Another slightly slower month, October’s reading wrap-up was a mixture of good and bad (in their most general terms).
In last month’s article, I mentioned I read my first dark sapphic romance and disliked it, going so far as to potentially swear the genre off. Well… I didn’t include that in the wrap-up for good reason, and I won’t be including my second dark sapphic romance I read in October either. Even though it was a five star read, with genuinely good characters, it’s not appropriate for this line of articles. Still! I learned an interesting lesson: don’t assume an entire genre is bad because of one book.
With a new favorite romance and a new book from one of my favorite authors, Samantha Shannon, this month was a bit of a whirlwind.
4. Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison
Published July 14, 2024
Rating: 2.5 stars
Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Witches, LGBTQ+, Lesbian
Summary: The first of the Maple Hollow world follows apothecary witch Jordyn as she accidentally permanently summons her dead ex-girlfriend Lou. Now, Lou insists that she has to help Jordyn move on before she can return to the land of the dead. Enter Harlow, new to town and working at her sister Willow’s cafe. She quickly realizes the Halloween themed town is all real, with magic and monsters alike. As Jordyn and Harlow get to know each other, sparks fly, and mystery surrounding Lou’s death rises.
With how harshly I’ve rated this book, it makes me rethink going back and rating some other books lower. I have a tendency to not be as honest with ratings since I understand how hard it is to write a book; however, I decided to spring for honesty here. I was originally super excited to dive into this. I was even hoping to follow through the series, but, it wasn’t for me. The world building was incredibly flat and shallow, as well as the characters. For such a rich concept (sapphic Halloweentown vibes anyone?), it wasn’t executed well. Harlow and Jordyn fell way too hard way too fast (lesbian U-Haul joke taken seriously), the mystery was half-baked and easy to solve, and a lot of the characters actually pissed me off. The sister Willow was especially infuriating. Frankly, I forced myself to finish this or I would’ve DNF’ed it at fifty percent.
3. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Published September 14, 2023
Rating: 3.75 stars
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Magic, Children’s
Summary: The day Christopher saves a drowning griffin is also the day he learns about magic and creatures of the Archipelago. For thousands of years, these unmapped islands have inhabited magical creatures and humans alike. What brings him here is not fun, but Mal, a desperate girl on the run. Together they go on a wild adventure, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and changing and why creatures are dying of unknown causes. Slowly, they begin to understand… only they can save the Archipelago.
When I went to the Barnes & Nobles Warriors graphic novel #3 event, the sales associate suggested this relatively new children’s series. With the second one coming out in September, it seemed like a good time to try it out. The concept and writing style was immediately intriguing, though I struggled to get myself invested into the story. It mostly fell flat to me. The path was too linear and convenient. The characters were SO, so close to being fully fleshed out but never quite reached it. Plus, the creatures were so amazing but barely blips on the page. I feel like this story would’ve done better drawn out to two or three books. The deaths felt abrupt and sometimes purposeless. Though I could understand why they happened, they didn’t hit. I could see this being a good book for a kid new to reading, maybe specifically new to fantasy. It has a certain charm to it for sure! At 26, I’m not the target audience of course, so take this with a grain of salt.
2. Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon
Published September 16, 2025
Rating: 4.75 stars
Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, LGBTQ+, Sapphic
Summary: The Draconic Army fell hundreds of years ago, but a stirring is in Yscalin. Marosa Vetalda is a prisoner in her home, her every movement controlled by her father, King Sigoso. It becomes even worse when a great worm, Fýredel, awakens in the mountain by their castle home. Over the mountains, her betrothed, Aubrecht Lievelyn, rules Mentendon in but name. Then, Estina Melaugo lives in a world apart from the royals. To survive, she hunts the Draconic beasts that have slept for centuries. Learn how Yscalin fell and the reactions of those around.
Samantha Shannon’s first work in the Roots of Chaos series, The Priory of the Orange Tree, is currently considered one of my favorites. The second, A Day in Fallen Night, was wonderful as well. When I saw a third, smaller book was coming out in the same universe, I was ecstatic. Shannon’s writing always draws me in. Marosa’s story was the highlight; the horror and courage of her chapters kept me coming back. I was already interested in these characters in Priory, so I wager that’s why I was invested. Otherwise, I don’t know how good an introduction to this world this small book is. Aubrecht and Melaugo’s stories felt somewhat unfinished in comparison to Marosa. This might’ve been more of a four and a half star read if I didn’t already harbor love for Shannon’s books.
1. Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey
Published September 2, 2025
Rating: 4.75 stars
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: Audrey Lind’s zest for academia began in college with her art history professor, and first female crush. After fate brings her back to Northshire University to teach, she reunites with Dr. Michelle Thompson. However, Thompson is not the bright inspiring professor she remembered; she’s divorced and guarded. When Audrey swoops in to teach Women in Art, a class Michelle has wanted for a long time, their start is rocky. Yet, Audrey is energetic and irresistible and the two of them begin a will-they-won’t-they dance, balancing their attraction for each other and the possible work repurcussions.
The quiet, sensual romance of this book was almost too much to bear. It wasn’t super dramatic or snap-quick with plot points. It was a slow discovery of love and tenderness, with the two main women finding themselves alongside their partnership. The excellent communication frankly blew me away, and the support they had for each other was beautiful, too. Plus, add that little dash of age-gap and sort of forbidden and you’ve got me hook, line, and sinker apparently. The intimacy scenes were pretty well-written as well. Audrey was a breath of fresh air in Michelle’s life and both of them were such stellar intellectuals. The only downside was some slightly wonky sentences, sounding too formal or choppy alongside the other words. It also wasn’t super “exciting” like other more dramatic romance stories. Still, I loved it.
Check out my other monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
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