Sunday Post - 10/19/25

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Monday and Tuesday we took off for fall break. Monday, we got the oil changed in my car and had to get two new tires. We did still spent the day with my parents on Tuesday. The Big Kids went to martial arts. Even though Big Girl couldn't participate, she went to watch. Wednesday, we were back to school and that was a bit of a rough day. We did have to stop midday to get the boys haircuts because family pictures will be next Sunday. Big Boy had batting practice. Thursday, we went to the pumpkin patch with some of our friends from co-op. Then we had a picnic lunch at a nearby park. Big Girl went to Grammy's when we got home to work on her cake. And Big Boy had some school work that he didn't finish on Wednesday. Friday was a much better day. We finished school by 1:30 pm, and Big Girl went back to Grammy's to decorate her cake. And I went into major house cleaning mode. There are always tasks that need to be done right before a party otherwise you end up having to redo them. Saturday was the big day. We had about 20 kids come over, and of course, all of them had a parent or two with them. Then we had family friends and family that didn't have children there. So it was a packed house. The party went well, and I think everyone had a good time. We were exhausted after it was over. Today I have to do consignment drop off after church. And tomorrow is her actual birthday.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: All Things Halloween Review - Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1) by Helen Scheuerer (3 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Light Wielder (Fire & Metal, # 2) by Rachel Schneider
Thursday: All Things Halloween Review - Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 1) by Penn Cole (4 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Jack and the Lost Maze

My annual "All Things Halloween" event is going on. This is my month-long event where I feature reviews from Halloween-y genres (fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, sci-fi, horror, mystery, thriller, and suspense). Over the last few years I've had mostly fantasy books as I just haven't been in the mood for much horror, but still...these are books that can get you in the mood for Halloween.

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: All Things Halloween Review of Glow of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 2) by Penn Cole
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday?
Thursday: All Things Halloween Review of Heat of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 3) by Penn Cole
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Jane and the King

NEW BOOKS:

Mr. Popper's Penguins (Mr. Popper's Penguins, # 1)

By: Richard & Florence Atwater

Publication: January 1, 1938

139 pages

Genre: Children's Fiction, Classics, Middle Grade, Animals, Humor

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The Poppers unexpectedly come into possession of a penguin, then get a penguin from the zoo who mates with the first penguin to have 10 baby penguins. Before long, something must be done before they eat the Poppers out of house and home!

A classic of American humor, this story of a gentle housepainter and his high stepping penguins has delighted children for generations.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Jack and the Lost Maze

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Jack and the Lost Maze (Gold Tales)

By: Jenny Phillips

Publication: The Good and the Beautiful

58 pages

Genre: Children, Picture Book, Christian, Level-1

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

Goodreads description--Jack has always been interested in the story about an old, hidden maze in the beautiful, mysterious hills around his home. One day, while tending his flock of sheep, Jack chases a sheep under a bush and finds himself in a lost maze! He cannot find his way out and wonders if he will ever get back home. Jack’s faith in God and his love of music and animals work together in this enchanting tale.

Most of the Level-1 readers we have are from publishers like Random House and Scholastics. But we use a homeschool curriculum company called The Good and the Beautiful for a lot of our curriculum. The Good and the Beautiful has its own books written by several authors. Jenny Phillips, the company's creator, writes many of the books herself. And the company emphasizes good and beautiful literature that has strong moral values. I cannot appreciate this more. Most of the "normal" level-1 reader books are about 32 pages long with one or two short sentences per page or opening. Jack and the Lost Maze is a good bit longer with 58 pages and usually, one or two sentences per opening.

Jack and the Lost Maze begins with a challenging words page that includes 4 words used in the book that might be a little beyond the child's reading level, but I like that this is included at the beginning of the book so that you can go over these words with your child before they come to them in the book. This way maybe they will already recognize the words and be able to read them from memory already. Or if they get to one of these words while reading and can't sound it out phonetically or remember it, they will at least not be surprised and feel discouraged for not being able to read a challenging word.

Jack and the Lost Maze is about a boy and his family. Many areas of the land they lived in were not safe. Jack read about a maze hidden deep in the hills that was thirty miles long. Jack cared for his family's sheep. Jack loved all the wildlife in the area. One day a foggy mist came in that made it hard for Jack to see. He found himself inside the maze. Jack realizes that his mom would tell him to pray. So he did. And God helped him. (I won't spoil how.) When he got home, he told all the people how God helped him. Jack ended up leading the men in his town/village to the maze, and together they explored and mapped the maze. But even as he grew older, he still told the story of how God helped him out of the maze.

