I do know I haven’t been posting or commenting on blogs these previous couple weeks, however it was spring break for the colleges over right here and my household and I’ve been away touring. I assumed I used to be going to have some downtown to learn and get a couple of critiques up whereas I used to be gone, however sure, that plan turned out to be only a tad over formidable. We flew out west to go to household, and between stops in San Diego, Las Vegas, after which a full tour of the Utah nationwide parks, there actually wasn’t a lot time to sit down nonetheless, not to mention write something coherent.

Anyway, I simply received again and I’m nonetheless recovering, so actually this is perhaps the right time for one more DNF replace whereas I take the subsequent couple days to assemble my wits and catch up. Just lately, I ended up abandoning a number of books, and actually, nothing towards them, however they simply weren’d holding my consideration, and I’ve little or no persistence for that after I’m touring. My studying temper tends to get further choosy after I’m on the go.

As at all times, simply because I DNF a ebook doesn’t imply it’s horrible. More often than not, it simply means it’s not the fitting match on the proper second. And that’s why I do these posts, as a result of even when one thing didn’t work for me, it is perhaps precisely what another person is searching for.

I obtained evaluate copies from the writer(s). This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my critiques and all opinions are my very own.

I’ll Make A Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker

Mogsy’s Ranking: DNF

Style: Horror

Collection: Stand Alone

Writer: Run For It (November 18, 2025)

Size: 388 pages

This one ended up being a DNF for me fairly early on. The premise of a Southern gothic horror set at an previous college, full with secret societies and a legend a few beast lurking within the close by woods drew me in initially. Nonetheless, the execution didn’t fairly click on. From the beginning, the pacing felt very gradual, and I struggled to remain engaged. The writing fashion additionally didn’t assist. Regardless of the fantastic thing about the prose, it got here throughout extra clunky and awkward than I preferred. It made it exhausting to attach with any of the characters or care about what was occurring. I needed to restart this one a number of instances simply in case it was me being in a distractable temper, however in the end it began to really feel like a chore to maintain making an attempt. That mentioned, I can see the enchantment for readers who take pleasure in slower, extra atmospheric horror with heavy folklore and historic influences.

Graceless Coronary heart by Isabel Ibañez

Style: Fantasy, Romance

Collection: E book 1 of The Spellbound Historical past Quartet

Writer: Saturday Books (January 13, 2026)

Size: 488 pages

I technically “completed” this ebook which is why you see a ranking, however as a result of I additionally ended up skimming by means of enormous chunks (finally simply giving up and skipping to the tip so I may discover out what occurred), I really feel it acceptable sufficient to incorporate my ideas right here. Graceless Coronary heart is one other ebook whose premise sounds wealthy on paper, that includes a heroine who’s a sculptor who makes use of forbidden magic, however not a lot about its story or central romance labored for me in any respect. The plot was linear and the tropes have been predictable, which is why I felt so snug skimming with out feeling I used to be lacking a lot. The world-building was additionally sparse, although there have been flashes of intersting concepts, particularly with the magic tied to artistry and the principle character’s expertise. Plus, I used to be invested sufficient to see the way it all ended, so there’s one thing to be mentioned for that, although in the long run, none of it was explored deeply sufficient to actually matter.

After the Fall by Edward Ashton

Mogsy’s Ranking: DNF

Style: Science Fiction

Collection: Stand Alone

Writer: St. Martin’s Press (February 24, 2026)

Size: 288 pages

This one really damage a bit to desert. I’ve genuinely had a good time with Edward Ashton’s earlier books, and going into After the Fall, I wished to love the entire “people as pets to alien overlords” idea. Sadly, it didn’t come collectively for me in the way in which I’d hoped. As a substitute of the same old sharp, witty voice I affiliate withe writer, the story felt unusually flat and lifeless. Gone was the humor or character that usually carries his writing. Once more, I had a number of false begins, however in the long run, I simply needed to settle for that the hook was by no means going to return. This one simply felt bland greater than anything, although I believe readers who would possibly join with a extra subdued method ought to nonetheless give it a attempt.