similar Books"Devil in Winter" by Lisa Kleypashttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/114166.Devil_in_Winter?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=sYWAAqrHMI&rank=1 "Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypashttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/161910 "What I did for a Duke" by Julie Ann Longhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8430098-what-i-did-for-a-duke?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=uV0IcHxnGk&rank=1 Other Fantastic Regency Authors:Eloisa JamesLaura KinsaleTeresa MedeirosSherry ThomasKaren RobardsJudith McNaught Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroineShout out to @danbanbam for your Gen Z Jane Austen takes!

We wanted to embrace the Halloween spirit, so what did we go and find? A monster romance of course. Jordan was too scared to finish it and Katie is now traumatized for life. Read along with us, if you dare...https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61208877 (but really, don't. Read ANYTHING but this book. If you really want some monster romance check out "The Hob's Bargain" by Patricia Briggs or "The Hanging City" by Charlie N. Holmberg.https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/285209 https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/63127235 Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

"The Cold King" by Amber Jaeger: we DO NOT recommend this book. Our title should explain why.  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17373158-the-cold-king Read any other book, but especially these:"Beauty" by Robin McKinleyhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/137436591-beauty-by-robin-mckinley-6-jan-2011-paperback?ref=nav_sb_noss_l_18 "Entreat Me" by Grace Dravenhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18811222-entreat-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=RCwa3Pi5ls&rank=1 "Thorn" by Intisar Khananihttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51265989-thorn?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16 Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

Katie and Jordan have an update: our books were mid. So, we talk about 'The Ex Hex' by Erin Sterling and 'Assistant to the Villain' by Hannah Nicole Maehrer for about 4 minutes, and then talk about just about anything else imaginable, including half a dozen other books, "dry" smut scenes, and the 1998 film, Practical Magic (again).https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123257687https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56554626-the-ex-hex 

Are you a dumpster demon and like your books a bit on the smuttier side? You have found your home with us and with Grace Draven. This week we're closing out the Martise? Martrise? saga with part three of "Master of Crows."https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6811150-master-of-crows Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

It's a spooooOOOooOOkky pick of the week with Erin Sterling's "The Ex Hex"! As Jordan notes, think a southern Practical Magic mixed with Halloweentown. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56554626-the-ex-hexAnd if you're looking for something similar..."Burn for Me" by Ilona Andrewshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/20705702"Love on the Brain" by Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59571699"Moon Called" by Patricia Briggshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71811.Moon_Called

Things are about to get spicier. Welcome to "Master of Crows" by Grace Draven, shots will be had by all. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6811150-master-of-crows Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

Jordan's pick this week has a bit of everything: medieval job fairs, a sentient frog, and a full staff of assistant evil doers? Hannah Nicole Maehrer's "Assistant to the Villain" is a little bit spooky and a whole lotta cute. Plus, Jordan isn't quite done yet, so pick up a copy, and meet back with us in a few weeks to discuss our final thoughts!https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123257687And if you're looking for something similar..."The Hating Game" by Sally Thornhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27213238-the-hating-game"Love, Theoretically" by Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61326735"Belladonna" by Adalyn Gracehttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59227936

Things are about to get spicy. Welcome to "Master of Crows" by Grace Draven, shots will be had by all. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6811150-master-of-crows Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

In today's Pick of the Week, we discuss strawberry soju mixed drinks, Jordan's thing for young Brendan Fraser, and "Sorcery of Thorns" by Margaret Rogerson!https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42201395-sorcery-of-thornsAnd if you're looking for something similar..."One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillighttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58340706-one-dark-window"Half a Soul" by Olivia Atwaterhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60717747-half-a-soul"Howl's Moving Castle" by Diana Wynne Joneshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/6294 

You really don't want to know how we came up with our episode title but you'll find out if you stick around long enough for our second half of "Thorn" by Intisar Khanani. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51265989-thorn Similar Books:"The Girl of Fire and Thorns" by Rae Carson"Deerskin" by Robin McKinley"The Goose Girl" by Shannon HaleWant to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

This week Jordan gives us a lesson on romantic suspense with her pick of the week, "Cover of Night" by Linda Howard. As Katie says, think the love child of James Bond and Gilmore Girls. We don't have any similar books this week (this one is pretty far in left field!) but another author to check out is Suzanne Brockmann, a romantic suspense author that came from the same publishing era as Howard. 