Jack and the Lost Maze is a 5-Star level-1 book. (The Good and the Beautiful technically rates this book as a level 1B.) The morals and messages included in this book are what make this book a 5 Star book for me. We need more companies that focus on the messages we're sending to young kids. I also like that this is longer than a typical level-1 reader so that my son can get accustomed to reading longer books even though there aren't as many words on one page. Have you or your child read Jack and the Lost Maze? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - Spark of the Everflame

Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 1)

By: Penn Cole

Expected Publication: October 8, 2024 by Atria Books

416 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

Source: Prime Reading

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.

In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel offspring, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village.

Her mother’s sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.

With the dying King’s handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move, and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortalkind.

Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers epic is perfect for lovers of magic, dragons, angst, and banter and will appeal to fans of books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Gild, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

Let's be real. I've been progressively getting worse at writing book reviews in a timely manner. I finished Spark of the Everflame in March 2025, and I am just now writing my review for it in October of 2025. And not only that, but I read the next two books in the series without writing my review for any of them. Thus, I might remember details of the overall series and storylines, which makes it harder to keep track of which events happened in which book.

Here's what I remember. Diem is the main character. She works as a healer alongside her mother. They live in Mortal City, which is basically a human slum area. Her father was a military man. And her mother was also in the military for a while, but has been working as a healer for some time. Diem has a relationship with Henri. They used to be best friends, but their relationship has grown into more lately.

This world is split into 9 realms. Each realm has a king or queen. And each realm has two types of magical powers that are associated with that power. Only the Descended have magical power. And the Descended rule each realm. The way humans are treated varies from realm to realm, but overall, Descended are at the top of the hierarchy and humans are at the bottom. Luther is the prince of Lumos. His uncle is the King, but Luther is expected to be next in line to the throne. The magic chooses who will be king or queen, and it usually chooses whoever is most powerful after the current ruler.

Diem's mother goes missing one day after an encounter with the prince. And Diem is determined to find out what the prince knows. Her mother was sometimes summoned to work as a healer at the palace, even helping the king himself. Diem takes her place after she's gone, but Diem can't just be quiet. The king has a lucid moment, if you can call it that, where he makes an almost prophecy concerning Diem before he dies.

To add to the mystery, Diem's mother has been giving her some kind of concoction all of her life, and the side effects are quite terrible, but Diem does what she's told. Only now her mother is missing, and she's running out.

At the same time, Henri seems to be joining up with a group of humans looking for rebellion. They are tired of the Descended treating them like scum. They are tired of their old religion being suppressed. Henri wants Diem to join up, and Diem is considering it due to the brutality of some Descended.

Diem isn't one to be submissive. She's been trained to fight by her father. She can't stand to follow orders or to fall in line with what's expected of her. She has to go about things the hard way. And Diem is sure that Luther is hiding information about her mother. Despite all of that, she's seen Luther be soft with his sister, Lillian, whom her brother, Teller, has the biggest crush on. Diem and Luther definitely have some chemistry and some very slow burn going on. Luther seems to always be touching her, yet he doesn't seem to trust her either.

Diem tries to use her opportunities to be at the palace as a healer to spy out the layout of the palace for the Guardians, the rebel group that Henri has joined. Diem finds herself at a crossroads with the Guardians. She wants the Descended dethroned. She wants justice for their treatment of humans, but the Guardians are going about their mission in a way that is hurting people and that is at odds with everything she's been taught as a healer.

Case in point of feeling discombobulated in writing this review. I kept thinking that Diem seeing King Ulther happened early on in the book, but it was in fact towards the end of the first book. So early in the series, but late in this first book. Which makes sense, because that leaves room for the giant cliffhanger of what's going to happen once the king is gone? Will Luther become king as everyone assumed? Will he be a good king or the same as Ulther?

Favorite quotes:

-True darkness can destroy even life itself.”

-To be a wife— to be relegated to a man’s side instead of standing on my own, to abandon myself and my own goals in service of a husband’s authority and a wife’s duty. It was the life expected of most women in Mortal City.

This was not a favorite quote. And I have to remind myself that this is fantasy and part of Diem's character arc...not a review of the true role of a wife.

-We both froze in place as something ancient, something profound passed between us. It was a primal force that transcended word and thought, as powerful as a crack of lightning, a child’s first breath, the endless depth of the sea. It was not of this world but entirely woven within it. It warmed my blood with a calming peace I’d never known, yet filled me with the terrible dread of a fate I could not avoid.

Spark of the Everflame was better than I expected. There was only one scene in this book, if I remember correctly, of the spice variety, and I don't remember it being very descriptive. Of course, this was months ago, so my memory is terrible at this point. Language was high, though. The romance wasn't quite as present as I prefer, but I can see the potential, and I'm here for it. (I write this as if I don't know what happens in the next two books.) Spark of the Everflame gets 4 Stars. Have you read Spark of the Everflame ? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Light Wielder

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Light Wielder (Fire & Metal, # 2)

By: Rachel Schneider

Expected Publication: May 19, 2026 by Saturday Books

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--It’s been four years since Jovie betrayed Acker, fracturing their relationship. Her decision to take King Edmond’s magic, sparing his life at Acker’s request, has sparked a brutal war. The Kenta and Strou forces ally against the Roison and Alaha, with Maile perched dangerously on the edge of their battles.

