Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

Magic Hour  My Rating: 4.9

In the rugged Pacific Northwest lies the Olympic National Forest—nearly a million acres of impenetrable darkness and impossible beauty. From deep within this old growth forest, a six-year-old girl appears. Speechless and alone, she offers no clue as to her identity, no hint of her past.

Having retreated to her western Washington hometown after a scandal left her career in ruins, child psychiatrist Dr. Julia Cates is determined to free the extraordinary little girl she calls Alice from a prison of unimaginable fear and isolation. To reach her, Julia must discover the truth about Alice’s past—although doing so requires help from Julia’s estranged sister, a local police officer. The shocking facts of Alice’s life test the limits of Julia’s faith and strength, even as she struggles to make a home for Alice—and for herself.

I absolutely loved Magic Hour. Kristin Hannah drew me in from the very start with her beautiful writing and deeply human characters. I became so invested in Julia, Ellie, and especially the mysterious little girl that by the end, I found myself in tears.

This story of healing, family, and second chances is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Even though some parts were a bit predictable, it didn’t matter—I cared so much about these characters that I couldn’t put the book down.

A moving, unforgettable read that I know will stay with me.

Magician: Apprentice: Riftward Book #1 by Raymond E. Feist

Magician: Apprentice My Rating:4.6

To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry. Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.

I recently listened to The Magician’s Apprentice on audio, and I think the narration played a big part in why it felt like a charming children’s fairytale to me. The story was light, whimsical at times, and full of heart — which made it perfect to have on while I did chores around the house.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Pug, Rowland, and Princess Carline (I kept wanting to call her Colleen!). They each had their own arcs and quirks, and I found myself rooting for them even when I wasn’t laser-focused on every plot detail.

What I loved most about this book was that it didn’t demand 100% of my attention to still feel immersive and satisfying. It felt like stepping into a classic fantasy world with familiar tropes done in a comforting, nostalgic way.

While I do plan to continue reading the series, I think I’ll take a short break first — sometimes it’s nice to let a story sit before diving back in. Overall, if you’re looking for a light, enjoyable fantasy with endearing characters, The Magician’s Apprentice is worth adding to your list — especially if you enjoy audiobooks that let you drift in and out without losing the magic.

The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold

 The Hallowed Hunt  My Rating: 3.5

The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile -- and Lord Ingrey kin Wilfcliff must transport the body to its burial place and the accused killer, the Lady Ijada, to judgment. With the death of the old Hallow King imminent and the crown in play, the road they must travel together is a dangerous one. And though he is duty-bound to deliver his prisoner to an almost certain death, Ijada may be the only one Ingrey dares trust. For a monstrous malevolence holds the haunted lord in its sway -- and a great and terrible destiny has been bestowed upon him by the gods, the damned, and the dead.

I recently finished The Hallowed Hunt, the third book set in the World of the Five Gods series by Lois McMaster Bujold. While I truly enjoyed the first two books (The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls), this installment didn’t work for me.

The book started off promisingly, with Bujold’s trademark immersive world-building and graceful prose. Unfortunately, it quickly took a darker turn that I found deeply unsettling. The inclusion of animal slayings was particularly off-putting, and the story leaned heavily into demonic themes that I found disturbing rather than intriguing.

Bujold is undeniably a talented writer, and her ability to create complex, layered characters remains impressive. However, for me, the darker content overshadowed what could have been another captivating tale. In the end, I would recommend skipping The Hallowed Hunt, even to fans of the series. Despite my admiration for Bujold’s skill, I’m now unsure whether I’ll continue exploring her other works.

Find You First by Linwood Barclay

Find You First My Rating: 4.6

Tech millionaire Miles Cookson has more money than he can ever spend, and everything he could dream of—except time. He has recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and there is a fifty percent chance that it can be passed on to the next generation. Two decades ago, a young, struggling Miles was a sperm donor. Somewhere out there, he has kids—nine of them. And they might be about to inherit both the good and the bad from him—maybe his fortune, or maybe something much worse.

When Miles eventually connects with one of his kids, their excitement at finding each other is overshadowed by a series of mysterious and terrifying events. One by one, Miles’s other potential heirs are vanishing—every trace of them wiped, like they never existed at all.

Who is the vicious killer—another heir methodically erasing rivals? Or is something even more sinister going on? It’s a deadly race against time . . .

I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging this book turned out to be. One thing that really stood out was the character development — each character felt distinct and real enough to keep me invested in the story, even as the plot took some pretty wild turns.

Admittedly, there were moments where the story seemed to “jump the shark” a bit — twists and developments that stretched believability. But even so, it was undeniably entertaining, and the fast pace helped smooth over some of those more unbelievable elements.

Overall, Found You First delivered an enjoyable reading experience. It’s a solid choice if you’re in the mood for a suspenseful thriller that balances a compelling premise with characters you’ll actually care about, even if it occasionally veers into the implausible.

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

Paladin of Souls My Rating: 4.8

Three years have passed since the widowed Dowager Royina Ista found release from the curse of madness that kept her imprisoned in her family's castle of Valenda. Her newfound freedom is costly, bittersweet with memories, regrets, and guilty secrets -- for she knows the truth of what brought her land to the brink of destruction. And now the road -- escape -- beckons. . . . A simple pilgrimage, perhaps. Quite fitting for the Dowager Royina of all Chalion.

While I initially missed the presence of Cazriel from The Curse of Chalion, I was immediately drawn into Ista’s journey—and quickly fell in love with her as a character. Her wit, weariness, and quiet strength pulled me in from the first chapter. Ista’s dry humor and unique perspective on the world made her one of the most relatable and refreshing protagonists I’ve read in a long time.

What I appreciated most was the deep emotional and spiritual thread running through her story. It’s rare to see a middle-aged heroine not only take center stage but do so with such grace, vulnerability, and growth. The supporting characters were just as well-developed, adding layers of richness and purpose to Ista’s path.

Bujold’s writing continues to shine with beautiful prose, intelligent plotting, and thoughtful worldbuilding. Paladin of Souls is both introspective and adventurous—balancing divine mystery with deeply human struggle. I can’t wait to start book three!