"Thorn" by Intisar Khanani is a re-telling of the Grimm's fairy tale "The Goose Girl." https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51265989-thorn Similar Books:"The Girl of Fire and Thorns" by Rae Carson"Deerskin" by Robin McKinley"The Goose Girl" by Shannon HaleWant to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

Welcome to SPOOOOOKY SEAAASON! Katie's pick this week features cursed tarot cards, fever-inducing mist, and a heroine with a monster in her head in Rachel Gillig's "One Dark Window".https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58340706-one-dark-windowAnd if you've already read One Dark Window, or are looking for something similar (but different):"Uprooted" by Naomi Novikhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22544764"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwabhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50623864"Crown Duel" by Sherwood Smithhttps://www.goodreads.com/ru/book/show/21628465

It's another k-drama special this week with Jordan giving a short preview of the rom-com "Love is for Suckers," available to stream on Viki. (Katie did not have the right bingo card for this episode.)https://www.viki.com/tv/38814c-love-is-for-suckers?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNanBhDUARIsAAeIcAtZU4RArAGwLmeIQfQPWfG8anQy_Zmw-5SSjKVJKC9ZH-kCNlThSIgaAvniEALw_wcB 

Are you ready to have your heart broken? We're finishing episodes 13-16 in part 4 of our series on "Crash Landing on You" Just a reminder about our upcoming break: no episodes will be published on September 4th or 11th but we'll have a few pick-of-the-week episodes out for you all (one of them just might be another k-drama).Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine

Outrageously gorgeous blue aliens, electric football, and a heroine with a massive chip on her shoulder are the main components of Jordan's pick of the week: "Blade Dancer" by S.L. Viehl. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127740110-blade-dancer-by-s-l-viehl?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_20 This is sci-fi (romance) in all of its tropey, laser-gun glory, but there's also an assassin school, a tragic family history, and enough emotional conflict to keep the relationship building until the very end. Similar Books: "Scout's Progress" by Sharon Lee and Steve Millerhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288768.Scout_s_Progress?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=JxPQBEAmde&rank=1 "Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhouhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52459864-iron-widow?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_10"Daughter of No Worlds" by Carissa Broadbent https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49826643-daughter-of-no-worlds?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=d3JZwaVEr4&rank=1 Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Check out our YouTube channel or follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

How can we be mad about a reading slump when we get to talk about this amazing show? It's time for part 3 of "Crash Landing on You" (show episodes 9-12). Show episodes 13-16 will be covered in part 4, releasing this Friday, September 1st.Just a reminder about our upcoming, end of summer break: no episodes will be published on September 4th or 11th but we'll have new content out by the end of September. (Check out Foxglove by Adalyn Grace while you're waiting.) Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

How can we be mad about a reading slump when we get to talk about this amazing show? It's time for part 2 of "Crash Landing on You" (show episodes 5-8) and if you thought our squealing, sighing, and giggling was bad in part 1, just brace yourself for way more emotion this time around. Show episodes 9-12 will be covered in part 3, releasing next Monday, August 28th.Just a reminder about our upcoming, end of summer break: no episodes will be published on September 4th or 11th but we'll have new content out by the end of September. (Check out Foxglove by Adalyn Grace while you're waiting.) Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine 

A very quick conversation about Katie's pick this week, "This Vicious Grace" by Emily Thiede, and a slightly longer conversation about changes in the publishing game, and hopes to not find ourselves on an Amazon hitlist (the bad kind).https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58957873 "Belladonna" by Adalyn Gracehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59227936-belladonna"The Young Elites" by Marie Luhttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/20821111"Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhaohttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52459864"The Burning Sky" by Sherry Thomashttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/17332556 

Dear Readers, We have hit a reading slump...so instead of slogging through another booktok letdown, we are revealing our undying love for k-dramas. We'll be reviewing "Crash Landing on You" in four parts, releasing on Mondays and Fridays for the next two weeks. We're also taking a short break to celebrate the return of sweaters, pumpkin spice, and school buses, so no new episodes will be posted on September 4th and 11th but we'll have new content out by the end of the month. (Check out Foxglove by Adalyn Grace while you're waiting.) Cheers!Katie & JordanP.S. Skip to about the 10-minute mark, if you want to get straight to the show review. Katie needed to discover Bo Burnham halfway through our intro. 

Think You've Got Mail but with... zombies? "The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy" by Megan Bannen is Jordan's pick this week.https://www.goodreads.com/series/369919-the-undertaking-of-hart-and-mercyAlso check out..."You've Got Mail" (the movie!) "Divine Rivals" by Rebecca Rosshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784546-divine-rivals"Love in the Afternoon" by Lisa Kleypashttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/7491418Want to sneak a look at upcoming content? Check out our YouTube channel or follow us on Instagram @notanotherheroine