Jovie is determined to keep the innocent Maile people from a conflict she helped start―even if it means suppressing the Matching Bond and sacrificing any hope of repairing her relationship with Acker. Yet, visions of him continue to haunt her dreams.

Acker is resigned to aid in his father’s war while in an arranged marriage with a wife who detests him. Though still pained by Jovie’s deception, he can’t stop his thoughts from turning to her. And Acker has found a way to slip into Jovie’s dreams despite her attempts to stifle the Matching Bond. There he watches her, torn between his loyalties and desire.

When he discovers the chilling reason behind the return of his father's magic, as well as Edmond’s dangerous new alliance, Acker must finally decide which war he wants to fight: the one for his king or the one for his heart.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - Iron & Embers

Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: January 28, 2025 by Alchemy

614 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--“I’ve made no secret of what I want... You. It’s always been you.”

Wren Embervale, alchemist-turned-assassin, finds solace in only one thing: seeking vengeance for the death of her friends. The wars of the past may be over, but her thirst for revenge is far from quenched.

For years, she has been content with her poisons and potions for company, but when an unknown form of alchemy is used to attack a king of the midrealms, Wren’s time in the shadows comes to an end.

She’s offered a place at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor to find a cure to the dark magic threatening the kingdoms. To win her spot, she must conquer the Gauntlet, a grueling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life.

More is at play than sabotage from fellow competitors. Magic wielders are being targeted and Wren becomes tangled in a dangerous web of deception and bloodshed that puts the entire realm at risk.

But the biggest threat of all might come from the man assigned to protect her—Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired war hero who has hated her since she assassinated his last charge.

Their shared history ignites a simmering tension that threatens to consume them both.

Peace is fragile, trust is scarce and enemies lurk around every corner… Will love heal all wounds—or will it be the most lethal poison of all?

Iron & Embers is the breathtaking first installment in the epic fantasy romance series, The Ashes of Thezmarr. With its lush world-building, sizzling chemistry, and heart-pounding action it’s perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, From Blood & Ash, and The Bridge Kingdom.

Wren was one of my favorite character from The Legends of Thezmarr series. Torj also. But Wren has been through a lot. The war in the previous series left her broken and hurting. And as a result, she pushed everyone she loved away. She allowed herself to become filled with bitterness and anger. And she wanted revenge on those still alive who didn't "pay" the ultimate price for their participation in the downfall of the realms and ultimately the death of her sister and countless others. I don't do well with a victim mentality. And that's definitely the place were Wren started and spent a good portion of this book.

Because of the bad mental space that Wren finds herself in, Audra won't recommend her to the alchemy academy of Drevenor that has been Wren's dream for years. But she finally makes it in, and Wren must turn her mental state around or she won't survive. But her place isn't garunteed and she has to make it past the gauntlet to be allowed true entry into her studies.

Torj and Wren haven't yet shared too much together. But their draw to each other was obvious. Torj is assigned to guard Wren as one of the last Embervale sisters and heir to the crown. The tensions between them can't help but bubble to the surface with all of their close contact. Especially since not all the evil in the realm has been conquerered. Magic weilders have begun to be targeted. And that means Wren isn't safe anymore.

I liked Wren and Torj, but I was really, really annoyed at the decisions made at the end of the book. I know that's because the main characters in a series can't really be together in the first book. There must be some kind of conflict to split them apart that they must overcome over the next however many books. Yet it felt out of characters, out of the blue, and such an overused plot devices that I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I mean this event itself took down my Star rating an entire point. It took a perfectly good book into the "meh" category for me. And even though I plan to continue the series, this ending has me not rushing out to pick up book 2 even though it's been published for several months as this point.

On page spice and language are present in high amounts. More than I prefer. So if this is a deal-breaker for you then Iron and Embers isn't going to be the book for you.

Favorite quote:

-"I had no idea they would be used in this way." "Nor do most creators envision their work being used for evil when they're deep in the throes of innovation. But there is danger in inventions, risk in all design. You will come to learn that here at Drevenor."

I liked this quote because it is so true. Evil is evil. And evil people with evil intentions will find a way to accomplsih their evil purposes one way or the other. And it sucks when something was created for good but those evil people use it for their evil purposes.

-"Shut up and eat your sweets, Warsword."

Iron and Embers was overall a frustrating read for me. I was annoyed with Wren and her mental state through the beginning of the book. The middle of the book was the most enjoyable. That is about all I can say without spoilers. And the ending was a load of horse mess. I'm giving Iron and Embers 3 Stars. Have you read Iron & Embers? What did you think? Let me know!